Branch Circuit Load Management With Sensing and Load Disaggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical infrastructure systems lack integrated solutions for monitoring and managing electrical loads efficiently, particularly in home or small business settings, with limited capabilities for circuit protection and energy management beyond basic breaker functions.
Innovation Solution
An integrated electrical management system with embedded power electronics for DC coupling of distributed energy resources, including current sensing modules and control circuitry for managing branch circuits, energy storage, and communication links for seamless islanding and self-consumption modes, supporting modular and field-serviceable components for energy management and third-party applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional breaker-based electrical infrastructure is used, then circuit protection is provided, but monitoring and management capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines traditional circuit breakers with power electronics, current sensing modules, and control circuitry into an integrated electrical management system. This merging allows the system to maintain circuit protection functions while adding advanced monitoring, control, and management capabilities that were previously unavailable in traditional breaker-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical management system performs multiple functions including circuit protection, load monitoring, energy management, distributed energy resource integration, and communication with external systems. This multi-functionality transforms the traditional single-purpose breaker into a universal device that handles both protection and intelligent management tasks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If integrated power electronics are added for DC coupling of distributed energy resources, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components including power electronics modules, current sensing modules, control circuitry, and communication interfaces. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently configured or replaced, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability for DC coupling of distributed energy resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary control circuitry and communication interfaces that mediate between the power electronics and external systems. These intermediaries simplify the integration process by providing standardized protocols and abstraction layers, making the complex DC coupling capability more manageable and easier to implement.
3Productivity
If advanced monitoring and control features are implemented, then energy management capability improves, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical management system includes automatic load management features that monitor electrical parameters and autonomously control controllable elements to optimize energy usage. The system can automatically detect load conditions, forecast energy needs, and adjust operations without requiring complex manual configuration or intervention, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving high energy management efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through current sensing modules and control circuitry that continuously monitor electrical parameters and adjust system operation accordingly. This automated feedback loop enables intelligent energy management while simplifying operation, as the system self-regulates based on real-time conditions rather than requiring manual tuning or complex user input.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables advanced monitoring, control, and management of electrical loads, including forecasting and responding to power disruptions, optimizing energy use, and supporting distributed computing needs, while allowing for seamless integration of distributed energy resources and third-party applications.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor system configured to measure one or more electrical parameters corresponding to the plurality of branch circuits
Data Source
AI summary
A system for managing electrical loads includes a plurality of branch circuits, a sensor system, and control circuitry. The sensor system is configured to measure one or more electrical parameters corresponding to the plurality of branch circuits, and transmit one or more signals to the control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to determine respective electrical load information in each branch circuit based on the sensor system, and control the electrical load in each branch circuit using controllable elements based on the respective electrical load information. The control circuitry transmits usage information, generates displays indicative of usage information, accesses stored or referencing information to forecast electrical load, and manages electrical load in response to identified events. The control circuitry can associate each branch circuit with reference load information, and disaggregate loads on each branch circuit based on the reference load information and on the electrical load in the branch circuit.