Actuator with feedback for end stop positioning

An HVAC damper comprising:

• an electric motor;
• control circuitry for controlling the electric motor;
• an air damper for disposition within a ventilation portion of an HVAC system;
• an output portion transferring force from the electric motor to the damper;
• and
• a position sensor associated with the output portion, the position sensor providing an indication of a position of the damper;
• wherein:
• the control circuitry records a first value related to an output of the position sensor when the damper is closed;
• the control circuitry records a second value related to an output of the position sensor when the damper is open;
• while the electric motor is activated, the control circuitry observes a variable related to the output of the position sensor, and, if the variable is in range of either the first value or the second value, the control circuitry shuts off the electric motor.

An HVAC valve comprising:

• an electric motor;
• control circuitry for controlling the electric motor;
• an HVAC valve adapted for movement between a closed position and an open position;
• an output portion transferring force from the electric motor to the HVAC valve;
• and
• a position sensor associated with the output portion, the position sensor providing an indication of a position of the HVAC valve;
• wherein:
• the control circuitry records a first value related to an output of the position sensor when the HVAC valve is in a first position;
• the control circuitry records a second value related to an output of the position sensor when the HVAC valve is in a second position;
• while the electric motor is activated, the control circuitry observes a variable related to the output of the position sensor, and, if the variable is within a range of the first value or the second value, the control circuitry shuts off the electric motor.

A method of providing end stop functionality to an HVAC valve or damper, the HVAC valve or damper comprising an electric motor, a controller controlling the electric motor, and an output portion transferring force from the electric motor to an actuated part of the HVAC valve or damper, the method comprising:

• providing a position sensor associated with the output portion, the position sensor providing an indication of a position of the actuated part of the HVAC valve or damper;
• selecting a first position for the actuated part of the HVAC valve or damper, the first position associated with one of an open, on, off, or closed position for the actuated part;
• detecting an output of the position sensor when the actuated part of the HVAC valve or damper is at the first position;
• storing a first value related to the output of the position sensor when the actuated part of the HVAC valve or damper is in the first position;
• activating and operating the electric motor to actuate the HVAC valve or damper;
• while operating the electric motor, observing the output of the position sensor and generating a variable related to the output of the position sensor;
• and
• comparing the variable to the first value, and, if the variable and the first value are within a range of one another, stopping movement of the actuated part of the HVAC valve or damper.

An HVAC damper comprising:

• an electric motor;
• a controller for controlling the electric motor;
• an air damper for disposition within a ventilation portion of an HVAC system;
• an output portion transferring force from the electric motor to the damper;
• and
• a position sensor providing an indication of a position of the damper;
• wherein:
• the controller records a first value related to an output of the position sensor when the damper is in a first position;
• the controller records a second value related to an output of the position sensor when the damper is in a second position;
• while the electric motor is activated, the controller observes a variable related to the output of the position sensor, and, if the variable is within a range of either the first value or the second value, the controller stopping movement of the air damper via the electric motor.

An HVAC valve for use in a HVAC system of a building or other structure, the HVAC valve comprising:

• an electric motor;
• a controller for controlling the electric motor;
• an HVAC valve adapted for movement between a closed position and an open position;
• an output portion transferring force from the electric motor to the HVAC valve;
• and
• a position sensor providing an indication of a position of the HVAC valve;
• wherein:
• the controller records a first value related to an output of the position sensor when the HVAC valve is in a first position;
• the controller records a second value related to an output of the position sensor when the HVAC valve is in a second position;
• while the electric motor is activated, the controller observes a variable related to the output of the position sensor, and, if the variable is within a range of the first value or the second value, the controller stopping movement of the HVAC valve via the electric motor.