F25B REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
Introduced: September 1968
Classification Context
- Section:
- MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- Class:
- REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION OR SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- Subclass:
- 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
IPC subclass F25B recorded 178,629 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 11,239 in 2013 to 18,066 in 2023 (+61%), peaking at 19,059 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class F25 are HAIER SMART HOME (13,215 applications), LG ELECTRONICS (8,561 applications) and MIDEA (7,315 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
F25B ranks 2nd of 4 subclasses with filings in F25, with 178,629 applications between 2013 and 2023, 45.6% of the class. Annual filings grew 61% from 2013 to 2023, below the class as a whole (+117%).
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F25D, Refrigerators; Cold Rooms; Ice-Boxes; Cooling or Freezing Apparatus Not Otherwise Provided for | Refrigerators; Cold Rooms; Ice-Boxes; Cooling or Freezing Apparatus Not Otherwise Provided for | 179,372 | 45.8% |
| 2 | F25B | Refrigeration Machines, Plants or Systems; Combined Heating and Refrigeration Systems; Heat Pump Systems | 178,629 | 45.6% |
| 3 | F25C, Producing, Working or Handling Ice | Producing, Working or Handling Ice | 16,883 | 4.3% |
| 4 | F25J, Liquefaction, Solidification, or Separation of Gases or Gaseous Mixtures by Pressure and Cold Treatment | Liquefaction, Solidification, or Separation of Gases or Gaseous Mixtures by Pressure and Cold Treatment | 16,536 | 4.2% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Related Keywords
28 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- F25B 1/00 Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle
- 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
- 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 , e.g. using selective radiation effect
- F25B 25/00 Machines, plants or systems, using a combination of modes of operation covered by two or more of the groups
- F25B 27/00 Machines, plants or systems, using particular sources of energy
- F25B 29/00 Combined heating and refrigeration systems, e.g. operating alternately or simultaneously
- F25B 3/00 Self-contained rotary compression machines, i.e. with compressor, condenser and evaporator rotating as a single unit
- F25B 30/00 Heat pumps
- F25B 31/00 Compressor arrangements
- F25B 33/00 Boilers; Analysers; Rectifiers
- F25B 35/00 Boiler-absorbers, i.e. boilers usable for absorption or adsorption
- F25B 37/00 Absorbers; Adsorbers
- F25B 39/00 Evaporators; Condensers
- F25B 40/00 Subcoolers, desuperheaters or superheaters
- F25B 41/00 Fluid-circulation arrangements
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class F25, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- HAIER SMART HOME 13,215
- LG ELECTRONICS KR 8,561
- MIDEA 7,315
- GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES 6,041
- HEFEI MIDEA REFRIGERATOR COMPANY 5,211
- MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION JP 4,905
- HEFEI HUALING COMPANY 4,633
- BSH (BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERAETE) DE 3,697
- QINGDAO HAIER INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH ANDDEVELOPMENT COMPANY 3,376
- HAIER SMART HOME CN 3,265