Of Heating Means Patents (Class 62/148)
  • Patent number: 11254183
    Abstract: The present embodiments refer to a controlling system configured to be installed in a recreational vehicle, cooling devices comprising or coupled to such controlling systems, a recreational vehicle comprising such controlling systems and methods for controlling cooling the cooling devices. The controlling system comprises a central processing unit, a read out unit and a controlling unit and is configured to be coupled to a plurality of electronic devices of the recreational vehicle. The read out unit of the controlling system is configured to read out data from the electronic devices and/or sensors of the recreational vehicle coupled to the controlling system and to forward the read out data to the central processing unit. The central processing unit is configured to receive and to process the read out data received from the read out unit and to forward processed data to the controlling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventors: Jörg Peter, Marcus Dietrich, Marcus Remmel, Anton Lundqvist
  • Patent number: 11137174
    Abstract: An absorption chiller includes a boiler with a vessel for storing a working fluid and a heat source configured to heat the working fluid. A first device is configured to cool the working fluid, and a second device is configured to cool the working fluid. A flow path is arranged to enable the working fluid to flow from the boiler through the first device, through the second device and back to the boiler. A first waste heat source is generated by the first device when cooling the working fluid. The first waste heat source is configured to heat the working fluid along the flow path after exiting the second device and prior to re-entering the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: CHILLTECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Butler, Michael Keane
  • Patent number: 10801782
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger unit having an evaporator device configured for evaporating a heat exchanger operating fluid, and a condenser device for condensing the heat exchanger operating fluid, wherein the evaporator device and the condenser device are fluidically connected to each other in a frontal configuration. The invention further relates to a thermotechnical system having a plurality of heat exchanger units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT BERLIN
    Inventors: Stefan Petersen, Christian Finck, Martin Mittermaier, Anna Jahnke
  • Patent number: 9939173
    Abstract: There is provided a system including: an automatic supplement valve configured to automatically supplementing direct water; an expansion tank configured to be connected to the automatic supplement valve to adjust expansion pressure depending on the temperature change of the direct water; an exhaust heat pump configured to be connected to the expansion tank to circulate heat in an exhaust heat line connecting the exhaust heat source and the hot water tank; and a mixing valve configured to be extendedly formed between a first hot water line for receiving the exhaust heat of the exhaust heat source and a second hot water line having passed through the exhaust heat exchanger of the hot water tank to mix the first hot water with the second hot water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: KYUNGDONG NAVIEN CO., LTD
    Inventors: Woo Sung Park, Dae Woong Park
  • Patent number: 9656536
    Abstract: A system for cooling a vehicle compartment using a twin cell thermal battery and waste heat. Cool air from the evaporators of a twin cell thermal battery system is used to chill a compartment, such as an icebox in a trunk or a cabin of a vehicle. The energy needed to create the cooling effect for the cool compartment comes directly from the waste heat of vehicle exhaust gas. The system provides for the air conditioning and charging mode to work simultaneously because of a twin cell battery configuration. A thermoelectric generator (TEG) is also provided in addition to the twin cell battery thereby making the system self-powered. The system uses energy that would otherwise be lost to the environment to provide a cooling source within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Zhou, Ercan Mehmet Dede
  • Patent number: 9441863
    Abstract: The intermittent absorption refrigeration system with an ejector includes a generator/absorber unit, a solar collector unit, a dephlegmator, a condenser unit, a first evaporator, and valves to control the flow of aqua-ammonia coolant through the system, as in a conventional intermittent absorption refrigeration system. However, the present system also includes an ejector disposed between the dephlegmator and the condenser, and also a second evaporator disposed in a feedback loop between the first evaporator and the ejector, together with appropriate valves to control coolant flow through the feedback loop. The utilization of the ejector and the feedback loop in the intermittent system allows the intermittent system to produce a cooling effect during the daytime, as well as during the nighttime, which increases the coefficient of performance of the intermittent system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Syed A. M. Said, Muhammad Umar Siddiqui
  • Patent number: 8505319
    Abstract: The invention relates to an absorption air conditioner that comprises a desorber (100), a condenser, an evaporator and an absorber, wherein the absorbing fluid may consist of lithium bromide. The method comprises the following steps: calculating the concentration of the absorbing fluid solution at the outlet of the desorber (100); and comparing the calculated concentration with a predetermined critical value and, if the calculated concentration gets closer to the predetermined critical value, increasing the charge loss in the duct (20) connecting the desorber (100) to the condenser, which interrupts the condensation in the condenser and results in a pressure increase in the desorber that stops the desorption and in a concentration increase, the charge loss being on the other hand reduced for resuming the desorption when the calculated concentration deviates from the predetermined critical value. The invention can be used in automobiles and absorption air-conditioners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroën Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Emmanuel Boudard, Philippe Marcais, Julien Berger, Vital Bruzzo
  • Patent number: 8042746
    Abstract: When there arises a need to change an air conditioner capability, a vehicular air conditioner capable of easily meeting this need is achieved. Also, even if some of a plurality of air conditioner units break down, a vehicular air conditioner capable of properly air conditioning a vehicular space using other air conditioner units, is achieved. This vehicular air conditioner includes a controller 20 for calculating a total heat supply amount, based on a target temperature and an actual room temperature; at least one heater 5 and/or at least one cooler 6; a controller 20 that sets generated heat amounts of the heater 5 and/or the cooler 6 of each of the air conditioner units 30, based on a calculated total heat supply amount and the number of used air conditioner units 30; and a drive controller that controls operations of the heater 5 and/or the cooler 6, based on the generated heat amounts that have been set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Ise, Masatoshi Urakawa
  • Publication number: 20080229768
    Abstract: A controller (117) for an air conditioner using a refrigerant as a heat source is constructed such that, when a refrigerant temperature detected by a refrigerant temperature sensor (116) has reached a specified value, air with a volume of normal setting is blown into a vehicle compartment, and when the refrigerant temperature has not reached the specified value, air blowing into the vehicle compartment by a blower fan (107) is limited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Kojiro Nakamura, Masahiro Ighuchi
  • Patent number: 7412837
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a running time of an absorption refrigerating system of an absorption refrigerator, which absorption refrigerator comprises two differently tempered refrigerator compartments. The method comprises the steps of: monitoring the temperature in a first compartment; activating the refrigerating system when the temperature sensed in the first compartment exceeds a predetermined value; de-activating the refrigerating system when a cut-out temperature is reached; monitoring the time period during which the absorption refrigerating system is turned off; and supplying heat to the first refrigerator compartment, when the time period exceeds a predetermined time period. The invention also relates to a microcontroller, computer program product and to an absorption refrigerator comprising means for performing the inventive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventors: Arne Karlsson, Carl Lindhagen, Fredrik Reithe
  • Publication number: 20080115513
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved control system and method for the absorption refrigeration process. The system includes sensors that measure the absorption process in order to determine if the absorption cycle is continuous. A control unit in communication with the sensors which compares the measured sensor values to predetermined safe limits. When the control unit determines that safe limits have been exceeded, the control unit communicates with actuators adjusting the absorption cycle heat source, ultimately protecting the absorption refrigeration process from damage. Further, the control may reestablish the absorption cycle heat source when predetermined safe operation conditions are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Paul Neilson Unmack
  • Patent number: 7347057
    Abstract: An absorption, heat-transfer system with an operationally interconnected generator, absorber, condenser, and evaporator; at least two separate heat sources for heating the generator; and a controller for controlling the heat sources. The controller, e.g., a programmed microprocessor, receives inputs from the absorption system, the heat sources, and loads and a lookup table and provides outputs to select and control the heat sources and maximize their efficiency. A heat distributor and a heat recover unit enable heat source management and additional energy utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Cooling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Garrabrant, Ronald Paul Soka
  • Publication number: 20080060366
    Abstract: The present teachings provide control systems and methods for monitoring the performance of an absorption refrigerator. The system includes a temperature sensor that senses the temperature of a generator of a cooling arrangement. The circuit may communicate with the sensor and turn off a heat source of the cooling unit if a sensed temperature condition of the generator exceeds a predetermined temperature condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: David Leistner, Wayne A. Schneider, Carl Onken, Santosh Nerur
