Patents by Inventor Jules G. Choueifati
Jules G. Choueifati 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: 11892217Abstract: A refrigeration system for a temperature-controlled storage device includes a refrigeration circuit that circulates a refrigerant, a separate cooling circuit that circulates a coolant, and a controller. The refrigeration circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The cooling circuit includes a pump, a control valve, and a heat removing device in fluid communication with the condenser via the coolant. The controller is operatively coupled to the control valve and configured to identify a coolant temperature differential setpoint, monitor a temperature of the coolant provided to the condenser by the cooling circuit, calculate a coolant temperature differential based on the temperature of the coolant provided to the condenser, and operate the control valve to modulate a flow of the coolant through the condenser to drive the coolant temperature differential to the coolant temperature differential setpoint.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Timothy D. Swofford, Neil J. Rathje, Jules G. Choueifati
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Publication number: 20230026023Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates refrigeration systems for temperature-controlled displays. For instance, one exemplary embodiment relates to a refrigeration system that includes a refrigeration circuit, a cooling circuit, a reclaim heat circuit, and a floor heating system. The refrigeration circuit includes a compressor driven by a brushless DC motor operable at multiple different speeds, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a cooling unit in fluid communication using a first working fluid. The cooling unit is arranged to cool a temperature-controlled storage device. The cooling circuit includes a pump and a second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger using a second working fluid such that the first heat exchanger is liquid-cooled by the second working fluid. The reclaim heat circuit is in fluid communication with the cooling circuit. The floor heating system is coupled to the heat reclaim circuit as a reclaim heat load.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Jules G. Choueifati, Timothy D. Swofford, Neil J. Rathje
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Patent number: 11371765Abstract: A refrigeration system for a temperature-controlled storage device includes a refrigeration circuit, a cooling circuit, and a controller. The refrigeration circuit includes a compressor driven by a brushless DC motor operable at multiple different speeds, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a cooling unit in fluid communication via a first working fluid. The cooling circuit includes a pump and a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger via a second working fluid such that the first heat exchanger is liquid-cooled by the second working fluid. The controller operates the brushless DC motor at multiple different speeds to accommodate multiple different thermal loads experienced by the refrigeration system. Each of the speeds corresponds to a different thermal load. The controller modulates the speed of the brushless DC motor to maintain a desired temperature of a temperature-controlled space within the temperature-controlled device.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Jules G. Choueifati, Timothy D. Swofford, Neil J. Rathje
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Publication number: 20220003475Abstract: A refrigeration system for a temperature-controlled storage device includes a refrigeration circuit that circulates a refrigerant, a separate cooling circuit that circulates a coolant, and a controller. The refrigeration circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The cooling circuit includes a pump, a control valve, and a heat removing device in fluid communication with the condenser via the coolant. The controller is operatively coupled to the control valve and configured to identify a coolant temperature differential setpoint, monitor a temperature of the coolant provided to the condenser by the cooling circuit, calculate a coolant temperature differential based on the temperature of the coolant provided to the condenser, and operate the control valve to modulate a flow of the coolant through the condenser to drive the coolant temperature differential to the coolant temperature differential setpoint.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Timothy D. Swofford, Neil J. Rathje, Jules G. Choueifati
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Patent number: 11125483Abstract: A refrigeration system for a temperature-controlled storage device includes a refrigeration circuit that circulates a refrigerant, a separate cooling circuit that circulates a coolant, and a controller. The refrigeration circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The cooling circuit includes a pump, a control valve, and a heat removing device in fluid communication with the condenser via the coolant. The controller is operatively coupled to the control valve and configured to identify a coolant temperature differential setpoint, monitor a temperature of the coolant provided to the condenser by the cooling circuit, calculate a coolant temperature differential based on the temperature of the coolant provided to the condenser, and operate the control valve to modulate a flow of the coolant through the condenser to drive the coolant temperature differential to the coolant temperature differential setpoint.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Timothy D. Swofford, Neil J. Rathje, Jules G. Choueifati
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Patent number: 10814897Abstract: A support assembly includes a body, a first bearing assembly, a first fastener, and a leg. The body includes a first aperture centered on an axis. The first bearing assembly includes a first ball bearing. The first fastener is threadably engaged with the first aperture. The leg is selectively repositionable along the axis. The leg includes a support. The first fastener is configured to cooperate with the leg to cause repositioning of the support relative to the body in response to rotation of the first fastener within the first aperture.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Jules G. Choueifati, Sujith Nishal Rasquinha, Akhil Ramesh Hamsagar
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Publication number: 20200217569Abstract: A refrigeration system for a temperature-controlled storage device includes a refrigeration circuit, a cooling circuit, and a controller. The refrigeration circuit includes a compressor driven by a brushless DC motor operable at multiple different speeds, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a cooling unit in fluid communication via a first working fluid. The cooling circuit includes a pump and a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger via a second working fluid such that the first heat exchanger is liquid-cooled by the second working fluid. The controller operates the brushless DC motor at multiple different speeds to accommodate multiple different thermal loads experienced by the refrigeration system. Each of the speeds corresponds to a different thermal load. The controller modulates the speed of the brushless DC motor to maintain a desired temperature of a temperature-controlled space within the temperature-controlled device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2019Publication date: July 9, 2020Applicant: Hilll Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Jules G. Choueifati, Timothy D. Swofford, Neil J. Rathje
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Patent number: 10520020Abstract: A support assembly includes a body and a bearing assembly. The body defines a first opening. The bearing assembly is selectively repositionable within the first opening. The bearing assembly includes a housing, a socket, and a ball. The housing defines a second opening. The socket is positioned at least partly within the second opening and coupled to the housing. The ball bearing is positioned within the socket. The ball bearing is configured to rotate with respect to the housing. The bearing assembly is selectively repositionable between a first position, where the ball bearing extends from the body, and a second position, where the ball bearing does not extend from the body.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Jules G. Choueifati, Sujith Nishal Rasquinha, Akhil Ramesh Hamsagar
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Publication number: 20190264740Abstract: A support assembly includes a body and a bearing assembly. The body defines a first opening. The bearing assembly is selectively repositionable within the first opening. The bearing assembly includes a housing, a socket, and a ball. The housing defines a second opening. The socket is positioned at least partly within the second opening and coupled to the housing. The ball bearing is positioned within the socket. The ball bearing is configured to rotate with respect to the housing. The bearing assembly is selectively repositionable between a first position, where the ball bearing extends from the body, and a second position, where the ball bearing does not extend from the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2018Publication date: August 29, 2019Applicant: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Jules G. Choueifati, Sujith Nishal Rasquinha, Akhil Ramesh Hamsagar
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Publication number: 20190263435Abstract: A support assembly includes a body, a first bearing assembly, a first fastener, and a leg. The body includes a first aperture centered on an axis. The first bearing assembly includes a first ball bearing. The first fastener is threadably engaged with the first aperture. The leg is selectively repositionable along the axis. The leg includes a support. The first fastener is configured to cooperate with the leg to cause repositioning of the support relative to the body in response to rotation of the first fastener within the first aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2018Publication date: August 29, 2019Applicant: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Jules G. Choueifati, Sujith Nishal Rasquinha, Akhil Ramesh Hamsagar
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Patent number: 10393420Abstract: A refrigeration system for a temperature-controlled storage device includes a refrigeration circuit, a cooling circuit, and a controller. The refrigeration circuit includes a compressor driven by a brushless DC motor operable at multiple different speeds, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a cooling unit in fluid communication via a first working fluid. The cooling circuit includes a pump and a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger via a second working fluid such that the first heat exchanger is liquid-cooled by the second working fluid. The controller operates the brushless DC motor at multiple different speeds to accommodate multiple different thermal loads experienced by the refrigeration system. Each of the speeds corresponds to a different thermal load. The controller modulates the speed of the brushless DC motor to maintain a desired temperature of a temperature-controlled space within the temperature-controlled device.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Jules G. Choueifati, Timothy D. Swofford, Neil J. Rathje
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Patent number: 10345017Abstract: A temperature controlled case includes a housing that defines a temperature controlled space and a multi-circuit cooling element in thermal communication with the temperature controlled space. The multi-circuit cooling element includes two or more cooling coils. Each of the cooling coils is coupled to a different circuit structured to selectively circulate coolant through the multi-circuit cooling element. Each circuit is fluidly separate from each remaining circuit such that the coolant circulated through each circuit is not shared with each remaining circuit. The multi-circuit cooling element further includes a plurality of heat exchange fins coupled to each of the two or more cooling coils such that each of the heat exchange fins facilitates heat removal from the temperature controlled space by each of the two or more cooling coils.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Jules G. Choueifati, Timothy D. Swofford
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Publication number: 20190072308Abstract: A refrigeration system for a temperature-controlled storage device includes a refrigeration circuit, a cooling circuit, and a controller. The refrigeration circuit includes a compressor driven by a brushless DC motor operable at multiple different speeds, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a cooling unit in fluid communication via a first working fluid. The cooling circuit includes a pump and a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger via a second working fluid such that the first heat exchanger is liquid-cooled by the second working fluid. The controller operates the brushless DC motor at multiple different speeds to accommodate multiple different thermal loads experienced by the refrigeration system. Each of the speeds corresponds to a different thermal load. The controller modulates the speed of the brushless DC motor to maintain a desired temperature of a temperature-controlled space within the temperature-controlled device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Applicant: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Jules G. Choueifati, Timothy D. Swofford, Neil J. Rathje
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Patent number: 10151518Abstract: A refrigeration system for a temperature-controlled storage device includes a refrigeration circuit, a cooling circuit, and a controller. The refrigeration circuit includes a compressor driven by a brushless DC motor operable at multiple different speeds, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device, and a cooling unit in fluid communication via a first working fluid. The cooling circuit includes a pump and a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger via a second working fluid such that the first heat exchanger is liquid-cooled by the second working fluid. The controller operates the brushless DC motor at multiple different speeds to accommodate multiple different thermal loads experienced by the refrigeration system. Each of the speeds corresponds to a different thermal load. The controller modulates the speed of the brushless DC motor to maintain a desired temperature of a temperature-controlled space within the temperature-controlled device.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Jules G. Choueifati, Timothy D. Swofford, Neil J. Rathje
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Patent number: 10034560Abstract: A temperature-controlled display case includes a storage tank. The storage tank includes a single-piece inner skin having an integrated locating feature formed within and configured to locate a functional component of a refrigeration system relative to the inner skin. The storage tank includes a single-piece outer skin coupled to the inner skin and having an integrated mount formed within and configured to receive a caster for mobilizing the temperature-controlled display case. The storage tank also includes a first structural frame receiving a first end of the inner skin and a first end of the outer skin, and a second structural frame receiving a second end of the inner skin and a second end of the outer skin, wherein by said receiving of the inner skin and the outer skin the first structural frame and the second structural frame are configured to couple the inner skin and the outer skin.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventor: Jules G. Choueifati
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Patent number: 9982923Abstract: An evaporative condensate dissipation system is configured to receive a liquid condensate from an external surface of a cooling element of a refrigeration system and to dissipate the liquid condensate by evaporation. The evaporative condensate dissipation system includes one or more walls constructed from a porous material configured to absorb the liquid condensate and to retain the liquid condensate within the porous material. The evaporative condensate dissipation system further includes a fan configured to generate an airflow and positioned to cause the airflow to pass through the one or more walls. The one or more walls are sufficiently permeable to allow the airflow to pass therethrough. The airflow evaporates the liquid condensate retained within the porous material of the one or more walls.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Trifon V. Mirtchev, Zhiming Chen, Jamie A. Gerald, Jules G. Choueifati
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Publication number: 20170363337Abstract: A refrigeration system for a temperature-controlled storage device includes a refrigeration circuit that circulates a refrigerant, a separate cooling circuit that circulates a coolant, and a controller. The refrigeration circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The cooling circuit includes a pump, a control valve, and a heat removing device in fluid communication with the condenser via the coolant. The controller is operatively coupled to the control valve and configured to identify a coolant temperature differential setpoint, monitor a temperature of the coolant provided to the condenser by the cooling circuit, calculate a coolant temperature differential based on the temperature of the coolant provided to the condenser, and operate the control valve to modulate a flow of the coolant through the condenser to drive the coolant temperature differential to the coolant temperature differential setpoint.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2016Publication date: December 21, 2017Applicant: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Timothy D. Swofford, Neil J. Rathje, Jules G. Choueifati
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Publication number: 20170343255Abstract: A temperature controlled case includes a housing that defines a temperature controlled space and a multi-circuit cooling element in thermal communication with the temperature controlled space. The multi-circuit cooling element includes two or more cooling coils. Each of the cooling coils is coupled to a different circuit structured to selectively circulate coolant through the multi-circuit cooling element. Each circuit is fluidly separate from each remaining circuit such that the coolant circulated through each circuit is not shared with each remaining circuit. The multi-circuit cooling element further includes a plurality of heat exchange fins coupled to each of the two or more cooling coils such that each of the heat exchange fins facilitates heat removal from the temperature controlled space by each of the two or more cooling coils.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Jules G. Choueifati, Timothy D. Swofford
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Patent number: 9814326Abstract: An air cooling system for a temperature-controlled display case includes at least two modular cooling elements, one or more fans configured to provide an air flow to the at least two modular cooling elements, and an air plenum common to each of the one or more fans and the at least two modular cooling elements, the air plenum being configured to direct the air flow from the one or more fans through the at least two modular cooling elements and into a product area of the temperature-controlled display case.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2014Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Jules G. Choueifati, Larry C. Howington, Timothy D. Swofford
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Patent number: 9526354Abstract: A temperature-controlled case including a base having a deck and an air flow device located below the deck, a tower having a cavity, and an air distribution system. The air distribution system includes a duct and one or more air diverting devices which permit a first portion of an air flow to be received into the tower and direct a second portion of the air flow toward the deck. Sub-portions of the first portion may be directed at the rear portions and front portions of one or more shelves. The tower includes an exterior wall having openings through which air is directed by the air diverting devices. The exterior wall may be faceted and the cavity may be segmented into channels corresponding to the facets.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: Angel A. Barreto, Jules G. Choueifati, Larry C. Howington