Energy chassis and energy exchange device
AssigneeGreensleeves, LLC
InventorsStephen A. Hamstra, W. Michael Linn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, methods and devices for utilizing an energy chassis device designed to sense, collect, store and distribute energy from where it is available using devices that harvest or convert energy to locations requiring energy such as but not limited to HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) systems. The systems, methods and devices can also be used with a next generation geothermal heat exchanger that achieves higher energy harvesting efficiency and provides greater functionality than current geothermal exchangers.
Claims21
A heating and cooling system comprising:
- a plurality of thermal energy sources and a plurality of thermal energy sinks;
- and
- a controller, the controller configured to:
- determine a thermal energy stored in each of the thermal sources;
- determine a thermal energy capacity of each of the thermal sinks;
- determine a thermal energy storage and dissipation rate for each of the thermal sources;
- determine a thermal storage capacity each of the thermal sinks;
- predict a thermal energy loss and gain and a thermal retention of the system over a preselected time period based upon use of one or more of the thermal sources or sinks and the determined thermal energy, the determined thermal energy capacity, the thermal energy storage and dissipation rate, and the determined thermal storage capacity of the one or more of the thermal sources or sinks;
- compare the predicted thermal energy loss and gain and the thermal retention of the system to a target parameter;
- select at least one of the plurality of thermal sources or sinks based upon the comparison;
- and
- initiate a use of the selected at least one thermal source or sink.
A method for using a plurality of thermal energy sources and a plurality of thermal energy sinks of a heating and cooling system to heat or cool a building comprising the steps of:
- predicting a thermal energy loss and gain for each of the thermal sources and thermal sinks over a selected time period, wherein each of the thermal energy sources is configured to store thermal energy and to allow for extraction of the stored energy therefrom, and wherein each thermal energy sink is configured to absorb and store thermal energy;
- comparing the thermal energy loss and gain for each of the thermal sources and thermal sinks to a thermal energy demand of the building for the selected time period to obtain a comparison;
- selecting at least one of the thermal sources or sinks based upon the comparison;
- and
- heating or cooling the building to meet the thermal energy demand by initiating a use of the selected at least one thermal source or sink for the selected time period based upon the comparison.
A heating and cooling system comprising:
- a plurality of thermal energy sources and a plurality of thermal energy sinks, wherein each of the thermal energy sources is configured to store thermal energy and to allow for extraction of the stored energy therefrom, and wherein each thermal energy sink is configured to absorb and store thermal energy;
- and
- a controller, the controller configured to:
- predict a thermal energy loss and gain for each of the thermal sources and thermal sinks over a selected time period;
- compare the thermal energy loss and gain for each of the thermal sources and thermal sinks to a thermal energy demand for the selected time period to obtain a comparison;
- select at least one of the thermal sources or sinks based upon the comparison;
- and
- initiate a use of the selected at least one thermal source or sink.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.