HVAC communication system

US7163158B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• COMVERGE, INC. · US
• Emerson Electric Co. · US

Inventors

• John Rossi · Norcross, US
• Paul Michael Huddleston · Sandy Springs, US
• Mark Lee Barton · Lilburn, US
• Bradley A. Smith · Madison, US
• Howard Ng · Kingston, CA
• Carl J. Mueller · Chesterfield, US
• James P. Garozzo · Chesterfield, US
• Cecil Barrett · Lawrenceville, US
• Russell Thomas House · Ball Ground, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 13, 2005
• Grant date: Jan 16, 2007
• Expiry date: Dec 13, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F24F11/59
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A system for communicating across conventional HVAC wiring is provided. The system includes a communication device having a communication module capable of inducing low power, high frequency current signals into a single control wire coupling, for example, a thermostat with a compressor. The communication module includes a power supply module that draws power sufficient to operate the communication module from the existing HVAC wiring, so as to eliminate any need for batteries or external power sources. A second communication module may be coupled to the single control wire. The second communication module operates as a transceiver sending communication signals to, and receiving communication signals from, the communication module. In one embodiment, the communication module is disposed within a building, for example coupled to an electronic thermostat, while the second communication module is disposed outside the building near the compressor. The communication signals are RF modulated signals between 5 and 50 MHz so as to take advantage of and pass across parasitic capacitances found inherent in transformers or other coils disposed within HVAC loads.