Patents Assigned to The Powerwise Group, Inc.
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Patent number: 10326272Abstract: A system and method are provided for regulating voltage received from an electric utility grid. A unified power flow controller is provided at a point of power consumption and includes a terminal electrically coupled to a power source, which receives a grid alternating current and a grid alternating voltage from the electric utility grid. A power converter is electrically coupled to the terminal and includes an active rectifier that converts substantially all of the grid alternating current to a direct current and an inverter that converts the direct current to a load alternating current and a load alternating voltage, the load alternating voltage being less than the grid alternating voltage. A transformer is provided having first terminals electrically coupled to the power source and second terminals electrically coupled to an output of the inverter. The transformer injects the load alternating voltage in series with the grid alternating voltage.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: The Powerwise Group, Inc.Inventors: Christopher John Recio, Zoran Miletic, Michael Gerard Tobin
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Patent number: 10128768Abstract: A method and system are provided for sourcing and sinking reactive power to an electric grid. The control system includes a terminal electrically coupled to a power source that originates from an electric utility grid. The terminal receives a grid alternating current having a real power component and a reactive power component. A power converter is electrically coupled to the terminal, the power converter includes an active rectifier that converts substantially all of the grid alternating current to a direct current and an energy storage device that stores energy supplied by the direct current. The active rectifier sources the reactive power component and the stored energy through the terminal to the electric utility grid. The power converter further includes an inverter that converts the direct current to a load alternating current having at least one of a load real power component and a load reactive power component.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: The Powerwise Group, Inc.Inventors: Christopher John Recio, Christopher Lynn Caswell, Michael Gerard Tobin, Zoran Miletic, Sergio Pieiga, III
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Publication number: 20170338740Abstract: An IGBT/FET-based energy savings device, system and method wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system. A magnetic flux concentrator senses the incoming analog signal and a volts zero crossing point detector determines the zero volts crossing point of the signal. The positive half cycle and negative half cycle of the signal are identified and routed to a digital signal processor for processing the signal. The signal is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Applicant: The Powerwise Group, Inc.Inventor: John L Lumsden
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Patent number: 9716449Abstract: A system and method are provided for reducing the energy consumed by a pump jack electric motor by reducing the supply voltage to the motor when the motor would be generating energy in open loop mode. By substantially eliminating the energy generation mode, the braking action of the utility grid in limiting the acceleration of the motor and system that would otherwise occur is substantially removed. The motor and system will speed up, allowing the natural kinetic energy of the cyclic motion to perform part of the pumping action. In particular, when the energy consumption for the electric motor connected with the device having a rotating or reciprocating mass goes to zero, the line voltage to the motor is switched off, causing the frequency of the voltage across the motor terminals to increase. When the period of the voltage across the motor terminals returns to substantially the same as the period of the line voltage, the line voltage is switched on or reapplied to the motor.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: The PowerWise Group, Inc.Inventors: John L. Lumsden, Paul H. Kelley, Vasan Venkataraman
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Patent number: 9716431Abstract: An IGBT/FET-based energy savings device, system and method wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system. A magnetic flux concentrator senses the incoming analog signal and a volts zero crossing point detector determines the zero volts crossing point of the signal. The positive half cycle and negative half cycle of the signal are identified and routed to a digital signal processor for processing the signal. The signal is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2014Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: The PowerWise Group, Inc.Inventor: John L Lumsden
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Patent number: 9628015Abstract: A system and method are provided for saving energy for an electric motor having periodic load variations by reducing the supply voltage to the motor during an open loop mode. The motor and system will speed up, allowing the natural kinetic energy of the cyclic motion to perform part of the pumping action. A closed loop controller computes information from the observed phase angle between the voltage and current supplied to the motor. By reducing the supply voltage to the motor, the observed phase angle may be reduced to a target phase angle value. By allowing some current flow, primarily of a reactive nature, an observable feedback parameter may be used in the closed loop control system as an indication of the load condition, to which the closed loop motor controller may react, supplying power when needed, such as in the energy consumption mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: The PowerWise Group, Inc.Inventors: John L. Lumsden, Paul H. Kelley, Vasan Venkataraman
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Patent number: 9240745Abstract: A system and method are described for conserving energy by decoupling a supply voltage to an electric motor operating under periodic load variations. A time segment value corresponding to a duration of periodic load variations is obtained and the supply voltage is adjusted to maintain an observed phase angle for a supply voltage and current at a value corresponding to a target phase angle. At least one off-time period is identified during the time segment value that corresponds to when the adjusted supply voltage is applied to the motor. During a remainder of the time segment value, at least one turn-on time period is provided when the supply voltage is coupled to the motor. The system may enter to a closed-loop control process after a predetermined period of time to adjust to any changes in the periodic load variations.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: The Powerwise Group, Inc.Inventor: Vasan Venkataraman
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Patent number: 8823314Abstract: A system and method are provided for reducing the energy consumed by a pump jack electric motor by reducing the supply voltage to the motor when the motor would be generating energy in open loop mode. By substantially eliminating the energy generation mode, the braking action of the utility grid in limiting the acceleration of the motor and system that would otherwise occur is substantially removed. The motor and system will speed up, allowing the natural kinetic energy of the cyclic motion to perform part of the pumping action. A closed loop controller in electrical connection with the motor computes the necessary information from the observed phase angle between the voltage and current supplied to the motor. By reducing the supply voltage to the motor, the observed phase angle may be reduced to a target phase angle value.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2010Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: The Powerwise Group, Inc.Inventors: John L. Lumsden, Paul H. Kelley, Vasan Venkataraman
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Patent number: 8810190Abstract: A motor controller (4) and method for maximizing the energy savings in an AC induction motor (3) at every load wherein the motor is calibrated at two or more load points to establish a control line (6), which is then programmed into a non-volatile memory (30) of the motor controller. A DSP-based closed-loop motor controller observes the motor parameters of the motor such as firing angle/duty cycles (23), voltage (37), current (9) and phase angles to arrive at a minimum voltage necessary to operate the motor at any load along the control line. The motor controller performs closed-loop control to keep the motor running at a computed target control point, such that maximum energy savings are realized by reducing voltage through pulse width modulation.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: The PowerWise Group, Inc.Inventor: Paul H. Kelley
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Patent number: 8723488Abstract: An energy savings device, system, and method wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system. A volts zero crossing point detector determines the zero volts crossing point of the signal. The positive half cycle and negative half cycle of the signal are identified and routed to a digital signal processor for processing the signal. The signal is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: The PowerWise Group, Inc.Inventor: John L. Lumsden
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Patent number: 8698447Abstract: A system and method are provided for reducing the energy consumed by a pump jack electric motor by reducing the supply voltage to the motor when the motor would be generating energy in open loop mode. By substantially eliminating the energy generation mode, the braking action of the utility grid in limiting the acceleration of the motor and system that would otherwise occur is substantially removed. The motor and system will speed up, allowing the natural kinetic energy of the cyclic motion to perform part of the pumping action.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: The Powerwise Group, Inc.Inventors: John L. Lumsden, Paul H. Kelley, Vasan Venkataraman
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Patent number: 8698446Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for turning off the voltage to a pump jack electric motor during predetermined periods of time to save energy. In the method, the motor's response to closed-loop control may be evaluated over several pump strokes. The periods of the pump stroke when it is feasible to turn off the motor may be identified. The consistency of the measurements over several strokes may be evaluated. The motor may be turned off during predetermined periods on subsequent pump strokes when each pump stroke shows sufficiently similar behavior to that predicted during the closed-loop control process. The system may return to the closed-loop control process after a predetermined period of time to adjust to any changes in the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: The PowerWise Group, Inc.Inventor: Vasan Venkataraman
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Patent number: 8619443Abstract: A system and method are provided for increasing and maintaining voltage. A transformer's secondary windings are connected between the hot input line and the hot output line, and are not switched. The secondary windings may be in series for 220/230 Vrms, and in parallel for 120/127 Vrms. Alternatively, the transformer may be a single voltage type specifically for 230 V, 120 V, or any other voltage range. A microprocessor measures incoming voltage and controls an electronic switch on the primary windings side of the transformer to short circuit the primary windings when the transformer is not needed. When voltage boost is needed, the switch may be controlled to connect the primary windings to neutral. When the primary windings are switched to neutral, the secondary voltage adds to the incoming AC line voltage. There may be multiple taps on the primary windings selected by the microprocessor for providing differing boost levels at differing input voltage levels.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: The Powerwise Group, Inc.Inventor: John L. Lumsden
