Method and apparatus for controlling air flow in a structure
First Claim
1. A method for selectively controlling air flow from at least one efferent end of the ducts of an HVAC system, comprising the steps of:
- selecting a desired air flow through the HVAC ducts in response to flow control signals using a flow control valve interfaced with at least one efferent end of the HVAC ducts;
generating flow control commands using a flow control command device;
converting the flow control commands to flow control signals using a command decoder; and
moving the flow control valve to a known reference position, and moving the flow control valve from the reference position to a position that produces the desired air flow using the flow control signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Flow control valves (19) are provided and interfaced with the HVAC ducts (14) at the efferent ends (16) in adjoining rooms of a structure. A flow control command device (29), mounted on the wall of the structure (25), is provided to control the flow of air through the HVAC ducts (14) in response to flow control commands. Flow control commands are transmitted by wireless means to the command decoder (22) and converted to flow control signals. A flow control signal bus (21) is provided to connect the flow control signals to the flow control valves (19). A master thermostat (32) is connected directly to the HVAC system (10) and in series with a slave thermostat (30). This series thermostat connection causes control of the HVAC system (10) to be determined by the thermostat located in the room that receives the higher air flow.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A method for selectively controlling air flow from at least one efferent end of the ducts of an HVAC system, comprising the steps of:
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selecting a desired air flow through the HVAC ducts in response to flow control signals using a flow control valve interfaced with at least one efferent end of the HVAC ducts; generating flow control commands using a flow control command device; converting the flow control commands to flow control signals using a command decoder; and moving the flow control valve to a known reference position, and moving the flow control valve from the reference position to a position that produces the desired air flow using the flow control signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for selectively controlling air flow from at least one primary flow control valve interfaced with at least one efferent end of the ducts of an HVAC system and at least one complementary flow control valve interfaced with at least one other efferent end of the ducts of an HVAC system with minimal change in the total air flow through the HVAC system, comprising the steps of:
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selecting a desired air flow through the HVAC ducts in response to flow control signals using a primary flow control valve interfaced with at least one efferent end and at least one complementary flow control valve interfaced with at least another efferent end of the HVAC ducts; generating flow control commands using a flow control command device; converting the flow control commands to flow control signals using a command decoder; moving at least one primary flow control valve to a known reference position, and moving at least one complementary flow control valve to a complementary reference position using flow control signals; moving each flow control valve from it'"'"'s reference position to positions that produce complementary air flow using flow control signals; locating at least one master thermostat proximate to at least one primary flow control valve; locating at least one slave thermostat proximate to at least one complementary flow control valve; and connecting the thermostats in a logical AND configuration that requires all connected thermostats to be calling in order to enable the HVAC system to be operated. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A flow control system for selectively controlling air flow from at least one efferent end of the ducts of an HVAC system, comprising:
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a flow control valve interfaced with at least one efferent end of the HVAC ducts, said flow control valve operable to control the flow of air therethrough in response to flow control signals; a flow control command device for generating flow control commands; a command decoder for converting flow control commands to flow control signals; a positioning system for moving said flow control valve to a known reference position; and
moving said flow control valve from said known reference position to a position that produces the desired air flow using said flow control signals. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A flow control system for selectively controlling air flow from at least one primary flow control valve interfaced with at least one efferent end of the ducts of an HVAC system and at least one complementary flow control valve interfaced with at least one other efferent end of the ducts of an HVAC system with minimal change in the total air flow through the HVAC system, comprising:
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a primary flow control valve interfaced with at least one efferent end and at least one complementary flow control valve interfaced with at least one other efferent end of the HVAC ducts, said flow control valves operable to control the flow of air therethrough in response to flow control signals; a flow control command device for generating flow control commands; a command decoder for converting the flow control commands to flow control signals; a positioning system for moving at least one primary flow control valve to a known reference position, and for moving at least one complementary flow control valve to a complementary reference position, and for moving each flow control valve from it'"'"'s reference position to positions that produce complementary air flow using flow control signals; at least one master thermostat located proximate to at least one primary flow control valve; at least one slave thermostat located proximate to at least one complementary flow control valve; and a logical AND connection between the thermostats that requires all connected thermostats to be calling in order to enable the HVAC system to be operated. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification