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WO2012037291A2 - Structure de services d'utilité publique polyvalente - Google Patents

Structure de services d'utilité publique polyvalente Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012037291A2
WO2012037291A2 PCT/US2011/051652 US2011051652W WO2012037291A2 WO 2012037291 A2 WO2012037291 A2 WO 2012037291A2 US 2011051652 W US2011051652 W US 2011051652W WO 2012037291 A2 WO2012037291 A2 WO 2012037291A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
air
utility structure
heat
utility
temperature
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2011/051652
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2012037291A3 (fr
Inventor
Mark Snyder
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Global Solar Water and Power Systems Inc
Original Assignee
Global Solar Water and Power Systems Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Global Solar Water and Power Systems Inc filed Critical Global Solar Water and Power Systems Inc
Publication of WO2012037291A2 publication Critical patent/WO2012037291A2/fr
Priority to US13/830,167 priority Critical patent/US20130199516A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Publication of WO2012037291A3 publication Critical patent/WO2012037291A3/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H1/00—Buildings or groups of buildings for dwelling or office purposes; General layout, e.g. modular co-ordination or staggered storeys
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D5/00—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems
    • F24D5/02—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems operating with discharge of hot air into the space or area to be heated
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D11/00—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses
    • F24D11/002—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses water heating system
    • F24D11/003—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses water heating system combined with solar energy
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D11/00—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses
    • F24D11/002—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses water heating system
    • F24D11/004—Central heating systems using heat accumulated in storage masses water heating system with conventional supplementary heat source
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D12/00—Other central heating systems
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D15/00—Other domestic- or space-heating systems
    • F24D15/02—Other domestic- or space-heating systems consisting of self-contained heating units, e.g. storage heaters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D15/00—Other domestic- or space-heating systems
    • F24D15/04—Other domestic- or space-heating systems using heat pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D18/00—Small-scale combined heat and power [CHP] generation systems specially adapted for domestic heating, space heating or domestic hot-water supply
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D3/00—Hot-water central heating systems
    • F24D3/08—Hot-water central heating systems in combination with systems for domestic hot-water supply
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D5/00—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems
    • F24D5/12—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems using heat pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S10/00—Solar heat collectors using working fluids
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
    • F24S20/60—Solar heat collectors integrated in fixed constructions, e.g. in buildings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/10—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules extending in directions away from a supporting surface
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S50/00—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors
    • F24S50/20—Arrangements for controlling solar heat collectors for tracking
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2101/00—Electric generators of small-scale CHP systems
    • F24D2101/20—Wind turbines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2101/00—Electric generators of small-scale CHP systems
    • F24D2101/40—Photovoltaic [PV] modules
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/02—Photovoltaic energy
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/04—Gas or oil fired boiler
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/08—Electric heater
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/12—Heat pump
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D2200/00—Heat sources or energy sources
    • F24D2200/14—Solar energy
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24D—DOMESTIC- OR SPACE-HEATING SYSTEMS, e.g. CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS; DOMESTIC HOT-WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; ELEMENTS OR COMPONENTS THEREFOR
    • F24D5/00—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems
    • F24D5/02—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems operating with discharge of hot air into the space or area to be heated
    • F24D5/04—Hot-air central heating systems; Exhaust gas central heating systems operating with discharge of hot air into the space or area to be heated with return of the air or the air-heater
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24H—FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEAT-GENERATING MEANS, e.g. HEAT PUMPS, IN GENERAL
    • F24H2240/00—Fluid heaters having electrical generators
    • F24H2240/01—Batteries, electrical energy storage device
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/20—Solar thermal
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/70—Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/13—Hot air central heating systems using heat pumps
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y02E10/44—Heat exchange systems
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking

Definitions

  • Embodiments disclosed herein relate to utility structures. More specifically, certain embodiments concern self contained utility structures that are configured to provide, for example, one or more of heating ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”), hot water, wireless communication capabilities, and/or electric power to one or more structures.
  • HVAC heating ventilation and air conditioning
  • a utility structure can be configured to provide at least one utility capability to at least one other structure.
  • the utility structure can include, for example, one or more of a housing, an electric power generation system that provides electric power, a control board disposed within the housing that receives electric power from the electric power generation system, a first fluid storage tank disposed within the housing, a fluid heating system that receives fluid from the first fluid storage tank and adds thermal energy to the fluid, and a chase that connects the housing to the at least one other structure.
  • the housing can be a shed, for example.
  • the housing can be a floor that is mountable to a foundation, for example.
  • the housing can be, for example, a floor that is mountable to a wheeled chassis.
  • the housing can include, for example, at least one vent.
  • the vent can be a bi-metal vent, for example.
  • the utility structure can further include, for example, a fluid capture system.
  • the fluid capture system can include, for example, a gutter that receives precipitation from a roof of the housing.
  • the fluid capture system can include, for example, a downspout that receives precipitation from the gutter.
  • the downspout can direct precipitation away from the gutter, for example.
  • the downspout can direct precipitation, for example, to the fluid storage tank.
  • at least a portion of the downspout may be disposed outside of the housing, for example.
  • the utility structure can include, for example, a fluid filtration system disposed between the downspout and the first fluid storage tank.
  • the utility structure can further include a second fluid storage tank configured to receive precipitation from the downspout, for example.
  • at least a portion of the second fluid storage tank can be, for example, disposed outside of the housing.
  • the fluid heating system can include, for example, a heated fluid storage tank. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the heated fluid storage tank can be disposed within the housing, for example. In some embodiments, the fluid heating system can include, for example, at least one solar hot water panel that receives fluid from the heated fluid storage tank. In some embodiments, the fluid heating system can include, for example, at least one solar hot water panel that receives thermal energy from sunlight. In some embodiments, the fluid heating system can include, for example, at least one solar hot water panel that transfers the received thermal energy to the fluid received from the heated fluid storage tank to heat the received fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid heating system can include at least one solar hot water panel that returns the heated fluid to the heated fluid storage tank, for example.
  • the fluid heating system can include, for example, an electrical coil disposed at least partially within the heated fluid storage tank.
  • the electrical coil can receive, for example, electric power from the control board to add thermal energy to fluid disposed within the heated fluid storage tank.
  • the electric power generation system can include, for example, at least one solar panel.
  • the at least one solar panel can be located outside of the housing, for example.
  • the at least one solar panel can be electrically coupled to the control board, for example.
  • the at least one solar panel can be disposed, for example, on a mast configured to offset the at least one solar panel from a ground surface.
  • the electric power generation system can include, for example, at least one wind turbine. In some embodiments, the electric power generation system can include, for example, a geothermal system. In some embodiments, the electric power generation system can include, for example, a hydroelectric system. In some embodiments, the hydroelectric system can include a mini-hydroelectric system, for example.
  • control board can include, for example, one or more of an inverter, a direct current disconnect, a high voltage charge controller, and the like.
  • the utility structure can include, for example, an energy storage system that can receive electric power from the control board.
  • the energy storage system can include a battery, a plurality of batteries, etc.
  • the utility structure can include, for example, a communication system.
  • the communication system can include, for example, one or more of a satellite receiver a Wi-Fi transmitter, a signal repeater, and the like.
  • the utility structure can include, for example, a solar hot air module disposed at least partially within the housing.
  • the solar hot air module can include, for example, a solar module that can receive thermal energy from sunlight incident on the solar module and a solar panel disposed over the solar module, wherein the solar panel can transfer the received thermal energy to air within the panel.
  • the solar module can be disposed, for example, at least partially outside of the housing.
  • the solar panel can include, for example, a fan configured to draw air from outside the panel into the panel.
  • the solar panel can include, for example, a vent configured to exhaust air from the panel.
  • the utility structure can include, for example, a thermal hot air matrix that can receive heated fluid from the fluid heating system.
  • the matrix can transfer thermal energy from the heated fluid to air, for example.
  • the thermal hot air matrix can be disposed at least partially within the housing, for example.
  • the thermal hot air matrix can include, for example, a fan configured to direct the air in one or more directions.
  • the utility structure can include a bathroom module, for example.
  • the bathroom module can be, for example, disposed at least partially within the housing, at least partially outside of the housing, etc.
  • the bathroom module can include, for example, a sink and a shower, and in some aspects, the sink and shower can receive fluid from the first fluid storage tank, for example.
  • the sink and shower can, for example, receive fluid from the fluid heating system.
  • the chase can include a first conduit that, for example, can fluidly couple the first fluid storage tank to the at least one other structure.
  • the first conduit for example, can fluidly couple the fluid heating system to the at least one other structure.
  • the first conduit can include, for example, a pipe.
  • the chase can include, for example, an electrical connection that can electrically couple the control board to the at least one other structure.
  • the chase can include a second conduit that can fluidly couple the housing to the at least one other structure.
  • the second conduit can include a duct, for example.
  • Some embodiments include a method of transferring a gas or fluid such as, for example, air from a first structure to a second structure.
  • This method can include, for example, disposing a fluid storage tank in the first structure and fluidly coupling the heated fluid storage tank to a fluid heating system.
  • the fluid heating system can include, for example, at least one solar hot water panel that can receive thermal energy from sunlight.
  • the method of transferring air from a first structure to a second structure can include, for example, one or more of transferring received thermal energy from the solar hot water panel to fluid received from the fluid storage tank to heat the fluid, directing the heated fluid to a heated fluid storage tank, directing fluid from the heated fluid storage tank to a thermal hot air matrix, directing air over the thermal hot air matrix to transfer thermal energy from the fluid within the thermal hot air matrix to the air to heat the air, and transferring the heated air from the first structure to the second structure.
  • the method of transferring air from a first structure to a second structure can include, for example, one or more of providing a solar hot air module that can transfer thermal energy from sunlight to air disposed within a panel of the solar hot air module, and directing air from the panel to the second structure.
  • Figure 1 schematically illustrates a top view of a non limiting example of a utility structure coupled to another structure.
  • Figure 2 schematically illustrates a front perspective view of a non limiting example of the utility structure of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 schematically illustrates a rear perspective view of a non limiting example of the utility structure of Figure 1.
  • Figure 4A schematically illustrates a floor plan of one embodiment of a non limiting example of a utility structure.
  • Figure 4B schematically illustrates a floor plan of one embodiment of a non limiting example of a utility structure.
  • Figure 4C schematically illustrates a floor plan of one embodiment of a non limiting example of a utility structure.
  • Figure 4D schematically illustrates a floor plan of one embodiment of a non limiting example of a bathroom module that may be incorporated in, or coupled to, a utility structure.
  • Figure 4E schematically illustrates a floor plan of one embodiment of a utility structure.
  • Figure 5 schematically illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a non limiting example of a floor frame for a utility structure.
  • Figure 6 schematically illustrates a partial cross-section of a non limiting example of the utility structure of Figure 3.
  • Figure 7 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a non limiting example of a solar hot water system that may be incorporated in a utility structure.
  • Figure 8 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a non limiting example of a water tank that may be incorporated in a utility structure to feed water into a hot water tank.
  • Figure 9 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a non limiting example of a solar tracker assembly that may be electrically coupled to a utility structure.
  • FIGS 10A and 10B schematically illustrate an embodiment of a non limiting example of a solar hot air module.
  • Figure 1 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a non limiting example of how electric power may be distributed through a utility structure.
  • Figure 12 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a non limiting example of a system for distributing water through a utility structure and/or additional structure.
  • Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to utility structures that may be coupled to one or more other structures to provide utility access and/or HVAC amenities to the structure(s) coupled thereto.
  • These utility structures may be particularly useful to individuals who live in areas of the world that are not connected to conventional electric grids that provide access to electric power, for example, remote areas on Native American reservations in the United States.
  • these structures may be coupled to temporary structures that require utilities, for example, in military, disaster relief, and/or seasonal agricultural applications.
  • these structures may be useful for individuals who desire to consume primarily renewable energy instead of fossil fuel or nuclear based energy.
  • the utility structures disclosed herein may be useful for individuals who may abandon homes for various reasons including, for example, Native Americans who move after a family member passes away at home, and/or for nomadic individuals.
  • a utility structure may include at least one renewable source of electric power (e.g., a solar panel, a wind turbine, a geothermal system, and/or a hydroelectric system), a control board or electric panel configured to control and distribute the generated electric power, a solar hot water system, a communications system (e.g., a satellite receiver and optional Wi-Fi signal repeater), and/or a solar hot air module to provide hot air to the utility structure and/or to another structure fluidly coupled thereto.
  • the utility structure can provide electric power, HVAC, and/or communications capabilities to additional structures that are coupled to the utility structure.
  • the utility structure may be used as a stand alone structure with the same capabilities.
  • the structure can be used to provide electric power, HVAC, and/or communications capabilities to the utility structure itself.
  • the utility structures disclosed herein can be constructed to be portable such that they may be easily transported from location to location.
  • a utility structure may also include vents, dampers, and/or fans configured to exchange air within the utility structure with the air from the outside environment and/or with one or more fluidly coupled structures in order to take advantage of diurnal temperature swings.
  • the ventilation and air exchange systems can be implemented to regulate the temperature of the utility structures and/or other structures fluidly coupled thereto.
  • Figure 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a utility structure 100 that is fluidly coupled to another structure 105 by chase 103.
  • Chase 103 may define a conduit or passageway configured to receive plumbing, wiring, or other conduits to transfer fluids, communication signals, and/or electric power there through.
  • the term "chase” is used, it should be understood that the structure 103 should not be limited, but can be any space, conduit, groove, hollow, etc., that connects or connect to the two structures.
  • the utility structure 100 is also electrically coupled to an energy source, which within the depicted example is a solar panel 107 that includes a plurality of solar cells or photovoltaic cells 109.
  • the solar panel 107 may be a tracking solar panel configured to orient the solar cells toward the sun to increase the efficiency of the solar panel 107 (e.g., to expose the solar panel 107 a maximum amount of sun as the earth rotates relative to the sun).
  • the solar panel 107 is mounted on a mast such that the panel 107 is elevated from the ground.
  • the panel 107 and mast may cast a shadow toward the utility structure.
  • panel 107 may be offset from the utility structure 107 by a distance Di to avoid shading of the structure 107.
  • distance Di may be determined, at least in part, by the height of the mast. It can be determined by the location and the need to avoid blocking or shade from structures, trees, hills, etc.
  • distance Di can be, for example, between 10 and 150 feet. As a more specific example, Di can be greater than about 20 feet, for example, about 40 feet.
  • the solar panel 107 may be electrically coupled to the utility structure 100 by an electrical umbilical (not shown) to transmit electric power from the solar tracker 107 to the utility structure 100.
  • the transmitted electric power may then be stored within the utility structure 100 by batteries and/or redistributed to one or more additional structures, for example, structure 105.
  • chase 103 may include wiring to electrically couple utility structure 100 to structure 105.
  • utility structure 100 may provide electric power and/or exchange hot and/or cold air with the structure 105.
  • the utility structure 100 may be a "stand alone" unit or "self contained” meaning that the utility structure 100 may be a separate or distinct structure from the coupled structure 105.
  • the utility structure 100 may provide all of the primary utility needs of the coupled structure 105. In some aspects, it can be part of the structure 105.
  • chase 103 includes one or more latching or connecting elements to removably couple the chase 103 to either of the structure 105 and/or utility structure 100.
  • Utility structure 100 may include, for example, various structures capable of at least partially containing or housing electric, HVAC, plumbing, and/or communication elements.
  • utility structure 100 may include, for example, one or more of a portable shed or building that can be transported from one location to another.
  • utility structure 100 can comprise one or more of a shed, trailer, recreational vehicle, bus, motor coach, box car, shipping container, or any other suitable structure.
  • the utility structure 100 can be formed from various materials including, for example, ceramics (e.g., bricks), composites (e.g., concrete), organic materials (e.g., wood), polymers, and/or metals.
  • the utility structure 100 may be manufactured using one or more methods that have been adopted from the home industry.
  • a utility structure 100 may be built, for example, on a removable axle or frame at a factory and the structure may be hauled to a particular site or location with a light vehicle, for example, a four wheel drive pick-up truck. Once at the site, the utility structure 100 may be removed from the frame with one or more jacks (e.g., hydraulic jacks) and placed on piers (e.g., stationary piers and/or adjustable piers) or a foundation to situate the utility structure at the site. The frame may then be reused for the transport of another utility structure. Such a method may prevent the need for heavy equipment and reduce equipment and personnel costs.
  • jacks e.g., hydraulic jacks
  • piers e.g., stationary piers and/or adjustable piers
  • the utility structure may be lifted from the piers and/or foundation using one or more jacks, disposed on a removable frame, and transported to a subsequent location by a light vehicle.
  • the structures can be lifted and lowered using inflatable devices that upon inflation and deflation act to raise and lower the devices.
  • the utility structure 100 can also include insulation in the walls, floor, and/or ceiling to insulate the interior from the environmental conditions outside the utility structure 100.
  • the walls and/or floor can be insulated with R-38 insulation.
  • a ceramic radiant barrier can optionally be applied to the walls, floor, and/or ceiling to insulate the utility structure 100.
  • the utility structure 100 as depicted also includes an entrance 104 for entry into or exit out of the structure 100. Furthermore, the depicted utility structure 100 includes a door 101.
  • the utility structure 100 includes a roof 119.
  • the roof 119 is slanted downward from north to south.
  • the slant of the roof may be configured differently, for example, to maximize sun exposure to solar hot water panels 117 mounted thereon.
  • the roof may be oriented differently in the southern and northern hemispheres (e.g., from south to north).
  • Solar hot water panels 117 may cycle a working fluid, for example, water, there through to expose the working fluid to sunlight thus heating the working fluid.
  • the heated fluid may pass through a heat exchanger that transfers the thermal energy from the heated fluid to another liquid, for example, to potable water for use or consumption by humans.
  • Utility structure 100 may also include a rafter 1 15 that extends over entrance 104 to shade the entrance from incident sunlight.
  • utility structure 100 may also include a receiver 121 configured to receive signals and/or communications transmissions such as a wireless signal, for example, a Wi-Fi signal, and optionally transmit a signal, for example, a Wi-Fi signal, to the surrounding area.
  • the receiver 121 can be coupled to a repeater (not shown) to extend the range of a local wireless network.
  • the receiver 121 can transmit a signal via one or more wires or cables to other components.
  • the receiver/transmitter 121 can be any suitable device for receiving or transmitting information, such as for example, a satellite dish, a radio frequency antenna, a wireless telephone technology receiver/transmitter, and the like.
  • Figure 2 also depicts an entrance 104, a slanted roof 1 19, and a floor 106.
  • the depicted dimensions are merely non-limiting examples of possible dimensions.
  • the structure can be of any desired size and dimension.
  • the structure can have a length and width to permit transportation of the structure, for example, behind a vehicle as a trailer that can be towed behind a vehicle, in an aircraft such as a helicopter or airplane, on a ship or boat, on a train, or in a trailer such as a tractor trailer, etc.
  • Some embodiments relate to trailers, aircraft, trains, ships, boats, trucks, tractor trailers, motor homes, houseboats, etc. that comprise, include or a structure as described herein.
  • Examples of lengths are from 3 feet to 150 feet, for example, 6 feet, 8 feet, 10 feet, 12 feet, 20 feet, 28 feet, 45 feet, 53 feet, and 102 feet, or any value there between.
  • Examples of widths include 3 feet to about 150 feet, including, for example, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100 feet or any value there between.
  • Examples of heights include 3 to about 50 feet, for example, 3 feet, 6 feet, 8 feet, 10 feet, 12 feet, 20 feet, 28 feet, 45 feet or any value there between.
  • FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective view of the utility structure 100 of Figure 2.
  • utility structure 100 may further include a solar hot air module 141 disposed on or in the south facing wall 142 of the utility structure 100.
  • the south facing wall is assumed to receive the most amount of sun throughout the year.
  • the solar hot air module 141 can be disposed to face various other directions to take advantage of optimal sun exposure.
  • the solar hot air module 141 can include a solar module 145 configured to absorb and collect thermal energy from sunlight incident thereon and transfer the collected thermal energy to a solar panel 143.
  • the solar panel 143 may include an inlet fan and an outlet damper to cycle air from the utility shed through the solar panel 143.
  • the fan and outlet damper may control the flow rate of air therethrough depending on the heat transfer from the solar module 145. For example, on a particularly sunny day the solar panel 143 may cycle air therethrough at a higher flow rate than on a less sunny day as the solar module 145 will transfer more heat to the panel 143 on sunnier days.
  • the solar hot air module 141 may be used to provide hot air to the utility structure 100 and/or to a structure that is fluidly coupled to the utility structure 100, for example, structure 105 in Figure 1.
  • the depicted dimensions are merely non-limiting examples of possible dimensions. Example, non limiting dimensions are discussed herein.
  • the utility structure 100 may optionally include a water capture system including a gutter 131 and a downspout 133.
  • Gutter 131 may be positioned near the downward side of slanted roof 119 to receive rain water or other condensation that is biased by gravity toward the downward side.
  • Downspout 133 may receive the collected condensation from the gutter 131 and direct the fluid toward one or more receptacles or reservoirs (not shown).
  • the collected condensation can then be stored and/or directed by plumbing to the utility structure 100 and/or to another structure that is fluidly coupled to the utility structure 100.
  • the collected condensation can be filtered using various methods, for example, the methods disclosed in U. S. Provisional Patent Application Number 61/370,807 which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • utility structure 100 may be constructed to be portable such that it can be transported from location to location.
  • the floor 106 can be constructed with various floor joists and bearers such that the utility structure 100 may be mounted on piers 1 53 by supports 151 .
  • the floor 106 can also be constructed to be "foundation ready" such that is may be secured to an existing foundation, for example, a concrete foundation, by fasteners or other coupling members.
  • floor 106 can be mounted to a chassis (not shown) with wheels or to a chassis that may be coupled with wheels in order to permit wheeled movement of the utility structure 100 from one location to another.
  • floor 106 may be constructed to form a skid system or package such that the utility structure 100 can be conveyed using various means of transport.
  • the depicted dimensions are merely non-limiting examples of possible dimensions.
  • Figure 4A shows the floor plan of one example of a utility structure 400a that includes battery boxes 467a, a hot water tank 463 a, two cold water tanks 461, and a control board 479a.
  • the utility structure 400a includes an 8' by 14' floor and a door 401a that allows a user to access the interior of the utility structure 400a through an entrance 404a.
  • the depicted dimensions of Figures 4A-4D are merely non- limiting examples of possible dimensions.
  • Cold water tanks 461a may be configured to store and hold potable water or water that is to be purified for use in the utility structure 400a or for use in more or more structures that are fluidly coupled to structure 400a (e.g., structure 105 in Figure 1).
  • Tanks 461a may be periodically filled by a water source, for example, a fill truck or attached plumbing, as the stored water is used or otherwise disposed of.
  • Tanks 461a can comprise various shapes and sizes. In one non-limiting embodiment, tanks 461a each may be configured to store about 250 gallons and are similarly shaped and sized. In another embodiment, tanks 461a may be different from one another.
  • Utility structure 400 may also include any number of tanks 461a, for example, a single tank or more than two tanks. An example of a suitable storage tank is discussed in more detail below with reference to Figure 8.
  • Tanks 461a may be fluidly coupled to hot water tank 463 a to direct water therefrom to the hot water tank for heating.
  • the hot water tank 463a comprises a 30" diameter tank and may be heated by a solar hot water system (e.g., the system discussed with reference to Figures 2 or 7) and/or by electricity provided, for example, by a source of renewable electric power that is coupled to the utility structure 400a (e.g., solar panel 107 discussed with reference to Figure 1).
  • hot water tank 463 may be heated using electricity or fuel provided by other means.
  • Batteries 467a are configured to receive and store electric power provided by a source of renewable electric power that is coupled to the utility structure 400a (not shown).
  • the batteries can be configured to receive electric power from a solar tracker (not shown) and transmit the stored electric power to one or more circuits or loads.
  • a solar tracker can be configured to provide power to the utility structure 400a during the day and a portion of the provided power can be transmitted to a load or circuit while another portion can be stored by the batteries 467a to be consumed at a later time, for example, at night.
  • Control board 479a can be configured to include various structures including, for example, a high voltage charge controller, an inverter, a direct current (“DC") disconnect, a satellite receiver, and/or a power panel. In this way, the control board 479a can control the distribution of electric power received by a source of renewable power to a load or circuit. Although two batteries are shown in the depicted example, any suitable number can be used, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more batteries.
  • Utility structure 400b includes a chase 403b configured to couple plumbing and/or wiring from the utility structure 400b to another structure 405b.
  • utility structure 400b is configured to provide electric power and/or air (e.g., warm or hot air) to structure 405b.
  • Utility structure 400b can also be configured to receive hot air and/or electric power from structure 405b. Electric power may be provided through the chase 403b from one or more batteries 467b and/or from electric panel 473b.
  • Electric panel 473b can be configured to receive electric power from a source of energy such as renewable electric energy, for example, from a solar tracker, wind turbine, geothermal system, or hydroelectric system, that is coupled to our housed within the utility structure 400b.
  • Electric panel 473b can include an inverter, charge controller, and/or DC disconnect and can provide electric power directly to a load or circuit and/or to batteries 467b for storage.
  • the conditions of the utility structure 400b may be monitored remotely by wirelessly connecting to a receiver such as receiver 121 of Figure 3. Additionally, various components of the utility structure 400b can be controlled remotely by sending a signal to receiver 121.
  • the utility structure 400b can include any number of batteries 467b, for example, one or more.
  • utility structure 400b includes vents 468b disposed near the batteries 467b to vent gasses exhausted by the battery from the interior of the utility structure 400b.
  • Vents 468b can include backflow preventers to prevent outside air from passing therethrough into the utility structure 400b.
  • utility structure 400b also can include a water storage tank 461b fluidly coupled to a hot water tank 463b.
  • Storage tank 461b can be configured to direct stored water from the tank 461b to the hot water tank 463b.
  • Hot water tank 463b can be heated by a solar hot water heating system that includes solar hot water panels disposed on the roof of the utility structure 400b.
  • the electric panel 473b may distribute electric power to a coil in the hot water tank 463b to heat the water contained therein.
  • the hot water tank 463b may be fluidly coupled to a heat exchanger element 469b that is configured to receive hot water from tank 463b.
  • the heat exchanger element 469b can be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes.
  • the heat exchanger element 469b can have a variety of different designs and be configured for the transfer of different amounts of heat.
  • the heat exchanger element 469b can be an off-the-shelf component, or can be task specific.
  • the heat exchanger element 469b can, for example, be a thermo matrix heat exchanger.
  • the heat exchanger element 469b may include a fan or air distribution means configured to direct air over the received hot water to transfer thermal energy from the hot water to air.
  • the heat exchanger element 469b may then be configured to direct the heated air through one or more conduits or ducts to heat the utility structure 400b and/or to heat another structured coupled thereto.
  • the utility structure 400b can also optionally include a solar hot air module 443b similar to solar hot air module 143 in Figure 1 to transfer solar energy to air from the utility structure 400b The heated air may then be directed through one or more conduits or ducts to heat the utility structure 400b and/or to heat another structured coupled thereto.
  • Utility structure 400b may also include a passive cooling system (not shown), for example, an evaporative or "swamp" cooling system, configured to cool air by transferring energy from hot air to water provided by the water tank 461b.
  • the utility structure 400b may include a diurnal swing night ventilation and cooling system.
  • Such a system may include a pressure input to pressurize the interior of the utility structure 400b and one or more vents disposed above the floor of the structure 400b (e.g., ceiling vents). The pressure input may pressurize the utility structure 400b such that colder air drops to the floor of the structure while warmer air is forced out of the structure 400b through the one or more vents. As a result, colder air may be drawn into the utility structure 400b and warmer air may be exhausted from the utility structure to cool the interior.
  • utility structure 400b can provide hot and/or cold air HVAC capabilities to the utility structure itself and/or one or more other structures coupled thereto.
  • utility structure 471b may also include bi-metal vents 471b that are triggered by external sensors 475b to open or close depending on various outside conditions.
  • the vents 400b can be configured to open in the summer at night when the outside temperature is below a certain threshold, for example, a threshold of 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and above a certain threshold, for example, 40, 45, 50, 60, or 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • vents 471b can be configured to remain closed when the temperature is below a certain threshold to maintain a temperature within the utility structure 400b to preserve the batteries 467b.
  • the utility structure 400b can be configured to receive heat from another structure fluidly coupled thereto. However, if a structure coupled to the utility structure 400b does not have its own heating capabilities, the utility structure 400b may transfer warm or hot air to the coupled structure, even at night, by the heat exchanger 469b.
  • the depicted dimensions and capacities are merely non-limiting examples.
  • FIG. 4C schematically illustrates a floor plan of another embodiment of a utility structure 400c including a door 401c that allows a user to access the interior of the utility structure 400c through an entrance 404c.
  • utility structure 400c includes a hot water tank 463c, cold water tank 461c, a heat exchanger element 469c that is configured to receive hot water from hot water tank 463 c, control board 479c, solar hot air module 443 c, bi-metal vents 471c, and battery box 467c.
  • utility structure 400c includes a workspace and a pump 477c is illustrated.
  • Pump 477c may be configured to pump hot water from tank 463 c to an adjoining structure through chase 403c.
  • chase 403c may also optionally include a reversing fan to prevent a back flow of air from an adjoining structure into the utility structure 403 c.
  • This reversing fan can be turned off to allow the flow of hot air through the chase 403 c into utility structure 403 c when necessary, for example, in the winter to maintain a temperature within utility structure 403c in order to preserve the batteries 467c.
  • the control board 479c can optionally include a high voltage charge controller, an inverter, a DC disconnect, a Wi-Fi satellite receiver, and/or a power panel.
  • the depicted dimensions and capacities are merely non-limiting examples.
  • FIG. 4D a floor plan of an embodiment of a bathroom module 400d is schematically illustrated.
  • Bathroom module 400d may be incorporated in, or coupled to, any of the utility structures disclosed herein, for example, utility structure 400c of Figure 4C.
  • bathroom module 400d is disposed adjacent to a utility structure 402d housing a water tank 46 Id.
  • Bathroom module 400d may receive hot and/or cold water from utility shed 402d for the shower 48 Id, sink 483d, and/or toilet 485d.
  • toilet 485d may comprise a composting toilet including an aerobic processing system.
  • toilet 485d may be connected to a septic system.
  • Bathroom module 400d may be heated by a solar hot air module 443d and/or may be heated by utility structure 402d.
  • bathroom module 400d may include a door 40 Id to provide ingress and egress.
  • bathroom module 400d may optionally include a partition or door to provide privacy for the bathroom module portion of the utility structure.
  • a utility structure or bathroom module may further include a sleeping area for one or more persons.
  • a sleeping area is disposed on an elevated bunk or in a loft above an area of a utility structure, for example, above a water tank. The depicted dimensions and capacities are merely non-limiting examples.
  • Figure 4E depicts a floor plan of one embodiment of a utility structure 400e attached to an existing structure 402e via a common wall 404e.
  • the utility structure 400e can be attached to a north wall, a west wall, a south wall, an east wall, or any other wall of the existing structure 402e.
  • the utility structure 400e also referred to as the "bump out version" can have all of the same functionalities and features described in connection with other embodiments of a utility structure.
  • the utility structure 400e may be configured to receive electric power from the structure 402e, from batteries, or from a power generation source, such as, for example, a photovoltaic panel, a wind turbine, a geothermal system, a hydroelectric system, a motor/engine driven generator, or any other power source.
  • a power generation source such as, for example, a photovoltaic panel, a wind turbine, a geothermal system, a hydroelectric system, a motor/engine driven generator, or any other power source.
  • Figure 4E depicts an embodiment in which one power source is batteries 467e.
  • the batteries 467e and other power sources and consuming device are connected via a sub panel 408e.
  • the sub panel 408e can include, for example, electrical connection, monitoring devices configured to, for example, monitor temperature, current, resistance, or any other desired attribute, safety features, such as, for example, a fuse or a circuit breaker, and any other desired feature.
  • the current of electricity provided may be different than the current of electricity required by power consuming devices.
  • electricity may be converted from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) or from AC to DC.
  • Some embodiments of a utility structure include an inverter 410e configured to convert electric current.
  • Some embodiments of a utility structure can additionally include features such as a charge controller, and/or DC disconnect to assist in power management with multiple power sources and power consuming devices and can be configured to provide electric power directly to a load or circuit and/or to batteries 467e for storage.
  • the utility structure 400e can include a control panel 424e. The control panel can allow control of all or some of the components and systems of the utility structure 400e.
  • the conditions of the utility structure 400e may be monitored remotely by wirelessly connecting to a receiver such as receiver 121 of Figure 3. Additionally, various components of the utility structure 400e can be controlled remotely by sending a signal to receiver 121.
  • the utility structure 400e can include any number of batteries 467e, for example, one or more.
  • utility structure 400e may include vents 468e to vent gasses exhausted by, for example, the battery 467e from the interior of the utility structure 400e. Vents 468e can include backflow preventers to prevent outside air from passing therethrough into the utility structure 400e.
  • utility structure 400e also can include a water storage tank 461b fluidly coupled to a hot water tank 463e.
  • Storage tank 461e can be configured to direct stored water from the tank 46 le to the hot water tank.
  • Hot water tank 463 e can be heated by a solar hot water heating system that includes solar hot water panels disposed on the roof of the utility structure 400e.
  • the sub panel 408e may distribute electric power to a coil in the hot water tank 463 e to heat the water contained therein.
  • the hot water tank 463 e may be fluidly coupled to a heat exchanger element that is configured to receive hot water from tank 463 e as discussed in greater detail above as relating to Figure 4B.
  • the utility structure 400e can also optionally include a solar hot air module 443 e similar to solar hot air module 143 in Figure 1 to transfer solar energy to air from the utility structure 400e.
  • the heated air may then be directed through one or more conduits or ducts to heat the utility structure 400e and/or to heat another structured coupled thereto.
  • Utility structure 400e may also include a passive cooling system (not shown), for example, an evaporative or "swamp" cooling system, configured to cool air by transferring energy from hot air to water provided by the water tank 46 le.
  • the utility structure 400e may include a diurnal swing night ventilation and cooling system as discussed above in relation to the embodiment of Figure 4B.
  • the door 420e can provide access to a hot water tank 46 le, which can, in some embodiments, be separated from other portions of the utility structure 400e by, for example, a wall.
  • the door 420e can be, for example, insulated.
  • this separation can limit heating of air surrounding the hot water tank 46 le to the area immediately surrounding the hot water tank 46 le.
  • door 420e can be automatically opened and closed according to air temperatures measured around the hot water tank 46 le and inside the remaining portions of the utility structure 400e. When additional heating is required in the utility structure 400e, door 420e can open to allow flow of warm air from the area around the water tank 420 to the other portions of the utility structure 400e.
  • the utility structure 400e can include an overhang 422e. The overhang can provide full or partial shade to portions of the utility structure 400e, including, for example, the hot air panel 443e.
  • FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an example of a top view of an embodiment of a floor frame 506 for a utility structure.
  • Floor frame 506 may include bearers 51 1 disposed perpendicularly to joists 509.
  • Floor frame 506 can be configured to support an overlying utility structure, for example, utility structure 100 of Figures 1-3, over a variety of underlying structures.
  • frame 506 may be disposed on piers, disposed on a foundation, disposed on a chassis, and/or disposed directly on a ground surface.
  • the depicted dimensions are provided as non-limiting examples.
  • a frame 606 including bearers 611 and joists 609 can support a utility structure frame 618 over concrete piers 653.
  • Supports 651 can be disposed between the floor frame 606 and concrete piers and the piers 653 can be set in a sand filled volume 616 overlying a ground surface 633.
