Patents Examined by William E. Tapolcai
  • Patent number: 7600388
    Abstract: A refrigerator incorporates an air filter for filtering an airflow passing along at least one refrigeration component into surrounding spaces. The air filter is positioned in an upper machine compartment which houses refrigeration components associated with maintaining temperatures in the refrigerator. At least one sensor is arranged adjacent the air filter to determine a parameter of the air flow. A control, including an air filter analyzer, determines a need for an air filter change based on the sensed parameter. In addition to removing impurities from the airflow, the air filter includes scented media which adds fragrance to the airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: William James Vestal
  • Patent number: 7600391
    Abstract: An apparatus for the recovery of energy from regenerative braking events in a vehicle is provided. A braking system is configured to selectively transmit energy from a wheel to the compressor of a heat pump/refrigerant loop. The apparatus may store recovered energy in the heat capacity of a coolant fluid to assist powertrain heating or cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjeev M. Naik, Jeffrey M. Pleune
  • Patent number: 7596960
    Abstract: An indoor unit of an air conditioner is provided. The indoor unit has an improved airflow structure, for a rapid air conditioning of the room, a user's convenience, and an efficiency of the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Buem Bae
  • Patent number: 7596963
    Abstract: A conveyor screw for conveyance of high viscose masses and an apparatus with such a conveyor screw, preferably for production of an ice cream. Said crew having a plurality of screw flights, where at least two screw flights extend from an inlet end part of the conveyor screw and wherein the outer edges of the two screw flights extend in different radial distance from longitudinal axis. Whereby the radially shorter screw flight assists with the conveyance of a part of the mass without affecting the whole mass and especially without affecting the ice layer, which by use of the conveyor screw in a through-flow freezer is created on the inner wall of the freezing cylinder. Cooling the mass to a temperature of ?15° C. or lower as preparation for extrusion of the mass for formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holding & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Henrik Guldmann Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 7594411
    Abstract: An indoor unit of an air conditioner is provided. The indoor unit includes a main chassis constituting a rear appearance, a heat exchanger and a fan disposed in an inner space of the main chassis, and a front frame formed on a front of the main chassis and constituting a front appearance. The front frame includes a suction port for sucking air of a space for air-conditioning, a high-performance filter-mount part formed on one side of the suction port for fixing the high performance filter, a dust-collecting filter-fixing part formed on one side of the high-performance filter-mount part for fixing the dust-collecting filter, and a discharge port formed on one side of the dust-collecting filter-fixing part for discharging air that has been sucked to the suction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Kwan Park, Jeong Weon Ju, Won Jun Choi, Kyo Ha Keum
  • Patent number: 7596464
    Abstract: A method of creating a thermal influence table to describe thermal relationships between components in a system and use of the thermal influence table in a system is described. The thermal influence matrix may be generated dynamically for a system. The matrix may be used by a thermal management policy to enable a hot device to be cooled by power management of another device in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jim G. Hermerding, Barnes Cooper, Steve P. Frayne, Jr., Eric Distefano, Sridhar V. Machiroutu
  • Patent number: 7594413
    Abstract: An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent with a damper in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh focm 8od compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency, including movement of the damper between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Dean A. Martin, Chad J. Rotter
  • Patent number: 7594412
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a refrigerating appliance preferably for cooling of drinks, comprising a cooling section with a freezing unit arranged therein having a freezing section where an ice making device is arranged, said cooling section and/or freezing section being optionally divided into several compartments by means of partition walls, and having an evaporator for creating and supplying cold air into the freezing section and cooling section, where several cooling channels are formed in a body of the refrigerating appliance for distributing cooling air via several discharging slots into each separate compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Gorenje gospodinjski aparati, d.d.
    Inventor: Dejan Dren
  • Patent number: 7591148
    Abstract: A heat exchanger module includes a condenser for condensing a refrigerant, a modulator, a sub-cooler for cooling liquid refrigerant supplied from the modulator, and a heat exchanger for cooling a fluid different from the refrigerant. The condenser, the sub-cooler and the heat exchanger are arranged in an arrangement direction substantially perpendicular to an air flow direction. Further, the modulator is disposed to extend in the arrangement direction. In the heat exchanger module, the modulator has a dimension that is larger than the sum of a dimension of the condenser and a dimension of the sub-cooler, and is not larger than the sum of the dimension of the condenser, the dimension of the sub-cooler and a dimension of the heat exchanger, in the arrangement direction. Accordingly, a capacity of the modulator can be effectively increased without increasing a largest outer side of the heat exchanger module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Ryouichi Sanada
  • Patent number: 7591141
    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 by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. The control system can also use correlations in determining appropriate temperatures for different compartments within the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 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: 7591144
    Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser is based on a frame that defines a refrigeration chamber that houses a unit cooler, which is in communication with a cooled air plenum that, in turn, is in communication with a display chamber. The unit cooler supplies cooled air to the plenum. The cooled air that is supplied to the plenum is then provided to a shelf that is mounted in the display chamber. Additionally, the cooled air is provided to at least one drawer, which is slidably mounted in the display chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Foodtrust of Prince Edward Island Limited
    Inventors: Woodrow Wilson, Robert Jamieson, Keith McKenzie
  • Patent number: 7591140
    Abstract: A method of regulating the refrigerant temperature for a beverage machine, including a refrigeration system for producing a frozen beverage, operating at least one compressor at a speed to flow the refrigerant through the refrigeration system of the beverage machine and cooling the refrigerant with at least one condenser. The method may also include controllably varying the flow of air across the at least one condenser or the speed of the at least one compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Doug Franck, Darren Wayne Simmons, Daniel J. Peck, Richard Carroll Staten
  • Patent number: 7587910
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser with a sloped dispensing cavity that extends upward and rearward from the refrigerator door. The dispenser design allows for more efficient use of storage space on the door behind the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 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: 7587904
    Abstract: A refrigeration unit includes a housing including an insulated compartment having opposing first and second walls. A spring rod has a first end mounted at a first location to the first wall of the insulated compartment and a second end mounted at a second location to the second wall of the insulated compartment. An evaporator assembly includes a component mounted to the insulated compartment by the spring rod. A shoulder of the spring rod exerts a force against the component in a direction toward the first wall to limit movement of the component mounted to the insulated compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Sanders
  • Patent number: 7584626
    Abstract: Air-conditioning system for a vehicle, preferably an industrial vehicle, said system comprising: a main internal combustion engine (1); an alternating current electric machine (7) suitable to function as a motor and/or generator; a refrigeration circuit (2) comprising a compressor (3), suitable to be driven by said main engine or by said electric machine; a source (8) of electric power suitable to supply said electric machine; three clutches (10, 11, 12) suitable for independently connecting/disconnecting said main engine to said compressor, to said electric machine or said compressor to said electric machine. Vehicle equipped with said system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: IVECO S.p.A.
    Inventors: Domenico Bellero, Mariano Turco
  • Patent number: 7578141
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an in-door water dispenser and a water routing system is provided with a cabinet. A door is reversibly hinged to the cabinet at either a first edge or a second edge. A water supply line leads from a water reservoir and has a first connection at a first top front corner of the cabinet and a second connection at a second top front corner. A feeder line leads from the dispenser to a top surface of the door with an end at one of the first door edge and the second door edge. When the door is hinged along the first edge, the end of the feeder line is connected to the first connection and when the door is hinged along the second edge, the end of the feeder line is connected to the second connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Sooraj Puthiyaveetil, Sinuhé Argumedo, Jeffrey Neil Wilson, Frank W. Klitzing, Matthew P. Dieg, Kevin R. Leatherwood, Jeffrey J. Smale, Mark G. Steffenhagen
  • Patent number: 7574870
    Abstract: Various embodiments of air conditioning systems are disclosed. The systems may include an air conditioner whose energy source is provided by heating of a first fluid. The first fluid may be in a liquid state contained in a reservoir hydraulically connected to a first chamber. The first chamber may be configured to receive thermal energy utilized to convert the first fluid into a vapor. The system may also include a second chamber hydraulically connected to the first chamber to receive the vaporized fluid from the first chamber. The second chamber may be configured to condense the vaporized first fluid, causing depressurization in the second chamber. The system may be configured such that the depressurization of the second chamber may drive an external fluid through an expanding valve in addition to an energy converter (e.g. Turbine Generator) overall able to convert the first fluid condensing energy into cooling and mechanical or electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventor: Claudio Filippone
  • Patent number: 7574869
    Abstract: A control valve to regulate flow of refrigerant through a refrigeration system that includes a plurality of refrigerated display cases. Each of the plurality of display cases includes a dedicated evaporator that cools return air by at least partially evaporating a refrigerant. A compressor assembly compresses evaporated refrigerant received from the plurality of evaporators. The system further includes a condenser located remotely from the plurality of display cases that rejects heat from the refrigerant to an environment. A gas main is in fluid communication with an inlet of the condenser and directs refrigerant from the compressor assembly to the condenser. A liquid main is in fluid communication with an outlet of the condenser and directs refrigerant from the condenser to the plurality of evaporators. The valve is fluidly coupled between the gas main and the liquid main, and regulates flow of refrigerant from the gas main to the liquid main.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: Doron Shapiro
  • Patent number: 7571620
    Abstract: An indoor unit of an air conditioner capable of enhancing heat exchange efficiency and reducing noise/vibration is provided. The indoor unit includes a main chassis, a front panel, a cross-flow fan, a fan motor, a heat exchanger, and a discharge port. The main chassis has a backside fixed on a place to be installed. The front panel is formed on the front of the main chassis and has a spacer formed in an inside thereof. The cross-flow fan is disposed in the inside of the space and provided in plurals on the same shaft. The fan motor provides rotational power to the cross-flow fan. The heat exchanger is formed on the front of the cross-flow fan with respect to the flowing direction of air. The discharge port guides discharge of the air blown from the cross-flow fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hun Lee, In Hee Park
  • Patent number: 7571619
    Abstract: A refrigerator having: an ice storage container in a freezer formed with an opening at a side thereof; an ice breaking part for receiving ice cubes stored in the ice storage container and making shaved ice; a rotating blade which is rotatably provided in the opening; a first discharging part for discharging the ice cubes released to the opening and crushed ice broken by the rotating blade; a second discharging part that communicates with the ice breaking part to cause the ice cubes to be released from the opening and transferred by the rotating blade into the ice breaking part; and first and second discharging levers for opening and closing the first discharging part and the second discharging part, respectively. Thus, the invention provides a refrigerator for selectively distributing and supplying ice stored within an ice storage part to a single transferring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-min Park, Jae-koog An