Method and apparatus for estimating the rate at which a gas is generated within an enclosed space
First Claim
1. An apparatus for estimating the rate at which a gas is generated in an enclosed space, comprising:
- a plurality of sensors configured to measure values of selected environmental variables in the enclosed space and generate signals representative of the values;
a gas flow model circuit, operatively connected with the sensors, for receiving the signals from the sensors and generating an estimated gas generation rate value as a function of the values; and
a control unit, operatively connected to the gas flow model circuit, for generating control signals as a function of the estimated gas generation rate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling the environment within an enclosed space is provided. The apparatus monitors environmental variables, and responsive to the values of the environmental variables, estimates the rate at which a gas is being generated within the enclosed space. The apparatus generates control signals to control devices based on the rate at which the gas is being generated within the enclosed space. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus estimates the rate at which carbon dioxide is being generated in the enclosed space. Based on the estimated carbon dioxide generation rate, the apparatus may be configured to control an HVAC system, a comfort control system, lights, alarms or other devices.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. An apparatus for estimating the rate at which a gas is generated in an enclosed space, comprising:
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a plurality of sensors configured to measure values of selected environmental variables in the enclosed space and generate signals representative of the values; a gas flow model circuit, operatively connected with the sensors, for receiving the signals from the sensors and generating an estimated gas generation rate value as a function of the values; and a control unit, operatively connected to the gas flow model circuit, for generating control signals as a function of the estimated gas generation rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for determining the rate at which a gas is generated in an enclosed space, comprising the steps of:
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measuring values of selected environmental variables in the enclosed space; generating signals representative of the values; transmitting the signals to a gas flow model circuit; causing the gas flow model circuit to generate an estimated gas generation rate value as a function of the values of the selected environmental variables; and generating control signals as a function of the estimated gas generation rate. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A building control system, comprising:
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a plurality of sensors disposed to sense values of specified environmental variables in an enclosed space; and a controller, operatively connected with the plurality of sensors, configured to receive the values from the plurality of sensors and generate control signals responsive to the values, the controller including an interface circuit operatively connected with the plurality of sensors; a gas flow model circuit operatively connected with the interface circuit, the gas flow model circuit being configured to receive the values from the plurality of sensors through the interface circuit, the gas flow model circuit being further configured to generate, responsive to the values, an estimated gas generation rate value representative of the rate at which a gas is generated in the enclosed space; processing and control means, operatively connected with the gas flow model, the processing and control means including a memory, the processing and control means being configured to receive the estimated gas generation rate value from the gas flow model circuit, to process the estimated gas generation rate value according to instructions stored in the memory, and to generate the control signals responsive to the estimated gas generation rate value. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification