# US 2018/0023830 A1 · A method for operating a thermal system and a thermal system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0023830 A1 - Document ID: US20180023830A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/548,773 - Filed: 2015-02-11 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-11 - Assignees: NEC Europe Ltd. - Applicants: NEC Europe Ltd. - Inventors: Anett Schuelke; Mischa Schmidt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180023830A1 ## CPC - F24F 11/30: for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring - F24F 11/62: characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values - G05B 13/0265: {the criterion being a learning criterion} - G05B 15/02: electric - F24F 11/46: Improving electric energy efficiency or saving - F24F 11/56: Remote control - F24F 11/64: using pre-stored data - F24F 11/65: for selecting an operating mode - F24F 2110/10: Temperature - F24F 2110/12: of the outside air - F24F 2120/20: Feedback from users - F24F 2130/00: Control inputs relating to environmental factors not covered by group F24F2110/00 - F24F 2130/10: Weather information or forecasts - F24F 2130/20: Sunlight - F24F 2140/60: Energy consumption - G05B 2219/2614: HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control - 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) - 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) ## Abstract A method for operating a thermal system, wherein a component of a facility or building has to be heated and/or cooled by the thermal system, includes selecting a control mode of the thermal system for bringing and/or maintaining the component to or at a definable temperature value or to or within a definable temperature value range. The control mode is dynamically selected from multiple different control modes under consideration of at least one boundary condition of the component and/or at least one environmental context parameter and under consideration of data regarding learnt/adapted thermal behaviour of the component. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for operating a thermal system, wherein a component of a facility or building has to be heated and/or cooled by the they system, the method comprising: selecting a control mode of the thermal system for bringing and/or maintaining the component to or at a definable temperature value or to or within a definable temperature value range, wherein the control mode is dynamically selected from multiple different control modes under consideration of at least one boundary condition of the component and/or at least one environmental context parameter and under consideration of data regarding learnt/adapted thermal behaviour of the component. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the control mode is dynamically selected in real-time. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein a real-time monitoring of the at least one environmental context parameter and/or of at least one system parameter and/or component parameter and/or subsystem parameter is performed during operation of the thermal system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the data regarding the learnt/adapted thermal behaviour of the component is based on historic data and operational data monitored during operation of the thermal system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the data regarding the learnt/adapted thermal behaviour of the component is dynamically actualized during operation of the thermal system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the control mode is dynamically selected under consideration of the impact of the control mode on other components of the facility or building. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the control mode is dynamically selected under consideration of a forecast of an external or environmental context parameter and/or under consideration of a forecast of the component's related parameters and/or the parameters of the corresponding thermal system parameters. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein dynamic selection of the control mode is based on a holistic assessment of at least some boundary conditions and/or context parameters. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the control mode is dynamically selected under consideration of a scheduling order, priority list or a rotating scheme between control modes of the component or different components. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein dynamic selection of the control mode is activated by human request, by a definable operational status of the component or thermal system or by a time schedule. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the control mode defines the starting time and the duration of operation of the system and/or of subsystems. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein an environmental context parameter comprises environmental temperature and/or solar radiation and/or operational restrictions of other components. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the control mode performs a variation of the temperature value or temperature value range within a configurable or definable scope or range. ### Claim 14 A thermal system, wherein a component of a facility or building has to be heated and/or cooled by the thermal system and wherein a control mode of the thermal system is selected for bringing and/or maintaining the component to or at a definable temperature value or to or within a definable temperature value range, the thermal system comprising a processor configured with processor executable instructions for dynamically selecting the control mode from multiple different control modes under consideration of at least one boundary condition of the component and/or at least one environmental context parameter and under consideration of data regarding learnt/adapted thermal behaviour of the component. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The thermal system according to claim 14, wherein the processor executable instructions implement a control layer, an operational layer, a metering/sensing layer and a data layer, wherein the control layer is configured for communication with the operational layer, metering/sensing layer and data layer.