Multiple zone air conditioning system

Claim 2

An air conditioning control system comprising: a. a plurality of air conditioned zones; b. air heating means comprising at least a primary air heating unit and a secondary air heating unit; c. air directing means for delivering heated air from said air heating means to said zones; d. zone temperature sensing means in each zone for producing a D.C. analog signal having a magnitude dependent upon sensed zone air temperature; e. first controller means for operating said primary air heating unit; f. second controller means for operating said secondary air heating unit; and, g. logic circuitry connected between said sensing means and said controller means for transmitting the signal from the coolest zone to said first controller means while transmitting the signal from the warmest of said zones to said secondary controller means.

Claim 3

The system claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second controller means comprise signal voltage level responsive circuits.

Claim 4

a second plurality of diodes, each diode of said second plurality having a cathode connected to a respective zone temperature sensing means and the anodes of said diodes connected together and to the other of said first and second controller means;

Claim 5

a second plurality of diodes, each diode of said second plurality having a cathode connected to a respective zone temperature sensing means and the anodes of said diodes connected together and to the other of said first and second controller means;

Claim 6

The system claimed in claim 1 wherein said logic circuitry comprises:

Claim 7

the diode of said first plurality of diodes connected to the zone temperature sensing means producing the most positive signal conducting to control operation of the associated controller means; and,

Claim 8

the diode of said first plurality of diodes connected to the zone temperature sensing means producing the most positive signal conducting to control operation of the associated controller means; and,

Claim 9

the diode of said second plurality of diodes which is connected to the zone temperature sensing means producing the least positive signal conducting to control operation of the associated controller means.

Claim 10

the diode of said second plurality of diodes which is connected to the zone temperature sensing means producing the least positive signal conducting to control operation of the associated controller means.

Claim 11

The system claimed in claim 3 wherein said zone temperature sensing means comprise amplifiers effective to produce signals of one polarity throughout their range of operation, the magnitude of said signals varying in magnitude in dependence on sensed zone temperatures.

Claim 12

The system claimed in claim 4 further including a D.C. power supply defining first and second power output terminals connected to said zone temperature sensing means and said controller means, said power supply comprising current detecting means for reducing the power supply voltage in response to current flows greater than a predetermined flow to said zone temperature sensing means or said controller means.

Claim 13

A system as claimed in claim 5 and further including a capacitor connected across said power supply output terminals for supplying current flow greater than said predetermined current flow to said controller means for brief intervals without effecting a reduction in the power supply output voltage.

Claim 14

A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein each zone temperature sensing means further includes a diode connected across said power supply output terminals, said diode normally having its cathode connected to the positive terminal and its anode connected to the other output terminal whereby when said zone temperature sensing means are properly connected to said power supply said diodes are nonconductive, each of said diodes conducting to protect the associated zone temperature sensing means from damage when the zone temperature sensing is connected to the power supply so that the anode of said diode is connected to the positive output terminal and the cathode is connected to the other terminal.

Claim 15

In an air conditioning system comprising at least one air conditioned zone and air conditioning means for effecting heat transfer with air flowing to said at least One zone, a control system comprising: a. a zone temperature sensing means comprising solid state circuitry for producing an electric analog signal which varies as a function of sensed temperature, said sensing means comprising first and second power input conductors; b. a direct current power supply having first and second output terminals connected to said first and second power input conductors of said sensing means respectively, said power supply comprising circuitry for detecting increased current loads on said power supply and effective to reduce the power supply output in response to detection of increased current loads; and, c. a diode connected between said first and second power input conductors across said first and second output terminals, said diode being normally nonconductive when said zone sensing means is properly connected to said power supply, said diode rendered conductive when said second and first input conductors are connected to said first and second output terminals respectively, whereby the output of said power supply is reduced.

Claim 16

In an air conditioning system comprising at least one air conditioned zone and air conditioning means for effecting heat transfer with air flowing to said at least One zone, a control system comprising: a. a zone temperature sensing means comprising solid state circuitry for producing an electric analog signal which varies as a function of sensed temperature, said sensing means comprising first and second power input conductors; b. a direct current power supply having first and second output terminals connected to said first and second power input conductors of said sensing means respectively, said power supply comprising circuitry for detecting increased current loads on said power supply and effective to reduce the power supply output in response to detection of increased current loads; and, c. a diode connected between said first and second power input conductors across said first and second output terminals, said diode being normally nonconductive when said zone sensing means is properly connected to said power supply, said diode rendered conductive when said second and first input conductors are connected to said first and second output terminals respectively, whereby the output of said power supply is reduced.