Split-Line Appliance Power Control for Demand-Response Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
During peak demand periods, power supply companies may reduce or suspend power to high-demand appliances like HVAC systems, causing discomfort and inconvenience to users, as existing technologies lack efficient methods to manage power reduction without disrupting appliance operations.
Innovation Solution
A power control device that selectively switches off one 110-volt input line of a 220-volt power supply to domestic appliances, determining which line to interrupt based on power consumption analysis, allowing the appliance to continue operating on the remaining line with altered parameters, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power supply companies reduce or suspend power to high-demand appliances during peak demand periods, then power consumption is reduced, but appliance operation is disrupted causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 220-volt power supply into two separate 110-volt input lines, allowing selective interruption of one line while maintaining power through the other. This enables the appliance to continue operating at reduced capacity during demand-response events, avoiding complete operational disruption while still achieving power reduction goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by allowing the appliance to continue operating on a single 110-volt line rather than completely suspending power. This partial operation maintains essential functionality and user comfort while achieving sufficient power reduction to meet demand-response requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a power control device selectively switches off one input line of a 220-volt power supply, then power consumption is reduced, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power control device as an intermediary component that manages the selective interruption of power lines. This dedicated control device simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the decision-making logic for power reduction, rather than requiring complex modifications to the appliance's internal control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A power control device for an electrically powered appliance may selectively switch off one 110-volt input (of two separate 110-volt input lines) of a 220-volt power supply to the appliance during certain periods of operation, in response to a demand-response request. This may adjust operation of one or more components of the appliance, thus adjusting an amount of power consumed by the appliance. A determination of which one, of the two, 110-volt input lines to be switched off may be made based on an analysis of the amount of power consumed by each of the two 110-volt input lines during operation of the appliance. The power control device may be provided at any point between the electrically powered appliance and a power distribution panel distributing power from an external source.