Power stealing for a wireless-enabled thermostat
US9405303B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 2013 |
| Grant date | Aug 2, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M7/06
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus, systems and methods for power stealing for a wireless-enabled thermostat. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless-enabled thermostat generally includes a control having a wireless network interface that intermittently connects the thermostat in a wireless network in accordance with a duty cycle, the duty cycle having a connect time in which the thermostat is connected in the wireless network and a sleep time in which the thermostat is not connected in the wireless network. A power stealing circuit of the thermostat steals power through an “on-mode” load of a climate control system to charge a capacitor or other energy storage device to provide the power for the wireless network interface. The control adjusts at least the sleep time in accordance with a time for charging the capacitor or other energy storage device to a threshold voltage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.