System and method for controlling ignition sources and ventilating systems during high carbon monoxide conditions

• US 7,579,956 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2005
• Issued: 08/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Invensys Systems Incorporated (Invensys PLC)
• Original Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Ashworth, Nicholas, Wallaert, Timothy E., Chapman, John Gilman Jr., Burt, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Goins; Davetta W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lau; Hoi C
• Application Number:
  US11/031,296
• Publication Number:
  US 20050156730A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,692 Days
• Field of Search: 340/506, 340/521, 340/632, 340/511, 340589-599, 621/32, 700276-278, 126/99, 137 781- 785, 237/12.3, 165/26, 165/28
• US Class Current: 340/632
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/0001 for ventilation F24F11/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/72 Carbon monoxide
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/14 Toxic gas alarms G08B21/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1939 Atmospheric

Abstract

Upon detection of a high carbon monoxide condition, an intelligent thermostat regulates operation of appliances that have sources of combustion which could be the source of or may exacerbate the high carbon monoxide condition. This hazardous condition is detected by a detector and communicated to the intelligent thermostat by wired or wireless communications. The intelligent thermostat then communicates with these appliances either via wired or wireless communications. The intelligent thermostat may also operate a ventilation system to flush the environment with fresh air to minimize or eliminate the hazardous condition. External and internal temperature sensors allow coordinated operation of the ventilating and heating systems to flush the environment with fresh air without causing a freezing condition to exist within the environment.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an appliance having a source of combustion during a hazardous condition, comprising the steps of:

receiving a carbon monoxide (CO) warning signal;

disabling the source of combustion of the appliance;

wherein the step of receiving the carbon monoxide (CO) warning signal comprises the step of receiving by a thermostat the carbon monoxide (CO) warning signal transmitted by a hazardous condition detector, and wherein the step of disabling the source of combustion of the appliance comprises the step of transmitting by the thermostat an appliance control signal to an electronic controller of the appliance commanding the electronic controller of the appliance to extinguish any source of combustion of the appliance;

energizing a ventilation system to provide fresh air; and

wherein the step of energizing the ventilation system comprises the steps of;

monitoring an external temperature; and

enabling operation of the ventilation system when the external temperature is above a first predetermined set point.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring an internal temperature at least when the external temperature is below the first predetermined set point;

enabling operation of the ventilation system when the external temperature is below the first predetermined set point; and

operating a furnace when the internal temperature drops below a second predetermined set point.

3. A method of controlling an appliance having a source of combustion during a hazardous condition, comprising the steps of:

receiving a carbon monoxide (CO) warning signal;

disabling the source of combustion of the appliance;

wherein the step of receiving the carbon monoxide (CO) warning signal comprises the step of receiving by a thermostat the carbon monoxide (CO) warning signal transmitted by a hazardous condition detector, and wherein the step of disabling the source of combustion of the appliance comprises the step of transmitting by the thermostat an appliance control signal to an electronic controller of the appliance commanding the electronic controller of the appliance to extinguish any source of combustion of the appliance;

the method further comprising the step of energizing a ventilation system to provide fresh air;

wherein the step of energizing the ventilation system comprises the steps of;

monitoring an external temperature;

enabling operation of the ventilation system when the external temperature is above a first predetermined set point;

the method further comprising the steps of monitoring an internal temperature at least when the external temperature is below the first predetermined set point;

enabling operation of the ventilation system when the external temperature is below the first predetermined set point;

operating a furnace when the internal temperature drops below a second predetermined set point; and

disabling the ventilation system when the internal temperature is above the second predetermined set point whenever the external temperature is below a third predetermined set point.

4. A method of controlling an appliance having a source of combustion during a hazardous condition, comprising the steps of:

receiving a carbon monoxide (CO) warning signal;

disabling the source of combustion of the appliance;

wherein the step of receiving the carbon monoxide (CO) warning signal comprises the step of receiving by a thermostat the carbon monoxide (CO) warning signal transmitted by a hazardous condition detector, and wherein the step of disabling the source of combustion of the appliance comprises the step of transmitting by the thermostat an appliance control signal to an electronic controller of the appliance commanding the electronic controller of the appliance to extinguish any source of combustion of the appliance;

energizing a ventilation system to provide fresh air; and

wherein the step of energizing the ventilation system comprises the steps of;

monitoring an internal temperature; and

regulating operation of the ventilation system to prevent the internal temperature to drop below a predetermined threshold.