Thermodynamic model generation and implementation using observed HVAC and/or enclosure characteristics
First Claim
1. A method of determining a thermodynamic model of an enclosure associated with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the method comprising:
- receiving temperature information for a period of time during which the HVAC system operates in a first state, the temperature information defining a temperature trajectory of the enclosure during the period of time;
determining, by a computer system, a response interval that indicates an estimated time between when the HVAC system begins operating in the first state and when the temperature within the enclosure begins to change in a direction associated with the first state;
determining, by the computer system and using the temperature information, a plurality of weighting factors corresponding to a respective plurality of basis functions, the weighted combination of basis functions forming the thermodynamic model and characterizing the temperature trajectory of the enclosure in response to the HVAC system operating in the first state, wherein the plurality of basis functions comprises;
a first basis function that is evaluated from a time that the HVAC system begins operating in the first state until a time when the response interval ends, wherein the first basis function represents an effect of a previous HVAC cycle on a current HVAC cycle; and
a second basis function that is evaluated beginning at the time when the response interval ends until the HVAC stops operating in the first state, wherein the second basis function represents an effect of the HVAC system operating in the first state during a current HVAC cycle and includes an effectiveness factor that represents an effectiveness of the HVAC system with respect to differences in a temperature outside of the enclosure and a temperature inside of the enclosure; and
causing, by the computer system, the HVAC system to operate in the first state using the thermodynamic model of the enclosure in response to the HVAC system operating in the first state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for determining and using a thermodynamic model that characterizes a thermodynamic response of an enclosure conditioned by an HVAC system are disclosed. To determine a thermodynamic model, temperature information when the HVAC system operates in a first state may first be received. A response interval may then be determined where the response interval indicates an estimated time between when the HVAC system begins operating in the first state and when the temperature within the enclosure begins to change in a direction associated with the first state. Weighting factors corresponding to basis functions may then be determined, where the weighted basis functions characterize the temperature trajectory of the enclosure in response to the HVAC system operating in the first state. The basis functions may include a first basis function that is evaluated from a time that the HVAC system begins operating in the first state until a time when the response interval ends, and a second basis function that is evaluated beginning at the time when the response interval ends.
151 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of determining a thermodynamic model of an enclosure associated with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the method comprising:
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receiving temperature information for a period of time during which the HVAC system operates in a first state, the temperature information defining a temperature trajectory of the enclosure during the period of time; determining, by a computer system, a response interval that indicates an estimated time between when the HVAC system begins operating in the first state and when the temperature within the enclosure begins to change in a direction associated with the first state; determining, by the computer system and using the temperature information, a plurality of weighting factors corresponding to a respective plurality of basis functions, the weighted combination of basis functions forming the thermodynamic model and characterizing the temperature trajectory of the enclosure in response to the HVAC system operating in the first state, wherein the plurality of basis functions comprises; a first basis function that is evaluated from a time that the HVAC system begins operating in the first state until a time when the response interval ends, wherein the first basis function represents an effect of a previous HVAC cycle on a current HVAC cycle; and a second basis function that is evaluated beginning at the time when the response interval ends until the HVAC stops operating in the first state, wherein the second basis function represents an effect of the HVAC system operating in the first state during a current HVAC cycle and includes an effectiveness factor that represents an effectiveness of the HVAC system with respect to differences in a temperature outside of the enclosure and a temperature inside of the enclosure; and causing, by the computer system, the HVAC system to operate in the first state using the thermodynamic model of the enclosure in response to the HVAC system operating in the first state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A thermostat for controlling operations of an HVAC system in an enclosure, the thermostat comprising:
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HVAC control circuitry operable to actuate one or more elements of the HVAC system; one or more sensors for measuring environmental characteristics associated with the enclosure; and one or more processors coupled to the HVAC control circuitry and the one or more sensors, the one or more processors operable to cause the thermostat to perform operations including; receiving, via the one or more sensors, temperature information for a period of time during which the HVAC system operates in a first state, the temperature information defining a temperature trajectory of the enclosure during the period of time; determining a response interval that indicates an estimated time between when the HVAC system begins operating in the first state and when the temperature within the enclosure begins to change in a direction associated with the first state; determining, using the temperature information, a plurality of weighting factors corresponding to a respective plurality of basis functions, the weighted combination of basis functions forming the thermodynamic model and characterizing the temperature trajectory of the enclosure in response to the HVAC system operating in the first state, wherein the plurality of basis functions comprises; a first basis function that is evaluated from a time that the HVAC system begins operating in the first state until a time when the response interval ends, wherein the first basis function represents an effect of a previous HVAC cycle on a current HVAC cycle; and a second basis function that is evaluated beginning at the time when the response interval ends until the HVAC stops operating in the first state, wherein the second basis function represents an effect of the HVAC system operating in the first state during a current HVAC cycle and includes an effectiveness factor that represents an effectiveness of the HVAC system with respect to differences in a temperature outside of the enclosure and a temperature inside of the enclosure; and causing, by the computer system, the HVAC system to operate in the first state using the thermodynamic model of the enclosure in response to the HVAC system operating in the first state. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including:
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receiving temperature information for a period of time during which the HVAC system operates in a first state, the temperature information defining a temperature trajectory of the enclosure during the period of time; determining a response interval that indicates an estimated time between when the HVAC system begins operating in the first state and when the temperature within the enclosure begins to change in a direction associated with the first state; determining, using the temperature information, a plurality of weighting factors corresponding to a respective plurality of basis functions, the weighted combination of basis functions forming the thermodynamic model and characterizing the temperature trajectory of the enclosure in response to the HVAC system operating in the first state, wherein the plurality of basis functions comprises; a first basis function that is evaluated from a time that the HVAC system begins operating in the first state until a time when the response interval ends, wherein the first basis function represents an effect of a previous HVAC cycle on a current HVAC cycle; and a second basis function that is evaluated beginning at the time when the response interval ends until the HVAC stops operating in the first state, wherein the second basis function represents an effect of the HVAC system operating in the first state during a current HVAC cycle and includes an effectiveness factor that represents an effectiveness of the HVAC system with respect to differences in a temperature outside of the enclosure and a temperature inside of the enclosure; and causing, by the computer system, the HVAC system to operate in the first state using the thermodynamic model of the enclosure in response to the HVAC system operating in the first state. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification