Patents Examined by John K. Ford
  • Patent number: 6889764
    Abstract: A cooling device for cooling an object to be processed to a target temperature comprises a plurality of contact members mounted on a placing table, for supporting the object such that the object opposes a top surface of the placing table with an interval, temperature sensors for outputting temperature information of the object supported by the contact members, a first cooling unit for cooling the placing table to a temperature lower than the target temperature to cool the object, a second cooling unit for heating the object cooled by the first cooling unit to a temperature almost equal to the target temperature, and a contrast circuit for performing a switching operation between cooling by the first cooling unit and heating by the second cooling unit on the basis of the temperature information from the temperature sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sada, Osamu Hirose, Kiyohisa Tateyama
  • Patent number: 6886624
    Abstract: A compact cooling system includes a mounting panel adapted to receive a plurality of at least three cooling units, a cooling fan, and a fan drive mechanism. The mounting panel supports the fan and drive mechanism in a manner allowing rotation of the fan about the axis of rotation. A front side of the mounting panel is adapted for receiving and supporting the cooling units in a pattern defining a cantilevered, tubular polygonal solid disposed about the fan. The mounting panel includes a convex central region extending into the tubular polygonal solid and receiving the drive mechanism in operative connection to the fan. By virtue of this arrangement, a very compact cooling system is provided. The tubular polygonal shape of the cooling units, when mounted on the mounting panel, forms an air duct for directing a flow of cooling air induced by the fan through the cooling units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Werner Zobel, Michael Ehlers, Frank Vetter, Jörg Soldner
  • Patent number: 6886630
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation and air conditioning system including a casing with a vent outlet, a blower chamber within the casing, a wall cooperating with the casing to form a descending air passage permitting a downward flow of air discharged from the blower chamber and an ascending air passage permitting an upward flow of air passing through the descending air passage toward the vent outlet. A heating heat-exchanger is substantially horizontally disposed within the ascending air passage and arranged adjacent to a recessed portion of the wall and at least partially overlapping in the vertical direction with a cooling heat-exchanger disposed between the blower chamber and the heating heat-exchanger. A bypass air passage bypassing the heating heat-exchanger is substantially linearly aligned with the vent outlet via the ascending air passage. A foot vent passage is disposed above the heating heat-exchanger and between the blower chamber and the ascending air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Onda, Yukio Ozeki, Toshio Yajima
  • Patent number: 6883602
    Abstract: An evaporator unit for use in the air conditioning system of a mass transit vehicle that includes a housing mounted inside the air conditioned section of the vehicle having a return air inlet connected to a supply air outlet by a flow passage. The evaporator coil of the air conditioner is mounted in the flow passage to cool the air moving through the passage. A heater coil is mounted behind the evaporator coil to selectively heat the air moving through the passage. A dehumidifying coil is mounted in front of the evaporator coil that utilizes ambient air to dehumidify the indoor air when the ambient air temperature is at a temperature below that at which the air conditioner cannot reliably operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Alan S. Drucker
  • Patent number: 6880620
    Abstract: The subject invention includes a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) assembly having a housing with an inlet and at least one outlet for directing a flow of air into a passenger compartment. An evaporator core is disposed within the housing downstream of the inlet and upstream from the outlet. A heater core is disposed within the housing between the evaporator core and the outlet with the heater core having an upstream surface generally facing the evaporator core and a downstream surface generally facing the outlet. The heater core includes a first portion and a second portion being angled relative to the first portion such that the upstream surface of the first portion at least partially faces the upstream surface of the second portion to define an angled heater core facing the evaporator core wherein air flowing over the upstream surfaces is evenly distributed across both of the first and second portions, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the heater core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lin-Jie Huang, Mohinder Singh Bhatti
  • Patent number: 6877550
    Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, an evaporator is disposed at an upper side of a blower approximately horizontally so that air blown by the blower passes through the evaporator from below upwardly. The evaporator is slightly tilted from a horizontal surface by a predetermined angle, and the blower is disposed in such a manner that air is mainly blown by the blower toward the evaporator in a direction substantially parallel to a tangential line at a scroll finish portion of the scroll casing. Accordingly, condensed water on a bottom heat-exchanging surface of the evaporator can be pushed downwardly by component force of the flow of air mainly blown from the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Kazushi Shikata, Satoshi Mizutani, Tomohiro Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6874574
    Abstract: An improved, more efficient method of operation for a vehicle heating and air conditioning system electrically positions a temperature control actuator in accordance with a first temperature control schedule for coordinated control of compressor capacity and re-heating of the discharge air when air conditioning is enabled, in accordance with a second temperature control schedule when air conditioning is disabled. Both first and second temperature control schedules position the temperature control actuator as a function of the setting of the driver-manipulated temperature selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Oliver Forrest, Lawrence Scherer, Nicholas Joseph Alonge, Jr., Elliott D. Keen, James E. Stoelting
  • Patent number: 6871696
    Abstract: A vehicle seat air-conditioning system is used with a main air-conditioning unit which operates in one of a plurality of air blow modes. The main air-conditioning unit has an air-conditioned air outlet-port for supplying air-conditioned air irrespective of the air mode. The vehicle seat air-conditioning system includes an air-conditioned air duct connected to the air-conditioned air outlet-port, a seat-air duct connected to the air-conditioned air duct to supply the air-conditioned air to the inside of a seat and an air blower unit for blowing the air-conditioned air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Aoki, Yuichi Kajino, Takeshi Yoshinori
  • Patent number: 6871697
    Abstract: A combined liquid tank and fan air flow housing is molded as a unit to combine needed functions in a compact preassembled unit. Separate spaced side tank portions are formed that are joined together with a front end tank to form a central opening with upper and lower ends. The opening is closed with a top plate that defines a plenum chamber and a lower fan support plate that forms a fan chamber in the central opening. A fan in the fan chamber creates an airflow from the exterior through the plenum chamber and out lateral ducts formed in the side tank portions. The inlet air flows through an oil cooler, water radiator and if desired, an air conditioner condenser in the plenum chamber. The tank formed is used for storage of hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Larry E. Albright, Lonnie D. Hoechst, Daniel A. Frederick
  • Patent number: 6868900
    Abstract: A multiple zone electronic control system and method are provided to control a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a vehicle. The control system includes a plurality of sensors to provide inputs relating to multiple zones of an occupant compartment of the vehicle and a plurality of buttons to provide manual inputs relating to the multiple zones. The control system also includes a plurality of mechanisms to control temperature and flow of air from the HVAC system into the multiple zones. The control system further includes a controller electrically connected to the sensors and the buttons to receive the inputs therefrom and electrically connected to the mechanisms to control the temperature and flow of air into each of the multiple zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard Allen Dage, Hilton W. Girard
  • Patent number: 6866092
    Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for improving airtight two-phase heat-transfer systems employing a fluid to transfer heat from a heat source to a heat sink while circulating around a fluid circuit, the maximum temperature of the heat sink not exceeding the maximum temperature of the heat source. The properties of those improved systems include (a) maintaining, while the systems are inactive, their internal pressure at a pressure above the saturated-vapor pressure of their heat-transfer fluid; and (b) cooling their internal evaporator surfaces with liquid jets. FIG. 43 illustrates the particular case where a heat-transfer system of the invention is used to cool a piston engine (500) by rejecting, with a condenser (508), heat to the ambient air; and where the system includes a heat-transfer fluid pump (10) and means (401-407) for achieving the former property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventor: Stephen Molivadas
  • Patent number: 6866094
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling temperature in a workpiece chuck are described. A fluid circulation system circulates a temperature control fluid, such as an engineered HFE fluid, through te workpiece chuck. A fluid recovery system coupled to the fluid circulation system recovers a portion of the temperature control fluid from the fluid circulation system by circulating a gas through the fluid circulation system including fluid tubes and fluid passages in the chuck. The gas, which can be air, carries a portion of residual or excess fluid through the fluid circulation system as it is circulated. The residual fluid is carried back to a reservoir such that it can continue to be used to control temperature of the chuck. Where gas and temperature control fluid vapors are displaced from the reservoir, they are routed through a suction line heat exchanger which condenses the vapor. The gas and condensed fluid are separated in a fluid separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Temptronic Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn M. Cousineau, Robert D. Kelso, Douglas S. Olsen, David Stura
  • Patent number: 6863123
    Abstract: A high thermal change rate of test apparatus aims to realize test equipment requirement of highly accelerated life test(HALT) and highly accelerated stress screening(HASS). Structurally, the apparatus is provided with a cabinet body with an interior for placing test specimen. The cabinet body is provided with elements of fans, electric heating tubes and liquid nitrogen nozzles therein. The positions of the cabinet body and the control system are separate. Several groups (normally 2 or 3 groups, depends on the size of cabinet) of liquid nitrogen pipes connecting the cabinet body are flexible stainless steel pipes for enclosing and insulating sleeve tubes. During full-speed temperature cooling, all groups of the pipes simultaneously eject liquid nitrogen. When temperature is constant, only one group of liquid nitrogen pipe with cryogenic valve and nozzles is used and micro-adjusted to achieve good temperature stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jeng-Yau Wang, Ruey-Shyong Song
  • Patent number: 6854514
    Abstract: A temperature control and process for adjusting the temperature of a workstation and a work medium at a workstation to a predetermined temperature. The temperature control comprises a cooling vehicle such as a heat exchanger, a coolant temperature sensor and control, a source of fluid coolant such as a manifold, a recirculating pump, a flow line to circulate the coolant to the workstation with the flow line containing a flow regulator and a heater, a bypass valve for bypassing the flow regulator and heater, and a workstation temperature sensor and control. The workstation temperature control controls the operation of the heater and bypass valve so that the temperature of the coolant is below the desired temperature for the workstation, thus achieving a rapid transient response while avoiding overcooling. The coolant temperature control and workstation temperature control may be in a temperature control computer, thus providing a large number of different operating sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: FSI International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben J. Sloan, William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 6837302
    Abstract: A mechanical control head system allows a vehicle user to control certain HVAC functions. The mechanical control head system includes a mounting plate, a faceplate, at least two user-adjustable actuators, at least two function interfaces and connections between the function interfaces and the HVAC module. The knobs provide the user a means to control, for example, the ambient temperature in the vehicle interior and the outside air circulation within the vehicle. The rotary cylinders can be coupled and uncoupled to the knobs in a single step instead of requiring individual steps for each knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob A Spinner, Douglas David Turner
  • Patent number: 6834709
    Abstract: An automotive air conditioner includes an offset blower for blowing an air, an evaporator is centrally disposed within a dashboard and receives the air from below, and a heater approximately horizontally disposed above the evaporator. The evaporator inclines downward along the direction of the air flow. A plurality of condensed water guide plates are provided under the evaporator so as to allow a condensed water smoothly flow on the surface of each guide plate and is discharged from the evaporator through a condensed water drain pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Shirota, Hisashi Tanaka, Hiroshi Nonoyama, Kazushi Shikata, Yukio Uemura, Hikaru Sugi
  • Patent number: 6832644
    Abstract: An engine cooling module 10 which includes a shroud 12, a heat exchanger 18, a fan 14, a motor 13 for driving fan 14, and a plurality of air dams 1. Shroud 12, circumscribing the fan, has a main opening to allow air to pass through the fan to or from a heat exchanger 18. Fan 14 is associated with the shroud 12 to be adjacent to the fan opening to permit air moved by the fan to pass through the heat exchanger. Air dams 1 allow air to flow more easily in one direction than the opposite direction. In the fan flow direction, air dams 1 provide relatively little resistance to the flow. In the direction opposite to fan flow direction, air dams 1 provide more resistance than as compared to the resistance when air flows in the fan flow direction. Under ram air conditions (e.g., when the vehicle is moving), the use of air dams can reduce the load on the fan's motor by cooling properties of ram air, while reducing recirculation, thereby increasing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. Stauder, Alexander Graham Hunt
  • Patent number: 6832643
    Abstract: Optimization of the efficiency of a compact cooling system for air cooling of at least two different heat exchange fluids is obtained in a construction including three heat exchangers (10), (12), (14) arranged in a housing-like shape with an open center. A radial fan (44) is located within the housing and is rotatable about an axis (42). A front panel (36) having an air inlet (38) on the axis (44) abuts a corresponding one of the opposed sides (26), (62) of each of the heat exchangers while a rear panel abuts the other of the opposed sides (64) of each of the heat exchangers (10), (12), (14) and journals the fan (44) for rotation about the axis (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Werner Zobel, Michael Ehlers, Frank Vetter, Jörg Soldner
  • Patent number: 6830096
    Abstract: An apparatus to regulate and control the temperature of an axle assembly for a vehicle. A heat pipe is inserted though the axle housing cover, the heat pipe travels the length of the cover. Near the lower region of the carrier and beneath the lubricating fluid level, the heat pipe bends to continue in the horizontal direction. Disposed about the terminal end of the heat pipe below the lubricating fluid line are a series of cooling fins. Heat generated within the lubricating fluid that is heated during operation conduit is dissipated via the cooling fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Fett, Timothy William Runstadler, David Allen Krueger, Michael L. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 6827141
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for a vehicle is constructed from two modules, one for the engine compartment and a second for the passenger compartment. The engine compartment module has a base formed for positioning on at least two locations on a dash panel, a outside air inlet, a secondary air inlet for communication with the passenger compartment, an air outlet and defining a air transport conduit connecting the outside air inlet or the secondary air inlet with the air outlet. Downstream from the engine compartment is a passenger compartment module having a slide slot for a heater core, an inlet for communication with the air outlet from the engine compartment module, an air manifold, a panel exhaust from the air manifold, a defrost exhaust from the air manifold, a compartment door providing access to the slide in friction slot, and an air channel from the inlet to the air manifold. The heater core is positioned in the slide in slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Smith, Carl B. Dalkert, Michelle R. Gehres, Gregory J. Kolodziej