Patents by Inventor Gary A. Helmink

Gary A. Helmink 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: 9980413
    Abstract: A cooling system has a cabinet and a plurality of separate cooling stages including an upstream cooling stage and a downstream cooling stage. At least the upstream cooling state is a variable capacity cooling stage. Each cooling stage has a cooling circuit. Evaporators of the cooling circuits are arranged in the cabinet so that air passes over them in serial fashion. A controller when a Call for Cooling first reaches a point where cooling is needed, operating the upstream cooling circuit to provide cooling and not the downstream cooling circuit. When the Call for Cooling has increased to a second point, the controller additionally operates the downstream cooling circuit to provide cooling. The cooling capacity at which the upstream cooling circuit is being operated is less than its full capacity when the Call for Cooling reaches the second point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Judge, Timothy J. Schrader, Stephen Sillato, Roger Noll, Gary A. Helmink, Pierpaolo Barbato, Giuseppe Dalla Mana, Lou Monnier, Zhiyong Lin, Benedict J. Dolcich, Daniel J. Schutte, Greg Haggy
  • Patent number: 9477235
    Abstract: A method includes determining a pressure difference across a scroll compressor of a cooling system. The pressure difference is compared to a minimum differential pressure value. Pressure differences across the scroll compressor that are less than the minimum differential pressure value are associated with unloading the scroll compressor. Parameters including a pressure set point value and an absolute minimum pressure value are increased when the pressure difference is less than the minimum differential pressure value. Subsequent to the increasing of the parameters, the parameters are decreased when the pressure difference is greater than a sum of the minimum differential pressure value and a hysteresis value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Noll, Lou Monnier, Gary A. Helmink
  • Patent number: 9476624
    Abstract: A method including determining whether an OFF criterion is satisfied for a lag compressor of a tandem set of scroll compressors. The tandem set of scroll compressors includes a lead compressor. The method further includes: initiating at least one process when the OFF criterion is satisfied; and maintaining the lag compressor in an ON state for a predetermined period subsequent to the OFF criterion being satisfied. The at least one process includes at least one of: operating the lead compressor at a maximum level; overriding a motor overload protection method, wherein the motor overload protection method protects motors of the lead compressor and the lag compressor; and overriding a proportional integral derivative (PID) method to reduce a speed of a condenser fan. The PID method controls the speed of the condenser fan. A system including the lag compressor module and the lead compressor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Noll, Lou Monnier, Gary A. Helmink, Zhiyong Lin, Daniel J. Schutte, Benedict J. Dolcich
  • Patent number: 9316424
    Abstract: A cooling system has a plurality of separate cooling stages including an upstream cooling stage having an upstream cooling circuit and a downstream cooling stage including a downstream cooling circuit, which are each a direct expansion cooling circuit including a tandem compressor. Each tandem compressor includes a fixed capacity compressor and a variable capacity compressor. A controller controls the fixed capacity compressor and variable capacity compressor of each tandem compressor based on a Call for Cooling, which of a plurality of ranges the Call for Cooling falls within, and whether the Call for Cooling is ramping up or ramping down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Zhiyong Lin, Roger Noll, John F. Judge, Gary A. Helmink, Benedict J. Dolcich, Daniel J. Schutte, Timothy J. Schrader
  • Publication number: 20150230367
    Abstract: A cooling system has a cabinet and a plurality of separate cooling stages including an upstream cooling stage and a downstream cooling stage. At least the upstream cooling state is a variable capacity cooling stage. Each cooling stage has a cooling circuit. Evaporators of the cooling circuits are arranged in the cabinet so that air passes over them in serial fashion. A controller when a Call for Cooling first reaches a point where cooling is needed, operating the upstream cooling circuit to provide cooling and not the downstream cooling circuit. When the Call for Cooling has increased to a second point, the controller additionally operates the downstream cooling circuit to provide cooling. The cooling capacity at which the upstream cooling circuit is being operated is less than its full capacity when the Call for Cooling reaches the second point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: John F. JUDGE, Timothy J. SCHRADER, Stephen SILLATO, Roger NOLL, Gary A. HELMINK, Pierpaolo BARBATO, Giuseppe Dalla MANA, Lou MONNIER, Zhiyong LIN, Benedict J. DOLCICH, Daniel J. SCHUTTE, Greg HAGGY
  • Patent number: 9038404
    Abstract: A cooling system has a cabinet and a plurality of separate cooling stages including an upstream cooling stage and a downstream cooling stage. At least the upstream cooling state is a variable capacity cooling stage. Each cooling stage has a cooling circuit. Evaporators of the cooling circuits are arranged in the cabinet so that air passes over them in serial fashion. A controller when a Call for Cooling first reaches a point where cooling is needed, operating the upstream cooling circuit to provide cooling and not the downstream cooling circuit. When the Call for Cooling has increased to a second point, the controller additionally operates the downstream cooling circuit to provide cooling. The cooling capacity at which the upstream cooling circuit is being operated is less than its full capacity when the Call for Cooling reaches the second point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Judge, Timothy J. Schrader, Stephen Sillato, Roger Noll, Gary A. Helmink, Pierpaolo Barbato, Giuseppe Dalla Mana, Lou Monnier, Zhiyong Lin, Benedict J. Dolcich, Daniel J. Schutte, Greg Haggy, Thomas Harvey, Zongtao Lu
  • Patent number: 8881541
    Abstract: A cooling system has a tandem compressor, a condenser, an electronic expansion valve and an evaporator arranged in a direct expansion cooling circuit. The tandem compressor includes a variable capacity compressor and a fixed capacity compressor. A controller controls the electronic expansion valve and selects which of a plurality of superheat control modes to use in operating the electronic expansion valve based on control parameters and a current operating status of each of the variable capacity compressor and fixed capacity compressor of the tandem compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Noll, Gary A. Helmink, Pierpaolo Barbato, Giuseppe Dalla Mana, Lou Monnier
  • Publication number: 20140236361
    Abstract: A method includes determining a pressure difference across a scroll compressor of a cooling system. The pressure difference is compared to a minimum differential pressure value. Pressure differences across the scroll compressor that are less than the minimum differential pressure value are associated with unloading the scroll compressor. Parameters including a pressure set point value and an absolute minimum pressure value are increased when the pressure difference is less than the minimum differential pressure value. Subsequent to the increasing of the parameters, the parameters are decreased when the pressure difference is greater than a sum of the minimum differential pressure value and a hysteresis value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Roger NOLL, Lou MONNIER, Gary A. HELMINK
  • Publication number: 20140230467
    Abstract: A method including determining whether an OFF criterion is satisfied for a lag compressor of a tandem set of scroll compressors. The tandem set of scroll compressors includes a lead compressor. The method further includes: initiating at least one process when the OFF criterion is satisfied; and maintaining the lag compressor in an ON state for a predetermined period subsequent to the OFF criterion being satisfied. The at least one process includes at least one of: operating the lead compressor at a maximum level; overriding a motor overload protection method, wherein the motor overload protection method protects motors of the lead compressor and the lag compressor; and overriding a proportional integral derivative (PID) method to reduce a speed of a condenser fan. The PID method controls the speed of the condenser fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Roger NOLL, Lou MONNIER, Gary A. HELMINK, Zhiyong LIN, Daniel J. SCHUTTE, Benedict J. DOLCICH
  • Publication number: 20140163744
    Abstract: In a cooling system having a plurality of identical cooling circuits, fault detection is determined by a controller if monitored operating parameters of the cooling circuits differ from each other by an appreciable amount. In an aspect, the controller uses a comparison of the operating parameters of a cooling circuit to a snapshot of the operating parameters of that cooling circuit taken after the cooling circuit is determined to be operating properly after start-up. In an aspect, the controller uses known operating parameters of a cooling circuit and a system model of the cooling circuit to calculate remaining operating parameters of the cooling circuit (system model operating parameters) and uses a comparison of the system model operating parameters to the monitored operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Benedict J. DOLCICH, Gary A. HELMINK, Matthew RAVEN, Martin HRNCAR
  • Publication number: 20130098087
    Abstract: A cooling system has a tandem compressor, a condenser, an electronic expansion valve and an evaporator arranged in a direct expansion cooling circuit. The tandem compressor includes a variable capacity compressor and a fixed capacity compressor. A controller controls the electronic expansion valve and selects which of a plurality of superheat control modes to use in operating the electronic expansion valve based on control parameters and a current operating status of each of the variable capacity compressor and fixed capacity compressor of the tandem compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Noll, Gary A. Helmink, Pierpaolo Barbato, Giuseppe Dalla Mana, Lou Monnier
  • Publication number: 20130098085
    Abstract: A cooling system has a cabinet and a plurality of separate cooling stages including an upstream cooling stage and a downstream cooling stage. At least the upstream cooling state is a variable capacity cooling stage. Each cooling stage has a cooling circuit. Evaporators of the cooling circuits are arranged in the cabinet so that air passes over them in serial fashion. A controller when a Call for Cooling first reaches a point where cooling is needed, operating the upstream cooling circuit to provide cooling and not the downstream cooling circuit. When the Call for Cooling has increased to a second point, the controller additionally operates the downstream cooling circuit to provide cooling. The cooling capacity at which the upstream cooling circuit is being operated is less than its full capacity when the Call for Cooling reaches the second point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Judge, Timothy J. Schrader, Stephen Sillato, Roger Noll, Gary A. Helmink, Pierpaolo Barbato, Giuseppe Dalla Mana, Lou Monnier, Zhiyong Lin, Benedict J. Dolcich, Daniel J. Schutte, Greg Haggy, Thomas Harvey, Zongtao Lu
  • Publication number: 20130098088
    Abstract: A cooling system has a plurality of separate cooling stages including an upstream cooling stage having an upstream cooling circuit and a downstream cooling stage including a downstream cooling circuit, which are each a direct expansion cooling circuit including a tandem compressor. Each tandem compressor includes a fixed capacity compressor and a variable capacity compressor. A controller controls the fixed capacity compressor and variable capacity compressor of each tandem compressor based on a Call for Cooling, which of a plurality of ranges the Call for Cooling falls within, and whether the Call for Cooling is ramping up or ramping down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Zhiyong Lin, Roger Noll, John F. Judge, Gary A. Helmink, Benedict J. Dolcich, Daniel J. Schutte, Timothy J. Schrader
  • Patent number: 8152452
    Abstract: A conditioning unit can allow the blower to be easily translated from a first operable position in the conditioning unit to a second operable position external to the conditioning unit. The translation of the blower does not require the disconnection of the blower and, accordingly, does not require that the blower be disconnected and reconnected to the control system. Such capability can facilitate the installation of the conditioning unit into a variety of applications and allows the purchaser to customize the blower location based on the desired performance. The ability to customize the installation of the conditioning unit without requiring disconnection and reconnection of the blower can reduce the cost and expense associated with the installation into differing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Schutte, Gary A. Helmink, David W. Douglas, Benedict J. Dolcich, Anfu Zhong, Gang Xu, Lewis Marton, Luis A. Anjos, Peter M. Buckingham
  • Publication number: 20090129913
    Abstract: A conditioning unit can allow the blower to be easily translated from a first operable position in the conditioning unit to a second operable position external to the conditioning unit. The translation of the blower does not require the disconnection of the blower and, accordingly, does not require that the blower be disconnected and reconnected to the control system. Such capability can facilitate the installation of the conditioning unit into a variety of applications and allows the purchaser to customize the blower location based on the desired performance. The ability to customize the installation of the conditioning unit without requiring disconnection and reconnection of the blower can reduce the cost and expense associated with the installation into differing applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Schutte, Gary A. Helmink, David W. Douglas, Benedict J. Dolcich, Anfu Zhong, Gang Xu, Lewis Marton, Luis A. Anjos, Peter M. Buckingham
  • Publication number: 20090056348
    Abstract: A vapor compression cooling system having a control unit adapted to receive working fluid pressure or temperature, environment temperature or relative humidity, compressor digital output, or other cooling system information to control a condenser cooling fluid control valve to minimize flow changes through the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: LIEBERT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roger D. NOLL, Gary HELMINK, Michael Jason GLOECKNER, Russell C. TIPTON, Benedict J. DOLCICH
  • Publication number: 20090031735
    Abstract: A vapor compression cooling system having a control unit adapted to receive working fluid pressure or temperature information to control a condenser cooling fluid control valve to minimize flow changes through the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: LIEBERT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roger D. NOLL, Gary HELMINK, Michael Jason GLOECKNER, Russell C. TIPTON, Benedict J. DOLCICH