Patents Examined by M. Alexandra Elve
  • Patent number: 9474186
    Abstract: A method is provided for dissipating heat from a rack. The method includes: disposing a coolant-cooled heat exchanger within the rack, and providing a coolant control apparatus. The coolant control apparatus includes at least one coolant recirculation conduit coupled in fluid communication between a facility coolant supply and return, wherein the facility coolant supply and return facilitate providing facility coolant to the heat exchanger. The control apparatus further includes a coolant pump(s) associated with the recirculation conduit(s) and a controller which monitors a temperature of facility coolant supplied to the heat exchanger, and redirects facility coolant, via the coolant recirculation conduit(s) and coolant pump(s), from the facility coolant return to the facility coolant supply to, at least in part, ensure that facility coolant supplied to the heat exchanger remains above a dew point temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 9470451
    Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling an operation of a refrigerator. Different operation modes are selected according to whether a refrigerator door is opened and closed, and according to an inner temperature and an ambient noise. Freezing capacity of a compressor, the number of rotations of an evaporator fan, and the number of rotations of a condenser fan are varied in conjunction with one another, to reduce a noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jindong Kim, Myoungju Kang, Hosan Kim
  • Patent number: 9464836
    Abstract: An air conditioner having a plurality of compressors and a starting control method thereof, where the plurality of compressors is simultaneously started if a starting load of the air conditioner is smaller than a reference load, and the plurality of compressors is sequentially started if the starting load of the air conditioner is larger than the reference load, thereby simultaneously starting the plurality of compressors at a starting load section in which a starting stability of the compressors is secured, and thus capable of enhancing the cooling and heating performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyoung Rock Kim, Jong Moon Kim, Hyeong Joon Seo, Byoung Guk Lim, Chawang Jang
  • Patent number: 9459030
    Abstract: A device for expanding a refrigerant fluid has a first inlet and a first outlet which are connected by a first refrigerant circulation duct. The first refrigerant circulation duct has an upstream part and a downstream part which parts are placed in communication by a first communication passage. The device also has a second inlet and a second outlet which are connected by a second refrigerant circulation duct. The device regulates an expansion of the refrigerant fluid and has a first needle valve housed inside the upstream part of the first refrigerant flow duct connected by a first connecting rod to a thermostatic sensor in communication with the second refrigerant flow duct that allows or prevents refrigerant fluid from circulating through the first communicating passage. The device also measures the pressure of the refrigerant fluid entering the evaporator (Pse) which pressure measurement is taken at the first outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventors: Jugurtha Benouali, Jin-Ming Liu, Regine Haller, Stefan Karl, Mohamed Yahia, Christophe Rousseau
  • Patent number: 9459029
    Abstract: To provide a motor-driven valve with a small number of parts, with excellent assemblage, capable of maintaining a large valve port diameter even downsized, and to prevent deterioration of housing environment due to sound caused by the impact and shortened life that are generated by collisions of closing limit stopper parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9459052
    Abstract: A co-axial gas-liquid heat exchanger such as a charge air cooler comprises at least three concentric tubes forming at least two annular flow passageways. One end of the inner tube is rigidly attached to the middle tube by a thermal expansion connector including an inner connecting portion secured to the first end of the inner tube, an outer connecting portion secured to an inner surface of the middle tube; and one or more webs connecting the inner connecting portion to the outer connecting portion. The webs extend across the annular gas flow passageway but permit the hot gas to flow therethrough. The other end of the inner tube is free to expand in the longitudinal direction, relative to the middle and outer tubes. In some embodiments, the inner connecting portion forms part of a central plug portion which blocks an end of the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation
    Inventors: Lee M. Kinder, Michael Bardeleben, Doug Vanderwees, Brian E. Cheadle
  • Patent number: 9459033
    Abstract: A correspondence determination operation is performed. The correspondence determination operation differs a direction of distribution or a flow rate of a refrigerant flowing in one or some of use units among a plurality of use units to that of the other use units and determines, on the basis of a refrigerant temperature of the use unit, a location of a non-correspondence between a branch port that is connected to the use unit with refrigerant pipes and a set branch port that is obtained in accordance with the wire connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Tamaki, Fumitake Unezaki, Tomohiko Kasai
  • Patent number: 9453669
