Method and apparatus for sampling and controlling ventilation airflow into a structure
First Claim
1. The method of monitoring locally broadcast air contamination data to control ventilation airflow into a structure, comprising the steps of:
- receiving locally broadcast air contamination data using any data communication means;
providing said air contamination data to at least one processor that produces a control signal in response to said air contamination data;
disposing at least one air control device in at least one outside ventilation air stream;
fully opening at least one air control device in response to the control signal that provides for outside ventilation airflow into a structure; and
fully closing at least one air control device in response to the control signal that provides for no outside ventilation airflow into a structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A totally integrated ventilation system is contained in the outside air inlet stream. The system samples and controls ventilation airflow as it enters a structure. An air valve connecting the outside air inlet stream to the return plenum is controlled by a valve positioning device and a processor that monitors sensors located in the outside air inlet stream, air quality data provided by a telecommunications link and the HVAC system control signals. The air quality data includes locally broadcast air pollution data or air quality alert data related to accidents or terrorist attacks. The processor and valve positioning device simultaneously control a separate pressure relief valve that allows contaminated air to be exhausted from the structure. An alternate configuration uses a supplemental fan to introduce the outside air inlet stream directly into the structure where HVAC systems are not used. A status and control panel that provides an interface to the occupants or an automation system is provided along with a test box that can monitor the processor to determine the total volume of ventilation air introduced into the structure. This test data is used to program processor timing inputs to achieve desired ventilation results.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. The method of monitoring locally broadcast air contamination data to control ventilation airflow into a structure, comprising the steps of:
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receiving locally broadcast air contamination data using any data communication means; providing said air contamination data to at least one processor that produces a control signal in response to said air contamination data; disposing at least one air control device in at least one outside ventilation air stream; fully opening at least one air control device in response to the control signal that provides for outside ventilation airflow into a structure; and fully closing at least one air control device in response to the control signal that provides for no outside ventilation airflow into a structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. The method of sampling and controlling an outside ventilation air stream to determine if it is suitable for introduction into at least one inlet end of an HVAC system, comprising the steps of:
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receiving locally broadcast air contamination data; providing locally broadcast air contamination data to a processor that produces an air valve control signal in response to the data input and the HVAC system controls; disposing at least one air valve between at least one outside ventilation air stream and at least one HVAC system inlet; fully opening at least one air valve in response to the air valve control signal that provides for outside ventilation airflow into the HVAC system; and fully closing at least one air valve in response to the air valve control signal that provides for no outside ventilation airflow into the HVAC system. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A method for sampling and controlling an outside ventilation air stream to determine if it is suitable for introduction into at least one inlet end of an HVAC system, comprising the steps of:
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disposing at least one sensor in an outside ventilation air stream; sampling at least one sensor with a processor; producing an air valve control signal in response to at least one sensor input and the HVAC system controls; disposing at least one air valve between at least one outside ventilation air stream and at least one HVAC system inlet; fully opening at least one air valve in response to the air valve control signal that provides for outside ventilation airflow into the HVAC system; and fully closing said at least one air valve in response to the air valve control signal that provides for no outside ventilation airflow into the HVAC system. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A ventilation airflow sampling and control system for receiving and using locally broadcast air contamination data to control ventilation airflow into a structure comprising:
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a receiver that decodes locally broadcast air contamination data from any data communication system; a processor that monitors locally broadcast air contamination data to produce a control signal in response to the data input; at least one air control device disposed in at least one outside ventilation air stream; at least one air control device positioned fully open in response to said control signal that provides for outside ventilation airflow into a structure; and said at least one air control device positioned fully closed in response to said control signal that provides for no outside ventilation airflow into a structure. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A ventilation airflow sampling and control system for controlling an outside ventilation air stream to determine if it is suitable for introduction into at least one inlet end of an HIVAC system, comprising:
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a receiver that decodes locally broadcast air contamination data from any data communication system; a processor that monitors locally broadcast air contamination data to produce an air valve control signal in response to the data input and in response to the HVAC system heat, cool and fan signals; at least one air valve disposed between at least one outside ventilation air stream and at least one HVAC system inlet; at least one air valve positioned fully open in response to said air valve control signal that provides for outside ventilation airflow into a structure; and said at least one air valve positioned fully closed in response to said air valve control signal that provides for no outside ventilation airflow into a structure. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A ventilation airflow sampling and control system for controlling an outside ventilation air stream to determine if it is suitable for introduction into at least one inlet end of an HVAC system, comprising:
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at least one sensor disposed in at least one outside ventilation air stream; at least one sensor monitored by a processor; an air valve control signal produced in response to at least one sensor input and in response to the HVAC system heat, cool and fan signals; at least one air valve disposed between the outside ventilation air stream and at least one HVAC system inlet; at least one air valve fully opened in response to the air valve control signal that provides for outside ventilation airflow into the HVAC system; and said at least one air valve fully closed in response to the air valve control signal that provides for no outside ventilation airflow into the HVAC system. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. The method of monitoring locally broadcast air contamination data to control ventilation airflow into a structure, comprising the steps of:
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receiving locally broadcast air contamination data using any data communication means; providing said air contamination data to a processor that produces an air valve control signal in response to said air contamination data; disposing at least one air valve between at least one supplemental fan and at least one outside ventilation air stream; fully opening at least one air valve in response to the air valve control signal that provides for outside ventilation airflow into a structure; and fully closing at least one air valve in response to the air valve control signal that provides for no outside ventilation airflow into a struture. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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40. A method for sampling and controlling an outside ventilation air stream to determine if it is suitable for introduction into a structure, comprising the steps of:
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disposing at least one sensor in an outside ventilation air stream; sampling at least one sensor with a processor; producing an air valve control signal in response to at least one sensor input; disposing at least one air valve between at least one supplemental fan and at least one outside ventilation air stream; fully opening at least one air valve in response to the air valve control signal that provides for outside ventilation airflow into a structure; and fully closing said at least one air valve in response to the air valve control signal that provides for no outside ventilation airflow into a structure.
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41. A ventilation airflow sampling and control system for controlling an outside ventilation air stream to determine if it is suitable for introduction into a structure, comprising:
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a receiver that decodes locally broadcast air contamination data from any data communication system; a processor that monitors locally broadcast air contamination data to produce an air valve control signal in response to the air contamination data input; at least one air valve disposed between at least one supplemental fan and at least one outside ventilation air stream; at least one air valve positioned fully open in response to said control air valve signal that provides for outside ventilation airflow into a structure; and said at least one air valve positioned fully closed in response to said air valve control signal that provides for no outside ventilation airflow into a structure. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43)
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44. A ventilation airflow sampling and control system for controlling an outside ventilation air stream to determine if it is suitable for introduction into a structure, comprising:
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at least one sensor disposed in an outside ventilation air stream; at least one sensor monitored by a processor; an air valve control signal produced in response to at least one sensor input; at least one air valve disposed between at least one supplemental fan and at least one outside ventilation air stream; at least one air valve fully opened in response to the air valve control signal that provides for outside ventilation airflow into a structure; and said at least one air valve fully closed in response to the air valve control signal that provides for no outside ventilation airflow into a structure.
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Specification