Patents by Inventor Stephen A. Kujak
Stephen A. Kujak 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: 20210033323Abstract: A heat transfer circuit that includes a main flow path for a working fluid that extends through a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator. The working fluid includes CF3I. The heat transfer circuit also includes an additive stream configured to supply additive for the CF3I to the working fluid in the main flow path based on a discharge temperature of the compressor. A method for operating a heat transfer circuit that includes directing a working fluid including CF3I through a main flow path of the heat transfer circuit. The method also includes changing a concentration of additive for the CF3I based on a discharge temperature of the working fluid from the compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2019Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: Stephen A. Kujak, Kenneth J. Schultz, Elyse M. Sorenson, Morgan Elizabeth Herried Leehey
-
Patent number: 10886739Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for power demand management are described herein. More specifically, embodiments comprise systems and methods for powering, controlling, and/or operating various types of controllable load for integration with power fluctuations from intermittent power generation plants, such as photovoltaic arrays and wind turbine farms.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Michael Sean Day, Matthew M. Corulli, Stephen A. Kujak, Ronald Maurice Cosby, II
-
Publication number: 20200291282Abstract: Refrigerant compositions for an HVACR system that includes R1123, R32 and at least one more refrigerant. The refrigerant composition has a reduced GWP of about or less than 1500. Some of the refrigerant composition may be suitable for replacing R410A, R32, and/or R22. Methods for making the refrigerant composition including mixing an amount of R1123, and amount of R32, and an amount of at least one more refrigerant. Methods of retrofitting an existing refrigerant composition include adding an amount of at least one refrigerant to an existing refrigerant composition to produce a retrofitted refrigerant composition. The retrofitted refrigerant composition includes at least R1123 and R32.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Kenneth J. Schultz, Stephen A. Kujak
-
Publication number: 20200283664Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for reducing flammability in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system having R32 refrigerant included in the refrigerant composition. Refrigerant compositions and methods of use are described which can be used for retrofitting, servicing, controlling flammability, improving performance, lubricant solubility and miscibility, and improving the safety of an HVAC system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2019Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Stephen A. KUJAK, Kenneth J. SCHULTZ
-
Publication number: 20200172781Abstract: A refrigeration system is disclosed. The system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator fluidly connected to form a refrigeration circuit. A refrigerant composition including an environmentally-suitable chiller refrigerant that has a 100 year direct global warming potential (GWP) of less than 150 is included. The refrigerant composition includes a mixture including R-1336mzz-(Z) and R-1130-(E), wherein an amount of R-1336mzz-(Z) in the mixture is in a range from at or about 69% by weight to at or about 81% by weight, and an amount of R-1130-(E) in the mixture is in a range from at or about 31% by weight to at or about 19% by weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2019Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Stephen A. KUJAK, Kenneth J. SCHULTZ
-
Patent number: 10655039Abstract: A refrigerant composition for an HVACR system that includes R1123 refrigerant, R32 refrigerant, and CF3I. The refrigerant composition having a capacity greater than 85% of a capacity of R410 or a capacity of R32. A method of making a refrigerant composition for a HVACR system is also disclosed. The method includes mixing an amount of R1123, an amount of R32, and an amount of CF3I. A method of retrofitting a refrigerant composition that results in the refrigerant composition is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Kenneth J. Schultz, Stephen A. Kujak
-
Publication number: 20200148038Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS) includes a first heat transfer circuit including a first compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device, and a cascade heat exchanger. The first compressor, the condenser, the first expansion device, and the cascade heat exchanger are in fluid communication such that a first heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The TRS includes a second heat transfer circuit including a second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, a second expansion device, and an evaporator. The second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, the second expansion device, and the evaporator are in fluid communication such that a second heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The first heat transfer circuit and the second heat transfer circuit are arranged in thermal communication at the cascade heat exchanger such that the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid are in a heat exchange relationship at the cascade heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Stephen A. KUJAK, Kenneth J. SCHULTZ, Jeffrey B. BERGE, Panayu Robert SRICHAI, Vladimir SULC, Michal KOLDA, John R. SAULS
-
Publication number: 20200064036Abstract: A detection system and method of detection directed towards the detection of refrigerant leaking from a refrigerant circuit in a heating, ventilation, air condition, and refrigeration (HVACR) system. The system including a refrigerant circuit utilizes a mixture of working fluid and an additive. The system also includes a detection device that can detect the additive when external to the refrigerant circuit. A method of detecting leaking refrigerant includes adding a detectable fluid to a refrigerant circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventor: Stephen A. Kujak
-
Patent number: 10543737Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS) includes a first heat transfer circuit including a first compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device, and a cascade heat exchanger. The first compressor, the condenser, the first expansion device, and the cascade heat exchanger are in fluid communication such that a first heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The TRS includes a second heat transfer circuit including a second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, a second expansion device, and an evaporator. The second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, the second expansion device, and the evaporator are in fluid communication such that a second heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The first heat transfer circuit and the second heat transfer circuit are arranged in thermal communication at the cascade heat exchanger such that the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid are in a heat exchange relationship at the cascade heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Thermo King CorporationInventors: Stephen A. Kujak, Kenneth J. Schultz, Jeffrey B. Berge, Panayu Robert Srichai, Vladimir Sulc, Michal Kolda, John R. Sauls
-
Publication number: 20190372346Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for power demand management are described herein. More specifically, embodiments comprise systems and methods for powering, controlling, and/or operating various types of controllable load for integration with power fluctuations from intermittent power generation plants, such as photovoltaic arrays and wind turbine farms.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Michael Sean Day, Matthew M. Corulli, Stephen A. Kujak, Ronald Maurice Cosby, II
-
Patent number: 10465961Abstract: A detection system and method of detection directed towards the detection of refrigerant leaking from a refrigerant circuit in a heating, ventilation, air condition, and refrigeration (HVACR) system. The system including a refrigerant circuit utilizes a working fluid that also contains an additive fluid. The system also includes a detection device that can detect the additional fluid external to the refrigerant circuit. A method of detecting leaking refrigerant is includes adding a detectable fluid to a refrigerant circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Stephen A. Kujak
-
Patent number: 10443900Abstract: Embodiments as disclosed herein are directed to a heat pump that employs at least two different refrigerants, each of which is optimized for either a cooling operation mode or a heating operation mode. The embodiments as disclosed herein can help increase the capacity and/or efficiency of a heat pump in both the cooling operation mode and the heating operation mode. In addition, the embodiments as disclosed herein may also eliminate the need for a ground source in a relatively low ambient temperature environment.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Stephen A. Kujak, Kenneth J. Schultz, Ronald Maurice Cosby, II
-
Patent number: 10407602Abstract: A refrigeration system is disclosed. The system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator fluidly connected to form a refrigeration circuit. A refrigerant composition including an environmentally-suitable chiller refrigerant that has a 100 year direct global warming potential (GWP) of less than 150 is included. The refrigerant composition includes a mixture including R-1336mzz-(Z) and R-1130-(E), wherein an amount of R-1336mzz-(Z) in the mixture is in a range from at or about 69% by weight to at or about 81% by weight, and an amount of R-1130-(E) in the mixture is in a range from at or about 31% by weight to at or about 19% by weight.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Stephen A. Kujak, Kenneth J. Schultz
-
Patent number: 10400149Abstract: Methods of using refrigerant compositions and systems thereof are described. In particular, methods of using refrigerant compositions and systems thereof, include refrigerant compositions including a two component blend. One of the components is a refrigerant blend that, when first combined, is considered an azeotropic blend, azeotrope, near azeotropic, or the like. This component is one component of the two components of the resulting refrigerant composition, which is combined with a second component being another refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Kenneth J. Schultz, Stephen A. Kujak
-
Publication number: 20190203093Abstract: Refrigerant compositions for an HVACR system that includes R1123, R32 and at least one more refrigerant. The refrigerant composition has a reduced GWP of about or less than 1500. Some of the refrigerant composition may be suitable for replacing R410A, R32, and/or R22. Methods for making the refrigerant composition including mixing an amount of R1123, and amount of R32, and an amount of at least one more refrigerant. Methods of retrofitting an existing refrigerant composition include adding an amount of at least one refrigerant to an existing refrigerant composition to produce a retrofitted refrigerant composition. The retrofitted refrigerant composition includes at least R1123 and R32.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Kenneth J. Schultz, Stephen A. Kujak
-
Publication number: 20190203091Abstract: A non-flammable refrigerant composition for a HVACR system that includes R134a refrigerant, a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant that has a global warming potential (GWP) of less than 150 or a hydrofluoroolefin refrigerant, and CF3I. A method of making a refrigerant composition for a HVACR system that includes selecting an amount of a first refrigerant that is a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant or a hydrofluoroolefin refrigerant, selecting an amount of CF3I, and selecting an amount of R134a refrigerant. A method of retrofitting a refrigerant composition in an HVACR system that includes adding one or more compounds to the refrigerant composition. The retrofitted composition including R134a refrigerant, a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant having a GWP of less than 150, and CF3I, or R134a refrigerant, a hydrofluoroolefin refrigerant, and CF3I.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2017Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Kenneth J. Schultz, Stephen A. Kujak
-
Publication number: 20190203092Abstract: A refrigerant composition for an HVACR system that includes R1123 refrigerant, R32 refrigerant, and CF3I. The refrigerant composition having a capacity greater than 85% of a capacity of R410 or a capacity of R32. A method of making a refrigerant composition for a HVACR system is also disclosed. The method includes mixing an amount of R1123, an amount of R32, and an amount of CF3I. A method of retrofitting a refrigerant composition that results in the refrigerant composition is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2017Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Kenneth J. Schultz, Stephen A. Kujak
-
Publication number: 20190195542Abstract: A system and method of retrofitting a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration system (HVACR) including one or more brazed, soldered, or mechanical connections between refrigerant lines is disclosed. The method includes removing a refrigerant from the HVACR system. The refrigerant that is removed is a non-flammable refrigerant. An enclosure is installed over the one or more brazed, soldered, or mechanical connections between refrigerant lines. A refrigerant is added to the HVACR system. The refrigerant being added has a global warming potential (GWP) that is relatively lower than the refrigerant removed from the HVACR system. The refrigerant being added has a relatively higher flammability than the refrigerant removed from the HVACR system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: William G. Hansen, Stephen A. Kujak
-
Patent number: 10316233Abstract: Refrigerant compositions are described, which can be used for example, in refrigeration, air conditioning, and/or heat pump systems which for example, can be incorporated into a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system or unit. The refrigerant composition includes an amount of a R125 refrigerant, an amount of a R32 refrigerant, and an amount of a R1234yf refrigerant, where the R32 refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant, and the R1234yf refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Stephen A. Kujak, Kenneth J. Schultz
-
Publication number: 20190161659Abstract: A refrigeration system is disclosed. The system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator fluidly connected to form a refrigeration circuit. A refrigerant composition including an environmentally-suitable chiller refrigerant that has a 100 year direct global warming potential (GWP) of less than 150 is included. The refrigerant composition includes a mixture including R-1336mzz-(Z) and R-1130-(E), wherein an amount of R-1336mzz-(Z) in the mixture is in a range from at or about 69% by weight to at or about 81% by weight, and an amount of R-1130-(E) in the mixture is in a range from at or about 31% by weight to at or about 19% by weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2017Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Stephen A. KUJAK, Kenneth J. SCHULTZ