Setback control for temperature controlled system

• US 20070194139A1
• Filed: 02/23/2006
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Minnesota It Services
• Original Assignee: Minnesota It Services
• Inventors: Beggs, Bruce
• Application Number:
  US11/360,783
• Publication Number:
  US 20070194139A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/46.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/203 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1919 characterised by the type of controller

Abstract

A program or subprogram in a processor, thermostat or computer that directs a temperature control system either contains or is programmable to contain an approximation that is applied to a setpoint temperature. In a heating environment, where a temperature setpoint is X degrees F. (X° F.), the approximation will assert a setpoint range of X−yF° (wherein y is the setpoint variation or approximation) such that when the actual temperature reaches X−y° F., the system will only then start the heating process when that X−y° F. temperature is reached. When the temperature control system is a cooling system, where a temperature setpoint is X degrees F. (X° F.), the approximation will assert a setpoint range of X+y° F. (wherein y is the setpoint variation or approximation) such that when the actual temperature reaches X+y° F., the system will only then start the cooling process when that X+y° F. temperature is reached. The significance of the process is that when a single absolute point temperature is selected, the start up event of heating or cooling is reached more frequently over a given period of time.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a temperature range comprising:

a thermostat; and

a device for altering or maintaining the temperature range;

wherein the thermostat directs temperatures to be altered and maintained by the device by input of at least a target temperature and wherein the thermostat allows input of a setback range for the target temperature.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the thermostat directs a heating device.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the thermostat directs a cooling device.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the thermostat directs both a cooling and a heating device.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the thermostat allows specific selection of a particular setback range with a single button.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the thermostat allows specific selection of the setback range may be selected by manual input into the thermostat.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the thermostat also allows setting times of the day when the target temperature is to be controlled by the device.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the thermostat also allows setting times of the day when the target temperature is to be controlled by the device.

9. The system of claim 5 wherein the thermostat comprises a processor.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein the thermostat comprises a processor.

11. A method of conserving energy in a thermal control system comprising setting a setpoint temperature for the thermal control system and inputting a setback range to overlap the setpoint temperature, the overlap extending to temperatures higher than the setpoint temperature in a cooling thermal control system and lower than the setpoint temperature in a heating control system.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein in a heating environment, where a temperature setpoint is X°

F., the approximation will assert a setback range of X−

yF°

, wherein y is the setpoint variation such that when the actual temperature reaches X−

y°

F., the thermal control system will only then start a heating process.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein in a cooling environment, where a temperature setpoint is X°

F., the approximation will assert a setback range of X+yF°

, wherein y is the setpoint variation such that when an actual temperature in the cooling environment reaches X+y°

F., the thermal control system will only then start a cool process.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein a user inputs the setback range by a control panel associated with a thermostat in the thermal control system.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein a user inputs the setback range by a control panel associated with a thermostat in the thermal control system.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein a user inputs the setback range by a control panel associated with a thermostat in the thermal control system.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein inputting the setpoint variation is effected by pressing a button or touchscreen for a specific temperature range for the setpoint variation.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein inputting the setpoint variation is effected by pressing a button or touchscreen to create a specific temperature range for the setpoint variation.

19. A thermostat connected to a device for altering or maintaining the temperature range;

wherein the thermostat directs temperatures to be altered and maintained by the device by input of at least a target temperature and wherein the thermostat allows input of a setback range for the target temperature.

20. The thermostat of claim 19 wherein the thermostat allows at least one function selected from the group consisting of specific selection of a particular setback range with a single button, selection by manual input into the thermostat and setting times of the day when the target temperature is to be controlled by the device.