Patents Examined by Jerry-Daryl Fletcher
  • Patent number: 11686518
    Abstract: The heat source controller transmits the drive permission signal (SE) to the utilization controller when the compression element is drivable. The utilization controller opens a utilization expansion valve when heat exchange in a utilization heat exchanger is required, on condition that the utilization controller receive the drive permission signal (SE).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Takegami, Shuichi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 11686520
    Abstract: An example transport refrigeration system includes first and second refrigeration circuits configured to cool first and second transport compartments, respectively. An electric machine powers the first and second refrigeration circuits. A controller is configured to monitor a temperature of the electric machine, and reduce a cooling capacity of a selected one of the first and second refrigeration circuits based on the temperature exceeding a first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Jason R. Kondrk
  • Patent number: 11674705
    Abstract: An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes a display, a storage configured to store power consumption information and time information which are required to increase or decrease an indoor temperature by a unit temperature according to an outdoor temperature, a sensor, and a processor configured to predict, based on a desired temperature being input, at least one of a power consumption or a required time for the indoor temperature to reach the desired temperature by the sensor based on information stored in the storage, and provide at least one of the predicted power consumption or the required time through the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youngju Joo, Jun Hwang, Heechan Kang, Minkyong Kim, Kwangil Nam, Jeonguk Park, Hyeongjoon Seo, Hyunwoo Ock, Sangwoo Lee
  • Patent number: 11674728
    Abstract: Described are a compressor driving apparatus and a refrigerator including the same. The compressor driving apparatus includes: switching elements; an inverter; an output current detector for detecting an output current flowing through a motor; and an inverter controller for controlling the inverter. The inverter controller controls the piston so that one end of the piston is fixed at a first position spaced apart from the discharge unit at stroke of the piston during a first period, controls the piston to collide with the discharge unit when a change rate in an operation rate or a position error of the compressor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and controls the piston so that the one end of the piston is fixed at a second position spaced apart from the discharge unit at stroke of the piston during a second period after the collision of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Nayi Ryu
  • Patent number: 11668504
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a storage medium and an air conditioning system, for a three-pipe air conditioning system, the three-pipe air conditioning system includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a gas-liquid separator, a first pipeline, a second pipeline and a third pipeline; the oil return control method comprises the following steps: controlling the compressor to operate at a first frequency in a refrigerating mode; judging whether the operation duration of the refrigerating mode reaches a first preset time or not; if so, the air conditioning system enters an oil return state, and the compressor, the third pipeline, the second pipeline and the gas-liquid separator are controlled to be communicated in sequence to form a refrigerant circulation loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignees: HEFEI MIDEA HEATING AND VENTILATING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., GD MIDEA HEATING AND VENTILATING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xinli Wang, Meibing Xiong, Mingkun Feng, Haowei Zhao, Jiajin Liu
  • Patent number: 11656016
    Abstract: A cooling system includes: a first cooling apparatus electrically driven to supply a first heat transfer medium cooled to a first set temperature or lower; a plurality of second cooling apparatuses each of which includes a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the first heat transfer medium supplied from the first cooling apparatus and a second heat transfer medium, and is electrically driven to supply a third heat transfer medium cooled to a second set temperature or lower, the second set temperature being changed individually with lapse of time; and a processor that obtains second set temperatures of the second cooling apparatuses and sets the first set temperature based on the obtained second set temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: EBARA REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT & SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiro Ito, Norio Kokubo, Masayuki Kouketsu, Isahiro Hasegawa, Toshiharu Nakazawa, Keisuke Takanashi, Yukihiro Fukusumi
  • Patent number: 11639820
    Abstract: Multi-compressor chiller systems can be efficiently operated by determining real time efficiency curves for the compressors currently in operation, along with any compressors that may be added to address demand, and using these efficiency curves to determine changes to compressor operation to improve efficiency in meeting chiller demand. The efficiency curves can be parabolic curves. The data used to determine the efficiency curves can be obtained through operation at a variety of lift points and a variety of load points within those lift points. The efficiency curves can be solved to find intersections where there may be staging points for adding or subtracting compressors from operation to efficiently meet demand. This operation can be automated through a controller of a control system for the multi-compressor chiller system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Brian A. Kirkman, Lee R. Cline
  • Patent number: 11635243
    Abstract: A plurality of scroll compressors with different fixed volume indexes are connected in fluid parallel circuit and configured to selectively operate to maximize isentropic efficiency at different condensing temperatures. Different quantities of scroll compressors of different volume indexes may be selected based upon typical climate or geographic location environmental conditions to attempt to maximize efficiency. A controller may selectively operate different combinations of the compressors of different volume indexes bases up load demands and condensing temperature conditions, which may be determined in a variety of ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: BITZER Kuehlmaschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Francesco Galante, Richard G. Kobor
  • Patent number: 11604019
    Abstract: A system for charging an outdoor unit with refrigerant includes a sensor configured to measure a refrigerant concentration and a user device configured to receive the measured refrigerant concentration. The system includes that the user device is configured to, in response to the measured refrigerant concentration exceeding a threshold, generate and display an alert on a user interface of the user device indicating the measured refrigerant concentration exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Alfano, Winfield S. Morter, Brian R. Butler
  • Patent number: 11598565
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a compressor, a first flow path and a second flow path branched from a branch point, a condenser disposed downstream of the branch point in the first flow path, a first decompressor disposed downstream of the condenser, a plurality of evaporators disposed downstream of the first decompressor and connected in series, a second decompressor disposed downstream of the branch point in the second flow path, a detection unit, and a control unit. The second flow path includes a hot-gas flow path configured to connect an outlet of the second decompressor and a meeting point with the first flow path. The control unit controls a degree of opening of the second decompressor depending on the temperature detected by the first temperature-detection unit and controls a degree of opening of the first decompressor depending on the temperature and/or the pressure detected by the detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: CANON SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT INC.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ishihama, Masakazu Nagata, Yuusuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11585580
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for flushing a solvent through a line set of a condenser, compressor, and routing of heat ventilation and air-conditioning, and a high-pressure to low-pressure coupling device. The novel device is operable for joining the high-pressure and low-pressure lines and eliminates the need for having multiple technicians present for conducting a line set flush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: Ryan Irons
  • Patent number: 11576391
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a controlled atmosphere (CA) system to regulate the atmosphere in a cargo storage space. The CA system comprises a gas exchange module operable to vary the level of a component gas in the cargo storage space, a control module to control operation of the gas exchange module, and at least one of an oxygen sensor and a carbon dioxide sensor, each being operable to measure a parameter indicative of a level of oxygen or carbon dioxide respectively in the cargo storage space. The method comprises: the control module determining a respiration parameter value indicative of the rate of change of oxygen level and/or the rate of change of carbon dioxide level in the cargo storage space due to respiration of goods in the cargo storage space; and the control module controlling operation of the gas exchange module based on the determined respiration parameter value to target an oxygen level setpoint and/or a carbon dioxide level setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: THERMO KING LLC
    Inventors: Petra Stavova, Jiri Zita, Martin Vojik, Michal Kolda
  • Patent number: 11573020
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a drain pan that receives water, and a detector including an ultrasonic sensor that emits and receives ultrasonic waves. The detector analyzes a response signal from the ultrasonic sensor to detect a contaminant generated in the drain pan. A bottom flat surface portion that forms a bottom of the drain pan is located parallel to a flat surface portion that forms a receiving surface of the ultrasonic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takafumi Nakai, Akira Morikawa, Isamu Hirashiki
  • Patent number: 11549732
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus, including a main circuit (1) for circulation of a main flow (90) of refrigerant, and a lubrication branch (20), comprising a lubrication inlet (21), configured to derive a lubrication flow (91) from the main flow (90) circulating through a supply part (16) of the main circuit; and a lubrication outlet (22), to feed the compressor (2) with the lubrication flow (91) for lubrication. According to the invention, the refrigeration apparatus further includes: a subcooling branch (40), comprising a subcooling inlet (41), connected to an evaporator (8) of the main circuit (1), so as to derive a subcooling flow (92), and a subcooling outlet (42), connected to the evaporator (8), for reintroducing the subcooling flow (92) into the main flow (90); and a subcooling heat exchanger (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Raphael Muller, Jeremey Wallet-Laily, Charbel Rahhal, Antoine Barriere
  • Patent number: 11543160
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor for a refrigeration system comprises a common housing, a compressor unit arranged in the common housing, a mechanical compressor drive unit for the compressor unit, arranged in a drive chamber, a lubricant bath forming in the drive chamber, an intake duct that extends in a manner separated from the drive chamber and through which the compressor unit draws in by suction refrigerant that is to be compressed. The intake duct and the drive chamber are connected by a gas equaliser duct, which allows a permanent equalisation of gas, and which has on one side an opening on the drive chamber side and on the other an opening on the intake side, and of which the duct length between the openings corresponds to at least twice an equivalent duct diameter, in particular a smallest equivalent duct diameter, of the gas equaliser duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: BITZER Kuehlmaschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Mannewitz, Robin Langebach
  • Patent number: 11536495
    Abstract: An oil return control method for a multi-split air conditioner and a system accomplishing the same includes: calculating an average exhaust pressure within an oil return period Pd_AVG; determining whether the average exhaust pressure Pd_AVG?the set threshold Pdthreshold; if Pd_AVG?Pdthreshold, maintaining the multi-split air conditioner working in heating mode to ensure an acceptable oil return performance without affecting the air conditioning effect of indoor unit in heating mode; if Pd_AVG<Pdthreshold, switching the multi-split air conditioner to cooling mode, stopping a fan within those power-on indoor units and entering into a cooling oil return process and switching the multi-split air conditioner back to heating mode until the cooling oil return process ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER AIR-CONDITIONING ELECTRONIC CO., LTD., HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Defang Guo, Baitian Zhuo, Bin Shi, Shaojiang Cheng, Ruigang Zhang, Jun Wang
  • Patent number: 11499768
    Abstract: A chiller includes an evaporator, a compressor including a prime mover, a first pressure sensor that detects a first pressure in the evaporator, a second pressure sensor that detects a second pressure in a condenser, and a controller. The controller determines a predicted energy level of the compressor based on the first pressure and the second pressure, the predicted energy level associated with liquid droplet flow into the compressor, compares the predicted energy level to an operating energy level, and modifies the at least one of the input power and the input current to the prime mover based on the comparison satisfying a modification condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Shimin Sheng, Xiuping Su, Shenglong Wang, Curtis Christian Crane, Mark Robinson Bodell, II, Justin Patrick Kauffman
  • Patent number: 11493242
    Abstract: A cooling system and methods of employing the same includes a refrigerant cycle for cycling refrigerant from a compressor to a condenser and from the condenser an evaporator unit, and a lubrication cycle having at least one lubricating refrigerant supply line for providing refrigerant as lubricant to a bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Rudolf Hauleitner, Christine Matta, Guillermo Enrique Morales Espejel, Hans Wallin
  • Patent number: 11486591
    Abstract: A multi-type air conditioner is provided including an outdoor unit and a plurality of indoor units connected to the outdoor unit by a liquid pipe and a gas pipe. The plurality of indoor units includes a first indoor unit including first and second heat exchangers and first and second heat exchanger connecting pipes, and a second indoor unit. An indoor heat exchanger connecting pipe connects the first and second indoor units, and a liquid pipe connecting tube connects the first indoor unit and the liquid pipe. Opening amounts of a first indoor expansion valve, and first and second bypass expansion valves provided in the first indoor unit are opened selectively to operate the first heat exchanger as a condenser and the second heat exchanger as an evaporator to continuously drive a dehumidification mode while maintaining a room temperature within a predefined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Eunjun Cho, Minsoo Kim, Hyungyul Yum, Jiyoung Jang
  • Patent number: 11480389
    Abstract: A liquefaction system is capable of sequentially or simultaneously liquefying multiple feed streams of hydrocarbons having different normal bubble points with minimal flash. The liquefying heat exchanger has separate circuits for handling multiple feed streams. The feed stream with the lowest normal boiling point is sub-cooled sufficiently to suppress most of the flash. Feed streams with relatively high normal boiling points are cooled to substantially the same temperature, then blended with bypass streams to maintain each product near its normal bubble point. The system can also liquefy one stream at a time by using a dedicated circuit or by allocating the same feed to multiple circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Marc Brussol, David Joseph Holzer, Sylvain Vovard, Russell Shnitser, Adam Adrian Brostow, Mark Julian Roberts