US5485953A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for controlling the circulation of heat transfer fluid for thermal conditioning systems for spaces
Assignee: HVAC MODULATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC
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Filing: 1995-01-26
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Granted: 1996-01-23
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Expires: 2015-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for controlling the circulation of heat transfer fluid for thermal conditioning systems for spaces, in which the temperatures of several at least partially thermally separate spaces are monitored and averaged, and compared with a predetermined set point temperature, for purposes of controlling the operation of a source of thermal conditioning. In addition, the temperature differentials between the several spaces are also monitored, for purposes of controlling the circulation of the heat transfer fluid. The present invention permits the continued circulation of the heat transfer fluid, even if no heating or cooling is required, for purposes of reducing the temperature differentials between the several spaces.
Inventors
- 👤 William W. Bassett
- 👤 Robert M. Russ
- 👤 Thomas L. Webster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:51
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/46; F24F11/50; F24F11/54; F24F11/62; F24F11/63; F24F11/70; F24F11/72; F24F11/74; F24F11/76; F24F11/77; F24F11/80; F24F11/83; F24F2110/00; F24F2110/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for controlling the circulation of heat transfer fluid for thermal conditioning systems for at least partially thermally separate spaces, in which the thermal conditioning system includes a source of thermal conditioning, and a means for circulating heat transfer fluid from the source of thermal conditioning to the at least partially thermally separate spaces, such that heat may be transferred between the source of thermal conditioning and the heat transfer fluid, and between the heat transfer fluid and the at least partially thermally separate spaces, the method comprising: sensing the temperature in each of the at least partially thermally separate spaces; determining, at predetermined intervals of time, a calculated sensed temperature, based upon the temperatures sensed by the sensors; comparing the calculated sensed temperature against a predetermined range of temperatures; and, if the calculated sensed temperature is within the predetermined range, the following steps of determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures, comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and increasing the flow of the heat transfer fluid if the greatest determined temperature differential value exceeds the predetermined temperature differential value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
192 words
A method for controlling the circulation of heat transfer fluid for thermal conditioning systems for at least partially thermally separate spaces, in which the thermal conditioning system includes a source of thermal conditioning, and a means for circulating heat transfer fluid from the source of thermal conditioning to the at least partially thermally separate spaces, such that heat may be transferred between the source of thermal conditioning and the heat transfer fluid, and between the heat transfer fluid and the at least partially thermally separate spaces, the method comprising: sensing the temperature in each of the at least partially thermally separate spaces; determining, at predetermined intervals of time, a calculated sensed temperature, based upon the temperatures sensed by the sensors; comparing the calculated sensed temperature against a predetermined range of temperatures; and, if the calculated sensed temperature is within the predetermined range, the following steps of determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures, comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and increasing the flow of the heat transfer fluid if the greatest determined temperature differential value exceeds the predetermined temperature differential value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: determining whether the calculated sensed temperature is above or below the predetermined range of temperatures, if the calculated sensed temperature is outside the predetermined range of temperatures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of: adjusting the rate of operation of the source of thermal conditioning, so as to transfer less heat to, or remove more heat from, the heat transfer fluid, if the calculated sensed temperature is above the predetermined range of temperatures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of: adjusting the rate of operation of the source of thermal conditioning, so as to transfer more heat to, or remove less heat from, the heat transfer fluid, if the calculated sensed temperature is below the predetermined range of temperatures.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method according to claim 3, further comprising the steps of: determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures, comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and increasing the flow of the heat transfer fluid if the greatest determined temperature differential value exceeds the predetermined temperature differential value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of: determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures, comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and increasing the flow of the heat transfer fluid if the greatest determined temperature differential value exceeds the predetermined temperature differential value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method according to claim 3, further comprising the steps of: determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures, comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and adjusting the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid to a minimum predetermined rate appropriate in relation to the rate of operation of the thermal conditioning means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of: determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures, comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and adjusting the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid to a minimum predetermined rate appropriate in relation to the rate of operation of the thermal conditioning means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
263 words
An apparatus for controlling the circulation of heat transfer fluid in a thermal conditioning systems for at least partially thermally separate spaces, in which the thermal conditioning system includes a source of thermal conditioning, and means for circulating heat transfer fluid from the source of thermal conditioning to the at least partially thermally separate spaces, such that heat may be transferred between the source of thermal conditioning and the heat transfer fluid, and between the heat transfer fluid and the at least partially thermally separate spaces, the apparatus comprising: means for sensing temperature, operably disposed in each of the at least partially thermally separate spaces; means for regulating the actuation and speed of operation of the source of thermal conditioning and the means for circulating heat transfer fluid, operably associated with the source of thermal conditioning, the means for circulating heat transfer fluid and the means for sensing temperature; means for determining, at predetermined intervals of time, calculated sensed temperatures, based upon the temperatures sensed by the sensors; means for comparing the calculated sensed temperature against a predetermined range of temperatures, means for determining if the calculated sensed temperature is within the predetermined range, and means for determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures, means for comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and means for increasing the flow of the heat transfer fluid if the calculated sensed temperature is determined to be within the predetermined range and the greatest determined temperature differential value is determined to exceed the predetermined temperature differential value.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
263 words
An apparatus for controlling the circulation of heat transfer fluid in a thermal conditioning systems for at least partially thermally separate spaces, in which the thermal conditioning system includes a source of thermal conditioning, and means for circulating heat transfer fluid from the source of thermal conditioning to the at least partially thermally separate spaces, such that heat may be transferred between the source of thermal conditioning and the heat transfer fluid, and between the heat transfer fluid and the at least partially thermally separate spaces, the apparatus comprising: means for sensing temperature, operably disposed in each of the at least partially thermally separate spaces; means for regulating the actuation and speed of operation of the source of thermal conditioning and the means for circulating heat transfer fluid, operably associated with the source of thermal conditioning, the means for circulating heat transfer fluid and the means for sensing temperature; means for determining, at predetermined intervals of time, calculated sensed temperatures, based upon the temperatures sensed by the sensors; means for comparing the calculated sensed temperature against a predetermined range of temperatures, means for determining if the calculated sensed temperature is within the predetermined range, and means for determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures, means for comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and means for increasing the flow of the heat transfer fluid if the calculated sensed temperature is determined to be within the predetermined range and the greatest determined temperature differential value is determined to exceed the predetermined temperature differential value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: means for determining whether the calculated sensed temperature is above or below the predetermined range of temperatures, if the calculated sensed temperature is outside the predetermined range of temperatures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: means for adjusting the rate of operation of the source of thermal conditioning, so as to transfer less heat to, or remove more heat from, the heat transfer fluid, if the calculated sensed temperature is above the predetermined range of temperatures.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: means for adjusting the rate of operation of the source of thermal conditioning, so as to transfer more heat to, or remove less heat from, the heat transfer fluid, if the calculated sensed temperature is below the predetermined range of temperatures.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: means for determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures, means for comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute; value, and means for increasing the flow of the heat transfer fluid if the greatest determined temperature differential value exceeds the predetermined temperature differential value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: means for determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures, means for comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and means for increasing the flow of the heat transfer fluid if the greatest determining temperature differential value exceeds the predetermined temperature differential value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: means for determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures, means for comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and means for adjusting the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid to a minimum predetermined rate appropriate in relation to the rate of operation of the thermal conditioning means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: means for determining the differentials between the sensed temperatures, means for comparing the determined temperature differential of the greatest absolute value against a predetermined temperature differential absolute value, and means for adjusting the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid to a minimum predetermined rate appropriate in relation to the rate of operation of the thermal conditioning means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4773472A
Cited
US5303767A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-22 | 1999-07-24 | 2000-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-22 | 2003-07-24 | 2004-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-22 | 2007-07-24 | 2008-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |