Condenser Cooling Fluid Flow Patents (Class 62/181)
  • Patent number: 8555663
    Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus includes first and second refrigerant circuits including respective first and second compressors, condensers, pressure reducers, and evaporators, connected circularly with first and second refrigerant pipes, respectively, refrigerants discharged from the first and second compressors being respectively condensed at the first and second condensers and thereafter respectively evaporated at the first and second evaporators to acquire a cooling effect; a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of an internal portion of a cold storage cabinet, the first and second evaporators being disposed to cool the internal portion simultaneously; and a first control device that controls the first and second compressors such that both of them are operated each time a temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches a first temperature, and the first and second compressors are alternately operated each time a temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches a second temperature lower t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Shinya, Susumu Kobayashi, Satoshi Okuda, Ryuichi Tsuruma, Yuichi Tamaoki, Ryuzo Tobe
  • Patent number: 8511103
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling operation of a vapor compression system (13) includes monitoring at least one component condition of the system (13), comparing a predetermined setpoint to the at least one component condition, and loading or unloading at least one of a first compressor (18) or a second compressor (20) of the system (13) in response to the comparison of the predetermined setpoint to the at least one component condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Andrew M. Welch
  • Patent number: 8484990
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a refrigerant vapor compression system, for example an air-cooled chiller or air-cooled condensing unit, at optimal energy efficiency rating. The method includes the steps of: determining the instantaneous values of a plurality of selected operating parameters of the system's refrigeration unit, calculating a desired control parameter set point indicative of an optimal energy efficiency rating for the refrigeration unit as a function of the selected operating parameters, sensing the instantaneous value of the control parameter, comparing the sensed instantaneous value of the control parameter to the calculated control parameter set point, and adjusting the operating speed of the condenser fans associated with the air-cooled condenser of the refrigeration unit in response to that comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Ballet, Michel Karol Grabon
  • Patent number: 8400090
    Abstract: Assemblies for HVAC systems and methods of operating HVAC systems are disclosed, including a method of operating an HVAC system having a condenser motor operatively coupled to a fan and a controllable bus voltage for powering the condenser motor. The method includes increasing the controllable bus voltage from a first voltage to a second voltage to increase a speed of the condenser motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Joseph G. Marcinkiewicz, Mark E. Carrier, Eric J. Wildi
  • Patent number: 8375733
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a multi-PID controller system where a variable such as the temperature of a fluid in a reservoir is stabilized using two or more PID controllers to optimize the control of an actuator, such as a flow control valve of a refrigeration system, to control a flow rate. The system also allows for the optimization of the PID control of a fan speed based on the optimized regulation of the control valve and a comparison with other input variables. The setpoint temperature is further stabilized by setting up in proximity of the desired setpoint a deadband analysis to prevent overlap of the PID-driven heat regulation and the multi-PID-driven cold regulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Polyscience
    Inventors: Philip K. Preston, Phil A. Emms
  • Patent number: 8365546
    Abstract: A hot water storage type hot water supply system includes a storage battery unit, a heat pump cycle, a water storage tank, a water circulation path, first and second paths, first and second temperature sensors, and a controller. The heat pump cycle circulates a first refrigerant. The first and second paths circulate a second refrigerant. The first and second sensors sense temperatures of the storage battery unit and water stored in the tank, respectively. The controller controls the second refrigerant to flow in the first or the second path when the temperature of the storage battery unit sensed by the first sensor is higher or lower than a first or a second predetermined temperature, respectively. The controller controls to close the first and second paths when the temperature of the storage battery unit sensed by the first sensor is not lower than the second predetermined temperature and not higher than the first predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Gaku Hayashida
  • Publication number: 20120318013
    Abstract: An vehicular air-conditioner includes a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, an outside condenser, an interior condenser, an evaporator, an expansion valve, a bypass-path bypassing the outside condenser, a cooling path that circulates refrigerant through the outside condenser, a heating path that circulates refrigerant through the bypass-path, and a changeover valve that changes a refrigerant circulation path to one of the cooling and heating paths, a high-pressure detector that detects a high-pressure-side pressure of the refrigeration cycle, and a controller. The controller controls, upon a changeover command to a heating mode during a cooling mode, the changeover valve to change the refrigerant circulation path from the cooling path to the heating path after the high-pressure-side pressure detected by the high-pressure detector becomes equal-to/lower-than a target pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaru Hozumi, Toshihiro Takei
  • Patent number: 8290628
    Abstract: An air conditioner and an associated control method are provided in which performance of one or more indoor units may be adapted so as to minimize power consumption while maintaining cooling/heating effectiveness. The method may include receiving electric power related information, determining whether a current power rate included in the received information is higher than a preset reference value, determining a temperature distribution of at least one space to be air conditioned if the current power rate is higher than the preset reference value, and individually controlling a plurality of indoor units provided to the at least one spaced based on the determined temperature distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jongseob Yeo
  • Publication number: 20120253543
    Abstract: A method and a system control an operation of a vapor compression system using a set of control inputs. A control value is determined based on an output of the operation of the vapor compression system and a setpoint for the operation of the vapor compression system. The control value is used to select at least a subset of the set of control inputs from a computer-readable medium, wherein the subset of control inputs, along or in combination with a function of the control value, forms the set of control inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher Laughman, Daniel Nikolaev Nikovski
  • Patent number: 8280556
    Abstract: An HVAC system for conditioning air of an associated room includes one or more power consuming features/functions including at least one temperature controlling element for one of heating and cooling air. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of a utility state. The controller operates the HVAC system in one of a plurality or operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the HVAC system in the energy savings mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Michael F. Finch, Timothy Dale Worthington, Daniel Ryan Capelle
  • Patent number: 8252174
    Abstract: A vehicle-integrated water harvesting system is provided that enables water-vapor or condensation in a vehicle to be captured, and made available onboard the vehicle for drinking or other uses. The system includes a water emitting component and may include a purification system operatively connected to the water emitting component. The purification system at least partially purifies the water and then sends the purified water to a storage reservoir or directly to a dispenser or outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Jones, Therese A. Tant, Gregory A. Major, Frances H. James, Jeffrey M. Pleune
  • Publication number: 20120174605
    Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a compressor having a suction port and a discharge port, an air-cooled heat exchanger operatively coupled to the discharge port, a liquid-cooled heat exchanger operatively coupled to the air-cooled heat exchanger, a coolant pump operatively coupled to a liquid coolant inlet conduit of the liquid-cooled heat exchanger, an evaporator heat exchanger unit operatively coupled to the liquid-cooled heat exchanger and the suction port, a coolant pump operatively coupled to the liquid coolant inlet conduit for pumping a liquid coolant, and a controller operatively associated with the liquid coolant inlet conduit for controlling the flow of liquid coolant into the liquid-cooled heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the liquid-cooled heat exchanger comprises a low-profile enclosure defining an interior volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Huff, Zvonko Asprovski
  • Patent number: 8185247
    Abstract: In the present invention, a method and a system for controlling a compressor are provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a condenser connected to the compressor, and at least one evaporator connected to the condenser; measuring an inlet pressure and an outlet pressure of the compressor to obtain a flow rate of the condensate; determining a secure flow rate and a demanding flow rate based on a total number of the at least one evaporator; comparing at least two of the flow rate, the demanding flow rate and the secure flow rate with each other to obtain a compared result; and controlling the compressor based on the comparing result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ling-Yu Chao, Chung-Che Liu, Hsu-Cheng Chiang
  • Patent number: 8161762
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a housing including a cooling compartment and a machine compartment, a refrigeration cycle provided in the housing and including a compressor, a condenser, a decompressor, and an evaporator which provide a refrigerant path, a refrigerant provided in the refrigeration cycle and flowing in the refrigerant path, and a blower for cooling the condenser. The condenser includes a pipe and a fin mounted on the pipe. The pipe is formed to have a helical shape with gaps. The helical shape has an inner space, a first opening, and a second opening opposite to the first opening. The inner space has a substantially cylindrical shape between the first opening and the second opening. The first opening faces the blower. A flow resistance between the second opening and the inner space is larger than a flow resistance between the gaps of the helical shape and the inner space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shuhei Sugimoto, Tetsuya Saito, Akihiro Shirono
  • Patent number: 8051668
    Abstract: A controller comprises a first input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a compressor, a second input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a condenser fan, and an output that provides a control signal to the condenser fan. The controller also comprises a memory that stores a condenser set point, and a processor in communication with the input, output and memory and that modulates the condenser set-point to minimize energy consumption and controls the condenser fan based on the condenser set-point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Emerson Retail Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Abtar Singh, Thomas J. Mathews, Frank C. Brown, III, Ozgur Y. Gurkan
  • Patent number: 8047014
    Abstract: A humidity control system (10) is disclosed which includes a refrigerant circuit (60). The refrigerant circuit (60) includes first and second absorbent-supported heat exchangers (61, 62) and performs a refrigeration cycle by the circulation of refrigerant. In addition, in the refrigerant circuit (60), the circulation direction of refrigerant is reversible. The first and second heat exchangers (61, 62) are disposed in a casing (11). In the humidity control system (10), the distribution route of air is changed such that a first air stream is passed through either one of the first and second heat exchangers (61, 61) that is functioning as an evaporator while a second air stream is passed through the other heat exchanger that is functioning as a condenser. A compressor (63), an expansion mechanism (65), and a four-way valve (64) in the refrigerant circuit (60) are disposed together with the heat exchangers (61, 62) in the casing (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yabu, Shuji Ikegami, Yoshinori Narikawa
  • Patent number: 8037700
    Abstract: An air conditioning system that comprises a controller that is in electrical communication with a compressor, a condenser fan, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the ambient air, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of a condenser coil of the air conditioning system, and a low pressure switch (LPS) that measure the pressure of a refrigerant disposed within the air conditioning system. An algorithm resident on the controller controls the controller to enter a low ambient cooling mode when the temperature of the ambient air is less than a set temperature. The algorithm further controls the controller so that a minimum and/or maximum cycling frequency is imposed on the condenser fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Rajendra K. Shah, Eugene L. Mills, Lynn A. Turner
  • Publication number: 20110239671
    Abstract: A method of providing cooling by a cooling system to a computer data center. The method includes providing a plurality of air-and-water radiators and one or more chillers, the chillers each having a first side in fluid communication with a chilled water loop and a second side in communication with a condenser water loop. The method also includes circulating a first portion of return water coming from the computer data center to a first subset of the air-and-water radiators and through the condenser water loop, circulating a second portion of the return water from the computer data center to a second subset of the air-and-water radiators and through the chilled water loop, and circulating the first portion and the second portion of the return water to the computer data center as cooled supply water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: EXAFLOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher G. Malone, Jimmy Clidaras, Michael C. Ryan
  • Patent number: 8015834
    Abstract: An outdoor control unit includes a first control unit, a second control unit, and a switching unit. The outdoor control unit controls the rotational speed of an outdoor fan. The first control unit executes a first control for controlling the rotational speed of the outdoor fan based on the operation frequency of the compressor. The second control unit executes a second control for controlling the rotational speed of the outdoor fan based on a parameter other than the operation frequency of the compressor. The switching unit executes a switching control for switching between the first control and the second control according to a predetermined switching condition, when a cooling mode is being operated under a low outside air condition. The low outside air condition refers to a state that the outside air temperature is lower than a first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Kotani, Kikuji Hori
  • Patent number: 7997095
    Abstract: A method of controlling an air conditioner includes a step of controlling an opening degree of the expansion valve and/or the number of rotations of an outdoor fan of the outdoor heat exchanger such that the difference Tx (=Te?Ti) between the temperature Te of the outdoor heat exchanger and the temperature Ti of the indoor heat exchanger is within a predetermined range, in a cooling mode in a low outside air temperature environment. Specifically, the opening degree of the expansion valve is adjusted, with the number of rotations of the outdoor fan being reduced to be smaller than that in a normal cooling mode, and then, the number of rotations of the outdoor fan is adjusted with the opening degree of the expansion valve being fixed, thereby controlling the difference Tx to be substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu General Limited
    Inventor: Hideya Tamura
  • Patent number: 7975495
    Abstract: A refrigerant system adjusts, in a coordinated prioritized manner, the variable capacities of a compressor, evaporator fan and a condenser fan to minimize the system's overall power consumption while maintaining a comfort zone within a target comfort range. The target comfort range is defined by desired temperature and humidity limits. When the comfort zone is within the target comfort range, the system periodically attempts to reduce the compressor capacity. If the attempt succeeds, the evaporator fan capacity is then minimized. The condenser fan capacity can also be minimized provided the refrigerant system can maintain at least a minimum saturated suction temperature of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Roger J. Voorhis, Patrick B. Sowada
  • Publication number: 20110083454
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the operation of condenser fans are provided. At most discharge pressures, the operation of the condenser fans may be controlled based on a capacity of the compressor system. To adjust operation of the condenser fans, the speed of the fans and/or the number or operational fans may be adjusted. The control of the condenser fans based on compressor system capacity may be overridden at compressor discharge pressures that rise above a high pressure level and fall below a low pressure level. At the high and low discharge pressures, the fan speed and/or number of operating fans may be adjusted based solely on the discharge pressure rather than on the compressor system capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William L. Kopko, Jose Ruel Yalung de la Cruz, Israel Federman
  • Patent number: 7878014
    Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a plurality of compressors and a plurality of condensing units comprising a first condensing unit having a first control module and at least one additional condensing unit having an additional control module. Each condensing unit has at least one compressor of the plurality of compressors. A communication link is connected to the first control module and at least one additional control module. The first control module controls the plurality of compressors based on communication with the at least one additional control module via the communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Akehurst, Hans-Juergen Bersch, Raymond Steils
  • Patent number: 7845183
    Abstract: A controller includes a first input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a compressor, a second input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a variable speed condenser fan, a third input that receives a signal indicating an ambient temperature, a fourth input that receives a signal indicating a condenser temperature, an output that provides a control signal to the variable speed condenser fan, a memory that stores a temperature difference set-point, and a processor in communication with the inputs, the output and the memory. The processor calculates a difference between the ambient temperature and the condenser temperature, compares the difference with the temperature difference set-point, controls the variable speed condenser fan based on the comparison, monitors the energy consumption values, and modulates the temperature difference set-point to minimize energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Retail Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Abtar Singh, Thomas J. Mathews, Frank C. Brown, III, Ozgur Y. Gurkan
  • Patent number: 7774102
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an HVAC system and means for communication between an integrated system of individual controllers for interactively controlling various components in the HVAC system. Various embodiments of an HVAC system are provided that may comprise at least two controllers that communicate with each other to provide a method of controlling the operation of an HVAC system, based on a communication protocol utilized by each of the various controllers. The communication protocol provides for establishing communication between a sending controller and at least one other controller that is the intended recipient. The communication protocol also provides for monitoring of communication signals by one or more controllers in the system, where the one or more controllers monitor communication signals which are intended for other recipient controllers to thereby listen to information being communicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William P. Butler, James P. Garozzo
  • Patent number: 7765824
    Abstract: A vehicle interior cooling system (200) for a vehicle having a cabin (208) and an engine (207) for providing propulsion power generally includes a first cabin cooling system (202) driven by the engine of the vehicle having a first condenser (214). The vehicle interior cooling system also generally includes a second cabin cooling system (203) driven by electrical power having a cold storage device (210) and a second condenser (232), with the first condenser and the second condenser being in an airflow line (260). The second cabin cooling system selectively thermally charges the cold storage device when the engine is in an on position. The second cabin cooling system is also selectable to thermally cool the cabin when the engine is in an off position and selectable to thermally cool the cabin when the engine is in the on position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Alec C. Wong, Robert Preston Feight, John D. Duffy, Gregory S. Hall
  • Patent number: 7748225
    Abstract: An interactive system for controlling the operation of an HVAC system is provide that comprises a thermostat for initiating the operation of the HVAC system in either a full capacity mode of operation or at least one reduced capacity mode of operation, and a controller for an outside condenser unit having a condenser fan motor and a compressor motor, the controller being capable of operating the compressor in a full capacity mode and at least one reduced capacity mode. The system also comprises a controller for an indoor blower unit having a blower fan motor, the controller being capable of operating the blower fan motor in a full capacity mode an at least one reduced capacity mode. The system further includes a communication means for transmitting information between the outside condenser unit controller and at least the indoor blower controller, where the information relates to the operation of the indoor blower and the outdoor condenser unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William P. Butler, Steven L. Carey, Hung Pham, Nagaraj Jayanth
  • Patent number: 7748224
    Abstract: A temperature sensing assembly for monitoring a temperature of a pipe in a system. The temperature sensing assembly includes an insulator body having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The outer and inner surfaces extend between the first and second ends. The inner surface is configured to receive a portion of the pipe. A temperature sensor is disposed adjacent the inner surface and is configured to directly contact the pipe when the pipe is received by the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Grimm, Ryan Patrick McEnaney, Danette E. Hadfield, Aaron F. Clay, Ronald R. Gustin
  • Patent number: 7742688
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling rotation speed of a computer fan includes a fan connector providing for controlling the rotation speed of the computer fan, a rotation speed detector providing for detecting the rotation speed of the computer fan, a BIOS chip connected to the fan connector via the rotation speed detector and provided for receiving, and comparing rotation speed signals from the rotation speed detector, a super I/O chip connected to the BIOS chip and provided for outputting either a PWM signal or another PWM signal to be converted to a voltage signal to control rotation speed of the computer fan according to the result of the comparison, a integrated circuit connected to the super I/O chip and the fan connector and configured for converting the another PWM signal to an analog voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hua Zou, Feng-Long He
