# US 11,079,161 B2 · Ventilation controller for equipment enclosure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,079,161 B2 - Document ID: US11079161B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/417,878 - Filed: 2019-05-21 - Published: 2020-01-23 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2015-08-04 - Assignees: Schroff Technologies International, Inc. - Applicants: Schroff Technologies International, Inc. - Inventors: Richard De Felice; Robert Paterson; Richard Grundy; Greg MacPherson; Henry Riddoch - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11079161B2 ## CPC - F24F 11/50: characterised by user interfaces or communication - F25D 17/067: {Evaporator fan units} - F24F 11/30: for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring - F24F 11/70: Control systems characterised by their outputs; Constructional details thereof - F25B 13/00: Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle (defrosting cycles F25B47/02) - F25B 49/02: for compression type machines, plants or systems - F24F 11/57: using telephone networks - F25B 2400/06: Several compression cycles arranged in parallel - F25B 2600/01: Timing - F25B 2600/0251: with on-off operation - F25B 2600/112: of evaporator fans - F25B 2700/2104: of an indoor room or compartment - Y02B 30/70: Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating - Y02B 40/00: Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B) - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS ## Abstract A ventilation system maintains a temperature for a computer equipment enclosure using a combination of air conditioning and outside (ambient) air exchange based on a graphical user interface (GUI) for setting a range of temperature at which the ventilation system maintains the temperature. Cooler temperatures allow ambient air exchange to keep the temperature sufficiently low, while air conditioning is invoked when exterior temperatures rise. ## Claims ### Claim 1 In an environmentally controlled space for housing electronic equipment between temperature ranges defined by an activation threshold for enabling HVAC equipment and a satisfaction threshold for disabling HVAC equipment, a method of controlling the HVAC equipment comprising: receiving an engagement threshold defining engagement of environmental conditioning equipment for satisfying an environmental conditioning demand; determining a satisfaction threshold indicative of satisfaction of the environmental conditioning demand, further comprising receiving a parameter indicative of an extended range value; and computing the satisfaction threshold from a difference of the engagement threshold and the extended range value; energizing the environmental conditioning equipment by powering on when the temperature in the equipment space reaches the engagement threshold; and deenergizing the environmental conditioning equipment by powering off when the temperature in the enclosure reaches the satisfaction threshold, the satisfaction threshold being different than the engagement threshold for incurring a longer interval during which the environmental conditioning equipment is operating, the difference between the engagement threshold and the satisfaction threshold defining an extended range of operation through which the HVAC equipment operates subsequent to attaining the engagement threshold, the extended range defining a temperature range through which conditioning equipment remains continuously operational or idle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the HVAC equipment includes refrigeration compressors and the engagement threshold defines a higher temperature than the satisfaction threshold. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the HVAC equipment includes heating equipment and the engagement threshold defines a lower temperature than the satisfaction threshold. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: rendering a graphical user interface (GUI) for receiving user selectable values indicative of the engagement threshold; receiving the parameter indicative of the extended range value from the GUI; and computing the satisfaction threshold from a difference of the engagement threshold and the extended range value. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein the HVAC equipment includes a plurality of cooling appliances, further comprising: commencing operation of a lead cooling appliance when an operational temperature inside the equipment enclosure exceeds a predetermined cooling engagement threshold; commencing operation of a lag cooling appliance based on an indication that additional cooling is needed to maintain the operational temperature; following satisfaction of the additional cooling indication, ceasing operation of one of the lead cooling appliance and lag cooling appliance; and alternate the lead and lag designations of the cooling appliances based on control logic for promoting longevity and minimizing cycles of the cooling appliance. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving at least one of the engagement threshold and the satisfaction threshold as a relative value from a temperature. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the received engagement threshold is received as a value on a GUI (Graphical User Interface) entry item for an absolute temperature value, and the satisfaction threshold is received as a value on a GUI entry item for maximum cooling relative to the engagement threshold. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein a difference between the engagement threshold and satisfaction threshold define an extended range based on acceptable temperature ranges for equipment in the environmentally controlled space. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising: energizing the environmental conditioning equipment when the temperature in the equipment space exceeds the engagement threshold; identifying a return of the temperature in the equipment space to the engagement threshold; and continuing operating the environmental conditioning equipment until the temperature has risen or fallen by the difference or has reached the satisfaction threshold based on the extended range value.