Predictive efficient residential energy controls

• US 8,086,352 B1
• Filed: 09/25/2008
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mountainlogic, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mountainlogic, Inc.
• Inventors: Elliott, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ramesh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chang, Sunray
• Application Number:
  US12/284,795
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 700/277
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1921 using a thermal motor
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1934 each space being provided with one sensor acting on one or more control means

Abstract

A HVAC controls system for zone controls that is comprised of one or more Wall Sensor Units (WSU) and zero or more Damper/Register Units (DRUs). The invention is a low networked cost solution for residential and light commercial that is easy to install in new and existing building. The WSUs detect, log and use occupancy data to predict where in a building HVAC conditioning is needed and to save energy where it is not needed. The DRU use shape memory alloy wires to control the opening and closing of a damper plate with very little power allowing batter operation.

Claims

1. A heating, ventilation and air conditioning control system for zone control with one or more wall sensor units comprised of a thermal sensor, one or more occupancy sensors, occupancy logging capability, occupancy prediction algorithms, a processor unit and network communications capabilities wherein the said heating ventilation and air conditioning system is further comprised of one or more heating ventilation and air conditioning automated damper/register units comprising two shape memory alloy wires, two push pieces, a processor unit and network communications capabilities.

2. The automated damper/register unit of claim 1 wherein said damper/register units are controlled with electric power such that in addition to at least one ground or common conductor have at least one conductor to drive the opening actuator and a second conductor to drive the closing actuator.

3. The automated damper/register unit of claim 1 wherein said damper/register unit'"'"'s communication network capabilities consists of wireless network capabilities.

4. The automated damper/register unit of claim 1 wherein said damper/register unit'"'"'s communication network capabilities consists of wired network capabilities.

5. The automated damper/register units of claim 1 wherein said damper/register unit'"'"'s communication network capabilities consists of power line communication network capabilities.

6. The automated damper/register unit of claim 1 wherein said damper/register units use said occupancy data to control said zone damper/register unit to a temperature target set to a comfort point if predicted to be occupied or a economy point if predicted to be unoccupied.

7. The automated damper/register unit of claim 1 wherein said damper/register units are powered by batteries.

8. The automated damper/register unit of claim 1 wherein said damper/register units are powered by wired power.

9. The automated damper/register unit of claim 1 wherein said damper/register units are powered by energy harvesting.

10. The automated damper/register units of claim 1 wherein said damper/register units communication network capabilities consists of power line communication network capabilities.