F25B REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
Description
Covers refrigeration and cooling equipment, including compressor-based machines, absorption systems, and thermoelectric cooling devices used in industrial, commercial, and domestic applications. Encompasses combined systems that provide both heating and cooling functions, as well as heat pump systems that transfer thermal energy for temperature control. Includes the design, construction, and operation of refrigerant circuits, compressors, condensers, evaporators, and associated components. Excludes ice manufacture and gas liquefaction when classified separately under other subclasses, as well as thermal insulation and specific refrigerant chemistries.
Filing statistics
CPC subclass F25B recorded 121,123 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 7,227 in 2013 to 10,966 in 2023 (+52%), peaking at 13,018 applications in 2018. The most active applicants in class F25 are LG ELECTRONICS (9,415 applications), HAIER SMART HOME (8,015 applications) and MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION (5,758 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
43 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- F25B 1/00 Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle (F25B3/00, F25B5/00, F25B6/00, F25B7/00, F25B9/00 take precedence)
- F25B 11/00 Compression machines, plants or systems, using turbines, e.g. gas turbines
- F25B 13/00 Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle (defrosting cycles F25B47/02)
- F25B 15/00 Sorption machines, plants or systems, operating continuously, e.g. absorption type
- F25B 17/00 Sorption machines, plants or systems, operating intermittently, e.g. absorption or adsorption type
- F25B 19/00 Machines, plants or systems, using evaporation of a refrigerant but without recovery of the vapour
- F25B 21/00 Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
- F25B 23/00 Machines, plants or systems, with a single mode of operation not covered by groups F25B1/00 - F25B21/00, e.g. using selective radiation effect
- F25B 2300/00 Special arrangements or features for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems
- F25B 2309/00 Gas cycle refrigeration machines
- F25B 2313/00 Compression machines, plants or systems with reversible cycle not otherwise provided for
- F25B 2315/00 Sorption refrigeration cycles or details thereof
- F25B 2321/00 Details of machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
- F25B 2327/00 Refrigeration system using an engine for driving a compressor
- F25B 2333/00 Details of boilers; Analysers; Rectifiers
- F25B 2339/00 Details of evaporators; Details of condensers
- F25B 2341/00 Details of ejectors not being used as compression device; Details of flow restrictors or expansion valves
- F25B 2345/00 Details for charging or discharging refrigerants; Service stations therefor
- F25B 2347/00 Details for preventing or removing deposits or corrosion
- F25B 2400/00 General features or devices for refrigeration machines, plants or systems, combined heating and refrigeration systems or heat-pump systems, i.e. not limited to a particular subgroup of F25B
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class F25, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- LG ELECTRONICS KR 9,415
- HAIER SMART HOME 8,015
- MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION JP 5,758
- BSH (BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERAETE) DE 3,827
- MIDEA 3,769
- GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES 3,417
- HAIER SMART HOME CN 3,403
- SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 3,329
- DAIKIN INDUSTRIES JP 2,908
- HEFEI MIDEA REFRIGERATOR COMPANY 2,186