Electronically-controlled register vent for zone heating and cooling
First Claim
1. An electronically-controlled register vent for providing zoned heating and cooling, comprising:
- a mechanical actuator;
a communication system for receiving commands from a zone thermostat;
a controller configured to control said actuator in response to commands received by said communications system from the zone thermostat;
a moveable member configured to block airflow through the vent when moved by said actuator to a first position, said moveable member configured to allow air to flow through the vent when moved said actuator to a second position;
a sensor, wherein said controller is configured to use data from said sensor to avoid placing said moveable member in a position that creates unacceptable noise; and
a power source provided to said controller, said controller further configured to open said register vent when power available from said power source drops below a threshold value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. An electronically-controlled register vent for providing zoned heating and cooling, comprising:
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a mechanical actuator; a communication system for receiving commands from a zone thermostat; a controller configured to control said actuator in response to commands received by said communications system from the zone thermostat; a moveable member configured to block airflow through the vent when moved by said actuator to a first position, said moveable member configured to allow air to flow through the vent when moved said actuator to a second position; a sensor, wherein said controller is configured to use data from said sensor to avoid placing said moveable member in a position that creates unacceptable noise; and a power source provided to said controller, said controller further configured to open said register vent when power available from said power source drops below a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. An apparatus for zoned heating and cooling, comprising:
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a vent; a mechanical actuator; a communication system for receiving commands from a zone control system; a controller configured to control said actuator in response to commands received by said communications system from the zone control system; a moveable member configured to block airflow through the vent when moved by said actuator to a first position, said moveable member configured to allow air to flow through the vent when moved said actuator to a second position; and a sensor, wherein said controller is configured to use data from said sensor to avoid placing said moveable member in a position that creates unacceptable noise. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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Specification