Patents Examined by William E. Tapolcai
  • Patent number: 7628026
    Abstract: An air conditioning unit is for cooling and dehumidifying outside air for flowing into an enclosed space from outside. The unit is interposable between a first evaporator coil and a first condenser coil and comprises a second evaporator coil that is positioned to receive outside air for channeling therethrough from an outer to an inner side and thence to the enclosed space. A second condenser coil is positioned to receive outside air for channeling therethrough from an inner to an outer side and thence to the outside. A compressor is in fluid communication with and upstream of the second condenser coil and downstream of the second evaporator coil. Another embodiment is intended as a unitary system and includes a unitary compressor and condenser coil, with one evaporator coil for processing inside air and another for channeling outside air into the enclosed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Inventors: Walter Kritsky, William Weinaug, Robert L. Symmes, Brian A. Mirus
  • Patent number: 7624587
    Abstract: A multi-stage operation type air conditioner which can be operated in various cooling or heating capacities. The multi-stage operation type air conditioner includes a first discharge port, a first opening/closing device for opening or closing the first discharge port, a second discharge port having a size different from that of the first discharge port, a second opening/closing device for opening or closing the second discharge port, and a controller for controlling the air conditioner such that the air conditioner may be operated with one of the first and second discharge ports opened, in an operation with a lower cooling or heating load, and the air conditioner may be operated with both the first and second discharge ports opened, in an operation with a higher cooling or heating load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joong Hee Lee, Hyoung Seo Choi
  • Patent number: 7624591
    Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided a refrigerator including a refrigerating chamber formed at a relatively upper portion of a refrigerator body and a freezing chamber formed at a relatively lower portion of the refrigerator body, which comprises an ice-making chamber which is partitioned in the refrigerating chamber by insulating walls and includes an icemaker for making ice and an ice storage for storing the ice made in the icemaker. The temperature in the refrigerating chamber can be accurately controlled, the loss of cold air can be minimized and the structures for supplying water into the icemaker and the dispenser can be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ill-Shin Kim, Seon-Il Yu, Kun-Jun Seok, Yong-Chol Kwon
  • Patent number: 7621145
    Abstract: An automatic loading apparatus (12) for specimens (1) for high-pressure cryosubstitution is disclosed. The automatic loading apparatus (12) is connected to a high-pressure freezing device (40). Specimens (1) are inserted in a holder (2). By means of a slider (4), the specimens (1) and holders (2) are conveyed to the automatic loading apparatus (12). The guidance element (26) allows exact positioning of the holder (2) in the clamping element (14). The automatic loading apparatus makes possible rapid transfer of the holder (2) having the specimen (1) from, for example, an optical microscope to the high-pressure freezing device (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Leica Mikrosysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Plank, Andreas Hallady
  • Patent number: 7621142
    Abstract: A FC radiator in a FC cooling system, an EV radiator in a driving device cooling system, and a condenser in an air conditioning cooling system are arranged in one plane substantially perpendicular to a direction in which a fuel cell vehicle moves forward at a front portion of the fuel cell. Also, heat exchangers are arranged in order of the condenser, the EV radiator, and the FC radiator, that is, in order of an operating temperature from an upper position to a lower position. An angle of plural fins fitted to a front grille is changed according to a load of a fuel cell and a vehicle speed, each of the plural fins being formed to have an elongate rectangular plate shape extending in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Hoshi, Kazuhiro Maeda, Susumu Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7617693
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are water purifying system and apparatus for simultaneously making ice and cold water using one evaporator, which can make cold water in various forms only by changing the system and make ice of a predetermined amount by using cold water of less than a predetermined temperature as raw water for ice-making, thereby saving energy. The water purifying system and apparatus can rapidly provide cold water by the simple operation of the water gutter of the ice-making unit and the circulation of water contained in the cold water tank to the water gutter by the circulation pump, and provide ice of the predetermined amount by making ice using the cold water without regard to the changes of the temperature of raw water and the surrounding temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Chung Ho Nais Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soon-Se Lee
  • Patent number: 7617698
    Abstract: The present invention is a refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser with a lighted dispenser target ring. The dispenser has a lighted target ring to facilitate positioning of a container for receipt of ice and water. An additional benefit is that the lighted target ring reduces ice and water spray outside of the container being filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Bowen, Lawrence J. Ertz, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Chad J. Rotter
  • Patent number: 7614249
    Abstract: The present invention provides an air-condition heat pump system and two-stage defrosting control method for continuous operation under an environment temperature range from 20 degree to negative 40 degree Celsius or lower. The heat pump system employs different defrosting methods under different temperature and humidity conditions. A ventilation and humidity control system is also provided for implementing the cross defrosting heat pump system within an indoor dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventor: Lung Tan Hu
  • Patent number: 7614242
    Abstract: Self-contained refrigeration units include evaporator modules, condenser modules, compressor modules, control subassemblies, and all other refrigeration components in compact interconnected modular packages. The modules, which are assembled in rigid or flexible self-contained monoblock refrigeration units, are installable, removable and replaceable as complete self-contained refrigeration units without requiring transport downtime for servicing and repairing of the refrigeration units. Vehicles with refrigeration systems arrive at a distributor and have malfunctioning units removed and complete units replaced and installed and are back on the road within minutes. Dealers' inventories are small and non complex and dealers' workers need not be skilled transport refrigeration mechanics. Dealer trucks have light cranes to remove and replace complete self-contained refrigeration units on site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventor: Carlos Quesada Saborio
  • Patent number: 7614245
    Abstract: A cell body receiving fuel supply to generate power, an inverter receiving output power of the cell body to convert it into ac power, and a vapor-compression refrigerating machine receiving the ac power output from the inverter as operating power and using a motor as its driving source are provided. An intermediate part of a connection line connecting the aforementioned inverter and vapor-compression refrigerating machine is connected to a refrigeration air-conditioning power board to make effective use of a fuel cell and to prevent the footprint and construction costs from increasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuki Matsui, Masanobu Kawazoe, Kazuo Yonemoto
  • Patent number: 7614250
    Abstract: The present invention obtains a desired cooling effect in a fan motor as well as suppresses any increase in the noise level in a centrifugal fan that sucks in air from the rotary shaft direction and blows out air in a direction that intersects the rotary shaft, and in an air conditioner provided therewith. The centrifugal fan of the air conditioner comprises a fan motor, a hub, a plurality of blades, and an air guide. The hub has cooling air holes, and is coupled to and rotationally driven by a shaft of the fan motor. The air guide guides a portion of the blown out air to the vicinity of the fan motor, cools the fan motor, and then guides the air flow so that the revolving direction velocity decreases when that air is blown out from the cooling air holes to the side of the hub opposite the fan motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsunehisa Sanagi
  • Patent number: 7614244
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a first storage compartment defining a first interior volume. A first evaporator is disposed in a first evaporator compartment and is configured to provide cool air to the first interior volume. A second storage compartment defines a second interior volume, the second interior volume configured to be cooled by cool air received from the first interior volume. A door is positionable to permit and prohibit access to the second interior volume through a front of the second interior volume. A third interior volume is defined in an interior of the door. A second evaporator is disposed in a second evaporator compartment and is configured to provide cool air to the third interior volume. An air flow channel extends from the second evaporator compartment to the third interior volume. A fan is disposed in the third interior volume. A mold is disposed in the third interior volume and is configured to receive water and to retain the water during cooling of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Matthew William Davis, Krzysztof Struminski, Wayne Lawson
  • Patent number: 7610773
    Abstract: An ice producing apparatus for a refrigerator includes a storage tank configured to store a cooling medium. A first heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the storage tank and is configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to be cooled. An ice mold includes at least one cavity that is configured to retain water therein. A second heat exchanger is disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger and is configured to have the cooling medium flow therethrough to freeze the water in the ice mold to produce ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Sanjay Manohar Anikhindi
  • Patent number: 7610774
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided with a fresh food compartment and a door for the fresh food compartment having an organizer with a plurality of openings formed in the door for holding individual food and beverage containers. The openings include a cradle for supporting a sidewall of each container so as to hold the container in an inclined orientation. The openings are vertically aligned adjacent the ice dispenser chute of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Troy M. Anderson, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Joseph M. Nurre, Lester J. Ott, Doug M. Roush, Eric K. Silbaugh, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: 7607316
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air conditioner for a vehicle that is capable of easily and simply assembling a thermistor-holding device insertedly with a coupling hole formed at one side surface of a lower case of an air conditioning case, while inserting first and second protrusions formed through upper and lower molds around the coupling hole thereto, such that the total number of parts and the working period are all reduced to improve the productivity of the product and the repairing or exchanging work of the thermistor is carried out easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Yuncheol Park, Yongeun Seo, Sangchul Byon, Sungho Kang, Yongsang Kim
  • Patent number: 7607314
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, a valve an energy recovery device and at least one bypass passage. The compressor is fluidly connected to the evaporator. The condenser is fluidly connected to the compressor. The valve is configured to control flow of high-pressure refrigerant exiting the condenser. The energy recovery device has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is fluidly connected to the valve to receive high-pressure refrigerant and the outlet is fluidly connected to the evaporator to deliver low-pressure refrigerant thereto. The energy recovery device is configured to extract work from flow of refrigerant therethrough. When the valve is closed and refrigerant flow cutoff, suction power loss is reduced by introduction of one or both of high-pressure refrigerant or low pressure refrigerant via one or more bypass passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Eisenhour
  • Patent number: 7607312
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including adjusting cut-in and cut-out temperatures of the cooling system to control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
  • Patent number: 7603869
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator having a dispenser. In the present invention, the dispenser is provided in a concave portion of a door to be exposed toward a front surface of the door. A water tank is installed between a rear surface of the dispenser and a door liner defining a rear surface of the door. The water tank stores the water delivered from an external water supply source while the water in maintained at a relatively low temperature and then discharges the water to the outside through the dispenser. Furthermore, in the present invention, a nozzle, through which the water is discharged from the water tank, is directly connected to a drainpipe of the dispenser, so that users may always take out the water maintained at a constant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong-Ook Kim, Ill-Shin Kim, Si-Yeon An, Dong-Yeol Yoo, Oh-Chul Kwon, Bum-Sik Lee, Joo-Won Park
  • Patent number: 7603872
    Abstract: A heat-pump hot water supply apparatus, for dissolving problems of delaying in heating rise-up time when re-starting, and ill influences upon starting characteristics, due to liquid refrigerant residing in an evaporator when the operation is stepped, within a heat-pump circuit thereof, comprises a heat-pump refrigerant circuit, in which a compressor, a water/refrigerant heat exchanger, a refrigerant adjusting valve, and an evaporator, in series, through refrigerant pipes, a direct hot-water supply circuit, into which is supplied hot water heated, obtained by heating water supplied from an outside via a water pipe by means the water/refrigerant heat exchanger, and a compressor operation controller means for stopping the compressor and also closing the refrigerant adjusting valve when the compressor stops the operation thereof, and for re-starting the compressor after opening the refrigerant adjusting valve when the compressor starts the operation, again, wherein the refrigerant within the evaporator is collect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Appliances, Inc.
    Inventors: Taichi Tanaami, Masahiko Gommori, Kazuhiro Endoh, Junichi Takagi, Kouichi Fukushima
  • Patent number: 7603868
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing a fluid ice are provided, wherein temperature and thickness of the fluid ice is independently controllable. The method and apparatus mixes ice together with at least two liquid phases, and stirs the mix. Stirring is maintained until a desired temperature and a desired grain size of the fluid ice is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Skaginn HF
    Inventor: Sigurgeir Sveinsson