ACTUATOR OF HVAC UNIT
The present disclosure relates to an actuator comprising an actuating arm, a magnetic slider to select one of a plurality of stroke positions of the actuating arm, one or more sensors to determine a selected stroke position, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit operates the actuating arm based on the selected stroke position.
1 . An actuator, comprising:
an exterior housing;
an actuating arm;
a magnetic slider disposed on the exterior housing and configured to select one of a plurality of stroke positions of the actuating arm;
one or more sensors configured to determine a selected stroke position; and
a processing circuit configured to operate the actuating arm based on the selected stroke position.
2 . The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuit generates a first control signal to operate the actuating arm, where the first control signal is generated based on the selected stroke position and an auxiliary signal provided by a controller.
3 . The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuit generates a second control signal to operate the actuating arm, where the second control signal is generated based on the selected stroke position.
4 . The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the actuating arm is coupled to one of a valve, a damper, and a louver.
5 . The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are selected from a group consisting of hall effect sensors, 3-D magnetic sensors, potentiometers, optical sensors, proximity sensors, and magneto-resistive sensors.
6 . The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic slider is one of a linearly movable magnetic slider and a rotatably movable magnetic slider.
7 . The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic slider is provided on an outer surface of an enclosure of the actuator.
8 . The actuator of claim 7 , wherein the magnetic slider is integral to the enclosure.
9 . The actuator of claim 7 , wherein the magnetic slider is detachably coupled to the enclosure.
10 . A heating, ventilating, or air conditioning device, comprising:
an exterior housing;
an actuating arm;
a magnetic slider disposed on the exterior housing and configured for selection of one of a plurality of stroke positions of the actuating arm and to be accessible above the exterior housing;
a sensor; and
a circuit configured to move the actuating arm based on a selected stroke position sensed by the sensor.
11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the circuit generates a first control signal to operate the actuating arm, where the first control signal is generated based on the selected stroke position and an auxiliary signal provided by a controller.
12 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the circuit generates a second control signal to operate the actuating arm, where the second control signal is generated based on the selected stroke position.
13 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the actuating arm is coupled to one of a valve, a damper, and a louver.
14 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the sensor is selected from a group consisting of hall effect sensors, 3-D magnetic sensors, potentiometers, optical sensors, proximity sensors, and magneto-resistive sensors.
15 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the magnetic slider is one of a linearly movable magnetic slider and a rotatably movable magnetic slider.
16 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the magnetic slider is provided on an outer surface of an enclosure of the device.
17 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the selected stroke position overrides an electronic stroke position.
18 . A method of operating an actuator, the method comprising:
determining a position of a slider using magnetics, the slider being disposed on an exterior housing; and
moving an actuating arm of the actuator to a stroke position of the actuating arm related to the position of the slider.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein a processing circuit generates a first control signal to operate the actuating arm, where the first control signal is generated based on the position of the slider and an auxiliary signal provided by a controller.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the processing circuit generates a second control signal to operate the actuating arm, where the second control signal is generated based on the position of the slider.