Systems and methods to control energy consumption efficiency

• US 8,219,250 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2009
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optimum Energy LLC
• Original Assignee: Optimum Energy LLC
• Inventors: Dempster, Ian, Erpelding, Ben, Hanna, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Decady, Albert
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHITTINGTON, ANTHONY T
• Application Number:
  US12/609,452
• Publication Number:
  US 20100114385A1
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 700/276
• US Class Current: 700/276
• 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: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house

Abstract

A controller is configured to exchange information with a building automation system and includes various executable programs for determining a real time operating efficiency, simulating a predicted or theoretical operating efficiency, comparing the same, and then adjusting one or more operating parameters on equipment utilized by a building'"'"'s HVAC system. The controller operates to adjust an operating efficiency of the HVAC system. An adjustment module utilized by the controller may modify the HVAC equipment parameters based on the likelihood that various HVAC equipment operates in parallel and on-line near its natural operating curve. In addition, the adjustment module may include a self-learning aspect that permits the controller to more efficiently make similar, future adjustments as needed.

Claims

1. A controller for communicating with a building automation system, the controller comprising:

a communications interface operable to exchange information contemporaneously in time between the controller and the building automation system, the exchanged information carrying data corresponding to operating parameters of equipment arranged in an HVAC system;

an optimization module having executable instructions for determining an operating efficiency of the HVAC system based on the present operating state of the equipment;

a simulation module having executable instructions for determining a predicted operating efficiency of the HVAC system computed from installation specifications provided with the HVAC equipment;

a comparison module in data communication with the optimization and simulation modules, the comparison module configured to determine whether the operating efficiency is below a desired threshold relative to the predicted operating efficiency; and

an adjustment module in data communication with the comparison module, the adjustment module configured to transmit instructions to the building automation system for changing at least one of the operating parameters for at least one piece of equipment of the HVAC system, the adjustment module further configured to process the instructions for changing in a self-learning aspect when the comparator, at a later time, determines the operating efficiency is below the desired threshold relative to the predicted operating efficiency.

2. The controller of claim 1, further comprising a validation module configured to determine whether the adjustment made to the at least one of the operating parameters for at least one piece of equipment of the HVAC system results in a desired overall efficiency for the HVAC system as communicated to the building automation system.

3. The controller of claim 1, wherein the HVAC system includes a variable speed chiller cooling system.

4. The controller of claim 1, wherein the predicted operating efficiency of the HVAC system includes information corresponding to a natural operating curve for the HVAC equipment.

5. A method for controlling an operating efficiency of an HVAC system in communication with a building automation system, the method comprising:

exchanging information contemporaneously in time between a controller and the building automation system, the exchanged information carrying data corresponding to operating parameters of equipment arranged in the HVAC system;

determining an operating efficiency of the HVAC system based on the present operating state of the equipment;

determining a predicted operating efficiency of the HVAC system computed from installation specifications provided with the HVAC equipment;

comparing whether the operating efficiency is below a desired threshold relative to the predicted operating efficiency;

adjusting at least one of the operating parameters for at least one piece of equipment of the HVAC system;

transmitting the at least one adjustment to the building automation system; and

triggering a self-learning feature of the controller for automatically recalling the at least one adjustment at a later time when the operating efficiency is again below the desired threshold.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising validating whether the adjustment made to the at least one of the operating parameters for at least one piece of equipment of the HVAC system results in a desired overall efficiency for the HVAC system as communicated to the building automation system.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein determining the operating efficiency of the HVAC system includes determining the operating efficiency of a variable speed chiller cooling system.