Efficiency heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning through extended run-time control
AssigneeCooper Technologies Company
InventorsJoseph E. Childs, Roger W. Rognli, Robert J. Cox, Brock Simonson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An extended run time device for extending the time that a compressor-based heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system runs so as to increase energy efficiency of the HVAC system. The extended run time device includes a sensing circuit, a switching device and a processor. Based upon a signal from the sensing circuit, the processor causes the switching device to transmit a proxy control signal to the compressor, thereby causing power to the compressor to be maintained for a time period longer than a time period requested by the temperature control device.
Claims38
An extended run time device for extending the time that a compressor-based heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system runs so as to increase energy efficiency of the HVAC system, the extended run time device comprising:
- a sensing circuit adapted to receive a call-for-cool control signal from a temperature control device and to output a sense signal;
- a compressor time-extending switching device having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal, the first terminal adapted to electrically connect to a control circuit that controls electrical power to a compressor of an HVAC system, the second terminal adapted to receive the call-for-cool control signal, and the third terminal adapted to receive a proxy call-for-cool control signal, the compressor time-extending switching device configured to selectively connect the first terminal to the second terminal, thereby causing the control circuit to receive the call-for-cool control signal, or to connect the first terminal to the third terminal, thereby causing the control circuit to receive the proxy call-for-cool signal;
- and
- a processor in electrical communication with the sensing circuit and the compressor time-extending switching device, the processor adapted to receive the sense signal from the sensing circuit, determine a requested compressor run time based upon the call-for-cool signal, and to transmit a switching control signal to the compressor time-extending switching device, thereby controlling the compressor time-extending switching device;
- wherein when the requested compressor run time is less than a predetermined minimum compressor run time, the processor transmits the switching control signal to the compressor time-extending switching device, causing the compressor time-extending switching device to disconnect the first terminal from the second terminal, and to connect the first terminal to the third terminal, thereby causing the control circuit to receive the proxy call-for-cool control signal and to maintain electrical power to the compressor for an extended run time period.
A method of improving energy efficiency of a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system that includes a temperature control device in communication with a compressor, a circulation fan, the method comprising:
- monitoring a call-for-cool control signal of a temperature control device, the call-for-cool control signal causing power to be applied to a compressor of an HVAC system for a requested compressor run-time period;
- determining the duration of the requested compressor run-time period of the temperature control device;
- and
- causing power to the compressor to be maintained for an extended compressor run-time period when the duration of the requested compressor run time period is less than a predetermined minimum run time period, the extended compressor run time period commencing after an expiration of the requested compressor run time period such that the compressor is powered for a total run time period that is greater than the requested compressor run-time period, thereby increasing an energy efficiency of the HVAC system.
An extended run time device for extending the time that a compressor-based heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system runs so as to increase energy efficiency of the HVAC system, the extended run time device comprising:
- means for monitoring a call-for-cool control signal of a temperature control device, the call-for-cool control signal causing power to be applied to a compressor of the HVAC system for a requested run-time period;
- means for determining the duration of the requested run-time period of the temperature control device;
- and
- means for causing power to the compressor to be maintained for an extended run-time period when the duration of the requested run time period is less than a predetermined minimum run time period, the extended run time period commencing after an expiration of the requested run time period such that the compressor is powered for a total run time period that is greater than the requested run-time period, thereby increasing an energy efficiency of the HVAC system.
An improved-efficiency heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
- a temperature control device monitoring and controlling a space temperature of a premise and transmitting a call-for-cool control signal;
- an outdoor unit receiving the call-for-cool control signal transmitted from the temperature control device, the outdoor unit including a compressor and an electrical contactor for switching power on and off to the compressor;
- and
- an extended run-time device in electrical communication with the thermostat and the outdoor unit, the extended run-time device receiving the call-for-cool control signal and causing the electrical contactor of the outdoor unit to maintain power to the compressor for an extended run-time period after the temperature control device ceases to transmit the call-for-cool control signal.
A load-control switch (LCS) for selectively powering an electrical load of a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system and improving the efficiency of the electrical load through extending run-time operation of the load, the LCS comprising:
- a transceiver configured to communicate with an electrical utility over a communications network;
- an extended run-time (ERT) device in electrical communication with the transceiver, the ERT device including:
- a sensing circuit adapted to receive a call-for-cool control signal from the temperature sensing and controlling unit and to output a sense signal;
- a compressor time-extending switching device having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal, the first terminal adapted to electrically connect to a control circuit that controls electrical power to a compressor of an HVAC system, the second terminal adapted to receive the call-for-cool control signal, and the third terminal adapted to receive a proxy call-for-cool control signal, the compressor time-extending switching device configured to selectively connect the first terminal to the second terminal, thereby causing the control circuit to receive the call-for-cool control signal, or to connect the first terminal to the third terminal, thereby causing the control circuit to receive the proxy call-for-cool signal;
- and
- a processor in electrical communication with the sensing circuit and the compressor time-extending switching device, the processor adapted to receive the sense signal from the sensing circuit, determine a requested compressor run time based upon the call-for-cool signal, and to transmit a switching control signal to the compressor time-extending switching device, thereby controlling the compressor time-extending switching device;
- wherein when the requested compressor run time is less than a predetermined minimum compressor run time, the processor transmits the switching control signal to the compressor time-extending switching device, causing the compressor time-extending switching device to disconnect the first terminal from the second terminal, and to connect the first terminal to the third terminal, thereby causing the control circuit to receive the proxy call-for-cool control signal and to maintain electrical power to the compressor for an extended run time period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.