Electronic thermostat
US4206872A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 1977 |
| Grant date | Jun 10, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D23/1904
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A thermostat for generating control signals for a furnace, air conditioner, or the like, employs a constant frequency, periodically alternating electrical source and an oscillator incorporating an element having a thermal-sensitive electrical characteristic so the oscillator frequency varies as a function of the ambient temperature. A comparator receives the two outputs and generates a signal representative of the ambient temperature. The stable output is also provided to dividing circuits to generate a signal representative of the time that is used to interrogate a digital memory storing a desired temperature-time program for the thermostat for a repetitive period, such as a week or month. The ambient temperature signal is compared with the desired temperature signal to generate an output control signal. A display provides a read-out of time and temperature and is used along with a keyboard or the like in programming the memory.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.