Patents Examined by Brittany Towns
  • Patent number: 9528715
    Abstract: In a demand control ventilation (DCV) system, ID codes of tags worn by occupants are detected in each room by a tag detector and wirelessly communicated to a zonal occupancy compiler. The zonal occupancy count arrived at by the compiler is transmitted to a DCV microprocessor, which interfaces with the ventilation controller of the building's HVAC system and sets the zonal ventilation rate based on the occupancy count and applicable ASHRAE standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas David Aiken
  • Patent number: 9499211
    Abstract: An aeraulic crossmember for a motor vehicle includes a beam (12) in the form of a section forming a channel (13) along the length of the beam. The aforementioned channel is equipped with an opening (14) on one of the side faces thereof and contains a duct (15) which is made from rigid insulating material. The duct is also equipped with an opening which is defined by a mouth that is located opposite the opening in the channel and which is slightly smaller than the latter. The opening in the insulating duct is located inside the channel. The crossmember includes an interface device (16) in the form of a sleeve which extends through the opening (14) in the channel in order to connect the mouth of the opening in the duct in a leaktight manner to an air vent that is located on the exterior of the crossmember.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventor: Christophe Brunard
  • Patent number: 9480186
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating air cooling of an electronics rack. The apparatus includes a tile assembly, temperature sensor and controller. The tile assembly is disposed adjacent to the electronics rack, and includes a perforated tile and one or more controllable air-moving devices associated with the perforated tile for moving air through the perforated tile. The temperature sensor is positioned for sensing air temperature adjacent and external to, or within, the electronics rack, and the controller is coupled to the tile assembly and the temperature sensor for controlling operation of the air-moving device. Airflow through the tile assembly is adjusted based on air temperature sensed, thereby facilitating air cooling of the electronics rack. In one embodiment, the tile assembly is a floor tile assembly with an air-to-liquid heat exchanger disposed between the perforated tile and the air-moving device for cooling air passing through the floor tile assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. Ahladas, David P. Graybill, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Prabjit Singh, Gerard V. Weber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9395771
    Abstract: A plenum pressure controlled cabinet includes a sideways cooled component mounted so as to define gaps between the cabinet and the component. Baffles block some of the gaps. A negative pressure maintained within the cabinet causes makeup air to be drawn into the cabinet through a gap not blocked by baffles between one side of the cabinet and a cool air intake of the component. Thus, cool air is provided to the cool air intake of the component. A plenum pressure controlled enclosure includes an equipment rack maintained at a neutral pressure, a plenum maintained at a slightly negative pressure or a neutral pressure, and a cooling unit. The plenum takes in air from the rack and expels it into the cooling unit. By controlling differential pressures in the rack and the plenum, air is efficiently drawn from the equipment rack and cooled utilizing the cooling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: PCE, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Germagian
  • Patent number: 9388994
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dehumidification and humidification apparatus for vehicles using an adsorbent which is capable of feeding a dehumidified air for preventing fogging of window glass and a humidified air for improvement in comfortableness, and is simplified in construction thereof and reduced in size thereof. The dehumidification and humidification apparatus for vehicles according to the present invention comprises a casing (1), and a blower (2), an adsorbent module (3) and an air passage switching device (4) which are accommodated in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideto Hidaka, Hiroyuki Kakiuchi, Toshihiro Tsuemoto, Takanobu Nakaguro
  • Patent number: 9365293
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air-conditioning system with a redundant feed of supply air comprising at least one pack which is supplied with air, with at least one valve being arranged in the feed for the air flow control. In accordance with the invention, an electrical flow control valve and a pneumatic flow control valve are arranged in parallel connection in front of the pack for the air flow control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Steinmaier, Norbert Maidhof
  • Patent number: 9365297
    Abstract: A hose management system with a longitudinally collapsible duct-like air hose may supply conditioned air for heating and/or cooling an aircraft. The system has a temperature controlled container and a motorized remotely controlled drive with treads for feeding out hose to a length appropriate to hook up to a stationary aircraft. The motorized drive also retracts the hose back into the container. The hose may have scuff strips, hook and loop fasteners, and reflective strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Twist, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe W. Wright, Frank Bair, Scott E. Schrinner, Dave McIntire
  • Patent number: 9322569
    Abstract: A motorized vent covering for an air vent of the environment control system, the motorized vent covering comprising an air flow restrictor for controlling air flow through the vent; and an actuator, the actuator including a motor configured to drive the air flow restrictor to control the flow of air from the vent, and a controller in communication with the motor, the controller configured to provide operating instructions to the motor to open or close the air flow restrictor to adjust the flow of air through the air vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: HARMONIC DESIGN, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Scharf, Roger Heald
  • Patent number: 9303891
    Abstract: An air conditioning ventilator includes a ventilation unit, an air conditioning unit and a bypass channel. The ventilation unit has an air supply channel configured to supply air from an outdoor space to a target space, and an air supply fan configured to create a first airflow from the outdoor space to the target space within the air supply channel. The air conditioning unit has an intake channel configured to take in air from the target space, a temperature regulator configured to regulate the temperature of air that has passed through the intake channel, a discharge channel configured to discharge temperature-adjusted air that has been regulated by the temperature regulator to the target space, and an air-conditioning fan configured to create a second airflow from the intake channel to the discharge channel via the temperature regulator. The bypass channel bypassed the air supply channel and the discharge channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Takahashi, Tomohiro Yabu
  • Patent number: 9296277
    Abstract: An air outflow device for a motor vehicle, having at least one fed-in air stream, wherein an outflow characteristic of the air outflow device can be changed between a dispersal characteristic and a spot characteristic, with the outflow characteristic being changed by an adjustable swirl on at least one outflowing air stream. Also an air outflow method using an adjustable swirl to adjust an outflow characteristic of an air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhold Burr, Dietrich Klingler, Klaus Voigt
  • Patent number: 9248912
    Abstract: A method for emergency ventilation of an aircraft cabin is provided. The method includes controlling a first valve to supply air from the aircraft environment into a first aircraft fuselage area through the opened first valve and into the aircraft cabin. The method further includes controlling a second valve to conduct air from the aircraft cabin into a second aircraft fuselage area and out to the aircraft environment through the opened second valve. In their normal operation, the first and second valves serve as air outlet valves of an aircraft cabin pressure control system. The method further includes controlling a recirculation fan of an air-conditioning system to draw air supplied through the first valve into a mixing chamber of the air-conditioning system and to direct air from the mixing chamber into the aircraft cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Heuer
  • Patent number: 9222691
    Abstract: A roof ventilator including: a first module defining a first module passageway having a first passageway longitudinal axis. The first module including a first module louver support extending substantially parallel to the first passageway longitudinal axis and a first module louver for creating a draft within the first module passageway upon wind blowing onto the first module louver. The first module louver extending from the first module louver support, located peripherally relatively to the first module passageway. A second module attached to the first module, defining a second module passageway, in fluid communication with the first module passageway and defining a second passageway longitudinal axis. The second module including a second module louver support, extending substantially parallel to the second passageway longitudinal axis. A second module louver creates a draft within the second module passageway upon wind blowing onto the second module louver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventors: Serge Ramsay, Jean-Rock Ramsay, Linda Ramsay
  • Patent number: 9211954
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air supply system of an aircraft, in particular of a passenger aircraft, which comprises a fresh air system, through which fresh air can be supplied to an aircraft cabin, a circulating air system, which is coupled to the fresh air system and through which used cabin air can be supplied to the fresh air system, a cooling air system for cooling an air conditioning system of the aircraft disposed in the fresh air system, and a ventilation system coupled to the cooling air system for ventilating an installation space of the air conditioning system. The air supply system includes a device for fluidically coupling the cooling air system and the ventilation system. The device is disposed and configured inside the fuselage of the aircraft such that the air in one system can be driven through the air flow in the other system. The invention also relates to a method for mixing two air streams in an air supply system of this kind of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Barkowsky
  • Patent number: 9201428
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a substantially constant volume exhaust or ventilation air terminal system is shown for controlling exhaust and/or return airflow rates in a system having a central fan or ventilator. The system and method permits zone-by-zone or area-by-area airflow regulation or control in non-demand areas in response to a demand or call for ventilation in demand areas. In one embodiment, the system employs at least one constant airflow controller or regulator situated in a damper. Another embodiment shows a combination of a first constant airflow controller or regulator situated or mounted on a damper with a second constant airflow controller or regulator situated in a duct associated with the damper. In still another embodiment, a constant airflow controller or regulator is provided in a duct, and used in combination with a solid damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: American Aldes Ventilation Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis R. Dietz, John Robert Harrell, Dwight Ray Shackelford
  • Patent number: 9145041
    Abstract: A vehicle HVAC system comprises an evaporator, a heater core, an air mixing door between the evaporator and the heater core, the air mixing door being configured to direct a portion of an airflow to either bypass or pass over the heater, and a baffle. The baffle is configured to gradually change the area available to a portion of the airflow as the air mixing door is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Greg Rademacher, Thomas Adler, Yang Chen
  • Patent number: 9104387
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a rack slide system comprising an elongated supporting structure and a plurality of mobile racks mounted on the elongated supporting structure in side-by-side relation for movement along a controlled path, where the length of the path exceeds by a predetermined amount the sum of the depths of the mobile racks to provide at least one gap between selected ones of the mobile racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Eichelberg
  • Patent number: 9039503
    Abstract: An air duct assembly includes upper and lower pliable sheets that can be assembled in a sequence that makes the assembly easier to install and later easier to remove for periodic cleaning. To install the assembly, the upper sheet can be installed first by inserting the edges of the upper sheet within a pair of tracks and then fastening the upper sheet to a vertical supply air duct. An optional airflow modifier (e.g., filter, airflow turning vane, or noise attenuator) can be install where the supply air duct connects to the upper sheet. Once the upper sheet is suspended from the tracks and fastened to the main supply air duct, the lower sheet can be installed separately. Pliable end panels and pliable fasteners (e.g., zipper or VELCRO fastener) can make most of the air duct assembly machine washable. The upper and lower sheets can have different degrees of air permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin J. Gebke, Frank Heim, Nicolas B. Paschke
  • Patent number: 9011216
    Abstract: An elongated nozzle for distributing airflow in varying directions may include at least one set of channels. Each set may include a plurality of groups of channels. Each set may further include spaced-apart opposed dividers extending lengthwise along an elongated length of the nozzle, and spaced-apart channel side-walls extending between the spaced-apart opposed dividers. The opposed dividers and the spaced-apart channel side-walls may form the channels of each set. At least one of the spaced-apart opposed dividers of each set may be oriented at a first angle which is non-parallel to an imaginary vertical plane extending along the elongated length of the nozzle. Within each set, the spaced-apart channel side-walls of each group of channels may be oriented at different second angles, relative to an imaginary vertical plane extending along a width of the nozzle, than the spaced-apart channel side-walls of other groups of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thamir R. Al-Alusi, Julia W. Miller
  • Patent number: 8992293
    Abstract: A ventilator (10) is disclosed which includes a ventilator intake hood (11), a pressure relief valve block (12), and a nozzle plate (13). The pressure relief valve block includes a field of pressure relief valves (19) positioned within air channels (20). The nozzle plate includes a field of fourteen nozzles (22) which are aligned with an air channel of the block. Each nozzle defines an interior passage (23) which tapers inwardly as it extends outwardly along the direction of airflow. The nozzles accelerate the airflow so that moisture within the air entering the cooled enclosure does not immediately freeze upon the adjoining enclosure to form an ice block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Kason Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Burl Finkelstein
  • Patent number: 8951102
    Abstract: The invention concerns a swivel joint ventilation flap comprising an air stream duct (10), a profiled body (18) the major part of which is at least arranged in the duct chamber, and a ring (26) co-operating with the duct and with the profiled member so that it supports the profiled body (18) in the duct while enabling the profiled body to be moved relative to the duct. Part at least of the inner surface of the chamber forms a spherical segment, the ring (26) has an outer surface forming a sphere portion of practically the same radius as the spherical segment, the ring (26) is arranged in the chamber at the outer surface of the profiled body (18). The profiled body (18) can slide relative to the ring (26). The ventilation flap is suitable for motor vehicle instrument panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Christian Brancheriau, Pierre Guerreiro, Guy Heriquet, Etienne Francois, Lionel Fernandes