System and method for operating a packaged terminal air conditioner unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10655867-B2
Application number	US-201815878480-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 24, 2018
Priority date	Jan 24, 2018
Publication date	May 19, 2020
Grant date	May 19, 2020

Abstract

A packaged terminal air conditioner unit (PTAC) and methods for operating the same are provided. A PTAC controller is operably coupled to a proximity indication device for detecting that a proximity trigger condition exists and is configured for adjusting an operating parameter of the PTAC to adjust an outlet temperature of a flow of discharge air in response to determining that the proximity trigger condition exists. The proximity trigger condition may exist when a proximity sensor detects an occupant close to the PTAC, when a user input button is activated, or when a voice command is received.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A packaged terminal air conditioner unit comprising:
a bulkhead defining an indoor portion, an outdoor portion, and a vent aperture;
a vent door positioned proximate the vent aperture;
a refrigeration loop comprising an outdoor heat exchanger positioned within the outdoor portion and an indoor heat exchanger positioned within the indoor portion;
a compressor operably coupled to the refrigeration loop and being configured for urging a flow of refrigerant through the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger;
an indoor fan configured for urging a flow of discharge air through the indoor heat exchanger and out a discharge vent;
an expansion valve fluidly coupled to the refrigeration loop within the indoor portion or the outdoor portion; and
a controller operably coupled to a proximity indication device, the controller being configured for:
determining that a proximity trigger condition exists using the proximity indication device;
determining a target temperature based on the proximity trigger condition; and
adjusting an operating parameter of the packaged terminal air conditioner to adjust an outlet temperature of the flow of discharge air to the target temperature in response to determining that the proximity trigger condition exists, wherein adjusting the operating parameter comprises closing the vent door in response to determining that the proximity trigger condition exists.

2. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of claim 1 , wherein the proximity indication device comprises a capacitive sensor or an electromagnetic sensor.

3. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of claim 1 , wherein the proximity indication device comprises a voice command system.

4. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of claim 1 , wherein the proximity indication device is positioned within a front panel of the packaged terminal air conditioner unit.

5. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of claim 1 , comprising:
a temperature sensor positioned within the indoor portion for measuring the outlet temperature.

6. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of claim 1 , wherein the outlet temperature is increased to a target temperature of greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit when the proximity trigger condition exists.

7. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the operating parameter of the packaged terminal air conditioner comprises:
decreasing a speed of the indoor fan to reduce an air velocity of the flow of discharge air.

8. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the operating parameter of the packaged terminal air conditioner comprises:
increasing a speed of the compressor to increase an indoor coil temperature of the indoor heat exchanger.

9. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of claim 8 , wherein increasing the speed of the compressor comprises operating the compressor at greater than 4000 revolutions per minute.

10. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of claim 1 , further comprising:
an auxiliary heater for heating the flow of discharge air, wherein adjusting the operating parameter of the packaged terminal air conditioner comprises energizing the auxiliary heater to increase the outlet temperature.

11. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit of claim 1 , further comprising:
an auxiliary fan positioned proximate the vent aperture and being configured for urging a flow of make-up air from the outdoor portion through the vent aperture to the indoor portion, wherein adjusting the operating parameter of the packaged terminal air conditioner comprises turning off the auxiliary fan in response to determining that the proximity trigger condition exists.

12. A method of operating a packaged terminal air conditioner unit, the packaged terminal conditioner unit comprising a compressor for urging a flow of refrigerant through an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan configured for urging a flow of discharge air through the indoor heat exchanger and out a discharge vent, and a vent door positioned over a vent aperture in a bulkhead, the method comprising:
determining that a proximity trigger condition exists using a proximity indication device;
determining a target temperature based on the proximity trigger condition; and
adjusting an operating parameter of the packaged terminal air conditioner to adjust an outlet temperature of the flow of discharge air to the target temperature in response to determining that the proximity trigger condition exists, wherein adjusting the operating parameter of the packaged terminal air conditioner comprises closing the vent door in response to determining that the proximity trigger condition exists.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
starting a timer when the proximity trigger condition is detected; and
operating the packaged terminal air conditioner unit at an original set of operating parameters when the timer has expired.

14. The method of claim 12 , comprising:
obtaining an outlet temperature using a temperature sensor; and
selectively operating the indoor fan or the compressor to control the outlet temperature to the target temperature.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the proximity indication device comprises a proximity sensor, a motion detection sensor, a user input button, or a voice command system.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the target temperature is greater than 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein adjusting an operating parameter of the packaged terminal air conditioner comprises:
decreasing a speed of the indoor fan to reduce an air velocity of the flow of discharge air or increasing a speed of the compressor to increase an indoor coil temperature of the indoor heat exchanger.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein adjusting an operating parameter of the packaged terminal air conditioner comprises:
adjusting an expansion valve to choke the flow of refrigerant.

Assignees

• Haier Us Appliance Solutions Inc

Inventors

• Jewell Robert William
• D'Souza Bryan Isaac
• Shaffer Timothy Scott

Classifications

• F24F2120/12

  Position of occupants · CPC title

• F24F11/86

  by controlling compressors within refrigeration or heat pump circuits · CPC title

• F24F11/81

  by controlling the air supply to heat-exchangers or bypass channels · CPC title

• F24F2110/10

  Temperature · CPC title

• F24F1/027 Primary

  mounted in wall openings, e.g. in windows · CPC title