US5533352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Forced air heat exchanging system with variable fan speed control
Assignee: Copeland LP
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Filing: 1994-09-02
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Granted: 1996-07-09
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Expires: 2014-09-02
Abstract
Abstract Liquid refrigerant temperature, measured by a sensor adjacent the flow control device, provides multiple diverse pieces of information which are used to control the indoor fan speed. liquid refrigerant temperature is used as an indication of outdoor air temperature and is also used as an indication of whether the compressor is operational or not.
Inventors
- 👤 Vijay O. Bahel
- 👤 Hank E. Millet
- 👤 Mickey F. Hickey
- 👤 Hung M. Pham
- 👤 Gregory P. Herroon
- 👤 Gerald L. Greschl
- 👤 Joseph B. Niemann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:42
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/70; F24F11/80; F24F11/81; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1917; F24F11/30; F24F11/32; F24F11/38; F24F11/50; F24F11/52; F24F11/62; F24F11/63; F24F11/65; F24F11/67; F24F11/72; F24F11/74; F24F11/77; F24F11/83; F24F11/84; F24F11/86; F25; F25B; F25B1/00; F25B13/00; F25B49/00; F25B49/02; F25B49/027; F24F2140/00; F25B2313/00; F25B2313/029; F25B2313/0293; F25B2313/0294; F25B2313/031; F25B2313/0315; F25B2600/00; F25B2600/11; F25B2600/111; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
In a heat pump/air-conditioner system of the type having a compressor for delivering liquid refrigerant through an expansion orifice into an indoor heat exchanger, an optimized forced air heat exchanging system comprising: a fan positioned in said heat pump/air-conditioner system to direct indoor airflow into heat exchange contact with said indoor heat exchanger, said fan having at least two speeds of operation; a temperature sensor coupled to said heat pump system for sensing the temperature of the liquid refrigerant; a control circuit coupled to said fan and to said temperature sensor for controlling the speed of the fan based on the temperature of the liquid refrigerant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a heat pump/air-conditioner system of the type having a compressor for delivering liquid refrigerant through an expansion orifice into an indoor heat exchanger, an optimized forced air heat exchanging system comprising: a fan positioned in said heat pump/air-conditioner system to direct indoor airflow into heat exchange contact with said indoor heat exchanger, said fan having at least two speeds of operation; a temperature sensor coupled to said heat pump system for sensing the temperature of the liquid refrigerant; a control circuit coupled to said fan and to said temperature sensor for controlling the speed of the fan based on the temperature of the liquid refrigerant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said fan is a variable speed fan having separately selectable discrete speeds of operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said fan is a variable speed fan having continuously variable speeds of operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said fan includes an electronically commutated variable-speed motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said compressor is coupled to said expansion orifice by a fluid conduit and wherein said temperature sensor is in thermal contact with said fluid conduit or in a direct contact with the fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said temperature sensor is disposed adjacent said expansion orifice.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a refrigerant flow control device which defines said expansion orifice and which has a condenser side and an evaporator side; and wherein said temperature sensor is coupled to said heat pump system on the condenser side of said flow control device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control circuit compares the sensed temperature of the liquid refrigerant with a predetermined temperature and controls the speed of the fan based on said comparison.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control circuit compares the sensed temperature of the liquid refrigerant with a predetermined temperature and causes the fan to operate in the cooling mode: (a) at a first speed if the sensed temperature is above said predetermined temperature and (b) at a second speed if the sensed temperature is equal to or below said predetermined temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control circuit compares the sensed temperature of the liquid refrigerant with a predetermined temperature and causes the fan to operate in the heating mode: (a) at a first speed if the sensed temperature is below said predetermined temperature and (b) at a second speed if the sensed temperature is equal to or above said predetermined temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control circuit includes processor means for periodically comparing the sensed temperature with a predetermined temperature and for selectively altering the fan speed based on said periodic comparison.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
86 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control circuit compares the sensed temperature of the liquid refrigerant with first and second predetermined temperatures and causes the fan to operate in the cooling mode: (a) at a first speed if the sensed temperature is below said first predetermined temperature; (b) at a proportionally variable speed if the sensed temperature is above said first predetermined temperature and below said second predetermined temparature; and (c) at a second speed if the sensed temperature is above said second predetermined temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control circuit compares the sensed temperature of the liquid refrigerant with first and second predetermined temperatures and causes the fan to operate in the heating mode: (a) at a first speed if the sensed temperature is below said first predetermined temperature; (b) at a proportionally variable speed if the sensed temperature is above said first predetermined temperature and below said second predetermined temparature; and (c) at a second speed if the sensed temperature is above said second predetermined temperature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control circuit reads the sensed temperature of the liquid refrigerant and causes the fan to operate at a speed that is proportionally variable in response to said sensed temperature.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
40 words
The system of claim l wherein said control circuit reads the sensed temperature of the liquid refrigerant and causes the fan to operate at a speed that is a substatnially linear function of a parameter indicative of said sensed temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control circuit reads the sensed temperature of the liquid refrigerant and causes the fan to operate selectively according to one of the following: (a) at a speed that is a substantially linear function of a parameter indicative of said sensed temperature; and (b) at a fixed speed.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for optimizing forced air heat exchange in a heat pump/air-conditioner system of the type having a compressor for delivering liquid refrigerant through an expansion orifice into an indoor heat exchanger, comprising: directing an optimized forced indoor airflow onto said heat exchanger; sensing the temperature of the liquid refrigerant; and controlling the speed of the airflow based on the temperature of the liquid refrigerant.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for optimizing forced air heat exchange in a heat pump/air-conditioner system of the type having a compressor for delivering liquid refrigerant through an expansion orifice into an indoor heat exchanger, comprising: directing an optimized forced indoor airflow onto said heat exchanger; sensing the temperature of the liquid refrigerant; and controlling the speed of the airflow based on the temperature of the liquid refrigerant.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said controlling step is performed by controlling the speed of a fan in discrete steps.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said controlling step is performed by controlling the speed of a fan over a continuously variable range.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said sensing step is performed using a temperature sensor in thermal contact with a fluid conduit containing said liquid refrigerant.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said sensing step is performed using a temperature sensor in thermal contact with said liquid refrigerant.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said sensing step is performed by sensing temperature of the liquid refrigerant at a point adjacent said expansion orifice.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said controlling step is performed by sensing the temperature of the liquid refrigerant, comparing the sensed temperature with a predetermined temperature and controlling the speed of the airflow based on said comparison.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said controlling step is performed by sensing the temperature of the liquid refrigerant, comparing the sensed temperature with a predetermined temperature and controlling the speed of the airflow based on said comparison, as follows: (a) causing the airflow speed to be a first predetermined speed if the sensed temperature is above said predetermined temperature; and (b) causing the airflow speed to be a second predetermined speed if the sensed temperature is not above said predetermined temperature.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said controlling step is performed by sensing the temperature of the liquid refrigerant, comparing the sensed temperature with a predetermined temperature and controlling the speed of the airflow based on said comparison, as follows: (a) causing the airflow speed to be a first predetermined speed if the sensed temperature is below said predetermined temperature; and (b) causing the airflow speed to be a second predetermined speed if the sensed temperature is not below said predetermined temperature.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said controlling step is performed by periodically comparing the sensed temperature with a predetermined temperature and selectively altering the airflow speed based on said periodic comparisons.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a heat pump system of the type having a compressor for delivering liquid refrigerant through an expansion orifice into a heat exchanger, an improved forced air heat exchanging system comprising: a fan positioned in said heat pump system to direct an airflow into heat exchange contact with said heat exchanger, said fan having at least two speeds of operation; a temperature sensor coupled to said heat pump system for sensing the temperature of the liquid refrigerant; a compressor diagnostic system coupled to said temperature sensor for providing an indication of whether the compressor is operational based on temperature of the liquid refrigerant; a control circuit coupled to said fan and to said compressor diagnostic system and to said temperature sensor for controlling the speed of the fan based on the temperature of the liquid refrigerant and based on said indication of whether the compressor is operational.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a heat pump system of the type having a compressor for delivering liquid refrigerant through an expansion orifice into a heat exchanger, an improved forced air heat exchanging system comprising: a fan positioned in said heat pump system to direct an airflow into heat exchange contact with said heat exchanger, said fan having at least two speeds of operation; a temperature sensor coupled to said heat pump system for sensing the temperature of the liquid refrigerant; a compressor diagnostic system coupled to said temperature sensor for providing an indication of whether the compressor is operational based on temperature of the liquid refrigerant; a control circuit coupled to said fan and to said compressor diagnostic system and to said temperature sensor for controlling the speed of the fan based on the temperature of the liquid refrigerant and based on said indication of whether the compressor is operational.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 27 wherein said control circuit causes said fan to operate continuously when said compressor diagnostic system determines the compressor is not operational.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 27 wherein said compressor diagnostic system determines whether the compressor is operational by comparing the liquid refrigerant temperature determined at a first time upon compressor start up with the liquid refrigerant temperature determined at a second time after said first time.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 29 wherein said diagnostic system determines the compressor is not operational if the liquid refrigerant temperatures determined at said first and second times are not greater than about 5° F.
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) | 1999-07-09 | 2000-01-08 | 2000-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-09 | 2004-01-08 | 2004-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-09 | 2008-01-08 | 2008-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |