Patents by Inventor Steven Trent Sommer

Steven Trent Sommer 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: 9746218
    Abstract: An economized refrigeration system includes a main refrigerant circuit having a condenser, an evaporator, an economizer, an expansion device intermediate the condenser and the economizer, and a main compressor fluidly connected by a main refrigerant line. The system also includes an economized refrigerant circuit including an auxiliary compressor system and an auxiliary refrigerant line fluidly connecting the economizer to the auxiliary compressor system and fluidly connecting the main refrigerant line to the auxiliary compressor at a location intermediate the main compressor system and the condenser. The auxiliary compressor system is independently controllable with respect to the main compressor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Steven Trent Sommer, Stephen Harold Smith, John Francis Judge
  • Patent number: 8567207
    Abstract: A system for controlling a centrifugal gas compressor (108) in an HVAC, refrigeration or liquid chiller system (100) in which flow of gas through the compressor is automatically controlled to maintain desired parameters within predetermined ranges so as to prevent stall and surge conditions within the system. A variable geometry diffuser (119) in the compressor controls the refrigerant gas flow at the discharge of the compressor impeller wheel (201). This arrangement reduces mass flow, decrease/eliminate flow-reducing stall, and increases the operating efficiency of the compressor at partial load conditions. The variable geometry diffuser control in combination with a variable speed drive (VSD) (120) increases the efficiency of the compressor at partial system loads, and eliminates the need for pre-rotation vanes at the inlet of the centrifugal compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls & Technology Company
    Inventors: Steven Trent Sommer, John Trevino, Jr., Florin Iancu, Rudy Chervil, Eric John Smyder
  • Publication number: 20110048046
    Abstract: A system for controlling a centrifugal gas compressor (108) in an HVAC, refrigeration or liquid chiller system (100) in which flow of gas through the compressor is automatically controlled to maintain desired parameters within predetermined ranges so as to prevent stall and surge conditions within the system. A variable geometry diffuser (119) in the compressor controls the refrigerant gas flow at the discharge of the compressor impeller wheel (201). This arrangement reduces mass flow, decrease/eliminate flow-reducing stall, and increases the operating efficiency of the compressor at partial load conditions. The variable geometry diffuser control in combination with a variable speed drive (VSD) (120) increases the efficiency of the compressor at partial system loads, and eliminates the need for pre-rotation vanes at the inlet of the centrifugal compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Trent Sommer, John Trevino, JR., Florin Iancu, Rudy Chervil, Eric John Smyder
  • Publication number: 20080098754
    Abstract: An economized refrigeration system includes a main refrigerant circuit having a condenser, an evaporator, an economizer, an expansion device intermediate the condenser and the economizer, and a main compressor fluidly connected by a main refrigerant line. The system also includes an economized refrigerant circuit including an auxiliary compressor system and an auxiliary refrigerant line fluidly connecting the economizer to the auxiliary compressor system and fluidly connecting the main refrigerant line to the auxiliary compressor at a location intermediate the main compressor system and the condenser. The auxiliary compressor system is independently controllable with respect to the main compressor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Trent Sommer, Stephen Harold Smith, John Francis Judge