Patents by Inventor Manfred Gerber

Manfred Gerber 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).

  • Publication number: 20240027094
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling conditions in an enclosed space, such as a data center, or for providing cooling to a device, can include using a Liquid-to-Air Membrane Energy Exchanger (LAMEE) as an evaporative cooler. The LAMEE or exchanger can cool water to the outdoor air wet bulb temperature in a cooling system disposed outside of the enclosed space or device. The reduced-temperature water can be delivered to the enclosed space or device or can cool a coolant that is delivered to the enclosed space or device. The air in the enclosed space, or one or more components in the enclosed space, can be cooled by delivering the reduced-temperature water or coolant to the enclosed space, rather than moving the supply air from the enclosed space to the cooling system. In an example, the cooling system can include one or more cooling coils, upstream or downstream of the LAMEE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Davood Ghadiri Moghaddam et al., Philip Paul LePoudre, Manfred Gerber
  • Patent number: 11815283
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling conditions in an enclosed space, such as a data center, or for providing cooling to a device, can include using a Liquid-to-Air Membrane Energy Exchanger (LAMEE) as an evaporative cooler. The LAMEE or exchanger can cool water to the outdoor air wet bulb temperature in a cooling system disposed outside of the enclosed space or device. The reduced-temperature water can be delivered to the enclosed space or device or can cool a coolant that is delivered to the enclosed space or device. The air in the enclosed space, or one or more components in the enclosed space, can be cooled by delivering the reduced-temperature water or coolant to the enclosed space, rather than moving the supply air from the enclosed space to the cooling system. In an example, the cooling system can include one or more cooling coils, upstream or downstream of the LAMEE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Davood Ghadiri Moghaddam, Philip Paul LePoudre, Manfred Gerber
  • Patent number: 11781775
    Abstract: A hybrid system and method for conditioning air for an enclosed space can include a direct cooling system in combination with an indirect cooling system. The hybrid system can use direct cooling when ambient temperature and humidity levels are such that 100% outdoor air can be delivered to the enclosed space. The hybrid system can use indirect cooling when 100% of the return air can be conditioned using an external cooling unit and then returned to the enclosed space as supply air. The external cooling unit can include an evaporative cooler and operate in a dry mode and a wet mode. The external cooling unit can produce a reduced temperature cooling fluid and provide liquid cooling to the air when the system is operating in the indirect mode, and in some cases, in the direct mode. The hybrid system can operate in a mixed mode in which the external cooling unit is off and a mix of return air and outdoor air can be delivered to the enclosed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed Hamdi Abdel-Salam, Philip Paul LePoudre, Manfred Gerber
  • Patent number: 11761645
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an energy exchange system that includes a supply air flow path, an exhaust air flow path, an energy recovery device disposed within the supply and exhaust air flow paths, and a supply conditioning unit disposed within the supply air flow path. The supply conditioning unit may be downstream from the energy recovery device. Certain embodiments provide a method of conditioning air including introducing outside air as supply air into a supply air flow path, pre-conditioning the supply air with an energy recovery device, and fully-conditioning the supply air with a supply conditioning unit that is downstream from the energy recovery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Paul Coutu, Howard Brian Hemingson, Manfred Gerber
  • Patent number: 11598534
    Abstract: An air delivery system may include a housing, a first liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE), and a desiccant storage tank. The housing includes a supply air channel and an exhaust air channel. The first LAMEE may be an exhaust LAMEE disposed within an exhaust air channel of the housing. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to receive the outside air during a desiccant regeneration mode in order to regenerate desiccant within the exhaust LAMEE. The desiccant storage tank is in communication with the exhaust LAMEE. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to store regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank. The regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank is configured to be tapped during a normal operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Paul Coutu, Cam Forman, Philip Paul LePoudre, Blake Norman Erb, Howard Brian Hemingson, Manfred Gerber
  • Publication number: 20220003437
    Abstract: Conditioning systems and methods for providing cooling to a heat load can include an evaporative cooler arranged in a scavenger plenum with a pre-cooler upstream and a recovery coil downstream of the evaporative cooler. Outdoor or scavenger air can be conditioned in the evaporative cooler such that the conditioned scavenger air can provide cooling to a cooling fluid circulating through the recovery coil. The reduced-temperature cooling fluid can provide liquid cooling or air cooling for an enclosed space (for example, a data center) or for one or more devices that are enclosed or open to the atmosphere. Given the design and arrangement of the pre-cooler, evaporative cooler and recovery coil in the plenum, the system can operate in multiple modes. The pre-cooler can be configured to circulate a cooling fluid to condition the scavenger air. The pre-cooler fluid circuit can be coupled or decoupled from a process cooling fluid circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Philip Paul LePoudre, Manfred Gerber, Davood Ghadiri Moghaddam
  • Publication number: 20210396422
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling conditions in an enclosed space, such as a data center, or for providing cooling to a device, can include using a Liquid-to-Air Membrane Energy Exchanger (LAMEE) as an evaporative cooler. The LAMEE or exchanger can cool water to the outdoor air wet bulb temperature in a cooling system disposed outside of the enclosed space or device. The reduced-temperature water can be delivered to the enclosed space or device or can cool a coolant that is delivered to the enclosed space or device. The air in the enclosed space, or one or more components in the enclosed space, can be cooled by delivering the reduced-temperature water or coolant to the enclosed space, rather than moving the supply air from the enclosed space to the cooling system. In an example, the cooling system can include one or more cooling coils, upstream or downstream of the LAMEE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Davood Ghadiri Moghaddam, Philip Paul LePoudre, Manfred Gerber
  • Publication number: 20210332993
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an energy exchange system that includes a supply air flow path, an exhaust air flow path, an energy recovery device disposed within the supply and exhaust air flow paths, and a supply conditioning unit disposed within the supply air flow path. The supply conditioning unit may be downstream from the energy recovery device. Certain embodiments provide a method of conditioning air including introducing outside air as supply air into a supply air flow path, pre-conditioning the supply air with an energy recovery device, and fully-conditioning the supply air with a supply conditioning unit that is downstream from the energy recovery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth Paul Coutu, Howard Brian Hemingson, Manfred Gerber
  • Patent number: 11143430
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling conditions in an enclosed space, such as a data center, or for providing cooling to a device, can include using a Liquid-to-Air Membrane Energy Exchanger (LAMEE) as an evaporative cooler. The LAMEE or exchanger can cool water to the outdoor air wet bulb temperature in a cooling system disposed outside of the enclosed space or device. The reduced-temperature water can be delivered to the enclosed space or device or can cool a coolant that is delivered to the enclosed space or device. The air in the enclosed space, or one or more components in the enclosed space, can be cooled by delivering the reduced-temperature water or coolant to the enclosed space, rather than moving the supply air from the enclosed space to the cooling system. In an example, the cooling system can include one or more cooling coils, upstream or downstream of the LAMEE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Davood Ghadiri Moghaddam, Philip Paul LePoudre, Manfred Gerber
  • Patent number: 11092349
    Abstract: Conditioning systems and methods for providing cooling to a heat load can include an evaporative cooler arranged in a scavenger plenum with a pre-cooler upstream and a recovery coil downstream of the evaporative cooler. Outdoor or scavenger air can be conditioned in the evaporative cooler such that the conditioned scavenger air can provide cooling to a cooling fluid circulating through the recovery coil. The reduced-temperature cooling fluid can provide liquid cooling or air cooling for an enclosed space (for example, a data center) or for one or more devices that are enclosed or open to the atmosphere. Given the design and arrangement of the pre-cooler, evaporative cooler and recovery coil in the plenum, the system can operate in multiple modes. The pre-cooler can be configured to circulate a cooling fluid to condition the scavenger air. The pre-cooler fluid circuit can be coupled or decoupled from a process cooling fluid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Paul LePoudre, Manfred Gerber, Davood Ghadiri Moghaddam
  • Publication number: 20210239333
    Abstract: A conditioning system includes a first plenum and a second plenum. The second plenum receives heated air from an enclosed space and supplies cooled air to the space. The system also includes a first liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE1) arranged inside the first plenum. LAMEE1 is configured to use a liquid desiccant to lower an enthalpy of the first air stream. A LAMEE2 is arranged inside the first plenum downstream of LAMEE1. LAMEE2 is configured to use the first air stream to evaporatively cool water flowing through LAMEE2. A first LAHX (LAHX1) is arranged inside the second plenum. LAHX1 is configured to directly and sensibly cool the second air stream using a first cooling fluid. A second LAHX (LAHX2) is in fluid communication with LAMEE1 and is configured to receive the liquid desiccant from LAMEE1 and cool the liquid desiccant using outdoor air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Philip Paul LePoudre, Manfred Gerber
  • Patent number: 11015845
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling temperature in an enclosed space can include an air-to-air heat exchanger (AAHX) and a direct evaporative cooler (DEC). The DEC can be located in a scavenger or outdoor air stream such that the DEC cools the outdoor air, which is then used to cool or reject heat from a process air stream passing through the AAHX. In an example, the AAHX can be a sensible wheel. In another example, the AAHX can be a counter-flow flat plate. The system can operate in various modes, including an economizer mode and an evaporation mode, depending, in part, on the outdoor air conditions and a load on the system. In some examples, the system can include a DX coil to provide additional cooling to the process air in another operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Nortek Air Solations Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Davood Ghadiri Moghaddam, Philip Paul LePoudre, Manfred Gerber
  • Patent number: 10962252
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a three-fluid liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE) to condition air (a first overall fluid). A liquid panel assembly used in the LAMEE can include a first fluid circuit for a first cooling fluid (a second overall fluid) and a second fluid circuit for a second cooling fluid (a third overall fluid). The first cooling fluid, also referred to herein as a desiccant, can be configured to circulate through the liquid panel assembly and condition an air stream passing through the LAMEE. The second cooling fluid, also referred to herein as a coolant, can be configured to also circulate through the panel assembly and reject heat from the first cooling fluid. The second cooling fluid can increase the cooling capacity and overall performance of the LAMEE. The first and second cooling fluids can be separate from each other during circulation through the panel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Paul LePoudre, Davood Ghadiri Moghaddam, Manfred Gerber
  • Patent number: 10928082
    Abstract: An energy exchange system that includes a supply air flow path, an exhaust air flow path, an energy recovery device disposed within the supply and exhaust air flow paths, and a supply conditioning unit disposed within the supply air flow path. The supply conditioning unit may be downstream from the energy recovery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Coutu, Howard Brian Hemingson, Manfred Gerber
  • Patent number: 10834855
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling conditions in an enclosed space can include an integral make-up air system that can be arranged in the interior of the housing for an air conditioning system that uses scavenger air in an air-to-air heat exchanger (AAHX) to condition process air from an enclosed space. The make-up air system can take replenishment air from outside the air conditioning system and deliver it into the process air stream. The make-up air system can include at least one heating or cooling device to condition the replenishment air before the replenishment air mixes with the process air. In an example, the make-up air system can include a DX coil to selectively cool and dehumidify the replenishment air. The make-up air system can include a humidifier arranged in the flow path of process air between the process air inlet and the AAHX to selectively add humidity to the process air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Davood Ghadiri Moghaddam, Philip Paul LePoudre, Manfred Gerber, Stephane Vivier
  • Patent number: 10808951
