Building equipment component control with automatic feature detection
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsHenry Troost, Brent Chian, Timothy Nordberg, Scott Bracken
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of accommodating an element in a building equipment component. The presence of the element may be detected, and whether the element is required may be determined. The building equipment component may be operated if the element is present and required, or if the element not required. If the element is absent but required, the building equipment component may be stopped. In some instances, the building equipment component may include a required first sensor, and the element may be an optional second sensor.
Claims30
A method of operating a building equipment component, the building equipment component including an element, the method comprising the steps of:
- detecting if the element is present;
- operating the building equipment component if the element is present and required;
- operating the building equipment component if the element is not required;
- and
- stopping the building equipment component if the element is absent and required.
A method of operating a building equipment component, the building equipment component comprising a first sensor and a second sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
- checking for presence of the first sensor;
- disabling operation of the building equipment component if the first sensor is not detected;
- checking for presence of the second sensor;
- disabling operation of the building equipment component if the second sensor is required but not detected;
- and
- enabling operation of the building equipment component if the second sensor is required and detected.
A method of operating a water heater, the water heater including a first sensor and optionally including a second sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
- detecting a presence of the first sensor;
- detecting a presence or absence of the second sensor;
- operating the water heater in a first mode if the first sensor is present and the second sensor is absent;
- and
- operating the water heater in a second mode if the first sensor and the second sensor are both present.
A controller adapted to control a building equipment component, the building equipment component optionally including an element, the controller adapted for:
- detecting if the element is attached or absent;
- operating the building equipment component in a first operating mode when the element is attached;
- and
- operating the building equipment component in a second operating mode when the element is absent.
A controller adapted to control a building equipment component, the building equipment component optionally including an element, the controller adapted for:
- detecting if the element is attached or absent, thereby providing a detected element status;
- remembering if the element is attached or absent, thereby providing a stored element status;
- and
- allowing operation of the building equipment component only when the detected element status matches the stored element status.
A water heater, comprising:
- a water tank having a top and a bottom;
- a first temperature sensor positioned proximate the bottom of the water tank;
- a second temperature sensor positioned proximate the top of the water tank;
- a heating element;
- and
- a controller adapted to control the heating element, the controller including a first sensor input and a second sensor;
- wherein the controller permits operation of the heating element when the first sensor input
- detects the first temperature sensor and the second sensor input detects the second temperature sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.