Thermostat battery recharging during HVAC function active and inactive states

US8752771B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Nest Labs, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Daniel Adam Warren · San Francisco, US
• Hugo Fiennes · Palo Alto, US
• Jonathan Alan Dutra · Saratoga, US
• David Bell · Los Altos Hills, US
• Anthony M. Fadell · Portola Valley, US
• Matthew Lee Rogers · Los Gatos, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 24, 2011
• Grant date: Jun 17, 2014
• Expiry date: Aug 21, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/49826
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A thermostat and related methods are described for controlling one or more functions, such as heating and cooling in an HVAC. According to some embodiments the thermostat includes a rechargeable battery; charging circuitry adapted and arranged to recharge the battery; and control circuitry adapted and arranged to control the one or more HVAC functions using power from the rechargeable battery. According to some embodiments, the thermostat also includes power harvesting circuitry adapted and arranged to harvest power from the HVAC system in cases where no common wire is available to the thermostat, and to supply power to the charging circuit for recharging the battery.