Abstract: A water heating system for a number of apartments or offices 10 each having a water store 15 for receiving hot water from a common boiler 12. The system includes a temperature sensor S2 for sensing the temperature of incoming water from the boiler, with a valve V1 between the temperature sensor S2 and the water store 15. A further temperature sensor S1 senses the temperature of water within the store 15. An electronic controller 30 controls the flow of water via valves V1, V2 dependent on the temperature detected by both the first and second sensors to prevent water being received by the store when the temperature differential is too small. This avoids the risk of reduction of the water temperature within the store 15, and meter 21 will not register utilization under these circumstances as valve V2 allows the return of the water other than via store 15.

Abstract: An integrated zoning circulator includes a priority controller, integral with the zoning circulator, for determining the priority given to the circulator in an individual zone of a multi-zone hydronic system. The zoning circulator also includes a priority circulator system for a multi-zone hydronic system having a zoning circulator at each zone, a plurality of control boxes each having a thermostat, one control box being associated with each circulator, and, a plurality of priority controllers, one priority controller being associated with each control box. Each priority controller, when activated, functions to assure that when the associated thermostat calls for the circulator to operate, other circulators in non-priority mode are prevented from operating simultaneously.

Abstract: The electric motor vehicle of this invention is an electric motor vehicle which is provided with a drive motor (13) driven by electric power from a storage battery (11), an air conditioner (1), and a regenerative brake means which temporarily uses the motor (13) as a generator when decelerating the vehicle to generate regenerative electric power and to charge the storage battery (11). It is further provided with an excess regenerative electric power judging means (18) for judging excess regenerative electrical energy based on regenerative electrical energy by the regenerative brake and allowable regenerative electrical energy of the storage battery at that time, and an electric power distribution means (14) for distributing the excess regenerative electric power based on the excess regenerative electrical energy.

Abstract: A temperature control system and method for maintaining the temperature of air within an air pressure controlled enclosure at a desired temperature. The system uses an energy flow model to determine the temperature to which the air supplied to the enclosure must be heated to attain the desired temperature within the enclosure. The energy flow model determines the desired supply air temperature based on the temperature and flow rate of the supply air, the current temperature of the air in the enclosure, the heat transfer rate within the enclosure, and the temperature and flow rate of make-up air entering the enclosure.

Abstract: An integrated oil burner control and hydronic limit control arrangement is disclosed. A single transformer energizes the oil burner control and all of the equipment necessary to both operate an oil burner and a circulator pump. This type of device can be implemented in either a simple hydronic type system or in a more complex hydronic system in which domestic hot water is also supplied.

Abstract: An electric-motor-driven circulating pump for heating systems reduces power consumption of the motor, whereby the reduction ensues by means of periodic interruption of a line feed by means of electronic switch means so that switch-on and pause intervals follow one another. The switch means interrupt or close current flow at a zero-axis crossing of the voltage of the line feed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heating installation of the type having a heat pump, radiators having valves, and a control device having a desired value generator for controlling the upstream temperature that delivers as an effective desired value, a guided desired value guided by guide parameters such as the external temperature and/or a reference room temperature. The invention involves providing a heating installation of the aforementioned kind in which the efficiency and life of the heat pump are improved. Pursuant to this objective the control device has a comparator which compares the guided desired value with a variable limiting value higher then the downstream temperature by a predetermined temperature difference and the desired value generator reduces the effective desired value at least down to the variable limiting value when the latter is exceeded by the guided desired value.

Abstract: In dwellings having a multiplicity of rooms that are warmed or cooled by a central heating/cooling device, automatic damper means are incorporated in each duct that transports the heating/cooling medium to said rooms; said damper means control and regulate the flow of said medium and control individual room temperatures in combination with room thermostats. Automatic damper means comprise motor support means attaching to said duct, a damper plate mounted within the duct and rotatable by motor means, said motor means are energized by a room thermostat whenever said thermostat operates a fuel control means of said heating/cooling device.

Abstract: A motorized, automatic mechanism for installation in an air register damper housing attachable to damper blades for the purpose of converting said blades from a manual mode of operation to an electrically controlled operation through motor interlock with thermostatic and furnace combustion means. System is comprised of electric motor, with switch operator and lever arm attachable to motor shaft; said lever arm being fastened to linkage mechanism that transfers motor rotation to pivotally mounted damper blades, thereby opening and closing said blades in accordance with thermostatic demands.

Abstract: A manually and automatically operable four-terminal zone thermostat for use with automatic damper means when thermostatic means are required to operate fuel control means of a heating/cooling device and motor means rotating said damper means. The thermostat has a four-terminal switch operable by a heat sensitive bimetal spring; said spring operating the switch to energize and deenergize said fuel control means and motor means in accordance with temperature requirements of environment which said thermostat monitors.

Abstract: Solenoid motor means for operating a multiple blade damper device; said blades being pivotally mounted in a common housing; said housing being constructed to reside in an open ended duct boot that is part of the duct network for the distribution of the heating/cooling medium of a central heating/cooling device. Each of the multiple damper blades is attached to a rotatable means such as a timing pulley or gear; said rotatable means are rotated by a rack having engaging means such as gear teeth; said engaging means are interconnected through a carriage to a plunger common to dual solenoids; said carriage translates linearly with said plunger to provide aforesaid rotation to rotatable means to open or close damper blades in accordance with commands of a temperature control means.

Abstract: A rationed heat control system with aquastat and circulator remote pushbutton activation for maintaining heat losses at minimum levels during periods of non-use while providing full heat capacity upon request for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A control circuit for a heating system having a gas burner assembly, a heat absorbing coil, a heat releasing coil, a circulating pump for pumping a hydronic fluid between the two coils, and an air blower for the heat releasing coil is disclosed. The control circuit includes a thermostat located in the space to be heated and a first relay switch which electrically connects the circulating pump in response to a signal from the thermostat. A combustion safety control is electrically connected to the thermostat, a main gas valve, and a flame sensor such that the main gas valve is open in response to a signal from the thermostat and the main gas valve is closed where no signal is received from the thermostat or an insufficient signal is received from the flame sensor.

Abstract: A selected segment heating system including: means for heating a fluid; conduit means for conducting the fluid from the outlet to the return inlet of the means for heating through a plurality of areas; means, interconnected with the conduit, for moving the fluid through the conduit; gauging means for operating the means for moving to move a segment of the heated fluid in the conduit as far as the return point of the farthest area to be heated; and delay means for suspending operation of the means for moving for permitting a predetermined heat exchange to occur between the heating fluid and the air in the area to be heated.

Abstract: In contrast to reducing the temperature of the heat exchange medium or water so as to conserve on fuel consumption in response to an externally located thermostat or the like upon the occurence of favorable ambient weather conditions, said reduction in accordance with the present invention is, instead, made based on nominal operation of the pump circulating said heat exchange water. The within control that is exercised over the temperature of the heat exchange water to take advantage of mild ambient weather conditions is thus not dependent upon the specific location selected for the thermostat, which location may have more sun and less wind than the spaces or zones being heated. In this and other ways, as hereinafter described, the supervision of the pump provides an accurate and effective control for a hot water heating system that significantly contributes to savings in fuel consumption, but without adversely affecting heating comfort.

Abstract: An automatically controlled multi-blade damper device for use in air registers installed over furnace duct boots terminating in recesses of floors, ceilings, or walls of dwellings; said boots being part of a central heating and/or air conditioning system. The several damper blades are attached to a gear train and pivotably mounted in a damper housing assembly; said blades being rotatable between open and closed positions by motor driven damper blade attached to gear means and motor means; said motor means, electrically connected to furnace control means and to individual room thermostat, cooperate to maintain the preferred temperature environment in subject room.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an improved automatic, direction drive damper device constructed for installation over the terminal openings of furnace duct boots residing within room registers, said device being used as a part of a forced air heating/cooling system for the purpose of controlling and regulating the flow of the heating/cooling medium passing into individual rooms from furnace duct. Direct drive damper means include damper housing with rotatable damper plate, said plate having an integral shaft attached directly and removably to drive shaft of motor means, said damper plate being rotatable between open and closed positions by direct drive motor means when said motor means respond to commands of room thermostat.

Abstract: A self-operating damper device constructed to be installed in open ended furnace duct boots which terminate in room registers, said device operating in parallel with multiple units as part of a forced air heating and cooling system for the purpose of controlling and regulating the flow of the heating/cooling medium to individual rooms, independently and simultaneously through opening and closing of damper plate. Self-operating damper means include damper housing with rotatable damper plate hving an integral shaft with attached end pulley, said pulley being interconnected with motor means through drive belt which encircles both the damper pulley and motor pulley with drive motor being controlled by switch means operated by rotating cam on motor output shaft, said motor responding to commands of room thermostat which influences both motor means and combustion cycle of combustion means.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the air flow from a register of a forced air heating system. The apparatus includes walls forming a housing or cover that is adapted to be fastened to and enclose an air outlet register. The walls also form an outlet opening, and a pivotable flapper valve or wall is provided that is movable to close the opening. The valve is pivotable between an open position where the opening is not closed, and a closed position where the opening is obstructed, the valve being biased to the open position. The valve is located to be subjected to the force of air moving out of the register and through the housing, this force being such as to urge the valve to the closed position. The apparatus further includes a latch for holding the valve in the open position against the force of the moving air, and an electric control for disabling the latch in the presence of the flow of air. The electric control may be manually operated or it may be responsive to the ambient temperature conditions.

Abstract: A heating system includes a water heating solid fuel stove operated in conjunction with a gas or oil fired hot water furnace. The two are connected in parallel and furnish heat to at least one heating zone and domestic hot water. In a first embodiment, a circulator pump is coupled to receive zone return fluid at its inlet and pump fluid from its outlet to the fluid fuel fired and solid fuel fired boilers. A first water valve is coupled between the circulator outlet and the solid fuel fired boiler, and a second water valve is coupled between the circulator inlet and the solid fuel fired boiler. In a second embodiment, separate circulator pumps are coupled in series with each of the fluid fuel fired and solid fuel fired boilers.

Abstract: Each heating zone in a structure includes a thermostat controlling a valve feeding one or more heat delivering devices in a heat controlled zone in a structure. A controller periodically attempts to flow a fluid through the control valves and a flow sensor determines whether or not the attempt is successful. If the attempt is unsuccessful, indicating that all control valves are closed, the controller terminates the attempt to flow fluid. If the attempt is successful, indicating that one or more of the control valves are opened by their respective thermostats, the controller provides the circulation of heated fluid therethrough which results in the delivery of heat into the temperature controlled zones. When the last temperature controlled zone has received sufficient heat to cause its control valve to turn off, the flow sensor, sensing this condition, produces a signal which causes the controller to discontinue the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A heating device for supplying hot water to home heating systems and hot water faucet outlets in the home includes a combustion chamber which is adapted to burn wood fuel for supplying the necessary heat. The heating device comprises a base member containing an ash bin and ash door for the removal of burnt fuel, a water tank positioned on the base and sealed thereto, the water tank containing therein the combustion chamber which includes a grate which rests over the ash bin, the water in the water tank substantially completely surrounding the combustion chamber, the combustion chamber further including an exhaust pipe for removing exhaust combustion gases from the combustion chamber out of the heating device, the water tank being fully enclosed by an insulating shell which fits over the top thereof.

