Notice of Petition for Waiver of Dyson, Inc. From the Department of Energy Battery Chargers Test Procedures and Grant of Interim Waiver, 62489-62493 [2016-21749]
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62489
ADDRESSES:
[FR Doc. 2016–21776 Filed 9–8–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy
[Case No. BC–001]
Notice of Petition for Waiver of Dyson,
Inc. From the Department of Energy
Battery Chargers Test Procedures and
Grant of Interim Waiver
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of petition for waiver and
grant of interim waiver, and request for
public comment.
AGENCY:
This notice announces receipt
of and publishes a petition for waiver
from Dyson, Inc. (Dyson) seeking an
exemption from specified portions of
the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
test procedure for determining the
energy consumption of battery chargers.
The waiver request pertains to the
battery chargers in Dyson’s robotic
vacuum cleaner model RB01, marketed
as the Dyson 360-Eye (Robot). In its
petition, Dyson contends that in order to
provide the user with the advanced
setting and management features of the
Robot, the relevant functionalities and
circuitry have to be powered at all
times, and consequently, there is no
user-controllable switch to disable those
non-battery charging functions as the
current DOE test procedure
contemplates. Consequently, Dyson
seeks to use an alternate test procedure
to turn off the Non-Battery Charging
Functionalities during the charge and
maintenance mode test by isolating a
terminal of the battery pack using
isolating tape. This notice also
announces that DOE has granted Dyson
an interim waiver from the DOE battery
charger test procedure for its specified
robotic vacuum cleaner basic model,
subject to use of the alternative test
procedure as set forth in this notice.
DOE solicits comments, data, and
information concerning Dyson’s petition
and its suggested alternate test
procedure.
SUMMARY:
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DOE will accept comments, data,
and information with regard to the
Dyson petition until October 11, 2016.
You may submit comments,
identified by Case Number BC–001, by
any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Email: AS_Waiver_Requests@
ee.doe.gov Include the case number
[Case No. BC–001] in the subject line of
the message. Submit electronic
comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft
Word, PDF, or ASCII file format, and
avoid the use of special characters or
any form of encryption.
• Postal Mail: Mr. Bryan Berringer,
U.S. Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Office, Mailstop EE–5B,
Petition for Waiver Case No. BC–001,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 586–0371. If possible,
please submit all items on a compact
disc (CD), in which case it is not
necessary to include printed copies.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Appliance
and Equipment Standards Program, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Office, 950 L’Enfant Plaza,
SW., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20024.
Telephone: (202) 586–6636. If possible,
please submit all items on a CD, in
which case it is not necessary to include
printed copies.
Docket: The docket, which includes
Federal Register notices, comments,
and other supporting documents/
materials, is available for review at
www.regulations.gov. All documents in
the docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. However,
some documents listed in the index,
such as those containing information
that is exempt from public disclosure,
may not be publicly available.
Mr.
Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of
Energy, Building Technologies Office,
Mailstop EE–5B, 1000 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–
0121. Telephone: (202) 586–0371.
Email: Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. Peter Cochran or Mr. Eric Stas,
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the
General Counsel, Mail Stop GC–33,
Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585–
0103. Telephone: (202) 586–9496 or
(202) 586–9507. Email: Peter.Cochran@
hq.doe.gov or Eric.Stas@hq.doe.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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I. Background and Authority
Title III, Part B 1 of the Energy Policy
and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA),
Public Law 94–163 (42 U.S.C. 6291–
6309, as codified) established the
Energy Conservation Program for
Consumer Products Other Than
Automobiles, a program that includes
the battery charger-containing robotic
vacuums that are the focus of this
notice.2 Part B includes definitions, test
procedures, labeling provisions, energy
conservation standards, and the
authority to require information and
reports from manufacturers. Further,
Part B authorizes the Secretary of
Energy to prescribe test procedures that
are reasonably designed to produce
results that measure energy efficiency,
energy use, or estimated operating costs
during a representative average-use
cycle, and that are not unduly
burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C.
6293(b)(3)) The test procedure for
battery chargers is contained in Title 10
of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
part 430, subpart B, appendix Y,
Uniform Test Method for Measuring the
Energy Consumption of Battery
Chargers.
DOE’s regulations set forth at 10 CFR
430.27 contain provisions that allow a
person to seek a waiver from the test
procedure requirements for a particular
basic model of a type of covered
consumer product when: (1) The
petitioner’s basic model for which the
petition for waiver was submitted
contains one or more design
characteristics that prevent testing
according to the prescribed test
procedure, or (2) the prescribed test
procedures may evaluate the basic
model in a manner so unrepresentative
of its true energy consumption
characteristics as to provide materially
inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR
430.27(a)(1). A petitioner must include
in its petition any alternate test
procedures known to the petitioner to
evaluate the basic model in a manner
representative of its energy
consumption. 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iii).
DOE may grant a waiver subject to
conditions, including adherence to
alternate test procedures. 10 CFR
430.27(f)(2). As soon as practicable after
the granting of any waiver, DOE will
publish in the Federal Register a notice
of proposed rulemaking to amend its
regulations so as to eliminate any need
for the continuation of such waiver. As
1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the
U.S. Code, Part B was redesignated as Part A.
2 All references to EPCA in this document refer
to the statute as amended through the Energy
Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015 (EEIA), Public
Law 114–11 (April 30, 2015).
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soon thereafter as practicable, DOE will
publish in the Federal Register a final
rule. 10 CFR 430.27(l).
The waiver process also allows DOE
to grant an interim waiver from test
procedure requirements to
manufacturers that have petitioned DOE
for a waiver of such prescribed test
procedures if it appears likely that the
petition for waiver will be granted and/
or if DOE determines that it would be
desirable for public policy reasons to
grant immediate relief pending a
determination on the petition for
waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(e)(2). Within one
year of issuance of an interim waiver,
DOE will either: (i) Publish in the
Federal Register a determination on the
petition for waiver; or (ii) publish in the
Federal Register a new or amended test
procedure that addresses the issues
presented in the waiver. 10 CFR
430.27(h)(1). When DOE amends the test
procedure to address the issues
presented in a waiver, the waiver will
automatically terminate on the date on
which use of that test procedure is
required to demonstrate compliance. 10
CFR 430.27(h)(2).
II. Petition for Waiver of Test Procedure
and Application for Interim Waiver
On April 7, 2016, Dyson filed a
petition for waiver from the DOE test
procedure for battery chargers under 10
CFR 430.27 for their robotic vacuum
cleaner model RB01, marketed as the
Dyson 360-Eye (Robot), which is
required to be tested using the DOE
battery charger test procedure at 10 CFR
430.23(aa) and detailed at 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix Y. In its
petition, Dyson asks that the
requirement contained in the current
DOE test procedure for battery chargers
provided in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix Y, section 4.4, Limiting Other
Non-Battery-Charger Functions, be
waived with regard to testing on the
Robot. According to subsection 4.4.b
(and a related provision at section
5.6.c.1), any function controlled by the
user and not associated with the battery
charging process shall be switched off or
shall be set to the lowest powerconsuming mode.
Dyson asserts that in order to provide
the user with the advanced setting and
management features of the Robot, the
relevant functionalities and circuitry
have to be powered at all times.
Accordingly, Dyson does not believe it
appropriate to make the Non-Battery
Charging Functionalities user
controllable because they are an integral
part of the Robot itself. Therefore, in
order to ascertain the true energy
consumption characteristics of the
battery charger during the test, Dyson
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seeks permission to switch off the NonBattery Charging Functionalities by a
means that is not controlled by the user.
Dyson also requests an interim waiver
from the existing DOE test procedure for
immediate relief. As previously noted,
an interim waiver may be granted if it
appears likely that the petition for
waiver will be granted, and/or if DOE
determines that it would be desirable for
public policy reasons to grant
immediate relief pending a
determination of the petition for waiver.
See 10 CFR 430.27(e)(2).
DOE understands that absent an
interim waiver, the basic model
identified by Dyson in its petition
cannot be tested and rated for energy
consumption on a basis representative
of their true energy consumption
characteristics. DOE has reviewed the
alternate procedure and concludes that
it will allow for the accurate
measurement of the energy use of these
products, while alleviating the testing
problems associated with Dyson’s
implementation of battery charger
testing for their robotic vacuum cleaner.
Consequently, DOE has determined that
Dyson’s petition for waiver will likely
be granted and has decided that it is
desirable for public policy reasons to
grant Dyson immediate relief pending a
determination on the petition for
waiver. Dyson requests to use an
alternate test procedure that would
allow it to turn off the Non-Battery
Charging Functionalities during the
charge and maintenance mode test
under 10 CFR part 430, subpart B,
appendix Y, sections 4.4 and 5.6 by
isolating a terminal of the battery pack
using isolating tape, thereby providing a
suitable method for testing these
products and for making representations
as to their energy efficiency.
III. Summary of Grant of Interim
Waiver
For the reasons stated above, DOE has
responded positively to Dyson’s
application for interim waiver from
testing for its specified robotic vacuum
cleaner basic model through separate
correspondence, which includes an
Order granting the application for an
interim waiver, subject to the certain
specifications and conditions. The
substance of the Interim Waiver Order is
summarized below.
Dyson is required to test and rate the
battery charger of the specified robotic
vacuum cleaner basic model according
to the alternate test procedure as set
forth in section IV, ‘‘Alternate Test
Procedure.’’ Specifically, the interim
waiver applies to the following basic
model: RB01, marketed as the Dyson
360-Eye (Robot). Dyson is permitted to
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make representations about the energy
use of its battery charger for the robotic
vacuum cleaner products for
compliance, marketing, or other
purposes only to the extent that such
products have been tested in accordance
with the provisions set forth in the
alternate test procedure and such
representations fairly disclose the
results of such testing in accordance
with 10 CFR 429.39.
DOE makes decisions on waivers and
interim waivers for only those models
specifically set out in the petition, not
future models that may be manufactured
by the petitioner. Dyson may request
that DOE extend the scope of a waiver
or an interim waiver to include
additional basic models employing the
same technology as the basic model(s)
set forth in the original petition
consistent with 10 CFR 430.27(g). In
addition, DOE notes that granting of an
interim waiver or waiver does not
release a petitioner from the
certification requirements set forth at 10
CFR part 429. See also 10 CFR 430.27(a)
and (i).
The interim waiver shall remain in
effect consistent with the provisions of
10 CFR 430.27(h) and (l). Furthermore,
this interim waiver is conditioned upon
the presumed validity of statements,
representations, and documents
provided by the petitioner. DOE may
rescind or modify a waiver or interim
waiver at any time upon a
determination that the factual basis
underlying the petition for waiver or
interim waiver is incorrect, or upon a
determination that the results from the
alternate test procedure are
unrepresentative of the basic model’s
true energy consumption characteristics.
See 10 CFR 430.27(k).
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IV. Alternate Test Procedure
EPCA requires that manufacturers use
DOE test procedures when making
representations about the energy
consumption and energy consumption
costs of products and equipment
covered by the statute. (42 U.S.C.
6293(c); 6314(d)) Consistent
representations about the energy
efficiency of covered products and
equipment are important for consumers
evaluating products when making
purchasing decisions and for
manufacturers to demonstrate
compliance with applicable DOE energy
conservation standards. Pursuant to its
regulations applicable to waivers and
interim waivers from applicable test
procedures at 10 CFR 430.27 and after
considering public comments on the
petition, DOE will announce its
decision as to an alternate test
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procedure for Dyson in a subsequent
Decision and Order.
During the period of the interim
waiver granted in this notice, Dyson
shall test the basic model listed in
section II according to the test
procedure for battery chargers
prescribed by DOE at 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix Y, except that
under sections 4.4 and 5.6 of appendix
Y, Non-Battery Charging Functionalities
that cannot be switched off by a user
during the charge and maintenance
mode test, must be turned off by
isolating a terminal of the battery pack
using isolating tape.
Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any
person submitting information that he
or she believes to be confidential and
exempt by law from public disclosure
should submit two copies to DOE: One
copy of the document marked
‘‘confidential’’ with all of the
information believed to be confidential
included, and one copy of the document
marked ‘‘non-confidential’’ with all of
the information believed to be
confidential deleted. DOE will make its
own determination about the
confidential status of the information
and treat it according to its
determination.
V. Summary and Request for Comments
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 30,
2016.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
Through this notice, DOE announces
receipt of Dyson’s petition for waiver
from the DOE test procedure for battery
chargers and announces DOE’s decision
to grant Dyson an interim waiver from
the test procedure for its robotic vacuum
cleaner model RB01, marketed as the
Dyson 360-Eye (Robot). DOE is
publishing Dyson’s petition for waiver
in its entirety, pursuant to 10 CFR
430.27(b)(1)(iv). The petition contains
no confidential information. The
petition includes a suggested alternate
test procedure to determine the energy
consumption of the battery charger used
in Dyson’s specified robotic vacuum
cleaner. Dyson is required to use this
alternate procedure, as specified in
section IV of this notice, as a condition
of its grant of interim waiver, and after
considering public comments on the
petition, DOE will announce its
decision as to the continued use of this
alternate procedure in its subsequent
Decision and Order.
DOE solicits comments from
interested parties on all aspects of the
petition, including the suggested
alternate test procedure and calculation
methodology. Pursuant to 10 CFR
430.27(d), any person submitting
written comments to DOE must also
send a copy of such comments to the
petitioner. The contact information for
the petitioner is Ms. Ashley Shaw,
Assistant General Counsel, Dyson, Inc.,
600 West Chicago Avenue, Suite 275,
Chicago, IL 60654. All comment
submissions must include the agency
name and Case Number BC–001 for this
proceeding. Submit electronic
comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft
Word, Portable Document Format (PDF),
or text (American Standard Code for
Information Interchange (ASCII)) file
format and avoid the use of special
characters or any form of encryption.
Wherever possible, include the
electronic signature of the author. DOE
does not accept telefacsimiles (faxes).
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April 7, 2016
APPLICATION OF PETITION OF
WAIVER
Dyson, Inc. (‘‘Dyson’’) hereby
respectfully submits this Application for
Petition of Waiver jointly with an
Application for Interim Waiver, to the
Department of Energy (‘‘DOE’’) with
regard to the Dyson robotic vacuum
cleaner model RB01, marketed as the
Dyson 360-Eye (‘‘Robot’’).
Requirement To Be Waived
This petition asks that the
requirement contained in the current
DOE test procedure for battery chargers
provided in CFR 10 Part 430.23,
Appendix Y—‘‘Uniform Test Method for
Measuring the Energy Consumption of
Battery Chargers,’’ Clause 4.4 (Limiting
Other Non-Battery-Charger Functions),
be waived with regard to testing on the
Robot.
According to Sub-Clause, 4.4.b and
the ‘‘Charge Mode and Battery
Maintenance Mode Test’’ detailed in
Section 5.6, any function controlled by
the user and not associated with the
battery charging process shall be
switched off or shall be set to the lowest
power consuming mode.
By virtue of the design characteristics
of the Robot, using the prescribed test
procedure would cause the machine to
be evaluated in a manner not
representative of the true energy
consumption characteristics of the
battery charger because certain
functions that affect energy
consumption measurements are not
controlled by the user and cannot be
turned off by the user. However, in
order to obtain representative values,
these functions should be switched off,
and can be by the person performing the
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test procedure. This petition seeks a
waiver of the requirement that these
functions must be able to be switched
off by the user.
We believe that the aim of the test
procedure is to specify a method for
quantifying the power consumption of
the battery charging function and setting
the appropriate test conditions solely by
user-controllable means is not a
fundamental requirement to achieve
that purpose.
Robot Description—Intended Operation
and Design Characteristics
The Robot is a robotic vacuum cleaner
with integral Li-Ion battery. The battery
is contained in a battery pack together
with the charging control circuit. The
battery pack can be detached by the
user, but cannot be charged separately
from the machine. The Wi-Fi transceiver
can be controlled by the user and can be
disabled by the user following the
instructions in the operating manual.
The Robot is charged through a cradle
powered by a separate, external AC/DC
adapter (wall plug type). The charging
circuitry is comprised of the external
adapter, the cradle, and the battery
pack.
The charging control contained in the
battery pack is independent from the
Robot. Accordingly, it autonomously
starts charging the robot when it is in
the cradle and turns off charging when
the charging process is complete.
The LED-based user interface on the
machine enclosure represents the
machine’s status. It is entirely
controlled by the Robot and not by the
battery pack circuitry. It can provide a
variety of information to the user,
including but not limited to, low battery
and fault condition alerts.
During the typical operation, the
Robot accomplishes its intended
functions by powering the motors
(vacuuming), the navigation system
(sensors), the User Interface, and the
connectivity platform, until its control
processor detects a low battery state and
aims for the cradle.
When the Robot reaches the cradle,
the charging function is activated by the
battery pack. During charging, the Robot
also maintains the User Interface and
connectivity platform (‘‘Non-Battery
Charging Functionalities’’).
The battery is fully charged in
approximately two (2) hours. At that
point, an electronic switch fitted in the
battery pack disconnects the battery
from the charging line and the battery
charging function enters what the test
procedure calls ‘‘maintenance mode.’’
The battery pack has a very long shelf
life (i.e., the battery would maintain
sufficient charge for a long period of
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time, approximately one year).
Therefore, in ‘‘maintenance mode,’’ the
energy consumption is dedicated only
to sustain the Non-Battery Charging
Functionalities.
The Non-Battery Charging
Functionalities are implemented
through a complex control circuitry
contained in the Robot architecture and
can be summarized as the management
of the advanced usage features offered to
the user. The user is not only able to
clean the house remotely but can do so
in the way that best suits his/her habits.
By always having the Non-Battery
Charging Functionalities in an active
state, while in the cradle, the Robot is
able to:
(a) Receive remote commands to start
a scheduled clean from the Dyson
cloud;
(b) Receive remote commands to start
a live clean, either directly from the
App or via the Dyson cloud;
(c) Receive software upgrades from
the Dyson cloud;
(d) Be configured prior to starting a
clean routine via the App;
(e) Be able to respond in a short time
to remote user demand with
acknowledgement that a cleaning
routine has started (no system boot-up);
(f) Send status messages to the App
and to the Dyson cloud; and
(g) Send data to the Dyson cloud,
including usage stats.
The battery pack may come with two
different charging controls:
Battery Control 1—The Non-Battery
Charging Functionalities are always
powered from the battery terminals. To
keep the battery fully charged, the
charging function must be periodically
re-enabled to top-up the charge. This
can be seen in Appendix B.1.
Battery Control 2—When the Robot is
in the cradle, the Non-Battery Charging
Functionalities are powered directly
from the DC supply at the cradle
terminals (i.e., indirectly from the
mains). The Robot control shares the
same power supply of the battery pack
(external adapter + cradle) and draws
continuous current from the mains. This
can be seen in Appendix B.2.
Battery Control 2 will replace Battery
Control 1 by the end of 2016.
Grounds for the Petition
In order to provide the user with the
advanced setting and management
features of the Robot, the relevant
functionalities and circuitry have to be
powered at all times. Accordingly, we
do not believe it is appropriate to make
the Non-Battery Charging
Functionalities user controllable
because they are an integral part of the
Robot itself.
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Therefore, in order to ascertain the
true energy consumption characteristics
of the battery charger during the test, we
seek permission to switch off the NonBattery Charging Functionalities by a
means that is not controlled by the user.
Proposal
We are seeking permission to turn off
the Non-Battery Charging
Functionalities during the charge and
maintenance mode test by isolating a
terminal of the battery pack using
isolating tape. A visual description in
Appendix A shows which terminal has
to be isolated for testing purposes and
how it is to be isolated with the tape.
A leaflet or a web-link in the user
manual could provide similar
information.
Currently, the prescribed test method
requires the test technician to go well
beyond what the user can access (e.g.,
disassemble the battery pack for the
battery discharge test).
The proposed setting where the NonBattery Charging Functionalities are
turned off does not lead to any
alteration of the battery charger circuitry
or function because the Robot is
operating in parallel to it. It simply
interrupts the power supply to the
Robot and prevents the Non-Battery
Charging Functionalities from drawing
current from the battery or mains (see
Battery Control 1, Battery Control 2, and
Appendix B for this distinction).
The following values are typical:
—Power consumption of the NonBattery Charging Functionalities is
approximately 3.5W (including 0.27W
used for the User Interface);
—Power consumption in no-battery
mode (wall plug external charger +
cradle) is 0.48W.
The graphs in Appendix B show the
power consumption of the product in
charge and maintenance mode for both
the actual operation and the proposed
test setting.
If our proposal is accepted, we also
recommend that the text of clause 4.4.b
be modified as follows:
‘‘b. Any function not associated with
the battery charging process (e.g. the
answering machine in a cordless
telephone charging base) shall be
switched off. If it is not possible to
switch such functions off, they shall be
set to their lowest power-consuming
mode during test.
If it is not possible to achieve this
condition by user-controlled settings,
the condition may be achieved by
alternative means, unless those lead to
an alteration of the battery charger
circuit or function.’’
E:\FR\FM\09SEN1.SGM
09SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 175 / Friday, September 9, 2016 / Notices
Hardship and Competitive
Disadvantage
In absence of a favorable
determination, the Robot design would
have to be modified in order to add a
switch that would implement the same
isolation obtained by the isolating tape.
The cost in addition to the current bill
of materials would be around 0.3 USD,
but the real burden is that this switch
would have to be added only to enable
the measurement of the true energy
consumption and would not bring any
real benefit for the user. Indeed, as
prescribed by the test procedure, if the
switch is made accessible to users, it
could result in inadvertent operations.
The reliability of the Robot might be
affected, including, but not limited to:
• Preventing the Robot from being
controlled remotely as intended;
• Random malfunction and bad user
experience; and
• Abrupt abortion of software
upgrades with the typical consequences
(i.e., software corruption).
The actual cost cannot be easily
quantified in advance, but would
disparage the Dyson brand.
Likely Success of the Petition
Our proposal is in compliance with
the test method’s intent of measuring
the energy efficiency parameters of
battery chargers, as it ensures that such
energy consumption is still measured. It
does not add unnecessary burden to the
work of the test technician when
applying the test procedure. It is also a
proposal that would benefit other
manufacturers of consumer products
employing advanced connectivity
features by providing more flexibility at
evaluating compliance with the relevant
energy metrics.
Appendix A—Access to the Battery
Terminal
See the following Web site for Appendix A
pictures: https://www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2016-BT-WAV-0034.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Appendix B—Power Consumption
Graphs
(B.1a)
Battery Control 1—Robot control powered
from the battery
The battery charger periodically refills the
energy used by the non-charging
functionalities (red trace). By isolating the
terminal only the power drawn by the battery
is accounted (blue trace).
See the following Web site for Appendix
B.1a graphs: https://www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2016-BT-WAV-0034.
(B.1b)
Battery Control 1—Circuit diagram
See the following Web site for Appendix
B.1b graphs: https://www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2016-BT-WAV-0034.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:11 Sep 08, 2016
Jkt 238001
(B.2a)
Battery Control 2—Robot control powered
from the mains
The battery charger provides energy in
parallel both to the battery and to the noncharging functionalities (red trace). By
isolating the terminal only the power drawn
by the battery is accounted (blue trace).
See the following Web site for Appendix
B.2a graphs: https://www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2016-BT-WAV-0034.
(B.2b)
Battery Control 2—Circuit diagram
See the following Web site for Appendix
B.2b graphs: https://www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2016-BT-WAV-0034.
[FR Doc. 2016–21749 Filed 9–8–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
62493
Dated: September 2, 2016.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016–21748 Filed 9–8–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. CP15–557–000]
Total Peaking Services, LLC; Notice of
Schedule for Environmental Review of
the Vaporization Capacity Increase and
Bog Compressor Project
Schedule for Environmental Review
On September 23, 2015, Total Peaking
Services, LLC (Total Peaking) filed an
application in Docket No. CP15–557–
000 requesting a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity pursuant to
Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to
construct and operate certain liquefied
natural gas facilities. The proposed
project is known as the Vaporization
Capacity Increase and BOG Compressor
Project (Project), and would increase the
vaporization send out capacity at Total
Peaking’s Milford, Connecticut facility
from 90 million cubic feet per day
(MMcf/d) to 105 MMcf/d, along with the
construction and operation of an
additional boil-off gas compressor unit.
On October 7, 2015, the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice
of Application for the Project. Among
other things, that notice alerted agencies
issuing federal authorizations of the
requirement to complete all necessary
reviews and to reach a final decision on
a request for a federal authorization
within 90 days of the date of issuance
of the Commission staff’s Environmental
Assessment (EA) for the Project. This
instant notice identifies the FERC staff’s
planned schedule for the completion of
the EA for the Project.
Issuance of the EA: November 2,
2016.
90-day Federal Authorization
Decision Deadline: January 31, 2017.
If a schedule change becomes
necessary, an additional notice will be
provided so that the relevant agencies
are kept informed of the project’s
progress.
Schedule for Environmental Review
Issuance of EA October 14, 2016
90-day Federal Authorization Decision
Deadline January 12, 2017
If a schedule change becomes
necessary, additional notice will be
provided so that the relevant agencies
are kept informed of the Project’s
progress.
Additional Information
Project Description
The Project would include
modifications at Total Peaking’s
Milford, Connecticut facility. Total
Peaking would remove its existing
vaporizers and install a single vaporizer
operating at 105 MMcf/d as well as a
heater system for the new vaporizer.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. CP15–88–000]
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company,
L.L.C.; Notice of Revised Schedule for
Environmental Review of the
Abandonment and Capacity
Restoration Project
This notice identifies the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission
(Commission or FERC) staff’s revised
schedule for the completion of the
environmental assessment (EA) for
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company,
L.L.C.’s (Tennessee) Abandonment and
Capacity Restoration Project. The first
notice of schedule, issued on June 30,
2016, identified September 2, 2016 as
the EA issuance date. However,
Tennessee provided modifications to
the proposed facilities that require
additional time for staff to consider.
Therefore, staff has revised the schedule
for issuance of the EA.
In order to receive notification of the
issuance of the EA and to keep track of
all formal issuances and submittals in
specific dockets, the Commission offers
a free service called eSubscription
(https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
esubscription.asp).
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\09SEN1.SGM
09SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 175 (Friday, September 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62489-62493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21749]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
[Case No. BC-001]
Notice of Petition for Waiver of Dyson, Inc. From the Department
of Energy Battery Chargers Test Procedures and Grant of Interim Waiver
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of petition for waiver and grant of interim waiver, and
request for public comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of and publishes a petition for
waiver from Dyson, Inc. (Dyson) seeking an exemption from specified
portions of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure for
determining the energy consumption of battery chargers. The waiver
request pertains to the battery chargers in Dyson's robotic vacuum
cleaner model RB01, marketed as the Dyson 360-Eye (Robot). In its
petition, Dyson contends that in order to provide the user with the
advanced setting and management features of the Robot, the relevant
functionalities and circuitry have to be powered at all times, and
consequently, there is no user-controllable switch to disable those
non-battery charging functions as the current DOE test procedure
contemplates. Consequently, Dyson seeks to use an alternate test
procedure to turn off the Non-Battery Charging Functionalities during
the charge and maintenance mode test by isolating a terminal of the
battery pack using isolating tape. This notice also announces that DOE
has granted Dyson an interim waiver from the DOE battery charger test
procedure for its specified robotic vacuum cleaner basic model, subject
to use of the alternative test procedure as set forth in this notice.
DOE solicits comments, data, and information concerning Dyson's
petition and its suggested alternate test procedure.
DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information with regard to
the Dyson petition until October 11, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Case Number BC-001,
by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Email: AS_Waiver_Requests@ee.doe.gov Include the case
number [Case No. BC-001] in the subject line of the message. Submit
electronic comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PDF, or ASCII file
format, and avoid the use of special characters or any form of
encryption.
Postal Mail: Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of
Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, Petition for
Waiver Case No. BC-001, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC
20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-0371. If possible, please submit all
items on a compact disc (CD), in which case it is not necessary to
include printed copies.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Appliance and Equipment Standards
Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, 950
L'Enfant Plaza, SW., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20024. Telephone: (202)
586-6636. If possible, please submit all items on a CD, in which case
it is not necessary to include printed copies.
Docket: The docket, which includes Federal Register notices,
comments, and other supporting documents/materials, is available for
review at www.regulations.gov. All documents in the docket are listed
in the www.regulations.gov index. However, some documents listed in the
index, such as those containing information that is exempt from public
disclosure, may not be publicly available.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department
of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Mailstop EE-5B, 1000
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202)
586-0371. Email: Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. Peter Cochran or Mr. Eric Stas, U.S. Department of Energy,
Office of the General Counsel, Mail Stop GC-33, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone:
(202) 586-9496 or (202) 586-9507. Email: Peter.Cochran@hq.doe.gov or
Eric.Stas@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 62490]]
I. Background and Authority
Title III, Part B \1\ of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of
1975 (EPCA), Public Law 94-163 (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309, as codified)
established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other
Than Automobiles, a program that includes the battery charger-
containing robotic vacuums that are the focus of this notice.\2\ Part B
includes definitions, test procedures, labeling provisions, energy
conservation standards, and the authority to require information and
reports from manufacturers. Further, Part B authorizes the Secretary of
Energy to prescribe test procedures that are reasonably designed to
produce results that measure energy efficiency, energy use, or
estimated operating costs during a representative average-use cycle,
and that are not unduly burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(3))
The test procedure for battery chargers is contained in Title 10 of the
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 430, subpart B, appendix Y,
Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Battery
Chargers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part B was redesignated as Part A.
\2\ All references to EPCA in this document refer to the statute
as amended through the Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015
(EEIA), Public Law 114-11 (April 30, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOE's regulations set forth at 10 CFR 430.27 contain provisions
that allow a person to seek a waiver from the test procedure
requirements for a particular basic model of a type of covered consumer
product when: (1) The petitioner's basic model for which the petition
for waiver was submitted contains one or more design characteristics
that prevent testing according to the prescribed test procedure, or (2)
the prescribed test procedures may evaluate the basic model in a manner
so unrepresentative of its true energy consumption characteristics as
to provide materially inaccurate comparative data. 10 CFR 430.27(a)(1).
