Method and system for controlling a single zone HVAC supplying multiple zones

• US 4,931,948 A
• Filed: 02/12/1987
• Issued: 06/05/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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:
  US07/013,870
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: 165/14, 165/16, 165/22, 165/26, 165/27, 236/49, 236/1 C, 364/505, 364/506, 364/557, 364/550, 364/551, 364/571, 364/143-145
• US Class Current: 700/277
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/22 of not identical elements of the same category, e.g. combinations of not identical springs
• 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 11/38 Failure diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/49 ensuring correct operation, e.g. by trial operation or configuration checks
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/76 by means responsive to temperature, e.g. bimetal springs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/88 Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature

Abstract

An improved monitoring and control system for a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit which provides zone control in plural zones in which each zone includes a thermostat which controls a damper for its zone. One thermostat is selected and programmed to function as a monitor or master thermostat for selective actuation of the HVAC unit as well as controlling its zone damper. The other thermostats are programmed to function as slave thermostats and are interfaced with the master thermostat thereby allowing for independent zonal control in a multiple zone system which uses a single zone HVAC unit. The master thermostat may also receive control signals and data from higher intelligence such as a computer. Each thermostat is microcomputer-controlled with provision for both local and manufacturer programming via supplemental memory devices. The master thermostat contains a real time clock for time-basing the entire system with attendant advantages.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the positioning of a plurality of dampers of zone duct damper means prior to activating a single zone HVAC unit that supplies heated or cooled conditioned air through a single duct system having duct damper means and ducts to a plurality of zones and zone thermostats associated with respective dampers, said method comprising the steps of:

A. determining the demand for heating or cooling from all zone thermostats;

B. determining the number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling from all zone thermostats;

C. selectively preselecting the number of zones having demand for heating or cooling that is necessary to select the heating or cooling mode;

D. comparing the numbers obtained from steps B and C and selecting the heating or cooling mode when the number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling respectively is equal to or greater than the number selected in step C;

E. activating appropriate dampers to closed position if the zone thermostats controlling such appropriate dampers have no demand or demand a mode different than the mode selected in step D, and positioning open the other dampers;

F. activating the HVAC unit in the selected mode until all zone thermostats demanding the selected mode have been satisfied;

G. deactivating the HVAC unit; and

H. repeating steps A-G for the other mode when demand for the other mode has been selected in accord with steps A-D.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step E includes the step of:

I. activating some of the other dampers to a partially open position depending upon the amount of demand by their respective thermostats and modulating such dampers between open and closed until the demand is satisfied.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

I. comparing the number of demands after steps A-D and if the demands for heating and cooling are equal, the HVAC unit will be activated in step F in the mode coincident with the demand of the zone with the greatest demand.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of:

J. modulating between open and closed positions the zone dampers according to the respective control of the zone thermostats when there is insufficient demand to require activation of the HVAC unit in the heating or cooling mode by the zone thermostats from steps A-D.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the respective control of the zone thermostats in step J includes the steps of:

K. determining the zone temperature;

L. determining the duct temperature; and

M. comparing the zone temperature to the duct temperature and

(1) when the duct temperature is warmer than the zone temperature, the thermostat operates the zone duct damper in the heating mode and substantially opens the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing a zone demand for heat when the zone temperature is a predetermined amount below set point and substantially closes the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing no zone demand or a zone demand for cooling, and

(2) when the duct temperature is cooler than the zone temperature, the thermostat operates the zone duct damper in the cooling mode and substantially opens the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing a zone demand for cooling when the zone temperature is a predetermined amount above set point and substantially closes the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing no zone demand or zone demand for heat.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the respective control of the zone thermostats in step J includes the steps of:

K. determining the zone temperature;

L. determining the duct temperature; and

M. comparing the zone temperature to the duct temperature and

(3) when there is no demand for heating or cooling in a zone or a demand different from that derived from a comparison of duct temperature and zone temperature in (1) or (2) and duct temperature is within predetermined limits, the zone duct damper is operated in the ventilation mode.

7. A method of monitoring and controlling the condition of air within each of a plurality of zones being supplied with heated or cooled conditioned air from a single zone HVAC unit via a single duct system having zone ducts and zone duct damper means therein wherein one zone damper means and the HVAC unit is controlled by a programmable master thermostat, said method and the other zones are controlled by programmable slave thermostats comprising the steps of:

A. setting the setpoint of each of the zone thermostats to a level for the respective zones;

B. monitoring the demand for heating or cooling from all zone thermostats by the programmable master thermostat which selects either of the heating or cooling mode of the HVAC unit;

C. positioning the zone duct damper means open if the zone programmable master or slave thermostats are demanding the selected mode and closed for the other damper means;

D. activating the HVAC unit by the programmable master thermostat in the selected mode until all zone thermostat demanding the selected mode have been satisfied; and

E. deactivating the HVAC unit by the programmable master thermostat.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein step C includes the step of:

F. partially opening some of the damper means depending upon the amount of demand for the selected mode by their respective thermostats and modulating such damper means between open and closed until the demand is satisfied.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the respective control of the zone master and slave thermostats in step G includes the step of:

H. determining the zone temperature;

I. determining the duct temperature of the air in the supply duct; and

J. comparing the zone temperature to the duct temperature and

(a) when the duct temperature is warmer than the zone temperature, the thermostat operates the zone duct damper in the heating mode and substantially opens the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing a zone demand for heat when the zone temperature is a predetermined amount below set point and substantially closes the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing no zone demand or a zone demand for cooling, and

(b) when the duct temperature is cooler than the zone temperature, the thermostat operates the zone duct damper in the cooling mode and substantially opens the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing a zone demand for cooling when the zone temperature is a predetermined amount above set point and substantially closes the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing no zone demand or zone demand for heat.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the respective control of the zone master and slave thermostats in step G includes the step of:

H. determining the zone temperature;

I. determining the duct temperature of the air in the supply duct; and

J. comparing the zone temperature to the duct temperature and

(c) when there is no demand for heating or cooling in a zone or a demand different from that derived from a comparison of duct temperature and zone temperature in (1) or (2) and duct temperature is within predetermined limits established by the respective zone thermostat, the zone duct damper is operated in the ventilation mode and is opened to the ventilation position.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of:

F. selecting the mode of operation of the HVAC unit in step B in accordance with the programming of the programmable master thermostat such that when an equal number of zones demand heating and demand cooling and the number of such zones is greater than a preselected number programmed in the programmable master thermostat the zone with the greatest demand is chosen as the reference zone and the HVAC unit is operated in a mode coincident with the mode demanded by the zone with the greatest demand.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:

G. modulating between open and closed positions the zone dampers according to the respective control of the zone thermostats when there is insufficient demand to require activation of the HVAC unit by the zone thermostats via the programmable master thermostat in step F.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:

G. repeating steps B-F for the other mode when demand for the other mode has been selected in accord with step B.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:

G. repeating steps B-F for the other mode when demand for the other mode has been selected in accord with step B.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:

G. selecting by the programmable master thermostat a second reference zone if the demand in a second zone is of the same mode and if it exceeds the demand in the reference zone selected in step F.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of:

J. repeating steps B-G for the other mode when demand for the other mode has been selected in accord with step B.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

G. increasing the heating or cooling output of the HVAC unit by the programmable master thermostat when duct temperature is not within predetermined setpoints established by the programmable master thermostat when the HVAC unit has been activated in accord with steps B-D.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:

H. deactivating the increased heating or cooling of the HVAC unit by the programmable master thermostat if the duct temperature exceeds predetermined setpoints established by the programmable master thermostat.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:

G. selecting the mode of operation of the HVAC unit in step C in accordance with the programming of the programmable master thermostat such that when an equal number of zones demand heating and demand cooling during a distinct time period and the number of such zones is greater than a preselected number programmed in the programmable master thermostat the zone with the greatest demand is chosen as the reference zone and the HVAC unit is operated in a mode coincident with the mode demanded by the zone with the greatest demand.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:

H. modulating between open and closed positions the zone dampers according to the respective control of the zone thermostats when there is insufficient demand to require activation of the HVAC unit by the zone thermostats via the master thermostat in step E.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the respective control of the zone thermostats in step G includes the steps of:

H. determining the zone temperature;

I. determining the duct temperature;

J. comparing the zone temperature to the duct temperature and

(a) when the duct temperature is warmer than the zone temperature, the thermostat operates the zone duct damper in the heating mode and substantially opens the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing a zone demand for heat when the zone temperature is a predetermined amount below setpoint and substantially closes the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing no zone demand or a zone demand for cooling, and

(b) when the duct temperature is cooler than the zone temperature, the thermostat operates the zone duct damper in the cooling mode and substantially opens the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing a zone demand for cooling when the zone temperature is a predetermined amount above setpoint and substantially closes the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing no zone demand or zone demand for heat.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the respective control of the zone thermostats in step G includes the steps of:

H. determining the zone temperature;

I. determining the duct temperature;

J. comparing the zone temperature to the duct temperature and

(c) when there is no demand for heating or cooling in a zone or a demand different from that derived from a comparison of duct temperature and zone temperature in (1) or (2) and duct temperature is within predetermined limits established by the respect zone thermostat, the zone duct damper is operated in the ventilation mode and is opened to the ventilation position.

23. A method of monitoring and controlling the condition of air within each of a plurality of zones being supplied with heated or cooled conditioned air from a single zone HVAC unit via a single duct system having zone ducts and zone duct damper means therein wherein one zone damper means and the HVAC unit is controlled by a programmable master thermostat, said method and the other zones are controlled by programmable slave thermostats comprising the steps of:

A. programming the setpoints of the zone thermostats during a plurality of distinct time periods;

B. determining the real time;

C. monitoring the demand for heating or cooling from all zone thermostats by the programmable master thermostat which selects either of the heating or cooling mode of the HVAC unit during a distinct time period;

D. positioning the zone duct damper means open if the zone thermostats are demanding the selected mode and closed for the other damper means;

E. activating the HVAC unit by the programmable master thermostat in the selected mode until all the zone thermostats demanding the selected mode have been satisfied;

F. deactivating the HVAC unit by the programmable master thermostat.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of:

G. repeating steps B-F for the other mode when demand for the other mode has been selected in accord with step C.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of:

H. selecting a second reference zone if the demand in a second zone is of the same mode and if it exceeds the demand in the reference zone selected in step G.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of:

I. repeating steps B-I for the other mode when demand for the other mode has been selected in accord with step C.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the steps of:

J. increasing the heating or cooling output of the HVAC unit by the programmable master thermostat when duct temperature is not within predetermined setpoints established by the programmable master thermostat when the HVAC unit has been activated in accordance with steps B-E.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of:

K. deactivating the increased heating or cooling of the HVAC unit by the programmable master thermostat if the duct temperature exceeds predetermined setpoints established by the programmable master thermostat.

29. In a system for monitoring and controlling the condition of air in each of a plurality of zones when using a single HVAC unit to supply conditioned air to each zone via a damper means in a duct communicating with each zone, said system comprising a programmable master thermostat means located in one zone to be controlled and interfaced with and controlling said damper means in said duct communicating with said one zone and controlling said HVAC unit, said programmable master thermostat receiving information from a programmable slave thermostat means located in each other zone interfaced with and controlling respective said damper means in respective said duct communicating with respective said other zone, each said thermostat determining the condition of the air in its associated said zone, said programmable master thermostat means activating said HVAC unit in accordance with its programming and in accordance with the information received from each said programmable slave thermostat means and in accordance with information associated with its own zone to control said HVAC unit in the heating or cooling mode.

30. In the system as defined in claim 29 wherein said programmable master thermostat means provides information to each said programmable slave thermostat means as to the desired mode of operation of said HVAC unit, each said programmable slave thermostat means controlling the positioning of its respective said damper means in the selected mode and said programmable master thermostat means controlling its own said damper means prior to the activation of said HVAC unit by said programmable master thermostat means.

31. In the system as defined in claim 30 wherein the information exchanged between said programmable master thermostat and said programmable slave thermostat is in the form of digital words.

32. In the system as defined in claim 31 wherein said programmable master thermostat and each said programmable slave thermostat include a first sensor for determining the temperature of the air in respective said zone and include a second sensor for determining the temperature of air in the respective said duct supplying air to respective said zone.

33. In the system as defined in claim 32 wherein said programmable master thermostat means and each said programmable slave thermostat means include means for establishing the desired temperature in respective said zone.

34. In the system as defined in claim 33 wherein said programmable master thermostat means determines the demand for heating or cooling from all said zone thermostat means, determines the number of zones having demand for heating or cooling, compares such number with a preselected number defining the system demand number, and if the number of zones demanding heating or cooling equals or exceeds said system demand number, said programmable master thermostat means selects the desired heating or cooling mode respectively of said HVAC unit and provides output signals to its said damper control means and to all said programmable slave thermostat means for operating respective said damper means in a mode coincident with the desired mode of said HVAC unit, said programmable master thermostat means thereafter actuates said HVAC unit in the selected mode until all said programmable thermostat means demanding the selected mode have been substantially satisfied and then deactivating said HVAC unit.

35. In the system as defined in claim 34 wherein said programmable master thermostat means compares the number of zones having a demand for heating and cooling and if the number of zones having a demand for heating is equal to the number of zones demanding cooling and the numbers equal or exceed the system demand number, said programmable master thermostat means selects the zone with the greatest demand as a reference zone and activates said HVAC unit in the mode coincident to that demanded by said reference zone until said reference zone is substantially satisfied.

36. In the system as defined in claim 35 wherein said programmable master thermostat means periodically determines the demand from each zone and, if the demand in another said zone, having a demand coincident with the mode in which said HVAC unit is activated, is greater than said reference zone, said other zone is selected as a new reference zone and said HVAC unit is operated until demand in said new reference zone is substantially satisfied.

37. In the system as defined in claim 36 wherein said programmable master thermostat means periodically receives duct temperature data from duct supplying said one zone and receives duct temperature data from each said programmable slave thermostat and, if any duct temperature is not within predetermined setpoints established by said programmable master thermostat means, when said HVAC unit is being operated in the heating or cooling mode, said programmable master thermostat means provides an output signal to said HVAC unit for increasing the heating or cooling output respectively of said HVAC unit.

38. In the system as defined in claim 37 wherein said programmable master thermostat means deactivates said HVAC unit if duct temperature in any said duct exceeds predetermined setpoints established by said programmable master thermostat means without regard to the demand for heating or cooling in any said zone.

39. In the system as defined in claim 38 wherein each said thermostat means includes indicating means for providing data indicative of the information in any digital word associated with the operation of said thermostat means.

40. In a system for monitoring and controlling the condition of air in each of a plurality of zones when using a single HVAC unit to supply conditioned air to each zone via a damper means in a duct communicating with each zone, said system comprising a programmable master thermostat means responsive to signals indicative of the real time and located in one zone to be controlled and interfaced with and controlling said damper means in said duct communicating with said one zone and controlling said HVAC unit, means for providing signals indicative of the real time to said programmable master thermostat means, said programmable master thermostat receiving information from a programmable slave thermostat means located in each other zone interfaced with and controlling respective said damper means in respective said duct communicating with respective said other zone, each said thermostat determining the condition of the air in its associated said zone, said programmable master thermostat means activating said HVAC unit in accordance with its programming and in accordance with the information received from each said programmable slave thermostat means and in accordance with information associated with its own zone to control said HVAC unit in the heating or cooling mode during distinct time periods established by the programming of said master programmable thermostat means and said programmable slave thermostat means.

41. In the system as defined in claim 40 wherein said means for providing signals indicative of the real time controls the operability of said programmable master thermostat means and each said programmable slave thermostat means according to different conditions during distinct time periods.

42. In the system as defined in claim 40 wherein said programmable master thermostat means provides information including data indicative of the real time to each said programmable slave thermostat means and including the desired mode of operation of said HVAC unit, each said programmable slave thermostat means controlling the positioning of its respective said damper means in the selected mode and said programmable master thermostat means controlling its own said damper means prior to the activation of said HVAC unit by said programmable master thermostat means.

43. In the system as defined in claim 42 wherein the information exchanged between said programmable master thermostat and said programmable slave thermostat is in the form of digital words.

44. In the system as defined in claim 43 wherein said programmable master thermostat and each said programmable slave thermostat include a first sensor for determining the temperature of the air in respective said zone and include a second sensor for determining the temperature of air in the respective said duct supplying air to respective said zone.

45. In the system as defined in claim 44 wherein said programmable master thermostat means and each said programmable slave thermostat means include means for establishing the desired temperature in respective said zone during a distinct time period.

46. In the system as defined in claim 45 wherein said programmable master thermostat means determines the demand for heating or cooling from all said zone thermostat means, during a distinct time period determines the number of zones having demand for heating or cooling, compares such number with a preselected number defining the system demand number, and if the number of zones demanding heating or cooling equals or exceeds said system demand number during a distinct time period, said programmable master thermostat means selects the desired heating or cooling mode respectively of said HVAC unit and provides output signals to its said damper control means and to all said programmable slave thermostat means for operating respective said damper means in a mode coincident with the desired mode of said HVAC unit, said programmable master thermostat means thereafter actuates said HVAC unit in the selected mode until all said programmable thermostat means demanding the selected mode have been substantially satisfied and then deactivating said HVAC unit.

47. In the system as defined in claim 46 wherein said programmable master thermostat means compares the number of zones having a demand for heating and cooling and if the number of zones having a demand for heating is equal to the number of zones demanding cooling and the numbers equal or exceed the system demand number during a distinct time period, said programmable master thermostat means selects the zone with the greatest demand as a reference zone and activates said HVAC unit in the mode coincident to that demanded by said reference zone until said reference zone is substantially satisfied.

48. In the system as defined in claim 47 wherein said programmable master thermostat means periodically determines the demand from each zone and, if the demand in another said zone, having a demand coincident with the mode in which said HVAC unit is activated, is greater than said reference zone, said other zone is selected as a new reference zone and said HVAC unit is operated until demand in said new reference zone is substantially satisfied.

49. In the system as defined in claim 48 wherein said programmable master thermostat means periodically receives duct temperature data from duct supplying said one zone and receives duct temperature data from each said programmable slave thermostat and, if any duct temperature is not within predetermined setpoints established by said programmable master thermostat means, when said HVAC unit is being operated in the heating or cooling mode, said programmable master thermostat means provides an output signal to said HVAC unit for increasing the heating or cooling output respectively of said HVAC unit.

50. In the system as defined in claim 49 wherein each said thermostat means includes indicating means for providing data indicative of the information in any digital word associated with the operation of said thermostat means including the real time.

51. 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 in which conditioned air passes into a plurality of zones via a plurality of dampers in a plurality of ducts communicating with respective zones, said system comprising

a programmable master thermostat means for operating said HVAC unit said damper in one said zone comprising:

master 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;

master 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;

master 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;

master 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 damper associated with said one zone and said HVAC unit;

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

master logic means for selectively operating said damper associated with said one zone and said HVAC unit in response to respective said fourth digital word input signals from said fourth circuit means; and

programmable slave thermostat means for operating said damper in each said other zone comprising;

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

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

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

slave 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 damper associated with said other zone;

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

slave logic means for selectively operating said damper associated with said other zone in response to respective said fourth digital word input signals from said fourth circuit means.

52. In the system as defined in claim 51 wherein said programmable master thermostat means includes means for providing signals indicative of the real time and providing a real time reference for the operation of said programmable master thermostat means and each said programmable slave thermostat means according to different parameters during distinct time periods, each said master and slave first circuit means including means responsive to input signals for establishing separate and different desired operating conditions in said zone during distinct time periods established by said programmable master thermostat means.

53. In the system as defined in claim 51 wherein said programmable master thermostat means includes means for providing information to said programmable slave thermostat means, the information including any digital word signal associated with said first, second and third circuit means and said programmable logic means.

54. In the system defined in claim 53 wherein each said thermostat means further comprises a first sensor located in its respective zone for providing an output signal representative of the actual temperature of respective said 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 respective zone.

55. In the system defined in claim 54 wherein said master and said slave first circuit means includes means responsive to input signals for establishing the desired temperature in said respective zone and providing a first digital word output signal representative of the desired temperature therein.

56. In a system defined in claim 55 wherein said master and said slave fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by respective said programmable logic means for comparing a digital word representative of the actual temperature of said respective zone and a digital word representative of desired temperature in said respective zone for determining the demand for heating or cooling or no demand in said respective zone.

57. In the system defined in claim 56 wherein each said thermostat means further comprises a second sensor located in each said duct for determining the temperature therein and providing an output signal representative of the temperature in each said duct, each said master and slave second circuit means responsive to said output signal from said second sensor and providing a digital word output signal representative of the temperature of each said duct.

58. In a system defined in claim 57 wherein said master and said slave fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by respective said programmable logic means for comparing a digital word representative of zone temperature in said respective zone and a digital word representative of duct temperature for determining the desired mode of operation of said respective damper.

59. In a system defined in claim 58 wherein said fourth circuit means in said programmable master thermostat means is selectively controlled by said programmable logic means for determining the desired mode of operation of said HVAC unit in response to the demand for heating or cooling or no demand in said zones.

60. In the system defined in claim 59 wherein said programmable logic means in each said thermostat means includes a first program means such that when duct temperature in said respective 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 respective damper in the heating mode and for operating said respective damper in the cooling mode when the temperature in said respective duct is less than zone temperature when said HVAC unit is deactivated.

61. In the system defined in claim 60 wherein said programmable logic means in said programmable master thermostat means includes a second program means such that when sufficient demand for heating or cooling exists in said zones said programmable master thermostat means provides a first output signal to said programmable slave thermostat means for positioning said respective damper in the heating or cooling mode respectively and the master fourth circuit means provides a signal to the master logic means for operating its damper means in the heating or cooling mode;

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

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

62. In the system defined in claim 61 wherein said programmable logic means in each said programmable thermostat means includes a third program means such that when said HVAC unit is deactivated, said fourth circuit means provides digital word output signals to said logic means for operating said respective damper in the heating or cooling or ventilation mode in response to a comparison of duct temperature of said respective duct, and desired zone temperature and actual zone temperature of said respective zone.

63. In the system as defined in claim 62 wherein said programmable logic means in each said programmable thermostat means includes a fourth program means such that when duct temperature of its respective said duct is within predetermined limits established by said programmable logic means digital word signals are provided from said fourth circuit means to its respective said logic means for operating its respective said damper in the ventilation mode when there is no demand for heating or cooling in said respective zone or a demand different from that derived from a comparison between actual zone temperature and duct temperature in said respective zone.

64. In a system defined in claim 63 wherein said master fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said master programmable logic means for determining the desired mode of operation of said HVAC unit in response to data received by said master third circuit means representative of the temperature of air in each said zone controlled by said programmable slave thermostats and in response to data indicative of the condition of air in its respective said one zone.

65. In the system as defined in claim 64 wherein said master fourth circuit means is selectively controlled by said master programmable logic means in response to data indicative of the demand for heating or cooling or no demand in its respective zone and in response to data received by said master third circuit means indicative of the demand for heating or cooling or no demand from respective said zones controlled by said programmable slave thermostat means for providing output signals representative of the desired mode of operation of said HVAC unit when the number of zones having demand for heating or cooling equals or exceeds a predetermined number established by said master first circuit means.

66. In the system as in claim 65 wherein said master programmable logic means includes fifth program means such that when demand for heating or cooling exists in a number of said zones equal to or exceeding the predetermined number established by said master first circuit means, said programmable master thermostat means provides first output signals to said programmable slave thermostat means associated with said other zones indicative of the desired mode of said HVAC unit, a second signal to said master logic means for operating said damper associated with its respective said zone in the heating or cooling mode, respectively, a third signal to said master logic means for operating said HVAC unit in the heating or cooling mode, respectively;

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

67. In the system defined in claim 66 wherein said master programmable logic means includes a sixth program means such that when the number of said zones demanding heating or cooling equals or exceeds a predetermined number established by said master first circuit means, the zone with the greatest demand is chosen as a reference zone and said HVAC unit is operated by said master logic means in the heating or cooling mode, respectively, until said reference zone is substantially satisfied.

68. In the system defined in claim 67 wherein said master programmable logic means includes a seventh program means such that when the number of said zones demanding heating is equal to the number of said zones demanding cooling, each said heating and cooling number being greater than a predetermined number established by said master first circuit means said programmable master thermostat means provides a first output signal to said programmable slave thermostat means and to said master logic means for operating all said dampers in a mode coincident with the heating or cooling mode of the zone with the greatest demand, a second output signal to said master logic means for activating said 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 master logic means for deactivating said HVAC unit when the demand for heating or cooling has been substantially satisfied in the zone with the greatest demand.

69. In the system defined in claim 68 wherein said master programmable logic means includes an eighth program means such that when said HVAC unit has been activated in the heating or cooling mode duct temperature associated with its respective said zone and data indicative of duct temperature in each other said zones received by said master third circuit means from said programmable slave thermostat means is compared with first predetermined limits established by said master programmable logic means and said master fourth circuit means provides an output signal to said master logic means for increasing the heating or cooling supplied by said HVAC unit when duct temperature is not within said first predetermined limits.

70. In the system defined in claim 69 wherein said master programmable logic means includes a ninth program means such that when duct temperature in any said zone exceeds a second predetermined limit established by said master programmable logic means, said master fourth circuit means provides an output signal to said master logic means for deactivating said HVAC unit regardless of the demand for heating or cooling in any said zone.

71. In the system defined in claim 70 wherein said master programmable logic means includes a tenth program means such that, when insufficient demand for heating or cooling for operation of said HVAC unit exists and the duct temperature associated with its said zone is not within the predetermined setpoints for the ventilation mode, said master fourth circuit means provides an output signal to said master logic means for operating its said damper associated with its said zone in the heating or cooling mode in response to a comparison of actual zone temperature and duct temperature associated with its said zone.

72. In the system as defined in claim 71 wherein said master programmable logic means includes an eleventh program means such that, when said zone having the greatest demand has been chosen as a first reference zone during operation of said HVAC unit in the heating or cooling mode, another said 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 said HVAC unit is operated by said master logic means in the heating or cooling mode respectively until said other zone is substantially satisfied.

73. In the system as defined in claim 72 wherein said programmable master thermostat means includes clock means for providing a real time reference for the operation of said programmable master thermostat means including each said program means thereof and each said programmable slave thermostat means, each master and slave said first circuit means including said means responsive to input signals for establishing separate and different operating conditions in said zone during distinct time periods.

74. A method for controlling a single HVAC and a plurality of dampers prior to activating the HVAC unit that supplies conditioned air through a duct system having a plurality of ducts to a plurality of zones and a master zone thermostat and slave zone thermostats associated with respective dampers, said method comprising the steps of:

A. determining by the master zone thermostat the demand for heating or cooling from all zone thermostats and selecting a heating or cooling mode therefrom;

B. activating appropriate dampers to closed positions if the zone thermostats controlling such appropriate dampers have no demand or a demand different than the mode selected in step A, and positioning open the other dampers;

C. activating the HVAC unit by the master zone thermostat in the selected mode until all zone thermostats demanding the selected mode have been satisfied;

D. deactivating the HVAC unit by the master zone thermostat; and

E. repeating steps A-D for the other mode when demand for the other mode has been selected in accord with step A.

75. The method of claim 74 wherein step B includes the step of:

F. activating some of the other dampers to a partially open position depending upon the amount of demand by their respective thermostats.

76. The method of claim 74 wherein step B includes the step of:

F. modulating such other dampers between open and closed positions until the demand is satisfied in their respective zones.

77. The method of claim 74 further comprising the step of:

F. modulating between open and closed positions the zone dampers according to the respective control of the zone thermostats when there is insufficient demand to require activation of the HVAC unit in the heating or cooling mode by the zone thermostats from step A.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein the respective control of each of the zone thermostats in step F includes the steps of:

G. determining the zone temperature;

H. determining the duct temperature; and

I. comparing the zone temperature to the duct temperature and

(1) when the duct temperature is warmer than the zone temperature, the thermostat operates the zone duct damper in the heating mode and modulates open proportionate to heat demand the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing a zone demand for heat when the zone temperature is a predetermined amount below set point and modulates closed the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing no zone demand or a zone demand for cooling, and

(2) when the duct temperature is cooler than the zone temperature, the thermostat operates the zone duct damper in the cooling mode and modulates open proportionate to cooling demand the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing a zone demand for cooling when the zone temperature is a predetermined amount above set point and modulates closed the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing no zone demand or zone demand for heat.

79. The method of claim 74 wherein step A includes the steps of:

F. determining by the master zone thermostat the number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling from all zone thermostats;

G. selectively preselecting the number of zones having demand for heating or cooling that is necessary to select the heating or cooling mode by the master zone thermostat;

H. comparing the respective number obtained from steps F and G to provide such of a heating or cooling mode when the number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling respectively is equal to or greater than the number selected in step G.

80. The method of claim 79 further comprising the step of:

I. comparing the number of demands after steps A, F, G and H and if the demands for heating and cooling are equal, the HVAC unit will be activated in step C in the mode coincident with the demand of the zone with the greatest demand.

81. The method of claim 80 further comprising the step of:

J. modulating between open and closed positions the zone dampers according to the respective control of the zone thermostats when there is insufficient demand to require activation of the HVAC unit in the heating or cooling mode by the zone thermostats from steps A, F, G and H.

82. The method of claim 81 wherein the respective control of each of the zone thermostats in step J includes the steps of:

K. determining the zone temperature;

L. determining the duct temperature; and

M. comparing the zone temperature to the duct temperature and

(1) when the duct temperature is warmer than the zone temperature, the thermostat operates the zone duct damper in the heating mode and opens the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing a zone demand for heat when the zone temperature is a predetermined amount below set point and closes the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing no zone demand or a zone demand for cooling, and

(2) when the duct temperature is cooler than the zone temperature, the thermostat operates the zone duct damper in the cooling mode and opens the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing a zone demand for cooling when the zone temperature is a predetermined amount above set point and closes the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing no zone demand or zone demand for heat.

83. The method of claim 82 wherein the respective control of each of the zone thermostats in step J includes the steps of:

N. operating the zone duct damper in the ventilation mode when there is no demand for heating or cooling in a zone or a demand different from that derived from a comparison of duct temperature and zone temperature in steps M;

M. and duct temperature is within predetermined limits.

84. A method of monitoring and controlling the condition of air within each of a plurality of zones being supplied with heated or cooled conditioned air from a single zone HVAC unit via a single duct system having zone ducts and zone duct damper means therein wherein one zone damper means and the HVAC unit is controlled by a programmable master thermostat and the other zones are controlled by programmable slave thermostats, said method comprising the steps of:

A. setting the setpoint of each of the zone thermostats to a level for the respective zones;

B. monitoring the demand for heating or cooling from all zone thermostats by the programmable master thermostat which selects either of the heating or cooling mode of the HVAC unit;

C. positioning the zone duct damper means open if the zone programmable master or slave thermostats are demanding the selected mode and closed for the other damper means;

D. activating the HVAC unit by the programmable master thermostat in the selected mode until all zone thermostat demanding the selected mode have been satisfied;

E. deactivating the HVAC unit by the programmable master thermostat; and

F. repeating steps B-F for the other mode when demand for the other mode has been selected in accord with step B.

85. The method of claim 84 further comprising the step of:

G. modulating between open and closed positions the zone dampers according to the respective control of the zone thermostats when there is insufficient demand to require activation of the HVAC unit.

86. The method of claim 84 further comprising the step of:

G. selecting by the programmable master thermostat a second reference zone if the demand in a second zone is of the same mode and if it exceeds the demand in the reference zone selected in step G.

87. The method of claim 84 further comprising the step of:

G. selecting the mode of operation of the HVAC unit in step B in accordance with the programming of the programmable master thermostat such that when an equal number of zones demand heating and demand cooling and the number of such zones is greater than a preselected number programmed in the programmable master thermostat the zone with the greatest demand is chosen as the reference zone and the HVAC unit is operated in a mode coincident with the mode demanded by the zone with the greatest demand.

88. The method of claim 87 further comprising the steps of:

H. increasing the heating or cooling output of the HVAC unit by the programmable master thermostat when duct temperature is not within predetermined setpoints established by the programmable master thermostat when the HVAC unit has been activated in accord with steps B-D.

89. The method of claim 88 further comprising the step of:

I. deactivating the increased heating or cooling of the HVAC unit by the programmable master thermostat if the duct temperature exceeds predetermined setpoints established by the programmable master thermostat.

90. The method of claim 84 wherein step C includes the step of:

G. partially opening some of the damper means depending upon the amount of demand for the selected mode by their respective thermostats and modulating such damper means between open and closed until the demand is satisfied.

91. The method of claim 90 wherein the respective control of the zone master and slave thermostats in step G includes the step of:

H. determining the zone temperature;

I. determining the duct temperature of the air in the supply duct; and

J. comparing the zone temperature to the duct temperature and

(a) when the duct temperature is warmer than the zone temperature, the thermostat operates the zone duct damper in the heating mode and opens the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing a zone demand for heat when the zone temperature is a predetermined amount below set point and closes the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing no zone demand or a zone demand for cooling, and

(b) when the duct temperature is cooler than the zone temperature, the thermostat operates the zone duct damper in the cooling mode and opens the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing a zone demand for cooling when the zone temperature is a predetermined amount above set point and closes the zone duct damper upon the thermostat sensing no zone demand or zone demand for heat.

92. The method of claim 91 wherein the respective control of the zone master and slave thermostats in step G includes the step of:

K. operating the zone duct damper open in the ventilation mode when there is no demand for heating or cooling in a zone or a demand different from that derived from a comparison of duct temperature and zone temperature in steps J. (1) or J. (2) and duct temperature is within predetermined limits established by the respective zone thermostat.