    Abstract: Conditioning systems and methods for providing cooling to a heat load can include an evaporative cooler arranged in a scavenger plenum with a pre-cooler upstream and a recovery coil downstream of the evaporative cooler. Outdoor or scavenger air can be conditioned in the evaporative cooler such that the conditioned scavenger air can provide cooling to a cooling fluid circulating through the recovery coil. The reduced-temperature cooling fluid can provide liquid cooling or air cooling for an enclosed space (for example, a data center) or for one or more devices that are enclosed or open to the atmosphere. Given the design and arrangement of the pre-cooler, evaporative cooler and recovery coil in the plenum, the system can operate in multiple modes. The pre-cooler can be configured to circulate a cooling fluid to condition the scavenger air. The pre-cooler fluid circuit can be coupled or de-coupled from a process cooling fluid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Paul LePoudre, Manfred Gerber, Davood Ghadiri Moghaddam
  • Patent number: 10782045
    Abstract: An example system is configured to control conditions in an enclosed space. The system includes scavenger and process plenums, a liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE), a first liquid-to-air heat exchanger (LAHX), a second LAHX, and a fluid circuit The scavenger plenum is configured to direct scavenger air from a scavenger inlet to a scavenger outlet. The process plenum is sealed from the scavenger plenum and is configured to direct process air from a process inlet to a process outlet The process inlet receives heated air from the space and the process outlet supplies cooled air to the space. The LAMEE is arranged inside the scavenger plenum. The LAMEE is configured to use the scavenger air to evaporatively cool a first fluid flowing through the LAMEE. The temperature of the first fluid at a LAMEE outlet is lower than the temperature of the first fluid at a LAMEE inlet. The first LAHX is arranged inside the process plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Paul LePoudre, Manfred Gerber
  • Publication number: 20200284464
    Abstract: A hybrid system and method for conditioning air for an enclosed space can include a direct cooling system in combination with an indirect cooling system. The hybrid system can use direct cooling when ambient temperature and humidity levels are such that 100% outdoor air can be delivered to the enclosed space. The hybrid system can use indirect cooling when 100% of the return air can be conditioned using an external cooling unit and then returned to the enclosed space as supply air. The external cooling unit can include an evaporative cooler and operate in a dry mode and a wet mode. The external cooling unit can produce a reduced temperature cooling fluid and provide liquid cooling to the air when the system is operating in the indirect mode, and in some cases, in the direct mode. The hybrid system can operate in a mixed mode in which the external cooling unit is off and a mix of return air and outdoor air can be delivered to the enclosed space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Ahmed Hamdi Abdel-Salam et al., Philip Paul Lepoudre, Manfred Gerber
  • Patent number: 10739032
    Abstract: An example system is configured to control conditions in an enclosed space. The system includes scavenger and process plenums, a liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE), a first liquid-to-air heat exchanger (LAHX), a second LAHX, and a fluid circuit The scavenger plenum is configured to direct scavenger air from a scavenger inlet to a scavenger outlet. The process plenum is sealed from the scavenger plenum and is configured to direct process air from a process inlet to a process outlet The process inlet receives heated air from the space and the process outlet supplies cooled air to the space. The LAMEE is arranged inside the scavenger plenum. The LAMEE is configured to use the scavenger air to evaporatively cool a first fluid flowing through the LAMEE. The temperature of the first fluid at a LAMEE outlet is lower than the temperature of the first fluid at a LAMEE inlet. The first LAHX is arranged inside the process plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Paul LePoudre, Manfred Gerber
  • Publication number: 20200173672
    Abstract: An air delivery system may include a housing, a first liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE), and a desiccant storage tank. The housing includes a supply air channel and an exhaust air channel. The first LAMEE may be an exhaust LAMEE disposed within an exhaust air channel of the housing. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to receive the outside air during a desiccant regeneration mode in order to regenerate desiccant within the exhaust LAMEE. The desiccant storage tank is in communication with the exhaust LAMEE. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to store regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank. The regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank is configured to be tapped during a normal operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Kenneth Paul Coutu, Cam Forman, Philip Paul LePoudre, Blake Norman Erb, Howard Brian Hemingson, Manfred Gerber