Patents by Inventor Hongmei Liang

Hongmei Liang 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).

  • Method and apparatus for controlling supplemental heat in a heat pump system
    Patent number: 6149066
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling supplemental heat added to the air stream passing from an indoor coil to an air supply duct of a heat pump system, the heat pump system being of the type that includes an indoor thermostat having a first set point for initiating heat supplied by the indoor coil and a second set point for initiating additional heat supplied by supplemental heating means. The supplemental heating elements include an adjustable output heating element for heating air passing from the indoor coil to the air supply duct. The coil discharge temperature of the air stream heated by the indoor coil is determined at a position between the indoor coil and the supplemental heating means. The adjustable output heating element is selectively energized in response to the coil discharge temperature, independent of the second set point of the indoor thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Perry, Hongmei Liang, Larry J. Burkhart, Nathan D. Wright, Raymond A. Rust, Jr., Louis J. Sullivan
  • Method and apparatus for controlling supplemental heat in a heat pump system
    Patent number: 5967411
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling supplemental heat added to the air stream passing from an indoor coil to an air supply duct of a heat pump system, the heat pump system being of the type that includes an indoor thermostat having a first set point for initiating heat supplied by the indoor coil and a second set point for initiating additional heat supplied by supplemental heating means. The supplemental heating elements include an adjustable output heating element for heating air passing from the indoor coil to the air supply duct. The coil discharge temperature of the air stream heated by the indoor coil is determined at a position between the indoor coil and the supplemental heating means. The adjustable output heating element is selectively energized in response to the coil discharge temperature, independent of the second set point of the indoor thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Perry, Hongmei Liang, Larry J. Burkhart, Nathan D. Wright, Raymond A. Rust, Jr., Louis J. Sullivan
  • Run time criteria to control indoor blower speed
    Patent number: 5647533
    Abstract: A method is described of selectively varying the speed of the indoor blower of a heat pump for heating a building or other indoor area when ambient temperature drops below a predetermined level, in order to reduce the cold blow effect of air entering the building. The operating run time fraction of a heating cycle is determined, and the speed of the indoor blower is adjusted when the run time fraction crosses a predetermined threshold value, except that the speed of the indoor blower is maintained when the run time fraction is sufficiently changed compared with a previous run time fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Don A. Schuster, Larry J. Burkhart, Hongmei Liang, Frederick J. Keller, Jr.
  • Managing supplementary heat during defrost on heat pumps
    Patent number: 5533568
    Abstract: A method of controlling a current defrost cycle for an outdoor coil of a heat pump system, the heat pump system having a plurality of supplemental heating elements for heating an air stream passing from an indoor coil to an air supply duct during defrost operation, wherein an initial quantity of supplemental heating elements energized is a function of a most recent previous defrost cycle. The initial quantity of supplemental heating elements is energized upon initiation of a defrost cycle. Whether the initial quantity of supplemental heating elements provided is insufficient or excessive is determined. At least one of the supplemental heating elements is deactivated if the initial quantity of supplemental heating elements being provided is excessive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Don A. Schuster, Hongmei Liang, Larry J. Burkhart, Gary D. Wedlake