Patents Examined by Jenna M Hopkins
  • Patent number: 11964540
    Abstract: A heating apparatus for a vehicle includes an air heating unit configured to heat air conditioning air to be sent into a vehicle cabin, a contact heating unit configured to heat a member that is in contact with a body of an occupant in the vehicle cabin, and an electronic control unit. A heat source of the air heating unit and a heat source of the contact heating unit each are supplied with an electric power from one or more batteries. The electronic control unit is configured to decrease an electric power that is supplied to the heat source of the air heating unit when the heat source of the contact heating unit is on as compared to an electric power that is supplied to the heat source of the air heating unit when the heat source of the contact heating unit is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Tsukagishi, Takahisa Kaneko, Masahiro Nishiyama, Akihisa Sumiyoshi
  • Patent number: 11957303
    Abstract: An apparatus configured for heat dissipation that includes a heat source, a heat sink and a heat conducting element. The heat conducting element conducts heat energy from the heat source to the heat sink along a heat conducting path, and the heat conducting element is arranged in such a way on the heat source and the heat sink and is configured to physically change in such a way with increasing temperature of the heat conducting element that: a) a first cross-sectional area between the heat source and the heat conducting element and/or a second cross-sectional area between the heat conducting element of the heat sink increases, and/or b) a length of the heat conducting path shortens. Further, a video endoscope having such an apparatus and a use of such an apparatus is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Heni, Markus Kupferschmid, Daniel Ulmschneider, Jonas Forster
  • Patent number: 11939076
    Abstract: An aircraft includes an airframe defining a first enclosed space, an engine bay disposed within the first enclosed space, and a cooling system. The engine bay includes a firebox defining a second enclosed space and an engine disposed at least partially within the second enclosed space. The cooling system is configured to selectively fluidly couple the first enclosed space with the second enclosed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Giuseppe S. Alberti, Adriano Cirioli, Sean Thomas Barrows, Nolan John Birtwell, Michael Alexander, Nicholas Scott Coury
  • Patent number: 11933536
    Abstract: A transportation container includes a storage volume. A refrigeration system is contained within the storage volume. The refrigeration system includes a fan configured to ingest exterior air, a condenser coil immediately downstream of the fan, and a vent configured exhaust spent cooling air from the storage volume. A controller is configured to control the refrigeration system. the controller includes instructions configured to cause the refrigeration system to detect an indication of operational deterioration of a transportation container refrigeration system, reverse a rotational direction of an airflow fan such that air is drawn over a refrigeration coil and expelled from the transportation container using the airflow fan, and revert the rotational direction of the airflow fan at a conclusion of a cleaning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Auyer, Kurt Handley
  • Patent number: 11932372
    Abstract: A do-it-yourself-friendly self-contained marine air conditioning unit, marine air conditioning system, and method for installation is disclosed. The unit includes a seawater cooling circuit, a refrigerant circuit, and a blower assembly. The refrigerant circuit includes a reverse valve connecting a compressor, an evaporator, and a refrigerant tube thermally engaged with a titanium condenser coil. The seawater cooling circuit includes the titanium condenser coil. The titanium condenser coil has a titanium condenser coil outflow and a titanium condenser coil inflow. The blower assembly is mounted in communication with the evaporator, wherein the blower assembly may pull air through the evaporator. This blower is capable of achieving up to 270-degrees of rotation about a single axis. The system also includes a universal controller to allow for optimal integration with existing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Inventor: Javier Ripoll
  • Patent number: 11904659
    Abstract: A mobile accommodation vehicle having a first free flow opening enabling free air flow between the inside and the outside of the vehicle and a second free flow opening also enabling free air flow between the inside and the outside of the vehicle. The first free flow opening is arranged higher than the second free flow opening in the vehicle. The first free flow opening or the second free flow opening is provided with heat recovery ventilation means which is arranged to enable free air flow through the heat recovery ventilation means, when the heat recovery ventilation means is not in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventor: John Børsting Jensen
  • Patent number: 11897317
    Abstract: An infrared (IR) heating module for a vehicle having a passenger cabin including at least one IR panel, a controller coupled to the at least one IR panel for controlling operation of the IR heating module, and a power supply coupled to the controller for supplying power to the IR heating module, where the at least one IR panel is adapted and configured to be installed in a roof within the passenger cabin of the vehicle. The IR heating module operates by detecting a temperature within a cabin of the vehicle based on an output of a thermostat within the vehicle, receiving a signal from the controller relating to the temperature detected, and initiating an operation of the at least one IR panel based on the received signal, where the at least one IR panel is installed within the roof of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Stefan Chiritescu
  • Patent number: 11892250
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid has a plurality of tube sections, each comprising; an interior for passing the first fluid; an exterior for exposure to the second fluid; a first leg; a second leg; a turn joining the first leg to the second leg; and a first face and a second face. A support has at least one carbon member engaging the plurality of tube sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: RTX Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph B. Staubach, Marc J. Muldoon, James F. Wiedenhoefer
  • Patent number: 11885532
    Abstract: A limit switch assembly including a shape memory member, a furnace system for incorporating the same, and a method for controlling a furnace are provided. The limit switch assembly includes a switch communicatively connected to a control board of a furnace. The switch is configured to send a signal to the control board when actuated. The shape memory member is configured to actuate the switch. The control board, in certain instances, shuts off the furnace and arrests the supply of combustible gas when receiving the signal from the switch. The shape memory member, in certain instances, actuates the switch as a result of being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lok Sudhir Katikala, Ashalatha Kapa
  • Patent number: 11850909
    Abstract: An air conditioner apparatus for electric vehicles includes: an air conditioning case installed under an under body of a vehicle, and configured to communicate with an interior of the vehicle through an outlet formed through an upper portion of the air conditioning case and circulate conditioned air therein; an HVAC module provided inside the air conditioning case, and configured to adjust temperatures of indoor air and outdoor air and to provide the conditioned air to the interior of the vehicle; and a heat exchange module provided below the HVAC module inside the air conditioning case and configured to exchange heat with the HVAC module depending on whether or not the HVAC module performs a heating or cooling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gee Young Shin, Seung Sik Han, Dong Ho Kwon, Myung Hoe Kim
  • Patent number: 11850910
    Abstract: A control device includes a controller that executes determining a connection between a first unit that has a boarding space which allows a user to board and is provided with a predetermined facility and that is provided with a first path through which a fluid used in the predetermined facility passes and a second unit that is configured to be separated from and connected to the first unit and that has a drive device of a vehicle that is formed by being connected to the first unit, and supplying the fluid in the first path to a second unit side to absorb heat generated from the drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshinari Ogawa, Kohta Tarao, Shinya Kijima, Osamu Fukawatase, Koji Yasui, Toshiyuki Kobayashi, Hitomi Nakatani, Kuniaki Jinnai, Nobuki Hayashi, Masahiro Nagano, Akihiro Ito
  • Patent number: 11846437
    Abstract: To provide a reticular resin molding and an operating method of an air conditioner capable of increasing a heat exchange efficiency in a heat exchanger by controlling a charge of air introduced into the heat exchanger. The reticular resin molding has a plate form, is composed of a thermoplastic resin, includes a plurality of vent holes penetrating in a thickness direction, and is capable of increasing a heat exchange efficiency in a heat exchanger by introducing air, having passed through the vent holes to control a charge thereof, into the heat exchanger. The reticular resin molding is composed of a thermoplastic resin of polyethylene or polypropylene obtained by dissolving therein a non-fired powder of a montmorillonite-based clay mineral. Further, the operating method of an air conditioner comprises providing, to the heat exchanger, this reticular resin molding so as to cross an airflow path to a heat exchanger, and introducing the air, having passed through the vent holes, into the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: CONTINEWM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryuji Sakai
  • Patent number: 11840125
    Abstract: A method for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, may include: allowing, by a controller, only the indoor air to be directed into a housing when the HVAC system operates in a cooling mode and an engine is stopped by an Idle Stop and Go (ISG) system; allowing, by the controller, the indoor air directed into the housing to bypass a heater core; and maintaining, by the controller, a flow rate of the air directed into the housing at a minimum flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Gyu Sik Hong, Jun Ho Song, Seo Jung Kim
  • Patent number: 11806639
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing liquefied natural gas. A portion of a natural gas stream is cooled in a heat exchanger and combined with the natural gas stream. Heavy hydrocarbons are removed from the combined natural gas stream, and the resulting separated natural gas stream is partially condensed in the first heat exchanger, with a liquid stream separated therefrom. The natural gas stream is warmed in the first heat exchanger and then is compressed and cooled. The resultant cooled compressed natural gas stream is expanded, thereby forming a chilled natural gas stream that is separated into a refrigerant stream and a non-refrigerant stream. The refrigerant stream recycled to the heat exchanger to be warmed through heat exchange with one or more process streams associated with pretreating the natural gas stream, thereby generating a warmed refrigerant stream. The warmed refrigerant stream and the non-refrigerant stream are liquefied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Yijun Liu, Fritz Pierre, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11801730
    Abstract: There is provided a method comprising: determining an occupancy status of a first region of a vehicle; determining, based at least in part on the occupancy status, a first climate control setting for the first region; controlling a climate control system of the vehicle to adjust a climate of the first region according to the first climate control setting; determining that a second region of the vehicle is unoccupied, wherein the second region is fluidly connected to the first region; determining a second climate control setting, wherein the second climate control setting is based at least in part on the occupancy status of the first region and characteristic data associated with a predicted potential change in occupancy status for the second region; and controlling the climate control system to adjust a climate of the second region according to the second climate control setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Zoox, Inc.
    Inventors: Anup Madhav Vader, Carter McEathron, Paul Raymond Mueller
  • Patent number: 11802574
    Abstract: A cover for a compressor defines an accommodating space configured to receive the compressor. The cover includes a first cover that is configured to be spaced apart from an outer surface of the compressor and that define a first portion of the accommodating space, and a second cover that is detachably attached to the first cover and configured to be spaced apart from the outer surface of the compressor and that defines a second portion of the accommodating space. The first cover and the second cover are configured to reduce transmission of noise generated from the compressor to an outside of the accommodating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yongho Shin
  • Patent number: 11802720
    Abstract: A magnetocaloric lattice element formed by fibres of magnetocaloric material, wherein the fibres are arranged in respective parallel lattice planes, each fibre having a respective mass of magnetocaloric material, the fibres of given lattice plane do not contact each other but each fibre of a given lattice plane is attached to at least two fibres in a next neighbouring lattice place, and wherein the magnetocaloric lattice element exhibits exactly one predominant mass-weighted direction of longitudinal fibre extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Magneto B.V.
    Inventors: Florian Scharf, Lian Zhang, Bernard Reesink, David Van Asten
  • Patent number: 11794550
    Abstract: A heat pump system for a vehicle, capable of heating up or cooling a battery module by use of a single chiller in which a refrigerant and a coolant exchange heat, simplifying the system, includes: first and second cooling apparatuses; and a battery module, wherein a main heat exchanger provided in an air conditioning apparatus is connected to each of the first and second coolant lines to enable the coolants circulating in the first and second cooling apparatuses to pass therethrough, and a refrigerant passing through the main heat exchanger is selectively condensed or evaporated depending on a vehicle mode through mutual heat exchange with the coolant supplied from one of the first coolant line and the second coolant line, or the coolants supplied through the first and second coolant lines, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Yeonho Kim, Jae Yeon Kim, Wan Je Cho
  • Patent number: 11780293
    Abstract: An in-vehicle temperature control system includes a refrigeration circuit including an inter-media heat exchanger that dissipates heat from a refrigerant to a heat medium, the refrigeration circuit being configured to realize a refrigeration cycle, and a heat circuit including a heater core, the inter-media heat exchanger, and an engine heat circuit. The heat circuit includes an adjusting valve. When heating is performed by using heat obtained by the refrigeration cycle, the adjusting valve is controlled to a first state where the heat medium flows into the heater core from the inter-media heat exchanger, and when heating is performed by using heat obtained by an internal combustion engine, the adjusting valve is controlled to a second state where the heat medium flows into the heater core from the engine heat circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuji Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 11781809
    Abstract: Provided are mixed refrigerant systems and methods and, more particularly, to a mixed refrigerant system and methods that provides greater efficiency and reduced power consumption via control of a liquid level in a cold vapor separator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Chart Energy & Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Ducote, Jr., Timothy P. Gushanas, Peter J. Turner, Michael Malsam