Patents by Inventor Alan E. Bennett

Alan E. Bennett 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: 11466883
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a first and second cooling system, an automation controller, one or more sensors, and a hardware controller separate from the automation controller. The hardware controller processes various temperature set points in conjunction with a timer and configures the activation or deactivation of the first and second cooling systems accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Anuradha Sundararajan, John Manby, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett, Rosa Maria Leal
  • Patent number: 11397016
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a thermostat is configured for use in a climate control system. The thermostat is operable to use two-way communication for communicating operational information between the thermostat and at least one rooftop unit (RTU) within the climate control system. For example, the two-way communication comprises sending first operational information to the RTU and receiving second operational information from the RTU. The operational information comprising one or more climate control commands, setpoints, configuration information, diagnostics, and/or sensor data. The thermostat is further operable to operate the climate control system based on the operational information communicated between the thermostat and the RTU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20210231328
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a first and second cooling system, an automation controller, one or more sensors, and a hardware controller separate from the automation controller. The hardware controller processes various temperature set points in conjunction with a timer and configures the activation or deactivation of the first and second cooling systems accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Anuradha Sundararajan, John Manby, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett, Rosa Maria Leal
  • Patent number: 11015826
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes at least one of a cooling system and a heating system, an automation controller, a sensor, and a switch. The automation controller provides a first input indicating a first temperature set point. The sensor detects a temperature of a second space proximate the sensor and provides a second input indicating the temperature of the second space and a second temperature set point. The switch activates at least one of the cooling system and the heating system based on the second temperature set point in response to a determination that the second input overrides the first input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Anuradha Sundararajan, John Manby, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett, Rosa Maria Leal
  • Publication number: 20210108814
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a thermostat is configured for use in a climate control system. The thermostat is operable to use two-way communication for communicating operational information between the thermostat and at least one rooftop unit (RTU) within the climate control system. For example, the two-way communication comprises sending first operational information to the RTU and receiving second operational information from the RTU. The operational information comprising one or more climate control commands, setpoints, configuration information, diagnostics, and/or sensor data. The thermostat is further operable to operate the climate control system based on the operational information communicated between the thermostat and the RTU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
  • Patent number: 10914479
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a thermostat is configured for use in a climate control system. The thermostat is operable to use two-way communication for communicating operational information between the thermostat and at least one rooftop unit (RTU) within the climate control system. For example, the two-way communication comprises sending first operational information to the RTU and receiving second operational information from the RTU. The operational information comprising one or more climate control commands, setpoints, configuration information, diagnostics, and/or sensor data. The thermostat is further operable to operate the climate control system based on the operational information communicated between the thermostat and the RTU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
  • Patent number: 10746424
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a device is configured for use in a climate control system. The device is operable to determine, based on configuration information, whether thermostat functionality of the device is enabled or disabled and whether sensor functionality of the device is enabled or disabled. The device is further operable to operate according to the configuration information. Thus, according to certain embodiments, the device can be configured as a thermostat, a sensor, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
  • Patent number: 10731882
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a controller is operable to instruct a climate control system to operate according to an occupied mode or an unoccupied mode based on a pre-defined schedule. The occupied mode uses pre-defined settings associated with an occupied status, and the unoccupied mode uses pre-defined settings associated with an unoccupied status. The controller is operable to receive an indication that an occupancy sensor detects a space as being occupied. In response to receiving the indication when the pre-defined schedule requires the climate control system to operate in the unoccupied mode, the controller is operable to instruct the climate control system to use the pre-defined settings associated with the occupied status during an override time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20180106488
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a device is configured for use in a climate control system. The device is operable to determine, based on configuration information, whether thermostat functionality of the device is enabled or disabled and whether sensor functionality of the device is enabled or disabled. The device is further operable to operate according to the configuration information. Thus, according to certain embodiments, the device can be configured as a thermostat, a sensor, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20180106490
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a thermostat is configured for use in a climate control system. The thermostat is operable to use two-way communication for communicating operational information between the thermostat and at least one rooftop unit (RTU) within the climate control system. For example, the two-way communication comprises sending first operational information to the RTU and receiving second operational information from the RTU. The operational information comprising one or more climate control commands, setpoints, configuration information, diagnostics, and/or sensor data. The thermostat is further operable to operate the climate control system based on the operational information communicated between the thermostat and the RTU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20180106491
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a controller is operable to instruct a climate control system to operate according to an occupied mode or an unoccupied mode based on a pre-defined schedule. The occupied mode uses pre-defined settings associated with an occupied status, and the unoccupied mode uses pre-defined settings associated with an unoccupied status. The controller is operable to receive an indication that an occupancy sensor detects a space as being occupied. In response to receiving the indication when the pre-defined schedule requires the climate control system to operate in the unoccupied mode, the controller is operable to instruct the climate control system to use the pre-defined settings associated with the occupied status during an override time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20180017277
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes at least one of a cooling system and a heating system, an automation controller, a sensor, and a switch. The automation controller provides a first input indicating a first temperature set point. The sensor detects a temperature of a second space proximate the sensor and provides a second input indicating the temperature of the second space and a second temperature set point. The switch activates at least one of the cooling system and the heating system based on the second temperature set point in response to a determination that the second input overrides the first input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Anuradha Sundararajan, John Manby, JR., Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett, Rosa Maria Leal
  • Patent number: 9574785
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure describes a controller for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes an interface and a processor. In this embodiment, the interface is configured to receive a delay originating signal. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to: (1) automatically generate an offset delay value for the HVAC unit upon receipt of the delay originating signal; (2) apply the offset delay value based on an offset enabled configurable parameter; and (3) delay starting identified components of the HVAC unit based on the offset delay value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Stachler, Stephen A. Walter, Alan E. Bennett, Richard A. Mauk
  • Publication number: 20150142181
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure describes a controller for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes an interface and a processor. In this embodiment, the interface is configured to receive a delay originating signal. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to: (1) automatically generate an offset delay value for the HVAC unit upon receipt of the delay originating signal; (2) apply the offset delay value based on an offset enabled configurable parameter; and (3) delay starting identified components of the HVAC unit based on the offset delay value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: John P. Stachler, Stephen A. Walter, Alan E. Bennett, Richard A. Mauk
  • Patent number: 8977399
    Abstract: An HVAC controller, a method of starting a HVAC unit and a HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive a delay originating signal and (2) a processor configured to automatically generate an offset delay value for the HVAC unit upon receipt of the delay originating signal and delay starting identified components of the HVAC unit based on the offset delay value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Stachler, Stephen A. Walter, Alan E. Bennett, Richard A. Mauk
  • Patent number: 8255087
    Abstract: An HVAC controller, a method of operating a constant air volume (CAV) HVAC unit and a CAV HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive both a latent cooling demand and a sensible cooling demand and (2) a processor configured to direct both a dehumidification function and a discharge air temperature control function for a CAV HVAC system employing the latent cooling demand and the sensible cooling demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Alan E. Bennett, Mark D. Hess, Stephen A. Walter
  • Publication number: 20100298988
    Abstract: An HVAC controller, a method of starting a HVAC unit and a HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive a delay originating signal and (2) a processor configured to automatically generate an offset delay value for the HVAC unit upon receipt of the delay originating signal and delay starting identified components of the HVAC unit based on the offset delay value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Lennox Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: John P. Stachler, Stephen A. Walter, Alan E. Bennett, Richard A. Mauk
  • Publication number: 20100298987
    Abstract: An HVAC controller, a method of operating a constant air volume (CAV) HVAC unit and a CAV HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive both a latent cooling demand and a sensible cooling demand and (2) a processor configured to direct both a dehumidification function and a discharge air temperature control function for a CAV HVAC system employing the latent cooling demand and the sensible cooling demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Lennox Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Alan E. Bennett, Mark D. Hess, Stephen A. Walter
  • Publication number: 20100298984
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes an enclosure for containing components of the HVAC system. Associated with the enclosure is an HVAC system control unit including a microcontroller for controlling an operation of the HVAC system. The HVAC system control unit further includes a memory associated with the microcontroller and configured to store data associated with operation of the HVAC system. The microcontroller is configurable to directly transfer the data between the memory and a portable flash memory device. The HVAC system control unit further includes a portable flash memory device interface for coupling the portable flash memory device directly thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Lennox Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard A. Mauk, Robert W. Gilkison, Alan E. Bennett, John G. Thomas, Mark D. Hess