Interactive control system for an HVAC system
First Claim
1. A controller for an outside condenser unit of an air conditioner including a compressor configured to operate in a full capacity mode and at least one reduced capacity mode, the controller comprising:
- an input connection connected to a Y2 line and configured to receive a signal requesting high capacity cooling operation from a thermostat via the Y2 line connected to the input connection;
a peer-to-peer network connection configured to receive information from at least an indoor blower controller and send information to at least an indoor blower controller;
a processor for controlling the operation of a condenser fan and a compressor in a full capacity mode of operation and in at least one reduced capacity mode of operation, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the condenser fan and the compressor in a full capacity mode of operation in response to a signal requesting low stage cooling operation from a thermostat via a Y2 line; and
a sensor for sensing the current in the compressor motor, which sensor is in communication with the processor;
wherein the processor responsively switches the operation of the compressor to a reduced capacity mode of operation that is inconsistent with said thermostat signal requesting high capacity cooling operation when the current sensed in the compressor motor remains above a predetermined level for at least a predetermined time, and responsively communicates a high capacity fault via the network such that the indoor blower controller responsively controls the blower motor at a reduced speed corresponding to the reduced capacity of the compressor, whereby the controller for the outside condenser unit provides a limp-along mode of cooling operation.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive system for controlling the operation of an HVAC system is provide that comprises a thermostat for initiating the operation of the HVAC system in either a full capacity mode of operation or at least one reduced capacity mode of operation, and a controller for an outside condenser unit having a condenser fan motor and a compressor motor, the controller being capable of operating the compressor in a full capacity mode and at least one reduced capacity mode. The system also comprises a controller for an indoor blower unit having a blower fan motor, the controller being capable of operating the blower fan motor in a full capacity mode an at least one reduced capacity mode. The system further includes a communication means for transmitting information between the outside condenser unit controller and at least the indoor blower controller, where the information relates to the operation of the indoor blower and the outdoor condenser unit. The indoor blower controller responsively controls the operation of the blower fan motor in a full capacity mode or a reduced capacity mode based on the information received from the outdoor unit controller, and the outdoor unit controller responsively controls the operation of the compressor in a full capacity mode or a reduced capacity mode based on the information received from the indoor blower controller.
81 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A controller for an outside condenser unit of an air conditioner including a compressor configured to operate in a full capacity mode and at least one reduced capacity mode, the controller comprising:
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an input connection connected to a Y2 line and configured to receive a signal requesting high capacity cooling operation from a thermostat via the Y2 line connected to the input connection; a peer-to-peer network connection configured to receive information from at least an indoor blower controller and send information to at least an indoor blower controller; a processor for controlling the operation of a condenser fan and a compressor in a full capacity mode of operation and in at least one reduced capacity mode of operation, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the condenser fan and the compressor in a full capacity mode of operation in response to a signal requesting low stage cooling operation from a thermostat via a Y2 line; and a sensor for sensing the current in the compressor motor, which sensor is in communication with the processor; wherein the processor responsively switches the operation of the compressor to a reduced capacity mode of operation that is inconsistent with said thermostat signal requesting high capacity cooling operation when the current sensed in the compressor motor remains above a predetermined level for at least a predetermined time, and responsively communicates a high capacity fault via the network such that the indoor blower controller responsively controls the blower motor at a reduced speed corresponding to the reduced capacity of the compressor, whereby the controller for the outside condenser unit provides a limp-along mode of cooling operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A controller for an outside condenser unit of an air conditioner including a compressor configured to operate in a full capacity mode and at least one reduced capacity mode, the controller comprising:
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an input connection to a Y2 line configured to receive a signal requesting high capacity cooling operation from a thermostat via the Y2 line in connection with the input connection; a network connection to a two-wire peer-to-peer network in connection with an indoor blower controller, such that the controller for the outside condenser unit is configured to receive information from and send information to an indoor blower controller; a processor for controlling the operation of a condenser fan and a compressor in a full capacity mode of operation in response to a signal requesting high capacity cooling operation from a thermostat via a Y2 line, wherein the processor is configured to respond, to information received via the network connection indicating that the indoor blower motor is at a reduced blower speed, by switching the operation of the compressor to a reduced capacity mode of operation that is inconsistent with the signal requesting high capacity cooling operation from the thermostat via the Y2 line, whereby the controller for the outside condenser unit provides a limp-along mode of cooling operation. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. A controller for an outside condenser unit of an air conditioner capable of operating in a full capacity mode and at least one reduced capacity mode, the controller comprising:
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an input connection connected to a Y1 line and configured to receive a signal requesting low stage cooling operation from a thermostat via the Y1 line connected to the input connection; a network connection to a two-wire peer-to-peer network in connection with an indoor blower controller, such that the controller for the outside condenser unit is configured to receive information from at least an indoor blower controller and send information to at least an indoor blower controller; a processor for controlling the operation of a condenser fan and a compressor in a full capacity mode of operation and in at least one reduced capacity mode of operation, wherein the processor is configured to control the operation of the condenser fan and the compressor in a full capacity mode of operation in response to a signal requesting low stage cooling operation from a thermostat via a Y1 line, wherein the processor is configured to sense that reduced capacity compressor operation is not functioning and to respond by switching the operation of the compressor to a full capacity mode of operation that is inconsistent with the signal requesting low stage cooling operation from the thermostat via the Y1 line, whereby the controller for the outside condenser unit provides a limp-along mode of cooling operation. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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Specification