Remote autonomous intelligent air flow control system and network
First Claim
1. A network of autonomous control devices for adjusting the flow through a system of ducts where each said autonomous control device operates in a cooperative fashion with other devices in said system of ducts, optimizing the operation of an environmental control unit, operating independently of said environmental control unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides one or more autonomous in-duct or register grill mounted flow control devices, each of which has the capability to restrict or boost air flow through the duct or vent to which it is attached. The individual flow control devices may be in communication with other flow control devices in the duct works, having an ability to adapt in a cooperative fashion to optimize the environment served by the ductwork. In a preferred embodiment, each of the flow control devices provides its own power and does not require changing the existing ductwork or register boxes for installation.
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Citations
86 Claims
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1. A network of autonomous control devices for adjusting the flow through a system of ducts where each said autonomous control device operates in a cooperative fashion with other devices in said system of ducts, optimizing the operation of an environmental control unit, operating independently of said environmental control unit.
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2. An device to control the air flow through a ductworks comprising:
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a means to restrict air flow through a ductwork to which said flow control device is mounted;
a means to supply power;
a means to communicate with other flow control devices in said ductworks; and
a means to cooperate with said other flow control devices, whereby said control of said air flow is optimized. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. An apparatus to control the air flow through a ductworks comprising:
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a flow control device mounted in said ductworks further comprising;
a communications device;
an intelligent controller connected to said communications device;
a power storage device;
a motor-dynamo;
a power manager, controlled by said intelligent controller, connecting said power storage device with said motor-dynamo; and
an operational status table, controlled by said intelligent controller and communicated from said communications device to a second communications device of a second flow control device;
a sensor in communication with said communications device; and
an environmental status table communicated from said sensor to said communications device. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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60. A method of providing environmental control comprising the steps of:
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a flow control device detecting movement of air in a duct;
a sensor sending an environmental status table to said flow control device; and
executing a collection of steps comprising;
receiving said environmental status table by said flow control device;
construction of a first operational status table by said flow control device;
transmission of said first operational status table by said flow control device to other devices;
receipt of a second operational status table by said flow control device from other devices;
calculation of desired flow restriction to apply by said flow control device; and
application of said calculated flow restriction by said flow control device. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 86)
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- 82. A method of actuating an environmental control unit comprising the step of reversing flow through a flow control device.
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85. A method of environmental control using a plurality of flow control devices in a ductwork comprising the steps of:
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each of said flow control devices receiving an environmental request;
said flow control device collecting local environmental conditions;
each said flow control device collecting the operational status of said flow control device;
each said flow control device making available through a communications means said environmental request, said operational status and said local environmental conditions to other flow control devices, thereby creating an information matrix;
each said flow control device applying a control means using said information matrix whereby an amount of flow restriction is determined with consideration of the other flow control devices; and
each flow control device adjusting an amount of flow restriction, whereby a response to said environmental request is achieved.
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Specification