Occupancy-based demand controlled ventilation system

• US 20110127340A1
• Filed: 12/02/2009
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas D. Aiken
• Original Assignee: Thomas D. Aiken
• Inventors: Aiken, Thomas D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,528,715 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/49.3
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/0001 for ventilation F24F11/30 takes precedence
• 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 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/74 for controlling air flow rate or air velocity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

In a demand control ventilation (DCV) system, ID codes of tags worn by occupants are detected in each room by a tag detector and wirelessly communicated to a zonal occupancy compiler. The zonal occupancy count arrived at by the compiler is transmitted to a DCV microprocessor, which interfaces with the ventilation controller of the building'"'"'s HVAC system and sets the zonal ventilation rate based on the occupancy count and applicable ASHRAE standards.

Claims

1. A system for adjusting the ventilation rate of each of one or more ventilation zones within a building occupied by one or more occupants, the system comprising:

(a) a tag having a digital ID code that is assigned to each occupant;

(b) one or more tag detectors located within each of the ventilation zones, wherein each tag detector communicates wirelessly with some or all of the tags within a controlled space within the ventilation zone in which the tag detector is located,;

(c) one or more zonal compilers, wherein one zonal compiler is assigned to each ventilation zone, and wherein each zonal compiler communicates wirelessly with all of the tag detectors and/or with all of the tags located within the ventilation zone to which it is assigned, and wherein each zonal compiler thereby wirelessly acquires all of the ID codes of the tags within the ventilation zone, and wherein each zonal compiler periodically compiles the acquired ID codes and computes a zonal occupancy count based on the number of non-redundant ID codes so compiled;

(d) one or more DCV processors, wherein each DCV processor communicates wirelessly with and/or interfaces with one or more of the zonal compilers, and wherein each DCV processor thereby acquires the zonal occupancy count from each of the zonal compiler(s) with which it communicates, and wherein each DCV processor periodically computes a zonal ventilation rate based on each zonal occupancy count that it acquires; and

(e) one or more HVAC interfaces, wherein each HVAC interface wirelessly communicates with and/or interfaces with one or more of the DCV processors, and wherein the HVAC interface(s) periodically adjust(s) the ventilation rate for each ventilation zone to conform to the zonal ventilation rate(s) computed by the DCV processor(s).

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein a controlled space code is assigned to each controlled space within each ventilation zone, and wherein the controlled space code is wirelessly communicated by the tag detector to each of the tags within the controlled space, and wherein each tag wirelessly communicates the controlled space code, along with the tag'"'"'s ID code, to the zonal compiler.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the zonal compilers incorporates a DCV processor.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein one or more of the zonal compilers incorporates a DCV processor.

5. A process for adjusting the ventilation rate of each of one or more ventilation zones within a building occupied by one or more occupants, the process comprising the following steps:

(a) assigning a tag having a digital ID code to each occupant;

(b) providing one or more tag detectors within each of the ventilation zones;

(c) initiating wireless communications between each of the tag detectors and some or all of the tags within a controlled space within the ventilation zone in which the tag reader is located;

(c) providing one or more zonal compilers, such that one zonal compiler is assigned to each ventilation zone;

(d) initiating wireless communications between each zonal compiler and all of the tag detectors and/or all of the tags located within the ventilation zone to which it is assigned, whereby each zonal compiler wirelessly acquires all of the ID codes of the tags within the ventilation zone and computes a zonal occupancy count based on the number of non-redundant ID codes so acquired;

(d) providing one or more DCV processors;

(e) initiating communications between each DCV processor and one or more of the zonal compilers, whereby each DCV processor acquires the zonal occupancy count from each of the zonal compiler(s) with which it communicates and computes a zonal ventilation rate based on each zonal occupancy count that it acquires;

(f) providing one or more HVAC interfaces; and

(g) interfacing each HVAC interface with one or more of the DCV processors, such that the HVAC interface(s) periodically adjust(s) the ventilation rate for each ventilation zone to conform to the zonal ventilation rate(s) computed by the DCV processor(s).

6. The process according to claim 5, comprising the further steps of assigning a controlled space code to each controlled space within each ventilation zone, and wirelessly communicating the controlled space code by the tag detector to each of the tags within the controlled space, and wirelessly communicating the controlled space code by each tag, along with the tag'"'"'s ID code, to the zonal compiler.

7. The process according to claim 5, wherein one or more of the zonal compilers incorporates a DCV processor.

8. The process according to claim 6, wherein one or more of the zonal compilers incorporates a DCV processor.