    Abstract: A refrigeration unit includes an engine, a motor capable of producing a similar power output as the engine, and a compressor driven by one of the engine and the motor. The compressor includes a suction inlet and a discharge outlet. The refrigeration unit also includes a condenser in fluid communication with the discharge outlet through which pressurized, gaseous refrigerant is condensed, an evaporator in fluid communication with the condenser to receive liquid refrigerant and return gaseous refrigerant to the suction inlet, a passageway having a first end in fluid communication with an outlet of the condenser, and a second end in fluid communication with the suction inlet, and a purge valve defining at least a portion of the passageway between the first and second ends. The purge valve is operable to selectively divert liquid refrigerant from the condenser to the suction inlet to increase the pressure in the suction inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott C. Milton, Stan O. Hoium, Peter W. Freund, Bradley M. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 9441744
    Abstract: A valve apparatus having a first housing coupled to a second housing. The first housing having a first chamber in fluid communication with a first inlet and a first outlet. The first chamber adapted for receiving a thermal actuator moveable from a first position to a second position in response to temperature of a first fluid in the first chamber. The second housing having a second chamber in fluid communication with a first and a second ports, the second chamber being fluidly sealed from the first chamber. The second chamber adapted for receiving a valve mechanism, which is operatively coupled to the thermal actuator and moveable from a first valve position preventing flow of a second fluid from the first port to the second port to a second valve position permitting flow of the second fluid from the first port to the second port upon actuation by the thermal actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation
    Inventors: Jeff Sheppard, Dario Bettio, Sachin Bhatia
  • Patent number: 9441888
    Abstract: A loop type pressure-gradient-driven low-pressure thermosiphon device includes a case sealed by a cover to define a chamber with a vaporizing section. The vaporizing section includes a plurality of spaced flow-guiding members and first flow passages formed between adjacent flow-guiding members. The flow passages respectively have at least one free end communicating with a free zone in the chamber. A pipeline is connected at two ends to two opposite sides of the case, and has a second flow passage communicable with the vaporizing section. The pipeline extends through at least one heat-dissipating element, so that the pipeline and the heat-dissipating element together define a condensing section. In the thermosiphon device, a low-pressure end is created through proper pressure-reduction design to form a pressure gradient for driving steam-water circulation, and the working fluid can be driven to circulate and transfer heat in the pipeline and the case without any wick structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Asia Vital Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shyy-Woei Chang, Kuei-Feng Chiang
  • Patent number: 9435548
    Abstract: An outdoor unit for an air conditioning system includes a tank to store defrosting liquid, a nozzle to apply defrosting liquid from the tank to a heat exchanger, a valve to control flow of the defrosting liquid between the tank and nozzle, and a controller to control the valve based on a temperature of the heat exchanger and a number of times the valve has been set to an open state during a heating mode of the air conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jahyung Koo, Byungil Park, Kyongmin Kwon, Byungsoon Kim
  • Patent number: 9435549
    Abstract: To provide an air-conditioning apparatus which achieves improvement of safety and further achieves saving of energy without circulating a refrigerant in or near an indoor unit. The air-conditioning apparatus includes one expansion device disposed on an outlet side of a heat exchanger related to the heat medium on the heating side. Another expansion device is disposed on an inlet side of a heat exchanger related to the heat medium on the cooling side such that the expansion devices are directly connected through a connecting pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura, Shinichi Wakamoto, Naofumi Takenaka
  • Patent number: 9429369
    Abstract: A thermal module structure includes a base and at least one locating member. The base has at least one channel formed thereon and the channel has a closed bottom portion and an open top portion. At least one first coupling section is formed on the base at a position corresponding to the open top portion of the channel. The locating member is provided on one side with at least one second coupling section corresponding to the first coupling section, and is fitted above the channel with the second coupling section engaged with the first coupling section. Therefore, with the locating member, a heat pipe set in the channel can be quickly and firmly held to the base at upgraded efficiency and reduced time and labor cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: ASIA VITAL COMPONENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Ming Wu, Ming-Han Yu
  • Patent number: 9428032
    Abstract: A thermal management system includes a cooling circuit, a heat exchange circuit, a heat recovery cooling device and a passenger compartment temperature regulating device. The cooling device includes a condenser, a throttling element and an evaporator. The heat exchange device includes a first air cooled heat exchanger and a heater. The heat recovery cooling device includes a pump, a second air cooled beat exchanger and a cooler. The passenger compartment temperature regulating device includes an air flowing passage and a fan arranged in the air flowing passage, or a compartment heat exchanger. The first air cooled heat exchanger and the heater are in communication with the condenser through a first flow regulating valve. The cooler and the heat emission component heat exchanger are in communication with the evaporator through a second flow regulating valve. The second air cooled heat exchanger is selectively connected in series to the heat emission component heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Hangzhou Sanhua Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rongrong Zhang, Chuliang Shi
  • Patent number: 9429372
    Abstract: An accumulator for a cooling fluid is provided that includes a floor. The floor has an interface for connecting a chamber of the accumulator to at least one cooling tube. The floor also has an opening that extends at least over a partial area of the chamber. The accumulator furthermore has a lid that is embodied in such a way as to seal the opening of the floor in a fluid-tight manner. The lid is embodied as wire or extrusion profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Hirsch, Heiko Neff, Achim Wiebelt
  • Patent number: 9416990
    Abstract: A hot water supply apparatus associated with a heat pump is provided. The hot water supply apparatus performs a hot water supply operation using a high temperature refrigerant that has been discharged from a compressor, and simultaneously performs an indoor heating operation using a two-stage refrigerant cycle. This allows the apparatus to supply hot water while simultaneously providing heating/cooling to an indoor space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jieseop Sim
  • Patent number: 9403606
    Abstract: Spacecraft, radiator panels for spacecraft, kits for radiator panels, inserts associated with radiator panels, heat pipes associated with radiator panels, external structural reinforcement members associated with radiator panels, and methods of assembling radiator panels are disclosed herein. Some radiator panels include at least one insert that is positioned adjacent to a heat pipe between two spaced-apart face-sheets, with the insert being configured to secure a package to the inside face-sheet opposite of the heat pipe. Some radiator panels include at least one external structural reinforcement member that extends across an external side of the radiator panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard William Aston, Michael J. Langmack
  • Patent number: 9400141
    Abstract: The invention refers to a plate heat exchanger comprising a first end plate (1), a second end plate (2) and a number of heat exchanger plates (3), forming first plate interspaces (I) and second plate interspaces (II), in alternating order. The heat exchanger plates comprise a first outermost plate pair (5), a second outermost plate pair (6) and intermediate plate pairs (7). The first end plate and the heat exchanger plates comprise first porthole areas (11, 12) for first porthole channels (13, 14) for the formation of inlet and outlet for a first medium to and from the first plate interspaces, and second porthole areas (21, 22) for the formation of second porthole channels (23, 24) for inlet and outlet for a second medium to and from the second plate interspaces. The first porthole areas of the heat exchanger plates of the second outermost plate pair form portholes and the second porthole areas of these heat exchanger plates are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Helén Gustafsson, Tomas Kovacs
  • Patent number: 9399866
    Abstract: A thermal barrier panel with selectable phase change materials includes a thermal panel and a plurality of containers movably positioned within the thermal panel to correspond to a heat load at a corresponding ambient temperature. Each of the plurality of containers includes a plurality of receptacles that include a plurality of different phase change materials. Each of the plurality of different phase change materials absorbs thermal energy produced by heat from the heat load at a corresponding ambient temperature. Each of the plurality of different phase change materials are positioned in a corresponding receptacle within a corresponding container, and each of the plurality of receptacles in a corresponding container include one of the plurality of different phase change materials. Corresponding ones of the plurality of receptacles are movably positioned to place a corresponding phase change material in facing relation to the heat load based upon the corresponding ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: KUWAIT UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Esam M. Alawadhi
  • Patent number: 9400102
    Abstract: In a heat exchanger that includes an expanded part of a duct, a heat-transfer tube bundle accommodating duct, and a plurality of heat-transfer tube bundles provided in the heat-transfer tube bundle accommodating duct in a flow direction of flue gas with a distance therebetween, a bare-tube-part upstream-side regulating plate and a bare-tube-part downstream-side regulating plate at an upstream side and a downstream side of a bare tube part of each of the heat-transfer tube bundles and a plurality of regulating plates in an introducing unit arranged either in the expanded part of a duct or in the heat-transfer tube bundle accommodating duct on an upstream side to the heat-transfer tube bundle are provided. A drift at the bare tube part of the heat-transfer tube bundles can be significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Kagawa, Moritoshi Murakami, Yuichiro Sato, Naoyuki Kamiyama, Tsuyoshi Miyaji