ECONOMIZER CONTROLLER PLUG AND PLAY SYSTEM RECOGNITION WITH AUTOMATIC USER INTERFACE POPULATION

• US 20120079425A1
• Filed: 09/24/2010
• Published: 03/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Grabinger, Cory, Mikulica, Miroslav, Kreft, Todd, Thomle, Adrienne
• Granted Patent: US 8,719,720 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/810
• 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: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/54 Free-cooling systems

Abstract

An economizer controller system having a plug and play recognition approach with an automatic user interface population mechanism. A check may be made for sensors connected to the controller. The control type of the sensors may be determined. The menu structure may be repopulated based on the control type. The user interface may then be updated. This approach may be repeated as needed.

Claims

1. An economizer controller system recognition method comprising:

checking for connected sensors to an economizer controller of an economizer controller system;

determining a control type of the connected sensors;

repopulating a menu structure based on the control type;

updating a user interface of the economizer controller system; and

repeating the method as desired or needed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the repopulating the menu structure is automatic.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the economizer controller system comprises a configuration; and

the configuration comprises one or more combinations of sensing.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the one or more combinations of sensing comprise:

mixed air temperature sensing;

outdoor air temperature sensing;

return air sensing;

outdoor air humidity sensing;

return air humidity sensing;

discharge air temperature sensing; and

/or

discharge air humidity sensing.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the economizer controller system comprises one or more control types; and

the one or more control types comprise;

single ended drybulb control;

differential drybulb control;

single ended enthalpy control; and

/or

differential enthalpy control.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the economizer controller system comprises:

a configuration; and

a control type; and

wherein the configuration and control type comprise;

a specific user interface population; and

setup requirements.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the economizer controller system periodically performs the checking for connected sensors, determining the control type of the connected sensors, and repopulating the user interface menu structure based on the control type.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the economizer controller system comprises an automatic system configuration determination routine in firmware of an economizer controller of the system.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein a control type of a sensor comprises:

status of the system;

setpoints;

system setup;

advanced settings; and

/or

checkout of dampers and ducts.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the economizer controller system comprises:

an economizer controller;

a rooftop economizer unit connected to the economizer controller; and

a thermostat connected to the economizer controller and the rooftop economizer unit.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the economizer controller system further comprises an economizer damper actuator connected to the economizer controller.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the system further comprises:

an outdoor air temperature sensor connected to the economizer controller;

a mixed air temperature sensor connected to the economizer controller;

an outdoor humidity sensor connected to the economizer controller;

a discharge air temperature sensor connected to the economizer controller;

a return air temperature sensor connected to the economizer controller;

a discharge air humidity sensor connected to the economizer controller;

a return air humidity sensor connected to the economizer controller; and

/or

a CO2 sensor connected to the economizer controller.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the system further comprises a communicating demand control actuator connected to the economizer controller.

14. A system having a recognition system with a user interface populating, comprising:

an economizer controller;

a user interface connected to the economizer controller;

a sensor checker for detecting sensors connected to the economizer controller;

a type indicator for indicating a control type of the sensors; and

a mechanism for populating and/or repopulating a menu structure of the user interface.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein repopulating the menu structure is automatic.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the sensor checker, type indicator and/or the mechanism for populating and/or repopulating enables a plug and play aspect of the economizer controller.

17. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a thermostat connected to the economizer controller; and

an economizer rooftop unit connected to the mechanism for populating and/or repopulating and the thermostat.

18. A method for updating a user interface of an economizer system, comprising:

providing an economizer controller having a user interface;

providing a menu structure for the user interface;

detecting sensors connected to the economizer controller;

identifying a control type of the sensors connected to the economizer controller; and

populating and/or repopulating the menu structure based on control type.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein populating and/or repopulating the menu structure is automatic.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the economizer controller comprises plug and play recognition.