Load Shed Control Module For Use With Electrical Generator
AssigneeGenerac Power Systems, Inc.
InventorsFrancis X. Wedel, Jacob J. Thomas, Steven J. Wilcox, Greg Wischstadt, Carmine Forte
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A load management apparatus for use with an electrical system being powered by an electrical generator selectively adds and sheds loads on the electrical generator to prevent overloading of the electrical generator. The load management apparatus learns the load profile for each load during a learning mode and executes one or more load shed processes to control which electrical loads are loading the electrical generator.
Claims19
A method of managing electrical power draw on an electrical generator, comprising:
- individually prioritizing a plurality of electrical loads based on electrical loading placed by each of the plurality of electrical loads on a utility power supply that normally supplies electrical power to the plurality of electrical loads;
- upon an interruption the utility power supply, electrically connecting the plurality of electrical loads to the electrical generator so that the electrical generator can supply electrical power to the plurality of electrical loads;
- and
- if a loading on the electrical generator exceeds a preset loading value, electrically isolating the plurality of electrical loads from the electrical generator and then individually reconnecting the plurality of electrical loads to the electrical generator based on an order of preference from the prioritization of the plurality of electrical loads, wherein the plurality of electrical loads are reconnected in the order of preference until the loading by the electrical loads as the electrical loads are being connected reaches the preset loading value.
A load shedding apparatus for controlling the loading placed on an electrical generator by a plurality of electrical loads, wherein each electrical load has a load profile, the apparatus comprising:
- a current sensing device adapted to measure current output of an electrical generator;
- a plurality of remotely controllable switching devices operative to switchably connect the plurality of electrical loads to the electrical generator;
- and
- a controller programmed to provide switching signals to the remotely controllable switching devices to individually connect the electrical loads to the electrical generator so that a total loading placed on the electrical generator by the connected electrical loads does not exceed a preset overload value, and wherein the controller is further programmed to add or shed electrical loads so that the preset overload value is not exceeded and the total loading on the electrical generator is substantially at a preset efficiency value.
A power management module for managing load placed on an electrical generator that is supplying electrical power to a plurality of electrical loads that are normally powered by utility power, the module comprising:
- a first input that receives a power supply value of electrical power available from the electrical generator:
- at least one second input that receives electrical load value for the plurality of electrical loads;
- and
- a processor that is programmed to adaptively add and shed loads from receiving electrical power from the electrical generator to maintain loading on the electrical generator at or below the power supply value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.