Patents Examined by Nelson J Nieves
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Patent number: 11781775Abstract: A hybrid system and method for conditioning air for an enclosed space can include a direct cooling system in combination with an indirect cooling system. The hybrid system can use direct cooling when ambient temperature and humidity levels are such that 100% outdoor air can be delivered to the enclosed space. The hybrid system can use indirect cooling when 100% of the return air can be conditioned using an external cooling unit and then returned to the enclosed space as supply air. The external cooling unit can include an evaporative cooler and operate in a dry mode and a wet mode. The external cooling unit can produce a reduced temperature cooling fluid and provide liquid cooling to the air when the system is operating in the indirect mode, and in some cases, in the direct mode. The hybrid system can operate in a mixed mode in which the external cooling unit is off and a mix of return air and outdoor air can be delivered to the enclosed space.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.Inventors: Ahmed Hamdi Abdel-Salam, Philip Paul LePoudre, Manfred Gerber
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Patent number: 11780291Abstract: A system and method for detecting a malfunction in a vehicle air conditioner (A/C) drip valve receives a trigger signal to initiate a vehicle A/C drip valve diagnostic for a vehicle, obtains a first image of a target area at a first time when the target area is dry, obtains a second image of the target area after operation of a vehicle A/C at a second time after the first time, compares the first image to the second image to determine a presence or absence of condensate from the vehicle A/C, and determines whether the vehicle A/C drip valve is malfunctioning based upon the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aed M. Dudar, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Brian Bennie
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Patent number: 11772458Abstract: In order to provide a method for de-icing a heat exchanger of a motor vehicle, which prevents large amounts of melt water from a defrosting process running onto the floor or the road beneath the motor vehicle, freeze again and pose a risk of injury to pedestrians, in a method for defrosting a heat exchanger of a motor vehicle, in which, for a heat exchanger arranged in a motor vehicle, a defrosting process for removing a layer of frozen water or frost formed on a surface of the heat exchanger is carried out, the defrosting process comprising heating the surface, and melt water being produced, it is proposed that the amount of melt water discharged onto a local region of a floor beneath the motor vehicle is limited to a maximum value.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Jochen Westhäuser, Jan-Christoph Albrecht
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Patent number: 11774132Abstract: A layered control panel for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) unit includes an outer layer on which low-voltage components are placed, and an inner layer on which high-voltage components are placed. The outer layer is capable of taking a closed position where it blocks access to the inner layer, and an open position where the outer layer does not block access to the inner layer. The outer layer can include a lock to keep the outer layer in the closed position. The outer layer can be one or two or more panels mounted on hinges that allow the outer layer to swing between closed and open positions.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Steven Jones
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Patent number: 11772508Abstract: A transportation refrigeration system including: a transportation refrigeration unit including a compressor, one or more valves, and a controller; an energy storage device configured to provide electrical power to the transportation refrigeration unit; and an intelligent charging connector in electrical communication with the energy storage device and/or the transportation refrigeration unit, the intelligent charging connector being connectable to a power grid and being configured to selectively control a provision of electrical power to the transportation refrigeration unit from the energy storage device and/or the power grid by transitioning the provision of electrical power to the transportation refrigeration unit from being supplied by the energy storage device or the power grid in response to the intelligent charging connector being connected to the power grid or in conjunction with the intelligent charging connector being disconnected from the power grid, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Xu She, Ismail Agirman
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Patent number: 11767996Abstract: Techniques for heating and/or cooling a structure including are described. The system may determine that a current indoor temperature is higher than both the current outdoor temperature and the target indoor temperature. Based on the determination, the system (in a cooling mode) may determine that a window opening criteria is met for opening one or more windows. Responsive to determining that the window opening criteria has been met, the system may instruct a window control mechanism to modify a state of the window from (a) a closed position that prevents airflow through the window to (b) an open position that allows for airflow through the window to cool a structure. Similarly, the system in a heating mode may open one or more windows when the current indoor temperature is lower than both the target indoor temperature and the current outdoor temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Inventor: Varun A. Shah
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Patent number: 11761664Abstract: A system and method for ventilating a utility structure enclosed by a vented cover is provided. The system includes at least one air movement device coupled to the cover. A first induction loop is electrically coupled to the at least one air movement device, the first induction loop being coupled to the cover. A second induction loop is disposed in the utility structure, the second induction loop being inductively coupled to the first induction loop. A gas sensor is operably coupled to the second induction loop to direct electrical power to the second induction loop in response to a gas level being equal to or exceeding a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.Inventors: Yingli Wen, Tomasz Faryna, George Murray
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Patent number: 11761666Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between a refrigerant and an air flow, a blower configured to induce the air flow across the heat exchanger, and a control board configured to receive an input indicative of a presence of refrigerant external to the heat exchanger and adjust operation of the blower based on the input.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLPInventors: Shaun B. Atchison, Brian D. Rigg
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Patent number: 11761684Abstract: A heating and cooling system includes a reversing valve configured to adjust a flow of refrigerant through the heating and cooling system, where the reversing valve includes a first configuration to flow the refrigerant through a first circuit of the heating and cooling system and a second configuration to flow the refrigerant through a second circuit of the heating and cooling system. The heating and cooling system also includes a controller configured to determine an operating parameter of a compressor of the heating and cooling system, where the controller is configured to adjust operation of the compressor based on the operating parameter to adjust a position of the reversing valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2020Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLPInventor: Shawn A. Hern
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Patent number: 11762401Abstract: A device that can float in a liquid can be used to adjust the temperature of the liquid by monitoring the temperature of the liquid and comparing to a desired temperature and pumping liquid into contact with a thermal adjustment element in the device. The device comprises a thermal adjustment element, a temperature detector to measure the temperature of the liquid exterior to the device, a controller to turn the device on when temperature measured is outside a desired range, a pump to take a portion of the liquid from outside the device to thermal contact with the thermal adjustment element and return the portion of the liquid to outside the device, and a photovoltaic module mounted in a position to be exposed to light which photovoltaic module provides energy to operate the device.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Inventor: Kaitlyn Kelleter
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Patent number: 11745563Abstract: A control system (300) for a transport engineless refrigeration unit (301), the control system including: a controller (302) for communication between a vehicle (307) and a plurality of vehicle devices, the controller comprising: a vehicle data connection (306) for transmitting data to and from a vehicle; a vehicle engine on/off connection (308) for triggering start-up of the vehicle engine; a plurality of device data connections (314), each device data connection transmits data to and from at least one device external to the controller; and a device power connection (313), the device power connection supplies power from the controller to at least one device external to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventor: Gael Ducher
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Patent number: 11747030Abstract: Air conditioning systems for cooling multiple-zone spaces, each zone having a thermostat, where each of multiple pump modules delivers chilled water to chilled beams in a plurality of zones and a chilled-water distribution system circulates chilled water through a chilled-water distribution loop to the multiple pump modules. Current dew points are determined in zones that call for cooling, and temperature of chilled water delivered to the chilled beams is maintained for each pump module at least a predetermined temperature differential above the highest dew point within the zones served by that pump module. Each zone has a zone control valve to shut off flow to that zone. Serving a plurality of zones from each pump module reduces how many pump modules are required. Zones served by one pump module may be selected to have similar thermal loads. Pump modules may supply hot water when heat is needed instead of cooling.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: SEMCO LLCInventors: John C. Fischer, Aaron S. Bentley, David C. Reed
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Patent number: 11747039Abstract: A gas furnace includes: a burner in which a mixture of air and fuel gas burns; a heat exchanger through which a combustion gas produced by the combustion of the mixture flows; a duct including a room air duct through which air coming from a room passes and a supply air duct through which air supplied to the room passes; a blower that induces a flow of the room air supplied as the supply air to the room through the heat exchanger; and a humidification and dehumidification device with no water supply installed on one side of the supply air duct. The amount of moisture contained in the supply air is adjusted by an adsorbent coated on the surface of the humidification and dehumidification device with no water supply.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jusu Kim, Doyong Ha, Yongki Jeong, Janghee Park, Hansaem Park
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Patent number: 11738623Abstract: A method of remotely managing a transport climate control system (TCCS) includes a remote management device receiving performance data from the TCCS. The performance data based on one or more detected operating parameters of the climate control circuit. The method also including the remote management device providing the performance data to one or more user devices. A remote management system includes a remote management device configured to receive performance data for a climate control circuit from a climate controller of a TCCS and to provide the performance data to one or more user devices. A TCCS includes a controller configured to: generate performance data based on the one or more detected operating parameters of a climate control circuit, and transmit the performance data to a remote monitoring device. The climate controller also configured to receive an operating instruction from the remote monitoring device.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: THERMO KING LLCInventors: David J. Renken, Tony Spetz, Matthew Srnec, Mark D. Leasure
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Patent number: 11739967Abstract: A system generates performance data, including supply air temperature and supply air dew point temperature, of an air conditioning device when provided with parameters of the air conditioning device, such as specifications of individual components of the air conditioning device. The system automatically modulates operating parameters for the simulated air conditioning device in order to achieve set point conditions and subsequently provides suggested operating parameters for the air conditioning device to enable the air conditioning device to achieve a set point temperature, a set point relative humidity, and/or a set point dew point temperature at one or more part-load conditions. In one embodiment, the system automatically calibrates the air conditioning device to operate the device to achieve user-defined setpoints.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2022Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: KENTUCKIANA CURB COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Rob Craft, Kevin Muldoon
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Patent number: 11739972Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes an air-conditioning apparatus that includes a refrigerant circuit in which an indoor unit and an outdoor unit are connected to each other by a refrigerant pipe and inflammable refrigerant flows in the refrigerant pipe, and is configured to supply conditioned air to a plurality of areas corresponding to air-conditioned spaces, an air-conditioning duct that connects the indoor unit to the plurality of respective areas, a plurality of dampers that are arranged in the air-conditioning duct and openable and closable to interrupt or pass the conditioned air supplied to the plurality of respective areas, and a controller configured to control the dampers, in which the controller controls the dampers such that a total floor area of the areas to which the conditioned air is supplied is set as an area equal to or larger than a minimum floor area corresponding to a floor area with which an inflammable region is not formed even when the inflammable refrigerant is leaked.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventor: Katsuya Takeuchi
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Patent number: 11731490Abstract: A refrigerant system includes a compressor, multiple pressure sensors, multiple refrigerant flow valves, and a processor. The compressor is configured to present a refrigerant at a first pressure. A first pressure sensor is configured to measure the first pressure of the refrigerant. A second pressure sensor is configured to measure a second pressure of the refrigerant. The refrigerant flow valves have a plurality of flow valve positions. The processor is configured to calculate a delta value as a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure, calculate an expected delta value between the first pressure and the second pressure based on a ratio of a low-side density of the refrigerant at the compressor to the flow valve positions, and perform a remedial action where the delta value deviates from the expected delta value by greater than a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Kale Bateman
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Patent number: 11732958Abstract: A method of controlling a refrigerator includes starting a first cooling cycle to cool a first storage compartment by operating a compressor and a first fan, determining whether a start condition of a second cooling cycle to cool a second storage compartment is satisfied, operating a second fan for the second storage compartment when the start condition of the second cooling cycle is satisfied, determining whether an output change condition of the second fan is satisfied while the second fan operates, and changing a speed of the second fan when the output change condition of the second fan is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Hosan Kim, Jaewon Eom, Namsoo Cho
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Patent number: 11732916Abstract: A refrigerant control system includes: a charge module configured to determine an amount of refrigerant that is present within a first portion of a refrigeration system within a building; and an isolation module configured to selectively open and close an isolation valve of the refrigeration system and to, via the isolation valve, maintain the amount of refrigerant within the first portion within the building below a predetermined amount of the refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian R. Butler, Stuart K. Morgan, Hung Pham, Winfield S. Morter, Andrew M. Welch, David Alfano, Michael A. Saunders
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Patent number: 11732955Abstract: A drawer includes insulation defining a climate-controlled insulated interior of the drawer, and a refrigeration system. The interior of the drawer may be divided into compartments having lids, and actuators may be provided for unlocking the lids. The actuators may include solenoids, which may be disposed outside the climate-controlled interior of the drawer. The drawer may include an air inlet, an outlet, and a fan. The fan may draw air through an air flow path defined at least in part by the insulation.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Omnicell, Inc.Inventor: Sunil Belligundu