Energy reducing retrofit method and apparatus for a constant volume HVAC system
US8965586B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 2013 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B30/90
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An energy-reducing method and apparatus for retrofitting a constant volume HVAC system, with or without an economizer, that provides heating, cooling, and ventilation to occupants within a building space. The present invention includes the introduction of a programmable logic controller and variable frequency drive (VFD) that takes control of the existing fan, heating, cooling, and optional economizer operation. The controller is programmed fault detection of fan fault, heat/cool (temperature-based) fault, and energy consumption fault. The reduction of the fan speed in the ventilation mode when the 100% operation is not needed saves significant energy of the existing constant volume HVAC system where the fan motor is designed to run 100% of the time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.