Patents by Inventor Daniel John Blair

Daniel John Blair has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11162702
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for validating the installation and operation of a fault detection and diagnostic module that monitors a component of an HVAC system. A remote diagnostic server is in operative communication with the HVAC system, and with the fault detection and diagnostic module. A user device communicates data to the remote diagnostic server that defines an association between the fault detection and diagnostic module and the HVAC system. The remote diagnostic server initiates an installation validation by sending a command to the HVAC system that causes the monitored component to initiate an event that is expected to be reported by the fault detection and diagnostic module. For example, a fan motor is turned on. If correctly installed, the fault detection and diagnostic module senses the event, and reports the event to the remote diagnostic server, which confirms the association. The remote diagnostic server sends a message to the user device indicating the result of the validation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel John Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Carl L. Garrett, Christopher Blake Smith, Bradley T. Wilson, James W. Barnard
  • Patent number: 11079132
    Abstract: A system and method for managing power consumption of HVAC system includes a transfer switch, a detector interface and an HVAC controller of the HVAC system. The transfer switch is configured to switch a power line supplied to a load between a utility power source and a backup power source. The detector interface is in communication with the transfer switch or a controller of the backup power source and the HVAC controller. The HVAC controller is configured to receive data regarding the switching of power line supplied to the load between the utility power source and the backup power source and control an operation of components of the HVAC system based on the capacity of power source, thereby manages or lowers the power consumption of HVAC system. The detector interface is configured to provide switching information and capacity of the backup power source to the HVAC controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel John Blair
  • Publication number: 20200386434
    Abstract: A system and method for managing power consumption of HVAC system includes a transfer switch, a detector interface and an HVAC controller of the HVAC system. The transfer switch is configured to switch a power line supplied to a load between a utility power source and a backup power source. The detector interface is in communication with the transfer switch or a controller of the backup power source and the HVAC controller. The HVAC controller is configured to receive data regarding the switching of power line supplied to the load between the utility power source and the backup power source and control an operation of components of the HVAC system based on the capacity of power source, thereby manages or lowers the power consumption of HVAC system. The detector interface is configured to provide switching information and capacity of the backup power source to the HVAC controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel John Blair
  • Patent number: 10845076
    Abstract: A method of operating a diagnostic data collection device and a diagnostic data bus for an HVAC system are disclosed. In an embodiment, the diagnostic data collection device includes a diagnostic communication interface and a flexible interface module. The interface module measures electrical properties associated with an HVAC component. Electrical properties may include a sensor output and may include analog and digital signals. The diagnostic data collection device generates an exception message if the sensed property is out of specification. Evaluation rules are provided to detect various types of failures, including transient failures, steady state failures, and trending failures. The diagnostic data collection device self-calibrates by recording electrical properties during normal operation of the HVAC equipment. A plurality of diagnostic data collection devices may be coupled by a diagnostic data bug independent of the HVAC system's control bus, to ensure operational integrity of the diagnostic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel John Blair, Carl L. Garrett, Mark E. Groskreutz, Jeffrey L. Stewart, Karl J. Mutchnik, William David Daugherty, III, Mahfuz Imam, Gang (Jacky) Chen
  • Publication number: 20190107304
    Abstract: A method of operating a diagnostic data collection device and a diagnostic data bus for an HVAC system are disclosed. In an embodiment, the diagnostic data collection device includes a diagnostic communication interface and a flexible interface module. The interface module measures electrical properties associated with an HVAC component. Electrical properties may include a sensor output and may include analog and digital signals. The diagnostic data collection device generates an exception message if the sensed property is out of specification. Evaluation rules are provided to detect various types of failures, including transient failures, steady state failures, and trending failures. The diagnostic data collection device self-calibrates by recording electrical properties during normal operation of the HVAC equipment. A plurality of diagnostic data collection devices may be coupled by a diagnostic data bug independent of the HVAC system's control bus, to ensure operational integrity of the diagnostic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel John Blair, Carl L. Garrett, Mark E. Groskreutz, Jeffrey L. Stewart, Karl J. Mutchnik, William David Daugherty, III, Mahfuz Imam, Gang (Jacky) Chen
  • Patent number: 10139122
    Abstract: A diagnostic data collection device and a diagnostic data bus are disclosed. In an embodiment, the diagnostic data collection device includes a diagnostic communication interface and a flexible interface module. The interface module is configurable to measure one or more electrical properties associated with an HVAC component, such as voltage, current, resistance. Electrical properties may include a sensor output and may include analog and digital signals. The diagnostic data collection device generates an exception message if the sensed property is out of specification. Evaluation rules are provided to detect various types of failures, including transient failures, steady state failures, and trending failures. The diagnostic data collection device self-calibrates by recording electrical properties during normal operation of the HVAC equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel John Blair, Carl L. Garrett, Mark E. Groskreutz, Jeffrey L. Stewart, Karl J. Mutchnik, William David Daugherty, III, Mahfuz Imam, Gang (Jacky) Chen
  • Publication number: 20180087796
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for determining the operational state of an HVAC system. The method includes transmitting diagnostic data and/or commissioning settings to and from an HVAC system and server by means of a mobile device, comparing the data to a predetermined condition, and transmitting updated system information back to the HVAC system if needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel John Blair, Bradley T. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20170314797
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for validating the installation and operation of a fault detection and diagnostic module that monitors a component of an HVAC system. A remote diagnostic server is in operative communication with the HVAC system, and with the fault detection and diagnostic module. A user device communicates data to the remote diagnostic server that defines an association between the fault detection and diagnostic module and the HVAC system. The remote diagnostic server initiates an installation validation by sending a command to the HVAC system that causes the monitored component to initiate an event that is expected to be reported by the fault detection and diagnostic module. For example, a fan motor is turned on. If correctly installed, the fault detection and diagnostic module senses the event, and reports the event to the remote diagnostic server, which confirms the association. The remote diagnostic server sends a message to the user device indicating the result of the validation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel John Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Carl L. Garrett, Christopher Blake Smith, Bradley T. Wilson, James W. Barnard
  • Publication number: 20160215996
    Abstract: A diagnostic data collection device and a diagnostic data bus are disclosed. In an embodiment, the diagnostic data collection device includes a diagnostic communication interface and a flexible interface module. The interface module is configurable to measure one or more electrical properties associated with an HVAC component, such as voltage, current, resistance. Electrical properties may include a sensor output and may include analog and digital signals. The diagnostic data collection device generates an exception message if the sensed property is out of specification. Evaluation rules are provided to detect various types of failures, including transient failures, steady state failures, and trending failures. The diagnostic data collection device self-calibrates by recording electrical properties during normal operation of the HVAC equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel John Blair, Carl L. Garrett, Mark E. Groskreutz, Jeffrey L. Stewart, Karl J. Mutchnik, William David Daugherty, III, Mahfuz Imam, Gang (Jacky) Chen
  • Patent number: 9163843
    Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an air handler includes a coil and a fan. The air handler also includes an auxiliary heat source having a plurality of heat elements. The auxiliary heat source implements a wear-leveling algorithm to cycle use of the heat elements over multiple auxiliary heat cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Alan Drake, Daniel John Blair
  • Publication number: 20150122901
    Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an air handler includes a coil and a fan. The air handler also includes an auxiliary heat source having a plurality of heat elements. The auxiliary heat source implements a wear-leveling algorithm to cycle use of the heat elements over multiple auxiliary heat cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Dean Alan Drake, Daniel John Blair
  • Patent number: 8967490
    Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an air handler includes a coil and a fan. The air handler also includes an auxiliary heat source having a plurality of heat elements. The auxiliary heat source implements a wear-leveling algorithm to cycle use of the heat elements over multiple auxiliary heat cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Alan Drake, Daniel John Blair
  • Publication number: 20120192577
    Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an air handler includes a coil and a fan. The air handler also includes an auxiliary heat source having a plurality of heat elements. The auxiliary heat source implements a wear-leveling algorithm to cycle use of the heat elements over multiple auxiliary heat cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Dean Alan Drake, Daniel John Blair