INTELLIGENT CIRCULATION CONTROL METHODS AND SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. A method of operating an HVAC system of a building, wherein the HVAC system includes a fan that is operated with fan “
- on”
time periods separated by fan “
off”
time periods, the method comprising;
obtaining a desired circulation level for the building;
operating the fan with fan “
on”
time periods separated by fan “
off”
time periods, wherein the lengths of the fan “
on”
time periods and/or fan “
off”
time periods are set to achieve or substantially achieve the desired circulation level in the building; and
adjusting the length of one or more of the fan “
on”
time periods and/or one or more of the fan “
off”
time periods by an amount that is based on a random or pseudo random number, while still achieving or substantially achieving the desired circulation level in the building.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Adaptive intelligent circulation control methods and systems are used to help increase the comfort and/or reduce energy usage and equipment wear. In one illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time is adjusted based on one or more environmental conditions inside or outside the building structure. In another illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time may be adjusted based on the current time of day, current time of year, and/or the current schedule period. In another illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time is randomized over time. The start time, end time, and/or length of a circulation and/or ventilation cycle may be randomly set.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of operating an HVAC system of a building, wherein the HVAC system includes a fan that is operated with fan “
- on”
time periods separated by fan “
off”
time periods, the method comprising;obtaining a desired circulation level for the building; operating the fan with fan “
on”
time periods separated by fan “
off”
time periods, wherein the lengths of the fan “
on”
time periods and/or fan “
off”
time periods are set to achieve or substantially achieve the desired circulation level in the building; andadjusting the length of one or more of the fan “
on”
time periods and/or one or more of the fan “
off”
time periods by an amount that is based on a random or pseudo random number, while still achieving or substantially achieving the desired circulation level in the building. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- on”
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8. A method of operating an HVAC system of a building, wherein the HVAC system includes a fan, the method comprising:
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receiving a circulation duty cycle; obtaining a random or pseudo random circulation duty cycle adjustment; applying the random or pseudo random circulation duty cycle adjustment to the circulation duty cycle, resulting in an adjusted circulation duty cycle; and operating the fan in accordance with the adjusted circulation duty cycle. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system of a building, wherein the HVAC system includes a fan that is operated with fan “
- on”
time periods separated by fan “
off”
time periods, the thermostat comprising;an output block for providing control signals, including one or more fan control signal, to an HVAC system; a memory for storing a desired circulation level; a controller, coupled to the memory and the output block, the controller configured to; provide one or more fan control signal via the output block to operate the fan with fan “
on”
time periods separated by fan “
off”
time periods, wherein the lengths of the fan “
on”
time periods and/or fan “
off”
time periods are set to achieve or substantially achieve the desired circulation level in the building; andadjust the length, start time and/or end time of one or more of the fan “
on”
time periods and/or one or more of the fan “
off”
time periods by an amount that is based on a random or pseudo random number, while still achieving or substantially achieving the desired circulation level in the building. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
- on”
Specification