Patents Assigned to Ice Energy, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20090183518
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks
  • Publication number: 20090133412
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for a refrigerant-based a thermal energy storage and cooling system with multiple condensing units utilizing a common evaporator coil. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption and ease of installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Brian Parsonnet, Donald Thomas Cook
  • Publication number: 20090093916
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for providing power generation and distribution with on-site energy storage and power input controlled by a utility or a third party manager. The system allows a utility manager to decide and direct how energy is delivered to a customer on both sides of the power meter, while the customer directs and controls when and how much energy is needed. In the disclosed embodiments, the utility controls the supply (either transmitted or stored) and makes power decisions on a system that acts as a virtual power plant, while the end-user retains control of the on-site aggregated power consumption assets. The disclosed systems act to broker the needs of the utility and end-user by creating, managing and controlling the interface between these two entities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: ICE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Parsonnet, Ramachandran Narayanamurthy
  • Patent number: 7503185
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks
  • Patent number: 7421846
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal storage system wherein a condensing unit and an ice-tank heat exchanger can be isolated through a second heat exchanger. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption compared to a single phase system such as a glycol system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert R. Willis, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080209941
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal storage system wherein a condensing unit and an ice-tank heat exchanger can be isolated through a second heat exchanger. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption compared to non-isolated systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: ICE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy
  • Patent number: 7363772
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal storage system wherein a condensing unit and an ice-tank heat exchanger can be isolated through a second heat exchanger. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption compared to a single phase system such as a glycol system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy
  • Publication number: 20080034760
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with isolated external melt cooling. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption compared to a single phase system such as a glycol system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: ICE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Mark W. Stewart, Robert R. Willis
  • Patent number: 7124594
    Abstract: Disclosed is an efficient, energy storage and cooling system that is refrigerant based. When connected to a condensing unit, the system has the ability to store energy capacity during one time period and provide cooling from the stored energy during a second time period. The system requires minimal energy to operate during either time period, and only a fraction of the energy required to operate the system during the first time period is required to operate the system during the second time period using an optional refrigerant pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. McRell
  • Patent number: D538412
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward C. Giordano, Lynn Dale Simmons
  • Patent number: D540452
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert R. Willis, Jr.
  • Patent number: D597642
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary F. Kaiser, Edward C. Giordano, Thomas W. Graves, Jeffrey T. Samson