INTERACTIVE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN HVAC SYSTEM

• US 20080073440A1
• Filed: 11/16/2007
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Copeland Comfort Control LP (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Jayanth, Nagaraj, Butler, William, Pham, Hung, Carey, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 8,413,454 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/91R
• 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 11/38 Failure diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/42 of outdoor units
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/65 for selecting an operating mode
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/77 by controlling the speed of ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/86 by controlling compressors within refrigeration or heat pump circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/871 by controlling outdoor fans
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/00 Control inputs relating to system states
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/025 by controlling speed
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/111 of condenser fans
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/151 of the compressor motor
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/2104 of an indoor room or compartment
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/2106 of fresh outdoor air
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/21152 at the discharge side of the compressor
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 49/02 for compression type machines, plants or systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

An interactive system for controlling the operation of an HVAC system is provide that comprises a thermostat for initiating the operation of the HVAC system in either a full capacity mode of operation or at least one reduced capacity mode of operation, and a controller for an outside condenser unit having a condenser fan motor and a compressor motor, the controller being capable of operating the compressor in a full capacity mode and at least one reduced capacity mode. The system also comprises a controller for an indoor blower unit having a blower fan motor, the controller being capable of operating the blower fan motor in a full capacity mode an at least one reduced capacity mode. The system further includes a communication means for transmitting information between the outside condenser unit controller and at least the indoor blower controller, where the information relates to the operation of the indoor blower and the outdoor condenser unit. The indoor blower controller responsively controls the operation of the blower fan motor in a full capacity mode or a reduced capacity mode based on the information received from the outdoor unit controller, and the outdoor unit controller responsively controls the operation of the compressor in a full capacity mode or a reduced capacity mode based on the information received from the indoor blower controller.

Claims

1. A controller for an indoor blower unit of an HVAC system capable of operating in a full capacity mode and at least one reduced capacity mode, the controller comprising:

a communication means for receiving information relating to the operation of at least one other HVAC system component separate from the indoor blower unit;

a processor for controlling the operation of an indoor blower fan motor in a full capacity mode of operation and in at lest one reduced capacity mode of operation, wherein the processor receives information relating to the operation of the other HVAC system components and responsively operates the blower fan motor in a full capacity mode or a reduced capacity mode based on the received information.

2. The controller of claim 1, wherein the communication means comprises a peer-to-peer network connection that enables receiving information from at least an outdoor condenser unit controller and sending information to at least an outdoor unit controller.

3. The controller of claim 2 where in response to receiving information that the compressor is only able to operate at a reduced capacity, the processor responsively controls the operation of the blower motor in at least one reduced capacity mode.

4. The controller of claim 2 where in response to receiving information that the compressor is only able to operate at full capacity, the processor responsively controls the operation of the blower motor in a full capacity mode.

5. The controller of claim 2 further comprising a current sensor for sensing the current draw of the indoor blower motor, wherein the controller operates the blower at a reduced capacity mode of operation when the sensed current is more than a predetermined amount.

6. The controller of claim 2 further comprising a temperature sensor for sensing the evaporator inlet temperature.

7. The controller of claim 2 further comprising a first temperature sensor for sensing the return air temperature for the blower, a second temperature sensor for sensing the supply air temperature leaving the blowers wherein the controller responsively communicates a signal indicating a low refrigerant charge condition when the controller senses a difference between the sensed return air temperature and the sensed supply air temperature that is less than a predetermined amount.

8. The controller of claim 4 wherein the controller communicates information relating to the operating condition of the indoor blower to one of a thermostat or an outdoor unit controller.