Patents Assigned to Trane International Inc.
  • Patent number: 11592195
    Abstract: A dehumidifying air handling unit for an HVACR system includes a housing, a desiccant wheel, and a cooling heat exchanger. A main airflow path extending through the housing from an air inlet to and air discharged outlet of the housing. The desiccant wheel includes a first end and a second end that are each disposed in the main airflow path and a metal organic framework desiccant that is moved between the first end and the second end. A desiccant wheel includes a metal organic framework desiccant disposed on a surface of the desiccant wheel. Rotation of the desiccant wheel moves a position of the surface between a first end and a second end of the desiccant wheel. The metal organic framework desiccant has an majority absorption-desorption operating band of 25% relative humidity or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Yogesh Pandit, Ronnie R. Moffitt, Zubin Varghese, Jeyaprakash Gurusamy
  • Patent number: 11585565
    Abstract: An air handling unit has an interior wall configured to selectively retain a removable component of the air handling unit. An air handling unit has an interior wall configured as a drain pan. An air handling unit has an outer skin joined to the interior wall, an insulator disposed between the interior wall and the outer skin, and the interior wall has a mounting channel configured to selectively retain a removable component of the air handling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Stewart, Mark Hudgins, Richard Lee Jameson, Keith Adam Novak, Leslie Zinger
  • Patent number: 11585472
    Abstract: Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an assembly for sealing a rigid pipe, a furnace, and a gasket for use in an HVAC fluid conduit. Some embodiments include a furnace with an inducer blower drawing combustion air through the furnace, and the assembly is used to connect one or more flue conduit(s) and an exhaust pipe. In one embodiment, the gasket used in the assembly includes a tubular body, at least a portion of which is engaged along an inner surface of the fluid conduit, a rim extending outwardly from a tubular body end, and two or more ears extending from the rim, wherein the ears are spaced apart from the tubular body and extend in substantially the same direction as the tubular body. The ears further include a first rib located proximate a distal end of the ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Shultz, Jr., Travis Hansen
  • Patent number: 11585543
    Abstract: Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a control system for controlling an HVAC device where the control system includes a temperature sensor that provides a signal indicative of a temperature associated with the HVAC device, an orientation sensor that provides a signal indicative of an operating orientation of the HVAC device, and control circuitry that receives the temperature signal and the orientation signal from the orientation sensor. The control circuitry selects an operating thermal control set point from a plurality of stored thermal control set points based at least in part on an orientation signal, determines a temperature sensor input based on the temperature signal and compares the temperature sensor input to the operating thermal control set point, and operates the HVAC device based at least in part on that comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Neal Harrington, Thomas Gort, James R. M. Neal
  • Patent number: 11577197
    Abstract: Methods and systems described perform air cleaning and/or sanitization in a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and/or refrigeration (HVACR) system by detecting a concentration of airborne contaminants in a space serviced by the HVACR system. The detected concentration of airborne contaminants is determined whether it exceeds a threshold relative to a capacity of a first air cleaner. When the detected concentration of airborne contaminants exceeds the threshold, a second air cleaner is selected and enabled to be activated in the space. When the detected concentration of airborne contaminants does not exceed the threshold, the first air cleaner is selected and enabled to be activated in the space. The first air cleaner has a cleaning material different from the second air cleaner, and the first air cleaner, relative to the second air cleaner, treats the space at a lower concentration of airborne contaminants. The second air cleaner includes specifically designed cleaner modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Scott Wenger, Christos Alkiviadis Polyzois, Michael D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11578901
    Abstract: An electric motor for a vapor compression system is disclosed. The electric motor is provided with a working fluid. The electric motor includes a housing forming cavity therein. The housing includes a rotor, a stator, and a shaft. The rotor is secured to the shaft and the stator surrounds at least a portion of the rotor. An airgap is formed between the rotor and the stator. An inlet of the housing receives the working fluid and is in fluid communication with the airgap. An outlet of the housing is in fluid communication with the airgap and receives the working fluid from the airgap. The electric motor further includes an impeller that induces flow of the working fluid between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Joseph M. Heger
  • Patent number: 11566663
    Abstract: A compressor includes a housing, a shaft that is rotated relative to the housing to compress a working fluid, and a foil bearing that supports the shaft. The foil bearing includes a top foil. The foil bearing is a foil gas bearing that is backed up by a ball bearing, or a mesh foil bearing with an actuator to compress a wire mesh dampener. A heat transfer circuit includes a compressor and a working fluid. The compressor includes a shaft that is rotated to compress the working fluid, and a foil bearing for supporting the shaft as it rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Sung Hwa Jeung, Charles Roesler, Donald Lee Hill, Jay H. Johnson, Joseph M. Heger
  • Patent number: 11560889
    Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a compressor housing, an orbiting scroll member and non-orbiting scroll member intermeshed to form a compression chamber, a discharge pressure chamber, an intermediate pressure chamber. The housing includes a lower portion, a first intermediate cap, a second intermediate cap, and an upper portion. The discharge pressure chamber configured to receiving a discharge pressure fluid from the compression chamber. The intermediate pressure chamber fluidly connecting an intermediate pressure fluid inlet port and an intermediate pressure fluid injection port of the non-orbiting scroll member. A method injecting an intermediate pressure fluid into a compression chamber of a scroll compressor includes disposing the intermediate pressure fluid in an intermediate pressure chamber. The method also includes injecting the intermediate pressure fluid in the intermediate pressure chamber through the intermediate pressure fluid injection port into the compression chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Scott J. Smerud
  • Patent number: 11564148
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for operating a climate control system for an indoor space are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes establishing a connection between a device and a hub of the climate control system along a first signal pathway, wherein at least a portion of the first signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a first component of the system. In addition, the method includes monitoring one or more parameters of the first signal pathway and one or more parameters of a second signal pathway extending between the device and the hub, wherein at least a portion of the second signal pathway comprises a short-range radio connection between the device and a second component of the system. Further, the method includes re-routing the connection between the portable device and the system hub from the first signal pathway to the second signal pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Garrett, Nathan Smith, Daniel J. Blair, Drew Whitehurst, Caleb Davis
  • Patent number: 11555639
    Abstract: There is provided a HVAC system comprising: a fluid circuit for conveying a refrigerant; a compressor for compressing the refrigerant; three heat exchangers defining an evaporator, an outdoor exchanger and a heat recovery exchanger provided along the fluid circuit; an expansion valve provided along the fluid circuit; and a receiver connected in parallel to the expansion valve, wherein a fill valve is located between the receiver and a connection upstream of the expansion valve and a drain valve is located between the receiver and a connection downstream of the expansion valve; wherein the fluid circuit comprises a plurality of valves which are configured to be controlled based on a selected operating mode such that at least one of the outdoor exchanger and the heat recovery exchanger is connected to a discharge line of the compressor and in series with one of the other heat exchangers which is connected to a suction line of the compressor, with the expansion valve disposed between the heat exchangers; wherein
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Yves Jacques Raimbault, Philippe Del Marcel Tisserand
  • Patent number: 11549717
    Abstract: A method for adjusting compression efficiency for an HVACR system having a variable-frequency drive (VFD) is disclosed. The method includes determining a first compression efficiency, determining an operating point, determining a region of an operating map when a difference between the operating point and a previously determined operating point exceeds a predetermined threshold, adjusting a VFD input to a first input based on the region of the operating map, and controlling the VFD using the first input for a predetermined period of time. The method also includes determining a second compression efficiency and an operation restriction, adjusting the VFD input to a second input based on the operation restriction and a difference between the first compression efficiency and the second compression efficiency, and controlling the VFD using the second input. The method also includes utilizing machine learning control techniques to control several system variables to optimize the compression efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Seth M. McGill, Charles J. Peterson, Lauri Juhani Salmia, Petri J. Mäki-Ontto
  • Patent number: 11549715
    Abstract: Methods and related systems of detecting a temperature deviation in a heat exchanger coil of a climate control system. The method includes determining an enthalpy of the indoor space. The method includes detecting a coil temperature of the heat exchanger. The method includes detecting a coil temperature deviation based on the enthalpy and the detected coil temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Edward Thrift, Christopher Blake Smith, Dominique Ashley Schaefer Pipps
  • Patent number: 11543142
    Abstract: Climate control systems and related methods and systems therefore a disclosed. In an embodiment, the climate control system includes a heat exchanger configured to discharge conditioned air to an indoor space. In addition, the climate control system includes a display and a controller coupled to the display. The controller is to generate an operation selection option on the display. The operation selection option includes a plurality of selections for operating of the climate control system based on operational efficiency or occupant comfort within the indoor space. The controller is to adjust a temperature of the heat exchanger relative to a user selection from the plurality of selections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Behrooz Karimi, Youssef A. Jaber, Wayne N. Kraft
  • Patent number: 11543147
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for operating a climate control system for an indoor space are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes increasing a speed of a fan of the climate control system, and determining a first fitted external static pressure (ESP) function from a first plurality of airflow values and a first plurality of ESP values. Additionally, the method includes obtaining a baseline ESP from the first fitted ESP function, and determining a second fitted ESP function from a second plurality of airflow values and a second plurality of ESP values collected at least one week after the first plurality of airflow values and the first plurality of ESP values are collected. Further, the method includes comparing the first calculated ESP obtained from the second fitted ESP function to the baseline ESP to determine a condition of an air filter of the climate control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Walter Rite
  • Patent number: 11536483
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an HVAC system. The method includes receiving zone airflow target values for zones of a conditioned space. The method includes accessing a duct model including a first term that describes a flow factor for a zone damper as a nonlinear function of damper position, and a second term that describes zone airflow as a function of the flow factor and a branch pressure across zone-specific branches of an air circulation path. The method includes applying the zone airflow target values to the duct model to determine a damper position set, and actuating zone dampers to respective damper positions of the damper position set. The method may also include determining a value of total airflow to achieve the zone airflow target values with a total pressure target, and causing a fan to provide conditioned air with the value of the total airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Youssef A. Jaber, Wayne N. Kraft, Behrooz Karimi
  • Patent number: 11536277
    Abstract: Centrifugal compressors can incorporate a side stream flow of intermediate pressure vapor between stages of that compressor. The side stream flow can be controlled by a side stream injection port controlled by a throttle ring disposed between stages of the compressor. The throttle ring can allow or obstruct flow through the side stream injection port. The throttle ring can extend and retract in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow from the first stage impeller to the second stage impeller. A method of operating a centrifugal compressor can include actuating a throttle ring by rotating a drive ring to adjust a flow of interstage fluid into the second stage impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark W. Harrison, Jon Christopher Johnson
  • Patent number: 11530856
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for controlling compressor motors, particularly varying the operation parameters of the motor to provide heat to a lubricant of the motor. The operation parameters include one or more of a pulse width modulation switching frequency, a pulse width modulation frequency switching pattern, or a torque/amp ratio of a drive of the compressor. The efficiency of the motor may be reduced to provide heat, with the heat improving lubricant quality and drive efficiency, to increase an overall efficiency of compressor operations. Methods may include determining a lubricant quality, and determining operational parameters that improve lubricant quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Seth M. McGill, Aaron Salesman, Christopher Espelien, Josef L. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11525593
    Abstract: Architectures or techniques are presented that can prioritize operating a consumption device in a manner that is efficient in terms of consumption of a resource over satisfying a specified demand assigned to the consumption device. This re-prioritizing can be performed in response to a price of the resource exceeding a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: John Hughes, Thomas B. Krugler, Youssef A. Jaber, Steven Brooks
  • Patent number: 11525602
    Abstract: Methods of coupling a heat exchanger into a climate control system and associated systems are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a housing to receive the heat exchanger. The housing includes a cover panel disposed over an opening that has a projection projecting at least partially into the housing, and a first pair of conduits extending through the cover panel in a first direction. In addition, the method includes removing the cover panel from the opening, flipping the cover panel, extending a second pair of conduits through the cover panel in the first direction, and forming connections between the first pair of refrigerant conduits and the second pair of conduits. Further, the method includes covering the opening in the heat exchanger housing with the cover panel so that the projection of the cover panel projects away from the housing and encloses the connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Kilgo
  • Patent number: 11506563
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for operating a climate control system for an indoor space are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes operating an indoor fan of the climate control system to rotate an impeller of the indoor fan in a reverse rotational direction opposite a nominal rotational direction of the impeller. Additionally, the method includes determining an airflow of the indoor fan when the impeller of the indoor fan is rotated in the reverse rotational direction. Further, the method includes determining a duct leakage rate associated with at least one duct of the climate control system based on the determined airflow, wherein the at least one duct is sealed-off at an end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne N. Kraft