Patents Examined by Ljiljana Ciric
  • Patent number: 9863524
    Abstract: An oil cooler for a vehicle may include a header tank partitioned by a diaphragm formed at an inside of a center in a length direction thereof, and adapted to take in a working fluid at a first side and to take out the working fluid at a second side with respect to the diaphragm, a connection tank disposed to be spaced apart from the header tank by a predetermined interval, a plurality of tubes mounted along a length direction at an interior surface of the header tank to connect with the connection tank such that the working fluid flows therethrough, and a bypass valve integrally mounted at an outside of the header tank and connected to the inside of the header tank so as to bypass or flow the working fluid flowing therein into the inflow tank by selectively opening/closing according to a temperature of the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Inzicontrols Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Yeon Kim, Sang Won Lee, Sangyong Rhee
  • Patent number: 9857114
    Abstract: A method for operating a refrigeration system for a container for refrigerating chilled cargo includes providing a refrigeration system including a compressor and an evaporator fan associated with an evaporator. The method also includes determining the temperature of supply air and the temperature of return air. The method further includes determining one of a requirement for heating and a requirement for cooling based on the temperature of the return air and the temperature of the supply air. The method additionally includes activating the evaporator fan when a requirement for heating is determined and increasing the speed of the evaporator fan when increased heating is determined. The method also includes activating the compressor and the evaporator fan when a requirement for cooling is determined and increasing the power supplied to the compressor and maintaining the evaporator fan at a first speed when increased cooling is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignees: THERMO KING CORPORATION, EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES—TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS APS
    Inventors: Ole Thogersen, Allan Dyrmose, Dan Vad Steffensen
  • Patent number: 9855815
    Abstract: A device (1) for the thermal management of a vehicle cabin and of at least one electric component (13) of an electric drivetrain of said vehicle includes a heat-transfer fluid circuit (3) through which there flows a heat-transfer fluid. The device (1) also includes at least —a first heat-transfer fluid loop (4) made up of at least a first pump (7), a heat source and an internal heat exchanger (9) able to heat the cabin, and —a second heat-transfer fluid loop (5) in parallel with the first loop (4) and interconnected therewith by a first interconnection device (6). The second loop (5) including at least a first exchanger (11) of the electric component (13), characterized in that the heat source is able to heat the heat-transfer fluid circulating in the first heat-transfer fluid loop (4) and/or in the second heat-transfer fluid loop (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventors: Samer Saab, Bernard Aoun
  • Patent number: 9857102
    Abstract: An ejector includes a swirl flow channel that is arranged on an upstream side of a nozzle portion. The swirl flow channel swirls the high pressure refrigerant and allows the refrigerant in a state of a gas-liquid mixed phase to flow into the nozzle portion. The ejector further includes a flow-rate changeable mechanism that is disposed at the upstream side of the swirl flow channel, and is capable of changing a flow rate of the high pressure refrigerant that flows into the swirl flow channel. Accordingly, a nozzle efficiency can be improved, and an operation according to a load of the refrigeration cycle is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Etsuhisa Yamada, Haruyuki Nishijima, Yoshiaki Takano
  • Patent number: 9857116
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes an ice making chamber having an ice making tray, an ice making chamber refrigerant pipe to supply cool air to the ice making tray, and an ice making chamber circulation fan to circulate air in the ice making chamber. A control method to prevent frost from being formed in the ice making chamber includes determining whether temperature of the ice making chamber is lower than a predetermined temperature; and driving the ice making chamber circulation fan to prevent frost from being formed in the ice making chamber upon determining that the temperature of the ice making chamber is lower than the predetermined temperature. Driving the ice making chamber circulation fan to prevent frost includes driving the ice making chamber circulation fan for a predetermined period of time when the temperature of the ice making chamber is lower than the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Hak Lim, Keon Ho Hong, Young Shik Shin, Jae Koog An, Jin Jeong, Sang Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 9851109
    Abstract: A method of operating a heating device includes heating air in a heating device chamber. The method further includes exhausting outgoing air from the heating device chamber via a first flow path through which the outgoing air flows in a first direction, and supplying incoming air to the heating device chamber via a second flow path through which the incoming air flows in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The latent heat in the outgoing air in the first flow path is transferred to the incoming air in the second flow path thereby condensing water vapor contained in the outgoing air to produce liquid water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Maxime Jean Jerome Bilet, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Nels R. Peterson, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood, Christopher Charles Young
  • Patent number: 9845959
    Abstract: A ventilation device for ventilating rooms, has a first air routing device for routing a first flow of air, the routing device having a first room-side outlet, a first flow space in which at least one first fan capable of bidirectional operation is arranged, and a first outside outlet; a second air routing device for routing a second flow of air, which is fluidically completely separate from the first air routing device and has a second room-side outlet, a second flow space in which at least one second fan capable of bidirectional operation is arranged, and a second outside outlet; an integral gas-solid heat exchanger adapted to route the first flow of air and the second flow of air in a respective set of passageways, in a fluidically separated but thermally coupled manner, wherein the solid in the first and the second air routing device additionally forms a respective regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: LUNOS LUFTUNGSTECHNIK GMBH FUR RAUMLUFTSYSTEME
    Inventor: Michael Merscher
  • Patent number: 9823026
    Abstract: An arrangement for storing thermal energy, including a shaft (1) and at least one tunnel (2), the shaft (1) and the tunnel (2) being in fluid communication with each other. The tunnel (2) includes at least a first (2a), a second (2b), and a third (2c) tunnel section. The second tunnel section (2b) is arranged between and connected to the first (2a) and third (2c) tunnel sections. The second tunnel section (2b) is sealed off at an end (4) connected to the third tunnel section (2c), and the third tunnel section is further connected the shaft (1). The shaft (1) and first (2a) and third (2c) tunnel sections hold fluid for thermal storage. The second tunnel section (2b) is an expansion space should a volume of the fluid expand beyond a volume of the shaft (1) and the first (2a) and third (2c) tunnel sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SKANSKA SVERIGE AB
    Inventor: Hans Pilebro
  • Patent number: 9823672
    Abstract: A wireless device used to communicate with and control one or more components of an HVAC system from a remote location is provided. The wireless device is configured to display two or more icons on the display of the device, wherein each icon executes a function that aids the user in controlling one or more components of the HVAC system. The wireless device dynamically orders the two or more icons on the display of the device, each according to a dynamic ranking algorithm. The dynamic ranking algorithm is based on a number of factors such as, for example, a relative frequency of selection of each of the two or more icons by a user, the current time of day, the current time of year, the current temperature, and/or the current location of the wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David J. McCurnin, Patrick C. Tessier
  • Patent number: 9823632
    Abstract: A compressor is provided and includes a shell, a compression mechanism, a motor, a data module, and a compressor controller. The data module includes a data module processor and a data module memory. The compressor controller includes a controller processor and a controller memory distinct from the data module processor and the data module memory. The data module receives sensed data, stores the sensed data in the data module memory, determines a first diagnosis of the compressor based on the sensed data, and communicates the sensed data and the first diagnosis to the compressor controller. The compressor controller determines a second diagnosis of the compressor based on the sensed data and verifies the first diagnosis by comparing the first diagnosis to the second diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung M. Pham, Nagaraj Jayanth
  • Patent number: 9816721
    Abstract: A system and method that optimizes energy consumption in an HVAC unit by minimizing chiller activity. The system uses a control unit that overrides a thermostat in at least one room to close a cooling valve that leads a fluid input to the room. When multiple cooling valves are closed through the rooms, the consequential return fluid maintains greater cooling capacity and thus, the chiller does not have to operate at full capacity. The control unit individually controls components in the HVAC unit, which were previously controlled by switches on the thermostat. The control unit includes a temperature sensor that monitors an environment, such as the room and a plenum. The control unit also includes a control relay that closes the cooling valve on the HVAC unit when the predetermined temperature of the control unit is above the thermostat temperature set by a room occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Jacob Towsley
  • Patent number: 9809088
    Abstract: A controller for a heat, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit may comprise a compressor control signal output; a condenser fan control signal output; a pressure sensor input that receives information regarding an output pressure of the compressor; a temperature input that receives information regarding ambient temperature; a processor coupled to the compressor control signal output, the condenser fan control signal output, the first pressure sensor input, and the temperature input; and a computer-readable memory that stores instructions. The processor may cause the controller to: turn on the compressor via the compressor control signal output based on a request for air conditioning, select a condenser fan speed, from condenser fan control data stored in the computer readable memory, based on the ambient temperature and an output pressure of the compressor, and set a speed of the condenser fan to the selected condenser fan speed via the condenser fan control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hovel, Erick A. Njos, Daniel A. Spurgeon
  • Patent number: 9809083
    Abstract: A heat pump cooling and heating system for an electric vehicle includes a range extending PCM heat exchanger (24), with a single acting phase change material with a melt temperature between the two comfort temperatures associated with cooling and heating, respectively. In a charging mode, as the vehicle batteries are charged, the same exterior current source runs the compressor (10), charging the PCM exchanger (24) with heat or “cold.” During an initial range extending mode, the PCM exchanger/reservoir (24) serves as the heat source or heat sink. The PCM material does not directly heat or cool the air, as is conventional, allowing a single reservoir material to be used in both heating and cooling modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Yanping Xia, Prasad S. Kadle, Lindsey L. Leitzel, Mingyu Wang, Timothy D. Craig
  • Patent number: 9802463
    Abstract: A vehicular air-conditioning unit has an air-conditioning case, a first ventilation passage and a second ventilation passage, a first communication-ventilation passage defined in the air-conditioning case, the first communication-ventilation passage through which one end of the first ventilation passage communicates with one end of the second ventilation passage, a first heat exchanger that heats or cools air flowing in the first ventilation passage, a second heat exchanger that heats or cools air flowing in the second ventilation passage, and a blowing mode switching device setting any one of blowing modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichiro Maeda, Shinya Kato
  • Patent number: 9803897
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, a first expansion valve, a gas-liquid separator, a second expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger which are sequentially connected together to perform a two-stage expansion refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant circuit further includes: a gas injection pipe through which intermediate-pressure gas refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator flows into an intermediate port of the compressor, and a liquid-gas heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between low-pressure gas refrigerant obtained by evaporating refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger and travelling toward the compressor and intermediate-pressure liquid refrigerant travelling from the gas-liquid separator toward the second expansion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shuji Furui, Kazuhiro Furusho, Hiroshi Yoh
  • Patent number: 9796247
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner which can enlarge an effective range of a dehumidifying and cooling mode to realize comfortable air condition in a vehicle interior. A controller changes and executes at least one of a heating mode, a dehumidifying and heating mode, a dehumidifying and cooling mode, and a cooling mode. In at least the dehumidifying and cooling mode, the controller controls a capability of a compressor (2) on the basis of a temperature of a heat absorber (9), and controls a valve position of an outdoor expansion valve (6) on the basis of a temperature or a pressure of the radiator (4), and executes a radiator temperature prior mode to enlarge the capability of the compressor (2), in a case where heat radiation in the radiator (4) runs short.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Sanden Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Miyakoshi, Kenichi Suzuki, Hidenori Takei, Kouhei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9797617
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes: a furnace having a furnace heat exchanger; and an indoor HVAC unit having a refrigerant heat exchanger. At least one of a component of the furnace and a component of the indoor HVAC unit are selectively removable from an airflow path of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Kirby Neal Bicknell
  • Patent number: 9797640
    Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus includes a centrifugal compressor, a capacity control mechanism that controls a capacity of the compressor by changing an opening degree of the capacity control mechanism, an expansion mechanism that reduces a pressure of a refrigerant, and a controller. The controller calculates an opening degree of the expansion mechanism using compressor capacity as one of a plurality of indices of change in load. The compressor capacity is obtained from a current rotation number of the compressor, an opening degree of the capacity control mechanism, and a divergence rate of a current operation head from a surge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: DAIKIN APPLIED AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Umeda, Takatoshi Takigawa, Fumiaki Onodera, Nobutoshi Kozono
  • Patent number: 9796237
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner is capable of selecting and changing an optimum operation mode so that a desirable air conditioning performance can be exerted on conditions such as an environment and a set temperature. A controller changes and executes at least one of a heating mode, a dehumidifying and heating mode, a dehumidifying and cooling mode, and a cooling mode. In the dehumidifying and heating mode, the controller shifts to the dehumidifying and cooling mode on the basis of a situation where heat absorption in a heat absorber (9) runs short or heat radiation in a radiator (4) becomes excessive, and also in this dehumidifying and cooling mode, the controller shifts to the dehumidifying and heating mode on the basis of a situation where the heat radiation in the radiator (4) runs short.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Sanden Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Miyakoshi, Kenichi Suzuki, Hidenori Takei, Kouhei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9797187
    Abstract: Devices that incorporate phase change materials in containment vessels promote conduction of thermal energy between the phase change materials within the containment vessels and the surrounding air. In some embodiments, the containment vessels are transparent to enable visual awareness of the operation and functionality of the PCMs. In some embodiments, the containment vessels are design to passively promote air flow across the surfaces of the containment vessels. In some embodiments, the containment vessels include embedded structures to promote the conduction of thermal energy to and from the interior of the containment vessel. In some of these embodiments, the intent is to target the location of crystal ‘seeds’ and control crystal growth, thus gaining greater control over thermal transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University, a Pennsylvania Non-Profit Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Timothy Clifford, Shi-Chune Yao