Patents by Inventor Leo Bram

Leo Bram 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: 10151517
    Abstract: An expansion valve (1) comprising an inlet opening (2) and a distributor (4) being arranged to distribute fluid medium received from the inlet opening to at least two parallel flow paths (3). At least two outlet openings (3) are adapted to deliver fluid in an at least partially gaseous state, and each outlet opening is fluidly connected to one of the parallel flow paths. A first valve part (7) and a second valve part (5) are arranged movably relative to each other in such a manner that the mutual position of the first valve part and the second valve part determines the opening degree of the expansion valve. Since the distributor (4) forms part of the expansion valve, it distributes the fluid medium to the parallel flow paths prior to or during expansion of the fluid medium, i.e. while the fluid medium is in a substantially liquid state. This makes it easier to control the distribution of fluid medium to the parallel flow paths in a uniform manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Claus Thybo, Leo Bram, Jens Pawlik
  • Patent number: 9263891
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system to reduce losses of energy due to ripples, especially at the power grid, the ripples being short term power shortages or excess power. The method is based on the idea of shutting off energy consuming devices during a period of power shortage, if their operation is not necessary, and optionally to turn on such energy consuming devices during periods of excess power, if energy may be stored in them, especially when energy may be stored as some physical parameter or variable, being a part of the operation of the energy consuming devices, such as the temperature of a freezer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Helge Vandel Jensen, Claus Thybo, Leo Bram, Ejner Kobberoe
  • Patent number: 9243819
    Abstract: A method for operating a vapor compression system is disclosed. The vapor compression system comprises a compressor, a condenser, at least one expansion device, an evaporator, said evaporator comprising at least two evaporator paths arranged fluidly in parallel, and a distribution device arranged to distribute refrigerant among the evaporator paths. The method comprises the steps of obtaining at least two predefined distribution keys, each distribution key defining a distribution of available refrigerant among the evaporator paths, detecting one or more operational settings of the vapor compression system, selecting one of the at least two predefined distribution keys, based on said detected operational setting(s), and distributing refrigerant among the evaporator paths in accordance with the selected predefined distribution key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Torben Funder-Kristensen, Jurgen Suss, Leo Bram, Thomas Tiedemann, Toke Rumohr Christiansen
  • Patent number: 8783945
    Abstract: A superheat sensor (1) for sensing superheat of a fluid flowing in a flow channel (3) is disclosed. The sensor (1) comprises a flexible wall defining an interface between an inner cavity (5) having a charge fluid (6) arranged therein and the flow channel (3). The flexible wall is arranged in the flow channel (3) in thermal contact with the fluid flowing therein, and the flexible wall is adapted to conduct heat between the flow channel (3) and the inner cavity (5). Thereby the temperature of the charge fluid (6) adapts to the temperature of the fluid flowing in the flow channel (3), and the pressure in the inner cavity (5) is determined by this temperature. A first wall part (7, 14) and a second wall part (9, 16) are arranged at a variable distance from each other, said distance being defined by a differential pressure between the pressure of the charge fluid (6) and the pressure of the fluid flowing in the flow channel (3), i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Asbjoern Leth Vonsild, Claus Thybo, Leo Bram, Jakob Spangberg
  • Patent number: 8596081
    Abstract: A valve assembly (1) comprising an inlet opening, a distributor and an outlet part comprising at least two outlet openings. The distributor comprises an inlet part (5) fluidly connected to the inlet opening, and is arranged to distribute fluid medium received from the inlet opening to at least two parallel flow paths, preferably of a heat exchanger (3). The valve assembly (1) further comprises a first valve part and a second valve part arranged movable relative to each other in such a manner that the mutual position of the valve parts determines the fluid flow from the inlet opening to each of the outlet openings of the outlet part. Finally, the valve assembly (1) comprises a header (2) forming an integral part of the valve assembly (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Leo Bram, Claus Thybo, Lars Finn Sloth Larsen
  • Publication number: 20130055740
    Abstract: A method for operating a vapour compression system is disclosed. The vapour compression system comprises a compressor, a condenser, at least one expansion device, an evaporator, said evaporator comprising at least two evaporator paths arranged fluidly in parallel, and a distribution device arranged to distribute refrigerant among the evaporator paths. The method comprises the steps of obtaining at least two predefined distribution keys, each distribution key defining a distribution of available refrigerant among the evaporator paths, detecting one or more operational settings of the vapour compression system, selecting one of the at least two predefined distribution keys, based on said detected operational setting(s), and distributing refrigerant among the evaporator paths in accordance with the selected predefined distribution key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Torben Funder-Kristensen, Jurgen Suss, Leo Bram, Thomas Tiedemann, Toke Rumohr Christiansen
  • Publication number: 20110313588
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system to reduce losses of energy due to ripples, especially at the power grid, the ripples being short term power shortages or excess power. The method is based on the idea of shutting off energy consuming devices during a period of power shortage, if their operation is not necessary, and optionally to turn on such energy consuming devices during periods of excess power, if energy may be stored in them, especially when energy may be stored as some physical parameter or variable, being a part of the operation of the energy consuming devices, such as the temperature of a freezer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Helge Vandel Jensen, Claus Thybo, Leo Bram, Ejner Kobberoe
  • Publication number: 20110192224
    Abstract: A superheat sensor (1) for sensing superheat of a fluid flowing in a flow channel (3) is disclosed. The sensor (1) comprises a flexible wall defining an interface between an inner cavity (5) having a charge fluid (6) arranged therein and the flow channel (3). The flexible wall is arranged in the flow channel (3) in thermal contact with the fluid flowing therein, and the flexible wall is adapted to conduct heat between the flow channel (3) and the inner cavity (5). Thereby the temperature of the charge fluid (6) adapts to the temperature of the fluid flowing in the flow channel (3), and the pressure in the inner cavity (5) is determined by this temperature. A first wall part (7, 14) and a second wall part (9, 16) are arranged at a variable distance from each other, said distance being defined by a differential pressure between the pressure of the charge fluid (6) and the pressure of the fluid flowing in the flow channel (3), i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: DANFOSS A/S
    Inventors: Asbjoern Leth Vonsild, Claus Thybo, Leo Bram, Jakob Spangberg
  • Publication number: 20110127008
    Abstract: A valve assembly (1) comprising an inlet opening, a distributor and an outlet part comprising at least two outlet openings. The distributor comprises an inlet part (5) fluidly connected to the inlet opening, and is arranged to distribute fluid medium received from the inlet opening to at least two parallel flow paths, preferably of a heat exchanger (3). The valve assembly (1) further comprises a first valve part and a second valve part arranged movable relative to each other in such a manner that the mutual position of the valve parts determines the fluid flow from the inlet opening to each of the outlet openings of the outlet part. Finally, the valve assembly (1) comprises a header (2) forming an integral part of the valve assembly (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Leo Bram, Claus Thybo, Lars Finn Sloth Larsen
  • Publication number: 20100293978
    Abstract: An expansion valve (1) comprising an inlet opening (2) and a distributor (4) being arranged to distribute fluid medium received from the inlet opening to at least two parallel flow paths (3). At least two outlet openings (3) are adapted to deliver fluid in an at least partially gaseous state, and each outlet opening is fluidly connected to one of the parallel flow paths. A first valve part (7) and a second valve part (5) are arranged movably relative to each other in such a manner that the mutual position of the first valve part and the second valve part determines the opening degree of the expansion valve. Since the distributor (4) forms part of the expansion valve, it distributes the fluid medium to the parallel flow paths prior to or during expansion of the fluid medium, i.e. while the fluid medium is in a substantially liquid state. This makes it easier to control the distribution of fluid medium to the parallel flow paths in a uniform manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Claus Thybo, Leo Bram, Jens Pawlik
  • Patent number: D669967
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Ejner Kobberø Andersen, Leo Bram, Jens Pawlik, Sigurd Larsen, Bent Jørgensen, Laurits Bie Rasmussen, Kurt Harck
  • Patent number: D671622
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Jesper Hojland Hoyer, Leo Bram