Patents Examined by Travis C Ruby
  • Patent number: 11168951
    Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus includes: a shell extending over a flow length from an inlet at a upstream end to an outlet at a downstream end, and defining a first flowpath for a first fluid; a structure disposed within the shell defining a second flowpath for a second fluid; at least one secondary inlet in the shell disposed downstream from the upstream end; and a nozzle disposed downstream of the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Douglas Rambo
  • Patent number: 11161389
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning device includes: an air-conditioning device having an all-seat air-conditioning mode in which air-conditioned air is blown out to occupants of all seats in a vehicle cabin and an individual air-conditioning mode in which the air-conditioned air is blown out to some of the occupants of all seats; a selection device used to select the all-seat air-conditioning mode and the individual air-conditioning mode; and a controller configured to control the air-conditioning device in an air-conditioning mode selected in the selection device. When the vehicle is activated by a remote starter device configured to remotely activate the vehicle, the controller controls the air-conditioning device by switching the air-conditioning mode to the all-seat air-conditioning mode even when the air-conditioning mode selected at previous turning-off of an ignition device is the individual air-conditioning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11135547
    Abstract: An air-cooled condensing heat exchanger system (“ACHX”) installed in a fossil power plant flue gas treatment system recovers water and low temperature waste heat from boiler flue gas for advanced coal fired power plant applications. More particularly, the ACHX system recovers water from combustion flue gas by phase change. To recover water from flue gas, the ACHX system uses ambient air from an air intake installed on the stack to cool down the flue gas in the ACHX.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Arkansas State University—Jonesboro
    Inventor: Kwangkook Jeong
  • Patent number: 11133201
    Abstract: A thermal system includes a base member, a two-phase fluid, a tuning heater, and a chuck. The base member includes at least one fluid passageway. The two-phase fluid is disposed within the fluid passageway. A pressure of the two-phase fluid is controlled such that the two-phase fluid provides at least one of heating and cooling to the base member. The tuning heater is secured to the base member. The chuck is secured to the tuning heater opposite to the base member. The tuning heater includes a plurality of zones to fine tune a heat distribution provided by the base member to the chuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: WATLOW ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kevin R. Smith, Kevin Ptasienski, Ray Alan Derler, Cal T. Swanson, Philip S. Schmidt, Mohammad Nosrati, Jacob R. Lindley, Allen N. Boldt, Sanhong Zhang, Louis P. Steinhauser, Dennis S. Grimard
  • Patent number: 11125511
    Abstract: Matrix (30) for a heat exchanger to exchange heat between a first fluid and a second fluid, the first fluid being for instance air and the second fluid being for instance oil. The matrix (30) comprises: a channel for the first fluid. an array of passages for the second fluid, the passages extending in the channel. The array supports at least two cooling fins. The matrix is made by a process of additive manufacturing. The fins are inclined with respect to each other along the direction of the flow of the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN AERO BOOSTERS SA
    Inventors: Vincent Thomas, Bruno Servais, Roel Vleugels
  • Patent number: 11112186
    Abstract: A heatsink including: a heat transport member having a heat receiving portion thermally connected to a heating element; and a heat radiating fin group which is connected to a heat radiating portion of the heat transport member and in which a plurality of heat radiating fins is arranged, wherein the heat transport member has an integral internal space that communicates from the heat receiving portion to the heat radiating portion and that is filled with a working fluid, a heat receiving portion inner surface area increasing portion and a supporting member are provided in an internal space of the heat receiving portion, and the supporting member is in surface contact with the heat receiving portion inner surface area increasing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Watanabe, Kenya Kawabata, Yoshikatsu Inagaki, Tatsuro Miura, Kazuaki Aotani, Toshiaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11112182
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, in particular an oil-air cooler, for heat exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid, having at least a first row and a second row of tubular elements for the first fluid, a flow channel for the second fluid between the first and second rows of tubular elements; a collection vessel at one end of the tubular elements; and a distribution vessel at the other end of the tubular elements. Guiding elements for guiding the second fluid extend along the flow channel between the outer sides of adjacent tubular elements of the first and second rows of tubular elements. At least one adjustment device is provided for adjusting the relative position of two guiding elements about a pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas Euler-Rolle
  • Patent number: 11105525
    Abstract: A method for heating or cooling rooms in a building with a temperature-controlled system, the temperature-controlled system has a central heater or cooler with a run-around coil system having a supply line and a return line, a central circulation pump for circulating a temperature-control fluid in the run-around coil system, at least two heat exchanger devices that thermally supply one room of the building and are connected to the supply line and the return line of the run-around coil system, one valve with an actuator for each heat exchanger device, one room temperature sensor for each thermally supplied room, and a central open- and closed-loop control unit that is connected to the actuators of the valves and to the room temperature sensors. The method serves to bring about, in the thermally supplied rooms, a temperature transition from a starting state to an end state, with corresponding room temperature setpoint values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventor: Roland Obrist
  • Patent number: 11105562
    Abstract: A liquid pipe has a flow path provided in a stacked body of a plurality of metal layers. The plurality of metal layers includes a first metal layer configuring an upper wall surface of the flow path, a second metal layer configuring a lower wall surface of the flow path, and an intermediate metal layer stacked between the first metal layer and the second metal layer and configuring right and left wall surfaces of the flow path. The porous body includes a first porous body having first and second bottomed holes and fine pores provided in the first metal layer, and a second porous body having first and second bottomed holes and fine pores provided in the second metal layer. The porous body is not provided in the intermediate metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SHINKO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Machida
  • Patent number: 11092347
    Abstract: Multiple-zone chilled beam air conditioning systems for cooling multiple-zone spaces, methods of controlling chilled beams in multi-zone air conditioning systems, and chilled-beam modules for controlling zones of a chilled-beam heating and air conditioning system. Embodiments include a pump serving each zone that both recirculates water within the module and chilled beam and circulates water in and out of a chilled water distribution system through one or more valves to control the temperature of the water delivered to the chilled beams. Different embodiments adjust the temperature of the beam to avoid condensation, change pump speed to save energy or increase capacity, provide heating as well as cooling, use check valves to reduce the number of control valves required, can be used in two- or four-pipe systems, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SEMCO LLC
    Inventors: John C. Fischer, Kirk T. Mescher, Richard K. Mitchell, Stephen P. Glen, Steven S. Carroll
  • Patent number: 11041677
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a heat exchanger comprising: a first plurality of channels configured to convey a first medium at a first set of temperatures along a first span of the first plurality of channels, the first set of temperatures including a first inlet temperature and a first outlet temperature, a second plurality of channels configured to convey a second medium at a second set of temperatures along a second span of the second plurality of channels, the second set of temperatures being at least partially different from the first set of temperatures and including a second inlet temperature and a second outlet temperature, and a core region where the first plurality of channels and the second plurality of channels are co-mingled with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Duesler, Joseph W. Bridges, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11035620
    Abstract: At least one manifold having a rounded closed end, an outlet tube, and a plurality of inlet openings which has heat transfer fins, with pipes running through pipe holes in the fins. The at least one manifold is coupled to a refrigerant carrying pipe. The manifold, fins, and conductive pipes form an evaporating unit and a condensing unit, which are located in an air duct having an airflow there through. There is a quantity of refrigerant being contained with the heat pipe transfer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventors: Richard W. Trent, Darrell R. Sandlin
  • Patent number: 11035618
    Abstract: A liquid panel assembly configured to be used with an energy exchanger may include a support frame having one or more fluid circuits and at least one membrane secured to the support frame. Each of the fluid circuits may include an inlet channel connected to an outlet channel through one or more flow passages. A liquid is configured to flow through the fluid circuits and contact interior surfaces of the membrane(s). The fluid circuits are configured to at least partially offset liquid hydrostatic pressure with friction loss of the liquid flowing within the fluid circuits to minimize, eliminate, or otherwise reduce pressure within the liquid panel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Paul LePoudre, Kenneth Paul Coutu, Howard Brian Hemingson
  • Patent number: 11022381
    Abstract: A heat exchange system with at least two heat exchange chambers is provided. Each of the heat exchange chambers includes heat exchange chamber boundaries which surround at least one heat exchange chamber interior of the heat exchange chamber. The heat exchange chamber boundaries include at least one first opening for guiding in of an inflow of at least one heat transfer fluid into the heat exchange chamber interior and at least one second opening for guiding out of an outflow of the heat transfer fluid out of the heat exchange chamber interior. At least one heat storage material is arranged in the heat exchange chamber interior such that a heat exchange flow of the heat transfer fluid through the heat exchange chamber interior causes a heat exchange between the heat storage material and the heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: Till Andreas Barmeier
  • Patent number: 11022344
    Abstract: Methods and functional elements for enhanced thermal management of predominantly enclosed spaces to enable the construction of buildings with reduced power requirements for heating and/or air-conditioning systems. The methods may be in part based on dynamically changing functional elements with variable properties, or effective properties, in terms of their electromagnetic radiative behavior and/or their thermal energy storage properties, or the spatial distribution of the stored thermal energy, which permits the application of methods to control the overall thermal behavior of the entire structure in such a way that desired levels of inside temperature can be reached with reduced consumption of external energy (typically electricity, gas, oil, or coal). In some instances no conventional heating of cooling is required at all. In some instances the invention reduces the time to reach desired temperatures inside such buildings, habitats, or other predominantly enclosed spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventors: Andreas Hieke, William Boone Daniels, II
  • Patent number: 11002493
    Abstract: Methods and system for operating a thermal storage device of a vehicle system are provided. In one example, a method comprises determining a state of charge of the thermal battery based on an accurate estimation of a melting temperature of one or more phase change materials (PCMs) at a specific aggregate pressure inside the thermal storage device. Variation in melting temperature of the PCM may be minimized by reducing pressure variation inside the thermal storage device by regulating a position of one or more pressure relief valves of the thermal storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Michael Levin, Phillip Bonkoski, W. Cary Cole
  • Patent number: 11002490
    Abstract: A heat exchanger may include a tubular housing, a flange ring, two bases, and heat exchanger tubes that run through the housing and are each held in the bases at a longitudinal end side. A first flow channel may be formed in the heat exchanger tubes, and a second flow channel may be formed between the heat exchanger tubes and the housing. The housing may be formed from two one-piece and pot-shaped housing parts. Each housing part may have a housing section, a flange ring section, and a base. The two housing parts may be connectable to one another via the two flange ring sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventors: Albrecht Siegel, Leander Horntasch, Pascal Lerchner, Simon Hund
  • Patent number: 11002497
    Abstract: Multi-stage microchannel heat and/or wherein said heat and/or mass transfer system includes a system selected from a group of heat exchanger, mass transfer system, and combination thereof, mass transfer system attains an enhanced heat transfer, low pressure drop, and optimized flow distribution and stability for a single- and two-phase applications by combining microchannels formed on industrially available fin tubes, and a multi-stage flow distributing manifold, and directing the flow of a heat exchanging medium through multiple passes formed by short length of respective microchannels, while controllably by-passing some microchannels when migrating the flow of the heat exchanging medium from the microchannels into multiple mixing stages provided by a specific configuration of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: University ot Maryland, College Park
    Inventors: Ratnesh Tiwari, Serguei V. Dessiatoun, Michael M. Ohadi, Ebrahim Al Hajri
  • Patent number: 10995994
    Abstract: An outlet header of a heat exchanger is provided. The outlet header defines a flow-tap-off duct and includes an L-tube. The L-tube defines first and second legs. The first leg is fasteningly installed in the flow-tap-off duct such that the second leg is directed toward a cold-cold corner of the heat exchanger. The second leg is configured to capture cool air from the cold-cold corner for providing the cool air to and through the flow-tap-off duct and exterior the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony DeLugan, Diana Shiroma
  • Patent number: 10989434
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes an enclosure that is divided by a partition extending between a first panel and a second panel of the enclosure such that the partition defines an outdoor air flow path and a return air flow path through the enclosure. The partition includes an opening extending between the outdoor airflow path and the return airflow path. The HVAC system also includes an energy recovery wheel that translatably extends through the opening and is positioned within the outdoor air flow path and the return air flow path. The energy recovery wheel is disposed within the enclosure at an oblique angle relative to the outdoor air flow path and the return air flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Vinay Nanjappa, Marcel P. Ferrere, Jr., Vishal S. Jagtap, Vijay A R, Chandra S. Yelamanchili, Curtis W. Caskey, Rajiv K. Karkhanis