Electronic time thermostat with a temporary next period adjustment means

• US 5,230,482 A
• Filed: 12/20/1991
• Issued: 07/27/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Schnell, Robert J., Ratz, James W., Uhrich, Daniel T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US07/811,501
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 236/46 R, 236/47, 165/12
• US Class Current: 236/46.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 variable in time

Abstract

A thermostat having a temporary "now" and "next" functions. The temporary "next" function allows the user to program a temporary deviation from a preprogrammed schedule used to control the temperature within a space. The combination temporary "now" and "next" function allows a user to temporarily set a current setpoint which will be held until a temporary next setpoint becomes the control setpoint, after which the thermostat returns to the preprogrammed setpoints.

Claims

1. A method of selecting a set point period in a thermostat, the thermostat capable of having a preprogrammed sequence of set point periods, comprising the steps of:

controlling to a current period set point;

deciding if it is time for a next period set point;

controlling to a temporary next period set point if said temporary next period set point has been previously entered into the thermostat by the operator;

controlling to the normal next period set point otherwise, and

purging said temporary next period set point after the next period has expired.

2. A thermostat for controlling the operation of an HVAC system, comprising:

a temperature sensor for producing a temperature signal indicative of local temperature;

data entry means for entry of data into the thermostat;

display means for displaying information related to the thermostat and HVAC system operation;

a clock producing a clock signal; and

temperature responsive means connected to said data entry means, said temperature sensor, said display, and said clock, said temperature responsive means receiving said temperature and clock signals from said temperature sensor and said clock respectively, said temperature responsive means further having stored therein a plurality of time periods with associated set point temperatures, said plurality of time periods rotating on a preselected basis related to said clock signal, said temperature responsive means also having the ability to store a temporary next period set point, said temporary next period set point being used as the current set point when the clock signal indicates that the time for the temporary next period set point has occurred, said temperature responsive means purging said temporary next period set point upon expiration of the next period.

3. A method of controlling a thermostat having a plurality of prestored time-temperature periods, the plurality of time-temperature period sequencing on a predetermined basis, comprising the steps of:

deciding if a temporary current set point has been entered;

controlling to said temporary current set point if it has been entered, and controlling to a normal current set point otherwise;

deciding if it is time for a next period set point and controlling to a normal next period set point if there is no temporary next period set point, and controlling to the temporary next period set point otherwise; and

purging said temporary next period set point upon an expiration of the next period.