By Temperature Patents (Class 62/156)
  • Patent number: 11912104
    Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration system (20) includes operating the refrigeration system in refrigeration mode. A current access condition into a refrigerated cargo space (22) is detected. At least one heat exchanger (32) in the refrigerated cargo space (22) is directed into a defrost mode during the current access condition. The refrigeration system (20) is directed into a refrigeration mode when the current access condition is no longer detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11885555
    Abstract: A drain harness for a device with a drain. The drain harness may define at least a portion of one or more through openings. The drain harness may include one or more electrical wirings. The drain harness may include one or more electrical components. The drain harness may be flexible or flexed between one or more configurations. The drain harness may include one or more caps and/or seal mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eric Scalf
  • Patent number: 11466910
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes systems and methods of reducing frost accumulation on a heat pump evaporator coil. The disclosed technology can include a heat pump assembly having an evaporator coil, a fan configured to direct air across the evaporator coil, a temperature sensor, and a controller configured to energize the fan to direct air across the evaporator coil when the temperature of the evaporator coil is below a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Douglas M. Bates, Christopher M. Puranen
  • Patent number: 11448441
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for cooling a vehicular electronics system. In one aspect, a vehicular refrigerant system includes: (1) a refrigerant loop having a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant, an expansion device configured to enable expansion of the condensed refrigerant, and a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from a liquid coolant to the expanded refrigerant; (2) a liquid coolant loop configured to transfer heat from an electronics system via the liquid coolant; and (3) a controller configured to: (a) obtain operating data regarding the refrigerant, the liquid coolant, and/or the electronics system; and (b) adjust operation of the refrigerant loop and/or the liquid coolant loop based on the obtained operating data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: BERGSTROM, INC.
    Inventors: Terry Zeigler, Brett S. Connell
  • Patent number: 11428450
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes an outdoor unit, a plurality of indoor units, a plurality of expansion valves which are provided upstream of indoor heat exchangers, a plurality of on-off valves which are provided upstream of the expansion valves, and control unit wherein when the indoor units include a stopping indoor unit and an operating indoor unit currently operating, and when a stopping of the stopping unit is due to thermostat-off operation, the control unit performs a procedure to stop the stopping unit, the procedure including closing an on-off valve that corresponds to the stopping unit and driving an indoor fan in the stopping unit until pressure in a part between the on-off valve and an expansion valve that corresponds to the stopping unit and pressure in a part downstream of the first expansion valve are equalized, fully opening the expansion valve, and stopping the indoor fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: FUJITSU GENERAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Shintaro Sanada, Yu Hirosaki, Naruhiro Sekine, Ryo Takaoka, Koya Aoki, Tatsuro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11421902
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering circulating water includes a cooling/warming controller configured to perform heat exchange of circulating water supplied to a cooling/warming apparatus using a refrigerant; an indoor-unit controller configured to perform heat exchange of circulating water supplied to an indoor unit using the refrigerant; and a mode change unit (MCU) configured to control a flow of the refrigerant supplied to the cooling/warming controller and the indoor-unit controller according to an operation mode of the cooling/warming apparatus and the indoor unit. The cooling/warming controller and the indoor-unit controller may be configured to share a circulating water passage through which the circulating water moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Rolf Leemeijer
  • Patent number: 11306951
    Abstract: A refrigeration system has: (a) a fluid tight circulation loop including a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator, the evaporator having at least three evaporator zones, each evaporator zone having an inlet port, the circulation loop being further configured to measure the condition of the refrigerant with a refrigerant condition sensor disposed within the evaporator upstream of the evaporator outlet port; and control the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator based upon the measured condition of the refrigerant within the evaporator, and (b) a controller for controlling the flow rate of refrigerant to the evaporator based upon the measured condition of the refrigerant within the evaporator upstream of the evaporator outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: PDX Technologies LLC
    Inventor: John Scherer
  • Patent number: 11254186
    Abstract: A heat pump air conditioner assembly for an electric vehicle and a control method thereof, and an electric vehicle with the heat pump air conditioner assembly for the electric vehicle are provided. The heat pump air conditioner assembly includes a heat pump air conditioning system and a HVAC box body. An in-vehicle heat exchanger of the heat pump air conditioning system is located in the HVAC box body. An auxiliary heater is also arranged in the HVAC box body. The auxiliary heater is located at a leeward side of the in-vehicle heat exchanger. The heat pump air conditioning system is provided with a defrosting branch connecting with a refrigerant outlet of an external heat exchanger and a suction port of a compressor. When the heat pump air conditioning system is in a defrosting mode, the HVAC box body supplies air to the vehicle, the auxiliary heater is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignees: Gree Electric Appliances (Wuhan) Co., Ltd, Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai
    Inventors: Junfeng Li, Huaying Chen, Lei Han, Xiao Li, Aibin Guo
  • Patent number: 11175172
    Abstract: A liquid level detection device detecting a liquid level of a liquid in a container includes a heater configured to heat the container, a plurality of temperature sensors provided at different heights of the container, and configured to detect a surface temperature of the container, and a controller configured to detect the liquid level of the liquid in the container, based on the surface temperature of the container detected by the plurality of temperature sensors when the heater is caused to heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Asanuma, Hiroyuki Okano, Kazuki Okochi, Hiroki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 11131497
    Abstract: Operating a vapor compression system including determining a total heat delivered by the vapor compression system, determining a total electrical energy consumed by the vapor compression system while delivering heat, maintaining a total electrical energy consumed by the vapor compression system during a defrosting cycle, determining a cumulative coefficient of performance of the vapor compression system based on the total heat delivered, the total electrical energy consumed by the vapor compression system while delivering heat, and the total electrical energy consumed by the vapor compression system during the defrosting cycle, and initiating a defrosting cycle based the cumulative coefficient of performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Pavel Trnka, Jan Prasek
  • Patent number: 11112171
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes: a cabinet; a door; an out plate that defines an outer appearance of the door and a plate opening; a door liner that defines a rear surface of the door and a liner opening; a transparent display assembly that is located between the door liner and the out plate and that allows the storage space to be seen therethrough and a screen to be outputted; a PCB provided on the inner side of the door and connected to the transparent display assembly; a display PCB provided at the cabinet and configured to control the transparent display assembly; a cable connecting the transparent display assembly and the PCB and having a flat shape that extends along a circumference of the transparent display assembly; and a connection cable connecting the PCB and the display PCB and having a wire shape that penetrates the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ikkyu Lee, Dongrim Woo
  • Patent number: 11104203
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing de-icing a heat pump exchanger and heating a vehicle cabin are presented. In one example, a climate control system that experiences icing of the exterior heat exchanger may be operated in a first mode where thermal energy from the energy storage device is used to de-ice and also heat the cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Noah Blatchley, Angel Fernando Porras, Rohan Shrivastava
  • Patent number: 11085682
    Abstract: A heat pump system and a control method thereof. The heat pump system includes: a major heat exchange loop (100), including at least one compressor (110), a flow-path switching valve (120), a condenser (130), a first throttling element (140), an economizer (150), and an evaporator (160) that are connected sequentially to form a loop; and an air supply branch (200), which is connected from a flow path between the first throttling element and the economizer to an air supply inlet of the compressor, the air supply branch being provided with a switch valve (231) for preventing a gas-phase refrigerant from flowing back; where a pressure balance branch (300) is further included, which is connected from the air supply branch at the upstream of the switch valve to a low-pressure gas-phase refrigerant side of the major heat exchange loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Weijuan Wang, Yilin Zhang
  • Patent number: 11073297
    Abstract: Provided are an air conditioner defrosting control method and a device thereof. The air conditioner defrosting control method is: entering a defrosting mode, and detecting the number of defrosting operations executed in the present defrosting mode; according to the number of defrosting operations and an initially set defrosting time, setting the present set defrosting time recording the present defrosting time; detecting that the present defrosting time, and determining that the present defrosting time reaches the preset defrosting time; updating the number of defrosting operations; and setting the next set defrosting time. Through the air conditioner defrosting control method and device, the maximum defrosting time can be self-adaptively adjusted without affecting the use of a user, and preventing the accumulation of a frosting layer, and avoiding the risk of pipes bursting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: Jun Li
  • Patent number: 11047610
    Abstract: A defrost cycle control assembly includes a first sensor that is configured to measure a temperature adjacent a top portion of an outdoor heat exchanger of a heat pump, a second sensor that is configured to measure a temperature adjacent a bottom portion of the outdoor heat exchanger, and a third sensor that is configured to measure an ambient temperature. Further, the defrost cycle control assembly includes a controller that is configured to initiate a defrost cycle of the heat pump based on the temperature adjacent the top portion and the ambient temperature when said temperatures indicate formation of frost at the top portion of the outdoor heat exchanger where the first sensor is disposed. The controller is configured to terminate the defrost cycle when the temperature at the bottom portion reaches a termination temperature which indicates that the frost on the outdoor heat exchanger has melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Aniket R. Kalambe, Walter R. Lowrimore, Neil D. Hurt, Michael Andrews, Randy Foster
  • Patent number: 11029071
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a refrigerator configured to delay increase in temperature of a storage compartment by lowering temperature of air that is heated by a defrost heater. A refrigerator includes a defrost heater, a lower cool air duct including a first flow path configured to guide cool air generated by the evaporator to be supplied to the storage compartment and an upper cool air duct disposed in an upper side of the lower cool air duct and provided with a second flow path configured to guide cool air generated by the evaporator to be supplied to the storage compartment. A cool pack in which cold storage material is filled stores cold storage energy from cool air that is delivered to the second flow path to decrease a temperature of air passing via the second flow path, so that increase of an internal temperature of the storage compartment is delayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Wook Bae, Kook Jeong Seo, Young Don Jeong
  • Patent number: 11029072
    Abstract: A cooling device including a freezing cycle including a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing means, and an evaporator is provided. In the cooling device, the condenser includes a first condenser and a second condenser independent from each other, the second condenser being positioned at a downstream side of the first condenser in a refrigerant channel, and the first condenser and the second condenser are connected to each other through a dew condensation preventing pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Hirai, Makoto Kobayashi, Masanaga Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11015833
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for determining the size of the fresh air inlet performed by a computing device, and an indoor unit of an air conditioner. The computing device acquires an outputting air volume and a fresh air coefficient of the indoor unit of the air conditioner; calculates a cross-sectional area of the fresh air inlet, according to the outputting air volume and the fresh air coefficient of the indoor unit of the air conditioner; and calculates a diameter of the fresh air inlet, according to the cross-sectional area of the fresh air inlet. The indoor unit of the air conditioner having the fresh air inlet can improve the comfort in the indoor environment and user's experience satisfaction without adversely affecting the heat exchange efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignees: GD MIDEA HEATING & VENTILATING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhirong Hong, Shize Li, Yingqiang Mo
  • Patent number: 11009247
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a switching valve, a flow rate restricting portion and an on-off valve. The switching valve provided in a flow path between a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor heat exchanger includes a heat exchange portion and a heat exchange portion. During heating operation, the switching valve causes a second connection port, a third connection port and a first connection port to communicate with one another. The flow rate restricting portion and the on-off valve are connected in series between an outlet and an inlet of the compressor during the heating operation, to bypass a part of refrigerant. During defrosting operation of the heat exchange portion, the switching valve is configured such that a fourth connection port and the second connection port communicate with each other, and the third connection port and the first connection port communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Tashiro, Yasuhide Hayamaru
  • Patent number: 11002475
    Abstract: A method of automatically controlling a refrigerated device that includes a refrigeration system with an evaporator and an evaporator temperature sensor involves: (a) monitoring an output of the evaporator temperature sensor; (b) based upon monitored temperatures from (a), identifying when a rate of change in temperature indicated by the evaporator temperature sensor satisfies a set rate of change condition and determining if the temperature indicated by the evaporator temperature sensor when the rate of change satisfies to the set rate of change condition is consistent with a predefined expected temperature condition; (c) if the temperature indicated by the evaporator temperature sensor is consistent with the predefined expected temperature condition, taking a first refrigeration control action; and (d) if the temperature indicated by the evaporator temperature sensor is not consistent with the predefined expected temperature condition, taking a second refrigeration control action that is different than the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Steven T. Jackson, Charles M. Louis
  • Patent number: 10976096
    Abstract: A heated opening through the walls, floor, or ceiling of a refrigerated enclosure, and a method for reducing or eliminating frost and condensation on the surfaces of the opening and around the opening. An opening that reduces the chances of microbiological growth with a design that promotes ease of sanitation and reduction in microbiological growth niches. Ease of replacement of heating element parts. Reduced chances for debris or water from reaching the inner surfaces of the opening and any items passing through the opening. Reduced or eliminated frost and condensation on conveyor frames and similar components used with conveyor belts or similar parts passing through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventor: Kenneth Lee Seddelmeyer
  • Patent number: 10900695
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a compressor, first and second heat exchangers, an expansion valve, a four-way valve, and a controller. The four-way valve is configured to switch a direction of flow of the refrigerant between a first direction and a second direction. The controller is configured to control the four-way valve to switch an operation from a defrosting operation in which the refrigerant flows in the second direction, to a heating operation in which the refrigerant flows in the first direction, to perform a heating preparation control for increasing a degree of superheat of the refrigerant output to the compressor from the second heat exchanger, and thereafter to start the heating operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Ishiyama, Yusuke Shimazu, Satoru Yanachi
  • Patent number: 10871312
    Abstract: A Transport Refrigeration Unit (TRU) includes one or more evaporators inside the TRU each containing two manifold tubes located at opposite ends of the evaporator and a multiplicity of cooling tubes traversing between the manifold tubes; one or more super-insulated vacuum tanks located in front of, beneath or inside the TRU, filled with liquid nitrogen, carbon dioxide or a cryogenic coolant connected to the one or more evaporators using vacuum-insulated pipes; a solenoid or pneumatic valve located upstream or downstream of the evaporator to meter a flow of nitrogen through the evaporator; a temperature controlling circuit that operates the solenoid or pneumatic valve; a flow restricting device that limits the flow of the cryogenic coolant through the evaporator; a vent pipe to vent the spent coolant outside the TRU; and a multiplicity of fans located adjacent to and above the evaporators that distribute the cooled air uniformly throughout the TRU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Reflect Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Moon, William J. Hancock, Steven J. Parkinson, Steven V. Boyce
  • Patent number: 10837686
    Abstract: A control method for a refrigerator comprises: decreasing an output of at least one of a cold air supply means for a first storage chamber or stopping the cold air supply means, if a sensed temperature of the first storage chamber reaches a value less than or equal to a second reference temperature; increasing the output, if a certain time has passed after the temperature has reached the value less than or equal to the second reference temperature, or if the temperature reaches a first specific value between a first reference temperature and the second reference temperature; and decreasing the output or stopping the cold air supply means, if a certain time has passed after the output of the air supply means has been changed in a previous step, or if the temperature reaches a preset second specific value between the first specific value and the second reference temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Namgyo Lee, Sunghee Kang, Jindong Kim, Hyuksoon Kim, Yoonseong Nam, Jihyun Im, Yonghyeon Cho, Taehwa Hong
  • Patent number: 10775060
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus is capable of performing a heating-defrosting operation where a specific one of a plurality of parallel heat exchangers is a heat exchanger to be defrosted and serves as a condenser while at least one parallel heat exchanger other than the heat exchanger to be defrosted serves as an evaporator. The air-conditioning apparatus includes a liquid refrigerant transporting unit for transferring liquid refrigerant from an accumulator to the heat exchanger to be defrosted. To perform the heating-defrosting operation, the air-conditioning apparatus supplies, to the heat exchanger to be defrosted, the liquid refrigerant transferred by the liquid refrigerant transporting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naofumi Takenaka, Shinichi Wakamoto, Kazuya Watanabe, Koji Yamashita, Takeshi Hatomura
  • Patent number: 10747243
    Abstract: An HVAC controller that monitors a current performance level of an HVAC system, and determines if the current performance level falls below a minimum performance threshold level for at least a first predetermined amount of time. The HVAC controller may be configured it display an alert on the display of the HVAC controller if the HVAC controller determines that the current performance level has fallen below the minimum performance threshold level for at least the first period of time. In some cases, the HVAC controller may remove the alert from the display of the HVAC controller if the current performance level subsequently rises and remains above the minimum performance threshold level for at least a second predetermined amount of time. In some cases, the first predetermined amount of time may include a utility shutoff period component and/or a defrost cycle period component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Barton, Cary Leen, Stan Zywicki, David Schultz, Mohammad Aljabari
  • Patent number: 10712076
    Abstract: A air-cooled refrigerator is provided, comprising: a freezer compartment (103), a refrigeration compartment (104), a temperature changeable compartment (105), a finned evaporator (106), an electric air door (107), an air inlet duct (101) and an air return duct (102), wherein the main air duct (1011) has one end connected to the refrigeration compartment air inlet duct (1012) and the temperature changeable compartment air inlet duct (1013) respectively, and the other end connected to an outlet of the finned evaporator (106), and in the air return duct (102), both the refrigeration compartment air return duct (1021) and the temperature changeable compartment air return duct (1022) introduce the returning air into the bottom of the finned evaporator (106), the electric air door (106) is communicated with the refrigeration compartment air inlet duct (1012) and the temperature changeable compartment air inlet duct (1013) respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignees: HEFEI HUALING CO., LTD, HEFEI MIDEA REFRIGERATOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yang Luo
  • Patent number: 10684050
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration apparatus in which adverse events caused by excess refrigerant can be suppressed even when defrosting is performed with some of a plurality of outdoor units designated as units to be defrosted. An air-conditioning apparatus is configured from a parallel connection of a first outdoor unit and a second outdoor unit, wherein when a second outdoor heat exchanger of the second outdoor unit is caused to function as an evaporator while a first outdoor heat exchanger of the first outdoor unit is caused to function as a condenser to defrost the first outdoor heat exchanger, a refrigerant circuit has a flow channel that supplies some of the refrigerant flowing out of the first outdoor heat exchanger to the second outdoor heat exchanger and a flow channel that supplies the rest of the refrigerant flowing out of the first outdoor heat exchanger to an indoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryuuta Ohura, Takuya Kotani, Junya Minami
  • Patent number: 10655877
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a system comprises a controller and an HVAC system with components comprising an evaporator unit comprising an evaporator coil, an indoor fan, and a discharge air duct and a condenser unit comprising a compressor, a condenser coil, and an outdoor fan. The system is configured to determine that a first or a second level of evaporator coil freeze risk is present and to communicate an instruction to the HVAC system with a first or a second action to counteract the freeze risk. For example, in certain embodiments, the actions comprise changing the indoor fan speed, changing the compressor speed, and changing the outdoor fan speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Wenqian Liu, Zer Kai Yap, Marcus Troxell, William Clay Toombs
  • Patent number: 10634395
    Abstract: A Transport Refrigeration Unit (TRU) includes one or more evaporators inside the TRU each containing two manifold tubes located at opposite ends of the evaporator and a multiplicity of cooling tubes traversing between the manifold tubes; one or more super-insulated vacuum tanks located in front of, beneath or inside the TRU, filled with liquid nitrogen, carbon dioxide or a cryogenic coolant connected to the one or more evaporators using vacuum-insulated pipes; a solenoid or pneumatic valve located upstream or downstream of the evaporator to meter a flow of nitrogen through the evaporator; a temperature controlling circuit that operates the solenoid or pneumatic valve; a flow restricting device that limits the flow of the cryogenic coolant through the evaporator; a vent pipe to vent the spent coolant outside the TRU; and a multiplicity of fans located adjacent to and above the evaporators that distribute the cooled air uniformly throughout the TRU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Reflect Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: William G Moon, William J Hancock, Steven J Parkinson, Steven V Boyce
  • Patent number: 10627152
    Abstract: A domestic refrigeration appliance has a housing in which there is formed at least one receiving space for food that is delimited by walls of an internal container. An icemaker has an external housing that is separate from the internal container and that is preferably inserted in an inset region of the internal container and that has a charging opening. A separate frame is arranged on a front edge of the external housing. The separate frame delimits the charging opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Ehninger, Prashantagouda Hosamani, Klaus Maier, Robert Stahl
  • Patent number: 10551097
    Abstract: In one aspect, a refrigeration system is provided. The refrigeration system includes a refrigeration circuit configured to condition an air supply, a subcooling circuit configured to cool the refrigeration circuit, the subcooling circuit including a subcooling condenser, a subcooling heat exchanger, and at least one adsorption bed, and a heat generation system thermally coupled to the subcooling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick J. Cogswell, Catherine Thibaud, Parmesh Verma, Bart A. Van Hassel, Thomas D. Radcliff, Abdelrahman ElSherbini, Robert A. Chopko
  • Patent number: 10544958
    Abstract: Stress to be imposed on a compressor in reverse cycle operation is reduced. A cycle controller causes an outdoor heat exchanger to function as a condenser and an indoor heat exchanger to function as an evaporator when a reverse cycle executing condition is met, so that a refrigerant circulates in reverse of a heating cycle. A rotation speed controller adjusts a rotation speed of a compressor in a reverse cycle, depending on an index correlated with an amount of frost on the outdoor heat exchanger at a start of the reverse cycle. The rotation speed controller decreases the rotation speed of the compressor in the reverse cycle as the index at the start of the reverse cycle indicates that the amount of the frost on the outdoor heat exchanger is smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Makino, Keitarou Hoshika, Naoki Moroi, Hiroshi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 10538144
    Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle air conditioning device of a heat pump system which delays proceeding of frosting onto an outdoor heat exchanger, thereby eliminating or inhibiting deterioration of a heating capability due to the frosting. The vehicle air conditioning device executes a heating mode in which a controller lets a refrigerant discharged from a compressor 2 radiate heat in a radiator 4, decompresses the refrigerant by which heat has been radiated, and then lets the refrigerant absorb heat in an outdoor heat exchanger 7, and on the basis of a difference ?TXO=(TXObase?TXO) between a refrigerant evaporation temperature TXObase of the outdoor heat exchanger 7 in non-frosting and a refrigerant evaporation temperature TXO of the outdoor heat exchanger 7, the controller corrects a target subcool degree TGSC that is a target value of a subcool degree of the refrigerant in the radiator 4 in an increasing direction in accordance with increase of the difference ?TXO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: SANDEN HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Ryo Miyakoshi, Kouhei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10520240
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a defrosting device, including a heating unit provided in an evaporator; and a heat pipe, both end portions of which are connected to an inlet and an outlet of the heating unit, respectively, and at least part of which is disposed adjacent to a cooling tube to dissipate heat to the cooling tube of the evaporator due to high-temperature working fluid heated and transferred by the heating unit, wherein the heating unit includes a heater case provided with a vacant space therein, and provided with the inlet and the outlet at positions separated from each other, respectively, along a length direction; and a heater attached to an outer surface of the heater case to heat working fluid within the heater case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kwangsoo Jung, Woocheol Kang, Yonggap Park, Geunhyung Lee, Jongmin Lee, Hyunwoo Cho
  • Patent number: 10408470
    Abstract: A system and method is described for a heater box or compartment within a gas furnace or other HVAC cabinet. The compartment can house drain hoses, drain traps, and other components used to collect and dispose of condensate. The compartment can comprise heating elements or thermostatic switches to assist in preventing the freezing of condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Allied Air Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Walter M. Ashcraft
  • Patent number: 10359207
    Abstract: When starting a cooling operation mode from a non-operating mode, the blower device of the indoor unit from which the start command is originated is operated. When starting a heating operation mode from a non-operating mode, the blower device of the indoor unit from which the start command is originated is operated after the heat medium temperature becomes equal to or greater than a preconfigured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Motomura, Daisuke Shimamoto, Takayoshi Honda, Osamu Morimoto, Koji Nishioka, Tatsuo Ono
  • Patent number: 10345036
    Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator configured to improve main body stiffness, which is decreased as thickness of an insulation material is reduced to increase inner capacity of the main body, using a reinforcement structure, resulting in reduction of deformation of the main body. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator in which an electronic box including various electronic constituent elements needed to control the operation of the refrigerator is disposed in a hinge cover provided in a forward direction of an upper part of the main body, resulting in improved space utilization (or space occupancy).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dae Jin Hong, Yong Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 10317123
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes an evaporator, a first fan, a first duct, a first return duct, a second fan, a second duct, and a second return duct. A first temperature sensor measures a first temperature in a first enclosed space. A second temperature sensor measures a second temperature in a second enclosed space. The first duct is mounted between the evaporator and the first enclosed space to receive air from the first duct and move it into the first enclosed space. The first return duct is mounted between the first enclosed space and the evaporator. The second duct is mounted between the evaporator and the second enclosed space to receive air from the second duct and move it into the second enclosed space. The second return duct is mounted between the second enclosed space and the evaporator. A refrigerator controller controls the evaporator and independent operation of both fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SUB-ZERO, INC.
    Inventor: Elizabeth Wohlers
  • Patent number: 10309675
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a defrosting method for an air conditioner. The method includes: acquiring outdoor temperature and outdoor humidity if the air conditioner enters a defrosting mode; judging whether the outdoor temperature and the outdoor humidity satisfy a predetermined condition; and controlling an outdoor fan to rotate reversely according to tube temperature of an outdoor heat exchanger and a defrosting period, so as to defrost a protecting housing surrounding the outdoor heat exchanger if it is judged that the outdoor temperature and the outdoor humidity satisfy the predetermined condition. The defrosting method may efficiently defrost the protecting housing surrounding the outdoor heat exchanger completely. The present disclosure further provides a defrosting device for an air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignees: GD MIDEA HEATING & VENTILATING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guozhong Yang, Fudang Wei, Yuanyang Li
  • Patent number: 10267552
    Abstract: A multi-duct that is coupled to a surface of a cabinet including a plurality of spaces divided by one or more shelves in a refrigerator and that includes: a flow channel (i) that extends between a first end of the flow channel and a second end of the flow channel in a first direction, (ii) that passes through the plurality of spaces, and (iii) that guides cool air from the first end to the second end; an inlet; and a plurality of outlets, wherein the flow channel includes a first curved flow channel (i) that is configured to discharge cool air through a first outlet of the plurality of outlets and (ii) that has a concave shape that is curved toward a second direction opposite to a direction in which cool air is discharged through the first outlet is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Hyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 10228167
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of warming a heat exchanger array of a very low temperature refrigeration system, the method comprising diverting at least a portion of refrigerant flow in the refrigeration system away from a refrigerant flow circuit used during very low temperature cooling operation of the refrigeration system, to effect warming of at least a portion of the heat exchanger array; and while diverting the at least a portion of refrigerant flow, preventing excessive refrigerant mass flow through a compressor of the refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Flynn, Yongqiang Qiu, HaeYong Moon
  • Patent number: 10228175
    Abstract: A liquid temperature control apparatus including a heat medium circulation apparatus equipped with a cooling unit having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and a plurality of cooling heat exchangers, and equipped with a heating unit configured to allow a portion of a heat medium flowing out from the compressor toward the condenser to be branched and return the portion of the heat medium to flow into the condenser on the downstream side of the compressor via a heating heat exchanger and a heating amount adjustment valve; and a liquid flow apparatus. A first liquid flow path of the liquid flow apparatus is connected to the first cooling heat exchanger and to the heating heat exchanger. A second liquid flow path is connected to the second cooling heat exchanger. Moreover, an electric heater for heating the liquid allowed to flow is provided in the second liquid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Shinwa Controls Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Kita, Kazutomo Ichinoki, Katsuji Uchino
  • Patent number: 10166839
    Abstract: A vehicle display system includes: a display arranged in a cabin of a vehicle and configured to display settings of a plurality of setting items of an air conditioner; and an electronic control unit configured to calculate an index value indicating a level of an operating load of the air conditioner on the basis of the setting of the setting item that influences a load state of the air conditioner among the plurality of setting items, and display, on the display unit, the index value and the setting of the setting item used to calculate the index value among the plurality of setting items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Yanatsubo, Hisashi Fujiwara, Yosuke Nihei
  • Patent number: 10066865
    Abstract: A refrigerator, in particular a household refrigerator, includes an utility chamber for cooled goods and a control device, with which a cold air flow can be introduced into the utility chamber when a cooling signal is present. A defrost heating element is rendered operative by the control device to prevent the formation of condensate and/or ice due to the cold air flow fed into the utility chamber. A timing element keeps the heating element out of operation for a predetermined time interval in response to the generation of the cooling signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Panagiotis Fotiadis, Jochen Härlen, Harald Joksch
  • Patent number: 10039304
    Abstract: An adjustable flow path modification assembly for use with a gas treatment system having a spiral stack and a gas treatment supply unit disposed within a chamber, wherein the spiral stack has a height and an inner channel, includes a first internal partition disposed within the inner channel of the stack and an adjustable opening defined within the first internal partition. The adjustable opening is configured to selectively allow the flow of treatment gas through the inner channel of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies AB
    Inventor: Lars Axel Herman Ohrlander
  • Patent number: 9933200
    Abstract: In various implementations, defrost operations may be managed. A change in the temperature of a heat exchanger may be determined. A determination whether to allow a defrost operation may be at least partially based on the determined change in the temperature of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Qu, Pete Hrejsa
  • Patent number: 9895022
    Abstract: A thawing appliance (1), in particular a food thawing cabinet, includes a food compartment (11), a refrigeration circuit (30) comprising a cooler (37), a heater (40) switchable between at least two conditions, and an air circulating element (21) circulating an airflow across the food compartment (11). The airflow passes through the heater (40) only a part of the airflow passes through the cooler (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Electrolux Professional S.p.A.
    Inventors: Omar Fracas, Luciano Andretta, Deny Longo
  • Patent number: 9879891
    Abstract: Disclosed is a unitary heat pump air conditioner (HPAC) system having a refrigerant diversion loop configured to supply sufficient heat to defrost an external heat exchanger while not materially affecting the supply of heat to the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The HPAC system includes a refrigerant loop configured to pump heat from a cold coolant loop that scavenges heat from the external heat exchanger to a hot coolant loop that supplies heat to the passenger compartment. The refrigerant loop includes a condenser in thermal communication with the hot coolant loop, evaporator in thermal communication with the cold coolant loop, and a compressor to cycle the refrigerant through the refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop further includes means to selectively divert at least a portion of the hot compressed refrigerant exiting the compressor directly to the evaporator to heat the cold coolant loop sufficient to defrost the external heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Carrie M Kowsky, Prasad S. Kadle, Frederick V. Oddi, Lindsey L. Leitzel
  • Patent number: 9829232
    Abstract: Provided is an air-conditioning apparatus including a plurality of indoor units for an outdoor unit, which is capable of determining whether there is occurrence of frost formation on the outdoor unit during a heating operation so as to enable a transition to a defrosting operation at an appropriate timing. Each of the indoor units is configured to transmit an operating-state notification for notifying a self-operating state to the outdoor unit. The outdoor unit is configured to determine the number of indoor units performing the heating operation among the plurality of indoor units based on the operating-state notifications, and determine the occurrence of the frost formation after elapse of a preset time period from a time at which the number of the indoor units performing the heating operation changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Tsukino