Room condition monitoring system

• US 10,119,712 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2016
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Setra Systems Incorporated (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Setra Systems Incorporated (Fortive Corp.)
• Inventors: Grosshart, Paul Francis, Pinto, Gino Amaro, Beishline, Eric Christopher, Barot, Sunil, Bourbeau, Kevin, Batista, Anthony T., Henry, Shawn Oscar, Rogers, Brandon Thomas, Manning, II, Bernard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Raymond, Edward
• Application Number:
  US15/299,980
• Publication Number:
  US 20170115022A1
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 702188, 702182-185
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23258 GUI graphical user interface, icon, function bloc editor, labview
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25168 Domotique, access through internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control

Abstract

A room condition monitor (RCM) that includes a processor with an embedded router software object that is in signal communication with a first communication connector including BACnet/IP interface for the transmission receipt of data packages over a building management system (BMS) communication network according to a BACnet/IP protocol. The RCM also includes a room condition sensor for detecting a room condition. In addition, the RCM includes a projected capacitive LCD screen display to display information regarding the detected room condition, or other building information associated with the BMS. A second communication connector with a second network protocol interface is provided for communication with network legacy devises through the RCM router.

Claims

1. A room condition monitoring device, comprising:

a first housing defining a first interior volume, wherein the first housing supports operating electrical components;

a display module including a frame attached to the first housing and a display screen affixed to the frame and the display screen is in signal communication with one or more of the electrical components;

a first electrical connector mounted to the first housing; and

,

a sensor module detachably securable to the first housing wherein the sensor module comprises;

a second housing defining a second interior volume;

a sensor supported within the second interior volume and the sensor is configured to detect a condition of a room in the building;

a second electrical connector on the sensor module and detachably securable to the first electrical connector, wherein the second electrical connector is in electrical communication with the sensor and the operating electrical components to provide signal communication there between, when the first and second electrical connectors are secured together and the sensor module is affixed to the first housing;

wherein the operating electrical components comprise a processor in signal communication with the sensor and the display screen, and the processor is configured to generate data associated with the condition of the room detected by the sensor.

2. The room condition monitor of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a pressure transducer to detect a pressure within the room or a pressure differential in the room relative to another room in the building.

3. The room condition monitor of claim 2 wherein the sensor module further comprises a first inlet portal in fluid communication with a first room and second inlet portal in fluid communication with a second room, and the pressure transducer is configured to detect a pressure differential between the first and second rooms.

4. The room condition monitor of claim 1, wherein the first housing and sensor module when secured together are dimensioned to fit within an electrical box mounted to a building wall frame.

5. The room condition monitor of claim 1, further comprising a hinge mechanism connected to the first housing and the display module wherein the hinge mechanism has a first arm pivotally connected to a first side of the first housing and the first arm is connected to the display module and a second arm pivotally connected to a second side of the first housing and second arm to the display module, wherein the first arm and second arm share a common first pivot axis on the first housing to displace the display module outward and downward or upward, or outward and laterally relative to an opening of the first housing depending on the orientation of the display module to a servicing position.

6. The room condition monitor of claim 5, further comprising an electrical line connecting the display to one or more of the electrical components that is extendible when the display module moved to a servicing position and the electrical line remains connected to the display screen when the display module is in the servicing position.

7. The room condition monitor of claim 1, wherein the display screen includes a projected capacitive touchscreen.

8. A room condition monitor, comprising:

a housing defining an interior volume and an opening to the interior volume, wherein the housing supports operating electrical components within the interior volume;

a display module including a frame and a display screen attached to the housing to cover the opening when in an operating position and the display module is selectively movable relative to the opening between the operating position and a servicing position wherein the opening is exposed for access to the operating electrical components;

a sensor in signal communication with one or more of the electrical components and the sensor detects a condition within a room of a building; and

,

a hinge mechanism connected to the housing and the display module wherein the hinge mechanism has a first arm pivotally connected to a first side of the housing and the first arm is connected to the display module and a second arm pivotally connected to a second side of the housing and second arm is connected to the display module, wherein the first arm and second arm share a common first pivot axis on the housing to displace the display module outward and downward or upward, or outward and laterally relative to the opening of the housing depending on the orientation of the display module and the housing.

9. The room condition monitor of claim 8, wherein first arm and second arm share a common second pivot axis on the display module.

10. The room condition monitor of claim 8, further comprising an electrical line connecting the display screen to one or more of the electrical components that is extendible when the display module is in the servicing position and the electrical line remains connected to the display screen when the display module is in the servicing position.

11. The room condition monitor of claim 8, wherein the housing is a first housing including a first electrical lead supported therein and the sensor is a component of a sensor module detachably securable to the first housing and the sensor module comprises:

a second housing defining a second interior volume, and the sensor is supported within the second interior volume; and

,

a second electrical lead on the sensor module in electrical contact with the sensor and the detachably connected to the first electrical lead to provide signal communication between the sensor and one or more of the electrical components.

12. The room condition monitor of claim 11, wherein the sensor is a pressure transducer to detect a pressure within the room or a pressure differential in the room relative to another room in a building.

