Temperature control system with multiple networked sensors

• US 20080015740A1
• Filed: 07/10/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Strategic Design Federation W, LLC
• Original Assignee: Strategic Design Federation W, LLC
• Inventors: Osann, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/825,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20080015740A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/45 Utility meters networked together within a single building
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/00 Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/06 by electronic methods
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5454 Adapter and plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2843 Mains power line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• 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 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

A temperature control system is disclosed where a single smart thermostat controls a single HVAC source according to information received through a network from multiple temperature sensors placed at different locations served by the HVAC source. This system addresses the common problem most often found in multi-cubicle and/or multi-office environments where a single thermostat controls the space and temperatures vary substantially across the space, and with the time-of-day. The system may be programmed to produce a specific average temperature across the space, or alternately target different temperatures for different locations within the space according to the time-of-day, in order to compensate for changing characteristics like the position of the sun. The system is also applicable to HVAC systems for the home.

Claims

1. A temperature control system comprising:

a thermostat assembly for controlling a heating or cooling system, said thermostat assembly having an integral temperature sensor and an interface to a communications network, and

at least one remote temperature sensor having an interface to said communications network, and

wherein said thermostat assembly controls the heating or cooling system according to temperature information received from said integral temperature sensor and temperature information received via said communications network from at least one remote temperature sensor.

2. The temperature control system of claim 1 wherein the operation of the thermostat assembly reverts to that of a conventional thermostat, observing only the temperature at the location of said integral temperature sensor, if communication with remote temperature sensors is compromised.

3. The temperature control system of claim 1 wherein the thermostat assembly controls the heating or cooling system to produce measured temperatures at integral and remote temperature sensor locations such that the average of the measured temperatures of all sensor locations, both integral and remote, is a specific temperature.

4. The temperature control system of claim 1 wherein the thermostat assembly controls the heating or cooling system to produce measured temperatures at integral and remote temperature sensor locations such that a predetermined profile of measured temperatures over all sensor locations is achieved.

5. The temperature control system of claim 1 wherein the thermostat assembly controls the heating or cooling system to produce measured temperatures at integral and remote temperature sensor locations such that the profile of measured temperatures over all sensor locations changes with the time of day.

6. The temperature control system of claim 1 wherein said communications network is a wireless communications network.

7. The temperature control system of claim 1 wherein said communications network is a wired Ethernet communications network.

8. The temperature control system of claim 1 wherein said communications network transfers information by way of power lines.

9. A method for operating a temperature control system wherein said temperature control system comprises:

a thermostat assembly for controlling a heating or cooling system, said thermostat assembly having an integral temperature sensor and an interface to a communications network; and

at least one remote temperature sensor having an interface to said communications network; and

where said method comprises the steps of;

collecting measured temperatures from integral and remote temperature sensors, where measured temperatures transferred from remote temperature sensors to said thermostat assembly are transferred by way of said communications network; and

controlling the heating or cooling system to produce measured temperatures at integral and remote temperature sensor locations such that the average of the measured temperatures of all sensor locations, both integral and remote, is a specific temperature.

10. The temperature control system of claim 9 wherein said communications network is a wireless communications network.

11. The temperature control system of claim 9 wherein said communications network is a wired Ethernet communications network.

12. The temperature control system of claim 9 wherein said communications network transfers information by way of power lines.

13. A method for operating a temperature control system wherein said temperature control system comprises:

a thermostat assembly for controlling a heating or cooling system, said thermostat assembly having an integral temperature sensor and an interface to a communications network; and

at least one remote temperature sensor having an interface to said communications network; and

where said method comprises the steps of;

collecting measured temperatures from integral and remote temperature sensors, where measured temperatures transferred from remote temperature sensors to said thermostat assembly are transferred by way of said communications network; and

controlling the heating or cooling system to produce measured temperatures at integral and remote temperature sensor locations such that a predetermined profile of measured temperatures is produced across the locations of integral and remote temperature sensors.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:

altering said profile of measured temperatures according to the time of day.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:

altering said temperature profile such that one sensor location achieves a first measured temperature at one time of day, and another temperature sensor achieves a second measured temperature at a different time of day.

16. The temperature control system of claim 13 wherein said communications network is a wireless communications network.

17. The temperature control system of claim 13 wherein said communications network is a wired Ethernet communications network.

18. The temperature control system of claim 13 wherein said communications network transfers information by way of power lines.