Patents Examined by Judy Swann
  • Patent number: 9414523
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for facilitating cooling of an electronic component. The apparatus includes a liquid-cooled cold plate and a thermal spreader associated with the cold plate. The cold plate includes multiple coolant-carrying channel sections extending within the cold plate, and a thermal conduction surface with a larger surface area than a surface area of the component to be cooled. The thermal spreader includes one or more heat pipes including multiple heat pipe sections. One or more heat pipe sections are partially aligned to a first region of the cold plate, that is, where aligned to the surface to be cooled, and partially aligned to a second region of the cold plate, which is outside the first region. The one or more heat pipes facilitate distribution of heat from the electronic component to coolant-carrying channel sections of the cold plate located in the second region of the cold plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy J. Chainer, David P. Graybill, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Vinod Kamath, Bejoy J. Kochuparambil, Roger R. Schmidt, Mark E. Steinke
  • Patent number: 9410723
    Abstract: An ice maker assembly includes an ice forming plate and a cooling source thermally engaged to a bottom surface of the ice forming plate. The cooling source is configured to freeze water coming into contact with a top surface of the ice forming plate. A containment wall surrounds the top surface of the ice forming plate to define an ice tray that is configured to retain water. An electrical drive body is rotatably coupled to the ice tray and is configured to oscillate the ice-forming plate in a rocking cycle about a transverse axis of the ice tray. A median wall divides the ice tray along the transverse axis into a first reservoir and a second reservoir. The rocking cycle causes water to repeatedly move over the median wall to form layers of an ice piece within each reservoir of the ice tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Boarman, Brian K. Culley, Andrew D. Ltich, Mark E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9404681
    Abstract: In an air-conditioning apparatus equipped with an outdoor unit having outdoor devices including a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a flow switching valve that switches the flowing direction of the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air, a first expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, an excess-refrigerant container that retains an excess refrigerant of the refrigerant, and a second expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant; and an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and indoor air, the air-conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor-heat-exchanger refrigerant injection port provided in a refrigerant pipe that is directly connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, and an excess-refrigerant-container refrigerant injection port provided in a refrigerant pipe that is directly connected to the excess-refrigerant container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Korenaga, Takeshi Kuramochi, Hirofumi Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 9403204
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a casing, a fluid flow path extending between first and second ends of the casing; first and second bundles of heat exchanger tubes in first and second portions of a fluid flow path extending through the casing, and a third section of the fluid flow path connecting the first and second sections and having a sealing plate with one or more apertures for the fluid flow path to pass therethrough. By virtue of the sealing plate and its relationship with the adjacent structure of the heat exchanger, adjacent ends of the two bundles of tubes are each movable in at least one direction with respect to the casing and the other bundle of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joel T. Casterton, Kevin G. Clabots, Kevin M. Eppers
  • Patent number: 9400142
    Abstract: A heat exchanger plate, where the plate is provided with a heat transfer surface having a corrugated pattern, comprising a diagonal open and closed side distribution support section positioned between a diagonal open respectively closed groove and the heat transfer surface, and a diagonal open and closed side adiabatic support section positioned between the open respectively closed diagonal groove and a port hole, where the heat exchanger plate further comprises a transfer path between the diagonal open side distribution support section and the heat transfer surface and a bypass path between the diagonal closed side distribution support section and the heat transfer surface. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of heat exchanger plates is also disclosed. The advantage of this heat exchanger plate is that it allows for heat exchangers with an improved efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Martin Holm, Rolf Ekelund, Jenny Rasmussen, Fredrik Blomgren
  • Patent number: 9383145
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a cooling system for a heat-generating structure comprises a chamber and structure disposed within the chamber. The chamber has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet receives fluid coolant into the chamber substantially in the form of a liquid. The outlet dispenses the fluid coolant out of the chamber at least partially in the form of a vapor. The structure disposed within the chamber receive thermal energy from the heat generating structure and transfers at least a portion of the thermal energy to the fluid coolant. The thermal energy from the heat-generating structure causes at least a portion of the fluid coolant substantially in the form of a liquid to boil and effuse vapor upon contact with a portion of the structure. The effusion of vapor creates a self-induced flow in the chamber. The self-induced flow distributes non-vaporized fluid coolant substantially in the form of a liquid to other portions of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Richard M. Weber, Kerrin A. Rummel, Albert P. Payton
  • Patent number: 9383144
    Abstract: A heat exchanger unit that includes a plurality of first heat exchanger ducts formed by a plurality of plates configured for a first flow of a coolant, a plurality of second heat exchanger ducts formed by the plurality of plates configured for a second flow to be cooled by the first flow, a first inlet for the first flow, a first outlet for the first flow, a first inlet for the second flow, and a second outlet for the second flow. The heat exchanger unit further includes an inlet chamber for the first flow from which a partial flow of the first flow is branched off, conducted through the plurality of first heat exchanger ducts and circulated within the heat exchanger unit to the first outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Reinhard Stoll, Alfredo Ghidini, Stefan Müller-Lufft, Stefan Laux
  • Patent number: 9377221
    Abstract: A heat pump system is provided that uses multiple stages of MCMs with different Curie temperature ranges. An adjustable fluid flow path is used whereby the number of stages through which a heat transfer fluid passes can be varied depending upon e.g., the amount of heating or cooling desired. In certain embodiments, a magnetic field used to activate the MCMs can be manipulated so that the number of stages of MCMs that are activated also be adjusted. These and other features can improve the operating efficiency of the heat pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Michael Alexander Benedict
  • Patent number: 9363924
    Abstract: Cooling methods are provided which include providing a heat sink having a housing with a compartment, a coolant inlet, and a coolant outlet. The housing is configured for a coolant to flow from the coolant inlet through the compartment to the coolant outlet, wherein the coolant is transferring heat extracted from one or more electronic components. The heat sink further includes one or more heat pipes having a first portion disposed within the compartment of the housing and a second portion disposed outside the housing. The heat pipe(s) is configured to extract heat from the coolant flowing through the compartment, and to transfer the extracted heat to the second portion disposed outside the housing. The second portion outside the housing is disposed to facilitate conducting the extracted heat into the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9360245
    Abstract: A refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet comprising a storage chamber, a cold air generation chamber provided above the storage chamber, an evaporator provided in the cold air generation chamber, and a refrigerant tube configured to pass through a predetermined wall of the cold air generation chamber, not passing the storage chamber, to be connected with the evaporator. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator which has an efficient installation structure of a refrigerant tube connected with an evaporator provided in a cold air generation chamber provided above a storage chamber to enlarge storage space of the storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Youn Seok Lee, Jang Seok Lee, So Hee Park, Su Nam Chae, Min Kyu Oh
  • Patent number: 9353998
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a header for a heat exchanger that has an inflow side, an outflow side, a bypass port therebetween, and a pressure-sensitive flapper valve proximal the bypass port. As pressure increases at the inflow side of the header, the flapper valve opens proportionally, and, as pressure decreases at the inflow side, the flapper valve closes proportionally. The flapper valve is preferably included as part of a service cartridge assembly to facilitate easy repair and/or replacement of the flapper valve. In some embodiments of the invention, a differential pressure is measured between the inflow and outflow sides, and activation of the heat exchanger is initiated in response to the differential pressure having exceeded a set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Vance Elliot Willis, Michael Damion Mercer
  • Patent number: 9334639
    Abstract: A drain box assembly for a convertible splash pad/ice rink structure comprises a housing having an open top and a closed bottom, sidewalls connecting the top and bottom of the housing in fluid sealing relation to form within the housing a vertically directed water flow channel that connects a water ingress port and a water egress port in fluid communication one with the other. Connectors operatively secure the housing at the water egress port to a drain pipe. A plurality of coolant pipe segments each have an axis of symmetry extending between a first open end and a second open end. The coolant pipe segments are mounted on the housing to extend through the vertically directed water flow channel adjacent the open top, in substantially transverse relation to the vertical water flow channel. The first and second open ends of each coolant pipe segment extend beyond the one or more upright walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Custom Ice Inc.
    Inventor: Brendan Lenko
  • Patent number: 9335070
    Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus includes an insulation housing including an inner box. The inner box has first and second side plates and a first curved corner connecting the first and second side plates; and a first refrigerating circuit including a first compressor and a first evaporator constituted by a first evaporation pipe, the first evaporation pipe including a first portion extending a horizontal direction and a second portion extending a vertical direction. The first portion of the first evaporation pipe is disposed to contact to the first and second side plates and the first curved corner of the inner box, and the second portion of the first evaporation pipe is disposed outside of the first portion of the first evaporation pipe at the first curved corner so that the first portion of the first evaporation pipe locates between the first curved corner and the second portion of the first evaporation pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Kobayashi, Jiro Yuzawa, Satoshi Okuda, Hidetoshi Shinya, Tadahisa Saga
  • Patent number: 9328978
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger 10, comprising: a first unit 12 having a first conduit 16 for passing a flow of a first fluid through the first unit 12; a second unit 14 having a second conduit 28 for passing a flow of a second fluid through the second unit 28, wherein the flow of the first fluid is isolated from the second unit 14 and the flow of the second fluid is isolated from the first unit 12; and, a third conduit 40 connecting the first 12 and second 14 units, wherein the third conduit 40 is for carrying a flow of an intermediate fluid between the first 12 and second 14 units so as to transfer heat between the first fluid and the second fluid, when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Ajith Appukuttan, Yi Wang
  • Patent number: 9303912
    Abstract: A container system may comprise a container, a refrigerant tray, and refrigerant. The container may have a container interior. The refrigerant tray may be mountable within the container interior and may include a sublimation port. The refrigerant may be mounted within the refrigerant tray. The refrigerant may produce a cold gas upon sublimation of the refrigerant. The cold gas may pass through the sublimation port and enter into the container interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Karen L. Hills, Douglas A. Brown
  • Patent number: 9303903
    Abstract: An ice maker having an ice tray horizontally suspended within a housing and a drive body rotatably coupled to a transverse axis of the ice tray and configured to oscillate the ice tray about the transverse axis. The cold side of a thermoelectric device is thermally coupled with a bottom surface of the ice tray, and a hot side opposes the cold side. A barrier extends around the periphery of the ice tray within the housing, and separates the housing into a first chamber and a second air chamber. A heat sink is thermally coupled with the hot side of the thermoelectric device and extends into the second air chamber. An intake duct member is coupled with the housing proximate the second air chamber, and is configured to dispense a cold air flow over the heat sink. The barrier restricts the cold air flow from entering the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Boarman, Mark E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9297594
    Abstract: The invention relates to a collector plate (10) for a heat exchanger comprising a web (12) equipped with openings for the passage of tubes of the heat exchanger and a groove (14), known as a receiving groove, to accept a header tank cover, able to accept a gasket (104) and part of the cover and having a base (18) and two flanges, respectively an inner flange (16) and an outer flange (20) which are connected to the base (18). The inner flange (16) is connected to the web (12) and is subdivided into at least two disjointed portions, the two disjointed portions are separated by at least one recess (30), and the recess (30) between the two disjointed portions of the inner flange (16) is at least in the region of a site of the collector plate (10) that is intended to accept a bent part of the gasket (104). The invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising the collector plate (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventors: Christian Riondet, Jean-Marc Lesueur, Alan Day, Paul Garret, Eric Piniarski, Claire Piniarski
  • Patent number: 9285159
    Abstract: There are provided a refrigerator and a dispenser for the refrigerator. A light emitting unit is provided to emit light toward manipulation member of the dispenser so that the dispenser can be conveniently used and have a better aesthetic appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Pansoo Kim
  • Patent number: 9279613
    Abstract: A cryogenic air separation method and apparatus in which first and second liquid streams are produced. The first liquid stream has a higher oxygen content than air and can consist of a higher pressure distillation column bottoms and the second liquid stream, for instance, air, has a lower oxygen content than the first liquid stream and an argon content no less than the air. The second liquid stream is subcooled through indirect heat exchange with the first liquid stream and both of such streams are introduced into the lower pressure column. The second liquid stream is introduced into the lower pressure column above that point at which the crude liquid oxygen column bottoms or any portion thereof is introduced into the lower pressure column to increase a liquid to vapor ratio below the introduction of the second liquid stream and therefore, reduce the oxygen present within the column overhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Henry Edward Howard
  • Patent number: 9282683
    Abstract: A system and a method for forming the system. The system includes a cooling conduit and rack containers stacked in a first direction parallel to a floor. Each rack unit includes at least one heat generating device configured to generate heat while in operation. Each rack container is equipped with wheels positioned on a supporting structure to enable the wheels to move along the supporting structure in a second direction which enables adjacent rack containers to move closer to or further from each other. The second direction is parallel to the floor and perpendicular to the first direction. The supporting structure is on the floor and oriented in the second direction. The cooling conduit is secured on a top surface of each rack container to allow a cooling fluid to flow into each rack container and be heated by absorbing heat from the at least one heat generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastien Bousseton, Arnaud Lund