US5467607A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air conditioning control system
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1994-02-22
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Granted: 1995-11-21
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Expires: 2014-02-22
Abstract
Abstract An air conditioning control system monitors the temperature in the vicinity of electronic equipment using one or more sensors placed either in the equipment area or at the outlet of an air conditioning duct or vent. The temperature sensors supply signals to a microprocessor that is programmed to adjust the output of a system controller such that the amount of cooling provided by the air conditioning system is controlled. Illustratively, when the air conditioning system is restarted after a power failure, the power applied to one or more air conditioning fan motors is controlled, such as by throttling the motors down to an acceptable speed, to in turn control the cooling effect on the equipment. The amount of cool air produced by the air conditioning system is detected by the sensors, thereby forming a feedback control loop. Using this arrangement, electronic equipment failures which occur because of thermal shock due to air conditioning start ups after cooling system outages are reduced, by lowering the rate of temperature change to which electronic equipment is exposed.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Harvey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:53
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/32; F24F11/37; F24F11/62; F24F11/63; F24F11/70; F24F11/72; F24F11/74; F24F11/77; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1927; G05D23/193; G05D23/1932; F24F2110/00; F24F2110/10; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A control system for reducing the effects of thermal shock on electrical components located in an area cooled by an air conditioning system, said control system comprising a sensor for monitoring rate of temperature change R in said area in which said electrical components are located; means for controlling the output of said air conditioning system; means for coupling an output from said sensor to said controlling means to control said rate of temperature change R experienced by said electrical components, so that R does not exceed a predetermined maximum value consistent with eliminating thermal shock to said electrical components, and means for activating said controlling means only after restoration of power to said air conditioning system following a power outage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A control system for reducing the effects of thermal shock on electrical components located in an area cooled by an air conditioning system, said control system comprising a sensor for monitoring rate of temperature change R in said area in which said electrical components are located; means for controlling the output of said air conditioning system; means for coupling an output from said sensor to said controlling means to control said rate of temperature change R experienced by said electrical components, so that R does not exceed a predetermined maximum value consistent with eliminating thermal shock to said electrical components, and means for activating said controlling means only after restoration of power to said air conditioning system following a power outage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
A temperature control system, comprising cooling means for providing cooling in the vicinity of electronic equipment, means for sensing the temperature in said vicinity of said electronic equipment, means responsive to the output of said sensing means for controlling the cooling output from said cooling means so that the rate of temperature change is said vicinity of said electronic equipment is limited to a predetermined maximum value R, and means for activating said controlling means only when the operation of said cooling means is resumed after a period of inactivity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
A temperature control system, comprising cooling means for providing cooling in the vicinity of electronic equipment, means for sensing the temperature in said vicinity of said electronic equipment, means responsive to the output of said sensing means for controlling the cooling output from said cooling means so that the rate of temperature change is said vicinity of said electronic equipment is limited to a predetermined maximum value R, and means for activating said controlling means only when the operation of said cooling means is resumed after a period of inactivity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention defined in claim 2 wherein said maximum value R is selected to avoid thermal shock to said electronic equipment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention defined in claim 2 wherein said sensing means is a thermistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for controlling the maximum rate of temperature change to which electronic components located in an area cooled by an air conditioning system are subjected, so that said thermal shock to said components is reduced when operation of said air conditioning system is resumed after an outage, said apparatus comprising means for monitoring the temperature in said cooled area; processor means responsive to the output of said monitoring means arranged to determine the amount of cooling from said air conditioning system necessary to limit the maximum rate of change of temperature experienced by said electrical components; control means for controlling the output of said air conditioning system only when operation of said air conditioning system is resumed after an outage; and means for coupling the output from said processor means to said control means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for controlling the maximum rate of temperature change to which electronic components located in an area cooled by an air conditioning system are subjected, so that said thermal shock to said components is reduced when operation of said air conditioning system is resumed after an outage, said apparatus comprising means for monitoring the temperature in said cooled area; processor means responsive to the output of said monitoring means arranged to determine the amount of cooling from said air conditioning system necessary to limit the maximum rate of change of temperature experienced by said electrical components; control means for controlling the output of said air conditioning system only when operation of said air conditioning system is resumed after an outage; and means for coupling the output from said processor means to said control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention defined in claim 5 wherein said control means is arranged to control the amount of power applied to said air conditioning system from a power source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said control means is arranged to control the duty cycle of power applied to said air conditioning system from said power source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention defined in claim 5 wherein said processor means is a program controlled microprocessor.
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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) | 1998-11-20 | 1999-05-22 | 1999-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-20 | 2003-05-22 | 2003-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-20 | 2007-05-22 | 2007-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |