The disclosed subject matter relates to the field of heating, cooling and ventilating equipment for structures, and particularly although not exclusively, to an apparatus and method for providing selective fan or vent cooling.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the disclosure provided herein and to the drawings that form a part of this document: Copyright 2015-2017, Kirk and Kimberley Mills; All Rights Reserved.
Heating and cooling the space in residential and commercial buildings accounts for a primary share of building energy consumption. Existing buildings use either an air conditioning system or a whole house fan for cooling and ventilating residential and commercial building structures. Traditional air conditioning systems function by altering the temperature and humidity of the air and then pump the treated air throughout the structure. The thermostat powers on the air conditioner until the structure reaches a set point temperature. While effective at conditioning the air, such traditional air conditioning systems are costly to run and not energy efficient. Additionally, when the outside ambient air temperature is lower than the internal air temperature, outside ambient air could instead be used to effectively cool the structure, reducing the need to run a costly air conditioning system. Further, air conditioning systems merely circulate air located within a building, and do not bring any outside air, so any harmful environmental elements (e.g. dust, disease, chemicals) remain within the building.
In response to such problems, some structures instead use whole house fans to force air through the structure. Whole house fans consist of one or more exhaust fans, typically placed in the attic or an upper floor, and function by creating a negative pressure inside of the structure to draw cooler air in from the outside. The cooler outside air is forced up through the ceiling into the attic where the air is exhausted out through a vent. Louvered shutters are often placed over the vent to prevent cooled or heated air from escaping when the fan is not in use. Whole house systems move large amounts of air and allow for the entire structure air volume to be recycled with multiple air exchanges per hour, removing latent heat within the structure. Traditional whole house fans are installed on the attic floor such that they directly contact the ceiling of the structure. As such, the large capacity whole house fans, necessary to create sufficient negative pressure to draw the cooler air inside in the structure, can create undesirable noise and vibrations that penetrate the occupied space of the building. Advantageously, these systems require less energy than air conditioning systems and can reduce the need for air conditioning and therefore reduce structure energy consumption while still providing a comfortable space. However, such whole house fans require open windows to serve as intake air vents. Thus, the user is required to manually control the air flow. The opened windows, however, can allow in dust, pollen and other pollutants from the exterior incoming air. Additionally, the cooling capabilities of whole house fans are limited by the ambient outside air. Whole house fans are incapable of lowering the temperature and humidity of the air drawn into the building. Accordingly, whole house fans are not effective at cooling the space when the outside ambient air temperature is higher than the internal air temperature. Thus, a user operating the whole house fan under unsuitable conditions may actually heat the space when they intended to use the fan to cool the space.
The whole house cooling system of an example embodiment comprises a whole house fan plenum box with damper and actuator. With a flip of a switch, a circuit board or controller of the example embodiment can shut down the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit and then the actuator can move the damper from the closed position to the open position. After a short time delay, the whole house fan(s) can energize, pulling air from open windows of the structure through the plenum and blowing the air through interstitial regions (e.g., the attic), thereby purging the heat out of the structure. An example embodiment is designed to deactivate the central HVAC system before opening the damper to protect the HVAC system. In the event of a power outage, the damper is configured to automatically spring closed.
The whole house cooling system of an example embodiment is configured to fit inside most standard return air boxes, thereby eliminating the need to cut in an unsightly hole in the ceiling and eliminating the need to re-engineer the trusses of the structure. An example embodiment includes a motorized damper system that will adapt to most standard central HVAC systems and will not harm the system. The example embodiment includes an automated circuit board and control system, which when turned on, will cause the damper to activate closing off the return duct to the central HVAC system and opening the damper to a whole house fan included with the whole house cooling system. Once activated, the whole house cooling system of the example embodiment can pull a significant volume of air (e.g., 3000-3500 cfm) through the structure from the outside. As a result, the interior of the structure cools down (when the air is cooler outside). Blowing cool air through the interstitial regions (e.g., the attic) of the structure relieves the structure of the unwanted heat absorbed in the attic from a hot day. This whole house cooling system of an example embodiment uses the cool air from the outside to cool the structure at a fraction the typical central HVAC costs.
The whole house cooling system of an example embodiment can provide several benefits. Firstly, the example embodiment can effectively purge heat out of the interstitial regions (e.g., the attic). Secondly, the example embodiment can bring cooler air from the outside (when the outside air is cooler) and cool the structure without the need to run the air conditioning system. Thus, the whole house cooling system of an example embodiment reduces energy costs. Additionally, the whole house cooling system of an example embodiment can be conveniently installed without structural modifications. There is no need to install a big, unsightly fan in the ceiling of the structure. The example embodiment fits in most standard return air/filter boxes.
Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the disclosed subject matter can be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosed subject matter.
According to various example embodiments of the disclosed subject matter as described herein, there is disclosed, illustrated, and claimed an apparatus and method for providing selective fan or vent cooling. The example embodiments disclosed herein provide an apparatus, system, and method implemented in a whole house cooling system. The whole house cooling system of an example embodiment comprises a whole house fan plenum box with damper and actuator. A controller of the example embodiment can shut down the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit and then the actuator can move the damper from the closed position to the open position. The whole house fan(s) can pull air from open windows of the structure through the plenum and blowing the air through the interstitial regions (e.g., the attic), thereby purging the heat out of the structure.
Referring now to
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The controller 134 is configured to include an electrical signal to electrically connect the controller 134 with the HVAC control system. This electrical signal can be installed as a wired or wireless (Bluetooth™ or WIFI) electrical connection. This electrical signal is active when the HVAC system is active and inactive when the HVAC system is inactive. When the HVAC system is active, the active electrical signal received by the controller 134 causes the controller 134 to deactivate the actuator 136, which causes the damper 120 to transition to (or remain in) the closed position. The controller 134 can also deactivate the fan(s) 110 when the active electrical signal is received by the controller 134. In a particular embodiment, a time delay (e.g., 30 seconds) can be electrically enabled to delay the activation of the HVAC system while the controller 134 deactivates the damper 120 and fan(s) 110. While the HVAC system is active, the whole house cooling system 100 is deactivated and the damper 120 remains closed. As a result, the whole house cooling system 100 protects the existing HVAC system by making sure that the HVAC system is not active while the damper 120 is open.
In an example embodiment, the controller 134 is configured to drop, open, or deactivate the R-leg (which is the power, 24 volt line) power connection to the HVAC system whenever the actuator 136 is active. As soon as the HVAC R-leg power connection is deactivated, a 90 second time delay is initiated, which allows the damper 120 to remain closed and the HVAC unit fan to shut off, if unit was running. With controller 134 actively controlling and activating the actuator 136, which causes the damper 120 to transition to an open position, the HVAC unit will not be able to run as long as the R-leg power connection is deactivated. After the controller 134 ceases to actively control and activate the actuator 136, another 90 second time delay is initiated allowing the damper 120 to close and the fan(s) 110 to shut off. Then, the R-leg power connection to the HVAC unit is reactivated allowing the HVAC unit to come back on.
When the HVAC system is idle or inactive, the inactive electrical signal received by the controller 134 causes the controller 134 to activate the actuator 136, which causes the damper 120 to transition to the open position. The controller 134 can also activate the fan(s) 110 when the inactive electrical signal is received by the controller 134. In a particular embodiment, a time delay (e.g., 30 seconds) can be electrically enabled to delay the activation of the whole house cooling system 100 while the HVAC system deactivates. The fan(s) 110 can be energized by a fan relay of the controller 134. Once the controller 134 opens the damper 120 and activates the fan(s) 110, an airflow is produced to pull air from the interior of the structure through the return plenum box 101 and out to the interstitial region (e.g., the attic) of the structure. This action produces the benefits described above. An additional safety switch (normally closed) can connect the controller 134 with a control board of the HVAC system to deactivate the HVAC system control board when the whole house cooling system 100 is active. This additional safety switch deactivates the HVAC system while the whole house cooling system 100 is energized. An example embodiment runs on one 15 amp, 120 volt circuit and is equipped with a 40 va, 24 volt, 120 volt transformer 132 for control voltage.
In another example embodiment, the whole house cooling system 100 of an example embodiment can be configured to be installed with a duct sensing (DS) thermostat 340 (see
An example embodiment can be controlled by a wall mount switch 342 (see
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As shown in
As illustrated in
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The controller 234 is configured to include an electrical signal to electrically connect the controller 234 with the HVAC control system. This electrical signal can be installed as a wired or wireless (Bluetooth™ or WIFI) electrical connection. This electrical signal is active when the HVAC system is active and inactive when the HVAC system is inactive. When the HVAC system is active, the active electrical signal received by the controller 234 causes the controller 234 to deactivate the actuator 236, which causes the damper 220 to transition to (or remain in) the closed position. The controller 234 can also deactivate the fan(s) 210 when the active electrical signal is received by the controller 234. In a particular embodiment, a time delay (e.g., 30 seconds) can be electrically enabled to delay the activation of the HVAC system while the controller 234 deactivates the damper 220 and fan(s) 210. While the HVAC system is active, the whole house cooling system 200 is deactivated and the damper 220 remains closed. As a result, the whole house cooling system 200 protects the existing HVAC system by making sure that the HVAC system is not active while the damper 220 is open.
When the HVAC system is idle or inactive, the inactive electrical signal received by the controller 234 causes the controller 234 to activate the actuator 236, which causes the damper 220 to transition to the open position. The controller 234 can also activate the fan(s) 210 when the inactive electrical signal is received by the controller 234. In a particular embodiment, a time delay (e.g., 30 seconds) can be electrically enabled to delay the activation of the whole house cooling system 200 while the HVAC system deactivates. The fan(s) 210 can be energized by a fan relay of the controller 234. Once the controller 234 opens the damper 220 and activates the fan(s) 210, an airflow is produced to pull air from the interior of the structure through the return plenum box 201 and out to the interstitial region (e.g., the attic) of the structure. This action produces the benefits described above. An additional safety switch (normally closed) can connect the controller 234 with a control board of the HVAC system to deactivate the HVAC system control board when the whole house cooling system 200 is active. This additional safety switch deactivates the HVAC system while the whole house cooling system 200 is energized. An example embodiment runs on one 15 amp, 120 volt circuit and is equipped with a 40 va, 24 volt, 120 volt transformer 232 for control voltage.
An example embodiment can be controlled by a wall mount switch 342 (see
The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of components and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the description provided herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The figures herein are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
The description herein may include terms, such as “up”, “down”, “upper”, “lower”, “first”, “second”, etc. that are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. The elements, materials, geometries, dimensions, and sequence of operations may all be varied to suit particular applications. Parts of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. While the foregoing examples of dimensions and ranges are considered typical, the various embodiments are not limited to such dimensions or ranges.
The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments have more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
As described herein, an apparatus and method for providing selective fan or vent cooling are disclosed. Although the disclosed subject matter has been described with reference to several example embodiments, it may be understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed subject matter in all its aspects. Although the disclosed subject matter has been described with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the disclosed subject matter is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the subject matter extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims.
This is a non-provisional patent application claiming priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/392,958; filed Jun. 15, 2016. This non-provisional patent application claims priority to the referenced provisional patent application. The entire disclosure of the referenced patent application is considered part of the disclosure of the present application and is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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