Patent Application
20140222216
The present invention relates to an HVAC vent system and method for regulating airflow from an HVAC unit to a zone in a home or commercial structure. The HVAC vent is also capable of sensing and monitoring the condition of the current air condition.
Most heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems used in residential and small commercial applications employ a centrally located HVAC unit, which is controlled by a single thermostat. The desired temperature is set via the thermostat, which is used to control the operation of the HVAC unit. The output of the HVAC unit is delivered to HVAC vents located throughout various locations rooms and zones of the building.
There are a number of disadvantages to this widely deployed system. Two main disadvantages include 1) reduced comfort and/or increased inconvenience of building occupants, or 2) inefficient energy usage, increasing operating costs and environmental impact.
As these systems employ a single thermostat, all of the zones serviced by the HVAC unit share the same temperature setting. What may be a comfortable temperature from one inhabitant may not be for other inhabitants. Furthermore, since the HVAC unit is controlled by the temperature measured at the location of thermostat, the operation of the HVAC unit is controller based on the temperature measured at a single point. Due to many factures, including the construction of the building and the fact that hot air rises, the actual temperature at different sections of the building serviced by the HVAC unit may vary widely. This results in some zones being too hot while others being too cold.
Prior art HVAC systems not only provide sub-optimal comfort, but result in higher operating cost and energy waste. More importantly than the financial costs, energy waste creates an unnecessary environmental impact. Heating and/or cooling uninhabited rooms and zones results in unnecessary energy consumption
Prior art manually adjusted HVAC vents have not proved to be effective in addressing occupant comfort and energy waste.
Zoned HVAC systems are common in commercial structures, and zoned systems have been making inroads into the home market. In a zoned system, sensors in each room or group of rooms, or zones, monitor the temperature. The sensors can detect where and when heated or cooled air is needed. The sensors send information to a central controller that activates the zoning system, adjusting motorized dampers built in to the ductwork and sending conditioned air only to the zone in which it is needed. A zoned system adapts to changing conditions in one area without affecting other areas.
A zoned system allows more control over the indoor environment because occupants can select different operating conditions for each zone. This includes not only different temperature settings, but may set times of the day to remain inactive. Unfortunately, zoned HVAC systems are expensive to purchase and install, and complicated to configure and maintain. The cost and complexity of zoned HVAC systems are major barriers to their widespread deployment.
The system and method disclosed herein addresses the shortcomings of prior art HVAC systems by describing a self-contained wireless HVAC vent. The wireless HVAC vent enables zoned HVAC capabilities for systems serviced by a centrally located HVAC unit. Furthermore, the wireless HVAC vent is designed to directly replace manually operated HVAC vents without requiring additional wiring or installation procedures. The wireless HVAC vent is a self-contained units and contains the following capabilities, 1) wireless communication, 2) control and sensing, 3) air damper motor control and drive, 4) power conversion and battery management. The wireless HVAC vent allows the operating condition of each zone to be controlled independently.
The features and advantages described in the specification are not all inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.
The teachings of the embodiments of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The figures and the following description relate to preferred embodiments of the present invention by way of illustration only. It should be noted that from the following discussion, alternative embodiments of the structures and methods disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viable alternatives that may be employed without departing from the principles of the claimed invention. Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted that wherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figures depict embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.
The system and method disclosed herein addresses the shortcomings of prior art HVAC systems by describing a self-contained wireless HVAC vent. The wireless HVAC vent enables zoned HVAC capabilities for systems serviced by a centrally located HVAC unit. Furthermore, the wireless HVAC vent is designed to directly replace manually operated HVAC vents without requiring additional wiring or installation procedures. The wireless HVAC vent is a self-contained units and contains the following capabilities, 1) wireless communication, 2) control and sensing, 3) air damper motor control and drive, 4) power conversion and battery management. The wireless HVAC vent allows the operating condition of each zone to be controlled independently.
As mentioned about, wireless HVAC vent 100 of the present invention is fully self- contained and can be used to directly replace non-automated HVAC vents without requiring additional installation requirements such as connection to a power source. Furthermore, wireless HVAC vent 100 does not require maintenance, including the replacement of batteries. Again referring to
As mentioned, sensors 108 are capable of detecting temperature levels of the air provided by HVAC unit 103 and of the HVAC zone. However, sensors 108 may also detect additional environmental conditions. Based on detected parameters, the HVAC applications may define operation of wireless HVAC vent 100. Non-limiting examples include barometric pressure, presence hazardous materials or gases, and presence of fire or smoke. For example, if a fire is detected, the wireless HVAC vent may he preprogrammed to place the adjustable damper(s) 104 in the closed position as well as send an alert to the HVAC application via wireless module 111.
