WO2009058127A1

WO2009058127A1 - Dwellings climate control management system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2009058127A1
Application number: PCT/US2007/082926
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henry Lewis Steinberg
Original assignee: Henry Lewis Steinberg
Priority date: 2007-10-30
Filing date: 2007-10-30
Publication date: 2009-05-07

Abstract

A climate control management system is provided, for controlling the climate in a controlled space such as a room, apartment, or other enclosed space having a closeable opening such as a door or a window, and a sensor for sensing if the opening is open or closed. The controlled space has a climate control energy demand unit such as a thermostat, which is coupled to a climate control generator such as a heater, an air conditioner, and the like. The system is constructed so as to provide lower energy demand if the opening is open. Thus for example, in a heating system, the system will response to opening the window by reducing the effective user-set desired temperature. An optional aspect of the invention further provide for logging information relating to energy consumption of the controlled space.

Description

Dwellings climate control management system and method

Filed of the invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to dwellings climate control systems, and more particularly to climate control systems in which certain resources of a heating or air- conditioning units are shared between more than a single climate controlled space.

Background of the Invention

[0002] It is common knowledge that the most efficient heating method for a building consists of a single heat source such as a boiler or a furnace, whose output may be divided into multiple zones. To provide cooling, a similar system using a large central air conditioner is most efficient. However, apartment buildings having a plurality of dwelling units which are not under a single entity control, are heated or cooled in such a manner that makes it impractical to accurately gauge the amount of energy each tenant uses for heating and/or cooling. Consequently, building owners or operators commonly charge an estimated amount calculated by average consumption. Such billing system does not encourage tenants to reduce energy consumption. In certain cases for example, it leads to windows being open with the thermostat set to a high temperature during winter. Similarly, in summer, an open window with high cool setting wastes air condition resources. Such practices are unfair to other tenants who have to pay for the wonton waste of energy by certain tenants.

[0003] Furthermore, it is desirable to limit remotely the temperature range to which a tenant may set a local thermostat within the dwelling, and more particularly, to be able to do so securely, according to certain conditions such as, by way of example, ambient temperature, and the like.

[0004] The term climate control generator should be construed to mean a heating system, an air conditioning system, and/or a humidity control system, or a combination thereof. The action directed by the climate control system, be it to supply heat and/or humidity to a controlled space, or to remove heat or humidity therefrom, shall be referred to as the 'output' of the climate controlled generator. While the description in these specifications will primarily concentrate on heating systems, it will be cleared to the skilled in the art that this is done by way of example only and that the system may easily be adapted to all climate control systems. Thus even when the specifications and/or the claims speak of a heating systems and the like, it should be construed to include all such climate control systems

[0005] The term 'controlled space' should be construed to mean a space into which the climate control generator outputs. The output is generally controlled by a setting device such as a thermostat or humidity sensor, or in an aspect of the present invention, an energy demand unit as described below. A controlled space is sometimes referred to colloquially as a heating or cooling 'zone'. The opposite term - 'uncontrolled space', shall mean any space that may be substantially separated from a controlled space, and while it generally refers to the outdoors, it may also refer to an enclosed space open to ambient temperature, a second controlled compartment, dwelling unit, and the like in which the climate control system is either inoperative, ineffective, or set to a different setting. Further in these specifications the term controlled space will relate to units as a house, an apartment, work area, or individual rooms, taken singly of in combination, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a hotel suite comprising a plurality of rooms, each of which, or any combination off, may be considered 'controlled space'. Similarly, separate rooms or groups thereof, in a single dwelling unit may be considered controlled spaces. Generally, the controlled space is separated from at least one uncontrolled space or another controlled space by a closeable opening. These specifications and the claims, will use the term 'window' as a convenient example, but in this context, the term window should be construed both in the written description and the claims, to extend to windows, doors, and the like. Such window or door may be in an open, closed or partially opened state, but unless specifically specified or clear from the context, an opening that is not closed to substantially limit the escape of climate control output from the controlled space, is considered to be in 'open state'.

[0006] There is therefore an heretofore unanswered need to, together or in combination, 1 ) prevent tenants waste of climate control energy by setting the climate control system operating parameters to a high level, while allowing energy to escape through opened windows or doors, 2) provide an easy way to measure relative energy consumption by specific zones in buildings with plurality of dwelling units, and 3) to provide a secure protocol to remotely set limits on the possible settings a tenant may set his/her climate control settings. [0007] The skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is equally applicable to heating and air conditioning systems, as well as to different heat sources such as oil heat, gas heat, electric heat and the like. It is noted that it is common in many apartment buildings to have a single electric energy meter for the whole building, with each dwelling unit having its own electrical heating elements. The skilled in the art will recognize that the scope of the present invention covers such system as well.

Summary of the invention

[0008] In existing systems the opening of a window, door, or similar closeable opening between a controlled space and an uncontrolled space, the system will continue to supply energy to the controlled space, which will then escape to the uncontrolled space causing waste. In the most basic embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system wherein in response to an open window, door, or the like, the demand temperature will be reduced from the user set point, and thus the energy waste will be similarly reduced.

[0009] Thus there is provided a climate control management system, for managing climate parameters in a controlled space. The climate control management system is coupled to the output of a climate control generator. The controlled space has at least one closeable window or door separating it from an uncontrolled space. The system comprises an ambient condition sensor associated with a user set point set by a user; a control unit having at least one demand point at which said control unit commands output from said climate control generator into said controlled space; an opening sensor coupled to said window or door, and further operationally coupled to said control unit, said opening sensor constructed to sense an opened state of said window or door, and deliver information regarding said opened state to said control unit. The control unit is constructed to reduce the demand point responsive to an open state sensed by the sensor.

[0010] Preferably, the control unit is collocated with said ambient sensor.

[0011] Optionally, the opening sensor is proportional and is constructed to sense and deliver information relative to the proportion of the level of opening of the window and, said control unit sets said demand point proportionally relative to said proportion. [0012] Optionally, the demand point is reduced relative to said user settable set point. Conversely, it is further contemplated that the demand point may be pre-set regardless of the user set point.

[0013] An optional aspect of the invention provides for a data recorder for recording data related to energy consumption in said controlled space. The data recorder may be located at any convenient component in the system.

[0014] Preferably, the control unit has a communication interface, preferably wireless interface, for delivering said data to a remote server. Further optionally, said opening sensor is coupled to said control unit by wireless communication link.

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a thermostat comprising a temperature sensor for sensing ambient temperature in a controlled space; an input interface for receiving a user settable temperature set point; a window sensor interface, couplable to a window sensor capable of sensing an open state of a window in a controlled space; a control unit coupled to said window sensor interface, and having a demand point at which said control unit commands output from a climate control system into said controlled space. The control unit is further constructed to, responsive to an open state reported by said sensor, reduce said demand point.

[0016] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the thermostat is constructed so that a range can be set, from a remote location to the thermostat, to limit the user settable set-point.

[0017] Optionally, the thermostat further comprises a data recorder for recording data related to energy consumption in said controlled space.

[0018] In yet related aspect of the invention there is provided a method for controlling the output of a climate control generator, comprising the steps of:

receiving a user set point representing a desired ambient set point in a controlled space; receiving information regarding the status of at least one closeable opening separating said controlled space from an uncontrolled space, said information relates at least to said closeable opening being in a closed state; setting an energy demand point wherein if said opening is closed, said energy demand point equals said user set point, and if said opening is in a state other than closed, said demand point is set for lower energy demand than said user set point; comparing said demand point to a respective ambient condition in said controlled space; and, demanding output from said climate control generator if the result of said comparison meets a predetermined condition.

[0019] Optionally, this aspect further provides the step of logging information related to energy consumption of said controlled space. Moreover, the method allows associating costs relative to energy consumption relating to said controlled space, in accordance with said logged information.

[0020] Thus in an exemplary embodiment, said ambient set point is a temperature set point for said controlled space, said demand point is a temperature demand point, said lower energy demand point is a lower temperature than said user set point, and said climate controlled generator is a heat generator. Thus the step of comparing comprises comparing ambient temperature in said controlled space with said demand point; and, the step of demanding comprises commanding said heat generator to supply heat to said controlled space, if the ambient temperature is lower, within a preset range, from said demand point.

Short description of drawings

[0021] The summary above, and the following detailed description will be better understood in view of the enclosed drawings which depict details of preferred embodiments. It should however be noted that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings and that the drawings are provided merely as examples.

[0022] Fig. 1 depicts a simplified example of a deployed climate control management system.

[0023] Fig. 2 depicts a schematic example embodiment of a energy demand unit. [0024] Fig. 3 depicts simplified flow diagram of system operation.

[0025] Fig. 4 depicts a simplified flow diagram of an aspect of an embodiment allowing setting an acceptable temperature range.

[0026] Fig. 5 depicts a simplified flow diagram of an aspect allowing optional proportional setting of a demand point.

Detailed Description

[0027] Fig. 1 is a simplified example of a deployed climate control management system. It contains several exemplary implementation modes, which may be combined or changed fit specific implementations.

[0028] Building 10 comprises several apartments A, B, C, and D, each considered for explanatory purposes as a single 'controlled space'. Each of the apartments have at least one opening 20 such as a window and/or door, a energy demand unit 30, and an energy diffuser 40. At least one, but preferably every opening, such as windows or doors, is equipped with an opening sensor 46. The opening sensor senses if the respective window or door is open or closed. For illustration purposes, window 50 is shown in an open state, which is sensed by opening sensor 45 which is attached to the window shown open, and the data of the open window is transmitted to energy demand unit 30b.

[0029] Energy diffuser 40 changes according to the type of climate control system used. Thus for example diffuser 40 may be an electrical radiator, a steam or hot water radiator, a forced air vent for cooling or heating, and the like. The diffuser 40 may be a standalone unit such as an electrical heating element or air conditioner, or may be merely an energy output device for a central air conditioner and/or heater 60. Regardless of the heating and/or cooling system used, the diffuser introduces energy output from the climate control generator responsive to a command by the energy demand unit of the controlled space in which it resides.

[0030] The opening sensor is coupled to a closeable opening such as a window or a door. Hereinafter, the reference will be to a window as shown in the figure, however it is noted that the explanations relate to any kind of closeable opening separating the controlled space from an uncontrolled space. It is noted that while in Fig. 1 the 'uncontrolled space' is the outdoor environment, as explained above this is but one example of what can considered an uncontrolled space. The opening sensor may sense only two states - open and close - or optionally a proportional sensor which can sense the level of opening in a partially opened window. A two states sensor may be implemented by any simple switch such as mechanical or magnetic switch, as known. The preferred embodiment uses security alarm type switches. A wide range of proportional sensors are also known in the art and may be based on a plurality of switches, infra-red, mechanical encoders, and the like. In order to assist in understanding the invention, unless otherwise noted, the specifications shall hereinafter describe an on-off type sensor.

[0031] Opening sensors 45, 46 are coupled to respective energy demand unit 30a, 30b. Opening sensor 47 is shown coupled to its respective energy demand unit 31 by wireless link 85. This type of wireless link is preferable as it minimizes the required wiring to implement the system and offers additional flexibility in locating different components of the system. However, as shown both wireless and wired connections are entertained.

[0032] Optionally, the system further comprises a server 70 which is in communication with the energy demand units, preferably also via the wireless link 85. Server 70 is located preferably within, or proximal to the building. Optionally, it is coupled to a remote computer via data link 80. Server 70 is preferably a computer capable of concentrating data from the various climate control units and either save that data, communicate it to the remote computer, or any combination thereof. It is important however to note that server 70 is but mere optional, if desired, embodiment of the invention.

[0033] Fig. 2 depicts a schematic block diagram of an energy demand unit 31. It is noted that energy demand unit depicted as 30 are very similar, and may indeed be exactly similar, however the units marked 30a and 30b are wired, while the unit marked 31 utilizes the preferred wireless connection method.

[0034] An ambient sensor 220 senses the ambient environment in the controlled space. According to the type of climate control system and control parameter required, ambient sensor may be a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and the like. For the sake of clarity, the sensor will be related hereinafter as a temperature sensor operating in conjunction with a heating system. Ambient sensor 220 may be located remotely to the energy demand unit, and may be a stand-alone thermostat or merely a sensor. The sensor may couple directly to control unit 210, or via conditioning circuit, data transmission circuits, and the like. Preferably, the sensor is collocated with the energy demand unit, and comprise an integrated circuit temperature sensor. Such circuits are available from a variety of sources such as, by way of example, the DS18S20 from Dallas Semiconductors. Other embodiments of sensors such as thermistors, bi-metal sensors, and the like, are well known and the selection of the sensor is a matter of technical choice.

[0035] An opening sensor interface 260 is coupled to the opening sensor 45. Thus interface may be wired, wireless, or a combination allowing selecting the most convenient interface. In certain embodiments the opening sensor interface is merely a wired connection to control device 210.

[0036] A user interface comprises a user input device 240 such as a keypad, a rotary encoder, or other setting mechanism as desired. Preferably, a display 230 is also provided. The display type and the input device type are also a matter of technical choice, and can vary widely from a full graphical or alphanumeric display, to a mere LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, for providing feedback to the user.

[0037] Control device 210 may be embodied in a programmable controller, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or discrete electronic as desired. It may reside in the energy demand unit or may be located remotely thereto. Control device 210 is constructed couple to, and to read the ambient temperature from, ambient sensor 220. Furthermore, control unit 210 is coupled to, and constructed to read the opening status, from opening sensor 45. Control unit 210 is further constructed to output at least a demand signal to the climate control generator, demanding energy output to the controlled space. Such output request may be wireless 270 and/or wired 275. It is noted that if desired, a single wireless network may be used for a plurality of energy demand units, as well to couple opening sensors such as window sensors to the control device 210. Further optionally, ambient sensors may be similarly coupled.

[0038] It should be noted that the while the preferred embodiment utilizes a window sensor which is capable of sensing a closed window, and anything but such fully closed window is considered a window in an open state, weather partially or fully open.

[0039] Optional embodiments provide data logging of information regarding energy use for a specific controlled space. Thus, by way of example, a record can be obtained for a specific tenant, which will later be billed relative to the amount of energy used. In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the data logging is performed by a logger 280 in communication with the control unit 210. The data may be read periodically by wired or wireless data links. In other embodiments, the data is delivered to a remote server and are logged therein.

[0040] Fig. 3 is a simplified flow diagram of the main logic operation performed by a control unit 210, operating in a heating system, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0041] In step 310, the control unit obtains the ambient temperature from ambient sensor 220. In step 315 the logic ascertains if the window is open or closed utilizing the opening sensor. If the opening is closed, the user set point 325 is fed to step 330. If the window is open, a reduced set point 320 is fed to step 330. The reduced set point may be preset, remotely set, or calculated as an offset from the user set point.

[0042] Step 330 utilizes the selected set point as a demand point, for comparison with measured ambient temperature. The ambient and the demand temperatures are compared in step 335. If the ambient temperature is lower than the demand temperature, the logic module issues a command 340 via the communication link 270 or 275, to the climate control generator 60 to output more heat to the controlled space. Clearly, in the case of cooling air conditioning system, the comparison is reversed and additional energy is commanded if the demand point is lower than then the measured temperature. The operation above is repeated periodically. [0043] Optionally, the data relating to energy consumption, such as the windows status, the on/off times of the energy demand, and/or the user set point are logged 350.

[0044] The logged information may be read directly from the energy demand unit 30, preferably using wireless connection 270. Optionally, the data logging occurs in an external server like server 70, or even remotely to the premises via data link 80. The data then may be used to apportion the heating and/or cooling costs amongst the tenants according to relative consumption.

[0045] In certain cases it I desirable to limit the range to which the user may set the energy demand unit. Thus, Fig. 4 depicts the logic performed by control unit 210 to accomplish this object. In step 410, control unit 210 receives and stores an acceptable temperature 490. The temperature range is received from a remote computer, through a communication link 270 or 275. When the user attempts to set a user set point 415 control unit 210 verifies 420 that the user set point is within the allowed temperature range 490. If the user set point is within the parameters the set point is accepted 425. If the user set point is outside the range, a message is displayed 425, and the new user set point is rejected.

[0046] Yet another aspect of the invention, utilizes a proportional sensor to set the demand point. The advantages of a proportional opening is that it allows for a window to be slightly opened, for example to accommodate air exchange, but have only a small effect on energy efficiency. Such proportional sensors may be implemented in many ways known in the art, ranging for example from a simple plurality of switches activated sequentially by the opening of the window or door, to resistance, capacitance, or reactance based sensor, to position encoders, and the like. The selection of the proportional sensor is a matter of technical choice and does not significantly effect this embodiment of the invention.

[0047] One exemplary behavior of the energy demand unit 45, 46, or the system as a whole depending on the implementation, is to reduce the demand point by a portion of a pre-set temperature demand range parameter. Such behavior is shown in Fig. 5, where a window status is received from the proportional window sensor 505. If the window is closed, the demand point is set 525 equivalent to the user set point. If the window is opened, the degree to which the window is open is multiplied 515 by the temperature demand range, to produce a demand differential. The demand point of the energy demand unit is then reduced 520 by the demand differential. The example below illustrates an example of calculation according to that specific embodiment:

DP= USP-(W%O*DR) wherein

DP=Demand Point, USP = User Set Point, W%O= the degree to which the window is open, and DR=the preset demand range.

[0048] Other calculations may be used such as reducing the demand point to a set point without any connection to the user set point, selecting a stepped demand point table according to the degree to which the window is open, and the like. The skilled in the art will recognize a plurality of ways once the teachings of the present inventions are considered to calculate the desired demand point that will reduce the energy consumption as a result of opening or partial opening of a controlled space to a non- controlled space, and those embodiments, weather using a simple or a proportional sensors, are considered to fall under the scope of the different aspects of the invention.

[0049] If optional data logging is provided, it is further desirable to log the proportional state of the window opening.

[0050] It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to what has been described hereinabove merely by way of example. While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other embodiments, changes, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention and that it is, therefore, aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention, for which letters patent is applied.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A climate control management system, for managing climate parameters in a controlled space, the climate control management system being coupled to the output of a climate control generator, said controlled space having at least one closeable window or door separating it from an uncontrolled space, the system comprising: an ambient condition sensor associated with a user set point set by a user; a control unit having at least one demand point at which said control unit commands output from said climate control generator into said controlled space; an opening sensor coupled to said window or door, and further operationally coupled to said control unit, said opening sensor constructed to sense an opened state of said window or door, and deliver information regarding said opened state to said control unit; wherein said control unit is constructed to reduce the demand point responsive to an open state sensed by said sensor.

2. A climate control management system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said control unit is collocated with said ambient sensor.

3. A climate control management system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said opening sensor is proportional and is constructed to sense and deliver information relative to the proportion of the level of opening of the window and, wherein said control unit sets said demand point proportionally relative to said proportion.

4. A climate control management system as claimed in any of claims 1-3, wherein set demand point is reduced relative to said user settable set point.

5. a climate control management system as claimed in any of claims 1-4, further comprising a data recorder for recording data related to energy consumption in said controlled space.

6. A climate control management system as claimed in any of claims 1-5, further comprising a communication interface for delivering said data to a remote server.

7. A climate control management system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said communication link is wireless.

8. A climate control management system as claimed in any of claims 1-7, wherein said opening sensor is coupled to said control unit by wireless communication link.

9. A thermostat comprising: a temperature sensor for sensing ambient temperature in a controlled space; an input interface for receiving a user settable temperature set point; a window sensor interface, couplable to a window sensor capable of sensing an open state of a window in a controlled space; a control unit coupled to said window sensor interface, and having a demand point at which said control unit commands output from a climate control system into said controlled space; and wherein said control unit further constructed to, responsive to an open state reported by said sensor, reduce said demand point.

10. A thermostat as claimed in claim 9, wherein a range can be set remotely from said thermostat, said range limiting said user settable set-point.

11. A thermostat as claimed in any of claims 9-10, further comprising a data recorder for recording data related to energy consumption in said controlled space.

12. A method for controlling the output of a climate control generator, comprising the steps of: receiving a user set point representing a desired ambient set point in a controlled space; receiving information regarding the status of at least one closeable opening separating said controlled space from an uncontrolled space, said information relates at least to said closeable opening being in a closed state; setting an energy demand point wherein if said opening is closed, said energy demand point equals said user set point, and if said opening is in a state other than closed, said demand point is set for lower energy demand than said user set point; comparing said demand point to a respective ambient condition in said controlled space; and, demanding output from said climate control generator if the result of said comparison meets a predetermined condition.

13. A method for controlling the output of a climate control generator as claimed in claim 12, further comprising the step of logging information related to energy consumption of said controlled space.

14. A method for controlling the output of a climate control generator as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein: said ambient set point is a temperature set point for said controlled space; said demand point is a temperature demand point; said lower energy demand point is a lower temperature than said user set point; said climate controlled generator is a heat generator; wherein said step of comparing comprises comparing ambient temperature in said controlled space with said demand point; and, wherein said step of demanding comprises commanding said heat generator to supply heat to said controlled space, if the ambient temperature is lower within a preset range from said demand point.

15. A method for controlling the output of a climate control generator as claimed in claim 13 or 14, further comprising the step of associating costs relative to energy consumption relating to said controlled space, in accordance with said logged information.