Patents Examined by Thomas Stevens
  • Patent number: 9500385
    Abstract: Various arrangements for accessing an energy management policy for a plurality of devices are described. The energy usage of devices within a first structure is monitored. An energy usage rule and energy usage is then compared. The energy management policy and energy usage is also compared. Based on the comparing, an instruction may be generated to modify an energy usage profile of one or more devices to correlate with the energy usage rule associated with the devices and the energy management policy, thereby enabling efficient energy management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jason C. Weaver, Bradley A. Kayton
  • Patent number: 9494952
    Abstract: An HVAC control system has a first system controller associated with a first HVAC system and configured to control the first HVAC system and a second system controller associated with a HVAC system and configured to control the second HVAC system wherein the first system controller is selectively operable to control the second HVAC system. A method of controlling multiple HVAC systems includes providing a first HVAC system which may include a required first system controller, providing a second HVAC system which may include a required second system controller, and enabling wireless communication between the first system controller and the second system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, John Tanner Taylor
  • Patent number: 9489701
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices related to a microgrid system for providing power to a facility. A self-contained power system provides power to a facility using a combination of power storage elements and renewable energy sources. A connection to an external power grid may also be provided. The system optimizes power flow to the facility using power from the storage elements and the renewable energy sources and, if necessary, the external power grid. The optimization process predicts future power usage by the facility using power usage data from a predetermined time window. The optimization process can also take into account predicted energy generation amounts by the renewable energy sources. To optimize economic effects, the optimization process can also determine whether to buy and when to buy power from the external power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventors: Ali Emadi, Shahin Sirouspour, Pawel Malysz
  • Patent number: 9491005
    Abstract: Provided are a network system and a method of controlling the same. The network system includes a metering device metering energy supplied from a power supply source, a communication device by which energy information related to the energy communicates, an energy management device recognizing the energy information to control an operation of an electric product, and an environment information management device recognizing a carbon amount or a carbon dioxide amount, which is generated according to the operation of the electric product. A power-saving operation of the electric product is selectively performed, based on the carbon amount or the carbon dioxide amount recognized by the environment information management device. Since a power management program is executed using an environment information management unit, energy may be further efficiently managed within an intellectual power supply network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Koonseok Lee, Hoonbong Lee, Yanghwan Kim
  • Patent number: 9471045
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for measuring the supply of a consumable product to a facility over time and analyzing the measurements to determine the consumption or supply of the product by one or more loads and/or sources in the facility, and to determine induced and residual heat flow through the facility's envelope. Various aspects compare the measured supply of the consumable product to a database of consumption signatures. Operating conditions and facility characteristics may be further considered in determining a particular user's access of the consumable product. Thermal resistance factors of the building may be determined, which are based on the induced and residual heat flow through the facility. Finally, one or more signatures of a building system are analyzed to determine a building's overall efficiency, including determining a controllable load of a building and/or determining an efficient start time for one or more building systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: NetESCO LLC
    Inventor: Michael Craig Scelzi
  • Patent number: 9471891
    Abstract: A system and method for automatic quality control is provided. A database is maintained storing quality control rules for producing a product, the quality control rules determined via a first computing device associated with a first entity controlling production of the product, the database maintained by a second computing device associated with a second entity for maintaining quality control of the product, the product produced by a plurality of production lines respectively associated with third entities. Quality control data is received at the second computing device from data collection devices at the plurality of production lines, each of the data collection devices enabled to collect the quality control data for the product. At the second computing device, the quality control data is compared with the quality control rules; at least one quality control event is triggered when the quality control data fails at least one of the quality control rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Nulogy Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Nelson Wong, Sean Sebastian Kirby, Emily Auban Stover, Jason Dean Tham
  • Patent number: 9465373
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for implementing an operational parameter change within the data processing system based on an identified degradation. One or more degradations existing in the data processing system are identified based on a set of degradation values obtained from a set of degradation sensors. A determination is made as to whether one or more operational parameters need to be modified based on the one or more identified degradations. Responsive to determining that the one or more operational parameters need to be modified based on the one or more identified degradations, an input change is implemented to a one or more control devices in order that the one or more operational parameters are modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm S. Allen-Ware, Alan J. Drake, Michael S. Floyd, Tilman Gloekler, Charles R. Lefurgy, Karthick Rajamani
  • Patent number: 9459599
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for implementing an operational parameter change within the data processing system based on an identified degradation. One or more degradations existing in the data processing system are identified based on a set of degradation values obtained from a set of degradation sensors. A determination is made as to whether one or more operational parameters need to be modified based on the one or more identified degradations. Responsive to determining that the one or more operational parameters need to be modified based on the one or more identified degradations, an input change is implemented to a one or more control devices in order that the one or more operational parameters are modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm S. Allen-Ware, Alan J. Drake, Michael S. Floyd, Tilman Gloekler, Charles R. Lefurgy, Karthick Rajamani
  • Patent number: 9435325
    Abstract: Rapidly deployable and reconfigurable fluid pumping systems may include a central controller communicatively coupled with one or more local pumping stations connected with a fluid pipeline. The local pumping stations may include at least one pump, and a local controller in communication with the central controller configured to monitor each device of the local pumping station. The local controllers may also provide individual control of each device within the local pumping station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Erika Boeing, Matthew Wootton, Chris Nissman
  • Patent number: 9429927
    Abstract: A building manager includes a communications interface configured to receive information from a smart energy grid. The building manager further includes an integrated control layer configured to receive inputs from and to provide outputs to a plurality of building subsystems. The integrated control layer includes a plurality of control algorithm modules configured to process the inputs and to determine the outputs. The building manager further includes a fault detection and diagnostics layer configured to use statistical analysis on the inputs received from the integrated control layer to detect and diagnose faults. The building manager yet further includes a demand response layer configured to process the information received from the smart energy grid to determine adjustments to the plurality of control algorithms of the integrated control layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Clay G. Nesler, Kirk H. Drees, James P. Kummer, Derek Supple, Marc D. Andraca, John I. Ruiz, Paul Harrison Rode
  • Patent number: 9432208
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network and a method of manufacturing the same. In an embodiment, the network includes configuring a first system device and a subnet controller. The first system device is configured to receive an initial value of a specified dependent parameter. The subnet controller is configured to determine that a value of said specified parameter has been changed to a modified value after said first system device receives said initial value. The subnet controller is further configured to send to said first system device, in response to said determining, a message updating said specified parameter with said modified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Darko Hadzidedic, Wojciech Grohman
  • Patent number: 9424614
    Abstract: Models of a distribution network grid are automatically updated in response to real-time location data of uniquely identified temporary devices. Current geographical coordinates are determined within a distance tolerance that is selected as a function of a type of device indicated by the identity indicia. The geographical information system model is updated with a location of a unique identity of the device at the determined current geographical coordinates within the distance tolerance if unique identity of the device not already present within the geographical information system model, or if it is present and a displacement distance from the determined current geographical coordinates of the temporary device to existing geographic coordinates that are stored in the geographical information system model in association with the unique device identity exceeds a specified distance margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gopal K. Bhageria, Kevin M. Monagle, Jean-Gael F. Reboul, Matthew B. Trevathan
  • Patent number: 9423787
    Abstract: A programming tool provides an interface between an industrial controller and a motor drive that allows the logic development tool used to program the industrial controller to be used to configure the motor drive and its supported components directly. This allows a programmer to configure the topology for the motor drive and provide configuration data that can be verified directly from within the controller programming software rather than requiring separate programming and diagnostic tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Keller
  • Patent number: 9414464
    Abstract: The lighting system in accordance with the present invention includes a lighting fixture including a first controller configured to control a light source; and a sensing device. The sensing device includes: an image sensor configured to take an image of a predetermined area; and a second controller having a function of adjusting sensitivity of the image sensor and a function of setting a dimming rate for the light source. The first controller is configured to light the light source at a dimming level according to the dimming rate set by the second controller. The second controller is configured to, when concluding that a condition where no person is present in the predetermined area continues for a predetermined time period, perform an operation of decreasing the dimming rate by a preset value and increasing the sensitivity of the image sensor for a preset time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuto Hidaka, Atsuo Nanahara
  • Patent number: 9404500
    Abstract: A pumping system includes a pump for moving water. In one aspect, this is in connection with performance of an operation. The system includes a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump. A value indicative of flow rate of water is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow rate indicative value toward a constant. A value indicative of flow pressure is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow pressure indicative value toward a constant. A selection is made between flow rate control and flow pressure control. In another aspect, the pump is controlled to perform a first operation, and is operated to perform a second water operation. Control of operation of the pump to perform the first water operation is altered in response to operation of the pump to perform the second operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Ronald B. Robol, Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Nils-Ole Harvest, Everett Cox, Donald Steen, Kevin Murphy, Daniel J. Hruby, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer
  • Patent number: 9405282
    Abstract: A control device cyclically accepts each safety-oriented input signal from an industrial-technical process in a fail-safe manner, and transfers the safety-oriented input signals to a Cloud using a fail-safe protocol over a link to a computer network. The control device also accepts signals from the Cloud over the link to the computer network, using the fail-safe protocol for the industrial-technical process specific safety-oriented control signals, and decides based on additional information in a fail-safe manner whether it recognizes the safety-oriented control signals determined by the Cloud for the industrial-technical process as correct. Depending on the result of the decision, the device controls the industrial-technical process in accordance with the safety-oriented control signals in a fail-safe manner or places the industrial-technical process into a safe state in a fail-safe manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Carsten Hamm, Michael Kaever
  • Patent number: 9401822
    Abstract: A network control system for an appliance has a software operating layer that is responsive to a plurality of appliance function calls. A physical user interface on the appliance is capable of generating directly some of the appliance function calls. A virtual user interface connected remotely over the network is also configured to invoke some of the appliance function calls. But the virtual user interface can further invoke one or more of the function calls that the physical user interface cannot generate directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. McCoy, Matthew P. Ebrom, Timothy M. Knezic, David J. Kmet
  • Patent number: 9395704
    Abstract: An energy object extension to an industrial protocol having a comprehensive suite of attributes, messages and services utilized for the monitoring and control of energy consuming or producing resources by a manufacturing automation application is provided. The energy object includes an identifier associated with an energy resource that is associated with a manufacturing automation application and an energy type associated with the energy resource. This includes a measurement characteristic associated with the energy resource to facilitate energy management by the manufacturing automation application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramdas M. Pai, David D. Brandt, David A. Vasko, David W. Siegler, Richard A. Morgan, Angel Sustaeta
  • Patent number: 9373960
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for distributed resource scheduling performed by an advanced resource scheduling (ARS) module implemented on a distributed grid management (DGM) server in a power system. The ARS module is configured to automatically generate a resource schedule for controllable distributed energy resources (e.g., resources that are remotely controllable by DGM server and ARS module) in a distribution network of the power system, such as power generation resources and energy storage resources, to provide power in a cost-effective (e.g., optimal) manner. The ARS module is configured to take into account the operating limits of the distributed energy resources (DERs), the cost curves of the DERs, the system load demand, and other operating constraints to determine the most economical operating plan for the DERs, using an optimization technique such as the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shashank Arvind Pande, Ian Robert Dromey
  • Patent number: 9348392
    Abstract: A computer system for use with a building management system in a building includes a processing circuit configured to use historical data received from the building management system to automatically select a set of variables estimated to be significant to energy usage in the building. The processing circuit is further configured to apply a regression analysis to the selected set of variables to generate a baseline model for predicting energy usage in the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk H. Drees, Michael J. Wenzel