U.S. patent application number 13/304170 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-22 for system and method of predictive occupancy room conditioning.
This patent application is currently assigned to MOUNTAINLOGIC, INC.. Invention is credited to Scott Elliott.
Application Number | 20120072030 13/304170 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45349897 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120072030 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Elliott; Scott |
March 22, 2012 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PREDICTIVE OCCUPANCY ROOM CONDITIONING
Abstract
A HVAC controls system for zone controls that is comprised of
one or more Wall Sensor Units (WSU) and zero or more
Damper/Register Units (DRUs). The invention is a low networked cost
solution for residential and light commercial that is easy to
install in new and existing building. The WSUs detect, log and use
occupancy data to predict where in a building HVAC conditioning is
needed and to save energy where it is not needed. The DRU use shape
memory alloy wires to control the opening and closing of a damper
plate with very little power allowing batter operation.
Inventors: |
Elliott; Scott; (Snoqualmie
Pass, WA) |
Assignee: |
MOUNTAINLOGIC, INC.
Snoqualmie Pass
WA
|
Family ID: |
45349897 |
Appl. No.: |
13/304170 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12284795 |
Sep 25, 2008 |
8086352 |
|
|
13304170 |
|
|
|
|
60997426 |
Oct 4, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/276 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 11/70 20180101;
G05B 2219/2642 20130101; F24F 2110/10 20180101; F24F 11/30
20180101; G05B 15/02 20130101; F24F 2120/10 20180101; G05D 23/1921
20130101; G05D 23/1934 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/276 |
International
Class: |
G05D 23/00 20060101
G05D023/00 |
Claims
1. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control
system, comprising: at least one HVAC automated damper/register
unit (DRU), each HVAC automated DRU having a functional unit
configured to be directed to a first position to permit air flow
through the HVAC damper/register unit and further directed to a
second position to restrict air flow through the HVAC
damper/register unit, a DRU processor unit configured to direct the
functional unit, and a DRU network communications circuit; at least
one wall sensor unit (WSU), each WSU having an occupancy sensor, an
environmental sensor, a WSU processor unit configured to receive
data from the occupancy sensor and the environmental sensor, and a
WSU network communications circuit; a system coordinator, the
system coordinator having a system coordinator processor unit and a
system coordinator network communications circuit configured to
bi-directionally communicate with the at least one HVAC automated
DRU and the at least one WSU via the respective network
communications circuits; and a memory coupled to the system
coordinator and arranged to store instructions executable by the
system coordinator processor unit, the instructions configured to
perform an occupancy logging algorithm and an occupancy prediction
algorithm, the occupancy prediction algorithm configured to receive
input from the at least one WSU and send control commands to the at
least one HVAC automated DRU.
2. The HVAC control system of claim 1 wherein the system
coordinator is integrated into a first WSU, the system coordinator
processor unit is the WSU processor unit of the first WSU, and the
system coordinator network communications circuit is the WSU
network communications circuit of the first WSU.
3. The HVAC control system of claim 1 wherein the occupancy sensor
includes at least one of a motion sensor, an acoustic sensor, and a
light sensor.
4. The HVAC control system of claim 1 wherein the environmental
sensor includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity
sensor, and a pressure sensor.
5. The HVAC control system of claim 1, further comprising: a
network computing device module, the network computing device
module having: a display interface configured to communicate HVAC
control system status information; a user input interface
configured to receive manually entered HVAC control system command
information; and an electronic signal interface configured to
bidirectionally pass electronic HVAC control system control
information.
6. The HVAC control system of claim 5 wherein the network computing
device module further has a smart-grid interface configured to pass
information to a smart grid.
7. The HVAC control system of claim 1 wherein the DRU network
communications circuit, the WSU network communications circuit, and
the system coordinator network communications circuit are
configured according to a ZigBee architecture.
8. The HVAC control system of claim 1 wherein the occupancy
prediction algorithm is arranged to predict periodic events based
on the periodic occupancy records logged by the system coordinator,
each predicted periodic event representing the occupancy status of
a room during a certain time.
9. The HVAC control system of claim 8 wherein the occupancy
prediction algorithm includes a decaying occupancy temporal (DOT)
algorithm configured to analyze periodic occupancy records logged
by the system coordinator and assign decaying impact from older
occupancy records.
10. The HVAC control system of claim 8 wherein the occupancy
prediction algorithm is configured to send a first control command
to the at least one HVAC automated DRU based on a predicted
periodic event.
11. A computer readable storage device having thereon a plurality
of computer instructions, the computer instructions arranged to
direct a system coordinator processing unit to perform acts in a
heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the acts
comprising: initializing a plurality of occupancy data structures,
at least one occupancy data structure for each room of a plurality
of rooms, each occupancy data structure of a corresponding selected
room configured to store information representing the occupancy
status of the selected room during a plurality of time windows;
periodically accessing the occupancy data structures at an index
representative of an access period and logging in each occupancy
data structure a first status when the corresponding selected room
is determined to be occupied and logging in each occupancy data
structure a second status when the corresponding selected room is
determined to be unoccupied, wherein each access period corresponds
to one of the plurality of time windows; retrieving occupancy
status information from the plurality of occupancy data structures;
predicting if an occupancy status of a first room will change in a
future time window; and directing an HVAC automated damper/register
unit to change position based on a predicted occupancy status
change of the first room.
12. The computer readable storage device of claim 11 wherein each
time window represents N minutes, N an integer between 1 and 60,
and wherein each occupancy data structure includes entries for M
time windows, M. an integer between 24 and 52560000.
13. The computer readable storage device of claim 11, having
computer instructions arranged to direct the system coordinator
processing unit to perform acts further comprising: receiving
occupancy status information from a plurality of wall sensor units,
the wall sensor units mounted in a plurality of rooms.
14. The computer readable storage device of claim 11, having
computer instructions arranged to direct the system coordinator
processing unit to perform acts further comprising: receiving
occupancy status information from a manually operated user
interface.
15. The computer readable storage device of claim 11, having
computer instructions arranged to direct the system coordinator
processing unit to perform acts further comprising: performing a
decaying occupancy temporal (DOT) algorithm configured to analyze
occupancy status information stored in the plurality of occupancy
data structures and assign decaying impact from older occupancy
records.
16. A system comprising a system controller to control a heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the system
controller including: an input interface; an output interface; a
network communications circuit; a processor unit coupled to the
input interface, the output interface, and the network
communications circuit; and a memory coupled to the processor unit,
the memory arranged to direct the processor unit to: store, over a
first period of time, occupancy data detected by a plurality of
wall sensor units; store, over a second period of time, position
information related to positions of a plurality of functional
units, each functional unit associated with one of a plurality of
HVAC automated damper/register units (DRU's); store, over a third
period of time, selected temperature data received via the input
interface; predict a periodic event based on the occupancy data,
position information, and selected temperature data, the predicted
periodic event representative of predicted temperature conditions
of a selected room during a future fourth time period; and generate
a command arranged to direct the functional unit of at least one
HVAC automated DRU.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein the network communications
circuit is configured to receive the occupancy data from the
plurality of wall sensor units.
18. The system of claim 16 wherein the system controller is
embedded in a first wall sensor unit.
19. The system of claim 16 wherein the system controller is
embedded in an HVAC furnace control module.
20. The system of claim 16 wherein the predicted periodic event is
related to a pattern of usage of a plurality of rooms.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/284,795, filed Sep. 25, 2008, now pending,
which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/997,426, filed on Oct. 4, 2007, which
application is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The technical field of this invention relates to zoned
residential Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and
lighting controls that employ embedded systems and wireless
communications. HVAC systems use a large proportion of a building's
energy usage and need to be optimized for both environmental and
economic reasons.
[0003] There is a long history of invention and research associated
with HVAC technology. Programmable Thermostats: Programmable
setback thermostats that can be set by the occupant for set point,
reset point and schedule have been available on the market for a
number of years [EnergyStar]. In spite of favorable engineering
analysis for prospective energy savings, field studies show that
real-world field performance is no better than manual thermostats
[Sachs] [Shiller] [Cross and Judd]. These studies have been
suggested a number of causes including, dead band gap, difficulty
of programming, and comfort issues, with the most likely cause
being user overriding the energy saving features.
[0004] Residential and Light Commercial Zoning: Modern forced air
zone control and VAV (Variable Air Volume) extends back decades.
The most extensive use to date has been for commercial and
industrial applications. There is substantial ongoing research,
including that at the CEC as shown in "Advanced Variable Air Volume
System Design Guide"[CEC] and Natural Resources. Canada's CANMET
Energy Technology Centre (CETC) is currently involved in an ongoing
residential zoned research project[CANMET Natural Resources Canada]
with the company Ecologix [Ecologix Heating Technologies, Inc].
Home Comfort Zone teaches a basic version of zoned HVAC
control[Alles]. Zone HVAC controls and systems are also taught in
the patents of [Alles] [Girmado] [Parker] [Jackson] and [Nelson].
These systems, have several failures: 1) they are expensive to
install, 2) are even more expensive to retrofit and 3) they make
use of a barometric bypass damper that recycles conditioned
overpressure air back into the return system causing reduced
performance of the central HVAC plant.
[0005] Automated diagnostics, performance monitoring and continuous
commissioning: The importance of initial commissioning and ongoing
monitoring has long been established in
buildings[ASHRAE][Bushby][SoCal-Edison]. According to Brambley,
"Performance monitoring, automated fault detection and diagnosis,
commissioning, optimal control and the use of development
environments, design tools and trainers are complementary, and in
some respects synergistic technologies that have strong potential
to realize significant energy savings and other performance
improvements in commercial buildings, including existing buildings.
There is a significant body of previous R&D relating to these
technologies that indicates their potential, both generically and
for specific approaches and methods. In a significant number of
cases, there is the opportunity to establish R&D programs and
projects that leverage this existing work in order to move
relatively quickly to tools that can be deployed in the
marketplace."
[0006] Actuated register/damper design: Actuated dampers and
registers are very common in commercial and industrial HVAC
installations and are occasionally seen in residential use. There
are ongoing efforts to advance dampers such as pneumatic bladders
[Alles], the technology offered by Zone Comfort as a retrofit
option and the ratcheted Nitinol Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) based
devices described by [Patel, et al].
[0007] Wired Network Technology: Wired electrical communication has
been used for decades in residential HVAC controls. The most common
use is the simple closure of a 24 VAC circuit to signal a central
HVAC plant to turn on. Serial data links, Power Line Communication
(PLC) and true networks are common in commercial HVAC application,
but have seen limited use in residential HVAC. An example of a
serial protocol is RS-232C. Examples of a of a wired network used
in HVAC are BACNET and GANNET.
[0008] Wireless Technology: IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee[IEEE][ZigBee
Alliance] was essentially designed for sensor, command and control
application such as residential HVAC. Other wireless technologies
such as Z-Wave and Bluetooth are also in the marketplace.
[0009] Occupancy Sensors: Industrial and commercial HVAC systems
have long used occupancy sensors and some limited use has been seen
in residential settings [Seymour] [Simmions] [Keating] [Disser]
[Bilger] [Gutta] [Gua] [Mozer].
[0010] Occupancy Prediction: While scheduled occupancy has been
wide spread for both residential and commercial use (see
programmable thermostats above), sensor based predictive occupancy
has not seen commercial success. Mozer teaches a concept of a
Neurothermostat in his prototype "Adaptive Control of Home
Environment," system that includes HVAC, domestic hot water and
lighting control. The Neurothermstat makes use of a PC based neural
network and X10 sensors and controls. Mozer reports that the X10
communication protocol adds too much latency for his application.
The Mozer design uses standard neuro-network train with energy use
and occupancy error as feed back values.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Modern life has patterns centered around work and play. The
system takes advantage of these realities in the home and predicts
where energy is needed for maximum comfort and efficiency. Using
integrated sensors, the embodiment learns the rhythms of the
homeowners, what time they wake on a workday, what time they use
the kitchen or what time they go to bed; and heats or cools
individual rooms before they enter to the desired temperature. By
learning how a family uses a home, the system greatly reduces the
energy used in areas that are vacant, resulting in maximum comfort
and efficiency. When a room is entered unexpectedly, the system
rapidly brings the room to the desired temperature as the system
focuses resources on real use. A combination of home zone controls,
sensors and advanced learning software provide homeowners with a
highly cost effective means of increasing comfort and reducing
greenhouse emissions.
