Patents Examined by Alexandra Elve
  • Patent number: 9759332
    Abstract: A desuperheater spraying valve assembly includes an actuator coupled to a plug with a valve seat in the proximity of the plug. The plug is affixed to an actuator rod which transverses the body of the valve assembly. A spray tube may be affixed to the valve seat and at least one spray nozzle is affixed to the spray tube. The plug and the valve seat are conical in shape and when the plug is inserted into the valve, they form a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SPX FLOW, INC.
    Inventors: Veaceslav Ignatan, Robert L. Fetterman
  • Patent number: 9605912
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for transferring heat between two fluids consists of a shell surrounding at least two tube bundles attached at both ends to a tube header. Each of the tube bundles is constructed from a plurality of individual tubes that are twisted into identical helixes formed about a common helical axis. Because each individual tube is formed in the shape of a helix, rather than as a straight tube, thermal elongation of the individual tubes results in a considerably reduced axial force on the tube attachments and tube header. Use of multiple tube bundles wound with opposite twist direction improves spacing efficiency between tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventors: Kennieth Neal, Eugene Neal
  • Patent number: 9599384
    Abstract: In a refrigeration system having a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a controller for controlling an expansion valve, a process for controlling compressor discharge during a cooling cycle includes monitoring a compressor discharge temperature, operating the expansion valve in a base mode wherein the expansion valve is controlled in response to a difference between actual superheat and desired superheat of the evaporator; and controlling the expansion valve in response to a difference between a set point and a compressor discharge parameter when the ambient air temperature, the return air temperature and the compressor discharge temperature meet respective limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul V. Weyna, Eliot W. Dudley, Alan D. Abbott, Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9593873
    Abstract: A manifold assembly includes a solenoid valve, a manifold, and a check valve. The manifold has an inlet bore and an outlet bore. The check valve has a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to directly mate with the solenoid valve. The second end is configured to directly mate to the manifold. The second end has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is in fluid communication with the inlet bore. The outlet is in fluid communication with the outlet bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Dylan Lundberg
  • Patent number: 9587865
    Abstract: An air conditioner and a method for controlling the same include a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a receiver for storing at least one portion of a refrigerant passing through the condenser and a gas/liquid separator for filtering a liquid refrigerant of the refrigerant introduced from the receiver to supply a gaseous refrigerant into the compressor includes a first flow rate regulator for controlling the amount of refrigerant supplied into the receiver, a second flow rate regulator for controlling the amount of refrigerant introduced from the receiver into the gas/liquid separator, a first detection unit for detecting the amount of refrigerant stored in the receiver, and a control unit for controlling an opening degree of the first or second flow rate regulator, based on information of at least one of the amount of refrigerant detected by the first detection unit and the amount of refrigerant circulating in the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hojong Jeong, Jaehwa Jung, Yongcheol Sa
  • Patent number: 9587869
    Abstract: A generator set for a transport refrigeration unit that is operable at a first frequency and a second frequency. The generator set includes a controller, a generator and a prime mover coupled to the generator. The prime mover selectively drives the generator in least at a first non-zero speed and a second non-zero speed. The controller can determine whether a transport refrigeration unit has sufficient capacity to maintain a desired temperature within a transport unit by detecting a generator load, a generator load slope condition, and a speed of the prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Randall Scott Burnham, Mike Stark, Mike Gaynor, J J Foo
  • Patent number: 9581167
    Abstract: An isothermal turbo-compressor-condenser-expander arrangement includes heat-transferring blades that are mounted on, or surround, individual conduits. In operation, the open framework rotates in free air to promote heat exchange. The assembly includes a first plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly from a first central hub to an outer perimeter with first radial conduits that transport refrigerant under centrifugal force and compression from the hub to the outer perimeter. The first radial conduits include heat exchanging blades. A second plurality of spokes extend radially outwardly from a second central hub that each includes a second thermally-insulated conduit that transports refrigerant from the outer perimeter to the second central hub. Axial conduits extend axially at the outer perimeter. At least some of the axial conduits include an axial blade in thermal communication with the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Appollo Wind Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Benoit Roisin, Andrew S. Geffken, Ian E. Graves
  • Patent number: 9568232
    Abstract: An icemaker includes an ice tray configured to receive water, an ejector configured to rotate to eject ice made in the ice tray, and a heater arranged to contact the ice tray and configured to facilitate separation of ice from the ice tray by selectively heating the ice tray. The icemaker also includes a case mounted to a side of the ice tray and a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor mounted in the case and configured to selectively rotate the ejector in forward and reverse directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yonghyun Kim, Jimin You, Siyeon An, Sungkyoung Kim
  • Patent number: 9562696
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a heat pump hot water supply system of the indirect heating method is provided such that a change in heat transfer efficiency of a second heat exchanger is estimated by using either or both of a tank water temperature and a temperature of a second refrigerant flowing through a water circuit. When the heat transfer efficiency is determined to be high, an operation switching unit raises an output of a heat source device. When the heat transfer efficiency is determined to be low, the operation switching unit lowers the output of the heat source device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Maitani, Masashi Fujitsuka, Motohiko Kawagishi, Yoshihiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9562706
    Abstract: A magnetic cooling apparatus having an improved structure in which effective heat exchange may be performed by a heat transfer fluid is provided. The magnetic cooling apparatus includes a magnetic regenerator allowing a heat transfer fluid to pass therethrough and a magnetocaloric material, a magnet to apply a magnetic field to the magnetic regenerator, and a high temperature heat exchanger allowing heat to be dissipated by the heat transfer fluid containing heat received from the magnetic regenerator. The magnetic cooling apparatus includes a low temperature heat exchanger allowing heat to be absorbed by the heat transfer fluid, a pipe to connect the magnetic regenerator, high temperature heat exchanger and low temperature heat exchanger such that the heat transfer fluid circulates through the magnetic regenerator, high temperature heat exchanger and low temperature heat exchanger, and a fluid transport unit to circulate or reciprocate the heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Il Ju Mun, Keon Kuk, Min Soo Kim, Woo Hyek Choi
  • Patent number: 9562757
    Abstract: A probe includes a sensor and a support. The sensor is operable to provide an indication of a thickness of a frozen substance that has accumulated between the sensor and a cooling fin of a cooling unit, and the support is operable to hold the sensor spaced apart from the cooling fin. When a defrost controller uses such a probe to monitor an amount of frost build up on the fin or fins of a cooling unit (e.g., a refrigeration unit or freezer unit), the defrost controller can initiate a defrost cycle only when warranted, e.g., only when the thickness of the built-up frost equals or exceeds a threshold thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: The Controls Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Ghan, James R. Conant
  • Patent number: 9557100
    Abstract: A method for operating a refrigeration system for a mobile unit includes steps of: 1) providing a refrigeration unit having a compressor, an evaporator, and at least one fan operable to move air towards the evaporator, a generator dedicated to the refrigeration unit, and a battery; 2) determining at least one environmental parameter in one or both of the mobile unit and the refrigeration unit; and 3) selectively operating the refrigeration unit in one of a plurality of modes based on the environmental parameter. The plurality of modes includes a first mode wherein at least the fan is powered by the battery, and a second mode wherein the compressor and the fan are powered by the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Chopko, James R. Reason, Mark J. Perkovich
  • Patent number: 9551512
    Abstract: An air conditioning system, including a condenser for condensing a refrigerant, a first expansion device for throttling the refrigerant passed through the condenser, a second expansion device for throttling the refrigerant passed through the first expansion device, an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant passed through the second expansion device, a compressor for compressing the refrigerant passed through the evaporator and the refrigerant injected after branched between the first expansion device and the second expansion device, and a control unit for detecting a value of at least one operating parameter and determining a target opening degree of the first expansion device on the basis of a stored set value corresponding to the detected value of the operating parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Young Hwan Ko, Bum Suk Kim, Man Ho Chun
  • Patent number: 9551274
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling of charge air for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is provided. The heat exchanger has a preliminary stage, a main stage, and a compensating component. The preliminary stage has at least one preliminary stage fixed bearing base and a preliminary stage floating bearing base. The main stage has at least one main stage fixed bearing base and a main stage floating bearing base. In a heat transfer region of the main stage, at least one main stage channel for a main stage coolant is disposed. The compensating component is configured to compensate a position difference between corresponding components of the preliminary stage and the main stage, whereby the position difference is based on a thermally induced elongation difference between the at least one preliminary stage channel and the at least one main stage channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Eilemann, Matthias Fehrenbach, Ruediger Koelbin, Johann Ehrmanntraut
  • Patent number: 9551515
    Abstract: There is provided a refrigeration cycle apparatus in which an outdoor heat source unit, an indoor unit, and a water heating unit are connected, and an air conditioning operation and a water heating operation can be performed separately, and an exhaust-heat recovery operation can be performed by simultaneously performing air cooling and water heating. The outdoor heat source unit includes a compressor for compressing refrigerant, a refrigerant air-heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and outside air, a fan for cooling the refrigerant air-heat exchanger, a control device that includes an inverter device for driving the compressor, and a heat sink for dissipating heat of the inverter device, and a switching element in the inverter device is constituted by an element formed by a wide bandgap semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Amano
  • Patent number: 9546825
    Abstract: A plate heat exchanger has flow channels through which a first flow and a second flow pass in concurrent or countercurrent flow. The flow channels are formed for the first medium between individual plates (1) joined together to form in each case a pair (P) of plates, and for the second medium between pairs (P) of plates joined together to form a stack (S) of plates, wherein the individual plates (1) within an inlet region (E) have guide blades (2) which are formed by stamped embossments and protrude into the flow channel, wherein the guide blades (2) are formed in an arch-shaped manner with an inflow leg (21) aligned substantially parallel to the main flow direction and an outflow leg (22) aligned at an angle to the inflow leg (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Kelvion PHE GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Abker, Alfred Ernst, Bernd Müller, Klaus Mönig
  • Patent number: 9539878
    Abstract: A window fog detecting system for detecting fog on a windshield of a vehicle, including: a glass temperature detecting system including a contact temperature sensor attached to a portion of the windshield on the driver's seat side of the center in a width direction of the windshield, or to a portion where ceramic print is applied on the upper-side periphery of the windshield; a humidity detection device which detects the humidity of air in a vicinity of the inner surface of the windshield; and a judging device which judges the presence of fog on the windshield, on the basis of the detected values of the glass temperature detecting system and the detected values of the humidity detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9541333
    Abstract: A stacked heat exchanger, in particular ferritic welded heat exchanger for high temperature applications, is provided that has stack plates that are held between cover plates and/or an outer housing. Aluminum is added to the cover plates and/or the housing in production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Heinrich Angermann
  • Patent number: 9535589
    Abstract: An electronic thermostat is described that includes a head unit, a rotatable ring, a backplate, an electronic display that is viewable by a user in front of the thermostat, a printed circuit board, and a daughter circuit. The daughter circuit is coupled to the printed circuit board, and senses motion of the rotatable ring and includes a first temperature sensor. A second temperature sensor separated from the first temperature sensor, are both used to calculate ambient temperature. The first temperature sensor is positioned at least partially within a cavity formed between a front surface of the head unit and the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, David Sloo, Michael Plitkins, John B. Filson, Eric Daniels, Michael J. Matas, Fred Bould, Brian Huppi
  • Patent number: 9534821
    Abstract: A control method of a refrigerator including a compressor to supply refrigerant to an evaporator to cool a storage compartment, a valve to adjust flow of the refrigerant, a fan to blow air heat-exchanged by the evaporator, and a heater to remove frost from the evaporator. The control method includes, upon receiving a power-saving signal, determining whether the received power-saving signal is a first or second power-saving mode signal, upon determining that the power-saving signal is the first power-saving mode signal, performing at least one selected from among resetting of target temperature of the storage compartment, adjustment of an operation rate of the compressor, and adjustment of operation time of the heater to execute a first power-saving mode, and, upon determining that the power-saving signal is the second power-saving mode signal, controlling the compressor, the fan, and the heater to be off to execute a second power-saving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sinn Bong Yoon, Eui Young Chang, Jong Chul Choi, Yong Han Kim, Won Je Lee, Jong Eon Si