Low voltage power line communication for climate control system
First Claim
1. A heating and ventilation system comprising:
- an alternating current power source that conducts a low-frequency low-voltage waveform across hot and common power transmission lines;
a thermostat controller, a controller for a heating system, and a controller for a circulating air blower, the thermostat controller, heating system controller and circulating air blower controller being connected to each other only through each controller'"'"'s individual connection to the hot and common power transmission lines, wherein each controller is capable of transmitting one or more signals that are superimposed onto the low-frequency low-voltage waveform and include information identifying a destination controller that the signals are intended for,the thermostat controller being capable of transmitting one or more signals which specifically request operation of the heating system controller for establishing operation of the heating system, and which may not establish operation of any other controller;
wherein at least one controller is capable of modifying the operation of at least one component that the at least one controller has control over in response to receiving a signal that is intended for another controller which includes information about the operation of a component within the heating and ventilation system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for controlling one or more components of a climate control system is provided that includes one or more controllers in connection with low voltage power lines for powering the one or more controllers. The controllers are further capable of transmitting one or more communication signals via the low voltage waveform. The system includes a thermostat controller, at least one system controller for a heating or cooling system, and a controller for a circulating air blower. The thermostat controller, system controller and circulating air blower controller are connected to each other only through each controller'"'"'s individual connection to the hot and common low voltage power transmission lines. Each controller is capable of transmitting one or more signals that are superimposed onto the low-frequency low-voltage waveform and include information identifying a destination controller that the signals are intended for.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A heating and ventilation system comprising:
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an alternating current power source that conducts a low-frequency low-voltage waveform across hot and common power transmission lines; a thermostat controller, a controller for a heating system, and a controller for a circulating air blower, the thermostat controller, heating system controller and circulating air blower controller being connected to each other only through each controller'"'"'s individual connection to the hot and common power transmission lines, wherein each controller is capable of transmitting one or more signals that are superimposed onto the low-frequency low-voltage waveform and include information identifying a destination controller that the signals are intended for, the thermostat controller being capable of transmitting one or more signals which specifically request operation of the heating system controller for establishing operation of the heating system, and which may not establish operation of any other controller; wherein at least one controller is capable of modifying the operation of at least one component that the at least one controller has control over in response to receiving a signal that is intended for another controller which includes information about the operation of a component within the heating and ventilation system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An air conditioning and or heat pump system comprising:
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an alternating current power source that conducts a low-frequency low-voltage waveform across hot and common power transmission lines; a thermostat controller, a controller for an outdoor compressor, and a controller for an air handler having a circulating air blower and an evaporator coil, the thermostat controller, outdoor compressor controller and air handler controller being connected to each other only through each controller'"'"'s individual connection to the hot and common power transmission lines, wherein each controller is capable of transmitting one or more signals that are superimposed onto the low-frequency low-voltage waveform and include information identifying a destination controller that the signals are intended for, the thermostat controller being capable of transmitting one or more signals which specifically request operation of only the compressor controller for establishing operation of the compressor only, and one or more signals which specifically request operation of only the air handler controller for establishing operation of the circulating air blower only; wherein at least one controller is capable of modifying the operation of at least one component that the at least one controller has control over in response to receiving a signal that is intended for another controller which includes information about the operation of a component within the air conditioning and or heat pump system. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An air conditioning and or heat pump system comprising:
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a pair of transmission lines configured to transmit and receive signals thereon; a thermostat controller connected to the pair of transmission lines, the thermostat controller being configured to transmit, via the transmission lines, a signal including the address of a specific controller that the signal is intended for, and a unique command that is specific to the individual controller that the thermostat is requesting operation of; a circulating air blower controller connected to the pair of transmission lines, the circulating air blower controller being configured to receive a signal including the address of the circulating air blower controller and a request to operate the circulator blower motor, and configured to transmit a signal including the address of the thermostat controller and information indicating that the circulator blower is not operating; an outdoor compressor unit controller connected to the pair of transmission lines, the outdoor compressor unit controller being configured to receive a signal including the address of the outdoor compressor unit controller that requests operation of the compressor, wherein the outdoor compressor unit controller is configured to monitor a signal including the address of the thermostat controller and information indicating that the circulator blower is not operating, and responsively shut down the compressor to protect the compressor, wherein in response to shutting down the compressor, the outdoor compressor unit controller is configured to transmit a signal including the address of the thermostat controller and information indicating a non-operating condition of the compressor. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification