Patents by Inventor Raymond L. Senf, Jr.

Raymond L. Senf, Jr. 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: 11912104
    Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration system (20) includes operating the refrigeration system in refrigeration mode. A current access condition into a refrigerated cargo space (22) is detected. At least one heat exchanger (32) in the refrigerated cargo space (22) is directed into a defrost mode during the current access condition. The refrigeration system (20) is directed into a refrigeration mode when the current access condition is no longer detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11874038
    Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration system is provided. The method includes activating an evaporator heater, monitoring a pressure differential within the refrigeration system, when the pressure differential reaches a predetermined value, deactivating the evaporator heater, and activating one or more evaporator fans, after deactivating the evaporator heater, to cause a thermostatic expansion valve to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas Auyer, Gilbert B. Hofsdal, William C. Silliman, Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230119462
    Abstract: A method of operating a transport refrigeration system having a plurality of inverters configured to power a refrigeration unit includes placing a first inverter of the plurality of inverters in an active state; monitoring a load on the first inverter; comparing the load on the first inverter to an upper threshold; placing a second inverter of the plurality of inverters in an active state upon the load on the first inverter being greater than the upper threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, JR.
  • Patent number: 11619431
    Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration system. The method includes operating a multi-temperature refrigeration system that has a plurality of heat absorption heat exchangers in a single temperature mode. A number of the plurality of heat absorption heat exchangers are determined that require defrosting a single heat absorption heat exchanger is directed into a different operational state when the number of heat absorption heat exchangers that require defrosting is equal to one. E of the plurality of heat absorption heat exchangers is directed into a defrost mode when the number of heat absorption heat exchangers that requires defrosting is more than one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230009585
    Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration system is provided. The method includes activating an evaporator heater, monitoring a pressure differential within the refrigeration system, when the pressure differential reaches a predetermined value, deactivating the evaporator heater, and activating one or more evaporator fans, after deactivating the evaporator heater, to cause a thermostatic expansion valve to open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Douglas Auyer, Gilbert B. Hofsdal, William C. Silliman, Raymond L. Senf, JR.
  • Patent number: 11371763
    Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration system is provided. The method includes activating an evaporator heater (306), monitoring a pressure differential within the refrigeration system (308), when the pressure differential reaches a predetermined value (310), deactivating the evaporator heater (312), and activating one or more evaporator fans (314), after deactivating the evaporator heater, to cause a thermostatic expansion valve to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas Auyer, Gilbert B. Hofsdal, William C. Silliman, Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11300341
    Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration system includes initiating a compressor shutdown operation, determining a difference in a saturation temperature at a port of a compressor of the refrigeration system and an ambient temperature and comparing the difference in the saturation temperature and ambient temperature with a threshold. If the difference in the saturation temperature and ambient temperature is less than or equal to the threshold, a pump down operation is performed and if the difference in the saturation temperature and ambient temperature exceeds the threshold, a compressor shutdown operation is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210394587
    Abstract: An integrated cooling system and method for a transportation refrigeration system including: a heat rejection heat exchanger; a subcooler comprising a plurality of flow paths, the subcooler operably coupled to the first rejection heat exchanger; and a heat transfer apparatus comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of flow paths and the second portion is operably coupled to a heat source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, JR.
  • Publication number: 20210364205
    Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration system. The method includes operating a multi-temperature refrigeration system that has a plurality of heat absorption heat exchangers in a single temperature mode. A number of the plurality of heat absorption heat exchangers are determined that require defrosting a single heat absorption heat exchanger is directed into a different operational state when the number of heat absorption heat exchangers that require defrosting is equal to one. E of the plurality of heat absorption heat exchangers is directed into a defrost mode when the number of heat absorption heat exchangers that requires defrosting is more than one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11118823
    Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a refrigeration system including initiating a compressor shutdown operation (302), recording shutdown conditions (304), calculating one or more restart characteristics based on the recorded shutdown conditions (306), comparing the calculated restart characteristics with one or more compressor restart safety limits (308), when the calculated restart characteristics do not satisfy the restart safety limits, performing a temperature modulation pump down operation (310), and when the calculated restart characteristics satisfy the restart safety limits, completing the compressor shutdown operation (312).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11098943
    Abstract: A transportation refrigeration system includes a refrigeration circuit that includes a compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device upstream of a first heat exchanger and a second expansion device upstream of a second heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger includes a first cooling capacity that is different from a second cooling capacity of the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Raymond L. Senf, Jr., Herbert J. Call
  • Patent number: 11073313
    Abstract: A method of managing a compressor start operation, the method includes controlling a valve disposed upstream of a compressor to lower a saturated suction temperature of a refrigerant to be below an ambient temperature while starting the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210146751
    Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration system (20) includes operating the refrigeration system in refrigeration mode. A current access condition into a refrigerated cargo space (22) is detected. At least one heat exchanger (32) in the refrigerated cargo space (22) is directed into a defrost mode during the current access condition. The refrigeration system (20) is directed into a refrigeration mode when the current access condition is no longer detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210114630
    Abstract: Disclosed is an adapter frame for attaching a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) to a railway car, the adapter frame having a window and a supporting section, the window having a rectangular shape, the supporting section extending from an edge of the window and comprising two or more truss members spanning from an edge of the window to a corresponding edge of the supporting section, wherein the adapter frame is configured for installation between the TRU and the railway car such that a distal end of a protruding evaporator section of the TRU protrudes into the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Stockbridge, Raymond L. Senf, JR.
  • Patent number: 10823484
    Abstract: A method of operating a transport refrigeration system comprises: controlling, using a controller (30), a plurality of components of the refrigeration system and monitoring, using the controller, a plurality of operating parameters of the refrigeration system. The controlling comprises operating at least one of a prime mover (26), heater (48), and electric generation device (24). The operating parameters comprise at least one of a speed of the prime mover and a voltage of the electric generation device. The method comprises detecting, using the controller, when at least one of a heating mode and a defrost mode is required; activating, using the controller, the heater when at least one of the heating mode and the defrost mode is required; comparing, using the controller, the voltage of the electric generation device to a selected voltage; and controlling, using the controller, the speed of the prime mover in response to the voltage of the electric generation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10759326
    Abstract: A method of detecting airflow blockage of a transport refrigeration system including the steps of: activating a heater powered by an electric generation device; measuring an output voltage of the electric generation device; determining a predicted heat output of the heater in response to the output voltage; determining a predicted temperature rise across the heater in response to the predicted heat output; detecting a measured temperature rise across the heater; and determining an airflow reduction percentage in response to the predicted temperature rise across the heater and the measured temperature rise across the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200238791
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of tube elements including a first tube segment and a second tube segment and at least one return bend connecting an end of the first tube segment the second tube segment such that the plurality of tube elements and the at least one return bend define a fluid flow path of the heat exchanger. The at least one return bend is positioned within a cavity isolated from a remainder of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, JR.
  • Publication number: 20200116407
    Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration system includes initiating a compressor shutdown operation, determining a difference in a saturation temperature at a port of a compressor of the refrigeration system and an ambient temperature and comparing the difference in the saturation temperature and ambient temperature with a threshold. If the difference in the saturation temperature and ambient temperature is less than or equal to the threshold, a pump down operation is performed and if the difference in the saturation temperature and ambient temperature exceeds the threshold, a compressor shutdown operation is completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, JR.
  • Patent number: 10571167
    Abstract: A transportation refrigeration unit includes an evaporator 32 circulating a flow of refrigerant therethrough to cool a flow of supply air flowing over the evaporator. Two compressors 36,38 are in fluid communication with the evaporator to compress the flow of refrigerant and are configured and connected to operate in parallel with one another. A condenser 44 is in fluid communication with the evaporator and the two compressors. An economizer heat exchanger 56 and a suction line heat exchanger 68 are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10539340
    Abstract: A multi-compartment transport refrigeration system includes a heat rejecting heat exchanger downstream of a compressor discharge port; a first evaporator expansion device downstream of the heat rejecting heat exchanger; a first evaporator having an first evaporator inlet coupled to the first evaporator expansion device and a first evaporator outlet coupled to the compressor inlet path, the first evaporator for cooling a first compartment; a second evaporator expansion device downstream of the heat rejecting heat exchanger; a second evaporator having a second evaporator inlet coupled to the second evaporator expansion device and a second evaporator outlet coupled to the compressor inlet path, the second evaporator for cooling a second compartment; and a first evaporator outlet isolation valve positioned in an outlet of the first evaporator, the first evaporator outlet isolation valve to prevent migration of refrigerant from the second evaporator outlet to the first evaporator outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Raymond L. Senf, Jr., Donald B Hotaling