Patents by Inventor Timothy S. O'Brien
Timothy S. O'Brien 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).
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Patent number: 11959683Abstract: A modulating refrigeration system includes an evaporation unit and a condensing unit. The evaporation unit generates a first output airflow comprising a lower temperature, a lower relative humidity, or both than a first supply airflow and directs the first output airflow into a building. The condensing unit generates a second output airflow at a higher temperature than a second supply airflow and discharges the second output airflow to an unconditioned space. The evaporation unit comprises a first valve operable to direct a portion of refrigerant to a secondary evaporator and primary evaporator or to direct the entire flow of refrigerant to the primary evaporator and bypassing the secondary evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: THERMA-STOR LLCInventors: Grant M. Lorang, Gustavo Daniel Olivera, Weizhong Yu, David Treleven, Todd R. DeMonte, Robert John Motiff, Timothy S. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20230304692Abstract: An energy recovery ventilation unit includes an energy recovery ventilation core, a dehumidification system comprising an evaporation unit and a condensing unit, a first set of dampers, and a second set of dampers. In a first mode of operation, the first set of dampers is in a first position configured to inhibit the flow of a first airflow from a first panel inlet, and the second set of dampers is in a first position configured to inhibit the flow of a second airflow from a second panel inlet. In a second mode of operation, at least one of the first set of dampers and the second set of dampers is actuated to a second position wherein at least one of the first airflow and the second airflow flows to any one of the energy recovery ventilation core, the evaporation unit, and the condensing unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2022Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: Weizhong Yu, David Treleven, Todd R. DeMonte, Kevin Lawrence Askling, Timothy S. O'Brien, Jenee LaPlace Mobley, Robert John Motiff
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Publication number: 20230258344Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a primary evaporator, a primary condenser, a secondary evaporator, a secondary condenser, a superheat control evaporator, and a modulating valve. The superheat control evaporator is disposed parallel to the secondary evaporator and is configured to receive one of the inlet airflows and output a first airflow to the primary evaporator. The secondary evaporator is configured to receive another one of the inlet airflows and output a second airflow to the primary evaporator. The primary evaporator receives the first and second airflows and outputs a third airflow to the secondary condenser. The secondary condenser receives the third airflow and outputs a fourth airflow to the primary condenser. The primary condenser outputs a dischargeable airflow. The modulating valve directs the flow of refrigerant to the secondary condenser or to the primary evaporator, depending on the mode of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Scott E. Sloan, Weizhong Yu, Steven S. Dingle, Todd R. DeMonte, Grant M. Lorang, Timothy S. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20230258345Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a primary evaporator, a primary condenser, a secondary evaporator, a secondary condenser, a superheat control evaporator, and a modulating valve. The superheat control evaporator is disposed in series with the secondary evaporator and is configured to receive an inlet airflow and output a first airflow to the secondary evaporator. The secondary evaporator receives the first airflow and outputs a second airflow to the primary evaporator. The primary evaporator receives the second airflow and outputs a third airflow to the secondary condenser. The secondary condenser receives the third airflow and outputs a fourth airflow to the primary condenser. The primary condenser outputs a dischargeable airflow. The modulating valve directs the flow of refrigerant to the secondary condenser or to the primary evaporator, depending on the mode of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Scott E. Sloan, Weizhong Yu, Steven S. Dingle, Todd R. DeMonte, Grant M. Lorang, Timothy S. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20230204235Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a compressor, a primary evaporator, a primary condenser, a secondary evaporator, a secondary condenser, a modulating valve, and a liquid-cooled alternate condenser. The secondary evaporator receives an inlet airflow and outputs a first airflow to the primary evaporator. The primary evaporator receives the first airflow and outputs a second airflow to the secondary condenser. The secondary condenser receives the second airflow and outputs a third airflow to the primary condenser. The primary condenser receives the third airflow and outputs a dehumidified airflow. The compressor receives a flow of refrigerant from the primary evaporator and provides the flow of refrigerant to the modulating valve. The modulating valve directs the flow of refrigerant to the primary condenser and to the alternate condenser. The alternate condenser receives a portion of the flow of refrigerant and transfers heat from the refrigerant to a flow of fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Weizhong Yu, Steven S. Dingle, Scott E. Sloan, Todd R. DeMonte, Grant M. Lorang, Timothy S. O'Brien, David Treleven
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Patent number: 11668476Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a compressor, a primary evaporator, a primary condenser, a secondary evaporator, a secondary condenser, a modulating valve, and an alternate condenser. The secondary evaporator receives an inlet airflow and outputs a first airflow to the primary evaporator. The primary evaporator receives the first airflow and outputs a second airflow to the secondary condenser. The secondary condenser receives the second airflow and outputs a third airflow to the primary condenser. The primary condenser receives the third airflow and outputs a dehumidified airflow. The compressor receives a flow of refrigerant from the primary evaporator and provides the flow of refrigerant to the modulating valve. The modulating valve directs the flow of refrigerant to the primary condenser and to the alternate condenser. The alternate condenser receives a portion of the flow of refrigerant for heat rejection, where the primary condenser receives the remaining portion of the flow of refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: THERMA-STOR LLCInventors: Weizhong Yu, Steven S. Dingle, Scott E. Sloan, Todd R. DeMonte, Grant M. Lorang, Timothy S. O'Brien, David Treleven
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Patent number: 11573015Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a compressor, a primary evaporator, a primary condenser, a secondary evaporator, and a secondary condenser. The secondary evaporator receives an inlet airflow and outputs a first airflow to the primary evaporator. The primary evaporator receives the first airflow and outputs a second airflow to the secondary condenser. The secondary condenser receives the second airflow and outputs a third airflow to the primary condenser. The primary condenser receives the third airflow and outputs a dehumidified airflow. The compressor receives a flow of refrigerant from the primary evaporator and provides the flow of refrigerant to the primary condenser.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2021Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: THERMA-STOR LLCInventors: Weizhong Yu, Steven S. Dingle, Scott E. Sloan, Todd R. DeMonte, Grant M. Lorang, Timothy S. O'Brien
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Patent number: 11530823Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a compressor, a primary evaporator, a primary condenser, a secondary evaporator, and a secondary condenser. The secondary evaporator receives an inlet airflow and outputs a first airflow to the primary evaporator. The primary evaporator receives the first airflow and outputs a second airflow to the secondary condenser. The secondary condenser receives the second airflow and outputs a third airflow to the primary condenser. The primary condenser receives the third airflow and outputs a dehumidified airflow. The compressor receives a flow of refrigerant from the primary evaporator and provides the flow of refrigerant to the primary condenser.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: THERMA-STOR LLCInventors: Steven S. Dingle, Scott E. Sloan, Weizhong Yu, Grant M. Lorang, Todd R. DeMonte, Timothy S. O'Brien
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Patent number: 11371725Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a compressor, a primary evaporator, a primary condenser, a secondary evaporator, and a secondary condenser. The secondary evaporator receives an inlet airflow and outputs a first airflow to the primary evaporator. The primary evaporator receives the first airflow and outputs a second airflow to the secondary condenser. The secondary condenser receives the second airflow and outputs a third airflow to the primary condenser. The primary condenser receives the third airflow and outputs a dehumidified airflow. The compressor receives a flow of refrigerant from the primary evaporator and provides the flow of refrigerant to the primary condenser.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: THERMA-STOR LLCInventors: Scott E. Sloan, Weizhong Yu, Grant M. Lorang, Todd R. DeMonte, Timothy S. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20210190337Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a compressor, a primary evaporator, a primary condenser, a secondary evaporator, a secondary condenser, a modulating valve, and an alternate condenser. The secondary evaporator receives an inlet airflow and outputs a first airflow to the primary evaporator. The primary evaporator receives the first airflow and outputs a second airflow to the secondary condenser. The secondary condenser receives the second airflow and outputs a third airflow to the primary condenser. The primary condenser receives the third airflow and outputs a dehumidified airflow. The compressor receives a flow of refrigerant from the primary evaporator and provides the flow of refrigerant to the modulating valve. The modulating valve directs the flow of refrigerant to the primary condenser and to the alternate condenser. The alternate condenser receives a portion of the flow of refrigerant for heat rejection, where the primary condenser receives the remaining portion of the flow of refrigerant.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2021Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Weizhong Yu, Steven S. Dingle, Scott E. Sloan, Todd R. DeMonte, Grant M. Lorang, Timothy S. O'Brien, David Treleven
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Publication number: 20210190336Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a compressor, a primary evaporator, a primary condenser, a secondary evaporator, and a secondary condenser. The secondary evaporator receives an inlet airflow and outputs a first airflow to the primary evaporator. The primary evaporator receives the first airflow and outputs a second airflow to the secondary condenser. The secondary condenser receives the second airflow and outputs a third airflow to the primary condenser. The primary condenser receives the third airflow and outputs a dehumidified airflow. The compressor receives a flow of refrigerant from the primary evaporator and provides the flow of refrigerant to the primary condenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2021Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Weizhong Yu, Steven S. Dingle, Scott E. Sloan, Todd R. DeMonte, Grant M. Lorang, Timothy S. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20210108808Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a compressor, a primary evaporator, a primary condenser, a secondary evaporator, and a secondary condenser. The secondary evaporator receives an inlet airflow and outputs a first airflow to the primary evaporator. The primary evaporator receives the first airflow and outputs a second airflow to the secondary condenser. The secondary condenser receives the second airflow and outputs a third airflow to the primary condenser. The primary condenser receives the third airflow and outputs a dehumidified airflow. The compressor receives a flow of refrigerant from the primary evaporator and provides the flow of refrigerant to the primary condenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Steven S. Dingle, Scott E. Sloan, Weizhong Yu, Grant M. Lorang, Todd R. DeMonte, Timothy S. O'Brien
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Patent number: 10955148Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a compressor, a primary evaporator, a primary condenser, a secondary evaporator, and a secondary condenser. The secondary evaporator receives an inlet airflow and outputs a first airflow to the primary evaporator. The primary evaporator receives the first airflow and outputs a second airflow to the secondary condenser. The secondary condenser receives the second airflow and outputs a third airflow to the primary condenser. The primary condenser receives the third airflow and outputs a dehumidified airflow. The compressor receives a flow of refrigerant from the primary evaporator and provides the flow of refrigerant to the primary condenser.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Therma-Stor, LLCInventors: Steven S. Dingle, Scott E. Sloan, Weizhong Yu, Grant M. Lorang, Todd R. DeMonte, Timothy S. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20210025604Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a compressor, a primary evaporator, a primary condenser, a secondary evaporator, and a secondary condenser. The secondary evaporator receives an inlet airflow and outputs a first airflow to the primary evaporator. The primary evaporator receives the first airflow and outputs a second airflow to the secondary condenser. The secondary condenser receives the second airflow and outputs a third airflow to the primary condenser. The primary condenser receives the third airflow and outputs a dehumidified airflow. The compressor receives a flow of refrigerant from the primary evaporator and provides the flow of refrigerant to the primary condenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Scott E. Sloan, Weizhong Yu, Grant M. Lorang, Todd R. DeMonte, Timothy S. O'Brien
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Patent number: 10845069Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a compressor, a primary evaporator, a primary condenser, a secondary evaporator, and a secondary condenser. The secondary evaporator receives an inlet airflow and outputs a first airflow to the primary evaporator. The primary evaporator receives the first airflow and outputs a second airflow to the secondary condenser. The secondary condenser receives the second airflow and outputs a third airflow to the primary condenser. The primary condenser receives the third airflow and outputs a dehumidified airflow. The compressor receives a flow of refrigerant from the primary evaporator and provides the flow of refrigerant to the primary condenser.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Therma-Stor LLCInventors: Scott E. Sloan, Weizhong Yu, Grant M. Lorang, Todd R. DeMonte, Timothy S. O'Brien
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Patent number: 10750676Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a desiccant, a primary heat exchanger, a secondary heat exchanger, three fans, and a burner. The first fan generates a carbon dioxide airflow through the primary heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger. The burner generates a flame into one end of the primary heat exchanger. The flame increases an amount of carbon dioxide within the carbon dioxide airflow. The second fan generates a reactivation airflow that flows over a portion of the secondary heat exchanger, a portion of the primary heat exchanger, and then through a first portion of the desiccant in order to dry the desiccant. The third fan generates a process airflow that flows through a second portion of the desiccant in order to provide dehumidification to the process airflow.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Therma-Stor, LLCInventors: Timothy S. O'Brien, Richard G. Giallombardo, Clifton Tomasini
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Patent number: 10663182Abstract: An apparatus comprises an air inlet configured to receive an inlet airflow. The inlet airflow comprises a process airflow and a bypass airflow. An evaporator unit receives a flow of refrigerant and is cools the process airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the process airflow to the flow of refrigerant. A condenser unit receives the flow of refrigerant and (1) reheats the process airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the flow of refrigerant to the process airflow, and (2) heats the bypass airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the flow of refrigerant to the bypass airflow. The process airflow is discharged via a process airflow outlet and the bypass airflow is discharged via a bypass airflow outlet.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Therma-Stor LLCInventors: Steven S. Dingle, Marco A. Tejeda, Timothy S. O'Brien, Todd R. DeMonte, Vincent Yu
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Publication number: 20190364746Abstract: A dehumidification system includes a desiccant, a primary heat exchanger, a secondary heat exchanger, three fans, and a burner. The first fan generates a carbon dioxide airflow through the primary heat exchanger and the secondary heat exchanger. The burner generates a flame into one end of the primary heat exchanger. The flame increases an amount of carbon dioxide within the carbon dioxide airflow. The second fan generates a reactivation airflow that flows over a portion of the secondary heat exchanger, a portion of the primary heat exchanger, and then through a first portion of the desiccant in order to dry the desiccant. The third fan generates a process airflow that flows through a second portion of the desiccant in order to provide dehumidification to the process airflow.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Timothy S. O'Brien, Richard G. Giallombardo, Clifton Tomasini
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Patent number: 10473355Abstract: A split-system dehumidifier includes an evaporator unit, a heat exchange unit, and a supply fan located inside a structure, and a remote condenser system located outside the structure. The evaporator unit receives a pre-cooled airflow and a flow of refrigerant, and generates a cooled airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the pre-cooled airflow to the flow of refrigerant. The heat exchange unit receives the cooled airflow generated by the evaporator unit and an incoming airflow from within the structure, and generates the pre-cooled airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the incoming airflow to the cooled airflow. The heat transfer transforms the received cooled airflow into an outgoing airflow having a relative humidity less than a relative humidity of the cooled airflow. The supply fan provides the outgoing airflow to inside the structure. The remote condenser system uses ambient air from outside the structure to cool the flow of refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Therma-Stor LLCInventor: Timothy S. O'Brien
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Patent number: 10352575Abstract: An apparatus comprises an air inlet configured to receive an inlet airflow. The inlet airflow comprises a process airflow and a bypass airflow. An evaporator unit receives a flow of refrigerant and is cools the process airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the process airflow to the flow of refrigerant. A condenser unit receives the flow of refrigerant and (1) reheats the process airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the flow of refrigerant to the process airflow, and (2) heats the bypass airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the flow of refrigerant to the bypass airflow. The process airflow is discharged via a process airflow outlet and the bypass airflow is discharged via a bypass airflow outlet.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Therma-Stor LLCInventors: Steven S. Dingle, Marco A. Tejeda, Timothy S. O'Brien, Todd R. DeMonte, Vincent Yu