Patents by Inventor Eric John Smyder

Eric John Smyder 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: 10704810
    Abstract: A centrifugal heat pump system includes a steam system with a steam supply, a steam turbine and a steam condenser connected in a steam loop; and a refrigerant system including a first compressor and a second compressor, a refrigerant condenser, and an evaporator connected in a refrigerant loop. The steam turbine includes a rotary drive shaft disposed axially and extending from a first end and a second end of the steam turbine. A sump system collects and redistributes oil or other lubricating fluid. The first compressor is coupled by a first coupling device to the first end of the steam turbine drive shaft and the second compressor is coupled by a second coupling device to the second end of the steam turbine drive shaft. The first and second compressors are connected in parallel in the refrigerant loop and controlled to share a cooling load equally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Paul W. Snell, Eric John Smyder, Dale M. Unger
  • Publication number: 20160265815
    Abstract: A centrifugal heat pump system includes a steam system with a steam supply, a steam turbine and a steam condenser connected in a steam loop; and a refrigerant system including a first compressor and a second compressor, a refrigerant condenser, and an evaporator connected in a refrigerant loop. The steam turbine includes a rotary drive shaft disposed axially and extending from a first end and a second end of the steam turbine. A sump system collects and redistributes oil or other lubricating fluid. The first compressor is coupled by a first coupling device to the first end of the steam turbine drive shaft and the second compressor is coupled by a second coupling device to the second end of the steam turbine drive shaft. The first and second compressors are connected in parallel in the refrigerant loop and controlled to share a cooling load equally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Paul W. SNELL, Eric John SMYDER, Dale M. UNGER
  • Patent number: 8567207
    Abstract: A system for controlling a centrifugal gas compressor (108) in an HVAC, refrigeration or liquid chiller system (100) in which flow of gas through the compressor is automatically controlled to maintain desired parameters within predetermined ranges so as to prevent stall and surge conditions within the system. A variable geometry diffuser (119) in the compressor controls the refrigerant gas flow at the discharge of the compressor impeller wheel (201). This arrangement reduces mass flow, decrease/eliminate flow-reducing stall, and increases the operating efficiency of the compressor at partial load conditions. The variable geometry diffuser control in combination with a variable speed drive (VSD) (120) increases the efficiency of the compressor at partial system loads, and eliminates the need for pre-rotation vanes at the inlet of the centrifugal compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls & Technology Company
    Inventors: Steven Trent Sommer, John Trevino, Jr., Florin Iancu, Rudy Chervil, Eric John Smyder
  • Publication number: 20110048046
    Abstract: A system for controlling a centrifugal gas compressor (108) in an HVAC, refrigeration or liquid chiller system (100) in which flow of gas through the compressor is automatically controlled to maintain desired parameters within predetermined ranges so as to prevent stall and surge conditions within the system. A variable geometry diffuser (119) in the compressor controls the refrigerant gas flow at the discharge of the compressor impeller wheel (201). This arrangement reduces mass flow, decrease/eliminate flow-reducing stall, and increases the operating efficiency of the compressor at partial load conditions. The variable geometry diffuser control in combination with a variable speed drive (VSD) (120) increases the efficiency of the compressor at partial system loads, and eliminates the need for pre-rotation vanes at the inlet of the centrifugal compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Trent Sommer, John Trevino, JR., Florin Iancu, Rudy Chervil, Eric John Smyder
  • Patent number: 7328587
    Abstract: A control system for a steam turbine driven chiller unit is provided. The control system automatically utilizes the full range of the governor, compressor pre-rotation vanes, and hot gas bypass valve capabilities to control the capacity of the chiller and provide anti-surge and override control functions to prevent undesirable operational ranges while maintaining maximum efficiency of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: York International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Lee Shaffer, Russell Mark Thompson, Stephen Michael Kachmar, Eric John Smyder, Brenda Jane Roberts, Daniel J. Petroskie, Ryan Perry Eisensmith