Patents by Inventor Michael E. Shows

Michael E. Shows 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).

  • Method for changing lubricant types in refrigeration or air conditioning machinery using lubricant overcharge
    Patent number: 5678412
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for changing lubricant types in closed cooling systems such as refrigeration, air-conditioning machinery, and the like. The present invention is also applicable to heat pumps. The method of the present invention may be used on such systems that comprise one or more compressors, one or more evaporators, and one or more condensers. The method of the present invention allows the original compressor lubricant to be drained and replaced with a new lubricant; typically a lubricant of a different type than the original lubricant. Through use of the method of the present invention, all accessible points in the system (i.e., the compressor, the high side oil separator, if so equipped, and the accumulator, if so equipped, etc.) may be drained of the original lubricant and recharged with a new lubricant. After this is done, the original lubricant may still remain in the evaporator, condenser, and/or associated fluid lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Integral Sciences Incorporated
    Inventors: John J. Byrne, Michael E. Shows, Robert Yost