Patents by Inventor Frank S. Wallis

Frank S. Wallis 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: 20230366596
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to controls and related methods for mitigating liquid (e.g., compressor refrigerant, etc.) migration and/or floodback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas P. BUESCHER, Gregory E. SISK, Charles P. KETTERER, Frank S. WALLIS
  • Patent number: 11768019
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to controls and related methods for mitigating liquid (e.g., compressor refrigerant, etc.) migration and/or floodback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Copeland Comfort Control LP
    Inventors: Thomas P. Buescher, Gregory E. Sisk, Charles P. Ketterer, Frank S. Wallis
  • Patent number: 11346583
    Abstract: A climate-control system includes a first compressor, a second compressor, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger. The first compressor includes a first inlet and a first outlet. The second compressor is in fluid communication with the first compressor and includes a second inlet (e.g., a suction inlet), a third inlet (e.g., a vapor-injection inlet), a second compression mechanism, and a second outlet. The second and third inlets are fluidly coupled with the second compression mechanism. The second compression mechanism receives working fluid from the first compressor through the third inlet and discharges working fluid through the second outlet of the second compressor. The first and second compressors are in fluid communication with the first, second, and third heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S. Wallis, Wayne R. Warner, Russ M. Beisner
  • Publication number: 20210333026
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to controls and related methods for mitigating liquid (e.g., compressor refrigerant, etc.) migration and/or floodback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas P. BUESCHER, Gregory E. SISK, Charles P. KETTERER, Frank S. WALLIS
  • Patent number: 11009250
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided including a system controller for a refrigeration or HVAC system having a compressor rack with a compressor and a condensing unit with a condenser fan. The system controller monitors and controls operation of the refrigeration or HVAC system. A rack controller monitors and controls operation of the compressor rack. The system controller determines a flood-back discharge temperature corresponding to a flood-back condition, receives an actual discharge temperature associated with the compressor rack, compares the actual discharge temperature with the flood-back discharge temperature, and generates a notification to the rack controller based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wallace, Franklin Beltran, Frank S. Wallis, Paul L. Fullenkamp, Karen Richard
  • Publication number: 20200408447
    Abstract: A system and method are provided including a system controller for a refrigeration or HVAC system having a compressor rack with a compressor and a condensing unit with a condenser fan. The system controller monitors and controls operation of the refrigeration or HVAC system. A rack controller monitors and controls operation of the compressor rack and determines compressor rack power consumption data. A condensing unit controller monitors and controls operation of the condensing unit and determines condensing unit power consumption data. The system controller receives the compressor rack power consumption data and the condensing unit power consumption data, determines a total power consumption of the refrigeration or HVAC system, determines a predicted power consumption or a benchmark power consumption for the refrigeration system, compares the total power consumption with the predicted power consumption or the benchmark power consumption, and generates an alert based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John WALLACE, Franklin BELTRAN, Frank S. WALLIS, Keith BERTIE, Paul L. FULLENKAMP
  • Patent number: 10775085
    Abstract: A system and method are provided including a system controller for a refrigeration or HVAC system having a compressor rack with a compressor and a condensing unit with a condenser fan. The system controller monitors and controls operation of the refrigeration or HVAC system. A rack controller monitors and controls operation of the compressor rack and determines compressor rack power consumption data. A condensing unit controller monitors and controls operation of the condensing unit and determines condensing unit power consumption data. The system controller receives the compressor rack power consumption data and the condensing unit power consumption data, determines a total power consumption of the refrigeration or HVAC system, determines a predicted power consumption or a benchmark power consumption for the refrigeration system, compares the total power consumption with the predicted power consumption or the benchmark power consumption, and generates an alert based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wallace, Franklin Beltran, Frank S. Wallis, Keith Bertie, Paul L. Fullenkamp
  • Patent number: 10627146
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor and a controller for a refrigeration or HVAC system having a compressor. The sensor senses a temperature of the compressor during operation of the compressor. The controller is configured to determine a rate of change of the temperature relative to time and to perform one or more procedures to protect the compressor based on the rate of change of the temperature. The one or more procedures to protect the compressor include shutting down the compressor, throttling a pressure regulator valve of an evaporator associated with the compressor, adjusting an expansion valve associated with the evaporator, reducing speed of the compressor, and partially or wholly unloading the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S. Wallis, Randall Knick, Diane Belinda Patrizio, Richard Allen Miu
  • Publication number: 20200003457
    Abstract: A climate-control system includes a first compressor and a second compressor. The first compressor includes a first inlet and a first outlet. The second compressor is in fluid communication with the first compressor and includes second and third inlets, a second compression mechanism and a second outlet. The second and third inlets are fluidly coupled to the second compression mechanism. The second compression mechanism receives working fluid from the first compressor through the third inlet and discharges working fluid through the second outlet of the second compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S. WALLIS, Wayne R. WARNER, Russ M. BEISNER
  • Patent number: 10371406
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided including a controller for a refrigeration or HVAC system having a compressor rack with at least one compressor. The controller communicates with a tracking module configured to diagnose health of a compressor in the compressor rack. In response to rated performance data for the compressor being unavailable, the tracking module is configured to generate baseline data for the compressor and to diagnose health of the compressor by comparing operational data of the compressor to the baseline data for the compressor. In response to the rated performance data for the compressor being available, the tracking module is configured to diagnose health of the compressor by comparing the operational data of the compressor to the rated performance data for the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wallace, Franklin Beltran, Frank S. Wallis, Paul L. Fullenkamp, Karen Richard
  • Publication number: 20190219296
    Abstract: A system includes a system controller for a refrigeration or HVAC system having a compressor rack with at least one compressor and a condensing unit with at least one condenser fan. The system includes a rack controller for the compressor rack. The rack controller is in communication with the system controller. The system includes a condensing unit controller for the condensing unit. The condensing unit controller is in communication with the system controller. The system controller receives component identification information identifying components of the compressor rack and the condensing unit, retrieves component information including at least one of component specification information, component capacity information, and component capability information, based on the component identification information, and performs setup operations based on the component information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc
    Inventors: John WALLACE, Franklin BELTRAN, Frank S. WALLIS, Paul L. FULLENKAMP, Karen RICHARD
  • Patent number: 10352308
    Abstract: A compressor assembly is provided and may include a first compression cylinder, a first compression piston disposed within the first compression cylinder that compresses a vapor disposed within the first compression cylinder, and a crankshaft that cycles the first compression piston within the first compression cylinder. The compressor assembly may additionally include a first control piston moveable between a first state restricting passage of intermediate-pressure fluid into the first compression cylinder and a second state permitting passage of intermediate-pressure fluid into the first compression cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest R. Bergman, Frank S. Wallis, John P. Elson
  • Patent number: 10280918
    Abstract: A compressor may include a compression cylinder, a compression piston, a crankshaft, an injection bore, a position sensor, and a valve assembly. The compression piston is disposed within the compression cylinder and is operable to compress a vapor disposed within the compression cylinder from a suction pressure to a discharge pressure. The crankshaft is operable to cycle the compression piston within the compression cylinder. The injection bore may be in fluid communication with the compression cylinder and may be operable to selectively communicate intermediate-pressure vapor at a pressure between the suction pressure and said discharge pressure to the compression cylinder. The position sensor may measure a rotational position of the crankshaft. The valve assembly may be associated with the injection bore. The valve assembly may be operable to control passage of fluid from the injection bore into the compression cylinder in response to data provided by the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest R. Bergman, John P. Elson, Frank S. Wallis, Anthony L. Erb, Diane Belinda Patrizio, Thomas L. Girvin, II, Brian G. Schroeder, Michael R. Schultz Navara, Adam Michael Blake
  • Patent number: 10240836
    Abstract: A system and method are provided including a system controller for a refrigeration or HVAC system having a compressor rack with a compressor and a condensing unit with a condenser fan. The system controller monitors and controls operation of the refrigeration or HVAC system. A rack controller monitors and controls operation of the compressor rack and determines compressor rack power consumption data. A condensing unit controller monitors and controls operation of the condensing unit and determines condensing unit power consumption data. The system controller receives the compressor rack power consumption data and the condensing unit power consumption data, determines a total power consumption of the refrigeration or HVAC system, determines a predicted power consumption or a benchmark power consumption for the refrigeration system, compares the total power consumption with the predicted power consumption or the benchmark power consumption, and generates an alert based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wallace, Franklin Beltran, Frank S. Wallis, Keith Bertie, Paul L. Fullenkamp
  • Patent number: 10145372
    Abstract: A reciprocating compressor may include a shell, a first cylinder, a plate, a second cylinder, and a piston. The first cylinder may be disposed within the shell and may include a first valve. The plate may be fixed relative to the first cylinder and may include a second valve. The second cylinder may be axially aligned with the first cylinder and may be moveable relative to the first cylinder between first and second positions. The piston may be disposed within the second cylinder and may include a third valve. The piston may reciprocate relative to the first and second cylinders. The piston and the plate may define a first compression chamber therebetween. The piston and the first cylinder may define a second compression chamber therebetween. A fluid-injection passage extending through the first cylinder selectively provides a working fluid from a source to the second compression chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank S. Wallis
  • Publication number: 20180106520
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor and a controller for a refrigeration or HVAC system having a compressor. The sensor senses a temperature of the compressor during operation of the compressor. The controller is configured to determine a rate of change of the temperature relative to time and to perform one or more procedures to protect the compressor based on the rate of change of the temperature. The one or more procedures to protect the compressor include shutting down the compressor, throttling a pressure regulator valve of an evaporator associated with the compressor, adjusting an expansion valve associated with the evaporator, reducing speed of the compressor, and partially or wholly unloading the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S. WALLIS, Randall KNICK, Diane Belinda PATRIZIO, Richard Allen MIU
  • Publication number: 20180094829
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided including a controller for a refrigeration or HVAC system having a compressor rack with at least one compressor. The controller communicates with a tracking module configured to diagnose health of a compressor in the compressor rack. In response to rated performance data for the compressor being unavailable, the tracking module is configured to generate baseline data for the compressor and to diagnose health of the compressor by comparing operational data of the compressor to the baseline data for the compressor. In response to the rated performance data for the compressor being available, the tracking module is configured to diagnose health of the compressor by comparing the operational data of the compressor to the rated performance data for the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Wallace, Franklin Beltran, Frank S. Wallis, Paul L. Fullenkamp, Karen Richard
  • Publication number: 20180073790
    Abstract: A system and method are provided including a system controller for a refrigeration or HVAC system having a compressor rack with a compressor and a condensing unit with a condenser fan. The system controller monitors and controls operation of the refrigeration or HVAC system. A rack controller monitors and controls operation of the compressor rack and determines compressor rack power consumption data. A condensing unit controller monitors and controls operation of the condensing unit and determines condensing unit power consumption data. The system controller receives the compressor rack power consumption data and the condensing unit power consumption data, determines a total power consumption of the refrigeration or HVAC system, determines a predicted power consumption or a benchmark power consumption for the refrigeration system, compares the total power consumption with the predicted power consumption or the benchmark power consumption, and generates an alert based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc .
    Inventors: John WALLACE, Franklin BELTRAN, Frank S. WALLIS, Keith BERTIE, Paul L. FULLENKAMP
  • Patent number: 9876346
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor includes an electric motor. A current sensor measures current to the electric motor. A switching device is configured to close and open to allow and prevent current flow to the electric motor, respectively. A maximum continuous current (MCC) device generates an output that one of: (i) is an MCC for the electric motor and (ii) is a value indicative of the MCC for the electric motor. A motor protection module: is remote from the MCC device; receives the output wirelessly from the MCC device via an antenna; one of sets a first MCC to the MCC for the electric motor and determines the first MCC based on the value indicative of the MCC for the electric motor; selectively sets a predetermined MCC to the first MCC; and controls the switching device based on a comparison of the current to the electric motor and the predetermined MCC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S. Wallis, Joseph James Rozsnaki
  • Publication number: 20170179709
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor includes an electric motor. A current sensor measures current to the electric motor. A switching device is configured to close and open to allow and prevent current flow to the electric motor, respectively. A maximum continuous current (MCC) device generates an output that one of: (i) is an MCC for the electric motor and (ii) is a value indicative of the MCC for the electric motor. A motor protection module: is remote from the MCC device; receives the output wirelessly from the MCC device via an antenna; one of sets a first MCC to the MCC for the electric motor and determines the first MCC based on the value indicative of the MCC for the electric motor; selectively sets a predetermined MCC to the first MCC; and controls the switching device based on a comparison of the current to the electric motor and the predetermined MCC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Frank S. Wallis, Joseph James Rozsnaki