Thermal storage control logic for storage heaters

• US 5,178,206 A
• Filed: 05/25/1990
• Issued: 01/12/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: American Stabilis Incorporated
• Original Assignee: American Stabilis Incorporated
• Inventors: Saunders, David N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ford, John K.
• Application Number:
  US07/528,482
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 165/18, 165/1, 165/11.1, 165/12, 392/345
• US Class Current: 165/236
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1923 using thermal energy, the cost of which varies in function of time

Abstract

A method for thermal storage using an apparatus including an outdoor temperature sensor and at least one indoor zone temperature sensor, includes the steps of: estimating an average on-peak outdoor temperature for tomorrow by adding the average on-peak outdoor temperature for today to the current outdoor temperature minus the outdoor temperature at the same time yesterday; estimating the temperature difference in each zone between the outside on-peak temperature and the indoor on-peak temperature for that zone for tomorrow by subtracting the estimated average on-peak outdoor temperature for tomorrow from the average set point temperature in the respective zone for today; calculating the thermal charge by multiplying yesterday'"'"'s actual off-peak charge by the estimated temperature difference in each zone divided by the average actual temperature in each zone for today'"'"'s on-peak period; and charging the thermal storage system. The thermal charge is reduced by 50% if the zone sensor reads a temperature greater than 4° F. above the set point. The charge is 100% of the maximum charge if the temperature falls below 40° F. The charge is 100% of the maximum charge if the temperature falls 4° F. or more below the set point temperature.

Claims

1. A method for thermal storage using an apparatus comprising an outdoor temperature sensor and at least one indoor zone temperature sensor, the method comprising the steps of:

estimating an average on-peak outdoor temperature for tomorrow by adding the average on-peak outdoor temperature for today to the current outdoor temperature minus the outdoor temperature at the same time yesterday;

estimating the temperature different in each zone between the outside on-peak temperature and the indoor on-peak temperature for that zone for tomorrow by subtracting the estimated average on-peak outdoor temperature for tomorrow from the average set point temperature in the respective zone for today;

calculating the thermal charge by multiplying yesterday'"'"'s actual off-peak charge by the estimated temperature different in each zone divided by the average actual temperature in each zone for today'"'"'s on-peak period;

adjusting the thermal charge to reduce the charge by 50% if the zone sensor reads a temperature greater than 4°

F. above the set point; and

charging the thermal storage system.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of adjusting the charge for a 100% of the maximum charge if the temperature read by the zone sensor falls below 40°

F. and continuing the charge at a 100% during off-peak or on-peak hours until the temperature rises above 40°

F.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of adjusting the charge for a 100% of the maximum charge if the temperature read by the zone sensor is 4°

F. or more below the set point temperature.