Patents Examined by Christopher R Zerphey
  • Patent number: 11143443
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes: a heat exchanging portion configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant flowing through therein and air; a liquid reservoir configured to separate a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing out of the heat exchanging portion into a gas-phase refrigerant and a liquid-phase refrigerant, the liquid reservoir storing the liquid-phase refrigerant; and a refrigerant adjustment portion configured to adjust a flow state of the refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant adjustment portion through a refrigerant passage of the refrigeration cycle, supply the refrigerant to the heat exchanging portion and adjust an outflow state and an outflow destination of the refrigerant flowing out of the heat exchanging portion or the liquid reservoir. At least a part of the refrigerant adjustment portion is inserted into the liquid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryohei Sugimura, Hiroshi Mieda, Masaaki Kawakubo, Daiki Kato, Tetsuya Ito
  • Patent number: 11143426
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to minimize impact on the comfort of people in a room and to achieve energy conservation in heat-source functions in an energy network comprising a plurality of heat-source functions that generate cold water and/or warm water, and a plurality of air-conditioning functions that obtain an air-conditioning effect by consuming the cold water and/or warm water generated by the heat-source functions. Disclosed is an energy network comprising a plurality of heat-source functions that generate thermal energy, and a plurality of air-conditioning functions that obtain an air-conditioning effect by consuming the thermal energy generated by the heat-source functions, wherein the energy network comprises: a first control function that selectively starts or stops the heat-source functions; and a second control function that controls the output of the air-conditioning functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Takahashi, Tsutomu Kawamura
  • Patent number: 11137185
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for an improved multistage, cascade refrigeration system using hot gas defrost to rid the evaporator of ice build-up which accumulates over time, while the air in the evaporator enclosure remains below the freezing point of water. The present invention thus provides greater defrost flexibility with increased ease of design and implementation than current refrigeration systems, which allows for more robust hot gas defrost function for multistage refrigeration systems, such that it is unaffected by temperature changes of the condensing fluid (ambient air temperature for air cooled condensers, water temperature for water cooled condensers), and can be readily adapted to any refrigerant suitable for a selected temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Farrar Scientific Corporation
    Inventors: David Scott Farrar, James S. Vuksic, Trace Lydick, Thomas Schoeppner, Alex Roberts
  • Patent number: 11137184
    Abstract: A refrigerant distributor includes a first refrigerant pipe, a plurality of second refrigerant pipes, a body, a first plate, and a second plate. The body is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. The body is configured to distribute a refrigerant from the first refrigerant pipe into the second refrigerant pipes or merge the refrigerant flowing from each of the second refrigerant pipes into the first refrigerant pipe. The body has a first surface connected to the first refrigerant pipe and a second surface connected to the second refrigerant pipes. The first plate is joined to the first surface, and has an outer surface exposed to atmosphere and provided with a first sacrificial anode layer for the body. The second plate is joined to the second surface, and has an outer surface exposed to atmosphere and provided with a second sacrificial anode layer for the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouju Yamada, Masanori Jindou, Ken Satou, Hiroaki Matsuda, Kohei Shiomi, Tomoki Yamayoshi
  • Patent number: 11131495
    Abstract: A method and system for converting a conventional cooler to a refrigerator. A heat transfer module is disposed within the cooler for cooling the contents therein, while an external cooling module includes refrigerant in a closed loop configuration that stays outside of the cooler. The heat transfer module includes a closed loop chilling fluid that extends outside the cooler through a drain port to perform a heat exchange with the refrigerant loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Adam J. Lehman
  • Patent number: 11125512
    Abstract: Implementations described herein generally relate to substrate processing equipment and more particularly to methods and compositions for temperature control of substrate processing equipment. In one implementation, a method of cooling a processing chamber component is provided. The method comprises introducing an inert purge gas into a supply reservoir containing a coolant and flowing the treated coolant to a processing chamber component to cool the processing chamber component. The coolant initially comprises deionized water and a water-soluble base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianqi Wang, Joung Woo Lee, Gia Pham, Alex Gerrard, Robert C. McIntosh
  • Patent number: 11125486
    Abstract: An adjustable ice crusher includes a first plate having a crushing surface and a second plate having a crushing surface. The crushing surface of the second plate is angled relative to the crushing surface of the first plate such that a crushing zone is defined between the crushing surfaces of the first and second plates. A motor is coupled to the second plate such that the second plate is rotatable with the motor. The first and second plates are configured to crush ice in the crushing zone during operation of the motor. The first plate is rotatable relative to the second plate such that an angle defined between the crushing surface of the first plate and the crushing surface of the second plate is adjustable in order to vary a size of crushed ice chips from the crushing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Allen Stout
  • Patent number: 11125145
    Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle has a first cooling circuit, in which a first pressure prevails, and a second cooling circuit, in which a second pressure prevails. The first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit share a common equalizing container for ventilating. The cooling system has a passive element that separates the first cooling circuit from the second cooling circuit if the first pressure is lower than the second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventors: Miroslaw Oslislok, Tom Werner, Tim Bouc
  • Patent number: 11112168
    Abstract: A refrigerating appliance includes a cabinet that defines an interior cavity. A temperature sensing network monitors a temperature stratification of the interior cavity. The temperature stratification includes a plurality of temperature levels that correspond to respective locations of the interior cavity. A controller is configured to receive an input related to an item to be stored. The controller is further configured to compare the input with the temperature stratification. The controller is further configured to identify a primary storage location of the item to be stored based upon a comparison of the input and the plurality of temperature levels of the temperature stratification. A visual indicia is disposed within the interior cavity and coupled to the controller. The visual indicia activates to identify the primary storage location of the item to be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Victor Carlotto
  • Patent number: 11112130
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit through which refrigerant circulates, a control box in which equipment for controlling the refrigeration cycle apparatus is accommodated, and a refrigerator for cooling a heat emitting body exposed from an opening of the control box. The heat emitting body is the equipment accommodated in the control box. The refrigerator includes a cooling body in contact with the heat emitting body, and a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant circuit passes to cool the cooling body. The refrigerant pipe is in contact with the cooling body. The pipe contact surface is different from the heating-body contact surface. The cooling body has a recessed portion at which the cooling body and the heat emitting body are not in contact with each other. The recessed portion is formed in the heating-body contact surface and spaced from the control box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Taniguchi, Shigeo Takata, Shinsaku Kusube, Takahiko Kobayashi, Takanori Koike
  • Patent number: 11112153
    Abstract: An apparatus for connecting an evacuation hose to a system for evacuation of the system. The apparatus includes a first connector, a second connector, and a seal. The first connector includes a first face defining a longitudinally extending indentation and the second connector includes a second face with a protrusion that is positionable within the indentation. The seal is positionable on the protrusion to circumscribe the protrusion and to be sealing engagement with the first connector and the second connector when the protrusion is at a preferred position in the indentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventor: James LaMont Bergmann
  • Patent number: 11112163
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet and a refrigeration system having an evaporator. An ice-making compartment is positioned within the cabinet and includes a housing defining an inlet aperture on an upper portion of the housing and an outlet aperture. An ice storage bin is positioned in a lower portion of the housing. An ice tray is positioned above the ice storage bin. An inlet duct is in fluid communication with the inlet aperture and is configured to direct air into the housing from the evaporator. The inlet duct includes a first branch having a plurality of first branch channels to direct air to a plurality of first branch locations on a first surface of the ice tray. A second branch of the inlet duct directs air to a second surface of the ice tray. An outlet duct is in fluid communication with the outlet aperture and is configured to direct air from the housing to the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah M. Galea, Jacob C. Ickes, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya
  • Patent number: 11098941
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Bowen, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Chad J. Rotter, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Lawrence J. Ertz
  • Patent number: 11073302
    Abstract: This indoor unit of an air conditioner includes an indoor unit main body having an inlet and an outlet; a heat exchanger; and a cross-flow fan configured to blow out air, which has undergone heat exchange by the heat exchanger. The cross-flow fan has a blow-out flow path that is configured such that a cross-sectional area gradually increases downward, with the blow-out flow path guiding blown-out air to the outlet. When a distance in the lower wall from an intersection, where a tangent inscribing a tongue of the cross-flow fan orthogonally intersects the lower wall, to a lower end of the indoor unit main body is referred to as distance L, a ratio (L/D) of the distance L to outer diameter D of an impeller of the cross-flow fan is less than 0.05. At least part of the blow-out flow path is formed to project out of the outlet at least when air conditioning operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hironobu Teraoka, Hideshi Tanaka, Satoshi Nakai, Masahito Higashida, Masafumi Uda, Kaname Maruyama, Zuozhou Chen
  • Patent number: 11052723
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for use with unenclosed mowers is provided. The system is designed for installation on unenclosed mowers to provide conditioned air to operators of such mowers. The system comprises an air conditioning unit and a compressor drive assembly. The air conditioning unit is configured to generate and emit conditioned air and comprises a compressor, condenser, and evaporator unit. The compressor drive assembly may interconnect the mower's engine to the air conditioning unit such that rotational motion generated by the engine is transmitted to the air conditioning unit. To this end, the compressor drive assembly may include a crankshaft pulley assembly, a gearbox having two pulleys, and a plurality of pulley belts. The system may also include an alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventors: Orvell B. Reynolds, Devon Fairhurst
  • Patent number: 11029070
    Abstract: An ice maker includes an ice tray, an ejector configured to rotate with respect to the ice tray and cause rotation of ice pieces, and a motor configured to drive the ejector to rotate relative to the ice tray. The ice tray includes a first guide rib located at a lower portion of the ice tray and configured to exchange heat with cool air supplied from a cool air inlet, and a second guide rib located at the lower portion of the ice tray and arranged at a center region of the lower portion of the ice tray. The ice tray defines a first area including the first guide rib, and a second area including both of the first and second guide ribs, where the first area of the ice tray is located closer to the cool air inlet than the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Donghoon Lee, Seungseob Yeom, Donghoon Lee, Wookyong Lee
  • Patent number: 11029069
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice making apparatus comprising a casing, ice trays, an ice receptacle, a retainer for rotatably supporting the ice trays and one or more than one knob for respectively twisting the ice trays either simultaneously or singly. In the ice making apparatus of the present invention, the retainer selectively supports either one of a plurality of exchangeable covers enabling a single or simultaneous twist type ice making apparatus. One exchangeable cover has a plurality of bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI
    Inventors: Kadir Ridvan Celik, Ali Gokhan Genc
  • Patent number: 11022352
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving refrigeration and air conditioning efficiency for use with a heat exchange system having a compressor, condenser, evaporator, expansion valve, and circulating refrigerant. The apparatus includes a liquid refrigerant containing vessel having a refrigerant entrance and a refrigerant exit with the vessel positioned in the heat exchange system between the condenser and the evaporator, and means for creating a turbulent flow of liquefied refrigerant. The apparatus further preferably includes a refrigerant bypass path to sub-cool a portion of the refrigerant within the vessel; a disk positioned at the liquid refrigerant entrance to develop a low pressure area on the back side and create a turbulent flow of refrigerant entering the vessel; and a refrigerant valve incorporated into the refrigerant path downstream of the expansion valve and before the coil which develops a vortex that continues through the refrigerant coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: Cass Khoo
  • Patent number: 11022359
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is generally directed to an ice making appliance that includes: an ice making compartment and an ice maker including an ice mold having a total water capacity. The ice mold includes a plurality of ice wells and is configured to release the ice cubes without the use of a heater and by twisting the ice mold. The ice wells are typically no more than about 12.2 mm in depth from a top surface of the ice mold and have a volume of about 20 mL or less. The ice maker is capable of producing at least about 3.5 lbs. of ice or more in a 24 hour span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Arivazhagan Chandrashekaran, Andrew M. Tenbarge
  • Patent number: 11015843
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a fresh food working fluid circuit that couples a hot side heat exchanger, a fresh food cold side heat exchanger and a fresh food regenerator. A first pair of diverter valves and a hot side reservoir are coupled to the fresh food working fluid circuit. The hot side reservoir is positioned below one or both of the first pair of diverter valves. A freezer working fluid circuit couples a freezer cold side heat exchanger and a freezer regenerator. A second pair of diverter valves and a fresh food cold side reservoir are coupled to the freezer working fluid circuit. The fresh food cold side reservoir is positioned below one or both of the second pair of diverter valves. A liquid-liquid heat exchanger is also coupled to the fresh food working fluid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Goodman Schroeder