Systems and methods for controlling a motor

Abstract

An interface module and methods for controlling a motor in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system are provided. The interface module is configured to determine an operating mode selected from a plurality of operating modes of the HVAC system based on at least one signal received from at least one of a first device and a second device, determine a motor operating parameter at which to operate the motor based on the determined operating mode, and control the motor in accordance with the motor operating parameter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An interface module configured to control a motor in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, said interface module configured to:
 determine an operating mode selected from a plurality of operating modes of the HVAC system based on at least one signal received from at least one of a first device and a second device;   determine a motor operating parameter at which to operate the motor based on the determined operating mode; and   control the motor in accordance with the motor operating parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The interface module of  claim 1 , wherein to determine the operating mode of the HVAC system, said interface module is configured to:
 continuously monitor an aggregate signal of the system controller signals and the thermostat signals; and   compare the resulting aggregate signal with stored reference information to determine the operating mode of the HVAC system.   
     
     
         3 . The interface module of  claim 1 , wherein to determine the operating mode of the HVAC system, said interface module is configured to implement an algorithm that, over time, recognizes and stores as a reference, the first and second device signal combinations and timing. 
     
     
         4 . The interface module of  claim 1 , wherein to determine the operating mode of the HVAC system, said interface module is configured to:
 capture input data associated with available inputs for each mode of operation while the HVAC system is exercised through its modes of operation; and   correlate each mode of operation with respective input data to identify the HVAC system operating modes.   
     
     
         5 . The interface module of  claim 1 , wherein to determine the operating mode of the HVAC system, said interface module is configured to receive and store information for each operating mode input by a technician. 
     
     
         6 . The interface module of  claim 1 , wherein said interface module is further configured to implement one of an ON delay and an OFF delay required by the determined operating mode before transmitting the control signal to the motor. 
     
     
         7 . The interface module of  claim 1 , wherein the second device is a system controller, and wherein said interface module is further configured to provide feedback to be utilized by the HVAC system to satisfy expectations of the system controller. 
     
     
         8 . The interface module of  claim 7 , wherein said interface module is further configured to facilitate at least one of enabling, disabling, and selecting one of a plurality of available motor output signal types. 
     
     
         9 . The interface module of  claim 1 , wherein to operate the motor, said interface module is configured to transmit a control signal to the motor that includes the motor operating parameter. 
     
     
         10 . The interface module of  claim 1 , wherein to control the motor, said interface module is configured to transmit a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal that represents the motor operating parameter. 
     
     
         11 . The interface module of  claim 10 , wherein a duty cycle of the PWM signal corresponds to a percent of full torque that may be generated by motor. 
     
     
         12 . The interface module of  claim 1 , wherein to control the motor, said interface module is configured to transmit a 0 to 10 Vdc control signal to the motor. 
     
     
         13 . The interface module of  claim 1 , wherein said interface module comprises a user interface configured to provide information to a user relating to operation of said interface module, the information including at least one of system control signals status, thermostat signals status, system operating mode, motor torque percent, and delay activity. 
     
     
         14 . The interface module of  claim 1 , wherein said interface module comprises a user interface configured to provide at least one of system health diagnostic information and self-test information. 
     
     
         15 . The interface module of  claim 1 , wherein said interface module comprises a user interface configured to receive operational values input by a user, the operational values including at least one of ON delay times, OFF delay times, and duty cycle values. 
     
     
         16 . A method of controlling a motor in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system using an interface module, said method comprising:
 determining an operating mode selected from a plurality of operating modes of the HVAC system based on at least one signal received from at least one of a first device and a second device;   determining a motor operating parameter at which to operate the motor based on the determined operating mode; and   controlling the motor in accordance with the motor operating parameter.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein determining the operating mode of the HVAC system comprises:
 continuously monitoring an aggregate signal of the system controller signals and the thermostat signals; and   comparing the resulting aggregate signal with stored reference information to determine the operating mode of the HVAC system.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein determining the operating mode of the HVAC system comprises implementing, by the interface module, an algorithm that, over time, recognizes and stores as a reference, the first and second device signal combinations and timing. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein controlling the motor comprises transmitting a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal that represents the motor operating parameter, wherein a duty cycle of the PWM signal corresponds to a percent of full torque that may be generated by motor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 receiving, via a user interface of the interface module, operational values input by a user, the operational values including at least one of ON delay times, OFF delay times, and duty cycle values; and   implementing the operational values prior to operating the motor.