Patent ID: 12222117

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

System Overview

FIG.1is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an analysis system100for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems102. The analysis system100is generally configured to use sound for detecting and diagnosing faults within an HVAC system102. More specifically, the analysis system100may be configured to self-diagnose faults within the HVAC system102and to output information that identifies any faulty components of the HVAC system102and/or instructions for servicing the HVAC system102. These features may reduce the amount of downtime that an HVAC system102will experience because the HVAC system102is able to output information about the components that are causing the issues that the HVAC system102is experiencing. This process may allow a technician to be prepared with all of the necessary equipment (i.e. parts and tools) and instructions for servicing the HVAC system102without having to first diagnose the HVAC system102.

In one embodiment, the analysis system100comprises a thermostat104, a sound sensor106, and the HVAC system102that are in signal communication with each other over a network108. The network108may be any suitable type of wireless and/or wired network including, but not limited to, all or a portion of the Internet, an Intranet, a private network, a public network, a peer-to-peer network, the public switched telephone network, a cellular network, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a personal area network (PAN), a wide area network (WAN), and a satellite network. The network108may be configured to support any suitable type of communication protocol as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The HVAC system102is generally configured to control the temperature of a space110. Examples of a space110may include, but are not limited to, a room, a home, an apartment, a mall, an office, a warehouse, or a building. The HVAC system102may comprise the thermostat104, compressors, blowers, evaporators, condensers, and/or any other suitable type of hardware for controlling the temperature of the space110. An example of an HVAC system102configuration and its components are described in more detail below inFIG.2. AlthoughFIG.1illustrates a single HVAC system102, a location or space110may comprise a plurality of HVAC systems102that are configured to work together. For example, a large building may comprise multiple HVAC systems102that work cooperatively to control the temperature within the building.

The analysis system100may comprise one or more sound sensors106. The sound sensors106may be positioned at various locations within the HVAC system102. The sound sensors106are generally configured to record the sounds that are made by electrical and mechanical components of the HVAC system102. For example, a sound sensor106may be positioned proximate or adjacent to a condensing unit, a cooling unit, or any other component of the HVAC system102. Each sound sensor106may be configured to capture audio signals112of one or more components of the HVAC system102. A sound sensor106may be configured to capture audio signals112continuously, at predetermined intervals, or on-demand. Each sound sensor106is operably coupled to a HVAC analysis engine114of the thermostat104and provides captured audio signals112to the HVAC analysis engine114for processing.

Thermostat

An analysis device, such as thermostat104, is generally configured to collect sound information for various components of the HVAC system102while operating the HVAC system102and to diagnosis faults within the HVAC system102based on the sound information. An example of the thermostat104in operation is described below inFIG.3. As an example, the thermostat104may comprise a processor116, a memory118, and a network interface120. The thermostat104may further comprise a graphical user interface, a display122, a touch screen, buttons, knobs, or any other suitable combination of components. The thermostat104may be configured as shown or in any other suitable configuration.

The processor116comprises one or more processors operably coupled to the memory118. The processor116is any electronic circuitry including, but not limited to, state machines, one or more central processing unit (CPU) chips, logic units, cores (e.g. a multi-core processor), field-programmable gate array (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or digital signal processors (DSPs). The processor116may be a programmable logic device, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or any suitable combination of the preceding. The processor116is communicatively coupled to and in signal communication with the memory118, display122, sound sensors106, and the network interface120. The one or more processors may be configured to process data and may be implemented in hardware or software. For example, the processor116may be 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, 64-bit, or of any other suitable architecture. The processor116may include an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) for performing arithmetic and logic operations, processor registers that supply operands to the ALU and store the results of ALU operations, and a control unit that fetches instructions from memory and executes them by directing the coordinated operations of the ALU, registers and other components.

The one or more processors are configured to implement various instructions. For example, the one or more processors are configured to execute HVAC analysis instructions124to implement the HVAC analysis engine114. The HVAC analysis instructions124may comprise any suitable set of instructions, logic, rules, or code operable to execute the HVAC analysis engine114. In this way, processor116may be a special-purpose computer designed to implement the functions disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the HVAC analysis engine114is implemented using logic units, FPGAs, ASICs, DSPs, or any other suitable hardware. The HVAC analysis engine114is configured to operate as described inFIGS.1and3. For example, the HVAC analysis engine114may be configured to perform the steps of process300as described inFIG.3. The HVAC analysis engine114is generally configured to control the operation of the HVAC system102, to receive audio signals112from one or more sound sensors106of the components of the HVAC system102while the HVAC system102operates, and to detect and diagnose faults within the HVAC system102based on the audio signals112. In some embodiments, the HVAC analysis engine114may employ hardware resources from a remote or cloud server to process the audio signals112to detect and diagnose faults within the HVAC system102.

The memory118is operable to store any of the information described with respect toFIGS.1and3along with any other data, instructions, logic, rules, or code operable to implement the function(s) described herein when executed by the processor116. The memory118comprises one or more disks, tape drives, or solid-state drives, and may be used as an over-flow data storage device, to store programs when such programs are selected for execution, and to store instructions and data that are read during program execution. The memory118may be volatile or non-volatile and may comprise a read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM), dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), and static random-access memory (SRAM).

The memory118is operable to store HVAC analysis instructions124, an audio signature library126, system information128, and/or any other data or instructions. The audio signature library126may comprise information that can be used with a visual representation (e.g. a plot or graph) of an audio signal112to determine whether a fault is present. For example, the audio signature library126may be configured to associate audio signatures130with fault types132. An audio signature130may identify attributes of an audio signal112that can be used to determine whether a fault is present within the HVAC system102. Examples of audio signatures130include, but are not limited to, waveform profiles or patterns, frequency profiles or patterns, threshold values, or any other suitable type of information that can be used with a plot of an audio signal112to determine whether a fault is present. The fault type132may identify a particular type of issue that the HVAC is experiencing in association with a condensing unit. In embodiments, the fault type132may be associated with motor performance of a condensing unit of the HVAC system102. Examples of fault types132include, but are not limited to, motor faults, motor mounting hardware faults, fan faults, or any other suitable type of fault associated with the condensing unit. For example, motor faults may include bearing failure or a determination that the motor is operating in a protection mode. Motor mounting hardware faults may include a damaged weld, an unsecured fastener, or a loose belly band. Fan faults may include free spinning wherein the fan blade has decoupled from the motor, loose set screw, or a damaged fan blade.

The system information128may comprise information that is associated with the condensing unit of the HVAC system102, such as information associated with a fan, a motor, mounting hardware for the motor, and any other suitable components within the condensing unit. The system information128may comprise instructions for condensing unit, information about tools required for servicing the condensing unit, information about the physical locations of the components of the condensing unit, technical specifications for the condensing unit, and/or any other suitable type of information that is associated with the condensing unit.

The display122is a graphical user interface that is configured to present visual information to a user using graphical objects. Examples of the display122include, but are not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) display, a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an active-matrix OLED (AMOLED), an organic LED (OLED) display, a projector display, or any other suitable type of display as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The network interface120is configured to enable wired and/or wireless communications. The network interface120is configured to communicate data between the thermostat104and other devices (e.g. sound sensors106and the HVAC system102), systems, or domains. For example, the network interface120may comprise an NFC interface, a Bluetooth interface, a Zigbee interface, a Z-wave interface, an RFID interface, a WIFI interface, a LAN interface, a WAN interface, a PAN interface, a modem, a switch, or a router. The processor116may be configured to send and receive data using the network interface120. The network interface120may be configured to use any suitable type of communication protocol as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

HVAC System Configuration

FIG.2is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an HVAC system102configured to integrate with an analysis system100. The HVAC system102conditions air for delivery to an interior space of a building or home. In some embodiments, the HVAC system102may be a rooftop unit (RTU) that is positioned on the roof of a building and the conditioned air is delivered to the interior of the building. In other embodiments, portions of the system may be located within the building and a portion outside the building. The HVAC system102may also include heating elements that are not shown here for convenience and clarity. The HVAC system102may be configured as shown inFIG.2or in any other suitable configuration. For example, the HVAC system102may include additional components or may omit one or more components shown inFIG.2.

The HVAC system102comprises a working-fluid conduit subsystem200for moving a working fluid, or refrigerant, through a cooling cycle. The working fluid may be any acceptable working fluid, or refrigerant, including, but not limited to, fluorocarbons (e.g. chlorofluorocarbons), ammonia, non-halogenated hydrocarbons (e.g. propane), hydrofluorocarbons (e.g. R-410A), or any other suitable type of refrigerant.

The HVAC system102comprises one or more condensing units202. In one embodiment, the condensing unit202comprises a compressor204, a condenser coil206, a motor208, and a fan210. The compressor204is coupled to the working-fluid conduit subsystem200that compresses the working fluid. The condensing unit202may be configured with a single-stage or multi-stage compressor204or with multiple compressors. In the configuration of one or more compressors, the one or more compressors can be turned on or off to adjust the cooling capacity of the HVAC system102. In some embodiments, a compressor204may be configured to operate at multiple speeds or as a variable speed compressor. For example, the compressor204may be configured to operate at multiple predetermined speeds.

In one embodiment, the condensing unit202(e.g. the compressor204) is in signal communication with a controller or thermostat104using a wired or wireless connection. The thermostat104is configured to provide commands or signals to control the operation of the compressor204. For example, the thermostat104is configured to send signals to turn on or off one or more compressors204when the condensing unit202comprises multiple compressors204. In this configuration, the thermostat104may operate the compressors204in a first mode where all the compressors204are on and a second mode where at least one of the compressors204is off. In some examples, the thermostat104may be configured to control the speed of the compressor204.

The condenser206is configured to assist with moving the working fluid through the working-fluid conduit subsystem200. The condenser206is located downstream of the compressor204for rejecting heat. The fan210is configured to move air212across the condenser206. For example, the fan210may be configured to blow outside air through the heat exchanger to help cool the working fluid. As illustrated, the fan210may be coupled to the motor208, wherein the motor208may be configured to actuate the fan210. The motor208may generally be configured to control the operation of any suitable component of HVAC system102.

Examples of motor208may include, but are not limited to, a direct current (DC) motor, an alternating current (AC) motor, or any other suitable type of electrical motor. For example, a motor208may be a DC motor that comprises a stator magnet, an armature conductor, a commutator, brushes, a winding, and/or any other suitable combination of components as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. The motor208is configured to provide a rotational force in response to receiving an electrical signal, for example, a current signal or a voltage signal. For example, motor208may be configured to rotate an impeller, fan blades, a pump, or any other suitable type of component. The motor208may be a ½-horsepower motor, a ¾-horsepower motor, a 1-horsepower motor, or any other suitable size electric motor. In one or more embodiments, the motor208may be configured to drive the fan210of the condensing unit202.

As illustrated, sound sensor106may be disposed in proximity to the condensing unit202and configured to capture audio signals112(referring toFIG.1) generated by the condensing unit202. Sound sensor106may be disposed on top of, to a side of, or coupled to the condensing unit202. In embodiments, the sound sensor106may be configured to capture audio signals122generated at least by the motor208, wherein the audio signals112may be analyzed to perform diagnostics associated with the motor208. In one or more embodiments, there may be a plurality of condensing units202, wherein the sound sensor106may be configured to capture audio signals112generated by at least a portion of the plurality of condensing units202.

With reference back to the flow of the working fluid, the compressed, cooled working fluid flows downstream from the condenser206to an expansion device214, or a metering device. The expansion device214is configured to remove pressure from the working fluid. The expansion device214is coupled to the working-fluid conduit subsystem200downstream of the condenser206. The expansion device214is closely associated with a cooling unit216(e.g. an evaporator coil). The expansion device214is coupled to the working-fluid conduit subsystem200downstream of the condenser206for removing pressure from the working fluid. In this way, the working fluid is delivered to the cooling unit216and receives heat from airflow218to produce a treated airflow220that is delivered by a duct subsystem222to the desired space, for example, a room in the building.

A portion of the HVAC system102is configured to move air across the cooling unit216and out of the duct sub-system222. Return air224, which may be air returning from the building, fresh air from outside, or some combination, is pulled into a return duct226. A suction side of a variable-speed blower228pulls the return air224. The variable-speed blower228discharges airflow218into a duct230from where the airflow218crosses the cooling unit216or heating elements (not shown) to produce the treated airflow220.

Examples of a variable-speed blower228include, but are not limited to, belt-drive blowers controlled by inverters, direct-drive blowers with electronically commutated motors (ECM), or any other suitable types of blowers. In some configurations, the variable-speed blower228is configured to operate at multiple predetermined fan speeds. In other configurations, the fan speed of the variable-speed blower228can vary dynamically based on a corresponding temperature value instead of relying on using predetermined fan speeds. In other words, the variable-speed blower228may be configured to dynamically adjust its fan speed over a range of fan speeds rather than using a set of predetermined fan speeds. This feature also allows the thermostat104to gradually transition the speed of the variable-speed blower228between different operating speeds. This contrasts with conventional configurations where a variable-speed blower228is abruptly switched between different predetermined fan speeds. The variable-speed blower228is in signal communication with the thermostat104using any suitable type of wired or wireless connection232. The thermostat104is configured to provide commands or signals to the variable-speed blower228to control the operation of the variable-speed blower228. For example, the thermostat104is configured to send signals to the variable-speed blower228to control the fan speed of the variable-speed blower228. In some embodiments, the thermostat104may be configured to send other commands or signals to the variable-speed blower228to control any other functionality of the variable-speed blower228.

The HVAC system102comprises one or more sensors234in signal communication with the thermostat104. The sensors234may comprise any suitable type of sensor for measuring the air temperature. The sensors234may be positioned anywhere within a conditioned space (e.g. a room or building) and/or the HVAC system102. For example, the HVAC system102may comprise a sensor234positioned and configured to measure an outdoor air temperature. As another example, the HVAC system102may comprise a sensor234positioned and configured to measure a supply or treated air temperature and/or a return air temperature. In other examples, the HVAC system102may comprise sensors234positioned and configured to measure any other suitable type of air temperature, pressure, humidity, or any other suitable parameter.

The HVAC system102may comprise one or more thermostats102, for example, located within a conditioned space (e.g. a room or building). The thermostat104may be a single-stage thermostat, a multi-stage thermostat, or any suitable type of thermostat as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. The thermostat104may be configured to allow a user to input a desired temperature or temperature set point for a designated space or zone such as the room.

Analysis Process for an HVAC System

FIG.3is a flowchart of an embodiment of an analysis process300for an HVAC system102. The analysis system100may employ process300to detect and diagnose faults within the condensing unit202(referring toFIG.2) while operating the HVAC system102. The diagnosed faults may be associated with performance of the motor208(referring toFIG.2), the fan210(referring toFIG.2), and/or mounting hardware. Process300enables the analysis system100to self-diagnose faults within condensing unit202and to output information that identifies any faulty components of condensing unit202(such as fan210, motor208, and/or mounting hardware) and/or instructions for servicing the condensing unit202. This process reduces the amount of downtime that HVAC system102will experience because the HVAC system102is able to output information about the components that are causing the issues that the condensing unit202is experiencing. This process allows a technician to be prepared with all of the necessary equipment (i.e. parts and tools) and instructions for servicing the condensing unit202without having to first diagnose the condensing unit202.

At step302, the thermostat104(referring toFIG.1) determines whether or not there is a demand for the fan210to operate. In an example, the HVAC system102may be operating and may require the fan210to operate in the condensing unit202in order to reject heat. In this example, the thermostat104may have previously sent instructions or commands to the actuate the condensing unit202. The thermostat104may verify that the HVAC system102prompted a demand from the fan210to actuate prior to transmitting an instruction to the motor208to operate the fan210. In embodiments, the thermostat104may be any suitable controller or information handling system.

The thermostat104may remain at step302in response to determining that there is no demand for operation of the fan210. In this case, the thermostat104remains at step302to continue checking for a demand for the fan210to execute the fault detection and diagnosis process for the condensing unit202. The process300proceeds to step304in response to determining that there is a demand for operation of the fan210.

At step304, the thermostat104may activate one or more sound sensors106(referring toFIG.1). Here, the thermostat104activates one or more sound sensors106by transitioning the sound sensors106from an inactive state to an active state. In the inactive state, the sound sensors106are not configured to capture audio signals112(referring toFIG.1) or to send audio signals112to the thermostat104for processing. In the active state, the sound sensors106are configured to capture audio signals112and to send audio signals112to the thermostat104for processing.

Once in the active state, the thermostat104may use the sound sensors106to capture an audio signal112of the components of the condensing unit202while the condensing unit202is operating or while the condensing unit202attempts to execute commands that were provided by the thermostat104. The thermostat104may be configured to capture the audio signal112for any suitable duration of time. In some embodiments, the thermostat104may combine audio signals from multiple sound sensors106that are distributed to form an aggregated audio signal112.

At step306, the thermostat104may identify one or more audio signatures130(referring toFIG.1) from the audio signature library126(referring toFIG.1) based on the commands that the thermostat104used to control the operation of the condensing unit202. In this example, the thermostat104may identify the audio signatures130that are associated with the fan210(referring toFIG.2) and motor208(referring toFIG.2) that are used to perform the requested operation from the thermostat104. As another example, the thermostat104may identify audio signatures130that are commonly associated with faults of the condensing unit202(i.e., motor faults, motor mounting hardware faults, fan faults, etc.). In other examples, the thermostat104may use any other suitable criteria for identifying audio signatures130.

The thermostat104may then compare the identified one or more audio signatures130to the captured audio signal112from step304. The thermostat104may compare the attributes of each audio signature130to at least a portion of the captured audio signal112to determine whether any one of the identified one or more audio signatures130is present within the captured audio signal112.

In an example, the thermostat104may generate a plot of the captured audio signal112for comparison to the identified one or more audio signatures130. The thermostat104may generate any suitable type of graphical or visual representation of the audio signal112that can be used for detecting and diagnosing faults within the condensing unit202. Referring to the example shown inFIGS.4A-4C, the thermostat104may generate plots of amplitudes for the audio signal112over time. In these examples, the audio signal112includes audio samples for operation of the motor208.

Referring to the example shown inFIG.4A, the thermostat104may generate a plot400of amplitude for the audio signal112over time. In this example, the plot400may generally depict normal operation of the motor208. Plot400may comprise an audio signature402for the audio signal112indicating the normal operation of the motor208. For example, normal operation of the motor208may comprise of an initial period of ramping up, wherein the amplitude of the sound the motor208produces increases. The normal operation of the motor208may further comprise a subsequent period of constant amplitude followed by a sudden reduction in amplitude approximating to zero when the motor208is turned off.

With reference toFIG.4B, the thermostat104may generate another plot404of amplitude for the audio signal112over time. In this example, the plot404may generally depict the motor208operating in a protection mode. Plot404may comprise an audio signature406for the audio signal112indicating the protection mode of operation for the motor208. In embodiments, there may be a plurality of protection modes of operation. For example, a reset and restart mode may be a protection mode of operation wherein the motor208repeatedly attempts to start operating for a predetermined number of attempts. Without limitations, other protection modes of operation may include locked rotor, overcurrent, or overheat. As depicted, audio signature406comprises four distinct, brief periods of time wherein the amplitude of the sound the motor208produces spikes.

With reference now toFIG.4C, the thermostat104may generate another plot408of amplitude for the audio signal112over time. In this example, the plot408may generally depict the motor208turned off or not operating. Plot408may not comprise any audio signatures associated with an audio signal112. In embodiments, there may be no sound detected by the sound sensors106. As such, the audio signal112may generally comprise an amplitude approximating zero.

Referring back to process300inFIG.3, the thermostat104may determine if any portion of the audio signal112matches an identified one or more audio signatures130associated with the condensing unit202. Once an audio signature is determined from the audio signal112, the process300proceeds to step308.

At step308, the thermostat104may determine whether the motor208is operating in a first mode of operation. In an example, the first mode of operation may be a normal mode of operation, as best described inFIG.4A. The thermostat104may determine if the audio signal112captured in step304comprises an audio signature130indicating operation of the motor208in the first mode of operation. The thermostat104may compare the captured audio signal112to the audio signature130stored in the memory118(referring toFIG.1) associated with normal operation of the motor208to make this determination. If the thermostat104determines that the motor208is operating in a first mode of operation, the process300proceeds to end. Otherwise, the process300proceeds to310.

At step310, the thermostat104may determine whether the motor208is operating in a protection mode of operation (as best described inFIG.4B). Similar to step308, the thermostat104may determine if the audio signal112captured in step304comprises an audio signature130indicating operation of the motor208in a protection mode of operation. The thermostat104may compare the captured audio signal112to one or more audio signatures130stored in the memory118(referring toFIG.1) associated with one of a plurality of protection modes of operation of the motor208to make this determination. If the thermostat104determines that the motor208is operating in a protection mode of operation, the process300proceeds to step312. Otherwise, the process300proceeds to314.

At step312, the thermostat104may output that the motor208is operating in a protection mode of operation. The thermostat104may display the output on the thermostat104via the display122(referring toFIG.1). In this example, the thermostat104allows a user to identify the operational condition of the motor208locally by interacting with the graphical user interface of the thermostat104. The output may also be accessible from a user device that is configured to communicate with the thermostat104. For instance, a user may be able to access the output using a mobile application or an Internet browser on a user device.

In another example, the thermostat104may transmit a signal to a device that is located external to the HVAC system102, wherein the signal comprises a recommendation for servicing the motor208. In this example, the thermostat104allows a user to receive the output remotely. For instance, the thermostat104may send the output to a user device of a technician that intended to service the condensing unit202. As the output indicates the motor208operating in a protection mode of operation, the technician may need to service the condensing unit202in relation to addressing the reason the motor208is operating in the protection mode. The process300then proceeds to end.

At step314, the thermostat104may send a command to energize a component sharing a power supply with the motor208of the condensing unit202. For example, the sound sensor106may have previously captured an audio signal112, but the motor208may not be operating to produce a sound configured to be captured by the sound sensor106(i.e., the motor208may not be operating even though there was a demand for operation of the fan210). The audio signal112may have been produced by a different component. The thermostat104may instruct a nearby component of the HVAC system102, such as a secondary or subsequent condensing unit202, to operate in order to determine that the motor208is connected to the power supply based on reception of another audio signal112.

At step316, the thermostat104may determine whether the sound sensor106received a second audio signal112based on operation of a nearby component in relation to the condensing unit202. For example, the nearby component may produce a sound or noise as it operates. If the thermostat104determines that the sound sensor106did not receive a second audio signal112, the process300proceeds to step318. Otherwise, the process300proceeds to320.

At step318, the thermostat104may determine that power is not being supplied to the motor208in response to determining that the sound sensor106did not receive the second audio signal112. The thermostat104may determine that the nearby component did not operate when previously instructed to by the thermostat104because the sound sensor106did not receive a second audio signal112. If the nearby component did not operate, there may be a problem with the power supply. For example, if the nearby component shares a power supply with the motor208and the nearby component did not operate when instructed by the thermostat104, the thermostat104may determine that there is a problem with providing power to the motor208. The thermostat104may output that there is a problem with providing power to the motor208. The thermostat104may then display the output on the thermostat104via the display122. The output may also be accessible from a user device that is configured to communicate with the thermostat104. The thermostat may transmit the output and a recommendation to a user, such as a technician, wherein the recommendation comprises instructions for servicing the condensing unit202. For example, the recommendation may indicate that the condensing unit202is disconnected from the power supply or that the power supply is defective.

At step320, the thermostat104may determine a fault associated with the condensing unit202in response to determining that the sound sensor106received a second audio signal112from step316. For example, the thermostat104may have determined that the motor208is operating based on the prior steps of process300. The thermostat104may determine that the motor208is not operating in the first mode of operation or in the protection mode of operation due to one or more faults. The thermostat104may be configured to detect a fault when an audio signature130is not present within the audio signal112captured in step304, when an audio signature130is present within the audio signal112captured in step304, based on the presence or absence of specific frequencies within the audio signal112captured in step304, or any combination thereof. The thermostat104may determine a fault by determining the fault type132(referring toFIG.1) stored in the memory118associated with the audio signature130determined within the audio signal112from step306. In embodiments, the fault type132may be associated with performance of the condensing unit202of the HVAC system102. Examples of fault types132may include, but are not limited to, motor faults, motor mounting hardware faults, fan faults, or any other suitable type of fault associated with the condensing unit202.

The thermostat104may then output a recommendation based on the determined fault. The thermostat104may output instructions in the recommendation for repairing the detected fault. After detecting a fault, the thermostat104may output information about the components of the condensing unit202that are associated with the fault and/or any other information that can be used to service the condensing unit202. For example, the thermostat104may output service instructions for how to repair or replace the identified components, tools for servicing the identified components, and/or any other suitable type of information that is associated with the identified components of the condensing unit202. Process300may then proceed to end.

Process300allows a user or technician to obtain information about the components that need to be serviced or replaced before the technician arrives to the space110(referring toFIG.1). This feature reduces the downtime of the condensing unit202by providing diagnostic information to the technician before the technician arrives, which reduces the amount of time required to diagnose issues with the condensing unit202and to service the condensing unit202.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods might be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated with another system or certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

In addition, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.

To aid the Patent Office, and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants note that they do not intend any of the appended claims to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) as it exists on the date of filing hereof unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.