US00745.5236B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Kates
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7.455.236 B2
`Nov. 25, 2008
`
`(54) ZONE THERMOSTAT FORZONE HEATING
`AND COOLING
`
`(76) Inventor: Lawrence Kates, 1111 Bayside Dr.,
`Corona Del Mar, CA (US) 92625
`
`5, 1989 Friend
`4,830,095 A
`6, 1989 Levine
`RE32,960 E
`7/1989 Asselbergs
`4,846,399 A
`4,886,110 A 12, 1989 Jackson
`4.942,348 A
`7, 1990 Nilssen
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`-
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/613,090
`(22) Filed:
`Dec. 19, 2006
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`
`CA
`
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1187966 A1
`5, 1985
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`pion dated May 31, 2006 from Related U.S. Appl. No.
`
`US 2007/01 19957 A1
`
`May 31, 2007
`
`(Continued)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 10/959,494, filed on
`Oct. 6, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,156,316.
`(51) Int. Cl.
`3.
`fit O
`(
`.01)
`(2006.01)
`G05D 23/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................ 236/1 B: 236/49.3: 236/94;
`O
`O
`O
`165/208
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................. 236/1 B.
`236/49.3, 94; 1657205, 208, 217
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4, 1973 Weatherston
`3,724,534 A
`4.417,687 A 11, 1983 Grant
`4,716,957 A
`1/1988 Thompson et al.
`4,754,697 A
`7/1988 Asselbergs
`4,809,593. A
`3/1989 Asselbergs
`4,824,012 A
`4, 1989 Tate
`
`
`
`Primary Examiner Marc E Norman
`. 4) Allege, Agent, or Firm Knobbe, Martens, Olson &
`ear,
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A Zone thermostat for use in connection with an Electroni
`cally-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily
`installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed.
`The ECRV can be used to converta non-zoned HVAC system
`into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connec
`tion with a conventional Zoned HVAC system to provide
`additional control and additional Zones not provided by the
`conventional Zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the
`ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that con
`forms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one
`embodiment, the Zone thermostat is configured to provide
`thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the
`Zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring sys
`tem that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling
`ZOS.
`
`28 Claims, 20 Drawing Sheets
`
`77 f
`
`
`
`----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
`
`Emerson Exhibit 1032
`Emerson Electric v. Ollnova
`IPR2023-00624
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`D310,873
`5,301,101
`5,303,767
`5,318, 104
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`2006, OO71087
`2006, OO71089
`2006/0105697
`2007/OO375O7
`2007/0O826O1
`2007/OO95518
`2007/0102149
`2007/01 19958
`2008/O179052
`2008/O179053
`
`S
`
`B2
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`A1
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Asselbergs
`MacArthur et al.
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`US 7.455.236 B2
`Page 2
`
`4/2006
`WO WO 2006-041599 A3
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Notice of Allowance dated Oct. 11, 2006 from Related U.S. Appl. No.
`10/959,361.
`Office Action dated May 31, 2006 from Related U.S. Appl. No.
`10/959,362.
`Notice of Allowance dated Oct. 11, 2006 from Related U.S. Appl. No.
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`Office Action dated Apr. 27, 2006 from Related U.S. Appl. No.
`10/959,494.
`Notice of Allowance dated Oct. 26, 2006 from Related U.S. Appl. No.
`10/959,494.
`“A 6-in-1 Device: Intelligent Residential Control Introduced by Car
`rier.
`http://www.global.carrier.com/details/0.
`CLI1 DIV28 ETI8093.00.html, 3 pages.
`"Automatically Control Your In-Wall or In-Floor Registers.” http://
`www.smarthome.com/3096.html, 1 page.
`"Automation for Your Home.” RCS Product Catalog, Jun. 2004, 14
`pageS.
`“Comfort SystemTM: Commercial VAV & Zone Control Systems.”
`Product Specification, 14 pages.
`"DIY Zoning: Dampers.' http://diy-Zoning. Sourceforge.net/Ad
`vanced dampers.html, 3 pages.
`“DIY Zoning: Passive Mode.” http://diy-zoning, sourceforge.net/Ad
`vanced passive mode.html, 2 pages.
`“DIY Zoning: Total Control.” http://diy-zoning, sourceforge.net/Ad
`vanced total control.html, 3 pages.
`“DIY Zoning: Technical FAQ.” http://diy-zoning.sourceforge.net/
`Advanced/facq.html, 11 pages.
`“DIY Zoning: Can I Do It?” http://diy-zoning, sourceforge.net/Ad
`vanced prerequisites.html. 4 pages.
`“DIY Zoning: Release Notes.” http://diy-zoning.sourceforge.net/
`Advanced release notes.html, 4 pages,
`“6 Zone HVAC Control Unit.” Product Specification for RCS Model
`ZC6R, 2 pages.
`“Want to Prevent Over Pressure Buildup in Your HVAC System?”
`http://www.smarthome.com/3072.html, 1 page.
`“Indoor: Home Comfort: Fans/Air Conditioning: Blower Booster.”
`http://www.improvementscatalog.com/product.
`asp?product=49254ZZ&dept'65Fid=10100.html. 1 page.
`Office Action dated Jan. 16, 2008 from Related U.S. Appl. No.
`1 1/613,116.
`Office Action dated Apr. 23, 2008 from Related U.S. Appl. No.
`1 1/613,116.
`Office Action dated Nov. 15, 2007 from Related U.S. Appl. No.
`1 1/613,110.
`Office Action dated Feb. 1, 2008 from Related U.S. Appl. No.
`1 1/613,110.
`Office Action dated Jul 22, 2008 from Related U.S. Appl. No.
`1 1/613,110.
`* cited by examiner
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`EP
`EP
`WO
`
`O632234
`O710804 A2
`O710804 A3
`WO 2006-041599 A2
`
`1, 1995
`5, 1996
`12/1997
`4/2006
`
`IPR2023-00624 Page 00002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 25, 2008
`Nov. 25, 2008
`
`Sheet 1 of 20
`Sheet 1 of 20
`
`US 7.455.236 B2
`US 7,455,236 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 25, 2008
`Nov.25, 2008
`
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`Sheet 2 of 20
`
`US 7.455.236 B2
`US 7,455,236 B2
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 25, 2008
`Nov. 25, 2008
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`US 7.455.236 B2
`US 7,455,236 B2
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`Nov. 25, 2008
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`IPR2023-00624 Page 00008
`
`IPR2023-00624 Page 00008
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`Nov. 25, 2008
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 25, 2008
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 25, 2008
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`Nov. 25, 2008
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`US 7.455.236 B2
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`

`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 25, 2008
`Nov. 25, 2008
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`US 7.455.236 B2
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`Nov. 25, 2008
`
`Sheet 20 of 20
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`US 7.455.236 B2
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`

`

`US 7,455,236 B2
`
`1.
`ZONE THERMOSTAT FOR ZONE HEATING
`AND COOLING
`
`REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
`10/959,494, filed Oct. 6, 2004, titled “ZONETHERMOSTAT
`FOR ZONE HEATING AND COOLING, the entire con
`tents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`on Such systems is many years. Such expense has severely
`limited the growth of Zoned HVAC systems in the general
`home market.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`The system and method disclosed herein solves these and
`other problems by providing an Electronically-Controlled
`Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a home
`owner or general handyman. The ECRV can be used to con
`vert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The
`ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional
`Zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and addi
`tional Zones not provided by the conventional Zoned HVAC
`system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a
`size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually
`controlled register vent. The ECRV can be installed in place
`of a conventional manually-controlled register vent—often
`without the use of tools.
`In one embodiment, the ECRV is a self-contained Zoned
`system unit that includes a register vent, a power Supply, a
`thermostat, and a motor to open and close the register vent. To
`create a Zoned HVAC system, the homeowner can simply
`remove the existing register vents in one or more rooms and
`replace the register vents with the ECRVs. The occupants can
`set the thermostat on the EVCR to control the temperature of
`the area or room containing the ECRV. In one embodiment,
`the ECRV includes a display that shows the programmed
`setpoint temperature. In one embodiment, the ECRV includes
`a display that shows the current setpoint temperature. In one
`embodiment, the ECRV includes a remote control interface to
`allow the occupants to control the ECRV by using a remote
`control. In one embodiment, the remote control includes a
`display that shows the programmed temperature and the cur
`rent temperature. In one embodiment, the remote control
`shows the battery status of the ECRV.
`In one embodiment, the EVCR includes a pressure sensor
`to measure the pressure of the air in the ventilation duct that
`supplies air to the EVCR. In one embodiment, the EVCR
`opens the register vent if the air pressure in the duct exceeds
`a specified value. In one embodiment, the pressure sensor is
`configured as a differential pressure sensor that measures the
`difference between the pressure in the duct and the pressure in
`the room.
`In one embodiment, the ECRV is powered by an internal
`battery. A battery-low indicator on the ECRV informs the
`homeowner when the battery needs replacement. In one
`embodiment, one or more Solar cells are provided to recharge
`the batteries when light is available. In one embodiment, the
`register vent include a fan to draw additional air from the
`Supply duct in order to compensate for undersized vents or
`Zones that need additional heating or cooling air.
`In one embodiment, one or more ECRVs in a Zone com
`municate with a Zone thermostat. The Zone thermostat mea
`sures the temperature of the Zone for all of the ECRVs that
`control the Zone. In one embodiment, the ECRVs and the Zone
`thermostat communicate by wireless communication meth
`ods, such as, for example, infrared communication, radio
`frequency communication, ultrasonic communication, etc. In
`one embodiment, the ECRVs and the Zone thermostat com
`municate by direct wire connections. In one embodiment, the
`ECRVs and the Zone thermostat communicate using power
`line communication.
`In one embodiment, one or more Zone thermostats com
`municate with a central controller.
`In one embodiment, the EVCR and/or the Zoned thermostat
`includes an occupant sensor. Such as, for example, an infrared
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`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a system and method for
`directing heating and cooling air from an air handler to vari
`ous Zones in a home or commercial structure.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Most traditional home heating and cooling systems have
`one centrally-located thermostat that controls the temperature
`of the entire house. The thermostat turns the Heating, Venti
`lating, and Air-Conditioner (HVAC) system on or off for the
`entire house. The only way the occupants can control the
`amount of HVAC air to each room is to manually open and
`close the register vents throughout the house.
`Zoned HVAC systems are common in commercial struc
`tures, and Zoned systems have been making inroads into the
`home market. In a Zoned system, sensors in each room or
`group of rooms, or Zones, monitor the temperature. The sen
`sors can detect where and when heated or cooledair is needed.
`The sensors send information to a central controller that acti
`Vates the Zoning system, adjusting motorized dampers in the
`ductwork and sending conditioned air only to the Zone in
`which it is needed. A Zoned system adapts to changing con
`ditions in one area without affecting other areas. For example,
`many two-story houses are Zoned by floor. Because heat rises,
`the second floor usually requires more cooling in the Summer
`and less heating in the winter than the first floor. A non-Zoned
`system cannot completely accommodate this seasonal varia
`tion. Zoning, however, can reduce the wide variations in
`temperature between floors by Supplying heating or cooling
`only to the space that needs it.
`A Zoned system allows more control over the indoor envi
`ronment because the occupants can decide which areas to
`heat or cool and when. With a Zoned system, the occupants
`can program each specific Zone to be active or inactive
`depending on their needs. For example, the occupants can set
`the bedrooms to be inactive during the day while the kitchen
`and living areas are active.
`A properly Zoned system can be up to 30 percent more
`efficient than a non-Zoned system. A Zoned system Supplies
`warm or cool air only to those areas that require it. Thus, less
`energy is wasted heating and cooling spaces that are not being
`used.
`In addition, a Zoned system can sometimes allow the instal
`lation of Smaller capacity equipment without compromising
`comfort. This reduces energy consumption by reducing
`wasted capacity.
`Unfortunately, the equipment currently used in a Zoned
`system is relatively expensive. Moreover, installing a Zoned
`HVAC system, or retrofitting an existing system, is far beyond
`the capabilities of most homeowners. Unless the homeowner
`has specialized training, it is necessary to hire a specially
`trained professional HVAC technician to configure and install
`the system. This makes Zoned HVAC systems expensive to
`purchase and install. The cost of installation is such that even
`though the Zoned system is more efficient, the payback period
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`US 7,455,236 B2
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`sensor, motion sensor, ultrasonic sensor, etc. The occupants
`can program the EVCR or the Zoned thermostat to bring the
`Zone to different temperatures when the Zone is occupied and
`when the Zone is empty. In one embodiment, the occupants
`can program the EVCR or the Zoned thermostat to bring the
`Zone to different temperatures depending on the time of day,
`the time of year, the type of room (e.g. bedroom, kitchen,
`etc.), and/or whether the room is occupied or empty. In one
`embodiment, various EVCRs and/or Zoned thermostats
`thought a composite Zone (e.g., a group of Zones Such as an
`entire house, an entire floor, an entire wing, etc.) intercom
`municate and change the temperature setpoints according to
`whether the composite Zone is empty or occupied.
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`FIG. 18 shows an ECRV configured to use a scrolling
`curtain to control airflow as an alternative to the Vanes shown
`in FIGS. 2 and 3.
`FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a control algorithm for
`controlling the register vents.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`FIG. 1 shows a home 100 with Zoned heating and cooling.
`In the home 100, an HVAC system provides heating and
`cooling air to a system of ducts. Sensors 101-105 monitor the
`temperature in various areas (Zones) of the house. A Zone can
`be a room, a floor, a group of rooms, etc. The sensors 101-105
`detect where and when heating or cooling air is needed.
`Information from the sensors 101-105 is used to control
`actuators that adjust the flow of air to the various Zones. The
`Zoned system adapts to changing conditions in one area with
`out affecting other areas. For example, many two-story
`houses are Zoned by floor. Because heat rises, the second floor
`usually requires more cooling in the Summer and less heating
`in the winter than the first floor. A non-Zoned system cannot
`completely accommodate this seasonal variation. Zoning,
`however, can reduce the wide variations in temperature
`between floors by Supplying heating or cooling only to the
`space that needs it.
`FIG. 2 shows one example of a conventional manually
`controlled register vent 200. The register 200 includes one or
`more vanes 201 that can be opened or closed to adjust the
`amount of air that flows through the register 200. Diverters
`202 direct the air in a desired direction (or directions). The
`Vanes 201 are typically provided to a mechanical mechanism
`so that the occupants can manipulate the Vanes 201 to control
`the amount of air that flows out of the register 200. In some
`registers, the diverters 202 are fixed. In some registers, the
`diverters 202 are moveable to allow the occupants some con
`trol over the direction of the airflow out of the vent. Registers
`such as the register 200 are found throughout homes that have
`a central HVAC system that provides heating and cooling air.
`Typically, relatively small rooms Such as bedrooms and bath
`rooms will have one or two Such register vents of varying
`sizes. Larger rooms, such as living rooms, family rooms, etc.,
`may have more than two Such registers. The occupants of a
`home can control the flow of air through each of the vents by
`manually adjusting the vanes 201. When the register vent is
`located on the floor, or relatively low on the wall, such adjust
`ment is usually not particularly difficult (unless the mecha
`nism that controls the vanes 201 is bent or rusted). However,
`adjustment of the vanes 201 can be very difficult when the
`register vent 200 is located so high on the wall that it cannot
`be easily reached.
`FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of an Electronically-Con
`trolled RegisterVent (ECRV)300. The ECRV 300 can be used
`to implementa Zoned heating and cooling system. The ECRV
`300 can also be used as a remotely control register vent in
`places where the vent is located so high on the wall that is
`cannot be easily reached. The ECRV 300 is configured as a
`replacement for the vent 200. This greatly simplifies the task
`of retrofitting a home by replacing one or more of the register
`vents 200 with the ECRVs 300. In one embodiment, shown in
`FIG. 3, the ECRV 300 is configured to fit into approximately
`the same size duct opening as the conventional register vent
`200. In one embodiment, the ECRV 300 is configured to fit
`over the duct opening used by the conventional register vent
`200. In one embodiment, the ECRV 300 is configured to fit
`over the conventional register 200, thereby allowing the reg
`ister 200 to be left in place. A control panel 301 provides one
`or more visual displays and, optionally, one or more user
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`FIG. 1 shows a home with Zoned heating and cooling.
`FIG. 2 shows one example of a conventional manually
`controlled register vent.
`FIG.3A is a front view of one embodiment of an electroni
`cally-controlled register vent.
`FIG. 3B is a rear view of the electronically-controlled
`register vent shown in FIG. 3A.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a self-contained ECRV.
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a self-contained ECRV with a
`remote control.
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a locally-controlled Zoned
`heating and cooling system wherein a Zone thermostat con
`trols one or more ECRVs.
`FIG. 7A is a block diagram of a centrally-controlled Zoned
`heating and cooling system wherein the central control sys
`tem communicates with one or more Zone thermostats and
`one or more ECRVs independently of the HVAC system.
`FIG. 7B is a block diagram of a centrally-controlled Zoned
`heating and cooling system wherein the central control sys
`tem communicates with one or more Zone thermostats and the
`Zone thermostats communicate with one or more ECRVs.
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a centrally-controlled Zoned
`heating and cooling system wherein a central control system
`communicates with one or more Zone thermostats and one or
`more ECRVs and controls the HVAC system.
`FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an efficiency-monitoring
`centrally-controlled Zoned heating and cooling system
`wherein a central control system communicates with one or
`more Zone thermostats and one or more ECRVs and controls
`and monitors the HVAC system.
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an ECRV for use in connec
`tion with the systems shown in FIGS. 6-9.
`FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a basic Zone thermostat for
`use in connection with the systems shown in FIGS. 6-9.
`FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a Zone thermostat with
`remote control for use in connection with the systems shown
`in FIGS. 6-9.
`FIG. 13 shows one embodiment of a central monitoring
`system.
`FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of an
`instruction loop for an ECRV or Zone thermostat.
`FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of an
`instruction and sensor data loop for an ECRV or Zone ther
`moStat.
`FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of an
`instruction and sensor data reporting loop for an ECRV or
`Zone thermostat.
`FIG. 17 shows an ECRV configured to be used in connec
`tion with a conventional T-bar ceiling system found in many
`commercial structures.
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`US 7,455,236 B2
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`5
`controls. A housing 302 is provided to house an actuator to
`control the vanes 201. In one embodiment, the housing 302
`can also be used to house electronics, batteries, etc.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a self-contained ECRV 400,
`which is one embodiment of the ECRV 300 shown in FIGS.
`3A and 3B and the ECRV shown in FIG. 18. In the ECRV 400,
`a temperature sensor 406 and a temperature sensor 416 are
`provided to a controller 401. The controller 401 controls an
`actuator system 409. The actuator system 409 provided
`mechanical movements to control the airflow through the
`vent. In one embodiment, the actuator system 409 includes an
`actuator provided to the vanes 201 or other air-flow devices to
`control the amount of air that flows through the ECRV 400
`(e.g., the amount of air that flows from the duct into the room).
`In one embodiment, an actuator system includes an actuator
`provided to one or more of the diverters 202 to control the
`direction of the airflow. The controller 401 also controls a
`visual display 403 and an optional fan 402. A user input
`device 408 is provided to allow the user to set the desired
`room temperature. An optional sensor 407 is provided to the
`controller 401. In one embodiment, the sensor 407 includes
`an air pressure and/or airflow sensor. In one embodiment, the
`sensor 407 includes a humidity sensor. A power source 404
`provides power to the controller 401, the fan 402, the display
`403, the temperature sensors 406, 416, the sensor 407, and the
`user input device 408 as needed. In one embodiment, the
`controller 401 controls the amount of power provided to the
`fan 402, the display 403, the sensor 406, the sensor 416, the
`sensor 407, and the user input device 408. In one embodi
`ment, an optional auxiliary power source 405 is also provided
`to provide additional power. The auxiliary power source is a
`supplementary source of electrical power, such as, for
`example, a battery, a Solar cell, an airflow (e.g., wind-pow
`ered) generator, the fan 402 acting as a generator, a nuclear
`based electrical generator, a fuel cell, a thermocouple, etc.
`In one embodiment, the power source 404 is based on a
`non-rechargeable battery and the auxiliary power source 405
`includes a solar cell and a rechargeable battery. The controller
`401 draws power from the auxiliary power source when pos
`sible to conserve power in the power source 404. When the
`auxiliary power source 405 is unable to provide sufficient
`power, then the controller 401 also draws power from the
`power source 404.
`In an alternative embodiment, the power source 404 is
`configured as a rechargeable battery and the auxiliary power
`source 405 is configured as a solar cell that recharges the
`power source 404.
`In one embodiment, the display 403 includes a flashing
`indicator (e.g., a flashing LED or LCD) when the available
`power from the power sources 404 and/or 405 drops below a
`threshold level.
`The home occupants use the user input device 408 to set a
`desired temperature for the vicinity of the ECRV 400. The
`display 403 shows the setpoint temperature. In one embodi
`ment, the display 403 also shows the current room tempera
`ture. The temperature sensor 406 measures the temperature of
`the air in the room, and the temperature sensor 416 measures
`the temperature of the air in the duct. If the room temperature
`is above the setpoint temperature, and the duct air tempera
`ture is below the room temperature, then the controller 401
`causes the actuator 409 to open the vent. If the room tempera
`ture is below the setpoint temperature, and the duct air tem
`perature is above the room temperature, then the controller
`401 causes the actuator 409 to open the vent. Otherwise, the
`controller 401 causes the actuator 409 to close the vent. In
`other words, if the room temperature is above or below the
`setpoint temperature and the temperature of the air in the duct
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`will tend to drive the room temperature towards the setpoint
`temperature, then the controller 401 opens the vent to allow
`air into the room. By contrast, if the room temperature is
`above or below the setpoint temperature and the temperature
`of the air in the duct will not tend to drive the room tempera
`ture towards the setpoint temperature, then the controller 401
`closes the vent.
`In one embodiment, the controller 401 is configured to
`provide a few degrees of hysteresis (often referred to as a
`thermostat deadband) around the setpoint temperature in
`order to avoid wasting power by excessive opening and clos
`ing of the vent.
`In one embodiment, the controller 401 turns on the fan 402
`to pull additional air from the duct. In one embodiment, the
`fan 402 is used when the room temperature is relatively far
`from the setpoint temperature in order to speed the movement
`of the room temperature towards the setpoint temperature. In
`one embodiment, the fan 402 is used when the room tempera
`ture is changing relatively slowly in response to the open vent.
`In one embodiment, the fan 402 is used when the room
`temperature is moving away from the setpoint and the vent is
`fully open. The controller 401 does not turn on or run the fan
`402 unless there is sufficient power available from the power
`sources 404, 405. In one embodiment, the controller 401
`measures the power level of the power sources 404, 405
`before turning on the fan 402, and periodically (or continu
`ally) when the fan is on.
`In one embodiment, the controller 401 also does not turn on
`the fan 402 unless it senses that there is airflow in the duct
`(indicating that the HVAC air-handler fan is blowing air into
`the duct). In one embodiment, the sensor 407 includes an
`airflow sensor. In one embodiment, the controller 401 uses the
`fan 402 as an airflow sensor by measuring (or sensing) Voltage
`generated by the fan 402 rotating in response to air flowing
`from the duct through the fan and causing the fan to act as a
`generator. In one embodiment, the controller 401 periodically
`stop the fan and checks for airflow from the duct.
`In one embodiment, the sensor 406 includes a pressure
`sensor configured to measure the air pressure in the duct. In
`one embodiment, the sensor 406 includes a differential pres
`Sure sensor configured to measure the pressure difference
`between the air in the duct and the air outside the ECRV (e.g.,
`the air in the room). Excessive air pressure in the duct is an
`indication that too many vents may be closed (thereby creat
`ing too much back pressure in the duct and reducing airfl