Patents by Inventor James Philip Crolius

James Philip Crolius 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).

  • Patent number: 11092151
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a system that includes fixed speed and variable speed compressors are described. The method generally allows the system, for example, a heating, ventilating, and air condition (HVAC) system that includes fixed speed and variable speed compressors, to maximize unit modulating capability. The method allows the use of a variable speed compressor that is relatively smaller, which can lead to cost savings, easier installation, manufacturing, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: John Qianghua Zhou, Roger Joseph Voorhis, Caleb Ryan Joiner, Benjamin Hayes, James Philip Crolius, William Hansen
  • Patent number: 10465675
    Abstract: A fluid valve is described to help reduce oil sump pressures of a variable speed compressor and a fixed speed compressor working in parallel in a HVAC system. The fluid valve can be a ball valve. Openings of a variable flow through structure of the ball can be configured to elongate along an equator the ball. When the ball rotates along a rotation axis, a size of a variable fluid path formed between the openings can be varied, resulting in a variable pressure drop across the ball. In operation, when the variable speed compressor is operated at different operation speeds, the ball can be rotated to different positions relative to the rotation axis, which may help reduce the pressure differential between the sumps of the variable speed compressor and the fixed speed compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: James Philip Crolius, Thomas J. Benedict
  • Publication number: 20170191475
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a system that includes fixed speed and variable speed compressors are described. The method generally allows the system, for example, a heating, ventilating, and air condition (HVAC) system that includes fixed speed and variable speed compressors, to maximize unit modulating capability. The method allows the use of a variable speed compressor that is relatively smaller, which can lead to cost savings, easier installation, manufacturing, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: John Qianghua Zhou, Roger Joseph Voorhis, Caleb Ryan Joiner, Benjamin Hayes, James Philip Crolius, William Hansen
  • Patent number: 9599118
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a system that includes fixed speed and variable speed compressors are described. The method generally allows the system, for example, a heating, ventilating, and air condition (HVAC) system that includes fixed speed and variable speed compressors, to maximize unit modulating capability. The method allows the use of a variable speed compressor that is relatively smaller, which can lead to cost savings, easier installation, manufacturing, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: John Qianghua Zhou, Roger Joseph Voorhis, Caleb Ryan Joiner, Benjamin Hayes, James Philip Crolius, William Hansen
  • Publication number: 20150167660
    Abstract: A fluid valve is described to help reduce oil sump pressures of a variable speed compressor and a fixed speed compressor working in parallel in a HVAC system. The fluid valve can be a ball valve. Openings of a variable flow through structure of the ball can be configured to elongate along an equator the ball. When the ball rotates along a rotation axis, a size of a variable fluid path formed between the openings can be varied, resulting in a variable pressure drop across the ball. In operation, when the variable speed compressor is operated at different operation speeds, the ball can be rotated to different positions relative to the rotation axis, which may help reduce the pressure differential between the sumps of the variable speed compressor and the fixed speed compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: James Philip Crolius, Thomas J. Benedict
  • Publication number: 20140303805
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a system that includes fixed speed and variable speed compressors are described. The method generally allows the system, for example, a heating, ventilating, and air condition (HVAC) system that includes fixed speed and variable speed compressors, to maximize unit modulating capability. The method allows the use of a variable speed compressor that is relatively smaller, which can lead to cost savings, easier installation, manufacturing, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: John Qianghua Zhou, Roger Joseph Voorhis, Caleb Ryan Joiner, Benjamin Hayes, James Philip Crolius, William Hansen