Abstract: An electric control device for a central heating boiler which is provided with a water pump or an air ventilator (6), a burner with an electrically operated shut-off valve (5) and an electric control circuit comprising a supply transformer (1) and a series circuit connected to the secondary winding of said transformer and composed of the control winding (4) of the shut-off valve (5), the contact of a room or regulator thermostat (3) and, if present, the contact of a maximum thermostat (2) and in which the water pump or air ventilator (6) is connected in parallel with the primary winding of the supply transformer. The control device comprises a circuit to be connected to the contact of the room or regulator thermostat (3) including a high resistance value series resistor (R.sub.s) to be connected into the mains supply circuit of the boiler, a relay (13) with a normally open contact (k) connected in parallel to said series resistor (R.sub.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a heating system wherein an enclosed region is heated by hot water flowing through a heat exchanger disposed in the region, the hot water being supplied from a boiler heated by a furnace which is electrically actuated and deactuated, the water being circulated between the boiler and the heat exchanger by a circulator pump which is electrically actuated and deactuated, a thermostat being disposed in the space to control the temperature therein and including an electrical switch which is closed when additional heat must be supplied to the region and which is otherwise open.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for uniformly regulating and controlling the temperature in a multi-level building utilizing a common heat source. Only a single thermostat is required. The thermostat is placed in the room as near the end of the longest conduit and is set at the desired temperature. At least one and possibly a plurality of heating units such as radiators, each having its own output control valve, is placed on each level of the building. After the thermostat has been set at the desired temperature, each valve that controls the various heating unit is individually set. The radiator valve in the room in which the thermostat is located is opened all the way. The remaining valves are opened by a progressively smaller amount in those rooms further away from the thermostat. Once all of the rooms reach the desired temperature the valves are permanently set in order to prevent their unauthorized adjustment.

Abstract: An improved heating system for a building structure is described. The improved system utilizes heat generated by an enclosed natural fuel burning device such as an auxiliary furnace as a supplemental source for a standard (primary) furnace heating system. The auxiliary furnace is used to heat water or another heat exchange medium in a heat exchange member situated within the auxiliary furnace. When the water reaches a predetermined temperature, a first pump is activated and causes the water to be pumped throughout the radiators within the building and subsequently returned to the auxiliary furnace. When the temperature of the water falls below a certain level, a thermostatic switch deactivates the pump. When the temperature in the building declines below the thermostat setting for sensing the ambient building temperature, the primary furnace and a second pump are activated which in turn heat the water and circulate it throughout the structure.

Abstract: A closed heating system for a building particularly adapted to be installed in a conventional fireplace for supplementing the heat generated by a conventional forced air heating unit. The heating system includes a grate having a log supporting water conduit through which water passes and is heated by the logs supported thereby. The heated water is pumped through suitable valves to a heat exchanger disposed within the air duct of a conventional forced air heating system to heat the air passing therethrough. The heated water may bypass the air duct heat exchanger. The bypassed water is communicated to a coil associated with a tempering tank which is installed in the building cold water supply line that feeds the hot water heater. The hot water preheats the water supply and is then returned to a storage tank for recycling.

Abstract: An improved heating system for a building structure is described. The improved system utilizes heat generated by a fireplace as a supplemental source for a standard furnace heating system. The fireplace heat is used to heat water or another heat exchange medium in a heat exchange coil situated within a fireplace. When the water reaches a predetermined temperature, a first pump is activated and causes the water to be pumped throughout the radiators within the building and subsequently returned to the fireplace. When the temperature of the water falls below a certain level, a thermostatic switch deactivates the pump. When the temperature in the building declines below the thermostat setting for sensing the ambient building temperature, the furnace and a second pump are activated which in turn heat the water and circulate it throughout the structure. A system of one way check valves prevents the water from flowing in the furnace leg when the fireplace leg is operating and vice versa.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an improved thermostat for a heating or cooling system which is capable of accurately controlling the duration of the cycle periods of the system. The improved thermostat includes an anticipator capable of dissipating heat at a substantially constant rate over a wide range of applied voltages and current. According to a preferred teaching of the disclosure, the anticipator comprises a thermistor consisting of positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material.