Energy consumption indicating system

• US 3,995,686 A
• Filed: 06/05/1975
• Issued: 12/07/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kalorimeta Limited
• Original Assignee: Herbert L. Laube
• Inventors: Laube, Herbert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Jr., Albert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Liles, James D.
• Application Number:
  US05/583,952
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 165/11, 62/125, 236/94
• US Class Current: 165/11.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 17/06 Measuring quantity of heat conveyed by flowing media, e.g. in heating systems G01K17/02, G01K17/04 take precedencee.g. the quantity of heat in a transporting medium, delivered to or consumed in an expenditure device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 165/002 Energy, efficiency, performance or malfunction

Abstract

A system for use in multiple occupancy buildings wherein energy consumption for comfort heating or cooling is centrally metered to provide an indication of relative amounts of energy used by the individual occupancy units. An electrically operated elapsed time meter is associated with each occupancy unit having its own individual temperature control unit. The meter is actuated to record the time for which the temperature control unit is operating to consume energy for room heating or cooling purposes.

Claims

1. A system for indicating relative amounts of energy consumed for comfort temperature control by individual occupancy units of a multi-unit structure wherein the actual total energy use is metered for the entire structure, said system comprising:

a. a plurality of temperature control units, each associated with one of the individual occupancy units to alter the temperature of room air therein, and all operated from a common energy source;

b. a control switch associated with each of said temperature control units, the latter being operable by energy from the common source to alter room air temperature in accordance with the selective setting of said control switch;

c. an electrically operated elapsed time meter associated with each of said temperature control units; and

d. means for actuating said meter to indicate the elapsed time of operation of its associated temperature control unit to alter room air temperature.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprising a normally open relay which closes to actuate said elapsed time meter in response to closure of said control switch.

3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said control switch comprises a thermostat sensitive to the room temperature of the occupancy unit with which it is associated.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said common energy source is an electrical power supply and each of said temperature control units includes a refrigerant compressor.

5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said temperature control units each further include an electrical resistance heater.

6. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said common energy source includes an electrical power supply and a combustible fuel, and each of said temperature control units includes a furnace for burning said fuel and a refrigerant compressor operated by said electrical power supply.

7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said actuating means further comprises a temperature sensitive switch operable to actuate said elapsed time meter in response to the temperature in said furnace rising above a predetermined value.

8. The invention according to claim 1 and further including signal means operable in response to cumulative actuation of said elapsed time meter for a pre-selected time.

9. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said temperature control units each include a heat exchanger through which a medium is circulated to alter air temperature.

10. The invention according to claim 9 wherein said control switch comprises a differential thermostat responsive to the difference in temperature of said medium when entering and leaving said heat exchanger.