HVAC zone control panel with zone configuration
First Claim
1. A zone control panel for an HVAC system, the zone control panel providing control signals to zone control dampers of the HVAC system, the zone control panel capable of controlling a maximum number of zones, the zone control panel comprising:
- a user interface; and
a controller coupled to the user interface, wherein the controller is configured to accept via the user interface an indication of a number of zones to be controlled by the zone control panel, the indicated number of zone to be controlled can be less than the maximum number of zones that the zone control panel is capable of controlling, the controller executing a control algorithm for controlling the zone control dampers, wherein the control algorithm is influenced by the indicated number of zones to be controlled.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A zone control panel that is easy and intuitive to use and to program. In some embodiments, a zone control panel may be configured to have an easy to use, single level menu structure with, for example, a configuration mode and/or a checkout mode. The configuration mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. Likewise, the checkout mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. A mode selector may be provided to select a particular mode, after which, the menu screens that correspond to the selected mode may be sequentially displayed to the user. Other features and aspects are also disclosed.
191 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A zone control panel for an HVAC system, the zone control panel providing control signals to zone control dampers of the HVAC system, the zone control panel capable of controlling a maximum number of zones, the zone control panel comprising:
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a user interface; and a controller coupled to the user interface, wherein the controller is configured to accept via the user interface an indication of a number of zones to be controlled by the zone control panel, the indicated number of zone to be controlled can be less than the maximum number of zones that the zone control panel is capable of controlling, the controller executing a control algorithm for controlling the zone control dampers, wherein the control algorithm is influenced by the indicated number of zones to be controlled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A zone control panel providing control signals to zone control dampers of an HVAC system, the zone control panel configured to control a maximum number of zones, the zone control panel comprising:
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a user interface that permits a user to specify a number of zones that are or will be connected to the zone control panel out of the maximum number of zones; and a display panel that displays the number of zones specified; wherein the number of zones specified can be less than the maximum number of zones. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A zone control panel for an HVAC system adapted to control a plurality of zones, each zone having a thermostat with a thermostat type, the zone control panel comprising:
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a user interface; and a controller coupled to the user interface, wherein the controller is configured to accept via the user interface an indication of a thermostat type for each of at least some of the plurality of zones. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method for operating a zone control panel that is adapted to control a maximum number of zones, the method comprising the steps of:
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inputting by a user a number of zones that are connected or will be connected to the zone control panel, wherein the number of zones that are connected or will be connected to the zone control panel is equal to or less than the maximum number of zones; controlling the number of zones using a control algorithm, wherein an input to the control algorithm includes the number of zones that are connected or will be connected to the zone control panel. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification