Patents by Inventor Jonathan David Douglas
Jonathan David Douglas 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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Patent number: 11906188Abstract: An energy efficient heat pump for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a compressor system configured to direct a working fluid flow along a working fluid circuit of the energy efficient heat pump. The compressor system includes a first compressor configured to direct the working fluid flow in a first direction along the working fluid circuit and a second compressor configured to direct the working fluid flow in a second direction along the working fluid circuit, opposite the first direction. The energy efficient heat pump also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor, where the controller is configured to operate the first compressor and suspend operation of the second compressor in a cooling mode of the energy efficient heat pump and to operate the second compressor and suspend operation of the first compressor in a heating mode of the energy efficient heat pump.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2023Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventors: Andrew Leroy Hjortland, Jonathan David Douglas
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Publication number: 20230288093Abstract: An energy efficient heat pump for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a compressor system configured to direct a working fluid flow along a working fluid circuit of the energy efficient heat pump. The compressor system includes a first compressor configured to direct the working fluid flow in a first direction along the working fluid circuit and a second compressor configured to direct the working fluid flow in a second direction along the working fluid circuit, opposite the first direction. The energy efficient heat pump also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor, where the controller is configured to operate the first compressor and suspend operation of the second compressor in a cooling mode of the energy efficient heat pump and to operate the second compressor and suspend operation of the first compressor in a heating mode of the energy efficient heat pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Andrew Leroy Hjortland, Jonathan David Douglas
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Patent number: 11428461Abstract: An apparatus includes a high side heat exchanger, a load, a compressor, a belt, a first bin, a second bin, and a controller. The high side heat exchanger removes heat from a refrigerant. The load uses the refrigerant to cool an enclosed space. The compressor compresses the refrigerant. The first and second bins are coupled to the belt and positioned within the enclosed space. The controller receives a first message, determines that the first bin should be selected, and cycles the belt to move the first bin to a retrieval location within the enclosed space. The controller also receives a second message, determines that the second bin should be selected, and cycles the belt to move the second bin to the retrieval location.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLCInventors: Jonathan David Douglas, Kristal Chante Parker, Richard Carl Wise
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Publication number: 20200326122Abstract: An apparatus includes a high side heat exchanger, a load, a compressor, a belt, a first bin, a second bin, and a controller. The high side heat exchanger removes heat from a refrigerant. The load uses the refrigerant to cool an enclosed space. The compressor compresses the refrigerant. The first and second bins are coupled to the belt and positioned within the enclosed space. The controller receives a first message, determines that the first bin should be selected, and cycles the belt to move the first bin to a retrieval location within the enclosed space. The controller also receives a second message, determines that the second bin should be selected, and cycles the belt to move the second bin to the retrieval location.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Jonathan David Douglas, Kristal Chante Parker, Richard Carl Wise
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Patent number: 10739064Abstract: An apparatus includes a high side heat exchanger, a load, a compressor, a belt, a first bin, a second bin, and a controller. The high side heat exchanger removes heat from a refrigerant. The load uses the refrigerant to cool an enclosed space. The compressor compresses the refrigerant. The first and second bins are coupled to the belt and positioned within the enclosed space. The controller receives a first message, determines that the first bin should be selected, and cycles the belt to move the first bin to a retrieval location within the enclosed space. The controller also receives a second message, determines that the second bin should be selected, and cycles the belt to move the second bin to the retrieval location.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLCInventors: Jonathan David Douglas, Kristal Chante Parker, Richard Carl Wise
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Publication number: 20200049400Abstract: An apparatus includes a high side heat exchanger, a load, a compressor, a belt, a first bin, a second bin, and a controller. The high side heat exchanger removes heat from a refrigerant. The load uses the refrigerant to cool an enclosed space. The compressor compresses the refrigerant. The first and second bins are coupled to the belt and positioned within the enclosed space. The controller receives a first message, determines that the first bin should be selected, and cycles the belt to move the first bin to a retrieval location within the enclosed space. The controller also receives a second message, determines that the second bin should be selected, and cycles the belt to move the second bin to the retrieval location.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2018Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Jonathan David Douglas, Kristal Chante Parker, Richard Carl Wise
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Patent number: 9689585Abstract: A zoned HVAC system comprises an HVAC unit including a climate control system and an air mover. In addition, the system comprises a supply air duct in fluid communication with the outlet of the HVAC unit. Further, the system comprises a return air duct in fluid communication with the inlet of the HVAC unit. Still further, the system comprises a plurality of zones positioned between the supply air duct and the return air duct. Moreover, the system comprises a bypass duct extending between the supply air duct and the return air duct. The bypass duct includes an active bypass damper having an open position, a closed position, and a plurality of partially opened positions. The system also comprises a control device configured to control the position of the bypass duct.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Billy W. Norrell, Gregory S. Brown, John Tanner Taylor, Jonathan David Douglas
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Patent number: 9234673Abstract: An air handling unit has a blower configured to selectively move air from an air inlet of the air handling unit to an air outlet of the air handling unit along an airflow direction extending from the blower to the air outlet, a heat exchanger disposed within the air handling unit between the inlet and the outlet, the heat exchanger has a thermal conductor, an evaporator tube thermally conductively joined to the thermal conductor, and a subcooler tube thermally conductively joined to the thermal conductor. An expansion device provides fluid communication between the evaporator tube and the subcooler tube and a drain pan disposed within the air handling unit upstream relative to the at least one subcooler tube and positioned in a geometrical footprint of at least a portion of the drain pan as the drain pan is viewed from an upstream position in the airflow direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Jonathan David Douglas, Kevin B. Mercer, Benton A. Harris, Jr., Stephen S. Hancock
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Publication number: 20150060037Abstract: A zoned HVAC system comprises an HVAC unit including a climate control system and an air mover. In addition, the system comprises a supply air duct in fluid communication with the outlet of the HVAC unit. Further, the system comprises a return air duct in fluid communication with the inlet of the HVAC unit. Still further, the system comprises a plurality of zones positioned between the supply air duct and the return air duct. Moreover, the system comprises a bypass duct extending between the supply air duct and the return air duct. The bypass duct includes an active bypass damper having an open position, a closed position, and a plurality of partially opened positions. The system also comprises a control device configured to control the position of the bypass duct.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Billy W. Norrell, Gregory S. Brown, John Tanner Taylor, Jonathan David Douglas
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Patent number: 8915295Abstract: A zoned HVAC system comprises an HVAC unit including a climate control system and an air mover. In addition, the system comprises a supply air duct in fluid communication with the outlet of the HVAC unit. Further, the system comprises a return air duct in fluid communication with the inlet of the HVAC unit. Still further, the system comprises a plurality of zones positioned between the supply air duct and the return air duct. Moreover, the system comprises a bypass duct extending between the supply air duct and the return air duct. The bypass duct includes an active bypass damper having an open position, a closed position, and a plurality of partially opened positions. The system also comprises a control device configured to control the position of the bypass duct.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Billy W. Norrell, Gregory S. Brown, John Tanner Taylor, Jonathan David Douglas
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Patent number: 8887518Abstract: A method of reducing a cyclical loss coefficient of an HVAC system efficiency rating of an HVAC system includes operating the HVAC system using a recorded electronic expansion valve position of an electronic expansion valve of the HVAC system, discontinuing operation of the HVAC system, and resuming operation of the HVAC system using an electronic expansion valve position that allows greater refrigerant mass flow through the expansion valve as compared to the recorded electronic expansion valve position.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Kevin B. Mercer, John R. Edens, Jonathan David Douglas
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Publication number: 20130092355Abstract: An air handling unit has a blower configured to selectively move air from an air inlet of the air handling unit to an air outlet of the air handling unit along an airflow direction extending from the blower to the air outlet, a heat exchanger disposed within the air handling unit between the inlet and the outlet, the heat exchanger has a thermal conductor, an evaporator tube thermally conductively joined to the thermal conductor, and a subcooler tube thermally conductively joined to the thermal conductor. An expansion device provides fluid communication between the evaporator tube and the subcooler tube and a drain pan disposed within the air handling unit upstream relative to the at least one subcooler tube and positioned in a geometrical footprint of at least a portion of the drain pan as the drain pan is viewed from an upstream position in the airflow direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2011Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Jonathan David Douglas, Kevin B. Mercer, Benton A. Harris, JR., Stephen S. Hancock
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Publication number: 20120279236Abstract: An HVAC system includes an electronic expansion valve having a movable obturator with a truncated tip and a port configured to selectively receive the truncated tip. An electronically controlled expansion valve includes a movable obturator with a truncated tip and a port configured to selectively receive the truncated tip. A method of operating a heat pump HVAC system includes providing an electronically controlled expansion valve comprising an obturator having a truncated tip and flowing refrigerant through the valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Jonathan David Douglas, Kevin B. Mercer
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Publication number: 20120253524Abstract: A zoned HVAC system comprises an HVAC unit including a climate control system and an air mover. In addition, the system comprises a supply air duct in fluid communication with the outlet of the HVAC unit. Further, the system comprises a return air duct in fluid communication with the inlet of the HVAC unit. Still further, the system comprises a plurality of zones positioned between the supply air duct and the return air duct. Moreover, the system comprises a bypass duct extending between the supply air duct and the return air duct. The bypass duct includes an active bypass damper having an open position, a closed position, and a plurality of partially opened positions. The system also comprises a control device configured to control the position of the bypass duct.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Billy W. Norrell, Gregory S. Brown, John Tanner Taylor, Jonathan David Douglas
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Publication number: 20120248212Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a hybrid heating system includes a heat pump and an auxiliary furnace. The system also includes a controller coupled to the heat pump and the auxiliary furnace. The controller, in response to receiving a heat request, selects either the heat pump or the auxiliary furnace based on an economic balance point algorithm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Timothy Wayne Storm, Gerson L. Gavin, Jonathan David Douglas, John R. Edens, Willem M. Lange, IV
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Patent number: 8151583Abstract: A vapor compression air conditioning system includes a motor operated expansion valve and control unit including sensors for determining the amount of superheat of the working fluid at or adjacent to the compressor inlet. Expansion valve position is adjusted to maintain a predetermined amount of superheat. The sensors may sense working fluid evaporator temperature and temperature downstream of the evaporator. Dual motor operated expansion valves may be disposed in the working fluid conduit between the heat exchangers in a reversible system. In operation, the expansion valve position may be set as a function of ambient temperature, a previous position, and predetermined superheat requirements to minimize liquid ingestion by the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2007Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventor: Jonathan David Douglas
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Publication number: 20120080179Abstract: A method of reducing a cyclical loss coefficient of an HVAC system efficiency rating of an HVAC system includes operating the HVAC system using a recorded electronic expansion valve position of an electronic expansion valve of the HVAC system, discontinuing operation of the HVAC system, and resuming operation of the HVAC system using an electronic expansion valve position that allows greater refrigerant mass flow through the expansion valve as compared to the recorded electronic expansion valve position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Kevin B. Mercer, John R. Edens, Jonathan David Douglas
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Patent number: 7866172Abstract: Vapor compression air conditioning systems are provided with a flow restrictor for transferring working fluid to and from at least one of the compressor low pressure inlet conduit and compressor high pressure outlet conduit to provide for accurate charge adjustment to achieve predetermined fluid sub-cooling. Pressure and temperature measurements are taken at a condenser fluid outlet conduit and provided to a microcontroller for determining fluid sub-cooling and comparing sub-cooling with a predetermined target sub-cooling. A charge addition or recovery apparatus may include a solenoid valve controlled by the microcontroller to more accurately control the addition or recovery of refrigerant fluid charge.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Jonathan David Douglas, James Thomas Schaefer, Jr., Gregory F. Walters
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Publication number: 20100101246Abstract: Vapor compression air conditioning systems are provided with a flow restrictor for transferring working fluid to and from at least one of the compressor low pressure inlet conduit and compressor high pressure outlet conduit to provide for accurate charge adjustment to achieve predetermined fluid sub-cooling. Pressure and temperature measurements are taken at a condenser fluid outlet conduit and provided to a microcontroller for determining fluid sub-cooling and comparing sub-cooling with a predetermined target sub-cooling. A charge addition or recovery apparatus may include a solenoid valve controlled by the microcontroller to more accurately control the addition or recovery of refrigerant fluid charge.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Jonathan David DOUGLAS, James Thomas SCHAEFER, JR., Gregory F. WALTERS
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Patent number: D800282Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2016Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Oved Wayne Hanson, Kirankumar Annarao Muley, Jonathan David Douglas