Controller for use in an environment control network capable of storing diagnostic information

• US 5,555,195 A
• Filed: 07/22/1994
• Issued: 09/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Service Company
• Inventors: Seem, John E., Jensen, Howard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Voeltz, Emanuel T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAH, KAMINI S
• Application Number:
  US08/278,915
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 364/550, 364/510, 364/551.01, 62/93, 62/126, 62/129, 236/49.3, 236/45, 236/25 R, 165/16, 165/2, 165/100
• US Class Current: 700/276
• 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 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 3/044 Systems in which all treatment is given in the central station, i.e. all-air systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/34 by measuring pressure or differential pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4184 characterised by fault tolerance, reliability of production system
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

The present invention relates to a diagnostic system for use in a network control system. The diagnostic system is preferably utilized to analyze VAV box performance in an environmental control system such as a network facilities management system. The diagnostic system advantageously records temperature, airflow, and actuator position data in the controller associated with the VAV box. Such a system allows person to analyze VAV boxes and controller performance over a particular timely period and the lifetime of the system. Box and damper warnings may be provided by the diagnostic system when the box or damper is operating below particular performance levels. Preferably, the diagnostic system formats the air flow actuator positions and temperature data so that it can be displayed for graphing. The diagnostic data is advantageously stored in the individual controllers.

Claims

1. A VAV controller operatively associated with a VAV box, said VAV controller coupled to a first communication bus, said VAV controller comprising:

parameter input means for receiving a parameter value from a sensor;

a communication port coupled with said first communication bus;

memory means for storing diagnostic information; and

processor means coupled with said memory means, said parameter input means, and said communication port, for generating said diagnostic information and receiving said parameter value, and said processor means programmed to receive said parameter value at said parameter input, said processor means programmed to calculate said diagnostic information and store in said memory said diagnostic information related to an average error associated with said parameter value, said processor means programmed to provide said diagnostic information to said communication port, wherein a computer is coupled to said communication port via said first communication bus and said computer receives said diagnostic information and wherein the computer is a work station.

2. A VAV controller operatively associated with a VAV box, said VAV controller coupled to a first communication bus, said VAV controller comprising:

parameter input means for receiving a parameter value from a sensor;

a communication port coupled with said first communication bus;

memory means for storing diagnostic information; and

processor means coupled with said memory means, said parameter input means, and said communication port, for generating said diagnostic information and receiving said parameter value, and said processor means programmed to receive said parameter value at said parameter input said processor means programmed to calculate said diagnostic information and store in said memory said diagnostic information related to an average error associated with said parameter value said processor means programmed to provide said diagnostic information to said communication port, wherein a computer is coupled to said communication port via said first communication bus and said computer receives said diagnostic information, and wherein said controller provides an actuator signal to said VAV box for controlling air flow, and wherein said diagnostic information further is comprised of a plurality of samples of said actuator signal.