With Vapor Compression System Patents (Class 62/238.6)
  • Patent number: 11781798
    Abstract: Embodiments of vibration damping clips for use within a climate control system are disclosed. In an embodiment, a vibration damping clip is engaged with three fluid lines of an outdoor unit of the climate control system, such as, for instance, a suction line of a compressor of the climate control system, a discharge line of the compressor, and a fluid line coupled to a pressure equalization valve (PEV) within the outdoor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Arvind Chitrala, Don A. Schuster, Thomas Reed, Percy F. Wang
  • Patent number: 11629899
    Abstract: A heat pump system and a control method therefor. The heat pump system includes a compressor; an indoor heal exchanger; an outdoor heat exchanger, including a first heat exchange portion and a second heat exchange portion, wherein a flow path switching device is provided between the first heat exchange portion and the second heat exchange portion to disconnect or communicate the first heat exchange portion and the second heat exchange portion; a first four-way valve; and a second four-way valve, configured to enable a high-temperature refrigerant to be input into the first heat exchange portion in a heating mode, so as to enable the heat pump system to operate in a heating and deicing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai
    Inventors: Tao Feng, Limin Li, Huajie Li, Wenhao Huang, Peng Cao, Mengmeng Jin, Chao Zhou, Shiqiang Zhu
  • Patent number: 11592215
    Abstract: A heat pump system provides at least six modes of heating, cooling, and/or domestic water heating operation, where domestic water heating may occur concurrently with heating or cooling a space in a structure. The heat pump system comprises a desuperheater positioned downstream of the compressor and operable as a desuperheater, a condenser or an evaporator, a source heat exchanger operable as either a condenser or an evaporator, a load heat exchanger operable as either a condenser or an evaporator, a reversing valve positioned downstream of the desuperheater heat exchanger and configured to alternately direct refrigerant flow from the desuperheater heat exchanger to one of the load heat exchanger and the source heat exchanger and to alternately return refrigerant flow from the other of the load heat exchanger and the source heat exchanger to the compressor, and an expansion valve positioned between the load heat exchanger and the source heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: WaterFurnace International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Brown
  • Patent number: 11529844
    Abstract: A heat pump system for a vehicle may include a cooling apparatus of circulating a coolant in a coolant line to cool at least one electrical component provided in the coolant line; a battery cooling apparatus of circulating the coolant to the battery module; a chiller for heat exchanging the coolant with a refrigerant to control a temperature of the coolant; a heating apparatus that heats an interior of the vehicle using the coolant; and first, second, and third connection line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Yeon Kim, Yeonho Kim, Jeawan Kim, Wan Je Cho
  • Patent number: 11371253
    Abstract: A sanitation device for cleaning a body of water in an immersion pool of a mikvah has a hollow member that extends along an axis X. In an operative position suitable for cleaning the device is arranged to extend generally immersed in the water and in a general upright orientation. The device further has an upper opening that in the operative position is arranged to be generally flush with the upper surface of the water and a propeller arranged to rotate about axis X and located at a lower region of the device that is arranged to form a downward flow that urges water to enter the device via the upper opening of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Pool Purity Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Jacob Heller, Tomer Jay Levy
  • Patent number: 11365910
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling module having a first fluid circuit with a cold generator, the components of the first fluid circuit being arranged in an insulated housing. At least one component of the first fluid circuit is coupled to at least one section of a second fluid circuit, which section runs in the housing, wherein said housing includes connections for the at least one second fluid circuit, and a negative pressure prevails in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventors: Florian Erfurth, Bernd Gebelein, Daniel Grossmann, Michael Stein, Niklas Viehmann
  • Patent number: 11333412
    Abstract: A climate-control system may include a first fluid circuit, a desiccant system, and a second fluid circuit. The first fluid circuit may include a desorber, an absorber, and an evaporator. A first fluid exits the desorber through a first outlet and flows through the evaporator and a first inlet of the absorber. A second fluid exits the desorber through a second outlet and may flow through a second inlet of the absorber. The desiccant system includes a conditioner and a regenerator. The conditioner includes a first desiccant flow path. The regenerator includes a second desiccant flow path in communication with the first desiccant flow path. The second fluid circuit circulates a third fluid that is fluidly isolated from the first and second fluids and desiccant in the desiccant system. The second fluid circuit may be in heat transfer relationships with the first fluid and the first desiccant flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kamalakkannan Muthusubramanian
  • Patent number: 11268768
    Abstract: An evaporative cooling system for a radiator and method for retrofitting an existing radiator with an evaporative cooling system is provided. The cooling system includes at least one spray nozzle configured to be connected to the radiator upstream of a radiator core and configured to distribute a mist of water to the radiator core; a water source configured to hold water for conveyance to the at least one spray nozzle; and a conduit assembly for conveying water from the water source to the at least one spray nozzle. The evaporative cooling system provides a quick and inexpensive solution for cooling radiators in situations where short-term extreme temperature events occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Theodore Tapley, Daniel Edward Sikes, Jay S. Korth, Joshua Jared Shoemaker, Carson Mae Brown, Corbin Abel Anderson
  • Patent number: 11179998
    Abstract: A method of heating and cooling at least one zone of a passenger compartment in a vehicle includes the steps of (a) pumping a coolant through an auxiliary coolant loop, (b) changing a temperature of the coolant utilizing a first heat exchanger associated with a refrigerant loop via an expansion device in the cooling mode, and a second heat exchanger associated with the refrigerant loop and (c) moving air through a third heat exchanger through which coolant moves, that third heat exchanger positioned in the passenger compartment, and at least one vent positioned within at least one zone of the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Steven Sawyer, Manfred Koberstein
  • Patent number: 11155138
    Abstract: A heat pump system for a vehicle has a first cooling device including a first radiator and a first water pump connected through a first coolant line and circulating a coolant to cool an electrical component and a motor through the first coolant line, a second cooling device including a second radiator and a second water pump connected through a second coolant line, a battery module provided on a battery coolant line selectively connectable to the second coolant line through a first valve, a first chiller provided on the battery coolant line and connected to an air-conditioning device and making the coolant exchange heat with a refrigerant supplied from the air-conditioning device, a second chiller selectively connectable to the first coolant line through a second valve, and a heat exchanger provided in the air-conditioning device and connected to the first and second coolant lines and the refrigerant line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Yeon Kim, Wan Je Cho, Yeon Ho Kim, Dong Seok Oh
  • Patent number: 11149985
    Abstract: A water-heating system, including: a controller; a refrigerant-water heat exchanger for exchanging heat between refrigerant and water; a sensor circuit for measuring a current water temperature of water in a water heater and providing the current water temperature to the controller; a first refrigerant pipe for passing the refrigerant from a refrigerant source to the refrigerant-water heat exchanger; a second refrigerant pipe for passing the refrigerant from the refrigerant-water heat exchanger to the refrigerant source; a first water pipe for passing the water from the water heater to the refrigerant-water heat exchanger; a second water pipe for passing the water from the refrigerant-water heat exchanger to the water heater; and a water pump for pumping water from the water heater to the refrigerant-water heat exchanger via the first water pipe and from the refrigerant-water heat exchanger to the water heater via the second water pipe based on a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc.
    Inventor: Luiz Antonio Diemer Lopes
  • Patent number: 11137164
    Abstract: Heat pump systems and methods of operating including a first unit having a first unit heat exchanger, a compressor, an accumulator, and a first unit expansion valve, a second unit fluidly connected to the first unit by piping, the second unit having a second unit heat exchanger, and a system controller, the system controller having (I) a PID control element receiving as inputs (i) gain scheduling, (ii) an error signal, and (iii) feedback relating to an opening command of the first unit expansion valve, and (II) a feedforward control element generating a feedforward term that is combined with an output of the PID control element to generate the opening command of the first unit expansion valve. The system controller controls an opening of the first unit expansion valve using the opening command of the first unit expansion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tony Lu, David Gerald Kenyon, Junqiang Fan, Kevin Mercer, Jie Li, Massimiliano D'Angelo
  • Patent number: 11124041
    Abstract: Systems and methods for heating and cooling a vehicle using a heat pump are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system for heating and cooling the vehicle includes a heat pump having: a compressor located in an engine compartment of the vehicle, and an evaporator located in a sleeper or a cab of the vehicle. The system also includes a controller for selecting a cooling mode or a heating mode for the heat pump. In one embodiment, the system includes a clutch for engaging the compressor with a transmission of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: PACCAR INC
    Inventors: Uday Vadlamani, Mike Young, Costi Nedelcu
  • Patent number: 11125449
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, includes a cooling circuit, a reheat circuit, and a control system. The cooling circuit includes a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, and a multi-directional valve, and the HVAC system is configured to circulate refrigerant through the cooling circuit in a cooling operating mode. The reheat circuit includes a reheat heat exchanger, the compressor, the evaporator, and the multi-directional valve, and the HVAC system is configured to circulate refrigerant through the reheat circuit in a reheat operating mode. The control system is configured to execute a switch between the cooling operating mode and the reheat operating mode by sending a signal to the multi-directional valve to adjust from a first position to a second position, interrupting a voltage provided to the compressor at a first time, and restoring application of the voltage to the compressor at a second time that is subsequent to the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Norman J. Blanton, Stephen C. Wilson, Paul S. Willmus, Bradford G. Briley
  • Patent number: 10962011
    Abstract: A cooling system is configured to operate in one of three modes, a DX mode of operation when outdoor air is too hot or too humid and the cooling system operates as a normal closed circuit system, a hybrid mode of operation when outside temperatures cool down and the cooling system operates as a partial reduced normal closed circuit system and a free cooling system, and a thermosiphon mode of operation when the outside temperature is below a predetermined temperature and the cooling system operates without the normal closed circuit system. The cooling system includes a scroll compressor unit having a main casing, a scroll compressor supported by the main casing, and a refrigerant pump supported by the main casing. The scroll compressor unit is configured to selectively engage the scroll compressor and the refrigerant pump to achieve one of the DX mode, the hybrid mode, and the thermosiphon mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Raffaele Giovanni Lupi
  • Patent number: 10907879
    Abstract: A method for directing thermal energy to an evaporator of a transport climate control circuit of a transport climate control system is provided. The method includes a controller determining whether the climate control circuit is operating in a start-stop cooling mode. Also, the method includes the controller determining a thermal energy charge of the thermal storage reservoir when the climate control circuit is operating in the start-stop cooling mode. The method also includes determining whether the thermal energy charge is greater than a charge threshold. Further, the method includes determining whether the climate control circuit is operating in a stop portion of the start-stop cooling mode when the thermal energy charge is greater than the charge threshold. The method further includes transferring thermal energy from the thermal storage reservoir to an evaporator when the climate control circuit is operating in the stop portion of the start-stop cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Philip Lewis Lavrich
  • Patent number: 10886739
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for power demand management are described herein. More specifically, embodiments comprise systems and methods for powering, controlling, and/or operating various types of controllable load for integration with power fluctuations from intermittent power generation plants, such as photovoltaic arrays and wind turbine farms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sean Day, Matthew M. Corulli, Stephen A. Kujak, Ronald Maurice Cosby, II
  • Patent number: 10871314
    Abstract: An embodiment of the instant disclosure comprises a reversible heat pump and water heating system for conditioning a space and heating water. The system comprises a refrigerant circuit that includes a compressor, a source heat exchanger, a space heat exchanger, and an expansion device. A 4-way reversing valve alternates between heating and cooling modes of operation. The system includes a heat exchanger for heating water in the water heating loop, and a 3-way valve that either actuates the refrigerant flow through the water heater heat exchanger or bypasses at least a portion of the refrigerant flow around the water heater heat exchanger. The heat pump system is operable in at least five modes—space heating only, space cooling only, water heating only, and either space heating or space cooling combined with water heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Climate Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Taras, Michael S. Privett, Jeremy R. Smith
  • Patent number: 10842053
    Abstract: An example apparatus is provided herein. The apparatus includes a coolant distribution unit and a liquid cooled sub-ambient unit. The coolant distribution unit provides a liquid to a set of liquid cooled cold plates to cool a first electronic component. The liquid cooled sub-ambient unit provides air to cool a second electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Tahir Cader, Matthew Slaby
  • Patent number: 10816224
    Abstract: A heat-pump air-conditioning hot-water supply device includes a first refrigerant passage connecting a compressor and a decompressor, a second refrigerant passage branching from between the compressor and a first solenoid valve and connecting a second solenoid valve, a hot-water supply heat exchanger, and the decompressor, a pressure sensor configured to measure discharge pressure of the compressor, and a control device configured to adjust an operational frequency of the compressor and adjust an opening degree of a valve of the decompressor. The control device is configured to calculate a condensing temperature from the discharge pressure, and perform operation in one of an air conditioning prioritized mode in which a preset operational frequency of the compressor is changed, and an energy saving prioritized mode in which the opening degree of the valve of the decompressor is changed, when the condensing temperature is not lower than a set condensing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Ushijima
  • Patent number: 10766085
    Abstract: To provide a work processing apparatus equipped with a vaporizer that requires no carrier gas and can vaporize a vaporization target liquid having a relatively high flow rate, and a method for manufacturing a processed work. A vaporizer 1 includes a vaporization part 10 including a heat storage body 11 having a heat capacity higher than that of a vaporization target liquid Fq by a predetermined ratio, and a heat supplier 20 for supplying heat to the vaporization part 10. The predetermined ratio is a ratio of heat capacity at which a temperature drop of the heat storage body 11 by heat transfer from the heat storage body 11 to the liquid Fq flowing through a path 12 is within a predetermined range, wherein the amount of heat transferred from the heat storage body 11 to the liquid Fq is an amount of heat necessary to vaporize the liquid Fq at a planned proportion. A work processing apparatus 100 includes the vaporizer 1, a chamber 5, and a vacuum pump 6 for creating a negative pressure in the chamber 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: ORIGIN COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Jun Matsuda, Tatsuo Okubo, Naoto Ozawa
  • Patent number: 10724770
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a condenser having a condenser housing; a compressor motor mounted on the condenser housing and having a rotor and a stator, the rotor having a motor shaft which has a compressor wheel for compressing working medium vapor mounted thereon, and the compressor motor having a motor wall; a motor housing which surrounds the compressor motor and has a working medium intake so as to direct liquid working medium out of the condenser to the motor wall for the purpose of cooling the motor, wherein the motor housing is further configured to form a vapor space during operation of the heat pump, and wherein the motor housing further has a vapor discharge outlet for discharging vapor from the vapor space within the motor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: EFFICIENT ENERGY GMBH
    Inventors: Oliver Kniffler, Holger Sedlak
  • Patent number: 10718540
    Abstract: The control section implements: a utilization cooling operation in which the thermal storage medium absorbs heat from the refrigerant and in which the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor heat exchanger, when the receiving section receives a first signal indicating a request for reduced use of power during an operation in which the room is cooled by the refrigerant evaporating in the indoor heat exchanger; and a cooling and cold thermal energy storage operation in which the refrigerant absorbs heat from the thermal storage medium and in which the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor heat exchanger, when the receiving section receives a second signal indicating a request for accelerated use of power during the operation in which the room is cooled by the refrigerant evaporating in the indoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kouichi Yasuo, Shuuji Fujimoto, Kebi Chen, Takuya Nakao
  • Patent number: 10605469
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a refrigerant circuit configured to flow a refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor configured to compress the refrigerant, a condenser configured to receive the refrigerant from the compressor and to condense the refrigerant, a valve configured to receive a first portion of the refrigerant from the condenser and to decrease a pressure of the first portion of the refrigerant, and an evaporator configured to receive the first portion of the refrigerant from the condenser and configured to evaporate the first portion of the refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit also includes a refrigerant sub-circuit configured to receive a second portion of the refrigerant from the condenser and to convert thermal energy of the second portion of the refrigerant to electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Tyler P. McCune, Shawn A. Hem, Brian D. Rigg, Jedidiah O. Bentz, Aneek M. Noor, Theresa N. Gillette, Tom R. Tasker, Shaun B. Atchison
  • Patent number: 10597886
    Abstract: A swimming pool heating system, including a heat pump and control of the compressor of the heat pump according to a number of non-zero power levels, is detailed. The system includes, for example, three power levels, the first level being close to 40% of the maximum compressor speed, the second level being close to 70% of the maximum compressor speed, and the third level being close to 100% of the maximum compressor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL CARE EUROPE
    Inventors: Rémi Deloche, Brice Leroyer
  • Patent number: 10591171
    Abstract: A subcooler is made up of a plate type heat exchanger. The accumulator is located between a compressor and the subcooler in a width direction of an outdoor unit in a planar view. The subcooler overlaps with the accumulator in the width direction in the planar view. As a result, a compact heat pump can be provided when the subcooler is a plate type heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihiro Okuda, Terunori Aikawa, Hirotoshi Kihara
  • Patent number: 10544971
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vapor compression system (1) is disclosed, the vapor compression system (1) comprising an ejector (5). The method comprises controlling a compressor unit (2) in order to adjust a pressure inside a receiver (6), on the basis of a detected pressure of refrigerant leaving an evaporator (8). The portion of refrigerant leaving the evaporator (8) which is supplied to a secondary inlet (15) of the ejector is maximized and the portion of refrigerant supplied directly to the compressor unit (2) is minimized, while ensuring that the pressure of refrigerant leaving the evaporator (8) does not decrease below an acceptable level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: DANFOSS A/S
    Inventors: Kristian Fredslund, Frede Schmidt, Kenneth Bank Madsen, Jan Prins
  • Patent number: 10458678
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating water has a tank for storing water and an air conditioning system that defines a refrigerant flow path through which refrigerant flows. The refrigerant flow path passes through a heat exchanger so that refrigerant heat is contributed to the tank. The heat exchanger houses a phase change material. A controller controls operation of the water heating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Troy E. Trant, Qian Zhang
  • Patent number: 10429090
    Abstract: An air conditioning system including a condenser system and a closed-loop air-to-water system. The condenser system includes a compressor which pressurizes refrigerant and distributes the pressurized refrigerant to at least one condenser coil, which climatizes water; and a fan which exhausts heat from the pressurized refrigerant. The closed-loop air-to-water system includes a climatized liquid tank, which receives climatized water from the at least one condenser coil; and an air handler disposed within a building, the air handler having a climatized liquid coil. The air handler is disposed to receive air from inside the building; transfer thermal energy from the climatized liquid coil to ambient air, creating climatized air; and distribute the climatized air to at least a portion of the building. The climatized water may be distributed to a recycled liquid tank, which may redistribute the climatized water to the climatized liquid tank, forming a closed-loop air-to-water system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventor: Willis Lewin Usilton
  • Patent number: 10401068
    Abstract: Air cooled chillers have auxiliary heat recovery systems that include a heat recovery heat exchanger for transferring heat from a compressed refrigerant to a process fluid. According to certain embodiments, the air cooled chillers also includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and a controller to govern operations of the expansion device, a fan in the condenser, and other components of the chiller system. The controller may receive signals from temperature and pressure sensors located throughout the chiller system in order to determine a heat recovery load of the heat recovery heat exchanger. The controller may govern operations of the condenser fan and the expansion device according to a low heat recovery mode, an intermediate heat recovery mode, or a full heat recovery mode. In full heat recovery mode, the controller operates the expansion device based on subcooling detected in the heat recovery heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William L. Kopko, Satheesh Kulankara
  • Patent number: 10281180
    Abstract: In one aspect, an air conditioning system is provided. The air conditioning system includes a refrigeration circuit having a refrigerant and an economizer circuit, and a subcooling circuit thermally coupled to the refrigeration circuit, the subcooling circuit including a thermal energy storage (TES) unit and a phase change material (PCM) for thermal exchange with the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Zidu Ma
  • Patent number: 10273628
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control method for a laundry drying machine. The control method includes driving a compressor configuring the heat pump cycle for generation of heated air, sensing a compressor outlet temperature (TE) and a drum outlet temperature (TD), and determining plugging of a filter, based on a difference between the compressor outlet temperature (TE) and the drum outlet temperature (TD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Haeyoon Je, Junseok Lee
  • Patent number: 10226983
    Abstract: A motor vehicle may include an internal combustion engine and an air-conditioning system, which may include a heat exchanger and a compression refrigeration system. The heat exchanger and the compression refrigeration system may be incorporated into a coolant circuit configured to communicate a coolant flow and may have a pump. The compression refrigeration machine may be driven at least one of directly and indirectly via the internal combustion engine. An adsorption system may be incorporated into the coolant circuit and may be connected to the internal combustion engine in a heat-transferring manner. The adsorption system may be configured to receive a waste heat load from the internal combustion engine for operation. A valve device may be incorporated into the coolant circuit and be switchable between at least two position for distributing the coolant flow between the adsorption system and the compression refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Mahle Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lars Ludwig, Dirk Neumeister, Roland Burk
  • Patent number: 10222078
    Abstract: An air temperature and humidity control device using a liquid-desiccant humidity controller thermally coupled to a heat pump is disclosed. The humidity controller may include a contactor having at least one contact module with a porous sidewall that is permeable to water vapor and impermeable to the liquid desiccant. The disclosed device provides air temperature control through heat transfer between the liquid desiccant and heat pump and provides humidity controls through water transfer between the desiccant and surrounding air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zidu Ma, Yirong Jiang, Dong Luo
  • Patent number: 10168087
    Abstract: A heat pump including an integrated system for the management of refrigerant charge is provided. The heat pump includes an indoor line and an outdoor line that are connected to a compressor through a reversing valve. Refrigerant charge is managed by coupling the inactive line to the suction side of the compressor. For example, the heat pump can include an expansion valve to couple the inactive line to the compressor to supplement the flow-rate of refrigerant. The heat pump is operable in a dedicated water heating mode and a space cooling and water heating mode in some embodiments, while other modes of operation are contemplated in other embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Munk, Moonis R. Ally
  • Patent number: 10132507
    Abstract: A combined hot water and air heating and conditioning system including a first heat exchanger, a heat pump, a chilling tower loop, a burner and a second heat exchanger to provide hot water, air heating and air cooling. The system provides hot water, air heating and cooling all in one single unit. The system utilizes a heat pump to remove heat from ambient air and transfer the rejected heat into a hot water system, thereby using waste heat to heat the hot water system. The system utilizes a heat exchanger not only for the purpose of transferring heat from a heating source to a fluid in the heat exchanger but also for the purpose of dissipating heat from the fluid in the heat exchanger to the surroundings of the heat exchanger, thereby allowing a heat pump to act both as an air heating and conditioning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Intellihot, Inc.
    Inventors: Sridhar Deivasigamani, Sivaprasad Akasam
  • Patent number: 10107525
    Abstract: A geothermal system having a heat pump with a heat exchange, first and second conduits connected to and in fluid communication with the heat pump, a compressor connected to and in fluid communication with the first and second conduit, a plurality of valves on the first and second conduit that are connected to and in fluid communication with other valves wherein one valve is a thermo expansion valve, and a sensor on the first conduit and electrically connected to the thermo expansion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventor: Steve Kapaun
  • Patent number: 10099263
    Abstract: A washing and drying machine has a treatment tub and comprises: a washing circuit, for drawing liquid from the tub and conveying it back into the tub, having a pump and means for heating the liquid; a drying circuit for extracting air from the tub and conveying it back into the tub, having a first fan, means for dehumidifying the air, and means for heating the dehumidified air; and a heat-pump arrangement having a refrigerating circuit for a refrigerant fluid, which includes a first condenser, a first evaporator, a first lamination valve, and a compressor. The means for heating the liquid comprise the first condenser, and the refrigerating circuit further comprises a second condenser, in series to the first condenser, and a second evaporator. The means for dehumidifying the air comprise the second evaporator, and the means for heating the dehumidified air comprise the second condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Indesit Company, S.P.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Cagnasso, Mario Lippera, Gianluca Benedetto, Luca Brazzarola, Diego Driussi, Ivan Murador
  • Patent number: 10047985
    Abstract: A refrigerant flow through a refrigerant circuit may be cooled with a cold cooling fluid flow from a thermal storage unit to generate a warm cooling fluid flow. The cold cooling fluid flow and the warm cooling fluid flow may be thermally isolated in the thermal storage unit, and a chiller system may cool the warm cooling fluid flow from the thermal storage unit to at least partially produce the cold cooling fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: William L. Kopko
  • Patent number: 10041204
    Abstract: Provided is a clothes treating apparatus. The clothes treating apparatus may include a clothes receiving device providing a space for receiving clothes therein, a circulation passage provided in the clothes receiving device and configured to provide a flow path for air circulation through the clothes receiving device, and a heat-exchanging device provided in the circulation passage and configured to dehumidify air introduced into the circulation passage. A blower may be provided in the circulation passage and configured to circulate air within the clothes receiving device. A condensed water discharge device may be provided at a lower surface of the circulation passage and configured to discharge condensed water generated by the heat-exchanging device. The condensed water discharge device may include a backflow-preventing member that prevents backflow of the condensed water from the condensed water discharge device to the circulation passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Youngsuk Kim, Sangwook Hong, Hyojun Kim
  • Patent number: 10012132
    Abstract: A cooling system of an internal combustion engine includes a first flow passage supplying a cooling medium of the internal combustion engine to a radiator, a second flow passage branching from the first flow passage by a flow control valve to supply the cooling medium to a first heat exchanging portion, a third flow passage provided separately from the first flow passage to supply the cooling medium to a second heat exchanging portion via an on-off valve and a control portion controlling the on-off valve and the flow control valve based on a temperature of the cooling medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoto Yumisashi, Masanobu Matsusaka
  • Patent number: 9970693
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes refrigerant circuits each configured to circulate a refrigerant of the same composition. The refrigerant circuit is provided with a radiator configured to condense the refrigerant to transfer heat to external fluid, and the refrigerant circuit is provided with a radiator configured to transfer heat to the external fluid while allowing the refrigerant to be maintained in a supercritical state. The radiator is arranged upstream of the radiator in a direction of a flow of the external fluid. A capacity of a refrigerant flow channel of the radiator is smaller than a capacity of a refrigerant flow channel of the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Ito, Takashi Okazaki, Akira Ishibashi, Shinya Higashiiue, Shigeyoshi Matsui, Yuki Ugajin, Takumi Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 9964004
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, systems, and methods of managing large quantities of low-grade waste heat energy by generating excess electrical power via an ORC process driven by the removal and recovery of waste heat under favorable operating conditions, and utilizing the same apparatus to provide waste heat removal via a refrigeration process that consumes electrical power when environmental conditions do not permit operation in the ORC mode. The mode of operation of the system is principally determined by the thermal energy of the waste heat stream and the availability, or lack thereof, of adequate cooling resources. Such resources are often subject to local environmental conditions, particularly ambient temperature which varies on a diurnal and annual basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: ElectraTherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Oxner, Hans Wain
  • Patent number: 9950198
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a scrubber bed, a cooling unit operatively connected to the scrubber bed, and a frame configured for a user to carry the apparatus. The cooling unit includes a compressor, a condensing coil operatively connecting the compressor to an expansion valve, and an evaporating coil operatively connecting the expansion valve to the compressor, and a first fluid circulating through the compressor, the condensing coil, the expansion valve, and the evaporating coil. A method of cooling a gas in a rebreather apparatus includes scrubbing an exhalation gas to produce a recycled gas having a lower concentration of carbon dioxide than the exhalation gas, compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating a refrigerant in a closed-loop system, transferring heat energy from the recycled gas to the refrigerant, and metering a cooled gas to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: O2 Dive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Johnson, Gene Melton
  • Patent number: 9885504
    Abstract: Heat pump systems and methods for providing chilled/hot liquid for air-conditioning and domestic hot-water, are provided. The heat pump systems include a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger and a third heat exchanger (e.g., a hot-water heat exchanger) that share at least one expansion valve disposed at a downstream position of the hot-water heat exchanger. The at least one expansion valve is disposed between the hot-water heat exchanger and the first and second heat exchangers. The heat pump systems can provide six operation modes, including a cooling mode, a heating mode, a water-heating mode, a heat-recovery mode, a simultaneous heating and water heating mode, and a defrost mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Liang Xu, Yuqing Du, Jun Wang, Jing Lei, Chungang Wang, Guangyu Shen
  • Patent number: 9869466
    Abstract: A heat recovery system arranged to heat water includes at least one heat exchanger (9) arranged to heat water by heat exchange with waste heat. A storage reservoir (11) is arranged to store water heated by the heat exchanger (9). The heat exchanger (9) is switchable between a first mode of operation in which water is circulated by a pump (12) in a circuit that includes the storage reservoir (11) and the heat exchanger (9), and a second mode of operation in which water is circulated by the pump (12) in a circuit that by-passes the heat exchanger (9). Heated water of at least a desired minimum temperature can be supplied to at least one outlet during both the first and second modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Waste Heat Recovery Ltd.
    Inventor: Colin Thomas Thomson
  • Patent number: 9816732
    Abstract: An energy transfer unit for a geothermal system includes an outer housing. A heat exchanger is located within the housing. An inlet pipe extends from the housing to the heat exchanger to convey heat transfer fluid to the heat exchanger and an outlet pipe extends from the housing to the heat exchanger to convey heat transfer fluid from the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Heat-Line Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne R. Heise, Matthew J. H. Roberts, Fraser F. Newton, David S. Lamb
  • Patent number: 9811126
    Abstract: A data center cooling system is operated in a first mode, and has an indoor portion wherein heat is absorbed from components in the data center by a heat transfer fluid, and an outdoor heat exchanger portion and a geothermal heat exchanger portion. The first mode includes ambient air cooling of the heat transfer fluid in the outdoor heat exchanger portion and/or geothermal cooling of the heat transfer fluid in the geothermal heat exchanger portion. Based on an appropriate metric, a determination is made that a switch should be made from the first mode to a second mode; and, in response, the data center cooling system is switched to the second mode. The second mode is different than the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy J. Chainer, Pritish R. Parida
  • Patent number: 9796247
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner which can enlarge an effective range of a dehumidifying and cooling mode to realize comfortable air condition in a vehicle interior. A controller changes and executes at least one of a heating mode, a dehumidifying and heating mode, a dehumidifying and cooling mode, and a cooling mode. In at least the dehumidifying and cooling mode, the controller controls a capability of a compressor (2) on the basis of a temperature of a heat absorber (9), and controls a valve position of an outdoor expansion valve (6) on the basis of a temperature or a pressure of the radiator (4), and executes a radiator temperature prior mode to enlarge the capability of the compressor (2), in a case where heat radiation in the radiator (4) runs short.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Sanden Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Miyakoshi, Kenichi Suzuki, Hidenori Takei, Kouhei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9759450
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for connecting to an auxiliary power source and operating a water heater. One exemplary aspect is directed to a water heater configured to heat a volume of water. The water heater can include a first heating system configured to operate at a first power and a second heating system configured to operate at a second power. The second power can be less than the first power. The water heater can further include a first AC connection configured to receive externally supplied AC power at a first voltage and a second AC connection configured to receive externally supplied AC power at a second voltage. The second voltage can be less than the first voltage. The water heater can use only the second heating system when the second AC connection receives the externally supplied AC power at the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Joseph Roetker, Brian Michael Schork