Thermostat control system

• US 4,843,084 A
• Filed: 02/12/1987
• Issued: 06/27/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Parker Electronics Inc.
• Inventors: Parker, Jeffrey L., Parker, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Lall, Parshotam S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ellis B.
• Application Number:
  US07/013,869
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 165/14, 165/16, 165/22, 165/26, 165/27, 236/49, 236/1 C, 236/1 B, 364/505, 364/506, 364/557, 364/550, 364/551, 364/571, 364/143-145
• US Class Current: 700/277
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means

Abstract

A microcomputer-controlled thermostat for use in monitoring and controlling a single zone HVAC system which provides conditioned air to one or more zones. The thermostat can be programmed and used either as a monitor thermostat to control the HVAC unit alone and/or to control the HVAC unit and its damper in a multiple zone mode. The thermostat is also programmed as a slave thermostat in a master-slave relationship with a monitor thermostat. The microcomputer memory is supplemented with additional ROM containing control algorithms for use in system operation. Logic circuitry is used to recognize commands as being for operation of the HVAC unit, the operation of the damper, or selection of which systems sensors are to be enabled. A real time clock circuit in the monitor thermostat is used to supply data for time-based system operation.

Claims

1. In a system for monitoring and controlling the condition of air in a plurality of zones within predetermined operating limits using a single zone HVAC unit, operated by a first control means, in which conditioned air passes into a plurality of zones via a plurality of dampers, each operated by a control means, in a plurality of ducts communicating with respective zones, a thermostat means for operating said first control means and said control means for one said damper in one said zone, said thermostat means comprising:

first circuit means responsive to input signals for establishing operating limits for said one zone and providing a first digital word output signal representative of said operating limits;

second circuit means responsive to input signals indicative of the actual condition of air in said one zone for providing a second digital word output signal representative of the actual condition of air therein;

third circuit means adapted to be coupled to a peripheral circuit means for receiving data from a peripheral circuit means and for providing a third digital word output signal representative of the information contained in such data;

fourth circuit means responsive to output signals from said first, second, and third circuit means for providing fourth digital word output signals for operating said control means of said one damper and said first control means;

programmable logic means for providing digital word input signals to said fourth circuit means for selectively controlling said fourth circuit means; and

logic means for selectively operating said one damper control means and said first control means in response to respective said fourth digital word input signals from said fourth circuit means.

2. In the system as defined in claim 1, wherein said thermostat means includes means for providing information to peripheral circuit means, the information including any digital word signal associated with said first, second, and third circuit means and said programmable logic means.

3. In the system defined in claim 1 wherein said thermostat means further comprises a first sensor located in said one zone for providing an output signal representative of the actual temperature of said one zone, said second circuit means including means responsive to said output signal from said first sensor for providing a second digital word output signal representative of the actual temperature in said one zone.

4. In the system defined in claim 3 wherein said first circuit means includes means responsive to input signals for establishing the desired temperature in said one zone and providing a first digital word output signal representative of the desired temperature therein.

5. In a system defined in claim 4 wherein said fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means for comparing a digital word representative of the actual temperature of said one zone and a digital word representative of desired temperature in said one zone for determining the demand for heating or cooling or no demand in said one zone.

6. In the system defined in claim 5 wherein said thermostat means further comprises a second sensor located in the duct for determining the temperature therein and providing an output signal representative of the temperature in the duct, said second circuit means responsive to said output signal from said second sensor and providing a digital word output signal representative of the duct temperature.

7. In the system defined in claim 6 wherein said second sensor is located on an ingress side of said one damper in one of said ducts.

8. In a system defined in claim 7 wherein said fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means for comparing a digital word representative of zone temperature in said one zone and a digital word representative of duct temperature for determining the desired mode of operation of said one damper.

9. In a system defined in claim 8 wherein said fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means for determining the desired mode of operation of an HVAC unit in response to the demand for heating or cooling or no demand in said one zone.

10. In the system defined in claim 9 wherein said programmable logic means includes a first program means such that when duct temperature in said one duct is greater than zone temperature a digital word output signal is provided from said fourth circuit means to said logic means for operating said one damper in the heating mode and for operating said one damper in the cooling mode when the temperature in said one duct is less than zone temperature when the HVAC unit is deactivated.

11. In the system defined in claim 10 wherein said programmable logic means includes a second program means such that when sufficient demand for heating or cooling exists in said one zone said fourth circuit means provides a first output signal to said logic means for positioning said one damper in the heating or cooling mode respectively;

a second output signal for activating the HVAC unit in the heating or cooling mode respectively; and

, when sufficient demand for heating or cooling no longer exists in said one zone, a third output signal for deactivating the HVAC unit.

12. In the system defined in claim 11 wherein said programmable logic means includes a third program means such that when the HVAC unit is deactivated, said fourth circuit means provides digital word output signals to said logic means for operating said one damper in the heating or cooling or ventilation mode in response to a comparison of duct temperature of said one duct, and desired zone temperature and actual zone temperature of said one zone.

13. In the system as defined in claim 12 wherein said programmable logic means includes a fourth program means such that when duct temperature of said one duct is within predetermined limits established by said programmable logic means digital word signals are provided from said fourth circuit means to said logic means for operating said one damper in the ventilation mode when there is no demand for heating or cooling in said one zone or a demand different from that derived from a comparison between actual zone temperature and duct temperature in said one zone.

14. In the system as defined in claim 13 wherein said thermostat means includes means for providing information to peripheral circuit means, the information including any digital word signal associated with said first, second, and third circuit means and said programmable logic means.

15. In the system as defined in claim 14 wherein said thermostat means includes indicating means for providing data indicative of the information in any digital word signal associated with said first, second, and third circuit means and said programmable logic means.

16. In a system defined in claim 15 wherein said fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means for determining the desired mode of operation of an HVAC unit in response to data received by said third circuit means representative of the temperature of air in each said zone other than said one zone and in response to data indicative of the condition of air in said one zone.

17. In the system as defined in claim 16 wherein said thermostat control means provides data to peripheral circuits for controlling the condition of air in each other zone.

18. In the system as defined in claim 17, wherein said fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means in response to data received by said third circuit means indicative of the demand for heating or cooling or no demand from each other zone and in response to data indicative of the demand for heating or cooling or no demand in said one zone for providing output signals representative of the desired mode of operation of the HVAC unit when the number of zones having demand for heating or cooling equals or exceeds a predetermined number established by said first circuit means.

19. In the system as in claim 18 wherein said programmable logic means includes fifth program means such that when demand for heating or cooling exists in a number of zones equal to or exceeding the predetermined number established by said first circuit means, said fourth circuit means provides first output signals to the peripheral circuit means associated with said other zones indicative of the desired mode of the HVAC unit, a second signal to said logic means for operating the damper associated with said one zone in the heating or cooling mode, respectively, a third signal to said logic means for operating the HVAC unit in the heating or cooling mode, respectively;

and a fourth output signal to said logic means for deactivating the HVAC unit when sufficient demand for heating or cooling no longer exists.

20. In the system defined in claim 19 wherein said programmable logic means includes a sixth program means such that when the number of zones demanding heating or cooling equals or exceeds a predetermined number established by said first circuit means, the zone with the greatest demand is chosen as a reference zone and the HVAC unit is operated by said logic means in the heating or cooling mode, respectively, until said reference zone is substantially satisfied.

21. In the system defined in claim 20 wherein said programmable logic means includes a seventh program means such that when the number of zones demanding heating is equal to the number of zones demanding cooling, each said number being greater than a predetermined number established by said first circuit means the fourth circuit means provides a first output signal to said peripheral circuit means and to said logic means for operating all dampers in a mode coincident with the heating or cooling mode of the zone with the greatest demand, a second output signal to said logic means for activating the HVAC unit in a mode coincident with the demand for heating or cooling mode of the zone with the greatest demand, and a third output signal to said logic means for deactivating the HVAC unit when the demand for heating or cooling has been substantially satisfied in the zone with the greatest demand.

22. In the system defined in claim 21 wherein said programmable logic means includes an eighth program means such that when the HVAC unit has been activated in the heating or cooling mode duct temperature associated with one said zone and data indicative of duct temperature in each other said zones received by said third circuit means is compared with first predetermined limits established by said programmable logic means and said fourth circuit means provides an output signal to said logic means for increasing the heating or cooling supplied by the HVAC unit when duct temperature is not within the predetermined limits.

23. In the system defined in claim 22 wherein said programmable logic means includes a ninth program means such that when duct temperature in any zone exceeds a second predetermined limit established by said programmable logic means, the said logic means for deactivating the HVAC unit irrespective of the demand for heating or cooling in any zone.

24. In the system defined in claim 23 wherein said programmable logic means includes a tenth program means such that, when insufficient demands for heating of cooling for operation of an HVAC unit exists and the duct temperature associated with said one zone is not within the predetermined setpoints for the ventilation mode, said fourth circuit means provides an output signal to said logic means for operating said one damper associated with said one zone in the heating or cooling mode in response to a comparison of actual zone. temperature and duct temperature associated with said one zone

25. In the system as defined in claim 24 wherein said programmable logic means includes an eleventh program means such that, when the zone having the greatest demand has been chosen as a first reference zone during operation of the HVAC unit in the heating or cooling mode, another zone is chosen as the reference zone if said other zone develops a greater demand for heating or cooling respectively than said first reference zone and the HVAC unit is operated by said logic means in the heating or cooling mode respectively until said other zone is substantially satisfied.

26. In the system as defined in claim 1, wherein said operating limits established by said first circuit means includes the desired condition of the air in said one zone during a plurality of distinct time periods, said fourth circuit means responsive to signals including data indicative of the real time for operating said control means of said one damper and said first control means during a plurality of distinct time periods.

27. In the system as defined in claim 26, wherein said thermostat means includes means for providing information to peripheral circuit means, the information including any digital word signal associated with said first, second, third circuit means, said programmable logic means, and data indicative of the real time.

28. In the system as defined in claim 26 wherein said operating limits are temperature limits, said first circuit means including means responsive to input signals establishing the temperature desired in said one zone during a plurality of distinct time periods, for providing digital word output signals representative of the desired temperature therein during said time periods.

29. In the system defined in claim 28 wherein said thermostat means further comprises a first sensor located in said one zone for providing an output signal representative of the actual temperature of said one zone, said second circuit means including means responsive to said output signal from said first sensor for providing a second digital word output signal representative of the actual temperature in said one zone.

30. In a system defined in claim 29 wherein said fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means for comparing a digital word representative of the actual temperature of said one zone and a digital word representative of desired temperature in said one zone during a distinct time period for determining the demand for heating or cooling or no demand in said one zone during said time period.

31. In the system defined in claim 30 wherein said thermostat means further comprises a second sensor located on an ingress side of said one damper in the duct for determining the temperature therein and providing an output signal representative of the temperature in the duct, said second circuit means responsive to said output signal from said second sensor and providing a digital word output signal representative of the duct temperature.

32. In a system defined in claim 31 wherein said fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means for comparing a digital word representative of zone temperature in said one zone and a digital word representative of duct temperature for determining the desired mode of operation of said one damper during a distinct time period.

33. In a system defined in claim 32 wherein said fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means for determining the desired mode of operation of an HVAC unit in response to the demand for heating or cooling or no demand in said one zone during a distinct time period.

34. In the system defined in claim 33 wherein said programmable logic means includes a first program means such that when duct temperature in said one duct is greater than zone temperature a digital word output signal is provided from said fourth circuit means to said logic means for operating said one damper in the heating mode and for operating said one damper in the cooling mode when the temperature in said one duct is less than zone temperature when the HVAC unit is deactivated during a distinct time period.

35. In the sytem defined in claim 34 wherein said programmable logic means includes a second program means such that when sufficient demand for heating or cooling exists in said one zone during a distinct time period said fourth circuit means provides a first output signal to said logic means for positioning said one damper in the heating or cooling mode respectively;

a second output signal for activating the HVAC unit in the heating or cooling mode respectively; and

, when sufficient demand for heating or cooling no longer exists in said one zone, a third output signal for deactivating the HVAC unit.

36. In the system defined in claim 35 wherein said programmable logic means includes a third program means such that when the HVAC unit is deactivated, said fourth circuit means provides digital word output signals to said logic means for operating said one damper in the heating or cooling or ventilation mode in response to a comparison of duct temperature of said one duct desired zone temperature during a distinct time period and actual zone temperature of said one zone.

37. In the system as defined in claim 36 wherein said programmable logic means includes a fourth program means such that when duct temperature of said one duct is within predetermined limits established by said programmable logic means digital word signals are provided from said fourth circuit means to said logic means for operating said one damper in the ventilation mode when there is no demand for heating or cooling in said one zone or a demand different from that derived from a comparison between actual zone temperature and duct temperature in said one zone.

38. In the system as defined in claim 37 wherein said thermostat means includes indicating means for providing data indicative of the real time and the information in any digital word signal associated with said first, second, and third circuit means and said programmable logic means.

39. In a system as defined in claim 38 wherein said fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means for determining the desired mode of operation of an HVAC unit during a distinct time period in response to data received by said third circuit means representative of the temperature of air in each said zone other than said one zone and in response to data indicative of the condition of air in said one zone.

