US4376510A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Warning device and method for a heating system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-05-06
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Granted: 1983-03-15
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Expires: 2001-05-06
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates generally to a warning device and method for a heating system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a warning device for a heat pump system which warning device generates a warning signal for indicating an abnormal condition in the heat pump system. The abnormal condition may be either activation of an auxiliary heater or malfunction or failure of a compressor for the heat pump system. The device comprises three temperature sensing thermistors. A first thermistor is attached to a line delivering working fluid from the compressor. The second thermistor is arranged inside a hot air duct delivering heated air from the system downstream from the auxiliary heater to a space to be heated. The third thermistor measures the ambient air temperature within the space to be heated. Temperatures sensed by the three thermistors are compared in a control circuit. During normal operation, the temperature of the working fluid is greater than or equal to the temperature of the hot air which is greater than or equal to the temperature of the ambient air. When the compressor unit fails, the temperature of the hot air (which is being heated by a separate source) is greater than the temperature of the working fluid by a predetermined value and the working fluid temperature is greater than or equal to the ambient air temperature. When this condition is sensed by the control unit, a warning device is activated to inform the user of a compressor failure.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne H. Allard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:15
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24D; F24D19/00; F24D19/10; F24D19/1084; F24D19/1087; F24H; F24H15/00; F24H15/10; F24H15/104; F24H15/20; F24H15/208; F24H15/227; F24H15/254; F24H15/30; F24H15/355; F24H15/37; F24H15/375; F24H15/38; F24H15/395; F25; F25B; F25B49/00; F25B49/005; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/20; G05D23/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A warning device for a heat pump system comprising: duct means for delivering heated air heated in the system to a space to be heated; auxiliary heater means in said duct means, said auxiliary heater means being activated when the temperature in said space drops below a predetermined value; means for sensing the temperatures of the ambient air around the heat pump system, the working fluid of the heat pump system downstream of a compressor for the heat pump system, and the heated air in the duct means downstream of said auxiliary heater means; means for evaluating said temperatures; warning means for indicating when said heated air temperature is greater than the working fluid temperature and the working fluid temperature is greater than or equal to the ambient air temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A warning device for a heat pump system comprising: duct means for delivering heated air heated in the system to a space to be heated; auxiliary heater means in said duct means, said auxiliary heater means being activated when the temperature in said space drops below a predetermined value; means for sensing the temperatures of the ambient air around the heat pump system, the working fluid of the heat pump system downstream of a compressor for the heat pump system, and the heated air in the duct means downstream of said auxiliary heater means; means for evaluating said temperatures; warning means for indicating when said heated air temperature is greater than the working fluid temperature and the working fluid temperature is greater than or equal to the ambient air temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the means for evaluating said temperatures comprises a window comparator having the heated air temperature as an upper limit and the ambient air temperature as a lower limit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the means for sensing the temperatures comprises: a first thermistor arranged on a line carrying the working fluid; a second thermistor arranged in the space; and a third thermistor arranged in the duct means
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the warning means comprises a visual signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the warning means comprises an audible signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The warning device according to claim 1, wherein the warning device is activated separately from the heat pump system whereby the warning means is permitted to remain in the indicating condition for a period of time after deactivation of the heat pump system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The warning device according to claim 1, further comprising means for prohibiting an indication by the warning means when the temperature of the working fluid is only slightly less than the temperature of the heated air whereby malfunction or failure of the compressor is indicated.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for indicating abnormal operation of a heat pump system comprising the steps of: sensing the ambient air temperature surrounding the heat pump system; sensing the temperature of working fluid delivered from a compressor in the heat pump system; sensing the temperature of heated air delivered to a space to be heated from the heat pump system downstream of a supplemental heater; comparing the three sensed temperatures; and signalling when the heated air temperature is greater than the working fluid temperature and the working fluid temperature is greater than or equal to the ambient air temperature, said signal indicating either that the supplemental heater has been activated or that the compressor has malfunctioned or failed.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for indicating abnormal operation of a heat pump system comprising the steps of: sensing the ambient air temperature surrounding the heat pump system; sensing the temperature of working fluid delivered from a compressor in the heat pump system; sensing the temperature of heated air delivered to a space to be heated from the heat pump system downstream of a supplemental heater; comparing the three sensed temperatures; and signalling when the heated air temperature is greater than the working fluid temperature and the working fluid temperature is greater than or equal to the ambient air temperature, said signal indicating either that the supplemental heater has been activated or that the compressor has malfunctioned or failed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of preventing signalling when the heated air temperature is only slightly greater than the working fluid temperature whereby malfunction or failure of the compressor is indicated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
169 words
Warning device for a heating system comprising: compressor means for delivering hot working fluid to a heat exchange means; means for flowing air in heat exchange relationship with the hot working fluid within the heat exchange means; an outlet duct means for delivering air heated in the heat exchange means to a space to be heated; auxiliary heater means arranged in said outlet duct means, said auxiliary heater being activated when the air temperature in said space drops below a predetermined value; means for sensing the temperature of said working fluid leaving said compressor means; means for sensing the temperature of the ambient air surrounding the heat pump system; means for sensing the temperature of the heated air in the outlet duct means downstream from said auxiliary heater means; control means for comparing the sensed temperatures of the working fluid, the ambient air, and the heated air in the outlet duct means; and warning means for signalling when the control means indicates an abnormal condition in said heating system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
169 words
Warning device for a heating system comprising: compressor means for delivering hot working fluid to a heat exchange means; means for flowing air in heat exchange relationship with the hot working fluid within the heat exchange means; an outlet duct means for delivering air heated in the heat exchange means to a space to be heated; auxiliary heater means arranged in said outlet duct means, said auxiliary heater being activated when the air temperature in said space drops below a predetermined value; means for sensing the temperature of said working fluid leaving said compressor means; means for sensing the temperature of the ambient air surrounding the heat pump system; means for sensing the temperature of the heated air in the outlet duct means downstream from said auxiliary heater means; control means for comparing the sensed temperatures of the working fluid, the ambient air, and the heated air in the outlet duct means; and warning means for signalling when the control means indicates an abnormal condition in said heating system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The warning device according to claim 10, wherein the abnormal condition is activation of the auxiliary heater means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The warning device according to claim 10, wherein the abnormal condition is compressor means malfunction or failure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The warning device according to claim 10, wherein the control means comprises a window comparator having the heated air temperature as an upper limit and the ambient air temperature as a lower limit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The warning device according to claim 13, wherein the window comparator indicates that the compressor means has failed when the working fluid temperatures falls within the upper and lower limits.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The warning device according to claim 10, wherein the control means indicates that the compressor means has failed when the hot air temperature is greater than the working fluid temperature by a predetermined amount and the working fluid temperature is greater than or equal to the ambient air temperature.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
128 words
Warning device for use with a heat pump system having an auxiliary heater arranged in an outlet duct for heated air from the system, said device comprising: first sensor means adapted for indicating the temperature of working fluid leaving a compressor for the heat pump system; second sensor means adapted for indicating the temperature of heated air in the outlet duct downstream from said auxiliary heater; third sensor means adapted for indicating the temperature of ambient air surrounding the heat pump system; means for comparing the three sensed temperatures; and indicator means for signalling when the means for comparing indicates that the hot air temperature is greater than the working fluid temperature and that the working fluid temperature is greater than or equal to the ambient air temperature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
128 words
Warning device for use with a heat pump system having an auxiliary heater arranged in an outlet duct for heated air from the system, said device comprising: first sensor means adapted for indicating the temperature of working fluid leaving a compressor for the heat pump system; second sensor means adapted for indicating the temperature of heated air in the outlet duct downstream from said auxiliary heater; third sensor means adapted for indicating the temperature of ambient air surrounding the heat pump system; means for comparing the three sensed temperatures; and indicator means for signalling when the means for comparing indicates that the hot air temperature is greater than the working fluid temperature and that the working fluid temperature is greater than or equal to the ambient air temperature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The warning device according to claim 16, wherein the means for comparing the three sensed temperatures comprises a window comparator being adapted to have the heated air temperature as an upper limit and the ambient air temperature as a lower limit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The warning device according to claim 16, wherein each of the first, second and third sensor means comprises a thermistor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The warning device according to claim 16, further comprising means for prohibiting a signal by the indicator means when the temperature of the working fluid is only slightly less than the temperature of the heated air whereby malfunction or failure of the compressor is indicated.
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) | 1986-03-14 | 1986-09-13 | 1987-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-14 | 1990-09-13 | 1991-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-14 | 1994-09-13 | 1995-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |