Electronically-controlled register vent for zone heating and cooling
View Patent ↗An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.
1. An electronically-controlled register vent for providing zoned heating and cooling, comprising:
a controller;
a mechanical actuator provided to said controller;
a wireless communication system provided to said controller;
a temperature sensor provided to said controller, said temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of air inside a duct; and
a power source provided to said controller, said controller configured to control said actuator in response to a wireless communication received from a zone thermostat, said controller further configured to open said register vent when power available from said power source drops below a threshold value.
2. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 further comprising an airflow sensor.
3. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , further comprising a differential pressure sensor.
4. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 further comprising an air velocity sensor.
5. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary power source.
6. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , further comprising a humidity sensor.
7. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , further comprising a fan.
8. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , wherein said controller is configured to transmit sensor data according to a threshold test.
9. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 8 , wherein said threshold test comprises a high threshold level.
10. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 8 , wherein said threshold test comprises a low threshold level.
11. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 8 , wherein said threshold test comprises an inner threshold range.
12. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 8 , wherein said threshold test comprises an outer threshold range.
13. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , wherein controller is configured to receive an instruction to change a status reporting interval.
14. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , wherein controller is configured to receive an instruction to change a sensor data reporting interval.
15. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , wherein said zone thermostat is configured to monitor a status of one or more electronically-controlled register vents.
16. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , wherein said actuator is configured to change an angle of one or more vanes.
17. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , wherein said actuator is configured to change an opening of a curtain.
18. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , wherein said actuator is configured to change a direction of one or more diverters.
19. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim I, wherein said actuator is configured to provide position feedback to said controller.
20. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , wherein said wireless communication system communicates using infrared radiation.
21. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , wherein said wireless communication system communicates using ultrasonic radiation.
22. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , wherein said wireless communication system communicates using radio-frequency communication.
23. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , wherein said wireless communication system communicates using frequency hopping.
24. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , wherein said wireless communication system communicates using a 900 megahertz band.
25. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , further comprising a visual indicator to indicate a low-power condition when said power source is low.
26. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , said controller configured to use a predictive model to compute a control program for said actuator.
27. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 26 , said control program configured to reduce power consumption by said actuator.
28. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 26 , said control program configured to reduce movement of said actuator.
29. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , said zone thermostat configured to use a predictive model to compute a control program for said actuator.
30. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 29 , said control program configured to reduce power consumption by said actuator.
31. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 29 , said control program configured to reduce movement of said actuator.
32. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , controller configured to send sensor data to said zone thermostat.
33. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , said zone thermostat configured to send setpoint data to said controller.
34. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , said zone thermostat configured to send current room temperature data to said controller.
35. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , said zone thermostat configured to send room temperature slope data to said controller.
36. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , further comprising a remote control interface.
37. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , said zone control thermostat further comprising an occupant sensor.
38. The electronically-controlled register vent of claim 1 , wherein said zone control thermostat is integrated into said electronically-controlled register vent.