Patents by Inventor Ben Hobson

Ben Hobson 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).

  • CONTROL SCHEME FOR AUTOMATIC FAN MODE FOR USE WITH VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20260168717
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a first indoor heat exchanger coupled to an outdoor heat exchanger and disposed in a first zone. A second indoor heat exchanger is coupled to an outdoor heat exchanger and disposed in a second zone. A compressor is coupled to the outdoor heat exchanger, the first indoor heat exchanger, and the second indoor heat exchanger. A first circulation fan is positioned to circulate air around the first indoor heat exchanger and a second circulation fan is positioned to circulate air around the second indoor heat exchanger. A zone controller is coupled to the first indoor heat exchanger and configured to measure a temperature in the first zone, compare the measured temperature to a setpoint temperature of the first zone, and responsive to a difference between the measured temperature and the setpoint temperature, adjust a speed of the first circulation fan independent of the second circulation fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2026
    Publication date: June 18, 2026
    Inventors: Ben Hobson, Hongbing Lian, Der-Kai Hung, Steve Mersh, Lin Lan, Shahn Markarian
  • Control scheme for automatic fan mode for use with variable refrigerant flow systems
    Patent number: 12560369
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a first indoor heat exchanger coupled to an outdoor heat exchanger and disposed in a first zone. A second indoor heat exchanger is coupled to the outdoor heat exchanger and disposed in a second zone. A compressor is coupled to the outdoor heat exchanger, the first indoor heat exchanger, and the second indoor heat exchanger. A first circulation fan is positioned to circulate air around the first indoor heat exchanger and a second circulation fan is positioned to circulate air around the second indoor heat exchanger. A zone controller is coupled to the first indoor heat exchanger and configured to measure a temperature in the first zone, compare the measured temperature to a setpoint temperature of the first zone, and responsive to a difference between the measured temperature and the setpoint temperature, adjust a speed of the first circulation fan independent the second circulation fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Hobson, Hongbing Lian, Der-Kai Hung, Steve Mersh, Lin Lan, Shahn Markarian
  • CONTROL SCHEME FOR AUTOMATIC FAN MODE FOR USE WITH VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20220307755
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes an outdoor heat exchanger. A first indoor heat exchanger is fluidly coupled to the outdoor heat exchanger and disposed in a first zone. A second indoor heat exchanger is fluidly coupled to the outdoor heat exchanger and disposed in a second zone. A compressor is fluidly coupled to the outdoor heat exchanger, the first indoor heat exchanger, and the second indoor heat exchanger. A first circulation fan is positioned to circulate air around the first indoor heat exchanger and a second circulation fan is positioned to circulate air around the second indoor heat exchanger. A first zone controller is electrically coupled to the first indoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Ben HOBSON, Hongbing LIAN, Der-Kai HUNG, Steve MERSH, Lin LAN, Shahn MARKARIAN
  • Control scheme for automatic fan mode for use with variable refrigerant flow systems
    Patent number: 11397040
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes an outdoor heat exchanger. A first indoor heat exchanger is fluidly coupled to the outdoor heat exchanger and disposed in a first zone. A second indoor heat exchanger is fluidly coupled to the outdoor heat exchanger and disposed in a second zone. A compressor is fluidly coupled to the outdoor heat exchanger, the first indoor heat exchanger, and the second indoor heat exchanger. A first zone controller is electrically coupled to the first indoor heat exchanger. The first zone controller is configured to measure a temperature in the first zone, compare the measured temperature to a setpoint temperature of the first zone, and responsive to a difference between the measured temperature and the setpoint temperature, adjust a speed of a first circulation fan independent of the speed of a second circulation fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Hobson, Hongbing Lian, Der-Kai Hung, Steve Mersh, Lin Lan, Shahn Markarian
  • CONTROL SCHEME FOR AUTOMATIC FAN MODE FOR USE WITH VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20210140700
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes an outdoor heat exchanger. A first indoor heat exchanger is fluidly coupled to the outdoor heat exchanger and disposed in a first zone. A second indoor heat exchanger is fluidly coupled to the outdoor heat exchanger and disposed in a second zone. A compressor is fluidly coupled to the outdoor heat exchanger, the first indoor heat exchanger, and the second indoor heat exchanger. A first circulation fan is positioned to circulate air around the first indoor heat exchanger and a second circulation fan is positioned to circulate air around the second indoor heat exchanger. A first zone controller is electrically coupled to the first indoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Hobson, Hongbing Lian, Der-Kai Hung, Steve Mersh, Lin Lan, Shahn Markarian