# US 2024/0200818 A1 · System and method for controlling the conditioning mode of a climate control device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0200818 A1 - Document ID: US20240200818A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/066,069 - Filed: 2022-12-14 - Published: 2024-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2022-12-14 - Assignees: Trane International Inc. - Applicants: Trane International Inc. - Inventors: Udhaya Kumar Dayalan; James Kenneth McKeever; Brian A. Kirkman; Eugene R. Shedivy - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240200818A1 ## CPC - F24F 11/65: for selecting an operating mode - F24F 11/67: Switching between heating and cooling modes - F24F 11/32: Responding to malfunctions or emergencies - F24F 11/38: Failure diagnosis - F24F 11/523: for displaying temperature data - F24F 11/64: using pre-stored data - F24F 11/83: by controlling the supply of heat-exchange fluids to heat-exchangers - F24F 3/065: {with a plurality of evaporators or condensers} - F24F 11/52: Indication arrangements, e.g. displays - F24F 11/61: using timers - F24F 2110/10: Temperature - 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) ## Abstract An apparatus and method for controlling the conditioning mode of a climate control device, such as a rooftop unit, that is servicing multiple connected terminal unit. The improved process may include determining a conditioning mode error for the connected terminal units. The conditioning mode error may be an integrated error value that is based on a temperature deviation integrated over the duration of the temperature deviation. The process may also determine a cooling mode error and a heating mode error. The cooling mode error and the heating mode error may be based on the conditioning mode error for the terminal units associated with cooling conditions and heating conditions, respectively. The process may further compare the cooling mode error and the heating mode error, and it may also adjust the conditioning mode of the climate control device based on the comparison. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for controlling a conditioning mode of a climate control device, the apparatus comprising: a memory configured to store computer-readable program code including a change-over-control-related software application; and a processor configured to access the memory, and execute the computer-readable program code to cause the apparatus to at least: determine a conditioning mode error for two or more of the plurality of terminal units, the conditioning mode error for each terminal unit being based on a temperature deviation and a duration of the temperature deviation for the respective terminal unit; determine a cooling mode error for a first set of the terminal units, the cooling mode error being based on the conditioning mode error for the terminal units associated with cooling conditions; determine a heating mode error for a second set of terminal units, the heating mode error being based on the conditioning mode error for the terminal units associated with heating conditions; compare the cooling mode error and the heating mode error; and adjust the conditioning mode of the climate control device based on the comparison of the cooling mode error and the heating mode error. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor configured to access the memory, and execute the computer-readable program code to determine the conditioning mode error further causes the conditioning mode error to be determined by integrating the temperature deviation over the duration of the temperature deviation for the respective terminal unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor configured to access the memory, and execute the computer-readable program code to determine the conditioning mode error further causes the temperature deviation to be determined based on the difference between an indoor temperature relative to an adjusted setpoint temperature, the adjusted setpoint temperature being based on a temperature setpoint and a deadband setting, wherein the indoor temperature is determined using a temperature sensor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor configured to access the memory, and execute the computer-readable program code to further causes the processor to apply a weighting to one or more of the conditioning mode errors, the weighting adjusting the conditioning mode error. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the weighting is based on a user input. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor configured to access the memory, and execute the computer-readable program code to further causes the processor to exclude at least one of the terminal units from the first set and the second set. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the excluding further includes excluding the at least one of the terminal units based on user input. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the excluding further includes excluding the at least one of the terminal units based on historical data. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor configured to access the memory, and execute the computer-readable program code to adjusting the conditioning mode further causes the process to adjust the conditioning mode based on a time delay. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor configured to access the memory, and execute the computer-readable program code to further causes the processor to display terminal unit information on a display, the terminal unit information including one or more of the following a current temperature, a temperature setpoint, an adjusted temperature setpoint, and a conditioning mode error for a given terminal unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor configured to access the memory, and execute the computer-readable program code to display terminal unit information further causes the processor to display a weighting for the terminal unit and a weighting adjustment, the weighting adjustment providing a suggested adjustment weighting for the terminal unit. ### Claim 12 A method of controlling a conditioning mode of a climate control device, the climate control device providing a conditioning fluid to a plurality of terminal units, the method comprising: determining a conditioning mode error for two or more of the plurality of terminal units, the conditioning mode error for each terminal unit being based on a temperature deviation and a duration of the temperature deviation for the respective terminal unit; determining a cooling mode error for a first set of the terminal units, the cooling mode error being based on the conditioning mode error for the terminal units request cooling; determining a heating mode error for a second set of terminal units, the heating mode error being based on the conditioning mode error for the terminal units requesting heating; comparing the cooling mode error and the heating mode error; and adjusting the conditioning mode of the climate control device based on the comparison of the cooling mode error and the heating mode error. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the conditioning mode error is determined by integrating the temperature deviation over the duration of the temperature deviation for the respective terminal unit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the temperature deviation is determined based on the difference between an indoor temperature relative to an adjusted setpoint temperature, the adjusted setpoint temperature being based on a temperature setpoint and a deadband setting, wherein the indoor temperature is determined using a temperature sensor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein a weighting is applied to one or more of the conditioning mode errors, the weighting adjusting the conditioning mode error. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the weighting is based on a user input. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising excluding at least one of the terminal units from the first set and the second set. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the excluding further includes excluding the at least one of the terminal units based on user input. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the excluding further includes excluding the at least one of the terminal units based on historical data. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein adjusting the conditioning mode of the climate control system further includes adjusting the conditioning mode based on a time delay. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising displaying terminal unit information on a display, the terminal unit information including one or more of the following a current temperature, a temperature setpoint, an adjusted temperature setpoint, and a conditioning mode error for a given terminal unit. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein displaying terminal unit information further includes displaying a weighting for the terminal unit and a weighting adjustment, the weighting adjustment providing a suggested adjustment weighting for the terminal unit.