Adaptive intelligent circulation control methods and systems
First Claim
1. A method of operating an HVAC system of a building, wherein the HVAC system includes a fan, the method comprising:
- operating the fan with two or more fan “
on”
time periods to provide a desired circulation in an inside space of the building, at least one of the two or more fan “
on”
time periods immediately preceded by a fan “
off”
time period that has a controlled duration, the operating step including;
generating a random or pseudo random indicator; and
adjusting a start of the at least one of the two or more fan “
on”
time periods by an amount that is related to the random or pseudo random indicator, while achieving or substantially achieving a desired circulation level in the inside space of the building.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Adaptive intelligent circulation control methods and systems are used to help increase the comfort and/or reduce energy usage and equipment wear. In one illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time is adjusted based on one or more environmental conditions inside or outside the building structure. In another illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time may be adjusted based on the current time of day, current time of year, and/or the current schedule period. In another illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time is randomized over time. The start time, end time, and/or length of a circulation and/or ventilation cycle may be randomly set.
85 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A method of operating an HVAC system of a building, wherein the HVAC system includes a fan, the method comprising:
operating the fan with two or more fan “
on”
time periods to provide a desired circulation in an inside space of the building, at least one of the two or more fan “
on”
time periods immediately preceded by a fan “
off”
time period that has a controlled duration, the operating step including;generating a random or pseudo random indicator; and adjusting a start of the at least one of the two or more fan “
on”
time periods by an amount that is related to the random or pseudo random indicator, while achieving or substantially achieving a desired circulation level in the inside space of the building.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
5. A method of operating an HVAC system of a building, wherein the HVAC system includes a fan, the method comprising:
operating the fan with two or more fan “
on”
time periods, each pair of fan “
on”
time periods separated by a fan “
off”
time period that has a controlled duration, the operating step including;generating a first random or pseudo random time delay; adjusting a start of a first fan “
on”
time period of the two or more fan “
on”
time periods by an amount that is at least related to the first random or pseudo random time delay;generating a second random or pseudo random time delay; and adjusting a start of a second fan “
on”
time period of the two or more fan “
on”
time periods by an amount that is at least related to the second random or pseudo random time delay.- View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
12. A method of operating an HVAC system of a building, wherein the HVAC system includes a fan, the method comprising:
operating the fan with two or more fan cycles, each fan cycle having a fan “
on”
time period followed by a fan “
off”
time period, wherein the fan “
on”
time period and the fan “
off”
time period each have a controlled duration, wherein a first fan cycle and a second fan cycle of two sequential fan cycles have corresponding first and second nominal beginning times that are spaced in time by a nominal duration to produce a desired circulation level in the building, the operating step including;generating a first random or pseudo random time delay; adjusting a start time of the fan “
on”
time period of the first fan cycle relative to the first nominal beginning time by an amount that is related to the first random or pseudo random time delay;generating a second random or pseudo random time delay; and adjusting a start time of the fan “
on”
time period of the second fan cycle relative to the second nominal beginning time by an amount that is related to the second random or pseudo random time delay.
Specification