Patents Examined by Marc Norman
  • Patent number: 9339042
    Abstract: Provided, is a fully integrated system to monitor and control carcass weight to minimize weight loss in carcasses during the chilling cycle. This will be accomplished by incorporating a load cell and a radio frequency identification device on the trolley operating on the elevated track system extending through the packing plant, including the carcass chilling rooms. This method and apparatus will provide the needed location and weight data to control a water spray system to maintain a constant carcass weight during the entire chilling cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: LP SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventor: Rodney W. Heston
  • Patent number: 9341398
    Abstract: An air conditioning device is used in a motor vehicle. The air conditioning device includes air conditioning circuit, which includes a compressor (14), a condenser (11), and/or an internal exchanger, an electric expansion valve (12) which opening ratio is changed according to a control signal, and an evaporator (13), which are traversed in this order by a refrigerant fluid and a control unit (40) capable of controlling a control signal of the expansion valve so as to regulate a control variable relating to the superheating of the evaporator or to the sub-cooling of the condenser (11) according to a chosen regulation rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventor: Jin Ming Liu
  • Patent number: 9340094
    Abstract: An engine and an electronic control unit perform cooling capacity increase control for compensating for a insufficiency of the cooling capacity of a cooling device. The electronic control unit performs a variety of control for a vehicle, including control of the cooling device. At that time, the electronic control unit calculates the target value of the cooling capacity of the cooling device, calculates the estimate value of the cooling capacity that will be able to be exerted in the future under the current control, compares the target value and the estimate value, and when it is determined from the result of the comparison that the cooling capacity will be insufficient, performs the cooling capacity increase control. The electronic control unit changes the contents of the cooling capacity increase control according to the degree of insufficiency of the estimate value with respect to the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Morita, Tadashi Nakagawa, Hiroshi Kishita
  • Patent number: 9341415
    Abstract: A brazed heat exchanger comprises a number of heat exchanger plates (100, 200, 300) provided with a pressed pattern of ridges (110a) and grooves (110b) arranged such that flow channels for media to exchange heat are formed between neighboring plates (100,200,300). The plates (100,200,300) are further provided with port openings (120a-d) in selective communication with said flow channels and with a circumferential edge formed by skirts (130;240; 335) of neighboring plates (100,200,300) overlapping one another. A reinforcement portion (140; 250;340) extends outside the skirt (130;240; 335), and comprises a ribbon of sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SWEP International AB
    Inventors: Sven Andersson, Svante Hoberg, Tomas Dahlberg
  • Patent number: 9335063
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of testing a HVAC unit for a disconnected damper motor is provided. An outside air section of a damper assembly is closed and air is circulated through the unit. If a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to a return air temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected. Otherwise, an economizing function having a free cooling target temperature is started. An outside air temperature is compared to the free cooling target temperature. If the outside air temperature is less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if the damper motor has been commanded to fully open the outside air section. If the outside air temperature is not less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to an outside air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Marcus Thomas, Marcus W. Troxell, Stephen A. Walter
  • Patent number: 9335073
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments disclosed in the present application, a climate controlled seating assembly includes a thermal module. The thermal module comprises at least one inlet channel, at least one outlet channel and a thermoelectric device (e.g., Peltier circuit) positioned upstream of the outlet channel. In one embodiment, the seating assembly includes a sensor positioned within an interior of the thermal module and configured to detect the presence of a liquid, such as water, relative humidity, condensation or other fluids, on or near said sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
    Inventor: John Lofy
  • Patent number: 9335079
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a refrigerant vapor compression system includes a compressor (12) having a suction port and a discharge port, a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger (24) operatively coupled downstream to the discharge port of the compressor, a refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger (42) operatively coupled downstream to the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger, a compressor suction inlet line connecting the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger to the suction port of the compressor, and an adiabatic expansion device (54) operatively coupled to the suction inlet line. A sensor operatively coupled to the suction inlet line measures a superheat value of the refrigerant. The refrigerant vapor compression system further includes a controller (60) in communication with the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Huff, Suresh Duraisamy
  • Patent number: 9335083
    Abstract: A pivotable guard includes a guard surface configured to be mounted to a bin such that the guard surface is pivotable about an axis; and the bin including at least one side wall and a rear wall. The guard surface is configured to pivot between a lowered position relative to the bin and a raised position relative to the bin higher than the lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Cory Jerome Tafoya, Kyle Pfeffenberger, Matthew Keith Sease, Barry Waddilove, Mark Wayne Wilson
  • Patent number: 9335075
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus once transfers energy to a heat medium other than a refrigerant and introduces the heat medium to another refrigeration cycle to achieve safety improvement and high efficiency. An air-conditioning apparatus allows first heat exchangers related to heat medium to exchange heat between a first refrigerant (heat source side refrigerant) and a first heat medium and allows a second heat exchanger related to heat medium to exchange heat between the first heat medium and a second refrigerant (hot water supply side refrigerant), such that the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant are prevented from mixing with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Junichi Ue, Hiroyuki Morimoto
  • Patent number: 9335060
    Abstract: An indoor unit of an air conditioner includes an intake port, a heat exchanger, a fan, and a discharge port. The intake port introduces air. The heat exchanger exchanges heat with the introduced air. The fan is disposed above the heat exchanger. The discharge port discharges the air after exchanging heat with the heat exchanger. The intake port is lower than a center of the fan. The discharge port is higher than the center of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Hankook Kim
  • Patent number: 9334087
    Abstract: A standing pouch includes an external pack, and an internal pack which is disposed in the external pack to form a first temperature control space and a second temperature control space which are spaced from each other, to form a contents accommodating space between the first temperature control space and the second temperature control space to accommodate contents. The first temperature control space can communicate with the second temperature control space. A first temperature control member and a second temperature control member are respectively disposed in the first temperature control space and the second temperature control space, and at least one of the first temperature control space and the second temperature control space have an open upper side to put a reactant liquid reacting with the first and second temperature control members to generate an exothermic or endothermic reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: HARVEST CHARMFOODS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byoung-Chol Cho, Byoung-Gu Cho, Byung-kwon Cho
  • Patent number: 9335092
    Abstract: A cryogenic turbine expander system which consists essentially of a cryogenic liquid pressure vessel, and the vessel further accommodating a turbine expander, an internal bypass configuration, which are operable in parallel, a three-way valve to direct incoming high pressure liquefied gas flow to the turbine expander, or the internal bypass configuration, which further consists a Joule-Thomson valve, when the turbine expander is not operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: EBARA International Corporation
    Inventor: Joel V. Madison
  • Patent number: 9334649
    Abstract: A freezer structure (12) includes a floor structure (20), side walls (22) and a ceiling (24), each of which includes a substantially hollow inner or upper layer or zone (30) behind or beneath which is disposed an intermediate layer or zone (32) substantially filled with insulating filler material and a bottom or outer layer or zone (34) that is substantially hollow. A monitoring system (16) monitors the temperature, moisture level and pressure of a substantially dry gas circulating through the first layer or zone to maintain the first layer or zone in substantially dry condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Jeremiah C. O'Connor, Joshua Chun, V, Mark Cramer, Dennis Klakring
  • Patent number: 9326531
    Abstract: A multi-outlet soft frozen dessert apparatus for a self-service restaurant with multiple freezers attached to the wall dividing the client area of the restaurant from the kitchen area is provided. The freezers of apparatus may include an evaporation tube comprised of an aluminum alloy micro-channel parallel flow extruded tape. The mix vats of the apparatus may include circulating water in a hydraulic system having added antifreeze to suppress a freezing temperature in the range of ?2° C. to ?5° C. to assure adequate approach temperature to cool a mix in the mix vat. The apparatus may include scrape blades mounted on a helical part of the beater-scraper that scrape a thin layer of ice crystals from an internal surface of the inner cylinder and fold the ice crystals inside the mix bulk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel Reich, Vladimir Reich
  • Patent number: 9331483
    Abstract: Thermal energy storage apparatus, controllers and thermal energy storage control methods are described. According to one aspect, a thermal energy storage apparatus controller includes processing circuitry configured to access first information which is indicative of surpluses and deficiencies of electrical energy upon an electrical power system at a plurality of moments in time, access second information which is indicative of temperature of a thermal energy storage medium at a plurality of moments in time, and use the first and second information to control an amount of electrical energy which is utilized by a heating element to heat the thermal energy storage medium at a plurality of moments in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventor: Donald J. Hammerstrom
  • Patent number: 9328933
    Abstract: A method for efficient control of a heater ventilation fan. The method includes switching the heater ventilation fan from low speed to high speed after a brief period P1 following starting, and continuing heater ventilation fan operation for a variable period of time P2 after the heat source has stopped. The period P1 is preferably about four minutes, and the period P2 is determined by the duration of heating and is generally between two and four minutes. Operating the heater ventilation fan at high speed improves heat transfer and efficiency while the heating system is operating, increases warm air movement to the space, satisfies the thermostat set point temperature in less time, reduces heating system operation, and reduces energy use. Continuing heater ventilation fan operation after turn-off maximizes recovery of additional heat from the heat exchanger to improve overall efficiency, extend the off cycle time, and save energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventors: John Walsh, Robert J. Mowris
  • Patent number: 9322570
    Abstract: A system and method for removing condensate from an air conditioning unit is disclosed. A conduit includes an outlet portion that is connected to a chamber of a housing of the unit at a first location, and an inlet portion that is connected to the chamber at a second location where condensate accumulates. A gravitational separator portion which extends below the second location is connected to the outlet portion and the inlet portion. A draining portion having an orifice for allowing condensate to exit the conduit is connected to the gravitational separator portion below the second location. The first location is chosen such that during operation of the unit the pressure at the first location is less than the pressure at the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Hodges, Nallusamy Paraman, Robert Ferenc
  • Patent number: 9322319
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a vehicle may include a heat radiating portion provided with first, second and third connecting lines and receiving first, second, and third operating fluids respectively and a bifurcating portion connecting one of inflow holes formed to the heat radiating portion for flowing one operating fluid of the first, second, and third operating fluids with one of exhaust holes formed to the heat radiating portion for exhausting the one operating fluid, wherein the bifurcating portion may be mounted at an exterior of the heat radiating portion, and wherein the bifurcating portion bypasses the one operating fluid from the heat radiating portion according to a temperature of the one operating fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae Yeon Kim
  • Patent number: 9322600
    Abstract: A thermosyphonic heat recovery unit for thermosyphonic heat transfer of heat from a hotter first fluid to a cooler second fluid comprising a heat exchanger including a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit, optimized means for connecting fluids to the two conduits to optimize heat transfer and fluid flow, a pressurized cold fluid input and hot fluid output, whereby the second fluid thermosyphonically flows through said second conduit as the first fluid flows through said first conduit. Said system having an optimized heat exchanger tube-on tube spirally wound, with wind direction to take advantage of the Coriolus force effect, for optimized refrigerant and other fluid turbulence and therefore optimized heat transfer, and optimum location of said heat exchanger and sizes of connecting tubes to minimize refrigerant friction related pressure loss, and to optimize heat transfer, refrigerant flow and thermosyphonic second fluid flow through said heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Olive Tree Patents 1 LLC
    Inventor: Thomas H. Hebert
  • Patent number: 9322603
    Abstract: A work machine includes a thermostat provided upon a path that conducts the cooling water to the radiator, and that opens and closes the path according to a temperature of the cooling water, a fan device that blows external air at the radiator, an output changeover switch that changes over output of the engine between high and low, a rotational speed setting unit that sets a rotational speed for the fan device according to the temperature of the cooling water, and a rotational speed adjustment unit that adjusts rotational speed of the fan device, wherein, within a temperature range for the cooling water in which the thermostat is fully opened from fully closed, the rotational speed of the fan device to be lower when the output changeover switch is changed over so as to limit the output of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hyodo, Kazuo Chounan, Tetsuji Tanaka