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US 10,648,687 B1Granted
System and method for retrofitting HVAC systems
AssigneeGreat Lakes Electric, LLC
InventorsZheng Zhang, Steve J. Cook, Ze Jiang, Yifeng Yu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and method for retrofitting heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems with a variable speed electronically commutated motor (ECM) are provided. A speed setting controller is adapted to be connected with a furnace main control board and a motor controller, and provides detecting, speed setting, and control functions that are required to operate the ECM.
Claims24
A retrofit package for a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system having a thermostat and a furnace main control board, the retrofit package comprising:
- a speed setting controller adapted to be connected with the furnace main control board and a motor controller, the speed setting controller comprising:
- a microcontroller unit;
- a memory storing a plurality of operational modes and a corresponding motor speed profile for each operational mode;
- a plurality of input connectors for receiving thermostat output signals from the furnace main control board;
- and
- a first communication port for providing speed commands to the motor controller;
- a low voltage power input connector for receiving low voltage power;
- wherein the speed setting controller is configured to exclusively receive low voltage power;
- wherein the speed setting controller is configured to:
- monitor the plurality of input connectors for thermostat output signals;
- generate a speed command that corresponds to one of the plurality of motor speed profiles stored in the memory based on a thermostat output signal received at one of the plurality of input connectors;
- and
- provide the speed command to the motor controller.
10 more elements
A heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
- a thermostat configured to generate a thermostat output signal;
- a furnace main control board coupled with the thermostat;
- an electronically commutated motor (ECM) comprising a motor controller, wherein the ECM is adapted to receive power from a first power system;
- a speed setting controller coupling the furnace main control board to the motor controller, the speed setting controller comprising:
- a microcontroller unit;
- a memory storing a plurality of operational modes and a corresponding motor speed profile for each operational mode;
- a plurality of input connectors coupled with the furnace main control board for receiving thermostat output signals from the furnace main control board;
- and
- a first communication port coupled with the motor controller;
- a low voltage power connector adapted to receive power from a second power system, different from the first power system, wherein the second power system provides lower voltage than the first power system;
- wherein the speed setting controller is configured to:
- receive power without exceeding a human safety power voltage threshold;
- monitor the plurality of input connectors for thermostat output signals;
- generate a speed command that corresponds to one of the plurality of motor speed profiles stored in the memory based on a thermostat output signal received at one of the plurality of input connectors;
- and
- provide the speed command to the motor controller.
13 more elements
A method of controlling a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, the method comprising:
- providing a speed setting controller adapted to be connected with a furnace main control board and a motor controller operably connected to an electronically commutated motor (ECM), the speed setting controller including a microcontroller and a memory storing a plurality of operational modes and a corresponding motor speed profile for each operational mode, a plurality of input connectors for receiving thermostat output signals from the furnace main control board, and a communication port for providing speed commands to the motor controller;
- mounting the speed setting controller outside the furnace, wherein the speed setting controller is safely accessible to a user during operation of the HVAC without physical access to the ECM;
- receiving a thermostat output signal at one of the plurality of input connectors;
- transforming the received thermostat output signal into a speed command that corresponds to one of the plurality of motor speed profiles stored in the memory;
- and
- providing the speed command to the motor controller.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.