Patents by Inventor Larry D. Burns

Larry D. Burns 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: 11835244
    Abstract: An HVAC/R system having: an HVAC/R component that has a heat exchanger, the HVAC/R component configured to allow a refrigerant to flow therethrough; a housing with the heat exchanger disposed there therein, and a supply side air conduit connected to the housing, the supply side air conduit being operably coupled to the HVAC/R component; a supply side leak mitigation damper operably coupled to the supply side air conduit; and wherein the supply side leak mitigation conduit is configured to selectively block airflow through the supply side air conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard G. Lord, Larry D. Burns
  • Patent number: 11761703
    Abstract: A refrigerated transport system comprises a body enclosing a refrigerated compartment. A refrigeration system (29) comprises first and second vapor compression loops each having: a refrigerant charge; a compressor (36A,B) for driving the refrigerant of the refrigerant charge; a first heat exchanger (38A,B) positioned to reject heat to an external environment in a cooling mode; and a second heat exchanger (42A,B) positioned to absorb heat from the refrigerated compartment in the cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Renee A. Eddy, Jeffrey J. Burchill, Giorgio Rusignuolo, Robert A. Chopko, Larry D. Burns, Ciara N. Poolman, Paul Papas, Ivan Rydkin
  • Publication number: 20230064418
    Abstract: A refrigeration system configured for controlling operation of a compressor is disclosed. The refrigeration system comprises an electronic expansion device operatively coupled with the compressor. The refrigeration system comprises a controller operatively coupled with the electronic expansion device. The controller is configured to control the electronic expansion valve based on a superheat setpoint range. The controller is further configured to adjust the superheat setpoint range in response to an operating point of the compressor being within a threshold distance from a boundary of an operational envelope for the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew Clark, Larry D. Burns, Jun Pyo Lee, Keyu Li, Runfu Shi
  • Publication number: 20220333806
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioning system having: a first HVAC assembly comprising an indoor heat exchanger and a fan; a first sensor, configured to sense a first temperature reading, operably coupled to the indoor heat exchanger; a second sensor, configured to sense a second temperature reading, positioned downstream of the first sensor and detached from the indoor heat exchanger; and a system controller configured to activate the fan to deliver airflow across the indoor heat exchanger when the difference between the first temperature reading and the second temperature reading is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the temperate differing being checked when the first HVAC assembly is in an inactive mode and the fan and a compressor operably connected to the first HVAC assembly are in an inactive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Richard G. Lord, Larry D. Burns
  • Publication number: 20220325929
    Abstract: A method for diluting a leaked refrigerant in a refrigeration system according to an example of the present disclosure includes operating the refrigeration system in a purge mode based on at least one purge condition prior to initiating a compressor of the refrigeration system. A refrigeration system according to an example of the present disclosure includes a compressor configured to compress refrigerant in a refrigerant line, a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the refrigerant line in a heat exchange mode, a fan configured to pass air through the heat exchanger to an indoor space, and a controller configured to operate the refrigeration system in a purge mode based on at least one purge condition prior to initiating the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Richard G. Lord, Larry D. Burns, Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20220307711
    Abstract: Disclosed is a HVAC/R system including: an HVAC/R component that has a heat exchanger, the HVAC/R component configured to allow a refrigerant to flow therethrough; a housing with the heat exchanger disposed there therein, and a supply side air conduit connected to the housing, the supply side air conduit being operably coupled to the HVAC/R component; a supply side leak mitigation damper operably coupled to the supply side air conduit; and wherein the supply side leak mitigation conduit is configured to selectively block airflow through the supply side air conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Richard G. Lord, Larry D. Burns
  • Patent number: 11408624
    Abstract: A refrigerant detection assembly for detecting moderate-to-low GWP value refrigerants, an air conditioning system for incorporating the same, and a method of detecting refrigerant leaks using the refrigerant detection assembly are provided. The refrigerant detection assembly may be disposed proximate to an indoor heat exchanger. The refrigerant detection assembly includes a nondispersive infrared (NDIR) sensor, a fan disposed adjacent to the nondispersive infrared sensor, the fan configured to direct a sample to the nondispersive infrared sensor, and a controller operatively connected to the nondispersive infrared sensor and the fan. The controller is configured to operate the fan in constant operation and trigger a response when the refrigerant detection assembly detects at least 25% lower flammability limit (LWL) in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Sotiri T. Hovardas, Larry D. Burns, Mark E. Hemphill
  • Publication number: 20220049879
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor connected to a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. An expansion device is connected between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A ratio of a volume of the first heat exchanger to a volume of the second heat exchanger is between 0.6 and 1.8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Larry D. Burns, Richard G. Lord
  • Publication number: 20220042727
    Abstract: An outdoor HVAC unit includes a housing. A compressor is located within the housing. A heat exchanger is located within the housing and is in fluid communication with the compressor. At least one expansion device is located within the housing and is in fluid communication with the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Cheng Chen, Larry D. Burns
  • Patent number: 11092566
    Abstract: An HVAC system is provided having an air supply system, a refrigerant circuit configured to condition air in the air supply system, and an electrochemical sensor configured to detect a refrigerant leak from the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lei Chen, Zhiwei Yang, Warren Clough, Larry D. Burns, Ivan Rydkin
  • Publication number: 20210247096
    Abstract: A contactor, and an air conditioning system incorporating the contactor are provided. The contactor includes a body with an upper surface, a line-side electrical terminal located on one end of the body, a load-side electrical terminal located on the other side of the body, a switching element within the body, the switching element coupled between the line-side electrical terminal and the load-side electrical terminal, and a refrigerant mitigating element disposed on the upper surface. The line-side electrical terminal is configured to receive electrical power from an electrical grid. The load-side electrical terminal is configured to transfer at least a portion of the electrical power to at least one component of the outdoor unit. The switching element is configured to electrically connect the line-side electrical terminal and the load-side electrical terminal when activated. The refrigerant mitigating element may help mitigate the ignition of a refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Sotiri T. Hovardas, Larry D. Burns
  • Patent number: 11079149
    Abstract: A mitigation damper operably coupled to a return conduit. The return conduit includes an opening. The mitigation damper is positioned adjacent to the opening. The mitigation damper is configured to selectively allow airflow through the opening in response to a detected refrigerant leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul Papas, Parmesh Verma, Richard G. Lord, Larry D. Burns
  • Publication number: 20210207831
    Abstract: A method for a refrigeration system according to an example of the present disclosure includes monitoring a performance characteristic of a refrigeration system, and based on the performance characteristic deviating from a predefined expected value by more than a predefined threshold: determining that the refrigeration system is leaking refrigerant, and operating a fan configured to pass air through a heat exchanger of the refrigeration system to dissipate the leaked refrigerant. A refrigeration system is also disclosed that is operable to detect and mitigate refrigerant leaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Richard G. Lord, Larry D. Burns, Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20210108820
    Abstract: A refrigerant detection assembly for detecting moderate-to-low GWP value refrigerants, an air conditioning system for incorporating the same, and a method of detecting refrigerant leaks using the refrigerant detection assembly are provided. The refrigerant detection assembly may be disposed proximate to an indoor heat exchanger. The refrigerant detection assembly includes a nondispersive infrared (NDIR) sensor, a fan disposed adjacent to the nondispersive infrared sensor, the fan configured to direct a sample to the nondispersive infrared sensor, and a controller operatively connected to the nondispersive infrared sensor and the fan. The controller is configured to operate the fan in constant operation and trigger a response when the refrigerant detection assembly detects at least 25% lower flammability limit (LWL) in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Sotiri T. Hovardas, Larry D. Burns, Mark E. Hemphill
  • Patent number: 10670322
    Abstract: A refrigerated transport system (20) comprises a body (22) enclosing a refrigerated compartment (69). A refrigeration system (30) comprises: a vapor compression loop (31) having a first heat exchanger (38) positioned to reject heat to an external environment in a cooling mode. A heat transfer loop (32) has a second heat exchanger (58) positioned to absorb heat from the refrigerated compartment in the cooling mode. An inter-loop heat exchanger (44) has a first leg (42) along the vapor compression loop and a second leg (43) along the heat transfer loop in heat exchange relation with the first leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Renee A. Eddy, Jeffrey J. Burchill, Giorgio Rusignuolo, Robert A. Chopko, Larry D. Burns, Ivan Rydkin, Ciara N. Poolman, Paul Papas, Parmesh Verma
  • Patent number: 10648702
    Abstract: A system (20; 300) comprises: a vapor compression loop (38; 338); a low-pressure or medium-pressure refrigerant in the loop; a centrifugal compressor (42) along the vapor compression loop and comprising: a housing (120); an inlet (44); an outlet (46); an impeller (140); an electric motor (122) coupled to the impeller to drive rotation of the impeller; and one or more refrigerant-lubricated bearings (130, 132).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Parmesh Verma, Frederick J. Cogswell, William T. Cousins, Vishnu M. Sishtla, Ulf J. Jonsson, Larry D. Burns
  • Publication number: 20200049362
    Abstract: An HVAC system is provided having an air supply system, a refrigerant circuit configured to condition air in the air supply system, and an electrochemical sensor configured to detect a refrigerant leak from the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Lei Chen, Zhiwei Yang, Warren Clough, Larry D. Burns, Ivan Rydkin
  • Patent number: 10488065
    Abstract: An HVAC system is provided having an air supply system, a refrigerant circuit configured to condition air in the air supply system, and an electrochemical sensor configured to detect a refrigerant leak from the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lei Chen, Zhiwei Yang, Warren Clough, Larry D. Burns, Ivan Rydkin
  • Publication number: 20180347896
    Abstract: A refrigerated transport system comprises a body enclosing a refrigerated compartment. A refrigeration system (29) comprises first and second vapor compression loops each having: a refrigerant charge; a compressor (36A,B) for driving the refrigerant of the refrigerant charge; a first heat exchanger (38A,B) positioned to reject heat to an external environment in a cooling mode; and a second heat exchanger (42A,B) positioned to absorb heat from the refrigerated compartment in the cooling mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Renee A. Eddy, Jeffrey J. Burchill, Giorgio Rusignuolo, Robert A. Chopko, Larry D. Burns, Ciara N. Poolman, Paul Papas, Ivan Rydkin
  • Publication number: 20180327179
    Abstract: A refrigerated transport system (20) comprises: a body (22) enclosing a refrigerated compartment. A refrigeration system (30) comprises: a charge of refrigerant; a compressor (36) for driving the refrigerant along a refrigerant flowpath (34); a first heat exchanger (38) along the refrigerant flowpath and positioned to reject heat to an external environment in a cooling mode; and a second heat exchanger (42) along the refrigerant flowpath and positioned to absorb heat from the refrigerated compartment in the cooling mode. The refrigerated transport system has a detector (232) for detecting leakage of the refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Papas, Ciara N. Poolman, Larry D. Burns, Giorgio Rusignuolo, Renee A. Eddy, Michael J. Dormer, Robert A. Chopko, Jeffrey J. Burchill, Ivan Rydkin