US7766246B2
Active / In Force
US
⏱️ 0.4 years remaining
Variable speed blower control in an HVAC system having a plurality of zones
Assignee: Resideo LLC
•
Filing: 2007-03-15
•
Granted: 2010-08-03
•
Expires: 2027-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A zone control panel for use with an HVAC system having zone control and a variable speed blower, and a method for controlling a fluid temperature conditioning device. In one aspect, the zone control panel includes a plurality of thermostat terminals for receiving thermostat signals, a plurality of damper terminals for transmitting damper control signals, and one or more terminals for transmitting signals to control a fluid temperature conditioning device having a variable speed blower. The zone control panel also includes a blower terminal for transmitting a signal to a dehumidification terminal associated with the fluid temperature conditioning device, where the dehumidification terminal is labeled or indicated for use with a dehumidification operating mode or for initiating a dehumidification operating mode of the variable speed blower. The blower terminal changes state in response to the number of zones that are calling for conditioning and changes between only a first off state and a second alternating current (AC) signal state. The change in the state of the blower terminal causes the speed of the variable speed blower to change.
Inventors
- 👤 David P. Mulhouse
- 👤 David J. Arneson
- 👤 Brad Paine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:38
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/50; F24F11/52; F24F11/62; F24F11/63; F24F11/70; F24F11/72; F24F11/74; F24F11/77; F24F11/80; F24F11/81; F24F11/83; F24F11/84; F24F2110/00; F24F2110/10; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A zone control panel comprising: (i) a plurality of thermostat terminals, each thermostat terminal configured to receive signals from one of a plurality of thermostats, where each of the plurality of thermostats is located within one of a plurality of zones; (ii) a plurality of damper terminals, each damper terminal configured to transmit signals to control one of a plurality of zone dampers; (iii) one or more terminals for transmitting signals to control a fluid temperature conditioning device having a variable speed blower; and (iv) a blower terminal for transmitting a signal to a dehumidification terminal associated with the fluid temperature conditioning device, where the dehumidification terminal is labeled or indicated for use with a dehumidification operating mode or to initiate a dehumidification operating mode of the variable speed blower, and where the signal transmitted from the blower terminal changes between only a first state and a second state in response to the number of zones that are calling for conditioning, wherein the first state is an off state and the second state is an on state having a predetermined alternating current (AC) voltage, and where the change in the state of the signal transmitted from the blower terminal causes the speed of the variable speed blower to change.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
A zone control panel comprising: (i) a plurality of thermostat terminals, each thermostat terminal configured to receive signals from one of a plurality of thermostats, where each of the plurality of thermostats is located within one of a plurality of zones; (ii) a plurality of damper terminals, each damper terminal configured to transmit signals to control one of a plurality of zone dampers; (iii) one or more terminals for transmitting signals to control a fluid temperature conditioning device having a variable speed blower; and (iv) a blower terminal for transmitting a signal to a dehumidification terminal associated with the fluid temperature conditioning device, where the dehumidification terminal is labeled or indicated for use with a dehumidification operating mode or to initiate a dehumidification operating mode of the variable speed blower, and where the signal transmitted from the blower terminal changes between only a first state and a second state in response to the number of zones that are calling for conditioning, wherein the first state is an off state and the second state is an on state having a predetermined alternating current (AC) voltage, and where the change in the state of the signal transmitted from the blower terminal causes the speed of the variable speed blower to change.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The zone control panel of claim 1 , wherein the second state is a 24 Volt AC signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The zone control panel of claim 1 , wherein the second state is a 24 Volt AC signal with a frequency of 60 Hertz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
The zone control panel of claim 1 , wherein (i) the variable speed blower terminal is at the second state when more than one of the plurality of zones is calling for conditioning, wherein the second state causes the variable speed blower to operate at a relatively higher output; and (ii) the variable speed blower terminal is at the first state when only one of the plurality of zones is calling for conditioning, wherein the first state causes the variable speed blower to operate at a relatively lower output.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
The zone control panel of claim 1 , wherein (i) the variable speed blower terminal is at the second state when 30% or more of the plurality of zones are calling for conditioning, wherein the second state causes the variable speed blower to operate at a relatively higher output; and (ii) the variable speed blower terminal is at the first state when less than 30% of the plurality of zones are calling for conditioning, wherein the first state causes the variable speed blower to operate at a relatively lower output.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The zone control panel of claim 1 , where the variable speed blower terminal communicates with a terminal of the fluid temperature conditioning device that is labeled “DS,” “BK,” or “DEHUM.”
Claim 8
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of controlling a fluid temperature conditioning device comprising: (i) receiving a plurality of thermostat signals, wherein each of the plurality of thermostats is located within one of a plurality of zones; (ii) transmitting a plurality of damper control signals, each damper control signal configured to control one of a plurality of zone dampers; (iii) transmitting an equipment control signal to control a fluid temperature conditioning device; (iv) determining a number of the plurality of the zones that are calling for conditioning; and (v) changing a voltage of a variable speed blower terminal in response to the number of zones that are calling for conditioning, the variable speed blower terminal being configured to control a variable speed blower within the fluid temperature conditioning device, wherein the variable speed blower terminal is configured to change between only a first voltage and a second voltage, where the first voltage corresponds to an off state and the second voltage corresponds to an alternating current (AC) signal state having a predetermined AC voltage.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of controlling a fluid temperature conditioning device comprising: (i) receiving a plurality of thermostat signals, wherein each of the plurality of thermostats is located within one of a plurality of zones; (ii) transmitting a plurality of damper control signals, each damper control signal configured to control one of a plurality of zone dampers; (iii) transmitting an equipment control signal to control a fluid temperature conditioning device; (iv) determining a number of the plurality of the zones that are calling for conditioning; and (v) changing a voltage of a variable speed blower terminal in response to the number of zones that are calling for conditioning, the variable speed blower terminal being configured to control a variable speed blower within the fluid temperature conditioning device, wherein the variable speed blower terminal is configured to change between only a first voltage and a second voltage, where the first voltage corresponds to an off state and the second voltage corresponds to an alternating current (AC) signal state having a predetermined AC voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of controlling a fluid temperature conditioning device of claim 7 , where the second voltage of the variable speed blower terminal is 24 Volts AC.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of controlling a fluid temperature conditioning device of claim 7 , where the second voltage of the variable speed blower terminal is 24 Volts AC at a frequency of 60 Hz.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
The method of controlling a fluid temperature conditioning device of claim 7 , wherein the step of changing the voltage of a variable speed blower terminal comprises (i) setting the variable speed blower terminal at the second voltage when more than one of the plurality of zones is calling for conditioning, wherein the second voltage causes the variable speed blower to operate at a relatively higher output; and (ii) setting the variable speed blower terminal at the first voltage when only one of the plurality of zones is calling for conditioning, wherein the first voltage causes the variable speed blower to operate at a relatively lower output.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
108 words
The method of controlling a fluid temperature conditioning device of claim 7 , wherein the step of changing the voltage of a variable speed blower terminal comprises (i) setting the variable speed blower terminal at the second voltage when 30% or more of the plurality of zones are calling for conditioning, wherein the second voltage causes the variable speed blower to operate at a relatively higher output; and (ii) setting the variable speed blower terminal at the first voltage when less than 30% of the plurality of zones are calling for conditioning, wherein the first voltage causes the variable speed blower to operate at a relatively lower output.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of controlling a fluid temperature conditioning device of claim 7 , where the variable speed blower terminal communicates with a terminal of the fluid temperature conditioning device that is labeled “DS,” “BK,” or “DEHUM.”
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
164 words
A zone control panel comprising: (i) a plurality of thermostat terminals, each thermostat terminal configured to receive signals from one of a plurality of thermostats, where each of the plurality of thermostats is located within one of a plurality of zones; (ii) a plurality of damper terminals, each damper terminal configured to transmit signals to control one of a plurality of zone dampers; (iii) one or more terminals for transmitting signals to control a fluid temperature conditioning device; and (iv) a variable speed blower terminal that changes voltage in response to the number of zones that are calling for conditioning, the variable speed blower terminal being configured to control a variable speed blower within the fluid temperature conditioning device, wherein the variable speed blower terminal is configured to change between only a first voltage and a second voltage, where the first voltage corresponds to an off state and the second voltage corresponds to an alternating current (AC) signal state having a predetermined AC voltage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
164 words
A zone control panel comprising: (i) a plurality of thermostat terminals, each thermostat terminal configured to receive signals from one of a plurality of thermostats, where each of the plurality of thermostats is located within one of a plurality of zones; (ii) a plurality of damper terminals, each damper terminal configured to transmit signals to control one of a plurality of zone dampers; (iii) one or more terminals for transmitting signals to control a fluid temperature conditioning device; and (iv) a variable speed blower terminal that changes voltage in response to the number of zones that are calling for conditioning, the variable speed blower terminal being configured to control a variable speed blower within the fluid temperature conditioning device, wherein the variable speed blower terminal is configured to change between only a first voltage and a second voltage, where the first voltage corresponds to an off state and the second voltage corresponds to an alternating current (AC) signal state having a predetermined AC voltage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The zone control panel of claim 13 , wherein the second voltage is 24 Volts AC.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The zone control panel of claim 13 , wherein the second voltage is 24 Volts AC at a frequency of 60 Hertz.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
89 words
The zone control panel of claim 13 , wherein (i) the variable speed blower terminal is at the second voltage when more than one of the plurality of zones is calling for conditioning, wherein the second voltage causes the variable speed blower to operate at a relatively higher output; and (ii) the variable speed blower terminal is at the first voltage when only one of the plurality of zones is calling for conditioning, wherein the first voltage causes the variable speed blower to operate at a relatively lower output.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
90 words
The zone control panel of claim 13 , wherein (i) the variable speed blower terminal is at the second voltage when 30% or more of the plurality of zones are calling for conditioning, wherein the second voltage causes the variable speed blower to operate at a relatively higher output; and (ii) the variable speed blower terminal is at the first voltage when less than 30% of the plurality of zones are calling for conditioning, wherein the first voltage causes the variable speed blower to operate at a relatively lower output.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The zone control panel of claim 13 , where the variable speed blower terminal communicates with a terminal of the fluid temperature conditioning device that is labeled “DS,” “BK,” or “DEHUM.”
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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) | 2013-08-02 | 2014-02-01 | 2014-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2017-08-02 | 2018-02-01 | 2018-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2021-08-02 | 2022-02-01 | 2022-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |