HVAC systems and methods with improved heating element control
AssigneeLennox Industries Inc.
InventorsJoe Powell, Lee Nelson, Hermon Alan Boyd
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, tools, and methods are presented that enable a circuit to introduce a random time delay before actuating a relay to start or stop a supply of electrical power to a heating element of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In one instance, the circuit includes a time-delay switch electrically connected to the relay. The time-delay switch has a random time delay before entering a closed state or open state. The relay is operable to start and stop a supply of electrical power to the heating element in response to the switch entering, respectively, the closed state and the open state. Other systems, tools and methods are presented.
Claims7
An HVAC system, the HVAC system comprising:
- at least one source of alternating current for providing electrical power;
- a circuit corresponding to the at least one source of alternating current and electrically coupled thereto, the circuit comprising:
- a heating element,
- a relay electrically connected to the heating element,
- a time-delay switch electrically connected to the relay, the time-delay switch configured to generate a random time delay before entering a closed state or an open state, and
- wherein the relay is configured to start and stop a supply of electrical power to the heating element in response to the time-delay switch entering, respectively, the closed state and the open state;
- a thermostat electrically coupled to the time-delay switch, the thermostat configured to trigger a state of the time-delay switch in response to a difference between a measured temperature and a reference temperature, wherein the time-delay switch triggers and de-triggers the relay randomly over a periodic wave form;
- and
- wherein the time-delay switch is positioned electrically between the thermostat and the relay.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.