Patent ID: 10359202

Abstract:
Individual zone temperature control sensors in a multiple zone system are monitored by a controller, and when one zone calls, the calling zone is allocated all of the airflow from the HVAC system except for a predetermined minimum that is allocated to the other zones. If all zones have equal priority, then the airflow continues to be supplied to the first calling zone until a temperature condition is satisfied, at which time the full airflow is allocated to a second calling zone and only the predetermined minimum is supplied to the first and all other calling zones. When two or more zones having different priorities, or set point deviations, are calling at the same time, the zone with the highest priority or whose temperature is furthest from a set point will become the single zone that is open and receives all of the air except for the predetermined minimum. Air continues to be supplied to that zone until it has achieved a desired temperature, until a higher priority zone calls, or until another zone is furthest from the set point. In order to provide maximum airflow to single zones according to the method of the invention, duct and outlet sizes must be larger than is necessary for conventional systems in which more than the minimum airflow is simultaneously allocated to multiple zones. Instead of utilizing conventional duct size calculations that assume simultaneous allocation of airflow to multiple zones, the design sizes the ducts in each zone to carry 100% of the system's airflow less the predetermined minimum.