Patents by Inventor Jeffrey D. Munk

Jeffrey D. Munk 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: 20240011674
    Abstract: An improved heat pump including an integrated system for the management of refrigerant charge is provided. The integrated system actively adjusts charge allocation and thereby optimizes operational efficiencies in all modes of operation. In one embodiment, the integrated system includes three four-way valves, two expansion valves, two one-way check valves, and a suction line accumulator to optimize charge allocation. The four-way valves dictate the mode switch and refrigerant flow directions, and the expansion valves automatically allocate refrigerant mass in active components and store excess charge in an idle heat exchanger and suction line accumulator by controlling the compressor discharge pressure (equivalent to controlling condenser subcooling degree) as a function of the entering air and water temperatures. The integrated system provides seven working modes and is uniquely suited for spacing cooling, spacing heating, and water heating in both residential and commercial applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Munk, Bo Shen, Kyle R. Gluesenkamp
  • Patent number: 10168087
    Abstract: A heat pump including an integrated system for the management of refrigerant charge is provided. The heat pump includes an indoor line and an outdoor line that are connected to a compressor through a reversing valve. Refrigerant charge is managed by coupling the inactive line to the suction side of the compressor. For example, the heat pump can include an expansion valve to couple the inactive line to the compressor to supplement the flow-rate of refrigerant. The heat pump is operable in a dedicated water heating mode and a space cooling and water heating mode in some embodiments, while other modes of operation are contemplated in other embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Munk, Moonis R. Ally
  • Publication number: 20170067676
    Abstract: A heat pump including an integrated system for the management of refrigerant charge is provided. The heat pump includes an indoor line and an outdoor line that are connected to a compressor through a reversing valve. Refrigerant charge is managed by coupling the inactive line to the suction side of the compressor. For example, the heat pump can include an expansion valve to couple the inactive line to the compressor to supplement the flow-rate of refrigerant. The heat pump is operable in a dedicated water heating mode and a space cooling and water heating mode in some embodiments, while other modes of operation are contemplated in other embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Munk, Moonis R. Ally