Combined fuel level monitor and thermostat
First Claim
1. A combined system for controlling the heating of a dwelling, said heating provided by burning a liquid fuel stored in a tank, said combustion controlled by a thermostat in said dwelling, comprising:
- a. a level sensing device comprising a plurality of sensors, each sensor for sensing an approximate level of fuel stored in said tank, one of said sensors indicative of a tank level that essentially full, another of said sensors being indicative of a tank level that is essentially empty, and the third indicative of a level between essentially full and essentially empty, and providing an output indicative of said levels measured by said plurality of sensing devices;
b. a transmitter for sending the output of the level sensing device as a level signal indicative of the level in the tank;
c. display means integral with said thermostat for receiving said level signal and displaying said level signal at said thermostat effective to provide at all times to a user observing the display an indication of the actual level of fuel in the tank.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a combination of a thermostat, especially for controlling the heating of a dwelling, and a level indicator for displaying the level of liquid fuel (such as home heating oil) in a storage tank that is burned for heating the dwelling and that is controlled by the thermostat. The invention is especially useful for the elderly or infirm in a wheel chair who may not be able physically to view the level indicator at the fuel tank if it is down at the bottom of the cellar stairs. In addition to a level display at the dwelling thermostat, the level indication can be accessed remotely (such as via modem and personal computer).
185 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A combined system for controlling the heating of a dwelling, said heating provided by burning a liquid fuel stored in a tank, said combustion controlled by a thermostat in said dwelling, comprising:
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a. a level sensing device comprising a plurality of sensors, each sensor for sensing an approximate level of fuel stored in said tank, one of said sensors indicative of a tank level that essentially full, another of said sensors being indicative of a tank level that is essentially empty, and the third indicative of a level between essentially full and essentially empty, and providing an output indicative of said levels measured by said plurality of sensing devices; b. a transmitter for sending the output of the level sensing device as a level signal indicative of the level in the tank; c. display means integral with said thermostat for receiving said level signal and displaying said level signal at said thermostat effective to provide at all times to a user observing the display an indication of the actual level of fuel in the tank. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for (i) controlling the heating of a dwelling using liquid fuel stored in a tank that is combusted for heating a dwelling and (ii) displaying the fuel level in the tank, comprising:
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A. storing the liquid fuel in a tank; B. sensing using a plurality of sensors at least three levels of fuel in the tank, said three levels including one level indicative of an essentially full tank, another level indicative of an essentially empty tank, and a third level therebetween; C. transmitting a signal indicative of the sensed level of fuel in the tank; D. receiving said signal at a thermostat controlling said heating of said dwelling by the combustion of said liquid fuel; and E. displaying said signal at said thermostat effective to provide to a user observing the display a continuous display of the actual level of fuel in the tank. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification