Patents Examined by Mark Shulman
  • Patent number: 6655157
    Abstract: A wet package precooler is operated inside a flower cooler room and includes a closed cabinet with a slotted opening in the top into which the flower packages slide. A conveyor on which the packages ride is provided inside the cabinet, a motor/blower assembly provides cooling air flow. By incorporating vertical cooling air flow, the machine cools the packaged flowers as they slide through the slot. The machine directs the cooling air into the top of the package, down through the flowers, and exhausts the air through hand holes and vents in the water container part of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: The Rainbow Cooler Box Company
    Inventor: Michael H. McKiernan
  • Patent number: 6644045
    Abstract: The expansion device in a refrigeration or air conditioning system is an expressor. The expresser is made up of a twin screw expander and a twin screw compressor with rotors of the expander functioning as timing gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Yan Tang, Joost J. Brasz
  • Patent number: 6640585
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigeration cycle and a method for determining a capacity of a receiver of a refrigeration cycle. According to the present invention, the capacity of the receiver can be determined according to the variations of the paths of the condenser, which provides an ability of fully coping with the variations of the cooling load. When the method for determining the capacity of the receiver according to the present invention is applied in the condenser integrated with the receiver, it is possible that an optimal capacity where no brazing failure occurs is obtained, which means the optimal capacity for the receiver can be easily determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Kwangheon Oh, Sangok Lee, Eunki Min, Hwangjae Ahn
  • Patent number: 6640580
    Abstract: A method is provided, in which directly generated and/or indirectly formed and storable heat energy is stored in a mobile container-like latent-heat storage unit capable of being warehoused and of being delivered, the latent-heat storage unit being transported by means of a transport unit to at least one heat-energy reception unit and being arranged there in suitable form on or in the heat-energy reception unit. The possibility is thus afforded, for the first time, of transporting and utilizing heat energy over relatively long distances flexibly and on demand, but also extremely profitably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Roland Strasser
  • Patent number: 6640581
    Abstract: Disclosed is a property box of a cabinet/wall-hanging type requiring low temperature. The property box of a cabinet/wall-hanging type requiring low temperature according to the present invention provides advantages of being attachable to a wall surface or a corner of living space such as a bedroom of a married couple, a dress room or a bathroom in a newly-built or an existing apartment, an ordinary house or in lodging so as to store and make easily available of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, films, beverage, beer or wine requiring low temperature whenever necessary. When protection of a privacy is required, unlike the conventional refrigerator shared by others in a shared living space, the property box according to the present invention can be installed at a desired position, thereby achieving the protection of privacy and resolving the problem of narrowing the living space subsequent to installation of the property box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Yoo-Pyung Corporation
    Inventor: Moon Choi
  • Patent number: 6637221
    Abstract: A method of controlling the capacity of an absorption chiller by regulating the heat input to a generator in response to a selected one of two system variables. The first variable involves the measured chilled water temperature leaving the system evaporator and the second involves the calculated solution concentration that is being returned to the absorber. Data relating to each variable is sent to a selector where it is processed so that the data can be used to control the heat input to the generator. The temperature data is used to control the heat input during normal chiller operation, however, the selector changes over control to the concentrate related data when the solution concentration level approaches the solution crystallization limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Neil D. Jenkins, Richard A. Kolk
  • Patent number: 6637220
    Abstract: A routine of controlling the dilution cycle of an absorption chiller to determine when to initiate a dilution cycle, continue the cycle and terminate the cycle. The concentration of solution leaving the chiller's low temperature generator is calculated and the crystallization temperature of the solution is then determined. The crystallization temperature is compared to the ambient temperature and the result is used to determine whether to institute a dilution cycle, continue the cycle or terminate the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Darren S. Sheehan
  • Patent number: 6631617
    Abstract: A two stage hermetic compressor which uses carbon dioxide as the working fluid. A pair of modules individually housing compression mechanisms are located at opposite ends of a module housing an electric motor. The modules are secured to one another when the compressor is assembled. Suction pressure carbon dioxide gas is compressed in the first compression mechanism to an intermediate pressure which is introduced into an electric motor module compartment. The intermediate pressure gas enters the second compression mechanism module through a suction port. A conical baffle is affixed to the upper compression mechanism module to protect the suction port from direct suction of oil and to separate oil entrained in the gas therefrom. The intermediate refrigerant gas is compressed to a discharge pressure and is discharged into a compartment defined in the second compression mechanism module. The discharge pressure gas is then exhausted to the refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Nelik I. Dreiman, Rick L. Bunch
  • Patent number: 6619059
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling an air conditioning system's condensing coils utilizing air filter pad made of glass fibers with self contained, perforated water capillary tubes allowing moisture to permeate the filter pad. The filter dads are connectable in series and provided with integral mounting strips for fixed or magnetic, internal or external attachment to the condensing unit. Special adaptive solenoids are also provided to allow for minimum flow of water over long periods of time. Dual sensors are provided connected to both the high and low side of the compressor for sensing compressor temperature status and switching the solenoid on and off, thereby preventing freezing. A unique method for applying chilled water to the capillary tubes by coiling the capillary tube around the suction line of the compressor is utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Tommy A. Johnson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6619069
    Abstract: Flexible conveyor belt of the type which can be assembled to form an endless loop, a part of which forms a number of layers stacked one on another. The belt (3) is constructed from mutually articulatable links which each comprise at least two transverse rods (13) which, at each side edge of the belt, bear support members (12) projecting upwardly from the plane of the belt, which are intended to support a belt layer lying above. The links are interconnected so that they can be displaced relative to one another along at least one side edge of the belt. The support members (12) are connected to the ends of the transverse rods (13) in the belt (3) or constitute extensions of these rods and comprise a stirrup-shaped support portion which projects upwardly from the plane of the belt and interconnects the rods (13) in an associated link of the belt. The invention also relates to a climate chamber comprising a belt according to the above, and a method for treating products in such a climate chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: AGA Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Sven Persson
  • Patent number: 6615598
    Abstract: A refrigeration circuit includes a scroll compressor, a condenser and an evaporator connected in a closed loop. A liquid injection system takes liquid refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit and injects it into a suction line leading to the compressor to cool the refrigerant in the refrigeration circuit. An electronic control unit operates a controllable valve based on a temperature reading received from a discharge gas temperature sensor. The controllable valve can be an electronic expansion valve or a solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Simon Y. Wang, Wayne R. Berry
  • Patent number: 6615610
    Abstract: A concentric tubing apparatus prevents heat gain in an air conditioning system. The heat gain results from heat generated in an engine compartment of a vehicle. To accomplish this, the tubing apparatus includes a first and second refrigerant tubes. The first refrigerant tube is in fluid communication with a receiver and an evaporator of the air conditioning system to accommodate the flow of the refrigerant from the receiver to the evaporator, and the second refrigerant tube is in fluid communication with the receiver and the evaporator to accommodate the flow of the refrigerant from the evaporator to the receiver. The second refrigerant tube is disposed concentrically about the first refrigerant tube such that the second refrigerant tube insulates the refrigerant flowing in the first refrigerant tube from the heat generated in the engine compartment. Thus, heat gain in the refrigerant flowing in the first refrigerant tube to the evaporator is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Douglas Pettitt, John Paul Telesz, Jing Zheng
  • Patent number: 6612125
    Abstract: An improved swamp cooler (10) in which a D.C. motor (43), a D.C. water pump (40), a storage battery (68), and solar panel (62) are utilized to operate apparatus (10) in a self-sustaining mode without the necessity of a separate electrical source to operate the D.C. motor (43), water pump (40). Solar panel (62) provides the energy source for D.C. motor (43) and water pump (40) by means of electronic circuitry (60). When solar energy is not available to solar panel (62), battery (68) in apparatus (10) provides such energy, it being recharged during utilization of solar panel (62), so that apparatus (10) continues to operate under clear skies or non-clear skies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Yul Gevargis
  • Patent number: 6606869
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator comprises an ultraviolet discharging lamp, for irradiating ultraviolet rays to an air duct inside the refrigerator, and irradiating a visible light to a cold storage compartment of the refrigerator; a light catalyst filter, installed in the air duct and activated by the ultraviolet rays; a fan for forming an air curtain when a door of the cold storage compartment of the refrigerator is opened; and a controlling device for lighting the ultraviolet discharging lamp when the door of the cold storage compartment of the refrigerator is opened. In addition, the refrigerator can further comprise an operating device for setting or disabling an antimicrobial mode of the refrigerator; and a controlling device for lighting the ultraviolet discharging lamp for a preset interval, and turning off the ultraviolet discharging lamp when a door of the refrigerator is opened, when the antimicrobial mode is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Takahashi, Kiyotaka Nagao, Toshihide Hasegawa, Masahiko Asami, Motoharu Kobayashi, Masashi Toyoshima
  • Patent number: 6606881
    Abstract: A filter system for an absorption chiller includes a replaceable filter element, a plateable member, and a sacrificial member. The filter receives a weak solution from the chiller's evaporator, receives a stronger solution from the chiller's absorber, and discharges a mixture of the solutions to the chiller's generator. Conveying the weak solution to the filter system avoids creating an accumulation of lithium bromide in the evaporator and helps dissolve or flush inhibitors from the filter element on a continuous basis. Combining the weak and stronger solutions in the filter system attempts to confine a corrosion or copper oxide plating process to an area of the chiller that can be readily serviced. The plateable member and the sacrificial member provide replaceable or consumable members used in the corrosion or plating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis L. Justin
  • Patent number: 6606879
    Abstract: An accumulator for use in a heat pump system accommodates the flow of refrigerant in first and second directions as the system heats and cools, respectively. The accumulator includes a body and a cap. The body includes an inlet for receiving refrigerant from a compressor and an outlet for sending refrigerant to the compressor. A first port communicates with a front end heat exchanger for receiving refrigerant from this heat exchanger when heating and for sending refrigerant to this heat exchanger when cooling. A second port communicates with a passenger compartment heat exchanger for sending refrigerant to this heat exchanger when heating and for receiving refrigerant from this heat exchanger when cooling. A reversing valve, disposed in the cap, moves between a first position when heating and a second position when cooling such that the accumulator can accommodate the flow of refrigerant in the either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John Paul Telesz
  • Patent number: 6604373
    Abstract: A natural and environmentally friendly cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system comprises an insulating enclosure, a block of ice within the insulating enclosure, a primary coil of tubing contacting the block of ice and beneath the block of ice for transferring fluid, a return coil of tubing beneath the block of ice for transferring fluid, and a grid positioned between the primary coil and the return coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Richard A. Burger
  • Patent number: 6601318
    Abstract: A drier unit (10) for drying printed products has a plurality of drier rails (12), which comprise in each case a supporting body (14) manufactured from a hollow section (16). The clear outer contour of the cross-sectional area of the supporting bodies (14) is a rectangle. The drier rails (12) have in each case two resistance heating units (60) and additionally carry an infrared radiator (164).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Hans G. Platsch
  • Patent number: 6598403
    Abstract: A thermoelectric cooling system integrating quantum cold point connections with lateral thermoelectric element formation. A preferred system has an n-type and p-type thermoelectric element, each connected to a common conducting section. The thermoelectric elements are each tapered at the end where they contact the common conducting section. The thermoelectric elements preferably all occupy substantially the same plane as each other and as the common conducting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Uttam Shyamalindu Ghoshal
  • Patent number: 6598419
    Abstract: To provide an economical storehouse of liquor with little temperature change if possible at a low price. A storehouse 1 of liquor having heat insulation housings which consist of polystyrene foam is provided, comprising; a cold-preserving agent accommodation part 10a capable of having cold-preserving agents 15 which can be exchanged, liquor storage parts 11a, 12a, 13a, and 14a capable of accommodating a bottle of liquor, and an air hole for communicating said cold-preserving agents accommodation part 10a to said liquor storage parts 11a, 12a, 13a, and 14a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Biso Service, Inc.
    Inventor: Masafumi Tago