COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A DISTRIBUTED-ARCHITECTURE HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING NETWORK

• US 20100106327A1
• Filed: 10/21/2009
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lennox Industries Incorporated (Lennox International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Grohman, Wojciech, Filbeck, Amanda
• Granted Patent: US 8,977,794 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 11/38 Failure diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/49 ensuring correct operation, e.g. by trial operation or configuration checks
• 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 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/74 for controlling air flow rate or air velocity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/86 by controlling compressors within refrigeration or heat pump circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier

Abstract

The disclosure provides an HVAC data processing and communication network and a method of manufacturing the same. In an embodiment, the network includes a first subnet controller and a system device. The first subnet controller is coupled to a data bus and configured to arbitrate with a second subnet controller for control of the subnet. The system device is configured to transition from a reset state to a first state that includes pre-startup tasks, and transition from the first state to a second state that includes waiting for the subnet controller to provide configuration parameters to the system device.

Claims

1. An HVAC data processing and communication network, comprising:

a first subnet controller coupled to a data bus of an HVAC data processing and communication network subnet and configured to arbitrate with a second subnet controller for control of said subnet; and

a system device configured to transition from a reset state to a first state that includes pre-startup tasks, and transition from said first state to a second state that includes waiting for said subnet controller to provide configuration parameters to said system device.

2. The network as recited in claim 1, wherein said system device is configured to transition from said first state to a hard disable state in the event that said system device receives a hard disable message via said data bus.

3. The network as recited in claim 2, wherein said system device is configured to transition from said hard disable state only to said reset state in response to receiving a message from a user interface via said data bus.

4. The network as recited in claim 1, wherein said pre-startup tasks include waiting in a listen-only mode for a predetermined period before publishing a device startup message to said data bus.

5. The network as recited in claim 4, wherein said system device is a first system device, and said pre-startup tasks include monitoring said data bus for a message indicating a second system device failed to properly receive said device startup message.

6. The network as recited in claim 5, wherein said first system device is configured to resend said device startup message after a delay based on a device designator in the event that said second system device failed to properly receive said device startup message.

7. The network as recited in claim 5, wherein said first system device is configured to republish said device startup message in the event that said first system device receives said message indicating said second system device failed to properly receive said device startup message.

8-10. -10. (canceled)

11. A method of manufacturing an HVAC data processing and communication network, comprising:

coupling a first subnet controller to a data bus of an HVAC data processing and communication network subnet and configuring said first subnet controller to arbitrate with a second subnet controller for control of said subnet; and

configuring a system device to transition from a reset state to a first state that includes pre-startup tasks, and transition from said first state to a second state that includes waiting for said subnet controller to provide configuration parameters to said system device.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising configuring said system device to transition from said first state to a hard disable state in the event that said system device receives a hard disable message via said data bus.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising configuring said system device to transition from said hard disable state only to said reset state in response to receiving a message from a user interface via said data bus.

14. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein said pre-startup tasks include waiting in a listen-only mode for a predetermined period before publishing a device startup message to said data bus.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein said system device is a first system device, and said pre-startup tasks include monitoring said data bus for a message indicating a second system device failed to properly receive said device startup message.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising configuring said first system device to resend said device startup message after a delay based on a device designator in the event that said second system device failed to properly receive said device startup message.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising configuring said first system device to republish said device startup message in the event that said first system device receives said message indicating said second system device failed to properly receive said device startup message.

18-20. -20. (canceled)

21. An HVAC data processing and communication network system device, comprising:

a physical layer interface adapted to couple to a data bus of an HVAC data processing and communication network subnet; and

a local controller configured to transition from a reset state to a first state that includes pre-startup tasks, and transition from said first state to a second state that includes waiting for a message sent via said data bus that provides configuration parameters to said system device.

22. The system device as recited in claim 21, wherein said local controller is configured to transition from said first state to a hard disable state in the event that said local controller receives a hard disable message via said data bus.

23. The system device as recited in claim 21, wherein said pre-startup tasks include waiting in a listen-only mode for a predetermined period before publishing a device startup message to said data bus.

24. The system device as recited in claim 21, wherein said local controller is configured to transition to a soft disabled state in response to a first message received via said data bus.

25. The system device as recited in claim 24, wherein said local controller is configured to transition from said soft disable state to said first state in response to receiving a second different message via said data bus.

26. The system device as recited in claim 21, wherein said local controller is configured to enter said reset state upon the receipt of a first reset message within a predetermined period after receiving a second reset message.