THERMOSTAT CIRCUITRY FOR CONNECTION TO HVAC SYSTEMS
First Claim
1. A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system having one or two transformers for supplying power to control the HVAC system, the HVAC system having at least one control wire for controlling one or more HVAC functions and one or two electrical power return wires each of which is electrically connected to one of the one or two separate transformers, the thermostat comprising:
- a plurality of wiring terminals for making electrical connections to the at least one control wire and to the one or two power return wires; and
circuitry connected to the plurality of terminals, the terminals and circuitry being adapted an arranged such that the at least one control wire and the one or two power return wires can be connected whether the HVAC system has a one or two transformers without the use of removable jumpers or manual rewiring.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A thermostat and related methods is provided for controlling an HVAC system having one or two separate transformers for supplying power to the HVAC system. The thermostat includes isolation circuitry housed within the thermostat to safely connect to the HVAC control wires and power wire(s) whether the HVAC system has one or two separate transformers without the use of removable jumpers or manual rewiring. The thermostat can include a processor that sends DC signals for turning on and turning off each of the HVAC functions, and an isolator adapted to electrically isolate the processor from the control wires and power wire(s). The isolator can include a transformer, such as a low cost Ethernet transformer. The circuitry can include one or more field effect transistors adapted and arranged so as to open or close an electrical connections between the control and power wires, thereby turning on or off the associated HVAC function. According to some embodiments, the Rc and Rh terminals are permanently connected using a fuse.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system having one or two transformers for supplying power to control the HVAC system, the HVAC system having at least one control wire for controlling one or more HVAC functions and one or two electrical power return wires each of which is electrically connected to one of the one or two separate transformers, the thermostat comprising:
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a plurality of wiring terminals for making electrical connections to the at least one control wire and to the one or two power return wires; and circuitry connected to the plurality of terminals, the terminals and circuitry being adapted an arranged such that the at least one control wire and the one or two power return wires can be connected whether the HVAC system has a one or two transformers without the use of removable jumpers or manual rewiring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system having one or two transformers for supplying power to the HVAC system, the HVAC system having one or more control wires for controlling one or more HVAC functions and one or two electrical power wires each of which is electrically connected to one of the one or two transformers, the thermostat comprising:
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two power return wiring terminals for making electrical connections to the one or two power return wires; and a switching circuit for electrically connecting the two power return wiring terminals in cases where the HVAC system has only one power transformer and electrically disconnecting the two power return wiring terminals in cases where the HVAC system has two power transformers. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system having one or more HVAC functions, the thermostat comprising:
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one or more solid state switching components adapted and arranged to provide switching on an off each of the one or more HVAC functions; and current sensing circuitry adapted and arranged to sense current passing through the one or more solid state switching components. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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- 30. A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system having multiple HVAC functions including a first HVAC function and a second HVAC function, the thermostat comprising circuitry housed within the thermostat adapted and configured to silently and automatically switch between the controlling the first and second HVAC functions, and to silently control the first HVAC function and the second HVAC function.
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37. A method for controlling an HVAC system having multiple HVAC functions including a first HVAC function and a second HVAC function, the method comprising:
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silently and automatically controlling the first HVAC function; silently and automatically switching from controlling the first HVAC functions to controlling the second HVAC function; and silently and automatically controlling the second HVAC function. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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Specification