Control of air conditioning system with limited number of discrete inputs

Abstract

A method for interpreting input on a X input multi-stage HVAC & R system to control Y stages of the system wherein Y is greater than X, including the steps of receiving input from X inputs; translating the input into a binary system having Y binary outputs; and controlling the system based upon the binary outputs.

1 . A method for interpreting input on a X input multi-stage HVAC & R system to control Y stages of said system, wherein Y is greater than X, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving input from X inputs;    translating said input into a binary system having Y binary outputs; and    controlling said system based upon said binary outputs.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said system has 2 inputs and 3 stages, and wherein said binary outputs allow said system to be operated with each of 0, 1, 2 and 3 of said stages active.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said stages are vapor compression circuits.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said stages are adapted to provide at lest one of heating, cooling and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said stages include both heating and cooling stages.  
   
   
       6 . An HVAC & R system, comprising: 
 a multi-stage system having X inputs; and Y stages, and wherein Y is greater than X; and    a processor adapted to receive said X inputs, translate said X inputs into a binary system, and use said binary system to control said Y stages.    
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said system has 2 inputs and 3 stages, and wherein said binary outputs allow said system to be operated with each of 0, 1, 2 and 3 of said stages active.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said stages are vapor compression circuits.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said stages are adapted to provide at lest one of heating, cooling and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said stages include both heating and cooling stages.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising an input member communicated with said system for providing said X input to said processor.