Title of Invention: Method and apparatus for reducing electrical power consumption

Description

[1] Description

[2] Method and apparatus for reducing electrical power consumption

[3] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing electrical power consumption of a plurality of electrical loads.

[4] Advancement in the civilization has made electricity a necessity today. Electricity may be used as a source of energy for almost limitless set if applications, including, transport, heating, lighting, industrial automation, and communications. Electrical power has become the backbone of the modern society. The demand for electrical power has been increasing exponentially due to the growing population of the world today. To meet the increasing demand of electrical power, the generation of electrical power is being increased. This causes increased generation of green house cases and thus, adds to global warming and climate change.

[5] To reduce global warming and lessen climate change it is advantageous that energy be conserved through efficient use of energy by reducing consumption of energy while achieving similar outcome. By reducing the consumption of electrical energy emission of green house gases may be reduced energy costs and reduce the need for new power plants and energy imports.

[6] It is an object of the invention to reduce electrical power consumption at electrical loads.

[7] The above object is achieved by an apparatus for reducing electrical power consumption of a plurality of electrical loads according to claim 1.

[8] The electrical loads are connected to the power supply via the switches. The

electrical loads are connected to the power supply in the on state of the switches and are disconnected from the power supply in the off state of the switches. The electrical switches are connected to at least one electrical load. The switches operate in the on state for a respective first time period and in the off state for a respective second time period responsive to the respective control signal provided by the processor to the switches. The first time period is less than the second time period. The first time period being less than the second time period enables in disconnecting the electrical loads from the power supply for a period greater than the electrical loads are connected to the power supply. Additionally, the switches are not operated in the on state simultaneously. For example, the first switch is in the on state when the second switch is in the off state and the second switch is in the on state when the first switch is in the off state. Thus, electrical power is not provided to the electrical loads simultaneously. This enables in reducing electrical power consumption at the electrical loads as the electrical power is consumed by one of the loads at an instance.

[9] According to another embodiment, the power supply comprises an alternating current source. The alternating current source provides alternating current power to the electrical loads. Thus, the reduction in consumption of alternating current power may be achieved.

[10] According to another embodiment, the plurality of electrical loads are alternating current electrical loads. The electrical loads may be alternating current loads, and thus, power consumption at alternating current electrical loads is reduced.

[11] According to yet another embodiment, the switches are solid state relays. The solid state relays may be adapted to switch between on state and off state at a fast rate.

[12] According to yet another embodiment, the respective control signals are pulse width modulated signals. Pulse width modulated signals enable in controlling the on state and the off state of the switches by varying the width of the pulses.

[13] According to yet another embodiment, the respective control signals comprises a respective non-zero time period equal to the respective first time period of the respective switches and a respective zero time period equal to the respective second time period of the respective switches. The switches are adapted to operate in the on state and off state responsive to the control signals received. Thus, the switches operate in the on state for the first time period responsive to the respective non-zero time period of the respective control signal and in the off state for the second time period responsive to the respective zero time period of the respective control signal.

[14] According to yet another embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a display operably connected to the processor. The display operably connected to the processor enables in providing visual indication of information to an individual.

[15] According to yet another embodiment, the display is configured to provide a visual indication of an amount of electrical power being consumed by the electrical loads. The visual indication of the electrical power consumed by the electrical loads is the reduced electrical power being consumed. Providing the visual indication of the reduced electrical power enables the individual to be aware of the electrical power being consumed by the electrical loads.

[16] According to yet another embodiment, the display is configured to provide a visual indication of a plurality of levels of electrical power reduction. The reduction in electrical power consumption may be varied by varying the first time period for which the switch operates in the on state and the second time period for which the switches operate in the off state. For example, the levels of electrical power reduction may correspond to different combinations of first time period and the second time period.

[17] According to yet another embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a user interface operably connected to the processor for providing an input to the processor. An individual may provide input to the processor via the user interface.

[18] According to yet another embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a receiver configured to receive a signal transmitted by a remote control device. The receiver enables in providing input to the processor remotely. The remote control device may be connected to the receiver via wire or wirelessly.

[19] Another embodiment includes, a method of reducing electrical power consumption at a plurality of electrical loads, wherein the method comprises operating a plurality of switches in an on state and an off state, the on state electrically connecting the electrical loads to a power supply and the off state electrically disconnecting the electrical loads to the power supply, wherein each switch is electrically connected to at least one electrical load, providing respective control signals, to each switch, and wherein each switch alternatively operates in the on state for a respective first time period and in the off state for a respective second time period responsive to the respective control signals, the respective first time period being less than the respective second time period, and wherein at least two of the switches do not operate in the on state simultaneously.

[20] Embodiments of the present invention are further described hereinafter with

reference to illustrated embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[21] FIG 1 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus for reducing electrical power consumption at electrical loads according to an embodiment herein,

[22] FIG 2 is a schematic representation of respective control signals provided to the

switches according to an embodiment herein,

[23] FIG 3 is a schematic representation of the supply voltages provided to the electrical loads, and

[24] FIG 4 illustrates an apparatus for reducing electrical power consumed by electrical loads comprising input/output devices, according to an embodiment herein, and

[25] FIG 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of reducing electrical power consumption of a plurality of electrical loads according to an embodiment herein.

[26] Various embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident that such embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.

[27] FIG 1 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus for reducing electrical power consumption of electrical loads according to an embodiment herein. The apparatus 10 comprises a processor 15 operably coupled to a plurality of switches 20. Each of the switches 20 may be electrically connected to one or more electrical loads 25. The electrical loads 25 are connected to a power supply 26 via the respective switches 20. In an aspect, the electrical loads 25 may be alternating current electrical loads and the power supply 26 may be ac alternating current source. The switches 20 may be configured to operate in an on state and in an off state. The electrical loads 25 are electrically connected to the power supply 26 in the on state of the switches 20 and are electrically disconnected from the power supply 26 in the off state of the switches 20. For example, the electrical load 25a is electrically connected to the power supply 26 when the switch 20a is in the on state and is disconnected to the power supply 26 when the switch 20a is in the off state. Similarly, the electrical load 25b is connected to the power supply 26 when the switch 20b is in the on state and is disconnected to the power supply 26 when the switch 20b is in the off state. In an aspect, the switches 20 may be solid state relays. In the shown example of FIG 1, two switches 20a, 20b connected to two electrical loads 25a, 25b, are shown merely for illustration purpose. A different combination of switches or electrical loads may be selected, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[28] Referring still to FIG 1, the processor 15 may be configured to provide respective control signals to each of the switches 20a, 20b. The switches 20a, 20b alternatively operate in the on state for a respective first time period and in the off state for a respective second time period responsive to the respective control signals. Typically, the first respective time period is less than the second respective time period. Thus, the switches 20a, 20b operate in the off state for a longer duration than the on state. Advantageously, the control signals provided to the switches 20a, 20b is such that the switches 20a, 20b switch between on and off states. Due to this, electrical power is not provided to the electrical loads continuously. However, the switches 20 switch between the on state and the off state at a fast rate such that the electrical loads 25 are not affected by the discontinuous supply of electrical power. The electrical power is provided to the electrical loads 25 only during the on state of the respective switches 20. For example, the respective control signals may be pulse width modulated signals. Typically, the period for which the pulse width modulated signal is non-zero corresponds to the first respective time period for which the switches 20a, 20b operate in the on state and the time period for which the pulse width modulated signal is zero corresponds to the second respective time period for which the switches 20a, 20b operate in the off state.

[29] Referring still to FIG 1, providing electrical power to the electrical loads 25 in a discontinuous manner may decrease the power factor. In an aspect, the apparatus 10 may comprise capacitors 27 connected between the switches 20 and the electrical loads 25 for improving the power factor of the electrical loads 25. In the shown example of FIG 1, two capacitors 27 have been illustrated as two switches 20 are being used in the example. However, if a single switch 20 is implemented, a single capacitor 27 may be used. In an aspect the capacitors 27 may be variable capacitor. Advantageously, the apparatus 10 may comprise a power factor sensor 28 to detect the power factor of the electrical power supply to the loads 25. The power factor sensor 28 may provide the detected power factor to the processor 15. Responsive to the detected power factor, the processor 15 may provide a control signal for varying a capacitance of the capacitors 27. For example, the capacitance of the capacitors 27 may be varied using a servo motor. The servo motor may be connected to the capacitor 27 and the servo motor may vary the capacitance responsive to the control signal provided by the processor 15. The capacitance of the capacitors 27 may be varied such that the power factor of the electrical power supply is improved. In another aspect, the capacitors 27 may be of a constant capacitance. In this aspect, the power factor sensor 28 may not be required as the capacitance of the capacitors 27 cannot be varied.

[30] Still referring to FIG 1, in accordance to an embodiment, the processor 15 may be configured to provide the respective control signals to the switches 20a, 20b such that the switches 20a, 20b do not operate in the on state simultaneously. For example, the respective control signals provided to the switches 20a, 20b may be generated such that the non-zero period of the control signals do not occur simultaneously. For example, when the control signal provided to the switch 20a is non-zero, the control signal provided to the switch 20b is zero. Similarly, when the control signal provided to the switch 20b is non-zero, the control signal provided to the switch 20a is zero.

[31] FIG 2 is a schematic representation of the respective control signals provided to the switches 20a, 20b of FIG 1 according to an embodiment herein. In the shown example of FIG 2, the control signal 29 is provided to the switch 20a and the control signal 30 is provided to the switch 20b. In the shown FIG 2, it can be seen that the non-zero period of the control signals 29, 30 do not occur simultaneously. The non-zero period of the control signal 29 occur at the moment when the control signal 30 is zero and the nonzero period of the control signal 30 occur at the moment when the control signal 29 is zero. As the switches 20a, 20b do not operate in the on state simultaneously, electrical power to the electrical loads 25a, 25b is not provided simultaneously. For an example, the non-zero period and the zero-period of the control signals 29, 30 may be in μβ. In an example, the non-zero period may be 10 and the zero-period may be 2400 μβ.

[32] FIG 3 is a schematic representation of the supply voltages provided to the electrical loads 25a and 25b of FIG 1. The representation of the supply voltage, designated as 31, is provided to the electrical load 25a, and the representation of the supply voltage, designated as 32, is provided to the electrical load 25b. Referring now to FIG 1 and FIG 3, when electrical power is supplied to the electrical load 25a due to the switch 20a being in the on state, electrical power is not supplied to the electrical load 25b due to the switch 20b being in the off state. Similarly, when electrical power is supplied to the electrical load 25b due to the switch 20b being in the on state, electrical power is not supplied to the electrical load 25a due to the switch 20a being in the off state. Thus, electrical power is not provided to the electrical loads 25a and 25b simultaneously. This enables in reducing electrical power consumed by the electrical loads 25 as electrical power is consumed by only one of the loads 25a, 25b at a particular instance.

[33] Still referring to FIG 1 and Fig 3, for example, if the power rating of the electrical loads 25a, 25b is 500 watt, then the total electrical power consumed by the electrical loads as per the embodiments described herein is less than the summation of the power rating of the two loads 25a, 25b, i.e., 1000 Wh. Moreover, the reduction in power consumption may be increased by employing combinations of more number of switches 20 and electrical loads 25. For example, if a combination of three switches are implemented for supplying electrical power to three electrical loads as per the embodiments described herein, increased reduction in electrical power consumption may be achieved.

[34] In the shown example of FIG 1, two switches 20a, 20b electrically connected to the electrical loads 25 are illustrated. However, the switches may be electrically connected to more than one electrical load. In certain aspect, a single switch may be electrically connected to one or more electrical loads. The electrical power consumption of the one or more electrical loads connected to the single switch may be reduced by switching the switch between on and off state alternatively to provide electrical power to the load in a discontinuous manner, i.e., only during the on state.

[35] Referring still to FIG 1, the first time period for which the switches 20 operate in the on state may be such that electrical power is supplied to the electrical loads 25 for a minimum period that is required for the proper functioning of the electrical loads 25. This enables in increasing the reduction in electrical power consumption as electrical power is supplied to the electrical loads 25 for the minimum period required for the proper functioning of the electrical loads 25. Moreover, the second time period for which the switches 20 operate in the off state may be such that the supply of electrical power to the electrical loads 25 may be ceased for the maximum period which does not affect the functioning of the electrical loads 25. For example, in case of a lighting device, the second time period may be configured to be such that the lighting device appears to illuminate in a continuous manner without flickers. By having the second time period such that the supply of electrical power to the electrical loads 25 is ceased for the maximum period, reduction in electrical power consumed by the electrical loads 25 may be increased. For example, having the second time period such that the supply of electrical power to the electrical loads 25 is ceased for the maximum period, enables in employing increased number of switches. The increased number of switches enable in reducing the consumption of electrical power further as the same amount of power may be used to drive increased number of electrical loads depending on the electrical ratings of the switches.

[36] FIG 4 illustrates the apparatus 10 for reducing electrical power consumption of

electrical loads comprising input/output devices, according to an embodiment herein. In an aspect, the apparatus 10 may comprise a display 34 operably connected to the processor 15. The display 34 may be configured to provide a visual indication of the electrical power being consumed by the electrical loads 25 of FIG 1 at an instance. In an aspect, the display 34 may be configured to assist an individual in selecting a level at which electrical power consumption is to be reduced. Typically, the reduction in electrical power consumption may be varied by varying the zero and non-zero periods of the control signals provided to the switches 20a, 20b. By varying the zero and nonzero periods of the control signals 29, 30 of FIG 2, the first time period for which the switches 20 operate in the on state and the second time period for which the switches 20 operate in the off state may be varied. In an aspect, the second time period may be increased to increase the reduction of electrical power consumption. In another aspect, the first time period may be reduced for increasing the reduction in electrical power consumption. In an example, a particular level of power consumption may be selected by the individual depending on the type of electrical loads 25 being operated as the level of reduction in electrical power consumption is typically varied by varying the first time period and/or the second time period.

[37] Referring still to FIG 4, the display 34 may provide visual indication of the various levels of reduction of electrical power consumption. The display 34 may also be configured to display menus or options and settings which the individual may select. The apparatus 10 may comprise a user interface device 36 to assist the individual to select the desired level of power consumption reduction. The user interface 36 may also enable the individual to select the desired menus or options and settings.

Typically, the user interface 36 is operably connected to the processor 15 and the processor 15 may be configured to receive the inputs provided by the individual through the user interface 36. The user interface 36 device may include, but not limited to, keypad, button, trackball, joystick, touch screen, microphone, etc. In an aspect, supply of electrical power to the electrical loads 25 may be discontinued using the user interface 36. For example, the user interface 36 may include a button or a key of the keypad, which when pressed by the individual may discontinue supply of electrical power to the electrical loads 25. Supply of electrical power to the electrical loads 25 may be reinstated by pressing the button or the key. This enables in switching off the supply to the electrical loads 25 when supply is on and switching on the supply when off.

[38] Still referring to FIG 4, in an aspect, inputs may be provided to the processor 15 remotely. The inputs may be provided to the processor 15 using a remote control device 40. The remote control device 40 may communicate with the processor 15 via wire or wirelessly. The apparatus 10 may comprise a receiver 42 to receive the signals transmitted by the remote control device. The processor 15 may be coupled to the receiver 42 and the signals received by the receiver 42 may be provided to the processor 15. For example, the remote control device 40 may communicate wirelessly with the receiver 42 via infrared signals or via radio signals. The remote control device 40 may comprise a user interface device 44 for enabling the individual to provide inputs to the processor 15. Thus, an individual may provide inputs to the apparatus 10 remotely. The individual may select various options or menus provided and select a level of power consumption reduction as desired remotely.

[39] FIG 5, with reference to FIG 1 through FIG 4, is a flow diagram illustrating a method of reducing electrical power consumption of a plurality of electrical loads according to an embodiment herein. At block 52, a plurality of switches 20 are operated in an on state and an off state, the on state electrically connecting the electrical loads 25 to a power supply 26 and the off state electrically disconnecting the electrical loads 25 to the power supply 26, wherein each switch 20 is electrically connected to at least one electrical load 25. Next at block 54, respective control signals 29, 30 are provided to of the switches 20, wherein each switch 20 alternatively operates in the on state for a respective first time period and in the off state for a respective second time period responsive to the respective control signals 29, 30, the respective first time period being less than the respective second time period, and wherein at least two switches 20 do not operate in the on state simultaneously.

[40] Example

[41] The following example describes how the above mentioned embodiments can be used to reduce electrical power consumption.

[42] Three alternating current electrical loads were connected to an alternating current power source. The three electrical loads consumed 1 kW in 42 minutes.

[43] The three electrical loads were connected to the alternating current power source via a single switch of the apparatus described herein. The three electrical loads consumed

1 kW in 51 minutes.

[44] The three electrical loads were connected to the alternating current power source via three respective switches of the apparatus described herein. The three electrical loads consumed 1 kW in 83 minutes.

[45] The embodiments described herein enable in reducing electrical power consumption at an electrical load. Moreover, electrical power consumption at a plurality of electrical loads may be reduced by providing electrical power to one of the electrical load and by not providing electrical power to the other electrical load at an instance. Additionally, a desired level of electrical power reduction may be selected from a plurality of levels of electrical power reduction by an individual. By selecting an appropriate level of electrical power reduction based on the type of the electrical loads connected to the switches, the reduction in electrical power consumption may be increased.

[46] The embodiments described herein may be used for reducing electrical power

consumed for applications, such as, residential, industrial, transport, society and the like. For example, a plurality of switches may be used to connect street lights to the power supply. Providing electrical power to the street lights as per the embodiments described herein enable in reducing the electrical power consumption substantially.

[47] While this invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments. Rather, in view of the present disclosure which describes the current best mode for practicing the invention, many modifications and variations would present themselves, to those of skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes, modifications, and variations coming within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be considered within their scope.