Patents by Inventor Kevin P. HUGHES

Kevin P. HUGHES 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: 11913463
    Abstract: A compressor for a heat transfer circuit includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), an electric motor that rotates a driveshaft, bearing(s) for supporting the driveshaft, a backup gas supply, and a power supply. During a utility power interruption, the backup gas supply operates utilizing DC electrical power generated by a back electromotive force of the electric motor. A method of operating an electric power supply system for a compressor includes operating in a utility power mode and operating in a backup power mode during a utility power interruption. In the utility power mode, AC electrical power is supplied from the VFD to the motor. In the backup power mode, DC electrical power generated in the VFD by a back electromotive force of the motor it used to operate a backup gas supply to supply compressed working fluid to gas bearing(s) of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Seth M. McGill, Charles J. Peterson, Robert S. Bakkestuen, Kevin P. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20220357087
    Abstract: A compressor for a heat transfer circuit includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), an electric motor that rotates a driveshaft, bearing(s) for supporting the driveshaft, a backup gas supply, and a power supply. During a utility power interruption, the backup gas supply operates utilizing DC electrical power generated by a back electromotive force of the electric motor. A method of operating an electric power supply system for a compressor includes operating in a utility power mode and operating in a backup power mode during a utility power interruption. In the utility power mode, AC electrical power is supplied from the VFD to the motor. In the backup power mode, DC electrical power generated in the VFD by a back electromotive force of the motor it used to operate a backup gas supply to supply compressed working fluid to gas bearing(s) of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Seth M. McGill, Charles J. Peterson, Robert S. Bakkestuen, Kevin P. Hughes
  • Patent number: 11125482
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system is disclosed. The HVACR system includes a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator fluidly connected. A controller is electronically connected to the compressor. The controller is configured to prevent the compressor from operating at a speed that is less than a minimum speed limit. A lubricant separator has an inlet fluidly connected between the compressor and the condenser and a plurality of outlets. A first of the plurality of outlets is fluidly connected to the condenser. A second of the plurality of outlets is fluidly connected to one or more components of the compressor to provide a lubricant to the one or more components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Salesman, Kevin P. Hughes
  • Patent number: 10935292
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system is disclosed. The HVACR system includes a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator fluidly connected. A controller is electronically connected to the compressor. The controller is configured to prevent the compressor from operating at a speed that is less than a minimum speed limit. A lubricant separator has an inlet fluidly connected between the compressor and the condenser and a plurality of outlets. A first of the plurality of outlets is fluidly connected to the condenser. A second of the plurality of outlets is fluidly connected to one or more components of the compressor to provide a lubricant to the one or more components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Hughes, Robert S. Bakkestuen, Timothy S. Hagen, Keith Adam Novak, Daniel R. Dreher, Alberto Scala
  • Publication number: 20200378668
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system is disclosed. The HVACR system includes a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator fluidly connected. A controller is electronically connected to the compressor. The controller is configured to prevent the compressor from operating at a speed that is less than a minimum speed limit. A lubricant separator has an inlet fluidly connected between the compressor and the condenser and a plurality of outlets. A first of the plurality of outlets is fluidly connected to the condenser. A second of the plurality of outlets is fluidly connected to one or more components of the compressor to provide a lubricant to the one or more components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Aaron Salesman, Kevin P. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20190383539
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) system is disclosed. The HVACR system includes a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator fluidly connected. A controller is electronically connected to the compressor. The controller is configured to prevent the compressor from operating at a speed that is less than a minimum speed limit. A lubricant separator has an inlet fluidly connected between the compressor and the condenser and a plurality of outlets. A first of the plurality of outlets is fluidly connected to the condenser. A second of the plurality of outlets is fluidly connected to one or more components of the compressor to provide a lubricant to the one or more components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Kevin P. HUGHES, Robert S. BAKKESTUEN, Timothy S. HAGEN, Keith Adam NOVAK, Daniel R. DREHER, Alberto SCALA