Refrigeration Producer Patents (Class 261/140.1)
  • Patent number: 11352274
    Abstract: A gas dissolution supply apparatus dissolves a gas supplied from a gas supply unit in a liquid supplied from a liquid supply unit to produce a gas dissolution in a gas dissolving unit, stores the gas dissolution produced in the gas dissolving unit in a gas dissolution tank, supplies the gas dissolution from the gas dissolution tank to a point of use, measures the flow rate of a part of the gas dissolution supplied to the point of use that is returned to the gas dissolving unit, and adjusts the flow rate of the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit to the gas dissolving unit based on the result of the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suguru Ozawa, Yuji Araki, Toshifumi Watanabe, Yoichi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 10472252
    Abstract: Various examples are provided for smart water filter systems. In one example, a smart water filter system includes a solenoid valve (or other electrically operated valve) in a water supply line of a faucet, and a filter bank coupled to the water supply line. Activation of the valve can stop the flow of unfiltered water through the faucet while allowing the flow of filtered water through the faucet. In another example, a smart water filter system includes a three-port solenoid (or electrically operated) valve coupled to a faucet, and a filter bank coupled to the water supply line and to a second inlet port of the three-port solenoid valve. Activation of the three-port valve can stop the flow of unfiltered water through the faucet while allowing the flow of filtered water through the faucet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Danco, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Patent number: 10201785
    Abstract: A system and method is described for providing different levels of carbonated water on demand. The system includes a pressurized chamber to hold at least one of water and carbonated water, a gas canister to dispense carbon dioxide (CO2) into the pressurized chamber, a controller to control the dispensing of the CO2 according to level of carbonation required and a valve to vent excess gas from the pressurized chamber after carbonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: SodaStream Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Avi Cohen, Allan Ring, Alon Waisman, Israel Baumberg
  • Patent number: 10119749
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a carbonated water production device, according to one concept of the present invention, comprises: a pressure regulator for adjusting and emitting the pressure of carbon dioxide emitted from a carbon dioxide cylinder; a solenoid switch valve for controlling the supply of the carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure regulator to a carbonated water tank; a connection channel for connecting the pressure regulator and the solenoid switch valve; and a relief valve arranged in the connection channel so as to discharge the carbon dioxide of the connection channel to the atmosphere if the pressure of the carbon dioxide of the connection channel is greater than a predetermined pressure limit. Thus, the pressure of the carbon dioxide of the connection channel is capable of being maintained at a predetermined pressure limit or less, and solenoid malfunction can be prevented so as to improve reliability and stability of a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Ho Baek, Yong Soo Kyong, Jea Won Lee, Jeong Su Han
  • Patent number: 9950329
    Abstract: A high pressure water cleaner with detachable water tank includes a water cleaner main unit having an internal hydraulic pump, a top receptacle and a feed water connector in the receptacle in communication with the hydraulic pump, and a water tank detachably insertable into the receptacle and lockable to the receptacle by a movable lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ACTIVE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: James S. T. Hou, Simon Treadwell, Ming Liu
  • Patent number: 9150400
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus including a storage tank. At least one ice body is formed proximate the top portion of the storage tank. The ice body is formed in an icemaker configured to produce an ice body through direct contact with an evaporator coil and does not use cold air, or formed directly on a portion of the top portion of the storage tank using evaporator coils extending around a perimeter of the storage tank. The water is then configured to be carbonated and then dispensed to a user upon a user command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Kuehl, Marcos Heinzle, Gustavo Lazzaris de Bona, Nihat Cur
  • Patent number: 9091485
    Abstract: A hybrid heat exchanger apparatus includes a direct heat exchanger device and an indirect heat exchanger device and a method of operating the same encompasses conveying a hot fluid to be cooled from a hot fluid source through the indirect heat exchanger device to a cooling fluid distribution system. The hot fluid to be cooled is distributed from the cooling fluid distribution system onto the direct heat exchanger device. In a hybrid wet/dry mode, ambient air flows across both the indirect heat exchanger device and the direct heat exchanger device to generate hot humid air from the ambient air flowing across the direct heat exchanger device and hot dry air from the ambient air flowing across the indirect heat exchanger device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: EVAPCO, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Bugler, III, Davey J. Vadder
  • Publication number: 20150028502
    Abstract: A potable water dispenser comprising a supporting structure for means of producing carbonated water. The means of producing carbonated water comprise at least one dispensing assembly that can be connected hermetically to the mouth of a container and is provided with a water dispensing port that is controlled by a first valve and is adapted to pour into the container a measured quantity of water, and a port for injecting pressurized gas into the container, which can be activated to carbonate the water poured into the container from the dispensing port. In the dispensing assembly there is, moreover, a venting port, which is controlled by a second valve, so as to allow the outflow of air from the container when water is poured into the container by the dispensing port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: K EUROPE S.R.L.
    Inventor: Antonio Fanelli
  • Patent number: 8857798
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for concentrating a solution. The system includes a humidification device and a solution flow path for flow of a solution to be concentrated to the humidification device. The humidification device includes humidification media to facilitate evaporation of liquid from the solution to be concentrated to gas as the solution to be concentrated passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution. The method includes flowing a solution to be concentrated along a flow path to a humidification device including humidification media, flowing a gas through the humidification media, and flowing the solution to be concentrated through the humidification media. There is evaporation of liquid from the solution to the gas as the solution passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution and producing a humidified gas. The solution to be concentrated may be salt water and the gas may be air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Saltworks Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Stuart Sparrow, Henry Tsin, Hojung Kim, Ross Coleman
  • Patent number: 8727325
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at a system, apparatus and method for concentrating a solution. The system includes a humidification device and a solution flow path for flow of a solution to be concentrated to the humidification device. The humidification device includes humidification media to facilitate evaporation of liquid from the solution to be concentrated to gas as the solution to be concentrated passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution. The method includes flowing a solution to be concentrated along a flow path to a humidification device including humidification media, flowing a gas through the humidification media, and flowing the solution to be concentrated through the humidification media. There is evaporation of liquid from the solution to the gas as the solution passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution and producing a humidified gas. The solution to be concentrated may be salt water and the gas may be air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Saltworks Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Stuart Sparrow, Henry Tsin, Hojung Kim, Ross Coleman
  • Publication number: 20140061958
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at a system, apparatus and method for concentrating a solution. The system includes a humidification device and a solution flow path for flow of a solution to be concentrated to the humidification device. The humidification device includes humidification media to facilitate evaporation of liquid from the solution to be concentrated to gas as the solution to be concentrated passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution. The method includes flowing a solution to be concentrated along a flow path to a humidification device including humidification media, flowing a gas through the humidification media, and flowing the solution to be concentrated through the humidification media. There is evaporation of liquid from the solution to the gas as the solution passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution and producing a humidified gas. The solution to be concentrated may be salt water and the gas may be air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: SALTWORKS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin Stuart Sparrow, Henry Tsin, Hojung Kim, Ross Coleman
  • Patent number: 8584473
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling apparatus, especially for cryogenically preserving biological samples, comprising a duct (5) for delivering a coolant (3) to a cooling chamber (1), a heater (6) that has an adjustable first heating performance (P2) for heating the coolant (3) delivered to the cooling chamber (1), a first temperature sensor (8-10) for measuring the temperature (T2-T4) in the cooling chamber (1), a second temperature sensor (7) for measuring the temperature (T1) of the coolant (3) delivered to the cooling chamber (1), and a regulator (11) for regulating the temperature. Said regulator (11) is embodied as a multiple regulator which detects several temperatures (T1-T4) as control variables and/or adjusts several heating performances (P1, P2) as manipulated variables. The invention further relates to a corresponding operating method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung, e.V.
    Inventors: Uwe Schon, Heiko Zimmermann, Gunter Fuhr
  • Publication number: 20110162528
    Abstract: A reduced water mist generating device (1) is provided with a water acquiring section (3) that acquires water for generating reduced water, a reduced water generating unit (U) that generates the reduced water from the acquired water, a reduced water atomizing section (6) that atomizes the generated reduced water, and a spraying section (7) that sprays the atomized water. With such a configuration, the reduced water can be generated from water, drifted in the form of a mist in a space, and caused to arrive at an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yamaguchi, Junpei Ohe, Yukiko Mishima, Hiroshi Suda, Yukiyasu Asano, Yasuhiro Komura, Yoshinori Sainomoto
  • Patent number: 7685829
    Abstract: Process and device for generating a current of humid air having a defined relative humidity comprising the steps of generating a current of air in a tubing arrangement, generating hot water vapor, introducing the water vapor into the air current to generate flowing hot humid air, passing the hot humid air through a water separator while lowering the temperature of the humid air below the dew point temperature to generate saturated humid air having a defined temperature, heating the humid air coming from the water separator above the defined temperature to achieve a defined relative humidity, and discharging the humid air from the tubing arrangement as a current of humid air having a relative humidity of not less than 80%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Mueller, Karl-Heinz Mann
  • Patent number: 7669838
    Abstract: An air handling heat exchanger humidifying apparatus (1) is provided with a humidifying cell (13) of a self supporting sheet like body with closely spaced air openings therein. Air is moved through the apparatus (1) so it passes through the openings in the humidifying cell (13). A humidifying liquid is deposited onto the body surfaces of the cell between adjacent openings. As the air moves through the openings it collects the humidifying liquid from the surfaces of the cell (13). The humidifying liquid can be cooled. The air then exits the apparatus (1) and can be used for cooling produce or other product. The cell (13) can be an expanded mesh with the openings having a somewhat diamond shape. The cell (13) body can be corrugated to assist in humidifying liquid retention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Co-Ordinated Thermal Systems Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Gary Martin North
  • Patent number: 7320458
    Abstract: A method for heating a fluid using a heating tower. The method includes the steps of drawing an air stream into the heating tower through an inlet and passing the air stream over a series of coils. The method for heating a fluid also includes discharging the air stream from the heating tower through an outlet and isolating the inlet air stream from the outlet air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eldon F. Mockry, Jidong Yang, Gregory P. Hentschel, Jason Stratman, Glenn S. Brenneke, Darrin Ray Clubine, James Douglas Randall, Ohler L. Kinney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7246796
    Abstract: A vaporizer which can be used for extended time without blockage, and possible to stably supply raw materials to a reaction part. A gas passage 2 is formed inside of main body of a dispersion part 1, a gas inlet opening 4 is utilized to introduce a pressurized carrier gas 3 into gas passage 2, a supply source 6 is utilized to supply raw material solution 5 to a carrier gas passing through gas passage 2. A vaporization pipe 20 is connected with a reaction part and gas outlet 7 of dispersion part 8 of the device, with a heater 21 to heat vaporization pipe 20, while a vaporization part 22 is utilized to heat and vaporize the carrier gas where a raw material solution is dispersed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Watanabe Shoko
    Inventors: Masayuki Toda, Masaki Kusuhara, Masaru Umeda, Mitsuru Fukagawa
  • Patent number: 6951660
    Abstract: A process for producing an aerated confectionery coating comprises supplying a liquid confectionery material to a coating head, maintaining the material under substantial super-atmospheric pressure up to the vicinity of the coating head, and forming, by gas injection, gaseous bubbles in the pressurized confectionery material prior to the confectionery material reaching the coating head, the rate of injection of gas into the confectionery material being controlled in response to a measure of the density of confectionery material in the supply to the coating head, excess liquid confectionery material available after coating by the coating head being recirculated into said supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: APV Systems Limited
    Inventors: Peter Arthur Brown, Anthony John Prange, Roger David Coulthard
  • Patent number: 6921858
    Abstract: Apparatus providing at least one thermoelectric device for pressurizing a liquefied gas container and methods employing same are disclosed. A thermoelectric device including a heating surface and a cooling surface is used for pressurizing a container by vaporizing liquefied gas within the container by transferring heat energy from a portion of the liquefied gas in contact with the cooling surface to another portion of the liquefied gas in contact with the heating surface of the thermoelectric device to convert some of the liquefied gas to a vapor state. Liquefied gas vapor and/or liquid phase may be supplied by disclosed apparatus and methods. The apparatus may also be used as a vapor pump or a liquid pump, or fluid pump. Methods of operation are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis N. Bingham
  • Publication number: 20030221625
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vaporizer constituted of a dispersing section 8 and a vaporizing section 22. The dispersing section 8 comprises a gas introduction port 4 for introducing a carrier gas 3 under pressure into a gas passage, means for feeding raw material solutions 5a and 5b to the gas passage, and a gas outlet 7 for delivering the carrier gas containing the raw material solutions to the vaporizing section 22. The vaporizing section 22 comprises a vaporizing tube 20 having one end connected to a reaction tube of the MOCVD system and having the other end connected to the gas outlet 7 of the dispersing section 8, and heating means for heating the vaporizing tube 20. The vaporizing section 22 serves to heat and vaporize the raw material solution containing carrier gas 3 delivered from the dispersing section 8. The dispersing section 8 includes a dispersing section body 1 having a cylindrical hollow portion, and a rod 10 having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical hollow portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Masayuki Toda, Masaki Kusuhara, Mikio Doi, Masaru Umeda, Mitsuru Fukagawa, Yoichi Kanno, Osamu Uchisawa, Kohei Yamamoto, Toshikatu Meguro
  • Patent number: 6540840
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vaporizer constituted of a dispersing section 8 and a vaporizing section 22. The dispersing section 8 comprises a gas introduction port 4 for introducing a carrier gas 3 under pressure into a gas passage, means for feeding raw material solutions 5a and 5b to the gas passage, and a gas outlet 7 for delivering the carrier gas containing the raw material solutions to the vaporizing section 22. The vaporizing section 22 comprises a vaporizing tube 20 having one end connected to a reaction tube of the MOCVD system and having the other end connected to the gas outlet 7 of the dispersing section 8, and heating means for heating the vaporizing tube 20. The vaporizing section 22 serves to heat and vaporize the raw material solution containing carrier gas 3 delivered from the dispersing section 8. The dispersing section 8 includes a dispersing section body 1 having a cylindrical hollow portion, and a rod 10 having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical hollow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Watanabe Shoko
    Inventors: Masayuki Toda, Masaki Kusuhara, Mikio Doi, Masaru Umeda, Mitsuru Fukagawa, Yoichi Kanno, Osamu Uchisawa, Kohei Yamamoto, Toshikatu Meguro
  • Patent number: 6250609
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of making supersaturated oxygenated liquid by introducing a high oxygen content gas to an ozone generator to produce ozone, passing the ozone to a contact tank at atmospheric pressure to produce an oxygenated and ozonated liquid, and passing the oxygenated and ozonated liquid in a contacting loop of an in-line supersonic mixer to produce a substantially pure supersaturated oxygenated and ozonated liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Tat Yan Cheng, Timothy Michael Lewis, Russell Steve Plancich