40. In the system as defined in claim 39 wherein said thermostat control means provides data to peripheral circuits for controlling the condition of air in each other zone including data indicative of real time.

41. In the system as defined in claim 40 wherein said fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means in response to data received by said third circuit means indicative of the demand for heating or cooling or no demand from each other zone and in response to data indicative of the demand for heating or cooling or no demand in said one zone for providing output signals representative of the desired mode of operation of the HVAC unit during a distinct time period when the number of zones having demand for heating or cooling equals or exceeds a predetermined number established by said first circuit means.

42. In the system as in claim 41 wherein said programmable logic means includes fifth program means such that when demand for heating or cooling exists during a distinct time period in a number of zones equal to or exceeding the predetermined number established by said first circuit means, said fourth circuit means provides first output signals to the peripheral circuit means associated with said other zones indicative of the desired mode of the HVAC unit, a second signal to said logic means for operating the damper associated with said one zone in the heating or cooling mode, respectively, a third signal to said logic means for operating the HVAC unit in the heating or cooling mode, respectively;

and a fourth output signal to said logic means for deactivating the HVAC unit when sufficient demand for heating or cooling no longer exists.

43. In the system defined in claim 42 wherein said programmable logic means includes a sixth program means such that when the number of zones demanding heating or cooling during a distinct time period equals or exceeds a predetermined number established by said first circuit means, the zone with the greatest demand is chosen as a reference zone and the HVAC unit is operated by said logic means in the heating or cooling mode, respectively, until said reference zone is substantially satisfied.

44. In the system defined in claim 43 wherein said programmable logic means includes a seventh program means such that when the number of zones demanding heating is equal to the number of zones demanding cooling during a distinct time period, each said number being greater than a predetermined number established by said first circuit means the fourth circuit means provides a first output signal to said peripheral circuit means and to said logic means for operating all dampers in a mode coincident with the heating or cooling mode of the zone with the greatest demand, a second output signal to said logic means for activating the HVAC unit in a mode coincident with the demand for heating or cooling mode of the zone with the greatest demand, and a third output signal to said logic means for deactivating the HVAC unit when the demand for heating or cooling has been substantially satisfied in the zone with the greatest demand.

45. In the system defined in claim 44 wherein said programmable logic means includes an eighth program means such that when the HVAC unit has been activated in the heating or cooling mode during a distinct time period duct temperature associated with one said zone and data indicative of duct temperature in each other said zones received by said third circuit means is compared with first predetermined limits established by said programmable logic means and said fourth circuit means provides an output signal to said logic means for increasing the heating or cooling supplied by the HVAC unit when duct temperature is not within the predetermined limits.

46. In the system defined in claim 45 wherein said programmable logic means includes a ninth program means such that when duct temperature in any zone exceeds a second predetermined limit established by said programmable logic means, the said fourth circuit means provides an output signal to said logic means for deactivating the HVAC unit irrespective of the demand for heating or cooling in any zone during any distinct time period.

47. In the system defined in claim 46 wherein said programmable logic means excludes a tenth program means such that, when insufficient demand for heating or cooling for operation of an HVAC unit exists during a distinct time period and the duct temperature associated with said one zone is not within the predetermined setpoints for the ventilation mode, said fourth circuit means provides an output signal to said logic means for operating said one damper associated with said one zone in the heating or cooling mode in response to a comparison of actual zone temperature and duct temperature assocated with said one zone.

48. In the system defined in claim 47 wherein said programmable logic means includes an eleventh program means such that, when the zone having the greatest demand has been chosen as a first reference zone during operation of the HVAC unit in the heating or cooling mode during a distinct time period, another zone is chosen as a second reference zone if said other zone develops a greater demand for heating or cooling respectively and the HVAC unit is operated by said logic means in the heating or cooling mode respectively until said second reference zone is substantially satisfied.

