Patent Application
20240085047
This disclosure relates generally to the use of pressure data to manage air flow at a premises, and, in certain specific embodiments, this disclosure discloses the use of pressure data within and/or external a premises for determining one or more control actions to be taken at a heating and ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system, and, in some such cases, executing one of more control actions at the HVAC system based on the pressure data within and/or external the premises. Embodiments disclosed herein can be applied in, for example, home automation, comfort, and/or security systems and networks.
Heating and ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are used at various types of premises, including homes, businesses, and other building structures. HVAC systems condition air to make it comfortable for living beings at the premise. For example, the air in a structure may be too hot or cold, or maybe too humid or not humid enough, to be comfortable. Depending on the environmental conditions, improving the comfort may mean heating or cooling the air to a desired temperature or adding or removing water vapor from the air through humidifying, or de-humidifying. The conditioned air then is typically conveyed through internal ducts by fans or blowers. The ducts provide a pathway from the HVAC conditioning unit to premises endpoints allowing for the distribution of air to different regions, or zones, of a premises.
However, current HVAC systems can be limited in performance. This can result due to the limited types of data available to current HVAC systems. For instance, many HVAC systems may only receive temperature and/or humidity data at the premise. As such, while current HVAC systems can adjust temperature or humidity up or down, this is often at the expense of changing overall temperature and/or humidity. For example, if the HVAC system operates at a two-story premise, and the temperature is above the temperature set point upstairs and below the setpoint downstairs, heating would further elevate the already too warm upstairs condition, and cooling would introduce a similar worsening of conditions for the downstairs. While some HVAC systems utilize dampers to close certain ducts and direct either heating or cooling to specific zones or locations in the structure (e.g., cool air can be directed upstairs to lower the upstairs temperature), this approach is limited. Namely, in the noted example, displaced upstairs air can blend with the downstairs air and then be recirculated as return air input to the HVAC system. As such, the management of the downstairs temperature comes as a secondary effect of directing cool air upstairs.
In general, this disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for using premises pressure data, in some cases along with other types of data, to cause one or more premise-based system adjustments based, at least in part, on the premises pressure data. Embodiments disclosed herein can utilize pressure data to determine one or more characteristics at a premises that can be used to determine one or more actions to be taken at the premises, for instance to determine one or more actions to be taken by the premises HVAC system as a result of the one or more characteristics at the premises determined from the pressure data.
As one such example, embodiments described in this disclosure can utilize pressure data at a premises to detect and quantify air infiltration (e.g., air leakage) at a premises. In some such embodiments, depending on the degree of quantified air infiltration, these embodiments can determine the occurrence of one or more events corresponding to the quantified air infiltration derived from the pressure data.
As another such example, embodiments described in this disclosure can utilize pressure data at a premises to manage air flow within the premises in a desired manner. In some such embodiments, based on the pressure data at the premises, a controller (e.g., a controller of a HVAC system) can take one or more actions to adjust an air pressure within the premises (e.g., of a specific zone of the premises) to cause air within the premises to flow in a desired manner. For instance, based on the pressure data at the premises, the controller can actuate one or more dampers at the premises (e.g., at an air duct, such as adjacent an air duct inlet and/or outlet) and/or actuate a blower of the HVAC system to introduce exterior air (e.g., at a different pressure than air within the premises) into the premises to cause an increase or decrease in the air pressure at a particular, corresponding zone of the premises. In the case of the adjusted air pressure within the premises resulting from the controller's actuation of the one or more dampers, this can cause air to flow in an adjusted manner within the premises (e.g., cause air to move from one zone to another zone as a result of the pressure adjustment at a particular zone). In the case of the adjusted air pressure within the premises resulting from the introduction of exterior air that is at a different pressure than the air within the premises, this can cause air to flow in an adjusted manner within the premises with respect to ingress or egress of that air from the premises.
One embodiment includes a system. This system embodiment includes a controller, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit, a first damper, a second damper, a first pressure sensor, and a second pressure sensor. The HVAC unit is in communication with the controller. The first damper is positioned at a first air duct that supplies air from an exterior of a premises to the HVAC unit. The first damper is in communication with the controller. The second damper is positioned at a second air duct that supplies air from an interior of the premises to the HVAC unit. The second damper is in communication with the controller. The first pressure sensor is configured to detect an air pressure exterior to the premises, and the first pressure sensor is in communication with the controller. The second pressure sensor is configured to detect an air pressure within the premises, and the second pressure sensor is in communication with the controller. The controller is configured to receive the detected air pressure exterior to the premises from the first pressure sensor and the detected air pressure within the premises from the second pressure sensor, and the controller is configured to change the air pressure within the premises by adjusting at least one of the first damper and the second damper based on the detected air pressure exterior to the premises and the detected air pressure within the premises.
In a further embodiment of this system, the controller is configured to change the air pressure within the premises to be greater than the air pressure exterior to the premises by adjusting at least one of the first damper and the second damper when the detected air pressure within the premises is less than the detected air pressure exterior to the premises. As one such example, the controller is configured to change the air pressure within the premises to be greater than the air pressure exterior to the premises by adjusting at least one of the first damper and the second damper such that the first air duct supplies more air from the exterior of the premises to the HVAC unit than the second air duct supplies from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit. For instance, the controller can be configured to adjust the second damper from a second damper first position to a second damper second position, where the second damper second position restricts more air from passing from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit than the second damper first position. In one particular example, each of the second damper first position and the second damper second position can allow air to pass from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit. In another, additional or alternative instance, the controller can be configured to adjust the first damper from a first damper first position to a first damper second position, wherein the first damper first position restricts more air from passing from the exterior of the premises to the HVAC unit than the first damper second position.
In a further embodiment of this system, the system can additionally include a first air filter positioned at the first air duct such that air passing from the exterior of the premises to the HVAC unit passes through the first air filter before reaching the HVAC unit.
In a further embodiment of this system, the system can additionally include an air quality sensor positioned to detect an air quality metric of the air supplied from the exterior of the premises. The air quality sensor can be in communication with the controller. And, the controller can be configured to adjust the first damper based at least in part on the detected air quality metric.
In a further embodiment of this system, the system can additionally include a third damper, a first temperature sensor, a fourth damper, and a second temperature sensor. The third damper can be positioned at a third air duct that supplies air from the HVAC unit to a first zone of the premises, and the third damper can be in communication with the controller. The first temperature sensor can be positioned to detect an air temperature of the air supplied from the HVAC unit to the first zone, and the first temperature sensor can be in communication with the controller. The fourth damper can be positioned at a fourth air duct that supplies air from the HVAC unit to a second zone of the premises, and the fourth damper can be in communication with the controller. The second temperature sensor can be positioned to detect an air temperature of the air supplied from the HVAC unit to the second zone, and the second temperature sensor can be in communication with the controller. The second damper can be positioned at the second air duct, and the second air duct can supply air from the first zone of the premises to the HVAC unit. The controller can be configured to receive the detected air temperature from the first temperature sensor and the detected air temperature from the second temperature sensor, and the controller can be configured to change the temperature of the second zone by adjusting at least one of the third damper and the fourth damper based on the detected air temperature from the first temperature sensor and the detected air temperature from the second temperature sensor. In a further embodiment, the controller can be configured to change the temperature of the second zone by adjusting at least two of the second damper, the third damper, and the fourth damper based on the detected air temperature from the first temperature sensor and the detected air temperature from the second temperature sensor.
In a further embodiment of this system, the system can additionally include a third temperature sensor positioned to detect an air temperature of the air supplied from the exterior of the premises, and the third temperature sensor in communication with the controller. The controller can be configured to receive the detected air temperature from the third temperature sensor, and the controller can be configured to change the air pressure within the premises by adjusting at least one of the first damper and the second damper based on the detected air pressure exterior to the premises, the detected air pressure within the premises, and the detected air temperature from the third temperature sensor. In a further embodiment, this system can also include a first humidity sensor. The first humidity sensor can be positioned to detect an air humidity level of the air supplied from the exterior of the premises, and the first humidity sensor can be in communication with the controller. The controller can be configured to receive the detected air humidity level from the first humidity sensor, and the controller can be configured to change the air pressure within the premises by adjusting at least one of the first damper and the second damper based on the detected air pressure exterior to the premises, the detected air pressure within the premises, the detected air temperature from the third temperature sensor, and the detected air humidity level from the first humidity sensor.
Another embodiment includes a controller. This controller embodiment includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage article including computer-executable instructions and programmable processing circuitry configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the programmable processing circuitry to: receive a detected air pressure exterior to a premise from a first pressure sensor, receive a detected air pressure within the premise from a second pressure sensor, and adjust an amount of air suppled from an exterior of a premise to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit based on the detected air pressure exterior to the premises and the detected air pressure within the premises.
In a further embodiment of this controller, the programmable processing circuitry is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to further cause the programmable processing circuitry to adjust the amount of air suppled from an exterior of a premise to the HVAC unit by adjusting a first damper positioned at a first air duct that supplies air from the exterior of the premises to the HVAC unit. For example, the programmable processing circuitry can be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the programmable processing circuitry to adjust an amount of air supplied from an interior of the premises to the HVAC unit based on the detected air pressure exterior to the premises and the detected air pressure within the premises. And, the programmable processing circuitry can be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the programmable processing circuitry to adjust the amount of air supplied from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit by adjusting a second damper positioned at a second air duct that supplies air from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit. In this controller embodiment, the programmable processing circuitry can be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the programmable processing circuitry to adjust the amount of air suppled from the exterior of the premises to the HVAC unit to cause the detected air pressure within the premises to be greater than the detected air pressure exterior to the premises. In a further such controller embodiment, the programmable processing circuitry can be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the programmable processing circuitry to adjust at least one of the first damper and the second damper such that the first air duct supplies more air from the exterior of the premises to the HVAC unit than the second air duct supplies from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit. In yet a further such controller embodiment, the programmable processing circuitry can be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the programmable processing circuitry to adjust the second damper from a second damper first position to a second damper second position, and wherein the second damper second position restricts more air from passing from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit than the second damper first position.
Various embodiments disclosed herein, including any one or more of those embodiments described above, can be used to determine one or more interior pressure changes within the premises and one or more exterior pressure changes outside of (e.g., and adjacent to) the premises, and, based on a difference between one or more of the interior pressure changes and one or more of the exterior pressure changes, the method can include indicating an occurrence of an event and/or generating an output. As one example, this can include estimating air infiltration at a premises.
One embodiment includes a method. This method embodiment includes receiving interior pressure measurements, where the interior pressure measurements include periodic interior pressure measurements from inside a premises taken with an interior pressure sensor (e.g., a micro pressure sensor). This method embodiment additionally includes identifying, based on the interior pressure measurements, interior pressure changes over time, and identifying external pressure changes over time, where the external pressure changes are outside of the premises. This method embodiment further includes evaluating, with processing circuitry, a difference between the interior pressure changes and the external pressure changes, and, in response to the difference between the interior pressure changes and the external pressure changes, indicating an occurrence of an event (e.g., and generating an output, such as an output indicative of the occurrence of the event).
In a further embodiment of this method, evaluating the interior pressure changes and the external pressure changes can include determining an estimated amount of air infiltration for the premises. In a further embodiment of this method, the method can include estimating, with the processing circuitry, leakage from the premises.
In a further embodiment of this method, identifying external pressure changes can include taking exterior pressure measurements. For instance, identifying external pressure changes can include taking exterior pressure measurements with an exterior pressure sensor (e.g., micro pressure sensor). As one example, the interior pressure sensor and/or the exterior pressure sensor can be configured to measure approximately equal to or less than 2 cm of altitude change, equal to or less than 1 cm of altitude change, equal to or less than 0.75 cm of altitude change, equal to or less than 0.5 cm of altitude change, equal to or less than 0.25 cm of altitude change, equal to or less than 0.1 cm of altitude change, equal to or less than 0.05 cm of altitude change. As another example, the interior pressure sensor and/or the exterior pressure sensor can have a noise floor of about equal to or less than 2 Pa, equal to or less than 1 Pa, equal to or less than 0.75 Pa, equal to or less than 0.5 Pa, equal to or less than 0.25 Pa, equal to or less than 0.1 PA, equal to or less than 0.05 Pa, or equal to or less than 0.02 Pa.
In a further embodiment of this method, the periodic interior pressure measurements inside the premises can include periodic interior pressure measurements sampled at one second intervals. And, additionally or alternatively, identifying external pressure changes over time can include sampling exterior pressure measurements outside of the premises at one second intervals.
In a further embodiment of this method, the method can additionally include calculating, by the processing circuitry, sensor pressure noise. For example, estimating infiltration leakage from the premises, with the processing circuitry, can include: calculating noise in pressure fluctuations for inside and outside pressure sensors in a prescribed bandwidth; and calculating a measure of outside-to-inside pressure noise coupling as a function of time. As another example, the method can also include calculating a degree of coupling between inside and outside sensors. And, in this example, the method can additionally include comparing sensor pressure noise set fits against a predetermined pressure signature.
Another embodiment includes a system. This system embodiment include a memory and one or more processors implemented in circuitry and in communication with the memory. The one or more processors is configured to: receive interior pressure measurements, where the interior pressure measurements comprise periodic interior pressure measurements from inside a premise taken with an interior pressure sensor; identify, based on the interior pressure measurements, interior pressure changes over time; identify external pressure changes over time, where the external pressure changes are outside of the building structure; evaluate a difference between the interior pressure changes and the external pressure changes; and generate an output in response to the difference between the interior pressure changes and the external pressure changes indicating the occurrence of an event.
In a further embodiment of this system, the one or more processors can be configured to determine an estimated amount of air infiltration for the premise and/or estimate leakage from the premise.
In a further embodiment of this system, the one or more processors can identify external pressure changes over time include taking exterior pressure measurements. In some examples, identifying external pressure changes can include taking exterior pressure measurements with an exterior pressure sensor.
In a further embodiment of this system, the interior pressure sensor can be configured to measure approximately less 1 cm of altitude change, less 0.5 cm of altitude change, less 0.25 cm of altitude change, or less 0.1 cm of altitude change and/or the interior pressure sensor can have a noise floor of about 1 Pa, 0.5 Pa, 0.25 Pa, or 0.1 Pa.
In a further embodiment of this system, the periodic interior pressure measurements inside the building structure can include interior pressure measurements sampled at one second intervals.
In a further embodiment of this system, estimating leakage from the premise can include the processing circuitry being configured to: calculate noise in pressure fluctuations for inside and outside pressure sensors in a prescribed bandwidth; and calculate a measure of outside-to-inside pressure noise coupling as a function of time.
An additional embodiment includes a method for estimating air infiltration. This method embodiment includes: periodically taking indoor pressure measurements inside a premise with a pressure sensor; identifying, based on the indoor pressure measurements, indoor pressure changes over time; and comparing, with processing circuitry, the indoor pressure changes and a predetermined pressure signature.
The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
The following drawings are illustrative of particular examples of the present invention and therefore do not limit the scope of the invention. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, though embodiments can include the scale illustrated, and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description wherein like reference characters denote like elements. Examples of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings.
The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides some practical illustrations for implementing examples of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the noted examples have a variety of suitable alternatives.
Generally, heating and ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems can be controlled by a controller (e.g., an electronics module) that can receive sensed temperature and humidity in one or more air supplied zones of a premise. Logic (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable instructions) at the controller can, for example, control the HVAC system to supply heat or cooling to a zone, if the temperature in that zone is below or above the desired level or setting previously set at the controller. Similarly, these systems can supply air that has been humidified or dehumidified to zones where humidity sensors detect humidity levels below or above the desired setting previously set at the controller.
However, without the availability of pressure data, current HVAC systems can be limited in performance. For instance, many HVAC systems may only receive temperature and/or humidity data at the premise. As such, while current HVAC systems can adjust temperature or humidity up or down, this is often at the expense of changing overall temperature and/or humidity. For example, if the HVAC system operates at a two-story premise, and the temperature is above the temperature set point upstairs and below the setpoint downstairs, heating would further elevate the already too warm upstairs condition, and cooling would introduce a similar worsening of conditions for the downstairs. While some HVAC systems utilize dampers to close certain ducts and direct either heating or cooling to specific zones or locations in the structure (e.g., cool air can be directed upstairs to lower the upstairs temperature), this approach is limited. Namely, in the noted example, displaced upstairs air can blend with the downstairs air and then be recirculated as return air input to the HVAC system. As such, the management of the downstairs temperature comes as a secondary effect of directing cool air upstairs.
Generally air pressure decreases with elevation. This is due to the fact that air is pulled to the earth by gravity and is supported by the ground and air below it. It is “stacked” from the ground up, with each additional elevation of air being supported by the ground and air below it. This is referred to as stack effect. This is measurable and can be material even in a two story premises. Stack effect, by itself, is not an issue when the air inside and outside a premises are at the same temperature. However, when it is warmer or cooler inside the premises as compared to outside the premises, the stack effect can create a difference between pressure inside the premises and pressure outside the premises, creating a differential pressure, inside the premises relative to outside the premises, that is a function of elevation and temperature difference inside and outside the premises. This condition can lead to a driving force for air infiltration through gaps and openings that exist between the inside and outside of the premises. This can lead to inside conditioned air being diluted with outside air that then requires conditioning, thereby necessitating additional energy use causing a reduction to the effective efficiency of the HVAC system. Current HVAC systems do not account for pressure (e.g., inside and/or outside the premise, at individual the zones of the premises, etc.) and do not have the ability to manage air infiltration or otherwise mange air flow at the premises based on pressure.
This disclosure describes embodiments that utilize pressure data to determine one or more characteristics at a premises that can be used to determine one or more actions to be taken at the premises, for instance to determine one or more actions to be taken by the premises HVAC system as a result of the one or more characteristics at the premises determined from the pressure data.
As one example, embodiments described in this disclosure can utilize pressure data at a premises to detect and quantify air infiltration (e.g., air leakage) at a premises. In some such embodiments, depending on the degree of quantified air infiltration, these embodiments can determine the occurrence of one or more events corresponding to the quantified air infiltration derived from the pressure data.
As another example, embodiments described in this disclosure can utilize pressure data at a premises to manage air flow within the premises in a desired manner. In some such embodiments, based on the pressure data at the premises, a controller (e.g., a controller of a HVAC system) can take one or more actions to adjust an air pressure within the premises (e.g., of a specific zone of the premises) to cause air within the premises to flow in a desired manner. For instance, based on the pressure data at the premises, the controller can actuate one or more dampers at the premises (e.g., at an air duct, such as adjacent an air duct inlet and/or outlet) and/or actuate a blower of the HVAC system to introduce exterior air (e.g., to change the interior air pressure with respect to the exterior air pressure) into the premises to cause an increase or decrease in the air pressure at a particular, corresponding zone of the premises. In the case of the adjusted air pressure within the premises resulting from the controller's actuation of the one or more dampers, this can cause air to flow in an adjusted manner within the premises (e.g., cause air to move from one zone to another zone as a result of the pressure adjustment at a particular zone). In the case of the adjusted air pressure within the premises resulting from the introduction of exterior air that is at a different pressure than the air within the premises, this can cause air to flow in an adjusted manner within the premises with respect to ingress or egress of that air from the premises. In one such example, based on the pressure data at the premises, the controller can adjust the air pressure within the premises to be greater than the air pressure exterior to the premises to cause air to flow out of the premises, which can be useful, for instance, in reducing or eliminating air contaminates within the air inside the premises by causing air with these contaminates to flow out of the premises. In another such example, based on the pressure data at the premises, the controller can adjust the air pressure within the premises to be less than the air pressure exterior to the premises to cause air to flow into the premises, which can be useful, for instance, in introducing fresh air into the premises and/or introducing air at a different temperature into the premises.
Air infiltration, while not commonly known to the general public, is known in the building professional community. Each premises (also referred to as “building structure” or “structure”) has an effective leakage area, and environmental factors such as stack effect and wind that can “drive” air from the outside of a structure to the inside (or vice versa). Some estimates suggest that 10% to 50% of a structure's energy loss can be attributed to air infiltration.
To address this, a device called a blower door was developed in the 1970's. This device was designed to be expandable such that it could temporarily take the place of a physical door in a structure. Inset in the blower door is a large fan that is capable of blowing air into or extracting air from a premises. These doors when operating typically can develop differential pressures of 60 Pascal (Pa) between the interior and exterior of a premises. The blower door can be calibrated to give an estimate of leakage area based on the blower speed, the pressure differential developed, and the square footage of the structure.
Previous techniques to attempt to identify air leakage from a premises utilized blower doors to pressurize the interior of a premises, and an operating technician would deploy smoke sticks to search for a leakage area in the structure by visually studying the deployed smoke flow. Recently, the operation of the blower door has changed to depressurizing the structure while using infrared cameras to see the temperature signatures caused from the exterior air being pulled into the structure through the leakage areas. These techniques, while generally effective, require a small crew to physically come to the premises, deploy a blower door, run calibration curves, and then visually search for the leakage areas in an ad hoc and subjective manner. There is an investment in cost, manpower, equipment deployment, and time that needs to be made prior to getting an understanding of how much leakage area a given premises has. Once the leakage area is known and identified, the situation becomes a cost trade for the owner of the premises. The correction of the leakage areas becomes an energy cost reduction opportunity to the premises owner. The principal issue for this method is the need for an investment to be made prior to knowing the extent or significance of any air infiltration issue and any potential cost savings is not known until after investing in the cost, manpower, equipment deployment, and time of these prior techniques.
A system and process are described herein that can estimate the air infiltration that exists at a premises prior to deploying more labor-intensive air infiltration measurement and correction techniques. The disclosed system can make use of one or more pressure sensors, such as micro pressure sensors. In some examples a pressure sensor is disposed both within a premises and outside a premises. As described herein, interior can includes inside of a premises or indoors, and exterior can include outside of the premises or outdoors. Pressure data from one or more of the sensors may be acquired and analyzed. Contained in this data may be normal environmental conditions such as pressure changes that occur due to weather changes, stack effect pressures from interior heating and cooling, and interior exterior pressure fluctuations from breeze and wind variations.
In one or more examples, an air leakage estimate for a premises is determined based on an evaluation of interior pressure sensor data and, in certain more specific examples, also exterior pressure sensor data. In one or more examples, an air leakage estimate may be made without requiring a manually induced air pressure differential such as a blower door. In one or more examples, an air leakage estimate may be determined at low cost and with hardware that is easily integrated into common home control system such as thermostats, or smart home hubs.
The system 100 can include processing capabilities that are not explicitly shown in
By periodically taking interior pressure measurements inside premises 102 using interior pressure sensor 120, system 100 can identify, based on these interior pressure measurements, interior pressure changes over time. System 100 can also identify exterior pressure changes over time that occur outside of premises 102 using exterior pressure sensor 122 or based on data from other source, such as from a weather data source. System 100 can then evaluate a difference between the interior pressure changes and the exterior pressure changes to estimate an air leakage from building structure 102.
It is to be noted that the detected air infiltration can be used for a variety of various purposes, including each of the various applications disclosed herein. For example, the use of the measured pressure data can be used to detect events at premises 102 in addition to air infiltration. For instance, the measured pressure data can be used to monitor for intrusions into premises 102, such as an open or broken window or open door (e.g., system 100 can be configured to identify pressure noise data set signatures indicative of doors or windows being opened; system 100 can be configured to determine a presence of contaminates in the air inside premises 102 based on detection of an open window/door, and some cases, one or more additional interior or exterior air parameters, such as air quality from an interior or exterior air quality sensor). In another example, system 100 may be configured to determine whether a furnace is in an operating condition based on one or more changes in detected pressure within the interior of the premises 102 (e.g., one or more changes in a detected a pressure noise data set fit for the interior of the premises 102).
Thus, examples disclosed herein, in one exemplary application can utilize one or more pressure sensors, such as interior pressure sensor 120 (e.g., a micro pressure sensor) and/or exterior pressure sensor 122 (e.g., a micro pressure sensor), to detect air infiltration (e.g., leakage), and, in some cases, quantify air infiltration at the premises 102. Examples include taking (e.g., periodically) interior pressure measurements within the premises 102 using the interior pressure sensor 120, identifying, based on one or more of the interior pressure measurements, interior pressure changes over time, identifying external pressure changes over time (e.g., based on one or more exterior pressure measurements outside the premises 102 using the exterior pressure sensor 122), evaluating the data sets for interior pressure changes and the external pressure changes, and generating an output in response to the evaluation. In some such examples, when the evaluation exceeds one or more predetermined statistical limits or agrees or matches one or more predetermined pressure signatures, an occurrence of an event can be indicated.
In one or more examples, the system 100 at the premises 102 to detect air infiltration can includes a memory, and one or more processors implemented in circuitry and in communication with the memory, with the one or more processors configured to periodically take interior pressure measurements inside the premises 102 with the interior pressure sensor 120, identify, based on the interior pressure measurements, interior pressure changes over time, periodically take exterior pressure measurements outside the premises 102 with the exterior pressure sensor 122, identify external pressure changes over time, and evaluate the interior pressure changes and the external pressure changes using, at least in part, the system 100.
In the example shown in
In one or more examples, the system 200 does not store the sensed pressure data and instead sends or communicates the pressure data to a remote device. Telemetry circuitry 258 supports wireless communication between system 200 and a remote device such as another computing device that can receive data from the system 200. Processing circuitry 250 of system 200 may receive, updates to programs stored in program memory 268, pressure signatures 266, and algorithms via telemetry circuitry 258. Telemetry circuitry 258 in system 200, as well as telemetry circuits in other devices and systems described herein, may accomplish communication by radiofrequency (RF) communication techniques. Telemetry circuitry 258 may send information to a remote system on a continuous basis, at periodic intervals, or upon request from the remote system.
System 200 can communicate pressure data, pressure noise data set fits, alerts, or other information via wired or wireless connection for example, with an external database 228, for example, at an external computing device. The external computing device may be, include, or otherwise be used in combination with a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet computer, personal computer, desktop computer, personal digital assistant, router, modem, remote server or cloud computing device, and/or related device allowing system 200 to communicate over a communication network such as, for example, the Internet or other wired or wireless, such as cellular, connection. Communicating via the wired or wireless connection can allow system 200 to be configured, controlled, or otherwise exchange data with the external computing device. In some examples, system 200 communicating via wired or wireless connection may allow a user to set up system 200 when first installing the system 200 at premises 102. In some examples, system 200 and external computing device communicate through a wireless network device such as a router or a switch. In other examples, system 200 and external computing device communicate through a wired connection such as an ethernet port, USB connection, or other wired communication network.
System 200 can, via the communication device, communicate via a wired or wireless connection 226 with external database 228. In some examples, wired or wireless connection 226 enables system 200 to communicate with external database 228 via a wireless connection which includes a network device such as a router, ethernet port, or switch. System 200 and external database 228 may also communicate through a wired connection such as an ethernet port, USB connection, or other wired communication network. Communicating via the wired or wireless connection 226 may allow system 200 to exchange data with external database 228. As such, external database 228 may be at a location outside of building 102. In some examples, external database 228 may be, include, or otherwise be used in combination with a remote server, cloud computing device, or network of controllers configured to communicate with each other. For example, system 200 may check with other pressure sensor(s) or HVAC controller(s) in nearby buildings through the internet or wide-area network. System 200 may include the onboard database because it is unable to communicate via the communication device.
In some examples, external database 228 may be, or otherwise be included in, or accessed via, external computing device (e.g., smartphone, mobile phone, tablet computer, personal computer, etc.). For example, system 200 may communicate via a Wi-Fi network connection with a smartphone device to exchange data with external database. By communicating via wired or wireless connection, system 200 may exchange data with external database.
Processing circuitry 250 may include one or more processors, such as any one or more of a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), discrete logic circuitry, or any other processing circuitry configured to provide the functions attributed to processing circuitry 250 herein may be embodied as firmware, hardware, software or any combination thereof.
In the illustrated example of
Storage device 252 may be configured to store information within system 200 during operation. Storage device 252 may include a computer-readable storage medium or computer-readable storage device. In some examples, storage device 252 includes one or more of a short-term memory or a long-term memory. Storage device 252 may include one or more of the following, for example, random access memories (RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static random access memories (SRAM), magnetic discs, optical discs, flash memories, or forms of electrically programmable memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable memories (EEPROM). In some examples, storage device 252 is used to store data indicative of instructions, e.g., for execution by processing circuitry 250. As discussed above, storage device 252 may be configured to store pressure data 262 and/or pressure noise data set fits 264.
Power source 260 is configured to deliver operating power to the components of system 200. Power source 260 may include a battery and a power generation circuit to produce the operating power. In some examples, the battery is rechargeable to allow extended operation. Power source 260 may include any one or more of a plurality of different battery types, such as nickel cadmium batteries and lithium ion batteries.
In some examples, processing circuitry may direct the sensors 254, 256 to sense pressures, at preset times and/or in response to preset events. In one or more examples, the processing circuitry 250 of the system 200 may command sampling rates of the interior pressure sensor 256 and/or the exterior pressure sensor 254. For example, processing circuitry 250 may direct the interior pressure sensor to periodically take interior pressure measurements. In some examples, the processing circuitry 250 may direct the exterior sensor 254 to periodically take exterior pressure measurements, for example over a preset time. In one or more examples, taking interior pressure sensor measurements and/or taking exterior pressure sensor measurements occurs at one second intervals, five second intervals, ten second intervals, sixty second intervals, two minute intervals, fifteen minute intervals, thirty minute intervals, or one hour intervals.
The processing circuitry 250 may use the interior pressure measurements to identify interior pressure changes over time. The processing circuitry 250 may further identify external pressure changes over time outside of the premise. For example,
In some examples, the processing circuitry 250 is configured to evaluate a difference, such as one or more differences, between the interior pressure changes and the external pressure changes. In one or more examples, the processing circuitry 250 is configured to evaluate the interior pressure changes and the exterior pressure changes, and in some examples evaluating the changes comprises determining an estimated amount of air infiltration for the premises. In some examples, the processing circuitry 250 is configured to estimate the leakage area for the premises.
In some examples, processing circuitry 250 processes the pressure data. In some examples, interior and exterior pressure noise may be calculated for the sampled data of
In one or more examples, a sampling transfer function may occur (see
In some examples, raw pressure data, such as that shown in
In some examples, pressure sensor data may be processed for an interior sensor 256 and for an exterior pressure sensor 254. In some examples, pressure sensor data from an interior sensor 256 is processed without the exterior pressure sensor data.
In some examples, effective leakage area of a building structure may be estimated. For example, a processor may be configured to calculate a degree of coupling for the exterior RMS pressure noise and the interior RMS pressure noise as it relates to pressure readings. The processor may be configured to calculate RMS pressure noise measured by interior and exterior pressure sensors within a prescribed bandwidth. The noise data may be calculated to obtain a pressure noise data set fit, measure of exterior to interior pressure noise coupling as a function of time and changing environmental conditions.
Example results of a processor calculating an RMS pressure noise over time is shown at
Using the degree of coupling, the pressure noise data set fit, a processor may be configured to estimate leakage and/or air filtration for the building structure. For example, the system 200 may include a pressure noise data set fit 264 that represents a relationship between interior and exterior RMS pressure noise coupling levels. The processing circuitry may be configured to evaluate the coupling levels by using the pressure signatures 266 to determine whether, and to what degree, leakage is occurring for the building structure.
In some examples, the pressure noise data set fits may not be linear regression fits and may be best fit to more complex equations or patterns. For example, polynomial regression, or stepwise regression. In some examples, artificial intelligence or machine learning methodology may be applied to learn characteristics of the coupling levels of exterior and interior pressure sensor noise data fit.
In some examples, a degree of pressure noise coupling between interior and exterior sensors is shown in
On a lower left of the
In some examples, a degree of pressure noise coupling between interior and exterior sensors is shown in
In some examples, a degree of pressure noise coupling between interior and exterior sensors is shown in
In some examples, a degree of pressure noise coupling between interior and exterior sensors is shown in
The previously described pressure techniques and data can be used to quantify air infiltration, such as leakage, at a premises.
In some examples, processing circuitry may direct the sensors 254, 256 to sense pressures, at certain times or in response to certain events. In one or more examples, the processing circuitry 250 of the system 200 may direct sampling rates of the interior pressure sensor 256 and/or the exterior pressure sensor 254. For example, processing circuitry 250 may direct the interior pressure sensor to periodically take interior pressure measurements at preset intervals, such as any of those preset intervals previously noted.
The processing circuitry 250 may use the interior pressure measurements to identify interior pressure changes over time. In some examples, the processing circuitry 250 may further identify external pressure changes over time, where the external pressure changes are outside of the building structure. For example, as noted,
In some examples, processing circuitry processes the pressure data. In some examples, sensor RMS pressure noise may be calculated for the pressure data. For example, processing circuitry may calculate the noise in two or more consecutive samples to obtain RMS pressure noise data (308). In some examples, processing circuitry calculates an average of the RMS pressure noise, or saves the noise data over time. In one or more examples, a sampling frequency of one sample per second sets the Nyquist frequency, for example at 0.5 Hz. In some examples, the number of consecutive samples may be controlled for noise calculations, and in some examples a lower frequency for the noise integral may also be controlled. In one or more examples, the process may include calculating the RMS pressure noise for the interior pressure measurements. In one or more examples, the process may include calculating noise of the pressure data for the interior and exterior pressure measurements.
In one or more examples, the process further can calculate a measure of the coupling in the exterior and interior RMS pressure noise data. For example, the processing circuitry evaluates noise calculation readings for the interior and exterior sensor readings over time and calculates the regression for the data set, the slope of which is termed the pressure noise data set fit (310). As illustrated in
In some examples, processing circuitry may command the interior pressure sensors to sense pressures, at certain times or in response to certain events. In one or more examples, the processing circuitry 250 may direct sampling rates of the interior pressure sensor 256. For example, processing circuitry 250 may direct the interior pressure sensor to periodically take interior pressure measurements, such as at any of the preset intervals previously noted.
In some examples, processing circuitry processes the pressure data (404). In some examples the pressure sensor measurements may be modified in light of sensed temperature changes. In some examples, the pressure sensor measurements may be adjusted in light of sensed altitude. In some examples, sensor pressure noise may be calculated to develop the pressure data. For example, processing circuitry may calculate the noise in two or more consecutive samples to obtain RMS pressure noise data. In one or more examples, a sampling frequency of one sample per second sets the Nyquist frequency, for example at 0.5 Hz. In some examples, the number of consecutive samples may be controlled for noise calculations, and in some examples a lower frequency for the noise integral may also be controlled. In one or more examples, the process may include calculating the noise in the pressure data for the interior pressure measurements. In some examples, processing circuitry calculates an average of the RMS pressure noise data, or saves the noise data over time. In some examples, processing circuitry calculates a weighted linear regression of the exterior and interior RMS pressure noise data set to obtain the slope of the data set.
In one or more examples, the process further can include comparing sensor data against a predetermined model which may predict leakage within a building structure (406). In some examples, the predetermined model may include pressure signatures for structures of different sizes, and for the conditions of different leakage areas. For example, the processing circuitry evaluates noise calculation readings for the interior sensor readings over time. As illustrated in
In one or more examples, the process includes evaluating whether the sensor pressure noise data set fit satisfies a threshold (408). In some examples, the threshold may be composed of the magnitude of increase of the pressure noise data set fit about the nominal condition and the period of time for the increase. If the sensor data does not satisfy the threshold, the pressure continues to be sensed and the resulting data processed. If the sensor data does satisfy the threshold, the processing circuitry may generate an output (410), for example, classifying the data, or indicating an event has occurred, such as a level of building leakage and/or air infiltration. In some examples, the event may include a window or door left open for a period of time. In one or more examples, the event may include security breaches, such as a window or door is broken or open. In some examples, the event may include an unknown anomalous event. In some examples, the output may include an alert that is sent regarding potential leakage of the building structure, either to the building owner or support contractor network. In some examples, the alert may be sent to a service provider to schedule additional testing regarding the building structure, such as a blower door test. In some examples, an alert is sent to a manager or owner of the building structure regarding potential pressure abnormalities or security breaches, for instance via a smart phone.
In some examples, processing circuitry may command the interior pressure sensors and/or exterior pressure sensors to sense pressures, at certain times or in response to certain events. In one or more examples, the processing circuitry 250 may direct sampling rates of the interior pressure sensor and/or exterior pressure sensor. For example, processing circuitry 250 may direct the interior pressure sensor to periodically take interior pressure measurements, and/or direct the exterior pressure sensor to periodically take exterior pressure measurements. In some examples, processing circuitry 250 may receive interior pressure measurements taken with an interior pressure sensor. In some examples, processing circuitry 250 may receive exterior pressure measurements taken with an exterior pressure sensor. In one or more examples, taking interior pressure sensor measurements and/or taking exterior pressure sensor measurements can occurs at any of the preset intervals previously noted.
The processing circuitry 250 may use the interior pressure measurements to identify interior pressure changes over time. In some examples, the processing circuitry 250 may further identify external pressure changes over time, where the external pressure changes are outside of the building structure. For example,
In some examples, processing circuitry processes the pressure data. In some examples, sensor pressure noise may be calculated for the pressure data, and sensor data may be developed (504). For example, processing circuitry calculates the pressure noise in two or more consecutive samples to obtain RMS pressure noise data. In some examples, processing circuitry calculates an average of the RMS pressure noise, or saves the noise data over time. In one or more examples, a sampling frequency of one sample per second sets the Nyquist frequency, for example at 0.5 Hz. In some examples, the number of consecutive samples may be controlled for noise calculations, and in some examples a lower frequency for the noise integral may also be controlled. In one or more examples, the process may include calculating noise of the pressure data for the interior pressure measurements. In one or more examples, the process may include calculating noise of the pressure data for the interior and exterior pressure measurements.
In one or more examples, the process further may include comparing sensor pressure noise set fits against a predetermined pressure signature which may be used to classify the data and predict leakage within a building structure (506). In some examples, the predetermined pressure signatures may include a degree of coupling that is process through a threshold to indicate a leakage issue for a building structure that needs to be addressed. In some examples, the processing circuitry evaluates noise calculation readings for the interior sensor readings and exterior sensor readings over time. The noise calculations for the interior and exterior sensor readings may be further evaluated to indicate a degree of coupling.
In one or more examples, the process includes evaluating the degree to which the pressure noise data set fit compares to pressure signatures and satisfies a threshold (508). In some examples, the threshold may be composed of the magnitude of increase of the pressure noise data set fit above the nominal condition and the period of time for the increase.
If the sensor data does not satisfy the threshold, the pressure continues to be sensed and the resulting data processed. If the sensor data does satisfy the threshold, an alert is sent regarding potential leakage (510). In some examples, the alert may be sent to a service provide to schedule additional testing regarding the building structure. In some examples, an alert is sent to a manager or owner of the building structure regarding potential pressure abnormalities.
The system 1700 can include one or more pressure sensors 1704 at a premise (e.g., at least one interior pressure sensor, at least one interior pressure sensor and at least one exterior pressure sensor), programmable processing circuitry 1706, input/output capabilities 1708, communication network (wired or wireless) 1712, HVAC system 1714, base module 1726, remote server (“cloud”) 1734, and remote user device (e.g., mobile computing device) 1736. HVAC system 1714 can include one or more components described elsewhere herein with respect to HVAC systems, such as heating component 1716, ventilation component 1718, air condition component 1720, controller 1722, and one or more dampers 1724 (e.g., positioned at an air duct, such as an inlet and/or outlet of an air duct). Base module 1726 can include data collection module 1728, identification module 1730, and sensor database 1732. The system 1700 can be configured to utilize communication network 1712 to facilitate communication (e.g., data communication, command signals, etc.) between any two or more components of the system 1700, for instance to communicate sensed pressure data from one or more pressure sensors 1704 to controller 1722, base module 1726, cloud 1724, and/or remote user device 1736.
In one exemplary application, system 1700 can be configured to detect improper air infiltration. To do so, for example, data collection module 1728 can receive premise pressure data from one or more pressure sensors 1704 (e.g., pressure data from at least one interior pressure sensor and pressure data from at least one exterior pressure sensor). Sensor database 1732 can store this received premise pressure data, and identification module 1730 can use the stored premise pressure data to determine one or more air flow patterns inside the premise (e.g., using a comparison to one or more previously determined air flow patterns; using any one of more of the techniques described herein previously). Further, in some cases, identification module 1730 can identify an area within the premises with the improper air infiltration (e.g., using a previously populated and stored database identifying pressure sensors and corresponding premise locations). The system 1700 can output an improper air infiltration notification to the remote user device 1736 (e.g., through the cloud 1734 connecting the base module 1726 to the remote user device 1736 via the communication network 1712). The system 1700 (e.g., the identification module 1730) can use the stored premise pressure data to provide an input command to the HVAC system 1714 to take one or more HVAC-system related actions (e.g., adjust one or more dampers to reduce or increase airflow through that damper; actuation ventilation component to introduce air from outside the premises; etc.) to reduce or eliminate the identified improper air infiltration.
As noted, system 1700, via data collection module 1728, can collect pressure sensor data from pressure sensors 1704 located at the exterior of the premise and the interior of the premise. In some further examples, system 1700, via data collection module 1728, can additionally collect other data, such as humidity, temperature, and/or air quality (e.g., inside and/or outside the premise). The collected sensor data, including at least the premise pressure data, can be stored in sensor database 1732. Then, as described previously, identification module 1730 can determine one or more airflow pattern inside the premise using at least the pressure sensor data stored in sensor database 1732 and/or identify an area of the premises having the improper air infiltration.
In operation, for detecting improper air infiltration, system 1700 can begin with data collection module 1728 collecting sensor data, such as humidity, pressure, temperature, and/or air quality from pressure sensors 1704 located on the exterior and the interior of the premise and stores the sensor data for each sensor, along with each sensor's location at the premise, at sensor database 1732. Then identification module 1730 can determine the airflow patterns of the dwelling using the sensor data stored in sensor database 1732. As one specific illustrative example of system 1700 operation, if on the first floor of the premise a first (e.g., kitchen) zone consistently has a greater pressure than another second zone at the premise, and this other second zone, adjacent the first zone, has a greater pressure than a neighboring third zone at the premise which such third zone is not directly connected to the first zone, then it can be determined, based on the noted relative locations of the first, second and third zones as well as the existence of the pressure at the first zone being greater than the pressure at the second zone and the pressure at the second zone being greater than the pressure at the third zone that an airflow flow pattern at the premise moves from the first zone to the second zone and then to the third zone. In making this determination, the identification module 1730 can then identify an area of the premise with the improper air infiltration, which in this example could be the first zone, since the first zone has the highest pressure on the first floor and, thus, this higher pressure may act to reduce new air inflow to the first zone. The system 1700 (e.g., via, at least in part, identification module 1730) can be configured to cause a notification to be output with information regarding the first zone potentially having improper air infiltration. In addition or alternatively to the output notification, the system 1700 can output a command to cause an adjustment to the HVAC system 1714 to reduce or eliminate the improper air infiltration. This HVAC adjustment command could include, for example, actuating a damper located at an air duct in fluid communication with the first zone (e.g., closing a damper located at an air duct in fluid communication with the first zone) and causing air (e.g., relatively cooler air than that currently present at the first zone via air conditioning component 1720) to be introduced to one or more other zones, such as the second zone adjacent the first zone and/or the third zone not directly connected to the first zone, to cause these one or more other zones receiving the air to experience an increase air pressure to approximate, or match, the pressure of the first zone in order to minimize the improper air infiltration at the first zone.
Devices, systems, and techniques disclosed herein can, in addition to or as an alternative to the air infiltration devices, systems, and techniques disclosed herein, utilize pressure data at a premises to manage air flow within the premises in a desired manner as will be described as follows.
Source air, or return air, 3000 passes through a filter 3100 positioned upstream of an air inlet to the HVAC unit 2002. The source, or return, air 3000 passes through the filter 3100 and enters the HVAC unit 2002. In the illustrated embodiment, the premises 100 includes multiple, different zones spaced apart within the premises 100. These zones are shown here as Z1, Z2, and Zn, and each zone Z1, Z2, Zn receives air from the HVAC unit 2002 via an air duct 4000. In particular, zone Z1 receives air from the HVAC unit 2002 via air duct 4000 at duct outlet 5100, zone Z2 receives air from the HVAC unit 2002 via air duct 4000 at duct outlet 5200, and zone Zn receives air from the HVAC unit 2002 via air duct 4000 at duct outlet 5300. These zones may be discrete rooms or defined spaces within the premises 100, and while the exemplary illustrated uses boxes to define these zones, these zones may be rooms that adjoin exterior walls or may be interior spaces or even an arbitrarily defines area without a wall or number of walls. Conditioned air from the HVAC unit 2002 is routed to zones, Z1-Zn, through duct 4000. A temperature sensor T1 can be located in zone Z1, and/or a temperature sensor T2 can be located in zone Z2, and/or a temperature sensor Tn can be located in zone Zn provide temperature data signals to a controller 2100, and the controller 2100 can use the data to cause one or more control actions to be taken at the HVAC system 2001 (e.g., at the HVAC unit 2002, at a damper, etc.). The controller 2100 can use this temperature data to inform whether to introduce heated or cooled air into any of the zones Z1-Zn. Temperature sensors T1-Tn may be wired to controller 2100 and or may communicate wirelessly with controller 2100. The same can apply for other sensors of the HVAC system 2001, such as humidity sensors H1, H2, Hn and pressure sensors P1, P2, Pn. Air within the premises 100 can be recycled as return air via return air duct 3000, passing through filter 3100, then conditioned at HVAC unit 2002, and then provided to any one or more of zones Z1, Z2, Zn by way of the supply duct 4000.
In operation, temperature sensors T1, T2, Tn located, respectively, at zones Z1, Z2, Zn can provide respective zone temperature data to controller 2100. Controller 2100 can transmit an actuation command to one or more of dampers 6100,6200, 630 either directly or by way of damper interface module controller 9000. For example, if zone Z1 has a temperature below a setpoint threshold (e.g., previously input at controller 2100), but zones Z2 and Zn are at or above the setpoint threshold, HVAC unit 2002 can respond by supplying heat, with damper 6100 commanded to open, for zone Z1 while dampers 6200 and 6300 for respective zones Z2, Zn commanded closed. In this way, heat can be targeted to the zone, here Z1. As HVAC unit 2002 can also supply cooling, zone dampers 6100, 6200, 6300 can be actuated to direct cooling to zones that are above the temperature setpoint threshold. Similar operation can be performed for conditioned humified air or dehumidified air in response to humidity sensors H1-Hn located in zones Z1-Zn.
For embodiments within the scope of this disclosure, pressures sensors P1-Pn, located in zones Z1-Zn, can be used to help verify proper installation, wiring, operational control, and operational testing of dampers 6100-6300. This can be useful, for example, because new HVAC system installations can be challenging to test and verify proper operation. Additionally, installed HVAC systems over time may experience component failures and these are likewise difficult to detect and test for. The presence of pressure sensors P1-Pn, located respectively in zones Z1-Zn, can allow controller 2100, (and, when present, in conjunction with damper interface module controller 9000) to conduct a HVAC system self-test that incorporates the operation of dampers 6100, 6200, 6300. Controller 2100 may turn on the blower/fan unit at HVAC unit 2002 thereby drawing air in from return air 3000 and providing increased air pressure to duct 4000. Successively closing dampers 6100, 6200, 6300 can generates a measurable pressure change at pressure sensors P1, P2, Pn at respective, corresponding zones Z1, Z2, Zn. Controller 2100 can receive the measured pressure change from the pressure sensors P1, P2, Pn and then correlate the measured pressure change to the damper actuation at the corresponding zone to verify that the dampers 6100, 6200, 6300 are functioning properly. Thus, using the received pressure data taken during the corresponding damper actuation, the controller 2100 can detect a malfunctioning damper without needing a technical or other professional to visually or physically inspect the duct 4000 or dampers 6100, 6200, 6300.
The HVAC system's blower/fan is first turned on (2550). Dampers are checked to determine they are open or otherwise are commanded and actuated to an open position (2600). Pressures are measured, via pressure sensors inside the premise, and stored for each desired zone (2650). A select damper positioned to control air flow at a first select zone is then selectively closed and opened (2700) and the pressure at that first select zone is measured for the damper's closed and opened states (2750). A difference between the first select zone measured pressure at the damper opened position and the damper closed position is determined, and this difference is compared to a damper functioning pressure differential threshold. If the pressure difference threshold process generates a result that satisfies the damper functioning pressure differential threshold (2800), then an output is generated to indicate a malfunctioning damper for the first select zone (2850). The process can then be repeated similarly for a next selected damper in the HVAC system (2900) until each desired damper has been actuated between opened and closed positions and each damper's corresponding zone pressure differences determined and compared to the damper functioning pressure differential threshold. Finally, and included in some examples of the process (2500), the blower fan is returned to its off state (2950). In this way HVAC system dampers may be tested for proper operation at the time of system installation and or may be tested for proper operation as part of a post installation maintenance schedule. There are many variations on how this process can be conducted. Though generally these variations of the self-test include coordinated control of dampers with the pressure measurements at the corresponding damper zones at the premises.
The presence of one or more of the pressure sensors in the system 2000 can allow for other useful functions to be executed. For example, pressure measurements from one or more of the pressure sensors P0, P1, P2, Pn of the system 2000 can facilitate control, and adjustment, of pressure within the premises 100 (e.g., via one or more control actions at the HVAC system 2001) and, in some cases, control, and adjustment, of pressure at one or more specific zones Z1, Z2, Zn within the premises 100 (e.g., via one or more control actions at the HVAC system 2001). For instance, this control, and adjustment, of pressure within the premises 100, or in some cases within one or more specific zones within the premises 100, can be relative to exterior pressure (e.g., as measured by external pressure sensor P0) and/or interior pressure at another location within the premises 100.
As our environment continues to warm and fires become more frequent, our air quality can be continually degraded by smoke or other pollutants in the external air. Introducing filtered outside air into the premises 100 increases the air pressure inside the premises 100 with respect to the outside pressure (e.g., as measured by external pressure sensor P0) and this increased air pressure within the premise relative to outside the premise can create a state where less unfiltered outside air infiltrates into the premises due to the induced increase in pressure within the premises 100.
In more specific such instances, pressure can be controlled and adjusted at individual interior zones, Z1, Z2, Zn using, respectively, dampers 6100, 6200, 6300. As described for dampers 7000, 7500, dampers 6100, 6200, 6300 can be configured to adjust to various incremental positions between fully opened and fully closed states. Opening one of the interior zone associated dampers, for example damper 6100, while restricting air flow through other interior zone dampers, for example dampers 6200 and 6300, can cause an additional pressure to develop in, and thus induce an increase in pressure at, the zone corresponding to opened damper 6100, in this example zone Z1. While the control of return air source dampers 7000, 7500, affects the relative pressure inside premise 100 to outside premise 100, control of the zone associated dampers 6100, 6200, 6300 affects the relative pressures P1, P2, Pn between the associated interior zones Z1, Z2, Zn. If the interior pressure at premises 100 is greater than the outside pressure, outside air infiltration into premises 100 will be minimized. Accordingly, this more precise, zone control can be useful, for instance, at times when the air quality outside premise 100 (e.g., as measured by air quality sensor Q0) is poor since it can induce input exterior air to come from filtered air source 3300 while displacing unfiltered infiltration air because of the controlled increase in the internal pressure at premises 100. Supplying this filtered air source 3300 selectively to one or more of zones Z1, Z2, Zn allows controller 2100 to adjust interior pressure to a targeted inside-to-outside pressure differential and also to adjust interior zone associated pressure to a targeted interior zone-to-zone pressure differential.
The techniques described herein can be performed to achieve a variety of desired outcomes. Exemplary desired outcomes can include increasing relative inside air pressure at the premises to minimize unfiltered air infiltration into the premises and/or creating pressure differentials between interior zones to exchange zone air between these interior zones. The control functions (e.g., coordinated damper positioning control using pressure data followed by HVAC unit blower control) to achieve such desired outcomes can be dynamic and can be in response to outside and inside pressure sensor readings. For example, in breezy conditions pressure outside a premise can experience small pressure fluctuations due to changing wind speeds on the surfaces of the structure, such as disclosed previously herein. Outside pressure sensor P0 can detect these pressure changes and communicate these pressure changes to controller 2100. Controller 210, having access to interior pressure data from interior pressure sensors P1, P2, Pn, can send updated control information to dampers 7005, 7100, 7200, 7500 to change damper positioning of one of more of these dampers as a function of the dynamic pressure data from outside pressure sensor P0.
In addition, HVAC system 2001, while providing the blower fan to control air movement from duct 3001 into distribution duct 4000, could also additionally supply heating, via a heating component at the HVAC unit 2002, or cooling, via a cooling component at the HVAC unit 2002, to input outside air 3300 or return air from duct 3000. In the case the outside air is hotter or cooler than a desired temperature setpoint for use in the system 2000, HVAC unit 2002 can operate to cool or heat the outside air and inside air from duct 3000 to create blended air at the desired temperature setpoint for use in the system 2000.
Typically, return air dampers 7005, 7100, 7200, and 7500 cannot all be closed while HVAC system 2001 is operational. This is because the return air typically needs to pass through HVAC system 2001 for proper operation of HVAC system 2001. It can also be necessary for return air to pass through HVAC unit 2002, be conditioned there, and then used for the supply air via duct 4000. There are a number of techniques to help ensure dampers 7005, 7100, 7200, 7500 supply adequate input air to HVAC unit 2002 to operate while also still adjusting return blended air proportions between inside and outside air. In instances where inside return air is being used and damper 7500 is closed, each unit of duct cross-sectional area for dampers 7005, 7100, 7200 being impeded by incrementally closing one or more of the dampers 7005, 7100, 7200 is made up for by incrementally opening one or more of the other dampers. A minimum open air flow cross-sectional area in aggregate for supply air duct(s) 3000, 3001 can be preset and utilized in controlling positioning of dampers 7005, 7100, 7200, 7500 such that the degree these dampers can be closed would be restricted to preserve the minimum open air flow cross-sectional area in aggregate for supply air duct(s) 3000, 3001.
In instances where outside air is blended with inside air, each unit of return duct cross-sectional area impeded by incrementally closing the dampers 7005, 7100, 7200 can be made up for by damper 7500 incrementally opening this same cross-sectional area amount in a coordinated manner. As such, the two damper groups—a first return air damper group including dampers 7005, 7100, 7200, and a second return air damper group including damper 7500—can operate in an inverse damper positioning manner (e.g., one group incrementally closing while another group incrementally opens in a coordinated manner). In addition, pressure in return air duct 3000 or return air input to HVAC unit 2002 can be monitored via a duct pressure sensor and used to help ensure that the return air damper positions are supplying adequate return air to HVAC unit 2002. Similarly, some modern HVAC systems will not operate correctly if the zone supply air is overly impeded by damper positioning. This can be an issue for existing HVAC systems where homeowners, for example, may obscure and impede air flow from supply duct 4000 into zones Z1, Z2, Zn. Techniques similar to those described above with respect to coordination of return air dampers 7005, 7100, 7200, 7500 can be applied to supply air dampers 6100, 6200, and 6300.
