Thermostat controlled vent system

Abstract

A thermostat controlled vent system for automatically controlling airflow through a HVAC vent. The thermostat controlled vent system includes a vent unit having a drive motor that operates the baffle member within the vent unit. A central control unit is preferably in communication with one or more vent units for controlling the position of the respective baffle member within. In an alternative embodiment, the vent unit may have a thermostat unit positioned within the frame structure of the vent unit for controlling the drive motor. A rechargeable battery unit is positioned within the vent unit that is charged by a power source. One or more solar cells may be electrically connected to the battery unit for charging the battery unit.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A thermostat controlled vent system, comprising: 
 a plurality of vent units each having a drive motor connected to a baffle member for controlling airflow from an HVAC unit; and    a central control unit in communication with said vent units for controlling said drive motor.    
     
     
         2 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 1 , wherein said central control unit and said vent units each have a transceiver for transmitting/receiving data.  
     
     
         3 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 1 , wherein said vent units each include a battery unit.  
     
     
         4 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 3 , wherein said battery unit is rechargeable.  
     
     
         5 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 1 , including at least one set of solar cells electrically connected to said battery unit.  
     
     
         6 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 1 , including an HVAC damper unit in communication with said central control unit.  
     
     
         7 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 1 , wherein said central control unit is programmable.  
     
     
         8 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 7 , wherein said central control unit may be programmed to control individual vent units based upon vent specific criteria.  
     
     
         9 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 1 , wherein said central control unit has a central interface and the ability to upload and download programming and data from an external computer.  
     
     
         10 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 1 , including a sensor unit within said vent unit in communication with said drive motor for determining the position of said baffle member.  
     
     
         11 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 1 , including a remote control unit in communication with a single vent unit.  
     
     
         12 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 11 , wherein said remote control unit overrides said central control unit.  
     
     
         13 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 11 , wherein said remote control unit has a remote interface.  
     
     
         14 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 1 , including a remote control unit in communication with a group of vent units.  
     
     
         15 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 14 , wherein said remote control unit overrides said central control unit.  
     
     
         16 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 1 , wherein said vent unit includes a thermostat unit.  
     
     
         17 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 16 , including a deflector member attached to said vent unit for deflecting the airflow from said vent unit away from said thermostat unit.  
     
     
         18 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 16 , wherein said thermostat unit overrides said central control unit.  
     
     
         19 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 1 , wherein said vent unit includes a mechanical thermostat.  
     
     
         20 . The thermostat controlled vent system of  claim 19 , including a deflector member attached to said vent unit for deflecting the airflow from said vent unit away from said mechanical thermostat.