Economizer controller plug and play system recognition with automatic user interface population

• US 8,719,720 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2010
• Issued: 05/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Grabinger, Cory, Mikulica, Miroslav, Kreft, Todd, Thomle, Adrienne
• Primary Examiner(s): TITCOMB, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US12/890,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20120079425A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,320 Days
• Field of Search: 715/771, 715/810
• US Class Current: 715/771
• 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 11/49 ensuring correct operation, e.g. by trial operation or configuration checks
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/54 Free-cooling systems

Abstract

An economizer controller system having a plug and play recognition approach with an automatic user interface population mechanism. A check may be made for sensors connected to the controller. The control type of the sensors may be determined. The menu structure may be repopulated based on the control type. The user interface may then be updated. This approach may be repeated as needed.

Claims

1. An economizer controller system recognition method performed by an economizer controller installed on-site for controlling an HVAC economizer system, the method comprising:

the economizer controller checking for and discovering sensors connected to the economizer controller;

the economizer controller repopulating a menu structure of a user interface in accordance with control types of the discovered sensors;

the economizer controller updating the user interface of the economizer controller system in accordance with control types of the discovered sensors; and

the economizer controller repeating the method periodically;

wherein the method is performed automatically by the economizer controller by executing system configuration determination routine stored in firmware of the economizer controller.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the repopulating the menu structure is automatic.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the economizer controller system comprises a configuration; and

the configuration comprises one or more combinations of sensing.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the one or more combinations of sensing comprise at least one of:

mixed air temperature sensing;

outdoor air temperature sensing;

return air sensing;

outdoor air humidity sensing;

return air humidity sensing;

discharge air temperature sensing; and

discharge air humidity sensing.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the economizer controller system comprises one or more control types; and

the one or more control types comprise at least one of;

single ended drybulb control;

differential drybulb control;

single ended enthalpy control; and

differential enthalpy control.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the economizer controller system comprises:

a configuration; and

a control type; and

wherein the configuration and control type comprise;

a specific user interface population; and

setup requirements.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the economizer controller system periodically performs the checking for connected sensors, determining the control type of the connected sensors, and repopulating the user interface menu structure based on the control type.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a control type of a sensor comprises at least one of:

status of the system;

setpoints;

system setup;

advanced settings; and

checkout of dampers and ducts.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the economizer controller system comprises:

the economizer controller;

a rooftop economizer unit connected to the economizer controller; and

a thermostat connected to the economizer controller and the rooftop economizer unit.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the economizer controller system further comprises an economizer damper actuator connected to the economizer controller.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the system further comprises at least one of:

an outdoor air temperature sensor connected to the economizer controller;

a mixed air temperature sensor connected to the economizer controller;

an outdoor humidity sensor connected to the economizer controller;

a discharge air temperature sensor connected to the economizer controller;

a return air temperature sensor connected to the economizer controller;

a discharge air humidity sensor connected to the economizer controller;

a return air humidity sensor connected to the economizer controller; and

a CO2 sensor connected to the economizer controller.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the system further comprises a communicating demand control actuator connected to the economizer controller.

13. An economizer control system having a recognition system with a user interface populating capability, comprising:

an economizer controller installed on-site for controlling an HVAC economizer system, the economizer controller providing;

a user interface;

a sensor checker for detecting sensors connected to the economizer controller;

a type indicator for indicating a control type of the sensors; and

a mechanism for populating and/or repopulating a menu structure of the user interface;

wherein the sensor checker, the type indicator, and the mechanism for populating and/or repopulating the menu structure are implemented in an automatic system configuration determination routine stored in firmware of the economizer controller.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein repopulating the menu structure is automatic.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the sensor checker, type indicator and/or the mechanism for populating and/or repopulating enables a plug and play aspect of the economizer controller.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a thermostat connected to the economizer controller; and

an economizer rooftop unit connected to the mechanism for populating and/or repopulating and the thermostat.

17. A method for updating a user interface of an economizer system, comprising:

providing an on-site economizer controller for controlling an HVAC economizer, the on-site economizer controller having a user interface, the user interface having a menu structure; and

the on-site economizer controller periodically executing an automatic system configuration determination routine stored in firmware of the economizer controller that performs the steps of;

detecting sensors connected to the economizer controller;

identifying a control type of the detected sensors connected to the economizer controller; and

populating and/or repopulating the menu structure based on the control type of the detected sensors.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein populating and/or repopulating the menu structure is automatic.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the economizer controller comprises plug and play recognition.

20. An economizer control system for managing an economizer of an HVAC system for conditioned air of an inside space, comprising:

an economizer controller installed on-site for controlling the economizer of the HVAC system, the economizer controller having a user interface, the economizer controller being configured to execute an automatic system configuration determination routine stored in firmware of the economizer controller that performs the steps of;

discovering sensors connected to the economizer controller;

repopulating a menu structure in accordance with control types of the discovered sensors;

updating a user interface of the economizer controller system in accordance with control types of the discovered sensors; and

repeating the steps periodically; and

wherein the economizer controller is capable of controlling an economizer that comprises at least;

a mixing air chamber where at least part of return air drawn from the inside space is mixed with outdoor air drawn into the economizer to produce discharge air;

an exhaust duct for exhausting exhaust air to outside the inside space, the exhaust air including another part of the return air; and

one or more dampers controllable by the economizer controller to manage the flow of return air, outdoor air, discharge air, and exhaust air.