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).

  • Patent number: 9933176
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Mutchnik, Carl L. Garrett, John Taylor, Timothy Wayne Storm, Rick St. Mars
  • Patent number: 9835348
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, Carl L. Garrett
  • Patent number: 9639100
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, Daniel J. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9494952
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, John Tanner Taylor
  • Patent number: 9261290
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Wayne Storm
  • Publication number: 20150211757
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Karl Mutchnik, Carl L. Garrett, John Taylor, Timothy Wayne Storm, Rick St. Mars
  • Patent number: 8935008
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, Daniel J. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8696800
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Wayne Storm
  • Publication number: 20130140016
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, Daniel J. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20130030574
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, Daniel J. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20120253521
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, John Tanner Taylor
  • Publication number: 20120247326
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Timothy Wayne Storm
  • Publication number: 20120248212
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, Gerson L. Gavin, Jonathan David Douglas, John R. Edens, Willem M. Lange, IV
  • Publication number: 20120253526
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Timothy Wayne Storm
  • Publication number: 20120228393
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, Carl L. Garrett