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).

  • Patent number: 12595944
    Abstract: A vapour compression system (1) including 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 pressure difference across the bypass valve (12) is measured or derived, and a mass flow rate of refrigerant through the bypass valve (12) is derived, based at least on the pressure difference across the bypass valve (12), and using a fluid model. A minimum mass flow rate of refrigerant required to operate the receiver compressor (4) is derived, based on a minimum displacement volume of the receiver compressor (4) and using a fluid model taking prevailing operating conditions into account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: DANFOSS A/S
    Inventors: Peter Reichwald, Jan Prins, Salvatore Piscopiello
  • Patent number: 12510275
    Abstract: The vapour compression system includes a compressor unit having at least one main compressor and at least one receiver compressor, a heat rejecting heat exchanger, a receiver, an expansion device and an evaporator being arranged in a refrigerant path. The vapour compression system further includes a bypass valve fluidly interconnecting the gaseous outlet of the receiver and the main compressor(s). An opening degree of the bypass valve is controlled to regulate the pressure prevailing in the receiver in accordance with a first pressure setpoint when a load demand of the vapour compression system exceeds a maximum capacity of the receiver compressor(s). The opening degree of the bypass valve is controlled to regulate the pressure prevailing in the receiver in accordance with a second pressure setpoint when the receiver compressor(s) is/are operating and the load demand of the vapour compression system is below the maximum capacity of the receiver compressor(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2025
    Assignee: DANFOSS A/S
    Inventors: Jan Prins, Peter Reichwald, Salvatore Piscopiello
  • Patent number: 12259165
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: DANFOSS A/S
    Inventors: Jan Prins, Lars Finn Sloth Larsen
  • Patent number: 12196468
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: DANFOSS A/S
    Inventors: Jan Prins, Peter Reichwald, Salvatore Piscopiello
  • Patent number: 12097451
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vapour compression system (1) is disclosed. Malfunctioning of a gas bypass valve (8) is registered. An actual opening degree of the gas bypass valve (8) is derived, and a target opening degree of the gas bypass valve (8) is derived, based on one or more control parameters of the vapour compression system (1). The actual opening degree is compared to the target opening degree, and the vapour compression system (1) is controlled based on the comparison, and in order to match a mass flow of gaseous refrigerant through the gas bypass valve (8) to the actual opening degree of the gas bypass valve (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: DANFOSS A/S
    Inventors: Jan Prins, Frede Schmidt, Kenneth Bank Madsen, Kristian Fredslund
  • Publication number: 20240191921
    Abstract: A vapour compression system (1) including 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 pressure difference across the bypass valve (12) is measured or derived, and a mass flow rate of refrigerant through the bypass valve (12) is derived, based at least on the pressure difference across the bypass valve (12), and using a fluid model. A minimum mass flow rate of refrigerant required to operate the receiver compressor (4) is derived, based on a minimum displacement volume of the receiver compressor (4) and using a fluid model taking prevailing operating conditions into account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Peter REICHWALD, Jan PRINS, Salvatore PISCOPIELLO
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
  • 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
  • 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