Patent US4487032A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4487032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy conservation for household refrigerators and water heaters
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-04-01
•
Granted: 1984-12-11
•
Expires: 2003-04-01
Abstract
Abstract An energy conservation arrangement for household refrigerators and water heaters, in which the source of cold water to the hot water heater is divided and part is caused to flow through and be warmed in the condenser of the refrigerator. The warmed water is then further heated in the oil cooling loop of the refrigerator compressor, and proceeds then to the top of the hot water tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry L. Speicher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:45
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24D; F24D17/00; F24D17/02; F25; F25B; F25B29/00; F25B29/003; F25B31/00; F25B31/006; F24D2200/00; F24D2200/16; F24D2200/24; F25B2339/00; F25B2339/04; F25B2339/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
In a household having a household refrigerator and a household hot water heater, fed by a source of cold water, the refrigerator having a closed refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant flows from a compressor to a condenser to an expander to at least one evaporator of the refrigerator and back to the compressor; the improvement comprising means to supply water from said cold water source to cool said condenser, means to feed water heated in said condenser to said hot water heater, and means to distribute water from said heater for household use, said compressor having a compressor motor having an oil cooling loop, said water passing from said condenser through said oil cooling loop and thence to said hot water heater and thence to household use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a household having a household refrigerator and a household hot water heater, fed by a source of cold water, the refrigerator having a closed refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant flows from a compressor to a condenser to an expander to at least one evaporator of the refrigerator and back to the compressor; the improvement comprising means to supply water from said cold water source to cool said condenser, means to feed water heated in said condenser to said hot water heater, and means to distribute water from said heater for household use, said compressor having a compressor motor having an oil cooling loop, said water passing from said condenser through said oil cooling loop and thence to said hot water heater and thence to household use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Structure as claimed in claim 1, and means for introducing said water from said condenser into the top of said heater.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Structure as claimed in claim 1, and an auxiliary tank through which cold water must flow between the cold water source and the heater.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Structure as claimed in claim 1, and a check valve between the cold water source and the condenser to prevent the flow of water from the condenser inlet in a direction away from the condenser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Structure as claimed in claim 1, and a solenoid valve and a pump between the cold water source and the condenser to cause water to flow toward the condenser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
Structure as claimed in claim 5, and means responsive to a pre-determined rise in temperature of the refrigerant leaving the condenser, to open said solenoid valve and actuate said pump.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Structure as claimed in claim 1, in which said refrigerant flows directly from said compressor to said condenser.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2125842A
Cited
US3188829A
Cited
US4241588A
Cited
US4246764A
Cited
GB2052712A
Cited
US4293093A
Cited
US4373345A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-12-11 | 1988-06-11 | 1988-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-11 | 1992-06-11 | 1992-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-11 | 1996-06-11 | 1996-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |