US7163156B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for zone heating and cooling
Assignee: Google LLC
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Filing: 2004-10-06
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Granted: 2007-01-16
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Expires: 2024-10-06
Abstract
Abstract An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence Kates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 02:07
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/50; F24F11/56; F24F11/58; F24F11/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for zoned temperature control comprising: a first zone thermostat to measure a temperature of a first zone; a second zone thermostat to measure a temperature of a second zone; a first ECRV configured to vent air from a duct into said first zone; a second ECRV configured to vent air from said duct into said second zone; and a central system; said central system configured to obtain a first setpoint temperature and a first current zone temperature from said first zone thermostat, to obtain a second setpoint temperature and a second current zone temperature from said second zone thermostat, and to compute a first vent opening amount for said first ECRV and a second vent opening amount for said second ECRV according to said first and second current zone temperatures, said first and second setpoint temperatures, an amount of available air from said duct, a temperature of air in said duct, and a priority of said first zone relative to said second zone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for zoned temperature control comprising: a first zone thermostat to measure a temperature of a first zone; a second zone thermostat to measure a temperature of a second zone; a first ECRV configured to vent air from a duct into said first zone; a second ECRV configured to vent air from said duct into said second zone; and a central system; said central system configured to obtain a first setpoint temperature and a first current zone temperature from said first zone thermostat, to obtain a second setpoint temperature and a second current zone temperature from said second zone thermostat, and to compute a first vent opening amount for said first ECRV and a second vent opening amount for said second ECRV according to said first and second current zone temperatures, said first and second setpoint temperatures, an amount of available air from said duct, a temperature of air in said duct, and a priority of said first zone relative to said second zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 , said first ECRV comprising an airflow sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 , said first ECRV comprising a differential pressure sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 , said first ECRV comprising an air velocity sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 , said first ECRV comprising an auxiliary power source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 , said first ECRV comprising a humidity sensor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 , said first ECRV comprising a fan.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said first ECRV is configured to transmit sensor data to said central system according to a threshold test.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein said threshold test comprises a high threshold level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein said threshold test comprises a low threshold level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein said threshold test comprises an inner threshold range.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein said threshold test comprises an outer threshold range.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said first ECRV is configured to receive an instruction from said central system to change a status reporting interval.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said first ECRV is configured to receive an instruction from said central system to change a sensor data reporting interval.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said first zone thermostat is configured to report a temperature slope to said central system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said first ECRV includes a mechanical actuator is configured to change an opening of a curtain.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein said actuator is provided to change an angle of one or more vanes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein said actuator is provided to change an opening of a curtain.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein said actuator is configured to change a direction of one or more diverters.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said central system communicates with said first and second zone thermostats using wireless communication.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said central system communicates with said first and second zone thermostats and said first and second ECRV using wireless communication.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 21 , wherein said wireless communication comprises radio-frequency communication.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 21 , wherein said wireless communication comprises frequency hopping.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 21 , wherein said wireless communication comprises a 900 megahertz band.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said first ECRV comprises a visual indicator to indicate a low-power condition.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said central system uses a predictive model to compute said first vent opening amount and said second vent opening amount.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein said predictive model is configured to reduce power consumption by said first ECRV and said second ECRV.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein said predictive model is configured to reduce movement of a first actuator in said first ECRV.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein said predictive model comprises a neural network.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said first ECRV includes a fan and wherein said first ECRV is responsive to instructions from said central controller to provide power to said fan.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said first ECRV includes a fan and wherein said first ECRV is configured to use said fan as a generator.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said first zone thermostat is configured to report data to said central system in response to one or more instructions from said central system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said first zone thermostat is configured to report data to said central system at regular intervals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2010-01-15 | 2010-07-17 | 2011-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-01-15 | 2014-07-17 | 2015-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-01-15 | 2018-07-17 | 2019-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |