Patents Examined by Ljiljana V. Ciric
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Patent number: 12103359Abstract: A thermal management system includes a first cooler that cools a first heat source, a first circulation path that connects the first cooler and a first pump, a second cooler that cools a second heat source, a second circulation path that connects the second cooler and a second pump, a changeover valve, and a controller. The changeover valve is switchable between first and second valve positions. The first and second circulation paths are separated from each other when the changeover valve is in the first valve position. The controller causes both the first and second pumps to operate when the temperature difference between refrigerants in the first and second circulation paths is more than a predetermined temperature difference threshold when the changeover valve is set to the first valve position and one of the first and second pumps is operating and the other is not operating.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshio Hasegawa, Masatoshi Hiyoshi, Haruka Tsuruta
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Patent number: 12097750Abstract: A heat pump includes a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a first heat exchanger, a first region of a second heat exchanger, a third heat exchanger, a fourth heat exchanger, a compressor, a vapor generator, an accumulator, a first expansion valve, and a first three-way valve. The compressor includes a low-pressure inlet, a mid-pressure inlet, and an outlet. The vapor generator is positioned downstream of the outlet of the compressor and upstream of both the low-pressure inlet and the mid-pressure inlet. The vapor generator includes a first region and a second region. The accumulator is positioned immediately upstream of the compressor. The accumulator includes an inlet and an outlet. The first expansion valve is positioned upstream of the accumulator. The first expansion valve includes an inlet and an outlet. The first three-way valve is positioned immediately downstream of the first expansion valve and immediately upstream of the accumulator.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2021Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Rachael Shey, Jeffrey Paul Brown
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Patent number: 12097961Abstract: An aircraft air conditioning device provided in an aircraft includes: a plurality of base units each of which is provided with two electric compressors connected in series to an air flow path; a temperature controller which is configured to adjust a temperature of air discharged from a compressor of the two electric compressors; and a control device which is configured to control the plurality of base units and the temperature controller and each of the plurality of base units is configured to supply compressed air discharged from the temperature controller to an air-conditioned space as conditioned air.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2021Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Assignee: IHI CorporationInventors: Naoki Seki, Toshikazu Kobayashi
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Patent number: 12090816Abstract: A heat pump system for a vehicle includes a cooling apparatus configured to circulate a coolant in a coolant line to cool at least one electrical component provided in the coolant line, a battery cooling apparatus configured to circulate the coolant in the battery module, a heating apparatus configured to heat a vehicle interior by using the coolant, and a chiller configured to adjust a temperature of the coolant by heat-exchanging the coolant with a refrigerant, wherein the chiller is connected to the chiller connection line through a third valve provided in the coolant line between the radiator and the second valve, and the reservoir tank is provided in the coolant line between the radiator and the second valve, and is connected to the supply line connecting a first valve and a first water pump through a supply line.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATIONInventors: Jae Yeon Kim, Wan Je Cho, Heung Seok Seo, Seong Bin Jeong, Yeonho Kim, Jeawan Kim, Sangmoon Cho, SeungRyeol Lee, Jieun Kim
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Patent number: 12083860Abstract: A refrigerant circulating apparatus for a vehicle, includes at least one heat exchanger configured to heat-exchange a refrigerant; at least one valve provided to selectively flow the refrigerant to the at least one heat exchanger; and a refrigerant distribution unit having a first surface on which the at least one heat exchanger and the at least one valve are provided and a second surface on which at least one flow path through which the refrigerant circulates through the at least one heat exchanger and the at least one valve is provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2022Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventors: Yeonho Kim, Wan Je Cho, Seong-Bin Jeong, Jeawan Kim, Man Hee Park, Jae Yeon Kim, Tae Hee Kim
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Patent number: 12083855Abstract: An internal heat exchanger (IHX) assembly for use in a vehicle includes at least three plates joined together to form two or more separate compartments or channels and at least one flat structure on an external surface of the IHX assembly. One compartment or channel contains a high pressure fluid and the other compartment or channel contains a low pressure fluid. The compartment or channel containing the high pressure fluid is in thermal communication with the compartment or channel containing the low pressure fluid, such that heat is transferred from the high pressure fluid to the low pressure fluid. The IHX assembly acts as a structural member in the vehicle upon which one or more refrigerant components are mounted onto the flat structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2021Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: MAHLE International GmbHInventors: Lawrence Wei, Mandar Ahir, Thomas Bruder
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Patent number: 12083856Abstract: An integrated thermal management system, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for a vehicle, including a cabin thermal management loop; an energy storage system thermal management loop; a power electronics thermal management loop; and a multi-port valve assembly coupled to the cabin thermal management loop, the energy storage system thermal management loop, and the power electronics thermal management loop, adapted to, responsive to an operating state of the vehicle, selectively isolate and couple the cabin thermal management loop, the energy storage system thermal management loop, and the power electronics thermal management loop from and to one another.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2020Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Jing He, Henry Huang
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Patent number: 12066219Abstract: A cooling system includes a refrigerant circulator which circulates a refrigerant, wherein the refrigerant circulator includes a first compressor configured to pressurize the refrigerant in gaseous state; a first cooler configured to cool the refrigerant pressurized by the first compressor; a first gas-liquid separator configured to separate the refrigerant cooled by the first cooler into a first refrigerant flow of a gas component and a second refrigerant flow of a liquid component; a second compressor configured to pressurize the first refrigerant flow; a second cooler configured to cool the first refrigerant flow pressurized by the second compressor; a second gas-liquid separator configured to separate the refrigerant cooled by the second cooler into a third refrigerant flow of a gas component and a fourth refrigerant flow of a liquid component; a first expansion member configured to decompress the fourth refrigerant flow.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: SAMSUNG HEAVY IND. CO., LTD.Inventors: Tae Yun Kim, Hyun Ki Park, Chul Woo Kim, Dong Hun Lee
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Patent number: 12066254Abstract: A method of thermally protecting a leading edge of a hypersonic system includes saturating an annular primary wick in contact with an evaporator and having a first pore size with a phase change material by means of an annularly-inward secondary wick having a second pore size and being coupled to a liquid line, the second pore size being larger than the first, where a first end of the secondary wick extends into a reservoir and a second end of the secondary wick extends into the evaporator, the second end of the secondary wick having a terminal end. The method includes terminating the liquid line inside of the evaporator, transferring thermal energy from the leading edge into the phase change material, raising the temperature of the phase change material to a phase-change temperature, changing phase of the phase change material, and carrying away heat from the leading edge.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Jesse R. Maxwell, Robert W. Baldauff, Triem T. Hoang
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Patent number: 12049122Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device includes a heat pump cycle, a high-temperature heat medium circuit, and a low-temperature heat medium circuit. The low-temperature heat medium circuit includes a plurality of heat absorption devices configured to have a heat absorption amount to be absorbed by the low-temperature heat medium flowing out of a low-temperature heat medium-refrigerant heat exchanger, and a heat absorption adjusting unit configured to change the heat absorption amount of the low-temperature heat medium in the respective heat absorption devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2021Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Koji Miura, Hiroaki Kawano, Motohiro Yamaguchi, Kazuya Taniguchi, Yoshiki Kato, Masamichi Makihara, Takahiro Maeda, Kuniyoshi Tanioka, Toru Okamura, Naoya Makimoto
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Patent number: 12044471Abstract: A method for operating a heat exchanger, in which a first operating mode is carried out in first time periods, and a second operating mode is carried out in second time periods that alternate with the first time periods; in the first operating mode a first fluid flow is formed at a first temperature, is fed into the heat exchanger in a first region at the first temperature, and is partially or completely cooled in the heat exchanger; in the first operating mode a second fluid flow is formed at a second temperature, is fed into the heat exchanger in a second region at the second temperature, and is partially or completely heated in the heat exchanger; and in the second operating mode the feeding of the first fluid flow and of the second fluid flow into the heat exchanger is partially or completely halted.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2020Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: Linde GmbHInventors: Stefan Lochner, Ralph Spöri, Reinhold Hölzl, Axel Lehmacher, Alexander Woitalka, Sven Schauder
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Patent number: 12043090Abstract: An outdoor heat exchanger is installed in a refrigerant circuit and has a heat exchange core portion providing refrigerant flow paths different in a cooling operation and a heating operation. A flow path switching device switches the flow path of the refrigerant in the heat exchange core portion of the outdoor heat exchanger between a cooling mode flow path during the cooling operation and a heating mode flow path during the heating operation. The refrigerant flows down in one direction in the heating mode flow path. The refrigerant flows in one direction and then flows down in an opposite direction in the cooling mode flow path.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2021Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Tatsurou Kyuto
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Compressor systems and methods for use by vehicle heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems
Patent number: 12030368Abstract: A compressor system for a vehicle comprising a vehicle internal combustion engine and a vehicle heating and cooling system. The compressor system comprising a compressor/motor generator defining a compressor motor/generator shaft, a compressor mechanically connected to the compressor motor/generator shaft; and a engine clutch mechanically connected to the compressor motor/generator shaft and to the vehicle internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2021Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: Tiger Tool International IncorporatedInventor: Michael Andrews -
Patent number: 12029008Abstract: A liquid-cooled heat sink has three parts: the water block, the X-clamp, and a copper plate. The water block has an inlet connected to a resin shell. Inside the shell, a fractal inlet manifold divides the inlet coolant flow into several sub streams that eventually exit in the form of uniformly distributed liquid jets through small nozzles/microjets at the bottom of the shell. The union between the shell and the copper plate forms a flood chamber, where the jets impinge on the copper plate, dissipating the heat supplied to the copper plate in contact with the heat source. The warm liquid is removed from the flood chamber through an outlet manifold embedded with the resin shell.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2020Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: The Penn State Research FoundationInventors: Bladimir Ramos Alvarado, Carlos Ulises Gonzalez Valle, Luis Enrique Paniagua Guerra, Jonathan Veli
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Patent number: 12023989Abstract: A system includes heat generating components in a vehicle and a coolant flow path connected to the heat generating components. The system includes a coolant pump that circulates coolant through the coolant flow path and a reversing mechanism that reverses a direction of circulation of coolant.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2023Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: Pony Al Inc.Inventors: Luke Morrow, Robert Dingli
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Patent number: 12017509Abstract: A heat pump includes a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes an accumulator having an inlet and an outlet, a compressor, a first heat exchanger, and a first coupling point. The compressor includes a low-pressure inlet and an outlet. The low-pressure inlet is downstream of the outlet of the accumulator. The first heat exchanger includes an inlet and an outlet. The first coupling point is positioned immediately downstream of the outlet of the accumulator and immediately upstream of the low-pressure inlet of the compressor. The first coupling point is immediately downstream of the outlet of the first heat exchanger such that a first heat exchange fluid circulating through the refrigerant loop is directed to the low-pressure inlet of the compressor upon exiting the outlet of the first heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Rachael Shey, Jeffrey Paul Brown, Loren John Lohmeyer, Manfred Koberstein
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Patent number: 12011974Abstract: A gas injection-type heat management system includes a first refrigerant line along which a compressor, an inner condenser, a first expansion valve, and a flash tank are sequentially provided and through which a refrigerant flows, a second refrigerant line along which a second expansion valve and an evaporator are sequentially provided and the refrigerant flows from the flash tank and circulates to the compressor via the second expansion valve and the evaporator, a third refrigerant line configured such that the refrigerant discharged from the flash tank flows directly to the compressor and a heat absorber for performing heat exchange between the refrigerant discharged from the inner condenser and the refrigerant discharged from the flash tank, and a controller for controlling whether to operate the compressor, whether to allow the refrigerant to flow and whether to expand the refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2022Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventor: Jong Won Kim
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Patent number: 11987098Abstract: A heat pump includes a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a first heat exchanger, a first region of a second heat exchanger, a third heat exchanger, a fourth heat exchanger, a compressor, a vapor generator, an accumulator, a first expansion valve, and a first three-way valve. The compressor includes a low-pressure inlet, a mid-pressure inlet, and an outlet. The vapor generator is positioned downstream of the outlet of the compressor and upstream of both the low-pressure inlet and the mid-pressure inlet. The accumulator is positioned immediately upstream of the compressor. The accumulator includes an inlet and an outlet. The first expansion valve is positioned upstream of the accumulator. The first expansion valve includes an inlet and an outlet. The first three-way valve is positioned immediately downstream of the first expansion valve and immediately upstream of the accumulator.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2021Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Rachael Shey, Jeffrey Paul Brown
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Patent number: 11988444Abstract: A domestic appliance, which may be a cooling device, such as a refrigerator, includes: a treatment chamber that can be closed by a pivotable door; at least one camera arranged in the door for recording images from the treatment chamber when the door is open; and a door movement sensor for detecting values of at least one parameter of a door movement. The door movement sensor has at least one inertial sensor. At least one camera and the at least one inertial sensor are integrated in a camera/sensor module which is arranged in the door. The camera/sensor module has a communication device, at least for outputting image data from the camera of the camera/sensor module. The domestic appliance is configured to trigger at least one device function upon the detection of at least one trigger value.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2020Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Daniel Bihr, Hans Peter Werner, Christopher Rodney, Stephan Kempfle
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Patent number: 11982463Abstract: An air conditioner indoor unit includes an electric control box, a cleaner device, and an electrical wire. The cleaner device includes a filter screen rail assembly and a cleaning assembly configured to drive a filter screen to move on the filter screen rail assembly to clean the filter screen. The cleaning assembly includes an electrical wire connection end. The electrical wire is arranged at the cleaning assembly and the filter screen rail assembly. One end of the electrical wire is connected to the electrical wire connection end, and another end of the electrical wire is connected to the electric control box.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2019Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignees: GD MIDEA AIR-CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.Inventors: Gen Lu, Xing Liu, Zecheng Sun, Shuyang Pi