Wireless damper testing and control system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10982876-B2
Application number	US-201916572367-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 16, 2019
Priority date	Jan 22, 2013
Publication date	Apr 20, 2021
Grant date	Apr 20, 2021

Abstract

A wireless damper control and test system comprising a wireless controller for communicating with a wireless interface using an identifier whereby actuation timing of a damper actuator is transmitted by signal, the wireless interface connected to a damper to be controlled or tested using the transmitted signal, the wireless controller transmits the signals to the wireless interface for operational verification of the damper and damper actuator, and the wireless interface detects a damper state by contacts mounted on the damper and communicates the damper state to the wireless controller.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A damper controller comprising:
a wireless interface configured to:
transmit a query signal to a plurality of dampers;
receive a response signal from each damper of the plurality of dampers in response to the query signal;
transmit a test signal to a damper of the plurality of dampers, wherein the test signal is configured to initiate an operational test of the damper; and
receive a test response signal from the damper, wherein the test response signal is generated in response to the operational test; and

a display configured to display:
a list of the plurality of dampers based on the response signal received from each damper of the plurality of dampers; and
a test result based on the test response signal.

2. The damper controller of claim 1 , wherein the wireless interface is configured to communicate directly with each damper of the plurality of dampers.

3. The damper controller of claim 1 , wherein the wireless interface is configured to communicate with the damper via a relay.

4. The damper controller of claim 3 , wherein the damper is a first damper, and the relay comprises a second damper of the plurality of dampers.

5. The damper controller of claim 1 , comprising a user interface configured to facilitate a selection of the damper from the list, wherein the wireless interface is configured to transmit the test signal to the damper in response to the selection.

6. The damper controller of claim 5 , wherein the user interface includes a plurality of physical buttons.

7. The damper controller of claim 1 , comprising a user interface configured to facilitate a selection of the damper from the list, wherein the wireless interface is configured to transmit an actuation signal to the damper in response to the selection, wherein the damper is configured to actuate a blade of the damper in response to receiving the actuation signal.

8. The damper controller of claim 1 , wherein the response signal includes an identification tag of a corresponding damper and a location of the corresponding damper.

9. The damper controller of claim 1 , wherein the test result includes an indication of whether a reading has been received from a contact of the damper during the operational test.

10. The damper controller of claim 1 , wherein the test result includes a pass indication.

11. A damper comprising:
a blade configured to regulate airflow;
an actuator configured to articulate the blade between a first position and a second position; and
a wireless interface configured to:
receive a query signal from a controller remote from the damper, wherein the query signal is transmitted as part of a scan to detect dampers;
in response to receiving the query signal, responding to the scan by transmitting a query response signal identifying the damper to the controller;
receive a test signal, wherein, in response to receiving the test signal, the actuator is configured to perform a test including cycling the blade between the first position and the second position; and
transmit a test response signal indicative of a result of the test.

12. The damper of claim 11 , comprising a smoke alarm, wherein the test includes an operational check of the smoke alarm.

13. The damper of claim 11 , comprising a switch contact configured to indicate a position of the blade.

14. The damper of claim 11 , wherein the test response signal includes an indication of a test failure.

15. The damper of claim 14 , wherein the test response signal includes a reason for the test failure.

16. The damper of claim 11 , wherein the damper is a first damper of a plurality of dampers, and wherein the wireless interface is a component of a mesh network wirelessly connecting the plurality of dampers such that the query signal, the test signal, or both are received by the wireless interface via a second wireless interface of a second damper of the plurality of dampers.

17. A heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system comprising:
a damper including: a test circuit and a first wireless interface, wherein the test circuit is configured to perform an operational test of the damper, and wherein the first wireless interface is configured to:
receive a test signal;
begin the operational test based on receipt of the test signal; and
transmit a test response signal based on a result of the operational test; and

a wireless controller including a display and a second wireless interface, wherein the second wireless interface is configured to transmit the test signal to the first wireless interface, and wherein the display is configured to display a test result based on whether the second wireless interface receives the test response signal, wherein the damper is a first damper, and wherein the first wireless interface is configured to communicate with the second wireless interface via a third wireless interface of a second damper.

18. The HVAC system of claim 17 , wherein the damper includes:
a blade configured to regulate airflow;
a switch contact configured to indicate a position of the blade; and
an actuator configured to articulate the blade, wherein the result of the operational test is based on a reading of the switch contact.

19. The HVAC system of claim 17 , comprising a plurality of dampers, wherein the second wireless interface is configured to:
broadcast a query signal; and
receive a response signal directly from each damper of the plurality of dampers within a broadcast range of the second wireless interface, wherein the display is configured to display a list of identified dampers, wherein the list of identified dampers includes each damper that sent a respective response signal received by the second wireless interface.

20. The HVAC system of claim 19 , wherein the wireless controller is configured to transmit the test signal in response to a user selection of the damper from the list of identified dampers.

21. The HVAC system of claim 17 , wherein the display is configured to display an indication of time out in response to:
transmitting the test signal; and
not receiving the test response signal within a threshold period of time after transmitting the test signal.

22. The HVAC system of claim 17 , wherein the first wireless interface is configured to:
receive a query signal from the second wireless interface; and
in response to receiving the query signal, transmit a query response signal identifying the damper to the second wireless interface.

Assignees

• Air Distribution Tech Ip Llc

Inventors

• Edwards Thomas R
• Wiley Josiah
• Vogel Timothy A

Classifications

• F24F2013/1433

  with electric motors · CPC title

• F24F2221/52

  Weather protecting means, e.g. against wind, rain or snow · CPC title

• A62C2/12

  Hinged dampers · CPC title

• F24F11/35

  by closing air passages · CPC title

• F24F13/1426 Primary

  characterised by actuating means · CPC title