With Timer, Programmer, Time Delay, Or Condition Responsive Control Patents (Class 165/200)
  • Publication number: 20120048529
    Abstract: A system for cooling a heat generating device comprises a heat sink and a plurality of ion emitter elements that form an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) air flow device. The heat sink has a base disposed in thermal communication with a heat generating device, such as a processor. A plurality of heat sink fins is coupled to electrical ground to form ion collectors. Ion emitter elements are disposed in a non-planar pattern along first ends of the plurality of fins so that each ion emitter element is equidistant from the first end of a nearest fin. A power supply applies an electrical potential between the plurality of ion emitter elements and the plurality of fins to induce a flow of ions that cause airflow across the heat sink. It is preferable to have at least three ion emitter elements that are equidistant from each fin of the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael S. June, Chunjian Ni, Dana S. Royer, Mark E. Steinke
  • Publication number: 20120026686
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus system includes: an information processing apparatus or apparatuses configured to measure the flow rate of coolant flowing from a coolant inflow surface of its enclosure to a coolant outflow surface of the enclosure; and a cooling apparatus configured to form a circulating path of the coolant from the coolant outflow surface to the coolant inflow surface, the cooling apparatus configured to control the discharged amount of the coolant based on the measured flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Masahiro Suzuki, Tadashi Katsui, Junichi Ishimine, Yuji Ohba, Sayoko Tominaga, Ikuro Nagamatsu
  • Publication number: 20120024516
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to increase the cooling rate of gas used in a batch annealing furnace of cold rolling mills under bypass cooling. The invention makes use of the higher heat transfer capacities of nanocoolants developed by a high-shear mixing of nanoparticles and stabilizers in a basic aqueous medium for cooling heated hydrogen flowing through a heat exchanger during bypass cooling of the batch annealing furnace. The nanofluid is prepared in a nanofluid preparation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: TATA STEEL LIMITED
    Inventors: Jayabrata Bhadurt, Deb Roy, Subhrakanti Chakraborty, Shantanu Chakraborty, Sumitesh Das, Debashish Bhattacharjee
  • Publication number: 20120024515
    Abstract: A container data center includes a plurality of server systems installed in a container. Each server system includes a power distribution units (PDU) used to manage power and a heat dissipating system to dissipate heat. The heat dissipating system includes a fan and a fan controller connected to the PDU. The PDU detects output power of the corresponding server system and transforms the output power to a corresponding fan rotation speed control signal transmitted to the fan controller, the fan controller controls rotation speed of the fan according to the fan rotation speed control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHAO-KE WEI
  • Publication number: 20120026470
    Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling a cooling device that includes pump (1) having pump characteristics defined by a relationship between the number of revolutions and a pressure value, and cooling fan (5), and the cooling device cools an object to be cooled by a cool wind generated by injecting air compressed by pump (1) and a cooling wind of cooling fan (5). The method includes: preparing beforehand a first parameter to associate an altitude with a change rate d of a gradient of the pump characteristics at one altitude with respect to a gradient of the pump characteristics at another altitude; and controlling the numbers of revolutions of pump (1) and cooling fan (5) based on an altitude calculated from the first parameter and the change rate d.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Takeshi Katou
  • Patent number: 8108075
    Abstract: A system and method is presented for providing failsafe control in a control system used for receiving and controlling various object or medium properties in a heating, ventilating or air conditioning system. The control system comprises an HVAC controller, configured to receive failsafe data indicative of a safety related property of an object or medium, and to generate a state indicative of a connection status of a failsafe detector with respect to the HVAC controller. The control system further comprises a non-volatile memory, operably coupled to the HVAC controller and configured to store a connection indication indicative of a connection status of the failsafe detector with respect to the HVAC controller, wherein the HVAC controller is configured to generate a control signal based on satisfaction of a predetermined relationship between the generated state and the stored connection indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: R.W. Beckett Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Bohan, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120018139
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for server rack is disclosed, which is disposed above at least one server rack. The cooling apparatus for server rack includes a fan module disposed at a back end above the least one server rack, a heat exchanger module disposed at a front end above the least one server rack, and an air guide connecting the fan module and the heat exchanger module. A hot air exhausted from the back end of the least one server rack is extracted by the fan module and is sent to the heat exchanger module through the air guide, and the hot air is cooled by the heat exchanger module, and a cool air is exhausted from the front end of the least one server rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Chao-Jung Chen, Kai-Hung Lin, Chih-Ming Chen, Wen-Liang Huang
  • Publication number: 20120012296
    Abstract: A device for cooling a rail weld zone according to the invention includes a first cooler cooling a head portion of the rail weld zone, a second cooler cooling a rail web portion of the rail weld zone, and a control section controlling the first and second coolers. The first cooler includes a first temperature detecting section that detects the temperature of the head portion, and a first ejection section that ejects a first cooling fluid to the head portion. The second cooler includes a second temperature detecting section that detects the temperature of the rail web portion, and a second ejection section that ejects a second cooling fluid to the rail web portion. The control section individually changes the kinds, the flow rates, and the flow velocities of the first and second cooling fluids while cooling the head portion and the rail web portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Seiji Sugiyama, Mitsugu Kajiwara, Kenichi Karimine
  • Publication number: 20120015212
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of cooling a rail weld zone. The method includes a first rail web portion cooling process of cooling a rail web portion cooling region of the rail weld zone in a part of a temperature range until the completion of transformation from austenite to pearlite, a second rail web portion cooling process of cooling the rail web portion cooling region after the entire rail web portion of the rail weld zone is transformed to pearlite, a foot portion cooling process of cooling a foot portion of the rail weld zone, and a head portion cooling process of cooling a head portion of the rail weld zone. When cooling time of the first and second rail web portion cooling processes is t minute, a k value satisfies an expression represented as ?0.1t+0.63?k??0.1t+2.33.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Karimine, Masaharu Ueda, Katsuya Iwano, Seiji Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20120012275
    Abstract: A system for cooling an electronics enclosure comprises a plurality of fan modules. Each fan module comprises, a motor for driving a fan at a variable rotational speed, a microcontroller for controlling the rotational speed of the motor, an interface for electronically communicating between the microcontroller and an infrastructure controller external to the fan module, the infrastructure controller providing a target speed to the microcontroller, a memory for storing data including speed avoidance zones, wherein when the target speed falls within one of the speed avoidance zones, the microcontroller controls the motor speed to be slightly outside the speed avoidance zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: John P. FRANZ, Wade D. Vinson, Thomas D. Rhodes, David F. Heinrich, Stephen A. Kay
  • Publication number: 20120000639
    Abstract: A thermal flux steering device and method for steering thermal flux into a concentrated area is provided. The thermal flux steering device includes a matrix impregnated with a plurality of thermally conductive inclusions. The thermally conductive inclusions are angled so as to steer thermal flux into a concentrated area such as a thermal energy sink in communication with the matrix. The thermally conductive inclusions may be filler fibers or thermally conductive particles impregnated within the matrix. Orientation of the thermally conductive inclusions may be determined by detecting the thermal flux of the thermal energy source, the thermodynamic properties of the matrix and the thermally conductive inclusions, and the location of the flux concentration area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ercan Mehmet Dede
  • Patent number: 8088520
    Abstract: The power supply apparatus includes a power supply unit, a piezoelectric element for transferring heat of the power supply unit to a floor panel, and an element power supply control circuit for controlling application of a voltage to the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is placed between the power supply unit and the floor panel and is switched between a contact state in which the piezoelectric element is in contact with the power supply unit and the floor panel and a non-contact state in which the piezoelectric element is not in contact with the power supply unit and/or the floor panel in accordance with the application of a voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Izumi Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20110296611
    Abstract: A climate controlled seat, bed or other assembly configured to receive a person includes a blower and two or more thermoelectric devices or other conditioning fluid modules. According to one embodiment of an operational scheme, a control system for the seat or bed is configured to continuously discharge air from the blower through the thermoelectric devices. In one arrangement, the thermoelectric devices are sequenced between an activated and a deactivated position. Consequently, the desired cooling and/or cooling effect can be maintained while reducing energy consumption of the climate control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: AMERIGON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David Marquette, Dusko Petrovski, Brian D. Comiskey
  • Publication number: 20110284200
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of transmission fluid in a motor vehicle includes operating in an automatic transmission fluid cooling mode, a heater priority mode entered by disabling automatic transmission fluid heating, and an automatic transmission fluid heating mode which includes sending hot engine coolant to a heat exchanger for heating the automatic transmission fluid by transferring heat from the hot engine coolant to the automatic transmission fluid. The method switches to from a heater priority mode to a transmission heating mode base on a number of sensed conditions including sensed automatic fluid transmission temperature. The method also includes an automatic transmission fluid temperature regulating mode including measuring an automatic transmission fluid temperature and switching between the cooling mode and the heating mode based measured temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Thomas Gooden, Jianping Zhang, Steven Keith Plumb, David Spuller
  • Publication number: 20110277981
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a system includes a gas treatment system configured to treat a gas and a controller configured to control flow of a heat transfer fluid between a solar thermal collector and the gas treatment system. Conduits may interconnect the gas treatment system and the solar thermal collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mahendhra Muthuramalingam, Veerappan Muthaiah
  • Patent number: 8054018
    Abstract: A method of constant airflow control for a ventilation system is disclosed. The method includes various controls to accomplish a substantially constant airflow rate over a significant change of the static pressure in a ventilation duct. One control is a constant I·RPM control, which is primarily used in a low static pressure range. Another control is a constant RPM control, which is primarily used in a high static pressure range. These controls requires neither a static pressure sensor nor an airflow rate sensor to accomplish substantially constant airflow rate while static pressure changes. This is because these controls use only intrinsic control variables which are electric current and rotational speed of the motor. Also, the method improves the accuracy of the control by correcting certain deviations that are caused by the motor's current-RPM characteristics. To compensate the deviation, the method adopts a test operation in a minimum static pressure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: SNTech Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Chun Jeung
  • Publication number: 20110265983
    Abstract: Cooling apparatus providing two independent heat exchangers (18, 20) serially arranged with respect to a heat flow (42), each heat exchanger being connected to a respective independent chiller (32, 34). The apparatus incorporates an element of redundancy in order to effect an increase in operational efficiency, by being switchable between a first operation mode in which both chillers operate in a free cooling mode and a second operation mode in which a first chiller operates in a free cooling mode and a second chiller operates in a forced cooling mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: LEANECO APS
    Inventor: Daniel René Hagen Pedersen
  • Publication number: 20110265981
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for recycling thermal energy generated from a fuel cell module. The system includes the fuel cell module, a thermal module, a heat-recycle module, and a control module. The thermal module includes a heat transfer apparatus. In addition, the thermal module connects with the fuel cell module, and the heat-recycle module connects with the heat transfer apparatus. The control module detects a starting signal of the fuel cell module and controls the thermal module and the heat-recycle module. Thereby, the thermal energy generated from the fuel cell module is transferred to the heat-recycle module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Chung-Hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Zong-Ji Chen, Ting-Kuan Li, Yu-Jen Chen, Zhan-Yi Lin, Chi-Bin Wu
  • Publication number: 20110265984
    Abstract: A control system for a surface water heating system for irrigation is described. The control system comprises a controller, memory operatively coupled to the controller, a first threshold value stored in memory, a sensor operatively coupled to the controller, a geothermal heated water source, a heat exchanger, and a valve configured to regulate a flow of water between the geothermal hated water source and the heat exchanger. The controller performs a periodic comparison between the sensor input and the first threshold value. If the sensor input value falls below the first threshold value, the controller generates an instruction to open the valve. Some embodiments also comprise a second threshold value. If, after the valve has been opened, the sensor input rises above the second threshold value, the controller generates an instruction to close the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Robert A. Luciano, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110265982
    Abstract: Operating a computer system includes determining, for each of a plurality of electronic units in a computer system, at least one upcoming process being assigned to a specific electronic unit. An anticipated workload for the specific electronic unit is identified based upon the at least one upcoming process. At least one control signal is generated based upon a plurality of anticipated workloads for the plurality of electronic units. A flow of cooling fluid to each of a plurality of cooling units in the computer system is controlled based upon the at least one control signal. Each of the plurality of cooling units are respectively associated with an electronic unit of the plurality of electronic units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bernhard Jansen, Gerhard I. Meijer
  • Patent number: 8046126
    Abstract: The start control is repeatedly performed for an oil pump that pressure feeds the flow of oil in a motor cooling system. This control is repeated for every specified rise in motor temperature (e.g., every 10° C.) from an initial starting temperature. This arrangement increases the potential for a successful start-up of the oil pump even when the oil has a high viscosity due to a relatively low outside air temperature. In the event of a failed start-up of the oil pump by repeated starting, the start control determines an abnormality exists in the oil pump or its power supply if an outside air temperature is greater than a reference temperature. This arrangement effectively eliminates incorrect detection of an abnormality in the oil pump or its power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Yanagida, Tetsuhiro Tsuchie
  • Publication number: 20110252763
    Abstract: A heat transfer system is provided for a filter house. The filter house is configured to channel air into a turbine engine. The heat transfer system includes at least one of an expansion device and a compressor, a circuit coupled to at least one of the expansion device and the compressor, at least one sensor that detects a parameter of at least one of air channeled through a filter house and the fluid channeled through the circuit, and a controller coupled to the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to selectively control flow of fluid through the circuit to change the parameter of air channeled through the filter house based on the parameter detected by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Richard M. A. Mann
  • Patent number: 8036779
    Abstract: In an air-conditioning system controller provided with a central control unit and a local control unit, the central control unit includes a heat source machine measurement system for measuring an input/output state of a heat source machine, a setting unit for setting air-conditioning condition data on air-conditioning object spaces, an outdoor air measurement system for measuring outdoor air condition data, a total air-conditioning load operating unit, an optimal operating state estimation unit, and a heat source machine control. The total air-conditioning load operating unit calculates a total air-conditioning load or a heat exchange rate of the heat source machine based on chilled water inlet and outlet temperatures and chilled water flow rate of the heat source machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Ito, Yasuo Takagi, Kenzo Yonezawa, Yoshiki Murakami, Nobutaka Nishimura, Nobuyuki Donen
  • Publication number: 20110239634
    Abstract: An exhaust system for an engine comprises an exhaust heat recovery apparatus configured to receive exhaust gas from the engine and comprises a first flow passage in fluid communication with the exhaust gas and a second flow passage in fluid communication with the exhaust gas. A heat exchanger/energy recovery unit is disposed in the second flow passage and has a working fluid circulating therethrough for exchange of heat from the exhaust gas to the working fluid. A control valve is disposed downstream of the first and the second flow passages in a low temperature region of the exhaust heat recovery apparatus to direct exhaust gas through the first flow passage or the second flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael G. Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20110232889
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a cooling system and method for cooling a computer rack by circulating liquid coolant through different sections of a rack heat exchanger under separately controlled flow and temperature conditions. In a method according to one embodiment, a first liquid coolant is supplied to a first section of an air-to-liquid heat exchanger. A second liquid coolant is supplied to a second section of the air-to-liquid heat exchanger at a different temperature than the first liquid coolant. Airflow is generated through rack-mounted computer components to the first and second sections of the air-to-liquid heat exchanger. The flow rates of the first and second liquid coolants are independently controlled to enforce a target cooling parameter. The independent operation of the first and second fin tube sections allows for the increased use of un-chilled water without sacrificing heat removal objectives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric A. Eckberg, Vinod Kamath, Howard V. Mahaney, JR., William M. Megarity, Mark E. Steinke
  • Publication number: 20110226460
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device having the ability to communicate heat dissipation information and/or capabilities such as a Thermal Design Power rating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Sigmund Sommer
  • Publication number: 20110226461
    Abstract: A vehicular seat air-conditioning system comprising a blower (11) which generates blown air, an intake duct (12) which is connected to an intake side of the blower (11), a seat air-conditioning duct (13) which is connected to the in-door air-conditioning unit (21) and in which cool air which was cooled by the in-door air-conditioning unit (21) flows, and a box-shaped part (14) which is formed by a separate member from chassis members forming the cabin space and which is connected to a downstream side end of the seat air-conditioning duct (13). The box-shaped part (14) have side walls (14b) which extend in a vertical direction and a bottom (14c) which closes a space surrounded by the side walls (14b) from the lower side, the top ends of the side walls (14b) form an opening part (14a) which opens facing the upper side in the vertical direction, and an upstream side end of the intake duct (12) is inserted into the inside of the box-shaped part (14) through the opening part (14a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahisa Fujii, Yasuhiko Niimi, Yuji Ito, Takeshi Nishiura
  • Patent number: 8022647
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling automated activation of a temperature control shaft of a gas valve includes an electric motor having a motor shaft and integral coupler, wired to a relay control circuit and controlled by a standard electric timer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey Pat Davis, Larry Glenn Davis
  • Publication number: 20110220342
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selectively reducing the flow of a coolant are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for reducing the flow of a coolant may include a processing system comprising a process chamber; an abatement system coupled to the process chamber; a coolant source coupled to the process chamber and the abatement system for providing a coolant to the process chamber and the abatement system; and a controller configured to determine the readiness of the process chamber and the abatement system for operation in an idle mode and selectively reducing the flow of the coolant from the coolant source to one or both of the process chamber or the abatement system based on the readiness determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventor: Barry Page
  • Publication number: 20110220341
    Abstract: Methods for designing and constructing geothermal ground loop subsystems, and also improved methods and apparatus for in situ measuring the capacity of a ground heat exchanger installation to transfer heat energy with its surrounding deep Earth environment, during cooling and heating modes of operation of the ground source heat pumps and other geothermal systems to which such ground heat exchangers are operably connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: John E. Kidwell
  • Publication number: 20110203785
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling environmental maintenance modules (e.g. HVAC units) using sensors are provided. Values measured by the sensors can be used to determine a change in operation levels of the modules to keep the sensor values within a desired range. For example, a stopped module can be increased or started for more cooling when a sensor temperature is too hot. The module predicted to have the greatest effect on the temperature of hot sensor can be started. A transfer matrix, which provides a relation between a change in operation level and resulting sensor changes, can be used to perform the above predictions. As another example, a module can be stopped (or otherwise have an operation level decreased), if the sensor temperatures are within range, and the decrease in operation level is predicted not to cause an out-of-range condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: Federspiel Corporation
    Inventors: Clifford C. Federspiel, Kurt Federspiel, Jerry Chin
  • Patent number: 7996182
    Abstract: A water heater is provided with monitor/diagnostic display apparatus that selectively provides a user with visual or other type of indicia of the overall efficiency of the water heater. The apparatus includes a monitoring unit that may be mounted on the water heater, and a display unit that may be mounted either on the water heater or remotely therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Hotton, Walter T. Castleberry
  • Publication number: 20110168377
    Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for, cooling a hydrocarbon stream, a hydrocarbon stream (45) to be cooled is heat exchanged in a first heat exchanger (50) against at least one refrigerant stream (145b, 185b) having a first refrigerant stream flow rate (FR1), to provide a cooled hydrocarbon stream (55) having a cooled hydrocarbon stream flow rate (FR2) and at least one return refrigerant stream (105). The first refrigerant stream flow rate (FR1) and the cooled hydrocarbon stream flow rate (FR2) are adjusted as follows, until an inputted first set point (SP1) for the first refrigerant stream flow rate (FR1) is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Paul Theo Alers, Frederik Jan Van Dijk
  • Patent number: 7974740
    Abstract: An integrated management system for controlling multi-type air conditioners can use a remote integrated management system to securely and automatically back up setting information for a local controller provided in at least one air conditioner system, which is disposed in a room or office and is being operated, thereby allowing an improvement of stability of the integrated management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jun-Tae Kim, Sang-Chul Youn, Duck-Gu Jeon
  • Publication number: 20110155366
    Abstract: A grey water to clean water heat exchanger and methods of use. A heat exchanger having a copper coil carrying clean water inside a grey water discharge pipe is described. The heat exchanger can use counterflow geometry. The heat exchanger has a controller that directs grey water through a bypass pipe whenever the grey water has too low a temperature to provide useful thermal energy. When the grey water is hot enough, the controller directs it through the heat exchanger to heat the clean water. A filter is provided to eliminate fouling of the interior of the heat exchanger. The controller provides an indication when the filter needs to be cleaned or replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: Joshua Brunn
  • Publication number: 20110146941
    Abstract: An energy recovery heat exchanger (100) includes a housing (102). The housing has a first flowpath (144) from a first inlet (104) to a first outlet (106). The housing has a second flowpath (146) from a second inlet (108) to a second outlet (110). Either of two cores may be in an operative position in the housing. Each core has a number of first passageways having open first and second ends and closed first and second sides. Each core has a number of second such passageways interspersed with the first passageways. The ends of the second passageways are aligned with the sides of the first passageways and vice versa. A number of heat transfer member sections separate adjacent ones of the first and second passageways. An actuator is coupled to the carrier to shift the cores between first in and second conditions. In the first condition, the first core (20) is in the operative position and the second core (220) is not. In the second condition, the second core is in the operative position and the first core is not.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Benoit, Gregory M. Dobbs, Norberto O. Lemcoff
  • Publication number: 20110146964
    Abstract: An air conditioning system of a portable data center includes a shipping container, plural data-processing devices and plural airflow-driving devices. The shipping container includes a partition plate and a bottom plate. The partition plate has plural hollow portions. The data-processing devices are disposed on the partition plate. The airflow-driving devices are disposed under the partition plate and aligned with respective hollow portions for driving and guiding airflow to cool the data processing devices. Each of the airflow-driving devices includes at least one fan and an airflow-blocking structure. The airflow-blocking structure is arranged in an airflow path of a corresponding airflow-driving device. If one of the airflow-driving devices is disabled, the airflow-blocking structure of the disabled airflow-driving device is automatically closed to hinder the airflow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ming-Feng Kang, Yung-Hung Tsou
  • Patent number: 7964137
    Abstract: A control system of a surgery autoclave is described, which is capable of establishing a sterilization cycle which includes at least a first evacuation step of a sterilization chamber and of heating of a load and a final drying step. The autoclave includes a device capable of detecting a parameter proportional to the energy used up in a step of the cycle preceding the drying step and the control system establishes at least a reduction of the drying step upon determining that, the parameter of used up energy lies below a preset threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: W & H Sterilization S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fabio Ghezzi, Daniele Ongaro, Marco Parolini, Christian Stempf, Walter Crotti
  • Patent number: 7959814
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for producing hot water without a flame. The system and method heats water to at least a specified temperature without a flame by providing a source of water and a prime mover, pumping water from the source of water into one or more heat exchangers, pre-heating the water using the one or more heat exchangers, heating the pre-heated water to at least the specified temperature without a flame using a dynamic heat generator driven by the prime mover, using the heated water in the one or more heat exchangers to pre-heat the water and providing the heated water to an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: OmniTherm, Inc.
    Inventors: W. James Masters, Douglas W. Fugate, Edwin W. Wilson, John T. Johnson, III, W. Jason Masters
  • Publication number: 20110127024
    Abstract: A system for cooling an electronic device having a heat-generating component includes a passive cooling device having a cooling ability designed to expire after a predetermined amount of heat is absorbed from the heat-generating component and an active cooling device configured to at least one of dissipate heat generated by the heat-generating component and cool the passive cooling device, when the active cooling device is activated. The system also includes a controller configured to activate the active cooling device after a determination that a predetermined threshold condition has occurred, wherein the predetermined threshold condition is selected to occur after the passive cooling device cooling ability has substantially expired, to thereby substantially minimize power consumption of the active cooling device in cooling the heat-generating component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Chandrakant Patel, Cullen E. Bash, Ratnesh K. Sharma
  • Publication number: 20110106358
    Abstract: A cooling system of an electric vehicle includes a cooling medium circulation path that circulates a cooling medium to an electrically powered drive unit of a vehicle, a heat exchange unit between the cooling medium and external air, a cooling medium circulation unit, a blower unit that blows air against the heat exchange unit, and a control unit that controls the cooling medium circulation unit and the blower unit, thus controlling cooling of the electrically powered drive unit. The control unit controls the cooling medium circulation unit and the blower unit in a first cooling mode, when a drive force for the vehicle is in a first operational region, and controls in a second cooling mode that provides a higher cooling capability than the first cooling mode, when the drive force for the vehicle is in a second operational region that is higher than the first operational region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Itsuro SAWADA, Tadashi Osaka, Atsushi Yokoyama, Shingo Nasu, Yuto Imanishi, Sachio Sekiya
  • Patent number: 7934539
    Abstract: A thermal conductive member is mounted on a heat generating object. An air cooling member is attached to the thermal conductive member for radiating heat into air. A liquid cooling member is removably attached to the thermal conductive member for absorbing heat from the thermal conductive member. The circulation pump operates to allow the flow of the coolant into the flow passage of the liquid cooling member. In this case, the thermal energy of the heat generating object is transferred to the air cooling member through the thermal conductive member. The heat radiating member serves to radiate the thermal energy into the air from a larger surface area. The heat generating object can in this manner be cooled down even without the liquid cooling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Jie Wei
  • Patent number: 7923664
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cooking process in a cooking appliance includes determining, from a gas concentration detected during the cooking process, a set of function values corresponding to a shape of a function that depends on the gas concentration from a starting time t0 to a current time tn during a cooking process. Respective sets of comparison values for a comparison at the time tn are determined from the sets of reference values. A plurality of the sets of comparison values coming closest to the set of function values is automatically selected, and a set of parameters including at least an ending time of the cooking process is generated. The selected set of parameters is used for an electrical controller of the cooking appliance until a next comparison is made at a time tn+1. The method is automatically stopped as soon as the ending time of the cooking process has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Kruempelmann, Ulrich Sillmen
  • Publication number: 20110017442
    Abstract: An exemplary method may comprise thermally coupling a network of cooling lines to each of a plurality of heat exchangers in a cooling system. The method may also comprise providing a first connection from a network of cooling lines to a first fluid source and a second connection from the network of cooling lines to a second fluid source for configuring the network of cooling lines in different states. The method may also comprise delivering cooling fluid through the network of cooling lines to each of the plurality of heat exchangers both when the network of cooling lines is connected only to the first fluid source and when the network of cooling lines is connected to both the first and second fluid sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Christian L. Belady, Vance Murakami, Robert Allen Pareira
  • Patent number: 7866380
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for producing hot water without a flame. The system and method heats water to at least a specified temperature without a flame by providing a source of water and a prime mover, pumping water from the source of water into one or more heat exchangers, pre-heating the water using the one or more heat exchangers, heating the pre-heated water to at least the specified temperature without a flame using a dynamic heat generator driven by the prime mover, using the heated water in the one or more heat exchangers to pre-heat the water and providing the heated water to an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: OmniTherm, Inc.
    Inventors: W. James Masters, Douglas W. Fugate, Edwin E. Wilson, John T. Johnson, III, W. Jason Masters
  • Patent number: 7848900
    Abstract: The invention comprises a system for calculating a value for the effective thermal mass of a building. The climate control system obtains temperature measurements from at least a first location conditioned by the climate system. One or more processors receive measurements of outside temperatures from at least one source other than the control system and compare the temperature measurements from the first location with expected temperature measurements. The expected temperature measurements are based at least in part upon past temperature measurements obtained by said HVAC control system and said outside temperature measurements. The processors then calculate one or more rates of change in temperature at said first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: EcoFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: John Douglas Steinberg, Scott Douglas Hublou
  • Patent number: 7818095
    Abstract: A water heater is provided with monitor/diagnostic display apparatus that selectively provides a user with visual or other type of indicia of the remaining hot water availability of, the recovery time for, and the overall efficiency of the water heater. The apparatus includes a monitoring unit that may be mounted on the water heater, and a display unit that may be mounted either on the water heater or remotely therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Hotton, Troy E. Trant, Jozef Boros, William T. Harrigill, Walter T. Castleberry
  • Patent number: 7809471
    Abstract: An environmental apparatus control system assures a consistent temperature control for realizing a comfortable residential environment based upon demands from the residents, yet in an energy-saving manner. The system includes an apparatus for controlling a residential space, and an initializer which provides an initial target value for control of the residential space at the start of operating the system. Comfortableness demands from residents are analyzed in order modify the initial target value to a working target value. The initial target value is shifted in a direction of saving the energy such that the working target value can always approach from and settle on the energy-saving side as the demands from the residents are analyzed. The working target values within a past time period are weighted to give a corrected target value which replaces the initial target value for the start of next operation cycle of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignees: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd., National University Corporation Nagoya University
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Murakami, Masaaki Terano, Fumiaki Oobayashi, Toshiyuki Miyake, Satoru Kuno, Masayuki Harada
  • Patent number: 7809472
    Abstract: An environmental control system is disclosed for controlling the environment within a plurality of zones within a building with a plurality of heating, ventilating and air conditioning units. The environmental control system comprises a plurality of controllers for controlling the plurality of heating, ventilating and air conditioning units, respectively. Each of the plurality of controllers includes a temperature sensor connected to a thermostat control for controlling a heating, ventilating and air conditioning unit in accordance with an output from the temperature sensor. A link interconnects the plurality of controllers into a network. Each of the plurality of controllers may alter the operation of the thermostat control in accordance with the operation of the remaining plurality of controllers interconnected into the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Custom Manufacturing & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Silva, Michael E. Nester
  • Publication number: 20100236769
    Abstract: A climate control system is configured to provide at least one of heating and cooling of air in an occupied space of a vehicle. The system includes a thermal energy storage device configured to receive heat from a waste heat source in the vehicle and a heat exchanger coupled between the thermal energy storage device and the occupied space of the vehicle by a coolant loop. The second heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from at least one of the thermal energy storage device to the occupied space of the vehicle and the occupied space in the vehicle to the thermal energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Dave Lyons, Paul Knauer, Justin Dobbs, Ethan Petersen