HVAC/R monitoring apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for monitoring operating data generated by components of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and/or refrigeration (HVAC/R) system of a facility, the components configured to operate within pre-programmed operating parameters, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of sensors configured to sense operating data from the components of the HVAC/R system;
a first computer located on or near the HVAC/R system configured to store the pre-programmed operating parameters for the components and operable to receive the operating data from the sensors and to generate error messages when the operating data is outside the pre-programmed operating parameters;
a second computer located remotely from the HVAC/R system and operable to communicate with the first computer to receive and store the operating data and the error messages generated by the first computer; and
a communications system configured to facilitate communications between the first computer and the second computer.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for monitoring the operation of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and/or refrigeration (HVAC/R) system includes a first computer located on or near the HVAC/R system and a plurality of sensors positioned to sense various operating parameters of the HVAC/R system. The sensors communicate the sensed parameters to the first computer. When the first computer detects a condition of the HVAC/R system that requires attention, based on parameters sensed by the sensors, the first computer communicates with a second computer located remote from the first computer and transmits a message related to the condition.
-
Citations
30 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for monitoring operating data generated by components of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and/or refrigeration (HVAC/R) system of a facility, the components configured to operate within pre-programmed operating parameters, the apparatus comprising:
-
a plurality of sensors configured to sense operating data from the components of the HVAC/R system;
a first computer located on or near the HVAC/R system configured to store the pre-programmed operating parameters for the components and operable to receive the operating data from the sensors and to generate error messages when the operating data is outside the pre-programmed operating parameters;
a second computer located remotely from the HVAC/R system and operable to communicate with the first computer to receive and store the operating data and the error messages generated by the first computer; and
a communications system configured to facilitate communications between the first computer and the second computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. An apparatus for monitoring operating data generated by components of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and/or refrigeration (HVAC/R) system of a facility, the components configured to operate within pre-programmed operating parameters and including at least one of a furnace, an interior air conditioner (A/C) unit, an outside A/C unit, a fan motor, a blower, a supply air duct, a return air duct, an A/C suction line, an A/C fluid line, an air filter, an evaporator, an evaporator pan, a floor drain, a thermostat, a UV lamp, and a control unit having a first flash code lamp and a second flash code lamp, the apparatus comprising:
-
a plurality of sensors, each sensor configured to sense operating data from one of the components of the HVAC/R system;
a first computer located on or near the HVAC/R system configured to store the pre-programmed operating parameters for the components and operable to receive the operating data from the sensors and to generate error messages when the operating data is outside the pre-programmed operating parameters;
a second computer located remotely from the HVAC/R system and operable to communicate with the first computer to receive and store the operating data and the error messages generated by the first computer; and
a communications system configured to facilitate communications between the first computer and the second computer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A method for monitoring operating data generated by components of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and/or refrigeration (HVAC/R) system of a facility, the method comprising:
-
configuring the HVAC/R system components to operate within pre-programmed operating parameters;
sensing operating data generated by the components with a plurality of sensors configured to sense operating data from the components of the HVAC/R system;
communicating the operating data from the sensors to a first computer;
communicating the operating data from the first computer to a second computer;
generating and then communicating error messages if the operating data is outside the pre-programmed operating parameters;
storing the operating data and error messages in the second computer;
allowing access of the operating data and the error messages by a user; and
sending an alert to the user through at least one peripheral device when an error message is generated. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
Specification