Zoning System for Air Conditioning (HVAC) Equipment

Abstract

A system for distributing conditioned air to a plurality of zones. The system includes an indoor heat transfer unit for thermally conditioning air and a plurality of fans which are operably connected to the indoor heat transfer unit to draw a volume of thermally conditioned air from the indoor heat transfer unit and direct the volume of the thermally conditioned air to a plurality of zones. The plurality of fans continuously monitor and control the volume of thermally conditioned air directed to each of the plurality of zones. Each of the plurality of fans are independently operable.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for distributing conditioned air to a plurality of zones, the system comprising:
 an indoor heat transfer unit for thermally conditioning air; and   a plurality of fans operably connected to the indoor heat transfer unit to draw a volume of thermally conditioned air from the indoor heat transfer unit and direct the volume of the thermally conditioned air to a plurality of zones, the plurality of fans continuously monitoring and controlling the volume of thermally conditioned air directed to each of the plurality of zones, each of the plurality of fans being independently operable.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each fan is in operable communication with a designated one of the plurality of zones so that a fan directs thermally conditioned air to only one of the plurality of zones and not any other of the plurality of zones. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of fans comprises a variable speed motor to control the volume of thermally conditioned air drawn from the indoor heat transfer unit and directed to one of the plurality of zones. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operable connection between the indoor heat transfer unit and the plurality of fans is damperless. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fans are remote from the indoor heat transfer unit. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the each of the plurality of fans directs the volume of thermally conditioned air to a different one of the plurality of zones than the other fans, directing the volume of thermally conditioned air via a system of ducts. 
     
     
         7 . A method to automatically adjust the air balance of a heating ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC), the method comprising directing a measured volumetric rate of air through at least two adaptive distribution and control elements positioned remotely in at least two respective air circuit paths. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the measured volumetric rate of air is drawn from an indoor heat transfer unit by a variable speed fan and is distributed to a remote space in the air circuit path. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein temperature control information is received from a plurality of control devices located in the remote spaces in their respective air circuit path. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the remote space is operably connected to the indoor heat transfer unit through a duct. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the variable speed fan draws and directs the volume of thermally controlled air without a damper. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a plurality of variable speed fans draw and direct volumes of thermally conditioned air from the internal heat transfer unit and toward the remote spaces, wherein each of the plurality of variable speed fans is operably connected to a different remote space such that one fan directs thermally conditioned air to one remote space. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of variable speed fans is controlled by the temperature control information received by one of a plurality of the independent control devices. 
     
     
         14 . A system for distributing conditioned air to at least one remote zone, the system comprising:
 an indoor heat transfer unit for thermally conditioning air; and   at least one fan operably connected to the indoor heat transfer unit to draw a volume of thermally conditioned air from the indoor heat transfer unit and direct the volume of the thermally conditioned air to at least one remote zone, the at least one fan continuously monitoring and controlling the volume of thermally conditioned air directed to the at least one remote zone, the at least one fan positioned remotely from the indoor heat transfer unit, wherein the operable connection between the indoor heat transfer unit and at least one of the plurality of fans is damperless.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one fan comprises a variable speed motor to control the volume of thermally conditioned air drawn from the indoor heat transfer unit and directed to the at least one remote zone. 
     
     
         16 . A method for distributing conditioned air to a plurality of zones, the method comprising:
 thermally conditioning a volume of air with indoor heat transfer unit;   drawing the volume of thermally conditioned air from the indoor heat transfer unit with a plurality of fans operably connected to the indoor heat transfer unit; and   directing the volume of the thermally conditioned air to a plurality of zones with the plurality of fans, the plurality of fans continuously monitoring and controlling the volume of thermally conditioned air directed to each of the plurality of zones, each of the plurality of fans being independently operable.