Acutherm L.p.

James R Kline

Robert Stephen Hunka

Matthew L Costick

Peter Brand

Jack Dozier

An adaptive control device ( ) and method ( ) for control of the operation of an actuator ( ), and particularly thermally-powered actuator ( ) of the type used in a variable-air-volume diffuser ( ). The preferred adaptive control device is an expert system circuit which controls a heater ( ) provided on a thermally-powered actuator ( ) to implement an adaptive process ( ) in which a sensed variable, such as room air temperature, is driven toward a target temperature control range (&plusmn;0.25&deg; F.). Most preferably, the process steps ( ) include driving the room air temperature toward a gross (broader) temperature control range (&plusmn;1.0&deg; F.) by moving a diffuser damper assembly ( ) to a substantially fully open or substantially fully closed position. Thereafter, and while inside the gross temperature control range, the process steps ( ) include adjustments to the position of the damper assembly ( ) are made only when a sensed parameter, preferably the supply air flow rate, is in a stable condition. Most preferably, the damper ( ) is temporarily &ldquo;kicked&rdquo; farther open or farther closed than necessary, to minimize hysteresis effects, and then adjusted to a posiiton which tends to drive the room air temperature into the narrower, targeted temperature control range.

Variable-air-volume diffuser, actuator assembly and method

An apparatus and process for individual adjustment of the temperature set points of a plurality of VAV devices ( ) in an HVAC system. The process includes the step of directly, or indirectly through a network server ( ), coupling each of a plurality of computers ( ) located in a plurality of offices or spaces ( ) for input of a temperature set point based signal. The computers ( ) are coupled to the VAV devices ( ) such that a selected computer can be used to adjust the temperature set point of only VAV devices ( ) located in the same space ( ) as the selected computer ( ). Such coupling can be wired or wireless, based upon the use of computer networks ( ) which are connected to the VAV devices ( ) directly or through the building HVAC control network ( ) or through a network server ( ), which also is accessed by the building control computer ( ). In the preferred form, the computers ( ) are also capable of retrieving the current temperature set point from the VAV device ( ), displaying it on the computer display screen and thereafter adjusting the temperature, for example, by using graphical interface software.

Process and apparatus for individual adjustment of the temperature set points of a plurality of VAV devices through a network server

An adaptive control device (,) and method (,) for control of the operation of an actuator (,), and particularly thermally-powered actuator (,) of the type used in a variable-air-volume diffuser (,). The preferred adaptive control device is an expert system circuit which controls a heater (,) provided on a thermally-powered actuator (,) to implement an adaptive process (,) in which a sensed variable, such as room air temperature, is driven toward a target temperature control range (&plusmn;0.25&deg; F.). Most preferably, the process steps (,) include driving the room air temperature toward a gross (broader) temperature control range (&plusmn;1.0&deg; F.) by moving a diffuser damper assembly (,) to a substantially fully open or substantially fully closed position. Thereafter, and while inside the gross temperature control range, the process steps (,) include adjustments to the position of the damper assembly (,) are made only when a sensed parameter, preferably the supply air flow rate, is in a stable condition. Most preferably, the damper (,) is temporarily &ldquo;kicked&rdquo; farther open or farther closed than necessary, to minimize hysteresis effects, and then adjusted to a posiiton which tends to drive the room air temperature into the narrower, targeted temperature control range.

Variable-air-volume diffuser actuator assembly and method

An apparatus and process for individual adjustment of an operating parameter of a plurality of environmental control devices, such as VAV devices (,) in an HVAC system. The process includes the step of connecting at least one of computers (,) for input of a parameter control set point based signal and a unique VA device identifying signal through an Internet website (,) to the plurality of HVAC devices (,). The computer (,) is, for example, connected to the VAV devices (,) such that the computer (,) can be used to adjust the temperature set point of only one of the plurality of VAV devices (,), most typically the device located in the same space (,) as the communicating computer (,). Such computer (,) can be wired or wireless, and use the global computer network website (,) to connect to the VAV devices (,) through a building computer (,) and local area network (,). In the preferred form, the computers (,) are also capable of retrieving the current temperature set point from the VAV device (,) and the current room air temperature proximate the VAV device (,), outputting or displaying them on a computer output or display device, and thereafter adjusting the temperature set point for the environmental control device, for example, by using graphical interface software.

Process and apparatus for individual adjustment of an operating parameter of a plurality of environmental control devices through a global computer network

An apparatus and process for individual adjustment of the temperature set points of a plurality of VAV devices (,) in an HVAC system. The process includes the step of coupling each of a plurality of computers (,) located in a plurality of offices or spaces (,) for input of a temperature set point signal. The computers (,) are coupled to the VAV devices (,) such that a selected computer will input or adjust the temperature set point of only VAV devices (,) located in the same space (,) as the computer (,). Such coupling can be accomplished through direct electrical connections (,), transmitted signals (,), or the use of computer networks (,) which are connected to the VAV devices (,) directly or through the building HVAC control network (,). In the preferred form, the computers (,) are also capable of retrieving the current set point from the VAV device (,), displaying it on the computer display screen and thereafter adjusting the temperature, for example, by using graphical display software.

Process and apparatus for individual adjustment of the temperature set points of a plurality of VAV devices

A variable-air-volume (VAV) conditioning system having at least one diffuser (27a-27d) for discharging supply air (SA) into a room (22a-22d) a flow control element (53) movably mounted in the diffuser for control of the volume of supply air (SA) discharged from the diffuser (27a-27d) in response to thermal loading in the room (22a-22d). The VAV system also includes a ventilation air source (41), independent of the supply air source (23), which is fluid coupled to a ventilation air opening defining structure (59), such as a nozzle, located in the diffuser housing (15) at a position downstream of the flow control element (53). A method for ensuring the flow of ventilation air (VA) into a room (22a-22d) including the step of discharging ventilation air (VA) through a ventilation air opening device (59) positioned in the diffuser housing (15) downstream of the diffuser flow control element (53) so that ventilation air flow is controlled independently of, and decoupled from, the variable flow rate of supply air (SA) which is controlled by the flow control element (53).

Variable-air-volume diffuser with independent ventilation air assembly

A variable-air-volume (VAV) conditioning system having at least one diffuser (27a-27d), a flow control element (53) movably mounted for control of the volume of supply air (SA) discharged from the diffuser (27a-27d). The VAV system also includes an air induction nozzle (50,58) mounted to induce room air (RA) flow over a room air temperature sensor (28a, 28a') which controls movement of the flow control element (53). The induction air nozzle (50,58), however, is fluid coupled to a ventilation air assembly for the discharge of ventilation air (VA) into the rooms (22a-22d). Preferably, the induction air assembly is provided by a ventilation conduit assembly (44, 46a-46d) and a ventilation air treatment and supply assembly (41) fluid coupled to a ventilation air source. The ventilation air is discharged through the air induction nozzles (58). A method for ensuring the flow of ventilation air (VA) into a room (22a-22d) including the step of discharging ventilation air through an air flow induction nozzle (50,58) so that ventilation air flow is controlled independently of and decoupled from the variable flow rate of supply air from the central air conditioning supply air source (23).

Variable-air-volume diffuser with induction air assembly and method

An apparatus and method for converting a fixed-opening air diffuser (21) to an individually-controlled variable air volume diffuser. The fixed-opening diffuser (21) includes a diffuser housing (26) mounted to a support structure (25) and coupled to receive air from a supply conduit (24) positioned behind the support structure (25) and a diffusion assembly (27) mounted across the housing (26) to distribute the air from the housing (26). The method includes the steps of removing the diffusion assembly (27) from a position across the diffuser housing (26) to provide access to the housing, mounting a thermally-powered diffuser actuator assembly (31) having a movable vane (32) coupled to actuator assembly (31) inside the diffuser housing (26) in a position for control of air discharged from the diffuser housing (26) by thermally-driven displacement of the vane (32). Each of the steps of removing and mounting is accomplished while maintaining the diffuser housing (26) in place in the support structure (25) and while maintaining the support structure (25) in a substantially undisturbed state to minimize the release of dangerous materials possibly present in the support structure (25).

Method and apparatus for converting a fixed-opening air diffuser to an

A thermally-powered active master and passive satellite or slave diffuser system is disclosed. The system includes a master diffuser (24) with a displaceable damper assembly (41) mounted in the diffuser housing (31) and a thermal sensor-actuator assembly (46) positioned proximate the damper assembly (41) and proximate the master outlet (34, 58). An induction channel (47) communicates secondary air from proximate the master discharge outlet (34, 58) to the thermal sensor-actuator assembly (46) for accurate control of modulation by the damper assembly (41) of air flow to both the master (24) and passive slave (26) diffusers. The thermal sensor-actuator assembly (46) is capable of both cooling and heating and employs opposed sensor-actuator units (81, 102, 111) with override mountings (126, 128, 141) to effect changeover between heating and cooling.

Thermally-powered active master and passive satellite air diffuser system

An improved thermally actuated diffuser is disclosed. The diffuser comprises three thermal sensor actuators. A first thermal sensor actuator is responsive to changes in the room air temperature and is engaged when cool air is supplied through the duct into the room. A third thermal sensor actuator is responsive to changes in the room air temperature and is engaged when warm air is supplied to the room. A second thermal sensor actuator is responsive to changes in the duct air temperature and brings either the first or second thermal sensor actuator into engagement with the diffuser when the appropriate temperature of air is supplied through the duct and disengages the thermal actuator not being used with that duct air temperature.

Thermally actuated diffuser

A thermally powered change-over diffuser is disclosed which includes a housing having an outlet and movable blade assembly mounted with respect to the outlet for displacement between a first position producing a Coanda flow across a surface, such as a ceiling, and a second position producing a detached stream in a generally normally extending direction with respect to the surface. The diffuser is preferably thermally powered and includes a rapid change-over assembly enabling substantially immediate shifting between the two positions so as to provide a cooling mode of discharge and heating mode of discharge. Additionally, means for adjusting the volume of air discharged is provided.

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Moraga, CA, United States of America

James R Kline