System, method and apparatus for use of dynamically variable compressor delay in thermostat to reduce energy consumption

• US 9,982,905 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2016
• Issued: 05/29/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EcoFactor, Inc. (Trane Technologies plc)
• Original Assignee: EcoFactor, Inc. (Trane Technologies plc)
• Inventors: Steinberg, John Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Norman, Marc
• Application Number:
  US15/047,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20160238270A1
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 236 46 C, 236 493, 62158, 62186, 454258, 700276
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/0001 for ventilation F24F11/30 takes precedence
• 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 11/57 using telephone networks
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• 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 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/86 by controlling compressors within refrigeration or heat pump circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2011/0002 for admittance of outside air
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2011/0006 using low temperature external supply air to assist cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/12 of the outside air
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/40 Damper positions, e.g. open or closed
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/60 Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for reducing the usage of a ventilation system. For example, one or more of the exemplary systems comprise a thermostatic controller that has at least two settings for the delay occurring between turning the ventilation system off and then turning the system back on. One setting being for a first interval and at least a second setting for a second interval that is longer than the first interval. A processor is in communication with the thermostatic controller and is configured to evaluate one or more parameters including at least the temperature outside the structure conditioned by the ventilation system. The processor is further configured to determine whether to adopt the first interval or the second interval based upon the values of the parameters.

Claims

1. A heating, ventilation and air conditioning system comprising at least a compressor and a thermostatic controller that varies the delay enforced by a thermostatic controller between the time said controller turns a ventilation system off and the time said thermostatic controller turns said ventilation system on again, the system comprising:

one or more computer processors;

said thermostatic controller comprising at least a first setting that defines a first delay interval and at least a second setting that defines a second delay interval associated with turning a ventilation system on again, wherein the second interval is longer than the first interval;

the one or more computer processors configured to access stored data comprising at least a plurality of internal temperature measurements taken within a structure;

the one or more computer processors configured to use the stored data to predict a rate of change of temperatures inside the structure in response to at least changes in outside temperatures;

the one or more computer processors configured to evaluate one or more parameters including at least the predicted rate of change; and

the one or more computer processors, based upon said evaluation of the parameters, configures the thermostatic controller to one of the at least the first setting that defines the first delay interval or the second setting that defines the second delay interval such that said heating, ventilation and air conditioning system operates according to the selected setting.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second settings that define first and second delay intervals define compressor delay intervals.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the one or more processors are configured to vary the compressor delay intervals by varying the first and second settings.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the one or more processors are configured to calculate at least one compressor delay based on the one or more parameters.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the one or more processors are configured to set the thermostatic controller to reduce energy consumption of said heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein the one or more processors are configured to calculate at least one compressor delay to vary a hysteresis band associated with said heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

7. The system of claim 2 wherein the thermostatic controller operates a system for changing the air temperature in a structure.

8. The system of claim 2 wherein the thermostatic controller operates said heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

9. The system of claim 2 wherein the thermostatic controller operates said heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in a single family residence.

10. The system of claim 2 wherein the thermostatic controller is programmable.

11. A process that varies the delay enforced by a thermostatic controller between the time said thermostatic controller turns a ventilation system off and the time said thermostatic controller turns said ventilation system on again, the process comprising:

accessing stored data comprising at least a plurality of internal temperature measurements taken within a structure;

using the stored data to predict a rate of change of temperatures inside the structure in response to at least changes in outside temperatures;

evaluate one or more parameters including at least the outside temperature measurements and the predicted rate of change; and

setting said thermostatic controller to one of the at least a first setting that defines a first delay interval or a second setting that defines a second delay interval associated with turning a ventilation system on again, wherein the second interval is longer than the first interval; and

operating said ventilation system according to said selected setting.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first and second settings that define first and second delay intervals define compressor delay intervals.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein setting the thermostatic controller varies the compressor delay intervals by varying the first and second settings.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising calculating at least one compressor delay based on the one or more parameters.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein setting the thermostatic controller reduces energy consumption of the ventilation system.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising calculating at least one compressor delay to vary a hysteresis band associated with the ventilation system.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the thermostatic controller operates a system for changing the air temperature in a structure.

18. The method of claim 12 where the thermostatic controller operates a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the thermostatic controller operates a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in a single family residence.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein the thermostatic controller is programmable.