Patents by Inventor Drew Whitehurst

Drew Whitehurst 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: 12028792
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for operating a climate control system for an indoor space are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes establishing a connection between a device and a hub of the climate control system along a first signal pathway, wherein at least a portion of the first signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a first component of the system. In addition, the method includes monitoring one or more parameters of the first signal pathway and one or more parameters of a second signal pathway extending between the device and the hub, wherein at least a portion of the second signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a second component of the system. Further, the method includes re-routing the connection between the portable device and the system hub from the first signal pathway to the second signal pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Garrett, Nathan Smith, Daniel J. Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Caleb Davis
  • Patent number: 11898768
    Abstract: Methods and related systems are disclosed for retrieving personality data for a first unit a climate control system. In an embodiment, the method includes querying a second unit controller that has replaced the first unit controller. In addition, the method includes determining that the second unit controller lacks personality data that is unique to the first unit. Further, the method includes transferring the personality data to the second unit controller from a memory of the climate control system that is separate from the second unit controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Stewart, Drew Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20230120196
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for operating a climate control system for an indoor space are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes establishing a connection between a device and a hub of the climate control system along a first signal pathway, wherein at least a portion of the first signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a first component of the system. In addition, the method includes monitoring one or more parameters of the first signal pathway and one or more parameters of a second signal pathway extending between the device and the hub, wherein at least a portion of the second signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a second component of the system. Further, the method includes re-routing the connection between the portable device and the system hub from the first signal pathway to the second signal pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Carl L. Garrett, Nathan Smith, Daniel J. Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Caleb Davis
  • Publication number: 20230122148
    Abstract: Methods and the like according to the disclosure can include receiving a connection request from a portable device (where the connection request comprises at least one of a predefined code or encryption token), determining a first value of at least one parameter of a first wireless signal of a first signal pathway (where the first signal pathway is between the portable device and a first component of the HVAC system), determining a second value of the at least one parameter of a second wireless signal of a second signal pathway (where the second signal pathway is between the portable device and a second component of the HVAC system), authenticating the portable device, wherein the authenticating is based, at least in part, on the connection request, the first value, and the second value, and, in response to the portable device being authenticated, granting access to the HVAC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Carl L. Garrett, Nathan Smith, Daniel J. Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Caleb Davis
  • Publication number: 20230074872
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for charging a refrigerant into a climate control system. In an embodiment, the method includes (a) coupling a storage tank to a refrigerant loop of the climate control system through a charging valve; (b) opening and closing the charging valve in a plurality of cycles; and (c) flowing refrigerant from the storage tank to the refrigerant loop through the charging valve when the charging valve is open, during (b). In addition, the method includes (d) determining a detected saturated temperature of the refrigerant within the refrigerant loop after each cycle of the plurality of cycles; and (e) adjusting an amount of time that the charging valve is open during each cycle of the plurality of cycles during (b) as a function of the detected saturated temperature from a previous cycle of the plurality of cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Raymond Walter Rite, Drew Whitehurst, Nathan Smith
  • Patent number: 11564148
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for operating a climate control system for an indoor space are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes establishing a connection between a device and a hub of the climate control system along a first signal pathway, wherein at least a portion of the first signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a first component of the system. In addition, the method includes monitoring one or more parameters of the first signal pathway and one or more parameters of a second signal pathway extending between the device and the hub, wherein at least a portion of the second signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a second component of the system. Further, the method includes re-routing the connection between the portable device and the system hub from the first signal pathway to the second signal pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Garrett, Nathan Smith, Daniel J. Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Caleb Davis
  • Patent number: 11506433
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for charging a refrigerant into a climate control system. In an embodiment, the method includes (a) coupling a storage tank to a refrigerant loop of the climate control system through a charging valve; (b) opening and closing the charging valve in a plurality of cycles; and (c) flowing refrigerant from the storage tank to the refrigerant loop through the charging valve when the charging valve is open, during (b). In addition, the method includes (d) determining a detected saturated temperature of the refrigerant within the refrigerant loop after each cycle of the plurality of cycles; and (e) adjusting an amount of time that the charging valve is open during each cycle of the plurality of cycles during (b) as a function of the detected saturated temperature from a previous cycle of the plurality of cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Walter Rite, Drew Whitehurst, Nathan Smith
  • Publication number: 20220082287
    Abstract: Methods and related systems are disclosed for retrieving personality data for a first unit a climate control system. In an embodiment, the method includes querying a second unit controller that has replaced the first unit controller. In addition, the method includes determining that the second unit controller lacks personality data that is unique to the first unit. Further, the method includes transferring the personality data to the second unit controller from a memory of the climate control system that is separate from the second unit controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Stewart, Drew Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20220015009
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for operating a climate control system for an indoor space are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes establishing a connection between a device and a hub of the climate control system along a first signal pathway, wherein at least a portion of the first signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a first component of the system. In addition, the method includes monitoring one or more parameters of the first signal pathway and one or more parameters of a second signal pathway extending between the device and the hub, wherein at least a portion of the second signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a second component of the system. Further, the method includes re-routing the connection between the portable device and the system hub from the first signal pathway to the second signal pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Carl L. Garrett, Nathan Smith, Daniel J. Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Caleb Davis
  • Patent number: 11215378
    Abstract: Methods and related systems are disclosed for retrieving personality data for a first unit a climate control system. In an embodiment, the method includes querying a second unit controller that has replaced the first unit controller. In addition, the method includes determining that the second unit controller lacks personality data that is unique to the first unit. Further, the method includes transferring the personality data to the second unit controller from a memory of the climate control system that is separate from the second unit controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Stewart, Drew Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20210348794
    Abstract: Methods and related systems are disclosed for retrieving personality data for a first unit a climate control system. In an embodiment, the method includes querying a second unit controller that has replaced the first unit controller. In addition, the method includes determining that the second unit controller lacks personality data that is unique to the first unit. Further, the method includes transferring the personality data to the second unit controller from a memory of the climate control system that is separate from the second unit controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Stewart, Drew Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 11162702
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for validating the installation and operation of a fault detection and diagnostic module that monitors a component of an HVAC system. A remote diagnostic server is in operative communication with the HVAC system, and with the fault detection and diagnostic module. A user device communicates data to the remote diagnostic server that defines an association between the fault detection and diagnostic module and the HVAC system. The remote diagnostic server initiates an installation validation by sending a command to the HVAC system that causes the monitored component to initiate an event that is expected to be reported by the fault detection and diagnostic module. For example, a fan motor is turned on. If correctly installed, the fault detection and diagnostic module senses the event, and reports the event to the remote diagnostic server, which confirms the association. The remote diagnostic server sends a message to the user device indicating the result of the validation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel John Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Carl L. Garrett, Christopher Blake Smith, Bradley T. Wilson, James W. Barnard
  • Publication number: 20210270506
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for charging a refrigerant into a climate control system. In an embodiment, the method includes (a) coupling a storage tank to a refrigerant loop of the climate control system through a charging valve; (b) opening and closing the charging valve in a plurality of cycles; and (c) flowing refrigerant from the storage tank to the refrigerant loop through the charging valve when the charging valve is open, during (b). In addition, the method includes (d) determining a detected saturated temperature of the refrigerant within the refrigerant loop after each cycle of the plurality of cycles; and (e) adjusting an amount of time that the charging valve is open during each cycle of the plurality of cycles during (b) as a function of the detected saturated temperature from a previous cycle of the plurality of cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Raymond Walter Rite, Drew Whitehurst, Nathan Smith
  • Patent number: 10295236
    Abstract: A compressor heating system includes a compressor drive controller electrically coupled to an outdoor controller configured to selectively implement a pulse width modulation algorithm to deliver a pulsed direct current (DC) from the compressor drive controller to at least one stator winding of a motor of a variable speed compressor to provide heat to the compressor to prevent refrigerant migration to the compressor when the compressor remains idle with respect to operating in a cooling or heating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Chuan Yan, Don Schuster, Drew Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20170314797
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for validating the installation and operation of a fault detection and diagnostic module that monitors a component of an HVAC system. A remote diagnostic server is in operative communication with the HVAC system, and with the fault detection and diagnostic module. A user device communicates data to the remote diagnostic server that defines an association between the fault detection and diagnostic module and the HVAC system. The remote diagnostic server initiates an installation validation by sending a command to the HVAC system that causes the monitored component to initiate an event that is expected to be reported by the fault detection and diagnostic module. For example, a fan motor is turned on. If correctly installed, the fault detection and diagnostic module senses the event, and reports the event to the remote diagnostic server, which confirms the association. The remote diagnostic server sends a message to the user device indicating the result of the validation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel John Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Carl L. Garrett, Christopher Blake Smith, Bradley T. Wilson, James W. Barnard
  • Patent number: 9696067
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the heating of an airflow. According to certain embodiments, the temperature of an outdoor heat exchanger and the speed of a compressor are used to determine a blower speed for a variable speed indoor air blower. The selected blower speed may facilitate a flow of air across a second, indoor heat exchanger at an indoor volumetric flow rate that heats the airflow to a leaving air temperature. The leaving air temperature may at least seek to attain the temperature of a variable target leaving air temperature that is adjusted based on changes in outdoor ambient temperatures. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, the blower speed may be based on an indoor volumetric airflow rate that is determined, at least in part, on a determined system heating capacity and a temperature at the outdoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Walter Rite, Don Alan Schuster, Drew Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20160047579
    Abstract: A compressor heating system may include a compressor drive controller electrically coupled to an outdoor controller configured to selectively implement a pulse width modulation algorithm to deliver a pulsed DC current from the compressor drive controller to at least one stator winding of a motor of a variable speed compressor to provide more efficient auxiliary heating to the compressor to prevent refrigerant migration to the compressor when the compressor remains idle with respect to operating in a cooling or heating mode. The compressor heating system may consume less off-cycle power than traditional compressor auxiliary heating systems, thus complying with regulatory requirements where off-cycle power must average below specific thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Chuan Yan, Don Schuster, Drew Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20150068226
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the heating of an airflow. According to certain embodiments, the temperature of an outdoor heat exchanger and the speed of a compressor are used to determine a blower speed for a variable speed indoor air blower. The selected blower speed may facilitate a flow of air across a second, indoor heat exchanger at an indoor volumetric flow rate that heats the airflow to a leaving air temperature. The leaving air temperature may at least seek to attain the temperature of a variable target leaving air temperature that is adjusted based on changes in outdoor ambient temperatures. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, the blower speed may be based on an indoor volumetric airflow rate that is determined, at least in part, on a determined system heating capacity and a temperature at the outdoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Raymond Walter Rite, Don Alan Schuster, Drew Whitehurst