Patents by Inventor Curtis G. Rager

Curtis G. Rager 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).

  • Variable speed drive control for chiller coast-through
    Patent number: 11480373
    Abstract: A chiller system includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator in fluid communication. A motor drives the compressor. A variable speed drive powers the motor. An oil heater and pump system circulate heated lubricating oil in the compressor. A control panel is arranged to determine whether an input parameter is greater than or equal to a threshold parameter; deactivate the VSD in response to sensing that the input parameter is less than the threshold parameter; determine at least one chiller capacity control parameter at a point when the VSD is deactivated, and maintain the at least one chiller capacity control parameter while the VSD is deactivated; determine that the input parameter has been restored; determine a motor rotation and motor rotational speed; and in response to determining that the input parameter is restored and the motor is rotating in a forward direction, reactivate the VSD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Curtis Christian Crane, Mark Bodell, II, Curtis G. Rager, John C. Hansen, Dean K. Norbeck
  • VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE CONTROL FOR CHILLER COAST-THROUGH
    Publication number: 20190323751
    Abstract: A chiller system includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator in fluid communication. A motor drives the compressor. A variable speed drive powers the motor. An oil heater and pump system circulate heated lubricating oil in the compressor. A control panel is arranged to determine whether an input parameter is greater than or equal to a threshold parameter; deactivate the VSD in response to sensing that the input parameter is less than the threshold parameter; determine at least one chiller capacity control parameter at a point when the VSD is deactivated, and maintain the at least one chiller capacity control parameter while the VSD is deactivated; determine that the input parameter has been restored; determine a motor rotation and motor rotational speed; and in response to determining that the input parameter is restored and the motor is rotating in a forward direction, reactivate the VSD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Curtis Christian Crane, Mark Bodell, II, Curtis G. Rager, John C. Hansen, Dean K. Norbeck
  • Variable speed drive control for chiller coast-through
    Patent number: 10337781
    Abstract: A chiller system includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator in fluid communication. A motor drives the compressor. A variable speed drive powers the motor. An oil heater and pump system circulate heated lubricating oil in the compressor. A control panel is arranged to determine whether an input parameter is greater than or equal to a threshold parameter; deactivate the VSD in response to sensing that the input parameter is less than the threshold parameter; determine at least one chiller capacity control parameter at a point when the VSD is deactivated, and maintain the at least one chiller capacity control parameter while the VSD is deactivated; determine that the input parameter has been restored; determine a motor rotation and motor rotational speed; and in response to determining that the input parameter is restored and the motor is rotating in a forward direction, reactivate the VSD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Curtis Christian Crane, Mark Bodell, II, Curtis G. Rager, John C. Hansen, Dean K. Norbeck
  • VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE CONTROL FOR CHILLER COAST-THROUGH
    Publication number: 20150219378
    Abstract: A chiller system includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator in fluid communication. A motor drives the compressor. A variable speed drive powers the motor. An oil heater and pump system circulate heated lubricating oil in the compressor. A control panel is arranged to determine whether an input parameter is greater than or equal to a threshold parameter; deactivate the VSD in response to sensing that the input parameter is less than the threshold parameter; determine at least one chiller capacity control parameter at a point when the VSD is deactivated, and maintain the at least one chiller capacity control parameter while the VSD is deactivated; determine that the input parameter has been restored; determine a motor rotation and motor rotational speed; and in response to determining that the input parameter is restored and the motor is rotating in a forward direction, reactivate the VSD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Johnsoon Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Curtis Christian Crane, Mark Bodell, II, Curtis G. Rager, John C. Hasken, Dean K. Norbeck