13. The room condition monitor of claim 11 wherein the sensor module further comprises a first inlet portal in fluid communication with a first room and second inlet portal in fluid communication with a second room, and the pressure transducer is configured to detect a pressure differential between the first and second rooms.

14. The room condition monitor of claim 12, wherein the first housing and sensor module when secured together are dimensioned to fit within an electrical box mounted to a wall frame of a room in a building.

15. A room condition monitoring system, comprising:

a housing defining an interior volume and an opening to the interior volume, wherein the housing supports operating electrical components;

a display module including a frame attached to the housing and a display screen affixed to the frame and the display screen is in signal communication with one or more of the operating electrical components;

a room condition sensor in signal communication with the electrical components to detect a condition within a room of the building, and the sensor transmits signals to one or more of the electrical components, and the signals are indicative of a detected condition of a room in a building; and

,

wherein the operating electrical components comprise a processor configured to process the signals received from the sensor and generate data representing the detected condition of the room; and

,

at least one communication connector including a BACnet/IP interface in signal communication with a building management system (BMS) including a BMS communication network according to a BACnet/IP protocol to transmit the data from the processor over the BMS network according to the BACnet/IP protocol or receive signals over the BMS network according the BACnet/IP protocol.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the operating electrical components comprise a router, and the BMS includes a plurality of I/O devices one or more of which is in signal communication with the processor or router, and the router is configured to transmit one or more data packages according to the BACnet/IP protocol responsive to signals received from the one or more I/O devices.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising one or more analog I/O connections and signals received from the one or more I/O devices are analog signals transmitted to the processor which generates data based on the signals from the one or more I/O devices and the router transmits one or more data packages according to the BACnet/IP protocol in response to the data generated by the processor and the signals received from the one or more I/O devices.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising one or more digital I/O connectors and signals received from the one or more I/O devices are digital signals transmitted to the router which transmits one or more data packages according to the BACnet/IP protocol in response to the received digital signals.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the BACnet/IP protocol is a first network protocol and the signals from the one or more I/O devices are transmitted to the router as data packages according to a second network protocol that is different than the first network protocol, and the router is configured to transmit one or more data packages according to the first network protocol in response to the signals from the one or more I/O devices.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first network protocol is BACnet/IP and the second network protocol is BACnet MS/TP.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the room condition sensor is a pressure transducer that detects a pressure in the room or pressure differential between the room and another room in the building.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the one or more I/O devices is in analog signal communication with the processor and is a room condition monitor that monitors a room condition, within the room or in another room, other than pressure or a pressure differential.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the one or more I/O devices in signal communication with the processor is a temperature monitor or a room humidity monitor.

24. A room condition monitoring system, comprising:

a housing defining an interior volume and an opening to the interior volume, wherein the housing supports operating electrical components;

a display module including a frame attached to the first housing and a display screen affixed to the frame and the display screen is in signal communication with one or more of the electrical components

a room condition sensor in signal communication with the electrical components to detect a condition within a room of a building, and the sensor transmits signals to one or more of the electrical components, and the signals are indicative of a detected condition of the room; and

,

wherein the operating electrical components comprise;

a processor configured to process the signals received from the sensor and generate data representing the detected the room condition; and

,

a router that is in signal communication with the processor and a BMS communication network of the building according to a first network protocol and the router is configured to transmit one or more data packages according to the first network protocol based on the data received from the processor; and

,

wherein the BMS communication network includes a plurality of I/O devices one or more of which is in signal communication with the processor or router, and the router is configured to transmit one or more data packages according to the first network protocol based on signals received from one or more of the I/O devices at the processor or router;

at least one communication connector including a first network protocol interface and the connector is in signal communication with the router, wherein the connector is configured to transmit the data packages from the router over the BMS communication network according to the first network protocol.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein signals received from the one or I/O devices comprise analog signals transmitted to the processor which generates data based on the signals from the one or more I/O devices and the router transmits one or data packages according to the first network protocol responsive to the data generated by the processor in response to the analog signals from one or more of the I/O devices.

26. The system of claim 24, further comprising one or more digital I/O connectors and signals received from the one or I/O devices are digital signals transmitted to the router which transmits one or data packages according to the first network protocol responsive to the digital signals from the one or more I/O devices.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein the at least one communication connector is a first connector and the system further comprises a second communication connector including a second network protocol interface and signals from the I/O devices are transmitted to the router according to a second network protocol that is different than the first network protocol, and the router is configured to transmit one or more data packages according to the first network protocol and/or transmit one or more data packages according to the second network protocol.

28. The room condition monitor of claim 26, wherein the first network protocol is BACnet/IP and the second network protocol is BACnet MS/TP.

29. The system of claim 24, wherein the sensor is a pressure transducer that detects a pressure in the room or pressure differential between the room and another room in the building.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the one or more I/O devises in analog signal communication with the processor is a room condition monitor that monitors a room condition, within the room or in another room, other than pressure or a pressure differential.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the one or more I/O device in analog signal communication with the processor is a temperature monitor or a room humidity monitor.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein the router is configured transmit one or more data packages according to the second network protocol via the second communication connector in response to or based on data packages received via the first communication connector according to the first network protocol.