US4897798A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adaptive environment control system
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1986-12-08
•
Granted: 1990-01-30
•
Expires: 2006-12-08
Abstract
Abstract This adaptive environment control system provides an HVAC control system that adapts to the continually-changing thermal characteristics of the building in which it operates. The adaptive environment control system periodically estimates the thermal characteristics of the building and uses these estimates to control the operation of the HVAC system. The adaptive environment control system also periodically measures the performance characteristics of the HVAC system to obtain data with which to update these thermal characteristic estimates. These thermal characteristic estimates enable the adaptive environment control system to determine both the length of time it takes the building to heat up and cool down when the HVAC system idles, as well as the amount of time it takes the HVAC system to heat or cool the building. These measurements and estimates are taken on a dynamic basis so that the adaptive environment control system responds to any changes in the environment, either within or without the building, including degradation of the operation of the HVAC system. The adaptive environment control system can calculate, through the estimates and measurements, the thermal performance of both the building and the HVAC system, so that the HVAC system is operational sufficiently early to maintain the building interior temperature within a predetermined range of the set-point threshold level of the thermostat.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence J. Cler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:08
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/46; F24F11/50; F24F11/52; F24F11/61; F24F11/62; F24F11/63; F24F11/64; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1917; F24F2110/00; F24F2110/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
An adaptive environment control system for dynamically modifying operation of an HVAC system to control interior temperature of a building as a function of thermal properties of the building, comprising: means for repeatedly determining the interior temperature and temperature outside of said building; means connected to said determining means for repeatedly estimating, from said determined temperatures, values of said thermal properties; means connected to said estimating means and responsive to said estimated values of said thermal properties for controlling the operation of said HVAC system based on said estimated values to bring the interior temperature of said building to a pre-set temperature at a predetermined time; means connected to said estimating means for repeatedly predicting future values of said thermal properties from said estimated values; and means connected to said estimating means and said predicting means for generating an alarm indication if values predicted for a given time differ from values estimated for said given time by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
An adaptive environment control system for dynamically modifying operation of an HVAC system to control interior temperature of a building as a function of thermal properties of the building, comprising: means for repeatedly determining the interior temperature and temperature outside of said building; means connected to said determining means for repeatedly estimating, from said determined temperatures, values of said thermal properties; means connected to said estimating means and responsive to said estimated values of said thermal properties for controlling the operation of said HVAC system based on said estimated values to bring the interior temperature of said building to a pre-set temperature at a predetermined time; means connected to said estimating means for repeatedly predicting future values of said thermal properties from said estimated values; and means connected to said estimating means and said predicting means for generating an alarm indication if values predicted for a given time differ from values estimated for said given time by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: means for measuring performance characteristics of said HVAC system; and wherein said estimating means is connected to said measuring means and responsive to said measured performance characteristics for revising said estimated values of said thermal properties.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
107 words
The system of claims 1 or 2 wherein said controlling means includes: p1 means connected to said estimating means and said determining means and responsive to said estimated values of said thermal properties and said determined interior temperature for calculating a period of time required for said HVAC system to bring said building interior temperature to said pre-set temperature; and means connected to said calculating means and responsive to the calculated time period for initiating the operation of said HVAC system at said required time period prior to said predetermined time to bring the interior temperature of said building to said pre-set temperature at said predetermined time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the controlling means includes: means connected to said measuring means and responsive to said measured performance characteristics for generating an alarm indication when said measured performance characteristics deviate from nominal performance characteristics by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said controlling means further includes: means for predicting the interior temperature of said building for a length of time equal to said time period required to bring said interior temperature to said pre-set temperature; and means connected to said predicting means and responsive to said predicted temperature for activating said HVAC system if said predicted temperature deviates from said pre-set temperature by more than a predefined amount.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
61 words
The system of claims 1 or 2 wherein said generating means includes: means connected to said estimating means and responsive to said estimated values of said thermal properties for generating an alarm indication when said estimated values of said thermal properties of said building deviate from nominal values of said thermal properties of said building by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said estimating means includes: means for obtaining measurements of an environment of said building; and means connected to said obtaining means and responsive to said measurements for estimating said values of said thermal properties of said building.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said estimating means includes: means connected to said obtaining means and responsive to said measurements for estimating parameters indicative of ratios of said values of said thermal properties of said building.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 7 further comprising: means for comparing said estimated values of said properties against predefined limits; and means connected to said comparing means for resetting said estimated values of said thermal properties to nominal values of said thermal properties within said predefined limits when said estimated values of said thermal properties exceed said predefined limits.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the generating means comprises: means for generating an alarm indication if a sum of differences between predicted and estimated values for different given times exceeds a predetermined amount.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: said thermal properties represent time-rate-of-change of heat gain or loss of thermal mass of said building, rate of heat transfer of said building to a surrounding environment, and thermal input to said building provided by said HVAC system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
122 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the means for estimating the values of the thermal properties comprise: means for estimating from said determined temperatures a ratio of (a) said thermal input to said building by said HVAC system and (b) said rate of heat transfer of said building to said surrounding environment multiplied by a difference of said determined interior and outside temperatures; and means for estimating from said determined temperatures a ratio of (a) said rate of heat transfer of building to said surrounding environment multiplied by said difference of said determined interior and outside temperatures and (b) said time-rate-of-change of heat gain or loss of said thermal mass of said building multiplied by a rate-of-change of said determined interior temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
177 words
An adaptive environment control system for controlling operation of an HVAC system to bring interior temperature of a building to a pre-set temperature, comprising: means for storing a set of building characteristic data; means for repeatedly determining the interior temperature and temperature outside of said building; means connected to said storing means and to said temperature-determining means and responsive to said building characteristic data and said determined temperatures for repeatedly estimating values of thermal properties of said building; means connected to said estimating means and responsive to said estimated thermal properties for controlling the operation of said HVAC system based on said estimated thermal properties to bring the interior temperature of said building to said pre-set temperature at a predetermined time; means connected to said estimating means for repeatedly predicting future values of said thermal properties from said estimated values; and means connected to said estimating means and said predicting means for generating an alarm indication if values predicted for a given time differ from values estimated for said given time by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
177 words
An adaptive environment control system for controlling operation of an HVAC system to bring interior temperature of a building to a pre-set temperature, comprising: means for storing a set of building characteristic data; means for repeatedly determining the interior temperature and temperature outside of said building; means connected to said storing means and to said temperature-determining means and responsive to said building characteristic data and said determined temperatures for repeatedly estimating values of thermal properties of said building; means connected to said estimating means and responsive to said estimated thermal properties for controlling the operation of said HVAC system based on said estimated thermal properties to bring the interior temperature of said building to said pre-set temperature at a predetermined time; means connected to said estimating means for repeatedly predicting future values of said thermal properties from said estimated values; and means connected to said estimating means and said predicting means for generating an alarm indication if values predicted for a given time differ from values estimated for said given time by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 13 further comprising: means for measuring performance characteristics of said HVAC system; and means connected to said measuring means and said storing means and responsive to said measured performance characteristics for updating said building characteristic data in said storing means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
106 words
The system of claims 13 or 14 wherein said controlling means includes: means connected to said estimating means and said determining means and responsive to said estimated values of said thermal properties and said determined interior temperature for calculating a period of time required for said HVAC system to bring said building interior temperature to said pre-set temperature; and means connected to said calculating means and responsive to the calculated time period for initiating the operation of said HVAC system at said required time period prior to said predetermined time to bring the interior temperature of said building to said pre-set temperature at said predetermined time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said controlling means further includes: means for predicting the interior temperature of said building for a length of time equal to said time period required to bring said interior temperature to said pre-set temperature; and means connected to said predicting means and responsive to said predicted temperature for activating said HVAC system when said predicted temperature deviates from said pre-set temperature by a predefined amount.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said controlling means includes: means connected to said measuring means and responsive to said measured performance characteristics for generating an alarm indication when said measured performance characteristics deviate from nominal performance characteristics by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said generating means includes: means connected to said measuring means and responsive to said estimated values of said thermal properties for generating an alarm indication when said estimated values of said thermal properties deviate from nominal values of said thermal properties by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the generating means comprises: means for generating an alarm indication if a sum of differences between predicted and estimated values for different given times exceeds a predetermined amount.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 13 wherein: said thermal properties represent time-rate-of-change of heat gain or loss of thermal mass of said building, rate of heat transfer of said building to a surrounding environment, and thermal input to said building provided by said HVAC system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
124 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the means for estimating the values of the thermal properties comprise: means for estimating from said determined temperatures a ratio of (a) said thermal input to said building provided by said HVAC system and (b) said rate of heat transfer of said building to said surrounding environment multiplied by a difference of said determined interior and outside temperatures; and means for estimating from said determined temperatures a ratio of (a) said rate of heat transfer of said building to said surrounding environment multiplied by said difference of said determined interior and outside temperatures and (b) said time-rate-of-change of heat gain or loss of said thermal mass of said building multiplied by a rate-of-change of said determined interior temperature.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of controlling operation of an HVAC system to regulate interior temperature of a building as a function of thermal properties of the building, comprising the steps of: repeatedly determining the interior temperature and temperature outside of said building; repeatedly estimating, from said determined temperatures, values of said thermal properties; controlling the operation of said HVAC system using estimated thermal properties to bring the interior temperature of said building to said pre-set temperature at a predetermined time; repeatedly predicting future values of said thermal properties from said estimated values; and generating an alarm indication if values predicted for a given time differ from values estimated for said given time by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of controlling operation of an HVAC system to regulate interior temperature of a building as a function of thermal properties of the building, comprising the steps of: repeatedly determining the interior temperature and temperature outside of said building; repeatedly estimating, from said determined temperatures, values of said thermal properties; controlling the operation of said HVAC system using estimated thermal properties to bring the interior temperature of said building to said pre-set temperature at a predetermined time; repeatedly predicting future values of said thermal properties from said estimated values; and generating an alarm indication if values predicted for a given time differ from values estimated for said given time by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 22 further including the steps of: measuring performance characteristics of said HVAC system; and revising said estimated values of said thermal properties on a basis of said measured performance characteristics.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
70 words
The method of claims 22 or 23 wherein the step of controlling includes the steps of: calculating a period of time required for said HVAC system to bring said building interior temperature to said pre-set temperature; and effecting the operation of said HVAC system at said required time period prior to said predetermined time to bring the interior temperature of said building to said pre-set temperature at said predetermined time.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said step of controlling further includes the steps of: predicting the interior temperature of said building for a length of time equal to said time period required to bring said interior temperature to said pre-set temperature; and activating said HVAC system if said predicted temperature deviates from said pre-set temperature by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said step of generating includes the steps of: generating an alarm indication when said measured performance characteristics deviate from nominal performance characteristics by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
42 words
The method of claims 22 or 23 wherein the step of generating includes the step of: generating an alarm indication when said estimated values of said thermal properties deviate from nominal values of said thermal properties by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said step of estimating includes the steps of: obtaining measurements of an environment of said building; and estimating said values of said thermal properties of said building based on said obtained measurements.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said step of estimating includes the step of: estimating parameters indicative of ratios of said values of said thermal properties of said building.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 28 further comprising the steps of: comparing said estimated values of said thermal properties against predefined limits; and resetting said estimated values of said thermal properties to nominal values of said thermal properties within said predefined limits when said estimated values of said thermal properties exceed said predefined limits.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the step of generating comprises the step of: generating an alarm indication if a sum of differences between predicted and estimated values for different given times exceeds a predetermined amount.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the step of repeatedly estimating comprises the step of: estimating values of said thermal properties representing time-rate-of-change of heat gain or loss of thermal mass of said building, rate of heat transfer of said building to a surrounding environment, and thermal input to said building provided by said HVAC system.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
117 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the step of estimating comprises the steps of: estimating from said determined temperatures a ratio of (a) said thermal input to said building provided by said HVAC system and (b) said rate of heat transfer of said building to said surrounding environment multiplied by a difference of said determined interior and outside temperatures; and estimating from said determined temperatures a ratio of (a) said rate of heat transfer of said building to said surrounding environment multiplied by said difference of said determined interior and outside temperatures and (b) said time-rate-of-change of heat gain or loss of said thermal mass of said building multiplied by a rate-of-change of said determined interior temperature.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of controlling operation of an HVAC system to bring interior temperature of a building to a pre-set temperature, comprising the steps of: storing a set of building characteristic data; repeatedly determining the interior temperature and temperature outside of said building; repeatedly estimating values of thermal performance properties of said building using said building characteristic data and said determined temperatures; controlling the operation of said HVAC system using said thermal performance properties to bring the interior temperature of said building to said pre-set temperature at a predetermined time; repeatedly predicting future values of said thermal properties from said estimated values; and generating an alarm indication if values predicted for a given time differ from values estimated for said given time by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of controlling operation of an HVAC system to bring interior temperature of a building to a pre-set temperature, comprising the steps of: storing a set of building characteristic data; repeatedly determining the interior temperature and temperature outside of said building; repeatedly estimating values of thermal performance properties of said building using said building characteristic data and said determined temperatures; controlling the operation of said HVAC system using said thermal performance properties to bring the interior temperature of said building to said pre-set temperature at a predetermined time; repeatedly predicting future values of said thermal properties from said estimated values; and generating an alarm indication if values predicted for a given time differ from values estimated for said given time by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 34 including the steps of: measuring operational characteristics of said HVAC system; calculating a new set of building characteristic data from said measured operational characteristics; and updating said stored set of building characteristic data using said new set of building characteristic data.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
70 words
The method of claims 34 or 35 wherein the step of controlling includes the steps of: calculating a period of time required for said HVAC system to bring said building interior temperature to said pre-set temperature; and initiating the operation of said HVAC system at said required time period prior to said determined time to bring the interior temperature of said building to said pre-set temperature at said predetermined time.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
43 words
The method of claims 34 or 35 wherein the step of generating further includes the step of: generating an alarm indication when said estimated values of said thermal properties deviate from nominal values of said thermal properties by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the step of controlling includes the steps of: predicting the interior temperature of said building for a length of time equal to said time period required to bring said interior temperature to said pre-set temperature; and activating said HVAC system when said predicted temperature deviates from said pre-set temperature by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the step of generating further includes the step of: generating an alarm indication when said measured operational characteristics deviate from nominal operational characteristics by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the step of generating comprises the step of: generating an alarm indication if a sum of differences between predicted and estimated values for different given times exceeds a predetermined amount.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the step of repeatedly estimating comprises the step of: estimating values of thermal performance properties representing time-rate-of-change of heat gain or loss of thermal mass of said building, rate of heat transfer of said building to a surrounding environment, and thermal input to said building provided by said HVAC system.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
117 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the step of estimating comprises the steps of: estimating from said determined temperatures a ratio of (a) said thermal input to said building provided by said HVAC system and (b) said rate of heat transfer of said building to said surrounding environment multiplied by a difference of said determined interior and outside temperatures; and estimating from said determined temperatures a ratio of (a) said rate of heat transfer of said building to said surrounding environment multiplied by said difference of said determined interior and outside temperatures and (b) said time-rate-of-change of heat gain or loss of said thermal mass of said building multiplied by a rate-of-change of said determined interior temperature.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of controlling operation of a building HVAC system comprising the iteratively-performed steps of: storing a set of building characteristic data; determining temperature inside of said building; determining temperature outside of said building; estimating values of thermal performance properties of said building using said building characteristic data and said determined inside and outside temperatures; controlling the operation of said HVAC system using said thermal performance properties to bring the interior temperature of said building to a pre-set temperature at a predetermined time; measuring operational characteristics of said HVAC system; calculating a new set of building characteristic data from said measured operational characteristics for storage in place of the previously-stored set of building characteristic data; predicting future values of said thermal performance properties from said estimated values; and generating an alarm indication if values predicted for a given time differ from values estimated for said given time by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of controlling operation of a building HVAC system comprising the iteratively-performed steps of: storing a set of building characteristic data; determining temperature inside of said building; determining temperature outside of said building; estimating values of thermal performance properties of said building using said building characteristic data and said determined inside and outside temperatures; controlling the operation of said HVAC system using said thermal performance properties to bring the interior temperature of said building to a pre-set temperature at a predetermined time; measuring operational characteristics of said HVAC system; calculating a new set of building characteristic data from said measured operational characteristics for storage in place of the previously-stored set of building characteristic data; predicting future values of said thermal performance properties from said estimated values; and generating an alarm indication if values predicted for a given time differ from values estimated for said given time by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the step of generating comprises the step of: generating an alarm indication if a sum of differences between predicted and estimated values for different given times exceeds a predetermined amount.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 43 wherein the step of estimating comprises the step of: estimating values of thermal performance properties representing time-rate-of-change of heat gain or loss of thermal mass of said building, rate of heat transfer of said building to a surrounding environment, and thermal input to said building provided by said HVAC system.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
117 words
The method of claim 45 wherein the step of estimating comprises the steps of: estimating from said determined temperatures a ratio of (a) said thermal input to said building provided by said HVAC system and (b) said rate of heat transfer of said building to said surrounding environment multiplied by a difference of said determined interior and outside temperatures; and estimating from said determined temperatures a ratio of (a) said rate of heat transfer of said building to said surrounding environment multiplied by said difference of said determined interior and outside temperatures and (b) said time-rate-of-change of heat gain or loss of said thermal mass of said building multiplied by a rate-of-change of said determined interior temperature.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-29 | 1997-07-31 | 1998-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-29 | 2001-07-31 | 2002-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |