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).
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Patent number: 11466883Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Anuradha Sundararajan, John Manby, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett, Rosa Maria Leal
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Patent number: 11397016Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
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Publication number: 20210231328Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Anuradha Sundararajan, John Manby, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett, Rosa Maria Leal
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Patent number: 11015826Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 13, 2016Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Anuradha Sundararajan, John Manby, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett, Rosa Maria Leal
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Publication number: 20210108814Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
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Patent number: 10914479Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 16, 2017Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
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Patent number: 10746424Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 16, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
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Patent number: 10731882Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 16, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
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Publication number: 20180106488Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
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Publication number: 20180106490Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
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Publication number: 20180106491Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Farhad Abrishamkar, Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett
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Publication number: 20180017277Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2016Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventors: Anuradha Sundararajan, John Manby, JR., Anna Vishinsky, Alan E. Bennett, Rosa Maria Leal
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Patent number: 9574785Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: John P. Stachler, Stephen A. Walter, Alan E. Bennett, Richard A. Mauk
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Publication number: 20150142181Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2015Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: John P. Stachler, Stephen A. Walter, Alan E. Bennett, Richard A. Mauk
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Patent number: 8977399Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: John P. Stachler, Stephen A. Walter, Alan E. Bennett, Richard A. Mauk
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Patent number: 8255087Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Alan E. Bennett, Mark D. Hess, Stephen A. Walter
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Publication number: 20100298988Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Lennox Industries, IncorporatedInventors: John P. Stachler, Stephen A. Walter, Alan E. Bennett, Richard A. Mauk
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Publication number: 20100298987Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Lennox Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Alan E. Bennett, Mark D. Hess, Stephen A. Walter
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Publication number: 20100298984Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Lennox Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Richard A. Mauk, Robert W. Gilkison, Alan E. Bennett, John G. Thomas, Mark D. Hess