HVAC&R humidity control system and method

• US 20060010891A1
• Filed: 07/15/2004
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: York International Corporation (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: York International Corporation (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Rayburn, Ronald Richard
• Application Number:
  US10/891,589
• Publication Number:
  US 20060010891A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/176.600
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/0008 for air-humidification F24F11/30 takes precedence
• 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 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/86 by controlling compressors within refrigeration or heat pump circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/20 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/20 Feedback from users
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 27/02 characterised by the use of electric means

Abstract

A controller controls operation of a HVAC&R device to reduce an interior humidity level for a structure to provide comfort for occupants of the structure. The controller includes a first sensor for sensing a temperature inside a structure and a second sensor for sensing a humidity level inside the structure. A controller is responsive to the first and second sensors for the HVAC&R device operating in a cooling mode to reduce the humidity level inside the structure. The controller calculates a temperature correction to a predetermined temperature setting for the HVAC&R device, the temperature correction calculation being obtained by subtracting the sensed humidity level from a predetermined humidity level and dividing the result by a predetermined factor. The controller initiates operation of the HVAC&R device when the sum of the sensed temperature and the temperature correction is greater than the predetermined temperature.

Claims

1. A method for controlling humidity in a structure with a HVAC&

R system, the method comprising the steps of;

sensing a temperature and a humidity level inside a structure;

calculating a temperature correction value in response to a predetermined humidity level, the sensed humidity level and a predetermined humidity sensitivity factor;

comparing a predetermined temperature setting for a HVAC&

R device with the sum of the sensed temperature and the temperature correction value; and

initiating operation of the HVAC&

R device to reduce the humidity level inside the structure when the sum of the sensed temperature and the temperature correction value is greater than the predetermined temperature setting.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of selecting the predetermined humidity level, the predetermined temperature setting and the predetermined humidity sensitivity factor.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined humidity sensitivity factor is between about 1 and about 10.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined humidity level is greater than about 45 percent.

5. The method of claim 1 further including, after the step of initiating operation of the HVAC&

R device, the step of repeating the steps of sensing a temperature and a humidity level, calculating a temperature correction value, comparing a predetermined temperature setting and initiating operation of the HVAC&

R device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of calculating a temperature correction value includes the steps of:

subtracting a predetermined humidity level from the sensed humidity level to generate a humidity difference;

dividing the humidity difference by the predetermined humidity sensitivity factor to generate the temperature correction value.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of calculating a temperature correction value includes the steps of:

comparing the temperature correction value to a maximum temperature correction;

changing the temperature correction value to the maximum temperature correction in response to the temperature correction value being greater than the maximum temperature correction.

8. A controller for controlling humidity in a structure with a HVAC&

R system, the controller comprising;

a first sensor for sensing a temperature inside a structure and a second sensor for sensing a humidity level inside the structure;

a controller responsive to the first and second sensors for a HVAC&

R device, the controller calculating a temperature correction value in response to a predetermined humidity level, the sensed humidity level and a predetermined humidity sensitivity factor; and

wherein the controller initiating operation of the HVAC&

R device to reduce the humidity level inside the structure when the sum of the sensed temperature and the temperature correction value is greater than the predetermined temperature setting.

9. The controller of claim 8 wherein the predetermined humidity sensitivity factor is between about 1 to about 10.

10. The controller of claim 8 wherein the predetermined humidity level is greater than about 45 percent.

11. The controller of claim 8 wherein the structure is a commercial building.

12. The controller of claim 8 wherein the structure is a residential building.

13. The controller of claim 8 wherein the temperature correction value is calculated by subtracting a predetermined humidity level from the sensed humidity level to generate a humidity difference, and then dividing the humidity difference by the predetermined humidity sensitivity factor to generate the temperature correction value.

14. The controller of claim 8 wherein the temperature correction value is calculated by comparing the temperature correction value to a maximum temperature correction, and then changing the temperature correction value to the maximum temperature correction in response to the temperature correction value being greater than the maximum temperature correction.