Device and method for recording air conditioning system information

• US 20080223944A1
• Filed: 03/13/2007
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trane International Inc. (Trane Technologies plc)
• Original Assignee: American Standard Companies Incorporated (Ideal Standard International Topco SCA)
• Inventors: Hugghins, Gordon Jeffrey, Helt, Robert W., Storm, Timothy W., Kowalski, Stephen, Song, Jie, Taylor, John Tanner, Montgomery, Bruce David, Erwin, W. Randall, Schaefer, James T., Marble, Alan Dale
• Granted Patent: US 8,117,862 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/51
• 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 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/88 Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits

Abstract

HVAC apparatus is configured to include a control system with a controller which may be connected directly to a personality module for transferring information stored in the controller related to historic operating conditions of the apparatus to the module, or information may be transferred to the controller from the module to configure the controller for operation of the apparatus at selected operating conditions of temperature, pressure and blower motor speed, for example. The personality module includes a memory circuit and a connector for releasably connecting the module to the control system of the apparatus for transferring information between the module and the controller.

Claims

1. A module for use in one of providing information to and storing information from an air conditioning apparatus, comprising:

a handheld transportable device including an electronic memory and a connector for connecting said device to a controller of said apparatus for transferring information therebetween including at least one of apparatus specific information including model number, serial number and a list of replaceable parts, calibration data for operating parameters of said apparatus including selecting pressure and temperature limits, upgrades in performance parameters performable by said apparatus and historic information comprising operating conditions experienced by said apparatus.

2. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said module is connectable to a processor for receiving information to be transferred to said controller.

3. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said information specific to said apparatus is provided by said module to said controller and comprises an apparatus model number, an apparatus serial number, at least one of an airflow rate and heat output capacity of said apparatus, control of a blower motor speed based on selected heating and cooling operating conditions of said apparatus, maximum air flow and minimum air flow output by a blower of said apparatus, and blower rotation direction.

4. The invention set forth in claim 3 wherein:

said apparatus includes pressure and temperature sensors for indicating selected temperatures including return air temperature to said apparatus, temperature of air being discharged from said apparatus and combustion temperatures of said apparatus.

5. The invention set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said module is operable to at least one of receive and record data from said controller and provide data to said controller related to said temperatures and pressures.

6. The invention set forth in claim 1 including:

information communicating means associated with said module for transferring information to and from said module via an optical communication link.

7. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said memory of said module is a non volatile memory.

8. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said module is programmed to transfer information to said controller when connected thereto and when said controller is energized.

9. A method for one of providing information to and storing information from an air conditioning apparatus, comprising:

providing a handheld transportable module including an electronic memory and a connector for connecting said module to a controller of said apparatus; and

transferring information therebetween including at least one of apparatus specific data, calibration data for operating parameters of said apparatus, upgrades in performance parameters performable by said apparatus and historic information comprising operating conditions experienced by said apparatus.

10. The method set forth in claim 9 including the step of:

connecting said module to a processor for one of receiving information to be transferred to said controller and transferring information from said controller to said processor.

11. The method set forth in claim 9 including the step of:

providing information specific to said apparatus from said module to said controller including at least one of an apparatus model number, an apparatus serial number, and a list of parts.

12. The method set forth in claim 9 including the step of:

providing information to said apparatus from said module comprising at least one of an airflow rate and heat output capacity of said apparatus, control of a blower motor speed based on selected heating and cooling operating conditions of said apparatus, maximum air flow and minimum air flow output by a blower of said apparatus, and blower rotation direction.

13. The method set forth in claim 9 wherein:

said apparatus includes temperature sensors for indicating selected temperatures including at least one of return air temperature to said apparatus, temperature of air being discharged from said apparatus and combustion temperatures of said apparatus, and said method includes the step of;

causing said module to at least one of receive and record data from said controller and provide data to said controller related to said temperature.

14. The method set forth in claim 9 including the step of:

transferring information to and from said module via an optical communication link.

15. The method set forth in claim 9 including the step of:

providing said memory of said module as a non volatile memory.

16. The method set forth in claim 9 including the step of:

programming said module to transfer information to said controller when connected thereto and when said controller is energized.