Patent Application
20140316594
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems, devices, and methods for automating the detection of abnormal energy use to identify and resolve potentially unsafe conditions, and to optimize energy use. More particularly, the present disclosure includes methods of detecting a flow of power that may indicate an unsafe condition, e.g., a fire hazard.
2. Background of the Invention
Safety remains a concern for home and business owners, managers, and operators. The ability to detect a catastrophic failure of an electrically powered device, or a device using a combustible fuel. such as natural gas or liquid propane gas (LPG) early has the potential to reduce damage caused by the failure. Further, failure may result from deterioration of a device over time, leading to increased safety risk and inefficient energy use.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0188229, entitled SAFETY SHUT OFF SYSTEM FOR HOUSE-HOLD APPLIANCES, teaches a method of determining if a motion has occurred in an area, and if not, shutting off a device. If a homeowner has an oven on and leaves home, for example, the lack of motion could he detected and used to shut off the oven. This may possibly prevent a fire, but it may also prevent a turkey dinner from cooking to completion if the oven is turned off, e.g., because the homeowner was in a different part of the house than the kitchen.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0149891, entitled ARC FAULT DETECTOR WITH CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER, discusses combining arc detectors with appliance leakage circuit interrupters, of which one type is sometimes known as GFCI or ground fault circuit interrupters. These devices attempt to detect arcing or other abnormal power conditions which may indicate a potentially unsafe situation, and then shut off power to the circuit. These devices may detect when a catastrophic failure has already occurred and attempt to shut off power before significant damage or harm occurs.
What is needed is a method to determine when an appliance is in need of maintenance, e.g., due to deterioration or degradation in performance, and identify the situation so that preventive action can be taken to prevent significant safety risk and/or catastrophic failure. Further needed is a method to detect When a failure may be imminent and to take automatic action to prevent an expensive or harmful failure.
The present disclosure is generally directed toward detecting one or more operating characteristics of a device that is consuming energy, monitoring the characteristic over time, and initiating a response if the characteristic exceeds a limit. If the characteristic exceeds a first limit, for example, maintenance may be requested or scheduled for the device, automatically or manually. If the characteristic exceeds a second limit, for example, the device may be deactivated to prevent a catastrophic failure.
In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes a method of determining a class of an appliance plugged into or otherwise coupled to an outlet. The profile of power expected to be drawn by the appliance may be determined, and if the appliance exceeds a first threshold the appliance may be flagged for maintenance. Further, for example, if the appliance draws power that exceeds a second threshold, the appliance may be considered defective and shut down. That is, power delivery to the appliance may be temporarily or permanently interrupted.
In another exemplary embodiment, a home automation system may determine which devices share a circuit. If a circuit is drawing more than a predetermined threshold, for example, or if one or more components of the circuit are overheating, then the one or more components, some of the components, or all of the components identified on the circuit may be deactivated to reduce the load on the circuit.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are further directed to systems, devices, and methods for intelligently controlling and/or tracking one or more energy consuming devices in a structure, including, but not limited to, a home, office, hospital, sporting complex, or school, and may include methods of identifying devices that have a high priority. Devices identified as a high priority may be preferentially granted access to electrical power, and may be excluded from any power interruption.
While the embodiments often use electric power as an example, the methods disclosed herein are also applicable to other utilities and resources such as, e.g., steam, water natural gas, liquid propane gas (LPG), and/or other utilities. Indeed, the principles described herein may be used in connection with any utility or resource that may be consumed by a user.
Various embodiments of automation systems disclosed may include one or more of the following features: an outlet including an adaptor configured to be operably coupled with a preexisting electrical outlet; at least one sensor, e.g., a plurality of sensors; the at least one sensor may include one of a motion sensor, light sensor, and a temperature sensor; the outlet may include a microprocessor; one of the control unit and microprocessor may be configured to receive power consumption data for one or more electrical devices from a power monitor; one of the control unit and microprocessor may be configured to compare the received power consumption data to power consumption data of known electrical devices; one of the control unit and microprocessor may be configured to identify the one or more electrical devices based on the comparison of the received power consumption data. to power consumption data of known electrical devices; the at least one outlet may be configured to detect an electrical noise in a power line generated by the one or more electrical devices; the at least one outlet may be configured to communicate the detected electrical noise to the control unit; the control unit may be configured to compare the detected electrical noise to electrical noise data of known electrical devices; the control unit may be configured to identify the one or more electrical devices based on the comparison of the detected electrical noise to electrical noise data of known electrical devices; the sensor may be configured to detect a radiofrequency signal; a switch operably coupled to the controller and the outlet; the control unit may be configured to communicate with the Internet; the communication link may be configured to allow wireless communication between the outlet and the control unit; and the control unit may be configured to terminate delivery of electrical energy to the at least one outlet based on an input from the at least one sensor.
The present disclosure includes a method of controlling power to a device, the method comprising measuring at least one power consumption characteristic of the device; determining an identity of the device; comparing the at least one power consumption characteristic measured to an energy profile of the device, wherein the energy profile includes at least one operating limit and a known power consumption characteristic associated with the identity of the device; and controlling power to the device based on the comparison, Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following features: the identity may include a type or model of the device; the at least one operating limit may be a function of time, an age of the device, an environmental condition to which the device is exposed, a frequency of operation of the device,. or a combination thereof; the energy profile may include at least two limits corresponding to different operating modes of the device; the method may comprise providing information on the status of the device based on comparison of the at least one power consumption characteristic measured and the at least one operating limit, wherein the information is stored, transmitted, displayed, or a combination thereof; the information may include at least one of a warning, an alarm, or a recommendation to perform maintenance on the device; the information may be transmitted to a mobile device; the method may comprise optimizing an energy use of the device based on the information; controlling power to the device may include interrupting a supply of power to the device if the at least one power consumption characteristic measured exceeds the at least one operating limit; the at least one operating limit may include a first operating limit and a second operating limit; controlling power to the device may include interrupting a supply of power to the device if the at least one power consumption characteristic measured exceeds the second operating limit; the method may comprise providing information on the status of the device if the at least one power consumption characteristic measured exceeds the first operating limit, the second operating limit, or both; the method may comprise replacing the device if the at least one power consumption characteristic measured exceeds the first operating limit but not the second operating limit; replacing the device may include purchasing a second device; contacting a service provider if the at least one power consumption characteristic measured exceeds the second operating limit; the method may comprise collecting data for the device from at least one sensor, wherein controlling power to the device is also based on the data from the at least one sensor; or the at least one sensor may be a sail switch, a thermostat, or a thermometer.
The present disclosure further includes a method of determining an operating condition of a device, the method comprising measuring at least one power consumption characteristic of the device; determining an identity of the device; comparing the at least one power consumption characteristic measured to an energy profile of the device, wherein the energy profile includes a first operating limit, a second operating limit, and a known power consumption characteristic associated with the identity; and providing information on the status of the device based on comparison of the at least one power consumption characteristic measured to the energy profile, wherein the information is stored, transmitted, displayed, or a combination thereof. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following features: the information may include at least one of a warning, an alarm, or a recommendation to perform maintenance on the device; or the method may comprise interrupting a supply of power to the device if the at least one power consumption characteristic measured exceeds the second operating limit.
The present disclosure further includes a method of managing safety in an automation system, the method comprising measuring a difference in voltage between power supplied to a component of the system and power received by the component; determining an energy loss associated with the difference in voltage; and controlling power to the component to minimize a safety risk associated with the energy loss. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following features: measuring the difference in voltage may include Measuring a change in voltage at a first outlet and a second outlet when an appliance connected to the first outlet or the second outlet undergoes a change of state; the change of state may include receiving a supply of power; the method may comprise measuring a voltage at a breaker box connected to at least one of the first outlet and the second outlet and determining an energy loss in a circuit connecting the breaker box to the first outlet or the second outlet; the voltage measurements may be repeated to determine the energy loss over time; the energy loss may correspond to heating of a component or wired connection of the system; the energy loss may be measured by an infrared energy sensor; determining whether the first outlet and the second outlet are on a single circuit based on the measured change in voltage; the first outlet and the second outlet may be on a single circuit, a first device may be connected to the first outlet, and a second device may be connected to the second outlet; the method may comprise determining a priority between the first device and the second device; the energy loss may correspond to heating of the circuit; or the method may comprise interrupting power to the first device or the second device based on the priority determination.
It may be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the disclosure, as claimed. The present invention will be more clearly understood from the detailed description below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts and/or components.
Overview
An automation system, e.g., a home automation system, generally may include one or more switches and one or more outlets, with the user desiring which outlet or outlets are controlled by the switch(es). Existing X10 devices require the user to manually set an address on the switch and the outlet, an outlet would respond to a switch with an identical address enabling or disabling power to the outlet on command of the identically addressed switch.
Embodiments of the present disclosure include, among other things, an automation system. Examples of suitable systems include those described in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/672,534, filed Nov. 8, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Systems according to the present disclosure may be used in, e.g., residential, commercial, and/or industrial structures. Non-limiting examples include single-family and multi-family dwellings, condominium units, apartments, apartment buildings, offices, office buildings, schools, churches, sporting complexes, shopping centers, and manufacturing facilities.
The present disclosure may allow a user to determine the identity of a device plugged into an outlet, determine if the device is operating in an expectant manner, and if not operating correctly, to flag the device for maintenance and/or disable the device.
The present disclosure may be further understood with reference to embodiments shown in
The system 100 may include one or more other components or enhancements. Referring to
A mobile device 170 may be wirelessly connected to the system 100 via wireless connection 175. For example, the mobile device 170 may be connected to the control unit 110 as shown in
Further referring to
Breaker box 105 may measure voltage, current, and/or power on one or more power lines leading into and out of the breaker box 105. Breaker box 105 may, for example, include a utility meter. Breaker box 105 may be wired. or wirelessly connected. to automation system 100, and may include one or more sensors such as voltage meters, current meters; temperature sensors, or other types of sensors. The sensor(s) may be wired or wirelessly connected to the automation system 100.
An appliance 180 such as, e.g., a washing machine, may be plugged into or otherwise operably coupled to an outlet 130 through connection 165, which may be wired or wireless. The appliance 180 may be able to communicate with system 100 and/or another entity, and the appliance 180 may have the ability to measure the amount of power drawn from outlet 130.
The switch 200 may further include a first wireless transceiver 230, for example a 802.11 Wi-Fi transceiver. The term “transceiver” as used herein should not be construed as limited to any particular structural components. Instead, a transceiver may include any structural components configured to allow for back and forth communication. Accordingly, the transceivers disclosed herein may include, but are not limited to, antennae, power supplies, communication ports, and/or any other elements needed to achieve the desired function. The first wireless transceiver 230 may be configured to communicate over any known protocol including, but not limited to, X10, Zigbee®, and/or Bluetooth. Further, although the exemplary embodiment of
In some embodiments, the switch 200 may also include a second wireless transceiver 235 to allow the switch 200 to communicate with one or more devices (e.g., the outlet 130 shown in
The switch 200 may include one or more sensors 240 configured to detect and respond to various conditions or stimuli, such as temperature, moisture (e.g., water, rain, or humidity), light, sound, air flow, contaminants, motion, or electromagnetic or radio frequencies. Examples of such sensors are disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/672,534, which is incorporated herein by reference. The switch 200 may also include a power supply 250, which may be any suitable power supply known in the art. In some embodiments, for example, the power supply 250 includes a battery, e.g., a rechargeable battery. It is understood that the power supply 250 in
The switch 200 may include a microprocessor 210, which may be any suitable microprocessor known in the art. Although
In some embodiments, the outlet 300 receives electrical energy via a power switch 330 supplied by line power via connection 350. The power switch 330 may be controlled by a microprocessor, e.g., 310, which may include any or the features described with respect to the microprocessor 210 of
The outlet 300 may further include a power monitor 340 for measuring the consumption of power by the load 360 connected to the outlet 300. The load 360 may be connected via any suitable means, such as, e.g., standard 2 or 3 pin power outlets, 220V outlets, or international standard outlets, and may also include a wireless connection such as via a wireless charger. The power monitor 340 may transmit measured power data to the microprocessor 310 via the transceiver 320, or may also transmit data to one or more other components or devices of the system 100.
In some embodiments, the power monitor 340 also measures noise in the connection to the load 360 in order to determine the type of energy-consuming device(s) connected, e.g., as explained in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/672,534, which is incorporated herein by reference. This type of analysis is discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,094,034. Multiple connections throughout an entire structure may be monitored and analyzed to determine the types of devices, such as appliances, connected to define the load 360, e.g., by turning the devices on and off. In some embodiments, user activity may be inferred by monitoring a structure, e.g., identifying which loads are activated and deactivated. By monitoring power consumption characteristics at the outlet 360, characteristics of a device connected to the outlet 300 may be determined, e.g., via techniques disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,094,034 or other suitable analytical methods. Based on the power consumption characteristics, the device (e.g., an oven, refrigerator; fan, or other appliance) may be beneficially and intelligently identified.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the outlet may comprise a device that is included in a junction box or coupled to an electrical system and provides power or another utility or resource to a device. By way of example, this could be a device included in a ceiling junction box that is coupled (e.g., wired) to a ceiling fan, a device included inline to power outside flood lights, a device that monitors and/or controls the flow of natural gas to a furnace, among other variations.
Outlet 130 may receive information such as the amount of power an appliance is consuming via a power monitor 340. When the appliance is plugged into or otherwise coupled to the outlet 130, the outlet 130 may track and record how much power is consumed versus time. For example, the outlet 130 may record that a washing machine consumes a first rate of power for 10 minutes, which corresponds to a wash cycle, followed by a second rate of power for 5 minutes, which corresponds to a rinse cycle, followed by a third rate of power for 5 minutes, which corresponds to a spin cycle. The data may be stored over several operating cycles, e.g., for comparison to known power consumption characteristics or patterns of a washing machine. In some embodiments, the data is transferred to a control unit (e.g., control unit 110 of
Once the device is identified, one or more operating limits may be determined and retrieved from the system 100 or a database coupled to the system 100. In step 430, a component of the automation system 100 determines one or more operating limits of the identified device. The operating limits may be determined from messages or data exchanged with the device and/or from a database, which may be stored locally, such as in a component of the automation system 100. The operating limits may also be retrieved from a database connected to the Internet. The expected operating limits may include preset or static limits, or may include dynamic limits. Dynamic limits may change, for example, based on time, the age of the appliance, where the device is located, environmental conditions to which the appliance is exposed (e.g., weather, temperature, humidity, elevation, and/or amount of sun), the device's frequency of operation, and/or the number of persons in the location (e.g., the number of persons affecting or determining the device's operational load), for example. The operating limits may apply to a class of devices or appliances (e.g., washing machines), or may be tailored to a specific type or model of device or appliance (e.g., a GE Model # GFWH1200DWW 3.6 cu ft front loading washing machine). The operating limits may include expected times of operation, for example, or maximum power consumed for different time intervals. The maximum consumed power may include different limits and corresponding actions. In at least some embodiments, the operating limits are be recorded in a profile, e.g., an energy profile, associated with an identity of the device (e.g., the model of washing machine).
In step 440, one or more operating characteristics of the appliance, such as the amount of power delivered to the device, the time of day the device operates, the amount of time in operation, etc, is measured via outlet 130. The system may compare the measured operating characteristic(s) to the operating limit(s). If, for example, the device operating characteristic exceeds a first limit (step 450), the automation system 100 may determine that the appliance is working sub-optimally and that maintenance may be required. The control unit 110 may send or display a message locally and/or remotely indicating a potential problem and that maintenance may be required. The control unit 110 also may send a message to an authorized or identified provider of maintenance services, and in some embodiments may even schedule an appointment for maintenance.
As mentioned above, in some embodiments the operating limits include a maximum consumed power or a maximum power consumption rate. The maximum consumed power (or rate of consumption) may include a first limit that, when exceeded, prompts a request for maintenance (step 450). The maximum consumed power may also include a second limit that, when exceeded, prompts the system 100 to shut down the device; e.g., terminate power to the device (step 460), The limits may be dependent on other variables such as, e.g., the age of the device, environmental conditions to Which the device is exposed, and how frequently the device is operated.
During operation of a washing machine, for example, if during the spin cycle the washing machine consumes enough power to exceed a first limit associated with the device; the outlet 130 may report that the limit has been exceeded to the control unit 110. In turn, the control unit 110 may display and/or transmit a message that the washing machine needs maintenance. The message may include one or more recommendations on what to do if the limit is exceeded, e.g., recommendations such as servicing a bearing, cleaning a part, and/or contacting a service provider. In some embodiments, for example, the control unit 110 may send a warning message to a mobile device 170 indicating a need to inspect the device (e.g., washing machine) and/or schedule maintenance. In some embodiments, the control unit 110 may activate an indicator light, e.g., located on the device, an outlet connected to the device, or a control panel of the automation system, to indicate a need for inspection and/or maintenance.
If the device draws power that exceeds a second limit, as in step 460, then the outlet 130 may shut off power to the device using power switch 330, and. may send an alarm to the control unit 110. The control unit 1.10 may send a message, e.g., a warning or an alarm, to a mobile device 170 to indicate the alarm condition.
For example, the HVAC 190 of
If the furnace draws power that exceeds the second limit, the breaker box 105 may disable power to the furnace and send a message to the control unit 110. The control unit 110 may notify the home or business owner that the furnace has been disabled, and also may send a message to a HVAC service provider; e.g., to schedule a maintenance appointment. When the service provider arrives, the control unit 110 may authorize the service provider to enter the building upon arrival by unlocking doors.
In step 520, the automation system 100 may monitor voltage at different points to detect which devices may be connected to the same power circuit. For example, given three outlets A, B, and C (similar to outlet 300), a washing machine may be connected to outlet B. When the washing machine is turned off as determined by outlet B not measuring any power delivered to the washing machine, the voltages at A, B, C, may measure 109V, 108V, and 109V, respectively. When the washing machine is turned on, as determined by outlet B measuring power delivered to the washing machine, the voltage at A, B, and C may measure 109V, 105V, and 106V, respectively. From these measurements, the automation system may determine that outlets B and C are on the same circuit, i.e., since the voltage dropped on both outlets B and C when the washing machine turned on, whereas the voltage remained relatively constant on outlet A. The automation system may take multiple measurements with different devices in the home powered on and powered off, and use the aggregate data to determine trends of different outlets experiencing voltage drops coincident with loads activating to ascertain that outlets are likely powered by the same circuit. In addition, by monitoring the voltage and current at each node of breaker box 105, the automation system may determine which switches in the breaker box 105 are connected to which wires, or circuits, such as 123, 124, and 185.
To continue the above example, when the washing machine turns on and draws power, the outlet 130 may report that the washing machine is drawing 5 Amps. The breaker box 105 may measure the outgoing current on each node, and correlate an increase of 5 Amps to the specific circuit that is connected to outlet B. Thus, the automation system may determine which circuits are connected to which outlets without requiring a user (e.g., home owner, business owner, contractor, device or system installer, etc.) to manually enter the data.
During step 530, the automation system may monitor or collect data from infrared motion detectors connected to the automation system such as in sensor 370 as part of outlet 130, or sensor 240 which is part of switch 120, or another infrared sensor connected to system 100.
In step 540, the automation system monitors for excessive heat. Should the infrared motion detectors indicate high ambient heat, the automation system may sound an alarm, provide an indication to a user, and/or contact first responders. If levels of heat in the wires such as 123, 124, and 185 are detected, or if the loss detected in wiring changes, from a historically measured average, then the circuit may be deactivated by turning off switches that supply the circuit in breaker box 105, and by turning off power switch 330 in any outlet 130 that has been determined to be a part of the circuit. By detecting when the wiring is experiencing elevated heating and deactivating the circuit it is the goal of the invention to reduce the possibility of a fire hazard.
Certain devices such as medical or other critical devices may be attached to an outlet to draw power. The medical devices may be identified as described above regarding step 420 of
Another example of a high priority device would be a freezer unit. The freezer unit may be considered critical if it is loaded with expensive frozen food in a home, for example, or if it has important medicine or biomedical samples. The freezer may share an electrical circuit with other devices, such as overhead lighting or outlets which may be used to provide power to other appliances. If the automation system detects excessive heat or current draw in the circuit, the system may disable lower priority devices, e.g., non-critical devices, such as outlets and overhead lighting while keeping power supplied to the freezer. Thus the automation system may reduce a safety hazard by reducing a load on a circuit that is overheating while maintaining power to devices that are determined to be critical.
The automation system 100 may include sail switches to detect the absence or presence of fluid and/or air flow. A sail switch may be used to monitor exhaust from a clothes dryer or other device or appliance. If the sail switch detects that airflow is restricted, for example, the automation system 100 may restrict operation of the clothes dryer, e.g., interrupt power to the device, and may contact a service provider to clean the vents. Sail switches may be used to determine that vents in different locations of a house are blocked. For example, a child may throw a winter coat over a floor heating vent of a home, preventing air from flowing and causing a room to not receive air heated or cooled by the HVAC. Sail switches may also he used to determine that proper airflow exists on the intake to a device, including a device with combustion. such as a gas-tired heater. If insufficient airflow exists on the intake, the device may not be able to burn fuel efficiently, and may increase quantities of undesirable byproducts such as carbon monoxide (CO). The automation system 100 may detect the blocked vent and issue a notification, e.g., to the owner, operator, or other user, to clear the blockage and/or to modify the operation of the HVAC system.
It is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular forms, embodiments and examples illustrated. The method and apparatus of the disclosure can be practiced with and modifications and variations that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in connection with any structure, including, but not limited to, homes, offices, business, schools, churches, sporting complexes. In addition, at least certain aspects of the aforementioned embodiments may be combined with other aspects of the embodiments, or removed, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.
