HVAC/R monitoring apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for monitoring operating data generated by components of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and/or refrigeration (HVAC/R) system of a facility, the components configured to operate within pre-programmed operating parameters and including a UV lamp and a control unit comprising a first flash code lamp and a second flash code lamp, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of sensors configured to sense operating data from the components of the HVAC/R system, the plurality of sensors including a first optical sensor positioned to sense the operation of the UV lamp, a second optical sensor positioned to sense operation of the first flash code lamp, and a third optical sensor positioned to sense operation of the second flash code lamp;
a first flash code reader comprising a housing for mounting the second optical sensor adjacent the first flash code lamp;
a second flash code reader comprising a housing for mounting the third optical sensor adjacent the second flash code lamp;
a first computer located on or near the HVAC/R system configured to store the pre-programmed operating parameters for the components and operable to receive the operating data from the sensors and to generate error messages when the operating data is outside the pre-programmed operating parameters;
a second computer located remotely from the HVAC/R system and operable to communicate with the first computer to receive and store the operating data and the error messages generated by the first computer; and
a communications system configured to facilitate communications between the first computer and the second computer, wherein the first computer is physically integrated with the control unit, and wherein the control unit is operable to generate flash codes via the first flash code lamp and the second flash code lamp, the first flash code lamp operable to provide operating data in the form of a visual indication of the operation of a furnace, an interior A/C unit, and a blower, the second flash code lamp operable to provide operating data in the form of a visual indication of the operation of an outside A/C unit.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for monitoring the operation of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and/or refrigeration (HVAC/R) system includes a first computer located on or near the HVAC/R system and a plurality of sensors positioned to sense various operating parameters of the HVAC/R system. The sensors communicate the sensed parameters to the first computer. When the first computer detects a condition of the HVAC/R system that requires attention, based on parameters sensed by the sensors, the first computer communicates with a second computer located remote from the first computer and transmits a message related to the condition.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for monitoring operating data generated by components of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and/or refrigeration (HVAC/R) system of a facility, the components configured to operate within pre-programmed operating parameters and including a UV lamp and a control unit comprising a first flash code lamp and a second flash code lamp, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of sensors configured to sense operating data from the components of the HVAC/R system, the plurality of sensors including a first optical sensor positioned to sense the operation of the UV lamp, a second optical sensor positioned to sense operation of the first flash code lamp, and a third optical sensor positioned to sense operation of the second flash code lamp; a first flash code reader comprising a housing for mounting the second optical sensor adjacent the first flash code lamp; a second flash code reader comprising a housing for mounting the third optical sensor adjacent the second flash code lamp; a first computer located on or near the HVAC/R system configured to store the pre-programmed operating parameters for the components and operable to receive the operating data from the sensors and to generate error messages when the operating data is outside the pre-programmed operating parameters; a second computer located remotely from the HVAC/R system and operable to communicate with the first computer to receive and store the operating data and the error messages generated by the first computer; and a communications system configured to facilitate communications between the first computer and the second computer, wherein the first computer is physically integrated with the control unit, and wherein the control unit is operable to generate flash codes via the first flash code lamp and the second flash code lamp, the first flash code lamp operable to provide operating data in the form of a visual indication of the operation of a furnace, an interior A/C unit, and a blower, the second flash code lamp operable to provide operating data in the form of a visual indication of the operation of an outside A/C unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for monitoring operating data generated by components of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and/or refrigeration (HVAC/R) system of a facility, the components configured to operate within pre-programmed operating parameters and including at least one of a furnace, an interior air conditioner (A/C) unit, an outside A/C unit, a fan motor, a blower, a supply air duct, a return air duct, an A/C suction line, an A/C fluid line, an air filter, an evaporator, an evaporator pan, a floor drain, a thermostat, a UV lamp, and a control unit having a first flash code lamp and a second flash code lamp, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of sensors, each sensor configured to sense operating data from one of the components of the HVAC/R system, the plurality of sensors comprising a first optical sensor positioned to sense the operation of the UV lamp, a second optical sensor positioned to sense operation of the first flash code lamp, and a third optical sensor positioned to sense operation of the second flash code lamp; a first computer located on or near the HVAC/R system configured to store the pre-programmed operating parameters for the components and operable to receive the operating data from the sensors and to generate error messages when the operating data is outside the pre-programmed operating parameters; a second computer located remotely from the HVAC/R system and operable to communicate with the first computer to receive and store the operating data and the error messages generated by the first computer; and a communications system configured to facilitate communications between the first computer and the second computer, wherein the first computer is physically integrated with the control unit, and wherein the control unit is operable to generate flash codes via the first flash code lamp and the second flash code lamp, the first flash code lamp operable to provide operating data in the form of a visual indication of the operation of the furnace, the interior A/C unit, and the blower, the second flash code lamp operable to provide operating data in the form of a visual indication of the operation of the outside A/C unit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for monitoring operating data generated by components of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and/or refrigeration (HVAC/R) system of a facility, the components of the HVAC/R system including a UV lamp and a control unit having a first flash code lamp and a second flash code lamp, a plurality of sensors configured to sense operating data from the components of the HVAC/R system, the plurality of sensors comprising a first optical sensor positioned to sense the operation of the UV lamp, a second optical sensor positioned to sense operation of the first flash code lamp, and a third optical sensor positioned to sense operation of the second flash code lamp, the method comprising:
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configuring the HVAC/R system components to operate within pre-programmed operating parameters; generating flash codes via the first flash code lamp and the second flash code lamp, the flash codes from the first flash code lamp providing operating data in the form of a visual indication of the operation of a furnace, an interior A/C unit and a blower, and the second flash code lamp providing operating data in the form of a visual indication of the operation of an outside A/C unit; sensing operating data and the flash codes generated by the plurality of sensors; communicating the operating data from the sensors to a first computer; communicating the operating data from the first computer to a second computer; generating and then communicating error messages if the operating data is outside the pre-programmed operating parameters; storing the operating data and error messages in the second computer; allowing access of the operating data and the error messages by a user; and sending an alert to the user through at least one peripheral device when an error message is generated. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification