Automatic temperature and humidity regulation – Distance-adjusted
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-21
2001-01-30
Doerrler, William (Department: 3744)
Automatic temperature and humidity regulation
Distance-adjusted
C062S127000, C165S011100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179214
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to heating, ventilating, or air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and is directed more particularly to a portable control module that may be detachably connected in testing and control relationship to at least one of the subsystems of an HVAC system.
A commercial HVAC system typically includes a number of component systems or subsystems, such as chillers, which are constructed as discrete modular units, but which are controlled in such a way that they operate as cooperating portions of the system as a whole. The desired cooperation is usually achieved by connecting the subsystems together via a local equipment network or LEN. The system as a whole may then be monitored and controlled, from a central location, by using the LEN to receive operational and status information from the subsystems, and to send command and control information thereto.
In order to facilitate the troubleshooting and repair of the subsystems connected to a LEN, the subsystems are provided with local control units, which are often referred to as service modules or service ports. These service modules have control panels which include manually operable keys and displays that enable a service person to assume and exercise local control over the associated subsystems. The manually operable keys and displays may, for example, enable the service person to examine and/or change the setpoints of operating variables, such as pressure or temperature, to determine and/or change the currently selected operating mode or alarm settings, to initiate test sequences, etc. Because subsystems are often located at places where they exposed to the open air, the service modules thereof are usually provided with weatherproof housings that are securely attached to some part of the subsystem.
Because a subsystem, such as a chiller, is often much larger than the human being which services it, the service module thereof is preferably mounted on a part of the subsystem that is selected to enable the service person to observe the operation of as many of the moving parts thereof as is physically possible. Unfortunately, even the most carefully selected mounting location may be one that prevents the service person from seeing the operation of the very part that he wants to test. The service person was then faced with the problem of choosing between being able to initiate a test without being able to see the part to be tested, and being able to see the part to be tested without being able to initiate the test.
Prior to the present invention, the above-described problem was dealt with in one of two ways. One of these was to provide the service person with a second service person or helper, and to divide the task of servicing the subsystem between the two. This solved the problem, but significantly reduced the productivity of the servicing process. It also created a risk that mistakes or misunderstandings on the part of one of the service persons might result in injury to the other.
Another way of solving the problem was to provide each subsystem with a multiplicity of alternately usable service modules. This too solved the problem, but significantly increased the cost and complexity of each subsystem. It also decreased the reliability of the system as a whole by increasing the number of ways in which its subsystems could fail.
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that, prior to the present invention, there has existed a need for an apparatus which could be used to facilitate the performance of the test and control functions of the service module of an HVAC system, and which could be used without decreasing either the productivity of those who service that system, or the reliability of the system as a whole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus which facilitates the performance of the test and control functions of the service module of an HVAC system, and which can be used without decreasing either the productivity of those who service that system, or the reliability of that system as a whole.
Generally speaking, the present invention comprises a portable, preferably hand held, control module that includes a multi-conductor flexible cable and connector plug through which the control module may be detachably connected to one or more of the subsystems of an HVAC system. The connection is preferably established as the connector plug engages a mating receptacle that is included in the service module of the subsystem with which the control module is used, or in one or more other, satellite receptacles that are positioned at various other locations in or near that subsystem. When plugged into the receptacle of the service module, or into one of its satellite receptacles, the portable control module enables a service person to perform any operation that the service person could perform with the service module. As a result, a service person who is equipped with the portable control module of the invention may walk around and observe all parts of the subsystem without giving up any of the testing and control capabilities which he had while standing at the service module, and without having the assistance of a helper.
In accordance with the present invention, the portable control module is designed so that it may be used in the same way as the corresponding service module. In preferred embodiments the service module and the control module are both designed to operate in accordance with a multi-level menu structure, and to enable a user to select the desired mode and level of operation within this menu structure using a weatherproof control panel which includes a relatively small number of displays and manually operable keys.
In the preferred embodiment, the control panel of the portable control module includes two or more different types of displays. A first of these displays comprises a discrete, non-alphanumeric display, which may take the form of an array or row of LEDs. This display, referred to herein as a mode or mode-indicating display, provides the user with a continuous indication of the mode in which the control module is operating. A second of these displays comprises an alphanumeric display, which may take the form of a multi-line LCD display. This display, referred to herein as a data display, provides the user with plain text messages and with the names and magnitudes or states of the variables of interest at the then selected level of the menu structure of the control module. The use of both of these different types of displays is advantageous because it enables the user to sequence through and examine different levels and types of specific information about various parts of the subsystem while at the same time having available a continuous, high level indication of the part of its menu structure within which the control module is operating.
The control panel of the portable control module of the invention also preferably includes a keypad that includes a relatively small number of manually operable keys, such as four, none of which are of the alphanumeric type, and all of which are large enough to be conveniently operated by a service person who is wearing gloves. These manually operable keys preferably include only keys that will hereinafter be described as Up, Down, Enter and Escape keys. When used in conjunction with the above-discussed displays and menu structure, this relatively small number of keys allows a user to sequence or step through all of the functions necessary to fully test and control even complex HVAC systems.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings, in which:
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Fuller Alan Jay
Key Brian Jeffrey
McCaslin Timothy Dale
Carrier Corporation
Doerrler William
Norman Marc
Wall Marjama & Bilinski
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