Patents by Inventor Jay A. Kohler

Jay A. Kohler 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: 10812005
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system that includes a variable speed drive (VSD) configured to supply power to a motor configured to drive a compressor of the HVAC&R system, a rectifier of the VSD configured to receive alternating current (AC) power from an AC power source and convert the AC power to direct current (DC) power, a DC bus of the VSD electrically coupled to the rectifier, an inverter of the VSD electrically coupled to the DC bus, where the inverter is configured to convert the DC power to output AC power, the output AC power has a variable voltage and a variable frequency, and the output AC power is directed to the motor, and a battery electrically coupled to the DC bus, where the battery is configured to provide auxiliary DC power to the VSD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William L. Kopko, Israel Federman, Jay A. Kohler, Ivan Jadric
  • Patent number: 10458687
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system that includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, and an evaporator disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to place the refrigerant in thermal communication with a cooling fluid, where the refrigerant surrounds a tube bundle disposed in the evaporator, the tube bundle is configured to flow the cooling fluid, and the evaporator has a height based at least on a target height of a liquid level of refrigerant in the evaporator, the evaporator includes a discharge configured to direct the vapor refrigerant from the evaporator to an inlet of the compressor, and an interface between the discharge and the inlet is without a bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jay A. Kohler, Patrick Christian Marks, Ian Michael Casper, Kurt Devlin
  • Publication number: 20190238081
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system that includes a variable speed drive (VSD) configured to supply power to a motor configured to drive a compressor of the HVAC&R system, a rectifier of the VSD configured to receive alternating current (AC) power from an AC power source and convert the AC power to direct current (DC) power, a DC bus of the VSD electrically coupled to the rectifier, an inverter of the VSD electrically coupled to the DC bus, where the inverter is configured to convert the DC power to output AC power, the output AC power has a variable voltage and a variable frequency, and the output AC power is directed to the motor, and a battery electrically coupled to the DC bus, where the battery is configured to provide auxiliary DC power to the VSD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: William L. Kopko, Israel Federman, Jay A. Kohler, Ivan Jadric
  • Patent number: 10317117
    Abstract: An evaporator (168) in a vapor compression system (14) (168) includes a shell (76), a first tube bundle (78); a hood (86); a distributor (80); a first supply line (142); a second supply line (144); a valve (122) positioned in the second supply line (144); and a sensor (150). The distributor (80) is positioned above the first tube bundle (78). The hood (88) covers the first tube bundle (78). The first supply line (142) is connected to the distributor (80) and an end of the second supply line (144) is positioned near the hood (88). The sensor (150) is configured and positioned to sense a level of liquid refrigerant (82) in the shell. The valve (122) regulates flow in the second supply line in response to the level of liquid refrigerant (82) from the sensor (150).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jeb W. Schreiber, Jay A. Kohler, Paul De Larminat, Mustafa Kemal Yanik, William F. McQuade, Justin P. Kauffman, Soren Bierre Poulsen, Lee Li Wang, Satheesh Kulankara
  • Publication number: 20190128578
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system that includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, a heat exchanger disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to place the refrigerant in thermal communication with a cooling fluid flowing through tubes of a tube bundle within the heat exchanger, an inlet of the heat exchanger configured to direct the refrigerant into the heat exchanger, a trough of the heat exchanger configured to receive the refrigerant from the inlet, and a perforated baffle of the heat exchanger disposed downstream of the trough and configured to direct the refrigerant from the trough over the tubes of the tube bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Jay A. Kohler, Patrick Christian Marks, Ian Michael Casper, Kurt Devlin
  • Patent number: 10088208
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system that includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, a heat exchanger disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to place the refrigerant in thermal communication with a cooling fluid flowing through tubes of a tube bundle within the heat exchanger, an inlet of the heat exchanger configured to direct the refrigerant into the heat exchanger, a trough of the heat exchanger configured to receive the refrigerant from the inlet, and a perforated baffle of the heat exchanger disposed downstream of the trough and configured to direct the refrigerant from the trough over the tubes of the tube bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jay A. Kohler, Patrick Christian Marks, Ian Michael Casper, Kurt Devlin
  • Publication number: 20170191714
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system that includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, and an evaporator disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to place the refrigerant in thermal communication with a cooling fluid, where the refrigerant surrounds a tube bundle disposed in the evaporator, the tube bundle is configured to flow the cooling fluid, and the evaporator has a height based at least on a target height of a liquid level of refrigerant in the evaporator, the evaporator includes a discharge configured to direct the vapor refrigerant from the evaporator to an inlet of the compressor, and an interface between the discharge and the inlet is without a bend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Jay A. Kohler, Patrick Christian Marks, Ian Michael Casper, Kurt Devlin
  • Publication number: 20170191713
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system that includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, a heat exchanger disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to place the refrigerant in thermal communication with a cooling fluid flowing through tubes of a tube bundle within the heat exchanger, an inlet of the heat exchanger configured to direct the refrigerant into the heat exchanger, a trough of the heat exchanger configured to receive the refrigerant from the inlet, and a perforated baffle of the heat exchanger disposed downstream of the trough and configured to direct the refrigerant from the trough over the tubes of the tube bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Jay A. Kohler, Patrick Christian Marks, Ian Michael Casper, Kurt Devlin
  • Publication number: 20170191718
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system that includes a refrigerant loop, a compressor disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigerant loop, an evaporator disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to evaporate the refrigerant into refrigerant vapor, a condenser disposed along the refrigerant loop and configured to condense the refrigerant vapor into liquid refrigerant, a first conduit fluidly coupling the evaporator and the condenser to one another, a first expansion valve disposed along the first conduit between the evaporator and the condenser, a second conduit fluidly coupling the evaporator and the condenser to one another, where the first conduit and the second conduit are separate from one another, and a second expansion valve disposed along the second conduit between the evaporator and the condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Jay A. Kohler, Patrick Christian Marks, Ian Michael Casper, Kurt Devlin
  • Publication number: 20160238291
    Abstract: An evaporator (168) in a vapor compression system (14) (168) includes a shell (76), a first tube bundle (78); a hood (86); a distributor (80); a first supply line (142); a second supply line (144); a valve (122) positioned in the second supply line (144); and a sensor (150). The distributor (80) is positioned above the first tube bundle (78). The hood (88) covers the first tube bundle (78). The first supply line (142) is connected to the distributor (80) and an end of the second supply line (144) is positioned near the hood (88). The sensor (150) is configured and positioned to sense a level of liquid refrigerant (82) in the shell. The valve (122) regulates flow in the second supply line in response to the level of liquid refrigerant (82) from the sensor (150).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Jeb W. SCHREIBER, Jay A. KOHLER, Paul DE LARMINAT, Mustafa Kemal YANIK, William F. MCQUADE, Justin P. KAUFFMAN, Soren Bierre POULSEN, Lee Li WANG, Satheesh KULANKARA
  • Patent number: 9347715
    Abstract: An evaporator (168) in a vapor compression system (14) (168) includes a shell (76), a first tube bundle (78); a hood (86); a distributor (80); a first supply line (142); a second supply line (144); a valve (122) positioned in the second supply line (144); and a sensor (150). The distributor (80) is positioned above the first tube bundle (78). The hood (88) covers the first tube bundle (78). The first supply line (142) is connected to the distributor (80) and an end of the second supply line (144) is positioned near the hood (88). The sensor (150) is configured and positioned to sense a level of liquid refrigerant (82) in the shell. The valve (122) regulates flow in the second supply line in response to the level of liquid refrigerant (82) from the sensor (150).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jeb Schreiber, Jay A. Kohler, Paul De Larminat, Mustafa Kemal Yanik, William F. McQuade, Justin Kauffman, Soren Bierre Poulsen, Lee Li Wang, Satheesh Kulankara
  • Patent number: 8863551
    Abstract: An heat exchanger for use in a vapor compression system is disclosed and includes a shell, a first tube bundle, a hood and a distributor. The first tube bundle includes a plurality of tubes extending substantially horizontally in the shell. The hood covers the first tube bundle. The distributor is configured and positioned to distribute fluid onto at least one tube of the plurality of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Paul de Larminat, Jeb Schreiber, Jay A. Kohler, John C. Hansen, Mustafa Kemal Yanik, William F. McQuade, Justin Kauffman, Soren Bierre Poulsen, Lee Li Wang, Satheesh Kulankara
  • Patent number: 8739562
    Abstract: Systems for limiting pressure differences in dual compressor chillers are provided. To achieve the efficiency benefits of series flow chillers within a single unit, an evaporator and/or a condenser may be partitioned into separate chambers by a baffle. Process fluid may then flow through one chamber of the evaporator and/or condenser prior to entering the other. This configuration creates a pressure differential between chambers which may reduce compressor head and result in greater chiller efficiency. However, to maintain the structural integrity of the evaporator and/or condenser baffle, a system for limiting this pressure differential may be employed. This system may include an evaporator pressure equalization valve, a common liquid line, or an equalizing line between separate liquid lines. Methods of operating dual compressor chillers using these systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jay A. Kohler, Mark A. Adams
  • Patent number: 8302426
    Abstract: An heat exchanger for use in a vapor compression system is disclosed and includes a shell, a first tube bundle, a hood and a distributor. The first tube bundle includes a plurality of tubes extending substantially horizontally in the shell. The hood covers the first tube bundle. The distributor is configured and positioned to distribute fluid onto at least one tube of the plurality of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Paul de Larminat, Jeb Schreiber, Jay A. Kohler, John C. Hansen, Mustafa Kemal Yanik, William F. McQuade, Justin Kauffman, Soren Bierre Poulsen, Lee Li Wang, Satheesh Kulankara
  • Publication number: 20120111040
    Abstract: Systems for limiting pressure differences in dual compressor chillers are provided. To achieve the efficiency benefits of series flow chillers within a single unit, an evaporator and/or a condenser may be partitioned into separate chambers by a baffle. Process fluid may then flow through one chamber of the evaporator and/or condenser prior to entering the other. This configuration creates a pressure differential between chambers which may reduce compressor head and result in greater chiller efficiency. However, to maintain the structural integrity of the evaporator and/or condenser baffle, a system for limiting this pressure differential may be employed. This system may include an evaporator pressure equalization valve, a common liquid line, or an equalizing line between separate liquid lines. Methods of operating dual compressor chillers using these systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Jay A. Kohler, Mark A. Adams
  • Publication number: 20110197618
    Abstract: A refrigeration system that utilizes both an air-cooled heat exchanger and a cooling tower to cool refrigerant prior to the refrigerant being provided to the evaporator. This multi-stage cooling permits the refrigeration system to operate with improved efficiency, while reducing the amount of water lost to evaporative cooling in the cooling tower, since the thermal load handled by the cooling tower is reduced by the air-cooled heat exchanger. This in turn means less water is required to replace water lost to evaporative cooling. In arid regions or regions of low water quality, both efficiency increase and reduction of water lost to evaporative cooling are important improvements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Jay A. Kohler, Thomas W. Wise
  • Publication number: 20100326108
    Abstract: An evaporator (168) in a vapor compression system (14) (168) includes a shell (76), a first tube bundle (78); a hood (86); a distributor (80); a first supply line (142); a second supply line (144); a valve (122) positioned in the second supply line (144); and a sensor (150). The distributor (80) is positioned above the first tube bundle (78). The hood (88) covers the first tube bundle (78). The first supply line (142) is connected to the distributor (80) and an end of the second supply line (144) is positioned near the hood (88). The sensor (150) is configured and positioned to sense a level of liquid refrigerant (82) in the shell. The valve (122) regulates flow in the second supply line in response to the level of liquid refrigerant (82) from the sensor (150).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeb Schreiber, Jay A. Kohler, Paul De Larminat, Mustafa Kemal Yanik, William F. McQuade, Justin Kauffman, Soren Bierre Poulsen, Lee Li Wang, Satheesh Kulankara
  • Publication number: 20100319395
    Abstract: An heat exchanger for use in a vapor compression system is disclosed and includes a shell, a first tube bundle, a hood and a distributor. The first tube bundle includes a plurality of tubes extending substantially horizontally in the shell. The hood covers the first tube bundle. The distributor is configured and positioned to distribute fluid onto at least one tube of the plurality of tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul de Larminat, Jeb Schreiber, Jay A. Kohler, John C. Hansen, Mustafa Kemal Yanik, William F. McQuade, Justin Kauffman, Soren Bierre Poulsen, Lee Li Wang, Satheesh Kulankara
  • Publication number: 20100276130
    Abstract: A vapor compression system including a heat exchanger and a heat exchanger for use in a vapor compression system, the heat exchanger including a shell (76), a hood (86), a tube bundle (78), a distributor (80), and a passageway are disclosed. The shell (76) can include an outlet (104) configured to permit passage of vapor (96) from the shell (76), the hood (86) can be configured and positioned to cover the tube bundle (78) and the distributor (80), the tube bundle (78) can extend substantially horizontally in the shell (76), the distributor (80) can be configured to apply a fluid to the tube bundle (78), and the passageway can be configured and positioned to receive vapor (96) and provide a flow path for the vapor (96) to the outlet (104).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul de Larminat, Jay A. Kohler, Mustafa Kemal Yanik, William F. McQuade, Justin Kauffman
  • Publication number: 20100242533
    Abstract: An heat exchanger for use in a vapor compression system is disclosed and includes a shell, a first tube bundle, a hood and a distributor. The first tube bundle includes a plurality of tubes extending substantially horizontally in the shell. The hood covers the first tube bundle. The distributor is configured and positioned to distribute fluid onto at least one tube of the plurality of tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul De LARMINAT, Jeb SCHREIBER, Jay A. KOHLER, John C. HANSEN, Mustafa Kemal YANIK, William F. MCQUADE, Justin KAUFFMAN, Soren Bierre POULSEN, Lee Li WANG, Satheesh KULANKARA