WO2007089239A1

WO2007089239A1 - Indoor air quality fan powered on detection scheme

Info

Publication number: WO2007089239A1
Application number: PCT/US2006/003957
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven M. Palermo; Douglas C. Lynn
Original assignee: Carrier Corporation
Priority date: 2006-02-03
Filing date: 2006-02-03
Publication date: 2007-08-09

Abstract

An indoor air quality control board (10) for controlling an air quality module (20) is provided. The indoor air quality control board (10) includes a first current sensing input to sense current to a fan (30). A second current sensing input senses current supplied to the air quality module (20). A first control output supplies current to the air quality module (20) when the fan (30) is operating and does not supply power when the fan (30) is not operating.

Description

INDOOR AIR QUALITY FAN POWERED ON DETECTION SCHEME

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to indoor air quality modules and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for controlling an indoor air quality module.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] Air purifiers, such as UV ballast lamps, are widely used in heating, ventilation, and air cooling systems to disinfect air from germs, fungi, and other pathogens to improve the air quality of indoor environments. Contemporary air purifying systems generally have control systems independent of control systems of the heating, cooling, and air conditioner systems.

[0003] Such control systems may activate the air purifier at less than optimal times corresponding to the function of the heating, cooling, and air conditioner systems rendering the air purifier less effective. Moreover, the air purifier may operate continuously leading to energy inefficiency.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a control to activate and deactivate an indoor air quality module depending on the function of a corresponding heating, cooling, and/or air conditioner systems. [0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a control to activate and deactivate an indoor air quality module with an indoor fan of a heating, cooling, and air conditioner systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one aspect, an indoor air quality control board for controlling an air quality module is provided. The indoor air quality control board comprises a first current sensor, a second current sensor, and a first control output. The first current sensor monitors current supplied to a fan. The second current sensor monitors current supplied to the air quality control module. The first control output supplies power to the air quality control module when the fan is operating and does not supply power to the air quality control module when the fan is not operating.

[0007] In another aspect, an indoor air quality system is provided. The indoor air quality system comprises an indoor air quality control board, a fan, and an air quality module. The fan is in communication with the indoor air quality control board. The air quality module is in communication with the indoor air quality control board. The indoor air quality control board monitors operation of the fan and supplies power to the air quality module when the fan is operating. The air quality module is not supplied with power when the fan is not operating.

[0008] In yet another aspect, a method of controlling a heating, ventilation and air conditioner (HVAC) system which comprises monitoring operation of a fan of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioner system, and supplying power to an indoor air quality module of the HVAC system when the fan is operating.

[0009] The indoor air quality control board can further comprise a second control output to supply power to a remotely mounted lamp. The indoor air quality control board can further comprise a first indicator to indicate power is supplied to the indoor air quality control board. The first indicator can be a light emitting diode. The indoor air quality control board can further comprise a second indicator to indicate power is being supplied to the remotely mounted lamp. The second indicator may be a light emitting diode. The air quality control module can be an UV lamp ballast. The fan may be an indoor fan of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioner system.

[0010] The indoor air quality system can further comprise a remotely mounted lamp in communication with the indoor air quality control board. The indoor air quality control board may supply power to the remotely mounted lamp when the power supplied to the air quality module is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount of power.

[0011] The method can further comprise monitoring power supplied to the air quality module. The method can further comprise supplying power to a remotely mounted lamp when power supplied to the air quality module is greater than or equal to a predetermined supply of power. The method can further comprise activating an indicator when power supplied to the air quality module is greater than or equal to the predetermined supply of power.

[0012] The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic of an exemplary embodiment of an indoor air quality module having a control board of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Referring now to FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of an indoor air quality control board generally referred to by reference numeral 10 is illustrated. Board 10 controls an air quality module based upon the operation of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioner system. In the exemplary embodiment, board 10 is an electronic control used to supply power to an ultraviolet lamp ballast 20 based upon the operation of a fan 30. However, the present disclosure contemplates other such air purifiers and other such components of heating, ventilation, and air conditioner (HVAC) other than ultraviolet lamp ballast 20 and fan 30.

[0015] Board 10 is connected via a first connector 14 to fan 30. Fan 30, preferably, is connected to board 10 via wiring, and more preferably, via six wire cables 32 and neutral wiring 34. Fan 30, preferably, is an indoor fan of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioner system 70. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioner system 70 has a processor board 72 to control the operation of fan 30. Board 10 has a first current sensing input for detecting the operation of a fan motor of fan 30. Board 10 measures a first current in neutral wire 34 in a fan wiring harness. The current, preferably, is AC current.

[0016] Board 10 is connected to ultraviolet lamp ballast 20 by a second connector 16. Second connector 16 connects board 10 to a line side 22 of ultraviolet lamp ballast 20. Board 10 has a first control output to supply a second current to ultraviolet lamp ballast 20. When board 10 senses the first current is present in neutral wire 34, board 10 supplies a second current to ultraviolet lamp ballast 20. When board 10 senses the first current is absent in neutral wire 34, board 10 does not supply the second current to ultraviolet lamp ballast 20. Thus, ultraviolet lamp ballast 20 is activated and deactivated with the activation and deactivation of fan 30. Therefore, fan 30 circulates air to ultraviolet lamp ballast 20 for the removal of contaminants, such as, for example, germs, fungi, and other pathogens. [0017] Board 10 has a second current sensing input, preferably positioned on second connector 16, to measure the second current supplied to ultraviolet lamp ballast 20. The second current sensing input may detect whether ultraviolet lamp ballast 20 is functioning properly. Board 10 may also detect the quantity of the second current supplied to ultraviolet lamp ballast 20. Upon the second current supplied to ultraviolet lamp ballast 20 being greater than a predetermined amount, such as, for example, 0.2 Amps, board 10 may activate a first indicator 60 and supply a third current to a remote lamp 80. Remote lamp 80, preferably, has a capacity of 5 Watts and 230 volts of alternating current and the third current, preferably, is supplied through a third connector or pc board mounted connector 12. First indicator 60, preferably a light emitting diode, is mounted internally on board 10.

[0018] Board 10 is connected via third connector 12 to a power supply 40. Power, preferably, an AC current, is supplied directly from power supply 40 to a terminal block 50 of HVAC system 70. A second indicator 90, preferably, a light emitting diode, and more preferably a light emitting diode having a different color than first indicator 60, indicates when power is applied to board 10. Preferably, safety switches are mounted external to board 10 so that board 10 is not a designated safety control.

[0019] The particular type, including materials, dimensions and shape, of board 10 can vary according to the particular needs of the indoor air quality module. Board 10 is an electrical circuit comprised of resistors, diodes, triacs, inductors, wiring, and the like as known by one skilled in the art and, preferably, detects current between .15 Amps and 2 Amps.

[0020] The exemplary embodiment uses sensors that detect current to control the UV lamp ballast 20. However, the present invention contemplates the use of other parameters, such as, for example, voltage or power, for control being performed by board 10. [0021] While the instant disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An indoor air quality control board (10) for controlling an air quality module (20), the indoor air quality control board (10) comprising: a first current sensor to monitor current supplied to a fan (30); a second current sensor to monitor current supplied to the air quality module (20); and a first control output to supply power to the air quality module (20) when said fan (30) is operating and not supply power to the air quality module when said fan (30) is not operating.

2. The indoor air quality control board (10) of claim 1 , further comprising a second control output to supply power to a remotely mounted lamp (80).

3. The indoor air quality control board (10) of claim 1 , further comprising a first indicator (60) to indicate power is supplied to the indoor air quality control board (10).

4. The indoor air quality control board (10) of claim 3, wherein said first indicator (60) is a light emitting diode.

5. The indoor air quality control board (10) of claim 2, further comprising a second indicator (90) to indicate power is being supplied to said remotely mounted lamp (80).

6. The indoor air quality control board (10) of claim 5, wherein said second indicator (90) is a light emitting diode.

7. The indoor air quality control board (10) of claim 1 , wherein the air quality module (20) is an UV lamp ballast.

8. The indoor air quality control board (10) of claim 1 , wherein said fan (30) is an indoor fan of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioner system (70).

9. An indoor air quality system, comprising: an indoor air quality control board (10); a fan (30) in communication with said indoor air quality control board (10); and an air quality module (20) in communication with said indoor air quality control board (10), wherein said indoor air quality control board (10) monitors operation of said fan (30) and supplies power to said air quality module (20) when said fan (30) is operating, and wherein said air quality module (20) is not supplied with power when said fan (30) is not operating.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said fan (30) is an indoor fan of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioner system (70).

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said air quality module (20) is an UV lamp ballast.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a remotely mounted lamp (80) in communication with said indoor air quality control board (10), wherein said indoor air quality control board (10) supplies power to said remotely mounted lamp (80) when the power supplied to said air quality module (20) is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount of power.

13. A method of controlling a heating, ventilation and air conditioner (HVAC) system comprising: monitoring operation of a fan (30) of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioner system (70); and supplying power to an air quality module (20) of said HVAC system when said fan (30) is operating.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said air quality module (20) is not supplied with power when said fan (30) is not operating.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said air quality module (20) comprises an UV lamp ballast.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising monitoring power supplied to said air quality module (20).

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising supplying power to a remotely mounted lamp (80) when power supplied to said air quality module (20) is greater than or equal to a predetermined supply of power.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising activating an indicator (60) when power supplied to said air quality module (20) is greater than or equal to the predetermined supply of power.

19. An indoor air quality control board (10) as herein before described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing.

20. A method of controlling a heating, ventilation and air conditioner system as herein before described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing.