US4946096A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for operating a furnace from a 12V DC battery
Assignee: Carrier Corp
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Filing: 1989-12-11
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Granted: 1990-08-07
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Expires: 2009-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A furnace which normally operates from a residential AC power source is adapted to operate on auxiliary DC power by changing the normal control function to substantially prevent the furnace from operating in the high heat mode during periods of auxiliary power use. Relays can be used to automatically connect the emergency power and to effect the change of the control function.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary W. Ballard
- 👤 Kevin D. Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:59
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23N; F23N5/00; F23N5/26; F23N5/265; H; H02; H02J; H02J9/00; H02J9/04; H02J9/06; H02J9/062; F23N2231/00; F23N2231/02; F23N2231/04; F23N2237/00; F23N2237/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of operating on auxiliary power, a furnace of the type for use with an electrical power source that is susceptible to interruption and having blower and burner assemblies with each having high and low heat capabilities comprising the steps of: sensing when power from the electric power source has been interrupted; connecting an auxiliary source of power to the furnace when said interruption is sensed; and substantially inhibiting the blower from operating in a high heat mode during the period of time in which the furnace is operating with auxiliary power.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of operating on auxiliary power, a furnace of the type for use with an electrical power source that is susceptible to interruption and having blower and burner assemblies with each having high and low heat capabilities comprising the steps of: sensing when power from the electric power source has been interrupted; connecting an auxiliary source of power to the furnace when said interruption is sensed; and substantially inhibiting the blower from operating in a high heat mode during the period of time in which the furnace is operating with auxiliary power.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of operating a furnace as set forth in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary power source includes a DC battery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of operating a furnace as set forth in claim 2 wherein said auxiliary power source further includes a DC-AC converter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of operating a furnace as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensing and connecting steps are accomplished by way of a relay.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of operating a furnace as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inhibiting step is accomplished by way of responsively initiating a control function that entirely prevents the system from operating in the high heat mode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of operating a furnace as set forth in claim 5 wherein said inhibiting step is initiated by way of a relay.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
90 words
An improved furnace of the type which is operable with an electric power source that is susceptible to interruption and having blower and burner assemblies with each having high and low heat capabilities comprising: means for sensing when the power from the electric power source is interrupted; means for connecting an auxiliary power source to the furnace when said interruption is sensed; and means for substantially inhibiting the furnace from operating in a high heat mode during the period of time in which the furnace is operating with auxiliary power.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
An improved furnace of the type which is operable with an electric power source that is susceptible to interruption and having blower and burner assemblies with each having high and low heat capabilities comprising: means for sensing when the power from the electric power source is interrupted; means for connecting an auxiliary power source to the furnace when said interruption is sensed; and means for substantially inhibiting the furnace from operating in a high heat mode during the period of time in which the furnace is operating with auxiliary power.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improved furnace as set forth in claim 7 wherein said sensing and connecting means comprises a relay.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An improved furnace as set forth in claim 7 wherein said auxiliary power source includes a DC battery and a power converter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
An improved furnace as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means for substantially inhibiting the furnace from operating in a high heat mode comprises a control function for entirely limiting the operation of the furnace to a low heat mode.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of operating a furnace of the type having both high and low heat modes of operational capability, with associated high and low levels for a blower motor normally powered by an AC power source, comprising the steps of: sensing when the power from the AC power source has been interrupted; responsively connecting an auxiliary power source to the furnace to provide power to its auxiliary equipment including the blower motor; and substantially restricting the blower motor from high speed operation when operating on auxiliary power.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of operating a furnace of the type having both high and low heat modes of operational capability, with associated high and low levels for a blower motor normally powered by an AC power source, comprising the steps of: sensing when the power from the AC power source has been interrupted; responsively connecting an auxiliary power source to the furnace to provide power to its auxiliary equipment including the blower motor; and substantially restricting the blower motor from high speed operation when operating on auxiliary power.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of operating a furnace as set forth in claim 11 wherein said sensing and connecting steps are accomplished by way of a relay.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of operating a furnace as set forth in claim 11 wherein said auxiliary power source comprises a battery and a converter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of operating a furnace as set forth in claim 11 wherein said restricting step is accomplished by limiting the operational capability of the blower to the low speed only.
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) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-02-05 | 1994-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-06 | 1998-02-05 | 1998-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-02-05 | 2002-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |