Patent ID: 8523083
Filing Date: 2013-09-03
Classification: F24D,F24F,G05B,G05D,H01R,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A thermostat configured for automated compatibility with HVAC systems that are either single-HVAC-transformer systems or dual-HVAC-transformer systems, the compatibility being automated in that a manual jumper installation is not required for adaptation to either single-HVAC-transformer systems or dual-HVAC-transformer systems, the thermostat comprising: a housing; one or more temperature sensors positioned within the housing for measuring ambient temperature; a plurality of HVAC wire connectors configured for receiving a corresponding plurality of HVAC control wires, wherein the HVAC wire connectors include a first call relay wire connector, a first power return wire connector, a second call relay wire connector, and a second power return wire connector; a thermostatic control circuit coupled to the one or more temperature sensors and configured to at least partially control the operation of the HVAC system responsive to a sensed temperature, the thermostatic control circuit including a first switching device that operatively connects the first call relay wire connector to the first power return wire connector to actuate a first HVAC function and including a second switching device that operatively connects the second call relay wire connector to the second power return wire connector to actuate a second HVAC function; first and second mechanically actuated switches coupled respectively to said first and second power return wire connectors, each said mechanically actuated switch being actuated by a physical wire insertion into the associated power return wire connector; and an insertion sensing and connecting circuit coupled to said first and second power return wire connectors and configured such that: (i) if first and second external wires have been inserted into the first and second power return wire connectors, respectively, then the first and second power return wire connectors are electrically isolated from each other by opening a pre-existing electrical connection between said first and second power return wire connectors by operation of the first and second mechanically actuated switches; and (ii) otherwise, the first and second power return wire connectors are electrically shorted together.