Plural Temperature Regulators For Plural Zones Patents (Class 165/205)
  • Patent number: 7832465
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multiple zone climate control system which includes a HVAC unit that supplies conditioned air to more than one zone, a zone controller in each zone, a central controller, one or more air flow rate regulating devices in each zone, and a digital wireless network connecting the air flow rate regulating devices, zone controllers and the central controller. The multiple zone climate control system is capable of energy efficiently regulating temperature in each zone independently as well as providing other air conditioning functions such as humidifying, cleaning and filtering air in each zone independently. The multiple zone climate control system can be installed in a single zone climate control system to convert it into a multiple zone climate control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Shazhou Zou, Victor W Wang, Jian Mao, Tianxin Wang
  • Patent number: 7819331
    Abstract: A controller for an HVAC system having a plurality of zones and having a multiple stage fluid temperature conditioning device. The controller is configured to receive a plurality of thermostat signals and to transmit a signal to control one of a plurality of flow control devices in response to a call for conditioning in one of the plurality of zones. The controller also includes one or more timers that are connected to the thermostat terminals, where the one or more timers are configured to initiate a separate timing count upon each call for conditioning in any one of the plurality of zones. In addition, the controller includes one or more staging terminals for transmitting staging signals to control a multiple stage fluid temperature conditioning device, where the transmission of the staging signals determines whether the conditioning device will operate at a relatively higher output stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Arneson
  • Patent number: 7809471
    Abstract: An environmental apparatus control system assures a consistent temperature control for realizing a comfortable residential environment based upon demands from the residents, yet in an energy-saving manner. The system includes an apparatus for controlling a residential space, and an initializer which provides an initial target value for control of the residential space at the start of operating the system. Comfortableness demands from residents are analyzed in order modify the initial target value to a working target value. The initial target value is shifted in a direction of saving the energy such that the working target value can always approach from and settle on the energy-saving side as the demands from the residents are analyzed. The working target values within a past time period are weighted to give a corrected target value which replaces the initial target value for the start of next operation cycle of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignees: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd., National University Corporation Nagoya University
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Murakami, Masaaki Terano, Fumiaki Oobayashi, Toshiyuki Miyake, Satoru Kuno, Masayuki Harada
  • Patent number: 7802732
    Abstract: A device for temperature regulation of sections of the interior of an aircraft includes a controlled mixer valve for the mixing of engine bleed air and air that is cooler than the engine bleed air in order to obtain pre-tempered mixed air flowing out of the mixer valve; a distribution line connected to the outlet of the mixer valve which is connected to the respective sections by at least two supply lines; individual heating units assigned to the respective sections; sensors assigned to the individual sections for the respective actual temperatures; transmitters for the respective nominal temperatures; and a regulator unit which controls the mixer valve dependent upon the respective nominal temperatures and the respective actual temperatures in the individual areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Scherer, Torsten Schwan, Georg Mühlthaler, Jan Dittmar
  • Patent number: 7775447
    Abstract: With a method for controlling the temperature of feed air which is injected into the cabin zone of a passenger aircraft, the cabin of which is sub-divided into several cabin zones supplied respectively with specially temperature-controlled feed air, the temperature of the injected feed air is controlled for each cabin zone, dependent upon the deviation of an injection temperature actual value for the feed air injected into the cabin zone in question, measured by sensors, in relation to an injection temperature optimum value. If there is no, or at least no usable reading of the ambient temperature of this cabin zone for a cabin zone, an optimum value for the injection temperature of this cabin zone can be established in accordance with a variation, whereby it is determined upon the basis of the injection temperature optimum values and/or the injection temperature actual values of other cabin zones, whereby the measurement by sensors of the cabin temperature works reliably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Scherer, Michael Markwart, Torsten Schwan
  • Patent number: 7775449
    Abstract: A control system is provided for automatically setting up and controlling a climate control system for a building having one or more zones and one or more thermostats in communication with the associated heating or cooling components of the climate control system. In some embodiments, the climate control system comprises one or more heating or cooling systems which may be controlled by one or more thermostats. In other embodiments, the climate control system comprises a thermostat, a heating and cooling system, one or more remote temperature sensors corresponding to at least some of the one or more zones within the building, and one or more dampers corresponding to at least some of the one or more zones within the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: James P. Garozzo
  • Patent number: 7693591
    Abstract: A zone control panel may be adapted to accommodate a method of verifying communication and/or connections between the zone control panel and one or more thermostats that are electrically connected to the zone control panel. In some cases, the one or more thermostats may be set to a particular state or condition, and the zone control panel may be adapted to sequentially or simultaneously display the particular state or condition of each of the one or more thermostats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Hoglund, Paul G. Schwendinger
  • Patent number: 7677464
    Abstract: A specialized space control and monitoring system preferably includes a controller, a software program and a touch screen monitor. The software program is run on the controller. The controller may include a plurality of inputs and outputs for directly monitoring and/or controlling at least one parameter in a room. The plurality of inputs read various sensors. The plurality of outputs are used to actuate control devices for changing various functions. However, the controller could be connected to a facility controller. The touch screen monitor provides access to the software program. The software program preferably includes a selection screen, a parameter display screen, a setpoint screen and a room overview screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Kieran L. Donohue
  • Patent number: 7650206
    Abstract: An apparatus situated in a space for controlling an air terminal device to affect at least one environmental condition in the space includes: (a) at least one sensor unit for presenting at least one sensed indication related with at least one respective environmental condition of the at least one environmental condition; and (b) a local control unit coupled with the air terminal device and coupled with at least one respective sensor unit of the at least one sensor unit. The local control unit responds to a relationship of at least one predetermined requirement with the at least one sensed indication to effect the controlling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Brian R. Hudson
  • Patent number: 7600694
    Abstract: An air conditioning (HVAC) system for a residential dwelling or other building with enclosed spaces includes multiple thermostats hard wire interconnected or communicating via radio frequency transceivers. The thermostats each include control circuits for adjusting the setpoint temperature at any one thermostat and displaying the set temperature at all thermostats, setting the time at any one thermostat and displaying the time at all thermostats, controlling the thermostat temperature setting from a selected one of the thermostats and providing a setpoint for control of the air conditioning system based on an average temperature sensed by all of the thermostats. A method for correctly setting a thermostat time display to one of Daylight Saving Time or Standard Time and displaying an icon identifying one or the other is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Helt, Gordon Jeffrey Hugghins, Carl L. Garrett
  • Publication number: 20090008463
    Abstract: The disclosed climate zone control system separates a building into separate climate zones, which allows a user to select the desired temperature of each zone. In a single zone, the climate zone controlling system controls the temperature of the single zone where an existing thermostat controls the temperature of air exiting an air handler and the remote thermostat controls the temperature of the designated zone of the building by controlling airflow from the vents. In a multiple zone system, there is a master thermostat that controls the air handler and multiple remote thermostats for multiple designated zones where the remote thermostat controls both the temperature and the airflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Judah Benjamin Holland, Stewart Ronald Kaiser
  • Patent number: 7455237
    Abstract: An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 7360370
    Abstract: A method and control is provided wherein the sensors in a plurality of zones are properly associated with the dampers associated for each of the zones after installation. A technician goes to each zone and sends a signal from the sensor, and the control then makes a change at the associated damper. The technician can then ensure the two are properly associated within the control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Rajendra K. Shah, Christopher M. Puranen
  • Patent number: 7334632
    Abstract: A variable volumetric flow heat exchanger for a building air-to-air heat recovery system that is operable at a high volumetric flow rate and at a low volumetric flow rate. The heat exchanger includes multiple heat exchange banks, including at least one continuous duty heat exchange bank, and at least one cyclic heat exchange bank. A damper assembly includes at least one damper module having at least one damper reciprocative between open and closed positions. A control system moves the heat exchanger damper to the closed position when the heat recovery system is operated at the low volumetric flow rate and moves the heat exchanger damper to the open position when the heat recovery system is operated at the high volumetric flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Harry C. Bassilakis
  • Patent number: 7320362
    Abstract: Flow is managed within a fluid delivery system. One illustrative fluid delivery system is a zoned HVAC system. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is provided for controlling the airflow and thus the heat or cool delivery rate to a room serviced by the zoned HVAC system. The zoned HVAC system includes a duct system that is in fluid communication with various rooms through zone dampers. An open/closed state of the zone dampers is determined, and an open time for at least selected zone dampers are adjusted based on the state of the dampers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Nichols
  • Patent number: 7278475
    Abstract: A control arrangement (10) comprises a first selectable controller (12) for controlling an action, and a second selectable controller (14) for controlling the action. The arrangement also includes a selector (22) for selecting one of the controllers (12, 14) to control the action. The arrangement (10) further includes a first heat exchanger (16) associated with the first controller (12) to effect a transfer of heat between the first controller (12) and the first heat exchanger (16). The arrangement also includes a second heat exchanger (18) associated with the second controller (14) to effect a transfer of heat between the second controller (14) and the second heat exchanger (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Alan R. Jones
  • Patent number: 7216698
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system for a building includes a hot water distribution circuit, a cold water distribution circuit, and several terminal air conditioning units. Each of the terminal air conditioning units includes a fan blowing air in a space of the building, a heating coil connected to the hot water distribution circuit and/or a cooling coil connected to the cold water distribution circuit. At least one ambient temperature control system allows to control heating power of the heating coils and cooling power of the cooling coils. The system further includes a calorific energy management system with a heat pump for transferring calorific energy: a) from the cold water distribution system to the hot water distribution system; b) from the cold water distribution system to atmosphere; and c) from the atmosphere to the hot water distribution system. The calorific energy management system can manage the calorific energy transfers with a three level control system to optimize energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Uniflair S.P.A.
    Inventor: Pincus Catzel
  • Patent number: 7188779
    Abstract: A zone climate control system and method of its operation. A zone can be a single room. A method for determining which zones' vents are to be closed, and which are to be opened, in performing heating or cooling, circulation to heat or cool a zone by mixing its air with air from another zone, circulation to reduce excessive conditioning of a zone by mixing its air with air from another zone, or circulation to maintain air quality. Airflow, thermal capacity, heating or cooling requirements, and other parameters are developed for each zone by measurement and/or derivation. Plenum pressure is predicted and managed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Home Comfort Zones
    Inventor: Harold Gene Alles
  • Patent number: 7174239
    Abstract: A control is provided for controlling the operation of a climate control system, which includes a processor that is capable of receiving power from a low voltage power supply adapted to be connected to an external alternating current power source, or a second external low voltage power supply. The processor is capable of storing diagnostic information pertaining to the operating status of at least one component of the climate control system. The processor is configured to retrieve stored diagnostic information from memory pertaining to the climate control system and send the diagnostic information to the display means when the processor receives power from the external low voltage power supply and detects the absence of a connection to an external alternating current power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William P. Butler, Steven L. Carey
  • Patent number: 7086459
    Abstract: A cooling system is configured to supply individually metered amounts of cooling fluid to heat generating components, e.g., processors, micro-controllers, high speed video cards, disk drives, semi-conductor devices, and the like, of an electronic system. The cooling system includes at least one variable speed fan, e.g., blower, configured to supply fluid through a centralized plenum and thereafter through a plurality of nozzles to the components of the electronic system. Each of the nozzles contains a valve to control the amount of fluid flow through the each of the nozzles. A controller is provided to control the operation of the variable speed fan and the operation of each of the valves is also controlled by a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Abdlmonem H. Beitelmal, Chandrakant D. Patel
  • Patent number: 7080684
    Abstract: A mold temperature control unit with which piping connection for supply and drain of cooling water in unit setup can be extremely simply made. In a mold temperature control unit 1 which unit body 2 comprises a plurality of cooling water systems performing supply and drain of cooling water to/from a plurality of elements to be cooled in a mold, a single cooling water supply port 11 and a single cooling water drain port 12 for said plurality of cooling water systems are disposed on the outer panel of the unit body 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Sysko Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Shimoda
  • Patent number: 7059400
    Abstract: An HVAC system has two variable-air-volume (VAV) systems, a first VAV system for moving fresh air and a second VAV system for moving recycled air. Both the fresh air and recycled air are cooled and dehumidified by a single heat-exchanging coil. The fresh and recycled air streams travel independently in separate ducts until the air streams reach a remotely located mixing box where the air streams mix and ventilate into a room or zone of a building. The HVAC system uses carbon dioxide and temperature sensors in order to regulate the flow of fresh and recycled air to various mixing boxes throughout the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: National University of Signapore
    Inventors: Chandra Sekhar, Kwok Wai Tham, David Kok Wai Cheong, Nyuk Hien Wong
  • Patent number: 7028768
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hydronic system is provided. The hydronic system includes a plurality of fluid heat exchange units for feeding a load, and a bypass valve for bypassing the load. The method includes operating at least a first and a second fluid heat exchange unit in the hydronic system to heat or cool a fluid. An output fluid flow of each of the operating fluid heat exchange units is monitored. The monitored output fluid flow of each fluid heat exchange unit is compared to a predetermined fluid flow setpoint. The output fluid flow of each of the operating fluid heat exchange units is adjusted towards the predetermined fluid flow setpoint if the monitored output flow is different from the predetermined fluid flow setpoint by at least a predetermined margin. A combined output fluid flow of the operating fluid heat exchange units is also monitored. The bypass valve is at least partially opened if the combined output fluid flow is below a predetermined minimum combined output fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Dennis Aler, James Jin-Hao Gu, Karen Jo Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7014124
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide and automated air flow system and method. An automated register is coupled to at least one sensor for providing data associated with a structure. The automated register is configured to automatically provide air flow into the structure in response to the sensor data. A base station in communication with the automated register is adapted to be coupled to an air flow source. The base station receives status data from the automated register and is configured to control the air flow source based on the status data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Kirk Andrew Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 6994158
    Abstract: System and method for reducing temperature variation among components in a multi-component system. In this respect, component temperatures are controlled to remain relatively constant (approximately within 5° C.) with respect to other components, while allowing for multiple fluctuating heat loads between components. A refrigeration system possessing a variable capacity (speed) compressor and an electronic valve is utilized to control the flow of refrigerant through the refrigeration system. The temperature of the components is reduced by metering the mass flow rate of the refrigerant cooling the components to compensate for the heat load applied to the refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Abdlmonem H. Beitelmal, Cullen E. Bash, Chandrakant D. Patel
  • Patent number: 6978634
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning apparatus has discharging openings, each of which is disposed near a corresponding one of passenger seats. Accordingly, air discharged from air outlets does not flow so as to concentrate on one discharging opening and instead flows toward the respective discharging openings. Therefore, the air blown from the air outlets is prevented from being mixed, thereby being capable of separately controlling the temperatures of the compartments on the respective passenger seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Aoki
  • Patent number: 6964174
    Abstract: A control and method are disclosed to determine the relative duct sizes of a plurality of ducts leading to a plurality of zones in a multi-zone HVAC system. In a disclosed method, the dampers leading to each of the zones are operated such that one damper is held more open than the remaining dampers, and a system component is monitored as air is blown through the duct. In particular, a blower speed may be monitored. Once the blower speed is monitored, for one damper being open, with the remaining dampers being relatively closed, another damper is opened and the first is closed. This process continues until relative information is gathered for each of the zones. This relative information is then utilized to determine the relative sizes of the ducts leading to each of the zones as a percentage of the total duct size. The relative duct size information is then utilized to perform various control methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Rajendra K. Shah
  • Patent number: 6951998
    Abstract: A plurality of individually corresponding heaters and temperature sensors are provided along with a plurality of a PID control means. An average temperature/gradient temperature calculating means calculates the average temperatures of the temperatures measured by the temperature sensors and the gradient temperatures based on the measured temperatures. Each of the PID control means outputs an operation signal so that the average temperatures or gradient temperatures may be made equal to the desired values. A distributing means distributes the operation signal from each of the PID control means to each heater so that control by the PID control means may produce no effect on the control of the other PID control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Ikuo Nanno, Kousaku Ando, Masahito Tanaka, Seiya Narimatsu, Naotaka Uchiyama, Motohisa Furukawa, Akira Takaishi, Yuuki Kataoka, Tsunetoshi Ooba, Atsushi Mukai, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Hirokazu Kitamura, Nobumasa Nakamizo, Hideki Kobori
  • Patent number: 6889764
    Abstract: A cooling device for cooling an object to be processed to a target temperature comprises a plurality of contact members mounted on a placing table, for supporting the object such that the object opposes a top surface of the placing table with an interval, temperature sensors for outputting temperature information of the object supported by the contact members, a first cooling unit for cooling the placing table to a temperature lower than the target temperature to cool the object, a second cooling unit for heating the object cooled by the first cooling unit to a temperature almost equal to the target temperature, and a contrast circuit for performing a switching operation between cooling by the first cooling unit and heating by the second cooling unit on the basis of the temperature information from the temperature sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sada, Osamu Hirose, Kiyohisa Tateyama
  • Patent number: 6865449
    Abstract: A system and method allows occupants in various locations to provide indications as to their respective levels of comfort. The indications as to comfort level are provided to a network computer. The network computer is operative to compute overall levels of comfort for each location by using a weighting factor for that location in combination with the indications as to levels of comfort These overall levels of comfort are sent to an HVAC control for further analysis prior to controlling the HVAC system that is to provide conditioned air to the locations. The resulting control of the HVAC system is influenced by the over weighting or under weighting factors used in computing the comfort levels for the locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin F. Dudley
  • Patent number: 6628997
    Abstract: A method for programming a thermostat, comprising the steps of providing a thermostat programmed to convert programming codes into time-temperature schedules; determining a desired time-temperature schedule; developing a programming code corresponding to the desired time-temperature schedule; and entering the programming code into the thermostat, whereby the programming code is translated into the desired time-temperature schedule. The schedule and programming code can advantageously be determined by a user by accessing a server via computer network, on a suitably programmed personal computer, by telephone, or by any other suitable method of allowing the user access to software for determining the schedule and developing the desired code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Fox, Richard A. Kolk
  • Publication number: 20030085032
    Abstract: A mold temperature control unit with which piping connection for supply and drain of cooling water in unit setup can be extremely simply made. In a mold temperature control unit 1 which unit body 2 comprises a plurality of cooling water systems performing supply and drain of cooling water to/from a plurality of elements to be cooled in a mold, a single cooling water supply port 11 and a single cooling water drain port 12 for said plurality of cooling water systems are disposed on the outer panel of the unit body 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Toshio Shimoda
  • Publication number: 20030037919
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connected chilling-hating system capable of saving delivering power during reduced load periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Takashi Okada, Masakazu Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 6415617
    Abstract: A strategy for controlling an air side economizer of an HVAC system uses a model of the airflow through the system to estimate the load in two modes when minimum and maximum amounts of outdoor air are being introduced into the building. Transitions between minimum outdoor air and maximum outdoor air usage occur based on those estimated loads, which in a preferred embodiment are cooling loads. The second embodiment of this economizer control strategy uses the model and a one-dimensional optimization routine to determine the fraction of outdoor air that minimizes the load on the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: John E. Seem
  • Patent number: 6397943
    Abstract: A thermostatic coolant circulating device includes a supply circuit for circulating a coolant to a load and a cooling circuit for cooling the coolant from a temperature to which the coolant was raised by cooling the load. The supply circuit includes a tank for storing the coolant, a pump for circulating the coolant in the tank to the load through an external pipe, a coolant adjustment chamber, and a gas supplying and discharging unit. The coolant adjustment chamber is a closed structure except for a communication aperture at a lower end of the chamber. The communication aperture is in fluid communication with the inside of the tank. The gas supplying and discharging unit is connected to the adjustment chamber for supplying a gas into the adjustment chamber so as to allow the coolant in the adjustment chamber to flow out through the communication aperture into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Egara
  • Patent number: 6389826
    Abstract: In an air conditioning system for an aircraft, two pre-mixing units respectively mix cold air from two air conditioning units with recirculated fuselage interior air from two recirculation units, to prepare two pre-mixed air flows that are both directed into and mixed together in a common air distribution mixing chamber, from which mixed air distribution lines branch off to respectively associated separate air conditioning zones within the fuselage. Post-mixing units are respectively interposed in the mixed air distribution lines and respectively mix additional quantities of recirculated fuselage interior air into the mixed air distribution lines. Thereby, the admixture of recirculated air is divided into at least two stages, the system provides redundant failure tolerant operation, and the danger of ice formation in the air lines is reliably prevented even while the air conditioning units provide cold air at a temperature below the water freezing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Albert Buchholz, Thomas Scherer
  • Patent number: 6386280
    Abstract: A coolant circuit 21 for circulating a coolant to a load 20 includes a temperature sensor 35 that measures the temperature of the coolant sent out from a heat exchanger 25. A refrigerating circuit 22 in which the aforesaid coolant has its temperature raised by cooling the load 20 in the heat exchanger 25 by allowing heat exchange with a refrigerant includes an electronic expansion valve 52 capable of adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the aforesaid heat exchanger 25. A control section 23 has a circuit section for adjusting the opening degree of the aforesaid electronic expansion valve 52 so that the temperature of the coolant measured by the aforesaid temperature sensor 35 will be a set temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Egara
  • Patent number: 6304803
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system for a vehicle including a front HVAC control system that communicates with a rear HVAC control system. The rear HVAC control system includes a control panel having mode, temperature, and blower speed controls. The front HVAC control system includes a control panel having a rear manual control switch for enabling/disabling manual control of the rear HVAC system via the rear HVAC control panel. A microprocessor communicates control information from the front HVAC control system to the rear HVAC control system regardless of the position of the rear manual control switch. Whether the supplied control information is used by the rear HVAC control system is determined by the rear manual switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hank Tien Dao
  • Patent number: 6213404
    Abstract: The present invention is a system of wireless, battery operated temperature sensing devices which transmit ambient or other sensed temperature information to a programmable thermostat. The compact construction and multi-level programming of the temperature sensing devices for only periodic transmission of temperature information to the programmable thermostat permits years of operation with power supplied by small, inexpensive batteries. The temperature sensing devices are therefore easily installed at any location within about 100-200 feet from the programmable thermostat. The present invention also comprises a method of retrofit for the programmable thermostat of U.S. Pat. No.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventors: Steve Dushane, Terry Zimmerman, Grant Bohm, John Staples
  • Patent number: 6175782
    Abstract: In a multimedia information and control system for use in an automobile, at least one interface is employed which enables a user to access information concerning the automobile and control vehicle functions in an efficient manner. The user may select one of a plurality of displayed options on a screen of such an interface. Through audio, video and/or text media, the user is provided with information concerning the selected option and the vehicle function corresponding thereto. Having been so informed, the user may activate the selected option to control the corresponding vehicle function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: American Calcar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Obradovich, Michael L. Kent, John G. Dinkel
  • Patent number: 6109531
    Abstract: A high reliability heating system that includes dual furnace control mechanisms wherein each furnace control mechanism includes blowers and control elements and each is independently operable to control the operation of a shared furnace burner unit and heat exchanger. The heating system preferably includes a controller mechanism selector mechanism that detects an abnormal operating condition, malfunction, in the controlling furnace controller mechanism and, in response, automatically switches control to the other furnace controller mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Brien Hollis
  • Patent number: 6070110
    Abstract: An air conditioner or heat pump system is equipped with a thermostat control which includes a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor and an algorithm to control the low voltage signals to the indoor blower section and the compressor to control operation of each in response to the indoor temperature and humidity conditions and the desired temperature and humidity setpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Rajendra K. Shah, Eugene L. Mills, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6009939
    Abstract: In a distributed air conditioning system capable of controlling cooling or heating by means of a substitute temperature detector when the room temperature detector of a room to be air conditioned is abnormal, room temperatures detected by the temperature detector D2 of an indoor unit 20, the temperature detector D1 of an operation unit 30 and the temperature detector D3 of a monitoring meter 86 for monitoring the environment of the room 85 to be air conditioned are monitored by a central monitoring and control board 50 and the order of selecting the temperature detectors used for the control of cooling or heating is determined. When a temperature detector selected according to the selection order is abnormal, an alarm for the abnormality is displayed by the central monitoring and control board 50 and a temperature detector which is the next in the selection order is selected to control cooling or heating of the indoor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Nakanishi, Yoshihiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5927599
    Abstract: A wireless air conditioning control system is provided. A thermostat assembly measures ambient temperature in an area to which an air conditioning system provides conditioned air. It compares the measured ambient temperature with a predetermined target temperature and wirelessly transmits air conditioning request signals to an air conditioning control assembly responsively to the comparison. The thermostat assembly and the air conditioning control assembly may be automatically mated with one another so that the air conditioning control assembly responds to air conditioning request signals only from a particular thermostat assembly. Where a plurality of transmitters are present, their transmissions are staggered to avoid data collision. The control assembly includes a freeze protection mechanism to protect against freezing conditions in the absence of air conditioning request signals. A battery powered thermostat assembly is intermittently partially shut down to reduce power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Marley Electric Heating
    Inventor: Miles E. Kath
  • Patent number: 5853123
    Abstract: A signal transmission/reception device of an air conditioner is provided with a plurality of control groups (8A, 8B, . . . ). The control groups (8A, 8B, . . . ) are each composed so that an outdoor control unit (5) and an indoor control unit (6) are connected to each other through a group communication path (7) so as to be capable of signal transmission and reception therebetween. The outdoor control units (5,5, . . . ) are connected to each other through a centralized communication path (10) so as to be capable of signal transmission and reception among them. The respective group communication paths (7) are connected at the respective outdoor control units (5,5, . . . ) to the centralized communication path (10) thereby forming a single signal transmission/reception network (NW). Further, the signal transmission/reception network (NW) is connected to a centralized controller (9) for subjecting the outdoor units (3,3, . . . ) and the indoor units (4,4, . . . ) to centralized control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Okano, Kouji Uchida, Kouji Kamafusa, Hisatoshi Kawakami, Masaharu Sogabe, Osamu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5814902
    Abstract: A system and process for control of energy use in a rented room based on direct occupancy observation. The system is designed to control up to 100% of the power usage. The system includes: a power supply; occupancy sensors; a thermostat responsive to a predetermined signal; electrical outlet receptacles and/or switches that are responsive to a predetermined signal transmitted over the powerline; and a central interface unit for receiving signals from the occupancy sensors and, based on the signals received from the occupancy sensors, controlling power consumption by the thermostat and electrical outlet receptacle and/or switches. The system can be used in a process for improving energy efficiency by direct observation of occupancy of an area in multitennant facilities, such as hotels, that has a plurality of discrete living quarters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Light Minder
    Inventors: Dennis R. Creasy, Paul Kropfeld, Gene Mauk, Dana Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5810078
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the air condition and heating within a vehicle interior compartment, in which the apparatus includes a fan (13), heat exchangers (14, 15), temperature sensors (26, 27, 28) and a solar sensor (29) and temperature control (47) for setting a desired temperature. The apparatus further includes a control unit (46) which is operative to calculate a theoretical interior temperature T.sub.I based only upon information from sensors (26, 29) sensing the external heat load of the compartment, a sensor (27) sensing the temperature of the air supplied to the compartment and fan current representative of the volume of air supplied to the compartment. The control unit (46) compares this theoretical interior temperature T.sub.I with the preset temperature T.sub.ISet , calculates the difference .DELTA.T.sub.I, and then controls air flow and mixed temperature T.sub.M to readjust or maintain the interior temperature within the compartment (19) at the preset temperature T.sub.ISet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Saab Automobile AB
    Inventors: Anders M. Knutsson, Wolfgang Kirchner
  • Patent number: 5787321
    Abstract: A temperature controlling device for an electrophotographic imaging device which has a fixing unit including a heat roller, the fixing unit performing a fixing operation in which toner is fixed on a recording sheet. The temperature controlling device includes a temperature sensing system, arranged about an outer surface of the heat roller such that, for the purpose of temperature measurement, the heat roller is divided into a plurality of areas along a rotational axis of the heat roller, and a temperature of each area is detected by the temperature sensing system; an air blowing system which blows air to each of the plurality of areas separately; and a controller which controls the air blowing system to blow air in accordance with temperatures of the plurality of areas in order to prevent overheating of any portions of the heat roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Nishikawa, Tsukasa Yanashima
  • Patent number: 5762265
    Abstract: Complaint rate calculation means for calculating complaint rates in consideration of thermal feeling entered from vote value input means, a data storage unit for storing complaint rates together with indoor thermal conditions, updating means for calculating a function representing the relationship between thermal conditions and complaint rates in accordance with stored data, and predicted thermal condition calculation means for calculating thermal setting values by substituting entered control information into the function representing the relationship between thermal conditions and complaint rates, can convert a complaint vote of each inhabitant to a characteristic thermal feeling of a group so as to directly reflect the feeling on air-conditioning control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoko Kitamura, Shigeaki Matsubayashi, Yasuyuki Shintani, Hisashi Kodama
  • Patent number: 5706190
    Abstract: A fault-tolerant HVAC system for use in a single or multi-zoned system, capable of continued operation in the event of a thermostat, or other sensing device malfunction. An HVAC controller controls the operation of an HVAC unit in accordance with a temperature signal output from the thermostat and indicative of air temperature of a conditioned space proximate the thermostat. The HVAC controller detects a thermostat malfunction and, in response thereto, instead controls the operation of the HVAC unit in accordance with a temperature sensor outputting a signal indicative of return air temperature from the conditioned space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Robert M. Russ, Larry A. Lincoln, Nir Merry