Abstract: An air-conditioning control apparatus for controlling an air conditioner configured to supply conditioned air into a space to be air-conditioned so that a temperature of a predetermined section in a plurality of sections in the space to be air-conditioned becomes a set temperature, the air-conditioning control apparatus comprising: a detecting device configured to determines the number of people in the predetermined section; and a controller configured to correct the set temperature so as to be decreased if the number of people is increased and so as to be increased if the number of people is decreased.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for optimizing a cost of electric power generation in a smart site energy management model, including providing a cost function that models a smart building-grid energy system of a plurality of buildings on a site interconnected with electric power grid energy resources and constraints due to a building model, an electric grid model, and a building-grid interface model, where decision variables for each of the building model, the electric grid model, and the building-grid interface model are box-constrained, and minimizing the cost function subject to the building model constraints, the electric grid model constraints, and building-grid interface model constraints.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods of use of an HVAC graphical interface dashboard. In various embodiments, the dashboard includes a weather tab, wherein invoking the weather tab advances to a weather screen. The dashboard also includes an indoor humidity tab, wherein invoking the indoor humidity tab advances to a humidity screen which displays at least a current indoor humidity, wherein the humidity screen interprets a percentage of humidity for a user. A programs tab and a home tab are also provided. At least one of: a) a system mode; and b) a fan mode can be selected by pressing a correlated icon in the program tab.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a system includes a heat pump and an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). The system also includes a controller coupled to the heat pump and the ERV. The controller implements an ERV operation algorithm that automates operations of the ERV.

Abstract: A method of power system preventive control candidate measures identification self-adaptive to external environment, which is applicable to dynamic identification of stations and power equipment under the effect of calamity, and judgment of preventive control measures that lose or restore control capability, and those for which control range or cost has changed. Automatic online identification of set of preventive control candidate measures includes two tasks: identification of stations and power equipment under the effect of calamity, and adjustment of the space of preventive control measures.

Abstract: A moisture content level certification system and method involves taking moisture content measurements within a structure and issuing a certificate of moisture content level. Moisture content level pass/failure certifications may also be issued.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying a representation of the configuration of a distribution and/or collection system and the operating status thereof, may comprise: a computer receiving an access request; a storage device storing a representation of the elements and configuration of the distribution and/or collection system and storing information relating to the operating state of the elements; wherein the computer generates a displayable representation of the elements and configuration of the distribution and/or collection system in accordance with the operating state of the elements; and a communication port for transmitting the transformed displayable representation of the elements and configuration of the system to a display.

Abstract: A thermostat includes a controller configured to control the thermostat, a power supply sensor connected to the controller for sensing a thermostat power source, a wireless transceiver connected to the controller for receiving control information from a remote device and for transmitting information to the remote device, and a battery level indicator for determining a remaining power capacity of the battery. The controller sets a time schedule for enabling the wireless transceiver when the power supply sensor detects that the thermostat power source is a battery. The time schedule is changed to increase a time period between when the wireless transceiver is enabled as the remaining power capacity of the battery decreases.

Abstract: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used for modeling environment characteristics and for controlling instrumentation in sensitive environments, such as in an office building, datacenter, hospital, enclosed arena, airport, or other environment. In an example, power consumption characteristics from physical equipment assets in an environment can be used by a CFD circuit to improve accuracy of a CFD model. Information from a CFD model can be used to optimize efficiency of HVAC or other air-moving systems serving an environment. In an example, CFD analyses can be performed substantially in real-time when one or more inputs to a CFD model change, relative to a baseline value, by more than a specified threshold amount. An energy efficient and cost efficient response to a change in infrastructure of an environment can be identified based on a CFD model of the environment.

Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.

Abstract: A controller is coupled to a plurality of moisture sensors positioned within the grain bin at various spaced-apart locations. The controller determines a grain moisture level adjacent each moisture sensor and compares the grain moisture level to a predetermined maximum moisture level. The controller is coupled to a grain spreader that is configured to selectively distribute incoming grain into the grain bin and operates the spreader to distribute incoming grain to create a shortened airflow path through the grain that encompasses the moisture sensors having determined grain moisture levels above the predetermined maximum moisture level. The controller is coupled to a fan that is coupled to the grain bin and configured to provide airflow through the grain in the grain bin. The controller operates the fan to provide greater airflow through the grain along the shortened airflow path than is provided along airflow paths outside the shortened airflow path.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating a set-point for climate control includes a sensor network having a plurality of sensors configured to report a climate condition. A database is configured to receive reports from the sensors and generate one or more profiles reflecting at least one of historic climate control information and occupant preferences. A controller is configured to receive information from the profiles to generate a set-point based upon an optimization program. The optimization program is implemented to balance competing goals to generate the set-point for controlling climate control equipment in accordance with the set-point.

Abstract: A computerized method for controlling a chiller plant for cooling a building is provided. The chiller plant has a chiller plant load. The method includes estimating an optimal combination of chiller plant equipment for meeting the chiller plant load. Estimating the optimal combination of chiller plant equipment includes using binary optimization to determine at least two potential combinations of chiller plant equipment. Estimating the optimal combination of chiller plant equipment also includes using nonlinear optimization to determine a potential power consumption minimum for each of the at least two potential combinations. The method also includes controlling the chiller plant according to the estimated optimal combination of chiller plant equipment.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for providing software updates to client devices. A client device (such as a thermostat) executes software to perform one or more functionalities of the device. Upon receiving an indicating that a software update is available, the device waits to download the software update until pre-download conditions are satisfied. Once the software update is downloaded, the device then waits to install the software update until pre-install conditions are satisfied. If the software update is non-critical and received during an initial installation of the device, the software update may not be installed until after installation of the device is complete. If the device is a thermostat, the device may delay installation of the software update until a controlled HVAC system in inactive. Control of the HVAC system may be disabled during installation of the software update.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code embodied on a computer readable medium being operable to perform a thermal analysis of a data center and overlay the thermal analysis on a map of the data center to provide an overlaid thermal analysis. Additionally, the computer executable code is operable to dynamically control at least one partition in the data center based on the overlaid thermal analysis.

Abstract: A method for defining one or more ANM zones in an electricity network that has at least one energy producing/consuming device that has an output that has to be regulated. The method comprises determining the maximum power and/or current transmittable to or from a node or branch in the network at which an energy producing/consuming device that has to be regulated is to be added; determining the maximum capacity of power and/or current transmittable through that node or branch; and defining a zone (zone 1, zone 2) including the node or branch and regulated energy producing/consuming device that requires to be actively managed, in the event that the maximum power and/or current transmittable to the node or branch exceeds the maximum capacity of power and/or current transmittable through it.

Abstract: A Computer Room Air Handler (CRAH) Unit conditions and provides cooling air to a first zone. A second zone collects return air from the first zone, where multiple servers are positioned between the first zone and the second zone such that air heated by the servers is pushed into the second zone. The first zone is bound from the second zone by one or more racks housing the servers and insulating materials in an area between each server to prevent the cooling air in the first zone from mixing with the return air in the second zone. A third zone, representing a remaining area of the server facility, is maintained at a predefined temperature, where the temperature is higher than a temperature of the first zone and lower than a temperature of the second zone.

Abstract: An HVAC controller, a method of starting a HVAC unit and a HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive a delay originating signal and (2) a processor configured to automatically generate an offset delay value for the HVAC unit upon receipt of the delay originating signal and delay starting identified components of the HVAC unit based on the offset delay value.

Abstract: The object of this invention a regulation method for regulating an air conditioning system suitable for independently regulating the temperature of a plurality of zones. The air conditioning system comprises a thermal cycle machine. According to various embodiments, the thermal cycle machine is capable of delivering a cold airflow, a hot airflow or both. This flow is divided into smaller flows supplied to each of the zones to be regulated. The method according to the invention allows regulating these smaller flows as well as the operating conditions of the thermal cycle machine. According to various embodiments, the method additionally incorporates more complex variants involving variables such as pressure or thermal inertia. Likewise, according to one embodiment the air conditioning system incorporates a particular distributor configuration simplifying the installation of said regulation system.

Abstract: The current application is directed to an intelligent control system that includes intelligent thermostats and remote servers that spread call-home events over time to avoid large peak computational and communications loads on intelligent-control-system servers. The spreading of call-home vents over time is effected by use of call-home splay values pseudorandomly generated for intelligent thermostats.

Abstract: A room management apparatus is provided. The room management apparatus includes a central controller that recognizes an operation state of an air conditioner, and determines that one or more rooms are assignable on the basis of the operation state of the air conditioner.

Abstract: An air-conditioning unit control device controls an air-conditioning unit system including one or more outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units. The air-conditioning unit control device includes an environment target value setting unit to set an environment target value for an environment intended to be achieved by air conditioning through each of the indoor units, a zone setting unit to form one or more groups of the indoor units and set a zone for each of the groups, a zone load calculating unit to calculate a heat load on the set zone, an air conditioning capacity allocation calculating unit to determine an allocation of operation capacity to each of the indoor units and the outdoor units based on power consumption of each of the indoor units and the outdoor units, and a control instructing unit to transmit a control signal based on each operation capacity.

Abstract: A method of managing energy consumption of a building may include performing an optimization for a zone of a building. The method may also include determining an environmental condition setting for the zone based on the optimization. Further, the method may include receiving user feedback of the environmental condition setting. The user feedback may reflect an environmental condition preference of the user. The method may also include modifying the optimization based on the feedback of the environmental condition setting and updating the environmental condition setting based on the modified optimization.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a computer server management system, a data management station of a building environmental control system and a data interface therebetween. The computer server management system is configured to coordinate the usage of a plurality of server computers, the computer server management system executing virtualization software configured to manage application processing on the plurality of server computers located in at least one data center. The data management station is operably coupled to controllers, sensors and actuators of the building environmental control system. The data management station is configured to provide at least some data via the data interface to the computer server management data system.

Abstract: A tool for providing a visualization of a system may reveal an interactive navigation environment for building performance observation and assessment. The tool may be associated with a processor. The environment may incorporate a treemap, a graph pane, a treemap filter, a graph pane selector, a selected units box and a date/time control mechanism. A visualization of the environment, among other things, may be presented on a display. The treemap may exhibit a building geometry and/or equipment units hierarchically, along with some data information. Units may be interactively selected from the treemap and placed in the box for analysis. The graph pane may show a configuration and display of unit analysis. Selection of detailed views for units in the box may be provided by the graph pane selector. Date and time intervals for analysis may be selected by the control mechanism.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to building control systems and, more particularly, to methods and devices for configuring and/or displaying parameters or other information such as menu screens on a programmable wall module of a building control system. In an illustrative embodiment, a configuration tool may be configured to create a number of screens for the user interface of the programmable wall module based on a number of user inputs received via the user interface of the configuration tool. In some cases, the number of user inputs received via the user interface of the configuration tool may be less than, and sometimes far less than, the number of screens that are created by the configuration tool. Regardless, with the number of screens created, the configuration tool may upload the number of screens to the programmable wall module for use on the user interface of the programmable wall module.

Abstract: A method performed by a zone controller for a zone of a building for improving energy efficiency in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is provided. The method includes operating in a ventilation mode. A temperature of the zone and outside air conditions for the building are monitored. A determination is made regarding whether to switch from the ventilation mode to an economizing mode based on a first set point for the temperature of the zone and based on the outside air conditions. The first set point is determined based on a second set point for the temperature that is different from the first set point. A determination is made regarding whether to activate the HVAC system based on the second set point.

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.

Abstract: System and methods for controlling an air conditioning (AC) system includes defining one or more zones to achieve control actions based on local conditions to create a localized dynamic system for localized control, wherein zones are defined by considering hot and cool areas of the room or location of heat generating equipment, wherein the zone definition changes dynamically based on time of day or based on occupancy, or wherein zones are defined in a customizable manner based on sensitivity analysis considering energy savings and comfort tradeoff or considering equipment with predetermined temperature restrictions; monitoring through sensor placement at predetermined locations in the room based on importance of the equipment, heat generation zones and proximity to the AC; determining appropriate temperature setpoints based on existing operating conditions; and applying temperature information at the predetermined locations to generate rules for the actuation of AC systems.

Abstract: The systems, methods and devices disclosed herein provide for a field panel that includes a webserver. The field panel and webserver are arranged in communication with one or more automation components and/or field panels deployed for operation in connection with the building automation system. An information request may be directed to a master field panel for authorization. The master field panel may in turn query a node table containing address and/or communication information with the other field panels and/or automation components operable on the wired or wireless communication network. The information within the node table allows for direct communication to the other field panels and/or automation components operable on the network. In this way, authorized access to each of the field panels and/or automation components is achieved while any communications bottleneck at the master field panel may be significantly reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to control fluid flow in a data center are disclosed herein. An example method disclosed herein comprises sensing a condition of a fluid in a first contained aisle on a first side of data center equipment, the fluid in the first contained aisle substantially isolated from a second contained aisle on a second side of the data center equipment, and controlling a vent to alter the fluid flow between the first contained aisle and the second contained aisle based on the sensed condition.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a unitary room air conditioner and for reducing peak loads can comprise a communications transceiver coupled to a relay or switch. This relay or switch can control the flow of electricity to a compressor of the air conditioner. The communications transceiver can receive signals which may direct the communications transceiver to open or close the relay or switch. In this way, the compressor can be controlled independent of the air conditioner's control logic. In other words, the operation of the compressor can be controlled with signals which originate outside of the unitary air conditioner and independent of the air conditioner's own internal control logic.

Abstract: This showcase for preserving and displaying objects in a protected environment comprises a display space and adjustment and control means for maintaining predetermined climatic conditions of the air in the display space. The adjustment and control means comprise an air treatment path outside the display space as well as openings for delivering conditioned air from the treatment path to the display space and openings for returning the conditioned air from the display space to the treatment path. The showcase comprises in the same display space at least two display areas having predetermined different climatic conditions from each other, not separated by any wall. The presence of display areas with different climatic conditions allows to arrange—in this showcase—several objects, even with the aim of different preservation needs with respect to each other.

Abstract: A system receives an energy demand response schedule, one or more user preferences, and one or more predicted environmental variables into a computer processor. The system generates an optimized energy schedule as a function of the demand response schedule, the user preferences, and the predicted environmental variables. The optimized energy schedule includes one or more of a set point temperature variation in one or more zones, an air handling unit set point temperature variation, a chilled water set point temperature variation, a carbon dioxide level set point variation, a pre-cooling time shift, a pre-cooling duration variation, and a load based optimized chiller schedule. The system transmits the optimized energy schedule to a building management server.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure disclose systems and methods for controlling the operation and shut down of a plurality of HVAC units in a facility to improve efficiency. More particularly, a target number of inefficient HVAC units may be identified and systematically shut down while monitoring the environmental conditions in the facility to determine if additional HVAC units may be shut down or alternately should be restarted automatically.

Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network and a method of manufacturing the same. In various embodiments, the network includes a subnet controller configured to control networked devices via a data bus. The subnet controller is configured to be addressable over the data bus. An environmental sensor is configured to provide environmental data to the subnet controller, and is further configured to be addressable over the data bus independent of addressing the subnet controller. A user interface is configured to provide access by an operator to the network. The user interface is further configured to be addressable over the data bus independently of addressing the subnet controller and the environmental sensor.

Abstract: An economizer component of a controller used for fuel efficient temperature regulation of a medium circulated through a zone within a hydronic and steam heating system is disclosed. The controller component includes an input interface adapted to determine if the system requires heat based on receiving one or more of a call for heat from the zone, or an indication that a burner of the system is active. The component further includes a dynamic adaptation module configured to provide a burner control signal for heating the system if required. The control signal has an adjustable high limit, and the dynamic adaptation module is configured to increment the adjustable high limit by an increment value, to a value no greater than a maximum high limit, if it is determined that the system requires heat, and decrement the adjustable high limit by a decrement value, to a value no lower than a minimum high limit, if it is determined that the system does not require heat.

Abstract: A thermostat management system facilitates an automatic pairing of a thermostat with a thermostat communication account. The thermostat management system receives a public network address associated with a computer device on a private network accessing the thermostat management account. The system retrieves the thermostat metadata including a public network address associated with a registration of the thermostat with the thermostat management system. The public network address registered with the thermostat metadata is provided by a router on the private network and therefore should match the public network address used by computer devices on the private network. The thermostat management account is paired with the thermostat if the thermostat has the same public network address as the computer device accessing the thermostat management account.

Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting power consumption by a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) subsystem of a building are shown and described. A feedback controller is used to generate a manipulated variable based on an energy use setpoint and a measured energy use. The manipulated variable may be used for adjusting the operation of an HVAC device.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a multi-zone HVAC system, wherein the controller operates at least one damper based on an adjustable first timing parameter and a relative damper position based on a zone demand.

Abstract: In a building which has at least two floors, an apparatus for controlling and regulating room temperature having a hierarchical structure includes a predictive device on the top level, that provides optimal control of the use of at least one free energy source, and at least one device on a lower level which is used for feedback regulation of at least one additional energy source. The predictive device uses a building model and repeatedly optimizes the energy requirement or the energy costs. The regulation strategy of the predictive device uses characteristics of a passive heat accumulator of the building.

Abstract: Computing devices have fan speeds governing airflows through the computing devices. The rack has a maximum airflow associated with a cooling component for the rack. The computing devices transmit their current airflows. A sum of the current airflows is determined. Where the sum is greater than the maximum airflow, the fan speeds of one or more selected computing devices are decreased. The fan speeds of lower priority computing devices may be reduced before the fan speeds higher priority computing devices are reduced. Fan speed reduction may be achieved in a centralized manner, by employing a centralized management component, or in a decentralized manner, without employing a centralized management component.

Abstract: A cooling management system including component racks, a cooling system, pressure measurement devices, and a computing system within a structure. Each component rack includes an exothermic apparatus. The structure includes warm air aisle spaces and cold air aisle spaces located between the component racks. The cooling system feeds cold air into each cold air aisle space. The cold air flows through the component racks resulting in displacement of warm air from each exothermic apparatus. The warm air flows into the warm air aisle spaces and is directed back to the cooling system. The pressure measurement devices measure differential pressure values between the cold air aisle spaces and the warm air aisle spaces. The computing system monitors the differential pressure values, perform calculations associated with the differential pressure values, and control a fan speed of at least one fan within the cooling system based on the calculations.

Abstract: A controller for a zoned HVAC system and interface screens for controlling a zoned HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) a processor configured to direct operation of the HVAC system according to operating data for zones thereof and (2) a display configured to provide a zone dashboard screen including a zone information area for each of the zones, wherein each the zone information area has a defined shape and is configured to provide operating data for a single one of the zones and receive a user input that selects the single one of the zones for the processor to control.

Abstract: A heating-cooling system has a plurality of users, a piping system subdivided into a plurality of zones in each of which a respective group of the users is connected in parallel, a heater or cooler having a supply line and a return line connected to the zones, a pump connected to the heater or cooler and to one of the lines for flowing a heat-exchange medium through the respective users, and respective flow-control valves connected in each of the zones for controlling flow of the medium therethrough and establishing in the respective zones a respective differential pressure. Flow in the zones is adjusted by controlling the respective valves to make a detected actual value of the differential pressure in the zone correspond to a set-point value previously detected and stored, with the differential pressure across each of the control valves being similarly feedback controlled.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network and a method of manufacturing the same. In an embodiment, the HVAC data processing and communication network includes at least one environmental sensor, at least one subnet and a subnet controller. The subnet controller is configured to discover the at least one environmental sensor, the at least one subnet and at least one damper controller. The subnet controller is further configured to set up the network for zoned operation in the event that at least two of the at least one environmental sensor are discovered.

Abstract: In an air conditioning system and a communication method thereof a wireless network may be established between indoor units and a controller or between outdoor units so as to allow communications therebetween, thereby facilitating device addition or device deletion. Also, one or more outdoor units and a plurality of indoor units may be controlled without a dedicated communication line or with using a less mount of the dedicated communication line, and the outdoor units or indoor units may perform communications using one or more communication technologies, such as wireless communication and pipe communication technologies and wireless communication and dedicated line communication technologies, while performing communications with the controller using the wireless communication technology.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling the electric power usage of electric thermal storage heaters and systems are based on: 1) current and recorded measurements local to the heater and building; 2) current measurements external to the heater and building; 3) forecasts communicated to the apparatus. The method also includes sending out communications about power use as well as various other local measurements. The apparatus has local controls on the electric thermal storage, including but not limited to the relays that control flow of power into the heating elements, a logic module that integrates the local controls, as well as communication channels that extend outside the building to entities capable of providing automatic forecasts and potentially other types of information not available locally.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling grille aperture ratios of a plurality of air transfer grilles which are installed in a room, includes a determining unit for determining target grille air volumes of air blowing to the racks, for determining simulation air volumes of air blowing from the air transfer grilles on the basis of the target grille air volumes so that each of air of the target grille air volumes are blown to the racks, and for determining grille aperture ratios for each of the air transfer grilles on the basis of the plurality of simulation air volumes so that each of the amounts of air blowing from the air transfer grilles is replaced by each of the simulation air volumes, and a controller for controlling each of the grille aperture ratios of the air transfer grilles on the basis of each of the determined grille aperture ratios.