HVAC System Controller Configuration

• US 20100076605A1
• Filed: 09/19/2008
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Harrod, Greg R., Bentz, Jedidiah O., Ostrye, Nathan T., Rigg, Brian D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,078,326 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/276
• 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 11/41 Defrosting; Preventing freezing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/67 Switching between heating and cooling modes
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/74 for controlling air flow rate or air velocity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/84 using valves
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/86 by controlling compressors within refrigeration or heat pump circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

Control devices for configuring heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and cooling (HVAC) systems are provided. The control devices are designed to detect operational parameters of units within HVAC systems and present system configurations consistent with the detected parameters. In response to user selection of a system configuration, the control device may apply the system configuration to the HVAC system and may reconfigure settings of control circuits within system units. The system configurations presented by the control device may correspond to wiring diagrams that are familiar to service technicians. Methods of configuring HVAC systems with the control devices are also provided.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system, the system including at least one HVAC unit communicatively coupled to a control device for the exchange of control signals, the HVAC unit including a control circuit, the method comprising:

receiving a user input of a system operational configuration identification based upon a wired system arrangement; and

digitally configuring at least one of the control circuit or configuration code of a processor of the control device based upon the received input to emulate the wired system arrangement.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

transmitting digital signals to the control circuit to detect components communicatively coupled to the control circuit; and

presenting to a user a plurality of system operational configurations consistent with the detected components.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the components include at least one of a motor, an electronic expansion valve, a reversing valve, and a compressor.

4. The method of claim 2, comprising determining whether the input system operational configuration identification is consistent with the detected components.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising:

storing the input system operational configuration identification within a memory of the control device; and

transmitting the input system operational configuration identification to the HVAC unit for storage within the HVAC unit.

6. The method of claim 5, comprising:

retrieving the input system operational configuration identification from the HVAC unit; and

configuring a replacement control device based upon the retrieved input system operational configuration identification.

7. The method of claim 5, comprising:

retrieving the input system operational configuration identification from the control device; and

configuration a replacement HVAC unit based upon the retrieved input system operational configuration identification.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising displaying a summary describing the functionality represented by the wired system arrangement.

9. A control device for a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system, the system including one or more indoor units and one or more outdoor units coupled to one another to implement a refrigeration cycle and to the control device for the exchange of control signals, each of the indoor and outdoor units including a respective control circuit, the control device comprising:

a processor; and

configuration code implemented by the processor for discovering operational configurations of the control circuits of the indoor and outdoor units.

10. The control device of claim 9, comprising a user interface for presenting to a user a plurality of system operational configurations consistent with the discovered operational configurations of the indoor and outdoor unit control circuits.

11. The control device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of system operational configurations comprise system identifiers defining wired system arrangements and the system operational configurations emulate the functionality of the wired system arrangements.

12. The control device of claim 10, wherein the system operational configurations include at least one of a heat pump providing two stages of cooling and three stages of heating, or an air conditioner providing modulating cooling and a furnace providing modulating heating.

13. The control device of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to receive a user selection from the plurality of system operational configurations and to implement the selected system operational configuration by reconfiguring at least one setting of at least one of the indoor unit control circuit, the outdoor unit control circuit or the configuration code of the processor.

14. The control device of claim 10, wherein the user interface presents a default system operational configuration and at least one alternative configuration.

15. The control device of claim 9, wherein the processor and configuration code implemented by the processor are further configured to receive a user input of a system operational configuration and to determine whether the received system operational configuration is consistent with the discovered operational configurations of the indoor and outdoor unit control circuits.

16. The control device of claim 9, comprising a user interface for receiving user desired configuration settings.

17. The control device of claim 16, wherein the user interface includes a touch screen.

18. The control device of claim 16, wherein the user interface includes a port for receiving a solid state memory circuit.

19. The control device of claim 16, wherein the user interface includes a wireless link.

20. A method for configuring an a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system, the system including an indoor unit and an outdoor unit coupled to one another to implement a refrigeration cycle and to a control device for the exchange of control signals, each of the indoor and outdoor units including a respective control circuit, the method comprising:

receiving a user input of a system operational configuration identification based upon a wired system arrangement; and

digitally configuring at least one of the indoor unit control circuit, the outdoor unit control circuit or configuration code of a processor of the control device based upon the received input to emulate the wired system arrangement.

21. The method of claim 20, comprising detecting parameters for at least one of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit and comparing the parameters to the system operational configuration identification to validate the system operation configuration identification.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the parameters specify the equipment connected to at least one of the outdoor unit control circuit or the indoor unit control circuit.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the parameters include jumper settings for at least one of the indoor unit control circuit or the outdoor unit control circuit.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the parameters identify the contactors connected to at least one of the outdoor unit control circuit or the indoor unit control circuit.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the detecting parameters comprises transmitting a communication packet to at least one of the control circuit of the indoor unit or the control circuit of the outdoor unit to determine whether the control circuit emulates the wired system arrangement.