Abstract: An approach to automatically encode application enumeration values to enable reuse of applications across controller of different protocols. Protocols may use different sets of enumerations to denote various application values and states. The present approach may permit defining a common set of enumerations which can be encoded automatically by a tool that enables reuse. Application designers may define enumerations to be used by the control application and the tool will automatically encode them into communication protocol specific enumeration values.

Abstract: An actuator system which may incorporate a motor, a motor controller connected to the motor, a processor connected to the motor controller, and a switch connected to the processor for engaging the motor to open and close an actuator shaft. The switch may have a position which is a test mode. Selecting the position of test mode may cause the motor to move the actuator shaft to a certain position to verify operation of the actuator shaft. The actuator shaft may stay in the certain position while the switch is in a position of test mode. The system may also incorporate a spring attached to the actuator shaft. If power fails to the motor, then the actuator spring or another mechanism may return the actuator shaft to a fail safe position. The test mode may alternatively be selected at a controller via the communications bus to the processor.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a demand control ventilation system with a multi-speed fan is disclosed. The control system may modulate the fan speed of a multi-speed fan and/or the position of a ventilation damper in order to achieve desired ventilation levels for a building.

Abstract: Methods for controlling an economizer of an HVAC system are disclosed. An illustrative control method may include positioning one or more controllable dampers in first and second configurations such that a mixed air stream has first and second mixing ratios of incoming outside air to return air. First and second measures related to the temperature of the mixed air stream may be recorded when the dampers are in each of the first and second configurations. Based on the recorded first and second measures, it may be determined whether and/or how much of the incoming outside air to admit into the economizer via the one or more controllable dampers during subsequent operation of the HVAC system.

Abstract: A system having a function block execution framework. Function blocks may be for use in a control system design. These blocks may be selected from a library of a function block engine. Selected function blocks may be executed for operational purposes. They may be continuously executed by a processor to maintain operational status. However, since a function block engine and a resulting system of function blocks may be operated with battery power, executions of function blocks may be reduced by scheduling the executions of function blocks to times only when they are needed. That means that the processor would not necessarily have to operate continuously to maintain continual execution of the function blocks and thus could significantly reduce consumption of battery power.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for controlling an economizer of an HVAC system. The economizer has an outside air stream of incoming outside air, a return air stream of return air, and a mixed air stream of mixed incoming outside air and return air that is provided to the cooling unit of the HVAC system. The economizer also includes one or more controllable dampers for controlling a mixing ratio of incoming outside air to return air in the mixed air stream. The control method includes positioning the one or more controllable dampers in first and second configurations such that the mixed air stream has first and second mixing ratios of incoming outside air to return air in the mixed air stream. The method also includes recording first and second measures related to the temperature of the mixed air stream when the dampers are in each of the first and second configurations. First and second measures related to other parameters of the mixed air stream may be recorded as well.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus for automatically changing between heating and cooling modes of an HVAC system, sometimes using a single or common set point in both modes. In an illustrative but not limiting example, an HVAC controller may monitor the temperature of an inside space of a building, and may switch the HVAC system to a cooling mode when the temperature of the inside space rises above a high switch-point temperature, and may cool the inside space to at least below the high switch-point temperature. The HVAC controller may also switch the HVAC system to the heating mode when the temperature of the inside space falls below a low switch-point temperature and may heat the inside space to at least above the low switch-point temperature. In some cases, after switching to the heating mode, the HVAC controller may cause the HVAC system to heat the inside space to substantially the set-point temperature.

Abstract: A function block engine, a block execution list and a parameter and/or variable storage space being resident in a memory supporting the engine. The function block engine may execute a program according to a list of function blocks identified in the block execution list to design and construct and circuit or system. Also, the engine may provide simulation of the resultant circuit or system. The circuit or system may be transferred to a memory of another device for implementation and use as, for example, a controller. In some cases, the program may be executed from the memory. The engine may permit field programmability, configuration and simulation of the function blocks and resulting circuit or system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically calibrating one or more damper positions of a demand control ventilation system are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a demand control ventilation system includes a damper for controlling a flow of outside air into a building. A controller may be programmed to automatically execute a calibration algorithm from time to time to calibrate one or more calibration damper positions such that a predetermined flow of outside air is drawn through the damper and into the building at each of the one or more calibration damper positions. This calibration can, in some instances, help increase the efficiency and/or utility of the demand control ventilation system.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a demand control ventilation system with a multi-speed fan is disclosed. The control system may modulate the fan speed of a multi-speed fan and/or the position of a ventilation damper in order to achieve desired ventilation levels for a building.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for operating an HVAC system for conditioning air of an inside space. The HVAC system has an economizer configured to control the intake of outside air into an HVAC air stream of the HVAC system. The method includes determining at least two parameters of the air of the inside space, where the at least two parameters are selected from a set of parameters from which an inside air dry bulb temperature, an inside air dew point, an inside air relative humidity, and an inside air enthalpy can be determined, either directly or indirectly. The method also includes determining at least two parameters of the outside air, where the at least two parameters being selected from a set of parameters from which an outside air dry bulb temperature, an outside air dew point, and an outside air enthalpy can be determined, either directly or indirectly.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for controlling an economizer of an HVAC system. The economizer has an outside air stream of incoming outside air, a return air stream of return air, and a mixed air stream of mixed incoming outside air and return air that is provided to the cooling unit of the HVAC system. The economizer also includes one or more controllable dampers for controlling a mixing ratio of incoming outside air to return air in the mixed air stream. The control method includes positioning the one or more controllable dampers in first and second configurations such that the mixed air stream has first and second mixing ratios of incoming outside air to return air in the mixed air stream. The method also includes recording first and second measures related to the temperature of the mixed air stream when the dampers are in each of the first and second configurations. First and second measures related to other parameters of the mixed air stream may be recorded as well.

Abstract: An approach to automatically encode application enumeration values to enable reuse of applications across controller of different protocols. Protocols may use different sets of enumerations to denote various application values and states. The present approach may permit defining a common set of enumerations which can be encoded automatically by a tool that enables reuse. Application designers may define enumerations to be used by the control application and the tool will automatically encode them into communication protocol specific enumeration values.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling multi-stage boiler systems. In one illustrative embodiment, the number of stages to be used is determined in a staging control sequence in response to a heating load, and in some cases, the individual stages are modulated to meet a heating load. In some embodiments, the staging control sequence may include observation of both heating load and the rate of change of the heating load. In another illustrative embodiment, the staging control compares a measured temperature to a setpoint and monitors changes in the measured temperature to make staging decisions. Various control methods are also provided to help achieve improved stability and efficiency, as desired.

Abstract: Fan coil thermostats can provide energy savings by, for example, operating a fan coil system more efficiently. Fan coil systems employing such a fan coil thermostat may be more energy efficient. A fan coil system may include a fan coil that is configured for fluid communication with a source of heated fluid and/or a source of cooled fluid, a valve that controls fluid flow through the fan coil and a fan that blows air across the fan coil. The fan coil thermostat may include a controller that implements a control algorithm that calculates an error percentage value relating to a temperature difference between the current temperature and the temperature set point. The error percentage value may include a proportional term related to the temperature difference and an integral term related to the temperature difference. The controller may regulate the fan speed in accordance with the calculated error percentage.

Abstract: A function block engine, a block execution list and a parameter and/or variable storage space being resident in a memory supporting the engine. The function block engine may execute a program according to a list of function blocks identified in the block execution list to design and construct and circuit or system. Also, the engine may provide simulation of the resultant circuit or system. The circuit or system may be transferred to a memory of another device for implementation and use as, for example, a controller. In some cases, the program may be executed from the memory. The engine may permit field programmability, configuration and simulation of the function blocks and resulting circuit or system.

Abstract: A variable velocity calibration and balancing system having a basis in a function block engine. It pertains to variable air volume systems and particularly to balancing systems as they relate to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Balancing may be addressed using functional blocks to represent actual control and connections in an HVAC application for a variable air volume application.

Abstract: An electronic device such as an HVAC controller that accounts for internal heating in determining an environmental condition such as temperature or humidity in the space surrounding the HVAC controller. The HVAC controller may calculate a transient heat rise value that is based upon a powered time period and a first order time lag, especially during a time period before which the HVAC controller reaches a steady state temperature condition.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling multi-stage boiler systems. In one illustrative embodiment, the number of stages to be used is determined in a staging control sequence in response to a heating load, and in some cases, the individual stages are modulated to meet a heating load. In some embodiments, the staging control sequence may include observation of both heating load and the rate of change of the heating load. In another illustrative embodiment, the staging control observes compares a measured temperature to a setpoint and monitors changes in the measured temperature to make staging decisions. Various control methods are also provided to help achieve improved stability and efficiency, as desired.

Abstract: A device and method that may be used at nearly any place to set and adjust a control system such as a thermostat, controller or computer having numerous parameters and options that may be selected for desired operation of an air management system. One may remotely, via a personal digital assistant, configure, commission, select, set or adjust the parameters and options of a control system, which may include, but not be limited to, temperatures, humidity, sensors, volume of air movement, fan or air mover behavior, the percentage of added fresh air, modulated and non-modulated control of valves and dampers, stages of cooling and heating at various zones, control of heat pumps, heaters and air conditioners, modes of occupied, unoccupied or standby of respective spaces in a building, for day and night, at selected times, on certain days, for specific buildings at particular locations.