Energy Interface System Integrating Circuit Breakers for Alternative Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for connecting alternative energy sources to utility power sources are costly, inflexible, and lack efficient metering and remote monitoring capabilities, often requiring multiple disconnect switches and hard-wired connections that cannot adapt to changing energy parameters or defer loads effectively.
Innovation Solution
An energy interface system with a control module and slave modules, featuring circuit breakers for safe and efficient energy management, electronic metering, and remote monitoring capabilities, allowing for flexible energy distribution and adaptation to utility rate schedules, and enabling connection of multiple alternative energy sources without occupying load center space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple disconnect switches and hard-wired connections are used to connect alternative energy sources, then safety and code compliance are improved, but installation cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple disconnect switches and connection components into a single integrated circuit breaker assembly. The circuit breaker incorporates the disconnect switch functionality, over-current protection, and connection terminals in one unified device, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing installation complexity while maintaining code compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit breaker is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides over-current protection, acts as a disconnect switch, serves as a connection point for alternative energy sources, and enables metering and monitoring capabilities. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed in the system.
2Measurement precision
If traditional metering and monitoring systems are used, then basic energy measurement is achieved, but remote monitoring capability and adaptability to changing energy parameters are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a communication interface that enables bidirectional communication between the energy management system and remote monitoring devices. This allows real-time feedback on energy production, consumption, and system status, enabling remote monitoring and adaptive control based on changing energy parameters and utility rate schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical metering systems with electronic metering and digital communication interfaces. This substitution enables remote monitoring capabilities, data logging, and adaptive control functions that are not available in mechanical systems, while maintaining accurate energy measurement.
3Reliability
If alternative energy sources are connected through external disconnect switches and over-current protective devices, then safety is improved, but installation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit breaker integrates the disconnect switch and over-current protective device into a single pre-assembled unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate installation of multiple safety components, reducing installation time while maintaining all required safety functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit breaker is pre-configured and pre-tested with all safety components properly assembled and calibrated before delivery to the installation site. This preliminary preparation eliminates on-site configuration time and ensures safety compliance is achieved immediately upon installation.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, and the like, for an energy interface system for interfacing alternative energy sources with a utility power source on a premises. The energy interface system provides flexibility in the use and distribution of utility energy sources and alternative energy sources based on several measurements and criteria of the interface system. For example, the energy interface system may allow for the energy consumption to adapt to changing parameters, such as utility rate schedules, cost of alternative fuels and utility premiums for consumption or generation of energy at particular times. The energy interface system also allows for deferment of charging or other high-energy loads to be recognized by the system at otherwise low-energy times. In addition, the energy interface system allows for monitoring and communication with the system for ease of configuring the system based on one or more criteria or measurements.