U.S. patent application number 12/559581 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-15 for demand side management of household appliances beyond electrical.
This patent application is currently assigned to General Electric Company. Invention is credited to John K. Besore, Michael Thomas Beyerle, Michael F. Finch, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric K. Watson.
Application Number | 20100094470 12/559581 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42005534 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100094470 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Besore; John K. ; et
al. |
April 15, 2010 |
DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT OF HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES BEYOND
ELECTRICAL
Abstract
A system and method for communicating between a master and slave
devices for managing home utility costs is provided. The system
includes a measuring device for determining gas or water flow in
the home, a memory that stores data relating to past usage, and
that also receive data from the measuring device. A controller
operatively communicates with the measuring device, memory, and at
least one home appliance to provide a message to a homeowner, or
transmit information to a utility, or display a proposed
operational mode. The controller may include a lock-out feature to
prevent a homeowner from overriding a proposed mode or operation,
or the controller can shut-off gas or water flow based on a
measured flow rate.
Inventors: |
Besore; John K.; (Prospect,
KY) ; Beyerle; Michael Thomas; (Pewee Valley, KY)
; Finch; Michael F.; (Louisville, KY) ;
Venkatakrishnan; Natarajan; (Louisville, KY) ;
Watson; Eric K.; (Crestwood, KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FAY SHARPE LLP
1228 Euclid Avenue, 5th Floor, The Halle Building
Cleveland
OH
44115
US
|
Assignee: |
General Electric Company
|
Family ID: |
42005534 |
Appl. No.: |
12/559581 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61097082 |
Sep 15, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/282 ;
700/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y04S 20/222 20130101;
Y04S 40/124 20130101; F25D 21/04 20130101; G05B 13/02 20130101;
Y04S 40/126 20130101; Y02B 90/20 20130101; Y02B 70/3225 20130101;
H02J 13/00024 20200101; Y02B 70/30 20130101; H02J 2310/14 20200101;
H02J 13/00004 20200101; H02J 13/00026 20200101; H02J 2310/64
20200101; H02J 13/00017 20200101; H02J 3/14 20130101; Y04S 20/242
20130101; Y04S 20/244 20130101; G06Q 50/06 20130101; H02J 13/0075
20130101; Y04S 50/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/282 ;
700/90 |
International
Class: |
G05D 7/06 20060101
G05D007/06 |
Claims
1. A method of communicating between a master and slave device for
managing home utility costs comprising: monitoring use of gas or
water in a home; forwarding usage data to a controller operatively
communicating with an associated home appliance; and controlling
operation of the associated home appliance based on the usage rate
data.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling step includes
providing a home energy manager having a user interface for
displaying data relating to the associated home appliance and
receiving input commands from a consumer.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising transmitting data from
the associated home appliance to the home energy manager.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising transmitting data from
the associated home energy manager to the associated utility.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising sending a message from
the home energy manager to a remote device.
6. The method of claim 3 further comprising displaying a message on
the home energy manager in response to the transmitted data.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting data from
the associated home appliance to the controller.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising prompting a user
whether to accept or override a suggested mode of operation.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the monitoring step includes
measuring the flow rate of one of gas or water entering the
home.
10. A home service provider system comprising: a measuring device
for determining gas or water flow in the home; a memory that stores
data relating to past usage of gas or water in the home, and data
received from the measuring device; and a controller in operative
communication with the measuring device, memory, and at least one
associated home appliance.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the controller includes a user
interface that provides a message to a homeowner prompting an
operational mode for the associated home appliance in response to
data received from the monitor.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein the controller receives data
from the associated home appliance.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the controller includes a port
for transmitting the data from the associated home appliance to a
utility.
14. The system of claim 12 further comprising a monitor for
displaying a proposed operation based on the data received from the
associated home appliance.
15. The system of claim 12 wherein the controller includes a port
for transmitting a message to a remote location based on data
received from the associated home appliance.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the port includes forwarding
data on one of WIFI, WIMAX, Broadband, or mobile phone.
17. The system of claim 10 wherein the controller includes a
"lockout feature" that prevents a homeowner from overriding a
proposed mode of operation for the associated home appliance based
on a prior agreement with the homeowner.
18. The system of claim 10 wherein the controller includes an input
that permits the homeowner to select a mode of operation for an
associated home appliance.
19. The system of claim 10 wherein the controller can shut off gas
or water flow based on the measured flow rate and data received
from the associated home appliance.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein the controller acts in response
to flow rate over a preselected period of time.
21. The system of claim 19 wherein at least one home appliance
includes a flow meter.
22. The system of claim 21 wherein the flow meter throttles flow to
the home appliance.
23. The system of claim 21 wherein the controller through the flow
meter throttles, delays, curtails, duty cycles, or shuts off flow
to the home appliance.
Description
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/097,082 filed 15 Sep.
2008, now Ser. No. ______, filed 15 Sep. 2009 (Attorney Docket No.
231,308 (GECZ 2 00948)); which provisional patent application is
expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. In
addition, cross-reference is made to commonly owned, copending
applications Ser. No. ______, filed 15 Sep. 2009 (Attorney Docket
No. 233326 (GECZ 00989)); Ser. No. ______, filed 15 Sep. 2009
(234503 (GECZ 2 00991)); Ser. No. ______, filed 15 Sep. 2009
(234622 (GECZ 2 00992)); Ser. No. ______, filed 15 Sep. 2009
(234930 (GECZ 2 00993)); Ser. No. ______, filed 15 Sep. 2009
(235215 (GECZ 2 00995)); Ser. No. ______, filed 15 Sep. 2009
(238022 (GECZ 2 00996)); Ser. No. ______, filed 15 Sep. 2009
(238338 (GECZ 2 00997)); Ser. No. ______, filed 15 Sep. 2009
(238404 (GECZ 2 00998)); Ser. No. ______, filed 15 Sep. 2009
(237845 (GECZ 2 00999)); Ser. No. ______, filed 15 Sep. 2009
(237898 (GECZ 2 01000)); and Ser. No. ______, filed 15 Sep. 2009
(237900 (GECZ 2 01001)).
BACKGROUND
[0002] This disclosure relates to energy management, and more
particularly to energy management of household consumer appliances.
The disclosure finds particular application to changing existing
appliances via add-on features or modules, and incorporating new
energy saving features and functions into new appliances.
[0003] Currently utilities charge a flat rate, but with increasing
cost of fuel prices and high energy usage at certain parts of the
day, utilities have to buy more energy to supply customers during
peak demand. Consequently, utilities are charging higher rates
during peak demand. If peak demand can be lowered, then a potential
huge cost savings can be achieved and the peak load that the
utility has to accommodate is lessened.
[0004] One proposed third party solution is to provide a system
where a controller "switches" the actual energy supply to the
appliance or control unit on and off However, there is no active
control beyond the mere on/off switching. It is believed that
others in the industry cease some operations in a refrigerator
during on-peak time.
[0005] For example, in a refrigerator most energy is consumed to
keep average freezer compartment temperature at a constant level.
Recommended temperature level is based on bacteria multiplication.
Normally recommended freezer temperature for long (1-2 month) food
storage is 0 degrees F. Research shows that bacteria rise is a
linear function of the compartment temperature, i.e., the lower the
temperature the lower the bacteria multiplication. Refrigerator
designers now use this knowledge to prechill a freezer compartment
(and in less degree a refrigerator compartment also) before
defrost, thus keeping an average temperature during time interval
that includes before, during, and after defrost at approximately
the same level (for example, 0 degrees F.).
[0006] There are also currently different methods used to determine
when variable electricity-pricing schemes go into effect. There are
phone lines, schedules, and wireless signals sent by the electrical
company. One difficulty is that no peak shaving method for an
appliance such as a refrigerator will provide a maximal benefit.
Further, different electrical companies use different methods of
communicating periods of high electrical demand to their consumers.
Other electrical companies simply have rate schedules for different
times of day.
[0007] Electrical utilities moving to an Advanced Metering
Infrastructure (AMI) system will need to communicate to appliances,
HVAC, water heaters, etc. in a home or office building. All
electrical utility companies (more than 3,000 in the US) will not
be using the same communication method to signal in the AMI system.
Similarly, known systems do not communicate directly with the
appliance using a variety of communication methods and protocols,
nor is a modular and standard method created for communication
devices to interface and to communicate operational modes to the
main controller of the appliance. Although conventional
WiFi/ZigBee/PLC communication solutions are becoming commonplace,
this disclosure introduces numerous additional lower cost, reliable
solutions to trigger "load shedding" responses in appliances or
other users of power. This system may also utilize the commonplace
solutions as parts of the communication protocols.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] The present disclosure reduces power consumption during
on-peak hours by reducing the energy demand on the power generation
facility, and also enabling the user/consumer to pay less to
operate the appliance on an annual basis.
[0009] This disclosure is a low-cost alternative to using expensive
or complicated methods of determining when peak electrical rates
apply. For example, when the refrigerator is in peak shaving mode
(or it could be programmed to do this constantly), an ambient light
sensor determines when it is morning, and then stays in
energy-saving mode for a predetermined number of hours. Preferably,
the system will need a counter to know that the room has been dark
for a predetermined number of hours. When the lights come on for a
certain length of time, then the system knows, for example, that it
is morning.
[0010] This disclosure provides a peak-shaving appliance such as a
refrigerator, including a method to determine when to go into
peak-shaving mode without using additional components, or
components that have another purpose, and provides a high
percentage of the maximum benefit for negligible cost. The two
components needed for this are an ambient light sensor and a timer.
The kitchen will be dark for an extended period of time while
everyone is sleeping. The light sensor and the timer will be used
to determine that it is nighttime and morning can be determined by
the light sensor. When the refrigerator determines it is morning,
the timer will be used to initiate peak shaving mode after some
delay time. For example, peak shaving mode could start three hours
after it is determined morning starts. Similarly, the ambient light
sensor can also be used for dimming the refrigerator lights. This
disclosure advantageously uses ambient light to determine when to
start peak shaving.
[0011] An appliance interface can be provided for all appliances
leaving the module to communicate with the AMI system. The system
provides for appliance sales with a Demand Side Management capable
appliance. The Demand Side Management Module (DSMM) is provided to
control the energy consumption and control functions of an
appliance using a communication method (including but not limited
to PLC, FM, AM SSB, WiFi, ZigBee, Radio Broadcast Data System,
802.11, 802.15.4, etc.). The modular approach will enable an
appliance to match electrical utility communication requirements.
Each electrical utility region may have different communication
methods, protocol methods, etc. This modular approach allows an
appliance to be adapted to a particular geographical area of a
consumer or a particular electrical provider. The module can be
added as a follow on feature and applied after the appliance is
installed. Typical installations could include an integral mounted
module (inside the appliance or unit) or an externally mounted
module (at the wall electrical receptacle or anywhere outside the
appliance or unit). The module in this disclosure provides for 2
way communications if needed, and will provide for several states
of operation--for example, 1) normal operation, 2) operation in low
energy mode (but not off), and 3) operation in lowest energy
mode.
[0012] This module could be powered from the appliance or via a
separate power supply, or with rechargeable batteries. The
rechargeable batteries could be set to charge under off-peak
conditions. With the module powered from the appliance, the
appliance could turn it off until the appliance needed to make a
decision about power usage, eliminating the standby power draw of
the module. If powered separately, the appliance could go to a low
energy state or completely off, while the module continued to
monitor rates.
[0013] Use of RFID tags in one proposed system should offer
significant savings since the RFID tags have become very low cost
due to the proliferation of these devices in retail and will
effectively allow the enabled appliance to effectively communicate
with the utility meter (e.g., receive signals from the utility
meter). This system makes it very easy for a customer to manage
energy usage during peak demand periods and lowers the
inconvenience level to the customer by not shutting off appliances
in the home by the utility. When local storage and local generation
are integrated into the system, then cost savings are seen by the
customer. This system also solves the issue of rolling
brownouts/blackouts caused by excessive power demand by lowering
the overall demand. Also, the system allows the customer to
pre-program choices into the system that will ultimately lower
utility demand as well as save the customer money in the customer's
utility billing. For instance, the customer may choose to disable
the defrost cycle of a refrigerator during peak rate timeframes.
This disclosure provides for the controller to "communicate" with
the internal appliance control board and command the appliance to
execute specific actions with no curtailment in the energy supply.
This disclosure further provides a method of communicating data
between a master device and one or more slave devices using RFID
technology. This can be a number of states or signals, either using
one or more passive RFID tags that resonate at different
frequencies resonated by the master, or one or more active RFID
tags that can store data that can be manipulated by the master
device and read by the slave device(s). The states in either the
passive or active RFID tags can then be read by the microcontroller
on the slave device(s) and appropriate functions/actions can be
taken based upon these signals.
[0014] Another exemplary embodiment uses continuous coded tones
riding on carrier frequencies to transmit intelligence, for
example, when one is merely passing rate information such as rate
1, 2, 3, or 4, using the tones to transmit the signals. One could
further enhance the details of the messaging by assigning a binary
number to a given tone, thus allowing one to "spell out" a message
using binary coding with multiple tones. The appliance
microcomputer would be programmed to respond to a given number that
would arrive in binary format.
[0015] Another exemplary method of communicating between a master
and slave device for managing home utility costs includes
monitoring use of gas or water into a home, forwarding usage data
to a controller that communicates with an associated home
appliance, and controlling operation of the home appliance based on
the usage rate data.
[0016] The controlling step may include providing a home energy
manager having a user interface for displaying data relating to the
associated home appliance and receiving input commands from a
homeowner.
[0017] Two-way communication between the home appliance and the
home energy manager may be provided and, likewise, two-way
communication provided between the home energy manager and the
associated utility.
[0018] In one exemplary embodiment, a message is displayed on the
home energy manager, or a message sent to a remote device.
[0019] A system includes a measuring device for determining gas or
water flow in the home, a memory that stores data relating to past
usage of gas or water in the home, and that also stores data
received from the measuring device, and a controller that
operatively communicates with the measuring device, memory, and an
associated home appliance.
[0020] A user interface provides a message to a homeowner prompting
an operational mode for the home appliance and/or the controller
may transmit data from the home appliance to a utility.
[0021] The controller may include a lock-out feature to prevent the
homeowner from overriding a proposed mode of operation, or the
controller may include shut-off capabilities for the gas and water
flow based on the measured flow rate and data received from the
home appliance.
[0022] One advantage of this approach is that customers have
complete control of their power. There have been proposals by
utilities to shut off customers if they exceed demand limits or
increase the number of rolling brownouts. This method also gives a
customer finer granulity in their home in terms of control. A
customer does not have to load shed a room just to manage a single
device.
[0023] This disclosure also advantageously provides modes of load
shedding in the appliance, lighting, or HVAC other than "on/off" to
make the situation more acceptable from the perspective of the
customer.
[0024] An advantage of the present disclosure is the ability to
produce appliances with a common interface and let the module deal
with the Demand Side Management.
[0025] Another advantage is the ability to control functions and
features within the appliance and/or unit at various energy levels,
i.e., as opposed to just an on/off function.
[0026] Another advantage is that the consumer can choose the module
or choose not to have the module. If the module is chosen, it can
be matched to the particular electrical utility service provider
communication method of the consumer.
[0027] Another benefit is the increased flexibility with an
associated electrical service provider, and the provision of
several modes of operation (not simply an on/off mode). The module
can be placed or positioned inside or outside the appliance and/or
unit o provide demand side management.
[0028] Still other benefits relate to modularity, the ability to
handle multiple communication methods and protocols without
adversely impacting the cost of the appliance, opening up
appliances to a variety of protocols, enabling demand side
management or energy management, and/or providing for a standard
interface to the appliance (for example, offering prechill and/or
temperature set change during on-peak hours).
[0029] Low cost, reliable RF transmissions within the home, rather
than using industrial solutions such as PLC or Zigbee solutions
which are significantly more costly than the aforementioned system,
are yet another benefit.
[0030] This disclosure advantageously expands technology to
incorporate utilities in addition to the electrical utilities,
e.g., gas and water.
[0031] Another advantage relates to remote diagnostics and remote
subscription features that permit a utility to determine what
action a homeowner has taken and, in select circumstances, disable
the ability of a homeowner to override a suggested operational
mode.
[0032] Still other features and benefits of the present disclosure
will become apparent from reading and understanding the following
detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIGS. 1-21 illustrate various systems and methods of
exemplary embodiments described herein.
[0034] FIG. 22 is schematic representation of a home energy manager
for controlling home appliance operation based on non-electric
utility data.
[0035] FIG. 23 schematically represents two-way communication
between the home appliance and home energy manager.
[0036] FIG. 24 schematically represents communication among the
home energy manager, home appliance, and a remote device.
[0037] FIGS. 25-28 schematically illustrate control of gas operated
appliances.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] In one embodiment, a more advanced system is provided to
handle energy management between the utility and the homeowner's
appliances. The system can include one or more of the following: a
controller, utility meter, communication network, intelligent
appliances, local storage, local generator and/or demand server.
Less advanced systems may actually allow the appliance to
"communicate directly with the utility meter or mesh network
through the DSSM (Demand Side Management Module) (FIG. 1). The
demand server is a computer system that notifies the controller
when the utility is in peak demand and what is the utility's
current demand limit. A utility meter can also provide the
controller the occurrence of peak demand and demand limit. The
demand limit can also be set by the home owner. Additionally, the
homeowner can choose to force various modes in the appliance
control based on the rate the utility is charging at different
times of the day. The controller will look at the energy
consumption currently used by the home via the utility meter and
see if the home is exceeding the demand limit read from the server.
If the demand limit is exceeded, the controller will notify the
intelligent appliances, lighting and thermostat/HVAC (FIG. 2).
[0039] Each intelligent appliance has a communication interface
that links itself to the controller (FIG. 3). This interface can be
power-line carrier, wireless, and/or wired. The controller will
interact with the appliance and lighting controls as well as
thermostat (for HVAC) to execute the users
preferences/settings.
[0040] Enabled appliances receive signals from the utility meter
and help lower the peak load on the utility and lower the amount of
energy that the consumer uses during high energy cost periods of
the day. There are several ways to accomplish this, through
wireless communication (ZigBee, WiFi, etc) or through PLC (power
line carrier) communication. Alternatively, using passive RFID tags
that resonate at different frequencies resonated by the master, or
one or more active RFID tags that can store data that can be
manipulated by the master device and read by the slave devices(s)
is an effective and potentially lower cost communication solution
since there is no protocol. Rather, a pulse of energy at a
particular frequency will allow a low cost method with an open
protocol for transmitting/communicating between a master device and
one or more slave devices, and appropriate functions/actions can be
taken based upon these signals.
[0041] The interaction between controller and appliances can occur
in two ways. For example, in one scenario during a peak demand
period, the controller will receive a demand limit from the
utility, demand server or user. The controller will then allocate
the home's demand based on two factors: priority of the appliance
and energy need level (FIG. 4). The priority dictates which
appliances have higher priority to be in full or partial energy
mode than other appliances. Energy need dictates how much energy is
required for a certain time period in order for that appliance to
function properly. If the appliance's energy need is too low to
function properly, the appliance moves to a normal mode or a higher
energy need level. The energy saving mode is typically a lower
energy usage mode for the appliance such as shutdowns of
compressors and motors, delayed cycles, higher operating
temperatures in summer or lower operating temperatures in winter
until the peak demand period is over. Once the demand limit is
reached, the appliances will stay in their energy mode until peak
demand is over, or a user overrides, or appliance finishes need
cycle or priority changes. The controller constantly receives
status updates from the appliances in order to determine which
state they are in and in order to determine if priorities need to
change to accomplish the system goals.
[0042] In a second scenario, for example, a set point is provided.
During a peak demand period, the controller will tell each
appliance to go into peak demand mode (FIG. 5). The appliance will
then go into a lower energy mode. The customer can deactivate the
energy savings mode by selecting a feature on the appliance front
end controls (i.e. user interface board) before or during the
appliance use or at the controller. The controller can also
communicate to a local storage or power generation unit. This local
unit is connected to the incoming power supply from the utility.
The controller notifies the storage unit to charge when it is not
in peak demand, if a storage unit is included and available. If the
storage unit has enough energy to supply the appliances during peak
demand, then the controller will switch the home's energy
consumption from the utility to the storage unit. The unit can also
be local generator/storage such as solar, hydrogen fuel cell,
etc.
[0043] The central controller handles energy management between the
utility and home appliances, lighting, thermostat/HVAC, etc. with
customer choices incorporated in the decision making process. The
controller may include notification of an energy saving mode based
on demand limit read from one or more of a utility meter, utility,
demand server or user. An energy savings mode of an appliance can
thereby be controlled or regulated based on priority and energy
need level sent from the controller and/or the customer (FIG. 6).
Likewise, consideration to use of local energy storage and use of a
local generator to offset peak demand limit can be incorporated
into the energy management considerations, or provide the ability
to override mode of energy savings through the controller or at the
appliance, lighting, or thermostat/HVAC (FIGS. 7 and 8).
[0044] The present disclosure has the ability for the home to shed
loads in pending brown-out or black-out situations, yet have
intelligence to prevent an improper action such as shutting down
the refrigerator for extended timeframes that might compromise food
storage safety.
[0045] How much energy the appliance consumes in peak demand is
based on priority of the device and the energy need level. If the
appliance's priority is high, then the appliance will most likely
not go into a saving mode. The energy need level is based on how
little energy the appliance can consume during peak demand and
still provide the function setting it is in (i.e. in a
refrigerator, ensuring that the temperature is cool enough to
prevent spoiling). It will also be appreciated that an appliance
may have multiple energy need levels.
[0046] The controller will be the main product with the
communication and settings control incorporated within future
appliances. Specific meters will be selected so that the controller
can read the demand usage. It is intended that the demand server
will possibly be purchased or leased to the utility.
[0047] A method is provided for constructing an appliance designed
to perform any key function, the appliance comprises of several
mechanical and electrical elements controlled by a main controller.
This main controller has a port for receiving information regarding
the operational state of the appliance. The port also has a user
interface or switch which could be used to override the information
received by the controller through the port. Two-way or one-way
communication devices may be connected to the port. These
communication devices will receive signals from a remote
controller, process those signals and as a result communicate an
operational state to the main controller of the appliance. This
operational state is communicated to the main controller by one or
more remote controllers in a specific format determined by the
appliance. These signals from the remote controller(s) could be
based on a variety of communication methods and associated
protocols. On receiving the operational state signal, the appliance
main controller causes the appliance to run a predetermined
operational mode. These operational modes are designed into the
appliance(s) and result in different resource consumption levels or
patterns, even delaying use. Resources could include energy, water,
air, heat, sunlight, time, etc. In future appliance models, the
consumer might be given the authority to modify the appliance
responses to a given rate signal. The consumer would be presented a
"check box" of potential response modes and allowed to choose
within set parameters. For instance, the consumer might be allowed
to choose the amount of temperature adjustment a refrigerator will
make in response to a high utility rate.
[0048] A method of communicating data between a master device and
one or more slave devices may advantageously use continuous
tone-coded transmission system. This can be a number of states or
signals, either using one or more continuous tones that signify
different rate states coming from the home area network (from
meter) or the utility. Additionally, one could send a combination
of tones to transmit binary messages using a few tones. The slave
devices will incorporate a receiver that receives the carrier
frequency and then decodes the continuous tone which corresponds to
the particular state of the utility rate. Once the "receiver board"
detects the tone, then the downstream circuitry will trigger the
appropriate response in the appliance. The carrier frequency in
this scheme can be numerous spectrums, one being the FM broadcast
band or a specific FM band allocated by the FCC for low level power
output. The advantage of broadcast band FM is the low cost of such
devices and the potential to penetrate walls, etc. within a home
with very low levels of power due to the long wavelength of the
89-106 Mhz carrier. This process is used today in 2-way radio
communications to reduce the annoyance of listening to multiple
users on shared 2-way radio frequencies. The process in these
radios is referred to as CTCSS (continuous tone-coded squelch
system) and would find application in this end use.
[0049] Generally, it is not known to have modular interfaces that
can receive signals from a control source. Also, no prior
arrangements have functioned by addressing the control board of the
appliance with a signal that directs the appliance to respond.
[0050] Thus, by way of example only, the structure and/or operation
of a refrigerator (FIG. 9, although other appliances are also
represented) may be modified or altered by reducing the
temperature, especially in the freezer compartment pre on-peak time
and further temporarily provide a compartment temperature increase
to shave on-peak load. Specifically, defrost operation could be
delayed until off-peak time. Alternatively or conjunctively, the
freezer and refrigerator temperature setpoints may be set to
maintain less compressor on time during on-peak demand times.
Similarly, the refrigerator/freezer could be programmed so that
lights will not be permitted to come on or the lights must be
dimmed lights during on-peak demand times. During on-peak demand
times, the fan operating speeds can be reduced, and/or compressor
operating speed reduced in order to reduce energy consumption.
Still another option is to reduce the delay time for the door alarm
to sound during on-peak time. Other power load reducing measures in
a refrigerator may include (reducing before on-peak hours) the
temperature of the freezer and refrigerator compartments in a
refrigerator (prechill) and slightly increase temperature setting
during on-peak rates. For example, just before peak rate time, the
temperature setting could be decreased by 1-2 degrees (during
off-peak rates). Some communication line with the electrical
company could be established. Thus, the electrical company may be
able to send a signal in advance to prechill the refrigerator (or
in the case of an air conditioner, decrease the room temperature
during off-peak rates as a pre-chill maneuver) and, in turn,
increase the temperature setting during on-peak rates.
[0051] Still other energy consuming practices of the exemplary
refrigerator that may be altered include turning the ice-maker off
during on-peak demand times, or disabling the crushed ice mode
during on-peak demand times. Alternatively, the consumer may be
given the ability to select via a user interface which items are
incorporated into the on-peak demand via an enable/disable menu, or
to provide input selection such as entry of a zip code (FIG. 10) in
order to select the utility company and time of use schedule (FIG.
11), or using a time versus day of the week schedule input method
(FIGS. 12-13).
[0052] The user interface may also incorporate suggested energy
saving tips or show energy usage, or provide an indicator during
on-peak mode, or provide a counter to illustrate the energy impact
of door opening, or showing an energy calculator to the consumer to
serve as a reminder of the impact of certain selections/actions on
energy use or energy conservation (FIGS. 14-19).
[0053] One path that is being pursued from the appliance
perspective is to allow the onboard CPU (microprocessor) of the
appliance to determine how to respond to an incoming signal asking
for a load shedding response. For example, the CPU will turn on,
turn off, throttle, delay, adjust, or modify specific functions and
features in the appliance to provide a turndown in power
consumption (FIG. 20). FIG. 21 defines specifically exemplary modes
of what are possible. The main feature here is the enabling of the
main board microprocessor or CPU to execute actions in the
appliance to deliver load shedding (lowering power consumption at
that instant). The actions available in each appliance are only
limited to the devices that the CPU has control over, which are
nearly all of the electrical consuming devices in an appliance.
This may work better where the appliance has an electronic control
versus an electromechanical control.
[0054] Of course, the above description focuses on the refrigerator
but these concepts are equally applicable to other home appliances
such as dishwashers, water heaters, washing machines, clothes
dryers, televisions (activate a recording feature rather than
turning on the television), etc., and the list is simply
representative and not intended to be all encompassing.
[0055] Likewise, although these concepts have been described with
respect to appliances, they may find application in areas other
than appliances and other than electricity usage. For example, a
controller that acts as an intermediary between the utilities meter
and the appliance interprets the utility signal, processes it and
then submits this signal to the appliance for the prescribed
reaction. In a similar fashion, the controller may find application
to other household utilities, for example, natural gas and water
within the home. One can equip the water and gas meters to measure
flow rates and then drive responses to a gas water heater or gas
furnace precisely like the electrical case. This would assume that
one might experience variable gas and water rates in the future.
Secondly, the flow meters being connected to the controller could
provide a consumer with a warning as to broken or leaking water
lines by comparing the flow rate when a given appliance or
appliances are on to the normal consumption. In cases where safety
is a concern, the system could stop the flow of gas or water based
on the data analysis.
[0056] Another feature might be the incorporation of "remote
subscription" for the utility benefit. In some cases, the utility
will be providing customers discounts/rebates for subscribing to
DSM in their appliances, hot water heaters, etc. The "remote
subscription" feature would allow the utility to send a signal that
would "lockout" the consumer from disabling the feature since they
were on the "rebate" program.
[0057] Another feature that the controller lends itself to is the
inclusion of "Remote diagnostics". This feature would allow the
appliance to send a signal or message to the controller indicating
that something in the appliance was not up to specifications. The
controller could then relay this signal to the utility or to the
appliance manufacturer via the various communication avenues
included into the controller (i.e., WIFI, WIMAX, Broadband,cell
phone, or any other formats that the controller could "speak").
[0058] In the case of a remote subscription, the utilities today
rely on the honesty of their subscribers to leave the DSM system
functional. Some people may receive the discounts/rebate and then
disable the feature that drives the load shedding. With this
system, the utility can ensure that the feature will be enabled and
provide the proper load shedding.
[0059] As briefly noted above, the system and method of
communicating between master and slave devices for managing home
utility costs can also be expanded to utilities other than
electricity, e.g., namely gas and water are two primary examples.
It is necessary, therefore, to measure flow rates of either water
or gas in the home and provide appropriate responses to one or more
appliances, or perhaps to the water or gas supply, for example, if
shut-off is required. Flow meters may be associated with the water
and gas lines, and the flow meters provide data to the controller
that preferably stores usage data associated with a particular
associated home appliance. As shown in FIG. 22, meter 100 is
mounted to the home. A controller 102, also referred to as a "home
energy manager" (HEM), is interposed between the meter and an
associated home appliance 104. For example, the home appliance may
be a natural gas furnace or a gas water heater. A gas utility may
charge different rates to the homeowner, or the utility may be
interested in receiving information from the homeowner regarding
gas usage data for example. Thus, a micro-controller 106 associated
with the home appliance 104 receives data and/or signals from the
home energy manager, and in turn re-transmits data to the home
energy manager regarding operational mode or operational aspects of
the home appliance. The home energy manager receives data through
the meter or from the utility directly, and the home energy
manager/controller provides data to the utility.
[0060] Flow rate device(s) 110 is provided at the home either along
a main or branch line and monitors the flow of gas or water into
the home. The flow rate device 110 measures the flow rates,
provides information to the home energy manager which preferably
includes a memory 112 that stores past usage data, present usage
data, and can also be programmed to store a selected response or
mode of operation for a home appliance 104 depending on the data
received from the utility. The homeowner interacts with the
controller through a user interface 114, such as a display monitor
or touch-screen, to either receive messages and/or input data into
the HEM/controller 102. By way of example only, the utility may
provide data to the HEM/controller indicative of various
operational costs. For example, "low", "medium", "high", and
"critical" cost structures may be provided to the controller. The
homeowner may program the controller so that various home
appliances respond or operate in a particular manner when one of
the various pricing levels is indicated or in response to other
data or conditions (i.e., not just cost). For example, there may be
price points that encourage a homeowner to conserve energy or save
money dependent on time or mode of appliance operation or there may
be a critical shortage such as a drought where water use must be
curtailed. The memory 112 may prompt or suggest operational aspects
for the homeowner to consider in deciding whether to alter
operation of the home appliances or home devices. The homeowner
typically has the option to either accept the suggested mode of
operation for the home appliance/device, override the suggestion,
or potentially modify to a different course of action. As shown in
FIG. 22, this information is then transmitted to the home appliance
from the HEM/controller 102, and once the home appliance begins to
operate, a return signal or return data is provided to the
HEM/controller 102 from the home appliance.
[0061] In certain situations, the utility purchases energy off the
power grid or may experience an imminent brownout, so that the
utility may require the homeowner to turn off non-necessary home
appliances, e.g., the air conditioner. In such situations, the
utility needs to confirm that the air conditioner is either
operational or not. Likewise, essential home appliances such as a
refrigerator may need to be modified so that minimal requirements
are satisfied, i.e. to prevent food spoilage, but allows other
operational aspects to be curtailed to allow the utility to shed
further load when the consumer is prompted to do so. If the utility
provides a rebate, for example, and the consumer is requested to
shed the load but does not do so, the utility (as a result of the
two-way communication) can then determine whether or not the rebate
should be given to the consumer. Accordingly, the controller may
need to override the homeowner in certain limited situations. Even
though a homeowner may desire to override the suggestion of a
reduced use of an appliance in certain instances, the utility may
require that the homeowner choice be overridden. Thus, by "remote
subscription" the utility is informed of the action of the
homeowner, and may take corresponding action.
[0062] The HEM/controller may also measure the flow rates of water
or gas into the home. For example, if a load of laundry is being
washed, and the homeowner desires to start the dishwasher, the HEM
may prompt the homeowner to start the dishwasher at a later time
period. The HEM/controller manages the intermingling of operations
of the appliances and utility usage in the home. Still another
example would be to select price point levels that can be
programmed into the HEM/controller. For example at less than 5 kw
use, each homeowner may be charged a first level, e.g., 6.5
cents/kw. If homeowner electricity use increases to between 5-7.5
kw, then the rate may increase to 12 cents/kw, or the rate may
increase to a third level if above 7.5 kw are used by the
homeowner. The particular cutoff points, and the particular prices
associated with these price points are not deemed to be limiting
and are merely representative of how an HEM/controller can monitor
the pricing and usage details. This data can be used to provide
recommendations to the homeowner to save money and/or reduce energy
consumption. In addition, the HEM/cotroller can receive feedback
from the appliances. Yet another aspect of the HEM/controller
allows the homeowner to pre-program the desired operation of one or
more home appliances into the HEM/controller.
[0063] Still another desired function of the two-way communication
is that indicators or messages can be sent to the HEM/controller
from the appliance (FIG. 23). For example, by monitoring the flow
rate of water to a water dispenser or ice maker in a
refrigerator-freezer, selected prompts such as "water filter needs
to be replaced" can be provided to the HEM/controller.
Alternatively, this type of message can be based on a passage of
time since the last filter change was completed rather than flow
rate. The HEM/controller can display this information on a monitor
or user interface 114. Alternatively, the HEM/controller can send a
message to a remote device such as a cell phone that then indicates
"time to change water filter"(FIG. 24).
[0064] Further, diagnostics can be built into the appliance. The
HEM/controller can monitor freezer temperatures, for example, and
if the freezer compartment temperatures have increased slightly
over a certain period of time an indication or message is provided
to the homeowner that, based on past experience, there may be a
need to call for service. Again, such a message may be provided at
the home energy manager/controller 102, or a separate signal
provided to a remote device (FIG. 24).
[0065] With reference to FIG. 25, service line 200 supplies gas,
for example, to a gas meter 202. From the gas meter, one or more
branch lines 204 lead to various gas consuming appliances, for
example, in the home. Exemplary gas appliances include a gas
furnace 206, gas range 208, gas water heater 210, gas space heater
212, and a gas boiler 214. Such a list of appliances is not deemed
to be exhaustive, but merely to illustrate various appliances that
may use gas. The gas consuming device preferably includes
electronic controls that may throttle, delay, curtail, duty cycle,
etc. gas flow based on responses being sent to each of the
appliances from the home energy manager 220. Thus as illustrated,
an RF signal 222, for example from the gas meter 202 provides rate
information from the gas meter or utility to the home energy
manager, and may also provide consumption limits, or still other
information indicative of toll or varying rate situations. The home
energy manager 220 preferably forwards these responses wirelessly
or through a hard-wired arrangement with one or more of the
individual appliances as represented by signal lines 224. For
example, it is contemplated that responses may be sent to each of
the appliances that indicate "low", "medium", "high", or "critical"
operational rates, or an alternative type of response signal being
"on", "off", or "delay". Again, the particular message communicated
from the home energy manager to the individual appliance is not
deemed to be limiting, but may depend on the type of control and/or
feedback associated with the individual appliances.
[0066] For example, if each appliance included a flow meter, a
homeowner could program into the home energy manager the
anticipated running usage of each appliance, and then the home
energy manager could manage the loads in response to a particular
situation. One or more appliances could be throttled or reduced in
the amount of gas flow provided. Some appliances would be cut back,
perhaps others turned off, other delayed, and/or still other
appliances may not be impacted at all.
[0067] Typically, however, many gas appliances are either on or
off, i.e., they are binary in which one hundred percent (100%)
burner usage is provided or the burner is simply turned off. The
home energy manager would also know how much each appliance would
typically consume in the way of gas, for example, the furnace could
use 3 XCFM (FIG. 26), the hot water heater use 2 XCFM (FIG. 27),
and a combined use shown in FIG. 28. Comparing the data in FIGS.
26-28 permits the controller to "know" which home appliances are
being used so that controller response may be implemented. Again,
the particular amount or relative amounts of gas used is only
exemplary. Nevertheless under this scenario, the home energy
manager could manage loads by communicating with each individual
appliance, e.g. with the hot water heater and the furnace.
[0068] Similarly, an individual sensor from each appliance flow
meter could report back to the HEM and the controller send suitable
signals to each of the appliances, and particularly the flow meters
if necessary. The HEM can relieve tiered rates, threshold prices,
etc. and further manipulate the gas using appliances to control or
minimize the "load". For example, a furnace or gas water heater
could be temporarily shut off. Alternatively, a delayed start or a
suggested delay could be provided for a gas dryer. Still another
example is to delay a water heater start cycle and instead keep gas
flow at a lower level. Still another example is to recommend to the
user that only the small oven cavity of a dual cavity oven be used
in order to reduce the amount of gas load or usage during certain
utility events.
[0069] If no flow meters were available at each appliance, the HEM
could be programmed with the expected running usage of each
appliance. The HEM would still manage the loads, knowing for
example that a furnace is consuming 200 SCFM of gas when activated
and only approximately 2 SCFM of gas when it is off (i.e., to
maintain a pilot).
[0070] Similar concepts to the exemplary gas supply and gas
appliances can be associated with other home services, such as
water usage. For example, the home energy manager would recognize
or be programmed by the user to recognize that a water sprinkler
uses, for example, 20 gallons per minute, while a shower uses 10
gallons per minute, a sink uses 3 gallons per minute, a toilet uses
5 gallons per minute, a dishwasher may have periodic uses, etc.
Again, all of this information would be input to the home energy
manager so that the home energy manager could recognize what
demands are being made on the water supply. These demands could
then be prioritized as programmed by the user, or if individual
flow meters are available, to reduce overall gallon per minute use
during "high energy modes". For example, reduced water flow could
be provided during showers, laundry, etc., or lawn sprinklers could
be completely disabled during a drought.
[0071] In summary, the homeowner can equip water and gas meters to
measure flow rates and drive responses to a gas water heater, a gas
furnace, or other home appliances. If the gas or water utilities
vary pricing in the future, this data would also be important to
the homeowner. Additionally, the flow meters can communicate with
the HEM/controller to provide the homeowner with a warning as to
broken or leaking gas or water lines by comparing the present flow
rate of a given appliance or appliances with historic data of
normal consumption. If safety is truly a concern, the system could
shut-off the flow of gas or water based on the data analysis.
[0072] In some cases, a utility provides customer discounts or
rebates for subscribing to proposed suggestions for saving on
energy costs, and more particularly reducing energy consumption in
association with home appliances. The utility can send a signal
that would also "lock-out" the homeowner from disabling a feature
once a homeowner has selected to participate in a rebate
program.
[0073] Still another consideration is to include remote diagnostic
features. A signal or message from one or more of the individual
appliances to the controller could indicate that the appliance was
not operating to predetermined specifications. The controller would
analyze the data from the home appliance with the data stored in
its memory, and relay a signal or display a message at the
controller, or at the utility, or the appliance manufacturer, or
perhaps to another remote location such as a cell phone, etc.
Various forms of communication are contemplated for such a message
or signal, such as wi-fi, wi-max, broadband, cell phone, etc.
[0074] The invention has been described with reference to the
preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations
will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding
detailed description. It is intended that the invention be
construed as including all such modifications and alterations.
* * * * *