Integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller and system and method for use of same

• US 9,582,011 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2013
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul Stuart & Associates LLC
• Original Assignee: Paul Stuart & Associates LLC
• Inventors: Potter, Paul S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Kenneth M
• Assistant Examiner(s): WYNNE, DAVID J
• Application Number:
  US14/023,514
• Publication Number:
  US 20140081468A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,266 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/0001 for ventilation F24F11/30 takes precedence
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/65 for selecting an operating mode
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/76 by means responsive to temperature, e.g. bimetal springs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/20 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 22/02 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/19 characterised by the use of electric means G05D23/1393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 27/02 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

An integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller, with a system and method for use of the same, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated electronic controller includes a housing configured to be secured within an attic space in a building structure having a living area. A temperature input and humidity input receive ambient temperature and humidity readings, respectively. The ambient measurements are compared to pre-determined temperature and humidity thresholds. If a threshold is exceeded, signals are send to actuate, in a coordinated fashion, a powered air intake and powered attic exhaust assembly. The powered air intake and powered attic exhaust assembly are operated intermittently, in coordination with the HVAC system, initially at a first set of extreme thresholds and operated constantly at a second set of more extreme thresholds.

Claims

1. An integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller comprising:

a housing configured to be secured within an attic space in a building structure having a living area, the attic space including an intake vent and an exhaust vent, a powered intake and exhaust pathway overlaying the attic space from the intake vent to the exhaust vent, the building structure including an air conditioning and heating system;

the powered intake pathway moves air from the exterior of the building structure to the attic space;

the powered exterior pathway moves air from the attic space to the exterior of the building structure;

a temperature input configured to receive an ambient temperature (T_A) from a thermostat reading the temperature in the attic space;

a control output configured to send a control signal to the powered intake and exhaust pathway to effect operation thereof;

an intermittent operational mode dependently operating with ON and OFF cycles of the air conditioning and heating system;

a constant operational mode independently operating with ON and OFF cycles of the air conditioning and heating system, the constant operational mode overriding an intermittent operational mode, the constant operational mode being OFF unless the ambient temperature (T_A) exceeds a constant threshold temperature (T_C);

an HVAC communication connection configured to facilitate data exchange with a master electronic control board of the air conditioning and heating system;

a processor disposed in the housing and coupled to the temperature input, a humidity input, the first control output, a second control output, and the HVAC communication connection; and

a memory accessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to;

determine if the ambient temperature (T_A) exceeds the constant threshold temperature (T_C),

send, based on the constant temperature (T_C) threshold being exceeded, a control signal to the powered intake pathway,

send, based on the constant temperature (T_C) threshold being exceeded, a control signal to the powered exhaust pathway,

determine, if the ambient temperature (T_A) exceeds an intermittent threshold temperature (T_I),

send, based on the constant temperature (T_C) threshold not being exceeded and the intermittent temperature (T_I) threshold being exceed, the control signal to the powered intake pathway, and

send, based on the constant temperature (T_C) threshold not being exceeded and the intermittent temperature (T_I) threshold being exceed, the control signal to the powered exhaust pathway.

2. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 1, further comprising a wireless transceiver located within the housing and coupled to the electronic controller, the wireless transceiver configured to communicate with a wireless thermostat.

3. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 2, further comprising establishing a pairing between a wireless-enabled interactive handheld device and the processor such that program, command, and control instructions are received at the processor from the wireless-enabled interactive handheld device.

4. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 1, wherein, in the intermittent operational mode, the intermittent temperature (T_I) threshold comprises a summer threshold temperature (T_TS) of 110°

F. (43°

C.).

5. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 1, wherein, in the intermittent operational mode, the intermittent temperature (T_I) threshold comprises a winter threshold temperature (T_TS) of 45°

F. (7°

C.).

6. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 1, further comprising, in the intermittent operational mode, a humidistat measuring an ambient attic humidity (H_A) against a humidity threshold (H_T) of 65%.

7. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 1, wherein, in the constant operational mode, the constant temperature (T_C) comprises a summer threshold temperature (T_TS) of 140°

F. (60°

C.).

8. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 1, wherein, in the constant operational mode, the constant temperature (T_C) comprises a winter threshold temperature (T_TS) comprises of 32°

F. (0°

C.).

9. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 1, further comprising, in the constant operational mode, a humidistat measuring an ambient attic humidity (H_A) against a humidity threshold (H_T) of 90%.

10. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 1, further comprising a power source coupled to the integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning system electronic controller, the power source selected from the group consisting of electrical, solar, and battery.

11. An integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller comprising:

a housing configured to be secured within an attic space in a building structure having a living area, the attic space including an intake vent and an exhaust vent, a powered intake and exhaust pathway overlaying the attic space from the intake vent to the exhaust vent, the building structure including an air conditioning and heating system;

the powered intake pathway moves air from the exterior of the building structure to the attic space;

the powered exterior pathway moves air from the attic space to the exterior of the building structure;

a first temperature input configured to receive an ambient temperature (T_A) from a first thermostat reading the temperature in the attic space;

a second temperature input configured to receive an ambient temperature (T_A) from a second thermostat reading the temperature in the attic space;

a control output configured to send a control signal to the powered intake and exhaust pathway to effect operation thereof;

an intermittent operational mode operating dependently with ON and OFF cycles of the air conditioning and heating system;

a constant operational mode operating independently of ON and OFF cycles of the air conditioning and heating system, the constant operational mode overriding the intermittent operational mode, the constant operational mode being OFF unless the ambient temperature (T_A) exceeds a constant threshold temperature (T_C);

an HVAC communication connection configured to facilitate data exchange with a master electronic control board of the air conditioning and heating system;

a control circuit coupled to the first and second temperature inputs, the control circuit configured to send, based on the ambient temperature (T_A) reading exceeding the constant threshold temperature (T_C), a control signal to the powered intake pathway;

a control circuit coupled to the first and second temperature inputs, the control circuit configured to send, based on the ambient temperature (T_A) reading exceeding the constant threshold temperature (T_C), a control signal to the powered exhaust pathway;

the control circuit configured to send, based on the ambient temperature (T_A) not exceeding the constant threshold temperature (T) and the ambient temperature (T_A) exceeding an intermittent threshold temperature (T_I), the control signal to the powered intake pathway; and

the control circuit configured to send, based on the ambient temperature (T_A) not exceeding the constant threshold temperature (T) and the ambient temperature (T_A) exceeding an intermittent threshold temperature (T_I), the control signal to the powered exhaust pathway.

12. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 11, wherein, in the intermittent operational mode, the intermittent temperature (T_I) threshold comprises a summer threshold temperature (T_TS) of 110°

F. (43°

C.).

13. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 11, wherein, in the intermittent operational mode, the intermittent temperature (T_I) threshold comprises a winter threshold temperature (T_TS) of 45°

F. (7°

C.).

14. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 11, further comprising, in the intermittent operational mode, a humidistat measuring an ambient attic humidity (H_A) against a humidity threshold (H_T) of 65%.

15. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 11, wherein, in the constant operational mode, the constant temperature (T_C) comprises a summer threshold temperature (T_TS) of 140°

F. (60°

C.).

16. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 11, wherein, in the constant operational mode, the constant temperature (T_C) comprises a winter threshold temperature (T_TS) comprises of 32°

F. (0°

C.).

17. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 11, further comprising, in the constant operational mode, a humidistat measuring an ambient attic humidity (H_A) against a humidity threshold (H_T) of 90%.

18. The integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system electronic controller as recited in claim 11, further comprising a power source coupled to the integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning system electronic controller, the power source selected from the group consisting of electrical, solar and, battery.

19. A system for integrated attic ventilation, air conditioning and heating system deployment, the system comprising:

a powered air intake apparatus at least partially located in an attic space in a building structure having a living area serviced by a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system deployed through the building structure, the powered air intake apparatus configured to move air from an exterior of the building structure to the attic space;

a powered attic exhaust assembly at least partially located in the attic space, the powered attic exhaust assembly configured to move air from the attic space to the exterior of the building structure;

the powered intake pathway moves air from the exterior of the building structure to the attic space;

the powered exterior pathway moves air from the attic space to the exterior of the building structure;

a thermostat located in the attic space, the thermostat configured to receive an ambient temperature (T_A) reading in the attic space;

an integrated electronic controller located within the attic space, the integrated electronic controller disposed in control communication with the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system having an intermittent operational mode and a constant operational mode;

wherein the intermittent operational mode operates dependently with ON and OFF cycles of the air conditioning and heating system, the constant operational mode operates independently of ON and OFF cycles of the air conditioning and heating system, the constant operational mode overriding the intermittent operational mode;

the integrated electronic controller configured to perform a temperature comparison by comparing the ambient temperature and ambient humidity to pre-determined threshold temperature and humidity conditions;

the integrated electronic controller configured, based on the temperature comparison, to coordinate the operation of the powered air intake apparatus and the powered attic exhaust assembly with the operational mode of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system such that actuation of the powered air intake apparatus and the powered attic exhaust assembly occurs when a first threshold temperature is exceeded; and

the integrated electronic controller configured, based on the temperature comparison, to coordinate the operation of the powered air intake apparatus and the powered attic exhaust assembly independently of the operational mode of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system such that actuation of the powered air intake apparatus and the powered attic exhaust assembly occurs when a second threshold temperature is exceeded, the second threshold temperature being more extreme than the first threshold temperature;

wherein the constant operational mode is OFF unless the ambient temperature exceeds the second threshold temperature.