Central System Prioritizes Heating And Cooling Requests From Zones Patents (Class 165/208)
  • Patent number: 11841152
    Abstract: An HVAC system controller is provided having a first output terminal electrically coupled to at least one component, and a second output terminal electrically coupled to the at least one component. A processing device controls the first output terminal and the second output terminal. If the first output terminal fails, the processing device changes a state of at least one of the first output terminal and the second output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bradley D. Powell, Keith David Heigl
  • Patent number: 11555618
    Abstract: A method for air conditioning including installing an air conditioning unit at a desired location. The air conditioning unit includes a housing that has air supply inlets and exhaust air outlets. The housing encloses a mode control unit that switches a zone coil associated with a zone from a cooling mode to a heating mode by switching from a cooling medium to a heating medium flowing through the zone coil. The zone coil receives the heating or cooling medium and conditions incoming air from a supply fan to be exhausted in a zone associated with the zone coil. A variable refrigerant flow cooling/heating unit provides a cooling medium or a heating medium at varying rates to control a temperature of a zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: MJC, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Metzger, Joel John Williams, Charles Thomas Couch, Kelly Gene Sprayberry
  • Patent number: 11237577
    Abstract: A temperature control system includes a first pump, a second pump, a temperature adjusting unit, a first flow passage, a second flow passage, a first valve disposed in the first flow passage, a second valve disposed in the second flow passage, a first bypass flow passage connecting the first flow passage to the second flow passage on the temperature adjusting unit side of the first and second valves, a second bypass flow passage connecting the first flow passage to the second flow passage on the flow passage side of the first and second valves, a third valve disposed in the first bypass flow passage, and a fourth valve disposed in the second bypass flow passage. At least one of a pair of the first valve and the second valve, and a pair of the third valve and the fourth valve is a pair of flow rate adjustable valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kei Kobayashi, Takehiko Arita
  • Patent number: 11156371
    Abstract: A hydronic system having a set of inputs, a plurality of boilers, and a controller. Each input representing sensor for a respective heat emitter of a set of heat emitters. Each boiler of the plurality of boilers is configured to receive signals from a portion of the set of inputs. The controller is configured to a status and assignment of the set of inputs from the plurality of boilers and control the plurality of boilers to provide heat to the set of heat emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: The Marley Company LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Jeremy Hardesty, Daniel George Karch, David Ralston King, Owen Andrew Cunningham, Neil Damon Butt, Aaron Sevrin Smith, Jeffrey John Calabro
  • Patent number: 11143426
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to minimize impact on the comfort of people in a room and to achieve energy conservation in heat-source functions in an energy network comprising a plurality of heat-source functions that generate cold water and/or warm water, and a plurality of air-conditioning functions that obtain an air-conditioning effect by consuming the cold water and/or warm water generated by the heat-source functions. Disclosed is an energy network comprising a plurality of heat-source functions that generate thermal energy, and a plurality of air-conditioning functions that obtain an air-conditioning effect by consuming the thermal energy generated by the heat-source functions, wherein the energy network comprises: a first control function that selectively starts or stops the heat-source functions; and a second control function that controls the output of the air-conditioning functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Takahashi, Tsutomu Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10976092
    Abstract: A temperature controlled storage apparatus 8(10), comprising; a plurality of lockable storage spaces, each of the plurality of lockable storage spaces comprising one or more compartments; in which the temperature of each of the one or more compartments is independently controllable to provide either one of: chilled temperature; or frozen temperature; and wherein access to the storage space is remotely programmable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Nigel Dade, Gareth Hunt, Hoi Kan Chung, Nashim Imam
  • Patent number: 10900675
    Abstract: A method of operating a heating and cooling system, including (1) providing a heating/cooling apparatus comprising first and second heat exchangers, (2) providing a conduit module modularly coupled to the heating/cooling apparatus and adapted to be coupled to a plurality of fluid circuits for heating and/or cooling loads, and (3) operating a control system configured to operate the conduit module in a plurality of heating and/or cooling modes. The conduit module is positioned between the heating/cooling apparatus and the plurality of fluid circuits. The conduit module includes first, second, and third supply conduits and first, second, and third return conduits, to convey first, second, and source fluids to and from respective first, second, and source fluid circuits. The conduit module includes first, second, third, and fourth three-way valves to selectively regulate flow of the first, second, and source fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: WaterFurnace International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P. Medlock, Christopher P. Medlock, Jonathan A. Brock
  • Patent number: 10866572
    Abstract: A variable air volume controller includes a communications interface and a processing circuit. The communications interface is configured to facilitate communication with an external device and building equipment. The processing circuit is configured to store a plurality of predefined, selectable-applications; receive a selection of one of the plurality of predefined, selectable-applications; and implement the selected application such that the building equipment is controlled according to the selected application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William R. Kuckuk, Christopher J. McCann, Claude E. Doyle, Jr., Brandon A. Sloat, Jacob R. Sheahan
  • Patent number: 10768645
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods, etc., comprising at least two separate and distinct environmental climate control devices that both serve the mixed use open space, and which environmental climate control devices are centrally controlled to provide at least two different HVAC-controlled zones, for example to differentiate between the zones according to at least one of temperature, humidity, pressure or contaminant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Roberts Gordon LLC
    Inventor: Charles M. Brown
  • Patent number: 10691423
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system may include a HVAC unit that may control air flow, a first control system that may directly control operation of equipment in the HVAC unit, and a second control system communicatively coupled to the first control system. The second control system may be located in a different zone of a building as compared to the first control system, such that the second control system may receive a request to adjust the air flow output by the HVAC unit and send a command to the first control system based on the request. The command may cause the first control system to adjust the operation of the equipment in the HVAC unit to cause the air flow output by the HVAC unit to be adjusted according to the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Theresa N. Gillette, Tyler P. McCune, Jonathan A. Burns, Shaun B. Atchison, Shawn A. Hern, Brian D. Rigg, John W. Uerkvitz
  • Patent number: 10649508
    Abstract: A heating/cooling system modulates the temperature of water flowing through a hydronic emitter by mixing water flows through a mixing valve. The mixing valve has an inlet connect to a water flow pipe, an inlet connected to a water return pipe, and an outlet connected to the hydronic emitter. Water flows through the inlets are configured to obtain a desired mixed water flow at a targeted temperature through the outlet. A controller receives temperature information from a thermometer and then determines the targeted temperature of the outlet. The controller then determines an inlet ratio and configures the mixing valve based on the ratio. The heating/cooling system may support one or more heating/cooling zones and may operate either in a heating or a cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Computime Ltd.
    Inventor: Philip John Smith
  • Patent number: 10563899
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and method of dispensing cooling air towards a targeted cooling zone for cooling objects within a fresh-food compartment. The dispensing of cooling air may be based in part on the temperature of the object within the targeted cooling zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mark Wilson
  • Patent number: 10437207
    Abstract: A system for light commercial building solutions (LCBS). Solutions and other systems may incorporate lightweight alerting service, auto-adjustment of gateway poll rates based on the needs of various consuming applications, detecting loss of space comfort control in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, HVAC capacity loss alerting using relative degree days and accumulated stage run time with operational equivalency checks, and HVAC alerting for loss of heat or cool capacity using delta temperature and dependent system properties. Also, incorporated may be triggering s subset of analytics by automatically inferring HVAC equipment details from controller configuration details, ensuring reliability of analytics by retaining logical continuity of HVAC equipment operational data even when controllers and other parts of the system are replaced, and an LCBS gateway with workflow and mechanisms to associate to a contractor account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Wacker
  • Patent number: 10429102
    Abstract: An HVAC&R system including a pumping device configured to circulate a first two-phase medium, a plurality of secondary HVAC&R units, wherein at least one of the plurality of secondary HVAC&R units is operably coupled to the pumping device, and a primary HVAC&R unit operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of secondary HVAC&R units, wherein the pumping device, a portion of the plurality of secondary HVAC&R units, and a portion of the primary HVAC&R unit form a primary loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas D. Radcliff, Parmesh Verma, Dong Luo, Richard G. Lord, Michel Grabon
  • Patent number: 10429101
    Abstract: An HVAC&R system that includes a first pumping device configured to circulate a first volume of a first two-phase medium, a second pumping device configured to circulate a second volume of the first two-phase medium, a first plurality of secondary HVAC&R units, a second plurality of secondary HVAC&R units, a first primary HVAC&R unit, and a second primary HVAC&R unit. At least one of the first plurality of secondary HVAC&R units is operably coupled to the first pumping device. At least one of the second plurality of secondary HVAC&R units is operably coupled to the second pumping device. The first primary HVAC&R unit is operably coupled to at least one of the first plurality of secondary HVAC&R units and the first pumping device. The second primary HVAC&R unit is operably coupled to at least one of the second plurality of secondary HVAC&R units and the second pumping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yinshan Feng, Parmesh Verma, Craig R. Walker
  • Patent number: 10422541
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of controlling an operational mode of an outdoor unit connected to a plurality of indoor units, the method including: determining an operational mode of an outdoor unit; determining, at a master decision unit, a target outdoor mode for the outdoor air-conditioning unit based on the priority, the current area mode, the current area temperature, and the set point for each of the indoor units, the maximum actual standby duration and the maximum allowable standby duration of each of the indoor units, and the minimum active duration and the current active duration for the outdoor unit; and systematically controlling the operational mode to become the target outdoor mode when the target outdoor mode is different from the operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Smithson, Rodney Olson
  • Patent number: 10386795
    Abstract: A method for relative temperature preference learning is described. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying one or more current settings of a thermostat located at a premises, identifying one or more current indoor and outdoor conditions, calculating a current indoor differential between the current indoor temperature and the current target temperature, calculating a current outdoor differential between the current outdoor temperature and the current target temperature, and learning temperature preferences based on an analysis of the one or more current indoor conditions and the one or more current outdoor conditions. The one or more current settings of the thermostat include at least one of a current target temperature, current runtime settings, and current airflow settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventor: JonPaul Vega
  • Patent number: 10260765
    Abstract: A smart register is described. For example, one embodiment of the smart register apparatus comprises: a set of dampers which enable or restrict airflow from an heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) system when opened and closed, respectively; a motor to control the opening and closing of the dampers; a battery to provide power to the motor; and register control logic to determine a threshold temperature based on a desired temperature set by a user and to read a current temperature from a temperature sensor, the control logic to automatically open or close the dampers to enable or restrict airflow from the HVAC system based on differences between the threshold temperature and the current temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Afero, Inc.
    Inventor: Omar Zakaria
  • Patent number: 10255212
    Abstract: An automatic master slave system and approach for coordinated control of a parameter, for example, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning condition, in an area of multiple spaces controlled by room controllers. Changing a layout of a zone/area in a building such as moving, adding or removing a door, increasing or splitting size of a room through movable walls, or by permanently removing partitions, changing offices to a conference room or vice versa, may occur. A size of a room may be altered within minutes, according to customer demand. For instance, rooms may be converted into a single room by removing partitions. The controllers that were controlling temperatures of the rooms independently earlier, may convert automatically into a master-slave configuration and now work together to control a larger room. If the large room is split into multiple rooms, the controllers may automatically revert to their previous configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jayaprakash Meruva, Wolfgang Schmieder, Balaji Krishnasamy, Vinay Prasad, Yongxi Zhou, Fei Chen
  • Patent number: 10174986
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to suppress an overshoot in the outlet temperature of a heat medium. A heat source machine controlling apparatus includes a computing unit and a set temperature changing unit. The computing unit calculates a load change rate using a predetermined arithmetic expression. The set temperature changing unit determines whether or not the load change rate calculated by the computing unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value. In the case where the load change rate exceeds the predetermined threshold value, the set temperature changing unit changes a set chilled water outlet temperature so as to suppress a change in a chilled water outlet temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Akimasa Yokoyama, Kenji Ueda, Yasushi Hasegawa, Noriyuki Matsukura
  • Patent number: 10156377
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an HVAC system includes a first control unit communicatively coupled to a first plurality of HVAC units and a first interactive display. A second control unit communicatively coupled to a second plurality of HVAC units and a second interactive display. The first control unit is operable to detect and connect to the second control unit using a Wi-Fi direct protocol to create an HVAC control network that is designated as a primary communications network. The first control unit further operable to detect a Wi-Fi network including a wireless access point. The first control unit operable to re-designate the HVAC control network as a secondary communications network and to designate the Wi-Fi network as the primary communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Castillo, Jayprakash Charavda, Nguyen T. Ho, Sunil K. Khiani
  • Patent number: 10119713
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for managing control units in HVAC network includes a first control unit communicatively coupled to a first plurality of HVAC units and a first interactive display, and the first control unit controls HVAC services for a first zone. A second control unit communicatively coupled to a second plurality of HVAC units and a second interactive display, and the second control unit controls HVAC services for a second zone. The first control unit may detect and connect to the second control unit using a Wi-Fi direct protocol to create an HVAC control network. The first control unit may also determine that the second control unit controls HVAC services for the second zone in response to connecting to the second control unit. The first control unit may also update the first interactive display to show the first and second zones and receive a command from the first interactive display over the HVAC control network to adjust a temperature of the second zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Castillo, Jayprakash Charavda, Nguyen T. Ho, Sunil K. Khiani
  • Patent number: 10101048
    Abstract: A supervisory controller for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is described herein. One device includes a data management module configured to receive a zone demand signal from a local controller of a zone of an HVAC system and receive a number of additional signals from a number of sensors, and a parameter identification module configured to determine, based on the zone demand signal, whether the zone is in a comfort state by loading a best model structure from a number of models and identifying parameters of the best model structure based on data received from the data management module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Karel Marik, Karel Macek, Martin Strelec
  • Patent number: 9933796
    Abstract: A building has climate control equipment which controls a temperature at different locations. Different locations may be in different control zones controlled by different control devices. An occupant of a location submits a desired location temperature through a user interface on a computing device to a networked server. Setting of a desired temperature is constrained by energy saving policies and by conditions of surrounding locations. An arbitrator device determines based on constraints a new temperature setting. The new temperature setting is accompanied by an energy saving feedback. The occupants confirms the new setting. A climate control device is instructed to apply a device setting to achieve the new temperature. A climate profile of the occupant is learned from previous temperature settings by the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Corporation
    Inventors: Zhen Song, Lingyun Wang, Yan Lu
  • Patent number: 9897338
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an HVAC system. The method may include receiving a fan speed signal from a fan control loop, and choosing among an independent mode, a first linked mode, and a second linked mode, depending on the fan speed signal. The method may also include providing a signal to a pressure control loop to reduce a speed of a supply air fan of an AHU, when the first linked mode is chosen. The method may further include providing a signal to a temperature control loop to decrease a speed of a heat exchange wheel, to decrease a flow rate of a heat exchange fluid to an evaporator coil, or both, when the second linked mode is chosen. The method may additionally include allowing the fan control loop to operate independently of the temperature and pressure control loops, when the independent mode is chosen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junqiang Fan, Sheng Li, Stevo Mijanovic, Anthony Sari, Olivier Josserand
  • Patent number: 9880532
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for controlling a network-type actuator module, and provides a method for controlling a plurality of network-type actuator modules which are connected to a main controller through a multi-drop scheme including the steps of: the main controller transmitting to the actuator module one instruction packet comprising a plurality of IDs; and an actuator module, which corresponds to the ID, transmitting a status packet to the main controller, wherein the actuator module transmits the status packet according to the order of the ID, which is expressed on the instruction packet. Accordingly, unlimited information required from the plurality of actuators can be read from a single transmission of the packet instruction by flexibly expanding limitations due to limitations on the length of each field in accordance with an instruction set and a definition of a parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ROBOTIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byoung-Soo Kim, Hee-Il Kim
  • Patent number: 9874385
    Abstract: A control arrangement for controlling a superheat of a vapour compression system includes a first sensor and a second sensor for measuring control parameters allowing a superheat value to be derived, a first controller arranged to receive a signal from the first sensor, a second controller arranged to receive a superheat value derived by a subtraction element, and to supply a control signal, based on the derived superheat value and a reference superheat value, and a summation element arranged to receive input from the the controllers, the summation element being arranged to supply a control signal for controlling opening degree of the expansion device. According to a first aspect the control arrangement includes a low pass filter arranged to receive a signal from the first sensor and to supply a signal to the subtraction element. According to a second aspect the first controller includes a PD element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Roozbeh Izadi-Zamanabadi, Frede Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9850890
    Abstract: The control module includes a drive circuitry that drives the linear compressor based on a control signal, a detector that detects a motor current and a motor voltage corresponding to a motor of the linear compressor, an asymmetric current generator that generates an asymmetric motor current by applying a current offset to the detected motor current, and a controller that generates the control signal based on the asymmetric motor current and the detected motor voltage. Such a control module may increase a maximum freezing capacity by appropriately (or optimally) designing (setting) an initial value of a piston in a driving area or an operation area (or a high-efficiency driving area) of a compressor by considering the efficiency aspect, and executing an asymmetric operation in a high-load driving area (or a high freezing capacity driving area).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sungjin Lim, Nayi Ryu, Sungho Park
  • Patent number: 9845973
    Abstract: A cascade refrigeration system includes first and second cooling devices. The first cooling device includes a first compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator having first and second passages independent from and not communicating with each other, and a first conduit interconnecting the first compressor, the condenser, the expansion device and the first passage. The second cooling device includes a second compressor, a heat exchanger, and a second conduit interconnecting the second compressor, the second passage and the heat exchanger. A circulation switching device includes a switching mechanism connected to the first conduit downstream of the condenser and upstream of the expansion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: WINWAY TECH. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ying-Chi Tsai, Yu-Pin Hsu, Chia-PIn Sun
  • Patent number: 9319829
    Abstract: A wireless inductive pointer clock includes a wireless inductive receiver module for receiving a time code, a control circuit module electrically coupled to the wireless inductive receiver module for receiving the time code and converting the time code into a pointer drive signal, a movement electrically coupled to the control circuit module for receiving the pointer drive signal and driving by the control circuit module, and a pointer unit including a plurality of pointers drivable by the movement. The wireless inductive receiver module can receive the time code (hour, minute, second) of a smart phone or tablet computer, enabling the control circuit module to drive the movement and the pointers of the pointer unit so that the time on the wireless inductive pointer clock can be automatically synchronized to the time on the smart phone or tablet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventor: Hua Wen Hsu
  • Patent number: 9188358
    Abstract: A device and method for managing the supply of energy to heating and cooling devices based on environmental conditions within a regulated area, said system including one or more sensor devices within said regulated area for communicating one or more status signals, and a control module for receiving said one or more status signals, said control module analyzing said one or more status signals based on one or more heating and cooling routines, said one or more heating and cooling routines instructing said control module to communicate one or more control signals to said heating and cooling devices, said one or more control signals activating or deactivating said heating and cooling devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventors: Clive Alan Webb, Yvette Rose Webb
  • Patent number: 9176508
    Abstract: A thermal workload distribution controller receives, for each of multiple thermal controlled areas, at least one current thermal measurement from at least one separate thermostat node. The thermal workload distribution controller selects a particular thermal controlled area from among the multiple thermal controlled areas that is most optimal to receive additional heat based on the at least one current thermal measurement received for each of the thermal controlled areas. The thermal workload distribution controller distributes at least one workload to a server node associated with the particular thermal controlled area, wherein the heat dissipated by the server from executing the workload affects a thermal environment of the particular thermal controlled area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Geissler, Michael C. Hollinger
  • Patent number: 9158310
    Abstract: A thermal control system for a data center room, for controlling an ambient temperature in the data center room to meet an ambient temperature set point, receives multiple ambient temperature votes from multiple fan controllers positioned in the data center room each for controlling fan speeds for at least one separate fan from among multiple fans each positioned within a separate system from among multiple systems within the data center room. The thermal control system sets the ambient temperature set point to a lowest ambient temperature specified in the multiple ambient temperature votes, such that the thermal control system and fan controllers operate as independent systems, but are integrated for selecting an ambient temperature that minimizes the power required for controlling a thermal environment in the data center room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Geissler, Michael C. Hollinger
  • Patent number: 9158311
    Abstract: A thermal control system for a data center room, for controlling an ambient temperature in the data center room to meet an ambient temperature set point, receives multiple ambient temperature votes from multiple fan controllers positioned in the data center room each for controlling fan speeds for at least one separate fan from among multiple fans each positioned within a separate system from among multiple systems within the data center room. The thermal control system sets the ambient temperature set point to a lowest ambient temperature specified in the multiple ambient temperature votes, such that the thermal control system and fan controllers operate as independent systems, but are integrated for selecting an ambient temperature that minimizes the power required for controlling a thermal environment in the data center room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Geissler, Michael C. Hollinger
  • Patent number: 9140503
    Abstract: A primary fluid flow loop and a secondary fluid flow loop fluidly coupled to the primary fluid flow loop. The secondary fluid flow loop exchanges heat with at least one of a heat source and a heat load. The secondary fluid flow loop includes an inlet and an outlet fluidly coupling the primary fluid flow loop to the secondary fluid flow loop. A fluid flow meter coupled to the primary fluid flow loop. A first temperature sensor coupled to the primary fluid flow loop, the first temperature sensor measures the temperature of a fluid flowing in the primary fluid flow loop upstream of the inlet of the secondary fluid flow loop. A second temperature sensor coupled to the primary fluid flow loop, the second temperature sensor measures the temperature of the fluid flowing in the primary fluid flow loop downstream of the outlet of the secondary fluid flow loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: SolarLogic, LLC
    Inventors: Fredric Milder, Bristol Stickney
  • Patent number: 9031703
    Abstract: An operation management apparatus includes an air conditioning thermal load prediction unit configured to calculate an air conditioning thermal load predicted value indicating a predicted amount of heat required to adjust temperature to a pre-set temperature on a day-of-prediction, a power generation output prediction processing unit configured to calculate power generation output prediction data indicating a generated power obtained by a generator within the day-of-prediction, and an operation planning unit configured to prepare an air conditioning heat source operation plan, and determines a purchased power and the generated power using the power generation output prediction data to thereby prepare a power facility operation plan indicating a schedule of a power output from the purchased power source and the generator, so that the purchased power per predetermined time supplied from a purchased power source of a commercial power system becomes a target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Shimizu Corporation
    Inventors: Takuji Nakamura, Toshihiro Yamane, Eisuke Shimoda, Kimio Morino
  • Publication number: 20150107816
    Abstract: An environmental control system includes at least one of a security monitoring system, or a building automation control system. A thermostat coupled to the at least one system, where the thermostat provides feedback as to output signals therefrom to evaluate functioning of the thermostat. The output signals would be coupled to a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas S. BABICH
  • Patent number: 8991482
    Abstract: A temperature equalization system, including an installation, a heat equalizer disposed in a natural heat carrier and being made of a material of heat conduction to exchange heat with the natural heat carrier, a fluid transmission duct disposed between the heat equalizer and the installation and having a fluid contained therein for heat transmission, a pump connected in series with the fluid transmission duct for pumping the fluid, and a control means controlling an operation of temperature equalization system. The control means controls the pump to pump the fluid through the fluid transmission duct and an interior of the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 8985199
    Abstract: A temperature equalization system, including an installation, a heat equalizer disposed in a natural heat carrier and being made of a material of heat conduction to exchange heat with the natural heat carrier, a fluid transmission duct disposed between the heat equalizer and the installation and having a fluid contained therein for heat transmission, a pump connected in series with the fluid transmission duct for pumping the fluid, and a control means controlling an operation of temperature equalization system. The control means controls the pump to pump the fluid through the fluid transmission duct and an interior of the installation with a periodical change of flowing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 8939197
    Abstract: A temperature equalization system, including an installation, a heat equalizer disposed in a natural heat carrier and being made of a material of heat conduction, a relay heat equalizer, a first fluid transmission duct disposed between the relay heat equalizer and the installation and having a first fluid contained therein for heat transmission, a second fluid transmission duct disposed between the heat equalizer and the relay heat equalizer and having a second fluid contained therein for heat transmission, a pump and a relay pump respectively connected in series with the first and second fluid transmission ducts for pumping the first and second fluid, and a control means controlling the pump to pump the first fluid through the relay heat equalizer, the fluid transmission duct and an interior of the installation, and to pump the second fluid through the relay heat equalizer, the second fluid transmission duct and the heat equalizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 8924027
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and related computer program products for controlling one or more HVAC systems using a distributed arrangement of wirelessly connected sensing microsystems are described. A plurality of wirelessly communicating sensing microsystems is provided, each sensing microsystem including a temperature sensor and a processor, at least one of the sensing microsystems being coupled to an HVAC unit for control thereof. The plurality of sensing microsystems is configured to jointly carry out at least one shared computational task associated with control of the HVAC unit. Each sensing microsystem includes a power management circuit configured to determine an amount of electrical power available for dedication to the at least one shared computational task. The at least one shared computational task is apportioned among respective ones of the plurality of sensing microsystems according to the amount of electrical power determined to be available for dedication thereto at each respective sensing microsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Yoky Matsuoka, Matthew Lee Rogers, David Sloo
  • Publication number: 20140158780
    Abstract: An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence KATES
  • Publication number: 20140158782
    Abstract: An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence KATES
  • Publication number: 20140158778
    Abstract: An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence KATES
  • Publication number: 20140158781
    Abstract: An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence KATES
  • Publication number: 20140158336
    Abstract: An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence KATES
  • Publication number: 20140041846
    Abstract: An HVAC system may include a building controller, two or more HVAC components and at least two Equipment Interface Modules (EIM). Each of the EIMs may include a wired and/or wireless interface for communication to the HVAC controller. Each EIM may be wired to one or more of the HVAC components of the HVAC system. In some cases, the HVAC controller may be configured to provide one or more control commands to control two or more of the HVAC components of the HVAC system via the EIMs. In some cases, the EIMs may provide control signals to the HVAC controller, and the HVAC controller may generate one or more commands in response to the received control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Cary Leen, Stan Zywicki,, III, Steve C. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20140000861
    Abstract: Distributed nodes, such as intelligent register controllers, of a heating, ventilating and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system wirelessly communicate with each other on a peer-to-peer basis, forming a network, and collectively control the HVAC system, without a central controller. The intelligent register controllers collectively control the amount of conditioned air introduced into each region. Each node may base its operation at least in part on information about one or more (ideally all) of the other nodes. Each intelligent register controller automatically determines how much conditioned air to allow into its region, or how much return air to allow to be withdrawn from its region. Each register controller automatically determines when and to what extent to operate its respective controllable damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Zoner LLC
    Inventors: Jon Barrett, Ronald Lingemann
  • Patent number: 8596079
    Abstract: A system for regulating gas flow for a computer room containing computer components includes vents configured to direct gas from a gas supply toward the computer components, sensors disposed and configured to provide information regarding at least a first property associated with the computer components, and a controller coupled to the sensors and the vents and configured to effect a change in gas flow through a second one of the vents in accordance with a first value of the first property associated with a first of the computer components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Beam
  • Patent number: 8478447
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and related computer program products for controlling one or more HVAC systems using a distributed arrangement of wirelessly connected sensing microsystems are described. A plurality of wirelessly communicating sensing microsystems is provided, each sensing microsystem including a temperature sensor and a processor, at least one of the sensing microsystems being coupled to an HVAC unit for control thereof. The plurality of sensing microsystems is configured to jointly carry out at least one shared computational task associated with control of the HVAC unit. Each sensing microsystem includes a power management circuit configured to determine an amount of electrical power available for dedication to the at least one shared computational task. The at least one shared computational task is apportioned among respective ones of the plurality of sensing microsystems according to the amount of electrical power determined to be available for dedication thereto at each respective sensing microsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Yoky Matsuoka, Matthew Lee Rogers, David Sloo