The damper 800 can include a damper blade 805 that is movable relative to a body 801 of the damper 800. The damper blade 805 can be movable about an axis 802, and in the illustrated embodiment the axis 802 is generally parallel to, and can be coincident with, a central longitudinal axis of the body 801. Damper blade 805 can pivot about the axis 802 to change a position of damper blade 805 to a variety of incremental positions, including fully closed, fully opened, and a number of discrete positions between fully closed and fully opened.
At damper blade position 810, damper blade 805 is at a fully closed position. The exemplary fully closed position 820 shown here positions damper blade 805 generally at ninety degrees relative to a direction 803 of air flow through the damper body 801. Upon receiving an actuation command, such as from the controller, damper 800 can be configured to adjust damper blade positioning from the fully closed position 810 to a different position corresponding to the actuation command received at the damper 800. For example, upon receiving an actuation command (e.g., a partially open command), damper blade 805 can move (e.g., rotate about the axis 802) relative to damper body 801 from the fully closed position 810 to a partially opened position 820. The exemplary partially opened position 820 shown here positions damper blade 805 generally at forty five degrees relative to direction 803 of air flow through the damper body 801. As another example, upon receiving an actuation command (e.g., a fully open command), damper blade 805 can move (e.g., rotate about the axis 802) relative to damper body 801 from the partially opened position 820 to a fully opened position 830. The exemplary fully opened position 830 shown here positions damper blade 805 generally parallel relative to direction 803 of air flow through the damper body 801 (e.g., and generally on the rotational axis 802 of damper blade 805). As will be appreciated, damper blade 805 can be positioned at a variety of other positions between the illustrated fully closed position 810, partially opened position 820, and fully opened position 830.
As damper blade 805 is moved to adjust its position inside damper body 801, this can change an obstruction area to the air flow, and thus a degree to which air flow entering damper body 801 is obstructed in its flow, and thereby can act to regulate a volume of air passing through damper 800.
Damper 800 can include a receiver and associated programmable control circuitry 850 at damper body 801. Receiver and associated programmable control circuitry 850 can receive (via hard wiring or wirelessly) an actuation command from controller 2100 and, as a result, cause a position of damper blade 805 to change to a degree corresponding to the actuation command. As such, damper 800 can act to obstruct air flow through damper 800 to a variety of degrees in correspondence to the actuation command and data received at controller 2100 (e.g., pressure data).
In some examples, a pressure sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, and/or air quality sensor can be mounted at damper inlet 840 and/or damper outlet 860. In one such example, perforations can be included in the damper wall to allow air within damper body 801 to be in fluid communication with any one or more such sensors at damper body 801. Any so include such sensor can be in communication with controller 2100, for instance by including a transmitter along with receiver and associated programmable control circuitry 850. Including such additional one or more sensors at damper 800 can allow for inlet and outlet pressure, temperature, humidity and/or air quality to be monitored at the air flowing through damper 800.
In some cases, including a pressure sensor at the input side of damper 800 (e.g., damper 6100, 6200, 6300, 7000, 7005, 7100, 7200, and/or 7500) can further certain useful advantages. Having a pressure sensor at one or more dampers could allow for management of return air proportions based on the sensed pressure at the dampers. Damper sensed pressures can be used to balance return air distribution for dampers (e.g., damper 7000, 7005, 7100, 7200, and/or 7500) for the purpose of redistributing zone air between zones Z1, Z2, Zn. Damper sensed pressures can also be used to balance inside and outside return air source percentages by monitoring dampers 7000, 7005, 7100, 7200, and/or 7500. This could allow for a more precise control of coordinated HVAC return air pressure while adjusting the proportions for blended inside and outside air as described previously.
The inclusion of a pressure sensor at one or more dampers could have further useful advantages. First, for example, intake or return air pressures to HVAC unit 2002 can be monitored in duct 3000, via a pressure sensor at one or more of dampers 7000, 7005, 7100, 7200, and/or 7500, for use as inputs for determining one or more outputs, or control actions, to be taken at HVAC unit 2002. This can be particularly useful for the conditions where outside air 3300 is blended with return air from insides zones Z1, Z2, and/or Zn through the control of dampers 7005, 7100, 7200 actuated between fully closed, fully opened, and one or more other positions between fully closed and fully opened. Similarly supply air duct 4000 pressure can then be sensed at one or more of dampers 6100, 6200, and 6300 via a pressure sensor at one or more of the dampers 6100, 6200, 6300. Here, as these dampers are controlled (e.g., actuated between fully closed, fully opened, and one or more other positions between fully closed and fully opened) to control pressures in zones Z1, Z2, and/or Zn the pressure for supply ducts 4000a, 4000b, 4000c to these zones and the supply line 4000 can be monitored from a pressure sensor at damper 6100, 6200, 6300 (e.g., a first inlet pressure sensor and a second outlet pressure sensor at one or more of damper 6100, 6200, 6300). Such pressure data can be used to monitor that HVAC unit 2000 is controlled to supply air pressures within a preset operational air pressure setting specification for HVAC unit 2000. Additionally, in embodiments where the system 2000 is configured to operate to redistribute air between zones of the premises, for example where one zone (e.g., Z1) is hotter than desired and one is cooler (e.g., Z2) than desired, air pressure at one or more ducts (e.g., supplying air and/or returning air from such zone) for this redistribution can be monitored at the one or more ducts and damper positions, at corresponding one or more ducts, can be adjusted to optimize redistribution flow to bring the temperature at the zone (e.g., Z1) that is hotter than desired down toward the temperature set point for that zone and, via the same operation, bring the temperature at the zone that is cooler (e.g., Z2) than desired up toward the temperature set point for that zone. Moreover, the damper self-testing described previously can use pressure data taken at one or more dampers, and in some cases use a differential pressure measured between an inlet and outlet of a single damper and/or a differential pressure between a supply air duct for a particular zone and a return air duct for that particular zone.
In some examples, pressure data can also be used to determine whether an air duct is improperly blocked. Pressure sensor data from one or more pressure sensors included at one or more HVAC system air ducts can be received and stored in a historical database to create a baseline of the duct pressure sensor data (in further examples, other types of premises data can be received and stored along with the pressure data, such as pressure noise data, humidity data, temperature data, air quality data). A data collection module, such as at controller 2100 and/or the cloud, can create a baseline of the data, for example, a range of what the sensor data typically (e.g., average) has been over a prior preset period of time. Then, system 2000 can collect real-time pressure sensor data from one or more pressure sensors included at one or more HVAC system air ducts and compare this real-time collected pressure data to a rules database (described further elsewhere herein; can contain the baseline sensor data created by the data collection module as well as indicators of what the data can mean if outside the baseline sensor data) to determine if there is any improper blockage at such HVAC system air duct based on the collected real-time pressure sensor data from one or more pressure sensors included at one or more HVAC system air ducts differing from a predetermined deviation from the corresponding pressure data for that same duct(s) in the historical duct pressure database. In some additional examples, when it is determined that there is any improper blockage at such HVAC system air duct, system 2000, such as via controller 2100, can output a notification at the controller user interface and/or at a remote user device indication a possible HVAC system air duct improper blockage.
As one specific, illustrative example, if a pressure sensor near at or near a damper associated with a first zone air supply or return duct has a baseline pressure reading of 1 Pa-2 Pa and the real-time data is outside this range (e.g., 28 Pa), then there may be a blockage in the form of debris located in the air duct, such as near the damper, and a corresponding notification can be output. Similarly, if a sensed pressure near a damper within an air duct has a baseline pressure reading of 1 Pa-2 Pa when the damper is closed, and the subsequent, real-time sensor data is 0.25 Pa when the damper is closed, then that can be an indication of a malfunctioning damper, and a corresponding notification can be output. Lastly, if the pressure data received from multiple pressure sensors within or near one or more air ducts are between 1 Pa-2 Pa Pa and there is a pressure sensor with a subsequent, real-time reading of 15 Pa, that can be an indication of improper installation of the corresponding damper since the air may be flowing as easily as in other non-damper associated areas and there is a buildup of more pressure in the section, and a corresponding notification can be output.
Program memory 9300 can store one or more control programs in the form of computer-executable instructions for execution by programmable processing circuitry 950 to carry out one or more actions described elsewhere herein. Such control programs can include commands for the HVAC system to manage air flow at the premises as well as other actions described elsewhere herein. As one example, programmable processing circuitry 950 can read the received sensor data (e.g., pressure data), determine a state of the HVAC system (e.g., determine a state, or position, of one or more dampers as described previously), and convey one or more control commands to one or more components of the HVAC system (e.g., through damper controller 9000) to actuate such one or more components of the HVAC system (e.g., one or more dampers) to a component state based on the received sensor data (e.g., pressure data). Telemetry circuitry 970 can send control information to and/or receive control information from one or more HVAC system components, such as one or more dampers. Likewise, telemetry circuitry 970 can send data to and/or receive data from (e.g., a remote control command) a remote server (e.g., “cloud” computing and analytics) 9400. The remote server 9400 can, in some cases, be leveraged to process data remote from the premises, for instance by executing one or more machine learning algorithms that use past premises data, such as from the interior and/or exterior sensors at the premises and/or one or more components of premises HVAC system, to determine one or more patterns associated with HVAC system control actions and resulting changes to data sensed by interior and/or exterior sensors at the premises. In certain embodiments, controller 2100 can include a user interface, such as display key entry 960, configured to receive user input, such as setting one or more operational parameters for operation of system 2000, and to output one or more indicators as to set parameters for operation of system 2000 and/or alerts as to one or more preset conditions at system 2000.
Thus, one exemplary controller 2100 embodiment can include non-transitory computer-readable storage article 9300 including computer-executable instructions (e.g., control program) and programmable processing circuitry 950 that is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause programmable processing circuitry 950 to: receive a detected air pressure exterior to a premise from a first pressure sensor (e.g., P0), receive a detected air pressure within the premise from a second pressure sensor (e.g., P1, P2, and/or Pn), and adjust an amount of air suppled from an exterior of a premise to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit 2002 based on the detected air pressure exterior to the premises and the detected air pressure within the premises.
In a further exemplary embodiment of this controller 2100, programmable processing circuitry 950 can be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to further cause programmable processing circuitry 950 to adjust the amount of air suppled from an exterior of a premise to HVAC unit 2002 by adjusting a first damper (e.g., damper 7500) positioned at a first air duct (e.g., outside supply air duct 3001) that supplies air from the exterior of the premises to HVAC unit 2002. For example, programmable processing circuitry 950 can be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause programmable processing circuitry 950 to adjust an amount of air supplied from an interior of the premises to HVAC unit 2002 based on the detected air pressure exterior to the premises and the detected air pressure within the premises. And, programmable processing circuitry 950 can be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause programmable processing circuitry 950 to adjust the amount of air supplied from the interior of the premises to HVAC unit 2002 by adjusting a second damper (e.g., damper 7005, damper 7100, and/or damper 7200) positioned at a second air duct (e.g., return air duct 3000) that supplies air from the interior of the premises to HVAC unit 2002. In this controller embodiment, programmable processing circuitry 950 can be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause programmable processing circuitry 950 to adjust the amount of air suppled from the exterior of the premises to HVAC unit 2002 to cause the detected air pressure within the premises to be greater than the detected air pressure exterior to the premises. In a further such controller embodiment, programmable processing circuitry 950 can be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause programmable processing circuitry 950 to adjust at least one of the first damper and the second damper such that the first air duct supplies more air from the exterior of the premises to HVAC unit 2002 than the second air duct supplies from the from the interior of the premises to HVAC unit 2002. In yet a further such controller embodiment, programmable processing circuitry 950 can be configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause programmable processing circuitry 950 to adjust the second damper from a second damper first position to a second damper second position, and where the second damper second position restricts more air from passing from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit than the second damper first position
Likewise, controller 2100 can be configured to help carry out a number of useful functions, such as certain functions based on received sensor data, when the controller is used as a component in a larger system, such as system 2000.
As described herein, the system 2000, in certain embodiments, can include controller 2100, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit 2002, a first damper (e.g., damper 7500), a second damper (e.g., damper 7005, damper 7100, and/or damper 7200), a first pressure sensor (e.g., exterior pressure sensor P0), and a second pressure sensor (e.g., pressure sensor P1, pressure sensor P2, and/or pressure sensor Pn). The HVAC unit 2002 can be in communication with the controller 2100. The first damper can be positioned at a first air duct (e.g., outside air supply duct 3001) that supplies air from an exterior of premises to the HVAC unit 2002. The first damper can be in communication with the controller 2100. The second damper can be positioned at a second air duct (e.g., return air duct 3000) that supplies air from an interior of the premises to the HVAC unit 2002. The second damper can be in communication with the controller 2100. The first pressure sensor (e.g., exterior pressure sensor P0) can be configured to detect an air pressure exterior to the premises, and the first pressure sensor can be in communication with the controller 2100. The second pressure sensor (e.g., pressure sensor P1, pressure sensor P2, and/or pressure sensor Pn) can be configured to detect an air pressure within the premises, and the second pressure sensor can be in communication with the controller 2100. The controller 2100 can be configured to receive the detected air pressure exterior to the premises from the first pressure sensor (e.g., exterior pressure sensor P0) and the detected air pressure within the premises from the second pressure sensor (e.g., pressure sensor P1, pressure sensor P2, and/or pressure sensor Pn), and the controller 2100 can be configured to change the air pressure within the premises by adjusting at least one of the first damper (e.g., damper 7500) and the second damper (e.g., damper 7005, damper 7100, and/or damper 7200) based on the detected air pressure exterior to the premises and the detected air pressure within the premises.
For instance, the controller 2100 can be configured to change the air pressure within the premises to be greater than the air pressure exterior to the premises by adjusting at least one of the first damper (e.g., damper 7500) and the second damper (e.g., damper 7005, damper 7100, and/or damper 7200) when the detected air pressure within the premises is less than the detected air pressure exterior to the premises. As one such example, the controller 2100 can be configured to change the air pressure within the premises to be greater than the air pressure exterior to the premises by adjusting at least one of the first damper (e.g., damper 7500) and second damper (e.g., damper 7005, damper 7100, and/or damper 7200) such that the first air duct (e.g., outside air supply duct 3001) supplies more air from the exterior of the premises to the HVAC unit 2002 than the second air duct (e.g., return air duct 3000) supplies from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit 2002. For instance, the controller 2100 can be configured to adjust the second damper (e.g., damper 7005, damper 7100, and/or damper 7200) from a second damper first position to a second damper second position, where the second damper second position restricts more air from passing from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit 2002 than the second damper first position. In one particular such example, each of the second damper first position and the second damper second position can allow air to pass from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit. In another, additional or alternative such example, the controller 2100 can be configured to adjust the first damper (e.g., damper 7500) from a first damper first position to a first damper second position, where the first damper first position restricts more air from passing from the exterior of the premises to the HVAC unit 2002 than the first damper second position.
In a further embodiment, system 2000 can additionally include a first air filter positioned at the first air duct (e.g., air filter 3200 positioned at outside air supply duct 3001) such that air passing from the exterior of the premises to the HVAC unit 2002 passes through the first air filter before reaching the HVAC unit 2002.
In a further embodiment, system 2000 can additionally include an air quality sensor (e.g., Q0) positioned to detect an air quality metric of the air supplied from the exterior of the premises. The air quality sensor can be in communication with the controller 2100. And, the controller 2100 can be configured to adjust the first damper (e.g., damper 7500) based at least in part on the detected air quality metric.
In a further embodiment, system 2000 can additionally include a third damper (e.g., damper 6100), a first temperature sensor (e.g., T1), a fourth damper (e.g., damper 6200), and a second temperature sensor (e.g., T2). The third damper can be positioned at a third air duct (e.g., supply air duct 4000a) that supplies air from the HVAC unit 2002 to a first zone (e.g., Z1) of the premises, and the third damper can be in communication with the controller 2100. The first temperature sensor can be positioned to detect an air temperature of the air supplied from the HVAC unit 2002 to the first zone, and the first temperature sensor can be in communication with the controller 2100. The fourth damper can be positioned at a fourth air duct (e.g., supply air duct 4000b) that supplies air from the HVAC unit 2002 to a second zone (e.g., Z2) of the premises, and the fourth damper can be in communication with the controller 2100. The second temperature sensor can be positioned to detect an air temperature of the air supplied from the HVAC unit 2002 to the second zone, and the second temperature sensor can be in communication with the controller 2100. The second damper (e.g., damper 7005, damper 7100, and/or damper 7200) can be positioned at the second air duct (e.g., return air duct), and the second air duct can supply air from the first zone (e.g., Z1) of the premises to the HVAC unit 2002. The controller 2100 can be configured to receive the detected air temperature from the first temperature sensor and the detected air temperature from the second temperature sensor, and the controller 2100 can be configured to change the temperature of the second zone (e.g., Z2) by adjusting at least one of the third damper (e.g., damper 6100) and the fourth damper (e.g., damper 6200) based on the detected air temperature from the first temperature sensor and the detected air temperature from the second temperature sensor. In a further embodiment, the controller 2100 can be configured to change the temperature of the second zone by adjusting at least two of the second damper, the third damper, and the fourth damper based on the detected air temperature from the first temperature sensor and the detected air temperature from the second temperature sensor.
In a further embodiment, system 2000 can additionally include a third temperature sensor (e.g., T0) positioned to detect an air temperature of the air supplied from the exterior of the premises, and the third temperature sensor can be in communication with the controller 2100. The controller 2100 can be configured to receive the detected air temperature from the third temperature sensor, and the controller 2100 can be configured to change the air pressure within the premises by adjusting at least one of the first damper and the second damper based on the detected air pressure exterior to the premises, the detected air pressure within the premises, and the detected air temperature from the third temperature sensor. In a further embodiment, system 2000 can also include a first humidity sensor (e.g., H0). The first humidity sensor can be positioned to detect an air humidity level of the air supplied from the exterior of the premises, and the first humidity sensor can be in communication with the controller 2100. The controller 2100 can be configured to receive the detected air humidity level from the first humidity sensor, and the controller 2100 can be configured to change the air pressure within the premises by adjusting at least one of the first damper and the second damper based on the detected air pressure exterior to the premises, the detected air pressure within the premises, the detected air temperature from the third temperature sensor, and the detected air humidity level from the first humidity sensor.
System 2000 can sense data using exterior sensors 1500 and/or interior sensors (e.g., Q1, T1, H1, P1, Q2, T2, H2, P2, Qn, Tn, Hn, and/or Pn) and can take other useful actions based on this data. Illustrative examples of such other actions as described as follows.
In one example, system 2000 can be used to detect a presence of airborne contaminates at the premises and, in some further such examples, cause a control action to be executed via HVAC system 2001 to reduce or eliminate such contaminates.
To do so, for the method 5000, system 2000, such as at controller 2100, can receive interior pressure data from one or more of interior pressure sensors (e.g., P1, P2, Pn) within the premises (e.g., at different zones Z1, Z2, Zn within the premises) (5005). In some further examples, system 2000, such as at controller 2100, can receive interior air quality data from one or more of interior air quality sensors Q1, Q2, Qn within the premises (e.g., at different zones Z1, Z2, Zn within the premises) (5005) and use this air quality data in the same, or similar, manner as described for the interior pressure data to take the same, or similar, control action(s). The system 2000, such as at controller 2100, can then compare the received data, from step 5005, to one or more corresponding data predetermined thresholds, such as comparing interior pressure data to one or more interior pressure data predetermined thresholds (e.g., comparing interior pressure data from interior pressure sensor P1 of zone Z1 to an interior pressure predetermined threshold for zone Z1; comparing interior pressure data from interior pressure sensor P2 of zone Z2 to an interior pressure predetermined threshold for zone Z2) (5010). For example, controller 2100 or cloud 9400 can include a detection database containing various data predetermined thresholds corresponding to the type(s) of data received from various premises sensors, and programmable processing circuitry can compare received sensor data to a corresponding one or more data predetermined thresholds. System 2000, such as via controller 2100, can then determine if any of the received sensor data differs from the one or more corresponding data predetermined thresholds, and, if any of the received sensor data differs from the one or more corresponding data predetermined thresholds, the system 2000, such as via controller 2100, can select a corresponding HVAC system adjustment from a HVAC system adjustment database (5015). For example, controller 2100 can store a HVAC system adjustment database that includes a plurality of HVAC system adjustments corresponding to particular types of received sensor data. For instance, the HVAC system adjustment database can include a first HVAC system adjustment (e.g., adjust a first return air damper, such as damper 7005 for a first premises zone, such as Z1, to further restrict or further permit return air taken from the first premises zone; and/or adjust a first supply air damper, such as damper 6100 for a first premises zone, such as Z1, to further restrict or further permit supply air provided to the first premises zone) corresponding to a first particular type of received sensor data (e.g., interior pressure data, from pressure sensor P1, for the first premises zone Z1 differing from an interior pressure predetermined threshold for zone Z1; and/or interior pressure data, from a pressure sensor at premises zone other than the first premises zone Z1, such as premises zone Z2, differing from an interior pressure predetermined threshold for zone Z2). Then, system 2000, such as via controller 2100, can cause the selected, corresponding HVAC system adjustment from HVAC system adjustment database, to be executed at the HVAC system.
In this example, the selected, corresponding HVAC system adjustment from HVAC system adjustment database can be executed art the HVAC system to reduce or prevent instances of outside contaminates entering the premises. For instance, controller 2100 can further include a filtration module, such as at non-transitory computer-readable storage article 9300 and executed by programmable processing circuitry 950, to collect pressure data (and in some cases extract pressure noise data) from one or more pressure sensors, humidity data from one or more humidity sensors, temperature data from one or more temperature sensors, and/or air quality data from one or more air quality sensors, where such sensors can be located throughout a premises (e.g., at different zones of a premises). The collected sensor data can then be compared using the detection database, which, as noted, can include a plurality of different rules corresponding to different sensor data that, when compared to one of more predetermined thresholds corresponding to such sensor data, can indicate that a particular such rule should be applied to cause a HVAC system control action to be taken to cause air flow in a manner that reduces or eliminates detected contaminates within the premises. For example, the database may contain a maximum threshold level of dust that is acceptable within a specific zone, and if this maximum threshold level is exceeded, then the rule can be to increase pressure within that specific zone, via the HVAC system and associated one or more dampers, such that the resulting increased pressure induced at that specific zone causes undesired, detected contaminates to flow out of that specific zone. For instance, this could include blocking outside air into that specific zone by closing a return air damper associated with that specific zone, opening a supply air damper associated with that specific zone, opening one or more return air dampers associated with one or more other zones, and/or opening one or more supply air dampers associated with one or more other zones.
In another example, system 2000 can be used to detect a presence of a person at the premises (e.g., at a particular zone of the premises) and cause a control action to be executed via HVAC system 2001 based on the detected presence, or lack of a detected presence, of a person at the premises (e.g., at a particular zone of the premises).
To do so, for the method 5050, system 2000, such as at controller 2100, can receive interior pressure data from one or more of interior pressure sensors (e.g., P1, P2, Pn) within the premises (e.g., at different zones Z1, Z2, Zn within the premises) (5055). The system 2000, such as at controller 2100, can then compare the received data, from step 5055, to one or more corresponding data predetermined person presence thresholds, such as comparing interior pressure data for a specific zone to one or more interior pressure data predetermined person presence thresholds (e.g., comparing interior pressure data from interior pressure sensor P1 of zone Z1 to an interior pressure predetermined person presence threshold for zone Z1, which could be a preset change in sensed pressure at that zone Z1 over a preset period of time (e.g., one second, two seconds, three seconds, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, or sixty seconds); comparing interior pressure data from interior pressure sensor P2 of zone Z2 to an interior pressure predetermined person presence threshold for zone Z2, which could be a preset change in sensed pressure at that zone Z2 over a preset period of time (e.g., one second, two seconds, three seconds, five seconds, ten seconds, thirty seconds, or sixty seconds)) (5060).
For example, controller 2100, and/or cloud 9400, can include a detection database containing various interior pressure data predetermined person presence thresholds corresponding to the pressure data received from various premises sensors, and programmable processing circuitry can compare received sensor data to a corresponding one or more of the interior pressure data predetermined person presence thresholds. System 2000, such as via controller 2100, can then determine if any of the received interior pressure data over the preset period of time differs from the one or more corresponding interior pressure data predetermined person presence thresholds (e.g., a change in pressure at zone Z1 over the preset period of time differs from a predetermined pressure change at zone Z1 used as the interior pressure data predetermined person presence threshold for zone Z1), and, if any of the received sensor pressure data differs from the one or more corresponding interior pressure data predetermined person presence thresholds, the system 2000, such as via controller 2100, can select a corresponding HVAC system adjustment from a HVAC system adjustment database (5065) based on the detected presence, or lack of detected presence, of a person from the received interior pressure data. For example, controller 2100 can store a HVAC system detected person adjustment database that includes a plurality of HVAC system detected person adjustments corresponding to a change in pressure sensor data for a respective zone. For instance, the HVAC system detected person adjustment database can include a first HVAC system adjustment such as one of more or: adjusting a temperature at zone Z1 based on the change in pressure at zone Z1 over the preset period of time differing from the predetermined pressure change at zone Z1 used as the interior pressure data predetermined person presence threshold for zone Z1; adjusting a temperature at a different zone (e.g., zone Z2) based on the change in pressure at zone Z1 over the preset period of time differing from the predetermined pressure change at zone Z1 used as the interior pressure data predetermined person presence threshold for zone Z1; adjusting a first return air damper and/or a first supply air damper corresponding to zone Z1, such as damper 6100 and/or damper 7005 to further restrict or further permit, respectively, return air taken from or supplied to the first premises zone based on the change in pressure at zone Z1 over the preset period of time differing from the predetermined pressure change at zone Z1 used as the interior pressure data predetermined person presence threshold for zone Z1. Then, system 2000, such as via controller 2100, can cause the selected, corresponding HVAC system adjustment from HVAC system adjustment database, to be executed at the HVAC system to take a HVAC-related action that accounts for the detected presence, or detected lack of presence, of a person at a particular zone using the sensed interior pressure data over the preset period of time.
As one such specific example for illustration, if a zone, such as a second-floor bedroom, is determined to not be occupied for a period of time based the received interior pressure data over a preset period of time from that zone differing from a predetermined person presence pressure change at that zone, HVAC system settings for that zone can be adjusted to account for the detected presence or absence of the person at that zone. This could include reducing temperature or humidity set points for HVAC system associated with that zone when the interior pressure data over a preset period of time from that zone differs from a predetermined person presence pressure change at that zone to indicate the lack of presence of a person at that zone. Since the received pressure data in this case would indicate that no one is in that specific zone, there would not be a need to have HVAC system fully active at that zone, and the ability to reduce certain HVAC system setpoints for that zone can result in increased HVAC system efficiency.
Pressure data used for determining a presence of absence of a person at a particular zone, or premises generally, can also more particularly be used to make a determination as to how a particular zone, or premises generally, is being used by a person. For example, as a person moves within a particular zone, air turbulence can be created by this movement causing pressure fluctuations that can be sensed by one or more pressure sensors located at this particular zone. The extent of the sensed pressure fluctuation at that particular zone can then be used to determine an activity type of a person at that specific zone and, in some cases, a corresponding HVAC system control action (e.g., for that specific zone) can be taken based on the determined activity type at that specific zone.
For instance, when interior pressure sensor P1 detects a pressure fluctuation, at zone Z1, that is below a first activity pressure fluctuation threshold for a predetermined period of time, it can be determined (e.g., via controller 2100) that a person at zone Z1 is undertaking a low-energy level activity, such as sitting, reading a book, or watching a show—activities that cause relatively little air turbulence at that specific zone and thus generate relatively little pressure fluctuation detected by the pressure sensor at that zone. Given the static nature of low-energy level activity at zone Z1, warmer temperature at zone Z1 can preferred to stay comfortable, and, as such, based on the interior pressure sensor P1 detecting a pressure fluctuation, at zone Z1, that is below the first activity pressure fluctuation threshold for the predetermined period of time, and, thus, determining (e.g., via controller 2100) that the person at zone Z1 is undertaking the low-energy level activity, a control action can be sent to HVAC system to cause a set point temperature at zone Z1 to be increased. If, on the other hand, interior pressure sensor P1 detects a pressure fluctuation, at zone Z1, that is above first activity pressure fluctuation threshold for the predetermined period of time, it can be determined (e.g., via controller 2100) that a person at zone Z1 is undertaking a high-energy level activity, such as consistent movement, like an indoor exercise routine—an activity that cause relatively large air turbulence at that specific zone and thus generate relatively greater pressure fluctuation detected by the pressure sensor at that zone. Given the body heat generating nature of such high-energy level activity at zone Z1, cooler temperature at zone Z1 can preferred to stay comfortable, and, as such, based on the interior pressure sensor P1 detecting a pressure fluctuation, at zone Z1, that is above the first activity pressure fluctuation threshold for the predetermined period of time, and, thus, determining (e.g., via controller 2100) that the person at zone Z1 is undertaking the high-energy level activity, a control action can be sent to HVAC system to cause a set point temperature at zone Z1 to be decreased.
Understanding the utility of a given zone at a period in time, using, at least in part, a pressure change at that zone, can allow the HVAC system to select and implement a temperature set point for the room to better provide comfort and efficiency for the determined type of utility of the given zone. In addition to allowing for HVAC system setting adjustment for the given zone at the time the pressure change is detected, and thus at the time the determined zone utility applies, zone-specific pressure data can be received over an extended period of time and stored to create an expanded data set for fine-tuning a comfort schedule for a more pre-emptive action in future periods of time based on determined zone utility or to integrate with cloud analytics for use with pressure data and HVAC system settings and adjustments for other, different zones at the premises.
In some such examples, to enhance the accuracy of activity/utility detection for a given zone using pressure data from that given zone and reduce potential for false positives/negatives, the manner in which system 2000 causes HVAC system control actions to be taken based on pressure fluctuations can be filtered using other data points, including other pressure data and/or non-pressure data, such as temperature, humidity, and/or air quality, and operational states of HVAC system (e.g., heating state, air conditioning state, interior air recirculation supply state, exterior air supply state). For instance, detection of a high pressure variation at a given zone over a brief preset time period (e.g., less than one second, less than two seconds, etc.) can be ignored (e.g., in processing pressure data at controller 2100 or at the cloud) if a window open event is also detecting, using sensed pressure data (e.g., indicating a relatively sudden pressure drop), sensed temperature data (e.g., indicating a relatively sudden temperature change), and/or a senses window contact sensor activation, within a preset time period of the high pressure variation being detected. In another additional or alternative instance, detection of a high pressure variation at a given zone over a brief preset time period (e.g., less than one second, less than two seconds, etc.) can be ignored (e.g., in processing pressure data at controller 2100 or at the cloud) if a sensor (e.g., thermal sensor, imaging sensor, PIR sensor, door open/close sensor, etc.) at a specific zone detects a person occupancy state at that zone.
In some instances, using pressure data at a given zone to determine a utility of a given zone at a period in time can be useful over other methods of attempting to determine zone utility, such as image-based analysis. As one such example, pressure data sensed at the given zone can be less directly personable information, which may reduce potential user privacy concerns, and, as another such example, pressure data sensed at the given zone may not rely on certain required fields of vision/view and/or necessary lighting level limitations.
As another additional or alternative example, a baseline of normal pressure noise data for each of a plurality of premises interior zones can be determined based on pressure data received from each of the plurality of premises interior zones over a period of time. Then, if the determined pressure noise data differs from a predetermined pressure noise level threshold for any such interior premises zone, it can be determined that there is an air filtration problem within such interior premises zone, such as a leaky window. The corresponding rule can extracted from the detection database and sent to the HVAC system controller, or in some cases, the user can be notified, such as at a remote user device.
In some examples, pressure data sensed at the premises can be used in conjunction with data from one or more thermostats at the premises. For example, a thermostat can collect interior temperature data, and in some cases interior humidity data, and this thermostat sensed interior temperature data and/or interior humidity data can be transmitted to controller 2100 so that controller 2100 can use this data, along with received interior pressure data, to cause one or more HVAC system adjustments to a temperature set point and/or a humidity set point.
In one such specific embodiment, controller 2100 can receive interior pressure data (e.g., interior pressure measurement and/or extracted interior pressure noise data and one or both of interior temperature data and interior humidity data (e.g., where each of the interior pressure data and one or both of interior temperature data and interior humidity data are associated with a common zone, such as zone Z1). Controller 2100 can use both the temperature data and/or humidity data along with the pressure data to determine one or more contradictory situations with respect to a thermostat set point setting and a current state condition within a specific zone of the premises that creates inefficiencies when the thermostat for that zone is set to the thermostat set point. As one particular example, a thermostat temperature set point can be seventy degrees and the current temperature at the corresponding zone can be sixty seven degrees such that the HVAC system has as the heat on to supply heated air to this zone to increase the current temperature to the thermostat temperature set point for this zone. However, the pressure data received for this zone can differ from a predetermined baseline pressure threshold for this zone (e.g., because a window at this zone is open), indicating that a potentially current state condition for that zone which is contradictory to the thermostat set point setting and resulting HVAC system heat operation for that zone (e.g., window is open but thermostat set point setting and resulting HVAC system heat operation is contradictory to this current state condition at the zone being an open window). To execute this operation, controller 2100 or cloud can include a database storing a plurality of different state conditions, each associated with pressure data, that can be compared to a stored plurality of thermostat set point settings to allow contradictions to be determined based on an inconsistency between a particular pressure-derived state condition (e.g., open window at a specific zone) and a thermostat set point setting (e.g., for a thermostat at the zone with the pressure-derived determination of the presence of an open window). Controller 2100 can retrieve from the stored database one or more HVAC system actions and cause a corresponding HVAC system action to be take based on the determined contradiction between the particular pressure-derived state condition (e.g., open window at a specific zone) and a thermostat set point setting (e.g., for a thermostat at the zone with the pressure-derived determination of the presence of an open window), such as adjusting the thermostat set point setting for that zone at which the contradictory state condition has been determined (e.g., reducing thermostat temperature set point setting for the zone at which the open window presence has been determined based on the pressure data variation for this same zone).
Thus, in operation, system 2000, such as via controller 2100, can receive temperature data for a specific zone (e.g., from a thermostat at that zone) and pressure data (e.g., pressure noise data) for that same specific zone from one or more pressure sensors located at or near that zone, throughout the household, building, or dwelling, and store the temperature data with the pressure noise data in a database. System 200, such as via controller 2100, can store the received temperature data and pressure data for that specific zone and compare the received temperature data and pressure data for that specific zone to an action database including a series of redundant thermostat contradictory settings and pressure data derived state conditions for that specific zone. This action database can also store corresponding HVAC system actions for execution via premises HVAC system to reduce or eliminate the contradictory thermostat setting and pressure data derived state condition. For example, the temperature data received from a thermostat at a kitchen zone can be a current kitchen zone temperature of seventy degrees and HVAC system can indicate that it currently has heat on for heated air supply to the kitchen zone to reach a kitchen zone thermostat temperature set point of seventy two degrees, and while the pressure data received for the kitchen zone indicates a window is open. The action database can include a HVAC action for this contradictory kitchen zone thermostat step point/HVAC system heat operation and kitchen zone window open, which action could include adjusting the kitchen zone thermostat set point (e.g., reducing the kitchen zone thermostat set point)/HVAC system heat operation (e.g., turning off the HVAC system heat operation at the kitchen zone) to correct the contradictory state condition at the kitchen zone of window open while the heat is on in the kitchen zone. Another additional or alternative HVAC action stored in the action database for the corresponding action for the contradictory kitchen zone state condition can be to close a damper at a duct supplying heated air from the HVAC unit to the kitchen zone because the kitchen zone pressure data indicates a window is open at the kitchen zone while heat is being supplied from the HVAC unit to the kitchen zone.
In certain examples, pressure data sensed at the premises can be used to control HVAC system external air intake into the premises. This can facilitate system 2000, such as via controller 2100, executing a pressure-based regulation of external air intake by the HVAC system in which controller 2100 receives pressure sensor data from both at least one exterior pressure sensor located at the outside of the premises and at least one interior pressure sensor located inside of the premises. Controller 2100 can compare the received interior and exterior pressure data to an intake rules database that has a plurality of predetermined interior pressure thresholds and a plurality of predetermined exterior pressure thresholds (e.g., a plurality of predetermined interior versus exterior pressure differential thresholds). And, if the received interior and exterior pressure data exceeds one of the predetermined pressure thresholds stored in the intake rules database, the controller can select a stored, corresponding HVAC system action from the intake rules database. This selected HVAC system action can be executed by controller 2100 to cause HVAC system to perform the corresponding function of internal return air circulation, external outside air circulation, or blended internal return air circulation and external outside air circulation (e.g., at a preset proportion of internal return air to external outside air determined by controller 2100, such as based one or more other data points received at controller 2100, for instance interior and/or exterior air quality data, magnitude of interior and/or exterior pressure changes, and/or measured magnitude of interior stack effect based on received interior pressure data at different elevations within the premises).
Thus, system 2000 can use received pressure data (e.g., interior pressure data and exterior pressure data) to selectively control HVAC system external air intake (e.g., via damper 7500) by HVAC system. In one operational example for illustration, if controller 2100 receives exterior pressure data and interior pressure data, compares these, and determines exterior pressure is greater than an interior pressure by a predetermined extent (e.g., 5 Pa), controller 2100 can select a stored, corresponding HVAC system action from the intake rules database to introduce and circulate external supply air, via damper 7500, using the HVAC system to help increase the interior pressure to be within a preset pressure range of the sensed exterior pressure. This can allow the HVAC system to function to create a more comfortable interior ambient environment for an occupant. In another operational example for illustration, if controller 2100 receives exterior pressure data and interior pressure data, compares these, and determines exterior pressure is greater than an interior pressure by less than a predetermined extent (e.g., 2 Pa), controller 2100 can select a stored, corresponding HVAC system action from the intake rules database to block external air introduction to HVAC system, via damper 7500, and recirculate internal supply air, via damper 7005, 7100, and/or 7200, thus using the HVAC system to help maintain the interior pressure as approximating the sensed exterior pressure. This can allow the HVAC system to operate more efficiently by potentially reducing the amount of conditioning needed for the input air at the HVAC unit given it is recirculated internal supply air. These same operational examples can be applied at a more specific zone-by-zone level where the external air pressure is compared to internal air pressure at one or more specific zones of the premises.
Method 5070 includes receiving sensor data from one or more sensors at a premises (5075). Received sensor data can include pressure data from one or more pressure sensors within the premises and/or one or more pressure sensors outside the premises, temperature data from one or more temperature sensors within the premises and/or one or more temperature sensors outside the premises, humidity data from one or more humidity sensors within the premises and/or one or more humidity sensors outside the premises, and/or air quality data from one or more air quality sensors within the premises and/or one or more air quality sensors outside the premises. The received sensor data can be taken over a predetermined prior of time, for instance, one hour, on day, one week, one month, multiple months, one year, or multiple years, to allow for sufficient volume of data to derive patterns over time. After receiving the sensor data from the one or more sensors at the premises, method 5070 includes generating a learned premises HVAC system pattern based on the received sensor data (5080). For example, the learned premises HVAC pattern can include a first pressure fluctuation at a first zone of the premises corresponding to a first type of condition state at the first zone. This could be, as an illustrative example, a garage door opening as a first type of condition state and a corresponding first pressure fluctuation at or near a doorway adjacent the garage a predetermined time period before of after detection of the garage door opening. System 2000 can, over time, come to learn that when a garage door opening is detected as a condition state as system 2000, a pressure fluctuation at or near a doorway leading to a premises zone adjacent the garage will occur near in time (e.g., within a preset period of time) to the detection of the garage door opening. In this way, system 2000 can anticipate the learned, corresponding pressure fluctuation and use historical pressure fluctuation values to estimate to future pressure fluctuation value and take a HVAC system action to remediate the efficiency impact of the garage door opening (e.g., at a premises zone adjacent the garage, causing an increase in pressure by actuating one or more air duct dampers to increase the pressure at the premises zone adjacent the garage).
The method 5070 further includes comparing the learned premises HVAC system pattern to one or more patterns of other, different premises, more energy efficient HVAC system patterns to identify possible inefficiencies at the premises HVAC system (5085). As an illustrative example, one type of other, different premises, more energy efficient HVAC system pattern for use in the comparison could be occupant tendencies at a premises along with corresponding HVAC system settings at one or more other, different premises, more energy efficient HVAC systems. For example, the received pressure sensor pressure data at the premises (5075) of system 2000 could show that there is routinely a detected pressure drop at the premises at a certain period of a day (e.g., in the morning when the occupant is leaving home and opens a door to the outside) and when this detected pressure drop routinely occurs at this certain period of the day dampers for one or more return air ducts, associated with, or adjacent to, the premises zone where the routine detected pressure drop occurs, are open. Whereas, in HVAC system settings at one or more other, different premises, more energy efficient HVAC systems and to which the learned pattern as to the routine pressure drop and damper open state is compared, the dampers for one or more return air ducts, associated with, or adjacent to, a premises zone at the different premises where a similar routine detected pressure drop occurs, are closed to help minimize the pressure drop at the certain period of the day. As such, the comparison (5085) can allow for a determination that an inefficiency at the premises HVAC system from which the pressure senor data is received (5075) is that the return air duct damper(s) are open at the zone where the routine pressure drop is detected at the certain period of the day, which can result in a greater pressure drop when the door to the outside is open.
Method 5070 can then select a premises HVAC system adjustment action to be taken (e.g., via controller 2100) based on the comparison of the learned premises HVAC system pattern to one or more patterns of other, different premises, more energy efficient HVAC system patterns to identify possible inefficiencies at the premises HVAC system (5090). In the example noted, the selected premises HVAC system adjustment action to be taken (e.g., via controller 2100) based on the comparison can be, for instance, causing one or more dampers for one or more return air ducts, associated with, or adjacent to, the premises zone where the routine detected pressure drop occurs (e.g., from the door opening), to close at certain period of the day (e.g., to close the return air duct damper at the relevant zone a preset time window before the certain period of the day when the routine detected pressure drop occurs, during the certain period of the day when the routine detected pressure drop occurs, and a preset time window after the certain period of the day when the routine detected pressure drop occurs).
It is to be recognized that depending on the example, certain acts or events of any of the embodiments, including method embodiments, described herein can be performed in a different sequence, may be added, merged, or left out altogether (e.g., not all described acts or events are necessary for the practice of the techniques). Moreover, in certain examples, acts or events may be performed concurrently, e.g., through multi-threaded processing, interrupt processing, or multiple processors, rather than sequentially.
In one or more examples, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, 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 and executed by a hardware-based processing unit. Computer-readable media may include computer-readable storage media, which corresponds to a tangible medium such as data storage media, or communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another, e.g., according to a communication protocol. In this manner, computer-readable media generally may correspond to (1) tangible computer-readable storage media which is non-transitory or (2) a communication medium such as a signal or carrier wave. Data storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by one or more computers or one or more processors to retrieve instructions, code and/or data structures for implementation of the techniques described in this disclosure. A computer program product may include a computer-readable medium.
By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable storage media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, flash memory, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if instructions are 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, then 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. It should be understood, however, that computer-readable storage media and data storage media do not include connections, carrier waves, signals, or other transitory media, but are instead directed to non-transitory, tangible storage media. Disk and disc, as used herein, 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.
Instructions may be executed by one or more processors, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general purpose microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Accordingly, the term “processor,” as used herein may refer to any of the foregoing structure or any other structure suitable for implementation of the techniques described herein. In addition, in some aspects, the functionality described herein may be provided within dedicated hardware and/or software modules configured for encoding and decoding, or incorporated in a combined codec. Also, the techniques could be fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements.
The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a wide variety of devices or apparatuses, including a wireless handset, an integrated circuit (IC) or a set of ICs (e.g., a chip set). Various components, modules, or units are described in this disclosure to emphasize functional aspects of devices configured to perform the disclosed techniques, but do not necessarily require realization by different hardware units. Rather, as described above, various units may be combined in a codec hardware unit or provided by a collection of interoperative hardware units, including one or more processors as described above, in conjunction with suitable software and/or firmware.
The following provides an exemplary, numbered listing of certain embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure.
1. A method comprising: receiving interior pressure measurements, wherein the interior pressure measurements comprise periodic interior pressure measurements from inside a building structure taken with an interior micro pressure sensor; identifying, based on the interior pressure measurements, interior pressure changes over time; identifying external pressure changes over time, wherein the external pressure changes are outside of the building structure; evaluating, with processing circuitry, a difference between the interior pressure changes and the external pressure changes; and in response to the difference between the interior pressure changes and the external pressure changes indicating an occurrence of an event, generating an output.
2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein evaluating the interior pressure changes and the external pressure changes comprises determining an estimated amount of air filtration for the building structure.
3. The method of any one of embodiments 1 or 2, further comprising estimating, with the processing circuitry, leakage from the building structure.
4. The method of embodiment 1, wherein identifying external pressure changes comprises taking exterior pressure measurements.
5. The method of embodiment 4, wherein identifying external pressure changes comprises taking exterior pressure measurements with an exterior micro pressure sensor.
6. The method of embodiment 5, wherein the interior micro pressure sensor or the exterior micro pressure sensor is configured to measure approximately 1 cm of altitude change.
7. The method of any of embodiments 5 or 6, wherein the interior micro pressure sensor or the exterior micro pressure sensor has a noise floor of about 1 Pa.
8. The method of any of embodiments 1-7, wherein the periodic interior pressure measurements inside the building structure includes periodic interior pressure measurements sampled at one second intervals.
9. The method of any of embodiments 1-8, wherein identifying external pressure changes over time includes sampling exterior pressure measurements outside of the building structure at one second intervals.
10. The method of any of embodiments 1-9, further comprising calculating, by the processing circuitry, sensor pressure noise.
11. The method of any of embodiment 3, wherein estimating leakage from the building structure comprises, with the processing circuitry: calculating noise in pressure fluctuations for inside and outside pressure sensors in a prescribed bandwidth; and calculating a measure of outside to inside pressure noise coupling as a function of time.
12. The method of any of embodiments -6, further comprising calculating a degree of coupling between inside and outside sensors.
13. The method of embodiment 12, further comprising comparing sensor pressure noise set fits against a predetermined pressure signature.
14. A system comprising: a memory; and one or more processors implemented in circuitry and in communication with the memory, the one or more processors configured to: receive interior pressure measurements, wherein the interior pressure measurements comprise periodic interior pressure measurements from inside a building structure taken with an interior micro pressure sensor; identify, based on the interior pressure measurements, interior pressure changes over time; identify external pressure changes over time, where the external pressure changes are outside of the building structure; and evaluate a difference between the interior pressure changes and the external pressure changes; and generate an output in response to the difference between the interior pressure changes and the external pressure changes indicating the occurrence of an event.
15. The system of embodiment 14, wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine an estimated amount of air filtration for the building structure, and estimate leakage from the building structure.
16. The system of embodiment 14, wherein the one or more processors identify external pressure changes over time include taking exterior pressure measurements.
17. The system of embodiment 16, wherein identifying external pressure changes comprises taking exterior pressure measurements with an exterior micro pressure sensor.
18. The system of any of embodiments 14-17, wherein the interior micro pressure sensor is configured to measure approximately 1 cm of altitude change.
19. The system of any of embodiments 14-18, wherein the interior micro pressure sensor has a noise floor of about 1 Pa.
20. The system of any of embodiments 14-19, wherein the periodic interior pressure measurements inside the building structure includes interior pressure measurements sampled at one second intervals.
21. The system of embodiment 15, wherein to estimate leakage from the building structure comprises, the processing circuitry is configured to: calculate noise in pressure fluctuations for inside and outside pressure sensors in a prescribed bandwidth; and calculate a measure of outside to inside pressure noise coupling as a function of time.
22. A method for estimating air infiltration, the method comprising: periodically taking indoor pressure measurements inside a building structure with a micro pressure sensor; identifying, based on the indoor pressure measurements, indoor pressure changes over time; and comparing, with processing circuitry, the indoor pressure changes and a predetermined pressure signature.
23. A system comprising: a controller; a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit in communication with the controller; a first damper positioned at a first air duct, the first air duct supplying air from an exterior of a premises to the HVAC unit, the first damper in communication with the controller; a second damper positioned at a second air duct, the second air duct supplying air from an interior of the premises to the HVAC unit, the second damper in communication with the controller; a first pressure sensor configured to detect an air pressure exterior to the premises, the first pressure sensor in communication with the controller; and a second pressure sensor configured to detect an air pressure within the premises, the second pressure sensor in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to receive the detected air pressure exterior to the premises from the first pressure sensor and the detected air pressure within the premises from the second pressure sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to change the air pressure within the premises by adjusting at least one of the first damper and the second damper based on the detected air pressure exterior to the premises and the detected air pressure within the premises.
24. The system of embodiment 23, wherein the controller is configured to change the air pressure within the premises to be greater than the air pressure exterior to the premises by adjusting at least one of the first damper and the second damper when the detected air pressure within the premises is less than the detected air pressure exterior to the premises.
25. The system of embodiment 23 or 24, wherein the controller is configured to change the air pressure within the premises to be greater than the air pressure exterior to the premises by adjusting at least one of the first damper and the second damper such that the first air duct supplies more air from the exterior of the premises to the HVAC unit than the second air duct supplies from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit.
26. The system of any of embodiments 23-25, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the second damper from a second damper first position to a second damper second position, wherein the second damper second position restricts more air from passing from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit than the second damper first position.
27. The system of any of embodiments 23-26, wherein each of the second damper first position and the second damper second position allow air to pass from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit.
28. The system of any of embodiments 23-26, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the first damper from a first damper first position to a first damper second position, wherein the first damper first position restricts more air from passing from the exterior of the premises to the HVAC unit than the first damper second position.
29. The system of embodiment 23, further comprising a first air filter positioned at the first air duct such that air passing from the exterior of the premises to the HVAC unit passes through the first air filter before reaching the HVAC unit.
30. The system of embodiment 23, further comprising an air quality sensor positioned to detect an air quality metric of the air supplied from the exterior of the premises, the air quality sensor in communication with the controller.
31. The system of embodiment 30, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the first damper based at least in part on the detected air quality metric.
32. The system of any of embodiments 23-31, further comprising: a third damper positioned at a third air duct, the third air duct supplying air from the HVAC unit to a first zone of the premises, the third damper in communication with the controller; a first temperature sensor positioned to detect an air temperature of the air supplied from the HVAC unit to the first zone, the first temperature sensor in communication with the controller; a fourth damper positioned at a fourth air duct, the fourth air duct supplying air from the HVAC unit to a second zone of the premises, the fourth damper in communication with the controller; and a second temperature sensor positioned to detect an air temperature of the air supplied from the HVAC unit to the second zone, the second temperature sensor in communication with the controller, wherein the second damper is positioned at the second air duct, and the second air duct supplies air from the first zone of the premises to the HVAC unit, and wherein the controller is configured to receive the detected air temperature from the first temperature sensor and the detected air temperature from the second temperature sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to change the temperature of the second zone by adjusting at least one of the third damper and the fourth damper based on the detected air temperature from the first temperature sensor and the detected air temperature from the second temperature sensor.
33. The system of embodiment 32, wherein the controller is configured to change the temperature of the second zone by adjusting at least two of the second damper, the third damper, and the fourth damper based on the detected air temperature from the first temperature sensor and the detected air temperature from the second temperature sensor.
34. The system of any of embodiments 23-33, further comprising: a third temperature sensor positioned to detect an air temperature of the air supplied from the exterior of the premises, the third temperature sensor in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to receive the detected air temperature from the third temperature sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to change the air pressure within the premises by adjusting at least one of the first damper and the second damper based on the detected air pressure exterior to the premises, the detected air pressure within the premises, and the detected air temperature from the third temperature sensor.
35. The system of any of embodiments 23-34, further comprising: a first humidity sensor positioned to detect an air humidity level of the air supplied from the exterior of the premises, the first humidity sensor in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is configured to receive the detected air humidity level from the first humidity sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to change the air pressure within the premises by adjusting at least one of the first damper and the second damper based on the detected air pressure exterior to the premises, the detected air pressure within the premises, the detected air temperature from the third temperature sensor, and the detected air humidity level from the first humidity sensor.
36. A controller comprising: a non-transitory computer-readable storage article including computer-executable instructions; and programmable processing circuitry configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the programmable processing circuitry to: receive a detected air pressure exterior to a premise from a first pressure sensor, receive a detected air pressure within the premise from a second pressure sensor, and adjust an amount of air suppled from an exterior of a premise to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit based on the detected air pressure exterior to the premises and the detected air pressure within the premises.
37. The controller of embodiment 36, wherein the programmable processing circuitry is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the programmable processing circuitry to adjust the amount of air suppled from an exterior of a premise to the HVAC unit by adjusting a first damper positioned at a first air duct that supplies air from the exterior of the premises to the HVAC unit.
38. The controller of embodiment 36 or 37, wherein the programmable processing circuitry is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the programmable processing circuitry to adjust an amount of air supplied from an interior of the premises to the HVAC unit based on the detected air pressure exterior to the premises and the detected air pressure within the premises.
39. The controller of any of embodiments 36-38, wherein the programmable processing circuitry is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the programmable processing circuitry to adjust the amount of air supplied from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit by adjusting a second damper positioned at a second air duct that supplies air from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit.
40. The controller of any of embodiments 36-39, wherein the programmable processing circuitry is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the programmable processing circuitry to adjust the amount of air suppled from the exterior of the premises to the HVAC unit to cause the detected air pressure within the premises to be greater than the detected air pressure exterior to the premises.
41. controller of any of embodiments 36-40, wherein the programmable processing circuitry is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the programmable processing circuitry to adjust at least one of the first damper and the second damper such that the first air duct supplies more air from the exterior of the premises to the HVAC unit than the second air duct supplies from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit.
42. The controller of any of embodiments 36-41, wherein the programmable processing circuitry is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to cause the programmable processing circuitry to adjust the second damper from a second damper first position to a second damper second position, and wherein the second damper second position restricts more air from passing from the interior of the premises to the HVAC unit than the second damper first position.
Various examples of the disclosure have been described. Any combination of the described systems, operations, or functions is contemplated. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.
This application is a continuation of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/US2022/028927, filed on May 12, 2022, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/192,929, filed on May 25, 2021, the contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63192929 | May 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/US2022/028927 | May 2022 | US |
| Child | 18513862 | US |
