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1459results about "Temperature control without auxillary power" patented technology
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Management of a thermostat's power consumption
InactiveUS20070241203A1Reduce energy consumptionAdditional level of power conservationTemperature control without auxillary powerMechanical apparatusProximity sensorUser input
An HVAC system comprises a programmable wireless thermostat and a remote receiver unit. The thermostat includes a user interface having one or more displays, user input devices, such as buttons, sliders, or a touch screen, and a backlight. The thermostat may include a proximity sensor, wherein the user interface is controlled based on a user's presence near the thermostat. A thermostat controller enters into a reduced energy consumption mode and switches the user interface to an idle state when the proximity sensor indicates a lack of user proximity for a predetermined duration. When the proximity sensor indicates user proximity, the controller exits the reduced energy consumption mode and switches the user interface to an active state. During the reduced energy consumption mode, the user interface may be concealed when the user interface is in a housing which is transparent when backlit but is opaque otherwise.
Owner:RANCO OF DELAWARE
Thermostat operation method and apparatus
InactiveUS20060186214A1Temperature control without auxillary powerMechanical apparatusEngineeringThermostat
A thermostat may be placed in a heating mode when the sensed temperature is less than the lowest of the heating and cooling target temperatures by a first amount and may be placed in a cooling mode when the sensed temperature is greater than the highest of the heating and cooling target temperatures by a second amount. The presence or absence of a user may be monitored. If the thermostat is in a user absent mode, a cool setback amount may be added to the cooling target temperature and a heat setback amount may be subtracted from the heating target temperature to arrive at setback cooling and setback heating target temperatures, respectively. The thermostat may comprise a touch-sensitive screen having various display areas.
Owner:TIM SIMON
Sensor-Based Occupancy and Behavior Prediction Method for Intelligently Controlling Energy Consumption Within a Building
InactiveUS20100025483A1Sacrificing comfort levelReduce energy costsTemperature control without auxillary powerMechanical apparatusPredictive methodsSimulation
A method for controlling energy consumption within a building includes providing at least one environment sensing device and at least one energy consumption sensing device associated with the building. Current data is collected from the environment sensing device and the energy consumption sensing device along with associated time-of-day data. A value of a future energy consumption parameter is predicted based upon the collected current data, the associated time-of-day data, and historic data collected from the environment sensing device and the energy consumption sensing device. A profile of future costs per unit of energy consumption as a function of time is determined. Energy consumption is controlled dependent upon the predicted future energy consumption parameter value and the determined profile of energy consumption costs.
Owner:ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
Wireless thermostat
InactiveUS20070114295A1Temperature control without auxillary powerMechanical apparatusOperating energyThermostat
A system for remotely controlling an ambient temperature in a building is provided. The system comprises a thermostat, a computing device, and a thin client. The thermostat has one or more settings and is equipped for wireless communication. The computing device is equipped for wireless communication with the thermostat. The thin client device is remotely located from the thermostat and operatively coupled to the computing device through a wide area network. The thin client device permits manipulation of the one or more settings which are wirelessly communicated from the computing device to the thermostat such that the ambient temperature of the building is remotely controlled.
Owner:ROBERTSHAW CONTROLS CO
Occupancy-based zoning climate control system and method
InactiveUS20070045431A1Improve comfortImprove energy efficiencyTemperature control without auxillary powerMechanical apparatusControl systemEngineering
A control system for managing a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system based on occupancy of an area is provided. The occupancy may be determined by anticipated programming based on time of day zoning, and / or by actual sensed occupancy. In the later, the control system includes an occupancy sensor that communicates with a programmable thermostat. The occupancy sensor is disposed in the area and senses a state of occupancy of the area. The programmable thermostat instructs the HVAC system to adjust the temperature of the area within the structure based on the state of occupancy of that particular area to enhance occupant comfort and energy efficiency. The thermostat may also include programming modes or scripts that may be run to adjust operational control when abnormal occupancy conditions are sensed. Controllable dampers may also be used by the thermostat to achieve micro zoning control of the HVAC system.
Owner:RANCO OF DELAWARE
Thermostat
InactiveUS20070228183A1Energy efficient ICTTemperature control without auxillary powerTelecommunications linkRemote control
An thermostat 10 includes an improved user interface, including automatic scheduling, remote control, system failure warning messages, and Energy Star compliance messages. Diagnostics can be provided without additional communication links to the thermostat. A sub-base accepts multiple thermostats and uses color coded terminals to ease installation. Glow-in-the-dark features reduce power needs. In one embodiment, thermostats are coupled to AC power sources and communicate using wireless communications to control an HVAC system. A dampered system can be effected through a thermostat that communicates directly with zoned dampers.
Owner:PRO1 IAQ
Thermostat system with remote data averaging
ActiveUSRE40437E1Sampled-variable control systemsTemperature control without auxillary powerData averagingData information
A thermostat system according to the invention includes: a central control device (typically a programmable thermostat with a processor having: a CPU, real time clock and a memory for storing a control program and data information), multiple rooms comprising a conditioned space, environmental control equipment, and multiple environmental sensors capable of sensing an environmental condition (such as temperature, humidity, or other condition). The sensors are associated with transmission means, which control transmission of sensor signals, and occupancy sensors. Each sensor measures a local environmental condition. Occupancy sensors comprise infrared or other motion sensors, light detection sensors, door opening sensors, and other such sensors that detect the presence of humans in a room of the conditioned space where its associated sensor is located. Space conditioning equipment is activated by comparison of a setpoint to a control value averaged from values of environmental conditions in occupied rooms.
Owner:ROSEN TECH LLC
System and method for controlling appliances and thermostat for use therewith
InactiveUS7469550B2Save energySaving of operationTemperature control without auxillary powerMechanical apparatusThermostatEngineering
An energy saving control for appliances via an intelligent thermostat is provided. This intelligent thermostat provides programmatic control over the HVAC system, and provides coordinated control over the appliances. This control over the appliances is accomplished via a communications network between the intelligent thermostat and the appliances. The appliances include occupancy sensors and transmit usage and occupancy information to the intelligent thermostat. The intelligent thermostat processes this information to determine the occupancy of the dwelling. The thermostat controls the HVAC system and the appliances according to the determined occupancy of the dwelling.
Owner:ROBERTSHAW CONTROLS CO
Thermostat operation method and apparatus
InactiveUS7802618B2Temperature control without auxillary powerMechanical apparatusThermostatEngineering
A thermostat may be placed in a heating mode when the sensed temperature is less than the lowest of the heating and cooling target temperatures by a first amount and may be placed in a cooling mode when the sensed temperature is greater than the highest of the heating and cooling target temperatures by a second amount. The presence or absence of a user may be monitored. If the thermostat is in a user absent mode, a cool setback amount may be added to the cooling target temperature and a heat setback amount may be subtracted from the heating target temperature to arrive at setback cooling and setback heating target temperatures, respectively. The thermostat may comprise a touch-sensitive screen having various display areas.
Owner:TIM SIMON
Self-programmable thermostat
ActiveUS7784704B2Minimize the numberEasy to useTemperature control without auxillary powerMechanical apparatusHabitEngineering
A hybrid manual / programmable thermostat for a furnace or air conditioner offers the simplicity of a manual thermostat while providing the convenience and versatility of a programmable one. Initially, the hybrid thermostat appears to function as an ordinary manual thermostat; however, it privately observes and learns a user's manual temperature setting habits and eventually programs itself accordingly. If users begin changing their preferred temperature settings due to seasonal changes or other reasons, the thermostat continues learning and will adapt to those changes as well. For ease of use, the thermostat does not require an onscreen menu as a user interface. In some embodiments, the thermostat can effectively program itself for temperature settings that are set to occur at particular times daily or just on weekends, yet the user is not required to enter the time of day or the day of the week.
Owner:ADEMCO INC
Touchscreen device user interface for remote control of a thermostat
ActiveUS20140319232A1Reduce riskImprove user experienceTemperature control without auxillary powerMechanical apparatusControl signalDisplay device
Systems and methods are described for interactively and graphically interfacing with a user on an HVAC system controlled by a thermostat. The user interface is implemented on a touch screen display on a remote wirelessly connected device such as smartphone or a tablet PC. The interface displays a screen that mimics the display on the thermostat including allowing one or more input methods that are analogous to input methods used on the thermostat. Touch screen gestures such as touch and drag, touch and hold and tapping are used in an intuitive way. The user experience is enhanced by allowing large-scale changes while reducing the risk of sudden unintended changes. The control signals are judiciously tailored to protect the HVAC equipment from unwarranted over-controlling, reduce unnecessary network traffic, and prevent the waste of energy.
Owner:GOOGLE LLC
Programmable thermostat incorporating a display screen selectively presenting system modes that includes a simple mode
ActiveUS7028912B1Easy for a user to programSimple mode of information and operationSampled-variable control systemsTemperature control without auxillary powerLiquid-crystal displayDisplay device
A programmable thermostat, with a touch screen liquid crystal display having the capability to change from a more complex first mode display to a simple mode display for users with adaptive, learning or visual impairments that limit their ability to use the relatively complicated user interfaces of prior art programmable thermostats.
Owner:ROSEN TECH LLC
Thermostat with adjustable color for aesthetics and readability
ActiveUS20080006709A1Readability easyEasy to readTemperature control without auxillary powerMechanical apparatusUser inputChange color
The thermostat includes a housing having at least a portion thereof illuminated by a light that changes color via a manual input. The light illuminates the display for easy readability while the variable color of the light allows a user to match the appearance of the thermostat to best complement the surrounding décor. User input elements provide for the manual adjustment of one or more characteristics of the light, such as visible color of the light. The light source comprises at least one LED for displaying a plurality of colors. In this case, to change the color of the light illuminating the translucent portion of the housing or backlighting the display, electronics within the thermostat control the drive signals to the LED in order to operate the LED to provide the desired color. The invention also contemplates filtering the light and manually adjusting the filtering to provide the desired aesthetics.
Owner:RANCO OF DELAWARE +1
Rotatable thermostat
ActiveUS20070158442A1Conveniently and inexpensively coverTemperature control without auxillary powerTemperature control with auxillary non-electric powerDisplay deviceEngineering
A thermostat that can display information in multiple different orientations is provided. The thermostat includes a housing, a display, and an input device. As the housing is mounted in a particular orientation, the thermostat changes the orientation of the information for properly displaying same to a user. This is accomplished by sensing the orientation of the housing in one embodiment, and through user selection of a desired orientation in another embodiment. A separate display and input device(s) are provided in one embodiment, and a combined touch screen display and input device is provided in another embodiment.
Owner:RANCO OF DELAWARE +1
Water faucet with touchless controls
InactiveUSRE37888E1Suitable for useMaintain water temperatureTemperature control without auxillary powerOperating means/releasing devices for valvesMicrocomputerProximity sensor
A water faucet assembly providing touchless water temperature and water flow adjustment. The assembly comprises a spout, a water mixing valve, at least one proximity sensor, and a microcomputer. The water mixing valve provides a mix and controls the flow of hot water from a hot water supply and cold water from a cold water supply to the spout. The at least one proximity sensor provides a water temperature or water flow input signal having a value corresponding to the distance of an object from the sensor. The microcomputer is responsive to the value of the water temperature input signal to control the water mixing valve and generate a mixture of the hot and cold water corresponding to the distance of the object from the proximity sensor. The microcomputer is also responsive to the value of the water flow input signal to provide a flow of water from the spout corresponding to the distance of the object from the proximity sensor.
Owner:CRETU PETRA EUGEN
Thermostat with self-configuring connections to facilitate do-it-yourself installation
ActiveUS20120248211A1Temperature control without auxillary powerMechanical apparatusElectricityTransformer
A thermostat is configured for automated compatibility with HVAC systems that are either single-HVAC-transformer systems or dual-HVAC-transformer systems. The compatibility is automated in that a manual jumper installation is not required for adaptation to either single-HVAC-transformer systems or dual-HVAC-transformer systems. The thermostat has a plurality of HVAC wire connectors including a first call relay wire connector, a first power return wire connector, a second call relay wire connector, and a second power return wire connector. The thermostat is configured such that if the first and second external wires have been inserted into the first and second power return wire connectors, respectively, then the first and second power return wire connectors are electrically isolated from each other. Otherwise, the first and second power return wire connectors are electrically shorted together.
Owner:GOOGLE LLC
Proportional valve with shape memory alloy actuator
InactiveUS6840257B2Limited sizeReduce weightTemperature control without auxillary powerOperating means/releasing devices for valvesClosed loopAlloy
A proportional valve is disclosed for controlling the outlet pressure of a fluid flowing therethrough. The valve comprises a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port for the fluid. The valve also has an inner chamber, within which there is formed a valve seat that may be opened and closed variably by a shutter axially movable from and towards the valve seat. Movement of the shutter is controlled by a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuating member operating antagonistically to an elastic member, the temperature of the fluid being lower than the transition temperature of the shape memory alloy. The actuating member and the elastic member are connected to the body valve at opposite sides relative to the valve seat. A power control circuit is also provided for circulating an electric current through the actuating member so as to heat the same by Joule effect from a temperature lower than the transition temperature to one that is higher. At least one vent hole is formed in the valve body for putting a portion of the chamber upstream of the valve seat into fluid communication with the outside or a collection network. The actuating member is housed in that portion of chamber corresponding to the inlet port of the fluid, whereby a continuous flow of fluid around the actuating member is ensured for accelerating the cooling process. A closed-loop control circuit for the power control circuit controls the circulating current as a function of a pressure signal generated by fluid pressure sensing means and in such a way as to offset the retarding effect produced by the fluid during heating of the actuating member.
Owner:ARENA ALBERTO +2
Time of day zoning climate control system and method
InactiveUS20070045429A1Easy to superviseImprove overall occupant comfortTemperature control without auxillary powerMechanical apparatusControl systemMultiple sensor
A time of day zoning control system for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system is provided. The system utilizes a programmable thermostat and a number of temperature sensors to control the HVAC system to regulate the temperature in a particular location within a dwelling or structure based on consumer preferences. The regulation control will utilize a temperature sensed by a particular temperature sensor at different times throughout the day to control the temperature in that zone to ensure occupant comfort. A single temperature sensor may be selected to control the HVAC system during these different periods, or multiple sensors may be utilized during the same period. When multiple sensors are used, a weighting factor may be used.
Owner:RANCO OF DELAWARE
Managing an environment according to environmental preferences retrieved from a personal storage device
InactiveUS6622115B1Temperature control without auxillary powerTemperature control with auxillary non-electric powerData processing systemControl signal
According to the present invention, environment indicators computed for a particular environment from among multiple environments are converted into a common transmittable data format. The environment indicators are transmitted in the common transmittable data format to a data processing system, wherein the data processing system has access to a personal storage device proffered by a particular user. An environment sensitivity profile for the particular user associated with the particular environment, is retrieved from the personal storage device to the data processing system. An environment indicator analyzer application executing on the data processing system analyzes the multiple environment indicators received at the data processing system according to the environmental sensitivity profile and determines control signals for adjusting multiple environmental control systems that control the particular environment.
Owner:GOOGLE LLC
Heated or cooled dishware and drinkware
ActiveUS9035222B2Temperature control without auxillary powerMachines using electric/magnetic effectsElectricityControl circuit
Owner:EMBER TECH INC
Rotatable thermostat
ActiveUS7614567B2Conveniently and inexpensively coverTemperature control without auxillary powerTemperature control with auxillary non-electric powerThermostatEngineering
Owner:RANCO OF DELAWARE +1
Retrieving diagnostic information from an HVAC component
ActiveUS7174239B2Temperature control without auxillary powerTemperature control with auxillary non-electric powerLow voltageControl system
A control is provided for controlling the operation of a climate control system, which includes a processor that is capable of receiving power from a low voltage power supply adapted to be connected to an external alternating current power source, or a second external low voltage power supply. The processor is capable of storing diagnostic information pertaining to the operating status of at least one component of the climate control system. The processor is configured to retrieve stored diagnostic information from memory pertaining to the climate control system and send the diagnostic information to the display means when the processor receives power from the external low voltage power supply and detects the absence of a connection to an external alternating current power source.
Owner:COPELAND COMFORT CONTROL LP
Thermostat system with remote data averaging
ActiveUS7058477B1Temperature control without auxillary powerSampled-variable control systemsData averagingData information
A thermostat system according to the invention includes: a central control device (typically a programmable thermostat with a processor having: a CPU, real time clock and a memory for storing a control program and data information), multiple rooms comprising a conditioned space, environmental control equipment, and multiple environmental sensors capable of sensing an environmental condition (such as temperature, humidity, or other condition). The sensors are associated with transmission means, which control transmission of sensor signals, and occupancy sensors. Each sensor measures a local environmental condition. Occupancy sensors comprise infrared or other motion sensors, light detection sensors, door opening sensors, and other such sensors that detect the presence of humans in a room of the conditioned space where its associated sensor is located. Space conditioning equipment is activated by comparison of a setpoint to a control value averaged from values of environmental conditions in occupied rooms.
Owner:ROSEN TECH LLC
Building control unit method and controls
ActiveUS20130292481A1Enhanced Haptic FeedbackTemperature control without auxillary powerTemperature control with auxillary non-electric powerThermostatEngineering
Embodiments of the invention provide thermostat controls having improved tactile feedback. According to one embodiment, a thermostat includes a bottom member, a switch, a top member, and a motion guiding member or assembly that operationally couples the top member with the bottom member so that the top member is inwardly pressable by a user relative to the bottom member to allow the thermostat to receive input from the user by contacting the switch with a component of the top member or the bottom member. The motion guiding member or assembly contacts the top member near its outer periphery to control the inward motion of the top member relative to the bottom member to provide the improved tactile feedback.
Owner:GOOGLE LLC
Power-preserving communications architecture with long-polling persistent cloud channel for wireless network-connected thermostat
ActiveUS20120256009A1Reduce total powerReduced serviceEnergy efficient ICTTemperature control without auxillary powerElectrical batteryCloud base
Provided according to one or more embodiments herein are methods, systems and related architectures for facilitating network communications between a wireless network-connected thermostat and a cloud-based management server in a manner that promotes reduced power usage and extended service life of a rechargeable battery of the thermostat, while at the same time accomplishing timely data transfer between the thermostat and the cloud-based management server for suitable and time-appropriate control of an HVAC system. The thermostat further comprises powering circuitry configured to: extract electrical power from one or more HVAC control wires in a manner that does not require a “common” wire; supply electrical power for thermostat operation; recharge the rechargeable battery (if needed) using any surplus extracted power; and discharge the rechargeable battery to assist in supplying electrical power for thermostat operation during intervals in which the extracted power alone is insufficient for thermostat operation.
Owner:GOOGLE LLC
Control method and apparatus for an air conditioner using occupant feedback
InactiveUS20070138307A1Reduce the burden onAlleviate the occupant's discomfortTemperature control without auxillary powerMechanical apparatusEngineeringBreathing
A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining a command which controls a device in a heating ventilation aid-conditioning (HVAC) system 10. A plurality of comfort related values are entered by occupants of an environment to be air conditioned. A rule-base takes the comfort related values, and one or more rules are applied to these so as to produce a fuzzy results. This is then defuzzified so as to obtain a crisp device command value.
Owner:KHOO TECK HOE
Two-wire power and communication link for a thermostat
InactiveUS20080054084A1Temperature control without auxillary powerMechanical apparatusTelecommunications linkCommunication link
A single pair of polarity independent wires conveys electrical power and two-way communication between a remote thermostat and a temperature-conditioning unit. The system is functional even if the wires are crossed, so mis-wiring is nearly impossible. The system is selectively operable in three independently distinct modes: a power mode for conveying electrical power from the temperature-conditioning unit to the thermostat, an output mode for transmitting a communication signal from the temperature-conditioning unit to the thermostat, and a feedback mode for conveying a communication signal from the thermostat to the temperature-conditioning unit. When the power mode is inactive during the output mode and feedback mode, the thermostat relies on electrical power that the thermostat stored during a previous power mode. Communication is provided by a current loop circuit that is generally immune to electrical noise and tolerant of wire impedance.
Owner:TRANE INT INC
Beverage dispenser having selectable temperature
InactiveUS20020130137A1Extension of timeReduce the temperatureTemperature control without auxillary powerTemperature control with auxillary non-electric powerThermodynamicsProcess engineering
The present invention dispenses hot coffee or other beverage by the cup at a selected temperature, which can be varied from cup-to-cup. The beverage is brewed in a conventional way, and in one embodiment is stored in a conventional holding tank at elevated temperature. The holding tank communicates with two smaller reservoirs. A quantity of beverage is stored in a first reservoir at an elevated temperature, at or above the maximum desired dispensing temperature. A second quantity of beverage is cooled and stored in a second reservoir at a lower temperature, at or below the minimum desired dispensing temperature. When a cup of beverage is to be dispensed, the temperature is selected, and a quantity of beverage is dispensed from each of the reservoirs, proportioned so that the resulting dispensed beverage is at the selected temperature. In another embodiment, the first reservoir is omitted, and beverage from the holding tank provides the elevated temperature beverage for mixing. In several other embodiments, no cooling mechanism is needed. Instead, the holding tank is at a cooler temperature than the lowest vend temperature, and the beverage must be heated to the hot reservoir temperature and, in one embodiment, the cold reservoir temperature. In another embodiment, the holding tank functions as a cold reservoir. In still another embodiment requiring no heaters, the holding tank is eliminated, and the beverage is held in insulated chambers at the higher and lower temperatures.
Owner:GREENWALD TECH
Thermally-controlled valves and methods of using the same in a wellbore
InactiveUS7032675B2Low viscosityEasily conveyedTemperature control without auxillary powerInsulationControl flowTemperature control
Methods of operating a downhole tool comprise thermally-controlling the tool by sensing a temperature and controlling the tool in response to the sensed temperature. Thermally-controlled downhole tools comprise a control element responsive to a change in temperature that control flow into, out of, or through a wellbore. Methods and systems for servicing a wellbore comprise using a thermally-controlled tool comprising a thermally-controlled valve (TCV) in a wellbore. The TCV includes a valve body comprising an injection port for allowing material to flow into or out of the wellbore and an opening / closing mechanism for regulating flow of the material through the injection port in response to a change in temperature. The valve body may be coupled to a downhole conduit. A plurality of TCV's may be arranged in the wellbore to control the injection of steam into the wellbore or the recovery of oil from the wellbore.
Owner:HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC
Thermostat configuration wizard
InactiveUS20070045441A1Simply and quickly stepsIntuitive experienceTemperature control without auxillary powerTemperature control with auxillary non-electric powerPower applicationEngineering
A thermostat setup configuration wizard is provided that sequences a user through each of the required setup parameters to properly setup the thermostat for operation. The setup configuration wizard runs only upon initial power application to the thermostat, and is not reinitiated upon the return of power after a power loss in the home. The wizard utilizes a number of display screens that sequences a user through each of the available parameters, and allows the user to sequence through available options for each parameter. The wizard provides for navigation features that allow a user to move forward or back in the setup sequence as desired. The configuration wizard also sequences a user through the profile programming of the thermostat.
Owner:RANCO OF DELAWARE
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