GB2409056A

GB2409056A - Regulating energy consumption

Info

Publication number: GB2409056A
Application number: GB0426989A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Shreeve Holman Davis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-01-16
Filing date: 2004-12-09
Publication date: 2005-06-15
Also published as: GB0426989D0

Abstract

Energy consumed by an a.c load 1 such as a distribution board is regulated by a secondary load 2 and transformers 17,18 operated in switched mode and controlled by comparator and voltage-to frequency circuitry 19 which maintains the voltage across load 1 at a desired level. An energy tap-off point 3 allows current to be tapped to an energy dump 4 for use in battery charging or thermostatically controlled loads such as for water or space heating. The energy regulating circuit may be connected between a consumption meter 20 and load 1. Safety features may include an earth to neutral conductor continuity indicating circuit 15 and a residual current (RCD) device on distribution board 1.

Description

Ene. gy Regulating Wiring Scheme with Auxiliary Regulating Circuitry for

Hysteresis Compensation {ARCHC) and Safety Circuitry for RCD Distribution Boards This invention relates to an energy efficient wiring scheme suitable for use with mains type, (alternating current, (a.c.)), electrical installations.

At the close of the last millennium a new municipal power supply voltage of 230v r.m.s. was introduced. This replaced the old voltage of 240v r.m.s..

However, He domestic voltage supply fluctuates between, approximately, 230v r.m.s. and as much as between 240 and 255v r.m.s.. These peak values occur when demand is greatest. Principally, this fluctuation in supply voltage can bee written off es energy loss. Where, work done is implied by dV/dt. the case of an a.c. motor, for example, this would represent intrinsic work done in an acceleration or deceleration of the motor.

Thence, the presence of a device to ensure that the r.m.s. voltage applied to a deuce was always 230v r.m.s or held as near to 230v r.m.s. as possible would ensure that energy losses were reduced. Thence, an auxiliary device able to reduce hysteresis in a load, (with high hysteresis losses in particular, such as water arid space heating loads), would further reduce energy losses.

According to the present invention there is provided energy regulating equipment designed to increase the efficiency of an electrical installations within in which it is installed be it in the home or other premises. The Energy Regulating Scheme with ARCHC is comprised of electrical and electronic components. The principle electrical components offer impedance to the overall flow of electricity. The principle electronic components act as fail safe mechanisms.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in whi&h: Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of the circuit elements required by the Energy Regulating;ring Scheme with Auxiliary Regulator Circuitry for Hysteresis Compensation (ARCHC) with a diagram of a remote 13 amp socket.

The Energy Regulating winng scheme is a combination of a conventional a.c. load ll], replated by a secondary load [2]7 of suitable impedance to maintain the voltage across the principle load [1] at or near the design Voltage of that load, (230 to 240 volts r.m.s.), and SQ situated in line in the neutral path of the principle load [1], (being, for example, a main distribution board of ordinary or RCD type) and inlet meter [203 as to recycle' any energy dissipated, (by any over-voltage), intrinsically and appropriately. A suitable tap Point [31 allows a current to be tapped off to an 'energy dump' [4] for use in battery charging or energising of suitably rated a.c. circuitry, under the control of an electronic failsafe [5], thereby, further increasing the energy efficiency of the wiring scheme.

A suitable connection point [6] connects an auxiliary circuit for hysteresis compensation [7] provided for load circuit elements, 18], ordinarily associated with the main load [1], that posses high hysteresis properties, (e.g. water or space heating loads with integral thermostatic controls.), and these may be regulated by the addition of an auxiliary load L9] and SCR [10.

The gate resistors [113 are suitably rated to ensure that the SCR's [123 and thyristor [103 'switch on' at suitable anode voltages for the purposes of energy regulation for a conventional single phase municipal power supply [131. The remotest socket to the main board [1] shown 1141 has an high ohm resistor between the neutral and earth conductors this ensures that the earth-neutral-continuity circuit 115] can always indicate, at a glance, the continuity of these two conductors and also the, potential, separation of these two conductors, (or potential difference (p.d.) between these two conductors) which is important for the operation of a residual current device (r.c.d.). Should a short circuit occur, accidentally or otherwise, between the neutral and earth conductors, this would be indicated.

The dummy load [161 is two switched mode transformers [17] and [181 each centered about a central cylindrical, torroidal, laminated core of light, durable' self lubricating, ferro-magnetic material. An a c voltage, across the load [1] is regulated by these two transformers under the control of a comparator and voltage to frequency based control circuitry [ 193. Any voltage across the load, [1], in excess of 230 v a.c. is absorbed by the switched mode transformers [171 and or [183 when the frequency of the so. itched mode is increased proportionately by the control circuitry l9].

Claims

CLRIMS

An Energy Regulating Winng Scheme with ARCHC of design suitable for use with a.c. equipment In order that electricity be used more efficiently than by any non-energy regulated wiring schemes of similar or identical type.

2 An Energy Regulating Wiring Scheme with ARCHC as claimed in claim 1 with a design that provides an electrically regulated source that may by its action provide any a.c. equipment with a power supply which complies closely with its design parameters even when the mains powers supply is at an r.m. s. witage higher than that for which it was designed.

3 An Energy Regulating Wiring Scheme with ARCTIC as claimed in claim 1 and 2 with a design suitable for adaptation to large or small supply voltages. As, for example, would be encountered in use outside the United Kingdom.

4 An Energy Regulating Wirmg Scheme with ARCHC as claimed in claims 1,2 and 3 with a principle of operation so designed as to be adaptable for use in low current applications. (When utilised in a cordless kettle, for example, by adaption of the kettle, the kettle can be shown to heat water more efficiently and quickly than a non-adapted kettle of identical type.) An Energy Regulating Wiring Scheme with ARCHC as claimed in claims 1,23 and 4 with a 'tap off 'point, to enable the attachment of suitable circuitry for the purposes of charging batteries or extra low voltage, (ELV), circuits' (e.g. electronic control or failsafe circuits, including inverting circuitry), thereby further employing saved energy.

6 An Energy Regulating Wiring Scheme with ARCHO as claimed in claims 1,2, 34 and 5 to be installed between the electricity meter and main distribution board or boards by act electrician or suitably trained engineer in any premises where there is a meter and distribution board or boards of an approved type.

7 An Energy Regulating Wiring Scheme with ARCHC as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 that can be adapted by use of a suitable failsafe and 'energy dumping' circuitry, for use with high current loads.

8 An Energy Regulating Wiring Scheme with ARCHC as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, a, and 7 with the appropriate connecting facility with which to connect an auxiliary regulating circuit (ARCHC) suitable for use in reducing hysteresis effects encountered in electrical loads operating under 'local' or general thermostatic control such as, for example, night storage heating equipment, immersion heating equipment, some steam irons, hair dryers.

9 An Energy Regulating Wiring Scheme with ARCHC as claimed in claims I,2, 3,4,5,6,7 Ad 8 with the appropriate connecting facility with which to connect an auxiliary regulating circuit (ARCHC) suitable for use in reducing hysteresis effects such that a water or space heating 'energy dump' could be, additional, charged by this auxiliary circuit.

An Energy Regulating Wiring Scheme with ARCHC as claimed in claims 1,2,3, 4,5,6,7,8 and 9 with the appropriate correcting facility with which to connect an auxiliary regulating circuit (ARCHC) that can use 110 volt a.c. equipment as a suitable regulating energy dump.

I 1 An Energy Regulating Wiring Scheme with ARCHC as claimed in claim s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 that can provide by means of a cpc and neutral bar continuity indicating circuit an increase in safety for the electrical installation as a whole.

12 An Energy Regulating Wiring Scheme with ARCHC as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 with a design suitable for utilization with a conventional domestic or industrial/cominercial installation that acts to give an indication of the safety of the installation with respect to the continuity of the Circuit Protective Conductor, (C.P.C.), and neutral paths therein for ordinary circuit and circuits run protected by a residual current device (R.C.D.).