Patent ID: 9261287
Filing Date: 2016-02-16
CPC Classification: B01D,F24D,F24F,G05B,G05D,H01R,H04W,Y02B,Y02D,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A method for harvesting power from an HVAC triggering circuit that includes a call switch to turn on and turn off an HVAC function, the harvested power being used by a thermostat connected to the HVAC triggering circuit, the harvested power being harvested by a power harvesting circuit including an energy-storage element and a current controller, the method comprising: operating the current controller of the power harvesting circuit at a predetermined first setting associated with a first power level of the power harvesting circuit and at a predetermined second setting associated with a second, higher power level of the power harvesting circuit; making at least one first measurement corresponding to an amount of energy stored by the energy-storage element while said current controller is operated at said first setting; making at least one second measurement corresponding to an amount of energy stored by the energy-storage element while said current controller is operated at said second setting; determining that a difference between said at least one first measurement and said at least one second measurement is less than a first predetermined threshold; and responsive to said determining that said difference between said at least one first measurement and said at least one second measurement is less than said first predetermined threshold, operating the current controller of the power harvesting circuit at a predetermined third setting associated with a third power level of the power harvesting circuit that is higher than said second level; whereby an amount of power harvested from the HVAC triggering circuit by said thermostat is increased while at the same time a reduced likelihood of an inadvertent on or off switching of said HVAC function is maintained.