Patent Publication Number: US-2020284463-A1

Title: Damper control systems and methods for a zoning system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/815,913, entitled “DAMPER CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A ZONING SYSTEM,” filed Mar. 8, 2019, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light and not as an admission of any kind. 
     A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system may be used to control certain environmental conditions, such as temperature, within a building, home, or other structure. A zoned HVAC system generally includes dampers disposed within ductwork of an air distribution system of a building. The dampers cooperate to regulate air flow within the ductwork and redirect air to specific areas or zones of the building based on a cooling demand of the zones. Accordingly, the dampers facilitate the designation of customized temperature zones throughout the building. That is, the zoned HVAC system may deliver suitably conditioned air to particular zones of the building in order to adequately meet and/or approach a demand for conditioned air in these zones. In many cases, a zone controller or other control unit is used to control and operate the dampers of the HVAC system. Unfortunately, conventional zone controllers are typically inadequate to operate zoned HVAC systems having a relatively large quantity of dampers. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system that includes a controller configured to receive a call for conditioning from each zone of a plurality of zones, where each zone of the plurality of zones includes a damper. The controller is configured to determine a priority level of each zone of the plurality of zones and to control operation of the HVAC system to sequentially open the dampers of the plurality of zones based on the priority levels of the plurality of zones. 
     The present disclosure also relates to a zoning system for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system having a plurality of zones, where the zoning system includes a controller configured to receive a first call for conditioning from a first zone that includes a first damper and to receive a second call for conditioning from a second zone that includes a second damper. The controller is also configured to determine a priority level of the first zone and a priority level of the second zone and to control operation of the HVAC system to sequentially actuate the first damper and the second damper based on the priority levels of the first zone and the second zone. 
     The present disclosure also relates to a control system for a zoned heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system including a plurality of zones. The control system includes a controller configured to receive a call for conditioning from two zones of the plurality of zones, where each zone of the two zones includes a damper set. The controller is also configured to determine a priority level of each zone of the two zones and to control operation of the zoned HVAC system to sequentially open the damper sets of the two zones based on the priority levels of the two zones. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a building that may utilize a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system in a commercial setting, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a packaged HVAC unit of the HVAC system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a split, residential HVAC system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a vapor compression system that may be used in an HVAC system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a control system that may be used to control a zoned HVAC system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a building having HVAC equipment that may be controlled by a control system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process for generating a zoning database for a control system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process for operating a zoned HVAC system using a control system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of an embodiment of additional steps that may be included in the process of  FIG. 8 , in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of an embodiment of a first screen of a graphical user interface that may be used to facilitate generation of a zoning database for a control system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration of an embodiment of a second screen of a graphical user interface that may be used to facilitate generation of a zoning database for a control system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is an illustration of an embodiment of a third screen of a graphical user interface that may be used to facilitate generation of a zoning database for a control system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is an illustration of an embodiment of a fourth screen of a graphical user interface that may be used to facilitate generation of a zoning database for a control system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  is an illustration of an embodiment of a fifth screen of a graphical user interface that may be used to facilitate generation of a zoning database for a control system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  is an illustration of an embodiment of a sixth screen of a graphical user interface that may be used to facilitate generation of a zoning database for a control system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 16  is an illustration of an embodiment of a seventh screen of a graphical user interface that may be used to facilitate generation of a zoning database for a control system of an HVAC system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are only examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
     As noted above, certain HVAC systems may include zoned HVAC systems configured to concurrently regulate separate climate conditions within a plurality of separate spaces or rooms of a building or other structure. These previously-designated spaces or rooms may form zones of the zoned HVAC system. Zoned HVAC systems often utilize a control system to control the operation of various air conditioning devices and/or equipment that enables the independent adjustment of climate parameters within each of the zones. For example, the control system may include a zone controller that is configured to adjust devices of the HVAC system to regulate and/or maintain an air temperature within each zone at a desired setting or within a desired range. Accordingly, the zone controller enables the individual management of climate parameters within the zones. 
     Zoned HVAC systems generally include a plurality of ducts forming an air distribution system throughout the building. The ducts may include return air ducts and supply air ducts that extend between and fluidly couple air conditioning components of the HVAC system, such as an evaporator and/or a furnace, to the zones of the building. For example, each of the zones may be associated with one or more return air ducts and one or more supply air ducts that enable the HVAC system to receive air from and supply air to a particular zone. Respective dampers may be positioned within each of the return air and/or supply air ducts of the zones and may be configured to regulate a flow rate of return air being drawn from and a flow rate of supply air being directed into the zones. In particular, the dampers may be electrically and/or communicatively coupled to the zone controller, such that the zone controller may operate the dampers to adjust respective positions of the dampers. Accordingly, the zone controller may facilitate distribution of conditioned air amongst zones of the building that may be calling for heating or cooling. 
     Typical zone controllers generally include a damper support limit that is indicative of a maximum quantity of dampers the zone controller may operate at a particular instance in time. Indeed, hardware and/or software limitations of conventional zone controllers may render the zone controllers inadequate to control an HVAC system having a quantity of dampers that exceeds the damper support limit of the zone controller. Therefore, conventional zone controllers are typically limited for use in HVAC systems that include a total quantity of dampers that is equal to, or less than, the damper support limit of the zone controller. Accordingly, in many cases, multiple zone controllers are implemented to control HVAC systems that include more dampers than permitted by the damper support limit of an individual zone controller. Unfortunately, implementing multiple zone controllers in an HVAC system may complicate assembly and installation of the HVAC system, as well as increase operational and/or maintenance costs associated with the HVAC system. 
     It is now recognized that enabling an individual zone controller to effectively operate an HVAC system that includes a quantity of dampers that exceeds a quantity of dampers allotted by the traditional damper support limit of the zone controller may reduce manufacturing, assembly, and/or maintenance costs associated with the HVAC system. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a control system that, via implementation of a zoning algorithm, may control an HVAC system that includes more dampers than allotted by the damper support limit of the zone controller. 
     For example, in accordance with present embodiments, the zone controller may be communicatively coupled and/or electrically coupled to a plurality of damper sets of the HVAC system, where each damper set is associated with a particular room or zone of a building. Each of the damper sets may include a total quantity of individual dampers that is equal to, or less than, the damper support limit of the zone controller. The zoning algorithm enables the zone controller to sequentially control the dampers sets based on certain zone parameters when multiple zones send a call for heating or cooling at once. For example, in embodiments where a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone simultaneously send a call for heating or cooling to the zone controller, the zone controller may sequentially control a damper set of the first zone, a damper set of the second zone, and a damper set of the third zone, where each of the dampers sets includes a quantity of individual dampers that is equal to, or less than, the damper support limit of the zone controller. Indeed, by enabling the zone controller to sequentially control the individual damper sets, the zoning algorithm may ensure that the zone controller does not, at a particular instance in time, operate a total quantity of dampers that exceeds the damper support limit of the zone controller. That is, the zoning algorithm may ensure that the zone controller does not operate two or more damper sets simultaneously if a cumulative quantity of individual dampers included in the two or more damper sets exceeds the damper support limit of the zone controller. In this manner, the control system of the present disclosure may enable an individual zone controller to operate an HVAC system that may include more dampers than allotted by the damper support limit of the zone controller. These and other features will be described below with reference to the drawings. 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system for environmental management that may employ one or more HVAC units. As used herein, an HVAC system includes any number of components configured to enable regulation of parameters related to climate characteristics, such as temperature, humidity, air flow, pressure, air quality, and so forth. For example, an “HVAC system” as used herein is defined as conventionally understood and as further described herein. Components or parts of an “HVAC system” may include, but are not limited to, all, some of, or individual parts such as a heat exchanger, a heater, an air flow control device, such as a fan, a sensor configured to detect a climate characteristic or operating parameter, a filter, a control device configured to regulate operation of an HVAC system component, a component configured to enable regulation of climate characteristics, or a combination thereof. An “HVAC system” is a system configured to provide such functions as heating, cooling, ventilation, dehumidification, pressurization, refrigeration, filtration, or any combination thereof. The embodiments described herein may be utilized in a variety of applications to control climate characteristics, such as residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, or other applications where climate control is desired. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a building  10  is air conditioned by a system that includes an HVAC unit  12 . The building  10  may be a commercial structure or a residential structure. As shown, the HVAC unit  12  is disposed on the roof of the building  10 ; however, the HVAC unit  12  may be located in other equipment rooms or areas adjacent the building  10 . The HVAC unit  12  may be a single package unit containing other equipment, such as a blower, integrated air handler, and/or auxiliary heating unit. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may be part of a split HVAC system, such as the system shown in  FIG. 3 , which includes an outdoor HVAC unit  58  and an indoor HVAC unit  56 . 
     The HVAC unit  12  is an air cooled device that implements a refrigeration cycle to provide conditioned air to the building  10 . Specifically, the HVAC unit  12  may include one or more heat exchangers across which an air flow is passed to condition the air flow before the air flow is supplied to the building. In the illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit  12  is a rooftop unit (RTU) that conditions a supply air stream, such as environmental air and/or a return air flow from the building  10 . After the HVAC unit  12  conditions the air, the air is supplied to the building  10  via ductwork  14  extending throughout the building  10  from the HVAC unit  12 . For example, the ductwork  14  may extend to various individual floors or other sections of the building  10 . In certain embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may be a heat pump that provides both heating and cooling to the building with one refrigeration circuit configured to operate in different modes. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may include one or more refrigeration circuits for cooling an air stream and a furnace for heating the air stream. 
     A control device  16 , one type of which may be a thermostat, may be used to designate the temperature of the conditioned air. The control device  16  also may be used to control the flow of air through the ductwork  14 . For example, the control device  16  may be used to regulate operation of one or more components of the HVAC unit  12  or other components, such as dampers and fans, within the building  10  that may control flow of air through and/or from the ductwork  14 . In some embodiments, other devices may be included in the system, such as pressure and/or temperature transducers or switches that sense the temperatures and pressures of the supply air, return air, and so forth. Moreover, the control device  16  may include computer systems that are integrated with or separate from other building control or monitoring systems, and even systems that are remote from the building  10 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the HVAC unit  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the HVAC unit  12  is a single package unit that may include one or more independent refrigeration circuits and components that are tested, charged, wired, piped, and ready for installation. The HVAC unit  12  may provide a variety of heating and/or cooling functions, such as cooling only, heating only, cooling with electric heat, cooling with dehumidification, cooling with gas heat, or cooling with a heat pump. As described above, the HVAC unit  12  may directly cool and/or heat an air stream provided to the building  10  to condition a space in the building  10 . 
     As shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2 , a cabinet  24  encloses the HVAC unit  12  and provides structural support and protection to the internal components from environmental and other contaminants. In some embodiments, the cabinet  24  may be constructed of galvanized steel and insulated with aluminum foil faced insulation. Rails  26  may be joined to the bottom perimeter of the cabinet  24  and provide a foundation for the HVAC unit  12 . In certain embodiments, the rails  26  may provide access for a forklift and/or overhead rigging to facilitate installation and/or removal of the HVAC unit  12 . In some embodiments, the rails  26  may fit into “curbs” on the roof to enable the HVAC unit  12  to provide air to the ductwork  14  from the bottom of the HVAC unit  12  while blocking elements such as rain from leaking into the building  10 . 
     The HVAC unit  12  includes heat exchangers  28  and  30  in fluid communication with one or more refrigeration circuits. Tubes within the heat exchangers  28  and  30  may circulate refrigerant, such as R- 410 A, through the heat exchangers  28  and  30 . The tubes may be of various types, such as multichannel tubes, conventional copper or aluminum tubing, and so forth. Together, the heat exchangers  28  and  30  may implement a thermal cycle in which the refrigerant undergoes phase changes and/or temperature changes as it flows through the heat exchangers  28  and  30  to produce heated and/or cooled air. For example, the heat exchanger  28  may function as a condenser where heat is released from the refrigerant to ambient air, and the heat exchanger  30  may function as an evaporator where the refrigerant absorbs heat to cool an air stream. In other embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may operate in a heat pump mode where the roles of the heat exchangers  28  and  30  may be reversed. That is, the heat exchanger  28  may function as an evaporator and the heat exchanger  30  may function as a condenser. In further embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may include a furnace for heating the air stream that is supplied to the building  10 . While the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 2  shows the HVAC unit  12  having two of the heat exchangers  28  and  30 , in other embodiments, the HVAC unit  12  may include one heat exchanger or more than two heat exchangers. 
     The heat exchanger  30  is located within a compartment  31  that separates the heat exchanger  30  from the heat exchanger  28 . Fans  32  draw air from the environment through the heat exchanger  28 . Air may be heated and/or cooled as the air flows through the heat exchanger  28  before being released back to the environment surrounding the rooftop unit  12 . A blower assembly  34 , powered by a motor  36 , draws air through the heat exchanger  30  to heat or cool the air. The heated or cooled air may be directed to the building  10  by the ductwork  14 , which may be connected to the HVAC unit  12 . Before flowing through the heat exchanger  30 , the conditioned air flows through one or more filters  38  that may remove particulates and contaminants from the air. In certain embodiments, the filters  38  may be disposed on the air intake side of the heat exchanger  30  to prevent contaminants from contacting the heat exchanger  30 . 
     The HVAC unit  12  also may include other equipment for implementing the thermal cycle. Compressors  42  increase the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant before the refrigerant enters the heat exchanger  28 . The compressors  42  may be any suitable type of compressors, such as scroll compressors, rotary compressors, screw compressors, or reciprocating compressors. In some embodiments, the compressors  42  may include a pair of hermetic direct drive compressors arranged in a dual stage configuration  44 . However, in other embodiments, any number of the compressors  42  may be provided to achieve various stages of heating and/or cooling. As may be appreciated, additional equipment and devices may be included in the HVAC unit  12 , such as a solid-core filter drier, a drain pan, a disconnect switch, an economizer, pressure switches, phase monitors, and humidity sensors, among other things. 
     The HVAC unit  12  may receive power through a terminal block  46 . For example, a high voltage power source may be connected to the terminal block  46  to power the equipment. The operation of the HVAC unit  12  may be governed or regulated by a control board  48 . The control board  48  may include control circuitry connected to a thermostat, sensors, and alarms. One or more of these components may be referred to herein separately or collectively as the control device  16 . The control circuitry may be configured to control operation of the equipment, provide alarms, and monitor safety switches. Wiring  49  may connect the control board  48  and the terminal block  46  to the equipment of the HVAC unit  12 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a residential heating and cooling system  50 , also in accordance with present techniques. The residential heating and cooling system  50  may provide heated and cooled air to a residential structure, as well as provide outside air for ventilation and provide improved indoor air quality (IAQ) through devices such as ultraviolet lights and air filters. In the illustrated embodiment, the residential heating and cooling system  50  is a split HVAC system. In general, a residence  52  conditioned by a split HVAC system may include refrigerant conduits  54  that operatively couple the indoor unit  56  to the outdoor unit  58 . The indoor unit  56  may be positioned in a utility room, an attic, a basement, and so forth. The outdoor unit  58  is typically situated adjacent to a side of residence  52  and is covered by a shroud to protect the system components and to prevent leaves and other debris or contaminants from entering the unit. The refrigerant conduits  54  transfer refrigerant between the indoor unit  56  and the outdoor unit  58 , typically transferring primarily liquid refrigerant in one direction and primarily vaporized refrigerant in an opposite direction. 
     When the system shown in  FIG. 3  is operating as an air conditioner, a heat exchanger  60  in the outdoor unit  58  serves as a condenser for re-condensing vaporized refrigerant flowing from the indoor unit  56  to the outdoor unit  58  via one of the refrigerant conduits  54 . In these applications, a heat exchanger  62  of the indoor unit functions as an evaporator. Specifically, the heat exchanger  62  receives liquid refrigerant, which may be expanded by an expansion device, and evaporates the refrigerant before returning it to the outdoor unit  58 . 
     The outdoor unit  58  draws environmental air through the heat exchanger  60  using a fan  64  and expels the air above the outdoor unit  58 . When operating as an air conditioner, the air is heated by the heat exchanger  60  within the outdoor unit  58  and exits the unit at a temperature higher than it entered. The indoor unit  56  includes a blower or fan  66  that directs air through or across the indoor heat exchanger  62 , where the air is cooled when the system is operating in air conditioning mode. Thereafter, the air is passed through ductwork  68  that directs the air to the residence  52 . The overall system operates to maintain a desired temperature as set by a system controller. When the temperature sensed inside the residence  52  is higher than the set point on the thermostat, or a set point plus a small amount, the residential heating and cooling system  50  may become operative to refrigerate additional air for circulation through the residence  52 . When the temperature reaches the set point, or a set point minus a small amount, the residential heating and cooling system  50  may stop the refrigeration cycle temporarily. 
     The residential heating and cooling system  50  may also operate as a heat pump. When operating as a heat pump, the roles of heat exchangers  60  and  62  are reversed. That is, the heat exchanger  60  of the outdoor unit  58  will serve as an evaporator to evaporate refrigerant and thereby cool air entering the outdoor unit  58  as the air passes over outdoor the heat exchanger  60 . The indoor heat exchanger  62  will receive a stream of air blown over it and will heat the air by condensing the refrigerant. 
     In some embodiments, the indoor unit  56  may include a furnace system  70 . For example, the indoor unit  56  may include the furnace system  70  when the residential heating and cooling system  50  is not configured to operate as a heat pump. The furnace system  70  may include a burner assembly and heat exchanger, among other components, inside the indoor unit  56 . Fuel is provided to the burner assembly of the furnace  70  where it is mixed with air and combusted to form combustion products. The combustion products may pass through tubes or piping in a heat exchanger, separate from heat exchanger  62 , such that air directed by the blower  66  passes over the tubes or pipes and extracts heat from the combustion products. The heated air may then be routed from the furnace system  70  to the ductwork  68  for heating the residence  52 . 
       FIG. 4  is an embodiment of a vapor compression system  72  that can be used in any of the systems described above. The vapor compression system  72  may circulate a refrigerant through a circuit starting with a compressor  74 . The circuit may also include a condenser  76 , an expansion valve(s) or device(s)  78 , and an evaporator  80 . The vapor compression system  72  may further include a control panel  82  that has an analog to digital (A/D) converter  84 , a microprocessor  86 , a non-volatile memory  88 , and/or an interface board  90 . The control panel  82  and its components may function to regulate operation of the vapor compression system  72  based on feedback from an operator, from sensors of the vapor compression system  72  that detect operating conditions, and so forth. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor compression system  72  may use one or more of a variable speed drive (VSDs)  92 , a motor  94 , the compressor  74 , the condenser  76 , the expansion valve or device  78 , and/or the evaporator  80 . The motor  94  may drive the compressor  74  and may be powered by the variable speed drive (VSD)  92 . The VSD  92  receives alternating current (AC) power having a particular fixed line voltage and fixed line frequency from an AC power source, and provides power having a variable voltage and frequency to the motor  94 . In other embodiments, the motor  94  may be powered directly from an AC or direct current (DC) power source. The motor  94  may include any type of electric motor that can be powered by a VSD or directly from an AC or DC power source, such as a switched reluctance motor, an induction motor, an electronically commutated permanent magnet motor, or another suitable motor. 
     The compressor  74  compresses a refrigerant vapor and delivers the vapor to the condenser  76  through a discharge passage. In some embodiments, the compressor  74  may be a centrifugal compressor. The refrigerant vapor delivered by the compressor  74  to the condenser  76  may transfer heat to a fluid passing across the condenser  76 , such as ambient or environmental air  96 . The refrigerant vapor may condense to a refrigerant liquid in the condenser  76  as a result of thermal heat transfer with the environmental air  96 . The liquid refrigerant from the condenser  76  may flow through the expansion device  78  to the evaporator  80 . 
     The liquid refrigerant delivered to the evaporator  80  may absorb heat from another air stream, such as a supply air stream  98  provided to the building  10  or the residence  52 . For example, the supply air stream  98  may include ambient or environmental air, return air from a building, or a combination of the two. The liquid refrigerant in the evaporator  80  may undergo a phase change from the liquid refrigerant to a refrigerant vapor. In this manner, the evaporator  80  may reduce the temperature of the supply air stream  98  via thermal heat transfer with the refrigerant. Thereafter, the vapor refrigerant exits the evaporator  80  and returns to the compressor  74  by a suction line to complete the cycle. 
     In some embodiments, the vapor compression system  72  may further include a reheat coil in addition to the evaporator  80 . For example, the reheat coil may be positioned downstream of the evaporator relative to the supply air stream  98  and may reheat the supply air stream  98  when the supply air stream  98  is overcooled to remove humidity from the supply air stream  98  before the supply air stream  98  is directed to the building  10  or the residence  52 . 
     It should be appreciated that any of the features described herein may be incorporated with the HVAC unit  12 , the residential heating and cooling system  50 , or other HVAC systems. Additionally, while the features disclosed herein are described in the context of embodiments that directly heat and cool a supply air stream provided to a building or other load, embodiments of the present disclosure may be applicable to other HVAC systems as well. For example, the features described herein may be applied to mechanical cooling systems, free cooling systems, chiller systems, or other heat pump or refrigeration applications. 
     The description above with reference to  FIGS. 1-4  is intended to be illustrative of the context of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure may include features of the description above. As will be discussed in more detail below, embodiments of the present disclosure include a zoned HVAC system having a control system, such as the control device  16 , which may be configured to sequentially operate respective damper sets that are associated with particular zones serviced by the zoned HVAC system. More specifically, the control system is configured to sequentially operate the damper sets based on respective priority levels of the zones and/or based on predetermined upper airflow limits associated with the zones. 
     With the foregoing in mind,  FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a control system  102  that may be configured to operate any of the HVAC systems of  FIGS. 1-4  or any other suitable zoned HVAC system associated with the building  10  or another structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the control system  102  includes a zone controller  104 , a display device  106 , which may be an input device, and one or more control devices  108 , such as one or more thermostats, which may be configured to cooperatively control HVAC equipment  110  of an HVAC system. As discussed in detail below, in some embodiments, the HVAC equipment  110  may include one or more dampers, louvers, or other suitable flow regulation devices that are configured to control airflow into or out of particular zones of the HVAC system. 
     The zone controller  104  includes a processor  112  and a memory device  114 . The processor  112  may be used to execute software, such as software for providing commands and/or data to the control system  102 , and so forth. Moreover, the processor  112  may include multiple microprocessors, one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors, and/or one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICS), or some combination thereof. For example, upon installation of the software or other executable instructions on the processor  112 , the processor  112  may become a special purpose processor configured to improve operation of the processor  112 , operation of an HVAC system, and/or operation of the control system  102  using the techniques described herein. In some embodiments, the processor  112  may include one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) processors. The memory device  114  may include a volatile memory, such as RAM, and/or a nonvolatile memory, such as ROM. The memory device  114  may store a variety of information and may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory device  114  may store processor-executable instructions for the processor  112  to execute, such as instructions for providing commands and/or data to the control system  102  and/or to components of an HVAC system associated with the control system  102 . 
     As described in greater detail herein, in certain embodiments, the processor  112  may generate and display a graphical user interface (GUI) on the display device  106 . The GUI enables an occupant, an installer or service technician, or another user to input commands into the control system  102  and to control operation of the control system  102 . In some embodiments, the display device  106  may be a component of the zone controller  104 , a component of one of the control devices  108 , or a control panel screen of an HVAC unit. In other embodiments, the display device  106  may be an external device communicatively coupled to the control system  102 . For example, the display device  106  may be a tablet, a mobile device, a laptop computer, a personal computer, a wearable device, and/or the like. The display device  106  may be communicatively coupled to the components of the control system  102  via various wired and/or wired communication devices or techniques. 
     For example, the zone controller  104 , the display device  106 , the control devices  108 , and/or certain of the HVAC equipment  110  may each have a communication component that facilitates wired or wireless communication between the zone controller  104 , the display device  106 , the control devices  108 , and/or the HVAC equipment  110  via a network. Accordingly, individual components of the control system  102  may communicate with one another via the network. The communication components may include a network interface that enables the zone controller  104 , the display device  106 , the control devices  108 , and/or the HVAC equipment  110  to communicate via various protocols such as EtherNet/IP, ControlNet, DeviceNet, or any other communication network protocol. Alternatively, the communication components may enable the zone controller  104 , the display device  106 , the control devices  108 , and/or the HVAC equipment  110  to communicate via various wireless communication protocols such as Wi-Fi, mobile telecommunications technology, Bluetooth®, near-field communications technology, and the like. As such, the zone controller  104 , the display device  106 , the control devices  108 , and/or the HVAC equipment  110  may wirelessly communicate data between each other. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic of an embodiment of the building  10  serviced by the control system  102 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the building  10  includes a first zone  120 , a second zone  122 , a third zone  124 , and a fourth zone  126 , which are collectively referred to herein as zones  128 . In some embodiments, each of the zones  128  may be associated with a respective room or space within the building  10 . However, it should be understood that, in other embodiments, each of the zones  128  may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more than 6 rooms. The control devices  108  may include a first control device  130 , a second control device  132 , a third control device  134 , and a fourth control device  136 , which are respectively positioned within and/or associated with the first zone  120 , the second zone  122 , the third zone  124 , and the fourth zone  124 . Accordingly, the control devices  108  may individually monitor climate parameters, such as temperature, within each of the zones  128 . 
     The zones  128  are supplied with conditioned air generated by an HVAC system  138 . It should be appreciated that the HVAC system  138  may include any of the HVAC systems of  FIGS. 1-4  or any other suitable HVAC system. The HVAC system  138  includes the HVAC equipment  110 , which enables the HVAC system  138  to supply conditioned air to one or more of the zones  128 . More specifically, the HVAC equipment  110  enables the HVAC system  138  to concurrently regulate climate parameters within each of the zones  128  of the building  10  via supply or other regulation of air flow to, within, and/or from the zones  128 . 
     For example, in some embodiments, the HVAC equipment  110  may include a first damper set  140 , a second damper set  142 , a third damper set  144 , and a fourth damper set  146 , which are respectively associated with the first zone  120 , the second zone  122 , the third zone  124 , and the fourth zone  126 . The first, second, third, and fourth damper sets  140 ,  142 ,  144 , and  146  may be fluidly coupled to the HVAC system  138  via an air distribution system, such as a system of ductwork, which enables the damper sets  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146  to control a flow rate of conditioned air supplied to the zones  128  and a flow rate of return air drawn from the zones  128  via the HVAC system  138 . Indeed, it should be understood that the first damper set  140 , the second damper set  142 , the third damper set  144 , and the fourth damper set  146  may each include one or more supply air dampers and/or one or more return air dampers. For conciseness, the first damper set  140 , the second damper set  142 , the third damper set  144 , and the fourth damper set  146  may be collectively or individually referred to herein as damper sets  150 . 
     As noted above, the zone controller  104  may be communicatively coupled to the control devices  108  to enable the zone controller  104  to monitor and/or regulate a temperature, humidity, and/or other climate parameter within each of the zones  128  based on feedback received from the control devices  108 . For example, the zone controller  104  may be configured to adjust a flow rate of conditioned air that is supplied to the zones  128  via the HVAC system  138  based on temperature measurements acquired by the control devices  108 . In some embodiments, an occupant or resident of the building  10  may input a desired target temperature setpoint of the first zone  120  using, for example, the first control device  130 . The first control device  130  may determine whether a current or measured temperature within the first zone  120  is within a threshold range of the target temperature setpoint of the first zone  120 . If the current temperature within the first zone  120  deviates from the target temperature setpoint of the first zone  120  by a threshold amount, the first control device  130  may send a call for heating or cooling to the zone controller  104 . In response, that the zone controller  104  may adjust a position the first damper set  140  to increase or decrease a flow rate of conditioned air supplied to the first zone  120  via the HVAC system  138 . 
     For example, in embodiments where the HVAC system  138  is operating in a cooling mode and the current temperature within the first zone  120  exceeds the target temperature setpoint of the first zone  120  by the threshold amount, the first control device  130  may send a call for cooling to the zone controller  104 . In response, the zone controller  104  may instruct the first damper set  140  to transition to an open position, or to a partially open position, thereby increasing a flow rate of conditioned air or cooled air that is supplied to the first zone  120  via the HVAC system  138 . Accordingly, the HVAC system  138  may gradually reduce the current temperature within the first zone  120 , such that the current temperature may approach the target temperature setpoint of the first zone  120 . In accordance with the techniques described herein, the zone controller  104  may similarly control operation of the second, third, and fourth damper sets  142 ,  144 , and  146  to regulate air flow conditioned by the HVAC system  138  and supplied to the second, third, and fourth zones  122 ,  124  and  126 . In this manner, the zone controller  104  may ensure that a current temperature within each of the zones  128  remains within a threshold range of respective target temperature setpoints of the zones  128 . 
     As noted above, the zone controller  104  generally or traditionally includes a damper support limit that is indicative of a particular quantity of dampers that the zone controller  104  may simultaneously operate at a given instance in time. For example, the zone controller  104  may include internal hardware or software limitations that enable the zone controller  104  to output an electrical current or a control signal that is suitable to simultaneously operate, for example, twenty dampers or less at a particular time. Accordingly, as used herein, the “damper support limit” of the zone controller  104  is indicative of a maximum quantity of dampers the zone controller  104  may effectively operate simultaneously or concurrently. 
     In some embodiments, when multiple zones  128  of the building  10  concurrently send a call for heating or cooling to the zone controller  104 , a cumulative quantity of dampers associated with these zones  128  may exceed the damper support limit of the zone controller  104 . For example, if the control devices  108  of the first and second zones  120  and  122  concurrently send a call for cooling to the zone controller  104 , where the first damper set  140  of the first zone  120  includes fifteen dampers, the second damper set  142  of the second zone  122  includes six dampers, and the damper support limit of the zone controller  104  is twenty dampers, the damper support limit of the zone controller  104  is exceeded, such that the zone controller  104  may be unable to simultaneously operate all of the dampers in the first and second damper sets  140  and  142 . Indeed, in such an example, the zone controller  104  may shut down or deactivate to prevent wear or overloading on certain electrical components of the zone controller  104 . 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure include a processor-executable algorithm or process, referred to herein as a zoning algorithm, which enables the zone controller  104  to sequentially operate the damper sets  150  when a request to operate a cumulative quantity of dampers at a particular time exceeds the damper support limit of the zone controller  104 . Particularly, in the present example, the zoning algorithm may enable the zone controller  104  to first operate, for example, the first damper set  140  and, upon completing actuation of the first damper set  140 , subsequently operate the second damper set  142 . Indeed, it should be understood that the first damper set  140  and the second damper set  142  each include a quantity of individual dampers that is within the damper support limit of the zone controller  104 . In this manner, the zoning algorithm may enable the zone controller  104  to control operation of an HVAC system that may include a total quantity of dampers that exceeds the damper support limit of the zone controller  104 . The zoning algorithm may be executed by the processor  112  of the zone controller  104 , the microprocessor  86  of the control panel  82 , and/or any other suitable processor or controller of the HVAC system  138 . As discussed below, the zoning algorithm may instruct the zone controller  104  to sequentially operate the damper sets  150  based on certain zone parameters associated with each of the zones  128 , such as a user selected priority level of the zones  128  and/or an upper airflow limit of the zones  128 . 
     In some embodiments, the zone controller  104  may be configured to determine a quantity of individual dampers that are associated with each of the zones  128  by referencing a zoning database that is stored within, for example, the memory device  114  of the zone controller  104  and/or the memory device  88  of the control panel  82 . That is, the zoning database may store and catalogue a quantity of dampers that are respectively included in the first, second, third, and fourth damper sets  140 ,  142 ,  144  and  146 . Additionally, the zoning database may store user-specified priority levels associated with the zones  128  and/or the upper airflow limits of the zones  128 , which enable the zone controller  104  to determine an order in which to sequentially control the individual dampers sets  150  during operation of the HVAC system  138 . Particularly, the zone controller  104  may reference the zoning database during execution of the zoning algorithm to determine an appropriate sequence by which to operate, for example, the first, second, third, and/or fourth damper sets  140 ,  142 ,  144  and/or  146  when the first, second, third, and/or fourth zones  120 ,  122 ,  124  and/or  126 , respectively, send a call for heating or cooling to the zone controller  104 . 
     With the foregoing in mind,  FIG. 7  is flow diagram of an embodiment of a process  160  that may be used to generate the zoning database. It should be appreciated that one or more of the steps discussed below may be performed during installation or initial set-up of the control system  102  and/or the HVAC system  138 . For example, as discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 10-16 , a user may generate the zoning database by implementing the steps of process  160  on a GUI of the display device  106 . In other embodiments, certain of the steps may be performed after the control system  102  is installed and operating within the building  10 . For example, the control system  102  may gradually receive new and/or updated zone parameters, such as updated zone priority levels, during operation and/or after installation of the HVAC system  138 . Moreover, it should be noted that the steps of the process  160  discussed below may be performed in any suitable order and are not limited to the order shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 7 . In some embodiments, the process  160  may be executed on the processor  112 , the microprocessor  86 , and/or any other suitable processor of the HVAC system  138 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the process  160  begins with generating a zone profile for one of the zones  128  included in the building  10 , as indicated by step  162 . For example, the GUI of the display device  106  may prompt a user, such as an occupant of the building  10  or a service technician installing the control system  102 , to generate a zone profile that is associated with, for example, the first zone  120 . The GUI subsequently prompts the user to input certain zone parameters associated with the first zone  120 , such as a quantity of dampers included in the first zone  120  and/or a desired priority level of the first zone  120 , as indicated by step  164 . For example, the GUI, via a touchscreen or another suitable input device of the display device  106 , may enable the user to specify a quantity of dampers that are included within the first damper set  140 , as well as a priority level of the first zone  120 . As discussed below, in some embodiments, the priority levels of the zones  128  may be represented by non-repeating integer values. In certain embodiments, the GUI may also prompt the user to input an upper airflow limit of the first zone  120  at the step  164 . As used herein, the “upper airflow limit” of a particular zone may be indicative of a suitable, upper flow rate of air the zone may receive from the HVAC system  138  to achieve a particular air exchange rate within that zone. In certain embodiments, the zoning algorithm may use the upper airflow limits associated with the zones  128  in addition to, or in lieu of, the priority levels of the zones  128  to determine an appropriate sequence in which to operate the damper sets  150  when a call for heating or cooling is sent to the zone controller  104  for multiple zones  128  or damper sets  150 . It should be understood that, in other embodiments, the control system  102  may be communicatively coupled to any other suitable input device, such as a keyboard, a tracking pad, a microphone, a mouse, or the like, that is configured to receive a user input from a user and enable the user to generate the zoning database. 
     Continuing through the illustrated embodiment of the process  160 , upon receiving the zone parameters of, for example, the first zone  120 , via the GUI in the step  164 , the zone controller  104  determines whether the user-associated quantity of dampers corresponding to the first zone  120  exceeds the damper support limit of the zone controller  104 , as indicated by step  166 . For example, in some embodiments, if the user attempts to associate the first zone  120  with a quantity of dampers that exceeds the damper support limit of the zone controller  104 , the GUI may display an error message, as indicated by step  168 . That is, the GUI may indicate that the user is attempting to associate the first damper set  140  with a quantity of dampers that exceeds a quantity of dampers that the zone controller  104  may simultaneously operate for a particular zone, such as for the first zone  120 . If the user attempts to associate the first zone  120  with a quantity of dampers that is equal to or less than the damper support limit of the zone controller  104 , the zone controller  104  may proceed to assign this user-associated quantity of dampers to the first zone  120 , as indicated by step  170 , and may store this user-selected zone parameter in the memory device  114 . Additionally, at the step  170 , the zone controller  104  may assign the user-selected priority level to the first zone  120 . It should be noted that the damper support limit of the zone controller  104  may be stored within the memory device  114  and/or within another suitable memory device of the HVAC system  138  for reference during execution of the process  160 . 
     Upon completion of a zone profile for a particular zone, the GUI may prompt the user to generate an additional zone profile, as indicated by the step  172 , such as, for example, a zone profile corresponding to the second zone  122 . Accordingly, based on user input, the zone controller  104  may return to the step  162 , thereby enabling the user to input zone parameters associated with the second zone  122 , such as a quantity of dampers included in the second zone  122 , a user-selected priority level of the second zone  122 , and/or an upper airflow limit associated with the second zone  122 . As such, it should be understood that the steps  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  170 , and  172  may be repeated iteratively for each of the zones  128  of the building  10 . Accordingly, with respect to the exemplary embodiment of the building  10  discussed herein, the zone controller  104  may store, via the memory device  114 , a respective quantity of dampers, a respective priority level, and/or a respective upper airflow limit associated with the first, second, third, and fourth zones  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126 . Upon generation of the zone profiles for each of the zones  128 , execution of the process  160  concludes, as indicated by step  174 . 
     As noted above, in some embodiments, the priority levels of the zones  128  may include non-repeating integer values that are stored within the respective zone profiles of the zones  128 . That is, each of the zones  128  may be assigned a unique priority level that is different than a priority level of other zones  128 . Larger integer values may correspond to zones  128  having a higher priority than zones  128  associated with lower integer values. However, it should be noted that the priority levels may be generated via any other suitable numerical, alphabetic, or alphanumeric character code in other embodiments of the control system  102 . Moreover, in certain embodiments, multiple zones  128  may be associated with the same priority level. 
       FIG. 8  is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a process  180 , also referred to herein as the zoning algorithm, which may be used to operate the control system  102 .  FIG. 9  is a flow diagram that illustrates additional steps included in an embodiment of the process  180 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  are discussed concurrently below. It should be noted that one or more of the steps of the process  180  may be implemented using routines or code stored in the memory device  114  and may be executed by the processor  112  of the zone controller  104 . Moreover, the steps of the process  180  may be executed in any suitable order and are not limited to the order shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 8  and the order shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 9 . As discussed in detail below, the illustrated embodiment of the process  180  may be used to operate the zone controller  104  and the control system  102  in a manual mode of operation, in which the zone controller  104  and the control system  102  may be configured to control operation of the damper sets  150  based on the user-selected priority levels stored within the zoning database. However, in certain embodiments, the process  180  may also be used to operate zone controller  104  and the control system  102  in an automated mode of operation, in which the zone controller  104  and control system  102  may be configured to control operation of the damper sets  150  based on the respective upper airflow limits associated with each of the zones  128 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the process  180  begins with determining whether one or more of the zones  128  are offset from a respective temperature setpoint by a threshold amount, as indicated by step  182 . For example, as noted above, an occupant or resident of the building  10  may input a desired target temperature setpoint for each of the zones  128  using the control devices  108 . The control devices  108  may determine whether current temperatures within the zones  128  are within a threshold range of respective target temperature setpoints associated with the zones  128 . If none of the zones  128  have a current temperature that is offset from a corresponding temperature setpoint by the threshold amount, such as, for example, plus or minus 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit, the zone controller  104  continues normal operation of the HVAC system  138 , as indicated by step  184 . Accordingly, the zone controller  104  may continue to monitor the current temperatures within the zones  128 , as indicated by the step  182 . 
     If a current temperature within at least one of the zones  128  deviates from a respective target temperature setpoint by the threshold amount, the zone controller  104  stores such zone(s)  128  as having a call status, as indicated by step  186 . Additionally, as indicated by step  186 , the zone controller  104  identifies which of the zones  128  having a call status has the highest relative conditioning demand. That is, the zone controller  104  may determine respective temperature differentials between the current temperature values and the corresponding temperature setpoints for each of the zones having a call status and may identify the zone having the largest temperature differential between its current temperature value and its corresponding temperature setpoint. For clarity, as used herein, a zone having a “call status” may be indicative of a zone that sends a call for heating or cooling to the zone controller  104 . In other words, a zone having a call status may be indicative of a zone having a current temperature that is offset from a corresponding target temperature setpoint of that zone by a threshold amount. Moreover, as user herein, a “call zone” may be indicative of a zone having a call status. 
     Continuing through the illustrated embodiment of the process  180 , in the manual mode of operation, the zone controller  104  determines the priority level of the call zone having the highest relative conditioning demand, as indicated by step  188 . That is, the zone controller  104  may reference the zoning database to determine the user-selected priority level associated with the call zone having the highest relative conditioning demand. In the automated mode of operation, at the step  188 , the zone controller  104  may reference the zoning database to determine the upper airflow limit associated with the call zone having the highest relative conditioning demand. For conciseness, a call zone having a highest relative conditioning demand amongst the remaining call zones will be referred to herein as a “primary demand zone.” 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the process  180 , at step  190 , the zone controller  104  determines whether the building  10  includes two or more call zones at the current iteration of the process  180 . If the zone controller  104  identifies only a single call zone, the zone controller  104  instructs the dampers associated with this call zone to transition to an open position or to a partially open position, as indicated by step  192 . For example, if the first zone  120  is the only one of the zones  128  having a call status, then the zone controller  104  instructs the first damper set  140  to transition to a fully open position or to a partially open position. In this manner, the zone controller  104  may increase a flow rate of conditioned air supplied to the first zone  120  to cause the current temperature within the first zone  120  to approach the target temperature setpoint of the first zone  120 . Upon instructing the first damper set  140  to transition to the open position, the zone controller  104  may determine whether a designated delay time or a target delay time has lapsed, as indicated by step  194 . As discussed in detail below, the delay time may be between about ten seconds and about 120 seconds and may ensure that the zone controller  104  provides sufficient time for a previously actuated damper set to transition to a desired position, such as an open position or a closed position, before the zone controller  104  actuates another damper set of the HVAC system  138 . That is, in the present example, the delay time may ensure that the zone controller  104  provides a time interval that is sufficient to enable the first damper set  140  to transition to an open position before the zone controller  104  actuates other damper sets  150  of the HVAC system  138 . In this manner, the delay time may ensure that an actuation period of a particular damper set does not overlap with an actuation period of another damper set. Accordingly, the delay time may ensure that the zone controller  104  does not attempt to simultaneously operate a quantity of dampers that exceeds the damper support limit of the zone controller  104 . 
     If the zone controller  104  determines that the delay time has not fully lapsed, the zone controller  104  proceeds to monitor a countdown or timer associated with the delay time, as indicated by step  195 . As indicated by step  196 , upon a determination that the delay time has lapsed, the zone controller  104  determines whether a temperature setpoint within the call zone is met. That is, the zone controller  104  may determine whether an actual temperature within the call zone is within a threshold range of a target temperature setpoint of the call zone and thus determines that the call for heating or cooling in the call zone is satisfied. If the temperature setpoint of the call zone is not met, the zone controller  104  returns to the step  182 . Accordingly, in embodiments where only a single zone, such as the first zone  120 , is associated with a call status for heating or cooling, the zone controller  104  may iterate through the steps  182 ,  186 ,  188 ,  190 ,  192 ,  194 , and  196  until the temperature setpoint of the call zone is met. For conciseness, each iteration of the steps the steps  182 ,  186 ,  188 ,  190 ,  192 ,  194 , and  196  will be referred to herein as a single zone inspection cycle of the zone controller  104 . In some embodiments, the zone controller  104  may skip the steps  192  and  194  in a subsequent iteration of the single zone inspection cycle if the damper set associated with the call zone has already transitioned to respective open positions or respective partially open positions in a previous iteration of the single zone inspection cycle. For example, in embodiments where the call zone is the first zone  120  and the zone controller  104  has already completed a first iteration of the single zone inspection cycle, the zone controller  104  may iterate through the steps  182 ,  186 ,  188 ,  190 , and  196  until the temperature setpoint of the first zone  120  is achieved. If the temperature setpoint within the first zone  120  is met, the zone controller  104  may close the first damper set  140 , as indicated by step  198 , and may return to the step  182 . 
     In embodiments where two or more of the zones  128  are associated with a call status at step  190 , the zone controller  104  proceeds to step  200  and determines which of the zones  128  has the next highest conditioning demand subsequent to the primary demand zone. In other words, the zone controller  104  determines which of the zones  128  having a call status, other than the primary demand zone, includes a largest relative temperature differential between a respective target temperature setpoint of the zone and an actual temperature value within the zone. A call zone having a second highest relative conditioning demand amongst the call zones will be referred to herein as a “secondary demand zone.” 
     In the manual mode of operation, the zone controller  104  references the zoning database to determine the user-selected priority level associated with the secondary demand zone, as indicated by step  202 . Alternatively, in the automated mode of operation, at step  202 , the zone controller  104  may reference the zoning database to determine the upper airflow limit associated with secondary demand zone. In any case, at step  204  of the process  180 , the zone controller  104  may determine whether another one of the zones  128  includes a call status. If the zone controller  104  identifies another call zone, the zone controller  104  may repeat the steps  200 ,  202 , and  204 . Particularly, it should be understood that the zone controller  104  may repeat the steps  200 ,  202 , and  204  for all call zones of the building  10 . In this manner, the zone controller  104  may identify the secondary demand zone, a tertiary demand zone, a quaternary demand zone, and so forth, as well as determine a respective priority level or a respective upper airflow limit associated with the secondary demand zone, the tertiary demand zone, and the quaternary demand zone. 
     Continuing through the illustrated embodiment of the process  180 , in the manual mode of operation, the zone controller  104  determines which call zone includes a highest relative priority level amongst the currently identified call zones, as indicated by step  206 . The call zone having the highest relative priority level amongst the remaining call zones will be referred to herein as a “priority zone.” Additionally, as indicated by the step  206 , the zone controller  104  instructs the damper set associated with the priority zone to transition to an open position or to a partially open position. Accordingly, the zone controller  104  may enable the HVAC system  138  to initiate supply of conditioned air to the call zone having the highest relative user-selected priority level before initiating the supply of conditioned air to the remaining call zones. That is, upon identification of the priority zone, the zone controller  104  may control operation of the HVAC system  138  to condition air suitable for supply to the priority zone, thereby enhancing or accelerating a rate at which the priority zone is heated or cooled. It should be understood that the priority zone may include the primary demand zone, the secondary demand zone, the tertiary demand zone, or the quaternary demand zone. In other words, the priority zone is determined based on the highest relative user-selected priority level of the call zones instead of the cooling demands or the heating demands of the call zones. 
     After the zone controller  104  instructs the damper set of the priority zone to transition to an open position, the zone controller  104  determines whether the designated delay time has lapsed, as indicated by step  208 . If the zone controller  104  determines that the delay time has not fully lapsed, the zone controller  104  proceeds to monitor a countdown or the timer associated with the delay time, as indicated by step  209 . Upon a determination that the delay time has lapsed, the zone controller  104  identifies the call zone having a second highest relative priority level and instructs the damper set associated with this call zone to transition to an open position, as indicated by step  210 . The call zone having the second highest relative priority level amongst the remaining call zones will be referred to herein as a “secondary priority zone.” By waiting for the delay time to lapse, the zone controller  104  may ensure that the damper set associated with the priority zone is provided with a sufficient time interval to fully transition to a particular position, such as the open position, before the zone controller  104  attempts to operate the damper set associated with the secondary priority zone. Indeed, as noted above, the delay time may be indicative of a time period that enables a damper or a dampers associated with a particular zone to transition from a closed position to an open position, or vice versa. Therefore, the zoning algorithm may ensure that the zone controller  104  does not attempt to simultaneously operate damper sets of more than one of the call zones, which may cause the zone controller  104  to attempt to actuate a quantity of dampers at a particular instance in time that exceeds the damper support limit of the zone controller  104 . 
     For example, if the damper support limit of the zone controller  104  is twenty dampers, if the priority zone includes a damper set having fifteen dampers, and if the secondary priority zone includes a damper set having six dampers, then the damper support limit of the zone controller  104  would be exceeded if the zone controller  104  attempts to concurrently operate the damper set of the secondary priority zone and the damper set of the priority zone. That is, in such an example, the damper support limit of the zone controller  104  would be exceeded if the zone controller  104  attempts to operate the damper set of the secondary priority zone before the damper set of the of the priority zone has completed transitioning from, for example, a closed position to an open position. Accordingly, by waiting for the delay time to lapse at the step  208 , the zone controller  104  may ensure that the damper set associated with the priority zone has ceased operation before attempting to operate the damper set associated with the secondary priority zone. In this manner, the zoning algorithm may enable the zone controller  104  to operate an HVAC system that includes a total quantity of dampers that may exceed the damper support limit of the zone controller  104 . Indeed, through such sequential operation of the damper sets  150 , the zoning algorithm may enable the zone controller  104  to effectively control an HVAC system that includes a plurality of zones, where each of the zones includes a damper set having a quantity of dampers that is equal to, or less than, the damper support limit of the zone controller  104 . However, it should be noted that, in some embodiments, the zone controller  104  may be configured to operate damper sets of multiple calls zones simultaneously if a cumulative quantity of dampers included in these call zones does not exceed the damper support limit of the zone controller  104 . 
     Continuing through the illustrated embodiment of the process  180 , after the zone controller  104  instructs the damper set of the secondary priority zone to transition to an open position at the step  210 , the zone controller  104  again evaluates whether the delay time has lapsed, as indicated by step  212 . If the zone controller  104  determines that the delay time has not fully lapsed, the zone controller  104  proceeds to monitor the timer associated with the delay time, as indicated by step  213 . Upon lapse of the delay time, the zone controller  104  identifies whether additional call zones exist for which the zone controller  104  has not yet adjusted corresponding damper sets, as indicated by step  214 . If the zone controller  104  identifies another zone having a call status, the zone controller  104  may repeat the steps  210 ,  212 , and  214 . Specifically, it should be understood that the zone controller  104  may repeat the steps  210 ,  212 , and  214  for all of the remaining call zones, such that the zone controller  104  may sequentially open the damper sets associated with, for example, a tertiary priority zone, a quaternary priority zone, and so forth. 
     It is important to note that, in the automated mode of operation, the zone controller  104  may identify the priority zone, the secondary priority zone, the tertiary priority zone, the quaternary priority zone, and so forth, based on the previously assigned upper airflow limits associated with the zones  128 , instead of the user-selected priority levels of the zones  128 . For example, as noted above, an operator may use the display device  106  to assign a respective upper airflow limit to each of the zones  128  during installation or initial setup of the control system  102 , which may be stored within the zoning database of the control system  102 . Accordingly, when iterating through the steps of the process  180  in the automated mode of operation, the zone controller  104  may identify the priority zone as the call zone having a highest relative upper airflow limit amongst remaining call zones of the building  10 . The zone controller  104  may identify the secondary priority zone as the call zone having the next highest relative upper airflow limit subsequent to the priority zone. The zone controller  104  may identify the tertiary priority zone as the call zone having the next highest relative upper airflow limit subsequent to the secondary priority zone, and so forth. 
     In embodiments, where two or more call zones include the same upper airflow limit, the zone controller  104  may assign the call zone having a higher cooling or heating demand with a higher relative priority status. For example, if the first zone  120  and the second zone  122  are both associated with the same upper airflow limit, if a current temperature of the first zone  120  is offset from a respective temperature setpoint by a first differential, if a current temperate of the second zone  122  is offset from a respective temperature setpoint by a second differential, and if the first differential is greater than the second differential, then the zone controller  104  will identify the first zone  120  as, for example, the priority zone, and may identify the second zone as the secondary priority zone. In any case, the zone controller  104  may iterate through the steps of the process  180  in the manner discussed above to sequentially open respective damper sets  150  of the call zones based on the upper airflow limits of these zones  128  and the cooling or heating demands of the zones  128 . As discussed in detail below, a user may utilize the display device  106  to instruct the zone controller  104  to operate in the automated mode or the manual mode. 
     Regardless of whether the zone controller  104  operates in the manual mode or the automated mode, at step  216 , the zone controller  104  determines whether a respective temperature setpoint of at least one call zone is met. If the temperature setpoint of no call zone is met, then zone controller  104  returns to the step  182  and proceeds to iterate through the process  180  until the HVAC system  138  sufficiently conditions at least one of the call zones to its corresponding temperature setpoint. Particularly, if the temperature setpoint of at least one call zone is met, the zone controller  104  may proceed to step  220 . For clarity, a call zone that has been conditioned to have an actual temperature that is substantially equal to the target temperature of that call zone will be referred to herein as a “conditioned zone.” 
     As shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the process  180  includes closing a damper or dampers of a conditioned zone that is associated with a lowest relative upper airflow limit, with respect to other conditioned zones, as indicated by step  220 . For example, the zone controller  104  may reference the zoning database or a cache of the memory device  114  to determine which of the one or more conditioned zones includes a lowest relative upper airflow limit and, upon identification of the zone, may instruct the damper set associated with this zone to transition to a closed position or to a partially closed position. A conditioned zone having a lowest relative upper airflow limit of the remaining conditioned zones will be referred to herein as a “primary conditioned zone.” 
     The process  180  further includes waiting for the delay time to lapse upon actuation of the damper set of the primary conditioned zone, as indicated by step  222 . If the zone controller  104  determines that the delay time has not fully lapsed, the zone controller  104  proceeds to monitor the timer associated with the delay time, as indicated by step  223 . Upon a determination that the delay time has lapsed, the zone controller  104  determines whether additional conditioned zones exist that have met their respective temperature setpoint, as indicated by step  224 . If the zone controller  104  does not identify another conditioned zone in the current iteration of the process  180 , then the zone controller  104  returns to the step  182 , as indicated by step  226 . Accordingly, the zone controller  104  may initiate another iteration of the process  180 . In embodiments where the zone controller  104  identifies two or more conditioned zones, the zone controller  104  proceeds to identify the conditioned zone having the next lowest upper airflow limit subsequent to the primary conditioned zone and instructs the damper set of this zone to transition to a closed position, as indicated by step  228 . In other words, the zone controller  104  determines which of the conditioned zones, other than the primary conditioned zone, includes a lowest relative upper airflow limit, and proceeds to instruct the damper set associated with this zone to transition to a closed position. A conditioned zone having a second lowest relative upper airflow limit amongst the conditioned zones will be referred to herein as a “secondary conditioned zone.” 
     At step  230  of the process  180 , the zone controller  104  evaluates the timer associated with the delay time and may remain idle until the delay time has lapsed, as indicated by step  231 . Upon lapse of the delay time, the zone controller  104  determines whether another conditioned zone exists that has met its respective temperature setpoint. If the zone controller  104  identifies another conditioned zone, the zone controller  104  may repeat the steps  228 ,  230 , and  232 . Particularly, it should be understood that the zone controller  104  may repeat the steps  228 ,  230 , and  232  for all conditioned zones within the building  10 , such that the zone controller  104  may identify a tertiary conditioned zone, a quaternary conditioned zone, and so forth, as well as sequentially close respective damper sets associated with the tertiary conditioned zone, the quaternary conditioned zone, and/or any additional conditioned zones within the building  10 . That is, the zone controller  104  may sequentially close or partially close respective dampers sets associated with these conditioned zones in ascending order of the respective upper airflow limits of the conditioned zones. Upon closing the damper sets of all conditioned zones, the zone controller  104  may return to the step  182  to perform another iteration of the process  180 , as indicated by the step  234 . 
     It should be appreciated that sequentially closing the damper sets based on the upper airflow limits associated with the conditioned zones may mitigate a likelihood of over conditioning the zones via the HVAC system  138 . For example, as noted above, the upper airflow limits of the zones  128  may be indicative of air flow rates that enable the HVAC system  138  to achieve a particular air exchange rate within the zones  128 . Accordingly, in certain embodiments, zones  128  associated with relatively small upper airflow limits may be indicative of zones  128  having a relatively small interior volume, while zones  128  associated with a relatively large upper airflow limits may be indicative of zones  128  having relatively large interior volumes. As such, zones  128  having a low upper airflow limit may be more susceptible to over conditioning than zones  128  having a high upper airflow limit. Therefore, by sequentially closing damper sets of the conditioned zones in ascending order of the upper airflow limits associated with the conditioned zones, the zone controller  104  may mitigate a likelihood of over conditioning zones  128  having relatively small interior volumes. That is, by closing damper sets associated with relatively small zones  128  before closing damper sets associated with larger zones  128 , the zone controller  104  may mitigate a likelihood of over conditioning smaller zones  128  of the building  10 . 
       FIG. 10  is an illustration of an embodiment of a graphical user interface (GUI)  240  that may be displayed on the display device  106  to enable a user to generate the zoning database in accordance with the steps of the process  160 .  FIGS. 11-16  are illustrations of various screens that may be included in the GUI  240 , which may further facilitate generation of the zoning database. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 10 , a first screen  242  of the GUI  240  may include a zone selection field  244  that enables a user to select and/or generate a zone profile for a particular zone  128 . For example, the user may instruct the zone controller  104 , via the GUI  240 , to generate a zone profile for the first zone  120 , which may be indicated as “Zone  01 ” in the GUI  240 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the user may toggle to a second screen  246  of the GUI  240  that includes a lower airflow limit selection field  248  and an upper airflow limit selection field  250 , which enable the user to specify a lower airflow limit and an upper airflow limit of, for example, the first zone  120 . However, in other embodiments, the lower airflow limit selection field  248  and the upper airflow limit selection field  250  may auto-populate based on the type of HVAC system to which the display device  106  is coupled. The GUI  240  enables a user to specify a quantity of dampers included within a damper set of a particular zone via a third screen  254  and a fourth screen  256  of the GUI  240 , as respectively shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . For example, the user may specify a quantity of dampers included in the first damper set  140  of the first zone  120  via a damper selection field  258 . As discussed above, in some embodiments, the GUI  240  may display an error message if the user attempts to associate the first zone  120 , or any other zone of the building  10 , with a quantity of dampers that exceeds the damper support limit of the zone controller  104 . The GUI  240  may include a fifth screen  260 , as shown in  FIG. 14 , which enables the user to instruct the control system  102  to operate in the automated mode or the manual mode via a mode selection field  262 . In embodiments where the user selects the automated mode, the GUI  240  may return to the first screen  242 . Accordingly, the user may iteratively toggle through the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth screen  242 ,  246 ,  254 ,  256 , and  260  to specify the lower airflow limit, the upper airflow limit, and the quantity of dampers associated with remaining zones  128  of the building  10 . However, in embodiments where the user selects the manual mode, shown in  FIG. 14  as the “installer configured” mode of operation, the GUI  240  may proceed to display a sixth screen  270 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     Specifically, via the sixth screen  270 , the user may specify a priority level associated with each of the zones  128 . For example, the user may specify a priority level of the first zone  120  via a zone priority field  272 . The user may confirm and assign the selected priority level with the first zone  120  by selecting a save selection field  274 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , which is displayed on a seventh screen  276 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , of the GUI  240 . As such, the user may iterate across the first through seventh screen  242 ,  246 ,  254 ,  256 ,  260 ,  270 , and  276  of the GUI  240  to generate the zoning database. 
     As set forth above, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide one or more technical effects useful for enabling an individual zone controller  104  to operate an HVAC system that includes more dampers than a quantity of dampers allotted by a damper support limit of the zone controller  104 . Indeed, the control system  102  of the present disclosure enables the zone controller  104  to sequentially control operation of various damper sets in the building  10 , such that the zone controller  104  does not, at a particular instance in time, attempt to operate a total quantity of dampers that exceeds the damper support limit of the zone controller  104 . That is, the control system  102  may ensure that the zone controller  104  does not attempt to operate two or more damper sets simultaneously if a total quantity of dampers included in the two or more damper sets exceeds the damper support limit of the zone controller  104 . Indeed, in this manner, the control system  102  may ensure that the zone controller  104  is not overloaded during operation of the HVAC system  138 . Accordingly, by enabling an individual zone controller  104  to control HVAC systems having a relatively large quantity of dampers, the present control system  102  may reduce an installation complexity of the HVAC systems, as well as decrease operational costs and/or maintenance costs associated with the HVAC systems. The technical effects and technical problems in the specification are examples and are not limiting. It should be noted that the embodiments described in the specification may have other technical effects and can solve other technical problems. 
     While only certain features and embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art, such as variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, such as temperatures and pressures, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, and so forth, without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described, such as those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out the present disclosure, or those unrelated to enabling the claimed embodiments. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.