Method and apparatus for effecting temperature difference in a respective zone
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method in which at least one computer system accesses instructions from computer storage and executes the instructions to perform steps comprising:
- obtaining at least one temperature condition;
obtaining at least one temperature modification rate associated with at least one respective zone from multiple zones of a confined area; and
determining when to modify a current temperature of the respective zone with respect to an upcoming event by processing the at least one temperature condition according to the temperature modification rate, wherein obtaining the at least one temperature condition includes measuring the respective zone'"'"'s current temperature and obtaining an outdoor temperature.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus provide for a demand limiting controller. The demand limiting controller obtains at least one temperature condition and at least one temperature modification rate associated with at least one respective zone from multiple zones of a confined area. The demand limiting controller determines when to modify a current temperature of the respective zone with respect to an upcoming event by processing the temperature condition according to the temperature modification rate while minimizing the opportunity for all zones to be energized simultaneously.
-
Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A method in which at least one computer system accesses instructions from computer storage and executes the instructions to perform steps comprising:
-
obtaining at least one temperature condition; obtaining at least one temperature modification rate associated with at least one respective zone from multiple zones of a confined area; and determining when to modify a current temperature of the respective zone with respect to an upcoming event by processing the at least one temperature condition according to the temperature modification rate, wherein obtaining the at least one temperature condition includes measuring the respective zone'"'"'s current temperature and obtaining an outdoor temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising executable instructions encoded thereon operable on a computerized device to perform processing comprising:
-
instructions for obtaining at least one temperature condition; instructions for obtaining at least one temperature modification rate associated with at least one respective zone from multiple zones of a confined area; and instructions for determining when to modify a current temperature of the respective zone with respect to an upcoming event by processing the at least one temperature condition according to the temperature modification rate, wherein obtaining the at least one temperature condition includes measuring the respective zone'"'"'s current temperature and obtaining an outdoor temperature. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A computer system comprising:
-
a processor; a memory unit that stores instructions associated with an application executed by the processor; and an interconnect coupling the processor and the memory unit, enabling the computer system to execute the application and perform operations of; obtaining at least one temperature condition; obtaining at least one temperature modification rate associated with at least one respective zone from multiple zones of a confined area; and determining when to modify a current temperature of the respective zone with respect to an upcoming event by processing the at least one temperature condition according to the temperature modification rate, wherein obtaining the at least one temperature condition includes measuring the respective zone'"'"'s current temperature and obtaining an outdoor temperature; and determining a current electrical use associated with any zone with respect to a target electricity usage based on a percentage of a desired maximum use of electricity.
-
-
22. A method in which at least one computer system accesses instructions from computer storage and executes the instructions to perform steps comprising:
-
during a first time range, confirming a current use of electrical power is less than a desired maximum use of electrical power; based on the current use of electrical power being less than the desired maximum use of electrical power, detecting a current temperature within a portion of a confined area is substantially near a first target temperature of a given temperature range; detecting a second time range will begin within an amount of time; modifying the current temperature within the portion of a confined area to be substantially near a second target temperature of the given temperature range before the second time range begins; during the second time range, regulating the current temperature within the portion of a confined area with respect to a third target temperature of the given temperature range; and upon termination of the second time range, regulating the current temperature within the portion of a confined area with respect to the first target temperature of the given temperature range.
-
-
23. A method in which at least one computer system accesses instructions from computer storage and executes the instructions to perform steps comprising:
-
during a first time range, confirming a current use of electrical power is less than a desired maximum use of electrical power; while the current use of electrical power being less than the desired maximum use of electrical power, detecting a current temperature within a portion of a confined area is substantially near a preferred normal target temperature of a given temperature range; detecting a peak rate time range will begin within an amount of time, the peak rate time range associated with a higher cost of electricity than a cost of electricity during the first time range; pre-cooling the portion of the confined area before the peak rate time range begins, wherein pre-cooling comprises;
modifying the current temperature within the portion of the confined area, in accordance with a temperature modification rate, to be substantially near a low target temperature of the given temperature range, the temperature modification rate based on a modeling of past temperature fluctuations in the portion of the confined area;during the peak rate time range, regulating the current temperature within the portion of the confined area with respect to a high target temperature of the given temperature range; and upon termination of the peak rate time range, regulating the current temperature within the portion of a confined area with respect to the preferred normal target temperature of the given temperature range.
-
Specification