49. In a system for monitoring and controlling the condition of air in a zone within predetermined operating limits using a single zone HVAC unit, operated by a control means, in which conditioned air passes into the zone in a duct communicating with the zone, a thermostat means for operating said control means, said thermostat means comprising:

first circuit means responsive to input signals for establishing operating limits for the zone and providing a first digital word output signal representative of said operating limits, said first circuit means including means responsive to input signals for establishing the desired temperature in the zone and providing a first digital word output signal representative of the desired temperature therein;

second circuit means responsive to input signals indicative of the actual condition of air in said one zone for providing a second digital word output signal representative of the actual condition of air therein;

a first sensor located in the zone for providing an output signal representative of the actual temperature of the zone, said second circuit means including means responsive to said output signal from said first sensor for providing a second digital word output signal representative of the actual temperature in said one zone;

a second sensor located in the duct for determining the temperature therein and providing an output signal representative of the temperature in the duct, said second circuit means responsive to said output signal from said second sensor and providing a digital word output signal representative of the duct temperature;

third circuit means responsive to output signals from said first and second circuit means for providing third digital word output signals for operating said control means of the HVAC unit;

said third circuit means is selectively controllable and is operable and adapted for comparing a digital word representative of the actual temperature of the zone and digital word representative of desired temperature in the zone for determining the demand for heating or cooling or no demand in the zone;

programmable logic means for providing digital word input signals to said third circuit means for selectively controlling said third circuit means; and

logic means for selectively operating said control means in response to respective said third digital word input signals from said third circuit means.

50. In a system defined in claim 49 wherein said third circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means for determining the desired mode of operation of an HVAC unit in response to the demand for heating or cooling or no demand in the zone said third circuit means providing an output signal to said logic means for actuating the HVAC unit in the heating or cooling mode respectively.

51. In the system defined in claim 50 wherein said programmable logic means includes a first program means such that when the HVAC unit has been activated in the heating or cooling mode duct temperature associated with the zone is compared with first predetermined limits established by said programmable logic means and said third circuit means provides an output signal to said logic means for increasing the heating or cooling supplied by the HVAC unit when duct temperature is not within the predetermined limits.

52. In the system defined in claim 51 wherein said programmable logic means includes a second program means such that when duct temperature in the zone exceeds a second predetermined limit established by said programmable logic means, said third circuit means provides an output signal to said logic means for deactivating the HVAC unit irrespective of the demand for heating or cooling in the zone.

53. In the system as defined in claim 49 wherein said operating limits established by said first circuit means includes the desired condition of the air in said one zone during a plurality of distinct time periods, said third circuit means responsive to signals including data indicative of the real time for operating said control means of the HVAC unit during a plurality of distinct time periods.

54. In the system as defined in claim 53 wherein said operating limits are temperature limits said first circuit means including means responsive to input signals establishing the temperature desired in the zone during a plurality of distinct time periods, for providing digital word output signals representative of the desired temperature therein during said time periods.

55. In a system defined in claim 54 wherein said third circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means for comparing a digital word representative of the actual temperature of the zone and a digital word representative of desired temperature in the zone for determining the demand for heating or cooling or no demand in the zone and for determining the desired mode of operation of an HVAC unit in response to the demand for heating or cooling or no demand in the zone, during a distinct time period and providing an output signal to said logic means for activating the HVAC unit in the heating or cooling mode respectively.

56. In the system defined in claim 55 wherein said programmable logic means includes a third program means such that when the HVAC unit has been activated in the heating or cooling mode during a distinct time period duct temperature associated with the zone is compared with first predetermined limits established by said programmable logic means and said third circuit means provides an output signal to said logic means for increasing the heating or cooling supplied by the HVAC unit when duct temperature is not within the predetermined limits.

57. In the system defined in claim 56 wherein said programmable logic means includes a fourth program means such that when duct temperature in the zone exceeds a second predetermined limit established by said programmable logic means, said third circuit means provides an output signal to saidllogic means for deactiving the HVAC unit irrespective of the demand for heating or cooling in the zone during any distinct time period.

58. In a system for monitoring and controlling the condition of air in a zone within predetermined operating limits using a single zone HVAC unit, operated by a first control means, in which conditioned air passes into the zone via a damper, operated by a control means, in a duct communicating with the zone, a thermostat means for operating said control means for the damper in the zone, said thermostant means comprising:

first circuit means responsive to input signals for establishing operating limits for the zone and providing a first digital word output signal representative of said operating limits;

second circuit means responsive to input signals indicative of the actual condition of air in said one zone for providing a second digital word output signal representative of the actual condition of air therein;

a first sensor located in the zone for providing an output signal representative of the actual temperature of the zone, said second circuit means including means responsive to said output signal from said first sensor for providing a second digital word output signal representative of the actual temperature in the zone;

third circuit means adapted to be coupled to a peripheral circuit means for receiving data from a peripheral circuit means and for providing a third digital word output signal representative of the information contained in such data;

fourth circuit means responsive to output signals from said first, second, and third circuit means for providing fourth digital word output signals for operating said control means of said damper;

programmable logic means for providing digital word input signals to said fourth circuit means for selectively controlling said fourth circuit means; and

logic means for selectively operating said one damper control means in response to respective said fourth digital word input signals from said fourth circuit means.

