SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING HYDRONIC SYSTEMS HAVING MULTIPLE SOURCES AND MULTIPLE LOADS
First Claim
1. A controller for a temperature control system in communication with a plurality of heat sources defined by a minimum and maximum number of sources, a plurality of source sensors, a plurality of heat loads defined by a minimum and maximum number of loads and a plurality of load sensors, the controller comprising:
- a ranking module that defines a rule set for ranking the plurality of sources and the plurality of loads according to at least one of the number of sources, the number of loads, the types of sources and the types of loads;
a sensor interface that communicates with the plurality of source sensors and the plurality of load sensors to receive source sensor data and load sensor data;
a monitoring module that monitors the source sensor data and the load sensor data in substantially real-time;
an alert module that generates an alert signal if one of the source sensor data or the load sensor data is different from predefined sensor threshold values;
an actuator module that generates a control signal to fluidly or thermally couple selected ones of the plurality of sources to selected ones of the plurality of loads, or to fluidly or thermally decouple the plurality of sources and loads; and
a processor that receives the alert signal from the alert module, receives the rule set from the ranking module and communicates with the actuator module to align the source sensor data or the load sensor data with the predefined sensor threshold values.
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Abstract
A system and method are provided to control hydronic systems having a plurality of sources, including at least one of an on-demand source, a semi-on-demand source, and an intermittent source that are fluidly or thermally coupled to a plurality of load zones. The hydronic system device obtains performance measurements for system components to provide system metrics, including failure diagnostics, energy capture, and usage optimization. The hydronic system device may also calculate British Thermal Units produced and used by the plurality of sources and loads to calculate incentives, including renewable energy credits.
61 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A controller for a temperature control system in communication with a plurality of heat sources defined by a minimum and maximum number of sources, a plurality of source sensors, a plurality of heat loads defined by a minimum and maximum number of loads and a plurality of load sensors, the controller comprising:
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a ranking module that defines a rule set for ranking the plurality of sources and the plurality of loads according to at least one of the number of sources, the number of loads, the types of sources and the types of loads; a sensor interface that communicates with the plurality of source sensors and the plurality of load sensors to receive source sensor data and load sensor data; a monitoring module that monitors the source sensor data and the load sensor data in substantially real-time; an alert module that generates an alert signal if one of the source sensor data or the load sensor data is different from predefined sensor threshold values; an actuator module that generates a control signal to fluidly or thermally couple selected ones of the plurality of sources to selected ones of the plurality of loads, or to fluidly or thermally decouple the plurality of sources and loads; and a processor that receives the alert signal from the alert module, receives the rule set from the ranking module and communicates with the actuator module to align the source sensor data or the load sensor data with the predefined sensor threshold values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of controlling a temperature control system with a plurality of heat sources defined by a minimum and maximum number of sources, a plurality of source sensors, a plurality of heat loads defined by a minimum and maximum number of loads and a plurality of load sensors, the method comprising:
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defining a rule set for ranking the plurality of sources and the plurality of loads, the rule set being based on at least one of the number of sources, the number of loads, the types of sources and the types of loads; receiving source sensor data and load sensor data; monitoring the source sensor data and the load sensor data in substantially real-time; generating an alert signal if one of the source sensor data or the load sensor data is different from predefined sensor threshold values; and generating a control signal to fluidly or thermally couple selected ones of the plurality of sources to selected ones of the plurality of loads, or to fluidly or thermally decouple the plurality of sources and loads;
the control signal being based on the alert signal and the set of ranking rules. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of diagnosing device failure in a temperature control system, the method comprising:
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monitoring properties of selected devices, including at least one of device current consumption and device voltage drop; monitoring performance criteria of the selected devices, including at least one of a fluid flow, an intake temperature reading, an output temperature reading, a preheat temperature reading, a temperature rise at start-up, a component revolution per minute, and a heat energy unit measurement reading; and determining in substantially real time if at least one of the selected device properties and the selected device performance criteria falls outside predetermined threshold values. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification