Patents by Inventor Timothy Wayne Storm
Timothy Wayne Storm 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: 9933176Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system are disclosed that may include starting a timer substantially concurrently with the HVAC system, entering a cooling cycle, and preventing a multi-speed blower in the HVAC system from changing speeds until the timer expires.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Karl Mutchnik, Carl L. Garrett, John Taylor, Timothy Wayne Storm, Rick St. Mars
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Patent number: 9835348Abstract: An HVAC system has a plurality of humidity sensors and a controller configured to selectively control which of the plurality of humidity sensors affects operation of the HVAC system. A method of controlling humidity includes providing a plurality of humidity sensors, assigning one of the plurality of humidity sensors as a humidity priority sensor, and affecting a humidity in response to feedback from the humidity priority sensor. A system controller for an HVAC system has an interface configured to present a plurality of humidity sensors and the system controller is configured to allow a user to select which of the plurality of humidity sensors affects operation of the HVAC system.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2011Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, Carl L. Garrett
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Patent number: 9639100Abstract: A system and method for controlling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in a dwelling is provided. The system includes a plurality of wireless thermostats disposed throughout multiple zones within the dwelling and operable to control climate conditions in the corresponding zones. The system further includes a primary power source operable to supply power to thermostats for operating in a high-power mode when operatively connected thereto. The thermostats each include a secondary power source operable to supply power to the thermostats for operating in a low-power mode when the corresponding thermostat is not powered by the primary power source. Thermostats operating in the high-powered mode are operable to receive and repeat signals originating from one or more thermostats operating in the low-power mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, Daniel J. Mitchell
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Patent number: 9494952Abstract: An HVAC control system has a first system controller associated with a first HVAC system and configured to control the first HVAC system and a second system controller associated with a HVAC system and configured to control the second HVAC system wherein the first system controller is selectively operable to control the second HVAC system. A method of controlling multiple HVAC systems includes providing a first HVAC system which may include a required first system controller, providing a second HVAC system which may include a required second system controller, and enabling wireless communication between the first system controller and the second system controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, John Tanner Taylor
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Patent number: 9261290Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a system includes a heat pump and an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). The system also includes a controller coupled to the heat pump and the ERV. The controller implements an ERV operation algorithm that automates operations of the ERV.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventor: Timothy Wayne Storm
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Publication number: 20150211757Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system are disclosed that may include starting a timer substantially concurrently with the HVAC system, entering a cooling cycle, and preventing a multi-speed blower in the HVAC system from changing speeds until the timer expires.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Karl Mutchnik, Carl L. Garrett, John Taylor, Timothy Wayne Storm, Rick St. Mars
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Patent number: 8935008Abstract: A method for detecting heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) components is provided. The method includes the steps of measuring an initial current at a current sensor in a circuit, while a relay is de-energized; energizing the relay; measuring, at a periodic interval, an energized current while the relay is energized; incrementing a counter if an absolute difference between a first voltage related to the energized current and a second voltage related to the initial current is above a threshold; and determining a HVAC component is present if the counter exceeds a pre-determined value during a pre-determined time period.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, Daniel J. Mitchell
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Patent number: 8696800Abstract: An HVAC system has an electrically powered air cleaner, a fan configured to selectively move air through the air cleaner, and a controller having an interface for receiving a selection of a clean air cycle. The controller is configured to control a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of the HVAC system for a clean air cycle duration in response to a receipt of a selection of the clean air cycle. A method of controlling air cleaning includes displaying a first clean air cycle that is configured to control a clean air delivery rate for a first clean air cycle duration wherein the first clean air cycle is associated with a first air flow related setting and a first air cleaner power level setting, selecting the first clean air cycle, and overriding at least one of a previous air flow related setting and a previous air cleaner power level setting.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventor: Timothy Wayne Storm
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Publication number: 20130140016Abstract: A system and method for controlling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in a dwelling is provided. The system includes a plurality of wireless thermostats disposed throughout multiple zones within the dwelling and operable to control climate conditions in the corresponding zones. The system further includes a primary power source operable to supply power to thermostats for operating in a high-power mode when operatively connected thereto. The thermostats each include a secondary power source operable to supply power to the thermostats for operating in a low-power mode when the corresponding thermostat is not powered by the primary power source. Thermostats operating in the high-powered mode and are operable to receive and repeat signals originating from one or more thermostats operating in the low-power mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, Daniel J. Mitchell
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Publication number: 20130030574Abstract: A method for detecting heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) components is provided. The method includes the steps of measuring an initial current at a current sensor in a circuit, while a relay is de-energized; energizing the relay; measuring, at a periodic interval, an energized current while the relay is energized; incrementing a counter if an absolute difference between a first voltage related to the energized current and a second voltage related to the initial current is above a threshold; and determining a HVAC component is present if the counter exceeds a pre-determined value during a pre-determined time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, Daniel J. Mitchell
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Publication number: 20120253526Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a system includes a heat pump and an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). The system also includes a controller coupled to the heat pump and the ERV. The controller implements an ERV operation algorithm that automates operations of the ERV.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Timothy Wayne Storm
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Publication number: 20120248212Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a hybrid heating system includes a heat pump and an auxiliary furnace. The system also includes a controller coupled to the heat pump and the auxiliary furnace. The controller, in response to receiving a heat request, selects either the heat pump or the auxiliary furnace based on an economic balance point algorithm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, Gerson L. Gavin, Jonathan David Douglas, John R. Edens, Willem M. Lange, IV
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Publication number: 20120253521Abstract: An HVAC control system has a first system controller associated with a first HVAC system and configured to control the first HVAC system and a second system controller associated with a HVAC system and configured to control the second HVAC system wherein the first system controller is selectively operable to control the second HVAC system. A method of controlling multiple HVAC systems includes providing a first HVAC system comprising a required first system controller, providing a second HVAC system comprising a required second system controller, and enabling wireless communication between the first system controller and the second system controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, John Tanner Taylor
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Publication number: 20120247326Abstract: An HVAC system has an electrically powered air cleaner, a fan configured to selectively move air through the air cleaner, and a controller having an interface for receiving a selection of a clean air cycle. The controller is configured to control a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of the HVAC system for a clean air cycle duration in response to a receipt of a selection of the clean air cycle. A method of controlling air cleaning includes displaying a first clean air cycle that is configured to control a clean air delivery rate for a first clean air cycle duration wherein the first clean air cycle is associated with a first air flow related setting and a first air cleaner power level setting, selecting the first clean air cycle, and overriding at least one of a previous air flow related setting and a previous air cleaner power level setting.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Timothy Wayne Storm
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Publication number: 20120228393Abstract: An HVAC system has a plurality of humidity sensors and a controller configured to selectively control which of the plurality of humidity sensors affects operation of the HVAC system. A method of controlling humidity includes providing a plurality of humidity sensors, assigning one of the plurality of humidity sensors as a humidity priority sensor, and affecting a humidity in response to feedback from the humidity priority sensor. A system controller for an HVAC system has an interface configured to present a plurality of humidity sensors and the system controller is configured to allow a user to select which of the plurality of humidity sensors affects operation of the HVAC system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2011Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, Carl L. Garrett