Dsm enabling of electro mechanically controlled refrigeration systems

Abstract

An energy saving defrost control system for reducing power consumption of an electromechanically controlled refrigerator is provided. The system includes a defrost timer adapted to control a compressor according to an established run time, a defrost heater control operatively connected to the defrost timer and configured to activate a defrost heater in response to a timeout by the defrost timer, a DSM module responsive to demand state signals from an associated utility indicative of at least a peak demand and off peak demand state, and a time delay latching relay having a timer and configured to switch to one of a low position and a high position based on the demand state signal.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]This disclosure relates to energy management, and more particularly to energy management of household refrigeration appliances. The disclosure finds particular application to adapting electromechanically controlled refrigerators for operation in home energy management systems.[0002]Many utilities are currently experiencing a shortage of electric generating capacity due to increasing consumer demand for electricity. Currently utilities charge a flat rate, but with increasing cost of fuel prices and high energy usage at certain parts of the day, utilities have to buy more energy to supply customers during peak demand, which causes prices to rise during these times. If peak demand can be lowered, then a potential huge cost savings can be achieved and the peak load that the utility has to accommodate is lessened. In order to reduce high peak power demand, many utilities have instituted time of use (TOU) metering and rates which include higher rates for ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an energy saving defrost control system for reducing power consumption of an electromechanically controlled refrigerator is provided. The system includes a defrost timer adapted to control a compressor according to an established run time, a defrost heater control operatively connected to the defrost timer and configured to activate a defrost heater in response to a timeout by the defrost timer, a DSM module responsive to demand state signals from an associated utility indicative of at least a peak demand and off peak demand state, and a time delay latching relay having a timer and configured to switch to one of a low position and a high position based on the demand state signal.

[0009]According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for reducing power consumption of an electronically controlled refrigeration system by disabling a defrost cycle during periods of peak demand. The method comprises controlling a compressor according to the established run time of a defrost timer, activating a defrost heater in response to a timeout by the defrost timer, wherein the activation initiates a defrost cycle, operatively associating a DSM module with the defrost timer, wherein the DSM module is responsive to demand state signals from an associated utility indicative of at least a peak demand and off-peak demand state, providing said DSM module with a time delay latching relay with first and second contacts, and switching the time delay latching relay into one of a high and low position based on the signal indicative of a peak demand period.

[0010]According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a DSM enabled defrost control system capable of reducing peak power consumption in an electromechanically controlled refrigeration system is provided. The defrost control system comprises a defrost timer operatively associated with a compressor configured to operate the defrost timer according to an established run time, a defrost heater control configured to activate and deactivate a defrost heater based on the compressor run time, a DSM module associated with the defrost timer and responsive to demand state signals from an associated utility indicative of at least a peak demand and off peak demand state, and a time delay latching relay having first and second contacts. The DSM module is configured to switch said time delay latching relay to one of a high and low position based on the demand state.

Problems solved by technology

Many utilities are currently experiencing a shortage of electric generating capacity due to increasing consumer demand for electricity.

Although these systems are capable of being run automatically according to demand period, a user may choose to override the system and run a device normally, or delay the operation of the system for a particular period of time.

However, such a DSM / SAM add-on device will generally cut off the power to an entire appliance.

The microcontroller may additionally delay a scheduled defrost if the defrost is set to occur during a peak demand period.

While electronically controlled refrigerators can adjust energy usage in response to a “high demand”, many refrigerators include less technically sophisticated controls that do not use a microprocessor.

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