SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMICALLY VARIABLE COMPRESSOR DELAY IN THERMOSTAT TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION

• US 20100282857A1
• Filed: 05/05/2010
• Published: 11/11/2010
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 8,740,100 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/49.3
• 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 system for reducing the usage of a ventilation system comprising:

a thermostatic controller having at least two settings for the delay enforced by said thermostatic controller after said thermostatic controller turns said ventilation system off prior to allowing said thermostatic controller to signal said ventilation system to turn on again, one setting being for a first interval, and at least a second setting for a second interval that is longer than said first interval;

a processor in communication with said thermostatic controller, the processor configured to evaluate one or more parameters including at least the temperature outside the structure conditioned by said ventilation system, and to determine whether to adopt said first interval or said second interval based upon the values of said parameters.

2. A system as in claim 1 where said thermostatic controller operates a system for changing the air temperature in a structure.

3. A system as in claim 1 where said thermostatic controller operates a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

4. A system as in claim 1 where said thermostatic controller operates a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in a single family residence.

5. A system as in claim 1 in which at least one remote processor is in communication with said thermostatic control device.

6. A system as in claim 5 in which said remote processor is not located in the same structure as said thermostatic controller.

7. A system as in claim 5 in which said remote processor sets programming for said thermostatic controller.

8. A system as in claim 1 in which said thermostatic controller is programmable.

9. A process for optimizing the delay enforced by a thermostatic controller after said thermostatic controller turns said ventilation system off prior to allowing said thermostatic controller to signal said ventilation system to turn on again comprising:

evaluation by a processor of one or more parameters relating to the operation of the temperature conditioning system, where at least one of said parameters relates to weather conditions;

determining which of at least a first delay interval and a second delay interval where said second delay interval is longer than said first delay interval is to be enforced by said thermostatic controller in light of said one or more parameters;

communication of said delay from said processor to said thermostatic controller; and

adoption of said delay by said thermostatic controller.

10. A system as in claim 9 where said thermostatic controller operates a system for changing the air temperature in a structure.

11. A system as in claim 9 where said thermostatic controller operates a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

12. A system as in claim 9 where said thermostatic controller operates a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in a single family residence.

13. A system as in claim 9 in which at least one remote processor is in communication with said thermostatic control device.

14. A system as in claim 13 in which said remote processor is not located in the same structure as said thermostatic controller.

15. A system as in claim 13 in which said remote processor sets programming for said thermostatic controller.

16. A system as in claim 9 in which said thermostatic controller is programmable.