Patents Assigned to Control Technology
  • HVAC&R SYSTEM VALVING
    Publication number: 20100251742
    Abstract: An HVAC&R system is disclosed that utilizes energy-efficient valving. The valving controls the flow of refrigerant and may be adapted for evaporator or condenser applications, on both AC systems and heat pumps (as well as chillers and other refrigeration systems). The valving may provide simultaneous and individualized control of flow through individual coils or groups of coils for improved control of evaporation, condensation, defrosting and so forth. In some configurations a common sensor may be shared between individual coils or groups of coils and may provide sensed parameters to control circuitry for controlling the valving. Other configurations may include bypass valving to direct fluid around the flow control valving. In yet other configurations, a valve may be used to bypass tapped vapor around a heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Tucker, Jeremiah Marshall Horn, Jeffrey Norris Nichols, Thomas John Martin, Gregory Ralph Harrod, Kenneth E. Hickman
  • Vehicle component and method for making a vehicle component
    Patent number: 7806450
    Abstract: A method for forming a component (210) for a vehicle includes providing a substrate (230) that includes a relatively rigid material and providing a skin (222) adjacent at least a portion of the substrate such that a cavity is formed between the substrate and the skin. The method also includes coupling at least a portion of the skin to the substrate and introducing a material (240) into the cavity after securing at least a portion of the skin to the substrate. The skin and the material introduced into the cavity form a cushioned region for the vehicle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jack L. Johnson, Daniel F. White
  • FREE COOLING REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20100242532
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a chiller with an integrated free cooling system and refrigeration system. In certain embodiments, the chiller may be a single package unit with all equipment housed within the same support frame. The chiller may generally include three modes of operation: a first mode that employs free cooling, a second mode that employs free cooling and implements a refrigeration cycle, and a third mode that uses the free cooling system to remove heat from the refrigeration system. A heat exchanger may be shared between the free cooling system and the refrigeration system to transfer heat from the refrigeration system to the free cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William L. Kopko, Mustafa K. Yanik
  • Seat frame system and method of manufacturing
    Patent number: 7802852
    Abstract: A seat frame for a vehicle includes a first seat frame member (34) and a second seat frame member (24). The second seat frame member (24) includes a body portion (32) and a first flexible member (70) extending from the body portion (32). The flexible member (70) is welded to the first seat frame member (34) at a first location (66) to couple the second seat frame member (26) to the first seat frame member (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ronald R. Siegrist, Robert John Hicks, Minal Mulay
  • Multichannel evaporator with flow mixing multichannel tubes
    Patent number: 7802439
    Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems, heat exchangers, and multichannel tubes are provided which include internal configurations designed to promote mixing. The multichannel tubes include interior walls which form flow channels. The interior walls are interrupted at locations along the multichannel tube in order to provide open spaces between the flow channels where mixing may occur. The mixing that occurs promotes a more homogenous distribution of refrigerant within the multichannel tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Mahesh Valiya-Naduvath, Jeffrey Lee Tucker, John T. Knight
  • Three-in-one door bracket
    Patent number: 7798451
    Abstract: A HVAC system is provided having a three in one door bracket. The door bracket is configured to mount a door on the HVAC and to secure wiring within the HVAC. Various door arrangements may be used with the exemplary door bracket and at least one wire, or a plurality of wires, may be secured in the wire retention area of the door bracket. The door bracket can mount a variety of doors, regardless of the fastener requirements because of the dual fastener areas on the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Tabraiz Ali Khan, Gregory Kenneth Reaser, Robert Cabrera
  • Method of producing battery plates
    Patent number: 7799463
    Abstract: A method of forming battery grids or plates that includes the step of mechanically reshaping or refinishing battery grid wires to improve adhesion between the battery paste and the grid wires. The method is particularly useful in improving the paste adhesion to battery grids formed by a continuous battery grid making process (such as strip expansion, strip stamping, continuous casting) that produces grid wires and nodes with smooth surfaces and a rectangular cross-section. In a preferred version of the method, the grid wires of battery grids produced by a stamping process are deformed such that the grid wires have a cross-section other than the rectangular cross-section produced by the stamping process. The method increases the cycle life of a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Schaeffer, Jeffrey L. Troxel, M. Eric Taylor, Wen-Hong Kao, Christian P. Hansen, Yu-Lin Chen, Dan J. Cantillon, Bart Sauer
  • System and method for capacity control in a multiple compressor chiller system
    Patent number: 7793509
    Abstract: A capacity control algorithm for a multiple compressor liquid chiller system is provided wherein the speed and number of compressors in operation are controlled in order to obtain a leaving liquid temperature setpoint. In response to an increase in the load in the chiller system, the algorithm determines if a compressor should be started and adjusts the operating speed of all operating compressors when an additional compressor is started. In response to a decrease in the load in the chiller system with multiple compressors operating, the algorithm determines if a compressor should be de-energized and adjusts the operating speed of all remaining operating compressors when a compressor is de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Curtis C. Crane
  • VEHICLE SEAT ACTUATION MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20100225151
    Abstract: A seat for use in a vehicle having a seat back pivotably coupled to a seat base by a recliner mechanism such that the seat back can be pivoted in a forward and rearward direction relative the seat base. The seat also includes a track assembly coupled to the vehicle and the seat, such that the seat can be moved in the forward and rearward directions relative to the vehicle interior. The seat also includes an actuator mechanism having a first actuator, a second actuator, and an energy storage device for storing energy generated from movement of the seat and selectively releasing the stored energy to assist in repositioning the seat when at least one of the first actuator and second actuator is actuated. Actuating the first actuator causes the seat to move from a first position to a second position, and actuating the second actuator causes the seat to move from a first position to a third position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Eric B. Michalak, Gregg Ronald Laframboise, Kurt A. Seibold
  • COMPOSITE HEADLINER WITH IMPROVED ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE
    Publication number: 20100219014
    Abstract: A composite headliner material allows sound waves originating within a vehicle to penetrate deeply into the headliner where all of a significant portion of their energy is absorbed rather than reflected back into the vehicle. The coverstock sheet is backed by a multilayer material with a foam core coated above and below by a fibrous glass mat impregnated with an adhesive with scrim layers above and below glass mat layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Jounson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Oosting, Kevin J. Blauwkamp, Kevin A. Tomasek, Bradley M. Everest, Jeffrey A. DeYoung, Brent D. Rockafellow, Jack L. Johnson, Benoit Pivert
  • TAILOR WELDED SEAT AND COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20100219674
    Abstract: A tailored vehicle seat component 12 having at least two portions with different properties that are joined together, such as by an adhesive or in a welding process (e.g., laser weld). These different properties include thickness, grades, surface finishes, coatings, and the like. The laser tailored welded vehicle seat 12 components may be incorporated into seat back frames 16, seat track assemblies 26, recliners 20, seat base frames 18, head restraints 88, cushion pans 132, and the like, to optimize manufacturing operations, mass, performance quality, and costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Sakkinen, Michael J. Thomas, Kurt A. Seiboid, John David Kote, Christopher P. Kubacki
  • Temperature sensor
    Patent number: 7785004
    Abstract: A temperature sensing device is mounted to a structure of a building and senses temperature within a building space of the building. The temperature sensing device includes a housing. The housing includes a front surface that faces the building space when the temperature sensing device is mounted to the structure. The housing further includes a protrusion that protrudes from the front surface into the building space. The temperature sensing device further includes a mounting device within the housing and a temperature sensor mounted to the mounting device, the mounting device holding the temperature sensor within the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Thomas O. Kautz, Dominic B. Ticali, Robert R. Freimuth, II, Kirk H. Drees
  • System and method for using speech recognition with a vehicle control system
    Patent number: 7787907
    Abstract: A method for accessing data files with an in-vehicle control system from a remote source over a communication link. The communication link is established between an in-vehicle control system and the remote source. The method includes: establishing the communication link between the in-vehicle control system and the remote source to facilitate retrieving the data files from the remote source to the in-vehicle control system; retrieving at least one of the data files from the remote source over the communication link, wherein each of the data files may include text and numeric data; identifying the text and numeric data of each of the data files; generating a phonemic representation of the text and numeric data of the data files; and storing the data file retrieved from a remote source in a memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Mark Zeinstra, Brian L. Douthitt, Michael J. Sims
  • System and method for training a trainable transmitter and a remote control system receiver
    Patent number: 7786843
    Abstract: A method for training a receiver of a remote control system to a trainable transmitter includes receiving a control signal from an original transmitter associated with the remote control system. A first period of time is started in response to receipt of the control signal. During the first period of time, a learn message is received from a trainable transmitter. In response to the learn message, the receiver begins a receiver training mode. During the training mode, a rolling code control signal is received from the trainable transmitter and the trainable transmitter is enrolled by storing an identifier of the trainable transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Todd R. Witkowski
  • Method for calibrating and/or correcting a display device having a needle, the needle being able to move in rotation about an axis of rotation
    Publication number: 20100211344
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and/or for correcting a display device having a needle, the needle being able to move in rotation about an axis of rotation and the needle being driven by means of a stepping motor, the calibration method comprising several measurements of differences between a value displayed and a value to be displayed, and a computation of a correction value as a function of the differences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Daurelle, Jean-Claude Lemoult
  • Self-propelled tow body
    Patent number: 7775174
    Abstract: An at least partially self-propelled vehicle is configured for being towed by a towing vehicle, by way of a tow line. Operation of the vehicles may be coordinated so that, for a length of the tow line that connects the vehicles, the length of the tow line is curved in a manner that inhibits the tow line from transferring oscillatory motion between the vehicles while the entirety of the length of the tow line may be under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Vehicle Control Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas E. Humphreys, Ryan D. Schulz, Alexander V. Roup, Neill S. Smith, Daniel N. Dietz
  • Battery grid
    Patent number: 7767347
    Abstract: A battery grid includes a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. The battery grid also includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas and a current collection lug extending from the top element in a first direction. The battery grid further includes at least one feature provided in the battery grid that is configured to reduce the amount of growth of the battery grid in the first direction due to corrosion of the battery grid during the life of the battery grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Wen-Hong Kao, Shu Jen F. Kao, legal representative, Glenn W. Andersen, M. Eric Taylor, Kenneth A. Adams, Edward N. Mrotek, Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik
  • Wireless electrical connectivity system for use in a vehicle
    Patent number: 7769346
    Abstract: A wireless electrical connectivity system for use in a vehicle includes a first transceiver coupled to at least one utility carrier and to a first plurality of electrical devices. The first transceiver is configured to communicate a plurality of utility signals. A control module is coupled to a second plurality of electrical devices and configured to control the selection and distribution of utility signals to the second plurality of electrical devices. The control module includes a second transceiver configured to communicate a plurality of utility signals with the first transceiver via a communication link and a user interface configured to receive user input commands regarding the selection of utility signals distributed to the second plurality of electrical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kim L. Van Order, Eric S. Deuel, Lance M. Hilbelink, Leif Norland, Scott T. Williams, Donald W. Beery
  • Battery
    Patent number: D621353
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Mack
  • Tape trim
    Patent number: D622523
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Gregg Ronald Laframboise, Mary J. Lumbard, Michael J. Thomas