Wireless thermostatic controlled electric heating system
First Claim
1. A wireless thermostat system for an electric heater, comprising:
- a thermostat having a first temperature sensor;
an equipment interface module (EIM) separate from the thermostat and wirelessly connected to the thermostat, the EIM comprising;
an antenna sub-system; and
a relay sub-system connected to the antenna sub-system; and
wherein;
the thermostat comprises a wireless transmitter;
the antenna sub-system comprises;
an antenna for detecting signals from the wireless transmitter; and
a first electronic circuit having a second temperature sensor and an input connected to the antenna;
the relay sub-system comprises;
a second electronic circuit having an input connected to an output of the first electronic circuit; and
a relay with an input connected to an output of the second electronic circuit, and having an output for connecting power to an input of an electric heater;
the EIM is configured to control the electric heater in response to control signals received from the thermostat, the control signals being based on temperature sensed with the first temperature sensor; and
the EIM is configured to control the electric heater independent of the thermostat when the second temperature sensor senses a temperature below a predetermined temperature.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electric heating system controlled with a remote thermostat. The system may incorporate wireless technology and a line voltage equipment interface sub-system. The sub-system may have a line voltage relay and an antenna. The relay may be mounted within an electric heater enclosure. The antenna may be mounted directly on the enclosure. The antenna may receive temperature control signals from a transmitter of the thermostat. The signals may be processed to control a connection of the heater to power with a relay receiving the processed control signals. The control of power to the heater may maintain a temperature approximately equal to a thermostat temperature setting. The antenna and relay electronics may provide a backup control of the heater in the event of, for example, a loss of signals from the thermostat. The backup control may prevent the temperature proximate to equipment interface sub-system from approaching a freezing point.
433 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A wireless thermostat system for an electric heater, comprising:
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a thermostat having a first temperature sensor; an equipment interface module (EIM) separate from the thermostat and wirelessly connected to the thermostat, the EIM comprising; an antenna sub-system; and a relay sub-system connected to the antenna sub-system; and wherein; the thermostat comprises a wireless transmitter; the antenna sub-system comprises; an antenna for detecting signals from the wireless transmitter; and a first electronic circuit having a second temperature sensor and an input connected to the antenna; the relay sub-system comprises; a second electronic circuit having an input connected to an output of the first electronic circuit; and a relay with an input connected to an output of the second electronic circuit, and having an output for connecting power to an input of an electric heater; the EIM is configured to control the electric heater in response to control signals received from the thermostat, the control signals being based on temperature sensed with the first temperature sensor; and the EIM is configured to control the electric heater independent of the thermostat when the second temperature sensor senses a temperature below a predetermined temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A wireless thermostatic mechanism for electric heating, comprising:
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an equipment interface module (EIM) comprising; an antenna sub-system having a first temperature sensor; and a relay sub-system having a wired connection to the antenna sub-system, wherein the relay sub-system connects electrical power to an electric heater; a thermostat having a second temperature sensor and having a wireless connection to the antenna sub-system of the EIM; the EIM is configured to control the electric heater in response to control signals received from the thermostat, the control signals being based on temperature sensed with the second temperature sensor; and the ELM is configured to control the electric heater independent of the thermostat when the first temperature sensor senses a temperature below a predetermined temperature. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A wireless thermostatic mechanism for electric heating, comprising:
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an equipment interface module (EIM) comprising; an antenna sub-system having a temperature sensor; and a relay sub-system having a wired connection to the antenna sub-system, wherein the relay sub-system connects electrical power to an electric heater; a thermostat having a wireless connection to the antenna sub-system of the EIM; and wherein; the antenna sub-system comprises; an antenna; a transceiver connected to the antenna; and a microcontroller connected to the transceiver; and the relay sub-system comprises; a power supply; and a power switch having an input terminal connected to the power supply and an output connected to the transceiver and the microcontroller; the EIM is configured to control the electric heater in response to control signals received from the thermostat, the control signals being based on temperature sensed by the thermostat; and the EIM is configured to control the electric heater independent of the thermostat when a temperature sensed by the ELM is below a predetermined temperature.
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Specification