Patents by Inventor M. Welch

M. Welch 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: 12372275
    Abstract: A conditioning system for a conditioned interior space includes a vapor compression system, an evaporative cooling system, and a controller. The vapor compression system includes an evaporator, a condenser, a refrigerant active fluid for flowing between the evaporator and the condenser, a first fan to produce a first airflow toward the conditioned interior space, and a second fan for producing a second airflow from the condenser toward an exterior space. The evaporative cooling system includes a first tank containing a non-refrigerant active fluid, and a heat exchange device fluidically coupled to the first tank to receive the non-refrigerant active fluid. The first fan is positioned to produce the first airflow through the heat exchange device toward the conditioned interior space. The controller is programmed to control cooperative operation of the vapor compression system and the evaporative cooling system to condition the conditioned interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Copeland LP
    Inventor: Andrew M. Welch
  • Publication number: 20250188927
    Abstract: A climate-control system may include a compressor, indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, a fluid line, and a control valve. The compressor may include a scrolls that cooperate to define a plurality of pockets, including outer, inner and intermediate pockets. A capacity-modulation passage is in fluid communication with the intermediate pocket. The heat exchangers are in fluid communication with the compressor. The fluid line extends from the compressor to a location between the heat exchangers and is fluidly connected to the intermediate pocket via the capacity-modulation passage. The control valve controls a flow of fluid through the fluid line. The system is operable in a high-capacity mode, an intermediate-capacity mode, and a low-capacity mode. The control valve allows fluid flow through the fluid line in the high-capacity mode and in the low-capacity mode. The control valve prevents fluid flow through the fluid line in the intermediate-capacity mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2024
    Publication date: June 12, 2025
    Applicant: Copeland LP
    Inventors: Brian R. BUTLER, Andrew M. WELCH
  • Patent number: 12320569
    Abstract: Climate control systems, like reversible heat pumps, circulate a working fluid having moderate to high glide with first and second refrigerants having a difference in boiling points ?about 10° F. (1 atm.). The system includes a gas-liquid separation vessel, a compressor, a first heat exchanger disposed downstream of the compressor that generates a first multiphase or liquid working fluid stream, an expansion device, a second heat exchanger that receives and at least partially vaporizes a reduced pressure stream from the expansion device to generate a second multiphase or vapor working fluid stream; an ejector component disposed downstream of the first and second heat exchangers that receives and mixes the first stream and the second stream to generate a third multiphasic fluid stream that is directed to the gas-liquid separation vessel; and a fluid conduit for circulating the working fluid. Methods of operating such climate control systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Copeland LP
    Inventors: Andrew M. Welch, Daniel J. Rice
  • Publication number: 20250164141
    Abstract: A vapor compression system includes a primary loop, an auxiliary loop, and first and second valves. The primary loop includes an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a compressor. The first valve is positionable in first and second positions, such that the first valve fluidly connects the indoor heat exchanger to the compressor in the first position. The second valve is positionable in third and fourth positions, such that the second valve fluidly connects the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers in the third position. The auxiliary loop includes a thermal storage unit, a supply duct, and a return duct. The supply duct fluidly connects a thermal storage unit exit to the indoor heat exchanger when the first valve is in the second position. The return duct fluidly connects a thermal storage unit inlet to the indoor heat exchanger when the second valve is in the fourth position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Andrew M. Welch, James Scott Fraser, Damiel Faxon, Winfield S. Morter
  • Publication number: 20250155166
    Abstract: Climate control systems that circulates a refrigerant blend having high glide (difference in boiling points of refrigerants ?25°R (about 14K) at atmospheric pressure) include an accumulator, a compressor, a first heat exchanger for at least partially condensing the refrigerant blend, a liquid-to-suction heat exchanger disposed downstream of the first heat exchanger and upstream of the accumulator, a first expansion device, a receiver, a second expansion device, and a second heat exchanger that at least partially vaporizes the refrigerant blend, and a fluid conduit. A concentration of the refrigerant blend can be controlled by adjusting stored liquid levels in the accumulator and receiver. Methods for operating a climate control system that circulates a working fluid comprising a refrigerant blend having high glide are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Applicant: COPELAND LP
    Inventors: Andrew M. WELCH, Kory M. PLACE
  • Patent number: 12287127
    Abstract: A heating and cooling (HVAC) system that includes a compressor; a first heat exchanger; a second heat exchanger; a first expansion valve positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; a first reversing valve that permits the system to operate in a first mode and a second mode; and a thermal battery including a phase change material therein that is configured to selectively store and release thermal energy received from a working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Copeland LP
    Inventors: Brian R. Butler, Andrew M. Welch
  • Patent number: 12287101
    Abstract: A heating system of a building includes: a solar heater configured to receive sunlight and to at least one of absorb heat into a refrigerant and augment heat absorbed into the refrigerant; a compressor configured to compress the refrigerant that vaporized via absorption of heat; a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the refrigerant to water; an expansion valve configured to reduce at least one of a temperature and a pressure of the refrigerant after the transfer of heat from the refrigerant to water; a second heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from water output from the first heat exchanger to air passing the second heat exchanger before flowing into the building; a pump configured to pump the water from the solar heater to the second heat exchanger; and a blower configured to blow air past the second heat exchanger and into the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Copeland LP
    Inventors: Andrew M. Welch, Brian R. Butler
  • Publication number: 20250129980
    Abstract: A charging device includes: a first inlet configured to receive a first refrigerant in vapor form; a second inlet configured to receive the first refrigerant in liquid form; a third inlet configured to receive a second refrigerant in liquid form, where the second refrigerant is a different type of refrigerant than the first refrigerant; an outlet configured to output the first and second refrigerants to a refrigeration system; a first valve fluidly connected between the first inlet and the outlet; a second valve fluidly connected between the second inlet and the outlet; a third valve fluidly connected between the third inlet and the outlet; and a control module configured to selectively open the first, second, and third valves and charge the refrigeration system with target amounts of the first and second refrigerants, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Applicant: Copeland LP
    Inventors: Michael A. SAUNDERS, Andrew M. WELCH
  • Patent number: 12259163
    Abstract: A climate-control system may include a compressor, a thermal storage device, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a first expansion device, and a second expansion device. The compressor may include an intermediate-pressure inlet, an intermediate-pressure outlet, a discharge outlet, a suction-pressure pocket, and a plurality of compression pockets. The thermal storage device may include a conduit and a phase-change material surrounding the conduit. The first expansion valve, the second expansion valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger, and the thermal storage device may be in fluid communication with the compressor. The climate-control system is operable in a charging mode and a discharging mode, and is operable in a cooling mode and a heating mode. The thermal storage device may be configured to absorb heat from a working fluid or to transfer heat to the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Copeland LP
    Inventors: Brian R. Butler, Andrew M. Welch
  • Publication number: 20250069426
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to providing improved optical character recognition (OCR). An OCR evaluation platform may generate a script for evaluating OCR performance. The platform may generate modified resources by executing OCR applications to modify original resources. Based on executing the script, the platform may generate comparative analysis information based on comparing the modified resources to the original resource. The platform may generate metric scores based on the comparative analysis information. The metric scores may be used to generate visual representations of the performance of different OCR applications. The platform may generate weighted scores representing the performance of different OCR applications. The platform may identify a preferred OCR application for performing a particular operation. The platform may store correlations between preferred OCR applications and corresponding operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Harshit Rohela, Donna M. Welch, Kakarala Srinivasu, Jino Mathew, Mohan Singh
  • Patent number: 12208801
    Abstract: A system for limiting performance inconsistences of an electric vehicle during a race or other circumstance when consistent, high performance output is desired, such as by enabling a driver to selectively engage endurance and qualify drive modes to control a supply of electrical power used for driving the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sean M. Welch, Michael A. Ryba, Sami Ahmed, Michael G. Petrucci, Brandon S. Vivian
  • Patent number: 12196462
    Abstract: A heat-pump system is provided that includes an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, an indoor heat exchanger, a compressor, and a multiway valve. The expansion device is in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the expansion device. The compressor circulates working fluid through the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers. The multiway valve is movable between a first position corresponding to a cooling mode of the heat-pump system and a second position corresponding to a heating mode of the heat-pump system. The working fluid flows in the same direction through the outdoor heat exchanger in the cooling mode and in the heating mode, and the working fluid flows in the same direction through the indoor heat exchanger in the cooling mode and in the heating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Copeland LP
    Inventors: Andrew M. Welch, Winfield S. Morter
  • Patent number: 12173708
    Abstract: A compressor may include first and second scrolls and a capacity modulation assembly. The capacity modulation assembly may include a valve ring and a modulation control valve. The valve ring is movable relative to the first scroll between a first position corresponding to a first capacity mode and a second position corresponding to a second capacity mode. The modulation control valve includes a valve body and a valve member that is movable relative to the valve body to cause corresponding movement of the valve ring. The valve body includes a cavity in which the valve member is movably disposed. The valve body includes passages in fluid communication with the cavity. A first pressure differential between fluid in one of the passages and fluid in another of the passages causes movement of the valve member to cause corresponding movement of the valve ring between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Copeland LP
    Inventors: Brian R. Butler, Andrew M. Welch
  • Publication number: 20240392460
    Abstract: A component includes a metal layer disposed over an electrically conductive coating. The component includes a non-woven fiber layer disposed on a coating region of the component. The electrically conductive coating includes a resin with metal particles dispersed therein. The electrically conductive coating is disposed on the non-woven fiber layer. The metal layer is disposed on the electrically conductive coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Sriram Krishnamurthy, Lakshmi Krishnan, Elzbieta Kryj-Kos, Justin M. Welch
  • Patent number: 12140359
    Abstract: Climate control systems and methods of operating them are provided that circulate a working fluid including a high glide refrigerant blend having first and second refrigerants with a difference in boiling points ?about 25° F. at atmospheric pressure. The system includes a gas-liquid separation vessel that generates a vapor stream and a liquid stream. A compressor receives the vapor stream and generates a pressurized vapor stream. A liquid pump receives the liquid stream and generates a pressurized liquid stream. A condenser is disposed downstream of the compressor and liquid pump and receives and cools the pressurized mixed vapor and liquid stream. An evaporator receives and at least partially vaporizes the multiphase working fluid and directs it to the gas-liquid separating vessel. An expansion device between the condenser and the evaporator processes the multiphase working fluid stream. Lastly, a fluid conduit for circulating the working fluid through the components is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Copeland LP
    Inventors: Andrew M. Welch, William Bradford Boggess, Rajan Rajendran
  • Publication number: 20240328690
    Abstract: A vapor compression system includes a compressor including a compression stage for compressing a working fluid, a first heat exchanger downstream from the compressor that receives and cools the working fluid, a second heat exchanger downstream from the first heat exchanger and upstream from the compressor that receives and heats the working fluid, and an accumulator positioned between the second heat exchanger and the compression stage. The accumulator defines an interior volume for containing a vapor phase and a liquid phase of the working fluid, and the accumulator includes an inlet to receive the working fluid from the second heat exchanger and an outlet to allow the vapor phase of the working fluid to exit the accumulator and flow towards the compression stage. The accumulator atomizes the liquid phase of the working fluid into droplets and introduces the droplets into the vapor phase of the working fluid exiting the accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Michael A. Saunders, Andrew M. Welch, Natarajan Rajendran, Kory Michael Place, Stuart Keith Morgan
  • Patent number: 12091768
    Abstract: A method for depositing a metal layer on a component includes applying an electrically conductive coating composition comprising a resin and metal particles on a coating region of the component and partially curing the resin to a gel state to form an electrically conductive coating. The method also includes applying additional metal particles to the partially cured resin in the gel state and depositing, via an electrodeposition process, a metal layer on the electrically conductive coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sriram Krishnamurthy, Lakshmi Krishnan, Elzbieta Kryj-Kos, Justin M. Welch
  • Patent number: 12076502
    Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter body extending from a catheter proximal portion to a catheter distal portion. The catheter body includes an inner liner and an outer sleeve. A braid assembly is within the catheter body and between the inner liner and the outer sleeve. The braid assembly includes a first filar array including one or more first filars helically extending around the catheter body in a first direction. The braid assembly further includes a second filar array including one or more second filars helically extending around the catheter body in a second direction opposed to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: NorMedix, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl V. Ganske, Jeffrey M. Welch, Gregg Stuart Sutton
  • Publication number: 20240278683
    Abstract: A system for mode selective control of an electric vehicle during a race. The system may include a demand controller configured for determining a demand made by a driver during the race to control a propulsion system to propel the vehicle, a battery controller configured for determining a supply of electrical power available from a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) to meet the demand, a temperature controller configured for determining temperature thresholds for the RESS and the propulsion system, and a supply controller configured for controlling use of the supply according to an endurance mode and a qualify mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sean M. Welch, Sami Ahmed, Michael G. Petrucci, Michael A. Ryba
  • Publication number: 20240280299
    Abstract: A conditioning system for a conditioned interior space includes a vapor compression system, an evaporative cooling system, and a controller. The vapor compression system includes an evaporator, a condenser, a refrigerant active fluid for flowing between the evaporator and the condenser, a first fan to produce a first airflow toward the conditioned interior space, and a second fan for producing a second airflow from the condenser toward an exterior space. The evaporative cooling system includes a first tank containing a non-refrigerant active fluid, and a heat exchange device fluidically coupled to the first tank to receive the non-refrigerant active fluid. The first fan is positioned to produce the first airflow through the heat exchange device toward the conditioned interior space. The controller is programmed to control cooperative operation of the vapor compression system and the evaporative cooling system to condition the conditioned interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventor: Andrew M. Welch