METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A MODULATING AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

• US 20090127346A1
• Filed: 11/21/2007
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lennox Manufacturing Inc. (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Grohman, Wojciech
• Granted Patent: US 8,382,003 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/10
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1084 for air heating systems
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/2064 for air heaters
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1912 whose output amplitude can take more than two discrete values

Abstract

A method for effecting cooperation between a modulating air conditioning system and a two-stage thermostat for satisfying an air conditioning load demand in a conditioned space includes: (a) operating the thermostat in a plurality of succeeding operating cycles to issue a first call signal or a second call signal indicating a first or second stage operation by the air conditioning system; the first and second stage operation being effected according to a first operating regimen to satisfy the air conditioning load demand; (b) operating the air conditioning system in response to the first and second call signals; the air conditioning system operating at a first power level when receiving the first call signal and operating at a predetermined second power level when receiving the second call signal; the first power level being established by the air conditioning system according a second operating regimen.

Claims

1. A method for effecting cooperation between a modulating air conditioning system and a two-stage thermostat for satisfying an air conditioning load demand in a conditioned space;

the method comprising;

(a) operating said thermostat in a plurality of succeeding operating cycles to issue a first call signal indicating first stage operation by said air conditioning system or a second call signal indicating second stage operation by said air conditioning system;

said first and second stage operation being effected according to a first predetermined operating regimen to satisfy said air conditioning load demand; and

(b) operating said air conditioning system in response to said first and second call signals;

said air conditioning system operating at a first power level when receiving said first call signal;

said air conditioning system operating at a second power level when receiving said second call signal;

said first power level being established by said air conditioning system according a second predetermined operating regimen;

said second power level being a predetermined power level.

2. A method for effecting cooperation between a modulating air conditioning system and a two-stage thermostat as recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined power level is higher than said first power level.

3. A method for effecting cooperation between a modulating air conditioning system and a two-stage thermostat as recited in claim 1 wherein said first power level in a respective said operating cycle of said plurality of operating cycles is related to at least one preceding operating cycle of said plurality of operating cycles occurring earlier in time than said respective operating cycle.

4. A method for effecting cooperation between a modulating air conditioning system and a two-stage thermostat as recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined power level is one hundred per cent of power level capability of said air conditioning system.

5. A method for effecting cooperation between a modulating air conditioning system and a two-stage thermostat as recited in claim 1 wherein said air conditioning system is one of a cooling system and a heating system.

6. A method for effecting cooperation between a modulating air conditioning system and a two-stage thermostat as recited in claim 5 wherein said first power level in a respective said operating cycle of said plurality of operating cycles is related to at least one preceding operating cycle of said plurality of operating cycles occurring earlier in time than said respective operating cycle.

7. A method for effecting cooperation between a modulating air conditioning system and a two-stage thermostat as recited in claim 6 wherein said predetermined power level is one hundred per cent of power level capability of said air conditioning system.

8. A method for controlling a modulating air conditioning system, the method comprising:

(a) in no particular order;

(1) coupling said air conditioning system with a thermostat;

said thermostat being configured for operation in at least two stages; and

(2) configuring said air conditioning system to respond to a plurality of call signals received from said thermostat;

(b) in no particular order;

(1) operating said air conditioning system according to a first control routine; and

(2) operating said thermostat according to a second control routine in a plurality of succeeding cycles seeking to satisfy an air conditioning load demand in a conditioned space;

(c) operating said air conditioning system at a first capacity according to said first control routine in response to a first said call signal;

said first capacity being less than full capacity of said air conditioning system; and

(d) operating said air conditioning system at a second capacity in response to a second said call signal;

said second capacity being greater than said first capacity.

9. A method for controlling a modulating air conditioning system as recited in claim 8 wherein said first capacity in a respective said cycle of said plurality of cycles is related to at least one preceding cycle of said plurality of cycles occurring earlier in time than said respective cycle.

10. A method for controlling a modulating air conditioning system as recited in claim 8 wherein said predetermined power level is one hundred per cent of power level capability of said air conditioning system.

11. A method for controlling a modulating air conditioning system as recited in claim 8 wherein said air conditioning system is one of a cooling system and a heating system.

12. A method for controlling a modulating air conditioning system as recited in claim 9 wherein said predetermined power level is one hundred per cent of power level capability of said air conditioning system.

13. A method for controlling a modulating air conditioning system as recited in claim 9 wherein said air conditioning system is one of a cooling system and a heating system.

14. A method for controlling a modulating air conditioning system as recited in claim 10 wherein said air conditioning system is one of a cooling system and a heating system.

15. A system for satisfying an air conditioning load demand in a conditioned space;

the system comprising;

(a) a modulating air conditioning system; and

(b) a two-stage thermostat coupled with said air conditioning system;

said thermostat operating in a plurality of succeeding operating cycles to issue a first call signal to said air conditioning system to call for first stage operation by said air conditioning system or to issue a second call signal to said air conditioning system to call for second stage operation by said air conditioning system;

said thermostat operating according to a first operating routine to satisfy said air conditioning load demand;

said air conditioning system being configured to operate at a first power level when receiving said first call signal;

said air conditioning system being configured to operate at a second power level when receiving said second call signal;

said first power level being established by said air conditioning system according a second operating routine;

said second power level being a predetermined power level.

16. A system for satisfying an air conditioning load demand in a conditioned space as recited in claim 15 wherein said air conditioning system is one of a cooling system and a heating system.

17. A system for satisfying an air conditioning load demand in a conditioned space as recited in claim 15 wherein said predetermined power level is one hundred per cent of power level capability of said air conditioning system.

18. A system for satisfying an air conditioning load demand in a conditioned space as recited in claim 15 wherein said first power level in a respective said operating cycle of said plurality of operating cycles is related to at least one preceding operating cycle of said plurality of operating cycles occurring earlier in time than said respective operating cycle.

19. A system for satisfying an air conditioning load demand in a conditioned space as recited in claim 16 wherein said predetermined power level is one hundred per cent of power level capability of said air conditioning system.

20. A system for satisfying an air conditioning load demand in a conditioned space as recited in claim 16 wherein said first power level in a respective said operating cycle of said plurality of operating cycles is related to at least one preceding operating cycle of said plurality of operating cycles occurring earlier in time than said respective operating cycle.