Patents by Inventor Donald J. Bongaards

Donald J. Bongaards 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: 6622505
    Abstract: A method of powering a refrigeration system. The method includes providing a mover and an alternator, the alternator being coupled to the mover and generating a power signal. The method also includes monitoring at a control a plurality of system parameters and sending a control signal based on the system parameters from the control. The method further includes receiving the power signal and the control signal at an inverter-based device which has a plurality of inverters, converting the power signal into a controlled power signal based on the control signal, and driving a plurality of components of the refrigeration system with the controlled power signal, which are also controlled by the control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Thomas Anderson, Arnost Hurych, Vladimir Sulc, Greg Truckenbrod, Donald J. Bongaards, Zdenek Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20030000236
    Abstract: A method of powering a refrigeration system. The method includes providing a mover and an alternator, the alternator being coupled to the mover and generating a power signal. The method also includes monitoring at a control a plurality of system parameters and sending a control signal based on the system parameters from the control. The method further includes receiving the power signal and the control signal at an inverter-based device which has a plurality of inverters, converting the power signal into a controlled power signal based on the control signal, and driving a plurality of components of the refrigeration system with the controlled power signal, which are also controlled by the control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Thomas Anderson, Arnost Hurych, Vladimir Sulc, Greg Truckenbrod, Donald J. Bongaards, Zdenek Kaiser
  • Patent number: 6357248
    Abstract: A compact transport temperature control unit includes an electrically-powered condenser assembly, an electrically-powered evaporator assembly and an electrically-powered compressor. The electrical power is supplied from a source external to the transport temperature control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Bongaards, Michal Kolda, Petr Prochazka, Jiri Ota, Vladamir Sulc
  • Patent number: 5129235
    Abstract: A vehicle (14) having first and second cargo spaces (32,34) to be conditioned by a transport refrigeration unit (12), with the vehicle having a front wall (24) and a rear wall (26). A partition (30) in the vehicle defines the first and second cargo spaces, which extend side-by-side from the front wall to the rear wall. The rear wall is provided with separate doors (36,38) for gaining access to the first and second cargo spaces. The transport refrigeration unit includes a frame (44) supporting first and second evaporator units (50,52). The frame and evaporator units are mounted on the outside front wall of the vehicle, with the first and second evaporator units being in air flow communication with the first and second cargo spaces, respectively, via suitable openings (40,42) in the front wall. Electrical control independently controls the first and second evaporator units to condition the air in the first and second cargo spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Renken, Robert D. Pfankuch, Donald J. Bongaards
  • Patent number: 4748818
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system 10, and method of operating same, which includes a compressor 14, a receiver 26, an evaporator 42, an accumulator 44, and valve means 18 which initiates heating and cooling modes or cycles which utilize hot compressor gas. Instead of pressurizing receiver 26 at the start of a heating cycle, which traps refrigerant in condenser 24, the heating capacity of a heating cycle is enhanced by connecting the outlet of receiver 26 and the inlet of accumulator 44 in direct fluid flow communication during a heating cycle. Lower pressure in accumulator 44 allows liquid refrigerant in receiver 26 to be directed into accumulator 44, while permitting refrigerant in condenser 24 to drain into receiver 26, to make additional liquid refrigerant available during the heating cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Cynthia J. Satterness, Donald J. Bongaards
  • Patent number: 4249593
    Abstract: A straight shell and tube heat exchanger utilizing double wall tubes and three tubesheets to ensure separation of the primary and secondary fluid and reliable leak detection of a leak in either the primary or the secondary fluids to further ensure that there is no mixing of the two fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: George Bieberbach, Donald J. Bongaards, Alfred Lohmeier, James M. Duke