With Timer, Programmer, Time Delay, Or Condition Responsive Control Patents (Class 165/200)
  • Publication number: 20100218933
    Abstract: A dual fluid heat exchange system is presented that provides a stable output temperature for a heated fluid while minimizing the output temperature of a cooled fluid. The heated and cooled fluids are brought into thermal contact with each other within a tank. The output temperature of the warmed fluid is maintained at a stable temperature by a re-circulation loop that connects directly to the mid portion of the tank such that the re-circulated fluid flow primarily warms only a re-circulation section of the tank. The other, lower flow rate, section of the tank may be positioned so that it has a cooler temperature and thus serves to increase the efficiency of the heat exchange by extracting extra heat energy out of the cooled fluid before it leaves the tank. Alternatively, the low flow rate section of the tank may be warmer than the re-circulated section, and thus allow the re-circulated section to be cooler than the output temperature of the warmed fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Walter T. Deacon, Timothy James Parbs
  • Publication number: 20100206539
    Abstract: An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes a heat exchanger which exchanges heat with air by passing a coolant therethrough; and an anti-freeze apparatus which prevents the freeze of water on the surface of the heat exchanger by supplying energy to the heat exchanger. The air conditioner can prevent the freeze of water on the surface of the heat exchanger during its operation, and thus, there is no need to perform a defrost operation during the operation of the air conditioner. In addition, the air conditioner can continuously and efficiently perform an air conditioning function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: LG Electronic Inc.
    Inventors: Won Seok Kim, Jie Seop Sim
  • Patent number: 7766077
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for heating a fluid without a flame. The modular heater (apparatus) that includes an enclosure, a dynamic heat generator disposed within the enclosure, an electric motor disposed within the enclosure, a first fluid connector attached to the enclosure, a second fluid connector attached to the enclosure and an electrical connector attached to the enclosure. The electric motor drives the dynamic heat generator to heat the fluid to a specified temperature without a flame. The first fluid connector connects the dynamic heat generator to a fluid source. The second fluid connector connects the dynamic heat generator to a fluid storage. The electrical connector connects the electric motor to a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: OmniTherm, Inc.
    Inventors: W. James Masters, Douglas W. Fugate, Edwin E. Wilson, John T. Johnson, III, W. Jason Masters
  • Publication number: 20100181061
    Abstract: An air-conditioner for blowing out conditioned air independently to right and left sides. of a vehicle includes a unit casing, a cooling heat exchanger and a heating heat exchanger provided in the unit casing, a control device, and right and left conditioning units each having a front duct to blow out conditioned air toward a front seat, a rear duct to blow out conditioned air toward a front seat, and a front/rear switching door to switch between a front state where the conditioned air is blown out via the front duct to the front seat and a rear state where the conditioned air is blown out via the rear duct to the rear seat. The control device sets one of the front/rear switching doors to the front state and the other of the front/rear switching doors to the rear state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Yukio Ozeki
  • Publication number: 20100175865
    Abstract: A probe mounted directly to a conduit conveying a process stream of gas to be analyzed, which can condition a continuous sample of the gas before it is analyzed by removing undesirable vapor components of the sample through interaction with a heat exchanger conduit which condenses these components into a liquid such that they precipitate under the force of gravity back into the process stream. The probe uses a Venturi device to motivate the gas through a flow cell chamber where it interacts with light shown through the chamber before ejecting the sample back into the process stream through a sample return conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: AA HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventor: Daniel Murphy
  • Publication number: 20100155047
    Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a system to dissipate heat in an information handling system includes a first heat-generating component adapted to process first data and a second heat-generating component adapted to process second data. The system also includes a cooling fluid guide including an electroactive material. The cooling fluid guide is adapted to change from a first shape to a second shape, in response to receiving a trigger voltage or in response to no longer receiving the trigger voltage. The system also includes a controller adapted to detect a data load processed at the second heat-generating component and, in response to detecting the data load, to cause the trigger voltage to be received at, or no longer received at, the cooling fluid guide. The cooling fluid guide is adapted to direct an increased portion of cooling fluid toward the first heat-generating component when the cooling fluid guide is in a form of the second shape, as compared to the first shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS, LP
    Inventors: Chung-Hsiung Lin, Chien-Ting Lin
  • Publication number: 20100155044
    Abstract: The present invention is installed with the three or at least one of the temperature detecting device, humidity detecting device, and gaseous or liquid state fluid composition detecting device at the position capable of detecting the temperature, humidity, and fluid composition changes of the exchange fluid, wherein the detected signals are used as the references for modulating the pumping flow rate of exchange fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 7742844
    Abstract: An information handling system can include cooling devices that are organized into zones. A method of using an information handling system can include setting a cooling level for each cooling device. Each zone can be associated with thermal data or regions within the information handling system, and a cooling demand can be determined for the thermal data or regions. A zone cooling level for each zone corresponds to a higher cooling demand from each zone's associated thermal regions, and a cooling device cooling level corresponds to a higher zone cooling level from each cooling device's associated zones. The method can be embodied as machine executable code for an information handling system. An information handling system can include cooling devices associated with zones, and can operate to set a cooling level for each cooling device by determining cooling demands in response to information regarding thermal energy generated by an electrical sub-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventor: William K. Coxe, III
  • Patent number: 7720635
    Abstract: A method and device, wherein the following steps are carried out: measurement or determination of waste gas concentration parameters, waste gas temperature, outside temperature, fuel power during a limited observation period; determination of the efficiency of the heating system in the area of observation over a period of time; determination of the average outside temperature in the area of observation; determination of heating performance produced in accordance with an average outside temperature on the basis of fuel power over a period of time and the efficiency of the heating system over a period of time in the area of observation; determination of maximum heating performance which is to be obtained in accordance with a minimum outside temperature from the average heating performance, minimum outside temperature, average inside temperature and average outside temperature in the area of observation; determination of the heat contact value of the heating system from the maximum heating performance and durati
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignees: Testo AG
    Inventors: Martin Donath, Knut Hoyer
  • Publication number: 20100084123
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling apparatus including a heat sink, a blower mechanism, an opening member, and a movement mechanism. The blower mechanism has a blower opening that has a predetermined area and is opposed to the heat sink. The opening member has a first opening that has an area smaller than the area of the blower opening. The movement mechanism moves the opening member so that switching between a first state and a second state is performed. The first state is a state in which the first opening is disposed between the blower opening and the heat sink, and the second state is a state in which the first opening is removed from between the blower opening and the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Shishido, Takashi Mochida, Toru Kimura, Tadaomi Fujieda
  • Patent number: 7693591
    Abstract: A zone control panel may be adapted to accommodate a method of verifying communication and/or connections between the zone control panel and one or more thermostats that are electrically connected to the zone control panel. In some cases, the one or more thermostats may be set to a particular state or condition, and the zone control panel may be adapted to sequentially or simultaneously display the particular state or condition of each of the one or more thermostats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Hoglund, Paul G. Schwendinger
  • Publication number: 20100072837
    Abstract: A vehicle motor system includes a motor that receives cooling fluid flow from two different cooling sources. A control, such as a valve, selectively changes the cooling flow between the two cooling sources in response to an operational state of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Telakowski
  • Patent number: 7664575
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus including a heater or furnace includes a controller for receiving control signals from a thermostat and from a user interface for initiating a contingency mode of operation when a signal from the thermostat is not available. The user interface includes a visual display and multiple keys for entering the contingency mode which includes selecting a capacity of heat output of the apparatus and a duty cycle. The user interface may be disposed in the apparatus cabinet and connected directly to a microprocessor based controller for the apparatus. The contingency mode is automatically aborted if a fault signal is received by the controller, a signal is received from a thermostat or power to the apparatus is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Boydstun, Gordon Jeffrey Hugghins
  • Patent number: 7631618
    Abstract: Generally disclosed and claimed is an non-belt driven motor vehicle cooling fan having an interruptible driving force such as electrical or hydraulic driving force. More specifically disclosed is a vehicle cooling fan having an driving force interrupted when the vehicle enters water that may contact the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Derek Scott Hall, Kevin Lee Pfohl, Jahmy Jomont Hindman
  • Publication number: 20090293478
    Abstract: A condenser that restrains fluctuations in the condenser vacuum in a power generating installation. In particular, the condenser has a circulating path through which cooling water flows; a tube nest for condensing steam from a steam turbine with the cooling water; and a discharge path. Additionally, a bypass tube; a control valve for controlling the flow rate of the cooling water supplied from the circulating path to the discharge path; a recirculating path; and a booster pump that controls the flow rate of the cooling water are provided. One of the temperature, the flow rate and both the temperature and the flow rate of the cooling water to flow through the two tube nests is deviated from the temperature and the flow rate of the cooling water on the upstream side of the circulating path using the control valve and booster pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Fumio TAKAHASHI, Akihito SUZUKI, Yasuyuki KAWASATO, Shuuichi IMAZU
  • Publication number: 20090277601
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided having a first heat exchanger configured to remove heat from at least a portion of a first fluid and a second heat exchanger configured to remove heat from a portion of a second fluid. The second heat exchanger is located downstream of the first heat exchanger relative to the flow of air passing through the first heat exchanger so that a substantial portion of the air passing through the first heat exchanger also passes through the second heat exchanger. The cooling system also has a valve located to regulate the flow of the second fluid through the second heat exchanger. The cooling system further has a controller configured to actuate the valve to restrict the flow of the second fluid through the second heat exchanger when the first heat exchanger is removing heat from the first fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Mustafa Al-Shawaf, Rishabh Sinha
  • Publication number: 20090281668
    Abstract: A method of treating contaminated ground water and controlling the temperature of a building includes pumping water to be remediated from a well to ground level and treating the water with water remediation equipment. The method further includes providing the water to a heat pump to serve as a heat source or a heat sink. The water is then discharged. A geothermal heat pump and water remediation system includes a well used as a source of water, a water remediation system configured to treat the water, and a heat pump configured to heat or cool a building where the heat pump uses the water as at least one of a heat source or a heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Clay G. Nesler, Jeffrey R. Werwie
  • Patent number: 7607471
    Abstract: In a temperature control device, a plurality of screening cylinders each having a different diameter are concentrically arranged within a liquid tank to concentrically form a plurality of layered channels which are communicated to define a circulation passage through which constant-temperature fluid flows. A heat transfer tube through which liquid chemical flows is disposed in any one of the channels such that heat exchange between the liquid chemical and the constant-temperature fluid is performed via the heat transfer tube for controlling temperatures of the liquid chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Saika, Takayuki Harada, Takahiro Ono
  • Publication number: 20090265113
    Abstract: A heat exchange system for an indwelling catheter is tested for proper operation by observing whether a fluid temperature is within a command zone range and if not whether temperature moves toward the range or equalizes with it within predetermined parameters after a pump has stopped, and only if temperature exhibits none of the tested-for conditions indicating an error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: David Searl Kimball
  • Publication number: 20090250202
    Abstract: Device and method for regulating the temperature of a substrate, in particular of a wafer, by means of a device comprising two temperature-regulating circuits that are operated with different temperature-regulating fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventor: Markus Eibl
  • Publication number: 20090236089
    Abstract: A method for controlling a fan in a vehicle includes comparing the current temperature of at least a first device and a second device to multiple temperature ranges for each of said devices and determining on the basis of said comparisons whether fan speed should be changed, increasing fan speed to a maximum fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that the maximum fan speed is desired, increasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that an increase in fan speed less than the maximum fan speed is desired, and decreasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if the comparisons indicate that a decrease in fan speed is desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: GM BLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Major, Lawrence P. Ziehr, William R. Hill, Thomas K. Lockwood, Todd M. Tumas
  • Publication number: 20090195070
    Abstract: In a store, a plurality of electric apparatuses including an air conditioner, a lighting apparatus, a water heater and a refrigeration unit are provided and connected to a single main power supply. An electric energy control system includes an electric energy detection part, an electric energy supervising part, an air conditioner derivation part and an air conditioner control part. The electric energy detection part detects the total electric energy consumption of the plurality of electric apparatuses. The electric energy supervising part outputs a demand signal when the total electric energy consumption detected by the electric energy detection part exceeds a set amount of electric energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Masaaki Takegami, Hiroto Nakajima, Satoru Sakae
  • Publication number: 20090188658
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between gasses such as air and a liquid or gaseous coolant has narrow spacing between exchanger surfaces for high efficiency. To avoid undue obstruction of gas flow due to ice buildup on the exchanger surfaces, the heat exchanger is equipped with sensors to monitor the gas flow and an actuator that widens the spacing between exchanger surfaces such that gas flow remains unimpeded. Embodiments provide for defrosting of the exchanger surfaces when an limit on spacing of exchanger surfaces is reached, and for relaxing the spacing to the original narrow spacing when defrosting is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
    Inventors: Victor Petrenko, Charles R. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7537740
    Abstract: Heating device for the heating and gasification of urea or an urea solution, particularly for internal combustion engines, wherein said heating device is designed for installation in a gas line extending in a direction of flow and wherein said heating device has at least two gas-permeable heating surfaces that are spaced apart from each other in the direction of flow and that define a heating chamber. In order to create an improved heating device for stable urea gasification in an exhaust gas line that guarantees a uniform temperature distribution in the heating room as well as a quick response time, according to the invention an inlet opening is provided that discharges into the heating chamber between the at least two heating surfaces and through which the urea or urea solutions can be fed into the heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: DBK David + Baader GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Gschwind
  • Publication number: 20090050309
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a transfer of heat between circuit board components. Included is a circuit board with components mounted thereon. Also provided is a controllable heat transfer medium for controlling a transfer of heat between the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Zhihai Zack Yu, Jeong H. Kim, Tommy C. Lee
  • Publication number: 20090038787
    Abstract: A cooling system for cooling down a heat source of a projection device is disclosed. The cooling system includes a fan, and a control module. The control module is configured for supplying a first voltage to the fan for a first duration after the projection device is powered off and a second voltage to the fan for a second duration successive to the first duration. The second voltage is greater than the first voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: HOU-CHEN LU, KAI HUANG
  • Publication number: 20090030555
    Abstract: A method and mechanism for performing a prioritized determining of a climate conditioning to be provided to a zone in a multiple zone structure. In one embodiment of the invention, the determining of a climate conditioning to be provided to a zone is to be a prioritized determining, where a climate control condition is determined to satisfy a priority condition of the first zone. In another embodiment, the first priority condition associated with the first zone is based at least in part on an assigning of a first priority to the first zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Josh Thomas Gray
  • Patent number: 7448435
    Abstract: A control system is provided for automatically setting up and controlling a climate control system for a building having one or more zones and one or more thermostats in communication with the associated heating or cooling components of the climate control system. In some embodiments, the climate control system comprises one or more heating or cooling systems which may be controlled by one or more thermostats. In other embodiments, the climate control system comprises a thermostat, a heating and cooling system, one or more remote temperature sensors corresponding to at least some of the one or more zones within the building, and one or more dampers corresponding to at least some of the one or more zones within the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: James P. Garozzo
  • Patent number: 7407473
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for setting energy saver sleep modes for use in a centrifuge systems. The centrifuge system contains an energy saver touch screen control which can be either manually set or automatically set to turn the centrifuge on or off at predetermined times. This allows the centrifuge system to be readily available to a user, resulting in lower wear and tear being placed on the major systems of the centrifuge and waste less energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) LLC
    Inventor: Vincent Saviano
  • Patent number: 7373968
    Abstract: A lid for a well plate, which has pins that penetrate the lid and project downwardly into the wells of the well plate. Thermal energy is applied to the upper end of the pin to regulate the temperature of liquid samples. Ultrasonic energy is applied to the upper end of the pin to sonicate the liquid sample. An electrical charge is applied to the upper end of the pin to attract charged materials, such as DNA, and to selectably segregate charged materials from the liquid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Kevin R. Oldenburg
  • Patent number: 7335296
    Abstract: A system for processing supercritical and subcritical fluid capable of bringing the inside of at least one processing container (1) formed in a flow passage into a supercritical or subcritical high pressure field, wherein thermal operation is applied to process fluid to apply thermal expansion to the fluid to produce a pressure difference between the processing container (1) and the outside, whereby a specified temperature and the high pressure field suitable for the processing of the supercritical or subcritical fluid can be provided in the processing container (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Tohoku Techno Arch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Arai, Hiroshi Inomata, Richard Lee Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7293605
    Abstract: The invention relates with the feed-back control system of a heat exchanger by use of the flow resonance phenomenon which maximizes the heat transfer efficiency by generating the flow disturbances of a heat transfer medium. If a heat transfer medium is periodically stimulated at the characteristic frequency of a heat exchanger, the flow resonance frequency, which is dependent upon the flow conditions of heat transfer medium and the geometries of a heat exchanger, the disturbances of heat transfer medium is increased to the extent that heat transfer is dramatically high. This system is composed of the detecting part for the detection of flow characteristics, the processing part for the determination of flow resonance frequency, and the stimulating part which excites a heat transfer medium at the calculated flow resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Bstech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seungyoup Lee
  • Patent number: 7267898
    Abstract: A fuel cell power plant comprises a water circulation passage (5) which circulates the cooling water in a fuel cell stack (4). Sodium hydroxide which lowers the melting point of water is mixed with water in the water circulation passage (5) to prevent freezing of the water in the water circulation passage (5). Electrodes (11, 12) are disposed in the water. When the fuel cell stack (4) is running, a voltage is applied between the electrodes (11, 12) such that the positive electrode (11) attracts sodium ions, thereby removing sodium ions from the cooling water supplied to the fuel cell stack (4). When the fuel cell stack (4) stops running, sodium ions which were attracted to the positive electrode (11) are made to diffuse into the cooling water by ceasing to apply the voltage to the electrodes (11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7209388
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a row address transition detector. The semiconductor memory device remedies a fault by replacing a column in a memory cell array with a redundancy bit line. The row address transition detector detects a change in a row address signal for selecting the row direction of the memory cell array. Only when a change in the row address signal is detected by the row address transition detector, the redundancy bit line is sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kazushige Kanda
  • Patent number: 7188002
    Abstract: An appliance diagnostic display and interface system providing a centralized user interface for appliance diagnostic information and control of system self-tests is provided. This centralized user interface is provided via an intelligent thermostat that includes an LCD display. The intelligent thermostat interfaces, via wireless or wired communications, with the appliances installed in the home. The intelligent thermostat then generates and displays various user interface screens that allow particular appliances to be selected. Separate appliance specific screens are then generated that allow the user to access the diagnostic information in system test functionality provided by the individual appliance. Soft function keys provided on the intelligent thermostat allow multi-functional access to the features of the invention depending on which screen is currently being displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Maple Chase Company
    Inventors: John Gilman Chapman, Jr., Nicholas Ashworth, Robert Burt, Timothy E. Wallaert
  • Patent number: 7174239
    Abstract: A control is provided for controlling the operation of a climate control system, which includes a processor that is capable of receiving power from a low voltage power supply adapted to be connected to an external alternating current power source, or a second external low voltage power supply. The processor is capable of storing diagnostic information pertaining to the operating status of at least one component of the climate control system. The processor is configured to retrieve stored diagnostic information from memory pertaining to the climate control system and send the diagnostic information to the display means when the processor receives power from the external low voltage power supply and detects the absence of a connection to an external alternating current power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William P. Butler, Steven L. Carey
  • Patent number: 7062362
    Abstract: In a multimedia information and control system for use in an automobile, at least one interface is employed which enables a user to access information concerning the automobile and control vehicle functions in an efficient manner. The user may select one of a plurality of displayed options on a screen of such an interface. Through audio, video and/or text media, the user is provided with information concerning the selected option and the vehicle function corresponding thereto. Having been so informed, the user may activate the selected option to control the corresponding vehicle function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: American Calcar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Obradovich, Michael L. Kent, John G. Dinkel
  • Patent number: 7024283
    Abstract: A method identifies at what outdoor temperature a heating or cooling system will need to operate at full capacity (e.g., 100% duty cycle) to maintain a desired indoor temperature. The tolerable outdoor temperature limit is identified by extrapolating data collected upon sampling the system's performance (e.g., duty cycle) at various loads (e.g., difference between outdoor temperature and the indoor temperature). In a similar manner, the method can also predict a best achievable indoor temperature for a given outdoor temperature. The tolerable outdoor temperature limit and best achievable indoor temperature can be displayed to indicate whether the system needs servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventor: Kirby N. Bicknell
  • Patent number: 6859669
    Abstract: An apparatus controlling activation of a home automation system to prevent electric home appliances from being simultaneously activated. The activation control apparatus has an activation control unit receiving an activation instruction for a first electric home appliance from a user, and activating the first electric home appliance, after at least one other electric home appliance is activated and lapse of a predetermined delay time, thus preventing simultaneous activation of the electric home appliances by sequentially activating the electric home appliances. The activation control unit has a user interface terminal and a gateway processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LTD
    Inventor: Sang-Man An
  • Patent number: 6835307
    Abstract: A thermal treatment system for supplying thermally conditioned or purified water for human or animal consumption, industrial processes, environmental containment, or removal of foreign species. The water purifier includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between outgoing thermally conditioned or purified water and incoming makeup water; a water heater is connected to the heat exchanger so as to receive pre-heated incoming makeup water, where the water heater subsequently heats the incoming preheated makeup water to a set-point temperature in the case of thermally conditioned water and for purified water also holds the water for a period of time sufficient to inactivate selected organisms to a predetermined level. The heat exchanger has one or more treated water outlets for supplying thermally conditioned or purified water at selected temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Sherwood G. Talbert, Darrell D. Paul, Stephen M. Millett, David P. Evers, James E. Dvorsky, Paul E. George, II, Thomas D. Haubert, Jean E. Schelhorn, Klaus H. Wiesmann
  • Publication number: 20040250983
    Abstract: A device for detecting a leakage in a motor vehicle air conditioning system that utilizes carbon dioxide as the cooling material is provided. The device for detecting leakage includes: at least one sensor for rapid detection of especially high rate of increase of the carbon dioxide concentration and/or particularly high carbon dioxide concentration in the air of the passenger compartment; an evaluation device for evaluating the ascertained rate of increase and/or concentration; and at least one actuator which, in the case that the rate of increase and/or concentration exceeds a threshold value, performs a remedial action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Arndt, Gerd Lorenz, Thomas Sperlich
  • Patent number: 6829523
    Abstract: A method of controlling a transport temperature control unit having cooling and heating cycles for cooling and heating a conditioned space within a transport. The method includes programming a first pre-programmed control mode into the unit, configuring the unit such that a second control mode is programmable into the unit by an end user, querying the end user to select the first pre-programmed control mode or to program the second control mode into the unit, and programming the second control mode into the unit by the end user when the second control mode is desired by the end user. A transport temperature control unit for performing the same and including a first pre-programmed control mode being programmable into the unit and a second control mode being programmable into the unit by an end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Jay L. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20040108096
    Abstract: This invention is a geothermal heating and cooling system for providing space conditioning, including heating, cooling and humidity control, by transferring heat, or cooling, from a city water main supply, or other like flooded state water source, thereby allowing for a more economical heating, cooling and climate control of the building. The geothermal system may also provide water heating, either to supplement or replace conventional water heaters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Terrance Ernest Janssen
  • Patent number: 6712132
    Abstract: A piezoelectric wafer clamping system for securing semiconductor wafers during the integrated circuit manufacturing processes. The piezoelectric wafer clamping system includes a plurality of piezoelectric stack assemblies designed for providing a real time adjustable vertical clamping force to a semiconductor wafer, an annular wafer clamp member coupled to each one of the plurality of piezoelectric stack assemblies and positionable to abut a top surface of a semiconductor wafer, a wafer support assembly designed for supporting the semiconductor wafer during processing, and a control assembly to monitor and compare actual cooling gas process parameters with preset process chamber parameters and electronically regulate a vertical clamping force applied by the plurality of the piezoelectric stack assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Revvie A. Green
  • Patent number: 6688383
    Abstract: A method of adjusting an operating temperature of a control device (2) of a motor vehicle automatic transmission. The transmission control has a hydraulic unit (3) and an electronic unit (4) with electronic modules. The control device (3)is situated in a transmission housing which is partially filled with transmission oil and at least partly surrounded by transmission oil. The control device (2) has a cooling device (5) by which at least part of the electronic unit (4) is cooled with the transmission oil. The transmission oil has a temperature &THgr;C which is lower than a prevailing transmission oil temperature &THgr;G. The electronic unit (4) is impinged upon with a defined volume flow of the transmission oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Batavia L.L.C.
    Inventors: Stefan Sommer, Bernd Fessler
  • Publication number: 20030187549
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a plurality of controlled subsystems in a building or plant that facilitates cooperative energy usage with a utility provider. By referring to a single profile of adjustments that correspond to changes in the value of a utility signal and distributing this to each relevant controller for each subsystem, a single setback delta can be applied to each subsystem for each change in utility signal value (i.e., pricing information). Alternatively, multiple profiles can be used to provide for firmer control and thereby allow for different zones to respond differently to a single change signal sent by the utility provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Bohrer, Gregory J. Merten, Robert J. Schnell, Michael B. Atlass
  • Patent number: 6628997
    Abstract: A method for programming a thermostat, comprising the steps of providing a thermostat programmed to convert programming codes into time-temperature schedules; determining a desired time-temperature schedule; developing a programming code corresponding to the desired time-temperature schedule; and entering the programming code into the thermostat, whereby the programming code is translated into the desired time-temperature schedule. The schedule and programming code can advantageously be determined by a user by accessing a server via computer network, on a suitably programmed personal computer, by telephone, or by any other suitable method of allowing the user access to software for determining the schedule and developing the desired code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Fox, Richard A. Kolk
  • Publication number: 20030111218
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus such as a copier and an air conditioner communicate with one another in a network. The air conditioner provides information regarding ambient temperature and/or humidity to the image forming apparatus. Based upon this information, the image forming apparatus selectively activates systems within the apparatus that regulate its internal temperature and humidity levels, to thereby achieve power savings. The image forming apparatus provides information regarding its operation state to the air conditioner. The air conditioner uses this information to adjust its heating or cooling operations to compensate for the heat generated by the image forming apparatus when it is operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Yukinobu Iguchi, Fumio Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20030024683
    Abstract: In a display device comprising a cooling suction fan and an air filter arranged on the suction side of the cooling suction fan, there are provided first means for measuring the value of a current flowing through a power supply line to the cooling suction fan for each predetermined time period, and second means for judging that the air filter is clogged when the measured current value is not more than a predetermined reference value, to inform the user that the air filter is clogged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Hisashi Nagai, Koichi Tsutsumi, Shinji Sato
  • Patent number: 6450254
    Abstract: A plurality of autonomously controlled valves in a fluid distribution system are interconnected by a data communication network. The system also includes fluid flow sensors which report to the system by way of the network. The autonomous controllers include information as to their neighbors or environment sufficient to determine malfunctions such as a leak or break in an associated path, and can take autonomous action. The actions are established by the autonomous controllers regardless of the existence of a connection to the network, so that even if the network connection fails or is damaged, the valve can still respond to its own flow sensor with predetermined actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.
    Inventors: Scott Baxter Hoyle, Michael Anthony McSweeney