System and method for optimizing use of plug-in air conditioners and portable heaters

• US 10,393,398 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2017
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EcoFactor, Inc. (Trane Technologies plc)
• Original Assignee: EcoFactor, Inc. (Trane Technologies plc)
• Inventors: Steinberg, John Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Kasenge, Charles R
• Application Number:
  US15/841,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20180216841A1
• Time in Patent Office: 622 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/00 Control or safety arrangements
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• 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 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/00 Control inputs relating to users or occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/20 Feedback from users
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/50 Load
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/60 Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/19 characterised by the use of electric means G05D23/1393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1923 : using thermal energy, the cost of which varies in function of time
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00004 : characterised by the power network being locally controlled
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 : involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 : The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 : by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 : Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/244 : the home appliances being or involving heating ventilating and air conditioning [HVAC] units

Abstract

Thermostatic HVAC and other energy management controls that are connected to a computer network. For instance, remotely managed load switches incorporating thermostatic controllers inform an energy management system, to provide enhanced efficiency, and to verify demand response with plug-in air conditioners and heaters. At least one load control device at a first location comprises a temperature sensor and a microprocessor. The load control device is configured to connect or disconnect electrical power to the an attached air conditioner or heater, and the microprocessor is configured to communicate over a network. In addition, the load control device is physically separate from an air conditioner or heater but located inside the space conditioned by the air conditioner or heater.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling a window-mounted air conditioner comprising:

a load control device comprising at least one microprocessor configured to control the connection or disconnection of electric power to said window-mounted air conditioner, said at least one microprocessor further configured to obtain temperature measurements and communicate over a network;

a remote server capable of sending messages to and receiving messages from said load control device, and capable of receiving messages from a utility to reduce electricity demand;

wherein said messages sent from said load control device to said remote server comprise said temperature measurements;

wherein said messages sent from said remote server to said load control device comprise commands to disconnect electric power from said window-mounted air conditioner; and

wherein said load control device is plugged into an electric outlet within the space controlled by said window-mounted air conditioner;

wherein said remote server receives said temperature measurements;

and

wherein said remote server determines whether said window-mounted air conditioner has been connected or disconnected from power during a specific time period at least in part based on said temperature measurements.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the load control device comprises a user interface.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one microprocessor is configured to generate the operational control instructions based at least in part on the temperature measurements associated with the space conditioned by the window-mounted air conditioner and based at least in part on the measurements of outside temperatures from at least one other source.

4. The system of claim 1 in which the window-mounted air conditioner is mounted through an opening in a building envelope.

5. The system of claim 1 in which a mobile device comprises a user interface.

6. The system of claim 1 in which the remote server records data generated by the load control device.

7. The system of claim 1 in which the load control device further measures at least one of the group consisting of the electrical current, and voltage passing through the load control device.

8. The system of claim 1 in which the load control obtains sensor information regarding occupancy of the space conditioned by the window-mounted air conditioner or plug-in portable heater.

9. The system of claim 1 in which the load control device is paired with a mobile device.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one microprocessor is configured to generate the operational control instructions based at least in part on the location of a mobile device.

11. A method for controlling a window-mounted air conditioner comprising:

connecting at a first location a load control device comprising at least one microprocessor that is configured to control the connection or disconnection of electric power to said window-mounted air conditioner, wherein said at least one microprocessor is further configured to obtain temperature measurements and communicate over a network;

connecting the load control device to a remote server capable of sending messages to and receiving messages from said load control device, and capable of receiving messages from a utility to reduce electricity demand;

transmitting from said load control device to said remote server messages comprising said temperature measurements;

transmitting from said remote server to said load control device messages comprising commands to disconnect electric power from said window-mounted air conditioner;

wherein said load control device is plugged into an electric outlet within the space controlled by said window-mounted air conditioner;

wherein said remote server receives said temperature measurements;

and

wherein said remote server determines whether said window-mounted air conditioner has been connected or disconnected from power during a specific time period at least in part based on said temperature measurements.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising displaying a user interface on the load control device.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the operational control instructions received from the one or more processors are based at least in part on the temperature measurements associated with the space conditioned by the window-mounted air conditioner and are based at least in part on the measurements of outside temperatures from at least one other source.

14. The method of claim 11 in which the window-mounted air conditioner is mounted through an opening in a building envelope.

15. The method of claim 11 in which a mobile device comprises a user interface.

16. The method of claim 11 in which the remote server records data generated by the load control device.

17. The method of claim 11 in which the load control device further measures at least one of the group consisting of the electrical current, and voltage passing through the load control device.

18. The method of claim 11 in which the load control obtains sensor information regarding occupancy of the space conditioned by the window-mounted air conditioner or plug-in portable heater.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising pairing the load control device with a mobile device.

20. The method of claim 11 further comprising generating the operational control instructions based at least in part on the location of a mobile device.