Thermostat with heat and/or cool fan delays controlled by thermostat output

Abstract

A thermostat includes within its circuitry a delay signal generator for delaying the activation and deactivation of an air circulation fan for a predetermined time period after which a heater or compressor is activated or deactivated.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to thermostats and, more particularly, to a thermostat method and apparatus for introducing delays in the energizing and de-energizing of an air circulating fan of a forced air comfort system. [0002] In a forced air comfort system that may include a furnace and / or an air conditioner, an electrically driven air circulation fan is used to move the conditioned air to the space for which the air being conditioned. In older furnaces and air conditioning systems, and in lower end systems being manufactured today, the air circulating fan is energized and de-energized at the same time that the furnace heater or the air conditioning system compressor is energized or de-energized. This results in the circulation of air that is not properly conditioned or to the non-circulation of air that is properly conditioned. That is, in the case of a furnace, non-heated or inadequately heated air is circulated at start up, and when the f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Briefly, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, a thermostat includes within its internal control features, signal generating means for introducing a delay between the time in which a signal is sent to turn on the heater or compressor of a comfort system and the time in which the associated air circulation fan is turned on or off. In this way, greater comfort and efficiencies are obtained without the need for upgrading the furnace / air conditioner.

Problems solved by technology

This results in the circulation of air that is not properly conditioned or to the non-circulation of air that is properly conditioned.

That is, in the case of a furnace, non-heated or inadequately heated air is circulated at start up, and when the furnace shuts down, the air that has been heated is not circulated, thereby causing inefficiencies.

However, these features are not available in older furnaces / air conditioners or low end furnaces / air conditioners.

Further, even in those systems where the delay functions can be included in the system control apparatus, the delays will be set according to generalized time periods which may not be appropriate for the particular installation and would not be adjustable to other times except possibly by a service person who would need to make the individual changes in each of the cooling and heating systems.

Images