Electronically-controlled register vent for zone heating and cooling

• US 8,033,479 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2007
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Kates
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): NORMAN, MARC E
• Application Number:
  US11/669,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20070119958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,715 Days
• Field of Search: 236/1.B, 236/49.3, 236/51, 165/208, 165/209, 165/212, 454/256, 454/258, 622/96
• US Class Current: 236/1.00B
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 1/022 comprising a compressor cycle
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• 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 11/66 Sleep mode
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/70 Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/72 for controlling the supply of treated air, e.g. its pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/74 for controlling air flow rate or air velocity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/76 by means responsive to temperature, e.g. bimetal springs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/77 by controlling the speed of ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/83 by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/00 Control inputs relating to air properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/40 Pressure, e.g. wind pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/00 : Control inputs relating to users or occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 : Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/40 : Damper positions, e.g. open or closed
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/044 : Systems in which all treatment is given in the central station, i.e. all-air systems
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/10 : with air supply, or exhaust, through perforated wall, floor or ceiling outlet members for directing or distributing air into rooms or spaces, e.g. ceiling air-diffusers F24F13/06
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1934 : each space being provided with one sensor acting on one or more control means

Abstract

An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.

Claims

1. An electronically-controlled register vent for providing zoned heating and cooling, comprising:

a mechanical actuator;

a communication system for receiving commands from a zone thermostat;

a controller configured to control said actuator in response to commands received by said communications system from the zone thermostat;

a moveable member configured to block airflow through the vent when moved by said actuator to a first position, said moveable member configured to allow air to flow through the vent when moved said actuator to a second position;

a sensor, wherein said controller is configured to use data from said sensor to avoid placing said moveable member in a position that creates unacceptable noise; and

a power source provided to said controller, said controller further configured to open said register vent when power available from said power source drops below a threshold value.

2. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said sensor is an acoustic sensor.

3. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said sensor is a pressure sensor.

4. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said sensor is an airflow sensor.

5. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, further comprising a fan.

6. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to transmit sensor data according to a threshold test.

7. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 6, wherein said threshold test comprises a high threshold level.

8. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 6, wherein said threshold test comprises a low threshold level.

9. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 6, wherein said threshold test comprises an inner threshold range.

10. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 6, wherein said threshold test comprises an outer threshold range.

11. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein controller is configured to receive an instruction to change a status reporting interval.

12. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein controller is configured to receive an instruction to change a sensor data reporting interval.

13. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said zone thermostat is configured to monitor a status of one or more electronically-controlled register vents.

14. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said actuator is configured to change an angle of one or more vanes.

15. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said actuator is configured to change an opening of a curtain.

16. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said actuator is configured to change a direction of one or more diverters.

17. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said actuator is configured to provide position feedback to said controller.

18. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said communication system comprises a wireless communication system that communicates using infrared radiation.

19. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said communication system comprises a wireless communication system that communicates using ultrasonic radiation.

20. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said communication system comprises a wireless communication system that communicates using radio-frequency communication.

21. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said communication system comprises a wireless communication system that communicates using frequency hopping.

22. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said communication system comprises a wireless communication system that communicates using a 900 megahertz band.

23. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, further comprising a visual indicator to indicate a low-power condition when said power source is low.

24. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, said controller configured to use a predictive model to compute a control program for said actuator.

25. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 24, said control program configured to reduce power consumption by said actuator.

26. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 24, said control program configured to reduce movement of said actuator.

27. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, said zone thermostat configured to use a predictive model to compute a control program for said actuator.

28. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 27, said control program configured to reduce power consumption by said actuator.

29. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 27, said control program configured to reduce movement of said actuator.

30. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, controller configured to send sensor data to said zone thermostat.

31. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, said zone thermostat configured to send setpoint data to said controller.

32. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, said zone thermostat configured to send current room temperature data to said controller.

33. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, said zone thermostat configured to send room temperature slope data to said controller.

34. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, further comprising a remote control interface.

35. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, further comprising an occupant sensor.

36. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1, wherein said zone thermostat is integrated into said electronically-controlled register vent.

37. An apparatus for zoned heating and cooling, comprising:

a vent;

a mechanical actuator;

a communication system for receiving commands from a zone control system;

a controller configured to control said actuator in response to commands received by said communications system from the zone control system;

a moveable member configured to block airflow through the vent when moved by said actuator to a first position, said moveable member configured to allow air to flow through the vent when moved said actuator to a second position; and

a sensor, wherein said controller is configured to use data from said sensor to avoid placing said moveable member in a position that creates unacceptable noise.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said controller is further configured to open said register vent when power available from a power source drops below a threshold value.