US 6,981,383 B2
Zone damper fault detection in an HVAC system
Rajendra K. Shah, Indianapolis, Ind. (US); and Christopher M. Puranen, Noblesville, Ind. (US)
Assigned to Carrier Corporation, Farmington, Conn. (US)
Filed on May 07, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/841,281.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/537693, filed on Jan. 20, 2004.
Prior Publication US 2005/0155365 A1, Jul. 21, 2005
Int. Cl. F25B 49/00 (2006.01); F25D 17/04 (2006.01); G05D 23/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 62—129 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of determining the condition of a damper from a remote location comprising the steps of:
(1) providing a zoned HVAC system including a plurality of zone ducts each including a damper and providing a single control for operating each of said plurality of dampers;
(2) utilizing said control to drive at least one of said dampers between an open and closed position, and leaving at least one other of said plurality of dampers at an initial position, and monitoring a system condition during said movement of said at least one of said dampers; and
(3) identifying a damper fault if said system condition does not change as expected as said at least one of said dampers moves between said open and closed positions.