Patents by Inventor Johnny E. Smith

Johnny E. Smith 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).

  • Energy conserving refrigerant flow processor
    Patent number: 6598422
    Abstract: A refrigerant flow processor has a vessel with an inlet for receiving recirculating refrigerant from a motor driven compressor and a condenser and having an outlet for returning the refrigerant to an evaporator through an expansion valve. The vessel is configured to establish a vortexing motion of liquefied refrigerant as it travels from the inlet to the outlet. A helical flow guiding component at the vessel outlet causes a highly turbulent flow within the conduit which connects the outlet to the expansion valve. The flow processor reduces energy consumption and operating cost by reducing the load on the motor driven compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Echelon International, Inc.
    Inventor: Johnny E. Smith