US 10,948,931 B2Granted

HVAC schedule with designated off periods

AssigneeAdemco Inc.

InventorsGabriel Albert Bergman, Chris Mullarkey, Cary Leen, David Schultz, Milos Cabel

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Abstract

An HVAC controller may include a user interface, along with a memory for storing a recurring programmable schedule having two or more time periods. The user interface may be configured to allow manual modification by a user of the recurring schedule stored in the memory, wherein the user can associate an HVAC-off control mode with any of the two or more time periods. In the HVAC-off control mode, the HVAC controller may not cycle the HVAC unit on regardless of the temperature of the air in the inside space. The HVAC controller further may include an output that is configured to issue operational commands to the HVAC unit in accordance with the programmable schedule.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for operating an HVAC system, the HVAC system comprising an HVAC unit configured to cool and/or heat air of an inside space of a building and an HVAC controller configured to control the HVAC unit, the method comprising:

sensing a temperature of the inside air of the building;
maintaining in a memory of the HVAC controller a recurring schedule having two or more time periods, the recurring schedule including a control mode associated with each of the two or more time periods, wherein the control mode for each of the two or more time periods is selected from a plurality of control modes including:
an HVAC-on control mode that when selected has a period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for the corresponding time period;
an HVAC-off control mode that when selected does not have a period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for the corresponding time period;
and
controlling the HVAC unit with the HVAC controller in accordance with the recurring schedule, wherein controlling the HVAC unit with the HVAC controller comprises:
for time periods programmed in the HVAC-on control mode, controlling, by the HVAC controller, the HVAC unit to modify the temperature of the inside space of the building in accordance with the period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for that time period;
and
for time periods programmed in the HVAC-off control mode, not controlling, by the HVAC controller, the HVAC unit to modify the temperature of the inside space of the building in accordance with a period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for that time period, if any.

6 more elements

An HVAC system for conditioning air of an inside space of a building, comprising:

an HVAC unit configured to cool and/or heat the air of the inside space;
a user interface configured to allow manual modification by a user of a recurring schedule having two or more time periods, the recurring schedule having a control mode associated with each of the two or more time periods, wherein the control mode for each of the two or more time periods is selected from a plurality of control modes including:
an HVAC-on control mode that when selected has a period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for the corresponding time period;
an HVAC-off control mode that when selected does not have a period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for the corresponding time period;
and
a memory configured to retain the recurring schedule;
an HVAC controller configured to command the HVAC unit to:
for time periods programmed in the HVAC-on control mode, control a temperature of the inside space of the building in accordance with the period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for that time period;
and
for time periods programmed in the HVAC-off control mode, do not control the temperature of the inside space of the building in accordance with a period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for that time period.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/031,957Filed 10 Jul 2018 · continuation
Priority: 21 Sep 2010
Published: US 2018/0321699 A18 Nov 2018
Granted: 16 Mar 2021
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

F24F 11/67
For selecting an operating mode: switching between heating and cooling modes
F24F 11/30
Control or safety arrangements: for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
F24F 11/46
For purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring: improving electric energy efficiency or saving
F24F 11/52
Characterised by user interfaces or communication: indication arrangements, e.g. displays

Family

Application12/886,991Parent of this continuation · filed 21 Sep 2010
US 2018/0321699 A1Pre-grant publication · published 8 Nov 2018
US 10,048,705 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2012/0067560 A1Published application
US 10,948,931 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.