Integrated furnace control
AssigneeAmerican Standard Inc.
InventorsRobert W. Helt, Carl L. Garrett, James T. Vershaw
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An HVAC controller including a first input; a second input; first means, responsive to a first signal received on the first input, for generating a first mode of operation; second means, responsive to a second signal received on the second input, for generating a second mode of operation; and third means, responsive to a third signal received substantially simultaneously on the first and second inputs, for generating a third mode of operation.
Claims14
An HVAC controller comprising a controller including:
- a first input;
- a second input;
- first means, responsive to a signal received on the first input, for generating a first mode of operation;
- second means, responsive to a signal received on the second input, for generating a second mode of operation;
- and
- third means, responsive to the substantially simultaneously receipt of a signal on the first and second inputs, for generating a third mode of operation.
A furnace system comprising:
- a furnace having a first stage and a second stage;
- a furnace controller operably connected to and controlling the furnace, the furnace controller having a first input for initiating the operation of the first furnace stage and a second input for initiating the operation of the second furnace stage;
- a thermostat including means to generate a call for heat;
- a single control line operably interconnecting the thermostat and the furnace controller;
- an electrical short across the first and second furnace inputs to generate a simultaneous electrical signal in response to the call for heat from the thermostat;
- and
- means, operably associated with the furnace controller, for automatically configuring itself to a mode of operation depending upon the timing of signals received at the first and second control inputs.
A method of controlling a two stage or two speed HVAC system having a first control input and a second control input comprising the steps of:
- monitoring the first and second control inputs for signals;
- configuring a first mode of operation based upon the presence of non-simultaneous signals received on either or both of the first and second control inputs;
- operating the HVAC system in the first mode of operation;
- configuring a second mode of operation based upon the presence of substantially simultaneous signals on the first and second control inputs;
- and
- operating the HVAC system in the second mode of operation.
A method of configuring a two stage furnace in response to signals received on a first control line and a second control line comprising the steps of:
- determining the presence or absence of signals on the first and second control lines;
- determining if signals received on the first and second control lines are non-simultaneous;
- establishing a first mode of operation in response to a signal on the first control line and the absence of a signal on the second control line;
- and
- establishing a second mode of operation in response to substantially simultaneous signals on the first and second control lines.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.