Patents by Inventor Gordon Powell
Gordon Powell 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).
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Patent number: 11852145Abstract: Systems and methods are used to control operation of a rotary compressor of a refrigeration system to improve efficiency by varying the volume ratio and the speed of the compressor in response to current operating and load conditions. The volume of the axial and/or radial discharge ports of the compressor can be varied to provide a volume ratio corresponding to operating conditions. In addition, permanent magnet motors and/or control of rotor tip speed can be employed for further efficiency gains.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2019Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Trane International, Inc.Inventors: Jay H. Johnson, John R. Sauls, Gordon Powell, Daniel R. Crum
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Publication number: 20200378659Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system is disclosed. The HVACR system includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator fluidly connected to form a refrigerant circuit. A lubricant return line is fluidly connected to the compressor and to the evaporator. A pressure difference between the compressor and the evaporator induces a fluid flow of lubricant from the evaporator to the compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Keith Adam Novak, Gordon Powell, JR.
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Publication number: 20200378664Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system is disclosed. The HVACR system includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator fluidly connected to form a refrigerant circuit. A lubricant return line is fluidly connected to the compressor and to the evaporator. A pressure difference between the compressor and the evaporator induces a fluid flow of lubricant from the evaporator to the compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2019Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Keith Adam Novak, Gordon Powell, JR.
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Publication number: 20200132074Abstract: Systems and methods are used to control operation of a rotary compressor of a refrigeration system to improve efficiency by varying the volume ratio and the speed of the compressor in response to current operating and load conditions. The volume of the axial and/or radial discharge ports of the compressor can be varied to provide a volume ratio corresponding to operating conditions. In addition, permanent magnet motors and/or control of rotor tip speed can be employed for further efficiency gains.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Jay H. Johnson, John R. Sauls, Gordon Powell, JR., Daniel R. Crum
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Patent number: 10533556Abstract: Systems and methods are used to control operation of a rotary compressor of a refrigeration system to improve efficiency by varying the volume ratio and the speed of the compressor in response to current operating and load conditions. The volume of the axial and/or radial discharge ports of the compressor can be varied to provide a volume ratio corresponding to operating conditions. In addition, permanent magnet motors and/or control of rotor tip speed can be employed for further efficiency gains.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2014Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Jay H. Johnson, John R. Sauls, Gordon Powell, Daniel R. Crum
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Patent number: 10240603Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed to isolate operation vibration of a compressor to reduce operational sound. A compressor may include an external shell, and one or more isolators that separate a compression mechanism of a compressor from the external shell. The isolator can help isolate the vibration of the compression mechanism from the external shell. The isolator can also support a weight of the compression mechanism. The external shell can also include one or more internal seals. The internal seals can help separate a low-pressure side (e.g., a suction side) and a high-pressure side (e.g., a discharge side) of the compression mechanism. The compressor may also include a pressure balancing mechanism configured to help reduce a pressure difference between, for example, two ends of the compression mechanism, so as to reduce/eliminate the compression mechanism from physical shift in position due to the pressure difference.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: William B. Rockwood, Pavak Mehta, Dennis M. Beekman, Daniel R. Crum, Timothy G. Garvin, Rodney L. Lakowske, Gordon Powell, Jr.
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Patent number: 9945379Abstract: An improved discharge port of a rotary screw compressor is described. A discharge port of a screw compressor generally includes a restrictive portion to help prevent a leakage of working fluid back to a suction side of the compressor. The improved discharge port is configured to have a restrictive portion with a reduced size compared to a restrictive portion of a conventional discharge port, resulting in an enlarged opening of the discharge port compared to a conventional discharge port. The improved discharge port can help discharge the compressed working fluid more quickly than a conventional discharge port, reducing and/or avoiding over-compression of the working fluid. The efficiency gained due to the enlargement of the opening may be more than the efficiency loss due to leakage of working fluid back to the suction side, resulting in a net efficiency gain of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Scott Michael Branch, Gordon Powell, Jr.
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Patent number: 9797251Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a conveyor in a mining system. The conveyor includes a sprocket, a chain, a hydraulic cylinder, one or more sensors, and a controller. In one implementation, the method includes sensing a characteristic associated with the conveyor, generating a signal based on the characteristic, determining a tension associated with the chain based on the signal, determining an amount of chain stretch based on the tension, and modifying a position of the hydraulic cylinder based on the amount of chain stretch.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.Inventors: Brian Worthington, Phil Rees, Tim Proctor, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith
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Patent number: 9527675Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.Inventors: John Tout, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith
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Publication number: 20160356159Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a conveyor in a mining system. The conveyor includes a sprocket, a chain, a hydraulic cylinder, one or more sensors, and a controller. In one implementation, the method includes sensing a characteristic associated with the conveyor, generating a signal based on the characteristic, determining a tension associated with the chain based on the signal, determining an amount of chain stretch based on the tension, and modifying a position of the hydraulic cylinder based on the amount of chain stretch.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Brian Worthington, Phil Rees, Tim Proctor, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith
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Publication number: 20160265529Abstract: An improved discharge port of a rotary screw compressor is described. A discharge port of a screw compressor generally includes a restrictive portion to help prevent a leakage of working fluid back to a suction side of the compressor. The improved discharge port is configured to have a restrictive portion with a reduced size compared to a restrictive portion of a conventional discharge port, resulting in an enlarged opening of the discharge port compared to a conventional discharge port. The improved discharge port can help discharge the compressed working fluid more quickly than a conventional discharge port, reducing and/or avoiding over-compression of the working fluid. The efficiency gained due to the enlargement of the opening may be more than the efficiency loss due to leakage of working fluid back to the suction side, resulting in a net efficiency gain of the compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2014Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Scott Michael BRANCH, Gordon POWELL, Jr.
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Patent number: 9422112Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a conveyor in a mining system. The conveyor includes a sprocket, a chain, a hydraulic cylinder, one or more sensors, and a controller. In one implementation, the method includes sensing a characteristic associated with the conveyor, generating a signal based on the characteristic, determining a tension associated with the chain based on the signal, determining an amount of chain stretch based on the tension, and modifying a position of the hydraulic cylinder based on the amount of chain stretch.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.Inventors: Brian Worthington, Phil Rees, Tim Proctor, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith
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Publication number: 20150360875Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: John Tout, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith
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Publication number: 20150337840Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed to isolate operation vibration of a compressor to reduce operational sound. A compressor may include an external shell, and one or more isolators that separate a compression mechanism of a compressor from the external shell. The isolator can help isolate the vibration of the compression mechanism from the external shell. The isolator can also support a weight of the compression mechanism. The external shell can also include one or more internal seals. The internal seals can help separate a low-pressure side (e.g., a suction side) and a high-pressure side (e.g., a discharge side) of the compression mechanism. The compressor may also include a pressure balancing mechanism configured to help reduce a pressure difference between, for example, two ends of the compression mechanism, so as to reduce/eliminate the compression mechanism from physical shift in position due to the pressure difference.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: William B. Rockwood, Pavak Mehta, Dennis M. Beekman, Daniel R. Crum, Timothy G. Garvin, Rodney L. Lakowske, Gordon Powell, JR.
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Patent number: 9139375Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.Inventors: John Tout, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith
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Publication number: 20150093273Abstract: Systems and methods are used to control operation of a rotary compressor of a refrigeration system to improve efficiency by varying the volume ratio and the speed of the compressor in response to current operating and load conditions. The volume of the axial and/or radial discharge ports of the compressor can be varied to provide a volume ratio corresponding to operating conditions. In addition, permanent magnet motors and/or control of rotor tip speed can be employed for further efficiency gains.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Jay H. Johnson, John R. Sauls, Gordon Powell, Daniel R. Crum
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Patent number: 8973742Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.Inventors: John Tout, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith
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Patent number: 8863942Abstract: A conveyor and a dowel assembly. The dowel assembly may generally include a dowel body positioned between the frame and the housing and a seal arrangement. The seal arrangement may include an end seal member engageable with the end wall of the recess, and a side seal member engageable with the side wall of the recess, and a carrier member supported by the dowel body and supporting one of the end seal member and the side seal member, the carrier member being supported for movement relative to the dowel body to provide engagement of the one of the end seal member and the side seal member with the associated one of the end wall and the side wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.Inventor: Gordon Powell
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Publication number: 20140190796Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: JOY MM DELAWARE, INC.Inventors: John Tout, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith
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Patent number: 8636140Abstract: A chain tension sensor for a chain conveyor, the conveyor including a frame and a chain having a plurality of flights. The tension sensor includes a reaction arm and a load sensing pin. The reaction arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a load pad. The first end is pivotably coupled to the frame by a pivot pin defining a pivot axis. The load pad is adjacent the conveyor chain and positioned to contact flights passing the load pad. The flights contacting the load pad exert a force on the reaction in a direction that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The load sensing pin is coupled to the reaction arm such that the load sensing pin senses the force that is exerted by the flights.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.Inventors: John Tout, Gordon Powell, Robert Smith