Process and apparatus for individual adjustment of the temperature set points of a plurality of VAV devices through a network server

• US 6,338,437 B1
• Filed: 02/01/2000
• Issued: 01/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acutherm LP (Acutherm)
• Original Assignee: Acutherm LP (Acutherm)
• Inventors: Kline, James R., Costick, Matthew L.
• Primary Examiner(s): WAYNER, WILLIAM E
• Application Number:
  US09/495,684
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 236/51, 236/49.3, 700/276, 700/277, 165/217, 165/212
• 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 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/74 for controlling air flow rate or air velocity
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2638 Airconditioning
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31104 Remote configuration of parameters of controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31156 Network structure, internet
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

An apparatus and process for individual adjustment of the temperature set points of a plurality of VAV devices (27, 29) in an HVAC system. The process includes the step of directly, or indirectly through a network server (61), coupling each of a plurality of computers (34) located in a plurality of offices or spaces (22) for input of a temperature set point based signal. The computers (34) are coupled to the VAV devices (27, 29) such that a selected computer can be used to adjust the temperature set point of only VAV devices (27, 29) located in the same space (22) as the selected computer (34). Such coupling can be wired or wireless, based upon the use of computer networks (36, 42) which are connected to the VAV devices (27, 29) directly or through the building HVAC control network (32) or through a network server (61), which also is accessed by the building control computer (24). In the preferred form, the computers (34) are also capable of retrieving the current temperature set point from the VAV device (27, 29), displaying it on the computer display screen and thereafter adjusting the temperature, for example, by using graphical interface software.

Claims

1. A process for individual adjustment of the temperature set points of a plurality of VAV devices in an HVAC system for a building comprising the steps of:

coupling each of a plurality of computers located in a plurality of spaces in said building for input of a temperature set point based signal to at least one VAV device located for the discharge of air into each of said spaces, each said VAV device being adapted for, and responsive to, receipt of said signal to make a lasting adjustment of a temperature set point for said VAV device;

inputting a selected computer to produce said temperature set point based signal for adjustment of the temperature set point of a VAV device located in the same space as said selected computer; and

communicating said temperature set point based signal to the VAV device located in said same space to effect adjustment of the temperature set point for said VAV device independently of other VAV devices in said HVAC system.

2. The process as defined in claim 1 wherein,

said coupling step is accomplished by coupling said plurality of computers to a signal storage assembly, and by coupling said signal storage assembly to a computer coupled to said VAV devices.

3. A process for individual adjustment of the temperature set points of a plurality of VAV devices in an HVAC system for a building comprising the steps of:

coupling each of a plurality of computers located in a plurality of spaces in said building for input of a temperature set point based signal to at least one VAV device located for the discharge of air into each of said spaces, each said VAV device being adapted for, and responsive to, receipt of said signal to adjust a temperature set point for said VAV device, said coupling step being accomplished by coupling said plurality of computers to a network server assembly for storing temperature set point based signals therein, and by coupling the VAV devices to said network server assembly for communication of stored temperature set point based signals therefrom;

inputting a selected computer to produce said temperature set point based signal for adjustment of the temperature set point of a VAV device located in the same space as said selected computer; and

communicating said temperature set point based signal from said selected computer through said network server assembly to the VAV device located in said same space to effect adjustment of the temperature set point for said VAV device independently of other VAV devices in said HVAC system.

4. The process as defined in claim 3 wherein,

said coupling step is accomplished by coupling said plurality of computers to a first network and by coupling said first network to said network server assembly.

5. The process as defined in claim 4 wherein,

said communicating step is accomplished by communicating said temperature set point based signal from said selected computer to said network server, by storing said temperature set point based signal in said network server, by retrieving said temperature set point based signal from said network server, and by communicating said temperature set point based signal to the VAV device located in the same space as said selected computer.

6. The process as defined in claim 5 wherein,

said coupling step is accomplished by further coupling a second network to said network server assembly and to a building HVAC control computer formed to retrieve said temperature set point based signals from said network server assembly and to communicate said temperature set point based signals to said VAV devices.

7. The process as defined in claim 5 wherein,

said communicating step includes communicating a temperature set point based signal encoded to only effect adjustment of only a VAV device located in the same space as said selected computer from said network server to said VAV devices.

8. The process as defined in claim 7, and

prior to said inputting step, storing a current temperature set point based signal for each said VAV device in said network server;

and

prior to said inputting step, retrieving said current temperature set point based signal from said network server using said selected computer and displaying the current temperature set point for said VAV device at a display terminal for said selected computer.

9. The process as defined in claim 8, and

prior to said inputting step, using a graphical interface to select a new temperature set point input.

10. The process as defined in claim 3 wherein,

said coupling step is accomplished by coupling said plurality of VAV devices to a second network, and by coupling said second network to said network server assembly.

11. An HVAC system comprising:

a plurality of VAV devices each adapted for, and responsive to, receipt of a signal to make a lasting adjustment of a temperature set point for operation of said VAV devices, at least one of said VAV devices being located in each of a plurality of spaces in a building; and

a plurality of computers each adapted to produce signals suitable for adjusting the temperature set point of a VAV device and being located in at least a plurality of said spaces having a VAV device therein, said plurality of computers each further being coupled and adapted for the transmission of a temperature set point based signal to a VAV device located in the same space as said computer so as to enable a lasting adjustment of the temperature set point.

12. The HVAC system as defined in claim 11 wherein,

said VAV devices are provided by at least one of a VAV diffuser and a VAV box; and

said plurality of computers are coupled for the transmission of said temperature set point based signals to said VAV device through a network server assembly.

13. The HVAC system as defined in claim 12 wherein,

said computers are coupled together by a first local area network, and

said first local area network is coupled to said network server assembly.

14. The HVAC system as defined in claim 13 wherein,

said VAV devices are coupled together by a second local area network, and

said second local area network is coupled to said network server assembly.

15. The HVAC system as defined in claim 13 wherein,

said second local area network is coupled to a building computer formed to retrieve temperature set point based signals stored in said network server assembly and to communicate said temperature set point based signals to said VAV devices over said second local area network.

16. The HVAC system as defined in claim 15 wherein,

said computers include programs formed to retrieve temperature set point based data from said network server assembly as to the current set point temperature of said VAV devices.