Thermal energy usage meter for multiple unit building

Abstract

A system for measuring thermal usage of each occupied area in a multiple tenant building equipped with a central hydronic heating and/or cooling system includes a fluid circuit for each area, each circuit being connected in parallel to a central fluid main circuit. Thermostats disposed in each of the areas control flow shut-off valves for each circuit. The shut-off valves are disposed in integrated assemblies with automatic flow regulator devices that maintain constant flow through each circuit when the shut-off valve is open, and fluid temperature sensors. Separate sensors provide the outlet fluid temperature for each fluid circuit. A central digital computer is connected to receive signals from each of the temperature sensors and thermostats and to calculate and record the known rate of flow and the integral of the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of each circuit and the rate of flow over the time that the flow control valve for that circuit is open. The system is particularly adapted for use in the conversion of unmetered heating/cooling systems to the metered type.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.