Texas Instruments Corporation

Craig M Nold

Mitchell R Rowlette

Mark Eric Miller

Robert B Brown

Mark A Eifler

Darryel L Price

Alan R Sawyers

An electric control for gas furnaces which controls a two speed main blower fan and an induction draft fan based on inputs from a room thermostat, a high limit and an ignition control including a gas valve. The control has a circuit board having a power supply for providing 24 volts DC current source to drive DC relays and a 5 volt DC power source to power a microprocessor. 24 volt AC input signals are coupled to the input ports of the microprocessor through current limiting resistors and to AC ground through pull down resistors. AC ground is also connected to the IRQ port of the microprocessor. The output ports of the microprocessor are connected to a relay driver which in turn is connected to the relays. Several breakaway tabs in the board provide optional features such as eliminating a normally provided draft delay timing function. Test pads are provided on the board so that the board can be tested during manufacture. An optional feature is shown comprising an LED which can be used to indicate the status of the system. Another optional feature incorporates a zener diode and resistor coupled to each input port to increase input thresholds. This feature is provided for use with power stealing electronic thermostats. The control calibrates itself on a continuing periodic basis to read the AC inputs synchronously at the peak of their wave and switches the relays asynchronously based on the real time clock of the microprocessor.

Furnace control apparatus

An electronic control for gas furnaces controls a two speed main blower fan and an induction draft fan based on 24 volt input signals from a room thermostat, a high limit and an ignition control including a gas valve. The input signals are coupled to input ports of a microprocessor through current limiting resistors and to AC ground through pull down resistors. AC ground is also connected to the IRQ port of the microprocessor. Output ports of the microprocessor are connected to a relay driver which in turn is connected to relays for energizing and de-energizing the fans. The control calibrates itself on a continuing periodic basis to read the AC inputs synchronously at the peak of their wave and can switch the relays asynchronously based on the Real Time Clock of the microprocessor or can be switched synchronously by providing a selected delay so that contact engagement and disengagement occurs at or near the zero crossing of the AC line voltage wave form. When used with resistive loads the relays are switch in response to a signal from the microprocessor which is delayed based on the mechanical switching time constant of the relays to provide contact closure and opening at the selected point on the AC line voltage wave form. An alternate embodiment shows a feedback network used to calibrate the specific delay period for each relay upon initialization. When used with inductive loads contact closing can be effected synchronously and contact opening asynchronously.

Method and apparatus for enhancing relay life

A low voltage terminal board interfaces a fan motor with a field thermostat. The board includes a power supply providing a 24 volt DC power source for driving an electronic air cleaner relay and fan motor control lines and a 5 volt DC power source for providing optical isolation and timing logic. Several heater stage signals are connected to a diode interlock network so that no matter which signal is generated the first electric stage heater is energized. A first optically coupled isolator receives a 240 volt AC input whenever the first stage electric heater is energized with the isolator output controlling energization of a heat or medium speed operation of the fan motor. Second and third optically coupled isolators receive a 24 volt AC input indicative of continuous fan operation and compressor operation respectively with the outputs controlling energization of low (on/off) fan speed operation and high speed fan operation respectively. A timing circuit is interconnected between the third optically coupled isolator and the high speed fan terminal to provide a delayed off period of fan operation. Diode interconnections ensure that the on/off terminal is energized anytime the high speed terminal or the first stage electric heater is energized and anytime the on/off line is energized the electronic air cleaner relay is energized.

Interface circuit having improved isolation among signals for use with a

Furnace control apparatus and method

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Lexington, KY, United States of America

Craig M Nold