Patents by Inventor John R. Sauls
John R. Sauls 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: 11933301Abstract: A variable capacity screw compressor comprises a suction port, at least two screw rotors and a discharge port being configured in relation to a selected rotational speed that operates at least one screw rotor at an optimum peripheral velocity that is independent of a peripheral velocity of the at least one screw rotor at a synchronous motor rotational speed for a rated screw compressor capacity. A motor is configured to drive the at least one screw rotor at a rotational speed at a full-load capacity that is substantially greater than the synchronous motor rotational speed at the rated screw compressor capacity. A variable speed drive receives a command signal from a controller and generates a control signal that drives the motor at the selected rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Dennis R. Dorman, John R. Sauls
-
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
-
Publication number: 20230228269Abstract: A variable capacity screw compressor comprises a suction port, at least two screw rotors and a discharge port being configured in relation to a selected rotational speed that operates at least one screw rotor at an optimum peripheral velocity that is independent of a peripheral velocity of the at least one screw rotor at a synchronous motor rotational speed for a rated screw compressor capacity. A motor is configured to drive the at least one screw rotor at a rotational speed at a full-load capacity that is substantially greater than the synchronous motor rotational speed at the rated screw compressor capacity. A variable speed drive receives a command signal from a controller and generates a control signal that drives the motor at the selected rotational speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2022Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Dennis R. Dorman, John R. Sauls
-
Patent number: 11486396Abstract: A variable capacity screw compressor comprises a suction port, at least two screw rotors and a discharge port being configured in relation to a selected rotational speed that operates at least one screw rotor at an optimum peripheral velocity that is independent of a peripheral velocity of the at least one screw rotor at a synchronous motor rotational speed for a rated screw compressor capacity. A motor is configured to drive the at least one screw rotor at a rotational speed at a full-load capacity that is substantially greater than the synchronous motor rotational speed at the rated screw compressor capacity. A variable speed drive receives a command signal from a controller and generates a control signal that drives the motor at the selected rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Dennis R. Dorman, John R. Sauls
-
Patent number: 11351842Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS) includes a first heat transfer circuit including a first compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device, and a cascade heat exchanger. The first compressor, the condenser, the first expansion device, and the cascade heat exchanger are in fluid communication such that a first heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The TRS includes a second heat transfer circuit including a second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, a second expansion device, and an evaporator. The second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, the second expansion device, and the evaporator are in fluid communication such that a second heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The first heat transfer circuit and the second heat transfer circuit are arranged in thermal communication at the cascade heat exchanger such that the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid are in a heat exchange relationship at the cascade heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Thermo King CorporationInventors: Stephen A. Kujak, Kenneth J. Schultz, Jeffrey B. Berge, Panayu Robert Srichai, Vladimir Sulc, Michal Kolda, John R. Sauls
-
Publication number: 20210285447Abstract: A variable capacity screw compressor comprises a suction port, at least two screw rotors and a discharge port being configured in relation to a selected rotational speed that operates at least one screw rotor at an optimum peripheral velocity that is independent of a peripheral velocity of the at least one screw rotor at a synchronous motor rotational speed for a rated screw compressor capacity. A motor is configured to drive the at least one screw rotor at a rotational speed at a full-load capacity that is substantially greater than the synchronous motor rotational speed at the rated screw compressor capacity. A variable speed drive receives a command signal from a controller and generates a control signal that drives the motor at the selected rotational speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: Dennis R. Dorman, John R. Sauls
-
Patent number: 11022117Abstract: A variable capacity screw compressor comprises a suction port, at least two screw rotors and a discharge port being configured in relation to a selected rotational speed that operates at least one screw rotor at an optimum peripheral velocity that is independent of a peripheral velocity of the at least one screw rotor at a synchronous motor rotational speed for a rated screw compressor capacity. A motor is configured to drive the at least one screw rotor at a rotational speed at a full-load capacity that is substantially greater than the synchronous motor rotational speed at the rated screw compressor capacity. A variable speed drive receives a command signal from a controller and generates a control signal that drives the motor at the selected rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Dennis M. Beekman, Daniel R. Crum, Timothy Sean Hagen, Dennis R. Dorman, John R. Sauls
-
Patent number: 10941770Abstract: A variable capacity screw compressor comprises a suction port, at least two screw rotors and a discharge port being configured in relation to a selected rotational speed that operates at least one screw rotor at an optimum peripheral velocity that is independent of a peripheral velocity of the at least one screw rotor at a synchronous motor rotational speed for a rated screw compressor capacity. A motor is configured to drive the at least one screw rotor at a rotational speed at a full-load capacity that is substantially greater than the synchronous motor rotational speed at the rated screw compressor capacity. A variable speed drive receives a command signal from a controller and generates a control signal that drives the motor at the selected rotational speed. A method for sizing at least two variable capacity screw compressors and a refrigeration chiller incorporating a variable capacity screw compressor are separately presented.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Dennis R. Dorman, John R. Sauls
-
Publication number: 20200148038Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS) includes a first heat transfer circuit including a first compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device, and a cascade heat exchanger. The first compressor, the condenser, the first expansion device, and the cascade heat exchanger are in fluid communication such that a first heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The TRS includes a second heat transfer circuit including a second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, a second expansion device, and an evaporator. The second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, the second expansion device, and the evaporator are in fluid communication such that a second heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The first heat transfer circuit and the second heat transfer circuit are arranged in thermal communication at the cascade heat exchanger such that the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid are in a heat exchange relationship at the cascade heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Stephen A. KUJAK, Kenneth J. SCHULTZ, Jeffrey B. BERGE, Panayu Robert SRICHAI, Vladimir SULC, Michal KOLDA, John R. SAULS
-
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
-
Patent number: 10543737Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS) includes a first heat transfer circuit including a first compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device, and a cascade heat exchanger. The first compressor, the condenser, the first expansion device, and the cascade heat exchanger are in fluid communication such that a first heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The TRS includes a second heat transfer circuit including a second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, a second expansion device, and an evaporator. The second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, the second expansion device, and the evaporator are in fluid communication such that a second heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The first heat transfer circuit and the second heat transfer circuit are arranged in thermal communication at the cascade heat exchanger such that the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid are in a heat exchange relationship at the cascade heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Thermo King CorporationInventors: Stephen A. Kujak, Kenneth J. Schultz, Jeffrey B. Berge, Panayu Robert Srichai, Vladimir Sulc, Michal Kolda, John R. Sauls
-
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
-
Patent number: 10352608Abstract: An embodiment of method used to control operation of a screw compressor of a refrigeration system may include receiving status signals regarding operation of the screw compressor of the refrigeration system. The method may further include determining an operating point of the screw compressor based upon the received status signals, and selecting a torque profile for the screw compressor based upon the operating point. The method may also include driving the screw compressor per the selected torque profile. Refrigeration systems and compressor systems suitable for implementing the method are also presented.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: David M. Foye, Nathan T. West, Dennis M. Beekman, John R. Sauls
-
Publication number: 20170343261Abstract: An embodiment of method used to control operation of a screw compressor of a refrigeration system may include receiving status signals regarding operation of the screw compressor of the refrigeration system. The method may further include determining an operating point of the screw compressor based upon the received status signals, and selecting a torque profile for the screw compressor based upon the operating point. The method may also include driving the screw compressor per the selected torque profile. Refrigeration systems and compressor systems suitable for implementing the method are also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: David M. FOYE, Nathan T. WEST, Dennis M. BEEKMAN, John R. SAULS
-
Patent number: 9733002Abstract: An embodiment of method used to control operation of a screw compressor of a refrigeration system may include receiving status signals regarding operation of the screw compressor of the refrigeration system. The method may further include determining an operating point of the screw compressor based upon the received status signals, and selecting a torque profile for the screw compressor based upon the operating point. The method may also include driving the screw compressor per the selected torque profile. Refrigeration systems and compressor systems suitable for implementing the method are also presented.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: David M. Foye, Nathan T. West, Dennis M. Beekman, John R. Sauls
-
Publication number: 20170182869Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS) includes a first heat transfer circuit including a first compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device, and a cascade heat exchanger. The first compressor, the condenser, the first expansion device, and the cascade heat exchanger are in fluid communication such that a first heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The TRS includes a second heat transfer circuit including a second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, a second expansion device, and an evaporator. The second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, the second expansion device, and the evaporator are in fluid communication such that a second heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The first heat transfer circuit and the second heat transfer circuit are arranged in thermal communication at the cascade heat exchanger such that the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid are in a heat exchange relationship at the cascade heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2016Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventors: Stephen A. KUJAK, Kenneth J. SCHULTZ, Jeffrey B. BERGE, Panayu Robert SRICHAI, Vladimir SULC, Michal KOLDA, John R. SAULS
-
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
-
Publication number: 20150052921Abstract: An embodiment of method used to control operation of a screw compressor of a refrigeration system may include receiving status signals regarding operation of the screw compressor of the refrigeration system. The method may further include determining an operating point of the screw compressor based upon the received status signals, and selecting a torque profile for the screw compressor based upon the operating point. The method may also include driving the screw compressor per the selected torque profile. Refrigeration systems and compressor systems suitable for implementing the method are also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: David M. Foye, Nathan T. West, Dennis M. Beekman, John R. Sauls
-
Publication number: 20150030490Abstract: An improved bearing housing of a rotary screw compressor is described. The bearing housing is generally shorter than a convention bearing housing. The bearing housing can be configured to enclose and support radial bearings of the screw compressor. The bearing housing can be configured not to enclose axial bearings of the screw compressor in an axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Dennis M. Beekman, Daniel R. Crum, Timothy Sean Hagen, Dennis R. Dorman, John R. Sauls
-
Publication number: 20150030489Abstract: A variable capacity screw compressor comprises a suction port, at least two screw rotors and a discharge port being configured in relation to a selected rotational speed that operates at least one screw rotor at an optimum peripheral velocity that is independent of a peripheral velocity of the at least one screw rotor at a synchronous motor rotational speed for a rated screw compressor capacity. A motor is configured to drive the at least one screw rotor at a rotational speed at a full-load capacity that is substantially greater than the synchronous motor rotational speed at the rated screw compressor capacity. A variable speed drive receives a command signal from a controller and generates a control signal that drives the motor at the selected rotational speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Dennis M. Beekman, Daniel R. Crum, Timothy Sean Hagen, Dennis R. Dorman, John R. Sauls