Control device with current protected solid state relays
US10215432B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 2016 |
| Grant date | Feb 26, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 2, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H6/00
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A control device, such as a smart thermostat, employs solid state relays as switches to activate and deactivate systems controlled by the device. Current flows through at least some of the solid state relays are monitored to determine the bulk heating produced in the solid state relays, and their associated circuitry and printed circuit board traces, and this determined amount of bulk heat is added to other determined amounts of bulk heat and is used to compensate the reading provided by temperature sensors within the control device which have been affected by the bulk heat. Further, by measuring the current flow through the power buses to one or more of the solid state relays of the control device, potentially damaging over current conditions can be distinguished from permissible transient over-current conditions and the control device can deactivate any solid state relays which would be damaged while allowing solid state relays which are experiencing allowable transients to remain operating. In the case of a severe over current condition, a current monitoring device can issue a fault signal, triggering an interrupt condition which will cause a processor in the controller to shut …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.