Patents Examined by Marc Norman
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Patent number: 9638583Abstract: A virtual temperature monitoring system in a data center communicates with servers mounted in racks to receive internal temperature data generated by internal temperature sensors of the servers. The system derives a virtual sensor measurement of external temperatures external to the server, including a portion of a cold aisle that extends proximate to a rack in which the server is mounted, based upon a relationship between the received internal temperature sensors and the external environment. Sensor data from other sensors can be received via a building management system, and building management signals to the building management system can be generated based at least partially on the virtual sensor data. The virtual sensor data can be used to generate a graphical representation of the servers that highlights relative thermal characteristics of the servers based on the virtual external sensor measurements, including heat indices, excursions beyond thresholds, historical excursion histories, etc.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter George Ross, Adolfo Bravo Ferreira, Richard Chadwick Towner
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Patent number: 9638454Abstract: A refrigeration appliance, particularly a household refrigeration appliance, has a storage space for cooled material, wherein at least one passage for the flow of air into and out of the storage space is formed in a wall delimiting the storage space. The passage can be closed by a movable closure element. A fan for driving an air flow is arranged in the storage space and can be operated with the passage closed.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbHInventors: Astrid Klingshirn, Immanuel Ring, Markus Spielmannleitner
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Patent number: 9632514Abstract: An electronic shower system including a mixing valve operably coupled to a mixing valve drive, and a diverter valve operably coupled to a diverter valve drive and in fluid communication with the mixing valve. A controller is in communication with the mixing valve drive and the diverter valve drive. A user interface includes a removable module in communication with the controller.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Delta Faucet CompanyInventors: Garry R. Marty, Todd Huffington, Kyle R. Davidson, Brian W. Johnson, Larry D. O'Cull, Patrick B. Jonte
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Patent number: 9632518Abstract: A thermostat having a hollow body, wherein the hollow body is at least partly filled with a thermosensitive medium. A heating element is provided for heating the thermosensitive medium. The heating element is located outside of the hollow body and is at least partially insulated electrically from the hollow body. The element is connected to the hollow body in a thermally conductive manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: MAHLE International GmbHInventors: Hans-Peter Klein, Eike Willers
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Patent number: 9625920Abstract: A mixing valve (10) includes a valve body (12) having a hot fluid inlet (14), a cold fluid inlet (16), a mixed fluid outlet (18), and a cavity (20) in the valve body (12) between the inlets (14, 16) and the outlet (18). Mixing valve (10) includes a liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) positioned in valve body (12) and a valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840) movable therein between a first position restricting the flow of hot fluid and a second position. Liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) includes a downstream valve seat (74, 174, 274, 474, 574, 674, 774) that, when engaged by valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840), restricts flow of hot fluid past valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840).Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Magarl, LLCInventor: Kevin B. Kline
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Patent number: 9625141Abstract: The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide an fluid circulating installation adapted with a temperature equalization system and fluid transmission duct disposed in a heat carrier existing in solid or liquid state in the nature where presents comparatively larger and more reliable heat carrying capacity. The fluid passes through the solid or gas state semiconductor application installation to regulate the semiconductor application installation for temperature equalization, and flows back to the heat equalization installation disposed in the natural heat carrier of heat for the heat equalization installation providing good heat conduction in the natural heat carrier to provide the operation of temperature equalization regulating function on the backflow of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
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Patent number: 9625196Abstract: A method for controlling an operation of a vapor compression system (VCS) determines values of measured outputs of the operation of the VCS that include performance and constrained outputs. The method determines states of the VCS using an estimator model of the VCS defining a relationship between the states of the VCS, control inputs and controlled outputs, such that a difference between outputs predicted using the estimator model and the measured outputs asymptotically approaches zero. The states of the VCS include a main state representing the operation of the VCS and an auxiliary state representing the effect of unknown disturbances on each measured output of the VCS. The control inputs for controlling the operation of the VCS are determined using a prediction model, such that the constrained output satisfies the constraints, and a difference between the performance output and the value of the setpoint asymptotically approaches zero.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Dan Burns, Neera Jain, Christopher Laughman, Stefano Di Cairano, Scott Bortoff
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Patent number: 9623523Abstract: An HVAC actuator coupleable to an HVAC component is disposed in or at an insulated duct. The HVAC actuator may include a housing and a taping flange. The taping flange may be spaced from the outer surface of the duct and adjacent to an outer surface of an insulated layer of the duct when the HVAC actuator is coupled to the HVAC component, and may be configured to facilitate taping of the HVAC actuator to the outer surface of the insulating layer. It may be shaped to provide a front-facing surface that is suitable for receiving tape to provide a seal between the taping flange and the outer surface of the insulating layer. In some cases, the taping flange may extend outward from the housing around the entire perimeter of the housing. The taping flange may be formed integrally with the housing, or it formed separately and coupled to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Jack Du, Kevin Graebel, Bin Wang, David J. Emmons
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Patent number: 9618223Abstract: An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventor: Lawrence Kates
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Patent number: 9612047Abstract: An internal heat exchanger and a first flow control valve are connected in series between a condenser and a refrigerant inlet of an ejector. A gas refrigerant outlet of a gas-liquid separator is connected to a suction port of a compressor. A first bypass circuit connects a refrigerant outlet of the condenser to an intermediate pressure portion of the compressor via a second flow control valve and the internal heat exchanger. A second bypass circuit connects a refrigerant outlet of the internal heat exchanger to the liquid refrigerant outlet of the gas-liquid separator via a third flow control valve. While the second flow control valve is opened such that the refrigerant flows through the first bypass circuit, the fourth flow control valve is switched to be opened or closed, and the third flow control valve is switched to be closed or opened.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2011Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Shinya Higashiiue, Takashi Okazaki, So Nomoto, Hirokazu Minamisako
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Patent number: 9599353Abstract: A split air conditioning system for conditioning a plurality of zones within a single living area of a building, that includes a single outdoor unit; a refrigerant flow pathway made up of a plurality of refrigerant conduits having a common refrigerant flow path portion and at least two divergent flow path portions, a first divergent flow path and a second divergent flow path and the first evaporator and second evaporator are in parallel with one another; at least one throttling device; a portioning device configured to selectively and proportionately regulate the flow of a refrigerant fluid to the first evaporator and the second evaporator, respectively where the compressor is configured to be capable of simultaneously driving both the first evaporator and the second evaporator at their full cooling capacity.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Nihat O. Cur, Timothy A. Kee, James W. Kendall, Steven J. Kuehl, Jeffrey A. Miller, Verne H. Myers, Heng Tong Pit, Guolian Wu
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Patent number: 9593685Abstract: A method for collecting condensate inside an apparatus, including: providing a condensate collection system with bottom and top collection tanks; a condensate discharge pump to displace liquid from the bottom collection tank to the top collection tank; and an overflow system which displaces the liquid contained in the top collection tank that exceeds an overflow level into the bottom collection tank; collecting a condensed liquid in the bottom collection tank; actuating the condensate discharge pump to displace the condensed liquid from the bottom collection tank into the top collection tank; detecting a low load condition of the condensate discharge pump, actuation of the condensate discharge pump being interrupted upon detection of the low load condition; the actuating time (T2) of the condensate discharge pump, with signalling of a full condition of the condensate collection system when this actuating time (T2) is equal or larger than a maximum time (T2lim).Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2014Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Askoll Holding S.r.l., a socio unicoInventor: Elio Marioni
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Patent number: 9587866Abstract: A system or a method for performing capacitive sensing of humidity/liquid, primarily in conductive or non-conductive liquid/gas mixtures, having a control unit and at least first and second sensor electrodes, the capacity between the first and the second electrodes being measured. To measure humidity/liquid in a circulating gas/liquid mixture at least one of the sensor electrodes is formed as a tube which is placed in the liquid/gas mixture. Based on the capacitive measurements, a calculation of at least one dataset for control of a second system is performed. The tube can be more or less filled up with liquid or gas and the capacity can be measured as it depends on the content around or inside the tube, and if a dry gas is there will be one value of capacity and in a situation where the gas is being replaced by liquid, the capacity value will change rapidly.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2011Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: HP Products A/SInventor: Michael Elstroem
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Patent number: 9581074Abstract: A thermostat assembly for use with an engine cooling system includes a thermostat, a frame, a bypass valve and an integrated filter. The frame supports the thermostat and is positioned upstream of a thermostatic valve. The frame also defines a primary coolant passage. The bypass valve is positioned on the frame and selectively defines a bypass coolant passage. The filter is positioned on the frame upstream of the thermostat and is configured to filter coolant flowing through the primary coolant passage to the thermostat. The bypass valve moves between a normally closed position and an open position where coolant is free to pass through the bypass coolant passage and to the thermostat. The bypass valve moves to the open position upon being subjected to a predetermined pressure caused by a reduction in a coolant flow rate through the filter so as to provide for coolant flow to bypass the filter.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: FCA US LLCInventor: Jerry P Harkey
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Patent number: 9579950Abstract: A control method of an air conditioner system for an electric vehicle may include circulating the refrigerant by sensing actuation of the air conditioner system while driving the electric vehicle in a state where a start of the electric vehicle is turned on, circulating and cooling the cooling water through actuation of a water pump and a cooling fan in a cooling module that includes an engine radiator, the intercooler radiator, the water-cooled condenser, and the air-cooled condenser, and controlling actuation speeds of the water pump and the cooling fan based on whether the electric vehicle stops after suddenly accelerating in a state where the air conditioner system is actuated or stops in a state where the air conditioner system is turned off after travelling, and/or based on whether an air conditioner pressure and a cooling water temperature are within predetermined set values.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Halla Visteon Climate Control Corp.Inventors: Jae Yeon Kim, Dong Won Park, Jun-Young Choi, Kwang Young Shin
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Patent number: 9581349Abstract: An indoor unit and an air conditioning system using the same include a first communication module to communicate with a wired remote controller, a power switch connected to a power terminal of one or the other side of the first communication module, a ground switch connected to a ground terminal of one or the other side of the first communication module to constitute a pair with the power switch, and an indoor unit controller to turn on the power switch and the ground switch when an indoor unit supplies power to the wired remote controller, and to turn off the power switch and the ground switch when another indoor unit supplies power to the wired remote controller.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Su Ho Jo, Kwan Joo Myoung, Awata Hiroshi
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Patent number: 9574814Abstract: A refrigerator includes a plurality of storage compartments, a plurality of cooling units to cool the plurality of storage compartments, a temperature sensing unit to sense temperatures of the plurality of storage compartments, a drive unit to drive the plurality of cooling units, and a controller to control the drive unit to drive the cooling unit that satisfies a predetermined driving condition. If at least one cooling unit among the plurality of cooling units is being driven, the controller delays driving the other cooling unit even if the other cooling unit satisfies the driving condition. The refrigerator minimizes simultaneous driving a plurality of compressors, which may prevent generation of noise and vibration, as well as excessive power consumption, due to driving the plurality of compressors.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Sung Ho Cho, Woo Sung Kim
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Patent number: 9573439Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner includes a cooling heat exchanger arranged in a casing, a compressor control portion which controls a compressor such that a cooling temperature at the cooling heat exchanger approaches a target cooling temperature, and a dryness determination portion which determines whether an outer surface of the cooing heat exchanger is dry or not based on a humidity in the casing. A target temperature determination portion determines the target cooling temperature to be any one of target temperatures including a first target temperature that is lower than a dew-point temperature in the casing, when the dryness determination portion determines that the cooling heat exchanger is not dry. The target temperature determination portion determines the target cooling temperature to be any one of the target temperatures other than the first target temperature, when the dryness determination portion determines that the cooling heat exchanger is dry.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Haruki Misumi, Manabu Maeda
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Patent number: 9568894Abstract: A control system for a compressor is provided. The control system includes a controller and first and second control portions. The first control portion is configured to assess an actual temperature of an evaporator and a target temperature of the evaporator and to generate a first compressor speed command signal. The second control portion includes a pressure calibration value and is configured to receive a pressure reading of the climate system, to compare the pressure reading to the pressure calibration value and to generate a second compressor speed command signal. The controller device includes data and is configured to receive the first compressor speed command signal and the second compressor speed command signal and to transmit a control signal to the compressor for causing the compressor to operate at a commanded compressor speed based on the first compressor speed command signal, the second compressor speed command signal, and the data.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Paul Stephen Bryan, Matthew D. Smith, William David Treharne, Susan Rebecca Cikanek
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Patent number: 9568206Abstract: Methods of controlling a cooling unit and embodiments of a cooling unit are disclosed. A method of improving efficiency of the cooling unit includes detecting a degree of opening of a hot gas bypass valve configured to divert a portion of coolant from a compressor to a heat exchanger of the cooling unit, and adjusting a condenser discharge pressure based on the detected degree of opening. Aspects may increase cooling efficiency at partial cooling requirements. Fluctuations in refrigerant pressure at low cooling capacities and condenser medium inlet temperature may be avoided. Minimum condenser water inlet temperature for a water-cooled cooling unit may also be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATIONInventor: Ozan Tutunoglu