Patent US6467696B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6467696B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Environmental control system
Assignee: Gun Valley Temperature Controls LLC
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Filing: 2001-09-14
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Granted: 2002-10-22
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Expires: 2021-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for controlling the environment of residential and commercial buildings. Movement of air within the facilities is accomplished by air handling units or fans. The speed of each air handling unit is controlled by a variable-speed drive, allowing the air handling units to run at speeds below full capacity. Environmental parameters, such as temperature or humidity, are monitored to determine the existing state of the environment, which is then compared to a desired state. The speed of the fans, or air handling units, is adjusted to alter the existing environmental state, bringing it in alignment with the desired state. The fans, or air handling units, are operated continuously, typically at reduced capacity. Other various facets are included with the system and method including the control of the mixture of air supplied to the internal environment of the building.
Inventors
- 👤 William P. Riley
- 👤 II William P. Riley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:35
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/70; F24F11/72; F24F11/74; F24F11/77; F24F11/30; F24F11/62; F24F2110/00; F24F2110/20; F24F2110/50; F24F2110/65; F24F2110/72; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A system for controlling an internal environment of a building designated for human occupancy comprising: at least one air handling unit including at least one fan configured to induce air movement within let the building through continuous operation; at least one variable-speed drive coupled to the at least one fan wherein the at least one variable-speed drive provides a drive signal to the at least one fan for controlling an operational speed of the at least one fan; at least one sensor configured to determine at least one internal environmental parameter; and at least one electrical control unit coupled to the at least one sensor and to the variable-speed drive wherein the at least one electrical control unit receives a parameter signal indicative of the at least one internal environmental parameter from the at least one sensor and provides a command signal to the variable-speed drive based upon the parameter signal for varying the operational speed of the at least one fan, wherein the at/least one variable-speed drive is configured such that the at least one fan is operated continuously at less than full power.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
185 words
A system for controlling an internal environment of a building designated for human occupancy comprising: at least one air handling unit including at least one fan configured to induce air movement within let the building through continuous operation; at least one variable-speed drive coupled to the at least one fan wherein the at least one variable-speed drive provides a drive signal to the at least one fan for controlling an operational speed of the at least one fan; at least one sensor configured to determine at least one internal environmental parameter; and at least one electrical control unit coupled to the at least one sensor and to the variable-speed drive wherein the at least one electrical control unit receives a parameter signal indicative of the at least one internal environmental parameter from the at least one sensor and provides a command signal to the variable-speed drive based upon the parameter signal for varying the operational speed of the at least one fan, wherein the at/least one variable-speed drive is configured such that the at least one fan is operated continuously at less than full power.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a temperature sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a humidity sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrical control unit is programmed to send command signals to the variable-speed drive such that the at least one fan speed varies to maintain the internal environment at a predetermined value of the at least one internal environmental parameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a ventilation inlet wherein air external to the building is admitted into the internal environment and the ventilation inlet regulates a flow of the admitted air in response to the determined at least one internal environmental parameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one conditioning apparatus configured to alter a parameter of air passing through the at least one air handling unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional sensor adapted to determine at least one parameter of an environment external to the building wherein the at least one additional sensor is coupled to the at least one electrical control unit and provides an external parameter signal to the at least one electrical control unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 7 , further comprising a ventilation inlet wherein air external to the building is admitted into the internal environment and wherein the ventilation inlet regulates a flow of the admitted air in response to the determined at least one external environmental parameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one additional sensor includes a temperature sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one electrical control unit is programmed to decrease the operational speed of the at least one fan upon receipt of an external parameter signal indicative of a sensed external temperature higher than a predetermined value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the variable-speed drive is adapted to have a maximum speed setting and a minimum speed setting such that the at least one fan is continuously running between the maximum and minimum speed settings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one other fan and at least one other variable-speed drive coupled to and configured to control an operational speed of the at least one other fan, wherein the at least one fan is configured to supply air to at least a portion of the building and wherein the at least one other fan is configured to draw air from the at least a portion of the building.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the at least one variable-speed drive is configured to control the at least one fan at a first speed and the at least one other variable-speed drive is configured to control the at least one other fan at a second speed different from the first speed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-10-21 | 2006-04-22 | 2006-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-21 | 2010-04-22 | 2010-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-21 | 2014-04-22 | 2014-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |