Electrical system for controlling the operation of a heat exchanger unit, thermostat therefor and methods of making the same

• US 5,277,363 A
• Filed: 09/22/1992
• Issued: 01/11/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Hart, Lee A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US07/949,405
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 236/46 R, 165/12, 307/66, 365/229
• US Class Current: 236/46.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1925 using a combination of auxiliary electric and non-electric power
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies

Abstract

An electrical system for controlling the operation of a heat exchanger unit, thermostat therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the system having a first electrical power source, the system having an electronic control logic unit operatively interconnected to the first power source to operate the heat exchanger unit in relation to data selectively entered into the electronic control logic unit and being maintained by the electronic control logic unit as long as the electronic control logic unit is receiving electric power, the system having a second electrical power source for supplying electrical power to the electronic control logic unit to maintain the data thereof when the first electrical power source ceases to supply electrical current to the electronic control logic unit even for a relatively long period of time, the second electrical power source comprising a capacitor unit.

Claims

1. In an electrical system for controlling the operation of a heat exchanger means, said system having a first electrical power source, said system having an electronic control logic unit operatively interconnected to said first power source to operate said heat exchanger means in relation to data means selectively entered into said electronic control logic unit and being maintained by said electronic control logic unit as long as said electronic control logic unit is receiving electrical power, said system having load control circuit means operatively interconnected to said heat exchanger means and said control logic unit and having relay coil means to operate said heat exchanger means when in one condition thereof and to turn off said heat exchanger means when in another condition thereof, said system having a second electrical power source for supplying electrical power to said electronic control logic unit to maintain said data means thereof when said first electrical power source ceases to supply electrical power to said electronic control logic unit even for a relatively long period of time, said second electrical power source comprising capacitor means that is operatively interconnected to said electronic control logic unit and that is operatively interconnected to said first electrical power source to store electrical energy from said first electrical power source in said capacitor means to be subsequently used as said second electrical power source when needed by said electronic control logic unit, the improvement wherein said capacitor means comprises a first capacitor that stores sufficient electrical energy to operate said relay coil means one time after said first electrical power source ceases to supply electrical power to said system to operate said coil means and a second capacitor that stores sufficient electrical energy to operate said electronic control logic unit even for said relatively long period of time.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first power source comprises an alternating current source that is also adapted to be operatively interconnected to said heat exchanger means to operate the same.

3. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first power source comprises a solar energy panel means.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said system has a voltage regulator means operatively interconnecting said first capacitor to said electronic control logic unit.

5. A system as set forth in claim 1 and comprising a voltage regulator means disposed between said first capacitor and said second capacitor whereby said voltage regulator means regulates the voltage of the stored energy of said first capacitor being fed therefrom to said electronic control logic unit.