Abstract:
A power transfer device for connecting an electrical load to a power supply is disclosed. The power transfer device monitors the operating status of the power supply. Upon loss of power at the power supply, the power transfer device opens a switch between the power supply and the electrical load. When power is restored, the power transfer device executes a delay time module. After the delay time module has timed out, the power transfer device closes the switch to reconnect the power supply and the electrical load. Power transfer devices may be supplied to each of multiple loads connected to a power supply. By setting the time delay period of each power transfer device to a different duration, the electrical transients resulting from reconnecting all of the electrical loads to the power supply are reduced.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/407,187, filed Oct. 27, 2010 and titled Power Transfer Optimizing Device, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for reducing electrical transients generated when power is restored from an electric power provider or otherwise supplied to multiple consumers on a power grid. 
     Homes, businesses, and other electric power users are typically connected to a network of power lines (i.e. a power grid) by an electrical connection. The electrical connection typically includes an electricity meter such that all electric current supplying power to that user flows through the electricity meter. The power grid itself includes sources of electric power, such as coal-fired generators or hydroelectric generators; electrically conductive lines, which usually carry high-voltage alternating current (AC) voltages; and the connections to the electric power users. 
     Many of the power lines are exposed to harsh environmental conditions and can become inoperable for many reasons, such as inclement weather, ice, falling trees, or animal damage, which may cause a portion of the power grid to fail or blackout. When a power grid comes back on after such an event, all of the loads, such as refrigerators, furnace fans, freezers, air conditioners, or motors, connected to the power grid want to come back on simultaneously. This sudden spike in demand creates a transient decrease (dip) in the voltage on the power lines, typically followed by a transient voltage spike. These transient spikes may cause damage to customer devices connected to the power grid, or to the power grid itself. For example, the wiring of the power lines may be damaged or destroyed; insulation may be damaged or stressed to fail at some later point; or electrical components such as capacitors, transformers, and transistors may fail. 
     In order to combat these and other transients, power line conditioners, such as surge suppressors, have been deployed. However, the surge suppressors are often supplied by the individual power consumers and only on some of the electrical equipment connected to the grid. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a device for reducing electrical transients generated on a power grid when power is restored from an electric power provider. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a device for reducing electrical transients generated when power is restored from an electric power provider or otherwise supplied to multiple consumers on a power grid. The present inventors have recognized that a significant source of problems occurs when simultaneously restoring or otherwise providing electric power to a large number of users such as at the end of a power loss or blackout. Therefore, the present invention contemplates a power transfer device that includes a delay element that postpones connecting a load, such as an individual power user, to the grid after power is restored. Varying the delay time period for different power users staggers the initial demand for power after power is restored, and staggering the initial demand for power after power restoration reduces the transient noise spikes, dips, and subsequent damage to the power grid and the devices connected to it. 
     According to a first embodiment of the invention, a power transfer device connects an electrical load to a power supply. The power transfer device includes an input terminal configured to be connected to the power supply and an output terminal configured to be connected to the electrical load. A switch selectively connects the input terminal to the output terminal, and a switching control unit is electrically connected to the input terminal to monitor the operating status of the power supply and is configured to generate a switching signal as a function of the operating status of the power supply. The switching signal closes the switch to connect the input terminal to the output terminal after a delay time period upon detection of power being provided by the power supply to the input terminals, and opens the switch to disconnect the input terminal from the output terminal upon detection of power not being provided by the power supply. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the switching control unit may include a module to randomly generate the delay time period. The power transfer device may also include a memory device in communication with the switching control unit. The delay time period is preconfigured and stored in the memory device. The switching control unit may also include a communication port configured to receive the delay time period from a remote device connected to the communication port via a network. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, the switching control unit includes an electronic device electrically connected to the input terminal and configured to generate a signal corresponding to an operational status of the power supply. A delay element is configured to receive the signal corresponding to the operational status of the power supply as an input and to generate an output after the delay time period. The switching signal used to close the switch is generated as a function of the output of the delay element. The electronic device may be a time delay relay or a sensor. The power transfer device may also include a processor configured to receive the signal from the sensor and to execute a series of instructions to execute the delay element. 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, the switching control unit is configured to receive a command signal, and the switching control unit generates the switching signal to open the switch as a function of the command signal. The switching control unit may also include a communication port configured to receive the command signal from a remote device connected to the communication port via a network. Optionally, the switching control unit includes a logic circuit electrically connected to the input terminal and configured to decode the command signal from the power supply conducted via the input terminal. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of supplying power from a power supply to an electrical load monitors the operating status of the power supply and activates a delay module upon detection of power being present at the power supply. A switch is closed to establish an electrical connection between the power supply and the electrical load upon completion of the delay module. The method may randomly generate a delay time period prior to activating the delay module, and the delay module waits for the delay time period. Alternately, the delay time period may be received from a remote device prior to activating the delay module. The switch is opened to disconnect the power supply from the electrical load upon detection of power not being present at the power supply. The switch may also receive a command signal from a remote device and selectively connect the power supply to the electrical load as a function of the command signal. 
     According to still another embodiment of the invention, a system for connecting a plurality of electrical loads to a power supply includes a plurality of power transfer devices. Each of the power transfer devices is configured to connect one of the electrical loads to the power supply system. Each power transfer device includes an input terminal configured to be connected to the power supply and an output terminal configured to be connected to the electrical load. A switch selectively connects the input terminal to the output terminal, and a switching control unit is electrically connected to the input terminal to monitor the operating status of the power supply and is configured to generate a switching signal as a function of the operating status of the power supply. The switching signal closes the switch to connect the input terminal to the output terminal after a delay time period upon detection of power being provided by the power supply to the input terminals and opens the switch to disconnect the input terminal from the output terminal upon detection of power not being provided by the power supply. In the system, a first of the power transfer devices has a first delay time period and a second of the power transfer devices has a second delay time period, the second delay time period being different from the first delay time period. 
     Other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating certain embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof; and the invention includes all such modifications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an electricity meter with the front panel removed showing one embodiment of the power transfer device of the current invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of one embodiment of the power transfer device incorporated into an electricity meter assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of another embodiment of the power transfer device incorporated into an electricity meter assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of another embodiment of the power transfer device incorporated into an electricity meter assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of another embodiment of the power transfer device incorporated into an electricity meter assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of another embodiment of the power transfer device incorporated into an electricity meter assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of one embodiment of the switching control unit of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing the operation of the power transfer device; and 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram of an exemplary electric power grid showing power distribution networks. 
     
    
    
     In describing the exemplary embodiments of the invention which are illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word “connected,” “attached,” or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the Figures, and initially to  FIG. 1 , this invention relates to a power transfer device  10  that controls the transfer of electric power between power input conductors  14 ,  16 , which are connected to a power supply such as a utility power grid, and power output conductors  28 ,  30  which are connected to an electrical load such as the customer&#39;s power lines  18 ,  20 . 
     In a representative embodiment, the power transfer device  10  may be contained within an electricity meter assembly  12 . The electricity meter assembly  12  provides electrical connections for power input conductors  14 ,  16  from the power supply to the customer&#39;s power lines  18 ,  20 . The customer&#39;s power lines  18 ,  20  are, in turn, connected to the customer&#39;s electrical distribution system, usually via a load center, such as an enclosure containing a series of circuit breakers or fuses (not shown). 
     The electricity meter assembly  12  not only provides a connection between the power supply and the customers&#39; electrical equipment, but it also measures the electricity usage for billing purposes. Thus, the electricity meter assembly  12  may have an electronic metering assembly  22  and a display  24  contained in the housing  26 . Electricity meter assemblies  12  provide an electrical path for almost all electrical consumption from the power grid. As such, they provide convenient and logical points for the controlled application of electric power when bringing a large number of customers on-line after a power interruption such as a blackout. Thus, the power transfer device  10  of the present invention may be contained within the electricity meter assembly  12 . According to one embodiment of the invention, the power transfer device  10  may be wholly integrated into the electricity meter assembly  12  during manufacture, for example, as part of the electronics incorporated in electronic metering assembly  22 . Optionally, the electricity meter assembly  12  may be modified after manufacture to contain the power transfer device  10 . 
     In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the power transfer device  10  is not a part of or otherwise integrated into electricity meter assembly  12 . Instead, the power transfer device  10  is connected in series between the power input conductors  14 ,  16  from the power grid and the electricity meter assembly  12 . In yet another embodiment, the power transfer device  10  is again separate from electricity meter assembly  12  but is connected in series between the customer&#39;s power lines  18 ,  20  and the customer&#39;s electrical distribution system. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the power transfer device  10  includes an input terminal  11  configured to be connected to the power supply, for example, the power input conductors  14 ,  16 . The power transfer device  10  also includes an output terminal  29  configured to be connected to the electrical load, for example, the power output conductors  28 ,  30  connected through the electronic metering assembly  22  to the customer&#39;s power lines  18 ,  20 . It is contemplated that both the input terminal  11  and the output terminal  29  may have either a single electrical connection or multiple electrical connections according to the application requirements. Thus, the power transfer device  10  may be used to connect, for example, a supply conductor; a supply and a return conductor; or a supply, return, and neutral conductor of a single phase power supply, or any other configuration of power supply conductors to corresponding electrical load conductors. 
     The power transfer device  10  includes a switching unit  32  to selectively connect the input terminal  11  to the output terminal  29 . The switching unit  32  may selectively connect some or all of the input conductors to the output conductors according to the system requirements. For example, the switching unit  32  may selectively connect a supply and a return conductor while a direct connection is made between a neutral conductor of the power supply and the electrical load. As illustrated, the switching unit  32  includes a pair of single-pole, single-throw switches. Optionally, the switching unit  32  may include, for example, a double-pole, single throw switch. In still other embodiments any suitable arrangement of switches may be used according to the electrical connections being established between the power supply and the electrical load. 
     Further, the switching unit  32  may include a latching switch. The latching switch may include, for example, a magnetic or a mechanical latching mechanism. The latching switch may require one signal to move the switch to a first state and a second signal to move the switch to a second state. Optionally, one signal may be used to toggle between states. The latching mechanism retains the present state of the switch after the signal is removed in order to minimize the power requirements of the switch. According to still another option, the switching unit  32  may include a normally open switch that is energized to close the switch and to connect the input terminal  11  to the output terminal  29 . 
     The switching unit  32  receives switching signals  31  from a switching control unit  33 . Referring also to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the switching control unit  33  may include a controller  34 , a delay module  36 , and a power supply  38 . It is contemplated that one or more of the controller  34 , delay module  36 , and power supply  38  may be implemented as separate components or combined in whole or in part and integrated, for example, on a field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other suitable processor or logic circuit. Suitable connections,  35 ,  37 , and  39 , are made between the power supply  38  and the controller  34 ; the delay module  36  and the controller  34 ; and the power supply  38  and the delay module  36 , respectively. It is contemplated that each of the connections,  35 ,  37 , and  39 , may be one or more conductors carrying power or control signals between each module according to system requirements. 
     A first and a second monitoring conductor,  15  and  17  respectively, are connected to the input terminal  11  to provide the voltage and/or current waveforms from the power supply to the switching control unit  33 . The monitoring conductors,  15  and  17 , may be connected to the power supply  38 , which, in turn, converts the input voltage, typically 110 VAC, to a suitable control voltage, such as 5 VDC, for use by the switching control unit  33 . The power supply  38  may also include one or more energy storage components, such as a battery or capacitor, such that the switching control unit  33  may remain active for a time period, determined by the capacity of the energy storage component, of sufficient length to open the contacts in the switching unit  32  upon losing power from the power supply. 
     The voltage and/or current waveforms from the power supply are subsequently conducted to the controller  34 . The controller  34  may be have a direct electrical connection to the input terminal  11  or a sensing circuit may be included in the power supply  38  to convert the voltage and/or current waveforms into an analog or digital signal suitable for input to, for example, a processor  110 . Referring also to  FIG. 7 , in one embodiment, the controller  34  includes an input driver  114  to receive signals. The input driver  114  may also include a sensing circuit if conversion of the voltage and/or current waveforms is required. The controller  34  includes a processor  110  in communication with a memory device  112 . The processor  110  is configured to execute a series of instructions stored on the memory device  112  to generate the switching signals  31  used to control the switches in the switching unit  32 . Optionally, the processor  110  may be a logic circuit (not shown) configured to receive analog signals and similarly generate the switching signal  31 , accordingly. An output driver  116  delivers the switching signal  31  to the switching unit  32 . Optionally, the delay module  36  may be incorporated into the instructions executing on the processor  110  or the logic circuit. Alternately, the delay module  36  may be a separate device, as shown in  FIG. 4 . According to yet another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the monitoring conductors,  15  and  17 , may be connected to a time-delay relay  104 . The time-delay relay  104  functions as the delay module  36  and conducts the voltage and current waveforms to the controller  34  via conductors  106  after a configurable delay time period. 
     The switching control unit  33  may further be configured to receive a signal from a remote device. The utility power provider, for example, may generate a signal commanding the switching unit  32  to open or close. According to one embodiment, the utility power provider provides a wired connection to distributed locations proximate to individual users with wireless connections from those locations to the individual power transfer devices  10 . The switching control unit  33  includes a communication port  100  connected via conductor  101  to an antenna  102 , which may be mounted to the power transfer device  10  or to the housing  26  of the electricity meter assembly  12 . Optionally, the utility power provider may provide a modulated command signal via the power input conductors  14 ,  16  according to techniques known in the art. The switching control unit  33  receives signals corresponding to the voltage and/or current waveforms on the power input conductors,  14  and  16 , via the monitoring conductors,  15  and  17 , and demodulates the command signal. According to yet another embodiment, the power supply may be a generator which provides a discrete command signal to the switching control unit  33 . 
     In operation, the power transfer device  10  operates to connect an electrical load to the power supply according to a time delay period. Referring also to  FIG. 8 , at step  41 , the switching control unit  33  determines the desired delay time period. The desired delay time period may be a fixed value stored in the memory device  112 . Optionally, a module may execute, for example, on the processor  110  to randomly determine a delay time period. According to another embodiment of the invention, the delay time period may be communicated to the switching control unit  33  from a remote device and received, for example, in a wireless communication via the antenna  102  and communication port  100 . At step  43 , the status of the power supply is monitored to determine if power is present at the power supply. If power is not present upon an initial connection to the power supply or when power returns after a power outage, the switching control unit  33  generates the switching signal to open the switches in the switching unit  32 , according to steps  45  and  55 . If power is present, the switching control unit  33  may monitor whether it has received a command from another device to open the switches in the switching unit  32 . If a command to open the switching device is present, the switching control unit  33  generates the switching signal to open the switches in the switching unit  32 , according to steps  47  and  55 . If power is present at the power supply and there is no command to open the switch, the switching control unit  33  executes a delayed close of the switch according to steps  45 - 53 . At step  49 , the switching control unit  33  determines whether the delay module  36  has executed the delay for the desired delay time period. If not, the delay module  36  continues execution and the switch remains open. When the delay module  36  has timed out, the switching control unit  33  generates the switching signal  31  to close the switches in the switching unit  32 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an exemplary electric power grid failure and subsequent restoration of power is described. The power grid  60  may incorporate power generators such as a coal plant  62 , a nuclear plant  64 , a hydroelectric plant  66 , and/or a city power plant  68 . A number of substations  70  isolate portions of the grid and provide differing voltages for respective portions of the grid such as a first city network  72 , a second city network  74 , a rural network  76 , and a farm network  78 . If, for example, a power line  80  between the power generators and the city networks,  72  and  74 , failed, then both city networks,  72  and  74 , would be de-energized. 
