US3640087A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Frost-anticipating bimetal control for an air conditioner
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
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Filing: 1970-05-08
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Granted: 1972-02-08
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Expires: 1990-05-08
Abstract
Abstract An air conditioner for cooling room air having a separate electrical apparatus compartment within the air conditioner housing completely enclosing a temperature responsive device such as a bimetal thermostat element within the compartment. Means are provided for establishing a subsidiary flow path for room air over the thermostat and separate from the main room airstream that is directed over the air conditioner evaporator. The subsidiary airstream is directed through the electrical apparatus compartment in heat exchange relation with the temperatureresponsive device and then to the exterior of the room rather than being returned to the room. In a preferred embodiment an end portion of the evaporator is arranged in the subsidiary air flow path in heat exchange relationship with the subsidiary airstream so as to effect the temperature of this air. Frost buildup on the air conditioner evaporator is anticipated by a lowering evaporator temperature which is reflected at the unit thermostat as a result of room air passing over the end portion of the evaporator in its passage to the thermostat.
Inventors
- 👤 Bobby G Harrison
- 👤 Charles D Esche
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:26
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/41; F24F11/43
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
In an air conditioner for cooling room air passing therethrough including a housing having a first chamber therein communicating with said room air and a second chamber communicating with air on the exterior of the room, a refrigeration unit comprising an evaporator in said first chamber and a refrigerant condenser in said second chamber, and means for circulating room air in a main stream from the room, in heat exchange relationship with said evaporator, and back to the room, the improvement comprising: means defining a compartment in said housing; a temperature responsive device in said compartment for controlling operation of said refrigeration unit; and means for establishing a subsidiary stream of room air through said compartment in heat exchange relation with said temperatureresponsive device and then to said exterior.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
In an air conditioner for cooling room air passing therethrough including a housing having a first chamber therein communicating with said room air and a second chamber communicating with air on the exterior of the room, a refrigeration unit comprising an evaporator in said first chamber and a refrigerant condenser in said second chamber, and means for circulating room air in a main stream from the room, in heat exchange relationship with said evaporator, and back to the room, the improvement comprising: means defining a compartment in said housing; a temperature responsive device in said compartment for controlling operation of said refrigeration unit; and means for establishing a subsidiary stream of room air through said compartment in heat exchange relation with said temperatureresponsive device and then to said exterior.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The air conditioner of claim 1 wherein said subsidiary airstream is in heat exchanGe relationship with a portion of said evaporator for cooling said subsidiary air stream prior to heat exchange relationship with said temperature responsive device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The air conditioner of claim 1 wherein said temperature-responsive device comprises a bimetal thermostat in said compartment contacted by said subsidiary airstream.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The air conditioner of claim 1 wherein said compartment comprises an enclosure within said second chamber having inlet means and outlet means for passage of said subsidiary stream of air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
137 words
An air conditioner for cooling room air passing therethrough, comprising: a housing having a first chamber therein communicating with said room air and a second chamber communicating with air on the exterior of the room; a refrigeration unit comprising an evaporator in said first chamber and a refrigerant condenser in said second chamber; a compartment in said housing; a temperature-responsive device in said compartment for controlling operation of said unit; means for establishing a subsidiary stream of room air through said compartment in heat exchange relation with said temperature-responsive device and then to said exterior; a condenser blower having an inlet in said second chamber positioned to force exterior air over said condenser and exhaust to the exterior; and means for exposing said subsidiary airstream to said condenser blower inlet for said establishing of said subsidiary airstream.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
137 words
An air conditioner for cooling room air passing therethrough, comprising: a housing having a first chamber therein communicating with said room air and a second chamber communicating with air on the exterior of the room; a refrigeration unit comprising an evaporator in said first chamber and a refrigerant condenser in said second chamber; a compartment in said housing; a temperature-responsive device in said compartment for controlling operation of said unit; means for establishing a subsidiary stream of room air through said compartment in heat exchange relation with said temperature-responsive device and then to said exterior; a condenser blower having an inlet in said second chamber positioned to force exterior air over said condenser and exhaust to the exterior; and means for exposing said subsidiary airstream to said condenser blower inlet for said establishing of said subsidiary airstream.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
137 words
An air conditioner for cooling room air passing therethrough, comprising: a housing having a first chamber therein communicating with said room air and second chamber communicating with air on the exterior of the room; a refrigeration unit comprising an evaporator in said first chamber and a refrigerant condenser in said second chamber; a compartment in said housing; a temperature-responsive device in said compartment for controlling operation of said unit; and means for establishing a subsidiary stream of room air through said compartment in heat exchange relation with said temperature-responsive device and then to said exterior, said compartment being in heat exchange relationship with a portion of said evaporator for cooling said subsidiary airstream, and said evaporator comprising a plurality of tubular coils, portions of which extend adjacent said compartment to be contacted by the subsidiary airstream thereat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
137 words
An air conditioner for cooling room air passing therethrough, comprising: a housing having a first chamber therein communicating with said room air and second chamber communicating with air on the exterior of the room; a refrigeration unit comprising an evaporator in said first chamber and a refrigerant condenser in said second chamber; a compartment in said housing; a temperature-responsive device in said compartment for controlling operation of said unit; and means for establishing a subsidiary stream of room air through said compartment in heat exchange relation with said temperature-responsive device and then to said exterior, said compartment being in heat exchange relationship with a portion of said evaporator for cooling said subsidiary airstream, and said evaporator comprising a plurality of tubular coils, portions of which extend adjacent said compartment to be contacted by the subsidiary airstream thereat.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
182 words
An air conditioner for cooling room air passing therethrough, comprising: a housing having a first chamber therein communicating with said room air and a second chamber communicating with air on the exterior of the room; a refrigeration unit comprising an evaporator in said first chamber and a refrigerant condenser in said second chamber; a compartment in said housing; a temperature-responsive device in said compartment for controlling operation of said unit; means for establishing a subsidiary stream of room air through said compartment in heat exchange relation with said temperature-responsive device and then to said exterior; means for establishing a principal airstream from said room, through said evaporator first chamber and back to the room, said principal airstream being separate from said compartment subsidiary airstream, and said temperature-responsive device comprising a bimetal thermostat in said compartment contacted by said subsidiary airstream; a condenser blower having an inlet in said second chamber positioned to force exterior air over said condenser and exhaust to the interior; and means for exposing said subsidiary airstream to said condenser blower inlet for said establishing of said subsidiary airstream.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
182 words
An air conditioner for cooling room air passing therethrough, comprising: a housing having a first chamber therein communicating with said room air and a second chamber communicating with air on the exterior of the room; a refrigeration unit comprising an evaporator in said first chamber and a refrigerant condenser in said second chamber; a compartment in said housing; a temperature-responsive device in said compartment for controlling operation of said unit; means for establishing a subsidiary stream of room air through said compartment in heat exchange relation with said temperature-responsive device and then to said exterior; means for establishing a principal airstream from said room, through said evaporator first chamber and back to the room, said principal airstream being separate from said compartment subsidiary airstream, and said temperature-responsive device comprising a bimetal thermostat in said compartment contacted by said subsidiary airstream; a condenser blower having an inlet in said second chamber positioned to force exterior air over said condenser and exhaust to the interior; and means for exposing said subsidiary airstream to said condenser blower inlet for said establishing of said subsidiary airstream.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The air conditioner of claim 7 wherein said evaporator comprises a plurality of tubular coils, portions of which extend adjacent said compartment to be contacted by the subsidiary airstream thereat.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
99 words
An air conditioner for cooling room air passing therethrough, comprising: a housing having a first chamber therein communicating with said room air and a second chamber communicating with air on the exterior of the room; a refrigeration unit comprising an evaporator in said first chamber and a refrigerant condenser in said second chamber; a compartment in said housing; a temperature-responsive device in said compartment for controlling operation of said unit; and means for establishing a subsidiary stream of room air through said compartment in heat exchange relation with a portion of said evaporator and subsequently with said temperature-responsive device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
99 words
An air conditioner for cooling room air passing therethrough, comprising: a housing having a first chamber therein communicating with said room air and a second chamber communicating with air on the exterior of the room; a refrigeration unit comprising an evaporator in said first chamber and a refrigerant condenser in said second chamber; a compartment in said housing; a temperature-responsive device in said compartment for controlling operation of said unit; and means for establishing a subsidiary stream of room air through said compartment in heat exchange relation with a portion of said evaporator and subsequently with said temperature-responsive device.
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) | 1975-02-07 | 1975-08-09 | 1976-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | 1980-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-08-09 | 1984-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |