Direct current electrical controls for heating systems

• US 6,237,855 B1
• Filed: 08/26/1999
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allan L. Sindelar, Bristol L. Stickney
• Original Assignee: Allan L. Sindelar, Bristol L. Stickney
• Inventors: Stickney, Bristol L., Sindelar, Allan L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ferensic, Denise L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOLES, DEREK
• Application Number:
  US09/383,496
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 237/8 R, 237/8 A, 237/2 A, 236/46 C, 236/67, 307/66
• US Class Current: 237/8.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1009 for central heating
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1012 by regulating the speed of a pump
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling the normal operation of a hydronic heating system, (including AC powered, gas-burning hot water boiler, multi-zone systems) using a DC power source, such as battery power, as the primary continuous source of electricity. Control functions minimize the consumption of electric power during normal operation, and eliminate standby electric consumption in order to extend the life of the batteries and maximize the run-time of the heating system. A DC to DC converter supplies low voltage DC power to the zone thermostats, and also supplies the proper voltage through zone relays to operate DC zone pumps. By allowing the use of DC power for the thermostats and zone pumps, the system eliminates the need for transformers, zone valves, and AC circulators, resulting in a large savings in electrical consumption and the elimination of the standby electric demand (“phantom load”) common in conventional hydronic heating systems. A DC to AC inverter is dedicated to supply AC power for a hydronic (hot water) boiler. The inverter is switched on by relays only when needed, thereby eliminating the “phantom electric load” consumed by most boilers when standing by. A time delay relay circuit allows the boiler to go through its proper shutdown sequence before power is removed. This control system does not require any internal modification to the other heating system components.

Claims

1. DC electrical controls for a hydronic heating system comprising:

a DC source;

a DC to AC inverter to power a boiler;

at least one DC zone pump; and

DC relay means for controlling said DC to AC inverter and said at least one DC zone pump, wherein said DC to AC inverter and said at least one DC zone pump and said DC relay means do not draw an electric load when there is no call for heat.

2. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a DC to DC converter to convert said DC source to a predetermined DC voltage of said at least one DC zone pump.

3. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a DC to DC converter to convert said DC source to a predetermined DC voltage of said DC relay means.

4. The invention of claim 1 further comprising at least one DC zone thermostat for controlling said DC relay means.

5. The invention of claim 4 further comprising a DC to DC converter to convert said DC source to a predetermined DC voltage of said at least one DC zone thermostat.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said DC relay means further comprises a time delay means for delaying a removal of said power to said boiler.

7. The invention of claim 1 further comprising a link means for linking a next DC zone pump.

8. DC electrical controls for a hot water space heating system comprising:

a hot water source;

a DC source;

at least one DC zone pump for pumping water from said hot water source;

DC relay means for controlling said at least one DC zone pump; and

at least one DC zone thermostat for controlling said DC relay means, wherein said at least one DC zone thermostat does not draw an electric load when there is no call for heat.

9. The invention of claim 8 further comprising a DC to DC converter for converting said DC source to at least one predetermined DC voltage.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said at least one predetermined DC voltage comprises a voltage for said DC relay means, said at least one DC zone pump and at least one DC zone thermostat.

11. The invention of claim 8 wherein said at least one DC zone pump and said DC relay means do not draw an electric load when there is no call for heat.

12. The invention of claim 8 further comprising a link means for linking a next DC zone pump.

13. A method of controlling a hydronic heating system comprising the steps of:

a) providing a DC source;

b) providing at least one DC zone thermostat;

c) controlling at least one DC relay with the at least one DC zone thermostat;

d) controlling at least one DC zone pump with the at least one DC relay; and

e) pumping hot water with the at least one DC zone pump from a hot water source to at least one zone, wherein the DC zone thermostat and the at least one DC zone pump and the at least one DC relay do not draw an electric load when there is no call for heat.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of converting the DC source to at least one predetermined DC voltage for the at least one DC zone thermostat, the at least one DC relay and the at least one DC zone pump.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of providing a link for linking a next DC zone pump.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of delaying a shutdown of the hot water source.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of converting the DC source to an AC voltage for providing power to the hot water source.