Patents by Inventor Norman J. Blanton

Norman J. Blanton 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: 20230221026
    Abstract: A refrigerant leak management system includes a controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a refrigerant pressure within a refrigerant circuit and determine whether the refrigerant pressure is indicative of a refrigerant leak in the refrigerant circuit. In response to determining that the refrigerant pressure is indicative of the refrigerant leak, the controller is configured to activate a fan configured to motivate air proximate the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventor: Norman J. Blanton
  • Patent number: 11629866
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a cooling circuit, a reheat circuit, a recovery circuit, and a control system. The cooling circuit includes a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, and a three-way valve, and the HVAC system is configured to circulate refrigerant through the cooling circuit in a cooling operating mode. The reheat circuit includes a reheat heat exchanger, the compressor, the evaporator, and the three-way valve, and the HVAC system is configured to circulate refrigerant through the reheat circuit in a reheat operating mode. The recovery circuit extends between the condenser and the compressor and includes a recovery valve. The control system is configured to send a first signal to the three-way valve to switch the HVAC system between the cooling operating mode and the reheat operating mode and a second signal to the recovery valve to recover refrigerant from the cooling circuit at a subsequent time based on the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Norman J. Blanton, Stephen C. Wilson, Paul S. Willmus
  • Publication number: 20230087675
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a first sensor disposed adjacent to an inlet of an evaporator configured to receive an airflow. The HVAC unit includes a second sensor disposed adjacent to an outlet of a reheat coil positioned downstream of the evaporator and configured to expel the airflow. The HVAC unit also includes a controller configured to regulate operation of a modulating reheat valve to adjust flow of a working fluid in thermal communication with the airflow to control a difference between a measurement of the first sensor and a measurement of the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: John T. Knight, Stephen B. Pickle, Norman J. Blanton, Kerry L. Shumway
  • Patent number: 11609009
    Abstract: A refrigerant leak management system includes a controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a refrigerant pressure within a refrigerant circuit and determine whether the refrigerant pressure is indicative of a refrigerant leak in the refrigerant circuit. In response to determining that the refrigerant pressure is indicative of the refrigerant leak, the controller is configured to activate a fan configured to motivate air proximate the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Norman J. Blanton
  • Patent number: 11451014
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fuse bank design for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system. The disclosed stair-step design enables the positioning of electrical components of the fuse bank in a non-vertically aligned manner, which blocks the accumulation of heat in the upper electrical components as a result of convection heating from the lower components of the fuse bank during operation of the HVAC system. For example, a fuse bank is disclosed for an HVAC system that includes: a mounting surface; a first fuse block including a first fuse holder coupled to the mounting surface; a spacer coupled to the mounting surface vertically below the first fuse block; and a second fuse block including a second fuse holder coupled to the spacer, wherein the spacer offsets the second fuse block from the mounting surface of the fuse bank in a stair-step arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Stephen C. Wilson, Norman J. Blanton
  • Patent number: 11421923
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a first sensor disposed adjacent to an inlet of an evaporator configured to receive an airflow. The HVAC unit includes a second sensor disposed adjacent to an outlet of a reheat coil positioned downstream of the evaporator and configured to expel the airflow. The HVAC unit also includes a controller configured to regulate operation of a modulating reheat valve to adjust flow of a working fluid in thermal communication with the airflow to control a difference between a measurement of the first sensor and a measurement of the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: John T. Knight, Stephen B. Pickle, Norman J. Blanton, Kerry L. Shumway
  • Patent number: 11365897
    Abstract: A refrigerant leak management system includes a controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a refrigerant pressure within a refrigerant circuit and determine whether the refrigerant pressure is indicative of a refrigerant leak in the refrigerant circuit. In response to determining that the refrigerant pressure is indicative of the refrigerant leak, the controller is configured to activate a fan configured to motivate air proximate the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Norman J. Blanton
  • Patent number: 11313600
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a refrigerant circuit including a reheat coil and a condenser system, a first valve disposed along the refrigerant circuit and configured to modulate refrigerant flow to the reheat coil and to the condenser system, and a second valve disposed along the refrigerant circuit downstream of the first valve relative to a direction of the refrigerant flow through the refrigerant circuit. The condenser system includes a first condenser coil and a second condenser coil, and the second valve is configured to be actuated to control refrigerant flow to the second condenser coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Norman J. Blanton, Zhiwei Huang
  • Patent number: 11168931
    Abstract: A vapor compression system that includes a reheat coil that heats a supply air stream flowing across the reheat coil with a refrigerant. A fan forces an environmental air flow across a condenser to remove energy from the refrigerant. A controller adjusts a speed of the fan to control a flow of the refrigerant through the reheat coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Norman J. Blanton, Stephen C. Wilson, Curtis W. Caskey
  • Patent number: 11125449
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, includes a cooling circuit, a reheat circuit, and a control system. The cooling circuit includes a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, and a multi-directional valve, and the HVAC system is configured to circulate refrigerant through the cooling circuit in a cooling operating mode. The reheat circuit includes a reheat heat exchanger, the compressor, the evaporator, and the multi-directional valve, and the HVAC system is configured to circulate refrigerant through the reheat circuit in a reheat operating mode. The control system is configured to execute a switch between the cooling operating mode and the reheat operating mode by sending a signal to the multi-directional valve to adjust from a first position to a second position, interrupting a voltage provided to the compressor at a first time, and restoring application of the voltage to the compressor at a second time that is subsequent to the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Norman J. Blanton, Stephen C. Wilson, Paul S. Willmus, Bradford G. Briley
  • Publication number: 20210190353
    Abstract: A refrigerant leak management system includes a controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a refrigerant pressure within a refrigerant circuit and determine whether the refrigerant pressure is indicative of a refrigerant leak in the refrigerant circuit. In response to determining that the refrigerant pressure is indicative of the refrigerant leak, the controller is configured to activate a fan configured to motivate air proximate the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventor: Norman J. Blanton
  • Publication number: 20210102738
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a refrigerant circuit including a reheat coil and a condenser system, a first valve disposed along the refrigerant circuit and configured to modulate refrigerant flow to the reheat coil and to the condenser system, and a second valve disposed along the refrigerant circuit downstream of the first valve relative to a direction of the refrigerant flow through the refrigerant circuit. The condenser system includes a first condenser coil and a second condenser coil, and the second valve is configured to be actuated to control refrigerant flow to the second condenser coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Norman J. Blanton, Zhiwei Huang
  • Patent number: 10948203
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a climate management system having an outdoor coil of a refrigerant circuit, a first indoor coil of the refrigerant circuit, and a second indoor coil of the refrigerant circuit disposed downstream of the first indoor coil with respect to a flow of air directed across the first indoor coil and the second indoor coil. The climate management system is configured to, in a cooling mode, direct refrigerant flow in a first direction through the outdoor coil, direct refrigerant flow through the first indoor coil, and restrict refrigerant flow from the second indoor coil. The climate management system is also configured to, in a heating mode, direct refrigerant flow in a second direction through the outdoor coil, direct refrigerant flow through the second indoor coil, and restrict refrigerant flow from the first indoor coil. The second direction is opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Norman J. Blanton
  • Patent number: 10935263
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system that has a first circuit and a second circuit that each have a compressor and a condenser, a conduit extending from the second circuit downstream of the condenser to the first circuit upstream of the compressor, a valve along the conduit that may manage flow therethrough, and a controller that may operate the HVAC system in a first mode such that each circuit separately circulates the refrigerant in each circuit and transition to a second mode such that refrigerant-sharing occurs between the circuits. In response to a request to transition from the second mode to the first mode, the controller may determine an amount of refrigerant subcooling, compare the amount to a threshold value associated with the first mode, and instruct opening of the valve upon a determination that the amount is less than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Baskaran K, Karan Garg, Curtis W. Caskey, Norman J. Blanton, Anthony J. Reardon, Zhiwei Huang
  • Publication number: 20210018199
    Abstract: A refrigerant leak management system includes a controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a refrigerant pressure within a refrigerant circuit and determine whether the refrigerant pressure is indicative of a refrigerant leak in the refrigerant circuit. In response to determining that the refrigerant pressure is indicative of the refrigerant leak, the controller is configured to activate a fan configured to motivate air proximate the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: Norman J. Blanton
  • Publication number: 20200400323
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a single compressor HVAC system with hot gas reheat. The system includes a single compressor, a pair of condensers, a reheat heat exchanger, an evaporator, and an expansion device. Within the system, the refrigerant exiting the compressor is separated into two portions. In the cooling mode, the first and second portions of the refrigerant are directed from the compressor through the two condensers in parallel. In the reheat mode, the first portion of the refrigerant is directed through the first condenser, while the second portion of the refrigerant is directed through the reheat heat exchanger. The system also may include a head pressure control device that is designed to maintain the compressor discharge pressure within a desired range by adjusting the condenser fan speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Norman J. Blanton, Stephen C. Wilson, Stephen B. Pickle
  • Publication number: 20200370765
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a first sensor disposed adjacent to an inlet of an evaporator configured to receive an airflow. The HVAC unit includes a second sensor disposed adjacent to an outlet of a reheat coil positioned downstream of the evaporator and configured to expel the airflow. The HVAC unit also includes a controller configured to regulate operation of a modulating reheat valve to adjust flow of a working fluid in thermal communication with the airflow to control a difference between a measurement of the first sensor and a measurement of the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: John T. Knight, Stephen B. Pickle, Norman J. Blanton, Kerry L. Shumway
  • Publication number: 20200358264
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fuse bank design for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system. The disclosed stair-step design enables the positioning of electrical components of the fuse bank in a non-vertically aligned manner, which blocks the accumulation of heat in the upper electrical components as a result of convection heating from the lower components of the fuse bank during operation of the HVAC system. For example, a fuse bank is disclosed for an HVAC system that includes: a mounting surface; a first fuse block including a first fuse holder coupled to the mounting surface; a spacer coupled to the mounting surface vertically below the first fuse block; and a second fuse block including a second fuse holder coupled to the spacer, wherein the spacer offsets the second fuse block from the mounting surface of the fuse bank in a stair-step arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen C. Wilson, Norman J. Blanton
  • Publication number: 20200309394
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a single compressor HVAC system with hot gas reheat. The system includes a single compressor, at least one condenser, a reheat heat exchanger, an evaporator, and an expansion device. The HVAC system is designed to selectively modulate flow rates of refrigerant from the compressor between the at least one condenser and the reheat heat exchanger using a multi-directional valve, such as a three-way valve, downstream of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: Norman J. Blanton
  • Publication number: 20200300484
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, includes a cooling circuit, a reheat circuit, and a control system. The cooling circuit includes a condenser, a compressor, an evaporator, and a multi-directional valve, and the HVAC system is configured to circulate refrigerant through the cooling circuit in a cooling operating mode. The reheat circuit includes a reheat heat exchanger, the compressor, the evaporator, and the multi-directional valve, and the HVAC system is configured to circulate refrigerant through the reheat circuit in a reheat operating mode. The control system is configured to execute a switch between the cooling operating mode and the reheat operating mode by sending a signal to the multi-directional valve to adjust from a first position to a second position, interrupting a voltage provided to the compressor at a first time, and restoring application of the voltage to the compressor at a second time that is subsequent to the first time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Norman J. Blanton, Stephen C. Wilson, Paul S. Willmus, Bradford G. Briley