Patents by Inventor Kurt Federspiel

Kurt Federspiel 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).

  • Patent number: 9317045
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling environmental maintenance modules (e.g. HVAC units) using sensors are provided. Values measured by the sensors can be used to determine a change in operation levels of the modules to keep the sensor values within a desired range. For example, a stopped module can be increased or started for more cooling when a sensor temperature is too hot. The module predicted to have the greatest effect on the temperature of hot sensor can be started. As another example, a module can be stopped (or otherwise have an operation level decreased), if the sensor temperatures are within range, and the decrease in operation level is predicted not to cause an out-of-range condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Vigilent Corporation
    Inventors: Clifford C. Federspiel, Kurt Federspiel, Jerry Chin
  • Publication number: 20140121843
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling environmental maintenance modules (e.g. HVAC units) using sensors are provided. Values measured by the sensors can be used to determine a change in operation levels of the modules to keep the sensor values within a desired range. For example, a stopped module can be increased or started for more cooling when a sensor temperature is too hot. The module predicted to have the greatest effect on the temperature of hot sensor can be started. As another example, a module can be stopped (or otherwise have an operation level decreased), if the sensor temperatures are within range, and the decrease in operation level is predicted not to cause an out-of-range condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: VIGILENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Clifford C. Federspiel, Kurt Federspiel, Jerry Chin
  • Patent number: 8688243
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods of controlling a variable-speed fan of an environmental maintenance module that controls temperatures of a plurality of zones of a building are provided. A first critical zone of the building is identified by analyzing the first zone temperature errors, which are used to determine a final speed setting of the variable-speed fan. Systems, apparatus, and methods of calibrating an environmental maintenance module that controls a temperature of a zone of a building are also provided. A location parameter is calculated for a plurality of zone temperatures, and a scale parameter is computed that quantifies a variation of the zone temperatures relative to a location parameter. A first temperature setpoint for the zone is determined and used in controlling the temperature of the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Vigilent Corporation
    Inventors: Clifford Federspiel, Kurt Federspiel
  • Patent number: 8634962
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling environmental maintenance modules (e.g. HVAC units) using sensors are provided. Values measured by the sensors can be used to determine a change in operation levels of the modules to keep the sensor values within a desired range. For example, a stopped module can be increased or started for more cooling when a sensor temperature is too hot. The module predicted to have the greatest effect on the temperature of hot sensor can be started. A transfer matrix, which provides a relation between a change in operation level and resulting sensor changes, can be used to perform the above predictions. As another example, a module can be stopped (or otherwise have an operation level decreased), if the sensor temperatures are within range, and the decrease in operation level is predicted not to cause an out-of-range condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Vigilent Corporation
    Inventors: Clifford C. Federspiel, Kurt Federspiel, Jerry Chin
  • Publication number: 20120239208
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods of controlling a variable-speed fan of an environmental maintenance module that controls temperatures of a plurality of zones of a building are provided. A first critical zone of the building is identified by analyzing the first zone temperature errors, which are used to determine a final speed setting of the variable-speed fan. Systems, apparatus, and methods of calibrating an environmental maintenance module that controls a temperature of a zone of a building are also provided. A location parameter is calculated for a plurality of zone temperatures, and a scale parameter is computed that quantifies a variation of the zone temperatures relative to a location parameter. A first temperature setpoint for the zone is determined and used in controlling the temperature of the zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Vigilent Corporation
    Inventors: Clifford Federspiel, Kurt Federspiel
  • Patent number: 8190273
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods of controlling a variable-speed fan of an environmental maintenance module that controls temperatures of a plurality of zones of a building are provided. A first critical zone of the building is identified by analyzing the first zone temperature errors, which are used to determine a final speed setting of the variable-speed fan. Systems, apparatus, and methods of calibrating an environmental maintenance module that controls a temperature of a zone of a building are also provided. A location parameter is calculated for a plurality of zone temperatures, and a scale parameter is computed that quantifies a variation of the zone temperatures relative to a location parameter. A first temperature setpoint for the zone is determined and used in controlling the temperature of the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Federspiel Corporation
    Inventors: Clifford Federspiel, Kurt Federspiel
  • Publication number: 20110203785
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling environmental maintenance modules (e.g. HVAC units) using sensors are provided. Values measured by the sensors can be used to determine a change in operation levels of the modules to keep the sensor values within a desired range. For example, a stopped module can be increased or started for more cooling when a sensor temperature is too hot. The module predicted to have the greatest effect on the temperature of hot sensor can be started. A transfer matrix, which provides a relation between a change in operation level and resulting sensor changes, can be used to perform the above predictions. As another example, a module can be stopped (or otherwise have an operation level decreased), if the sensor temperatures are within range, and the decrease in operation level is predicted not to cause an out-of-range condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: Federspiel Corporation
    Inventors: Clifford C. Federspiel, Kurt Federspiel, Jerry Chin