US3628346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for indicating thermal and air velocity conditions of air in the plenum of a central air-conditioning system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-21
•
Granted: 1971-12-21
•
Expires: 1990-10-21
Abstract
Abstract Thermal and air velocity responsive electrical switch means disposed in the plenum of a central air-conditioning system and electrically connected in a signal system, the apparatus being operable to actuate indicating or signal means calling attention to fan and/or motor-compressor malfunction or failure.
Inventors
- 👤 Cecil G Lagrone Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:37
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/32; F24F11/38; F24F11/50; F24F11/52; F24F11/70; F24F11/72; F24F11/80; F24F11/86; F24F11/88; F24F11/61; F24F2110/00; F24F2110/10; F24F2110/30; F24F2140/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
288 words
In combination with a central air-conditioning unit including a plenum, electrically energizable fan means for forcing cooled air through said plenum at a predetermined volume and velocity for discharge into an enclosure remotely positioned relative to said plenum and in which air is to be maintainEd at a preselected cooled temperature, electrically energizable motor-compressor means for cooling air delivered to said plenum, a normally open thermostat control first switch disposed in said enclosure and being preset to close when the air temperature in said enclosure rises above said preselected temperature, a first electric circuit including said first switch, a first electric power source, and electrically operable means for electrically connecting said fan and motor-compressor means with a second power source to effect energization thereof substantially simultaneously with the closing of said first switch and the consequent energization of said first circuit; and first means for indicating the malfunction or failure of said motorcompressor means when said first switch is closed energizing said first circuit, said fan and motor-compressor means, said indicating means comprising: electrically energizable first signal means; a normally closed thermoresponsive second switch having switch actuating sensing means disposed in said plenum, said second switch being preset to open when the air in said plenum sensed by said actuating means is cooled to a preselected temperature below the preset actuating temperature of said first switch; a second electric circuit connecting said first signal means in series with said second switch and connected across said first circuit; whereby said second circuit and its said first signal means are simultaneously energized with the closing of said first switch and the energization of said first circuit, said first signal means and second circuit being deenergized when said second switch opens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
288 words
In combination with a central air-conditioning unit including a plenum, electrically energizable fan means for forcing cooled air through said plenum at a predetermined volume and velocity for discharge into an enclosure remotely positioned relative to said plenum and in which air is to be maintainEd at a preselected cooled temperature, electrically energizable motor-compressor means for cooling air delivered to said plenum, a normally open thermostat control first switch disposed in said enclosure and being preset to close when the air temperature in said enclosure rises above said preselected temperature, a first electric circuit including said first switch, a first electric power source, and electrically operable means for electrically connecting said fan and motor-compressor means with a second power source to effect energization thereof substantially simultaneously with the closing of said first switch and the consequent energization of said first circuit; and first means for indicating the malfunction or failure of said motorcompressor means when said first switch is closed energizing said first circuit, said fan and motor-compressor means, said indicating means comprising: electrically energizable first signal means; a normally closed thermoresponsive second switch having switch actuating sensing means disposed in said plenum, said second switch being preset to open when the air in said plenum sensed by said actuating means is cooled to a preselected temperature below the preset actuating temperature of said first switch; a second electric circuit connecting said first signal means in series with said second switch and connected across said first circuit; whereby said second circuit and its said first signal means are simultaneously energized with the closing of said first switch and the energization of said first circuit, said first signal means and second circuit being deenergized when said second switch opens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The combination of claim 1 and: said normally open thermostat control first switch including manually operable means for setting said first switch to close at a preselected temperature; and adjustable means extending between and connecting said manually operable means with said second switch to set said second switch to open at an adjusted temperature below the closing temperature of said first switch, said adjustable means being operable simultaneously with the setting of said first switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein: said manually operable means includes a temperature setting arm on said first switch; a temperature setting lever on said second switch; and flexible rod means extending between and connected with said arm and lever.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination of claim 3 and: a normally open time delay third switch; means electrically connecting said third switch in series with said second switch in said second electrical circuit; said third switch closing at the expiration of its time delay period to energize said second circuit and said first indicating means when said second switch is closed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination of claim 4 and means for indicating the malfunction or failure of said fan means, said second indicating means comprising: electrical energizable second signal means; normally closed air velocity responsive third switch means disposed in said plenum in the path of air passing therethrough; and a third electrical circuit connecting said second signal means and said third switch means in series with one another and across said first electric circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said third switch means includes switch actuating means comprising a sail disposed in said path of air travel and movable thereby to open said third switch and to thereby deenergize said third electric circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 6 and: a casing for said normally open thermostat control first switch; and means in said casing to receive and support said first and second signal means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein: said first and second signal means comprise electrcially energizable lights.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-20 | 1975-06-21 | 1975-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-20 | 1979-06-21 | 1979-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-20 | 1983-06-21 | 1983-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |