U.S. patent application number 16/383483 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-13 for weather-predictive apparatus and system thereof for controlling a climatization plant.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sergio Sandro Andrea ALABISO, Alberto LODI, Raffaele SALERNO, Roberto SALIMBENI. Invention is credited to Sergio Sandro Andrea ALABISO, Alberto LODI, Raffaele SALERNO, Roberto SALIMBENI.
Application Number | 20210141348 16/383483 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005550534 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210141348 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
SALERNO; Raffaele ; et
al. |
May 13, 2021 |
WEATHER-PREDICTIVE APPARATUS AND SYSTEM THEREOF FOR CONTROLLING A
CLIMATIZATION PLANT
Abstract
It is disclosed a weather-predictive apparatus for controlling a
climatization plant, comprising a weather-climate data sensor
associated with a building, a processing unit and a signal
transceiver. The signal transceiver is configured to transmit a
current measured value of the weather-climate data associated with
the building to a weather forecast device and it is configured to
receive from the weather forecast device a plurality of weather
forecast data associated with the building in a forecast time
interval. The processing unit is configured to: calculate a change
in a nominal activation instant of the climatization plant of the
building, calculate a modified activation instant; check whether
the current instant is equal to the modified activation instant. In
case wherein the current instant is equal to the modified
activation instant, the processing unit is configured to generate a
command signal having a value representative of the activation of
the climatization plant.
Inventors: |
SALERNO; Raffaele; (Torino,
IT) ; SALIMBENI; Roberto; (Modena, IT) ;
ALABISO; Sergio Sandro Andrea; (Milano, IT) ; LODI;
Alberto; (Milano, IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SALERNO; Raffaele
SALIMBENI; Roberto
ALABISO; Sergio Sandro Andrea
LODI; Alberto |
Torino
Modena
Milano
Milano |
|
IT
IT
IT
IT |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190317460 A1 |
October 17, 2019 |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005550534 |
Appl. No.: |
16/383483 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 11/6520180101; G05B
13/048 20130101; F24F 11/30 20180101; F24F 2130/10 20180101 |
International
Class: |
G05B 13/04 20060101
G05B013/04; F24F 11/30 20060101 F24F011/30; F24F 11/65 20060101
F24F011/65 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 13, 2018 |
IT |
102018000004483 |
Claims
1. Weather-predictive apparatus for controlling a climatization
plant, the apparatus comprising a sensor of weather-climate data
associated with a building, a processing unit and a signal
transceiver, wherein: the signal transceiver is configured to
transmit, to a weather forecast device through a telecommunications
network, a current measured value of the weather-climate data
associated with the building; the signal transceiver is configured
to receive, from the weather forecast device through the
telecommunications network, a plurality of predictive weather data
associated with the building in a forecast time interval starting
from the current instant, wherein said plurality of predictive
weather data are calculated as a function of the current measured
value of the received weather-climate data associated with the
building and as a function of weather forecasts associated with the
building in the forecast time interval; the processing unit is
configured to: calculate a change in a nominal instant of
activation of the climatization plant of the building, as a
function of the value of at least part of the plurality of the
calculated received predictive weather data; calculate a modified
instant of activation as a function of the value of the nominal
activation instant and of the value of said change in the nominal
activation instant; check whether the current instant is equal to
the modified activation instant; in case wherein the current
instant is equal to the modified activation instant, generate a
command signal having a value representative of the activation of
the climatization plant; in case wherein the current instant
differs from the modified activation instant, repeat the
calculation of the change in the nominal activation instant, the
calculation of the modified activation instant and said check until
the current instant is equal to a further modified activation
instant, generating the command signal when the current instant is
equal to the further modified activation instant.
2. Weather-predictive apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
processing unit is further configured to: calculate a change in a
nominal instant of deactivation of the climatization plant of the
building, as a function of the value of at least part of the
plurality of the calculated and received predictive weather data;
calculate a modified instant of deactivation as a function of the
value of the nominal deactivation instant and of the value of said
change in the nominal deactivation instant; check whether the
current instant is equal to the modified deactivation instant; in
case wherein the current instant is equal to the modified
deactivation instant, generate a command signal having a value
representative of the deactivation of the climatization plant; in
case wherein the current instant differs from the modified
deactivation instant, repeat the calculation of the change in the
nominal deactivation instant, the calculation of the modified
deactivation instant and said check until the current instant is
equal to a further modified deactivation instant, generating the
command signal when the current instant is equal to the further
modified deactivation instant.
3. Weather-predictive apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
processing unit is configured to calculate the change in the
activation instant and the change in the deactivation instant by
means of a double stair algorithm, wherein with the values of the
current weather-climate data and of the plurality of the calculated
predictive weather data being equal, said calculated change in the
nominal activation instant differs from said calculated change in
the nominal deactivation instant.
4. Weather-predictive apparatus according claim 1, wherein the
processing unit is configured to: calculate the change in the
nominal activation instant as a function of a plurality of values
of the predictive weather data associated with the building at
instants preceding and subsequent to the nominal activation
instant; calculate the change in the nominal deactivation instant
as a function of a plurality of values of the predictive weather
data associated with the building at instants preceding and
subsequent to the nominal deactivation instant.
5. Weather-predictive apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the
current weather-climate data consist of the detected external
temperature of the building; the predictive weather data associated
with the building consist of the forecasted external temperature of
the building for a period having a value comprised between 10
minutes and 1 hour starting from the current instant for the
forecast period having a value comprised between 24 hours and 48
hours.
6. Weather-predictive system to control a climatization plant, the
weather-predictive system comprising: the weather-predictive
apparatus according to claim 1; a weather forecast device
comprising a processing unit and a signal transceiver; a
telecommunications network configured to connect the
weather-predictive apparatus and the weather forecast device to
each other; a switch configured to enable or disable an electric
power supply to the climatization plant as a function of a command
signal; wherein: the signal transceiver of the weather forecast
device is configured to receive the current measured value of the
climate data associated with the building and to transmit the
plurality of predictive weather data associated with the building
in a forecast time interval starting from the current instant; the
processing unit of the weather forecast device is configured to:
calculate said plurality of predictive weather data associated with
the building, as a function of the current measured value of the
received weather-climate data associated with the building and as a
function of weather forecasts associated with the building in the
forecast time interval; recalculate, as a function of the actual
measured value of the received weather-climate data associated with
the building and of the weather forecasts associated with the
building in at least one further forecast time interval, at least
one respective further plurality of predictive weather data
associated with the building in at least part of the at least one
corresponding further forecast time interval; the processing unit
of the weather-predictive apparatus is further configured to:
recalculate at least one further change of the nominal instant of
activation and at least one corresponding further value of the
modified instant of activation, until the current instant is not
equal to the further modified activation instant; generate the
command signal representative of a value for closing the switch so
as to supply power to the climatization plant, when the current
instant is equal to the modified activation instant; generate the
command signal representative of a value for opening the switch so
as to interrupt the power supply to the climatization plant, when
the current instant differs from the modified activation
instant.
7. Weather-predictive system according to claim 6, wherein the
processing unit of the weather-predictive apparatus is further
configured to: generate the command signal representative of a
value for opening the switch so as to interrupt the power supply to
the climatization plant, when the current instant is equal to the
modified deactivation instant; generate the command signal
representative of a value for closing the switch so as to supply
power to the climatization plant, when the current instant differs
from the modified deactivation instant.
8. Method for the weather-predictive control of a climatization
plant, comprising the steps of: a) acquiring, at a
weather-predictive apparatus, a current measured value of
weather-climate data associated with a building; b) transmitting,
from the weather-predictive apparatus to a weather forecast device
through a telecommunications network, the measured value of the
weather-climate data associated with the building; c) receiving, at
the weather forecast device, the measured value of the
weather-climate data associated with the building; d) calculating
at the weather forecast device, as a function of the measured value
of the received weather-climate data associated with the building
and of weather forecasts associated with the building in a forecast
time interval starting from the current instant, a plurality of
predictive weather data associated with the building in at least
part of said forecast time interval; e) transmitting, from the
weather forecast device to the weather-predictive apparatus through
the telecommunications network, the plurality of the calculated
predictive weather data associated with the building in the
forecast time interval; f) receiving, at the weather-predictive
apparatus, the plurality of the calculated predictive weather data
associated with the building; g) calculating, at the
weather-predictive apparatus, a change in a nominal instant of
activation of the climatization plant of the building, as a
function of the value of at least part of the plurality of the
calculated received predictive weather data; h) calculating, at the
weather-predictive apparatus, a modified instant of activation as a
function of the value of the nominal activation instant and of the
value of said change in the nominal activation instant; i) checking
whether the current instant is equal to the modified activation
instant; j) in case wherein the current instant is equal to the
modified activation instant, activating the climatization plant; k)
in case wherein the current instant is not equal to the calculated
activation instant, repeating steps a)-i) by calculating at least
one further plurality of predictive weather data associated with
the building in at least part of a further forecast time interval
and re-calculating at least one further change in the nominal
activation instant and a corresponding further value of the
modified activation instant, until the current instant is equal to
the further modified activation instant.
9. Control method according to claim 8, further comprising, after
the steps a)-f), the steps of: g1) calculating, at the
weather-predictive apparatus, a change in a nominal instant of
deactivation of the climatization plant of the building, as a
function of the value of at least part of the plurality of the
calculated received predictive weather data; h1) calculating, at
the weather-predictive apparatus, a modified instant of
deactivation as a function of the value of the nominal deactivation
instant and of the value of said change in the nominal deactivation
instant; i1) checking whether the current instant is equal to the
modified deactivation instant; j1) in case wherein the current
instant is equal to the modified deactivation instant, deactivating
the climatization plant; k1) in case wherein the current instant is
not equal to the modified deactivation instant, repeating steps
a)-i1) by calculating at least one further plurality of predictive
weather data associated with the building in at least part of a
further forecast time interval and recalculating at least one
further change in the nominal deactivation instant and a
corresponding further value of the modified deactivation instant,
until the current instant is equal to the further modified
deactivation instant.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of Italian
application number IT-102018000004483 filed on Apr. 13, 2018, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates in general to the sector of
building climatization.
[0003] More in particular, the present disclosure concerns a
weather-predictive apparatus and relative system that controls and
modifies the operation of a climatization plant of a building using
weather forecasts.
Description of the Related Art
[0004] Control devices are known for the activation/deactivation of
climatization regulation plants in buildings of the industrial,
public or domestic type; examples of plants are thermal power
stations, refrigeration systems, HVAC systems, air conditioners,
heat pumps.
[0005] One example of said control devices is the thermostat placed
inside homes or offices, having the function of maintaining the
internal temperature close to a defined temperature value (for
example equal to 20.degree. C.), by means of monitoring the
internal temperature values and possibly also the external
temperature of the home or office.
[0006] The programmable thermostats also have the function of
regulating the internal temperature of the building according to
different time intervals (e.g. it is possible to set a different
internal temperature value for every hour), by means of controlling
the activation/deactivation of the climatization plant.
[0007] Another example of said control devices are
electromechanical clocks, which allow the activation or
deactivation of a climatization plant at predetermined times; for
example in a building used as an office, they allow the activation
of the plant at 5:00 and its deactivation at 19:00 every day.
[0008] Control devices are known for the activation/deactivation of
climatization plants of a building which consider (in addition to
the building's internal temperature value and possibly its external
temperature value) the past behaviour of the building, such as for
example, the days/hours when the building is occupied by people and
those in which it is not.
[0009] Control devices are also known for the
activation/deactivation of climatization plants of a building that
consider historical data relating to past climate conditions of the
area where the building is located.
[0010] The Applicant has observed that a disadvantage of the known
control devices for the activation/deactivation of climatization
plants is that they are not able to optimize the operating dynamics
of the plants themselves, thus causing a delay in the activation or
deactivation of the climatization plant: said delay leads to a
waste of the electricity and fuel consumed for the operation of the
climatization plants, wherein said waste is increased by the common
phenomena of hunting in the activation/deactivation of the
plant.
[0011] These defects in control devices consequently increase air
pollution.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0012] The present disclosure relates to a dynamic
weather-predictive apparatus for controlling a climatization plant
for example of a building as defined in the enclosed claim 1 and
the preferred embodiments thereof described in dependent claims 2
to 5.
[0013] The basic idea is to manage a weather-energy forecast which
uses data representative of weather forecasts in the short term
(typically around 8-24-36 hours), to bidirectionally exchange
weather-climate data and predictive weather data associated with
the building (for example, its external temperature), continuously
updating said weather-energy forecast (dynamic thermal profile) in
the short term and periodically recalculating the instants of
activation/deactivation of the building's climatization plant
within the same short term, and modifying the operation of the
climatization plant as a function of the continuously updated
weather-energy forecast.
[0014] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a
weather-predictive system for continuously controlling a
climatization plant for example of a building, wherein the system
is defined in the enclosed claim 6 and the preferred embodiment
thereof described in dependent claim 7.
[0015] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method
for the continuous weather-predictive control of a climatization
plant for example of a building, wherein the method is defined in
enclosed claim 8 and the preferred embodiment thereof described in
dependent claim 9.
[0016] The Applicant has perceived that the weather-predictive
apparatus, the weather-predictive system and the control method
according to the present disclosure optimize the operating dynamics
of climatization plants as they perform a synchronized control with
the evolution of weather phenomena, minimizing the time interval in
which the climatization plant is in operation: in this way the
consumption of electricity and fuel is reduced and at the same time
a condition of well-being and comfort for users within the building
is maintained.
[0017] Moreover, the weather-predictive apparatus, the
weather-predictive system and the control method according to the
present disclosure further have the advantage of not requiring the
use of at least a part of the hysteresis levels, thus reducing the
reaction time of the climatization plant.
[0018] Moreover, the weather-predictive apparatus, the
weather-predictive system and the control method according to the
present disclosure allow to obtain a trend of the internal
temperature of the air-conditioned environment which is more steady
(i.e. the presence of spikes is reduced), thus increasing the
comfort of people inside the building.
[0019] One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a
non-transitory computer readable medium having a program recorded
thereon, said computer readable medium comprising software code
means adapted to perform the steps d), g)-k) and g1)-k1) of the
method according to claims 8-9, when said program is run on at
least one computer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will
become more apparent from the description which follows of a
preferred embodiment and the variants thereof, provided by way of
example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a weather-predictive system
for controlling a climatization plant of a building according to
the disclosure;
[0022] FIGS. 2A-B show the flow diagram of a method for the
weather-predictive control of a climatization plant of a building
according to the disclosure;
[0023] FIGS. 3A-C show the messages exchanged between a
weather-predictive apparatus, a network element and a weather
forecast apparatus of the weather-predictive system according to
the disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 4 schematically shows a comparison between a possible
trend of the actual temperature outside a building and the
predictive external temperature calculated by the weather forecast
apparatus of the disclosure;
[0025] FIGS. 5A-5B schematically show a possible trend of a control
signal generated by the weather-predictive apparatus for
controlling the activation or deactivation of a climatization plant
of a building in a one-day time interval and a four-days time
interval;
[0026] FIG. 6 shows a double stair algorithm for the calculation of
the activation and deactivation instant of the climatization plant
of a building.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] It should be observed that in the following description,
identical or analogous blocks, components or modules are indicated
in the figures with the same numerical references, even where they
are illustrated in different embodiments of the disclosure.
[0028] With reference to FIG. 1, a weather-predictive system 1 is
shown for continuously controlling a climatization plant of a
building according to the disclosure.
[0029] Examples of climatization plants are central heating
systems, refrigeration systems, HVAC systems, air conditioners,
heat pumps, thermal plants.
[0030] The weather-predictive control system 1 uses a continuous
calibration mechanism of the thermal profile that uses the current
measured value of weather-climate data associated with the
building, considered for cyclically recalculating (for example,
every hour or every 15 minutes) the same forecast weather-climate
data in a time interval At defined starting from the current
instant (for example, every hour in the 8 or 24 or 36 hours
following the current instant), wherein said forecast is performed
by means of the weather forecast, using a physical-mathematical
atmospheric model that takes into account the actual measured value
of the weather-climate data associated with the building.
[0031] The term "predictive weather data associated with the
building" is intended as geolocalized and continuously updated
predictive weather data through the interaction between the
weather-predictive system and sensors present in the plant and/or
the building.
[0032] The term "thermal profile" is intended as a sequence of the
weather forecast values associated with the considered building,
such as the values of its external temperature.
[0033] The forecast time interval value At is chosen as a function
of the time interval necessary to reach or exceed the nominal
activation or deactivation instant.
[0034] The forecast time interval value At is defined at the
configuration phase and is for example equal to 8 hours or 24
hours.
[0035] The length of the weather-climate forecast data
recalculation cycle is a parameter that can be configured and can
be for example in the order of seconds, minutes (for example, 15
minutes) or hours (for example, 1 hour).
[0036] For example, the weather-climate data associated with the
building are the external temperature T_ext of the building
(current or an average calculated over a given time interval) and
thus the weather-predictive control system 1 cyclically
recalculates (for example, with a period of an hour) the external
temperature T_ext_p external to the building foreseen in the
forecast time interval .DELTA.t starting from the current instant
(for example, every hour during the 8 hours or 24 hours or 36
hours).
[0037] The control system 1 has the function of suitably
controlling the activation and deactivation of a climatization
plant of a building of the domestic, public or industrial type,
minimizing the time interval in which the climatization plant is in
operation, so as to reduce the consumption of electricity and fuel
and at the same time maintain a comfortable condition for the users
within the building.
[0038] The control system 1 comprises a weather-predictive
apparatus 2, a network element 3 and a weather forecast device
4.
[0039] The network element 3 is connected on one side to the
weather-predictive apparatus 2 and on the other side to the weather
forecast device 4.
[0040] It should be noted that for simplicity in FIG. 1, only a
single network element 3 has been shown, but more in general the
network element 3 belongs to a telecommunications network 5 that
comprises a plurality of network elements having the function of
interconnecting each other the weather-predictive apparatus 2 and
the weather forecast device 4.
[0041] The telecommunications network 5 can be of medium-long
distance type or short distance type.
[0042] The medium-long distance type telecommunications network 5
can be of the radio-mobile type (for example, the 2G, 3G, 4G type
or subsequent), or mixed fixed-radiomobile type.
[0043] The short distance telecommunications network 5 can be of
the wireless type, such as WiFi or Bluetooth.
[0044] The weather forecast device 4 has the function of
continuously calculating the predictive weather data forecast in
the short term and associated with the considered building in the
area wherein it is located; for example, the weather forecast
device 4 periodically calculates every hour (or every 15 minutes)
the temperature external to the building foreseen in the 8 or 24 or
36 hours after the current instant.
[0045] The weather forecast device 4 is for example a computer
server, or a set of two or more computer servers connected to each
other.
[0046] The use of a separate weather forecast device 4 (from the
weather-predictive apparatus 2) for the calculation of the weather
forecasts has the advantage of concentrating the complex
calculation needed to obtain the weather forecasts in one point;
furthermore, the use of the separate weather forecast device 4 has
the advantage of concentrating complex algorithms of the
atmospheric model used for the calculation of these weather
forecasts in one point.
[0047] The weather forecast device 4 comprises a processing unit
4-1, a signal transceiver 4-2 and a database 4-3.
[0048] The processing unit 4-1 is for example a microprocessor, an
electrically programmable logic device, a FPGA (Field Programmable
Gate Array) or a Application Specific Integrated Circuit
(ASIC).
[0049] The signal transceiver 4-2 is configured to receive from the
weather-predictive apparatus 2 the current measured value (i.e. in
real time) of the weather-climate data associated with the
considered building.
[0050] The transceiver 4-2 can transmit/receive signals of a fixed
type (for example, Ethernet) or, alternatively, of a wireless type
at a short, medium or long distance (for example, WiFi or UMTS or
LTE).
[0051] The database 4-3 is configured to store data representative
of the physical-mathematical model of the Earth's atmosphere,
indicated hereinafter as "atmospheric model".
[0052] The term "atmospheric model" is intended as a set of
non-linear mathematical equations based on the conservation laws of
physics that use current weather conditions (detected on the
surface of the Earth and/or by means of satellites) to calculate
the weather forecast in a subsequent instant of time in certain
points in the space, by solving the above equations with numerical
analysis techniques.
[0053] In particular, a "time steps" procedure is carried out,
according to which the current weather conditions are used to
calculate, using the equations of the atmospheric model, a first
weather forecast in a first short time interval (for example,
around a few minutes); subsequently, the first weather forecast
becomes the starting point for the equations of the atmospheric
model and a second weather forecast is calculated for a second
short time interval subsequent to the first time interval. This
time steps calculation is repeated until the desired time instant
of the weather forecast is reached.
[0054] The processing unit 4-1 is configured to calculate
continuously, depending on the current measured value of the
weather-climate data associated with the considered building and of
the short term weather forecasts obtained by means of the
atmospheric model, predictive weather data forecast in the short
term associated with the building in the area where it is
located.
[0055] In particular: [0056] at a determined time instant t0 the
processing unit 4-1 generates the forecasts of the weather
variables which are scaled on the areas wherein the local sensors
of the considered building are placed, thus with a further scaling
the forecast curves of said weather variables are reproduced on
each point of interest for a future time T, wherein: [0057]
T=t0+.SIGMA.iti, [0058] i=1 . . . N, [0059] t.sub.i are the time
intervals which for simplicity are supposed to be of equal length
(for example 30 minutes) and which define the future trend of the
atmospheric variables, which are used for defining the activation
and deactivation instant of the climatization plant and/or a
modulation of the climatization plant; [0060] at a subsequent time
instant t1 the local sensors of the considered building transmit
the new measured data to the weather forecast device 4 in which the
processing unit 4-1 performs the calculation as a function of the
new measured data; the control system 1 thus generate the new
weather forecast which then are scaled on the areas wherein the
local sensors are placed, thus with a further scaling (such as at
the previous step) the forecast curves are reproduced on each point
of interest for a future time T, wherein T=t1+.SIGMA.iti, i=2 . . .
N+1.
[0061] The new weather forecast curves are used for redefining the
new activation and deactivation time instants and/or the modulation
of the climatization plant, thus the process continues in the same
way for each time interval t.sub.i in a continuous way.
[0062] The weather forecast is for example the forecast of the
external temperature at a given point of the Earth (identified as
latitude, longitude and height relative to the ground) at every
hour for the 8 or 24 hours following the current instant.
[0063] Alternatively (or in combination), the weather forecasts are
solar radiation, wind speed and direction, barometric pressure.
[0064] The weather-climate data associated with the considered
building include one or more among the following for example:
[0065] detected value of the temperature T_ext external to the
building; [0066] detected value of the humidity external to the
building; [0067] solar radiation; [0068] detected amount of
atmospheric precipitation (rain, snow).
[0069] The signal transceiver 4-2 is further configured to receive
from the processing unit 4-1 the predictive weather data forecast
in the short term associated with the considered building and to
transmit said predictive weather data to the weather-predictive
apparatus 2, crossing the network element 3.
[0070] The weather-predictive apparatus 2 has the function of
controlling the activation and deactivation of the climatization
plant of the building as a function of the predictive weather data
forecast in the short term.
[0071] The weather-predictive apparatus 2 comprises a processing
unit 2-1, a signal transceiver 2-4, a sensor 2-2 for the external
temperature T_ext of the building and in particular a sensor 2-3 of
the internal temperature T_int of the building.
[0072] The processing unit 2-1 is for example a microprocessor, an
electrically programmable logic device, a FPGA (Field Programmable
Gate Array) or a Application Specific Integrated Circuit
(ASIC).
[0073] The external temperature sensor 2-2 is configured to
generate a signal S_T_ext representative of the current measured
value of the temperature external to the considered building.
[0074] It should be noted that for simplicity an external
temperature sensor of the building is considered, but alternatively
(or in combination) it is possible to use other weather-climate and
environmental data sensors associated with the building, such as an
external humidity sensor, wind speed sensor, solar radiation
sensor, rainfall sensor of atmospheric precipitation.
[0075] The signal transceiver 2-4 is configured to transmit towards
the weather forecast device 4 the current value (i.e. in real time)
of the measured weather-climate data associated with the considered
building, wherein said weather-climate data are for example the
detected value of the external temperature T_ext of the building
detected by the external temperature sensor 2-2, the detected value
of the internal temperature T_int of the building detected by the
internal temperature sensor 2-3, or weather-climate data detected
by other sensors such as external humidity, wind speed, solar
radiation, etc.
[0076] The signal transceiver 2-4 is further configured to receive
from the network element 3 data representative of the weather
forecasts in the short term in the area wherein the specific
building is located, then said short term weather forecast data are
forwarded to the processing unit 2-1.
[0077] The transceiver 2-4 can transmit/receive signals of a fixed
type (for example, Ethernet) or, alternatively, of a wireless type
at a short, medium or long distance (for example, WiFi or UMTS or
LTE).
[0078] The processing unit 2-1 of the weather-predictive apparatus
2 is configured to receive from the sensor 2-2 the signal
representative of the current measured value of the external
temperature T_ext of the building, is configured to receive from
the transceiver 2-4 the predictive weather data forecast in the
short term associated with the considered building, and is
configured to generate, as a function of the current measured value
of the weather-climate data associated with the building and at
least part of the predictive weather data forecast in the short
term, a change in a nominal activation instant and/or a change in a
nominal deactivation instant of the climatization plant of the
building.
[0079] According to a first variant of the disclosure, the
processing unit 2-1 calculates said change in the nominal
activation instant as a function of a plurality of predictive
weather data values that comprise all the values up to the
comprised nominal activation instant; furthermore, the processing
unit 2-1 calculates said change in the nominal deactivation instant
as a function of a plurality of predictive weather data values at
instants which comprise all the values up to the comprised nominal
deactivation instant.
[0080] According to a second variant of the disclosure, the
processing unit 2-1 calculates said change in the nominal
activation instant as a function of a plurality of predictive
weather data values at instants which are both before the nominal
activation instant and after the nominal activation instant; the
processing unit 2-1 also calculates said change in the nominal
deactivation instant as a function of a plurality of predictive
weather data values at instants that are both before the nominal
deactivation instant and after the nominal deactivation
instant.
[0081] For example, in the second variant the nominal activation
instant is fixed at 6:00, the weather-climate data and predictive
weather data (for example, the external temperature of the
building) have a granularity of 1 hour and at the current instant
it is 23:00. In this example, the value of the forecast time
interval At is chosen as equal to 12 hours and thus 12 predictive
weather data values are received at the instants 24:00, 1:00, 2:00,
3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00. At 23:00
the change in the nominal activation instant is calculated taking
into account both the predictive weather data values at the
instants 24:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 which are before the
nominal activation instant (6:00), and the predictive weather data
values at the instants 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 which are
after the nominal activation instant (6:00).
[0082] In particular, the processing unit 2-1 is configured to
generate a suitable command signal S_en for electrically
controlling the activation and deactivation of the climatization
plant of the building, as will be further explained in more
detail.
[0083] For example, the predictive weather data are the value of
the external temperature T_ext_p foreseen in the short term (value
comprised between 8 and 24 hours) in the area wherein the specific
building is located.
[0084] In one embodiment said control of the activation or
deactivation instant of the climatization plant of the building is
carried out by means of the by-pass of the electro-mechanical clock
or programmable thermostat already present in the climatization
plant and by the opening or closing of a switch 7 (commonly
referred to as contactor) that normally activates or deactivates
the climatization plant of the building, as a function of the
electrical connection between an alternating supply voltage VAC,
and an internal supply voltage V_ic that supplies the climatization
plant; therefore, the processing unit 2-1 is configured to generate
the command signal S_en to close or open the switch 7 which
respectively enables or disables the power supply to the
climatization plant of the building.
[0085] The switch 7 is positioned for example in the switchboard of
the climatization plant and is configured to switch, as a function
of the value of the command signal S_en, between a closed position
in which it is such to supply power VAC (for example, voltage and
alternating current) to the climatization plant and an open
position in which it is such to interrupt the power supply to the
climatization plant.
[0086] With reference to FIG. 4, a comparison is shown between a
possible trend of the external temperature T_ext of a building
measured on a particular day at the times comprised between 24:00
and 21:00 and a possible trend of the predictive external
temperature T_ext_p foreseen in the same time interval external to
the same building.
[0087] It can be noted that the predictive external temperature
values T_ext_p are calculated every hour, for example at 24:00,
1:00, 2:00 . . . and so on until 12:00 and then up to 21:00.
[0088] It can also be noted that in certain time instants the value
of the predictive external temperature is substantially equal to
that of the measured external temperature (see, for example, points
P2 and P4), while at other time instants the value of the
predictive external temperature is different from that of the
measured external temperature (see, for example, the points P1 and
P3 which respectively differ by a value .DELTA.T1.sub.ext and
.DELTA.T2.sub.ext): the weather-predictive system 1 continuously
acquires (in the considered example every hour) the current value
of the external temperature T_ext (measured by means of the
temperature sensor 2-2) and continuously recalculates (by means of
the weather forecast device 4) the forecast value of the external
predictive temperature T_ext_p external to the building in a
plurality of instants following the current instant, as will be
further explained in more detail; thus the weather-predictive
system 1 continuously recalculates (in the considered example every
hour), as a function of the values of the differences between the
current measured temperature and the forecast temperatures, the
instant of activation and deactivation of the climatization
plant.
[0089] With reference to FIG. 5A, a possible trend is shown of the
command signal S_en generated by the weather-predictive apparatus 2
in a time interval of a day, in the case of the control of a
heating plant (for example, a thermal power plant).
[0090] The case is considered wherein the nominal operating
interval of the heating plant (programmed for example with an
electro-mechanical clock) is comprised between 5:00 and 19:00, i.e.
the heating plant should be activated at 5:00 and should be
deactivated at 19:00.
[0091] It can be observed that the actual operating interval of the
heating system is comprised between 5:50 and 17:55, i.e. the
heating plant is actually activated at 5:50 and is actually
deactivated at 17:55, by means of the weather-predictive system 1
according to the disclosure.
[0092] Therefore, the weather-predictive system 1 has postponed the
activation of the heating plant from 5:00 to 5:50 (i.e. a delay of
50 minutes) and has anticipated the deactivation of the heating
plant from 19:00 to 17:55 (i.e. 65 minutes early), thus reducing
the operating interval of the heating plant from 14 hours to 12
hours and 5 minutes: in this way the consumption of electricity and
fuel is reduced, while simultaneously maintaining comfortable
conditions for users inside the building.
[0093] With reference to FIG. 5B, a possible trend is shown of the
command signal S_en generated by the weather-predictive apparatus 2
in a time interval of four consecutive days, in the case of the
control of a heating plant (for example, a thermal power
plant).
[0094] The case is again considered wherein the nominal operating
interval of the heating plant is comprised between 5:00 and
19:00.
[0095] It is possible to observe the following behaviour: [0096]
during the first day the actual operating interval of the heating
plant is comprised between 6:00 and 17:00, i.e. the
weather-predictive system 1 has reduced the operating interval from
14 nominal hours to 11 actual hours, for example because the
forecasts of the climate conditions around the building were more
favourable than those actually measured; [0097] during the second
day the actual operating interval of the heating plant is comprised
between 6:00 and 17:00, similarly to the first day; [0098] during
the third day the actual operating interval of the heating system
is comprised between 5:30 and 17:00, i.e. the weather-predictive
system 1 has reduced the operating interval from 14 nominal hours
to 11 nominal hours and 30 actual hours, for example because the
climate conditions surrounding the building were slightly less
favourable than those of the first and second day; [0099] during
the fourth day the actual operating interval of the heating plant
is comprised between 6:00 and 19:00, i.e. the weather-predictive
system 1 has reduced the operating interval from 14 hours to 13
hours (i.e. only by one hour), because the climate conditions
surrounding the building were much less favourable than those of
the first, second and third day.
[0100] With reference to FIGS. 2A-2B, the flow diagram 100 is shown
of a method for the weather-predictive control of a climatization
plant of a building according to the disclosure.
[0101] The method is performed by means of the weather-predictive
system 1, in particular it is performed in part by the
weather-predictive apparatus 2 by means of a software program
executed on the processing unit 2-1, in part by the weather
forecast device 4 by means of another software program executed on
the processing unit 4-1 and in part by the network element 3.
[0102] The flow diagram 100 starts with step 101.
[0103] From step 101 the cycle continues to step 102, wherein the
weather-predictive apparatus 2 acquires the current measured value
of one or more weather-climate data associated with the
building.
[0104] For example, the weather-climate data associated with the
building are the external temperature T_ext of the building
detected by the temperature sensor 2-2.
[0105] From step 102 the cycle continues to step 103 wherein the
weather-predictive apparatus 2 transmits to the weather forecast
device 4 the measured value of the weather-climate data associated
with the building through the network element 5.
[0106] From step 103 the cycle continues to step 104 wherein the
network element 3 receives the measured value of the
weather-climate data associated with the building, thus the network
element 3 transmits to the weather forecast device 4 the measured
value of the weather-climate data associated with the building.
[0107] From step 104 the cycle continues to step 105 wherein the
weather forecast device 4 receives the measured value of the
weather-climate data associated with the building.
[0108] From step 105 the cycle continues to step 106 wherein the
weather forecast device 4 calculates a plurality (i.e. at least
two) of predictive weather data associated with the building in at
least part of the forecast time interval, as a function of the
measured value of the received weather-climate data associated with
the building and as a function of the weather forecasts in a
forecast time interval defined starting from the current
instant.
[0109] In one embodiment, in step 106 said plurality of predictive
weather data is calculated in time instants (for example, every
hour or every 15 minutes) which are both before and after the
nominal activation instant and nominal deactivation instant.
[0110] For example, the nominal activation instant is at 6:00, the
weather-climate data and predictive weather data (for example, the
external temperature of the building) have a granularity of 1 hour
and at the current instant it is 23:00. In this example, the
forecast time interval At is chosen as equal to 12 hours, so that
at 23:00 12 values are calculated of the predictive weather data at
the instants 24:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00,
9:00, 10:00, 11:00; the previous list includes both predictive
weather data at the instants 24:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00
which are before the nominal activation instant (6:00), and the
predictive weather data at the instants 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00,
11:00 which are after the nominal activation instant (6:00).
[0111] In one embodiment said plurality of predictive weather data
is periodic, i.e. two successive values are separated by a time
interval equal to a period (for example, an hour or 15
minutes).
[0112] For example, since the overall value of the forecast time
interval is equal to 8 hours, the weather-climate data associated
with the building are the value of its external temperature T_ext
and the weather forecasts are a forecast of the temperature
external to the building every hour in the 8 hours following the
current instant which is supposed at 11:00 am: in step 106 a
forecast is thus calculated of the external temperature T_ext of
the building at 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00,
19:00.
[0113] From step 106 the cycle continues to step 107 wherein the
weather forecast device 4 transmits to the weather-predictive
apparatus 2 through the network node 3, the plurality of calculated
predictive weather data associated with the building.
[0114] From step 107 the cycle continues to step 108 wherein the
network element 3 receives the plurality of calculated predictive
weather data, thus the network element 3 transmits to the
predictive-weather apparatus 2 the plurality of calculated
predictive weather data.
[0115] From step 108 the cycle continues to step 109, wherein the
weather-predictive apparatus 2 receives the plurality of calculated
predictive weather data associated with the building.
[0116] From step 109 the cycle continues to step 110, wherein the
weather-predictive apparatus 2 calculates a change in a nominal
activation instant and a change in a nominal deactivation instant
of the climatization plant of the building as a function of the
value of at least part of the plurality of the calculated received
predictive weather data.
[0117] It should be noted that in step 110, the calculation can
take into account a plurality of predictive weather data values at
instants that comprise all the values up to the nominal
activation/deactivation instant; alternatively, in step 110 the
calculation can consider a plurality of predictive weather data
values at instants which are both before and after the nominal
activation/deactivation instant.
[0118] In particular, in step 110 the value of the current
activation instant of the climatization plant is calculated as a
function of the difference .DELTA.T.sub.ext between the measured
value at the current instant of the weather-climate data associated
with the building and at least a part of the predictive weather
data values before and/or after the nominal activation instant.
[0119] From step 110 the cycle continues to step 110a, wherein the
weather-predictive apparatus 2 calculates a modified activation
instant as a function of the value of the nominal activation
instant and of the value of said change in the nominal activation
instant.
[0120] For example, the nominal activation instant is 6:00, while
the actual calculated activation instant is 6:30, therefore in step
110 a change (delay) of 30 minutes was calculated.
[0121] Similarly, in step 110 the value of the actual deactivation
instant of the climatization plant is calculated as a function of
the difference .DELTA.T.sub.ext between the measured value of the
weather-climate data at the current instant associated with the
building and at least a part of the predictive weather data values
before and/or after the nominal activation instant.
[0122] For example, the nominal deactivation instant is 19:00,
while the actual calculated deactivation instant is 18:45,
therefore in step 110 a change (advance) of 15 minutes was
calculated.
[0123] From step 110a the cycle continues to step 111, wherein the
current instant is checked to verify if it is equal to the
calculated modified activation instant: [0124] in the affirmative
case (i.e. the current instant is equal to the previously
calculated activation instant), from step 111 the cycle continues
to step 112, wherein the activation of the climatization plant of
the building is carried out; [0125] in the negative case (i.e. the
current instant is different from the previously calculated
modified activation instant), from step 111 the cycle continues to
step 113.
[0126] In step 113 it is checked whether the current instant is
equal to the calculated modified deactivation instant; [0127] in
the affirmative case (i.e. the current instant is equal to the
previously calculated modified deactivation instant), from step 113
the cycle continues to step 115, wherein the deactivation of the
climatization plant of the building is carried out; [0128] in the
negative case (i.e. the current instant is different from the
previously calculated modified deactivation instant), from step 113
the cycle continues to step 114.
[0129] In step 114, the elapse of a defined sub-interval of time
(for example, equal to 1 hour) is waited for and when said defined
sub-interval of time has elapsed, from step 114 the cycle returns
to the initial step 102.
[0130] In case wherein said calculation of the modified
activation/deactivation instant is carried out periodically, the
value of said sub-interval of time is the value of the calculation
cycle period.
[0131] Therefore, the cycle consisting of the steps 102, 103, 104,
105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114 is repeated until the
moment is reached wherein the instant for activating the
climatization plant is calculated, or until the moment is reached
wherein the instant for deactivating the climatization plant is
calculated.
[0132] With reference to FIGS. 3A-C, the time evolution is shown of
the messages exchanged between the weather-predictive apparatus 2,
the network element 3 and the weather forecast device 4 according
to the disclosure.
[0133] For the purposes of the explanation of the disclosure the
following hypotheses are considered: [0134] every day the
climatization plant of a building will automatically activate in
the morning and automatically deactivate in the evening; [0135] the
nominal activation instant of the climatization plant is 6:00;
[0136] the nominal deactivation instant of the climatization plant
is 19:00; [0137] the weather-climate data measured by the
weather-predictive apparatus 2 are the measured values of the
external temperature of the building; [0138] the calculation of the
climatization plant activation/deactivation instants is carried out
periodically with a period equal to 1 hour; [0139] the total
forecast time interval value .DELTA.t is equal to 36 hours and thus
36 hourly values of the external temperature of the building are
calculated.
[0140] At the initial instant t0, the temperature sensor 2-2
detects the current external temperature value of the building and
at the instant t2 (following t0) the weather-predictive apparatus 2
transmits to the weather forecast device 4 the current external
temperature value detected.
[0141] At the instant t3 (following t2) the network element 3
receives the current detected value of the external temperature and
forwards it to the weather forecast device 4.
[0142] At the instant t5 (following t3) the weather forecast device
4 receives the detected current external temperature value and
calculates, as a function of the current external temperature value
of the building at instant t0, 36 values of the temperature
external to the building foreseen at each hour starting from the
current instant t5, namely: [0143] temperature external to the
building foreseen at the instant t5+1 hour; [0144] temperature
external to the building foreseen at the instant t5+2 hours; [0145]
temperature external to the building foreseen at the instant t5+3
hours; [0146] temperature external to the building foreseen at the
instant t5+4 hours; [0147] temperature external to the building
foreseen at the instant t5+5 hours; [0148] temperature external to
the building foreseen at the instant t5+6 hours; [0149] temperature
external to the building foreseen at the instant t5+7 hours; [0150]
temperature external to the building foreseen at the instant t5+8
hours; [0151] temperature external to the building foreseen at the
instant t5+9 hours; [0152] temperature external to the building
foreseen at the instant t5+10 hours; [0153] temperature external to
the building foreseen at the instant t5+11 hours; [0154]
temperature external to the building foreseen at the instant t5+12
hours; [0155] temperature external to the building foreseen at the
instant t5+13 hours; [0156] and so on, up to the temperature
external to the building foreseen at the instant t5+36 hours.
[0157] At the instant t6 the weather forecast device 4 transmits
towards the weather-predictive apparatus 2 the 36 values of the
temperature external to the building foreseen at each hour starting
from the instant t5.
[0158] At the instant t7 the network element 3 receives the 36
forecast external temperature values and forwards them towards the
weather-predictive apparatus 2.
[0159] At the instant t9 the weather-predictive apparatus 2
receives the 36 values of the forecast external temperature and
calculates a modified activation instant of the building's
climatization plant, as a function of at least part of the 36
forecast external temperature values at each hour.
[0160] Therefore at the instant t9, the first calculation cycle of
the activation instant of the climatization plant is completed.
[0161] At the instant t10 the second calculation cycle of the
activation instant of the climatization plant begins, which is
similar to the first calculation cycle and is comprised between the
instant t10 and the instant t19.
[0162] Therefore at the instant t19 the weather-predictive
apparatus 2 has recalculated the modified activation instant of the
climatization plant of the building, which can be the same or
different than the activation instant previously calculated at the
instant t9.
[0163] In the instants comprised between t19 and t50 (excluded),
further recalculation cycles are performed of the activation
instant of the building's climatization plant.
[0164] At the instant t50 the last recalculation cycle of the
activation instant begins, which ends at the instant t59 wherein
the processing unit 2-1 of the weather-predictive apparatus 2
calculates that the modified activation instant of the building's
climatization plant is equal to t60.
[0165] At the instant t60 the processing unit 2-1 of the
weather-predictive apparatus 2 detects that the current instant is
equal to the modified activation instant t60 and thus generates the
command signal S_en which controls the activation of the
climatization plant, by means of closing the switch 7, which
electrically connects an input terminal thereof which receives the
alternating supply voltage VAC with an output terminal thereof
which generates the internal supply voltage V_ic that supplies
power to the climatization plant, thus making it possible to supply
power to the climatization plant.
[0166] It should be noted that the instant t60 wherein the
activation is carried out is different (in particular after) than
the nominal activation instant of 6:00; for example, the instant
t60 can be the same at 6:15, or 6:30, or 6:45, or 7:00.
[0167] The operation between the instants t100 and t109 is similar
to that illustrated previously between the instants t0 and t9, with
the difference that at the instant t109 the modified deactivation
instant is calculated (instead of the modified activation instant)
of the climatization plant of the building.
[0168] Subsequently at the instant t109 further recalculation
cycles are performed (not shown in FIG. 3C) of the modified
deactivation instant, until the modified deactivation instant of
the climatization plant of the building is calculated as equal to
t160.
[0169] At the instant t160 the processing unit 2-1 of the
weather-predictive apparatus 2 detects that the current instant
t160 is equal to the modified activation instant t160 and thus
generates the command signal S_en which controls the deactivation
of the climatization plant, by means of opening the switch 7, which
electrically disconnects the input terminal thereof which receives
the alternating supply voltage VAC with an output terminal thereof
which generates the internal supply voltage V_ic that powers the
climatization plant, thus interrupting the supply to the
climatization plant.
[0170] It should be noted that the instant t160 wherein the
deactivation is carried out is different (in particular before)
than the nominal deactivation instant at 19:00; for example, the
instant t160 can be equal to 17:30, or 17:00 or 16:30 or 16:00.
[0171] According to a preferred embodiment, the processing unit 2-1
of the weather-predictive apparatus 2 calculates the modified
activation and deactivation instant of the building's climatization
plant using a double stair algorithm which considers the difference
.DELTA.T.sub.ext between the current measured external temperature
T_ext (or an average of the last values) and one or more values of
the predictive external temperature T_ext_p foreseen in the short
term outside the building, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0172] FIG. 6 comprises an activation stair positioned to the left
relative to the activation instant delay (with respect to the
nominal activation instant) of the climatization plant of the
considered building and comprises a deactivation stair positioned
to the right relative to the deactivation instant advance (with
respect to the nominal deactivation instant) of the climatization
plant.
[0173] The activation stair comprises four steps, each of which is
composed of the following pair of values: [0174] external
temperature difference .DELTA.T.sub.ext (expressed in degrees
centigrade) calculated as the difference between the current
measured external temperature T_ext of the building and the
predictive external temperature calculated T_ext_p external to the
building in an instant of the forecast time interval; [0175] value
(for example expressed in minutes) of the activation delay of the
climatization plant (compared to the nominal activation instant
value) corresponding to the external temperature difference
.DELTA.T.sub.ext.
[0176] Therefore, when the processing unit 2-1 of the
weather-predictive apparatus 2 detects a certain value
.DELTA.T.sub.ext of the difference of the external temperature, the
processing unit 2-1 generates the command signal S_en having a
value representative of the activation delay corresponding to said
determined value .DELTA.T.sub.ext of the external temperature
difference.
[0177] In particular, the steps of the activation stair have the
following values: [0178] first step: external temperature
difference .DELTA.T.sub.ext=0.5.degree. C., activation instant
delay=15'; [0179] second step: external temperature difference
.DELTA.T.sub.ext=1.degree. C., activation instant delay=30'; [0180]
third step: external temperature difference
.DELTA.T.sub.ext=1.5.degree. C., activation instant delay=45';
[0181] fourth step: external temperature difference
.DELTA.T.sub.ext=2.degree. C., activation instant delay=60'.
[0182] It can be observed that with the increase in the value of
the external temperature difference .DELTA.T.sub.ext, the delay in
the value of the activation instant of the climatization plant of
the considered building also increases.
[0183] Considering for example the second step of the activation
stair, when the processing unit 2-1 of the weather-predictive
apparatus 2 detects that the value of the external temperature
difference .DELTA.T.sub.ext=1.degree. C., the processing unit 2-1
generates the command signal S_en having an appropriate value
representative of an activation delay of the climatization plant
equal to 30 minutes, i.e. the activation of the climatization plant
is postponed by 30 minutes.
[0184] Similarly, the deactivation stair comprises four steps, each
of which is composed of the following pairs of values: [0185] first
step: external temperature difference .DELTA.T.sub.ext=2.degree.
C., activation instant advance=120'; [0186] second step: external
temperature difference .DELTA.T.sub.ext=1.5.degree. C., activation
instant advance=90'; [0187] third step: external temperature
difference .DELTA.T.sub.ext=1.degree. C., activation instant
advance=60'; [0188] fourth step: external temperature difference
.DELTA.T.sub.ext=0.5.degree. C., activation instant
advance=30'.
[0189] It can be observed that with the decrease in the value of
the external temperature difference .DELTA.T.sub.ext, the advance
in the value of the activation instant of the climatization plant
of the considered building also decreases.
[0190] Considering for example the third step of the deactivation
stair, when the processing unit 2-1 of the weather-predictive
apparatus 2 detects that the value of the external temperature
difference .DELTA.T.sub.ext=1.degree. C., the processing unit 2-1
generates the command signal S_en having an appropriate value
representative of an activation advance of the climatization plant
equal to 60 minutes, i.e. the activation of the heating plant is
anticipated by 60 minutes.
[0191] Note that the disclosure is not only applicable to the
control of the activation/deactivation instants of a climatization
plant of an industrial, public or domestic building, but also
applies to other areas, such as: [0192] in the agricultural field:
control of the activation/deactivation instants of an irrigation
system of a cultivated field or a system for controlling the
temperature of a greenhouse; [0193] in the sports field: control of
the activation/deactivation instants of an irrigation system for a
football pitch or golf course; [0194] in the environmental field:
control of the activation/deactivation instants of a management
system of areas dependent on weather-climate conditions, such as
urban gardens, green roofs, urban crops.
[0195] It should also be noted that the disclosure is not only
applicable for controlling the activation/deactivation instants of
a climatization plant, but more in general is also applicable
within the operating interval of the climatization plant wherein it
is such to carry out a by-pass of the thermostat or programmable
thermostat already installed: in this case the system is configured
to perform a modulation of the activation and deactivation of the
climatization plant during the operating interval.
[0196] In other words, the forecast time interval value At can be
much less than 24 hours, for example in the order of a minute.
[0197] A further embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a
weather-predictive system 1 to control a climatization plant, the
system comprising a weather-predictive apparatus 2, a weather
forecast device 4, a telecommunications network 5 and a switch 7,
wherein: [0198] the weather-predictive apparatus comprises a sensor
of weather-climate data associated with a building, a processing
unit 2-1 and a signal transceiver 2-4, wherein: [0199] the signal
transceiver 2-4 is configured to transmit, to the weather forecast
device through the telecommunications network, a current measured
value of the weather-climate data associated with the building;
[0200] the signal transceiver 2-4 is configured to receive, from
the weather forecast device through the telecommunications network,
a plurality of predictive weather data associated with the building
in a forecast time interval starting from the current instant;
[0201] the processing unit 2-1 of the weather-predictive apparatus
is configured to: [0202] calculate a modulation of the operation of
the climatization plant of the building, as a function of the value
of at least part of the plurality of the calculated received
predictive weather data; [0203] generate a command signal S_en
having a value representative of said modulation of the operation
of the climatization plant, wherein the command signal is
representative of a value which closes or opens the switch 7 in
order to supply the climatization plant or disconnect the supply to
the climatization plant, respectively; [0204] the weather forecast
device 4 comprises a processing unit 4-1 and a signal transceiver
4-2; [0205] the telecommunications network is configured to connect
the weather-predictive apparatus 2 and the weather forecast device
4 to each other; [0206] the switch 7 is configured to enable or
disable an electric power supply to the climatization plant as a
function of the command signal S_en; and wherein: [0207] the signal
transceiver 4-2 of the weather forecast device 4 is configured to
receive the current measured value of the climate data associated
with the building and to transmit the plurality of predictive
weather data associated with the building in a forecast time
interval starting from the current instant; [0208] the processing
unit 4-1 of the weather forecast device 4 is configured to
calculate said plurality of predictive weather data associated with
the building, as a function of the current measured value of the
received weather-climate data associated with the building and as a
function of weather forecasts associated with the building in the
forecast time interval.
[0209] Said further embodiment of the disclosure also relates to a
method for the weather-predictive control of a climatization plant,
comprising the steps of: [0210] a1) acquiring, at a
weather-predictive apparatus 2, a current measured value of
weather-climate data associated with a building; [0211] b1)
transmitting, from the weather-predictive apparatus 2 to the
weather forecast device 4 through the telecommunications network 5,
the measured value of the weather-climate data associated with the
building; [0212] c1) receiving, at the weather forecast device 4,
the measured value of the weather-climate data associated with the
building; [0213] d1) calculating at the weather forecast device 4,
as a function of the measured value of the received weather-climate
data associated with the building and of weather forecasts
associated with the building in a forecast time interval starting
from the current instant, a plurality of predictive weather data
associated with the building in at least part of said forecast time
interval; [0214] e1) transmitting, from the weather forecast device
4 to the weather-predictive apparatus 2 through the
telecommunications network 5, the plurality of the calculated
predictive weather data associated with the building in the
forecast time interval; [0215] f1) receiving, at the
weather-predictive apparatus 2, the plurality of the calculated
predictive weather data associated with the building; [0216] g1)
calculating, at the weather-predictive apparatus 2, a modulation of
the operation of the climatization plant of the building, as a
function of the value of at least part of the plurality of the
calculated received predictive weather data; [0217] h1) repeating
at least one time the steps a1), b1), c1), d1), e1), f1) by
calculating at least one further plurality of predictive weather
data associated with the building in at least part of a further
forecast time interval and re-calculating at least one further
modulation of the operation of the climatization plant of the
building.
* * * * *