U.S. patent application number 11/449320 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-31 for electromagnetic frequency-controlled zoning and dampering system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Energy Plus Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Muriel Kaiser.
Application Number | 20070119961 11/449320 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38086501 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070119961 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kaiser; Muriel |
May 31, 2007 |
Electromagnetic frequency-controlled zoning and dampering
system
Abstract
A portable remote wireless control for establishing different
temperatures in separate portions of a building. The remote control
not only regulates hot and cold airflow through rotatable damper
vanes in one or more diffusers, but it also recharges the batteries
that power the wireless receiver, servomotor and servomotor
controls that selectively rotate the damper vanes. Damper vane
rotation regulates air flow from the diffuser to control the
temperature in the portion of the building. The damper vanes,
moreover, are of a light plastic with a marginal band of a foam
material to enable the vanes to rotate silently and freely also to
form a seal that eliminates a great deal of air seepage past the
individual vanes.
Inventors: |
Kaiser; Muriel; (Boynton
Beach, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARLES E. BAXLEY, ESQ.
90 JOHN STREET
THIRD FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10038
US
|
Assignee: |
Energy Plus Technologies,
LLC
|
Family ID: |
38086501 |
Appl. No.: |
11/449320 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60740786 |
Nov 30, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
236/49.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2110/10 20180101;
F24F 11/30 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
236/049.3 |
International
Class: |
F24F 7/00 20060101
F24F007/00 |
Claims
1. A heating and cooling diffuser for an air duct comprising a
plurality of generally parallel damper vanes forming gaps
therebetween said damper vanes being ganged for joint motion, a
servomotor for controlling said joint damper vane motion, a linkage
coupling said servomotor to at least one of said damper vanes for
moving said ganged damper vanes, and a radio receiver and
servomotor control for selectively activating said servomotor.
2. A heating and cooling diffuser according to claim 1 further
comprising a battery access hatch for accommodating a battery
therein.
3. A heating and cooling diffuser according to claim 1 wherein each
of said damper vanes has a foam covering on each of the respective
perimeters thereof to reduce noise and air seepage past said damper
vanes.
4. A remote wireless thermostat and battery control for a heating
and cooling air duct system comprising an electrical plug for
selective insertion into a socket, a display for showing the
temperature measured by the thermostat, at least one switch for
setting the thermostat to a predetermined temperature and
displaying said predetermined temperature on selective activation
of said switch, a battery recharger coupled to the remote control
for recharging air duct system batteries, a remote control
transmitter for transmitting wireless signals that correspond to
said displayed predetermined temperature and means for electrically
coupling said plug to said battery recharger and to said remote
control transmitter.
5. A wireless air heating and cooling system for controlling the
air temperature at more than one predetermined temperature within
different zones of a structure comprising a plurality of heating
and cooling diffusers, arrays of generally parallel damper vanes
establishing gaps therebetween mounted in said diffusers for ganged
rotation together in at least some of said diffusers, servomotors
each coupled to a respective one of said parallel damper vane
arrays for rotating said respective arrays through a predetermined
angle, linkage for coupling said respective damper vane arrays to
said individual servomotors, a receiver and servomotor control
individual to each of one of said servomotors for energizing said
respective servomotors, respective batteries for powering said
individual servomotors to rotate said respective damper vane arrays
through said predetermined angle, and a wireless remote thermostat
and battery controller for displaying the air temperature, switch
means for said remote controller to change the air temperature to a
predetermined temperature through generation of a signal that
enables said receiver and servomotor controls to energize said
respective servomotors to rotate at least some of said damper vanes
through an angle that corresponds to said predetermined
temperature, and battery recharging means for recharging respective
batteries for said heating and cooling system.
6. A wireless heating and cooling system according to claim 5
wherein said wireless remote thermostat and battery control farther
comprises a plug for insertion into a socket to energize said
thermostat and battery control.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Provisional Application No. 60/740,786 filed Nov. 30, 2005
from which priority is claimed.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] None
JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT PARTNER
[0003] None
REFERENCE TO "SEQUENCE LISTING"
[0004] None
BACLGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention relates to methods and technics used to
control or damper heating, air-conditioning, or ventilation air
flow and distribution in a controlled environment.
[0006] Due to increasing prices of fossil fuels, notably oil,
propane, natural gas, and electricity used for heating or air
conditioned controlled environments, in addition to the
increasingly harmful effects of global warming, there is an
important and immediate need to conserve energy.
[0007] This method describes a technic capable of controlling or
dampening the airflow to a specific diffuser or register supplying
conditioned air for an individual's specific temperature
requirement for comfort in his locality.
[0008] A typical home air-conditioning and/or heating system
consists of a forced hot/cold air furnace and/or air handler,
condensing unit and ductwork for air distribution in the home. Each
branch of this ductwork flows like a river, distributing air to
each branch along the way and normally shrinking along its length
to maintain static pressure within the designed duct system. Each
branch usually has a wall register or ceiling diffuser on the end
to further release and distribute the air flow.
[0009] A major problem in this, the typical design, is the
incapability of the system to maintain an equal temperature
throughout a dwelling due to several significant and frequently
changing factors, the first of which is duct design and
distribution. Often, ductulation, or the sizing of the ductwork to
maintain proper static pressure, is not performed correctly,
leaving the vents closest to the furnace or air handler delivering
the most air and the vents farther away with little or no
pressure.
[0010] A second problem is the difficulty maintaining equal
temperatures in multilevel dwellings, heating or cooling. Because
hot air rises and cold air falls, temperature inequalities occur
even with a perfectly designed and delivered duct system. Even if
the air flow is constant, in the summertime the second or third
floor will be hotter and in the wintertime the first floor colder.
Dampers installed in a duct system can help but untrained
homeowners rarely adjust the system properly each season and even
if they do, it is usually not correct for proper operation or
energy efficiency.
[0011] A third problem with uneven comfort levels in a conditioned
area or home is each individual's response to temperature and
humidity levels. This varies widely. One person may be comfortable
at 70.degree. F. while another enjoys 68.degree. F., as one
example. In such a case, each would be more comfortable if their
separate bedrooms were customized to their desired temperature.
[0012] Over-compensation also decreases the energy efficiency of a
heating or cooling system. In an effort to adjust the comfort level
of one region of a house, most homeowners set the thermostat of the
system higher in the winter and lower in the summer, increasing the
air volume to that area to accomplish this goal. This method wastes
valuable and expensive energy by overheating or overcooling other
areas.
[0013] Other factors cause uneven temperatures throughout a home or
conditioned area on a daily basis, such as sun or wind direction,
drafts, rain, humidity, snow-covered roofs, and changing seasons.
These can change the temperature ox humidity levels in a dwelling
on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis. A room cool in the morning may
be warm in the afternoon heating. Northern or Southern exposures
may affect rooms similarly. Because of these variable and a
constantly changing environment, attempting to balance a system is
difficult.
[0014] Combined, these factors could waste, easily, 30% of one's
annual energy cost. Keeping a constant temperature in every room of
a house in unnecessarily wasteful, as well. A family may only
occupy the living room or kitchen 20% of a typical workday. An
average family heats or cools their entire residence all night,
instead of concentrating the energy to their bedrooms for the eight
hours they are sleeping.
[0015] While conventional, electrical damper systems may help
direct air to desired locations using a series of thermostats, hard
wiring, and a complex damper system made of motors, they are not
cost-effective. A homeowner paying $1,200 to $4,000 installing such
a system typically sees a $400-$800 return for his investment over
the life of the system. These type of systems must be installed
during the original construction of a home, otherwise installation
involves cutting open walls, plumbing, wiring, and additional
ductwork. This is unfeasible for a typical homeowner, leaving them
a residence with few zoning options.
[0016] These effects translate to commercial applications, too.
Offices in a corporate setting vary between themselves and common
area temperatures individuals feel warmer or colder, depending on
their tolerances, at the same temperature. Temperatures in a
conference room rise suddenly during a meeting due to the increase
in staff and their effect on room temperature.
[0017] This invention essentially resolves these problems,
customizes the environment to an individual's desire, and saves
energy without the disadvantage of expense.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The objectives above are achieved by a unique and improved
mechanical design, a method of zoning and dampering a controlled
environment such as a home or corporate setting. The subject
electromagnetic frequency-controlled zoning system is designed by
using known and proven engineered parts combined to result in an
effective but inobvious invention.
[0019] The new design is comprised of a diffuser or damper of
typical and most common size, a servo, armatures, motors, chargers,
thermiostats, transformers, transmitters, receivers, and plastic
molded bodies made to hold and conceal these mechanical
devices.
[0020] This system is designed to be extremely affordable, in most
cases less than $99.00 USC. This satisfies investment-cost concerns
versus energy savings. It is simple enough for a homeowner to
install with one screwdriver in approximately three minutes. This
dispenses with any need for a technician or the more involved
process of opening up walls for wiring, plumbing or ductwork.
[0021] The system is a diffuser or damper of typical and most
common size and design to match existing ones. The diffuser or
register of the supply side of the system has a tiny receiver and
lithium battery with a servo which opens and closes the plastic
damper with foam lining. As it receives the signal to do so, this
regulates the airflow to the area through the diffuser or register.
The plastic design with the foam lining serves three purposes. It
is lightweight, moisture resistant, and forms a tight seal. The
light weight facilitates motion. The foam lining prevents leakage.
The tight seal prevents noise, associated with dampering airflow,
and holds back static pressure.
[0022] The second part of the system is a small, programmable,
square thermostat, about 3''.times.3'', of common design. This
thermostat has a male side receptacle plug, typical to plug into
any 110 volt home outlet. Inside the thermostat is a transmitter on
the same frequency as the damper(s) that it controls. Inside a tiny
compartment of the thermal at is a charger for the small lithium
battery within the diffuser. A small, permanent-memory battery
charger is within the thermostat for programming and power
outages.
[0023] The technic of using the system: following the arrows on the
thermostat, you manually set the LED reading, the time and
temperature, to your desired setting or program. Then it is plugged
into any outlet in the room. This customizes the area to the
temperature-preference of the user. Simply remove the register or
damper already supplying the room by unscrewing it from the wall or
ceiling and replace it with one of the same size with the damper
receiver on it. The installation is complete. You can install as
many registers or dampers as you wish on one thermostat
transmitter, for large rooms on the same frequency, or have several
different thermostats in a home. You could in this way program
different rooms to different temperatures, each on its own
frequency. In the summertime, for instance, a bedroom could be
programmed cooler during the hours of 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM, when it
is occupied, but programmed warmer during other hours, when it is
not.
[0024] The same could be done for high traffic areas such as family
rooms, kitchens, playrooms, etc. This technic not only regulates
the home properly despite outdoor environmental variables, but
keeps it more comfortable while saving energy. This solves the
problem of deficient or excessive airflow to parts of the house. By
closing or opening the diffusers or registers where it is too hot
or cold, and forcing the airflow where it is required, it adjusts
to the problem of upstairs heat or downstairs cold and solves the
over-compensation of the system to realize this goal. As described
earlier in the patent, this technic also helps in the daily changes
in weather conditions by maintaining a desired temperature in each
room and sending excess airflow to areas where it is needed.
[0025] Up to 40% of a conventional forced hot or cold air system
can be dampened without affecting the static pressure within the
system. Most furnace and air-handler blower motors work on
resistance; they adjust themselves to the zoning technic and
maintain proper static pressure within the duct system. This means,
in an average home of 20 supply registers, 8 can be dampered
automatically. Since there is normally 1 or 2 supply diffusers or
registers for every bedroom, this means every bedroom can be zoned
and regulated, solving the problem of individuals feeling too hot
or cold in their own bedroom.
[0026] The plug-in thermostat is so small it can be plugged into
any outlet, making this feasible in any and every application. It
is so small it is virtually unnoticeable. There are no wires or
noise.
[0027] The tiny lithium battery with the diffuser by the servo can
be removed once a year and placed inside the thermostat compartment
for charging and replaced with the one already charged. This
requires wattage comparable to a small radio for receiving and
minimal motor abilities due to tile lightweight design. In addition
to the leverage of the arm, the lithium battery holds a charge much
longer than a conventional lead-acid model, with a long lifespan
between charges.
[0028] The same technic can be used in corporate offices to prevent
wasteful energy use, customizing the temperature of each office to
each individual.
[0029] These and other features that characterize the invention are
described in more complete detail with respect to the specific
embodiment of the invention described below when taken with the
figures of the Drawing. The scope of the invention, however, is
limited only through the claims appended hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0030] FIG. 1: Is a side elevation in full section illustrative of
a diffuser in a duct system for use with the invention;
[0031] FIG. 2: Depicts a side elevation in full section of a wall
register supply vent for use with the invention;
[0032] FIG. 3: Shows, in perspective, a plug-in, wireless remote
control thermostat and battery charger for use with the
invention;
[0033] FIG. 4: Is a floor plan for a house during the winter
heating season that illustrates principles of the invention;
and
[0034] FIG. 5: Is a front elevation of a damper vane for use in
connection with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0035] For a more complete appreciation of the invention, attention
is invited to FIG. 1 which shows a ceiling diffuser 10 in a heating
and cooling air flow duct 11. In accordance with a feature of this
invention, the diffuser 10 has a horizontally mounted parallel
array of damper vanes 12 that are mounted for pivotal movement in
the direction of arrows 13, 14, in an air discharge opening 15 that
is formed in the duct 11. The margin of the duct 11 that forms the
opening 15 is provided with a foam seal 18. A polystyrene foam
plastic, for example, is a suitable material for the seal 18.
[0036] The individual damper vanes 12, moreover, are ganged
together for selective joint movement in the directions of the
arrows 13, 14 in order to control air flow through the discharge
opening 15. These damper vanes 12 are formed preferably of plastic
material. Plastic vanes 12 in the heating and cooling duct 11 are
particularly suited to the practice of the invention because they
are light in weight, moisture resistant and, with the foam seal 18,
form a silent, tight seal with each other and with the margin of
the air discharge opening 15. As shown in FIG. 1, the foam seal 18
is mounted not only on the margin of the discharge opening 15, but
also on the parallel edges of each of the vanes in the array of the
damper vanes 12. In this manner, the seals 18 reduce noise from the
diffuser 10 when a servomotor 16 is activated to rotate the damper
vanes 12 fully in the direction of either the arrow 13 or the arrow
14 to close the discharge opening and stop air flow through the
duct 11.
[0037] The electrical servomotor 16 is coupled to a damper vane 17
through a linkage 20 to drive the ganged damper vanes 12 in the
direction of the arrows 13, 14 as described subsequently in more
detail. A battery 21 is coupled to the servomotor 6 to provide a
power supply for the diffuser 10. A rechargeable lithium battery
has been found particularly suitable for the purpose of the
invention. To replace the battery 21, an access hatch 22 is
provided in the diffuser 10, which diffuser 10 also accommodates a
radio signal receiver and servomotor control 23. The battery 21 is
electrically coupled not only as a power supply for the servomotor
16, but it also powers the receiver and servomotor control 23 to
regulate the width of gaps 24 between the adjoining damper vanes 12
and thus to regulate the air flow through the diffuser 10. This
control is achieved through reception of radio signals by the
control 23. The manner in which these radio signals are generated,
moreover, is described later in the text.
[0038] A wall register 25 for use in connection with the invention
is shown in FIG. 2. Thus, a heating and cooling duct 26 is mounted
behind a vertical wall 27 to direct heating and cooling air flow to
a wall diffuser 30.
[0039] The wall diffuser 30 has a set of vertically mounted damper
vanes 31 that are linked together for ganged movement in the
direction of arrows 32, 33 in response to selective activation of a
servomotor 34 through a linkage 38. This adjustment is achieved by
the wall diffuser 30 in which the ganged damper vanes 31, turned in
the direction of the arrows 32, 33, control air flow through an air
discharge opening 36 from the duct 26 into a zone or room 37
through a selective adjustment of gaps 40 between adjoining pairs
of the damper vanes 31. A foam seal 41 also is secured to the
parallel edges of each of the damper vanes 31 and to the margin of
the duct 26 in the discharge opening 36 to reduce noise on
activation of the damper vanes 31 and to reduce air flow seepage
from the wall register 25 when the damper vanes 31 are turned fully
in the direction of the arrow 32 or the arrow 33.
[0040] A specific embodiment of a damper vane 12 (FIG. 1) or 31
(FIG. 2) that characterizes features of the invention is shown in
FIG. 5.
[0041] A single damper vane 19 formed from hardened plastic has a
perimeter that is covered with a foam plastic seal 29 to reduce
noise and air seepage during operation. Pivots 39 are mounted on
the centerline, or line of balance for the vane 19. These pivots
enable the vane 19 to be ganged with the other vanes in the array
of damper vanes 12 (FIG. 1) or 31 (FIG. 2) in the respective arrays
to establish ease of motion and to reduce the load on the
servomotor 16, 34.
[0042] An access hatch 42 (FIG. 2) is formed in the exposed surface
of the wall register 25 to enable a rechargeable battery to be
inserted in the register 25 when the previously installed battery
is electrically depleted. This battery, moreover, powers not only
the servomotor 34, but also powers a radio receiver and servomotor
control.
[0043] Turning now to FIG. 3, an illustrative wireless remote
thermostat and battery charger 43 for use in connection with the
invention is shown. Low power radio control apparatus for
transmission of a signal on a predetermined frequency to a remote
location for the purpose of a moving structure at that location in
a desired direction and distance are well-known. Illustratively,
the electrical circuits, both the wireless transmitter and the
remote receiver; the servomotor control at that remote location for
converting the received signal into a command signal for
appropriately activating the servomotor; and the mechanical
linkages for converting servomotor movement into the desired motion
for the structure that is being controlled are well-known. Radio
control apparatus for model aircraft are illustrative of these
systems that can be readily adapted to the purposes of this
invention.
[0044] Thus, in accordance with the invention, the remote
thermostat and battery charger control 43 has a plug 44 with a
ground connection that can be accepted by any three-prong household
voltage electrical socket (not shown). The control 43, moreover,
has a thermostat body 45 that houses a remote control transmitter
46. A light emitting diode (L.E.D.) display 47 or other suitable
display usually shows the ambient temperature of the zone or room
in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius. To program an increased ambient
temperature for the room, a spring biased "up" button or switch 50
is activated to energize the remote control transmitter 46 to send
an appropriate signal to a predetermined diffuser that is receptive
to signals on the same frequency as those generated by the control
transmitter 46 as, for example, the radio receiver and servomotor
control 23 (FIG. 1) in the ceiling diffuser 10. When activated, the
button 50 (FIG. 3) also temporarily registers the desired increase
in the temperature registered on the display 47. When the button 50
is released, however, the display 47 reverts to showing the ambient
room temperature and the subsequent increases in that temperature
as the remote control transmitter 46 regulates air flow from the
illustrative ceiling diffuser 10. If desired, the remote control 43
also can be programmed to activate and deactivate the transmitter
46 at specific times to heat or cool zones within a building as
needed.
[0045] The opposite result of reducing the ambient temperature is
attained by depressing a spring biased "down" button or switch 51.
The "down" button 51, while depressed, temporarily registers the
desired decrease in the room temperature registered on the display
47. Upon releasing the button 51, the display 47 once more shows
the ambient room temperature and the decrease in that temperature
as the remote control transmitter regulates air flow from the
ceiling diffuser 10 to produce the lower temperature within the
zone.
[0046] A salient feature of the invention is the provision of a
battery charger 52 in the thermostat body 45. As illustrated in
FIG. 3, an access door 53 fastened by screws 54 to prevent
tampering encloses the structure for mounting a rechargeable
battery (not shown). Thus, an electrically depleted battery is
mounted in the recharger 52 for restoration to an electrically
charged condition. When a need arises to replace a rechargeable
battery with a charged battery, the access hatch 22 (FIG. 1) is
opened, the depleted battery, e.g. the battery 21, is removed from
its mounting within the access hatch 22 and replaced by a charged
battery from the remote control 43 (FIG. 3). The depleted battery
21 is then mounted within the battery charger 52 and the access
door 53 is closed by means of the screws 54.
[0047] To recharge the battery within the battery charger 52, and
to power the remote thermostat and battery charge control 43, the
plug 44 is inserted into a three prong socket. Electrical power is
supplied to the thermostat body 45, as for example, from a 110
volt, 60 hertz household current supply. Appropriate rectifiers and
voltage regulators (not shown) within the thermostat body 45 supply
a satisfactory direct current voltage not only to recharge the
battery within the battery charger 52, but also to power the remote
thermostat and battery charge control 43, the latter to enable the
ambient room temperature to be adjusted through the damper vanes
control signals that regulate the gaps 24 and 40 (FIGS. 1 and 2)
between the respective sets of the damper vanes 12, 31 which, in
turn, regulate air flow from the diffuser 10 or register 25.
[0048] In this way, in accordance with a feature of the invention,
a recharged battery always is available for replacement in the
diffusers 10, 30 and the thermostat body 45 (FIG. 3). Further in
this respect, the thermal body 45 with its associated remote
thermostat control 43 can be moved to any electrical socket that is
convenient to the area within the building in which the temperature
is controlled.
[0049] In operation, attention is invited to FIG. 4, an
illustrative floor plan for a dwelling that employs significant
features of the invention. As shown, vertical wall diffusers 55,
56, 57, 61, and 62 are mounted in walls of the dwelling 64. During
the heating season, a primary remote wireless thermostat and
battery charge control 65 is set to keep an established temperature
2 to 3 degrees Fahrenheit lower in the zone than the ambient
temperature of the combination kitchen and living room 66.
[0050] In this respect, the remote control 65 is set to the desired
temperature by depressing the "down" button 51 (FIG. 3) on the
control 43 until the desired lower temperature appears in the
display 47. The "down" button 51 is then released, the ambient
temperature reappearing in the display 47, the displayed
temperature then decreases until the desired lower temperature is
sensed by the thermostat (not shown) in the body 45.
[0051] To so decrease the temperature in the room 66 (FIG. 4), the
remote control transmitter 46 (FIG. 3) sends a control signal on a
predetermined frequency to the receiver and servomotor control in
the wall register 25 (FIG. 2) to adjust the gaps 40 between the
damper vanes 31. This adjustment is accomplished by the servomotor
34 which, through the linkage 35 moves the damper vane 31 through
an appropriate angular rotation in the direction of the arrow 32 or
33 in response to the signal from the primary remote control 65
(FIG. 4) as processed through the servomotor control that is tuned
to respond to the primary remote control signal frequency.
[0052] This method allows the air flow to continue to areas of the
dwelling 64 (FIG. 4) where it is required.
[0053] Note in this respect that a bedroom 67 is set in the manner
previously described to a temperature of 76.degree. F. on a remote
control 70 that transmits control signals on a frequency different
from the primary remote control 65 signals. So established the room
67 will heat to the requested temperature by adjustment of the
airflow through the vertical wall diffuser 55 in the room 67, the
diffuser 55 being tuned to the frequency of the control 70. In this
way, the room 67 heats to the requested temperature while the
kitchen and living room 66 remains at a comfortable desired
temperature.
[0054] Rooms 71, 72 are not equipped with respective remote
controls. In this circumstance, the rooms 71, 72 remain at normal
system flow. Only 40% of the system registers need to be
remote-dampened to permit relief of the system's airflow without
imposing an overload on the motor for the heating and cooling air
fan (not shown) or upsetting the system's static pressure
requirements.
[0055] For cooling and air conditioning purposes, moreover, the
procedure is a reverse of that described above for the heating
season. Accordingly, the air heating system (not shown) is
deactivated and the air conditioning system (also not shown) is
energized to pump cool air through the heating and cooling ducts
11, 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2). As described earlier, the desired
temperatures through the dwelling 64 are set through manipulation
of either the "down" button 51 (FIG. 3) or the "up" button 50 on
the remote control 43 on the wireless controls 65 and 70 (FIG. 4)
to establish the predetermined temperatures throughout the dwelling
64.
[0056] Thus, through the practice of the invention, a number of
unusual and important savings are possible. The remote controls are
portable from room-to-room, being activated optionally by inserting
the plug 44 (FIG. 3) into an ordinary household socket. Wiring each
of the diffusers to a central control system--which usually
requires installation during building construction or undertaking a
major renovation to an existing building--is thus avoided. Further
in this respect, a remote control can be carried from room-to-room,
thereby offering the user a great deal of flexibility in room
temperature control and considerable savings in heating and cooling
costs. All of these features, moreover, are provided through a
relatively inexpensive, light-weight and quietly operating diffuser
system, in which rechargeable batteries are readily available for
replacement in the diffusers, as needed.
[0057] Note further that the system described herein is applicable
not only to residential dwellings, but also can be used in any
environment in which temperature regulation is useful. Factories,
apartment blocks, warehouses, and the like all can adopt this
system to advantage.
* * * * *