Time Delay Of Condition Sensing Or Control Operation Patents (Class 62/158)
  • Patent number: 11959672
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor heat exchanger. The outdoor heat exchanger includes a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. A controller performs a heating operation and a heating-defrosting operation, in which one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger functions as an evaporator, an other one the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger functions as a condenser. When a temperature of the indoor heat exchanger by a temperature detection unit is treated as a first temperature, and a temperature of the indoor heat exchanger by the temperature detection unit is treated as a second temperature, the controller reduces a rotation speed of an indoor fan in a case where the second temperature is lower than the first temperature and where a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature is greater than or equal to a first setting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Sato, Masakazu Kondo
  • Patent number: 11920845
    Abstract: An ice making assembly includes an ice mold and a pump assembly for urging an ice-building spray into the ice mold to form an ice billet. A controller operates the pump assembly to provide the ice-building spray at a first flow rate until the ice billet reaches a predetermined thickness and then operates the pump assembly to provide the ice-building spray at a second flow rate that is less than the first flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Schiller, Adam Pusateri, Justin Tyler Brown, Brent Alden Junge, Jin Wu, Bo Yan, Yayu Song, Michael Zhou, Roy Teng, Eddy Zhou, Jason Jiang
  • Patent number: 11913695
    Abstract: An ice-lined vaccine refrigerator includes a vaccine storage compartment, an electrically powered cooling circuit, the electrically powered cooling circuit being configured to generate an ice-lining and to cool the vaccine storage compartment; an AC power inlet adapted for connection to an external supply of AC power; and a refrigerant compressor forming part of the electrically powered cooling circuit and adapted to be powered by the external supply of AC power through the AC power inlet. Reliability is improved by using a DC powered compressor and an AC/DC convertor to convert AC power received at the AC power inlet to DC power to power the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: B MEDICAL SYSTEMS S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Gilles Ries, Vincent Sadler
  • Patent number: 11904092
    Abstract: An air-blowing device 10A includes an air blower 50 and a housing 20 that includes an intake hole 41a into which a fluid flows as a result of the air blower 50 being driven and an exhaust portion from which the fluid is discharged as a result of the air blower 50 being driven and that accommodates the air blower 50. The housing 20 is capable of expanding and contracting so as to change the internal volume of the housing 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Wada, Atsuhiko Hirata
  • Patent number: 11841149
    Abstract: Tools, strategies, and techniques are provided for enhancing the control and operation of air curtain devices. The air curtain device can be provided with a computer system programmed to receive input data from various sensors and to communicate the sensor data to a wireless mesh computer architecture. An algorithm module can be programmed to determine adjusted settings or parameters for the air curtain device in response to the sensor data and/or other data sources such as external data sources. Data may be obtained from multiple air curtain devices configured for cooperative performance, and operating parameters or settings may be adjusted in connection with one or more of the multiple air curtain devices. A control device of the air curtain may be provided with a unitary structure suitable for efficient installation of multiple control harness connectors thereon to supply power and/or to establish data connectivity with multiple components of the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: BERNER INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Phillip M. Thomas, Jr., Lih Wei Chia, Yan Yi Seow, Yee Hui Poh
  • Patent number: 11808478
    Abstract: A sensor mounting device (100) of the present disclosure includes: a power supply unit (110) configured to generate power that is to be supplied to the device; a sensor (120) configured to acquire information of the environment around of the device; a first control unit (130) configured to give an instruction based on the information acquired by the sensor (120); and a second control unit (150) configured to control the device in accordance with the instruction of the first control unit (130). Power to the sensor (120) and the first control unit (130) is directly supplied from the power supply unit (110). Power to the second control unit (150) is supplied from the power supply unit (110) via a switching unit (140) whose ON/OFF state is controlled by the first control unit (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Shinichi Shikii, Koichi Kusukame, Nawatt Silawan, Tatsuo Itoh
  • Patent number: 11761712
    Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling thermal energy storage in a thermal energy management system that may operate in response to a variable or high transient heat load. Thermal energy management systems are also provided for controlling thermal energy storage that may operate in response to a variable or high transient heat load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Sean Donovan, Timothy Unton, Peter Gegg
  • Patent number: 11732706
    Abstract: A method for operating a compressor for a compressed air system of a motor vehicle, in particular an air suspension system, wherein an operating temperature of the compressor is determined and used as a criterion for the compressor to be operated until a switch-off temperature (T) is reached, wherein a switch-on duration (t) until reaching the switch-off temperature (T) is determined, and the determined switch-on duration (t) is adjusted by a parameter (LP) dependent on the switch-off temperature (T) reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventor: Dierk Hein
  • Patent number: 11703242
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes an evaporator. The evaporator includes a sensor configured to measure a property value (i.e., a saturated suction temperature or a saturated suction pressure) associated with saturated refrigerant flowing through the evaporator. The system includes a variable-speed compressor configured to receive the refrigerant and compress the received refrigerant. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the variable-speed compressor. The controller monitors the property value measured by the sensor and detects a system fault, based on the monitored property value. In response to detecting the system fault, the controller operates the compressor in a freeze-prevention mode, which is configured to maintain the property value above a setpoint value by adjusting a speed of the variable-speed compressor. This prevents or delays freezing of the evaporator during operation of the system during the detected system fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Rakesh Goel
  • Patent number: 11703268
    Abstract: A refrigerator including a main body including a storeroom; an evaporator arranged in the back of the storeroom and configured to generate cold air; a defrost heater arranged under the evaporator into which air flows and configured to remove frost or ice formed on the evaporator; a temperature sensor arranged on the top of the evaporator and configured to measure temperature; and a controller configured to stop operation of the defrost heater in a first defrost cycle based on a first measurement measured by the temperature sensor and stop operation of the defrost heater in a second defrost cycle based on a second measurement, which is different from the first measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Soo Kim, Hee Moon Jeong, Kook Jeong Seo
  • Patent number: 11668503
    Abstract: A compression refrigeration system includes a switch to select between a plurality of operation modes of a metering device that controls a rate of flow of a refrigerant to an evaporator of the compression refrigeration system. Each operation mode is associated with a respective refrigerant. Further, the compression refrigeration system includes a reference database that comprises pressure-temperature data associated with a plurality of refrigerants. Furthermore, the compression refrigeration system includes a valve adjustment engine that is communicatively coupled to the switch and the reference database. The valve adjustment engine controls the metering device based on an operation mode of the metering device that is selected using the switch. The operation mode is selected based on a refrigerant with which the compression refrigeration system is currently charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Harshad Inamdar, Christina Hughes, Derek Brasuell, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan, Swapnil Khaire
  • Patent number: 11624518
    Abstract: A method of conditioning air includes controlling a secondary refrigerant flow control valve to select between a first mode in which refrigerant flows from a discharge line to a main refrigerant flow control valve, and a second mode in which refrigerant flows from the discharge line to a gas reheat heat exchanger and then flows to the main refrigerant flow control valve. A heat transfer medium flow control valve is controlled to adjust the flow of the heat transfer medium into a heat source side heat exchanger. The heat transfer medium flow control valve allows the heat transfer medium to flow to the heat source side heat exchanger when the secondary refrigerant flow control valve is in the first mode, and adjusts the flow of the heat transfer medium to the heat source side heat exchanger when the secondary refrigerant flow control valve is in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: DAIKIN APPLIED AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Marcos Locke, Benny DiMarco
  • Patent number: 11624539
    Abstract: An illustrative example refrigerant system includes a compressor configured to pressurize a refrigerant fluid. The compressor includes a sump portion. A heater is situated to heat at least the sump portion. A controller is configured to selectively operate the heater to apply heat to at least the sump portion while the compressor is off to establish and maintain a superheat condition in the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Charles A. Cluff
  • Patent number: 11543142
    Abstract: Climate control systems and related methods and systems therefore a disclosed. In an embodiment, the climate control system includes a heat exchanger configured to discharge conditioned air to an indoor space. In addition, the climate control system includes a display and a controller coupled to the display. The controller is to generate an operation selection option on the display. The operation selection option includes a plurality of selections for operating of the climate control system based on operational efficiency or occupant comfort within the indoor space. The controller is to adjust a temperature of the heat exchanger relative to a user selection from the plurality of selections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Behrooz Karimi, Youssef A. Jaber, Wayne N. Kraft
  • Patent number: 11539319
    Abstract: An electric motor system is described. The electric motor system includes a drive circuit including an inverter configured to supply variable frequency current and a contactor configured to supply line frequency current. The electric motor system also includes an electric motor coupled to the drive circuit wherein the electric motor is communicatively coupled to a controller. The controller is configured to control the inverter to supply variable frequency current to the electric motor, thereby operating the electric motor at a motor speed, and determine, based upon at least one input parameter, a maximum potential motor speed the inverter can achieve. The controller is also configured to receive a command to operate the electric motor at line frequency current and control the drive circuit to transition from supplying variably frequency current to supplying line frequency current before the maximum potential motor speed the inverter can achieve is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Lester Benjamin Manz
  • Patent number: 11480937
    Abstract: A safety switch with differentiated CPUs comprises a switching device (2) associated with a fixed part of an access to be controlled and having switching means connected to one or more circuits of the system for the opening/closing thereof, a driving device (3) associated to a movable part of the access to interact with the switching means for opening/closing of one or more circuits, control means (6) associated with the switching device (2) and adapted to receive input signals from the circuits through respective communication buses for sending an error signal and/or for stopping the system in case of no signal or detection of non-compliance, wherein the control means (6) comprise a main CPU (7) connected with the communication buses (9) associated with safety functions and at least one auxiliary CPU (8) connected solely to the communication buses (12) associated with circuits and/or devices not related to safety conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: PIZZATO ELETTRICA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Marco Pizzato
  • Patent number: 11421934
    Abstract: A method for controlling a refrigerator includes determining whether an ice bin accommodated in an ice making compartment that receives cold air from the first storage compartment is full of stored ice, determining, by a controller, whether an algorithm that prevents the ice stored in the ice bin from melting needs to be performed upon determining that the ice bin is full, and performing the algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Youngseung Song, Namgi Lee, Namsoo Cho
  • Patent number: 11300312
    Abstract: A method for regulating a conditioning apparatus includes a heating/cooling device and a ventilation device which generates a flow of air toward the heating/cooling device in order to direct it toward a room to be conditioned. The method includes the step of switching on the conditioning apparatus in a switch-on instant, the step of activating the heating/cooling device and the ventilation device, the step of determining a commutation instant, and the step of driving the ventilation device so that, until the previously determined commutation instant, the ventilation device is stationary or rotates at a maximum speed equal to a certain speed of the ventilation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: DE' LONGHI APPLIANCES S.R.L. CON UNICO SOCIO
    Inventors: Giuseppe De' Longhi, Maddalena Renier, Francesca Prosperi, Roshanak Mirmiran
  • Patent number: 11293442
    Abstract: A scroll compressor may include a first scroll and a second scroll orbiting relative to the first scroll to form compression chambers, a discharge port provided in the first scroll to discharge refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber, a discharge passage formed through the first discharged through the discharge to an upper side of the frame, and a discharge cover coupled to the first scroll and having a space to accommodate end portions of the discharge port and the discharge passage to guide the refrigerant discharged through the discharge port to the discharge passage. A volume of a discharge space defined in the space by the first scroll may be 4.5 or more, obtained by dividing a volume of the discharge space by a total volume of an initial compression chamber among the compression chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Nayoung Jeon, Taekyoung Kim, Cheolhwan Kim
  • Patent number: 11280530
    Abstract: To predict and detect a failure in a compressor provided in an air conditioner, the air conditioner is provided with: a heat exchanger; the compressor; piping connecting the heat exchanger and the compressor with each other; and a control unit controlling the compressor and having a compressor failure predicting and detecting means, and in this air conditioner, the compressor failure predicting and detecting means of the control unit includes: a current detecting part detecting a driving current driving the compressor; a pulsation detecting part detecting pulsation in a driving current detected by the current detecting part; and an anomaly determining part predicting or detecting any failure in the compressor based on a magnitude and a duration of pulsation in a driving current detected by the pulsation detecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI-JOHNSON CONTROLS AIR CONDITIONING, INC.
    Inventors: Shuuhei Tada, Katsuaki Nagahashi, Koji Naito
  • Patent number: 11225406
    Abstract: Cooler control system for a beverage dispense system 1 having a beverage line (2) extending from a beverage source to a dispense site via a cooler (6). The cooler control system comprises: a controller (51) for adjusting the cooling of the beverage line; a flow rate sensor (41) measuring the flow rate in the beverage line, a temperature sensor (40); and an electronic control unit (31) for receiving a signal from the temperature sensor and/or the flow rate sensor and sending a signal to said controller. Cooler monitoring system comprising: at least one sensor (45) for monitoring energy consumption of the cooler (6); and an electronic control unit for receiving a signal from the at least one energy consumption sensor and for sending a signal to a remote location when energy consumption increases above a predetermined maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: HEINEKEN UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Stuart Briant, Simon Gray, Guy Hutchinson, Chris Merrifield
  • Patent number: 11193684
    Abstract: Air conditioner units and methods for operating air conditioner units are provided. A method includes determining a benchmark control signal corresponding to a predetermined speed of a fan of the air conditioner unit. The method further includes activating a heating unit of the air conditioner unit. The heating unit includes a plurality of heater banks. The method also includes activating the fan while the heating unit is active and measuring a control signal to the fan after activating the fan. The method further includes comparing the measured control signal to the benchmark control signal, and disabling one of the plurality of heater banks when the measured control signal is less than the benchmark control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11175063
    Abstract: A switching device for a multi-split air conditioner and a multi-split air conditioner having same. The switching device has a base, a drain tank, multiple damping pads, and multiple fixing members. The base has a bottom wall and side walls, the side walls surrounding the bottom wall and extending upward from the edge of the bottom wall. The drain tank is disposed in the base, and the bottom surface of the drain tank is vertically spaced apart from the bottom wall of the base. The multiple damping pads are disposed on the drain tank and arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the drain tank. The multiple fixing members are respectively disposed on the damping pads and are connected to the side walls of the base. The multiple fixing members are all spaced apart from the drain tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignees: GD MIDEA HEATING & VENTILATING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rujiang Zhong, Zibao Zhuang, Wenjie Zhou
  • Patent number: 11137730
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for environmental control management. In response to a controller, sensors and effectors throughout a physical site operate to maintain the temperature, humidity, and/or peak energy usage of the physical site within parameters selected for occupant comfort and economical operation while accommodating changing occupancy patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Ideal Impact, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley O. McDaniel, Todd A. Porter, Kimberly J. Hornback
  • Patent number: 11035605
    Abstract: The resent invention provides a refrigerator comprising: a cabinet having a storage chamber; a door for opening and closing the storage chamber; a case having a discharge port through which air is discharged to the storage chamber; an evaporator provided inside the case and for supplying cold air by means of heat exchange with air; a fan installed on the discharge port and for generating the airflow discharging to the storage chamber the air which has been heat exchanged in the evaporator; and a differential pressure sensor having a first pipe, of which one end is positioned on a part where the air is withdrawn to the fan, and a second pipe of which one end is positioned on a part where the air is discharged from the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyongbae Park, Wookyung Baik, Sangbok Choi, Sungwook Kim
  • Patent number: 11009270
    Abstract: A heat pump air conditioning system and a control method. The heat pump air conditioning system includes: a compressor; an indoor unit heat exchanger, an outdoor unit heat exchanger and a throttling device; a refrigerant circulation loop, connecting the compressor, the indoor unit heat exchanger, the outdoor unit heat exchanger and the throttling device in series; the heat storage module, disposed in the refrigerant circulation loop and configured to absorb heat from refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation loop and store heat when heat storage is required, and to heat the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation loop when the outdoor unit heat exchanger defrosting is required. The heat pump air conditioning system can store excess heat of the system for defrosting when indoor heat load is low, and release heat for defrosting by means of the heat storage module during a defrosting process while continuing supplying heat to a room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, INC. OF ZHUHAI
    Inventors: Mingzhu Dong, Jianming Tan, Guanghui Xia, Bo Liang, Xianlin Wang, Xiaocheng Lai, Junhong Wu, Guangqian Peng, Xu Gao, Zhiwei Chen, Bo Yu, Wen Che, Xiaoyu Li
  • Patent number: 10978968
    Abstract: This method for controlling asynchronous electrical motors of a compressor system, comprises: —receiving an order to start a first asynchronous electrical motor and a second asynchronous electrical motor of a compressor system; —unloading said first and second motors, by operating respectively a first load control unit of the first motor and a second load control unit of the second motor, in order to reduce the mechanical load associated to said motors; —starting the first motor and, only once the first motor is running at nominal speed, starting the second motor, —loading both the first and second electrical motor only once the second motor has started and is running at nominal speed, by operating the first load control unit and the second load control unit, in order to increase the mechanical load associated to said motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Stefano Bovio
  • Patent number: 10969150
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator adopting a linear compressor and a control method thereof. The method includes: monitoring the temperature of an evaporator of the refrigerator; if the current temperature of the evaporator of the refrigerator is greater than or equal to a first preset temperature threshold, then invoking a noise reduction mode to actively reduce the heat exchange amount between the evaporator and a compartment of the refrigerator until the current temperature of the evaporator of the refrigerator is smaller than or equal to a second preset temperature threshold, and invoking a cooling mode to resume the normal heat exchange between the evaporator and the compartment of the refrigerator, wherein the first preset temperature threshold is higher than the second preset temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER JOINT STOCK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lisheng Ji, Jianru Liu, Xiaobing Zhu, Feifei Qi, Shufeng Zhang, Caiyun Zhao
  • Patent number: 10913448
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine and a driveline disconnect clutch are presented. In one example, a transient vehicle maneuver that may allow at least some air to be drawn into an oil pump pickup tube may be detected. Engine torque may be reduced and a pump output command may be increased responsive to the transient vehicle maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Corey Blue, Joseph Kucharski
  • Patent number: 10875384
    Abstract: An air flow circulation structure for a vehicle includes a front shutter that opens or closes an outside air intake port, a fan and a duct member. The fan is configured to cause air to flow in a direction oriented from the outside air intake port through a heat exchanger toward an engine compartment when the front shutter is in an open state, and to cause the air to flow in a direction oriented from the engine compartment through the heat exchanger toward the outside air intake port when the front shutter is in a closed state. The duct member is configured to guide the air that is changed in direction by blowing from the fan and colliding with the front shutter to a heat source of the vehicle, when the front shutter is in the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Go Sato, Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 10823769
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining power consumption of an electrical heating system, where the power consumption is defined by a reading of information from a conductor (4, 6) within a thermostat (1). The invention further relates to a thermostat comprising an element for determining the power consumption of an electrical heating system, where the thermostat (1) is provided with a reading element (5) for reading current from a conductor (4, 6) and a reading element (28) reading voltage from a transformer output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: OJ Electronics A/S
    Inventors: Stefan Ott Hansen, Anker Bo Christensen
  • Patent number: 10809022
    Abstract: Processes for controlling the rate and temperature of cooling fluid through a heat exchange zone in, for example, an alkylation reactor using an ionic liquid catalyst. A cooling fluid system may be used to provide the cooling fluid which includes a chiller and a reservoir. The cooling fluid may pass from the reservoir through the heat exchange zone. A bypass line may be used to pass a portion of the cooling fluid around the heat exchange zone. The amount of cooling fluid may be adjusted, with a valve, based upon the temperature of the cooled process fluid flowing out of the heat exchange zone. Some of the cooling fluid from the chiller may be circulated back to the chiller in a chiller loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Schrad, James G. Hagen, Sean G. Mueller, Trung Pham, Zhanping Xu
  • Patent number: 10712062
    Abstract: A refrigerant distributor includes: a first introduction pipe configured to be open at a first end and closed at a second end and to cause refrigerant to flow from the first end toward the second end; a second introduction pipe configured to be closed in ends on both upstream and downstream sides and to cause the refrigerant to flow in a direction opposite to a refrigerant flow direction in the first introduction pipe; a plurality of branch pipes connected in series along a refrigerant flow direction on the second introduction pipe; and an adjusting pipe configured to connect the first introduction pipe and the second introduction pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Ryohei Horiba, Tatsunori Sakai, Kumi Aoki, Akihide Terao, Keiichi Tomita, Hirohito Yagi
  • Patent number: 10703166
    Abstract: Air conditioner for a vehicle in which low pressure protection is accurately performed to improve reliability. A controller adjusts a number of revolution Nc of a compressor 2 so that a detected value does not decrease below a limiting target value TGTs, on the basis of the detected value of a suction temperature sensor and a limiting target value TGTs set to a suction refrigerant temperature of the compressor 2. The controller has a predetermined limiting lower limit TGTsL and a predetermined limiting upper limit TGTsH which is higher than the predetermined limiting lower limit, and adjusts the number of revolution Nc of compressor 2 so that the limiting target value TGTs is the limiting upper limit TGTsH on startup of compressor 2, and the controller gradually decreases the limiting target value TGTs toward the limiting lower limit TGTsL, when the detected value decreases to the limiting upper limit TGTsH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SANDEN AUTOMOTIVE CLIMATE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Ryo Miyakoshi, Kohei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10697679
    Abstract: A refrigerator apparatus having a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a valve interconnected in the flow from the condenser to the evaporator. The valve is operatively controlled to a first, open, state and to a second, closed, state by a controller. The controller is configured to the valve to operate in accordance with at least one of: opening the valve a time period of 0-180 seconds before the compressor is switched to an on-phase; and closing the valve before the compressor is switched to an off-phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventors: Andreas Aschan, Richard Furberg, Trung Pham Viet
  • Patent number: 10670296
    Abstract: A climate-control system includes a variable-capacity compressor, an outdoor ambient temperature sensor, a user-controlled device, and a control module. The outdoor ambient temperature sensor indicates a temperature of outdoor ambient air. The user-controlled device provides a demand signal indicating a demand for at least one of heating and cooling. The control module commands a compressor stage and a stage run time based on the temperature from the outdoor ambient temperature sensor and the demand signal. The control module also modifies a lockout threshold based on a cycle run time, where the cycle run time is an actual run time for the compressor to meet a setpoint temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sahil Popli, Joseph L. Linsenmeyer
  • Patent number: 10632820
    Abstract: A vehicle heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can reduce a load applied to a vehicle powertrain during certain conditions. The system can include a fixed compressor operable between an ON state and in an OFF state. Systems and methods can determine whether an engine water temperature meets a forced HVAC recirculation intake threshold. Responsive to determining that the engine water temperature meets the forced HVAC recirculation intake threshold, it can be determined if the engine water temperature meets a high water temperature threshold. Responsive to determining that the engine water temperature meets the high water temperature threshold, it can be determined if a vehicle pitch meets a vehicle pitch threshold. Responsive to determining that the vehicle pitch does not meet the vehicle pitch threshold, the compressor can be operated according to an AC cut cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Cosgrove, Hidekazu Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 10611213
    Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicular air-conditioning device of a so-called heat pump system which eliminates or decreases noise generated when an opening/closing valve opens at a changing time of an operation mode. The vehicular air-conditioning device executes a heating mode to let a refrigerant discharged from a compressor 2 radiate heat in a radiator 4, decompress the refrigerant by which heat has been radiated, and then let the refrigerant absorb heat in an outdoor heat exchanger 7, and a dehumidifying and heating mode to open a solenoid valve 22 in a state of the heating mode, decompress at least a part of the refrigerant flowing out from the radiator and then let the refrigerant absorb heat in a heat absorber 9. When the heating mode changes to the dehumidifying and heating mode, the controller decreases a radiator pressure or a pressure difference before and after the solenoid valve to a predetermined value or less, and then opens the solenoid valve 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: SANDEN HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Ryo Miyakoshi, Kouhei Yamashita, Hidenori Takei
  • Patent number: 10569621
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a casing for an air conditioning unit including a main body, a door, a passing defining member, and a drain channel. The main body includes a fresh-air passage and a recirculation-air passage. The recirculation-air passage is positioned below the fresh-air passage. The door selectively opens and closes a communication hole through which the fresh-air passage and the recirculation-air passage are in fluid communication with each other. The passage defining member is disposed upstream of the communication hole and defines a lower side of the fresh-air passage. The drain channel extends from the passage defining member to a space outside of the recirculation-air passage to discharge condensed water generated in the fresh-air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ercole Santilli, Ross Mischnick, James Link
  • Patent number: 10500923
    Abstract: Methods and system for operating a heat pump in different operating modes and providing a predictable heat pump response when the heat pump is transitioned between the different operating modes are presented. In one example, a controller that includes executable instructions for providing a bumpless compressor command for operating the heat pump is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Anthony David Tsakiris, Brett Allen Dunn
  • Patent number: 10284122
    Abstract: A compressor of a refrigeration appliance includes a motor, in particular a BLDC motor, and a controller for stopping the motor. The controller is configured to slow down the motor rotating in a first rotating direction until it comes to a standstill and to subsequently position the rotor relative to the stator, in a second rotating direction with a predetermined torque. A method for stopping a compressor of a refrigeration appliance is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Tommy Beckmann, Volker Braun, Achim Paulduro, Sebastian Rau
  • Patent number: 10240836
    Abstract: A system and method are provided including a system controller for a refrigeration or HVAC system having a compressor rack with a compressor and a condensing unit with a condenser fan. The system controller monitors and controls operation of the refrigeration or HVAC system. A rack controller monitors and controls operation of the compressor rack and determines compressor rack power consumption data. A condensing unit controller monitors and controls operation of the condensing unit and determines condensing unit power consumption data. The system controller receives the compressor rack power consumption data and the condensing unit power consumption data, determines a total power consumption of the refrigeration or HVAC system, determines a predicted power consumption or a benchmark power consumption for the refrigeration system, compares the total power consumption with the predicted power consumption or the benchmark power consumption, and generates an alert based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wallace, Franklin Beltran, Frank S. Wallis, Keith Bertie, Paul L. Fullenkamp
  • Patent number: 10156396
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a system for operating a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. A controller operates compressors in tandem connected to an evaporator. In response to detection of a pre-freezing condition of in the coils of the evaporator, the controller adjusts an operating condition of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Der-Kai Hung, Harold Gene Havard, Jr., Rosa Maria Leal
  • Patent number: 10139149
    Abstract: A refrigerant recovery operation method for use in a refrigerator in which a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber are independently cooled is disclosed. The refrigerator and the method for controlling the same provide for performing the refrigerant recovery operation not only when the compressor starts operation but also before the compressor stops operation. The refrigerator increases the refrigerant recovery amount within a predetermined pressure range in which the compressor can operate, and controls the refrigerant recovery operation time according to the outdoor air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Hak Lim, Kook Jeong Seo, Young Seok Kim, Yoon Young Kim, Won-Jae Yoon, Kyung Hoon Choi
  • Patent number: 10132576
    Abstract: A method for operating a heat exchanger, through which a heat transfer medium flows on a primary side, entering the heat exchanger with a first temperature and exiting the heat exchanger with a second temperature. The heat transfer medium emits on a secondary side a heat flow to a secondary medium flowing through the heat exchanger in the case of heating or, in the case of cooling, absorbs a heat flow from the secondary medium which enters the heat exchanger with a third temperature and exits the heat exchanger again with a fourth temperature. The heat exchanger is capable of transferring a maximum heat flow. At least three of the four temperatures are measured and the respective saturation level of the heat exchanger is determined from these measured temperatures and is used for controlling the operation of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: BELIMO HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Markus Friedl, Marc Thuillard
  • Patent number: 10082330
    Abstract: A refrigerator and a method for controlling a refrigerator, including a plurality of compressors and a plurality of evaporators disposed on inlet-sides of the plurality of compressors to supply cool air to a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment includes determining whether a temperature of the refrigerating compartment belongs to a refrigerating compartment satisfaction range, determining an indoor temperature when the temperature of the refrigerating compartment does not belong to the refrigerating compartment satisfaction range, and determining whether a load corresponding operation condition is satisfied when the determined indoor temperature belongs to a set range. When the load corresponding operation condition is satisfied, a simultaneous operation of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment is performed, and when the load corresponding operation condition is not satisfied, a cooling operation of the refrigerating compartment is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Myungjin Chung, Yonghun Suh, Sung Jhee, Namsoo Cho
  • Patent number: 10078020
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine home appliance cabinet temperatures using light emitting diodes (LEDs) are disclosed. An example home appliance includes a cabinet, a lighting system disposed in the cabinet having one or more LEDs to provide lighting in the interior of the cabinet, and a circuit electrically coupled to the lighting system and programmed to determine a temperature inside the cabinet based on a characteristic of the one or more LEDs of the lighting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jose Paulo Remor, Joao Eduardo Santana-Borges
  • Patent number: 10066860
    Abstract: A method for controlling an air conditioning system comprises routing refrigerant through an evaporator to cool air in a space, proportioning refrigerant flow from the evaporator between a condenser circuit and a hot gas reheat circuit that heats air leaving the evaporator, routing refrigerant flow from the condenser circuit and the hot gas reheat circuit through an expansion device and back to the evaporator, monitoring a first temperature at the evaporator, stabilizing proportioning of refrigerant flow between the condenser circuit and the hot gas reheat circuit based on the monitored first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Nortek Global HVAC LLC
    Inventors: James Patrick Downie, Richard Brian Reed, Richard Gerard Blasko, John Patrick McKissack, Avinash Keshavrao Gholap
  • Patent number: 10054348
    Abstract: An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner may include at least one indoor device, an electric heat pump (EHP) outdoor device connected with the at least one indoor device, and having a first compressor driven using electric power and a first outdoor heat exchanger, and a gas heat pump (GHP) outdoor device connected with the at least one indoor device, and having an engine that drives a second compressor using a combustion gas and a second outdoor heat exchanger. The GHP outdoor device may include an exhaust gas heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant flowing through the EHP outdoor device and an exhaust gas of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kwangho Shin, Hojong Jeong, Minho Chung, Song Choi
  • Patent number: 10047983
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that may include providing an auxiliary power source in an HVAC system, establishing a stable, uninterrupted power source to at least one system controller, starting a first component of the HVAC system prior to starting a second component of the HVAC system. The total power requirement necessary to simultaneously start the first component and the second component may generally exceed the power output capacity of the auxiliary power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Stewart Hancock