BUILDING ENERGY ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

• US 20150057810A1
• Filed: 09/18/2013
• Published: 02/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FlowEnergy LLC
• Original Assignee: FlowEnergy LLC
• Inventors: Smith, Arthur Neal, Doerr, Joshua Jerome, Reed, Christopher Tillman, Creighton, Jeffrey Michael, Robson, Christopher John, Horn, Andrew James, Rogers, David Anthony, Willis, Larry Ray Jr., Melin, Billy Joe Sr., Hansen, Tamara Jewell
• Granted Patent: US 9,447,983 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/276
• 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 11/38 Failure diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• 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 2110/00 Control inputs relating to air properties
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/024 in which a parameter or coefficient is automatically adjusted to optimise the performance
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control

Abstract

This application relates to a building energy analysis and management system for measurement and verification of building performance. The system can analyze, optimize, manage, maintain, trouble shoot, and/or modify building systems, such as HVAC systems, in connection with the building energy usage. Measurements may be gathered for one or more HVAC units coupled to pressure independent valves, and sent to one or more Surge Panels that pass data to remote analysis servers, which can receive other system or external data. The analysis servers compare measurements to predicted values and can standardize the predicted values to account for external conditions. The comparison can result in difference values used to generate probable causes and optimization recommendations. The system outputs reports or other data display using a graphical user interface that can be adjusted for an anticipated user.

Claims

1. A system for HVAC analysis comprising:

a transceiver configured to receive one or more HVAC determined values, wherein at least one HVAC determined value comprises a value based on fluid flow rate through a pressure independent valve;

a measurement predictor configured to predict one or more expected measurements for one or more HVAC determined values;

a comparator configured to compare one or more of the HVAC determined values with one or more of the expected measurements such that a difference value is determined;

an inference component configured to determine a probable cause based on a match between the difference value and one or more known difference values;

an optimization component configured to determine one or more changes to a building component or process based on the difference value or probable cause;

wherein the transceiver is further configured to send one or more signals based on the optimization.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the expected measurement is at least partially dependent on an expected operation of the pressure independent valve.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein known difference values are based on previously observed reactions to a number of stimuli of pressure independent valve HVAC systems.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more changes are integrated into controlling the pressure independent valve.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the one or more changes are integrated into controlling the pressure independent valve by causing a flow rate or valve stem rotation.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more signals is a control signal for one or more HVAC systems to automatically implement the optimization.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more signals is a message to indicate the optimization to a user.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the optimization component is configured to determine one or more changes to a building component or process based on the difference value and the probable cause.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the optimization comprises a change:

to minimize power consumption, to maximize unit life, based on a cost benefit analysis, to component engagement sequences, to indicating an improvement for system capacity, or a building professional training suggestion.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal is configured to instruct an HVAC system to enter a selected operational mode.

11. A method of performing HVAC analysis comprising:

receiving one or more HVAC determined values, wherein at least one HVAC determined value comprises a value based on fluid flow rate through a pressure independent valve and wherein at least one other HVAC determined value comprises a value based on a difference between a fluid temperature entering a coil and a fluid leaving the coil;

predicting one or more expected measurements for one or more HVAC determined values;

comparing one or more of the received HVAC determined values with one or more of the expected measurements such that a difference value is determined;

matching the difference value with known difference values such that a probable cause is determined; and

sending one or more signals based on the determined difference value or probable cause.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the expected measurement is dependent on an expected operation of the pressure independent valve.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein known difference values are based on previously observed reactions to a number of stimuli of pressure independent valve HVAC systems.

14. A computer-readable memory storing instructions configured to, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations for HVAC analysis, the operations comprising:

receiving one or more HVAC determined values, wherein at least one HVAC determined value comprises a value based on fluid flow rate through a pressure independent valve;

predicting one or more expected measurements for one or more HVAC determined values;

comparing one or more of the received HVAC determined values with one or more of the expected measurements such that a difference value is determined; and

sending one or more signals based on the determined difference value.

15. The computer-readable memory of claim 14, wherein:

the one or more HVAC determined values comprise at least one HVAC measurement comprising;

HVAC fluid temperature and pressure;

flow rate;

BTUs per gallon;

or BTUs per square foot; and

the one or more HVAC determined values further comprise one or more of external conditions comprising;

weather conditions;

geographic data;

or input from a user.

16. The computer-readable memory of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise pre-processing the received one or more HVAC determined values to determine BTUs per gallon or BTUs per square foot.

17. The computer-readable memory of claim 14, wherein predicting an expected measurement is performed by one or more of determining a comparable historical measurement, determining a comparable similar HVAC system, or by entering parameters and getting a prediction from a model of a building containing an HVAC system with the pressure independent valve.

18. The computer-readable memory of claim 14, wherein the one or more signals are configured to incorporate the determined difference value in a report, and wherein the determined difference value is standardized to:

compare a building with an HVAC system with the pressure independent valve to similar type of building;

or

compare a building with an HVAC system with the pressure independent valve to a generic building.

19. The computer-readable memory of claim 14, wherein at least one of the HVAC determined values comprise a goal value and wherein the operations further comprise:

comparing one or more of the other received HVAC determined values with the goal value such that a difference from goal value is determined; and

sending one or more signals based on the determined difference from goal value.

20. The computer-readable memory of claim 14, wherein the expected measurement is dependent on an expected operation of the pressure independent valve.