Patents Examined by Harry B. Tanner
  • Patent number: 6997001
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method of operating a refrigeration cycle which is capable of preventing oil from staying in an evaporator and ensures high coefficient of performance as well as sufficient circulation of oil. An electronic expansion valve is controlled such that during normal operation, refrigerant is always in a superheated state at the outlet of an evaporator, and the refrigerant is periodically forced to have negative superheat for a predetermined time by a superheat control device. Thus, during normal operation, the refrigerant sucked into a variable displacement compressor always has superheat, whereby the refrigeration cycle can operate with high coefficient of performance and an engine driving the variable displacement compressor can be operated at high fuel efficiency. Also, the refrigerant is temporarily controlled so as to have negative superheat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: TGK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisatoshi Hirota
  • Patent number: 6993922
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of an electronic device under test includes a thermal head having a temperature controlled surface for making thermal contact with the electronic device. The thermal head defines a flow channel for passage of a refrigerant fluid so as to cause transfer of thermal energy between the electronic device and the thermal head. A refrigeration system is connected in fluid communication with the flow channel of the thermal head to supply refrigerant fluid thereto. The refrigeration system includes a metering valve operative to regulate introduction of the refrigerant fluid into the thermal head. A controller is operative to control the metering valve for maintaining a predetermined temperature at the temperature controlled surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Delta Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Wall, Cynthia M. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6991029
    Abstract: A smart, adaptive control system that monitors and influences physical conditions of an architectural setting. The architectural setting in which the system is deployed typically includes a plurality of private spaces and at least one community space. The individual private spaces, and the community spaces, may include an environmental control device that affects one or more physical conditions of the individual private space. Each private space may also include an environmental sensor that measures a particular physical condition of the private space. The private spaces may also include one or more occupant sensors, which measure either behavioral or physiological parameters of an occupant. The environmental control devices, environmental sensors, and occupant sensors are in communication with a computer. The computer is also in communication with a database, which houses a data set that describes how to best modify the physical conditions of the architectural setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Orfield Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Orfield, Michael R. Role
  • Patent number: 6990821
    Abstract: A system and method for managing energy consumption of a building system includes a source of actual energy consumption data, a source of actual weather data, and a database correlating discrete weather data values with expected energy consumption values for at least one component of the building system. A computer accesses the actual weather data, actual energy consumption data and database, wherein the computer compares the expected energy consumption values with actual energy consumption data and generates an output based on the comparison. The expected energy consumption values are generated for the discrete weather data values using an energy consumption model that functionally relates discrete weather data values and design information for the building system component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Retail Services Inc.
    Inventors: Abtar Singh, Paul Wickberg, Neal Starling, Thomas J. Mathews
  • Patent number: 6990820
    Abstract: Method for controlling operation of a refrigerator including the steps of turning on a compressor when a temperature of a food storage chamber reaches to an upper limit of upper/lower temperature deviations ?T from an optimal setting temperature T, turning off the compressor when the temperature of the food storage chamber reaches to a lower limit of upper/lower temperature deviations ?T from the optimal setting temperature T, and varying the upper/lower temperature deviations ?T with an outside temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Koo Park
  • Patent number: 6988375
    Abstract: A device is provided for monitoring a plurality of appliances, wherein each appliance is connected to an electrical circuit having a first wire and a second wire. The device includes a plurality of cores, each of the plurality of cores being constructed to be able to surround one of the first wires of each circuit and having a secondary winding at which an electrical signal is generated in response to a current polarity change in the first wire. A multiplexer is connected to the secondary winding of each of the plurality of cores. A processor is connected to the multiplexer to monitor the phase relationship between an AC voltage an AC current of each appliance connected to one of the plurality of circuits and to determine information relating to the function of the appliance based on the phase relationship. The device may be located at the circuit breaker box of an establishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Larry T. Bashark
  • Patent number: 6988374
    Abstract: A frostless heat exchanger used for an air-source system, comprises: an antifreezing solution supplying device for applying an antifreezing solution having a freezing point lower than a surface temperature of the heat exchanger on a surface of the heat exchanger to form a thin solution film on the surface of the heat exchanger in order to prevent formation of frost on the surface of the heat exchanger when the surface temperature of the heat exchanger drops below a freezing point of water (0° C.), so that the vapor is removed in such a manner that a highly concentrated antifreezing solution and the vapor are mixed together before the vapor becomes a supersaturated liquid and then grows to a frost crystal nucleus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Young-Soo Chang, Dae-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 6986469
    Abstract: Control apparatus for an environmental control system comprises input circuitry receiving environmental information and output circuitry for controlling an HVAC system. Processing circuitry in the controller configures the output circuitry based at least in part on the signals received on the input circuitry. Information about the status of the HVAC system may be transferred to system administrators using a wireless link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Electric City Corporation
    Inventors: Dale A. Gauthier, Guy D. Covert
  • Patent number: 6986468
    Abstract: This thermostat controls to a constant ratio of temperature and humidity to give approximately constant comfort. It is especially suited for residences with air conditioning equipment but without specific humidity lowering equipment. The thermostat significantly reduces air conditioner running time without degrading comfort as humidity declines in its air-conditioned space. During winter operation the thermostat characteristically raises its dry bulb set point as humidity decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Inventor: David Nicholson Low
  • Patent number: 6983618
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for refrigeration system control includes an evaporator pressure regulator and sensor in communication with one of a plurality of refrigeration circuits. The sensor is operable to measure a parameter of the refrigeration circuit. A controller is operable to adaptively control a suction pressure of the compressor rack based upon the measured parameter, whereby the controller controls a circuit temperature for one of the plurality of circuits. Further, the controller is operable to control the electronic evaporator pressure regulator to control the temperature in the one of a plurality of refrigeration circuits by determining a change in the parameter and updating a set point based upon the change of parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Computer Process Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Abtar Singh, Jim Chabucos, Paul Wickberg, John Wallace
  • Patent number: 6983613
    Abstract: A defrost refrigeration system having a main refrigeration system and comprising a first line extending from a compressing stage to an evaporator stage and adapted to receive refrigerant in high-pressure gas state from the compressing stage. A first pressure reducing device on the first line is provided for reducing a pressure of the refrigerant in the high-pressure gas state to a second low-pressure gas state. Valves are provided for stopping a flow of the refrigerant in a first low-pressure liquid state from a condensing stage to evaporators of the evaporator stage and directing a flow of the refrigerant in the second low-pressure gas state to release heat to defrost the evaporators and thereby changing phase at least partially to a second low-pressure liquid state. A second line is provided for directing the refrigerant having released heat to the compressing stage, the condensing stage or the evaporator stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: Serge Dubé
  • Patent number: 6981385
    Abstract: A refrigeration system for objects is disclosed. The system includes a refrigeration device and a defrost system. The refrigeration device provides a case or container defining a space for the objects, a first heat exchanger associated with the container for cooling a fluid communicating with the space to cool the objects and a second heat exchanger to receive a heat supply from an air source for warming the fluid. A system for cooling articles is also disclosed. The system includes a space configured to contain the articles, a first element to provide cooling of the articles within the space, a first coolant source to refrigerate the space by cooling the first element in a first state, and a second coolant source to elevate a temperature of the first element in a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Yakov Arshansky, David K. Hinde, Richard N. Walker, Mark Lane
  • Patent number: 6981650
    Abstract: A pool/spa heater having a temperature control portion which is connectable to an external temperature regulating controller, in which the temperature control portion has at least one primary temperature limiting control switch with a first temperature setpoint, at least one secondary temperature limiting control switch with a second temperature setpoint, a third switch adapted for connection with the external temperature regulating controller, and wherein the second temperature setpoint is higher than a maximum temperature setting on the external temperature regulating controller but lower than the first temperature setpoint. The temperature control portion can further have an on/off switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Jandy Pool Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dindo Uy, Peter Owenson
  • Patent number: 6978627
    Abstract: An operation information processing section (11) in a central remote controller (5) processes operation information from operation setting buttons (8a,8b,8c), each of which is independent in function, transmits the operation information through a transmission line (6), and generates screen information based on the operation information collected through the transmission line (6), and display the screen information on a display unit (9). A management information processing section (12a) generates screen information based on operation information of the air conditioners (1,2) collected through the transmission line (6) and transmits the screen information to the remote monitor terminal (15) through a transmission line (13), and relays control information transmitted from the remote monitor terminal (15) through the transmission line (13), and transmits the control information to the air conditioners (1,2) through the transmission line (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirotaka Masui, Shinji Hattori
  • Patent number: 6976365
    Abstract: Apparatus for conditioning air comprising: a quantity of liquid desiccant (28); a dehumidifier section (12) in which air to be conditioned is brought into contact with a first portion of the liquid desiccant; a regenerator section (32) in which outside air is brought into contact with a second portion of the liquid desiccant; and a refrigeration system (45) having a first heat exchanger (46) associated with the first portion of liquid desiccant and a second heat exchanger (36) associated with the second portion of liquid desiccant and a third heat exchanger (136) that does not contact the liquid desiccant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Drykor Ltd.
    Inventors: Mordechai Forkosh, Dan Forkosh, Tomy Forkosh
  • Patent number: 6976367
    Abstract: A condensate overflow prevention assembly prevents condensate overflow in an air cooling system using a fluid level sensor and a pump activated by the fluid level sensor to pump the condensate away from a drainage system when a blockage occurs in the drainage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: Gerald S. Spanger
  • Patent number: 6976368
    Abstract: A thermal sensor (20) located in the centre of a food simulant composition (24) linked to a remote measuring indicating and/or regulating device (28). The temperature of the food simulant changes in the same way as food stored in its vicinity and is unaffected by the movement of the ambient air which varies in temperature dramatically. This allows an actual reading and recording of stored food temperature and the regulation of the temperature within a refrigerated space by a thermostat (16). Its uses are mainly for frozen, chilled and refrigerated food, and the reading of temperature of food cooked for example in micro-wave ovens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Universal Master Products Limited
    Inventors: Andre Lamstaes, Guy Lamstaes, Harry Banham
  • Patent number: 6976366
    Abstract: A method for improving system performance in a building environment according to the invention includes installing a temperature monitoring system for a refrigeration system, and performing a temperature audit on the refrigeration system. Temperature and pressure sensors are calibrated, and operating parameters of the refrigeration system are obtained. Pressure drop and efficiency tests are performed on at least one component of the refrigeration system, and operating pressures of at least one component are adjusted. System stability is tracked. In one embodiment, the building environment further includes an HVAC system and the method includes adjusting the HVAC system according to desired presets. In another embodiment, the building environment includes a lighting system and the method includes adjusting internal lighting levels of the lighting system to desired set points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Emerson Retail Services Inc.
    Inventors: Neal Starling, Paul Wickberg, Thomas J. Mathews
  • Patent number: 6974382
    Abstract: Apparatus which may be used year-round for dehumidifying air in the enclosed space of a building to comfortably allow a higher temperature during summer conditions, for exchanging air in the enclosed space year-round with fresh air to provide a more healthful environment within the building and for selectively humidifying the air when desired at certain times of the year. The apparatus includes a fan mounted on or otherwise adjacent the basement floor or other bottom floor and a conduit connecting the fan outlet to an opening in an outside wall for removing stale relatively damp air from the bottom floor level and discharging it out of the building. A humidifier is provided in flow communication with the fan and connected through another conduit to the enclosed space. A valve connected to both conduits provides selective humidifying of the air in the enclosed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Ross M. Swan
  • Patent number: 6966192
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycle is disclosed having a number of compressors operating in tandem and supplying a compressed refrigerant to a refrigerant system. Discharge lines communicate a compressed refrigerant to a central discharge line for receiving flow from all tandem compressors. A control is operational to determine a number of compressors need to be operated or whether some compressors should be shutdown to satisfy load requirements. Shutoff valves are placed on discharge lines outwardly of the shell of the compressors. That can be shutdown during part load operation. These shutoff valves are closed when their associated compressors are stopped to prevent backflow of refrigerant from operating compressors through the shutoff compressor, and into the system suction side. Additionally, high pressure differential across the compressor internal discharge check valve is eliminated and the possibility of compressor flooding through a discharge line is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras