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US 9,182,138 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for attic fan power controller with remote control
AssigneeAir Vent, Inc.
InventorsGeoffrey H Foreman, Robert J Buckley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for attic fan power controller with remote control have been disclosed. In one version a solar array and/or a power line source provides energy for a fan determined by a control box which also interfaces with a remote control.
Claims19
An apparatus for controlling an attic exhaust fan comprising:
- a controller having a plurality of signal inputs, a plurality of power inputs, and a power output;
- a display unit in communication with said controller;
- a plurality of user-triggerable switches in communication with said controller;
- and
- a plurality of light indicators in communication with said controller, wherein a first one of said plurality of light indicators indicates a status of said attic exhaust fan,
- wherein the plurality of power inputs includes a first power input for connecting to a local solar array and a second power input for connecting to a local public utility AC power supply,
- wherein the controller is configured to operate the attic exhaust fan based on sensed input signals at the plurality of signal inputs,
- wherein the controller is configured to provide power to the power output from the first power input as a default if a predetermined amount of power for operating the attic exhaust fan is provided at the first power input and provide power to the power output from the second power input if a predetermined amount of power for operating the attic exhaust fan is not provided at the first power input,
- wherein when the controller operates the attic exhaust fan based on the sensed inputs:
- the controller is configured to operate the attic exhaust fan continuously when power is being provided from the first power input to the power output, and
- the controller is configured to operate the attic exhaust fan for a predetermined duty cycle and for a total period not to exceed a predetermined duration when power is being provided from the second power input to the power output;
- further comprising a temperature sensor connected to said controller through a first one of said signal inputs and a humidity sensor connected to said controller through a second one of said signal inputs, at least one of said temperature sensor and said humidity sensor providing said sensed input signals.
9 more elements
A method of providing power to an attic exhaust fan comprising:
- receiving power from a power source, the power source including at least two different local sources of power;
- sensing a local temperature with a temperature sensor proximal the attic exhaust fan;
- displaying said local temperature on a display;
- sensing a local humidity with a humidity sensor proximal the attic exhaust fan;
- displaying said local humidity on said display;
- operating the attic exhaust fan from the power source based on said local temperature and said local humidity;
- lighting a fan indicator to indicate said fan is being controlled;
- and
- lighting one or more indicators to indicate which of the at least two different local sources of power is being used,
- wherein operating the attic exhaust fan step comprises
- using a first one of the at least two different local sources of power as a default if sufficient power for operating the fan is provided by the first one of the at least two different local sources of power, and when using the first one of the at least two different local sources of power operating the fan continuously, wherein the first one of the at least two different local sources of power includes a local solar panel;
- and
- using a second one of the at least two different local sources of power if sufficient power for operating the fan is not provided by the first one of the at least two different local sources, and when using the second one of the at least two different local sources of power operating the fan for a predetermined duty cycle and for a total period not to exceed a predetermined duration, wherein the second one of the at least two different local sources of power includes a local public utility AC power supply.
10 more elements
A system for controlling an attic exhaust fan comprising:
- a controller having:
- a temperature sensor,
- a humidity sensor,
- the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor located proximal the attic exhaust fan,
- a first power input for connecting to a local solar array,
- a second power input for connecting to a local public utility AC power supply, and
- a power output connected to the attic exhaust fan;
- a remote control configured for wireless communications of control information and status information with the controller;
- wherein the controller is configured to operate the attic exhaust fan based on a sensed temperature and a sensed humidity, or based on a sensed humidity;
- and
- wherein when operating the attic exhaust fan, the controller is configured to determine if sufficient power to operate the fan is available from the first power input and:
- if it is determined that power is available from the first power input, the controller provides power to the power output from the first power input to operate the fan continuously;
- and
- if it is determined that sufficient power for operating the attic exhaust fan is not available from the first power input, the controller provides power from the second power input to the power output to operate the attic exhaust fan for a predetermined duty cycle and for a total period of time not to exceed a predetermined duration.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.