Power Outlet for Air Conditioning Appliance and Method of Operation
AssigneeConsolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
InventorsRobin Gray, Vicki Kuo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A power outlet device for regulating the operation of an appliance, such as a window mounted air conditioner is provided. The device includes a power inlet and a power outlet coupled to a switch. A controller having a communications device controls the state of the switch. The controller is connected to a temperature sensor that measures the ambient temperature of the room. A user interface allows the user to define a maximum temperature for the room. In response to the receipt of a signal via the communications device, the controller regulates the flow of electrical power to the appliance based on the defined maximum temperature. A timer is also provided that minimizes short time period cycling of the appliance.
Claims32
A power outlet device comprising:
- a power inlet;
- a switch electrically coupled to said power inlet, said switch having a first open position and a second closed position;
- a power outlet electrically coupled to said switch;
- a controller operably coupled to said switch to selectively move said switch between said first open position and said second closed position;
- a temperature sensor operably coupled to said controller;
- and,
- a communications circuit operably coupled to said controller.
A power outlet device comprising:
- a switch being movable between a first state and a second state;
- and,
- a controller operably coupled to said switch;
- a temperature sensor operably coupled to said controller;
- and,
- a communications device operably coupled to said controller;
- wherein said controller includes a processor responsive to executable computer instructions when executed on said processor for moving said switch between said first state and said second state in response to a first signal from said communications device when said temperature sensor measures a temperature less than a predetermined set point.
A method of operating an air conditioning unit comprising:
- electrically coupling said air conditioning unit to a power outlet device having a switch arranged to electrically couple and decouple said air conditioning unit from an electrical circuit;
- selecting a set point temperature with a user interface operably coupled to said power outlet device;
- measuring an ambient temperature with a temperature sensor operably coupled to said power outlet device;
- receiving a wireless command signal at said power outlet device;
- and,
- decoupling said air conditioning unit from said electrical circuit with said switch in response to said wireless command signal when said measured temperature is less than said set point temperature.
A power outlet device for an air conditioner comprising:
- a power inlet configured to be removably connected to said air conditioner;
- a switch electrically coupled to said power inlet, said switch having a first open state and a second closed state;
- a power outlet electrically coupled to said switch;
- a controller operably coupled to said switch to selectively change said switch between said first open state and said second closed state;
- a temperature sensor electrically coupled to said controller;
- a communications device electrically coupled to said controller;
- and,
- a timer operably coupled to said controller, said timer being configured to initiate when said switch changes from said second closed state to said first open state.
A method of operating an air conditioning unit comprising:
- electrically coupling said air conditioning unit to a power outlet device having a switch arranged to electrically couple and decouple said air conditioning unit from an electrical circuit;
- selecting a set point temperature with an actuator on said power outlet device;
- measuring an ambient temperature with a temperature sensor;
- receiving a demand response signal at said power outlet device;
- and,
- decoupling said air conditioning unit from said electrical circuit with said switch in response to said demand response signal when said measured temperature is less than said set point temperature;
- initiating a timer when said switch decouples said air conditioning unit from said electrical circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.