Patents by Inventor Stephen A. Walter

Stephen A. Walter 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: 11067297
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a supply of air is provided. A unit controller receives a cooling demand signal. In response to the cooling demand signal, the unit controller adjusts an economizer according to an economizing function. The economizing function is configured to achieve an initial free cooling target temperature as a discharge air temperature. The unit controller receives an additional cooling demand signal. In response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller reduces the free cooling target temperature. The unit controller adjusts the economizer according to the economizing function, with the economizing function configured to achieve the reduced free cooling target temperature as the discharge air temperature. Additionally in response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller signals a unit to perform mechanical cooling on a supply of air received from the economizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
  • Patent number: 10563882
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of testing a HVAC unit for a disconnected damper motor is provided. An outside air section of a damper assembly is closed and air is circulated through the unit. If a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to a return air temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected. Otherwise, an economizing function having a free cooling target temperature is started. An outside air temperature is compared to the free cooling target temperature. If the outside air temperature is less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if the damper motor has been commanded to fully open the outside air section. If the outside air temperature is not less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to an outside air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
  • Publication number: 20190120512
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of testing a HVAC unit for a disconnected damper motor is provided. An outside air section of a damper assembly is closed and air is circulated through the unit. If a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to a return air temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected. Otherwise, an economizing function having a free cooling target temperature is started. An outside air temperature is compared to the free cooling target temperature. If the outside air temperature is less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if the damper motor has been commanded to fully open the outside air section. If the outside air temperature is not less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to an outside air temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Marcus THOMAS, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
  • Patent number: 10184679
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of testing a HVAC unit for a disconnected damper motor is provided. An outside air section of a damper assembly is closed and air is circulated through the unit. If a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to a return air temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected. Otherwise, an economizing function having a free cooling target temperature is started. An outside air temperature is compared to the free cooling target temperature. If the outside air temperature is less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if the damper motor has been commanded to fully open the outside air section. If the outside air temperature is not less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to an outside air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
  • Patent number: 9909770
    Abstract: An HVAC controller, a method of operating an HVAC controller and an HVAC system employing the controller or the method. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) a processor couplable to at least two refrigerant pressure sensors via separate data paths to receive input signals therefrom and further couplable to a compressor stage and a condenser fan to provide output signals thereto, and (2) memory coupled to the processor and storing a software program having program instructions capable of causing the processor to command the compressor stage or the condenser fan to turn on irrespective of a state of an input signal generated by either of the at least two refrigerant pressure sensors, and generate an error message at least partially depending upon whether or not a high pressure shutdown occurs after the processor commands the compressor stage or the fan to turn on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos O. Chamorro, Roger C. Hundt, John P. Stachler, Stephen A. Walter
  • Patent number: 9692347
    Abstract: Systems and methods involve controlling a variable-speed blower in a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to ensure the setting of a blower-proving switch to confirm airflow in a building. In one instance, a method involves ramping up the variable-speed blower so that the associated static pressure reaches a making point pressure of the blower-proving switch and then reducing the power to a desired power level. The method may also include maintaining the power level above a breaking point pressure. Other systems and methods are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Der-Kai Hung, Harold Gene Havard, Jr., Rosa Maria Leal, Steven C. Brown, Stephen A. Walter
  • Publication number: 20170130973
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a supply of air is provided. A unit controller receives a cooling demand signal. In response to the cooling demand signal, the unit controller adjusts an economizer according to an economizing function. The economizing function is configured to achieve an initial free cooling target temperature as a discharge air temperature. The unit controller receives an additional cooling demand signal. In response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller reduces the free cooling target temperature. The unit controller adjusts the economizer according to the economizing function, with the economizing function configured to achieve the reduced free cooling target temperature as the discharge air temperature. Additionally in response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller signals a unit to perform mechanical cooling on a supply of air received from the economizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Marcus THOMAS, Marcus TROXELL, Stephen A. WALTER
  • Patent number: 9587840
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a supply of air is provided. A unit controller receives a cooling demand signal. In response to the cooling demand signal, the unit controller adjusts an economizer according to an economizing function. The economizing function is configured to achieve an initial free cooling target temperature as a discharge air temperature. The unit controller receives an additional cooling demand signal. In response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller reduces the free cooling target temperature. The unit controller adjusts the economizer according to the economizing function, with the economizing function configured to achieve the reduced free cooling target temperature as the discharge air temperature. Additionally in response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller signals a unit to perform mechanical cooling on a supply of air received from the economizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
  • 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: 20160238267
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of testing a HVAC unit for a disconnected damper motor is provided. An outside air section of a damper assembly is closed and air is circulated through the unit. If a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to a return air temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected. Otherwise, an economizing function having a free cooling target temperature is started. An outside air temperature is compared to the free cooling target temperature. If the outside air temperature is less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if the damper motor has been commanded to fully open the outside air section. If the outside air temperature is not less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to an outside air temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
  • Patent number: 9335063
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of testing a HVAC unit for a disconnected damper motor is provided. An outside air section of a damper assembly is closed and air is circulated through the unit. If a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to a return air temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected. Otherwise, an economizing function having a free cooling target temperature is started. An outside air temperature is compared to the free cooling target temperature. If the outside air temperature is less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if the damper motor has been commanded to fully open the outside air section. If the outside air temperature is not less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to an outside air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
  • Patent number: 9310089
    Abstract: An HVAC unit includes an HVAC motor and a system controller. The HVAC motor is coupled to a motor controller. The motor controller is configured to receive a command signal bearing a digitally encoded operating level of the HVAC motor. The system controller is coupled to the motor controller, and is configured to transmit the command signal to the motor controller. The system controller modulates the command signal with the digitally encoded operating level in response to a service demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Beste, Brian Hudson, Roger C. Hundt, David Omlor, Stephen A. Walter, David M. Wynnick
  • Publication number: 20150362205
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that involve controlling a variable-speed blower in a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to ensure the setting of a blower-proving switch to confirm airflow in a building. In one instance, a method involves ramping up the variable-speed blower so that the associated static pressure reaches a making point pressure of the blower-proving switch and then reducing the power to a desired power level. The method may also include maintaining the power level above a breaking point pressure. Other systems and methods are presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Der-Kai Hung, Harold Gene Havard, JR., Rosa Maria Leal, Steven C. Brown, Stephen A. Walter
  • Publication number: 20150211777
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a supply of air is provided. A unit controller receives a cooling demand signal. In response to the cooling demand signal, the unit controller adjusts an economizer according to an economizing function. The economizing function is configured to achieve an initial free cooling target temperature as a discharge air temperature. The unit controller receives an additional cooling demand signal. In response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller reduces the free cooling target temperature. The unit controller adjusts the economizer according to the economizing function, with the economizing function configured to achieve the reduced free cooling target temperature as the discharge air temperature. Additionally in response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller signals a unit to perform mechanical cooling on a supply of air received from the economizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
  • Publication number: 20150204568
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of testing a HVAC unit for a disconnected damper motor is provided. An outside air section of a damper assembly is closed and air is circulated through the unit. If a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to a return air temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected. Otherwise, an economizing function having a free cooling target temperature is started. An outside air temperature is compared to the free cooling target temperature. If the outside air temperature is less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if the damper motor has been commanded to fully open the outside air section. If the outside air temperature is not less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to an outside air temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150105919
    Abstract: An HVAC controller, a method of operating an HVAC controller and an HVAC system employing the controller or the method. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) a processor couplable to at least two refrigerant pressure sensors via separate data paths to receive input signals therefrom and further couplable to a compressor stage and a condenser fan to provide output signals thereto, and (2) memory coupled to the processor and storing a software program having program instructions capable of causing the processor to command the compressor stage or the condenser fan to turn on irrespective of a state of an input signal generated by either of the at least two refrigerant pressure sensors, and generate an error message at least partially depending upon whether or not a high pressure shutdown occurs after the processor commands the compressor stage or the fan to turn on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Carlos O. Chamorro, Roger C. Hundt, John P. Stachler, Stephen A. Walter
  • 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: 8948918
    Abstract: An HVAC controller, a method of operating an HVAC controller and an HVAC system employing the controller or the method. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) a processor couplable to at least two refrigerant pressure sensors via separate data paths to receive input signals therefrom and further couplable to a compressor stage and a condenser fan to provide output signals thereto and (2) memory coupled to the processor and configured to store a software program capable of causing the processor to command the compressor stage and the condenser fan to turn on irrespective of a state of an input signal generated by either of the at least two refrigerant pressure sensors and generate alternative error messages at least partially depending upon whether or not a high pressure shutdown occurs after the processor commands the compressor stage and the fan to turn on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos O. Chamorro, Roger C. Hundt, John P. Stachler, Stephen A. Walter
  • Patent number: 8880224
    Abstract: An airflow managing system for monitoring airflow of a HVAC system, a HVAC system and a method of monitoring the airflow in a HVAC system is provided. In one embodiment, the airflow managing system includes: (1) an air pressure sensor configured to obtain an air pressure measurement directly from a scroll of an air blower of the HVAC system and (2) a HVAC controller configured to determine an airflow rate for the HVAC system based on the air pressure measurement and corresponding parameters associated with the air blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Erroll L. Eaton, Mark D. Hess, Richard A. Mauk, Stephen A. Walter, David M. Wynnick