US4136730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heating and cooling efficiency control
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-07-19
•
Granted: 1979-01-30
•
Expires: 1997-07-19
Abstract
Abstract The efficiency of an air conditioner or furnace is markedly increased by limiting the time of operation of the compressor or burner to a maximum time of from 10 to 15 minutes by means of a primary timer responsive to a conventional thermostat. A blower timer then causes the blower to continue operation for 10 to 15 minutes after the compressor or burner is shut off.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard B. Kinsey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:14
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/46; F24F11/50; F24F11/61
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of operating apparatus for changing the temperature of air in an enclosure and including a thermostat responsive to the temperature of said air, a heat exchanger, a blower for blowing said air through said heat exchanger and means controlled by said thermostat for producing a temperature differential in said heat exchanger, said method comprising the steps of: causing said thermostat to initiate operation of said means and said blower; limiting the maximum time of operation of said means to a first predetermined time period and to terminate operation of said means even when said thermostat would normally cause said operation to continue; and causing said blower to continue to blow air through said heat exchanger for only a second predetermined time period after termination of operation of said means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of operating apparatus for changing the temperature of air in an enclosure and including a thermostat responsive to the temperature of said air, a heat exchanger, a blower for blowing said air through said heat exchanger and means controlled by said thermostat for producing a temperature differential in said heat exchanger, said method comprising the steps of: causing said thermostat to initiate operation of said means and said blower; limiting the maximum time of operation of said means to a first predetermined time period and to terminate operation of said means even when said thermostat would normally cause said operation to continue; and causing said blower to continue to blow air through said heat exchanger for only a second predetermined time period after termination of operation of said means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of claim 1 wherein said first and second time periods are of approximately equal length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first and second time periods are each of from 10 to 15 minutes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said means is a refrigerant compressor and said heat exchanger is an evaporator connected to said compressor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said means is a fuel burning furnace and said heat exchanger is a plenum chamber therein.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for changing the temperature of air in an enclosure and including a thermostat responsive to the temperature of said air, a heat exchanger, a blower for blowing said air through said heat exchanger and means controlled by said thermostat for producing a temperature differential in said heat exchanger, the improvement comprising: a primary timer responsive to said thermostat for initiating operation of said means and for terminating operation thereof after a first predetermined maximum time period even when said thermostat would normally cause said operation to continue; and a blower control, responsive to initiation of operation of said means by said primary timer, to initiate operation of said blower, said blower control including a blower timer, responsive to termination of said means, to cause said blower to continue to blow air through said heat exchanger for only a second predetermined time period after said termination and to then stop said blower.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for changing the temperature of air in an enclosure and including a thermostat responsive to the temperature of said air, a heat exchanger, a blower for blowing said air through said heat exchanger and means controlled by said thermostat for producing a temperature differential in said heat exchanger, the improvement comprising: a primary timer responsive to said thermostat for initiating operation of said means and for terminating operation thereof after a first predetermined maximum time period even when said thermostat would normally cause said operation to continue; and a blower control, responsive to initiation of operation of said means by said primary timer, to initiate operation of said blower, said blower control including a blower timer, responsive to termination of said means, to cause said blower to continue to blow air through said heat exchanger for only a second predetermined time period after said termination and to then stop said blower.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said means is a refrigerant compressor and said heat exchanger is a refrigerant evaporator connected to said compressor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second time periods are each on the order of 15 minutes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said means is a fuel burning furnace and said heat exchanger is a plenum chamber therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said first and second time periods are each on the order of 10 minutes.
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) | 1982-01-29 | 1982-07-31 | 1983-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-29 | 1986-07-31 | 1987-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-29 | 1990-07-31 | 1991-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |