Patent Issued for Power Management System and Method of Operating the Same

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Journal of Engineering -- According to news reporting originating from Alexandria, Virginia, by VerticalNews journalists, a patent by the inventors Stair, Kenny J. (North Prairie, WI); Batzler, Brandon M. (Hartford, WI), filed on March 6, 2009, was cleared and issued on December 4, 2012.

The assignee for this patent, patent number 8324755, is Briggs and Stratton Corporation (Wauwatosa, WI).

Reporters obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: "The invention relates to power management systems and methods of operating power management systems.

"Typical power transfer systems connect one or more circuit branches to either a primary power source, such as utility power, or a secondary power source, such as a portable or standby generator. Each circuit branch can connect to one or more loads, and typically includes one or more manually controlled circuit breakers that are controllable by an operator.

"For typical power transfer systems located at a residence, the systems connect a plurality of circuits to a generator acting as the secondary power source. Residential generators vary in size and power output. In general, as the amount of rated power (or current) increases, the size, weight, and cost of the generator increases, and the amount of noise produced by the engine, which powers the generator, increases. Therefore, it is beneficial to use a power management system for controlling or reducing the power demand on a generator, thereby allowing a smaller generator to be used for applications that typically require a larger generator.

"Typical power management systems include a plurality of switches (e.g., relays or controllable breakers) for controlling (e.g., adding or shedding) a plurality of loads. However, typical power management systems control circuit branches, which can power an unspecified number of loads. A new system is desired that allows for more flexibility than the typical power management system."

In addition to obtaining background information on this patent, VerticalNews editors also obtained the inventors' summary information for this patent: "In one embodiment, the invention provides a load management system for managing a plurality of devices. The plurality of managed devices is connected to a distribution panel via a plurality of branch circuits having a circuit breaker and an electrical outlet. For example, each of the plurality of branch circuits can include a circuit breaker, but not all of the branch circuits may include an electrical outlet. The distribution panel is powered by at least one of utility power and a backup generator. The load management system is connectable to a device controller for controlling a first managed device.

"The system includes a portable receptacle electrically connected in circuit between the electrical outlet and a second managed device. The portable receptacle is, by definition, portable, and allows a user to vary the second managed device without re-wiring the system. The portable receptacle includes a first antenna, a switch to electrically connect the electrical outlet to the second managed device, and circuitry electrically connecting the first antenna and the switch. The circuitry includes a first controller to control the switch based on a signal received by the first antenna. In some embodiments, the portable receptacle includes a priority, which can be set via a switch. A user can either modify the priority or move the portable receptacle to modify the management of the system. This can be done without the help of an electrician. Further, the use of the portable receptacle allows a user to manage a device of a branch circuit without having to manage the full branch circuit. Moreover, multiple devices on the same branch circuit can be managed differently with multiple portable receptacles.

"The load management system further includes a load management controller electrically connected to the device controller. The load management controller includes a processor, a memory having instructions executable by the processor, and a second RF antenna coupled to the processor. The processor executes the instructions to receive a control signal from the device controller, and to manage the first and second managed device based on the control signal and a value representing the draw on the generator.

"Other features of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings."

For more information, see this patent: Stair, Kenny J.; Batzler, Brandon M.. Power Management System and Method of Operating the Same. U.S. Patent Number 8324755, filed March 6, 2009, and issued December 4, 2012. Patent URL: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=63&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=3121&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=20121204.PD.&OS=ISD/20121204&RS=ISD/20121204

Keywords for this news article include: Briggs and Stratton Corporation.

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