Patents Assigned to Johnson Controls Technology
  • Publication number: 20210025609
    Abstract: A building automation system (BAS) platform includes one or more processors configured to provide an operating environment for developing and executing a plurality of building automation and control microservices. At least one of the plurality of building automation and control microservices is configured to receive live data from remote building equipment and provide control signals to the remote building equipment. The BAS platform further includes one or more application programming interfaces configured to interact with third-party building automation and control applications that run within the operating environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Youngchoon Park, Vaidhyanathan Venkiteswaran, Sudhi R. Sinha, Karl F. Reichenberger
  • Publication number: 20210025612
    Abstract: A flow control device is configured to control fluid flow in an HVAC system. The flow control device includes a valve, an actuator configured to open and close the valve, and one or more sensors. The flow control device further includes a fault detection and correction agent configured to receive data from the one or more sensors, analyze the data according to a set of rules, and detect whether one or more faults have occurred. In response to detecting a fault, the fault detection and correction agent is configured to either operate the actuator to open or close the valve or initiate a corrective action to be taken by another device in the HVAC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Sudhi R. Sinha, Donald R. Albinger, Youngchoon Park, Karl F. Reichenberger, John T. Pierson, Vineet Sinha
  • Patent number: 10904030
    Abstract: A building automation system includes a plurality of subnets, an active broadcast management device configured on at least one of the subnets, a pool of virtual devices communicably connected to the active broadcast management device, each of the virtual devices in the pool of virtual devices configured to store a broadcast distribution table (BDT), one or more processors, and memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing instructions. When executed by the one or more processors, the instructions cause the one or more processors to transmit a health status message to each available virtual device in the pool of virtual devices, receive a health status response from each of the available virtual devices, and select, according to the health status responses, at least one of the virtual devices from among the available virtual devices as a backup virtual broadcast management device to the active broadcast management device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Japneet Singh, Ishmeet Bhatia, Manu Garg, Vikas Sharma
  • Patent number: 10901446
    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: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    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: 10901373
    Abstract: A building management system with artificial intelligence based control of a building includes data collectors are configured to receive data and generate data streams for subsystems of the building. The system includes a learning engine configured to identify a building state of the building by correlating data of the data streams for the subsystems and provide the identified building state to cognitive agents. The system includes the cognitive agents, each of the cognitive agents configured to receive the identified building state from the learning engine, generate a control decision based on the received building state, and operate at least one of the plurality of subsystems of the building to control a physical condition of the building based on the control decision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert Locke, Sudhi R. Sinha
  • Patent number: 10900684
    Abstract: A control system for a HVAC system includes a user interface configured to present information to a user and receive inputs from the user, a temperature sensor configured to measure an air temperature inside of the building space, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a user-preferred temperature setpoint, compare the user-preferred temperature setpoint to the measured air temperature, project an energy usage amount for the user-preferred energy setpoint, generate a user comfort score for the user-preferred energy setpoint, generate an overall score for the user-preferred temperature setpoint, and present, by the user interface, the user with a setpoint scoring interface including the overall score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jedidiah O. Bentz, Theresa N. Gillette, Shaun B. Atchison, John W. Uerkvitz
  • Patent number: 10901376
    Abstract: A self-optimizing controller for equipment of a plant provides a manipulated variable as an input to the plant and receives an output variable as feedback. The controller generates a performance variable model defining the performance variable as a function of the manipulated variable and an output variable model defining the output variable as a function of the manipulated variable. The controller uses the performance variable model to determine a gradient of the performance variable, uses the output variable model to determine a gradient of the output variable, and generates a self-optimizing variable based on the gradient of the performance variable model and the gradient of the output variable model. The controller operates the equipment of the plant to affect a variable state or condition of the building based on the value of the self-optimizing variable from the self-optimizing variable model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Carlos Felipe Alcala Perez, Timothy I. Salsbury, John M. House
  • Patent number: 10900686
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for operations an energy plant obtains thermal energy load allocation data indicating time dependent thermal energy load of the energy plant. The system determines, for a time period, an operating state of the energy plant from a plurality of predefined operating states based on the thermal energy load allocation data. The system determines operating parameters of the energy plant according to the determined operating state. The system operates the energy plant according to the determined operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Graeme Willmott, John H. Burroughs, Mohammad N. ElBsat, Michael J. Wenzel, Matthew J. Asmus
  • Publication number: 20210018205
    Abstract: A controller for performing automated system identification. The controller includes processors and non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the processors, cause the processors to perform operations including generating a predictive model to predict system dynamics of a space of a building based on environmental condition inputs and including performing an optimization of a cost function of operating building equipment over a time duration to determine a setpoint for the building equipment. The optimization is performed based on the predictive model. The operations include operating the building equipment based on the setpoint to affect a variable state or condition of the space and include monitoring prediction error metrics over time. The operations include, in response to detecting one of the prediction error metrics exceeds a threshold value, updating the predictive model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Matthew J. Ellis, Mohammad N. ELBSAT, Anas W. I. Alanqar, Michael J. Wenzel, John H. Burroughs
  • Publication number: 20210018198
    Abstract: A controller for equipment that operates to affect a variable state or condition of a building including one or more processors and non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the processors, cause the processors to perform operations. The operations include generating a new predictive model using training data associated with one or more durations selected from a time period and selected to satisfy a set of criteria. The predictive model models system dynamics of the building during the time period. The operations include storing the new predictive model in a database including predictive models that model the system dynamics of the building and include comparing performance of the new predictive model and the predictive models stored by the database to select a particular predictive model for controlling the equipment. The operations include using the particular predictive model to generate and provide control signals to the equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: ANAS W. I. ALANQAR, MICHAEL J. WENZEL, FANG DU, MOHAMMAD N. ELBSAT
  • Publication number: 20210018214
    Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate of a fluid through a valve is provided. The system includes a valve and an actuator. The actuator includes a motor and a drive device that is coupled to the valve for driving the valve between multiple positions. The system further includes a flow rate sensor and a controller that is communicably coupled with the flow rate sensor and the motor. The controller is configured to receive a first flow rate setpoint, determine a first actuator position setpoint using a proportional variable deadband control technique based on the first flow rate setpoint and a flow rate measurement, and receive a second flow rate setpoint. In response to a determination that certain low flow criteria are satisfied, the controller is configured to determine a second actuator position setpoint using the proportional variable deadband control technique based on a low flow compensation setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jack A. Peterson, Kirk H. Drees, Brennan H. Fentzlaff, Homero L. Noboa, Brett M. Lenhardt
  • Publication number: 20210018209
    Abstract: An environmental control system for a building including heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) equipment that operates to affect a temperature of a zone of the building. The system includes a temperature sensor to measure the temperature and a controller including a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to operate the HVAC equipment based on a temperature setpoint and gather training data indicating system dynamics. The processing circuit is configured to monitor a temperature tracking error of the zone and a heat transfer value of the HVAC equipment and determine if the HVAC equipment is in a saturation region based on the temperature tracking error and the heat transfer value. The processing circuit is configured to, in response to a determination that the HVAC equipment is in the saturation region, calculate an adjusted temperature setpoint and operate the HVAC equipment based on the adjusted temperature setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Matthew J. Ellis, Anas W. I. Alanqar
  • Patent number: 10896561
    Abstract: A method in an access control system includes maintaining a database of access control event data generated by a plurality of access control devices installed in a building and iterating through the access control event data in order to generate a connectivity model for the building. Generating the connectivity model includes, for each iteration, identifying a user interaction with a first door at a first time and a user interaction with a second door at a second time, determining if a difference between the first time and the second time is less than a threshold period of time, and either creating the connection between the first door and the second door or updating a weight associated with the connection. The connectivity model can be used in the access control system to correlate access control events across locations in a building or building campus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Donagh S. Horgan, Jan R. Holliday, Eamonn O'Toole
  • Patent number: 10895393
    Abstract: A variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system for a building includes a plurality of outdoor VRF units configured to heat or cool a refrigerant for use in heating or cooling the building and an extremum-seeking controller. The extremum-seeking controller is configured to determine a total power consumption of the plurality of outdoor VRF units, generate a pressure setpoint for the plurality of outdoor VRF units using an extremum-seeking control technique that drives the total power consumption toward an extremum, and use the pressure setpoint to operate the plurality of outdoor VRF units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Turney, Liming Yang, Yunrui Wang, Yasutaka Yoshida, Kazumoto Urata, Timothy I. Salsbury, John M. House
  • Publication number: 20210010701
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing health risks with respect to an infectious disease in buildings. Health data for an infectious diseases is used to determine a health risk level for building spaces and individuals in the building. An air handling action or a disinfection action is performed based on the health risk level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Clay G. Nesler, Kirk H. Drees, Matthew J. Deloge, Jonathan D. Douglas, Timothy C. Gamroth, Michael J. Wenzel, Robert D. Turney, Mohammad N. ElBsat, Joseph F. Mann, Matthew J. Ellis, Serdar Suindykov, James Burke, Thomas M. Seneczko, David S. Eidson, Ganesh Kalpundi, Renee Clair, Anza D'Antonio, Mark L. Ziolkowski
  • Publication number: 20210011444
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system for one or more building zones includes airside HVAC equipment operable to provide clean air to the one or more building zones and a controller. The controller is configured to obtain a dynamic temperature model and a dynamic infectious quanta model for the one or more building zones, determine an infection probability, and generate control decisions for the airside HVAC equipment using the dynamic temperature model, the dynamic infectious quanta model, and the infection probability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Michael J. RISBECK, Kirk H. Drees, Jonathan D. Douglas
  • Publication number: 20210010702
    Abstract: An environmental building sensor, the environmental building sensor including a sensing device configured to measure an environmental condition of a building, an output connection between one or more circuits of the environmental building sensor and an external device, the output connection connected to an input impedance of the external device, and one or more circuits. The one or more circuits are configured to detect a feedback voltage, the feedback voltage based on the input impedance, determine, based on the feedback voltage, whether the external device is configured to receive an analog current input or an analog voltage input from the environmental building sensor, and generate the analog current input or the analog voltage input based on the environmental condition measured by the sensing device and provide the analog current input or the analog voltage input to the external device via the output connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Daniel R. Hjortland
  • Publication number: 20210014122
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for managing building networks. The method includes communicating with a number of building automation and control network (BACnet) nodes and non-BACnet nodes coupled to one another over a network. The method includes obtaining data regarding a respective status of each of the number of BACnet nodes and non-BACnet nodes over the network. The method includes aggregating the data to generate one or more communication statuses of the network. The method includes displaying a first graphical user interface comprising a number of interactive sections. Each of the number of interactive sections is configured to display at least one of the one or more communication status of the network. The method includes in response to a user selection of a particular communication status, launching a second graphical user interface to display information associated with the selected communication status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Shweta S. Patil, Mahesh K. Upadhyay, Ankur Thareja
  • Publication number: 20210011497
    Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate of a fluid through a valve is provided. The system includes a valve and an actuator. An actuator drive device is driven by an actuator motor and is coupled to the valve for driving the valve between multiple positions. The system further includes a flow rate sensor configured to measure the flow rate of the fluid through the valve and a controller that is communicably coupled with the flow rate sensor. The controller is configured to receive a flow rate measurement from the flow rate sensor, adjust a control deadband based on an actuator command history, and determine a compensated position setpoint using the flow rate measurement, the adjusted control deadband, and a proportional variable deadband control technique. The controller is further configured to operate the motor to drive the drive device to the compensated actuator position setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jack A. Peterson, Brett M. Lenhardt, Homero L. Noboa, Brennan H. Fentzlaff
  • Patent number: D908099
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Kornacki, Steven J. Grobschmidt, Vineet Sinha, Mark Thoni, Scott Holland, Hyunchul Kim, Michael Lemon, Nikhil Mathew, Holly Prouty