U.S. patent application number 14/244324 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-09 for dynamic fa ade system consisting of controllable windows, automated shades and dimmable electric lights.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Pekka Hakkarainen, Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bryan D. Greer, Helen Sanders.
Application Number | 20140303788 14/244324 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50729352 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140303788 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sanders; Helen ; et
al. |
October 9, 2014 |
DYNAMIC FA ADE SYSTEM CONSISTING OF CONTROLLABLE WINDOWS, AUTOMATED
SHADES AND DIMMABLE ELECTRIC LIGHTS
Abstract
The disclosure of the present invention provides for a process
for controlling the environmental settings of a building,
including: providing a building management system capable of
controlling one or more electrochromic devices at least one of (a)
one or more automated window shades, and (b) one or more dimmable
electric lights; receiving, at the building management system, a
plurality of inputs related to (a) a time of day, (b) an occupancy
status of the building, (c) a presence of a glare condition, and
(d) an operating mode of an HVAC system of the building; and
controlling, at the building management system, the status of at
least one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic
devices based on at least one of the plurality of inputs.
Inventors: |
Sanders; Helen; (Faribault,
MN) ; Greer; Bryan D.; (Northfield, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hakkarainen; Pekka
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
SAGE Electrochromics, Inc. |
Doylestown
Doylestown
Faribault |
PA
PA
MN |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Lutron Electronics Co.,
Inc.
Doylestown
PA
SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
Faribault
MN
|
Family ID: |
50729352 |
Appl. No.: |
14/244324 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61808367 |
Apr 4, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
700/276 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05B 47/10 20200101;
F24F 11/30 20180101; E06B 9/32 20130101; G02F 1/163 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
700/276 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/00 20060101
F24F011/00 |
Claims
1. A process for controlling the environmental settings of a
building having one or more windows, said process comprising:
providing a building management system capable of controlling one
or more electrochromic devices associated with the one or more
windows and at least one of (a) one or more automated window shades
associated with the one or more windows, and (b) one or more
dimmable electric lights; receiving, at the building management
system, a plurality of inputs related to (a) a time of day, (b) an
occupancy status of the building, (c) a presence of a glare
condition, and (d) an operating mode of an HVAC system of the
building; and controlling, at the building management system, the
status of at least one of the window shades, the lights and the
electrochromic device based on at least one of the plurality of
inputs.
2. The process of claim 1, wherein controlling the status of at
least one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic
device based on at least one of the inputs relating to an occupancy
status of the building, a presence of a glare condition and an
operating mode of an HVAC system of the building is at least
partially influenced by the determination of the time of day
input.
3. The process of claim 2, wherein the status of at least one of
the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic device is not
controlled based on the input relating to the presence of a glare
condition when the building management system determines that the
time of day is nighttime.
4. The process of claim 2, wherein the status of at least one of
the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic device is not
controlled based on the input relating to the presence of a glare
condition when the building management system determines that the
occupancy status is vacant.
5. The process of claim 2, wherein controlling the status of at
least one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic
device based on the input relating to an operating mode of an HVAC
system of the building is at least partially influenced by the
determination of the input relating to occupancy status of the
building only when the time of day input indicates that the time of
day is daytime.
6. The process of claim 2, wherein controlling the status of at
least one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic
device based on the input relating to an occupancy status of the
building is not influenced by the determination of the input
relating to HVAC system of the building only when the time of day
input indicates that the time of day is nighttime.
7. The process of claim 1, wherein the building management system
comprises at least one of a lighting control system, a window shade
control system, and a dynamic glazing control system.
8. The process of claim 1, wherein the time of day input is
selected from one of a day input and a night input.
9. The process of claim 1, wherein the time of day input is
selected from one of a morning input, an afternoon input, and a
night input.
10. The process of claim 1, wherein the glare condition input is
selected from one of a present input or an absent input.
11. The process of claim 1, wherein the HVAC operating mode input
is selected from one of a heating input and a cooling input.
12. The process of claim 1, wherein the occupancy status input is
selected from one of an occupied input and a vacant input.
13. The process of claim 1, wherein the building management system
further receives information relating to at least one of a
geographic location of the building, weather forecasts, and
historical weather data.
14. The process of claim 1, wherein the building management system
further receives information relating to at least one of an
orientation of the one or more windows in relation to sunlight at a
particular time of day, a presence or absence of neighboring
buildings, and shadows cast by nearby obstructions.
15. The process of claim 1, wherein the building management system
further receives information from one or more photosensors.
16. The process of claim 1, wherein the building management system
further receives information from one or more temperature
sensors.
17. The process of claim 16, wherein the temperature sensors are in
an external environment.
18. The process of claim 16, wherein the temperature sensors are in
a room in which at least one window is located.
19. A process for controlling the environmental settings of a
controlled space, said process comprising: providing a management
system capable of controlling one or more electrochromic devices
and least one of (a) one or more automated window shades and (b)
one or more dimmable electric lights; receiving, at the management
system, a plurality of inputs related to (a) a time of day, (b) an
occupancy status of the building, (c) a presence of a glare
condition, and (d) an operating mode of an HVAC system of the
controlled space; and controlling, at the management system, the
status of at least one of the window shades, the lights and the
electrochromic device based on at least one of the plurality of
inputs.
20. The process of claim 19, wherein the controlled space is one of
a building, automobile, watercraft, or aircraft.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the filing
date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/808,367,
filed Apr. 4, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present application relates to control systems for
controlling the environmental settings of a building, and methods
of operating same.
[0003] Several components of a building's facade can contribute to
the environmental settings of a building, or rooms in a building.
For instance, opening and closing the window shades in a room can
influence the brightness and temperature of the room. Likewise,
turning on a light can affect the room's brightness, as can tinting
a window to reduce the visible light transmissivity of the
window.
[0004] It is well known how to control each of the above listed
components in an automated fashion. For instance, U.S. Pat. No.
8,666,555 describes a control system having lighting and automated
shades, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,288,981 and U.S. Patent Application No.
2007/0211447 describe protocols for controlling sun glare and
illumination in a room, respectively. However, to better regulate
environmental settings of a room, it is desirable to combine some
or all of these components into a single streamlined automated
process. Furthermore, in order to make such streamlining quick and
efficient, it is desirable to set up processes that rely on
efficient sequences of operations or setting determinations.
SUMMARY
[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a process for
controlling the environmental settings of a building having one or
more windows, including: providing a building management system
capable of controlling each of (a) one or more automated window
shades associated with the one or more windows, (b) one or more
dimmable electric lights, and (c) one or more electrochromic
devices associated with the one or more windows; receiving, at the
building management system, a plurality of inputs related to (a) a
time of day, (b) an occupancy status of the building, (c) a
presence of a glare condition, and (d) an operating mode of an HVAC
system of the building; and controlling, at the building management
system, the status of at least one of the window shades, the lights
and the electrochromic devices based on at least one of the
plurality of inputs.
[0006] In some examples of the disclosure, each of the plurality of
inputs may be determined by the building management system.
Controlling the status of at least one of the window shades, the
lights and the electrochromic device based on at least one of the
inputs relating to an occupancy status of the building, a presence
of a glare condition and an operating mode of an HVAC system of the
building may be at least partially influenced by the determination
of the time of day input. The status of at least one of the window
shades, the lights and the electrochromic device may not be
controlled based on the input relating to the presence of a glare
condition when the building management system determines that the
time of day is nighttime. In some examples, the status of at least
one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic device
may not be controlled based on the input relating to the presence
of a glare condition when the building management system determines
that the occupancy status is vacant.
[0007] Also in some examples, controlling the status of at least
one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic device
based on the input relating to an operating mode on an HVAC system
of the building may be at least partially influenced by the
determination of the input relating to occupancy status of the
building only when the time of day input indicates that the time of
day is daytime. Alternatively, when the time of day input indicates
that the time of day is nighttime, controlling the status of at
least one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic
device based on the input relating to an occupancy status of the
building may not be influenced by the determination of the input
relating to HVAC system of the building only when the time of day
input indicates that the time of day is nighttime.
[0008] The building management system may be one of a lighting
control system, a window shade control system, and a dynamic
glazing control system. The building management system may include
at least one of a lighting control system, a window shade control
system, and a dynamic glazing control system.
[0009] In some examples, the time of day input may indicate whether
it is day or night. In other examples, the time of day input may
indicate whether it is morning, afternoon, or night. In yet further
examples, the time of day input may provide an indication of the
time of day (i.e., the hour, the minute, etc.).
[0010] In some examples, the glare condition input may be a
"presence" input or "absence" input, indicating the presence or
absence of glare, respectively
[0011] In some examples, the HVAC operating mode may be a "heating"
input or a "cooling" input, indicating whether the HVAC system is
presently heating or cooling the building, respectively.
[0012] In some examples, the occupancy status may be an "occupied"
input or a "vacant" input, indicating whether the building, or a
room in the building, is occupied or vacant.
[0013] In some examples, the building management system may further
receive information relating to any one or combination of
geographic location, weather forecasts, climate, an orientation of
the one or more windows in relation to sunlight at a particular
time of day, a presence or absence of neighboring buildings, and
shadows cast by nearby obstructions. With regard to the information
relating to climate, this information may be historical data.
[0014] In some examples, the building management system may receive
information from any one or combination of day light sensors and
temperature sensors. The temperature sensors may be in an external
environment, in a room in which at least one window is located, or
both.
[0015] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a process
for controlling the environmental settings of a controlled space,
which may be any of a building, an automobile, watercraft,
aircraft, or other vehicle. The process may include: providing a
management system capable of controlling one or more electrochromic
devices and least one of (a) one or more automated window shades
and (b) one or more dimmable electric lights; receiving, at the
management system, a plurality of inputs related to (a) a time of
day, (b) an occupancy status of the controlled space, (c) a
presence of a glare condition, and (d) an operating mode of an HVAC
system of the controlled space; and controlling, at the management
system, the status of at least one of the window shades, the lights
and the electrochromic device based on at least one of the
plurality of inputs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of a building management
system in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of a dynamic facade system
including the building management system of claim 1 in accordance
with an aspect of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a table depicting a method of operation of the
building management system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an aspect
of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting another method of operation
of the building management system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an
aspect of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 5 is another flow chart depicting a method of operation
of a controlled space management system in accordance with an
aspect of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The present disclosure provides a process that allows for
dynamic control of the facade of a structure (such as a building)
in order to control environmental aspects of the structure.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of a building management
system 100 that may be used to control the dynamic facade system
disclosed herein in accordance with method steps described below.
For example, and as described in greater detail below, the building
management system 100 may be any one or more of a lighting control
system, a window shade control system, and a dynamic glazing
control system. As shown, the building management system 100
("BMS") contains a processor 102, and memory or computer readable
medium 104.
[0023] Memory 104 stores information accessible by the processor
102, including instructions 106 that may be executed by the
processor 102 and data 108 that may be retrieved, manipulated or
stored by the processor 102. The memory 104 may be of any type
capable of storing information accessible by the processor, such as
a hard-drive, ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-Ray disk, flash memories,
write-capable or read-only memories. The processor 102 may comprise
any number of well known processors, such as processors from Intel
Corporation and Advanced Micro Devices. Alternatively, the
processor 102 may be a dedicated controller for executing
operations, such as an application-specific integrated circuit
(ASIC).
[0024] The instructions 106 may comprise any set of instructions to
be executed directly (such as machine code) or indirectly (such as
scripts) by the processor. In that regard, the terms
"instructions," "applications" and "programs" are used
interchangeably herein. The instructions may be stored in any
computer language or format, such as in executable/object code or
modules of source code.
[0025] Data 108 may be retrieved, stored or modified by processor
102 in accordance with the instructions 106. The data 108 may be
stored as a collection of data. For instance, although the
invention is not limited by any particular data structure, the data
may be stored in computer registers, in a relational database as a
table having a plurality of different fields and records, XML
documents, or flat files.
[0026] The data 108 may also be formatted in any computer readable
format such as, but not limited to, binary values, ASCII etc.
Similarly, the data may include images stored in a variety of
formats. Moreover, the data may include any information sufficient
to identify the relevant information, such as descriptive text,
proprietary codes, pointers, references to data stored in other
memories (including other locations in a network) or information
which is used by a function to calculate the relevant data.
[0027] The data 108 may include time information pertaining to a
then present time of day. The time information may be useful for
determining whether it is daytime or nighttime, which itself may be
useful in determining whether it is sunny or dark outside of the
structure and/or whether the structure is presently occupied (e.g.,
a commercial building occupied only during daytime hours). On some
examples the time of day information may provide a greater level of
detail, such as whether it is morning, afternoon, or night, or the
precise time of day. Such information may be useful in creating
customizable protocols for control of the dynamic facade system,
such as based on specific user preferences correlated to specific
periods of times or hours of the day.
[0028] The data 108 may also include occupancy information
pertaining to whether the controlled space is occupied or vacant.
The occupancy information may be useful in determining whether
there are any occupants who would find the environmental properties
of the controlled space to be uncomfortable (e.g., due to glare,
hot temperatures, cold temperatures, excess daylight, darkness,
etc.).
[0029] The data 108 may further include glare condition information
pertaining to whether or not any portion of the controlled space is
receiving direct glare. Generally, the glare condition is
indicative of solar glare. In some examples, the glare condition is
further indicative of glare coming from other sources, such as from
a streetlight. The glare condition information may be useful for
determining whether such glare must be blocked in the controlled
space in order to make the space more comfortable for
occupants.
[0030] The data 108 may yet further include information pertaining
to a then-present mode of operation in a heating, ventilation, and
air-conditioning (HVAC) system associated with the controlled
structure, such as whether the HVAC system is in a heating mode or
a cooling mode. The HVAC mode information may be useful for
determining whether an occupant of the controlled space desires to
heat or cool the space.
[0031] Although the processor 102 and memory 104 are functionally
illustrated in FIG. 1 as being within the same block 100, it will
be understood that the processor and memory may actually comprise
multiple processors and memories that may or may not be stored
within the same physical housing or location. For example, some or
all of the instructions and data may be stored on a
computer-readable removable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD
or Blu-Ray disk. Alternatively, such information may be stored
within a read-only computer chip. Some or all of the instructions
and data may be stored in a location physically remote from, yet
still accessible by, the processor. Similarly, the processor may
actually comprise a collection of processors which may or may not
operate in parallel. Data may be distributed and stored across
multiple memories 104 such as hard drives, data centers, server
farms or the like.
[0032] In addition, the instructions 106 of the memory 104 may
include one or more applications or programs adapted to provide any
of the functions described herein with respect to the BMS 100 and
in accordance with the various aspects of the invention. Each
device may include and execute specific instructions or
applications, desirably under management of the processor 102 in
conjunction with an operating system and protocols instructions to
provide the functionality described herein.
[0033] The BMS 100 further includes one or more input devices 110,
such as electrical wires (for carrying electronic data inputs), and
pen-inputs, joysticks, buttons, touch screens, etc., (for receiving
manual inputs). The inputs may be received from a user, sensors
included in the dynamic facade system, or both. Various inputs are
described in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 2. The BMS
100 may further include one or more outputs 120, including
electrical wires or cables (for transmitting instructions to
controllable components of the dynamic facade system) and/or
displays (for displaying information about the system). The outputs
are also described in greater detail below with reference to FIG.
2.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates an example dynamic facade system 200
including and operated using the BMS 100 of FIG. 1. In the example
dynamic facade system 200 of FIG. 2, the BMS 100 is configured to
control several dynamic glazing control systems and/or lighting
control systems of the dynamic facade system 200, such as one or
more electrochromic (EC) devices 210 (such as the SageGlass.RTM.
electrochromic windows from SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.), one or
more dimmable electric lights 220, and one or more automated shades
230 (such as those used in the Quantum.RTM. system designed by
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.).
[0035] Also, as part of the dynamic facade system 200, sensors and
other inputs may be used to help the system define or determine the
various data parameters 108 shown in FIG. 1. These sensors may
include, but are not limited to, the sensors shown in FIG. 2, such
as one or more photosensors 241, one or more indoor temperature
sensors 242, one or more outdoor temperature sensors 243, one or
more occupancy sensors 244, one or more climate data inputs 245,
one or more HVAC systems 246 and/or one or more clocks 247. Aside
from sensors, information may come from manually input data at the
time of manufacture or installation 248, and/or one or more user
interfaces 249.
[0036] The one or more photosensors 241 may be configured to sense
illuminance (e.g., an amount of daylight in the controlled space)
and/or glare (e.g., an amount of saturation to pixels of the
photosensors). In some examples, a single photosensor may be
positioned within the controlled space, and may provide a measured
illuminance and/or glare for at least a portion of the controlled
space. In such examples, the measured portion of the space may be
considered representative of the entire space. In other examples,
one or more photosensors may be stationed throughout the space.
Each sensor may collect information regarding the illuminance
and/or glare of its respective portion of the space. The
illuminance measured by each sensor may then be combined to yield a
measurement of the overall illuminance of the space. In one
example, the illuminance measured by each of the daylight sensors
may be averaged to yield an average illuminance of the space. In
another example, the illuminance measured by each of the daylight
sensors may be assigned a weight (e.g., assigning a greater weight
to a measurement taken by a sensor in the center of the space than
to a measurement taken by a sensor in a corner of the space), and
then combined to yield a weighted average illuminance of the space.
Such readings may be indicative of the time of day (more daylight
during daylight hours) and whether there is glare in the controlled
space, as well as which portions of the controlled space is
affected by the glare when multiple photosensors are positioned
throughout the space).
[0037] As with the one or more daylight sensors, the one or more
indoor temperature sensors 242 may be positioned strategically
within or about the controlled space (e.g., within the same room in
which one of the building's windows equipped with an automated
shade or EC device is located) and may take a single read, averaged
read, or weighted average read of the temperature of the controlled
space. Such readings may be indicative of whether the HVAC system
is in a heating or cooling mode. The one or more outdoor
temperature sensors 243 may be positioned in an environment
external to the controlled space (outside a building, on the side
of the controlled facade opposite the controlled space, etc.) and
may indicate the time of day (higher temperatures during daylight
hours).
[0038] The one or more occupancy sensors 244, such as motion
detectors and noise detectors, may be positioned around the
controlled space to give an indication of whether the space is
occupied by one or more users. Such information may be indicative
not only of the occupancy of the space, but also of a time of day,
such as in spaces that are more often occupied during daylight
hours (e.g., commercial buildings) or nighttime hours (e.g., hotel
rooms).
[0039] The climate data inputs 245 may be weather broadcasting
devices, such as satellites or antennae, and may provide to the BMS
100 such information as weather forecasts and/or other climate data
such as historical weather data (e.g., for analog forecasting).
Inputs from such devices may be useful, along with any temperature
readings, in determining an ideal or proper mode of operation for
the associated HVAC system or systems. Inputs from those devices
may also be useful in determining the presence or absence of glare
conditions (e.g., an indication of cloudy weather negating the
possibility of glare conditions). Of course, the HVAC system 246
itself can provide an input indicating the actual then-present mode
of operation for the HVAC system (e.g., heating mode, cooling
mode)
[0040] An astronomic time clock 247 may be used to determine
sunrise and sunset (e.g., comparing the present time to known
geographic information). Such information could also be used to
determine whether it is daytime, nighttime, or time preselected
periods of the day, or even the exact time (i.e., hour and
minute).
[0041] The manually input data 248 may indicate such information as
the geographic location and/or orientation of the controlled
space's windows in relation to sunlight at a particular time of
day. Such information may be useful for determining whether or not
direct sunlight is incident on a given location of the controlled
space or facade of the structure (based on, for example, formulae
published in the IES Lighting Handbook for determining the location
of the Sun in the sky). The manually input data 248 may also
indicate local knowledge of obstructions (which may be determined
from commissioning), such as the presence or absence of neighboring
buildings, or shadows cast by nearby obstructions, and may also be
helpful for determining the presence of incident sunlight in any
given space.
[0042] Lastly, the user interface 249 may provide any of the above
information on a regular, semi-regular, or sporadic basis.
Additionally, the user interface may enable a user to program
specific applications or protocols for controlling the dynamic
facade system 200, or to override current applications or
protocols. Examples of user interfaces are listed above in
connection with the inputs 110 of the BMS 100 described in greater
detail in connection with FIG. 1.
[0043] Based on the above inputs, the BMS 100 may determine
particular states or values for each of the time information,
occupancy information, glare condition information, and HVAC mode
information. Those four pieces of data may then be used to
determine a proper mode of operation for each of the one or more
electrochromic devices 210, the one or more dimmable electric
lights 220, and the one or more automated shades 230.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a table depicting an example of the sequential
logic employed in determining the proper operating mode of each of
the EC devices, lights and shades (a "facade management protocol").
As shown in FIG. 3, the time information may be chosen from one of
"day" and "night" (indicating whether the then-current time is
during daylight or nighttime), the occupancy information may be
chosen from one of "occupied" and "vacant" (indicating whether the
controlled space is occupied or vacant), the glare condition
information may be chosen from one of "present" or "absent"
(indicating whether or not direct sunlight is present in any
portion of the controlled space), and the HVAC mode information may
be selected from "heating" and "cooling" (indicating whether the
HVAC system is presently operative to heat or cool the controlled
space). Based on the selected pieces of information, the EC devices
210 may be set to any one of a glare mode (in which the EC devices
are set so as to reduce the amount of glare in the controlled
space, such as tinting or partially tinting EC devices installed in
windows known to admit glare at certain times of day), a daylight
mode (in which the EC devices are set to a transmissivity that
minimizes total energy use of the EC devices and lights), a bright
daylight mode (which operates like the daylight mode, except so as
to fully bleach the EC devices when the shades are closed), a clear
mode (highest transmissivity of the EC device) and a tinted mode
(lowest transmissivity of the EC device). Also, based on the
selected pieces of information, the lights 220 may be set to any of
a dimmed mode (in which the lights are set so as to minimize total
energy use of the EC devices and lights), turned off, or a design
level mode (in which the lights are turned on). Further, based on
the selected pieces of information, the shades 230 may be set to
any one of a glare mode (in which the shades are set so as to
reduce the amount of glare in the controlled space, such as closing
or partially certain shades over windows known to admit glare at
certain times of day), a closed mode, or an open mode. In those
dynamic facade systems using insulating shades, the BMS 100 may
determine whether to close a standard shade or an insulating shade,
often depending on whether the HVAC system is in a heating or a
cooling mode.
[0045] For each possible combination of time, glare, occupancy and
HVAC information, FIG. 3 illustrates the particular facade settings
yielded by such combination. It will be noted that in some
situations, a particular piece of information is irrelevant or
unneeded to determine the proper operation of the facade components
210, 220 and 230. For instance, if it determined that the time is
"day" and the occupancy is "vacant," the facade components 210, 220
and 230 may be operated the same regardless of whether or not there
is a glare condition. In some examples, the glare condition
information may be treated as irrelevant when the time information
indicates that it is nighttime.
[0046] Operations in accordance with aspects of the disclosure will
now be described with reference to the figures. It should be
understood that the following operations do not have to be
performed in the precise order described below. Rather, various
operations can be handled in a different order or simultaneously.
It should also be understood that these operations do not have to
be performed all at once. For instance, some operations may be
performed separately from other operations.
[0047] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram corresponding to the table of FIG.
3 and depicting the sequence of decisions made in order to execute
a dynamic facade management protocol. Flow diagrams other than that
shown in FIG. 4, as well as small variations to the flow diagram of
FIG. 4, are possible based on differing user preferences. User
preferences are vital for determining aspects of the BMS 100
outputs such as the tinting of an EC device, position of an
automated shade, illuminance or output of an electric light during
the day. User inputs may also provide valuable input information to
the BMS 100, such as when indicating that the controlled space is
occupied, indicating that direct sun glare (or excessive sky glare)
is or is not present, and indicating when the HVAC system is in
heating or a cooling mode. Thus, a wide range of system
configurations may be acceptable based on visual and thermal
comfort considerations and individual preferences.
[0048] In the example of FIG. 4, the facade management protocol may
begin in block 402 with the BMS determining the time of day. If it
is determined that it is not daytime (denoted "N" in FIG. 4), then
in block 404 the BMS may set the glass of the EC device to a clear
state. The protocol then continues in block 406, in which the BMS
determines whether the HVAC system is in a cooling mode. If it is
determined that the HVAC system is not in a cooling mode (denoted
"N"), then in block 408, the BMS may set the insulating shades (if
there are insulating shades) of the system to be closed. If it is
determined that the HVAC system is in a cooling mode (denoted "Y"),
then in block 410, the BMS may set the shades (regular shades, if
there is no option for insulating shades) of the system to be
closed. In either case, the protocol then continues in block 412,
in which the BMS determines whether the controlled space is
occupied. If it is determined that the controlled space is not
occupied ("N"), then in block 414 the BMS turns off the lights. If
it is determined that the controlled space is occupied ("Y"), then
in block 416 the BMS sets the lights to the design level.
[0049] Returning to block 402, if it is determined that it is
daytime (denoted "Y"), then in block 418 the BMS may next determine
whether the controlled space is occupied. If it is determined that
the controlled space is not occupied ("N"), then in block 420 the
BMS may turn the lights off. The protocol then continues in block
422, in which the BMS determines whether the HVAC system is in a
cooling mode. If it is determined that the HVAC system is in a
cooling mode ("Y"), then in block 424 the BMS may set the shades of
the system to be closed. Alternatively, or additionally, the BMS
may set the EC device to a low transmissivity level (i.e., tint the
EC glass). If it is determined that the HVAC system is not in a
cooling mode ("N"), then in block 426 the BMS may set the shades to
be open. Alternatively, or additionally, the BMS may set the EC
device to a high transmissivity level (i.e., bleach the EC
glass).
[0050] Returning to block 418, if it is determined that the
controlled space is occupied ("Y"), then in block 428 the BMS may
dim the lights, such as according to daylight conditions (e.g.,
minimizing energy expenditure of the system) or user preferences.
The protocol then continues in block 430, in which the BMS
determines whether there is glare present in the controlled space.
If it is determined that there is glare present in the controlled
space, then in block 432 the BMS may set the shades of the system
for glare prevention, which may involve closing all or some of the
shade all or part of the way so as to prevent glare in the
controlled space. If it is determined that there is no glare
present in the controlled space, then the protocol continues in
block 434, in which the BMS determines whether the HVAC system is
in a cooling mode. If it is determined that the HVAC system is in a
cooling mode ("Y"), then in block 436 the BMS may set the shades of
the system to be open. Alternatively, or additionally, the BMS may
set the EC device and lights in a manner that minimizes total
energy use of the system. If it is determined that the HVAC system
is not in a cooling mode ("N"), then in block 438 the BMS may set
the shades to be closed, preferably using light diffusing or
insulating shades. Alternatively, or additionally, the BMS may set
the EC device to a high transmissivity level (i.e., bleach the EC
glass).
[0051] In the example protocol 400 of FIG. 4, each of the plurality
of inputs is determined by the building management system, and the
time of day input influences the control of the facade components
based on the other inputs. In other words, the manner in which the
remaining information (i.e., the information relating to an
occupancy status of the building, a presence of a glare condition,
and an operating mode of an HVAC system of the building) influences
controlling the facade components is itself based at least
partially on the outcome of the time of day information
determination.
[0052] One benefit of determining the influence of the other inputs
based on the determination of the time of day information is that,
depending on the outcome of the time of day determination, some
other determinations may not need to be made at all. For example,
if it is determined that it is nighttime, and if the only glare
being detected is solar glare, then the presence of solar glare
need not be determined by the BMS, or at least the facade
components not be controlled based on such a determination. Similar
benefits may be yielded from determining the occupancy information
first, and may apply for all types of glare, since glare is only an
issue if the controlled space is occupied. In other example
protocols, the occupancy information may be determined before the
time information, such that the manner in which the time
information affects control of the facade components depends at
least partially on the determination of the occupancy
information.
[0053] Also in the example protocol 400 of FIG. 4, when the time of
day is determined to be daytime, the BMS's determination of the
occupancy information may at least partially influence the manner
in which the facade components are controlled based on the
determined operating mode of an HVAC system. In such examples, the
facade components may be controlled based on the occupancy
information first (e.g., even before a determination is made
regarding the HVAC mode). One benefit of controlling the facade
components based on the occupancy information first is that the
lights may be set (e.g., dimmed, turned off) even before a
determination is made regarding the HVAC system's present mode of
operation. Conversely, the BMS may determine control of the facade
components based on the occupancy information after the operating
mode of an HVAC system when the time of day is determined to be
nighttime. The benefit of such control is that the shades of the
building may be set even before a determination is made regarding
the occupancy of the building.
[0054] The above examples of the present disclosure describe
control of a dynamic facade system having all three of one or more
electrochromic devices 210, the one or more dimmable electric
lights 220, and the one or more automated shades 230. In some
systems, the BMS 100 may control at least two of the three
aforementioned controllable components 210, 220, and 230 using the
above described inputs. In some examples, the BMS 100 may control
one or more EC devices 210 and one of the other two controllable
components 220 and 230.
[0055] While many of the above examples of the present disclosure
describe a process for controlling features of a dynamic facade in
order to control environmental aspects of a building, it will be
recognized that the same processes and underlying principles may be
applied to any facade system so as to control environmental aspects
of any controlled space. For instance, the windows, shades, and
lighting of an automobile, boat, aircraft, or other vehicle may be
controlled in the same or similar manner as described above. It
will further be recognized that the same processes and principles
may be applied even to control environmental aspects of open-air or
outdoor spaces. For instance, properties of a wall or facade
adjacent to an outdoor park may be dynamically adjusted to regulate
glare or temperature in the park.
[0056] FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting a process 500 for
controlling the environmental settings of a controlled space, such
as a building. In block 502 a management system (which may be a
building management system in the case of a building, or other
systems with similar capabilities in the case of other controlled
spaces) capable of controlling each of (a) one or more automated
window shades, (b) one or more dimmable electric lights, and (c)
one or more electrochromic devices is provided. In some examples,
the management system may be capable of controlling one or more
electrochromic devices as well as at least one of (a) one or more
automated window shades, (b) one or more dimmable electric lights.
In block 504, the management system receives a plurality of inputs
related to (a) a time of day, (b) an occupancy status of the
controlled space, (c) a presence of a glare condition, and (d) an
operating mode of an HVAC system of the controlled space. Lastly,
in block 506, the management system controls the status of at least
one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic devices
based on at least one of the plurality of inputs.
[0057] Although the invention herein has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and
applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be
understood that numerous modifications may be made to the
illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *