Abstract: A battery optimization method for sensors in communication with a first device is provided. The battery optimization method includes receiving, by a graphic user interface of the first device, an input on the graphic user interface. The input is an operation of a graphic element of the graphic user interface. The battery optimization method includes associating, by the first device, the input with a configuration parameter. The configuration parameter is assigned to each the sensors. The battery optimization method includes adjusting, by the first device, the configuration parameter to generate an adjusted parameter. The battery optimization method includes transmitting, by the first device, the adjusted parameter to the sensors.

Abstract: A battery optimization method for sensors in communication with a first device is provided. The battery optimization method includes receiving, by a graphic user interface of the first device, an input on the graphic user interface. The input is an operation of a graphic element of the graphic user interface. The battery optimization method includes associating, by the first device, the input with a configuration parameter. The configuration parameter is assigned to each the sensors. The battery optimization method includes adjusting, by the first device, the configuration parameter to generate an adjusted parameter. The battery optimization method includes transmitting, by the first device, the adjusted parameter to the sensors.

Abstract: A system and method of heat exchanger freeze protection for an HVAC system by operating an indoor unit assembly and an outdoor unit assembly in a cooling mode and operating a fan at an initial airflow, operating a temperature sensor to measure a temperature value of a heat exchanger, at the expiration of a first predetermined time period, determining whether the temperature value is less than or equal to a first temperature preset value, determining whether a current airflow multiplier is equal to a maximum airflow multiplier limit, increasing the current airflow by an airflow offset multiplier if the current airflow multiplier is less than or equal to the maximum airflow multiplier limit and the temperature value is less than or equal to the first temperature preset, and operating the fan at an increased airflow to move more air across the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A system and method to reduce particulate pollutants in a conditioned space using an indoor HVAC unit in communication with a system controller, the system controller configured to receive at least one of an outside air particulate forecast and an access signal from a secondary source, determine at least one of whether the outside air particulate forecast is greater than or equal to a particulate limit whether an access duration value is greater than or equal to opening duration limit; and whether an access occurrence value is greater than or equal to opening occurrence limit, and to operate an indoor HVAC unit based in part on at least one of the outside air particulate forecast and the access signal.

Abstract: Vent terminal apparatus and methods are provided for covering vent pipes in an HVAC system, e.g., air intake and combustion gas exhaust pipes of a furnace or boiler. The vent terminal includes a body defining a shielded air inlet configured to fluidly communicate with an air intake pipe, and an exhaust opening configured to fluidly communicate with an exhaust pipe. The vent terminal also includes a nozzle configured to couple with the body and defining a flowpath therethrough. When the exhaust opening of the body is in fluid communication with the exhaust pipe and the nozzle is coupled with the body, the flowpath is in fluid communication with the exhaust pipe via the exhaust opening and the flowpath is oriented at an acute angle relative to the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A system and method of heat exchanger freeze protection for an HVAC system by operating an indoor unit assembly and an outdoor unit assembly in a cooling mode and operating a fan at an initial airflow, operating a temperature sensor to measure a temperature value of a heat exchanger, at the expiration of a first predetermined time period, determining whether the temperature value is less than or equal to a first temperature preset value, determining whether a current airflow multiplier is equal to a maximum airflow multiplier limit, increasing the current airflow by an airflow offset multiplier if the current airflow multiplier is less than or equal to the maximum airflow multiplier limit and the temperature value is less than or equal to the first temperature preset, and operating the fan at an increased airflow to move more air across the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Vent terminal apparatus and methods are provided for covering vent pipes in an HVAC system, e.g., air intake and combustion gas exhaust pipes of a furnace or boiler. The vent terminal includes a body defining a shielded air inlet configured to fluidly communicate with an air intake pipe, and an exhaust opening configured to fluidly communicate with an exhaust pipe. The vent terminal also includes a nozzle configured to couple with the body and defining a flowpath therethrough. When the exhaust opening of the body is in fluid communication with the exhaust pipe and the nozzle is coupled with the body, the flowpath is in fluid communication with the exhaust pipe via the exhaust opening and the flowpath is oriented at an acute angle relative to the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: An adapter for controlling airflow between a first element and a second element in an air conditioning system is provided including a frame having a first frame piece and a second frame piece. A portion of the second frame piece overlaps the first frame piece. The second frame piece slides relative to the first frame piece making a dimension of the frame adjustable. An upper portion of the frame attaches about an end of the first element and a lower portion of the frame attaches about an end of the second element.

Abstract: An electrical interlock ties a heat recover ventilator to circulation air blower operation of an associated forced-air furnace or air conditioning system. This ensure that the blower circulates supply and return air within the building or dwelling. An interlock relay has its coil energized by the heat recovery ventilator, and a normally open contact tied to the control of a blower of the forced-air system. The furnace or air conditioner and the ventilator are operated by separate controls located within the building's comfort space. When the ventilator is operated, the circulation blower runs continuously, but thermostat actuate of the furnace or air conditioner above will not operate the ventilator.

Abstract: An AC input conditioning circuit comprises a latch circuit, one or more latch conditioning channels, and a latch synchronizing circuit that is coupled to an AC source and has an output supplying a latch enable pulse to the latch enable terminal of the latch circuit only when the AC power signal exceeds predetermined latching threshold during alternate half cycles. The conditioning channel comprises an input coupled to a device whose on or off sense is to be detected, and an output coupled to a corresponding channel of the latch. Each conditioning channel can be comprised of a rectifier diode, followed by a zener diode and a driver amplifier.

Abstract: An emergency heat circuit for a microprocessor-controlled furnace has a first emergency heat switch with one terminal in contact with a rectifier circuit that provides a DC voltage when the thermostat calls for heat, and another terminal connected to an emergency heat-active input of the microprocessor. A first opto-isolator has an optical actuator, such as an LED connected to the microprocessor failure output and a switched element unless such as a photo-transistor, with terminals connected in parallel to the first emergency heat switch. A second opto-isolator is also connected to the emergency heat switch and has an AC photo-actuated switch element, such as a photo-triac, connected, for example, to the W conductor and with an output connected to the rectifier circuit. The photo-triac latches on until the thermostat is satisfied.

Abstract: An outdoor coil temperature detection scheme in a heat pump system effective for developing outdoor ambient temperature indications from outdoor coil temperature data, for use in heat pump control.

Abstract: A compressor speed control arrangement with provision for selecting compressor speed in view of changes in room ambient temperature, detecting a feedback signal indicative of compressor speed, calculating actual compressor speed, developing an error signal between selected and actual compressor speeds and modifying compressor speed in view of the developed error signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining the desired level of excess air in a two stage gas furnace system. Low and high pressure switches are placed across the heat exchanger and are successively closed, as the inducer motor accelerates during purging, when the pressure drop reaches the respective theoretically desired low and high firing pressure drop levels. As the switches are closed, the inducer motor speeds are sensed and recorded, with a ratio of the two then being calculated. After firing, the ratio is then directly applied to a desired high firing motor speed to obtain the desired low firing motor speed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for maintaining excess air control in a gas furnace. A pressure switch is placed across a heat exchanger to indicate when, while accelerating the inducer motor speed during purging operation, the pressure drop reaches a predetermined level. When that occurs, the motor speed is sensed and recorded. When the furnace is subsequently fired, the desired inducer motor speed is obtained by modifying the recorded motor speed on a correction factor derived from empirical data obtained from a gas furnace operating under selective variable conditions.