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Publication number: 20120213645Abstract: A system and method are provided for reducing the energy consumed by a pump jack electric motor by reducing the supply voltage to the motor when the motor would be generating energy in open loop mode. By substantially eliminating the energy generation mode, the braking action of the utility grid in limiting the acceleration of the motor and system that would otherwise occur is substantially removed. The motor and system will speed up, allowing the natural kinetic energy of the cyclic motion to perform part of the pumping action.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: The Powerwise Group, Inc.Inventors: John L. Lumsden, Paul H. Kelley, Vasan Venkataraman
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Publication number: 20120086415Abstract: An IGBT/FET-based energy savings device, system and method (1) wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections (2) are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system (1). A magnetic flux concentrator (3) senses the incoming analog signal (20) and a volts zero crossing point detector (5) determines the zero volts crossing point (21) of the signal (20). The positive half cycle (22) and negative half cycle (23) of the signal (20) are identified and routed to a digital signal processor (10) for processing the signal (20). The signal (20) is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: THE POWERWISE GROUP, INC.Inventor: John L. Lumsden
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Publication number: 20120075896Abstract: A system and method are provided for increasing and maintaining voltage. A transformer's secondary windings are connected between the hot input line and the hot output line, and are not switched. The secondary windings may be in series for 220/230 Vrms, and in parallel for 120/127 Vrms. Alternatively, the transformer may be a single voltage type specifically for 230 V, 120 V, or any other voltage range. A microprocessor measures incoming voltage and controls an electronic switch on the primary windings side of the transformer to short circuit the primary windings when the transformer is not needed. When voltage boost is needed, the switch may be controlled to connect the primary windings to neutral. When the primary windings are switched to neutral, the secondary voltage adds to the incoming AC line voltage. There may be multiple taps on the primary windings selected by the microprocessor for providing differing boost levels at differing input voltage levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: The Powerwise Group, Inc.Inventor: John L. Lumsden
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Patent number: 8120307Abstract: A system and method are provided for constant loading in AC power applications where at least one turn-on point of at least one half cycle of a modulating sine wave is randomly selected; at least one turn-off point is determined; and at least one slice located between the at least one turn-on point and turn-off point is removed. The slices may be removed by utilizing insulated gate bipolar transistors or field effect transistors.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: The Powerwise Group, Inc.Inventor: John L. Lumsden
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Patent number: 8085010Abstract: A TRIAC/SCR-based energy savings device, system and method (1) wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections (2) are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system (1). A magnetic flux concentrator (3) senses the incoming analog signal (20) and a volts zero crossing point detector (5) determines the zero volts crossing point (21) of the signal (20). The positive half cycle (22) and negative half cycle (23) of the signal (20) are identified and routed to a digital signal processor (10) for processing the signal (20). The signal (20) is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: The Powerwise Group, Inc.Inventor: John L Lumsden
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Patent number: 8085009Abstract: An IGBT/FET-based energy savings device, system and method (1) wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections (2) are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system (1). A magnetic flux concentrator (3) senses the incoming analog signal (20) and a volts zero crossing point detector (5) determines the zero volts crossing point (21) of the signal (20). The positive half cycle (22) and negative half cycle (23) of the signal (20) are identified and routed to a digital signal processor (10) for processing the signal (20). The signal (20) is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: The Powerwise Group, Inc.Inventor: John L. Lumsden
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Patent number: 8004255Abstract: A power supply for IGBT/FET drivers (1) that provides separated, isolated power to each IGBT/FET driver in a system wherein the power supply (1) is connected to at least one voltage controller (16) having at least one line in main power connector (14), at least one line out main power connector (15) and at least one drive signal command input (11) for connection to at least one IGBT/FET driver. The power supply (1) includes at least one power supply unit (5) in connection with at least voltage controller (16), at least one diode (2) for routing a predetermined amount of power from the at least one voltage controller (16) to at least one capacitor (3) and at least one capacitor (3) for routing said predetermined amount of power from said at least one diode (2) to said at least one voltage controller (16).Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: The Powerwise Group, Inc.Inventor: John L. Lumsden