Patents by Inventor Brian J. Fiegen

Brian J. Fiegen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240110720
    Abstract: A method is provided for the controlled routing of hydronic flow within a climate control system. The method includes determining a condition type request for a plurality of area zones corresponding to a particular thermal zone. The method further includes determining a supply temperature type associated with at least a supply line of a primary supply loop and a supply line of a secondary supply loop. The supply temperature type is indicative of a thermal transport fluid temperature within the respective supply line. The method further includes providing an actuation signal set to a valve assembly. The actuation signal set is configured to describe a position for each value of the valve assembly and the position for each valve is based on the conditioning type request and the determined supply temperature types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Ronnie R. Moffitt, Brian J. Fiegen, Lee R. Cline
  • Publication number: 20230204228
    Abstract: Methods for providing heating or cooling to a plurality of zones in a conditioned space, include adjusting a temperature of a primary airflow using a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system including a heat pump circuit and distributing the primary airflow to a plurality of terminals in the zones. The methods further include directing heat from the heat pump circuit to at least one of the plurality of terminals and heating air at the at least one of the plurality of terminals using the heat directed from the heat pump circuit. The methods can further include utilizing sources and sinks of the heat pump circuit to efficiently provide the heating or cooling. Systems include the heat pump circuit, terminals, heat distribution, and can include a controller to operate those components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Brian J. Fiegen, John Arthur Murphy
  • Patent number: 10495359
    Abstract: A multi-mode, bi-directional cascade heat pump system, according to some examples, includes at least two chillers each being part of a unidirectional refrigerant circuit. The system includes heat exchangers each of which are dedicated to operate as just a condenser or as just an evaporator, regardless of the system's operating mode. In some modes, a secondary fluid transfers heat between the condenser of one chiller and the evaporator of another chiller before the fluid returns to a secondary fluid source such as, for example, a geothermal borefield or a conventional water source. In some embodiments, fluid is withdrawn from a borefield by way of a pump having a speed that varies to maintain a desired fluid temperature and/or a desired heat transfer rate at the borefield. The heat pump system includes means for minimizing flow through the borefield and for minimizing unnecessary mixing of relatively high and low temperature fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Lee R. Cline, Michael C. A. Schwedler, Susanna S. Hanson, Brian J. Fiegen
  • Patent number: 10495358
    Abstract: A multi-mode, bi-directional cascade heat pump system, according to some examples, includes at least two chillers each being part of a unidirectional refrigerant circuit. The system includes heat exchangers each of which are dedicated to operate as just a condenser or as just an evaporator, regardless of the system's operating mode. In some modes, a secondary fluid transfers heat between the condenser of one chiller and the evaporator of another chiller before the fluid returns to a secondary fluid source such as, for example, a geothermal borefield or a conventional water source. In some embodiments, fluid is withdrawn from a borefield by way of a pump having a speed that varies to maintain a desired fluid temperature and/or a desired heat transfer rate at the borefield. The heat pump system includes means for minimizing flow through the borefield and for minimizing unnecessary mixing of relatively high and low temperature fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Lee R. Cline, Michael C. A. Schwedler, Susanna S. Hanson, Brian J. Fiegen
  • Publication number: 20160356530
    Abstract: A multi-mode, bi-directional cascade heat pump system, according to some examples, includes at least two chillers each being part of a unidirectional refrigerant circuit. The system includes heat exchangers each of which are dedicated to operate as just a condenser or as just an evaporator, regardless of the system's operating mode. In some modes, a secondary fluid transfers heat between the condenser of one chiller and the evaporator of another chiller before the fluid returns to a secondary fluid source such as, for example, a geothermal borefield or a conventional water source. In some embodiments, fluid is withdrawn from a borefield by way of a pump having a speed that varies to maintain a desired fluid temperature and/or a desired heat transfer rate at the borefield. The heat pump system includes means for minimizing flow through the borefield and for minimizing unnecessary mixing of relatively high and low temperature fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Lee R. Cline, Michael C.A. Schwedler, Susanna S. Hanson, Brian J. Fiegen
  • Publication number: 20160356531
    Abstract: A multi-mode, bi-directional cascade heat pump system, according to some examples, includes at least two chillers each being part of a unidirectional refrigerant circuit. The system includes heat exchangers each of which are dedicated to operate as just a condenser or as just an evaporator, regardless of the system's operating mode. In some modes, a secondary fluid transfers heat between the condenser of one chiller and the evaporator of another chiller before the fluid returns to a secondary fluid source such as, for example, a geothermal borefield or a conventional water source. In some embodiments, fluid is withdrawn from a borefield by way of a pump having a speed that varies to maintain a desired fluid temperature and/or a desired heat transfer rate at the borefield. The heat pump system includes means for minimizing flow through the borefield and for minimizing unnecessary mixing of relatively high and low temperature fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Lee R. Cline, Michael C.A. Schwedler, Susanna S. Hanson, Brian J. Fiegen
  • Patent number: 9423159
    Abstract: A multi-mode, bi-directional cascade heat pump system, according to some examples, includes at least two chillers each being part of a unidirectional refrigerant circuit. The system includes heat exchangers each of which are dedicated to operate as just a condenser or as just an evaporator, regardless of the system's operating mode. In some modes, a secondary fluid transfers heat between the condenser of one chiller and the evaporator of another chiller before the fluid returns to a secondary fluid source such as, for example, a geothermal borefield or a conventional water source. In some embodiments, fluid is withdrawn from a borefield by way of a pump having a speed that varies to maintain a desired fluid temperature and/or a desired heat transfer rate at the borefield. The heat pump system includes means for minimizing flow through the borefield and for minimizing unnecessary mixing of relatively high and low temperature fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Lee R. Cline, Michael C. A. Schwedler, Susanna S. Hanson, Brian J. Fiegen
  • Publication number: 20110146317
    Abstract: A multi-mode, bi-directional cascade heat pump system, according to some examples, includes at least two chillers each being part of a unidirectional refrigerant circuit. The system includes heat exchangers each of which are dedicated to operate as just a condenser or as just an evaporator, regardless of the system's operating mode. In some modes, a secondary fluid transfers heat between the condenser of one chiller and the evaporator of another chiller before the fluid returns to a secondary fluid source such as, for example, a geothermal borefield or a conventional water source. In some embodiments, fluid is withdrawn from a borefield by way of a pump having a speed that varies to maintain a desired fluid temperature and/or a desired heat transfer rate at the borefield. The heat pump system includes means for minimizing flow through the borefield and for minimizing unnecessary mixing of relatively high and low temperature fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Lee R. Cline, Michael C. A. Schwedler, Susanna S. Hanson, Brian J. Fiegen
  • Patent number: 6604688
    Abstract: A VAV air handler includes a cooling coil with a return air bypass damper for improved dehumidification. The bypass interjects into the supply air a portion of relatively warm, dry return air downstream of the cooling coil. This allows the cooling coil to absorb more latent heat from the incoming outside air and the remaining portion of the return air over a broad range of operating conditions, but especially at low load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventors: Radhakrishna Ganesh, Jeffrey A. Moore, Brian J. Fiegen
  • Publication number: 20020125333
    Abstract: A VAV air handler includes a cooling coil with a return air bypass damper for improved dehumidification. The bypass interjects into the supply air a portion of relatively warm, dry return air downstream of the cooling coil. This allows the cooling coil to absorb more latent heat from the incoming outside air and the remaining portion of the return air over a broad range of operating conditions, but especially at low load conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Radhakrishna Ganesh, Jeffrey A. Moore, Brian J. Fiegen
  • Patent number: 6386281
    Abstract: A VAV air handler includes a cooling coil with a return air bypass damper for improved dehumidification. The bypass interjects into the supply air a portion of relatively warm, dry return air downstream of the cooling coil. This allows the cooling coil to absorb more latent heat from the incoming outside air and the remaining portion of the return air over a broad range of operating conditions, but especially at low load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventors: Radhakrishna Ganesh, Jeffrey A. Moore, Brian J. Fiegen