Electronically-controlled register vent for zone heating and cooling

• US 7,168,627 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2004
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Kates
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): NORMAN, MARC E
• Application Number:
  US10/959,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20060071087A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 236/1.B, 236/49.3, 236/51, 165/208, 165/209, 165/212, 700/277
• US Class Current: 236/1.00B
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/76 by means responsive to temperature, e.g. bimetal springs
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1934 each space being provided with one sensor acting on one or more control means

Abstract

An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.

Claims

1. An electronically-controlled register vent for providing zoned heating and cooling, comprising:

a controller;

a mechanical actuator provided to said controller;

a wireless communication system provided to said controller;

a temperature sensor provided to said controller, said temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of air inside a duct; and

a power source provided to said controller, said controller configured to control said actuator in response to a wireless communication received from a zone thermostat, said controller further configured to open said register vent when power available from said power source drops below a threshold value.

2. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 further comprising an airflow sensor.

3. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, further comprising a differential pressure sensor.

4. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 further comprising an air velocity sensor.

5. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary power source.

6. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, further comprising a humidity sensor.

7. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, further comprising a fan.

8. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to transmit sensor data according to a threshold test.

9. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 8, wherein said threshold test comprises a high threshold level.

10. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 8, wherein said threshold test comprises a low threshold level.

11. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 8, wherein said threshold test comprises an inner threshold range.

12. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 8, wherein said threshold test comprises an outer threshold range.

13. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein controller is configured to receive an instruction to change a status reporting interval.

14. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein controller is configured to receive an instruction to change a sensor data reporting interval.

15. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said zone thermostat is configured to monitor a status of one or more electronically-controlled register vents.

16. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said actuator is configured to change an angle of one or more vanes.

17. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said actuator is configured to change an opening of a curtain.

18. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said actuator is configured to change a direction of one or more diverters.

20. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication system communicates using infrared radiation.

21. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication system communicates using ultrasonic radiation.

22. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication system communicates using radio-frequency communication.

23. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication system communicates using frequency hopping.

24. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication system communicates using a 900 megahertz band.

25. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, further comprising a visual indicator to indicate a low-power condition when said power source is low.

26. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, said controller configured to use a predictive model to compute a control program for said actuator.

27. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 26, said control program configured to reduce power consumption by said actuator.

28. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 26, said control program configured to reduce movement of said actuator.

29. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, said zone thermostat configured to use a predictive model to compute a control program for said actuator.

30. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 29, said control program configured to reduce power consumption by said actuator.

31. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 29, said control program configured to reduce movement of said actuator.

32. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, controller configured to send sensor data to said zone thermostat.

33. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, said zone thermostat configured to send setpoint data to said controller.

34. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, said zone thermostat configured to send current room temperature data to said controller.

35. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, said zone thermostat configured to send room temperature slope data to said controller.

36. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, further comprising a remote control interface.

37. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, said zone control thermostat further comprising an occupant sensor.

38. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said zone control thermostat is integrated into said electronically-controlled register vent.

19. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim I, wherein said actuator is configured to provide position feedback to said controller.