Patents Examined by Jenna M Hopkins
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Patent number: 11649992Abstract: A process for liquefying a process gas that includes introducing a heat transfer fluid into an active magnetic regenerative refrigerator apparatus that comprises a single stage comprising dual multilayer regenerators located axially opposite to each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignees: Battelle Memorial Institute, Emerald Energy NW, LLCInventors: Jamie D. Holladay, Kerry D. Meinhardt, Evgueni Polikarpov, Edwin C. Thomsen, John Barclay
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Patent number: 11642937Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a position identifying unit, a route information acquiring unit, a control information determining unit, and a control unit. The position identifying unit is configured to identify an expected boarding position where an occupant is to get in a vehicle. The route information acquiring unit is configured to acquire route information of the occupant to the expected boarding position. The control information determining unit is configured to determine, on the basis of the route information, a set temperature, a control start timing, or both as control information to be used for pre-air conditioning control for a vehicle compartment space of the vehicle. The control unit is configured to perform at least the pre-air conditioning control on the basis of the control information.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Takako Mizuno, Takuya Arai, Koutarou Kimura
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Patent number: 11639082Abstract: A vehicle climate control system includes an air conditioning unit including an exterior heat exchanger, an interior heat exchanger, an evaporator, a compressor, a first expansion valve, and a second expansion valve. A seat coil is embedded in a vehicle seat and connected to the air conditioning unit through a first inlet passage, a first outlet passage, a second inlet passage, and a second outlet passage. The compressor is selectively connected to the exterior heat exchanger, the evaporator, the interior heat exchanger, and the seat coil. The first expansion valve is selectively connected to an outlet of the exterior heat exchanger, an inlet of the evaporator, and the seat coil. The second expansion valve is selectively connected to an outlet of the interior heat exchanger, an inlet of the exterior heat exchanger, and the seat coil air conditioning unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2020Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Seong Bin Jeong
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Patent number: 11634170Abstract: An electric power-steering control device has a substrate, a heat-generating component, and a heat-storing body. The heat-generating component is disposed on one surface of the substrate and generates heat when activated. The heat-storing body is capable of storing the heat from the heat-generating components. The heat-storing body has a main body having a rectangular plate shape and disposed on the one surface of the substrate. The heat-storing body has a notch section or a recess section.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2019Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Shinji Shibata
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Patent number: 11628703Abstract: A multi-zone climate control system for vehicles includes a front HVAC unit, a powered blower, and a heater core. The front HVAC unit is adapted to condition air provided to first and second front zones. The front HVAC unit further includes a cold air outlet connected to the powered blower. Cold air from the cold air outlet of the front HVAC unit passes through the powered blower and enters the heater core. The heater core is configured to control a temperature of conditioned air supplied to at least one rear zone of the passenger compartment.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Louis Hayes, John Azar, Trent Greear Sutherland
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Patent number: 11623498Abstract: A method for activating a pre acclimatization system of the passenger compartment of a vehicle includes monitoring an operational state of the vehicle, including a first state in which the vehicle is on and a second state in which the vehicle is off. In the second state, the method includes monitoring a plurality of conditions, the conditions selected from a group including current time and date, a driver appointment schedule, a historical database, wherein the monitoring step is performed by a system controller incorporated into the vehicle. The method further includes determining the most probable time of departure of the vehicle from a present location based on the plurality of conditions monitored by the system controller, suggesting time of departure to the driver, monitoring reply from the driver, setting timer for activating the pre acclimatization according to reply from the driver, and activating sleep mode for the vehicle systems.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO.Inventors: Johan Setterberg, Jonathan Johansson
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Patent number: 11613155Abstract: An air-conditioning unit includes an air-conditioning case including an opening through which air flows, a cooler disposed in the air-conditioning case to cool air flowing to the opening, a heater disposed in the air-conditioning case to heat air flowing to the opening, and an adjusting member disposed to cover the opening and adjusting airflow passing through the opening. The adjusting member is produced separately from the air-conditioning case and includes a first region and a second region. The second region includes a high resistance member giving higher resistance to the airflow than the first region. The first region includes a low resistance member giving lower resistance to the airflow than the second region. The low resistance member is a partition dividing the first region into plural air passing parts through which air flows. The high resistance member is a plate member including a part to interfere the airflow.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Hiromu Yamasaki
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Patent number: 11607924Abstract: A control system and method for a heating system of an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle is embodied such that when there is a heating request for a passenger compartment of the vehicle, a heating mode is set in order to heat the passenger compartment by heat from a heating circuit. In a mixed mode, an excess heat in the heating circuit is output to the surroundings, or in an excess mode, the excess heat is retained in the heating system, in order to satisfy a heating request. In the mixed mode, a degree of opening of the heating circuit is set such that only a partial quantity of coolant from the heating circuit is exchanged with a cooling circuit. The mixed mode is activated if the excess heat in the heating circuit exceeds a threshold value which is determined in accordance with an external temperature.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Robert Herbolzheimer, Oliver Horn, Patrick Oswald, Markus Stix
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Patent number: 11598347Abstract: A compressor includes a housing, a shaft, and an impeller rotatable relative to the housing by the shaft. The impeller includes a hub, impeller blades, and external blades. The impeller blades extend from a front of the hub. The external blades protrude from a rear surface of the hub or an outer surface of a shroud of the impeller. The external blades are curved along the rear surface or the outer surface. A heat transfer circuit includes a compressor and a working fluid. The compressor includes an impeller having a hub, impeller blades, and external blades.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Joel Gronvall
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Patent number: 11598555Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of tubes arranged in a juxtaposed configuration, and at least one first manifold member on the outside of the tubes. Each tube is wound to define a planar spiral, having a plurality of co-planar turns, and has an end portion, which extends starting from the inside of the corresponding planar spiral towards the outside thereof. The end portion is superimposed on the co-planar turns, in a position corresponding to a major face of the planar spiral, for connection to the manifold member. tube has a transverse depression defined in the co-planar turns at the major face of the planar spiral, and the transverse depression at least partially receives a a corresponding part of the end portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2018Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: COSMOGAS S.R.L.Inventor: Alberto Alessandrini
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Patent number: 11598589Abstract: A rotating heat pipe is used for temperature control of electric motors and generators and other rotating heat generating assemblies to ensure their proper operation. The heat pipe is integral with the shaft, and unlike conventional devices, incorporates a solid-liquid phase change material as the heat transfer/transport material. In addition, it comprises a scraped surface heat exchange mechanism at the heat dissipation region to allow for high cooling rates as required. This scraped surface mechanism is preferentially driven by a magnetic coupling to eliminate issues related to leaks of the heat transfer material.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Inventor: Sanjay K Roy
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Patent number: 11577578Abstract: This disclosure describes vehicle climate control systems and methods for more intelligently controlling an occupant comfort level within a vehicle interior in a manner that minimizes energy usage of the vehicle. The climate control system may be automatically controlled in an economical mode (i.e., ECO mode) when certain vehicle conditions are met. For example, the decision to activate the ECO mode of the climate control system may be a function of one or more variables including, but not limited to, vehicle speed, vehicle speed differentials, ambient temperatures, temperature differentials, battery state of charge, predicted low battery state of charge, etc.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Michael Blischke, Hussein Berry, Katherine Howard-Cone
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Patent number: 11577577Abstract: A method for air conditioning a vehicle seat that is occupied by a person and that comprises at least one seat ventilation system, wherein at least one humidity sensor is arranged in a seat part and/or a backrest part of the vehicle seat as an actual humidity value transmitter for the absolute air humidity within the cushion part of the at least one seat part and/or backrest part so that a target state of comfort for a person seated on the vehicle seat can be accomplished via a control and regulating device through engagement of the seat ventilation system, wherein the target state of comfort can be controlled to a specifiable target humidity limit value through variation of the air flow of the seat ventilation system as a function of at least one control algorithm that evaluates the detected actual measured humidity value.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Volkswagen AktiengesellschaftInventor: Viktor Bader
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Patent number: 11573038Abstract: A system comprising a compressor, a first valve coupled to the compressor and coupled to a first coil, a first expansion valve coupled to the first coil, a second coil, and a second expansion valve. The second expansion valve coupled to a third coil, a second valve coupled to the compressor and the third coil. A controller operable to operate the first valve, the first expansion valve, the second expansion valve, and the second valve. The second coil is coupled to the compressor and the refrigerant flows from the second coil to the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2021Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventor: Der-Kai Hung
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Patent number: 11555652Abstract: A system including: an active magnetic regenerative refrigerator apparatus that includes a high magnetic field section in which a hydrogen heat transfer fluid can flow from a cold side to a hot side through at least one magnetized bed of at least one magnetic refrigerant, and a low magnetic field or demagnetized section in which the hydrogen heat transfer fluid can flow from a hot side to a cold side through the demagnetized bed; a first conduit fluidly coupled between the cold side of the low magnetic field or demagnetized section and the cold side of the high magnetic field section; and a second conduit fluid coupled to the first conduit, an expander and at least one liquefied hydrogen storage module.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignees: Battelle Memorial Institute, Emerald Energy NW, LLCInventors: Jamie D. Holladay, John Barclay
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Patent number: 11543166Abstract: An ice maker includes a carriage, an ice mold defining a plurality of cavities that is movably coupled to the carriage such that the ice mold is movable relative to the carriage between a home position and a harvest position, and a detection lever movably coupled to the carriage such that the detection lever is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, the detection member being biased toward the extended position. The ice maker further includes a retention mechanism configured to retain the detection lever in the retracted position when the ice mold is in the harvest position.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Jose Carlos Trejo Olvera, Thomas W. McCollough, Matthias Bauer, Georg Spiessl
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Patent number: 11543193Abstract: Air flow apparatus has at least one array of air channels, an air duct covering the array of air channels and being connected to the air channels, a fan arranged at the air duct for generating an air flow through the array of air channels, a cleaning device for the array of air channels arranged inside the air duct, the cleaning device including: a nozzle bar extending in front of the array of air channels and a nozzle manifold including a plurality of nozzles arranged along the nozzle bar and directed towards the array of air channels, wherein the nozzle bar is mounted to the air flow apparatus to be movable across at least a section of the array of air channels.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Inventor: Johannes Stickling
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Patent number: 11541722Abstract: A heating system and method for heating the interior of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, which has an air-air heat exchanger having a heat storage medium, and which is configured to transfer heat between exhaust air, drawn out of the interior, and intake air, supplied to the interior from the vehicle environment, between the exhaust air and the heat storage medium, and between the intake air and the heat storage medium.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2019Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hans Guenter Quix, Claudia Katharina Herudek, Florian Huth, Andreas Schmitt, David van Bebber
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Patent number: 11530881Abstract: A rotary cooler is provided, consisting of a plurality of transport tubes for transporting material to be cooled, wherein the plurality of transport tubes are arranged about an axis of rotation and are adapted to be filled jointly via a filling region with material to be cooled, characterized in that each transport tube is arranged substantially concentrically in a cooling tube in which a cooling medium flows and cools the material to be cooled via the wall of the transport tube. Furthermore, a method for operating said rotary cooler is provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2017Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Allgaier Werke GmbHInventors: Mathias Trojosky, Karsten Kirchner
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Patent number: 11524547Abstract: An HVAC assembly for a vehicle. The HVAC assembly has an HVAC case with a rear blower and an evaporator. A rear blower scroll directs airflow generated by the rear blower to a lower portion of the evaporator. An airflow conduit is configured to direct airflow generated by a front blower to an upper portion of the evaporator. An airflow divider separates airflow generated by the rear blower from airflow generated by the front blower. The airflow divider divides the HVAC case into an upper area above the divider and a lower area below the divider. A defrost outlet and a front face outlet are at the upper area of the HVAC case above the divider. A front foot outlet and a rear airflow outlet are at the lower area of the HVAC case below the divider.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.Inventor: Reilly Mullett