← Back to Patent Explorer
US5797276A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Methods and devices for energy conservation in refrigerated chambers

Assignee: HOST AMERICA Corp
•
Filing: 1997-08-01
•
Granted: 1998-08-25
•
Expires: 2017-08-01
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract Methods and devices for energy conservation to be retrofitted to refrigerated chambers or boxes of the type comprising an insulated chamber and an associated compression-type refrigeration system. The energy conservation devices disclosed are adapted to be mounted within the refrigerated chamber, on or within the evaporator, and connected to the thermostatic switch and the evaporator fans located within the refrigerated chamber.

Inventors

  • 👤 Mervin W. Howenstine
  • 👤 Allan E. Schrum

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 19:12
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1906; G05D23/1912; F; F25; F25D; F25D17/00; F25D17/04; F25D17/06; F25D17/067

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim 186 words
A device for conserving energy in a refrigeration chamber utilizing a compressor external to the chamber and an evaporator having an expansion valve, a plurality of evaporator fans and a thermostatic switch located within said chamber, comprising: a. a fan power supply, including a source of single phase alternating; power and transforming means comprising an auto transformer for selectively providing a first energizing voltage to run the plurality of evaporator fans at a high speed, and a second energizing voltage to run the plurality of evaporator fans at a low speed; and b. control means for regulating the operation of said fan power supply in accordance with the thermostatic switch, said control means further including switching means responsive to said thermostatic switch to selectively energize said first and second voltages, said switching means including a first electronic power relay having a triac driver connected to a triac, a second electronic relay having a triac driver connected to a triac, said first and second electronic relays operatively connected to said auto transformer to provide said first and second energizing voltages to run said plurality of evaporator fans.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 186 words
A device for conserving energy in a refrigeration chamber utilizing a compressor external to the chamber and an evaporator having an expansion valve, a plurality of evaporator fans and a thermostatic switch located within said chamber, comprising: a. a fan power supply, including a source of single phase alternating; power and transforming means comprising an auto transformer for selectively providing a first energizing voltage to run the plurality of evaporator fans at a high speed, and a second energizing voltage to run the plurality of evaporator fans at a low speed; and b. control means for regulating the operation of said fan power supply in accordance with the thermostatic switch, said control means further including switching means responsive to said thermostatic switch to selectively energize said first and second voltages, said switching means including a first electronic power relay having a triac driver connected to a triac, a second electronic relay having a triac driver connected to a triac, said first and second electronic relays operatively connected to said auto transformer to provide said first and second energizing voltages to run said plurality of evaporator fans.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 32 words
The device of claim 1 in which said first and second electronic relays further include means for encapsulating said first and second electronic relays for resistance to conditions within said refrigerators chamber.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2959929A Cited
US3070972A Cited
US3464225A Cited
US3545219A Cited
US3739596A Cited
US3959979A Cited
US3877243A Cited
US4362270A Cited
US4167966A Cited
JPS5721739A Cited
US4682648A Cited
US5488835A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-08-24 2002-02-23 2002-08-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-08-24 2006-02-23 2006-08-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-08-24 2010-02-23 2010-08-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag