Automatically balancing registered for HVAC system

• US 10,281,937 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2016
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoner, LLC
• Original Assignee: Zoner, LLC
• Inventors: Barrett, Jon, Lingemann, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradford, Jonathan
• Application Number:
  US15/155,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20160259351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/755 for cyclical variation of air flow rate or air velocity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/76 by means responsive to temperature, e.g. bimetal springs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/082 Grilles, registers or guards
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/044 Systems in which all treatment is given in the central station, i.e. all-air systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1928 sensing the temperature of one space
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1932 to control the temperature of a plurality of spaces
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1934 each space being provided with one sensor acting on one or more control means

Abstract

Distributed nodes, such as intelligent register controllers, of a heating, ventilating and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system wirelessly communicate with each other on a peer-to-peer basis, forming a network, and collectively control the HVAC system, without a central controller. The intelligent register controllers collectively control the amount of conditioned air introduced into each region. Each node may base its operation at least in part on information about one or more (ideally all) of the other nodes. Each intelligent register controller automatically determines how much conditioned air to allow into its region, or how much return air to allow to be withdrawn from its region. Each register controller automatically determines when and to what extent to operate its respective controllable damper.

Claims

1. A method for operating an intelligent controlled HVAC vent of a plurality of intelligent controlled HVAC vents, at least one intelligent controlled HVAC vent of the plurality of intelligent controlled HVAC vents operating without an externally set temperature goal, the method comprising, at each intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal:

measuring a temperature of a location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal;

automatically wirelessly coordinating among all intelligent controlled HVAC vents of the plurality of intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals, with an aim toward achieving equal temperatures at all locations fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals;

ascertaining an extent to which the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is open;

wirelessly receiving first information indicating, respectively, an extent to which each other intelligent controlled HVAC vent is open; and

automatically adjusting the extent to which the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is open, such that when a comparable adjustment is made by all intelligent controlled HVAC vents of the plurality of intelligent controlled HVAC vents, at least one intelligent controlled HVAC vents of the plurality of intelligent controlled HVAC vents is fully open.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

wirelessly receiving second information indicating a respective temperature of a respective location fed by each other intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal; and

automatically recalculating the extent to which the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal should be open, based on the temperatures of locations fed by each of the other intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein automatically recalculating the extent to which the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal should be open comprises:

comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal to the second information; and

if a result of the comparing indicates the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is less than a temperature of at least one location fed by another intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal, automatically increasing airflow through the intelligent controlled HVAC vent.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein automatically increasing the airflow comprises:

ascertaining whether a damper of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is fully open; and

if the damper is ascertained to be not fully open, automatically fully opening the damper.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein automatically recalculating the extent to which the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal should be open comprises:

comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent a has no externally set temperature goal to the second information; and

if a result of the comparing indicates the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is greater than a temperature of at least one location fed by another intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal, automatically increasing airflow through the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein automatically increasing the airflow comprises:

ascertaining whether a damper of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is fully open; and

if the damper is ascertained to be not fully open, automatically fully opening the damper.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein automatically recalculating the extent to which the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal should be open comprises:

comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal to temperatures of locations fed by other intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals; and

if a result of the comparing indicates the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is greater than a temperature of at least one of the locations fed by the other intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals, automatically decreasing airflow through the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein automatically recalculating the extent to which the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal should be open comprises:

comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal to temperatures of locations fed by other intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals; and

if a result of the comparing indicates the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is less than a temperature of at least one of the locations fed by the other intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals, automatically decreasing airflow through the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal.

9. The method according to claim 2, wherein automatically recalculating the extent to which the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal should be open comprises:

comparing temperatures of all locations fed by intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals to ascertain which intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal has a lowest temperature;

comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal to the lowest temperature;

using the first information to ascertain whether the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that that has no externally set temperature goal and the lowest temperature is fully open; and

if a result of the comparings indicates (a) the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal and the lowest temperature is fully open and (b) the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is greater than the lowest temperature, automatically decreasing airflow through the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein automatically decreasing the airflow comprises:

calculating a difference between the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal and a target temperature; and

automatically closing a damper of the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal by an amount that is a function of the difference.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein automatically decreasing the airflow further comprises:

calculating a duration the difference has existed; and

automatically closing the damper by an amount that is a function of the difference and the duration.

12. The method according to claim 2, wherein automatically recalculating the extent to which the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal should be open comprises:

comparing temperatures of all locations fed by intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals to ascertain which intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal has a highest temperature;

comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal to the highest temperature;

using the first information to ascertain whether the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal and the highest temperature is fully open; and

if a result of the comparings indicates (a) the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal and the highest temperature is fully open and (b) the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is less than the highest temperature, automatically decreasing airflow through the intelligent controlled HVAC vent.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein automatically decreasing the airflow comprises:

calculating a difference between the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal and a target temperature; and

automatically closing a damper of the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal by an amount that is a function of the difference.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein automatically decreasing the airflow further comprises:

calculating a duration the difference has existed; and

automatically closing the damper by an amount that is a function of the difference and the duration.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

ascertaining a dead band of all other locations fed by respective intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals;

first comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal to the dead band;

ascertaining whether the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is fully open;

wirelessly receiving second information indicating a respective temperature of a respective location fed by each other intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal;

second comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal to the second information; and

if (a) a result of the first comparing indicates the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is outside the dead band and (b) the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is ascertained to be not fully open and (c) a result of the second comparing indicates the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is less than the temperature of any location fed by another intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal, increasing the extent to which the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is open.

16. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

ascertaining a dead band of all other locations fed by respective intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals;

first comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal to the dead band;

ascertaining whether the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is fully open;

wirelessly receiving second information indicating a respective temperature of a respective location fed by each other intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal;

second comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal to the second information; and

if (a) a result of the first comparing indicates the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is outside the dead band and (b) the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is ascertained to be not fully open and (c) a result of the second comparing indicates the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is greater than the temperature of any location fed by another intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal, increasing the extent to which the intelligent controlled HVAC vent is open that has no externally set temperature goal.

17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

ascertaining a dead band of all other locations fed by respective intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals;

first comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal to the dead band;

wirelessly receiving second information indicating a respective temperature of a respective location fed by each other intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal;

second comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC that as no externally set temperature goal vent to the second information;

ascertaining whether at least one other intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is fully open;

if (a) a result of the first comparing indicates the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is outside the dead band and (b) a result of the second comparing indicates the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is greater than temperatures of all locations fed by other intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals and (c) at least one other intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is ascertained to be fully open, decreasing the extent to which the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is open.

18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

ascertaining a dead band of all other locations fed by respective intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals;

first comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal to the dead band;

wirelessly receiving second information indicating a respective temperature of a respective location fed by each other intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal;

second comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal to the second information;

ascertaining whether at least one other intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is fully open;

if (a) a result of the first comparing indicates the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is outside the dead band and (b) a result of the second comparing indicates the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is less than temperatures of all locations fed by other intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals and (c) at least one other intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is ascertained to be fully open, decreasing the extent to which the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is open.

19. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

ascertaining a dead band of all other locations fed by respective intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals;

first comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal to the dead band;

ascertaining whether at least one intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has an externally set temperature goal is fully open and has failed to achieve the externally set temperature goal; and

if (a) a result of the first comparing indicates the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is within the dead band and (b) at least one intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has an externally set temperature goal is ascertained;

(1) to be fully open and (2) to have failed to achieve the externally set temperature goal, decreasing the extent to which the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is open.

20. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

ascertaining a dead band of all other locations fed by respective intelligent controlled HVAC vents that have no externally set temperature goals;

first comparing the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal to the dead band;

ascertaining whether at least one intelligent controlled HVAC vent is fully open;

if (a) a result of the first comparing indicates the temperature of the location fed by the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is within the dead band and (b) no intelligent controlled HVAC vent is ascertained to be fully open, increasing the extent to which the intelligent controlled HVAC vent that has no externally set temperature goal is open.