Patents by Inventor Brad Crenshaw

Brad Crenshaw 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).

  • Patent number: 12241469
    Abstract: A compressor with a fluid separator is disclosed. The compressor is configured to compressor a first fluid (e.g., a refrigerant gas) having a second fluid (e.g., a lubricant) suspended therein. The fluid separator includes a main body having at least one aperture formed therethrough and is configured to separate the second fluid from the first fluid. The fluid separator is installed in a separation chamber of the compressor, wherein the fluid separator includes at least one retention feature to militate against axial movement of the fluid separator within the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Steven J. Koester, Brad Crenshaw, Mark Honkala
  • Patent number: 12196209
    Abstract: A passive discharge valve for a scroll compressor and method of use are disclosed. The passive discharge valve is configured to control a flow of fluid from a compression mechanism into a discharge chamber formed in a housing of the scroll compressor. The passive discharge valve comprises a main body including a common central aperture and one or more valvular conduits formed therein. The valvular conduits extend radially outwardly from the common central aperture and each has an inlet aperture in fluid communication with a discharge port of the compression mechanism and an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the discharge chamber. Each of the valvular conduits comprises a first flow path and a second flow path, wherein the second flow path intermittently intersects the first flow path to create a fluidic diode, which militates against reverse fluid flow (or backflow) during operation of the scroll compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Hanon Systems
    Inventors: Steven J. Koester, Brad Crenshaw
  • Publication number: 20240418171
    Abstract: A passive discharge valve for a scroll compressor and method of use are disclosed. The passive discharge valve is configured to control a flow of fluid from a compression mechanism into a discharge chamber formed in a housing of the scroll compressor. The passive discharge valve comprises a main body including a common central aperture and one or more valvular conduits formed therein. The valvular conduits extend radially outwardly from the common central aperture and each has an inlet aperture in fluid communication with a discharge port of the compression mechanism and an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the discharge chamber. Each of the valvular conduits comprises a first flow path and a second flow path, wherein the second flow path intermittently intersects the first flow path to create a fluidic diode, which militates against reverse fluid flow (or backflow) during operation of the scroll compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Steven J. Koester, Brad Crenshaw
  • Publication number: 20240384721
    Abstract: A compressor with a fluid separator is disclosed. The compressor is configured to compressor a first fluid (e.g., a refrigerant gas) having a second fluid (e.g., a lubricant) suspended therein. The fluid separator includes a main body having at least one aperture formed therethrough and is configured to separate the second fluid from the first fluid. The fluid separator is installed in a separation chamber of the compressor, wherein the fluid separator includes at least one retention feature to militate against axial movement of the fluid separator within the separation chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Steven J. Koester, Brad Crenshaw, Mark Honkala
  • Patent number: 11885535
    Abstract: A compressor operable in a heat pump mode of a refrigerant circuit includes a compression space in which a refrigerant is compressed. The compression space includes a discharge port and an injection port. A discharge chamber is fluidly coupled to the compression space by the discharge port. An injection chamber is fluidly coupled to the compression space by the injection port. A discharge recirculation pathway selectively provides fluid communication between the discharge chamber and the injection chamber. An injection of the recirculated refrigerant into the compression space through the injection port results in an increase in pressure, and hence temperature, of the refrigerant when discharged to the discharge chamber. The increased temperature of the discharged refrigerant increases a heating capacity of a condenser of the associated refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Steven Koester, Rod Callahan, Brad Crenshaw
  • Publication number: 20220397316
    Abstract: A compressor operable in a heat pump mode of a refrigerant circuit includes a compression space in which a refrigerant is compressed. The compression space includes a discharge port and an injection port. A discharge chamber is fluidly coupled to the compression space by the discharge port. An injection chamber is fluidly coupled to the compression space by the injection port. A discharge recirculation pathway selectively provides fluid communication between the discharge chamber and the injection chamber. An injection of the recirculated refrigerant into the compression space through the injection port results in an increase in pressure, and hence temperature, of the refrigerant when discharged to the discharge chamber. The increased temperature of the discharged refrigerant increases a heating capacity of a condenser of the associated refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Steven Koester, Rod Callahan, Brad Crenshaw