Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
For use with an electrical power supply, apparatus for controlling the electrical power demand of a load during a predetermined time period so that the power demand is limited to a preselected peak level during the time period, the start and end of said time period being indicated by a synchronization signal and the power used per unit time being indicated by a count signal, said apparatus comprising counting means responsive to said count signal for counting said count signal and providing an output signal indicating the total of said count signals, means responsive to said synchronization signal for resetting said counting means to its start count position, first selecting means coupled to the output of said counting means for providing a first signal when said count reaches a first preselected limit which is less than said preselected level, first reducing means responsive to said first signal for reducing the demand of the load to a first preselected level, second selecting means coupled to the output of said counting means for providing a second signal if said count should reach a second preselected limit equal to said preselected peak level, and second reducing means responsive to said second signal for reducing the demand of the load to substantially zero.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
For use with an electrical power supply, apparatus for controlling the electrical power demand of a load during a predetermined time period so that the power demand is limited to a preselected peak level during the time period, the start and end of said time period being indicated by a synchronization signal and the power used per unit time being indicated by a count signal, said apparatus comprising counting means responsive to said count signal for counting said count signal and providing an output signal indicating the total of said count signals, means responsive to said synchronization signal for resetting said counting means to its start count position, first selecting means coupled to the output of said counting means for providing a first signal when said count reaches a first preselected limit which is less than said preselected level, first reducing means responsive to said first signal for reducing the demand of the load to a first preselected level, second selecting means coupled to the output of said counting means for providing a second signal if said count should reach a second preselected limit equal to said preselected peak level, and second reducing means responsive to said second signal for reducing the demand of the load to substantially zero.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which a third selecting means is provided which is coupled to the output of said counting means and provides a third signal when said count reaches a third preselected limit which is less than said first preselected limit, and means is provided which is responsive to said third signal for reducing the load to a third preselected level which is higher in demand than said first preselected level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which a first override means is connected to said first reducing means for preventing said first reducing means form reducing the demand of the load during an initial preselected time period after the synchronization signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which a second override means is connected to said first and second reducing means for preventing said first and second reducing means from reducing the demand of the load during a preselected time period during the day.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said load includes at least two furnaces, said first reducing means turns off all but one of the furnaces, and said second reducing means turns off the one furnace.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which said load includes at least two electric furnaces, said third reducing means reduces the demand of all but one of the furnaces, the first reducing means turns off all but the one furnace, and the second reducing means turns off the one furnace.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which a first override means is connected to said first reducing means for preventing said first reducing means from reducing the demand of the load during an initially preselected time period after the synchronization signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which a second override means is connected to said first, second and third reducing means for preventing said first, second and third reducing means from reducing the demand of the load during a preselected time period during the day.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which switching means is provided for automatically disconnecting one of the other furnaces from said first and third reducing means and connecting it to said second reducing means if said one furnace is not in operation.