US6826920B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Humidity controller
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
•
Filing: 2002-12-09
•
Granted: 2004-12-07
•
Expires: 2022-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A humidity controller for an air handling unit of a space, room or zone. The controller may be a dehumidification system integrated with a constant volume air handling unit. The system may have separate actuator control of a mixed air damper and other actuator control for both an outdoor air intake damper and an indoor air exhaust damper. Humidity and temperature sensors may be placed outdoors and indoors in the space having air to be dehumidified, temperature controlled and/or mixed with outdoor air. An economizer controller may be connected to the sensors and actuators for controlling various properties of the air in the space. The air may be dehumidified by slowing down the movement of air across the cooling coil of the air handling unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul C. Wacker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:04
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/0008; F24F11/70; F24F11/72; F24F11/74; F24F3/00; F24F3/12; F24F3/14; F24F3/153; G; G05; G05D; G05D22/00; G05D22/02; F24F11/30; F24F2003/144; F24F2003/1446; F24F11/0001; F24F2011/0002; F24F2110/00; F24F2110/10; F24F2110/12; F24F2110/20; F24F2110/22; F24F2110/50; F24F2110/65; F24F2110/70; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 71
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for controlling humidity of air from an output of an air handling unit having a cooling mechanism and an air mover, comprising: a first damper proximate to an input of the air handling unit; a first actuator connected to said first damper; a humidity sensor proximate to the output of the air handling unit; and a controller connected to said first actuator and humidity sensor; and wherein: adjusting said first damper affects a speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism; decreasing the speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism decreases humidity of the air from the output of the air handling unit; and increasing the speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism increases humidity of the air from the output of the air handling unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for controlling humidity of air from an output of an air handling unit having a cooling mechanism and an air mover, comprising: a first damper proximate to an input of the air handling unit; a first actuator connected to said first damper; a humidity sensor proximate to the output of the air handling unit; and a controller connected to said first actuator and humidity sensor; and wherein: adjusting said first damper affects a speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism; decreasing the speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism decreases humidity of the air from the output of the air handling unit; and increasing the speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism increases humidity of the air from the output of the air handling unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein: a pre-determined humidity may be set on said controller; if said humidity sensor indicates a humidity greater than the pre-determined humidity, then said controller will have said actuator move said first damper towards a close position which in turn will decrease the speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism; and if said humidity sensor indicates a humidity less than the pre-determined humidity, then said controller will have said actuator to move said first damper towards an open position which in turn will increase the speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
144 words
A system for controlling humidity of air in a space comprising: an air mover having an input, a cooling mechanism and an output connected to the inlet of the space; a first air flow adjustor proximate to the input of said air mover and the outlet of the space; a second air flow adjuster proximate to an outside supply of air, to said first air flow adjuster and to the input of said air mover; a third air flow adjuster proximate to the outlet of the space, to the outside supply of air and to said first air flow adjuster; a first actuator connected to said first air flow adjuster; a second actuator connected to said second and third air flow adjusters; a controller connected to said first and second actuators; and a humidity sensor situated in the space and connected to said controller.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
144 words
A system for controlling humidity of air in a space comprising: an air mover having an input, a cooling mechanism and an output connected to the inlet of the space; a first air flow adjustor proximate to the input of said air mover and the outlet of the space; a second air flow adjuster proximate to an outside supply of air, to said first air flow adjuster and to the input of said air mover; a third air flow adjuster proximate to the outlet of the space, to the outside supply of air and to said first air flow adjuster; a first actuator connected to said first air flow adjuster; a second actuator connected to said second and third air flow adjusters; a controller connected to said first and second actuators; and a humidity sensor situated in the space and connected to said controller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
The system of claim 3 , wherein: said first air flow adjuster controls an amount of air flow from the outlet of the space to the input of said air mover; said second air flow adjuster controls an amount of air flow from the outside supply of air to the input of said air mover; and said third air flow adjuster controls an amount of air flow from the outlet of the space to the outside supply of air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 4 , wherein said controller has an adjustable humidity control setting.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 5 , wherein controlling an amount of air to the input of said air mover affects a speed of air moving across the cooling mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 6 , wherein changing the speed of air moving across the cooling mechanism effects a change of humidity in the air.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein if a humidity as indicated by said humidity sensor is different than the humidity indicated by the adjustable humidity control setting, then said controller will change via at least one of said first and second actuators and in turn at least one of said first, second and third air flow adjusters, the speed of air moving across the cooling mechanism until the humidity as indicated by the humidity sensor is approximately the same as the humidity as indicated by the adjustable humidity control setting.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 8 , further comprising: a second humidity sensor, situated in the outside supply of air, connected to said controller; a first temperature sensor, situated proximate to the outlet of the space, connected to said controller; and a second temperature sensor, situated in the outside supply of air, connected to said controller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein: said controller has an adjustable outside air amount setting; and said controller, via at least one of said first and second actuators and in turn at least one of said first, second and third air flow adjusters, will change the amount of outside air going to the input of said air mover to be approximately the same as an amount indicated by the adjustable outside air amount setting.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein: said controller determines a certain amount of outside air to go to the input of said air mover according to indications from said humidity sensor and second humidity sensor and from said first and second temperature sensors; and said controller will, via at least one of said first and second actuators and in turn at least one of said first, second and third air flow adjusters, change the amount of outside air going to the input of said air mover to be approximately the same as the certain amount of outside air as determined by said controller.