Shape memory alloy damper/register unit

Abstract

A HVAC controls system for zone controls that is comprised of one or more Wall Sensor Units (WSU) and zero or more Damper/Register Units (DRUs). The invention is a low networked cost solution for residential and light commercial that is easy to install in new and existing building. The WSUs detect, log and use occupancy data to predict where in a building HVAC conditioning is needed and to save energy where it is not needed. The DRU use shape memory alloy wires to control the opening and closing of a damper plate with very little power allowing batter operation.

1 . A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control system for zone control, comprising:
 one or more HVAC automated damper/register units, each HVAC automated damper/register unit having:
 two shape memory alloy wires; 
 two push pieces; 
 a processor unit; and 
 network communications capabilities. 
   
     
     
         2 . The HVAC control system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more zone sensor units, each zone sensor unit having:
 a thermal sensor; 
 an occupancy sensor; 
 a processor unit; and 
 network communications capabilities. 
   
     
     
         3 . The HVAC control system of  claim 2  comprising at least one processor configured as a system coordinator, the system coordinator configured to perform occupancy logging and an occupancy prediction algorithm. 
     
     
         4 . The HVAC control system of  claim 3  wherein the system coordinator is configured to receive occupancy data from at least one zone sensor unit, the system coordinator further configured to control at least one HVAC automated damper/register unit based on the occupancy prediction algorithm. 
     
     
         5 . The HVAC control system of  claim 1  wherein at least one HVAC automated damper/register unit is configured to receive a command over a network from a system coordinator, the command receivable by the processor unit and arranged to direct a current through at least one of the two shape memory alloy wires. 
     
     
         6 . The HVAC control system of  claim 4  wherein the occupancy prediction algorithm directs the at least one HVAC automated damper/register unit to direct a first current through a first one of the two shape memory alloy wires when a room is predicted to be occupied and the occupancy prediction algorithm directs the at least one HVAC automated damper/register unit to direct a second current through a second one of the two shape memory alloy wires when a room is predicted by the occupancy prediction algorithm to be unoccupied. 
     
     
         7 . A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control system automated damper/register unit, comprising:
 a plurality of shape memory alloy wire segments;   a plurality of push pieces, each push piece coupled to a respective one of the shape memory alloy wire segments;   a processor unit; and   a network communications circuit.   
     
     
         8 . The HVAC control system automated damper/register unit of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a current source coupled to the processor unit and the plurality of shape memory alloy wire segments, the processor unit configured to direct the current source to supply current to the plurality of shape memory alloy wire segments.   
     
     
         9 . The HVAC control system automated damper/register unit of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a functional unit coupleable to at least one of the plurality of push pieces, the functional unit moveable via the at least one push piece when a current is passed through the at least one shape memory alloy wire segment coupled to the push piece.   
     
     
         10 . The HVAC control system automated damper/register unit of  claim 9  wherein the functional unit is configured to rest in at least two fixed positions, the functional unit configured to rest in a first one of the fixed positions when the automated damper/register unit is open and the functional unit configured to rest in a second one of the fixed positions when the automated damper/register unit is closed. 
     
     
         11 . The HVAC control system automated damper/register unit of  claim 9  wherein the processor is configured to receive commands through the network communication circuit, the commands arranged to direct the functional unit. 
     
     
         12 . The HVAC control system automated damper/register unit of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a memory, the memory coupled to the processor unit and configured to store position information related to the position of the functional unit wherein the processor unit is configured to communicate the position information via the network communications circuit.   
     
     
         13 . The HVAC control system automated damper/register unit of  claim 9  wherein the network communications circuit communicates via a wireless protocol. 
     
     
         14 . A computer readable storage device having thereon a plurality of computer instructions, the computer instructions arranged to direct a processing unit to perform acts in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) damper/register unit, the acts comprising:
 applying a current to at least one shape memory alloy wire segment, the at least one shape memory alloy wire segment coupled to a functional unit operable to permit and restrict air flow through the HVAC damper/register unit.   
     
     
         15 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 14  wherein the computer instructions are arranged to direct the processing unit to perform acts that further comprise:
 stopping application of the current from the at least one shape memory alloy wire segment to permit the at least one shape memory alloy wire segment to move to an at-rest state and to permit a spring to move the functional unit to an at-rest position. 
 
     
     
         16 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 14  wherein the computer instructions are arranged to direct the processing unit to perform acts that further comprise:
 storing position information related to the functional unit in a memory; and 
 communicating the position information via a networking circuit to a system coordinator. 
 
     
     
         17 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 14  wherein the computer instructions are arranged to direct the processing unit to perform acts that further comprise:
 receiving commands via a networking circuit from a system coordinator, the commands arranged to direct movement of the functional unit. 
 
     
     
         18 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 16  wherein the computer instructions are arranged to direct the processing unit to perform acts that further comprise:
 receiving commands via a networking circuit from a system coordinator, the commands arranged to direct movement of the functional unit based on the position information stored in the memory. 
 
     
     
         19 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 14  wherein the computer instructions are arranged to direct the processing unit to perform acts that further comprise:
 storing position information related to the functional unit in a memory; 
 predicting whether or not a room will be occupied based on the position information stored in the memory; and 
 directing movement of the functional unit based on the prediction. 
 
     
     
         20 . The computer readable storage device of  claim 14  wherein the computer instructions are arranged to direct the processing unit to perform acts that further comprise:
 receiving commands via a networking circuit from a system coordinator, the commands arranged to direct movement of the functional unit based on position information of a functional unit of at least one other HVAC damper/register unit.