Abstract: A power stealing circuit for stealing power to operate a control device is disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, power may be periodically or intermittently diverted from a power source to a power stealing block. When power is diverted to the power stealing block, the power stealing block may steal power from the power source and store the stolen power on a storage device. The storage device may then provide operating power to a control device. In some embodiments, the power stealing block may include a first path for charging the storage device when a switch is ON, and a second path for charging the storage device when the switch is off.

Abstract: A power supply unit for use with thermostats or other like devices requiring power. A power supply unit may be designed to keep electromagnetic interference emissions at a minimum, particularly at a level that does not violate governmental regulations. A unit may be designed so that there is enough power for a triggering a switch at about a cross over point of a waveform of input power to the unit. Power for triggering may come from a storage source rather than line power to reduce emissions on the power line. Power for the storage source may be provided with power stealing. Power stealing may require switching transistors which can generate emissions. Gate signals to the transistors may be especially shaped to keep emissions from transistor switching at a minimum.

Abstract: A power supply unit for use with thermostats or other like devices requiring power. A power supply unit may be designed to keep electromagnetic interference emissions at a minimum, particularly at a level that does not violate governmental regulations. A unit may be designed so that there is enough power for a triggering a switch at about a cross over point of a waveform of input power to the unit. Power for triggering may come from a storage source rather than line power to reduce emissions on the power line. Power for the storage source may be provided with power stealing. Power stealing may require switching transistors which can generate emissions. Gate signals to the transistors may be especially shaped to keep emissions from transistor switching at a minimum.

Abstract: A power supply unit for use with thermostats or other like devices requiring power. A power supply unit may be designed to keep electromagnetic interference emissions at a minimum, particularly at a level that does not violate governmental regulations. A unit may be designed so that there is enough power for a triggering a switch at about a cross over point of a waveform of input power to the unit. Power for triggering may come from a storage source rather than line power to reduce emissions on the power line. Power for the storage source may be provided with power stealing. Power stealing may require switching transistors which can generate emissions. Gate signals to the transistors may be especially shaped to keep emissions from transistor switching at a minimum.

Abstract: A system for controlling a relay to reduce acoustic noise of connections and disconnections being made within the relay. An impact of closing and opening contacts in a relay may cause the acoustic noise. For instance, when a relay coil causes the contacts to come together for a connection, an acoustic noise may occur. When the relay coil causes the contacts to separate for breaking a connection, another acoustic noise may occur. Reduction of acoustic noise may be realized by controlling movement of the contacts. The present system may control current to the relay coil to slow the movement of contacts while closing and opening to reduce the acoustic noise.

Abstract: Systems and methods of actively compensating for the input offset voltage of a comparator are provided. A compensation circuit may include a compensation comparator for comparing the comparison signal generated using the output signal of a comparator, to a reference voltage. A first voltage accumulator is coupled to the compensation comparator and produces a first voltage that is related to a first amount of time that the comparison signal spends above the reference voltage. A second voltage accumulator is coupled to the compensation comparator, and produces a second voltage that is related to the second amount of time that the comparison signal spends below the reference voltage. The first voltage and/or the second voltage may be used to provide one or more compensation signals to one or more of the two input terminals of the comparator.

Abstract: Systems and methods of actively compensating for the input offset voltage of a comparator are provided. A compensation circuit may include a compensation comparator for comparing the comparison signal generated using the output signal of a comparator, to a reference voltage. A first voltage accumulator is coupled to the compensation comparator and produces a first voltage that is related to a first amount of time that the comparison signal spends above the reference voltage. A second voltage accumulator is coupled to the compensation comparator, and produces a second voltage that is related to the second amount of time that the comparison signal spends below the reference voltage. The first voltage and/or the second voltage may be used to provide one or more compensation signals to one or more of the two input terminals of the comparator.

Abstract: Systems and methods of actively compensating for the input offset voltage of a comparator are provided. A compensation circuit may include a compensation comparator for comparing the comparison signal generated using the output signal of a comparator, to a reference voltage. A first voltage accumulator is coupled to the compensation comparator and produces a first voltage that is related to a first amount of time that the comparison signal spends above the reference voltage. A second voltage accumulator is coupled to the compensation comparator, and produces a second voltage that is related to the second amount of time that the comparison signal spends below the reference voltage. The first voltage and/or the second voltage may be used to provide one or more compensation signals to one or more of the two input terminals of the comparator.

Abstract: A power stealing circuit for stealing power to operate a control device is disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, power may be periodically or intermittently diverted from a power source to a power stealing block. When power is diverted to the power stealing block, the power stealing block may steal power from the power source and store the stolen power on a storage device. The storage device may then provide operating power to a control device. In some embodiments, the power stealing block may include a first path for charging the storage device when a switch is ON, and a second path for charging the storage device when the switch is off.

Abstract: A power stealing circuit for stealing power to operate a control device is disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, power may be periodically or intermittently diverted from a power source to a power stealing block. When power is diverted to the power stealing block, the power stealing block may steal power from the power source and store the stolen power on a storage device. The storage device may then provide operating power to a control device. In some embodiments, the power stealing block may include a first path for charging the storage device when a switch is ON, and a second path for charging the storage device when the switch is off. The switch may be switched OFF when, for example, when the voltage provided by the rectifier is greater than a threshold voltage, the voltage detected on the storage device is greater than a threshold value, and/or when a control signal from a controller disables the switch.

Abstract: A power stealing circuit for stealing power to operate a control device is disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, power may be periodically or intermittently diverted from a power source to a power stealing block. When power is diverted to the power stealing block, the power stealing block may steal power from the power source and store the stolen power on a storage device. The storage device may then provide operating power to a control device. In some embodiments, the power stealing block may include a first path for charging the storage device when a switch is ON, and a second path for charging the storage device when the switch is off. The switch may be switched OFF when, for example, when the voltage provided by the rectifier is greater than a threshold voltage, the voltage detected on the storage device is greater than a threshold value, and/or when a control signal from a controller disables the switch.