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US-20260126200-A1 - System and Method for Managing Power Consumption in 12V, 24V, and 48V Marine HVAC Systems

US20260126200A1US 20260126200 A1US20260126200 A1US 20260126200A1US-20260126200-A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for managing power consumption in low-voltage marine HVAC systems operating on 12V, 24V, and 48V power supplies. The invention provides an integrated energy management solution that tracks, estimates, and regulates power usage across HVAC devices to optimize battery life, particularly in environments with limited power resources. A user interface (UI) allows users to set maximum power thresholds, access real-time and historical power usage data, and receive environmental feedback from a network of BLE and Wi-Fi-enabled sensors that report temperature, humidity, and battery voltage levels. When the predefined power limit is approached, the system selectively powers down non-essential devices or, where appropriate, shuts down the HVAC system entirely to prevent battery depletion. Additionally, a variable-speed compressor dynamically adjusts to maintain desired climate settings with minimal energy output.

Inventors

  • John Caskey, II

Assignees

  • John Caskey, II

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20241110

Claims (6)

  1. 1 . A power management system for a low-voltage marine HVAC system, comprising: a. a central processor configured to monitor and track power consumption of individual HVAC devices based on predefined power profiles for each device; b. a user interface enabling users to set a maximum allowable power consumption limit, view real-time data on cumulative power usage, and receive environmental information including temperature, humidity, and battery voltage levels; c. a shut-off mechanism operable to selectively power down non-essential HVAC devices or the entire HVAC system when the maximum power consumption limit is approached or exceeded, thereby preventing depletion of the battery supply; d. a variable-speed compressor configured to adjust its output based on target environmental conditions and user-defined settings, reducing power consumption once those targets are achieved while maintaining climate parameters.
  2. 2 . The power management system of claim 1 , further comprising a BLE and Wi-Fi ecosystem of devices that continuously transmit data on temperature, humidity, and battery voltage across various zones of the vessel, enabling: a. real-time adjustments to HVAC output based on zone-specific needs; b. adaptive control of HVAC power consumption based on remaining battery capacity as informed by voltage data received from the BLE and Wi-Fi devices.
  3. 3 . The power management system of claim 1 , wherein the central processor utilizes a suite of algorithms to: a. calculate cumulative power consumption in real-time based on each HVAC device's operational time and predefined power profile; b. generate predictive power usage estimates derived from historical data and environmental feedback, thereby enabling users to optimize power management according to projected battery availability.
  4. 4 . The power management system of claim 1 , wherein the BLE and Wi-Fi devices relay battery voltage data to the central processor, which continuously monitors the available power and dynamically adjusts the HVAC system's operation by: a. initiating a reduction in compressor output when battery voltage falls below a designated threshold; b. implementing a hierarchical power-down of non-essential devices to prioritize critical systems and extend battery life.
  5. 5 . The power management system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises a touchscreen display configured to: a. provide intuitive control over power limits, environmental settings, and access to trend data regarding cumulative power usage; b. support potential integration with remote control applications, allowing for remote notifications, monitoring, and power management adjustments via mobile devices when the user is away from the vessel.
  6. 6 . The power management system of claim 1 , further comprising an architecture designed for modularity and scalability, enabling: a. compatibility with external energy sources, such as solar charging modules, and additional HVAC devices; b. future upgrades for remote monitoring and notifications through mobile applications and compatibility with other third-party energy management systems.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention The present invention relates to the field of power management within HVAC systems designed for marine environments, specifically targeting low-voltage configurations such as 12V, 24V, and 48V systems. This invention addresses energy efficiency and resource management challenges in HVAC systems that operate under limited battery power, commonly encountered in marine applications. The system is engineered to monitor, regulate, and control power consumption dynamically across HVAC components to optimize battery life, enhance energy efficiency, and enable user-defined control over power limits. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses a system and method for managing power consumption in low-voltage marine HVAC systems, operating specifically on 12V, 24V, and 48V power supplies. The invention encompasses a comprehensive energy management solution that provides real-time tracking, predictive estimation, and user-controlled regulation of power consumption across HVAC devices, with the objective of optimizing battery usage and ensuring continuity of essential functions under limited power resources. The invention integrates a central processor configured to monitor individual power usage profiles of each HVAC component, employing a proprietary algorithm to calculate cumulative energy consumption relative to a user-defined threshold. A user interface (UI) facilitates user interaction by allowing predefined power limits, displaying consumption trends, and providing essential environmental data. The system intelligently manages power consumption proactively by reducing output when less power is required. When the predefined power threshold is approached or exceeded, the system reduces consumption or, alternatively, shuts down the HVAC system entirely, thereby preventing unscheduled depletion of battery resources. Additionally, the invention incorporates a wireless ecosystem of BLE and Wi-Fi-enabled devices to measure voltage (thereby battery charge level), temperature, and humidity in the vessel upon which the system is deployed. Through its unique combination of monitoring, predictive analytics, and control mechanisms, the present invention offers an advanced power management solution tailored for marine HVAC systems. This system reduces the need for manual oversight, extends battery life, and promotes safe and reliable HVAC operation within the constraints of battery-limited environments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1: A schematic overview illustrating the arrangement of system components in a typical marine HVAC configuration. FIG. 2: A depiction of the HVAC control hardware, showcasing the embedded firmware responsible for monitoring and managing power consumption. FIG. 3: An illustration of the wireless display interface, detailing how it shows the user-defined power limit, current power draw, and cumulative power usage. FIG. 4: A flow diagram illustrating the sequential process of initializing, monitoring, and managing power consumption in a marine HVAC system, from setting parameters and collecting data to enforcing power limits and optimizing compressor output based on real-time environmental feedback. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides an advanced power management system designed specifically for low-voltage HVAC systems in marine environments, with configurations adaptable to 12V, 24V, and 48V power supplies. This invention is particularly suited for battery-supported marine vessels, where energy resources are limited and efficient power distribution is essential to maintain system reliability and user comfort. 1. Overview of System Architecture The power management system comprises a central processing unit (CPU) interfaced with an array of HVAC devices, each assigned a unique power consumption profile. These profiles, stored in non-volatile memory, define typical operational power usage parameters for each device and are instrumental in enabling precise tracking of aggregate energy consumption. The CPU executes proprietary algorithms that utilize these profiles to monitor and calculate cumulative power usage dynamically, adjusting system functionality to preserve battery life based on user-defined constraints. In conjunction with power consumption monitoring, the system also incorporates a suite of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Wi-Fi-enabled devices distributed across the vessel. These devices continuously transmit real-time data on temperature, humidity, and battery voltage levels, forming a comprehensive feedback network that informs and enhances the system's decision-making processes. 2. Power Consumption Tracking and Estimation Algorithms The system's core functionality centers on its power tracking and estimation capabilities, which operate on a sequence of proprietary algorithms that assess both instantaneous and cumulative power consumption. The CPU continuously reads the on/off state and operational d