Patents Examined by William E. Tapolcal
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Patent number: 6070422Abstract: A transport cover or tarpaulin includes at least one sheet of a flexible insulated material, including chambers for a coolant and additionally including channels constructed and arranged for filling with a gas. The outer surface of the cover may be covered with a heat-reflecting material.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1998Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Supertainer International ASInventor: Per Morten Alvenes
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Patent number: 6067806Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling of a refrigerator automatic ice machine is disclosed. A first detection plate is installed on another end of the rotation shaft of the ice transfer motor, for detecting an initial position of an ice tray, the ice-fullness of the ice box and rotation angle of the ice transfer motor. A second detection plate is installed on one end of the ice-fullness lever, for detecting the ice-fullness of the ice box. A pulse generator generates pulse trains by the combination of movements of the first and second detection plates according to the driving of the ice transfer motor. A controller generates a forward or a reverse rotation control signal according to the pulse trains provided from the pulse generator and provides the forward or the reverse rotation control signal to the motor driver.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1999Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hyung Nam Park
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Patent number: 6065682Abstract: In connection with a thermostatic valve, in particular for regulating a coolant supply to a transmission fluid cooler, two valves are provided, which are respectively adjustable by means of thermostatic operating elements. Two thermostatic operating elements are associated with a valve and engage a valve element, which is adjustable for opening a second valve, in the same direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1999Date of Patent: May 23, 2000Assignee: Behr Thermot- tronik GmbH & Co.Inventor: Barbu-Scarlat Frunzetti
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Patent number: 6059193Abstract: A fitting housing device which is to be equipped with a thermostat-controlled mixing valve (15) and a combined shutoff and reflux valve (21) for connection in a cold water inlet pipe and hot water outlet pipe of a water heater, where the fitting housing (1) has two channels (8, 10) for cold water and hot water, respectively, and a cross connection (27) for cold blending water therebetween. A mixing valve (15) is arranged in the hot water channel (8). The mixing valve (15) is connected to a regulating spindle (16), which is arranged in a first spindle bore (12). The spindle of the shutoff and reflux valve (21) can be arranged in a second spindle bore (11). The first spindle bore (12) and the second spindle bore (11) are designed such that the mixing valve (15) and the shutoff and reflux valve (21) are interchangeable relative to one another, to allow the use of the same valve housing (1) in fittings for mounting in the top, bottom and side of the hot water tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Inventor: Thor Fr.o slashed.lich Braathen
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Patent number: 6050097Abstract: A refrigerator having a cabinet which defines a freezer compartment having an access opening and a closure member for closing the access opening. An ice maker is disposed within the freezer compartment for forming ice pieces. An ice storage bin is mounted to the closure member below the ice maker for receiving ice from the ice maker. An ice level sensing finger extends from the ice maker into the ice storage bin for sensing the level of ice within the storage bin. A lever is pivotably connected to the ice maker and biased toward the closure member for lifting the ice level sensing finger out of the ice storage bin when the closure member is opened. The lever further operates to prevent the dispensing of ice pieces when the closure member is open.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Mark H. Nelson, Jim J. Pastryk, Verne H. Myers, Daryl L. Harmon, Andrew M. Oltman, Gregory G. Hortin, James R. Peterson, Victor W Cuthbert, Steven E. Tolliver
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Patent number: 6012298Abstract: A method and system for delivering aqueous ice slurry is disclosed. In one embodiment, the ice slurry delivery system includes a storage tank having an inlet to receive an aqueous ice slurry from an ice generating unit. A circulation loop is connected to the storage tank. Ice slurry held in the storage tank flows through the circulation loop generally continuously at a first rate. Valved discharge points are located along the circulation loop at spaced locations and are operable to re-direct some of the ice slurry flowing though the circulation loop to deliver ice slurry for end use upon demand. The rate of flow of ice slurry through the discharge points is less than the first rate even when all of the discharge points are re-directing ice slurry for end use.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1998Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Sunwell Engineering Company LimitedInventor: Vladimir Goldstein
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Patent number: 6003778Abstract: An oil level control valve (10) has a molded base (12) having an oil receiving aperture (12d) formed through a bottom wall (12e) with a circumscribing generally rectangular cover plate seat in which a cover plate (14) is removably received. A thermostatic element (16) in the form of a generally rectangular sheet is fastened to posts (12f) extending upwardly from sidewalls of the base by means of peg portions (12g, 12h) received through holes in the sheet and heat staked to the posts. The thermostatic element allows the cover plate to move away from the seat for optimum oil flow at low temperature conditions and restricts the valve opening as temperature of the oil increases to accommodate an increase in oil volume due to expansion in order to maintain the fluid level in the main sump of a transmission housing by allowing an increase in the fluid level of an auxiliary sump in accordance with target values for different flow rates.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1998Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Joseph M. Gondusky, Alfred J. White
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Patent number: 6003326Abstract: A fogging vending machine is provided. A vending machine has a housing, and a fogging means provides a fog consisting of a mist of atomized coolant which is partially evaporated and entrained in an air flow. At least one conduit is provided which has an inlet coupled to the fogging means and an outlet coupled to the vending machine housing to direct the fog away from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1998Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Cool Zone, Inc.Inventor: Mark Hensley
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Patent number: 5996899Abstract: A thermostatic expansion valve has a valve shell, e.g., housing, with a high-pressure refrigerant passage and a low-pressure refrigerant passage. The high pressure refrigerant passage has a valve hole and a valve member that changes the valve hole opening rate. A pressure-operating chamber, which has an air-tight chamber and an equalizing chamber separated by a diaphragm, drives the valve member. This pressure-operating chamber, which is attached to the valve shell to detect the temperature, detects the temperature of gaseous phase refrigerant. The valve shell has a hole or opening extending through its outer wall. A plug member seals the hole after a heat-sensitive gas, which senses the temperature of the gas-phase refrigerant passing through the expansion valve, is introduced into the housing through the opening. The plug member is seated on the peripheral edge of the opening and welded to the opening peripheral edge by projection welding. An anti-corrosive material is applied to cover the welded area.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Fujikoki CorporationInventors: Kazuhiko Watanabe, Chiharu Watanabe
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Patent number: 5996900Abstract: A thermostatic subcooling control valve is disclosed which is capable of enhancing evaporative power of an evaporator in a refrigerating cycle to thereby improve refrigerating capacity of the refrigerating cycle and which is capable of ensuring safety from danger of a high pressure refrigerant and which is capable of attaining improved precision and improved reliability. The thermostatic subcooling control valve according to the present invention comprises a valve body having a pressure-operative portion and a valving element operating portion for sensing temperature and pressure of a refrigerant to operate, and the valve body is contained in a casing provided with a refrigerant inlet connecting portion and a refrigerant outlet connecting portion. Preferably, the casing comprises an entrance casing member having the inlet connecting portion and an exit casing member having the outlet connecting portion, and the casing members are fixedly joined together to thereby contain the valve body.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Fujikoki CorporationInventor: Sadatake Ise
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Patent number: 5992170Abstract: An improved cylinder head-suction muffler assembly includes a suction muffler (2), a cylinder head (1), a capillary tube (7) and a self-latching clip (5). The suction muffler (2), has a suction tube (3) with a mounting block (14) and a capillary tube holder (13), and the cylinder head (1) has a suction plenum (4) and an extended portion (6) with a pair of channels (10). The self-latching clip (5) is mounted on the mounting block (14) and in the channels (10) to secure the suction muffler (2) assembly to the cylinder head (1). The self-latching clip (5) has a narrow portion (9), a wide portion (11), and a pair of bent ends (12). To couple the suction muffler (2) to the cylinder head (1) the suction tube (3) is inserted into the suction plenum (4). The capillary tube (7) is positioned in the capillary tube holder (13) and the narrow portion (9) of the self-latching clip (5) is mounted on the mounting block (14) and over the capillary tube (7) and a wide portion (11) is placed in the channels (10).Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Matsuhita Refrigeration Industries (s) Pte LtdInventor: Wee Beng Yap
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Patent number: 5961037Abstract: An engine coolant thermostat of the type having a thermally expansible wax power element acting against a diaphragm and piston to move a poppet. The poppet has a retainer attached thereto which has portions sliding in slots on the thermostat housing; and these portions contact the ends of the slots to limit piston travel in the event of exposure to overtemperature and prevent failure of the thermostat.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1998Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Robert L. Fiedler, Richard L. Elkin, William R. Brooks, John E. Barrath
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Patent number: 5957373Abstract: A ventilator is selectively configured so that it can automatically open and close its louvers according to the temperature in its environment or have its louvers manually positioned in either the open or closed orientation. The louvers are disposed in an air passageway that is defined by a housing. A bimetallic coil acts through a drive element and a linkage element to automatically open and close the louvers of the ventilator. A pair of override members have respective handles accessible to the user. Manipulation of the override members enables the user to override the automatic drive element to manually open and close the louvers.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1998Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Temp-Vent CorporationInventors: Paul M. Sarazen, Jr., Dennis A. Beam, Jr.
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Patent number: 5937654Abstract: A snow making machine uses a vortex tube to mix the water with the chilled air to make snow. The vortex tube is equipped with fins on is external surface in order to create an extra chilled air jet to be mixed outside of the vortex tube with a water jet.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Universal Vortex, Inc.Inventors: Lev Tunkel, Boris Krasovitski, Robert L. Foster
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Patent number: 5913891Abstract: A thermal expansion valve comprises a metal tube for flowing a fluid therethrough, and a metal rod fixed only at a first end in the tube and disposed wholly within the tube, the metal tube having a greater coefficient of expansion than the metal rod. A plug having an orifice therethrough is disposed in the tube proximate a free end of the rod. Lengthwise thermal expansion and contraction of the tube and the rod caused by the temperature of the fluid in the tube and around the rod causes the free end of the rod to retreat from the plug to increase flow of the fluid therethrough, and causes the free end of the rod to approach the plug to restrict flow of the fluid therethrough, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1998Date of Patent: June 22, 1999Inventor: Lawrence G. Clawson
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Patent number: 5910167Abstract: Distribution of liquid refrigerant in an evaporator having a pair of spaced headers (20), (22) and a plurality of tubes (24) extending between the headers (20), (22) to define a plurality of spaced refrigerant passages (42) is achieved through the use of at least one refrigerant inlet (30), (32), (34), (36) within one of the headers (20). The inlet has a first port (49) adapted to be connected to a source of refrigerant to be evaporated, and oppositely directed second and third ports (50), (52) connected to the first port (49). The second port (50) is directed away from one side (44) of the header (20) while the third port (54) is directed toward the side (44) of the header (20).Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1997Date of Patent: June 8, 1999Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Michael J. Reinke, Mark Voss
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Patent number: 5904052Abstract: According to the present invention, in a brine type air-conditioning apparatus in which brine circulates into an inside cooler to cool a passenger compartment, there are provided a refrigeration cycle using flammable gas as refrigerant, a brine circuit in which the brine circulates, a hot water circuit in which hot water heated by an engine circulates, a front air-conditioning unit for performing an air-conditioning of a front portion in the passenger compartment, a rear air-conditioning unit for performing an air-conditioning of a rear portion in the passenger compartment. In the front air-conditioning unit, there are provided a cooler for cooling conditioned air by using the brine, a heater for heating conditioned air by using the hot water, a blower. In the rear air-conditioning unit, there are provided an air-conditioning heat exchanger for cooling conditioned air by using the brine and for heating conditioned air by using the hot water, and a blower.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1997Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Yoshimitsu Inoue, Yuichi Shirota
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Patent number: 5901573Abstract: A connection block fixed to a condenser is firmly coupled with a mounting block fixed to a liquid tank by means of a bolt. In a state that those are firmly coupled, a supported part of the mounting block is put on a flat supporting face of the connection block. In this state, the refrigerant outlet port of the condenser is communicatively coupled with the refrigerant inlet port of the liquid tank.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1996Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Calsonic CorporationInventor: Hideo Kobayashi
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Patent number: 5893273Abstract: A shut-off valve for pressurized fluids in particular for air cooling/heating apparatus includes at least one condenser and at least one fluid evaporator communicating with each other by a pipe at least one duct which has inside a nozzle coaxially formed with a capillary duct designed to cause rapid expansion of the fluid when it emerges from the nozzle, and a retainer securing the pipe to the valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1997Date of Patent: April 13, 1999Assignee: Aeroquip Vickers, Inc.Inventor: Daniele Casiraghi
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Patent number: 5884490Abstract: A support arrangement for supporting a flexible, water-containing mold of intricate configuration in a tank having supporting sides and containing a chilled liquid, such that an item of crystal clear ice can be created in the flexible mold. The flexible mold has an upper, support portion and a lower, principal portion, and also has interior surfaces possessing a distinctive degree of roughness. The support arrangement involves elongate support means for operatively engaging the upper portion of the mold, with the elongate support means being of a length sufficient to span between the supporting sides of the tank such that the mold can be supported with a selected extent of the principal portion of the mold immersed below the surface of the chilled liquid. Circulation of the water in the mold is brought about so that the interior sides of the mold will be swept, thus preventing the formation of cloudy ice.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1998Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Inventor: William L. Whidden