Actuator having a test mode
First Claim
1. An actuator system for use with heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, comprising:
- a motor;
a motor controller connected to the motor;
a processor connected to the motor controller;
a power supply connected to the processor for supplying power; and
a switch connected to the processor for engaging the motor to open and close an actuator shaft; and
wherein;
the switch has a position which is a test mode; and
a selection of a position of the test mode causes the motor to move and maintain the actuator shaft in the open position while in the test mode;
wherein the switch includes a plurality of positions to test the actuator.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An actuator system which may incorporate a motor, a motor controller connected to the motor, a processor connected to the motor controller, and a switch connected to the processor for engaging the motor to open and close an actuator shaft. The switch may have a position which is a test mode. Selecting the position of test mode may cause the motor to move the actuator shaft to a certain position to verify operation of the actuator shaft. The actuator shaft may stay in the certain position while the switch is in a position of test mode. The system may also incorporate a spring attached to the actuator shaft. If power fails to the motor, then the actuator spring or another mechanism may return the actuator shaft to a fail safe position. The test mode may alternatively be selected at a controller via the communications bus to the processor.
168 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. An actuator system for use with heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, comprising:
-
a motor; a motor controller connected to the motor; a processor connected to the motor controller; a power supply connected to the processor for supplying power; and a switch connected to the processor for engaging the motor to open and close an actuator shaft; and wherein; the switch has a position which is a test mode; and a selection of a position of the test mode causes the motor to move and maintain the actuator shaft in the open position while in the test mode; wherein the switch includes a plurality of positions to test the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) actuator comprising:
-
a motor; a controller connected to the motor; a processor connected to a power supply, a position potentiometer and the controller; and a switch connected to the processor; and wherein the position potentiometer includes a mode selector for incorporating addresses for the actuator, and wherein the processor comprises an actuator software to verify selecting a test mode within the mode selector, with an algorithm that states; IF Test Mode, THEN Set actuator to maximum allowed speed, Cause actuator to open by moving to an end of allowable span position, Remain in open position while in Test Mode. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method of controlling an auxiliary switch within a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) actuator, comprising:
-
installing a potentiometer and a switch in an HVAC system; initiating a position change; determining a current actuator position while installed in the HVAC system; and setting a setpoint set for said current position by way of the potentiometer or an external controller command; wherein if the current actuator position is greater than the setpoint set by the potentiometer or the external controller command, then activating the switch, or else deactivating the switch may occur. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification