HVAC FILTER MONITORING

• US 20150260424A1
• Filed: 05/28/2015
• Published: 09/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Fadell, Anthony Michael, Matsuoka, Yoky, Rogers, Matthew Lee, Sloo, David
• Application Number:
  US14/724,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20150260424A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0086 Filter condition indicators
• 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 11/32 Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/39 Monitoring filter performance
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• 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 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/89 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/00 Control inputs relating to air properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/20 Feedback from users
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/40 Noise
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/00 Control inputs relating to system states
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/60 : Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/0265 : the criterion being a learning criterion
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/19 : characterised by the use of electric means G05D23/1393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 : characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 : using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/2416 : Means for guiding or retaining wires or cables connected to terminal blocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 : Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 : Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 : Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A method is described for identifying faults relating to an HVAC system, such a clogged filter. Sensor data is used to estimate HVAC system efficiency. Trends in system efficiency are then used to identify faults such as clogged filters. The sensor(s) can include one or more of the following types: optical sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, acoustic transducer, humidity sensor, resistive sensor, capacitive sensor, and infrared sensor. The efficiency estimation can also be based on conditions external to the building, such as data from exterior sensors and/or data gathered from third parties such as government or private weather stations. The efficiency estimation can also be based on performance metrics such as the time used to reach a set point temperature. The fault identification includes filtering out non-fault related events.

Claims

1. An air filter for use with an HVAC system comprising:

a housing;

filtering media housed within the housing, the filtering media being adapted to remove unwanted material from air passing through the HVAC system;

a sensor housed within the housing so as to be positioned adjacent the filtering media, the sensor being of a type that senses conditions associated with the filtering media such that an estimate of filter condition is determinable based at least in part on data provided by the sensor;

a wireless communication device housed within the housing, the wireless communication device being adapted to transmit data from the sensor to a receiver; and

a power harvester positioned adjacent the filter and being adapted to generate power from air passing through the filter.

2. The air filter of claim 1, wherein data is transmitted from the sensor to the receiver via the wireless communication device only when sufficient power is available via the power harvester.

3. The air filter of claim 1, wherein the power harvester includes one or more piezoelectric elements.

4. The air filter of claim 1, further comprising a power storage device adapted to store power generated by the power harvester.

5. The air filter of claim 1, wherein the sensor is of a type selected from a group consisting of:

optical sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, acoustic transducer, humidity sensor, resistive sensor, capacitive sensor, and infrared sensor.

6. The air filter of claim 1, wherein the sensor is of a type such that an HVAC system fault is identifiable based at least in part on data provided by the sensor.

7. The air filter of claim 1, wherein the air filter is disposable.

8. The air filter of claim 1, wherein the HVAC system is installed in building used primarily for residential or light-industrial purposes.

9. An HVAC system comprising:

a thermostat device configured to receive input from a user;

a processing system communicatively coupled with the HVAC system and thermostat, the processing system being configured to control the HVAC system to condition a room or space within a building or structure based on said input received from said user; and

an air filter disposed within the HVAC system, the air filter comprising;

a housing;

filtering media housed within the housing, the filtering media being adapted to remove unwanted material from air passing through the HVAC system;

a sensor housed within the housing so as to be positioned adjacent the filtering media;

a wireless communication device housed within the housing, the wireless communication device being adapted to transmit data from the sensor to a receiver; and

a power harvester positioned adjacent the filter and being adapted to generate power from air passing through the filter.

10. The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein the sensor is of a type that senses conditions associated with the filtering media and wherein the processing system is configured to estimate HVAC system performance based at least in part on data received from the sensor.

11. The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein data is transmitted from the sensor to the receiver via the wireless communication device only when sufficient power is available via the power harvester.

12. The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein the power harvester includes one or more piezoelectric elements.

13. The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein the air filter further comprises a power storage device adapted to store power generated by the power harvester.

14. The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein the sensor is of a type selected from a group consisting of:

optical sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, acoustic transducer, humidity sensor, resistive sensor, capacitive sensor, and infrared sensor.

15. An HVAC system comprising:

an air filter disposed within the HVAC system, the air filter comprising;

a housing;

filtering media disposed within the housing, the filtering media being adapted to remove unwanted material from air passing through the HVAC system;

a sensor disposed within the housing and positioned adjacent the filtering media;

a wireless communication device disposed within the housing, the wireless communication device being adapted to transmit data from the sensor to a receiver; and

a power harvester disposed adjacent the air filter, the power harvester being adapted to generate power from air passing through the air filter; and

a processing system communicatively coupled with the HVAC system to control the HVAC system based on input received from a user, the processing system being configured to receive data from the sensor via the receiver and being further configured to;

estimate a performance of the HVAC system using the data received from the sensor and to;

determine an efficiency of the air filter using the estimated performance of the HVAC system.

16. The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein the processing system is further configured to estimate a time to reach a setpoint temperature based on the efficiency of the air filter.

17. The HVAC system of claim 16, wherein the processing system is further configured to estimate a cost associated with the efficiency of the air filter based on the time to reach the setpoint temperature.

18. The HVAC system of claim 17, wherein the processing system is further configured to:

generate a visual icon for a display on an electronic display of a thermostat device, wherein the visual icon provides an indication of the estimated cost associated with the efficiency of the air filter; and

display the visual icon on the electronic display of the thermostat device.

19. The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein data is transmitted from the sensor to the receiver via the wireless communication device only when sufficient power is available via the power harvester.

20. The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein the air filter further comprises a power storage device that is adapted to store power generated by the power harvester.