Patents by Inventor Ian Dempster
Ian Dempster has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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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: 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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Publication number: 20220042687Abstract: A hydronic distribution system obtains, in real time, valve operating information from one or more valves arranged in a network, executes a speed determination algorithm which processes the valve operating information to determine a desired speed for one or more pumps to maintain a desired amount of process fluid flow of a process fluid to plural coils, and sets a speed of the one or more pumps, based on the desired speed for the one or more pumps that is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Applicant: BELIMO HOLDING AGInventors: Nathan F. ROTHMAN, Ian Dempster
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Patent number: 11221597Abstract: An electrical power grid includes multiple, networked buildings that receive electrical power from one or more power generation sources. A networking control system communicates with a utility control center to obtain information regarding the amount of power being supplied by the power generation sources. The networking control system further obtains information from one or more building automation controllers that are controllably associated with a plurality of networked buildings. The networking control system determines whether the total amount of power being supplied exceeds a total demand load for the plurality of buildings. And if so, the networking control system commands one or more of the building automation controllers to operate one or more of the buildings a reduced energy efficiency level, which may take the form of an optimization curve.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2017Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: OPTIMUM ENENRGY LLCInventor: Ian Dempster
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Patent number: 11162690Abstract: 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: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: BELIMO HOLDING AGInventors: Nathan F. Rothman, Ian Dempster
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Publication number: 20200217520Abstract: 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: March 16, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Applicant: BELIMO HOLDING AGInventors: Nathan F. ROTHMAN, Ian DEMPSTER
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Publication number: 20200116415Abstract: 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: December 16, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Ben Erpelding, Ian Dempster
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Patent number: 10612794Abstract: 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: October 10, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: BELIMO HOLDING AGInventors: Nathan F. Rothman, Ian Dempster
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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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Publication number: 20190368759Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Ian Dempster, Ben Erpelding, 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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Publication number: 20180323994Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Thomas Jones, Ian Dempster, Clark Matthys, Peng Chen
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Publication number: 20180156472Abstract: 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: October 10, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Nathan F. Rothman, Ian Dempster
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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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Publication number: 20170343267Abstract: 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: August 21, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: Ben Erpelding, Ian Dempster
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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