Reversible, I.e., Heat Pump Patents (Class 62/324.1)
  • Patent number: 8763419
    Abstract: A motor-operated valve configured to control the flow rate during a normal flow and pass the fluid so as to minimize pressure loss during a reverse flow, and a refrigeration cycle using the same, are provided. It is configured such that during a normal flow, the fluid is made to flow only from between the main valve member and the orifice to perform flow rate control, and during a reverse flow, all or a majority of the fluid is made to flow to a bypass channel without being passed through the orifice to decrease pressure loss as much as possible. A check valve member which closes the bypass channel during a normal flow and opens it during a reverse flow is provided in the valve main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Suganama
  • Publication number: 20140174118
    Abstract: A heat pump device that can efficiently feed a high-frequency current to an electric motor and effectively heat a compressor includes a compressor including a compression mechanism configured to compress a refrigerant and a motor configured to drive the compression mechanism, heat exchangers, an inverter configured to apply a voltage to the motor, and an inverter control unit configured to drive the inverter. The inverter control unit includes a stagnation detecting unit configured to determine whether heating of the compressor is necessary and notify the determination result and a high-frequency-alternating-current-voltage generating unit and a PWM-signal generating unit configured to shift to a heating operation mode when the heating is necessary and, in the heating operation mode, generate PWM signals to provide, based on a heating time carrier signal having two or more frequencies, a period in which a reflux current flows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Shinomoto, Kazunori Hatakeyama, Shinsaku Kusube, Shinya Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20140161430
    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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Joseph Roetker, Brian Michael Schork
  • Publication number: 20140157814
    Abstract: A heat pump water heater assembly is provided. The heat pump water heater assembly comprises a water tank, a cover having opposing first and second surfaces, a compressor, a connector configured to connect the compressor to the first surface of the cover, and at least one bracket comprising a first section mounted to the second surface of the cover by the connector and a second section extending outward from the first section and into a space between the water tank and the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Samuel DUPLESSIS, Eliel Fresco RODRIGUEZ
  • Publication number: 20140137591
    Abstract: A preheat tank to which a heat exchanger is operatively coupled receives water from a distribution subsystem. A water distribution subsystem and tempered fluid distribution subsystem provide domestic water and tempered fluid, respectively, to a plurality of spaces. Air handlers transfer heat between the tempered fluid and the spaces for heating and cooling. A controller coupled to the tempered fluid subsystem, the heat exchanger and a refrigerator has: (i) a first mode, wherein the fluid is routed through the heat exchanger, to pass heat to the preheat tank; and (ii) a second mode, wherein the fluid is routed through an evaporator of the refrigerator, to pass heat to the refrigerant. A storage tank is coupled to the preheat tank to receive water therefrom and is coupled to the condenser of the refrigerator such that heat rejected by the condenser is passed to the contents of the storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Robert G. Rutherford
  • Patent number: 8713958
    Abstract: A triple-pipeline type first outdoor unit 2 provided with a first compressor 20 and a first outdoor heat exchanger 21, a plurality of indoor units 4A to 4D are provided, a second outdoor unit 3 provided with a second compressor 30, a second outdoor heat exchanger 32, and a second expansion valve 33, the first outdoor unit 2 is provided with a first four-way valve 60 that makes a refrigerant discharge pipe 25 of the first compressor 20 and a high-pressure gas pipe 7 capable of communicating with each other and if all the indoor units 4A to 4D perform a cooling operation at the same time, the first four-way valve 60 shuts off the communication between the refrigerant discharge pipe 25 and the high-pressure gas pipe 7, while a third four-way valve 51 is switched so as to connect a gas pipe 35d to the high-pressure gas pipe 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Sekine
  • Patent number: 8701404
    Abstract: In one embodiment according to the invention, there is provided a method for generating electrical energy using a thermal cycle of a working gas. The method comprises using the motion of a piston in a cylinder, containing the working gas performing the thermal cycle, to electromagnetically induce current in an electrical circuit coupled to the cylinder; using the electrical circuit to store the electrical energy, produced by the current induced in the electrical circuit, in an electrical storage device; and using the electrical energy stored in the electrical storage device to electromagnetically provide a motive force to the piston. Cyclically using the electrical circuit to store the electrical energy and using the stored energy to provide a motive force to the piston effect a net positive average power transfer into the electrical storage device over the course of the thermal cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Altor Limited LC
    Inventor: Jonathan R. Wood
  • Publication number: 20140075969
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane for increasing the miscibility of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene with a lubricating oil, and in particular with a polyalkylene glycol oil. In this regard, the invention provides heat-transfer compositions and also equipment and processes using these compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: ARKEMA FRANCE
    Inventors: Sophie Guerin, Laurent Abbas, Wissam Rached
  • Publication number: 20140075972
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air conditioning system for conditioning the air of a passenger space of a motor vehicle, the system including a refrigerant circuit with a compressor, a first heat exchanger for the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the environment and a second heat exchanger for supplying heat from the refrigerant to the air supply to be conditioned for the passenger space. The refrigerant circuit further includes, in the flow direction of the refrigerant after the compressor, a valve arrangement. The valve arrangement comprises a branch, a first valve arranged between the branch and the second heat exchanger, and a second valve arranged between the branch and the first heat exchanger. The first valve is designed with a normally open (NO) valve characteristic and the second valve with a normally closed (NC) valve characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Peter Heyl, Dirk Schroeder, Hans Hammer, Jörg Bodewig
  • Publication number: 20140060105
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus has a heating only temporary operation mode in which, in changing from a heating main operation mode to a heating only operation mode, when an outside air temperature is at or above a predetermined temperature, at least one of heat exchangers functioning as a condenser in the heating main operation mode continues functioning as the condenser, and the refrigerant is not supplied to the intermediate heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator in the heating main operation mode and a cooling only temporary operation mode in which, in changing from a cooling main operation mode to a cooling only operation mode, when the outside air temperature is at or below a predetermined temperature, at least one of heat exchangers functioning as the evaporator in the cooling main operation mode continues functioning as the evaporator, and the refrigerant is not supplied to the intermediate heat exchanger functioning as the condenser in the cooling main operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Azuma, Daisuke Shimamoto, Osamu Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8656729
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a refrigerant circuit (20) in which a compressor (21), an indoor radiant panel (23), a first expansion valve (24), a room air heat exchanger (25), a second expansion valve (26) and an outdoor air heat exchanger (27) are connected in this order and which operates in a refrigeration cycle by reversibly circulating refrigerant therethrough. During a defrosting operation, the first expansion valve (24) is controlled to reduce the refrigerant pressure so that in a cooling cycle the refrigerant releases heat in the outdoor air heat exchanger (27) and the room air heat exchanger (25) and evaporates in the indoor radiant panel (23). Thus, the air conditioning system concurrently provides the defrosting of the outdoor air heat exchanger (27) and the room heating of the room air heat exchanger (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromune Matsuoka, Toshiyuki Kurihara
  • Patent number: 8650893
    Abstract: A vapor-compression air conditioning system comprising a blower positioned in a return air flow path from a conditioned space, a reheat heat exchanger positioned in the return air flow path and downstream from the blower, a system reversing valve fluidly coupled to the reheat heat exchanger, and a refrigerant flow sequencer interposed the system reversing valve and the reheat heat exchanger. A method of manufacturing an air conditioning system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Oved Hanson
  • Patent number: 8650897
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes a first usage unit operable to perform a hot-water supply operation to heat an aqueous medium and a second usage unit operable to perform air-cooling and air-warming operations to cool or heat an air medium. The first and second usage units are both connected to a heat source unit in such a manner that the first and second usage units are incapable of individually selecting and performing a hot-water supply operation, an air-cooling operation, or an air-warming operation. The heat pump system is capable of switching operation to a thermoregulation mode different from the switched state of a heat-source-side switching mechanism in response to a thermoregulation mode command issued by a first usage-side controller, a second usage side controller or a centralized controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Honda
  • Patent number: 8650894
    Abstract: A system and method is provided to control and operate a compressor to have two or more discrete output capacities in response to an outdoor temperature measurement. During operation of the compressor in an air conditioning or cooling mode, the compressor has a first output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being greater than a first temperature setpoint and the compressor has a second output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being less than a second temperature setpoint. During operation of the compressor in a heating mode, the compressor has different output capacities based on the outdoor ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors International, Inc.
    Inventor: John Willard Tolbert, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140033745
    Abstract: A heat pump dryer is provided which includes a process air circuit and a heat pump unit having a primary refrigerant evaporator for cooling process air, a primary refrigerant condenser for heating process air, an auxiliary refrigerant evaporator arranged outside the process air circuit and connected between the primary refrigerant evaporator and a compressor of the heat pump unit, and at least one auxiliary fan adapted to impinge an air stream at the auxiliary refrigerant evaporator. At least one waste heat generating component of the heat pump dryer, the auxiliary refrigerant evaporator and the auxiliary fan are mutually arranged so that the auxiliary fan is adapted to impinge ambient air heated up by heat released from said waste heat generating component at the auxiliary evaporator, and/or at least a temperature sensor is arranged outside the process air circuit and provided for detecting the temperature of the ambient air around the location where the auxiliary refrigerant evaporator is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Sergio Pillot, Stefano Zandona'
  • Patent number: 8640475
    Abstract: A heat pump-type hot water feeding apparatus includes a cooling cycle circuit, a heat storage tank, and a hydro kit heat exchanging unit, wherein the hydro kit heat exchanging unit is connected to the cooling cycle circuit, wherein during a heat storage mode operation that stores heat in the heat storage tank, heat of the first heat transfer fluid, which is heat exchanged in the first heat exchanger, is stored in the heat storage tank or heat of the first heat transfer fluid, which is heat exchanged in the first heat exchanger and heat of the second heat transfer fluid, which is heat exchanged in the second heat exchanger, are simultaneously stored in the heat storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Heewoong Park, Samchul Ha, Simwon Chin, Seunghyun Jung, Noma Park, Hwanjong Choi
  • Publication number: 20130333409
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heat source unit apparatus includes air heat exchangers, each includes a plurality of fins arranged at prescribed intervals, heat exchanging pipes penetrating the fins, and bent strips extending at sides and bent in the same direction, and a heat exchange module includes two air heat exchangers, each having the bent strips opposed to those of the other air heat exchanger, the air heat exchangers being inclined such that lower edges are close to each other and upper edges are spaced apart, whereby the heat exchange module is shaped like a letter V as seen from side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Toshiba Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki TANNO, Masahiro OKADA, Kenjiro MATSUMOTO, Takamitsu ISHIGURO
  • Publication number: 20130327077
    Abstract: Solar electric energy is optimally used by varying one or more connected loads to achieve a maximum output power voltage. Entire appliances may be switched on or off, or modulated, as in the case for example of a heat pump compressor circuit or electric water heater. Variations of this theme are used to prioritize appliance usage for overall improved convenience and efficiency. Solar electric appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, air dryers and water pumps are described. This and other electric sources may be used to power electric garden tools. Electric distribution tools and methods are described as well as electric garden tillers with features such as semi-control and smooth operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Marvin Motsenbocker
  • Patent number: 8590302
    Abstract: A method and arrangement are for heat exchanging in and work exchanging with a working fluid in a heat engine, or a heat pump if the method and its sub-processes are substantially reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Viking Heat Engines AS
    Inventor: Harald Risla Nes
  • Publication number: 20130298581
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for producing heating in a high temperature heat pump comprising condensing a vapor working fluid comprising Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene, in a condenser, thereby producing a liquid working fluid. Also disclosed herein is a method of raising the maximum feasible condenser operating temperature in a high temperature heat pump apparatus comprising charging the high temperature heat pump with a working fluid comprising Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene. Also disclosed herein is a composition comprising: (a) Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene; (b) 2-chloropropane; and (c) at least one lubricant suitable for use at a temperature of at least about 150° C.; is wherein the 2-chloropropane is present in an amount effective to form an azeotrope or azeotrope-like combination with the Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene. Also disclosed herein is a high temperature heat pump apparatus containing a working fluid comprising Z-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventor: Konstantinos Kontomaris
  • Patent number: 8579113
    Abstract: The invention is based on a tool case, in particular a handheld power tool case, having a basic case body that has at least one storage chamber which is provided at least for receiving at least one tool and/or at least one battery unit. It is proposed that the tool case has at least one air conditioner at least partially integrated with the basic case body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Baumgartner
  • Publication number: 20130269370
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to maintain a heating amount constant when a compressor is heated at the time of shutdown of the compressor, regardless of the influences of production tolerance and environment variations. An inverter control unit causes an inverter to generate a high-frequency AC voltage having a de-energized section in which a voltage applied from the inverter to a motor is zero between a section in which the voltage is positive and a section in which the voltage is negative. At this time, the inverter control unit detects a value of a current flowing to the inverter in a detection section residing from immediately before a start of the de-energized section to immediately after an end of the de-energized section, and causes the inverter to generate a high-frequency AC voltage adjusted according to the detected current value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunori Hatakeyama, Takuya Shimomugi, Shinya Matsushita, Shinsaku Kusube, Tsutomu Makino
  • Patent number: 8544288
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enhancing dehumidification of a conditioned space, while optimizing the effectiveness of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) devices that are present in the HVAC system. After the system compressor is shut off, the actual space humidity is compared to the desired humidity. If the actual humidity is very close to or lower than the desired level the indoor blower (air handler) is allowed to continue running. However, if the actual humidity is greater than the desired level by a specified amount, the blower is forced off for a period of time proportional to the difference between the actual and desired humidity. At the next compressor activation, the blower is allowed to run as normal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Lennox Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Virginia N. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20130247597
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for producing heating comprising condensing a vapor working fluid comprising (a) E-CF3CH?CHF and (b) at least one tetrafluoroethane of the formula C2H2F4, in a condenser, thereby producing a liquid working fluid; provided that the weight ratio of E-CF3CH?CHF to the total amount of E-CF3CH?CHF and C2H2F4 in the working fluid is from about 0.01 to 0.99. Also disclosed herein is a heat pump apparatus containing a working fluid comprising (a) E-CF3CH?CHF and (b) at least one tetrafluoroethane of the formula C2H2F4; provided that the weight ratio of E-CF3CH?CHF to the total amount of E-CF3CH?CHF and C2H2F4 in the working fluid is from about 0.01 to 0.99.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: EI DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventor: Konstantinos Kontomaris
  • Patent number: 8539788
    Abstract: An ventilating and air conditioning apparatus includes a circulating fan for sucking air from a sucking port open to a first indoor space and blowing the air through a blowout port into the first indoor space, a ventilating fan for sucking air from an exhausting port open to a second indoor space and evacuating the air to the outdoors for ventilation, and a refrigerant circuit formed of a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat of air blown into the first indoor space by the circulating fan with the refrigerant, an expanding mechanism for expanding the refrigerant, and a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat of air blown into the second indoor space by the ventilating fan with the refrigerant. The compressor, first heat exchanger, expanding mechanism, and second heat exchanger are coupled together with pipes for the refrigerant to circulate therethrough in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Katsumi, Hiroyuki Kondou, Mitunori Matubara, Masafumi Tsubouchi
  • Publication number: 20130227984
    Abstract: When a dehumidifying heating operation is performed by a heat-radiating operation of the interior condenser and a heat-absorbing operation of the exterior heat-exchanger and the evaporator, a control device of an air conditioner for vehicle decreases the valve opening degree of the electronic expansion valve to be equal to or less than a predetermined opening degree before opening the solenoid valve for dehumidification in a closed state, opens the solenoid valve for dehumidification after decreasing the valve opening degree of the electronic expansion valve to be equal to or less than the predetermined opening degree, and then increasing the valve opening degree of the electronic expansion valve to be greater than the predetermined opening degree after opening the solenoid valve for dehumidification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Isao TSUNODA, Kazuma ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20130219942
    Abstract: An air conditioning system condensing unit has a specially designed chassis providing enhanced serviceability access to various air conditioning components operatively disposed therein. A removable vertical peripheral outer side wall section of the chassis underlies a removable peripheral top side wall section thereof. Removal of these two side wall sections creates in the chassis an opening conveniently providing both horizontal and vertical service access to the air conditioning components within the interior of the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Rheem Manufacturing Company
  • Publication number: 20130219927
    Abstract: Provided is an air conditioner. The air conditioner including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, and an expansion device includes a supercooling device for supercooling a refrigerant condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger or the indoor heat exchanger, an injection passage through which the refrigerant passing through the supercooling device is introduced into an injection inflow part of the compressor, a bypass passage extending from the injection passage to a suction part of the compressor to bypass the refrigerant, and a passage opening/closing part disposed in at least one of the injection passage and the bypass passage to selectively block a flow of the refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Byeongsu KIM, Yonghee JANG
  • Patent number: 8517087
    Abstract: An HVAC system for heating and cooling a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes a first heat exchanger that transfers heat between a primary loop and a secondary loop. The primary loop is a reversible loop and uses high pressure refrigerant. A compressor pressurizes the refrigerant. A second heat exchanger selectively transfers heat energy to and from the passenger compartment. The secondary loop is a low pressure liquid coolant loop that passes through the first heat exchanger. A pump moves fluid through the secondary loop. A third heat exchanger transfers heat to and from an external medium from the fluid passing through the secondary loop. A secondary heat source adds heat to the secondary loop during a heating mode. A bypass means selectively bypasses the secondary heat source during a cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Bergstrom, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry A. Zeigler, John S. Bracey, Brett Sean Connell, Scott Sloan
  • Patent number: 8516841
    Abstract: A heating and air conditioning device 20 for an automotive vehicle, including a refrigerant circuit 4 in which a refrigerant circulates between three distinctive units 6, 10, 14 exchanging with respective secondary liquid loops 8, 12, 16. An evaporating unit 6 is dedicated to the evaporation of the refrigerant when operating in a cooling mode. A cooling unit 10 is dedicated to the cooling or condensation of the refrigerant when operating in the cooling mode as well as operating in the heating mode. A reversible unit 14 is dedicated to the evaporation of the refrigerant when operating in the heating mode and dedicated to the cooling or condensation of the refrigerant when operating in the cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Systems Thermiques
    Inventors: Klaus Wittmann, Daniel Neveu, Jean Luc Thuez, Didier Barat
  • Patent number: 8516843
    Abstract: An apparatus for recovering energy from freezer exhaust includes a heat exchanger disposed for coaction with a freezer in a first atmosphere, the heat exchanger having a first heat transfer surface in communication with the freezer exhaust and the first atmosphere, and a second heat transfer surface in communication with the freezer exhaust and the first atmosphere; a discharge conduit in communication with the first and second heat transfer surfaces, and extending to a second atmosphere remote from the first atmosphere; a first valve assembly disposed for coaction with the first and second heat transfer surfaces, the first valve assembly movable to direct a flow of the freezer exhaust to a select one of the first and second heat transfer surfaces or optionally to direct the flow to both the first and second heat transfer surfaces; and a first blower to move a flow of the first atmosphere to a select one or both of the first and second heat transfer surfaces for heat transfer with the flow of the freezer exha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jerry Bednarski
  • Publication number: 20130205814
    Abstract: A heat pump operation method includes: obtaining, on a per time unit basis, generated power, load power, surplus power, and an impact magnitude; and controlling operation of the heat pump to cause the heat pump to consume an amount of power for generating heat adjusted to follow the surplus power obtained on a per unit time basis. In the controlling, when the impact magnitude is greater than a predetermined first threshold value, the operation of the heat pump is controlled to permit consumption of the power supplied from an energy supplier and approximate a reverse flow of the surplus power to zero, and when the impact magnitude is less than or equal to a predetermined second threshold value, the operation of the heat pump is controlled to permit the reverse flow of the surplus power and approximate the consumption of power supplied from the energy supplier to zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gaku Hayashida
  • Patent number: 8500852
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems, and devices for carrying out sorption (adsorption and absorption) for separating and/or purifying fluid mixtures are disclosed. Medical oxygen generators, dehumidifying units, sorptive heat pumps, ozone generators and Peltier devices are also disclosed. The sorption methods involve pressure swing operation of at least two sorption units. Energy from the desorbing and decompressing fluid is substantially recovered and used within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Separation Design Group, LLC
    Inventor: S. Douglas Galbraith
  • Publication number: 20130192291
    Abstract: A plate heat exchanger includes a plurality of rectangular plates each having, at four corners thereof, inlets and outlets and others for a first fluid and a second fluid. The plates are stacked such that first passages each defined by adjacent two of the plates and through which the first fluid flows and second passages each defined by adjacent two of the plates and through which the second fluid flows are provided alternately. The first passage includes a bypass passage extending from an inlet peripheral portion, which is an area around the inlet, along the outlet for the second fluid up to a long-side-peripheral portion of the plate that is nearer to the second outlet. The bypass passage allows some of the first fluid having flowed therein from the inlet to flow from the long-side-peripheral portion into a heat-exchanging passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Ito, Takehiro Hayashi, Shinichi Uchino
  • Publication number: 20130174597
    Abstract: Mixing gases within an adiabatic cooling unit can include allowing a first gas at a first temperature to enter a mixing chamber on a non-exposed side of an adiabatic cooling media and utilizing a first baffle to direct the first gas in a direction away from the adiabatic cooling media. Mixing gases within an adiabatic cooling unit can also include allowing a second gas at a second temperature to enter the mixing chamber on an exposed side of the adiabatic cooling media and allowing the first gas and the second gas to mix in the mixing chamber creating a mixed gas. Furthermore, mixing gases within an adiabatic cooling unit can include creating an inlet with the first baffle and a second baffle to direct the mixed gas away from the adiabatic cooling media and allowing the mixed gas to enter through the exposed side of the adiabatic cooling media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: Tahir Cader, Ernesto Ferrer, Matthew R. Slaby, Wade D. Vinson
  • Publication number: 20130160479
    Abstract: Sound-attenuating housing (10) for a heat pump (34) comprises a base chassis (11), a first sub-chassis (17) and a second sub-chassis (19). The base chassis (11) is surrounded by upstanding walls (12-15) and has a top (16) adapted to engage with the upstanding walls (12-15), thereby to form an enclosure for the heat pump (34). The first sub-chassis (17) is provided within the enclosure, and is mounted on the base chassis (11) via-anti-vibration mounts (18). The second subchassis (19) is provided within the enclosure, and is mounted on the first sub-chassis (17) via anti-vibration mounts (21). The second sub-chassis (19) forms a mounting surface for a heat pump compressor (25), whilst the first sub-chassis (17) forms a mounting surface for other components of the heat pump (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Smith's Environmental Products Limited
    Inventors: Gary Stanton Webster, Jeremy James Stanley
  • Publication number: 20130160478
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing heating in a high temperature heat pump. The method comprises condensing a vapor working fluid comprising E-HFO-1438mzz and optionally HFC-245eb, in a condenser, thereby producing a liquid working fluid. This invention also relates to a method of raising the maximum feasible condenser operating temperature in a high temperature heat pump apparatus. This method comprises charging the high temperature heat pump with a working fluid comprising E-HFO-1438mzz and optionally HFC-245eb. This invention also relates to a high temperature heat pump apparatus containing a working fluid comprising E-HFO-1438mzz and optionally HFC-245eb. This invention also relates to a composition comprising: (i) E-HFO-1438mzz and HFC-245eb; and (ii) a stabilizer to prevent degradation at temperatures of 55° C. or above, (iii) a lubricant suitable for use at 55° C. or above, or both (ii) and (iii).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: E I Du Pont De Nemours And Company
    Inventor: E I Du Pont De Nemours And Company
  • Publication number: 20130139538
    Abstract: An adsorption heat pump includes: an evaporator configured to evaporate a refrigerant; and an adsorbent heat exchanger provided with an adsorption member configured to adsorb vapor evaporated by the evaporator, and a heat transfer tube in which a heating medium flows. Here, the adsorbent heat exchanger includes a pressing mechanism configured to press and compress the adsorption member depending on a temperature of the heating medium flowing inside the heat transfer tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: FUJITSU LIMITED
  • Patent number: 8424333
    Abstract: An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes: an outdoor heat exchange unit in which a plurality of refrigerant tubes are disposed to be separated in a plurality of columns in a vertical direction to exchange heat of outdoor air and a refrigerant; a first refrigerant distribution device having branch pipes connected to a plurality of refrigerant tubes, respectively, of an upper part among the plurality of refrigerant tubes; a second refrigerant distribution device having branch pipes connected to a plurality of refrigerant tubes, respectively, of a lower part among the plurality of refrigerant tubes; and a communication pipe for communicating one of the branch pipes of the first refrigerant distribution device and one of the branch pipes of the second refrigerant distribution device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Pil Hyun Yoon, Hyun Ju Kwag, Seok Hoon Jang
  • Patent number: 8418494
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a plurality of heat source apparatuses having heat source apparatus side heat exchangers and compressors, one or a plurality of indoor units having flow rate control devices and indoor unit side heat exchangers, at least two main pipes for performing connection-piping between a plurality of heat source apparatuses and one or a plurality of indoor units, a tubular distributor for branching the refrigerant from the main pipe flowing from the inlet to a plurality of outlets to distribute into a plurality of heat source apparatuses, and connection piping for connecting the plurality of heat source apparatuses and distributor respectively. Among a plurality of heat source apparatuses, the distributor is fixedly disposed at a specified position and in a specified direction against one heat source apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Shinozaki, Tomoki Inagaki, Tatsuo Ono
  • Patent number: 8393173
    Abstract: A combined refrigerating/freezing and air conditioning system is provided. The system may include an air conditioning circuit, a refrigerating circuit, a freezing circuit, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger. The air conditioning circuit may include a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an indoor heat exchanger. The refrigerating circuit may include compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. The freezing circuit may include a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. The refrigerant of the air conditioning circuit may be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant of the refrigerating circuit in the first heat exchanger, and the refrigerant of the refrigerating circuit may be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant of the freezing circuit in the second heat exchanger to improve air conditioning efficiency and refrigerating/freezing efficiency of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Heuk Choi, Tae Hee Kwak, Yoon Ho Yoo, Do Yong Ha, Baik Young Chung
  • Patent number: 8393172
    Abstract: An heat pump drying machine has a normal dry mode (e.g., compression ratio is equal to or greater than 3) for operating a compressor at a predetermined dry operation frequency and an energy saving dry mode (e.g., compression ratio is equal to or greater than 2.3 and is less than 3) for operating the compressor at an energy saving operation frequency that is lower than the dry operation frequency. A control device is provided to control an operation frequency of the compressor 5so that the two dry operation modes are switched to each other. The control device can execute the control for increasing the operation frequency of the compressor to the dry operation frequency during the operation of the energy saving dry mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Sato, Haruhisa Yamasaki, Eiji Fukuda, Yoshiaki Noguchi, Tetsuya Masuda, Hiroyuki Kuribara, Satoshi Imai, Toshikazu Ishihara
  • Patent number: 8381541
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cooling/heating air conditioning device for regulating temperature, which pumps an airflow exhausted from a space in an air conditioning object such as inside of a room or vehicle to the external through the external heat exchanger disposed at the external of the air conditioning object such as outside of the room or vehicle so as to equalize the temperature of the fluid flowing through the internal of the external heat exchanger by means of the temperature difference between the internal and external of the air conditioning object for achieving an energy saving effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 8333901
    Abstract: The invention provides a heat transfer composition comprising R-1234ze(E), R-32 and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Mexichem Amanco Holding S.A. de C.V.
    Inventor: Robert E. Low
  • Publication number: 20120312925
    Abstract: A de-icing system and method is disclosed. An electromechanical actuator heat sink is operable to receive heat from an electromechanical actuator, and a heat distribution element is operable to distribute heat to a surface. A heat transportation device is operable to transport heat from the electromechanical actuator heat sink to the heat distribution element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Julie Fatemeh Asfia, David Blanding, Jeffrey Coffman
  • Patent number: 8327655
    Abstract: The distributor unit (10) is coupled to a heat pump (12) and to various circuits for collecting (24, 28, 30) and for delivering (38, 40, 52, 56) heat, with the unit serving to provide selective interconnection therebetween in application of various predetermined combinational schemes for fluid distribution by automatically controlling an integrated network of stop valves (200). The schemes define modes of operation such as natural cooling or freeze-proofing, producing hot water and/or air conditioning from a single installation by optimizing transfers of heat between the circuits so that the heat pump is always operating in its thermodynamically optimum zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hades
    Inventor: Georges Favier
  • Patent number: 8327658
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided for returning oil in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by determining when an ambient zone temperature is equal to or less than a temperature limit and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow of the HVAC system based on the length of time. Also, a system and a method are provided for monitoring the length of operation in a first and a second heating mode and for reversing a direction of refrigerant flow based on the length of time operation occurs in the first and second heating modes. A system and a method having a first compressor, a first heating mode, a second heating mode, a defrost mode, and a controller is disclosed. The controller selectively controls initiation of the defrost mode in response to an HVAC system operating in a heating mode of operation for a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Trane International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Douglas, John R. Edens, Alan D. Marble, Kevin B. Mercer, Gary L. Sapp, James T. Schaefer, Jr., Kristen L. Schaefer, Steven A. Tice
  • Patent number: 8323457
    Abstract: Systems and methods for separating a multi-component fluid are provided. The method can include introducing a multi-component fluid to a dividing wall column. The multi-component fluid can be heated to provide a first product, a second product, an intermediate distillate, and a process fluid. At least a portion of the first product can be compressed to provide a compressed first product. Heat can be indirectly transferred from the compressed first product to at least a portion of the intermediate distillate to provide a heated intermediate distillate. The heated intermediate distillate can be recycled to the dividing wall column. The compressed first product can be expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventors: Derek William Townsend, Cyril Collins
  • Publication number: 20120297811
    Abstract: A modular heating and cooling unit comprising an independent set of headers for each of the heating a cooling loads and the source. A bank of these modular units provides a system that is capable of incremental simultaneous heating and cooling and redundancy. Valves in the internal piping of the unit eliminate the need for valves in the headers between units. This substantially reduces the overall footprint of the unit. Because of the parallel flow between the heat exchangers and the heating and cooling load, the modules can be operated in cooling mode and heating mode in any order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: CLIMACOOL CORP.
    Inventor: Ross A. Miglio
  • Publication number: 20120272643
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that reduces the dead volume in a heat engine or heat pump, such as a duplex Stirling or Vuilleumier cycle device, by nesting the components of the displacer and regenerator such that nearly all working fluid is purged from the interstices of the regenerator elements and all other working fluid spaces that are not involved in doing useful work at each portion of the cycle. Particularly, a more scalable and efficient method and apparatus for providing solar air conditioning or refrigeration by means of a heated cylinder that alternately pressurizes and depressurizes a separate cooling cylinder by directly transferring thermally induced pressure changes to that cooling cylinder at optimized times in the cycle, under the control of a numerically controlled actuation system that can cycle at a much lower rate than mechanically coupled or harmonically phased systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Mallory Sherlock