A petitioner must include in its petition any alternate test procedures
known to the petitioner to evaluate the basic model in a manner
representative of its energy consumption. 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iii).
DOE may grant a waiver subject to conditions, including adherence
to alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 430.27(f)(2). As soon as
practicable after the granting of any waiver, DOE will publish in the
Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend its
regulations so as to eliminate any need for the continuation of such
waiver. As soon thereafter as practicable, DOE will publish in the
Federal Register a final rule. 10 CFR 430.27(l).
The waiver process also allows DOE to grant an interim waiver from
test procedure requirements to manufacturers that have petitioned DOE
for a waiver of such prescribed test procedures if it appears likely
that the petition for waiver will be granted and/or if DOE determines
that it would be desirable for public policy reasons to grant immediate
relief pending a determination on the petition for waiver. 10 CFR
430.27(e)(2). Within one year of issuance of an interim waiver, DOE
will either: (i) Publish in the Federal Register a determination on the
petition for waiver; or (ii) publish in the Federal Register a new or
amended test procedure that addresses the issues presented in the
waiver. 10 CFR 430.27(h)(1). When DOE amends the test procedure to
address the issues presented in a waiver, the waiver will automatically
terminate on the date on which use of that test procedure is required
to demonstrate compliance. 10 CFR 430.27(h)(2).
II. Petition for Waiver of Test Procedure and Application for Interim
Waiver
On April 7, 2016, Dyson filed a petition for waiver from the DOE
test procedure for battery chargers under 10 CFR 430.27 for their
robotic vacuum cleaner model RB01, marketed as the Dyson 360-Eye
(Robot), which is required to be tested using the DOE battery charger
test procedure at 10 CFR 430.23(aa) and detailed at 10 CFR part 430,
subpart B, appendix Y. In its petition, Dyson asks that the requirement
contained in the current DOE test procedure for battery chargers
provided in 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix Y, section 4.4,
Limiting Other Non-Battery-Charger Functions, be waived with regard to
testing on the Robot. According to subsection 4.4.b (and a related
provision at section 5.6.c.1), any function controlled by the user and
not associated with the battery charging process shall be switched off
or shall be set to the lowest power-consuming mode.
Dyson asserts that in order to provide the user with the advanced
setting and management features of the Robot, the relevant
functionalities and circuitry have to be powered at all times.
Accordingly, Dyson does not believe it appropriate to make the Non-
Battery Charging Functionalities user controllable because they are an
integral part of the Robot itself. Therefore, in order to ascertain the
true energy consumption characteristics of the battery charger during
the test, Dyson seeks permission to switch off the Non-Battery Charging
Functionalities by a means that is not controlled by the user.
Dyson also requests an interim waiver from the existing DOE test
procedure for immediate relief. As previously noted, an interim waiver
may be granted if it appears likely that the petition for waiver will
be granted, and/or if DOE determines that it would be desirable for
public policy reasons to grant immediate relief pending a determination
of the petition for waiver. See 10 CFR 430.27(e)(2).
DOE understands that absent an interim waiver, the basic model
identified by Dyson in its petition cannot be tested and rated for
energy consumption on a basis representative of their true energy
consumption characteristics. DOE has reviewed the alternate procedure
and concludes that it will allow for the accurate measurement of the
energy use of these products, while alleviating the testing problems
associated with Dyson's implementation of battery charger testing for
their robotic vacuum cleaner. Consequently, DOE has determined that
Dyson's petition for waiver will likely be granted and has decided that
it is desirable for public policy reasons to grant Dyson immediate
relief pending a determination on the petition for waiver. Dyson
requests to use an alternate test procedure that would allow it to turn
off the Non-Battery Charging Functionalities during the charge and
maintenance mode test under 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix Y,
sections 4.4 and 5.6 by isolating a terminal of the battery pack using
isolating tape, thereby providing a suitable method for testing these
products and for making representations as to their energy efficiency.
III. Summary of Grant of Interim Waiver
For the reasons stated above, DOE has responded positively to
Dyson's application for interim waiver from testing for its specified
robotic vacuum cleaner basic model through separate correspondence,
which includes an Order granting the application for an interim waiver,
subject to the certain specifications and conditions. The substance of
the Interim Waiver Order is summarized below.
Dyson is required to test and rate the battery charger of the
specified robotic vacuum cleaner basic model according to the alternate
test procedure as set forth in section IV, ``Alternate Test
Procedure.'' Specifically, the interim waiver applies to the following
basic model: RB01, marketed as the Dyson 360-Eye (Robot). Dyson is
permitted to
[[Page 62491]]
make representations about the energy use of its battery charger for
the robotic vacuum cleaner products for compliance, marketing, or other
purposes only to the extent that such products have been tested in
accordance with the provisions set forth in the alternate test
procedure and such representations fairly disclose the results of such
testing in accordance with 10 CFR 429.39.
DOE makes decisions on waivers and interim waivers for only those
models specifically set out in the petition, not future models that may
be manufactured by the petitioner. Dyson may request that DOE extend
the scope of a waiver or an interim waiver to include additional basic
models employing the same technology as the basic model(s) set forth in
the original petition consistent with 10 CFR 430.27(g). In addition,
DOE notes that granting of an interim waiver or waiver does not release
a petitioner from the certification requirements set forth at 10 CFR
part 429. See also 10 CFR 430.27(a) and (i).
The interim waiver shall remain in effect consistent with the
provisions of 10 CFR 430.27(h) and (l). Furthermore, this interim
waiver is conditioned upon the presumed validity of statements,
representations, and documents provided by the petitioner. DOE may
rescind or modify a waiver or interim waiver at any time upon a
determination that the factual basis underlying the petition for waiver
or interim waiver is incorrect, or upon a determination that the
results from the alternate test procedure are unrepresentative of the
basic model's true energy consumption characteristics. See 10 CFR
430.27(k).
IV. Alternate Test Procedure
EPCA requires that manufacturers use DOE test procedures when
making representations about the energy consumption and energy
consumption costs of products and equipment covered by the statute. (42
U.S.C. 6293(c); 6314(d)) Consistent representations about the energy
efficiency of covered products and equipment are important for
consumers evaluating products when making purchasing decisions and for
manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with applicable DOE energy
conservation standards. Pursuant to its regulations applicable to
waivers and interim waivers from applicable test procedures at 10 CFR
430.27 and after considering public comments on the petition, DOE will
announce its decision as to an alternate test procedure for Dyson in a
subsequent Decision and Order.
During the period of the interim waiver granted in this notice,
Dyson shall test the basic model listed in section II according to the
test procedure for battery chargers prescribed by DOE at 10 CFR part
430, subpart B, appendix Y, except that under sections 4.4 and 5.6 of
appendix Y, Non-Battery Charging Functionalities that cannot be
switched off by a user during the charge and maintenance mode test,
must be turned off by isolating a terminal of the battery pack using
isolating tape.
V. Summary and Request for Comments
Through this notice, DOE announces receipt of Dyson's petition for
waiver from the DOE test procedure for battery chargers and announces
DOE's decision to grant Dyson an interim waiver from the test procedure
for its robotic vacuum cleaner model RB01, marketed as the Dyson 360-
Eye (Robot). DOE is publishing Dyson's petition for waiver in its
entirety, pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(b)(1)(iv). The petition contains no
confidential information. The petition includes a suggested alternate
test procedure to determine the energy consumption of the battery
charger used in Dyson's specified robotic vacuum cleaner. Dyson is
required to use this alternate procedure, as specified in section IV of
this notice, as a condition of its grant of interim waiver, and after
considering public comments on the petition, DOE will announce its
decision as to the continued use of this alternate procedure in its
subsequent Decision and Order.
DOE solicits comments from interested parties on all aspects of the
petition, including the suggested alternate test procedure and
calculation methodology. Pursuant to 10 CFR 430.27(d), any person
submitting written comments to DOE must also send a copy of such
comments to the petitioner. The contact information for the petitioner
is Ms. Ashley Shaw, Assistant General Counsel, Dyson, Inc., 600 West
Chicago Avenue, Suite 275, Chicago, IL 60654. All comment submissions
must include the agency name and Case Number BC-001 for this
proceeding. Submit electronic comments in WordPerfect, Microsoft Word,
Portable Document Format (PDF), or text (American Standard Code for
Information Interchange (ASCII)) file format and avoid the use of
special characters or any form of encryption. Wherever possible,
include the electronic signature of the author. DOE does not accept
telefacsimiles (faxes).
Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information that
he or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public
disclosure should submit two copies to DOE: One copy of the document
marked ``confidential'' with all of the information believed to be
confidential included, and one copy of the document marked ``non-
confidential'' with all of the information believed to be confidential
deleted. DOE will make its own determination about the confidential
status of the information and treat it according to its determination.
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 30, 2016.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
April 7, 2016
APPLICATION OF PETITION OF WAIVER
Dyson, Inc. (``Dyson'') hereby respectfully submits this
Application for Petition of Waiver jointly with an Application for
Interim Waiver, to the Department of Energy (``DOE'') with regard to
the Dyson robotic vacuum cleaner model RB01, marketed as the Dyson 360-
Eye (``Robot'').
Requirement To Be Waived
This petition asks that the requirement contained in the current
DOE test procedure for battery chargers provided in CFR 10 Part 430.23,
Appendix Y--``Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption
of Battery Chargers,'' Clause 4.4 (Limiting Other Non-Battery-Charger
Functions), be waived with regard to testing on the Robot.
According to Sub-Clause, 4.4.b and the ``Charge Mode and Battery
Maintenance Mode Test'' detailed in Section 5.6, any function
controlled by the user and not associated with the battery charging
process shall be switched off or shall be set to the lowest power
consuming mode.
By virtue of the design characteristics of the Robot, using the
prescribed test procedure would cause the machine to be evaluated in a
manner not representative of the true energy consumption
characteristics of the battery charger because certain functions that
affect energy consumption measurements are not controlled by the user
and cannot be turned off by the user. However, in order to obtain
representative values, these functions should be switched off, and can
be by the person performing the
[[Page 62492]]
test procedure. This petition seeks a waiver of the requirement that
these functions must be able to be switched off by the user.
We believe that the aim of the test procedure is to specify a
method for quantifying the power consumption of the battery charging
function and setting the appropriate test conditions solely by user-
controllable means is not a fundamental requirement to achieve that
purpose.
Robot Description--Intended Operation and Design Characteristics
The Robot is a robotic vacuum cleaner with integral Li-Ion battery.
The battery is contained in a battery pack together with the charging
control circuit. The battery pack can be detached by the user, but
cannot be charged separately from the machine. The Wi-Fi transceiver
can be controlled by the user and can be disabled by the user following
the instructions in the operating manual.
The Robot is charged through a cradle powered by a separate,
external AC/DC adapter (wall plug type). The charging circuitry is
comprised of the external adapter, the cradle, and the battery pack.
The charging control contained in the battery pack is independent
from the Robot. Accordingly, it autonomously starts charging the robot
when it is in the cradle and turns off charging when the charging
process is complete.
The LED-based user interface on the machine enclosure represents
the machine's status. It is entirely controlled by the Robot and not by
the battery pack circuitry. It can provide a variety of information to
the user, including but not limited to, low battery and fault condition
alerts.
During the typical operation, the Robot accomplishes its intended
functions by powering the motors (vacuuming), the navigation system
(sensors), the User Interface, and the connectivity platform, until its
control processor detects a low battery state and aims for the cradle.
When the Robot reaches the cradle, the charging function is
activated by the battery pack. During charging, the Robot also
maintains the User Interface and connectivity platform (``Non-Battery
Charging Functionalities'').
The battery is fully charged in approximately two (2) hours. At
that point, an electronic switch fitted in the battery pack disconnects
the battery from the charging line and the battery charging function
enters what the test procedure calls ``maintenance mode.''
The battery pack has a very long shelf life (i.e., the battery
would maintain sufficient charge for a long period of time,
approximately one year). Therefore, in ``maintenance mode,'' the energy
consumption is dedicated only to sustain the Non-Battery Charging
Functionalities.
The Non-Battery Charging Functionalities are implemented through a
complex control circuitry contained in the Robot architecture and can
be summarized as the management of the advanced usage features offered
to the user. The user is not only able to clean the house remotely but
can do so in the way that best suits his/her habits.
By always having the Non-Battery Charging Functionalities in an
active state, while in the cradle, the Robot is able to:
(a) Receive remote commands to start a scheduled clean from the
Dyson cloud;
(b) Receive remote commands to start a live clean, either directly
from the App or via the Dyson cloud;
(c) Receive software upgrades from the Dyson cloud;
(d) Be configured prior to starting a clean routine via the App;
(e) Be able to respond in a short time to remote user demand with
acknowledgement that a cleaning routine has started (no system boot-
up);
(f) Send status messages to the App and to the Dyson cloud; and
(g) Send data to the Dyson cloud, including usage stats.
The battery pack may come with two different charging controls:
Battery Control 1--The Non-Battery Charging Functionalities are
always powered from the battery terminals. To keep the battery fully
charged, the charging function must be periodically re-enabled to top-
up the charge. This can be seen in Appendix B.1.
Battery Control 2--When the Robot is in the cradle, the Non-Battery
Charging Functionalities are powered directly from the DC supply at the
cradle terminals (i.e., indirectly from the mains). The Robot control
shares the same power supply of the battery pack (external adapter +
cradle) and draws continuous current from the mains. This can be seen
in Appendix B.2.
Battery Control 2 will replace Battery Control 1 by the end of
2016.
Grounds for the Petition
In order to provide the user with the advanced setting and
management features of the Robot, the relevant functionalities and
circuitry have to be powered at all times. Accordingly, we do not
believe it is appropriate to make the Non-Battery Charging
Functionalities user controllable because they are an integral part of
the Robot itself.
Therefore, in order to ascertain the true energy consumption
characteristics of the battery charger during the test, we seek
permission to switch off the Non-Battery Charging Functionalities by a
means that is not controlled by the user.
Proposal
We are seeking permission to turn off the Non-Battery Charging
Functionalities during the charge and maintenance mode test by
isolating a terminal of the battery pack using isolating tape. A visual
description in Appendix A shows which terminal has to be isolated for
testing purposes and how it is to be isolated with the tape. A leaflet
or a web-link in the user manual could provide similar information.
Currently, the prescribed test method requires the test technician
to go well beyond what the user can access (e.g., disassemble the
battery pack for the battery discharge test).
The proposed setting where the Non-Battery Charging Functionalities
are turned off does not lead to any alteration of the battery charger
circuitry or function because the Robot is operating in parallel to it.
It simply interrupts the power supply to the Robot and prevents the
Non-Battery Charging Functionalities from drawing current from the
battery or mains (see Battery Control 1, Battery Control 2, and
Appendix B for this distinction).
The following values are typical:
--Power consumption of the Non-Battery Charging Functionalities is
approximately 3.5W (including 0.27W used for the User Interface);
--Power consumption in no-battery mode (wall plug external charger +
cradle) is 0.48W.
The graphs in Appendix B show the power consumption of the product
in charge and maintenance mode for both the actual operation and the
proposed test setting.
If our proposal is accepted, we also recommend that the text of
clause 4.4.b be modified as follows:
``b. Any function not associated with the battery charging process
(e.g. the answering machine in a cordless telephone charging base)
shall be switched off. If it is not possible to switch such functions
off, they shall be set to their lowest power-consuming mode during
test.
If it is not possible to achieve this condition by user-controlled
settings, the condition may be achieved by alternative means, unless
those lead to an alteration of the battery charger circuit or
function.''
[[Page 62493]]
Hardship and Competitive Disadvantage
In absence of a favorable determination, the Robot design would
have to be modified in order to add a switch that would implement the
same isolation obtained by the isolating tape.
The cost in addition to the current bill of materials would be
around 0.3 USD, but the real burden is that this switch would have to
be added only to enable the measurement of the true energy consumption
and would not bring any real benefit for the user. Indeed, as
prescribed by the test procedure, if the switch is made accessible to
users, it could result in inadvertent operations. The reliability of
the Robot might be affected, including, but not limited to:
Preventing the Robot from being controlled remotely as
intended;
Random malfunction and bad user experience; and
Abrupt abortion of software upgrades with the typical
consequences (i.e., software corruption).
The actual cost cannot be easily quantified in advance, but would
disparage the Dyson brand.
Likely Success of the Petition
Our proposal is in compliance with the test method's intent of
measuring the energy efficiency parameters of battery chargers, as it
ensures that such energy consumption is still measured. It does not add
unnecessary burden to the work of the test technician when applying the
test procedure. It is also a proposal that would benefit other
manufacturers of consumer products employing advanced connectivity
features by providing more flexibility at evaluating compliance with
the relevant energy metrics.
Appendix A--Access to the Battery Terminal
See the following Web site for Appendix A pictures: https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2016-BT-WAV-0034.
Appendix B--Power Consumption Graphs
(B.1a)
Battery Control 1--Robot control powered from the battery
The battery charger periodically refills the energy used by the
non-charging functionalities (red trace). By isolating the terminal
only the power drawn by the battery is accounted (blue trace).
See the following Web site for Appendix B.1a graphs: https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2016-BT-WAV-0034.
(B.1b)
Battery Control 1--Circuit diagram
See the following Web site for Appendix B.1b graphs: https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2016-BT-WAV-0034.
(B.2a)
Battery Control 2--Robot control powered from the mains
The battery charger provides energy in parallel both to the
battery and to the non-charging functionalities (red trace). By
isolating the terminal only the power drawn by the battery is
accounted (blue trace).
See the following Web site for Appendix B.2a graphs: https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2016-BT-WAV-0034.
(B.2b)
Battery Control 2--Circuit diagram
See the following Web site for Appendix B.2b graphs: https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EERE-2016-BT-WAV-0034.
[FR Doc. 2016-21749 Filed 9-8-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P