US6478233B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal comfort controller having an integral energy savings estimator
Assignee: Nokia Oyj
•
Filing: 2000-12-29
•
Granted: 2002-11-12
•
Expires: 2020-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A thermal comfort controller using various recovery methods to change the indoor temperature to meet set points in a setup/setback schedule to maintain thermal comfort for occupants of an enclosure. The thermal comfort controller further comprising an apparatus to determine the expected energy savings when modifying the setup/setback schedule for the enclosure in which the temperature controller is used. The energy savings information may be displayed to the enclosure occupant for further consideration.
Inventors
- 👤 Dipak J. Shah
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:32
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1902; G05D23/1904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for cooperating with a thermal comfort controller having an indoor temperature sensor providing an indoor temperature signal encoding an indoor dry-bulb temperature, and which controls the operation of a climate control system to maintain an indoor temperature based upon a preprogrammed setup/setback schedule, the apparatus for further providing an accurate estimate of energy savings, said apparatus comprising: an outdoor temperature sensor providing an outdoor temperature signal encoding an outdoor dry-bulb temperature; and a calculator receiving an indoor temperature signal from the indoor temperature sensor which encodes the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature signal, the preprogrammed setup/setback schedule from a thermal comfort controller memory, and a second indoor temperature set point from the thermal comfort controller, for computing a potential energy savings if the thermal comfort controller uses the second indoor temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for cooperating with a thermal comfort controller having an indoor temperature sensor providing an indoor temperature signal encoding an indoor dry-bulb temperature, and which controls the operation of a climate control system to maintain an indoor temperature based upon a preprogrammed setup/setback schedule, the apparatus for further providing an accurate estimate of energy savings, said apparatus comprising: an outdoor temperature sensor providing an outdoor temperature signal encoding an outdoor dry-bulb temperature; and a calculator receiving an indoor temperature signal from the indoor temperature sensor which encodes the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature signal, the preprogrammed setup/setback schedule from a thermal comfort controller memory, and a second indoor temperature set point from the thermal comfort controller, for computing a potential energy savings if the thermal comfort controller uses the second indoor temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second indoor temperature is entered at the thermal comfort controller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the climate control system is any one of the group consisting of a furnace, air conditioner, heat pump, and fan coil unit.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
282 words
An apparatus for cooperating with a thermal comfort controller having an indoor temperature sensor, a user display, and which controls the operation of a climate control system to maintain an indoor temperature based upon a preprogrammed setup/setback schedule, the apparatus for further providing an accurate estimate of energy savings, said apparatus comprising: an outdoor temperature sensor providing an outdoor temperature signal encoding an outdoor temperature; a calculator receiving an indoor temperature signal from the indoor temperature sensor which encodes the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature signal, the preprogrammed setup/setback schedule from a thermal comfort controller memory, and another setup/setback schedule from the thermal comfort controller, wherein both setup/setback schedules comprise at least one indoor temperature set point, for computing an amount of energy savings if the thermal comfort controller uses the said another setup/setback schedule; wherein the amount of energy savings is determined by: determining the amount of energy required to maintain the enclosure at said at least one indoor temperature set point for both setup/setback schedules; determining the amount of energy required to recover from an energy savings set point temperature to the sensed indoor temperature; determining the amount of energy required to recover from an energy savings set point temperature to said at least one indoor temperature set point of said another setup/setback schedule; and comparing the amount of energy required to maintain the enclosure at both setup/setback schedules, and the amount of energy required to recover from an energy savings set point temperature to the sensed indoor temperature and to said at least one indoor temperature set point in said another setup/setback schedule; and wherein the amount of energy savings is displayed on the thermal comfort controller display.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
282 words
An apparatus for cooperating with a thermal comfort controller having an indoor temperature sensor, a user display, and which controls the operation of a climate control system to maintain an indoor temperature based upon a preprogrammed setup/setback schedule, the apparatus for further providing an accurate estimate of energy savings, said apparatus comprising: an outdoor temperature sensor providing an outdoor temperature signal encoding an outdoor temperature; a calculator receiving an indoor temperature signal from the indoor temperature sensor which encodes the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature signal, the preprogrammed setup/setback schedule from a thermal comfort controller memory, and another setup/setback schedule from the thermal comfort controller, wherein both setup/setback schedules comprise at least one indoor temperature set point, for computing an amount of energy savings if the thermal comfort controller uses the said another setup/setback schedule; wherein the amount of energy savings is determined by: determining the amount of energy required to maintain the enclosure at said at least one indoor temperature set point for both setup/setback schedules; determining the amount of energy required to recover from an energy savings set point temperature to the sensed indoor temperature; determining the amount of energy required to recover from an energy savings set point temperature to said at least one indoor temperature set point of said another setup/setback schedule; and comparing the amount of energy required to maintain the enclosure at both setup/setback schedules, and the amount of energy required to recover from an energy savings set point temperature to the sensed indoor temperature and to said at least one indoor temperature set point in said another setup/setback schedule; and wherein the amount of energy savings is displayed on the thermal comfort controller display.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
191 words
An apparatus for cooperating with a thermal comfort controller having an indoor temperature sensor, a user display, and which controls the operation of a climate control system to maintain an indoor temperature based upon a preprogrammed setup/setback schedule, the apparatus for further providing an accurate estimate of energy savings, said apparatus comprising: an outdoor temperature sensor providing an outdoor temperature signal encoding an outdoor dry-bulb temperature; a calculator receiving an indoor temperature signal from the indoor temperature sensor which encodes the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature signal, the preprogrammed setup/setback schedule from a thermal comfort controller memory, and a second indoor temperature from the thermal comfort controller, for computing a percentage of potential energy savings if the thermal comfort controller uses the second indoor temperature; wherein the percentage energy savings is determined by a first value determined by the first indoor dry-bulb temperature minus the second indoor temperature, the first value divided by a second value determined by the first indoor dry-bulb temperature minus the outdoor dry-bulb temperature, and the resulting fraction multiplied by 100; and wherein the percentage of energy savings is displayed on the thermal comfort controller display.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
191 words
An apparatus for cooperating with a thermal comfort controller having an indoor temperature sensor, a user display, and which controls the operation of a climate control system to maintain an indoor temperature based upon a preprogrammed setup/setback schedule, the apparatus for further providing an accurate estimate of energy savings, said apparatus comprising: an outdoor temperature sensor providing an outdoor temperature signal encoding an outdoor dry-bulb temperature; a calculator receiving an indoor temperature signal from the indoor temperature sensor which encodes the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature signal, the preprogrammed setup/setback schedule from a thermal comfort controller memory, and a second indoor temperature from the thermal comfort controller, for computing a percentage of potential energy savings if the thermal comfort controller uses the second indoor temperature; wherein the percentage energy savings is determined by a first value determined by the first indoor dry-bulb temperature minus the second indoor temperature, the first value divided by a second value determined by the first indoor dry-bulb temperature minus the outdoor dry-bulb temperature, and the resulting fraction multiplied by 100; and wherein the percentage of energy savings is displayed on the thermal comfort controller display.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
A thermal comfort controller, including: an outdoor temperature sensor providing an outdoor temperature signal encoding an outdoor dry-bulb temperature; an indoor temperature sensor providing an indoor temperature signal encoding an indoor dry-bulb temperature value; a memory storing a preprogrammed setup/setback schedule and a new indoor temperature set point entered into said thermal comfort controller; and a calculator receiving the indoor and outdoor temperature signals, the preprogrammed setup/setback schedule and entered new indoor temperature set point for computing a percentage of potential energy savings using the second indoor temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
A thermal comfort controller, including: an outdoor temperature sensor providing an outdoor temperature signal encoding an outdoor dry-bulb temperature; an indoor temperature sensor providing an indoor temperature signal encoding an indoor dry-bulb temperature value; a memory storing a preprogrammed setup/setback schedule and a new indoor temperature set point entered into said thermal comfort controller; and a calculator receiving the indoor and outdoor temperature signals, the preprogrammed setup/setback schedule and entered new indoor temperature set point for computing a percentage of potential energy savings using the second indoor temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
A thermostat comprising: an outdoor temperature sensor providing an outdoor temperature signal encoding an outdoor temperature; an indoor temperature sensor providing an indoor air temperature signal encoding an indoor temperature value; and a calculator receiving the indoor and outdoor air temperature signals, an entered preprogrammed setup/setback schedule and an entered indoor temperature, for computing a potential energy savings using the entered indoor temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
A thermostat comprising: an outdoor temperature sensor providing an outdoor temperature signal encoding an outdoor temperature; an indoor temperature sensor providing an indoor air temperature signal encoding an indoor temperature value; and a calculator receiving the indoor and outdoor air temperature signals, an entered preprogrammed setup/setback schedule and an entered indoor temperature, for computing a potential energy savings using the entered indoor temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The thermostat of claim 7 , wherein the preprogrammed setup/setback schedule and entered indoor temperature are stored in a memory in the thermostat.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The thermostat of claim 8 , wherein the entered indoor temperature is input into the thermostat by a user.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The thermostat of claim 7 , further comprising a display for presentation of the computed potential energy savings.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the thermostat is operatively attached to any one of the group consisting of a furnace, air conditioner, heat pump, and fan coil unit.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of estimating the amount energy saved by a modification of a setup/setback schedule of a thermostat controlling the temperature within a structure, comprising: providing a preprogrammed setup/setback schedule; sensing a indoor temperature; sensing an outdoor temperature; entering a proposal indoor temperature; calculating the energy savings; and presenting the energy savings to a thermostat user.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of estimating the amount energy saved by a modification of a setup/setback schedule of a thermostat controlling the temperature within a structure, comprising: providing a preprogrammed setup/setback schedule; sensing a indoor temperature; sensing an outdoor temperature; entering a proposal indoor temperature; calculating the energy savings; and presenting the energy savings to a thermostat user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the energy savings is calculated by: determining a first value by the indoor temperature minus said proposed indoor temperature; determining a fraction by the first value divided by a second value determined by the indoor temperature minus the outdoor temperature; and multiplying the fraction by 100.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
118 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the energy savings is calculated by: determining the amount of energy required to maintain the enclosure at the sensed indoor temperature and at said proposed indoor temperature; determining the amount of energy required to recover from an energy savings set point temperature to the sensed indoor temperature; determining the amount of energy required to recover from an energy savings set point temperature to said another indoor temperature; and comparing the amount of energy required to maintain the enclosure at the sensed indoor temperature and another indoor temperature, and the amount of energy required to recover from an energy savings set point temperature to the sensed indoor temperature and another indoor temperature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising calculating the energy savings for a plurality of proposed indoor temperatures.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the step of calculating the energy savings comprises comparing the heat loss for the structure at the preprogrammed indoor temperature and the proposed indoor temperature.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the step of calculating the energy savings comprises calculating the amount of energy required to maintain the structure at the preprogrammed indoor temperature and calculating the amount of energy required to maintain the structure at the proposed indoor temperature, and comparing the two energy calculations to determine energy savings.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the calculations of energy is accomplished over predetermined periods of time.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the proposed indoor temperature includes a proposed indoor setup/setback schedule.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-11-11 | 2006-05-13 | 2006-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-11 | 2010-05-13 | 2010-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-11 | 2014-05-13 | 2014-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |