U.S. patent application number 08/775298 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-06 for heat storage air conditioning apparatus and heat storage estimating method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ellen Marcie Emas. Invention is credited to IGAWA, HIROSHI, INOUE, MASAHIRO, OGURA, JYUNYA, OOTSUKA, OSAMU, TABUCHI, HIDEYUKI.
Application Number | 20010018971 08/775298 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27453603 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010018971 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TABUCHI, HIDEYUKI ; et
al. |
September 6, 2001 |
HEAT STORAGE AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS AND HEAT STORAGE ESTIMATING
METHOD
Abstract
In a heat storage air conditioning apparatus, a power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit collects time-sequence data on
demand for power; a power demand curve estimating unit estimates a
power demand curve obtained as a result of analysis of the power
demand time-sequence data collected by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit; a thermal energy load demand
estimating unit estimates thermal energy load demand from the power
demand curve estimated by the power demand curve estimating unit;
an operation unit of a thermal-energy source feeds cooling/heating
energy; a heat accumulating unit stores the cooling/heating energy
supplied from the operation unit therein; a cold/hot air
discharging unit discharges the thermal energy stored in the heat
accumulating unit; a cooling/heating energy quantity recognizing
unit recognizes the quantity of cooling or heating energy
dissipated from the cold/hot air discharging unit; and a converting
unit converts the quantity of cooling/heating energy into the
quantity of electric power, the converted quantity of electric
power being supplied to the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit.
Inventors: |
TABUCHI, HIDEYUKI; (TOKYO,
JP) ; INOUE, MASAHIRO; (TOKYO, JP) ; OGURA,
JYUNYA; (TOKYO, JP) ; IGAWA, HIROSHI; (TOKYO,
JP) ; OOTSUKA, OSAMU; (TOKYO, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BURNS DOANE SWECKER & MATHIS L L P
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Assignee: |
Ellen Marcie Emas
|
Family ID: |
27453603 |
Appl. No.: |
08/775298 |
Filed: |
December 31, 1996 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/236 ;
392/339; 392/340; 392/341; 392/343; 392/344; 392/345; 392/346;
62/59; 62/98 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 5/0017 20130101;
G05D 23/1923 20130101; Y02E 60/147 20130101; Y02E 60/14
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/236 ;
392/339; 392/340; 392/341; 392/343; 392/344; 392/345; 392/346;
62/59; 62/98 |
International
Class: |
F24H 007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 10, 1996 |
JP |
HEI. 8-2313 |
Mar 29, 1996 |
JP |
HEI. 8-75702 |
Mar 29, 1996 |
JP |
HEI. 8-75703 |
Mar 29, 1996 |
JP |
HEI. 8-75704 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus comprising: power
demand time-sequence data collecting means for collecting
time-sequence data on demand for power; power demand curve
estimating means for estimating a power demand curve obtained as a
result of analysis of the power demand time-sequence data collected
by said power demand time-sequence data collecting means; thermal
energy load demand estimating means for estimating thermal energy
load demand from the power demand curve estimated by the power
demand curve estimating means; operation means of a thermal-energy
source for feeding cooling/heating energy; heat accumulating means
for storing the cooling/heating energy supplied from said operation
means therein; cold/hot air discharging means for discharging the
thermal energy stored in said heat accumulating means;
cooling/heating energy quantity recognizing means for recognizing
the quantity of cooling or heating energy dissipated from said
cold/hot air discharging means; and converting means for converting
the quantity of cooling/heating energy into the quantity of
electric power, the converted quantity of electric power being
supplied to said power demand time-sequence data collecting
means.
2. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said cooling/heating energy quantity recognizing means is
detecting means for detecting the quantity of cooling or heating
energy dissipated from said cold/hot air discharging means.
3. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said cooling/heating energy quantity recognizing means is
calculating means for calculating the quantity of cooling or
heating energy dissipated from said cold/hot air discharging
means.
4. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising: stored thermal-energy utilizing operation means
for utilizing the thermal energy stored in said heat accumulating
means; and operation control means for controlling said
thermalenergy storage o peration means to cause said heat
accumulating m eans to store the quantity of cooling/heating energy
corresponding to the thermal-energy load demand on the basis of the
thermal-energy load demand estimated by. the thermal-energy load
demand estimating means during the night, and for controlling the
stored thermal-energy utilizing operation means to cause said heat
accumulating means to supply the stored thermal energy to the
cold/hot air discharger on the basis of the estimated power demand
curve during air-conditioning periods.
5. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim 4,
further comprising: stored data amount determination means for
determining the amount of data stored by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting means and sending pseudo data to the
power demand time-sequence data collecting means if a predetermined
amount of stored data has not been reached yet; wherein said power
demand curve estimating means estimates a power demand curve by
analyzing the pseudo data or the power demand time-sequence data
collected by said power demand time-sequence data collecting means;
and said operation means of a thermal-energy source stores the
thermal energy, which is equivalent to the thermal energy load
demand estimated by said thermal energy load demand estimating
means, said heat storage operation means being provided in a heat
accumulating means of a heat source.
6. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising: demand control time-period setting means for
setting a control time-period during which thermal-energy load is
covered by the thermal energy stored in said heat accumulating
means on the basis of the power demand curve estimated by said
power demand curve estimating means; and operation means of the
thermal-energy source for feeding the quantity of thermal energy
from other than said heat accumulating means during the time period
previously set in an air-conditioning period, and for feeding the
quantity of an electric power at this time period to said power
demand time-sequence data collecting means; wherein said cold/hot
air discharging means discharges the thermal energy stored in said
heat accumulating means and the heat supplied by said operation
means of the thermal-energy source; and said cooling/heating energy
quantity recognizing means is cooling/heating energy quantity
calculating means that calculates the quantity of cooling/heating
energy, which is supplied from said heat accumulating means and is
dissipated from the cold/hot air discharging means, from the
quantity of thermal energy remaining in said heat accumulating
means.
7. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein said operation control means performs control operations to
complete cooling/heating energy storage operations to be carried
out during the night immediately before cooling/heating operations
are started.
8. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim 5,
wherein said stored data amount determination means deals with
practical data as the most current data among the pseudo data every
time the practical data are obtained as a result of the
air-conditioning operations, and deletes the oldest data
corresponding to the amount of the most current data.
9. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim 5,
wherein said stored data amount determination means suspends the
output of pseudo data to said power demand time-sequence data
collecting means immediately after the amount of practical data
obtained as a result of the air-conditioning operations has reached
the amount that allows estimate-based control operations.
10. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim 5,
wherein said thermal-energy storage means completes a
thermal-energy storage operation of the thermal-energy source
immediately before the time period during which a cooling or
heating operation is started.
11. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein said operation control means performs control operations to
complete cooling/heating energy storage operations to be carried
out during the night immediately before cooling/heating operations
are started.
12. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim 6,
wherein said operation control means performs control operations to
complete cooling/heating energy storage operations to be carried
out during the night immediately before cooling/heating operations
are started.
13. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising: demand control time setting means for setting a
control time period during which thermal energy load is covered by
the thermal energy of said heat accumulating means on the basis of
the power demand curve estimated by said power demand curve
estimating means; stored thermal-energy utilizing operation means
for utilizing the thermal energy stored in said heat accumulating
means; and operation control means for controlling the operation
means of the thermal-energy source so as to cause said heat
accumulating means to store the quantity of cooling/heating energy
corresponding to the thermal-energy load demand on the basis of the
thermal-energy load demand estimated by the thermal-energy load
demand estimating means during the night; determining an operation
pattern for use in air-conditioning periods on the basis of the
estimated power demand curve and the control time period; that
controls the operation means of the thermal-energy source so as to
directly supply cooling/heating energy to the cold/hot air
discharger on the basis of the operation pattern during a preset
time period within the air-conditioning period; sending the
quantity of electric power dissipated from the thermal-energy
source at this time to the power demand time-sequence data
collecting means; and controlling the stored thermal-energy
utilizing operation means so as to supply the stored thermal energy
of said heat accumulating means to the cold/hot air discharger
during the control time period within the air-conditioning period;
wherein said thermal-energy load demand estimating means estimates
thermal-energy load demand for use during the control time period
on the basis of the control time period and the power demand curve;
said cold/hot air discharging means dissipates the thermal energy
received from said heat accumulating means and/or the operation
means of the thermal-energy source; and said cooling/heating energy
quantity recognizing means recognizes the quantity of
cooling/heating energy, which has been received from said heat
accumulating means and dissipated from said heat accumulating
means, from the thermal energy remaining in said heat accumulating
means.
14. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
13, wherein said cooling/heating energy quantity recognizing means
is detecting means for detecting the quantity of cooling or heating
energy dissipated from said cold/hot air discharging means.
15. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
13, wherein said cooling/heating energy quantity recognizing means
is calculating means for calculating the quantity of cooling or
heating energy dissipated from said cold/hot air discharging
means.
16. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
13, further comprising: stored data amount determination means for
determining the amount of data stored by said power demand
time-sequence data collecting means, and sending pseudo data to
said power demand time-sequence data collecting means if a
predetermined amount of stored data has not been reached yet;
wherein said power demand curve estimating means estimates a power
demand curve by analyzing the pseudo data or the power demand
time-sequence data collected by the power demand time-sequence data
collecting means.
17. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
13, further comprising: stored data amount determination means for
determining the amount of data stored by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting means; and outputing a data shortage
signal as well as instructing said power demand time-sequence data
collecting means to suspend an output to a control system if a
predetermined amount has not been reached yet; and forcible
operation controlling means for controlling said operation means
during air-conditioning periods to cause said operation means to
directly supply cooling/heating energy to said cold/hot air
discharging means if the data shortage signal is received from said
stored data amount determination means, and sending the quantity of
electric power dissipated from the thermal-energy source at this
time to said power demand time-sequence data collecting means.
18. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
13, wherein the control time period set said the demand control
time setting means is previously set to a specific time period.
19. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
13, wherein a threshold value is set on the power demand curve, and
the control time period set by said demand control time setting
means is set in the time period during which the power demand curve
is in excess of the threshold value.
20. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
13, wherein the control time period set by said demand control time
setting means is previously set to a specific time period; a
threshold value is set on the power demand curve; and the control
time period is set in the time period during which the power demand
curve is in excess of the threshold value.
21. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
13, further comprising: stored thermal energy utilization
determination means for determining the state of utilization of the
stored thermal energy during the control period within the
air-conditioning period on the basis of the quantity of
cooling/heating energy which has been received from said heat
accumulating means and discharged from said cold/hot air
discharging means and the thermal-energy load demand estimated by
the thermal-energy load demand estimating means; wherein said
operation control means performs dissipating operations using a
surplus of accumulated thermal energy during a time period
subsequent to the control time period of the air-conditioning
periods set by said demand control time setting means if a surplus
of thermal energy arises as a result of consumption of the thermal
energy accumulated in the heat accumulating means.
22. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
13, wherein said operation control means performs control
operations so as to complete cooling/heating energy accumulating
operations to be carried out during the night immediately before
cooling/heating operations are started.
23. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
16, wherein said stored data amount determination means deals with
practical data as the most current data among the pseudo data every
time the practical data are obtained as a result of the
air-conditioning operations, and deletes the oldest data
corresponding to the amount of the most current data.
24. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
16, wherein said stored data amount determination means suspends
the output of pseudo data to said power demand time-sequence data
collecting means immediately after the amount of practical data
obtained as a result of the air-conditioning operations has reached
the amount that allows estimate-based control operations.
25. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
16, wherein the control time period set by the demand control time
setting means is previously set to a specific time period.
26. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
16, wherein a threshold value is set on the power demand curve, and
the control time period set by said demand control time setting
means is set in the time period during which the power demand curve
is in excess of the threshold value.
27. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
16, wherein the control time period set by said demand control time
setting means is previously set to a specific time period; a
threshold value is set on the power demand curve; and the control
time period is set in the time period during which the power demand
curve is in excess of the threshold value.
28. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
16, further comprising: stored thermal energy utilization
determination means for determining the state of utilization of the
stored thermal energy during the control period within the
air-conditioning period on the basis of the quantity of
cooling/heating energy which has been received from said heat
accumulating means and discharged from said cold/hot air
discharging means and the thermal-energy load demand estimated by
the thermal-energy load demand estimating means; wherein said
operation control means performs dissipating operations using a
surplus of accumulated thermal energy during a time period
subsequent to the control time period of the air-conditioning
periods set by said demand control time setting means if a surplus
of thermal energy arises as a result of consumption of the thermal
energy accumulated in the heat accumulating means.
29. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
17, wherein the control time period set by the demand control time
setting means is previously set to a specific time period.
30. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
17, wherein a threshold value is set on the power demand curve, and
the control time period set by said demand control time setting
means is set in the time period during which the power demand curve
is in excess of the threshold value.
31. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
17, wherein the control time period set by said demand control time
setting means is previously set to a specific time period; a
threshold value is set on the power demand curve; and the control
time period is set in the time period during which the power demand
curve is in excess of the threshold value.
32. A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to claim
17, further comprising: stored thermal energy utilization
determination means for determining the state of utilization of the
stored thermal energy during the control period within the
air-conditioning period on the basis of the quantity of
cooling/heating energy which has been received from said heat
accumulating means and discharged from said cold/hot air
discharging means and the thermal-energy load demand estimated by
the thermal-energy load demand estimating means; wherein said
operation control means performs dissipating operations using a
surplus of accumulated thermal energy during a time period
subsequent to the control time period of the air-conditioning
periods set by said demand control time setting means if a surplus
of thermal energy arises as a result of consumption of the thermal
energy accumulated in the heat accumulating means.
33. A heat storage estimating method comprising the steps of:
recognizing the quantity of cooling/heating energy that is
equivalent to the quantity of thermal energy to be accumulated;
converting the quantity of thermal energy to be accumulated, which
is recognized in said recognizing step, into the quantity of
electric power; collecting time-sequence data on power demand,
taking the quantity of the power converted in said converting step
as the power demand; estimating a power demand curve by analyzing
the power demand time-sequence data collected in said collecting
step; and estimating thermal-energy load demand from the power
demand curve estimated in said power demand curve estimating
step.
34. A heat storage estimating method according to claim 33,
wherein, in said recognizing step, the quantity of cooling/heating
energy that is equivalent to the quantity of thermal energy to be
accumulated is detected.
35. A heat storage estimating method according to claim 33,
wherein, in said recognizing step, the quantity of cooling/heating
energy that is equivalent to the quantity of thermal energy to be
accumulated is calculated.
36. A heat storage estimating method according to claim 33,
wherein, said thermal-energy load demand estimating step comprising
the steps of: setting the control time period during which
thermalenergy load is covered by the accumulated thermal energy, on
the basis of the power demand curve estimated in said power demand
curve estimating step; and estimating thermal-energy load demand
during the control time period set in the control time-period
setting step.
37. A heat storage estimating method according to claim 36, wherein
said setting step is a step in which the control time period is
previously set to a specific time period.
38. A heat storage estimating method according to claim 36, wherein
said setting step is a step for setting a threshold value in the
power demand curve and setting the control time period to the time
period during which the power demand curve is in excess of the
threshold value.
39. A heat storage estimating method according to claim 36, wherein
said setting step is a step for previously setting the control time
period to a specific time period, setting a threshold value in the
power demand curve, and setting the control time period to the time
period during which the power demand curve is in excess of the
threshold value.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a heat storage air
conditioning apparatus that produces and stores some or all of the
quantity of thermal energy during the night, the thermal energy
being used to air-condition of a living space in the daytime so
that the thus-stored thermal energy is supplied to the living space
during the daytime, and a heat storage estimating method.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] FIG. 35 is a block diagram of a conventional heat storage
air conditioner disclosed in, e.g., Mitsubishi Electric Technical
Report Vol. 68, No. 5, 1994. FIG. 36 is a graph showing heat
dissipation patterns used in this conventional heat storage air
conditioner. FIG. 37 is a graph illustrating one example of
transitive temperature data obtained during air-conditioning
periods. In the drawings, reference numeral 1 designates a heat
source; 2, a heat accumulator; 3, operation control unit for
controlling the operations of the heat source 1 and the heat
accumulator 2; 4, a cold/hot air discharger; 5, a remaining
ice/hot-water quantity detection unit for detecting the quantity of
remaining ice or hot water; and 6, dissipation pattern setting unit
for setting a dissipation pattern of the heat accumulator 2.
Throughout the drawings, a path for use in supplying
cooling/heating energy is designated by a broken line, whereas an
information signal path is designated by a solid line (these paths
will be hereinafter thus distinguished from each other).
[0005] With reference to the drawings, the operation of the heat
storage air conditioner will be described. The heat source 1
performs heat storage operations during the night under control of
the operation control unit 3, whereby cooling or heating energy is
produced. The thus-produced cooling or heating energy is stored in
the heat accumulator 2 through the cooling/heating energy path. The
water previously held in the heat accumulator 2 changes to ice
using the cooling energy or to hot water using the heating energy
with lapse of time.
[0006] The heat accumulator 2 performs dissipating operations
during the daytime under control of the operation control unit 3.
As a result, the cooling energy of ice or the heating energy of hot
water stored in the heat accumulator 2 during the night is sent to
the heated/cooled air discharger 4 via the heating/cooling energy
path. This heating/cooling energy is dissipated from the
heated/cooled air discharger 4, thereby cooling or heating a living
space. If the thermal energy load of the living space required
during the air-conditioning periods cannot be sufficiently met by
the dissipating operations of the heat accumulator 2, the thermal
energy load for the living space will be covered by addition of the
dissipating operations of the heat source 1.
[0007] The operation control unit 3 receives information about the
quantity of ice or hot water remaining in the heat accumulator 2
from the remaining ice/hot-water quantity detection unit 5 in order
to perform dissipation control operations. The thus-received
information is compared with the dissipation pattern set by the
dissipation pattern setting unit 6. If the quantity of thermal
energy to be dissipated is determined to be large, the heat
accumulator 2 performs dissipating operations such that dissipation
pattern C shifts to dissipating operation pattern A shown in FIG.
36, namely, such that the quantity of thermal energy to be
dissipated becomes smaller. In contrast, if the quantity of thermal
energy to be dissipated is determined to be small, the heat
accumulator 2 performs dissipating operations such that the
dissipation pattern C shifts to dissipation pattern B shown in FIG.
36, namely, such that the quantity of thermal energy to be
dissipated becomes larger.
[0008] For the dissipation pattern that is set by the dissipation
pattern setting unit 6 and is used in determining the degree of
dissipation of thermal energy, the time period between the starting
time and the stop time of the operations of the cold/hot air
discharger 4 is divided into a plurality of smaller time segments.
The quantity of thermal energy to be dissipated is previously
determined with regard to each of these time segments. Several
patterns are provided as the dissipation pattern so as to meet
various thermal energy load requirements of the living space.
[0009] As has been previously described, the conventional heat
storage air conditioner determines the quantity of dissipation of
the cooling/heating energy stored during the night, only on the
basis of the state of thermal energy load of the living space
immediately before the current time. If the quantity of thermal
energy to be dissipated from the heat accumulator 4 is large;
namely, if the temperature of the living space is set to in a high
level, the quantity of thermal energy to be dissipated is
determined so as to decrease with no regards to the demand. If the
quantity of thermal energy to be dissipated from the heat
accumulator 4 is small; namely, if the temperature of the living
space is set a low level, the quantity of thermal energy to be
dissipated is determined so as to increase with no regards to the
demand. In other words, the quantity of thermal energy to be
dissipated is determined with no regards to the temperature
settings of the living space. Further, the power of the heat
storage air conditioner has not been estimated, making it
impossible to appropriately set the dissipation pattern even if it
is desired to control the quantity of electric power on the basis
of demand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention is to make it
possible to estimate the quantity of electric power that is
required in the short-term future, to effect demand-based control
of the quantity of electric power to be used, and to sufficiently
maintain the amenity of a living space by calculating the quantity
of electric power to be used from thermal load of the living space
during the daytime, and matching the thus-calculated quantity of
electric power with the trends of variations of the past.
[0011] A heat storage air conditioning apparatus according to the
present invention is comprised of: a power demand time-sequence
data collecting unit for collecting time-sequence data on demand
for power; a power demand curve estimating unit for estimating a
power demand curve obtained as a result of analysis of the power
demand time-sequence data collected by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit; thermal energy load demand
estimating unit for estimating thermal energy load demand from the
power demand curve estimated by the power demand curve estimating
unit; an operation unit of a thermal-energy source for feeding
cooling/heating energy; a heat accumulating unit for storing the
cooling/heating energy supplied from the operation unit therein; a
cold/hot air discharging unit for discharging the thermal energy
stored in the heat accumulating unit; a cooling/heating energy
quantity recognizing unit for recognizing the quantity of cooling
or heating energy dissipated from the cold/hot air discharging
unit; and a converting unit for converting the quantity of
cooling/heating energy into the quantity of electric power, the
converted quantity of electric power being supplied to the power
demand time-sequence data collecting unit.
[0012] A heat storage estimating method according to the present
invention is comprised of the steps of: detecting or calculating
the quantity of cooling/heating energy that is equivalent to the
quantity of thermal energy to be accumulated; converting the
quantity of thermal energy to be accumulated, which is recognized
in the recognizing step, into the quantity of electric power;
collecting time-sequence data on power demand, taking the quantity
of the power converted in the converting step as the power demand;
estimating a power demand curve by analyzing the power demand
time-sequence data collected in the collecting step; and estimating
thermal-energy load demand from the power demand curve estimated in
the power demand curve estimating step.
[0013] According to the heat storage air conditioning apparatus and
the heat storage estimating method of the present invention, there
is no shortage or surplus of the stored thermal energy amount
during air conditioning operation period. Accordingly, the amenity
of the living space can be sufficiently maintained, and the
electric power during night can be effectively utilized. In
addition, because the whole of the electric power necessary in
cooling or heating operation is covered by the stored thermal
energy, the electricity charges can be saved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] In the accompanying drawings:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a heat storage air conditioner
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for describing processing operations
of the heat storage air conditioner of the first embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for describing processing operations
of the heat storage air conditioner of the first embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a graph for use in describing a method of
estimating a power demand curve for the next day using pseudo data
of the heat storage air conditioner;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a table that shows an example of numerical values
regarding the quantity of power electricity represented by the
pseudo data;
[0020] FIG. 6 is an example of repetitive thermal-energy quantity
pattern used in the heat storage air conditioner of the first
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a basic block diagram of a heat storage air
conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for use in describing processing
operations of the heat storage air conditioner of the second
embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for use in describing processing
operations of the heat storage air conditioner of the second
embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a basic block diagram of a heat storage air
conditioner according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for use in describing processing
operations of the heat storage air conditioner of the third
embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for use in describing processing
operations of the heat storage air conditioner of the third
embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a graph for use in describing a method of
estimating a power demand curve for the next day using pseudo data
of the heat storage air conditioner of the third embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a table that shows an example of numerical values
regarding the quantity of power electricity represented by the
pseudo data used in the heat storage air conditioner of the third
embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a graph showing a composite thermal-energy
quantity pattern that is used in a heat storage air conditioner
according to the third embodiment of the present invention and
consists of the quantity of thermal energy defined by dissipating
operation pattern of a thermal-energy accumulator and the quantity
of thermal energy defined by patterns obtained at the time of
air-conditioning operations of a thermal-energy source;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a graph showing the dissipating operation pattern
of the thermal-energy accumulator that corresponds to a hatched
area of the composite thermal-energy quantity pattern shown in FIG.
15;
[0031] FIG. 17 is a graph showing patterns that are obtained at the
time of the air-conditioning operations of the thermal-energy
source and correspond to outlined portions of the composite
thermal-energy quantity pattern shown in FIG. 15;
[0032] FIG. 18 is an example of repetitive thermal-energy quantity
pattern used in the heat storage air conditioner of the third
embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 19 is a graph illustrating an example of composite
thermal-energy quantity pattern of a pattern that uses a surplus of
thermal energy of the heat storage air conditioner of the third
embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 20 is a graph illustrating an example of composite
thermal-energy quantity pattern that is used in a heat storage air
conditioner according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention and includes the quantity of thermal energy defined by
dissipating operation pattern of the thermal-energy accumulator and
the quantity of thermal energy defined by the air-conditioning
operation pattern of the thermal-energy source;
[0035] FIG. 21 is a graph showing the dissipating operation pattern
of the thermal-energy accumulator that corresponds to a hatched
portion of the composite thermal-energy quantity pattern shown in
FIG. 20;
[0036] FIG. 22 is a graph showing the air-conditioning operation
pattern of the thermal-energy source that corresponds to an
outlined portion of the composite thermal-energy quantity pattern
shown in FIG. 20;
[0037] FIG. 23 is a graph illustrating an example of repetitive
thermal-energy quantity pattern used in the heat storage air
conditioner of the fourth embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 24 is a graph illustrating an example of composite
thermal-energy quantity pattern including a pattern that uses a
surplus of thermal energy of the heat storage air conditioner of
-the fourth embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 25 is a graph illustrating a repetitive thermalenergy
quantity pattern used in a heat storage air conditioner according
to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 26 is a graph illustrating an example of composite
thermal-energy quantity pattern including dissipating operation
pattern that uses a surplus of thermal energy of the heat storage
air conditioner of the fifth embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a heat storage air conditioner
according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 28 is a block diagram of a heat storage air conditioner
according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 29 is a flowchart for describing processing operations
of the heat storage air conditioner of the seventh embodiment;
[0044] FIG. 30 is a flowchart for describing processing operations
of the heat storage air conditioner of the seventh embodiment;
[0045] FIG. 31 is a graph for use in describing the method that
estimates a power demand curve for the next day with use of power
demand time-sequence data obtained when data of the heat storage
air conditioner of the seventh embodiment are stored so as to
correspond to a period of twelve days and eight hours;
[0046] FIG. 32 is a table that shows an example of numerical values
regarding the quantity of power electricity represented by the
time-sequence data used in the heat storage air conditioner of the
seventh embodiment;
[0047] FIG. 33 is a block diagram of a heat storage air conditioner
according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 34 is a graph wherein the accuracy of estimation
obtained when pseudo data are used is compared with the accuracy of
estimation obtained when an ordinary operation (i.e. , an operation
which does not carry out control operations based on an estimation)
or an operation based on pseudo data shifts to an estimation-based
control operation based on practical data;
[0049] FIG. 35 is a block diagram of a conventional heat storage
air conditioner;
[0050] FIG. 36 is a graph showing heat dissipation patterns used in
the conventional heat storage air conditioner; and
[0051] FIG. 37 is a graph illustrating one example of transitive
temperature data obtained during air-conditioning periods;
[0052] FIG. 38 is a block diagram of a heat storage air conditioner
according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;
[0053] FIG. 39 is a flowchart for describing processing operations
of the heat storage air conditioner of the ninth embodiment;
[0054] FIG. 40 is an example of repetitive heat quantity pattern
used in the heat storage air conditioner of the ninth
embodiment;
[0055] FIG. 41 is a graph for use in describing a method of
estimating a power demand curve for the next day of the heat
storage air conditioner of the ninth embodiment;
[0056] FIG. 42 is a basic block diagram of a heat storage air
conditioner according to a tenth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0057] FIG. 43 is a flowchart for use in describing processing
operations of the heat storage air conditioner of the tenth
embodiment;
[0058] FIG. 44 is a basic block diagram of a heat storage air
conditioner according to a eleventh embodiment of the present
invention;
[0059] FIG. 45 is a flowchart for use in describing processing
operations of the heat storage air conditioner of the eleventh
embodiment;
[0060] FIG. 46 is a flowchart for use in describing processing
operations of the heat storage air conditioner of the eleventh
embodiment;
[0061] FIG. 47 is a graph showing a composite heat quantity pattern
that is used in a heat storage air conditioner according to the
eleventh embodiment of the present invention and consists of the
quantity of thermal energy defined by dissipating operation pattern
of a heat accumulator and the quantity of thermal energy defined by
patterns obtained at the time of air-conditioning operations of a
heat source;
[0062] FIG. 48 is a graph showing the dissipating operation pattern
of the heat accumulator that corresponds to a hatched area of the
composite heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 47;
[0063] FIG. 49 is a graph showing patterns that are obtained at the
time of the air-conditioning operations of the heat source and
correspond to outlined portions of the composite heat quantity
pattern shown in FIG. 47;
[0064] FIG. 50 is an example of repetitive heat quantity pattern
used in the heat storage air conditioner of the eleventh
embodiment;
[0065] FIG. 51 is a graph illustrating an example of composite heat
quantity pattern of a pattern that uses a surplus of thermal energy
of the heat storage air conditioner of the eleventh embodiment;
[0066] FIG. 52 is a graph illustrating an example of composite heat
quantity pattern that is used in a heat storage air conditioner
according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention and
includes the quantity of thermal energy defined by dissipating
operation pattern of the heat accumulator and the quantity of
thermal energy defined by the air-conditioning operation pattern of
the heat source;
[0067] FIG. 53 is a graph showing the dissipating operation pattern
of the heat accumulator that corresponds to a hatched portion of
the composite heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 52;
[0068] FIG. 54 is a graph showing the air-conditioning operation
pattern of the heat source that corresponds to an outlined portion
of the composite heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 52;
[0069] FIG. 55 is a graph illustrating an example of repetitive
heat quantity pattern used in the heat storage air conditioner of
the twelfth embodiment;
[0070] FIG. 56 is a graph illustrating an example of composite heat
quantity pattern including a pattern that uses a surplus of thermal
energy of the heat storage air conditioner of the twelfth
embodiment;
[0071] FIG. 57 is a graph illustrating a repetitive heat quantity
pattern used in a heat storage air conditioner according to a
thirteenth embodiment of the present invention;
[0072] FIG. 58 is a graph illustrating an example of composite heat
quantity pattern including dissipating operation pattern that uses
a surplus of thermal energy of the heat storage air conditioner of
the thirteenth embodiment;
[0073] FIG. 59 is a block diagram of a heat storage air conditioner
according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention;
[0074] FIG. 60 is a flowchart for describing processing operations
of the heat storage air conditioner of the fourteenth
embodiment;
[0075] FIG. 61 is a flowchart for describing processing operations
of the heat storage air conditioner of the fourteenth
embodiment;
[0076] FIG. 62 is a block diagram of a heat storage air conditioner
according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention;
[0077] FIG. 63 is a flowchart for describing a thermal-energy
accumulation estimating method as well as the processing operations
of the heat storage air conditioner of the fifteenth
embodiment;
[0078] FIG. 64 is an example of repetitive thermal-energy quantity
pattern used in the heat storage air conditioner of the fifteenth
embodiment;
[0079] FIG. 65 is a graph showing time-sequence data for use in
describing a method of estimating a power demand curve for the next
day;
[0080] FIG. 66 is a block diagram of the heat storage air
conditioner of the sixteenth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0081] FIG. 67 is a flowchart for describing the thermal-energy
accumulation estimating method for use in the heat storage air
conditioner as well as the processing operations of the heat
storage air conditioner;
[0082] FIG. 68 is a block diagram of the heat storage air
conditioner of the seventeenth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0083] FIG. 69 is a flowchart for describing the thermal-energy
accumulation estimating method for use in the heat storage air
conditioner as well as the processing operations of the heat
storage air conditioner;
[0084] FIG. 70 is a graph of an example of a composite
thermal-energy quantity pattern that consists of a pattern of the
quantity of thermal energy to be stored and a pattern of the
quantity of thermal energy to be supplied used in the heat storage
air conditioner of the seventeenth embodiment;
[0085] FIG. 71 is a graph showing a pattern of the quantity of
thermal energy to be stored corresponding to a hatched area of the
composite thermal-energy quantity pattern shown in FIG. 70;
[0086] FIG. 72 is a graph showing the pattern of thermal energy to
be supplied corresponding to outlined portions of the composite
thermal-energy quantity pattern shown in FIG. 70;
[0087] FIG. 73 is a repetitive thermal-energy quantity pattern of
the heat storage air conditioner of the seventeenth embodiment;
[0088] FIG. 74 is a graph of an example of a composite
thermal-energy quantity pattern that consists of a pattern of the
quantity of thermal energy to be stored and a pattern of the
quantity of thermal energy to be supplied used in the heat storage
air conditioner of the eighteenth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0089] FIG. 75 is a graph showing the pattern of the quantity of
thermal energy to be stored corresponding to a hatched area of the
composite thermal-energy quantity pattern shown in FIG. 13;
[0090] FIG. 76 is a graph showing the pattern of the quantity of
thermal energy to be supplied corresponding to outlined portions of
the composite thermal-energy quantity pattern shown in FIG. 13;
[0091] FIG. 77 is a repetitive thermal-energy quantity pattern of
the heat storage air conditioner of the eighteenth embodiment;
[0092] FIG. 78 is an example of a repetitive thermal-energy
quantity pattern for use in describing a control time period
setting method which is carried out by the demand control time
setting unit of the heat storage air conditioner of the nineteenth
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0093] FIG. 79 is a block diagram of a heat storage air conditioner
for use in describing another example of the method of calculating
the quantity of cooling/heating energy in the seventeenth,
eighteenth and nineteenth embodiments of the present invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0094] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings as
follows.
First Embodiment
[0095] FIG. 1 is a basic block diagram of a heat storage air
conditioner according to the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are
flowcharts for use in describing processing operations of the heat
storage air conditioner. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a
method of estimating a power demand curve for the next day using
pseudo data of the heat storage air conditioner. FIG. 5 is a table
that shows an example of numerical values regarding the quantity of
power electricity represented by the pseudo data. FIG. 6 is an
example of repetitive heat quantity pattern used in the heat
storage air conditioner of the first embodiment.
[0096] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 designates a power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit for collecting power demand
time-sequence data. Reference numeral 31 designates stored data
amount determination unit that determines the amount of data stored
by the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. If a
predetermined amount of stored data (e.g., 60 days' worth of data)
has not been achieved yet, the stored data amount determination
unit sends pseudo data 32 to the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11. The following descriptions of the first
embodiment will be based on an example wherein the time-sequence
data (60 days' worth of data) regarding the power of a
very-analogous system having the same scale are used as the pseudo
data 32. Since the amount of the pseudo data 32 is not limited to
60 days, it may be more or less than 60 days. Reference numeral 12
designates a power demand curve estimating unit for estimating the
power demand curve that is obtained by subjecting the power demand
time-sequence data collected by the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11 or the pseudo data 32 to Chaos Analysis, which
is one example of a method of analyzing the power demand
time-sequence data. Reference numeral 13 designates thermal energy
load demand estimating unit that estimates thermal energy load
demand from the power demand curve; 14, heat storage operation unit
of a heat source that stores cooling/heating energy in a heat
accumulator 15 through a cooling/heating energy path; 16, stored
heat utilizing operation unit for utilizing the thermal energy
stored in the heat accumulator 15; 17, a cold/hot air discharger
for dissipating the thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator
15; and 18, operation control unit for controlling the heat storage
operation unit 14 and the stored energy utilizing operation unit 16
of the heat source.
[0097] The operation control unit 18 controls the heat storage
operation unit 14 of the heat source on the basis of the thermal
energy load demand estimated by the heat demand estimating unit 13
so as to cause the heat accumulator 15 to store the cooling/heating
energy corresponding to the thermal energy load demand during the
night. The power demand curve estimating unit 12 controls the
stored heat utilizing operation unit 16 so as to cause the heat
accumulator 15 to supply the stored thermal energy to the cold/hot
air discharger 17 through the cooling/heating energy path during
air-conditioning periods.
[0098] Reference numeral 19 designates cooling/heating energy
quantity detection unit that detects the quantity of
cooling/heating energy dissipated from the heat accumulator 15
through the cold/hot air discharger 17. Upon receipt of an
operation signal from the cold/hot air discharger 17, the
cooling/heating energy quantity detection unit 19 detects (or
calculates) the quantity of cooling/heating energy by unit of a
temperatures sensor 21 for detecting the temperature of the air
discharged from the cold/hot air discharger 17 and a built-in timer
19a.
[0099] Reference numeral 22 designates a heat-to-electric-power
converter that converts the quantity of cooling or heating energy
detected by the cooling/heating energy quantity detection unit 19
into the quantity of electric power, as well as sending the
thus-converted electric power to the power demand time-sequence
data collecting unit 11.
[0100] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 through 6, the operation of
the heat storage air conditioner of the first embodiment will be
described on the basis of FIGS. 2 and 3. When the heat storage air
conditioner starts to operate, the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11 collects power demand time-sequence data in the
time period during which a living space is air-conditioned (step
101). The stored data amount determination unit 31 determines the
amount of data stored by the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11 (step 102). In the case where the heat storage
air conditioner starts up for the first time or recovers to its
original state after the previous data have been lost as a result
of a power failure, the stored data are substantially zero. The
stored data amount determination unit 31 constantly monitors
whether or not the amount of data stored by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11 corresponds to a period of
time more than 60 days (step 103). If the stored data amount
determination unit 31 decides that the amount of stored data
corresponds to a period of time less than 60 days, the heat storage
air conditioner will be judged as being in an initial start-up
condition or a recovery condition after a power failure. As a
result, the pseudo data 32 are supplied to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11, and the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11 takes the thus-received
pseudo data as the collected data (step 104). The power demand
curve estimating unit 12 analyzes the pseudo data 32 using Chaos
Analysis (step 105).
[0101] If the power demand time-sequence data collected by the
power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11 are judged as
data for a period of time more than 60 days in step 103, the power
demand curve estimating unit 12 analyzes the thuscollected power
demand time-sequence data using Chaos Analysis (step 106).
[0102] In this way, the power demand curve estimating unit 12
analyzes the power demand time-sequence data or the pseudo data 32
using Chaos Analysis, whereby a power demand curve during the
air-conditioning periods for the next day is estimated (step 107).
Subsequently, the thermal energy load demand estimating unit 13
estimates the thermal energy load required during the cooling or
heating period for the next day on the basis of the power demand
curve estimated by the power demand curve estimating unit 12 (step
108).
[0103] In order to store the quantity of thermal energy, which is
equivalent to the thermal energy load demand estimated by the
thermal energy load demand estimating unit 13, in the heat
accumulator 15 through the cooling/heating energy path, the
operation control unit 18 controls the heat storage unit 14 of the
heat source, on the basis of the thermal energy load demand
estimated by the thermal energy load demand estimating unit 13, so
as to perform heat storage operations during the night (step 109).
Then, the water previously stored in the heat accumulator 15
changes to ice using cooling energy or to hot water using heating
energy with lapse of time, whereby the resultant ice or hot water
is stored in the heat accumulator 15 (step 110).
[0104] In order to supply the cooling energy of ice or the heating
energy of hot water stored in the heat accumulator 15 to the
cold/hot air discharger 17 through the cooling/heating energy path,
the operation control unit 18 controls the stored heat utilizing
operation unit 16 during the air-conditioning period on the next
day on the basis of the power demand curve estimated by the power
demand curve estimating unit 12, whereby the stored thermal energy
of the heat accumulator 15 is supplied to the cold/hot air
discharger 17 through the cooling/heating energy path (step 111).
As a result, the thermal energy is dissipated from the cold/hot air
discharger 17 (step 112), which enables the living room to be
cooled or heated. Gas, a liquid, or a medium having a low boiling
point is used as a medium for transmitting the cooling energy of
ice or the heating energy of hot water stored in the heat
accumulator 15 to the cold/hot air discharger 17. The same also
applies to the second through eighth embodiments which will be
described later. The cooling/heating energy quantity detection unit
19 detects the quantity of cooling energy of ice or the quantity of
heating energy of hot water supplied to the cold/hot air discharger
17, in time sequence, by unit of the temperature sensor 21 for
detecting the temperature of the air dissipated from the cold/hot
air discharger 17 and the built-in timer 19a (step 113). The data
on the quantity of cooling/heating energy detected in time sequence
is input to the heat-to-electric-power converter 22. Consequently,
the data on the quantity of cooling/heating energy are converted
into data on the quantity of electric power by unit of the
heat-to-electric-power converter 22 (step 114). The time-sequence
data on the quantity of electric power converted by the
heat-to-electric-power converter 22 are supplied to the power
demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. The thus-received
time-sequence data are collected again as the power demand
time-sequence data in the same manner as has been previously
described in step 101. The same processing as has been previously
described is repeated hereinbelow.
[0105] In the repetitive heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 6,
heat storage quantity pattern "a" corresponds to heat dissipation
quantity pattern "b" during air-conditioning periods for the next
day. Further, heat storage quantity pattern "c" corresponds to heat
quantity dissipation pattern "d" during the air-conditioning
periods for the next day. By virtue of these heat quantity
patterns, the stored thermal energy can be prevented from running
short or becoming excessive during the air-conditioning periods.
Even if the stored thermal energy runs short or becomes excessive,
the shortage or surplus of the thermal energy can be reduced. For
these reasons, it is possible to use an appropriate quantity of
electric power in producing thermal energy to be stored during the
night as well as sufficiently maintaining the amenity of the living
space. The quantity of electric power required during the cooling
or heating periods is totally covered by the quantity of stored
thermal energy, which in turn makes it possible to reduce
electricity costs to a much greater extent.
[0106] The operation control unit 18 is set so as to complete the
heat storage operations of the heat source carried out by the heat
storage operation unit 14 of the heat source in step 109
immediately before the air-conditioning periods during which a
cooling or heating operation commences. As a result, it is possible
to effectively utilize the stored thermal energy of the heat
accumulator 15 for carrying out an air-conditioning operation,
i.e., a cooling or heating operation, before the cooling energy of
ice or the heating energy of hot water stored in the heat
accumulator 15 diffuses to the outside. Therefore, it is possible
to commence air-conditioning operations using the thermal energy as
previously set, which makes it possible to prevent the quantity of
thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator 15 from running short
during the air-conditioning periods as well as sufficiently
maintaining the amenity of the living space. The same also applies
to the second through eighth embodiments which will be described
later.
[0107] The stored data amount determination unit 31 constantly
monitors the amount of data stored by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. If it is decided that the
amount of stored data corresponds to a period of time less than 60
days, the pseudo data 32, which comprises the time-sequence data
(e.g., 60 days, worth of data) regarding the power of a
very-analogous system having the same scale is sent to the power
demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. A estimate for the
subsequent power demand is controlled using the pseudo data 32 as
the collected data. Therefore, the estimate-based control
operations can be started without any problems even in the case
where the heat storage air conditioner starts up or recovers to its
original state after a power failure.
[0108] With reference to FIG. 4, the example in which a power
demand curve for the next day is estimated by use of Chaos Analysis
will be described. FIG. 4 shows the previous power demand
time-sequence pseudo data (i.e., pseudo data) and the current power
demand time-sequence data. For example, a local pattern of the
pseudo data, which is most analogous to a local pattern of the
current day's power demand time-sequence data obtained when the
air-conditioning operation approaches completion, is extracted. If
the local pattern of the power demand time-sequence data obtained
ten days before is most analogous to the current day's local
pattern, this local pattern is treated as candidate data for use in
Chaos Analysis. Subsequently, where a power demand curve for the
air-conditioning periods of the next day is estimated, the
time-sequence data one day after the time-sequence data obtained
ten days before, i.e., the power demand time-sequence data obtained
nine days before, are handled as the power demand curve.
[0109] Alternatively, for example, a local pattern of the previous
power demand time-sequence data (i.e., pseudo data), which is most
analogous to a local pattern of the power demand time-sequence data
at the beginning of the air condition operation, may be extracted.
The same also applies to the second to eighth embodiments that will
be described later.
[0110] The present embodiment has been described on the basis of
the example, wherein the stored data amount determination unit 31
sends the time sequence data (being 60 days' worth of data) on the
power of a very-analogous system having the same scale (e.g., an
stored heat fully utilizing operation system) to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11, exactly as they are, without
updating them until the amount of data stored by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11 becomes so as to correspond
to a period of time more than 60 days. It is also possible for the
stored data amount determination unit to take practical data as the
most recent data among the pseudo data every time the practical
data are obtained as a result of the air-conditioning operations.
Then, the pseudo data may be updated by deleting the oldest data
corresponding to the quantity of most recent data. In this case,
the contents of the pseudo data can be replaced with practical data
with lapse of time. Therefore, it is possible to more smoothly
shift the estimate-based control operations based on the pseudo
data to the estimate-based control operations based on the
practical data. The same also applies to the second embodiment
which will be described later.
[0111] It is also possible for the stored data amount determination
unit to suspend the output of the pseudo data to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit immediately after the amount of
data practically obtained as a result of the air-conditioning
operations has reached the amount (e.g., data for a period of one
day) that permits estimate-based control operations. In this case,
the estimate-based control operations based on the practical data
are started when the amount of practical data is small. Only the
contents of the data that are sufficient to make the heat storage
air conditioner active are required as the pseudo data, which in
turn makes it easy to sample the pseudo data from the very
analogous system having the same scale. The same also applies to
the second embodiment that will be described later.
Second Embodiment
[0112] FIG. 7 is a basic block diagram of a heat storage air
conditioner according to the present invention. FIGS. 8 and 9 are
flowcharts for use in describing processing operations of the heat
storage air conditioner. The elements shown in FIG. 7 that are the
same as those of the previously-described first embodiment shown in
FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals.
[0113] In FIG. 7, reference numeral 11 designates a power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit for collecting power demand
time-sequence data. Reference numeral 31 designates stored data
amount determination unit that determines the amount of data stored
by the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. If a
predetermined amount of stored data (e.g., 60 days+ worth of data)
has not been achieved yet, the stored data amount determination
unit sends pseudo data 32 to the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11. As in the first embodiment, the following
descriptions will be based on an example wherein the time-sequence
data (60 days' worth of data) regarding the power of a
very-analogous system having the same scale are used as the pseudo
data 32. Since the amount of the pseudo data 32 is not limited to
60 days, it may be more or less than 60 days. Reference numeral 12
designates a power demand curve estimating unit for estimating the
power demand curve that is obtained by subjecting the power demand
time-sequence data collected by the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11 or the pseudo data 32 to Chaos Analysis, which
is one example of a method of analyzing the power demand
time-sequence data. Reference numeral 13 designates thermal energy
load demand estimating unit that estimates thermal energy load
demand from the power demand curve; 14, heat storage operation unit
of a heat source that stores cooling/heating energy in a heat
accumulator 15 through a cooling/heating energy path; 16, stored
heat utilizing operation unit for utilizing the thermal energy
stored in the heat accumulator 15; 17, a cold/hot air discharger
for dissipating the thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator
15; and 18, operation control unit which has the same function as
the operation control unit of the previously-described first
embodiment. This operation control unit 18 controls the heat
storage operation unit 14 and the stored heat utilizing operation
unit 16. Reference numeral 19A designates cooling/heating energy
quantity calculating unit for calculating the quantity of
cooling/heating energy of the heat accumulator 15 dissipated from
the cold/hot air discharger 17. This cooling/heating energy
quantity calculating unit 19A has the function of calculating the
quantity of cooling/heating energy from the capability and
operating time of the hot/cold air discharger 17. Reference numeral
22 designates a heat-to-electric-power converter that converts the
quantity of cooling or heating energy calculated by the
cooling/heating energy quantity calculating unit 19A into the
quantity of electric power, as well as sending the thus-converted
electric power to the power demand time-sequence data collecting
unit 11.
[0114] With reference to FIG. 7, the operation of the heat storage
air conditioner of the second embodiment will be described on the
basis of FIGS. 8 and 9. When the heat storage air conditioner
starts to operate, the power demand time-sequence data collecting
unit 11 collects power demand time-sequence data in the time period
during which a living space is air-conditioned (step 201). The
stored data amount determination unit 31 determines the amount of
data stored by the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit
11 (step 202). The stored data amount determination unit 31
constantly monitors whether or not the amount of data stored by the
power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11 corresponds to a
period of time more than 60 days (step 203). If the stored data
amount determination unit 31 decides that the amount of stored data
corresponds to a period of time less than 60 days, the heat storage
air conditioner will be judged as being in a start-up condition or
a recovery condition after a power failure. As a result, the pseudo
data 32 are supplied to the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11, and the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11 takes the thus-received pseudo data 32 as the
collected data (step 204). The power demand curve estimating unit
12 analyzes the pseudo data 32 using Chaos Analysis (step 205).
[0115] If the power demand time-sequence data collected by the
power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11 are judged as
data for a period of time more than 60 days in step 203, the power
demand curve estimating unit 12 analyzes the thuscollected power
demand time-sequence data using Chaos Analysis (step 206).
[0116] In this way, the power demand curve estimating unit 12
analyzes the power demand time-sequence data or the pseudo data 32
using Chaos Analysis, whereby a power demand curve during the
air-conditioning periods for the next day is estimated (step 207).
Subsequently, the thermal energy load demand estimating unit 13
estimates the thermal energy load required during the cooling or
heating period for the next day on the basis of the power demand
curve estimated by the power demand curve estimating unit 12 (step
208).
[0117] In order to store the quantity of thermal energy, which is
equivalent to the thermal energy load demand estimated by the
thermal energy load demand estimating unit 13, in the heat
accumulator 15 through the cooling/heating energy path, the
operation control unit 18 controls the heat storage unit 14 of the
heat source, on the basis of the thermal energy load demand
estimated by the thermal energy load demand estimating unit 13, so
as to perform heat storage operations during the night (step 209).
Then, the water previously stored in the heat accumulator 15
changes to ice using cooling energy or to hot water using heating
energy with lapse of time, whereby the resultant ice or hot water
is stored in the heat accumulator 15 (step 210).
[0118] In order to supply the cooling energy of ice or the heating
energy of hot water stored in the heat accumulator 15 to the
cold/hot air discharger 17 through the cooling/heating energy path,
the operation control unit 18 controls the stored heat utilizing
operation unit 16 during the air-conditioning period on the next
day on the basis of the power demand curve estimated by the power
demand curve estimating unit 12, whereby the stored thermal energy
of the heat accumulator 15 is supplied to the cold/hot air
discharger 17 through the cooling/heating energy path (step 211).
As a result, the thermal energy is dissipated from the cold/hot air
discharger 17 (step 212), which enables the living room to be
cooled or heated. The cooling/heating energy quantity calculating
unit 19A calculates the quantity of cooling energy of ice or the
quantity of heating energy of hot water supplied to the cold/hot
air discharger 17 from the capability and operating time of the
cold/hot air discharger 17 in time sequence (step 213). The data on
the quantity of cooling/heating energy calculated in time sequence
is input to the heat-to-electric-power converter 22. Consequently,
the data on the quantity of cooling/heating energy are converted
into data on the quantity of electric power by unit of the
heat-to-electric-power converter 22 (step 214). The time-sequence
data on the quantity of electric power converted by the
heat-to-electric-power converter 22 are supplied to the power
demand time10 sequence data collecting unit 11. The thus-received
time-sequence data are collected again as the power demand
time-sequence data in the same manner as has been previously
described in step 201. The same processing as has been previously
described is repeated hereinbelow.
[0119] Also in the heat storage air-conditioner of the second
embodiment, the stored data amount determination unit 31 constantly
monitors the amount of data stored by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. If it is decided that the
amount of stored data corresponds to a period of time less than 60
days, the pseudo data 32, which comprises the time-sequence data
regarding the power of a system being closely analogous to and
having the same scale (e.g., 60 days' worth of data), is sent to
the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. A estimate
for the subsequent power demand is controlled using the pseudo data
32 as the collected data. Therefore, the estimate-based control
operations can be started without any problems even in the case
where the heat storage air conditioner starts up or recovers to its
original state after a power failure.
[0120] The heat quantity patterns of the night and the heat
dissipation quantity pattern of the air-conditioning periods of the
next day are determined by analysis of the previous time-sequence
data and the pseudo data 32. Consequently, the stored thermal
energy can be prevented from running short or becoming excessive
during the air-conditioning periods. Even if the stored thermal
energy runs short or becomes excessive, the shortage or surplus of
the thermal energy can be reduced. For these reasons, it is
possible to use an appropriate quantity of electric power in
producing thermal energy to be stored during the night as well as
sufficiently maintaining the amenity of the living space. The
quantity of electric power required during the cooling or heating
periods is totally covered by the quantity of stored thermal
energy, which in turn makes it possible to reduce electricity costs
to a much greater extent.
[0121] This cooling/heating energy quantity calculating unit 19A
calculates the quantity of cooling energy of ice or the quantity of
heating energy of hot water supplied to the cold/hot air discharger
17 from the heat accumulator 15, from the capability and operating
time of the cold/hot air discharger 17 in time sequence. Therefore,
the need for a temperature sensor can be eliminated, and the cost
of the heat storage air conditioner can be reduced accordingly.
Third Embodiment
[0122] FIG. 10 is a basic block diagram of a heat storage air
conditioner according to the present invention. FIGS. 11 and 12 are
flowcharts for use in describing processing operations of the heat
storage air conditioner. FIG. 13 is a diagram for use in describing
a method of estimating a power demand curve for the next day using
pseudo data of the heat storage air conditioner. FIG. 14 is a table
that shows an example of numerical values regarding the quantity of
power electricity represented by the pseudo data used in the heat
storage air conditioner of the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is, a
diagram showing a composite heat quantity pattern that is used in
the heat storage air conditioner of the present invention and
consists of the quantity of thermal energy defined by dissipating
operation pattern A of a heat accumulator and the quantity of
thermal energy defined by patterns B1 and B2 obtained at the time
of air-conditioning operations of a heat source. FIG. 16 is a
diagram showing the dissipating operation pattern A of the heat
accumulator that corresponds to a hatched area of the composite
heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a diagram
showing the patterns B1 and B2 that are obtained at the time of the
air-conditioning operations of the heat source and correspond to
outlined portions of the composite heat quantity pattern shown in
FIG. 15. FIG. 18 is an example of repetitive heat quantity pattern
used in the heat storage air conditioner of the third embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of composite heat
quantity pattern including pattern Al that uses a surplus of
thermal energy. The elements shown in FIG. 10 that are the same as
those used in the previously-described first embodiment shown in
FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals.
[0123] In FIG. 10, reference numeral 11 designates a power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit for collecting power demand
time-sequence data. Reference numeral 31 designates stored data
amount determination unit that determines the amount of data stored
by the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. If a
predetermined amount of stored data (e.g., 60 days' worth of data)
has not been achieved yet, the stored data amount determination
unit sends pseudo data 32A to the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11. The following descriptions of the third
embodiment will be based on an example wherein very-analogous
theoretical time-sequence data (60 days' worth of data) are used as
the pseudo data 32A. Since the amount of the pseudo data 32A is not
limited to 60 days, it may be more or less than 60 days. Reference
numeral 12 designates a power demand curve estimating unit for
estimating the power demand curve that is obtained by subjecting
the power demand time-sequence data, that have been collected by
the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11, or the
pseudo data 32A to Chaos Analysis which is one example of a method
of analyzing the power demand time-sequence data. Reference numeral
23 designates a demand control time setting unit for setting a
control time period during which thermal energy load is covered by
the stored thermal energy of the heat accumulator 15 on the basis
of the power demand curve. Reference numeral 13A designates thermal
energy load demand estimating unit that estimates thermal energy
load demand of the control time period on the basis of the time
control period set by the demand control time setting unit 23 and
the power demand curve estimated by the power demand curve
estimating unit 12. Reference numeral 14A designates operation unit
of a heat source that supplies cooling/heating energy. Reference
numeral 15 designates a heat accumulator that stores the
cooling/heating energy received from the operation unit 14A of the
heat source. Reference numeral 16 designates stored heat utilizing
operation unit for utilizing the thermal energy stored in the heat
accumulator 15; 17A, a cold/hot air discharger for dissipating the
thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator 15 and/or the thermal
energy received from the operation unit 14A of the heat source; and
18A, operation control unit controls the operation unit 14A and the
stored heat utilizing operation unit 16. The detailed function of
this operation control unit will be described later.
[0124] Reference numeral 19B designates cooling/heating energy
quantity detection unit that detects the quantity of
cooling/heating energy dissipated from the heat accumulator 15
through the cold/hot air discharger 17A, from the thermal energy
remaining in the heat accumulator 15. In the case of the thermal
energy stored in the form of ice, it is necessary to detect cooling
energy (latent heat) and heating energy (sensible heat) in order to
obtain the quantity of ice or hot water remaining in the heat
accumulator 5. In the third embodiment, a water level sensor 24 is
used for detecting the cooling energy (latent heat), whereas a
temperature sensor 25 is used for detecting the heating energy
(sensible heat). Specifically, the cooling/heating energy quantity
detection unit 19B detects (or calculates) the quantity of
cooling/heating energy dissipated from the heat accumulator 15
through the cold/hot air discharger 17A by comparing the residual
thermal energy of the current heat accumulator 15 detected by the
water level sensor 24 and the temperature sensor 25 with the
thermal energy load demand estimated on the previous day by the
thermal energy load demand estimating unit 13A.
[0125] Reference numeral 26 designates stored heat utilization
determination unit that determines the state of utilization of the
stored thermal energy during the control time period of the
air-conditioning periods, from the quantity of cooling/heating
energy detected by the cooling/heating energy quantity detection
unit 19B and the thermal energy load demand estimated by the
thermal energy load estimating unit 13A. The stored heat
utilization determination unit 26 sends a result of the
determination to the operation control unit 18A. Reference numeral
22 designates a heat-to-electric-power converter that converts the
quantity of cooling or heating energy detected by the
cooling/heating energy quantity calculating unit 19B into the
quantity of electric power, as well as sending the thus converted
electric power to the power demand time-sequence data collecting
unit 11.
[0126] The operation control unit 18A has the following functions
of:
[0127] (1) controlling the operation unit 14A of the heat source
during the night to store the quantity of cooling/heating energy
corresponding to the thermal energy load demand in the heat
accumulator 15 via the cooling/heating energy path on the basis of
the thermal energy load demand estimated by the thermal energy load
demand estimating unit 13A;
[0128] (2) determining an operation pattern for use in the
air-conditioning periods on the basis of the power demand curve
estimated by the power demand curve estimating unit 12 and the
control time period set by the demand control time setting unit 23;
controlling the operation unit 14A of the heat source during the
preset time period of the air-conditioning periods so as to supply
cooling/heating energy directly to the cold/hot air discharger 17A
via the cooling/heating energy path-as well as the quantity of
thermal energy dissipated from the heat source at this time to the
power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11; and controlling
the stored heat utilizing operation unit 16 during the control time
of the air-conditioning periods so as to supply the stored thermal
energy of the heat accumulator 15 directly to the cold/hot air
discharger 17A via the cooling/heating energy path; and
[0129] (3) controlling the stored heat utilizing operation unit 16
so as to perform operations utilizing a surplus of stored thermal
energy during the time period after the control time period of the
air-conditioning periods set by the demand control time setting
unit 23, when the stored heat utilization determination unit 26 has
notified the operation control unit 18A of a surplus of stored
thermal energy occurred after the dissipation of the thermal energy
from the heat accumulator 15.
[0130] With reference to FIGS. 10 and 13 through 19, the operation
of the heat storage air conditioner of the third embodiment will be
described on the basis of FIGS. 11 and 12. When the heat storage
air conditioner starts to operate, the power demand time-sequence
data collecting unit 11 collects power demand time-sequence data in
the time period during which a living space is air-conditioned
(step 301). The stored data amount determination unit 31 determines
the amount of data stored by the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11 (step 302). The stored data amount determination
unit 31 constantly monitors whether or not the amount of data
stored by the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11
corresponds to a period of time more than 60 days (step 303). If
the stored data amount determination unit 31 decides that the
amount of stored data corresponds to a period of time less than 60
days, the heat storage air conditioner will be judged as being in a
start-up condition or a recovery condition after a power failure.
As a result, the pseudo data 32A are supplied to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11, and the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11 takes the thus-received
pseudo data 32A as the collected data (step 304). The power demand
curve estimating unit 12 analyzes the pseudo data 32A using Chaos
Analysis (step 305).
[0131] If the amount of power demand time-sequence data collected
by the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11 is as
being for a period of time more than 60 days in step 303, the power
demand curve estimating unit 12 analyzes the thus-collected power
demand time-sequence data using Chaos Analysis (step 306).
[0132] In this way, the power demand curve estimating unit 12
analyzes the power demand time-sequence data or the pseudo data 32A
using Chaos Analysis, whereby a power demand curve during the
air-conditioning periods for the next day is estimated (step 307).
The demand control time setting unit 23 previously sets the control
time period during which thermal energy load is covered by the
thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator 15, to a specific
time period on the basis of the power demand curve estimated by the
power demand curve estimating unit 12 (step 308). The operation
control unit 18A determines the operation pattern (see FIG. 15) of
the air-conditioning periods on the basis of the control time
period and the estimated power demand curve (step 309).
Simultaneously, the thermal energy load demand estimating unit 13A
estimates the thermal energy load required during the cooling or
heating periods on the basis of the control time period and the
estimated power demand curve (step 310). The control time period
that has been previously set to a specific time period by the
demand control time setting unit 23 is made so as to be capable of
being fixed or changed.
[0133] The operation control unit 18A controls the operation unit
14A of the heat source so as to cause the heat source to perform
heat storage operations during the night in order to store the
quantity of thermal energy, which is equivalent to the thermal
energy load demand estimated by the thermal energy load demand
estimating unit 13A, in the heat accumulator 15 through the
cooling/heating energy path (step 311). Then, the water previously
stored in the heat accumulator 15 changes to ice using cooling
energy or to hot water using heating energy with lapse of time,
whereby the resultant ice or hot water is stored in the heat
accumulator 15 (step 312).
[0134] During the air-conditioning periods on the next day, the
operation unit 14A of the heat source is initially controlled in
accordance with pattern B1 (see FIG. 15) of the operation patterns
determined by the operation control unit 18A so as to cause the
heat source to perform operations (step 313). The cooling/heating
energy of by the heat source is directly supplied to the cold/hot
air discharger 17A through the cooling/heating energy path (step
314). The power demand time-sequence data of the heat source are
supplied to the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11.
Consequently, the cooling/heating energy received from the heat
source is dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger 17A (step
315), thereby making it possible to cool or heat the living space.
The direct supply of cooling/heating energy to the cold/hot air
discharger 17A from the heat source is carried out immediately
before the control time period within the air-conditioning period,
as shown in FIG. 15. The supply of cooling/heating energy is
temporarily suspended when the time control period commences.
[0135] When the control time period commences, the operation
control unit 18A controls the stored heat utilizing operation unit
16 according to the pattern A of the operation patterns (see FIG.
15) so as to carry out dissipating operations (step 316). The
cooling/heating energy of the heat accumulator 15 is supplied to
the cold/hot air discharger 17A via the cooling/heating path (step
317). As a result, the cooling/heating energy received from the
heat accumulator 15 is dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger
17A (step 318), thereby making it possible to cool or heat the
living space. The cooling/heating energy detection unit 19B
detects, in time sequence, the quantity of cooling energy of ice or
heating energy of hot water supplied to the cold/hot air discharger
17A, from the residual thermal energy (cooling or heating energy)
of the current heat accumulator 15 detected by the water level
sensor 24 and the temperature 25 and the thermal energy load demand
estimated on the previous day by the thermal energy load demand
estimating unit 13A (step 319). The data on the cooling/heating
energy detected in time sequence are input to the
heat-to-electric-power converter 22. The data on the
cooling/heating energy are converted into the data on the quantity
of electric power by the heat-to-electric-power converter 22 (step
320). The time-sequence data on the quantity of electric power
converted by the heat-to-electric-power converter 22 are supplied
to the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. The
thus-output time-sequence data are collected again as power demand
time-sequence data in the same manner as previously described in
step 301.
[0136] When the control time period terminates, the control
operation unit 18A stops the dissipating operations of the stored
heat utilizing operation unit 16. The control operation unit 18A
again controls the operation unit 14A of the heat source according
to pattern B2 (see FIG. 15) of the operation patterns so as to
cause the heat source to perform operations. The cooling/heating
energy of the heat source is directly supplied to the cold/hot air
discharger 17A through the cooling/heating energy path. The
time-sequence data on the quantity of electric power dissipated
from the heat source at this time are supplied to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. Consequently, the
cooling/heating energy received again from the heat source is
dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger 17A, thereby making it
possible to cool or heat the living space. The re-supply of
cooling/heating energy to the cold/hot air discharger 17A from the
thermal-air discharger is carried out until the air-conditioning
periods shown in FIG. 15 complete. The supply of cooling/heating
energy is terminated when the time control period completes.
[0137] A resident of the living space often sets the temperature of
a room to a lower level at the time of air-conditioning operations.
In this case, the thermal energy load actually used in
air-conditioning operations becomes smaller than the thermal energy
load demand previously estimated by the thermal energy load demand
estimating unit 13A. As a result, there arises a surplus of the
stored thermal energy after the dissipation of the thermal energy
of the heat accumulator 15. For this reason, the stored heat
utilization determination unit 26 determines the state of
utilization of the stored thermal energy during the control time
period of the air-conditioning periods, from the quantity of
cooling/heating energy detected by the cooling/heating energy
quantity detection unit 19B and the thermal energy load demand
estimated by the thermal energy load estimating unit 13A (step
321). If there is a surplus of stored thermal energy after the
dissipation of the stored thermal energy of the heat accumulator 15
(step 322), the operation control unit 18A is notified of the
surplus of stored thermal energy. Upon notification of the surplus
of stored thermal energy of the heat accumulator 15 by the stored
heat utilization determination unit 26, the operation control unit
18A sets pattern Al regarding a dissipating operation which
utilizes the surplus of stored thermal energy, in the remaining
time period after the control time period of the air-conditioning
periods set by the demand control time setting unit 23, as shown in
FIG. 19. The operation control unit 18A controls the stored heat
utilization determination unit 16 so as to perform dissipating
operations based on the pattern Al together with the
air-conditioning operation (pattern B2) of the heat source (step
323). The surplus of stored thermal energy of the heat accumulator
15 is supplied to the cold/hot air discharger 17A via the
cooling/heating energy path (step 324). The surplus of stored
cooling/heating energy received from the heat accumulator 15 is
dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger 17A (step 325). The
thus-dissipated cooling/heating energy is utilized in cooling or
heating the living-space. It goes without saying that the load of
pattern B2 placed on the heat source during the air-conditioning
periods is mitigated as a result of the dissipating operation that
is carried out together with the air-conditioning operation with
use of the surplus of stored thermal energy (pattern A1).
[0138] If it has been determined in step 322 that there is not any
surplus of stored thermal energy after the dissipation of thermal
energy from the heat accumulator 15, return to step 302 takes
place. The stored data amount determination unit 31 again
determines the amount of power demand time-sequence data collected
by the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11.
[0139] The surplus of stored thermal energy received from the heat
accumulator 15 is dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger 17A
in step 325, return to step 319 takes place. The cooling/heating
energy quantity detection unit 19B detects, in time sequence, the
quantity of cooling energy of ice or heating energy of hot water
that corresponds to the surplus of stored thermal energy supplied
to the cold/hot air discharger 17A. The quantity of cooling/heating
energy that corresponds to the surplus of stored thermal energy and
has been detected in time sequence is converted into the data on
the quantity of electric power in step 320. The thus-converted data
are supplied to the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit
11 and are collected again as the power demand time-sequence data.
The same processing as has been previously described is repeated
hereinbelow.
[0140] In the repetitive heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 18,
heat storage quantity pattern "a" corresponds to heat dissipation
quantity pattern Saber during an air-conditioning period on the
next day. Further, heat storage quantity pattern "c" corresponds to
heat dissipation quantity pattern "d" during an air-conditioning
period on the next day. By virtue of these heat quantity patterns,
the stored thermal energy can be prevented from running short or
becoming excessive during the air-conditioning periods. Even if the
stored thermal energy runs short or becomes excessive, the shortage
or surplus of the thermal energy can be reduced. Furthermore, if
there arises a surplus of stored thermal energy, that surplus of
stored thermal energy can be effectively utilized at the time of
air-conditioning operations without natural diffusion of the
surplus of stored thermal energy to the outside. For these reasons,
it is possible to use an appropriate quantity of electric power in
producing thermal energy to be stored during the night as well as
sufficiently maintaining the amenity of the living space. Further,
the operations of the heat source are completely stopped during the
control time period within the cooling or heating periods during
which thermal energy load is covered by only the quantity of
thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator 15. Consequently, the
running costs of the heat source are reduced, which in turn makes
it possible to reduce electricity costs.
[0141] Also in the heat storage air-conditioner of the present
embodiment, the stored data amount determination unit 31 constantly
monitors the amount of data stored by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. If the stored data amount
determination unit 31 decides that the amount of stored data
corresponds to a period of time less than 60 days, the pseudo data
32A consisting of very-analogous theoretical time-sequence data
(e.g., 60 days' worth of data) are supplied to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. A estimate for the
subsequent power demand is controlled using the pseudo data 32A as
the collected data. Therefore, the estimate-based control
operations can be started without any problems even in the case
where the heat storage air conditioner starts up or recovers to its
original state after a power failure.
[0142] The above embodiment has been described on the basis of an
example of dissipating operation that utilizes the surplus of
stored thermal energy, that is, the pattern A1 (see FIG. 19) that
utilizes a surplus of stored thermal energy during the remaining
time period after the control time period of the air-conditioning
periods while averaging it. However, the present invention is not
limited to this embodiment. For example, the time period, during
which dissipating operations are carried out using a surplus of
stored thermal energy, is set to a specific time period within the
remaining time period after the control time period of the
air-conditioning operations. It is also possible to dissipate all
of the surplus of stored thermal energy at one time during that
specific time period. If the dissipating operation, in which all of
the surplus of stored thermal energy is dissipated at one time, is
employed, it goes without saying that the operations of the heat
source are completely suspended during the time period of the
dissipating operation that uses the surplus of stored thermal
energy.
[0143] The third embodiment has been described using the stored
data amount determination unit 31 having the following arrangement
as an example. Specifically, the stored data amount determination
unit 31 is arranged so as not to update very-analogous theoretical
power demand time-sequence data (60 days' worth of data), i.e., the
data for the system capable of carrying out the operations of the
heat source together with the operations that use the stored
thermal energy, until the amount of data stored by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11 becomes so as to correspond
to a period of time more than 60 days. That power demand
time-sequence data are directly supplied to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. The stored data amount
determination unit may be arranged so as to take practical data as
the most recent data among the pseudo data every time the practical
data are obtained as a result of the air-conditioning operations.
Then, the pseudo data may be updated by deleting the oldest data
corresponding to the quantity of most recent data. In this case,
the contents of the pseudo data can be replaced with practical data
with lapse of time. Therefore, it is possible to more smoothly
shift the estimate-based control operations based on the pseudo
data to the estimate-based control operations based on the
practical data. The same also applies to the fourth, fifth, and
eighth embodiments that will be described later.
[0144] It is also possible for the stored data amount determination
unit to suspend the output of the pseudo data to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit immediately after the amount of
data practically obtained as a result of the air-conditioning
operations has reached the amount (e.g., data for a period of one
day) that permits estimate-based control operations. In this case,
the estimate-based control operations based on the practical data
are started when the amount of practical data is small. Only the
contents of the data that are sufficient to make the heat storage
air conditioner active are required as the pseudo data, which in
turn makes it easy to prepare theoretical pseudo data. The same
also applies to the fourth, fifth, and eighth embodiments that will
be described later.
Fourth Embodiment
[0145] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of composite
heat quantity pattern that is used in a heat storage air
conditioner according to the present invention and includes the
quantity of thermal energy defined by dissipating operation pattern
A of the heat accumulator and the quantity of thermal energy
defined by the air-conditioning operation pattern B of the heat
source. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the dissipating operation
pattern A of the heat accumulator that corresponds to a hatched
portion of the composite heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 20.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the air-conditioning operation pattern
B of the heat source that corresponds to an outlined portion of the
composite heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 20. FIG. 23 is a
diagram illustrating an example of repetitive heat quantity pattern
used in the heat storage air conditioner of the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of composite heat
quantity pattern including the pattern A1 that uses a surplus of
thermal energy. The heat storage air conditioner of the fourth
embodiment has basically the same configuration as that of the
previously described third embodiment shown in FIG. 10. Therefore,
FIG. 10 will be referred to during the course of the description of
the present embodiment.
[0146] The heat storage air conditioner of the fourth embodiment is
different from that of the previously described third embodiment in
the following points: Specifically, the demand control time setting
unit 23 sets the control time period during which thermal energy
load is covered by the thermal energy of the heat accumulator 15 on
the basis of the power demand curve estimated by the power demand
curve estimating unit 12 shown in FIG. 10. This demand control time
setting unit 23 is arranged so as to set a threshold value on the
power demand curve as well as setting the control time period in
the time period during which the power demand curve is in excess of
the threshold value. Furthermore, if there is a surplus of stored
thermal energy, the operation control unit 18A sets the pattern A1
regarding the dissipating operations that uses a surplus of stored
thermal energy, in a specific time period within the remaining time
period after the control time period of the air-condition periods,
as shown in FIG. 24. All of the surplus of stored thermal energy is
dissipated at one time during that specific time period. The
operations of the heat source are completely suspended during the
time period of the dissipating operation that uses the surplus of
stored thermal energy. The control time period is arranged so as to
be capable of being fixed or changed when the demand control time
setting unit 23 sets the threshold value on the power demand
curve.
[0147] By unit of the demand control setting unit 23 that sets the
above-described control time period, the repetitive heat quantity
pattern as shown in FIG. 23 is obtained. In the repetitive heat
quantity pattern shown in FIG. 23, heat storage quantity pattern
"a" corresponds to heat dissipation quantity pattern "b" obtained
during the control time period during which the power demand curve
exceeds a threshold value in the air-conditioning period on the
next day. Further, heat storage quantity pattern "c" corresponds to
heat dissipation quantity pattern "d" obtained during the control
time period during which the power demand curve exceeds a threshold
value in the air-conditioning period on the next day. By virtue of
these heat quantity patterns, the quantity of electric power that
the heat source dissipates to cover the cooling/heating period
within the extent in which the power demand does not exceed the
threshold value, can be significantly reduced. Further, the
contract power demand required during the cooling or heating
periods can be reduced, which makes it possible to reduce
electricity costs to a much greater extent. Furthermore, the stored
thermal energy can be prevented from running short or becoming
excessive during the control time period of the air-conditioning
periods. For example, even if the stored thermal energy runs short
or becomes excessive, the shortage or surplus of the thermal energy
can be reduced. Furthermore, if there arises a surplus of stored
thermal energy, that surplus of stored thermal energy can be
effectively utilized at the time of air-conditioning operations
without natural diffusion of the surplus of stored thermal energy
to the outside. For these reasons, it is possible to use an
appropriate quantity of electric power in producing thermal energy
to be stored during the night as well as sufficiently maintaining
the amenity of the living space.
[0148] Also in the heat storage air-conditioner of the fourth
embodiment, the stored data amount determination unit 31 constantly
monitors the amount of data stored by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. If the stored data amount
determination unit 31 decides that the amount of stored data
corresponds to a period of time less than 60 days, the pseudo data
32A consisting of very-analogous theoretical time-sequence data
(e.g., 60 days' worth of data) are supplied to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. A estimate for the
subsequent power demand is controlled using the pseudo data 32A as
the collected data. Therefore, the estimate-based control
operations can be started without any problems even in the case
where the heat storage air conditioner starts up or recovers to its
original state after a power failure.
[0149] The dissipating operation that uses a surplus of stored
thermal energy has been described in the above embodiment.
Specifically, the pattern A1 (see FIG. 24) is used as an example of
dissipating operation, wherein a surplus of stored thermal energy
is dissipated at one time in a specific time of the remaining time
period after the time period (i.e., the control time period) during
which the power demand curve is in excess of the threshold value in
the air-conditioning period. However, the surplus of stored thermal
energy may be utilized while being averaged, during the remaining
time period after the control time period of the air-conditioning
period, in the same manner as previously described in the third
embodiment shown in FIG. 19.
Fifth Embodiment
[0150] FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a repetitive heat quantity
pattern used in a heat storage air conditioner according to the
present invention. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of
composite heat quantity pattern including dissipating operation
pattern A3 that uses a surplus of thermal energy. Also in the fifth
embodiment, the heat storage air conditioner has basically the same
configuration as that of the previously described third embodiment
shown in FIG. 10. Therefore, FIG. 10 will be referred to during the
course of the description of the present embodiment.
[0151] The heat storage air conditioner of the fifth embodiment is
different from that of the previously described third and fourth
embodiments in the following points: Specifically, the demand
control time setting unit 23 sets the control time period during
which thermal energy load is covered by the thermal energy of the
heat accumulator 15 on the basis of the power demand curve
estimated by the power demand curve estimating unit 12 shown in
FIG. 10. This demand control time setting unit 23 is arranged so as
to set a threshold value on the power demand curve as well as
setting the control time period in the time period during which the
power demand curve is in excess of the threshold value.
Furthermore, if there is a surplus of stored thermal energy, the
operation control unit 18A sets the pattern A3 regarding the
dissipating operations that uses a surplus of stored thermal
energy, in a specific time period within the remaining time period
after the control period of the air-condition periods, i.e., a
specific time period within the remaining time period after the
time period during which the power demand curve is in excess the
threshold value for the air-conditioning operations, as shown in
FIG. 26. All of the surplus of stored thermal energy is dissipated
at one time during that specific time period. The operations of the
heat source are completely suspended during the time period of the
dissipating operation that uses the surplus of stored thermal
energy. The control time period is arranged so as to be capable of
being fixed or changed when the demand control time setting unit 23
sets the threshold value on the power demand curve.
[0152] Hatched area A1 of the composite heat quantity pattern shown
in FIG. 26 designates a dissipating operation pattern of the heat
accumulator during the control time period that has previously been
set to a specific time period. Hatched area A2 designates a
dissipating operation pattern of the heat accumulator during the
control time period set in the time period during which the power
demand curve is in excess of the threshold value. Hatched area A3
designates a pattern regarding dissipating operations that use a
surplus of stored thermal energy. Outlined areas B1 and B2 of the
composite thermal energy quantity pattern respectively designate
operation patterns at the time of the air-conditioning operations
of the heat source.
[0153] By unit of the demand control setting unit 23 that sets the
above-described control time period, the repetitive heat quantity
pattern as shown in FIG. 25 is obtained. In the repetitive heat
quantity pattern shown in FIG. 25, heat storage quantity pattern
"a" corresponds to heat dissipation quantity patterns "b1" and "b2"
obtained during the air-conditioning period on the next day.
Further, heat storage quantity pattern "c" corresponds to heat
dissipation quantity patterns "d1" and "d2" obtained during the
air-conditioning period on the next day. By virtue of these heat
quantity patterns, the quantity of electric power that the heat
source dissipates to cover the control time period for
air-conditioning operations except for the time period during which
the power demand curve does not exceed the threshold value, can be
significantly reduced. Further, the contract power demand required
during the cooling or heating periods can be reduced, which makes
it possible to reduce electricity costs to a much greater extent.
Furthermore, the stored thermal energy can be prevented from
running short or becoming excessive during the control time period
of the air-conditioning periods. For example, even if the stored
thermal energy runs short or becomes excessive, the shortage or
surplus of the thermal energy can be reduced. Furthermore, if there
arises a surplus of stored thermal energy, that surplus of stored
thermal energy can be effectively utilized at the time of
air-conditioning operations without natural diffusion of the
surplus of stored thermal energy to the outside. For these reasons,
it is possible to use an appropriate quantity of electric power in
producing thermal energy to be stored during the night as well as
sufficiently maintaining the amenity of the living space.
[0154] Also in the heat storage air-conditioner of the fifth
embodiment, the stored data amount determination unit 31 constantly
monitors the amount of data stored by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. If the stored data amount
determination unit 31 decides that the amount of stored data
corresponds to a period of time less than 60 days, the pseudo data
32A consisting of very-analogous theoretical time-sequence data
(e.g., 60 days' worth of data) are supplied to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. A estimate for the
subsequent power demand is controlled using the pseudo data 32A as
the collected data. Therefore, the estimate-based control
operations can be started without any problems even in the case
where the heat storage air conditioner starts up or recovers to its
original state after a power failure.
[0155] The dissipating operation that uses a surplus of stored
thermal energy has been described in the above embodiment.
Specifically, the pattern A3 is used as an example of dissipating
operation, wherein a surplus of stored thermal energy is dissipated
at one time during a specific period within the remaining time
period after the time period during which the power demand curve is
in excess of the threshold value for the air-conditioning
operations. However, the surplus of stored thermal energy may be
utilized while being averaged, during the remaining time period
after the control time period during which the power demand curve
is in excess of the threshold value for air-conditioning
operations, in the same manner as previously described in the third
embodiment shown in FIG. 19.
Sixth Embodiment
[0156] FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a heat storage air conditioner
according to the present invention. In this drawing, the same
elements as those of the previously-described third embodiment
shown in FIG. 10 are assigned the same reference numerals. The heat
storage air conditioner of the sixth embodiment has the function of
being capable of setting an operation pattern to various forms by
changing the control time period using the demand control time
setting unit. This function is the same as that previously
described in the third, fourth, and fifth embodiment, and therefore
details of the setting of the operation pattern will be omitted
here. The heat storage air conditioner of the present embodiment
has the function of being capable of setting the dissipating
operation pattern to various forms that utilize a surplus of stored
thermal energy, by unit of the operation control unit. This
function is also the same as that previously described in the
third, fourth, and fifth embodiments. Hence, details of the setting
of the dissipating operation pattern will be also omitted here.
[0157] In FIG. 27, reference numeral 11 designates a power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit for collecting power demand
time-sequence data. Reference numeral 31A designates stored data
amount determination unit that determines the amount of data stored
by the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. If a
predetermined amount of stored data (e.g., data for a period of one
day) has not been achieved yet, the stored data amount
determination unit instructs the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11 to suspend an output to a estimate-based control
system, as well as sending a data shortage signal to the power
demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. Reference numeral 12
designates a power demand curve estimating unit for estimating a
power demand curve that is obtained by subjecting the power demand
time-sequence data received from the power demand time-sequence
data collecting unit 11 to Chaos Analysis which is one example of a
method of analyzing the power demand time-sequence data. Reference
numeral 23 designates a demand control time setting unit for
setting a control time period during which thermal energy load is
covered by the stored thermal energy of the heat accumulator 15 on
the basis of the power demand curve. The demand control time
setting unit has the function of being capable of setting the
operation pattern to various forms. Reference numeral 13A
designates thermal energy load demand estimating unit that
estimates thermal energy load demand of the control time period on
the basis of the time control period set by the demand control time
setting unit 23 and the power demand curve estimated by the power
demand curve estimating unit 12. Reference numeral 14A designates
operation unit of a heat source that supplies cooling/heating
energy. Reference numeral 15 designates a heat accumulator that
stores the cooling/heating energy received from the operation unit
14A of the heat source. Reference numeral 16 designates stored heat
utilizing operation unit for utilizing the thermal energy stored in
the heat accumulator 15; and 17A, a cold/hot air discharger for
dissipating the thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator 15
and/or the thermal energy received from the operation unit 14A of
the heat source.
[0158] Reference numeral 19B designates cooling/heating energy
quantity detection unit that detects the quantity of
cooling/heating energy dissipated from the heat accumulator 15
through the cold/hot air discharger 17A, from the thermal energy
remaining in the heat accumulator 15. The quantity of
cooling/heating energy is detected (or calculated) by comparing the
thermal energy currently remaining in the heat accumulator 15
detected by the water level sensor 24 or the temperature sensor 25
with the thermal energy load demand estimated on the previous day
by the thermal energy load demand estimating unit 13A.
[0159] Reference numeral 26 designates stored heat utilization
determination unit that determines the state of utilization of the
stored thermal energy during the control time period of the
air-conditioning periods, from the quantity of cooling/heating
energy detected by the cooling/heating energy quantity detection
unit 19B and the thermal energy load demand estimated by the
thermal energy load estimating unit 13A. The stored heat
utilization determination unit 26 sends a result of the
determination to the operation control unit 18A. Reference numeral
22 designates a heat-to-electric-power converter that converts the
quantity of cooling or heating energy detected by the
cooling/heating energy quantity calculating unit 19B into the
quantity of electric power, as well as sending the thus-converted
electric power to the power demand time-sequence data collecting
unit 11.
[0160] Reference numeral 18A designates operation control unit for
controlling the operation unit 14A and the stored heat utilizing
operation unit 16. This operation control unit 18A also has the
function of being capable of setting the dissipating operation
pattern to various forms that utilize a surplus of stored thermal
energy. In short, the operation control unit 18A has the functions
(1), (2), and (3) previously described in the third embodiment.
[0161] Reference numeral 33 designates control unit for forcibly
causing a heat source to operate at the time of air-conditioning
operations. Upon receipt of a data shortage signal from the stored
data amount determination unit 31A, the control unit 33 controls
the operation unit 14A of the heat source during the
air-conditioning period so as to directly supply cooling/heating
energy to the cold/hot air discharger 17A. Further, the control
unit 33 sends the quantity of electric power dissipated from the
thermal energy source at this time to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. The present embodiment is
described with reference to an example wherein the time period,
during which the control unit 33 controls the operation unit 14 of
the heat source so as to directly supply cooling/heating energy to
the cold/hot air discharger 17A, is fixed to a period of time
between eight o'clock and seventeen o'clock. In addition, the
control unit 33 may be arranged so as to control the operation unit
14A of the heat source on the basis of a drive signal of a blower
(not shown) of the cold/hot air discharger 17A.
[0162] In the heat storage air-conditioner of the sixth embodiment,
the stored data amount determination unit 31A constantly monitors
the amount of data stored by the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11. If the amount of stored data corresponds to a
period of time less than one day, the control unit 33 instructs the
suspension of an output to the estimate-based control system, as
well as controlling the operation unit 14A of the heat source so as
to directly supply cooling/heating energy to the cold/hot air
discharger 17A. Therefore, the heat storage air conditioner can
cope with cases where it starts up or where the previous data
required to carry out estimate-based control operations are lost as
a result of a power failure. In short, if the heat storage air
conditioner starts up, or if the previous data are lost, the heat
storage air conditioner can operate by switching to an ordinary
operation (i.e., an operation which does not carry out control
operations based on a estimate).
[0163] Time-sequence data on the quantity of electric power which
the thermal energy source for directly supplying cooling/heating
energy to the cold/hot air discharger 17A dissipates when being
forcibly actuated, are sent to and collected by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. Therefore, it is possible to
store the time-sequence data on the quantity of electric power
during a period of ordinary operation (i.e., the operation that
does not carry out control operations based on a estimate), as well
as smoothly shifting the operation to estimate-based control
operations when a predetermined amount of stored power demand
time-sequence data (e.g., data for a period of one day) has been
achieved.
Seventh Embodiment
[0164] FIG. 28 is a block diagram of a heat storage air conditioner
according to the present invention. FIGS. 29 and 30 are flowcharts
for use in describing processing operations of the heat storage air
conditioner. FIG. 31 is a diagram for use in describing the method
that estimates a power demand curve for the next day with use of
power demand time-sequence data obtained when data are stored so as
to correspond to a period of twelve days and eight hours. FIG. 32
is a table that shows an example of numerical values regarding the
quantity of power electricity represented by the time-sequence
data. In FIG. 28, the same elements as those of the
previously-described sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 27 are assigned
the same reference numerals. Also in the seventh embodiment, the
heat storage air conditioner has the function of being capable of
setting the operation pattern to various forms by changing the
control time period using the demand control time setting unit.
This function is the same as that previously described in the
third, fourth, and fifth embodiments. Consequently, the present
embodiment will be described using only the previously-described
operation pattern shown in FIG. 15 as an example. Furthermore, the
heat storage air conditioner has the function of being capable of
setting the dissipating operation-pattern to various forms that
utilize a surplus of stored thermal energy by unit of the operation
control unit. This function is the same as that previously
described in the third, fourth, and fifth embodiments.
Consequently, the present embodiment will be described using only
the previously-described dissipating operation pattern that
utilizes a surplus of stored thermal energy and is shown in FIG.
19, as an example.
[0165] In FIG. 28, reference numeral 11 designates a power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit for collecting power demand
time-sequence data. Reference numeral 31A designates stored data
amount determination unit that determines the amount of data stored
by the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. If a
predetermined amount of stored data (e.g., data for a period of one
day) has not been achieved yet, the stored data amount
determination unit instructs the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11 to suspend an output to a estimate-based control
system, as well as sending a data shortage signal to the power
demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. Reference numeral 12
designates a power demand curve estimating unit for estimating a
power demand curve that is obtained by subjecting the power demand
time-sequence data received from the power demand time-sequence
data collecting unit 11 to Chaos Analysis which is one example of a
method of analyzing the power demand time-sequence data. Reference
numeral 23 designates a demand control time setting unit for
setting a control time period during which thermal energy load is
covered by the stored thermal energy of the heat accumulator 15 on
the basis of the power demand curve. The demand control time
setting unit has the function of being capable of setting the
operation pattern to various forms. Reference numeral 13A
designates thermal energy load demand estimating unit that
estimates thermal energy load demand of the control time period on
the basis of the time control period set by the demand control time
setting unit 23 and the power demand curve estimated by the power
demand curve estimating unit 12. Reference numeral 14A designates
operation unit of a heat source that supplies cooling/heating
energy. Reference numeral 15 designates a heat accumulator that
stores the cooling/heating energy received from the operation unit
14A of the heat source. Reference numeral 16 designates stored heat
utilizing operation unit for utilizing the thermal energy stored in
the heat accumulator 15; and 17A, a cold/hot air discharger for
dissipating the thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator 15
and/or the thermal energy received from the operation unit 14A of
the heat source.
[0166] Reference numeral 19C designates cooling/heating energy
quantity calculating unit that calculates the quantity of
cooling/heating energy dissipated from the heat accumulator 15
through the cold/hot air discharger 17A, from the capability and
operating time of the stored heat utilizing operation unit 16.
[0167] Reference numeral 26 designates stored heat utilization
determination unit that determines the state of utilization of the
stored thermal energy during the control time period of the
air-conditioning periods, from the quantity of cooling/heating
energy calculated by the cooling/heating energy quantity
calculating unit 19C and the thermal energy load demand estimated
by the thermal energy load estimating unit 13A. The stored heat
utilization determination unit 26 sends a result of the
determination to the operation control unit 18A. Reference numeral
22 designates a heat-to-electric-power converter that converts the
quantity of cooling or heating energy calculated by the
cooling/heating energy quantity calculating unit 19C into the
quantity of electric power, as well as sending the thus-converted
electric power to the power demand time-sequence data collecting
unit 11.
[0168] Reference numeral 18A designates operation control unit for
controlling the operation unit 14A and the stored heat utilizing
operation unit 16. This operation control unit 18A also has the
function of being capable of setting the dissipating operation
pattern to various forms that utilize a surplus of stored thermal
energy. In short, the operation control unit 18A has the functions
(1), (2), and (3) previously described in the third embodiment.
[0169] Reference numeral 33 designates control unit for forcibly
causing a heat source to operate at the time of air-conditioning
operations. Upon receipt of a data shortage signal from the stored
data amount determination unit 31A, the control unit 33 controls
the operation unit 14A of the heat source during the
air-conditioning period (e.g., during a period of time between 8
o'clock and 17 o'clock) so as to directly supply cooling/heating
energy to the cold/hot air discharger 17A. Further, the control
unit 33 sends the quantity of electric power dissipated from the
thermal energy source at this time to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. The present embodiment is
also described with reference to an example wherein the time
period, during which the control unit 33 controls the operation
unit 14 of the heat source so as to directly supply cooling/heating
energy to the cold/hot air discharger 17A, is fixed to a period of
time between eight o'clock and seventeen o'clock. In addition, the
control unit 33 may be arranged so as to control the operation unit
14A of the heat source on the basis of a drive signal of a blower
(not shown) of the cold/hot air discharger 17A.
[0170] With reference to FIGS. 28, 31 32, 15, and 19, the operation
of the heat storage air conditioner of the seventh embodiment will
be described on the basis of FIGS. 29 and 30. When the heat storage
air conditioner starts to operate, the power demand time-sequence
data collecting unit 11 collects power demand time-sequence data in
the time period during which a living space is air-conditioned
(step 401). The stored data amount determination unit 31A
determines the amount of data stored by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11 (step 402). The stored data
amount determination unit 31A constantly monitors whether or not
the amount of data stored by the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11 corresponds to a period of time more than one
day (step 403). If the stored data amount determination unit 31A
decides that the amount of stored data corresponds to a period of
time less than one day, a data short signal is sent to the control
unit 33. Further, the stored data amount determination unit 31A
instructs the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11 to
prevent and suspend an output to a estimate-based control system
(step 404). Upon notification of the shortage of data by the stored
data amount determination unit 31A, the control unit 33 controls
the operation unit 14A of the heat source so as to directly supply
cooling/heating energy to the cold/hot air discharger 17A during
the air-conditioning period (step 405). Then, the quantity of
electric power dissipated by the heat source at this time is sent
to and collected by the power demand time-sequence data collecting
unit 11.
[0171] If the amount of storage of power demand time-sequence data
regarding the quantity of electric power required when the heat
source, which directly supplies cooling/heating energy to the
cold/hot air discharger 17A during the air-condition period, is
forcibly actuated, amounts to a period of time more than one day,
the amount of stored power demand time-sequence data is determined
as to correspond to a period of time more than one day in step 403.
As a result, the output to the estimate-based control system from
the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11 commences,
and the power demand curve estimating unit 12 analyzes a small
amount of power demand time-sequence data thus collected using
Chaos Analysis (step 406).
[0172] In this way, the power demand curve estimating unit 12
analyzes power demand time-sequence data using Chaos Analysis when
the amount of collected data is small, whereby a power demand curve
during the air-conditioning periods for the next day is estimated
(step 407). Therefore, the accuracy of estimate for a power demand
curve is improved as the amount of stored data increases, and the
accuracy of estimate becomes stable when the data for a period of
about 60 days are collected.
[0173] When the power demand curve estimating unit 12 estimates the
power demand curve, the demand control time setting unit 23
previously sets the control time period during which thermal energy
load is covered by the thermal energy stored in the heat
accumulator 15, to a specific time period on the basis of the power
demand curve estimated by the power demand curve estimating unit 12
(step 408). The operation control unit 18A determines the operation
pattern (see FIG. 15) of the air-conditioning periods on the basis
of the control time period and the estimated power demand curve
(step 409). Simultaneously, the thermal energy load demand
estimating unit 13A estimates thermal energy load on the basis of
the control time period and the estimated power demand curve (step
410). The control time period that has been previously set to a
specific time period by the demand control time setting unit 23 is
made so as to be capable of being fixed or changed.
[0174] The operation control unit 18A controls the operation unit
14A of the heat source so as to cause the heat source to perform
storage operations during the night in order to store the quantity
of thermal energy, which is equivalent to the thermal energy load
demand estimated by the thermal energy load demand estimating unit
13A, in the heat accumulator 15 through the cooling/heating energy
path (step 411). Then, the water previously stored in the heat
accumulator 15 changes to ice using cooling energy or to hot water
using heating energy with lapse of time, whereby the resultant ice
or hot water is stored in the heat accumulator 15 (step 412).
[0175] During the air-conditioning periods on the next day, the
operation unit 14A of the heat source is initially controlled in
accordance with pattern B1 (see FIG. 15) of the operation patterns
determined by the operation control unit 18A so as to cause the
heat source to perform operations (step 413). The cooling/heating
energy of the heat source is directly supplied to the cold/hot air
discharger 17A through the cooling/heating energy path (step 414).
The time-sequence data on the quantity of electric power dissipated
from the heat source at this time are supplied to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. Consequently, the
cooling/heating energy received from the heat source is dissipated
from the cold/hot air discharger 17A (step 415), thereby making it
possible to cool or heat the living space. The direct supply of
cooling/heating energy to the cold/hot air discharger 17A from the
heat source is carried out immediately before the control time
period within the air-conditioning period, as shown in FIG. 15. The
supply of cooling/heating energy is temporarily suspended when the
time control period commences.
[0176] When the control time period commences, the operation
control unit 18A controls the stored heat utilizing operation unit
16 according to the pattern A of the operation patterns (see FIG.
15) so as to carry out dissipating operations (step 416). The
cooling/heating energy of the heat accumulator 15 is supplied to
the cold/hot air discharger 17A via the cooling/heating path (step
417). As a result, the cooling/heating energy received from the
heat accumulator 15 is dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger
17A (step 418), thereby making it possible to cool or heat the
living space. The cooling/heating energy calculating unit 19C
calculates, in time sequence, the quantity of cooling energy of ice
or heating energy of hot water supplied to the cold/hot air
discharger 17A, from the capability and operating time of the
stored heat utilization unit 16 (step 419). The data on the
cooling/heating energy calculated in time sequence are input to the
heat-to-electric-power converter 22. The data on the
cooling/heating energy are converted into the data on the quantity
of electric power by the heat-to-electric-power converter 22 (step
420). The time-sequence data on the quantity of electric power
converted by the heat-to-electric-power converter 22 are supplied
to the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. The
thus-output time-sequence data are collected again as power demand
time-sequence data in the same manner as previously described in
step 401.
[0177] When the control time period terminates, the control
operation unit 18A stops the dissipating operations of the stored
heat utilizing operation unit 16. The control operation unit 18A
again controls the operation unit 14A of the heat source according
to pattern B2 (see FIG. 15) of the operation patterns so as to
cause the heat source to perform operations. The cooling/heating
energy of the heat source is directly supplied to the cold/hot air
discharger 17A through the cooling/heating energy path. The
time-sequence data on the quantity of electric power dissipated
from the heat source at this time are supplied to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. Consequently, the
cooling/heating energy received again from the heat source is
dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger 17A, thereby making it
possible to cool or heat the living space. The re-supply of
cooling/heating energy to the cold/hot air discharger 17A from the
thermal-air discharger is carried out until the air-conditioning
periods shown in FIG. 15 complete. The supply of cooling/heating
energy is terminated when the time control period completes.
[0178] The stored heat utilization determination unit 26 determines
the state of utilization of the stored thermal energy during the
control time period of the air-conditioning periods, from the
quantity of cooling/heating energy calculated by the
cooling/heating energy quantity calculating unit 19C and the
thermal energy load demand estimated by the thermal energy load
estimating unit 13A (step 421). If there is a surplus of stored
thermal energy after the dissipation of the stored thermal energy
of the heat accumulator 15 (step 422), the operation control unit
18A is notified of the surplus of stored thermal energy. Upon
notification of the surplus of stored thermal energy of the heat
accumulator 15 by the stored heat utilization determination unit
26, the operation control unit 18A sets pattern A1 (see FIG. 19)
regarding a dissipating operation which utilizes the surplus of
stored thermal energy, in the remaining time period after the
control time period of the air-conditioning periods set by the
demand control time setting unit 23. The operation control unit 18A
controls the stored heat utilization determination unit 16 so as to
perform dissipating operations based on the pattern A1 together
with the air-conditioning operation (pattern B2) of the heat source
(step 423). The surplus of stored thermal energy of the heat
accumulator 15 is supplied to the cold/hot air discharger 17A via
the cooling/heating energy path (step 424). The surplus of stored
cooling/heating energy received from the heat accumulator 15 is
dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger 17A (step 425). The
thus-dissipated cooling/heating energy is utilized in cooling or
heating the living space.
[0179] If it has been determined in step 422 that there is not any
surplus of stored thermal energy after the dissipation of thermal
energy from the heat accumulator 15, return to step 402 takes
place. The stored data amount determination unit 31 again
determines the amount of power demand time-sequence data collected
by the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11.
[0180] The surplus of stored thermal energy received from the heat
accumulator 15 is dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger 17A
in step 425, return to step 419 takes place. The cooling/heating
energy quantity calculating unit 19C calculates, in time sequence,
the quantity of cooling energy of ice or heating energy of hot
water that corresponds to the surplus of stored thermal energy
supplied to the cold/hot air discharger 17A. The quantity of
cooling/heating energy that corresponds to the surplus of stored
thermal energy and has been calculated in time sequence, is
converted into the data on the quantity of electric power in step
420. The thus-converted data are supplied to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11 and are collected again as
the power demand time-sequence data. The same processing as has
been previously described is repeated hereinbelow.
[0181] Also in the heat storage air-conditioner of the seventh
embodiment, the stored data amount determination unit 31A
constantly monitors the amount of data stored by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. If the amount of stored data
corresponds to a period of time less than one day, the control unit
33 instructs the suspension of an output to the estimate-based
control system, as well as controlling the operation unit 14A of
the heat source so as to directly supply cooling/heating energy to
the cold/hot air discharger 17A. Therefore, the heat storage air
conditioner can operate by switching to an ordinary operation
(i.e., an operation which does not carry out control operations
based on a estimate) even in the cases where it starts up or where
the previous data required to carry out estimate-based control
operations are lost as a result of a power failure.
[0182] Time-sequence data on the quantity of electric power that
the thermal energy source for directly supplying cooling/heating
energy to the cold/hot air discharger 17A dissipates when being
forcibly actuated, are sent to and collected by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. Therefore, it is possible to
store the time-sequence data on the quantity of electric power
during a period of ordinary operation (i.e., the operation that
does not carry out control operations based on a estimate), as well
as smoothly shifting the operation to estimate-based control
operations when a predetermined amount of stored power demand
time-sequence data (e.g., data for a period of one day) has been
achieved.
[0183] The cooling/heating energy calculating unit 19C calculates
the quantity of cooling energy of ice or heating energy of hot
water supplied to the cold/hot air discharger 17A from the heat
accumulator 15, from the capability and operating time of the
stored heat utilization unit 16. Consequently, the need for a
temperature sensor and a water level sensor can be eliminated, and
the cost of the heat storage air conditioner can be reduced
accordingly.
Eighth Embodiment
[0184] FIG. 33 is a block diagram of a heat storage air conditioner
according to the present invention. FIG. 34 is a diagram wherein
the accuracy of estimate obtained when pseudo data are used is
compared with the accuracy of estimate obtained when an ordinary
operation (i.e., an operation which does not carry out control
operations based on a estimate) or an operation based on pseudo
data shifts to a estimate-based control operation based on
practical data. In FIG. 33, the same elements as those of the
previously-described seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 28 are
assigned the same reference numerals. Also in the eighth
embodiment, the heat storage air conditioner has the function of
being capable of setting the operation pattern to various forms by
changing the control time period using the demand control time
setting unit. This function is the same as that previously
described in the third, fourth, and fifth embodiments.
Consequently, details of the setting of the dissipating operation
pattern will be omitted here. Furthermore, the heat storage air
conditioner has the function of being capable of setting the
dissipating operation pattern to various forms that utilize a
surplus of stored thermal energy by unit of the operation control
unit. This function is the same as that previously described in the
third, fourth, and fifth embodiments. Consequently, details of the
setting of the dissipating operation pattern will be also omitted
here.
[0185] In FIG. 33, reference numeral 11 designates a power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit for collecting power demand
time-sequence data. Reference numeral 31 designates stored data
amount determination unit that determines the amount of data stored
by the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. If a
predetermined amount of stored data (e.g., 60 days, worth of data)
has not been achieved yet, the stored data amount determination
unit sends pseudo data 32A to the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11. In this embodiment, very-analogous theoretical
time-sequence data (60 days' worth of data) shown in FIGS. 13 and
14 are used as the pseudo data 32A. Reference numeral 12 designates
a power demand curve estimating unit for estimating the power
demand curve that is obtained by subjecting the power demand
time-sequence data, that have been collected by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11, or the pseudo data 32A to
Chaos Analysis which is one example of a method of analyzing the
power demand time-sequence data. Reference numeral 23 designates a
demand control time setting unit for setting a control time period
during which thermal energy load is covered by the stored thermal
energy of the heat accumulator 15 on the basis of the power demand
curve. The demand control time setting unit has the function of
being capable of setting the operation pattern to various forms.
Reference numeral 13A designates thermal energy load demand
estimating unit that estimates thermal energy load demand of the
control time period on the basis of the time control period set by
the demand control time setting unit 23 and the power demand curve
estimated by the power demand curve estimating unit 12. Reference
numeral 14A designates operation unit of a heat source that
supplies cooling/heating energy. Reference numeral 15 designates a
heat accumulator that stores the cooling/heating energy received
from the operation unit 14A of the heat source. Reference numeral
16 designates stored heat utilizing operation unit for utilizing
the thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator 15; and 17A, a
cold/hot air discharger for dissipating the thermal energy stored
in the heat accumulator 15 and/or the thermal energy received from
the operation unit 14A of the heat source.
[0186] Reference numeral 19C designates cooling/heating energy
quantity calculating unit that calculates the quantity of
cooling/heating energy dissipated from the heat accumulator 15
through the cold/hot air discharger 17A, from the capability and
operating time of the stored heat utilizing operation unit 16.
[0187] Reference numeral 26 designates stored heat utilization
determination unit that determines the state of utilization of the
stored thermal energy during the control time period of the
air-conditioning periods, from the quantity of cooling/heating
energy calculated by the cooling/heating energy quantity
calculating unit 19C and the thermal energy load demand estimated
by the thermal energy load estimating unit 13A. The stored heat
utilization determination unit 26 sends a result of the
determination to the operation control unit 18A. Reference numeral
22 designates a heat-to-electric-power converter that converts the
quantity of cooling or heating energy calculated by the
cooling/heating energy quantity calculating unit 19C into the
quantity of electric power, as well as sending the thus-converted
electric power to the power demand time-sequence data collecting
unit 11.
[0188] Reference numeral 18A designates operation control unit for
controlling the operation unit 14A and the stored heat utilizing
operation unit 16. This operation control unit 18A also has the
function of being capable of setting the dissipating operation
pattern to various forms that utilize a surplus of stored thermal
energy. In short, the operation control unit 18A has the functions
(1), (2), and (3) previously described in the third embodiment.
[0189] Also in the heat storage air-conditioner of the eight
embodiment, the stored data amount determination unit 31 constantly
monitors the amount of data stored by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. If the stored data does not
correspond to data for a period of time more than 60 days, the
stored data amount determination unit sends pseudo data 32A
consisting of very-analogous theoretical time-sequence data (e.g.,
60 days' worth of data) to the power demand time-sequence data
collecting unit 11. A estimate for the subsequent power demand is
controlled using the pseudo data 32A as the collected data.
Therefore, the estimate-based control operations can be started
without any problems even in the case where the heat storage air
conditioner starts up or recovers to its original state after a
power failure.
[0190] The cooling/heating energy calculating unit 19C calculates
the quantity of cooling energy of ice or heating energy of hot
water supplied to the cold/hot air discharger 17A from the heat
accumulator 15, from the capability and operating time of the
stored heat utilization unit 16. Consequently, the need for a
temperature sensor and a water level sensor can be eliminated, and
the cost of the heat storage air conditioner can be reduced
accordingly.
[0191] In FIG. 34, reference symbol "a" designates the accuracy of
estimate obtained when pseudo data are used, and "b" designates the
accuracy of estimate obtained when an ordinary operation (i.e., an
operation which does not carry out control operations based on a
estimate) or an operation based on pseudo data shifts to a
estimate-based control operation based on practical data. As is
evident from this diagram, a comparatively high degree of accuracy
of estimate is maintained from the initial stage in the case where
the pseudo data are used. The accuracy of estimate becomes stable
at a stage (where the data for a period of about 60 days are
collected). Where the ordinary operation (i.e., an operation which
does not carry out control operations based on a estimate) or an
operation based on pseudo data shifts to a estimate-based control
operation based on practical data, the accuracy of estimate for a
power demand curve is improved as the amount of stored data
increases, and the accuracy of estimate becomes stable at a stage
where the data for a period of about 60 days are collected, as in
the case of the estimate-based control that uses pseudo data.
[0192] The third through eighth embodiments have previously been
described, using an example of operation pattern for
air-conditioning operation purposes, wherein the heat source starts
to operate first at the beginning of the air-conditioning
operation. However, it is also possible to adopt an operation
pattern in which a heat accumulator performs dissipating operations
first at the beginning of the air-conditioning operation. Such an
operation pattern is particularly effective as a heating pattern
for use in the winter season.
[0193] The previously-described first through eighth embodiments
have been described on the basis of the example of a
cooling/heating system that utilizes the thermal energy stored in
the form of ice. However, it goes without saying that the present
invention can be applied to a system which utilizes the thermal
energy stored in the form of water (i.e., a system which stores
cooling energy in the form of cold water) or a cooling-only
system.
[0194] The previously-described first through eighth embodiments
have been described on the basis of the example in which Chaos
Analysis is used as a method of estimating a power demand curve for
the next day by analyzing the previous power demand time-sequence
data. Needless to say, the power demand curve on the next day may
be estimated by use of a neural network.
Ninth Embodiment
[0195] FIG. 38 is a basic block diagram of a heat storage air
conditioner according to the present invention. FIG. 39 is a
flowchart for use in describing processing operations of the heat
storage air conditioner. FIG. 40 is an example of repetitive heat
quantity pattern used in the heat storage air conditioner of the
ninth embodiment. FIG. 41 is a graph showing time-sequence data for
use in describing a method of estimating a power demand curve for
the next day.
[0196] In FIG. 38, reference numeral 11 designates a power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit for collecting power demand
time-sequence data. Reference numeral 12 designates a power demand
curve estimating unit for estimating the power demand curve that is
obtained by subjecting the power demand time-sequence data to Chaos
Analysis, which is one example of a method of analyzing the power
demand time-sequence data. Reference numeral 13 designates thermal
energy load demand estimating unit that estimates thermal energy
load demand from the power demand curve; 14, heat storage operation
unit of a heat source that stores cooling/heating energy in a heat
accumulator 15 through a cooling/heating energy path; 16, stored
heat utilizing operation unit for utilizing the thermal energy
stored in the heat accumulator 15; 17, a cold/hot air discharger
for dissipating the thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator
15; and 18, operation control unit for controlling the heat storage
operation unit 14 and the stored energy utilizing operation unit 16
of the heat source.
[0197] The operation control unit 18 controls the heat storage
operation unit 14 of the heat source on the basis of the thermal
energy load demand estimated by the heat demand estimating unit 13
so as to cause the heat accumulator 15 to store the cooling/heating
energy corresponding to the thermal energy load demand during the
night. The power demand curve estimating unit 12 controls the
stored heat utilizing operation unit 16 so as to cause the heat
accumulator 15 to supply the stored thermal energy to the cold/hot
air discharger 17 through the cooling/heating energy path during
air-conditioning periods.
[0198] Reference numeral 19 designates cooling/heating energy
quantity detection unit that detects the quantity of
cooling/heating energy dissipated from the heat accumulator 15
through the cold/hot air discharger 17. Upon receipt of an
operation signal from the cold/hot air discharger 17, the
cooling/heating energy quantity detection unit 19 detects (or
calculates) the quantity of cooling/heating energy by unit of a
temperatures sensor 21 for detecting the temperature of the air
discharged from the cold/hot air discharger 17 and a built-in timer
19a.
[0199] Reference numeral 22 designates a heat-to-electric-power
converter that converts the quantity of cooling or heating energy
detected by the cooling/heating energy quantity detection unit 19
into the quantity of electric power, as well as sending the
thus-converted electric power to the power demand time-sequence
data collecting unit 11.
[0200] With reference to FIGS. 38 and 40, the operation of the heat
storage air conditioner of the ninth embodiment will be described
on the basis of FIG. 39. When the heat storage air conditioner
starts to operate, the power demand time-sequence data collecting
unit 11 collects power demand time-sequence data in the time period
during which a living space is air-conditioned (step 501). The
power demand curve estimating unit 12 analyzes the power demand
time-sequence data thus collected by the power demand time-sequence
data collecting unit 11, using Chaos Analysis (step 502). As a
result, a power demand curve during the air-conditioning periods
for the next day is estimated (step 503). Subsequently, the thermal
energy load demand estimating unit 13 estimates the thermal energy
load required during the cooling or heating period for the next day
on the basis of the power demand curve estimated by the power
demand curve estimating unit 12 (step 504).
[0201] In order to store the quantity of thermal energy, which is
equivalent to the thermal energy load demand estimated by the
thermal energy load demand estimating unit 13, in the heat
accumulator 15 through the cooling/heating energy path, the
operation control unit 18 controls the heat storage unit 14 of the
heat source, on the basis of the thermal energy load demand
estimated by the thermal energy load demand estimating unit 13, so
as to perform heat storage operations during the night (step 505).
Then, the water previously stored in the heat accumulator 15
changes to ice using cooling energy or to hot water using heating
energy with lapse of time, whereby the resultant ice or hot water
is stored in the heat accumulator 15 (step 508).
[0202] In order to supply the cooling energy of ice or the heating
energy of hot water stored in the heat accumulator 15 to the
cold/hot air discharger 17 through the cooling/heating energy path,
the operation control unit 18 controls the stored heat utilizing
operation unit 16 during the air-conditioning period on the next
day on the basis of the power demand curve estimated by the power
demand curve estimating unit 12, whereby the stored thermal energy
of the heat accumulator 15 is supplied to the cold/hot air
discharger 17 through the cooling/heating energy path (step 507).
As a result, the thermal energy is dissipated from the cold/hot air
discharger 17 (step 508), which enables the living room to be
cooled or heated. Gas, a liquid, or a medium having a low boiling
point is used as a medium for transmitting the cooling energy of
ice or the heating energy of hot water stored in the heat
accumulator 15 to the cold/hot air discharger 17. The same also
applies to the tenth through fourteenth embodiments which will be
described later. The cooling/heating energy quantity detection unit
19 detects the quantity of cooling energy of ice or the quantity of
heating energy of hot water supplied to the cold/hot air discharger
17, in time sequence, by unit of the temperature sensor 21 for
detecting the temperature of the air dissipated from the cold/hot
air discharger 17 and the built-in timer 19a (step 509). The data
on the quantity of cooling/heating energy detected in time sequence
is input to the heat-to-electric-power converter 22. Consequently,
the data on the quantity of cooling/heating energy are converted
into data on the quantity of electric power by unit of the
heat-to-electric-power converter 22 (step 510). The time-sequence
data on the quantity of electric power converted by the
heat-to-electric-power converter 22 are supplied to the power
demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. The thus-received
time-sequence data are collected again as the power demand
time-sequence data in the same manner as has been previously
described in step 501. The same processing as has been previously
described is repeated hereinbelow.
[0203] In the repetitive heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 40,
heat storage quantity pattern "a" corresponds to heat dissipation
quantity pattern "b" during air-conditioning periods for the next
day. Further, heat storage quantity pattern "c" corresponds to heat
quantity dissipation pattern "d" during the air-conditioning
periods for the next day. By virtue of these heat quantity
patterns, the stored thermal energy can be prevented from running
short or becoming excessive during the air-conditioning periods.
Even if the stored thermal energy runs short or becomes excessive,
the shortage or surplus of the thermal energy can be reduced. For
these reasons, it is possible to use an appropriate quantity of
electric power in producing thermal energy to be stored during the
night as well as sufficiently maintaining the amenity of the living
space. The quantity of electric power required during the cooling
or heating periods is totally covered by the quantity of stored
thermal energy, which in turn makes it possible to reduce
electricity costs to a much greater extent.
[0204] The operation control unit 18 is set so as to complete the
heat storage operations of the heat source carried out by the heat
storage operation unit 14 of the heat source in step 505
immediately before the air-conditioning periods during which a
cooling or heating operation commences. As a result, it is possible
to effectively utilize the stored thermal energy of the heat
accumulator 15 for carrying out an air-conditioning operation,
i.e., a cooling or heating operation, before the cooling energy of
ice or the heating energy of hot water stored in the heat
accumulator 15 diffuses to the outside. Therefore, it is possible
to commence air-conditioning operations using the thermal energy as
previously set, which makes it possible to prevent the quantity of
thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator 15 from running short
during the air-conditioning periods as well as sufficiently
maintaining the amenity of the living space. The same also applies
to the tenth through fourteenth embodiments which will be described
later.
[0205] With reference to FIG. 41, the example in which a power
demand curve for the next day is estimated by use of Chaos Analysis
will be described. FIG. 41 shows the previous power demand
time-sequence data and the current power demand time-sequence data.
For example, a local pattern of the previous power demand
time-sequence data, which is most analogous to a local pattern of
the current day's power demand time-sequence data obtained when the
air-conditioning operation approaches completion, is extracted. If
the local pattern of the power demand time-sequence data obtained
ten days before is most analogous to the current day's local
pattern, this local pattern is handled as candidate data for use in
Chaos Analysis. Subsequently, where a power demand curve for the
air-conditioning periods on the next day is estimated, the
time-sequence data one day after the time-sequence data obtained
ten days before, i.e., the power demand time-sequence data obtained
nine days before, are handled as the power demand curve.
[0206] Alternatively, for example, a local pattern of the previous
power demand time-sequence data, which is most analogous to a local
pattern of the power demand time-sequence data at the beginning of
the air condition operation, may be extracted. The same also
applies to the tenth to fourteenth embodiments that will be
described later.
Tenth Embodiment
[0207] FIG. 42 is a basic block diagram of a heat storage air
conditioner according to the present invention. FIG. 43 is a
flowchart for use in describing processing operations of the heat
storage air conditioner. The elements shown in FIG. 42 that are the
same as those of the previously-described ninth embodiment shown in
FIG. 38 are assigned the same reference numerals.
[0208] In FIG. 42, reference numeral 11 designates a power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit for collecting power demand
time-sequence data. Reference numeral 12 designates a power demand
curve estimating unit for estimating the power demand curve that is
obtained by subjecting the power demand time-sequence data to Chaos
Analysis, which is one example of a method of analyzing the power
demand time-sequence data. Reference numeral 13 designates thermal
energy load demand estimating unit that estimates thermal energy
load demand from the power demand curve; 14, heat storage operation
unit of a heat source that stores cooling/heating energy in a heat
accumulator 15 through a cooling/heating energy path; 16, stored
heat utilizing operation unit for utilizing the thermal energy
stored in the heat accumulator 15; 17, a cold/hot air discharger
for dissipating the thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator
15; and 18, operation control unit which has the same function as
the operation control unit of the previously-described ninth
embodiment. This operation control unit 18 controls the heat
storage operation unit 14 and the stored heat utilizing operation
unit 16. Reference numeral 19A designates cooling/heating energy
quantity calculating unit for calculating the quantity of
cooling/heating energy of the heat accumulator 15 dissipated from
the cold/hot air discharger 17. This cooling/heating energy
quantity calculating unit 19A has the function of calculating the
quantity of cooling/heating energy from the capability and
operating time of the hot/cold air discharger 17. Reference numeral
22 designates a heat-to-electric-power converter that converts the
quantity of cooling or heating energy calculated by the
cooling/heating energy quantity calculating unit 19A into the
quantity of electric power, as well as sending the thus-converted
electric power to the power demand time-sequence data collecting
unit 11.
[0209] With reference to FIG. 42, the operation of the heat storage
air conditioner of the tenth embodiment will be described on the
basis of FIG. 43. When the heat storage air conditioner starts to
operate, the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11
collects power demand time-sequence data in the time period during
which a living space is air-conditioned (step 601). The power
demand curve estimating unit 12 analyzes the power demand
time-sequence data thus collected by the power demand time-sequence
data collecting unit 11, using Chaos Analysis (step 602). As a
result, a power demand curve during the air-conditioning periods
for the next day is estimated (step 603). Subsequently, the thermal
energy load demand estimating unit 13 estimates the thermal energy
load required during the cooling or heating period for the next day
on the basis of the power demand curve estimated by the power
demand curve estimating unit 12 (step 604).
[0210] The operation control unit 18 controls the heat storage unit
14 of the heat source, on the basis of the thermal energy load
demand estimated by the thermal energy load demand estimating unit
13, so as to perform heat storage operations during the night (step
605). Then, the water previously stored in the heat accumulator 15
changes to ice using cooling energy or to hot water using heating
energy with lapse of time, whereby the resultant ice or hot water
is stored in the heat accumulator 15 (step 606).
[0211] The operation control unit 18 controls the stored heat
utilizing operation unit 16 during the air-conditioning period on
the next day on the basis of the power demand curve estimated by
the power demand curve estimating unit 12, whereby the stored
thermal energy of the heat accumulator 15 is supplied to the
cold/hot air discharger 17 through the cooling/heating energy path
(step 607). As a result, the thermal energy is dissipated from the
cold/hot air discharger 17 (step 608), which enables the living
room to be cooled or heated. The cooling/heating energy quantity
calculating unit 19A calculates the quantity of cooling energy of
ice or the quantity of heating energy of hot water supplied to the
cold/hot air discharger 17 from the capability and operating time
of the cold/hot air discharger 17 in time sequence (step 609). The
data on the quantity of cooling/heating energy calculated in time
sequence is input to the heat-to-electric-power converter 22.
Consequently, the data on the quantity of cooling/heating energy
are converted into data on the quantity of electric power by unit
of the heat-to-electric-power converter 22 (step 610). The
time-sequence data on the quantity of electric power converted by
the heat-to-electric-power converter 22 are supplied to the power
demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. The thus-received
time-sequence data are collected again as the power demand
time-sequence data in the same manner as has been previously
described in step 601. The same processing as has been previously
described is repeated hereinbelow.
[0212] Also in the heat storage air-conditioner of the tenth
embodiment, the heat quantity patterns of the night and the heat
dissipation quantity pattern of the air-conditioning periods for
the next day are determined by analysis of the previous
time-sequence data. Consequently, the stored thermal energy can be
prevented from running short or becoming excessive during the
air-conditioning periods. Even if the stored thermal energy runs
short or becomes excessive, the shortage or surplus of the thermal
energy can be reduced. For these reasons, it is possible to use an
appropriate quantity of electric power in producing thermal energy
to be stored during the night as well as sufficiently maintaining
the amenity of the living space. The quantity of electric power
required during the cooling or heating periods is totally covered
by the quantity of stored thermal energy, which in turn makes it
possible to reduce electricity costs to a much greater extent.
[0213] Furthermore, the cooling/heating energy quantity calculating
unit 19A calculates the quantity of cooling energy of ice or the
quantity of heating energy of hot water supplied to the cold/hot
air discharger 17 from the heat accumulator 15, from the capability
and operating time of the cold/hot air discharger 17 in time
sequence. Therefore, the need for a temperature sensor can be
eliminated, and the cost of the heat storage air conditioner can be
reduced accordingly.
Eleventh Embodiment
Eleventh embodiment
[0214] FIG. 44 is a basic block diagram of a heat storage air
conditioner according to the present invention. FIGS. 45 and 46 are
flowcharts for use in describing processing operations of the heat
storage air conditioner. FIG. 47 is a graph showing a composite
heat quantity pattern that is used in the heat storage air
conditioner of the present embodiment and consists of the quantity
of thermal energy defined by dissipating operation pattern A of a
heat accumulator and the quantity of thermal energy defined by
patterns B1 and B2 obtained at the time of air-conditioning
operations of a heat source. FIG. 48 is a graph showing the
dissipating operation pattern A of the heat accumulator that
corresponds to a hatched area of the composite heat quantity
pattern shown in FIG. 47. FIG. 49 is a graph showing the patterns
B1 and B2 that are obtained at the time of the air-conditioning
operations of the heat source and correspond to outlined portions
of the composite heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 47. FIG. 50 is
an example of repetitive heat quantity pattern used in the heat
storage air conditioner of the eleventh embodiment. FIG. 51 is a
graph illustrating an example of composite heat quantity pattern
including pattern A1 that uses a surplus of thermal energy. The
elements shown in FIG. 44 that are the same as those used in the
previously-described ninth embodiment shown in FIG. 38 are assigned
the same reference numerals.
[0215] In FIG. 44, reference numeral 11 designates a power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit for collecting power demand
time-sequence data. Reference numeral 12 designates a power demand
curve estimating unit for estimating the power demand curve that is
obtained by subjecting the power demand time-sequence data to Chaos
Analysis which is one example of a method of analyzing the power
demand time-sequence data. Reference numeral 23 designates a demand
control time setting unit for setting a control time period during
which thermal energy load is covered by the stored thermal energy
of the heat accumulator 15 on the basis of the power demand curve.
Reference numeral 13A designates thermal energy load demand
estimating unit that estimates thermal energy load demand of the
control time period on the basis of the time control period set by
the demand control time setting unit 23 and the power demand curve
estimated by the power demand curve estimating unit 12. Reference
numeral 14A designates operation unit of a heat source that
supplies cooling/heating energy. Reference numeral 15 designates a
heat accumulator that stores the cooling/heating energy received
from the operation unit 14A of the heat source. Reference numeral
16 designates stored heat utilizing operation unit for utilizing
the thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator 15; 17A, a
cold/hot air discharger for dissipating the thermal energy stored
in the heat accumulator 15 and/or the thermal energy received from
the operation unit 14A of the heat source; and 18A, operation
control unit controls the operation unit 14A and the stored heat
utilizing operation unit 16. The detailed function of this
operation control unit will be described later.
[0216] Reference numeral 19B designates cooling/heating energy
quantity detection unit that detects the quantity of
cooling/heating energy dissipated from the heat accumulator 15
through the cold/hot air discharger 17A, from the thermal energy
remaining in the heat accumulator 15. In the case of the thermal
energy stored in the form of ice, it is necessary to detect cooling
energy (latent heat) and heating energy (sensible heat) in order to
obtain the quantity of ice or hot water remaining in the heat
accumulator 5. In the eleventh embodiment, a water level sensor 24
is used for detecting the cooling energy (latent heat), whereas a
temperature sensor 25 is used for detecting the heating energy
(sensible heat). Specifically, the cooling/heating energy quantity
detection unit 19B detects (or calculates) the quantity of
cooling/heating energy dissipated from the heat accumulator 15
through the cold/hot air discharger 17A by comparing the residual
thermal energy of the current heat accumulator 15 detected by the
water level sensor 24 and the temperature sensor 25 with the
thermal energy load demand estimated on the previous day by the
thermal energy load demand estimating unit 13A.
[0217] Reference numeral 26 designates stored heat utilization
determination unit that determines the state of utilization of the
stored thermal energy during the control time period of the
air-conditioning periods, from the quantity of cooling/heating
energy detected by the cooling/heating energy quantity detection
unit 19B and the thermal energy load demand estimated by the
thermal energy load estimating unit 13A. The stored heat
utilization determination unit 26 sends a result of the
determination to the operation control unit 18A. Reference numeral
22 designates a heat-to-electric-power converter that converts the
quantity of cooling or heating energy detected by the
cooling/heating energy quantity calculating unit 19B into the
quantity of electric power, as well as sending the thus-converted
electric power to the power demand time-sequence data collecting
unit 11.
[0218] The operation control unit 18A has the following functions
of:
[0219] (1) controlling the operation unit 14A of the heat source
during the night to store the quantity of cooling/heating energy
corresponding to the thermal energy load demand in the heat
accumulator 15 via the cooling/heating energy path on the basis of
the thermal energy load demand estimated by the thermal energy load
demand estimating unit 13A;
[0220] (2) determining an operation pattern for use in the
air-conditioning periods on the basis of the power demand curve
estimated by the power demand curve estimating unit 12 and the
control time period set by the demand control time setting unit 23;
controlling the operation unit 14A of the heat source during the
preset time period of the air-conditioning periods so as to supply
cooling/heating energy directly to the cold/hot air discharger 17A
via the cooling/heating energy path as well as the quantity of
thermal energy dissipated from the heat source at this time to the
power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11; and controlling
the stored heat utilizing operation unit 16 during the control time
of the air-conditioning periods so as to supply the stored thermal
energy of the heat accumulator 15 directly to the cold/hot air
discharger 17A via the cooling/heating energy path; and
[0221] (3) controlling the stored heat utilizing operation unit 16
so as to perform operations utilizing a surplus of stored thermal
energy during the time period after the control time period of the
air-conditioning periods set by the demand control time setting
unit 23, when the stored heat utilization determination unit 26 has
notified the operation control unit 18A of a surplus of stored
thermal energy occurred after the dissipation of the thermal energy
from the heat accumulator 15.
[0222] With reference to FIGS. 47 through 51, the operation of the
heat storage air conditioner of the eleventh embodiment will be
described on the basis of FIGS. 45 and 46. When the heat storage
air conditioner starts to operate, the power demand time-sequence
data collecting unit 11 collects power demand time-sequence data in
the time period during which a living space is air-conditioned
(step 701). The power demand curve estimating unit 12 analyzes the
power demand time-sequence data thus collected by the power demand
time-sequence data, using Chaos Analysis (step 702). As a result, a
power demand curve during the air-conditioning periods for the next
day is estimated (step 703). Subsequently, the demand control time
setting unit 23 previously sets the control time period during
which thermal energy load is covered by the thermal energy stored
in the heat accumulator 15, to a specific time period on the basis
of the power demand curve estimated by the power demand curve
estimating unit 12 (step 704). The operation control unit 18A
determines the operation pattern (see FIG. 47) of the
air-conditioning periods on the basis of the control time period
and the estimated power demand curve (step 705). Simultaneously,
the thermal energy load demand estimating unit 13A estimates the
thermal energy load required during the cooling or heating periods
on the basis of the control time period and the estimated power
demand curve (step 706). The control time period that has been
previously set to a specific time period by the demand control time
setting unit 23 is made so as to be capable of being fixed or
changed.
[0223] The operation control unit 18A controls the operation unit
14A of the heat source so as to cause the heat source to perform
heat storage operations during the night in order to store the
quantity of thermal energy, which is equivalent to the thermal
energy load demand estimated by the thermal energy load demand
estimating unit 13A, in the heat accumulator 15 through the
cooling/heating energy path (step 707). Then, the water previously
stored in the heat accumulator 15 changes to ice using cooling
energy or to hot water using heating energy with lapse of time,
whereby the resultant ice or hot water is stored in the heat
accumulator 15 (step 708).
[0224] During the air-conditioning periods on the next day, the
operation unit 14A of the heat source is initially controlled in
accordance with pattern B1 (see FIG. 47) of the operation patterns
determined by the operation control unit 18A so as to cause the
heat source to perform operations (step 709). The cooling/heating
energy of by the heat source is directly supplied to the cold/hot
air discharger 17A through the cooling/heating energy path (step
710). The power demand time-sequence data of the heat source are
supplied to the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11.
Consequently, the cooling/heating energy received from the heat
source is dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger 17A (step
711), thereby making it possible to cool or heat the living space.
The direct supply of cooling/heating energy to the cold/hot air
discharger 17A from the heat source is carried out immediately
before the control time period within the air-conditioning period,
as shown in FIG. 47. The supply of cooling/heating energy is
temporarily suspended when the time control period commences.
[0225] When the control time period commences, the operation
control unit 18A controls the stored heat utilizing operation unit
16 according to the pattern A of the operation patterns (see FIG.
47) so as to carry out dissipating operations (step 712). The
cooling/heating energy of the heat accumulator 15 is supplied to
the cold/hot air discharger 17A via the cooling/heating path (step
713). As a result, the cooling/heating energy received from the
heat accumulator 15 is dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger
17A (step 714), thereby making it possible to cool or heat the
living space. The cooling/heating energy detection unit 19B
detects, in time sequence, the quantity of cooling energy of ice or
heating energy of hot water supplied to the cold/hot air discharger
17A, from the residual thermal energy (cooling or heating energy)
of the current heat accumulator 15 detected by the water level
sensor 24 and the temperature 25 and the thermal energy load demand
estimated on the previous day by the thermal energy load demand
estimating unit 13A (step 715). The data on the cooling/heating
energy detected in time sequence are input to the
heat-to-electric-power converter 22. The data on the
cooling/heating energy are converted into the data on the quantity
of electric power by the heat-to-electric-power converter 22 (step
716). The time-sequence data on the quantity of electric power
converted by the heat-to-electric-power converter 22 are supplied
to the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. The
thus-output time-sequence data are collected again as power demand
time-sequence data in the same manner as previously described in
step 701.
[0226] When the control time period terminates, the control
operation unit 18A stops the dissipating operations of the stored
heat utilizing operation unit 16. The control operation unit 18A
again controls the operation unit 14A of the heat source according
to pattern B2 (see FIG. 47) of the operation patterns so as to
cause the heat source to perform operations. The cooling/heating
energy of the heat source is directly supplied to the cold/hot air
discharger 17A through the cooling/heating energy path. The
time-sequence data on the quantity of electric power dissipated
from the heat source at this time are supplied to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. Consequently, the
cooling/heating energy received again from the heat source is
dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger 17A, thereby making it
possible to cool or heat the living space. The re-supply of
cooling/heating energy to the cold/hot air discharger 17A from the
thermal-air discharger is carried out until the air-conditioning
periods shown in FIG. 47 complete. The supply of cooling/heating
energy is terminated when the time control period completes.
[0227] A resident of the living space often sets the temperature of
a room to a lower level at the time of air-conditioning operations.
In this case, the thermal energy load actually used in
air-conditioning operations becomes smaller than the thermal energy
load demand previously estimated by the thermal energy load demand
estimating unit 13A. As a result, there arises a surplus of the
stored thermal energy after the dissipation of the thermal energy
of the heat accumulator 15. For this reason, the stored heat
utilization determination unit 26 determines the state of
utilization of the stored thermal energy during the control time
period of the air-conditioning periods, from the quantity of
cooling/heating energy detected by the cooling/heating energy
quantity detection unit 19B and the thermal energy load demand
estimated by the thermal energy load estimating unit 13A (step
717). If there is a surplus of stored thermal energy after the
dissipation of the stored thermal energy of the heat accumulator 15
(step 718), the operation control unit 18A is notified of the
surplus of stored thermal energy. Upon notification of the surplus
of stored thermal energy of the heat accumulator 15 by the stored
heat utilization determination unit 26, the operation control unit
18A sets pattern A1 regarding a dissipating operation which
utilizes the surplus of stored thermal energy, in the remaining
time period after the control time period of the air-conditioning
periods set by the demand control time setting unit 23, as shown in
FIG. 51. The operation control unit 18A controls the stored heat
utilization determination unit 16 so as to perform dissipating
operations based on the pattern A1 together with the
air-conditioning operation (pattern B2) of the heat source (step
719). The surplus of stored thermal energy of the heat accumulator
15 is supplied to the cold/hot air discharger 17A via the
cooling/heating energy path (step 720). The surplus of stored
cooling/heating energy received from the heat accumulator 15 is
dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger 17A (step 721). The
thus-dissipated cooling/heating energy is utilized in cooling or
heating the living space. It goes without saying that the load of
pattern B2 placed on the heat source during the air-conditioning
periods is mitigated as a result of the dissipating operation that
is carried out together with the air-conditioning operation with
use of the surplus of stored thermal energy (pattern A1).
[0228] If it has been determined in step 718 that there is not any
surplus of stored thermal energy after the dissipation of thermal
energy from the heat accumulator 15, return to step 702 takes
place. The power demand curve estimating unit 12 again analyzes the
power demand time-sequence data collected by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11.
[0229] The surplus of stored thermal energy received from the heat
accumulator 15 is dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger 17A
in step 721, return to step 715 takes place. The cooling/heating
energy quantity detection unit 19B detects, in time sequence, the
quantity of cooling energy of ice or heating energy of hot water
that corresponds to the surplus of stored thermal energy supplied
to the cold/hot air discharger 17A. The quantity of cooling/heating
energy that corresponds to the surplus of stored thermal energy and
has been detected in time sequence is converted into the data on
the quantity of electric power in step 716. The thus-converted data
are supplied to the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit
11 and are collected again as the power demand time-sequence data.
The same processing as has been previously described is repeated
hereinbelow.
[0230] In the repetitive heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 50,
heat storage quantity pattern "a" corresponds to heat dissipation
quantity pattern "b" during an air-conditioning period on the next
day. Further, heat storage quantity pattern "c" corresponds to heat
dissipation quantity pattern "d" during the an air-conditioning
period on the next day. By virtue of these heat quantity patterns,
the stored thermal energy can be prevented from running short or
becoming excessive during the air-conditioning periods. Even if the
stored thermal energy runs short or becomes excessive, the shortage
or surplus of the thermal energy can be reduced. Furthermore, if
there arises a surplus of stored thermal energy, that surplus of
stored thermal energy can be effectively utilized at the time of
air-conditioning operations without natural diffusion of the
surplus of stored thermal energy to the outside. For these reasons,
it is possible to use an appropriate quantity of electric power in
producing thermal energy to be stored during the night as well as
sufficiently maintaining the amenity of the living space. Further,
the operations of the heat source are completely stopped during the
control time period within the cooling or heating periods during
which thermal energy load is covered by only the quantity of
thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator 15. Consequently, the
running costs of the heat source are reduced, which in turn makes
it possible to reduce electricity costs.
[0231] The above embodiment has been described on the basis of an
example of dissipating operation that utilizes the surplus of
stored thermal energy, that is, the pattern A1 that utilizes a
surplus of stored thermal energy during the remaining time period
after the control time period of the air-conditioning periods while
averaging it. However, the present invention is not limited to this
embodiment. For example, the time period, during which dissipating
operations are carried out using a surplus of stored thermal
energy, is set to a specific time period within the remaining time
period after the control time period of the air-conditioning
operations. It is also possible to dissipate all of the surplus of
stored thermal energy at one time during that specific time period.
If the dissipating operation, in which all of the surplus of stored
thermal energy is dissipated at one time, is employed, it goes
without saying that the operations of the heat source are
completely suspended during the time period of the dissipating
operation that uses the surplus of stored thermal energy.
Twelfth Embodiment
[0232] FIG. 52 is a graph illustrating an example of composite heat
quantity pattern that is used in a heat storage air conditioner
according to the present invention and includes the quantity of
thermal energy defined by dissipating operation pattern A of the
heat accumulator and the quantity of thermal energy defined by the
air-conditioning operation pattern B of the heat source. FIG. 53 is
a graph showing the dissipating operation pattern A of the heat
accumulator that corresponds to a hatched portion of the composite
heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 52. FIG. 54 is a graph showing
the air-conditioning operation pattern B of the heat source that
corresponds to an outlined portion of the composite heat quantity
pattern shown in FIG. 52. FIG. 55 is a graph illustrating an
example of repetitive heat quantity pattern used in the heat
storage air conditioner of the twelfth embodiment. FIG. 56 is a
graph illustrating an example of composite heat quantity pattern
including the pattern A1 that uses a surplus of thermal energy. The
heat storage air conditioner of the twelfth embodiment has
basically the same configuration as that of the previously
described eleventh embodiment shown in FIG. 44. Therefore, FIG. 44
will be referred to during the course of the description of the
present embodiment.
[0233] The heat storage air conditioner of the twelfth embodiment
is different from that of the previously described eleventh
embodiment in the following points: Specifically, the demand
control time setting unit 23 sets the control time period during
which thermal energy load is covered by the thermal energy of the
heat accumulator 15 on the basis of the power demand curve
estimated by the power demand curve estimating unit 12 shown in
FIG. 44. This demand control time setting unit 23 is arranged so as
to set a threshold value on the power demand curve as well as
setting the control time period in the time period during which the
power demand curve is in excess of the threshold value.
Furthermore, if there is a surplus of stored thermal energy, the
operation control unit 18A sets the pattern A1 regarding the
dissipating operations that uses a surplus of stored thermal
energy, in a specific time period within the remaining time period
after the control time period of the air-condition periods, as
shown in FIG. 56. All of the surplus of stored thermal energy is
dissipated at one time during that specific time period. The
operations of the heat source are completely suspended during the
time period of the dissipating operation that uses the surplus of
stored thermal energy. The control time period is arranged so as to
be capable of being fixed or changed when the demand control time
setting unit 23 sets the threshold value on the power demand
curve.
[0234] By unit of the demand control setting unit 23 that sets the
above-described control time period, the repetitive heat quantity
pattern as shown in FIG. 55 is obtained. In the repetitive heat
quantity pattern shown in FIG. 55, heat storage quantity pattern
"a" corresponds to heat dissipation quantity pattern "b" obtained
during the control time period during which the power demand curve
exceed a threshold value in the air-conditioning period on the next
day. Further, heat storage quantity pattern "c" corresponds to heat
dissipation quantity pattern "d" obtained during the control time
period during which the power demand curve exceeds a threshold
value in the air-conditioning period on the next day. By virtue of
these heat quantity patterns, the operations of the heat source can
be completely stopped during the control time period during which
thermal energy load is covered by the stored thermal energy of the
heat accumulator in the extent in which the power demand curve does
not exceed the threshold value. Hence, the contract power demand
required during the cooling or heating periods can be reduced,
which makes it possible to reduce electricity costs. Furthermore,
the stored thermal energy can be prevented from running short or
becoming excessive during the control time period of the
air-conditioning periods. For example, even if the stored thermal
energy runs short or becomes excessive, the shortage or surplus of
the thermal energy can be reduced. Furthermore, if there arises a
surplus of stored thermal energy, that surplus of stored thermal
energy can be effectively utilized at the time of air-conditioning
operations without natural diffusion of the surplus of stored
thermal energy to the outside. For these reasons, it is possible to
use an appropriate quantity of electric power in producing thermal
energy to be stored during the night as well as sufficiently
maintaining the amenity of the living space.
[0235] The dissipating operation that uses a surplus of stored
thermal energy has been described in the above embodiment.
Specifically, the pattern A1 is used as an example of dissipating
operation, wherein a surplus of stored thermal energy is dissipated
at one time during a specific time period in the remaining time
period after the control time of the air-conditioning period.
However, the surplus of stored thermal energy may be utilized while
being averaged, during the remaining time period after the control
time period of the air-conditioning period, in the same manner as
previously described in the eleventh embodiment shown in FIG.
51.
Thirteenth Embodiment
[0236] FIG. 57 is a graph illustrating a repetitive heat quantity
pattern used in a heat storage air conditioner according to the
present invention. FIG. 58 is a graph illustrating an example of
composite heat quantity pattern including dissipating operation
pattern A3 that uses a surplus of thermal energy. Also in the
thirteenth embodiment, the heat storage air conditioner has
basically the same configuration as that of the previously
described eleventh embodiment shown in FIG. 44. Therefore, FIG. 44
will be referred to during the course of the description of the
present embodiment.
[0237] The heat storage air conditioner of the thirteenth
embodiment is different from that of the previously described
eleventh and twelfth embodiments in the following points:
Specifically, the demand control time setting unit 23 sets the
control time period during which thermal energy load is covered by
the thermal energy of the heat accumulator 15 on the basis of the
power demand curve estimated by the power demand curve estimating
unit 12 shown in FIG. 44. This demand control time setting unit 23
is arranged so as to set a threshold value on the power demand
curve as well as setting the control time period in the time period
during which the power demand curve is in excess of the threshold
value. Furthermore, if there is a surplus of stored thermal energy,
the operation control unit 18A sets the pattern A3 regarding the
dissipating operations that uses a surplus of stored thermal
energy, in a specific time period within the remaining time period
after the control period of the air-condition periods, i.e., a
specific time period within the remaining time period after the
time period during which the power demand curve is in excess the
threshold value for the air-conditioning operations, as shown in
FIG. 58. All of the surplus of stored thermal energy is dissipated
at one time during that specific time period. The operations of the
heat source are completely suspended during the time period of the
dissipating operation that uses the surplus of stored thermal
energy. The control time period is arranged so as to be capable of
being fixed or changed when the demand control time setting unit 23
sets the threshold value on the power demand curve.
[0238] Hatched area A1 of the composite heat quantity pattern shown
in FIG. 58 designates a dissipating operation pattern of the heat
accumulator during the control time period that has previously been
set to a specific time period. Hatched area A2 designates a
dissipating operation pattern of the heat accumulator during the
control time period set in the time period during which the power
demand curve is in excess of the threshold value. Hatched area A3
designates a pattern regarding dissipating operations that use a
surplus of stored thermal energy. Outlined areas B1 and B2 of the
composite thermal energy quantity pattern respectively designate
operation patterns at the time of the air-conditioning operations
of the heat source.
[0239] By unit of the demand control setting unit 23 that sets the
above-described control time period, the repetitive heat quantity
pattern as shown in FIG. 57 is obtained. In the repetitive heat
quantity pattern shown in FIG. 57, heat storage quantity pattern
"a" corresponds to heat dissipation quantity patterns "b1" and "b2"
obtained during the air-conditioning period on the next day.
Further, heat storage quantity pattern "c" corresponds to heat
dissipation quantity patterns "d1" and "d2" obtained during the
air-conditioning period on the next day. By virtue of these heat
quantity patterns, the stored thermal energy can be prevented from
running short or becoming excessive during the control time period
of the air-conditioning periods. For example, even if the stored
thermal energy runs short or becomes excessive, the shortage or
surplus of the thermal energy can be reduced. Furthermore, if there
arises a surplus of stored thermal energy, that surplus of stored
thermal energy can be effectively utilized at the time of
air-conditioning operations without natural diffusion of the
surplus of stored thermal energy to the outside. For these reasons,
it is possible to use an appropriate quantity of electric power in
producing thermal energy to be stored during the night as well as
sufficiently maintaining the amenity of the living space. Hence,
the contract power demand required during the cooling or heating
periods can be reduced, which makes it possible to reduce
electricity costs.
[0240] The dissipating operation that uses a surplus of stored
thermal energy has been described in the above embodiment.
Specifically, the pattern A3 is used as an example of dissipating
operation, wherein a surplus of stored thermal energy is dissipated
at one time during a specific period within the remaining time
period after the time period during which the power demand curve is
in excess of the threshold value for the air-conditioning
operations. However, the surplus of stored thermal energy may be
utilized while being averaged, during the remaining time period
after the control time period during which the power demand curve
is in excess of the threshold value for air-conditioning
operations, in the same manner as previously described in the
eleventh embodiment shown in FIG. 51.
Fourteenth Embodiment
[0241] FIG. 59 is a block diagram of a heat storage air conditioner
according to the present invention. FIGS. 60 and 61 are flowcharts
for use in describing processing operations of the heat storage air
conditioner. In FIG. 59, the same elements as those of the
previously-described eleventh embodiment shown in FIG. 44 are
assigned the same reference numerals. Also in the fourteenth
embodiment, the heat storage air conditioner has the function of
being capable of setting the operation pattern to various forms by
changing the control time period using the demand control time
setting unit. This function is the same as that previously
described in the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth embodiments.
Consequently, details of the setting of the operation pattern will
be omitted here. Furthermore, the heat storage air conditioner has
the function of being capable of setting the dissipating operation
pattern to various forms that utilize a surplus of stored thermal
energy by unit of the operation control unit. This function is the
same as that previously described in the eleventh, twelfth, and
thirteenth embodiments. Consequently, details of the setting of
dissipating operation pattern that utilizes a surplus of stored
thermal energy will also be omitted here.
[0242] In FIG. 59, reference numeral 11 designates a power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit for collecting power demand
time-sequence data. Reference numeral 12 designates a power demand
curve estimating unit for estimating a power demand curve that is
obtained by subjecting the power demand time-sequence data received
from the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11 to
Chaos Analysis which is one example of a method of analyzing the
power demand time-sequence data. Reference numeral 23 designates a
demand control time setting unit for setting a control time period
during which thermal energy load is covered by the stored thermal
energy of the heat accumulator 15 on the basis of the power demand
curve. The demand control time setting unit has the function of
being capable of setting the operation pattern to various forms.
Reference numeral 13A designates thermal energy load demand
estimating unit that estimates thermal energy load demand of the
control time period on the basis of the time control period set by
the demand control time setting unit 23 and the power demand curve
estimated by the power demand curve estimating unit 12. Reference
numeral 14A designates operation unit of a heat source that
supplies cooling/heating energy. Reference numeral 15 designates a
heat accumulator that stores the cooling/heating energy received
from the operation unit 14A of the heat source. Reference numeral
16 designates stored heat utilizing operation unit for utilizing
the thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator 15; and 17A, a
cold/hot air discharger for dissipating the thermal energy stored
in the heat accumulator 15 and/or the thermal energy received from
the operation unit 14A of the heat source. Reference numeral 18A
designates operation control unit for controlling the operation
unit 14A and the stored heat utilizing operation unit 16. This
operation control unit 18A also has the function of being capable
of setting the dissipating operation pattern to various forms that
utilize a surplus of stored thermal energy. In short, the operation
control unit 18A has the functions (1), (2), and (3) previously
described in the eleventh embodiment.
[0243] Reference numeral 19C designates cooling/heating energy
quantity calculating unit that calculates the quantity of
cooling/heating energy dissipated from the heat accumulator 15
through the cold/hot air discharger 17A, from the capability and
operating time of the stored heat utilizing operation unit 16.
Reference numeral 26 designates stored heat utilization
determination unit that determines the state of utilization of the
stored thermal energy during the control time period of the
air-conditioning periods, from the quantity of cooling/heating
energy calculated by the cooling/heating energy quantity
calculating unit 19C and the thermal energy load demand estimated
by the thermal energy load estimating unit 13A. The stored heat
utilization determination unit 26 sends a result of the
determination to the operation control unit 18A. Reference numeral
22 designates a heat-to-electric-power converter that converts the
quantity of cooling or heating energy calculated by the
cooling/heating energy quantity calculating unit 19C into the
quantity of electric- power, as well as sending the thus-converted
electric power to the power demand time-sequence data collecting
unit 11.
[0244] With reference to FIG. 59, the operation of the heat storage
air conditioner of the fourteenth embodiment will be described on
the basis of FIGS. 60 and 61. The present embodiment will be
described on the basis of the assumption that the air-conditioning
operation pattern is set to the pattern shown in FIG. 47, and that
the dissipation operation pattern that uses a surplus of stored
thermal energy is set to the pattern shown in FIG. 51. When the
heat storage air conditioner starts to operate, the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11 collects power demand
time-sequence data in the time period during which a living space
is air-conditioned (step 801). The power demand curve estimating
unit 12 analyzes the power demand time-sequence data thus collected
by the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11, using
Chaos Analysis (step 802). As a result, a power demand curve during
the air-conditioning period on the next day is estimated (step
803). Subsequently, the demand control time setting unit 23
previously sets the control time period during which thermal energy
load is covered by the thermal energy stored in the heat
accumulator 15, to a specific time period on the basis of the power
demand curve estimated by the power demand curve estimating unit 12
(step 804). The operation control unit 18A determines the operation
pattern (see FIG. 47) of the air-conditioning periods on the basis
of the control time period and the estimated power demand curve
(step 805). Simultaneously, the thermal energy load demand
estimating unit 13A estimates thermal energy load on the basis of
the control time period and the estimated power demand curve (step
806). The control time period that has been previously set to a
specific time period by the demand control time setting unit 23 is
made so as to be capable of being fixed or changed.
[0245] The operation control unit 18A controls the operation unit
14A of the heat source so as to cause the heat source to perform
storage operations during the night in order to store the quantity
of thermal energy, which is equivalent to the thermal energy load
demand estimated by the thermal energy load demand estimating unit
13A, in the heat accumulator 15 through the cooling/heating energy
path (step 807). Then, the water previously stored in the heat
accumulator 15 changes to ice using cooling energy or to hot water
using heating energy with lapse of time, whereby the resultant ice
or hot water is stored in the heat accumulator 15 (step 808).
[0246] During the air-conditioning periods on the next day, the
operation unit 14A of the heat source is initially controlled in
accordance with pattern B1 (see FIG. 47) of the operation patterns
determined by the operation control unit 18A so as to cause the
heat source to perform operations (step 809). The cooling/heating
energy of the heat source is directly supplied to the cold/hot air
discharger 17A through the cooling/heating energy path (step 810).
The time-sequence data on the quantity of electric power dissipated
from the heat source at this time are supplied to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. Consequently, the
cooling/heating energy received from the heat source is dissipated
from the cold/hot air discharger 17A (step 811), thereby making it
possible to cool or heat the living space. The direct supply of
cooling/heating energy to the cold/hot air discharger 17A from the
heat source is carried out immediately before the control time
period within the air-conditioning period, as shown in FIG. 47. The
supply of cooling/heating energy is temporarily suspended when the
time control period commences.
[0247] When the control time period commences, the operation
control unit 18A controls the stored heat utilizing operation unit
16 according to the pattern A of the operation patterns (see FIG.
47) so as to carry out dissipating operations (step 812). The
cooling/heating energy of the heat accumulator 15 is supplied to
the cold/hot air discharger 17A via the cooling/heating path (step
813). As a result, the cooling/heating energy received from the
heat accumulator 15 is dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger
17A (step 814), thereby making it possible to cool or heat the
living space. The cooling/heating energy calculating unit 19C
calculates, in time sequence, the quantity of cooling energy of ice
or heating energy of hot water supplied to the cold/hot air
discharger 17A, from the capability and operating time of the
stored heat utilization unit 16 (step 815). The data on the
cooling/heating energy calculated in time sequence are input to the
heat-to-electric-power converter 22. The data on the
cooling/heating energy are converted into the data on the quantity
of electric power by the heat-to-electric-power converter 22 (step
816). The time-sequence data on the quantity of electric power
converted by the heat-to-electric-power converter 22 are supplied
to the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 11. The
thus-output time-sequence data are collected again as power demand
time-sequence data in the same manner as previously described in
step 801.
[0248] When the control time period terminates, the control
operation unit 18A stops the dissipating operations of the stored
heat utilizing operation unit 16. The control operation unit 18A
again controls the operation unit 14A of the heat source according
to pattern B2 (see FIG. 47) of the operation patterns so as to
cause the heat source to perform operations. The cooling/heating
energy of the heat source is directly supplied to the cold/hot air
discharger 17A through the cooling/heating energy path. The
time-sequence data on the quantity of electric power dissipated
from the heat source at this time are supplied to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11. Consequently, the
cooling/heating energy received again from the heat source is
dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger 17A, thereby making it
possible to cool or heat the living space. The re-supply of
cooling/heating energy to the cold/hot air discharger 17A from the
thermal-air discharger is carried out until the air-conditioning
periods shown in FIG. 47 complete. The supply of cooling/heating
energy is terminated when the time control period completes.
[0249] The stored heat utilization determination unit 26 determines
the state of utilization of the stored thermal energy during the
control time period of the air-conditioning periods, from the
quantity of cooling/heating energy calculated by the
cooling/heating energy quantity calculating unit 19C and the
thermal energy load demand estimated by the thermal energy load
estimating unit 13A (step 817). If there is a surplus of stored
thermal energy after the dissipation of the stored thermal energy
of the heat accumulator 15 (step 818), the operation control unit
18A is notified of the surplus of stored thermal energy. Upon
notification of the surplus of stored thermal energy of the heat
accumulator 15 by the stored heat utilization determination unit
26, the operation control unit 18A sets pattern A1 (see FIG. 51)
regarding a dissipating operation which utilizes the surplus of
stored thermal energy, in the remaining time period after the
control time period of the air-conditioning periods set by the
demand control time setting unit 23. The operation control unit 18A
controls the stored heat utilization determination unit 16 so as to
perform dissipating operations based on the pattern A1 together
with the air-conditioning operation (pattern B2) of the heat source
(step 819). The surplus of stored thermal energy of the heat
accumulator 15 is supplied to the cold/hot air discharger 17A via
the cooling/heating energy path (step 820). The surplus of stored
cooling/heating energy received from the heat accumulator 15 is
dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger 17A (step 821). The
thus-dissipated cooling/heating energy is utilized in cooling or
heating the living space.
[0250] If it has been determined in step 818 that there is not any
surplus of stored thermal energy after the dissipation of thermal
energy from the heat accumulator 15, return to step 802 takes
place. The power demand curve estimating unit 12 again analyzes the
power demand time-sequence data collected by the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11, using Chaos Analysis.
[0251] The surplus of stored thermal energy received from the heat
accumulator 15 is dissipated from the cold/hot air discharger 17A
in step 821, return to step 815 takes place. The cooling/heating
energy quantity calculating unit 19C calculates, in time sequence,
the quantity of cooling energy of ice or heating energy of hot
water that corresponds to the surplus of stored thermal energy
supplied to the cold/hot air discharger 17A. The quantity of
cooling/heating energy that corresponds to the surplus of stored
thermal energy and has been calculated in time sequence, is
converted into the data on the quantity of electric power in step
816. The thus-converted data are supplied to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 11 and are collected again as
the power demand time-sequence data. The same processing as has
been previously described is repeated hereinbelow.
[0252] A control time period during which heat demand is covered by
the stored thermal energy of the heat accumulator is set on the
basis of the power demand curve that is obtained as a result of
analysis of previous power demand time-sequence data. Thermal
energy load demand required during the control time period is
estimated on the basis of the power demand curve and the control
time period. The control operation unit 18A controls the operation
unit 14A and the stored heat utilizing operation unit 16 on the
basis of the power demand curve and the control time period,
whereby the stored thermal energy of the heat accumulator 15 and/or
the thermal energy of the heat source are dissipated from the
cold/hot air discharger 17A. For these reasons, it is possible to
use an appropriate quantity of electric power in producing thermal
energy to be stored during the night as well as sufficiently
maintaining the amenity of the living space. Further, the stored
thermal energy can be prevented from running short or becoming
excessive during the air-conditioning periods. Even if the stored
thermal energy runs short or becomes excessive, the shortage or
surplus of the thermal energy can be reduced.
[0253] The stored thermal energy utilization determination unit 26
determines whether or not there is a surplus of stored thermal
energy after the dissipation of stored thermal energy of the heat
accumulator 15 during the control time period at the time of
air-conditioning operation. Therefore, if there arises a surplus of
stored thermal energy, that surplus of stored thermal energy can be
effectively utilized at the time of air-conditioning operations
without natural diffusion of the surplus of stored thermal energy
to the outside. Consequently, the amenity of the living space can
be sufficiently maintained.
[0254] The cooling/heating energy calculating unit 19C calculates
the quantity of cooling energy of ice or heating energy of hot
water supplied to the cold/hot air discharger 17A from the heat
accumulator 15, from the capability and operating time of the
stored heat utilization unit 16. Consequently, the need for a
temperature sensor and a water level sensor can be eliminated, and
the cost of the heat storage air conditioner can be reduced
accordingly.
[0255] The eleventh through fourteenth embodiments have previously
been described, using an example of operation pattern for
air-conditioning operation purposes, wherein the heat source starts
to operate first at the beginning of the air-conditioning
operation. However, it is also possible to adopt an operation
pattern in which a heat accumulator performs dissipating operations
first at the beginning of the air-conditioning operation. Such an
operation pattern is particularly effective as a heating pattern
for use in the winter season.
[0256] The previously-described ninth through fourteenth
embodiments have been described on the basis of the example of a
cooling/heating system that utilizes the thermal energy stored in
the form of ice. However, it goes without saying that the present
invention can be applied to a system which utilizes the thermal
energy stored in the form of water (i.e., a system which stores
cooling energy in the form of cold water) or a cooling-only
system.
[0257] The previously-described ninth through fourteenth
embodiments have been described on the basis of the example in
which Chaos Analysis is used as a method of estimating a power
demand curve for the next day by analyzing the previous power
demand time-sequence data. Needless to say, the power demand curve
on the next day may be estimated by use of a neural network.
Fifteenth Embodiment
[0258] With reference to FIGS. 62 through 65, a heat storage air
conditioner of the present invention and a heat storage estimating
method of the present invention will be described. FIG. 62 is a
block diagram of a heat storage air conditioner according to a
fifteenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 63 is a
flowchart for describing a heat storage estimating method as well
as the processing and operations of the heat storage air
conditioner of the fifteenth embodiment. FIG. 64 is an example of
repetitive heat quantity pattern used in the heat storage air
conditioner of the fifteenth embodiment. FIG. 65 is a graph showing
time-sequence data for use in describing a method of estimating a
power demand curve for the next day.
[0259] In FIG. 62, reference numeral 51 designates a power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit for collecting power demand
time-sequence data; 52 designates a power demand curve estimating
unit for estimating the power demand curve obtained by adoption of
Chaos Analysis, which is one example of a method of analyzing the
power demand time-sequence data; 53 designates thermal energy load
demand estimating unit that estimates thermal energy load demand
from the power demand curve; 54 designates heat storage operation
unit of a heat source that stores the quantity of thermal energy
equivalent to the thermal energy load demand in a heat accumulator
55 through a cooling/heating energy path 63; 56 designates a
cold/hot air discharger for discharging the thermal energy stored
in the heat accumulator 55; and 57 designates a cooling/heating
energy quantity detection unit for detecting the quantity of
cooling/heating energy discharged from the cold/hot air discharger
56. The quantity of cooling/heating energy discharged from the
cold/hot air discharger 56 is detected by unit of, e.g., a
temperature sensor and a timer. Reference numeral 58 designates a
heat-to-electric-power converter that converts the quantity of
cooling or heating energy into the quantity of electric power.
Reference numeral 62 designates an information signal path.
[0260] With reference to FIGS. 62 and 64, the operation of the heat
storage air conditioner and the heat storage estimating method of
the fifteenth embodiment will be described on the basis of FIG. 63.
When the heat storage air conditioner starts to operate, the power
demand time-sequence data collecting unit 51 collects power demand
time-sequence data in the time period during which a living space
is air-conditioned (step 901). The power demand curve estimating
unit 52 analyzes the power demand time-sequence data thus collected
by the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 51 using
Chaos Analysis (step 902), whereby a power demand curve during the
air-conditioning periods of the next day is estimated (step 903).
The thermal energy load demand estimating unit 53 estimates the
thermal energy load required during the cooling or heating periods
of the next day, on the basis of the power demand curve estimated
by the power demand curve estimating unit 52 (step 904).
[0261] The heat storage operation unit 54 of the heat source
carries out the heat storage operation of the heat source in order
to store the quantity of thermal energy, which is equivalent to the
thermal energy load demand estimated by the thermal energy load
demand estimating unit 53, in the heat accumulator 55 through the
cooling/heating energy path 63 during the night (step 905). Then,
the water previously stored in the heat accumulator 55 changes to
ice using cooling energy or to hot water using heating energy with
lapse of time, whereby the resultant ice or hot water is stored in
the heat accumulator 55 (step 906).
[0262] The cooling energy of ice or the heating energy of hot water
stored in the heat accumulator 55 is supplied to the cold/hot air
discharger 56 through the cooling/heating energy path 63 during the
air-conditioning periods of the next day (step 907). As a result,
the thermal energy is discharged from the cold/hot air discharger
56 (step 908), which enables the living room to be cooled or
heated. Gas or a liquid is used as a medium for transmitting the
cooling energy of ice or the heating energy of hot water stored in
the heat accumulator 55 to the cold/hot air discharger 56. The same
also applies to sixteenth to nineteenth embodiments which will be
described later. The cooling/heating energy quantity detection unit
57 detects the quantity of cooling energy of ice or the quantity of
heating energy of hot water supplied to the cold/hot air discharger
56, in time sequence by unit of a temperature sensor and a timer
(neither of them is shown in the drawings) (step 909). The data on
the quantity of cooling/heating energy detected in time sequence is
input to the heat-to-electric-power converter 58. Consequently, the
data on the quantity of cooling/heating energy is converted into
data on the quantity of electric power by unit of the
heat-to-electric-power converter 58 (step 910). The time-sequence
data on the quantity of electric power converted by the
heat-to-electric-power converter 58 are supplied to the power
demand time-sequence data collecting unit 51. The thus-received
time-sequence data are collected again as the power demand
time-sequence data in the same manner as has been previously
described in step 901. The same processing as has been previously
described is repeated hereinbelow.
[0263] The data on the quantity of thermal energy input to the
heat-to-electric-power converter 58 may be the quantity of thermal
energy that is obtained by thermally converting the quantity of ice
or hot water in the heat accumulator 55. In short, the data on the
quantity of cooling/heating energy can be obtained by reverse
operation of the residual thermal energy that results from thermal
conversion of the quantity of ice or hot water remaining in the
heat accumulator 55. This example will be described more
specifically in the seventeenth to nineteenth embodiments which
will be described later.
[0264] In the repetitive heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 64,
heat storage quantity pattern "a" corresponds to heat quantity
pattern "b" during air-conditioning periods of the next day.
Further, heat storage quantity pattern "c" corresponds to heat
quantity pattern "d" during the air-conditioning periods of the
next day. By virtue of these heat quantity patterns, the stored
thermal energy is prevented from running short or becoming
excessive during the air-conditioning periods. For these reasons,
it is possible to use an appropriate quantity of electric power in
producing thermal energy to be stored during the night as well as
to sufficiently maintain the amenity of the living space. The
quantity of electric power required during the cooling or heating
periods is totally covered by the quantity of stored thermal
energy, which in turn makes it possible to reduce electricity costs
to a much greater extent.
[0265] In step 905, the heat storage operation unit 54 of the heat
source is set so as to complete the heat storage operation of the
heat source immediately before the air-conditioning periods during
which a cooling or heating operation is started. As a result, it is
possible to effectively utilize the stored thermal energy of the
heat accumulator 55 for carrying out an air-conditioning operation,
i.e., a cooling or heating operation, before the cooling energy of
ice or the heating energy of hot water stored in the heat
accumulator 55 diffuses to the outside. Therefore, the quantity of
thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator 55 is prevented from
running short during the air-conditioning periods, which in turn
enables the amenity of the living space to be sufficiently
maintained. The same applies to the sixteenth to nineteenth
embodiments which will be described later.
[0266] With reference to FIG. 65, the example in which a power
demand curve for the next day is estimated by use of Chaos Analysis
will be described. FIG. 65 shows the previous power demand
time-sequence data and the current power demand time-sequence
data.
[0267] In FIG. 65, for example, a local pattern of the previous
power demand time-sequence data, which is most analogous to a local
pattern of the current day's power demand time-sequence data
obtained when the air-conditioning operation approaches completion,
is extracted. If the local pattern of the power demand
time-sequence data obtained ten days before is most analogous to
the current day's local pattern, this local pattern is handled as a
candidate for use in Chaos Analysis. Subsequently, where a power
demand curve for the air-conditioning periods of the next day is
estimated, the time-sequence data one day after the time-sequence
data obtained ten days before, i.e., the power demand time-sequence
data obtained nine days before, are handled as the power demand
curve.
[0268] Alternatively, for example, a local pattern of the previous
power demand time-sequence data, which is most analogous to a local
pattern of the power demand time-sequence data at the beginning of
the air condition operation, may be extracted. The same also
applies to the sixteenth to nineteenth embodiments that will be
described later.
Sixteenth Embodiment
[0269] With reference to FIGS. 66 and 67, a heat storage air
conditioner of the present invention and a heat storage estimating
method of the present invention will be described. FIG. 66 is a
block diagram of the heat storage air conditioner of the sixteenth.
FIG. 67 is a flowchart for describing the heat storage estimating
method for use in the heat storage air conditioner as well as the
processing and operations of the heat storage air conditioner. The
elements shown in FIG. 66 that are the same as those used in the
previously-described fifteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 62 are
assigned the same reference numerals.
[0270] In FIG. 66, reference numeral 51 designates a power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit for collecting power demand
time-sequence data; 52 designates a power demand curve estimating
unit for estimating the power demand curve obtained by adoption of
Chaos Analysis, which is one example of a method of analyzing the
power demand time-sequence data; 53 designates thermal energy load
demand estimating unit that estimates thermal energy load demand
from the power demand curve; 54 designates heat storage operation
unit of the heat source that stores the quantity of thermal energy
equivalent to the thermal energy load demand in a heat accumulator
55 through a cooling/heating thermal energy path 63; 56 designates
a cold/hot air discharger for discharging the thermal energy stored
in the heat accumulator 55; and 57a designates cooling/heating
energy quantity calculating unit for calculating the quantity of
cooling/heating energy discharged from the cold/hot air discharger
56. The quantity of cooling/heating energy discharged from the
cold/hot air discharger 56 is calculated from, e.g., the
performance and operating time of the cold/hot air discharger 56.
Reference numeral 58 designates a heat-to-electric-power converter
that converts the quantity of cooling or heating energy into the
quantity of electric power. Reference numeral 62 designates an
information signal path.
[0271] With reference to FIG. 66, the operation of the heat storage
air conditioner and the heat storage estimating method of the
sixteenth will be described on the basis of FIG. 67. When the heat
storage air conditioner starts to operate, the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 51 collects power demand
time-sequence data in the time period during which a living space
is air-conditioned (step 1001). The power demand curve estimating
unit 52 analyzes the power demand time-sequence data thus collected
by the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 51 using
Chaos Analysis (step 1002), whereby a power demand curve during the
air-conditioning periods of the next day is estimated (step 1003).
The thermal energy load demand estimating unit 53 estimates the
thermal energy load required during the cooling or heating periods
on the basis of the power demand curve estimated by the power
demand curve estimating unit 52 (step 1004).
[0272] The heat storage operation unit 54 of the heat source
carries out the heat storage operation of the heat source in order
to store the quantity of thermal energy, which is equivalent to the
thermal energy load demand estimated by the thermal energy load
demand estimating unit 53, in the heat accumulator 55 through the
cooling/heating energy path 63 during the night (step 1005). Then,
the water previously stored in the heat accumulator 55 changes to
ice using cooling energy or to hot water using heating energy with
lapse of time, whereby the resultant ice or hot water is stored in
the heat accumulator 55 (step 1006).
[0273] The cooling energy of ice or the heating energy of hot water
stored in the heat accumulator 55 is supplied to the cold/hot air
discharger 56 through the cooling/heating energy path 63 during the
air-conditioning periods of the next day (step 1007). As a result,
the thermal energy is discharged from the cold/hot air discharger
56 (step 1008), which enables the living room to be cooled or
heated. The cooling/heating energy quantity calculating unit57a
calculates the quantity of cooling energy of ice or the quantity of
heating energy of hot water supplied to the cold/hot air discharger
56, from the capability and operating time of the cold/hot air
discharger 56 in time sequence (step 1009). The data on the
quantity of cooling/heating energy calculated in time sequence is
input to the heat-to-electric-power converter 58. Consequently, the
data on the quantity of cooling/heating energy is converted into
data on the quantity of electric power by unit of the
heat-to-electric-power converter 58 (step 1010). The time-sequence
data on the quantity of electric power converted by the
heat-to-electric-power converter 58 are supplied to the power
demand time-sequence data collecting unit 51. The thus-received
time-sequence data are collected again as the power demand
time-sequence data in the same manner as has been previously
described in step 1001. The same processing as has been previously
described is repeated hereinbelow.
[0274] In heat storage air conditioner of the sixteenth, the stored
thermal energy is prevented from running short or becoming
excessive during the air-conditioning periods. For these reasons,
it is possible to use an appropriate quantity of electric power in
producing thermal energy to be stored during the night as well as
to sufficiently maintain the amenity of the living space. The
quantity of electric power required during the cooling or heating
periods is totally covered by the quantity of stored thermal
energy, which in turn makes it possible to reduce electricity costs
to a much greater extent. Further, the quantity of cooling energy
of ice or heating energy of hot water supplied to the cold/hot air
discharger 56 is calculated from the capability and operating time
of the cold/hot air discharger 56 in time sequence by unit of the
cooling/heating energy quantity calculating unit 57a. The need for
the temperature sensor can be eliminated, and the cost of the heat
storage air conditioner can be reduced accordingly.
Seventeenth Embodiment
[0275] With reference to FIGS. 68 through 73, a heat storage air
conditioner of the present invention and a heat storage estimating
method of the present invention will be described. FIG. 68 is a
block diagram of the heat storage air conditioner of the
seventeenth embodiment. FIG. 69 is a flowchart for describing the
heat storage estimating method for use in the heat storage air
conditioner as well as the processing and operations of the heat
storage air conditioner. FIG. 70 is a graph of an example of a
composite heat quantity pattern that consists of a pattern of the
quantity of thermal energy to be stored and a pattern of the
quantity of thermal energy to be supplied used in the heat storage
air conditioner of the seventeenth embodiment. FIG. 71 is a graph
showing a pattern of the quantity of thermal energy to be stored
corresponding to a hatched area of the composite heat quantity
pattern shown in FIG. 70. FIG. 72 is a graph showing the pattern of
thermal energy to be supplied corresponding to outlined portions of
the composite heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 70. FIG. 73 is a
repetitive heat quantity pattern of the heat storage air
conditioner of the seventeenth embodiment. The elements shown in
FIG. 68 that are the same as those used in the previously-described
fifteenth embodiment shown in FIG. 62 are assigned the same
reference numerals.
[0276] In FIG. 68, reference numeral 51 designates a power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit for collecting power demand
time-sequence data; 52 designates a power demand curve estimating
unit for estimating the power demand curve obtained by adoption of
Chaos Analysis, which is one example of a method of analyzing the
power demand time-sequence data; 59 designates a demand control
time setting unit for setting a control time period during which
thermal energy load is covered by the thermal energy of the heat
accumulator 55 on the basis of the power demand curve estimated by
the power demand curve estimating unit 52; 53a designates thermal
energy load demand estimating unit that estimates thermal energy
load demand of the control time period estimated by the demand
control time setting unit 59; 54 designates heat storage operation
unit of the heat source that stores the quantity of thermal energy,
which is equivalent to the thermal energy load demand estimated by
the thermal energy load demand estimating unit 53, in a heat
accumulator 55 through a cooling/heating thermal energy path 63; 56
designates a cold/hot air discharger for discharging the thermal
energy stored in the heat accumulator 55; 14 designates
cooling/heating energy quantity calculating unit that calculates
the quantity of cooling/heating energy discharged from the heat
accumulator 55 through the cold/hot air discharger 56, by inversion
operation of the residual thermal energy obtained as a result of
thermal conversion of the quantity of ice or hot water remaining in
the heat accumulator 55; 58 designates a heat-to-electric-power
converter that converts the quantity of cooling or heating energy
into the quantity of electric power. Reference numeral 60
designates operation unit of the heat source that supplies the
thermal energy to the cold/hot air discharger 56 from a heat source
other than the heat accumulator 55 during a preset time period
within the air-conditioning periods and supplies the quantity of
electric power obtained at this time to the power demand
time-sequence data collecting unit 51. Reference numeral 62
designates an information signal path. An operation pattern of the
operation unit 60 of the heat source during the air-conditioning
periods and a pattern of the thermal energy supplied from the heat
accumulator 55 are determined by operating method determination
unit (not shown) on the basis of the control time period estimated
by the demand control time period setting unit 59.
[0277] In the case of the thermal energy stored in the form of ice,
it is necessary to detect cooling energy (latent heat) and heating
energy (sensible heat) in order to obtain the quantity of ice or
hot water remaining in the heat accumulator 55. In the present
embodiment, a water level sensor is used for detecting the cooling
energy (latent heat), whereas a temperature sensor is used for
detecting the heating energy (sensible heat). The residual thermal
energy corresponding to the quantity of remaining ice or hot water
detected by these sensors is compared with the thermal energy load
demand estimated by the thermal energy load demand estimating unit
53a on the previous day. As a result, the quantity of cooling or
heating energy dissipated from the heat accumulator 55 through the
cold/hot air discharger 56 is obtained.
[0278] With reference to FIGS. 68, and 70 through 73, the operation
of the heat storage air conditioner and the heat storage estimating
method of the seventeenth embodiment will be described on the basis
of FIG. 69. When the heat storage air conditioner starts to
operate, the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 51
collects power demand time-sequence data in the time period during
which a living space is air-conditioned (step 1101). The power
demand curve estimating unit 52 analyzes the power demand
time-sequence data thus collected by the power demand time-sequence
data collecting unit 51 using Chaos Analysis (step 1102), whereby a
power demand curve in the air-conditioning periods of the next day
is estimated (step 1103). The demand control time setting unit 59
previously sets the control time period during which thermal energy
load is covered by the thermal energy stored in the heat
accumulator 55, to a specific time period on the basis of the power
demand curve estimated by the power demand curve estimating unit 52
(step 1104). The thermal energy load demand estimating unit 53a
estimates the thermal energy load required in the thus-set control
time period (step 1105). The control time period that has been
previously set to a specific time period by the demand control time
setting unit 59 is made so as to be capable of being fixed or
changed.
[0279] The heat storage operation unit 54 of the heat source
carries out the heat storage operation of the heat source in order
to store the quantity of thermal energy, which is equivalent to the
thermal energy load demand estimated by the thermal energy load
demand estimating unit 53a, in the heat accumulator 55 through the
cooling/heating energy path 63 during the night (step 1106). Then,
the water previously stored in the heat accumulator 55 changes to
ice using cooling energy or to hot water using heating energy with
lapse of time, whereby the resultant ice or hot water is stored in
the heat accumulator 55 (step 1107).
[0280] During the air-conditioning periods of the next day, the
operation unit 60 of the heat source initially operates according
to the operation pattern determined by the operating method
determination unit (not shown). The resultant thermal energy of the
heat source is supplied to the cold/hot air discharger 56 through
the cooling/heating energy path 63. In addition, the time-sequence
data on the quantity of electric power output from the operation
unit 60 of the heat source at this time is supplied to the power
demand time-sequence data collecting unit 51 (step 1108). The
operation of the operation unit 60 of the heat source continues
immediately before the control time period within the
air-conditioning periods, but it is stopped when the control time
period commences. During the control time period, the cooling
energy of ice or the heating energy of hot water stored in the heat
accumulator 55 is supplied to the cold/hot air discharger 56
through the cooling/heating energy path 63 according to the pattern
of the quantity of thermal energy to be supplied determined by the
operating method determination unit (not shown) (step 1109). At
this time, the heat accumulator 55 informs the cooling/heating
energy calculating unit 14 of the quantity of remaining ice or hot
water. Consequently, composite thermal energy is made using the
thermal energy supplied from the cold/hot air discharger 56 by the
operation unit 60 of the heat source and the thermal energy
supplied from the heat accumulator 55 with time lag between them.
The thus-produced composite thermal energy is dissipated (step
1110), which enables the living space to be cooled or heated.
[0281] When being informed of the quantity of remaining ice or hot
water by the heat accumulator 55, the cooling/heating energy
quantity calculating unit 14 thermally converts the thus-informed
quantity of remaining ice or hot water, whereby residual thermal
energy is obtained. The quantity of cooling energy of ice or
heating energy of hot water supplied to the cold/hot air discharger
56 is calculated in time sequence by reverse operation of the
residual thermal energy (step 1111). The data on the quantity of
cooling or heating energy dissipated from the heat accumulator 55
that have been calculated in time sequence are input to the
heat-to-electric-power converter 58. As a result, the data on the
quantity of cooling/heating energy are converted into the data on
the quantity of electric power by the heat-to-electric-power
converter 58 (step 1112). The electric power time-sequence data
converted by the heat-to-electric-power converter 58 are supplied
to the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit 51. The
electric power time-sequence data are collected again as the power
demand time-sequence data in the same manner as has been previously
described in step 1101. In short, the power demand time-sequence
data collecting unit 51 collects the time-sequence data on the
quantity of electric power received from the heat accumulator 55
converted by the heat-to-electric-power converter 58 as well as on
the quantity of electric power output from the operation unit 60 of
the heat source. The same processing as has been previously
described is repeated hereinbelow.
[0282] In the repetitive heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 73,
heat storage quantity pattern "a" corresponds to heat quantity
pattern "b" during a specific time period (i.e., the control time
period) within the air-conditioning periods of the next day.
Further, heat storage quantity pattern Ilcll corresponds to heat
quantity pattern "d" during the control time period within the
air-conditioning periods of the next day. By virtue of these heat
quantity patterns, the stored thermal energy is prevented from
running short or becoming excessive during the air-conditioning
periods. For these reasons, it is possible to use an appropriate
quantity of electric power in producing thermal energy to be stored
during the night as well as to sufficiently maintain the amenity of
the living space. The operations of the heat source are stopped
during the control time period within the cooling or heating
periods during which thermal energy load is covered by the quantity
of thermal energy stored in the heat accumulator 55. Consequently,
the running costs of the heat source are reduced, which in turn
makes it possible to reduce electricity costs.
Eighteenth Embodiment
[0283] With reference to FIGS. 74 through 77, a heat storage air
conditioner according of the present invention and a heat storage
estimating method of the present invention will be described. FIG.
74 is a graph of an example of a composite heat quantity pattern
that consists of a pattern of the quantity of thermal energy to be
stored and a pattern of the quantity of thermal energy to be
supplied used in the heat storage air conditioner of the eighteenth
embodiment. FIG. 75 is a graph showing the pattern of the quantity
of thermal energy to be stored corresponding to a hatched area of
the composite heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 74. FIG. 76 is a
graph showing the pattern of the quantity of thermal energy to be
supplied corresponding to outlined portions of the composite heat
quantity pattern shown in FIG. 74. FIG. 77 is a repetitive heat
quantity pattern of the heat storage air conditioner of the
eighteenth embodiment. The heat storage air conditioner of the
eighteenth embodiment has basically the same configuration as that
of the previously described seventeenth embodiment shown in FIG.
68. Therefore, FIG. 68 will be referred to during the course of the
description of the present embodiment.
[0284] The heat storage air conditioner of the eighteenth
embodiment is different from that of the previously described
seventeenth embodiment in the following point: Specifically, the
demand control time setting unit 59 sets the control time period
during which thermal energy load is covered by the thermal energy
of the heat accumulator 55 on the basis of the power demand curve
estimated by the power demand curve estimating unit 52 shown in
FIG. 68. The demand control time setting unit 59 is arranged so as
to set a threshold value on the power demand curve as well as
setting the control time period in the time period during which the
power demand curve is in excess of the threshold value. The control
time period is arranged so as to be capable of being fixed or
changed when the demand control time setting unit 59 sets the
threshold value on the power demand curve.
[0285] By virtue of the demand control time setting unit 59 that
sets the above-described control time period, the repetitive heat
quantity pattern as shown in FIG. 77 is obtained. In the repetitive
heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 77, heat storage quantity
pattern "a" corresponds to heat quantity pattern "b" during the
control period within the air-conditioning periods of the next day
during which the heat storage quantity pattern is in excess of the
threshold value. Further, heat storage quantity pattern "c"
corresponds to heat quantity pattern "d" during the control time
period within the air-conditioning periods of the next day during
which the heat storage quantity pattern is in excess of the
threshold value. By virtue of these heat quantity patterns, the
stored thermal energy is prevented from running short or becoming
excessive during the air-conditioning periods. For these reasons,
it is possible to use an appropriate quantity of electric power in
producing thermal energy to be stored during the night as well as
to sufficiently maintain the amenity of the living space. Further,
the contract power demand required during the cooling or heating
periods can be reduced, which makes it possible to reduce
electricity costs.
Nineteenth Embodiment
[0286] With reference to FIG. 78, a heat storage air conditioner of
the present invention and a heat storage estimating method of the
present invention will be described. FIG. 78 is an example of
repetitive heat quantity pattern for use in describing a control
time period setting method which is carried out by the demand
control time setting unit of the heat storage air conditioner of
the nineteenth embodiment. Also in the nineteenth embodiment, the
heat storage air conditioner has basically the same configuration
as that of the seventeenth embodiment shown in FIG. 68. Therefore,
FIG. 68 will be referred to during the course of the description of
the present embodiment.
[0287] The heat storage air conditioner of the nineteenth
embodiment is different from that of the previously described
seventeenth and eighteenth embodiments in the following point:
Specifically, the demand control time setting unit 59 sets the
control time period during which thermal energy load is covered by
the thermal energy of the heat accumulator 55 on the basis of the
power demand curve estimated by the power demand curve estimating
unit 52 shown in FIG. 68. This demand control time setting unit 59
is arranged so as to set a threshold value on the power demand
curve as well as setting the control time period in the time period
during which the power demand curve is in excess of the threshold
value. The control time period is arranged so as to be capable of
being fixed or changed when the demand control time setting unit 59
sets the threshold value on the power demand curve.
[0288] By virtue of the demand control time setting unit 59 that
sets the above-described control time period, the repetitive heat
quantity pattern as shown in FIG. 78 is obtained. In the repetitive
heat quantity pattern shown in FIG. 78, heat storage quantity
pattern "a" corresponds to heat quantity patterns "b1" and "b2"
during the control period within the air-conditioning periods of
the next day. Further, heat storage quantity pattern "c"
corresponds to heat quantity patterns "d1" and "d2" in the control
time period during the air-conditioning periods of the next day. By
virtue of these heat quantity patterns, the stored thermal energy
is prevented from running short or becoming excessive during the
air-conditioning periods. For these reasons, it is possible to use
an appropriate quantity of electric power in producing thermal
energy to be stored during the night as well as to sufficiently
maintain the amenity of the living space. Further, the operations
of the heat source are stopped during the control time period of
the cooling or heating periods (the time periods "b1" and "d1" of
the thermal energy quantity pattern) during which thermal energy
load is covered by the thermal energy of the heat accumulator 55 to
such an extent as not to exceed the threshold value. As a result,
the contract power demand can be reduced, and electricity costs can
be reduced to a much greater extent.
[0289] The previously-described seventeenth to nineteenth
embodiments have been described on the basis of the example in
which the quantity of cooling/heating energy dissipated from the
heat accumulator 55 through the cold/hot air discharger 56 is
obtained by reverse operation of the residual thermal energy
resulting from thermal conversion of ice or hot water remaining in
the heat accumulator 55. However, the technique of obtaining the
quantity of cooling/heating energy is not limited to the
above-described method. For instance, the quantity of
cooling/heating energy may be calculated from the capability and
operating time of an stored heat transporting unit 65 that is
actuated during the control time period of the air-conditioning
periods, as shown in FIG. 79.
* * * * *