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein said controller is connected to the cooling mechanism.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein said air mover further has a fan and a heating mechanism.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 13 , further comprising: a second controller connected to the cooling mechanism, the fan and the heating mechanism; a third temperature sensor, situated in the space, connected to said second controller.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein said controller and second controller control the humidity, the temperature, and the amount of outside air in the space.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein said controller and second controller are integrated into a one controller.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 16 , further comprising: a third humidity sensor, situated in the space, connected to said one controller; and a third actuator connected to said third air flow adjuster and to said one controller, wherein said second actuator is not connected to said third air flow adjuster.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 17 , wherein said one controller comprises: a modifiable program; and an input mechanism for inputting manual or automatic settings for humidity, temperature, amount of outside air and pressure in the space.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 18 , further comprising a CO 2 sensor, situated in the space, connected to said one controller.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein: said CO 2 sensor indicates to said one controller an amount of CO 2 in the air of the space; and said one controller controls the amount of CO 2 in the air of the space by controlling the amount of outside air brought into the space.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 20 , wherein said air mover is a constant volume air handling unit.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for controlling a climate control system for an enclosure, the climate control system including one or more conduits for passing an air stream past one or more cooling coils for cooling and/or dehumidifying the air stream, the method comprising the steps of: activating the one or more cooling coils to cool and/or dehumidify the air stream; and selectively restricting the air flow in the one or more conduits to reduce the velocity of the air stream past the one or more cooling coils for increased dehumidification.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for controlling a climate control system for an enclosure, the climate control system including one or more conduits for passing an air stream past one or more cooling coils for cooling and/or dehumidifying the air stream, the method comprising the steps of: activating the one or more cooling coils to cool and/or dehumidify the air stream; and selectively restricting the air flow in the one or more conduits to reduce the velocity of the air stream past the one or more cooling coils for increased dehumidification.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the one or more conduits access inside air from inside the enclosure and outside air from outside the enclosure, the method further comprising the step of mixing inside air with outside air to form the air stream.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the selectively restricting step selectively restricts the air stream.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the selectively restricting step selectively restricts the inside air flow.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the selectively restricting step selectively restricts the outside air flow.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the selectively restricting step selectively restricts the inside air flow and the outside air flow.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein each of the one or more conduits includes one or more dampers for selectively restricting the air stream, and wherein at least one of the dampers restricts the inside air flow and at least one of the dampers restricts the outside air flow.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the selectively restricting step activates the one or more dampers to selectively restrict the air stream.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the selectively restricting step activates the one or more dampers to selectively restrict either the inside air flow or the outside air flow without a corresponding increase in the other air flow.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the selectively restricting step activates the one or more dampers to selectively restricts the inside air flow and the outside air flow.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 28 , further comprising the steps of: determining a measure of one or more psychrometric properties of the outside air; determining a measure of one or more psychrometric properties of the inside air; and determining the velocity of the air stream as a function of: the measure of the one or more psychrometric properties of the outside air; and the measure of the one or more psychrometric properties of the inside air.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein the climate control system includes a controller for controlling the position of the one or more dampers, the method further comprising the step of selectively activating the one or more dampers to provide the determined velocity of the air stream.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein the one or more psychrometric properties is selected from the group consisting of: dry-bulb temperature, dew-point temperature, wet-bulb temperature, humidity ratio, relative humidity, and enthalpy.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the one or more conduits includes one or more dampers for selectively restricting the air stream.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the climate control system includes a controller for controlling the position of the one or more dampers.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 22 , comprising the step of determining a measure of one or more psychrometric properties of the air stream exiting the last of the one or more cooling coils.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 37 , further comprising the step of determining and setting the velocity of the air stream as a function of the measure of the one or more psychrometric properties.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 38 , wherein the climate control system includes a controller for controlling the position of the one or more dampers, the method further comprising the step of selectively activating the one or more dampers to provide the determined velocity of the air stream.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 37 , wherein the one or more psychrometric properties is selected from the group consisting of: dry-bulb temperature, dew-point temperature, wet-bulb temperature, humidity ratio, relative humidity, and enthalpy.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus for controlling a climate control system for an enclosure, the climate control system including one or more conduits for passing an air stream past one or more cooling coils for cooling and/or dehumidifying the air stream, the apparatus comprising: means for activating the one or more cooling coils to cool and/or dehumidify the air stream; and means for selectively restricting the air flow in the one or more conduits to reduce the velocity of the air stream past the one or more cooling coils for increased dehumidification.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus for controlling a climate control system for an enclosure, the climate control system including one or more conduits for passing an air stream past one or more cooling coils for cooling and/or dehumidifying the air stream, the apparatus comprising: means for activating the one or more cooling coils to cool and/or dehumidify the air stream; and means for selectively restricting the air flow in the one or more conduits to reduce the velocity of the air stream past the one or more cooling coils for increased dehumidification.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the one or more conduits access inside air from inside the enclosure and outside air from outside the enclosure, the apparatus further comprising means for mixing inside air with outside air to form the air stream.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the means for selectively restricting the air flow selectively restricts the air stream.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the means for selectively restricting the air flow selectively restricts the inside air flow.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the means for selectively restricting the air flow selectively restricts the outside air flow.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the means for selectively restricting the air flow selectively restricts the inside air flow and the outside air flow.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the means for selectively restricting the air flow includes one or more dampers in each of the one or more conduits.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein the one or more dampers selectively restrict the air stream, and wherein at least one of the dampers restricts the inside air flow and at least one of the dampers restricts the outside air flow.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein the means for selectively restricting the air flow includes means for activating the one or more dampers to restrict the air stream.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein the means for selectively restricting the air flow includes means for activating the one or more dampers to restrict either the inside air flow or the outside air flow without a corresponding increase in the other air flow.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein the means for selectively restricting the air flow includes means for activating the one or more dampers to restrict the inside air flow and the outside air flow.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 47 , comprising: means for determining a measure of one or more psychrometric properties of the outside air; means for determining a measure of one or more psychrometric properties of the inside air; and means for determining the velocity of the air stream as a function of: the measure of the one or more psychrometric properties of the outside air; and the measure of the one or more psychrometric properties of the inside air.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 52 , wherein the climate control system includes a controller for controlling the position of the one or more dampers, the apparatus further comprising means for selectively activating the one or more dampers to provide the determined velocity of the air stream.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 52 , wherein the one or more psychrometric properties is selected from the group consisting of: dry-bulb temperature, dew-point temperature, wet-bulb temperature, humidity ratio, relative humidity, and enthalpy.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 52 , wherein the means for determining a measure of one or more psychrometric properties is a dry-bulb temperature sensor.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 52 , wherein the means for determining a measure of one or more psychrometric properties is a wet-bulb temperature sensor.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 52 , wherein the means for determining a measure of one or more psychrometric properties is a dew-point temperature sensor.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 52 , wherein the means for determining a measure of one or more psychrometric properties is a relative humidity sensor.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the one or more conduits includes one or more dampers for selectively restricting the air stream.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 59 , wherein the climate control system includes a controller for controlling the position of the one or more dampers.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 59 , comprising means for determining a measure of one or more psychrometric properties of the air stream exiting the last of the one or more cooling coils.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 61 , further comprising means for determining the velocity of the air stream as a function of the measure of the one or more psychrometric properties of the air stream.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 62 , wherein the climate control system includes a controller for controlling the position of the one or more dampers, the apparatus further comprising means for selectively activating the one or more dampers to provide the determined velocity of the air stream.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 61 , wherein the one or more psychrometric properties is selected from the group consisting of: dry-bulb temperature, dew-point temperature, wet-bulb temperature, humidity ratio, relative humidity, and enthalpy.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for controlling humidity of air from an output of an air handling unit having a cooling mechanism and an air mover, comprising: a first damper proximate to an input of the air handling unit; a first actuator connected to said first damper; a humidity sensor proximate to the output of the air handling unit; and a controller connected to said first actuator and humidity sensor; and wherein: adjusting said first damper affects a speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism; decreasing the speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism decreases humidity of the air from the output of the air handling unit; and increasing the speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism increases humidity of the air from the output of the air handling unit.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for controlling humidity of air from an output of an air handling unit having a cooling mechanism and an air mover, comprising: a first damper proximate to an input of the air handling unit; a first actuator connected to said first damper; a humidity sensor proximate to the output of the air handling unit; and a controller connected to said first actuator and humidity sensor; and wherein: adjusting said first damper affects a speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism; decreasing the speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism decreases humidity of the air from the output of the air handling unit; and increasing the speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism increases humidity of the air from the output of the air handling unit.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
100 words
The system of claim 65 , wherein: a pre-determined humidity may be set on said controller; if said humidity sensor indicates a humidity greater than the pre-determined humidity, then said controller will have said actuator move said first damper towards a close position which in turn will decrease the speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism; and if said humidity sensor indicates a humidity less than the pre-determined humidity, then said controller will have said actuator to move said first damper towards an open position which in turn will increase the speed of air moving through the cooling mechanism.
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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) | 2007-12-07 | 2008-06-07 | 2008-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-12-07 | 2012-06-07 | 2012-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-12-07 | 2016-06-07 | 2016-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |