Central vacuum cleaner multiple vacuum source control

• US 20070079466A1
• Filed: 10/06/2006
• Published: 04/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
• Original Assignee: Cube Investments Limited
• Inventors: Cunningham, J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,732,895 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/314
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/38 Built-in suction cleaner installations, i.e. with fixed tube system to which, at different stations, hoses can be connected

Abstract

A central vacuum cleaning system has multiple vacuum sources. The multiple vacuum sources are connected through pipes to wall valves. In use a hose is plugged into one of the valves. A handle is connected to the hose. A wand extends from the handle. Attachments such as a power brush are connected to the wand. Switches apply power from one or more power sources to the vacuum sources. The application of power by the switches is controlled by a control circuit.

Claims

1. A central vacuum cleaning system comprising:

a) a plurality of vacuum sources,

b) a control circuit, and

c) a plurality of switches, each switch associated with a respective one of the vacuum sources,

wherein the control circuit is adapted to control the switches, and each switch is adapted to apply power to its associated vacuum source in accordance with control from the control circuit.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the control circuit is a plurality of control circuits and each control circuit is associated with a respective one of the vacuum sources and one of the control circuits is adapted to act as a master control circuit while the remaining control circuits are adapted to act as slave control circuits such that each slave control circuit is adapted to control its associated switch under control of the master control circuit.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein each switch is a continuously variable control switch that is able to apply a continuously variable amount of power.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein each switch comprises a triac.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein each switch is mounted on a distinct heat sink.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein each switch and the vacuum source with which it is associated are mounted in a separate central vacuum unit.

7. The system of claim 2 wherein the master control circuit is adapted to control the slave control circuits in accordance with a master soft start function to limit instantaneous total inrush current of the vacuum sources.

8. The system of claim 2 wherein the master control circuit and slave control circuits are adapted for master slave control using wireless RF communication.

9. A method of operating multiple vacuum sources in a central vacuum cleaning system, the method comprises:

associating a plurality of switches with the vacuum sources, each switch associated with a respective one of the vacuum sources; and

controlling the switches using a control circuit to apply power to the vacuum sources.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein controlling the switches using a control circuit includes controlling the switches using a plurality of control circuits and the method further comprises associating each control circuit with a respective one of the switches.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein using a plurality of control switches further comprises controlling the switches to limit instantaneous total inrush current to the vacuum sources.