Heating system control unit

• US 6,073,690 A
• Filed: 08/06/1998
• Issued: 06/13/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald R. Raley
• Original Assignee: Donald R. Raley
• Inventors: Raley, Donald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ford, John K.
• Application Number:
  US09/130,100
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 165/240, 165/241, 165/242, 62/156, 62/160, 237/2 A, 237/2 B
• US Class Current: 165/241
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1087 system using a heat pump
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/254 Room temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/258 Outdoor temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/37 of electric heaters
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1931 to control the temperature of one space

Abstract

A heating system control unit is provided for use with a heating system. The control unit includes a switching element connected to a first temperature switch associated with a first stage heater, a second temperature switch and a second stage heater of the heating system. The switching element is adapted for actuating the second stage heater upon the receipt of the second temperature signal and further continuing the actuation of the second stage heater until the lack of receipt of both the first temperature signal and the second temperature signal. A thermostat on the outdoor coil serves to pass the signal from the second temperature switch only upon a temperature of the outdoor coil being below a predetermined amount of about 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Claims

1. A heating system control system comprising, in combination:

a heating system including a first temperature switch adapted to generate a first temperature signal upon a temperature within a building falling below a first predetermined temperature, a second temperature switch adapted to generate a second temperature signal upon the temperature within the building falling below a second predetermined temperature less than the first predetermined temperature, a first stage working fluid-based heater connected to the first temperature switch for actuating upon the receipt of the first temperature signal and a second stage electrical heating element-based heater;

a third temperature switch mounted on an outdoor coil of the fluid-based heater for detecting the temperature of the outdoor coil of the fluid-based heater, the third temperature switch being connected to the second temperature switch, the third temperature switch adapted to pass the second temperature signal only upon a temperature of the outdoor coil being below a predetermined temperature;

a relay coil connected to the third temperature switch for actuating during the receipt of the second temperature signal;

a first normally open relay contact connected between the relay coil and the first temperature switch for closing upon the actuation of the relay coil, thereby continuing the actuation of the relay coil until the cessation of both the first temperature signal and the second temperature signal; and

a second normally open relay contact connected between a power source and the second stage heating element-based heater for actuating the same while the relay coil is energized.

2. A heating system control unit for use with a heating system including a first temperature switch adapted to generate a first temperature signal upon a temperature falling below a first predetermined temperature, a second temperature switch adapted to generate a second temperature signal upon the temperature falling below a second predetermined temperature less than the first predetermined temperature, a first stage heater connected to the first temperature switch for actuating upon the receipt of the first temperature signal, and a second stage heater, the heating system control unit comprising:

a control switch connected to the first temperature switch, second temperature switch and the second stage heater for actuating the second stage heater upon the receipt of the second temperature signal and further continuing said actuation of the second stage heater until the lack of receipt of both the first temperature signal and the second temperature signal; and

a third temperature switch adapted for detecting the temperature of an outdoor coil of a fluid-based heater, the third temperature switch being connectable between the control switch and the second temperature switch for allowing the passage of the second temperature signal only upon a temperature of an outdoor heater coil being less than a predetermined temperature.

3. A heating system control unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein the control switch includes a relay coil and at least one relay contact for actuating the second stage heater.

4. A heating system control unit as set forth in claim 3 wherein the control switch further includes a second relay contact which maintains the actuation of the relay coil by way of the first temperature signal.

5. A heating system control unit for use with a heating system of the type including a first temperature switch adapted to generate a first temperature signal upon a temperature within a building falling below a first predetermined temperature, a second temperature switch adapted to generate a second temperature signal upon the temperature within the building falling below a second predetermined temperature less than the first predetermined temperature, a first stage working fluid-based heater connected to the first temperature switch for actuating upon the receipt of the first temperature signal, and a second stage electrical heating element-based heater, the heating system control unit comprising:

a third temperature switch for mounting on an outdoor coil of the first stage fluid-based heater for detecting the temperature of the outdoor coil of the first stage fluid-based heater, the third temperature switch being connectable to the second temperature switch, the third temperature switch being adapted to pass the second temperature signal from the second temperature switch only when a temperature of the outdoor coil detected by the third temperature switch falls below a predetermined temperature;

a relay coil connected to the third temperature switch such that the relay coil is actuated during the receipt of the second temperature signal;

a first normally open relay contact for connection between the relay coil and the first temperature switch and adapted for closing upon the actuation of the relay coil, thereby continuing the actuation of the relay coil until the cessation of both the first temperature signal and the second temperature signal; and

a second normally open relay contact for connection between a power source and the second stage electrical heating element-based heater for actuating the heating element-based heater while the relay coil is actuated.