Patents Examined by Chen Wen Jiang
  • Patent number: 8783049
    Abstract: A cooling system for a data center in which equipment racks are disposed has a cooling unit and a controller coupled to the cooling unit. The cooling system includes temperature sensors at or near the cooling unit's air return inlet, at or near the cooling unit's air supply outlet, and at or near the equipment racks air inlet(s). The controller measures these temperatures. A relative humidity sensor is located at or near the air return inlet of the cooling unit. The relative humidity where the relative humidity sensor is located is measured by the controller using the relative humidity sensor. The controller calculates the dew point temperature from the temperature sensor and relative humidity. Using this dew point, which is essentially constant throughout the space being conditioned, and the temperatures from the other locations, the controller then calculates the relative humidity at each location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Jason Gloeckner, David V. Larson
  • Patent number: 8783048
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided for returning oil in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by determining when an ambient zone temperature is equal to or less than a temperature limit and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow of the HVAC system based on the length of time. Also, a system and a method are provided for monitoring the length of operation in a first and a second heating mode and for reversing a direction of refrigerant flow based on the length of time operation occurs in the first and second heating modes. A system and a method having a first compressor, a first heating mode, a second heating mode, a defrost mode, and a controller is disclosed. The controller selectively controls initiation of the defrost mode in response to an HVAC system operating in a heating mode of operation for a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Edens, Alan D. Marble, Kevin B. Mercer, Gary L. Sapp, James Thomas Schaefer, Kristin L. Schaefer, Steven A. Tice
  • Patent number: 8776540
    Abstract: A supercooling apparatus of the present invention is capable of regulating a supercooled state for an item at temperatures below a phase transition temperature and adjusting temperature of the item in the supercooled state, wherein the supercooling apparatus comprises a storage space for receiving liquid or a stored item containing liquid; a cooling means for cooling the liquid, the stored item, or the storage space to a temperature below zero; and a temperature regulating means for applying a controlled amount of energy to the liquid, to surface of the stored item, or to gas above the surface, thereby regulating a temperature of the liquid or the stored item below a maximum ice crystal formation temperature zone of the liquid or the stored item. Therefore, the supercooling apparatus can control a supercooling temperature that has the biggest influence on ecological preservation of liquid or a stored item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Su-Cheong Kim, Ju-Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8770490
    Abstract: A thermostat for a climate control system includes an electronic memory in which at least three occupancy settings are stored. The occupancy settings including a pre-defined unoccupied temperature set-point associated with an unoccupied state, a pre-defined occupied temperature set-point associated with an occupied-awake state and a pre-defined sleep temperature set-point associated with an occupied-asleep state. The thermostat's microprocessor is configured to communicate with the memory, and to establish at least three time periods during the day. The microprocessor assigns to each time period one of at least three user-selectable occupancy states including an unoccupied state, an occupied-awake state and an occupied-asleep state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: David Scott Drew
  • Patent number: 8770493
    Abstract: A system configured to provide cooling of electronic equipment in a shelter in combination with an air conditioning (A/C) system. The system includes one or more blowers for drawing air into the shelter, a damper arrangement for controlling air exhaust. The system further includes a DC powered controller coupled to the one or more blowers, the damper arrangement, and the A/C system. The controller is configured to receive at least a first analog input signal associated with a shelter-interior temperature, a second analog input signal associated with a shelter-exterior temperature, and a plurality of alarm input signals and to generate the one or more first control signals to control blower rotational speed, the second control signal to open/close the damper arrangement, and a third control signal to inhibit/activate the A/C system based on at least the first analog input signal, or the second analog input signal, or a plurality of alarm input signals, or a combination of these.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David Therrien, Henry Riddoch
  • Patent number: 8770492
    Abstract: An air conditioner and a controlling method thereof are provided. The controlling method may include determining an initial operation temperature based on a received external input or setting, cooling or heating a room at the determined initial operation temperature for a preset initial operation time period, and thereafter increasing or decreasing the room temperature at a preset time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Dong Jang, Su Chang Woo, Mi Jin Jung, Ho Jung Kim, Ju Youn Lee, Choong Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 8752398
    Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerating device (10), in particular for an aircraft, having a refrigerant circuit, in which a refrigerant container (12), an expansion valve (14), an evaporator (16), a compressor (20) and a condenser (22) are disposed. To save energy during operation and to increase the reliability and availability of the refrigerating device (10), in the refrigerant circuit there is a compressor bypass line (26), in which a bypass valve (18) is disposed, and a refrigerant pump (30) that is disposed downstream of the condenser (22) and upstream of the evaporator (16). It is possible to dispense with the refrigerant pump (30) if the condenser (22) is disposed at a higher level than the evaporator (16) in the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Wilson Willy Casas Noriega, Stefan Wischhusen, Wolfgang Ebigt, Dirk Kastell
  • Patent number: 8733666
    Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve having a temperature adjustment mechanism for adjusting the temperature of the discharge fluid exiting a fluid outlet of the thermostatic mixing valve. The thermostatic mixing valve may include a tamper-resistant feature that resists accidental adjustment of the discharge fluid temperature, and in some cases, does not require specialized tools for purposeful adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph William Beagen
  • Patent number: 8733126
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning apparatus, including: a refrigerant circulation channel that flows a refrigerant, the refrigerant circulation channel provided in a refrigeration cycle system including, as connected in a cyclic pattern, a compressor for the refrigerant, an outdoor heat-exchanger exchanging heat between the refrigerant and an outdoor air, an expansion valve reducing pressure of the refrigerant, and an air-conditioning heat-exchange circuit exchanging heat between the refrigerant and air to be introduced into a vehicle interior; and an equipment heat-exchange circuit connected in parallel to the circuit and exchanging heat between the refrigerant and in-vehicle equipment. The circuit includes a cooling heat-transfer medium circulation channel that circulates a heat-transfer medium for cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sachio Sekiya, Tadashi Osaka, Itsuro Sawada, Yuto Imanishi
  • Patent number: 8733117
    Abstract: An incubator includes: an enclosure including a culture chamber; a heater configured to heat the culture chamber; a refrigerator including an evaporator and a condenser, and configured to cool the culture chamber; a temperature sensor configured to measure the culture chamber temperature; a refrigerator control unit configured to cause the refrigerator to operate, when a measured temperature measured by the temperature sensor reaches a refrigerator-operation temperature, higher than the set temperature by a first temperature, and cause the refrigerator to stop operating, when the measured temperature reaches a refrigerator-operation stopping temperature, lower than the set temperature by a second temperature; a heater control unit configured to control the heater in such a manner that the measured temperature reaches the refrigerator-operation temperature, when operation of the refrigerator is stopped; and a drain mechanism configured to discharge dew condensation water generated through heat absorption by th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryuichi Tsuruma
  • Patent number: 8713952
    Abstract: An optimizer for modulating the speed of an indoor fan and first and second stage compressors of a two staged refrigeration system with a plurality of relays and an already existing power source. The optimizer is comprised of a speed modulation device, a supply air temperature sensor, and a controller. The speed modulation device is located in proximity to the existing power source and configured to collect current and power related information from the refrigeration system and power source to send to the controller. The supply air temperature sensor is linked to the indoor fan of the two staged refrigeration system and operable to obtain supply air temperature values. The controller is linked in communication with the speed modulation device and supply air temperature sensor and is operable to generate a system mode based on the power, current, and supply air temperature information. Speed commands are then sent to the speed modulation device to modulate the speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Mingsheng Liu
  • Patent number: 8701425
    Abstract: A refrigeration air conditioning system having a moisture adsorption means regenerated by discharged condensation heat or other discharged heat of a low temperature range in the refrigeration cycle, and exerting stable cooling performance even at a dry-bulb temperature of 0° C. or less. A desiccant rotor, holds an adsorbent having pore sizes of, for example, 1-1.4 nm in a space at a predetermined temperature range of a dry-bulb temperature of 0° C. or less. Forming of frost on an evaporator is prevented by supplying the dehumidified air by the desiccant rotor to the evaporator disposed on a leeward side thereof in a freezing room as the desiccant rotor is rotated, while the adsorbent having adsorbed moisture is dried and recovers its adsorbing ability by supplying the air dried by discharged heat from a condenser on the windward side thereof to the desiccant rotor outside of the freezing room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Morimoto, Takeshi Sugimoto, Fumio Matsuoka, Tetsuya Yamashita, Koji Yamashita, Takeyuki Maegawa
  • Patent number: 8695369
    Abstract: A heat pump system is provided and may include a compressor, a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the compressor, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger and the compressor, and a flash tank fluidly coupled to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A first conduit may extend between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A valve associated with the first conduit may operate in an open state to permit flow along the first conduit between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to at least partially bypass the flash tank and may operate in a closed state to prevent flow along the first conduit between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to direct flow into the flash tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Man Wai Wu, Li Yi Zhang
  • Patent number: 8689572
    Abstract: A thermostat is provided that receives one or more inputs from at least one heating system of a climate control system, and initiates an appropriate action in response to the input. The thermostat can turn off a heat pump providing substandard heat and responsively turn on a fuel-fired auxiliary furnace. The thermostat may discontinue further operation of the auxiliary furnace upon receiving an operating error signal associated with the auxiliary furnace, and responsively turn on the heat pump to provide for continued heating. The thermostat may also discontinue operation of the fuel-fired furnace and turn on a circulating fan in response to an input signal indicating a furnace high-temperature or a carbon monoxide presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Edward B. Evans, William P. Butler, Steven L. Carey, John R. Sartain, Ron Miles, Donald E. Donnelly, Swapna Subhash Baviskar
  • Patent number: 8677770
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a supercooling method and a supercooling apparatus which can maintain an object in a supercooled state. According to the present invention, a supercooling method includes a first cooling step of cooling a stored object toward a cooling temperature below a phase transition temperature thereof, a step of judging whether the stored object is released from a supercooled state in the first cooling step, a step of thawing the stored object when the stored object is released from the supercooled state, and a second cooling step of cooling the stored object toward a cooling temperature below zero that is higher than the lowest temperature of the stored object before the release of the supercooled state, wherein the first cooling step is continuously performed when the object is maintained in the supercooled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Su-Cheong Kim, Jong-Min Shin, Deok-Hyun Youn, Jae-Hyun Soh, Cheol-Hwan Kim, Won-Young Chung, Hoon-Bong Lee
  • Patent number: 8671706
    Abstract: A heat pump according to the present invention comprises a plurality of the compression chambers, and compresses refrigerant with multistage, and injects vapor refrigerant into the space between the plurality of the compression chambers by using the first refrigerant injection flow path and the second refrigerant injection flow path. Performance and efficiency of the heat pump can be improved compared with non-injection, as flow rate of the refrigerant circulating the indoor heat exchanger is increased. Thus heating performance can be improved also in the extremely cold environmental condition such as the cold area by increasing the injection flow rate. Also, because the heat pump according to the present invention comprises the first refrigerant injection flow path and the second refrigerant injection flow path, refrigerant is injected twice. Thus, as the injection flow rate of the refrigerant is increased, heating capacity can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Simwon Chin, Eungyul Lee, Younghwan Ko, Sangkyoung Park
  • Patent number: 8661842
    Abstract: An icemaker in a refrigerator is disclosed, by which heat generated from a heater to detach ice is prevented from being transferred to an inside of the refrigerator. The present invention includes an icemaker body provided to a prescribed position of the refrigerator to make to ice from a supplied water, a heater provided to the icemaker body to generate heat to facilitate detachment of the made ice, and a heater shielding unit provided to prevent the heat generated from the heater from being supplied to an inside of the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Gon Kim, Oh Chul Kwon, You Min Park, Young Hoon Gwak, Hyeon Po Cho, Bon Young Koo, Myung Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8661839
    Abstract: A portable recovery unit for automatically filling a background tank of blended refrigerant includes a main tank for holding recovered refrigerant from a vehicle A/C system which has a first chemical composition, and an auxiliary tank for holding an auxiliary supply of fresh refrigerant which has a second refrigerant composition. The auxiliary tank is arranged in fluid communication with the main tank so that fluid can be transferred from the auxiliary tank to the main tank. An electronic controller controls the flow of fluid from the auxiliary tank to the main tank. A refrigerant identifier is coupled to the main tank to sample and analyze the refrigerant in the main tank in order to determine the chemical composition of the refrigerant in the main tank, so the refrigerant in the main tank can be purified to an acceptable level based on that analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Mark McMasters
  • Patent number: 8656732
    Abstract: The invention concerns a refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant circuit which comprises several evaporator paths and a distributor (5) which distributes the refrigerant on the evaporator paths. The aim of the invention is to improve the operation of said refrigeration system in a simple manner. According to the invention, the distributor (5) comprises a controllable valve (12) for each evaporation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Torben Funder-Kristensen, Holger Nicolaisen, Joergen Holst, Mogens H. Rasmussen, Jan Holm Nissen
  • Patent number: 8646285
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control apparatus for taking out ice of a refrigerator and a method thereof. The present invention includes an input unit for inputting the amount of ice to be taken out; and a taking-out unit for taking out the ice corresponding to the amount inputted to the input unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung-Ah Choi, Mi-Son Ahn, Chang-Woo Song, Young-Shin Park, Ki-Cheol Woo