Systems and methods for air temperature control using a target time based control plan
AssigneeGoodman Manufacturing Company, L.P.
InventorsDouglas Notaro, Jim Fisher
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for controlling the air temperature of a building using a control plan based on a target time. The system includes a controller which may be connected to a number of indoor and outdoor heating ventilation and air-conditioning units. The system may include a thermostat. The system may also operate without a thermostat. The method includes determining a control plan to reach a desired temperature in a target time. The method also includes updating the plan by comparing the actual time to reach the desired temperature with the target time.
Claims11
A system for controlling air temperature in a building, comprising:
- one or more equipment associated with a heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system;
- and
- a controller communicatively coupled to the one or more equipment, wherein the controller comprises:
- a communication module to exchange data with one or more computing devices;
- and
- an equipment interface configured to communicate control signals to the one or more equipment to control operation of the one or more equipment;
- wherein the controller is configured to:
- obtain as user input from one of the one or more computing devices a target rate for achieving a target air temperature in the building, wherein the target rate includes a target time at which the target air temperature is to be achieved;
- and
- operate the one or more equipment of the HVAC system to achieve the target rate, wherein the controller is configured to operate the one or more equipment by:
- operating the one or more equipment of the HVAC system according to an initial control plan;
- determining an actual rate at which the target air temperature is achieved, wherein the actual rate includes an actual time taken to achieve the target air temperature;
- determine a modified control plan when the actual rate is not same as the target rate;
- and
- operate the one or more equipment of the HVAC system according to the modified control plan.
A controller for controlling air temperature in a building, comprising:
- a communication module to exchange data with one or more computing devices;
- an equipment interface configured to communicate control signals to one or more equipment of a heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to control operation of the one or more equipment;
- and
- a processing unit communicatively coupled to the communication module and the equipment interface;
- wherein the processing unit is configured to:
- obtain as user input from one of the one or more computing devices a target rate for achieving a target air temperature in the building, wherein the target rate includes a target time at which the target air temperature is to be achieved;
- and
- operate the one or more equipment of the HVAC system to achieve the target rate, wherein the processing unit is configured to operate the one or more equipment by:
- operating the one or more equipment of the HVAC system according to an initial control plan;
- determining an actual rate at which the target air temperature is achieved, wherein the actual rate includes an actual time taken to achieve the target air temperature;
- determine a modified control plan when the actual rate is not same as the target rate;
- and
- operate the one or more equipment of the HVAC system according to the modified control plan.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.