Patents Examined by Marc E. Norman
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Patent number: 11420497Abstract: The present invention relates to an air conditioner for a vehicle, which includes an air-conditioning case (200), and at least one door (100) mounted to be opened and closed at a predetermined position, wherein the door (100) is formed integrally with an arm pivot (140), and the arm pivot (140) includes a pin part, and ribs formed integrally with both sides of the pin part to reinforce rigidity of the pin part and offset noise. The air conditioner further includes distortion preventing parts formed on a rotary shaft to be dented and to be crossed to each other, thereby reducing a transformation rate of the door and securing accuracy of the pin part.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2017Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: HANON SYSTEMSInventors: Jong Su Kim, Seong Seok Han, Jeong Jae Lee, Hyung Joo Kim, Hun Sang Lee, Heon Hur, Beom Ki Kim
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Patent number: 11420494Abstract: A method for operating an air conditioning system, which may include a heating device, to condition air in a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle. At least one first air path and at least one second air path may each fluidically communicate with the air conditioning system and each open out into the vehicle interior. The method may include guiding the air from the vehicle interior via one of (i) the at least one first air path and (ii) the at least one second air path to the air conditioning system as a function of an operating state set in the air conditioning system. The method may also include guiding the air from the air conditioning system via the other of the one of (i) the at least one first air path and (ii) the at least one second air path into the vehicle interior.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Inventors: Holger Laux, Oliver Schultze
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Patent number: 11415341Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for determining temperature profile associated with a thermal storage tank of a hydronic system. The method performed by a control unit includes monitoring a flow rate and a temperature of a volume of hot water and a volume of cold water entering a thermal storage tank via a set of flowmeters and a set of temperature sensors, respectively. The method includes determining a current location of plurality of water layers in the thermal storage tank. The method further includes computing an average temperature value of the at least the hot water and the cold water withdrawn from the thermal storage tank. The method includes generating a temperature profile of the thermal storage tank based at least on the current location, the flow rate and the temperature of the hot water and the cold water, and the average temperature value.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Inventors: Elisabeth Jane Melia, Evan Green, Pieter Noordam, Kelyn Wood
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Patent number: 11413927Abstract: A motor vehicle air conditioning unit, having a housing with at least one air channel arranged therein and with at least one heat exchanger for conditioning the air in the at least one air channel, the housing having at least one first air outlet and one second air outlet, a first air outlet channel being assigned to the first air outlet and conducting air to the first air outlet, and a second air outlet channel being assigned to the second air outlet and conducting air to the second air outlet, a first vane valve and a second vane valve being provided. The first vane valve assigned to the first air outlet channel, and the second vane valve assigned to the second air outlet channel, the first vane valve and the second vane valve being rotatably fixedly connected to a shaft and being rotatable by an actuator driving the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: MAHLE International GmbHInventors: Philipp Kullen, Holger Laux, Erich Litwing, Oliver Schultze, Vincenzo Venezia
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Patent number: 11407280Abstract: An ultra low cost electric vehicle heating apparatus, components thereof, and related method are herein described. A driver circuit operates a switching device at an intermediate state between fully-turned-off and fully-turned-on, in a high power dissipation heating mode, to efficiently produce heat energy for heating a passenger compartment, or energy storage system, of an electric vehicle. The driver circuit operates the switching device to have a fully-turned-off state and a fully-turned-on state in a main function mode for a traction inverter or an energy storage system charger of the electric vehicle. The driver circuit is operable to cycle the heating mode and the main function mode for combining such heating and such main function operation of the traction inverter, or the charger, without compromising the operation of the traction motor, or charger, while simultaneously eliminating many of the expensive resistive heating components in use by practitioners of the art.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2022Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: RANCHO DEL I.P.Inventor: Andy Turudic
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Patent number: 11407287Abstract: Embodiments are provided for a system configured to provide pre-trip sequence and diagnostics for refrigerant leak sensor. The system includes a sensor, a fan, and a controller. The controller is further configured to validate an operation of the sensor, operate the fan based at least in part on validating the operation of the sensor, and responsive to operating the fan, determine if a leak is present using the sensor. The controller is also configured to perform a refrigeration test, determine if a leak is present using the sensor, and provide an alarm based at least in part on determining the leak is present. Embodiments are also provided for a method for performing a pre-trip sequence and diagnostics for a leak sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Christopher G. Repice, Michael Stockbridge
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Patent number: 11408627Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a plurality of indoor units. Each of the indoor units includes a heat-medium flow adjusting valve and a heat exchanger. The heat-medium flow adjusting valve adjusts the flow rate of a heat medium that flows into the heat-medium flow adjusting valve, and causes the heat medium to flow out of the heat-medium flow adjusting valve. The heat exchanger causes heat exchange to be performed between the heat medium and air. The heat medium flows into the heat exchanger from an inflow side of the heat exchanger. The inflow side of the heat exchanger is connected to an outflow side of the heat-medium flow adjusting valve. The plurality of indoor units are connected in series.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2018Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Shigeo Takata, Takuya Kontani
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Patent number: 11392890Abstract: A refrigerating or food storage appliance for receiving containers within the appliance for storing a substance, the appliance including a cabinet at least partially defining an interior with an access opening, a door movably mounted to the cabinet to selectively open/close the access opening and at least partially defining the interior when the door selectively closes the access opening, at least one thermal imaging device for obtaining thermal image data of at least one container within the interior, and a control unit receiving the thermal image data.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Neomar Giacomini
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Patent number: 11383579Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle and a control method thereof may include a temperature detector; an air conditioning actuator including a cooling device and a blower; and a controller connected to the temperature detector and the air conditioning actuator and including: a load determination portion determining an air conditioning load based on factors including an internal temperature or an external temperature of a vehicle detected by the temperature detector; a storage portion storing a control map that controls the air conditioning actuator according to the air conditioning load; and an update portion updating a control value, pre-stored in the control map, of the air conditioning actuator for the air conditioning load to a demand value of a user when receiving the demand value of the user for the air conditioning actuator.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hanon SystemsInventors: Gee Young Shin, Dong Ho Kwon, Dae Ig Jung, Seung Hyeok Chang, Jeong Hoon Lee, Joong Jae Kim
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Patent number: 11383578Abstract: A two-position eight-way valve, including a valve body, a sliding column, and a control mechanism. The valve body is provided with an accommodating space having an opening. The control mechanism is connected to the opening. Provided on a sidewall of the accommodating space are a first through hole, a second through hole, a third through hole, a fourth through hole, a fifth through hole, a sixth through hole, a seventh through hole, and an eighth through hole allowing the accommodating space to be in communication with the external environment. The sliding column is provided within the accommodating space and is connected to the control mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2018Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignees: GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES (WUHAN) CO., LTD, GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, INC. OF ZHUHAIInventors: Chuanxi Huang, Qiang Liu, Huawen Qu
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Patent number: 11384953Abstract: An air conditioning system includes: an air conditioner that generates conditioned air by heat exchange with a refrigerant and supplies the conditioned air to an air conditioning target space; a refrigerant sensor that detects refrigerant leakage; a ventilator that ventilates the air conditioning target space; and a controller. The ventilator includes: a total heat exchanger; a first air supply path and a first air exhaust path that connect the air conditioning target space and an outside of the air conditioning target space via the total heat exchanger; a second air supply path that connect the air conditioning target space and the outside of the air conditioning target space without passing through the total heat exchanger; an air supply fan that supplies air from the outside of the air conditioning target space into the air conditioning target space via the first air supply path and the second air supply path.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Kousuke Hirai, Tooru Fujimoto, Akiyoshi Yamamoto, Gakuto Sakai, Yoshitaka Matsugi
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Patent number: 11382177Abstract: A heating apparatus includes: first and second heaters, first and second switches, first and second ramp signal generation circuits, a signal processor circuit, first and second comparison circuits, and a switch control circuit. The first and second ramp signal generation circuits generate first and second ramp signals according to first and second output currents, respectively. The signal processor circuit senses a temperature to generate a temperature-related signal. The first and second comparison circuits compare the first and second ramp signals with the temperature-related signal, to generate a first PWM signal and a second PWM signal for controlling the first and second switches respectively, to determine the first and second output currents so that there is a predetermined ratio between average powers of the first heater and the second heater.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Chang-Yu Ho
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Patent number: 11376922Abstract: A transport climate control system is disclosed. The transport climate control system includes a self-configuring matrix power converter having a charging mode, an inverter circuit, a controller, a first DC energy storage and a second DC energy storage, and a compressor. The first DC energy storage and the second DC energy storage have different voltage levels. During the charging mode, the inverter circuit is configured to convert a first AC voltage from an energy source to a first DC voltage, the controller is configured to control the self-configuring matrix power converter to convert the first DC voltage to a first output DC voltage to charge the first DC energy storage, and/or to a second output DC voltage to charge the second DC energy storage.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Thermo King CorporationInventor: Ryan Wayne Schumacher
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Patent number: 11378317Abstract: An HVAC system includes a pressure sensor is disposed in a suction line between a compressor and an indoor heat-exchange coil. The pressure sensor is electrically coupled to a compressor controller. An HVAC controller is electrically coupled to the compressor controller. The HVAC controller is configured to transmit a signal to the compressor controller to activate and de-activate the compressor. The compressor controller is configured to receive a signal from the HVAC controller to activate the compressor, determine a start speed of the compressor, monitor a run time of the compressor, and modulate a speed of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Umesh Gokhale, Eric Berg
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Patent number: 11370265Abstract: A thermal management system includes a refrigerant line including a compressor, a water-cooled condenser, and a cooling core for indoor air conditioning connected to the water-cooled condenser such that refrigerant emerging from the water-cooled condenser is introduced into the cooling core for indoor air conditioning, and a battery line including a high-voltage battery heat exchanging module and a heater core for indoor air conditioning. The battery line is connected to the refrigerant line through the water-cooled condenser in a heat exchangeable manner such that the high-voltage battery heat exchanging module and the heater core for indoor air conditioning are connected in parallel to the water-cooled condenser via a first valve to cause cooling water heated while passing through the water-cooled condenser to be selectively introduced into the high-voltage battery heat exchanging module or the heater core for indoor air conditioning.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Sang Shin Lee, Man Ju Oh, So La Chung, Jae Woong Kim
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Patent number: 11365678Abstract: A fluid valve is provided including an inner shell and an outer shell. The inner shell includes a sidewall having a first opening and an interior surface defining an inner chamber. The outer shell includes a sidewall having a second opening and an exterior surface defining an outer chamber. The inner shell is positioned within the outer shell and the inner shell is movable relative to the outer chamber between a first position and a second position by a change in fluid conditions of a fluid supplied to the fluid valve. The first opening and the second opening overlap to define a passageway extending from the interior surface of the inner shell to the exterior surface of the outer shell. Relative movement of the inner shell from the first position toward the second position reduces a cross-sectional area of the passageway.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATIONInventors: Andrew C. Pickard, Danielle J. Wilson
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Patent number: 11364773Abstract: A plate-type heat exchanger including a body plate, an upper plate, and a lower plate. The body plate includes a plurality of alternately stacked plates, a space between the plurality of plates having a first heat exchange passage through which a first refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure flows, and a second heat exchange passage through which a second refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure flows. A heat exchange between the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant is performed in the body plate. The upper plate is bonded to a front side of the body plate and having a first inlet hole through which the first refrigerant is introduced and a first outlet hole through which the second refrigerant is discharged. The lower plate is bonded to a rear side of the body plate and having a second inlet hole through which the second refrigerant is introduced and a second outlet hole through which the first refrigerant is discharged.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2020Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: HS R & A CO., LTD.Inventors: Jae Hyeok Choi, Deok Hyun Lim, Young Jun Kim, Kwon Sik Hwang
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Patent number: 11364772Abstract: An air conditioning unit, including: a chamber; a fan, in the chamber, for effecting an entry air entering the chamber and an exit air exiting the chamber; and an evaporative unit, in the chamber, for conditioning the entry air; wherein the fan, together with at least part of the chamber, creates a pressure zone, without ejecting air directly to, or without drawing air directly from, the evaporative unit, such that air moves through the evaporative unit substantially through a pressure effect.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2017Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Inventors: Shihong Bei, Jianguo Zhu
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Patent number: 11363741Abstract: A cooling system includes a coolant transmitter that transmits coolant at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The cooling system also includes an evaporation vessel at atmospheric pressure. The evaporation vessel can contain an amount of coolant at the boiling point of the coolant. The cooling system also includes a pressure reducer fluidically coupled to the coolant transmitter and the evaporation vessel. The pressure reducer can include an orifice. The cooling system is configured such that heat is transferred from the coolant in the coolant transmitter to the coolant contained in the evaporation vessel. An exit stream conduit can fluidically couple the coolant transmitter and the pressure reducer, with the exit stream conduit diverting a portion of the coolant from the coolant transmitter to the evaporation vessel.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2021Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Veir, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Paul Ashworth, Franco Moriconi, Timothy David Heidel
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Patent number: 11351837Abstract: A vehicular thermal management system includes: an indoor-air-conditioner disposed in a first vehicle body having a passenger space and including a compressor, a first condenser, an evaporator, a blower, and a refrigerant line; and a component-air-conditioner disposed in a second vehicle body combinable with the first vehicle body and including an electrical component line for cooling an electrical component of the vehicle and a first battery line for cooling a high-voltage battery including a chiller which extends toward the first vehicle body to be disposed behind the evaporator when the first vehicle body is combined with the second vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Sang Shin Lee, Man Ju Oh, Uk Il Yang, Jae Woong Kim, So La Chung