Self configuring controller
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operating a controller of an HVAC system complying the steps of:
- constantly establishing the validity of each of a plurality of input devices; and
reconfiguring the mode of operation of the HVAC system each time the validity of any of the plurality of input devices changes to ensure that the HVAC system operates in the best available mode of operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of operating a controller of an HVAC system comprising the steps of: constantly establishing the validity of each of a plurality of input devices; and reconfiguring the mode of operation of the HVAC system each time the validity of any of the plurality of input devices changes to ensure that the HVAC system operates in the best available mode of operation.
382 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of operating a controller of an HVAC system complying the steps of:
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constantly establishing the validity of each of a plurality of input devices; and reconfiguring the mode of operation of the HVAC system each time the validity of any of the plurality of input devices changes to ensure that the HVAC system operates in the best available mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of determining an evaporator defrost mode of operation for an HVAC system comprising the steps of:
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constantly establishing the validity of an outdoor air temperature sensor; determining a first evaporator defrost mode of operation if the outdoor air temperature sensor is valid; determining a second evaporator defrost mode of operation if the outdoor air temperature sensor is invalid; and defrosting using a st evaporator defrost mode of operation if the outdoor temperature sensor is valid; defrosting using the second evaporator defrost mode of operation if the outdoor air temperature sensor is invalid. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method of selecting the operating mode of an economizer comprising the steps of:
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selecting a dry bulb economizer mode of operation if an outside air humidity sensor is not valid; selecting a reference economizer mode of operation if an outside air humidity sensor is valid, and if a return air temperature sensor or a return air humidity sensor are invalid; and selecting a comparative economizer mode of operation if the outside air humidity sensor, the return air temperature sensor, and the return air humidity sensor are valid. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method of selecting operational compressors in an HVAC system for scheduling purposes comprising the steps of:
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designating selected system compressors as primary and secondary compressors; determining whether a compressor cycling line respectively associated with each selected system compressor is providing a valid input; determining which compressors, if any, are disabled based upon the validity of the respective compressor cycling input; and replacing a disabled primary or secondary compressor with a system compressor which is not disabled.
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18. A self configuring controller for an HVAC system comprising:
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a controller; means, adapted for connection to said controller, for providing an initial HVAC system configuration; means, operatively associated with the controller, for determining the validity of predetermined HVAC system components; and means, operatively associated with the controller, for reconfiguring the controller in response to a change in the validity of the predetermined HVAC system components. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. An HVAC system comprising:
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a compressor; a condenser connected to the outlet of the compressor; an evaporator connected to the inlet of the compressor; an expansion device connected between the evaporator and the condenser; and a controller including means to control the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator; means for initially configuring the HVAC system; and means for periodically reconfiguring the HVAC system configuration based upon the validity of selected inputs so that the HVAC system runs in the best operational mode at all times.
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21. A method of operating an HVAC system comprising the steps of:
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determining a system configuration; selecting an initial operating mode for the HVAC system; operating the system; monitoring the validity of selected system components; reconfiguring the system configuration whenever the selected system components change validity; and reselecting the optimal operating mode of operation for the HVAC system.
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22. A method of reconfiguring the operation of an HVAC system comprising the steps of:
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monitoring the operation of a plurality of HVAC system components; determining the validity of input signals received from each of the plurality of HVAC system components;
p1 detecting a change of validity for a particular system component; andreconfiguring the HVAC system to an operational mode which reflects the optimal system operation mode for the operating system components. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method of using the best available setpoint to operate an HVAC system comprising the steps of:
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determining a desired mode of operation for the HVAC system; determining the validity of a cooling setpoint; determining the validity of a heating setpoint; operating the HVAC system using the cooling setpoint if the cooling setpoint is valid and the desired mode of operation is cooling; operating the HVAC system using the heating setpoint if the heating setpoint is valid and the desired mode of operation is heating; automatically substituting the heating setpoint plus a first offset for the cooling setpoint if the desired mode of operation is cooling and the heating setpoint is valid and the cooling setpoint is invalid; and automatically substituting the cooling setpoint minus a second offset for the heating setpoint if the desired mode of operation is heating and the cooling setpoint is valid and the heating setpoint is invalid. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A self configuring controller for an HVAC system comprising:
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a controller having a plurality of modes of operation including a first mode of operation, a second mode of operation, and a default mode of operation; the controller having a plurality of inputs where the inputs are either within a predetermined range (valid) or outside of a predetermined range (invalid); the controller including means, operatively associated with the plurality of inputs, for continuously determining the validity of the plurality of inputs and for providing a signal each time a particular input experiences a change in validity; means, responsive to the validity determining means, for determining an optimum mode of operation from the plurality of modes of operation each time an input experiences a change in validity, the optimum mode determining means further including means for initiating the default mode of operation only if no other mode of operation can be sustained; and means, responsive to the optimum mode determining means, for configuring the controller to operate in the optimum mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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Specification