Patents by Inventor Robert R. Willis, Jr.

Robert R. Willis, Jr. 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: 9212834
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for a thermal energy storage liquid-suction heat exchanger (TES-LSHX) for air conditioning and refrigeration (AC/R) applications. The disclosed embodiments allow energy to be stored and aggregated over one period of time, and dispatched at a later period of time, to improve AC/R system efficiency during desired conditions. Not only are the benefits of LSHX stored and aggregated for later use, but when dispatched, the discharge rate can exceed the charge rate thereby further enhancing the benefit of demand reduction to utilities. The disclosed embodiments allow great flexibility and can be incorporated into OEM AC/R system designs, and/or bundled with condensing units or evaporator coils. These TES-LSHX systems can be retrofit with existing systems by installing the product at any point along the existing AC/R system's line set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: GREENER-ICE SPV, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brian Parsonnet, Robert R. Willis, Jr., Dean L. Wiersma
  • Publication number: 20130145780
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for a thermal energy storage liquid-suction heat exchanger (TES-LSHX) for air conditioning and refrigeration (AC/R) applications. The disclosed embodiments allow energy to be stored and aggregated over one period of time, and dispatched at a later period of time, to improve AC/R system efficiency during desired conditions. Not only are the benefits of LSHX stored and aggregated for later use, but when dispatched, the discharge rate can exceed the charge rate thereby further enhancing the benefit of demand reduction to utilities. The disclosed embodiments allow great flexibility and can be incorporated into OEM AC/R system designs, and/or bundled with condensing units or evaporator coils. These TES-LSHX systems can be retrofit with existing systems by installing the product at any point along the existing AC/R system's line set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: ICE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Parsonnet, Robert R. Willis, JR., Dean L. Wiersma
  • Publication number: 20130074531
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with integrated multi-mode refrigerant loops. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based thermal storage system with increased versatility, reliability, lower cost components, reduced power consumption and ease of installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Parsonnet, Robert R. Willis, JR., Dean L. Wiersma
  • 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.
  • Patent number: D540452
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert R. Willis, Jr.