Patents by Inventor John T. Steele

John T. Steele 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: 20140331705
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system includes an engine, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, a supply line coupled to an output of the pump, a supply control valve coupled to the supply line and a refrigerant compressor coupled to the supply control valve through a compressor supply line. The refrigerant compressor speed is responsive to fluid flow in the compressor supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: John T. Steele
  • Publication number: 20140331706
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system includes a diesel engine equipped with a combustion air pressurization device, such as a turbo-charger or a supercharger. The diesel engine powers at least one component associated with the transport refrigeration system, such as a refrigeration compressor or an air-moving device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Michael F. Taras, Russell G. Lewis, Nader S. Awwad, Benjamin E. Ferguson, John T. Steele
  • Publication number: 20140327245
    Abstract: An engine and generator arrangement includes an engine having a rotatable output shaft and a flywheel located in a bell housing and operably connected to the output shaft. The flywheel includes a permanent magnet located at a radially distal end of the flywheel that magnetically interacts with a radially adjacent stator of the bell housing to generate electrical power. An electrical generator includes a bell housing and a flywheel disposed in the bell housing. The flywheel is driven by an engine and includes a permanent magnet located at a radially distal end of the flywheel that magnetically interacts with a radially adjacent stator within the bell housing to generate electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: John T. Steele
  • Publication number: 20140250941
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an inner tube extending along a central axis, an array of a plurality of heat transfer members mounted to the inner tube, and a plurality of outer tubes disposed radially outward of and in parallel relationship to the inner tube, the inner and outer tubes extending longitudinally to pass through the array of heat transfer members. The heat exchanger is particularly suited for use as an engine exhaust cooler in connection with a transport refrigeration unit, wherein the inner tube defines an internal flow passage through which engine exhaust gas passes, each outer tube defines an internal flow passage through which refrigerant passes, and the plurality of flow passages between adjacent heat transfer members defines an air flow passage. In an embodiment, the heat transfer members may be annular disks having an internal chamber filled with air or other heat transfer working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: John T. Steele
  • Publication number: 20140223933
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system includes a transport refrigeration unit having a refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant is circulated in heat exchange relationship with air drawn from a cargo box, a fuel-fired engine for powering the refrigeration unit and having an exhaust system through which exhaust gases generated by the engine are discharged and an engine coolant circuit, an engine exhaust gases to engine coolant heat exchanger, and an engine coolant circuit to refrigeration unit heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Steele, Benjamin E. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 8776541
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system has an engine driving an electric generator. A compressor is powered by the generator. At least one first electric fan is positioned to drive an airflow across a heat rejection heat exchanger. At least one second electric fan is positioned to drive an airflow across a heat absorption heat exchanger. A controller is coupled to the compressor and first and second fans. The controller is configured to: start the engine; engage the generator and at least one of the first fans before the engine has reached running speed; after the engine has reached running speed, start the compressor; and after starting the compressor, start at least one of the second fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Steele, Scott D. Fulmer, Peter P. Guzman, Donald B. Hotaling, John R. Reason
  • Publication number: 20140144164
    Abstract: The performance of a transport refrigeration system (12) having a transport refrigeration unit powered by a diesel engine is optimized by matching a capacity output of the transport refrigeration unit to an available shaft power of the diesel engine. The power consumption of the transport refrigeration may be controlled by selectively limiting refrigerant mass flow through the refrigerant circuit of the transport refrigeration unit in response to an operating engine load and an operating speed of the diesel engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Steele, John R. Reason, Michael Stockbridge
  • Patent number: 8648269
    Abstract: A electrically operated blocking device used to block the operation of electrical or mechanical equipment without using a system of deadbolt locks, keys, and electrically operated key traps. The electrically operated blocking device preferably includes a blocking shaft used to block the operation of electrical equipment such as, e.g., switches, circuit breakers and other similar electrical equipment, or mechanical equipment such as, e.g., valves, cams, gears, doors or any moving device or device operator, and preferably includes a keyless solenoid release unit (KSRU) used to control a plunger that locks the blocking shaft into place and unlocks the blocking shaft to allow the blocking shaft to move freely along its axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Steele, Nathan R. Riemer, Matthew A. Balmer
  • Patent number: 8573040
    Abstract: A sensor that is designed for determining ambient pressure for purposes of derating an internal combustion engine at high altitudes, is used to determine the condition of the air filter by taking pressure measurements in the intake manifold before and after the engine is started, with the difference then being an indication of the condition of the air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Peter P. Guzman, John R. Reason, Nader S. Awwad, John T. Steele
  • Patent number: 8487458
