| CPC H02J 50/001 (2020.01) [H02J 50/00 (2016.02); H02J 50/30 (2016.02); G01P 1/02 (2013.01); G01R 31/3842 (2019.01)] | 20 Claims |
|
1. A sensor assembly for use in a building management system of a facility, comprising:
a housing;
a sensor configured to sense one or more sensed parameters;
a transmitter configured to communicate over a wireless protocol;
a power supply disposed relative to the housing and configured to power the sensor assembly, the power supply having a power reserve parameter that is representative of a remaining power stored by the power supply;
a light harvesting element disposed relative to the housing, the light harvesting element configured to convert incident light into electrical energy for replenishing the power stored by the power supply;
a controller disposed within the housing and operably coupled with the sensor and the power supply, the controller configured to:
repeatedly activate and deactivate the sensor in accordance with a first activation schedule defining a first sampling period for repeatedly activating the sensor, wherein the sensor consumes more power from the power supply when the sensor is activated than when the sensor is deactivated;
monitor the power reserve parameter of the power supply;
when the power reserve parameter drops below a first power reserve threshold, altering the activation schedule to a second activation schedule for the sensor that reduces power consumption from the power supply, the second activation schedule defining a second sampling period for repeatedly activating the sensor, wherein the second sampling period is longer than the first sampling period; and
after the light harvesting element replenishes the power stored by the power supply above a second power reserve threshold, altering the activation schedule to return to the first activation schedule for the sensor.
|