Patents by Inventor John W. Knecht

John W. Knecht 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: 7350375
    Abstract: A receiver (24) for a condenser system (20) includes a body (32) in fluid communication with a header (28) of the condenser system (20). A first cap (38) is coupled to an end (34) of the body (32) and has a saddle portion (40) coupled to the header (28). The receiver (24) further includes a tube section (42) coupled to a second end (36) of the body. A second cap (50) is removably interconnected with the tube section (42) following insertion of a service cartridge (76) into the body (32). The service cartridge (76) includes a substantially-rigid tubular member (78) having rib members (84) radially extending from an outer surface (86) of the tubular member (78). Covers (90, 92), each having openings (94, 96), are coupled to opposing ends of the tubular member (78). The service cartridge (76) includes multiple features for drying, filtering, and/or leak detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: CalsonicKansei North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Knecht, James D. Snow
  • Patent number: 7003978
    Abstract: A receiver (24) in a condenser system (20) includes a body (32) in fluid communication with a header (28) of the condenser system (20). A service cartridge (154) is insertable into an interior cavity (106) of the body (32). The service cartridge (154) includes a substantially-rigid tubular member (156). Covers (166, 168), each having openings (170, 172), are coupled to opposing ends of the tubular member (78). A spindle (179) is non-detachably coupled to each of the first cover (166) and a cap (180). The cap (180) is configured for threaded attachment to a service end of the body (32) of the receiver (24). Refrigerant 150 is received by the tubular member (156) via the first openings (170), and is discharged from the tubular member (156) via the second openings (172). The service cartridge (154) includes multiple features for drying, filtering, and/or leak detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: CalsonicKansei North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Knecht, James D. Snow
  • Patent number: 6981389
    Abstract: A receiver (24) for a condenser system (20) includes a body (32) in fluid communication with a header (28) of the condenser system (20). A first cap (38) is coupled to an end (34) of the body (32) and has a saddle portion (40) coupled to the header (28). The receiver (24) further includes a tube section (42) coupled to a second end (36) of the body. A second cap (50) is removably interconnected with the tube section (42) following insertion of a service cartridge (76) into the body (32). The service cartridge (76) includes a substantially-rigid tubular member (78) having rib members (84) radially extending from an outer surface (86) of the tubular member (78). Covers (90, 92), each having openings (94, 96), are coupled to opposing ends of the tubular member (78). The service cartridge (76) includes multiple features for drying, filtering, and/or leak detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: CalsonicKansei North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Knecht, James D. Snow
  • Patent number: 6694773
    Abstract: A condenser system (20) includes a first header (26), a second header (28), and parallel tubes (30) extending between the headers (26, 28). A receiver (24), affixed to the second header (28), is in fluid communication with the second header (28). The receiver includes a body (32), a first cap (38) coupled to the body (32), and a second cap (42) coupled to the body. The condenser system (20) is subjected to a one-shot brazing process that nondetachably couples the receiver (24) to the second header (28), and concurrently nondetachably couples the first and second caps (38, 42) to the receiver body (32). A desiccant system (124) and/or filter (138) may be optionally installed into the receiver (24) prior to brazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: CalsonicKansei North America, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Snow, John W. Knecht
  • Patent number: 6223433
    Abstract: A dual-fluid heat-exchanging system (20) incorporating a primary heat exchanger (22) and a secondary heat exchanger (24) is provided. The primary heat exchanger (22) incorporates a core (40) configured to extract heat (32) from a primary fluid (34). An input tank (30) and an output tank (28) are coupled to the primary-exchanger core (40) and function as reservoirs of the primary fluid (34) and as manifolds routing the primary fluid (34) through the core (40). The secondary heat exchanger (24) incorporates an extruded metal core (26) coupled to the primary-exchanger input tank (30) or the primary-exchanger output tank (28) and configured to transfer heat (32) from a secondary fluid (52) into the primary fluid (34) within the primary-exchanger input tank (30) or output tank (28). An input manifold (62) and an output manifold (64) are coupled to the secondary-exchanger core (26) and route the secondary fluid (52) through the core (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Calsonic N.A. Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Knecht