Electronically-controlled register vent for zone heating and cooling
OwnerLawrence Katesinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert 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 additional 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. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.
Claims38
An electronically-controlled register vent for providing zoned heating and cooling, comprising:
- a controller;
- a mechanical actuator provided to said controller;
- a wireless communication system provided to said controller;
- a temperature sensor provided to said controller, said temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of air inside a duct;
- and
- a power source provided to said controller, said controller configured to control said actuator in response to a wireless communication received from a zone thermostat, said controller further configured to open said register vent when power available from said power source drops below a threshold value.
The electronically-controlled register vent of claim I, wherein said actuator is configured to provide position feedback to said controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.