Patents by Inventor Jan Prins

Jan Prins 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: 20240142150
    Abstract: The vapour compression system (1) includes a compressor unit (2) having at least one main compressor (3) and at least one receiver compressor (4), a heat rejecting heat exchanger (5), a receiver (7), an expansion device (8) and an evaporator (9) being arranged in a refrigerant path. The vapour compression system (1) further includes a bypass valve (12) fluidly interconnecting the gaseous outlet (10) of the receiver (7) and the main compressor(s) (3). A first pressure setpoint for a pressure prevailing in the receiver (7) and a second pressure setpoint for the pressure prevailing in the receiver (7) are defined, the second pressure setpoint being higher than the first pressure setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Jan PRINS, Peter REICHWALD, Salvatore PISCOPIELLO
  • Patent number: 11959676
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vapour compression system (1) including a compressor unit (2) including one or more compressors (3, 12), a heat rejecting heat exchanger (4), a receiver (6), an expansion device (7) and an evaporator (8) arranged in a refrigerant path. A pressure value indicating a pressure prevailing inside the receiver (6) is obtained, and the obtained pressure value is compared to a first threshold pressure value. In the case that the obtained pressure value is below the first threshold pressure value, the compressor(s) (3, 12) of the compressor unit (2) are controlled in order to reduce a suction pressure of the vapour compression system (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Jan Prins, Lars Finn Sloth Larsen
  • Patent number: 11920842
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vapour compression system (1) including a compressor unit (2) including at least two compressors (3, 12), a heat rejecting heat exchanger (4), a receiver (6), an expansion device (7) and an evaporator (8) arranged in a refrigerant path is disclosed. At least one of the compressors is a main compressor (3) being fluidly connected to an outlet of the evaporator (8) and at least one of the compressors is a receiver compressor (12) being fluidly connected to a gaseous outlet (10) of the receiver (6). A flow of vapour entering the receiver (6), such as a mass flow of vapour entering the receiver (6) is estimated and compared to a first threshold value. In the case that the estimated flow is above the first threshold value, a pressure prevailing inside the receiver (6) is controlled by operating the receiver compressor (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Jan Prins, Lars Finn Sloth Larsen
  • Patent number: 11841174
    Abstract: A method for controlling ejector capacity in a vapour compression system (1) is disclosed. A parameter value being representative for a flow rate of liquid refrigerant from the evaporator(s) (8, 10) and into a return pipe (12, 13) is obtained, and the capacity of the ejector(s) (6) is adjusted based on the obtained parameter value. Ejector capacity may be shifted between low pressure ejectors (liquid ejectors) (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and high pressure ejectors (gas ejectors) (6e, 6f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Lars Finn Sloth Larsen, Jan Prins, Kenneth Bank Madsen
  • Patent number: 11460230
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vapour compression system (1) is disclosed, the vapour compression system (1) comprising at least one expansion device (8) and at least one evaporator (9). For each expansion device (8), an opening degree of the expansion device (8) is obtained, and a representative opening degree, ODrep, is identified based on the obtained opening degree(s) of the expansion device(s) (8). The representative opening degree could be a maximum opening degree, ODmax, being the largest among the obtained opening degrees. The representative opening degree, ODrep, is compared to a predefined target opening degree, ODtarget, and a minimum setpoint value, SPrec, for a pressure prevailing inside a receiver (7), is calculated or adjusted, based on the comparison. The vapour compression system (1) is controlled to obtain a pressure inside the receiver (7) which is equal to or higher than the calculated or adjusted minimum setpoint value, SPrec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Jan Prins, Frede Schmidt, Kenneth Bank Madsen, Kristian Fredslund
  • Publication number: 20220221207
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vapour compression system (1) is disclosed. The vapour compression system (1) includes an ejector (4), and has a non-return valve (11) arranged in the refrigerant path between an outlet (12) of an evaporator (7) and an inlet (10) of a compressor unit (2), in such a manner that a refrigerant flow from the outlet (12) of the evaporator (7) towards the inlet (10) of the compressor unit (2) is allowed, while a fluid flow from the inlet (10) of the compressor unit (2) towards the outlet (12) of the evaporator (7) is prevented. A pressure, P0, of refrigerant leaving the evaporator (7) is measured and a value being representative for a pressure, Psuc, of refrigerant entering the compressor unit (2) is obtained. The pressures, P0 and Psuc, are compared to respective reference pressure values, P0,ref and Psuc,ref.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Jan Prins, Lars Finn Sloth Larsen
  • Publication number: 20220196305
    Abstract: A method for configuring a plurality of operating setpoints for a vapour compression system (1) is disclosed. The plurality of operating setpoints are divided into a first group (12) of operating setpoints to be generated manually and a second group (13) of operating setpoints to be generated automatically, and the operating setpoints are operated in accordance therewith. The manually generated operating setpoints (12) and the automatically generated operating setpoints (13) are provided to a setpoint manager (11), and the setpoint manager (11) checks if the provided operating setpoints (12, 13) are in compliance with a set of rules. In the case that at least some of the provided operating setpoints (12, 13) are not in compliance with the set of rules, the setpoint manager (11) adjusts at least some of the provided operating setpoints (12, 13) in accordance with the set of rules, thereby obtaining an adjusted set of operating setpoints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Jan Prins, Peter Reichwald, Salvatore Piscopiello
  • Patent number: 11340000
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vapour compression system (1) is disclosed. A mass flow of refrigerant along a part of the refrigerant path is estimated, based on measurements performed by one or more pressure sensors (10, 12, 13) for measuring a refrigerant pressure at selected positions along the refrigerant path and one or more temperature sensors (11, 14) for measuring a refrigerant temperature at selected positions along the refrigerant path. A refrigerant pressure or a refrigerant temperature at a selected position a pressure sensor (10, 12, 13) or temperature sensor (11, 14) along the refrigerant path is derived, based on the estimated mass flow. The vapour compression system (1) is allowed to continue operating, even if a sensor (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) is malfunctioning or unreliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Frede Schmidt, Jan Prins, Kristian Fredslund, Kenneth Bank Madsen
  • Publication number: 20220034567
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vapour compression system (1) including a compressor unit (2) including one or more compressors (3, 12), a heat rejecting heat exchanger (4), a receiver (6), an expansion device (7) and an evaporator (8) arranged in a refrigerant path. A pressure value indicating a pressure prevailing inside the receiver (6) is obtained, and the obtained pressure value is compared to a first threshold pressure value. In the case that the obtained pressure value is below the first threshold pressure value, the compressor(s) (3, 12) of the compressor unit (2) are controlled in order to reduce a suction pressure of the vapour compression system (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jan Prins, Lars Finn Sloth Larsen
  • Publication number: 20220034566
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vapour compression system (1) including a compressor unit (2) including at least two compressors (3, 12), a heat rejecting heat exchanger (4), a receiver (6), an expansion device (7) and an evaporator (8) arranged in a refrigerant path is disclosed. At least one of the compressors is a main compressor (3) being fluidly connected to an outlet of the evaporator (8) and at least one of the compressors is a receiver compressor (12) being fluidly connected to a gaseous outlet (10) of the receiver (6). A flow of vapour entering the receiver (6), such as a mass flow of vapour entering the receiver (6) is estimated and compared to a first threshold value. In the case that the estimated flow is above the first threshold value, a pressure prevailing inside the receiver (6) is controlled by operating the receiver compressor (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jan Prins, Lars Finn Sloth Larsen
  • Publication number: 20220003473
    Abstract: A method for controlling ejector capacity in a vapour compression system (1) is disclosed. A parameter value being representative for a flow rate of liquid refrigerant from the evaporator(s) (8, 10) and into a return pipe (12, 13) is obtained, and the capacity of the ejector(s) (6) is adjusted based on the obtained parameter value. Ejector capacity may be shifted between low pressure ejectors (liquid ejectors) (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and high pressure ejectors (gas ejectors) (6e, 6f).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Lars Finn Sloth Larsen, Jan Prins, Kenneth Bank Madsen
  • Patent number: 11162724
    Abstract: A method for controlling ejector capacity in a vapour compression system (1) is disclosed. A parameter value being representative for a flow rate of liquid refrigerant from the evaporator(s) (8, 10) and into a return pipe (12, 13) is obtained, and the capacity of the ejector(s) (6) is adjusted based on the obtained parameter value. Ejector capacity may be shifted between low pressure ejectors (liquid ejectors) (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) and high pressure ejectors (gas ejectors) (6e, 6f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: DANFOSS A/S
    Inventors: Lars Finn Sloth Larsen, Jan Prins, Kenneth Bank Madsen
  • Patent number: 11162727
    Abstract: A method for controlling suction pressure in a vapour compression system including one or more cooling entities is disclosed. For each cooling entity, a maximum required suction pressure and/or a required change in suction pressure for maintaining a target temperature in the refrigerated volume is obtained. A most loaded cooling entity among the one or more cooling entities is identified, based on the maximum required suction pressures and/or the required changes in suction pressure. The suction pressure of the vapour compression system is controlled in accordance with the maximum required suction pressure and/or required change in suction pressure for the identified most loaded cooling entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Lars Finn Sloth Larsen, Jan Prins, Torben Green
  • Publication number: 20210251242
