Abstract: A device and method for controlling the conditioning of air in the zones of a forced air HVAC system. The device comprises thermostats located in at least two different zones, air ducts and dampers located therein to control the flow of air to the different zones. The microprocessor receives signals from the thermostats corresponding to perceived temperatures in the zones and compares the perceived temperatures to predetermined temperatures and determines a trajectory for each of the zones. The microprocessor in turn sends signals to the dampers corresponding to a positions between fully open and fully closed to control the amount of conditioned air through the ducts such that each of the zones follows the trajectory and reaches the predetermined temperatures at about the same time. The microprocessor further determines system demand and turns the HVAC system on and off in response to the system demand.

Abstract: Flow control valves (19) are provided and interfaced with the HVAC ducts (14) at the efferent ends (16) in adjoining rooms of a structure. A flow control command device (29), mounted on the wall of the structure (25), is provided to control the flow of air through the HVAC ducts (14) in response to flow control commands. Flow control commands are transmitted by wireless means to the command decoder (22) and converted to flow control signals. A flow control signal bus (21) is provided to connect the flow control signals to the flow control valves (19). A master thermostat (32) is connected directly to the HVAC system (10) and in series with a slave thermostat (30). This series thermostat connection causes control of the HVAC system (10) to be determined by the thermostat located in the room that receives the higher air flow.

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.

Abstract: A multi-air-conditioner includes an exterior unit, interior units and remote-controllers. The exterior unit collects operation data of each of the interior units, determines an operation condition, and transmits the operation condition to each of the interior units. The interior units transmit the operation condition to the exterior unit, receive the operation condition from the exterior units, receive the operation setting condition from the remote-controllers, set an operation condition based on the operation setting condition which is received from the remote-controllers and the exterior unit, and transmit the operation condition to the remote-controllers. The remote-controller receives the operation condition from the interior units and transmits the operation setting condition to the interior units.

Abstract: An integrated zoning circulator includes a priority controller, integral with the zoning circulator, for determining the priority given to the circulator in an individual zone of a multi-zone hydronic system. The zoning circulator also includes a priority circulator system for a multi-zone hydronic system having a zoning circulator at each zone, a plurality of control boxes each having a thermostat, one control box being associated with each circulator, and, a plurality of priority controllers, one priority controller being associated with each control box. Each priority controller, when activated, functions to assure that when the associated thermostat calls for the circulator to operate, other circulators in non-priority mode are prevented from operating simultaneously.