Control System for an Electrical Apparatus and Method of Using the Same

Abstract

A control system is disclosed which comprises a first control module generally integrated into a controlling device (e.g. a thermostat), and a second control module generally integrated into an electrical apparatus (e.g. a heating apparatus) under the control of the controlling device. The second control module is responsive to command signals remotely transmitted thereto by the first control module over the power lines which power the electrical apparatus. In response to the signals, the second control module can selectively turn on, or off, or modulate, some or all of the electrical components (e.g. heating elements, fans) of the electrical apparatus.

1 ) A control module for remotely controlling an electrical apparatus connected to a power line, the control module comprising:
 a) an electrically actuatable electric switching unit, the switching unit being configured to be connected to the power line to selectively allow and block the passage of electric current over the power line;   b) a processing unit operatively connected to the switching unit, the processing unit being configured to selectively actuate the switching unit for predetermined amounts of time to selectively allow and block the passage of current over the power line for the predetermined amounts of time, the predetermined amounts of time being determinative of instructions transmitted to the electrical apparatus over the power line.   
     
     
         2 ) A control module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the switching unit comprises at least one relay. 
     
     
         3 ) A control module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the switching unit comprises at least one bilateral triode thyristor. 
     
     
         4 ) A control module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control module is a transmitting control module. 
     
     
         5 ) A control module for controlling an electrical apparatus comprising at least one electrical component, the electrical apparatus being connected to a power line, the control module comprising:
 a) a power supply unit configured to be connected to the power line and configured to output first signals based on the monitoring of predetermined amounts of time during which electrical current is present and absent on the power line;   b) a processing unit connected to the power supply unit, configured to extract instructions from the first signals, and configured to output at least second signals based on the extracted instructions;   c) at least one electrical component controlling unit connected to the processing unit and operatively connected to the at least one electrical component of the electrical apparatus, the at least one electrical component controlling unit being configured to receive the at least second signals and to control an operation of the at least one electrical component as a function of the at least second signals.   
     
     
         6 ) A control module as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the power supply unit and the processing unit are unitary. 
     
     
         7 ) A control module as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the power supply unit, the processing unit and the at least one electrical component controlling unit are unitary. 
     
     
         8 ) A control module as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the control module comprises several electrical component controlling units. 
     
     
         9 ) A control module as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the control module is a receiving control module. 
     
     
         10 ) A control system for controlling an electrical apparatus comprising at least one electrical component, the electrical apparatus being connected to a power line, the control system comprising:
 a) a transmitting control module configured to be connected to the power line to selectively allow and block the passage of electric current over the power line for predetermined amounts of time, the predetermined amounts of time being determinative of instructions transmitted to the electrical apparatus over the power line;   b) a receiving control module configured to be connected to the power line to detect the predetermined amounts of time during which the current is present and absent in order to extract the instructions transmitted by the transmitting control module, the receiving control module being configured to control an operation of the at least one electrical component as a function of the extracted instructions.   
     
     
         11 ) A control system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the transmitting control module comprises:
 a) an electrically actuatable electric switching unit, the switching unit being configured to be connected to the power line to selectively allow and block the passage of electric current over the power line;   b) a processing unit operatively connected to the switching unit, the processing unit being configured to selectively actuate the switching unit for the predetermined amounts of time to selectively allow and block the passage of current over the power line for the predetermined amounts of time.   
     
     
         12 ) A control system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the switching unit comprises at least one relay. 
     
     
         13 ) A control system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the switching unit comprises at least one bilateral triode thyristor. 
     
     
         14 ) A control system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the receiving control module comprises:
 a) a power supply unit configured to be connected to the power line and configured to output first signals based on the detection of the predetermined amounts of time during which the current is present and absent;   b) a processing unit connected to the power supply unit, configured to extract the instructions from the first signals, and configured to output at least second signals based on the extracted instructions;   c) at least one electrical component controlling unit connected to the processing unit and operatively connected to the at least one electrical component of the electrical apparatus, the at least one electrical component controlling unit being configured to receive the at least second signals and to control the operation of the at least one electrical component as a function of the at least second signals.   
     
     
         15 ) A control system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the power supply unit and the processing unit are unitary. 
     
     
         16 ) A control system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the power supply unit, the processing unit and the at least one electrical component controlling unit are unitary. 
     
     
         17 ) A control system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the receiving control module comprises several electrical component controlling units. 
     
     
         18 ) A method for remotely controlling an electrical apparatus connected to a power line, the electrical apparatus comprising at least one electrical component, the method comprising:
 a) at a first location, selectively allowing and blocking the passage of current over the power line for predetermined amounts of time, the predetermined amounts of time being determinative of instructions transmitted over the power line;   b) at a second location, monitoring the predetermined amounts of time during which the current is selectively allowed or blocked;   c) as a function of the monitored predetermined amounts of time, operating the at least one electrical component according to the transmitted instructions.