Thermostat and method for operating in either a normal or dehumidification mode
First Claim
1. A digital thermostat for controlling the operation of an air conditioner having a variable capacity compressor and blower, comprising:
- a temperature sensing means for providing a signal indicating the temperature of a space, a humidity sensing means for providing a signal indicating the humidity level within the space;
a processor for receiving signals from the temperature sensing and humidity sensing means and for sending signals for controlling the operation of the compressor and blower;
the processor operative in a first mode to operate the compressor and the blower at less than full capacity when the sensed humidity is above the desired humidity set point and the sensed temperature is not more than a predetermined amount above the humidity set point; and
the processor operative in a second mode to operate the compressor at full capacity and the blower at full capacity when the sensed temperature is more than a predetermined amount above the desired temperature set point.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The inventive thermostat provides for sensing the temperature and humidity within the space, and responsively controlling the operation of an air conditioning compressor and blower to maintain the desired temperature and humidity. In a first mode, the thermostat operates the compressor at maximum capacity and the blower at less than maximum capacity to provide dehumidification when the humidity level is above a set point. In a second mode, the thermostat operates the compressor and blower at maximum capacity to provide full cooling capacity when the sensed temperature is more than a predetermined amount above the desired temperature setting. The thermostat is also configured to automatically switch from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.
68 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A digital thermostat for controlling the operation of an air conditioner having a variable capacity compressor and blower, comprising:
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a temperature sensing means for providing a signal indicating the temperature of a space, a humidity sensing means for providing a signal indicating the humidity level within the space;
a processor for receiving signals from the temperature sensing and humidity sensing means and for sending signals for controlling the operation of the compressor and blower;
the processor operative in a first mode to operate the compressor and the blower at less than full capacity when the sensed humidity is above the desired humidity set point and the sensed temperature is not more than a predetermined amount above the humidity set point; and
the processor operative in a second mode to operate the compressor at full capacity and the blower at full capacity when the sensed temperature is more than a predetermined amount above the desired temperature set point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A digital thermostat for controlling the operation of an air conditioner having a multi-speed compressor and blower, comprising:
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a temperature sensing means for providing a signal indicating the temperature of a space, a humidity sensing means for providing a signal indicating the humidity level within the space;
a processor for receiving signals from the temperature sensing and humidity sensing means and for sending signals for controlling the operation of the compressor and blower, wherein the processor responsively operates the compressor at the maximum speed and operates the blower at less than the maximum speed when the sensed humidity is above the desired humidity set point and the sensed temperature is within a predetermined amount above the temperature set point; and
wherein the processor responsively operates the compressor at the maximum speed and the blower at the maximum speed when the sensed temperature is more than a predetermined amount above the desired temperature set point. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A digital thermostat in combination with a variable speed compressor and a variable speed blower, the combination comprising:
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a temperature sensing means for providing a signal indicating the temperature of a space, a humidity sensing means for providing a signal indicating the humidity level within the space;
a processor for receiving signals from the temperature sensing and humidity sensing means and for sending signals for controlling the operation of the compressor and blower, wherein the processor responsively operates the compressor at the maximum speed and operates the blower at a speed that is less than the maximum when the sensed humidity is above the desired humidity set point and the sensed temperature is within a predetermined amount above the temperature set point; and
wherein the processor responsively operates the compressor at the maximum speed and the blower at the maximum speed when the sensed temperature is more than a predetermined amount above the desired temperature set point. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method of controlling the operation of thermostat for an air conditioner having a variable speed compressor and blower, a humidity sensor and a temperature sensor, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing the temperature of the space to be maintained;
sensing the humidity level of the space to be maintained;
determining if the sensed humidity level is above the desired humidity set point;
determining if the sensed temperature is above the temperature set point but less than a predetermined amount above the temperature set point;
responsively establishing operation of the compressor at full capacity and operation of the blower at less than full capacity when the sensed humidity is above the desired humidity set point and the sensed temperature is above the temperature set point but less than a predetermined amount above the temperature set point. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification