Patents Assigned to Valeo Climate Control
  • Patent number: 7510165
    Abstract: A door decelerator system reduces or prevents undesirable limits of audible door noise in an HVAC unit. The system includes a door, movable between end or stop positions; and a kinematics lever connected to the door at a common axis of rotation or the kinematics lever having a deceleration axis common with the door, the kinematics lever having a deflection area incorporated therein. A rigid rib is incorporated in a housing of the HVAC unit, the rigid rib disposed in compressive contact with the deflection area at least as the kinematics lever reaches an end of travel. The deflection area is physically separable from the rigid rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Climate Control Corp.
    Inventor: F. Michael Heshmati
  • Patent number: 7418999
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a supercritical refrigerating cycle, comprising tubes 510 and tanks 520 which have plural hollow portions 520a and slots 521a for insertion of the ends of the tubes formed, wherein a sectional outline of the hollow portions of the tanks has an approximately semicircular shape with a side corresponding to the diameter directed to the side of the slots. And, the partition members each 523 is disposed between the plate bodies 521 and the tank member 522. The tanks are formed by assembling plate bodies 521 with slots formed and tank members 522 with plural curves formed to configure hollow portions, and the plate bodies are provided with communicating recesses 521b for communicating plural hollow portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Zexel Valeo Climate Control Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiko Takano
  • Patent number: 7416138
    Abstract: The present invention relates to distribution of conditioned air from automotive HVAC units, in particularly, distribution systems having both front and rear components. In particular, the present invention improves the temperature characteristics of the rear floor area of distribution in the cockpit, cab or passenger compartment, in a variety of temperature modes. By providing for a valving or closing off means on a rear distribution door, regulation and adjustment of the stratification and temperature of air reaching the rear, and especially, the rear floor area of the cockpit, cab or passenger compartment, is achieved by blocking or closing off a channel between the heater core area of the HVAC and the distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Kenneth H Ellison, Eugene M. Kozak, Steven B. Marshall, Paul H. Carlson
  • Patent number: 7407001
    Abstract: A structure to provide air flow an mixture in an HVAC unit utilizing a separate piece air deflector located within the lower housing of the HVAC unit and ribs to direct airflow, the separate piece air deflector configured to cause air deflection and airflow towards the distribution area of the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: David S. Newman, Richard E. Delplace, Steven B. Marshall
  • Patent number: 7401954
    Abstract: Control panel architectures, and, specifically, architectures having bulb assemblies as features, particular those in control panels used in motor vehicle applications, are disclosed. By providing restricting means such as for leg features as part of the control panel assay, bulb assemblies are more resistant to damage to the bulb globe or filaments, or other elements, due to the effect of undesired movement or vibration that occurs in motorized vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Callahan, Laurent Lucaora
  • Publication number: 20080146138
    Abstract: An automotive HVAC unit with a dividing wall comprising 3 dimensional dividing wall contour is provided. Connectors and/or fixation devices are used on the dividing wall so that the wall, along with the main housing wall, forms an air tight seal at an area of connection of the dividing wall and the housing. An integral dividing wall connector allows other main housing and/or dividing wall connectors to further stabilize and/or enhance the seal between housing and wall parts by use of various fixation devices or attachment means, such as snaps, screws, or clips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Valeo Climate Control Corp.
    Inventor: Richard Sikorski
  • Patent number: 7320273
    Abstract: A compressor used in a refrigerating cycle is provided as a miniaturized and lightweight unit at low production cost by selecting an optimal material to constitute components or by forming the housing in a specific shape so as to allow the components to have smaller wall thicknesses while assuring sufficient strength. A tough material achieving a tensile strength greater than 800 N/mm2 is used when forming at least one of the components constituting the housing and the internal mechanisms. In addition, over the area of the housing where the bottom surface and the inner circumferential surface connect with each other, the bottom surface forms an R-shaped portion and the inner circumferential surface forms a sloping portion or an R-shaped portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Zexel Valeo Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Sakae Hayashi, Hiroshi Kanai, Shunichi Furuya, Osamu Takazawa
  • Publication number: 20080000628
    Abstract: An HVAC unit having a multiple air valve unit comprising two air valve devices sharing at least one common rotation axis is described. Concentric air valve device shafts interface with a common actuation device in such way to allow for rotational motion between the actuation device and the air valve device unit, and to allow to air valve devices to control or distribute air into three or more air outlets of the HVAC unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: Valeo Climate Control Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Spryshak
  • Publication number: 20070251251
    Abstract: A method and HVAC system having a heat exchanger and a device for adjusting parameters of an HVAC system via an algorithm, in an incremental or linear fashion, is provided. Various aspects provide a method for altering and/or controlling auxiliary evaporator temperature in an automotive HVAC unit and an HVAC system having an HVAC unit with a blower and a temperature sensing device capable of detecting temperatures that drop below a desired minimum operating temperature and sending a corresponding signal, ultimately preventing evaporator freezing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: Valeo Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Christopher Wojdyla, Jonathan Atwater
  • Publication number: 20070109800
    Abstract: Control panel architectures, and, specifically, architectures having bulb assemblies as features, particular those in control panels used in motor vehicle applications, are disclosed. By providing restricting means such as for leg features as part of the control panel assay, bulb assemblies are more resistant to damage to the bulb globe or filaments, or other elements, due to the effect of undesired movement or vibration that occurs in motorized vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: Valeo Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin Callahan, Laurent Lucaora
  • Publication number: 20070098568
    Abstract: At a housing, a first gas passage I and a second gas passage II extending along the axial direction, a third gas passage III formed substantially symmetrical to the first gas passage I relative to a plane containing a drive shaft, a fourth gas passage IV formed substantially symmetrical to the second gas passage II and communicating with the second gas passage II and an external component that includes an intake port and an outlet port are disposed. Either the first gas passage or the third gas passage is made to communicate with the intake port to supply a working fluid to a front-side intake chamber and a rear-side intake chamber, and either the second gas passage or the fourth gas passage is made to communicate with a front-side outlet chamber and a rear-side outlet chamber with the gas passage not in communication with the outlet chambers made to communicate with the outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: ZEXEL VALEO CLIMATE CONTROL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Watanabe, Minoru Kanaizuka, Yasunori Fujita, Ryosuke Izawa, Toshiaki Kuribara
  • Publication number: 20070077879
    Abstract: The present invention relates to arrangement of devices, and, in particular doors, in the architecture of HVAC units. Where space is a consideration, having doors that are common and/or that can be used or nestled in a common operative space, reduce the need of inventory of different parts, and allow for use of smaller interior HVAC space volumes in HVAC units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: Valeo Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Steven Marshall, Earl Buckman, Kevin Horne, David Newman, Robert Oliver
  • Patent number: 7197885
    Abstract: In preferred aspects of the present invention, at least one rib is provided can be molded to an internal dividing wall in the interior of a water separator in an automotive HVAC unit. In more preferred aspects, a plurality of ribs is provided that are molded to or with the wall, and, the plurality of ribs form a pattern, in a way that allows them to ‘direct’ or to ‘channel’ water from an air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Valeo Climate Control Corp
    Inventors: Eugene M. Kozak, Steven B. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20070044383
    Abstract: The present invention, in various aspects, provides for a HVAC unit having at least one door and at least one part of an HVAC housing, such that the housing and door can approach one another and form a seal. Preferred embodiments of the present invention use a magnetically assisted (or resistant) door sealing mechanism to form a seal, or preferably, a tight seal, upon closure at a sealing area having a door sealing surface and a corresponding HVAC housing or other such surface, which blocks or restricts air flow in that area of the HVAC unit. By using a magnetically assisted door sealing mechanism, and, especially a mechanism at a sealing surface and a corresponding surface, a seal, and even an almost air tight seal that is resistant to opening inappropriately when air flow or pressure increases or when influenced by gravity, and can be formed while still allowing for the door to be opened, with a minimum of effort, when necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Valeo Climate Control Corp.
    Inventor: Steven Marshall
  • Patent number: 7156165
    Abstract: In tubular portion of a tank, slits are formed in each side face of chambers or across all side faces of the chambers. For partition plates that are to be inserted from the slits, groove portions in which the partition plates are fitted are formed by cutting portions to which the partition plates butt. The slits are formed in the chambers at positions relatively shifted from each other in a direction in which tubes are layered. This structure guarantees that, in the tank for a heat exchanger, bypass leakage of a heat exchange medium between sub-chambers is prevented from occurring when the partition plates are inserted in the tank from the slits provided on the tank side faces. Further, the tank can maintain required strength even if the slits are formed in it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Zexel Valeo Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Ohata, Muneo Sakurada, Yoshihisa Eto, Naoto Takayanagi
  • Publication number: 20060208100
    Abstract: The present invention relates to distribution of conditioned air from automotive HVAC units, in particularly, distribution systems having both front and rear components. In particular, the present invention improves the temperature characteristics of the rear floor area of distribution in the cockpit, cab or passenger compartment, in a variety of temperature modes. By providing for a valving or closing off means on a rear distribution door, regulation and adjustment of the stratification and temperature of air reaching the rear, and especially, the rear floor area of the cockpit, cab or passenger compartment, is achieved by blocking or closing off a channel between the heater core area of the HVAC and the distribution system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Applicant: Valeo Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Kenneth Ellison, Eugene Kozak, Steven Marshall, Paul Carlson
  • Publication number: 20060201174
    Abstract: The present invention relates to air distribution for vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems having a preferably semi-lateral HVAC architecture configuration. The semi-lateral HVAC system provides for a bend or turn in the housing between the evaporator and heating means of the HVAC unit wherein a rotational device with moveable vanes is located, to provide improved air flow temperature and flow control over traditional lateral HVAC architectures, while employing less space and a lower piece count.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: Valeo Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Steven Marshall, Joseph Spryshak, Richard Sikorski
  • Patent number: 7101278
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle ventilation system, and, in particular, a heating and air-conditioning assembly and method of making such an assembly, wherein the assembly comprises a multi-portion HVAC housing and an alignment feature. The alignment feature preferably follows the contours of the housing portions of the HVAC. Preferably, the alignment feature is a baffle, or, in particular, a cross flow baffle, that serves an air directing as well as bridge function between housing portions of the HVAC, reducing packaging space for the HVAC unit while providing ease of assembly and reduced tool complexity for multi-piece HVAC housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Climate Control Corp
    Inventors: Richard Sikorski, Eugene Kozak
  • Patent number: 7096924
    Abstract: A casing 21 of an automotive air conditioner is formed with a hole TH for accommodating a steering member S extending in a right-left direction of a vehicle. The hole TH extends through the casing 1 in the right-left direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Zexel Valeo Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Araki, Hideki Nagano, Eiji Yanagida, Kazuhisa Katchi, Akitoshi Noguchi, Tsutomu Nakamigawa, Katsuichi Yamamoto, Takehide Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7086323
    Abstract: The lubrication between a shoe and a shoe pocket is improved without having to perform a complicated forming process. In a swash plate compressor comprising a swash plate locked to a drive shaft, which rotates together with the drive shaft, a shoe 31 that slidably contacts the swash plate, a piston 13 slidably disposed within a bore defining a compression space and a shoe pocket 36 that is formed as an integrated part of the piston 13 and slidably fits with the shoe 31, a beveled portion 41 is formed at an edge of an opening at the shoe pocket 36. A recessed portion 40 of the shoe pocket 36 is formed so as to achieve a constant curvature, whereas a projecting portion 32 of the shoe 31 is formed so as to achieve at least two different curvatures. The shoe pocket is designed so that a tangent point 46 of the recessed portion 40 and the beveled portion 41 is set within a strip range 45 over which the projecting portion 32 and the recessed portion 40 achieve contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Zexel Valeo Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Watanabe, Minoru Kanaizuka, Yasunori Fujita, Toshiaki Kuribara, Ryosuke Izawa