Patents by Inventor KENNETH PAUL COUTU
KENNETH PAUL COUTU 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: 20230392872Abstract: A liquid panel assembly configured to be used with an energy exchanger may include a support frame having one or more fluid circuits and at least one membrane secured to the support frame. Each of the fluid circuits may include an inlet channel connected to an outlet channel through one or more flow passages. A liquid is configured to flow through the fluid circuits and contact interior surfaces of the membrane(s). The fluid circuits are configured to at least partially offset liquid hydrostatic pressure with friction loss of the liquid flowing within the fluid circuits to minimize, eliminate, or otherwise reduce pressure within the liquid panel assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Philip Paul LePoudre, Kenneth Paul Coutu, Howard Brian Hemingson
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Patent number: 11761645Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an energy exchange system that includes a supply air flow path, an exhaust air flow path, an energy recovery device disposed within the supply and exhaust air flow paths, and a supply conditioning unit disposed within the supply air flow path. The supply conditioning unit may be downstream from the energy recovery device. Certain embodiments provide a method of conditioning air including introducing outside air as supply air into a supply air flow path, pre-conditioning the supply air with an energy recovery device, and fully-conditioning the supply air with a supply conditioning unit that is downstream from the energy recovery device.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Paul Coutu, Howard Brian Hemingson, Manfred Gerber
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Patent number: 11732972Abstract: A liquid panel assembly configured to be used with an energy exchanger may include a support frame having one or more fluid circuits and at least one membrane secured to the support frame. Each of the fluid circuits may include an inlet channel connected to an outlet channel through one or more flow passages. A liquid is configured to flow through the fluid circuits and contact interior surfaces of the membrane(s). The fluid circuits are configured to at least partially offset liquid hydrostatic pressure with friction loss of the liquid flowing within the fluid circuits to minimize, eliminate, or otherwise reduce pressure within the liquid panel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.Inventors: Philip Paul LePoudre, Kenneth Paul Coutu, Howard Brian Hemingson
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Patent number: 11598534Abstract: An air delivery system may include a housing, a first liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE), and a desiccant storage tank. The housing includes a supply air channel and an exhaust air channel. The first LAMEE may be an exhaust LAMEE disposed within an exhaust air channel of the housing. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to receive the outside air during a desiccant regeneration mode in order to regenerate desiccant within the exhaust LAMEE. The desiccant storage tank is in communication with the exhaust LAMEE. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to store regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank. The regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank is configured to be tapped during a normal operation mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Paul Coutu, Cam Forman, Philip Paul LePoudre, Blake Norman Erb, Howard Brian Hemingson, Manfred Gerber
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Publication number: 20210332993Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an energy exchange system that includes a supply air flow path, an exhaust air flow path, an energy recovery device disposed within the supply and exhaust air flow paths, and a supply conditioning unit disposed within the supply air flow path. The supply conditioning unit may be downstream from the energy recovery device. Certain embodiments provide a method of conditioning air including introducing outside air as supply air into a supply air flow path, pre-conditioning the supply air with an energy recovery device, and fully-conditioning the supply air with a supply conditioning unit that is downstream from the energy recovery device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Kenneth Paul Coutu, Howard Brian Hemingson, Manfred Gerber
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Publication number: 20210231384Abstract: A liquid panel assembly configured to be used with an energy exchanger may include a support frame having one or more fluid circuits and at least one membrane secured to the support frame. Each of the fluid circuits may include an inlet channel connected to an outlet channel through one or more flow passages. A liquid is configured to flow through the fluid circuits and contact interior surfaces of the membrane(s). The fluid circuits are configured to at least partially offset liquid hydrostatic pressure with friction loss of the liquid flowing within the fluid circuits to minimize, eliminate, or otherwise reduce pressure within the liquid panel assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Philip Paul LePoudre, Kenneth Paul Coutu, Howard Brian Hemingson
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Patent number: 11035618Abstract: A liquid panel assembly configured to be used with an energy exchanger may include a support frame having one or more fluid circuits and at least one membrane secured to the support frame. Each of the fluid circuits may include an inlet channel connected to an outlet channel through one or more flow passages. A liquid is configured to flow through the fluid circuits and contact interior surfaces of the membrane(s). The fluid circuits are configured to at least partially offset liquid hydrostatic pressure with friction loss of the liquid flowing within the fluid circuits to minimize, eliminate, or otherwise reduce pressure within the liquid panel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.Inventors: Philip Paul LePoudre, Kenneth Paul Coutu, Howard Brian Hemingson
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Publication number: 20200173672Abstract: An air delivery system may include a housing, a first liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE), and a desiccant storage tank. The housing includes a supply air channel and an exhaust air channel. The first LAMEE may be an exhaust LAMEE disposed within an exhaust air channel of the housing. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to receive the outside air during a desiccant regeneration mode in order to regenerate desiccant within the exhaust LAMEE. The desiccant storage tank is in communication with the exhaust LAMEE. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to store regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank. The regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank is configured to be tapped during a normal operation mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Kenneth Paul Coutu, Cam Forman, Philip Paul LePoudre, Blake Norman Erb, Howard Brian Hemingson, Manfred Gerber
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Patent number: 10584884Abstract: An air delivery system may include a housing, a first liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE), and a desiccant storage tank. The housing includes a supply air channel and an exhaust air channel. The first LAMEE may be an exhaust LAMEE disposed within an exhaust air channel of the housing. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to receive the outside air during a desiccant regeneration mode in order to regenerate desiccant within the exhaust LAMEE. The desiccant storage tank is in communication with the exhaust LAMEE. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to store regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank. The regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank is configured to be tapped during a normal operation mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2014Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Paul Coutu, Cam Forman, Philip Paul LePoudre, Blake Norman Erb, Howard Brian Hemingson, Manfred Gerber
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Publication number: 20170241655Abstract: A liquid panel assembly configured to be used with an energy exchanger may include a support frame having one or more fluid circuits and at least one membrane secured to the support frame. Each of the fluid circuits may include an inlet channel connected to an outlet channel through one or more flow passages. A liquid is configured to flow through the fluid circuits and contact interior surfaces of the membrane(s). The fluid circuits are configured to at least partially offset liquid hydrostatic pressure with friction loss of the liquid flowing within the fluid circuits to minimize, eliminate, or otherwise reduce pressure within the liquid panel assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2017Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Philip Paul LePoudre, Kenneth Paul Coutu, Howard Brian Hemingson
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Patent number: 9279598Abstract: A method of forming an energy exchange assembly may include forming a plurality of creases and a plurality of slits in a membrane sheet according to a predefined pattern, positioning a first spacer on top of a first forming area of the membrane sheet, folding the membrane sheet over a top of the first spacer so that a second forming area is positioned over the top of the first spacer, sealing a first portion of the first forming area to a first outer lateral wall of the first spacer, and positioning a second spacer on top of the second forming area, thereby stacking the second spacer over the first spacer.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.Inventors: Blake Norman Erb, Stephen Hanson, Mohammad Afshin, Kenneth Paul Coutu
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Publication number: 20140260367Abstract: An air delivery system may include a housing, a first liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE), and a desiccant storage tank. The housing includes a supply air channel and an exhaust air channel. The first LAMEE may be an exhaust LAMEE disposed within an exhaust air channel of the housing. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to receive the outside air during a desiccant regeneration mode in order to regenerate desiccant within the exhaust LAMEE. The desiccant storage tank is in communication with the exhaust LAMEE. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to store regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank. The regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank is configured to be tapped during a normal operation mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: VENMAR CES, INC.Inventors: KENNETH PAUL COUTU, Cam FORMAN, Philip Paul LePOUDRE, Blake Norman ERB, Howard Brian HEMINGSON, Manfred GERBER
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Publication number: 20140264968Abstract: A method of forming an energy exchange assembly may include forming a plurality of creases and a plurality of slits in a membrane sheet according to a predefined pattern, positioning a first spacer on top of a first forming area of the membrane sheet, folding the membrane sheet over a top of the first spacer so that a second forming area is positioned over the top of the first spacer, sealing a first portion of the first forming area to a first outer lateral wall of the first spacer, and positioning a second spacer on top of the second forming area, thereby stacking the second spacer over the first spacer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: VENMAR CES, INCInventors: Blake Norman Erb, Stephen Hanson, Mohammad Afshin, Kenneth Paul Coutu