Air conditioning system

• US 4,948,040 A
• Filed: 12/27/1988
• Issued: 08/14/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Stratton, Larry J., Kobayashi, Toyohiro, Otsuka, Nobuo, Thompson, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Tanner, Harry B.
• Application Number:
  US07/290,463
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 62/160, 62/125, 62/126, 62/127, 62/180, 62/157, 62/234, 236/94, 236/46 R, 236/49, 236/1 E, 236/1 B, 165/11.1, 165/12, 165/16
• US Class Current: 236/49.3
• 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 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/77 by controlling the speed of ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/88 Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature

Abstract

A duct type air conditioning system with a variable capacity blower in which the maximum blower capacity is established at initialization of the system at the optimum blower capacity. The optimum capacity is established by varying the capacity of the blower and measuring the air flow volume and air flow noise. The optimum capacity is inputted into the control system through a central thermostat which has a liquid crystal display associated therewith. The system installer interfaces with the control system by a dialog which occurs through the liquid crystal display. The optimum capacity of the blower is stored in a memory device, and the control system variably controls the capacity of the blower so as not to exceed the optimum capacity.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system comprising:

a warm or cool air generating source unit,

a capacity variable blower connected to the air generating source unit,

ducts in fluid communication with the blower to distribute warm or cool air,

dampers installed in the ducts for adjusting the air flow,

pressure sensors for mesuring air flow volume outputted by the air generating source unit,

a central thermostat comprising a liquid crystal display which displays data on the thermostat, a plurality of operator controlled switches for the operator to input information, the liquid crystal display displaying the inputted information,

a control system having a microcomputer electrically connected to the operator controlled switches to receive the operator inputted information, a plurality of output devices connected to the microcomputer which are energized in response to specific input information, a first memory for storing initially inputted information and a second memory for storing programs and tables, the control system being operatively connected to the air generating source unit, fan, dampers, pressure sensors and thermostat with the operator actively interacting with the system by a question and answer dialog,

a communication means for transmitting data between the control system and central thermostat, and

control means on the central thermostat to bypass the control system enabling the operator to directly control the air generating source unit, fan, and dampers by means of the operator controlled switches with the operator inputted information and status of the air generating source unit, fan, damper, pressure sensors and thermostat being selectively displayed on the liquid crystal display.

2. The air conditioning system of claim 1 wherein the central thermostat further comprises a power conditioning circuit for permitting a non-polarized connection for inputting power to the central thermostat.

3. The air conditioning system of claim 2 and further comprising a thermistor providing a signal representative of the ambient temperature at the central thermostat, the thermistor signal being inputted to the microcomputer.

4. The air conditioning system of claim 3 wherein the control system has a stored program of desired temperatures at particular times, and means for recalling the temperatures at the particular times.

5. The air conditioning system of claim 4 and further comprising comparator means in the control system to compare the ambient temperature with the stored program temperature, and means to determine if the warm or cool air generating source should be energized.