Pneumatic direct digital controller

Claim 2

A pneumatic direct digital controller comprising: an air inlet; an air outlet; transducer means for connecting said air inlet and said air outlet and for controlling the pressure of air between the air inlet and the air outlet; a self-contained internal power supply; a sensor; wireless means for receiving and transmitting remote signals; and a direct digital controller operably connected to the power supply, operably connected to and controlling the transducer means, operably connected to the wireless means, and operably connected to the sensor to receive a signal from the sensor; whereby the pressure of air in the air outlet is controlled in accordance with the signal received from the sensor.

Claim 3

The controller of claim 1 wherein the receiving and transmitting means transmits and receives radio signals.

Claim 4

The controller of claim 2 wherein the radio signals are spread spectrum signals.

Claim 5

The controller of claim 3 wherein the receiving and transmitting means transmits and receives infrared signals.

Claim 6

The controller of claim 3 wherein the receiving and transmitting means transmits and receives ultrasonic signals.

Claim 7

The controller of claim 1 wherein the power supply includes an air generator or a piezoelectric generator operably connected to the air inlet.

Claim 8

The controller of claim 1 wherein the power supply includes wireless means for receiving remote signals or wireless means for transmitting remote signals.

Claim 9

The controller of claim 1 wherein the power supply includes a battery.

Claim 10

The controller of claim 1 wherein the power supply includes a source of solar power.

Claim 11

The controller of claim 1 wherein the pneumatic transducer includes a pair of solenoids for controlling the amount of air passed from the air inlet to the air outlet.

Claim 12

The controller of claim 10 wherein the pair of solenoids are miniature electric solenoid valves.

Claim 13

The controller of claim 11 wherein said pair of solenoids includes a first solenoid controlling the passage of air between said air inlet and said air outlet, and a second solenoid controlling the passage of air between said air outlet and atmosphere.

Claim 14

A pneumatic control system comprising: an air supply inlet; a direct digital controller; a self-contained power supply operably connected to the direct digital controller and providing the direct digital controller with a source of power; wireless means, operably connected to the direct digital controller, for transmitting and receiving information and commands to a remote master controller; a remote master controller capable of communicating with the wireless means and capable of transmitting and receiving information and commands; an air outlet; and an electronic-to-pneumatic transducer operably connected to the direct digital controller and operably connected to said air supply inlet and said air outlet whereby the direct digital controller controls the pressure transducer to control the pressure of air passing through the transducer from the air supply inlet to the air outlet.

Claim 15

A pneumatic control system comprising: an air supply inlet; a direct digital controller; a self-contained power supply operably connected to the direct digital controller and providing the direct digital controller with a source of power; wireless means, operably connected to the direct digital controller, for transmitting and receiving information and commands to a remote master controller; a remote master controller capable of communicating with the wireless means and capable of transmitting and receiving information and commands; an air outlet; and an electronic-to-pneumatic transducer operably connected to the direct digital controller and operably connected to said air supply inlet and said air outlet whereby the direct digital controller controls the pressure transducer to control the pressure of air passing through the transducer from the air supply inlet to the air outlet.

Claim 16

The control system of claim 13 wherein the direct digital controller controls the pneumatic transducer based in part on the commands and information received from the master controller through the wireless means.

Claim 17

The pneumatic control system of claim 13 wherein the pressure transducer includes a first solenoid controlling the passage of air between the air supply inlet and the air outlet, and a second solenoid controlling the passage of air between the air outlet and atmosphere.

Claim 18

The pneumatic control system of claim 15 wherein the power supply includes an air generator operably connected to the air supply inlet.

Claim 19

The pneumatic control system of claim 15 wherein the power supply includes a piezoelectric generator operably connected to the air supply inlet

Claim 20

The pneumatic control system of claim 15 wherein the power supply includes a battery.

Claim 21

The pneumatic control system of claim 15 wherein the power supply includes a source of solar power.

Claim 22

The pneumatic control system of claim 13 wherein the wireless means includes a radio transceiver; a radio receiver; a radio transmitter; or a radio transmitter and a radio receiver.

Claim 23

The pneumatic control system of claim 13 wherein the wireless means transmits and receives infrared signals.

Claim 24

The pneumatic control system of claim 13 wherein the wireless means transmits and receives ultrasonic signals.

Claim 27

The method of claim 23 wherein the providing step includes generating power from a pneumatic air supply.

Claim 28

The method of claim 23 wherein the providing step includes generating power from light.

Claim 29

The method of claim 23 including receiving the signal from a wireless remote sensor.

Claim 30

The method of claim 23 wherein the controlling step includes using a proportional integral control algorithm to meet space temperature control requirements.

Claim 31

A wireless, pneumatic, direct digital controller for a variable air volume system comprising: an air inlet; an air outlet; an electronic-to-pneumatic transducer operably connected between the air inlet and the air outlet; wireless means for receiving a remote signal; a direct digital controller operably connected to said wireless means and said transducer whereby the direct digital controller controls the transducer in accordance with the remote signal; a sensor operably connected to the controller; transmitting means, operably connected to the controller, for transmitting a wireless signal indicative of a signal received from the sensor; and a self-contained power supply operably connected to the controller.

Claim 32

A wireless, pneumatic, direct digital controller for a variable air volume system comprising: an air inlet; an air outlet; an electronic-to-pneumatic transducer operably connected between the air inlet and the air outlet; wireless means for receiving a remote signal; a direct digital controller operably connected to said wireless means and said transducer whereby the direct digital controller controls the transducer in accordance with the remote signal; a sensor operably connected to the controller; transmitting means, operably connected to the controller, for transmitting a wireless signal indicative of a signal received from the sensor; and a self-contained power supply operably connected to the controller.