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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of indoor environmental
conditioning systems for spaces, such as HVAC systems for residences and
commercial spaces. In particular, the present invention relates to such
indoor environmental conditioning systems in which each room or other
subdivision of the space is provided with its own separate supply of
direct indoor environmental conditioning, as well as its own temperature
sensor/thermostat.
2. The Prior Art
In indoor environmental conditioning systems for spaces, such as HVAC
systems for residences and commercial spaces, each room or other
subdivision of space is often provided with its own temperature sensor,
which may report temperatures in that room or space, to a master
controller linked to and controlling the operations of the
furnace/blower/air conditioner unit/etc.
In those indoor environmental conditioning systems which are divided into
zones, but running off of a common furnace/heat pump/air conditioner/etc.,
each room or space may be provided with its own thermostat, instead of
merely a temperature sensor. In addition, in systems which, for example,
employ forced air circulation, each space may be provided with its own
ducting and movable dampers for regulating the flow of air into the space.
One problem which may arise in the installation of such indoor
environmental conditioning systems, is that the coordination between the
sensor/thermostat, and any dampers or other equipment which are provided
on a room-to-room or space-by-space basis, can be difficult to ensure,
especially in applications in which the number of separate spaces being
conditioned is large, as in a large commercial setting, or in an apartment
building. If the right sensor/thermostat is not functionally linked, in
the overall system control, with the corresponding supporting equipment
(such as dampers, etc.) and identified with the correct space, then not
only is the actual operation and efficiency of the indoor environmental
conditioning system compromised, leading to possible shut-down or damage
to the system, but even such aspects as bookkeeping, occupancy and
maintenance issues may be affected.
A typical example of a miscoordination problem would be the simple mixup in
connections, at a master controller, often situated at a furnace, of the
assignments of sensor inputs and dampers or other outputs to spaces other
than those which are appropriate--for example, connecting the sensor lead
for Room A into the input at the master controller for the sensor lead
from Room B, and vice versa.
There exist, in the prior art, indoor environmental conditioning control
systems which have been provided which enable an indoor environmental
conditioning system to reconfigure itself, upon detection of an apparent
fault or defect in a portion of its operating structure. An example of
such a reconfiguring system is found in Baldwin et al., U.S. Pat. No.
5,276,630. For example, if a thermostat fails and proceeds to report
clearly inappropriate calls for heating or cooling, then, upon providing
the control system with a set of initial parameters, the control system
can recognize behavior characteristic of equipment failure, and
essentially remove the faulty thermostat readings from its active inputs.
Default operating procedures (minimum heating, etc.) are activated, until
such time as a return to appropriate operation is detected by the
controller or the controller is reset.
However, the control system of the Baldwin et al. reference has no
provision for preventing or correcting for, at the outset, such
misassignment of connections as previously described. Indeed, such a
misassignment, under some circumstances, might not be detected for
extended periods of time.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an indoor environmental
conditioning system which has the capacity to facilitate the
double-checking and correction or reconfiguration of its operational
set-up, and in particular, the coordination of such items as space or room
assignments for sensors, thermostats, and controls for the operation of
movable dampers and the like, or even to self-check and correct its
set-up, so as to ensure that the electromechanical set-up of the indoor
environmental conditioning system, at least upon initial installation, is
correct and complete.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus and method for preparing an indoor environmental conditioning
system for spaces, for operation. The apparatus and method are
advantageously configured for use with an indoor environmental
conditioning system in which the spaces are provided with an indoor
environmental conditioning input and an indoor environmental conditioning
sensor, both operably connected to an indoor environmental conditioning
source. Each space is further provided with means for actuating the indoor
environmental conditioning source. The apparatus and method enable the
indoor environmental conditioning system to be placed in an initial
condition such that no space can receive, and no sensor report, indoor
environmental conditioning. The indoor environmental conditioning inputs
are actuated one at a time, and operably linked thereafter with the indoor
environmental conditioning sensor which reports a change in environmental
conditioning status.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an indoor environmental conditioning
system according to one preferred embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an indoor environmental conditioning
system and control system therefor, according to another preferred
embodiment of the invention.
BEST MODE FOR PRACTICING THE INVENTION
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms,
there is shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein, two
preferred embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure
is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the
invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments
illustrated.
FIG. 1 illustrates a simple indoor environmental conditioning system 10,
for spaces 11-14, which are served by indoor environmental conditioning
apparatus 20. Environmental conditioning apparatus 20 may be a gas-fired
forced-air furnace, a heat pump, a boiler, or an air conditioner.
Environmental conditioning apparatus 20 is connected to spaces 11-14 by
main thermal transfer conduit 24, which branches into branch conduits
25-28. Conduits 24-28 may be air ducts, water or steam pipes, or any other
type of conduit, depending upon the specific nature of indoor
environmental conditioning apparatus 20.
Positioned in conduits 25-28, between indoor environmental conditioning
apparatus 20, and spaces 11-13, respectively, are flow control apparatus
30-33, respectively. Flow control apparatus 30-33 may be movable air
dampers, openable and closable baffles, valves, or the like, depending
upon the medium flowing through conduits 25-28. Servocontrollers 34-37
actuate flow control apparatus 30-33, respectively. Each of
servocontrollers 34-37 are connected by suitable control transmission
lines 38-41, respectively, to master controller 22, connected to indoor
environmental conditioning apparatus 20. Master controller 22 may be any
suitable programmable (or suitably preprogrammed) control apparatus, such
as a microprocessor of known design, and may be provided with an
alphanumeric keypad and alphanumeric display, or the like.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of spaces 11-14 may be
provided with an apparatus 16-19, respectively, each of which includes a
temperature sensor, and each of which may also include a display and/or
keyboard input apparatus, (collectively "display sensor") the function of
which is described hereinafter. Each of display sensors 16-19 may be
connected directly to master controller 22, such that keystrokes entered
onto any of the sensors during the set-up or a subsequent procedure may be
communicated directly to the master controller 22. Alternatively, one of
the display sensors, for example sensor 19, may be a more complex
programmable apparatus, such as a fully programmable display thermostat,
connected to the other sensors by communication lines 42-44, respectively,
and through which all of the sensors may communicate to master controller
22, via communication line 45. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,
display sensor 19 may be a fully programmable thermostat, such as are
known, which may be utilized to call, in realtime, or preprogram and
schedule in advance, heating, cooling or simple ventilation for all spaces
in the system, not just its own space 14.
For the purposes of the remainder of the disclosure, indoor environmental
conditioning system 10 will be discussed in the embodiment of a forced-air
gas furnace system, though of course, the general principles discussed
hereinafter will be fully applicable to other types of indoor
environmental conditioning system as well.
In practice, the installation of even a simple system, as schematically
illustrated in FIG. 1, involves the coordination of many elements. Master
controller 22 may be an electromechanical, or more likely, a solid-state,
programmable apparatus. Controller 22 will have locations for connecting
electrical inputs for receiving input signals from the display sensors.
Typically more potential input locations will be provided than will be
used in any given application, since such controllers are typically
mass-produced devices, and not specially made for specific applications.
The programming therein typically derives from a basic general program
which is typically individualized to accommodate the specific set of
spaces to be environmentally conditioned, during installation. The
connections from display sensor input leads to the controller 22 are
typically hard-wire connections (although telemetered inputs are
contemplated as being within the scope of this invention).
Controller 22 will also have several potential output locations, for
connection of leads coming from servocontrollers, such as servos 34-37, so
that controller 22 may send actuation signals to the various
servocontrollers. As previously stated with respect to the inputs, the
connections from the servocontroller leads to the controller 22 outputs
are typically hard-wire connections (although telemetered outputs are
contemplated as being within the scope of this invention).
If, during the process of making the hardwire connections, the electrician
or HVAC technician should happen to cross-connect either the input or
output leads corresponding to the display sensors or dampers, for the
spaces, to a connection on the master controller 22, allocated or
preliminarily assigned or programmed for the other spaces, then, once
operations have begun, the master controller may receive confusing or
non-enabling instructions, which may lead to unsatisfactory and
inefficient operation, and may lead to discomfort of the occupants, and
potential damage to or shutdown of the indoor environmental conditioning
system.
Once an indoor environmental conditioning system is installed, errors in
hardwiring such as described are often difficult to detect and discern the
true nature of, and are also often difficult and expensive to correct. In
order to alleviate the difficulties which such installation/connection
errors can cause, the present invention provides for the
post-installation, pre-operational correction of such errors in linkup
between the thermostat/sensor space assignments, and damper and
servocontroller space assignments, relative to a master controller in an
indoor environmental conditioning system.
A post-installation link up procedure, according to a preferred embodiment
of the invention, is as follows. Once all wiring connections have been
completed, the "identities" of the display sensors in each of the spaces
will be made known to the master controller 22, or to master display
sensor 19, and in turn, to the master controller 22.
For example, the master controller 22, or display sensor 19 in combination
with the master controller 22, may be suitably programmed to have a
"naming" mode. The installer will call up the naming mode on the master
controller 22 or the display sensor 19, and will enter a designation, such
as a selected set of letters or numbers which will be used to refer to the
living room, for example. The installer will then physically go to the
living room (e.g., room 11), and enter one or more keystrokes on the
display sensor 16 in that room, which will send an identifying signal
(such as a preselected binary code sequence, etc.) to the master
controller 22 or to master display sensor 19, and in turn to master
controller 22.
The master controller 22 and/or master display sensor 19 will, upon
receiving the identifying signal, permanently correlate the selected
reference numbers entered into the master controller 22 or master display
sensor 19, with the identifying signal coming from the display sensor 16
in room 11. From then on, the master controller 22 and/or the master
display sensor 19 will functionally correspond (link) sensor 16 to room
11.
Each display sensor may be configured so as to always transmit its own
unique identifying signal to the master controller 22 and/or master
display sensor 19. Alternatively, master controller 22 and/or master
display sensor 19 may be suitably programmed so as to always "remember"
and "recognize" that a signal which is received through the specific input
connections, through which a particular identifying signal were received
during the naming mode, correspond to the specific sensor and room which
were designated and linked during the naming mode.
The installer will then repeat this sequence for each separate room or
space in the system which is desired to be identified and linked to its
sensor.
The next major sequence of events is the identification of location for the
damper (or other) mechanisms controlling environmental input for each
separate room or space. Accordingly, the installer will call up a
preprogrammed link-up mode, on the master controller 22 or the master
display sensor 19, which mode will be advantageously set up to operate as
follows:
The master display sensor 19 and/or the master controller 22 may be
preprogrammed or otherwise caused to actuate all servocontrollers so as to
close all of them. One servocontroller may then be randomly selected to be
opened, and the blower for the furnace 20 is activated. Heating or cooling
may or may not also be actuated at this time. The installer then
personally observes which space is receiving the moving air (and thus is
connected to the open damper). Again assume, for example, that space 11 is
receiving the blowing air.
The installer then will press a key or button on display sensor 16. Display
sensor 16 will be configured to send a signal to master display sensor 19,
or directly to master controller 22. Master controller 22 will identify
that sensor 16 in space 11 is communicating. Master controller 22 will
then link sensor 16 and space 11 to the damper which has been actuated to
permit blowing air, that is, the damper 30 which leads to space 11 and
sensor 16. From this point forward, damper 30 will be functionally
linked-up with display sensor 16 and space 11, notwithstanding whatever
nominal location assignments for the sensors and dampers had been
previously or preliminarily assigned, and regardless of whether the
original physical connections between the sensors, dampers, and master
controller were correct. So long as sensors were not connected to damper
connections, etc., the system will be capable of reconfiguring its
internal correlations between the components.
In an alternative embodiment of the link-up method, the display sensors may
be configured to sense air motion, change in air pressure, sound, light,
etc., in addition to temperature change, so as to self-detect or indicate
which space is receiving moving or thermally conditioned air. The display
sensor sensing the moving or thermally conditioned air may then
spontaneously signal the master display sensor, or the master controller
directly.
The master controller 22 and master display sensor 19 may then be
configured to provide an indication, such as a visual or audible
indication, which will indicate that the master controller 22 has received
the signals and "mapped" the functional link-up between damper 30, display
sensor 16 and space 11. The installer may then cause the damper 30 to be
closed and the damper in another space to be opened, to repeat the
procedure until all desired spaces have been mapped.
Alternatively, when the master controller has received a signal and
"mapped" the pairing of the specific display sensor and the selected
damper into its memory, it may automatically send a signal to damper 30 to
close that damper, and select another to be opened. The previously
described procedure will be repeated until all dampers to be mapped have
been mapped into the master controller's memory with corresponding display
sensors. The information recorded during the procedure will override any
preprogramming to correct for any inadvertent hardwire cross-connections
which the installer may have caused.
As previously stated, in one embodiment, display sensors 16-19 might
comprise merely keyboard inputs and digital displays with temperature
sensors therein, and not thermostats which can independently call for
heating or cooling. Alternatively, display sensor 19, however, could be a
fully programmable thermostat, as are known. In an alternative embodiment
of the invention, each display sensor is also a thermostat, so that, for
example, occupants in a given space may override preprogrammed heating,
cooling or simple ventilation scheduling which had been performed at
master display sensor 19 or at master controller 22.
As an alternative embodiment of the invention, a more self-actuating
version of the link up procedure and apparatus may be provided. This
further embodiment may be employed with a physical set-up, such as
illustrated in FIG. 1, or may be used with an even simpler indoor
environmental conditioning system, as is schematically illustrated in FIG.
2. In the following discussion relative to the system as illustrated with
regard to FIG. 2, elements or steps which are substantially similar to
those previously described in relation to the embodiments of FIG. 1, are
provided with like reference numerals.
FIG. 2 illustrates a simple indoor environmental conditioning system 100,
for three spaces 111, 112 and 113, which are served by indoor
environmental conditioning apparatus 120. Thermal conditioning apparatus
120 is connected to spaces 111-113 by main thermal transfer conduit 124,
which branches into branch conduits 125, 126 and 127.
Positioned in conduits 125-127, between indoor environmental conditioning
apparatus 120, and spaces 111-113, respectively, are flow control
apparatus 130-132, respectively. Servocontrollers 134-136 actuate flow
control apparatus 130-132, respectively. Each of servocontrollers 134-136
are connected by suitable control transmission lines 138-140,
respectively, to master controller 122, connected to indoor environmental
conditioning apparatus 120. Master controller 122 may be any suitable
programmable (or suitably preprogrammed) control apparatus, such as a
microprocessor of known design.
Each of spaces 111-113 is provided with its own thermostat 116-118,
respectively, so that indoor environmental conditioning may be supplied,
individually, to each of spaces 111-113. Each thermostat 116-118 is
connected by a suitable communication line 141-143, respectively, to
master controller 122.
For the purposes of the remainder of the disclosure, indoor environmental
conditioning system 100 will be discussed in the embodiment of a forced
air gas furnace system, though of course, the general principles discussed
hereinafter will be fully applicable to other types of indoor
environmental conditioning system, as previously stated.
As previously stated, inadvertent cross-connection of the thermostats
and/or dampers for the several spaces, at the master controller may create
confusion for the master controller, if the controller is forced to rely
upon preset location assignments for the elements. For example, an
occupant in space 111 sets the thermostat so as to call for heat. If the
lead for that space 111 has been connected to the assigned input location
on controller 122, for space 112, then heat may be supplied to space 112,
against the desire of the occupant of that space (presuming that the
connections for flow control apparatus 131 and servocontroller 135 are
correct).
In this alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, master
controller 122 will be suitably configured, in a known conventional manner
and suitably programmed, so as to be able to internally re-direct or
reroute input data signals and output command signals. This ability to
redirect internally such information, enables the initial hardwire
connections and preliminary programming and location assignments with
which the master controller 122 was originally provided, to be overridden.
Master controller 122 will further be provided, with a diagnostic program
will be able to detect incorrect hardwiring prior to instituting full-time
operations, and will internally redirect such incorrectly directed
signals.
The diagnostic program with which master controller 122 of system 100 will
be provided will operate in the following manner. Upon initial start-up,
controller 122 will initially command that all flow control apparatus
130-132 will be closed. The readings from all sensors/thermostats 116-118
are recorded, and correlated to their presumed respective spaces.
Controller 122 will then arbitrarily select the spaces, open the flow
control apparatus which controller 122 perceives or has recorded in its
memory as being assigned to that arbitrarily selected space, and activate
indoor environmental conditioning apparatus 120, to supply heat or cooling
to that selected space.
After a predetermined interval of time, sensors 116-118 are polled, to
determined if a temperature change is recorded by controller 122. The
interval of time will be selected based upon the characteristics of the
indoor environmental conditioning apparatus, the average sizes of the
spaces, etc., such that a meaningful temperature change will occur in any
of the spaces, if supplied with heating or cooling for that period of
time. If the sensor which is assigned to the selected space reports a
temperature indicating a temperature change commensurate with the time
interval, the characteristics of the selected space and the heating and
cooling supplied, then the respective preliminary space assignments of the
sensor/thermostat and the flow control apparatus/servocontroller are
presumed confirmed and correctly installed.
If, however, the space for which a temperature change is detected is not
the space which the controller 22 recognizes as the properly assigned
space, then the information is recorded. The controller 22 will from that
point on correlate the sensor reporting a temperature change with the flow
control apparatus which was activated. At this point it must be recognized
that either the initial sensor location assignment is incorrect or the
initial flow control apparatus location assignment is incorrect.
The procedure is repeated until each temperature sensor/thermostat is
caused to report a temperature change. Each time a temperature change is
reported and the reporting sensor is recorded, the flow control apparatus
which was actuated to produce the temperature change is recorded and
permanently associated in the controller's memory with that specific
sensor. In this way, when an occupant of a specific space operates the
sensor in that space, the controller will associate that sensor with the
flow control apparatus which was "learned", even if not the flow control
apparatus which was nominally associated with that sensor, immediately at
installation, and "know" which flow control apparatus to actuate to
satisfy the sensor/thermostat calling for indoor environmental
conditioning.
The foregoing description and drawings merely serve to illustrate the
invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the
appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the
disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations
therein without departing from the scope of the invention.
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