Patents Examined by Marc E. Norman
  • Patent number: 11498393
    Abstract: Refrigeration cycle intercooler with dual coil evaporator is a component in a refrigeration cycle that is installed in a vehicle with an internal combustion engine or motor. The refrigeration cycle operates by continuously cycling a refrigerant through a closed loop where refrigerant passes through an inner coil evaporator and an outer coil evaporator where the refrigerant changes from liquid to gas, thereby providing a cooling effect. During operation, fresh air or outside air continuously passes by the inner coil evaporator and the outer coil evaporator and then continues into the internal combustion engine or motor air intake. The inner coil evaporator and the outer coil evaporator function to cool and dry the intake air for the internal combustion engine or motor. The inner coil evaporator and an outer coil evaporator are specially designed to provide substantially more cooling and drying than any other intercooler design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Dustin A. Woolf
  • Patent number: 11491849
    Abstract: During pre-air conditioning in a vehicle cabin, when consumed electric power exceeds use permission electric power while an auxiliary heating device is operating, an operation of the auxiliary heating device is stopped. In contrast, when the consumed electric power exceeds the use permission electric power while the auxiliary heating device is not operating, a rotation speed of an electric compressor of an air conditioner is restricted. Therefore, the temperature environment in the vehicle cabin is improved by continuing the pre-air conditioning of the air conditioner while reducing the consumed electric power by stopping the operation of the auxiliary heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yu Hoshino
  • Patent number: 11486625
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
  • Patent number: 11486599
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a blower, a variable-speed compressor, an indoor air temperature sensor that measures an indoor air temperature (IAT) of an enclosed space, a discharge air temperature sensor that measures a discharge air temperature (DAT) of the flow of air from an evaporator, and a controller. The controller stores an indoor temperature setpoint and a default discharge air temperature setpoint. The controller receives the IAT and the DAT. The controller determines that the IAT is not within a threshold range of the indoor temperature setpoint. The controller then determines an adaptive discharge air temperature setpoint. The controller determines a compressor speed at which to operate the variable-speed compressor based on the adaptive discharge air temperature setpoint. The controller causes the variable-speed compressor to operate at the determined compressor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Juan Antonio Contreras Lafaire
  • Patent number: 11479085
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a temperature control system for a temperature controlled goods vehicle, wherein the temperature control system comprises: a solar panel and a temperature control unit comprising: one or more temperature control components; a battery coupled to the solar cell (200) for receiving a first charging current i1 from the solar cell; an engine operative to supply a second charging current i2 to the battery; and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Oscar Sanz De Acedo Pollan, Tom McNamara
  • Patent number: 11472265
    Abstract: A leak detection system includes a sensor assembly (30) having a sensor housing (32), a leak sensor (60), and a 36 collection housing (34). The sensor housing (32) defines a first fluid inlet (40). The leak sensor (60) is disposed within the sensor housing (32). The leak sensor (60) is arranged to provide a signal indicative of a presence of the first fluid within an interior space of the transport refrigeration unit. The collection housing (34) is spaced apart from the sensor housing (32) and defines a second fluid inlet (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael Stockbridge
  • Patent number: 11474545
    Abstract: A thermal bypass valve for diverting fluid, including an inlet, a chamber in fluid communication with the inlet, a bimetallic disc pivotably arranged in the chamber, a first outlet in fluid communication with the chamber, and a second outlet in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the bimetallic disc is operatively arranged to, in a first state, divert fluid to the first outlet, and in a second state, when the fluid reaches a predetermined temperature, divert the fluid to the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Fremont and Murphy LLC
    Inventors: Bradley C. Fremont, Lawrence Anthony Diller Murphy
  • Patent number: 11466911
    Abstract: A method and system for improving energy efficiency of a refrigeration system include system components such as a condenser, one or more expansion valves, an evaporator, one or more compressors, and a system controller electrically coupled to the one or more of the system components, according to one embodiment. The system controller is configured to selectively actuate, directly or indirectly, the one or more expansion valves, the condenser, and/or the one or more compressors, at least partially based on temperatures and/or pressures of the system fluid at various points of the system, to control a temperature of a refrigerated area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: DC Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dean Wolgamot, Timothy Alan Gwyn, William Michael Crist
  • Patent number: 11453266
    Abstract: An air-conditioning device for vehicle has a case and an outlet unit. The outlet unit has a vent door. The vent door is capable of stopping at a face mode position where a center vent outlet and a side vent outlet are opened, a bi-level mode position where a center vent outlet and the side vent outlet are opened, and a heat mode position where the center vent outlet is closed and the side vent outlet is opened. The vent door is movable from the face mode position to the heat mode position via the bi-level mode position. The case has a fixed guide member. The fixed guide member controls an air flow in the case in the bi-level position by facing the vent door positioned in the bi-level mode position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masakazu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11446978
    Abstract: An air conditioning and battery cooling assembly with an A/C coolant circuit and an E-drivetrain coolant circuit as well as a refrigerant circuit, wherein the A/C coolant circuit and the E-drivetrain coolant circuit are coupled together across a 4/2-way coolant valve in such a way that the A/C coolant circuit and the E-drivetrain coolant circuit can be operated separately or can receive a flow in serial manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR FAHRZEUGTECHNIK AG & CO KG
    Inventors: Christoph Bara, Navid Durrani, Martin Hötzel, Tobias Haas, Matthias Höfler
  • Patent number: 11446977
    Abstract: Described herein is air distributing device for an air conditioning unit of a motor vehicle, the device including: a housing defining an air intake chamber, on the housing there being formed an air inlet, a central air outlet, and two side air outlets. The device also includes a drum flap mounted rotatably about an axis (z) orthogonal to a direction that goes from the air inlet to the central air outlet. The flap is movable between a first position, wherein the air inlet is closed by the flap; a second position, wherein the two side air outlets are closed by the flap and an air flow between the air inlet and the central air outlet is allowed; and a third position, wherein the central air outlet is closed by the flap and an air flow between the air inlet and the side air outlets is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO THERMAL SYSTEMS S.P.A.
    Inventor: Claudio Ferrarese
  • Patent number: 11446984
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided to cool fluid used in a device mounted on a vehicle, by exchanging heat with cooler cooling water in a cooler. The system includes a cooling water passage connected to the cooler and having an undercover cooling water passage provided to an undercover, a cooler radiator configured to cool the cooler cooling water by exchanging heat between the cooler cooling water and air flowing into an engine bay from a grille, a flow rate adjuster configured to adjust a flow rate of the cooler cooling water supplied the undercover cooling water passage, and a controller configured to acquire at least a pressure or a temperature of the fluid, and control the flow rate adjuster to increase the flow rate of the cooler cooling water supplied to the undercover cooling water passage based on an increase in the pressure or the temperature of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yuma Yamaga, Yusuke Koike, Takafumi Tanehira, Yusuke Mikuni, Kanichi Yamaguchi, Katsutoshi Taninaka
  • Patent number: 11441820
    Abstract: A method of mitigating refrigerant leaks within a refrigeration system that includes: detecting a leak of a refrigerant from a refrigeration system; closing a first valve to inhibit a fluid flow of the refrigerant between an evaporator and a condenser fluidly connected to the evaporator; and operating a compressor to direct another fluid flow of the refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul V. Weyna, Jason D. Scarcella, Mark J. Perkovich, Lei Chen, Hai Tian
  • Patent number: 11441796
    Abstract: In a construction method of an air conditioning system, the respective rooms are provided with air intake sections 9a to 9d, 18a to 18d which spout air sent from blowers 40a to 40d, 41a to 41d, an exhaust section 52 which forms discharged air current directed from the respective rooms toward the return compartment is provided between the respective rooms and the return compartment, and the plurality of blowers 40a to 40d, 41a to 41d and at least one air conditioner are disposed in the return compartment. Air discharged from the plurality of rooms in the building 1 by the air conditioner 30b operated by the return compartment is adjusted in temperature and moisture in the return compartment, and wind is sent into the plurality of rooms in the building 1 by the blowers 40a to 40d, 41a to 41d, and air conditioning in the building 1 can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: FH ALLIANCE INC.
    Inventors: Kazuro Hiroishi, Hiromi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 11435137
    Abstract: Door alarm systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed. A door alarm system may monitor a door of a refrigeration device and detect a failed attempt at closing the door. In response to detecting the failed attempt, the door alarm system may generate a notification of the detected, failed attempt so that remedial action may be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: TRANSFORM SR BRANDS LLC
    Inventors: Angel Favila, Puneet Shivam
  • Patent number: 11433738
    Abstract: A thermal management method and system in a vehicle include a chiller to cause heat transfer between a coolant loop that defines a path in which a coolant circulates and a refrigerant loop that defines a path in which a refrigerant circulates. The system includes an electronic expansion valve (EXV) in the refrigerant loop to control a flow of the refrigerant into a first part of the chiller, and a coolant pump in the coolant loop to control a flow of the coolant into a second part of the chiller. A controller controls the EXV and the coolant pump based on a target amount for the heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Groen, Cameron P. Smith, Kyle Holihan, Michael H. Carlson, Nathan J. English, Lawrence P. Ziehr
  • Patent number: 11435103
    Abstract: A multifunction adaptive whole house fan system can include a whole house fan to pull large volume of air through a building structure. The whole house fan can pull air from a motorized window or damper into the building structure and expel air through an attic. The system can monitor the environment to operate the whole house fan when desired conditions are present in coordination with other systems of the building structure to reduce overall energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: QC MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Dana Charles Stevenson, Dane Stevenson, Dustin Martin Stevenson
  • Patent number: 11427053
    Abstract: A reversible refrigeration cycle system is configured to provide heating and cooling to condition passenger air for a vehicle such as, for example, a bus. The reversible refrigeration cycle system includes a storage tank for storing fluid, a compressor, a plurality of coils, and valves for selectively conducting the fluid to the plurality of coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Mobile Climate Control, Corp.
    Inventor: Adel Gergis
  • Patent number: 11427049
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner includes a heat pump system and an air conditioner ECU that controls the heat pump system. An operation mode of the heat pump system includes an air cooling mode, an air heating mode, a serial dehumidification air-heating mode, a parallel dehumidification air-heating mode, a battery-only cooling mode, and an air-cooling battery-cooling mode. The air conditioner ECU separately sets conditions for permitting cooling of a battery, depending on the operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki Shimauchi
  • Patent number: 11428422
    Abstract: When an outdoor air handler performs a heating humidifying operation and an air conditioner performs a cooling operation, a control device adjusts at least one of a to-be-supplied air temperature of the outdoor air handler, a to-be-supplied air flow rate of the outdoor air handler, a to-be-supplied water flow rate of the outdoor air handler, and a cooling temperature that is a temperature at an air heat exchanger of the air conditioner. The control device adjusts the to-be-supplied air temperature and the cooling temperature on the basis of dehumidification information, operation information, temperature information, and humidity information. The operation information is information regarding an operating state of the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasunori Okamoto, Naotoshi Fujita, Kouji Tatsumi, Masaaki Kawagishi, Shinya Umase