HVAC boiler controller

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) boiler controller is described herein. One HVAC boiler controller includes a memory and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive a weather forecast for an area in which the boiler of the HVAC system is located, receive a current outdoor temperature, determine a set point of the boiler based, at least in part, on the received weather forecast and the received current outdoor temperature, and adjust the set point of the boiler to the determined set point.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) boiler controller.

BACKGROUND

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can be used to control the environment of a facility (e.g., a home or commercial building). For example, an HVAC system can be used to control the air temperature, humidity, and/or air quality of a facility.

One component of an HVAC system used to control the environment of the facility is a boiler (e.g., boiler plant). The operation of the boiler, and therefore the environment of the facility, can be controlled by controlling the set point(s) of the boiler, such as the supply (e.g., output) water temperature, for example.

Previous HVAC systems, including previous boilers, may operate on the basis of reactive control (e.g., they may only react to currently existing conditions that may have already caused the environment of the facility to become unsatisfactory). For instance, the operation (e.g., set point(s)) of boilers of previous HVAC systems may be adjusted based on the current outdoor temperature, as sensed by an outdoor temperature sensor of the HVAC system.

Such a reactive approach, however, may be inefficient (e.g., use a large amount of energy) and/or ineffective at controlling the environment of the facility in a satisfactory manner due to, for example, the large amount of time it may take for the HVAC system (e.g., boiler) to adjust to the current conditions (e.g., it may take the HVAC system a long time to react to and/or compensate for a change in the current conditions in the environment of the facility). Further, the current outdoor temperature, as determined by the outdoor temperature sensor of the HVAC system, on which the adjustment is based may be inaccurate and/or unreliable due to, for example, lengthy wiring, electromagnetic interference, and/or a failure (e.g., fault and/or malfunction) of the temperature sensor occurring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) boiler controller is described herein. For example, one or more embodiments include a memory and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive a weather forecast for an area in which the boiler of the HVAC system is located, receive a current outdoor temperature, determine a set point of the boiler based, at least in part, on the received weather forecast and the received current outdoor temperature, and adjust the set point of the boiler to the determined set point.

An HVAC boiler controller in accordance with the present disclosure can be a predictive (e.g., rather than reactive) controller. For instance, an HVAC boiler controller in accordance with the present disclosure can adjust the operation (e.g., set point(s)) of the boiler in anticipation of future conditions of the environment of a facility (e.g., in anticipation of future changes to the conditions), such as, for instance, an increase in outdoor temperature, that would cause the environment of the facility to become unsatisfactory. Further, an HVAC boiler controller in accordance with the present disclosure may not rely exclusively, or even at all, on an outdoor temperature sensor of the HVAC system to determine the current outdoor temperature at the facility, and as such may not be susceptible to inaccuracy and/or unreliability issues that may arise with such an outdoor temperature sensor. Accordingly, an HVAC boiler controller in accordance with the present disclosure can be more efficient (e.g., use less energy) and/or effective at controlling the environment of the facility in a satisfactory manner than previous (e.g., reactive) boiler control approaches.

These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice one or more embodiments of this disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that mechanical, electrical, and/or process changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit or digits correspond to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. Similar elements or components between different figures may be identified by the use of similar digits. For example,114may reference element “14” inFIG. 1, and a similar element may be referenced as214inFIG. 2.

As used herein, “a” or “a number of” something can refer to one or more such things. For example, “a number of facilities” can refer to one or more facilities.

FIG. 1illustrates an example of a system100for controlling a boiler (e.g., boiler112) of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The HVAC system can be, for example, the HVAC system of facility110. That is, boiler112can be a component of the HVAC system used to control the environment (e.g., the air temperature, humidity, and/or air quality) of facility110. For instance, boiler112can be a boiler plant that includes boiler112and a number of water pumps. Facility110can be, for example, a home or a commercial building, among other types of facilities.

As shown inFIG. 1, system100can include a boiler controller114. In the example shown inFIG. 1, controller114is included in (e.g., located within) boiler112. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited. For example, in some embodiments, controller114may be separate from (e.g., located outside of) boiler112. That is, in some embodiments, controller114can be a stand-alone device. An example of controller114will be further described herein (e.g., in connection withFIG. 4).

In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, system100includes a local outdoor temperature sensor116. Outdoor temperature sensor116can sense the current outdoor temperature at the location of facility110. Outdoor temperature sensor116can be directly connected to (e.g., in direct communication with) controller114via a direct wired or wireless connection, and controller114can receive the current outdoor temperature from outdoor temperature sensor116via the direct connection.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, controller114can also receive a weather forecast for the area (e.g., geographic location or region) in which facility110(e.g., boiler112) is located. For instance, the weather forecast may be for the city or zip code in which facility110(e.g., boiler112) is located. The location of facility110(e.g., boiler112) can be configured during installation and/or commissioning of boiler112and/or controller114, or controller114can have geolocation capabilities to determine its location during operation.

Controller114can receive the weather forecast from a third party weather forecast service120via network118, as illustrated inFIG. 1. Weather forecast service120can be, for example, the National Weather Service or a website such as www.accuweather.com. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to a particular weather forecast service.

Network118illustrated inFIG. 1can be a network relationship through which controller114and weather forecast service120can communicate. Examples of such a network relationship can include a distributed computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), a campus area network (CAN), or metropolitan area network (MAN), among other types of network relationships. For instance, network118can include a number of servers that receive the weather forecast from weather forecast service120via a wired or wireless network, and send the received weather forecast to controller114via a wired or wireless network. Further, controller114can send the location of facility110(e.g., boiler112) to the server(s), to ensure that controller114receives the correct weather forecast (e.g., the forecast for the location of facility110).

As used herein, a “network” (e.g., network118) can provide a communication system that directly or indirectly links two or more computers and/or peripheral devices and allows users to access resources on other computing devices and exchange messages with other users. A network can allow users to share resources on their own systems with other network users and to access information on centrally located systems or on systems that are located at remote locations. For example, a network can tie a number of computing devices together to form a distributed control network (e.g., cloud).

A network may provide connections to the Internet and/or to the networks of other entities (e.g., organizations, institutions, etc.). Users may interact with network-enabled software applications to make a network request, such as to get a file or print on a network printer. Applications may also communicate with network management software, which can interact with network hardware to transmit information between devices on the network.

The weather forecast received by controller114from weather forecast service120can include, for example, a forecast temperature (e.g., forecast temperature curve), forecast wind speed, forecast humidity, and/or forecast sunlight intensity for the area in which facility110is located. In some embodiments, the weather forecast may also include the current outdoor temperature, the current wind speed, the current humidity, and/or the current sunlight intensity for the area in which facility110is located (e.g., the current outdoor temperature, wind speed, humidity, and/or sunlight intensity for the area in which facility110is located can be received with the forecast).

The weather forecast can be the forecast for a particular time period, such as, for instance, the next two or three hours, the next 24 hours, or the next day. Further, controller114may receive the weather forecast from weather forecast service120periodically. For instance, controller114may receive the weather forecast once an hour, once a day, etc. The accuracy and/or reliability of the weather forecast may depend on the time period for the forecast and/or the frequency with which the forecast is received (e.g., the shorter the time period and/or higher the frequency, the greater the accuracy and/or reliability of the forecast). However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to particular information that can be included in the forecast, a particular time period for the forecast, or a particular frequency with which the forecast can be received.

Controller114can determine (e.g., calculate) the set point of (e.g., for) boiler112based on the weather forecast (e.g., the forecast temperature, wind speed, humidity, and/or sunlight intensity) received from weather forecast service120, the current outdoor temperature received from (e.g., sensed by) outdoor temperature sensor116, and the outdoor reset curve (e.g., algorithm) of boiler112set up during installation and/or commissioning of boiler112and/or controller114, and controller114can adjust the set point of boiler112to the determined set point. That is, controller114can adjust the set point of boiler112based on the weather forecast, current outdoor temperature, and outdoor reset curve. As such, controller114can be a predictive (e.g., rather than reactive) controller.

For example, controller114can decrease the set point of boiler112upon the weather forecast indicating the temperature in the area in which facility110is located will increase above a particular temperature and/or will increase by more than a particular amount within a particular amount of time (e.g., indicating that a significant temperature increase will occur in the area). The set point can be, for example, the set point of the supply (e.g., output) water temperature of boiler112, the set point of the pump speed of boiler112, or the maximum achievable firing rate of boiler112if boiler112is a modulating boiler. Further, controller114can adjust its outdoor reset curve based on the weather forecast and current outdoor temperature.

FIG. 2illustrates an additional example of a system201for controlling a boiler (e.g., boiler212) of an HVAC system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The HVAC system can be, for example, the HVAC system of facility210, in a manner analogous to facility110previously described in connection withFIG. 1.

As shown inFIG. 2, system201can include a boiler controller214. Controller214can be included in, or be separate from, boiler212, in a manner analogous to controller114previously described in connection withFIG. 1.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 2, system201does not include a local outdoor temperature sensor (e.g., no outdoor temperature sensor is installed) to sense the current outdoor temperature at the location of facility210. That is, in the example illustrated inFIG. 2, controller214does not receive the current outdoor temperature from a local outdoor temperature sensor associated with boiler212at facility210.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 2, controller214can receive a weather forecast for the area in which facility210(e.g., boiler212) is located from a third party weather forecast service220via network218, in a manner analogous to that previously described in connection withFIG. 1. For instance, network218can be a cloud computing environment that includes a number of servers that can receive the weather forecast from weather forecast service220via a wired or wireless network, and send the received weather forecast to controller214via a wired or wireless network, in a manner analogous to that previously described in connection withFIG. 1.

The weather forecast received from weather forecast service220can be analogous to the weather forecast received from weather forecast service120previously described in connection withFIG. 1. For example, the weather forecast can include the current outdoor temperature, current wind speed, current humidity, and/or current sunlight intensity for the area in which facility210is located.

Controller214can determine (e.g., calculate) the set point of (e.g., for) boiler212based on the weather forecast, including the current outdoor temperature, wind speed, humidity, and/or sunlight intensity, received from weather forecast service220, and the outdoor reset curve (e.g., algorithm) of boiler212set up during installation and/or commissioning of boiler212and/or controller214, and controller214can adjust the set point of boiler212to the determined set point. That is, controller214can adjust the set point of boiler212based on the weather forecast, including the current outdoor temperature, received from weather forecast service220, and the outdoor reset curve. As such, controller214can be a predictive controller, in a manner analogous to controller114previously described in connection withFIG. 1.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 2, however, the determination and adjustment of the set point of boiler212is not based on a potentially inaccurate and/or unreliable outdoor temperature sensed by a local outdoor temperature sensor associated with boiler212at facility210. That is, in the example illustrated inFIG. 2, the current outdoor temperature received with the weather forecast from weather forecast service220can be used as a replacement for a local outdoor temperature sensor at facility210.

As an example, controller214can decrease the set point of boiler212upon the weather forecast and/or current temperature received from weather forecast service220indicating the temperature in the area in which facility210is located will increase above a particular temperature and/or will increase by more than a particular amount within a particular period of time (e.g., indicating that a significant temperature increase will occur in the area). The set point can be, for example, the set point of the supply (e.g., output) water temperature of boiler212, or the set point of the pump speed of boiler212. Further, controller214can adjust its outdoor reset curve based on the weather forecast and current outdoor temperature received from weather forecast service220.

FIG. 3illustrates an additional example of a system302for controlling a boiler (e.g., boiler312) of an HVAC system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The HVAC system can be, for example, the HVAC system of facility310, in a manner analogous to facilities110and210previously described in connection withFIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.

As shown inFIG. 3, system302can include a boiler controller314. Controller314can be included in, or be separate from, boiler312, in a manner analogous to controllers114and214previously described in connection withFIGS. 1 and 2, respectively.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 3, system302includes a local outdoor temperature sensor316. Outdoor temperature sensor316can sense the current outdoor temperature at the location of facility310, and controller314can receive the current outdoor temperature from outdoor temperature sensor316, in a manner analogous to that previously described in connection withFIG. 1.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 3, controller314can receive a weather forecast for the area in which facility310(e.g., boiler312) is located from a third party weather forecast service320via network318, in a manner analogous to that previously described in connection withFIGS. 1 and 2. For instance, network318can be a cloud computing environment that includes a number of servers that can receive the weather forecast from weather forecast service320via a wired or wireless network, and send the received weather forecast to controller314via a wired or wireless network, in a manner analogous to that previously described in connection withFIGS. 1 and 2.

The weather forecast received from weather forecast service320can be analogous to the weather forecast received from weather forecast service120and220previously described in connection withFIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. For example, the weather forecast can include the current outdoor temperature for the area in which facility310is located.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 3, system302also includes a boiler controller334for a boiler332of an HVAC system of an additional facility330. Controller334can be included in or separate from boiler332, in a manner analogous to controller314. Facility330can be, for example, a home or commercial building, and can be located in the same area as facility310. For instance, facility330may be located in the same neighborhood as facility310.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 3, system302also includes an additional local outdoor temperature sensor336. Outdoor temperature sensor336can sense the current outdoor temperature at the location of facility330, and controller334can receive the current outdoor temperature from outdoor temperature sensor336, in a manner analogous to outdoor temperature sensor316and controller314.

Although one additional facility, boiler, boiler controller, and local outdoor temperature sensor are illustrated inFIG. 3, embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited. For example, system302can include any number of additional facilities analogous to facility330, each with its own respective boiler, boiler controller, and local outdoor temperature sensor analogous to boiler332, controller334, and sensor336, respectively.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 3, controller314can receive the current outdoor temperature from (e.g., sensed by) outdoor temperature sensor336via network318. For instance, in embodiments in which network318is a cloud computing environment, the servers of the cloud computing environment can receive the current outdoor temperature sensed by outdoor temperature sensor336from controller334via a wired or wireless network, and send the received current outdoor temperature to controller314via a wired or wireless network, in a manner analogous to the weather forecast received from weather forecast service320. Further, the servers can process the current outdoor temperature received from controller334before sending the current outdoor temperature to controller314. For example, in embodiments in which system302includes additional facilities analogous to facility330(e.g., in which the server may also receive the current outdoor temperature sensed by the outdoor temperature sensors of those facilities), the servers may aggregate and/or average the current outdoor temperatures received from each different outdoor temperature sensor into a single current outdoor temperature value, and send this value to controller314as the current outdoor temperature.

Controller314can determine (e.g., calculate) the set point of (e.g., for) boiler312based on the weather forecast received from weather forecast service320, the current outdoor temperature received from (e.g., sensed by) outdoor temperature sensor316, and the outdoor reset curve (e.g., algorithm) of boiler312set up during installation and/or commissioning of boiler312and/or controller314, and controller314can adjust the set point of boiler312to the determined set point. That is, controller314can adjust the set point of boiler312based on the weather forecast, current outdoor temperature, and outdoor reset curve, in a manner analogous to controller114described in connection withFIG. 1. As such, controller314can be a predictive (e.g., rather than reactive) controller. The set point can be, for example, the set point of the supply (e.g., output) water temperature of boiler312, or the set point of the pump speed of boiler312. Further, controller314can adjust its outdoor reset curve based on the weather forecast and current outdoor temperature received from weather forecast service320.

In some instances, however, a failure (e.g., a malfunction and/or fault) of outdoor temperature sensor316may occur. In such an instance (e.g., upon failure of outdoor temperature sensor316), controller314can determine and adjust the set point of boiler312based on the current outdoor temperature received from weather forecast service320and/or the current outdoor temperature received from outdoor temperature sensor336, and not based on the current outdoor temperature received from outdoor temperature sensor316. That is, the current outdoor temperature received from weather forecast service320and/or outdoor temperature sensor336can be used as a backup for the temperature received from outdoor temperature sensor316, in case a failure of outdoor temperature sensor316occurs.

Further, in some embodiments, system302may not include outdoor temperature sensor316(e.g., no outdoor temperature sensor may be installed at facility310). In such embodiments, weather forecast service320and/or outdoor temperature sensor336may be the sole source(s) of the current outdoor temperature for controller314. That is, in such embodiments, controller314may rely solely on the current outdoor temperature received via network318.

Controller314can determine a failure of outdoor temperature sensor316has occurred based on a comparison of the current outdoor temperature received from outdoor temperature sensor316and the current outdoor temperature received from weather forecast service320and/or outdoor temperature sensor336. For example, if the comparison indicates that the difference between the current outdoor temperature received from outdoor temperature sensor316and the current outdoor temperature received from weather forecast service320and/or outdoor temperature sensor336meets or exceeds a particular threshold, controller314can determine that a failure of outdoor temperature sensor316has occurred. The comparison can be made over a particular period of time (e.g., 24 hours). Upon determining the failure has occurred, controller314can determine and adjust the set point of boiler312based on the current outdoor temperature received from weather forecast service320and/or the current outdoor temperature received from outdoor temperature sensor336, and not based on the current outdoor temperature received from outdoor temperature sensor316.

Controller314can provide an indication of the failure of outdoor temperature sensor316to a user. For example, controller314can display the indication of the failure to the user on a user interface, as will be further described herein (e.g., in connection withFIG. 4), and/or send the indication of the failure to the user via email or text. The user can than repair or replace outdoor temperature sensor316, as needed.

FIG. 4illustrates an example of a controller414for a boiler of an HVAC system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Controller414can be, for example, controller114,214, and/or314previously described in connection withFIGS. 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

As shown inFIG. 4, controller414can include a memory444and a processor442. Memory444can be any type of storage medium that can be accessed by processor442to perform various examples of the present disclosure. For example, memory444can be a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable instructions (e.g., computer program instructions) stored thereon that are executable by processor442to control an HVAC boiler in accordance with the present disclosure. That is, processor442can execute the executable instructions stored in memory444to control an HVAC boiler in accordance with the present disclosure.

Memory444can be volatile or nonvolatile memory. Memory444can also be removable (e.g., portable) memory, or non-removable (e.g., internal) memory. For example, memory444can be random access memory (RAM) (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and/or phase change random access memory (PCRAM)), read-only memory (ROM) (e.g., electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and/or compact-disk read-only memory (CD-ROM)), flash memory, a laser disk, a digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, and/or a magnetic medium such as magnetic cassettes, tapes, or disks, among other types of memory.

Further, although memory444is illustrated as being located in controller414, embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited. For example, memory444can also be located internal to another computing resource (e.g., enabling computer readable instructions to be downloaded over the Internet or another wired or wireless connection).

As shown inFIG. 4, controller414can include a user interface446. A user (e.g., operator) of controller414can interact with controller414via user interface446. For example, user interface446can provide (e.g., display and/or present) information to the user of controller414, such as, for instance, an indication of a failure of an outdoor temperature sensor, as previously described herein. Further, user interface446can receive information from (e.g., input by) the user of controller414.

In some embodiments, user interface446can be a graphical user interface (GUI) that can include a display (e.g., a screen) that can provide and/or receive information to and/or from the user of controller414. The display can be, for instance, a touch-screen (e.g., the GUI can include touch-screen capabilities). Embodiments of the present disclosure, however, are not limited to a particular type(s) of user interface.