Patents Examined by Elizabeth Martin
  • Patent number: 9732998
    Abstract: An HVAC system, including a reversing valve including a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherein the reversing valve may be placed into a first position in which the first port is operably coupled to the second port for the flow of refrigerant therebetween, and a second position in which the second port is operably coupled to the third port for the flow of refrigerant therebetween, a first HVAC component operably coupled to the first port, a second HVAC component operably coupled to the second port, and a third HVAC component operably coupled to the third port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Derek Leman, Matthew Austin
  • Patent number: 9733010
    Abstract: An apparatus that includes a vessel. The vessel is partially filled with a product to be defrosted. The vessel rotates about an inclined axis. The vessel includes means to move the product during defrosting. The apparatus includes a temperature-measurement-means located at partially inside the vessel to determine a surface temperature of the product and a temperature of liquid surrounding the product without contacting the product and without contacting the liquid. The temperature-measurement-means remain stationary while the vessel rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: GEA FOOD SOLUTIONS BAKEL B.V.
    Inventor: Bjarne Lyngoe
  • Patent number: 9732995
    Abstract: A method for cooling or heating a building is provided. An air flow can be created in an air duct and the air flow can be cooled or heated by an air conditioning system or furnace. The cooled or heated air flow can then pass through a heat exchanger connected to a radiant heating loop running through a floor or slab with a liquid circulating through them. When the airflow is being cooled or heated by the air conditioning system or furnace, the air flow will alter the temperature of the liquid circulating through the heat exchanger herefore the temperature of the slab. When the temperature of the slab varies from the temperature of the building, liquid that has been circulated through the radiant heating loop can be used to alter the temperature of the air flow passing through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Macpherson Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Murdoch MacPherson
  • Patent number: 9731623
    Abstract: A liquid cooling circuit for a storage battery, with which a motor vehicle of the electric or hybrid type is equipped includes a main loop for the circulation of a heat transfer fluid, the main loop is connected to elements for cooling the storage battery, and a first bypass connects the main loop to an air cooling radiator, and a second bypass connecting the main loop to a heat exchanger intended to be connected to an air conditioning system with which the motor vehicle is equipped, so as to cool the heat transfer fluid by means of the radiator and/or the heat exchanger of the air conditioning system. The main loop is connected to the first bypass by way of a first progressive three-way valve, and the main loop is connected to the second bypass by way of a second progressive three-way valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventors: Christophe Rousseau, Bastien Jovet, Frederic Ladrech
  • Patent number: 9733654
    Abstract: A temperature control system for dispensing a fluid material from an applicator nozzle at a controlled temperature that includes at least one temperature control fluid conduit at least one fluid material supply conduit and at least one manifold device. The manifold device is in thermal communication with the temperature control fluid conduit and the fluid conduit and may also be in thermal communication with the fluid material supply conduit. At least one thermal adjustment device is in thermal contact with the manifold device. The thermal adjustment device includes at least one thermoelectric device such as at least one peltier circuit. The temperature control system also includes at least one sensor positioned proximate to the applicator nozzle that produces at least one signal actionable on the Peltier circuit device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: William A. Cline
  • Patent number: 9726404
    Abstract: A cooling system, in particular for use on board an aircraft, includes a cooling circuit allowing circulation of a two-phase refrigerant therethrough, an evaporator disposed in the cooling circuit, and a condenser disposed in the cooling circuit. A plurality of subcoolers is arranged in series in the cooling circuit downstream of the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Piesker, Martin Sieme, Ahmet Kayihan Kiryaman
  • Patent number: 9726049
    Abstract: Disclosed is a waste heat recovery apparatus which comprises: a gas-liquid separator; an expander into which a gaseous working medium separated by the gas-liquid separator flows; a driven machine; a condenser; a first pump; a first heater; a circulation flow passage for serially connecting the gas-liquid separator, the expander, the condenser, the first pump and the first heater in this order; a heat recovery flow passage for allowing a liquid working medium discharged from the gas-liquid separator to merge with the working medium flowing in a portion between the first heater and the gas-liquid separator in the circulation flow passage; and a second pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kishimoto, Ryo Fujisawa, Makoto Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9724441
    Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation is directed within an area at target wavelengths, target intensities, a target temporal distribution, and/or a target spatial distribution. The target attribute(s) of the ultraviolet radiation can correspond to at least one of a plurality of selectable operating configurations including a storage life preservation operating configuration, a disinfection operating configuration, an ethylene decomposition operating configuration, and/or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Shur, Maxim S. Shatalov, Timothy James Bettles, Yuri Bilenko, Saulius Smetona, Alexander Dobrinsky, Remigijus Gaska
  • Patent number: 9719713
    Abstract: A refrigerated cargo container includes a cargo container and a refrigeration unit. A plurality of refrigerant tubes are in fluid communication with the refrigeration unit and extend along a roof of the cargo container. The plurality of refrigeration tubes are configured to convey refrigerant there through and cool an interior of the cargo container via natural convection and thermal radiation. A method of cooling a cargo in a cargo container includes flowing a refrigerant through a plurality of refrigerant tubes disposed at a roof of the cargo container. Thermal energy is transferred from container air in the container to the refrigerant thereby cooling the container air. The container air is circulated via natural convection toward the cargo thereby cooling the cargo via thermal energy transfer to the container air. The container air is recirculated toward the plurality of refrigerant tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jason Scarcella
  • Patent number: 9714777
    Abstract: A thermal control arrangement includes a first heat pipe and a plurality of thermoelectric coolers. The plurality of thermoelectric coolers is disposed between the first heat pipe and a thermal load, each of the plurality of thermoelectric coolers having a first surface and a second surface, each respective first surface having a first thermally conductive coupling to the first heat pipe and each respective second surface having a second thermally conductive coupling to the thermal load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventor: Gordon Wu
  • Patent number: 9709286
    Abstract: A desiccant air conditioning system for heating an air stream entering a building space includes a conditioner having multiple structures arranged in a substantially vertical orientation. The structures are spaced apart from each other with an air stream gap between each pair of adjacent structures. Each structure has at least one outer surface facing an air stream gap across which a liquid desiccant can flow. An air stream flows through the air stream gaps between the structures such that the liquid desiccant humidifies the air stream. Each structure further includes a separate desiccant collector at a lower end of the at least one outer surface for collecting liquid desiccant that has flowed across the at least one outer surface of the structure. The desiccant collectors are spaced apart from each other to permit airflow therebetween. The conditioner also includes a heat source for heating a heat transfer fluid used to heat the liquid desiccant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: 7AC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Vandermeulen, Jack I. Hanoka
  • Patent number: 9707647
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cooling an object that was previously subjected to a heat application, generally a multi-piece composite, particularly in the form of a shrink-fit chuck into which the shank of a tool was chucked or from which it was removed (cooling device), wherein the device comprises a pump, by way of which it generates a carrier gas flow, particularly an air flow, which is charged with a liquid cooling medium, particularly water, so that a coolant flow, the majority of the volume of which consists of the carrier gas, is created, which then spreads over at least the section of the object to be cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Franz Haimer Maschinenbau KG
    Inventor: Franz Haimer
  • Patent number: 9709311
    Abstract: A climate-control system may include a variable-capacity compressor unit and a control module controlling the compressor unit. The compressor unit may be operable in a first capacity mode and in a second capacity mode that is higher than the first capacity mode. The control module may be configured to switch the compressor unit among a shutdown state, the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode based on a demand signal and outdoor-air-temperature data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sahil Popli, Edward J. Trudeau, Jr., Hung M. Pham
  • Patent number: 9702573
    Abstract: A novel nested heat transfer system comprises a plurality of chained enhanced entrochemical cells with nested structures. Each enhanced entrochemical cell includes a first chamber containing desiccant, or a higher concentration solution, and a second chamber containing refrigerant, or a lower concentration solution. Preferably, the first chamber and the second chamber are connected by a conduit. Furthermore, a smaller chamber in an enhanced entrochemical cell is encapsulated by a larger chamber in an adjacent enhanced entrochemical cell, thus forming a nested structure between the two enhanced entrochemical cells. A chain of enhanced entrochemical cells with a plurality of such nested structures is conveniently modular and scalable. For the novel nested heat transfer system, the total systemic thermal gradient is the sum of individual thermal gradients and capacity of individual enhanced entrochemical cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Sanza T. Kazadi
  • Patent number: 9702597
    Abstract: A solar powered absorption cooling system employing refrigerant-absorbent solutions such as water and lithium bromide and hybrid storage capabilities, and a method of employing the system in refrigeration and air conditioning units. The system includes a first temperature control valve and second temperature control valve that together regulate the flow of solar heating fluid into the generator and substantially reduce absorbent crystal formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Maged A. I. El-Shaarawi, Ali Abdulaziz Al-Ugla
  • Patent number: 9702633
    Abstract: An entrochemical energy transfer system and a related process for obtaining work from environmental thermal energy are disclosed. In one example, a plurality of linked entrochemical cells with nested chambers provides an aggregate thermal gradient of each entrochemical cell by transferring environmental thermal energy in and/or out of the plurality of linked entrochemical cells. The aggregate thermal gradient generated from the plurality of linked entrochemical cells can be utilized as an environmentally-friendly energy source for human needs. The entrochemical energy transfer system and the related process for obtaining work from environmental thermal energy utilize a set of entropy transfers from Earth's day and night thermal energy inflows and outflows. Furthermore, in one example, the process for obtaining work from environmental thermal energy involves two steps, each step resulting in entropic increases and transfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Sanza T. Kazadi
  • Patent number: 9702598
    Abstract: An evaporator used in a car air conditioner satisfies a a relation of 0.9?P1/P2?1.1, where P1 is the passage cross sectional area of each portion of a refrigerant discharge passage of a refrigerant inlet outlet member of the evaporator, and P2 is the passage cross sectional area of a pipe which establishes communication between a second refrigerant passage of an expansion valve and a compressor. Preferably, relations of W1>W2 and H1>H2 are satisfied, where W1 and H1 are the internal width and height of an upstream end portion of a straight portion of an outward bulged portion of a third plate of the refrigerant inlet outlet member, and W2 and H2 are the internal width and height of a downstream end portion of the outward bulged portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: KEIHIN THERMAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sumitaka Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9702604
    Abstract: An expansion valve according to an embodiment includes a mounting hole: that has its central axis at a height position between a first refrigerant passage and a second refrigerant passage in the body thereof; that is provided so as to penetrate a first side surface and a second side surface; and that is used for inserting, from the side of the second side surface, a bolt for fastening a mounting member on an evaporator side and the body. The mounting hole has, in an inside thereof, a stopper surface for stopping the head of the bolt in an insertion direction, and the stopper surface is formed so as to be located near to the first side surface relative to a central axis of a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: TGK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 9694646
    Abstract: In a refrigeration cycle device, a first evaporator for cooling a first cooling target and a second evaporator for cooling a second cooling target are arranged in parallel between a radiator and an accumulator, a first pressure reducer is arranged upstream of the first evaporator, and a mechanical expansion valve as a second pressure reducer is arranged upstream of the second evaporator. The refrigeration cycle device includes a refrigerant passage through which a portion of a refrigerant flowing out of the radiator flows while bypassing the second pressure reducer and the second evaporator, and is decompressed by a separate pressure reducer from the second pressure reducer, so as to return the refrigerant containing a liquid phase refrigerant to the accumulator, in a cooling operation mode for cooling only the second cooling target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Takeuchi, Takashi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9690337
    Abstract: A data center can include at least one computing room, and at least one rack system disposed in the computing room. The rack system includes a rack housing and a plurality of computing devices mounted to the rack housing. The data center can further include a cooling system that includes at least one surface that is wetted with a liquid, and delivers source air across the at least one surface such that heat is transferred from the source air to the liquid so as to produce cold air. The cold air then flows into a cold air aisle and is received in the computing devices so as to cool the computing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John William Eichelberg, Brock Robert Gardner, Alan Donald Gillooly