Patent classifications
F24F2221/32
Room Unit For An HVAC System
A room unit for an HVAC system is disclosed including a connection means to connect the device to the HVAC system, a controller and a housing. The housing includes a mounting plate for installing a room unit on a wall of a building. The mounting plate includes a base plate with a circumferential rim projecting away perpendicularly from the base plate. The mounting plate includes at least one first protrusion projecting away from an outer surface of the rim in a direction parallel to the base plate. The housing frame includes a circumferential side wall that laterally surrounds the inside of the room unit. The side wall is configured to receive the rim of the mounting plate with positive fit. The housing frame includes at least one second protrusion projecting away from an inner surface of the side wall towards an opposite inner surface of the housing frame.
Methods and graphical user interfaces for reporting performance information for an HVAC system controlled by a self-programming network-connected thermostat
Systems and methods are described for interactively and graphically displaying performance information to a user of an HVAC system controlled by a self-programming network-connected thermostat. The information is made on a remote display device such as a smartphone, tablet computer or other computer, and includes a graphical daily summary each of several days. In response to a user selection of a day, detailed performance information is graphically displayed that can include an indication of HVAC activity on a timeline, the number of hours of HVAC activity, as well as one or more symbols on a timeline indicating setpoint changes, and when a setpoint was changed due to non-occupancy.
DETECTION OF DAMPER MOTOR MECHANICALLY DISCONNECTED FROM DAMPER ASSEMBLY
In an embodiment, a method of testing a HVAC unit for a disconnected damper motor is provided. An outside air section of a damper assembly is closed and air is circulated through the unit. If a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to a return air temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected. Otherwise, an economizing function having a free cooling target temperature is started. An outside air temperature is compared to the free cooling target temperature. If the outside air temperature is less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if the damper motor has been commanded to fully open the outside air section. If the outside air temperature is not less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to an outside air temperature.
USER INTERFACES FOR SCHEDULE DISPLAY AND MODIFICATION ON SMARTPHONE OR OTHER SPACE-LIMITED TOUCHSCREEN DEVICE
A novel small format touch screen user interface for displaying, adding and editing program setpoints is described. When editing a setpoint the user's input is constrained such that the user can only alter one parameter. As soon as the user begins to drag a setpoint icon in either a horizontal (e.g. adjusting time), or vertical (e.g. adjusting temperature), the other parameter is constrained. Additionally, the disclosed user interface includes displaying information as to how the setpoint was most recently added or adjusted. For example the display can be used to indicate whether a setpoint was added or adjusted on the control device itself; by an automated learning algorithm; by a user on a web client; by a user using a mobile device, and so forth. Further, the name of the particular device may be displayed.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING ERRONEOUS DISCHARGE AIR TEMPERATURE (DAT) SENSOR INSTALLATION
A method of monitoring a HVAC system to detect erroneous sensor installation. The method includes determining whether a circulation fan has been operational for a first predetermined time interval. If the circulation fan has been operational for the first predetermined time interval, determining whether a cooling demand is present. If the cooling demand is present, determining whether the HVAC system has been conditioning air for the first predetermined time interval responsive to the cooling demand. If the HVAC system has been conditioning the air for the first predetermined time interval, determining whether a difference between an indoor air temperature value corresponding to an enclosed space and an air temperature value from a discharge air temperature (DAT) sensor is greater than a predetermined temperature value. If the difference is not greater than the predetermined temperature value, forwarding a message indicating that the DAT sensor positioned within a duct of the HVAC system is improperly installed.
POSITION DETERMINATION METHOD AND APPARATUS, AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM
The present disclosure provides a method and device for position determination, an air conditioning system, and a readable storage medium. The method for position determination includes: acquiring return air temperature information of each indoor unit; determining a first correlation coefficient between every two indoor units based on the return air temperature information; classifying indoor units based on the first correlation coefficient to obtain a number of classified groups; and generating relative position information in each classified group based on the first correlation coefficient by taking any one of the indoor units as a locating point. Maintenance personnel are not required to manually maintain a relative position relation of indoor units. Therefore, the maintenance difficulty of the relative position relation of indoor units is reduced, and a time cost and a labor cost required for maintenance are reduced accordingly.
Automatic detection of jumper switch position of a wall mount connector
A thermostat that is configured to be releasably secured to a wall mountable connector, wherein the wall mountable connector includes a jumper switch that permits an installer or other professional to easily form an electrical connection between different wiring terminals of the wall mountable connector in accordance with how particular field wires are connected to the wiring terminals of the wall mountable connector. The thermostat is further configured to automatically determine the position of the jumper switch of the wall mountable connector, and in some cases, change the control of at least some functionality of the thermostat and/or HVAC equipment depending on the position of the jumper switch.
Detection of damper motor mechanically disconnected from damper assembly
In an embodiment, a method of testing a HVAC unit for a disconnected damper motor is provided. An outside air section of a damper assembly is closed and air is circulated through the unit. If a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to a return air temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected. Otherwise, an economizing function having a free cooling target temperature is started. An outside air temperature is compared to the free cooling target temperature. If the outside air temperature is less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if the damper motor has been commanded to fully open the outside air section. If the outside air temperature is not less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to an outside air temperature.
Systems and methods for energy-efficient control of an energy-consuming system
Systems and methods are provided for efficiently controlling energy-consuming systems, such as heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) systems. For example, an electronic device used to control an HVAC system may encourage a user to select energy-efficient temperature setpoints. Based on the selected temperature setpoints, the electronic device may generate or modify a schedule of temperature setpoints to control the HVAC system.
User interfaces for HVAC schedule display and modification on smartphone or other space-limited touchscreen device
A novel small format touch screen user interface for displaying, adding and editing program setpoints is described. When editing a setpoint the user's input is constrained such that the user can only alter one parameter (either time or temperature). As soon as the user begins to drag a setpoint icon in either a horizontal (i.e. adjusting time), or vertical (i.e. adjusting temperature), the other parameter is constrained. Additionally, the disclosed user interface includes displaying information as to how the setpoint was most recently added or adjusted. For example the display can be used to indicate whether a setpoint was added or adjusted (1) on the thermostat itself; (2) by an automated learning algorithm; (3) by a user on a web client; or (4) by a user using a mobile client (such as a smart phone or tablet PC). Further, the name of the particular device is also displayed if known.