Patents by Inventor Lars Ivan Sjoholm

Lars Ivan Sjoholm 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: 6506038
    Abstract: A screw compressor includes a suction end, a discharge end, first and second rotors mounted for rotation between the suction end and the discharge end, and a discharge housing at the discharge end. The discharge housing surrounds a portion of the first and second rotors and includes an end surface. The compressor further includes a first axial bearing supporting the first rotor, and a wear-preventing member sandwiched between the end surface of the discharge housing and the first axial bearing such that no portion of the first axial bearing contacts the end surface. The screw compressor further includes a first radial bearing in the discharge housing for supporting the first rotor. The wear-preventing member includes a face abutting the end surface of the discharge housing and abutting at least a portion of the first radial bearing to retain the first radial bearing in the discharge housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Ivan Sjoholm, Lee John Erickson
  • Patent number: 6494699
    Abstract: A screw compressor having an unloader valve with a movable valve member, the unloader valve being capable of indicating when the valve member is installed incorrectly. The valve member is manufactured such that if it is installed incorrectly it provides a leakage path sufficiently large to be detected during full load testing of the compressor. When the screw compressor fails the load test, the compressor is partially disassembled, and the valve is reinstalled in the proper orientation and the compressor is re-tested. The valve member leakage path is provided while maintaining low costs for production and assembly of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Ivan Sjoholm, Gregory Gordon Anderson
  • Patent number: 6467287
    Abstract: A compressor and oil separator assembly for compressing a fluid includes a suction end, a discharge end, and first and second rotors rotatably mounted between the suction and discharge ends. A discharge line communicates with the discharge end, and an oil separator communicates with the discharge line. An oil sump communicates with the oil separator and an oil supply line communicates between the oil sump and the rotors. A bleed line selectively communicates between the discharge line and the oil supply line for equalizing a pressure differential between the suction end and the discharge end without causing substantial backward rotation of the rotors or displacement of oil to the rotors through the oil supply line. Preferably, the assembly further includes a valve that defines a portion of the discharge line and is also coupled to the bleed line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Ivan Sjoholm, Lee J. Erickson, Dean William Osterman
  • Publication number: 20020035839
    Abstract: A compressor and oil separator assembly for compressing a fluid includes a suction end, a discharge end, and first and second rotors rotatably mounted between the suction and discharge ends. A discharge line communicates with the discharge end, and an oil separator communicates with the discharge line. An oil sump communicates with the oil separator and an oil supply line communicates between the oil sump and the rotors. A bleed line selectively communicates between the discharge line and the oil supply line for equalizing a pressure differential between the suction end and the discharge end without causing substantial backward rotation of the rotors or displacement of oil to the rotors through the oil supply line. Preferably, the assembly further includes a valve that defines a portion of the discharge line and is also coupled to the bleed line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Applicant: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Ivan Sjoholm, Lee J. Erickson, Dean William Osterman
  • Publication number: 20020037229
    Abstract: A screw compressor includes a suction end, a discharge end, first and second rotors mounted for rotation between the suction end and the discharge end, and a discharge housing at the discharge end. The discharge housing surrounds a portion of the first and second rotors and includes an end surface. The compressor further includes a first axial bearing supporting the first rotor, and a wear-preventing member sandwiched between the end surface of the discharge housing and the first axial bearing such that no portion of the first axial bearing contacts the end surface. The screw compressor further includes a first radial bearing in the discharge housing for supporting the first rotor. The wear-preventing member includes a face abutting the end surface of the discharge housing and abutting at least a portion of the first radial bearing to retain the first radial bearing in the discharge housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Applicant: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Ivan Sjoholm, Lee John Erickson
  • Publication number: 20020037230
    Abstract: A screw compressor having an unloader valve with a movable valve member, the unloader valve being capable of indicating when the valve member is installed incorrectly. The valve member is manufactured such that if it is installed incorrectly it provides a leakage path sufficiently large to be detected during full load testing of the compressor. When the screw compressor fails the load test, the compressor is partially disassembled, and the valve is reinstalled in the proper orientation and the compressor is re-tested. The valve member leakage path is provided while maintaining low costs for production and assembly of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Applicant: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Ivan Sjoholm, Gregory Gordon Anderson