Patents Examined by Marc Norman
  • Patent number: 9373099
    Abstract: The invention relates to a network of participants connected through a website and thereby forming a virtual cold chain, and wherein the participants can make proposals and/or bids to shipment owners, shippers, receivers, and customers, to provide services or products to keep the shipment at desired conditions (especially, temperature conditions) during a period of the remaining shipment. The shipment can be monitored en route by agents acting for the website or by either the same participants making proposals, or other participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: Maurice Barakat
  • Patent number: 9365090
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for controlling the climate of a vehicle. The system includes a thermoelectric module and a heat exchanger. The thermoelectric module includes thermoelectric elements powered by electric energy. The thermoelectric elements emit or absorb heat energy based on the polarity of the electrical energy provided. The thermoelectric module and the heat exchanger heat or cool the air flow provided to the cabin of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter R. Gawthrop
  • Patent number: 9360224
    Abstract: An air condition system includes a casing, a first heat exchanger, a fan and a second heat exchanger. A host is held by the casing. The first heat exchanger is disposed inside the casing. Air flows into the casing, and is processed by the first heat exchanger. Then, the air processed by the heat exchange procedure flows forward the host. The fan exhausts the air passing through the host. The second heat exchanger disposed on the fan and inside the casing. The air exhausted by the fan is processed by the second heat exchanger, and flows out of the casing by wind force of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-Hung Pan, Shue-Liang Lin, Ming-Chang Wu
  • Patent number: 9359933
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve assembly for a cooling system of an internal combustion engine provided with a radiator is provided. The thermostatic valve assembly includes a valve body having an inlet from the radiator, an inlet from the engine and an outlet to the engine. A main valve plate opens and closes the pathway of a cooling fluid from the radiator. A wax element is placed in a chamber of the valve body in fluid communication with the inlets and the outlet. The wax element has a piston mechanically connected to the main valve plate at a distal end. A main spring keeps the main valve plate closed until a target temperature of the cooling fluid coming from the engine is reached. An auxiliary valve plate opens and closes a direct pathway of the cooling fluid from the radiator to the chamber in which the wax element is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Luca Borgia, Carmine Pezzella
  • Patent number: 9360873
    Abstract: A thermostat having improved reactivity may include a thermostat case having side connected to first and second passages, and a third passage formed between the first and second passages in a side direction, a valve body where first and second valves are formed to open/close the first and second passages, and a mounting space is formed in the valve body, an elastic member elastically pushing the valve body in a direction of the first valve such that the first valve closes the first passage, and a drive portion moving the valve body in response to contraction or expansion of a wax disposed in the mounting space. A flowing turn wall may be formed to correspond to the third passage such that a liquid flowing in through the second passage moves in a direction opposite to the third passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Company
    Inventor: Philgi Lee
  • Patent number: 9359867
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for cooling a component of a downhole tool is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first desiccant configured to adsorb a refrigerant gas. A transmitter is configured to transmit electromagnetic energy into the first desiccant to enable desorption of the refrigerant gas from the first desiccant. A condenser condenses the desorbed refrigerant gas into a liquid phase. The condensed refrigerant evaporates from a liquid phase to a gaseous phase to cool the component. A second desiccant can be used, wherein the processor is configured to operate the cooling system in a first mode of operation in which the first desiccant is in thermal communication with the component and the second desiccant is thermally isolated from the component and a second mode of operation in which the second desiccant is in thermal communication with the component and the first desiccant is thermally isolated from the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Erik Pennewitz, Thomas Kruspe, Sebastian Jung
  • Patent number: 9360259
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided in which a large number of plate-shaped fins are attached to outer peripheries of heat transfer tubes through which refrigerant flows. Three rows of heat transfer tubes are arranged along an air flow direction. An inlet side heat transfer tube in a case of using as an evaporator or an outlet side heat transfer tube in a case of using as a condenser has the smallest diameter. In a case where the most windward side heat transfer tube has the smallest diameter, a tube diameter of the most windward side heat transfer tube is D1, a tube diameter of the middle heat transfer tube is D2, and a tube diameter of the most leeward side is D3, D1<D2=D3, 4 mm?D3?10 mm, and 0.6?D1/D3<1 are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshio Oritani, Masanori Jindou, Hideki Sawamizu, Yoshimasa Kikuchi, Kanji Akai
  • Patent number: 9363925
    Abstract: A modular computing system for a data center includes one or more data center modules including rack-mounted computer systems. An electrical module is coupled to the data center modules and provides electrical power to computer systems in the data center modules. One or more air handling modules are coupled to the data center modules. The data center module may include two pre-fabricated portions, each portion including a row of racks of computer systems. The two computing module portions of the data center module may combine to form a computing space when coupled to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Phillip Czamara, Osvaldo P. Morales
  • Patent number: 9353996
    Abstract: A pressure difference driven heat spreader includes a chamber defined in a main body; a vaporizing section arranged in the chamber and including a plurality of first flow-guiding members spaced from one another to define first flow passages therebetween, the first flow passages each having at least one free end communicating with a free zone; a condensing section arranged in the chamber opposite to the vaporizing section and including a plurality of second flow-guiding members spaced from one another to define second flow passages therebetween; and an interconnecting section arranged between the vaporizing and condensing sections and having first and second communicating holes for communicating the vaporizing section with the condensing section. The condensing section functions as a low-pressure end, so that a pressure gradient is produced in the pressure difference driven heat spreader to drive steam-water circulation therein, and no wick structure is needed for driving the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Asia Vital Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shyy-Woei Chang, Kuei-Feng Chiang
  • Patent number: 9357682
    Abstract: An automated multi-fluid cooling method is provided for cooling an electronic component(s). The method includes obtaining a coolant loop, and providing a coolant tank, multiple valves, and a controller. The coolant loop is at least partially exposed to outdoor ambient air temperature(s) during normal operation, and the coolant tank includes first and second reservoirs containing first and second fluids, respectively. The first fluid freezes at a lower temperature than the second, the second fluid has superior cooling properties compared with the first, and the two fluids are soluble. The multiple valves are controllable to selectively couple the first or second fluid into the coolant in the coolant loop, wherein the coolant includes at least the second fluid. The controller automatically controls the valves to vary first fluid concentration level in the coolant loop based on historical, current, or anticipated outdoor air ambient temperature(s) for a time of year.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 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, Prabjit Singh, Jing Zhang
  • Patent number: 9353963
    Abstract: An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 9353964
    Abstract: Various forms of wirelessly-enabled thermostats for multi-area HVAC control are presented. Such a thermostat may include: a controller; a temperature sensor included in the wireless-enabled thermostat that is in communication with the controller; a user input device that permits a user to input a setpoint temperature and an area priority, and a wireless communication system included in the wireless-enabled thermostat that is in communication with the controller. The controller may be configured to communicate temperature readings to a remotely-located central system and receive, from the user input device, the setpoint temperature and the area priority. The controller may be configured to communicate the setpoint temperature and the area priority to the central system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 9352634
    Abstract: A composite heat exchanger includes a first heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between feed air and a refrigerant, and a second heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the feed air and engine coolant. The composite heat exchanger is integrated so as to enable heat transfer between discharge refrigerant flowing through the first heat exchanger and the coolant flowing through the second heat exchanger. Furthermore, the composite heat exchanger is configured to change an amount of the heat exchanged among the feed air, the discharge refrigerant and the coolant in the composite heat exchanger by changing at least one of a volume of the feed air, a refrigerant discharge capacity of the compression mechanism, and an inflow amount of the heat medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiki Katoh, Satoshi Itoh
  • Patent number: 9351431
    Abstract: An automated multi-fluid cooling system and method are provided for cooling an electronic component(s). The cooling system includes a coolant loop, a coolant tank, multiple valves, and a controller. The coolant loop is at least partially exposed to outdoor ambient air temperature(s) during normal operation, and the coolant tank includes first and second reservoirs containing first and second fluids, respectively. The first fluid freezes at a lower temperature than the second, the second fluid has superior cooling properties compared with the first, and the two fluids are soluble. The multiple valves are controllable to selectively couple the first or second fluid into the coolant in the coolant loop, wherein the coolant includes at least the second fluid. The controller automatically controls the valves to vary first fluid concentration level in the coolant loop based on historical, current, or anticipated outdoor air ambient temperature(s) for a time of year.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 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, Prabjit Singh, Jing Zhang
  • Patent number: 9347615
    Abstract: A low-loss cryogenic fluid supply system having at least one main cryogenic fluid tank and a backup cryogenic fluid tank each having a vent set to a first pressure P1 and a pressure build circuit set to a second pressure P2, a main tank gas supply line configured to supply gas to a junction at a third pressure P3, a main tank liquid supply line configured to supply gas to the junction at a fourth pressure P4, a backup tank liquid supply line configured to supply gas to the junction at a fifth pressure P5, a backup tank backpressure regulator configured to supply gas to a point upstream to the main tank gas supply line at a sixth pressure P6, and an outlet supply line configured to supply gas from the junction at an end use pressure Pu, where P1>P3?P2, P1?P6>P2, P6?P3>P4>P5>Pu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Gerard Witte
  • Patent number: 9347715
    Abstract: An evaporator (168) in a vapor compression system (14) (168) includes a shell (76), a first tube bundle (78); a hood (86); a distributor (80); a first supply line (142); a second supply line (144); a valve (122) positioned in the second supply line (144); and a sensor (150). The distributor (80) is positioned above the first tube bundle (78). The hood (88) covers the first tube bundle (78). The first supply line (142) is connected to the distributor (80) and an end of the second supply line (144) is positioned near the hood (88). The sensor (150) is configured and positioned to sense a level of liquid refrigerant (82) in the shell. The valve (122) regulates flow in the second supply line in response to the level of liquid refrigerant (82) from the sensor (150).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jeb Schreiber, Jay A. Kohler, Paul De Larminat, Mustafa Kemal Yanik, William F. McQuade, Justin Kauffman, Soren Bierre Poulsen, Lee Li Wang, Satheesh Kulankara
  • Patent number: 9347712
    Abstract: A heat dissipating device includes a heat dissipating fin module, a second base, a third base, a heat pipe, a first sleeve and a fourth base. The heat dissipating fin module includes a first base and a plurality of first heat dissipating fins. A recess is formed on the second base. The third base is disposed in the recess. The heat pipe includes a heat dissipating segment, a heat absorbing segment and a connecting segment connecting the heat dissipating segment and the heat absorbing segment. The heat dissipating segment is disposed in the first base. The heat absorbing segment is disposed in the second and third bases and contacts the third base directly. The first sleeve at least covers the connecting segment. The fourth base is formed by a die casting process and covers peripheries of the first and second bases and the first sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: COOLER MASTER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chia-Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 9345173
    Abstract: A modular computing system for a data center includes one or more data center modules including rack-mounted computer systems. An electrical module is coupled to the data center modules and provides electrical power to computer systems in the data center modules. One or more air handling modules are coupled to the data center modules. The data center module may include two pre-fabricated portions, each portion including a row of racks of computer systems. The two computing module portions of the data center module may combine to form a computing space when coupled to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Phillip Czamara, Osvaldo P. Morales
  • Patent number: 9342110
    Abstract: A heat dissipating device includes a supporting part, a plurality of first fins and a plurality of second fins. The first fins are disposed in a vertical array at the supporting part. The second fins are disposed in an inclined array at the supporting part. The first fins and the second fins are staggeredly disposed and adjacent to each other correspondingly. The heat exchange efficiency of the fins is improved so as to increase the heat dissipating efficiency of the heat dissipating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Chun-Chieh Wong, Cheng-Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 9342080
    Abstract: A cartridge comprising a slide valve for regulating the temperature of a mixture of hot and cold fluids is provided. The slide valve is, under the action of a thermostatic element and with respect to an external casing of the cartridge, movable along the central axis of the casing so as to inversely vary the respective cross sections of flow of a cold-fluid inlet and a hot-fluid inlet. Therefore the cartridge can, in an economical and easy manner, regulate high flows of hot fluid and/or cold fluid. The slide valve delimits externally a groove for channelling hot fluid, which can distribute the supply of hot fluid from the hot-fluid inlet over the entire external periphery of the slide valve, and/or a groove for channelling cold fluid which can distribute the supply of cold fluid from the cold-fluid inlet over the entire external periphery of the slide valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: VERNET
    Inventors: William Da Silva, Emmanuel Platet