Temperature control in a space served by multiple HVAC equipment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
- disabling the second temperature modification source;
activating the first temperature modification source;
determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if so;
disabling the first temperature modification source;
at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source;
measuring the outside temperature; and
determining if the outside temperature has changed by a predetermined amount, and if so;
disabling the second temperature modification source and at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for regulating the operation of first and second temperature modification sources for heating or cooling a building structure is provided. The system switches between the first and second temperature modification sources based on conditions other than just outside temperature.
-
Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
-
disabling the second temperature modification source; activating the first temperature modification source; determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if so; disabling the first temperature modification source; at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source; measuring the outside temperature; and determining if the outside temperature has changed by a predetermined amount, and if so; disabling the second temperature modification source and at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.
-
-
2. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
-
disabling the second temperature modification source; activating the first temperature modification source; determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if so; disabling the first temperature modification source; and at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source; after the second temperature modification source is at least selectively activated, determining if/when the temperature of the inside space of the building has a predetermined relationship with the temperature set point, and if so; disabling the second temperature modification source; and at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
-
receiving a call for heat; activating the first temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat; determining if the first temperature modification source is able to satisfy the call for heat within a selected period of time, and if not; disabling the first temperature modification source; activating the second temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat; disabling the second temperature modification source after the call for heat is satisfied; and returning to the receiving a call for heat step. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
-
receiving a call for heat; activating the first temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat; determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building does not reach the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if not; disabling the first temperature modification source; activating the second temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat; disabling the second temperature modification source after the call for heat is satisfied; and returning to the receiving a call for heat step. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A controller for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the controller comprising:
-
means for disabling the second temperature modification source; means for at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source; means for determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and when so; means for disabling the first temperature modification source; means for at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source; means for determining if/when the temperature of the inside space of the building has a predetermined relationship with the temperature set point after the second temperature modification source is at least selectively activated, and when so; means for disabling the second temperature modification source; and means for at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.
-
-
21. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
-
disabling the second temperature modification source; at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source; determining to activate the second temperature modification source and to disabled the first temperature modification source; disabling the first temperature modification source; at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source; determining a load on the second temperature modification source; determining if/when the load on the second temperature modification source falls below a selected load limit, and if so; disabling the second temperature modification source; and at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.
-
-
22. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
-
disabling the second temperature modification source; at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source; determining a load on the first temperature modification source, and if the load on the first temperature modification source exceeds a selected load level; disabling the first temperature modification source; at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source; determining if/when the load on the second temperature modification source falls below a selected load level, and if so; disabling the second temperature modification source; and at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
-
-
25. A method for controlling an HVAC system that services an inside space of a building, the HVAC system including a heat pump and a fuel fired furnace for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the HVAC system further including a controller and a current temperature set point, the method comprising:
-
disabling the fuel fired furnace; at least selectively activating the heat pump; determining if one or more outdoor conditions external to the building fall outside of a selected threshold, and if so; disabling the heat pump; at least selectively activating the fuel fired furnace; waiting a selected period of time, and then; disabling the fuel fired furnace; and at least selectively activating the heat pump.
-
-
26. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
-
disabling the second temperature modification source; activating the first temperature modification source; determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is moving away from the temperature set point, and/or not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if so; disabling the first temperature modification source; at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source; measuring the outside temperature; determining if the outside temperature has changed by a predetermined amount, and if so; disabling the second temperature modification source and at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.
-
-
27. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
-
disabling the second temperature modification source; activating the first temperature modification source; determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is moving away from the temperature set point, and/or not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if so; disabling the first temperature modification source; at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source; after the second temperature modification source is at least selectively activated, determining if/when the temperature of the inside space of the building has a predetermined relationship with the temperature set point, and if so; disabling the second temperature modification source; and at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.
-
Specification