Patents by Inventor Aaron D. Sullivan

Aaron D. Sullivan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230382197
    Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (3) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (4) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Aaron D. Sullivan, Brett J. Herrmann, Terry Zeigler
  • Patent number: 11712946
    Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (3) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (4) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Bergstrom, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Aaron D. Sullivan, Brett J. Herrmann, Terry Zeigler
  • Publication number: 20230091408
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a refrigerant liquid-gas separator. The liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and electronics thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. During use of the HVAC system, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator includes a check valve configured to inhibit flow of refrigerant into the liquid-gas separator device via the refrigerant outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Brett S. CONNELL, Brett Herrmann, Aaron D. Sullivan, Terry Zeigler
  • Patent number: 11512883
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a refrigerant liquid-gas separator. The liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and electronics thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. During use of the HVAC system, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator includes a check valve configured to inhibit flow of refrigerant into the liquid-gas separator device via the refrigerant outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: BERGSTROM, INC.
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Brett Herrmann, Aaron D. Sullivan, Terry Zeigler
  • Patent number: 11479086
    Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems and methods for control the climate systems. A climate system includes a plurality of compressors, a first heat exchanger disposed downstream of the compressors and a second heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger. The compressors and heat exchangers are fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The climate system also includes a controller that controls the operation of the compressors to draw back lubricant to the compressors without use of an oil equalization system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: BERGSTROM, INC.
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Brett Herrmann, Aaron D. Sullivan, Terry Zeigler
  • Publication number: 20220185071
    Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (3) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (4) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Aaron D. Sullivan, Brett J. Herrmann, Terry Zeigler
  • Patent number: 11241939
    Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (3) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (4) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: BERGSTROM, INC.
    Inventors: Brett Sean Connell, Aaron D. Sullivan, Brett J. Herrmann, Terry Zeigler
  • Publication number: 20210010730
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a refrigerant liquid-gas separator. The liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and electronics thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. During use of the HVAC system, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator includes a check valve configured to inhibit flow of refrigerant into the liquid-gas separator device via the refrigerant outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Brett Herrmann, Aaron D. Sullivan, Terry Zeigler
  • Publication number: 20200331322
    Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems and methods for control the climate systems. A climate system includes a plurality of compressors, a first heat exchanger disposed downstream of the compressors and a second heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger. The compressors and heat exchangers are fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The climate system also includes a controller that controls the operation of the compressors to draw back lubricant to the compressors without use of an oil equalization system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Brett Herrmann, Aaron D. Sullivan, Terry Zeigler
  • Publication number: 20200298670
    Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (3) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (4) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Brett Sean Connell, Aaron D. Sullivan, Brett J. Herrmann, Terry Zeigler
  • Patent number: 10724772
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a refrigerant liquid-gas separator. The liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and electronics thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. During use of the HVAC system, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator includes a check valve configured to inhibit flow of refrigerant into the liquid-gas separator device via the refrigerant outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: BERGSTROM, INC.
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Brett Herrmann, Aaron D. Sullivan, Terry Zeigler
  • Patent number: 10703173
    Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems and methods for control the climate systems. A climate system includes a plurality of compressors, a first heat exchanger disposed downstream of the compressors and a second heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger. The compressors and heat exchangers are fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The climate system also includes a controller that controls the operation of the compressors to draw back lubricant to the compressors without use of an oil equalization system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: BERGSTROM, INC.
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Brett Herrmann, Aaron D. Sullivan, Terry Zeigler
  • Patent number: 10675948
    Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a user interface configured to receive a desired temperature from a user; (3) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (4) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (5) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: BERGSTROM, INC.
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Brett Herrmann, Aaron D. Sullivan, Terry Zeigler
  • Patent number: 10527332
    Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for determining refrigerant charge level. In one aspect, a refrigeration system includes: (1) a compressor to compress a refrigerant; (2) a condenser disposed downstream of the compressor to condense the refrigerant; (3) an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser to vaporize the refrigerant; (4) refrigerant lines fluidly connecting the compressor, the condenser and the evaporator in series to form a refrigerant circuit for circulating the refrigerant; (5) at least one sensor configured to measure temperature and pressure of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit; and (6) a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to: (a) determine a sub-cooling level or super-heating level based on the temperature and/or pressure measured by the at least one sensor; and (b) facilitate operation of the refrigeration system based on the sub-cooling level or the super-heating level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Bergstrom, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Aaron D. Sullivan, Brett J. Herrmann, Terry Zeigler
  • Patent number: 10427496
    Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for managing client control systems of a fleet of vehicles. In one aspect, a method is performed at a fleet server. The method includes: (1) receiving, from each vehicle of a plurality of vehicles in the fleet of road vehicles, at least one parameter relaying information about a performance of a climate control system of the respective vehicle, each climate control system having a distinct electrically-driven heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; (2) determining based on the at least one parameter from each vehicle an efficient operational setting for at least one vehicle of the fleet of vehicles; and (3) transmitting an operational setting instruction to the at least one vehicle to control the climate control system of the at least one vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: BERGSTROM, INC.
    Inventors: Brett Sean Connell, Aaron D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10369863
    Abstract: The refrigerant liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing the liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and an electronics board thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. In use, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Bergstrom, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Brett Herrmann, Aaron D. Sullivan, Terry Zeigler
  • Publication number: 20190009648
    Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems and methods for control the climate systems. A climate system includes a plurality of compressors, a first heat exchanger disposed downstream of the compressors and a second heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger. The compressors and heat exchangers are fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The climate system also includes a controller that controls the operation of the compressors to draw back lubricant to the compressors without use of an oil equalization system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Brett Herrmann, Aaron D. Sullivan, Terry Zeigler
  • Patent number: 10081226
    Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems and methods for control the climate systems. A climate system includes a plurality of compressors arranged in parallel, a condenser disposed downstream of the compressors and an evaporator disposed downstream of the condenser. The compressors, the condenser, and the evaporator are fluidly connected by refrigerant lines to form a refrigerant circuit. The climate system also includes a controller that controls the operation of the compressors to draw back lubricant to the compressors without use of an oil equalization system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Bergstrom Inc.
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Brett Herrmann, Aaron D. Sullivan, Terry Zeigler
  • Publication number: 20180094843
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a refrigerant liquid-gas separator. The liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and electronics thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. During use of the HVAC system, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator includes a check valve configured to inhibit flow of refrigerant into the liquid-gas separator device via the refrigerant outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Brett Herrmann, Aaron D. Sullivan, Terry Zeigler
  • Publication number: 20180093550
    Abstract: The refrigerant liquid-gas separator is thermally coupled to electronics to transfer heat away from the electronics, and assist in vaporizing the liquid refrigerant. The liquid-gas separator device includes a refrigeration section configured to couple to a refrigeration loop, and an electronics board thermally coupled to the refrigeration section. The refrigeration section includes: (a) a refrigerant inlet configured to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration loop; (b) a refrigerant outlet configured to release vapor refrigerant to the refrigeration loop; and (c) a cavity coupled to the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet, the cavity configured to separate liquid refrigerant from vapor refrigerant. In use, heat from the electronics board is transferred to the refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Brett Herrmann, Aaron D. Sullivan, Terry Zeigler