Patents Examined by Cheryl J. Tyler
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Patent number: 8690072Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 3, 2008Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Dana Canada CorporationInventors: Yuri Peric, Doug Vanderwees
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Patent number: 8689579Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 5, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Toshiba Carrier CorporationInventors: Nobusato Yoshitake, Kenji Gajina, Kazuo Mochizuki, Yousuke Komatsu
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Patent number: 8672233Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Inventor: Derick Sinclair
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Patent number: 8671714Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 20, 2009Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Yasuhiro Kondou
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Patent number: 8661843Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Jerome C. Klopp, James E. Pearson, Jermaine Ealy
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Patent number: 8651392Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Yukio OnishiInventor: Yukio Onishi
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Patent number: 8646282Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Inventors: Alp Ilercil, Tayfun Ilercil
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Patent number: 8646287Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Wistron CorporationInventors: Wen-Chin Wu, Chi-Sung Chang, Ming-Chih Chen, Sung-Yu Hsieh
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Patent number: 8640479Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Uniflair S.p.A.Inventor: Francesco Bettella
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Patent number: 8640968Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 3, 2010Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Moxa Inc.Inventors: Tzu Cheng Lin, Yu Kuang Lee, Wei Cheng Chou, Hsin Ju Wu
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Patent number: 8635880Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ha Jin Jeong, Hak Gyun Bae
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Patent number: 8627678Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 24, 2010Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Sang Phil Choi
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Patent number: 8627677Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Thomas Carl Anell, Michael Scot Carden, Kenton John Widmer
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Patent number: 8616020Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Inventor: Martin J. Abraham, III
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Patent number: 8613202Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2010Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Inventor: Alton Williams
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Patent number: 8601829Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 1, 2005Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Bernd Heger, Tom StQuintin, Craig Duncan Webster, Nathan Wrench
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Patent number: 8596082Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2008Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Ji Won Sung, Chan Ho Chun, Yong Hwan Eom
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Patent number: 8596077Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Cooltech Applications Societe par Actions SimplifieeInventors: Christian Muller, Jean-Louis Dupin, Jean-Claude Heitzler, Georges Nikly
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Patent number: 8596552Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2005Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Danfoss A/SInventors: Holger Nicolaisen, Jens Erik Rasmussen, Torben Funder-Kristensen, Joergen Trelle-Pedersen, Torben Matzon, Anders Vestergaard, Lars Mou Jessen
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Patent number: 8596088Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshiyuki Sato