Patents by Inventor Andrew Thomas Plzak

Andrew Thomas Plzak 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).

  • System and method for lubricant separation and return control
    Patent number: 11125480
    Abstract: An HVACR system includes first and second compressors arranged in parallel, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator, and a lubricant separator fluidly connected. The first compressor includes a first lubricant sump and a first suction inlet. The second compressor includes a second lubricant sump and a second suction inlet. The lubricant separator is disposed between the evaporator and the first and second compressors, and includes a fluid inlet and two fluid outlets. A first of the two fluid outlets is fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second lubricant sumps. A second of the two fluid outlets is fluidly connected to the first and second suction inlets. The second fluid outlet includes a nozzle disposed within a flow passage of the lubricant separator such that a space is maintained between an outer surface of the nozzle and an inner surface of the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kristin Rice Sullivan, Eric S. Mlsna, Andrew Thomas Plzak, James P. Crolius
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LUBRICANT SEPARATION AND RETURN CONTROL
    Publication number: 20210018235
    Abstract: An HVACR system includes first and second compressors arranged in parallel, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator, and a lubricant separator fluidly connected. The first compressor includes a first lubricant sump and a first suction inlet. The second compressor includes a second lubricant sump and a second suction inlet. The lubricant separator is disposed between the evaporator and the first and second compressors, and includes a fluid inlet and two fluid outlets. A first of the two fluid outlets is fluidly connected to at least one of the first and second lubricant sumps. A second of the two fluid outlets is fluidly connected to the first and second suction inlets. The second fluid outlet includes a nozzle disposed within a flow passage of the lubricant separator such that a space is maintained between an outer surface of the nozzle and an inner surface of the flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Kristin Rice Sullivan, Eric S. Mlsna, Andrew Thomas Plzak, James P. Crolius