Patents by Inventor Kirby N. Bicknell

Kirby N. Bicknell 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: 11853050
    Abstract: Architectures or techniques are presented that can determine a setting for an environment control (EC) or HVAC system in response to a fault with the EC system that controls an environment of an occupant. Significantly, the determined setting can be intentionally selected as one that does not comport with the expectations or desired comfort level of the occupant. Thus, a condition can be created in the environment that is determined to be likely to cause the occupant to examine a user interface associated with the EC system. The user interface can present an indication of the fault, which otherwise may go unnoticed, particularly in cases where the occupant has no reason to interact with the EC system due to the environment meeting expectations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Kirby N. Bicknell
  • Publication number: 20220113717
    Abstract: Architectures or techniques are presented that can determine a setting for an environment control (EC) or HVAC system in response to a fault with the EC system that controls an environment of an occupant. Significantly, the determined setting can be intentionally selected as one that does not comport with the expectations or desired comfort level of the occupant. Thus, a condition can be created in the environment that is determined to be likely to cause the occupant to examine a user interface associated with the EC system. The user interface can present an indication of the fault, which otherwise may go unnoticed, particularly in cases where the occupant has no reason to interact with the EC system due to the environment meeting expectations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventor: Kirby N. Bicknell
  • Patent number: 11221615
    Abstract: Architectures or techniques are presented that can determine a setting for an environment control (EC) or HVAC system in response to a fault with the EC system that controls an environment of an occupant. Significantly, the determined setting can be intentionally selected as one that does not comport with the expectations or desired comfort level of the occupant. Thus, a condition can be created in the environment that is determined to be likely to cause the occupant to examine a user interface associated with the EC system. The user interface can present an indication of the fault, which otherwise may go unnoticed, particularly in cases where the occupant has no reason to interact with the EC system due to the environment meeting expectations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Kirby N. Bicknell
  • Patent number: 10852020
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, a thermostat, and a remote control device. The indoor unit comprises a first variable speed drive (VSD) to control a speed of HVAC rotary components within the indoor unit, and the outdoor unit comprises a second VSD to control a speed of HVAC rotary components within the outdoor unit. The thermostat in communication with the indoor unit and the outdoor unit comprises a communication interface, and a system controller in communication with the communication interface. The remote control device transmits a signal to the system controller to alter the speed of the HVAC rotary components, where the HVAC rotary components operate at a high speed mode which is above the preset speed limit of the respective HVAC rotary component to achieve an enhanced cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Thomas LeRoy, Kirby N. Bicknell, Christopher Blake Smith, John Hughes, Gregory S. Brown
  • Patent number: 10670281
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a top cover for an outdoor HVAC unit. The top cover may comprise a dome-shaped top surface; outer edges surrounding the dome-shaped top surface; at least one ventilated grille disposed between the outer edges and the outdoor unit; and a plurality of channels configured to drain water from the dome-shaped top surface and away from the at least one ventilated grille.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Jones, Richard L. Jameson, Kirby N. Bicknell
  • Publication number: 20200142391
    Abstract: Architectures or techniques are presented that can determine a setting for an environment control (EC) or HVAC system in response to a fault with the EC system that controls an environment of an occupant. Significantly, the determined setting can be intentionally selected as one that does not comport with the expectations or desired comfort level of the occupant. Thus, a condition can be created in the environment that is determined to be likely to cause the occupant to examine a user interface associated with the EC system. The user interface can present an indication of the fault, which otherwise may go unnoticed, particularly in cases where the occupant has no reason to interact with the EC system due to the environment meeting expectations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Kirby N. Bicknell
  • Publication number: 20190293307
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a top cover for an outdoor HVAC unit. The top cover may comprise a dome-shaped top surface; outer edges surrounding the dome-shaped top surface; at least one ventilated grille disposed between the outer edges and the outdoor unit; and a plurality of channels configured to drain water from the dome-shaped top surface and away from the at least one ventilated grille.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Jones, Richard L. Jameson, Kirby N. Bicknell
  • Publication number: 20190170380
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, a thermostat, and a remote control device. The indoor unit comprises a first variable speed drive (VSD) to control a speed of HVAC rotary components within the indoor unit, and the outdoor unit comprises a second VSD to control a speed of HVAC rotary components within the outdoor unit. The thermostat in communication with the indoor unit and the outdoor unit comprises a communication interface, and a system controller in communication with the communication interface. The remote control device transmits a signal to the system controller to alter the speed of the HVAC rotary components, where the HVAC rotary components operate at a high speed mode which is above the preset speed limit of the respective HVAC rotary component to achieve an enhanced cooling mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Thomas LeRoy, Kirby N. Bicknell, Christopher Blake Smith, John Hughes, Gregory S. Brown
  • Patent number: 10203127
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, a thermostat, and a remote control device. The indoor unit comprises a first variable speed drive (VSD) to control a speed of HVAC rotary components within the indoor unit, and the outdoor unit comprises a second VSD to control a speed of HVAC rotary components within the outdoor unit. The thermostat in communication with the indoor unit and the outdoor unit comprises a communication interface, and a system controller in communication with the communication interface. The remote control device transmits a signal to the system controller to alter the speed of the HVAC rotary components, where the HVAC rotary components operate at a high speed mode which is above the preset speed limit of the respective HVAC rotary component to achieve an enhanced cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Thomas LeRoy, Kirby N. Bicknell, Christopher Blake Smith, John Hughes, Gregory S. Brown
  • Publication number: 20170314799
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, a thermostat, and a remote control device. The indoor unit comprises a first variable speed drive (VSD) to control a speed of HVAC rotary components within the indoor unit, and the outdoor unit comprises a second VSD to control a speed of HVAC rotary components within the outdoor unit. The thermostat in communication with the indoor unit and the outdoor unit comprises a communication interface, and a system controller in communication with the communication interface. The remote control device transmits a signal to the system controller to alter the speed of the HVAC rotary components, where the HVAC rotary components operate at a high speed mode which is above the preset speed limit of the respective HVAC rotary component to achieve an enhanced cooling mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Thomas LeRoy, Kirby N. Bicknell, Christopher Blake Smith, John Hughes, Gregory S. Brown
  • Patent number: 7024283
    Abstract: A method identifies at what outdoor temperature a heating or cooling system will need to operate at full capacity (e.g., 100% duty cycle) to maintain a desired indoor temperature. The tolerable outdoor temperature limit is identified by extrapolating data collected upon sampling the system's performance (e.g., duty cycle) at various loads (e.g., difference between outdoor temperature and the indoor temperature). In a similar manner, the method can also predict a best achievable indoor temperature for a given outdoor temperature. The tolerable outdoor temperature limit and best achievable indoor temperature can be displayed to indicate whether the system needs servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventor: Kirby N. Bicknell
  • Publication number: 20040083029
    Abstract: A method identifies at what outdoor temperature a heating or cooling system will need to operate at full capacity (e.g., 100% duty cycle) to maintain a desired indoor temperature. The tolerable outdoor temperature limit is identified by extrapolating data collected upon sampling the system's performance (e.g., duty cycle) at various loads (e.g., difference between outdoor temperature and the indoor temperature). In a similar manner, the method can also predict a best achievable indoor temperature for a given outdoor temperature. The tolerable outdoor temperature limit and best achievable indoor temperature can be displayed to indicate whether the system needs servicing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Kirby N. Bicknell