HVAC control

• US 20110264279A1
• Filed: 04/25/2011
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert J. Poth
• Original Assignee: Robert J. Poth
• Inventors: Poth, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US13/066,784
• Publication Number:
  US 20110264279A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/278
• 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 11/49 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 11/64 using pre-stored data

Abstract

A method of monitoring HVAC usage includes: maintaining a data structure in an on board memory of a programmable usage monitoring HVAC thermostat; receiving an initiation signal from a relay; receiving a termination signal from the relay; and updating the data structure by adding a duration in units of time to an accumulated time associated with the relay to keep a log of the elapsed time a function associated with the relay was operative. A programmable usage monitoring HVAC thermostat comprising, a user interface; a microprocessor coupled to the user interface; and a firmware upgradeable memory coupled to the microprocessor.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring HVAC usage, comprising:

maintaining a data structure in an on board memory of a programmable usage monitoring HVAC thermostat;

receiving an initiation signal from a relay;

receiving a termination signal from the relay; and

updating the data structure by adding a duration in units of time to an accumulated time associated with the relay to keep a log of the elapsed time a function associated with the relay was operative.

2. The method of monitoring HVAC usage of claim 1, wherein the accumulated time associated with the relay is recorded each initiation-termination cycle.

3. The method monitoring HVAC usage of claim 1, wherein the accumulated time associated with the relay is recorded each day.

4. The method of monitoring HVAC usage of claim 1, wherein the accumulated time associated with the relay is recorded each week.

5. A machine readable medium, comprising a program for performing the method of claim 1.

6. A method of servicing an HVAC system, comprising:

setting a programmable usage monitoring HVAC thermostat into a service state; and

setting a mode of the programmable usage monitoring HVAC thermostat to run in a cooling stage 1, a cooling stage 2, a heating stage 1 or a heating stage 2 to verify that the mode is operating properly

7. The method of servicing an HVAC system of claim 6, further comprising repeating setting the mode automatically.

8. The method of servicing an HVAC system of claim 7, further comprising repeating setting the mode automatically until all available modes are polled as verified.

9. A programmable usage monitoring HVAC thermostat, comprising:

a user interface;

a microprocessor coupled to the user interface; and

a firmware upgradeable memory coupled to the microprocessor.

10. The programmable usage monitoring HVAC thermostat of claim 9, wherein the firmware upgradeable memory includes an erasable programmable read only memory.

11. The programmable usage monitoring HVAC thermostat of claim 9, wherein the firmware upgradeable memory includes two sectors, wherein 1) a first sector is mirrored by a second sector during operation in a first mode, 2) the first sector can be upgraded while the second sector is not upgraded during operation in a second mode, 3) the first sector can be operationally connected to the microprocessor in a third mode and 4) the second sector can be operationally connected to the microprocessor in a fourth mode, and wherein the firmware upgradeable memory can be reversibly switched from a first member selected from the group consisting of the first mode, the second mode, the third mode and the fourth mode to a second member selected from the group consisting of the first mode, the second mode, the third mode and the fourth mode, thereby providing a firmware upgradeable memory with hot swappable sectors and a firmware reversion capability.

12. A method of operating an HVAC system, comprising:

enabling an open interlock function of a programmable usage monitoring HVAC thermostat;

detecting that an interlock is open;

measuring a period of time during which the interlock remains open; and

when the period of time exceeds a preset threshold, displaying an open notice.

13. The method of operating an HVAC system of claim 12, further comprising, when one or more of the period of time exceeds a preset threshold, forcing the HVAC system to an OFF state until the interlock is closed.

14. The method of operating an HVAC system of claim 12, wherein detecting includes sensing that a door is open.

15. A method of operating an HVAC system, comprising:

enabling an overload function of a programmable usage monitoring HVAC thermostat;

measuring a period of time during which the programmable usage monitoring HVAC thermostat is calling for cooling or heating; and

when the period of time exceeds a preset threshold, displaying an overload notice.

16. The method of operating an HVAC system of claim 15, further comprising, when the period of time exceeds the preset threshold, forcing the HVAC system to an OFF state.

17. A system, comprising:

a programmable usage monitoring HVAC thermostat including

a user interface,

a microprocessor coupled to the user interface and

a memory coupled to the microprocessor; and

a temperature sensor coupled to the programmable usage monitoring HVAC thermostat, the temperature sensor located in an HVAC duct.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising i) an internal temperature sensor located in the programmable usage monitoring HVAC thermostat and a remote sensor not located in the HVAC duct.

19. A method of operating an HVAC system, comprising:

monitoring periodically a plurality of relays coupled to a programmable usage monitoring HVAC thermostat; and

when one or more of the plurality of relays is found to be in a non-conforming state, displaying a malfunction notice.

20. The method of operating an HVAC system of claim 19, further comprising, when one or more of the plurality of relays is found to be in a nonconforming state, forcing the HVAC system to an OFF state.