US 11,598,344 B2 · Automatic control system for ceiling fan based on temperature differentials

Abstract

A fan includes a hub, several fan blades, and a motor that is operable to drive the hub. A motor controller is in communication with the motor, and is configured to select the rate of rotation at which the motor drives the hub. The fan is installed in a place having a floor and a ceiling. An upper temperature sensor is positioned near the ceiling. A lower temperature sensor is positioned near the floor. The temperature sensors communicate with the motor controller, which includes a processor configured to compare substantially contemporaneous temperature readings from the upper and lower temperature sensors. The motor controller is thus configured to automatically control the fan motor to minimize the differences between substantially contemporaneous temperature readings from the upper and lower temperature sensors. The fan system may thus substantially destratify air in an environment, to provide a substantially uniform temperature distribution within the environment.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A fan system installed in a location having a floor and a ceiling, the fan system comprising:

a fan comprising a rotatable hub, a plurality of fan blades secured to the hub, and a motor in communication with the hub;
a motor controller in communication with the motor;
an upper sensor in communication with the motor controller, wherein the upper sensor is configured to sense a temperature of air near the ceiling;
a lower sensor in communication with the motor controller, wherein the lower sensor is configured to sense a temperature of air near the floor;
and
a humidity sensor, wherein the humidity sensor is configured to sense relative humidity, wherein the humidity sensor is in communication with the motor controller;
wherein the motor controller is configured to automatically adjust a rate of rotation at which the motor drives the hub by comparing the sensed temperature of air near the ceiling or the sensed temperature of air near the floor with a user-selected temperature range.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic control system for ceiling fan based on temperature differentials

Life of this patent

Automatic control system for ceiling fan based on temperature differentials

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18