With Cleaning Means For Apparatus Patents (Class 62/303)
  • Patent number: 11976826
    Abstract: To prevent wind leakage and dew condensation in a rotating portion of a rotating unit in a ceiling-embedded air conditioner having, in an air blowing part of a decorative panel, the rotating unit that rotates around an axis that is normal to a virtual plane of the rear surface side of the decorative panel that is parallel to the bottom surface of a body unit. An outer flange is formed on an the outer peripheral side of a rotating ring attached to a rotating unit, an inner flange that constitutes a thrust bearing together with the outer flange is formed on the inner peripheral side of an opening into which the rotating ring is fitted, and a sealing material is provided between the inner flange and the outer flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: FUJITSU GENERAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Takuto Fuse
  • Patent number: 11543193
    Abstract: Air flow apparatus has at least one array of air channels, an air duct covering the array of air channels and being connected to the air channels, a fan arranged at the air duct for generating an air flow through the array of air channels, a cleaning device for the array of air channels arranged inside the air duct, the cleaning device including: a nozzle bar extending in front of the array of air channels and a nozzle manifold including a plurality of nozzles arranged along the nozzle bar and directed towards the array of air channels, wherein the nozzle bar is mounted to the air flow apparatus to be movable across at least a section of the array of air channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Johannes Stickling
  • Patent number: 11412757
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved system and method that includes a food dispensing machine for dispensing a base food product through a dispensing valve and adding ingredients and other additives, such as flavors and the like, to the base food product when the product is dispensed from a product chamber. Apparatuses and methods for maintaining a consistent mix of the base product in the freezing chamber are disclosed as are processes for calibrating desired proportions of ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: FBD Partnership, LP
    Inventors: Mario A Velez, Edward G Alvarado, Alejandro Z Ramirez, Daniel J Seiler, David Renaud
  • Patent number: 11408694
    Abstract: A frame-mounted mobile cleaning system permanently positionable above or below the tube bundles of an air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE) and in fluid communication with an external source of pressurized cleaning fluid includes a mobile transverse spray head assembly formed from a plurality of separate interchangeable fluid compartments, each fluid compartment having an inlet for receiving the pressurized cleaning fluid and a fluid discharge wall having at least one nozzle aligned with the longitudinal axes of the finned heat exchange tubes below or above, or elongated slot nozzles that are transverse to the axes of the finned tubes and that are configured to discharge a predetermined pattern of pressurized cleaning fluid onto and between the surfaces of the fins of the heat exchange tubes as the assembly is moved from one end of the ACHE tube bundles to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Abdullah M. Al-Otaibi
  • Patent number: 11378496
    Abstract: A device includes a sample rack having a mounting region for mounting a sample plate that holds a sample, a housing in which a temperature adjustment space for adjusting a temperature of the sample plate mounted on the sample rack while accommodating the sample rack inside is provided therein, and the housing having, in a lateral surface, a rack insertion opening through which the sample rack is inserted into the temperature adjustment space; and an air temperature adjustment part having an air intake port for taking in air in the temperature adjustment space, a temperature adjustment element for cooling or heating air taken in from the air intake portion, and an outlet for blowing out air cooled or heated by the temperature adjustment element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Koki Miyazaki, Shinji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11353254
    Abstract: A method efficiently changes the state of an object at low cost and in a short time, in which a state change control device changes the state of an object by bringing the object into contact with an ice slurry to cause a temperature change to the object. The device includes an ice slurry contact part that brings the object and the ice slurry into contact with each other at a predetermined relative speed and changes the temperature of the object, and an ice slurry supply part that supplies the ice slurry to the ice slurry contact part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: BLANCTEC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshio Hirokane
  • Patent number: 11313595
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes a heat source side refrigerant circuit in which a heat source side heat exchanger is provided, a load side heat medium circuit in which a load side heat exchanger is provided, an intermediate heat exchanger, and a heat medium sealing. The heat medium sealing mechanism includes a supply port through which the heat medium and gas flow, the gas being more soluble in the heat medium than air, a discharge port through which the gas pushed by the heat medium is discharged, and a flow straightener that is connected to the load side heat medium circuit in such a manner that, when the gas is supplied, the gas flows from the supply port to the discharge port, and when the heat medium is supplied, the heat medium flows from the supply port to the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naofumi Takenaka, Yuji Motomura, Osamu Morimoto
  • Patent number: 11179487
    Abstract: An ice maker includes an ice making unit comprising an evaporator connected to a refrigeration system, an ice holding bin, a sump, a pump, a drain valve, an ozonated water source, and a controller. The controller activates the ozonated water source supplying a first volume of ozonated water to the sump, thereafter activates the pump to circulate the first volume of ozonated water from the sump to the ice making unit, once a predetermined sterilization time has been reached, the controller turns off the pump and drains the first volume of ozonated water from the sump. The controller initiates an ice making mode, and activates the ozonated water source to supply a second volume of ozonated water to the sump, thereafter activates the pump to circulate the second volume of ozonated water from the sump to the ice making unit forming ozonated ice on the evaporator, and initiates an ice harvest mode to remove the ozonated ice from the evaporator and delivers it to the ice holding bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: MANITOWOC FOODSERVICE COMPANIES, LLC
    Inventor: Daryl Gregory Erbs
  • Patent number: 10895402
    Abstract: An indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a plurality of axial-flow fans arranged side by side in a horizontal direction below an air inlet. Further, the indoor unit includes a plurality of filters provided to the air inlet so as to be arranged side by side. A cleaning mechanism and a dust box are further provided to the air inlet. Further, the dust box is arranged at a position between adjacent filters and adjacent axial-flow fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Oishi, Shuhei Yokota
  • Patent number: 10864470
    Abstract: An indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a cartridge provided to an air inlet so as to be freely mountable and dismountable. The cartridge accommodates a filter so as to be freely movable in a right-and-left direction and has an opening port formed in one end portion in the right-and-left direction. A dust box is provided on a side of the end portion of the cartridge. The dust box includes a cleaning mechanism configured to clean the filter and a dust collecting portion configured to collect dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Oishi, Shuhei Yokota
  • Patent number: 10317122
    Abstract: An automatic descale and sanitize process for an ice maker which requires less user intervention and time. During descaling, a main water reservoir of an ice maker sump is filled with water to a descale water level and mixes with a cleaner placed in the main water reservoir. The water/cleaner mixture is pumped through the ice maker to descale the water system and freeze plate. During sanitizing, the sump is filled with water to a sanitize water level, above the descale water level, and mixes with sanitizer placed in a sanitizer reservoir of the sump. The water/sanitizer mixture is pumped through the ice maker to sanitize the water system and freeze plate. During descaling, the sanitizer placed in the sanitizer reservoir does not come into contact with the water in the main water reservoir. After the descale and sanitize process, the ice maker can return to making ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: True Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John Allen Broadbent, Paolo Moro
  • Patent number: 10300161
    Abstract: An ice maker includes an ice making unit comprising an evaporator connected to a refrigeration system, an ice holding bin, a sump, a pump, a drain valve, an ozonated water source, and a controller. The controller activates the ozonated water source supplying a first volume of ozonated water to the sump, thereafter activates the pump to circulate the first volume of ozonated water from the sump to the ice making unit, once a predetermined sterilization time has been reached, the controller turns off the pump and drains the first volume of ozonated water from the sump. The controller initiates an ice making mode, and activates the ozonated water source to supply a second volume of ozonated water to the sump, thereafter activates the pump to circulate the second volume of ozonated water from the sump to the ice making unit forming ozonated ice on the evaporator, and initiates an ice harvest mode to remove the ozonated ice from the evaporator and delivers it to the ice holding bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MANITOWOC FOODSERVICE COMPANIES, LLC
    Inventor: Daryl Gregory Erbs
  • Patent number: 9644883
    Abstract: A fluidized bed conveyor belt freezer system including at least one wire mesh conveyor belt in a freezer housing with a plurality of coil arrays and centrifugal fan assemblies that produce a high volume of cold air directed directly upward to a plurality of adjustable vanes mounted under the belt. The vanes are longitudinally aligned and evenly distribute the volume of cold air through the conveyor belt to efficiently fluidize, freeze the product transported on the conveyor belt. The volume of cold air in the fan chamber is produced by a plurality of fan assemblies that draw cold air from the coils, uniformly mixed and delivered to the entire length of the bottom of the conveyor belt. The vanes are adjusted to distribute the cold air in the fan chamber through the conveyor belt to prevent blowouts. The fan motors are mounted externally on the freezer housing for easier servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventors: Brian H. Lee, Felix M Lee, Lars I. Johannson
  • Patent number: 9383130
    Abstract: A method for reducing a temperature of a product in a freezer includes providing a product to a chamber of the freezer; dividing a portion of the chamber disposed between a pair of baffle assemblies in the freezer into an intake zone and an outflow zone; moving each baffle assembly of the pair of baffle assemblies in the chamber 90° degrees out of phase with each other for directing a gas flow in the chamber; oscillating the gas flow within the chamber between the intake zone and the outflow zone during the moving the pair of baffle assemblies; injecting a cryogen substance into the chamber for cooling the gas flow; and contacting the product with the cooling gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Linde Aktiensellschaft
    Inventors: Michael D. Newman, Stephen A. McCormick
  • Patent number: 9284177
    Abstract: A volumetric displacement device, especially good for preserving and dispensing carbonated beverages has been constructed that is extremely light, small, safe, attractive, easy to use, energy efficient and inexpensive. It can use battery power, has an ovaloid shape, can be constructed of thin flexible plastics, and operates in various positions that eliminate the need for a pickup tube. The controls of the device have been linked both electronically and mechanically for ease of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Claude Ramon Litto
  • Patent number: 9017485
    Abstract: An ice dispensing system includes an ice hopper structure including a plurality of walls having inner surfaces that define an inner volume storing ice therein. The ice hopper may include a drain. A cleaning structure is coupled to the ice hopper structure. The cleaning structure includes a pump linked to a spray mechanism positioned within the inner volume of the ice hopper structure. The spray mechanism disperses a liquid on an inner surface of the ice hopper structure during a cleaning cycle of the ice dispensing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventors: Vittal Murthy, Jayateertha Malagi, Servesh Adderi Raganath, Matthew Kampert, Chris Zemko
  • Publication number: 20150101358
    Abstract: A condensate management system for an air conditioning condensate drainage system is provided. The condensate management system may comprise an inlet and an outlet; a primary condensate flow path from the inlet to the outlet; a check valve disposed along the primary condensate flow path; a flush path from the inlet to the outlet; a pump coupled to the flush path; and a logic panel configured to actuate the pump to a flushing mode. The check valve may be configured to allow fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet. When the logic panel is configured to actuate the pump to the flushing mode, the pump is configured to exert a negative pressure at the inlet and a positive pressure at the outlet. Other system and methods to flush a condensate drain system are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Stewart Kaiser, William G. Williams
  • Patent number: 8991203
    Abstract: It is an object to provide an electrostatic atomizing apparatus which is simply structured, is easy to assemble, is low in cost, has clogging resistance against foreign matter, can be used for a long time, and is highly reliable, or a home electrical appliance such as a refrigerator, air conditioner, etc. including the electrostatic atomizing apparatus. A discharge electrode formed of foam metal, whereto water that attaches to a surface is supplied by capillary action, a counter electrode provided so as to be opposed to the discharge electrode, and a water supply that is provided directly above the discharge electrode via a predetermined clearance, supplying water to the discharge electrode or the electrode holding part, are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Okabe, Katsumasa Sakamoto, Reiji Morioka, Masumi Handa, Hiroshi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 8967183
    Abstract: A drain line access device is provided for flushing HVACR drain lines. The device includes a main body having input and outlet connection ports on opposite ends for inline installation to a drain line, a flapper assembly sized and configured for seated placement in an interior cavity of the main body, and a removable top cover. The flapper assembly includes a flapper holder, a flapper, a flapper seat, and a spring hinge for rotatably urging the flapper into the normally raised position. An injection port is provided on the top cover for delivering a flow of pressurized gas or liquid for flushing out a clog in the drain line. In operation, delivery of pressurized gas or fluid into the drain line forces the flapper against the flapper seat, thereby sealing off one of the respective ends of the main body and directing the pressurized gas into the drain line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: MSD Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Oakner, Donna Oakner
  • Publication number: 20150047373
    Abstract: A multi-step process for cleaning, disinfecting and substantially eliminating allergens in a room is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew Eide, Joseph P. Urso, Carl C. Christoff, Timothy Raymond Vadnais, Chad Darris Recer
  • Patent number: 8863538
    Abstract: A method of treating a contaminated refrigeration fluid including the steps of transferring, separating, returning, moving and removing. The transferring step includes the transferring of a portion of the contaminated refrigeration fluid from a refrigeration system to a first tank. The separating step includes the separating of refrigerant from the portion of the contaminated refrigeration fluid resulting in the refrigerant and a refrigerant depleted portion. The returning step includes the returning of the refrigerant to the refrigeration system. The moving step includes the moving of the refrigerant depleted portion to a second tank. The removing step includes the removing of oil from the refrigerant depleted portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Wagner-Meinert LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence F. Hildebrand, Wayne Douglas Zollinger
  • Patent number: 8840729
    Abstract: An air conditioning drain cleaning system with an automated blow-out cycle to clean out an evaporator pan drain pipe. The system has a pneumatic valve assembly, a controller, a float level switch assembly and a plurality of air lines in a manifold for actuating the pneumatic valve assembly and blowing out the drain pipe. The controller directs the system to initiate or repeat a blow-out cycle until the drain pipe is clear. The pneumatic valve assembly bisects the drain pipe to selectively close the pipe for cleaning with a pair of high pressure air shots, one shot toward each pipe end to dislodge a clog. The float level switch assembly signals the controller if the condensate level in the drain pan drops. If the condensate level does not drop, the controller initiates a further blow-out cycle at increased pressures until the line is clear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Herren, Douglas Comeaux
  • Publication number: 20140260401
    Abstract: An impingement apparatus for use with a freezer includes a flexible belt having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of impingement holes extending through the belt between the first and second surfaces, wherein a passageway is formed in each one of the plurality of impingement holes and through which a cooling medium can pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Simon James SHAMOUN, Stephen A. McCORMICK
  • Publication number: 20140250938
    Abstract: A sample cooling device is provided with, inside a sample storage which stores therein a sample rack, a first heat transfer member arranged at a position in contact with the sample rack, a second heat transfer member which cools the inside of the sample storage, and a condensate discharge mechanism which discharges condensate condensing on the second heat transfer member to the outside of the sample storage. An internal space of the sample storage is not sealed due to the existence of a leak path for air formed between the inside and the outside of the sample storage, the leak path including at least the channel. The sample storage includes an outside air introduction unit which forcibly blows the outside air into the internal space so that the pressure inside the sample storage becomes higher than the outside pressure thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8813518
    Abstract: The filter 3 is extruded to the outside of the casing of the air conditioner along the inner side of an open panel 15 which is provided at the front surface side of an air intake grill 14 and opened/closed at the time of the operation of the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu General Limited
    Inventors: Shinji Sugiyama, Makoto Shibuya, Akihiko Nojima
  • Patent number: 8813516
    Abstract: A refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a main body which has a cooling chamber and a freezing chamber, a storage chamber which is provided in the cooling chamber to store foodstuffs, an irradiation device which irradiates light within a visible light region correspondingly to color of the foodstuffs stored in the storage chamber, an optical deodorization module which includes an ultraviolet light irradiation device which is mounted to the storage chamber to irradiate ultraviolet light and a photocatalyst filter which receives the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light irradiation device and is coated with a photocatalyst agent, and a control unit which controls the irradiation device and the ultraviolet light irradiation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Deul Re Min, Eun Jeong Kim, Jong Min Shin, Seok Min Lim, Yeon Yi Hwang, Sang Ho Oh, Eun Young Park
  • Patent number: 8733595
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided which includes a cabinet. A first compartment and second compartment are disposed within the cabinet. A first door provides access to the first compartment and a second door provides access to the second compartment. A beverage dispensing system is disposed within the cabinet. The beverage dispensing system has a fluid line, a fluid enhancement line, and a cleaning subsystem for cleaning the fluid component line and the fluid enhancement line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Philip A. Anselmino, Kevin M. Chase
  • Patent number: 8726683
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for removing ice layers and/or snow layers and/or dirt layers from the rotor blades of axial fans in cooling installations for refrigerating and/or freezing products. At least one cleaning substance jet is directed toward the rotor blades of an axial fan within certain time intervals in such a way that ice layers and/or snow layers and/or dirt layers are at least separated from the surfaces of the rotor blades and transported away, wherein the rotor blades rotate with nominal speed while cleaning jets act upon their surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rudolf Erwin Berghoff
  • Patent number: 8701939
    Abstract: A food dispensing machine includes a product chamber with a dispensing valve connected to the product chamber and having an outlet through which a product contained in the product chamber is dispensed. The product chamber has a cleaning solution inlet connectable to a cleaning solution supply source for receiving cleaning solution into the product chamber. The product chamber further has an ingredient inlet alternatively connectable to either an ingredient supply source or the dispensing valve outlet. When the ingredient inlet is connected to the dispensing valve outlet, a re-circulating flow path is created, allowing for complete cleaning and sanitizing of the product flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: FBD Partnership, LP
    Inventors: Jimmy I. Frank, Thomas L. Guy, Kristan L. Dawson, Raymond A. Glatt, Richard E. Frankenberger, Carl R. Martin, Craig Cloud
  • Patent number: 8683818
    Abstract: A fluid injector includes a cavity in the fluid injector configured to receive a container of fluid to be injected by the injector; a controller configured to control the fluid injector, the controller further configured to monitor a condition of the fluid in the container and modify the operation of the fluid injector based on the condition of the fluid in the container; a valve assembly configured to control fluid from entering and leaving the fluid injector, the valve assembly operatively connected to the controller to be controlled by the controller; a sensor operatively connected to the controller and configured to sense at least one of an amount of fluid in the container and an amount of fluid exiting the container; and an input device configured to input to the controller how much fluid should leave the fluid injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Willilam Brown
  • Patent number: 8650890
    Abstract: A closed space forming unit (41-48) forms a closed space (37, 38) around an adsorption member (51, 52) supporting thereon an adsorbent for desorbing and adsorbing moisture. An active species generating unit (101, 102) supplies active species, for decomposing odorous components, into the closed space (37, 38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kamino, Nobuki Matsui
  • Patent number: 8631664
    Abstract: There are provided a first guide channel 240 for making a U-turn of a leading end of a filter 3 at a front side of a main unit cabinet 1 during forward movement of the filter 3 and a second guide channel 141 for drawing a rear end of the filter to a rear surface side of the main unit cabinet 1 during backward movement of the filter 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu General Limited
    Inventors: Makoto Shibuya, Shinji Sugiyama, Hideyuki Umenaka, Hideo Okamoto, Ritsushi Taira
  • Publication number: 20130333399
    Abstract: A drilling system including a motor that produces a sonic, linear oscillatory motion is provided for removing a frozen biological sample from a stored frozen specimen and methods of use thereof without thawing the remainder of the specimen. The stator and slider assembly is operated by a servo controller which can communicate and be programmed through a port of a PC equipped with software.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicants: Northeastern University, President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Dale Larson, Jeffrey Ruberti, John Slusarz, Nicholas Goulas, Erin Rush, Trevor Ehret
  • Publication number: 20130327073
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a main body including first and second storage compartments, an input part selecting a cleaning mode or a normal cooling mode in each of the first and second storage compartments, a first evaporator cooling air to be supplied into the first storage compartment, a first fan motor blowing the air into the first evaporator, a second evaporator cooling air to be supplied into the second storage compartment, a second fan motor blowing the air into the second evaporator, and a control part controlling each of the first and second fan motors. The control part controls a fan motor corresponding to a corresponding storage compartment to adjust an amount of cool air supplied into the corresponding storage compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Seungho Lee, Daehyun Yoo, Donggyu Lee, Sungwoo Choi, Ayoung Choo, Nami Kim, Taegyeong Kim
  • Patent number: 8590600
    Abstract: A cleaning brush device for a condenser of refrigerator comprising a condenser and a cleaning brush is provided. The condenser comprises a cooling fin grid of rows of horizontal fins and columns of vertical fins. The cleaning brush sweeps horizontally and vertically over the cooling fin grid in a predetermined period of time and brushes off the dust bunny collected in the cooling fin grid. The predetermined period of time is controlled according to amount of the dust bunny on the cooling fin grid. The cleaning brush may sweep the grid horizontally and vertically in a systematical way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Brian S. Kim
  • Publication number: 20130298578
    Abstract: A method for converting a refrigerant recovery unit from use with a first refrigerant to use with a second refrigerant includes the steps of opening, with a controller, solenoids along a refrigerant path to remove residue of the first refrigerant into a holding vessel, operating a vacuum pump, as indicated by the controller, to further remove the residue of the first refrigerant from the refrigerant path, introducing, via the controller, an amount of the second refrigerant into the refrigerant path, determining, with a refrigerant identifier, a purity of the second refrigerant in the refrigerant path. A kit is also provided to convert the refrigerant recovery unit for use with the first refrigerant to the second refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Service Solutions U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Mark McMASTERS, Tim Wagaman
  • Publication number: 20130255302
    Abstract: A method and materials are disclosed for cleaning the internal parts of a refrigeration system while keeping the system on line and operational. The ability to clean the system may bring the energy efficiency of the existing equipment back to or above the original energy efficiency. The ability to also keep the system on line during the cleaning process may avoid extensive down time and may eliminate the need to disassemble and replace system components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: James B. Tieken
  • Patent number: 8544282
    Abstract: A closed loop geothermal system has a fluid circulation loop that includes in series: a heat pump, a ground loop heat exchanger, a tank flow center and a circulation pump. The tank flow center includes a tank, a first valve, a second valve and a tank bypass line all mounted in a common housing. The tank may include a refill inlet that opens through a top surface of the housing. A cap may be attached to close the refill inlet. The tank flow center has the regular geothermal operation configuration, a system flush configuration, and a refill configuration. The tank flow center may be elevated above the circulation pump a distance to produce a water column that is greater than a minimum cavitation avoidance head pressure for the circulation pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Wyer, Demitri Gula
  • Patent number: 8523969
    Abstract: An air filter (30) intermittently rotates by a predetermined rotation angle at each time, while being in contact with a bristle portion (51b) of a rotating brush (51). Accordingly, dust on the air filter (30) is scraped by the bristle portion (51b). The brush member (51) rotates about an axial center of a shaft (51a) at each stop of the intermittent rotation of the air filter (30), to come into contact with a cleaning brush member (52). According, dust on the brush member (51) is removed by the cleaning brush member (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Sakashita, Tsuyoshi Yokomizo, Morimichi Okada
  • Publication number: 20130174875
    Abstract: The disclosure shows a device and method for automating the cleaning/sanitizing of the water and ice making system on a blended ice machine. The method eliminates the need to disassemble the unit in order to gain system access points to introduce cleaning and or sanitizing solutions. The method also automates the sequence of events required to insure cleaning is done according to a proven method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: THE DELFIELD COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: The Delfield Company LLC
  • Patent number: 8479760
    Abstract: A system is provided for cleaning out a drain line for an air conditioning unit. The system has an access member that can be installed and remain in the drain line. The access unit provides access to the drain line to allow a fluid to move in at least one direction to remove the debris and liquids from the drain line to prevent maintenance issues with the air conditioning unit. A connecting member is used with the access member to move the debris either down the drain line or out of the air conditioning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Easy Solutions Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Eads
  • Publication number: 20130031918
    Abstract: A gas extraction device installed in a refrigerator removes uncondensed gases that exist in the refrigerator. The gas extraction device includes a gas extraction tank used to circulate a refrigerant put in an evaporator, a circulation pipe for circulation between the gas extraction tank and the evaporator, a gas extraction pump which feeds the refrigerant in the evaporator to the gas extraction tank, a shutoff valve configured to shut off a flow of the refrigerant from the gas extraction tank to the evaporator, a gas extractor which extracts the uncondensed gas in the refrigerator into the gas extraction tank, and an auxiliary tank which receives an inflow of the refrigerant filling up the gas extraction tank, and overflowing therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: UNION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Yonezawa, Shingo Sawai, Takashi Murakami, Norimichi Murai, Toshiharu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8302674
    Abstract: An air conditioning system, which can automatically remove a malodor generated due to condensate water remaining in an evaporator during a predetermined period of time after operation of an air conditioner or turning-off of the air conditioner and control a filtering mode time of a filter to filter an air. The air conditioning system characteristically comprises a shiftable deodorization filter (30 or 40) located on a flow channel of the cool air passageway and operationally moved to a filtering mode position so as to screen the flow channel of the cool air passageway during a predetermined period of time after an air conditioner is turned on or off, whereby the air passing through the cool air passageway C and a malodor contained in the air are filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Jae-Ho Kim, Yong-Jun Jee, Seong-Seok Han
  • Publication number: 20120260681
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling plant an a method of cleaning such cooling plant. The cooling plant comprises a cooling chamber and at least one blower with a blast exit for circulating gas in the cooling chamber. The cooling plant further comprises an at least partly removable screen and a surface treatment liquid supply. The removable screen comprises a hole structure with a first and a second side and a plurality of holes extending from the first to the second side. The screen is arranged such that it totally or partly covers the blast exit in a first position so that at least a part of the gas supplied from the blast exit passes directly from the blast exit and through the hole structure from the first side thereof. The surface treatment liquid supply being arranged to supply a surface treatment liquid at least partly on the first side of said hole structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicants: CLEANSOLVE HOLDING APS, GRAM EQUIPMENT A/S
    Inventors: Per Bruun Fammé, Hans Faltum
  • Patent number: 8276650
    Abstract: A machine includes a heat exchanger for an engine having a heat exchanger core and a filtration system. The filtration system includes a flexible filter sheet coupled with at least one take-up roller and a filter cleaner adapted to clean the filter via compressed air. A method of operating a machine cooling system includes rotating a rotatable drive element coupled with a filter, and cleaning the filter by directing compressed air therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Martin, James J. Callas, Michael J. Campagna
  • Patent number: 8246318
    Abstract: Provided is a water-cooled air compressor which is capable of restraining lowering of the performance of a plate type compressor for heat-exchanging compressed air from a compressor body, with cooling water due to clogging of gaps between plates in the heat-exchanger by dust or the like, incorporating a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve connected respectively in a cooling water supply pipe line and a cooling water discharge pipe line of the heat-exchanger, an air feed pipe line connecting between a compressed air supply pipe line on the outlet side of the heat-exchanger and the cooling water discharge pipe line, a third solenoid valve and a check valve connected in the air feed pipe line, a discharge pipe line connected in a discharge pipe line 18 so as to branch therefrom, a fourth solenoid valve connected in the discharge pipe line, and a control device for controlling opening and closing of the first to fourth solenoid valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideharu Tanaka, Masahiko Takano, Akihiro Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 8241376
    Abstract: A self-cleaning device of a filtering net is disposed in a wall-hanging type air conditioner and includes a filtering net with an upper filtering net and a front filtering net, which is disposed outside a heat exchanger and is used for absorbing dust in the air passing through the heat exchanger. A dust sweeping assembly with a detachable brush is disposed outside the filtering net, and is used for sweeping the dust adhered on the filtering net. A drive device with a drive motor and a transmission mechanism is used for driving the dust sweeping assembly to slide on the filtering net to sweep off the dust. A dust box is used for collecting the dust and is detachably disposed in the air conditioner to clear up the dust in the box. A dust exchanging device is disposed on the left or right side of the filtering net, and is used for transferring the dust swept out by the sweeping assembly into the dust box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Haier Group Corporation, Qingdao Haier Air Conditioner Gen Corp., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhichun Zhang, Renzhen Chu, Shouxin Zhang, Yu Fu, Zhaozhi Yu, Jiangang Liu, Ting Yang, Baohua Gao
  • Publication number: 20120198861
    Abstract: Disclosed are a cleaning device of an ice maker and a method thereof. In the cleaning device of an ice maker and a method thereof according to embodiments of the present invention, since the cleaning block is detachably coupled to the ejector to clean the ice making container, a cleaning operation can be easily performed on the ice making container, which is difficult for an operator to directly clean, thereby enhancing quality of ice made by the ice maker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Taehee Lee
  • Publication number: 20120167609
    Abstract: A dust cleaning device for condenser of cooler is provided, which can cleanse dust and other undesirables attached to the heat exchange fin due to wind blowing for increasing efficiency of the condenser performing liquifying of refrigerant in showcase, freezer, refrigerator, etc. Since the dust from outside is attached to the condenser due to ventilation and they become one of reasons for compressor failure, the device is configured to clean the heat exchange fin of the condenser periodically, in which a wire winch and a cleaning brush is connected to a driving axle of a driving motor such that the cleaning brush performs up-and-down motion and rotation with a power of the driving motor and cleans the heat exchange fin. In other structure, pinion and rack can be connected to the driving axle to perform the up-and-down motion. The cleaning brush is made of textile or unwoven fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Brian S. KIM
  • Patent number: 8205460
    Abstract: A batch freezer for frozen food products comprises — a freezing cylinder, — a dasher designed to propel the product toward a discharge port of the cylinder, and — ma refrigeration unit arranged for cooling the cylinder, wherein the discharge port can be selectively connected to a cleaning pipe leading from the discharge port into the casing of the batch freezer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Flavio Russo, Bruno Sadi Henri Delande