IP Library Granted Patent US 11,024,148
Granted Patent B2
US 11,024,148 · App. 15/968,710 · Granted Jun 1, 2021

Systems and methods for actuator installation auto-verification

Inventors: John T. Pierson (Whitefish Bay, WI); John K. Krenzer (St. Francis, WI); Aaron D. Wagner (Menomonee Falls, WI)
Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
G08B21/187F24F11/38F24F11/52F24F11/72F24F11/58F24F2110/10F24F2110/12G05B15/02G05B2219/2642H04L67/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,024,148
App. No.
15/968,710
Granted
Jun 1, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

An actuator in an HVAC system is provided. The actuator includes a motor and a drive device. The drive device is driven by the motor and coupled to an HVAC component for driving the HVAC component between multiple positions. The actuator further includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is coupled to the motor and configured to transmit control signals to operate the motor to drive the HVAC component between a first position and a second position, monitor temperature data received from one or more temperature sensors, determine that the temperature data does not meet an expected performance criterion and transmit an alarm signal.

Claims (48)

1. An actuator in an HVAC system configured to modify an environmental condition of a building, the actuator comprising:

a motor;

a drive device driven by the motor and coupled to an HVAC component for driving the HVAC component between multiple positions; and

a processing circuit coupled to the motor and configured to:

transmit control signals to operate the motor to drive the HVAC component between a first position and a second position;

monitor temperature data received from one or more temperature sensors;

determine that the temperature data does not meet an expected performance criterion; and

modify a control logic function for at least one of the motor or the drive device in response to a determination that the temperature data does not meet the expected performance criterion;

wherein the actuator, including the motor, drive device, and processing circuit, is configured to be physically coupled to the HVAC component via the drive device.

2. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the HVAC component is at least one of a damper, a valve, a fan, or a pump.

3. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuit is further configured to transmit an alarm signal based on the determining that the temperature data does not meet the expected performance criterion, wherein the alarm signal is configured to illuminate at least one notification light emitting diode (LED).

4. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuit is further configured to transmit an alarm signal based on the determining that the temperature data does not meet the expected performance criterion, wherein the alarm signal is configured to transmit a message to at least one of a building management system (BMS) controller or a building automation system (BAS).

5. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein determining that the temperature data does not meet an expected performance criterion comprises determining that a slope of the temperature data is at least one of unexpectedly positive or unexpectedly negative.

6. The actuator of claim 5 , wherein the processing circuit is further configured to reverse the control logic function in response to a determination that the slope of the temperature data is at least one of unexpectedly positive or unexpectedly negative.

7. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein determining that the temperature data does not meet the expected performance criterion comprises determining that the temperature data exceeds at least one of a low temperature threshold or a high temperature threshold.

8. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the temperature sensors is a supply air temperature sensor.

9. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the temperature sensors is a zone air temperature sensor.

10. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the temperature sensors is an outdoor air temperature sensor.

11. A method for operating an actuator in an HVAC system, the method comprising:

transmitting, by a processing circuit of the actuator, control signals to operate a motor coupled to a drive device configured to drive an HVAC component between a first position and a second position, wherein the actuator, including the motor, drive device, and processing circuit, is configured to be physically coupled to the HVAC component via the drive device;

monitoring, by the processing circuit, temperature data received from one or more temperature sensors;

determining, by the processing circuit, that the temperature data does not meet an expected performance criterion; and

reversing, by the processing circuit, a control logic function in response to a determination that a slope of the temperature data does not meet the expected performance criterion.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein an alarm signal is configured to illuminate at least one notification light emitting diode (LED).

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein an alarm signal is configured to transmit a message to at least one of a building management system (BMS) controller or a building automation system (BAS).

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the temperature sensors is a supply air temperature sensor.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the temperature sensors is a zone air temperature sensor.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the temperature sensors is an outdoor air temperature sensor.

17. An actuator in an HVAC system configured to modify an environmental condition of a building, the actuator comprising:

a motor;

a drive device driven by the motor and coupled to an HVAC component for driving the HVAC component between multiple positions; and

a processing circuit coupled to the motor and configured to:

transmit control signals to operate the motor to drive the HVAC component between a first position and a second position;

monitor temperature data received from one or more temperature sensors;

determine that a slope of the temperature data exceeds a historical slope threshold; and

reversing a control logic function in response to a determination that the slope of the temperature data exceeds a historical slope threshold.

18. The actuator of claim 17 , wherein an alarm signal is configured to notify a user of a need of actuator cleaning.

19. The actuator of claim 17 , wherein an alarm signal is configured to notify a user of a need of actuator replacement.

20. The actuator of claim 17 , wherein the HVAC component is at least one of a damper, a valve, a fan, or a pump.

21. An actuator in an HVAC system configured to modify an environmental condition of a building, the actuator comprising:

a motor;

a drive device driven by the motor and coupled to an HVAC component for driving the HVAC component between multiple positions; and

a processing circuit coupled to the motor and configured to:

transmit control signals to operate the motor to drive the HVAC component between a first position and a second position;

monitor temperature data received from one or more temperature sensors;

determine that the temperature data does not meet an expected performance criterion; and

reverse a control logic function in response to a determination that a slope of the temperature data is at least one of unexpectedly positive or unexpectedly negative;

wherein the actuator, including the motor, drive device, and processing circuit, is configured to be physically coupled to the HVAC component via the drive device.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 26, 2026
From: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
To: TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH
Reel/Frame 074497/0885 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2022
From: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
Reel/Frame 058959/0764 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 14, 2018
From: PIERSON, JOHN T.; KRENZER, JOHN K.; WAGNER, AARON D.
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
Reel/Frame 046784/0014 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62500353 · May 2, 2017
Related Publication 20180322766A1 · Nov 8, 2018