Patents Assigned to Johnson Controls Technology
  • Patent number: 10558227
    Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling flow rate of a fluid through a valve is disclosed. The system includes a flow rate sensor to measure the flow rate of the fluid through the valve, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the measured flow rate from the flow rate sensor, and determine if the measured flow rate is equal to a predetermined flow rate value. The controller is further configured to, in response to a determination that the measured flow rate is equal to the predetermined flow rate value, determine a minimum valve position threshold (xmin). Additionally, the controller is configured to determine a minimum flow rate threshold (ymin) corresponding to xmin, and configured to generate a PWM signal and calculate a corrected flow rate (?f) using the PWM signal. The controller controls a valve operation using ?f. The PWM signal switches between zero and ymin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Carlos Felipe Alcala Perez, Kirk H. Drees, Timothy I. Salsbury
  • Patent number: 10558180
    Abstract: A building control system uses an empirical technique to determine the uncertainty in parameters of an energy use model. The energy use model is used to predict energy consumption of a building site as a function of the model parameters and one or more predictor variables. The empirical technique includes obtaining a set of data points, each of the data points including a value for the one or more predictor variables and an associated energy consumption value for the building site. Multiple samples are generated from the set of data points, each of the multiple samples including a plurality of data points selected from the set of data points. For each of the multiple samples, the model parameters are estimated using the plurality of data points included in the sample. The uncertainty in the model parameters is determined using the multiple estimates of the model parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Mohammad N. ElBsat, Michael J. Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20200041966
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system for a building includes a plurality of indoor subsystems, a high-level controller, and a plurality of low-level controllers. Each indoor subsystem includes one or more indoor units configured to provide heating or cooling to one or more building spaces. The high-level controller is configured to generate a plurality of indoor subsystem energy targets, each indoor subsystem energy target corresponding to one of the plurality of indoor subsystems and generated based on a thermal capacitance of one or more building spaces to which heating or cooling is provided by the corresponding indoor subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Nishith R. Patel, Matthew J. Ellis, Michael J. Wenzel, Robert D. Turney, Brett M. Lenhardt
  • Publication number: 20200042918
    Abstract: A controller for central plant equipment obtains a model of one or more sources configured to supply input resources, one or more subplants configured to convert the input resources to output resources, and one or more sinks configured to consume the output resources. The controller generates a resource balance constraint that requires balance between a first amount of each resource and a second amount of each resource. The first amount of each resource includes a sum of an amount of the resource supplied by the sources and an amount of the resource produced by the subplants. The second amount of each resource includes a sum of an amount of the resource consumed by the subplants and an amount of the resource consumed by the sinks. The controller performs an optimization of an objective function subject to the resource balance constraint to determine target amounts of each resource to be produced or consumed by the central plant equipment at a plurality of times within an optimization period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Wenzel, Matthew J. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20200041158
    Abstract: A thermostat for a building zone includes at least one of a model predictive controller and an equipment controller. The model predictive controller is configured to obtain a cost function that accounts for a cost of operating HVAC equipment during each of a plurality of time steps, use a predictive model to predict a temperature of the building zone during each of the plurality of time steps, and generate temperature setpoints for the building zone for each of the plurality of time steps by optimizing the cost function subject to a constraint on the predicted temperature. The equipment controller is configured to receive the temperature setpoints generated by the model predictive controller and drive the temperature of the building zone toward the temperature setpoints during each of the plurality of time steps by operating the HVAC equipment to provide heating or cooling to the building zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Turney, Matthew J. Ellis, Michael J. Wenzel, Mohammad N. ELBSAT, Juan Esteban Tapiero Bernal, Brennan H. Fentzlaff
  • Publication number: 20200041965
    Abstract: A building HVAC system includes an airside system having a plurality of airside subsystems, a high-level controller, and a plurality of low-level airside controllers. Each airside subsystem includes airside HVAC equipment configured to provide heating or cooling to one or more building spaces. The high-level controller is configured to generate a plurality of airside subsystem energy targets, each airside subsystem energy target corresponding to one of the plurality of airside subsystems and generated based on a thermal capacitance of the one or more building spaces to which heating or cooling is provided by the corresponding airside subsystem. Each low-level airside controller corresponds to one of the airside subsystems and is configured to control the airside HVAC equipment of the corresponding airside subsystem in accordance with the airside subsystem energy target for the corresponding airside subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Nishith R. Patel, Robert D. Turney, Matthew J. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20200041157
    Abstract: A space controller and method for determining energy savings of the space controller are provided. The method includes estimating, by one or more processing circuits, a steady state gain of a controlled variable of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; determining, by the one or more processing circuits, an actual runtime that HVAC equipment of the HVAC system is in an on state based on a first setpoint or schedule; predicting, by the one or more processing circuits, a reduction of runtime that the HVAC equipment is in the on state for a second setpoint or schedule based on the actual runtime and the steady state gain; and adjusting, by the one or more processing circuits, the first setpoint or schedule to the second setpoint or schedule based on the reduction of runtime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Timothy I. Salsbury, John M. House
  • Publication number: 20200041154
    Abstract: A building system comprising one or more memory devices storing instructions that, are executed by one or more processors. The instructions include retrieving one or more instructions for installing a thermostat with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and causing a user interface to display the one or more instructions. The instructions further include receiving one or more confirmation indications of the one or more instructions being performed successfully by a user and causing the user interface to display an interface including one or more indication that the one or more instructions were performed successfully by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Joseph R. Ribbich, Nicholas S. Van Derven, William P. Alberth, JR., Alan S. Schwegler, Corey A. Poquette, Michael J. Ajax
  • Publication number: 20200044876
    Abstract: A wireless infrastructure component for integration with a building fire system includes a first mounting interface and a wireless communications interface. The first mounting interface is configured to physically couple to a mounting surface and includes a first power connector that is configured to receive power from the building fire system. The wireless communications interface is electrically coupled to the first power connector and is configured to use the power from the building fire system in order to conduct wireless communications with one or more wireless devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Joseph PICCOLO, III, Craig E. Trivelpiece, Timothy C. Gamroth
  • Publication number: 20200034622
    Abstract: A system for displaying information to a user. The system includes a building management system (BMS) including at least one operating device. The system includes a mixed reality (MR) device. The MR device includes an optical projection system configured to display images and includes a controller including a processing circuit in communication with the optical projection system, the BMS, and a cloud database. The processing circuit is configured to receive a user input from a component of the MR device and provide a request for a device model and data describing the at least one operating device to the cloud database storing the device model and the data. The request is based on the user input. The processing circuit is configured to receive the device model and the data and display, via the optical projection system, a visualization of the device model and the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Rana Guha Thakurta, Nicholas Gerard Busalacki, Mrunal S. Bujone, Eswarkumar Borra, Sneha Santosh Pallewar
  • Publication number: 20200037108
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment disclosed herein is a network including a first local group of first node devices, a second local group of second node devices, and a new node device. The new node device has a processor with programmed instructions to range to each of the first node devices, collect ranging data from each of the first node devices, calculate a plurality of distances based on the ranging data, and send the plurality of distances to each of the second node devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: James B. Hurley, Michael G. Cronin, Donagh S. Horgan, Graham M. Baitson
  • Publication number: 20200036795
    Abstract: A controller in a building management system (BMS) includes an integrated wireless network processor chip. The integrated wireless network processor chip includes a wireless radio, a processor, and memory. The wireless radio is configured to exchange data communications with one or more BMS devices controlled by the controller. Both the processor and memory are in communication with the wireless radio and located on the same chip as the wireless radio. The memory includes communication stacks configured to facilitate communications using a building automation and control network communications protocol and a Wi-Fi communications protocol. The integrated wireless network processor chip receives data from the BMS devices via the wireless radio, formats the data using the processor, stores the data in the memory, and sends the data via the wireless radio without requiring any additional processing or communications components outside the integrated wireless network processor chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Christopher Brophy, Kim K. Weller, Daniel R. Gottschalk, Ryan J. Bykowski, Tom Z. Zhuang
  • Patent number: 10545469
    Abstract: A system for self-provisioning building equipment includes a main control unit having a processing circuit and a data communications interface and an auxiliary control unit connected with the main control unit via a communications network. The system includes a memory device having an update file stored therein. The update file includes a plurality of partitions, each partition containing provisioning data for a programmable component of the main control unit or the auxiliary control unit. The processing circuit includes a provisioning manager configured to monitor the main control unit and the auxiliary control unit for a predetermined trigger and automatically initiate a provisioning process in response to detecting the predetermined trigger. The provisioning process includes providing the provisioning data from the update file to the programmable component of the main control unit or the auxiliary control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Vivek V. Gupta, Jameel Ahmed, Harrison J. Palzewicz
  • Patent number: 10546472
    Abstract: A first thermostat of a building includes a communications interface configured to communicate with at least one of a second thermostat or a network server, a user interface configured to display information to a user and receive input from the user, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to generate building navigation direction data for user navigation through the building, cause the user interface to display a first building navigation direction based on the generated building navigation direction data, and cause, via the communications interface, the second thermostat to display a second building navigation direction on a second display of the second thermostat based on the generated building navigation direction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William P. Alberth, Jr., Karl F. Reichenberger, Sudhi Sinha, Joseph R. Ribbich, Michael L. Ribbich, Charles J. Gaidish, John P. Cipolla
  • Patent number: 10544955
    Abstract: A method for dynamically updating a building management system (BMS) control platform for a building includes receiving, by the BMS control platform, a context, wherein the context includes metadata defining a data model for the building and equipment of the building, wherein the metadata describes the data model with a common modeling language (CML). The method further includes implementing, by the BMS control platform, the data model of the context via the CML, wherein the BMS control platform implements the data model during the runtime of the BMS control platform and does not require redeployment of the BMS control platform, and controlling, by the BMS control platform, the equipment of the building based on the implemented data model to control an environmental condition of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Andrew J. Przybylski
  • Publication number: 20200028702
    Abstract: A Building Management System (BMS) generates and presents a user interface to a user. The user interface displays building automation and control logic as human-readable text including interactive text modifiable by the user. The user interface allows the user to more easily understand complex control logic and make modifications to the control logic. The BMS is also presents equipment graphics on the user interface based on metadata read from controllers. The controller metadata includes information about building equipment operated by the controller and one or more sensors associated with the building equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jason T. Sawyer, Judhajit Sarkar
  • Publication number: 20200026249
    Abstract: A building management system includes building equipment operable to affect a variable state or condition of a building and a control system configured to receive a user input indicating a model form. The model form includes a plurality of matrices having a plurality of elements defined in terms of a plurality of parameters. The control system is configured to parse the model form to generate a sequence of machine-executable steps for determining a value of each of the plurality of elements based on a set of potential parameter values, identify a system model by executing the sequence of machine-executable steps to generate a set of parameter values for the plurality of parameters, generate a graphical user interface that illustrates a fit between predictions of the identified system model and behavior of the variable state or condition of the building, and control the building equipment using the identified system model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Przybylski, Michael J. Wenzel, Matthew J. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20200018514
    Abstract: A terminal device housing includes a backplate and a front cover. The backplate is attachable to a mounting surface. A display is supported by the front cover. The backplate and front cover are formed with installation engagement elements that allow the front cover to be releasably attached to the backplate as the backplate is wired and mounted to the mounting surface. Following wiring and mounting of the backplate, the front cover is detached from the mounted backplate. Engagement structures formed on the backplate and front cover allow the front cover to be attached to the mounted rear cover to define a terminal device housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Peggy D. Howe, Gary W. Gavin, James Mertz
  • Publication number: 20200018527
    Abstract: A cooling system for a motor to power a compressor in a vapor compression system is provided. The cooling system includes a housing with a cavity enclosing the motor and defining a central axis and fluid directing features extending into the cavity and oriented parallel to the central axis. The cooling system further includes a fluid circuit configured to circulate a cooling fluid between the housing and the motor. The fluid circuit includes a first cooling fluid path defined by directing features that cause a first portion of cooling fluid to travel around a first portion of the motor and a second cooling fluid path defined by fluid directing features that cause a second portion of cooling fluid to travel around a second portion of the motor. The second portion of the motor is located opposite the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Matthew L. Heisey, Paul W. Snell
  • Patent number: D874301
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Thoni, Vineet B. Sinha