Controller configured to receive blower volumes for different operating modes per zones, an hvac system including the controller and a method of operating the controller

Abstract

Provided herein is an HVAC controller that receives blower volumes for different operating modes per HVAC zones, a HVAC system including the same and a method of operating the controller. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive blower volumes for each zone of the HVAC system that correspond to operating modes thereof of the HVAC system, wherein the blower volumes are received via a single graphical user interface and (2) a processor configured to direct operation of a circulation fan of the HVAC system based on at least one of the blower volumes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A HVAC system having a circulation fan, said system comprising:
 a controller having:
 an interface configured to receive, via a single graphical user interface, blower volumes for said circulation fan that correspond to each operating mode of said HVAC system per each zone of said HVAC system; and 
 a processor configured to direct operation of said circulation fan based on at least one of said blower volumes in response to a thermostat call. 
   
     
     
         2 . The HVAC system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said processor is configured to test said circulation fan according to each one of said blower volumes. 
     
     
         3 . The HVAC system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said interface is further configured to receive at least one start input that corresponds to one of said blower volumes, said processor configured to operate said circulation fan at said one of said blower volumes that correspond to said at least one start input. 
     
     
         4 . The HVAC system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said interface is configured to receive multiple test inputs that each correspond to a specific one of said blower volumes, said processor configured to operate said circulation fan based on a sum of each of said specific one of said blower volumes. 
     
     
         5 . The HVAC system as recited in  claim 1 , said controller further comprising a memory configured to store said blower volumes when said interface receives a save input from said single graphical user interface. 
     
     
         6 . The HVAC system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said processor is further configured to stop operation of said circulation fan when said interface receives a stop input from said single graphical user interface. 
     
     
         7 . The HVAC system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said interface is configured receive a cancel input from said single graphical user interface that changes said blower volumes. 
     
     
         8 . A controller for an HVAC system, comprising:
 an interface configured to receive blower volumes for each zone of said HVAC system that correspond to operating modes thereof of said HVAC system, wherein said blower volumes are received via a single graphical user interface; and   a processor configured to direct operation of a circulation fan of said HVAC system based on at least one of said blower volumes.   
     
     
         9 . The controller as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said processor is configured to test said circulation fan according to each one of said blower volumes. 
     
     
         10 . The controller as recited in  claim 8  wherein said interface is further configured to receive at least one test input that corresponds to one of said blower volumes, said processor configured to operate said circulation fan at said one of said blower volumes that correspond to said at least one test input. 
     
     
         11 . The controller as recited in  claim 8  wherein said interface is configured to receive multiple test inputs that each correspond to a specific one of said blower volumes, said processor configured to operate said circulation fan based on a sum of each of said specific one of said blower volumes. 
     
     
         12 . The controller as recited in  claim 8  further comprising a memory configured to store said blower volumes when said interface receives a save input from said single graphical user interface. 
     
     
         13 . The controller as recited in  claim 8  wherein said processor is further configured to stop operation of said circulation fan when said interface receives a stop input from said single graphical user interface. 
     
     
         14 . The controller as recited in  claim 8  wherein said interface is configured receive a cancel input from said single graphical user interface that changes said blower volumes. 
     
     
         15 . A graphical user interface for an HVAC system, comprising:
 air flow input areas configured to receive blower volumes for each zone of said HVAC system;   an operating mode input area configured to indicate an operating mode of said HVAC system; and   start input areas configured to initiate operation of a circulation fan of said HVAC system based on said blower volumes and said operating mode.   
     
     
         16 . The graphical user interface as recited in  claim 15  wherein said operating mode input area is further configured to provide multiple operating modes of said HVAC system and receive a selection for said operating mode. 
     
     
         17 . The graphical user interface as recited in  claim 15  further comprising stop input area configured to end operation of said circulation fan. 
     
     
         18 . The graphical user interface as recited in  claim 15  further comprising a save input area configured to initiate storing said blower volumes in a memory of an HVAC controller. 
     
     
         19 . The graphical user interface as recited in  claim 15  configured to allow testing of air flow for said each zone according to a corresponding one of said blower volumes. 
     
     
         20 . The graphical user interface as recited in  claim 15  wherein said airflow input areas are modifiable during air flow testing of said each zone.