Thermostat battery recharging during HVAC function active and inactive states
First Claim
1. A thermostat for controlling one or more HVAC functions in an HVAC system the thermostat comprising:
- a rechargeable battery;
charging circuitry adapted and arranged to recharge the battery;
power harvesting circuitry adapted and arranged to harvest power from a circuit of an HVAC function during times when the HVAC function is active and during times when the HVAC function is inactive, and to supply power to the charging circuit for recharging the battery, wherein during the times when the HVAC function is active, the power harvesting circuitry repeatedly charges and discharges a capacitive element to store electrical energy for use by the charging circuitry by repeatedly opening and closing a solid-state switching circuit for activating the HVAC function, such that during times when the solid-state switching circuit is closed, the HVAC function continues uninterrupted while simultaneously charging the capacitive element; and
control circuitry adapted and arranged to control the one or more HVAC functions using power from the rechargeable battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermostat and related methods are described for controlling one or more functions, such as heating and cooling in an HVAC. According to some embodiments the thermostat includes a rechargeable battery; charging circuitry adapted and arranged to recharge the battery; and control circuitry adapted and arranged to control the one or more HVAC functions using power from the rechargeable battery. According to some embodiments, the thermostat also includes power harvesting circuitry adapted and arranged to harvest power from the HVAC system in cases where no common wire is available to the thermostat, and to supply power to the charging circuit for recharging the battery.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A thermostat for controlling one or more HVAC functions in an HVAC system the thermostat comprising:
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a rechargeable battery; charging circuitry adapted and arranged to recharge the battery; power harvesting circuitry adapted and arranged to harvest power from a circuit of an HVAC function during times when the HVAC function is active and during times when the HVAC function is inactive, and to supply power to the charging circuit for recharging the battery, wherein during the times when the HVAC function is active, the power harvesting circuitry repeatedly charges and discharges a capacitive element to store electrical energy for use by the charging circuitry by repeatedly opening and closing a solid-state switching circuit for activating the HVAC function, such that during times when the solid-state switching circuit is closed, the HVAC function continues uninterrupted while simultaneously charging the capacitive element; and control circuitry adapted and arranged to control the one or more HVAC functions using power from the rechargeable battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 16)
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8. A method for controlling an HVAC system having an HVAC function, the method comprising:
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harvesting power from a circuit of an HVAC function during times when the HVAC function is active and during times when the HVAC function is inactive, wherein during the times when the HVAC function is active, the power harvesting circuitry repeatedly charges and discharges a capacitive element to store electrical energy for use by a charging circuitry by repeatedly opening and closing a solid-state switching circuit for activating the HVAC function, such that during times when the solid-state switching circuit is closed, the HVAC function continues uninterrupted while simultaneously charging the capacitive element; charging a rechargeable battery using the charging circuitry; and controlling one or more HVAC functions using power from at least the rechargeable battery. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification