Patents by Inventor Michael A. Saunders

Michael A. Saunders 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20240255198
    Abstract: A vapor compression system includes an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, a compressor, a first valve, and a second valve. The compressor has an inlet connected to a suction flow and an exit connected to a discharge flow. The first valve is movable to connect the discharge flow to one of the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers. The second valve is movable to connect the suction flow to one of the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew M. Welch, Brian Richard Butler, Stuart Keith Morgan, Winfield S. Morter, Jason A. Born, Michael A. Saunders, Damiel Faxon, James Scott Fraser, Ty Nicholas Thibodeaux, Vaishnavi Kanakamedala, Kyle Caisaguano-Otavalo, Isaac Malmstrom, Daniel J. Rice
  • Patent number: 11874031
    Abstract: A system may include a first compressor, a second compressor, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. The first compressor has a first inlet and a first outlet. The second compressor is a sumpless compressor and has a second inlet and a second outlet. The second compressor provides working fluid discharged from the second outlet to the first compressor. The first heat exchanger is disposed upstream of the second compressor and provides working fluid to the second compressor. The second heat exchanger is disposed upstream of the first compressor and provides working fluid to the first compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Copeland LP
    Inventors: Michael A. Saunders, Natarajan Rajendran, Michael M. Perevozchikov, Kirill M. Ignatiev
  • Patent number: 11732916
    Abstract: A refrigerant control system includes: a charge module configured to determine an amount of refrigerant that is present within a first portion of a refrigeration system within a building; and an isolation module configured to selectively open and close an isolation valve of the refrigeration system and to, via the isolation valve, maintain the amount of refrigerant within the first portion within the building below a predetermined amount of the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Butler, Stuart K. Morgan, Hung Pham, Winfield S. Morter, Andrew M. Welch, David Alfano, Michael A. Saunders
  • Patent number: 11713893
    Abstract: A refrigerant control system includes: a charge module configured to determine an amount of refrigerant that is present within a refrigeration system of a building; a leak module configured to diagnose that a leak is present in the refrigeration system based on the amount of refrigerant; and at least one module configured to take at least one remedial action in response to the diagnosis that the leak is present in the refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Butler, Stuart K. Morgan, Hung Pham, Winfield S. Morter, Andrew M. Welch, David A. Alfano, Michael A. Saunders
  • Patent number: 11549730
    Abstract: A refrigerated food container system includes a container defining an inner volume and a thermoelectric module arranged in thermal contact with at least one surface of the container. The thermoelectric module includes a first thermoelectric cooling device and a second thermoelectric cooling device in thermal contact with the first thermoelectric cooling device. A control module is configured to provide a first voltage to the first thermoelectric cooling device and provide a second voltage to the second thermoelectric cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason A. Born, Damiel Faxon, Andrew Mangelsdorf, Michael A. Saunders
  • Patent number: 11460224
    Abstract: Systems and methods for purging lubricant from a first compressor to a second compressor are provided. A control module receives a lubricant purge command, shuts the second compressor to an OFF-mode while the first compressor remains in the ON-mode, restricts working fluid from an outlet of the second compressor from flowing into the first compressor and allows compressed working fluid discharged from an outlet of the first compressor to flow into the inlet of the second compressor such that lubricant in the second compressor flows into the first compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Saunders, Kory M. Place, James Scott Fraser, Natarajan Rajendran, Jason A. Born, Daniel J. Rice
  • Patent number: 11131471
    Abstract: A refrigerant control system includes: a charge module configured to determine an amount of refrigerant that is present within a refrigeration system of a building; a leak module configured to diagnose that a leak is present in the refrigeration system based on the amount of refrigerant; and at least one module configured to take at least one remedial action in response to the diagnosis that the leak is present in the refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Butler, Stuart K. Morgan, Hung Pham, Winfield S. Morter, Andrew M. Welch, David Alfano, Michael A. Saunders
  • Patent number: 10969165
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes first and second compressors, a condenser, first and second evaporators, and a valve. The first compressor is fluidly connected to first suction and discharge lines. The second compressor is fluidly connected to second suction and discharge lines. The second suction line is fluidly connected to the first discharge line. The condenser receives refrigerant from the second compressor. The first evaporator receives refrigerant from the condenser and discharges refrigerant to the first suction line. The second evaporator receives refrigerant from the condenser and discharges refrigerant to the second suction line. The valve is disposed between the first evaporator and the first suction line. The first suction line receives refrigerant when the valve is in a first position. The second suction line receives refrigerant when the valve is in a second position. The first compressor is bypassed when the valve is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Saunders, Rajan Rajendran, Kurt Knapke
  • Patent number: 10830532
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes first and second compressors, a condenser, first and second evaporators, and a valve. The first compressor is fluidly connected to first suction and discharge lines. The second compressor is fluidly connected to second suction and discharge lines. The second suction line is fluidly connected to the first discharge line. The condenser receives refrigerant from the second compressor. The first evaporator receives refrigerant from the condenser and discharges refrigerant to the first suction line. The second evaporator receives refrigerant from the condenser and discharges refrigerant to the second suction line. The valve is disposed between the first evaporator and the first suction line. The first suction line receives refrigerant when the valve is in a first position. The second suction line receives refrigerant when the valve is in a second position. The first compressor is bypassed when the valve is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Saunders, Rajan Rajendran, Kurt Knapke
  • Patent number: 10634424
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes first and second compressors and an oil separator. The oil separator includes an inlet for receiving refrigerant and oil from the first compressor, a refrigerant outlet, and an oil outlet. The oil separator separates the oil from the refrigerant. A portion of the oil separator below a horizontal plane intersecting the refrigerant outlet collects separated oil and has a volume equal to a first compressor oil supply. The first compressor oil supply is greater than or equal to 100% and less than or equal to 250% of a first compressor initial oil charge. The first compressor receives oil from the oil outlet when an amount of oil in the portion is less than or equal to the first compressor oil supply. The second compressor receives oil from the refrigerant outlet when the amount of oil in the portion is greater than the first compressor oil supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Saunders, Rajan Rajendran, Scott Fraser
  • Patent number: 10544786
    Abstract: Scroll compressor designs are provided to minimize vibration, sound, and noise transmission. The scroll compressor has a bearing housing, and orbiting and non-orbiting scroll members. The non-orbiting scroll member has a radially extending flanged portion with at least one aperture substantially aligned with the axially extending bore. At least one fastener is disposed within the aperture and the bore. A sound isolation member contacts at least one of the non-orbiting scroll member, the fastener, or the bearing housing, to reduce or eliminate noise transmission. The sound isolation member may be formed of a polymeric composite having an acoustic impedance value greater than the surrounding materials. The sound isolation member may be an annular washer, an O-ring, or a biasing member, by way of non-limiting example. In other variations, fluid passages are provided within the fastener and/or bearing housing to facilitate entry of lubricant oil to further dampen sound and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Stover, Michael A. Saunders, Stephen M. Seibel
  • Patent number: 10345038
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing dynamic coefficient of performance calculations for refrigeration systems are provided. A controller calculates a weighted Carnot efficiency of a refrigeration case based on outdoor temperature data, refrigeration case temperature data, a case load of a refrigeration case, and a case defrost status of the refrigeration case. The controller calculates a weighted coefficient of performance based on based on a refrigerant type, the case load of the refrigeration case, the case defrost status of the refrigeration case, and at least one of the of the refrigeration case temperature data and pressure data. The controller calculates a system performance index (SPI) for the refrigeration case based on the weighted Carnot efficiency of the refrigeration case and weighted actual Carnot efficiency. The controller generates, in response to the SPI being below a threshold, an output indicating that the refrigeration case is operating below a threshold efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Saunders, Rajan Rajendran, John Wallace
  • Patent number: 9689391
    Abstract: Scroll compressor designs are provided to minimize vibration, sound, and noise transmission. The scroll compressor has a bearing housing, and orbiting and non-orbiting scroll members. The non-orbiting scroll member has a radially extending flanged portion with at least one aperture substantially aligned with the axially extending bore. At least one fastener is disposed within the aperture and the bore. A sound isolation member contacts at least one of the non-orbiting scroll member, the fastener, or the bearing housing, to reduce or eliminate noise transmission. The sound isolation member may be formed of a polymeric composite having an acoustic impedance value greater than the surrounding materials. The sound isolation member may be an annular washer, an O-ring, or a biasing member, by way of non-limiting example. In other variations, fluid passages are provided within the fastener and/or bearing housing to facilitate entry of lubricant oil to further dampen sound and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne-Chi Fu, Michael A. Saunders, Stephen M. Seibel, Kevin J. Gehret, Robert C. Stover, Patrick R. Gillespie
  • Publication number: 20150152868
    Abstract: Scroll compressor designs are provided to minimize vibration, sound, and noise transmission. The scroll compressor has a bearing housing, and orbiting and non-orbiting scroll members. The non-orbiting scroll member has a radially extending flanged portion with at least one aperture substantially aligned with the axially extending bore. At least one fastener is disposed within the aperture and the bore. A sound isolation member contacts at least one of the non-orbiting scroll member, the fastener, or the bearing housing, to reduce or eliminate noise transmission. The sound isolation member may be formed of a polymeric composite having an acoustic impedance value greater than the surrounding materials. The sound isolation member may be an annular washer, an O-ring, or a biasing member, by way of non-limiting example. In other variations, fluid passages are provided within the fastener and/or bearing housing to facilitate entry of lubricant oil to further dampen sound and noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Wayne-Chi Fu, Michael A. Saunders, Stephen M. Seibel, Kevin J. Gehret, Robert C. Stover, Patrick R. Gillespie
  • Patent number: 8098391
    Abstract: An automated document processing system is disclosed. The system includes a magnetic character reader located along a path of travel of a document. The system also includes a first image scanner located after the magnetic character reader along the path of travel, the first image scanner configured to capture an image of a first side of the document. The system further includes an endorser located after the magnetic character reader along the path of travel, where the endorser is configured to print an endorsement on at least one side of the document. The system also includes a second image scanner located after the endorser along the path of travel, the second image scanner configured to capture an image of the at least one side of the document endorsed by the endorser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Burroughs Payment Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Kiplinger, David Brian Tratar, Michael A. Saunders, Michael James Spall, Johan P. Bakker, Paul John McCarthy, Gary Benton Copenhaver
  • Patent number: 7917334
    Abstract: A computer program and system for calculating the performance of a compressor includes selecting a compressor from a database, inputting application conditions, comparing data for the selected compressor to the inputted application conditions, defining an operating envelope for the selected compressor by defining a series of points representing lower and upper limits of evaporating and condensing temperatures for the selected compressor, determining whether the selected compressor operates within its operating envelope, and calculating the performance of the selected compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation LLC
    Inventor: Michael A. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20090123055
    Abstract: An automated document processing system is disclosed. The system includes a magnetic character reader located along a path of travel of a document. The system also includes a first image scanner located after the magnetic character reader along the path of travel, the first image scanner configured to capture an image of a first side of the document. The system further includes an endorser located after the magnetic character reader along the path of travel, where the endorser is configured to print an endorsement on at least one side of the document. The system also includes a second image scanner located after the endorser along the path of travel, the second image scanner configured to capture an image of the at least one side of the document endorsed by the endorser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Michael John Kiplinger, David Brian Tratar, Michael A. Saunders, Michael James Spall, Johan P. Bakker, Paul John McCarthy, Gary Benton Copenhaver
  • Publication number: 20090037143
    Abstract: A computer program and system for calculating the performance of a compressor includes selecting a compressor from a database, inputting application conditions, comparing data for the selected compressor to the inputted application conditions, defining an operating envelope for the selected compressor by defining a series of points representing lower and upper limits of evaporating and condensing temperatures for the selected compressor, determining whether the selected compressor operates within its operating envelope, and calculating the performance of the selected compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: COPELAND CORPORATION LLC
    Inventor: Michael A. Saunders
  • Patent number: 7451061
    Abstract: A system and method for calculating the performance of a compressor includes a controller in communication with a cooling system. A database includes compressor specification data. A computer communicates with the controller and accesses the database. A user interface associated with the computer is operable to select a compressor from the database, input application conditions, compare data for the selected compressor to the inputted application conditions, and verify operating limits of the selected compressor based on the compressor specification data and the input application conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation LLC
    Inventor: Michael A Saunders