Patents Examined by M. Alexandra Elve
  • Expansion valve
    Patent number: 9109822
    Abstract: An expansion valve is disclosed herein and includes a valve body having a chamber; a valve seat and a valve core are provided in the chamber; a first opening and a second opening in communication with the chamber, wherein the valve core moves relative to the valve seat to control a size of a flow channel between the first opening and the second opening, wherein the valve core includes a valve core head portion facing the valve seat, the valve head portion is provided with an axial through hole, a piston is provided in the axial through hole, the piston is connected with the valve body. The piston which is connected with the valve body is provided in the axial through hole of the valve core head portion of the expansion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Zhejiang Sanhua Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Changqing Liu, Hongmin Song, Jie Liu, Boting Chen
  • Low ambient cooling kit for variable refrigerant flow heat pump
    Patent number: 9109830
    Abstract: Systems and methods for low ambient air temperature cooling in air-source based heat pump systems wherein an outdoor heat pump unit includes a discharge hood positionable over its fan. The hood including a damper that is openable and closeable as a function of outside temperature. The outdoor unit may also include wind deflectors positioned over the coil openings of the disclosure. During cooling operations below a low outside air threshold temperature, e.g., below 23° F., the damper assembly partially closes to reduce airflow across the condenser coil of the outdoor unit to a level below that which is possible at minimum fan speed. As the outdoor temperature continues to drop, the damper assembly continues to close to further reduce airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph P. Bush
  • Temperature controller with model-based time to target calculation and display
    Patent number: 9104211
    Abstract: A thermostat is described for controlling air temperature in a building. The time associated with causing the controlled air temperature to reach a target temperature is estimated and displayed to a user. Input from a user indicating the target temperature can be received and the estimating and displaying can be carried out in real time. The thermostat can be wall-mounted or the user input can be received and estimated time can be displayed using a remote device, for example that communicates wirelessly with other components of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, David Sloo, Matthew Lee Rogers, Rangoli Sharan, Michael James Matas, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Heat dissipating mechanism adapted to an electronic device and electronic device therewith
    Patent number: 9103606
    Abstract: A heat dissipating mechanism includes a first housing, a second housing and a tributary hole structure. The first housing is installed on a host casing. At least one inlet and at least one outlet are formed on two sides of the first housing. The second housing combines with the first housing, and the second housing and the host casing form a flow channel for communicating with the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet, so as to guide liquid from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet. The tributary hole structure is formed on the flow channel and located in a position between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet. The tributary hole structure is higher than the at least one outlet for guiding air from the at least one inlet to a fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Wei-Cheng Chou
  • Air conditioning system and method for controlling operation thereof
    Patent number: 9097448
    Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioning system and a method for controlling an operation thereof, whereby a charging device for charging power to be supplied into the indoor unit is employed, a chargeable control unit is separately employed, or a separate control unit connectable between the indoor unit and an electronic expansion valve is employed, thereby closing the electronic expansion valve even if power supplied into the indoor unit is blocked while controlling opening and closing of the electronic expansion valve, and additionally preventing the electronic expansion valve from being left open, resulting in prevention of an overload of a compressor within an indoor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yunchul Jung, Kibok Lee, Seungyong Lee
  • Cooling storage cabinet with dual evaporators and an inverter compressor
    Patent number: 9080805
    Abstract: A cooling storage cabinet includes a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment, a compressor, a three-way valve, and a control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Yanagida, Naoshi Kondou, Akira Suyama
  • Folded heat exchanger with V-shaped convex portions
    Patent number: 9080819
    Abstract: In a heat exchanger in which a number of V-shaped convex portions are arranged in parallel at a surface of a fin, one of a pair of inclined convex portions forming a V-shape is arranged to be inclined to a plus side by an angle a relative to a circulation direction of a gas at a first plane of a fin, the other is arranged to be inclined to a minus side by an angle b, and both of them are arranged by asymmetric angles in a left and right direction, and at a second plane opposed to the first plane, the angles which are asymmetric in the left and right direction are made to be reverse to those of the first plane relative to the circulation direction of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: T.RAD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimiaki Nakano, Kiyoshi Sasaki, Kouiti Akisawa, Jun Ono, Toshikatsu Hachiya, Satoshi Sakuma, Eriko Watase
  • Exhaust heat recovery device
    Patent number: 9080495
    Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery device includes a multi-piece, chamber-shaped branching member with a draw-molded first chamber half having one inlet for introducing exhaust gas, and a draw-molded second chamber half having two outlets for discharging the exhaust gas. The draw-molded first and second chamber halves are integrally connected together to form a single chamber. A first flow channel extends from one of the two outlets of the branching member for circulating the exhaust gas. A heat exchanger is provided to the first flow channel for recovering potential heat of the exhaust gas. A second flow channel extends from the other one of the two outlets of the branching member for circulating the exhaust gas while bypassing the heat exchanger. A valve chamber houses a valve configured to open and close an outlet of the second flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: YUTAKA GIKEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Hisanaga, Tomoyuki Uchida, Shingo Oshimizu, Toshihiro Kondo
  • Heat exchanger heat-utilization device and method of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 9074827
    Abstract: A heat exchanger heat-utilization device is obtained that can efficiently store heat and dissipate heat in or from a chemical thermal storage medium, and a manufacturing method of the heat exchanger heat-utilization device. A heat exchanger heat-utilization device includes: chemical thermal storage medium composite molded formed by organizing chemical thermal storage medium particles into a porous structural body having flow channels; and a heat exchanger body. The heat exchanger body has thermal storage medium containing portions in which the chemical thermal storage medium composite molded bodies are accommodated, and fluid flow channels that are partitioned from the thermal storage medium containing portions by partition walls and through which a heat exchange medium flows for heat exchange with the chemical thermal storage medium composite molded bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Takashi Shimazu, Hiroyuki Mitsui, Hideo Sobukawa, Yasuo Takada, Yoshiaki Fukushima
  • Temperature regulation system with hybrid refrigerant supply and regulation
    Patent number: 9074800
    Abstract: The present invention provides a temperature regulation system with hybrid refrigerant supply and regulation in which a pressure-reducing regulator (R100) from an evaporator (EVA100) controlled by a switch valve (V100) being installed between a condenser (CON100) and the evaporator (EVA100), and a refrigerant injector (IJ100) being installed between the condenser (CON100) and the evaporator (EVA100), and an electric control unit (ECU100) being provided for controlling the switch valve (V100) and the pressure-reducing regulator (R100) or for controlling the refrigerant injector (IJ100) such that both or at least one thereof being served to transport the refrigerant (REF100) to the interior or exterior of the evaporator (EVA100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Operation controller for compressor and air conditioner having the same
    Patent number: 9074787
    Abstract: The present invention provides a configuration in which a compressor can be controlled using an inverter in an air conditioner where only a signal related to ON/OFF of the compressor is output from a control terminal. An operation controller for a compressor is configured so that the compressor can be controlled using an inverter based on an ON signal output from a control interface of an air conditioner. Specifically, a target value of at least one of an outlet air temperature, an evaporation temperature and a condensation temperature, and a suction pressure and a discharge pressure of the compressor is corrected according to a duration of the ON signal or a duration of the OFF state thereof, thereby controlling the frequency of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamitsu Kitagishi, Ryouta Takechi, Masao Igata
  • Heat exchanger
    Patent number: 9074820
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of flat tubes in which a fluid flows, and a plurality of fins each of which is connected to flat surfaces of adjacent tubes to increase a heat exchange area on a side of air flowing outside of the tube. The fin includes a plate portion having a plate surface, and fin protrusions protruding from the plate surface of the plate portion. The fin protrusions are provided to be spaced from the flat surface of the tube by a predetermined distance. A flow resistance portion is provided to protrude from the flat surface of the tube toward outside by a protrusion dimension that is equal to or larger than the predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Hayasaka, Masahiro Shimoya, Mitsugu Nakamura, Takashi Taki, Masahiro Omae, Aun Ota
  • Apparatus for the compact cooling of modules
    Patent number: 9076753
    Abstract: An apparatus for the compact cooling of modules. The apparatus includes a clip, a first cover plate coupled to a first side of the clip, a second cover plate coupled to a second side of the clip opposite to the first side of the clip, a first frame thermally coupled to the first cover plate, and a second frame thermally coupled to the second cover plate. Each of the first frame and the second frame may include a plurality of channels for passing coolant through the first frame and the second frame, respectively. Additionally, the apparatus may further include a filler for directing coolant through the plurality of channels, and for blocking coolant from flowing along the first side of the clip and the second side of the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Pritish R. Parida
  • Multiple-ring heat exchanger
    Patent number: 9074792
    Abstract: The heat exchanger with a radial heat source has a first header, a second header, first tubes and second tubes. The first header is configured to allow liquid to enter and exit the heat exchanger. The second header is spaced from the first header and has at least one lower baffle provided therein. The first tubes extend from the first header to the second header, with the first tubes being spaced proximate to the radial heat source. The second tubes extend from the first header to the second header, with the second tubes being spaced from the radial heat source a greater distance than the first tubes. An enhancement device may be positioned in respective tubes of the first tubes to create a water vortex in the first tubes wherein boiling of the water in the first tubes is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: HARSCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher John Ellingwood, Abdel H. Shidfar, Walter George Rykowski, Christopher Russell Hurst, Douglas James Smith, James Albert Hall
  • Refrigerant distribution unit for air conditioner
    Patent number: 9068758
    Abstract: A refrigerant distribution unit for an air conditioner, includes: a pipe unit which distributes a refrigerant from a refrigerant pipe on an outdoor unit side to multiple branch refrigerant pipes, which includes an electromagnetic valve and a temperature sensor, on an indoor unit side; a main unit which stores the pipe unit covered by an insulator case, upper and lower cases; and an electric component box which controls the electromagnetic valves and the temperature sensors by connecting the valves with the sensors by cables. A cable draw-out recessed portion is formed in one of side faces of the insulator case where the connecting slots for the pipes are formed, and a bottom face recessed portion for storing the cables is formed in a bottom face of the insulator case. The upper case includes a cable draw-out slot for guiding the cables to a cable guide hole formed in the electric component box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: FUJITSU GENERAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Shun Matsuura, Haruki Yamashita
  • Touch free automatic faucet
    Patent number: 9057183
    Abstract: A touch free automatic faucet is provided. The faucet includes a faucet housing including many sensors for controlling water flow and water temperature. A processor is connected to the sensors. A first control valve assembly is connected to the processor. A second control valve assembly is connected to the processor. A power source is connected to the processor, the first control valve assembly and the second control valve assembly. Water flow and water temperature are controlled by the sensors without touching of the faucet housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventor: Chung-Chia Chen
  • Solar heated water distribution system
    Patent number: 9033254
    Abstract: A non electric, temperature controlled system for passing or bypassing a solar water heating apparatus includes a temperature controlled water distribution valve directing water to flow from a main supply of water toward a user depending on the setting and configuration of the temperature controlled water distribution valve within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Jeff Wieland
  • Beverage preparation machine and method of operating a beverage preparation machine
    Patent number: 8833236
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine is electrically operated and has a control unit, at least one functional unit, and an electric circuit for supplying the functional unit and the control unit with current. The electric circuit has a switch for switching the current on or off, through respective first and second operations of an operating element. The switch has a first switch contact and a second switch contact, which are connected in parallel in the electric circuit. The first switch contact is brought into a closed state by the first operation of the operating element, and assumes an open state after the second operation. The control unit provides a control signal so that the second switch contact is closed after the first operation of the switch and opened after the second operation of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Jura Elektroapparate AG
    Inventor: Shahryar Reyhanloo
  • Thermostat system with software-repurposable wiring terminals adaptable for HVAC systems of different ranges of complexity
    Patent number: 8708242
    Abstract: An auxiliary hardware box is described that can be installed at or near the HVAC system. The auxiliary box includes a large number of wiring terminals, for example 16 or more, for connecting to a relatively large number of HVAC control wires. The auxiliary box can include a “train map” type graphic display that is visible to the installer and provides a graphical indication as to which relays or switches are currently open and which are currently closed. A small sleek visually pleasing thermostat is also described that can be connected either directly to an HVAC system or to the auxiliary box, and can automatically detect an purpose the connected wires according to which it is connected to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Nest Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Conner, Joseph E. Palmer, David Sloo
  • Vertical filter filling machine and process
    Patent number: 8591390
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the mass production of compound cigarette filters function to deposit granular filter material into the open ends of vertically oriented filter tubes. Predetermined amounts of diverse granular material are withdrawn by suction from sources of such material, and these amounts are deposited into the tubes. Solid filter segments seal the granular material within the tube. After one half of each filter tube is filled with granular material and sealed, the tube is inverted and the opposite end is filled in substantially the same manner. When cut in half each filter tube produces two cigarette filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventor: Steven F. Spiers