INTELLIGENT GRID-BASED HVAC SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An HVAC system comprising:
- a grid of intersecting ducts, the grid comprising a plurality of inlets, outlets, and intersections, wherein each outlet is associated with a zone;
a plurality of HVAC units connected to the inlets;
a plurality of mechanical valves located at the intersections, the mechanical valves configured to control air flow at each of the intersections; and
a control system to control the temperature of each zone by adjusting the plurality of mechanical valves.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An HVAC system includes a grid of intersecting ducts having one or more inlets, outlets, and intersections. Air may be received into the inlets and directed through the outlets into one or more zones of a building. One or more HVAC units may be connected to the inlets and mechanical valves may be located at the intersections to control the air flow through the grid. A control system may be provided to control the temperature of each zone by adjusting the mechanical valves (and/or turning selected HVAC units “on” or “off”). In certain embodiments, the HVAC system includes at least one reading device to read temperature preference information associated with an occupant of a zone. The control system may then align the temperature of the zone with the temperature preference information when the occupant is inside the zone. A corresponding method and apparatus are also disclosed herein.
37 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An HVAC system comprising:
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a grid of intersecting ducts, the grid comprising a plurality of inlets, outlets, and intersections, wherein each outlet is associated with a zone; a plurality of HVAC units connected to the inlets; a plurality of mechanical valves located at the intersections, the mechanical valves configured to control air flow at each of the intersections; and a control system to control the temperature of each zone by adjusting the plurality of mechanical valves. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for implementing an HVAC system, the method comprising:
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establishing a grid of intersecting ducts, the grid comprising a plurality of inlets, outlets, and intersections; receiving air into the inlets; directing air from each outlet into a zone; providing a plurality of mechanical valves at the intersections to regulate the air flow through the grid; and controlling the temperature of each zone by adjusting the mechanical valves. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus comprising:
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a grid of intersecting ducts, the grid comprising a plurality of inlets, outlets, and intersections, each outlet flowing into a zone; a plurality of mechanical valves located at the intersections, the mechanical valves controlling the flow of air at the intersections; and a control system to control the temperature of each zone by adjusting the mechanical valves; and the control system further configured to adjust the temperature of each zone to align with temperature preference information received for at least one occupant in the zone. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification