Abstract:
An HVAC testing system which includes an HVAC maintenance tool with a pinned input/output connector, logic circuitry, and a sensor-and-lead-cable having two wires. Each of the two wires have a first end and a second end. The first ends of the two wires are separately electrically engaged in a single pinned connector complementary to the pinned input/output connector, and the second ends are each attached to a separate conducting clip.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/340,064 filed May 23, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
       1. Field of the Invention 
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to the field of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) maintenance and more specifically relates to tools for facilitating the troubleshooting of HVAC systems. 
       2. Description of Related Art 
       [0004]    HVAC technicians often need to test the operational performance of HVAC systems. Technicians typically find it necessary to make multiple trips from a thermostat to distant or dispersed HVAC equipment. This movement takes an extensive amount of time available to the technician. Further, having to wait for the thermostat to turn on the equipment and cycle the different stages of operations can be frustrating. Further, some troubleshooting may require more than one person to check equipment. A suitable solution is desired. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0338836 to Vaughn relates to an automated hvac system functionality test. The described automated HVAC system functionality test includes systems and methods for performing automated functionality testing for a HVAC system. A method disclosed therein includes receiving a user input to test one of a heating or cooling functionality of the HVAC system. The method also includes identifying an amount to change a set point for a zone controller for the HVAC system based on the user input. The method further includes changing the set point for the zone controller to force the HVAC system into one of a heating mode and a cooling mode in accordance with the user input. Additionally, the method includes storing data from the HVAC system operating in the one of the heating mode and the cooling mode. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known HVAC maintenance art, the present disclosure provides a novel HVAC maintenance system and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an HVAC maintenance tool. 
         [0007]    An HVAC maintenance tool is disclosed herein. The HVAC maintenance tool includes a form factor having a surface and defining an enclosed volume. The volume contains circuity including a first series circuit comprising, in the following order, a power input, a power indicator light, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a second indicator light, and a first power output. The volume also contains a second series circuit comprising, in the following order, a fourth switch, a third indicator light, and a second power output, wherein the second series circuit is connected in parallel with the first series circuit at a point between the first switch and the second switch. 
         [0008]    According to another embodiment, an HVAC testing system is also disclosed herein. The HVAC testing system includes an HVAC maintenance tool with a pinned input/output connector, logic circuitry, and a sensor-and-lead-cable comprising two wires. Each of the two wires has a first end and a second end. The first ends of the two wires are separately electrically engaged in a single pinned connector complementary to the pinned input/output connector, and the second ends are each attached to a separate conducting clip. 
         [0009]    According to another embodiment, a method for the local testing of an HVAC system is also disclosed herein. The method includes accessing the electric terminals of HVAC components of an HVAC system, connecting the electric terminals of the HVAC components to an electronic enclosure logic circuitry, providing power to the logic circuitry from the HVAC system by closing a power switch mounted on or in the electronic enclosure. The method further includes energizing a specific HVAC component(s) by closing a designated switch(es) on the electronic enclosure that shuts a power relay/switch/breaker of the HVAC component and measuring the temperature of an airflow created by energizing the specific HVAC component using a temperature probe functionally connected to the electronic enclosure into the airflow. 
         [0010]    For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, an HVAC maintenance tool, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an external plan view of the HVAC maintenance tool, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the HVAC maintenance tool of  FIG. 1  with its accoutrements, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a wiring schematic of the HVAC maintenance tool of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a functional view of the HVAC maintenance tool of  FIG. 1  connected to an HVAC system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating the use of the HVAC maintenance tool, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0017]    The various embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to HVAC maintenance and more particularly to an HVAC maintenance tool as used to facilitate the local testing of an HVAC system. The operation of HVAC systems are known in the art. In the interest of brevity and clarity any discussion of heating and air conditioning system operation and their various heating and cooling stages is mere surplusage and is not described herein. 
         [0019]    Generally, most buildings use HVAC systems. The subject matter disclosed herein provides HVAC maintenance technicians with a hand tool capable of being connected locally to an HVAC system in order to speed up repairs and improve performance control. The HVAC maintenance tool includes a number of dedicated on/off switches related to a fan, primary heating and cooling mechanisms, temperature control, and secondary heating and cooling mechanisms of the HVAC system. The device allows the technician to turn on the individual components of HVAC equipment locally in order to read temperatures conveniently and in isolation thereby determining if the equipment is operating correctly. The HVAC maintenance tool includes a strap with a magnetic pad on one end in order to hang the HVAC maintenance from various convenient ferrous objects or surfaces. 
         [0020]    Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4  various views of a HVAC maintenance tool  100 .  FIG. 1  shows an electronics enclosure  101  of the HVAC maintenance tool  100 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0021]    The electronics enclosure  101  is any suitably sized and shaped container, or a case, defining a volume in which to secure and contain electrical and electronic devices of the HVAC maintenance tool  100 . As a non-limiting example, the electronic enclosure  101  is described herein to be a box, but may take any suitable or convenient shape such as a sphere, a pyramid, or an irregular, ergonomically shaped casing. 
         [0022]    The electronic enclosure  101  has an outer surface including a cover  103  with cutouts into which switches, lights, a temperature indicator  98 , or other actuator or indicator may be accommodated or mounted. In the exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the cover  103  accommodates five (5) dual position switches. However, that number may be more or fewer to accommodate the desired functionality of the HVAC maintenance tool and may be any type of dual position switch such as a toggle switch, a knife switch, a rocker switch and the like. The exemplary cover  103  also accommodates six (6) indicator lights, and temperature indicator  98 . 
         [0023]    Specifically, the exemplary electronic enclosure  101  accommodates a power on/off switch  31  and a power indicator light  24 . The other switches include a fan on/off switch  66 , a cooling stage/heating stage bi-position switch  34 , a second stage cooling on/off switch  85 , and a second stage heating on/off switch  45 . Other lights include a fan on/off indicator light  59 , a first cooling stage indicator light  72 , a first stage heating indictor light  92 , a second stage heating stage indicator light  52 , and a second stage cooling indicator light  78 . 
         [0024]    The cooling stage/heating stage bi-position switch  34  has a current input and two current outputs (C 1 , H 1 ). A first switch output C 1  provides power to the first and second cooling stages of the HVAC system  130 . A second switch output H 1  provides power to the first and second heating stages of the HVAC system  130 . 
         [0025]    The electronic enclosure  101  may also include a magnetic suspension device  106 . As a non-limiting example, the magnetic suspension device  106  may comprise a flexible strap  105  affixed to the electronic enclosure  101  at a first end and affixed to a magnetic end piece  107  at its second end. The magnetic end piece  107  may be used to magnetically attach the electronics enclosure  101  to a metal surface such as an HVAC system housing (not shown). 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  depicts the electronic enclosure  101  of  FIG. 1  along with its exemplary sensor and lead cable  110  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The exemplary, mom-limiting sensor and lead cable  110  depicted in  FIG. 2  comprises eight wires (together  116 ) each with a first end and a second end. The first end of each wire  116  is connected to one of a male or female pin connector  112  that complements the opposite eight pin connector socket  102  in the electronics enclosure  101 . The second end of each wire  116  of the exemplary sensor and lead cable  110  of  FIG. 2  terminates with one of an electrically conducting clip (together  118 ) or a temperature probe  114 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a wiring schematic of the exemplary electronics enclosure  101  of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The exemplary electronics enclosure  101 , includes a multi-pin electrical connector  102 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , there are an equal number of pins  11  to accommodate each of the wires connecting through connector  112 , although this does not necessarily need to be the case. It is contemplated that a fewer number of wires  116  and corresponding pins  11  may be used with a resulting reduction in functionality. 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 3 , pin R is a power input that receives DC power from a DC power source  131  in the AC unit being tested (See,  FIG. 4 ). The DC power passes through fuse  17  and power indicator light  24  that are connected in series. 
         [0029]    When closed, power switch  31  allows current to pass through the cooling stage/heating stage bi-position switch  34 , which is either in the first stage cooling position  35  or the first stage heating position  36  (See,  FIG. 1 ). When in the first stage cooling position  35 , current is passed through the first stage cooling indicator light  72  and back to a relay or breaker  129  in the HVAC system  130  (see  FIG. 4 ) that starts the first stage cooler (not shown) in the HVAC system  130  being tested. In this configuration the power light  24  and the first stage cooling light  72  are lit. Alternatively, when in the first stage heating position  36 , current is passed through the first stage heating light  92  and to a relay/breaker  129  that starts the first stage heater (not shown) in the HVAC system  130  being tested. In this configuration the power light  24  and the first stage heating indicator light  92  are lit. In either case the temperature probe  114  may be used to measure air flow temperature in order to determine the proper operation of the first stage cooler or the first stage heater (not shown). 
         [0030]    In the interest of clarity and brevity, the various combinations and permutations of exemplary switches, and their resulting effects, are presented in Table 1 below: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 SWITCHES 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 31 
                 34 
                 45 
                 66 
                 85 
                 Resulting Conditions 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Closed 
                 C1 
                 Disabled 
                 Open 
                 Open 
                 Lights 24, 72 light and HVAC stage 1 cooling 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 starts 
               
               
                 Closed 
                 C1 
                 Disabled 
                 Closed 
                 Open 
                 Lights 24, 59 and 72 light. Fan starts and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 HVAC stage 1 cooling starts. 
               
               
                 Closed 
                 C1 
                 Disabled 
                 Open 
                 Closed 
                 Lights 24, 72 and 78 light. HVAC stage 1 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 cooling and stage 2 cooling starts. 
               
               
                 Closed 
                 C1 
                 Disabled 
                 Closed 
                 Closed 
                 Lights 24, 59, 72 and 78 light. Fan starts, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 HVAC stage 1 cooling starts and stage 2 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 cooling starts. 
               
               
                 Closed 
                 H1 
                 Open 
                 Open 
                 Disabled 
                 Light 92 lights and HVAC stage 1 heating 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 starts. 
               
               
                 Closed 
                 H1 
                 Closed 
                 Open 
                 Disabled 
                 Lights 52 and 92 light. HVAC stage 1 and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 stage 2 heating start. 
               
               
                 Closed 
                 H1 
                 Open 
                 Closed 
                 Disabled 
                 Lights 59 and 92 light. The HVAC fan and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 stage 1 cooling start. 
               
               
                 Closed 
                 H1 
                 Closed 
                 Closed 
                 Disabled 
                 Lights 52, 59 and 92 light. The HVAC fan, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 stage 1 and stage 2 heating start. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is an abstract bloc diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure depicting the connection of sensor and lead cable  110  of the HVAC maintenance tool  100  to an HVAC system  130 . For the sake of explanation, the wires  116  of the sensor and lead cable  110  will be referred to as wires R, G, Y 1 , Y 2 , W 1 , W 2 , T 1  and T 2  that correspond to the specific electric terminals  133  on HVAC system  130 . 
         [0032]    In this example, wire R is connected from a voltage output of a step down transformer  131  in the HVAC system  130  and delivers 24v DC power to the power input pin  11  of the HVAC maintenance tool  100 . The exemplary 24v DC power is then selectively distributed to other terminals (G, Y 1 , Y 2 , W 1 , W 2 ) of the HVAC system  130  through the circuitry of the HVAC maintenance tool  100  (See  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0033]    In this exemplary e G is the input voltage to a breaker/solenoid connecting the HVAC fan  134 , Y 1  is the input voltage of the first stage HVAC compressor breaker/solenoid/relay (not shown), Y 2  is the input voltage of the second stage HVAC compressor breaker/solenoid/relay (not shown), W 1  is the input voltage o the first stage HVAC heater breaker/solenoid/relay (not shown), and W 2  is the input voltage o the second stage HVAC heater breaker/solenoid/relay (not shown). For the sake of clarity, the various breaker/solenoids/relays of the HVAC system  130  that are referenced herein are represented by a single item  129 . 
         [0034]    Wires T 1  and T 2  are the input and output leads between the temperature probe.  114  and the temperature indicator  98 . Any suitable temperature probe and indictor may be used. Although not shown, the HVAC maintenance tool  100  may include additional circuitry tapping current from a location inside the electronic enclosure  101  to provide power to the temperature indicator  98 . Such a location may be at ar power switch  31 . 
         [0035]    As a non-limiting operational example, when the power switch  31  and the fan on/off switch  66  are shut, 24v power is delivered to the breaker or solenoid switch in the HVAC system  130  that energizes the HVAC fan  134 . By manipulating the various other switches, a technician may control the various components at e HVAC system  130  without having to take time to move to a distant thermostatelsewhere to turn on the various components of the HVAC system  130 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method  500  for testing an HVAC system  130  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method  500  may use one or more components or features of the HVAC maintenance tool  100  as described above. As illustrated, the method  500  may include physically accessing the electric terminals  133  of the various components of the HVAC system  130  at process  502 , including a power source  131 . At process  504 , each electric terminal  133  is connected to a pin (R, G, Y 1 , Y 2 , W 1 , W 2 ) of the electronic enclosure  101  via a wire  116  of the sensor and lead cable  110 . Power may then be provided to the electronic enclosure  101  by shutting the power switch  31  of the electronic enclosure  101  at process  506 . A maintenance technician may then energize one or more components of the HVAC system  130  to be tested by changing the position of one or more switches provided on the electronics enclosure  101  at process  508 . Once an airflow has been established by energizing one or more components of the HVAC system  130 , component performance may be evaluated by at least placing the temperature probe  114  in an air flow path generated by the HVAC component at process  510 . Processes  508  and  510  may be repeated as required. 
         [0037]    The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for the HVAC MAINTENANCE TOOL (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein. 
         [0038]    The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.