Patents by Inventor Ramachandran Narayanamurthy

Ramachandran Narayanamurthy 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).

  • Publication number: 20110223850
    Abstract: A method provides a ventilation control compliant with an adopted ventilation standard for efficient energy usage and conservation of energy resources. The method includes operating a home energy system to generate solar energy within a daily active period and draw fresh air from an ambient region, setting a daily ventilation period as a fractional period of a day, the ventilation period being coincident with the active period during a heating period for the home or a time period after the active period during a cooling period for the home, determining a target volume, determining a flow rate for delivering the fresh air during the ventilation period, performing ventilation in the ventilation period to deliver the fresh air into the home using the flow rate, and monitoring an accumulated total ventilation volume of the delivered fresh air until the accumulated total ventilation volume is within a vicinity of a target volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: EchoFirst Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran NARAYANAMURTHY, Joshua R. Plaisted
  • Publication number: 20110209742
    Abstract: A plenum structure for cooling both a roof and a solar module includes an upper surface comprising at least a portion of a bottom face of a solar module having a length and a width and an under surface comprising a top face of a pan structure disposed a first vertical spacing directly below the upper surface and a second vertical spacing above the roof. The plenum structure includes a first side face and a second side face respectively coupled to the upper surface and the under surface, a first end face and a second end face respectively coupled to upper surface, the under surface, the first side face, and the second side face to enclose a spatial volume defined by the length, the width, and the first vertical spacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: PVT Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy
  • Publication number: 20110061410
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal storage system wherein a condensing unit and an ice-tank heat exchanger can be isolated through a second heat exchanger. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption compared to non-isolated systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy
  • Publication number: 20110048058
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks
  • Publication number: 20110000247
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal storage system wherein a condensing unit and an ice-tank heat exchanger can be isolated through a second heat exchanger. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption compared to a single phase system such as a glycol system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy
  • Patent number: 7854129
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus that provides refrigerant based energy storage and cooling. When connected to a condensing unit, the system has the ability to store energy capacity during one time period and provide cooling from the stored energy during a second time period. The system requires minimal energy to operate during either time period, and only a fraction of the energy required to operate the system during the first time period is required to operate the system during the second time period using an optional refrigerant pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy
  • Patent number: 7827807
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks
  • Patent number: 7793515
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal storage system wherein a condensing unit and an ice-tank heat exchanger can be isolated through a second heat exchanger. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption compared to non-isolated systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy
  • Publication number: 20100162735
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to efficiently regulate flow of refrigerant while maintaining a sealed chamber in systems providing stored thermal energy for use during peak electrical demand. A mixed-phase regulator replaces the thermostatic expansion valve used in conventional air-conditioning systems that, along with capillary tubes and orifices, regulates the refrigerant fed from the compressor to the heat load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks, Robert K. Kerrigan, Christopher A. Kay
  • Patent number: 7690212
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to efficiently regulate flow of refrigerant while maintaining a sealed chamber in systems providing stored thermal energy for use during peak electrical demand. A mixed-phase regulator replaces the thermostatic expansion valve used in conventional air-conditioning systems that, along with capillary tubes and orifices, regulates the refrigerant fed from the compressor to the heat load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks, Robert K. Kerrigan, Christopher A. Kay
  • Publication number: 20090293507
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an isolated evaporator coil in a secondary cooling loop. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased versatility, reliability, lower cost components, reduced power consumption and ease of installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Brian Parsonnet, Donald Thomas Cook
  • Publication number: 20090205345
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with multiple condensing units utilizing a common evaporator coil. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption and ease of installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Brian Parsonnet, Donald Thomas Cook
  • Publication number: 20090183518
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks
  • Publication number: 20090133412
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for a refrigerant-based a thermal energy storage and cooling system with multiple condensing units utilizing a common evaporator coil. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption and ease of installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Brian Parsonnet, Donald Thomas Cook
  • Publication number: 20090093916
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for providing power generation and distribution with on-site energy storage and power input controlled by a utility or a third party manager. The system allows a utility manager to decide and direct how energy is delivered to a customer on both sides of the power meter, while the customer directs and controls when and how much energy is needed. In the disclosed embodiments, the utility controls the supply (either transmitted or stored) and makes power decisions on a system that acts as a virtual power plant, while the end-user retains control of the on-site aggregated power consumption assets. The disclosed systems act to broker the needs of the utility and end-user by creating, managing and controlling the interface between these two entities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: ICE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Parsonnet, Ramachandran Narayanamurthy
  • Patent number: 7503185
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks
  • Patent number: 7421846
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal storage system wherein a condensing unit and an ice-tank heat exchanger can be isolated through a second heat exchanger. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption compared to a single phase system such as a glycol system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert R. Willis, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080209941
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal storage system wherein a condensing unit and an ice-tank heat exchanger can be isolated through a second heat exchanger. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption compared to non-isolated systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: ICE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy
  • Patent number: D602859
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary F. Kaiser, Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Donald Thomas Cook, Thomas W. Graves
  • Patent number: D629878
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary F. Kaiser, Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Donald Thomas Cook, Thomas W. Graves