Patents by Inventor Kurt James KNAPKE

Kurt James KNAPKE 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).

  • Refrigerant charge detection for ice machines
    Patent number: 10180272
    Abstract: A system includes a compressor driven by a motor. A condenser receives working fluid from the compressor. An evaporator is in fluid communication with the condenser and the compressor. A first sensor produces a first signal, and a second sensor produces a second signal. A processing circuitry processes the first signal and the second signal to determine a new baseline freeze time. The processing circuitry determines the new baseline freeze time for a predetermined time following an installation event, a service event, or a power outage of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay Bahel, Kurt James Knapke
  • REFRIGERANT CHARGE DETECTION FOR ICE MACHINES
    Publication number: 20180238599
    Abstract: A system includes a compressor driven by a motor. A condenser receives working fluid from the compressor. An evaporator is in fluid communication with the condenser and the compressor. A first sensor produces a first signal, and a second sensor produces a second signal. A processing circuitry processes the first signal and the second signal to determine a new baseline freeze time. The processing circuitry determines the new baseline freeze time for a predetermined time following an installation event, a service event, or a power outage of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay BAHEL, Kurt James KNAPKE
  • Refrigerant charge detection for ice machines
    Patent number: 9951985
    Abstract: A system includes a compressor driven by a motor. A condenser receives working fluid from the compressor. An evaporator is in fluid communication with the condenser and the compressor. A first sensor produces a first signal indicative of one of current and power drawn by the motor. A second sensor produces a second signal indicative of a discharge line temperature. A processing circuitry processes the first signal and the second signal to determine a freeze time. The processing circuitry processes the freeze time, the current signal, and the discharge line temperature signal to determine a working fluid charge level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay Bahel, Kurt James Knapke
  • REFRIGERANT CHARGE DETECTION FOR ICE MACHINES
    Publication number: 20160047584
    Abstract: A system includes a compressor driven by a motor. A condenser receives working fluid from the compressor. An evaporator is in fluid communication with the condenser and the compressor. A first sensor produces a first signal indicative of one of current and power drawn by the motor. A second sensor produces a second signal indicative of a discharge line temperature. A processing circuitry processes the first signal and the second signal to determine a freeze time. The processing circuitry processes the freeze time, the current signal, and the discharge line temperature signal to determine a working fluid charge level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay BAHEL, Kurt James KNAPKE