# US 11,079,132 B2 · System and method for managing power consumption of an HVAC system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,079,132 B2 - Document ID: US11079132B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/435,759 - Filed: 2019-06-10 - Published: 2020-12-10 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-10 - Assignees: Trane International Inc. - Applicants: Trane International Inc. - Inventors: Daniel John Blair - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11079132B2 ## CPC - F24F 11/47: Responding to energy costs - F24F 11/65: for selecting an operating mode - F24F 11/88: Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits - F25B 27/00: Machines, plants or systems, using particular sources of energy (F25B30/06 takes precedence) - G05B 15/02: electric - H02J 9/061: {for DC powered loads} - H02J 9/062: {for AC powered loads} - H02J 9/08: requiring starting of a prime-mover - F25B 2327/02: using multiple power sources - F25B 2700/151: of the compressor motor - G05B 2219/2642: Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house - H02J 9/068: {Electronic means for switching from one power supply to another power supply, e.g. to avoid parallel connection} - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY ## Abstract A system and method for managing power consumption of HVAC system includes a transfer switch, a detector interface and an HVAC controller of the HVAC system. The transfer switch is configured to switch a power line supplied to a load between a utility power source and a backup power source. The detector interface is in communication with the transfer switch or a controller of the backup power source and the HVAC controller. The HVAC controller is configured to receive data regarding the switching of power line supplied to the load between the utility power source and the backup power source and control an operation of components of the HVAC system based on the capacity of power source, thereby manages or lowers the power consumption of HVAC system. The detector interface is configured to provide switching information and capacity of the backup power source to the HVAC controller. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for managing power consumption of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: a transfer switch configured to switch a power line supplying the HVAC system between a utility power source and a backup power source; and an HVAC controller in communication with the transfer switch and configured to: receive data regarding switching of the power line supplied to the HVAC system between the utility power source and the backup power source; and control an operation of the HVAC system based on a capacity of the backup power source, including reducing the maximum operating speed of one or more rotary components of the HVAC system, or modifying a setpoint of the HVAC system in which a temperature setpoint is raised or lowered while in respectively a cooling mode or a heating mode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a backup power source controller in communication with the transfer switch and the backup power source, wherein the capacity of the power source is communicated to the HVAC controller by the backup power source controller. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a detector configured to detect current flow from the backup power source, wherein the data regarding switching of the power line is communicated to the HVAC controller by the detector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the data regarding switching of the power line and the capacity of power source is communicated to the HVAC controller via an internet server in communication with the backup power source. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein control an operation of the HVAC system comprises changing the operating speed of one or more rotary components of the HVAC system to a low-speed mode. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the data regarding switching of the power line is communicated to the HVAC controller via the transfer switch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the data regarding switching of the power line and the capacity of power source is communicated to the HVAC controller via a relay switch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a backup power source controller operatively associated with the backup power source, wherein the data regarding switching of the power line is communicated to the HVAC controller via the backup power source controller. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the capacity of the power source is communicated to the HVAC controller via the backup power source controller. ### Claim 10 An HVAC controller for managing power consumption of an HVAC system, comprising: an interface configured to receive a signal indicative of an operating status of a backup power source that powers the HVAC system when utility power is unavailable; a processor operatively coupled to the interface; and a memory operatively coupled to the processor and including a set of executable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the HVAC controller to reduce a maximum power consumption of the HVAC system when the backup power source is powering the HVAC system, including reducing the maximum operating speed of one or more rotary components of the HVAC system, or modifying a setpoint of the HVAC system in which a temperature setpoint is raised or lowered while in respectively a cooling mode or a heating mode. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The HVAC controller of claim 10, wherein the interface configured to receive a signal indicative of an operating status of a backup power source includes a data interface configured to receive a data signal from an internet server operatively associated with the backup power source. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The HVAC controller of claim 10, wherein the signal indicative of an operating status of a backup power source includes information selected from the group consisting of maximum power capacity, available power, current power usage, fuel level, and remaining runtime. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The HVAC controller of claim 10, wherein the interface includes a current sensor attachable to a power feed of the backup power source. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The HVAC controller of claim 10, wherein the interface includes a data interface configured to receive a data signal from a backup power source controller operatively associated with the backup power source. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The HVAC controller of claim 10, wherein the interface includes a sensor that senses a property of a power input to the HVAC controller selected from the group consisting of frequency, waveshape, harmonic content, jitter, and amplitude. ### Claim 16 A method for managing power consumption of an HVAC system, comprising the steps of: providing an HVAC system comprising a transfer switch, a detector, and an HVAC controller, wherein the detector is in communication with the transfer switch or a controller of a backup power source, and the HVAC controller; switching a utility power line of the utility power source connected to a load of the HVAC system to a generator power line of the backup power source; detecting and sending data relating to switching of the power line to the HVAC controller; receiving a data of the backup power source by the HVAC controller; and controlling an operation of one or more components of the HVAC system based on the data of the backup power source to reduce power consumption the HVAC system, including reducing the maximum operating speed of one or more rotary components of the HVAC system, or modifying a setpoint of the HVAC system in which a temperature setpoint is raised or lowered while in respectively a cooling mode or a heating mode. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the data of the backup power source includes information is selected from the group consisting of maximum power capacity, available power, current power usage, fuel level, and remaining runtime. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the provided detector is selected from the group consisting of a current sensor, a relay switch, and a data link.