Removable programmable thermostat for air conditioning and heating systems

• US 7,175,098 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2003
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls, Inc. (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Lux Products Corporation (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: DeLuca, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tyler; Cheryl
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCRAW, BARRY CLAYTON
• Application Number:
  US10/681,475
• Publication Number:
  US 20050077365A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 236/1.C, 236/51, 236/46.R
• US Class Current: 236/1.00C
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2223/38 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/203 using electronic means
• 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 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/52 Indication arrangements, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 variable in time

Abstract

The invention is directed to temperature control system in which a programmable controller may be programmed to control a thermal output of said temperature-modifying device having a power connector. The programmable temperature control system may include at least one power coupler for removeably engaging the power connector from the temperature-modifying device. The programmable controller may be electrically coupled to the at least one power coupler and programmed to control the operation of the at least one temperature modifying device in response to the comparison of a measured temperature with at least one set point temperature. The power coupler may comprise one or more electrical outlets on the programmable temperature control system, for example, that may be used to individually control heating and cooling devices. The power controller may also include an power coupler for removeably engaging a power supply, such as an electrical outlet.

Claims

1. A programmable temperature control apparatus for controlling the operation of at least one temperature-modifying device having a power connector, said apparatus comprising:

at least one power coupler for removeably engaging said power connector from said temperature-modifying device;

a temperature sensor; and

a programmable controller electrically coupled to said at least one power coupler and the temperature sensor and programmed to control the operation of said at least one temperature modifying device in response to a comparison of a measured ambient temperature from the temperature sensor with at least one set point temperature.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one removeably engageable power coupler for electrically connecting said programmable controller to a power supply.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said power supply comprises an electrical outlet.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one power coupler comprises an electrical outlet.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said temperature-modifying device comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of an air conditioner and a space heater.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a plurality of said power couplers, wherein said programmable controller is programmed to individually control each of said power couplers for either a heating device or a cooling device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said programmable controller is programmed to activate said heating device if said temperature falls below a set point temperature and to operate said cooling device if said temperature rises above said set point temperature or another set point temperature.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said programmable controller comprises a programming device for implementing a temperature control program, a memory for storing said temperature control program and temperature related information, a temperature comparator for comparing said ambient temperature with said set point temperature.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said programmable device comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of a logic circuit on a logic board, a microprocessor, and an integrated circuit.

10. A programmable temperature control apparatus for controlling the operation of at least one temperature-modifying device having a power connector, said apparatus comprising:

at least one outlet for removeably engaging said power connector from said temperature-modifying device;

a temperature sensor; and

a programmable controller electrically coupled to said at least one electrical outlet and the temperature sensor and programmed to control the operation of said at least one temperature modifying device in response to the comparison of a measured ambient temperature from the temperature sensor with at least one set point temperature.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

at least one removeably engageable power coupler for electrically connecting said programmable controller to an electrical outlet.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said temperature-modifying device comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of an air conditioner and a space heater.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, comprising a plurality of said outlets, wherein said programmable controller is programmed to individually control each of said outlets for either a heating device or a cooling device.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said programmable controller is programmed to activate said heating device if said temperature falls below a set point temperature and to operate said cooling device if said temperature rises above said set point temperature or another set point temperature.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said programmable controller comprises a programming device for implementing a temperature control program, a memory for storing said temperature control program and temperature related information, a temperature comparator for comparing said ambient temperature with said set point temperature.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said programmable device comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of a logic circuit on a logic board, a microprocessor, and an integrated circuit.

17. A programmable temperature control apparatus for controlling the operation of at least one temperature-modifying device having a power connector, said apparatus comprising:

at least one outlet for removeably engaging said power connector from said temperature-modifying device;

a temperature sensor;

a programmable controller electrically coupled to the temperature sensor and the at least one electrical outlet and programmed to control the operation of said at least one temperature modifying device in response to comparison of a measured ambient temperature from the temperature sensor with at least one set point temperature; and

at least one removeably engageable power coupler for electrically connecting said programmable controller to an electrical outlet.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, comprising a plurality of said outlets, wherein said programmable controller is programmed to activate a heating device if said temperature falls below a set point temperature and to operate a cooling device if said temperature rises above said set point temperature or another set point temperature.

19. A method for the programmed control of at least one temperature-modifying device having a power connector, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a programmable controller that is electrically connected to a temperature sensor and at least one power coupler for removeably engaging said power connector from said temperature-modifying device; and

configuring said programmable controller to be user programmable to control the operation of said at least one temperature modifying device in response to comparison of a measured ambient temperature from the temperature sensor with at least one set point temperature.

20. A programmable temperature control apparatus for controlling the operation of at least one temperature-modifying device having a power connector, said apparatus comprising:

at least one power coupler for removeably engaging said power connector from said temperature-modifying device; and

a programmable controller electrically connected to a temperature sensor and electrically coupled to said at least one power coupler and programmed to control the operation of said at least one temperature modifying device in response to comparison of a measured ambient temperature from the temperature sensor with at least one set point temperature.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising at least one external temperature sensor operatively connected to said programmable controller for sensing said ambient temperature.