U.S. patent application number 11/812239 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-18 for hvac air distribution system.
This patent application is currently assigned to GLACIER BAY, INC.. Invention is credited to Gerald Allen Alston, Justin Richard Dobbs, Machiko Taylor.
Application Number | 20080311842 11/812239 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40132787 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080311842 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alston; Gerald Allen ; et
al. |
December 18, 2008 |
HVAC air distribution system
Abstract
An HVAC system including a first diverter valve configured to
divert, in varying amounts, an airflow entering the valve out two
different outlets, in a manner that does not create a substantial
increase in backpressure due to the diversion or otherwise
substantially restrict the general flow of air in the HVAC system.
The system further includes a first sensor assembly configured to
sense a first environmental condition that includes at least one of
temperature and a phenomenon indicative of the makeup of room air,
a control unit, and a user interface unit, wherein the control unit
is in communication with the diverter valve and the first sensor
assembly.
Inventors: |
Alston; Gerald Allen;
(Alameda, CA) ; Taylor; Machiko; (Alameda, CA)
; Dobbs; Justin Richard; (San Ramon, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER LLP;SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
GLACIER BAY, INC.
|
Family ID: |
40132787 |
Appl. No.: |
11/812239 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/361 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 13/10 20130101;
F24F 2110/10 20180101; F24F 11/30 20180101; F24F 11/79
20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/361 |
International
Class: |
F24F 13/10 20060101
F24F013/10 |
Claims
1. An HVAC system, comprising: a first diverter valve adapted to
divert air entering the valve and maintain a substantially constant
backpressure in front of the valve during air diversion, a first
sensor assembly adapted to sense a first environmental condition
that includes at least one of temperature and a phenomenon
indicative of the makeup of air; a control unit; and a user
interface unit, wherein the control unit is in communication with
the first diverter valve and the first sensor assembly.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first diverter valve is a Y
valve including an inlet and two outlets adapted to route air
entering the inlet into the outlets at varying routing ratios.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first diverter valve is
adapted to receive a communication initiated by the control unit
and substantially steplessly vary a routing ratio of air routed
into the two outlets based on that communication.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first diverter valve includes
a stepper motor adapted to move a flap to accordingly vary the
routing ratio of air routed into the two outlets.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein the first diverter valve is
adapted to output a signal indicative of at least one of the
identity of the first diverter valve, a current routing ratio of
the first diverter valve, and a relative position of a flap that
diverts air in the first diverter valve
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first diverter valve is
electrically operated and stepless.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor assembly is
adapted to identify the first environmental condition at two
substantially different sensed altitudes within a first room and
output one or more signals indicative of data based on the
identified first environmental conditions at the two substantially
different sensed altitudes within the first room.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first environmental condition
is air temperature, and wherein the control unit is adapted to:
receive one or more communications indicative of the identified
first environmental condition at the two substantially different
sensed altitudes within the first room; and control the first
diverter valve to varyingly route conditioned air entering the
first diverter valve to a first outlet in the first room and a
second outlet in the first room, the first outlet and the second
outlet being at substantially different altitudes within the first
room so as to control the first environmental condition at the two
substantially different sensed altitudes due to the routed
conditioned air.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the control unit is adapted to:
receive one or more communications indicative of the data based on
the identified first environmental conditions at the two
substantially different sensed altitudes within the first room; and
control the first diverter valve to varyingly route a first stream
of conditioned air entering the first diverter valve to a first
outlet in the first room and a second outlet in the first room, the
first outlet and the second outlet being separated by substantially
different altitudes within the first room so as to control the
first environmental conditions at the two substantially different
sensed altitudes within the first room by the varyingly routed
first stream of conditioned air so that at least one of (i) the
first environmental condition is substantially the same at the two
substantially different sensed altitudes within the first room, and
(ii) a desired gradient of the first environmental condition is
substantially maintained at the two substantially different sensed
altitudes within the first room.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first environmental
condition is temperature.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein the two substantially different
sensed altitudes within the first room are separated by at least 6
feet in altitude, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet
are separated by at least 5 feet in altitude.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein the first stream of conditioned
air is cooled air.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein one of the two substantially
different sensed altitudes within the first room is near a ceiling
of the first room, and wherein one of the two substantially
different sensed altitudes within the first room is near a floor of
the first room.
14. The system of claim 9, wherein the first diverter valve is a
stepless Y valve.
15. The system of claim 9, wherein the control unit is adapted to
automatically execute a setup sequence in which the control unit
learns which position of the first diverter valve directs air to a
higher of the first and second outlets and which position of the
first diverter valve directs air to a lower of the first and second
outlets, the setup sequence including: (i) a first period in which:
the control unit commands the first diverter valve to direct air to
only one of the first and second outlets, and data is received by
the control unit indicative of at least one of a first temperature
difference between the two substantially different sensed altitudes
within the first room and a first temperature change over a period
of time at the two substantially different sensed altitudes within
the first room based on information obtained by the first sensor
assembly, (ii) a second period in which: the control unit commands
the first diverter valve to direct air to only another, with
respect to the first period, of the first and second outlets, and
data is received by the control unit indicative of at least one of
a second temperature difference between the two substantially
different sensed altitudes within the first room and a second
temperature change over a period of time at the two substantially
different sensed altitudes within the first room based on
information obtained by the first sensor assembly, and (iii) a
third period in which the control unit compares the received data
and identifies which position of the first diverter valve directs
air to the higher and lower outlets based on the comparison.
16. The system of claim 9, wherein the first environmental
condition is temperature, and wherein the control unit is adapted
to varyingly route the first stream of condition air entering the
first diverter valve to the first and second outlets to maintain
predetermined room temperatures at the two substantially different
altitudes within the first room, the control unit including logic
which is utilized to varyingly route the condition air based on
real time identification of variables relating to the temperatures
identified by the first sensor assembly at the two substantially
different altitudes within the first room.
17. The system of claim 9, wherein the HVAC system further
comprises: a second sensor assembly adapted to identify the first
environmental condition at two substantially different sensed
altitudes within a second room separate from the first room and
output one or more signals indicative of data based on the
identified first environmental conditions at the two substantially
different sensed altitudes within the second room; and a second
diverter valve, wherein the control unit is in communication with
the second diverter valve and the second sensor assembly, and
wherein the control unit is adapted to: receive one or more
communications indicative of the data based on the identified first
environmental conditions at the two substantially different sensed
altitudes within the second room; and control the second diverter
valve to varyingly route a second stream of conditioned air
entering the second diverter valve to a third outlet in the second
room and a fourth outlet in the second room, the third outlet and
the fourth outlet being separated by substantially different
altitudes within the second room, so as to control the first
environmental conditions at the two substantially different sensed
altitudes within the second room by the varyingly routed second
stream of conditioned air from the second diverter valve so that at
least one of (i) the first environmental condition is substantially
the same at the two substantially different sensed altitudes within
the second room, and (ii) a desired gradient of the first
environmental condition is substantially maintained at the two
substantially different sensed altitudes within the second
room.
18. The system of claim 17, further including a third diverter
valve, wherein the control unit is in communication with the third
diverter valve, and wherein the control unit is adapted to: control
the third diverter valve to varyingly route conditioned air
entering the third diverter valve to the first diverter valve and
the second diverter valve so as to provide sufficient conditioned
air to the first and second diverter valves so that the first and
second diverter valves may respectively control the first
environmental conditions at the two substantially different sensed
altitudes within the first room and control the second
environmental conditions at the two substantially different sensed
altitudes within the second room.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the control unit is adapted to
automatically execute a setup sequence in which: the control unit
autonomously learns which position of the first diverter valve
directs air to a higher of the first and second outlets and which
position of the first diverter valve directs air to a lower of the
first and second outlets, the control unit autonomously learns
which position of the second diverter valve directs air to a higher
of the third and fourth outlets and which position of the second
diverter valve directs air to a lower of the third and fourth
outlets, and the control unit autonomously learns which position of
the third diverter valve directs air to the first diverter valve
and which position of the third diverter valve directs air to the
second diverter valve.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the setup sequence includes:
(i) a first period in which: the control unit commands the third
diverter valve to direct air to only one of the first and second
diverter valves and then only to the other of the first and second
diverter valves, the control unit cycles positions of the first and
second diverter valves to alternately direct air, respectively, to
only the first and third outlets and then to only the second and
fourth outlets, data is received indicative of one or more first
temperature changes sensed by the first sensor assembly and one or
more second temperature change sensed by the second sensor
assembly, and the control unit compares the data respectively
indicative of the one or more first temperature changes and the one
or more second temperature changes and identifies which positions
of the third diverter valve directs air to the first and second
diverter valves and which positions of the first and second
diverter valves directs air to the respective higher and lower
outlets based on the comparison.
21. The system of claim 9, wherein the control unit is adapted to
automatically execute a setup sequence in which: the control unit
autonomously learns which position of the first diverter valve
directs air to a higher of the first and second outlets and which
position of the first diverter valve directs air to a lower of the
first and second outlets.
22. The system of claim 1, wherein the first diverter valve is
adapted to change a routing ratio in about 10% increments.
23. The system of claim 1, wherein the first diverter valve is
adapted to change a routing ratio in about 5% increments.
24. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the diverter valve includes
a processor adapted to control a position of a flap within the
diverter valve to divert an air stream flowing into a room so that
a specified room temperature at two substantially different
altitudes within the room may be obtained.
25. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the diverter valve is an
intelligent diverter valve that is adapted to receive a signal
indicative of a desired routing ratio of the valve and control a
position of a flap within the intelligent diverter valve so that
the desired routing ratio is achieved.
26. A method of delivering conditioned air in an HVAC system,
comprising: cooling or heating air; automatically directing the
cooled or heated air into a first diverter valve; automatically
routing, at a first routing ratio, the directed cooled or heated
air to a first outlet near a ceiling in a first room a second
outlet near a floor in the first room, automatically sensing an
environmental condition that includes at least one of temperature
and a phenomenon indicative of the makeup of air within the first
room; and automatically routing, at a second routing ratio, the
directed cooled or heated air to the first outlet and the second
outlet, wherein a backpressure upstream of the location where the
directed cooled or heated air is rerouted is substantially the same
while routing at the second routing ratio and the first routing
ratio.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein, the second routing ratio is
substantially different from the first routing ratio.
28. The method of claim 26, further comprising: sensing the
environmental condition within the first room at two substantially
different sensed altitudes within the room, wherein the
environmental condition is air temperature; analyzing the sensed
environmental condition and determining that a temperature gradient
exists between the two substantially different sensed altitudes
within the room; identifying a value of a control routing ratio to
be used as the second routing ratio that will, within a desired
period of time, substantially eliminate the temperature gradient
between the two substantially different sensed altitudes; and using
the control routing ratio as the second routing ratio.
29. The method of claim 26, further comprising: (i) sensing the
environmental condition within the first room at two substantially
different sensed altitudes within the room, wherein the first
environmental condition is air temperature; (ii) analyzing the
sensed environmental condition and determining that a temperature
gradient exists between the two substantially different sensed
altitudes within the room; (iii) identifying a value of a control
routing ratio to be used as the second routing ratio that will
substantially eliminate the temperature gradient between the two
substantially different sensed altitudes; (iv) using the control
routing ratio as the second routing ratio; (v) identifying a period
of time at which the temperature gradient between the two
substantially different sensed altitudes will be eliminated; and
(vi) repeating actions i-iv at constant and/or varying intervals at
least until the temperature gradient between the two substantially
different sensed altitudes is eliminated.
30. The method of claim 26, wherein a first diverter valve is
utilized to automatically route, at the first and second routing
ratios, the directed cooled or heated air to the first outlet and
the second outlet, the method further comprising automatically
executing a setup sequence which includes: automatically placing a
flap of the first diverter valve so that the first diverter valve
directs air only to the first outlet and identifying this position
as a first flap position; automatically periodically sensing the
first environmental condition at the two substantially different
sensed altitudes within the first room while the flap is at the
first flap position; automatically executing a first analysis of
the sensed first environmental conditions at the two substantially
different sensed altitudes within the first room while the flap is
positioned at the first flap position and correlating the first
analysis to the first flap position; and determining which position
of the flap directs air to the first outlet and which position of
the flap directs air to the second outlet based at least on the
first analysis.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the setup sequence further
includes: automatically placing the flap of the first diverter
valve so that the first diverter valve directs air only to the
second outlet and identifying this position as a second flap
position; automatically periodically sensing the first
environmental condition at the two substantially different sensed
altitudes within the first room while the flap is at the second
flap position; automatically executing a second analysis of the
sensed first environmental conditions at the two substantially
different sensed altitudes within the first room while the flap is
at the second flap position and correlating the second analysis to
the second flap position; and determining which position of the
flap directs air to the first outlet and which position of the flap
directs air to the second outlet based on the first and second
analysis.
32. An HVAC system, comprising: at least one diverter valve adapted
to variously route air through two different outlets, at least a
first routing ratio and a second routing ratio that is
substantially different than the first routing ratio, in a manner
such that backpressure at an inlet of the valve is substantially
the same while routing at the second routing ratio and the first
routing ratio; and a program product for controlling room
temperature air at substantially two different altitudes comprising
machine-readable program code for causing, when executed, a machine
to perform the following method actions: automatically routing, at
the first routing ratio, air to the first outlet and the second
outlet, automatically analyzing a received signal indicative of a
first environmental condition, at substantially different altitudes
within a room, that includes at least one of temperature and a
phenomenon indicative of the makeup of air within the first room;
identifying a control routing ratio based on the analyzed received
signal; setting the second routing ratio to be the control routing
ratio; and automatically routing, at a second routing ratio, the
directed air to the first outlet and the second outlet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Current HVAC systems come in a wide variety of
configurations. These configurations vary greatly in cost,
efficiency and their ability to provide consistently accurate
temperature, humidity and ventilation control, simultaneously, to
multiple vent locations. The ability to accurately control these
parameters is desirable as it increases the comfort of the
occupants and may, under certain conditions, increase the potential
for energy savings.
[0002] Current systems that supply conditioned air to multiple vent
locations suffer from a number of problems. For example, control of
airflow through the system is accomplished by restricting the flow
of air, which increases the backpressure of the air distribution
system. This increase in pressure reduces the flow rate of the fan
and the overall efficiency of the HVAC system. Moreover, current
systems lack the ability to sufficiently change flow parameters
into rooms when switching between a heating and cooling mode in a
system that provides both heating and cooling, such as in a
reverse-cycle heat pump. This lack of flexibility dictates that the
during the original installation, the choice must be made whether
to install the discharge vents high in a room (thereby maximizing
comfort during cooling mode) or to install them low in the room
(thus maximizing comfort when in heating mode).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention offer an improved
system for regulating the distribution of conditioned air in a
forced-air HVAC system. By utilizing a network of diverter valves
(which in some embodiments are smart/intelligent diverter valves)
which, when under the control of a control unit that has received
pre-set operational parameters and is receiving real-time data from
a variety of sensors, regulates the flow of conditioned air to a
plurality of outlet vents. These vents may be located within one or
multiple enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces.
[0004] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there
is an HVAC system, comprising a first diverter valve adapted to
divert air entering the valve and maintain a substantially constant
backpressure in front of the valve during air diversion, a first
sensor assembly adapted to sense a first environmental condition
that includes at least one of temperature and a phenomenon
indicative of the makeup of air, a control unit, and a user
interface unit, wherein the control unit is in communication with
the first diverter valve and the first sensor assembly.
[0005] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is an
HVAC system as described above or below, wherein the first diverter
valve is a Y valve including an inlet and two outlets adapted to
route air entering the inlet into the outlets at varying routing
ratios. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is an
HVAC system as described above or below, wherein the first diverter
valve is adapted to receive a communication initiated by the
control unit and substantially steplessly vary a routing ratio of
air routed into the two outlets based on that communication.
[0006] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is an
HVAC system as described above or below, wherein the first diverter
valve includes a stepper motor adapted to move a flap to
accordingly vary the routing ratio of air routed into the two
outlets. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is
an HVAC system as described above or below, wherein the first
diverter valve is adapted to output a signal indicative of at least
one of the identity of the first diverter valve, a current routing
ratio of the first diverter valve, and a relative position of a
flap that diverts air in the first diverter valve. In another
embodiment of the present invention, there is an HVAC system as
described above or below, wherein the first diverter valve is
electrically operated and stepless.
[0007] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is a
method of delivering conditioned air in an HVAC system, comprising
cooling or heating air, automatically directing the cooled or
heated air into a first diverter valve, automatically routing, at a
first routing ratio, the directed cooled or heated air to a first
outlet near a ceiling in a first room a second outlet near a floor
in the first room, automatically sensing an environmental condition
that includes at least one of temperature and a phenomenon
indicative of the makeup of air within the first room, and
automatically routing, at a second routing ratio, the directed
cooled or heated air to the first outlet and the second outlet,
wherein a backpressure upstream of the location where the directed
cooled or heated air is rerouted is substantially the same while
routing at the second routing ratio and the first routing
ratio.
[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is a
method of delivering conditioned air in an HVAC system as described
above or below, wherein the second routing ratio is substantially
different from the first routing ratio. In another embodiment of
the present invention, there is a method of delivering conditioned
air in an HVAC system as described above or below, further
comprising sensing the environmental condition within the first
room at two substantially different sensed altitudes within the
room, wherein the environmental condition is air temperature,
analyzing the sensed environmental condition and determining that a
temperature gradient exists between the two substantially different
sensed altitudes within the room, identifying a value of a control
routing ratio to be used as the second routing ratio that will,
within a desired period of time, substantially eliminate the
temperature gradient between the two substantially different sensed
altitudes; and using the control routing ratio as the second
routing ratio.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 presents a conceptual diagram of an embodiment of an
HVAC system according to the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 presents a conceptual diagram of a diverter valve
connected to inlet and outlet ducts according to an embodiment of
the present invention, where FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of
section A of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 presents an isometric view of a diverter valve
utilized in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 presents a cutaway view of the diverter valve of FIG.
3.
[0013] FIG. 5 presents yet another conceptual diagram of another
embodiment of an HVAC system according to the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 presents a conceptual diagram of another diverter
valve connected to inlet and outlet ducts according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 presents a schematic diagram of a butterfly valve
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
there is a forced-air HVAC system 100 comprising a heater/cooler
unit 200 configured to variously heat and cool air (i.e., to
output/produce conditioned air). The unit 200 includes a fan or
blower (not shown) that generates an airflow out of the unit 200 to
move the heated/cooled air through the HVAC system. In some
embodiments, the unit 200 may be an integral unit, such as a heat
pump, in which one cycle is a cooling cycle and another cycle (a
reversed cycle) is a heating cycle. In yet other embodiments, the
unit 200 includes a heating element and a separate cooling element
such as may be found in a central air system. The HVAC system 100
includes an outlet duct 310 that extends between the heater/cooler
unit 200 and a first diverter valve 410.
[0017] The diverter valve 410 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is
a Y valve, where the valve 410 splits the airflow traveling through
duct 310 from heater/cooler unit 200 into two separate airflows
traveling into ducts 320 and 330. Ducts 320 and 330 respectively
lead to vents/outlets 510 and 520 in a room 910.
[0018] The diverter valve 410 is configured to divert airflow
traveling through duct 310 into duct 320 and/or duct 330 in a
manner that does not produce a significant change in backpressure
when the flow of air is increased or decreased through one of the
particular outlets of the diverter valve 410. That is, diverter
valve 410 does not control flow by restricting the flow, but
instead diverts the flow. Accordingly, the airflow through the
system remains substantially constant during diversion unless
changed at the air supply source (i.e., the heater/cooler unit
200). The flow in one duct leading to an outlet changes relative to
the flow in the other ducts leading to an outlet, and an increase
in airflow in one duct will substantially equally reduce the flow
in other ducts.
[0019] In some embodiments of the present invention, the diverter
valve 410 is a stepper valve and the flap 420 (referring now to
FIG. 2, which is an exploded view of section A of FIG. 1) may be
placed in various locations in between its upper and lower
(referring to FIG. 2) stops. When at the upper and lower stops, air
is diverted such that 100 percent of the airflow traveling through
duct 310 is diverted into duct 320 or 100 percent of the airflow
traveling through duct 310 is diverted through duct 330. By placing
the flap 420 at various locations in between the two stops, the
percentages of air flowing down ducts 320 and 330 may be varied.
For example, the flap 420 may be positioned such that 30 percent of
the airflow traveling down duct 310 is diverted into duct 320 and
the remaining 70 percent of the airflow traveling down duct 310 is
diverted down duct 330, to achieve a routing ratio of 30/70
weighted to the duct 330. Flap 420 may be positioned such that any
desired percentage of the total air flowing through duct 310 may be
diverted down the ducts 310 and 320. That is, in some embodiments,
the diverter valve 410 is configured such that the flap 420 may be
positioned at any location between the upper and lower stops so as
to divert any desired percentage of the airflow in duct 310 down
one of the other ducts, the remainder of the airflow traveling
through the other duct. When utilizing a valve in which the
position of the flap 420 is stepless, any ratio of division of
airflow can be achieved between the two outlet ducts.
[0020] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4, the diverter valves
(three-way) are constructed of a molded plastic in a shape which
permits ready connection of one inlet duct and two outlet ducts by
seals 350. As may be seen in FIG. 2, the ducts 310, 320 and 330 are
connected to the diverter valve 410 in a substantially air type
manner utilizing seals 350. More details regarding the diverter
valves will be provided below, after the introduction of some of
the other components of the HVAC system 100.
[0021] Room 910 includes a sensor assembly with a sensor 610 and a
sensor 620, one of which is located nearer to the ceiling of the
room 910, the other which is located nearer to the floor of the
room 910, although in some embodiments, the placement of the
sensors may be anywhere as long as the sensors are configured to
sense an environmental condition at effectively substantially
different altitudes within the room, such as an altitude near the
ceiling and an altitude near the floor. In FIG. 1, the purpose of
sensor 610 is to monitor an environmental condition (e.g.
temperature, air quality etc., more on this below) near the
ceiling, or at other altitudes substantially higher than an
environmental condition sensed by sensor 620, which in the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 910 is near the floor of room 910, and
thus monitors the environmental conditions near the floor. In some
embodiments, the actual physical placement of the sensors may be in
a variety of locations, providing that the sensors may sense the
desired environmental conditions at the desired altitudes within
the room. By way of example and not by way of limitation, a sensory
assembly which utilizes infrared scanning may be positioned within
the room 910 at about four feet above the floor (where the ceiling
is eight feet above the floor), and this sensor assembly may
utilize infrared sensing to sense air temperatures one or two feet
below the ceiling and air temperatures one or two feet above the
floor (indeed, such sensors may sense air temperatures at many
number of altitudes, and thus the present invention is not limited
to sensing conditions at only two altitudes). Still, in other
embodiments, two or more separate sensors are utilized in the first
sensor assembly, as is depicted in FIG. 1, one of the sensors being
positioned about one or two feet above the floor and the other
sensor being positioned at about one or two feet below the ceiling.
The altitudes within the room where temperature is sensed maybe
separated by anywhere between 3 and 8 feet. Of course, in a room
with higher ceilings, the latter distance may be expanded as
appropriate, and in other embodiments, the sensed altitudes may be
even closer than 3 feet apart. Any sensor positioning within a
room/any sensed altitudes within the room that will permit the
present invention to be practiced may be utilized with embodiments
of the present invention.
[0022] The sensor assembly is configured to collect information on
one or more environmental conditions within room 910 and transmit
that data to a control unit 700 via communication electronics which
may be integrated into the sensor assembly or located remotely in
other parts of the system (such as the control unit 700 and/or a
user interface 800, etc.) The type of sensors utilized may vary
according to the environmental conditions which are desired to be
regulated. Some embodiments include sensors that may detect
temperature, humidity, CO.sub.2, CO and VOC levels, and thus
embodiments of the present invention may be used to control the
distribution of such conditions. In some embodiments of the
invention, sensors for other specific gases or air-borne
contaminates may be utilized.
[0023] As may be seen in FIG. 1, ducts 510 and 520 are respectively
nearer to the ceiling and nearer to the floor of room 910. Thus,
conditioned air exiting duct 510 will have a more immediate effect
on the environmental condition at an altitude nearer the ceiling of
room 510, and conditioned air exiting outlet 520 will have a more
immediate effect on an environmental condition at an altitude
nearer the floor of room 910, all things being equal (no ceiling
fans, no venting that directs the airflows radically upward and
downward, etc.). In the first embodiment of the present invention,
duct 510 is about two feet below the ceiling in a room with an
eight foot high ceiling, and duct 520 is about one foot above the
floor in a room that has an eight foot high ceiling. In other
embodiments, the duct 510 may be located in the ceiling and the
duct 520 may be located in the floor, etc. In some embodiments of
the present invention, outlet 520 is 2 feet above the floor and
outlet 510 is 7 feet above the floor. In yet other embodiments of
the invention, the outlets are separated anywhere between 3 and 8
feet, or various distances in between, in a room with an 8 foot
high ceiling. Of course, in a room with higher ceilings, the latter
distance may be expanded as appropriate, and in other embodiments,
the outlets may be even closer than 3 feet apart. Any duct
positioning within a room that will permit the present invention to
be practiced may be utilized with embodiments of the present
invention.
[0024] The HVAC system according to the first embodiment of the
present invention includes a communication/control network, which
may include wireless communication paths and/or wire communication
paths, over which real time communication of current statuses of
the various components of the system takes place. The network
includes a control unit 700 and a user interface 800. While the
control unit 700 and the user interface 800 are depicted in FIG. 1
as a single unitary assembly, some embodiments of the present
invention may be practiced with those components being separate
assemblies. The control unit may be a simple processor or a complex
processor and/or be a series of linked processors. The processors
include logic to execute control of the HVAC system. The control
unit 700 is in communication with the diverter valve 410 and the
sensor assembly which includes sensors 610 and 620 via
communication lines 710. In the first embodiment of the present
invention, communication lines 710 are electrical cables which
permit signals from sensors 610 and 620 to be transmitted to the
control unit 700 and permit signals to the diverter valve 410 to be
transmitted from the control unit 700. In the case of transmission
of signals to the diverter valve 410 from the control unit 700,
those signals are such that the control unit 700 may control the
position of the flap 420 within valve 410. In some embodiments of
the present invention, the system is configured such that the
diverter valves 410 will transmit signals to the control unit 700
and/or the control unit 700 will transmit signals to the sensor
assembly.
[0025] The user interface 800 permits a user to input control
commands into the HVAC system. By way of example and not by way of
limitation, the user interface may permit a user to set a
temperature within the room 910 so that the temperature will be 72
degrees Fahrenheit, or so that the temperature may be no lower than
72 degrees and no higher than 74 degrees Fahrenheit, etc. In some
embodiments of the present invention, the user interface 800
permits a user to control environmental conditions relating to the
temperature of air at various altitudes (which are substantially
different from one another) within the room 910. For example, a
desired temperature gradient within the room 910 between two or
more altitudes may be effectively maintained.
[0026] The number of user interfaces that may be utilized may vary,
and may be determined based on user convenience. In some
embodiments, the user interface 800 allows the user to program in
specific operational preferences and communicates functional data
back to the user.
[0027] Communications between the various components may be
achieved by any of a variety of network communication systems. For
example, cable 710 may be utilized as detailed above. In other
embodiments, wireless transmissions may be utilized. In a cable
connected system, the type of cable used may be one suited to the
network data type and the operating environment. In some
embodiments, the cable provides for the reliable transmission of
data as well as the low power required by the diverter valve
stepper motor (discussed below) and communication electronics. In a
wireless system, data may be transmitted wirelessly and power to
the individual devices is provided by storage battery or wireless
transmission using RF, infra red, evanescent wave coupling or
similar technology. Any system/network/device/method that will
permit the various components of the HVAC system to communicate
with one another (and/or one or more intermediate components) may
be utilized to practice embodiments of the present invention.
[0028] In the first embodiment of the present invention, referring
now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the diverter valve 410 is a three way Y valve
that includes an electrical stepper motor 430 under the control of
the control unit 700. The stepper motor 430 is mechanically linked
to the flap 420 and moves the flap in a stepless fashion to a range
of locations between one side of the valve to the other side of the
valve, thus routing air entering inlet 422 out the two outlets 424
and 426 at varying routing ratios (i.e., the percentage of the
total amount of inlet air traveling through outlet 424 vs. the
percentage of inlet air traveling through outlet 426.) The valves
410 are configured to route the air entering the inlet 422 out the
outlet 424 and 426 in different varying amounts depending on the
command received from the control unit 700.
[0029] The valve 410 may include an electronics package 440
connected to cables 710 through which the electronics package 440
receives commands from the control unit 700 and controls the
stepper motor 440 to position the valve to position the flap 420 as
needed to achieve the desired air routing ratio. In some
embodiments of the present invention, the valves 410 are configured
such that the position of the flap 420 is determined by the control
unit 700 and thus the electronic package is essentially a slave
unit slaved to the control unit 700. In some embodiments, the
electronics package 440 is not needed when the diverter valve is
slaved to the controller, the motor of the valve being directly
controlled by the control unit. In other embodiments of the present
invention, electronic package 440 of the valve 410 receives a
signal from the control unit 700 indicative of a desired routing
ratio through the outlets and/or indicative of a desired end
environmental condition to be achieved at the two substantially
different outlets, and the electronic package 440 independently
determines how to position the flap 420 to achieve the desired
routing ratio. In some embodiment, the electronics package 440
includes an independent processor/microprocessor that is configured
to determine how to position the flap 420 to achieve the desired
routing ratio. Further, the electronics package, with or without
using a processor/microprocessor, may be configured to output a
signal indicative of the position of the flap 420 in the valve. In
other embodiments, the processor/microprocessor of the valve 410 is
configured to be in communication with other valves having
respective processors/microprocessors, and may perform some or all
of the functions of the control unit 700.
[0030] In some embodiments of the present invention, the valve 410
is configured to output a signal that is indicative of the identity
of the specific valve (which may be related to the valves position
within the HVAC system 100, more on this below), the current
routing ratio of the valve and/or the relative position of the flap
420 within the diverter valve.
[0031] Power to drive the electronics package and stepper motor are
conveyed to the valve 410 via wires in a network cable that may be
connected to utility power and/or may be connected to a
battery.
[0032] An exemplary scenario utilizing the HVAC system 100 of the
first embodiment of the present invention will now be described, in
which air temperature within room 910 is desired to be maintained
at substantially the same temperature at two substantially
different altitudes within the room 910. That is, in this exemplary
scenario, the HVAC system is employed in a manner which provides a
counter to the natural convection flow which otherwise concentrates
the heated or cooled air at the floor or ceiling, respectively, of
a room.
[0033] Sensor 620 determines that the air temperature at
approximately one foot above the floor is 74 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sensor 610 determines that the air temperature approximately seven
feet above the floor is 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The sensor assembly
outputs one or more signals indicative of the sensed temperatures
and/or the temperature gradient at these two altitudes. This
signal, or a relay of the information it contains, is received by
control unit 700. Control unit 700 analyzes the signal(s) from
sensor 610 and 620 and determines that the temperature in the
portion of the room which may be most influenced by air exiting
outlet 510 is higher than the air temperature of the portion of the
room which may be most influenced by air exiting outlet 520. As the
desired room temperature has been set for 73 degrees Fahrenheit by
a user utilizing the user interface 800, control unit 700 outputs a
control signal to diverter valve 410 to divert roughly 70 percent
of the air traveling through duct 310 (which is cooled air) into
duct 320 and thus out outlet 510. The remaining 30 percent of the
air traveling through duct 310 travels through duct 330 and exits
into room 910 through outlet 520 near the floor of room 910. The
HVAC system 100 operates in this manner until the temperatures
sensed at the two altitudes are substantially the same (e.g., 73
degrees plus or minus a half of a degree Fahrenheit, depending on
the tolerancing/sensitivity of the system). In the scenario just
described, the flap 420 is positioned so that a 70/30 routing ratio
is achieved and maintained until the desired uniform temperature of
73 degrees is achieved. In other embodiments of the present
invention, however, the flap may be readjusted during that period
of time to achieve the substantially similar temperatures at the
two different altitudes in a faster period of time or in a slower
time period, and so that the changes in temperature do not occur in
only a linear manner. In this regard, embodiments of the present
invention may include feedback loops/logic systems which estimate
how long it will take to achieve the desired uniform temperature at
various routing ratios and thus may determine that the time that it
will take to achieve that substantially uniform temperature will be
too long for a room occupants comfort, etc. (based on, for example,
look-up tables or algorithms stored in the system 100 developed
from empirical data, etc.) and thus direct the valve 100 to route
air at a different routing ratio during a given period of time. For
example, an 80/20 routing ratio weighted toward the top outlet may
be established for the first 75 seconds of operation, and then a
60/40 routing ratio weighted towards the top outlet may be
established until the uniform temperature is achieved, after which,
for example, a 55/45 routing ratio may be established to maintain
the substantially uniform temperature. In another scenario, the
system 100 may determine that the amount of cool air that is being
directed out the top outlet 510, as compared to the amount of air
being directed out the bottom outlet 520, is such that a user will
feel uncomfortable and thus may change the routing ratio to obtain
a more even flow (e.g. 60/40 ratio weighted towards the top outlet
510, etc.). In the event that the system determines that the user
may feel that the system is overcompensating for the temperature
imbalance, the system may direct the valve 410 to go to a 45/55
routing ratio weighted to the bottom outlet 520 for a brief period
of time, and then switch back to a routing ratio weighted towards
the top outlet 510.
[0034] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention allow a
substantially even temperature to be maintained between the floor
and ceiling of the room 910 during a heating cycle and during a
cooling cycle, under many, if not all, environmental
conditions.
[0035] In another exemplary scenario, a desired temperature
gradient at the two altitudes has been inputted by a user into the
user interface 800, and thus the control unit 700 controls the
routing ratio of the valve 410 to achieve this ratio. By way of
example, if the desired temperature gradient in a room is an air
temperature 1 foot off the floor of 72 degrees Fahrenheit and an
air temperature 7 feet off the floor of 73 degrees Fahrenheit, and
the lower sensor was sensing 72 degrees and the upper sensor was
sensing 75 degrees, the control unit 700 may control the valve 410
to direct more of the air traveling through 310 into duct 320 and
thus out outlet 510, as opposed to into duct 330 and thus outlet
520, in a manner sufficient to achieve the desired temperature
gradient.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the HVAC system
is configured to automatically execute a setup sequence in which
the control unit 700 learns which position of the diverter valve
410 directs air to the higher outlet 510 and which position of the
diverter valve 410 directs air to the lower outlet 520 (this
sequence may be initiated by a user, or may be initiated
automatically during the system's first use after installation,
etc.). Accordingly, the HVAC system 100 of the present embodiment
need not require instructions or other input from a user as to how
the valves 410 are positioned within the system. In this regard,
the system need not require stringent adherence to aligning the
various outlets with specific ducts.
[0037] According to the first embodiment, the setup sequence
includes a first period in which the control unit 700 directs the
diverter valve 410 to place the flap 420 in a position such that
the routing ratio is 100 to 0 (i.e. 100 percent of the air
traveling through duct 310 travels to one of the outlets and 0
percent of the air travels to the other outlet). The sensors
610/620 output signals including information based on the sensed
temperatures at the two substantially different altitudes within
room 910. Based on the information regarding the temperatures at
the sensed altitudes/a temperature difference between the two
sensed altitudes/or a change in temperature over a period of time,
etc., the control unit 700 may estimate which position of the valve
is sending air through which outlet. For example, if the
temperature at the lower sensor altitude changes much faster than
the temperature at the higher sensed altitude, the control unit 700
may conclude that the current position of the flap 420 in valve 410
directs air to the lower outlet 520. (In some embodiments, this
estimation may be delayed until after data is acquired during the
second period, in which the flap 420 is reversed.) The setup
sequence further includes a second period where the control unit
commands the diverter valve 410 to direct air to only the other
outlet (a routing ratio of 0/100 weighted towards the other
outlet). The control unit then monitors output(s) from the sensor
assembly regarding temperature changes, etc., and thus makes an
estimation about which outlet to which the second position of the
flap directs air. For example, once the flap is reversed, if the
control unit 700 recognizes that the temperature changes more
drastically at the higher sensed altitude than the lower sensed
altitude, the control unit will conclude that the second position
of the valve directs air to the higher outlet. In this scenario,
this second period is used to ratify the estimation of the control
unit 700 that it made in the first period. However, in other
scenarios, if there is no estimation made after the first period,
and the control unit waits until the second period to evaluate the
data recorded during both periods, the control unit 700 may compare
the data from both periods to make its estimation. With the setup
sequence complete, the invention may now use the diverter valves
410, along with real time data collected from the two sensors 610
and 620 to optimally distribute air between the upper and lower
vents 510 and 520.
[0038] The setup sequence may be executed during a heating cycle
and/or during a cooling cycle. In some embodiments of the present
invention, the setup sequence may be executed outside of a heating
cycle and/or a cooling cycle.
[0039] Embodiments of the present invention may include control
units 700 that include logic to evaluate the temperature sensed at
the two sensed altitudes and utilize the logic to vary the routing
ratios of the valve 410 to maintain the desired uniform
temperature/temperature gradient in real time.
[0040] In another embodiment of the present invention, referring
now to FIG. 5, multiple diverter valves are utilized in a forced
air HVAC system 110. In this embodiment, the diverter valves are
substantially similar and/or the same as the diverter valve 410
presented above. The diverter valves have a similar functionality
as the diverter valve presented in reference to FIGS. 1-4, and, in
the microanalysis of the system, the individual diversion valves
function in a similar manner/in a same manner as the valve 410.
That is, the diverter valves function to divert air entering the
valves down two different paths without causing deleterious changes
in backpressure. However, in the macroanalysis of the system, in
this embodiment, the two different paths into which the air is
diverted may lead to additional diverter valves. For example,
diverter valve 480 diverts air exiting from heater/cooler unit 200
down two different channels, each of the channels leading to a
respective additional diverter valves 481 and 482. In some
embodiments of the present invention, the additional second
diverter valves (i.e. the diverter valve downrange from the first
diverter valve) in the associated ducting may be arranged in a
manner substantially the same as that depicted in FIG. 1. That is,
the downrange diverter valves diverts air into two ducts that lead
to two separate outlets within a room, the outlets being at
substantially different heights from one another (see, e.g.,
diverter valve 482). In this regard, room 920 in FIG. 5 is
analogous to room 910 depicted in FIG. 1, and while not shown in
FIG. 5, the outlets leading from the other diverter valve (e.g.,
diverter valve 481) may lead to a room substantially the same as
that depicted in FIG. 1. However, in other embodiments, such as
that depicted in FIG. 5, the diverter valve 481 diverts air down to
ducts which lead to additional diverter valves, such as the two
other diverter valves 483 and 484, which respectively divert air to
rooms 930 and 940. The ducting arrangement and outlet arrangement
of rooms 930 and 940 is analogous to the arrangement depicted for
room 910 in FIG. 1. Still further, the sensor assembly arrangements
in these rooms are also analogous to those depicted in FIG. 1.
Thus, according to this embodiment, multiple diverter valves may be
utilized to maintain uniform/nonuniform temperature gradients (with
respect to altitude)/and/or other uniform environmental conditions
(with respect to altitude) in multiple rooms receiving conditioned
air from a single unit 200.
[0041] In the embodiment of FIG. 5 utilizing multiple diverter
valves, multiple user interfaces 810, 820 and 830 may be utilized,
although in some embodiments of the present invention, only a
single user interface may be utilized. The user interfaces 810,
820, 830 are used to control the environmental conditions in rooms
920, 930 and 940, respectively. In the embodiment depicted in FIG.
5, the user interfaces are in wireless communication with the
control unit 700 utilizing RF communication or the like, although
the user interfaces may be hardwired to the control unit 700 (or an
intermediary device).
[0042] As may be seen, each of the rooms 920, 930 and 940, have two
sensors each and thus have a single dedicated sensor assembly for
each room. Control unit 700 is in communication with the various
diverter valves and sensor assemblies within the system 110, and
thus controls the routing ratios of the various valves to maintain
and/or achieve the desired/optimum temperature and/or other
environmental conditions desired in each room, through real time
environmental condition sensing in the rooms and real time control
of the various diverter valves. Embodiments of the present
invention are versatile enough to allow a virtually unlimited
number of valves to intelligently coordinate the respective
positions of their internal flaps to direct air through alternate
paths. These paths may be selected in real time based on input from
sensors connected to the communication network.
[0043] Accordingly, embodiments invention may have adjustable
sensitivities to how the control unit 700 reacts to a difference in
temperature. By networking the diverter valves into a control
system, the action of all the valves may be coordinated to
optimize, balance and/or prioritize, in real-time, the distribution
of air throughout the entire system.
[0044] As with the embodiment previously described above,
embodiments of the forced air HVAC system utilizing multiple
diverter valves may include a setup sequence, which is, in some
embodiments is analogous to that described above. In this regard,
the control unit 700 may first identify how many diverter valves
are present in the system 110. The control unit 700 then proceeds
to determine how the positions of the flaps within the various
diverter valves influence airflow downstream of those diverter
valves. Because there are multiple diverter valves, the control
unit 700 may assign the various diverter valves individual
names/identifiers so that it can identify which diverter valves the
control unit is in communication with. Alternatively, in other
embodiments the diverter valves may imbed identification signals in
signals that are outputted to the control unit. With regard to the
control unit 700 assigning valves names/identifiers, in some
embodiments, the control unit is in actuality assigning
names/identifiers to the communication paths to the outlets. That
is, the control unit 700, in some embodiments, need only know which
communication paths will communicate with different diverter
valves.
[0045] The setup sequence proceeds in a manner analogous to that
described above. In a first period, the control unit 700 places the
flaps of all the diverter valves to positions such that one outlet
is fully closed and the other outlet is fully opened. The
heating/cooling unit 200 is then activated and temperature changes
within the various rooms are monitored. Then, the control unit 700
command one of the valves (or more than one, if the setup process
can tolerate such multitasking) to move its flap so that the outlet
that was previously receiving air from its respective inlet now
receives no air, and the other outlet which was previously
restricted from receiving air from its respective inlet now
receives all of the air from its respective inlet. During this
period, the temperature changes are again sensed in the various
rooms, and the software/firmware/logic circuits of control unit 700
analyze the data received from the sensors (which may be recorded)
and attempt to estimate which valve is being controlled and what
the control does. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, for
example, if a higher altitude sensor 610 depicts a relatively
extreme temperature change as compared to the lower sensor 620 in a
given room such as, for example, room 930 the control unit 700 may
conclude that the diverter valve with which it has just commanded
to change its position is valve 484, and also that its current flap
position is such that the air being directed out of valve 484 is
directed towards the outlet that is closer to the ceiling of the
room 930. The control unit 700 may then direct another valve to
change its position, after which the sensed environmental condition
(i.e., temperature in this exemplary scenario) of the rooms will
then again be monitored for a change. Eventually, the control unit
700 will command valve 480 to change its position, at some point
during the sequence. Accordingly, either room 920 or rooms 930 and
940 will no longer receive conditioned air, whereas previously the
opposite was the case. By sensing changes in environmental
conditions (temperature) in the various rooms, it can be determined
that the valve 480 influences the amount of air flowing into all of
the rooms 920, 930 and 940.
[0046] Alternatively, if control unit 700 commands valve 481 to
change its position, the temperature changes in rooms 930 and 940
may be analyzed/recorded and a determination may be made by the
control unit 700 that valve 481 controls airflow into these rooms.
As may be seen, the more valves that are positioned within the
system 110, the greater the number of iterations that the control
unit 700 must direct the system to go through to determine which
valves influence which rooms and how those valves influence those
rooms. Through proper programming utilizing proper software and/or
firmware, etc., the setup sequence may be implemented to obtain the
necessary positioning an identification information, regardless of
how many diverter valves are within the system.
[0047] The diverter valves described heretofore utilize a stepless
flap in order to divert air down the various passages at the
various routing ratios. However, other types of valves may be
utilized, providing that the valves do not restrict the overall
airflow through the system and thus cause a deleterious change in
backpressure. In this regard, synchronized butterfly valves may be
utilized as depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 6, a duct 355
branches into two branches 490 and 491. The branches 490 and 491
lead to butterfly valves 492, which in an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, are butterfly valves according to that
presented in FIG. 7, where the flap 422 is shown being positioned
at roughly a 45 degree angle opening with respect to the axial
direction of the duct housing 395. Butterfly valves 492 include an
electric motor 494 and an electronics package which places the
valve into communication with the control unit 700 and/or with each
other. The motor 492 moves the flap 422 within the housing 395 of
the ducts leading away from the main duct 355. In the embodiment
using such valves, the control unit is configured so that the
position of the valves are choreographed/synchronized such that the
valves are opened and closed in a manner that does not
substantially restrict the general airflow flowing through duct
355, and thus does not create an increase in backpressure. In this
regard, for example, if one of the butterfly valves 492 has its
flap 422 positioned such that it will permit roughly 10 percent of
the air traveling down duct 355 to pass through the valve, the
other butterfly valve will have its flap 422 positioned such that
it permits 90 percent or so of the air traveling down 355 to pass
around through. Thus, by correlating the movements of the flaps 422
of the two butterfly valves, a diverter valve can be obtained from
the plurality of valves. That is, air may be diverted in a manner
analogous to the diverter valve depicted in FIG. 2, providing that
the butterfly valves are linked to each other. In some embodiments,
the control unit 700 controls the position of each individual
butterfly valve, while in other embodiments, the butterfly valves
are linked together in a butterfly valve assembly such that the
control unit 700 need only output a command to achieve a given
routing ratio, and the butterfly valves position themselves
autonomously to obtain the desired routing ratio.
[0048] While some embodiments of the present invention control the
environmental condition of temperature at the various altitudes
within the rooms, other embodiments may be implemented for the
distribution of fresh air (non-temperature conditioned) into
specific areas as desired. Such requirements could occur as the
result of elevated CO.sub.2 or depleted oxygen levels in a room
which contained a concentrated gathering of people, or a purging of
CO if a defective exhaust system causes a hazardous concentration
of the gas in a particular area, etc., in such cases, sensor
assemblies that may monitor such environmental conditions will be
utilized. Accordingly, environmental conditions may include
temperature, humidity, CO.sub.2, CO and VOC levels.
[0049] The present invention includes methods to practicing the
invention, software to practice the invention, logic (that is
hardware and or software and or firmware, etc.), and apparatuses
configured to implement the present invention. Accordingly, the
present invention includes a program product and hardware and
firmware for implementing algorithms to practice the present
invention, as well as the systems and methods described herein, and
also for the control of the devices and implementation of the
methods described herein.
[0050] It is noted that the term "processor," as used herein,
encompasses both simple circuits and complex circuits, as well as
computer processors. The term also encompasses microprocessors.
[0051] Given the disclosure of the present invention, one versed in
the art would appreciate that there may be other embodiments and
modifications within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
Accordingly, all modifications attainable by one versed in the art
from the present disclosure within the scope and spirit of the
present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the
present invention. The scope of the present invention accordingly
is to be defined as set forth in the appended claims.
* * * * *