US3573576A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic remote control system for sequentially starting air-conditioning equipment
Assignee: Obayashi Gumi Ltd
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Filing: 1967-09-06
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Granted: 1971-04-06
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Expires: 1987-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A plugboard having row and column connections is used to program the switch-on and switch-off time of air-conditioning units, arranged in groups; to prevent the sudden surge of starting current upon simultaneous energization of a multiplicity of airconditioning subunits, a sequence switching device, such as a stepping switch interconnects individual air-conditioning subunits within a group sequentially to the power source; the sequence switching device is controlled by a pulse source providing sequential connecting pulses.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshio Nakabo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:15
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/08; G04; G04C; G04C23/00; G04C23/14; G04C23/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
AutomaTic control system for control of separate units of air-conditioning apparatus, comprising: a clock pulse source repetitively providing electrical pulses at minute intervals; a pinboard including row connections, column connections and pin interconnecting elements for interconnecting desired row connections and column connections; means for connecting the clock pulse source to one of said pinboard connections; control circuits for the air-conditioning units; means for connecting said control circuits to the other of said pinboard connections, the location of the pin interconnecting elements in the pinboard providing selective interconnections between the control circuits and the clock pulse source; and means connected in said control circuits to stagger, with respect to time, the connections of the units, said means including a pulse generator providing pulses at a repetitive rate having a predetermined relation to the elapsed time at which normal running current is established through any unit after having been switched on, and sequence switching means, energized by the pulse generator pulses, for connecting the units to a power source sequentially to start said units and avoid the sudden surge of starting current due to a simultaneous starting of a plurality of units.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
AutomaTic control system for control of separate units of air-conditioning apparatus, comprising: a clock pulse source repetitively providing electrical pulses at minute intervals; a pinboard including row connections, column connections and pin interconnecting elements for interconnecting desired row connections and column connections; means for connecting the clock pulse source to one of said pinboard connections; control circuits for the air-conditioning units; means for connecting said control circuits to the other of said pinboard connections, the location of the pin interconnecting elements in the pinboard providing selective interconnections between the control circuits and the clock pulse source; and means connected in said control circuits to stagger, with respect to time, the connections of the units, said means including a pulse generator providing pulses at a repetitive rate having a predetermined relation to the elapsed time at which normal running current is established through any unit after having been switched on, and sequence switching means, energized by the pulse generator pulses, for connecting the units to a power source sequentially to start said units and avoid the sudden surge of starting current due to a simultaneous starting of a plurality of units.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
System as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clock pulse source connecting means includes a pulse time divider circuit having said clock pulses applied thereto and providing outputs at predetermined intervals corresponding to multiples of said pulse times, the output of said pulse-time divider circuit at said predetermined intervals being applied to said one connection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
System as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pulse-time divider circuit provides outputs at intervals of from 10 to 15 minutes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
System as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sequence switching means has a plurality of similar groups of contacts, one group of contacts each being assigned to a group of units, said groups of contacts being offset with respect to each other so that the corresponding contacts of different groups will not be energized simultaneously.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
System as claimed in claim 4, wherein said pulse generator provides pulses at a repetition rate of once a second.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
System as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sequence switching means steps in synchronism with said pulse generator pulses, said sequence switching means being wired to interconnect individual units to the power source only after said sequence switching means has stepped through more than one sequential switching point.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-05 | 1974-10-05 | 1975-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-05 | 1978-10-05 | 1979-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-05 | 1982-10-05 | 1983-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |