US6975958B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Profile based method for deriving a temperature setpoint using a ‘delta’ based on cross-indexing a received price-point level signal
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 2003-04-30
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Granted: 2005-12-13
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Expires: 2023-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A method for adjusting a plurality of controlled subsystems in a building or plant that facilitates cooperative energy usage with a utility provider. By referring to a single profile of adjustments that correspond to changes in the value of a utility signal and distributing this to each relevant controller for each subsystem, a single setback delta can be applied to each subsystem for each change in utility signal value (i.e., pricing information). Alternatively, multiple profiles can be used to provide for firmer control and thereby allow for different zones to respond differently to a single change signal sent by the utility provider.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip J. Bohrer
- 👤 Gregory J. Merten
- 👤 Robert J. Schnell
- 👤 Michael B. Atlass
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:18
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/46; F24F11/62; G; G01; G01K; G01K17/00; G01K17/06; G05; G05B; G05B15/00; G05B15/02; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1919; G05D23/1923; G06; G06Q; G06Q50/00; G06Q50/06; F24F11/47; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/26; G05B2219/2639
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for controlling an environmental control system, wherein the environmental control system controls one or more envirornmental conditions of an inside space of a user's facility/home/building in accordance with one or more setpoints, the method comprising the steps of: establishing communication with the environmental control system from a utility remote from the user's facility/home/building; and sending one or more setpoint commands from the utility, the one or more setpoint commands providing one or more setpoint indicators for use in determining the one or more setpoints that are to be used by the environmental control system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for controlling an environmental control system, wherein the environmental control system controls one or more envirornmental conditions of an inside space of a user's facility/home/building in accordance with one or more setpoints, the method comprising the steps of: establishing communication with the environmental control system from a utility remote from the user's facility/home/building; and sending one or more setpoint commands from the utility, the one or more setpoint commands providing one or more setpoint indicators for use in determining the one or more setpoints that are to be used by the environmental control system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the one or more setpoint indicators provided by the one or more setpoint commands are actual setpoints.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the one or more setpoint indicators provided by the one or more setpoint commands are setpoint offsets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the environmental control system includes an interface, the interface helping to establish communication between the environmental control system and the utility.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein communication is established at least partially over a power line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein communication is established at least partially over a telephone line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein communication is established at least partially over an RF link.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein communication is established at least partially over a coaxial cable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
194 words
A controller for an environmental control system serviced by a utility having a load that includes a higher load period and a lower load period, wherein the controller accesses one or more setpoints and controls the environmental control system such that one or more environmental conditions of an inside space of a user's facility/home/building are maintained in accordance with the one or more setpoints, the controller comprising: a communications unit adapted to receive one or more setpoint commands from a location that is remote from the user's facility/home/building, the one or more setpoint commands providing one or more setpoint indicators for use in determining one or more new setpoints that are to be used by the environmental control system, wherein the one or more setpoint commands are selected to help reduce the load on the utility during a higher load period; and a controller for accessing the one or more setpoint indicators and for controlling the environmental control system such that the one or more environmental conditions of the inside space of the user's facility/home/building are maintained in accordance with the one or more new setpoints during a higher load period of the utility.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
194 words
A controller for an environmental control system serviced by a utility having a load that includes a higher load period and a lower load period, wherein the controller accesses one or more setpoints and controls the environmental control system such that one or more environmental conditions of an inside space of a user's facility/home/building are maintained in accordance with the one or more setpoints, the controller comprising: a communications unit adapted to receive one or more setpoint commands from a location that is remote from the user's facility/home/building, the one or more setpoint commands providing one or more setpoint indicators for use in determining one or more new setpoints that are to be used by the environmental control system, wherein the one or more setpoint commands are selected to help reduce the load on the utility during a higher load period; and a controller for accessing the one or more setpoint indicators and for controlling the environmental control system such that the one or more environmental conditions of the inside space of the user's facility/home/building are maintained in accordance with the one or more new setpoints during a higher load period of the utility.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A controller according to claim 9 wherein the one or more setpoint indicators provided by the one or more setpoint commands are actual setpoints.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A controller according to claim 9 wherein the one or more setpoint indicators provided by the one or more setpoint commands are setpoint offsets.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A controller according to claim 9 wherein the location remote from the user's facility/home/building is a utility.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for controlling an environmental control system, wherein the environmental control system controls one or more environmental conditions of an inside space of a user's facility/home/building using one or more setpoints and one or more offsets, the method comprising the steps of: establishing communication with the environmental control system from a location that is remote from the user's facility/home/building; sending one or more energy price related signals to the environmental control system: and sending one or more offset commands to the environmental control system, the one or more offset commands providing one or more offsets to the environmental control system, the environmental control system using the one or more offsets to calculate new setpoints in response to the one or more energy price related signals.