US5602758A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Installation link-up procedure
Assignee: HVAC MODULATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC
•
Filing: 1995-01-26
•
Granted: 1997-02-11
•
Expires: 2015-01-26
Abstract
Abstract 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.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry A. Lincoln
- 👤 Robert M. Russ
- 👤 William W. Bassett
- 👤 Nir Merry
- 👤 Thomas L. Webster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:46
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/50; F24F11/56; F24F11/62; F24F11/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
A method for establishing the link-up of components in an indoor environmental conditioning system for spaces, the method comprising: a. providing each space with a separately controllable indoor environmental conditioning input; b. connecting each indoor environmental conditioning input to an indoor environmental conditioning source; c. connecting a control apparatus to the indoor environmental conditioning source; d. providing each space with an environmental status sensor; e. operably connecting the control apparatus with each of the sensors; f. communicating the identity of each of the sensors, one at a time, to the control apparatus; g. assigning, in succession, a separate designation to each of the sensors; i. communicating each separate designation to the control apparatus; j. placing the indoor environmental conditioning system into an initial inactive condition; k. actuating at least one of the indoor environmental conditioning inputs; l. actuating the indoor environmental conditioning source; m. monitoring the spaces to determine which of the spaces receives indoor environmental conditioning; n. operably linking the indoor environmental conditioning sensor, in the space which received conditioning, with the respective means for actuating at least one of the respective indoor environmental conditioning inputs, which were actuated to cause environmental conditioning in the specific space; and o. repeating steps j. through n. until a desired number of the indoor environmental conditioning sensors and respective ones of the indoor environmental conditioning inputs are operably linked.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
227 words
A method for establishing the link-up of components in an indoor environmental conditioning system for spaces, the method comprising: a. providing each space with a separately controllable indoor environmental conditioning input; b. connecting each indoor environmental conditioning input to an indoor environmental conditioning source; c. connecting a control apparatus to the indoor environmental conditioning source; d. providing each space with an environmental status sensor; e. operably connecting the control apparatus with each of the sensors; f. communicating the identity of each of the sensors, one at a time, to the control apparatus; g. assigning, in succession, a separate designation to each of the sensors; i. communicating each separate designation to the control apparatus; j. placing the indoor environmental conditioning system into an initial inactive condition; k. actuating at least one of the indoor environmental conditioning inputs; l. actuating the indoor environmental conditioning source; m. monitoring the spaces to determine which of the spaces receives indoor environmental conditioning; n. operably linking the indoor environmental conditioning sensor, in the space which received conditioning, with the respective means for actuating at least one of the respective indoor environmental conditioning inputs, which were actuated to cause environmental conditioning in the specific space; and o. repeating steps j. through n. until a desired number of the indoor environmental conditioning sensors and respective ones of the indoor environmental conditioning inputs are operably linked.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: p. connecting each of the sensors and the control apparatus to an intermediate control apparatus, so as to enable the performance of steps f. through o. through the intermediate control apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the indoor environmental conditioning inputs comprise a remotely controllable damper for an air duct.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 3, wherein at least the indoor environmental conditioning source comprises a gas-fired furnace with circulating air blower.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the separate indoor environmental conditioning control sensor further comprises a thermostat.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus for preparing an indoor environmental conditioning system for a plurality of separate spaces for operation, said indoor environmental conditioning system including an indoor environmental conditioning source, an indoor environmental conditioning sensor operably disposed in each space, means for actuating the indoor environmental conditioning source disposed in each space and operably connected to the indoor environmental conditioning source, and an indoor environmental conditioning input disposed in each space and operably connected to the indoor environmental conditioning source, said apparatus comprising: means for placing the indoor environmental conditioning system into an initial condition by causing each means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input to be in a non-actuating condition; means for selecting the means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input; means for causing the selected means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input to be in an actuating condition; means for actuating the indoor environmental conditioning source; means for monitoring the spaces to determine which of the spaces receives indoor environmental conditioning; and means for operably linking the indoor environmental conditioning sensor, in the space which received conditioning, with the respective means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input, which was actuated to cause conditioning in the specific space.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
205 words
An apparatus for preparing an indoor environmental conditioning system for a plurality of separate spaces for operation, said indoor environmental conditioning system including an indoor environmental conditioning source, an indoor environmental conditioning sensor operably disposed in each space, means for actuating the indoor environmental conditioning source disposed in each space and operably connected to the indoor environmental conditioning source, and an indoor environmental conditioning input disposed in each space and operably connected to the indoor environmental conditioning source, said apparatus comprising: means for placing the indoor environmental conditioning system into an initial condition by causing each means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input to be in a non-actuating condition; means for selecting the means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input; means for causing the selected means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input to be in an actuating condition; means for actuating the indoor environmental conditioning source; means for monitoring the spaces to determine which of the spaces receives indoor environmental conditioning; and means for operably linking the indoor environmental conditioning sensor, in the space which received conditioning, with the respective means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input, which was actuated to cause conditioning in the specific space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
159 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: means for returning the indoor environmental conditioning system into the initial condition, after connection of the first indoor environmental conditioning sensor; means for selecting another of the means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input; means for causing said another selected one of the means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input to be in an actuating condition; means for actuating the indoor environmental conditioning source; means for monitoring the spaces to determine which of the remaining spaces receives indoor environmental conditioning; means for operably linking the indoor environmental conditioning sensor, in the space which received conditioning, with the selected another respective means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input, which was actuated to cause conditioning in the specific space; and means for repeating the foregoing steps until all means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input have been operably linked to an indoor environmental conditioning sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the indoor environmental conditioning input comprises a remotely controllable damper for an air duct.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the indoor environmental conditioning source comprises a gas-fired furnace with circulating air blower.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the indoor environmental conditioning source comprises an air conditioner unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the separate indoor environmental conditioning control sensor and means for actuating the indoor environmental conditioning source together comprise a thermostat.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
248 words
An apparatus for preparing an indoor environmental conditioning system for a plurality of separate spaces for operation, said indoor environmental conditioning system including an indoor environmental conditioning source, an indoor environmental conditioning sensor disposed in each space, means for actuating the indoor environmental conditioning source disposed in each space and operably connected to the indoor environmental conditioning source, and an indoor environmental conditioning input disposed in each space and operably connected to the indoor environmental conditioning source, said apparatus comprising: means for causing each means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input to be in a non-actuating condition and placing the indoor environmental conditioning system into an initial condition; means for monitoring each of the indoor environmental conditioning control sensors; means for recording each of the indications of environmental status provided by each of the indoor environmental conditioning control sensors; means for selecting the means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input; means for causing the selected one of the means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input to be in an actuating condition; means for monitoring the indications provided by the indoor environmental conditioning control sensors; means for identifying whether any of the indoor environmental conditioning sensors indicates a change in environmental status; and means for operably linking any indoor environmental conditioning sensor which indicates a change in environmental status with the respective means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input, which was actuated to cause the indication of change in environmental status.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
248 words
An apparatus for preparing an indoor environmental conditioning system for a plurality of separate spaces for operation, said indoor environmental conditioning system including an indoor environmental conditioning source, an indoor environmental conditioning sensor disposed in each space, means for actuating the indoor environmental conditioning source disposed in each space and operably connected to the indoor environmental conditioning source, and an indoor environmental conditioning input disposed in each space and operably connected to the indoor environmental conditioning source, said apparatus comprising: means for causing each means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input to be in a non-actuating condition and placing the indoor environmental conditioning system into an initial condition; means for monitoring each of the indoor environmental conditioning control sensors; means for recording each of the indications of environmental status provided by each of the indoor environmental conditioning control sensors; means for selecting the means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input; means for causing the selected one of the means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input to be in an actuating condition; means for monitoring the indications provided by the indoor environmental conditioning control sensors; means for identifying whether any of the indoor environmental conditioning sensors indicates a change in environmental status; and means for operably linking any indoor environmental conditioning sensor which indicates a change in environmental status with the respective means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input, which was actuated to cause the indication of change in environmental status.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
223 words
The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: means for returning the indoor environmental conditioning system into an initial condition, after linking the first indoor environmental conditioning sensor indicating a change in environmental status with the respective means for actuating a respective environmental input, by causing each means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input to be in a non-actuating condition; means for monitoring each of the indoor environmental conditioning control sensors; means for recording each of the indications of environmental status provided by each of the indoor environmental conditioning control sensors; means for selecting another of the means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input; means for causing said selected another of the means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input to be in an actuating condition; means for monitoring the indications provided by the indoor environmental conditioning control sensors; means for identifying whether any of the indoor environmental conditioning sensors indicates a change in environmental status; and means for operably linking any indoor environmental conditioning sensor which indicates a change in environmental status with the respective means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input, which was actuated to cause the indication of change in environmental status; and means for repeating the foregoing steps until all means for actuating a respective indoor environmental conditioning input have been selected.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4742475A
Cited
US4812997A
Cited
US4897798A
Cited
US4884214A
Cited
US5153807A
Cited
US5161606A
Cited
US5148977A
Cited
US5039009A
Cited
US5172490A
Cited
US5348078A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-02-11 | 2000-08-12 | 2001-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-11 | 2004-08-12 | 2005-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-11 | 2008-08-12 | 2009-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |