Patents Examined by Jianying C Atkisson
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Patent number: 11340000Abstract: A method for controlling a vapour compression system (1) is disclosed. A mass flow of refrigerant along a part of the refrigerant path is estimated, based on measurements performed by one or more pressure sensors (10, 12, 13) for measuring a refrigerant pressure at selected positions along the refrigerant path and one or more temperature sensors (11, 14) for measuring a refrigerant temperature at selected positions along the refrigerant path. A refrigerant pressure or a refrigerant temperature at a selected position a pressure sensor (10, 12, 13) or temperature sensor (11, 14) along the refrigerant path is derived, based on the estimated mass flow. The vapour compression system (1) is allowed to continue operating, even if a sensor (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) is malfunctioning or unreliable.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2017Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Danfoss A/SInventors: Frede Schmidt, Jan Prins, Kristian Fredslund, Kenneth Bank Madsen
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Patent number: 11340021Abstract: A heat exchanger module includes a condenser unit and an evaporator unit. The evaporator unit includes N pieces of parallel-flow heat exchangers arranged adjacently, and the coolant temperatures reduce gradually from the first to Nth parallel-flow heat exchangers along an air flow direction in the evaporator unit. A counter-current mounting method is adopted in the parallel-flow heat exchangers of the evaporator unit in the heat exchanger module provided by the present invention. The coolant temperature of each parallel-flow heat exchanger is lower than that of the previous one, the temperature difference between air and coolant is relatively uniform by using the counter-current method so as to reach a better heat exchange effect.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2017Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: SHENZHEN ENVICOOL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTDInventors: Wenqiang Cao, Qingzhen Zeng, Jun Liu
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Patent number: 11333453Abstract: Provided is a vehicle heat exchanger including a plurality of tubes through which a fluid flows, a plurality of cooling fins interposed between adjacent tubes, and a graphene material attached to a surface of each tube and/or a surface of each cooling fin. The graphene material may include a first graphene layer and a second graphene layer stacked on the first graphene layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventor: Yong Min Park
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Patent number: 11333439Abstract: A spiral heat exchanger is formed of at least two sheets extending along a spiral-shaped path around a common centre body and separated to form at least a first and a second spiral-shaped substantially parallel flow channels extending and enabling flow communication between a radially outer orifice and a radially inner orifice. The centre body includes a wall body with a first conduit at the inner surface of the wall body being in fluid connection to the first flow channel, and a second conduit formed at the outer surface of the wall body and being in fluid connection to the second flow channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Danfoss A/SInventors: Helge Nielsen, Jes Petersen
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Patent number: 11325682Abstract: An apparatus for reliquefaction of boil-off gas for a vessel, comprises: a compression unit for compressing the boil-off gas discharged from the storage tank; and a heat exchanger for heat-exchanging the compressed boil-off gas compressed by the compression unit with the boil-off gas discharged from the storage tank; a first expansion means for dividing the boil-off gas passing through the heat exchanger into at least two flows including a first flow and a second flow, and expanding the divided first flow; a first intercooler for cooling the second flow remaining after the division of the first flow by using the first flow expanded by the expansion means as a refrigerant; and a receiver for receiving a second flow having passed through the first intercooler, in which a downstream pressure of the compression unit is controlled by a flow discharged from the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2016Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.Inventors: Seung Chul Lee, Seon Jin Kim, Dong Kyu Choi
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Patent number: 11326834Abstract: A method of operating, during an at least partial shutdown of a refrigerant distribution subsystem in a natural gas liquefaction facility, can include: draining down at least a portion of a mixed refrigerant in one or more components of the refrigerant distribution subsystem into a high-pressure holding tank of a drain down subsystem, wherein draining down to the high-pressure holding tank is achieved by pumping the mixed refrigerant from the refrigerant distribution subsystem to the high-pressure holding tank or backfilling the refrigerant distribution subsystem with a backfill gas; and optionally, transferring at least a portion of the mixed refrigerant into a low-pressure drum from the high-pressure holding tank.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2019Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Brett L. Ryberg, Stephen Wright, Kenichi Tadano, Naoki Watanabe
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Patent number: 11319959Abstract: A drinking vessel for delivering air to a user may include an outer shell and an inner shell. The outer shell may define at least an air inlet at a lower region of the outer shell and an air outlet at an upper region of the outer shell. The inner and outer shells may together at least partially define an air flow passage which may be in communication with the air inlet and the air outlet. The drinking vessel may include an air moving device. The air moving device may be configured to move air from the air inlet, through the air flow passage, to the air outlet. The drinking vessel may include a power source and an actuation device. The actuation device may be operably coupled with the air moving device and the power source for selectively activating the air moving device with the power source.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2018Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Inventor: Janet Castle
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Patent number: 11320195Abstract: A chamber for a distillation column that is to operate at a temperature below 0° C., comprises at least four walls, which in use are vertical, and a roof, the chamber being designed to contain at least one distillation column, at least one other element that is to operate at a cryogenic temperature, and insulation, at least one wall being convex.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventor: Franck Lemaire
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Patent number: 11305637Abstract: A vehicle cooling system includes a circulation flow path section which has a first flow path section and a second flow path section, and a solenoid valve which can switch between an open state in which the first flow path section and the second flow path section are connected and a closed state in which the first flow path section and the second flow path section are blocked. The circulation flow path section includes a valve body accommodating section configured to include a first accommodating section and a second accommodating section which connects the first flow path section and the second flow path section in the open state, and a connection flow path section whose one end is connected to the first flow path section. The other end of the connection flow path section opens to the first accommodating section.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignees: SUBARU CORPORATION, NIDEC TOSOK CORPORATIONInventors: Naoki Hiraoka, Tomoya Ozawa, Takashi Asai, Daisuke Murata, Keita Kobayashi, Tomohiro Yasuda, Kenro Takahashi
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Patent number: 11306267Abstract: A method of separating a feed stream in a distillation tower. Vapor is permitted to rise upwardly from a distillation section of the distillation tower. A feed stream is introduced into a controlled freeze zone section of the distillation tower, the controlled freeze zone section being situated above the distillation section. The feed stream is released above a level of a liquid retained by a melt tray assembly in the controlled freeze zone section. Vapor from the distillation section is directed into the liquid retained by the melt tray assembly. A solid is formed from the feed stream in the controlled freeze zone section.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANYInventors: Jaime A. Valencia, Charles J. Mart, Ransdall K. Smith, David W. Maher
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Patent number: 11306957Abstract: A liquid nitrogen-based cooling system features a cooling circuit and a liquid nitrogen-based heat sink. Heat absorbed by fluid flowing in the cooling circuit is subsequently absorbed by liquid nitrogen within the heat sink, which causes the liquid nitrogen to vaporize. The vaporized nitrogen is condensed back to liquid form, e.g., by means of a helium-based cryo-refrigeration system. The heat-sink includes at least a first vessel that contains the liquid nitrogen, with the cooling circuit including a series of coils passing around the first vessel in heat-exchanging contact with an exterior surface thereof so that heat can be transferred into the liquid nitrogen. The first vessel and coils may be contained within a second, outer vessel that minimizes heat transfer from the ambient environment to the fluid flowing in the cooling circuit and the liquid nitrogen within the first vessel.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: The Tisdale Group, LLCInventor: Donald Wade Barker
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Patent number: 11299013Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for active vehicle cabin occupant protection system. The method includes detecting a vehicle cabin temperature using a cabin thermal sensor, engaging a vehicle fan and opening a vehicle outside air ventilation duct in response to the vehicle cabin temperature exceeding a first threshold temperature, and starting a vehicle engine and engaging a vehicle air conditioning system in response to the vehicle cabin temperature exceeding a second threshold temperature wherein the second threshold temperature is greater than the first threshold temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Insu Chang, Edward R. Masters, Dooil Hwang, Zhe Li, Jeremie Dernotte, Mohammad Firouz
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Patent number: 11285781Abstract: A fluid heat exchange assembly includes a fluid control module and a fluid heat exchange module, the fluid control module includes a first connecting lateral portion, the fluid heat exchange module includes a second connecting lateral portion; the first connecting lateral portion and the second connecting lateral portion are oppositely and sealingly arranged; the fluid heat exchange module includes a heat exchange core and a connecting component fixed by welding; the fluid control module includes at least a first flow passage and a second flow passage; the fluid heat exchange module includes a first fluid communication cavity, and the second flow passage is in communication with the first fluid communication cavity; the connecting component includes a connecting channel, the connecting channel penetrates through the connecting component. The fluid heat exchange assembly reduces pipeline arrangement and is of a small and compact integral structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2017Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Zhejiang Sanhua Intelligent Controls Co., LtdInventors: Zhenwen Chen, Jianmin Zhang, Kezhe Qian, Shifeng Hu
