Patents by Inventor Todd R. Vandeleest

Todd R. Vandeleest 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).

  • Oil-free liquid chiller
    Patent number: 6564560
    Abstract: A refrigeration chiller employs a centrifugal compressor the impellers of which are mounted on a shaft which is itself mounted for rotation using rolling element bearings lubricated only by the refrigerant which constitutes the working fluid of the chiller system. Apparatus is taught for providing liquid refrigerant to (1.) the bearings immediately upon chiller start-up, during chiller operation and during a coastdown period subsequent to shutdown of the chiller and (2.) the drive motor of the chiller's compressor for motor cooling purposes. By use of a variable speed-driven motor to drive the compressor, optimized part load chiller performance is achieved in a chiller which does not require or employ an oil-based lubrication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Butterworth, Todd R. Vandeleest, David H. Eber
  • Oil-free liquid chiller
    Publication number: 20010037651
    Abstract: A refrigeration chiller employs a centrifugal compressor the impellers of which are mounted on a shaft which is itself mounted for rotation using rolling element bearings lubricated only by the refrigerant which constitutes the working fluid of the chiller system. Apparatus is taught for providing liquid refrigerant to (1.) the bearings immediately upon chiller start-up, during chiller operation and during a coastdown period subsequent to shutdown of the chiller and (2.) the drive motor of the chiller's compressor for motor cooling purposes. By use of a variable speed-driven motor to drive the compressor, optimized part load chiller performance is achieved in a chiller which does not require or employ an oil-based lubrication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Arthur L. Butterworth, Todd R. Vandeleest, David H. Eber
  • Oil-free liquid chiller
    Patent number: 6279340
    Abstract: A refrigeration chiller employs a centrifugal compressor the impellers of which are mounted on a shaft which is itself mounted for rotation using rolling element bearings lubricated only by the refrigerant which constitutes the working fluid of the chiller system. Apparatus is taught for providing liquid refrigerant to (1.) the bearings immediately upon chiller start-up, during chiller operation and during a coastdown period subsequent to shutdown of the chiller and (2.) the drive motor of the chiller's compressor for motor cooling purposes. By use of a variable speed-driven motor to drive the compressor, optimized part load chiller performance is achieved in a chiller which does not require or employ an oil-based lubrication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Butterworth, Todd R. Vandeleest, David H. Eber, James C. Tischer
  • Oil-free liquid chiller
    Patent number: 6176092
    Abstract: A refrigeration chiller employs a centrifugal compressor the impellers of which are mounted on a shaft which is itself mounted for rotation using rolling element bearings lubricated only by the refrigerant which constitutes the working fluid of the chiller system. Apparatus is taught for providing liquid refrigerant to (1.) the bearings immediately upon chiller start-up, during chiller operation and during a coastdown period subsequent to shutdown of the chiller and (2.) the drive motor of the chiller's compressor for motor cooling purposes. By use of a variable speed-driven motor to drive the compressor, optimized part load chiller performance is achieved in a chiller which does not require or employ an oil-based lubrication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Butterworth, Todd R. Vandeleest, David H. Eber, James C. Tischer