Patent · US Expired

Indication of low battery voltage condition by altering of temperature setpoint

US5251813A · kind A · utility

200Cited by
2References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 25, 1993
Grant dateOct 12, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 25, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG05D23/1905
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

In a digital thermostat powered solely by batteries, when the battery voltage drops to a predetermined value, the thermostat effects a visual indication of the existence of a low voltage condition. If the batteries are not replaced within a predetermined time period thereafter, and the battery voltage remains adequate to operate the thermostat, the temperature setpoint is automatically altered by being lowered, if in the heating mode, or being raised, if in the cooling mode. The change in room temperature resulting from the change in temperature setpoint should prompt the user to replace the batteries. By proper manipulation of user operable means, the user can subsequently cancel the altered temperature setpoint and re-establish the desired temperature setpoint so as to provide for normal thermostat operation for a predetermined time period during which the batteries can be replaced.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.