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Patent number: 11274863Abstract: An air-conditioning system that performs a refrigeration cycle in a refrigerant circuit, includes: an outdoor unit; a plurality of indoor units; and a connection pipe disposed between the outdoor unit and the indoor units and that forms at least a refrigerant passage through which refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state flows. The connection pipe includes: a branch portion that includes an indoor-side pipe group including indoor-side pipes that each communicates with any one of the indoor units, and diverges refrigerant flowing from the outdoor unit side; and a trap portion disposed in at least any one of the indoor-side pipes and is filled with refrigerant in a gas state.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2018Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Tetsuya Shirasaki, Atsushi Yoshimi
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Patent number: 11268773Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly includes first and second heat exchangers integrated with a thermally actuated control valve assembly having first and second surfaces to which the first and heat exchangers are attached at various orientations to each other, including at 90 and 180 degrees to each other, and side-by-side. The valve assembly has two fluid ports for connection to an external fluid source, and two fluid ports in fluid communication with inlet and outlet manifolds of each heat exchanger. The heat exchangers may be a transmission oil heater and a transmission oil cooler, and the valve assembly controls the flow of transmission oil to the heat exchangers depending on the oil temperature. One or both of the heat exchangers may be brazed or mechanically secured to the valve assembly. The housing of valve assembly may be segmented, with each heat exchanger being brazed to one of the segments.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Dana Canada CorporationInventors: Silvio E Tonellato, Anis Muhammad
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Patent number: 11267314Abstract: A method for defogging a window of a vehicle includes steps of determining a risk of window fogging and automatically selecting a climate control system operating mode according to that determined risk of window fogging. The climate control system operating mode is selected from: an outside air mode, an air-conditioning mode, and a defrost mode. A controller determines the risk of window fogging according to one or more inputs, and the same or a different controller may automatically select the climate control system operating mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2017Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alan Gutowski, Manfred Koberstein, William Stewart Johnston
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Patent number: 11268003Abstract: Provided is a heat storage device (10) of the present disclosure comprises a heat storage material (12) containing sodium acetate trihydrate; a first electrode having a surface which is in contact with the heat storage material and formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of silver, a silver alloy, and a silver compound; a second electrode in contact with the heat storage material; an inorganic porous material contained in the heat storage material; and a power supply (14) for applying a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode. The inorganic porous material has an average pore diameter of not more than 50 nanometers. The present invention provides a heat storage device capable of releasing heat by releasing a supercooled state by voltage application. The heat storage device can be used repeatedly.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Takashi Kubo, Motohiro Suzuki, Hironobu Machida, Shinsuke Takeguchi, Kentaro Shii, Naoyuki Tani, Tatsuya Nakamura
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Patent number: 11268770Abstract: A heat exchanger manifold configured to receive or discharge a first fluid includes a primary fluid channel and a plurality of secondary fluid channels. The primary fluid channel includes a fluid port and a first branched region distal to the fluid port. The plurality of secondary fluid channels are fluidly connected to the primary fluid channel at the first branched region. Each of the plurality of secondary fluid channels includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. Each of the plurality of secondary fluid channels extends radially from the first branched region at the first end and has an equal length from a center of the first branched region to the second end.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Hamilton Sunstrand CorporationInventors: Gabriel Ruiz, Ahmet T. Becene, Thomas J. Ocken
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Patent number: 11262136Abstract: Provided are a phase change cooler with enhanced cooling performance and enhanced pressure resistance performance, and an electronic device using such a phase change cooler. The phase change cooler includes a heat receiving unit, a heat dissipating unit, a vapor pipe and a liquid pipe that interconnect the heat receiving unit and the heat dissipating unit to form a loop, and refrigerant encapsulated inside the phase change cooler. The heat receiving unit has an approximately semicircular cross section, and the vapor pipe is coupled to an inclined face of the heat receiving unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2017Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: NEC CORPORATIONInventors: Mahiro Hachiya, Masaki Chiba
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Patent number: 11266039Abstract: A liquid immersion tank includes a housing configured to house a heat generator, a gutter provided over the housing, and configured to form a flow path through which a coolant flows, a flow rate adjuster provided at an outflow port through which the coolant flows out from the flow path, and configured to adjust an outflow amount of the coolant, a slope provided over the housing, and configured to include a down-flow surface through which the coolant branched from the flow path flows down toward the housing, the coolant flowing through the flow rate adjuster, and a tank configured to accommodate the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: Keita Hirai, Masayuki Watanabe