US6070110A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Humidity control thermostat and method for an air conditioning system
Assignee: Carrier Corp
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Filing: 1997-06-23
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Granted: 2000-05-30
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Expires: 2017-06-23
Abstract
Abstract An air conditioner or heat pump system is equipped with a thermostat control which includes a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor and an algorithm to control the low voltage signals to the indoor blower section and the compressor to control operation of each in response to the indoor temperature and humidity conditions and the desired temperature and humidity setpoints.
Inventors
- 👤 Rajendra K. Shah
- 👤 Eugene L. Mills, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:36
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/0008; F24F11/62; F24F11/63; F24F11/65; F24F11/70; F24F11/72; F24F11/74; F24F11/77; F24F11/80; F24F11/86; F24F11/89; G; G05; G05D; G05D22/00; G05D22/02; F24F11/30; F24F2110/00; F24F2110/10; F24F2110/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A control device for controlling a climate control system of an enclosed space, the climate control system having a fan and a compressor, the control device comprising: a humidity sensor capable of perceiving the humidity in the enclosed space and providing a signal corresponding to the perceived humidity; a temperature sensor capable of perceiving the temperature in the enclosed space and providing a signal corresponding to the perceived temperature; a microprocessor operatively connected to receive the signals from the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor for comparing the perceived temperature and humidity to a predetermined temperature and a predetermined humidity setting, and for sending separate enabling signals to the fan and the compressor; the microprocessor operative in a first operational mode to send a separate signal to the fan and to the compressor enabling the fan and compressor to operate at full capacity, and the microprocessor operative in a second operational mode to send a signal enabling the compressor to operate at full capacity and to send a separate signal enabling the fan to operate at less than full capacity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A control device for controlling a climate control system of an enclosed space, the climate control system having a fan and a compressor, the control device comprising: a humidity sensor capable of perceiving the humidity in the enclosed space and providing a signal corresponding to the perceived humidity; a temperature sensor capable of perceiving the temperature in the enclosed space and providing a signal corresponding to the perceived temperature; a microprocessor operatively connected to receive the signals from the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor for comparing the perceived temperature and humidity to a predetermined temperature and a predetermined humidity setting, and for sending separate enabling signals to the fan and the compressor; the microprocessor operative in a first operational mode to send a separate signal to the fan and to the compressor enabling the fan and compressor to operate at full capacity, and the microprocessor operative in a second operational mode to send a signal enabling the compressor to operate at full capacity and to send a separate signal enabling the fan to operate at less than full capacity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A control device according to claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is further operative in a third operational mode to send a signal enabling the compressor to operate at less than full capacity and to send a separate signal enabling the fan to operate at less than full capacity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A control device according to claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is further operative in a fourth operational mode to prohibit the operation of the fan for a predetermined time interval.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of controlling a climate control system of an enclosed space, the climate control system having an evaporator, a fan and a compressor, the method comprising: sensing the humidity in the enclosed space; sensing the temperature in the enclosed space; comparing the sensed temperature and the sensed humidity with a desired temperature and a desired humidity; and controlling the climate control system to cause the temperature and humidity of the enclosed space to come within predetermined limits; wherein the controlling step includes the step of prohibiting of the operation of the fan for a predetermined time interval following a compressor shutdown to allow accumulated moisture on the evaporator to drain off.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of controlling a climate control system of an enclosed space, the climate control system having an evaporator, a fan and a compressor, the method comprising: sensing the humidity in the enclosed space; sensing the temperature in the enclosed space; comparing the sensed temperature and the sensed humidity with a desired temperature and a desired humidity; and controlling the climate control system to cause the temperature and humidity of the enclosed space to come within predetermined limits; wherein the controlling step includes the step of prohibiting of the operation of the fan for a predetermined time interval following a compressor shutdown to allow accumulated moisture on the evaporator to drain off.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the controlling step further includes the steps of: setting the desired temperature; setting the predetermined humidity; and choosing an occupancy setting for selecting the predetermined temperature and humidity limits.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
170 words
A system for conditioning the climate of an enclosed space, the system comprising: a fan; a compressor; a humidity sensor capable of perceiving the humidity in the enclosed space and providing a signal corresponding to the perceived humidity; a temperature sensor capable of perceiving the temperature in the enclosed space and providing a signal corresponding to the perceived temperature; a microprocessor operatively connected to receive the signals from the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor for comparing the perceived temperature and humidity to a predetermined temperature and a predetermined humidity setting, and for sending separate enabling signals to the fan and the compressor; the microprocessor operative in a first operational mode to send a separate signal to the fan and to the compressor enabling the fan and compressor to operate at full capacity, and the microprocessor operative in a second operational mode to send a signal enabling the compressor to operate at full capacity and to send a separate signal enabling the fan to operate at less than full capacity.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
170 words
A system for conditioning the climate of an enclosed space, the system comprising: a fan; a compressor; a humidity sensor capable of perceiving the humidity in the enclosed space and providing a signal corresponding to the perceived humidity; a temperature sensor capable of perceiving the temperature in the enclosed space and providing a signal corresponding to the perceived temperature; a microprocessor operatively connected to receive the signals from the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor for comparing the perceived temperature and humidity to a predetermined temperature and a predetermined humidity setting, and for sending separate enabling signals to the fan and the compressor; the microprocessor operative in a first operational mode to send a separate signal to the fan and to the compressor enabling the fan and compressor to operate at full capacity, and the microprocessor operative in a second operational mode to send a signal enabling the compressor to operate at full capacity and to send a separate signal enabling the fan to operate at less than full capacity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A climate control system according to claim 6 wherein the microprocessor is further operative in a third operational mode to send a signal enabling the compressor to operate at less than full capacity and to send a separate signal enabling the fan to operate at less than full capacity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A climate control system according to claim 6 wherein the microprocessor is further operative in a fourth operational mode to prohibit the operation of the fan for a predetermined time interval.
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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) | 2003-05-30 | 2003-11-29 | 2004-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-30 | 2007-11-29 | 2008-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-30 | 2011-11-29 | 2012-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |