Stephen Henry Walter

US Patent:

8538587, Sep 17, 2013

Filed:

Jan 27, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/694511

Inventors:

Mark D. Hess - Plano TX, US
Roger C. Hundt - Carrollton TX, US
Stephen A. Walter - Flower Mound TX, US

Assignee:

Lennox Industries Inc. - Richardson TX

International Classification:

G05B 13/00
G05D 23/00

US Classification:

700276, 700278

Abstract:

An HVAC controller, a method of operating a HVAC unit and a HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive both a latent cooling demand and a sensible cooling demand and (2) a processor configured to direct both a dehumidification function and a cooling function when simultaneously processing both the latent cooling demand and the sensible cooling demand, the dehumidification function based on an operating capacity of an indoor air blower system.

US Patent:

20100298982, Nov 25, 2010

Filed:

Jan 27, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/694392

Inventors:

Carlos O. Chamorro - Plano TX, US
Roger C. Hundt - Carrollton TX, US
John P. Stachler - Plano TX, US
Stephen A. Walter - Flower Mound TX, US

Assignee:

Lennox Industries, Incorporated - Richardson TX

International Classification:

G05B 15/00
F25B 39/04
F25B 1/10

US Classification:

700276, 62507, 62510

Abstract:

An HVAC controller, a method of operating an HVAC controller and an HVAC system employing the controller or the method. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) a processor couplable to at least two refrigerant pressure sensors via separate data paths to receive input signals therefrom and further couplable to a compressor stage and a condenser fan to provide output signals thereto and (2) memory coupled to the processor and configured to store a software program capable of causing the processor to command the compressor stage and the condenser fan to turn on irrespective of a state of an input signal generated by either of the at least two refrigerant pressure sensors and generate alternative error messages at least partially depending upon whether or not a high pressure shutdown occurs after the processor commands the compressor stage and the fan to turn on.

US Patent:

20100298988, Nov 25, 2010

Filed:

Jan 27, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/694503

Inventors:

John P. Stachler - Plano TX, US
Stephen A. Walter - Flower Mound TX, US
Alan E. Bennett - Denton TX, US
Richard A. Mauk - Lewisville TX, US

Assignee:

Lennox Industries, Incorporated - Richardson TX

International Classification:

G05B 15/00
F25B 39/04

US Classification:

700276, 62507

Abstract:

An HVAC controller, a method of starting a HVAC unit and a HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive a delay originating signal and (2) a processor configured to automatically generate an offset delay value for the HVAC unit upon receipt of the delay originating signal and delay starting identified components of the HVAC unit based on the offset delay value.

US Patent:

20100298993, Nov 25, 2010

Filed:

Jan 27, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/694487

Inventors:

Erroll L. Eaton - Carrollton TX, US
Mark D. Hess - Plano TX, US
Richard A. Mauk - Lewisville TX, US
Stephen A. Walter - Flower Mound TX, US
David M. Wynnick - Lewisville TX, US

Assignee:

Lennox Industries, Incorporated - Richardson TX

International Classification:

G05D 7/00

US Classification:

700282

Abstract:

An airflow managing system for monitoring airflow of a HVAC system, a HVAC system and a method of monitoring the airflow in a HVAC system is provided. In one embodiment, the airflow managing system includes: (1) an air pressure sensor configured to obtain an air pressure measurement directly from a scroll of an air blower of the HVAC system and (2) a HVAC controller configured to determine an airflow rate for the HVAC system based on the air pressure measurement and corresponding parameters associated with the air blower.

US Patent:

54882184, Jan 30, 1996

Filed:

Feb 12, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/017689

Inventors:

Mark W. Olsen - Carrollton TX
Joe R. Powell - Garland TX
Russell C. Tharp - Ft. Worth TX
Stephen A. Walter - Flower Mound TX

Assignee:

Lennox Industries Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H05B 102

US Classification:

219492

Abstract:

Activation and deactivation of a plurality of heating elements in an electric heating system are separately controllable in accordance with the present invention. Individual heating elements are sequentially activated in response to a demand for heat. A predetermined time delay is imposed between successive activations of the heating elements to allow time to satisfy the demand for heat before another heating element is activated. Normally, the heating elements are also deactivated sequentially in response to a reduced demand for heat, with a predetermined time delay between successive deactivations to allow time to respond to the reduced demand for heat before another heating element is deactivated. A temperature sensor is located in the air discharge plenum of the heating system for sensing the temperature of the discharge air. The discharge air temperature is used to control the operation of the heating elements, a two-speed heat pump, and the "off cycle" of the heating system blower.

US Patent:

20170130973, May 11, 2017

Filed:

Jan 20, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/411105

Inventors:

- Richardson TX, US
Marcus TROXELL - Frisco TX, US
Stephen A. WALTER - Flower Mound TX, US

Assignee:

Lennox Industries Inc. - Richardson TX

International Classification:

F24F 1/00
F24F 11/00

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for cooling a supply of air is provided. A unit controller receives a cooling demand signal. In response to the cooling demand signal, the unit controller adjusts an economizer according to an economizing function. The economizing function is configured to achieve an initial free cooling target temperature as a discharge air temperature. The unit controller receives an additional cooling demand signal. In response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller reduces the free cooling target temperature. The unit controller adjusts the economizer according to the economizing function, with the economizing function configured to achieve the reduced free cooling target temperature as the discharge air temperature. Additionally in response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller signals a unit to perform mechanical cooling on a supply of air received from the economizer.

US Patent:

20160238267, Aug 18, 2016

Filed:

Apr 22, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/136567

Inventors:

- Richardson TX, US
Marcus W. Troxell - Frisco TX, US
Stephen A. Walter - Flower Mound TX, US

Assignee:

Lennox Industries Inc. - Richardson TX

International Classification:

F24F 11/00

Abstract:

In an embodiment, a method of testing a HVAC unit for a disconnected damper motor is provided. An outside air section of a damper assembly is closed and air is circulated through the unit. If a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to a return air temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected. Otherwise, an economizing function having a free cooling target temperature is started. An outside air temperature is compared to the free cooling target temperature. If the outside air temperature is less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if the damper motor has been commanded to fully open the outside air section. If the outside air temperature is not less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to an outside air temperature.

US Patent:

20150362205, Dec 17, 2015

Filed:

Jun 13, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/304873

Inventors:

- Richardson TX, US
Rosa Maria Leal - Irving TX, US
Steven C. Brown - The Colony TX, US
Stephen A. Walter - Flower Mound TX, US

International Classification:

F24F 11/00
F25B 1/00
F24F 7/08
H02P 29/00
F24F 7/06

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed that involve controlling a variable-speed blower in a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to ensure the setting of a blower-proving switch to confirm airflow in a building. In one instance, a method involves ramping up the variable-speed blower so that the associated static pressure reaches a making point pressure of the blower-proving switch and then reducing the power to a desired power level. The method may also include maintaining the power level above a breaking point pressure. Other systems and methods are presented.