U.S. patent application number 15/724239 was filed with the patent office on 2019-04-04 for air pressure controller for air ventilation devices.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Rainone, Samuel A. Sackett, Dennis J. Steinhauer, Adam Collin Vance. Invention is credited to Michael Rainone, Samuel A. Sackett, Dennis J. Steinhauer, Adam Collin Vance.
Application Number | 20190101302 15/724239 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65896511 |
Filed Date | 2019-04-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190101302 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rainone; Michael ; et
al. |
April 4, 2019 |
AIR PRESSURE CONTROLLER FOR AIR VENTILATION DEVICES
Abstract
A ventilation management system for a structure includes one or
more sensors, disposed in and/or outside the structure, capable
determining a pressure differential between the interior and
exterior air pressure. A controller coupled to the one or more
sensors provides a control signal to one or more ventilation units
which signal the ventilation units to bring outside air into the
structure to insure that the pressure inside the structure is equal
to, or greater than, the pressure outside of the structure.
Inventors: |
Rainone; Michael;
(Palestine, TX) ; Steinhauer; Dennis J.; (Bozeman,
MT) ; Sackett; Samuel A.; (Frankston, TX) ;
Vance; Adam Collin; (Palestine, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rainone; Michael
Steinhauer; Dennis J.
Sackett; Samuel A.
Vance; Adam Collin |
Palestine
Bozeman
Frankston
Palestine |
TX
MT
TX
TX |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65896511 |
Appl. No.: |
15/724239 |
Filed: |
October 3, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2110/10 20180101;
F24F 2110/22 20180101; F24F 7/08 20130101; F24F 2110/66 20180101;
F24F 2011/0002 20130101; F24F 2120/00 20180101; F24F 2110/40
20180101; F24F 2110/50 20180101; F24F 11/0001 20130101; F24F
2110/20 20180101; F24F 2110/72 20180101; F24F 11/62 20180101; F24F
2110/12 20180101; F24F 11/65 20180101; F24F 11/56 20180101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/00 20060101
F24F011/00; F24F 7/08 20060101 F24F007/08; F24F 11/56 20060101
F24F011/56; F24F 11/65 20060101 F24F011/65 |
Claims
1. A ventilation management system for a structure comprising: one
or more sensors, disposed in and/or outside the structure, capable
of measuring at least the pressure inside the structure and the
pressure outside the structure; one or more ventilation units
disposed in the structure, wherein the ventilation units
communicate with outside air surrounding the structure and provide
a pathway for the outside air to enter the structure; a controller
coupled to the one or more sensors and the one or more ventilation
units, wherein the controller provides control signals to the one
or more ventilation units which signal the ventilation units to
bring outside air into the structure; wherein the controller
further comprises a prediction engine configured to insure that the
pressure inside the structure is equal to, or greater than, the
pressure outside of the structure, by operating one or more of the
ventilation units to bring air into the structure, and wherein the
prediction engine further determines a near optimum or improved
schedule for using the ventilation units to bring outside air into
the structure based on pressure differential information collected
from the one or more sensors, in combination with monitored
occupant's climate control habits.
2. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
one or more sensors measure humidity inside the structure and
wherein the actual, measured and/or predictive engine further uses
the measured humidity inside the structure, and the humidity of the
outside air surrounding the structure, to determine a near optimum
or improved schedule for using the ventilation units to bring
outside air into the structure.
3. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
one or more sensors measure the indoor air quality and wherein the
controller provides control signals to the one or more ventilation
units which signal the ventilation units to bring outside air into
the structure to assist in the improvement of the indoor air
quality in the structure.
4. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
one or more sensors measure the carbon monoxide levels in the air
in the structure, and wherein the controller provides control
signals to the one or more ventilation units which signal the
ventilation units to bring outside air into the structure to assist
in the reduction of carbon monoxide in the structure.
5. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
one or more sensors measure the temperature in the structure, and
wherein the controller provides control signals to the one or more
ventilation units which signal the ventilation units to bring
outside air into the structure based on a predicted usage of an
HVAC system of the building as determined by the temperature inside
the building and the predicted temperature outside the
structure.
6. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
one or more sensors include a wireless transmitter in communication
with the controller.
7. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the one or more
ventilation units bring outside air into the house without the
outside air passing through an HVAC system.
8. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the one or more
ventilation units comprise a fan to draw outside air into the
structure.
9. The ventilation system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the
one or more ventilation units comprise a wireless receiver in
communication with the controller.
10. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the controller
provides control signals to the one or more ventilation units which
signal the ventilation units to bring outside air into the building
at a rate determined by the controller.
11. The ventilation system of claim 1, further comprising one or
more sensors that measure the temperature and/or pressure and/or
humidity of outside air surrounding the structure.
12. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the controller is
coupleable to other pre-existing structure climate control
devices.
13. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the ventilation
system is in a single unit designed to fit within a single gang
electrical outlet wall box.
14. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the controller
comprises software, and wherein the controller can receive remote
updates for the software.
15. A method of providing ventilation to a structure comprising:
determining an air pressure differential between air inside the
structure and an air outside the structure using one or more
sensors disposed in the structure; determining a preferred
temperature for the interior of the structure; obtaining the
temperature of the outside air surrounding the structure; maintain
the pressure inside the structure to be equal to, or greater than,
the pressure outside of the structure, by operating one or more
ventilation units to bring air into the structure, and determining
a near optimum or improved schedule for using the ventilation units
to bring outside air into the structure based on the predicted
regular use of devices in the structure that force air out of the
structure determined from the preferred temperature and the outside
temperature of the air surrounding the structure; operating one or
more ventilation units disposed in the structure to bring outside
air into the building based on the near optimum or improved
schedule.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: determining a near
optimum or improved schedule for using the ventilation units to
bring outside air into the structure based on pressure differential
information collected from the one or more sensors, in combination
with monitored occupant's climate control habits.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising updating the optimum
or improved schedule periodically.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the optimum or improved
schedule is updated remotely.
19. (canceled)
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining the
amount of volatile organic compounds in the air and operating the
one or more ventilation units to bring outside air into the
building to assist in the reduction of the volatile organic
compounds in the structure.
21-28. (canceled)
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/403,263 entitled "Air Pressure Controller
for Air Ventilation Devices" filed Oct. 3, 2016, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1 Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention generally relates to control of ventilation
into a generally enclosed space.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
[0003] Increased energy efficiency in housing is being mandated by
both government regulations as well as the increasing cost of both
heating and cooling a house. Making a building virtually air tight
by minimizing the number of air changes that result from leaking
windows, gaps around doors etc. is one of the best ways to improve
the energy efficiency of a house. As homes become increasingly more
air-tight however, one issue that needs to be addressed is
depressurization. Depressurization is a negative pressure that
develops when an exhaust device, such as a bathroom ventilator, a
clothes dryer or a kitchen exhaust vent is turned on in a home. As
the exhaust fan pushes air outside, the inside pressure begins to
drop. The severity of the pressure drop is determined by the size
of the house, the natural air infiltration of the house and the
size and/or number of exhaust fans running.
[0004] The two main culprits responsible for creating significant
negative pressures in homes are the kitchen range and clothing
dryer. Exhaust fans that alone expel less than 150 cfm (bathroom
fans) generally do not pose a health or building envelope risk.
However, larger fans like the kitchen exhaust, or even a fire place
can cause a serious depressurization event. Such an event can be
dangerous to the occupants since the lower pressure can result in
pulling harmful soil gasses such as radon through small openings in
foundations, and draw carbon monoxide into the house from
combustion gasses expelled by space and domestic hot water heating
equipment. In addition there must be a certain exchange of fresh
air to maintain a healthy house and minimize the build-up of
volatile organic compounds and other known indoor pollutants.
[0005] Creating a negative pressure in a home is especially
dangerous when there is a wood burning fireplace present. Wood
stoves or fireplaces require indoor air (oxygen) to burn and draw
effectively. When the house is at a lower pressure than the outside
pressure, the chimney can easily backdraft bringing smoke or CO
back into the house.
[0006] The risks from having a house in a state of negative
pressure include higher utility costs through uncontrolled
infiltration, poor indoor air quality, increased risk of mold
building up inside the walls and in extreme cases, can lead to
asphyxiation from the smoke or carbon monoxide backdrafting into
the house. For example, if a homeowner were to use their fireplace
and range hood at the same time, there could be risk of
asphyxiation if there were no protections against depressurization.
When the range hood is turned on, the chimney or combustion venting
often serves as a path of least resistance for replacement air when
the house is drawn into a depressurized state. Under such
circumstances, it can take only a few seconds to bring smoke or
even flames back into a house when a fire is burning.
[0007] Depressurization inside larger buildings, for example an
office building, can be caused by the stack effect. The stack
effect is the phenomenon in which a tall building acts as a chimney
in cold weather, with the natural convection of air entering at the
lower floors of the building, flowing through the building, and
exiting from the upper floors. This can create depressurization if
the air leaving the building is faster than the air entering the
building.
[0008] If the house does not include a spillage susceptible
combustion appliance, the outside air is pulled inside through the
various leaks in the building envelope. In winter, the cold outside
air can condense inside the walls of the building, where it changes
from gas to liquid. This can lead to long-term mold issues or even
worse structural integrity issues like rotting wood where there is
a failure in the building envelope.
[0009] Managing depressurization can done by installing a make-up
air (MUA) system, which provides replacement air from the large
exhaust devices at the time they are used, keeping the indoor and
outdoor pressure balanced. While this resolves the complications of
depressurization, bringing in unconditioned air from the outside
will raise heating and cooling bills, in addition to the initial
cost of the make-up air system.
[0010] Recently, in response to increasingly tight building
envelopes required by building code, owners, contractors and
engineers have installed heat exchange devices or an energy
recovery device which exhausts indoor air over a series of thin
membranes intended to recover heat from outgoing air that can be
used to warm the fresh incoming air needed for ventilation. Heat
Recovery Ventilation (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) is
intended to operate at a balanced state and therefore do not
depressurize while ventilating. However, there is no "smart"
actuation of these devices; most are simply operated on a schedule
to maintain minimum ventilation requirements. It is desirable to
have a smart system capable of ventilation only when ventilation is
needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In an embodiment, a smart system is capable of ventilation
only when ventilation is needed. The system, in one embodiment,
includes a MUA system that operates in conjunction with all of the
other ventilation and air movement systems in the building to
achieve the best and safest air quality solution without compromise
of the structure's energy efficiency.
[0012] In one embodiment, a ventilation management system for a
structure includes: one or more sensors, disposed in and/or outside
the structure, capable of measuring at least the pressure inside
the structure and the pressure outside the structure; one or more
ventilation units disposed in the structure, wherein the
ventilation units communicate with outside air surrounding the
structure and provide a pathway for the outside air to enter the
structure; a controller coupled to the one or more sensors and the
one or more ventilation units, wherein the controller provides
control signals to the one or more ventilation units which signal
the ventilation units to bring outside air into the structure;
wherein the controller further comprises a prediction engine
configured to insure that the pressure inside the structure is
equal to, or greater than, the pressure outside of the structure,
by operating one or more of the ventilation units to bring air into
the structure, and wherein the prediction engine further determines
a near optimum or improved schedule for using the ventilation units
to bring outside air into the structure based on pressure
differential information collected from the one or more sensors, in
combination with monitored occupant's climate control habits. At
least one of the one or more sensors include a wireless transmitter
in communication with the controller.
[0013] In an embodiment, at least one of the one or more sensors
measure humidity inside the structure. The actual, measured and/or
predictive engine may use the measured humidity inside the
structure, and the humidity of the outside air surrounding the
structure, to determine a near optimum or improved schedule for
using the ventilation units to bring outside air into the
structure.
[0014] In an embodiment, at least one of the one or more sensors
measure the amount of volatile organic compounds in the air. The
controller provides control signals to the one or more ventilation
units which signal the ventilation units to bring outside air into
the structure to assist in the reduction of the volatile organic
compounds in the structure.
[0015] In an embodiment, at least one of the one or more sensors
measure the carbon monoxide levels in the air in the structure. The
controller provides control signals to the one or more ventilation
units which signal the ventilation units to bring outside air into
the structure to assist in the reduction of carbon monoxide in the
structure.
[0016] In an embodiment, at least one of the one or more sensors
measures the temperature in the structure. The controller may
provide control signals to the one or more ventilation units which
signal the ventilation units to bring outside air into the
structure based on a predicted usage of an HVAC system of the
building as determined by the temperature inside the building and
the predicted temperature outside the structure.
[0017] One or more ventilation units may be configured to bring
outside air into the house without the outside air passing through
an HVAC system. Ventilation units may include a fan to draw outside
air into the structure. Ventilation units may include a wireless
receiver in communication with the controller. During use, the
controller may provide control signals to the one or more
ventilation units which signal the ventilation units to bring
outside air into the building at a rate determined by the
controller.
[0018] The controller may be coupleable to other pre-existing
structure climate control devices and one or more sensors that
measure the temperature and/or pressure and/or humidity of outside
air surrounding the structure. The controller may therefore monitor
and control the entire inside environment of the structure. In an
embodiment, a method of providing ventilation to a structure
includes: determining an air pressure differential between air
inside the structure and an air outside the structure using one or
more sensors disposed in the structure; determining a preferred
temperature for the interior of the structure; obtaining the
temperature of the outside air surrounding the structure;
maintaining the pressure inside the structure to be equal to, or
greater than, the pressure outside of the structure, by operating
one or more ventilation units to bring air into the structure, and
determining a near optimum or improved schedule for using the
ventilation units to bring outside air into the structure based on
the predicted regular use of devices in the structure that force
air out of the structure determined from the preferred temperature
and the outside temperature of the air surrounding the structure;
operating one or more ventilation units disposed in the structure
to bring outside air into the building based on the near optimum or
improved schedule.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Advantages of the present invention will become apparent to
those skilled in the art with the benefit of the following detailed
description of embodiments and upon reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a single unit ventilation management
system;
[0021] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a ventilation unit; and
[0022] FIG. 3 depicts a ventilation management system distributed
throughout the structure.
[0023] While the invention may be susceptible to various
modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof
are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail. The drawings may not be to scale. It should be
understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description
thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular
form disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the
spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the
appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] It is to be understood the present invention is not limited
to particular devices or methods, which may, of course, vary. It is
also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the
purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not
intended to be limiting. As used in this specification and the
appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include
singular and plural referents unless the content clearly dictates
otherwise. Furthermore, the word "may" is used throughout this
application in a permissive sense (i.e., having the potential to,
being able to), not in a mandatory sense (i.e., must). The term
"include," and derivations thereof, mean "including, but not
limited to." The term "coupled" means directly or indirectly
connected.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, a ventilation
management system 175 for a structure 100 includes one or more
sensors 110, one or more ventilation units 120 disposed in the wall
of a structure, and a system controller 130 coupled to the one or
more sensors and the one or more ventilation units. As used herein
the term "structure" refers to a house, an apartment building, or
an office building in which people live and/or work. FIG. 1 depicts
an embodiment of a ventilation management system that is
incorporated into a single unit. FIG. 3 depicts a ventilation
management system which is composed of various components dispersed
throughout the structure. The ventilation system may be powered
using the main structure power, or may be powered using a battery
integrated into the ventilation management system control unit
175.
[0026] Ventilation unit 120 communicates with outside air
surrounding the structure and provides a pathway for the outside
air to enter the structure. FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of an
exemplary ventilation unit 120. Ventilation unit 120 includes a
conduit 123 which extends through an exterior wall of the structure
to allow air to pass from outside the structure into the interior
of the structure. The ventilation unit also includes an actuated
valve 122 coupled to the ventilation unit controller 125. Actuated
valve 122 may be opened or closed in response to control signals
from ventilation unit controller 125. Ventilation unit controller
is coupled to system controller 130 via at least one communication
line. In one embodiment, a communication line may be a wireless
connection between the ventilation unit and the main controller.
Ventilation unit 130 may include additional optional components
such as volume damper 124, duct heater 126, and inline fan 128.
Volume damper 124 may be used to alter the volume of air being
passed through the ventilation unit. In one embodiment, main
controller uses volume damper 124 to control the rate at which
outside air is brought into the structure. Inline fan 128 may be
used to draw air into the structure, rather than relying on the
differential pressure. Duct heater 126 may be used to heat air
before the air is brought into the structure. Duct heater is an
optional component and may not be present if the outside air is
passed into an HVAC system before entering the structure.
[0027] Ventilation conduit 123 may connect to an outside air
distribution system composed of outlet conduit 145, HVAC system
transfer conduit 149 and structure transfer conduit 147. A three
way valve 148 may be used to couple the conduits to each other and
valve 148 may be coupled to system controller via a communication
line. When the outside air has a temperature and/or humidity
similar to the temperature and/or humidity of the air inside the
structure, outside air may be brought directly into the structure
through ventilation conduit 123, into outlet conduit 145 and
through structure transfer conduit 147. When the outside air has a
temperature and/or humidity that are outside of a predetermined
limit, when compared to the temperature and/or humidity of the air
inside the structure, outside air may be passed into HVAC system
140 for conditioning before being passed to the structure. Outside
air may pass through ventilation conduit 123, into outlet conduit
145 and through HVAC system transfer conduit 149. In one
embodiment, main controller 130 may be coupled to HVAC system 140
controllers and/or sensors. Main controller 130 may coordinate the
operation of the HVAC system with the operation of the one or more
ventilation units 120.
[0028] In a single unit ventilation management system (FIG. 1),
sensor 110 is capable of measuring differential pressure between
the air outside of the structure and the air in the interior of the
structure. A single sensor, or a pair of sensors, may be used to
determine the pressure differential between the outside air
surrounding the structure and the air inside the structure. An
example of sensors that might be used would be the Bosch BME 680
which contains a full suite of sensors including air pressure,
temperature, humidity, and indoor air quality (IAQ). A less
complicated air pressure sensor like the Bosch BME 280 may also be
used. One or more pressure sensors may be used to determine the
pressure differential. If the pressure differential is negative
(outside air pressure is greater than air pressure inside the
structure) then the structure is considered to be in a
"depressurized" state. When the structure is considered to be in a
depressurized state, system controller 130 sends a control signal
to ventilation unit 120 to open valve 122 and bring outside air
into the structure.
[0029] Other sensors may be coupled to the ventilation management
system unit (See FIG. 3) and include, but are not limited to,
temperature sensors (both inside and outside), humidity sensors
(both inside and outside), carbon monoxide sensors, and volatile
organic compound sensors. One or more of the sensors may include a
wireless transmitter in communication with the system
controller.
[0030] System controller 130 is programmed to control the operation
of the ventilation unit. In one mode (non-actual, measured and/or
predictive mode), the main controller simply monitors the pressure
differential between the pressure inside the structure and outside
of the structure. If the pressure differential reaches a set value,
for example a value established based on measuring usage patterns,
the main controller provides an actuation signal to the ventilation
unit to allow air to enter the structure.
[0031] In an actual, measured and/or predictive mode, the main
controller not only monitors the pressure differential, but also
monitors other factors, such as: outside temperature, humidity, and
weather conditions, among other features. Data collected from these
various sensors and sources (for example internet weather
information), in combination with occupant's climate control
habits, are used in an actual, measured and/or predictive engine
that is a component of the main controller to predict the near
optimum or improved schedule for using the ventilation units to
bring outside air into the structure. The actual, measured and/or
predictive engine that may be used to create a near optimum or
improved schedule based on the occupant's use of various devices
that affect the pressure differential. In one embodiment, at least
one of the one or more sensors measure humidity inside the
structure. The actual, measured and/or predictive engine further
uses the measured humidity inside the structure, and the humidity
of the outside air surrounding the structure, to determine a near
optimum or improved schedule for using the ventilation units to
bring outside air into the structure.
[0032] In some embodiments, sensors may be used to respond to the
build-up of harmful gasses and compounds in the structure. In
response to the detection of harmful gasses the controller
activates one or more ventilation units to allow outside air to
enter the structure. The incoming outside air reduces the
concentration of the harmful gasses in the structure.
[0033] In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more sensors
measures the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air
in the structure. The actual, measured and/or predictive engine
further uses the measured VOC content to provide control signals to
the one or more ventilation units which signal the ventilation
units to bring outside air into the structure to assist in the
reduction of the volatile organic compounds in the structure.
[0034] In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more sensors
measures the amount of carbon monoxide in the air in the structure.
The actual, measured and/or predictive engine further uses the
measured carbon monoxide content to provide control signals to the
one or more ventilation units which signal the ventilation units to
bring outside air into the structure to assist in the reduction of
carbon monoxide in the structure.
[0035] In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more sensors
measures the temperature in the structure. The main controller will
provide control signals to the one or more ventilation units which
signal the ventilation units to bring outside air into the
structure based on a predicted usage of an HVAC system of the
building as determined by the temperature inside the building and
the predicted temperature outside the structure.
[0036] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a ventilation system that is
distributed throughout the structure, rather than being embodied as
a single unit. The ventilation management system for a structure
100 includes one or more sensors 110, disposed in and/or outside
the structure, one or more ventilation units 120 disposed in the
structure, and a system controller 130 coupled to the one or more
sensors and the one or more ventilation units.
[0037] Ventilation unit 120 communicates with outside air
surrounding the structure and provides a pathway for the outside
air to enter the structure and may be the same or similar to the
ventilation unit described in FIG. 2. Ventilation conduit 123 may
connect to an outside air distribution system composed of outlet
conduit 145, HVAC system transfer conduit 149 and structure
transfer conduit 147, as described above with respect to FIG. 1. As
discussed above, main controller 130 may coordinate the operation
of the HVAC system with the operation of the one or more
ventilation units 120.
[0038] A least one of the one or more sensors 110 is capable of
measuring the pressure inside the structure. The same sensor, or
another sensor, is capable of measuring the pressure outside to the
structure. Other sensors that may be present throughout the
structure include temperature sensors (both inside and outside),
humidity sensors (both inside and outside), carbon monoxide
sensors, and volatile organic compound sensors. One or more of the
sensors may include a wireless transmitter in communication with
the main controller.
[0039] System controller 130 is coupled to the sensors 110 via
communication lines 150.
[0040] Communication lines 150 may represent hardwired or wireless
communication channels that allow data transfer between the one or
more sensors. System controller 130 is also coupled to ventilation
unit controller 125, as shown in FIG. 1, through a wired or
wireless communication line.
[0041] In both embodiments (FIG. 1 and FIG. 3) of a ventilation
management system, system controller 130 interfaces with all of the
sensors coupled to the system. System controller 130 may include a
sensor system interface that coordinates sensor data with a
controller system using a microprocessor with configurable memory
to take in, interpret sensor input and then control the actuator
portion of the device, or to make predictions as well as control
device to device communications and power. The memory subsystem
stores gathered data and provides the data to the actual, measured
and/or predictive engine to be able to anticipate changes to the
structure environment. This machine learning algorithm capability
will allow the device to know when and what to do under the many
conditions that the house and the occupants endure. For instance,
during the "shoulder" part of the year, during spring and fall, the
device will be able to minimize heating and cooling costs by
bringing in the outside air to temper the inside air without
turning either the heat or the air conditioning on.
[0042] Communications lines 150 for a communication system that
includes a suite of devices to: provide device to device
communications; communicate over the internet; communicate to smart
phones to allow users to know what the system knows, provide
information concerning the status of the system; and allow manual
control of the system. In one embodiment, RF communications
transceivers allow the units to talk to each other. All relevant
information including but not limited to sensor data, actuator
data, conditions of the device (including power and health), as
well as any other information that may be required may be
communicated over the communication system. For instance, the unit
sensing in a basement laundry room might be looking for carbon
monoxide, indoor and outdoor air pressure, temperature and
humidity, or other sensible things. Such information is relayed to
another transceiver which could then provide a wireless message to
the user to provide control or alerts. Information could be relayed
to an actuator system which might turn on a Heat Recovery
Ventilator, HRV, or a whole house fan or some other ventilation
device that would provide either the air exchange or positive
pressure as required. Another configurable communication device may
simply relay information via WiFi or cellular networks onto the
Internet for posting to websites or send alerts to user smart
phones when the user is remote.
[0043] In a whole structure distributed embodiment (FIG. 3) the
ventilation management system may include a distributed actuator
system. The actuator system enables the entire system to act upon
the information gathered. The actuator system may include one or
more relays which, when actuated, conducts an electrical signal to
open or close a valve in a ventilation unit. The actuator system
may include a motor controller circuit which may control the motor
speed and thus the velocity and volume of air deliver into or out
of the house. The actuator system may actuate other devices such as
dampers, automatic window opening, and alarms All together this
allows the system to flow air, tempered or not, both into and out
of the house, automatically, and actual, measured and/or
predictively.
[0044] A power system provides power to the entire system including
sensors, communication, actuators, controllers including
microprocessors and memory, and as well as recharging methodology
for a battery pack, switching power to relay or motor controls etc.
The power system may include batteries, solar power, and/or be
powered off of the AC mains.
[0045] The system controller that operates the ventilation
management system may be configured to include, as needed, all or
none of the sensors built into the system. The system controller
communicates to and from the user, using in house wireless
communication (e.g., Bluetooth) or through the Internet. The system
controller can switch on or off the ventilation devices at the
users discretion, or can use the built in actual, measured and/or
predictive intelligence in the system to control the devices as
required.
[0046] In some embodiments, the ventilation management system may
be used as a whole structure management system. The ventilation
management system may be coupled to sensors and switches associated
with structural environmental control devices. Exemplary structural
environment control devices include, but are not limited to: the
HVAC system; boilers; smart thermostats; energy recovery
ventilators; heat recovery ventilators; combustion appliances;
whole house fans; ceiling fans; bathroom vent fans; attic
ventilators; crawl space ventilators; kitchen exhaust fans;
automatic window openers; radon sensor; alarms; smoke detectors;
WiFi; cellular networks; the Internet; smart phones; carbon
monoxide sensors; fire alarms and fire suppression systems; life
safety equipment; air quality monitors; weather data; and a weather
station on site.
[0047] Use of an actual, measured and/or predictive engine enables
the system to actual, measured and/or predictive the needs of the
entire house. An important part of the actual, measured and/or
predictive engine is the use of machine learning heuristics. An
optimal system is one that could anticipate heating, cooling
ventilation requirement is such a way that energy cost would be
minimized, health and safety could be maximized. The actual,
measured and/or predictive engine uses actual, measured and/or
predictive algorithms to predict what the housing envelope should
be such that the changes to such things as temperature, humidity,
air quality, indoor pressure are minimized, thus conserving energy
for the user. For example, using weather data pre-cooling and
pre-ventilation can be used to minimize cooling and ventilation of
the structure, thus minimizing costs. Using an array of sensors
throughout the structure microclimates may be monitored and
addressed by opening and closing ventilation conduits around the
structure. Solar insolation of the structure can be monitored and
predicted (using weather data) to address microclimates created by
uneven heating of the structure. Incorporating the system
controller into the entire structure network allows the controller
to drive such things as shutter, window shades, dehumidifiers,
ducting into the HVAC system.
[0048] Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various
aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the
art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is
to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of
teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of carrying
out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the
invention shown and described herein are to be taken as examples of
embodiments. Elements and materials may be substituted for those
illustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be
reversed, and certain features of the invention may be utilized
independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art
after having the benefit of this description of the invention.
Changes may be made in the elements described herein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described
in the following claims.
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