HVAC schedule with designated off periods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10948931-B2
Application number	US-201816031957-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 10, 2018
Priority date	Sep 21, 2010
Publication date	Mar 16, 2021
Grant date	Mar 16, 2021

Abstract

An HVAC controller may include a user interface, along with a memory for storing a recurring programmable schedule having two or more time periods. The user interface may be configured to allow manual modification by a user of the recurring schedule stored in the memory, wherein the user can associate an HVAC-off control mode with any of the two or more time periods. In the HVAC-off control mode, the HVAC controller may not cycle the HVAC unit on regardless of the temperature of the air in the inside space. The HVAC controller further may include an output that is configured to issue operational commands to the HVAC unit in accordance with the programmable schedule.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for operating an HVAC system, the HVAC system comprising an HVAC unit configured to cool and/or heat air of an inside space of a building and an HVAC controller configured to control the HVAC unit, the method comprising:
sensing a temperature of the inside air of the building;
maintaining in a memory of the HVAC controller a recurring schedule having two or more time periods, the recurring schedule including a control mode associated with each of the two or more time periods, wherein the control mode for each of the two or more time periods is selected from a plurality of control modes including:
an HVAC-on control mode that when selected has a period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for the corresponding time period;
an HVAC-off control mode that when selected does not have a period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for the corresponding time period; and

controlling the HVAC unit with the HVAC controller in accordance with the recurring schedule, wherein controlling the HVAC unit with the HVAC controller comprises:
for time periods programmed in the HVAC-on control mode, controlling, by the HVAC controller, the HVAC unit to modify the temperature of the inside space of the building in accordance with the period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for that time period; and
for time periods programmed in the HVAC-off control mode, not controlling, by the HVAC controller, the HVAC unit to modify the temperature of the inside space of the building in accordance with a period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for that time period, if any.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein not controlling, by the HVAC controller and for time periods programmed in the HVAC-off control mode, the HVAC unit to modify the temperature of the inside space of the building in accordance with the period specific temperature set point comprises transmitting one or more messages to the HVAC unit that puts the HVAC unit in an off or standby mode.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
determining whether one or more predetermined environmental conditions is met during the HVAC-off control mode; and
when it is determined that one or more predetermined environmental conditions is met, activating the HVAC unit during and overriding the HVAC-off control mode.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the one or more predetermined environmental conditions comprises the sensed temperature of the inside air of the building exceeding a limit.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the HVAC-on control mode is selected from one of an HVAC-on-cool control mode in which the HVAC unit cools the inside air of the building and an HVAC-on-heat control mode in which the HVAC unit heats the inside air of the building.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising enabling a user to modify the recurring schedule including allowing the user to select either the HVAC-off control mode or the HVAC-on control mode for any of the time periods of the recurring schedule.

7. An HVAC system for conditioning air of an inside space of a building, comprising:
an HVAC unit configured to cool and/or heat the air of the inside space;
a user interface configured to allow manual modification by a user of a recurring schedule having two or more time periods, the recurring schedule having a control mode associated with each of the two or more time periods, wherein the control mode for each of the two or more time periods is selected from a plurality of control modes including:
an HVAC-on control mode that when selected has a period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for the corresponding time period;
an HVAC-off control mode that when selected does not have a period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for the corresponding time period; and

a memory configured to retain the recurring schedule;
an HVAC controller configured to command the HVAC unit to:
for time periods programmed in the HVAC-on control mode, control a temperature of the inside space of the building in accordance with the period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for that time period; and
for time periods programmed in the HVAC-off control mode, do not control the temperature of the inside space of the building in accordance with a period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for that time period.

8. The HVAC system of claim 7 , wherein the user can associate the HVAC-on control mode with any of the two or more time periods.

9. The HVAC system of claim 7 , wherein the user can associate the HVAC-off control mode with any of the two or more time periods.

10. The HVAC system of claim 7 , wherein the HVAC-on control mode for any particular time period comprises one of an HVAC-on-heat control mode, an HVAC-on-cool control mode, or an HVAC-on-autochangeover control mode.

11. The HVAC system of claim 7 , wherein the recurring schedule is a weekly recurring schedule.

12. The HVAC system of claim 7 , wherein the HVAC controller includes the memory.

13. The HVAC system of claim 7 , wherein the HVAC unit comprises a mini-split HVAC system.

14. The HVAC system of claim 7 , wherein the HVAC controller is configured to activate the HVAC unit during a time period associated with the HVAC-off control mode in response to one or more override criteria being met.

15. The HVAC system of claim 7 , wherein the HVAC controller is configured to control the HVAC unit to initiate a setpoint recovery during a time period associated with the HVAC-off control mode.

16. The HVAC system of claim 7 , wherein the HVAC controller is configured to sense temperature during a time period associated with the HVAC-off control mode.

17. The HVAC system of claim 16 , wherein the HVAC controller is configured to command the HVAC unit to, for time periods programmed in the HVAC-off control mode, not control the temperature of the inside space of the building in accordance with the period specific temperature set point specifically programmed into the recurring schedule for that time period by at least not cycling the HVAC unit on regardless of a sensed temperature of the air in the inside space.

18. An HVAC system configured to condition air of an inside space, the HVAC system comprising:
an HVAC unit configured to cool and/or heat the air of the inside space;
an HVAC controller configured to issue commands to the HVAC unit, the HVAC controller being configured to control whether the HVAC unit is in a cooling mode or a heating mode and whether the HVAC unit is currently activated or not, the HVAC controller including:
a user interface configured to allow manual modification by a user of a recurring schedule having a number of time periods, the recurring schedule having a control mode associated with each of the number of time periods, wherein the user can associate an HVAC-off control mode with any of the number of time periods in which the HVAC unit does not condition the inside air of the inside space regardless of the sensed temperature of the inside air, and wherein the user can associate an HVAC-on control mode with any of the number of time periods in which the HVAC unit controls the sensed temperature of the inside air of the inside space in accordance with one or more setpoints;

Assignees

• Ademco Inc

Inventors

• Bergman Gabriel Albert
• Mullarkey Chris
• Leen Cary
• Schultz David
• Cabel Milos

Classifications

• F24F11/61

  using timers · CPC title

• F24F11/56

  Remote control · CPC title

• F24F11/52

  Indication arrangements, e.g. displays · CPC title

• F24F11/67 Primary

  Switching between heating and cooling modes · CPC title

• F24F11/46

  Improving electric energy efficiency or saving · CPC title