Air conditioning fan control

• US 4,075,864 A
• Filed: 04/29/1977
• Issued: 02/28/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Schrader, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US05/792,450
• Time in Patent Office: 305 Days
• Field of Search: 62/202, 62/180, 62/186, 62/229
• US Class Current: 62/180
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/89 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices

Abstract

An air conditioner control circuit having a thermostat for automatically causing the air conditioner to be de-energized at predetermined low temperatures and including means for causing the fan motor to run periodically for some time period after the air conditioner has been de-energized to allow the air temperature to be better sampled by the thermostat. Means are also provided in the control circuit for allowing fan operation for a period of time after the air conditioner has been de-energized.

Claims

1. In an air conditioner including means for conditioning air, air circulation means for circulating ambient air in association with said conditioning means, temperature responsive means for sensing the condition of air to be conditioned for terminating operation of said air circulating means and said air conditioning means at a preselected low ambient air temperature, control means for controlling the operation of said air circulating means when said temperature responsive means senses temperatures above said preselected temperature, comprising:

said control including switch means having a first position for energizing said air circulating means when the temperature sensed by said temperature responsive means is above said preselected low temperature and a second position for energizing said air circulating means when said temperature responsive means senses said preselected low temperature;

a first actuating means associated with said switch means being operable when the temperature sensed by said temperature responsive means is above said preselected temperature for causing said switch to move to said second position to operate said air circulating means through said control means so that said air circulating means will continue to operate for a predetermined time subsequent to each stoppage of said air condition means after said temperature responsive means senses said preselected low temperature;

a second actuating means associated with said switch means being operable for actuating said switch means between said first and second position for periodically operating said air circulating means to sample the ambient air by bringing ambient air periodically to said temperature responsive means when the temperature sensed by said temperature responsive means is below said preselected low ambient temperature.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said control switch means includes a thermal switching member.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said second actuating means is an electrically energized resistance heater and in which energy is supplied to said heater only when said fan is de-energized.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said first actuating means is an electrically energized resistance heater and in which energy is supplied to said heater only when said compressor and air circulating means are energized.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said second heater is connected across said thermal switch member and said thermostat means so as to be energized only when said thermal switch is in its first position and said thermostat has de-energized said air conditioning means.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said first heater is connected in series with said thermostat and in parallel with said air conditioning means and air circulating means when said thermal switch is in said first position so as to be energized only when said compressor and air circulating means are energized.