Patents by Inventor Curtis C. Crane
Curtis C. Crane 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).
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Publication number: 20230392846Abstract: A method of operating a chiller to avoid future surge events, the method comprises applying chiller operating data associated with a chiller as an input to one or more machine learning models; and generating a threshold for a controllable chiller variable to prevent a future chiller surge event from occurring based on an output of the one or more machine learning models, further comprising affecting operation of the chiller based on the threshold to prevent the future chiller surge event from occurring. The method enables automatic control of a chiller to avoid future chiller surge events.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Liming Yang, Thomas M. Seneczko, Curtis C. Crane, Justin P. Kauffman
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Patent number: 11774154Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a heat exchanger configured to place a cooling fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a working fluid, a free-cooling circuit having a pump configured to circulate the working fluid through the heat exchanger and a condenser, a flow control valve configured to control a flow rate of the working fluid to the condenser, a condenser bypass valve configured to control a flow rate of the working fluid that bypasses the condenser, and a controller configured to adjust a position of the flow control valve, a position of the condenser bypass valve, a speed of a fan of the condenser, a speed of the pump, and a temperature of a heater based on an ambient temperature, a temperature of the working fluid leaving the condenser, the position of the flow control valve, the position of the condenser bypass valve, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLPInventors: William L. Kopko, Stephen M. Zardus, Israel Federman, Curtis C. Crane, Todd Kwao-vovo
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Patent number: 11732942Abstract: A method of operating a chiller includes applying chiller operating data associated with the chiller as an input to one or more machine learning models, generating a boundary for a controllable chiller variable based on an output of the one or more machine learning models, and affecting operation of the chiller based on the boundary.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLPInventors: Liming Yang, Thomas M. Seneczko, Curtis C. Crane, Justin P. Kauffman
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Publication number: 20230228467Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward purge units of vapor compression systems, and methods of control thereof, that improve efficiency by selectively activating and deactivating the purge unit in response to one or more conditions to, for example, enable refrigerant-to-air ratios within the purge unit within certain industry standards while still minimizing the durations of the purge cycles. For example, in certain embodiments, these conditions may include conditions within the chiller condenser, time since last purge activation, time since last venting of non-condensables, and combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: David Andrew Bradshaw, Andrew Michael Welch, Curtis C. Crane, Calvin Andrew Nelson
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Patent number: 11635238Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward purge units of vapor compression systems, and methods of control thereof, that improve efficiency by selectively activating and deactivating the purge unit in response to one or more conditions to, for example, enable refrigerant-to-air ratios within the purge unit within certain industry standards while still minimizing the durations of the purge cycles. For example, in certain embodiments, these conditions may include conditions within the chiller condenser, time since last purge activation, time since last venting of non-condensables, and combinations thereof. By reducing an amount of time that the purge unit would be active without removing a substantial amount non-condensables from the vapor compression system, present embodiments reduce the power consumption of the purge unit, as well as the vapor compression system as a whole.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2018Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventors: David Andrew Bradshaw, Andrew Michael Welch, Curtis C. Crane, Calvin Andrew Nelson
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Patent number: 11466912Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward purge units of vapor compression systems, and methods of control thereof, that selectively activate and deactivate the purge unit in response to one or more conditions to, for example, control refrigerant-to-air ratios while still minimizing the durations of the purge cycles. For example, in certain embodiments, these conditions may include conditions within the chiller condenser, time since last purge activation, time since last venting of non-condensables, and combinations thereof. By reducing an amount of time that the purge unit would be active without removing a substantial amount non-condensables from the vapor compression system, present embodiments reduce the power consumption of the purge unit, as well as the vapor compression system as a whole, while still being responsive to prevent or mitigate a loss of efficiency due to a substantial accumulation of non-condensables in the condenser of the vapor compression system.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2018Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Johnson Controls TYCO IP Holdings LLPInventors: David Andrew Bradshaw, Andrew Michael Welch, Curtis C. Crane, Calvin Andrew Nelson
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Publication number: 20220316780Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a heat exchanger configured to place a cooling fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a working fluid, a free-cooling circuit having a pump configured to circulate the working fluid through the heat exchanger and a condenser, a flow control valve configured to control a flow rate of the working fluid to the condenser, a condenser bypass valve configured to control a flow rate of the working fluid that bypasses the condenser, and a controller configured to adjust a position of the flow control valve, a position of the condenser bypass valve, a speed of a fan of the condenser, a speed of the pump, and a temperature of a heater based on an ambient temperature, a temperature of the working fluid leaving the condenser, the position of the flow control valve, the position of the condenser bypass valve, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: William L. Kopko, Stephen M. Zardus, Israel Federman, Curtis C. Crane, Todd Kwao-vovo
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Patent number: 11359847Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a heat exchanger configured to place a cooling fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a working fluid, a free-cooling circuit having a pump configured to circulate the working fluid through the heat exchanger and a condenser, a flow control valve configured to control a flow rate of the working fluid to the condenser, a condenser bypass valve configured to control a flow rate of the working fluid that bypasses the condenser, and a controller configured to adjust a position of the flow control valve, a position of the condenser bypass valve, a speed of a fan of the condenser, a speed of the pump, and a temperature of a heater based on an ambient temperature, a temperature of the working fluid leaving the condenser, the position of the flow control valve, the position of the condenser bypass valve, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2017Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventors: William L. Kopko, Stephen M. Zardus, Israel Federman, Curtis C. Crane, Todd Kwao-vovo
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Patent number: 11162726Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor disposed in a conduit on a suction side of a compressor, wherein the conduit is configured to convey a fluid and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory is configured to store instructions to be performed by the processor, and the controller is configured to receive one or more indications from the sensor of an amount of power consumed by an active sensor component, determine a presence of liquid in the fluid based at least on the one or more indications, and control a device based on the presence of liquid in the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2017Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Brian Thomas Gallus, Curtis C. Crane, Justin P. Kauffman
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Publication number: 20210270510Abstract: A method of operating a chiller to avoid future surge events, the method comprises applying chiller operating data associated with a chiller as an input to one or more machine learning models; and generating a threshold for a controllable chiller variable to prevent a future chiller surge event from occurring based on an output of the one or more machine learning models, further comprising affecting operation of the chiller based on the threshold to prevent the future chiller surge event from occurring. The method enables automatic control of a chiller to avoid future chiller surge events.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2020Publication date: September 2, 2021Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Liming Yang, Thomas M. Seneczko, Curtis C. Crane, Justin P. Kauffman
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Patent number: 11035600Abstract: A compressor system includes a screw compressor and a controller. The screw compressor includes a slide valve selectively actuatable between a first position and a second position to facilitate modulating a capacity of the screw compressor between fully-loaded and fully-unloaded. The controller is communicably coupled to the slide valve. The controller is configured to receive a chilled fluid temperature setpoint for a fluid in heat transfer communication with a refrigerant of the refrigeration circuit; receive temperature data indicative of a chilled fluid temperature of the fluid; determine a difference between the chilled fluid temperature and the chilled fluid temperature setpoint; and provide one of a load command and an unload command to the slide valve based the difference between the chilled fluid temperature and the chilled fluid temperature setpoint. According to an embodiment, the controller does not receive feedback from the screw compressor regarding a position of the slide valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Gail E. Lindberg, Curtis C. Crane
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Publication number: 20200300524Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor disposed in a conduit on a suction side of a compressor, wherein the conduit is configured to convey a fluid and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory is configured to store instructions to be performed by the processor, and the controller is configured to receive one or more indications from the sensor of an amount of power consumed by an active sensor component, determine a presence of liquid in the fluid based at least on the one or more indications, and control a device based on the presence of liquid in the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2017Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Brian Thomas Gallus, Curtis C. Crane, Justin P. Kauffman
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Publication number: 20200240690Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward purge units of vapor compression systems, and methods of control thereof, that improve efficiency by selectively activating and deactivating the purge unit in response to one or more conditions to, for example, enable refrigerant-to-air ratios within the purge unit within certain industry standards while still minimizing the durations of the purge cycles. For example, in certain embodiments, these conditions may include conditions within the chiller condenser, time since last purge activation, time since last venting of non-condensables, and combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2018Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: David Andrew Bradshaw, Andrew Michael Welch, Curtis C. Crane, Calvin Andrew Nelson
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Publication number: 20200240685Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward purge units of vapor compression systems, and methods of control thereof, that improve efficiency by selectively activating and deactivating the purge unit in response to one or more conditions to, for example, enable refrigerant-to-air ratios within the purge unit within certain industry standards while still minimizing the durations of the purge cycles. For example, in certain embodiments, these conditions may include conditions within the chiller condenser, time since last purge activation, time since last venting of non-condensables, and combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2018Publication date: July 30, 2020Inventors: David Andrew Bradshaw, Andrew Michael Welch, Curtis C. Crane, Calvin Andrew Nelson
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Patent number: 10564615Abstract: An equipment controller in a building management system (BMS) includes a feature detector and a dynamic point list generator. The feature detector is configured to receive sensor input from a sensor and determine a set of features available to the equipment controller based on the sensor input. The dynamic point list generator is configured to determine unavailable features based on the set of available features and identify one or more points in a complete point list associated with the set of unavailable features. The dynamic point list generator is configured to generate a dynamic point list by removing the identified points from the complete point list and expose the dynamic point list to a BMS controller communicably connected to the equipment controller.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Christopher R. Amundson, David A. Kondrad, Kraig D. Ritmanich, Aron M. Seiler, Jameel Ahmed, Curtis C. Crane, Vivek V. Gupta, Daniel F. Leising, Brandon A. Sloat, Lisa E. Strand
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Publication number: 20190249666Abstract: A compressor system includes a screw compressor (48) and a controller (100). The screw compressor includes a slide valve (49) selectively actuatable between a first position and a second position to facilitate modulating a capacity of the screw compressor between fully-loaded and fully-unloaded. The controller is communicably coupled to the slide valve. The controller is configured to receive a chilled fluid temperature setpoint for a fluid in heat transfer communication with a refrigerant of the refrigeration circuit; receive temperature data indicative of a chilled fluid temperature of the fluid; determine a difference between the chilled fluid temperature and the chilled fluid temperature setpoint; and provide one of a load command and an unload command to the slide valve based the difference between the chilled fluid temperature and the chilled fluid temperature setpoint.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2017Publication date: August 15, 2019Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Gail E. Lindberg, Curtis C. Crane
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Publication number: 20190186801Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a heat exchanger configured to place a cooling fluid in a heat exchange relationship with a working fluid, a free-cooling circuit having a pump configured to circulate the working fluid through the heat exchanger and a condenser, a flow control valve configured to control a flow rate of the working fluid to the condenser, a condenser bypass valve configured to control a flow rate of the working fluid that bypasses the condenser, and a controller configured to adjust a position of the flow control valve, a position of the condenser bypass valve, a speed of a fan of the condenser, a speed of the pump, and a temperature of a heater based on an ambient temperature, a temperature of the working fluid leaving the condenser, the position of the flow control valve, the position of the condenser bypass valve, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: William L. Kopko, Stephen M. Zardus, Israel Federman, Curtis C. Crane, Todd Kwao-vovo
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Publication number: 20180101157Abstract: An equipment controller in a building management system (BMS) includes a feature detector and a dynamic point list generator. The feature detector is configured to receive sensor input from a sensor and determine a set of features available to the equipment controller based on the sensor input. The dynamic point list generator is configured to determine unavailable features based on the set of available features and identify one or more points in a complete point list associated with the set of unavailable features. The dynamic point list generator is configured to generate a dynamic point list by removing the identified points from the complete point list and expose the dynamic point list to a BMS controller communicably connected to the equipment controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Christopher R. Amundson, David A. Kondrad, Kraig D. Ritmanich, Aron M. Seiler, Jameel Ahmed, Curtis C. Crane, Vivek V. Gupta, Daniel F. Leising, Brandon A. Sloat, Lisa E. Strand
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Patent number: 8826680Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a discharge pressure of a compressor relative to a suction pressure of the compressor. The discharge pressure and suction pressure of the compressor are monitored and compared with a predetermined maximum pressure ratio of discharge pressure to suction pressure. If the pressure ratio of discharge pressure to suction pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure ratio limit less than the maximum pressure ratio, a controller unloads the compressor. The predetermined pressure ratio limit is determined relative to the measured suction pressure. The discharge pressure and suction pressure are further monitored and the compressor is inhibited from being reloaded for a predetermined time delay. After the predetermined time delay has elapsed, the compressor is reloaded only if i) the discharge pressure falls below a predetermined reload pressure and ii) the chiller system requires additional cooling capacity.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Curtis C. Crane, Martin L. Doll, Jr., Glenn E. Nickey
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Patent number: 8726678Abstract: A controller for a chiller includes processing electronics configured to detect a plurality of surge events. The processing electronics calculate a point for each detected surge event in at least a three dimensional coordinate system. The three dimensional coordinate system describes at least three conditions of the chiller when the surge event was detected. The processing electronics are configured to calculate a surface map for the at least three dimensional coordinate system using the calculated points. The processing electronics are further configured to control at least one setpoint for the chiller using the calculated surface map.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Robert D. Turney, Kirk H. Drees, Brett M. Lenhardt, Curtis C. Crane