US7320362B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dynamic fluid delivery system with compensation
Assignee: Resideo LLC
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Filing: 2004-06-28
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Granted: 2008-01-22
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Expires: 2024-06-28
Abstract
Abstract Flow is managed within a fluid delivery system. One illustrative fluid delivery system is a zoned HVAC system. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is provided for controlling the airflow and thus the heat or cool delivery rate to a room serviced by the zoned HVAC system. The zoned HVAC system includes a duct system that is in fluid communication with various rooms through zone dampers. An open/closed state of the zone dampers is determined, and an open time for at least selected zone dampers are adjusted based on the state of the dampers.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven C. Nichols
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:48
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1927; G05D23/193; G05D23/1932; G05D23/1934; F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/62; F24F11/70; F24F11/72; F24F11/74; F24F11/76
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of controlling an HVAC system having a plurality of zones, wherein each zone includes at least one zone damper, the method comprising the steps of: determining an open/closed state of at least one of the zone dampers that service the plurality of zones; and setting an open time for at least one of the zone dampers of the HVAC system based on the state of at least one of the zone damper for which the open/closed state has been determined.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of controlling an HVAC system having a plurality of zones, wherein each zone includes at least one zone damper, the method comprising the steps of: determining an open/closed state of at least one of the zone dampers that service the plurality of zones; and setting an open time for at least one of the zone dampers of the HVAC system based on the state of at least one of the zone damper for which the open/closed state has been determined.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the setting step sets the open time based on how many of the zone dampers are determined to be in an open state relative to how many of the zone dampers are determined to be in a closed state.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of controlling thermal energy delivery to a zone within an HVAC system having two or more zones, wherein airflow to at least selected zones is controlled by one or more zone dampers, and wherein the thermal energy provided by the HVAC system to each of the zones is dependent on the open/closed state of at least some of the other zone dampers, the method comprising the steps of: opening a first zone damper; and leaving the first zone damper open for an open time period, wherein the open time period is dependent on the state of one or more other zone dampers.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of controlling thermal energy delivery to a zone within an HVAC system having two or more zones, wherein airflow to at least selected zones is controlled by one or more zone dampers, and wherein the thermal energy provided by the HVAC system to each of the zones is dependent on the open/closed state of at least some of the other zone dampers, the method comprising the steps of: opening a first zone damper; and leaving the first zone damper open for an open time period, wherein the open time period is dependent on the state of one or more other zone dampers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the first zone damper includes an initial open time period, and the initial open time period is reduced by an amount that is dependent on the state of one or more other zone dampers, resulting in the open time period.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the zone damper corresponds to a particular zone, and the particular zone has a thermal demand, wherein the initial open time period is dependent on the thermal demand of the particular zone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the zone damper is left open until a counter counts to a predetermined value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the predetermined value is set such that the counter counts to the predetermined value in the open time period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the counter counts by a counter increment value, wherein the counter increment value is set such that the counter counts to the predetermined value in the open time period.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the counter counts by a counter increment value once during each counter period, wherein the counter period is set such that the counter counts to the predetermined value in the open time period.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the counter is incremented.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the counter is decremented.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for controlling the opening and closing of a damper in an HVAC system, wherein the damper is coupled to a duct that delivers air to the damper, and wherein the duct is fluidly connected to one or more other dampers and/or valves that can assume open and closed positions, the method comprising the steps of: opening the damper for a length of time; closing the damper after the length of time; and wherein the length of time is dependent on the position of at least one of the one or more other dampers and/or valves that are fluidly connected to the duct.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for controlling the opening and closing of a damper in an HVAC system, wherein the damper is coupled to a duct that delivers air to the damper, and wherein the duct is fluidly connected to one or more other dampers and/or valves that can assume open and closed positions, the method comprising the steps of: opening the damper for a length of time; closing the damper after the length of time; and wherein the length of time is dependent on the position of at least one of the one or more other dampers and/or valves that are fluidly connected to the duct.
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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) | 2011-01-21 | 2011-07-23 | 2012-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2015-01-21 | 2015-07-23 | 2016-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2019-01-21 | 2019-07-23 | 2020-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |