Patents by Inventor Owen S. Smith

Owen S. Smith 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).

  • Refrigeration system subcooling flow control valve
    Patent number: 5177973
    Abstract: A flow control valve is disclosed in a household refrigeration appliance having a vapor compression refrigeration system comprising a cyclically operated compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and an expansion device between the condenser and the evaporator. The refrigerant flow control valve is disposed between the condenser and the evaporator and comprises a housing defining a refrigerant flow chamber for receiving liquified refrigerant from the condenser outlet, valve seat structure defining a refrigerant flow port for communicating refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator, and a flow controlling valve assembly coacting with the valve seat structure to control the refrigerant flow from the refrigerant flow chamber to the expansion device. The flow control valve controls system refrigerant flow in response to subcooling, blocks refrigerant flow from the condenser when the compressor is cycled off and enables circulation of hot gaseous refrigerant under extreme high temperature ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware
    Inventors: Pandu R. Cholkeri, Owen S. Smith
  • Refrigeration system subcooling flow control valve
    Patent number: 5156017
    Abstract: A flow control valve is disclosed in a household refrigeration appliance having a vapor compression refrigeration system comprising a cyclically operated compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and an expansion device between the condenser and the evaporator. The refrigerant flow control valve is disposed between the condenser and the evaporator and comprises a housing defining a refrigerant flow chamber for receiving liquified refrigerant from the condenser outlet, valve seat structure defining a refrigerant flow port for communicating refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator, and a flow controlling valve assembly coacting with the valve seat structure to control the refrigerant flow from the refrigerant flow chamber to the expansion device. The flow control valve controls system refrigerant flow in response to subcooling, blocks refrigerant flow from the condenser when the compressor is cycled off and enables circulation of hot gaseous refrigerant under extreme high temperature ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware
    Inventors: Owen S. Smith, Carl N. Johnson