THERMOSTAT

• US 20070228183A1
• Filed: 03/23/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pro1 Iaq Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pro1 Iaq Inc.
• Inventors: Kennedy, Kimberly A., Edgar, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US11/690,684
• Publication Number:
  US 20070228183A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/1.C
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/36 to leakage of heat-exchange fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/38 Failure diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/39 Monitoring filter performance
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/59 for presetting
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1905 associated with tele control

Abstract

An thermostat 10 includes an improved user interface, including automatic scheduling, remote control, system failure warning messages, and Energy Star compliance messages. Diagnostics can be provided without additional communication links to the thermostat. A sub-base accepts multiple thermostats and uses color coded terminals to ease installation. Glow-in-the-dark features reduce power needs. In one embodiment, thermostats are coupled to AC power sources and communicate using wireless communications to control an HVAC system. A dampered system can be effected through a thermostat that communicates directly with zoned dampers.

Claims

1. A thermostat comprising:

processing circuitry;

a housing for mounting on an AC power source;

wireless communication circuitry for sending control signals from the processing circuitry to control an air conditioning unit.

2. The thermostat of claim 1 wherein the housing mounts on a light switch power connection.

3. The thermostat of claim 1 wherein the housing mounts on a power outlet.

4. The thermostat of claim 1 and further comprising a wireless receiver coupled to the air conditioning unit for receiving signals from the wireless communication circuitry and controlling the air conditioning unit responsive thereto.

5. The thermostat of claim 1 and further comprising a second thermostat wired to the air conditioning unit, said second thermostat having a wireless receiver to receiving signals from the wireless communication circuitry.

6. A thermostat system comprising:

a sub-base for connection to a plurality of wires for connection to an air conditioning unit;

a plurality of thermostats for connection to the sub-base, such that connection of a selected one of the thermostats to the sub-base will connect the selected thermostat to the wires.

7. The thermostat of claim 6 wherein the sub-base has a plurality of color-coded terminals.

8. The thermostat of claim 6 wherein the plurality of thermostats have different features.

9. The thermostat of claim 6 wherein at least some of said plurality of thermostats have processing circuitry for determining a type associated with the air conditioning unit and for configuring the selected thermostat according to the detected type.

10. The thermostat of claim 9 wherein said type can be either single-stage or multi-stage.

11. The thermostat of claim 9 wherein said type can be either gas or heat pump.

12. A damper control system comprising:

a plurality of electronically controlled dampers;

a plurality of thermostats, each for controlling temperature in a predetermined area, said plurality of thermostats including;

a main thermostat for controlling the dampers; and

one or more secondary thermostats in communication with the main thermostat.

13. The damper control system of claim 12 wherein said main thermostat wirelessly communicates with the dampers.

14. The damper control system of claim 12 wherein the secondary thermostats wirelessly communicate with the main thermostat.

15. The damper control system of claim 12 wherein the main thermostat controls an air conditioning unit.