Patents Examined by Alexis Cox
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Patent number: 9557100Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Robert A. Chopko, James R. Reason, Mark J. Perkovich
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Patent number: 9551512Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Young Hwan Ko, Bum Suk Kim, Man Ho Chun
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Patent number: 9534820Abstract: A method controls discharge temperature of a compressor of a vapor compression system. Using a mapping among discharge temperature, speed of the compressor, and outdoor air temperature, the method determines a desired discharge temperature for a new value of the speed of the compressor. The compressor is abruptly controlled to change the current speed of the compressor to the new value. A valve of the vapor compression system is smoothly controlled, such that the discharge temperature is transitioned to the desired discharge temperature according to a function of time representing a low pass filter with a time constant proportional to the thermal time constant of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Dan Burns, Christopher Laughman, Scott A Bortoff
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Patent number: 9526354Abstract: A temperature-controlled case including a base having a deck and an air flow device located below the deck, a tower having a cavity, and an air distribution system. The air distribution system includes a duct and one or more air diverting devices which permit a first portion of an air flow to be received into the tower and direct a second portion of the air flow toward the deck. Sub-portions of the first portion may be directed at the rear portions and front portions of one or more shelves. The tower includes an exterior wall having openings through which air is directed by the air diverting devices. The exterior wall may be faceted and the cavity may be segmented into channels corresponding to the facets.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Angel A. Barreto, Jules G. Choueifati, Larry C. Howington
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Patent number: 9528733Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus, including a refrigerant circuit connecting a compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and a use side heat exchanger in order with a refrigerant piping. A compressor heater is provided for heating the compressor when the compressor is not in operation. A compressor temperature sensor is provided for detecting a compressor temperature. A refrigerant temperature detection sensor is provided for detecting a refrigerant temperature in the compressor. A controller is configured to estimate an amount of liquid refrigerant in the compressor by integrating the temperature difference between the compressor temperature and the refrigerant temperature during a period in which the compressor temperature becomes lower than the refrigerant temperature, and control the heating operation, which is carried out by the compressor heater, on the basis of the estimated liquid refrigerant amount when the compressor is not in operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2010Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Yohei Kato, Makoto Saito, Naoki Wakuta
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Patent number: 9523465Abstract: A lubrication system thermostat for controlling the flow of oil in a lubrication system includes a valve and an actuator. The valve is configured to modulate between an unmodulated position and a modulated position, each of which may be in an open position or a closed position. In the open position, at least a portion of the oil flow is unobstructed, and in the closed position, the oil flow is substantially blocked. The actuator is configured to modulate the valve. The actuator includes a thermal element configured to generate mechanical displacement when subjected to a temperature change such that the valve is movable from and returnable to the unmodulated position. The lubrication system thermostat may be in a normally-open configuration, in which the unmodulated position is the open position, or a normally-closed configuration, in which the unmodulated position is the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Ronald J. Pierik
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Patent number: 9494332Abstract: A thermostat includes a wiring terminal having a moveable component that is actuatable to enable insertion of an HVAC system conductive wire within the wiring terminal. Insertion of the HVAC system conductive wire within the wiring terminal electrically connects the wiring terminal and the HVAC system conductive wire. The actuation of the moveable component opens a loop of an electrical circuit that does not include the HVAC system conductive wire. The loop may enable power harvesting for the thermostat.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2011Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: John Benjamin Filson, Daniel Adam Warren, Anthony Michael Fadell, Sheng-Nan Yu
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Patent number: 9476600Abstract: An air conditioning system includes an exterior housing, and a motor having fan blades rotatably coupled thereto located within the exterior housing. The air conditioning system further includes a controller coupled to the motor and configured to, based upon climate conditions proximate the exterior housing, alternate between an ON cycle during which the fan blades are rotated and an OFF cycle during which the fan blades are not rotated.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2010Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: John Tran, Mark Olsen, Jeff Mangum
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Patent number: 9464829Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus including: a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, a refrigerant flow switching valve, a heat exchanger related to the heat transfer medium, an expansion valve, a heat source-side heat exchanger which is connected by a refrigerant pipe to form a refrigeration cycle, a heat transfer medium circuit having the heat exchanger related to the heat transfer medium, a pump, a plurality of use-side heat exchangers which are connected by a heat transfer medium pipe, and an opening and closing valve provided to the heat transfer medium supply pipe.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2011Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Junichi Ue, Osamu Morimoto
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Patent number: 9459030Abstract: A device for expanding a refrigerant fluid has a first inlet and a first outlet which are connected by a first refrigerant circulation duct. The first refrigerant circulation duct has an upstream part and a downstream part which parts are placed in communication by a first communication passage. The device also has a second inlet and a second outlet which are connected by a second refrigerant circulation duct. The device regulates an expansion of the refrigerant fluid and has a first needle valve housed inside the upstream part of the first refrigerant flow duct connected by a first connecting rod to a thermostatic sensor in communication with the second refrigerant flow duct that allows or prevents refrigerant fluid from circulating through the first communicating passage. The device also measures the pressure of the refrigerant fluid entering the evaporator (Pse) which pressure measurement is taken at the first outlet.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUESInventors: Jugurtha Benouali, Jin-Ming Liu, Regine Haller, Stefan Karl, Mohamed Yahia, Christophe Rousseau
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Patent number: 9428032Abstract: A thermal management system includes a cooling circuit, a heat exchange circuit, a heat recovery cooling device and a passenger compartment temperature regulating device. The cooling device includes a condenser, a throttling element and an evaporator. The heat exchange device includes a first air cooled heat exchanger and a heater. The heat recovery cooling device includes a pump, a second air cooled beat exchanger and a cooler. The passenger compartment temperature regulating device includes an air flowing passage and a fan arranged in the air flowing passage, or a compartment heat exchanger. The first air cooled heat exchanger and the heater are in communication with the condenser through a first flow regulating valve. The cooler and the heat emission component heat exchanger are in communication with the evaporator through a second flow regulating valve. The second air cooled heat exchanger is selectively connected in series to the heat emission component heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Hangzhou Sanhua Research Institute Co., Ltd.Inventors: Rongrong Zhang, Chuliang Shi
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Patent number: 9410715Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus has a refrigerant circuit made up of plural indoor units connected to an outdoor unit, and the air conditioning apparatus has a capacity controlling part and a target refrigerant temperature mode setting part. The capacity controlling part controls the air conditioning capacity of the outdoor unit in such a way that the evaporation temperature of refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit becomes a target evaporation temperature, or in such a way that the condensation temperature of the refrigerant becomes a target condensation temperature. The target refrigerant temperature mode setting part is configured to seta target refrigerant temperature mode to either a target refrigerant temperature changing mode or a target refrigerant temperature fixing mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2012Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignees: Daikin Industries, Ltd., Daikin Europe N.V.Inventors: Masahiro Honda, Shinya Matsuoka, Hideyuki Nakagawa
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Patent number: 9375994Abstract: A vehicle engine warm-up apparatus includes a vehicle engine, a heating system, a coolant temperature sensor, a coolant heater and a controller. The vehicle engine has a coolant passage defined therein. The heating system provides heat to a passenger compartment of a vehicle using heat transferred from the vehicle engine to coolant flowing through the coolant passage. The coolant temperature sensor measures a temperature of the coolant flowing through the coolant passage. The coolant heater is configured to heat the coolant flowing through the coolant passage of the vehicle engine. The controller is configured to operate the coolant heater with the vehicle engine running to increase a rate of heating of the coolant to more rapidly make heat available to the heating system in response to determining that the coolant temperature is below a first temperature threshold.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Ronald S. Eisenhour, Richard Madden
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Patent number: 9360236Abstract: A thermal energy system includes a first thermal energy system, a closed loop geothermal energy system, an intermediate heat pump thermally coupling the first thermal energy system with the geothermal energy system, and a second thermal energy system thermally connected to the geothermal energy system. The first and second thermal energy systems have opposite net thermal energy demands from the geothermal system. The geothermal energy system has first and second groups of borehole heat exchangers and each borehole heat exchanger contains a working fluid. Each borehole heat exchanger includes an elongated tube having a closed bottom end and first and second adjacent elongated conduits interconnected at the bottom end. Each group of borehole heat exchanger is selectively and alternatively connectable to the intermediate heat pump. The first thermal energy system may be a refrigeration system having condensers and the closed loop geothermal energy system may provide cooling of the condensers.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2009Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: GREENFIELD MASTER IPCO LIMITEDInventors: James J. Stewart, Dmitriy I. Zaynulin, Grahame Newton
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Patent number: 9353958Abstract: An apparatus including a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, a heat source side heat exchanger and two or more heat exchangers related to heat medium. A heat medium circuit includes two heat medium loops each including a pump. A bypass piping is provided at the refrigerant circuit for bypassing the heart exchanger related to heat medium. A controller is configured to perform a defrosting operation, a heating operation, a heat recovery defrosting operation mode, and a bypass defrosting operation that melts frost attached to the heat source side heat exchanger during the heating operation mode by passing a portion or all of the heat source side refrigerant through the bypass piping.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2010Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Yuji Motomura, Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Jyunichi Ue
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Patent number: 9341394Abstract: A thermoelectric refrigeration system including at least one cooling chamber and a thermoelectric heat exchange system. The thermoelectric heat exchange system includes cascaded heat sinks. The cascaded heat sinks include cascaded cold side heat sinks and a hot side heat sink. The cascaded cold side heat sinks include a first cold side heat sink and a second cold side heat sink. The thermoelectric heat exchange system also includes a first plurality of thermoelectric coolers disposed between the first cold side heat sink and the second cold side heat sink and a second plurality of thermoelectric coolers disposed between the second cold side heat sink and the hot side heat sink. Each thermoelectric cooler is a module including multiple thermoelectric devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Phononic Devices, Inc.Inventors: Jesse W. Edwards, M. Sean June, Robert Joseph Therrien, Abhishek Yadav
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Patent number: 9341396Abstract: A retrofit energy exchange system including a first set of valves for connecting to a first energy transfer sub-system. The system further includes a second set of valves for connecting to a second energy transfer sub-system. In addition, the system includes an energy exchange unit configured to supply excess energy from to the first energy transfer sub-system to the second energy transfer sub-system.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: ENERGY RECOVERY SYSTEMS INC.Inventor: Aniello Manzo
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Patent number: 9341311Abstract: A compressed air supply apparatus includes an air compressor for compressing air to at least atmospheric pressure, a tank for storing the compressed air and supplying the compressed air, via a supply port, to various devices that use the compressed air as a working fluid, a first pipe that connects the air compressor to the tank, a heat pump including an evaporator for cooling at least a part of the first pipe, a selection device for selecting whether a cool air cooled by the evaporator, which is fluidly distinct from the compressed air, is introduced into a vehicle interior or discharged outside of the vehicle interior, and a control device configured to control the selection device so that the cool air is introduced into the vehicle interior when an air conditioner switch is turned ON and discharged outside of the vehicle interior when the air conditioner switch is turned OFF.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: UD TRUCKS CORPORATIONInventor: Shohji Itadani
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Patent number: 9335074Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes at least a use side heat medium flow control device and a heat medium flow switching device disposed in an outlet side of the heat medium passage of a use side heat exchanger, and a heat medium backflow prevention device disposed in an inlet side of the heat medium passage of a use side heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura
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Patent number: 9335071Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a compressor, indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, an indoor fan, an expansion valve, a refrigerant-pressure-perceiving part, which perceives a pressure of refrigerant sent from the compressor to the indoor heat exchanger, and a control part, which performs startup fan control in which the indoor fan remains stopped until the compressor goes from being at rest to starting up and the pressure perceived reaches a high-pressure threshold. The control part repeats an action of reducing a flow rate of the indoor fan or stopping driving of the indoor fan when the pressure perceived is equal to or less than a low-pressure lower than the high-pressure threshold, and an action of increasing the flow rate of the indoor fan or initiating driving of the indoor fan when the pressure perceived reaches or exceeds a pressure threshold which is higher than the low-pressure threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Hidehiko Kinoshita, Tsuyoshi Yamada, Junichi Shimoda, Kenta Fujiwara