Patents Examined by Cheryl J. Tyler
  • Patent number: 8690072
    Abstract: A valve including a body and a plug is disclosed. The body has a pair of ports and a tubular structure having a side wall and an open end and defining interiorly a first subchamber communicating with one port. The wall has an opening. The body defines a second subchamber communicating with the other port, extending around the wall and beyond the end to communicate with the end and the opening. The plug has an opening, is mounted to the structure and telescopes between first and second positions. At the second position, the plug is disposed at least partly in the second subchamber and the valve defines, between the ports: a first flow path through the wall opening; and a second flow path through the open end of the structure, via the plug opening. At the first position, the plug and structure restrict flow through the first and second paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation
    Inventors: Yuri Peric, Doug Vanderwees
  • Patent number: 8689579
    Abstract: An indoor unit of an air conditioner includes a heat exchanger accommodated inside a indoor unit body which is a housing whose lower face is opened, a drain pan which is disposed below the heat exchanger and receives drain water generated at the heat exchanger, a drain pump which is detachably disposed within the indoor unit body, sucks drain water accumulated in the drain pan and discharges the drain water to the outside, a drain port which is disposed at a bottom face wall section of the drain pan, the port being an opening portion through which the drain pump is insertable, and a drain cap which openably closes the drain pump insertion port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Nobusato Yoshitake, Kenji Gajina, Kazuo Mochizuki, Yousuke Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8672233
    Abstract: A water saving device includes a housing having a hot water inlet chamber connectable to a hot water supply, a temperature sensing chamber having a cold water outlet connectable to a water storage system, and a hot water outlet chamber having a hot water outlet. The inlet and outlet chambers are interconnected by a first port. The inlet and temperature sensing chambers are interconnected by a second port. The temperature sensing and hot water outlet chambers are interconnected by a third port. The device includes a water-pressure actuated piston that is displaceable upon a drop in water pressure in the hot water outlet chamber. The temperature sensing chamber has a temperature-sensitive valve assembly that closes the third port when the temperature of water is below a predetermined level and opens the third port and closes the cold water outlet when the temperature of water is above a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Derick Sinclair
  • Patent number: 8671714
    Abstract: A heat exchanger unit includes first and second plate heat exchangers disposed in series along a refrigerant flow direction. A refrigerant flows from the first plate heat exchanger to the second plate heat exchanger when the heat exchanger unit operates as an evaporator to heat the refrigerant, and the refrigerant flows from the second plate heat exchanger to the first plate heat exchanger when the heat exchanger unit operates as a condenser to cool the refrigerant. The first and second plate heat exchangers have first and second gas-liquid mixing structures to promote gas-liquid mixing of the refrigerant when the heat exchanger unit heats the refrigerant. The first and second gas-liquid mixing structures are configured such that pressure loss becomes larger when the gas-liquid mixing action becomes higher and such that the gas-liquid mixing action of the first gas-liquid mixing structure is higher than the gas-liquid mixing action of the second gas-liquid mixing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kondou
  • Patent number: 8661843
    Abstract: An ice pusher is provided. The ice pusher incorporates a cam and a linear actuation arrangement for removing ice from an evaporator plate of an ice-making machine. The cam provides a helix shaped ramp structure having a cam surface. The linear actuation arrangement has an input end and an output end. The input end is in slidable contact with the cam surface such that the linear actuation arrangement linearly moves relative to the housing upon rotation of the cam to effectuate the removal of ice from the evaporator plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Jerome C. Klopp, James E. Pearson, Jermaine Ealy
  • Patent number: 8651392
    Abstract: A thermo-element having an excellent response and durability is provided. The thermo-element includes a casing having a bottom, a thermally expandable material filled in the casing and capable of expanding and contracting due to temperature changes, a piston movable in an axial direction thereof, a guide member for slidably holding the piston, and a liquid chamber defined between the thermally expandable material and the piston to receive therein a deformable, incompressible fluid. A bellows is fixed between an upper portion of the piston and an upper portion of the guide member to define a liquid space between an outer periphery of the upper portion of the piston and the bellows. The fluid in the liquid chamber can flow in and out of the liquid space via a through-hole and a radial hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Yukio Onishi
    Inventor: Yukio Onishi
  • Patent number: 8646282
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an energy efficient thermoelectric heat pump assembly. The thermoelectric heat pump assembly preferably comprises two to nine thermoelectric unit layers capable of active use of the Peltier effect; and at least one capacitance spacer block suitable for storing heat and providing a delayed thermal reaction time of the assembly. The capacitance spacer block is thermally connected between the thermoelectric unit layers. The present invention further relates to a thermoelectric transport and storage devices for transporting or storing temperature sensitive goods, for example, vaccines, chemicals, biologicals, and other temperature sensitive goods. Preferably the transport or storage devices are configured and provide on-board energy storage for sustaining, for multiple days, at a constant-temperature, with an acceptable temperature variation band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventors: Alp Ilercil, Tayfun Ilercil
  • Patent number: 8646287
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a housing and an airflow regulating device. The housing defines an accommodating space therein, and an air inlet that places the accommodating space in fluid communication with the external environment. The airflow regulating device includes a cover panel for covering and uncovering the air inlet, and an actuating mechanism coupled to the cover panel and driving movement of the cover panel to adjust the degree of opening of the air inlet in response to a change in temperature in the accommodating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Chin Wu, Chi-Sung Chang, Ming-Chih Chen, Sung-Yu Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8640479
    Abstract: A cooling system for a room containing electronic data processing equipment includes a raised floor construction dividing the room into a plenum space underneath the raised floor and a usable space above the raised floor, an air conditioning device for feeding cooled air to the plenum space and a cooling module. The cooling module is arranged as a floor element of the raised floor and includes a fan for providing a flow of cooled air from the plenum space to the usable space, the cooling module being configured such that the flow direction of the flow is controllable. The system further includes a control device connected to the cooling module for automatically controlling the flow direction of the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Uniflair S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Bettella
  • Patent number: 8640968
    Abstract: This specification discloses a device of controlling temperature gain and the method thereof. The invention detects the temperature of work environment and uses it to generate a control signal and a PWM signal for dynamically controlling the heaters around electronic elements to heat up. When the temperature of work environment is too low, the invention can increase the stability of the electronic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Moxa Inc.
    Inventors: Tzu Cheng Lin, Yu Kuang Lee, Wei Cheng Chou, Hsin Ju Wu
  • Patent number: 8635880
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a valve to control the supply of a refrigerant to a plurality of storage chambers and a control method of the same. An opening time rate of the valve is changed based on modes of the storage chambers to control the amount of the refrigerant supplied to the storage chambers, thereby avoiding concentration of the refrigerant in one of the storage chambers and thus preventing refrigerant shortage in the other storage chambers. Also, left and right temperature deviation of each storage chamber is reduced, thereby achieving uniform temperature distribution of each storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ha Jin Jeong, Hak Gyun Bae
  • Patent number: 8627678
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator that includes a cabinet and a refrigerator door. The cabinet defining a storage compartment. The refrigerator door opens and closes the storage compartment. The refrigerator door includes a door liner defining an ice compartment, an ice compartment door opening and closing the ice compartment, and a handle provided to the ice compartment door. The ice compartment door includes a dike protruding from the ice compartment door. The handle and the dike are disposed on an identical line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Phil Choi
  • Patent number: 8627677
    Abstract: An icemaker assembly for a refrigerator includes a support bracket having at least one support arm and a rear panel section, a bin slidably attached to the at least one support arm, an icemaker unit having an ice mold is also supported by the at least one support arm within the freezer compartment. The icemaker assembly also includes a fan mounted to the rear panel portion of the support bracket. The fan is selectively operable to direct an airflow onto the icemaker unit in order to speed ice production. Operation of the fan is tied to activation of a water inlet valve. A controller is coupled to the fan and the water inlet valve such that once the water inlet valve opens, fresh water enters the ice mold and the control activates the fan to hasten the production of ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Carl Anell, Michael Scot Carden, Kenton John Widmer
  • Patent number: 8616020
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the present invention includes a multi-configurable frosted bar rail system. The multi-configurable frosted bar rail system comprises a chilling and frost system having a compressor and refrigerant and a plurality of modular rail sections configured to be coupled together in series and to the chilling and frost system. Each rail section comprises a base pan configured to catch and drain defrosting ice and fluids; a top rail plate supported within the base pan; and a rail freezing and chilling mechanism coupled immediately under the top rail plate. The freezing and chilling mechanism is configured to create a continuous layer of frost on top of the top rail plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Martin J. Abraham, III
  • Patent number: 8613202
    Abstract: An insulated shipping container system for transferring a temperature sensitive product comprising a substantially hollow insulated body having inner walls and outer walls defining a payload cavity to receive a payload and supports to space the payload from the insulated body thereby defining an internal air filled space to facilitate heat transfer. The insulated shipping container system further comprises a heat transfer element cavity configured to receive a heat transfer element and supports to space the heat transfer element from the insulated body thereby defining an internal air filled space to facilitate heat transfer. Also provided are methods for shipping temperature sensitive products and goods comprised of packing and assembling the insulated shipping container system disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventor: Alton Williams
  • Patent number: 8601829
    Abstract: In the case of an ice maker comprising a frame (15) and a tray (1), which is pivotable in the frame (15) about an axis and in which at least one compartment (4) is formed, a flexible line (12) connecting the tray (1) with the frame (15) extends in a curve about the pivot axis of the tray (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Heger, Tom StQuintin, Craig Duncan Webster, Nathan Wrench
  • Patent number: 8596082
    Abstract: There are provided a refrigerator and a method of controlling the same. When a difference between a temperature of an inside of a freezer compartment and a set temperature is referred to as a first error temperature and when a difference between a temperature of an inside of a refrigerator compartment and the set temperature is referred to as a second error temperature, the method of controlling a refrigerator includes varying stroke of an inverter linear compressor to operate the inverter linear compressor by a maximum output when the first or second error temperature is higher than a maximum output temperature and varying the stroke of the inverter linear compressor at least once in a freezer or refrigerator cycle one period to operate the inverter linear compressor when the first or second error temperature is no more than the maximum output temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ji Won Sung, Chan Ho Chun, Yong Hwan Eom
  • Patent number: 8596077
    Abstract: The thermal generator (1) which comprises at least one thermal module (10) constituted from many thermal elements (40), stacked and arranged in order to delimit channels therebetween for circulation of heat transfer fluid. These channels are divided into hot channels, in which the heat transfer fluid of the hot circuit flows, and cold channels, in which the heat transfer fluid of the cold circuit flows. The hot and cold channels are alternated between the thermal elements (40) and the thermal elements have fluid inlet and outlet orifices which communicate with one another so as to distribute the flow of heat transfer fluid of each hot and cold collector circuit, respectively, in the corresponding hot and cold channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Cooltech Applications Societe par Actions Simplifiee
    Inventors: Christian Muller, Jean-Louis Dupin, Jean-Claude Heitzler, Georges Nikly
  • Patent number: 8596552
    Abstract: A valve (4) for a refrigeration system. Comprises two diaphragms (8, 10) being operatively connected. One diaphragm (8) is in contact with the refrigerant, the other (10) is in contact with the filling fluid. The two diaphragms (8, 10) may have different active areas. In combination with the connection between the two diaphragms (8, 10) this provides a ‘pressure gearing’ between the filling fluid and the refrigerant. Allows the pressure of the filling fluid to be relatively low even when the pressure of the refrigerant is high, while ensuring that the valve (4) can function properly. Particularly suitable for high pressure refrigeration systems, such as CO2 systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Holger Nicolaisen, Jens Erik Rasmussen, Torben Funder-Kristensen, Joergen Trelle-Pedersen, Torben Matzon, Anders Vestergaard, Lars Mou Jessen
  • Patent number: 8596088
    Abstract: An oil separator for an air conditioner, which includes: a case having a cylinder portion, and a lid portion and a bottom portion respectively closing an upper side opening end and a lower side opening end of the cylinder portion; an inlet pipe which is connectable to a discharging outlet of a compressor and which penetrates the lid portion so that an end of the inlet pipe is located inside the case; an outlet pipe which is connectable to a condenser and which penetrates the lid portion so that an end portion of the outlet pipe is located inside the case and protrudes into the cylinder portion toward the bottom portion; and a mesh portion which is provided to the end of the inlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Sato