Patents Assigned to Optimum Energy, LLC
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Patent number: 11946659Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and structures deploy a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) energy optimization program. A standard operating control platform (OCP) is deployed in an energy optimization control engine (EOCE) computing system communicatively coupled to a plurality of HVAC components via a building automation system (BAS). An energy optimization portal (EOP), which receives from the EOCE computing system a first data set identifying the plurality of HVAC components, a second data set including operational control parameters for each of the plurality of HVAC components, and a third data set including measured operations data associated with each of the plurality of HVAC components. The EOP generates an energy optimized operating control platform based on the first, second, and third data sets, which is automatically communicated from the EOP to the EOCE computing system.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2017Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: OPTIMUM ENERGY, LLCInventors: Clark Richard Matthys, Ian Robert Dempster, Peng Chen, Chris Carter, Chris Boscolo, Andrew Alexander Lechner
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Patent number: 11536507Abstract: A chilled water distribution system includes a chilled water loop in fluid communication with a plurality of buildings and also in fluid communication with a plurality of chiller stations. A monitoring and control system communicates with one of the chiller stations, hereinafter referred to as a “controlled” chiller station because it is configured with one or more variable frequency drives that are controlled by the monitoring and control system to modulate the speed of at least one chiller station component such as, but not limited to, a pump or a fan. By way of this modulation process, a differential pressure of the chilled water loop may be maintained in a “sweet spot” so as to optimize chiller station output while minimizing chiller station energy consumption.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Optimum Energy, LLCInventors: Ben Erpelding, Ian Dempster
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Patent number: 11473796Abstract: A controller is configured to exchange information with a building automation system and includes various executable programs for determining a real time operating efficiency, simulating a predicted or theoretical operating efficiency, comparing the same, and then adjusting one or more operating parameters on equipment utilized by a building's HVAC system. The controller operates to adjust an operating efficiency of the HVAC system. An adjustment module utilized by the controller may modify the HVAC equipment parameters based on the likelihood that various HVAC equipment operates in parallel and on-line near its natural operating curve. In addition, the adjustment module may include a self-learning aspect that permits the controller to more efficiently make similar, future adjustments as needed.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Optimum Energy LLCInventors: Ian Dempster, Ben Erpelding, James Hanna
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Patent number: 11473804Abstract: The present disclosure describes a solution to monitor, control and share HVAC operation state information and the analysis thereof based on a distributed computing system involving local building automation servers (BAS), a network based (cloud-based) system and client terminals. On the network based system, a client level virtual machine launches a container process for a client, which includes a background sub-process and a foreground sub-process. The background sub-process collects and analyzes HVAC data without client interaction. The foreground sub-process is setup upon the launching of the container process, but is fully activated until suitable client interaction is detected. The foreground sub-process pushes for a more comprehensive set of HVAC operation data through the BAS server and analyzes and presents the data and analysis result in substantially real time to the client through the client terminal with a higher data updating rate than the background sub-process.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Optimum Energy, LLCInventors: Peng Chen, Ian Robert Dempster
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Patent number: 11438189Abstract: A system for controlling energy consumption in a building having a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) which includes using an external application to perform HVAC energy consumption optimization algorithms and other external energy control functions and transmit application control data to a building automation system (BAS), which in turn provides hardware level equipment control for the HVAC system. The external application evaluates equipment data received from the HVAC system by way of the BAS and processes these equipment data to provide application control data back to the BAS. The application control data are calculated to achieve a desired operating efficiency for the HVAC system.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Optimum Energy LLCInventors: Ian Dempster, Ben Erpelding, Clark Mattys, James Hanna
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Patent number: 11294343Abstract: An environmental control system for a building in a geographic location and having a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system includes at least one computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processing device in communication with the external application, enables the at least one processing device to receive weather data characterizing a weather forecast over a predetermined time period for the geographic location, receive free-cooling window data, determine, based on the weather data and free-cooling window data, an available free-cooling time window, and issue to the external application an executable command to the HVAC system to enter free-cooling mode during the available free-cooling time window.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Optimum Energy, LLCInventors: Ben Erpelding, Ian Dempster, Peng Chen, Clark Matthys
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Patent number: 10505748Abstract: A system for controlling energy consumption in a building having a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) which includes using an external application to perform HVAC energy consumption optimization algorithms and other external energy control functions and transmit application control data to a building automation system (BAS), which in turn provides hardware level equipment control for the HVAC system. The external application evaluates equipment data received from the HVAC system by way of the BAS and processes these equipment data to provide application control data back to the BAS. The application control data are calculated to achieve a desired operating efficiency for the HVAC system.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2014Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Optimum Energy LLCInventors: Ian Dempster, Ben Erpelding, Clark Mattys, James Hanna
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Patent number: 10461954Abstract: Systems and methods for sequencing HVAC equipment of an HVAC system using data recorded in situ to build a model capable of making predictions about equipment efficiency and using that information, in combination with predictions about building load, to produce an operational sequence for the HVAC equipment that promotes an improved or optimized overall energy efficiency for the HVAC system. In one embodiment, the process is automated and utilizes Bayesian computational models or algorithms to generate an initial sequence. The process reduces engineering hours and may advantageously provide a means to predict potential sequencing problems for similar types of HVAC equipment.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: OPTIMUM ENERGY LLCInventors: Thomas Jones, Ian Dempster, Clark Matthys, Peng Chen
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Patent number: 10415869Abstract: A chilled water distribution system includes a chilled water loop in fluid communication with a plurality of buildings and also in fluid communication with a plurality of chiller stations. A monitoring and control system communicates with one of the chiller stations, hereinafter referred to as a “controlled” chiller station because it is configured with one or more variable frequency drives that are controlled by the monitoring and control system to modulate the speed of at least one chiller station component such as, but not limited to, a pump or a fan. By way of this modulation process, a differential pressure of the chilled water loop may be maintained at a desired level so as to optimize chiller station output while minimizing chiller station energy consumption.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: OPTIMUM ENERGY LLCInventors: Ben Erpelding, Ian Dempster
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Patent number: 10408481Abstract: A controller is configured to exchange information with a building automation system and includes various executable programs for determining a real time operating efficiency, simulating a predicted or theoretical operating efficiency, comparing the same, and then adjusting one or more operating parameters on equipment utilized by a building's HVAC system. The controller operates to adjust an operating efficiency of the HVAC system. An adjustment module utilized by the controller may modify the HVAC equipment parameters based on the likelihood that various HVAC equipment operates in parallel and on-line near its natural operating curve. In addition, the adjustment module may include a self-learning aspect that permits the controller to more efficiently make similar, future adjustments as needed.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Optimum Energy LLCInventors: Ian Dempster, Ben Erpelding, James Hanna
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Patent number: 10119711Abstract: An air unit includes a coil located in an air stream of the air unit. The air stream has an air flow direction. An air temperature sensor is located in the air stream of the air unit and is further located downstream, relative to the air flow direction, of the coil. A smart valve is in fluid communication with the coil and in electronic communication with the air temperature sensor. The smart valve is operable to control an amount of water flow through the coil. The smart valve receives a temperature setpoint signal, and the smart valve is programmed to modulate a valve position of a smart valve actuator based on the temperature setpoint signal and based on a signal from the air temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2013Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: OPTIMUM ENERGY LLCInventors: Ian Robert Dempster, Benjamin Paul Erpelding, Thomas Bennett Hartman, Chelsey Ann MacNeill
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Patent number: 9967107Abstract: Systems and methods for sequencing HVAC equipment of an HVAC system using data recorded in situ to build a model capable of making predictions about equipment efficiency and using that information, in combination with predictions about building load, to produce an operational sequence for the HVAC equipment that promotes an improved or optimized overall energy efficiency for the HVAC system. In one embodiment, the process is automated and utilizes Bayesian computational models or algorithms to generate are initial sequence. The process reduces engineering hours and may advantageously provide a means to predict potential sequencing problems for similar types of HVAC equipment.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Optimum Energy LLCInventors: Thomas Jones, Ian Dempster, Clark Matthys, Peng Chen
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Patent number: 9810438Abstract: A hydronic distribution system includes self-regulating valves networked together and operable to share valve temperature and valve position information with a microprocessor or other type of controller. The microprocessor runs one or more algorithms that process the temperatures and positions of the valves and then computes a desired speed for one or more variable speed pumps within the system. Controlling the pumps to operate at the desired speed and still maintain the correct amount of process fluid flow needed by the system reduces the overall energy use of the hydronic distribution system, saves on the operational lives of the pumps, and increases system efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: OPTIMUM ENERGY LLCInventors: Nathan F. Rothman, Ian Dempster
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Publication number: 20130125565Abstract: A chilled water distribution system includes a chilled water loop in fluid communication with a plurality of buildings and also in fluid communication with a plurality of chiller stations. A monitoring and control system communicates with one of the chiller stations, hereinafter referred to as a. “controlled” chiller station because it is configured with one or more variable frequency drives that are controlled by the monitoring and control system to modulate the speed of at least one chiller station component such as, but not limited to, a pump or a fan. By way of this modulation process, a differential pressure of the chilled water loop may be maintained in a “sweet spot” so as to optimize chiller station output while minimizing chiller station energy consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: OPTIMUM ENERGY,LLCInventors: Ben Erpelding, Ian Dempster
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Publication number: 20130048114Abstract: A hydronic distribution system includes self-regulating valves networked together and operable to share valve temperature and valve position information with a microprocessor or other type of controller. The microprocessor runs one or more algorithms that process the temperatures and positions of the valves and then computes a desired speed for one or more variable speed pumps within the system. Controlling the pumps to operate at the desired speed and still maintain the correct amount of process fluid flow needed by the system reduces the overall energy use of the hydronic distribution system, saves on the operational lives of the pumps, and increases system efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: OPTIMUM ENERGY, LLCInventors: Nathan F. ROTHMAN, Ian Dempster
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Patent number: 8291720Abstract: An improved method for sequencing variable speed centrifugal compressors on and off line to ensure optimal operating efficiency in a liquid cooling system under all operating circumstances is described. The present disclosure teaches modifying equipment sequencing decisions (to add or shed a unit), based in part on the position of the compressor inlet vanes. This new approach achieves improved energy efficiency of the overall system by taking into account operating conditions of individual compressors or chillers that may be sub-optimal.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Optimum Energy, LLCInventor: Thomas B. Hartman
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Patent number: 8219250Abstract: A controller is configured to exchange information with a building automation system and includes various executable programs for determining a real time operating efficiency, simulating a predicted or theoretical operating efficiency, comparing the same, and then adjusting one or more operating parameters on equipment utilized by a building's HVAC system. The controller operates to adjust an operating efficiency of the HVAC system. An adjustment module utilized by the controller may modify the HVAC equipment parameters based on the likelihood that various HVAC equipment operates in parallel and on-line near its natural operating curve. In addition, the adjustment module may include a self-learning aspect that permits the controller to more efficiently make similar, future adjustments as needed.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Optimum Energy, LLCInventors: Ian Dempster, Ben Erpelding, James Hanna
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Publication number: 20110054698Abstract: A system for controlling energy consumption in a building having a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) which includes using an external application to perform HVAC energy consumption optimization algorithms and other external energy control functions and transmit application control data to a building automation system (BAS), which in turn provides hardware level equipment control for the HVAC system. The external application evaluates equipment data received from the HVAC system by way of the BAS and processes these equipment data to provide application control data back to the BAS. The application control data are calculated to achieve a desired operating efficiency for the HVAC system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: OPTIMUM ENERGY, LLCInventors: Ian Dempster, Ben Erpelding, Clark Matthys, James Hanna