Patents Assigned to Optimum Energy, LLC
  • Patent number: 11946659
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: OPTIMUM ENERGY, LLC
    Inventors: Clark Richard Matthys, Ian Robert Dempster, Peng Chen, Chris Carter, Chris Boscolo, Andrew Alexander Lechner
  • Patent number: 11536507
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Optimum Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Ben Erpelding, Ian Dempster
  • Patent number: 11473796
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Optimum Energy LLC
    Inventors: Ian Dempster, Ben Erpelding, James Hanna
  • Patent number: 11473804
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Optimum Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Peng Chen, Ian Robert Dempster
  • Patent number: 11438189
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Optimum Energy LLC
    Inventors: Ian Dempster, Ben Erpelding, Clark Mattys, James Hanna
  • Patent number: 11294343
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Optimum Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Ben Erpelding, Ian Dempster, Peng Chen, Clark Matthys
  • Patent number: 10505748
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Optimum Energy LLC
    Inventors: Ian Dempster, Ben Erpelding, Clark Mattys, James Hanna
  • Patent number: 10461954
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: OPTIMUM ENERGY LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Jones, Ian Dempster, Clark Matthys, Peng Chen
  • Patent number: 10415869
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: OPTIMUM ENERGY LLC
    Inventors: Ben Erpelding, Ian Dempster
  • Patent number: 10408481
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Optimum Energy LLC
    Inventors: Ian Dempster, Ben Erpelding, James Hanna
  • Patent number: 10119711
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: OPTIMUM ENERGY LLC
    Inventors: Ian Robert Dempster, Benjamin Paul Erpelding, Thomas Bennett Hartman, Chelsey Ann MacNeill
  • Patent number: 9967107
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Optimum Energy LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Jones, Ian Dempster, Clark Matthys, Peng Chen
  • Patent number: 9810438
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: OPTIMUM ENERGY LLC
    Inventors: Nathan F. Rothman, Ian Dempster
  • Publication number: 20130125565
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: OPTIMUM ENERGY,LLC
    Inventors: Ben Erpelding, Ian Dempster
  • Publication number: 20130048114
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: OPTIMUM ENERGY, LLC
    Inventors: Nathan F. ROTHMAN, Ian Dempster
  • Patent number: 8291720
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Optimum Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas B. Hartman
  • Patent number: 8219250
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Optimum Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Dempster, Ben Erpelding, James Hanna
  • Publication number: 20110054698
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: OPTIMUM ENERGY, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Dempster, Ben Erpelding, Clark Matthys, James Hanna