Withdrawing Or Adding Refrigerant From Or To Normally Closed System Patents (Class 62/149)
  • Patent number: 11953247
    Abstract: A recycle information management system includes a communication device and a management device. The communication device transmits recycle information acquired from a recycle system via a network. The recycle system includes at least a recycling device that removes at least oil from the collected refrigerant to recycle the refrigerant. The management device includes a storage unit that stores the recycle information in association with a recycle system ID usable to identify the recycle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: Daikin Industries, Ltd., DAIKIN EUROPE N.V.
    Inventors: Takahiro Yamaguchi, Tadashi Hirose, Suguru Seikoba, Yumi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11940169
    Abstract: Air conditioner units and methods of operating the same are provided. A method of operating an air conditioner unit includes measuring an ambient temperature and estimating a setpoint temperature of the air conditioner unit. The method also includes inputting the measured ambient temperature and the estimated setpoint temperature into a closed-loop control algorithm. The method further includes setting a compressor speed of the variable speed compressor based on the output of the closed-loop control algorithm. An air conditioner unit may include a controller, and the controller may be configured for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Duane Longenecker
  • Patent number: 11933530
    Abstract: A HVACR protection system can include a pressure sensor to sense pressure within a refrigerant line coupled to a compressor; a timer; and a protection system controller. A compressor controller in communication with the protection system controller can control operation of the compressor and disable the compressor until successful completion of a vacuum test of the refrigerant line. The vacuum test can initiate upon the pressure sensor sensing the pressure being less than or equal to a vacuum test pressure, at which point the timer begins timing for a vacuum test time period. The vacuum test is successfully completed upon expiration of the vacuum test time period with the pressure remaining less than or equal to the vacuum test pressure for the vacuum test time period. The protection system controller can enable the compressor controller to operate the compressor upon successful completion of the vacuum test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Rodney Minchey, Stephen T. Fasolino
  • Patent number: 11904656
    Abstract: A heat pump system control method for a vehicle includes a process (A) of operating a compressor of an air conditioner to cool or heat an interior of the vehicle while the vehicle is driving, measuring by a controller initial states of the compressor and a refrigerant based on data detected from a data detector, and monitoring the compressor, a process (B) of determining by the controller whether a current coil temperature of a motor unit provided in the compressor is higher than a coil specification temperature through the process (A) and operating a protection mode; and a process (C) of, when the process (B) is completed, calculating by the controller a slope of a coil temperature of the motor unit over time, determining whether the temperature slope is greater than zero (0) three times consecutively to stop the operation of the compressor, and terminating control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: ChanWoong Jo, Seong-Bin Jeong
  • Patent number: 11898782
    Abstract: A multi-air conditioner for heating/cooling operation may include: at least one indoor unit which is installed in a room, and includes an indoor heat exchanger; an outdoor unit which is connected to the indoor unit through a refrigerant pipe, and includes an outdoor heat exchanger, a compressor, an outdoor expansion valve, and a four-way valve; at least one leakage blocking valve which is formed on the refrigerant pipe, and blocks a refrigerant flow in the refrigerant pipe when a refrigerant leak occurs from the refrigerant pipe in the room; and a buffer unit which is installed on the refrigerant pipe between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit, and collects refrigerant leaking from the refrigerant pipe. Accordingly, when the refrigerant leaks into the room, it is possible to minimize the amount of the leaking refrigerant by collecting the refrigerant in the buffer tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Chiwoo Song, Yongcheol Sa, Jiyoung Jang
  • Patent number: 11901537
    Abstract: A method for purging air from a cooling system including operating one or more pumps at a selected speed for a first time interval, waiting a second time interval with the one or more pumps off or at a reduced speed relative to the selected speed, and repeating the steps of operating and waiting multiple times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Baumann, Jared Lamkin
  • Patent number: 11874037
    Abstract: An additional-filling-amount management system includes a mass correlation data obtaining unit, an additional-filling-amount determination unit, and a storage unit. The mass correlation data obtaining unit obtains mass correlation data correlating with a mass of a refrigerant container from which refrigerant is supplied to a refrigeration cycle apparatus that is additionally filled with refrigerant. The additional-filling-amount determination unit determines an additional filling amount based on the mass correlation data, the additional filling amount being an amount of refrigerant, from the refrigerant container, with which the refrigeration cycle apparatus has been additionally filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Yoshimi, Shinichi Kasahara
  • Patent number: 11835278
    Abstract: A temperature control medium processing apparatus configured to collect a temperature control medium from a module using the temperature control medium or refill the module with the temperature control medium includes a tank configured to store the temperature control medium therein; a first inlet path which is connected to a first inlet opening of the tank, and through which the temperature control medium is introduced; an inlet connector configured to connect the first inlet path and a path from the module; an outlet path which is connected to an outlet opening of the tank, and through which the temperature control medium is flown out; an outlet connector configured to connect the outlet path and a path to the module; and a pump provided at the outlet path, and configured to force the temperature control medium stored in the tank to be flown out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Hayato Sakai, Takehiko Arita, Haruka Kaneko, Satoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11774137
    Abstract: A coil assembly is provided, comprising: a direct expansion (DX) coil circulating refrigerant and cooling supply air passing over the DX coil by heat exchange to generate dehumidified air; a reheat coil circulating the refrigerant and heating the dehumidified air by heat exchange to generate output air; a first horizontal drain pan below the DX and reheat coils in a first horizontal position; a second horizontal drain pan below the DX and reheat coils in a second horizontal position; a first vertical drain pan below the DX and reheat coils in a vertical position, wherein the first and second horizontal drain pans are connected to the first vertical drain pan, the reheat coil is secured between the first and second horizontal drain pans, and the first horizontal drain pan is on an opposite side of the DX coil and the reheat coil from the second horizontal drain pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC US, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Bush, Allen Barbely
  • Patent number: 11732941
    Abstract: A thermal management system includes an integrated open-circuit refrigeration system and closed-circuit heat pump system. The thermal management system includes a receiver having a first receiver port and a second receiver port, the receiver configured to store a refrigerant fluid, an evaporator having a first evaporator port and a second evaporator port, the heat pump circuit having a closed-circuit fluid path with the receiver and the evaporator and an open-circuit refrigeration system configured to receive refrigerant from the receiver, with the open-circuit refrigeration system having an open-circuit fluid path that includes the receiver and the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Vaisman, Joshua Peters
  • Patent number: 11702958
    Abstract: A method of regulating pressure in a thermal transport bus of a gas turbine engine, the method including: operating the gas turbine engine with the thermal transport bus having an intermediary heat exchange fluid flowing therethrough, the thermal transport bus including one or more heat source heat exchangers and one or more heat sink heat exchangers in thermal communication through the intermediary heat exchanger fluid; and adjusting a flow volume of the thermal transport bus using a variable volume device in fluid communication with the thermal transport bus in response to a pressure change associated with the thermal transport bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Alan Schimmels, Daniel Alan Niergarth, Arthur William Sibbach, Brandon Wayne Miller
  • Patent number: 11685234
    Abstract: A control system includes a refrigerant recovery module and at least one of a valve control module and a compressor control module. The refrigerant recovery module is configured to generate a refrigerant recovery signal to initiate a recovery of refrigerant from a first heat exchanger of a thermal system for an electric vehicle, and to stop the refrigerant recovery based on a temperature of refrigerant circulating through the first heat exchanger. The valve control module is configured to open a first valve to allow refrigerant to flow through the first heat exchanger in response to the refrigerant recovery signal. The compressor control module is configured to increase a speed of a compressor disposed upstream from the first heat exchanger in response to the refrigerant recovery signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Devin C. Richardson, Cameron Paul Smith, Anthony James Donatelli, Nathan John English, Tanay Kalpej Patel
  • Patent number: 11686516
    Abstract: A refrigerant-amount determination kit includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor is mounted at least temporarily on at least one of a portion of a refrigeration cycle apparatus and the periphery of the refrigeration cycle apparatus. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is an apparatus having a refrigerant circuit that includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. The processor determines the amount of a refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit based on a detection result detected by the sensor during operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Inao, Shizuka Sadai, Shuji Fujimoto, Shinichi Kasahara
  • Patent number: 11674710
    Abstract: A compliant containment device for use in a hydronic system, the compliant containment device including a vessel including an inlet and an outlet, and valve operably coupled to at least one of the inlet and outlet, wherein the valve is configured to operate between an open and closed position based in part on a temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gregory Terraz
  • Patent number: 11629890
    Abstract: Thermal management systems are described. These systems include a refrigerant receiver configured to store a refrigerant fluid, an evaporator, a closed-circuit refrigeration system having a closed fluid circuit path, with the refrigerant receiver and evaporator disposed in the closed fluid circuit path, and the closed fluid circuit path including a condenser and compressor. These systems also include a modulation capacity control circuit configured to selectively divert refrigerant vapor flow to the condenser from the compressor by diverting a portion of refrigerant vapor flow (diverted flow) from the compressor to the refrigerant receiver in accordance with cooling capacity demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Vaisman, Joshua Peters
  • Patent number: 11604019
    Abstract: A system for charging an outdoor unit with refrigerant includes a sensor configured to measure a refrigerant concentration and a user device configured to receive the measured refrigerant concentration. The system includes that the user device is configured to, in response to the measured refrigerant concentration exceeding a threshold, generate and display an alert on a user interface of the user device indicating the measured refrigerant concentration exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Alfano, Winfield S. Morter, Brian R. Butler
  • Patent number: 11561033
    Abstract: A thermal management system includes a refrigerant receiver having a refrigerant receiver outlet and a refrigerant receiver inlet, with the refrigerant receiver configured to store a refrigerant fluid, an ejector having a primary flow inlet coupled to receive the refrigerant fluid from the receiver, a secondary flow inlet and an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Vaisman, Joshua Peters, Jacob Swain
  • Patent number: 11548267
    Abstract: A heat cycle system is a heat cycle system (1) using a working medium containing hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) that has a double bond in a molecule structure, the heat cycle system (1) having a compressor (10), a high-pressure side heat exchanger (12), a low-pressure side heat exchanger (14), an expansion mechanism (13), and an acid detection means (40) which is disposed in a discharge pipe (21) connecting the compressor (10) and the high-pressure side heat exchanger (12) and which detects acid generated by decomposition of the working medium in a heat cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: AGC Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Hayamizu, Masato Fukushima, Hirokazu Takagi
  • Patent number: 11530848
    Abstract: Provided is an air conditioner including a connection pipe connected to a refrigerant pipe disposed inside an outdoor heat exchanger that operates as a condenser during a cooling operation and as an evaporator during a heating operation, a header connected to the connection pipe, wherein a refrigerant separated from a two-phase refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe flows through the header, a bypass pipe connected to the header to guide a flow of the refrigerant to a compressor, a flow rate control valve installed at the bypass pipe to control a flow velocity of the refrigerant, a subcooler configured to superheat the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe, and a controller configured to control an opening degree of the flow rate control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jungmin Park, Eunjun Cho
  • Patent number: 11449650
    Abstract: A method for estimating refrigerant charge for an HVACR system is provided. The method includes obtaining one or more system parameters during operation. The one or more system parameters include at least one of compressor suction superheat, system mass flow, expansion device mass flow or opening degree, compressor suction saturated temperature, and compressor discharge saturated temperature. The method also includes conducting a regression analysis on the one or more system parameters to determine one or more predictive parameters for estimating the refrigerant charge. The method further includes determining a predictive model based on regression analysis. The predictive model establishes a relationship between the refrigerant charge and the one or more predictive parameters. Also the method includes estimating the refrigerant charge based on the predictive model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jian Ming Zhang, Lifen Li, James P. Crolius, Scott A. Munns
  • Patent number: 11441826
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vapor compression system that includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor along the refrigerant loop and configured to condense vapor refrigerant to liquid refrigerant, a subcooler coupled to the condenser, where the subcooler is external of a shell of the condenser, and where the subcooler is configured to receive the liquid refrigerant from the condenser and to cool the liquid refrigerant to subcooled refrigerant, and an evaporator disposed downstream of the subcooler along the refrigerant loop and configured to evaporate the subcooled refrigerant to the vapor refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Jeb W. Schreiber, Eric H. Albrecht, Kevin D. Krebs, Justin P. Kauffman, Brian L. Stauffer, Xiuping Su, Li Wang, Fang Xue
  • Patent number: 11378313
    Abstract: A refrigerant detector testing system according to aspects of the disclosure includes a metering orifice formed in a suction line that is disposed between an evaporator coil and a compressor, a valve fluidly coupled to the metering orifice, a connecting tube fluidly coupled to the valve on a side opposite the metering orifice, a mixing device having an input orifice fluidly coupled to the connecting tube. In some embodiments, the mixing device includes an air intake disposed proximate the input orifice, a throttling portion downstream of the input orifice and the air intake, the throttling portion having a reduced cross-sectional area, and a diffuser section positioned downstream of the throttling portion, the diffuser section having an output orifice. According to aspects of the disclosure, a refrigerant detector fluidly exposed to the output orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Robert B. Uselton, Eric Berg, Mark Olsen
  • Patent number: 11378288
    Abstract: An outdoor unit of an air conditioner having an expansion valve unit. The outdoor unit of the air conditioner includes a compressor, a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between outdoor air and refrigerant compressed by the compressor, an expansion valve unit configured to decompress the refrigerant discharged from the heat exchanger, a refrigerant pipe configured to deliver the refrigerant, which is decompressed and expanded by the expansion valve unit, to the indoor unit of the air conditioner, and a bracket configured to support the expansion valve unit. The expansion valve unit includes an expansion valve, a first connection portion configured to connect the expansion valve to the heat exchanger, and a second connection portion configured to connect the expansion valve to the refrigerant pipe. The expansion valve, and one of the first connection portion or the second connection portion are fixed to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Munsub Kim, Youjae Kim, Hyunho Kim, Hyeongjoon Seo, Duhan Jung
  • Patent number: 11326804
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes a plurality of indoor units; a relay unit including an intermediate heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between refrigerant and a heat medium; and a heat source unit configured to supply cooling energy or heating energy to each of the plurality of indoor units via the relay unit. The heat source unit and the relay unit are connected by a heat-source connection pipe through which the refrigerant flows, and the relay unit and the plurality of indoor units are connected by a load connection pipe through which the heat medium flows. The load connection pipe comprises a main pipe connecting between the relay unit and one of the indoor units provided at an end of the load connection pipe opposite to the relay unit. The main pipe has branch parts associated with the indoor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naofumi Takenaka, Hiroki Washiyama, Yuji Motomura, Kimitaka Kadowaki
  • Patent number: 11280529
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to subcooling control of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. An HVAC system may include a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a refrigerant vessel having an inlet fluidly coupled to a discharge conduit extending from the compressor, and the refrigerant vessel having an outlet fluidly coupled to a liquid conduit, the liquid conduit configured to pass liquid refrigerant between the first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. The HVAC system may further include an electronic expansion valve (EEV) fluidly coupled between the discharge conduit and the inlet of the refrigerant vessel, wherein the EEV is configured to modulate and divert a portion of vapor refrigerant flowing through the discharge conduit into the refrigerant vessel to control subcooling (SC) produced by the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Jose Luis Balderrama
  • Patent number: 11262096
    Abstract: A compliant containment device for use in a hydronic system, the compliant containment device including a vessel including an inlet and an outlet, and valve operably coupled to at least one of the inlet and outlet, wherein the valve is configured to operate between an open and closed position based in part on a temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gregory Terraz
  • Patent number: 11204188
    Abstract: An air-conditioning device including multiple outdoor units and an indoor unit through a pipe includes a control section that obtains a degree of subcooling at an outlet of a subcooling circuit of each outdoor unit based on a temperature detected by a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of refrigerant having passed through the subcooling circuit of each outdoor unit, obtain a target value of the degree of subcooling based on the obtained multiple degrees of subcooling, and perform the control of increasing the rotation speed of a compressor of an outdoor unit having a higher degree of subcooling than the target value and decreasing the rotation speed of a compressor of an outdoor unit having a lower degree of subcooling than the target value such that a difference in the degree of subcooling at the outlet of the subcooling circuit of each outdoor unit is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI-JOHNSON CONTROLS AIR CONDITIONING, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kaneko, Shoutaro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11199337
    Abstract: An air conditioner that includes a refrigerant circuit connecting a plurality of indoor heat exchangers in parallel and is able to complete collection of refrigerant to the side of an outdoor heat exchanger in a shorter time when the refrigerant has leaked at any indoor heat exchanger is provided. Thus, in the air conditioner according to the present invention, when refrigerant leak is detected by a refrigerant leak sensor provided in an indoor unit and refrigerant leak is not detected by a refrigerant leak sensor provided in an indoor unit, an indoor LEV and a cutoff valve are closed to isolate an indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit from the refrigerant circuit in a refrigerant pump-down operation. When refrigerant leak is detected by the refrigerant leak sensor and refrigerant leak is not detected by the refrigerant leak sensor, an indoor LEV and a cutoff valve are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Kawashima, Katsuhiro Ishimura
  • Patent number: 11162720
    Abstract: A method of converting a refrigerant includes recovering a refrigerant from a refrigeration unit with an evacuation pump and containing the recovered refrigerant in a container. The method also includes testing the recovered refrigerant and converting the recovered refrigerant. The converted refrigerant is different from the recovered refrigerant. A system for converting a refrigerant includes an evacuation pump, a container, and one or more refrigerant containers. The evacuation pump and container are configured to recover a refrigerant from a refrigeration unit. The one or more containers deliver one or more refrigerant components into the container to convert the recovered refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Dermott Crombie, Stephen A. Kujak
  • Patent number: 11131489
    Abstract: A refrigerant recovery apparatus is connected between a target apparatus from which a refrigerant is recovered and a refrigerant recovery container. The apparatus includes a compressor, a condenser, and a residual refrigerant recovery path. The compressor sucks the refrigerant from a refrigerant circuit of the target apparatus and compresses the refrigerant. The condenser condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and sends the refrigerant to the refrigerant recovery container through a main refrigerant recovery path. The residual refrigerant recovery path through which a decompression mechanism on a branch path branching from the main refrigerant recovery path decompresses a residual refrigerant in the condenser. The decompressed refrigerant is sucked into the compressor and pressurized. The pressurized refrigerant is sent into the refrigerant recovery container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuo Domyo
  • Patent number: 11125481
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes an evaporator coil and a compressor fluidly coupled to the evaporator coil. A condenser coil is fluidly coupled to the compressor. The condenser coil includes at least one condenser circuit fluidly coupled between a discharge line and an exit manifold. A sub-cool circuit is fluidly coupled between the exit manifold and a liquid line. A first temperature sensor is disposed at an entrance to the sub-cool circuit. A second temperature sensor is disposed at an exit to the sub-cool circuit. An HVAC controller is operatively coupled to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor. The HVAC controller is configured to determine a temperature difference across the sub-cool circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Siddarth Rajan, Patrie Ananda Balan
  • Patent number: 11085677
    Abstract: A refrigerant recovery system is equipped with an extraction pipe, a stabilizer holding container, a recovery pipe, a recovery container, and a recovery device. The extraction pipe is connectable to a refrigerant extraction port of an air conditioning apparatus. The stabilizer holding container is connected to the extraction pipe—and holds a stabilizer. The stabilizer holding container causes refrigerant guided by the extraction pipe to come into contact with the stabilizer. The recovery pipe guides the refrigerant discharged from the stabilizer holding container. The recovery container is connected to the recovery pipe and recovers the refrigerant guided by the recovery pipe. The recovery device causes the refrigerant to move from the refrigerant extraction port to the recovery container. The refrigerant includes a compound represented by a molecular formula having one or more carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Tanaka, Shigeharu Taira, Tomoyuki Haikawa, Yoshiki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11073308
    Abstract: In a cryocooler for developing coldness of 4 K or lower by expanding helium, an expander expands high-pressure helium. A compressor compresses low-pressure helium returned from the expander, to generate high-pressure helium, and supplies the high-pressure helium to the expander. When helium temperature in the expander is 2.17 K or lower, the pressure of the low-pressure helium is equal to or higher than pressure given by a curve, in a helium state diagram in which the horizontal axis is temperature and the vertical axis is pressure, along which helium's volumetric thermal expansion coefficient is 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: A. T. A. M de Waele, Mingyao Xu, Qian Bao
  • Patent number: 11047590
    Abstract: An air conditioner, in which a liquid-pressure adjustment expansion valve that decompresses a refrigerant so that the refrigerant flowing through a liquid-refrigerant connection pipe is in a gas-liquid two-phase state is provided in an outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe that connects a liquid-side end of an outdoor heat exchanger to the liquid-refrigerant connection pipe, properly transports the refrigerant in a two-phase state while suppressing an increase in a discharge temperature of a compressor. A liquid injection pipe that branches part of a refrigerant flowing through an outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe and feeds the branched refrigerant to a compressor is connected to a portion of the outdoor liquid-refrigerant pipe on a side of an outdoor heat exchanger with respect to a liquid-pressure adjustment expansion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takuro Yamada, Yuusuke Nakagawa, Masahiro Honda, Yuusuke Oka
  • Patent number: 10871317
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for indicating status of multi-phase vacuum-assisted recovery of refrigerant from a vehicle. One apparatus for multi-phase vacuum-assisted recovery of refrigerant from a vehicle includes a compressor that removes refrigerant from the vehicle during a first phase and a second phase of a recovery process. The apparatus also includes a vacuum pump to assist the compressor in the removal of refrigerant from the vehicle during a second stage of the recovery process. Further, the vacuum pump is fluidly connected in series with the compressor during the second phase of the recovery process. The apparatus additionally includes one or more status lights and at least one processor to determine a status of the recovery process. At least one of the status lights is illuminated to represent a status of the recovery process, and at least one is visible from 360 degrees around the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Craig Govekar, Rahhali Sanhaji
  • Patent number: 10837684
    Abstract: An automated refrigerant recharging system determines whether a cooling load parameter of a direct expansion (DX) cooling system that cools information technology (IT) modules of an information handling system (IHS) has reached a defined recharging threshold that results in a response of the pressure value for measurement by the pressure transducer. In response to the cooling load parameter being equal to or greater than the defined recharging threshold, a controller determines whether a pressure value of the refrigerant of the DX cooling system is less than a defined target pressure value corresponding to the defined recharging threshold. In response to determining that the pressure value of the refrigerant of the DX cooling system is less than the defined target pressure value, the controller autonomously opens a control valve to transfer refrigerant to the DX cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael M. Toulouse, Tyler B. Duncan, Trey S. Wiederhold
  • Patent number: 10830515
    Abstract: A vapor compression system includes a heat transfer system including an arrangement of components moving a refrigerant through a vapor compression cycle to condition a controlled environment and a refrigerant management system including at least one expansion device regulating an amount of the refrigerant in the vapor compression cycle. The vapor compression system also includes a controller including a processor jointly controlling the expansion device and at least one component of the heat transfer system according to a metric of performance of the vapor compression system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Reed Laughman, Hongtao Qiao, Daniel J Burns, Scott A Bortoff
  • Patent number: 10808974
    Abstract: A dual tank refrigerant delivery apparatus including a refrigerant tank housing a first storage tank, a second storage tank, and a refrigerant delivery system positioned therein, the refrigerant delivery system adapted to supply a first refrigerant to the first storage tank and a second refrigerant to the second storage tank, a tank recess on the housing for receiving a refrigerant resupply tank, a first refrigerant hose for connecting to a first refrigerant resupply tank, a second refrigerant hose for connecting to a second refrigerant resupply tank, wherein the first refrigerant is supplied from the first refrigerant resupply tank through the first refrigerant hose and refrigerant delivery system to the first storage tank, and wherein the second refrigerant is supplied from the second refrigerant resupply tank through the second refrigerant hose and refrigerant delivery system to the second storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Craig F. Govekar, Rahhali Sanhaji, Paolo Pennacchia, Massimo Corposanto
  • Patent number: 10807438
    Abstract: An air condition service machine for charging an air conditioner with refrigerant in a fast-charge mode, the fast-charge mode controlled based upon the changing weight rate of a refrigerant tank providing the supply of refrigerant to the air conditioner. The embodiment may also include a compensation mode to provide greater accuracy of the charge after completion of the fast-charge mode. The rate of refrigerant flow is monitored and an end time as opposed to weight target ends the charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Mahendra Hs
  • Patent number: 10794621
    Abstract: An air conditioner and a method of controlling an air conditioner are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Changmin Choi, Taekyu Ha, Sunghwan Kim
  • Patent number: 10775084
    Abstract: A charge-verification tool is used with a charge-verification system to diagnose and remedy a charge condition. The charge-verification tool includes a device having a controller configured to communicate with a system controller in the charge-verification system and a display configured to display measurements and instructions to an installer. The device is a user interface and is configured to provide communication between the installer and the system controller in the charge-verification system. The controller prompts the installer to input charge-verification system information including refrigeration line length and diameter. The controller receives a subcooling temperature calculated by the system controller and determines whether the subcooling temperature is between a threshold and a target subcooling temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung M. Pham
  • Patent number: 10767912
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus is provided with a refrigerant circuit, a refrigerant tank circuit, and a degassing pipe. The refrigerant circuit is configured by connecting a compressor, a flow path switching apparatus, a first heat exchanger, a decompressing apparatus, and a second heat exchanger. The refrigerant tank circuit is connected to the first and second heat exchangers in parallel with the decompressing apparatus. The degassing pipe has a first end and a second end. The flow path switching apparatus is configured to switch a flow of refrigerant discharged from the compressor to any of the first and second heat exchangers. The refrigerant tank circuit contains a refrigerant tank. The degassing pipe has the first end connected to the refrigerant tank and has the second end connected to at least any of the refrigerant circuit and the refrigerant tank circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Ito, Takuya Ito, Yasushi Okoshi, Kazuyuki Ishida
  • Patent number: 10760807
    Abstract: An air conditioner according to the present invention has a structure driving a compressor and a pump, simultaneously, in a low-temperature cooling environment in which the outdoor temperature is lower than the indoor temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Hee Jang, Hyung Mo Koo, Byoung Guk Lim, Il Yong Cho
  • Patent number: 10760828
    Abstract: A chiller plant is disclosed. The chiller plant includes a chiller circuit including a chiller, a first process fluid circuit, and a first heat exchanger. The chiller is configured to provide a first process fluid at a first temperature. The chiller plant also includes an air handling circuit including a plurality of ice storage tanks and an air handling unit. The chiller plant further includes a terminal cooling circuit including a plurality of terminals, the terminal cooling circuit providing a second process fluid to the plurality of terminals at a second temperature that is different from the first temperature. The terminal cooling circuit is fluidly separate from, but thermally communicates with, the chiller circuit via the first heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: John Arthur Murphy, Susanna S. Hanson, Kevin P. Bradley, Anthony Wayne Bruno
  • Patent number: 10627142
    Abstract: An air conditioning service unit and method of using same provide increased accuracy in determining respective amounts of refrigerant and oil recovered during service of an air conditioning system by taking into account the quantity of dissolved refrigerant in oil recovered from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignees: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: William Brown, Mark McMasters, Mahendra Hospet Basavapura Srinivasa
  • Patent number: 10571176
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an air conditioner and a method for controlling the same. The air conditioner includes an indoor temperature measuring unit that measures an indoor air temperature, an outdoor temperature measuring unit that measures an outdoor air temperature, a heat exchanger temperature measuring unit that measures an inlet temperature of one or more indoor heat exchangers and an outlet temperature thereof, and a processor that determines a reference superheat degree using the indoor air temperature and the outdoor air temperature, obtains a difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature of the one or more indoor heat exchangers, compares the difference between the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature of the one or more indoor heat exchangers and the reference superheat degree, and determines whether a circulation amount of a refrigerant is normal according to a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-Sik Han, Jeong Uk Park, Jong Woon Kim, Tae Woo Kim, Hyun Jin Bae
  • Patent number: 10488090
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a refrigeration system including a condenser is provided. The diagnostic system may include a controller determining a subcooling temperature of the refrigeration system, an approach temperature of the condenser, and a condenser temperature difference of the condenser. The controller may determine at least one of a fault condition of the refrigeration system and a charge of the refrigeration system based on the subcooling temperature, the approach temperature, and the condenser temperature difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung M. Pham
  • Patent number: 10473371
    Abstract: A method for charging a field refrigeration system including an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and an expansion device includes calculating a target superheat as a function of one or more of a measured field outdoor dry bulb temperature, and a measured field indoor wet bulb temperature. A charge adjustment percentage can be calculated as a function of the target superheat. A refrigerant adjustment weight can be determined based on the charge adjustment percentage. A field refrigeration system charge can be adjusted by the refrigerant adjustment weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Nortek Global HVAC, LLC
    Inventors: Jie Chen, Jan Pottinger
  • Patent number: 10473372
    Abstract: A method for charging a field refrigeration system including an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and an expansion device includes calculating a field subcooling of the field refrigeration system as a function of a measured field liquid line pressure and a measured field liquid line temperature. A charge adjustment percentage can be calculated as a function of the field subcooling, a measured field indoor wet bulb temperature, and a measured field outdoor dry bulb temperature. A refrigerant adjustment weight can be determined based on the charge adjustment percentage. A field refrigeration system charge can be adjusted by the refrigerant adjustment weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Nortek Global HVAC, LLC
    Inventors: Jie Chen, Jan Pottinger
  • Patent number: 10443863
    Abstract: A heat-pump circuit may include an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, a compressor adapted to circulate a working fluid between the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, and an expansion device disposed between the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers. A monitor for the heat-pump system may include a return-air temperature sensor, a supply-air temperature sensor, and a processor. The return-air temperature sensor may be adapted to measure a first air temperature of air upstream of the indoor heat exchanger. The supply-air temperature sensor may be adapted to measure a second air temperature of air downstream of the indoor heat exchanger. The processor may be in communication with the return-air temperature sensor and the supply-air temperature sensor. The processor may be programmed to determine a working-fluid-charge condition of the heat-pump system based on the first and second air temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fadi M. Alsaleem, Gregg M. Hemmelgarn