Steffes Corporation

Steffes Manufacturing, Inc.

Thomas P Steffes

Paul John Steffes

Paul J Steffes

Austin P Zeller

Joshua P Vetter

Todd C Mayer

Joe E Fude

Brian A Fosaaen

An energy management system includes an energy input sensor, an energy output sensor and a system controller. The energy input sensor is configured to generate at least one energy input signal indicating an energy flow to an energy storage medium of an energy storage device. The energy output sensor is configured to generate at least one energy output signal indicating an energy flow from the energy storage medium. The system controller is configured to estimate a charge level of the energy storage medium based on an initial charge level of the energy storage medium and a change in the charge level of the energy storage medium, which is based on the at least one energy input signal and the at least one energy output signal.

Flow-based energy management

A heat pump water heater includes a tank, a first condenser, a second condenser, a heat pump, valving and a controller. The tank includes an interior cavity, an input port and an output port. The first condenser and second condenser each include an input port and an output port. The heat pump drives a fluid in a heated state through an output. A first setting of the valving fluidically couples the heat pump output to the input port of the first condenser, and fluidically disconnects the heat pump output from the input port of the second condenser. A second setting of the valving fluidically couples the heat pump output to the input port of the second condenser, and fluidically disconnects the heat pump output from the input port of the first condenser. The controller selectively directs the valving to the first or second setting.

Heat pump water heater

An energy storage device includes a device controller, an electrical energy converter, an energy storage medium and a power metering device. In a method of managing electrical power consumption by a group of the energy storage devices, a measured power level is output from the power metering device of each energy storage device. The power level represents a rate of electrical energy consumption by the electrical energy converter of the device. The measured power levels of each of the devices are communicated to a system controller using the device controllers. An aggregate power level is calculated based on the measured power levels, and is stored in memory using the system controller. In some embodiments, the aggregate power level is communicated to a remote location, such as an electrical power distribution system.

Energy storage device power consumption management

In a method of controlling energy consumption from an electrical power distribution system by energy storage devices, a first electrical load range for a first period in the future is communicated to the electrical power distribution system using a controller comprising a processor. A plurality of commands from the electrical power distribution system are received during the first period using the controller. A rate of electrical energy consumption by the group of energy storage devices is adjusted during the first period to a value within the first electrical load range responsive to each of the commands using the controller. A portion of the energy consumed by the group of energy storage devices is then stored in energy storage mediums of the devices during the first period.

Energy storage device control based on commands from an electrical power distribution system

A power control system includes at least one energy storage device each having a heat storage medium, a heater configured to heat the heat storage medium, a temperature sensor, a maximum temperature operating parameter of the device, a user-adjustable target temperature setting, which indicates a desired temperature of the heat storage medium and is less than the maximum temperature, and a controller that controls electrical energy consumption of each of the at least one energy storage device to heat the heat storage medium to a temperature that exceeds the target temperature setting and is below the maximum temperature.

Electrical appliance energy consumption control

A system includes a cold water supply, a water heater, a mixing valve, and one or more water use fixtures. The water heater includes a tank, a first temperature sensor configured to output a first temperature signal indicative of a water temperature of water in the tank, a heating device, and a water heater controller configured to control the water heater based on the first temperature signal and an operating temperature setting. The mixing valve outputs a mixed water flow, which is a combination of a hot water flow and a cold water flow, to the water use fixtures. A second temperature sensor outputs a second temperature signal indicative of a water flow temperature of the mixed water flow or the hot water flow, and a system controller selectively deactivates the water heater based on the second temperature signal.

Hot water service monitoring

An electrical appliance configured to receive power and a power consumption signal from an electrical power distribution system comprises an energy storage device and a controller. The energy storage device includes a heat storage medium and a heater. The heater is configured to heat the heat storage medium at a heating rate. The controller adjusts the heating rate based on the power consumption signal.

A power control system that includes a plurality of electrical appliances and a controller. Each of the electrical appliances includes an energy storage device comprising a heat storage medium, a heater, and a temperature sensor. The heater is configured to heat the storage medium at a heating rate. The temperature sensor produces a temperature signal that is indicative of a temperature of the heat storage medium. The controller adjusts the heating rate of each energy storage device from a first heating rate to a second heating rate based on the temperatures of the heat storage mediums of the other energy storage devices.

An electric thermal storage heating unit including (i) an insulated housing defining a storage chamber with two laterally extending linear openings through the base of the storage chamber, (ii) a plurality of heat-sink bricks within the storage chamber which define separate vertical ducts above each of the lateral linear openings, and (iii) a pair of substantially planar, serpentine electrical heating elements each defining an uppermost portion with parallel upper right and upper left sides and a lowermost portion with parallel lower right and lower left sides wherein the uppermost portion is angled with respect to the lowermost portion within the plane defined by the element so as to cause the right and left sides of the lowermost portion to extend at an obtuse angle of less than 180.degree. with respect to the corresponding right and left sides of the uppermost portion and thereby facilitate insertion and removal of the heating elements through the linear opening and into the vertical ducts with minimal clearance.

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Dickinson, ND, United States of America

Thomas P Steffes