[0012] The system is intended to be very low cost in mass
production and is designed for optional installation by the
homeowner. The potential energy savings from advanced residential
predictive HVAC zone controls is substantial. A first order
analysis suggests that a savings of about 50% of HVAC energy usage
versus a fixed manual thermostat can be expected, depending on
resident usage patterns and climate. If, for example, just 10% of
California homes were to implement a system that was able to
achieve just a 10% air conditioning electricity savings, California
could see a reduction of 111.54 mega Watts of peak demand as
demonstrated by [Cal Energy Peak Loads]
[0013] Existing programmable EnergyStar thermostats' failure to
perform [EnergyStar] in the field as well as anticipated is largely
due to their complex user interface. The proposed system does not
require complex user programming, but simply learns when a resident
occupies a room and with a simple up/down button their preferred
temperature setting. By having the room properly conditioned
(heated or cooled) before a resident enters a room the system
delivers a much higher acceptance of temperature setback than
EnergyStar systems have been able to achieve. The proposed system
includes wireless duct register/damper units (DRUs) that control
airflow into a room and wireless wall sensor units (WSU) that
measure room temperature and occupancy. Each existing HVAC register
is replaced with the new design and a wall sensor unit is placed in
each room. In retrofits the existing HVAC thermostat is replaced
with a special version of the wall sensor that can also control the
central heat pump or furnace. Once installed the system will record
the occupancy of each room and the preferred temperature. The
system then reviews occupancy data and predicts if a room will be
occupied and conditions the room appropriately. If an occupant
unexpectedly enters a room the occupancy sensors detect entrance
and focus the HVAC system onto that room to quickly condition
it.
[0014] The system has great potential to integrate into other long
term energy efficiency efforts beyond immediate energy savings.
This smart residential HVAC system can easily be integrated with
fresh air economizers such as the one demonstrated in the
California Department of Energy's PIER Night Breeze project and
indeed extended by opportunistically over cooling expected
unoccupied rooms when cool outside air is available. The system
also easily integrates future opportunities, includeing smart grid
interfaces for on-demand load shedding, dynamic cost response
changes to set points and time of day load shifting.
[0015] Advantages of the invention include a low manufacturing
cost, a low installation cost, very high energy use efficiency,
high user acceptance, high comfort level and a low error rate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a non-limiting example of components for
a single zone that includes a wall sensor unit and one or more
automated dampers units.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a non-limiting example of a block diagram
of certain electronic and mechanical components that comprise an
example installation.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a non-limiting example of a block diagram
of certain electronic components that comprise a typical wall
sensor unit.
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a non-limiting example of a block diagram
of certain electronic components that comprise a typical
damper/register unit.
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a non-limiting example of certain data
structures.
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a non-limiting example of a weighting
summation function for a Decaying Occupancy Temporal (DOT)
Algorithm
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a non-limiting example of a weighting
function.
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a non-limiting example of a flowchart for
evaluating a weighing. function.
[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates a non-limiting example of a block diagram
showing the triggering of multiple zones by an occupant.
[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates a non-limiting example of communication
paths between certain electronic components that comprise an
example installation.
[0026] FIG. 11 illustrates a non-limiting example of a flowchart
for opening dampers and controlling the central HVAC plant.
[0027] FIG. 12 illustrates a non-limiting exploded view of the
preferred embodiment of a Damper/Register Unit (RDU)
[0028] FIG. 13 illustrates a non-limiting example of a side
sectional view of certain electrical and mechanical components that
comprise the actuator mechanism the DRU in FIG. 12
[0029] FIG. 14 illustrates a non-limiting example of a side
sectional view of certain electrical and mechanical components that
comprise the actuator mechanism the DRU in FIG. 12 in the closed
position.
[0030] FIG. 15 illustrates a non-limiting example of a side
sectional view of certain electrical and mechanical components that
comprise the actuator mechanism the DRU in FIG. 12 in the open
position.
[0031] FIG. 16 illustrates a non-limiting example of a top
sectional view of certain electrical, electronic and mechanical
components that comprise the actuator mechanism the DRU in FIG.
12
[0032] FIG. 17 illustrates a non-limiting example of a side
sectional view of certain electrical and mechanical components that
comprise the actuator mechanism the DRU in FIG. 12 showing the
damper plate in the closed position and certain surface detail.
[0033] FIG. 18 illustrates a non-limiting example of an alternative
embodiment of a Wall Sensor Unit (WSU) that includes buttons for
controlling lighting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] Referring in particular to FIG. 1, Wall Sensor Unit, 100 is
representative of a device that includes a display sub system such
as a LCD 102, one or more button, 103, an environmental sensor
subsystem composed of temperature and humidity sensors, 105, an
acoustic sensor, 106, a motion sensor, 107, and a light sensor,
109. Also in FIG. 1 is a representation of a register/damper unit,
101, that acts as a terminal unit and includes vent holes, 110, a
duct skirt, 111, and one or more optional mounting holes for
screws, 112.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows block drawing of an embodiment of the system
with four zones, 97, with each zone having a Wall Sensor Unit, 100,
a register/damper unit, 101, supply duct work 89, and a furnace or
other HVAC plant, 99. Not shown in the drawing is a return duct to
the HVAC plant, 99. A wired connection from a single wall sensor
unit is shown to the HVAC plant, 93 or as an alternate embodiment a
system controller 92. A duct pressure or flow sensor is shown 94. A
fresh-air economizer is shown, 91, in the return air duct with a
wireless control unit 92, controlling the flow direction. An
outside air enthalpy sensor is shown, 90.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows the electronic components of a preferred
embodiment of the wall senor unit shown in FIG. 1 that includes a
display system sub system such as a LCD 102, one or more buttons,
103, an environmental sensor subsystem composed of temperature and
humidity sensors, 105, an acoustic sensor, 106, a motion sensor,
107, a light sensor, 109, a RF antenna, 113, one ore more
batteries, 114, one or more persistent data storage devices such as
FLASH, battery backed SRAM, a hard disk drive or other persistent
data storage device for holding the program and data, 115, a relay,
solid state relay, direct logic level output or other digital
interface for signaling HVAC devices, 116, analog signal
conditioning and buffering circuits such as a transistor or MOSFT,
116, for controlling the HVAC interface, 116, the connection points
such as a screw or push terminal to the HVAC equipment, 119, and
one or more CPUs that support a wireless communication protocol,
such as a ZigBee, and can support the basic control and I/O
functions of an embedded processor.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows the electronic components of a preferred
embodiment of the damper register unit shown in FIG. 1 that
includes an actuator such as a DC motor, a solenoid, a shape memory
alloy device, 121, a RF antenna, 113, one or more batteries, 114,
one or more persistent data storage devices such as FLASH, battery
backed SRAM, a hard disk drive or other persistent data storage
device for holding the program and data, 115, a pair of analog
signal conditioning and buffering circuits such as a transistor or
MOSFT, 120, for controlling the actuator, 121 and one or more CPUs
that support a wireless communication protocol, such as a ZigBee,
and can support the basic control and I/O functions of an embedded
processor.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of of a data structure for
storing occupancy events. Each bit stores a history for a 15 minute
block of time with each byte representing 8 15 minute time blocks
or 2 hours of time. A value of 1 in a bit represents occupancy
during that block of time and a 0 represents non-occupancy. The
bytes are arranged continuously in chronological order with 17,531
bytes used to represent 4 calender years, 214. This calendar
includes a leap year day. The calendar is arranged starting with
January 1 in the first byte and with leap year as the last year.
This calendar is stored in persistent memory for each zone such as
is shown in 115 in FIG. 3. Occupancy is recorded in 15 minute
increments and 8 samples (2 hours) are combined into a byte. A day
requires 12 bytes (4 samples/hour, 24 hours per day=4*24=96
samples/day/8 bits=12 bytes). On a bit level data is recoded
working from the MSb to the Lsb; that is, for the first sample of
leap year the datum would occupy bit 7 of byte 0, the second sample
would occupy bit 6 of byte 0, the eighth sample would occupy bit 0
of byte 0 and the 9th sample would occupy bit 7 of byte 1.
Temperature Set/Reset Point Record Structure, 215, data is recorded
as unsigned 8 bit data in 0.5 deg. F with 0 representing a null
record. Therefore, a record of 1 represents 0.5 F, 2-117, 144=72F.
The data is recored linearly every 15 minutes starting with 00:00h
Sunday and ending with 23:45 Saturday and wrapped as needed. A null
(0x00) value indicates that no value has been entered yet and the
last valid value should be used, if none use the building default.
A total of 672 bytes are reserved for this use. Error Log Record
Structure, 216, The error log indicates if occupancy was not as
calculated. It is recorded in a format similar to occupancy, but is
only recorded for the previous 4 weeks in 2688 bytes. FIG. 6
indicates the function to parse & weigh likelihood of
occupancy. As indicated in FIG. 7 this function is called with a
string command where the first 16 bit unsigned integer (uintl6),
210, is the number of weight code value pairs following (excluding
the size of the length value). Following the length value are pairs
of 8 bit unsigned integers (uint8s), 211, that indicate the weight
function shown as a hexadecimal number, 212, and weight value shown
as a hexadecimal number, 213. The weight value, 213, is optimized
by a genetic algorithm working in the background using the history
of occupancy, 214, and the error log, 215, to evaluate the the
fitness of the existing population (weight values) and the new
population.
[0039] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of one embodiment of an algorithm for
calculating a likelihood of an occupancy occurring during a given
time slot. The input values are the initial date-time, DATE, and
offset between previous dates-times, Offset, initial values are
initiated to 0 with j used as a iteration counter and X used as a
working value to build the result, 225, the value X is shifted left
one bit, 226, the number of iterations is indicated by n, the
boolean that represents the date-time indicated by Date is located
in the data base, 228, and added to the working value X, 227, the
date-time is decremented by the value indicated by the input,
Offset, and wrapped around to the far end of the database if the
date-time is less than the start of the database, 229, the
iteration counter j is incremented, 230, if the iteration counter
is greater than zero then we branch to 226, but when the iteration
counter reaches zero the function terminates by returning the
working value X, 231. Typical values for n would be 4 and for
Offset would be 15 minutes, hour, day, month or year. Additionally,
the Offset can be date logical, for example, decrementing by
weekday such that that decrementing from a Monday would result in
the previous Friday or decrementing by weekend-day such that that
decrementing from a Sunday would result in the previous
Saturday.
[0040] FIG. 9 represents a pattern of motion by an occupant. At the
building level the system looks for multi-room patterns of usage.
The system coordinator, 95 or 100, runs a background process to
poll the occupancy records of each wall sensor unit for the
previous 28 days looking for reproduced sequences of events that
occur at approximately the same time. The system coordinator
builds, maintains and stores a list of these events such that if an
occupancy event occurs the subsequent zones are conditioned to the
set point temperature.
[0041] FIG. 10 represents the data flow in an installation. The
damper/registers, 101-A, 101-B, 101-C, 101-D, furnace
sensors/controls, 92, 94, 95 and outside sensors 90, act as limited
function end device, the wall sensor units, 100-A, 100-B and 100-C
all act as at least a routers. In the displayed configuration
either wall sensor 100A or furnace control 95 would act as the
network coordinator. In a retrofit where an adequate existing
control wire, 93, exists from the furnace/AC to a suitable location
on the wall, a furnace control unit would not be needed. The arrows
show how a network can form and how data can be routed through
different nodes. These communication routes would be different
according to the number of nodes required per building, the
locations of the nodes and the RF characteristics of each building.
The communication routes will change over time because of changes
in the RF characteristics of the building. A link to a PC or other
networking device, 91, allows for a web interface for displaying to
the homeowner the current status of the system and to allow for
dynamic load shedding and setback/set point changes, support of
real-time metering and smart grid functions. As an alternative
embodiment, the wireless communication between all or come of the
wireless links can be replaced with a wired link such as
CANBUS.
[0042] FIG. 11 represents the process that the coordinator goes
through when a conditioning request arrives from a wall sensor or
from the coordinator itself. When a request for conditioning
arrives at the coordinator each of the other wall sensor units are
required to determine their likelihood of requiring conditioning.
Enough damper/registers are opened according to the likelihood of
each zone requiring conditioning until enough open cross section is
provided to allow for efficient energy transfer from the central
plant, to keep noise to a minimum and to prevent damage to the duct
work.
[0043] FIG. 12 represents an exploded view of the preferred
embodiment of the damper/register. A top cover, 300, that has a
plurality of vent holes for the passage of air, 303, and a
plurality of screw mount holes, 304. A functional unit, 301, that
has a plurality of vent holes for the passage of air, 303, that
attaches to the bottom of the top cover has a duct skirt, 306 and a
top mount, 305. The damper plate, 302, that has a plurality of vent
holes for the passage of air, 303, and push tabs, 308 and 316.
[0044] FIG. 13 represents the mechanism that opens and closes the
register/damper in FIG. 12. There are two metal pushers, 309 and
317, that pivot on studs 311 and 321 respectively. Two Shape Memory
Alloy (SMA) wires, 310 and 320, are attached to the respective
metal pushers and anchor points, 318 and 312. The SMA wires have
lead wires, 319, 313, respectively. There is a metallic spring 315,
that is connected to each of the pushers on the opposite side of
the pivot from where the SMA wires are attached with a lead wire,
314, attached to the spring. A SMA wire contracts when heated and
in this embodiment a current is run through the SMA wire lead, 319
or 313 through the respective SMA wire and pusher to the spring,
315 and out to the spring wire lead, 314. The relationship between
the pushers and the damper plate, 302, and push tabs 308 and 316 is
shown with a partial display of the damper plate. The damper plate
in this figure is shown in an intermediate open/close position.
[0045] FIG. 14 represents the same components as shown in FIG. 13,
but shows SMA wire 310 actively contracting and damper plate 302 in
the open position.
[0046] FIG. 15 represents the same components as shown in FIG. 13,
but shows SMA wire 320 actively contracting and damper plate 302 in
the closed position.
[0047] FIG. 16 is a section view from above of the main
register/damper piece, 301 at the level of the section shows the
duct skirt, 306, from FIG. 13. Included in this figure are
batteries, 322, the pivots 311 and 321, the anchor points, 312 and
318, the SMA wires, 319 and 320, the printed circuit board for the
electronics, 323 and an internal mounting support 324. Not seen at
this section level is the spring, 315 and the lead wires, 314, 313
and 319.
[0048] FIG. 17 represents a section view from the side of the
register/damper from FIG. 12. The top cover, 300, the functional
unit 301, and skirt 306, and the damper plate, 302, with push tabs
308 and 316, the batteries 322 and printed circuit board 323. The
damper plate is shown in the closed position. The surfaces of the
damper plate and functional unit that meet are roughed sufficiently
to prevent uncommanded motion of the damper plate as indicated in
the enlarged view indicated by 324.
[0049] FIG. 18 shows an alternative embodiment of the wall sensor
unit, 100 from FIG. 1. As in FIG. 1 this embodiment includes a
display sub system such as a LCD 102, one or more button, 103, an
environmental sensor subsystem composed of temperature and humidity
sensors, 105, an acoustic sensor, 106, a motion sensor, 107, and a
light sensor, 109. Also included in this embodiment are the
addition of three momentary switches 351, 352, 353 that are used
for raising, toggling and dimming respectively a remote ZigBee
light. The form factor is able to fit into a standard dual position
modem style mud plate, 354 and standard two position junction
box.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0050] In the following description, for purposes of explanation
and non-limitation, specific details are set forth, such as
particular nodes, functional entities, techniques, protocols,
standards, etc. in order to provide an understanding of the
described technology. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art
that other embodiments may be practiced apart from the specific
details disclosed below. In other instances, detailed descriptions
of well-known methods, devices, techniques, etc. are omitted so as
not to obscure the description with unnecessary detail. Individual
function blocks are shown in the figures. Those skilled in the art
will appreciate that the functions of those blocks may be
implemented using individual hardware circuits, using software
programs and data in conjunction with a suitably programmed
microprocessor or general purpose computer, using applications
specific integrated circuitry (ASIC), and/or using one or more
digital signal processors (DSPs). Generally speaking, the systems,
methods, and techniques described herein may be implemented in
digital electronic circuitry, computer hardware, firmware,
software, or in combinations of these elements. Apparatus embodying
these techniques may include appropriate input and output devices,
a computer processor, and a computer program product tangibly
embodied in a machinereadable storage device for execution by a
programmable processor. A process embodying these techniques may be
performed by a programmable processor executing a program or script
of instructions to perform desired functions by operating on input
data and generating appropriate output. The techniques may be
implemented in one or more computer programs or scripts that are
executable on a programmable system including at least one
programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions
from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage
system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.
Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and
special purpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will
receive instructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a
random access memory. Storage devices suitable for tangibly
embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms
of volatile and non-volatile memory, including by way of example
semiconductor memory devices, such as Erasable Programmable
Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable
Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and flash memory devices; magnetic disks
such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical
disks; and Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM). Any of the
foregoing may be supplemented by, or incorporated in,
specially-designed ASICs (application-specific integrated
circuits). The computer program instructions or scripts may also be
provided as data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other
propagation medium via a communication link (e.g., a modem or wired
or wireless network connection).
[0051] This invention provides highly efficient, low cost and easy
to install zoned HVAC controls for residential use. The system
includes Wall Sensor Units (WSU) that superficially appear to be
programmable thermostats, but include temperature/humidity,
occupancy sensors, advanced software, processor, FLASH memory for
recording occupancy information and a ZigBee wireless network
capability. The system also includes ZigBee based wireless battery
operated Damper/Register Units (DRUs) that are actuated by Shape
Memory Alloy (SMA) wires. The preferred embodiment for the DRU
includes two SMAs that when commanded each actuate a pusher that in
turn each each presses on a push tab on the damper plate, and a
single shared return spring. Also included in the system are
additional components including ZigBee wireless outside air
enthalpy sensors, ZigBee wireless duct pressure/flow sensors and
HVAC plant controller where needed by the installation. Each of the
components have an embedded MCU and ZigBee support. The system is
intended to support zoned control and as each building the system
is installed into is likely to be different the number and
configuration of each installation will be different. Residential
HVAC zones typical are based on a room that has a door that closes.
There are some places where rooms are connected without doors that
close such as is often found between kitchens and living rooms in
open plan homes. In these cases where the air between rooms
communicates well they may be treated as one zone. There are
special cases in very large or unique rooms where the temperate
difference between different places in the room can become
uncomfortable, such as a long narrow room with large window only at
one end, can be broken into more than one zone if there are HVAC
supplies at each end that can be individually controlled. In each
of these zones a WSU is placed on the wall and at least one DRU is
placed at the exit of the HVAC source duct into the zone. If there
is more that one HVAC outlet in a zone then each HVAC outlet has
its own DRU. An exception to this is the case of a home, such as a
studio, that is functionally a single zone then DRUs are not
needed. The WSU in a zone controls each DRU in a zone via wireless
ZigBee communication. Most communication between the WSU and DRU is
from the WSU to the DRU ordering the DRU to open or close. The DRU
will communicate back to the WSU open/close state confirmation,
temperature, low battery and fault data. The DRUs act as a ZigBee
End Device (ZED). Most WSU's function as ZigBee Router (ZR), but
one WSU will act as a ZigBee coordinator (ZC) unless a HVAC central
controller is present in which case the HVAC central controller
acts as the ZC.
[0052] The WSU redundant occupancy sensors are able determine if
the room is occupied. Redundant senors are used because often one
time of sensor will not be able to determine if a human is present.
For example, PIR sensors can only detect humans when they move and
microphones can only detect their presence when they make noise.
Conversely, occupancy sensor often have false positives. By
combining the inputs from multiple sensor and filtering, a much
more accurate picture of occupancy can be obtained. Each WSU
records the occupancy of its zone in its FLASH memory in 15 minute
increments with a rolling record for 4 years. The occupancy record
is used to predict future occupancy. The occupancy record is
examined using a Decaying Occupancy Temporal (DOT) Algorithm by
looking at periodic occupancy records with decaying impact from
older records. Occupancy is recorded as 1 if occupied and 0 in
unoccupied. For example if looking at the past four days then eight
times the occupancy value the same time one day before the target
record is added with four times the occupancy value from two days
before plus two times the value of occupancy record from three days
before plus the occupancy value from four days before. This
algorithm can be used over different time intervals such as past n
15 minutes, past n hours, past n days, past n months, past n years
or time-logical intervals such as past n week days, past n weekend
days, same day of month past n months. These various occupancy
interval measurements are weighted and summed and compared against
a user configurable economy/comfort threshold. The weighing values
for the various occupancy interval measurements are determined by a
genetic algorithm running in the background that uses the uses the
weighing values as the genetic representation and performance with
recent occupancy history as a fitness function to select the
weighting values. Each WSU also keeps a record of set points, reset
points and ventilation rates in FLASH in 15 minute increments based
on a one week calendar that can be altered by the occupants.
[0053] If the occupancy sensors or thermal sensors in a WSU are
triggered a request is sent to the ZC. Every 15 minutes the ZC
sends a command to the WSUs to execute the occupancy prediction
algorithm and returns any conditioning results to the ZC. If there
is a conditioning request pending the ZC opens a sufficient number
of DRUs to keep the pressure of the ducts low enough to maintain a
high enough air flow for heat transfer, HVAC central plant safety
and to prevent damage to the duct system. The DRUs to open is
determined by current HVAC needs and by near future HVAC needs by
the ZC querying the WSUs that will run their respective prediction
algorithms for current and near future occupancy as well as
distance from current set/setback point. From these values, the ZC
opens the next most likely DRUs to open until enough are opened to
provide adequate air flow in the duct network and to also provide
minimum building ventilation. The WSU contain a full set of
algorithms for setback, pre-cooling, fresh air economizers, load
shedding, economic/comfort trade-offs and time of day meters
optimization. The ZC also contains a full set of algorithms for
controlling all standard HVAC plant types as well as relays for
signaling the central HVAC plant.
[0054] The various embodiments described above can be combined to
provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent
application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign
patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications
referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application
Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ
concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to
provide yet further embodiments.
[0055] These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in
light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the
following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit
the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the
specification and the claims, but should be construed to include
all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents
to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not
limited by the disclosure.
* * * * *