US5161387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for configuring and controlling a load
Assignee: Trane International Inc
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Filing: 1991-04-26
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Granted: 1992-11-10
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Expires: 2011-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A method of determining and controlling a load by a controller. The method comprises the steps of transmitting a signal for a first predetermined time period on an electrical line having a load in parallel with a capacitor; monitoring the electrical line for electrical activity within a second predetermined time period following the first time period; and controlling the load in response to the presence or absence of the electrical activity.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan G. Metcalfe
- 👤 Tedd P. Johnson
- 👤 David M. Foye
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:38
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1902; G05D23/1905; F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/89
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of determining and controlling a load by a controller comprising the steps of: transmitting a signal for a first predetermined time period on an electrical line having a load in parallel with a capacitor; monitoring the electrical line for electrical activity within a second predetermined time period following the first time period; and controlling the load in response to the presence or absence of the electrical activity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of determining and controlling a load by a controller comprising the steps of: transmitting a signal for a first predetermined time period on an electrical line having a load in parallel with a capacitor; monitoring the electrical line for electrical activity within a second predetermined time period following the first time period; and controlling the load in response to the presence or absence of the electrical activity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 including the further step of placing a jumper around the capacitor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 including the further step of removing a jumper from around the capacitor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 including the further step of setting the first and second time periods to be less than a response period of the load.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of configuring and controlling a load from a load controller comprising the steps of: setting a tri-state output on an electrical line to a high state for a first predetermined time period; setting the tri-state output on the electrical line to an input state for a second predetermined time period; reading the electrical activity on the electrical line during the second predetermined time period; and determining the existence of a load connected to the electrical line based on the presence or absence of electrical activity on the electrical line during the second predetermined time period.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of configuring and controlling a load from a load controller comprising the steps of: setting a tri-state output on an electrical line to a high state for a first predetermined time period; setting the tri-state output on the electrical line to an input state for a second predetermined time period; reading the electrical activity on the electrical line during the second predetermined time period; and determining the existence of a load connected to the electrical line based on the presence or absence of electrical activity on the electrical line during the second predetermined time period.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5 including the further step of controlling the load if the load is determined to exist.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 including the further step of setting the first and second predetermined time periods to be less than a response time of the load.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 including a further step of placing a jumper around a capacitor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 5 including the further step of removing a jumper from around a capacitor.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of configuring the controller of an air conditioning system comprising the steps of: setting a tri-state port to a high state for a first predetermined time period; changing the tri-state port to an input state for a second predetermined time period; receiving, for the second predetermined period of time, any signals present at the tri-state port; and configuring the controller of the air conditioning system in accordance with the presence or absence of any signals received during the second predetermined time period.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of configuring the controller of an air conditioning system comprising the steps of: setting a tri-state port to a high state for a first predetermined time period; changing the tri-state port to an input state for a second predetermined time period; receiving, for the second predetermined period of time, any signals present at the tri-state port; and configuring the controller of the air conditioning system in accordance with the presence or absence of any signals received during the second predetermined time period.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10 including the further step of placing the tri-state port in a high or low state to control the activation or deactivation of a load.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 10 including the further step of setting the first and second predetermined time periods to be less than a load response time period.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10 including the further step of placing a jumper around a capacitor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the jumper is a load to be controlled by the controller.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10 including the further step of removing a jumper from around a capacitor.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
56 words
A system for controlling a load comprising: a load; a load controlling circuitry; a tri-state port; an electrical line operably connecting the load and the load controlling circuitry to the tri-state port; a capacitor operably connected to the electrical line in parallel to the load controlling circuitry; and means for negating the operation of the capacitor.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
56 words
A system for controlling a load comprising: a load; a load controlling circuitry; a tri-state port; an electrical line operably connecting the load and the load controlling circuitry to the tri-state port; a capacitor operably connected to the electrical line in parallel to the load controlling circuitry; and means for negating the operation of the capacitor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the capacitor negating means includes a jumper bypassing the capacitor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the load is the jumper.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
76 words
An air conditioning system comprising: a compressor; a condenser; an expansion valve; an evaporator; conduit cyclically connecting the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve and the evaporator in the listed order; a plenum including the evaporator and a supply fan; at least one condenser fan operably associated with the condenser; and means for determining the existence of and controlling the operation of system loads; wherein said determining and controlling means includes a jumper around a capacitor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
76 words
An air conditioning system comprising: a compressor; a condenser; an expansion valve; an evaporator; conduit cyclically connecting the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve and the evaporator in the listed order; a plenum including the evaporator and a supply fan; at least one condenser fan operably associated with the condenser; and means for determining the existence of and controlling the operation of system loads; wherein said determining and controlling means includes a jumper around a capacitor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said determining and controlling means includes means for sending a timing pulse of a first duration, and means for monitoring electrical activity for a time period of a second duration following said first time period, where the lengths of the first and second time periods is less than a load response time.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 19 including a controller operatively associated with the determining and controlling means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 21 wherein the controller is operably connected to a system load by means of a tri-state port and an electrical line.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 19 wherein the jumper comprises a system load.
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) | 1995-11-10 | 1996-05-11 | 1996-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-10 | 2000-05-11 | 2000-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-10 | 2004-05-11 | 2004-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |