WO2012037673A9

WO2012037673A9 - A system and method for interactive management of energy consumption

Info

Publication number: WO2012037673A9
Application number: PCT/CA2011/050539
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mat Hallam-Eames
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-09-06
Filing date: 2011-09-06
Publication date: 2012-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2013-03-06
Also published as: WO2012037673A1

Abstract

A system and method for interactive management of residential energy consumption comprises control means permitting remote control of said system, hydronic heat transport means for moving energy from a first space to a second space within a residence, means for storing energy within a residence and a graphic user interface for user monitoring and control.

Description

Title of Invention: A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERACTIVE MANAGEMENT

OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Technical Field

This invention relates to the management and control of the environment of integrated living systems such as houses and apartment buildings. More specifically the system related to a system and method for interactive management of energy consumption and over multiple zones.

Background Art

The following prior art appears to be relevant: International Application

#PCT/US2010/027717 'Method and system for intelligent network management control system'; US Patent Application #12/852,690 'Context-aware smart home energy manager'; US Patent #6098893 'Comfort control system incorporating weather forecast data and a method for operation such a system'; US Patent #7643908 'Occupant controlled energy management system and method for managing energy consumption in a multi-unit building'; US Patent #7840310 'Architectural dynamic control: intelligent environmental control and feedback system for architectural settings including offices'; US Patent Application #1 1054654 'Remote web access control of multiple home comfort systems'; US Patent #7774102 'System including interactive controllers for controlling operation of climate control system'.

While there have been advances in equipment and systems used to control and automate home heating and air conditioning there remains a need for a system that can optimize any home's environmental control system by providing the home owner with real-time and intuitive control regardless of where the home-owner may be at any given time. Home energy savings continue to require improvement.

Disclosure of Invention

Solution to Problem The invention consists of integrated informational, mechanical and control components to provide human thermal comfort (as defined by ASHRAE 90.1) Human thermal comfort is controlled by the manipulation of a combination of radiant heat, ambient air temperature, humidity and air flow to optimize higher levels of comfort. The invention also monitors energy usage.

In one embodiment of the invention the living space occupants/home owners can participate in the energy performance of their inside environments by having instantaneous access to their home's environmental control by remote means.

In another embodiment of the invention an algorithm dynamically manages radiant, ambient air temperature, humidity, air flow, subject to small adjustments made by the home occupant (Human thermal comfort control).

The invention provides heat movement management where instead of stand-alone components such as solar thermal collectors preheating domestic hot water management of all energy sources is fully integrated including energy storage and distributions.

In yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided Community Energy Integration where each home is a stand-alone integrated system and is also an integrated part of a distributed community network such as a condominium complex of small community. The invention includes inbuilt software driven sensor reading, state optimization conditions engine and distributed encrypted network security.

The invention provides for a complex dynamics management algorithm having an architecture where functionality and system software can be easily and continuously upgraded from a central server. In still another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a thermal mass management system. This is accomplished by putting water tubing inside the interior thermal mass of a structure. The invention can modulate the thermal mass to optimize the human living comfort of a structure.

The invention provides for the integration of off the shelf sensors, components and devices. It is essentially a more open informational and mechanical architecture.

Description of Drawings

Figure 1 is a model of the system architecture of one embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a model of the core of the system of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a model of a conditions engine of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic of a user interface for a mobile application of the control scheme.

Figure 5 is a model of an integrated mix manifold of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a model of a synthetic mix manifold of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is a schematic of a customized mix manifold of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 is a model of a solar thermal block on one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a model of the solar thermal block of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a model of a remote manifold of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 1 is a model of community and multi-living configurations of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 12 is a model of an integrated living system of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 13 is a model of a control system of one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 14 is a schematic of an array of passive solar collectors of one embodiment of the invention..

Figure 15 is a model of an air exchange of one embodiment of the invention. Best Mode

Referring to the Figures, the present invention is an integrated system of control that provides the home owner with the ability to accomplish the following energy management objectives: personal living comfort, energy cost control, environmental footprint tracking, energy conservation and usage, home monitoring and optimization and home automation. The system is able to accomplish these objectives considering the following parameters: integrated system design, building envelope, ambient air temperature, radiant temperature, humidity and air movement. The system permits the home owner to monitor, optimize and automate existing homes and new-built homes.

