Thermostat with carbon monoxide warning feature
AssigneeEmerson Electric Co.
InventorCarl J. Mueller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thermostat comprising an audible alarm or LCD, and sensing means for sensing at least one signal from at least one external carbon monoxide detector. The thermostat is configured to change the temperature setting to 50° F., and to trigger the audible alarm or flash a warning on the LCD display when receiving a signal from at least one carbon monoxide detector indicating the presence of a harmful level of carbon monoxide. The heating system's operation is not disabled but rather reduced to prevent potential freezing damage. The thermostat would continue the audible alarm, flashing warning and 50° F. temperature setting until it is reset.
Claims14
A thermostat for controlling a gas-fired heating system for a space, comprising:
- sensing means for sensing at least one signal from at least one carbon monoxide detector indicating a harmful level of carbon monoxide;
- and
- control means responsive to said sensing means for lowering the thermostat set-point temperature to a predetermined temperature effective for preventing freezing of water pipes.
A thermostat for controlling a gas-fired heating system for a space, comprising:
- sensing means for sensing at least one signal from at least one carbon monoxide detector indicating a harmful level of carbon monoxide;
- and a
- microprocessor responsive to said sensing means for lowering the thermostat set-point temperature to a predetermined temperature effective for preventing freezing of water pipes, and
- an LCD display controlled by said microprocessor, having a visible carbon monoxide warning that is activated by said microprocessor upon sensing a signal indicating a harmful level of carbon monoxide gas.
A method of operating a thermostat for controlling a heating system for a space having at least one carbon monoxide detector connected to the thermostat, the method comprising the steps of sensing a signal from at least one carbon monoxide detector indicating the presence of a harmful level of carbon monoxide gas, lowering the thermostat set-point temperature to a predetermined temperature effective for preventing freezing of water pipes, and activating an alarm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.