Patents by Inventor Jon P. Hartfield
Jon P. Hartfield 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: 11976854Abstract: An HVACR system, a direct expansion evaporator, and a direct expansion heat exchanger tube arranged to evaporate a working fluid inside the tube are disclosed. The tube includes an exterior surface of the tube opposing an inner surface of the tube, and a cavity layer on the inner surface configured to evaporate the working fluid flowing in a first flow path arranged to direct the first fluid to flow through the tube and contact the cavity layer on the inner surface. A second flow path, separate from the first flow path, is arranged to direct a second fluid across the tube and to contact the extended member on the exterior surface of the tube such that the first fluid exchanges thermal energy with the second fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Evraam I Gorgy, Jon P. Hartfield
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Patent number: 11927375Abstract: A liquid-vapor separator includes a housing, an inlet disposed on the housing and configured to receive a working fluid into the housing, a vapor stream outlet disposed on the housing and configured to release a vapor stream of the working fluid, and a demister disposed in the housing and configured to transfer thermal energy between the working fluid and the vapor stream. In some embodiments, the working fluid absorbs thermal energy and evaporates to provide the vapor stream that includes entrained droplets. At least a portion of the entrained droplets absorbs thermal energy from the working fluid to evaporate when the vapor stream flows through the demister. In some embodiments, the liquid-vapor separator includes a passive demisting portion that demists by obstructing at least a portion of the entrained droplets.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Erica L. Gallant, Justin D. Piggush, Jon P. Hartfield
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Publication number: 20240035718Abstract: An HVACR system, a direct expansion evaporator, and a direct expansion heat exchanger tube arranged to evaporate a working fluid inside the tube are disclosed. The tube includes an exterior surface of the tube opposing an inner surface of the tube, and a cavity layer on the inner surface configured to evaporate the working fluid flowing in a first flow path arranged to direct the first fluid to flow through the tube and contact the cavity layer on the inner surface. A second flow path, separate from the first flow path, is arranged to direct a second fluid across the tube and to contact the extended member on the exterior surface of the tube such that the first fluid exchanges thermal energy with the second fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2022Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Evraam I Gorgy, Jon P. Hartfield
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Publication number: 20240003603Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system includes a suction heat exchanger configured to add heat to working fluid prior to entering the compressor, so as to support the generation of superheat by the HVACR system. The superheat can be controlled to achieve desired levels, so as to support the separation of lubricant from working fluid of the HVACR system. The suction heat exchanger can heat the working fluid passing to the suction of the compressor by exchanging heat with working fluid sourced from between the lubricant separator and the condenser. The suction heat exchanger can further be used as a receiver for controlling the charge of working fluid circulating in the HVACR system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2022Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Thibaut Gerson, Raphael Gury, Jon P. Hartfield, Laurent Maire Richard, Patrick Alexandre, Sebastien Montemont, Thierry Choffe
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Publication number: 20230288106Abstract: A liquid-vapor separator includes a housing, an inlet disposed on the housing and configured to receive a working fluid into the housing, a vapor stream outlet disposed on the housing and configured to release a vapor stream of the working fluid, and a demister disposed in the housing and configured to transfer thermal energy between the working fluid and the vapor stream. In some embodiments, the working fluid absorbs thermal energy and evaporates to provide the vapor stream that includes entrained droplets. At least a portion of the entrained droplets absorbs thermal energy from the working fluid to evaporate when the vapor stream flows through the demister. In some embodiments, the liquid-vapor separator includes a passive demisting portion that demists by obstructing at least a portion of the entrained droplets.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2022Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Erica L. Gallant, Justin D. Piggush, Jon P. Hartfield
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Patent number: 11365912Abstract: A suction duct is disposed within a shell and tube heat exchanger. The suction duct is located relatively high and above the tube bundle so as to not entrain liquid or droplets that may be splashing and spraying upward. The suction duct is configured with an area schedule in fluid communication with a flow path inside the suction duct. The flow path is in fluid communication with an outlet of the shell. This is advantageous relative to traditional top of the shell outlets which generally have higher vertical footprints. The area schedule of the suction duct can facilitate and/or maintain relatively smooth vapor flow within the shell. The area schedule can achieve vapor flows that have some uniformity along the length of the shell, which can manage and/or avoid localized vapor flow and/or local currents, such as where high velocity may be present and where entrainment can result.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2020Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Jon P. Hartfield, H. Kenneth Ring, Jr., Steven E. Meloling, Florian Weber, Alain Fleurette, Benjamin Elias Dingel
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Publication number: 20210396436Abstract: Systems and methods for lubricant management of a compressor in an HVACR system are disclosed. A heat transfer circuit can utilize a working fluid to provide heating or cooling includes a compressor for compressing the working fluid and a heat source configured to increase a suction temperature of the working fluid entering the compressor. One or more lubricant rheological properties in a compressor system based on measurements taken at or near a bearing cavity of the compressor are determinable. A lubricant reservoir can be in thermal communication with a discharge flow path of the compressor. An internal heat exchanger can be disposed within a compressor for improving viscosity of the lubricant to be cycled back into the compressor. A heater can be located on a fluid line between a lubricant separator and a lubricant inlet. Condenser fans can be controlled.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Jon P. Hartfield, Benjamin Elias Dingel
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Publication number: 20200248937Abstract: A suction duct is disposed within a shell and tube heat exchanger. The suction duct is located relatively high and above the tube bundle so as to not entrain liquid or droplets that may be splashing and spraying upward. The suction duct is configured with an area schedule in fluid communication with a flow path inside the suction duct. The flow path is in fluid communication with an outlet of the shell. This is advantageous relative to traditional top of the shell outlets which generally have higher vertical footprints. The area schedule of the suction duct can facilitate and/or maintain relatively smooth vapor flow within the shell. The area schedule can achieve vapor flows that have some uniformity along the length of the shell, which can manage and/or avoid localized vapor flow and/or local currents, such as where high velocity may be present and where entrainment can result.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Jon P. HARTFIELD, H. Kenneth RING, Steven E. MELOLING, Florian WEBER, Alain FLEURETTE, Benjamin Elias DINGEL
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Patent number: 10627139Abstract: A suction duct is disposed within a shell and tube heat exchanger. The suction duct is located relatively high and above the tube bundle so as to not entrain liquid or droplets that may be splashing and spraying upward. The suction duct is configured with an area schedule in fluid communication with a flow path inside the suction duct. The flow path is in fluid communication with an outlet of the shell. This is advantageous relative to traditional top of the shell outlets which generally have higher vertical footprints. The area schedule of the suction duct can facilitate and/or maintain relatively smooth vapor flow within the shell. The area schedule can achieve vapor flows that have some uniformity along the length of the shell, which can manage and/or avoid localized vapor flow and/or local currents, such as where high velocity may be present and where entrainment can result.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Jon P. Hartfield, H. Kenneth Ring, Jr., Steven E. Meloling, Florian Weber, Alain Fleurette, Benjamin Elias Dingel
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Patent number: 10480872Abstract: A heat exchange tube combines an external surface feature, for example having crushed fins and cavities, which can have very high boiling enhancement characteristics, with an internal surface feature, for example having high performing intersecting helices, e.g. “cross hatched” with an intersecting helix angle. The new tube can provide a high performing tube in a shell and tube evaporator that can be relatively smaller, more efficient, and that can use relatively lower refrigerant charge.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2015Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: H. Kenneth Ring, Jr., Jon P. Hartfield, Todd A. Michael
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Publication number: 20180299172Abstract: A suction duct is disposed within a shell and tube heat exchanger. The suction duct is located relatively high and above the tube bundle so as to not entrain liquid or droplets that may be splashing and spraying upward. The suction duct is configured with an area schedule in fluid communication with a flow path inside the suction duct. The flow path is in fluid communication with an outlet of the shell. This is advantageous relative to traditional top of the shell outlets which generally have higher vertical footprints. The area schedule of the suction duct can facilitate and/or maintain relatively smooth vapor flow within the shell. The area schedule can achieve vapor flows that have some uniformity along the length of the shell, which can manage and/or avoid localized vapor flow and/or local currents, such as where high velocity may be present and where entrainment can result.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2015Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Jon P. HARTFIELD, H. Kenneth RING, Jr., Steven E. MELOLING, Florian WEBER, Alain FLEURETTE, Benjamin Elias DINGEL
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Patent number: 9903663Abstract: Apparatuses and methods described herein relate to brazed heat exchangers, which may be used for example in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) system and/or unit thereof. The heat exchanger includes a fluid flow structure to allow a fluid stream, for example a chilled fluid stream to exchange heat serially with more than one refrigerant circuit, where each refrigerant circuit is a distinct and independent refrigerant circuit. Generally, an apparatus to exchange heat serially with more than one heat exchange fluid circuit includes an internal flow path that allows a working fluid to flow through a first brazed heat exchanger, through one or more internal routing channels, and through a second brazed heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2014Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Jon P. Hartfield
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Publication number: 20180038618Abstract: A cyclonic type lubricant separator with various features that reduces pressure losses, manages local gas velocities which may contribute to entrainment of liquid(s) (e.g. oil), maintains and/or improves oil separation (e.g. achieving lower oil circulation rates), reduces the size of the lubricant separator, and/or reduces or minimizes costs of production. Lubricant separators herein include a shell, a fluid inlet, a vapor outlet, a liquid outlet, and a discharge tube within the shell. Lubricant separators herein include multiple inlets that have openings such that the discharge tube is out of sight relative to the openings of the inlet, include openings along the length of the discharge tube, and/or include a flow director on the discharge tube, where the flow director includes a surface that extend away from the outer dimension of the discharge tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2016Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Jon P. HARTFIELD, Harry Kenneth RING
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Patent number: 9851130Abstract: A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Todd J. Love, Jon P. Hartfield, Benjamin Elias Dingel
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Publication number: 20160131433Abstract: Apparatuses and methods described herein relate to brazed heat exchangers, which may be used for example in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) system and/or unit thereof. The heat exchanger includes a fluid flow structure to allow a fluid stream, for example a chilled fluid stream to exchange heat serially with more than one refrigerant circuit, where each refrigerant circuit is a distinct and independent refrigerant circuit. Generally, an apparatus to exchange heat serially with more than one heat exchange fluid circuit includes an internal flow path that allows a working fluid to flow through a first brazed heat exchanger, through one or more internal routing channels, and through a second brazed heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2014Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventor: Jon P. Hartfield
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Publication number: 20160076828Abstract: A heat exchange tube combines an external surface feature, for example having crushed fins and cavities, which can have very high boiling enhancement characteristics, with an internal surface feature, for example having high performing intersecting helices, e.g. “cross hatched” with an intersecting helix angle. The new tube can provide a high performing tube in a shell and tube evaporator that can be relatively smaller, more efficient, and that can use relatively lower refrigerant charge.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: H. Kenneth Ring, JR., Jon P. Hartfield, Todd A. Michael
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Publication number: 20150300707Abstract: A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2015Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: Todd J. Love, Jon P. Hartfield, Benjamin Elias Dingel
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Patent number: 9032753Abstract: A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Todd J. Love, Harry K. Ring, Jon P. Hartfield
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Publication number: 20130247607Abstract: A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Todd J. Love, Harry K. Ring, Jon P. Hartfield
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Patent number: 6516627Abstract: An evaporator for a refrigeration chiller includes a tube bundle in which at least a portion of the tubes of the tube bundle are immersed in a pool which include both liquid refrigerant and is lubricant. Liquid refrigerant and lubricant are deposited into the pool at a first pool location. Because of the vaporization of refrigerant that occurs within the pool, a pattern of flow is established and managed that causes the lubricant in the pool to migrate from the location of its deposit into the pool to a second pool location. An outlet is provided at the second pool location from which lubricant is drawn out of the evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: American Standard International Inc.Inventors: H. Kenneth Ring, Jon P. Hartfield, Sean A. Smith, William J. Peck