Acoustic control for zone heat control system
First Claim
1. A heating control system for a structure of the type having at least one heated area with at least one heat delivering device in said at least one heated area, a furnace in a second area remote from said at least one heated area and means for communicating fluid between said furnace to said at least one heat delivering device, comprising:
- means for controlling delivery of said heated fluid to said at least one heat delivering device in response to a temperature in said at least one heated area;
means for imposing an acoustic signal on said means for communicating in response to said means for controlling whereby a demand for heat is indicated by the presence of said acoustic signal;
means in said second area for receiving said acoustic signal and means for controlling said furnace in response thereto; and
said means for controlling is effective to periodically deenergize at least one of said furnace and said means for communicating for a listening period and is further effective to re-energize the items deenergized only if said acoustic signal is present during said listening.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Thermostatically controlled valves and acoustic transducers are energized by thermostats in individual zoned heated areas of a structure. The thermostatic valves or dampers permit heated fluid to convey heat to their respective zoned heated areas and the acoustic transducer couples an acoustic signal to a feed or return duct or line. The acoustic signal is transmitted on the duct or line to an acoustic receiver in the vicinity of the furnace which, upon receiving the acoustic signal transduces the acoustic signal to an electric signal which is effective to control a controller. In one embodiment of the invention, periodic listening pulses are employed in the operation of the furnace and/or circulator to avoid interference with the communication system due to noise of these components.
8 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A heating control system for a structure of the type having at least one heated area with at least one heat delivering device in said at least one heated area, a furnace in a second area remote from said at least one heated area and means for communicating fluid between said furnace to said at least one heat delivering device, comprising:
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means for controlling delivery of said heated fluid to said at least one heat delivering device in response to a temperature in said at least one heated area; means for imposing an acoustic signal on said means for communicating in response to said means for controlling whereby a demand for heat is indicated by the presence of said acoustic signal; means in said second area for receiving said acoustic signal and means for controlling said furnace in response thereto; and said means for controlling is effective to periodically deenergize at least one of said furnace and said means for communicating for a listening period and is further effective to re-energize the items deenergized only if said acoustic signal is present during said listening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification