Relay switch control and related methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A relay switch control comprising:
- a processor configured to receive control signals from a thermostat and having an internal analog-based clock upon which an operating frequency of the processor is based, whereby the cycles of the internal analog-based clock and the operating frequency of the processor of the relay switch control are individualized to the relay switch control; and
a relay operable by the processor, in response to thermostat control signals, to electrically connect or disconnect a load to or from a voltage input received by the relay switch control from a line voltage source, where the relay switch control is configured for connection between the line voltage source and the load;
the processor of the relay switch control further configured to;
detect a line voltage signal indicating startup of line power to the load;
detect a zero crossing of a signal of the line voltage source;
upon detection of the zero crossing of the signal of the line voltage source, store at least a portion of a current value of a counter of the processor, wherein the counter is configured to update based on the cycles of the internal analog-based clock, whereby the stored value of the counter is based on a time of detection of the zero crossing of the signal of the line voltage source and individualized to the relay switch control; and
combine the portion of the stored value of the counter with a value of a cycle period length of the line voltage signal to obtain a randomized number for use as a time delay before startup of the load, whereby the time delay is random and individualized to the relay switch control based on line voltage signal and relay switch control determinants;
the relay switch control configured to start power to the load from the line voltage source through the relay after the time delay.
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Abstract
Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a relay switch control configured for connection between a power source and a load. The control includes a processor having a clock upon which an operating frequency of the processor is based, and a sealed relay operable by the processor to electrically connect or disconnect the power source and the load. The relay switch control can start power to the load through the relay after a randomized time delay determined by the processor using a value of a counter of the processor. The counter is updated as a function of cycles of the clock.
154 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A relay switch control comprising:
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a processor configured to receive control signals from a thermostat and having an internal analog-based clock upon which an operating frequency of the processor is based, whereby the cycles of the internal analog-based clock and the operating frequency of the processor of the relay switch control are individualized to the relay switch control; and a relay operable by the processor, in response to thermostat control signals, to electrically connect or disconnect a load to or from a voltage input received by the relay switch control from a line voltage source, where the relay switch control is configured for connection between the line voltage source and the load; the processor of the relay switch control further configured to; detect a line voltage signal indicating startup of line power to the load; detect a zero crossing of a signal of the line voltage source; upon detection of the zero crossing of the signal of the line voltage source, store at least a portion of a current value of a counter of the processor, wherein the counter is configured to update based on the cycles of the internal analog-based clock, whereby the stored value of the counter is based on a time of detection of the zero crossing of the signal of the line voltage source and individualized to the relay switch control; and combine the portion of the stored value of the counter with a value of a cycle period length of the line voltage signal to obtain a randomized number for use as a time delay before startup of the load, whereby the time delay is random and individualized to the relay switch control based on line voltage signal and relay switch control determinants; the relay switch control configured to start power to the load from the line voltage source through the relay after the time delay. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A relay switch control comprising:
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a processor configured to receive control signals from a thermostat; and a relay operable by the processor, in response to thermostat control signals, to electrically connect or disconnect a load to or from a voltage input provided to the relay switch control from a line voltage source, the relay substantially enclosed in a seal; the relay switch control configured for connection as a unit between the line voltage source and the load, wherein, the processor comprises an analog-based clock upon which an operating frequency of the processor is based; and the processor is further configured to; detect a line voltage signal indicating startup of line power to the load; detect a zero crossing of a signal of the line voltage source; upon detection of the zero crossing of the signal of the line voltage source, store at least a portion of a current value of a counter of the processor, wherein the counter is configured to update based on the cycles of the internal analog-based clock; and combine the portion of the stored value of the counter with a value of a cycle period length of the line voltage signal to obtain a randomized number for use as a time delay before startup of the load; and start power to the load from the line voltage source through the relay after the time delay having a length randomized by the processor using a value of a counter of the processor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of providing a random start capability for a line powered apparatus, the method comprising:
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detecting a line voltage signal indicating startup of line power to the apparatus, the detecting performed by a processor of a relay switch control that receives voltage input from a line voltage source for providing the line voltage signal to the apparatus in accordance with control signals from a thermostat to the relay switch control; upon detecting a zero cross of the line voltage signal, the processor storing at least a portion of a current value of a counter of the processor where the counter is updated based on cycles of an internal clock of the processor; and the processor combining the portion of the stored value with a value of a cycle period length of the line voltage signal to obtain a randomized number for use as a time delay before startup of the apparatus, where the randomized number provides a time delay of between zero to about five seconds, wherein the combining comprises multiplying the portion of the stored value with the value of the cycle period length of the signal, the relay switch control configured to start power to the load from the line voltage source through the relay after the time delay. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification