Patents by Inventor James Thomas Schaefer

James Thomas Schaefer 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: 8783048
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided for returning oil in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by determining when an ambient zone temperature is equal to or less than a temperature limit and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow of the HVAC system based on the length of time. Also, a system and a method are provided for monitoring the length of operation in a first and a second heating mode and for reversing a direction of refrigerant flow based on the length of time operation occurs in the first and second heating modes. A system and a method having a first compressor, a first heating mode, a second heating mode, a defrost mode, and a controller is disclosed. The controller selectively controls initiation of the defrost mode in response to an HVAC system operating in a heating mode of operation for a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Edens, Alan D. Marble, Kevin B. Mercer, Gary L. Sapp, James Thomas Schaefer, Kristin L. Schaefer, Steven A. Tice
  • Patent number: 7866172
    Abstract: Vapor compression air conditioning systems are provided with a flow restrictor for transferring working fluid to and from at least one of the compressor low pressure inlet conduit and compressor high pressure outlet conduit to provide for accurate charge adjustment to achieve predetermined fluid sub-cooling. Pressure and temperature measurements are taken at a condenser fluid outlet conduit and provided to a microcontroller for determining fluid sub-cooling and comparing sub-cooling with a predetermined target sub-cooling. A charge addition or recovery apparatus may include a solenoid valve controlled by the microcontroller to more accurately control the addition or recovery of refrigerant fluid charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan David Douglas, James Thomas Schaefer, Jr., Gregory F. Walters
  • Publication number: 20100101246
    Abstract: Vapor compression air conditioning systems are provided with a flow restrictor for transferring working fluid to and from at least one of the compressor low pressure inlet conduit and compressor high pressure outlet conduit to provide for accurate charge adjustment to achieve predetermined fluid sub-cooling. Pressure and temperature measurements are taken at a condenser fluid outlet conduit and provided to a microcontroller for determining fluid sub-cooling and comparing sub-cooling with a predetermined target sub-cooling. A charge addition or recovery apparatus may include a solenoid valve controlled by the microcontroller to more accurately control the addition or recovery of refrigerant fluid charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan David DOUGLAS, James Thomas SCHAEFER, JR., Gregory F. WALTERS
  • Publication number: 20080011003
    Abstract: Vapor compression air conditioning systems are provided with a flow restrictor for transferring working fluid to and from at least one of the compressor low pressure inlet conduit and compressor high pressure outlet conduit to provide for accurate charge adjustment to achieve predetermined fluid sub-cooling. Pressure and temperature measurements are taken at a condenser fluid outlet conduit and provided to a microcontroller for determining fluid sub-cooling and comparing sub-cooling with a predetermined target sub-cooling. A charge addition or recovery apparatus may include a solenoid valve controlled by the microcontroller to more accurately control the addition or recovery of refrigerant fluid charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: AMERICAN STANDARD INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan David Douglas, James Thomas Schaefer, Gregory F. Walters