Vacuum And Freeze-Up HVAC Sensor

• US 20110088416A1
• Filed: 10/18/2010
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Corered
• Original Assignee: Corered LLC
• Inventors: Koethler, Cornelius Z.
• Application Number:
  US12/906,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20110088416A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/80
• 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 11/32 Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/40 Pressure, e.g. wind pressure

Abstract

An apparatus for monitoring an HVAC system. The apparatus comprises a freeze-up sensor, a vacuum sensor, and a thermostat. The freeze-up sensor communicates a signal to indicate that ice is developing in the HVAC system and the vacuum sensor communicates a signal to indicate that a vacuum pressure exists in the HVAC system. When a signal is detected, the apparatus deactivates the HVAC system to prevent damage. The thermostat comprises a touch-screen display with a continuous set-point.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring a HVAC system, the HVAC system comprising a thermostat, a condensing unit, a compressor, an evaporator coil, and a filter, the apparatus comprising:

a freeze-up sensor located proximate the evaporator coil such that when the sensor detects a threshold temperature the sensor transmits a freeze-up signal;

a receiver for receiving the freeze-up signal;

a switch operatively connected to the HVAC system and the receiver to disable the compressor and condensing unit after the freeze-up signal is received by the receiver;

an indicator located proximate the thermostat indicating receipt of the freeze-up signal by the receiver.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a vacuum sensor located proximate the filter to detect a threshold vacuum pressure and transmit a vacuum signal to the receiver upon detection of a vacuum pressure at or exceeding the threshold vacuum pressure.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a screen located proximate the thermostat comprising:

a touch screen display;

the indicator; and

a continuous setpoint graph located at and adjustable on the touch screen display for creating a continuous temperature setpoint.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the threshold temperature is less than 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the freeze-up sensor is adapted to detect condensation proximate the evaporator coil.

6. An apparatus for monitoring a HVAC system, the HVAC system comprising a thermostat, a condensing unit, a compressor, an evaporator coil, and a filter, the apparatus comprising:

a freeze-up sensor located proximate the evaporator coil such that when the sensor detects a threshold temperature and condensation proximate the evaporator coil the freeze-up sensor transmits a freeze-up signal;

a vacuum sensor located proximate the filter to transmit a vacuum signal upon detection of a vacuum pressure at or exceeding a threshold vacuum pressure;

a receiver for receiving the freeze-up signal and the vacuum signal;

a switch to disable the compressor and condensing unit after the receiver receives the freeze-up signal or the vacuum signal; and

an indicator located proximate the thermostat indicating the switch has disabled the compressor and condensing unit.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the receiver is proximate the thermostat.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the receiver comprises a sensor monitor.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the indicator indicates whether the freeze-up signal or the vacuum signal occurred first.

10. A method for monitoring an HVAC system, the HVAC system comprising a thermostat, a condensing unit, a compressor, an evaporator coil, and a filter, the method comprising:

detecting a threshold temperature and condensation proximate the evaporator coil;

transmitting a freeze-up signal after detection of the threshold temperature and condensation proximate the evaporator coil;

receiving the freeze-up signal at a receiver;

transmitting a shut-down signal to the compressor and condensing unit upon receipt of the freeze-up signal at the receiver;

ceasing operation of the compressor and condensing unit after receiving the freeze-up signal; and

resuming operation of the compressor and condensing unit when the freeze-up signal is no longer received by the receiver.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising transmitting a vacuum signal when the vacuum sensor indicates a vacuum pressure at or exceeding a threshold vacuum pressure proximate the filter.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising adjusting the threshold vacuum pressure at which the vacuum-sensor transmits a vacuum signal.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising detecting which of the vacuum signal and the freeze-up signal was transmitted first.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising replacing the filter if the vacuum signal was transmitted prior to the freeze-up signal.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising setting a continuous temperature setpoint at the thermostat.

16. A thermostat for use with an HVAC system comprising a filter, the thermostat comprising:

a touch screen display;

a freeze-up indicator located on the touch screen display and operatively connected to a freeze-up sensor;

a vacuum indicator located on the touch screen display and operatively connected to a vacuum sensor;

wherein the freeze-up indicator indicates the HVAC system is not operating due to a low temperature and condensation in the HVAC system and the vacuum sensor indicates the HVAC system is not operating due to a vacuum pressure at or exceeding a threshold pressure in the HVAC system; and

a continuous setpoint graph located at and adjustable on the touch screen display for creating a continuous temperature setpoint.