Patents Examined by Alexis Cox
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Patent number: 9964347Abstract: A control apparatus may include an input, an output, a communication device, and a processor. The processor to control the plurality of component devices, and receive the cycle data from the plurality of component devices to enable problem diagnosis on the plurality of component devices, in real time. The processor to display, in a frame, the cycle data for the plurality of component devices, display the cycle data corresponding to actual connection states, installed positions, and present operation states of the plurality of component devices, and change the cycle data thus displayed when the cycle data for the plurality of component devices changes. The cycle data may include data information on whether each of the plurality of component devices is in operation or is not in operation and a cycle change.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Seontaek Kim, Hana Park, Seongjin Shin
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Patent number: 9958198Abstract: A method and system for use with a volume containing a cargo having a thermal mass includes, at least one temperature sensor associated with the cargo to provide at least one temperature associated with the thermal mass, a refrigeration unit associated with the volume, and a controller to control the refrigeration unit in response to the at least one temperature associated with the thermal mass and a temperature set point, wherein the controller models a temperature characteristic of the thermal mass.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Giorgio Rusignuolo, Stephen Varga, Thibaut Gavignet, Greg Deldicque, Yu H. Chen
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Patent number: 9959966Abstract: A cooling fan variable-frequency control system for a power transformer includes a control device and a fan unit. The control device includes a microprocessor that is set with a first temperature range, a second temperature range higher than the first temperature range, and a fan switching time. The microprocessor is connected to a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of an insulating oil in a power transformer. A variable-frequency controller and a fixed-frequency controller are connected to the microprocessor and are connected to a switching controller. The fan unit is connected to the switching controller and includes first and second fans. The microprocessor controls the switching controller according to the fan switching time to thereby control the variable-frequency controller to connect with the first fan or the second fan. The first fan and the second fan can operate at a fixed frequency and at a variable frequency.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Fortune Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ming-He Lin, Chia-Ching Lin
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Patent number: 9939201Abstract: In one embodiment, a cooling system may include a thermosyphon cooler that cools a cooling fluid through dry cooling and a cooling tower that cools a cooling fluid through evaporative cooling. The thermosyphon cooler may use natural convection to circulate a refrigerant between a shell and tube evaporator and an air cooled condenser. The thermosyphon cooler may be located in the cooling system upstream of, and in series with, the cooling tower, and may be operated when the thermosyphon cooler is more economically and/or resource efficient to operate than the cooling tower. According to certain embodiments, factors, such as the ambient temperature, the cost of electricity, and the cost of water, among others, may be used to determine whether to operate the thermosyphon cooler, the cooling tower, or both.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: James W. Furlong, Joseph W. Pillis, Delmar E. Lehman
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Patent number: 9909790Abstract: An integrated air conditioning system having a first air conditioning unit having a first evaporator with a first input and a first output; a second air conditioning unit having a second evaporator with a second input and a second output; a first conduit fluidly connecting the first input with the second output; a second conduit fluidly connecting the second input with the first output. The first and second conduits and the first and second evaporators form a working fluid circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2007Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Batung Pham, Pierre Delpech, Philippe Rigal
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Patent number: 9909786Abstract: A method for distributing a refrigerant charge level in a refrigerant vapor compression system includes restarting a stopped refrigerant compression device in a first mode; operating a primary expansion device independent of refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger superheat; comparing a condition at a refrigerant reservoir to a prescribed condition; wherein when the condition is below the prescribed condition for a prescribed interval, operating the primary expansion device to control the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger superheat; and transitioning the refrigerant vapor compression system to a second mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2011Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Lucy Yi Liu, Suresh Duraisamy, Gilbert B. Hofsdal, Hans-Joachim Huff, Michal Patriak
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Patent number: 9910449Abstract: Thermostats disclosed herein are operable to control an HVAC system. In controlling the HVAC system, a need to determine an expected indoor temperature profile for a particular schedule of setpoint temperatures may arise. To make such a determination, a thermodynamic model of the structure is used. The thermodynamic model may be generated by fitting weighting factors of a set of basis functions to a variety of historical data including time information, temperature information, and HVAC actuation state information. The set of basis functions characterize an indoor temperature trajectory of the structure in response to a change in HVAC actuation state, and include an inertial carryover component that characterizes a carryover of a rate of indoor temperature change that was occurring immediately prior to the change in actuation state.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Yoky Matsuoka, Mark Malhotra, Allen J. Minich, Joseph A. Ruff
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Patent number: 9889724Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit controls temperature within a transport refrigeration unit using a remote sensor or sensors. The transport refrigeration unit monitors cargo temperature with remote sensor(s) and air temperature to adjust air delivery speed or cooling capacity. Selected operation parameters are determined with consideration of both energy conservation and/or cargo quality. The transport refrigeration unit controls temperature using a first selected mode of operation or a second mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2010Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Yu H. Chen, Mingfei Gan
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Patent number: 9885489Abstract: A system includes a heat pump configured to match a working heat transfer fluid temperature to a fluid temperature set-point, a fluid pump in fluid communication with the heat pump through the heat transfer fluid and configured to match the heat transfer fluid pressure/flow to a fluid pressure/flow set-point, at least one heat exchanger in fluid communication with the fluid pump, and a supervisory controller in signal communication with the at least one heat exchanger, the fluid pump, and the heat pump. The at least one heat exchanger includes a proportional valve and a return air temperature gauge configured to monitor return air temperature associated therewith. The supervisory controller is configured to vary the fluid temperature set-point and vary the fluid pressure/flow set-point based upon a position of the proportional valve and the return air temperature.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2012Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Junqiang Fan, Stevo Mijanovic, Lishan Wang
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Patent number: 9883617Abstract: An air conditioning system having an inlet air temperature calculating block that calculates a variation in air temperature at an inlet port of each unit based on position information and also calculate the air flow rate through each unit. A temperature sensitivity calculating block calculates temperature sensitivity of each unit obtained by dividing the variation in air temperature at the inlet port by a variation in air temperature at an outlet port of each unit. An inlet air temperature calculating block calculates the air temperature at the inlet port of each unit on the basis of the air temperature at the outlet port of each unit, and the temperature sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.Inventor: Hayato Shimizu
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Patent number: 9879871Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that involve detecting a flammable refrigerant associated with a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In one instance a damper covers an access port allowing a single sensor to monitor at least two separate spaces. In another instance, a multi-probe sensor allows a single sensor to monitor at least two separate spaces. Other systems and methods are presented.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Mark Olsen, Hermon Alan Boyd
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Patent number: 9869498Abstract: A refrigerant charging method includes installing, cooling, confirming, and moving steps. In the installing step, a refrigeration device is installed on site. In the cooling step, a container is cooled to 31° C. or below using a cooling medium. In the confirming step, it is confirmed that the container has reached 31° C. or below. In the moving step, the refrigerant is moved to the intended charging space from the container upon confirming that the container has reached 31° C. or below via the cooling step. When moving the refrigerant from the container to the intended charging space, first, refrigerant that is in a gas phase within the container is moved into the intended charging space, whereupon refrigerant that is in a liquid phase within the container is moved into the intended charging space.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2013Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Hiromune Matsuoka, Toshiyuki Kurihara
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Patent number: 9857116Abstract: A refrigerator includes an ice making chamber having an ice making tray, an ice making chamber refrigerant pipe to supply cool air to the ice making tray, and an ice making chamber circulation fan to circulate air in the ice making chamber. A control method to prevent frost from being formed in the ice making chamber includes determining whether temperature of the ice making chamber is lower than a predetermined temperature; and driving the ice making chamber circulation fan to prevent frost from being formed in the ice making chamber upon determining that the temperature of the ice making chamber is lower than the predetermined temperature. Driving the ice making chamber circulation fan to prevent frost includes driving the ice making chamber circulation fan for a predetermined period of time when the temperature of the ice making chamber is lower than the predetermined temperature.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Chang Hak Lim, Keon Ho Hong, Young Shik Shin, Jae Koog An, Jin Jeong, Sang Hyun Park
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Patent number: 9823672Abstract: A wireless device used to communicate with and control one or more components of an HVAC system from a remote location is provided. The wireless device is configured to display two or more icons on the display of the device, wherein each icon executes a function that aids the user in controlling one or more components of the HVAC system. The wireless device dynamically orders the two or more icons on the display of the device, each according to a dynamic ranking algorithm. The dynamic ranking algorithm is based on a number of factors such as, for example, a relative frequency of selection of each of the two or more icons by a user, the current time of day, the current time of year, the current temperature, and/or the current location of the wireless device.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: David J. McCurnin, Patrick C. Tessier
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Patent number: 9823632Abstract: A compressor is provided and includes a shell, a compression mechanism, a motor, a data module, and a compressor controller. The data module includes a data module processor and a data module memory. The compressor controller includes a controller processor and a controller memory distinct from the data module processor and the data module memory. The data module receives sensed data, stores the sensed data in the data module memory, determines a first diagnosis of the compressor based on the sensed data, and communicates the sensed data and the first diagnosis to the compressor controller. The compressor controller determines a second diagnosis of the compressor based on the sensed data and verifies the first diagnosis by comparing the first diagnosis to the second diagnosis.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hung M. Pham, Nagaraj Jayanth
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Patent number: 9791903Abstract: An air channeling sub-system may include a mechanical cooling section and a direct evaporative cooling section. The direct evaporative cooling section may be downstream from the mechanical cooling section. Cooling air is channeled through the air channeling sub-system and into the room. If a first set of control conditions is met, the air channeling sub-systems is operated in an adiabatic mode. The adiabatic mode includes channeling cooling air through the direct evaporative cooling section to evaporate water into the cooling air. If a second set of control conditions is met, the air channeling sub-system is operated in a hybrid mode. The hybrid mode includes channeling cooling air through the mechanical cooling section to remove heat from the cooling air and channeling the cooling air through the direct evaporative cooling section to evaporate water into the cooling air.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Jonathan David Hay
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Patent number: 9745962Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for controlling the amount of airflow across a radiator within an aerial vehicle radiator duct. A rigid member of a moveable flow restrictor is rotatable between an open position and a closed position. While subject to a g-force less than a threshold value in a triggering direction, the rigid member is oriented in the open position and, while subject to a g-force greater than the threshold value in the triggering direction, the rigid member is oriented in the closed position. The amount of the airflow across the radiator while the rigid member is in the open position is different than the amount of the airflow across the radiator while the rigid member is in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: X Development LLCInventor: Damon Vander Lind
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Patent number: 9746224Abstract: A system includes an error module configured to integrate a difference between a superheat signal and a superheat setpoint to generate an error signal, wherein the superheat signal indicates suction superheat values of a compressor. A comparison module is configured to compare the error signal to a first predetermined threshold to generate a first comparison signal based on the comparison. A zero-crossing module is configured to compare a first count value to a second predetermined threshold to generate a second comparison signal. The first count value is generated based on at least one comparison between the superheat signal and the superheat setpoint. A setpoint module is configured to adjust the superheat setpoint based on the first comparison signal and the second comparison signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2013Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Liebert CorporationInventors: Zongtao Lu, Zhiyong Lin, Craig Ward, Benedict J. Dolcich, John F. Judge
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Patent number: 9746220Abstract: A vaporizer has: an inlet (72); an oil outlet (90; 94); a vent (120); a hot gas inlet (132); and a cooled gas outlet (134). A gas flowpath (130) extends from the hot gas inlet to the cooled gas outlet. A vaporizer chamber (192) is downstream of the inlet along a primary flowpath. A gas conduit (220) is along the gas flowpath in heat exchange relation with the primary flowpath. A sump (194) is below the vaporizer chamber. A housing (180) encloses the sump and the vaporizer chamber. A passageway extends from the vaporizer chamber to the sump.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2012Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventor: Anthony S. Molavi
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Patent number: 9739519Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor having a first stage and a second stage; a heat rejecting heat exchanger including an inter-cooler and a gas cooler, the intercooler coupled to an outlet of the first stage and the gas cooler coupled to an outlet of the second stage; an unload valve coupled to an outlet of the intercooler and a suction port of the first stage; a flash tank coupled to an outlet of the gas cooler; a primary expansion device coupled to an outlet of the flash tank; a heat absorbing heat exchanger coupled to an outlet of the primary expansion device, an outlet of the heat absorbing heat exchanger coupled to the suction port of the first stage; and a controller for executing a startup process including controlling the unload valve to direct refrigerant from the intercooler to the suction port of the first stage.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2012Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Mingfei Gan, KeonWoo Lee, Hans-Joachim Huff, Aryn Shapiro, Lucy Yi Liu, Gilbert B. Hofsdal, Jian Sun