Power Stealing for a Wireless-Enabled Thermostat

摘要

Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus, systems and methods for power stealing for a wireless-enabled thermostat. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless-enabled thermostat generally includes a control having a wireless network interface that intermittently connects the thermostat in a wireless network in accordance with a duty cycle, the duty cycle having a connect time in which the thermostat is connected in the wireless network and a sleep time in which the thermostat is not connected in the wireless network. A power stealing circuit of the thermostat steals power through an “on-mode” load of a climate control system to charge a capacitor or other energy storage device to provide the power for the wireless network interface. The control adjusts at least the sleep time in accordance with a time for charging the capacitor or other energy storage device to a threshold voltage.

主权项

1. A wireless-enabled thermostat for use in a climate control system, the thermostat comprising:
a control having a wireless network interface configured to intermittently connect the thermostat in a wireless network in accordance with a duty cycle, the duty cycle having a connect time in which the thermostat is connected in the wireless network and a sleep time in which the thermostat is not connected in the wireless network; and a power stealing circuit configured to steal power through an “on-mode” load of the climate control system and to charge a capacitor to provide the power for the wireless network interface, the power stealing circuit having a current transformer in series with a relay operable to switch the load between “on” and “off” modes, the current transformer configured to obtain current from the “on-mode” load for charging the capacitor; the control configured to adjust at least the sleep time in accordance with a time for charging the capacitor to a threshold voltage.