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for controlling an environmental control system, wherein the environmental control system controls one or more environmental conditions of an inside space of a user's facility/home/building using one or more setpoints and one or more offsets, the method comprising the steps of: establishing communication with the environmental control system from a location that is remote from the user's facility/home/building; sending one or more energy price related signals to the environmental control system: and sending one or more offset commands to the environmental control system, the one or more offset commands providing one or more offsets to the environmental control system, the environmental control system using the one or more offsets to calculate new setpoints in response to the one or more energy price related signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein the location remote from the user's facility/home/building is a utility.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
149 words
A controller for an environmental control system, wherein the controller accesses one or more setpoints and controls the environmental control system such that one or more environmental conditions of an inside space of a user's facility/home/building are maintained in accordance with the one or more setpoints, the environmental control system further receiving one or more energy price related signals from a utility, the controller comprising: a communications unit adapted to receive one or more offset commands from a location that is remote from the user's facility/home/building, the one or more offset commands providing one or more setpoint offsets, each corresponding to a energy price related signal; and a controller for receiving the one or more setpoint offsets, and for calculating one or more setpoints for the environmental control system using the one or more setpoint offsets and the one or more energy price related signals provided by the utility.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
149 words
A controller for an environmental control system, wherein the controller accesses one or more setpoints and controls the environmental control system such that one or more environmental conditions of an inside space of a user's facility/home/building are maintained in accordance with the one or more setpoints, the environmental control system further receiving one or more energy price related signals from a utility, the controller comprising: a communications unit adapted to receive one or more offset commands from a location that is remote from the user's facility/home/building, the one or more offset commands providing one or more setpoint offsets, each corresponding to a energy price related signal; and a controller for receiving the one or more setpoint offsets, and for calculating one or more setpoints for the environmental control system using the one or more setpoint offsets and the one or more energy price related signals provided by the utility.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A controller according to claim 15 wherein the controller selects the one or more setpoint offsets that correspond to the energy price related signal received from the utility.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for controlling an environmental control system for a user's facility/home/building, the method comprising the steps of: storing one or more setpoint indicators at a location that is remote and separate from the user's facility/home/building, establishing communications with the environmental control system and providing at least selected setpoint indicators to the environmental control system; and operating the environmental control system to control one or more environmental conditions of an inside space of the user's facility/home/building in accordance with one or more setpoints, wherein the one or more setpoints are based on the selected setpoint indicators.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for controlling an environmental control system for a user's facility/home/building, the method comprising the steps of: storing one or more setpoint indicators at a location that is remote and separate from the user's facility/home/building, establishing communications with the environmental control system and providing at least selected setpoint indicators to the environmental control system; and operating the environmental control system to control one or more environmental conditions of an inside space of the user's facility/home/building in accordance with one or more setpoints, wherein the one or more setpoints are based on the selected setpoint indicators.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the one or more setpoint indicators are actual setpoints.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the one or more setpoint indicators are setpoint offsets.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the one or more setpoint indicators include both actual setpoints and setpoint offsets.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the one or more setpoint indicators are stored in a database.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of allowing a user to change the one or more setpoint indicators stored in the database.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for controlling an environmental control system, wherein the environmental control system controls one or more environmental conditions of an inside space of a user's facility/home/building having two or more zones in accordance with one or more setpoints, the method comprising the steps of: establishing communication with the environmental control system from a location that is remote and separate from the user's facility/home/building; and sending one or more setpoint commands from the remote location, the one or more setpoint commands providing one or more setpoint indicators for use in determining the one or more setpoints that are to be used by the environmental control system in each of the zones of the inside space.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for controlling an environmental control system, wherein the environmental control system controls one or more environmental conditions of an inside space of a user's facility/home/building having two or more zones in accordance with one or more setpoints, the method comprising the steps of: establishing communication with the environmental control system from a location that is remote and separate from the user's facility/home/building; and sending one or more setpoint commands from the remote location, the one or more setpoint commands providing one or more setpoint indicators for use in determining the one or more setpoints that are to be used by the environmental control system in each of the zones of the inside space.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein the one or more setpoint indicators provided by the one or more setpoint commands are actual setpoints for at least two zones of the inside space.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein the one or more setpoint indicators provided by the one or more setpoint commands are setpoint offsets for at least two zones of the inside space.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein each of the setpoint offsets corresponds to a particular energy price related level determined by a utility.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein the location remote from the user's facility/home/building is a utility.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
83 words
A controller for an environmental control system that has two or more zones, the controller comprising: a communications unit adapted to receive one or more energy price related signals provided by a utility designating one or more energy price related levels; and a controller for controlling the environmental control system such that one or more environmental conditions in each zone are maintained in accordance with one or more setpoints, wherein the one or more setpoints correspond to a designated energy price related level.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
83 words
A controller for an environmental control system that has two or more zones, the controller comprising: a communications unit adapted to receive one or more energy price related signals provided by a utility designating one or more energy price related levels; and a controller for controlling the environmental control system such that one or more environmental conditions in each zone are maintained in accordance with one or more setpoints, wherein the one or more setpoints correspond to a designated energy price related level.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
49 words
A controller according to claim 28 wherein the controller includes a memory for storing one or more setpoint profiles for each zone, at least one setpoint profile for each of at least two zones designating at least one setpoint for each of at least two energy price related levels.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
A controller according to claim 28 wherein the one or more setpoints for each zone that correspond to a designated energy price related level are different for at least two zones.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
124 words
A controller for an environmental control system that has two or more zones, the controller comprising: a communications unit adapted to receive one or more energy price related signals provided by a utility designating one or more energy price related levels; a memory for storing one or more setpoint profiles for each zone, at least one setpoint profile for two or more zones including at least one offset for each of at least two energy price related levels; and a controller for controlling the environmental control system such that one or more environmental conditions in each zone are maintained in accordance with the corresponding one or more setpoints, as well as the corresponding at least one offset for the designated energy price related level.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
124 words
A controller for an environmental control system that has two or more zones, the controller comprising: a communications unit adapted to receive one or more energy price related signals provided by a utility designating one or more energy price related levels; a memory for storing one or more setpoint profiles for each zone, at least one setpoint profile for two or more zones including at least one offset for each of at least two energy price related levels; and a controller for controlling the environmental control system such that one or more environmental conditions in each zone are maintained in accordance with the corresponding one or more setpoints, as well as the corresponding at least one offset for the designated energy price related level.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
136 words
A controller for controlling two or more appliances in a user's facility/home/building, the controller receiving one or more energy price related signals from a utility that select one of at least two different energy price related levels, the controller comprising: a communications unit adapted to receive the one or more energy price related signals provided by the utility; and a memory for storing one or more setpoint profiles for each appliance, at least one setpoint profile for selected appliances including at least one offset for each of at least two energy price related levels; and a controller for controlling the two or more appliances such that each appliance is maintained in accordance with the corresponding one or more setpoints, as well as the corresponding at least one offset for the currently designated energy price related level.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
136 words
A controller for controlling two or more appliances in a user's facility/home/building, the controller receiving one or more energy price related signals from a utility that select one of at least two different energy price related levels, the controller comprising: a communications unit adapted to receive the one or more energy price related signals provided by the utility; and a memory for storing one or more setpoint profiles for each appliance, at least one setpoint profile for selected appliances including at least one offset for each of at least two energy price related levels; and a controller for controlling the two or more appliances such that each appliance is maintained in accordance with the corresponding one or more setpoints, as well as the corresponding at least one offset for the currently designated energy price related level.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
A controller according to claim 32 wherein at least one of the appliances is an environmental control system.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
A controller according to claim 32 wherein at least one of the appliances is a water heater.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for controlling a control system, wherein the control system controls one or more conditions in accordance with one or more setpoints, the method comprising the steps of: providing one or more offsets, wherein each offset corresponds to a energy price related level designated by a utility; selecting an offset that corresponds to a current energy price related level; and changing the one or more setpoints used by the control system based on the selected offset.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for controlling a control system, wherein the control system controls one or more conditions in accordance with one or more setpoints, the method comprising the steps of: providing one or more offsets, wherein each offset corresponds to a energy price related level designated by a utility; selecting an offset that corresponds to a current energy price related level; and changing the one or more setpoints used by the control system based on the selected offset.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 35 wherein the one or more setpoints are changed in response to a change in the energy price related level.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 35 wherein the one or more setpoints are user-defined.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 35 wherein the one or more offsets are user defined.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 35 wherein the one or more setpoints are at least partially utility-defined.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 35 wherein the one or more offsets are at least partially utility-defined.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-12-12 | 2009-06-13 | 2009-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-12-12 | 2013-06-13 | 2013-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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