# US 2023/0056522 A1 · Hvac system with wireless waveguide system

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- Number: US 2023/0056522 A1
- Document ID: US20230056522A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/875,217
- Filed: 2022-07-27
- Published: 2023-02-23
- Earliest claimed: 2017-02-17
- Assignees: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
- Applicants: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
- Inventors: Tri V. Ky; Allison M. Ahern; David C. Ullenberg
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230056522A1

## CPC

- F24F 11/30: for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
- F24F 11/58: using Internet communication
- H01Q 1/2291: {used in Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi® devices of Wireless Local Area Networks [WLAN] (H01Q1/241 takes precedence; WLAN in general H04W)}
- H04L 12/2838: {Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths (adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24)}
- H01P 3/127: with a circular, elliptic, or parabolic cross-section
- H04L 2012/2841: {Wireless}
- 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)
- H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72)
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- H01P: WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE (operating at optical frequencies G02B)

## Abstract

A wireless waveguide system for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The wireless waveguide system includes a sensor that detects an environmental condition and directs a signal indicative of the environmental condition along an interior of a ductwork. A signal sensor detects a strength of the signal within the interior of the ductwork. A repeater that operates based on the strength of the signal detected by the signal sensor and repeats the signal along a communication path at least partially within the interior of the ductwork to a controller of an HVAC unit.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-23. (canceled)

### Claim 24

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
an HVAC unit comprising a vapor compression system configured to condition an air flow and a controller configured to regulate operation of the vapor compression system;
ductwork extending between the HVAC unit and a space within a building, wherein the ductwork is configured to direct the air flow from the HVAC unit to the space within the building; and
a wireless waveguide system, comprising:
a sensor configured to detect an environmental condition and to direct a signal indicative of the environmental condition along an interior of the ductwork; and
a wireless communications network communicatively coupled to the sensor and to the controller, wherein the wireless communications network comprises one or more wireless devices configured to direct the signal from the sensor, along the interior of the ductwork, and to the controller of the HVAC unit.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The HVAC system of claim 24, wherein the one or more wireless devices comprise:
a signal sensor configured to detect a strength of the signal within the interior of the ductwork; and
a repeater configured to operate based on the strength of the signal detected by the signal sensor and configured to repeat the signal along a communication path at least partially within the interior of the ductwork to the controller of the HVAC unit.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The HVAC system of claim 25, wherein the ductwork comprises a bend, and the repeater is positioned inside the ductwork substantially at the bend.

### Claim 27 (depends on 24)

The HVAC system of claim 24, wherein the sensor is positioned within the ductwork.

### Claim 28 (depends on 24)

The HVAC system of claim 24, wherein the sensor is positioned outside of the ductwork.

### Claim 29 (depends on 24)

The HVAC system of claim 24, wherein the sensor comprises a wireless transmitter configured to emit the signal indicative of the environmental condition.

### Claim 30 (depends on 24)

The HVAC system of claim 24, wherein the controller comprises a wireless interface configured to receive the signal via the wireless communications network.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The HVAC system of claim 30, comprising a transmitter disposed within the ductwork, wherein the wireless interface is configured to transmit a second signal comprising equipment data to the transmitter, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the second signal to at least one wireless device of the one or more wireless devices.

### Claim 32 (depends on 24)

The HVAC system of claim 24, wherein the HVAC unit is positioned external to the building.

### Claim 33 (depends on 32)

The HVAC system of claim 32, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the environmental condition within the building, and the sensor comprises a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a flow rate sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a humidity level sensor, an air quality sensor, a motion sensor, or any combination thereof.

### Claim 34 (depends on 33)

The HVAC system of claim 33, wherein the controller is configured to regulate operation of the vapor compression system based on the signal.

### Claim 35

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
an HVAC unit, comprising:
a vapor compression system disposed within the HVAC unit, wherein the vapor compression system is configured to condition an air flow; and
a controller disposed within the HVAC unit and configured to regulate operation of the vapor compression system, wherein the controller comprises a wireless interface configured to receive wireless signals, and wherein the HVAC unit is configured to discharge the air flow toward a space within a building to condition the space;
ductwork extending between the HVAC unit and the space within the building, wherein the ductwork is configured to direct the air flow from the HVAC unit to the space, direct an additional air flow from the space to the HVAC unit, or both;
a sensor configured to detect an environmental condition within the building and to output a signal indicative of the environmental condition; and
a wireless waveguide system comprising one or more wireless devices positioned within an interior of the ductwork, wherein the one or more wireless devices are configured to transmit the signal along the interior of the ductwork to the wireless interface of the controller.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

The HVAC system of claim 35, wherein the sensor is positioned within the space.

### Claim 37 (depends on 35)

The HVAC system of claim 35, wherein the sensor is positioned within the interior of the ductwork.

### Claim 38 (depends on 35)

The HVAC system of claim 35, wherein the one or more wireless devices comprises a signal repeater configured to receive the signal, amplify the signal, and transmit the signal along the interior of the ductwork.

### Claim 39 (depends on 35)

The HVAC system of claim 35, wherein the controller is configured to regulate operation of the HVAC unit to heat the air flow, cool the air flow, direct the air flow into the space, or any combination thereof, based on the signal received via the wireless interface.

### Claim 40

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
an HVAC unit comprising a vapor compression system configured to condition a supply air flow and a controller configured to regulate operation of the vapor compression system, wherein the controller comprises a wireless interface;
ductwork extending from the HVAC unit to a space within a building, wherein the ductwork is configured to direct the supply air flow from the HVAC unit to the space within the building and to direct a return air flow from the space to the HVAC unit; and
a wireless waveguide system, comprising:
a sensor configured to detect an environmental parameter within the building and to output a signal indicative of the environmental parameter; and
a wireless communications network communicatively coupled to the sensor and to the wireless interface, wherein the wireless communications network comprises one or more wireless devices disposed within an interior of the ductwork and configured to direct the signal along the interior of the ductwork and to the wireless interface of the controller.

### Claim 41 (depends on 40)

The HVAC system of claim 40, wherein the controller is configured to output control commands to regulate operation of the HVAC unit in response to the signal.

### Claim 42 (depends on 40)

The HVAC system of claim 40, wherein the controller is configured to transmit equipment data from the HVAC unit to the wireless communications network via the wireless interface.

### Claim 43 (depends on 40)

The HVAC system of claim 40, wherein the one or more wireless devices comprise:
a signal sensor configured to detect a strength of the signal within the interior of the ductwork; and
a repeater configured to operate based on the strength of the signal detected by the signal sensor and configured to repeat the signal along a communication path within the interior of the ductwork toward the wireless interface of the controller.