Hvac system with wireless waveguide system

Abstract

A wireless waveguide system for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The wireless waveguide system includes a sensor that detects an environmental condition and directs a signal indicative of the environmental condition along an interior of a ductwork. A signal sensor detects a strength of the signal within the interior of the ductwork. A repeater that operates based on the strength of the signal detected by the signal sensor and repeats the signal along a communication path at least partially within the interior of the ductwork to a controller of an HVAC unit.

1 . A wireless waveguide system for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
 a sensor configured to detect an environmental condition and to direct a signal indicative of the environmental condition along an interior of a ductwork;   a signal sensor configured to detect a strength of the signal within the interior of the ductwork; and   a repeater configured to operate based on the strength of the signal detected by the signal sensor and configured to repeat the signal along a communication path at least partially within the interior of the ductwork to a controller of an HVAC unit.   
     
     
         2 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a dynamic pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a flow rate sensor, a motion sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a humidity level sensor, an air quality sensor, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 1 , comprising the ductwork including a bend of the ductwork, wherein the repeater is positioned inside the ductwork substantially at the bend. 
     
     
         4 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is positioned within the ductwork. 
     
     
         5 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is positioned outside of the ductwork. 
     
     
         6 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 1 , wherein the HVAC unit is a rooftop unit. 
     
     
         7 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a wireless transmitter configured to emit the signal indicative of the environmental condition. 
     
     
         8 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a wireless receiver, wherein the wireless receiver is configured to receive feedback from the controller. 
     
     
         9 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal sensor is configured to activate the repeater if the strength of the signal is less than a threshold strength. 
     
     
         10 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to couple to a transmitter, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a second signal through the interior of the ductwork. 
     
     
         11 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 10 , comprising a building management system controller configured to receive the second signal. 
     
     
         12 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 10 , wherein the repeater is configured to receive and repeat the second signal. 
     
     
         13 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 12 , wherein the signal sensor is configured to detect the second signal and to control the repeater in response to a second signal strength of the second signal. 
     
     
         14 . A wireless waveguide system for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
 a sensor configured to detect a characteristic of air in an enclosed space and to emit a signal indicative of the characteristic along a communication path through an interior of a ductwork to a controller of an HVAC unit; and   a repeater configured to be placed within the ductwork along the communication path and positioned proximate a bend in the ductwork, wherein the repeater is configured to repeat the signal indicative of the characteristic further along the communication path and toward the controller.   
     
     
         15 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 14 , comprising a signal sensor configured to be positioned within the ductwork, configured to detect a strength of the signal indicative of the characteristic, and configured to activate the repeater in response to the strength of the signal indicative of the characteristic being less than a threshold strength value. 
     
     
         16 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor comprises a dynamic pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a motion sensor, a flow rate sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a humidity level sensor, an air quality sensor, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 14 , wherein the HVAC unit is a rooftop unit. 
     
     
         18 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor comprises a wireless transmitter configured to emit the signal indicative of the characteristic. 
     
     
         19 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 14 , wherein the repeater is positioned proximate an opening in the ductwork. 
     
     
         20 . A wireless waveguide system for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
 ductwork defining an airflow path therethrough;   a controller of an HVAC unit;   a sensor configured to detect an environmental condition and to direct a signal indicative of the environmental condition along the airflow path; and   a repeater disposed within the ductwork along the airflow path, wherein the repeater is configured to repeat the signal indicative of the environmental condition further along the airflow path and toward the controller.   
     
     
         21 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 20 , wherein the ductwork comprises a bend and wherein the repeater is disposed approximately at the bend. 
     
     
         22 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 20 , wherein the ductwork defines an opening, and wherein the sensor is placed within a threshold distance of the opening. 
     
     
         23 . The wireless waveguide system of  claim 20 , comprising a signal sensor, wherein the signal sensor is configured to activate the repeater if a strength of the signal indicative of the environmental condition is less than a threshold strength.