Energy utilization reduction devices

• US 4,319,712 A
• Filed: 04/28/1980
• Issued: 03/16/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ofer Bar
• Original Assignee: Ofer Bar
• Inventors: Bar, Ofer
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/144,551
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 236/47, 236/1, 62/180, 62/161, 62/163, 165/11, 335/205
• US Class Current: 236/47
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value

Abstract

An energy conservation arrangement for a hotel guest room or other room lockable by a key (26) comprises a key reception module (10) disposed inside the room to receive a tag (24) of the key when the guest enters the room. Control means (12) is responsive to the tag (24) being received by the key reception module (10) to enable the use of room light(s) (16) and electrical power outlet(s) (18) and to allow a room air conditioner (20) to function normally. When the guest removes the tag (24) from the key reception module (10) prior to leaving the room, the control means (12) disables use of the light(s) (16) and power outlet(s) (18) and puts the air conditioner (20) into a minimum power consumption mode.

Claims

1. An energy conservation arrangement for a room lockable by means of a key, the arrangement comprising key reception means located or capable of being located in said room and capable of receiving said key or a tag of the key, said key reception means being operative to indicate whether or not said key or tag is received thereby, and control means responsive to said indication provided by said key reception means to fully enable operation of power-consuming equipment in said room when said key or tag is received by said key reception means and to limit the operation of said equipment when said key reception means, said control means being also operative, when said key or tag is not received by said key reception means, to control an air conditioner so that it can operate in a minimum power consumption mode and to by-pass a manual control means enabling selection of the speed of a blower of said air conditioner and to enable said blower to operate at its lower or lowest speed.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said control means is operative, when said key or tag is not received by said key reception means, to disable the use of at least one light in said room.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said control means is operative, when said key or tag is not received by said key reception means, to disable the use of at least one electrical power outlet in said room.

4. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said control means is operative, when said key is not received by said key reception means, to switch said air conditioner from control by a first room thermostat to control by a second thermostat providing more economical operation.

5. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes switching means arranged to be energised when said key or tag is not received by said key reception means, whereby if the switching means fails it will adopt the condition it adopts when said key or tag is received by said key reception means.

6. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said key reception means comprises a magnetic switch.

7. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein said magnetic switch comprises a reed contact unit and a magnet arranged in the vicinity of said reed contact unit to cause said unit to adopt a first state, the arrangement being such that a ferromagnetic key or key tag can be inserted between said magnet and said reed contact unit to screen the latter from the former and allow the contact unit to change state.