  • Patent number: 7677050
    Abstract: A control device for a fan motor (7) which cools a condenser (6) of a vehicle air conditioner includes a temperature sensor (12) which detects a temperature of an air that has passed through an evaporator (10) of the vehicle air conditioner; and a controller (2). The controller (2) functioning to calculate a reference value (Ds) of an airflow generated by a rotation of the fan motor (7); calculate a correction value (DUP, DUPT) of the airflow on the basis of the detected air temperature (Tair); set a target airflow (TDR) on the basis of the reference value (Ds) and correction value (DUP, DUPT) of the airflow; and control the rotation of the fan motor to effect the target airflow (TDR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Sakaguchi, Makoto Fukubayashi, Yoichiro Nakahara, Tomofumi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 7658079
    Abstract: The present invention related to cooling systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system for cooling one or more parts of a building and or processes comprising a compressor, a condenser having an inlet and an outlet and a plurality of condenser cooling fans, a receiver, a liquid refrigerant pump, an expansion device, an evaporator, the evaporator being surrounded by a chiller barrel having a cooled water return and a chilled water supply line, and refrigerant line means interconnecting the compressor, condenser, expansion device and evaporator in series, in a closed loop for circulating refrigerant therethrough; means for switching the cooling system between free cooling and mechanical cooling and means for actively floating the head pressure in both mechanical and free cooling modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventors: Peter F. Bailey, Walter C. Joncas, Gregory W. Dodge
  • Patent number: 7637117
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes a refrigeration cycle and a control unit. The refrigeration cycle includes an electric compressor in which a compression mechanism for drawing a refrigerant therein for compression is integrated with an electric motor for driving the compression mechanism, and a motor drive circuit for driving the motor is cooled using an intake refrigerant drawn into the compression mechanism. The control unit provides operational control to the motor drive circuit and the refrigeration cycle. When the temperature of the motor drive circuit has exceeded a predetermined temperature, the control unit varies a condition of supplying air to exchange heat with the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle to thereby reduce the temperature of the intake refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kunio Iritani, Yusuke Shindo, Kenji Iriyama, Akihito Higashihara
  • Patent number: 7581409
    Abstract: The present invention related to cooling systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system for cooling one or more parts of a building and or processes comprising a compressor, a condenser having an inlet and an outlet and a plurality of condenser cooling fans, a receiver, a liquid refrigerant pump, an expansion device, an evaporator, the evaporator being surrounded by a chiller barrel having a cooled water return and a chilled water supply line, and refrigerant line means interconnecting the compressor, condenser, expansion device and evaporator in series, in a closed loop for circulating refrigerant therethrough; means for switching the cooling system between free cooling and mechanical cooling and means for actively floating the head pressure in both mechanical and free cooling modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Inventors: Peter F. Bailey, Walter C. Joncas, Gregory W. Dodge
  • Patent number: 7464561
    Abstract: A unitary control for operating at least the fan and compressor of a climate control apparatus in response to signals received from a thermostat. The unitary air conditioning control includes a circuit board, a microprocessor on the circuit board, a first relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a fan connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts at least one of which is connected to the microprocessor; and a second relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a compressor connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts connected to the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William P. Butler, Dean A. Drake, Nagaraj B. Jayanth
  • Patent number: 7434416
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes a refrigeration cycle and a control unit. The refrigeration cycle includes an electric compressor in which a compression mechanism for drawing a refrigerant therein for compression is integrated with an electric motor for driving the compression mechanism, and a motor drive circuit for driving the motor is cooled using an intake refrigerant drawn into the compression mechanism. The control unit provides operational control to the motor drive circuit and the refrigeration cycle. When the temperature of the motor drive circuit has exceeded a predetermined temperature, the control unit varies a condition of supplying air to exchange heat with the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle to thereby reduce the temperature of the intake refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kunio Iritani, Yusuke Shindo, Kenji Iriyama, Akihito Higashihara
  • Publication number: 20080236180
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating a condenser fan. The systems and methods may include a compressor and a condenser fan, where the condenser fan is operable in a forward mode and a reverse mode. The systems and methods may further include a programmable timer/microcontroller in communication with the compressor and the condenser fan, where the programmable timer/microcontroller operates the condenser fan between the forward mode and the reverse mode independently of a running cycle of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
    Inventor: Son Van Tran
  • Publication number: 20080115515
    Abstract: The present invention related to cooling systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system for cooling one or more parts of a building and or processes comprising a compressor, a condenser having an inlet and an outlet and a plurality of condenser cooling fans, a receiver, a liquid refrigerant pump, an expansion device, an evaporator, the evaporator being surrounded by a chiller barrel having a cooled water return and a chilled water supply line, and refrigerant line means interconnecting the compressor, condenser, expansion device and evaporator in series, in a closed loop for circulating refrigerant therethrough; means for switching the cooling system between free cooling and mechanical cooling and means for actively floating the head pressure in both mechanical and free cooling modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Peter F. Bailey, Walter C. Joncas, Gregory W. Dodge
  • Patent number: 7367199
    Abstract: A method for automatically balancing air conditioning outdoor heat exchange detects a piping measured value of each piping equipment through a detection unit and compares the piping measured value with a set operation mode selected by users and a set value. Airflow amount of adjustable air vents is adjustable according to the comparing result. The method includes the steps of: (1) selecting an operation mode, (2) selecting an effective piping measured value which serves as the basis to operate an air fan device, and (3) based on the piping measured value corresponding to each exchange equipment to open the air vents at a desired degree. By means of the aforesaid method and system, the air conditioning outdoor heat exchange system can be balanced automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Cohand Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Liang Weng, Jing-Ru Weng
  • Publication number: 20080041076
    Abstract: A method of calculating sensible cooling capacity of a cooling unit includes obtaining compressor capacity, subtracting compressor heat loss from the compressor capacity, subtracting latent cooling capacity from compressor capacity, and subtracting fan power loss from the compressor capacity. Methods of controlling a cooling unit and embodiments of a cooling unit are further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Ozan Tutunoglu, David James Lingrey
  • Patent number: 7308384
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a central controller which communicates with a multiple of HVAC components over a digital communication bus. The central controller maintains an ordered fault list that includes the source of a fault, a description of the fault, the last occurrence of the fault, and the number of sequential occurrences, or repetitions across the entire HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Rajendra K. Shah, Chris Puranen
  • Patent number: 7296426
    Abstract: An interactive system for controlling the operation of an HVAC system is provide that comprises a thermostat for initiating the operation of the HVAC system in either a full capacity mode of operation or at least one reduced capacity mode of operation, and a controller for an outside condenser unit having a condenser fan motor and a compressor motor, the controller being capable of operating the compressor in a full capacity mode and at least one reduced capacity mode. The system also comprises a controller for an indoor blower unit having a blower fan motor, the controller being capable of operating the blower fan motor in a full capacity mode an at least one reduced capacity mode. The system further includes a communication means for transmitting information between the outside condenser unit controller and at least the indoor blower controller, where the information relates to the operation of the indoor blower and the outdoor condenser unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William P. Butler, Steven L. Carey, Hung Pham, Nagaraj Jayanth
  • Patent number: 7275378
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a cooling fan that cooperates with an air conditioning condenser in a vehicle. The present embodiments include steps and corresponding implementations for determining a speed of the vehicle, determining a discharge pressure of the air conditioning condenser, determining an ambient temperature of air surrounding the vehicle and determining an outlet temperature of a vehicle air conditioning system. The cooling fan is operated in one or more desired fan speed modes corresponding to one or more respective discharge pressure ranges. The fan speed modes are a function of vehicle speed and one or more of ambient temperature, outlet temperature, and discharge pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bradley C. Errington, Daniel Yelles
  • Patent number: 7273672
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising a fuel cell stack 21 formed by laminating a plurality of fuel cell units each of which includes a fuel electrode 23, an oxidant electrode 24, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22 interposed between the fuel and oxidant electrodes. The fuel cell unit is operable to generate an electric power through an electrochemical reaction between a first gas supplied to the side of the fuel electrode 23 and a second gas supplied to the side of the oxidant electrode 24. In this fuel cell, the first gas supplied to the side of the fuel electrode 23 and the second gas supplied to the side of the oxidant electrode 24 are adapted to flow generally in opposite directions in the fuel cell stack 21, so that a water created on the side of oxidant electrode 24 is reciprocally moved between the fuel electrode 23 and the oxidant electrode 24 to increase a water holding region in the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
    Inventors: Yoshitsugu Sone, Mitsushi Ueno, Saburou Kuwashima
  • Patent number: 7246500
    Abstract: A controller comprises a first input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a compressor, a second input that receives a signal indicating an energy consumption value of a variable speed condenser fan, and an output that provides a control signal to the variable speed condenser fan. The controller also comprises a memory that stores a condenser set point, and a processor in communication with the input, output and memory and that modulates the condenser set-point to minimize energy consumption and controls the variable speed condenser fan based on the condenser set-point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Retail Services Inc.
    Inventors: Abtar Singh, Thomas J. Mathews, Frank C. Brown, III, Ozgur Y. Gurkan
  • Patent number: 7225629
    Abstract: An energy-efficient heat pump water heating system determines whether to energize a heat pump by interpreting readings from one or temperature sensors based on two thresholds. The heat pump is energized if the detected temperature falls below a first threshold and de-energized when the detected temperature rises above a second threshold. The thresholds may correspond to outputs of two or more sensors. Using multiple temperature thresholds improves the temperature sensing capabilities of the system, thereby improving energy efficiency by matching heat pump operation with hot water demand more closely than previously known systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Julio Concha, Tobias Sienel, Bryan A. Eisenhower
  • Patent number: 7181920
    Abstract: Cooling plant for a “cooled” fluid, able to cool and/or dry the fluid by means of cooling substantially to a pre-established temperature, the plant comprising a heat exchanger (17), to cool the fluid, by means of heat exchange with a “cooling” fluid inserted in a cooling unit (11) comprising a cooling circuit (13) able to feed the cooling fluid to the heat exchanger (17), the cooling unit (11) comprising at least a condensation device (15), able to take the cooling fluid to within desired parameters of pressure and/or temperature. The plant also comprises regulation means (19) able to detect the temperature of the fluid to be controlled, and to act on the condensation device (15) in order to vary the parameters of pressure and/or temperature of the cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Officine Meccaniche Industriali Srl
    Inventors: Giovanni Battista Capellari, Filippo Trombin, Fabio Massaro
  • Patent number: 7137263
    Abstract: An air conditioning (A/C) system includes a condenser and an electric motor that drives a fan to induce air flow through the condenser. The electric motor includes an internal stator assembly and an external rotor assembly rotatable about the internal stator assembly. A housing is attached to the external rotor assembly. The fan is connected to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Michael T Collins, Ralph D Furmanek, S. Duke Snider
  • Patent number: 7032394
    Abstract: A pressure monitoring device of a compression refrigerating plant having a compressor, a condenser and an energy discharge device cooperating with the latter, is tested by an automatically proceeding self-test program. In this case, the energy discharge device is at least throttled back and the compressor is operated up to a response point of the pressure monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: KKW Kulmbacher Klimageraete-Werk GmbH
    Inventor: Rene Seeliger
  • Patent number: 7024873
    Abstract: A refrigerator including a control unit for a condenser fan in connection with operation of a compressor if an outdoor temperature sensor is out of order. Since the condenser fan is driven in connection with the operation of the compressor, a trip phenomenon of the compressor generated due an overload of the compressor can be prevented, which results in stable operation of the refrigerator as well as increased reliability of the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Han Joo Yoo
  • Patent number: 6973794
    Abstract: A refrigeration system including a compressor, condenser, valve, and refrigeration branch, all of which is in fluid communication. The refrigeration branch includes an evaporator coil. The refrigeration system further includes a case adapted to be cooled by the evaporator coil, and a system controller operable to control one or more aspects of the refrigeration system, and a subsystem controller in communication with the system controller. The subsystem controller is operable to control a subsystem having one of the compressor, condenser, valve, refrigeration branch, and case. The method of operating the refrigeration system includes at the subsystem controller, monitoring a parameter of the subsystem, comparing the monitored parameter with a parameter limit, generating an alarm when the parameter is not within the parameter limit, and communicating the alarm to the system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventors: Norman E. Street, Ted W. Sunderland