  • Patent number: 7273071
    Abstract: A control for controlling the amount of heated fluid entering the inlet of the driving heat source for a refrigerant absorption cycle is controlled to vary the relative amount of heated fluid entering the driving heat source inlet, and being dumped to atmosphere. Preferably, a diverter valve is utilized such that a first valve body (40) communicates the flow into the driving heat source inlet, and moves in opposition to a second valve body (46) controlling the flow through the exhaust. The two valves bodies (40, 46) are preferably mechanically linked. Since the heated fluid is not allowed to enter the refrigerant absorption cycle as its drive heating source, no additional hardware and control for dumping excess heat is necessary within the refrigerant absorption cycle. A computer control preferably drives the first valve to a precise position and the linkage ensures the second valve is also received at a precise position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: UTC Power, LLC
    Inventors: Mark E. Marler, Sunghan Jung, Timothy C. Wagner, Jinsang Ryu
  • Publication number: 20070169492
    Abstract: A heat integration system for removing heat of reaction from an EC-1 Reactor and generating Chilled liquid for use by one or more Consumer Units, in a catalytic process for producing EC from EO for conversion into MEG wherein the system comprises an EC-1 Reactor Cooler suitable for removing heat from an EC-1 Reactor, an Intermediate Loop which is in communication with the Reactor Cooler and with an absorption Refrigeration Unit, and which is suitable for conducting Intermediate liquid therebetween, the absorption Refrigeration Unit being suitable for generating Chilled liquid, and a Chilled liquid loop suitable for conducting Chilled liquid generated in the absorption Refrigeration Unit for use by one or more Consumer Units, the system being such that the absorption Refrigeration Unit uses heat generated in the EC-1 Reactor to generate Chilled liquid for the Chilled liquid loop and Consumer Unit(s), wherein the system additionally comprises a Shutdown Cooler having an independent cooling source which is suita
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Cees Van GEEL, Elin Margit Kristina Josefsson, Gerrit Konijn, Hugo Gerardus Polderman, Arthur Willibrordus Titus Rots, Anton Pieter Westerink
  • Patent number: 7143592
    Abstract: There is constructed a constitution including an exhaust heat fired regenerator constituting a heat source by exhaust heat from external machine generating the exhaust heat, a heat fluid flow path for making a fluid having the exhaust heat constituting the heat source or a fluid recovering the exhaust heat flow to the exhaust heat fired regenerator, flow path open/close device provided at the heat fluid flow path for controlling to make the heat fluid flow to the exhaust heat fired regenerator 1 and cut off the fluid therefrom by opening and closing the exhaust fluid flow path, first regenerator temperature detector for detecting temperature of the exhaust heat fired regenerator, a directly fired regenerator constituting a heat source by combustion heat of a burner, second regenerator temperature detector for detecting temperature of the directly fired regenerator, heat medium temperature detector for detecting temperature of a heat medium cooled or heated by an evaporator and controller for controlling to op
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Kodama, Takahide Sugiyama, Kazuhide Ishida
  • Patent number: 7065976
    Abstract: This application discloses a control logic for maintaining a proper solution concentration within an absorption chiller. Further, safeguards are added to a system control to ensure robust operation when operated in a co-generation application with a heat source such as a micro-turbine, a reciprocating engine, etc. In such applications, in proper management of the heat flow into the chiller from such sources can result in crystallization of the absorption solution, which would be undesirable. Inventive control logic works to minimize such occurrences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: UTC Power LLC
    Inventors: Vivek Halwan, Mark E. Marler
  • Patent number: 7050888
    Abstract: The present invention provides control systems and methods for a cooling unit. The system includes a temperature sensor that senses the temperature of a cooling fin and a circuit. The circuit may communicate with a signal from the cooling unit that indicates when cooling is required. The circuit also communicates with the sensor and turns off the heat source of the cooling unit if the temperature does not decrease within a pre-selected time after cooling becomes required. Additionally, the circuit may turn off the heat source only if the temperature is above a pre-selected temperature. Moreover, a pre-selected time after turning off the heat source, the circuit may turn the heat source on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Norcold, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Schneider, Mark Hipple
  • Patent number: 6983616
    Abstract: This application discloses a control logic for maintaining a proper solution concentration within an absorption chiller. Further, safeguards are added to a system control to ensure robust operation when operated in a co-generation application with a heat source such as a micro-turbine, a reciprocating engine, etc. In such applications, in proper management of the heat flow into the chiller from such sources can result in crystallization of the absorption solution, which would be undesirable. Inventive control logic works to minimize such occurrences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: UTC Power, LLC
    Inventors: Vivek Halwan, Mark E. Marler
  • Patent number: 6983617
    Abstract: An absorption chiller system has an efficient start-up control that monitors system condition, and in particular the absorption solution temperature. The system limits the amount of heat delivered into the absorption chiller generator, to provide a gradual rise in the absorption solution temperature at start-up. In this manner, undesirable noise vibration and rapid thermal expansion, which may have occurred in the past is reduced or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: UTC Power, LLC
    Inventors: Vivek Halwan, Mark E. Marler
  • Publication number: 20040261446
    Abstract: An absorption cooling machine of the type which uses a refrigerant and an absorbent and which includes a high stage generator, absorber, condenser, heat exchangers, and an evaporator and means for connecting the components to one another to form a closed absorption cooling system. The solution side of the high stage generator is fluidically divided into two sections with a partition plate whereby gas exiting one section at relatively high temperature is further cooled in a second section called a flue gas recuperator (FGR) to improve overall burner efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Neelkanth S. Gupte
  • Patent number: 6792765
    Abstract: A chiller system comprises a chiller, a burner, a first variable frequency driver and pump, a second frequency drive and pump, and a feedback system. The chiller has a chilled water input and a cooling water input and the burner is coupled to the chiller. The first variable frequency drive and pump is coupled to the chilled water input. The second variable frequency drive and pump is coupled to the cooling water input. The feedback system is coupled to the burner, the first variable frequency drive, and the second variable frequency drive. The feedback system capable of measuring a characteristic of the burner that is proportional to the cooling load of the chiller system and transmitting a signal corresponding determined characteristic to the first and second variable frequency drives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: Frank L. Domnick, Bruce A Elliott
  • Patent number: 6786059
    Abstract: Water is used as a refrigerant, and a humidification cooler (41) which evaporates the water to generate cold heat and a dehumidifier (42) are provided. A compressor (50) which compresses water vapor separated by the dehumidifier (42) is provided. A moisture discharging device (60) which discharges water vapor compressed in the compressor (50) is provided. The compressor (50) is driven by a steam turbine (80) capable of generating rotational power from thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-cheng Piao, Manabu Yoshimi, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yuji Watanabe, Kazuo Yonemoto
  • Patent number: 6748752
    Abstract: An aqua-ammonia absorption cooling and/or heating system actively controls the flow of weak liquor from the generator to the absorber, using one or more valves operated in response to weak liquor temperature, and/or pressure and/or concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Paul Sarkisian, Lance Kirol, Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 6742347
    Abstract: A feedforward control method for an absorption chiller includes determining the disturbance transfer function, determining the capacity valve transfer function, measuring the actual disturbance, and implementing the feedforward control function in a feedforward controller. The feedforward control function is represented by the ratio of the disturbance transfer function divided by the capacity valve transfer function. The disturbance transfer function and the capacity valve transfer function are measured by applying a known amplitude input perturbation to the disturbance or capacity valve and recording the resulting perturbation in the output leaving chilled water temp. The disturbance transfer function is then the ratio of the delta leaving chilled water temperature divided by the delta change in the disturbance. The capacity transfer function is the ratio of the delta leaving chilled water temperature divided by the delta change in the capacity valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Kolk, David M. Martini, Darren Sheehan, Neil Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6735963
    Abstract: An aqua-ammonia absorption cooling and/or heating system having a variable speed burner which uses active flow control of weak liquor and/or active control of refrigerant flow to the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Paul Sarkisian, Lance Kirol, Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 6701726
    Abstract: Data points are determined for an absorption chiller system which relate a position of the capacity valve to the heat input into the system. A continuous curve is determined which estimates the relationship between the position of the capacity valve and the heat input for all of the data points and all the points in between. The slope of this curve is the valve gain. The error for the system is defined as the difference between the setpoint and the leaving chilled water temperature. The leaving chilled water temperature of the system is measured to determine the actual error for the system, after which a linearizing gain derived as a function of the inverse of the valve gain is used in the system control algorithm to linearize the overall valve gain, thereby eliminating capacity valve hunting and producing an improved transient response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Kolk, David M. Martini
  • Patent number: 6701727
    Abstract: A management apparatus and a management method which can forecast inspection time before the lowering of performance or the occurrence of abnormality in a heat source unit for an air conditioner are provided. The operating condition of the air conditioner heat source unit is monitored by a central monitoring unit of the management apparatus connected to the heat source unit through an information communication network. Operating data of the heat source unit is analyzed so that the lowering of the performance and the advance of the degree of abnormality in the heat source unit are diagnosed. Thus, the loss of a user caused by the failure stop or the performance lowering of the heat source unit is reduced. Further, the load on the heat source unit is grasped by the central monitoring unit so that remote central control is carried out to make the operating cost minimal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi Building Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Komatsu, Tadakatsu Nakajima, Akira Nishiguchi, Tatsuo Fujii, Masaru Noujyo, Kyoichi Sekiguchi, Kenji Machizawa, Yoshikazu Hanawa, Tomio Nakajima, Haruo Nashimoto
  • Publication number: 20040035126
    Abstract: A chiller system comprises a chiller, a burner, a first variable frequency driver and pump, a second frequency drive and pump, and a feedback system. The chiller has a chilled water input and a cooling water input and the burner is coupled to the chiller. The first variable frequency drive and pump is coupled to the chilled water input. The second variable frequency drive and pump is coupled to the cooling water input. The feedback system is coupled to the burner, the first variable frequency drive, and the second variable frequency drive. The feedback system capable of measuring a characteristic of the burner that is proportional to the cooling load of the chiller system and transmitting a signal corresponding determined characteristic to the first and second variable frequency drives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Frank L. Domnick, Bruce A. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6666037
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to enable heat sources to be surely utilized in accordance with order of priorities and to prevent a overshooting of a temperature of cold water supplied from an evaporator even when a load is immediately changed. A flow of exhaust hot water supplied from a low-temperature heat source supply pipe to a low-temperature water regenerator is forcibly controlled to be the maximum. In such a state, when the cold water temperature measured by a temperature sensor becomes lower than a primary setting value of 7° C., the flow of exhaust hot water supplied from the low-temperature heat source supply pipe to the low-temperature water regenerator is controlled by starting again a PID control using 6° C. lower than the primary setting value of 7° C. as reference. Moreover, a flow of exhaust gas supplied from a high-temperature heat source supply pipe to a high-temperature regenerator is forcibly controlled to be zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Electric Air Conditioning Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hoshino, Masahiro Furukawa
  • Patent number: 6662591
    Abstract: A electro-desorption compression system according to the present invention comprises an enclosure which includes first and second spaced-apart electrical conductors, a sorbent which is positioned in the enclosure between the first and second conductors, a sorbate which is capable of combining with the sorbent in an adsorption reaction to form a sorbate/sorbent compound, a power supply which is connected to the first and second conductors and which generates an electrical current that is conducted through the sorbate/sorbent compound to desorb the sorbate from the sorbent in a desorption reaction, a controller which selectively activates the power supply to initiate and terminate each desorption reaction, and a transducer which is connected to the controller and which generates a signal indicative of the end of each desorption reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd, Howard L. Davidson
  • Patent number: 6658870
    Abstract: In an absorption chiller system, a control input for the chiller is a heat source controlled by a capacity valve, which is in turn controlled by a PI controller. The controller is controlled by a non-linear control function. During operation, a disturbance in the system is measured. A signal error is defined as a setpoint for the leaving chilled water minus the disturbance. The non-linear control function is represented as C(s)=KP0(1+b|E|)+KI/s, where where KP0 is the gain when said signal error is zero, |E| is the absolute value of the signal error, b is an adjustable constant, and KI is an integral gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Neil Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6637220
    Abstract: A routine of controlling the dilution cycle of an absorption chiller to determine when to initiate a dilution cycle, continue the cycle and terminate the cycle. The concentration of solution leaving the chiller's low temperature generator is calculated and the crystallization temperature of the solution is then determined. The crystallization temperature is compared to the ambient temperature and the result is used to determine whether to institute a dilution cycle, continue the cycle or terminate the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Darren S. Sheehan
  • Patent number: 6637221
    Abstract: A method of controlling the capacity of an absorption chiller by regulating the heat input to a generator in response to a selected one of two system variables. The first variable involves the measured chilled water temperature leaving the system evaporator and the second involves the calculated solution concentration that is being returned to the absorber. Data relating to each variable is sent to a selector where it is processed so that the data can be used to control the heat input to the generator. The temperature data is used to control the heat input during normal chiller operation, however, the selector changes over control to the concentrate related data when the solution concentration level approaches the solution crystallization limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Neil D. Jenkins, Richard A. Kolk
  • Publication number: 20030192329
    Abstract: An aqua-ammonia absorption cooling and/or heating system having a variable speed burner which uses active flow control of weak liquor and/or active control of refrigerant flow to the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Paul Sarkisian, Lance Kirol, Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 6584788
    Abstract: An aqua-ammonia absorption heating and/or cooling apparatus uses a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) and a temperature-sensing bulb for controlling refrigerant flow to the evaporator having a bulb charge composition comprising a mixture of propane and butane, or an ammonia-water mixture having over 70% ammonia, by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Paul Sarkisian, Lance Kirol, Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Publication number: 20030079483
    Abstract: A management apparatus and a management method which can forecast inspection time before the lowering of performance or the occurrence of abnormality in a heat source unit for an air conditioner are provided. The operating condition of the air conditioner heat source unit is monitored by a central monitoring unit of the management apparatus connected to the heat source unit through an information communication network. Operating data of the heat source unit is analyzed so that the lowering of the performance and the advance of the degree of abnormality in the heat source unit are diagnosed. Thus, the loss of a user caused by the failure stop or the performance lowering of the heat source unit is reduced. Further, the load on the heat source unit is grasped by the central monitoring unit so that remote central control is carried out to make the operating cost minimal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi Building Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Komatsu, Tadakatsu Nakajima, Akira Nishiguchi, Tatsuo Fujii, Masaru Noujyo, Kyoichi Sekiguchi, Kenji Machizawa, Yoshikazu Hanawa, Tomio Nakajima, Haruo Nashimoto
  • Patent number: 6502419
    Abstract: A electro-desorption compression system according to the present invention comprises an enclosure which includes first and second spaced-apart electrical conductors, a sorbent which is positioned in the enclosure between the first and second conductors, a sorbate which is capable of combining with the sorbent in an adsorption reaction to form a sorbate/sorbent compound, a power supply which is connected to the first and second conductors and which generates an electrical current that is conducted through the sorbate/sorbent compound to desorb the sorbate from the sorbent in a desorption reaction, and a pressure chamber which is connected to the enclosure and which receives the sorbate from the enclosure during the desorption reaction and releases the sorbate into the enclosure during the adsorption reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd, Howard L. Davidson
  • Publication number: 20020178739
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to enable heat sources to be surely utilized in accordance with order of priorities and to prevent a overshooting of a temperature of cold water supplied from an evaporator even when a load is immediately changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hoshino, Masahiro Furukawa
  • Patent number: 6477850
    Abstract: The air conditioner comprises heat transfer medium temperature adjusting device 1 for adjusting the temperature of a heat transfer medium, an absorption chiller 5 having as a heat source the heat transfer medium supplied from the heat transfer medium temperature adjusting device 1 via a heat transfer medium line 7a through which the heat transfer medium conducts, a valve 9a provided in the heat transfer medium line 7a, a by-pass line 11a branching off from the valve 9a, and an indoor unit 19 supplied with a refrigerant from the absorption chiller 5 or the heat transfer medium from the heat transfer medium temperature adjusting device 1 via the by-pass line 11a. Thereby, at the time of heating, the valve is switched to allow the heat transfer medium to pass through the by-pass line 11, so that the heat transfer medium can be directly supplied via the by-pass line 11 to the indoor unit 19.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhei Arita, Tomiyuki Matsukiyo, Yoshihiro Ichino, Shinji Tongu
  • Publication number: 20020162341
    Abstract: Prevention of the incapability of operation due to crystallization in the absorption solution. When the temperature difference (&Dgr;T) between the temperature of the concentrated absorption solution Tr detected by the temperature sensor (22) and the temperature of crystallization Tc for the concentrated absorption solution at a specified concentration detected by the concentration sensor (21) comes within a prescribed figure, the opening of the heat control valve (20) is decreased by a specified figure, 20% for example. When the concentration of the concentrated absorption solution, which is measured by the concentration sensor (21), exceeds a prescribed figure, 65% for example, the heat supplied to the high temperature regenerator (1) is reduced by decreasing the opening of the heat control valve (20) regardless of the above temperature difference (&Dgr;T).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Shiguma Yamazaki, Eiichi Enomoto, Yasushi Kamata, Masahiro Furukawa
  • Patent number: 6405558
    Abstract: In a two-stage absorption heating and cooling system with refrigerant storage apparatus for converting from a cooling to a heating mode of operation, provision is made to position the refrigerant storage tank in a location vertically above the condenser, and the tank is filled with refrigerant without the use of a pump. This is accomplished by fluidly interconnecting the high-temperature generator directly with the refrigerant storage tank such that after the refrigerant vapor from a high temperature generator is condensed in the low temperature generator, the pressure difference between the high temperature generator and the refrigerant storage tank causes the refrigerant condensate to flow to the refrigerant storage tank. A valve is provided to selectively drain the refrigerant from the storage tank to an evaporator sump when changing from a cooling to a heating mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Darren S. Sheehan
  • Publication number: 20020053217
    Abstract: A regenerative adsorption process and a multi-reactor regenerative adsorption chiller assembly including a condenser adapted to receive a coolant from a source; an evaporator connected to the condenser to provide a refrigerant circuit; a plurality of reactors, each being able to operate in adsorption and desorption modes and having a coolant inlet to directly or indirectly receive coolant when operating in adsorption mode before, after or simultaneous with the condenser, and a waste heat inlet for directly or indirectly receiving waste heat from a waste heat source when operating in desorption mode; and control means for controlling said plurality of reactors such that each reactor alternately operates in adsorption and desorption modes for substantially identical time intervals, and such that each reactor has an equal chance of being the first reactor to receive the coolant when operating in adsorption mode, and the waste heat from the waste heat source when operating in desorption mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Hui Tong Chua, Kim Choon Ng, Abdul Malek, Takao Kashiwagi, Atsushi Akisawa, Bidyut Baran Saha
  • Publication number: 20020023442
    Abstract: The air conditioner comprises heat transfer medium temperature adjusting device 1 for adjusting the temperature of a heat transfer medium, an absorption chiller 5 having as a heat source the heat transfer medium supplied from the heat transfer medium temperature adjusting device 1 via a heat transfer medium line 7a through which the heat transfer medium conducts, a valve 9a provided in the heat transfer medium line 7a, a by-pass line 11a branching off from the valve 9a, and an indoor unit 19 supplied with a refrigerant from the absorption chiller 5 or the heat transfer medium from the heat transfer medium temperature adjusting device 1 via the by-pass line 11a. Thereby, at the time of heating, the valve is switched to allow the heat transfer medium to pass through the by-pass line 11, so that the heat transfer medium can be directly supplied via the by-pass line 11 to the indoor unit 19.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhei Arita, Tomiyuki Matsukiyo, Yoshihiro Ichino, Shinji Tongu
  • Patent number: 6332328
    Abstract: A process for operation of an absorption heat pump in which in a boiling apparatus a solution which contains a refrigerant is heated by a burner in order to expel the refrigerant as refrigerant vapor; the refrigerant vapor is condensed in a condenser by interaction with a heat transfer medium; the refrigerant from the condenser is supplied to a vaporizer and an absorber; the solution which has been depleted of refrigerant from the boiling apparatus is supplied to the absorber; the solution which is rich in refrigerant from the absorber is pumped to a high pressure level and is returned to the boiling apparatus; and the heat transfer medium which has been heated in the condenser is supplied to a consumer and the heat transfer medium which has been cooled by the consumer is returned to the condenser is improved by measuring the outside temperature and the temperature of the heat transfer medium and adjusting the output of the burner depending on the measured temperature values, and by controlling the amount of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Heliotherm Solartechnik Ges.m.b.H.
    Inventor: Andreas Bangheri
  • Patent number: 6047559
    Abstract: An absorption cold/hot water generating machine comprising a refrigerating cycle formed by pipe-connecting an evaporator, an absorber, a solution heat exchanger, a low-temperature generator, a condenser, a high-temperature generator, a solution pump, and a refrigerant pump; the solution pump being an inverter-driven pump; a header for receiving a return solution from the high-temperature generator; a level sensor for detecting the liquid level in the header; and control means for controlling the flow rate of the solution sent from the absorber to the high-temperature generator by controlling the operating frequency of the solution pump, thereby keeping the solution level in the header within a prescribed range; wherein the control means includes sampling mode setting means for setting a solution sampling mode in which the discharge side pressure of the solution pump is brought to over a prescribed pressure through control of the operating frequency thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Syouji Tanaka, Takashi Kaneko, Teruwo Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 6038883
    Abstract: A refrigeration system capable of providing cooling during at least a portion of a repeatable refrigeration cycle, the refrigeration system comprising at least one sorber having a housing forming an enclosure, a sorbent located within the enclosure, an evaporator in fluid communication with the enclosure, a condenser in fluid communication with both the enclosure and the evaporator, wherein a sorbate is evaporated in the evaporator to provide a cooling effect and then adsorbed by the sorbent, an electromagnetic wave generator, a waveguide coupler for coupling electromagnetic waves generated by the generating means to the sorber, wherein during a desorb portion of the refrigeration cycle the sorbate is desorbed from the sorbent by the electromagnetic waves and then condensed in the condenser, wherein the desorption of the sorbate from the sorbent is primarily isothermal, and a controller for controlling the operation of the generator, wherein the generator is selectively activated and deactivated to initiate a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
  • Patent number: 5916251
    Abstract: A method for regulating energy consumption by a steam-fired absorption chiller having a steam control valve for controlling steam flow to the generator in which the steam pressure upstream of the steam control valve is measured as well as the steam pressure downstream of the steam control valve. Using the steam pressure data, chiller size, COP of the chiller, valve size and valve type of the steam control valve, the desired steam control valve position for the steam control valve is calculated by means of an algorithm using said data. The output of the algorithm is then used to adjust the steam control valve to the desired steam control valve position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: Lee Louis Sibik
  • Patent number: 5910158
    Abstract: A fuzzy control apparatus and method for a branched refrigerant flow and fuel combustion in a multi absorption type-heat pump is disclosed. The heat pump is controlled by automatically determining the operation state of an outdoor unit in relation to indoor loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Joon-Hyung Park
  • Patent number: 5907956
    Abstract: In an air conditioning system comprising a heat source side machine for condensing a fluid which can change a phase between a liquid phase and a gas phase to a predetermined temperature and for supplying, and a plurality of user side machines more than half of which are disposed below said heat source side machine, in which piping is constructed in such a manner as to circulate the fluid supplied from said heat source side machine by using a difference in specific gravity between the liquid phase and the gas phase, between said heat source side machine and said user side machine and a cooling of said user side machine is performed by evaporating said fluid in said user side machine, the heat source side machine is provided with a control means for descending a set temperature of said fluid discharged from said heat source side machine after condensed by changing the operating capacity of said heat source side machine when a state that the temperature of said fluid returned back after evaporated in the user si
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Arima, Kazuhiro Shimura, Naohito Sakamoto, Mamoru Kubo, Akira Hatakeyama