    Abstract: A two-component spray polyurethane foam (SPF) has rodent repelling properties. A rodent repelling spray polyurethane foam includes the reaction product of an A-side component comprising isocyanate and a B-side component comprising between about 2.5 and about 3.5 weight percentage of essential oil of peppermint, essential oil of spearmint, or a combination of both. The volume ratio of the A-side component to the B-side component is between about 1:1 to about 1.5:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventor: Jan Prins
  • Patent number: 11060767
    Abstract: A method for operating a compressor unit (2) comprising one or more compressors (8, 9, 10) is disclosed, the compressor unit (2) being arranged in a vapour compression system (1). Two or more options for distributing the available compressor capacity of the compressor unit (2) between being connected to a high pressure suction line (11) and to a medium pressure suction line (13) are defined. For each option, an expected impact on one or more operating parameters of the vapour compression system (1), resulting from distributing the available compressor capacity according to the option, is predicted. An option is selected, based on the predicted expected impact for the options, and based on current operating demands of the vapour compression system (1), and the available compressor capacity is distributed according to the selected option, e.g. by means of settings of one or more valve arrangements (14, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: DANFOSS A/S
    Inventors: Kristian Fredslund, Jan Prins, Kenneth Madsen, Frede Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10962262
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vapour compression system (1) is disclosed, the vapour compression system (1) comprising at least one compressor (2, 16), a heat rejecting heat exchanger (3), a high pressure expansion device (4, 15, 17), a receiver (5), an evaporator expansion device (6), an evaporator (7) and a gas bypass valve (8), arranged in a refrigerant path. It is registered that the gas bypass valve (8) is malfunctioning or saturated, and a pressure value for a pressure prevailing inside the receiver (5) is obtained. Finally, the vapour compression system (1) is controlled in order to control a gaseous refrigerant supply to the receiver (5) to adjust the pressure prevailing inside the receiver (5) to reach a target pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Kristian Fredslund, Kenneth Bank Madsen, Jan Prins, Frede Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10941964
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vapour compression system, the vapour compression system including a compressor unit with one or more compressors. At least one of the compressors is connectable to a gaseous outlet of a receiver, and at least one of the compressors is connectable to an outlet of an evaporator. A parameter of the vapour compression system is measured, an enthalpy of refrigerant leaving the heat rejecting heat exchanger being derivable from the measured parameter. A setpoint value for a pressure inside the receiver is calculated, based on the measured parameter, and the compressor unit is operated in accordance with the calculated setpoint value, and in order to obtain a pressure inside the receiver which is equal to the calculated setpoint value. The vapour compression system is operated in an energy efficient manner over a wide range of ambient temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Kristian Fredslund, Frede Schmidt, Kenneth Bank Madsen, Jan Prins
  • Patent number: 10928107
    Abstract: A method for operating a vapour compression system (1) comprising a heat recovery heat exchanger (4) is disclosed. The heat recovery system requests a required level of recovered heat to be provided by the heat recovery heat exchanger (4) to the heat recovery system, generates a signal indicating the required level of recovered heat, and supplies the generated signal to a control unit of the vapour compression system (1). A setpoint value for at least one control parameter of the vapour compression system (1) is calculated, based on the generated signal, and the vapour compression system (1) is operated in accordance with the calculated setpoint value(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Frede Schmidt, Kristian Fredslund, Jan Prins
  • Patent number: 10816245
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vapour compression system in an energy efficient and stable manner, the vapour compression system (1) including at least two evaporator groups (5a, 5b, 5c), each evaporator group (5a, 5b, 5c) including an ejector unit (7a, 7b, 7c), at least one evaporator (9a, 9b, 9c) and a flow control device (8a, 8b, 8c) controlling a flow of refrigerant to the at least one evaporator (9a, 9b, 9c). For each evaporator group (5a, 5b, 5c) the outlet of the evaporator (9a, 9b, 9c) is connected to a secondary inlet (12a, 12b, 12c) of the corresponding ejector unit (7a, 7b, 7c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: DANFOSS A/S
    Inventors: Jan Prins, Frede Schmidt, Kenneth Bank Madsen, Kristian Fredslund
  • Patent number: 10788030
    Abstract: A method of operating a reciprocating compressor for a vapour compression system is disclosed. The reciprocating compressor comprises at least two cylinders and at least two unloaders, each unloader can be operated in an idle mode or in an active mode and therefore the reciprocating compressor can run in more than two capacity states. The capacity states alternates periodically between states in such a way that a substantially continuous range of effective capacities can be obtained while the individual cylinders are evenly loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventor: Jan Prins