US6315211B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hardwired or battery powered digital thermostat
Assignee: Emerson Electric Co
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Filing: 1999-12-03
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Granted: 2001-11-13
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Expires: 2019-12-03
Abstract
Abstract An electronic digital thermostat adapted for installation in locations with or without an external power supply preferably includes a compartment for receiving a replaceable internal power supply, such as a batteries, for powering the thermostat if an external power supply is not available, and a connector for connecting the thermostat to an external power supply for powering the thermostat when the external power supply is available. The thermostat is configured to preferentially draw power from an external power supply connected to the thermostat, if power from an external power supply is available, and draw power from an internal power supply connected to the thermostat, if power from an external power supply is not available. An additional power backup, such as a capacitor, may be provided to maintain power to the thermostat for short durations when power is unavailable from both the internal power supply and the external power supply.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Sartain
- 👤 Carl J. Mueller
- 👤 Bartholomew L. Toth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:56
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1902; G05D23/1905; F; F23; F23N; F23N2231/00; F23N2231/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An electronic multi-stage thermostat for controlling the operation of a climate control system, the thermostat being adapted for installation in locations with or without an external power supply, the thermostat comprising a compartment for receiving a replaceable internal power supply, and a connector for connecting the thermostat to the replaceable internal power supply in the compartment for powering the thermostat, and a connector for connecting the thermostat to the external power supply for powering the thermostat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
An electronic multi-stage thermostat for controlling the operation of a climate control system, the thermostat being adapted for installation in locations with or without an external power supply, the thermostat comprising a compartment for receiving a replaceable internal power supply, and a connector for connecting the thermostat to the replaceable internal power supply in the compartment for powering the thermostat, and a connector for connecting the thermostat to the external power supply for powering the thermostat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The electronic thermostat according to claim 1 wherein the thermostat is configured so that the thermostat preferentially draws power from the external power supply connected to the thermostat, if power from the external power supply is available, and from the internal power supply connected to the thermostat, if power from the external power supply is not available.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electronic thermostat according to claim 2 wherein the replaceable internal power supply is at least one replaceable battery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The electronic thermostat according to claim 3 further comprising an energy reduction device adapted to reduce energy consumption of the thermostat when power from the external power supply is not available with the thermostat drawing power from the internal power supply.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electronic thermostat according to 4 further comprising an energy storage device for powering the thermostat if power from both the external power supply and the internal power supply are not available.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electronic thermostat according to 4 further comprising an energy storage device for powering the thermostat if power from both the external power supply and the internal power supply are not available.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electronic thermostat according to claim 5 wherein the energy storage device is a capacitor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electronic thermostat according to claim 6 further comprising a programmed memory storage device for maintaining thermostat program information when power from both the external power supply and the internal power supply are not available.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electronic thermostat according to claim 7 wherein the programmed memory storage device is an electrically erasable programmable read only memory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
123 words
In an electronic digital multi-stage thermostat for controlling a climate control system, the thermostat powered by at least one of the following: a replaceable internal power supply and an external power supply, a compartment for receiving the replaceable internal power supply, a connector for connecting the thermostat to the internal power supply in the compartment for powering the thermostat, a connector for connecting the thermostat to the external power supply for powering the thermostat, with the thermostat configured such that the thermostat preferentially draws power from the external power supply connected to the thermostat, if power from the external power supply is available, and from the internal power supply connected to the thermostat, if power from the external power supply is not available.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
123 words
In an electronic digital multi-stage thermostat for controlling a climate control system, the thermostat powered by at least one of the following: a replaceable internal power supply and an external power supply, a compartment for receiving the replaceable internal power supply, a connector for connecting the thermostat to the internal power supply in the compartment for powering the thermostat, a connector for connecting the thermostat to the external power supply for powering the thermostat, with the thermostat configured such that the thermostat preferentially draws power from the external power supply connected to the thermostat, if power from the external power supply is available, and from the internal power supply connected to the thermostat, if power from the external power supply is not available.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electronic thermostat according to claim 9 wherein the replaceable internal power supply is at least one battery.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The electronic thermostat according to claim 10 further comprising an energy reduction device adapted to reduce energy consumption of the thermostat when power from the external power supply is not available with the thermostat drawing power from the internal power supply.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electronic thermostat according to 11 further comprising an energy storage device for powering the thermostat if power from both the external power supply and the internal power supply are not available.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The electronic thermostat according to 11 further comprising an energy storage device for powering the thermostat if power from both the external power supply and the internal power supply are not available.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electronic thermostat according to claim 12 wherein the energy storage device is a capacitor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electronic thermostat according to claim 13 further comprising a programmed memory storage device for maintaining thermostat program information when power from both the external power supply and the internal power supply are not available.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electronic thermostat according to claim 14 wherein the programmed memory storage device is an electrically erasable programmable read only memory.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for providing power to an electronic multi-stage thermostat in locations with or without an external power supply, the method comprising the steps of powering the thermostat from an external power supply connected to the thermostat, if power from the external power supply is available, and powering the thermostat from an internal power supply connected to the thermostat, if power from the external power supply is not available.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for providing power to an electronic multi-stage thermostat in locations with or without an external power supply, the method comprising the steps of powering the thermostat from an external power supply connected to the thermostat, if power from the external power supply is available, and powering the thermostat from an internal power supply connected to the thermostat, if power from the external power supply is not available.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 16 further comprising the step of powering the thermostat from an energy storage device if power from both the external power supply and the internal power supply are not available.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 17 further comprising storing thermostat program information in a programmed memory storage device if power from both the external power supply and internal power supply are not available.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
115 words
An electronic multi-stage thermostat for controlling a climate control system in multiple stages of operation, the multi-stage thermostat requiring power from at least two sources for providing continuous power and controlling operation of the climate control system, the electronic multi-stage thermostat comprising a compartment for receiving a replaceable internal power supply, a first connection for connecting the thermostat to external power sources for powering the thermostat when at least two external power sources are available, and a second connector for connecting the thermostat to the replaceable internal power supply in the compartment for powering the thermostat when only one external power source is available, with the first connector connected to the one external power source.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
115 words
An electronic multi-stage thermostat for controlling a climate control system in multiple stages of operation, the multi-stage thermostat requiring power from at least two sources for providing continuous power and controlling operation of the climate control system, the electronic multi-stage thermostat comprising a compartment for receiving a replaceable internal power supply, a first connection for connecting the thermostat to external power sources for powering the thermostat when at least two external power sources are available, and a second connector for connecting the thermostat to the replaceable internal power supply in the compartment for powering the thermostat when only one external power source is available, with the first connector connected to the one external power source.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
103 words
An electronic multi-stage thermostat for controlling a multistage climate control system, the system requiring a source of system power and a separate source of operational power to provide system power to the climate control system to operate the appropriate stage of the climate control system, the thermostat comprising a first connector adapted to be connected to an eternal source of system power, a second connector adapted to be connected to a separate external source of operational power, and an internal power supply to provide operation power to the thermostat if an external source of operational power is not connected to the second connector.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
103 words
An electronic multi-stage thermostat for controlling a multistage climate control system, the system requiring a source of system power and a separate source of operational power to provide system power to the climate control system to operate the appropriate stage of the climate control system, the thermostat comprising a first connector adapted to be connected to an eternal source of system power, a second connector adapted to be connected to a separate external source of operational power, and an internal power supply to provide operation power to the thermostat if an external source of operational power is not connected to the second connector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-11-12 | 2005-05-14 | 2005-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-12 | 2009-05-14 | 2009-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-12 | 2013-05-14 | 2013-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |