THERMOSTAT BATTERY RECHARGING DURING HVAC FUNCTION ACTIVE AND INACTIVE STATES

• US 20120126019A1
• Filed: 02/24/2011
• Published: 05/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nest Labs Incorporated (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: FADELL, Anthony Michael, ROGERS, Matthew Lee, WARREN, Daniel Adam, FIENNES, Hugo, DUTRA, Jonathon Alan, BELL, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,752,771 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/51
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0086 Filter condition indicators
• 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 11/32 Responding to malfunctions or emergencies
• 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 11/47 Responding to energy costs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/64 using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/89 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/00 Control inputs relating to air properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/20 Feedback from users
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2130/40 Noise
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/00 Control inputs relating to system states
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2140/60 : Energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/0265 : the criterion being a learning criterion
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/19 : characterised by the use of electric means G05D23/1393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 : characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 : using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/2416 : Means for guiding or retaining wires or cables connected to terminal blocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 : Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 : Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 : Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A thermostat and related methods are described for controlling one or more functions, such as heating and cooling in an HVAC. According to some embodiments the thermostat includes a rechargeable battery; charging circuitry adapted and arranged to recharge the battery; and control circuitry adapted and arranged to control the one or more HVAC functions using power from the rechargeable battery. According to some embodiments, the thermostat also includes power harvesting circuitry adapted and arranged to harvest power from the HVAC system in cases where no common wire is available to the thermostat, and to supply power to the charging circuit for recharging the battery.

Claims

1. A thermostat for controlling one or more HVAC functions in an HVAC system the thermostat comprising:

a rechargeable battery;

charging circuitry adapted and arranged to recharge the battery;

power harvesting circuitry adapted and arranged to harvest power from a circuit of an HVAC function during times when the HVAC function is active and during times when the HVAC function is inactive, and to supply power to the charging circuit for recharging the battery; and

control circuitry adapted and arranged to control the one or more HVAC functions using power from the rechargeable battery.

3. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the power harvesting circuitry is adapted and arranged to automatically select harvesting power from a power source among two or more available power sources.

5. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein during power harvesting from a circuit of an HVAC function when the HVAC function is active, the power harvesting circuitry repeatedly charges and discharges one or more capacitive and/or magnetic elements to store electrical energy for use by the charging circuit and/or other operations in the thermostat.

6. A thermostat according to claim 5 wherein the power harvesting circuitry includes solid state switching components and circuitry adapted and arranged to quickly open and close one or more circuits controlling the one or more HVAC functions.

7. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the thermostat is adapted to control HVAC systems having more than one power transformer.

8. A thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the charging circuitry is adapted to charge the battery such that longer cycle life is preferred over higher charge capacity.

9. A thermostat according to claim 8 wherein the charging circuitry is adapted to charge the battery to a final float voltage of less than about 4.1V.

10. A thermostat according to claim 9 wherein the charging circuitry is adapted to charge the battery to a final float voltage of between about 3.9V and 4.0V.

11. A method for controlling an HVAC system using a thermostat according to claim 1.

2. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

12. A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system having an HVAC function, the thermostat comprising:

power harvesting circuitry adapted and arranged to harvest power for use by the thermostat from a circuit for controlling the HVAC system function during times when the HVAC function is active;

a rechargeable battery; and

charging circuitry adapted and arranged to recharge the battery using power from the power harvesting circuitry.

13. A thermostat according to claim 12 wherein the HVAC function is heating or cooling.

14. A thermostat according to claim 12 wherein during power harvesting from the circuit for controlling the HVAC function during times when the HVAC function is active, the power harvesting circuitry is adapted to repeatedly charge and discharge one or more capacitive and/or magnetic elements to store electrical energy for use by the thermostat.

15. A thermostat according to claim 14 wherein the power harvesting circuitry includes solid state switching components and circuitry adapted and arranged to quickly open and close the circuit for controlling the HVAC function.

17. A method for controlling an HVAC system using a thermostat according to claim 12.

16. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)