Ventilation control apparatus for animal enclosure and method
First Claim
1. An energy management apparatus for providing temperature responsive ventilation in an animal enclosure, said animal enclosure having electric power supply means and at least one temperature control output device in operative connection with said power supply means for exchanging air in the enclosure, said apparatus being electrically interposed between said power supply means and said output device for controlling the transmission of electricity to said output device, said energy management apparatus comprising:
- a. a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of air outside the enclosure;
b. a cycle timer for operating the output device for a variable percentage of time during consecutive given time intervals; and
c. adjustment means cooperating with said temperature sensor and said cycle timer to automatically vary the percentage of output device operation time during each given time interval in response to temperature changes in the outside air whereby constant minimum ventilation efficiency is maintained within the enclosure.
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Abstract
An energy management apparatus is disclosed for providing temperature responsive ventilation in an animal enclosure (A). An outside temperature sensor 15 cooperates with a cycle timer 21 to operate an output device such as a ventilation fan (10) for a variable percentage of time during consecutive given time intervals. A controller (12) cooperates with the temperature sensor (15) and the cycle timer (21) to automatically vary the percentage of fan (10) operation time during each given time interval in response to temperature changes in the outside air whereby constant minimum ventilation efficiency is maintained within enclosure (A). An indoor temperature sensor (16) can be optionally provided to override the outdoor sensor (15) to ensure that the temperature within the enclosure (A) remains within desired limits.
50 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An energy management apparatus for providing temperature responsive ventilation in an animal enclosure, said animal enclosure having electric power supply means and at least one temperature control output device in operative connection with said power supply means for exchanging air in the enclosure, said apparatus being electrically interposed between said power supply means and said output device for controlling the transmission of electricity to said output device, said energy management apparatus comprising:
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a. a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of air outside the enclosure; b. a cycle timer for operating the output device for a variable percentage of time during consecutive given time intervals; and c. adjustment means cooperating with said temperature sensor and said cycle timer to automatically vary the percentage of output device operation time during each given time interval in response to temperature changes in the outside air whereby constant minimum ventilation efficiency is maintained within the enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An energy management apparatus for providing temperature responsive ventilation in an animal enclosure, said animal enclosure having electric power supply means and at least one temperature control output device in operative connection with said power supply means for exchanging air in the enclosure, said apparatus being electrically interposed between said power supply means and said output device for controlling the transmission of electricity to said output device, said energy management apparatus comprising;
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a. a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of air outside the enclosure; b. a cycle timer for operating the output device for a variable percentage of time during consecutive given time intervals; c. adjustment means cooperating with said temperature sensor and said cycle timer to automatically vary the percentage of output device operation time during each given time interval in response to temperature changes in the outside air whereby constant minimum ventilation efficiency is maintained within the enclosure. d. an inside temperature sensor operating as an override thermostat for actuating said output device if the temperature within the enclosure moves outside a predetermined temperature range, whereby the temperature inside the animal enclosure is maintained within the temperature range independent of the operation of said outside temperature sensor, cycle timer and adjustment means. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A method of controlling ventilation in an animal enclosure having electric power supply means and at least one temperature control output device, said method comprising the step of:
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a. sensing the temperature of air outside the animal enclosure; b. providing means for operating the output device for a variable percentage of time during consecutive given time intervals; and c. varying the percentage of output device operation time during each given time interval in response to temperature changes in the outside air whereby constant minimum ventilation efficiency is maintained within the enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification