Acutherm L.p.

Matthew L Costick

James R Kline

Robert Stephen Hunka

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.

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Pleasanton, CA, United States of America

Matthew L Costick