Intelligent circulation control methods and systems
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsMark W. Peterson, Robert J. Schnell, Brent D. Vick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Adaptive intelligent circulation control methods and systems are used to help increase the comfort and/or reduce energy usage and equipment wear. In one illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time is adjusted based on one or more environmental conditions inside or outside the building structure. In another illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time may be adjusted based on the current time of day, current time of year, and/or the current schedule period. In another illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time is randomized over time. The start time, end time, and/or length of a circulation and/or ventilation cycle may be randomly set.
Claims12
A method of operating an HVAC system of a building, wherein the HVAC system includes a fan that is operated with fan “on” time periods separated by fan “off” time periods, the method comprising:
- obtaining a desired circulation level for the building;
- operating the fan with fan “on” time periods separated by fan “off” time periods, wherein the lengths of the fan “on” time periods and/or fan “off” time periods are set to achieve or substantially achieve the desired circulation level in the building;
- and
- adjusting the length of one or more of the fan “on” time periods and/or one or more of the fan “off” time periods by an amount that is based on a random or pseudo random number, while still achieving or substantially achieving the desired circulation level in the building.
A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system of a building, wherein the HVAC system includes a fan that is operated with fan “on” time periods separated by fan “off” time periods, the thermostat comprising:
- an output block for providing control signals, including one or more fan control signal, to an HVAC system;
- a memory for storing a desired circulation level;
- a controller, coupled to the memory and the output block, the controller configured to:
- provide one or more fan control signal via the output block to operate the fan with fan “on” time periods separated by fan “off” time periods, wherein the lengths of the fan “on” time periods and/or fan “off” time periods are set to achieve or substantially achieve the desired circulation level in the building;
- and
- adjust the length, start time and/or end time of one or more of the fan “on” time periods and/or one or more of the fan “off” time periods by an amount that is based on a random or pseudo random number, while still achieving or substantially achieving the desired circulation level in the building.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.