Smart vent and atmospheric controller apparatuses, methods and systems

• US 9,618,222 B1
• Filed: 04/09/2014
• Issued: 04/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ConnectM Technology Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Keen Home, Inc. (ConnectM Technology Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hussain, Nayeem M, Fant, Ryan T, McLeod, William J, Ullrich, Theodore R, DiPietro, Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Rampuria, Satish
• Application Number:
  US14/248,879
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 700275-285
• 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 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 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 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/00 Control inputs relating to environmental factors not covered by group F24F2110/00
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/10 Weather information or forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/048 Monitoring; Safety
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means

Abstract

The SmartVent and Atmospheric Controller Apparatuses, Methods and Systems (“SmartVent”) transforms user desired environmental setting and SmartVent measurement inputs via SmartVent components into SmartVent adjustment messages and environmental change outputs. In one embodiment, a SmartVent system may include a self-regulating HVAC system, comprising a plurality of smart HVAC vents disposed in wireless communication with a remote computing device. Where the remote computing device a includes a memory and a processor disposed in communication with the memory, configured to record calibration data from each of said plurality of smart HVAC vents. The calibration data may include temperature and flow rate data from each of said plurality of smart HVAC vents. The system may generate calibration tables in accordance with the recorded calibration data and transmit instructions to each of the plurality of smart HVAC vents to optimize thermal conditions and energy efficiency of the HVAC system, in accordance with said calibration tables.

Claims

1. A self-regulating HVAC system, comprising:

a plurality of smart HVAC vents disposed in wireless communication with a remote computing device; and

a plurality of sensors disposed within ducts of the HVAC system, said sensors being disposed remotely from the plurality of smart HVAC vents;

said remote computing device comprising;

a memory;

a processor disposed in communication with said memory, and configured to issue a plurality of processing instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor issues instructions to;

record calibration data from each of said plurality of sensors, said calibration data including temperature and flow rate data from each of said plurality of sensors;

generate calibration tables in accordance with said recorded calibration data;

transmit instructions to each of said plurality of smart HVAC vents to optimize thermal conditions and energy efficiency of said HVAC system, in accordance with said calibration tables;

wherein said remote computing device collects and analyzes presence detection data to generate and transmit revised instructions to each of said plurality of smart HVAC vents to optimize thermal conditions and energy efficiency of said HVAC system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of smart HVAC vents include sensors selected from the group consisting of a temperature sensor, a flow sensor, a humidity sensor, a motion sensor, an air quality sensor, and an infrared sensor.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said remote computing device is selected from the group consisting of a home server, cloud-based server, a mobile device, and a home HVAC controller.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said calibration tables are configured and optimized to facilitate transmission of instruction to adjust a plurality of smart HVAC vents in parallel.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said processor is disposed in wireless communication with one or more ZigBee devices, and further wherein said processor analyzes atmospheric data received from said one or more ZigBee devices to determine if flow conditions in a particular room have changed due to an external condition selected from the group consisting of an open window, the engagement of a ceiling fan, the presence of one or more individuals in a room, the presence of a household pet, an open door, and the engagement of a room fan.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said processor is disposed in wireless communication with one or more ZigBee devices, and further wherein said processor analyzes atmospheric data received from said one or more ZigBee devices to update said calibration tables.

7. A method of enhancing an HVAC system, comprising:

instantiating a plurality of smart HVAC vents (a) throughout said HVAC system and (b) disposed in wireless communication with a remote HVAC controller;

calibrating said plurality of smart HVAC vents by incrementing flow rates through each of said plurality of smart HVAC vents and measuring corresponding room temperatures to populate a SmartVent calibration database;

receiving supplemental atmospheric data regarding at least one room within a structure within which said HVAC system is disposed;

analyzing said supplemental atmospheric data and said calibration database to determine an optimized HVAC status condition; and

transmitting instructions to said plurality of smart HVAC vents to adjust vent flow rates to achieve said optimized HVAC status condition;

wherein each of said plurality of smart HVAC vents are disposed in wireless communication with one another;

determining additional room temperature data after said instructions have been transmitted to said plurality of smart HVAC vents; and

updating said SmartVent calibration database with said additional room temperature data.

8. The method of claim 7, further, further comprising:

determining additional room temperature data after said instructions have been transmitted to said plurality of smart HVAC vents; and

updating said SmartVent calibration database with said additional room temperature data.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

instantiating an additional smart HVAC vent in said HVAC system; and

updating said SmartVent calibration database with data received from said additional smart HVAC vent.

10. A smart HVAC vent, comprising:

an interchangable decorative face plate disposed on said vent;

a mounting structure for mounting said vent to an HVAC duct structure;

a wireless transmitter for communicating data from said smart HVAC vent to a remote computing device;

a processor and memory device disposed in communication with said wireless transmitter;

a rechargeable battery for providing power to said wireless transmitter, processor and memory;

a recharging device for providing additional power to said rechargeable battery, said recharging device comprising a structure selecting from the group consisting of;

a thermal charger, an airflow charger, a solar charger and a capacitor;

an atmospheric condition sensor disposed in communication with said processor, said atmospheric condition sensor including a temperature measuring sensor, a presence detection sensor, and a flow rate sensor; and

a flow rate adjustment vane disposed within said vent;

said smart HVAC vent configured to collect and transmit flow rate, temperature and presence detection data to said remote computing device to populate a SmartVent calibration database; and

said SmartVent further configured to wirelessly receive optimization instructions from said remote computing device to change the flow rate through said vent, and to subsequently measure atmospheric conditions in proximity to said vent to further populate said SmartVent calibration database and to determine if additional optimization instructions are required.

11. The smart HVAC vent of claim 10 wherein said remote computing device is a master smart HVAC vent.

12. The smart HVAC vent of claim 11 wherein said master smart HVAC vent is disposed in wireless communication with one or more ZigBee devices, and further wherein said master smart HVAC vent analyzes atmospheric data or motion presence data received from said one or more ZigBee devices to determine if additional optimization instructions are required.

13. The smart HVAC vent of claim 12 wherein said master smart HVAC vent is disposed in wireless communication with one or more ZigBee devices, and further wherein said master smart HVAC vent analyzes atmospheric data received from said one or more ZigBee devices to determine if flow conditions in a particular room have changed due to an external condition selected from the group consisting of an open window, the engagement of a ceiling fan, the presence of one or more individuals in a room, the presence of a household pet, an open door, and the engagement of a room fan.

14. The smart HVAC vent of claim 10 wherein said atmospheric condition sensor detects atmospheric conditions adjacent the smart HVAC vent.