Method and apparatus for controlling humidity with an air conditioner
First Claim
1. A method for controlling an air conditioner that is adapted to service an inside space, the air conditioner having a minimum “
- on”
time, the method comprising the steps of;
determining if the humidity level in the inside space is above a predetermined humidity level; and
increasing the minimum “
on”
time of the air conditioner if the humidity level is above the predetermined humidity level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for more effectively managing humidity of an inside space using an air conditioner are provided. In one illustrative embodiment, the system determines whether the humidity level in an inside space is above a predetermined humidity threshold, and if so, changes a control parameter such as a minimum “on” time for the air conditioner. If the humidity level in the inside space is not above the predetermined humidity threshold, the control parameter is not changed, or changed less than when the humidity level is above the predetermined humidity threshold. Rather than changing (i.e. increasing) the minimum “on” time, it is contemplated that any control parameter that increases the “on” time of the air conditioner may be used including, for example, changing (i.e. decreasing) the maximum cycle rate allowed for the air conditioner.
47 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for controlling an air conditioner that is adapted to service an inside space, the air conditioner having a minimum “
- on”
time, the method comprising the steps of;
determining if the humidity level in the inside space is above a predetermined humidity level; and
increasing the minimum “
on”
time of the air conditioner if the humidity level is above the predetermined humidity level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- on”
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15. A method for controlling an air conditioner that is adapted to service an inside space, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining if the humidity level in the inside space is above a predetermined humidity level; and
decreasing the duty cycle for the air conditioner if the humidity level is above the predetermined humidity level. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method for controlling an air conditioner that is adapted to service an inside space, the air conditioner operating in air conditioning cycles including a current air conditioning cycle to maintain a temperature in the inside space at or near a desired temperature set point, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining if the humidity level in the inside space is above a predetermined humidity level; and
increasing the run time of the current air conditioning cycle if the humidity level is above the predetermined humidity level to allow increased latent cooling during the current air conditioning cycle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26-31. -31. (Canceled)
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32. A method for controlling an air conditioner used to control characteristics of an inside space, wherein the air conditioner has predetermined latent and sensible cooling characteristics, the method comprising:
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determining the humidity level in the space; and
if the humidity is above a first selected humidity level, establishing a minimum on time for the air conditioner using the predetermined latent and sensible cooling characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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35. A controller for an air conditioner, wherein the air conditioner is adapted to service an inside space, the air conditioner further having a minimum “
- on”
time, the controller comprising;
means for determining if the humidity level in the inside space is above a predetermined humidity level; and
means for increasing the minimum “
on”
time of the air conditioner if the humidity level is above the predetermined humidity level.
- on”
Specification