Electronically-controlled register vent for zone heating and cooling
First Claim
1. An electronically-controlled register vent for providing zoned heating and cooling, comprising:
- a controller;
a mechanical actuator provided to said controller;
a wireless communication system provided to said controller;
a temperature sensor provided to said controller, said temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of air inside a duct; and
a power source provided to said controller, said controller configured to control said actuator in response to a wireless communication received from a zone thermostat, said controller further configured to open said register vent when power available from said power source drops below a threshold value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. An electronically-controlled register vent for providing zoned heating and cooling, comprising:
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a controller;
a mechanical actuator provided to said controller;
a wireless communication system provided to said controller;
a temperature sensor provided to said controller, said temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of air inside a duct; and
a power source provided to said controller, said controller configured to control said actuator in response to a wireless communication received from a zone thermostat, said controller further configured to open said register vent when power available from said power source drops below a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification