Residential monitoring and control system

• US 4,308,911 A
• Filed: 11/13/1979
• Issued: 01/05/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William J. Mandl
• Original Assignee: William J. Mandl
• Inventors: Mandl, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US06/093,533
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 340/521, 340/500, 340/501, 340/506, 340/588, 340/589, 165/16, 165/22, 165/30, 165/26, 165/27, 165/28, 165/11 R, 236/46 R, 236/51, 236/1 C
• US Class Current: 165/209
• 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 11/33 to fire, excessive heat or smoke
• 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 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/76 by means responsive to temperature, e.g. bimetal springs
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/88 Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/12 of the outside air
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/00 Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/14 by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/244 the home appliances being or involving heating ventilating and air conditioning [HVAC] units

Abstract

A system particularly suited for residential use for monitoring various input sensors and for controlling various output devices including heat and air condition units, control motors, and alarms. A system in accordance with the invention includes one or more of the following control subsystems:

(1) Security Subsystem

(2)Heat/Air Condition Subsystem

(3) Controlled Device Subsystem

(4) Priority Shutdown Subsystem

Claims

1. A system for use in combination with a residence having at least first and second zones and at least one actuable heat unit and one actuable air condition unit for respectively warming and cooling the air in said zones, said system comprising:

master thermostat means including temperature sensing means and means for defining an air condition mode when the temperature sensed by said sensing means is above a first selectable level and a heat mode when the temperature sensed by said sensing means is below a second selectable level;

a first zone thermostat means mounted in said first zone including temperature sensing means for indicating whether the temperature sensed thereby is in a first range below a first selectable level or in a second range between said first selectable level and a second selectable level or in a third range between said second selectable level and a third selectable level or in a fourth range above said third selectable level;

a second zone thermostat means mounted in said second zone including temperature sensing means for indicating whether the temperature sensed thereby is in a first range below a first selectable level or in a second range between said first selectable level and a second selectable level or in a third range between said second selectable level and a third selectable level or in a fourth range above said third selectable level;

operating means for selectively defining either a normal operating mode or an energy save operating mode;

first coupling means actuable to selectively couple said heat and air condition units to said first zone;

second coupling means actuable to selectively couple said heat and air condition units to said second zone;

means responsive to said master thermostat means defining said heat mode and said operating means defining said energy save mode and said first or second zone thermostat means indicating said first range for respectively actuating said first and second coupling means and said heat unit;

means responsive to said master thermostat means defining said heat mode and said operating means defining said normal mode and said first or second zone thermostat means indicating said second range for respectively actuating said first and second coupling means and said heat unit;

means responsive to said master thermostat means defining said air condition mode and said operating means defining said normal mode and said first or second zone thermostat means indicating said third range for respectively actuating said first and second coupling means and said air condition unit; and

means responsive to said master thermostat means defining said air condition mode and said operating means defining said energy save mode and said first or second zone thermostat means indicating said fourth range for respectively actuating said first and second coupling means and said air condition unit.

2. The system of claim 1 including means for generating an alarm signal when said master thermostat means indicates that the temperature thereat is above said first selectable level and said heat unit is actuated or is below said second selectable and said air condition unit is actuated.

3. The system of claim 2 further including a visual display means;

and

means responsive to said alarm signal for energizing said visual display means and for identifying each of said coupling means which is actuated.

4. The system of claim 1 further including offset adjust means for varying said first zone thermostat second selectable level dependent upon whether said master thermostat means defines said air condition mode or said heat mode.

5. The system of claim 1 further including at least one fire sensor capable of indicating a fire condition in said residence;

and

means responsive to said fire sensor indicating a fire condition for disabling said heat and air condition units.

6. The system of claim 1 further including timer means;

and wherein

said operating means is responsive to said timer means.

7. The system of claim 6 further including means for generating a shutdown command signal;

and

means responsive to said shutdown command signal for controlling said operating means independent of said timer means.