Patents by Inventor Duane V. Douglas

Duane V. Douglas 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).

  • Publication number: 20220170702
    Abstract: A heat transfer tube and a heat exchanger incorporating at least one heat transfer tube are provided. The heat transfer tube and the heat exchanger are optimized for use within an air conditioner (which is configured to operate only in a cooling mode). The heat transfer tube includes a tube body with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The tube body defining an outer diameter (Do) and a wall thickness (WT), wherein a ratio (WT/Do) the wall thickness (WT) to the outer diameter (Do) is between 0.061 and 0.071. The heat transfer tube includes multiple pluralities of adjacent helical fins protruding circumferentially around the interior surface of the tube body at respective helix angles. The multiple pluralities are separated by one or more transition area(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Robert A. Leffler, Ron A. Wilson, Thomas Visalli, Duane V. Douglas, Louis J. Sullivan, Luis F. Avila, Thomas Bryant
  • Publication number: 20220128318
    Abstract: A heat transfer tube and a heat exchanger incorporating at least one heat transfer tubes are provided. The heat transfer tube and the heat exchanger are configured to operate in both a heating mode and a cooling mode (e.g., to optimize the reversible function a heat pump). The heat transfer tube includes a tube body with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The tube body defining an outer diameter (Do) and a wall thickness (WT), wherein a ratio (WT/Do) the wall thickness (WT) to the outer diameter (Do) is between 0.061 and 0.071. The heat transfer tube includes a plurality of adjacent helical fins protruding circumferentially around the interior surface of the tube body, and at least one groove disposed between the plurality of adjacent helical fins. The configuration of the heat transfer tube(s) is optimal for the reversible function of the heat pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Robert A. Leffler, Thomas Visalli, Luis F. Avila, Thomas Bryant, Duane V. Douglas, Ron A. Wilson, Louis J. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20210302079
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid conduit connection of a vapor compression system having a cooling capacity of less than or equal to 60,000 Btu/hour comprising a first fluid conduit comprising a first aluminum alloy and having first fluid conduit outside hydraulic diameter of greater than or equal to 7 millimeters, a second fluid conduit comprising a second aluminum alloy, a second fluid conduit cross-sectional flow area, and having a second fluid conduit outside hydraulic diameter of less than or equal to 7 millimeters, an engagement between the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit, and a sealing material disposed within the engagement serving to mechanically bind and seal the fluid conduit connection, wherein a ratio of a cross sectional flow area of a throat of the fluid conduit connection divided by the second fluid conduit cross-sectional flow area is between 0.1 and 0.6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Bryant, Robert A. Leffler, Luis F. Avila, Duane V. Douglas
  • Patent number: 8267156
    Abstract: A comfort system outdoor unit with a heat exchanger coil and a fan in its top opening has an orifice structure and an insert registerable with the orifice structure to streamline the inward flow of air that passes over a lower end of the orifice structure. The insert may be fastened directly to the orifice structure lower end, or it may be installed so as to extend substantially from an upper edge of the coil to the orifice structure lower end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Larry D. Burns, Loren D. Hoffman, Duane V. Douglas, William B. Sutherlin, Frank J. David, Derek A. Leman, Peter R. Bushnell
  • Publication number: 20100269518
    Abstract: An outdoor unit for an air conditioner/heat pump is provided with a bracket which is attached to the tube sheet of the heat exchanger coil for routing the electrical leads from the electronic components within the unit to a control box located outside thereof. The bracket is mounted without fasteners and is preferably clipped onto a planar structure on the tube sheet by way of opposing tabs on the bracket. The bracket is preferably secured to the planar wall by way of dimples that engage with holes formed in the planar wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Larry Burns, Duane V. Douglas, Loren D. Hoffman, Merle D. Sears, William B. Sutherlin, Ronald A. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20080292459
    Abstract: A comfort system outdoor unit with an orifice structure and a fan in its top opening is provided with an insert to streamline the inward flow of air that passes over a lower end of the orifice structure. The insert may be fastened directly to the orifice lower end, or it may be installed so as to extend substantially from an upper edge of the coil to the orifice structure lower end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Larry D. Burns, Loren D. Hoffman, Duane V. Douglas, William B. Sutherlin, Frank J. David, Derek A. Leman, Peter R. Bushnell