Patents by Inventor Christopher Espelien

Christopher Espelien 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: 11725661
    Abstract: Variable volume ratio compressors may be controlled using a switching parameter based on compressor speed and suction density to improve the matching of compressor volume ratio to desired discharge conditions. Delay periods may be implemented in the determination of when to change volume ratio to control the frequency of changes to the volume ratio. The switching parameter may be a product of the compressor speed and suction density. The volume ratio of the compressor may be controlled by switching valves directing pressure to a piston of a variable volume ratio system of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Espelien, Scott M. Branch
  • Patent number: 11530856
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for controlling compressor motors, particularly varying the operation parameters of the motor to provide heat to a lubricant of the motor. The operation parameters include one or more of a pulse width modulation switching frequency, a pulse width modulation frequency switching pattern, or a torque/amp ratio of a drive of the compressor. The efficiency of the motor may be reduced to provide heat, with the heat improving lubricant quality and drive efficiency, to increase an overall efficiency of compressor operations. Methods may include determining a lubricant quality, and determining operational parameters that improve lubricant quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Seth M. McGill, Aaron Salesman, Christopher Espelien, Josef L. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20210180598
    Abstract: Variable volume ratio compressors may be controlled using a switching parameter based on compressor speed and suction density to improve the matching of compressor volume ratio to desired discharge conditions. Delay periods may be implemented in the determination of when to change volume ratio to control the frequency of changes to the volume ratio. The switching parameter may be a product of the compressor speed and suction density. The volume ratio of the compressor may be controlled by switching valves directing pressure to a piston of a variable volume ratio system of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Espelien, Scott M. Branch
  • Patent number: 11035382
    Abstract: A variable orifice flow device controls the flow of refrigerant into a compressor motor housing in a compressor. The variable orifice flow device may include, for example, an electronic expansion valve, a thermal expansion valve, or a shuttling valve controlling the flow of refrigerant into a compressor motor housing. One or more flows of refrigerant may be through a fixed orifice, a valve seat of the variable orifice flow device, or leakage through a seal of the compressor motor housing, providing a baseline refrigerant flow to the inside of the compressor motor housing in addition to the flow through the variable orifice flow device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Espelien, Joseph M. Heger, Daniel A. Strange, Russell T. Abbott, Robert S. Bakkestuen
  • Patent number: 10844860
    Abstract: Variable volume ratio compressors may be controlled using a switching parameter based on compressor speed and suction density to improve the matching of compressor volume ratio to desired discharge conditions. Delay periods may be implemented in the determination of when to change volume ratio to control the frequency of changes to the volume ratio. The switching parameter may be a product of the compressor speed and suction density. The volume ratio of the compressor may be controlled by switching valves directing pressure to a piston of a variable volume ratio system of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Espelien, Scott M. Branch
  • Publication number: 20200200175
    Abstract: Variable volume ratio compressors may be controlled using a switching parameter based on compressor speed and suction density to improve the matching of compressor volume ratio to desired discharge conditions. Delay periods may be implemented in the determination of when to change volume ratio to control the frequency of changes to the volume ratio. The switching parameter may be a product of the compressor speed and suction density. The volume ratio of the compressor may be controlled by switching valves directing pressure to a piston of a variable volume ratio system of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Espelien, Scott M. Branch
  • Publication number: 20200191454
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for controlling compressor motors, particularly varying the operation parameters of the motor to provide heat to a lubricant of the motor. The operation parameters include one or more of a pulse width modulation switching frequency, a pulse width modulation frequency switching pattern, or a torque/amp ratio of a drive of the compressor. The efficiency of the motor may be reduced to provide heat, with the heat improving lubricant quality and drive efficiency, to increase an overall efficiency of compressor operations. Methods may include determining a lubricant quality, and determining operational parameters that improve lubricant quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Seth M. McGill, Aaron Salesman, Christopher Espelien, Josef L. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10527174
    Abstract: A variable orifice flow device controls the flow of a fluid between a volute casing and a compressor motor casing in a compressor. The variable orifice flow device may be a shuttling valve, with positions controlled by, for example, valves controlling the flow of the fluid into a space opposite a side within the shuttling valve assembly. The variable orifice flow device may have one or more orifices through which a fluid can enter the compressor motor casing, and the surface area of the orifices may be controlled by the position of the shuttling valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Espelien
  • Publication number: 20190063461
    Abstract: A variable orifice flow device controls the flow of refrigerant into a compressor motor housing in a compressor. The variable orifice flow device may include, for example, an electronic expansion valve, a thermal expansion valve, or a shuttling valve controlling the flow of refrigerant into a compressor motor housing. One or more flows of refrigerant may be through a fixed orifice, a valve seat of the variable orifice flow device, or leakage through a seal of the compressor motor housing, providing a baseline refrigerant flow to the inside of the compressor motor housing in addition to the flow through the variable orifice flow device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Espelien, Joseph M. Heger, Daniel A. Strange, Russell T. Abbott, Robert S. Bakkestuen
  • Publication number: 20190063622
    Abstract: A variable orifice flow device controls the flow of a fluid between a volute casing and a compressor motor casing in a compressor. The variable orifice flow device may be a shuttling valve, with positions controlled by, for example, valves controlling the flow of the fluid into a space opposite a side within the shuttling valve assembly. The variable orifice flow device may have one or more orifices through which a fluid can enter the compressor motor casing, and the surface area of the orifices may be controlled by the position of the shuttling valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher Espelien