Patents by Inventor John W. Tolbert, Jr.
John W. Tolbert, Jr. 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).
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Publication number: 20160186737Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly for providing connection to components of a compressor includes a housing having an inner surface defining a channel. A sealed wire assembly is provided in the channel. The sealed wire assembly includes a body having an outer surface and a plurality of wires sealingly passing through the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2016Publication date: June 30, 2016Applicant: Bristol Compressors International, LLCInventors: John W. TOLBERT, JR., Scott G. HIX, David R. GILLIAM, Joseph A. NEWLAND, Doug BLANKENSHIP
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Patent number: 9279425Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly for providing connection to components of a compressor includes a housing having an inner surface defining a channel. A sealed wire assembly is provided in the channel. The sealed wire assembly includes a body having an outer surface and a plurality of wires sealingly passing through the body.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Bristol Compressors Interntional, Inc.Inventors: John W. Tolbert, Jr., Scott G. Hix, David R. Gilliam, Joseph A. Newland, Doug Blankenship
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Patent number: 8904814Abstract: A system and method for determining a fault condition in a compressor is provided. The current of a motor drive powering the compressor and the outdoor ambient temperature are measured and used to determine if a fault condition or a potential fault condition is present in the compressor. If a fault condition is determined to be present, the compressor can be shutdown to avoid damage to the compressor. If a potential fault condition is determined, remedial action can be taken to attempt to prevent the fault condition from occurring and shutting down the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Bristol Compressors, International Inc.Inventors: John W. Tolbert, Jr., Bruce A. Moody, Jerry D. Edwards, David R. Gilliam, Eugene K. Chumley, Richard C. Denzau, Scott Hix, Justin M. Toner, Mark R. Trent, Tim M. Wampler, John R. Williams
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Publication number: 20140212311Abstract: A compressor can have one or more of a suction fitting with integral louvers and a screen, a motor cap with a plurality of holes in the top surface of the motor cap to permit refrigerant to enter a suction plenum, a filter positioned over the plurality of holes in the motor cap, a filter for the cage bearing and a braze ring installed in one or more of the compressor fittings.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Inventors: Joel MOSELEY, Eugene K. CHUMLEY, James Robert LENZ, Jeffry Lynn HAMILTON, Scott G. HIX, John W. TOLBERT, Jr., Joseph A. NEWLAND
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Patent number: 8790089Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling the speed of the compressor to ensure adequate lubrication oil is provided to the components of the compressor. During operation of a capacity control program for the compressor, a preselected operating parameter of the compressor or motor drive is measured. The measured preselected operating parameter is compared to a preselected range for the operating parameter. If the measured preselected operating parameter is not within the preselected range, the output frequency of the capacity control program can be increased to provide proper lubrication for the components of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2009Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Bristol Compressors International, Inc.Inventors: Bruce A. Moody, Eugene K. Chumley, Jerry D. Edwards, Tim M. Wampler, John W. Tolbert, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140134018Abstract: The systems and compressors for use with flammable refrigerants can include features that can reduce or address the generation of sparks or arcs internal or external to the compressor that could ignite the flammable refrigerant. The systems and compressors can also include features that can reduce or address leakage into or out of the hermetic compressor shell which could create a flammable atmosphere that could be ignited if the flammable atmosphere came into contact with an ignition source.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Inventors: John W. TOLBERT, JR., Scott G. HIX, Larry G. PIPPIN, Michael KAUL, James C. POWERS
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Patent number: 8672642Abstract: A system and method for starting a compressor is provided. An amount of liquid refrigerant that is located in an oil sump of the compressor is determined. Using the determined amount of liquid refrigerant, a starting algorithm for the compressor is selected. The selected starting algorithm is configured to remove the determined amount of liquid refrigerant from the oil sump before the compressor reaches a preselected operating speed. The selected starting algorithm is then executed to start the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2009Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Bristol Compressors International, Inc.Inventors: John W. Tolbert, Jr., Bruce A. Moody, Eugene K. Chumley, Richard C. Denzau, Jerry D. Edwards, David R. Gilliam, Scott Hix, Justin M. Toner, Mark R. Trent, Tim M. Wampler, John R. Williams
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Patent number: 8552293Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly for providing connection to components of a compressor. The electrical feedthrough assembly includes a housing having an inner surface defining a channel. A sealed wire assembly is provided in the channel. The sealed wire assembly includes a body having an outer surface defining a groove and a plurality of wires sealingly passing through the body. An o-ring fits in the groove to provide a hermetic seal between the body and the inner surface of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Bristol Compressors International, Inc.Inventor: John W. Tolbert, Jr.
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Patent number: 8388318Abstract: A heater is provided inside a hermetic compressor to heat the fluid in an oil sump of the compressor. The heater can be substantially submerged in the fluid even at low fluid levels. The heater can raise the temperature of the fluid to a predetermined temperature to substantially maintain non-lubricant fluids in a gaseous state and prevent non-lubricant fluids from mixing with the lubricant in the sump. A feed through assembly in the compressor housing is used to supply power to both the compressor motor and the heater.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Bristol Compressors International, Inc.Inventor: John W. Tolbert, Jr.
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Patent number: 8287245Abstract: A system is provided for transmitting control signals to the internal devices of a compressor. The compressor includes a housing, a hermetic power terminal and a motor for powering the compressor. The system includes a frequency converter that is located external to the compressor housing and a frequency decoder that is positioned inside the compressor housing. The frequency converter can convert a control signal from a controller to a high frequency signal. The frequency decoder decodes and converts the high frequency signal to a control signal for an internal device of the compressor. An AC input power source provides electrical power to the motor, and power transmission lines connect the AC input power source to the hermetic power terminal. The frequency converter is electrically coupled to the frequency decoder by two power transmission lines.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Bristol Compressors International, Inc.Inventor: John W. Tolbert, Jr.
