HVAC air distribution system

Abstract

An HVAC system including a first diverter valve configured to divert, in varying amounts, an airflow entering the valve out two different outlets, in a manner that does not create a substantial increase in backpressure due to the diversion or otherwise substantially restrict the general flow of air in the HVAC system. The system further includes a first sensor assembly configured to sense a first environmental condition that includes at least one of temperature and a phenomenon indicative of the makeup of room air, a control unit, and a user interface unit, wherein the control unit is in communication with the diverter valve and the first sensor assembly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Current HVAC systems come in a wide variety of configurations. These configurations vary greatly in cost, efficiency and their ability to provide consistently accurate temperature, humidity and ventilation control, simultaneously, to multiple vent locations. The ability to accurately control these parameters is desirable as it increases the comfort of the occupants and may, under certain conditions, increase the potential for energy savings.[0002]Current systems that supply conditioned air to multiple vent locations suffer from a number of problems. For example, control of airflow through the system is accomplished by restricting the flow of air, which increases the backpressure of the air distribution system. This increase in pressure reduces the flow rate of the fan and the overall efficiency of the HVAC system. Moreover, current systems lack the ability to sufficiently change flow parameters into rooms when switching between a heating and cooling ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]In another embodiment of the present invention, there is a method of delivering conditioned air in an HVAC system as described above or below, wherein the second routing ratio is substantially different from the first routing ratio. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is a method of delivering conditioned air in an HVAC system as described above or below, further comprising sensing the environmental condition within the first room at two substantially different sensed altitudes within the room, wherein the environmental condition is air temperature, analyzing the sensed environmental condition and determining that a temperature gradient exists between the two substantially different sensed altitudes within the room, identifying a value of a control routing ratio to be used as the second routing ratio that will, within a desired period of time, substantially eliminate the temperature gradient between the two substantially different sensed altitudes; and using the control routing ratio as the second routing ratio.

Problems solved by technology

Current systems that supply conditioned air to multiple vent locations suffer from a number of problems.

For example, control of airflow through the system is accomplished by restricting the flow of air, which increases the backpressure of the air distribution system.

Moreover, current systems lack the ability to sufficiently change flow parameters into rooms when switching between a heating and cooling mode in a system that provides both heating and cooling, such as in a reverse-cycle heat pump.

This lack of flexibility dictates that the during the original installation, the choice must be made whether to install the discharge vents high in a room (thereby maximizing comfort during cooling mode) or to install them low in the room (thus maximizing comfort when in heating mode).

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