Patents Examined by Phillip Decker
  • Patent number: 11333391
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an air port component and an air conditioner, wherein the air port component includes a first plate body and a second plate body, wherein two longitudinal ends of the first plate body and the second plate body are elastically connected respectively. When the working environment temperature difference is relatively large, even if the difference between the linear expansion coefficients of materials used by the two plate bodies is relatively large, extension or shrinkage generated between the plate bodies due to temperature changes is be compensated by the elastic connection so as to reduce the degree of plastic deformation of the plate bodies due to temperature changes after being used for a period of time, thereby improving the reliability of the operation of the air port component, preventing blockage during the operation, as well as ensuring that the airflow of the air outlet meets the design requirements to prevent condensation due to local overcooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignees: Gree Electric Appliances (Wuhan) Co., Ltd., Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai
    Inventors: Xiaolong Chi, Jingzhong Zhuang
  • Patent number: 11320154
    Abstract: The present invention improves the user-friendliness of a hot-water supply apparatus when using hot water supply and air conditioning. A switching control unit 27, which switches between heat medium flow paths 4 and 5 according to an air conditioning ready state or a hot-water supply ready state, switches a heat medium flow path to the hot-water supply ready state by a switching valve 21 in the case where air conditioning is not used by the time an air conditioning standby time elapses during standby in the air conditioning ready state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: RINNAI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Fukaya, Shigeki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 11320189
    Abstract: Pallet racking systems are designed to quickly freeze items using thermal transfer by moving air through palletized products. Air is pulled through the palletized product to a negative air plenum behind the pallet rack. Back panels of the pallet racks provide variable-height airflow by use of louvers which are individually pressed open by the palletized product to accommodate differing product heights. The panels allow more efficient system operation with any number of rack positions filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Tippmann Construction, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua T. Tippmann, Brandon L. Wellman, Caleb P. Herber
  • Patent number: 11313588
    Abstract: A water heater system and method of operating such a system are disclosed herein. In an example embodiment, the water heater system includes a heat exchanger. a heat source inlet by which heated heating fluid can be provided to the heat exchanger, a heat source outlet by which cooled heating fluid can be communicated from the heat exchanger, a water supply inlet by which supply water can be provided to the heat exchanger, and a water supply outlet by which heated water can be communicated from the heat exchanger. Additionally, the system includes a controller, a water supply outlet temperature sensor, a water supply flowmeter, and an actuator. The controller is configured to generate control signals based at least indirectly upon temperature measurements and flow measurements and to provide the control signals to the actuator to regulate a fluid flow of the heated heating fluid into the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Camus Hydronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Payam Tavakoli
  • Patent number: 11306930
    Abstract: A vent having a continuous, elongate mat having an upper face and a lower face, and having a first portion and a second portion. The mat includes a plurality of columns of patterned three-dimensional structures of a network of randomly convoluted polymeric filaments having a first density, at least one of the plurality of columns of patterned three-dimensional structures being provided in the first portion, and at least one other of the plurality of columns of patterned three-dimensional structures being provided in the second portion. The mat includes a throat portion between the first portion and the second portion, the throat portion having a network of randomly convoluted polymeric filaments of a second density different than the first density, a first cover layer covering an outer edge of the first portion, and a second cover layer covering an outer edge of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: LOW & BONAR INC.
    Inventors: Lori Hascher, James Mathis, Allan Wingfield
  • Patent number: 11306935
    Abstract: A ventilation system includes an input side with a blower, an output side, a filter, and a control system linked to the blower for controlling the output of the blower. The control system also includes a static pressure adjustment system having an input pressure sensor located adjacent the filter on the input side and an output pressure sensor located adjacent the filter on the output side. The static pressure adjustment system also includes a microprocessor linked to the input pressure sensor and the output pressure sensor, the microprocessor receiving signals indicating the static pressure on the input side and the output side. Based upon the static pressure on the input side and output side, the static pressure adjustment system determines a measured differential pressure and continuously sends a signal to increase the output of the blower as the measured pressure differential increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: Robert Jeffrey Kupferberg
  • Patent number: 11299012
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning apparatus is provided which includes: a plurality of seat air conditioning units configured to selectively perform cooling or heating per corresponding seat among a plurality of seats installed in a cabin, respectively; and a plurality of exhaust ducts for discharging, outside the cabin, part of air used in the plurality of seat air conditioning units. An exhaust duct of a given one of the plurality of seat air conditioning units is connected to an air inlet of another seat air conditioning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Imaizumi, Kazuhiko Seki, Subaru Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11300307
    Abstract: A damper control assembly includes a damper body movable between a first threshold position and a second threshold position. A motor is operably connected to the damper body, wherein the motor drives the damper between the first threshold position to determine an open position and the second threshold position to determine a closed position. A controller is operably connected to the motor and has a stall detection module that detects a first rotor-lock condition when the motor drives the damper body to the first threshold position and a second rotor-lock condition when the motor drives the damper body to the second threshold position. The controller includes a memory module for storing the first and second threshold positions for use by the controller. The damper control assembly is calibrated to drive the damper body within an operating range having the open and closed positions and that is less extensive than a mechanical range defined by the first and second threshold positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLC
    Inventors: Stephane Michaud, Frederic Bazin, Simon Blanchard
  • Patent number: 11300318
    Abstract: An air handling unit for a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration system wherein the exhaust air is drawn away from the return air flow by one or more fans located cantilevered on a wall of the air handling unit. The one or more fans may be located within an exhaust hood, through which the exhaust air exits the air handling unit. This air handling unit has a shorter length through elimination of an exhaust fan section. The exhaust air may be drawn through an exhaust damper before being driven into the exhaust hood by the one or more fans. A method can include drawing an exhaust airflow through an exhaust damper, using fans positioned cantilevered on a wall of the air handling unit and directing the exhaust airflow into an exhaust hood mounted on the side wall of the air handling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Fiegen, Joseph R. Orr
  • Patent number: 11293664
    Abstract: Ventilation systems, aircraft, and silencers are disclosed herein. An aircraft includes a ventilation system. A ventilation system includes first and second air flow sources configured to generate first and second air flows, a silencer, a first conditioning vent, and a second conditioning vent. A divider spans an interior dimension of the housing to define a first cavity and a second cavity, where the divider restricts substantially all mass flow between the first cavity and the second cavity in the housing. First and second silencer tubes have porous portions disposed in the respective cavity and are operatively coupled with the respective air flow source to receive the respective air flow. First and second conditioning vents are operatively coupled with the respective silencer tubes to direct the respective air flows to a conditioned volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventors: Randy Hull, Andrew Gorton, Kristopher Lynch
  • Patent number: 11273917
    Abstract: A system includes a manifold, a power unit, and a throttle valve. The manifold is configured to receive cabin discharge air from a cabin. The cabin discharge air includes cabin discharge air from a waste region of the cabin. The auxiliary power unit is fluidically coupled to the manifold and configured to draw cabin discharge air from the manifold. The throttle valve is configured to control flow of cabin discharge air from the manifold to the power unit. A method includes receiving a pressure measurement for the manifold and a pressure setpoint for the manifold representing a predetermined flow of cabin discharge air from the cabin to the manifold. The method includes determining and outputting, based on the pressure measurement and the pressure setpoint, a control signal for at least one manifold inlet configured to control flow of cabin discharge air from the cabin to the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Zug
  • Patent number: 11255121
    Abstract: Hollow core door apparatus for preventing the build up of pressure in a room having a register through which air flows into the room and the door includes an inside door skin and an outside door skin, and the door skins includes openings through which air flows and a center panel between the skins and spaced part from the skins. The center panel has an outer perimeter greater than the inner perimeter of the openings. The center panel is spaced apart from the skins, and also from the adjacent stiles and rails. A chamber is formed about the panel and between the adjacent stiles and rails and the openings in the skins. Air flow from the room is through the opening in the inside skin into the chamber, around the outer periphery of the panel, and outwardly through the opening in the outside skin in a non-linear manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Jerry G. Crittenden
  • Patent number: 11255550
    Abstract: Provided is a heating and hot water supply device. The heating and hot water supply device includes: a combustion part; a heat exchanger; a circulation passage; a circulation part; a bypass passage; a distribution means for distributing the heating medium to the circulation passage and the bypass passage; a hot water supply heat exchanger; a water supply passage; and a hot water supply passage (21). The distribution ratio of the distribution means is adjustable so as to correspond to a heating operation, a hot water supply operation, and the simultaneous heating and hot water supply operation. The heating and hot water supply device includes an operation part, which heats the heating medium to one or more heating terminal setting temperatures and circulates the heating medium, and switches a setting of the one or more heating terminal setting temperatures to be increased by a prescribed temperature during the simultaneous heating and hot water supply operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: NORITZ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morimoto, Naoki Tsuda, Akihisa Kageyama, Takehito Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11236541
    Abstract: The present application relates to an arrangement for reducing thermal energy loss through a sill assembly of the type used with a door or window. The sill assembly includes at least one sill member. The at least one sill member has a hollow region therein. The sill assembly further includes a baffle disposed within the at least one sill member. The baffle spans a length of the at least one sill member and divides the at least one sill member into a plurality of chambers thereby limiting interaction of warmer air and cooler air within the at least one sill member. The baffle reduces heat transfer through the hollow region via convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Strycharske, Dale Wruck
  • Patent number: 11231191
    Abstract: A housing with a top wall, a bottom wall, left end wall, right end wall, and a front cover each having a plurality of openings; a louver connector in a first opening of a first louver and a second opening of a second louver and connected to a third louver that extends between the left end wall and an interior wall (the louvers each being pivotally mounted); a connector attached to the third louver that receives a tab end of a bi-coil that is thermally activated to move the third louver to an open or closed position and the louver connector moves the first louver and the second louver to a corresponding position; and a manual override lever that moves the second louver to an open or closed position and the louver connector moves the first louver and the third louver to a corresponding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: Richard Fieldhouse
  • Patent number: 11230166
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a display unit. The display unit comprises at least a screen (105) for displaying visual information and an air conducting means (102) for conducting air from a source to the screen (105), wherein the conducting means (102) is configured to direct the air at least sectionaly along the screen (105), characterized by at least one deflection means (104) having a deflection surface for deflecting at least one part of the air directed at least sectionaly along the screen (105).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: VESTEL ELEKTRONIK SANAY VE TICARET A.S.
    Inventors: Ömür Öcal, Barbaros Kirisken
  • Patent number: 11230164
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system for air-conditioning a passenger cell with a front region and a rear region may include a housing including an air inlet, a front outlet, a rear outlet, and a footwell outlet. The system may also include an evaporator for cooling an airflow and a heating device for heating the airflow arranged in the housing. A cold air space, a hot air space, a front mixing space, a layering mixing space, and a rear mixing space may be arranged within the housing. The system may also include a front flap configured to control a first connection opening connecting the hot air space to the front mixing space, a layering flap configured to control a second connection opening connecting the hot air space to the layering mixing space, and a rear flap configured to control a third connection opening connecting the hot air space to the rear mixing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventors: Salah Benamira, Juergen Heilemann, Andreas Pfander
  • Patent number: 11221159
    Abstract: A method of controlling a ceiling type air conditioner including a panel located on a ceiling surface, outlets formed at positions corresponding to four sides of the panel, a first vane group for opening and closing the outlets located at two opposing sides, and a second vane group for opening and closing the outlets located at the other two opposing sides includes performing a dynamic airflow mode in which an indoor temperature reaches a set temperature by controlling rotation angles of the first vane group and the second vane group, and calculating a pleasant airflow index Y for determining a pleasant feeling of a user at the set temperature. The pleasant airflow index is calculated using the indoor temperature, the rotation angle of the first vane group or the second vane group, an air volume, a distance from a floor surface and an airflow position as variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Juyoun Lee, Soojin Kang, Jusu Kim
  • Patent number: 11214113
    Abstract: A vehicular air conditioning device includes an air conditioning case having first, second case introduction ports and first, second case discharge ports, and a fan. The first, second case discharge ports are offset upward and downward in an up-down direction relative to a rotation axis, respectively. A first inner guide surface of an inner guide plate is located on the one side of a second inner guide surface in the left-right direction. Air introduced through the first case introduction port is guided by the first inner guide surface to be drawn from a first passage into the fan, the air being blown upward to flow through the first case discharge port. Air introduced through the second case introduction port is guided by the second inner guide surface to be drawn from a second passage into the fan, the air being blown upward to flow through the second case discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinya Kato, Ryo Kobayashi, Yasuhiro Sekito, Tetsuya Kono, Yuki Tsumagari, Tomohide Shindo
  • Patent number: 11181295
    Abstract: An indoor unit of an air conditioner and an air conditioner are provided. A bracket of the indoor unit has a chassis. The chassis has a limiting structure. An air duct assembly of the indoor unit is detachably engaged or magnetically connected with an upper portion of the chassis. A movable limiting member of the indoor unit is provided to the air duct assembly. The movable limiting member is configured to movably protrude from the air duct assembly and engage with the limiting structure to retain the air duct assembly within the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: GD MIDEA AIR-CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiansong Wang, Qiang Qin