Patents Examined by Allen Flanigan
  • Patent number: 9759456
    Abstract: A method of operating a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes operating a device to produce at least one of electricity and rejected heat and at least one of (1) powering a component of the HVAC system using the electricity produced by the electricity generating device and (2) heating the refrigerant of the HVAC system using at least a portion of the rejected heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Stewart Hancock
  • Patent number: 9759494
    Abstract: A heat exchanger plate has a vertical center axis dividing the plate into a left and a right half delimited by a first and second long side, respectively. A horizontal center axis divides the plate into an upper and a lower half delimited by a first and second short side, respectively. The plate includes a port hole with a reference point that coincides with a center point of a biggest imaginary circle that can be fitted into the port hole. The port hole is arranged within the left half and the upper half. The porthole has a form defined by a number of corner points of an imaginary plane geometric figure of which at least one is displaced from an arc of the circle, and the same number of thoroughly curved lines connecting the corner points. The corner points include first, second and third corner points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Johan Nilsson, Magnus Hedberg
  • Patent number: 9759458
    Abstract: A drive circuit of a temperature adjustment apparatus drives a Peltier element at a desired output amount. A state detector detects an electrical state of the Peltier element. A control circuit calculates a desired output amount based at least on the electrical state of the Peltier element, determines a control quantity for driving the Peltier element at the desired output amount, and controls the drive circuit at the control quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadao Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9759436
    Abstract: The motor fixing support includes long base sections extending in a vertical direction, which are respectively formed on both sides in a lateral direction, and folding pieces respectively extending from both side edges of the respective base sections in a short-side direction. The length of the folding piece in the extending direction, which extends from the base section toward the base section in the short-side direction, and the length of the folding piece in the extending direction, which extends from the base section toward the base section in the short-side direction, are larger than the lengths of the folding pieces in the extending direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Jinnai, Toshiyuki Kubono, Tomoya Yanase
  • Patent number: 9752804
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a cyclical thermal adsorption heating or refrigeration system having a desorption phase and an adsorption phase, comprising at least one adsorber/desorber unit (A/D), a refrigerant cyclically adsorbed during the adsorption phase and desorbed during the desorption phase, and an evaporator/condenser unit (V/K) that acts as an evaporator (V) or as a condenser (K) depending on the process phase. The method and the device intended for carrying out the method are characterized by a cyclic heat recovery that occurs at the same time in a heat recovery circuit having a temporary store (ZS) and a heat transfer medium, comprising the following steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SORTECH AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Sommer, Ingo Dassler
  • Patent number: 9752835
    Abstract: Unitary heat exchangers having integrally-formed compliant heat exchanger tubes and heat exchange systems including the same are provided. The unitary heat exchanger comprises an inlet plenum and an outlet plenum and a plurality of integrally-formed compliant heat exchanger tubes. The plurality of integrally-formed compliant heat exchanger tubes extend between and are integral with the inlet and outlet plenums to define a heat exchanger first flow passage. Each integrally-formed compliant heat exchanger tube comprises a tubular member and a plurality of integral heat transfer fins extend radially outwardly from at least one portion of the tubular member. The tubular member has a proximal tube end and a distal tube end and comprises a tubular wall having an outer wall surface and an inner wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: David Waldman, Mark C. Morris, Donald G. Godfrey
  • Patent number: 9746255
    Abstract: A heat pump heat exchanger includes a first manifold, a second manifold spaced from the first manifold, a plurality of refrigerant tubes hydraulically connecting the manifolds, and a distribution tube disposed in the first manifold. The distribution tube includes an inlet end, a distal end opposite the inlet end, a plurality of orifices between the inlet end and the distal end. The distribution tube also includes a terminal aperture immediately adjacent the distal end, wherein the terminal aperture includes an open aperture area greater than any one of the open orifice area. The open aperture area is large enough to provide a uniform refrigerant collection with acceptable minimal pressure drop in evaporative mode, but small enough to prevent vapor overflow to an area of the manifold adjacent to the distal end in condenser mode. The length of the distribution tube is less than ¾ the length of the first manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Yanping Xia, Russell S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9746214
    Abstract: A dual-mode magnetic refrigeration apparatus includes beds of magnetocaloric material, a magnet to apply a time-varying magnetic field to the beds, a heat transfer fluid (HTF), a pump to circulate the HTF, a hot side heat exchanger (HHEX), a cold side heat exchanger (CHEX), valves to direct flow of the HTF, and a controller configured to control periodic switching of the valves to allow the apparatus to operate in a first mode and in a second mode. The first mode transfers heat from the CHEX to the HHEX. In the second mode of operation, the periodic switching of the valves is suspended to allow unidirectional flow of the HTF through the HHEX, the beds, and the CHEX such that heat is transferred from the HHEX to the CHEX.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: ASTRONAUTICS CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Carl B. Zimm, Steven L. Russek, Andre Boeder
  • Patent number: 9739195
    Abstract: A system for increasing air flow across a heat exchanger of a vehicle is described. In one particular example, the system comprises a charge-air cooler coupled via upper and lower brackets to a vehicle body, and an axial dual fan connected to the upper and lower brackets via one or more isolators. With this arrangement, the cooling system described allows for vehicle performance to be enhanced while also increasing the durability and robustness of the system and reducing the noise produced therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Hayes, Jim Tyler, Yan Pan, Garrett Michael O'Donohue, Saulo Da Cortes Cervantes
  • Patent number: 9739541
    Abstract: The disclosure presents a heat exchanger having flat tubes received in a double header plate. The double header plate includes a complementary arrangement of a main header plate and a reinforcement header plate. Slots are arranged in one of the header plate and complementary tabs are arranged in the other header plate. The tabs are configured to engage the slots to enable a complementary alignment of the two header plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Tomasz Frankiewicz, Michal Krystowiak, Piotr Lukaszczyk
  • Patent number: 9726388
    Abstract: A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. The unit comprises a heat exchanger or drain pan located inside a HVAC housing that has one or more access openings and ultraviolet light-sensitive components therein. The unit also comprises a light located inside of the HVAC housing and a light shield located between the heat exchanger or drain pan and the light source. The light source includes a network of open-ended cells, each cell having ultraviolet light reflective walls. The light shield is oriented to direct an ultraviolet light from the light source through the open-ended cells towards the heat exchanger or drain pan and away from the one or more access openings and ultraviolet light-sensitive components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Randy Lisbona
  • Patent number: 9721869
    Abstract: The heat sink structure includes a vapor chamber, a heat pipe, and capillary elements. The vapor chamber includes a housing, a first capillary structure covering inside the housing, and a first working fluid filled inside the housing. The housing includes through holes and an inner top wall. Both ends of the heat pipe are inserted through the two through holes respectively and are exposed from the housing. The heat pipe includes a pipe body, a second capillary structure covering inside the pipe body, and a second working fluid filled inside the pipe body. Each of the capillary elements is connected to the inner top wall. One end of each of the capillary elements is in contact with the first capillary structure, and the other end of each of the capillary elements is in thermal contact with the heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: COOLER MASTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chien-Hung Sun
  • Patent number: 9719706
    Abstract: An accumulator arrangement for use in a cooling system suitable for operation with two-phase refrigerant includes a condenser having a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet. The accumulator arrangement further includes an accumulator for receiving the two-phase refrigerant therein, the accumulator having a refrigerant inlet connected to the refrigerant outlet of the condenser and a refrigerant outlet. Finally, the accumulator arrangement includes a subcooler having a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet, the refrigerant inlet of the subcooler being connected to the refrigerant outlet of the accumulators, and the subcooler being arranged at least partially within the interior of the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Piesker, Martin Sieme, Johannes Chodura, Ahmet Kayihan Kiryaman
  • Patent number: 9707823
    Abstract: The disclosed air-conditioning system for a vehicle driven by a motor, has a refrigerant circuit with a plurality of heat exchangers through which a refrigerant can be conducted for an exchange of heat with the air which flows through them, and has a heat pump heat exchanger in which an exchange of heat with a coolant circuit, in which at least one coolant cooler is arranged, takes place. It is possible for the coolant cooler, in the heating mode, to be used as a heat exchanger for absorbing heat from the environment. It is possible for the coolant cooler to be connected in series downstream of the heat pump heat exchanger in the coolant circuit A method for regulating such an air-conditioning system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Günther Feuerecker, Karl Lochmahr, Frank Müller, Dirk Neumeister, Thomas Strauβ, Marcus Weinbrenner, Richard Obradovich, Gunnar Schlinke, Christophe Schmittheisler
  • Patent number: 9702603
    Abstract: Refrigeration systems and refrigerator appliances are provided. A refrigeration system includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a first evaporator, and a second evaporator. The refrigeration system further includes a conduit for flowing the refrigerant through one of the first evaporator or the second evaporator, the conduit configured around the other of the first evaporator or the second evaporator such that heat exchange occurs between the refrigerant flowing through the conduit and the other of the first evaporator or the second evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Jianwu Li
  • Patent number: 9696095
    Abstract: A heat exchanger that effectively distributes a refrigerant by varying the cross-sectional area of a header and an air conditioner having the same. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of refrigerant tubes disposed spaced apart from each other, a header joined to both ends of each of the refrigerant tubes, at least one baffle to divide the refrigerant tubes into a plurality of mutually adjacent groups and block a longitudinal flow of a refrigerant flowing in the header, each of the groups causing the refrigerant to flow in one direction, and a booster installed to vary a cross-sectional area of the header to uniformly distribute the refrigerant to refrigerant tubes in the same group among the refrigerant tubes. The booster to vary the cross-sectional area of the header may allow a refrigerant flowing through a header to be effectively distributed to the refrigerant tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Gyu Lee, Sung Rok Kim, Dong Sik Jin, Kyoung Rock Kim, Hee Gak No
  • Patent number: 9695733
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for controlling the temperature of a first fluid using a second fluid, wherein the heat exchanger has a base for separating the first fluid from the second fluid, said base having a sealing region. Furthermore, the heat exchanger has a partition for separating the first fluid from the second fluid, wherein the at least one partition is connected in a fluid-tight manner to the base, wherein the at least one partition forms a fluid duct for the first fluid. Furthermore, the heat exchanger has a housing. In the sealing region between the base and the housing, there is arranged a sealing element which is pressed in a fluid-tight manner against the base and against the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Dränkow, Franco Ghiani, Spasoje Ignjatovic, Ulrich Maucher, Jens Richter, Mark Schienemann
  • Patent number: 9683774
    Abstract: A cooling storage evaporator system employs a pivoting frost control door upstream from an evaporator that, when closed, inhibits air from passing through a lower portion of the evaporator. Closing the frost control door results in condensed water freezing on a lower portion of the evaporator when the AC is ON. When a vehicle engine is turned OFF when the vehicle stops in an idle condition, thereby turning the compressor OFF, the frost control door opens so that air passes over the evaporator, including the frozen portion thereof, melting the frozen condensed water to maintain the cool outlet air temperature at the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Kanemaru, Shinji Kakizaki
  • Patent number: 9682782
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for exchanging heat between various fluids. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for exchanging heat between fuel, fan-air, and bleed-air in an integrated heat exchanger. Thereby, a weight and size of the integral heat exchanger are reduced compared to known non-integral heat exchangers. Advantageously, the heat exchanger may heat fuel to improve engine specific fuel consumption (SFC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Joseph B. Borghese, Eric Blumer
  • Patent number: 9683770
    Abstract: An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Tim L. Coulter, Thomas E. Gose, Steven G. Herndon, James H. Jenkins, Bill J. Koons, Brent A. Kramer, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Dean A. Martin, Alvin V. Miller, Kevin Lee Noel, Mauro M. Oliveira, Lester J. Ott, Ron S. Paulsen, Chad J. Rotter, David Allen Stauffer, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan M. Welch, Robert L. Wetekamp