US8734565B2 — Methods and systems of verifying a filter change …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 163 words

A method of verifying installation of a new air filter in an HVAC system, wherein the HVAC system includes a fan that, when activated, drives air through the air filter, the method comprising: accepting an input that indicates a new air filter has been installed in the HVAC system; in response to the input, automatically operating the HVAC system in an air filter verifying mode in which the fan of the HVAC system is activated to drive air through the new air filter; while in the air filter verifying mode, receiving a measure that is related to an amount of flow restriction presented by the new air filter; comparing the measure that is related to the amount of flow restriction presented by the new air filter to a threshold value; determining a status of the new air filter based, at least in part, on the comparison; and displaying an indication on a display that communicates the determined status of the new air filter.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 163 words

A method of verifying installation of a new air filter in an HVAC system, wherein the HVAC system includes a fan that, when activated, drives air through the air filter, the method comprising: accepting an input that indicates a new air filter has been installed in the HVAC system; in response to the input, automatically operating the HVAC system in an air filter verifying mode in which the fan of the HVAC system is activated to drive air through the new air filter; while in the air filter verifying mode, receiving a measure that is related to an amount of flow restriction presented by the new air filter; comparing the measure that is related to the amount of flow restriction presented by the new air filter to a threshold value; determining a status of the new air filter based, at least in part, on the comparison; and displaying an indication on a display that communicates the determined status of the new air filter.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the input that indicates the new air filter has been installed in the HVAC system is accepted from a user via a user interface of an HVAC controller.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 68 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the HVAC system includes a number of controllable HVAC components, and the air filter verifying mode includes placing each of the controllable HVAC components into a predetermined state, and wherein just prior to operating the HVAC system in the air filter verifying mode, at least one of the controllable HVAC components is operated in a different state from the predetermined state.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the air filter verifying mode corresponds to a fan only mode.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein just prior to operating the HVAC system in the air filter verifying mode, the HVAC system was operating in a heating mode.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein just prior to operating the HVAC system in the air filter verifying mode, the HVAC system was operating in a cooling mode.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein just prior to operating the HVAC system in the air filter verifying mode, the HVAC system was operating in a ventilation mode.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein just prior to operating the HVAC system in the air filter verifying mode, the HVAC system was in an off mode.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 59 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the measure that is related to an amount of flow restriction presented by the new air filter includes a differential pressure measurement across the new air filter, and wherein the status of the new air filter is determined, at least in part, by comparing the differential pressure measurement against the threshold value.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 9 , further comprising returning the HVAC system to a previous operating mode if the differential pressure measurement is less than the threshold value.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 9 , wherein the indication that is displayed on the display confirms success of a new air filter installation if the differential pressure measurement is less than the threshold value.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 9 , wherein the indication that is displayed on the display indicates that a new filter installation was not successful if the differential pressure measurement is greater than the threshold value.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 165 words

A method of verifying an air filter change in an HVAC system, the HVAC system includes a number of controllable HVAC components including a fan that drives air through the air filter, the method comprising: operating an HVAC system in an air filter verifying mode in response to an indication that a new air filter has been installed in the HVAC system, the air filter verifying mode includes placing each of the controllable HVAC components into a predetermined state including placing the fan into an “on” state”; obtaining a measure of a differential pressure across the new air filter when the HVAC system is operating in the air filter verifying mode to obtain a measured differential pressure value; comparing a measure related to the measured differential pressure value to a threshold value; evaluating a status of the new air filter based, at least in part, on the comparison; and displaying an indication on a display that communicates the determined state of the new air filter.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 165 words

A method of verifying an air filter change in an HVAC system, the HVAC system includes a number of controllable HVAC components including a fan that drives air through the air filter, the method comprising: operating an HVAC system in an air filter verifying mode in response to an indication that a new air filter has been installed in the HVAC system, the air filter verifying mode includes placing each of the controllable HVAC components into a predetermined state including placing the fan into an “on” state”; obtaining a measure of a differential pressure across the new air filter when the HVAC system is operating in the air filter verifying mode to obtain a measured differential pressure value; comparing a measure related to the measured differential pressure value to a threshold value; evaluating a status of the new air filter based, at least in part, on the comparison; and displaying an indication on a display that communicates the determined state of the new air filter.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 13 , further comprising selecting a button of an HVAC controller to indicate that a new filter has been installed in the HVAC system.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 13 , wherein the status of the air filter is evaluated by comparing the measured differential pressure value to a pre-determined differential pressure threshold value.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 15 , wherein the indicator that is displayed on the display confirms success of the air filter installation when the measured differential pressure value is less than a pre-determined differential pressure value.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method of claim 15 , wherein the indicator that is displayed on the display indicates that the installation of the new filter was not successful when the measured differential pressure value is greater than a pre-determined differential pressure value.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 183 words

An HVAC controller for controlling an HVAC system, the HVAC controller comprising: a controller; a memory coupled to the controller; a user interface coupled to the controller, the user interface including a display; wherein the controller is programmed to: accept an input from a user via the user interface that indicates a new air filter has been installed in the HVAC system; in response to the user input, automatically operate the HVAC system in an air filter verifying mode in which the fan of the HVAC system is activated to drive air through the new air filter; while in the air filter verifying mode, receiving a measure that is related to an amount of flow restriction presented by the new air filter; comparing the measure that is related to the amount of flow restriction presented by the new air filter to a threshold value; determining a status of the new air filter based, at least in part, on the comparison; and displaying an indication on the display of the user interface that is related to the determined status of the new air filter.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 183 words

An HVAC controller for controlling an HVAC system, the HVAC controller comprising: a controller; a memory coupled to the controller; a user interface coupled to the controller, the user interface including a display; wherein the controller is programmed to: accept an input from a user via the user interface that indicates a new air filter has been installed in the HVAC system; in response to the user input, automatically operate the HVAC system in an air filter verifying mode in which the fan of the HVAC system is activated to drive air through the new air filter; while in the air filter verifying mode, receiving a measure that is related to an amount of flow restriction presented by the new air filter; comparing the measure that is related to the amount of flow restriction presented by the new air filter to a threshold value; determining a status of the new air filter based, at least in part, on the comparison; and displaying an indication on the display of the user interface that is related to the determined status of the new air filter.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 71 words

The HVAC controller of claim 18 , wherein the HVAC system includes a number of controllable HVAC components, and the air filter verifying mode includes placing each of the controllable HVAC components into a predetermined operating state, and wherein just prior to operating the HVAC system in the air filter verifying mode, at least one of the controllable HVAC components is operated in a different state from the predetermined operating state.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 63 words

The HVAC controller of claim 18 , wherein the measure that is related to an amount of flow restriction presented by the new air filter includes a differential pressure measurement across the new air filter, and wherein the status of the new air filter is determined, at least in part, by comparing the differential pressure measurement against a pre-determined differential pressure threshold value.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2017-05-26	2017-11-25	2018-05-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2021-05-26	2021-11-25	2022-05-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2025-05-26	2025-11-25	2026-05-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Methods and systems of verifying a filter change in an HVAC system

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