COLLECTION, PRODUCTION OR USE OF HEAT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

Description

F24V covers heat collection, production, and utilization applications that do not fall under more specific heating classifications within F24. This subclass encompasses residual heat recovery from industrial processes, waste heat utilization systems, and unconventional heat generation methods not covered by dedicated F24 groups for combustion heating, electric heating, or heat pumps. It typically includes technologies for capturing and repurposing thermal energy from exhaust streams, thermal storage systems designed for heat management, and composite heating arrangements combining multiple heat sources. The scope excludes mainstream heating systems already classified in F24B–F24T and focuses on supplementary or innovative heat-related technologies requiring dedicated patent classification.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass F24V recorded 1,986 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 222 in 2013 to 110 in 2023 (-50%). The most active applicants in class F24 are GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES (11,167 applications), QINGDAO HAIER AIR CONDITIONER COMPANY (9,225 applications) and HAIER SMART HOME (8,998 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings