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).
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Patent number: 11067297Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 20, 2017Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
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Patent number: 10563882Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
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Publication number: 20190120512Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Herman Marcus THOMAS, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
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Patent number: 10184679Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
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Patent number: 9909770Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Carlos O. Chamorro, Roger C. Hundt, John P. Stachler, Stephen A. Walter
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Patent number: 9692347Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Der-Kai Hung, Harold Gene Havard, Jr., Rosa Maria Leal, Steven C. Brown, Stephen A. Walter
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Publication number: 20170130973Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2017Publication date: May 11, 2017Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Herman Marcus THOMAS, Marcus TROXELL, Stephen A. WALTER
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Patent number: 9587840Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
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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: 20160238267Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
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Patent number: 9335063Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 23, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
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Patent number: 9310089Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Mark G. Beste, Brian Hudson, Roger C. Hundt, David Omlor, Stephen A. Walter, David M. Wynnick
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Publication number: 20150362205Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2014Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Der-Kai Hung, Harold Gene Havard, JR., Rosa Maria Leal, Steven C. Brown, Stephen A. Walter
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Publication number: 20150211777Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
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Publication number: 20150204568Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
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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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Publication number: 20150105919Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Carlos O. Chamorro, Roger C. Hundt, John P. Stachler, Stephen A. Walter
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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: 8948918Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Carlos O. Chamorro, Roger C. Hundt, John P. Stachler, Stephen A. Walter
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Patent number: 8880224Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Erroll L. Eaton, Mark D. Hess, Richard A. Mauk, Stephen A. Walter, David M. Wynnick