Thermostat control system

• US 5,285,961 A
• Filed: 02/11/1993
• Issued: 02/15/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jose A. Rodriguez Jr
• Original Assignee: Jose A. Rodriguez Jr
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Jose A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US08/016,279
• Time in Patent Office: 369 Days
• Field of Search: 236/47, 236/46 R, 165/11.1
• US Class Current: 236/47
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24158 Access only for service, hide, forbidden tamperfree keys, program
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/275 with sensing element expanding, contracting, or fusing in response to changes of temperature

Abstract

The present invention relates to a means for preventing unnecessary expense in operation of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) especially in areas wherein occupancy may be sporadic and where the occupants of such areas may not be personally concerned with keeping the expense of running such systems at a minimum. To accomplish this the present invention provides for at least two thermostatic controls within such area, one of such controls having fixed limits for the ambient temperature within the area while the other has variable limits therefor. The fixed limit control is locked and only accessible for adjustment by authorized personnel having the key to such lock. The variable limit control is actuated to override the fixed limit control through the operation of relay switches initiated by an infrared motion sensor unit positioned within such area. When motion is detected by such unit, it causes switches to be thrown cutting out the fixed limit control and bringing the variable limit control on line. A timer is connected to keep the variable limit control operable for such time as may be considered reasonable or desirable whereupon at the expiration of such time, operation will revert back to the fixed limit control.

Claims

1. A new and improved thermostat control system for use with a heating and air conditioning unit, said thermostat control system comprising:

a first thermostat being electrically connectable to said heating and air conditioning unit and facilitating adjustable temperature control thereof, said first thermostat comprising a first control lever for facilitating an adjustment thereof, and a locking means for precluding a movement of said first control lever;

a second thermostat being electrically connectable to said heating and air conditioning unit and facilitating adjustable temperature control thereof, said second thermostat comprising a second control lever for facilitating an adjustment thereof;

a first relay means in electrical communication with said first thermostat for selectively allowing electrical communication between said first thermostat and said heating and air conditioning unit;

a second relay means in electrical communication with said second thermostat for selectively allowing electrical communication between said second thermostat and said heating and air conditioning unit;

an infrared motion detector;

and;

a timed relay switch in electrical communication with a power supply, said first relay means, said second relay means, and said infrared motion detector, whereby said timed relay switch may energize said first and second relays;

wherein said timed relay switch is operable to de-energize said first relay, thereby precluding electrical communication between said first thermostat and said heating and air conditioning unit, and energize said second relay, thereby allowing electrical communication between said second thermostat and said heating and air conditioning unit, upon a detection of motion by said infrared motion detection, and;

wherein said timed relay switch is further operable to de-energize said second relay, thereby precluding electrical communication between said second thermostat and said heating and air conditioning unit, and energize said first relay, thereby allowing electrical communication between said first thermostat and said heating and air conditioning unit, after a predetermined length of time following a detection of an absence of motion by said infrared motion detection.

2. The new and improved thermostat control system of claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises a lock fixedly secured to said first thermostat and said first control lever for securing a position thereof, and a key operable to selectively release said lock, thereby allowing a movement of said first control lever.

3. The new and improved thermostat control system of claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises a box enclosing said first thermostat, a lock fixedly secured to said box for precluding access to an interior of said box, and a key operable to selectively release said lock, thereby allowing access to said first thermostat.

4. The new and improved thermostat control system of claim 3, and further comprising at least one battery in electrical communication with said timed relay switch.