TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160131388 | CONTEXTUAL SCORING IN A BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM - A method and system for providing actionable options, particularly reporting options, to a user of a building automation system via a user interface (UI) based on a current context of the user includes the system identifying contextual information associated with the UI in a building automation system. A list of predefined (reporting) options is then ranked based on a relevance of each of the predefined options to the contextual information. The ranked list is then presented to the UI. Ranking is achieved by assigning a relevance score to each of the predefined options based on the relevance of metadata associated with the predefined options to the contextual information associated with the UI. The contextual information includes source data from components and devices of the system associated with the user interface. A computer-readable device to store instructions executable by a processor to perform the operations described herein is also provided. | 05-12-2016 |
20160040917 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO MANAGE REFRIGERANT IN A HEAT EXCHANGER - Methods and systems to manage refrigerant flow inside a shell and tube heat exchanger, such as a condenser, to reduce inundation effect are provided. A method of managing refrigerant flow may include collecting at least a portion the refrigerant in the liquid state and directing the collected refrigerant in the liquid state toward an end of an internal space of the condenser. The method may further include directing the refrigerant in the liquid form toward a subcooling section. The method may also include directing the collected in the liquid state toward a refrigerant outlet located at proximately a middle section of a length of the condenser through the subcooling section. The condenser may have one or more separation/collection pans positioned within heat transfer tubes to collect and direct the refrigerant in the liquid form. A two-stage refrigerant distributor is also disclosed. | 02-11-2016 |
20160025416 | SIDE MOUNTED REFRIGERANT DISTRIBUTOR IN A FLOODED EVAPORATOR AND SIDE MOUNTED INLET PIPE TO THE DISTRIBUTOR - A heat exchanger, for example a shell and tube flooded evaporator, has a refrigerant distributor that is positioned at an angle between the bottom of the shell and the sides of the shell, and includes an inlet that is welded to an inlet piping, where the inlet and inlet piping are in fluid communication with the refrigerant distributor, and are in a generally corresponding position orientation. Tubes of a tube bundles may extend proximate the bottom of the shell. | 01-28-2016 |
20150345833 | ECONOMIZER INJECTION ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - Embodiments provided herein are directed to systems and methods of re-injecting vaporized flash refrigerant from an economizer into a two-stage compressor. The injection can be through an injection port positioned after the first compression stage. The location of the injection may have a relatively low static refrigerant pressure. The injection port and/or an injection pipe of the economizer may be configured to pre-condition the vaporized flash refrigerant so that a flow velocity and/or direction of the vaporized flash refrigerant flow can be match a flow velocity and/or direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant conduit. | 12-03-2015 |
20150285526 | THERMOSTAT TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION MODELING - Systems and methods for configuring a temperature control system of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system controller are described. The HVAC system controller includes a processor in communication with a memory and a user interface. The processor is configured to determine a dynamic parameter related to a dynamic property of a conditioned space and maintain a controlled environment within the conditioned space by utilizing the dynamic parameter. | 10-08-2015 |
20150219360 | SOUND ENCLOSURE FOR A COMPRESSOR - A sound enclosure of a compressor to attenuate an operational sound level of the compressor is disclosed. The sound enclosure may be configured to generally enclose the compressor and attenuate radiantly emitted sound by the compressor. The sound enclosure may be configured to include a plurality of assembly sections, particularly two side sections and one bottom section, where the two side sections can be joined together like two halves of a clam shell and joined to the bottom section to facilitate easy assembly. The sound enclosure may form openings at longitudinal ends of the sound enclosure to accommodate refrigerant lines. The assembly sections of the sound enclosure may include one or more openings to accommodate a junction box, wire bundles, oil lines, mounting mechanisms, etc. | 08-06-2015 |
20150192310 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES TO ISOLATE VIBRATION - A vibration isolation apparatus for an air conditioning system may include a flow passage, at least a portion of which has a convoluted structure. The flow passage may also be coupled to two stabilizing members. The vibration isolation apparatus may include a structural supporting member to retain the two stabilizing members. The rod may be isolated from the stabilizing members by vibration isolation members. The vibration isolation apparatus may be positioned in a refrigeration line between an outlet of a compressor and a refrigerant pipe. The stabilizing members, the convoluted flow passage and the vibration isolation members may attenuate the vibration generated by the compressor so as to reduce the vibration transmitted to the refrigerant pipe. The structural supporting member may enhance the structural strength of the vibration isolation apparatus to withstand the pressure of the compressed refrigerant. | 07-09-2015 |
20150021005 | Temperature Control System - An HVAC system controller has at least one processor configured to monitor at least one of a first humidity and a first temperature of a first air volume sensed by a first sensor and at least one of a second humidity and a second temperature of a second air volume sensed by a second sensor, configured to calculate an environmental metric, and configured to determine whether mixing the first air volume with the second air volume can cause the environmental metric to conform to a first threshold requirement. | 01-22-2015 |
20140344800 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DEVICE IDENTIFICATION AND FILE TRANSFER TO BACNET DEVICES - A computerized service tool device and computer implemented method for performing an updating process for multiple unit controllers (UCs) of a HVAC system. The devices and methods include a graphical user interface (GUI) having one or more interactive elements for connecting to one or more devices of the HVAC system for performing the firmware updating process en masse. | 11-20-2014 |
20140344427 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC SWITCHING OF COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL OF NETWORK DEVICES BASED ON USER ACTION - A computer implemented method for automatically switching communication protocols. The method includes detecting a user input, determining, based on the user input, a first communication protocol needed to address the user input, and creating a virtualized network wherein devices that use a second communication protocol are represented via virtualized devices according to the first communication protocol. | 11-20-2014 |
20140337001 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMULATING MULTIPLE BACNET DEVICES AND OBJECTS - A method for configuring a semi-empirical or an empirical computer simulation model of a building automation and control (BAC) system. The method can include a computer processor reading from a non-transitory computer-readable memory a configuration data of a building automation and control network (BACnet) device, wherein the configuration data includes a property value of the BACnet device. The method includes communicating with a real BACnet device of a real existing BAC system, retrieving real data of the real BACnet device, and storing the real data onto the non-transitory computer-readable memory. The property value of the BACnet device stored on the non-transitory computer-readable memory can be changed to another value that is based on the real data, or the property value of the BACnet device can be added to the configuration data. | 11-13-2014 |
20140332192 | SURFACE FEATURES TO ENHANCE BRAZING PROCESS - Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to methods, systems and apparatuses configured to form and/or configure hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic surface features on the workpieces to enhance a brazing process. The hydrophilic and/or the hydrophobic surface features can be arranged to facilitate directing a melted filler material to where the filler material may be desired, and may also help prevent/reduce the filler material flowing to where the filler material may not be desired. The surface features can be micro milled on a surface of the workpiece. | 11-13-2014 |
20140326435 | MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR HEAT EXCHANGER COIL - A multi-row heat exchanger coil includes a first row of coil, a second row of coil positioned generally parallel to the first row of coil, a bent portion fluidly communicating the first and second rows of coil, an interior space formed between the first and second rows of coil, and a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes at least one connection member configured to connect the first and second rows, thereby securing the first and second rows of coil to each other, a mounting member configured to prevent airflow from exiting from the interior space at a side of the multi-row heat exchanger coil, and fastening mechanism configured to attach the mounting member to the connection member. | 11-06-2014 |
20140303805 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES FIXED SPEED AND VARIABLE SPEED COMPRESSORS - A system and method for controlling a system that includes fixed speed and variable speed compressors are described. The method generally allows the system, for example, a heating, ventilating, and air condition (HVAC) system that includes fixed speed and variable speed compressors, to maximize unit modulating capability. The method allows the use of a variable speed compressor that is relatively smaller, which can lead to cost savings, easier installation, manufacturing, etc. | 10-09-2014 |
20140300301 | Motor and Switching Apparatuses, Systems and Methods - Unique motor drive apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an apparatus comprising an AC-DC power supply structured to couple with and drive an electric motor. A sampling and switching device is coupled with the power supply. The switching device is configured to sample an electrical condition of a plurality of power line inputs and to selectably connect the power supply with the plurality of power line inputs. A controller is operatively coupled with and structured to control the switching device in a first mode in which the controller determines a power at which to operate the motor based upon which of the plurality of power line inputs receives power and a second mode in which the controller provides power factor correction of the motor and selects the power line inputs connected to the AC-DC power supply by the sampling and switching device. | 10-09-2014 |
20140300295 | Electric Motors Having Modular Construction, Power Sharing and Performance Configurability - Modular motor apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed. Certain embodiments comprise a motor core and driver module a power supply module, and an external interface module. Families of these modules may utilize a standardized communication protocol to enhance flexibility, upgradeability, and serviceability in the configuration of the motor apparatus. Certain embodiments comprise a power sharing system in which a power supply module serves two or more motor core and driver modules. Certain embodiments comprise a motor performance configuration module including an integrated or remote user interface. The user interface is configured to allow a high reliability graphical performance configuration and scaling of motor performance without the use of a computer on the motor. | 10-09-2014 |
20140299404 | ACOUSTIC DISPERSING AIRFLOW PASSAGE - A plenum with features to disperse acoustic energy in an airflow while maintaining a relatively small pressure drop in the airflow is disclosed. A general structure of the plenum may include a perforated airflow passage surrounded by a substantially large space enclosed between the airflow passage and a plenum. The perforated airflow passage has a perforated wall that may allow the acoustic energy to be dispersed into the substantially large space when flowing through the airflow passage. Acoustic energy dispersing materials may also be disposed in the substantially large space and/or on the perforated wall to help disperse acoustic energy by, for example, absorbing the acoustic energy. The plenum can help disperse the acoustic energy while helping minimize the pressure drop in the airflow. | 10-09-2014 |
20140299305 | Heat Exchanger with Differentiated Resistance Flowpaths - Systems and methods are disclosed which may include (1) providing a preselected and/or non-uniform airflow distribution output from a heat exchanger, (2) selectively directing air through a relatively lower resistance flowpath to manage an airflow characteristic and/or distribution downstream of the heat exchanger, (3) providing an HVAC system comprising a heat exchanger comprising a fin arrangement configured to cause relatively more air to contact a selected component that lies either upstream or downstream relative to the heat exchanger, and (4) receiving a relatively uniform airflow into a heat exchanger and outputting an airflow comprising a localized increased airflow rate. A heat exchanger comprising differentiated resistance flowpaths may selectively affect a direction and/or localized flow rate or distribution of an airflow exiting the heat exchanger. | 10-09-2014 |
20140280921 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AND VISUALIZING NETWORK HEALTH - Device and method for detecting and visualizing a wireless network health and/or health of network devices connected to the wireless network. The wireless network health is detected based on one or more link quality indication (LQI) to indicate the strength of the communication link between the network devices. The wireless network health is displayed in a visualization on a computer display in real time or near real time so that the quality of the wireless network communication and health of the network devices can be quickly and easily understood by a user. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280650 | METHOD FOR FRAGMENTED MESSAGING BETWEEN NETWORK DEVICES - Systems and methods for a network, wherein a network device sends one or more pieces of a fragmented message to another network device via a network, and the network device that has received the one or more pieces of the fragmented messaging sends one or more acknowledgments of the receipt of the one or more pieces of the fragmented message to the sender of the fragmented message. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277753 | Events Management - In at least one illustrative embodiment, a building automation system may comprise a communication network compatible with at least one building automation system communication protocol, a control system coupled to the communication network, and a building automation server coupled to the communication network. The building automation server may be configured to receive at least one event message over the communication network from the control system in response to a corresponding condition occurring on the control system, access past event messages generated by the control system in response to past occurrences of the corresponding condition, and generate event alert data as a function of the received at least one event message and the retrieved past event messages, the event alert data identifying (i) a name of the corresponding condition, (ii) a real-time status of the control system, and (iii) a quantitative summary of the past occurrences of the corresponding condition. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269772 | METHOD OF FRAGMENTING A MESSAGE IN A NETWORK - Embodiments described herein provide a method of fragmenting a large message into, for example, numbered packets for sending the message in a packet based communication system, such as in a ZigBee wireless network. Each packet may have a predetermined size and may include a MAC address, a network header of a variable size, and fragmented message data. The fragmented message data can be configured to be smaller than the available space in the packet so that the packet can be sent, for example, when the size of the header increases. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269424 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SETTING NETWORK AND CHANNEL INFORMATION IN A NETWORK DEVICE - Devices and methods use an Extended Permanent Account Number Identification (EPID) of a mesh network (e.g., ZigBee) to include in the EPID a network information, a network channel information (e.g., 802.15.4 channel), and/or other data. The devices and methods allows a node to use the EPID to identify a desired network to join and join the network on the predetermined channel for that network. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262146 | CASCADING HEAT RECOVERY USING A COOLING UNIT AS A SOURCE - A cascade heat recovery system connects an evaporator from a heating unit to a recovery condenser of the cooling unit, where the recovery condenser is different from a cooling condenser of the cooling unit, and/or connects the evaporator of the heating unit to the cooling loop of the cooling unit, for example in fluid communication with the evaporator of the cooling unit. Both configurations allow the heating unit to be isolated or decoupled from the heat rejection circuit on which the cooling condenser runs. The use of either or both configurations, depending on the operating conditions, can use heat rejected by the evaporator of the cooling unit to be available to the heating unit, so as to provide lift to the heating unit and improve its operating efficiency. | 09-18-2014 |
20140260343 | VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVE APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS AND CONTROLS FOR SAME - Detection of reverse rotation or operation of a refrigerant compressor is provided. In one aspect, a detection technique includes starting the compressor and determining the compressor is rotating in a reverse direction if a dome temperature of the compressor fails to exceed a first predetermined threshold at or before expiration of a first predetermined period of time following starting, the refrigerant pressure at a refrigerant inlet of the compressor remains constant for a second predetermined period of time following starting, and/or the frequency of pressure oscillations of the refrigerant at the refrigerant inlet exceeds a second predetermined threshold. Another technique for determining the compressor is rotating in the reverse direction involves analyzing a waveform associated with motor current, motor torque, or refrigerant pressure. Further embodiments, forms, features, and aspects shall become apparent from the description and drawings. | 09-18-2014 |
20140222212 | DYNAMIC SIMULATED MOTOR - A controller is configured to generate control signals to control a variable frequency drive coupled with a load. A simulator receives the control signals and processes the control signals. The simulator simulates a variable frequency drive and a load by generating feedback signals based on a model and the control signals. The controller receives the feedback signals from the simulator. | 08-07-2014 |
20140219642 | Heater Interlock Control for Air Conditioning System - A method is provided for controlling operation of electrical heating elements in a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in accordance with fan operating conditions, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring speeds at which a fan motor is operating; communicating status signals indicative of fan motor operating speeds; and upon receiving a status signal indicating the fan motor is operating at a speed exceeding a predetermined maximum speed, communicating a control signal instructing a heater interlock to interrupt power supplied to at least one electrical heating element. | 08-07-2014 |
20140216081 | AXIAL THRUST CONTROL FOR ROTARY COMPRESSORS - Systems and methods are used to control operation of a rotary compressor of a refrigeration system to limit or prevent movement of rotors due to axial thrust loading resulting from rapid changes in speed of the rotors of the compressor. The operational profile of the motor is controlled to maintain acceleration torque and deceleration torque within predefined limits. The acceleration torque and deceleration torque are maintained within the predefined limits by controlling the speed of the motor, or by controlling the torque applied by the motor to the rotors during acceleration or deceleration. | 08-07-2014 |
20140215450 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UPDATING SOFTWARE - A system and a method for automatically electronically pushing software updates to one or more mobile computers to ensure that the one or more mobile computers can have the most recent version of the software needed, and electronically pushing information to be displayed on a display of the mobile computer to ensure that the one or more mobile computers notify a user of an existence of the information. | 07-31-2014 |
20140202443 | Fuel/Air Furnace Mixer - A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) furnace has a venturi premixer and a disturber disposed downstream relative to the premixer and in an undivided output of the venturi premixer. | 07-24-2014 |
20140196872 | HEAT EXCHANGER WITH ENHANCED AIRFLOW - Systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein are directed to a heat exchange tube structure and an arrangement of heat exchange tubes that enhance or help promote fluid flow through a heat exchanger. Bend portions of heat exchange tubes may be structured and configured to allow for gaps so that fluid may pass an assembly of the heat exchange tubes. The heat exchange tubes may be arranged to expose the air gaps at the bend portions of the heat exchange tubes to promote fluid flow. | 07-17-2014 |
20140196495 | ADAPTABLE HVAC UNIT BASE - An adaptable base of the HVAC unit can allow an HVAC unit to align and seal with multiple duct opening configurations. Such opening configurations may be different footprints in different HVAC systems, such as may be employed for example in different roof curbs of rooftop HVAC units. The adaptable base includes a base plate, a supply air duct opening, a return air duct opening, where there is at least one additional opening for one or both of the supply air opening and the return air duct opening. Each opening has a seal around its perimeter. A seal is also arranged and located on the base plate about a perimeter around the supply air duct opening(s) and the return air duct opening(s). A cover can be connected to close one or more openings that are not being used with the unit. | 07-17-2014 |
20140174269 | TUBE CUTTING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A tube cutting device includes a tube holding member that holds a target tube from an inside of the target tube, allowing the target tube to be cut from an outside; and a cutter carrier member that includes a cutter eccentrically pivotable relative to the geometry axis of an elongate body of the cutter carrier member, such that when in a non-extended position, the cutter is positioned within a diameter of the elongate body, and when in an extended position, the cutter extends outwardly and cuts into a wall of the target tube. | 06-26-2014 |
20140156335 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL COST ANALYSIS OF A COOLING SYSTEM - A system and a method for calculating in real time, actual realized savings that a cooling system obtains from addition of a thermal storage capability to the cooling system, compared to a model of the system without the added thermal storage capability. | 06-05-2014 |
20140131599 | Expansion Valve Control System and Method for Air Conditioning Apparatus - A method of controlling an HVAC system electronic expansion valve (EEV) includes determining an optimal EEV position for the HVAC system as a function of a variable related to an ambient environment enthalpy and operating the HVAC system as a function of the optimal EEV position. | 05-15-2014 |
20140131009 | METHODS OF CONTROLLING FAN CAPACITY AND COIL CAPACITY IN HVAC SYSTEMS - Methods to regulate a discharge fan and a coil of a HVAC system are described. The method may include regulating a discharge air temperature of the cooling/heating coil of the HVAC system while maintain the discharge fan at a low capacity setting. The method may also include maintaining the coil at a low discharge air temperature (or a high discharge air temperature) setting, while varying a fan capacity of the discharge fan. The method may include a discharge capacity boost that includes decreasing (or elevating) the discharge air temperature limit of the coil beyond the low discharge air temperature (or the high discharge air temperature) limit. The methods as described herein may be applicable to a HVAC system that has variable airflow capability. | 05-15-2014 |
20140129970 | METHOD OF DISPLAYING INCREMENTING OR DECREMENTING NUMBER TO SIMULATE FAST ACCELERATION - A method for displaying an accelerated change in a numerical value on a computer display, wherein the accelerated change displayed on the computer display is not limited by hardware limitations, such as refresh rate and/or a processor speed. The method displays a sequence of numbers to simulate an accelerating change of the numerical value displayed on a display device. | 05-08-2014 |
20140127059 | CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSOR ASSEMBLY AND METHOD - A centrifugal compressor assembly for compressing refrigerant in a 250-ton capacity or larger chiller system comprising a motor, preferably a compact, high energy density motor or permanent magnet motor, for driving a shaft at a range of sustained operating speeds under the control of a variable speed drive. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises a mixed flow impeller and a vaneless diffuser sized such that a final stage compressor operates with an optimal specific speed range for targeted combinations of head and capacity, while a non-final stage compressor operates above the optimum specific speed of the final stage compressor. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises an integrated inlet flow conditioning assembly to condition flow of refrigerant into an impeller to achieve a target approximately constant angle swirl distribution with minimal guide vane turning. | 05-08-2014 |
20140102665 | FLUID MANAGEMENT IN A HVAC SYSTEM - Embodiments of a spill over tank for an evaporator of a HVAC system are described. The spill over tank may be configured to receive a refrigerant directed out of the evaporator. The spill over tank may be configured to have an outlet directing refrigerant in the spill over tank out of the spill over tank and flowing back to a compressor of the HVAC system. The spill over tank may be equipped with a refrigerant level sensor configured to measure a refrigerant level in the spill over tank. The measured refrigerant level in the spill over tank may be used to control and/or maintain a refrigerant level in the evaporator, and/or may be used to control a return refrigerant flow into the compressor of the HVAC system so as to manage an oil return to the compressor. | 04-17-2014 |
20140096547 | VARIABLE FAN SPEED CONTROL IN HVAC SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Generally, a variable fan speed control in an HVAC system is described. Such methods and systems to control fan speed can in turn improve efficiency of the HVAC system by minimizing power consumption, for example of the compressor. The control scheme is based on various operating conditions of compressor load and ambient air temperature, which are used to determine an optimum fan speed. | 04-10-2014 |
20140090408 | System and Method for Managing HVAC Excess Air Condition - A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a bypass duct configured to selectively receive a bypass airflow therethrough in response to a supply air pressure of the HVAC system and a supply air temperature of the HVAC system. | 04-03-2014 |
20140059483 | MOBILE DEVICE WITH GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR INTERACTING WITH A BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM - A mobile device with a graphical user interface for remotely monitoring and/or remotely interacting with a configurable building automation systems (BAS). In particular, the mobile device's graphical user interface that has a portrait mode and a landscape mode, and the graphical user interface is displayed on the touchscreen in the portrait mode or the landscape mode based on the orientation of the mobile device. | 02-27-2014 |
20140059467 | MOBILE DEVICE WITH GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR MONITORING A BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM - A mobile device with a graphical user interface for remotely monitoring and/or remotely interacting with a configurable building automation systems (BAS). In particular, the mobile device receives status data from the BAS, the graphical user interface displays the status data on the mobile device, and the graphical user interface allows a user to monitor any of the areas, including devices, associated with the BAS. | 02-27-2014 |
20140059466 | MOBILE DEVICE WITH GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR MONITORING A BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM - A mobile device with a graphical user interface (GUI) for remotely monitoring and/or remotely interacting with a configurable building automation systems (BAS). In particular, the mobile device receives status data from the BAS, the GUI displays the status data on the mobile device, and the GUI allows a user to interact with the BAS. | 02-27-2014 |
20140059465 | MOBILE DEVICE WITH GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR INTERACTING WITH A BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM - A mobile device with a graphical user interface for remotely monitoring and/or remotely interacting with a configurable building automation systems (BAS). In particular, the mobile device's graphical user interface includes a screen portion and a navigation bar portion, wherein the navigation bar portion has plurality of icons, and each of the icons being associated with an interactive screen that can be displayed in the screen portion, one at a time. | 02-27-2014 |
20140059464 | MOBILE DEVICE WITH GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR MONITORING AN OPERATION SCHEDULE OF A BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM - A mobile device with a graphical user interface for remotely monitoring and/or remotely interacting with a configurable building automation systems (BAS). In particular, the mobile device receives operation schedule data of the BAS from the BAS, the graphical user interface displays the operation schedule data on the mobile device, and the graphical user interface allows a user to monitor the operation schedule of the BAS. | 02-27-2014 |
20140059445 | MOBILE DEVICE WITH GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR REMOTELY DETECTING AND CONNECTING TO A BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEM - A mobile device with a graphical user interface (GUI) for remotely detecting and/or connecting to a configurable building automation systems (BAS). In particular, GUI of the mobile device provides a user to connect quickly to a detected and/or known BAS, for monitoring and/or interacting with the BAS. | 02-27-2014 |
20140050572 | SOUND ENCLOSURE FOR A COMPRESSOR - A sound enclosure of a compressor to attenuate an operational sound level of the compressor is disclosed. The sound enclosure may be configured to generally enclose the compressor and attenuate radiantly emitted sound by the compressor. The sound enclosure may be configured to include a plurality of assembly sections, particularly two side sections and one bottom section, where the two side sections can be joined together like two halves of a clam shell and joined to the bottom section to facilitate easy assembly. The sound enclosure may form openings at longitudinal ends of the sound enclosure to accommodate refrigerant lines. The assembly sections of the sound enclosure may include one or more openings to accommodate a compressor junction box, wire bundles, oil lines, mounting mechanisms, etc. | 02-20-2014 |
20140034038 | Furnace Header - A furnace having a first drain trap, a first drain outlet associated with the first drain trap, and a second drain outlet associated with the first drain trap, wherein the first drain outlet and the second drain outlet are located relative to the first drain trap so that gravity driven drainage of a liquid from the first drain trap is selectable between the first drain outlet and the second drain outlet in response to a rotation of the furnace. | 02-06-2014 |
20140033743 | Combined Heat and Power Heat Pump - A method of operating a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes operating a device to produce at least one of electricity and rejected heat and at least one of (1) powering a component of the HVAC system using the electricity produced by the electricity generating device and (2) heating the refrigerant of the HVAC system using at least a portion of the rejected heat. | 02-06-2014 |
20140020669 | HVAC Furnace - A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) furnace has a flat burner comprising an upstream side and a downstream side, the flat burner being configured to receive an air-fuel mixture therethrough, a first flow path located adjacent the flat burner and downstream relative to the flat burner, the first flow path configured to receive fluid exiting the flat burner, and a plurality of second flow paths located downstream relative to the first flow path, the plurality of second flow paths being configured to receive fluid from the first flow path. | 01-23-2014 |
20140014291 | Systems and Methods for Controlling an HVAC Motor - A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system has a motor configured to selectively provide an airflow, an airflow control algorithm configured receive an input and to provide a desired control value associated with a desired actual operation value of the motor, wherein the desired actual operation value is provided as a function of the input, and a control translator configured to receive the desired control value and to provide a correlated control value to the motor, wherein the correlated control value is associated with causing the motor to operate at the desired control value. | 01-16-2014 |
20130343865 | Blower Housing - A blower housing has a discharge direction, an axis of rotation, a polar axis that intersects the axis of rotation and is substantially perpendicular to the discharge direction, and an angular sweep of increasing fluid flow area. The fluid flow area, A, increases with increasing angular magnitude, Φ, as a function comprising at least a functional component that is at least one of (1) equal to, (2) substantially mathematically reducible to, and (3) substantially mathematically analogous to the equation, | 12-26-2013 |
20130340451 | System and Method of Charge Management - A heat exchanger has an upper region, a lower region disposed vertically lower than the upper region, and a passive charge management device. The passive charge management device has an internal volume, an upper tube connecting the internal volume to at least one of the upper region and the lower region at a first vertical height, and a lower tube connecting the internal volume to at least one of the upper region and the lower region at a second vertical height that is vertically lower than the first vertical height. | 12-26-2013 |
20130334447 | Electric Expansion Valve - An HVAC system has an electronic expansion valve that has a valve body comprising a first motor component and a coil assembly comprising a plurality of stator bars, the plurality of stator bars being sealed from a surrounding environment by at least one fluid tight barrier at least partially disposed between the valve body and the plurality of stator bars. | 12-19-2013 |
20130283832 | REFRIGERATION SYSTEM WITH PURGE USING ENRIVONMENTALLY-SUITABLE CHILLER REFRIGERANT - Refrigeration systems with a purge for removing non-condensables from an environmentally-suitable chiller refrigerant are provided. The refrigeration systems utilize an environmentally-suitable chiller refrigerant with a 100 year direct global warming potential (GWP) of less than 150. The refrigeration systems further include a remover to remove refrigerant-harmful gases from the chiller refrigerant. | 10-31-2013 |
20130283830 | REFRIGERATION SYSTEM WITH PURGE AND ACID FILTER - Refrigeration systems with a purge for removing non-condensables from the refrigerant and an acid filter for remove acid from the refrigerant are provided. The acid filter can be operatively connected to the purge. Optionally, the purge can include a separating device for separating non-condensable gases from condensable refrigerant gases and an acid filter is provided to remove acid from the condensable refrigerant gases. | 10-31-2013 |
20130283585 | System and Method for Repairing Microchannel Heat Exchanger - A method of repairing a microchannel heat exchanger includes identifying a damaged region of a microchannel tube, providing sealant to at least one of the microchannel tube and a patch, and disposing the patch relative to the microchannel tube so that the sealant forms a fluid tight boundary between the microchannel tube and the patch, wherein the fluid tight boundary circumscribes the damaged region. | 10-31-2013 |
20130255294 | Charge Port For Microchannel Heat Exchanger Systems - A low-volume vapor compression air conditioning system is provided. The system comprises a compressor, a condenser, low-pressure and high-pressure working fluid conduits, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, and a working fluid flow restrictor. The restrictor comprises a housing; a first end face and a second end face within the housing; a plug movable within a passage in communication between the first and second end faces; a seat in the housing between the plug and the second end face, wherein the seat and the plug are arranged such that, when the plug engages the seat, flow from the first end face to the end face is restricted. The restrictor is configured to control flow of working fluid in response to the measured temperature and pressure of the working fluid within the high pressure working fluid conduit. | 10-03-2013 |
20130247607 | ELECTRONICS COOLING USING LUBRICANT RETURN FOR A SHELL-AND-TUBE STYLE EVAPORATOR - A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component. | 09-26-2013 |
20130179373 | Systems and Methods for Estimating HVAC Operation Cost - A method of estimating a cost of operating a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes receiving HVAC system information, generating at least one of an HVAC system energy consumption estimate and an HVAC system operation cost estimate as a function of the HVAC system information and a thermodynamic model of at least a portion of the HVAC system, and presenting at least one of the HVAC system energy consumption estimate and the HVAC system operation cost estimate. | 07-11-2013 |
20130168067 | System and Method for HVAC Condensate Management - A HVAC system includes a cabinet configured as a duct, a coil assembly disposed within the cabinet, and at least one barrier configured to substantially segregate a low pressure zone associated with a downstream side of a heat exchanger of the coil assembly from a high pressure zone, wherein a leakage path is provided between the high pressure zone and the low pressure zone. | 07-04-2013 |
20130142615 | Blower Housing - A blower housing has a discharge direction, an axis of rotation, a polar axis that intersects the axis of rotation and is substantially perpendicular to the discharge direction, an angular sweep of increasing fluid flow area, and an axial contraction located at an angularly greater value than the angular sweep. | 06-06-2013 |
20130140016 | Power-Sensing Circuit for Wireless Zone Sensors - A system and method for controlling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in a dwelling is provided. The system includes a plurality of wireless thermostats disposed throughout multiple zones within the dwelling and operable to control climate conditions in the corresponding zones. The system further includes a primary power source operable to supply power to thermostats for operating in a high-power mode when operatively connected thereto. The thermostats each include a secondary power source operable to supply power to the thermostats for operating in a low-power mode when the corresponding thermostat is not powered by the primary power source. Thermostats operating in the high-powered mode and are operable to receive and repeat signals originating from one or more thermostats operating in the low-power mode. | 06-06-2013 |
20130126625 | Fuel Cell Heat Pump - A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a fuel cell configured to generate electricity and rejected heat, a hydronic coil, and a circulatory loop configured to selectively circulate a fluid between the fuel cell and the hydronic coil. | 05-23-2013 |
20130108495 | HIGH PRESSURE SEAL VENT | 05-02-2013 |
20130107401 | Time Delay With Control Voltage Sensing | 05-02-2013 |
20130103549 | INTERACTIVE HVAC SALES SYSTEMS - An interactive HVAC sales system is disclosed. The system includes a database storing manufacturer information and distributor/dealer information for a plurality of HVAC components and a server in communication with the database, a manufacturer computer, a distributor/dealer computer, and a sales representative computer via one or more networks. The system is operable to process input of subjective customer preference information and objective building information to identify a subset of a plurality of HVAC components conforming to the objective and the subjective information. The system is further operable to identify one or more saleable combinations of the subset of HVAC components meeting predetermined system certification standards and output information for each of the saleable combinations to a mobile computing device or sales representative computer. | 04-25-2013 |
20130098071 | Reversible Flow Electric Expansion Valve - An HVAC system includes an electronic expansion valve, a motor, an obturator connected to the motor, the obturator being selectively movable in response to operation of the motor, a removable seat selectively received within a complementary portion of the electronic expansion valve, the removable seat being selectively movable in response to operation of the motor. | 04-25-2013 |
20130096722 | RETURN FAN CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A return fan control system for an HVAC system comprises a supply fan control loop, a return fan control loop and a building pressure control system. The supply fan control loop comprises a duct pressure controller arranged to control a supply fan to a duct pressure setpoint. The return plenum pressure control loop comprises a return plenum pressure controller arranged to automatically control a return fan to a return plenum pressure setpoint determined by a setpoint reset function. The building pressure control system is operable to control a building pressure. The building pressure control system may comprise a building pressure control loop and an outside air control loop cooperatively arranged to control an exhaust damper in response to an outside air intake. | 04-18-2013 |
20130092355 | Heat Exchanger With Subcooling Circuit - An air handling unit has a blower configured to selectively move air from an air inlet of the air handling unit to an air outlet of the air handling unit along an airflow direction extending from the blower to the air outlet, a heat exchanger disposed within the air handling unit between the inlet and the outlet, the heat exchanger has a thermal conductor, an evaporator tube thermally conductively joined to the thermal conductor, and a subcooler tube thermally conductively joined to the thermal conductor. An expansion device provides fluid communication between the evaporator tube and the subcooler tube and a drain pan disposed within the air handling unit upstream relative to the at least one subcooler tube and positioned in a geometrical footprint of at least a portion of the drain pan as the drain pan is viewed from an upstream position in the airflow direction. | 04-18-2013 |
20130087204 | Pressure Correcting Distributor For Heating and Cooling Systems - A distributor assembly has a distributor extending along a central axis between a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The distributor has a flow passage extending from the first end of the distributor and a plurality of feeder ports extending from the second end of the distributor to the flow passage and each feeder port is in fluid communication with the flow passage. Each feeder port extends along a central axis from a first end at the flow passage to a second end at the second end of the distributor and each feeder port comprises a first axial segment and a second axial segment, the first axial segment being connected between the flow passage and the second axial segment and the second axial segment being connected between the first axial segment and the second end of the distributor. | 04-11-2013 |
20130075069 | Brazed microchannel heat exchanger with thermal expansion compensation - A brazed aluminum microchannel heat exchanger comprising a stack of alternating tubes and serpentine fins includes an expansion relief feature that accommodates uneven thermal expansion in the heat exchanger. The expansion relief feature provides the heat exchanger with sufficient structural support, at least during assembly, so that components of the heat exchanger can be firmly clamped in compression during a controlled-atmosphere brazing process. In some examples, the expansion relief feature is a gap or sliding engagement between adjacent headers of the heat exchanger. In addition or alternatively, the expansion relief feature comprises one or more slits cut into the serpentine fins after the brazing process, wherein each slit extends generally parallel to the tubes. | 03-28-2013 |
20130075054 | Water temperature sensor in a brazed plate heat exchanger - To continue operating a compression refrigerant system even while the system's brazed plate heat exchanger contains, in localized areas, water at or below its atmospheric subfreezing water temperature, a penetrating temperature probe senses the water temperature at a strategic intermediate point between the heat exchanger's water inlet and outlet. The brazed plate heat exchanger comprises a series of corrugated plates stacked and brazed together to create an alternating arrangement of water and refrigerant passages in heat transfer relationship with each other. In some examples, the idea is to take advantage of the principle that water has a lower freezing temperature at relatively high pressure and that the relatively small micro-channel passages of intermediate water passages within the brazed plate heat exchanger can withstand appreciably higher pressure than other areas within the heat exchanger, such as the areas at the heat exchanger's water inlet and water outlet. | 03-28-2013 |
20130067943 | System and Method for Oil Return in an HVAC System - A system and a method are provided for returning oil in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by determining when an ambient zone temperature is equal to or less than a temperature limit and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow of the HVAC system based on the length of time. Also, a system and a method are provided for monitoring the length of operation in a first and a second heating mode and for reversing a direction of refrigerant flow based on the length of time operation occurs in the first and second heating modes. A system and a method having a first compressor, a first heating mode, a second heating mode, a defrost mode, and a controller is disclosed. The controller selectively controls initiation of the defrost mode in response to an HVAC system operating in a heating mode of operation for a predetermined amount of time. | 03-21-2013 |
20130045113 | REVERSE ROTATION BRAKING FOR A PM MOTOR - A system for operating a compressor. The system includes a motor, an inverter bridge, a voltage detection circuit, and a controller. The motor has a stator and a rotor. The inverter bridge is configured to provide a voltage to the stator, and includes a first switch connected in a series-type relationship with a second switch, a first diode coupled across the first switch, and a second diode coupled across the second switch. The voltage detection circuit is configured to detect a back EMF voltage in the winding. The controller is coupled to the inverter bridge and the voltage detection circuit. The controller is configured to control the first switch and the second switch to drive the motor, and to receive an indication of the back EMF voltage in the winding from the voltage detection circuit. The controller is also configured to determine a fault has occurred, and to drive one of the first switch and the second switch when a fault has occurred. | 02-21-2013 |
20130030574 | System and Method for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Component Detection - A method for detecting heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) components is provided. The method includes the steps of measuring an initial current at a current sensor in a circuit, while a relay is de-energized; energizing the relay; measuring, at a periodic interval, an energized current while the relay is energized; incrementing a counter if an absolute difference between a first voltage related to the energized current and a second voltage related to the initial current is above a threshold; and determining a HVAC component is present if the counter exceeds a pre-determined value during a pre-determined time period. | 01-31-2013 |
20120310419 | Modulating Gas Furnace - A method controls a modulating gas furnace by monitoring a differential pressure associated with the modulating gas furnace, learning an intermediate value associated with an intermediate capacity between a minimum output capacity of the gas furnace and a maximum output capacity of the gas furnace, learning one of a high value associated with the maximum output capacity and a low value associated with a minimum output capacity, establishing an estimated operating curve using either the intermediate value and the low value or using the intermediate value and the high value, and operating the gas furnace in accordance with the estimated operating curve. | 12-06-2012 |
20120288392 | COMPOSITE METAL-POLYMER BUSHING AND CRANKSHAFT ASSEMBLY - An assembly includes a composite metal-polymer bushing having an outer metal layer with an inner surface, metal particles sintered to the inner surface, a polymer material between the metal particles, a finished interior surface collectively defined by the polymer material and exposed portions of the metal particles, a plurality of interstices formed between the metal particles and the polymer material, and a plurality of ridges defined by the polymer material that protrude above the metal particles. The ridges occupy at least about 8% of the area of a cylindrical reference surface nominally coinciding with the finished interior surface. The assembly also includes a crankshaft having a journal at least partially received within the bushing and supported by the finished interior surface. The journal is polished to a surface finish of about 0.1 microns or less to reduce a wear rate of the bushing. | 11-15-2012 |
20120279236 | Reversible Flow Electronic Expansion Vavle - An HVAC system includes an electronic expansion valve having a movable obturator with a truncated tip and a port configured to selectively receive the truncated tip. An electronically controlled expansion valve includes a movable obturator with a truncated tip and a port configured to selectively receive the truncated tip. A method of operating a heat pump HVAC system includes providing an electronically controlled expansion valve comprising an obturator having a truncated tip and flowing refrigerant through the valve. | 11-08-2012 |
20120276836 | Blower Assembly - An air handling unit has a blower assembly, a first interior zone, and a second interior zone and the blower assembly physically separates the first interior zone from the second interior zone. A method includes providing a cabinet configured to receive a blower assembly, inserting a blower assembly into the air duct, and closing a cabinet door of the cabinet, wherein upon closing the cabinet door, the primary air flow path from a location within the cabinet downstream of the blower assembly to a location within the cabinet upstream of the blower assembly is through a blower housing of the blower assembly. A blower assembly has a blower housing comprising at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet and a blower deck extending from the outlet, wherein the blower deck comprises at least one substantially flat component having a substantially orthogonal wall extending from the flat component. | 11-01-2012 |
20120273553 | Systems and Methods For Joining Metal - A metal joining system having a first burner assembly configured to selectively heat a first zone and an assembly support at least partially vertically lower than at least a portion of the first heat zone and a first hood vertically above at least a portion of the assembly support. | 11-01-2012 |
20120253526 | Methods and Systems For Controlling An Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) - In at least some embodiments, a system includes a heat pump and an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). The system also includes a controller coupled to the heat pump and the ERV. The controller implements an ERV operation algorithm that automates operations of the ERV. | 10-04-2012 |
20120253524 | Method of Adaptive Control of a Bypass Damper in a Zoned HVAC System - A zoned HVAC system comprises an HVAC unit including a climate control system and an air mover. In addition, the system comprises a supply air duct in fluid communication with the outlet of the HVAC unit. Further, the system comprises a return air duct in fluid communication with the inlet of the HVAC unit. Still further, the system comprises a plurality of zones positioned between the supply air duct and the return air duct. Moreover, the system comprises a bypass duct extending between the supply air duct and the return air duct. The bypass duct includes an active bypass damper having an open position, a closed position, and a plurality of partially opened positions. The system also comprises a control device configured to control the position of the bypass duct. | 10-04-2012 |
20120253521 | Systems and Methods For Controlling Multiple HVAC Systems - An HVAC control system has a first system controller associated with a first HVAC system and configured to control the first HVAC system and a second system controller associated with a HVAC system and configured to control the second HVAC system wherein the first system controller is selectively operable to control the second HVAC system. A method of controlling multiple HVAC systems includes providing a first HVAC system comprising a required first system controller, providing a second HVAC system comprising a required second system controller, and enabling wireless communication between the first system controller and the second system controller. | 10-04-2012 |
20120248212 | Methods and Systems for Controlling a Hybrid Heating System - In at least some embodiments, a hybrid heating system includes a heat pump and an auxiliary furnace. The system also includes a controller coupled to the heat pump and the auxiliary furnace. The controller, in response to receiving a heat request, selects either the heat pump or the auxiliary furnace based on an economic balance point algorithm. | 10-04-2012 |
20120247444 | Gas-Fired Furnace and Intake Manifold for Low NOx Applications - A gas-fired air conditioning furnace comprises a monolithic intake manifold including an inlet at a first end and a plurality of outlets at a second end opposite the first end. In addition, the furnace comprises a burner assembly including a plurality of burners, each burner is configured to combust an air-fuel mixture at least partially within an interior space of the burner. Further, each burner extends into one of the outlets of the intake manifold. | 10-04-2012 |
20120247326 | Systems and Methods for Cleaning Air - An HVAC system has an electrically powered air cleaner, a fan configured to selectively move air through the air cleaner, and a controller having an interface for receiving a selection of a clean air cycle. The controller is configured to control a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of the HVAC system for a clean air cycle duration in response to a receipt of a selection of the clean air cycle. A method of controlling air cleaning includes displaying a first clean air cycle that is configured to control a clean air delivery rate for a first clean air cycle duration wherein the first clean air cycle is associated with a first air flow related setting and a first air cleaner power level setting, selecting the first clean air cycle, and overriding at least one of a previous air flow related setting and a previous air cleaner power level setting. | 10-04-2012 |
20120228393 | Systems and Methods for Controlling Humidity - An HVAC system has a plurality of humidity sensors and a controller configured to selectively control which of the plurality of humidity sensors affects operation of the HVAC system. A method of controlling humidity includes providing a plurality of humidity sensors, assigning one of the plurality of humidity sensors as a humidity priority sensor, and affecting a humidity in response to feedback from the humidity priority sensor. A system controller for an HVAC system has an interface configured to present a plurality of humidity sensors and the system controller is configured to allow a user to select which of the plurality of humidity sensors affects operation of the HVAC system. | 09-13-2012 |
20120205077 | HVAC System with Multipurpose Cabinet for Auxiliary Heat Transfer Components - An HVAC system having an airflow path, a primary heat exchanger disposed along the airflow path, wherein the airflow path at least partially passes through the primary heat exchanger, and a multipurpose cabinet selectively configurable between at least a first configuration for housing a first type of auxiliary heat transfer component and a second configuration for housing a second type of auxiliary heat transfer component, wherein the airflow path at least partially passes through the multipurpose cabinet. | 08-16-2012 |
20120204715 | Air Cleaning Systems and Methods - An HVAC system having an air cleaner, a fan configured to selectively generate an air flow, wherein at least a portion of the air flow is passed through the air cleaner, and a controller configured to control the air cleaner in response to at least one of a setting for controlling the fan and an operation characteristic of the fan is disclosed. A method of controlling an air cleaner by determining an air flow related criterion value, wherein the air flow is associated with an air flow through an air cleaner, comparing the determined air flow related criterion value to a threshold criterion value, and controlling the air cleaner as a function of a result of comparing the determined air flow related criterion value to the threshold criterion value is disclosed. A method of controlling an ozone concentration outputted by an air cleaner is disclosed. | 08-16-2012 |
20120192577 | Wear-Leveling For Components of an Auxiliary Heat Source - In at least some embodiments, an air handler includes a coil and a fan. The air handler also includes an auxiliary heat source having a plurality of heat elements. The auxiliary heat source implements a wear-leveling algorithm to cycle use of the heat elements over multiple auxiliary heat cycles. | 08-02-2012 |
20120148398 | BRUSH-TYPE SEAL FOR AN AIR-HANDLING UNIT - An air-handling unit including a housing with a discharge opening, and a fan disposed substantially within the housing. The fan includes a fan discharge that extends through the discharge opening thereby defining a gap between the fan discharge and the housing surrounding the discharge opening. A brush seal is coupled to one of the housing about the discharge opening and the fan discharge such that the brush seal extends across the gap forming a seal between the discharge opening and the fan discharge. | 06-14-2012 |
20120080179 | EXPANSION VALVE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS - A method of reducing a cyclical loss coefficient of an HVAC system efficiency rating of an HVAC system includes operating the HVAC system using a recorded electronic expansion valve position of an electronic expansion valve of the HVAC system, discontinuing operation of the HVAC system, and resuming operation of the HVAC system using an electronic expansion valve position that allows greater refrigerant mass flow through the expansion valve as compared to the recorded electronic expansion valve position. | 04-05-2012 |
20120017634 | Variable Capacity Screw Compressor and Method - A variable capacity screw compressor comprises a suction port, at least two screw rotors and a discharge port being configured in relation to a selected rotational speed that operates at least one screw rotor at an optimum peripheral velocity that is independent of a peripheral velocity of the at least one screw rotor at a synchronous motor rotational speed for a rated screw compressor capacity. A motor is configured to drive the at least one screw rotor at a rotational speed at a full-load capacity that is substantially greater than the synchronous motor rotational speed at the rated screw compressor capacity. A variable speed drive receives a command signal from a controller and generates a control signal that drives the motor at the selected rotational speed. A method for sizing at least two variable capacity screw compressors and a refrigeration chiller incorporating a variable capacity screw compressor are separately presented. | 01-26-2012 |
20110298629 | SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR MONITORING AND SCHEDULING MAINTENANCE ON MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT - A method of scheduling maintenance on mechanical equipment includes monitoring the mechanical equipment with a sensor and collecting diagnostic information provided by the sensor with a local controller associated with the mechanical equipment. The diagnostic information relates to an operational characteristic of the mechanical equipment. The method also includes generating an alarm with the local controller in response to the collected diagnostic information, transferring the alarm from the local controller to a remote monitoring system, assigning an alarm value to the alarm using one of the local controller and the remote monitoring system, referencing a maintenance schedule for the mechanical equipment to ascertain a scheduled maintenance timeframe, and one of generating a work order and not generating the work order for the mechanical equipment based on the alarm value and the scheduled maintenance timeframe. | 12-08-2011 |
20110296856 | CONDENSING UNIT DESUPERHEATER - A condensing unit has a fan selectively operable to draw air through the condensing unit along an airflow path, a first row of condenser tubes disposed along the airflow path, and a second row of desuperheater tubes disposed along the airflow path downstream relative to the first row of condenser tubes. A condensing unit has an airflow path, a desuperheater heat exchanger disposed along the airflow path, and a condenser heat exchanger disposed along the airflow path. A method of desuperheating a refrigerant includes causing air having a first air temperature to encounter a condenser tube comprising refrigerant having a first refrigerant temperature, raising the temperature of the air to a second air temperature, and causing the air having the second air temperature to encounter a desuperheater tube comprising refrigerant having a second refrigerant temperature higher than the first refrigerant temperature. | 12-08-2011 |
20110237177 | Modular Air Handling Unit - An air handling unit has a first modular cabinet comprising a first profile, a second modular cabinet comprising a second profile that is complementary to the first profile, and the first profile comprises an alignment feature. An air handling unit has a heat exchanger cabinet comprising a first profile, a blower cabinet comprising a second profile complementary to the first profile, a first connector system disposed at least partially on each of the heat exchanger cabinet and the blower cabinet, and the first connector system is operable to releasably secure the first profile to the second profile. An air handling unit has a first modular cabinet comprising a first portion of a first connection system and a second modular cabinet comprising a second portion of the first connection system. A component of the first portion may be least partially received within the second portion. | 09-29-2011 |
20110232861 | Air Handling Unit With Integral Inner Wall Features - An air handling unit has an interior wall configured to selectively retain a removable component of the air handling unit. An air handling unit has an interior wall configured as a drain pan. An air handling unit has an outer skin joined to the interior wall, an insulator disposed between the interior wall and the outer skin, and the interior wall has a mounting channel configured to selectively retain a removable component of the air handling unit. | 09-29-2011 |
20110232860 | Air Handling Unit With Inner Wall Space - An air handling unit has an interior shell, an exterior skin associated with the interior shell to form a wall space at least partially bound by each of the interior shell and the exterior skin, and a control component at least partially carried within the wall space. A cabinet for an air handling unit has at least one wall comprising an interior shell and an exterior skin associated with the interior shell to form a wall space at least partially bound by each of the interior shell and the exterior skin. The at least one wall at least partially defines a fluid duct of the cabinet and a control component is at least partially disposed within the wall space. | 09-29-2011 |
20110219790 | System and Method For Charging HVAC System - A method of charging an HVAC system by determining a relationship between a liquid line temperature of the HVAC system, a suction line pressure of the HVAC system, and an ambient outdoor temperature of the HVAC system. A method of charging an HVAC system by adjusting a mass of refrigerant in the HVAC system to approach a target minimum liquid line temperature. A method of charging an HVAC system by testing the HVAC system according to at least three sets of test parameters, two of the three sets of test parameters comprising testing the HVAC system at substantially a same outdoor ambient temperature and at least one of the remaining set of test parameters comprising testing the HVAC system at a different outdoor ambient temperature. | 09-15-2011 |
20110217185 | System and Method For Reducing Compressor Noise - A noise reduced compressor has a body, an energy dissipation element, and a structural element configured to retain the energy dissipation element relative to the body. A noise reducer for an HVAC system compressor has an energy dissipation element and a structural element connected to the energy dissipation element. A method of reducing compressor noise includes disposing an energy dissipation element between a body of the compressor and a structural element and compressing the energy dissipation element against between the body of the compressor using the structural element. | 09-08-2011 |
20110111352 | System and Method for Controlling A Furnace - Controlling a modulating gas furnace by monitoring a differential pressure associated with the modulating gas furnace using a low pressure limit switch configured to actuate at a first pressure, an intermediate pressure limit switch configured to actuate at a second pressure, and a high pressure limit switch configured to actuate at a third pressure, the second pressure being between the first and third pressure, selectively operating the modulating gas furnace in one of a cycling mode, a modulating mode in a lower range, and a modulating mode in an upper range, the modulating mode in the lower range being associated with an output capacity range between the output capacity ranges of the cycling mode and the modulating mode in the upper range, and selectively operating the furnace in response to at least one of the low pressure limit switch, the intermediate pressure limit switch, and the high pressure limit switch. | 05-12-2011 |
20110104622 | Gas-Fired Furnace With Cavity Burners - A gas-fired air conditioning furnace has a cavity burner configured to combust an air-fuel mixture at least partially within an interior space of the cavity burner. A method of operating a gas-fired furnace by flowing an air-fuel mixture into a cavity burner through a perforated wall of the cavity burner, combusting at least a portion of the air-fuel mixture within an interior space of the cavity burner, and flowing at least partially combusted air-fuel mixture into a heat exchanger. A gas-fired air conditioning device has a cavity burner that has a cylindrically shaped body and a cap on a first end of the body, each of the body and the cap being perforated. The device has a cylindrically shaped heat exchanger inlet tube and the cavity burner is at least partially concentrically received within the heat exchanger inlet tube. | 05-05-2011 |
20110100349 | Modulating Gas Furnace - A method controls a modulating gas furnace by monitoring a differential pressure associated with the modulating gas furnace, learning an intermediate value associated with an intermediate capacity between a minimum output capacity of the gas furnace and a maximum output capacity of the gas furnace, learning one of a high value associated with the maximum output capacity and a low value associated with a minimum output capacity, establishing an estimated operating curve using either the intermediate value and the low value or using the intermediate value and the high value, and operating the gas furnace in accordance with the estimated operating curve. | 05-05-2011 |
20110100051 | Air Handling Unit With Mixed-Flow Blower - An air handling unit has a cabinet forming a duct, a mixed-flow blower assembly configured to provide airflow through the duct, and a refrigeration coil assembly disposed within the cabinet and downstream of the mixed-flow blower assembly. Another air handling unit has a cabinet forming a duct having a generally downstream direction and a blower assembly to provide airflow through the duct. The blower assembly may have an axis of rotation generally parallel to the downstream direction and the blower assembly may be configured to primarily expel air in a direction that has a directional component that extends radially away from the axis of rotation. | 05-05-2011 |
20110036551 | Louvered Plate Fin - A fin has a substantially flat base plane with a first side facing a first direction and a second side facing a second direction. The fin also has a first louver with a leading edge closer to the base plane and a trailing edge offset from the base plane in the first direction, a second louver located at least partially downstream of the first louver, with a leading edge offset from the base plane in the second direction and a trailing edge offset from the base plane in the first direction, and a third louver located at least partially downstream of the second louver, the third louver having a leading edge offset from the base plane in the second direction and a trailing edge closer to the base plane than the third louver leading edge. | 02-17-2011 |
20100326643 | Plate Fin With Hybrid Hole Pattern - A fin having a leading edge, a trailing edge opposing the leading edge, and a plurality of leading holes substantially centered along a leading axis. The fin further having a plurality of secondary holes substantially centered along a secondary axis, the secondary axis being substantially parallel to the leading axis and located between the leading axis and the trailing edge, the plurality of secondary holes being located so that the plurality of leading holes and the plurality of secondary holes form a substantially rectangular matrix. The fin further having a plurality of trailing holes substantially centered along a trailing axis, the trailing axis being substantially parallel to at least one of the leading axis and the secondary axis and located between the secondary axis and the trailing edge, each of the plurality of trailing holes being substantially equidistant from the respective two nearest secondary holes. | 12-30-2010 |
20100326624 | Blow Through Air Handler - An air handling unit has an enclosure, a heat exchanger disposed within the enclosure, and a heating element substantially co-located with the heat exchanger within the enclosure. An air handling unit has a cabinet with a first air opening and a second air opening. A blower is disposed within the cabinet adjacent to the first air opening and a heat exchanger is disposed within the cabinet adjacent to an air outlet of the blower unit and also adjacent to the second air opening. At least one heating element is located adjacent the heat exchanger. A method of constructing an air handling unit includes forming an air handling enclosure, mounting a blower in the air handling enclosure, mounting a heat exchanger in the air handling enclosure downstream of the blower, and mounting at least one heating element in the air handing enclosure downstream of the blower. | 12-30-2010 |
20100219231 | Braze Ring - A method of connecting a straight tubular end to a flared tubular end includes locating a substantially annular braze ring substantially concentrically around the straight tubular end, inserting the straight tubular end into the flared tubular end so that the braze ring engages the flared tubular end, and heating the braze ring so that flux separates from an exterior channel of the braze ring and the separated flux from the exterior channel contacts at least one of a faying surface of the flared tubular end and a faying surface of the straight tubular end. | 09-02-2010 |
20100212876 | Heat Exchanger - A heat exchanger has a first fin having a hole, a collar attached to the first fin and associated with the hole, and a bluff body carried by the first fin. The bluff body is partially directly upstream of the collar. A heat exchanger has a fin having a hole, a collar attached to the fin and associated with the hole, and a bluff body associated with the fin. A configuration of the bluff body is associated with a fin pitch separation distance of the heat exchanger. A method of increasing a heat exchange efficiency of a heat exchanger is provided that includes passing an air flow adjacent a surface of a fin, obstructing the air flow with a bluff body, reducing a thickness of a thermal boundary layer, and locating a reduced thickness portion of the thermal boundary layer adjacent to a collar associated with the fin. | 08-26-2010 |
20100177787 | System and Method for Extending Communication Protocols - A system and method are provided for extending a communication protocol by constructing a top level message, constructing a first level extension message, and embedding the first level extension message in a data component of the top level message. Also, a system and method are provided for extending a communication protocol by receiving a top level message from a communication medium, determining whether a first level extension message is included within the top level message, and extracting the first level extension message from the top level message. Further, a system and method are provided for extending a communication protocol by using a processor to embed a first level extension packet within a top level packet. At least one of the top level packet and the first level extension packet include a message for use in an HVAC system. | 07-15-2010 |
20100125369 | System and Method for Defrost of an HVAC System - A system and a method are provided for monitoring a condition and selectively executing a certification defrost algorithm for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in response to the status of the monitored condition. A system and a method are provided for selectively operating a certification defrost algorithm in parallel to a field defrost algorithm. A system and a method are also provided for causing a controller to execute a first algorithm and for causing the controller to selectively execute a second algorithm while also executing the first algorithm where each of the first algorithm and the second algorithm are configured to selectively cause the HVAC system to operate in a defrost mode. | 05-20-2010 |
20100125368 | System and Method for Sump Heater Control in an HVAC System - A system and a method are provided for powering up a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and operating a sump heater for a compressor for a first predetermined period of time in response to the HVAC system being powered up. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and a method for controlling the system are provided. The HVAC system includes a compressor, a sump heater associated with the compressor, and a controller configured to control the compressor and the sump heater so that the sump heater is not operated while the compressor is operated. | 05-20-2010 |
20100123016 | System and Method for Oil Return in an HVAC System - A system and a method are provided for returning oil in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by determining when an ambient zone temperature is equal to or less than a temperature limit and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow of the HVAC system based on the length of time. Also, a system and a method are provided for monitoring the length of operation in a first and a second heating mode and for reversing a direction of refrigerant flow based on the length of time operation occurs in the first and second heating modes. A system and a method having a first compressor, a first heating mode, a second heating mode, a defrost mode, and a controller is disclosed. The controller selectively controls initiation of the defrost mode in response to an HVAC system operating in a heating mode of operation for a predetermined amount of time. | 05-20-2010 |
20100101246 | System and Method For Controlling Working Fluid Charge In A Vapor Compression Air Conditioning System - Vapor compression air conditioning systems are provided with a flow restrictor for transferring working fluid to and from at least one of the compressor low pressure inlet conduit and compressor high pressure outlet conduit to provide for accurate charge adjustment to achieve predetermined fluid sub-cooling. Pressure and temperature measurements are taken at a condenser fluid outlet conduit and provided to a microcontroller for determining fluid sub-cooling and comparing sub-cooling with a predetermined target sub-cooling. A charge addition or recovery apparatus may include a solenoid valve controlled by the microcontroller to more accurately control the addition or recovery of refrigerant fluid charge. | 04-29-2010 |
20100080713 | System and Method of Disabling an HVAC Compressor Based on a Low Pressure Cut Out - A system and method is provided for monitoring a system pressure to infer whether a high pressure cut out (HPCO) switch has opened disabling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) compressor. A system and method are also provided for determining whether to disable the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) compressor based on a status of a low pressure cut out (LPCO) switch, an ambient temperature, and system mode state. The systems and methods may be used interchangeably with the appropriate adjustments to decision limits, such as where the LPCO may be monitored to infer status and the HPCO status may be directly used with temperature and system mode state. | 04-01-2010 |
20100080712 | System and Method of Disabling an HVAC Compressor Based on a High Pressure Cut Out - A system and method is provided for monitoring a system pressure to infer whether a high pressure cut out (HPCO) switch has opened disabling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) compressor. A system and method are also provided for determining whether to disable the HVAC compressor based on a status of a low pressure cut out (LPCO) switch, an ambient temperature, and system mode state. The systems and methods may be used interchangeably with the appropriate adjustments to decision limits, such as where the LPCO may be monitored to infer status and the HPCO status may be directly used with temperature and system mode state. | 04-01-2010 |
20100050756 | Drain Pan Level Monitoring System - A drain pan level monitoring system of an air conditioning system comprises a level sensor that generates a level sensor output signal related to a sensed level of condensation buildup within a drain pan. A method of monitoring a liquid level buildup in a drain pan of an air handling unit comprises determining a level of liquid buildup in the drain pan and determining whether an action should be taken in response to the determined level of liquid buildup by comparing the determined level of liquid buildup to a predetermined value. A method of preventing liquid overflow of a drain pan of an air handling unit comprises monitoring a pressure related to a liquid level buildup within the drain pan and taking an action when the pressure meets a predetermined criteria. | 03-04-2010 |
20100043631 | Compressor with Improved Lubrication - A compressor for an air conditioning system comprises a piston and a pin. The piston comprises an aperture forming a piston bearing surface and a lubrication port in communication with the aperture. The pin comprises a pin bearing surface and the pin is received within the aperture to form an interface between the pin bearing surface and the piston bearing surface. In another embodiment, a method of lubricating within a compressor comprises rotating a crankshaft within a crankcase, introducing lubricant into the crankcase; and contacting the lubricant with a portion of a pin disposed within a piston via a lubrication port in the piston. In yet another embodiment, a piston for a compressor comprises an aperture forming a piston bearing surface and a lubrication port in communication with the aperture. | 02-25-2010 |
20100008791 | Acoustical Vibration Dampener for a Rotatable Blade - An acoustical vibration dampening system for a rotatable blade comprises at least one section of a rotatable blade and a layer of acoustic damping material coupled to a portion of the at least one section of a rotatable blade. A fan blade comprises a first structural section of a fan blade, a second structural section of the fan blade, and a layer of acoustic damping material provided between the first structural section and the second structural section of the fan blade. A method of making a fan blade with acoustic damping comprises forming at least two sections of a fan blade, and disposing an acoustical vibration dampener between the at least two sections of the fan blade. | 01-14-2010 |
20090324418 | Structural and acoustical vibration dampener for a rotatable blade - A structural and acoustical vibration dampener for a rotatable blade comprises a layer of structural/acoustic damping material coupled to at least a portion of the blade. A fan blade comprises a structural layer and a layer of damping material coupled to at least a portion of the structural layer. A method of applying a structural and acoustical vibration dampener to a fan blade comprises identifying a region on the fan blade and securing the structural/acoustical vibration dampener to the fan blade over at least a portion of the region. | 12-31-2009 |
20090314846 | Multiple Thermostats For Air Conditioning System With Time Setting Feature - An air conditioning (HVAC) system for a residential dwelling or other building with enclosed spaces includes multiple thermostats hard wire interconnected or communicating via radio frequency transceivers. The thermostats each include control circuits for adjusting the setpoint temperature at any one thermostat and displaying the set temperature at all thermostats, setting the time at any one thermostat and displaying the time at all thermostats, controlling the thermostat temperature setting from a selected one of the thermostats and providing a setpoint for control of the air conditioning system based on an average temperature sensed by all of the thermostats. A method for correctly setting a thermostat time display to one of Daylight Saving Time or Standard Time and displaying an icon identifying one or the other is disclosed. | 12-24-2009 |
20090200363 | Braze Ring - A braze ring includes a generally annular body and an outer annular channel formed on an outer surface of the body. A method of connecting a straight tubular end to a flared tubular end includes locating a substantially annular braze ring substantially concentrically around the straight tubular end, inserting the straight tubular end into the flared tubular end so that the braze ring engages the flared tubular end, and heating the braze ring so that flux separates from an exterior channel of the braze ring and the separated flux from the exterior channel contacts at least one of a faying surface of the flared tubular end and a faying surface of the straight tubular end. Another braze ring includes a body having a substantially symmetric cross-sectional shape forming an inner channel and an outer channel and flux carried within each of the inner channel and the outer channel. | 08-13-2009 |
20090196685 | Alignment Feature for Hub and Driveshaft Assembly - A hub-driveshaft assembly comprises a hub and driveshaft with a flat portion having a width. The hub comprises a body having an axial bore therethrough, a set screw hole extending radially through a wall of the body and communicating with the axial bore, and an alignment feature positioned near an entrance to the axial bore, wherein the alignment feature substantially aligns the flat portion of the driveshaft with the set screw hole when the driveshaft is inserted into the axial bore. In another embodiment, the hub comprises an alignment feature to promote proper alignment of the driveshaft with respect to the hub when the driveshaft is inserted into the axial bore, wherein the alignment feature is eliminated under load. In yet another embodiment, the hub comprises an alignment feature that flattens in response to loading from the driveshaft. | 08-06-2009 |
20080257336 | Furnace with Integrated Blower Housing and Heat Exchanger - A combustion furnace includes a blower housing with a centrifugal blower impeller disposed therein and plural heat exchanger tubes disposed substantially around a major portion of the periphery of the impeller. The heat exchanger tubes receive combustion gasses from plural burner nozzles and discharge combustion gasses to a plenum in communication with a motor driven inducer gas pump. The integrated blower housing and heat exchanger may be disposed in a cabinet including support structure for a fuel delivery manifold, associated burner nozzles and forming air inlet and outlet openings for air being circulated by the blower. | 10-23-2008 |