초록 ▼

An improved monitoring and control system for a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit which provides zone control in plural zones in which each zone includes a thermostat which controls a damper for its zone. One thermostat is selected and programmed to function as a monitor or maste

An improved monitoring and control system for a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit which provides zone control in plural zones in which each zone includes a thermostat which controls a damper for its zone. One thermostat is selected and programmed to function as a monitor or master thermostat for selective actuation of the HVAC unit as well as controlling its zone damper. The other thermostats are programmed to function as slave thermostats and are interfaced with the master thermostat thereby allowing for independent zonal control in a multiple zone system which uses a single zone HVAC unit. The master thermostat may also receive control signals and data from higher intelligence such as a computer. Each thermostat is microcomputer-controlled with provision for both local and manufacturer programming via supplemental memory devices. The master thermostat contains a real time clock for time-basing the entire system with attendant advantages.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for controlling the positioning of a plurality of dampers of zone duct damper means prior to activating a single zone HVAC unit that supplies heated or cooled conditioned air through a single duct system having duct damper means and ducts to a plurality of zones and zone thermostats associa

A method for controlling the positioning of a plurality of dampers of zone duct damper means prior to activating a single zone HVAC unit that supplies heated or cooled conditioned air through a single duct system having duct damper means and ducts to a plurality of zones and zone thermostats associated with respective dampers, said method comprising the steps of: A. determining the demand for heating or cooling from all zone thermostats; B. determining the number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling from all zone thermostats; C. selectively preselecting the number of zones having demand for heating or cooling that is necessary to select the heating or cooling mode; D. comparing the numbers obtained from steps B and C and selecting the heating or cooling mode when the number of zones having a demand for heating or cooling respectively is equal to or greater than the number selected in step C; E. activating appropriate dampers to closed position if the zone thermostats controlling such appropriate dampers have no demand or demand a mode different than the mode selected in step D, and positioning open the other dampers; F. activating the HVAC unit in the selected mode until all zone thermostats demanding the selected mode have been satisfied; G. deactivating the HVAC unit; and H. repeating steps A-G for the other mode when demand for the other mode has been selected in accord with steps A-D.