Preset timed control for HVAC operation

• US 5,000,382 A
• Filed: 02/06/1990
• Issued: 03/19/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lowell F. Stedman
• Original Assignee: Lowell F. Stedman
• Inventors: Stedman, Lowell F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US07/475,441
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 236/46, 165/12
• US Class Current: 236/46.00R
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/61 using timers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/88 Electrical aspects, e.g. circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 variable in time

Abstract

A control system for an existing central heating, cooling and ventilating unit (HVAC) in which a conventional plug-in timer and selector controller are employed to by-pass the normal control for the HVAC such that it can be made to operate for a predetermined amount of time regardless of temperature. Operation of the unit for a predetermined amount of time prevents mildew when a housing enclosure or the like is unoccupied without wasting electrical energy as would be the case when the HVAC is under normal control.

Claims

1. A control system for an existing central heating, ventilating and cooling until (HVAC), said system comprising a selector controller and a conventional plug in timer, the controller adapted to be connected in electrical series between an existing HVAC thermostat and an existing low voltage control circuit for actuating conventional devices in the HVAC, said controller comprising a relay, a relay operated switch connected in circuit with a three position manual switch, said manual switch having a first off position, a second timed position in which the manual switch is series connected with said relay switch and a third normal position by-passing said relay switch, said plug in timer having a timer operated switch and said timer being connected to said relay by an external cord plugged into the timer, said timer adapted for plugging into a standard wall outlet, said system operating such that when the manual switch is in the timed position the thermostat operates the HVAC only when the timer operated relay switch is closed and when in the normal position the thermostat controls the HVAC.

2. The system of claim 1 in which the controller is mounted as a permanent installation between the thermostat and the low voltage control circuit.

3. The system of claim 1 in which the controller is adapted for portability and temporarily connected to the thermostat and the low voltage control circuit.