Patents Examined by Paolo Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8807444
    Abstract: An air conditioning equipment having an in-room unit connected to one end of the refrigerant pipes and an out-room unit connected to the other end of the refrigerant pipes. The air conditioning equipment includes signal coupling portions which are respectively disposed at both end parts of the refrigerant pipes. Each of the signal coupling portions couples an alternating current (AC) control signal to the refrigerant pipes and exhibits a predetermined impedance with respect to an AC electric signal. The configuration of the air conditioning equipment brings forth the advantages that the electrical insulation devices used in the prior art are dispensed with, and the signal transmissions between the in-room unit and the out-room unit can be performed by a simple apparatus configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Higuma, Noriyuki Kushiro, Yoshiaki Koizumi
  • Patent number: 8739564
    Abstract: A method for controlling a fan in a vehicle includes comparing the current temperature of at least a first device and a second device to multiple temperature ranges for each of said devices and determining on the basis of said comparisons whether fan speed should be changed, increasing fan speed to a maximum fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that the maximum fan speed is desired, increasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that an increase in fan speed less than the maximum fan speed is desired, and decreasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if the comparisons indicate that a decrease in fan speed is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gregory A. Major, Lawrence P. Ziehr, William R. Hill, Thomas K. Lockwood, Todd M. Tumas
  • Patent number: 8702012
    Abstract: A vertical heat pump has a vertical fan coil housing containing a fan, a coil, and a discharge plenum. A cavity is formed within the fan coil housing. A humidity steam generator is disposed within the cavity. A steam dispersion tube is mounted within an airstream to be generated by the fan for delivering steam via the discharge plenum. A steam transfer tube connects the steam generator to the steam dispersion tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventors: Richard Arote, Nick Cotumaccio
  • Patent number: 8650892
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system to extract water moisture from the atmosphere, highly purify and condition the extracted water, and provide beverages for human consumption. In one embodiment, the device collects water-vapor condensation from filtered intake air, and then subjects the condensate to a series of purification filters and to a sterilization process in order to produce drinking water. The system may then use the water produced to provide carbonated drinks, flavored drinks, coffee drinks, or ice. The system may also play music and charge a portable electronic device. The disclosed system may incorporate the variations in different combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: EcoloBlue, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ferreira, Henri-James Tieleman
  • Patent number: 8544762
    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 check valve is provided between the liquid chamber and an outside of the thermo-element, and operable to permit a flow of the fluid in a direction from the outside of the thermo-element to the liquid chamber, and inhibit a flow of the fluid in a direction from the liquid chamber to the outside of the thermo-element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Yukio Onishi
  • Patent number: 8448459
    Abstract: A system and method for evaluating parameters for a refrigeration system having a variable speed compressor is provided. A compressor is connected to a condenser and an evaporator. A condenser sensor and an evaporator sensor are provided. An inverter drive modulates a frequency of electric power delivered to the compressor to modulate a speed of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. McSweeney, Stephen M. Seibel
  • Patent number: 8434321
    Abstract: An ice making assembly for a refrigerator and a method for controlling the ice making assembly are provided. The ice making assembly and the method of controlling the ice making assembly provides a constant amount of water supply for each ice making cycle regardless of environmental conditions such as the varying water supply pressure of different installation locations. Furthermore, overflowing can be prevented during water supply with the use of a capacitance water level sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Jin Kim, Tae Hee Lee, Hong Hee Park, Ho Youn Lee, Joon Hwan Oh
  • Patent number: 8418483
    Abstract: A system and method for calculating parameters for a refrigeration system having a variable speed compressor is provided. A compressor is connected to a condenser and an evaporator. An evaporator sensor outputs an evaporator signal corresponding to at least one of an evaporator pressure and an evaporator temperature. An inverter drive modulates electric power delivered to the compressor to modulate a speed of the compressor. The control module is connected to the inverter drive and receives the evaporator signal, monitors electrical power data and compressor speed data from the inverter drive, and calculates at least one of a condenser temperature and a condenser pressure based on the evaporator signal, the electrical power data, and the compressor speed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. McSweeney, Stephen M. Seibel, Hung M. Pham
  • Patent number: 8402782
    Abstract: An ice-making device designed to make and separate ice from an ice tray through a simple process is provided. The ice-making device includes an ice tray defining an ice-making space, a freezing core that is partly received in the ice-making space to make ice at an end thereof, a driving unit moving and rotating the freezing core, and a power transmission unit for transferring power from the driving unit to the freezing core. The power transmission unit including a cam unit rotatably connected to the driving unit and a moving member that moves in vertical and rotational direction by a driving force of a motor transferred by the cam unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Jin Kim, Tae Hee Lee, Hong Hee Park, Ho Youn Lee, Joon Hwan Oh
  • Patent number: 8402783
    Abstract: An ice-making device for a refrigerator, which is designed to separate ice through a simple process is provided. The ice-making device for a refrigerator includes an ice tray defining an ice-making space, an ice core member that is partly received in the ice-making space to make ice at an end thereof, a driving unit moving and rotating at least one of the ice tray and the ice core member, and a power transmission unit for transferring power from the driving unit to the ice core member. The ice on the ice core member starts being separated in a state where the ice is spaced apart from an outer surface of the ice tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Jin Kim, Tae Hee Lee, Hong Hee Park, Ho Youn Lee, Joon Hwan Oh
  • Patent number: 8381540
    Abstract: An installable HVAC system used for a vehicle is disclosed. The HVAC system includes a housing, a compressor, a motor operatively coupled to the compressor; a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor; and a power management controller configured to run the motor with power from a given power source. The compressor, the motor, the condenser, and the power management controller are located within the housing. The housing is configured to attach to an existing HVAC system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Crosspoint Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald Allen Alston
  • Patent number: 8341970
    Abstract: An equipment control system includes a control device, and a control program in which present-round defrosting operation start time can be changed appropriately. An integrated controller controls a defrosting operation to remove frost adhered to showcases, in which the defrosting operation is started at a fixed or varying time interval. The integrated controller stores past record data based on required time for past defrosting operations for different environmental conditions. The integrated controller includes an environmental condition acquisition unit for obtaining present environmental conditions; a database control unit for obtaining required time for a present-round defrosting operation based on the past record data corresponding to the present environmental conditions from among the stored past record data; and a start time changing unit for changing start time of the present-round defrosting operation based on the obtained required time from the scheduled start time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Ouchi, Yoshio Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8302415
    Abstract: A method for controlling a refrigeration system with a variable compressor capacity, and at least two refrigeration entities, e.g. display cases, includes controlling suction pressure by either permitting or preventing the flow of refrigerant into the evaporators of one or more refrigeration entities. The method also includes controlling compressor capacity based on a signal derived from one or more properties of the one or more refrigeration entities, said signal reflecting a possible difference between the current compressor capacity and a current refrigeration demand of the refrigeration system. The method reduces wear on compressors by avoiding switching them ON or OFF to the largest extent possible, and also prevents problems relating to conflicting control strategies due to control parameters, e.g. suction pressure, being determined based on two or more controllable parts, e.g. compressors and flow of refrigerant into refrigeration entities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Claus Thybo, Ole Ploug
  • Patent number: 8302412
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system to extract water moisture from the atmosphere, highly purify and condition the extracted water, and provide beverages for human consumption. In one embodiment, the device collects water-vapor condensation from filtered intake air, and then subjects the condensate to a series of purification filters and to a sterilization process in order to produce drinking water. The system may then use the water produced to provide carbonated drinks, flavored drinks, coffee drinks, or ice. The system may also play music and charge a portable electronic device. The disclosed system may incorporate the variations in different combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: EcoloBlue, Inc.
    Inventors: Henri-James Tieleman, Wayne Ferreira
  • Patent number: 8267329
    Abstract: In an expansion valve, in a first passage through which a high pressure liquid refrigerant flows, an inlet port includes a large diameter passage portion formed from one side surface to the other side surface of a valve body, and a small diameter passage portion that provides communication between the large diameter passage portion on the bottom end thereof and a valve chamber. A coil spring provided in the valve chamber biases a valve member toward a valve hole. An O ring that seals between a plug that supports a lower end of the coil spring and the valve body is located below the small diameter passage portion and placed on the opposite side of the bottom end of the large diameter passage. Thus, the plug that closes an opening of the valve chamber can be mounted to an upper position, thereby reducing a vertical size of the valve body to further reduce a size of the valve body, and reducing an amount of use of metal materials for the valve body to reduce weight and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Takashi Mogi
  • Patent number: 8261557
    Abstract: A heat transfer device exploits the properties of photonic crystal solids with resonant defect cavities to execute a thermodynamic cycle to accomplish the conversion between heat flow and useful energy. In a heat pump or refrigerator configuration, an actuator cyclically performs work on the photonic crystal to cycle the photonic crystal between a first state to permit the crystal to collect thermal energy from a cold region to heat the crystal and a second state to permit the photonic crystal to radiate electromagnetic energy to a hot region to cool the photonic crystal. A mechanism cycles the emission band of the photonic crystal for more efficient collection of heat energy and radiation of electromagnetic energy in the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Delmar L. Barker, William R. Owens
  • Patent number: 8261564
    Abstract: A recovery apparatus, system and method, including a compressor to evacuate a gas or liquid from a system during a first phase and a second phase of a recovery process, and a vacuum pump to evacuate the gas or liquid during the second phase. A memory stores one or more correlation relations to determine a predetermined second variable recovery time for the second phase to evacuate the system to a second predetermined level related to a first recovery time to evacuate the vessel or system to a first predetermined level during the first phase, and a processor to determine the second variable recovery time, based on the one or more correlation relations and the first recovery time, and selectively control the compressor and the vacuum pump to evacuate the gas or liquid from the vessel or system to the first and second predetermined levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: William Brown, Gary Murray
  • Patent number: 8256238
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle has a refrigerant cycle device which has an evaporator and a compressor and in which refrigerant is discharged from the compressor to be evaporated in the evaporator so that air passing the evaporator is cooled to be blown into a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The control unit drives the compressor at a control value which is determined based on at least one of a pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant cycle device and an outside-air temperature outside the passenger compartment, when the control unit actuates the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Honda, Takeshi Wakisaka
  • Patent number: 8234879
    Abstract: A motor controlling method and apparatus of an air conditioner are disclosed. It is checked whether or not an operation frequency of a compressor motor is the same as or greater than a certain frequency and it is also checked whether or not a detected velocity of a fan motor is the same as or lower than a certain velocity during a certain time period. If the operation frequency is the same as or greater than the certain frequency and the detected velocity is the same as or lower than the certain velocity during a certain time period, the compressor motor is temporarily stopped. Because the compressor motor operates according to operational conditions of the fan motor, an overload can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sun Ho Hwang, Sug Mun Choung
  • Patent number: 8181474
    Abstract: A solar-powered air conditioning system including an energy-storage medium made of a mixture of 5%-20% glycerin, 2.5%-10% alcohol and water in a thermally insulated container is disclosed. While frozen, the said energy storage medium becomes slurry of thin sheets of ice dispersed in liquid, which will not damage the container and the heat-exchange pipes. The system uses a solar photovoltaic panel to directly drive a vapor-compression refrigeration unit to freeze the said energy storage medium. A ventilation system forces air through a heat-exchange coil in the said energy-storage medium, to generate chilled air to cool the space. In the absence of sunlight, the energy-storage medium can keep frozen for days. With or without sunlight, the flowing air chilled by the frozen energy-storage medium continues to cool the room or the entire building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Chengjun Julian Chen