     Typically, when power is restored after repairing the failed power line  80 , the re-energizing of both city networks is staggered. For example, the first city network  72  is energized and, after a delay, the second city network  74  is energized. However, with the power transfer devices  10  of the current invention, there is no need to stagger re-energization of the two networks,  72  and  74 . Each of the houses in the first and second city networks,  72  and  74  respectively, may be equipped with a power transfer device  10 . By configuring the power transfer devices  10  with a variety of delay time periods, each of the houses is reconnected to the utility grid at a different time. As previously indicated, the delay times may be randomly selected from a range of times or a preselected time may be stored in each of the power transfer devices  10 . Optionally, one of the power generating facilities may communicate with the power transfer devices  10  to establish varying delay times. Coordinating buildings in a network to have different delay time periods permits re-energizing each network,  72  or  74 , over some time period, such as a 10 sec to 5 minute range. Thus, conditions that create the unwanted transient spikes can be avoided. 
     When utility power is restored after a power outage, the different delay time periods in each power transfer device  10  function to prevent the simultaneous restoration of power to all of the consumers. It is contemplated that the delay time period may be randomly generated by a module executing in the switching control unit  33 . The delay time period may, therefore, be randomly selected from a range of, for example, 10 seconds to 5 minutes. Optionally, a portion of the power transfer devices  10  may randomly select from a first portion of the total range of delay times and a second portion of the power transfer devices  10  may randomly select from a second portion of the total range of delay times. A fixed increment, such as 1 or 5 second intervals, may be established. Optionally, a fixed time delay period may be preselected and stored in a memory device  112  of each of the power transfer devices  10 . Different power transfer devices  10  may be preset for a variety of delays. For example, a part number, indicating a specific preset delay, may be assigned to each power transfer device  10 . A finite range of part numbers may be defined, such as 50 different part numbers corresponding to 50 different delays. A system according to this embodiment may either randomly install power transfer devices  10  having varying part numbers or different portions of the grid may be assigned a part number such that power transfer devices  10  with given delays are installed in designated areas to stagger power restoration. As still another option, a time delay period can be communicated from a remote source in communication with the power transfer device  10 . 
     The power transfer device  10  of the present invention also provides other advantages. For example, the power transfer device  10  can be remotely controlled, which allows the switches of the switching unit  32  to be closed or opened from a remote or central location. A command signal may be communicated from the remote location to each power transfer device  10  and the switching control unit may generate a switching signal  31  in response to the command signal, remotely controlling the power transfer device  10 . This capability enables a utility or other power provider to control the supply of power to individual customers or loads. This capability is useful, for example, in the control and activation of rolling blackouts—block by block, house by house, etc. This control also enables a utility to allow users to sign up to be cut off at periods of time for a discount on a utility bill, and also allows a utility or power provider to cut off power in certain circumstances, e.g. when a utility bill has not been paid. This remote control reduces labor costs and time, and allows controlled and opt-in compliance for rolling blackouts. 
     It is understood that, while the invention has been shown with a pair of single-pole single-throw switches, any other satisfactory switching device may be used. The switch itself may be an electro-mechanical relay, field effect transistor (FET, including MOSFET, JFET, including n-channel and p-channel variations for all), bipolar junction transistor (BJT including NPN and PNP variations), or any other satisfactory switching mechanism. 
     Although the best mode of carrying out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the present invention is not limited thereto. It is further contemplated that various additions, modifications and rearrangements of the features of the present invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.