DC thermostat with low battery response
US9501050B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 2014 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05F1/463
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A battery powered thermostat senses a battery voltage drop to a low-battery voltage level. At that point, the thermostat microprocessor provides a LOW BATTERY alert message, visible on the thermostat display. If the occupant fails to replace the power cells or does not notice the LOW BATTERY message, when the battery voltage drops further the microprocessor alters the thermostat set points. This reduces the number of heating or cooling cycles per day, and reduces the number of actuations of the latching relays in the thermostat, conserving remaining battery life. At a further drop in battery voltage the set points are changed additionally. Additional functions, such as second level heat, second level cooling, and fan speed, are disabled. The change in heat or cooling cycles induces the occupant to check the thermostat where he or she will notice the LOW BATTERY message.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.