Abstract: An ambient room illumination responsive control automatically changes the setting of a thermostat with ambient illumination. A thermostat has a pair of temperature responsive switches connected in series with control leads and a controller to low voltage A.C. power. A bypass relay has contacts connected in parallel with one of said switches. An illuminating sensor has a photoresistor in series with a resistor connected across leads with a common node connected to the gate of a controller rectifier. A capacitor timing unit is connected in one embodiment to produce a pulsed input. The rectifier is connected in series with a winding of the bypass relay and the timing unit across the thermostat leads. The rectifier conducts to open the relay contacts and insert the second switch in circuit. A second relay winding is connected across the control leads in series with a diode and a timing network to reset the relay and close the contacts.

Abstract: An improved energy saving control apparatus particularly designed for providing energy saving control of individual room heating and cooling units in direct response to the active occupancy status of the room. Switching means selectively interrupt energization of the load element of a room heating/cooling unit in response to an interrupt control signal. An electronic energy saving control circuit responds to changes in the ambient air room temperature and overrides the heating/cooling unit thermostat to selectively generate the interrupt control signal for maintaining the ambient air room temperature within a broad predetermined and pre-settable energy saving temperature range whenever the room is not actively occupied. Occupancy status detector means, including a uniquely detectable and detachable member typically carried by the room occupant and cooperative detector means within the room provides a real time indication of the active occupancy status of the room.

Abstract: A timer controlled space thermostat includes a timer movement energized by a rechargeable battery. A first timer operated switch is in circuit with temperature responsive switching means and space conditioning apparatus control means and is operative to alternately control operation of the space conditioning apparatus control means at one and then the other of two different levels of temperature. A second timer operated switch is in circuit with the space conditioning apparatus control means and with circuit means for recharging the battery and is cyclically actuated to an open position to ensure complete de-energization of the space conditioning apparatus control means and to a closed position to enable the battery to be recharged.

Abstract: A timer controlled space thermostat includes a timer, a rechargeable battery for providing the electrical power to operate the timer, circuit means for recharging the battery, and two single-pole, double-throw temperature responsive switches. One conductive position of each switch enables the energizing of space conditioning apparatus control means, the other conductive position of each switch enables the energizing of the recharging circuit means, and the short timer period incidental to the movement of the switch between the conductive positions provides a sufficient time to ensure de-energizing of the space conditioning apparatus control means prior to the energizing of the recharging circuit means.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in controlling the firing of heat generators provides output signals having first or second different characteristics during preselected time periods, the times of occurrence and extents of which are readily changeable by variation of the settings of switches. A system includes night and day thermostats selectively connected with a heat generator under control of such apparatus.

Abstract: A temperature controller switches between two different temperature levels at predetermined times of the day. At the same time of the day as the actuation of a first switch, the controller will shift from the second to the first temperature level; the actuation of a second switch at a particular time will induce a shift to the second level each succeeding day at that time. Separate timers couple to each of the switches and have 24-hour periods. At the end of their respective 24-hour periods, each timer produces an output signal and begins another period. The switches set the appropriate timer to the beginning of the period so that the changes produced by that timer occur after the expiration of each 24-hour period. The timer may take the form of a pulse counter, with counting pulses derived from the sinusoidal alternating current of the voltage source powering the system.

Abstract: An improved temperature control apparatus includes a main control unit of the on-off type which is utilized to maintain a room at a relatively high temperature during the day and a secondary control unit which is utilized to maintain the room at a relatively low temperature during the night. When it is desired to change from the high day temperature to the low night temperature, an actuator button on the secondary control unit is manually depressed. Depressing the actuator button moves a relay contact to complete a holding circuit. This holding circuit includes a battery which supplies energy to maintain the relay actuated. When the air conditioning system has been operated to maintain the relatively low night temperature for the desired length of time, the battery will have been discharged to such an extent that it is no longer effective to hold the relay actuated.

Abstract: A timing device in combination with a thermostatic control whereby heating units of the type used for heating structures such as buildings can be automatically turned off during predetermined periods, as when such buildings are unoccupied, the device comprising a clock-like motor coupled to a plurality of cam discs adjustable about the output shaft of the clock mechanism, the cams including cam heads to operate control switches engaging therewith.

Abstract: A timer-controlled thermostat, being set for a lower room temperature, actuates a miniature heating element beneath and in close proximity to an existing thermostat that controls the heating system in a building. The heat radiated from the miniature heating element shuts down the existing building thermostat until the room temperature drops below the temperature at which the timer-controlled thermostat is set, whereupon the miniature heating element is de-energized and the building thermostat senses the lower room temperature and turns the building heating system back on. This cycling continues throughout the timed period. Control of an air conditioning system is accomplished by inserting a controlled relay box between the wall power receptacle and a plug-in type air conditioner power cord, or by incorporating a thermo-electric cooler to produce a cooling effect to control the thermostat used in a central air conditioning system.

Abstract: A control system for energizing and de-energizing an external load in series with a source of electricity incorporates a rectifying network having inputs in series with the alternating current source and the external load. An electronic switch of the system activates the load by effectively shorting together the inputs to the control system when the combination of externally sensed parameters obtain predetermined magnitudes. The sensed parameters control the activation of the electronic switch by a plurality of control modules which interact with a control logic module, representing a Boolean combination of the control module outputs, so as to activate a trigger module which in turn causes the electronic switch, such as a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) to be triggered. The external load is then energized by the SCR effectively shorting the inputs to the control system and which thus completes the electrical path from the source of electricity through the load.

Abstract: An electronic control system for limiting the energy used for building temperature control during unoccupied hours and efficiently bringing the building temperature to a predetermined level at the time occupancy commences is disclosed. A cyclic clock starts a fixed period auxiliary timer a predetermined time period before building occupancy is to commence. The output of the auxiliary timer is electronically modified and compared with an electronically modified temperature signal related to either the environment surrounding the building (for heating systems) or the environment inside the building (for cooling systems). The result of the comparison is used to control the building's heating and/or cooling system in a manner such that the temperature of the building is raised or lowered to a predetermined level when occupancy commences.

Abstract: A self-powered set-back electrical thermostatic device for use in a control circuit of a temperature control system requiring no additional wiring that includes a battery powered, motor driven timing mechanism for changing the ambient temperature setting of a thermostat at selected times.

Abstract: A multiple zone air conditioning control system is disclosed in which air temperatures in respective individual zones are governed according to signals derived from sensed air temperatures in the respective zones and sensed temperature of air discharged to the respective zones.A zone set back unit is employed for setting back the air temperatures in all or any individual ones of the zones. The set back unit superimposes a set back signal on the temperature signals from the set back zones to effect a reduction of the air temperature in those zones as well as to prevent the sensed temperatures of air discharged to those zones from affecting the set back signal. The maintenance of air temperatures in zones which are not set back is unaffected by operation of the set back unit.