  • Piers 653 can be disposed intermittently underneath the frame 606, for example, under corner regions of frame 606. In some embodiments, piers 653 can be disposed under the center of frame 606 as well to provide additional support thereto.
  • FIG. 7 schematically illustrates one example of an embodiment of a solar hot water system 700 that may be incorporated in a utility structure to heat water within a tank 763.
  • the tank 763 can have a diameter of 31 inches and a height of 37 inches.
  • System 700 can include at least one solar panel 701 configured to transfer thermal energy received from sunlight to a working fluid, for example, water, that passes therethrough, a conduit 703 configured to provide a cycle path for the working fluid from a heat exchanger 764 within tank 763 through the panel 701, a pump 707 configured to pump the working fluid through conduit 703, and a controller 705 configured to control the flow rate of the working fluid through system 700.
  • Tank 763 also includes a heated water outlet 709 and a cold water intake 711. Heated water that passes through outlet 709 may be distributed to a structure fluidly coupled to a utility structure and/or may be utilized by a thermal matrix heating element to provide hot air to the coupled structure.
  • FIG 8 schematically illustrates one example of an embodiment of a cold water tank 800 that includes an inlet 801 and a reservoir.
  • tank 800 can be a horizontal tank.
  • the tank 800 can be, for example, a horizontal tank enclosing a volume of 500 gallons.
  • the tank can be, for example, 79 inches long, 48 inches wide, and 43 inches tall.
  • An example of a suitable tank 800 is the "Flat Bottom Utility Tank" available from plastic-mart.com (part number "Energy525-DSP").
  • FIG. 9 schematically illustrates one example of an embodiment of a solar tracker assembly 909 that may be used to convert sunlight to electric power.
  • Solar tracker assembly 909 can include a plurality of solar panels 901 each configured to convert incident sunlight into electric power and transmit the electric power to a junction box 907.
  • Junction box 907 can be configured to consolidate the production of the different solar panels and transmit the resultant electric power to a utility structure, for example, any of the utility structures disclosed herein.
  • Solar panels 901 may be supported within a canister 903 by a support structure 905.
  • Support structure 905 can include various suitable elements including, for example, axels, rails, and/or truss tubes, configured to couple the solar panels 901 to the canister 903.
  • Canister 903 may be elevated from the ground by a mast 909 such that shading of the canister 903 is minimized.
  • the junction box 907 may be disposed on a side of mast 909 and mast 909 may be supported in an upright position by one or more outriggers or trusses 911.
  • Trusses 911 may be disposed on the ground surface and optionally coupled to barrels 913.
  • Barrels 913 can be filled with sand or another material to increase the weight of the barrels 913 in order to provide stability to the trusses 911 and mast 909.
  • solar tracker assembly 909 may be offset from a utility structure to limit shading of the utility structure by the assembly 909 and the tracker assembly may be electrically coupled to the utility structure, for example, by an umbilical connection.
  • the depicted dimensions are provided as non-limiting examples of dimensions.
  • FIGs 10A and 10B schematically illustrate examples of an embodiment of a solar hot air module 1041 including a solar module 1045 and a solar hot air panel 1043.
  • Solar module 1045 can be configured to receive and absorb thermal energy from sunlight in order to transfer the thermal energy to air within the hot air panel 1043.
  • Hot air panel 1043 can include a fan 1003 to draw air into the hot air panel and a damper or control element 1001 configured to allow hot air to exhaust from the hot air panel 1043. In this way, air may be drawn into the hot air panel 1043 by fan 1003, heated by solar module 1045, and exhausted from the panel 1043 by damper 1001.
  • the exhausted hot air may be directed through one or more ducts or conduits to distribute the hot air to a utility structure and/or to a structure fluidly coupled thereto.
  • solar hot air module 1041 can be disposed in a utility structure and configured to exhaust hot air in the winter time into a structure, for example, a house, fluidly coupled to the utility structure.
  • the operation, including the flow rate, of the hot air module 1041 can be automatically controlled by sensor elements 1005, 1007 and/or can be manually controlled remotely by sending signals to a receiver within a utility structure (not shown).
  • Figure 1 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating one non-limiting example of how electric power may be distributed through a utility structure.
  • the process of distributing electric power begins by generating electric power using at least one of a solar photovoltaic module, wind generator, hydroelectric system, and/or geothermal system as indicated by block 1 101.
  • the generated electric power is then distributed to a high voltage charge controller as indicated by block 1 103.
  • the electric power may then be transmitted to DC disconnect and over current protection elements and through an inverter as indicated by blocks 1105 and 1107, respectively.
  • electric power may be distributed to a standby generator as indicated by block 1 108, to one or more batteries or energy storage elements as indicated by block 1109, and/or to a power protection panel as indicated by block 1 1 11.
  • Electric power can be distributed from the power protection panel to a utility structure subpanel and/or to a structure that is electrically coupled to the utility structure as indicated by block 11 13.
  • the system may generate more electric power than is required by the electric loads of the utility structure and any other connected structures. In these situations, excess power may be shunted off as indicated by process line 1 116. The excess power can then be distributed to one or more auxiliary batteries as indicated by block 1 1 17 and/or used to heat water in a water tank as indicated by block 11 15.
  • a utility structure can be located in an area that has access to an existing power grid.
  • a utility structure may include an electric coil within a hot water tank to heat and/or provide supplemental heating to water stored therein. Further, thermal energy from the heated water can be transferred by an element or heat exchanger to air to provide hot air to a utility structure and/or a structure fluidly coupled thereto. Thus, the excess power can be stored, used to heat water, and/or used to heat water to heat air.
  • FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a system 1200 for distributing water through a utility structure and/or additional structure.
  • System 1200 includes a source of water 1201, for example, a fill truck or plumbing connection, configured to provide water to a water tank 1203.
  • source of water 1201 may comprise a natural source of water, for example, a well, creek, river, wash, spring, etc.
  • Water may be pumped from water tank 1203 to a hot water tank 1207 and/or directly to a cold water output, for example, a sink, in a utility structure or another structure. Water pumped into hot water tank 1207 may be heated by a DC element 121 1 and/or by a solar hot water heating system 1209.
  • DC element 121 1 may receive electric power from a source of renewable electric power (not shown), for example, from one of the solar tracker systems discussed herein.
  • Heated water from tank 1207 may be directed from tank 1207 for use in a utility structure and/or in a structure that is fluidly connected to the utility structure. Additionally, hot water may be bled from the hot water tank 1207 to a element 121 configured to transfer thermal energy from the hot water to air to provide heating to a utility structure and/or to a structure that is fluidly connected to the utility structure.
  • heated air may be directed from a utility structure through a chase to a residence in order to heat the residence. In some embodiments, heated air may be directed over one or more batteries contained within a utility structure to preserve the batteries in cold conditions.
  • a structure fluidly coupled to a utility structure may have independent heating capabilities, for example, a wood burning stove, and may include a heat exchanger 1225 configured to direct heated air to the utility structure (e.g., to heat batteries housed therein).
  • a heat exchanger 1225 configured to direct heated air to the utility structure (e.g., to heat batteries housed therein).
  • the technology is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations.
  • Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
  • instructions refer to computer-implemented steps for processing information in the system. Instructions can be implemented in software, firmware or hardware and include any type of programmed step undertaken by components of the system.
  • a Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN) may be a corporate computing network, including access to the Internet, to which computers and computing devices comprising the system are connected.
  • the LAN conforms to the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) industry standard.
  • TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
  • media refers to images, sounds, video or any other multimedia type data that is entered into the system.
  • a microprocessor may be any conventional general purpose single- or multi-chip microprocessor such as a Pentium* processor, a Pentium* Pro processor, a 8051 processor, a MIPS ® processor, a Power PC ® processor, or an Alpha ® processor.
  • the microprocessor may be any conventional special purpose microprocessor such as a digital signal processor or a graphics processor.
  • the microprocessor typically has conventional address lines, conventional data lines, and one or more conventional control lines.
  • the system is comprised of various modules as discussed in detail.
  • each of the modules comprises various subroutines, procedures, definitional statements and macros.
  • Each of the modules are typically separately compiled and linked into a single executable program. Therefore, the description of each of the modules is used for convenience to describe the functionality of the preferred system.
  • the processes that are undergone by each of the modules may be arbitrarily redistributed to one of the other modules, combined together in a single module, or made available in, for example, a shareable dynamic link library.
  • the system may be used in connection with various operating systems such as Linux®, UNIX® or Microsoft Windows®.
  • the system may be written in any conventional programming language such as C, C++, BASIC, Pascal, or Java, and ran under a conventional operating system.
  • C, C++, BASIC, Pascal, Java, and FORTRAN are industry standard programming languages for which many commercial compilers can be used to create executable code.
  • the system may also be written using interpreted languages such as Perl, Python or Ruby.
  • a web browser comprising a web browser user interface may be used to display information (such as textual and graphical information) to a user.
  • the web browser may comprise any type of visual display capable of displaying information received via a network. Examples of web browsers include Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, Netscape's Navigator browser, Mozilla's Firefox browser, PalmSource's Web Browser, Apple's Safari, or any other browsing or other application software capable of communicating with a network.
  • DSP digital signal processor
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • FPGA field programmable gate array
  • a general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine.
  • a processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
  • the functions and methods described may be implemented in hardware, software, or firmware executed on a processor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.
  • Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another.
  • a storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer.
  • such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.
  • any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium.
  • the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave
  • the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium.
  • Disk and disc includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
  • Appendix A includes additional and/or supplemental disclosure relating to one non-limiting embodiment of utility structures and components thereof.
  • This unique portable super high efficiency solution provides power using a Zomeworks ballasted tracker with early wakeup.
  • the battery house is warmed from the house with reverse flow of heat from the house. Excess heat can be sent to house auxiliary thermo-matrix heater connected to solar tank if there is no heat available from the house.
  • the summer cooling is actuated by an exterior senor automatically.
  • This off grid system is a total solution for power, water, hot water, climate control for the inverter batteries. It is especially well suited for mountain and desert applications.
  • the skid pack is designed to last 25 years witii proper maintenance.
  • Embodiments disclosed herein relate to heating ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems. More specifically, certain embodiments concern HVAC control systems that are configured to efficiently cool one or more structures, to heat one or more structures, and/or to provide hot water to one or more structures. Energy reduction methods and strategies are utilized to achieve at or below net energy usage.
  • HVAC heating ventilation and air conditioning
  • Figure 1 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a HVAC system that may be implemented with a multiplatform control system.
  • FIGS 2A-2F arc block diagrams schematically illustrating various applications for the HVAC system of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3A schematically illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of a HVAC system configured to provide winter heating.
  • Figure 3B schematically illustrates a top plan view of the HVAC system of Figure 3 A configured to provide summer cooling.
  • FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an attic ventilation system that can be incorporated with the HVAC systems disclosed herein.
  • FIGS 5A-5C schematically illustrate an embodiment of an attic space ventilation system configured to operate in three different applications.
  • Figure 6 schematically illustrates a hydronic system used in connection with one embodiment of a multiplatform control system.
  • Figures 7A-7L are block diagrams schematically illustrating various applications of the hydronic system of Figure 6.
  • Figure 8A is a block diagram schematically illustrating an energy production system for use in connection with some embodiments of a multiplatform control system.
  • Figure 8B is a block diagram schematically illustrating a climate control system for use in connection with some embodiments of a multiplatform control system.
  • Figure 9 depicts one embodiment of a solar energy system that can be used in connection with some embodiments of a multiplatform control system.
  • Figures 1 OA- IOC depict various embodiments of utility structures that can optionally be used in connection with some embodiments of a multiplatform control system.
  • Figure 11 depicts one embodiment of an electrical system that can be used in connection with some embodiments of a multiplatform control system.
  • Figure 12 depicts one embodiment of a pre-filtration unit that can be used in connection with some embodiments of a multiplatform control system.
  • Figure 13 depicts one embodiment of a bypass system that can be used in connection with some embodiments of a multiplatform control system.
  • Figure 14 depicts one embodiment of a radiator cooling system that can be used in connection with some embodiments of a multiplatform control system.
  • multiplatform HVAC control systems for residential structures, for example, houses, and/or for commercial structures, for example, restaurants.
  • multiplatform control systems refer to control systems that incorporate multiple systems for heating and/or cooling, for example, heat pumps, solar hot air modules, and/or evaporative cooling systems.
  • multiplatform control systems may utilize the most efficient system or method available to heat or cool a given structure depending on climatic conditions (e.g., temperature and/or relative humidity).
  • a multiplatform control system may control a conventional heat pump and a solar hot air module to provide heat to a given structure.
  • the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented to control the heating and/or cooling of a structure as a stand alone system as well as in a multiplatform system.
  • the air circulation system discussed below with reference to Figure 1 can be implemented to supplement HVAC capabilities provided by a conventional heat pump and/or can be implemented as the primary HVAC system for any given structure.
  • the HVAC systems disclosed herein can include smart board and/or analog control components with one or more sensors that initiate the various methods of heating, cooling, and ventilation.
  • the control components can be configured to minimize energy usage by a HVAC system by controlling the operation of different components of the HVAC system.
  • control components can limit the use of a heat pump during summer nights to reduce power consumption required for cooling.
  • control components can limit the use of a heat pump during winter days to reduce power consumption required for heating.
  • the control components may monitor the power use of various HVAC system components to assess, diagnose, optimize, and maintain these components.
  • the control components may also monitor waste heat APPENDIX PAGE 10 OF 1 12 sources, for example, kitchen areas, and recycle waste heat to limit power consumption required for HVAC.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a HVAC system 100 that may be implemented with a multiplatform control system.
  • the HVAC system 100 includes an air circulation system 130 that is fluidly coupled with a structure 102.
  • the structure 102 may be any structure, including, for example, a house, barn, garage, storage facility, industrial structure, commercial building, and/or place of worship.
  • the structure 102 includes a main space 101, an attic space 103 disposed over the main portion, and an optional lower space 104 disposed below the main portion.
  • the lower space 104 may include, for example, a cellar, basement, or crawl space.
  • the main space 101 is fluidly coupled to the attic space 103 by one or more vents or openings 121.
  • vents 121 may be barometric vents configured to open or close depending on pressure conditions.
  • the vents 121 may be configured to open when the pressure of the main space 101 is above a certain pre-determined value and/or to close when the pressure of the main space 101 is below the pre-determined value.
  • the attic space 103 may include one or more vents 123 configured to provide a fluid conduit from the attic space 103 to the environment outside of structure 102.
  • the attic vents 123 can be produced by O'Hagin's, Inc. of Rohnert Park, California.
  • the attic vents 123 can be controlled independently from vents 121 disposed between the attic space 103 and the main space 101 such that attic vents 123 may be closed when the vents 121 are open and/or may be open when the vents 121 are closed.
  • the attic space 103 can include at least four APPENDIX PAGE 1 1 OF 1 12 ventilation configurations.
  • a first configuration can include the attic vents 123 in a closed configuration and the vents 121 in a closed configuration.
  • a second configuration can include the attic vents 123 in an open configuration and the vents 121 in an open configuration.
  • a third configuration can include the attic vents 123 in an open configuration and the vents 121 in a closed configuration.
  • a fourth configuration can include the attic vents 123 in a closed configuration and the vents 121 in an open configuration.
  • the vents 121 can be configured such that at least one vent 121 is in an open configuration and such that at least one other vent 121 is in a closed configuration.
  • Attic vents 123 can be configured such that at least one attic vent 123 is in an open configuration and such that at least one other attic vent 123 is in a closed configuration.
  • the attic space 103 may be controlled to optionally exchange air or fluid with the main space 101 and/or the ambient environment disposed outside of the structure 102.
  • the air circulation system 130 can include an air intake 132 configured to receive ambient air from outside the structure 102 and an air circulator disposed within a housing 136.
  • the air circulator may be configured to direct air received through the intake 132 to the structure 102 by one or more supply vents, register duct, or conduits 133.
  • the air circulator comprises a centrifugal fan or squirrel-cage fan configured to direct air through a supply conduit 133 to the structure 102.
  • the air circulation system 130 can be configured to pressurize the main space 101 of structure 102 by providing an air flow stream through supply conduit 133.
  • supply conduit 133 provides an air flow stream to the main space 101 through one or more vents 135 disposed in the floor of the main space 101.
  • the air circulation system 130 may be disposed within the lower space 104 of the structure 102 and the air circulation system 130 is configured to provide an air flow stream to the main space 101 through one or more ducts 105 that are fluidly connected with the main space 101.
  • the air circulation system can also include one or more return conduits 137 configured to receive air from the main space 101 through one or more vents 138 and direct the received air to the housing 136.
  • a controllable damper or stopping mechanism 139 can be disposed within the return conduit 137 to open or close the return conduit 137.
  • the air circulation system 130 can supply APPENDIX PAGE 12 OF 1 12
  • damper 139 air to the structure 102 through the supply conduit 133 and/or can receive air from structure 102 through return conduit 137 depending on whether damper 139 is open or closed.
  • a pre-cooling system 131 can optionally be disposed between the intake 132 and the housing 136.
  • the pre- cooling system 131 can comprise various components configured to cool air that passes therethrough.
  • pre-cooling system 131 includes an evaporative cooling system that is configured to cool air that passes therethrough by transferring latent heat from the air to water.
  • pre-cooling system 131 can include direct, indirect, and/or direct/indirect evaporative cooling system to control the amount of water that may optionally be added to air that passes therethrough.
  • a direct evaporative cooling system may be configured to cool air that passes therethrough and may add moisture to the air.
  • an indirect evaporative cooling system may be configured to cool air that passes therethrough without adding moisture to the air.
  • an indirect/direct evaporative cooling system may be configured to cool air that passes therethrough by direct cooling, which may add moisture to the air, in a first step, and then indirectly cooling the air in a second step.
  • the pre-cooling system 131 can be configured to treat the temperature and specific humidity of air that is received through the intake 132.
  • HVAC system 100 optionally includes one or more filtering elements (not shown) disposed between the air intake 132 and the air circulator. The filtering elements can be configured to filter air that passes therethrough to separate solid materials, for example, particulate matter, from air received through the intake 132.
  • one or more solar hot air modules 150 can optionally be disposed within the structure 102 to transfer thermal energy received from electromagnetic radiation (e.g., sunlight) to air disposed within the structure 102.
  • a solar hot air module 150 is disposed within a wall of the main space 101 and configured to transfer thermal energy from sunlight incident thereon to air disposed within the main space 101. Examples of solar hot air modules are described in U.S. Provisional Application Number 61/382,798 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • solar hot air modules can include a solar module configured to receive thermal APPENDIX PAGE 13 OF 1 12
  • the solar panel may include one or more fans to draw air into the panel and one or more vents to exhaust heated air from the panel.
  • the one or more solar hot air modules 150 can be configured to heat air within the structure 102 during the day time.
  • the HVAC system schematically illustrated in Figure 1 may further include one or more sensors 140 disposed within the main space 101 and/or one or more sensors 142 disposed within the attic space 103.
  • the sensors 140, 142 can be configured to sense an air temperature within the main space 101 or attic space 103 and/or relative humidity levels within the main space 101 or attic space 103.
  • the sensors 140, 142 may provide the sensed characteristics (e.g., temperature and/or relative humidity) to control the HVAC system 100. Based on the sensed characteristics, the control circuitry may adjust various components and/or systems of the HVAC system 100 to change climactic conditions within the structure 102.
  • the control circuitry may control the various components of the multiplatform system to maximize the efficiency and/or minimize energy consumption of the multiplatform system.
  • HVAC system 100 may be configured to cool structure 102 when the temperature of air outside the structure 102 is below a predetermined value.
  • HVAC system 100 may be configured to cool the structure 102 when the outside air temperature is below about 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • the air circulator disposed within housing 136 may be configured to draw outside air in through intake 132. The received air may be directed to the main space 103 through supply conduit 133 and vents 135. The air circulator may be configured to provide the air to the structure 102 at an air flow rate sufficient to pressurize the structure 102 relative to the surrounding environment.
  • air within the main space 101 that is warmer than the air 111 provided through vents 135 may rise to the top of the main space 101 and be forced into the attic space 101 through vents 121.
  • air 113 in the attic space 101 that is warmer than the air received through vents 121 may be exhausted through the attic vents 123.
  • the air circulator may continuously APPENDIX PAGE 14 OF 1 12
  • HVAC system 100 may be configured to cool the structure 102 when the outside temperature is above a first predetermined value but below a second predetermined value.
  • HVAC system 100 may be configured to cool the structure 102 when the outside air temperature is above about 70 degrees Fahrenheit and below about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • the air circulator disposed within housing 136 may be configured to draw outside air in through intake 132.
  • the received air may be cooled by a pre-cooling system 131 before passing through housing 136 to supply conduit 133 such that the air is below a third predetermined value.
  • the pre-cooling system 131 may optionally be configured to add moisture to air received through the intake 132 in extremely dry climates.
  • the cooled air may then be directed to the main space 103 through vents 135.
  • the air circulator may be configured to provide the air to the structure 102 at an air flow rate sufficient to pressurize the structure 102 relative to the surrounding environment.
  • air within the main space 101 that is warmer than the air 111 provided through vents 135 may rise to the top of the main space 101 and be forced into the attic space 101 through vents 121 .
  • air 1 13 in the attic space 101 that is warmer than the air received through vents 121 may be exhausted through the attic vents 123.
  • the air circulator may continuously provide air into the structure 102 that is below the third predetermined value to force warmer air out of the structure 102 in order to cool the structure 102.
  • HVAC system 100 may be configured to cool the structure 102 without drawing in outside air, for example, when outside air is above a predetermined value.
  • air circulation system 130 may include a direct, indirect, and/or indirect/direct cooling system disposed within housing 136 and damper 139 may be opened to allow the air circulation system 130 to cycle air from the house through the cooling system in a closed loop.
  • HVAC system 100 may be configured to heat the structure 102 when the outside is below a predetermined value.
  • hot air solar module 150 may be configured to transfer thermal energy from sunlight during the day to air within the main space 101. To maintain the temperature within the main space 101, vents APPENDIX PAGE 15 OF 1 12
  • the vents 121 may be closed, solar hot air module 150 may operate to warm the main space 101, damper 139 may be opened, and the air circulator may be configured to slowly circulate ambient air through main space 101 to keep the temperature within the main space above a first predetermined value and below a second predetermined value.
  • the attic vents 123 may be closed to maintain a desired temperature within the attic space 103 to slow the loss of heat from the attic space 103 at night when the solar hot air module 150 is not operative.
  • vents 121 may be closed to prevent the exhausting of warm air from the main space 101 to the attic space 103 and the attic vents 123 may be open to allow warm air from the attic space to exhaust to the outside environment.
  • the attic space 103 may act as a heat cycle to transfer thermal energy from the main space 101 to cooler air that enters the attic space 103 through attic vents 123.
  • warmth from the attic space 103 may infiltrate the main space 101 through the ceiling. In this way, thermal energy from the relatively warm attic space 101 air may transfer to the main space 101 by thermal transference similar to an inversion layer effect.
  • the higher temperature air may transfer by convection.
  • HVAC systems 100 that may be configured to cool and/or heat structure 102.
  • a person having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the features disclosed herein can be implemented in a multitude of different ways to affect the climactic conditions within a given structure (e.g., to heat, cool, and/or control the specific humidity of air within the structure).
  • the air circulation system 130 discussed above can be supplemented with a conventional heat pump to cool/heat structure 102 and/or can be configured to alternately APPENDIX PAGE 16 OF 1 12 operate with other HVAC components (e.g., a heat pump system).
  • the efficiency of the systems disclosed herein can be buttressed by the implementation of passive solar building designs configured to reduce the energy required to heat and/or cool a given structure.
  • FIG. 2A schematically illustrates a first example application for the HVAC system of Figure 1 for situations when the temperature for air outside the structure range between about 75 and about 90 degrees Fahrenheit at night with a relative humidity of less than about 30% (e.g., during summer month and/or summer transition month).
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the main space to be cooled to a temperature of between about 65 and about 70 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 201a.
  • Control circuitry may receive this input information and call for information from one or more sensors as to whether air outside the structure has a temperature of between about 75 and about 90 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 203a. Additionally, the control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors as to whether the relative humidity of air outside the structure is less than about 30% as indicated by block 209a. If either of these parameters is not met, the control circuitry may call for a heat pump to run in order to cool the structure as indicated by block 205a. On the other hand, if both of the parameters are met, the control circuitry may call for the air control system to pressurize the main space of the structure with air from outside the structure as shown by block 211a.
  • an attic space may include one or more fans to force air from the attic space to the surrounding environment.
  • the control circuitry may call for the attic space fans to run when a temperature of the attic space is above about 80 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 215a.
  • HVAC systems and/or control systems may include a manual override function as shown by block 207a to override the automatic and/or programmed selections of the control circuitry.
  • FIG. 2B schematically illustrates a second example application for the HVAC system of Figure 1 for daytime operation during the summer and/or a summer APPENDIX PAGE 17 OF 1 12
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the main space to be cooled to a temperature of between about 65 and about 75 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 201b.
  • Control circuitry may receive this input information and call for information from one or more sensors as to whether air outside the structure has a temperature of less than about 75 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 203b. Additionally, the control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors as to whether the relative humidity of air outside the structure is less than about 30% as indicated by block 209b. If the relative humidity is less than about 30%, the control circuitry may call for the air circulation system to pressurize the main space of the structure with air from outside the structure as indicated by block 213b.
  • the air circulation system may include a pre-cooling system as discussed above to pre-cool the air received by the air circulation system. If the relative humidity is greater than about 30%, the control circuitry may optionally call for a heat pump to run in order to cool the structure to the desired temperature as indicated by block 205b.
  • an attic space may include one or more fans to force air from the attic space to the surrounding environment.
  • the control circuitry may call for the attic space fans to run when a temperature of the attic space is above about 80 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 215b.
  • HVAC systems and/or control systems may include a manual override function as shown by block 207b to override the automatic and/or programmed selections of the control circuitry.
  • FIG. 2C schematically illustrates a third example application for the HVAC system of Figure 1 for nighttime operation during the summer in desert, coastal, and/or mountain climates where the nighttime temperatures are less than about 65 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 hours or more and the relative humidity is less than about 30%.
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the main space to be cooled to a temperature of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 201c.
  • Control circuitry may receive this input information and call for information from one or more sensors as to whether air outside the structure has a temperature of less than about 70 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 203c. If the outside air temperature is less than about 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the control circuitry may call for the ventilation systems damper to open and the APPENDIX PAGE 18 OF 1 12
  • the control circuitry may call for the air circulation system to run at a diminished capacity, for example, half speed, as shown by block 217c to maintain a main space temperature of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit without significant over cooling.
  • the control circuitry may call for the heat pump to cool the main space to a temperature of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 205c. In such a situation, the outside air temperature would not be low enough to cool the main space to a temperature of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • an attic space may include one or more fans to force air from the attic space to the surrounding environment.
  • the control circuitry may call for the attic space fans to run when a temperature of the attic space is above a certain pre-determined value. However, when the outside air temperature is below about 65 degrees Fahrenheit and the thermostat calls for cooling of about 60 degrees, the attic space fans will be shut off by the control circuitry as indicated by block 215c.
  • HVAC systems and/or control systems may include a manual override function as shown by block 207c to override the automatic and/or programmed selections of the control circuitry.
  • FIG. 2D schematically illustrates a fourth example application for the HVAC system of Figure 1 for operation in coastal or other climates with nighttime temperatures greater than about 75 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity greater than about 30%.
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the main space to be cooled to a temperature of between about 65 and about 70 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 20 Id.
  • Control circuitry may receive this input information and call for information from one or more sensors as to whether air outside the structure has a temperature of greater than about 75 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 203d. If the outside air temperature is less than about 75 degrees Fahrenheit, the control circuitry may call for the air circulation system to pressurize the main space of the structure with air from outside the structure as indicated by block 213d. If the outside temperature is greater than about 75 degrees Fahrenheit, the control circuitry may call for a heat pump to cool the main space as shown by APPENDIX PAGE 19 OF 1 12
  • the air cooled by the heat pump may be dehumidified as shown by block 227d.
  • Water that is separated from the cooled air may purified as shown by block 229d to be used as potable water and/or may be used for non-potable applications including greywater use, agricultural use, and/or toilet use, as indicated by reference numeral 23 Id.
  • an air-to-water heat pump can cool water. Waste heat from the heat pump may be harnessed to heat domestic water within the structure as indicated by block 223d and/or may be exhausted outside the structure.
  • the attic space may include one or more fans that are controlled by the control circuitry to run during the daytime when an attic space temperature sensor indicates that the air temperature within the attic space is greater than about 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • FIG. 2E schematically illustrates a fifth example application for the HVAC system of Figure 1 for operation in desert or other climates with relative humidity of less than about 30%.
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the main space to be cooled to a temperature of between about 70 and about 75 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 20 le.
  • Control circuitry may receive this input information and call for information from one or more sensors as to whether air outside the structure has a temperature of greater than about 90 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 203e. If the outside air temperature is less than about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the control circuitry may call for the air circulation system to pressurize the main space of the structure with air from outside the structure as indicated by block 213e.
  • the control circuitry may receive an input from one or more sensors regarding the relative humidity of the outside air as indicated by block 209e. If the relative humidity of the outside air is less than about 30%, the control circuitry may call for the heat pump fan to draw air through a pre-cooling system as indicated by block 250e to cool the received air. The fan may then distribute this cooled air throughout the main space without the use of the heat pump compressor as indicated by block 252e.
  • the control circuitry may call for the heat pump to cool the main space with the use of the compressor (not shown).
  • the attic space may include one or more APPENDIX PAGE 20 OF 112
  • HVAC systems and/or control systems may include a manual override function as shown by block 207e to override the automatic and/or programmed selections of the control circuitry.
  • FIG. 2F schematically illustrates a sixth example application for the HVAC system of Figure 1 for operation during a winter day.
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the main space to be heating to a temperature of between about 70 and about 75 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 20 If.
  • Control circuitry may receive this input information and call for information from one or more sensors as to whether air outside the structure has a temperature of less than about 70 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 203f. If the outside temperature is less than about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the control circuitry will not call for the air circulation system to pressurize the main space with outside air and the return conduit damper will be closed as shown by block 213f.
  • the control circuitry will call for the solar hot air module to transfer thermal energy to the air within the main space as shown by block 269f. Tf the solar hot air module is unable to sufficiently heat the air within the main space, thermal energy may be transferred from hot water to air within the main space.
  • solar hot water e.g., water heated by solar heating systems
  • a heat pump disposed in another portion of the structure and/or the main space may be configured to heat the main space as shown by block 267f.
  • the attic space may include one or more fans that are controlled by the control circuitry to run during certain situations. As shown by block 215f, when the thermostat calls for heating, the attic space fans or vents may be non-operative to conserve thermal energy within the structure.
  • HVAC systems and/or control systems may include a manual override function as shown by block 207f to override the automatic and/or programmed selections of the control circuitry.
  • the system 300a includes a structure 302a that includes a main space 301a.
  • the HVAC system 300a can be configured to heat and/or cool the main space 301a to a desired temperature.
  • the main space 301a includes a thermostat 357a that may be part of a control system including control circuitry to control and/or regulate the various components of the HVAC system 300a.
  • the system 300a further includes at least one warm air vent 335a, at least one barometric vent 323a, at least one upduct 321a, and optionally includes at least one heat source 338a. Warm air may be provided to the main space 301a by at least one fan 351a.
  • the fan 351a may receive warm air from any suitable source, for example, a solar hot air module, a hydronic coil, and/or a heat pump.
  • the warm air directed by the fan 351a may be received in the main space 301a through the warm air vents 335a.
  • warm air that is received within the main space 301a may be maintained within the main space 301a by configuring the barometric vents 323a and the upducts 321a to remain closed during heating cycles.
  • colder air that sinks to the bottom of the main space 301a may be drawn from the main space 301a by one or more conduits to increase the heat of the main space.
  • HVAC system 300a may harness waste heat from the various heat sources 338a within the main space to further improve the heating efficiency of the system 300a.
  • Heat sources 338a may include any heat source disposed within the main space 301a of a structure 302a, including, for example, televisions, computer hardware, electric appliances, gas appliances, and/or living beings (e.g., farm animals). Heat from the heat sources 338a may be directed to the main space 301a instead of to an overlying attic space to increase the temperature within the main space without requiring additional energy.
  • system 300a may further include at least one exterior sensor to provide at least one outside air characteristic to the control circuitry.
  • HVAC system 300a of Figure 3 A is schematically illustrated again.
  • HVAC system 300a in Figure 3B is configured to provide cooling to the structure 302a.
  • fan 351a is configured to receive air that is cooler than the air within the main space 301a from a source of cool air.
  • the source of cool air may comprise any suitable source, for example, a APPENDIX PAGE 22 OF 112
  • the source of cool air includes ambient air provided to the main space 301a at a flow rate sufficient to increase the pressure of the structure 302a relative to the outside environment
  • barometric vents 323a and upducts 321a arc configured to be open to allow warmer air to exhaust to an overlying attic space.
  • pressurizing the main space 301a may provide cooler air to the main space 301a and drive relatively warmer air out of the structure 302a through attic vents (not shown).
  • waste heat may also be exhausted through the attic to maintain a desired temperature within the main space 302a.
  • FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an attic space ventilation system 400 that can be incorporated with the various HVAC systems disclosed herein.
  • System 400 includes a module 480 that is configured to draw in ambient air from outside an attic space 403 while exhausting air from within the attic space 403. In this way, the air temperature within the attic space 403 may be regulated by system 400.
  • module 480 includes at least one fan configured to draw air into the attic space 403 at a certain flow rate and at least one vent configured to allow for the egress of air from the attic space 403 at the certain flow rate.
  • the attic space ventilation system 400 may be useful during situations when it is desirable to cool an attic space.
  • Attic space 403 may include air having a temperature above a certain value while the temperature of air outside the attic space 403 is below the certain value.
  • the module 480 may draw in air that is relatively colder than air within the attic space 403, this air may sink toward the bottom most portion of the attic space 403, and the input of air from outside the attic space 403 may force warmer air out of the module 480 resulting in a cooling effect.
  • FIGS 5A-5C schematically illustrate an embodiment of an attic space ventilation system 500 configured to operate in three different applications.
  • Attic space ventilation system 500 includes a first set of input vents 501 disposed on a roof 504 of a structure 502.
  • Attic space ventilation system 500 also includes output vents 503 disposed on roof 504.
  • Input vents are configured to provide ingress to an attic space of structure 502 and output vents are configured to provide egress therefrom.
  • Attic space ventilation system 500 APPENDIX PAGE 23 OF 1 12
  • the attic space may also include one or more fans (not shown) disposed underneath the input vents 501 and configured to draw air from outside the structure 502 through the input vents 501 and into the underlying attic space.
  • the air drawn in through input vents 501 may force air within the attic space through the output vents 503 to the surrounding environment.
  • the flow rate of air through the attic space may be selectively controlled by control circuitry depending on a desired attic space temperature.
  • input vents 501 and output vents 503 may be controlled to open, close, partially open, and/or partially close, to regulate the flow rate of air therethrough.
  • the attic space may include one or more sensors, for example, RF sensors, configured to provide a signal to the control circuitry such that other components of an HVAC system may be regulated based on the provided signal.
  • FIG. 5A illustrates attic space ventilation system 500 configured to operate in a winter day application.
  • the system 500 may be controlled to cycle air through the attic space when the air temperature within the attic space is greater than about 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • the attic space ventilation system 500 may also be controlled to not cycle air through the attic space when the air temperature within the attic space is less than about 80 degrees Fahrenheit in order to maintain a desired temperature within the structure 502.
  • the attic space ventilation system 500 may be configured to not cycle air through the attic space by not operating the one or more fans and/or by closing off the input vents 501 and output vents 503.
  • FIG. 5B illustrates attic space ventilation system 500 configured to operate in a summer night application.
  • an HVAC system may cool the structure 502 by pressurizing the structure 502 with outside air that is cooler than air within the structure 502 as discussed above with reference to Figure 1.
  • an overall control system may include control the attic space ventilation system and any other system configured to cool the APPENDIX PAGE 24 OF 1 12
  • the attic space ventilation system 500 may be configured to cycle air through an attic space during a summer night.
  • FIG. 5C illustrates attic space ventilation system 500 configured to operate in a summer day application.
  • a sensor within the attic space may determine the temperature of air contained within the attic space. If the temperature of the air within the attic space is above about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the attic space ventilation system 500 may be configured to cool the attic space by exhausting relatively warm air through outlet vents 503 while drawing in relatively cooler air from outside the structure 502 through input vents 501. Conversely, if the temperature within the attic space is below about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the attic space ventilation system 500 may be controlled by control circuitry to not cycle air through the attic space.
  • some embodiments disclosed herein relate to multiplatform HVAC control systems for various structures, including for example, commercial structures.
  • Certain structures for example, restaurants (e.g., coffee shops), include abundant sources of air that includes significant amounts of thermal energy and/or water.
  • the thermal energy may be harnessed to decrease the amount of energy required for HVAC and/or hot water heating in such structures.
  • the water may be harnessed to decrease the amount of water supplied by other sources (e.g., public utility companies).
  • a multiplatform HVAC control system may be configured to harness waste heat during winter months to provide heating capabilities to one or more spaces within a structure.
  • a multiplatform HVAC control system may be configured to harness waste heat during summer months to heat water for domestic use. In some embodiments, a multiplatform HVAC control system may be configured to draw water from one or more sources of waste heat to use the drawn water for various applications.
  • FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a hydronic system used in connection with one embodiment of a multiplatform control system.
  • a hydronic system can comprise a variety of components configured for, among other things, collection, generation, and distribution of heat within a structure as well as between the interior volume of a structure APPENDIX PAGE 25 OF 1 12 and the structure's surroundings. Components of a hydronic system can, for example, be further configured for temperature control and humidity control of air.
  • one exemplary embodiment of a hydronic system comprises a heat pump 610.
  • a heat pump 610 can be an air-to-air heat pump, an air-to-liquid heat pump, or any other configuration of heat pump.
  • a heat pump can be configured to transfer heat from a heat source to a heat sink.
  • a heat pump can function by manipulating the pressure of a working liquid to control the temperature of the working liquid and to thereby facilitate transfer of heat from a heat source to a heat sink.
  • a heat pump can comprise a compressor for increasing the pressure of the working fluid and an expansion valve for decreasing the pressure of a working fluid.
  • a heat pump can further comprise an evaporator for absorbing heat from a heat source and a condenser for transferring heat to a heat sink.
  • a heat pump 610 can be configured to pump heat from air surrounding the heat pump into another area or medium.
  • a heat pump 610 can also be configured, for example, to remove moisture from the air.
  • a heat pump 610 can have evaporator coils located in thermal contact with air surrounding the heat pump and condenser coils located in thermal contact with a cooling liquid.
  • the cooling liquid can be water used for domestic and heating purposes.
  • a hydronic system can further comprise a plurality of tanks. These tanks can, for example, store water used to cool the condenser coils of the heat pump 610. In some embodiments, this water can be sufficiently heated to be used as domestic hot water or to be used in heating.
  • Figure 6 depicts a first domestic tank 620, a second domestic tank 630, and a hydronic tank 640. As depicted in Figure 6, a first or second domestic tank 620, 630, or both tanks, can be connected with the some aspects of a heat pump 610. In one embodiment, liquid from the first and/or second domestic tank 620, 630 is thermally connected with the condenser coils of the heat pump 610.
  • the first and/or second domestic tank 620, 630 can additionally be thermally connected with other components of a heat pump 610, such as, for example, the compressor, the expansion valve, or any other component that generates heat. This thermal connection can be used to simultaneously heat the liquid from the first and/or second domestic tank 620, 630 and to assist in cooling the components with which the first APPENDIX PAGE 26 OF 112
  • the first and/or second domestic tank 620, 630 are thermally connected, hi some embodiments, the first and/or second domestic tank 620, 630 can be configured with electric backup heating elements 622, 632.
  • the electric backup heating elements 622, 632 can maintain the desired water temperature when the heat pump 610 is not sufficiently heating the water.
  • the hydronic system can include a supply of cold water, for example, a 1 and 1 ⁇ 2 inch diameter pipe.
  • one or more of the tanks can be configured for use as a heat exchanger, for example, the second domestic tank 630 can be configured for use as a heat exchanger.
  • the tank can comprise a cold liquid inlet, a dip tube, a cold liquid outlet, and a warm liquid inlet.
  • a tank can be configured with a cold liquid outlet.
  • the cold liquid outlet can be located towards the bottom of the tank.
  • the cold liquid outlet can fluidly connect to an air-to-water heat pump.
  • the cold liquid outlet can fluidly connect to an air-to-water heat pump through at least one pump configured to pressurize the liquid.
  • the heat pump can additionally fluidly connect with the warm water inlet of the tank. In some embodiments, this warm water inlet can be located towards the top of the tank.
  • a tank configured for use as a heat exchanger can further include a cold liquid inlet configured for allowing ingress of cold liquid into the tank.
  • the cold liquid inlet can be located towards the bottom of the tank.
  • the cold liquid inlet can be located towards the top of the tank and fluidly connected with the bottom of the tank by a dip tube.
  • the liquid inlets and outlets can be positioned in a variety of locations in the tank.
  • fluid connection of cold liquid inlets to bottom regions of the tank and warm liquid inlets to upper regions of the tank can assist in tank liquid temperature stratification.
  • location of the cold liquid outlet in bottom regions of the tank can assist in drawing cool liquid from the tank.
  • liquid egresses the tank through the cold liquid outlet.
  • the liquid in some embodiments, passes through a heat exchanger, where the liquid can act as either a heat sink or heat source. Liquid can then, for example, return to the tank where the liquid can exchange heat with the surrounding environment.
  • Liquid in the first and/or second domestic tank 620, 630 can be heated to a desired temperature.
  • liquid can be heated to a temperature between 50 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit, between 100 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit, or between 140 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • a person skilled in the art will recognize that the temperature of the water depends on user needs.
  • the heated liquid in the first and/or second domestic tank 620, 630 is water
  • the water from the first and/or second domestic tank 620, 630 can be used for domestic hot water purposes, including, for example, cooking, drinking, or cleaning.
  • a hydronic tank 640 can also store heated liquid.
  • a hydronic tank 640 can be thermally connected with a heat pump 610 or with liquid that is thermally connected with a heat pump 610.
  • a heat exchanger 642 thermally connects liquid from the hydronic tank 640 with liquid from the first and/or second domestic tank 620, 630. Through this thermal connection, liquid from the first and/or second domestic tank 620, 630 transfers heat from the heat pump to the liquid of the hydronic tank 640.
  • a hydronic tank 640 can also be thermally connected, directly and/or indirectly, with one or more hydronic coils.
  • hydronic coils can be configured to transfer heat between the liquid from the hydronic tank 640 and another medium.
  • hydronic tank 640 is thermally connected with a first hydronic coil 646, a second hydronic coil 648, a third hydronic coil 650, a fourth hydronic coil 652, and a fifth hydronic coil 654.
  • the different hydronic coils 646, 648, 650, 652, 654 can be configured to transfer heat to different areas.
  • the first hydronic coil 646 can be configured to transfer heat to a dining seating area of a restaurant
  • a fourth hydronic coil 652 can be configured to transfer heat to air vented from a heat pump.
  • heat pump 610 and a fifth hydronic coil 654 can be configured to transfer to a heat pump and/or to the dining room of a restaurant.
  • the different hydronic coils 646, 648, 650, 652, 654 can be uniquely or integrally thermally connected to a hydronic tank 640.
  • the hydronic tank 640 can be fluidly connected to the different hydronic coils 646, 648, 650, 652, 654.
  • Figure 6 depicts one embodiment in which the hydronic coils 646, 648, 650, 652, 654 are thermally connected to the hydronic tank 640 by heat exchanger 642. As depicted in Figure 6, heat can be transferred from the liquid in the hydronic tank to liquid circulated through the hydronic coils 646, 648, 650, 652, 654 through a heat exchanger 642.
  • a hydronic tank 640 can additionally be directly or indirectly thermally connected with heat dump 644.
  • heat dump 644 can be thermally connected through heat exchanger 642 with hydronic tank 640.
  • a heat dump 644 can be used to maintain an upper threshold of liquid temperature in hydronic tank 640.
  • a heat dump 644 can comprise a heat exchanger for transferring heat from a hydronic tank 640 to another medium. As depicted in Figure 6, one example of a heat dump can transfer heat between a hydronic tank 640 and air.
  • a hydronic system includes tubing connecting components of a hydronic system, valves, sensors, wires, electronic control equipment, as well as a variety of other known components.
  • a hydronic system may be additionally used in connection with one or more additional heat pumps.
  • additional heat pumps may be configured to provide additional heating or cooling to air or liquid in connection with the hydronic system.
  • a hydronic system may be used in connection with an air-to-air heat pump located in a dining area and a second air-to-air heat pump located in proximity to heat pump 610.
  • a hydronic system is not limited to the specific embodiments discussed above, but includes a variety of components in a variety of combinations.
  • Figures 7A-7L are block diagrams schematically illustrating various applications of the hydronic system of Figure 6.
  • Figure 7 A schematically illustrates a first example application for the hydronic system of Figure 6 for situations when the temperature APPENDIX PAGE 29 OF 1 12 for air outside the structure is less than about 35 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., during winter month).
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the structure interior, or portions thereof, to maintain a temperature between approximately 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 702a. If this temperature has been achieved, control circuitry may call for the system to idle as depicted in block 700a.
  • Control circuitry may receive this input information and call for information from one or more sensors as to whether the temperature of air outside the structure is less than approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 704a. The control circuitry may then call for information from one or more sensors as to whether the relative humidity of air outside the structure is less than about 30% as indicated by block 710a. If either or both of these parameters are not met, the control circuitry may call for a heat pump to run in order to heat the structure as indicated by block 706a. For example, if the outside air temperature is greater than approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit and the relative humidity is less than approximately 30%, then an air circulation system opens and uses a supply fan to circulate external air into the structure as shown in block 706a. External air can then, in some embodiments, be raised to the desired temperature range through the use of an air-to-air heat pump or by hot air solar heating as depicted in block 708a.
  • control circuitry may call for aspects of a heat pump, such as an air-to-air heat pump with a hydronic coil supply to run. If both parameters arc met, control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors as to whether the liquid temperature in a hot liquid tank is greater than approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit as depicted in block 714a. If the sensors indicate that the temperature of the tank is greater than approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit, as depicted in block 712a, the control circuitry, in some embodiments, may call for the fan of an air-to-air heat pump to run, and for the compressor of the heat pump to be off.
  • a heat pump such as an air-to-air heat pump with a hydronic coil supply to run.
  • FIG. 7B schematically illustrates a second example application for the hydronic system of Figure 6 for applications in a kitchen in situations when the temperature for air outside the structure is less than about 35 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., during winter month).
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the structure interior, or portions thereof, to maintain a set heat of approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit as APPENDIX PAGE 30 OF 112 shown by block 702b. If this temperature has been achieved, control circuitry may call for the system to idle as depicted in block 700b. Control circuitry may receive this input information and call for information from one or more sensors as to whether the temperature of air outside the structure is less than approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 704b.
  • the control circuitry may then call for information from one or more sensors as to whether the relative humidity of air outside the structure is less than about 30% as indicated by block 710b. If either or both of these parameters are not met, the control circuitry may call for a heat pump to run in order to heat the structure as indicated by block 706b. For example, if the outside air temperature is greater than approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit and the relative humidity is less than approximately 30%, then an air circulation system opens and uses a supply fan to circulate external air into the structure as shown in block 706b. External air can then, in some embodiments, be raised to the desired temperature range through the use of, for example, hot air solar heating as depicted in block 708b.
  • control circuitry may call for aspects of a heat pump, such as an air-to-air heat pump with a hydronic coil supply to run. If both parameters are met, control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors as to whether the liquid temperature in a hot liquid tank is greater than approximately 110 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit as depicted in block 714b. If the sensors indicate that the temperature of the tank is greater than approximately 110 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit, as depicted in block 712b, the control circuitry, in some embodiments, may call for the fan of an air-to-air heat pump to run, and for the compressor of the heat pump to be off.
  • a heat pump such as an air-to-air heat pump with a hydronic coil supply to run.
  • FIG. 7C schematically illustrates a third example application for the hydronic system of Figure 6 for applications in a kitchen in situations for cloudy and/or rainy weather (e.g., during winter month).
  • heat can be recovered from the kitchen area by the air-to-water heat pump and distributed as directed.
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the structure interior, or portions thereof, to maintain a set heat of approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 702c. If this temperature has been achieved, control circuitry may call for the system to idle as depicted in block 700c. If on the other hand, this temperature has not been achieved, the Control APPENDIX PAGE 31 OF 1 12
  • circuitry may receive this input information and call for cooling by the air-to-water heat pump as shown in block 720C.
  • Running the air-to-water heat pump extract moisture from the air, which moisture can be recovered as shown in block 722c.
  • control circuitry can manage use or purification and use of water recovered from the air by the air-to-water heat pump.
  • water recovered from the dehumidification function can be purified, and as shown in block 726c, this recovered water can be used in domestic applications, like, for example, use in toilets.
  • control circuitry can further direct heating of water within at least one domestic hot water tank and/or at least one hydronic heat tank.
  • control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one domestic hot water tank. When the temperature is below a preset value, heat can be added to the domestic hot water tank. Conversely, when the temperature is above some preset value, heat is not added to the domestic hot water tank. As depicted in block 728c when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is above approximately 135 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is not added to the water of the domestic hot water tank.
  • control circuitry can call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of at least one hydronic hot water tank.
  • the temperature is below a preset value
  • heat can be added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • the temperature is above some preset value
  • heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • block 730c when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is below approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is added to the water of the hydronic hot water tank.
  • the temperature is above approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • some embodiments can be configured with features to cool these tanks if the temperatures exceed a threshold. As depicted in block 744C, excess heat within either the at least one domestic tank or at least one hydronic can be dissipated with a heat dump.
  • control circuitry may call for hot water from the hydronic tank to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air-to- water heat pump and to thereby reheat that exit-air as depicted in block 732c.
  • the amount of reheating of exit air can be controlled by a thermostat and related control circuitry, and can, as depicted in block 734c, be maintained at approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • the control circuitry can additionally call for heating of additional spaces of a structure. As depicted in block 736c, control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors relating to the temperature of the dining room.
  • hot water from a hydronic tank can be supplied to hydronic coils in an air-to-air heat pump as depicted in block 738c.
  • Control circuitry can direct the fan of the air- to-air heat pump to run and to thereby circulate room air around the heated hydronic coils and heat the room.
  • a temperature within a second temperature zone is below a set point value, as indicated as approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit in block 740c, hot water from the hydronic tank can be supplied to hydronic coils in other air-to-air heat pump or alternative heat transfer devices.
  • FIG. 7D schematically illustrates a fourth example application for the hydronic system of Figure 6 for applications in a kitchen in situations with outside temperatures above approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit, relative humidity below approximately 30%, and clear skies (e.g., during summer transitional month).
  • heat can be recovered by the air-to-water heat pump from the kitchen and solar energy can be collected from outdoors.
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the structure interior, or portions thereof, to maintain a set heat of approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 702d. If this temperature has been achieved, control circuitry may call for the system to idle as depicted in block 700d.
  • Control circuitry may receive this input information relating to outside temperature and conditions, and if the outside temperature and conditions exceed some predetermined threshold, which as depicted in 704d can be APPENDIX PAGE 33 OF 1 12
  • Running the air-to-water heat pump extract moisture from the air, which moisture can be recovered as shown in block 722d.
  • control circuitry can manage use or purification and use of water recovered from the air by the air-to-water heat pump.
  • water recovered from the dehumidiiication function can be purified, and as shown in block 726d, this recovered water can be used in domestic applications, like, for example, use in toilets.
  • control circuitry can further direct heating of water within at least one domestic hot water tank and/or at least one hydronic heat tank.
  • control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one domestic hot water tank. When the temperature is below a preset value, heat can be added to the domestic hot water tank. Conversely, when the temperature is above some preset value, heat is not added to the domestic hot water tank. As depicted in block 728d when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is above approximately 135 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is not added to the water of the domestic hot water tank.
  • heat to the domestic hot water tank can be provided from external solar sources as depicted in block 750d.
  • the external solar sources may provide sufficient energy to attain and maintain adequate temperatures in the at least one domestic hot water tank and/or the at least one hydronic water tank.
  • the air-to- water heat pump can wholly or partially supplement solar energy in maintaining the liquid temperature in these tanks.
  • control circuitry can call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one hydronic hot water tank.
  • the temperature is below a preset value, heat can be added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • the temperature is above some preset value, heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is below approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is added to the water of the hydronic hot water APPENDIX PAGE 34 OF 112
  • control circuitry may call for hot water from the hydronic tank to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air-to- water heat pump and to thereby reheat that exit-air as depicted in block 732d.
  • the amount of reheating of exit air can be controlled by a thermostat and related control circuitry, and can, as depicted in block 734d, be maintained at approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • the control circuitry can additionally call for heating of additional spaces of a structure. As depicted in block 736d, control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors relating to the temperature of the dining room.
  • hot water from a hydronic tank can be supplied to hydronic coils in an air-to-air heat pump as depicted in block 738d.
  • Control circuitry can direct the fan of the air- to-air heat pump to run and to thereby circulate room air around the heated hydronic coils and heat the room.
  • hot water from the hydronic tank can be supplied to hydronic coils in other air- to-air heat pump or alternative heat transfer devices.
  • control circuitry can call for cooling and an air-to-air heat pump thermally connected to the air of that warm area can run as depicted in block 742d.
  • FIG. 7E schematically illustrates a fifth example application for the hydronic system of Figure 6 for applications in a kitchen in situations with outside temperatures above approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit, relative humidity above approximately 30%, and clear skies (e.g., during summer transitional month).
  • heat can be recovered by the air-to-water heat pump from the kitchen and solar energy can be collected from outdoors.
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the structure interior, or portions thereof, to maintain a set heat of approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 702e. If this temperature has been achieved, APPENDIX PAGE 35 OF 1 12 control circuitry may call for the system to idle as depicted in block 700e.
  • the control circuitry may receive this input information relating to outside temperature and conditions, and if the outside temperature and conditions exceed some predetermined threshold, which as depicted in 704e can be approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit, call for cooling by the air-to-watcr heat pump as shown in block 720e. Similarly, if this temperature has been achieved, but the relative humidity within the building is above 30%, as depicted in block 703e, the control circuitry can call for dehumidiiication by the air-to water heat pump as shown in block 720e.
  • some predetermined threshold which as depicted in 704e can be approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Running the air-to-water heat pump extracts moisture from the air, which moisture can be recovered as shown in block 722e.
  • control circuitry can manage use or purification and use of water recovered from the air by the air-to-water heat pump.
  • water recovered from the dehumidiiication function can be purified, and as shown in block 726e, this recovered water can be used in domestic applications, like, for example, use in toilets.
  • control circuitry can further direct heating of water within at least one domestic hot water tank and/or at least one hydronic heat tank.
  • control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one domestic hot water tank. When the temperature is below a preset value, heat can be added to the domestic hot water tank. Conversely, when the temperature is above some preset value, heat is not added to the domestic hot water tank. As depicted in block 728e when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is above approximately 135 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is not added to the water of the domestic hot water tank.
  • heat to the domestic hot water tank can be provided from external solar sources as depicted in block 750e.
  • the external solar sources may provide sufficient energy to attain and maintain adequate temperatures in the at least one domestic hot water tank and/or the at least one hydronic water tank.
  • the air-to- water heat pump can wholly or partially supplement solar energy in maintaining the liquid temperature in these tanks.
  • control circuitry can call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of at least one hydronic hot water tank.
  • heat can be added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • block 730e when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is below approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is added to the water of the hydronic hot water tank.
  • the temperature is above approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • some embodiments can be configured with features to cool these tanks if the temperatures exceed a threshold. As depicted in block 744e, excess heat within either the at least one domestic tank or at least one hydronic can be dissipated with a heat dump.
  • Water from the hydronic tank can be used for distributing heat throughout the structure.
  • control circuitry may call for hot water from the hydronic tank to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air-to- water heat pump and to thereby reheat that exit-air.
  • hot water from a hot water tank is not used to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air-to water heat pump.
  • the reheating of exit air can be controlled by a thermostat and related control circuitry, and can, as depicted in block 734e, be maintained at approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit. As depicted in block 732e, if when temperatures are above a threshold, reheating is turned off and cooling is turned on.
  • control circuitry can additionally call for heating or cooling of additional spaces of a structure.
  • control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors relating to the temperature of the dining room.
  • the control circuitry can stop flow of hot water to hydronic coils in an air-to-air heat pump and direct the running of the air-to-air heat pump to cool the area as depicted in block 738e.
  • a temperature within a second temperature zone is above a set point value, for example above approximately 78 degrees APPENDIX PAGE 37 OF 1 12
  • hot water from the hydronic tank can be cut-off from hydronic coils of an air-to-air heat pump and control circuitry can call for cooling and for the running of an air-to-air heat pump thermally connected to the air of that warm area as depicted in block 742e.
  • FIG. 7F schematically illustrates a sixth example application for the hydronic system of Figure 6 for applications in situations with outside temperatures above approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit and with relative humidity below approximately 30% (e.g., during summer transitional month).
  • heat can be recovered by the air-to-water heat pump from the kitchen and solar energy can be collected.
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the structure interior, or portions thereof, to maintain a set heat of approximately 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 702f.
  • the control circuitry can additionally receive information relating to the relative humidity inside the structure. As depicted in block 703f, the information relating to relative humidity can also result in the control circuitry calling for dehumidification or cooling.
  • cooling begins when the internal temperature of the structure, or some portions thereof, exceeds a threshold, or when the internal relative humidity of the structure, or some portions thereof, exceeds a threshold.
  • control circuitry may call for the system to idle as depicted in block 700f . If on the other hand, the desired internal conditions have not been achieved, the control circuitry may receive input information relating to outside temperature and conditions and based on this information related to outside temperatures, cool through a variety of means. If the outside temperature is between approximately 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, as depicted in 704f, the control circuitry can call for cooling.
  • control circuitry can manage an air-to-air heat pump in response to information received relating to inside an outside temperatures and conditions.
  • the control circuitry can request the economizer damper on an air- to-air heat pump to open, for the supply fan to run, for the damper to solar hot air to close, and for the economizer damper to outside air to close.
  • the control circuitry can further call for, as depicted in block 754f, the indirect or direct pre-cooler used in connection with the air-to-air heat pump to start, the supply fan to start, the compressor on the air-to-air heat APPENDIX PAGE 38 OF 1 12 pump to stop, and for the opening of the damper for indirect or direct cooling in the economizer.
  • the control circuitry can call for any combination of the above mentioned conditions as well as combinations of the opposite condition (e.g. opened and closed).
  • control circuitry may receive input information relating to outside conditions such as the relative humidity. As depicted in block 705f, when the relative humidity is greater than approximately 30%, call for cooling by the air-to- water heat pump as shown in block 720f.
  • Running the air-to-water heat pump extracts moisture from the air, which moisture can be recovered.
  • control circuitry can manage use or purification and use of water recovered from the air by the air-to- water heat pump. Water recovered from the dehumidification function can be purified, and this recovered water can be used in domestic applications, like, for example, use in toilets.
  • control circuitry can further direct heating of water within at least one domestic hot water tank and/or at least one hydronic heat tank.
  • control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one domestic hot water tank. When the temperature is below a preset value, heat can be added to the domestic hot water tank. Conversely, when the temperature is above some preset value, heat is not added to the domestic hot water tank. As depicted in block 728f when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is above approximately 135 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is not added to the water of the domestic hot water tank.
  • control circuitry can call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one hydronic hot water tank.
  • the temperature is below a preset value, heat can be added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • the temperature is above some preset value, heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is below approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is added to the water of the hydronic hot water tank.
  • Water from the hydronic tank can be used for distributing heat throughout the structure.
  • control circuitry may call for hot water from the hydronic tank to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air-to- water heat pump and to thereby reheat that exit-air.
  • hot water from a hot water tank is not used to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air- to water heat pump.
  • hydronic coils can be configured for duct heating.
  • Control circuitry can call for flow of hot water to heat areas as desired.
  • water is circulated through hydronic coils for heating, in other embodiments in which heating is not desired, and as depicted in blocks 756f and 758f, water is not circulated through hydronic coils and no heating occurs.
  • control circuitry can call for information relating to temperatures within specific areas of the structure. When these temperatures exceed some threshold, for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit as depicted in block 742f, an air-to-air heat pump can locally cool air. On the other hand, if local temperatures are below some threshold, the control circuitry can call for the air-to-air heat pump to idle as depicted in block 700f.
  • some threshold for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit as depicted in block 742f
  • an air-to-air heat pump can locally cool air.
  • the control circuitry can call for the air-to-air heat pump to idle as depicted in block 700f.
  • a solar heating feature can include a sensor to monitor and/or control the temperature of the solar heating feature.
  • the solar heating feature can be cooled, for example, by running a fan.
  • a fan can be used to maintain the temperature of a solar heating feature, the fan running when the temperature exceeds some threshold temperature.
  • Figure 7G schematically illustrates a seventh example application for the hydronic system of Figure 6 for applications in situations with outside temperatures above APPENDIX PAGE 40 OF 112
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the structure interior, or portions thereof, to maintain a set heat of approximately 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 702g. In some embodiments, this may be a central thermostat, or a thermostat unique to a specific area within the structure.
  • the control circuitry can additionally receive information relating to the relative humidity inside the structure. As depicted in block 703g, the information relating to relative humidity can also result in the control circuitry calling for dehumidification or cooling.
  • cooling begins when the internal temperature of the structure, or some portions thereof, exceeds a threshold, or when the internal relative humidity of the structure, or some portions thereof, exceeds a threshold. If the desired internal conditions have been achieved, control circuitry may call for the system to idle as depicted in block 700g. If on the other hand, the desired internal conditions have not been achieved, the control circuitry may receive input information relating to outside temperature and conditions, and based on this information related to outside temperatures and conditions, cool through a variety of means. If the outside temperature is between approximately 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, as depicted in 704g, the control circuitry can call for cooling.
  • control circuitry can manage an air-to-air heat pump in response to information received relating to inside an outside temperatures and conditions.
  • the control circuitry can request the economizer damper on an air-to-air heat pump to open, for the supply fan to run, for the damper to hot air to close, and for the economizer damper to outside air to close.
  • the control circuitry can further call for, as depicted in block 754g, the indirect or direct pre-cooler used in connection with the air-to-air heat pump to start, the supply fan to start, the compressor on the air-to-air heat pump to stop, and for the opening of the damper for indirect or direct cooling in the economizer.
  • the control circuitry can call for any combination of the above mentioned conditions as well as combinations of the opposite condition (e.g. opened and closed).
  • control circuitry may receive input information relating to outside conditions such as the relative humidity. As depicted in block 705g, when the relative humidity is greater than approximately 30%, call for cooling by the air-to- water heat pump as shown in block 720g.
  • Running the air-to-water heat pump extracts moisture from the air, which moisture can be recovered.
  • control circuitry can manage use or purification and use of water recovered from the air by the air-to- water heat pump. Water recovered from the dehumidification function can be purified, and this recovered water can be used in domestic applications, like, for example, use in toilets.
  • control circuitry can further direct heating of water within at least one domestic hot water tank and/or at least one hydronic heat tank.
  • control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one domestic hot water tank. When the temperature is below a preset value, heat can be added to the domestic hot water tank. Conversely, when the temperature is above some preset value, heat is not added to the domestic hot water tank. As depicted in block 728g when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is above approximately 135 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is not added to the water of the domestic hot water tank.
  • control circuitry can call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one hydronic hot water tank.
  • heat can be added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • some preset value heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • block 730g when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is below approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is added to the water of the hydronic hot water tank.
  • the temperature is above approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit
  • heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • some embodiments can be configured with features to cool these tanks if the temperatures exceed a threshold. As depicted in block APPENDIX PAGE 42 OF 1 12
  • excess heat within either the at least one domestic tank or at least one hydronic can be dissipated with a heat dump.
  • Water from the hydronic tank can be used for distributing heat throughout the structure.
  • control circuitry may call for hot water from the hydronic tank to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air-to- water heat pump and to thereby reheat that exit-air.
  • hot water from a hot water tank is not used to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air- to water heat pump.
  • hydronic coils can be configured for duct heating.
  • Control circuitry can call for flow of hot water to heat areas as desired.
  • water is circulated through hydronic coils for heating, in other embodiments in which heating is not desired, and as depicted in blocks 756g and 758g, water is not circulated through hydronic coils and no heating occurs.
  • control circuitry can call for information relating to temperatures within specific areas of the structure. When these temperatures exceed some threshold, for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit as depicted in block 742g, an air-to-air heat pump can locally cool air. On the other hand, if local temperatures are below some threshold, the control circuitry can call for the air-to-air heat pump to idle as depicted in block 700g.
  • some threshold for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit as depicted in block 742g
  • an air-to-air heat pump can locally cool air.
  • the control circuitry can call for the air-to-air heat pump to idle as depicted in block 700g.
  • a solar heating feature can include a sensor to monitor and/or control the temperature of the solar heating feature.
  • the solar heating feature can be cooled, for example, by running a fan.
  • a fan can be used to maintain the temperature of a solar heating feature, the fan running when the temperature exceeds some threshold temperature.
  • FIG. 7H schematically illustrates a eighth example application for the hydronic system of Figure 6 for applications in situations with outside temperatures between approximately 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., during summer transitional month).
  • heat can be recovered by the air-to-water heat pump from the kitchen.
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the structure interior, or portions APPENDIX PAGE 43 OF 1 12
  • control circuitry can additionally receive information relating to the relative humidity inside the structure. As depicted in block 703h, the information relating to relative humidity can also result in the control circuitry calling for dehumidification or cooling. Thus, in some embodiments, for example, cooling begins when the internal temperature of the structure, or some portions thereof, exceeds a threshold, or when the internal relative humidity of the structure, or some portions thereof, exceeds a threshold. If the desired internal conditions have been achieved, control circuitry may call for the system to idle as depicted in block 700h.
  • control circuitry may receive input information relating to outside temperature and conditions, and based on this information related to outside temperatures and conditions, cool through a variety of means. If the outside temperature is between approximately 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, as depicted in 704h, the control circuitry can call for cooling. In some embodiments, control circuitry can manage an air-to-air heat pump in response to information received relating to inside an outside temperatures and conditions. In one embodiment, and as depicted in block 752h, the control circuitry can request the economizer damper on an air-to-air heat pump to open, for the supply fan to run, and for the damper to solar hot air to close.
  • the control circuitry can further call for, as depicted in block 754h, the indirect or direct pre-cooler used in connection with the air-to-air heat pump to start, the supply fan to start, the compressor on the air-to-air heat pump to stop, and for the opening of the damper for indirect or direct cooling in the economizer.
  • the control circuitry can call for any combination of the above mentioned conditions as well as combinations of the opposite condition (e.g. opened and closed).
  • control circuitry may receive input information relating to outside conditions such as the relative humidity. As depicted in block 705h, when the relative humidity is greater than approximately 30%, call for cooling by the air-to- water heat pump as shown in block 720h.
  • Running the air-to-water heat pump extracts moisture from the air, which moisture can be recovered.
  • control circuitry can manage use or purification and use of water recovered from the air by the air-to- water heat pump. Water recovered from the dehumidification function can be purified, and this recovered water can be used in domestic applications, like, for example, use in toilets.
  • control circuitry can further direct heating of water within at least one domestic hot water tank and/or at least one hydronic heat tank.
  • control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one domestic hot water tank. When the temperatures are below a preset value, heat can be added to the domestic hot water tank. Conversely, when the temperature is above some preset value, heat is not added to the domestic hot water tank. As depicted in block 728h when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is below approximately 135 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is added to the water of the domestic hot water tank.
  • control circuitry can call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one hydronic hot water tank.
  • heat can be added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • block 730h when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is below approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is added to the water of the hydronic hot water tank.
  • block 730h when the temperature is above approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • some embodiments can be configured with features to cool these tanks if the temperatures exceed a threshold. As depicted in block 744h, excess heat within the at least one domestic tank and/or the at least one hydronic can be dissipated with a heat dump.
  • Water from the hydronic tank can be used for distributing heat throughout the structure.
  • control circuitry may call for hot water from the hydronic tank to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air-to- APPENDIX PAGE 45 OF 1 12 water heat pump and to thereby reheat that exit-air.
  • hot water from a hot water tank is not used to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air- to water heat pump.
  • hydronic coils can be configured for duct heating.
  • Control circuitry can call for flow of hot water to heat areas as desired.
  • water is circulated through hydronic coils for heating, in other embodiments in which heating is not desired, and as depicted in blocks 756h and 758h, water is not circulated through hydronic coils and no heating occurs.
  • control circuitry can call for information relating to temperatures within specific areas of the structure. When these temperatures exceed some threshold, for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit an air-to-air heat pump can locally cool air. On the other hand, if local temperatures are below some threshold, for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit, as depicted in block 742h, the control circuitry can call for the air-to-air heat pump to idle as depicted in block 700h.
  • some threshold for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit an air-to-air heat pump can locally cool air.
  • some threshold for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit
  • a solar heating feature can include a sensor to monitor and/or control the temperature of the solar heating feature.
  • the solar heating feature can be cooled, for example, by running a fan.
  • a fan can be used to maintain the temperature of a solar heating feature, the fan mnning when the temperature exceeds some threshold temperature.
  • FIG 71 schematically illustrates a ninth example application for the hydronic system of Figure 6 for applications in situations with outside temperatures between approximately 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity below approximately 30% (e.g., during summer transitional month in combination with a coastal or monsoon climate).
  • the system can alternatively heat, cool, and dehumidify the structure as required to maintain comfortable temperatures and conditions
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the structure interior, or portions thereof, to maintain a set temperature of approximately 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 702L
  • this may be a central thermostat, or a thermostat unique to a specific area within the structure.
  • the control circuitry can APPENDIX PAGE 46 OF 1 12
  • control circuitry may call for the system to idle as depicted in block 700L If on the other hand, the desired internal conditions have not been achieved, the control circuitry may receive input information relating to outside temperature and conditions, and based on this information related to outside temperatures and conditions, cool through a variety of means.
  • control circuitry can call for heating.
  • control circuitry can manage an air-to-air heat pump in response to information received relating to inside an outside temperatures and conditions.
  • control circuitry can request the economizer damper on an air-to-air heat pump to open, for the supply fan to run, and for the damper to solar hot air to open.
  • the control circuitry can further call for, as depicted in block 754i, the indirect or direct pre-cooler used in connection with the air-to-air heat pump to stop, the supply fan to start, the compressor on the air-to-air heat pump to stop, and for the closing of the damper for indirect or direct cooling in the economizer. This combination results in the circulation of warmed air.
  • the control circuitry can call for any combination of the above mentioned conditions as well as combinations of the opposite condition (e.g. opened and closed).
  • control circuitry may receive input information relating to outside conditions such as the relative humidity. As depicted in block 705i, when the relative humidity is greater than approximately 30%, call for cooling and dehumidification by the air-to- water heat pump as shown in block 720i.
  • Running the air-to-water heat pump extracts moisture from the air, which moisture can be recovered.
  • control circuitry can manage use or purification and use of water recovered from the air by the air-to- water heat pump.
  • Water APPENDIX PAGE 47 OF 112 recovered from the dehumidification function can be purified, and this recovered water can be used in domestic applications, like, for example, use in toilets.
  • control circuitry can further direct heating of water within at least one domestic hot water tank and/or at least one hydronic heat tank.
  • control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one domestic hot water tank. When the temperatures are below a preset value, heat can be added to the domestic hot water tank. Conversely, when the temperature is above some preset value, heat is not added to the domestic hot water tank. As depicted in block 728i when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is below approximately 135 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is added to the water of the domestic hot water tank.
  • control circuitry can call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one hydronic hot water tank.
  • heat can be added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • block 730i when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is below approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is added to the water of the hydronic hot water tank.
  • block 730i when the temperature is above approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank as depicted in block 73 li.
  • some embodiments can be configured with features to cool these tanks if the temperatures exceed a threshold. As depicted in block 744i, excess heat within either the at least one domestic tank or at least one hydronic tank can be dissipated with a heat dump.
  • Water from the hydronic tank can be used for distributing heat throughout the structure.
  • control circuitry may call for hot water from the hydronic tank to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air-to- water heat pump and to thereby reheat that exit-air.
  • hot water from a hot water tank is not used to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air- to water heat pump.
  • hydronic coils can be APPENDIX PAGE 48 OF 112
  • Control circuitry can call for flow of hot water to heat areas as desired.
  • water is circulated through hydronic coils for heating, in other embodiments in which heating is not desired, water is not circulated through hydronic coils and no heating occurs.
  • control circuitry can call for information relating to temperatures within specific areas of the structure. When these temperatures exceed some threshold, for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit an air-to-air heat pump can locally cool air. On the other hand, if local temperatures are below some threshold, for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit, as depicted in block 742i, the control circuitry can call for the air-to-air heat pump to idle as depicted in block 700i.
  • some threshold for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit an air-to-air heat pump can locally cool air.
  • some threshold for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit
  • a solar heating feature can include a sensor to monitor and/or control the temperature of the solar heating feature.
  • the solar heating feature can be cooled, for example, by running a fan.
  • a fan can be used to maintain the temperature of a solar heating feature, the fan running when the temperature exceeds, for example, approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • FIG. 7J schematically illustrates a tenth example application for the hydronic system of Figure 6 for applications in situations with outside temperatures between approximately 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., during summer transitional month).
  • the system can alternatively heat, cool, and dehumidify the structure as required to maintain comfortable temperatures and conditions
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the structure interior, or portions thereof, to maintain a set temperature of approximately 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 702j .
  • this may be a central thermostat, or a thermostat unique to a specific area within the structure.
  • the control circuitry can additionally receive information relating to the temperature and relative humidity at another location inside the structure.
  • the information relating to conditions in this area can also result in the control circuitry calling for dehumidification, cooling, or heating.
  • heating begins when the internal temperature of the APPENDIX PAGE 49 OF 112
  • control circuitry may call for the system to idle as depicted in block 700j. If on the other hand, the desired internal conditions have not been achieved, the control circuitry may receive input information relating to outside temperature and conditions, and based on this information related to outside temperatures and conditions, cool through a variety of means. If the outside temperature is between approximately 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, as depicted in 704j, the control circuitry can call for heating. In some embodiments, control circuitry can manage an air-to-air heat pump in response to information received relating to inside an outside temperatures and conditions.
  • the control circuitry can request the economizer damper on an air- to-air heat pump to open, for the supply fan to run, and for the damper to solar hot air to open.
  • the control circuitry can further call for, as depicted in block 754j, the indirect or direct pre-cooler used in connection with the air-to-air heat pump to stop, the supply fan to start, the compressor on the air-to-air heat pump to stop, and for the closing of the damper for indirect or direct cooling in the economizer. This combination results in the circulation of warmed air.
  • the control circuitry can call for any combination of the above mentioned conditions as well as combinations of the opposite condition (e.g. opened and closed).
  • control circuitry may receive input information relating to outside conditions such as the relative humidity. As depicted in block 705j, when the relative humidity is greater than approximately 30%, call for cooling and dehumidification by the air-to- water heat pump as shown in block 720j.
  • control circuitry can manage use or purification and use of water recovered from the air by the air-to- water heat pump. Water recovered from the dehumidification function can be purified, and this recovered water can be used in domestic applications, like, for example, use in toilets.
  • control circuitry can further direct heating of water within at least one domestic hot water tank and/or at least one hydronic heat tank.
  • control circuitry may call for APPENDIX PAGE 50 OF 1 12 information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one domestic hot water tank. When the temperatures are below a preset value, heat can be added to the domestic hot water tank. Conversely, when the temperature is above some preset value, heat is not added to the domestic hot water tank. As depicted in block 728j when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is below approximately 135 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is added to the water of the domestic hot water tank.
  • control circuitry can call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one hydronic hot water tank.
  • heat can be added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • block 730j when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is below approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is added to the water of the hydronic hot water tank.
  • block 730j when the temperature is above approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • some embodiments can be configured with features to cool these tanks if the temperatures exceed a threshold. As depicted in block 744j, excess heat within either the at least one domestic tank or at least one hydronic can be dissipated with a heat dump.
  • Water from the hydronic tank can be used for distributing heat throughout the structure.
  • control circuitry may call for hot water from the hydronic tank to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air-to- water heat pump and to thereby reheat that exit-air.
  • hot water from a hot water tank is not used to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air- to water heat pump.
  • hydronic coils can be configured for duct heating.
  • Control circuitry can call for flow of hot water to heat areas as desired.
  • water is circulated through hydronic coils for heating, in other embodiments in which heating is not desired, and as depicted in block 758j, water is not circulated through hydronic coils and no heating occurs.
  • control circuitry can call for information relating to temperatures within specific areas of the structure. When these temperatures exceed some threshold, for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit an air-to-air heat pump can locally cool air. On the other hand, if local temperatures are below some threshold, for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit, as depicted in block 742j, the control circuitry can call for the air-to-air heat pump to idle as depicted in block 700j.
  • some threshold for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit an air-to-air heat pump can locally cool air.
  • some threshold for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit
  • a solar heating feature can include a sensor to monitor and/or control the temperature of the solar heating feature.
  • the solar heating feature can be cooled, for example, by running a fan.
  • a fan can be used to maintain the temperature of a solar heating feature, the fan running when the temperature exceeds, for example, approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • FIG. 7K schematically illustrates a eleventh example application for the hydronic system of Figure 6 for applications in situations with outside temperatures above approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., during summer transitional month with coastal or monsoon climatic impact).
  • the system can alternatively heat, cool, and dehumidify the structure as required to maintain comfortable temperatures and conditions
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the structure interior, or portions thereof, to maintain a set temperature of approximately 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 702k. In some embodiments, this may be a central thermostat, or a thermostat unique to a specific area within the structure.
  • the control circuitry can additionally receive information relating to the temperature and relative humidity at another location inside the structure.
  • the information relating to conditions in this area can also result in the control circuitry calling for dehumidification, cooling, or heating.
  • heating begins when the internal temperature of the structure or some portions thereof, drops below a threshold temperature. If the desired internal conditions have been achieved, control circuitry may call for the system to idle as depicted in block 700k. If on the other hand, the desired internal conditions have not been achieved, the control circuitry may receive input APPENDIX PAGE 52 OF 1 12
  • control circuitry can call for cooling.
  • control circuitry can manage an air-to-air heat pump in response to information received relating to inside an outside temperatures and conditions.
  • the control circuitry can request the economizer damper on an air-to-air heat pump to close, for the supply fan to run, and for the damper to solar hot air to close.
  • the control circuitry can further call for, as depicted in block 754k, the indirect or direct pre-cooler used in connection with the air-to-air heat pump to stop, the supply fan to start, the compressor on the air-to-air heat pump to stop, and for the closing of the damper for indirect or direct cooling in the economizer. This combination results in the circulation of cool air.
  • the control circuitry can call for any combination of the above mentioned conditions.
  • control circuitry may receive input information relating to outside conditions such as the relative humidity. As depicted in block 705k, when the relative humidity is greater than approximately 30%, call for cooling and dehumidification by the air-to- water heat pump as shown in block 720k.
  • Running the air-to-water heat pump extracts moisture from the air, which moisture can be recovered.
  • control circuitry can manage use or purification and use of water recovered from the air by the air-to- water heat pump. Water recovered from the dehumidification function can be purified, and this recovered water can be used in domestic applications, like, for example, use in toilets.
  • control circuitry can further direct heating of water within at least one domestic hot water tank and/or at least one hydronic heat tank.
  • control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one domestic hot water tank. When the temperatures are below a preset value, heat can be added to the domestic hot water tank. Conversely, when the temperature is above some preset value, heat is not added to the domestic hot water tank.
  • block 728k when the sensor APPENDIX PAGE 53 OF 112
  • control circuitry can call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one hydronic hot water tank.
  • heat can be added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • block 730k when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is below approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is added to the water of the hydronic hot water tank.
  • block 730k when the temperature is above approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank.
  • some embodiments can be configured with features to cool these tanks if the temperatures exceed a threshold. As depicted in block 744k, excess heat within either the at least one domestic tank or at least one hydronic can be dissipated with a heat dump.
  • Water from the hydronic tank can be used for distributing heat throughout the structure.
  • control circuitry may call for hot water from the hydronic tank to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air-to- water heat pump and to thereby reheat that exit-air.
  • hot water from a hot water tank is not used to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air- to water heat pump.
  • hydronic coils can be configured for duct heating.
  • Control circuitry can call for flow of hot water to heat areas as desired.
  • water is circulated through hydronic coils for heating, in other embodiments in which heating is not desired, and as depicted in block 758k, water is not circulated through hydronic coils and no heating occurs.
  • control circuitry can call for information relating to temperatures within specific areas of the structure. When these temperatures exceed some threshold, for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit an air-to-air heat pump can locally cool air. On the other hand, if local temperatures are below some threshold, for APPENDIX PAGE 54 OF 1 12 example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit, as depicted in block 742k, the control circuitry can call for the air-to-air heat pump to idle as depicted in block 700k.
  • some threshold for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit an air-to-air heat pump can locally cool air.
  • a solar heating feature can include a sensor to monitor and/or control the temperature of the solar heating feature.
  • the solar heating feature can be cooled, for example, by running a fan.
  • a fan can be used to maintain the temperature of a solar heating feature, the fan running when the temperature exceeds, for example, approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • FIG. 7L schematically illustrates a eleventh example application for the hydronic system of Figure 6 for applications in situations with outside temperatures above approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit (e.g., during summer transitional month specifically configured for maintaining temperature during a high load period).
  • the system can alternatively heat, cool, and dehumidify the structure as required to maintain comfortable temperatures and conditions
  • a thermostat within the structure may call for the structure interior, or portions thereof, to maintain a set temperature of approximately 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit as shown by block 7021. In some embodiments, this may be a central thermostat, or a thermostat unique to a specific area within the structure.
  • the control circuitry can additionally receive information relating to the temperature and relative humidity at another location inside the structure.
  • the information relating to conditions in this area can also result in the control circuitry calling for dehumidification, cooling, or heating.
  • heating begins when the internal temperature of the structure or some portions thereof, drops below a threshold temperature.
  • control circuitry may call for the system to idle as depicted in block 7001. If on the other hand, the desired internal conditions have not been achieved, the control circuitry may receive input information relating to outside temperature and conditions, and based on this information related to outside temperatures and conditions, cool through a variety of means. If the outside temperature is above approximately 75 degrees Fahrenheit, as depicted in 7041, the control circuitry can call for cooling.
  • control circuitry can manage APPENDIX PAGE 55 OF 1 12
  • the control circuitry can request the economizer damper on an air-to-air heat pump to close, for the supply fan to stop, and for the damper to solar hot air to close.
  • the control circuitry can further call for, as depicted in block 7541, the indirect or direct prc-coolcr used in connection with the air-to-air heat pump to stop, the supply fan to start, the compressor on the air-to-air heat pump to start, and for the closing of the damper for indirect or direct cooling in the economizer. This combination results in the circulation of cool air.
  • the control circuitry can call for any combination of the above mentioned conditions as well as combinations of the opposite condition (e.g. opened and closed).
  • control circuitry may receive input information relating to outside conditions such as the relative humidity. As depicted in block 7051, when the relative humidity is greater than approximately 30%, call for cooling and dehumidification by the air-to-water heat pump as shown in block 7201.
  • Running the air-to-water heat pump extracts moisture from the air, which moisture can be recovered.
  • control circuitry can manage use or purification and use of water recovered from the air by the air-to- water heat pump. Water recovered from the dehumidification function can be purified, and this recovered water can be used in domestic applications, like, for example, use in toilets.
  • control circuitry can further direct heating of water within at least one domestic hot water tank and/or at least one hydronic heat tank.
  • control circuitry may call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of the at least one domestic hot water tank. When the temperatures are below a preset value, heat can be added to the domestic hot water tank. Conversely, when the temperature is above some preset value, heat is not added to the domestic hot water tank. As depicted in block 7281 when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is above approximately 135 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is not added to the water of the domestic hot water tank.
  • control circuitry can call for information from one or more sensors as to the temperature of APPENDIX PAGE 56 OF 112
  • the at least one hydronic hot water tank When the temperature is below a preset value, heat can be added to the hydronic hot water tank. Conversely, when the temperature is above some preset value, heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank. As depicted in block 7301 when the sensor indicates that the temperature of the domestic hot water tank is below approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is added to the water of the hydronic hot water tank. Conversely, and as further depicted in block 7301, when the temperature is above approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit, heat is not added to the hydronic hot water tank. In addition to adding heat to the at least one domestic tank or at least one hydronic tank, some embodiments can be configured with features to cool these tanks if the temperatures exceed a threshold. As depicted in block 7441, excess heat within either the at least one domestic tank or at least one hydronic can be dissipated with a heat dump.
  • Some embodiments can, for example, include redundant systems, for example, as depicted in block 7621, in case of a failure of the air-to-water heat pump, and alarm can sound, and notification can be sent to monitoring or repair personnel. This alarm can be triggered by a variety of malfunctions in the air to water heat pump. An alarm can be similarly signaled in case of a failure of another component of the system, including, a temperature reading in one of the hot water tanks exceeding, for example, approximately 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • a redundant system can be heating strips in the water tanks, the heating strips maintaining a desired water temperature in case of failure or inadequate output by another system component.
  • a person skilled in the art will recognize that a variety of other redundant components can be integrated into the system to increase safety and reliability.
  • Water from the hydronic tank can be used for distributing heat throughout the structure.
  • control circuitry may call for hot water from the hydronic tank to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air-to- water heat pump and to thereby reheat that exit-air.
  • hot water from a hot water tank is not used to heat a hydronic coil in thermal communication with air exiting the air- to water heat pump.
  • hydronic coils can be configured for duct heating.
  • Control circuitry can call for flow of hot water to heat areas as desired. In some embodiments, and as depicted in blocks 7561, water is circulated through APPENDIX PAGE 57 OF 112
  • hydronic coils for heating in other embodiments in which heating is not desired, and as depicted in block 7581, water is not circulated through hydronic coils and no heating occurs.
  • control circuitry can call for information relating to temperatures within specific areas of the structure. When these temperatures exceed some threshold, for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit an air-to-air heat pump can locally cool air. On the other hand, if local temperatures are below some threshold, for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit, as depicted in block 7421, the control circuitry can call for the air-to-air heat pump to idle as depicted in block 7001.
  • some threshold for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit an air-to-air heat pump can locally cool air.
  • some threshold for example, approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit
  • a solar heating feature can include a sensor to monitor and/or control the temperature of the solar heating feature.
  • the solar heating feature can be cooled, for example, by running a fan.
  • a fan can be used to maintain the temperature of a solar heating feature, the fan running when the temperature exceeds, for example, approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • FIGS 7A-7L illustrate example applications of how the hydronic system of Figure 6 can harness waste heat to efficiently heat one or more structures, to efficiently cool one or more structures, and/or or to provide hot water to one or more structures.
  • a person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hydronic system of Figure 6, Figures 7A-7L, or other suitable hydronic systems described herein, in whole or in part (e.g., components or subcomponents of the systems), may be utilized to harness waste heat in a variety of applications, for example, shopping malls, swimming pools, laundromats, restaurants, canneries, industrial applications including factories, and car washes.
  • a hydronic systems and components thereof can be utilized in conjunction with any process area that may have available waste heat, whether indoors or outdoors, to harness the waste heat to efficiently heat one or more structures, to efficiently cool one or more structures, and/or or to provide hot water to one or more structures.
  • Waste heat can be provided from a source of hot air and/or can be transferred from a source of hot liquid, for example, from a pressure line or pipe containing a hot liquid.
  • system or component thereof may incorporate water jackets and/or heat exchangers to transfer the waste heat source to the system.
  • FIG. 8A is a block diagram schematically illustrating an energy production system 840 for use in connection with some embodiments of a multiplatform control system.
  • the energy production system 840 includes a source of energy for example, a solar tracker, wind turbine, geofhermal system, or hydroelectric system, that is configured to provide electric power to various components including a battery pack, a thermo matrix hydronic space heater 815, a direct current fan 817, a direct current pump 805, and/or a direct current electric coil 811.
  • the energy production system 840 may at least partially power a water heating system 820 and/or a HVAC control system 822.
  • Water heating system 820 may include a source of domestic water, for example, a fill truck or plumbing connection that is configured to provide water to a domestic water tank 803.
  • a direct current pump 805 may be disposed between the domestic water tank 803 and a hot water tank 807 to pump water from the domestic water tank 803 to the hot water tank 807.
  • the hot water tank 807 may be fluidly coupled to a solar hot water system including one or more solar thermal panels 809 to heat water contained therein.
  • a direct current element 81 1 may be configured to receive electric power from the energy production system 840 and transfer thermal energy to water contained within the hot water tank 807.
  • the HVAC system 822 may include a thermo matrix hydronic heater 815 configured to receive hot water from the hot water tank 807 and to transfer thermal energy received from the hot water to air that passes thereover. The heated air may be used to heat one or more spaces in a given structure. Additionally, the HVAC system 822 may include a heat exchanger configured to receive waste heat from the battery pack and to direct the waste heat to one or more spaces in a given structure to heat the structure. The HVAC system 822 may also include an optional air circulation system 817 including a direct current fan powered at least in part by the energy production system and/or the battery pack.
  • the air circulation system 817 may be configured to pressurize one or more spaces within a given structure with ambient air to cool the one or more spaces in certain applications.
  • the energy production system 840 may be configured to provide electric APPENDIX PAGE 59 OF 1 12 power to one or more structures and/or to power HVAC and/or water heating systems that are coupled to the one or more structures.
  • FIG. 8B is a block diagram schematically illustrating a climate control system 850 for use in connection with some embodiments of a multiplatform control system.
  • climate control system 850 includes a source of energy 851.
  • Source of energy 851 can include various systems or subsystems including, for example, a solar tracker, wind turbine, geothermal system, hydraulic system, and/or hydronic system and may be configured to provide electric power to various components of climate control system 850.
  • a high voltage charge controller 853 may receive electric power from the source of energy 851 and may provide the electric power to a direct current exo current protection module 853 and an inverter 857.
  • the inverter 857 may provide electric power to a stand-by generator 865, a battery pack 867, a power protection panel 869, and/or to a power panel 871 for one or more structures.
  • electric power may be provided through a shunt 859 to an auxiliary battery pack 863 and/or to a hot water tank 873.
  • Hot water tank 873 may receive potable water from a storage tank 875 and the water may be pumped therefrom by a pump 877.
  • Hot water tank 873 may also be heated in part by one or more solar panel 861 and water may be drawn from the hot water tank 873 for various uses, including for example, use in a lavatory or bathroom 879.
  • Hot water from hot water tank 873 may also be directed to a thermal matrix heater 881 to provide heat to one or more structures.
  • the climate control system 850 may be configured to provide electric power to one or more structures and/or to power HVAC and/or water heating systems that are coupled to the one or more structures.
  • a solar energy system 900 generates electricity for operating electric systems relating to the multiplatform control system.
  • the solar energy system may include, for example, at least one solar panel 902 and a base 904.
  • the solar system 900 may include, for example, a variety of types of electricity generating panels 902.
  • the solar energy system may include a plurality of solar panels 902. Different embodiments of a solar energy system 900 can comprise different numbers of solar panels 902, the number of solar panels configured to APPENDIX PAGE 60 OF 112
  • a base 904 can include a mobile tracker base.
  • a mobile tracker base can increase solar panel efficiency, by up to approximately forty to fifty percent, by tracking movement of the sun throughout the day and thus constantly directing the solar panels at the sun.
  • Some embodiments of a tracker base include active tracker bases, chronological tracker bases, and passive tracker bases.
  • Preferred embodiments of a mobile tracker base comprise a passive tracker base.
  • the base 904 can include a trailer mount to mount the solar energy system to a movable trailer.
  • the base includes one or more concrete ballasts.
  • a passive tracker base comprises two chambers, gas filling the chambers, connections between the chambers, and reflectors for directing sunlight onto the chambers.
  • sun light is differentially reflected onto the chambers by the reflectors depending on the angle defined between the base and the sun.
  • This temperature difference between the chambers drives gas from one chamber to the other, resulting in a weight differential between the chambers.
  • This weight differential results in the movement of the tracker base.
  • Some aspects can include "shadow plates" that differentially shade or block light from one or more of the chambers. The light that can be differentially shaded from the chambers by the shadow plates depending upon the angle defined between the base and the sun.
  • Preferred embodiments of passive trackers additionally may include a controlled heating device position on the chambers.
  • the heating device control may be configured so that the heating device creates a temperature differential in the chambers before sun rise, the temperature differential resulting in the pre-orientation of the tracker base towards the position of the sunrise.
  • the heater can receive energy for heating from a variety of sources including from batteries, from a power grid, or from any other energy source.
  • the heating device may include a forty watt silicon heater.
  • the heating device control includes an astronomical timer comprising data regarding the time of sunrise for each day of the year.
  • the heating device begins heating of one chamber approximately one-half to one hour before sun rise.
  • use of a controlled silicon heater can increase efficiency of solar energy capture by up to ten percent over comparable passive tracker bases lacking such a controlled heater.
  • the tracker base further may include, for example, a support structure 906 and a stand structure 908.
  • the support structure may include a mast 910, and axel, rails, and truss tubes.
  • the mast 910 a feature of both the support structure and the stand structure, connects the support structure to the stand structure.
  • the axel, rails, and truss tubes together connect the solar panels 902 to the mast 910.
  • FIG. 1 OA- IOC depict various embodiments of utility structures that can optionally be used in connection with some embodiments of a multiplatform control system, for example, any of the embodiments disclosed herein. Additional details relating to the utility structures are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application Number 61/382,798 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • an electrical system 1000 can be configured with a ground point 1002.
  • the ground point 1002 may be improved by creating depression 1004 around the ground point 1002, the depression 1004 configured to catch and store liquid from the drain line 1006.
  • the depression can include a liner 1008.
  • the liner 1008 can, in some embodiments, be made of plastic, concrete, metal, wood, or other material.
  • the liner 1008 can include an orifice 1010 through which a grounding rod 1012 may be passed, the orifice 1010 also allowing water to pass from the depression 1004 into the ground around the grounding rod 1012.
  • the drain lines 1006 can be configured to provide approximately one gallon per hour to the depression 1004 to maintain adequate moisture and conductivity at the ground point 1002.
  • some embodiments of a multiplatform control system can include a raw water delivery system 1200.
  • a raw water delivery system 1200 APPENDIX PAGE 62 OF 1 12
  • straw 1202 may include, for example, a tube or pipe that is referred to as a "straw" 1202, which straw 1202 can be made of a variety of materials including, for example, metal, plastic, composites, or ceramics and in a variety of sizes.
  • the diameter can be any suitable diameter that will be sufficient for the filtration requirements and needs.
  • Figure 12 depicts an embodiment in which the straw 1202 comprises an elongated tube having an inlet end 1204, into which fluid enters the water delivery device 1200.
  • the straw 1202 further includes an outlet end 1206.
  • the outlet end 1206 further comprises an opening through which a water/fluid line 1208 passes which water/fluid line 1208 carries water to the filtration unit.
  • One or both of the inlet and outlet ends 1204, 1206 can be covered by a cap 1210.
  • the straw 1202 further may include openings 1212 allowing the passage of water from outside the straw 1202 to inside the straw 1202.
  • Figure 12 also depicts a cross section view of the embodiment of a raw water delivery system 1200.
  • bolt 1214 can pass through the straw 1202 in proximity to the inlet end 1204.
  • one or more cables can be affixed to the ends of the bolt 1214.
  • these cables can enable fixing the position of the straw in a body of water.
  • a gravel pack 1216 is inserted into the straw 1202.
  • the gravel pack 1216 can comprise an elongate tube.
  • the gravel pack 1216 may be sized to slidably fit within the straw 1202, and to rest on top of the bolt 1214.
  • a submersible pump 1218 sized to fit within the gravel pack 1216, is inserted into the gravel pack 1216.
  • a cable can be affixed to one end of the pump enabling the removal of the pump from the straw without removing the straw from the water.
  • raw water delivery system 1200 further can include one or more bodies extending through the outlet end of the straw and into the straw.
  • this body may include a water/fluid line 1208.
  • This body can further include an electric cable for providing power and control to the water pump 1218. As depicted in Figure 12, the electric cable is integral with the water line.
  • this body can also comprise one or more tubes. This can include an air tube 1220 having a perforated end 1222 or a vacuum tube (not shown) extending to the inlet end APPENDIX PAGE 63 OF 1 12
  • inclusion of a perforated air tube 1220 may enable users of the straw 1202 to clean the gravel pack 1216 and the straw 1202 by blowing compressed air out of the tube 1220 and through the gravel pack 1216 and openings. This removes accumulations from the gravel pack 1216 and straw 1202 and enables more efficient filtration by decreasing the frequency of necessary filter shutdown for straw 1202 and gravel pack 1216 cleaning and by decreasing the flow resistance caused by a dirty gravel pack 1216.
  • the inclusion of a vacuum tube similarly increases the efficiency of filtration by decreasing the frequency of straw 1202 cleaning by allowing the user to such particulate accumulations out of the straw 1202 without removing the straw 1202 from the water.
  • a bypass system 1300 can include, for example, a solenoid valve 1302 connected to the multiplatform control system, a check valve 1304, and a bypass line 1306 connecting raw water line 1308 to the drain line 1310
  • Some embodiments of a pump bypass system 1300 may additionally include a solenoid valve 1312 connected to the raw water line 1308 and the bypass line 1306.
  • the multiplatform control system can initiate a backwash. Once the backwash is to begin, the multiplatform control system signals the begin of the backwash, which signal opens the solenoid valve 1302, allowing raw water to flow from the raw water line 1308 through the bypass line 1306, and out the drain line 1310. Additionally, the check valve 1304 which is located downstream of the bypass line 1306 on the raw water line 1308, can prevent further flow of raw water other systems of the multiplatform control system.
  • FIG. 14 depicts one embodiment of a radiator 1400, which can include channels 1402 for process liquid to pass through and features to encourage heat transfer with the process fluid.
  • the channels 1402 can further include inlet and outlet channels (not shown) to allow fluid to flow into and out of the channels 1402 in the radiator 1400.
  • the radiator system can include fins and a fan 1404.
  • the fan 1404 can comprise a direct current (DC) fan.
  • the fan 1404 can be configured to assist in passing air over electronic components of the multiplatform control system, thus facilitating the transfer of heat between the components and the air.
  • radiator 1404 can be further configured to assist in passing air over the radiator channels 1402, thus facilitating the transfer of heat between the air and the radiator channels 1402.
  • the fan 1404 can be configured to enter air into the radiator 1400 through an air inlet 1406, and after having passed the air over the channels 1402, exit the air from the radiator 1400 through an air outlet 1408.
  • inclusion of a radiator 1400 in a multiplatform control system can assist in maintaining the ideal temperature of the components of the multiplatform control system, and thus can increase the efficiency of those components.
  • some embodiments of a multiplatform control system can incorporate the capture, manipulation, and redistribution of heat energy throughout the system and/or can incorporate cooling heat energy.
  • this capture and use of seemingly insignificant amounts of energy has resulted in significant improvement in system efficiency as well as in component efficiency.
  • the system is able to function at fixed capacity using less energy or to increase capacity while using the same amount of energy.
  • This efficiency is the result of capturing energy from sources that have previously not been recognized as useful energy sources, and transferring this energy to aspects of a system in which the energy can be beneficially used.
  • the combination of energy from these diverse sources results in a synergistic improvement in efficiency above what would be expected based on the individual amounts of energy captured from each source.
  • the technology is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations.
  • Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
  • instructions refer to computer-implemented steps for processing information in the system. Instructions can be implemented in software, firmware or hardware and include any type of programmed step undertaken by components of the system.
  • a Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN) may be a corporate computing network, including access to the Internet, to which computers and computing devices comprising the system arc connected.
  • the LAN conforms to the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) industry standard.
  • TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
  • media refers to images, sounds, video or any other multimedia type data that is entered into the system.
  • a microprocessor may be any conventional general purpose single- or multi-chip microprocessor such as a Pentium ® processor, a Pentium ® Pro processor, a 8051 processor, a MIPS ® processor, a Power PC ® processor, or an Alpha ® processor.
  • the microprocessor may be any conventional special purpose microprocessor such as a digital signal processor or a graphics processor.
  • the microprocessor typically has conventional address lines, conventional data lines, and one or more conventional control lines.
  • the system is comprised of various modules as discussed in detail.
  • each of the modules comprises various subroutines, procedures, definitional statements and macros.
  • Each of the modules are typically separately compiled and linked into a single executable program. Therefore, the description of each of the modules is used for convenience to describe the functionality of the preferred system.
  • the processes that are undergone by each of the modules may be arbitrarily redistributed to one of the other modules, combined together in a single module, or made available in, for example, a shareable dynamic link library.
  • the system may be used in connection with various operating systems such as Linux®, UNIX® or Microsoft Windows®.
  • the system may be written in any conventional programming language such as C, C++, BASIC, Pascal, or Java, and ran under a conventional operating system.
  • C, C++, BASIC, Pascal, Java, and FORTRAN are industry standard programming languages for APPENDIX PAGE 66 OF 112
  • a web browser comprising a web browser user interface may be used to display information (such as textual and graphical information) to a user.
  • the web browser may comprise any type of visual display capable of displaying information received via a network. Examples of web browsers include Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, Netscape's Navigator browser, Mozilla's Firefox browser, PalmSource's Web Browser, Apple's Safari, or any other browsing or other application software capable of communicating with a network.
  • DSP digital signal processor
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • FPGA field programmable gate array
  • a general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine.
  • a processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
  • the functions and methods described may be implemented in hardware, software, or firmware executed on a processor, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.
  • Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another.
  • a storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer.
  • such computer-readable media can comprise RAM.
  • any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium.
  • the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave
  • the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium.
  • Disk and disc includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
  • Appendix A includes additional and/or supplemental disclosure relating to various embodiments of the systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein.
  • a method of controlling the temperature of a structure comprising:
  • a method of controlling the temperature of a structure comprising:
  • a method for efficient cooling control of a building comprising: circulating untreated ambient air within a structure when ambient conditions are within a first pre-determined temperature range;
  • treating ambient air to cool the ambient air to a desired temperature when ambient conditions are in a second pre-determined temperature range, wherein treating the ambient air comprises indirect or direct evaporative cooling;
  • Attic temperature to assist in cooling the building, wherein the temperature is managed by venting warmed attic air and circulating untreated ambient air to maintain attic temperatures at or below ambient temperatures;
  • a method for efficient heating control of a building comprising: circulating untreated ambient air when ambient conditions are within a predetermined temperature range; APPENDIX PAGE 72 OF 1 12 heating ambient air to obtain a desired temperature when ambient temperatures are in a second pre-determined temperature range, wherein heating of ambient air comprises solar heating;
  • Attic temperature to assist in heating the building, wherein the temperature is managed by circulating warmed attic air into the building and cool building air into the attic to maintain a desired temperature
  • a method of maximizing building efficiency comprising:
  • cooling ambient air to obtain a desired temperature when ambient conditions are in a second pre-determined temperature range, wherein cooling of ambient air comprises cooling through indirect evaporative cooling;
  • Attic temperature to assist in cooling the building, wherein the temperature is managed by venting warmed attic air and circulating untreated ambient air to maintain attic temperatures at or below ambient temperatures;
  • heating ambient air to obtain a desired temperature when ambient temperatures are in a second pre-determined temperature range, wherein heating of ambient air comprises solar heating;
  • Attic temperature to assist in heating the building, wherein the temperature is managed by circulating warmed attic air into the building and cool building air into the attic to maintain a desired temperature
  • heating water with excess heat captured from building activities wherein the heat is captured through the use of heat pumps, wherein the hot water is further used APPENDIX PAGE 73 OF 112 for providing additional building climate control or for providing heated water, and wherein water generated through the heat capture activities is utilized in connection with the building.
  • Conditioned enclosure interlocking and interacting controls for optimizing space conditioning and energy usage reduction methods to achieve net zero power/energy use with or without power grids or alternative power sources such as solar photovoltaic, geothermal, micro hydro, wind, biomass, biogas, hydrogen fuel cell, compressed air, etc.
  • Controls do not allow compressor to run during night ventilation/cooling mode
  • Heat pump is used as last resort, not primary source of heating and cooling
  • Monitor/recover optimize waste heat from multiple sources and recycle energy into system to optimize system.
  • Habitable enclosure interlocking and interacting controls for optimizing space conditioning and energy usage reduction methods to achieve net zero power use with or without alternative power sources such as solar pv, hydrogen fuel cell, geo thermal, micro hydro, wind, biomass, bio gas, etc.
  • Heat pump is used secondarily, not primarily, as the source of heating and cooling.
  • Waste heat is used from interior spaces, garages, laundries, kitchens for production of hot water, air conditioning and water recovery;

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Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système et un procédé de création et d'utilisation d'une structure de services d'utilité publique accouplée à une seconde structure. Une structure de services d'utilité publique peut comprendre une source d'énergie renouvelable, un système de commande, un système de chauffage d'eau, un système de communication, et un module d'air chaud solaire. En liaison avec ces éléments, une structure de services d'utilité publique peut fournir un accès à des services d'utilité publique, de l'eau chauffée et/ou refroidie, et un système CVCA à la structure raccordée. Une structure de services d'utilité publique peut être autonome, portative, ou fixée à une autre structure.
PCT/US2011/051652 2010-09-14 2011-09-14 Structure de services d'utilité publique polyvalente Ceased WO2012037291A2 (fr)

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US38279810P 2010-09-14 2010-09-14
US61/382,798 2010-09-14
US38962410P 2010-10-04 2010-10-04
US61/389,624 2010-10-04

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WO2017027752A1 (fr) * 2015-08-11 2017-02-16 Thebaud Francisco Jules Bâtiments à unités multiples à étages multiples
WO2017078616A1 (fr) * 2015-11-05 2017-05-11 Singapore Technologies Dynamics Pte Ltd Configuration, commande et fonctionnement de systèmes de conditionnement d'air à éléments multiples
WO2021061670A1 (fr) * 2019-09-23 2021-04-01 Warmboard, Inc. Système et procédé de commande électrotechnique basé sur la pente de réponse
EP4080134A1 (fr) * 2016-11-18 2022-10-26 Wts Llc Système de chauffage de fluide numérique

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