Temperature control in a space served by multiple HVAC equipment
AssigneeHoneywell Intermational Inc.
InventorsRobert J. Schnell, Marcus D. Stoner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for regulating the operation of first and second temperature modification sources for heating or cooling a building structure is provided. The system switches between the first and second temperature modification sources based on conditions other than just outside temperature.
Claims27
A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
- disabling the second temperature modification source;
- activating the first temperature modification source;
- determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if so:
- disabling the first temperature modification source;
- at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source;
- measuring the outside temperature;
- and
- determining if the outside temperature has changed by a predetermined amount, and if so:
- disabling the second temperature modification source and at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.
A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
- disabling the second temperature modification source;
- activating the first temperature modification source;
- determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if so:
- disabling the first temperature modification source;
- and
- at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source;
- after the second temperature modification source is at least selectively activated, determining if/when the temperature of the inside space of the building has a predetermined relationship with the temperature set point, and if so:
- disabling the second temperature modification source;
- and
- at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.
A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
- receiving a call for heat;
- activating the first temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat;
- determining if the first temperature modification source is able to satisfy the call for heat within a selected period of time, and if not;
- disabling the first temperature modification source;
- activating the second temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat;
- disabling the second temperature modification source after the call for heat is satisfied;
- and
- returning to the receiving a call for heat step.
A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
- receiving a call for heat;
- activating the first temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat;
- determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building does not reach the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if not;
- disabling the first temperature modification source;
- activating the second temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat;
- disabling the second temperature modification source after the call for heat is satisfied;
- and
- returning to the receiving a call for heat step.
A controller for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the controller comprising:
- means for disabling the second temperature modification source;
- means for at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source;
- means for determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and when so:
- means for disabling the first temperature modification source;
- means for at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source;
- means for determining if/when the temperature of the inside space of the building has a predetermined relationship with the temperature set point after the second temperature modification source is at least selectively activated, and when so:
- means for disabling the second temperature modification source;
- and
- means for at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.
A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
- disabling the second temperature modification source;
- at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source;
- determining to activate the second temperature modification source and to disabled the first temperature modification source;
- disabling the first temperature modification source;
- at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source;
- determining a load on the second temperature modification source;
- determining if/when the load on the second temperature modification source falls below a selected load limit, and if so:
- disabling the second temperature modification source;
- and
- at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.
A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
- disabling the second temperature modification source;
- at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source;
- determining a load on the first temperature modification source, and if the load on the first temperature modification source exceeds a selected load level:
- disabling the first temperature modification source;
- at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source;
- determining if/when the load on the second temperature modification source falls below a selected load level, and if so:
- disabling the second temperature modification source;
- and
- at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.
A method for controlling an HVAC system that services an inside space of a building, the HVAC system including a heat pump and a fuel fired furnace for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the HVAC system further including a controller and a current temperature set point, the method comprising:
- disabling the fuel fired furnace;
- at least selectively activating the heat pump;
- determining if one or more outdoor conditions external to the building fall outside of a selected threshold, and if so:
- disabling the heat pump;
- at least selectively activating the fuel fired furnace;
- waiting a selected period of time, and then:
- disabling the fuel fired furnace;
- and
- at least selectively activating the heat pump.
A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
- disabling the second temperature modification source;
- activating the first temperature modification source;
- determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is moving away from the temperature set point, and/or not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if so:
- disabling the first temperature modification source;
- at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source;
- measuring the outside temperature;
- determining if the outside temperature has changed by a predetermined amount, and if so:
- disabling the second temperature modification source and at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.
A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:
- disabling the second temperature modification source;
- activating the first temperature modification source;
- determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is moving away from the temperature set point, and/or not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if so:
- disabling the first temperature modification source;
- at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source;
- after the second temperature modification source is at least selectively activated, determining if/when the temperature of the inside space of the building has a predetermined relationship with the temperature set point, and if so:
- disabling the second temperature modification source;
- and
- at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.