Switch state assurance system
First Claim
1. A switch state assurance system comprising:
- a switch having at least two states;
a detector connected to the switch; and
a controller coupled to the detector and the switch; and
wherein;
the detector determines the state of the switch;
the controller determines whether the state of the switch is a desired state;
if the state of the switch is not the desired state, then the controller sends a signal to the switch to put the switch in the desired state;
the switch is a latching relay;
the relay comprises a first set of contacts coupled to the detector; and
the relay comprises a second set of contacts connected to a controlled system and to a power stealing circuit.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A switch state assurance mechanism of a power stealing circuit for connection to a thermostatically controlled or other kind of operational system. The mechanism may be an interface for the power stealing circuit to the operational system. A switch or relay of the mechanism may have several states but have an appropriate state for a given status of the power stealing circuit and the operational system. The switch or relay may have a latching characteristic relative to its states. The mechanism may have a detection circuit and a drive circuit connected to the relay, and a control circuit connected to the detection circuit and the drive circuit. The mechanism may check the relay state and change the relay to a desired state. The mechanism may be incorporated in other circuits beside a power stealing circuit.
59 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A switch state assurance system comprising:
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a switch having at least two states; a detector connected to the switch; and a controller coupled to the detector and the switch; and wherein; the detector determines the state of the switch; the controller determines whether the state of the switch is a desired state; if the state of the switch is not the desired state, then the controller sends a signal to the switch to put the switch in the desired state; the switch is a latching relay; the relay comprises a first set of contacts coupled to the detector; and the relay comprises a second set of contacts connected to a controlled system and to a power stealing circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A switch state assurance system comprising:
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a switch having a first state and a second state; a detection circuit connected to the switch; a drive circuit connected to the switch; and a control circuit connected to the detection circuit and the drive circuit; and wherein; the control circuit is for assuring a first state or second state of the switch; the switch comprises; a first set of contacts; a second set of contacts; and an actuator connected to the drive circuit; the first set of contacts comprises a first arm contact; the second set of contacts comprises a second arm contact connected to the detection circuit; the actuator is for moving the first arm contact and the second arm contact to a first state position and the first arm contact and the second arm contact to a second state position; the first set of contacts further comprises a first pole contact and a second pole contact; the second pair of contacts further comprises a first contact and a second pole contact; the first arm contact in the first state position is connected to the first pole contact of the first set of contacts; the first arm contact in the second state position is connected to the second pole contact of the first set of contacts; the second arm contact in the first state position is connected to the first pole contact of the second set of contacts; the second arm contact in the second state position is connected to the second pole contact of the second set of contacts; the first arm contact is for connection to a first terminal of a power supply and is connected to a first input of a power stealing circuit; and the second pole contact of the first set of contacts is connected to a second input of the power stealing system and is for connection to a first terminal of a load. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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7. An approach for assuring a state of a switch, comprising:
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providing a latching switch having at least two states; detecting a present state of the switch; changing the state of the switch to another state if the present state is not a desired pre-installation state; and the desired pre-installation state is an off state when a power stealing circuit of a thermostat is to be connected by the switch to power of a controlled system upon installation. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification