Time Or Program Actuator Patents (Class 62/157)
  • Patent number: 11936020
    Abstract: A battery management support device that is configured to acquire information on an electric vehicle including a battery that is rechargeable with electric power received from an external power supply. The information includes at least information when the electric vehicle is parked indicating a temperature of the battery, information when the electric vehicle is parked indicating an electrical connection state between the electric vehicle and the external power supply, and information when the electric vehicle is parked indicating an operation state of a cooling device for the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Ogaki, Haruki Komazawa
  • Patent number: 11927350
    Abstract: Providing simultaneous independent temperature control of conditioned air to first and second rooms. First and second evaporators may be positioned so that: air from the first room passes through the first evaporator before exhausting back to the first room; and air from the second room passes through the second evaporator before exhausting back to the second room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: FIRST CO.
    Inventors: Greg Nation, Brent Sturgell, Andres Canales
  • Patent number: 11913705
    Abstract: Disclosed by the present application are a refrigerator, and a method and a device for controlling the refrigerator. The method includes detecting and confirming that a refrigerator is in a first control cycle after defrosting; detecting and confirming that an ice making evaporator requests cooling, and controlling a control valve to be in communication with an ice making circuit. The method controls the refrigerant to preferentially enter the ice making circuit after the refrigerator defrosts, thereby effectively reducing the time that an ice making compartment is in a high-temperature state due to defrosting, and decreasing the risk that ice cubes might be adhered to each other due to ice cubes melting and then re-freezing. As a result, the long-term high-quality storage of ice cubes is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: HEFEI MIDEA REFRIGERATOR CO., LTD., HEFEI HUALING CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ruiming Fang, Yu Li
  • Patent number: 11892213
    Abstract: A multi-connection air conditioning system and a method for calculating a heat exchange amount thereof includes a plurality of indoor units, and the method includes: obtaining a total heat exchange amount of the multi-connection air conditioning system; obtaining inlet air temperature of each indoor unit; obtaining a two-phase saturation temperature of each indoor unit; obtaining an air supply volume of each indoor unit; obtaining a heat exchange area of each indoor unit; and calculating a heat exchange amount of each indoor unit according to the total heat exchange amount of the multi-connection air conditioning system, the inlet air temperature of each indoor unit, the two-phase saturation temperature of each indoor unit, the air supply volume of each indoor unit, and the heat exchange area of each indoor unit. Thus the user can monitor the heat exchange amount of each indoor unit so that they can be managed with separate targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignees: Qingdao Haier Air-conditioning Electronic Co., Ltd, Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tao Ren, Qiang Song, Yinyin Li, Jingsheng Liu, Bing Wang
  • Patent number: 11894535
    Abstract: A battery management support device that is configured to acquire information on an electric vehicle including a battery that is rechargeable with electric power received from an external power supply. The information includes at least information when the electric vehicle is parked indicating a temperature of the battery, information when the electric vehicle is parked indicating an electrical connection state between the electric vehicle and the external power supply, and information when the electric vehicle is parked indicating an operation state of a cooling device for the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Ogaki, Haruki Komazawa
  • Patent number: 11885538
    Abstract: A refrigerator comprising a fan to operate for supplying cold air to a cooling chamber; an RF output device disposed in the cooling chamber, and for outputting an RF signal into a cavity in the cooling chamber; and a controller for controlling the RF output device, wherein the controller is configured to output the RF signal to goods in the cavity, and to operate in a first section in which temperature of the goods falls, and a second section in which the temperature of the increases after the first section and maintains, wherein when the RF output device operates, a temperature of the cavity is higher than a temperature of other area in the cooling chamber. Accordingly, the freshness of the goods in the refrigerator can be maintained by using the RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Junseong Jeong, Seokhyun Kim, Sangoh Kim
  • Patent number: 11867445
    Abstract: In a method for controlling an ice maker, a motor rotates an ejector finger relative to an ice tray in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction to discharge ice from the ice tray. When an error condition occurs, the ice maker enters a first error mode, during which an ice maker heater is turned on until the temperature of the ice tray reaches a predetermined temperature or until an ice maker heater error correction time elapses. When the ejector finger is at a home position, the motor rotates in the second direction until the ejector finger is not at the home position or for a first predetermined number of steps, whichever occurs first, and then rotates in the first direction until the ejector finger is at the home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhuochen Shi, Raony Barrios
  • Patent number: 11835248
    Abstract: An air conditioner water system, a control method therefor, and a control device thereof, the method includes acquiring the pressure difference and temperature difference between a water intake pipe and a water discharge pipe of an air conditioner water system, the water intake pipe being connected to an inlet of a host module of the air conditioner water system, and the water discharge pipe being connected to an outlet of the host module; detecting and confirming that the pressure difference is less than or equal to a preset pressure difference, and controlling the operating frequency of a water pump of the air conditioner water system according to the pressure difference; and detecting and confirming that the pressure difference is greater than the preset pressure difference, and controlling the operating frequency of the water pump of the air conditioner water system according to the temperature difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignees: SHANGHAI MEICON INTELLIGENT CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD., GD MIDEA HEATING & VENTILATING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuanyang Li, Jie Fei, Manning Huang, Yide Qiu, Jie Yan
  • Patent number: 11835291
    Abstract: The method for controlling the refrigerator includes operating a first cooling cycle for cooling the first storage compartment to operate the compressor and operating a first fan for the first storage compartment, and switching the first cooling cycle to a second cooling cycle for cooling the second storage compartment to operate the compressor and operating a second fan when a stop condition of the first cooling cycle is satisfied. A temperature of each storage compartment is sensed at sampling time intervals in each cooling cycle. Further, a cooling power of the compressor is determined for each sampling time based on a sensed current temperature of the storage compartment, and the compressor is operated at the determined cooling power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seunguk Ahn, Sunam Chae, Kyunghun Cha
  • Patent number: 11815280
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided of controlling operation of an indoor fan in an air conditioning system, the method including: setting a fan speed of the indoor fan to a maximum value; storing a first low temperature as a low temperature threshold; measuring the indoor temperature in an indoor space as a current indoor temperature; subtracting a set point temperature from the current indoor temperature to determine a temperature difference; determining that the temperature difference is less than the low temperature threshold; and reducing the fan speed by a first adjustment interval, storing a second low temperature difference as the low temperature threshold, and storing a second high temperature as a high temperature threshold, all in response to the determining that the current temperature difference is less than the low temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC US, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph Paul Bush
  • Patent number: 11815300
    Abstract: Techniques for generating coordination maps for energy efficient chilled water and condenser water temperature resets in a chiller plant system. A controller is configured to control and set thresholds for one or more parameters of the chiller system, the chiller system includes one or more cooling tower, one or more pumps, and one or more water chillers, and one or more sensors operably coupled to the controller, the one or more sensors are configured to measure values for one or more parameters. A processor is coupled to the controller, the processor is configured to generate a coordination map based on the measured values and the thresholds for the one or more parameters, configure an operating setpoint for the chiller system based on the coordination map, and control the chiller system based at least in part on the configured operating setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keunmo Kang, Lina Yang, Xinyu Wu, Sheng Li
  • Patent number: 11807340
    Abstract: A fuel tank arrangement of a marine vessel is disclosed, having an LNG-fuel tank formed of an inner shell, an outer shell, an insulation therebetween and a tank connection space provided at an end of the LNG-fuel tank, the inner shell having an end part at an end of the inner shell facing the tank connection space. A collar is fastened to the end part of the inner shell and extends conically outwardly from the inner shell. The collar has an outer rim to which an additional shell extending in an axial direction away from the inner shell is fastened, and the additional shell has an end rim opposite the collar to which an end cover of the tank connection space is fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: WÄRTSILÄ FINLAND OY
    Inventor: Emanuele D'Urso
  • Patent number: 11804797
    Abstract: A PWM signal generator of a motor controller 100-1 divides, upon occurrence of a condition in which one among a count incrementing period and a count decrementing period for a carrier is greater than or equal to a threshold, in conjunction with a condition in which the other among the count incrementing period and the count decrementing period is less than the threshold, an on time period of any one among a first PWM signal, a second PWM signal, and the third PWM signal into given on time periods and to add a given divided on time period to an energizing time period that is less than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Oba
  • Patent number: 11745563
    Abstract: A control system (300) for a transport engineless refrigeration unit (301), the control system including: a controller (302) for communication between a vehicle (307) and a plurality of vehicle devices, the controller comprising: a vehicle data connection (306) for transmitting data to and from a vehicle; a vehicle engine on/off connection (308) for triggering start-up of the vehicle engine; a plurality of device data connections (314), each device data connection transmits data to and from at least one device external to the controller; and a device power connection (313), the device power connection supplies power from the controller to at least one device external to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gael Ducher
  • Patent number: 11719450
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes: an air conditioner including an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units each provided in a corresponding one of a plurality of indoor spaces and each including a first control unit; and a second control unit capable of communicating with the first control units. Each first control unit is capable of communicating with a countermeasure device if the countermeasure device is installed in correspondence with one of the indoor spaces where the first control unit is located. The second control unit has a first function of prohibiting operation of the air conditioner if a first condition where communication between the first control unit and the countermeasure device is not established in any of the indoor units is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuuta Fukuyama, Hiroki Sasayama
  • Patent number: 11686488
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the air temperature in a building. The system includes one or more equipment of a heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, at least one of one or more thermostats or one or more temperature sensors, and a controller. The controller includes a communication module to exchange data with one or more devices and an equipment interface configured to communicate control signals to the one or more equipment. The controller is configured to obtain as user input a target rate of change (ROC) of air temperature in the building and operate the one or more equipment of the HVAC system to achieve the target ROC. The controller operates the one or more equipment at an initial capacity and adjusts the capacity of the one or more equipment to achieve the target ROC of the air temperature in the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Goodman Manufacturing Company LP
    Inventors: Douglas Notaro, Adway Dogra
  • Patent number: 11686495
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the air temperature of a building using a control plan based on a target time. The system includes a controller which may be connected to a number of indoor and outdoor heating ventilation and air-conditioning units. The system may include a thermostat. The system may also operate without a thermostat. The method includes determining a control plan to reach a desired temperature in a target time. The method also includes updating the plan by comparing the actual time to reach the desired temperature with the target time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Goodman Manufacturing Company LP
    Inventors: Douglas Notaro, Jim Fisher
  • Patent number: 11686494
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the air temperature of a building using a control plan based on a target time. The system includes a controller which may be connected to a number of indoor and outdoor heating ventilation and air-conditioning units. The system may include a thermostat. The system may also operate without a thermostat. The method includes determining a control plan to reach a desired temperature in a target time. The method also includes updating the plan by comparing the actual time to reach the desired temperature with the target time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Goodman Manufacturing Company LP
    Inventors: Douglas Notaro, Jim Fisher
  • Patent number: 11680721
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling indoor climate of a building. The system includes one or more equipment of a heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, a thermostat configured to wirelessly transmit operational data and a controller communicatively coupled to the one or more equipment and the thermostat. The controller includes a communication module configured to exchange the operational data with the thermostat and an equipment interface configured to communicate control signals to the one or more equipment to control operation of the one or more equipment. The controller is configured to receive the operational data wirelessly transmitted from the thermostat using the communication module, determine based on the operational data a control plan to operate the one or more equipment of the HVAC system, and operate the one or more equipment of the HVAC system based on the control plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Goodman Manufacturing Company LP
    Inventors: Douglas Notaro, Adway Dogra, Tathagata De
  • Patent number: 11668506
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit includes a refrigeration loop, a variable speed compressor urging refrigerant through the refrigeration loop, a temperature sensor to detect a temperature within a room, and a controller operably coupled to the variable speed compressor. The controller is configured to initiate the compressor at a fixed speed, determine an estimated target temperature of the room, determine an actual temperature of the room, generate a target compressor speed, and initiate the compressor at the target speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Duane Longenecker
  • Patent number: 11662104
    Abstract: A temperature control (“TC”) unit and associated method for providing simultaneous independent temperature control of conditioned air to first and second rooms. The TC unit includes a cabinet. The cabinet may be divided into first and second compartments, the first compartment being adapted to receive and exhaust air from and to, respectively, the first room, and the second compartment being adapted to receive and exhaust air from and to, respectively, the second room. Sound dampening insulation may be positioned between the first and second compartments. First and second evaporators may be positioned within the cabinet so that: air from the first room passes through the first evaporator before exhausting back to the first room; and air from the second room passes through the second evaporator before exhausting back to the second room. The TC unit may be or include a vertical terminal air conditioning (“VTAC”) unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: FIRST CO.
    Inventors: Greg Nation, Brent Sturgell, Andres Canales
  • Patent number: 11629892
    Abstract: A thermal management system includes a refrigerant receiver configured to store a refrigerant fluid, an evaporator arrangement that removes heat from a heat load converting a portion of the refrigerant fluid to refrigerant vapor and a liquid separator having an inlet, a liquid side outlet, and a vapor side outlet. The system also includes a pump that pumps refrigerant liquid received from the liquid side outlet of the liquid separator and a closed-circuit refrigeration system having a closed-circuit fluid path that includes the refrigerant receiver, the liquid separator, the pump, and the evaporator arrangement, the closed-circuit refrigeration system further including a compressor and a condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Vaisman, Joshua Peters, Jacob Swain
  • Patent number: 11543176
    Abstract: A temperature-context-aware refrigerator according to an embodiment comprises: a temperature context awareness unit for sensing a temperature of at least one storage compartment, and when the difference between the sensed temperature and a temperature set for the corresponding storage compartment is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, generating load-responsive operation information including a target temperature lower or higher than the set temperature; a temperature control unit for controlling a temperature sensor and the temperature context awareness unit, and performing a load-responsive operation for controlling the temperature of the storage compartment by using the load-responsive operation information; and a database unit which used by the temperature context awareness unit to generate the load-responsive operation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sang Oh Kim, Cholok Han
  • Patent number: 11493245
    Abstract: A system and method for increasing the refrigeration capacity of a direct expansion refrigeration system having a vapor separator and a vapor ejector. After the throttling process at the expansion device, the mixture of liquid and vapor enters the inlet separator. The vapor separator generates vapor to power the ejector through flashing of warm refrigerant liquid from a higher temperature and pressure to a lower pressure. The cooler refrigerant liquid then goes to the evaporator coil inlet. Furthermore, the system stabilizes the superheat of the outlet vapor and reduces fluctuations in outlet superheat caused by excess unevaporated liquid flowing from the outlets of the tubes due to mal-distribution at the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Evapco, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Derosier, Shri Gopalan
  • Patent number: 11493228
    Abstract: The range hood unit includes a range hood transmitting unit configured to transmit information on an exhaust volume. The heat exchanging ventilation device (1) includes: a heat exchanger receiving unit (19) configured to receive the information from the range hood transmitting unit; and a heat exchanger control unit (17) configured to determine the operation of the heat exchanging ventilation device (1), based on the information received by the heat exchanger receiving unit (19). Based on the exhaust volume of the range hood unit that has been received by the heat exchanger receiving unit (19), the ventilation system exhausts air by subtracting the exhaust volume of the range hood unit from an exhaust volume equivalent to the air supply volume of the heat exchanging ventilation device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenta Shuji, Daisuke Hashino, Masayuki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11357241
    Abstract: The equipment of the invention comprises a toroidal channel-shaped freezing tank containing coolant superimposed on a circular crown-shaped rotary mold holder, formed by a plurality of sectors affixed to the periphery of one traction disc driven by a stepper motor, said sectors having rectangular openings into which molds engage, whose lower portions are immersed in the coolant. At the bottom of the channel there is a rigid pipe provided with a plurality of holes through which jets of coolant are released under pressure. The popsicle release means comprise a radially oriented niche within said tank and a vertically displaceable housing which, in the upper position, accommodates a mold and a perforated horizontal pipe which releases jets of heated fluid against the mold cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Marino Arpino
  • Patent number: 11320188
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes an outer wrapper, a fresh food compartment defined by a liner within the wrapper and separated from an interior of the outer wrapper at least along a first side wall of the fresh food compartment to define a void, and a door at least partially enclosing an opening to the fresh food compartment when in a closed position. A door compartment is positioned along the door. The refrigerator further includes an evaporator compartment positioned at least partially within the fresh food compartment and a duct in fluid communication with the evaporator compartment at a first end thereof and in communication with the door compartment a second end thereof. The duct has a first portion that extends laterally from the first end along a portion of the evaporator compartment and a second portion extending through the void along the first side wall of the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Amit A. Avhale, Taylor Clark, Benjamin G. Jimenez, E. Calvin Pickles, Richard Spletzer, David Walter, Yan Zhang
  • Patent number: 11092372
    Abstract: An on-demand and efficient ice delivery unit is described. In an aspect, the unit is comprises a cabinet that further comprises an ice storage bin and an icemaker. The ice delivery unit provides a user with compressed chewable nuggets of ice. In an aspect, the unit comprises an icemaker that is ideally located below the ice storage bin. The location of the icemaker, which may also be remote, is designed to enable the ice storage bin to be of a larger capacity than ice delivery units currently known in the art. Additionally, the location of the icemaker reduces the overall size, particularly the height, of the unit in comparison to other ice distribution units known in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventor: Greg L. Blosser
  • Patent number: 11079131
    Abstract: A control method includes: executing a generation process of generating criterion information based on history information regarding an operation of an air-conditioning apparatus, the criterion information being information used for switching a mode of the air-conditioning apparatus between a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being configured not to take an influence of an outdoor temperature into consideration, the second mode being configured to take the influence of the outdoor temperature into consideration, the air-conditioning apparatus being configured to perform air-conditioning control in a space based on the outdoor temperature and a room temperature of the space; and executing a control process when the air-conditioning apparatus performs air-conditioning in the space, the control process including performing control for switching the mode of the air-conditioning apparatus to the first mode or the second mode based on the outdoor temperature, the room temperature, and the criterion infor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Takeshi Konno
  • Patent number: 11054180
    Abstract: An ice maker evaporator assembly having an evaporator pan with a back wall and left, right, top and bottom sidewalls extending from the back wall, and a freeze plate located within the evaporator pan. A serpentine tubing is thermally coupled to the back wall of the evaporator pan opposite the left, right, top and bottom sidewalls. A first layer of insulation is formed on the serpentine tubing. An evaporator housing having a housing back wall and housing left, right, top and bottom sidewalls extending from the housing back wall is attached to the evaporator pan and covers serpentine tubing. A second layer of insulation is formed on top of the first layer of insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: True Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Knatt, Edward W. Hartman
  • Patent number: 11041637
    Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a cogeneration system for providing heating, cooling, and/or electricity to an enclosure. The system includes a heat engine for heating and supplying electricity to the enclosure. Coupled to the heat engine is a first conduit configured to transfer fluid from the heat engine to the enclosure to transfer thermal energy from the fluid to the enclosure. The system further includes a heat pump configured to supply at least heating and cooling to the enclosure. Coupled to the heat pump is at least a second conduit. The second conduit is configured to move fluid from the heat pump to the enclosure to transfer thermal energy from the fluid to the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: IMBY Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Walker
  • Patent number: 11041635
    Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a cogeneration system for providing heating, cooling, and/or electricity to an enclosure. The system includes a heat engine for heating and supplying electricity to the enclosure. Coupled to the heat engine is a first conduit configured to transfer fluid from the heat engine to the enclosure to transfer thermal energy from the fluid to the enclosure. The system further includes a heat pump configured to supply at least heating and cooling to the enclosure. Coupled to the heat pump is at least a second conduit. The second conduit is configured to move fluid from the heat pump to the enclosure to transfer thermal energy from the fluid to the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: IMBY ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Steve Walker
  • Patent number: 11041636
    Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a cogeneration system for providing heating, cooling, and/or electricity to an enclosure. The system includes a heat engine for heating and supplying electricity to the enclosure through fluid transfer from the heat engine to the enclosure to transfer thermal energy from the fluid to the enclosure. The system further includes a heat pump configured to supply at least heating and cooling to the enclosure through movement of fluid from the heat pump to the enclosure to transfer thermal energy from the fluid to the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: IMBY Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Walker
  • Patent number: 11002460
    Abstract: A thermostat for a conditioned space includes a sensor that measures a value of a performance variable of the conditioned space, a user interface that receives a setpoint value from a user and displays information to the user, and a controller. The controller receives values of the performance variable from the sensor over a time period, stores the values of the performance variable, receives the setpoint value from the user interface, and determines a value of a manipulated variable based on the setpoint value and the values of the performance variable. The controller is configured to adjust an operation of HVAC equipment that affect the conditioned space based on the value of the manipulated variable. The controller is configured to determine a smoothed value of the performance variable based on the values of the performance variable and cause the user interface to display the smoothed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Timothy I. Salsbury, Carlos Felipe Alcala Perez
  • Patent number: 10837699
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a control module which controls a first compressor, a second compressor, a first fan, a second fan, and a third fan, in which the control module performs a high-temperature initial simultaneous operation when the outside air temperature is at the outside air set temperature or more, performs a high-temperature initial alternation operation when the freezing compartment temperature is at the freezing compartment set temperature or less and the refrigerating compartment temperature is at the refrigerating compartment set temperature or less during the high-temperature initial simultaneous operation. The control module drives the first compressor and the second compressor together during the high-temperature initial simultaneous operation, and alternately drives the first compressor and the second compressor during the high-temperature initial alternation operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Heekwon Ryu, Sunam Chae
  • Patent number: 10801760
    Abstract: Systems and methods to control an electronic expansion valve (EEV) of a vapor compression system are described. A heating ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes control circuitry having a sensor. The control circuitry sets a control setpoint of a vapor compression system such that an electronic expansion valve operates across a first operating range. The control circuitry receives a signal from the sensor indicative of an operating condition of the vapor compression system. The control circuitry adjusts the control setpoint based at least in part on the operating condition. The control circuitry controls operation of the electronic expansion valve based at least in part on the adjusted control setpoint, wherein the electronic expansion valve operates across a second operating range, different from the first operating range, at the adjusted control setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Shawn A. Hern, Brian D. Rigg, Jeffrey N. Nichols, Robert L. Eskew
  • Patent number: 10731900
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes: a control unit for controlling a thermoelectric module, a cooling fan, and a heat-radiation fan, in which when the outside temperature exceeds the set temperature, the control unit rotates each of the cooling fan and the heat-radiation fan at a high-speed, in which, when the outside temperature is equal to or lower than the set temperature and the storage chamber temperature is in the upper limit range, the control unit rotates each of the cooling fan and the heat-radiation fan at a medium-speed lower than a high-speed, and in which, when the outside temperature is equal to or lower than the set temperature and the storage chamber temperature is lower than the upper limit range, the control unit rotates each of the cooling fan and the heat-radiation fan at a low-speed lower than a medium-speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seokhyun Kim, Heayoun Sul, Minkyu Oh, Jeehoon Choi, Hyoungkeun Lim
  • Patent number: 10705487
    Abstract: A method for a household electrical appliance to perform mode switching includes detecting whether a user is in a sleeping state, switching a current operation mode to a silent mode if the user is in the sleeping state, and operating in the silent mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Xiaomi Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Su, Anju Chen, Yi Wang, Yi Wu
  • Patent number: 10663196
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a flash tank, a load, a first compressor, a coil, a first pipe, and a second compressor. The flash tank stores a refrigerant. The load uses the refrigerant from the flash tank to cool a space proximate the load. The first compressor compresses the refrigerant from the load. The coil within the flash tank receives the refrigerant from the first compressor such that the received refrigerant is within the coil. The refrigerant stored within the flash tank cools the refrigerant within the coil. The first pipe is within the flash tank. The first pipe directs the refrigerant from within the coil out of the flash tank. The second compressor compresses the refrigerant directed out of the flash tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC
    Inventor: Shitong Zha
  • Patent number: 10600135
    Abstract: To minimize the amount of calculation for changing an operation schedule even when there is an increase in the number of sites. A management computer calculates a first total schedule value, which is the total of the schedule values for each of the sites within a first time frame. If the first total schedule value exceeds a first target value set in advance, the management computer: calculates a first excess amount of the first total schedule value in relation to the first target value; selects, as a first site, a site subjected to a change in a demand schedule from a group of candidate sites satisfying a candidate criterion set in advance from among a plurality of the sites, the selection being performed on the basis of information on the facility characteristics for each of the sites; changes a first demand schedule of the first site in the first time frame; and transmits the changed first demand schedule to a control device of the first site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Michiki Nakano, Susumu Ikeda, Yu Ikemoto, Takashi Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 10561043
    Abstract: An air conditioning control device includes, a memory and, a processor configured to, calculate a first setting for air conditioning control at which electric power consumed by the air conditioning control is lowest, calculate a second setting for air conditioning control at which a failure rate of a device which is installed in a target place for the air conditioning control is lowest, compare a first value calculated based on first electric power and a first failure rate when air conditioning control is performed on the basis of the first setting with a second value calculated based on second electric power and a second failure rate when air conditioning control is performed on the basis of the second setting, and determine a specific setting for air conditioning control in accordance with a result of comparison of the first value and the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Kazunori Iwasa
  • Patent number: 10544979
    Abstract: An appliance includes a first compartment and a second compartment. A temperature of the first compartment is determined with a first temperature sensor, and a temperature of the second compartment is determined with a second temperature sensor. If the temperature of the first compartment is above a first predetermined value and the temperature of the second compartment is above a second predetermined value, a controller causes the appliance to enter a pulldown mode. Upon entering the pulldown mode, the controller causes a valve to enter a first position where refrigerant flows to a freezer evaporator and is prevented from flowing to a fresh food evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Taylor N. Clark, Murilo P. Almeida, Victor S. Carlotto
  • Patent number: 10410319
    Abstract: A determination is made as to whether a driver or a front-seat passenger of the motor vehicle would like to operate a display device. If it is detected that only the driver would like to operate the display device, the display device is put in a first operating mode in which a graphic user interface is displayed exclusively in a driver-side display region of the display device. If it is detected that only the front-seat passenger of the motor vehicle would like to operate the display device, the display device is put in a second operating mode in which the graphic user interface is displayed exclusively in a front-seat-passenger-side display region of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Matthias Wunderlich, Christian Wall
  • Patent number: 10222109
    Abstract: A temperature control method includes obtaining, by a controller, a space temperature value, a space temperature set point, a discharge air temperature value, and a discharge air temperature set point. The method further includes determining a compressor speed using a first PI loop based on the space temperature set point and the space temperature value, and determining a supply fan speed using a second PI loop based on the discharge air temperature set point and the discharge air temperature value. The temperature control method further includes outputting a first control signal that controls the speed of a variable speed compressor based on the determination of whether the compressor speed is within the compressor operation range and a second control signal to control the speed of a variable speed supply fan based on the determination of whether the supply fan speed is within the supply fan operation range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: John Tran, Thomas Pate, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10174981
    Abstract: A system to make ice includes a refrigeration unit and an icemaker disposed in the refrigeration unit. The refrigeration unit is configured to be subjected to a refrigeration cycle; the icemaker is configured to be subjected to a freeze cycle; and the system is configured such that the freeze cycle is synchronized with the refrigeration cycle, asynchronized with the refrigeration cycle, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. A process for controlling an icemaker includes providing a freeze cycle to an icemaker; providing a refrigeration cycle to a refrigeration unit; and constraining the freeze cycle and the refrigeration cycle to control the icemaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: David Yashar
  • Patent number: 10168079
    Abstract: When a refrigerant flow-path switch performs switching to a first refrigerant flow path, an interior condenser heating air blown into an interior as a first temperature-adjustment subject and an auxiliary heat exchanger are connected in parallel, and the auxiliary heat exchanger heats air blown to a battery as a second temperature-adjustment subject. In contrast, when the refrigerant flow-path switch performs switching to a second refrigerant flow path, an interior evaporator cooling air blown into the interior and the auxiliary heat exchanger are connected in parallel, and the auxiliary heat exchanger cools the air blown to the battery. With this arrangement, one common auxiliary heat exchanger can cool or heat the air for the battery, thereby leading to reduction in size of an entire refrigeration cycle device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Takeuchi, Seiji Inoue, Takashi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 10048665
    Abstract: Even when a user wants to easily operate a plurality of load devices in his or her home using an information terminal device, dedicated application software needs to be started for each load device, which makes the operation complex. A device controller capable of controlling a plurality of load devices, includes: a controller; and a display unit having a first screen and a second screen, wherein the controller is configured to cause the display unit to display, in the first screen, a selection object that instructs a user to select at least one of the plurality of load devices and a first operation object that instructs a user to perform a first type of operation relating to the plurality of load devices, and display, in the second screen, a second operation object including a second type of operation not included in the first operation object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Hoshi, Kazuaki Azuma
  • Patent number: 10006653
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes air conditioning facilities with an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, a dedicated transmission line, a general-purpose equipment controller, and an energy management gateway. The energy management gateway includes a dedicated transmission line that enables communication with the air conditioning facilities via the dedicated transmission line, a management controller that collects management information preregistered for managing the air conditioning facilities from among various information received via the dedicated transmission line, and a processing controller that executes computational processing related to management of the air conditioning facilities on the basis of the collected management information, and controls the air conditioning facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Yabuta, Shigeo Takata
  • Patent number: 9999163
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide high-efficiency cooling in a data center in response to a cooling and/or humidity demand using a system having multiple cooling loops to allow for a higher chilled liquid temperature of a first chilled liquid loop, while maintaining data center room temperature and humidity control. Specifically, the system includes a plurality of integrated cooling systems each comprising one or more specifically sized chillers and a liquid loop to address the cooling demand. A free cooling heat exchanger is coupled to the first liquid loop for use when a wet-bulb temperature surrounding the data center is at or below a free cooling set point of the first chilled liquid loop. The system isolates humidity control components to a second chilled liquid loop, and enables greater control of the first chilled liquid loop of the data center to meet specific IT loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wally Karrat, Bret W. Lehman, Ronald J. Licare, Daniel Pare
  • Patent number: 9994238
    Abstract: An air conditioning device is provided which has a primary heat pump circuit having at least one primary heat exchanger with the air from the compartment, a primary compressor, a second primary heat exchanger with the outside air, and a primary expander device, and a heat storage reservoir, connected to the primary circuit, in parallel with said first primary heat exchanger with the air from the compartment. The air conditioning device also has a secondary heat pump circuit, including a first secondary heat exchanger with the air from the compartment, a secondary compressor, a second secondary heat exchanger with the air from the outside, and a secondary expander device. The heat storage reservoir is connected to the secondary circuit, in parallel with the first secondary heat exchanger with the air from the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Rami Abou Eid, Josselin Chan, Philippe Chevalier, Francis Mortreux