Referring to Figure 1, the system architecture 10 is based on Google™' s Android™ and componentized Java™ components. Android™ provides a rich set of tested and proven functions that are particularly significant to the invention. Integration with Apple™' s iOS, Microsoft™ Windows™ 7 and other light operating systems can be managed. The system is a network aware set of software and hardware components. Access security, functional security, version control, update management, system alert notifications, community awareness and community security are part of the system core 12. The core will be able to securely

communicate with and exchange energy on a metered basis between utility suppliers and consuming communities. The core will receive data from a plurality of interior and exterior sensors 14. The system core will also control and monitor heat sources 16, cooling sources 18, electric sources 20, heat storage components 22, community integration 24, heat recovery components 26, heat distribution elements 32, thermal mass modulation 30 and application control 28. The system is an open access system 34 permitting in-situ and remote control.

A key design element of the system is to provide rich tools for the home owner/occupant to monitor a living space energy consumption patterns. The system architecture allows the control of multiple living spaces within a structure even when air movement or humidity is a centrally provided function. The system permits the occupant to control their own space in optimizing living space energy conservation by optimizing radiant temperature, ambient air temperature, humidity and air movement.

The innovative aspect of the system is that it moves energy from one space to another space rather than continually adding energy to particular space in order to heat or cool it. The system also stores energy to offset requirements between peak energy loads. Referring to Figure 2, and in one embodiment of the invention 10, a model of the system core 12 is illustrated comprising the following modules: system security 8, living space monitoring 36, system maintenance 38, mechanical safety 40, system support 42, conditions engine 44, fault tolerance protocol 46 and distributed community protocol 48. Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a model of the system conditions engine 44 comprising the following modules: sensors 14, the process algorithms 50, condition states 52, conditions (Boolean) 54, targets 56, actions, notifications and remote actions 58, a database 60 and distrusted communications 62. Item 13 shows the graphic user interface for the conditions engine. The conditions engine provides process management as well as monitoring, control and optimization of many mechanical environment such as septic and irrigation systems.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a model of a graphic user interface 13 of the system. The graphic user interface comprises at least the following sets of display screens: outside climate screens; inside climate screens; and, specific function screens. The outside climate screens comprise at least the following screens: solar tracking screen 64, exterior energy collection screen 70, outside climate/weather screen 76 and optimizer screen 82. The inside climate screens comprise at least the following screens: interactive floor plan screens 66, inside climate screen as a default screen 72, 3D home space screen 78 and community

awareness/trading screen 84. The specific function screens comprise at least the following screens: water monitoring/quality screen 68, heat storage screen 74, mechanical performance screen 80 and costs analysis screen 86.

Referring to Figure 5 there is shown a model of an integrated mix manifold of the invention. The components identified in Figure 5 are as follows:

[Table 1]

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown one embodiment of a synthetic mix manifold of the invention. The components identified in Figure 6 are as follows:

[Table 2]

A variety of heat sources such as solar collectors 126, heat storage reservoir #1 120, heat storage reservoir #2 120, heat recovery system 126 and heat pump 128 are delivered through the customized mixing manifold for distribution to the domestic hot water or in-floor hydronic heating system. Heat may also be delivered to an alternate storage reservoir or space heating uses for homes or greenhouse.

Referring to Figure 8 there is shown a solar thermal block of one embodiment of the invention. The solar block comprises components previously listed as well as drain pipe 30.

Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment of the solar thermal block 190 comprising a single inlet 192 and dual outlets 194 and 196. The block is shown having an open configuration 198 and a closed configuration 199. The valves are remotely controlled and the status of the valves can be viewed on the graphic user interface.

Referring to Figure 10, there is shown one embodiment of a remote mixing manifold which permits a loop to be simultaneously heated or cooled based on the living space

requirement. For example, the energy gain within a specific space due to solar gain can be transported to another location as required. This is accomplished by passive distribution.

Figure 11 illustrates that the system can be used in a multi-level configuration 150 or in a community configuration 152.

Figure 12 illustrates that the system of the invention provides for an integrated living system 160 comprising the components as follows: weather station 162, home network 164, wall mounted tablet 166, mobile device app 168, natural air 170, solar thermal 172, remote station 176, 178 and 180, heating loads 182 and 184, and central unit 186.

Referring to Figure 13 there is illustrated a model of a control system of one embodiment of the invention 190 comprising the following: weather station and solar chimney 194, backup fan 196, bathroom fan 198, eco-stat 200, manifold controller 202, and circuit box 204.

Referring to Figure 4 there is shown a model of an array 200 of passive solar collectors 212 used in the invention. This system uses water in a closed loop arrangement as an energy transport system. The loop comprises a central mixing block that permits radiant heating or cooling as required. Fluid temperature in the loop is controlled by mixing valves 214. The mixing valves will retain their 'state' in the event of a power failure and are designed to consume minimum power by responding to a pulsed voltage. The state of the closed loop arrangement is monitored on graphic user interface. The mixing block is modular to allow for both radiant heating and radiant cooling in a mixed configuration. The mixing block regulates cooler distribution water and prevents condensation by maintaining the supply of water above the current dew point. The blocks used for heating and cooling slow the flow of water relative to the supply headers to allow air in the supply flow to be removed through air vents. The larger blocks provide for hydraulic neutrality for sub-systems and allow the same neutrality when smaller blocks are integrated with larger blocks. The actuating valves on the outlet of the blocks reduce the head pressure on the circulators and under some configurations reduce the number of circulators required. The central mixing block sets up the remote station blocks to simultaneously heat or cool individual loops. The valves are designed to maintain the 'state' if there is a power failure. All valves are designed to respond to a puled voltage to change their state. This ensures minimized operation power consumption.

Referring back to Figure 7 the source mixing block 97 is in liquid and logical

communication with a remote mixing block and the source mixing block is responsive to a particular heating or cooling demand for a particular supply loop. The source switching block allows the system to select a heat source or cooling source to satisfy the demand in a particular loop. Each switching block includes an air vent. Separate heating and cooling source mixing blocks can be used.

Referring to Figure 15, the system further includes the use of passive air exchangers 300. Referring to Figure 12, control means comprises central 186 and remote control stations

176, 178, 180 will illustrate system status and operation to the home owner. The control means is secure and accessible by the home owner through the Internet and through wireless

communication systems. Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the several embodiments.

Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A system for interactive management of residential energy consumption comprising: system control means permitting remote control of said system; means for moving energy from a first space to a second space within a living environment; means for storing energy within said living environment; and, a graphic user interface for system

monitoring and control.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said system control architecture is a network aware set of software and hardware components permitting access security, functional security, version control. Update management, system alert notifications, community awareness and community security.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the system control architecture further comprises

communication means permitting the system to securely communicate with and exchange energy on a metered basis between utility suppliers and consuming communities.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the system control architecture permits the control of multiple living spaces within a structure even when air movement or humidity is a centrally provided function.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said hydronic means comprises a closed loop system

comprising water as an energy transfer medium.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said closed loop comprises a central mixing block for heating and cooling on demand.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising a switching block for selecting one of a heating source and a cooling source for balancing an energy load within the residence.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a remote mixing block permitting the loop be simultaneously heated and cooled to accommodate transient heating loads.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a solar thermal block in communication with at least one passive solar collector.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said graphic user interface comprises at least the

following screens of display screens: outside climate screens; inside climate screens; and, specific function screens.

1 1. The system of claim 10 wherein said outside climate screens comprise at least the following screens: solar tracking screen, exterior energy collection screen, outside climate/weather screen and optimizer screen.

12. The system of claim 1 1 wherein said inside climate screens comprise at least the

following screens: interactive floor plan screen, inside climate screen as a default screen, 3D home space screen and community awareness/trading screen.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said specific function screens comprise at least the

following screens: water monitoring/quality screen, heat storage screen, mechanical performance screen and cost analysis screen.

14. A method for interactive management of residential energy consumption comprising the following steps: Providing system control means permitting remote control of said system; Providing means for moving energy from a first space to a second space within a living environment; Providing means for storing energy within said living environment; and, Providing a graphic user interface for system monitoring and control.