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Patent number: 7946123Abstract: A system is provided to control and operate a compressor to have two or more discrete output capacities in response to an outdoor temperature measurement. During operation of the compressor in an air conditioning or cooling mode, the compressor has a first output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being greater than a first temperature setpoint and the compressor has a second output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being less than a second temperature setpoint.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Bristol Compressors International, Inc.Inventors: John W. Tolbert, Jr., Scott G. Hix, David T. Monk, Jerry D. Edwards
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Publication number: 20100329894Abstract: A system is provided for transmitting control signals to the internal devices of a compressor. The compressor includes a housing, a hermetic power terminal and a motor for powering the compressor. The system includes a frequency converter that is located external to the compressor housing and a frequency decoder that is positioned inside the compressor housing. The frequency converter can convert a control signal from a controller to a high frequency signal. The frequency decoder decodes and converts the high frequency signal to a control signal for an internal device of the compressor. An AC input power source provides electrical power to the motor, and power transmission lines connect the AC input power source to the hermetic power terminal. The frequency converter is electrically coupled to the frequency decoder by two power transmission lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: BRISTOL COMPRESSORS INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: John W. TOLBERT, JR.
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Publication number: 20100290938Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly for providing connection to components of a compressor. The electrical feedthrough assembly includes a housing having an inner surface defining a channel. A sealed wire assembly is provided in the channel. The sealed wire assembly includes a body having an outer surface defining a groove and a plurality of wires sealingly passing through the body. An o-ring fits in the groove to provide a hermetic seal between the body and the inner surface of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: BRISTOL COMPRESSORS INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: John W. TOLBERT, JR.
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Publication number: 20100254834Abstract: A heater is provided inside a hermetic compressor to heat the fluid in an oil sump of the compressor. The heater can be substantially submerged in the fluid even at low fluid levels. The heater can raise the temperature of the fluid to a predetermined temperature to substantially maintain non-lubricant fluids in a gaseous state and prevent non-lubricant fluids from mixing with the lubricant in the sump. A feed through assembly in the compressor housing is used to supply power to both the compressor motor and the heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: BRISTOL COMPRESSORS INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: John W. TOLBERT, JR.
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Patent number: 7763808Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly for providing connection to components of a compressor. The electrical feedthrough assembly includes a housing having an inner surface defining a channel. A sealed wire assembly is provided in the channel. The sealed wire assembly includes a body having an outer surface defining a groove and a plurality of wires sealingly passing through the body. An o-ring fits in the groove to provide a hermetic seal between the body and the inner surface of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Bristol Compressors International, Inc.Inventor: John W. Tolbert, Jr.
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Publication number: 20100083680Abstract: A system is provided to control and operate a compressor to have two or more discrete output capacities in response to an outdoor temperature measurement. During operation of the compressor in an air conditioning or cooling mode, the compressor has a first output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being greater than a first temperature setpoint and the compressor has a second output capacity in response to the outdoor temperature being less than a second temperature setpoint.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: April 8, 2010Inventors: John W. TOLBERT, JR., Scott G. HIX, David T. MONK, Jerry D. EDWARDS
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Publication number: 20090324428Abstract: A system and method for determining a fault condition in a compressor is provided. The current of a motor drive powering the compressor and the outdoor ambient temperature are measured and used to determine if a fault condition or a potential fault condition is present in the compressor. If a fault condition is determined to be present, the compressor can be shutdown to avoid damage to the compressor. If a potential fault condition is determined, remedial action can be taken to attempt to prevent the fault condition from occurring and shutting down the compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: John W. TOLBERT, JR., Bruce A. MOODY, Jerry D. EDWARDS, David R. GILLIAM, Eugene K. CHUMLEY, Richard C. DENZAU, Scott HIX, Justin M. TONER, Mark R. TRENT, Tim M. WAMPLER, John R. WILLIAMS
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Publication number: 20090324427Abstract: A system and method for starting a compressor is provided. An amount of liquid refrigerant that is located in an oil sump of the compressor is determined. Using the determined amount of liquid refrigerant, a starting algorithm for the compressor is selected. The selected starting algorithm is configured to remove the determined amount of liquid refrigerant from the oil sump before the compressor reaches a preselected operating speed. The selected starting algorithm is then executed to start the compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: John W. TOLBERT, JR., Bruce A. MOODY, Eugene K. CHUMLEY, Richard C. DENZAU, Jerry D. EDWARDS, David R. GILLIAM, Scott HIX, Justin M. TONER, Mark R. TRENT, Tim M. WAMPLER, John R. WILLIAMS
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Publication number: 20090324426Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling the speed of the compressor to ensure adequate lubrication oil is provided to the components of the compressor. During operation of a capacity control program for the compressor, a preselected operating parameter of the compressor or motor drive is measured. The measured preselected operating parameter is compared to a preselected range for the operating parameter. If the measured preselected operating parameter is not within the preselected range, the output frequency of the capacity control program can be increased to provide proper lubrication for the components of the compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Bruce A. MOODY, Eugene K. CHUMLEY, Jerry D. EDWARDS, Tim M. WAMPLER, John W. TOLBERT, JR.
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Publication number: 20090050351Abstract: An electrical feedthrough assembly for providing connection to components of a compressor. The electrical feedthrough assembly includes a housing having an inner surface defining a channel. A sealed wire assembly is provided in the channel. The sealed wire assembly includes a body having an outer surface defining a groove and a plurality of wires sealingly passing through the body. An o-ring fits in the groove to provide a hermetic seal between the body and the inner surface of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: Bristol Compresors International, Inc.Inventor: John W. Tolbert, JR.