Facility environmental control system

• US 5,793,646 A
• Filed: 12/02/1996
• Issued: 08/11/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Enflex Corp. (SunEdison, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Conservation Through Innovation, Ltd.
• Inventors: Cruse, Michael, Hibberd, Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAH, KAMINI S
• Application Number:
  US08/759,017
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 364/240.8, 364/514 C, 364/575, 364/292.94, 364/505, 364/571.03-571.08, 364/138, 395/200.11, 395/181, 395/600
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25144 Between microcomputers, processors
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2638 Airconditioning
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A facility environmental control ("FEC") system is disclosed that communicates using an open network management protocol such as the simple network management protocol ("SNMP"). The FEC system includes a first plurality of FEC devices operable to obtain data concerning the environment of a facility and a second plurality of FEC devices operable to receive command signals and perform operations that affect the environment of the facility in accordance with the received command signals. The system further includes a control system operably connected to the first and second plurality of FEC devices, and a control system agent operably connected to the control system. In general, the control system receives data from the first plurality of FEC devices and provides command signals to the second plurality of FEC devices. The control system agent is preferably operable to receive and send SNMP messages to a management node, wherein said SNMP messages include information concerning the operation of the control system.

Claims

1. A facility control system for controlling aspects of operating parameters relating to an environment of a facility, the facility control system including:

a) one or more measuring devices operable to obtain data concerning the operating parameters of a facility;

b) a control device operably connected to the one or more measuring devices, the control device operable to receive and store data concerning the operating parameters of a facility from the one or more measuring devices; and

c) a control system agent operably connected to the control device, the control system agent operable to receive and send messages to a management node using an open network protocol and standard object definitions, wherein said messages include information concerning the operation of the facility control system.

2. The facility control system of claim 1 further comprising

d) one or more controlled devices connected to the control device, said one or more controlled devices operable to receive command signals and perform operations corresponding to the command signals that affect the operating parameters of the facility;

and

wherein said control device is further operable to provide command signals to the one or more controlled devices.

3. The facility control system of claim 1 wherein the control system agent is further operable to receive and send simple network management protocol ("SNMP") messages to a management node.

4. The facility control system of claim 1 wherein the control system agent is further operable to send messages that include data received from at least one of the measuring devices.

5. The facility control system of claim 1 wherein the control system agent is further operable to alter one or more operating parameters in accordance with at least one message received from the management node.

6. The facility system of claim 1 wherein the control device includes at least one computer.

7. The facility control system of claim 1 wherein the control system agent further includes a management information base ("MIB") connected to the control system agent, said MIB operable to obtain from the control device information concerning the operation of the facility control system.

8. The facility control system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the measuring devices is operable to obtain data concerning electrical power parameters of the facility.

9. A facility control system for controlling electrical power parameters of a facility, the facility control system including:

a) one or more controlled devices, said one or more controlled devices operable to receive command signals and perform operations corresponding to the command signals that affect the electrical power parameters of the facility;

b) a control device operably connected to the one or more controlled devices, the control device operable to provide command signals to the one or more controlled devices; and

c) a control system agent operably connected to the control device, the control system agent operable to receive and send messages to a management node using an open network protocol and standard object definitions, wherein said messages include information concerning the operation of the facility control system.

10. The facility control system of claim 9 further comprising:

a) one or more measuring devices operably connected to the control device, the one more more measuring devices operable to obtain data concerning the electrical power parameters of a facility, and

wherein said control system is further operable to receive and store data relating to the electrical power parameters of the facility from the one or more measuring devices.

11. The facility control system of claim 9 wherein the control system agent is further operable to receive and send simple network management protocol ("SNMP") messages to a management node.

12. The facility control system of claim 10 wherein the control system agent is further operable to send messages that include data received from at least one of the measuring devices.

13. The facility control system of claim 9 wherein the control system agent is further operable to alter one or more electrical power consumption parameters in accordance with at least one message received from the management node.

14. The facility control system of claim 9 wherein the control device includes at least one computer.

15. The facility control system of claim 9 wherein the control system agent further includes a management information base ("MIB") connected to the control system agent, said MIB operable to obtain from the control device information concerning the operation of the facility control system.