U.S. patent application number 14/332714 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-05 for energy saving apparatus, system and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is LH Thermostat Systems LLC. Invention is credited to James Leych Lau.
Application Number | 20150060557 14/332714 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52581752 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150060557 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lau; James Leych |
March 5, 2015 |
ENERGY SAVING APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
A method for energy saving during the operation of an HVAC
system comprising an energy saving unit, comprising: installing a
temperature probe in the supply air that can send data to the
energy saving unit; configuring the energy saving unit to perform a
set of functions comprising: receiving a user's instructions for
turning on the HVAC system and setting a target room temperature;
shutting off the heater or compressor when the target temperature
is reached; measuring the temperature of the air in the room that
is being heated or cooled and comparing the temperature of the
supply air with the temperature of the air in the room; and causing
the blower to keep running after shutting off the heater or
compressor for as long as the temperature of the air in the room is
smaller or greater than the temperature of the supply air,
respectively.
Inventors: |
Lau; James Leych; (Tustin,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LH Thermostat Systems LLC |
Longwood |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52581752 |
Appl. No.: |
14/332714 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14016012 |
Aug 30, 2013 |
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14332714 |
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61980537 |
Apr 16, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
236/44C ;
165/247; 165/267 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05D 23/1931 20130101;
F24D 19/1084 20130101; F24F 11/74 20180101; F24D 5/04 20130101;
F24F 11/70 20180101; F24D 5/12 20130101; F24F 11/76 20180101; Y02B
30/13 20180501; F24D 19/1087 20130101; F24F 11/0008 20130101; F24F
2110/20 20180101; F24F 11/30 20180101; F24F 2110/10 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
236/44.C ;
165/247; 165/267 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/00 20060101
F24F011/00; F24D 19/10 20060101 F24D019/10; F24F 11/04 20060101
F24F011/04 |
Claims
1. A method for energy saving during the heating cycle of an HVAC
system comprising a heater, a compressor, a blower, a heat
exchanger, an evaporator and an energy saving unit controlling the
operation of the HVAC system, the method comprising: installing a
temperature probe in the path of HVAC system's supply air that can
send temperature data to the energy saving unit; configuring the
energy saving unit to perform an energy saving set of functions
comprising: receiving a user's instructions for turning on the HVAC
system and setting a target room temperature; shutting off the
heater when the target room temperature is reached; receiving
temperature data from the temperature probe; measuring the
temperature of the air in the room that is being heated by the HVAC
system and comparing the temperature of the supply air received
from the temperature probe with the temperature of the air in the
room that is being heated; and causing the blower to keep running
after shutting off the heater for as long as the temperature of the
air in the room that is being heated is smaller than the
temperature of the supply air.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature probe is
installed downwind from the heat exchanger, inside an air duct of
the supply air, near the exit of an air handler unit of the HVAC
system.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the temperature of the
supply air received from the temperature probe with the temperature
of the air in the room that is being heated is performed
continuously after shutting off the heater.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the temperature of the
supply air received from the temperature probe with the temperature
of the air in the room that is being heated is performed
periodically, at ten seconds intervals.
5. A method for energy saving during the cooling cycle of an HVAC
system comprising a heater, a compressor, a blower, a heat
exchanger, an evaporator and an energy saving unit controlling the
operation of the HVAC system, the method comprising: installing a
temperature probe in the path of the HVAC system's supply air that
can send temperature data to the energy saving unit; configuring
the energy saving unit to perform an energy saving set of functions
comprising: receiving a user's instructions for turning on the HVAC
system and setting a target room temperature; shutting off the
compressor when the target room temperature is reached; receiving
temperature data from the temperature probe; measuring the
temperature of the air in the room that is being cooled by the HVAC
system and comparing the temperature of the supply air received
from the temperature probe with the temperature of the air in the
room that is being cooled; and causing the blower to keep running
after shutting off the compressor for as long as the temperature of
the air in the room that is being cooled is greater than the
temperature of the supply air.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the energy saving set of
functions performed by the energy saving unit further comprises:
setting a target room humidity level; setting a compressor run
period; setting a compressor stoppage period; measuring the
humidity level of the air in the room that is being cooled by the
HVAC system and comparing it with the target humidity level; before
the target room temperature is reached, if the compressor run
period was reached and the humidity level of the air in the room
that is being cooled is lower than the target humidity level,
shutting off the compressor for the stoppage period while causing
the blower to keep running; and, restarting the compressor at the
end of the stoppage period.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the setting of the target room
humidity level, the compressor run period and the compressor
stoppage period are all performed based on instructions received
from the user.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the target room humidity level is
forty-five percent, compressor run period is twenty minutes and the
compressor stoppage period is four minutes.
9. An energy saving apparatus comprising humidity and temperature
sensors, circuitry and logic, the apparatus being configured to
control the operation of an HVAC system comprising a heater, a
compressor, a blower, a heat exchanger and an evaporator, by
performing an energy saving set of functions comprising: receiving
a user's instructions for turning on the HVAC system and setting a
target room temperature; during HVAC system's heating cycle,
shutting off the heater when the target room temperature is
reached, receiving data from a temperature probe installed in the
path of HVAC system's supply air, measuring the temperature of the
air in the room that is being heated by the HVAC system and
comparing it with the data from the temperature probe, and causing
the blower to keep running after shutting off the heater for as
long as the temperature of the air in the room that is being heated
is smaller than the temperature of the supply air derived from the
data received from the temperature probe; and during HVAC system's
cooling cycle, shutting off the compressor when the target room
temperature is reached, receiving data from the temperature probe,
measuring the temperature of the air in the room that is being
cooled by the HVAC system and comparing it with the data from the
temperature probe, and causing the blower to keep running after
shutting off the compressor for as long as the temperature of the
air in the room that is being cooled is greater than the
temperature of the supply air derived from the data received from
the temperature probe.
10. The energy saving apparatus of claim 9, wherein the energy
saving set of functions performed by the energy saving unit during
the HVAC system's cooling cycle further comprises: setting a target
room humidity level; setting a compressor run period; setting a
compressor stoppage period; measuring the humidity level of the air
in the room that is being cooled by the HVAC system and comparing
it with the target humidity level; before the target room
temperature is reached, if the compressor run period was reached
and the humidity level of the air in the room that is being cooled
is lower than the target humidity level, shutting off the
compressor for the stoppage period while causing the blower to keep
running; and, restarting the compressor at the end of the stoppage
period.
11. An energy saving apparatus comprising humidity and temperature
sensors, circuitry and logic, the apparatus being configured to
control the operation of an HVAC system comprising a heater, a
compressor, a blower, a heat exchanger and an evaporator, by using
an algorithm to estimate the amount of cool or heat energy left in
the evaporator or heat exchanger, and thus, of the extended blower
run time needed to transfer the cool or heat energy left to a
conditioned room, the algorithm being based on a set of HVAC
system's data.
12. The energy saving apparatus of claim 11, wherein the set of
HVAC system's data comprises the time the compressor or heater has
been running
13. The energy saving apparatus of claim 11, wherein the set of
HVAC system's data comprises the humidity of the conditioned room.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/980,537, filed Apr. 16, 2014, and is a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 14/016,012 filed Aug.
30, 2013, which are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent
that they are not conflicting with the present application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates generally to Heating Ventilating and
Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, and more particularly to an
apparatus, system and method for saving energy during use of HVAC
systems, by manipulating the HVAC systems' fan run time and/or
compressor run time.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventional HVAC systems include temperature changing
components for changing the temperature and condition of air.
Indoor air handler unit drives air from the temperature changing
component through supply ducts to zones within a building. A
typical HVAC consists of heating unit, air conditioning unit and
the ventilation fan or blower at the air handler unit. A thermostat
is used to control the conditions of the air in a conditioned space
by sending 24 VAC (Volts Alternating Current) control signals to
controllers that activate or deactivate one or more components such
as the blower or ventilation fan, furnace, heat exchanger, air
conditioning compressor and cooling coil.
[0006] Conventional HVAC fan controller typically operates the
ventilation fan for 0 second to 90 seconds after the furnace or air
conditioning compressor has been turned off.
[0007] Studies have shown that even after the 90 seconds duration,
the furnace heat exchanger surface still have residual heat energy
left, and the air conditioner cooling coil still has residual cool
energy left. This wasted energy is not delivered to the conditioned
space when the ventilation fan stops blowing.
[0008] Therefore there is a need for an apparatus, system and
method that can be used to recover additional heating and cooling
capacity and to operate HVAC equipment with higher efficiency.
[0009] Further, in humid and hot areas, the air conditioning
compressor can run continuously trying to cool the conditioned
space to the set temperature. When the compressor runs
continuously, the cooling coil will have water condensing in its
cooling coils.
[0010] Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus, system and
method that can shut off the compressor for a short period after
the compressor has run continuously for a long period of time, and
let the ventilation fan blow the air across the wet cooling coil,
such that the condensed water on the cooling coil will evaporate,
and thus, provide additional cooling while saving the energy used
to run the compressor.
[0011] The problems and the associated solutions presented in this
section could be or could have been pursued, but they are not
necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or
pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be
assumed that any of the approaches presented in this section
qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their presence in this
section of the application.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter.
Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in
determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, an energy savings apparatus for
reducing the energy consumption of Heating Ventilating and Air
Conditioning (HVAC) systems is provided. This is accomplished by
extending the fan run time of an HVAC system after the heating or
cooling unit has shut off and/or shut off the compressor for a
short period if it runs continuously for a long period of time.
Thus, an advantage is the saving of energy during the operation of
HVAC systems.
[0014] The above embodiments and advantages, as well as other
embodiments and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuing
description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] For exemplification purposes, and not for limitation
purposes, embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the
figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a system for saving energy
during operation of an HVAC, according to an embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting a process for saving energy
during the heating cycle of an HVAC, according to an
embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting a process for saving energy
during the cooling cycle of an HVAC, according to an
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] What follows is a detailed description of the preferred
embodiments of the invention in which the invention may be
practiced. Reference will be made to the attached drawings, and the
information included in the drawings is part of this detailed
description. The specific preferred embodiments of the invention,
which will be described herein, are presented for exemplification
purposes, and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood
that structural and/or logical modifications could be made by
someone of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the
scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is
defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents.
[0020] Reference will now be made to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Again, FIG.
1 illustrates a diagram of a system for saving energy during
operation of an HVAC, according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flow
chart depicting a process for saving energy during the heating
cycle of an HVAC, according to an embodiment.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the energy saving system disclosed
herein may include a conventional HVAC air handler unit 100, a
temperature probe 103 and an energy saving unit (ESU) 101. As
typical, the air handling unit 100 may include a blower or fan 107,
which through a network of air ducts (not shown), pulls the return
air 108 from the heated/conditioned space (e.g., house, office
building, etc) and pushes it through the furnace heat exchanger 106
and evaporator coil 105 to obtain the heated/conditioned supply air
104, which is then pushed further into the heated/conditioned
space.
[0022] As it is well known in the art, the air handler unit 100 may
be placed in, for example, the basement or the attic of a
house.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the temperature probe 103 is preferably
inserted downwind from the cooling coil 105 and the heat exchanger
106, inside the air duct (not shown) of the supply air 104, inside
the air handler unit air exit. As the air blows across the heat
exchanger 106 and the cooling coils 105 inside the air handler unit
100, the temperature of the heated/conditioned supply air 104,
downwind from the heat exchanger and cooling coil, gives a good
indication of their temperature.
[0024] The energy saving unit (ESU) 101 may be a computer, an
improved thermostat, or a combination thereof, having, besides the
conventional elements of a thermostat (i.e., temperature probe(s),
circuitry, user interface, display, etc; (not shown)), an energy
saving module (ESM) 102. The ESM 102 may include hardware (e.g.,
circuit board(s), processor(s), memory, etc) and/or logic
configured to enable the ESU 101 to perform the energy saving
functions described hereinafter. The structural and functional
configuration of the ESM will be apparent to one of ordinary skills
in the art from the ensuing description of the energy saving
processes disclosed herein.
[0025] The temperature sensed by the temperature probe 103 may be
sent to the ESU 101 using for example wireless RF signal(s), or, as
another example, using any unused spare wire going from the air
handler's 100 PCB (Printed Circuit Board; not shown) to the ESU
101, or, yet as another example, sent as high frequency digital
signal piggyback on the 24VAC 60 Hz common wire.
[0026] In a conventional HVAC heating cycle, there is typically a
difference between the temperature of the heated supply air 104 and
the air temperature sensed by the conventional thermostat in the
heated room, after the furnace is turned off. Most furnace heat
exchangers are still hot (above 135 to 210.degree. F.) after the
furnace fan turns off. The apparatus and process described below,
recovers the remaining heat energy from the hot furnace heat
exchanger after the furnace turns off and delivers this heat to the
heated space.
[0027] With the use of ESU 101, this temperature difference can be
used to keep the blower fan 107 to continue to run until the
downwind probe's 103 temperature equals the temperature of the
heated room. Once this is reached, all the left over energy in the
air ducting and at the heat exchanger 106 have been utilized and
the blower fan 107 is then shut off.
[0028] As described in more details below, the ESU 101 adjusts the
additional fan operation automatically by monitoring the
temperature probe 103 and the temperature in the heated room. It
should be apparent that the amount of time the fan continues to
operate after the furnace is turned off is directly related to the
temperature difference between the supply air 104 measured by probe
103 and the temperature of the air inside the heated room. In the
same time, the amount of additional fan run time is an indication
of how much left over heat stored in the heat exchanger was
saved.
[0029] Hence, the ESU recovers and delivers more heating energy to
the heated space than it is possible with conventional HVAC fan
controllers. The ESU improves the efficiency of HVAC equipment by
delivering additional heating capacity for a small amount of
additional electric energy (kWh) to keep the blower or ventilation
fan running.
[0030] The process of energy saving using the ESU 101 and its ESM
102 in a heating cycle, as shown in FIG. 2, may start by turning
the ESU on (Step s21) and setting the desired room temperature
(Step s22). Upon starting of the ESU 101 for example, the ESM 102
may be configured to start to monitor (Step s23) the temperature of
the supply air 104 (FIG. 1), by communicating with the temperature
probe 103.
[0031] After the set temperature is reached (Step s24), the heater
is preferable shut off (Step s25), and the fan 107 (FIG. 1), is
kept running for as long as the measured room temperature is
smaller than the temperature of the supply air 104 (Steps s27-29)
at the exit of Air Handler 101 (FIG. 1). Preferably, the ESM 102
may be configured to compare (Step s27) the temperature of the
supply air 104 with the measured room temperature after a preset
period (e.g., 30 seconds) after the heater was turned off.
Alternatively, the comparison may be done continuously or
periodically (e.g., every 10 seconds) after the heater was shut
off.
[0032] The fan 107 is preferably stopped (Step s210) when the
measured room temperature equals the temperature of the supply air
104. It should be observed that the set room temperature and the
measured room temperature are the same when the heater is stopped
and the additional/extended, energy saving running period of the
fan begins.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the heater and fan keep running (Step
s26) until the measured room temperature equals the set room
temperature, and, the cycle is repeated every time the measured
room temperature falls below the set room temperature.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting a process for saving energy
during the cooling cycle of an HVAC, according to an
embodiment.
[0035] The process of energy saving using the ESU 101 and its ESM
102 in a cooling cycle, as shown in FIG. 3, may start by turning
the ESU on (Step s31) and setting the desired room temperature
(Step s32). For example, upon starting of the ESU 101, the ESM 102
may be configured to start to monitor (Step s33) the temperature of
the supply air 104 (FIG. 1), by communicating with the temperature
probe 103.
[0036] After the set temperature is reached (Step s34), the
compressor (not shown) is preferable shut off (Step s35), and the
fan 107 (FIG. 1), is kept running for as long as the measured room
temperature is greater than the temperature of the supply air 104
(Steps s37, s39, s312).
[0037] The fan 107 is preferably stopped (Step s311) when the
measured room temperature equals the temperature of the supply air
104. It should be observed that the set room temperature and the
measured room temperature are the same when the compressor is
stopped and the extended, energy saving running period of the fan
begins.
[0038] Preferably, the ESM 102 may be configured to compare (Step
s37) the temperature of the supply air 104 with the measured room
temperature after a preset period (e.g., 30 seconds) after the
compressor was turned off. Alternatively, the comparison may be
done continuously or periodically (e.g., every 10 seconds) after
the compressor was shut off.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the compressor and fan keep running
(Step s36) until the measured room temperature equals the set room
temperature, and, the cycle is repeated every time the measured
room temperature rises above the set room temperature.
[0040] As known in the art, air conditioners cool conditioned
spaces by removing sensible and latent heat from the return air 108
(FIG. 1), which reduces the supply air's 104 temperature and
humidity. Latent heat is removed as water vapor is condensed out of
the air due to the temperature of the cooling coil 105 being less
than the return air's 108 dew point temperature.
[0041] Latent heat is the quantity of heat absorbed or released by
air undergoing a change of state, such as water vapor condensing
out of the air as water onto a cold cooling coil or cold water
evaporating to water vapor which will cool the air.
[0042] In a conventional HVAC operation most cooling coils are cold
(below 40 to 50.degree. F.) and wet after the compressor turns off.
Cooling energy left on the cooling coil after the compressor turns
off is generally wasted. The cooling coil absorbs heat from the
attic and cold water on the coil flows down the condensate drain.
The apparatus and process disclosed herein recovers the remaining
cooling energy from the cooling coil 105 by operating the fan 107
after the compressor turns off, to cool the conditioned space. By
using the data from a humidity sensor 109 (FIG. 1) installed in the
ESU 101, measuring how long the compressor has been running, and
sensing the temperature of the probe 103 inserted downwind at the
air duct in the air handler unit 100, the compressor can be
programmed to shut down for a short, adjustable period of time
(e.g., 3, 4, or 5 minutes, etc), while the fan 107 keeps running.
When this happens, the condensed water on the cooling coil will be
evaporated away. While saving the energy used to run the
compressor, this will provide additional cooling and will also
provide additional moisture to the air in the room, by pushing the
resulting water vapors through the air ducts into the room, thus
helping keep the humidity level at more desirable levels. Moisture
in the air helps for example those with sinus problems breathe
better, and also helps those with sensitive skins.
[0043] Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus, system and
method that can shut off the compressor for a short period after
the compressor has run continuously for a long period of time to
let the ventilation fan blow the air across the wet cooling coil.
By doing so, the air blowing across the cooling coil will extract
the cooling latent energy from the water evaporating from the
cooling coil surfaces before the set temperature is reached.
[0044] The apparatus disclosed herein (i.e., ESU 101) works by
manipulating multiple sets of data to achieve higher energy
efficiency, than by using the regular, conventional thermostat.
Preferably, there are four (4) sets of data: 1) the conditioned
room temperature as sensed by the ESU 101; 2) the duration the
compressor has been running continuously as measured by the ESU
101; 3) the humidity of the air in the conditioned room as sensed
by a moisture sensor 109 in the ESU 101; and 4) the temperature
downwind of the cooling coil and heat exchanger as sensed by a
probe 103 inserted inside the air handler air duct.
[0045] The software and hardware in the ESM 102 of the ESU 101 may
monitor, calculate and/or compare these 4(four) sets of data
preferably continuously, and sends out the appropriate, for
example, 24 VAC signals using the regular colored wires to the HVAC
control boards, typically located at the air handler unit 100.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, before the set temperature is reached
(Step s34) and before the compressor run duration is reached (Step
s38), the compressor keeps running (Step s36). The compressor run
duration can be calculated by the ESM 102 and/or set/adjusted by a
user to for example any duration between 15 and 30 minute based on
factors such as the tonnage of the air conditioner compressor, size
of the conditioned space, geographical location of the installation
(e.g., dry climate versus humid climate, etc), user desired
humidity level inside the conditioned space, and so on.
[0047] When the compressor's run duration is reached, the humidity
of the air in the conditioned room as sensed by a moisture sensor
109 is checked (Step s310), and if (Step s313) the humidity level
is below a set level (e.g., 45%), the compressor is stopped (Step
s314) and the fan 107 is kept running, assuming of course that the
measured room temperature is greater than the temperature of the
supply air 104, which will typically be the case. The compressor
may be stopped for a short period of time (e.g., 3, 4, or 5
minutes), calculated by the ESM 102 and/or set/adjusted by a user
after which the compressor restarts (Steps s315-316). The air
conditioning compressor shutdown duration may be based on the
sensed humidity, supply air temperature, conditioned room
temperature and the duration the compressor has been continuously
running. For example, if the sensed humidity is say 40%, supply air
temperature and conditioned room temperature delta is 3 deg F., and
compressor has been running non-stop for 30 minutes, then the
algorithm will calculate the compressor shut off duration to be for
example 25 minutes. The ESM 102 can be programmed by the user by
inputting the desired fixed shut off period or by inputting a set
of desired humidity and temperature levels for example, and let the
computer calculate the compressor shut off duration.
[0048] The humidity level may be set, typically based on user's
instructions, and based for example on the sensitivity of the
occupants of the conditioned space to dry air and may be adjusted
by the user/occupants.
[0049] Thus, the apparatus and process disclosed herein, saves
energy by extending the fan 107 run time to make use of latent
energy from water evaporating from the evaporator coil 105. When
the air conditioner evaporative coil 105 gets cold, water condenses
onto the coil. So, the compressor can be shut down for a few
minutes, but with the air still flowing across the coil 105. This
will evaporate the water on the coil and supply the resulting
cooling energy to the conditioned space.
[0050] Hence, the apparatus and the respective processes disclosed
for the heating and cooling cycle recovers and delivers more
heating and cooling energy to the conditioned space than it is
possible with conventional HVAC thermostat. The apparatus and the
processes disclosed improve the efficiency of the HVAC equipment by
delivering additional heating or cooling capacity for a small
amount of additional electric energy (Kwh) to keep the blower or
ventilation fan running.
[0051] Therefore, the energy savings apparatus, system and
processes disclosed herein reduce the energy consumption of typical
HVAC systems.
[0052] Alternatively or in parallel, instead of using the
temperature probe 103 inserted downwind after the cooling coil and
heat exchanger, a timing algorithm can be used to estimate the
amount of cool or heat energy left in these elements based on how
long the compressor has been running, how long the heater has been
running and/or the humidity of the conditioned room. The ESU can be
programmed to let the additional fan run time based on this data.
This will eliminate the use of the temperature probe. While this
method may not be as accurate as inserting a temperature probe at
the air handler unit air duct, there are installation cost
savings.
[0053] It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain
words and phrases used in this patent document.
[0054] "Logic" as used herein and throughout this disclosure,
refers to any information having the form of instruction signals
and/or data that may be applied to direct the operation of a
processor. Logic may be formed from signals stored in a device
memory. Software is one example of such logic. Logic may also be
comprised by digital and/or analog hardware circuits, for example,
hardware circuits comprising logical AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, and
other logical operations. Logic may be formed from combinations of
software and hardware.
[0055] The terms "include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives
thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term "or" is
inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases "associated with" and
"associated therewith," as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to
include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be
contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be
communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be
proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the
like.
[0056] As used in this application, "plurality" means two or more.
A "set" of items may include one or more of such items. Whether in
the written description or the claims, the terms "comprising,"
"including," "carrying," "having," "containing," "involving," and
the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean
including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases
"consisting of" and "consisting essentially of," respectively, are
closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to
claims
[0057] Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples
shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on
the apparatus and procedures disclosed or claimed. Although many of
the examples involve specific combinations of method acts or system
elements, it should be understood that those acts and those
elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same
objectives. With regard to flowcharts, additional and fewer steps
may be taken, and the steps as shown may be combined or further
refined to achieve the described methods. Acts, elements and
features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are not
intended to be excluded from a similar role in other
embodiments.
[0058] One embodiment of the invention may be described as a
process which is usually depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a
structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may
describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the
operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In
addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process
is terminated when its operations are completed. A process may
correspond to a method, a program, a procedure, a method of
manufacturing or fabrication, etc.
[0059] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein for the purpose of disclosing the preferred
embodiments, someone of ordinary skills in the art will easily
detect alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations, which
may be capable of achieving the same results, and which may be
substituted for the specific embodiments illustrated and described
herein without departing from the scope of the invention.
Therefore, the scope of this application is intended to cover
alternate embodiments and/or equivalent variations of the specific
embodiments illustrated and/or described herein. Hence, the scope
of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims and their
equivalents. Furthermore, each and every claim is incorporated as
further disclosure into the specification and the claims are
embodiment(s) of the invention.
* * * * *