    Abstract: A current sensor is installed in a generator set to measure the current being delivered from the generator set to a refrigeration unit. A control is responsive to the current transformer to reduce the speed of the drive engine to a lower speed when the current being delivered to the refrigeration unit is determined to be below a predetermined higher level. Provision is made to override the system when the sensed current is determined to be transient caused or in the event that ambient temperature is determined to be above a predetermined temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: John T. Steele, Peter P. Guzman, Jeffrey J. Burchill, Martin Murphy Mertell, Douglas R. Auyer, Cheryl M. Keiling
  • Publication number: 20130175016
    Abstract: A heat exchanger (28 includes a first manifold (34), a second manifold (36) and a plurality of parallel heat transfer tubes (38). The first manifold (34) includes one or more manifold sections (58, 60, 63). A first one of the manifold sections (58) is connected to an inlet (64). The heat transfer tubes (38) extend between and fluidly connect the first and the second manifolds (34, 36). At least some of the heat transfer tubes (38) are disposed with the first manifold section (58).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: John T. Steele, Eric Johnson, Lester G. Harrington, Christopher G. Repice, Jason A. Gough, Scott D. Fulmer
  • Patent number: 8202028
    Abstract: A generator set is provided with both a pin-on mount mechanism and a clamp-on mount mechanism for mounting the generator set to a container. Both the pin-on mount mechanism and the clamp-on mount mechanism are selectively positionable in either a deployed for use position or a stowed position. When the clamp-on mount mechanism is in the deployed for use position, the pin-on mount mechanism is positioned in a stowed position. When the pin-on mount mechanism is in the deployed for use position, the clamp-on mount mechanism is positioned in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Murphy Mertell, John T. Steele, Paul J. Krause, Ping S. Vang, Cheryl M. Keiling
  • Publication number: 20110228509
    Abstract: A electrically operated blocking device used to block the operation of electrical or mechanical equipment without using a system of deadbolt locks, keys, and electrically operated key traps. The electrically operated blocking device preferably includes a blocking shaft used to block the operation of electrical equipment such as, e.g., switches, circuit breakers and other similar electrical equipment, or mechanical equipment such as, e.g., valves, cams, gears, doors or any moving device or device operator, and preferably includes a keyless solenoid release unit (KSRU) used to control a plunger that locks the blocking shaft into place and unlocks the blocking shaft to allow the blocking shaft to move freely along its axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: John T. Steele, Nathan R. Riemer, Matthew A. Balmer
  • Publication number: 20110094297
    Abstract: A sensor that is designed for determining ambient pressure for purposes of derating an internal combustion engine at high altitudes, is used to determine the condition of the air filter by taking pressure measurements in the intake manifold before and after the engine is started, with the difference then being an indication of the condition of the air filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Peter P. Guzman, John R. Reason, Nader S. Awwad, John T. Steele
  • Publication number: 20110088411
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system has an engine driving an electric generator. A compressor is powered by the generator. At least one first electric fan is positioned to drive an airflow across a heat rejection heat exchanger. At least one second electric fan is positioned to drive an airflow across a heat absorption heat exchanger. A controller is coupled to the compressor and first and second fans. The controller is configured to: start the engine; engage the generator and at least one of the first fans before the engine has reached running speed; after the engine has reached running speed, start the compressor; and after starting the compressor, start at least one of the second fans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: John T. Steele, Scott D. Fulmer, Peter P. Guzman, Donald B. Hotaling, John R. Reason
  • Publication number: 20100289273
    Abstract: A current sensor is installed in a generator set to measure the current being delivered from the generator set to a refrigeration unit. A control is responsive to the current transformer to reduce the speed of the drive engine to a lower speed when the current being delivered to the refrigeration unit is determined to be below a predetermined higher level. Provision is made to override the system when the sensed current is determined to be transient caused or in the event that ambient temperature is determined to be above a predetermined temperature threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: John T. Steele, Peter P. Guzman, Jeffrey J. Burchill, Martin Murphy Mertell, Douglas R. Auyer, Cheryl M. Keiling
  • Publication number: 20090211288
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system includes a single frame for containing both a refrigeration condenser coil and an engine coolant radiator arranged in serial airflow relationship within a framework. Either one or the other may be removed and replaced without replacing the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert S. Simeone, Jason A. Gough, Eric J. Johnson, John T. Steele, Donald B. Hotaling
  • Publication number: 20090211287
    Abstract: A modular condenser fan/motor assembly for use in a transport refrigeration system includes a support frame, a fan shroud panel, a fan/motor assembly and a support bracket. A fan and motor assembly for use in a transport refrigeration unit includes a fan impeller disposed about an inside/out motor, whereby the fan impeller rotates with at least a portion of an outer casing of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: John T. Steele, Richie C. Stauter, Robert S. Simeone, Eric J. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080231239
    Abstract: A generator set is provided with both a pin-on mount mechanism and a clamp-on mount mechanism for mounting the generator set to a container. Both the pin-on mount mechanism and the clamp-on mount mechanism are selectively positionable in either a deployed for use position or a stowed position. When the clamp-on mount mechanism is in the deployed for use position, the pin-on mount mechanism is positioned in a stowed position. When the pin-on mount mechanism is in the deployed for use position, the clamp-on mount mechanism is positioned in the stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin M. Mertell, John T. Steele, Paul J. Krause, Ping S. Vang, Cheryl M. Keiling