FAN COIL THERMOSTAT WITH ACTIVITY SENSING
First Claim
1. A fan coil thermostat for use with a fan coil system, the fan coil thermostat comprising:
- a controller without a programmable schedule, the controller implementing a control algorithm that is configured to at least partially control one or more components of the fan coil system, the control algorithm defaults to controlling to an unoccupied temperature setting;
a timer controlled by the controller;
a user interface comprising one or more temperature adjustment buttons for increasing or decreasing a user-chosen temperature setting, the user interface configured to provide a signal to the controller when one or more of the one or more temperature adjustment buttons are operated by a user, the signal providing the controller with the user-chosen temperature setting and also providing the controller with an indication of current occupancy; and
wherein, in response to the indication of current occupancy, the controller temporarily controls to the user-chosen temperature setting rather than the unoccupied temperature setting and initiates the timer, the controller returning to controlling to the unoccupied temperature setting once the timer expires.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Fan coil thermostats can provide energy savings by, for example, not unnecessarily heating and/or cooling an unoccupied room or other space. Fan coil systems employing such a fan coil thermostat may be more energy efficient. A fan coil system may include a fan coil that is configured for fluid communication with a source of heated fluid and/or a source of cooled fluid, a valve that controls fluid flow through the fan coil, a fan that blows air across the fan coil and a fan coil thermostat. The fan coil thermostat may include a controller that implements a control algorithm that may include an unoccupied temperature setting. The controller may be programmed to permit a user to enter a user-chosen temperature setting. In response, the controller may initiate a timer, and may automatically return to the unoccupied temperature setting once the timer has expired.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fan coil thermostat for use with a fan coil system, the fan coil thermostat comprising:
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a controller without a programmable schedule, the controller implementing a control algorithm that is configured to at least partially control one or more components of the fan coil system, the control algorithm defaults to controlling to an unoccupied temperature setting; a timer controlled by the controller; a user interface comprising one or more temperature adjustment buttons for increasing or decreasing a user-chosen temperature setting, the user interface configured to provide a signal to the controller when one or more of the one or more temperature adjustment buttons are operated by a user, the signal providing the controller with the user-chosen temperature setting and also providing the controller with an indication of current occupancy; and wherein, in response to the indication of current occupancy, the controller temporarily controls to the user-chosen temperature setting rather than the unoccupied temperature setting and initiates the timer, the controller returning to controlling to the unoccupied temperature setting once the timer expires. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A fan coil system, comprising:
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a fan coil configured for fluid communication with a source of heated fluid and/or a source of cooled fluid; a valve that controls fluid flow through the fan coil; a fan that blows air across the fan coil; and a fan coil thermostat, the fan coil thermostat including a user interface and a controller adapted to operate only at an unoccupied temperature setting or temporarily at a user-chosen temperature setting, the controller configured to maintain a temperature set point by controlling the valve, the fan, or the valve and fan; wherein the controller is programmed to accept the user-chosen temperature setting via the user interface, and, in response to accepting the user-chosen temperature setting, the controller temporarily changing the temperature set point from the unoccupied temperature setting to the user-chosen temperature setting, the controller maintaining the user-chosen temperature setting for a timed length of time before automatically returning to the unoccupied temperature setting, wherein the controller is configured to only control to the unoccupied temperature setting or temporarily at the user-chosen temperature setting. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A fan coil thermostat for use with a fan coil system, the fan coil thermostat comprising:
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a controller without a temperature setback schedule, the controller implementing a control algorithm that is configured to at least partially control one or more components of the fan coil system, the control algorithm defaults to controlling to an unoccupied temperature setting; a timer controlled by the controller; a user interface comprising one or more temperature adjustment buttons for increasing or decreasing a user-chosen temperature setting, the user interface configured to provide a signal to the controller when one or more of the one or more temperature adjustment buttons are operated by a user, the signal providing the controller with the user-chosen temperature setting and also providing the controller with an indication of current occupancy; and wherein, in response to the indication of current occupancy, the controller temporarily controls to the user-chosen temperature setting rather than the unoccupied temperature setting and initiates the timer, the controller returning to controlling to the unoccupied temperature setting once the timer expires. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification