Automatic occupancy and temperature control for ceiling fan operation

• US 6,189,799 B1
• Filed: 10/08/1999
• Issued: 02/20/2001
• 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): Doerrler, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): NORMAN, MARC E
• Application Number:
  US09/415,883
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 236/51, 454/229, 454/228, 454/256
• 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 tuning 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 for air circulating ceiling fans, comprising in combination:

an overhead ceiling fan;

means for controlling the ceiling fan to turn on and off; and

override means to run the ceiling fan during hours of darkness.

2. The ceiling fan control system of claim 1, wherein the override means includes:

a light sensor.

3. The ceiling fan control system of claim 1, wherein the controlling means includes:

a motion sensor.

4. The ceiling fan control system of claim 1, wherein the controlling means includes:

means for directly mounting the controlling means directly to the ceiling fan.

5. The ceiling fan control system of claim 1, wherein the override means includes:

means for directly mounting the override means directly to the ceiling fan.

6. The ceiling fan control system of claim 1, wherein the controlling means and the override means includes:

means for directly mounting both the controlling means and the override means directly to the ceiling fan.

7. A ceiling fan control system for air circulating ceiling fans, comprising in combination:

an overhead ceiling fan connected to a ceiling;

means for switching the ceiling fan to turn on and off;

an infrared sensor directly connected to the fan for sensing beneath the fan; and

a control means for controlling the infrared sensor, wherein both the switching means and the control means are directly connected to the fan so that a user can solely rely on the switching means and the control means to operate the ceiling fan.

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

a temperature setting control for operating the ceiling fan being directly attached to the ceiling fan.

9. The ceiling fan control system of claim 7, wherein the infrared sensor includes:

a 360 degree sensing range.