Central vacuum cleaner multiple vacuum source control
First Claim
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1. A central vacuum cleaning system comprising:
- a) a plurality of vacuum sources connected to provide parallel suction forces, each vacuum source comprising a vacuum motor,b) a control circuit, andc) a plurality of switches, each switch associated with a respective one of the vacuum sources,wherein the control circuit is adapted to control the switches, and each switch is adapted to apply electrical power to its associated vacuum source in accordance with control from the control circuit, and wherein the control circuit is connected independently to each switch and configured to control each switch independently to apply a soft start function in which the application of electrical power to the plurality of vacuum sources is coordinated to limit instantaneous total inrush current of the vacuum sources by a combination of applying power to the vacuum sources one after the other and ramping up power applied to multiple vacuum sources during startup.
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Abstract
A central vacuum cleaning system has multiple vacuum sources. The multiple vacuum sources are connected through pipes to wall valves. In use a hose is plugged into one of the valves. A handle is connected to the hose. A wand extends from the handle. Attachments such as a power brush are connected to the wand. Switches apply power from one or more power sources to the vacuum sources. The application of power by the switches is controlled by a control circuit.
231 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A central vacuum cleaning system comprising:
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a) a plurality of vacuum sources connected to provide parallel suction forces, each vacuum source comprising a vacuum motor, b) a control circuit, and c) a plurality of switches, each switch associated with a respective one of the vacuum sources, wherein the control circuit is adapted to control the switches, and each switch is adapted to apply electrical power to its associated vacuum source in accordance with control from the control circuit, and wherein the control circuit is connected independently to each switch and configured to control each switch independently to apply a soft start function in which the application of electrical power to the plurality of vacuum sources is coordinated to limit instantaneous total inrush current of the vacuum sources by a combination of applying power to the vacuum sources one after the other and ramping up power applied to multiple vacuum sources during startup. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of operating multiple vacuum sources, each vacuum source comprising a vacuum motor and connected to provide a suction force in parallel with the other vacuum sources, in a central vacuum cleaning system, the method comprises:
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associating a plurality of switches with the vacuum sources, each switch associated with a respective one of the vacuum sources; and independently controlling the switches using a control circuit to apply electrical power to the vacuum sources, wherein each switch is controlled independently to coordinate the application of electrical power to the plurality of vacuum sources to limit instantaneous total inrush current of the vacuum sources by a combination of applying power to the vacuum sources one after the other and ramping up power applied to multiple vacuum sources during startup. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification