Automatic control system for ceiling fan based on temperature differentials

摘要

A fan includes a hub, several fan blades, and a motor that is operable to drive the hub. A motor controller is in communication with the motor, and is configured to select the rate of rotation at which the motor drives the hub. The fan is installed in a place having a floor and a ceiling. An upper temperature sensor is positioned near the ceiling. A lower temperature sensor is positioned near the floor. The temperature sensors communicate with the motor controller, which includes a processor configured to compare substantially contemporaneous temperature readings from the upper and lower temperature sensors. The motor controller is thus configured to automatically control the fan motor to minimize the differences between substantially contemporaneous temperature readings from the upper and lower temperature sensors. The fan system may thus substantially destratify air in an environment, to provide a substantially uniform temperature distribution within the environment.

主权项

1. A fan system installed in a location having a floor and a ceiling, the fan system comprising:
(a) a rotatable hub; (b) plurality of fan blades secured to the hub; (c) a motor in communication with the hub, wherein the motor is operable to drive the hub at a selectable rate of rotation; (d) a motor controller in communication with the motor, wherein the motor controller is configured to select the rate of rotation at which the motor drives the hub; (e) an upper temperature sensor positioned near the ceiling, wherein the upper temperature sensor is configured to sense the temperature of air near the ceiling, wherein the upper temperature sensor is in communication with the motor controller; (f) a lower temperature sensor positioned near the floor, wherein the lower temperature sensor is configured to sense the temperature of air near the floor, wherein the lower temperature sensor is in communication with the motor controller; wherein the motor controller is configured to automatically adjust the rate of rotation at which the motor drives the hub from a first non-zero rate of rotation to a second non-zero rate of rotation based at least in part on differences between temperatures communicated from the upper temperature sensor and temperatures communicated from the lower temperature sensor; and (g) a humidity sensor, wherein the humidity sensor is configured to sense relative humidity comprising at least a first value and a second value, wherein the second value is greater than the first value, wherein the humidity sensor is in communication with the motor controller, wherein the motor controller is configured to automatically adjust the rate of rotation at which the motor drives the hub from a third non-zero rate of rotation to a fourth non-zero rate of rotation based further at least in part on a humidity level communicated from the humidity sensor; wherein the motor controller is operable to adjust the rate of rotation at which the motor drives the hub to increase or decrease the rate of rotation in response to an increase in relative humidity communicated from the humidity sensor.