Patents Examined by Dana K Tighe
  • Patent number: 11428436
    Abstract: A system for controlling airflow in a plenum, that comprises a worm gear and planetary gear that are removably coupled to a worm shaft and planetary shaft, respectively. The planetary shaft controls the movement of a damper between an open position permitting maximum airflow through the plenum, and a closed position restricting airflow through the plenum. A motor or gear-motor is positioned at the plenum for driving the worm shaft. The motor is controlled by a remotely located controller that includes a power supply for operating the motor and that has a display providing a continuous indication of the position of the damper between the open and closed positions. The controller is connected to the motor through a cable with a detachable electrical connection between the cable and the controller, such as a jack and plug. A wall plate for housing the electrical connection is mounted on a wall or other structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Metropolitan Air Technology
    Inventors: John E. Hollender, Keith Alsberg, Michael Blaha
  • Patent number: 11425845
    Abstract: A rack housing includes, for example, a frame, a door attachable to a front of said frame, a plurality of movable supports for supporting a plurality of electronic devices in the frame, and an actuator for moving said plurality of movable supports to define an adjustable air volume in the rack housing for receiving cooling air from a raised floor of a data center. Computer-implemented methods, computer program products, and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11407288
    Abstract: Provided is an air vent for an automobile having a duct having a passage, a knob mount coupled to the duct, a knob installed to the knob mount, first and second vane members installed to the knob mount, a vane driving device installed to the knob mount, and a damper installed in the duct. The knob is movable leftwards and rightwards and is rotatable upwards and downwards. The first vane member is rotated upwards and downwards by the vane driving device when the knob is rotated upwards and downwards. The second vane member is rotated leftwards and rightwards by the vane driving device when the knob is moved leftwards and rightwards. The vane driving device transmits the rotation of the knob to the first vane member, and transmits the movement of the knob to the second vane member. The damper opens or closes the passage by rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: NIFCO KOREA INC.
    Inventors: Seong Keon Kim, Sun Hyeon Kwon
  • Patent number: 11402107
    Abstract: A device for climate control of a building (20), in which flatly formed external temperature elements (5) at least partially cover an outer side of the building (20), wherein the external temperature-control elements (5) are settable to a predefinable temperature value. Furthermore, a temperature-control element (5) and a method for climate control of a building (20) are specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventor: Peter Kaszian
  • Patent number: 11400795
    Abstract: An air vent includes a housing, an air guide surface, an air flow adjusting element, and a vane. The air guide surface at least partially defines an air duct configured to convey a volumetric flow of air through the housing so that the volumetric flow of air exits the air duct in a direction that at least partially defines an air discharge direction perceived outside of the air vent. The air flow adjusting element is moveable to vertically change the perceived air discharge direction, and the vane is movable to horizontally change the perceived air discharge direction. The vane is not visible to a user of the air vent when the air vent is viewed from an air outlet end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: FAURECIA INNENRAUM SYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Volker Doll, Stephane Londiche, Julien Seiller, Martin Schulz
  • Patent number: 11383585
    Abstract: A safety ventilation device for vehicles or other applications has a housing with one or more openings covered by a hinged flap with the flaps interconnected by a connecting element. A spring is attached to the connecting element or otherwise to the flaps such that in a first position the spring keeps the flaps open and air can pass through the openings. In a second position, upon the application of force to the flaps, such as airflow caused by a moving vehicle, the spring compresses, and the flaps close. The housing of the device includes a protrusion at the top and a channel at the bottom to facilitate an interference fit between a window and a window or door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: BONALOGIC, LLC
    Inventor: Benyamin Abehasera
  • Patent number: 11383111
    Abstract: This application relates to ventilation systems, more particularly to roof ventilation systems that help to protect buildings against fires. The roof vent has an ember impedance structure that impedes the entry of flames and embers or other floating burning materials while still permitting sufficient air flow to adequately ventilate a building. Several configurations of vents employing baffle members and fire-resistant mesh material are described, which can substantially prevent the ingress of floating embers and flames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Gregory S. Daniels
  • Patent number: 11378324
    Abstract: A transport containment assembly (26) includes a refrigeration unit (36) and a container (34). The container (34) houses a plurality of boxes (52) of the transport containment assembly (26) for storage of cargo. The plurality of boxes (52) are configured in series with one-another for the flow of cooling air from the refrigeration unit (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Laurent Coldre
  • Patent number: 11376926
    Abstract: A ventilation module for a vehicle having a housing including a flap hingedly secured along an inner edge to the housing to extend across its open interior. The flap includes side edges and an interconnecting outer edge which contact, in a closed flap condition, support locations configured along the housing to define its open interior. One or more fingers extend from at least one of the side and outer edges of the flap so that the fingers abut standoff locations of the housing located in proximity to the support locations. Upon a sufficient positive air pressure condition created within the passenger compartment which overcomes a holding force exerted by the fingers against said stand-offs, the flap is allowed to open in a controlled fashion to vent to the exterior the excess air pressure, until reclosing upon achieving an air equilibrium condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: U.S. Farathane Corporation
    Inventors: Steve Porter, John Klinkman
  • Patent number: 11371730
    Abstract: A disclosed fan system includes a housing having side walls, an inflow side, and an outflow side; a fan secured in the housing by a mounting; and a backflow blocker mounted to the side walls within the housing on the outflow side of the housing partially blocking a cross-sectional area of the outflow side. The backflow blocker is positioned approximately centrally in a flow path of the housing and is configured to block part of an airflow cross section such that, between side walls of the housing and side walls of the backflow blocker, an annular duct is formed as an air passage. Further, the backflow blocker has a thickness that is greater than 5% of a width of the housing, and is less than 20% of an axial design height of the fan system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: ZIEHL-ABEGG SE
    Inventors: Frieder Loercher, Matthias Goeller, André Mueller
  • Patent number: 11370072
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to equipment cabinets for customized improved cable management and airflow management. The equipment cabinets include a frame structure. The frame structure includes a top frame assembly and a bottom frame assembly. In some embodiments, the equipment cabinets include a chimney assembly. In some embodiments, the equipment cabinets include a slidable vertical rail. In some embodiments, the equipment cabinets include a rotatable top panel. In some embodiments, the equipment cabinets include a condition monitoring assembly. In some embodiments, the equipment cabinets include a reinforced corner construction. In some embodiments, the equipment cabinets include divider panels capable of being split. Embodiments are also directed to methods of equipment cabinet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Gosselin, Todd P. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11370270
    Abstract: An air-guiding element for arrangement in an interior compartment, which is at least partially enclosed by windows, of a motor vehicle is provided. The air-guiding element is designed to generate a turbulent flow downstream of the air-guiding element when an air flow impinges on the air-guiding element. A motor vehicle having said air-guiding element is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alejandro Cristian Vagni
  • Patent number: 11359829
    Abstract: Controlled internal atmosphere systems and methods are disclosed, including a system comprising a cell having a top, a bottom, and wall(s) extending between the top and bottom defining an enclosed area inside the cell; the top and wall comprising a first layer having embedded energy-transfer tubing, a sealant layer outside the first layer, an aerated substrate layer outside the sealant layer, and an impermeable layer outside the substrate layer; a heating/cooling unit connectable to the tubing to control the temperature of the first layer and thereby control the temperature of an atmosphere of the enclosed area inside the cell; sensor(s) within the enclosed area; and a computer configured to receive input from the sensor(s) indicative of the condition of the enclosed area atmosphere, to receive input regarding environmental conditions outside of the cell, and to control operation of the heating/cooling unit based on the received input and predicted effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Rupert R. Thomas, Sr.
  • Patent number: 11350542
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical cabinet with associated air flow direction and heat separation control system. The cabinet has a front, rear, a first side and a second side. The front side has openings to accept flow of cool air into the cabinet and the rear side has openings for exit of warm air from the rear side of the cabinet. The front, rear, first side and second side define an interior space are configured to house heat generating electrical equipment. A frame is adjacent the rear side of the cabinet. The frame has a first frame side and a second frame side. Louvers are located adjacent the rear of the cabinet. The louvers extend between the first frame side and the second frame side. Each louver has a face positioned at an angle to direct the warm air exiting the cabinet other than perpendicular to the rear of the cabinet. A first compartment for storing heat generating equipment is positioned above or below a thermally separated second compartment for storing heat sensitive equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Switch, Ltd.
    Inventor: Rob Roy
  • Patent number: 11339793
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for mitigating recirculation of backflow fluid through a fan. The fan includes a housing having a channel that extends from an inlet to an outlet of the housing. A rotor assembly is positioned within the channel and is configured to direct a fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet. The rotor assembly includes a hub, a plurality of fan blades, and a shroud disposed about a circumference of the fan blades, where a radial gap extends between the shroud and the housing. The radial gap is configured to receive a portion of the fluid flow from the outlet as backflow fluid. The rotor assembly also includes an inlet flange that is configured receive the backflow fluid from the radial gap and to direct the backflow fluid in a direction away from the inlet prior to discharge of the backflow fluid from the radial gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Aiello, Cheng P. Tan, Jesse T. Dybenko, Arash Naghib Lahouti, Eric R. Prather, Philippe P. Herrou, Ashkan Rasouli, Brett W. Degner, Michael E. LeClerc
  • Patent number: 11331701
    Abstract: A fume hood adapted to be connected to an exhaust system has a ventilated chamber with a rear wall, opposite side walls, a ceiling, a floor, and an access opening. A baffle assembly is located in front of the rear wall and includes a lower panel and an upper panel. The lower panel has opposite side edges extending between the chamber side walls, a lower edge spaced apart from the chamber floor, and a plurality of air-exit apertures. The upper panel has opposite side edges extending between the chamber side walls, a lower edge attached to an upper portion of the lower panel, an opposite upper edge attached to the chamber ceiling, and a plurality of air-exit apertures. An elongated grating covers a gap between the lower panel lower edge and the chamber floor and includes a plurality of air-exit apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas C. Smith
  • Patent number: 11326621
    Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for implementing electronic enclosure cooling containment for concurrent maintenance actions with a top cover of the electronic enclosure removed. The structure includes a moveable airflow baffle being attached to the associated electronic enclosure. During concurrent maintenance actions, the moveable airflow baffle is moved to an open position over at least a partial length of a replaceable component, without being detached or removed from the associated electronic enclosure. During normal operations, the moveable airflow baffle hangs down over at least a partial length of a replaceable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William James Anderl, Phillip V. Mann
  • Patent number: 11313582
    Abstract: An indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus includes a housing defining an outer shape of the indoor unit, and a pipe hole-opening groove section that is in a form of grid-like grooves on an inner surface of the housing. The housing has a box-like shape and includes a lower one surface panel forming a lower end of one side surface of the housing, a one end bottom panel forming one end of a bottom surface of the housing, a lower other surface panel forming a lower end of the other side surface of the housing, and the other end bottom panel forming the other end of the bottom surface of the housing. The pipe hole-opening groove section is formed in at least one of the lower one surface panel, the one end bottom panel, the lower other surface panel, and the other end bottom panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Hayashi, Yuki Watanabe, Masahide Kinami
  • Patent number: 11297737
    Abstract: A method of cooling electronic equipment is disclosed and includes substantially continuously circulating ambient air across a plurality of rack-mounted electronic devices, monitoring the temperature of air in or around a group of devices in the plurality of rack-mounted electronic devices, and providing substantially cooler-than-ambient air to the group of devices when the monitored air temperatures rises above a set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Jimmy Clidaras, Winnie Leung
  • Patent number: 11292318
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning apparatus includes: a duct disposed in a seat of a vehicle, air flowing through the duct from an air conditioning unit; a rear seat outlet formed on a back face of a backrest portion of the seat to blow out the air from the duct toward a rear seat of the vehicle; and an air flow deflection member that partitions the rear seat outlet into a first region and a second region to define a first passage through which the air flows from the duct through the first region in a first direction in a vehicle cabin and a second passage through which the air flows from the duct through the second region in a second direction more downward than the first direction in the vehicle cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Niimi, Yuuka Tashima