REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A ROOM AIR CONDITIONER AND/OR HEAT PUMP
First Claim
1. An electronic control system for communicating with an end user of a room air conditioner and/or heat pump having a compressor, an accumulator, refrigerant/heating fluid, outdoor coil, indoor coil, switching valve, cooling/heating capillary tube, a fan and a blower;
- said electronic control system comprising;
sensor inputs for determining (a) pressure of said refrigerant/heating fluid, (b) temperature of indoor air, (c) temperature of outdoor air, (d) temperature of said outdoor coil, (e) temperature of said indoor coil (f) temperature of air on discharge side of said indoor coil and (g) humidity of indoor air;
outputs for controlling (a) said compressor, (b) said reversing valve, (c) said fan and (d) said blower;
between said sensor inputs and said outputs being located a main control and a user interface connected thereto, said main control including a microcontroller and said user interface including a microcomputer; and
a remote communication with said microcontroller of said main control for communicating information, said information exchanging data with said microcontroller which may control operation of (a) said compressor, (b) said reversing valve, (c) said fan, and (d) said blower.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A universal control system is provided for a room air conditioner or heat pump that has a number of sensor inputs. An electronic control system with a microcontroller and microcomputer are used to provide a large number of operations that can be performed by (1) manufacturer, (2) end users and (3) maintenance personnel. The manufacturer can load different versions of a software program to match the unit. The end user can program in a large number of different conditions or schedules the end user finds desirable, plus the end user is advised of maintenance requirements or faults. The maintenance personnel may perform diagnostics, determine fault history, upload improved or replacement software, as well as the numerous maintenance functions normally performed by maintenance personnel. Remote control is provided for changing operating conditions of the air conditioner/heat pump.
43 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An electronic control system for communicating with an end user of a room air conditioner and/or heat pump having a compressor, an accumulator, refrigerant/heating fluid, outdoor coil, indoor coil, switching valve, cooling/heating capillary tube, a fan and a blower;
- said electronic control system comprising;
sensor inputs for determining (a) pressure of said refrigerant/heating fluid, (b) temperature of indoor air, (c) temperature of outdoor air, (d) temperature of said outdoor coil, (e) temperature of said indoor coil (f) temperature of air on discharge side of said indoor coil and (g) humidity of indoor air; outputs for controlling (a) said compressor, (b) said reversing valve, (c) said fan and (d) said blower; between said sensor inputs and said outputs being located a main control and a user interface connected thereto, said main control including a microcontroller and said user interface including a microcomputer; and a remote communication with said microcontroller of said main control for communicating information, said information exchanging data with said microcontroller which may control operation of (a) said compressor, (b) said reversing valve, (c) said fan, and (d) said blower. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- said electronic control system comprising;
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11. A method of operating an HVAC system by an end user for room temperature control, said method including the following steps:
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sensing various conditions including (a) pressure of a refrigerant/heating fluid, (b) temperature of indoor air, (c) temperature of outdoor air, (d) temperature of an outdoor coil, (e) temperature of an indoor coil, (f) temperature of air on a discharge side of said indoor coil and (g) humidity of said indoor air or outdoor air; continuously providing sensor information from said sensing step into a microcontroller; processing said sensor information in said microcontroller send outputs for controlling (a) a compressor, (b) a reversing valve, (c) speed of a blower, (d) speed of a fan, and (e) a heater; communicating with said end user conditions of said HVAC system via a user interface; accepting changes in operating parameters from said end user via said user interface; periodically checking remote inputs for remote commands to said microcontroller; implementing said remote commands unless overridden by said end users; and said changes internally operating said microcontroller with (a) said sensor information;
(b) via said user interface; and
9c) said remote commands. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification