Method and apparatus for estimation of thermal parameter for climate control
First Claim
1. A parameter estimation assembly (16) for determining, utilizing inside air and outside air, the thermal and thermodynamic parameters of an enclosure (30) defining a conditioned space (28) and of a climate control system (18) associated with the conditioned space (28) controlling the temperature of the conditioned space (28) as a function of time defined by an occupancy comfort (39) and thermostat setback (80) schedule, said assembly (16) comprising:
- inside sensing means (34) for measuring the temperature of air inside a conditioned space (28) while the conditioned space (28) is caused to undergo a temperature change defined by an occupancy comfort (39) and thermostat setback (80) schedule;
outside sensing means (36) for measuring the temperature of outside the conditioned space (28) while the conditioned space (28) is caused to undergo a temperature change defined by the occupancy comfort (39) and thermostat setback (80) schedule;
energy sensor means (46) for measuring the energy consumption rate of a climate control system (18) while the conditioned space (28) is caused to undergo a temperature change defined by the occupancy comfort (39) and thermostat setback (80) schedule, said assembly (16) characterized byprocessing means (44) for storing a non-linear model and for receiving the temperatures of the air inside the conditioned space (28) and the air outside the conditioned space (28) and the energy consumption rate and for calculating the thermal and thermodynamic parameters of the enclosure (30) and the climate control system (18) associated therewith utilizing said non-linear model.
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Abstract
A parameter estimation system (16) automatically determines the relevant thermal and thermodynamic parameters which govern the energy consumption of the climate control system (18) within an enclosure (30). The method of the parameter estimation (16) assembly, using the continuous measurement of various air temperatures, air flows, and energy consumption rates includes the adaptive capability of indirectly learning the relevant thermal and thermodynamic characteristics of both the building enclosure (30) and the climate control system (18), including such thermal parameters as the effective thermal capacitance of the internal walls and contents (53,55) of the enclosure (30), the effective internal heat transfer conductance between the thermal capacitance and the air within the conditioned space (28), the effective external heat transfer conductance between the inside air (28) and the outside air (36) and the efficiency characteristics of the climate control system (18), both inclusive and exclusive of the associated air distribution system (22,32), as a function of its input energy rate.
The method also includes a non-linear efficiency model, using the aforementioned thermal parameters, which has the capability of predicting building air temperature, cool down and recovery, and the energy consumption of the climate control system (18) as a function of outside air temperature and the user-specified occupancy comfort schedule (39), thus providing the additional capabilities for determining a building energy rating and for making intelligent energy management decisions associated with optimal operation, maintenance and retrofitting.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A parameter estimation assembly (16) for determining, utilizing inside air and outside air, the thermal and thermodynamic parameters of an enclosure (30) defining a conditioned space (28) and of a climate control system (18) associated with the conditioned space (28) controlling the temperature of the conditioned space (28) as a function of time defined by an occupancy comfort (39) and thermostat setback (80) schedule, said assembly (16) comprising:
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inside sensing means (34) for measuring the temperature of air inside a conditioned space (28) while the conditioned space (28) is caused to undergo a temperature change defined by an occupancy comfort (39) and thermostat setback (80) schedule; outside sensing means (36) for measuring the temperature of outside the conditioned space (28) while the conditioned space (28) is caused to undergo a temperature change defined by the occupancy comfort (39) and thermostat setback (80) schedule; energy sensor means (46) for measuring the energy consumption rate of a climate control system (18) while the conditioned space (28) is caused to undergo a temperature change defined by the occupancy comfort (39) and thermostat setback (80) schedule, said assembly (16) characterized by processing means (44) for storing a non-linear model and for receiving the temperatures of the air inside the conditioned space (28) and the air outside the conditioned space (28) and the energy consumption rate and for calculating the thermal and thermodynamic parameters of the enclosure (30) and the climate control system (18) associated therewith utilizing said non-linear model. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for determining the thermal and thermodynamic parameters characterizing a non-linear model of an enclosure (30) defining a conditioned space (28) and of a climate control system (18) associated with the conditioned space (28) controlling the temperature of the conditioned space (28) as a function of time defined by an occupancy comfort (39) and thermostat setback (80) schedule, the method comprising the steps of:
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measuring the temperature of air inside a conditioned space (28) while the conditioned space (28) is caused to undergo changes in temperature defined by an occupancy comfort (39) and thermostat setback (80) schedule; measuring the temperature of air outside the conditioned space (28) while the conditioned space (28) is caused to undergo changes in temperature defined by the occupancy comfort (39) and thermostat setback (80) schedule; measuring the energy consumption rate of a climate control system (18) while the conditioned space (28) is caused to undergo changes in temperature defined by the occupancy comfort (39) and thermostat setback (80) schedule, the method characterized by calculating the thermal and thermodynamic parameters defining the parameters and efficiencies of both an enclosure (30) and the climate control system (18) associated therewith utilizing a non-linear model. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification