VAV system coordinator

• US 4,947,928 A
• Filed: 12/15/1988
• Issued: 08/14/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Carrier Corporation (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Parker, Jeffrey L., Parker, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US07/284,601
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 236/49.3, 165/22, 364/557, 364/505
• US Class Current: 165/208
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/76 by means responsive to temperature, e.g. bimetal springs
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1934 each space being provided with one sensor acting on one or more control means

Abstract

A microcomputer-based system coordinator for variable air volume (VAV) system through which conditioned air is supplied to a plurality of zones. The VAV system coordinator (VSC) is used to coordinate a central system VAV cooling and heating operation based on the zone requirements of its associated slave thermostats and fan box monitors. The VSC is used as a slave VSC which receives information from zone thermostats and fan box monitors and communicates with a master VSC which is used for overall system coordination. The VSC also receives information from temperature and humidity sensors and the real time for use in system operation.

Claims

1. In a system for monitoring and controlling the condition of air in each of a plurality of zones when using a unit operating in a heating or cooling mode and having a fan to supply heated or cooled conditioned air to each zone via a main duct and secondary ducts through a zone damper means in zone ducts communicating with each zone and operated by a damper control means, at least one said zone having zone heating means controlled by said damper control means, means for controlling and coordinating the operation of said unit with said damper control means and respective said zone damper means and respective said zone heating means, said means comprising a programmable system controller means receiving information from each said damper controller means, said system controller means including program means such that said unit is operable only in preselected allowable modes during respective distinct time periods and inoperable in such preselected modes in other time periods, means for determining the condition of air in each said zone and supplying such information to said programmable system controller means, said system controller means operating said unit in accordance with its programming, the condition of air in each zone and in accordance with information received from each damper controller means to control said unit in said preselected allowable modes during respective distinct time periods.

2. In the system as defined in claim 1 wherein said damper controller means includes a zone thermostat, said means for determining the condition of air in each zone including a first sensor for determining the temperature of the air in its respective said zone, said first sensor providing electrical signals to said thermostat indicative of the temperature of the air in respective said zone.

3. In the system as defined in claim 2 wherein said zone thermostat includes means for establishing the desired temperature in respective said zone.

4. In the system as defined in claim 3 wherein said system controller receives data indicative of the real time.

5. In the system as defined in claim 4 wherein said system controller means has first program means such that said unit is to be operated only in the cooling mode during a first preselected time period.

6. In the system as defined in claim 5 wherein during said first time period said system controller means determines the demand for cooling from all said zones, determines the number of zones having demand for cooling, compares such number with a preselected number defining the system mode demand number, and if the number of zones demanding cooling equals or exceeds said system mode demand number, said system controller means selects the cooling mode of said unit and provides output signals to said zone thermostat for operating said damper means, said system controller means thereafter activates said unit in the cooling mode until all said zone thermostats demanding the cooling mode have been substantially satisfied and then deactivates said unit.

7. In the system as defined in claim 6 wherein said system controller means selects the zone with the greatest demand as a reference zone and activates said unit in the cooling mode until said reference zone is substantially satisfied.

8. In the system as defined in claim 7 wherein said system controller means periodically determines the demand from each zone and, if the demand in another said zone having a demand for cooling is greater than said reference zone, said other zone is selected as a new reference zone and said unit is operated until demand in said new reference zone is substantially satisfied.

9. In the system as defined in claim 8 wherein said system controller means has second program means such that when cooling demand in said reference zone exceeds a first predetermined value, said system controller means will provide an output signal to said unit for increasing the cooling supplied to said reference zone by said unit.

10. In the system as defined in claim 9 wherein said system controller means has third program means for monitoring the temperature trend in said reference zone such that said system controller means will not provide an output signal to said unit for increasing the cooling supplied to said reference zone when the temperature trend in said reference zone indicates that the cooling demand of said reference zone is being substantially satisfied.

11. In the system as defined in claim 2 wherein said system controller includes a second sensor for determining the temperature of outside air.

12. In the system as defined in claim 11 wherein said system controller means has first program means such that when said system controller receives a signal from said second sensor indicating outside air temperature is greater than a predetermined value, said system controller means sends output signals to said zone thermostats to maintain said zone heating means in off condition even if demand therefor is called for by any respective said zones.

13. In the system as defined in claim 5 wherein said system controller means has second program means such that said unit is operated in the cooling or heating mode during a second preselected time period.

14. In a system as defined in claim 13 wherein said system controller means determines the demand for heating or cooling from all zones, determines the number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling, compares such number with a preselected number defining the system mode demand number, and if the number of zones demanding heating or cooling equals or exceeds said system mode demand number, said system controller means selects the desired heating or cooling mode respectively of said unit and provides output signals to said damper controller means for operating respective said damper means in a mode coincident with the desired mode of said unit, said system controller means thereafter activates said unit in the selected mode until all said zones demanding the selected mode have been substantially satisfied and then deactivates said unit.

15. In the system as defined in claim 14 wherein said system controller 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 said system mode demand number, said system controller means selects the zone with the greatest demand as a reference zone and activates said unit in the mode coincident to that demanded by said reference zone until said reference zone is substantially satisfied.

16. In the system as defined in claim 14 wherein said system controller 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 unit is activated, is greater than said reference zone, said other zone is selected as a new reference zone and said unit is operated until demand in said new reference zone is substantially satisfied.

17. In the system as defined in claim 16 wherein said system controller means has third program means such that when heating or cooling demand in the reference zone exceeds a first predetermined value, said system controller means will provide an output signal to said unit for increasing the heating and cooling supplied to said reference zone by said unit.

18. In the system as defined in claim 17 wherein said system controller means has fourth program means for monitoring the temperature trend in said reference zone such that said system controller means will not provide an output signal to said unit for increasing the cooling or heating supplied to said reference zone when the temperature trend in said reference zone indicates that the heating or cooling demand of said reference zone is being substantially satisfied.

19. In the system as defined in claim 18 wherein said system controller means has fifth program means for selecting the heating sources that are available for heating in said second preselected time period, said heating sources selectable being the heating source of said unit, or said zone heating means, or the heating source of said unit and said zone heating means.

20. In the system as defined in claim 1 wherein said system controller means has first program means for controlling said fan such that said fan is activated whenever any said zone heating means is activated by respective said damper control means.

21. In the system as defined in claim 14 wherein said system controller means has third program means for determining if said unit is to be selected for operation in the heating mode such that when any said zone heating means has been activated on, by respective damper control means, said zone is defined to be demanding heat regardless of the temperature of air in said zone and respective desired temperature in said zone.

22. In the system as defined in claim 5 wherein said system controller means has third program means such that said unit can be operated only in the heating mode during a third preselected time period.

23. In a system as defined in claim 22 wherein said system controller means determines the demand for heating from all zones, determines the number of zones having a demand for heating, compares such number with a preselected number defining the system mode demand number, and if the number of zones demanding heating equals or exceeds said system mode demand number, said system controller means selects the heating mode of said unit and provides output signals to said zone thermostat for operating said damper means, said system controller means thereafter activates said unit in the heating mode until all zone thermostats demanding the heating mode have been substantially satisfied and then deactivating said unit.

24. In the system as defined in claim 23 wherein said system controller means selects the zone with the greatest demand as a reference zone and activates said unit in the heating mode until said reference zone is substantially satisfied.

25. In the system as defined in claim 24 wherein said system controller means periodically determines the demand from each zone and, if the demand in another zone having a demand for heating is greater than said reference zone, said other zone is selected as a new reference zone and said unit is operated until demand in said new reference zone is substantially satisfied.

26. In the system as defined in claim 25 wherein said system controller means has fourth program means such that when heating demand in the reference zone exceeds a first predetermined value, said system controller means will provide an output signal to said unit for increasing the heating supplied to said reference zone by said unit.

27. In the system as defined in claim 26 wherein said system controller means has fifth program means for monitoring the temperature trend in said reference zone such that said system controller means will not provide an output signal to said unit for increasing the heating supplied to said reference zone when the temperature trend in said reference zone indicates that the heating demand of said reference zone is being substantially satisfied.

28. In the system as defined in claim 27 wherein said system controller means has sixth program means for selecting the heating sources that are available for heating in said third preselected time period, said heating sources selectable being the heating source of said unit or the heating source of said unit and said heating zone means.

29. In the system as defined in claim 27 wherein said system controller means has sixth program means for operating said damper means such that when said unit is being operated in the heating mode said system controller means will provide an output signal to said damper control means for operating said respective damper means to its maximum air flow position.

30. In the system as defined in claim 23 wherein said system controller means has fourth program means for determining if said unit is to be selected for operation in the heating mode such that when any zone heating means has been activated on by said damper control means, said zone is defined to be demanding heat regardless of the temperature of air in said zone and respective desired temperature in said zone.

31. In the system as defined in claim 1 further including a first sensor located in said main duct, said first sensor for determining the temperature of air in said duct provided from said unit and providing an output signal to said system controller means, said system controller means de-energizing the heating of said unit if said air temperature exceeds predetermined setpoints established by said system controller means.

32. In the system as defined in claim 1 wherein said system controller means includes indicating means for providing data indicative of the information associated with the operation of said system controller means.

33. In the system as defined in claim 4 further including at least one fan-powered mixing box assembly in a said secondary duct controlled by a mixing box control means for supplying heated or cooled conditioned air to a plurality of second zones, said mixing box control means receiving information for determining the condition of the air in each said second zone and the demand for heating or cooling in all said second zones and selecting the heating or cooling mode of said fan-powered mixing box, said system controller means having a first program means for operating said unit such that said unit is to be operated only in the cooling mode during a first preselected time period, operated in the heating or cooling mode during a second preselected time period, and operated only in the heating mode during a third preselected time period, said system controller means further having a second program means for determining, in said first preselected time period, the number of zones having a demand for cooling and defining such zones as first cooling callers, and determining if any said fan-powered mixing box has been selected to operate in the cooling mode during said first preselected time period, said second zones of said corresponding fan-powered mixing box that are demanding cooling being defined as second zone cooling callers, such that if the total number of said first and second zone cooling callers equals or exceeds a preselected number defining the system mode demand number said system controller means selects the cooling mode of said unit and provides output signals to said zone thermostats and said mixing box control means indicative of the selected mode of said unit, said system controller means thereafter activates said unit in the selected mode until all zones, including said second zones, demanding the selected mode of said unit have been substantially satisfied and then deactivates said unit.

34. In the system as defined in claim 33 wherein said system controller means has a third program for determining, during said second preselected time period, the number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling and defining such zones as zone heating or zone cooling callers, respectively, and determining if any said fan-powered mixing box has been selected to operate in either the heating or cooling mode during said second preselected time period, each said second zone of said corresponding fan-powered mixing box that is demanding a mode coincident with the operating mode of such respective said fan-powered mixing box being defined as a second zone heating or cooling caller, respectively, such that if the total number of said first and second zone heating or cooling callers equals or exceeds a preselected number defining the system mode demand number said system controller means selects the corresponding heating or cooling mode, respectively, of said unit and provides output signals to said zone thermostats and said mixing box control means indicative of the selected mode of said unit, said system controller means thereafter activates said unit in the selected mode until all zones, including said second zones, demanding the selected mode of said unit have been substantially satisfied and then deactivates said unit.

35. In the system as defined in claim 34 wherein said system controller means has a fourth program means for determining, during said third preselected time period, the number of zones having a demand for heating and defining such zones as zone heating callers and determining if any said fan-powered mixing box has been selected to operate in the heating mode during said second preselected time period, said second zones of said corresponding operating fan-powered mixing box that are demanding heating being defined as second zone heating callers, such that if the total number of said first and second zone heating callers equals or exceeds a preselected number defining the system mode demand number, said system controller means selects the heating mode of said unit and provides output signals to said zone thermostats and said mixing box control means indicative of the selected mode of said unit, said system controller means thereafter activates said unit in the selected mode until all zones having zone callers, including said second zones, demanding the selected mode of said unit have been substantially satisfied and then deactivates said unit.

36. In the system as defined in claim 35 wherein said system controller means monitors all zone callers, including said second zones, during each said preselected time period and selects the respective zone caller with the greatest demand as a reference zone and activates said unit in the respective heating or cooling mode until said reference zone is substantially satisfied.

37. In the system as defined in claim 36 wherein said system controller means periodically determines the demand from all zone callers and, if the demand in another zone having a demand coincident with the selected mode of said unit is greater than said reference zone, said other zone is selected as a new reference zone and said unit is operated until demand in said new reference zone is substantially satisfied.

38. In the system as defined in claim 36 wherein said system controller means has a fifth program means such that when cooling demand in the reference zone exceeds a first predetermined value during said first time period said system controller means will provide an output signal to said unit for increasing the cooling supplied to said reference zone by said unit.

39. In the system as defined in claim 38 wherein said system controller means has a sixth program means for monitoring the temperature trend in said reference zone such that said system controller means will not provide an output signal to said unit for increasing the cooling supplied to said reference zone when the temperature trend in said reference zone indicates that the cooling demand of said reference zone is being substantially satisfied.

40. In the system as defined in claim 36 wherein said system controller means has a fifth program means such that when heating or cooling demand in the reference zone exceeds a first predetermined value during said second time period, said system controller means will provide an output signal to said unit for increasing the respective heating or cooling supplied to said reference zone by said unit.

41. In the system as defined in claim 40 wherein said system controller means has a sixth program means for monitoring the temperature trend in said reference zone such that said system controller means will not provide an output signal to said unit for increasing the respective heating or cooling supplied to said reference zone when the temperature trend in said reference zone indicates that the demand in said reference zone is being substantially satisfied.

42. In the system as defined in claim 36 wherein said system controller means has a fifth program means such that when heating demand in the reference zone exceeds a first predetermined value during said third time period, said system controller means will provide an output signal to said unit for increasing the heating supplied to said reference zone by said unit.

43. In the system as defined in claim 42 wherein said system controller means has a sixth program means for monitoring the temperature trend in said reference zone such that said system controller means will not provide an output signal to said unit for increasing the heating supplied to said reference zone when the temperature trend in said reference zone indicates that the heating demand of said reference zone is being substantially satisfied.

44. In the system as defined in claim 34 wherein said system controller means has a fourth program means for selecting a reference zone in said second time period such that if the total number of first and second zone callers demanding cooling is equal to the total number of first and second zone callers demanding heating and each such number equals or exceeds the system mode demand number, said system controller means selects the heating or cooling mode coincident with the demand of said zone having the greatest demand, such zone being selected as a reference zone.

45. In the system as defined in claim 4 wherein said programmable system controller means includes at least one programmable slave system coordinator and a programmable master system coordinator, said slave system coordinator receiving information from said damper controller means, receiving information indicative of the condition of air in each said zone, and supplying such information to said master system coordinator, said master system coordinator operating said unit in accordance with its programming and the information received from said slave system coordinator to control said unit in the heating or cooling mode.

46. In the system as defined in claim 45 wherein said master system coordinator has a first program means such that the allowable operating mode of said unit is the cooling mode only during a first preselected time period, is the heating or cooling mode during a second preselected time period, and is the heating mode only during a third preselected time period.

47. In the system as defined in claim 46 wherein said master system coordinator determines the demand for heating or cooling from all said zones and the number of zones demanding heating or cooling during each said preselected time period by receiving such information from said slave system coordinator and compares such number with a preselected number defining the system mode demand number for operating said unit in a demanded allowable mode during a said preselected time period if the number of zones demanding an allowable mode equals or exceeds said system mode demand number.

48. In the system as defined in claim 47 further including at least one fan-powered mixing box controlled by a mixing box control means for supplying heated or cooled conditioned air to a plurality of second zones, said mixing box control means receiving information for determining the condition of the air in each said second zone and the demand for heating or cooling in all said second zones and selecting the heating or cooling mode of said fan-powered mixing box, said mixing box control means providing such information to said slave system coordinator.

49. In the system as defined in claim 48 wherein said master system coordinator has a second program means such that when said fan-powered mixing box is being operated in either the heating or cooling mode, the number of said second zones having a demand coincident with the mode of said fan-powered mixing box is provided to said slave system coordinator, said master system coordinator determining the total number of zones, including said second zones, demanding an allowable operating mode of said unit by receiving such information from said slave system coordinator and compares such number with said system mode demand number for operating said unit in a demanded allowable mode if the total number of zones demanding an allowable mode equals or exceeds said system mode demand number.

50. In the system as defined in claim 49 wherein said master system coordinator has third program means for determining the zone, including said second zones, having the greatest demand coincident with a selected allowable operating mode of said unit, said zone with the greatest demand being selected by said master system coordinator as a reference zone, said master system coordinator operating said unit in the selected mode until the demand in said reference zone is substantially satisfied.

51. In the system as defined in claim 50 wherein said master system coordinator has fourth program means such that when demand in said reference zone exceeds a first predetermined value, said master system coordinator will provide an output signal to said unit for increasing the heating or cooling being provided by said unit to said reference zone.

52. In the system as defined in claim 51 wherein said master system coordinator has fifth program means for monitoring the temperature trend in said reference zone such that said master system coordinator will not provide an output signal to said unit for increasing the heating or cooling supplied to said reference zone when the temperature trend in said zone indicates that the respective heating or cooling demand in said reference zone is being substantially satisfied.

53. In the system as defined in claim 46 wherein said master system coordinator has second program means for selecting the heating sources that are available in said second preselected time period, said heating sources selectable being the heating source of said unit, or said zone heating means, or said heating source of said unit and said zone heating means.

54. In the system as defined in claim 46 wherein said master system coordinator has second program means for selecting the heating sources that are available in said third preselected time period, said heating sources selectable being the heating source of said unit or the heating source of said unit and said zone heating means.

55. In the system as defined in claim 11 wherein said system controller means has first program means such that when said system controller receives a signal from said second sensor indicating outside air temperature is greater than a predetermined value established by said system controller means, said system controller will not activate the heating mode of said unit even if demand therefor is called for by any respective said zones.

56. In the system as defined in claim 1 further including at least one fan-powered mixing box assembly in a said secondary duct controlled by a mixing box control means for supplying heated or cooled conditioned air to a plurality of second zones, said mixing box control means receiving information for determining the condition of the air in each said second zone and the demand for heating or cooling in all said second zones and selecting the heating or cooling mode of said fan-powered mixing box, said system controller means receiving information from each said mixing box control means, said system controller means operating said unit in accordance with its programming, the condition of air in each zone and in accordance with information received from each damper controller means and each mixing box control means to control said unit in preselected allowable modes during distinct time periods.

57. In the system as defined in claim 1 wherein said programmable system controller means includes at least one programmable slave system coordinator and a programmable master system coordinator, said slave system coordinator receiving information from said damper controller means, receiving information indicative of the condition of air in each said zone, and supplying such information to said master system coordinator, said master system coordinator operating said unit in accordance with its programming and the information received from said slave system coordinator to control said unit in the heating or cooling mode.

58. A method for monitoring, controlling and coordinating the operation of a system which includes a central variable air volume heating and cooling unit for supplying heated or cooled conditioned air to a plurality of zones via duct dampers operated by respective damper control means wherein the system further includes at least one fan-powered mixing box operated by a mixing box control means and at least one zone having supplemental heating means controlled by the respective damper control means, wherein a programmable system controller means receives information from the damper control means and mixing box control means indicative of the condition of air in each zone and the operating mode of each fan-powered mixing box to operate the central unit in preselected allowable modes during distinct time periods, comprising the steps of:

A. determining by the system controller means the zone demand for heating or cooling from all damper control means;

B. determining by the system controller means the number of the zones having a demand for heating or cooling from all damper control means;

C. determining if any fan-powered mixing box is being operated in the heating or cooling mode and the demand of and number of zones associated with any operating mixing box that is demanding the selected mode of such mixing box;

D. selectively preselecting by the system controller means the number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling that is necessary to activate the central unit in an allowable mode;

E. comparing the numbers obtained from steps B and C by the system controller means and selecting the desired allowable mode when the total of the number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling, respectively, as obtained in steps B and C is equal to or greater than the number selected in step D;

F. activating the central unit by the system controller means in the selected mode until all zones demanding the selected mode have been satisfied;

G. deactivating the central unit by the system controller means; and

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

59. The method of claim 58 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, and if both heating and cooling modes are allowable during the preselected time period, the central unit will be activated in step F in the mode coincident with the demand of the zone with the greatest demand.

60. The method of claim 58 wherein step F includes the step of:

I. choosing by the system controller means the zone demanding the selected mode as the reference zone and activating the central unit until the demand of the reference zone is substantially satisfied.

61. The method of claim 60 wherein step I further includes the step of:

J. selecting by the system controller means a second reference zone if the demand in a second zone is of the same mode and exceeds the demand in the reference zone selected in step I.

62. The method of claim 60 wherein step I further includes the step of:

J. monitoring by the system controller means the demand of the reference zone and increasing the heating or being supplied by the center unit if the demand in the reference zone exceeds a predetermined value established by the system controller means.

63. The method of claim 62 wherein step J further includes the step of:

K. monitoring by the system controller means of the temperature trend in the reference zone and not increasing the heating or cooling supplied by the unit if the temperature trend in the reference zone indicates that the demand of the reference zone is being substantially satisfied.

64. The method of claim 58 further including the steps of:

I. monitoring by the system controller means of the air temperature outside the system; and

J. sending a signal from the system controller means to the damper control means to maintain associated zone supplemental heating sources OFF when outside air temperature is greater than a predetermined value established by the system controller means.

65. The method of claim 58 further including the steps of:

I. monitoring by the system controller means of the air temperature outside the system; and

J. maintaining the heating mode of the central unit OFF by the system controller means when the air temperature outside the system is greater than a predetermined value established by the system controller means.

66. The method of claim 58 further comprising the steps of:

I. determining by the system controller means the real time; and

J. selecting the mode of operation of the central unit in step F in accordance with the programming of the system controller means such that the central unit is operated only in the cooling mode during a first time period;

operated in either the heating or cooling mode during a second time period; and

operated only in the heating mode during a third time period.

67. The method of claim 66 further comprising the step of:

K. preselecting the heating sources that are available in the second time period in accord with the programming of the system controller means such that (a) only the heating sources of the central unit are available;

(b) both the central unit heating sources and the zone supplemental heating sources are available;

or (c) only the zone supplemental heating sources are available.

68. The method of claim 66 further comprising the step of:

K. preselecting the heating sources that are available in the third time period in accord with the programming of the system controller means such that (a) only the heating sources of the central unit are available or (b) both the central unit heating sources and the zone supplemental heating sources are available.

69. A method for monitoring, controlling and coordinating the operation of a system which includes a central heating and cooling unit for supplying a plurality of zones with heated or cooled conditioned air via zone duct damper means controlled by respective damper control means wherein the system further includes at least one fan-powered mixing box operated by respective mixing box control means for supplying heated or cooled conditioned air to a group of the zones and further includes at least one zone having supplemental heating means operated by respective damper control means, wherein a programmable slave system coordinator receives information from the damper control means and the mixing box control means indicative of the condition of the air in each zone and operating mode of each fan-powered mixing box, and wherein a programmable master system coordinator receives such information from the programmable slave system coordinator to operate the central heating and cooling unit in preselected allowable modes during distinct time periods comprising the steps of:

A. determining the zone demand for heating or cooling from all damper control means by the slave system coordinator;

B. determining the number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling from all damper control means by the slave system coordinator;

C. determining by the slave system coordinator if any fan-powered mixing box is being operated in the heating or cooling mode and the demand of and number of zones associated with an operating mixing box that are demanding the selected mode of such mixing box;

D. selectively preselecting by the master system coordinator the total number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling that is necessary to activate the central unit in an allowable mode;

E. comparing the numbers obtained from steps B and C by the master system coordinator and selecting the desired allowable mode when the total of the number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling respectively, as obtained in steps B and C is equal to or greater than the number selected in step D;

F. activating the central unit by the master system coordinator in the selected mode until all zones demanding the selected mode have been satisfied;

G. deactivating the central unit by the master system coordinator; and

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

70. The method of claim 69 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, and if both heating and cooling modes are allowable during the preselected time period, the central unit will be activated in step F in the mode coincident with the demand of the zone with the greatest demand.

71. The method of claim 69 wherein step F includes the step of:

I. choosing by the master system coordinator the zone demanding the selected mode as the reference zone and activating the central unit until the demand of the reference zone is substantially satisfied.

72. The method of claim 71 wherein step I further includes the step of:

J. selecting by the master system coordinator 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 I.

73. The method of claim 71 wherein step I further includes the step of:

J. monitoring by the master system coordinator the demand of the reference zone and increasing the heating or cooling being supplied by the central unit if the demand in the reference zone exceeds a predetermined value established by the master system coordinator.

74. The method of claim 73 wherein step J further includes the step of:

K. monitoring by the master system coordinator of the temperature trend in the reference zone and not increasing the heating or cooling supplied by the unit if the temperature trend in the reference zone indicates that the demand of the reference zone is being substantially satisfied.

75. The method of claim 69 further including the steps of:

I. monitoring by the master system coordinator of the air temperature outside the system; and

J. sending a signal from the master system coordinator to the slave system coordinator and from the slave system coordinator to the damper control means to maintain associated zone supplemental heating sources OFF when outside air temperature is greater than a predetermined value established by the master system coordinator.

76. The method of claim 69 further comprising the steps of:

I. determining by the master system coordinator the real time; and

J. selecting the mode of operation of the central unit in step F in accordance with the programming of the master system coordinator such that the central unit is operated only in the cooling mode during a first time period;

operated in either the heating or cooling mode during a second time period; and

operated only in the heating mode during a third time period.

77. The method of claim 76 further comprising the step of:

K. preselecting the heating sources that are available in the second time period in accord with the programming of the master system coordinator such that (a) only the heating sources of the central unit are available;

(b) both the central unit heating sources and the zone supplemental heating sources are available;

or (c) only the zone supplemental heating sources are available.

78. The method of claim 76 further comprising the step of:

K. preselecting the heating sources that are available in the third time period in accord with the programming of the master system coordinator such that (a) only the heating sources of the central unit are available or (b) both the central unit heating sources and the zone supplemental heating sources are available.

79. In a system for monitoring and controlling the condition of air in each of a plurality of zones when using a unit having a fan to supply cooled conditioned air.,to each zone via a main duct and secondary ducts through a zone damper means in zone ducts communicating with each zone and operated by a damper control means, means for controlling and coordinating the operation of said unit with said damper control means and respective said zone damper means, said means comprising a programmable system controller means receiving information from each said damper controller means, said system controller means including program means such that said unit is operable only in preselected allowable modes during respective distinct time periods and inoperable in such preselected modes in other time periods, means for determining the condition of air in each said zone and supplying such information to said programmable system controller means, said system controller means operating said unit in accordance with its programming, the condition of air, in each zone and in accordance with information received from each damper controller means to control said unit in preselected allowable modes during said respective distinct time periods.

80. In the system as defined in claim 79 further including at least one fan-powered mixing box assembly in a said secondary duct controlled by a mixing box control means for supplying heated or cooled conditioned air to a plurality of second zones, said mixing box control means receiving information for determining the condition of the air in each said second zone and the demand for heating or cooling in all said second zones and selecting the heating or cooling mode of said fan-powered mixing box, said system controller means receiving information from each said mixing box control means, said system controller means operating said unit in accordance with its programming, the condition of air in each zone and in accordance with information received from each damper controller means and each mixing box control means to control said unit in preselected allowable modes during distinct time periods.

81. In the system as defined in claim 79 wherein said programmable system controller means includes at least one programmable slave system coordinator and a programmable master system coordinator, said slave system coordinator receiving information from said damper controller means, receiving information indicative of the condition of air in each said zone, and supplying such information to said master system coordinator, said master system coordinator operating said unit in accordance with its programming and the information received from said slave system coordinator to control said unit in the cooling mode.

82. A method for monitoring, controlling and coordinating the operation of a system which includes a central variable air volume heating and cooling unit for supplying heated or cooled conditioned air to a plurality of zones via duct dampers operated by respective damper control means, wherein a programmable system controller means, which includes selectable programs such that the central unit is operable only in preselected allowable heating or cooling modes during respective distinct time periods and inoperable in such preselected modes in other time periods, receives information from the damper control means indicative of the condition of air in each zone to operate the central unit only in the cooling mode during distinct time periods, when a program that allows only cooling has been selected for that respective time period, comprising the steps of:

A. determining by the system controller means the zone demand for cooling from all damper control means;

B. determining by the system controller means the number of the zones having a demand for cooling from all damper control means;

C. selectively preselecting by the system controller means the number of zones having a demand for cooling that is necessary to activate the central unit in a cooling mode;

D. comparing the numbers obtained from steps B and C by the system controller means and selecting the desired allowable mode when the total of the number of zones having a demand for cooling, as obtained in step B is equal to or greater than the number selected in step C;

E. activating the central unit by the system controller means in the cooling mode until all zones demanding the selected mode have bene satisfied; and

F. deactivating the central unit by the system controller means.

83. The method of claim 82 wherein the system further includes a central variable air volume unit having heating for supplying heated conditioned air to a plurality of zones via duct dampers operated by respective damper control means, wherein a programmable system controller means receives information from the damper control means indicative of the condition of air in each zone to operate the central unit only in preselected allowable modes during respective distinct time periods and a program that allows heating and cooling has been selected for a respective time period, further comprising the steps of:

G. determining by the system controller means the zone demand for heating or cooling from all damper control means;

H. determining by the system controller means the number of the zones having a demand for heating or cooling from all damper control means;

I. selectively preselecting by the system controller means the number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling that is necessary to activate the central unit in an allowable mode;

J. comparing the numbers obtained from steps H and I by the system controller means and selecting the desired allowable mode then the total of the number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling, respectively, as obtained in step H is equal to or greater than the number selected in step I;

K. activating the central unit by the system controller means in the selected mode until all zones demanding the selected mode have been satisfied;

L. deactivating the central unit by the system controller means; and

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

84. The method of claim 83 wherein the system further includes at least one fan-powered mixing box operated by a mixing box control means, wherein a programmable system controller means receives information from the damper control means and mixing box control means indicative of the condition of air in each zone and the operating mode of each fan-powered mixing box to operate the central unit in preselected allowable modes during distinct time periods, further comprising the steps of:

N. determining if any fan-powered mixing box is being operated in the heating or cooling mode and the demand of and number of zones associated with any operating mixing box that is demanding the selected mode of such mixing box;

O. comparing the numbers obtained from steps H, I and N by the system controller means and selecting the desired allowable mode when the total of the number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling, respectively, as obtained in steps H and N is equal to or greater than the number selected in step I;

P. activating the central unit by the system controller means in the selected mode until all zones demanding the selected mode have been satisfied;

Q. deactivating the central unit by the system controller means; and

R. repeating steps G-Q for the other mode when demand for the other mode has been selected in accord with steps G-O.