Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure disclose systems and methods for controlling the operation and shut down of a plurality of HVAC units in a facility to improve efficiency. More particularly, a target number of inefficient HVAC units may be identified and systematically shut down while monitoring the environmental conditions in the facility to determine if additional HVAC units may be shut down or alternately should be restarted automatically.

Abstract: An automated facilities management system has the ability to predict occupant behavior by identifying recurring patterns in the way that people use buildings and comparing them with environmental characteristics. This technology is not limited to human behavior patterns, but extends to any mechanical systems or data points that tend to vary in recurring patterns. The data processing is carried out by rules engines triggered by relational database modifications.

Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.

Abstract: A hot water supply system including a water heater that includes a storage unit storing at least device information of another water heater, and performs hot water supply control by which the water heater cooperates with the other water heater, these water heaters being able to supply hot water according to a hot water supply request; one or a plurality of the other water heater that is connected to the water heater in parallel, and supplies hot water according to the hot water supply control by the water heater; communication connection means that communicably connects the water heater and the other water heater; water supply means that supplies water to the water heater and the other water heater; and hot water supply means that supplies hot water heated by the water heater and the other water heater to a hot water supply destination.

Abstract: Methods, circuits, apparatus, and systems related to a hybrid driving and controlling circuit are disclosed. In one embodiment, a hybrid driving and controlling circuit in a double power supply system includes first and second power supplies and at least one load, and the circuit can include: (i) a controller coupled to a hybrid switcher that enables energy transfer from the first and second power supplies; (ii) when a determined energy of the first power supply is sufficient, the controller can control the hybrid switcher to transfer energy from the first power supply to the second power supply; and (iii) when the determined energy of the first power supply is insufficient, the controller can control the hybrid switcher to transfer energy from the second power supply to the at least one load.

Abstract: There is provided a consumption energy calculating device which simulates power consumption of a heating and cooling appliance operated by a customer living in a house. A first receiver and a second receiver receive a demand response signal and an external environmental factor parameter. A pain level model shows a relationship between an indoor air temperature and a pain level. A first calculator calculates, when the appliance is not in operation, the indoor air temperature of a next sample time. A second calculator calculates, when the appliance is in operation, determines the indoor air temperature of the next sample time. A working sequence generator determines whether the appliance is or not to be operated during the next sample time. The power consumption determination unit determines power consumption consumed by the appliance before the next sample time and outputs data showing the power consumption.

Abstract: Methods and systems of a vehicle control system configuring features of a home automation system. The vehicle control system includes a home automation module that can receive information from the home automation system such as a presence of occupants in a home and a state of features of the home. The home automation module can send commands to activate, deactivate, and/or change settings of one or more features of the home automation system based on user profile information. The commands can be modified based on the information received from the home automation system.

Abstract: A method of controlling a dynamic physical system comprising a plurality of variable quantities. A model of the system comprising a plurality of variables representing the variable quantities, and a plurality of respective rate equations that describe the rate of change of the variables, is obtained. A control term in at least one rate equation from the plurality of rate equations is identified. A rate control function is derived from, for at least one of the variables in the rate equation, the proportion of the variable to the growth rate of the rate equation, and the rate control function is applied to the control term to provide a stabilised control term. The dynamic physical system is then controlled by modifying at least one of the quantities represented by the variables in the control term, so that the control term derived from the modified quantities is substantially the same as the stabilised control term.

Abstract: An apparatus a GPS device that tracks a current location of a user relative to a home of the user and a cloud application that tracks the current location of the user via the GPS device, the cloud application estimates a time period required for the user to travel from the current location to the home and upon detecting that the time is less than a threshold value, automatically sends an activating signal to an HVAC unit in the home of the user to activate the unit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a system that provides various outputs based on a user profile and determined context. An output provided by the present disclosure can change a configuration of a vehicle, device, building, and/or a system associated with the user profile. The configurations can include comfort and interface settings that can be adjusted based on the user profile information. Further, the user profiles can track health data related to the user and make adjustments to the configuration to assist the health of the user.

Abstract: An economizer controller system having a plug and play recognition approach with an automatic user interface population mechanism. A check may be made for sensors connected to the controller. The control type of the sensors may be determined. The menu structure may be repopulated based on the control type. The user interface may then be updated. This approach may be repeated as needed.

Abstract: An HVAC system employs a technique built around a system identification/modeling method that determines critical building loads and airflows experimentally without relying on design plans or statistical modeling approaches. Operation includes observing the dynamic response of individual room temperature, in response to a change of inlet air flow conditions (either air flow rate and/or supply air temperature). This empirically-based model enables development of an optimized control approach that minimizes conditioned airflow while meeting required ventilation, thermal, and humidification performance objectives. Building-wide performance is achieved by aggregating empirically determined room-level loads, thus ensuring that the coupled performance objectives can be achieved while minimizing energy use for every space within a building.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a heating system for heating a building and/or for preparing hot water is provided. The heating system can comprise a heat distributing device; and a computer, which is coupled to the heat distributing device in such a way that the heat produced by the computer is distributed in the building by means of the heat distributing device; wherein the computer is designed in such a way that the computer produces a message for a computing load distribution computer, wherein the message contains a piece of information about the heat demand of the heating system and/or of the building.

Abstract: The disclosure of the present invention provides for a process for controlling the environmental settings of a building, including: providing a building management system capable of controlling one or more electrochromic devices at least one of (a) one or more automated window shades, and (b) one or more dimmable electric lights; receiving, at the building management system, a plurality of inputs related to (a) a time of day, (b) an occupancy status of the building, (c) a presence of a glare condition, and (d) an operating mode of an HVAC system of the building; and controlling, at the building management system, the status of at least one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic devices based on at least one of the plurality of inputs.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network and a method of manufacturing the same. In various embodiments, the network includes a subnet controller configured to control networked devices via a data bus. The subnet controller is configured to be addressable over the data bus. An environmental sensor is configured to provide environmental data to the subnet controller, and is further configured to be addressable over the data bus independent of addressing the subnet controller. A user interface is configured to provide access by an operator to the network. The user interface is further configured to be addressable over the data bus independently of addressing the subnet controller and the environmental sensor.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, a home energy management system and method includes a network device disposed at a residence and a wireless home energy network capable of establishing communication with the network device. A server is disposed remotely from the residence and capable of generating a control action report to control the network devices. A controller is located at the residence and in communication with the server and configured to establish the wireless home energy network; initiate a plurality of operating status requests of the network device; receive device data in response to at least one of the operating status requests; generate a site report including the device data; initiate a communication of the site report to the remote server; and detect an availability of the control action report at the remote server in conjunction with the communication of the site report.

Abstract: The present invention is a power management device for connecting a power consuming device to a power source so that the device switches the connection on and off automatically based on the power rate (price per kilowatt-hour) obtained from the power supplier. The user may specify a power usage specification, such as a maximum power rate that the user is willing to pay, and then the device disconnects the power from the power consuming device whenever the power rate is greater than the maximum power rate, and turns it on again when the power rate becomes less than or equal to the maximum power rate. The device includes a programmable controller, wireless and ethernet interfaces and can also act as a wireless access point.

Abstract: A bureau is adapted to monitor and forecast weather conditions and to generate forecasting data. A thermostat operatively coupled to an air conditioner/heater initiates and terminates both heating and cooling. A communication network operatively couples the bureau and the thermostat. Operational components within the thermostat are a first screen to display the actual temperature, a second screen to display the desired temperature, a mode switch having a primary position for cooling and a secondary position for heating, and an electronic controller for receiving input from the bureau and for operating the mode switch and for generating signals for the operation of the air conditioner/heater, the interpreting being based upon the generated forecasting data.

Abstract: The disclosure provides, in one aspect, an integrated controller for a HVAC system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated controller includes: (1) an interface coupled to an auxiliary controller of the HVAC system and configured to communicate therewith, the auxiliary controller having an auxiliary non-volatile memory, (2) a processor, coupled to the interface and configured to direct the operation of the HVAC system, and (3) a main non-volatile memory coupled to the processor and configured to receive a copy of main controller application information associated with the main system controller via the interface and store the main controller application information, the processor further configured to automatically send a copy of the main controller application information during manufacturing of the HVAC system to the auxiliary controller of the HVAC system to store as back-up data on the auxiliary non-volatile memory of the auxiliary controller.

Abstract: The disclosure provides, in one aspect, a method of starting a HVAC system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) receiving an initiation signal at a main system controller of the HVAC system, (2) determining if main controller application information associated with the main system controller is stored thereon, (3) querying an auxiliary controller of the HVAC system when determining the main controller application information is not stored on the main system controller, (4) sending the main controller application information to the main system controller from the auxiliary controller when the auxiliary controller includes the main controller application information, and (5) initiating the HVAC system based on the initiation signal and employing the main controller application information sent to the main system controller from the auxiliary controller.

Abstract: A method includes a step of storing in a memory efficiency characteristic information for each of a plurality of air conditioning units in a location containing a plurality of server computers, the efficiency characteristic information including information representative of an efficiency performance curve for a range of variable cooling output. The method also includes identifying a current thermal load on each of the plurality air conditioning units. The method further includes employing the stored efficiency characteristic information and the current thermal load to identify a first air conditioning unit having a least additional power consumption required to increase cooling output. One or more processing units are employed to allocate one or more processing tasks to one of the plurality of server computers based on the identified first air conditioning unit.

Abstract: A fan array fan section in an air-handling system includes a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array and positioned within an air-handling compartment. One preferred embodiment may include an array controller programmed to operate the plurality of fan units at peak efficiency by computing the power consumed in various configurations and selecting the configuration requiring minimum power to operate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a computer-implemented adaptive automation module comprising an event recorder to store one or more events for a predetermined period, and a timeline pattern generator logic to create a timeline for the predetermined period. The module further comprising marker creator logic to generate a marker to abstract the timeline data from the event data for controlling a device.

Abstract: Thermal targeting technology is used to continuously adjust boiler target temperature to the minimum necessary to satisfy the required heating load. Responsive to and initiated by a first call for heat, boiler target temperature is reduced by a predetermined amount upon or subsequent to the call for heat. Once the boiler temperature reaches this new target, a call timer is activated. If demand for heat is satisfied before a time set point is reached, the system ceases providing additional heat energy until the next heat demand. Responsive to and initiated by a next call for heat, the boiler target temperature is again reduced by the predetermined amount upon or subsequent to this next call for heat. Each time the heat demand is satisfied within the predetermined time interval, the boiler target temperature is reduced. If heat demand is not satisfied, a thermal boost is provided at set time intervals until the call for heat is removed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods for using the geographic location of networked consumer electronics devices as indications of occupancy of a structure for purposes of automatically adjusting the temperature setpoint on a thermostatic HVAC control. At least one thermostat is located inside a structure and is used to control an HVAC system in the structure. At least one mobile electronic device is used to indicate the state of occupancy of the structure. The state of occupancy is used to alter the setpoint on the thermostatic HVAC control to reduce unneeded conditioning of unoccupied spaces.

Abstract: Co-generating energy sources are controlled using a control system that monitors local and remote data. The local and remote data allow for energy management both in the short and long term by comparing the cost of using the co-generating energy source with other available energy sources. Individual co-generating energy sources can have their data aggregated and combined with remote data to allow for predictions of gross demand for energy. The gross demand can be used by an energy utility to plan for future energy needs and to negotiate with energy providers based upon those needs. The energy utility may control the individual co-generating energy sources so as to most cost-effectively meet the needs of the user of the individual co-generating energy source.

Abstract: An HVAC control system, associated brushless direct current motor, and methods of operation are disclosed. One such control system includes a brushless direct current motor and an optically-isolated interface exposing control access to the brushless direct current motor. The system includes a first programmable controller electrically connected to the brushless direct current motor, the programmable controller configured to receive a control signal via the optically-isolated interface, and a second programmable controller providing the control signal to the optically-isolated interface.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for carrying out a demand response (DR) event via an intelligent, network-connected thermostat associated with a structure. The systems disclosed include an energy management system in operation with an intelligent, network-connected thermostat located at a structure. The thermostat is operable to control an HVAC system. Control during a DR event period may be performed based on an optimal control trajectory of the HVAC system, where the control trajectory is optimal in that it minimizes a cost function comprising a combination of a first factor representative of a total energy consumption during the DR event period, a second factor representative of a metric of occupant discomfort, and a third factor representative of deviations of a rate of energy consumption over the DR event period.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus disclosed herein may employ depth, visual, or motions sensors to enable three-dimensional people counting and data mining to enable an energy saving heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control system. Head detection methods based on depth information may assist people counting in order to enable an accurate determination of room occupancy. A pattern of activities of room occupancy may be learned to predict the activity level of a building or its rooms, reducing energy usage and thereby providing a cost savings.

Abstract: A supervisory controller for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is described herein. One device includes a data management module configured to receive a zone demand signal from a local controller of a zone of an HVAC system and receive a number of additional signals from a number of sensors, and a parameter identification module configured to determine, based on the zone demand signal, whether the zone is in a comfort state by loading a best model structure from a number of models and identifying parameters of the best model structure based on data received from the data management module.

Abstract: A system and method for advanced digital economization for an HVAC system having an economizer. A digital processing unit is configured to open a damper of an economizer within a dead-band range that allows for preemptive cooling prior to a call for cooling. This economization strategy allows for free cooling (outside air) without having to pay energy costs for cooled (air-conditioned) air. The system and method can be used with or without demand control ventilation (DCV). The method also includes a “self-learning” strategy with outside air and return air sensor to regularly sense past economizer damper modifications and average out recent readings to help set the dead-band range. The method can include the ability to work in conjunction with a variable supply fan speed control, provide fault detection, self-correct, auto-configure, and report system status.

Abstract: A device configured to control one or more components of an HVAC system. The device includes a display, a controller in communication with the display, and wherein the controller is configured to receive one or more user defined environmental settings. Further, the controller communicates with one or more environmental sensors, wherein the environmental sensors detect one or more environmental conditions. In addition, the controller is further configured to provide a visual indication on the display for the detected environmental conditions with respect to the user defined environmental settings. This visual indication includes one or more bounded region having an interior space indicative of user comfort level, wherein the bounded regions have one or more borders, and wherein the borders at least partially represent the user defined environmental settings.

Abstract: An automatic control valve actuator assembly is configured to control opening and closing of the valve via positioning of a valve closure member. The valve actuator is further configured to determine the volume of fluid flowing through the valve. In an embodiment, the valve actuator includes an integral energy consumption calculation and retention module configured to calculate heat energy for energy consumption tracking.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for managing demand-response programs and events. The systems disclosed include an energy management system in operation with an intelligent, network-connected thermostat located at a structure. The thermostat acquires various information about the residence, such as a thermal retention characteristic of the residence, a capacity of an HVAC associated with the residence to cool or heat the residence, a likelihood of the residence being occupied, a forecasted weather, a real-time weather, and a real-time occupancy. Such information is used to manage the energy consumption of the structure during a demand-response event.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing climate control and/or energy management in a structure having a networking thermostat. In some example embodiments the network is used to monitor a geographic location of a user device associated with a user of the structure. The monitoring may be performed to determine the location relative to a destination located apart from the structure. The network is used to control a set point of the thermostat based on the location. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring may be performed to determine time period(s) during which the structure is unoccupied and the thermostat is set at a first set point. Energy savings that could have been realized by changing the first set point to a second set point are estimated and provided to the user.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and medium remotely monitor and control heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) units. The method includes receiving by a processor via a communication network supply temperature data indicating a supply air temperature in a duct coupled to an HVAC unit. The method includes receiving by the processor via the communication network zone temperature data of a space being maintained by the HVAC unit. The method includes receiving by the processor via the communication network thermostat data from a thermostat in the space and analyzing by the processor at least one of the supply temperature data, the zone temperature data and thermostat data. The method includes generating by the processor a control signal responsive to the analysis and transmitting via the communication network the control signal to an HVAC controller, wherein the control signal causes the HVAC controller to control the HVAC unit.

Abstract: A computer data processing system may provide control information for controlling how an environmental control system controls an environment within a building. The computer data processing system may receive and store reports from multiple users and/or may receive and store reports at different times from a user. Each report may provide information concerning how the user perceives the comfort level of the user's environment at the time the user supplies the information. The computer data processing system may determine and generate the control information for controlling how the environmental control system controls the environment based on the information concerning how each user perceives the comfort level of the user's environment at the time each user provides the information.

Abstract: A system according to an illustrative embodiment includes an energy management system and a control system. The energy management system is configured to manage energy usage within a building. The control system is configured to determine an occupancy factor associated with the building, and control the energy management system according to the occupancy factor. The occupancy factor indicates a presence of electronic devices capable of wireless communications.

Abstract: An air conditioning system diagnosis apparatus is obtained in which a refrigerating cycle is automatically analyzed and waveform data in messages flowing in a general-purpose network is acquired and automatically analyzed according to the analysis result of the refrigerating cycle, thereby achieving, with a single apparatus, diagnosis and monitoring of errors in the refrigerating cycle and in the general-purpose network. A trigger output portion creates a trigger on the basis of a waveform analysis condition and the analysis result of a packet received from a message analyzing portion; when receiving the trigger, a waveform input portion reads out waveform data stored in a buffer; waveform analyzing portion notifies a synchronization determining portion of the analysis result of the waveform data; the synchronization determining portion searches for the analysis result of a packet synchronized with the received analysis result of the waveform data.

Abstract: A method for controlling a system comprising, receiving system demand data (402), processing the system demand data (404), defining a first system operating parameter (404), receiving system condition data (406), associating the system condition data with an operating map function (406), determining whether the system condition data exceeds a threshold of the operating map function (408), and changing the first system operating parameter responsive to determining that the system condition data exceeds the threshold of the operating map function (411).

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing business and operational intelligence for building owners or operators regarding energy use by climate control systems in the building. Integrated monitoring, analysis, adjustment and control are provided regarding (1) operation of environmental condition control systems; (2) operating efficiency factors associated with the environmental condition control systems; (3) operating efficiency factors associated with support components, including ducting, supporting the environmental condition control systems; and (4) operating efficiency factors associated with the operating envelope of the structures within which the environmental condition control systems are operated, including building envelope inefficiencies, operating inefficiencies, and airflow inefficiencies.

Abstract: A motor control system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications is described. The motor control system includes a thermostat and an electronically commutated motor (ECM) coupled to the thermostat. The ECM is configured to retrofit an existing non-ECM electric motor included in an HVAC application and to operate in one of a plurality of HVAC modes. The HVAC modes include at least one of a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a continuous fan mode. The HVAC mode is determined based at least partially on outputs provided by the thermostat.

Abstract: A low air conditioning refrigerant detection method for a vehicle air conditioning system includes measuring an evaporator core outlet refrigerant temperature, measuring an evaporator core outlet air thermistor temperature, calculating a refrigerant to air temperature delta value based on difference between the evaporator core outlet refrigerant temperature and the evaporator core outlet air thermistor temperature and determining system refrigerant charge level based on the refrigerant to air temperature delta value.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle temperature regulation system regulates and/or adjusts a cabin temperature based in part on a separation distance between a user and an associated vehicle. The system includes a portable transceiver, a fixed transceiver provided in the associated vehicle and configured to communicate with the portable transceiver, a temperature adjusting system configured to perform operations which adjust a temperature within a vehicle cabin, and a controller in communication with the fixed transceiver and the temperature adjusting system. The controller determines a distance between the portable transceiver and the fixed transceiver, and variably controls the temperature adjusting system based on the determined distance between the portable transceiver and the fixed transceiver.

Abstract: A system for multi-stage control of humidity in fluid flow supplied to at least one information technology apparatus includes a sensor, a first stage apparatus configured to vary humidity levels in the fluid flow, and a second stage apparatus positioned downstream of the first stage apparatus along the fluid flow to further vary humidity levels in the fluid flow. The system also includes a controller configured to receive environmental condition information from the sensor, to determine whether the information indicates that the humidity level is outside of a predetermined range, and to manipulate an operation of at least one of the first stage apparatus and the second stage apparatus to vary the humidity level in the fluid flow in response to the information indicating that the humidity level is outside of the predetermined range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting power consumption by a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) subsystem of a building are shown and described. A mathematical linear operator is found that transforms the unused or deferred cooling power usage of the HVAC system based on pre-determined temperature settings to a target cooling power usage. The mathematical operator is applied to the temperature settings to create a temperature setpoint trajectory expected to provide the target cooling power usage.

Abstract: An appliance control system includes: a sensor (3) that detects environmental data of a surrounding environment; a plurality of appliances (2) as control targets; a remote controller including: a display unit (15) that displays a list of the appliances (2); an input unit (16) that receives an operation of controlling the appliances (2); a storage unit (13) that stores a threshold value in the environmental data for each of the plurality of appliances (2); and a processing unit (12) that gives higher priority to an appliance in which the environmental data has exceeded a threshold value, the priority being concerned with a display order of the appliance (2) on the display unit (15).

Abstract: Controllers for controlling heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and cooling (HVAC) systems are provided. The controllers include graphical user interfaces for user adjustment of system settings. The graphical user interfaces also may be designed to present information that facilitates user understanding of system operations. In certain embodiments, the graphical user interfaces may display virtual representations of HVAC systems with graphical elements representing units and/or operating status of the HVAC systems.

Abstract: A method for operating a vapor compression system modifies each control signal of a set of control signals with a corresponding modification signal of a set of modification signals, wherein each modification signal includes a perturbation signal, and the pertubation signals haver different frequencies and determines a metric signal representing perturbations in the system caused by the set of modification signals. Next, the method adjusts a value of each modification signal based on a function of a phase between the modification signal and a corresponding frequency component of the metric signal.

Abstract: A power control unit and method of use thereof for varying the supply of electricity to an electrical apparatus using a wireless communications link between a controller and the power control unit. The power control unit is adapted to alternatively communicate with the controller using a non-peer-to-peer communications standard or a peer-to-peer communications standard such as Wi-Fi Direct.