Automatic occupancy and temperature control for ceiling fan operation

• US 5,996,898 A
• Filed: 04/27/1998
• Issued: 12/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: University of Central Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Original Assignee: University of Central Florida (State University System of Florida)
• Inventors: Parker, Danny S., Johnston, Kendall Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): NORMAN, MARC E
• Application Number:
  US09/067,236
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• Field of Search: 454/229, 454/228, 454/256, 236/51
• US Class Current: 236/51
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/088 Ceiling fans
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 27/00 Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or pumping systems specially adapted for elastic fluids
• 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 11/77 by controlling the speed of ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/10 Occupancy
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2120/14 Activity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 7/007 with forced flow using ducting systems F24F7/06
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1919 characterised by the type of controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1928 sensing the temperature of one space
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

Ceiling fan operation control for turning the fan on and off based on a passive infrared sensor, combined with a temperature sensor to regulate the speed of the fan. The passive infrared sensor, the temperature sensor and controls for both are in a housing directly mounted to the fan motor of the ceiling fan. The controls can be set screws covered by a removable cap. The passive infrared sensor can include a fresnal lens for sensing a 360 degree circumference beneath the fan, and a photo-optical sensor such as a photocell, which suspends ceiling fan control changes for allowing the fan to continue operation when the room is dark and occupants may be sleeping.

Claims

1. A ceiling fan control system directly attached to an overhead air circulating ceiling fan for controlling the on and off, and rotation speed of the fan, comprising in combination:

an overhead ceiling fan and motor housing for being connected to a ceiling for circulating air;

non-ultrasonic sensor directly attached onto the motor housing for turning the fan on and off based on a person approaching and leaving a selected area beneath the fan;

a temperature sensor directly attached onto the motor housing for varying speed of the fan based on preselected temperatures; and

at least one mechanical setting control directly attached to the motor for controlling at least one of;

a time delay for turning off the ceiling fan after a preselected time when no motion has been sensed and a temperature setting for activating the temperature sensor.

2. The ceiling fan control of claim 1, wherein the non-ultrasonic sensor includes:

a passive infrared sensor.

3. The ceiling fan control system of claim 2, further including:

a fresnal lens.

4. The ceiling fan control system of claim 1, wherein the time delay further includes:

a time set potentiometer control attached to the fan motor for turning the fan off after a preselected period when no motion is sensed.

5. The ceiling fan control system of claim 4, wherein the control includes:

a set screw which can be turned to various time settings.

6. The ceiling fan control system of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor further includes:

a first temperature setting means for turning the fan off when sensed temperature is below a first preselected temperature.

7. The ceiling fan control system of claim 6, wherein the temperature sensor further includes:

a second temperature setting means having a second preselected temperature greater than the first preselected temperature, wherein the fan turns on to a first rotation speed when the sensed temperature is between the first preselected setting and a halfway point to the second preselected setting, the fan turns to a second rotation speed when the sensed temperature is greater than the halfway point to the second preselected setting, and the fan turns to a third rotation speed when the sensed temperature is greater than the second preselected setting, and wherein the third rotation speed is greater than the second rotation speed which is greater than the first rotation speed.

8. The ceiling fan control system of claim 7, further comprising:

a first manual adjustment means for controlling the first preselected temperature; and

a second manual adjustment means for controlling the second preselected temperature.

9. The ceiling fan control system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for sensing light to allow the fan to operate when the area beneath the fan is dark.

10. The ceiling fan control system of claim 1, further comprising:

a support means for housing the non-ultrasonic sensor.

11. A ceiling fan control system directly attached to an overhead air circulating ceiling fan for controlling the on and off, and rotation speed of the fan, comprising in combination:

an overhead air circulating ceiling fan and motor housing for being connected to a ceiling;

non-ultrasonic sensor directly attached onto the motor housing;

a first mechanically adjustable control for the non-ultrasonic sensor directly attached onto the motor housing;

a time delay means to turn the fan off after a preselected time when no motion is sensed;

a second mechanically adjustable control for the time delay means directly attached onto the housing;

temperature sensor means directly attached onto the motor housing for varying speed of the fan based on preselected temperatures; and

a third mechanically adjustable control for the temperature sensor means directly attached to the housing.

12. The ceiling fan control system of claim 11, further comprising:

a support means for housing the non-ultrasonic sensor, the temperature sensor, controls for the non-ultrasonic sensor, and controls for the temperature sensor, wherein the support housing directly mounts to the motor housing of the ceiling fan; and

a removable cover for protecting the controls for the non-ultrasonic sensor and the controls for the temperature sensor.

13. The ceiling fan control system of claim 12, further including:

a fresnal lens attached to a cover.

14. The ceiling fan control system of claim 11, wherein the time delay further includes:

a time set potentometer control attached to the fan motor.

15. The ceiling fan control system of claim 11, wherein the temperature sensor further includes:

a first temperature setting means for turning the fan off when sensed temperature is below a first preselected temperature; and

a second temperature setting means having a second preselected temperature greater than the first preselected temperature, wherein the fan turns on to a first rotation speed when the sensed temperature is between the first preselected setting and a halfway point to the second preselected setting, the fan turns to a second rotation speed when the sensed temperature is greater than the halfway point to the second preselected setting, and the fan turns to a third rotation speed when the sensed temperature is greater than the second preselected setting, and wherein the third rotation speed is greater than the second rotation speed which is greater than the first rotation speed.

16. The ceiling fan control system of claim 11, further comprising:

a first set screw for controlling the first adjustable control;

a second set screw for controlling the second adjustable control; and

a third set screw for controlling the third adjustable control.

17. The ceiling fan control system of claim 12, further comprising:

means for sensing light to allow the fan to operate when the area beneath the fan is dark.

18. A ceiling fan control system directly attached to an overhead air circulating ceiling fan for controlling the on and off, and rotation speed of the fan, comprising in combination:

means connected to an overhead air circulating ceiling fan housing for sensing occupants beneath the ceiling fan housing so that a fan connected to the ceiling fan housing turns on when the occupants are sensed and turns off when the occupants are not sensed; and

means for deactivating the occupant sensing means during hours of darkness so that the fan remains on after occupants have been sensed.

19. The ceiling fan control system of claim 18, the ceiling fan housing further comprising:

means for sensing temperature to vary speed of the fan.

20. The ceiling fan control system of claim 18, wherein the sensing means further includes:

a sensing range across a 360 degree field.