59. In the system as defined in claim 58 wherein said thermostat means includes means for providing information to peripheral circuit means, the information including any digital word signal associated with said first, second, and third circuit means and said programmable logic means.

60. In the system defined in claim 58 wherein said first circuit means includes means responsive to input signals for establishing the desired temperature in the zone and providing a first digital word output signal representative of the desired temperature therein.

61. In a system defined in claim 60 wherein said fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means for comparing a digital word representative of the actual temperature of the zone and a digital word representative of desired temperature in the zone for determining the demand for heating or cooling or no demand in the zone.

62. In the system defined in claim 58 wherein said thermostat means further comprises a second sensor located in the duct on the ingress side of the damper for determining the temperature therein and providing an output signal representative of the temperature in the duct, said second circuit means responsive to said output signal from said second sensor and providing a digital word output signal representative of the duct temperature.

63. In a system defined in claim 62 wherein said fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means for comparing a digital word representative of zone temperature in the zone and a digital word representative of duct temperature for determining the desired mode of operation of the damper.

64. In the system defined in claim 63 wherein said programmable logic means includes a first program means such that when duct temperature in the duct is greater than zone temperature a digital word output signal is provided from said fourth circuit means to said logic means for operating the damper in the heating mode and for operating the damper in the cooling mode when the temperature in the duct is less than zone temperature when data indicating that the HVAC unit is deactivated has been received by said third circuit means.

65. In the system defined in claim 64 wherein said programmable logic means includes a second program means such that when data received via said third circuit means indicates the HVAC unit is deactivated, said fourth circuit means provides digital word output signals to said logic means for operating the damper in the heating or cooling or ventilation mode in response to a comparison of duct temperature, desired zone temperature and actual zone temperature of the zone.

66. In the system as defined in claim 65 wherein said programmable logic means includes a third program means such that when duct temperature is within predetermined limits established by said programmable logic means digital word signals are provided from said fourth circuit means to said logic means for operating the damper in the ventilation mode when there is no demand for heating or cooling in the zone or a demand different from that derived from a comparison between actual zone temperature and duct temperature in the zone when the HVAC unit is deactivated.

67. In a system as defined in claim 58 wherein said operating limits established by said first circuit means includes the desired condition of the air in a zone during a plurality of distinct time periods, said third circuit means responsive to signals including data indicative of the real time, said fourth circuit means responsive to output signals from said third circuit means for operating said control means of said damper during a plurality of distinct time periods.

68. In the system as defined in claim 67 wherein said operating limits are temperature limits said first circuit means includes means responsive to input signals establishing the temperature desired in the zone during a plurality of distinct time periods, for providing digital word output signals representative of the desired temperature therein during said time periods.

69. In a system defined in claim 68 wherein said fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means for comparing a digital word representative of the actual temperature of the zone and a digital word representative of desired temperature in the zone during a distinct time period for determining the demand for heating or cooling or no demand in the zone during said time period and wherein said fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means for comparing a digital word representative of zone temperature in the zone and a digital word representative of duct temperature for determining the desired mode of operation of the damper during a distinct time period.

70. In the system defined in claim 69 wherein said programmable logic means includes a first program means such that when duct temperature in the duct is greater than zone temperature a digital word output signal is provided from said fourth circuit means to said logic means for operating the damper in the heating mode and for operating the damper in the cooling mode when the temperature in the duct is less than zone temperature when data indicating that the HVAC unit is deactivated has been received by said third circuit means.

71. In the system defined in claim 70 wherein said programmable logic means includes a second program means such that when data received via said third circuit means indicates the HVAC unit is deactivated, said fourth circuit means provides digital word output signals to said logic means for operating the damper in the heating or cooling or ventilation mode in response to a comparison of duct temperature, desired zone temperature during a distinct time period and actual zone temperature of the zone.

72. In the system as defined in claim 71 wherein said programmable logic means includes a third program means such that when duct temperature is within predetermined limits established by said programmable logic means digital word signals are provided from said fourth circuit means to said logic means for operating the damper in the ventilation mode when there is no demand for heating or cooling the zone or a demand different from that derived from a comparison between actual zone temperature and duct temperature in the zone when the HVAC unit is deactivated during a distinct time period.