Systems and Methods For Controlling Multiple HVAC Systems

• US 20120253521A1
• Filed: 03/31/2011
• Published: 10/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trane International Inc. (Trane Technologies plc)
• Original Assignee: Trane International Inc. (Trane Technologies plc)
• Inventors: Storm, Timothy Wayne, Taylor, John Tanner
• Granted Patent: US 9,494,952 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/276
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

An HVAC control system has a first system controller associated with a first HVAC system and configured to control the first HVAC system and a second system controller associated with a HVAC system and configured to control the second HVAC system wherein the first system controller is selectively operable to control the second HVAC system. A method of controlling multiple HVAC systems includes providing a first HVAC system comprising a required first system controller, providing a second HVAC system comprising a required second system controller, and enabling wireless communication between the first system controller and the second system controller.

Claims

1. An HVAC control system, comprising:

a first system controller associated with a first HVAC system and configured to control the first HVAC system; and

a second system controller associated with a HVAC system and configured to control the second HVAC system;

wherein the first system controller is selectively operable to control the second HVAC system.

2. The HVAC control system of claim 1, wherein the first system controller is a necessary component of the first HVAC system.

3. The HVAC control system of claim 1, wherein the second system controller is a necessary component of the second HVAC system.

4. The HVAC control system of claim 1, wherein the first system controller is a necessary component of the first HVAC system and wherein the second system controller is a necessary component of the second HVAC system.

5. The HVAC control system of claim 1, wherein the first system controller is connected to the first HVAC system via a first wired communication connection, wherein the second system controller is connected to the second HVAC system via a second wired communication connection, and wherein the first wired communication connection is a separate communication bus from the second wired communication connection.

6. The HVAC control system of claim 1, wherein the first system controller and the second system controller selectively communicate with each other via a wireless connection.

7. The HVAC control system of claim 1, wherein the first system controller and the second system controller selectively communicate with each other via a wireless communication router.

8. The HVAC control system of claim 1, wherein the first system controller is selectively configurable to at least one of control an operation parameter of the second HVAC system and monitor the second HVAC system.

9. A method of controlling multiple HVAC systems, comprising:

providing a first HVAC system comprising a required first system controller;

providing a second HVAC system comprising a required second system controller; and

enabling wireless communication between the first system controller and the second system controller.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

routing the wireless communication between the first system controller and the second system controller through a wireless communication router.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

operating the first system controller to view a temperature set point of the second HVAC system.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

operating the first system controller to alter a temperature set point of the second HVAC system.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless communication comprises communication in accordance with an IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

performing wireless communication between the first system controller and a first zone thermostat using a wireless communication protocol other than an IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol.

15. An HVAC system, comprising:

a first air conditioning system comprising a first wired system controller configured to control the first air conditioning system via a first wired communication bus; and

a second air conditioning system comprising a second wired system controller configured to control the second air conditioning system via a second wired communication bus;

wherein each of the first wired system controller and the second wired system controller are configured for selective wireless communication with each other using an IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol.

16. The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein the selective wireless communication comprises routing wireless communication through a wireless communication router.

17. The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein the selective wireless communication comprises an exchange of information related to a control parameter of at least one of the first air conditioning system and the second air conditioning system.

18. The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein the first wired system controller is configured to selectively control the second air conditioning system as if the second wired system controller were being used to control the second air conditioning system.

19. The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein during wireless communication between the first wired system controller and the second wired system controller, each of the first wired system controller and the second wired system controller may selectively unilaterally discontinue the wireless communication.

20. The HVAC system of claim 15, wherein the first wired system controller is configured to allow the first wired system controller to at least one of control and monitor selected zones of the second air conditioning system.