Patents by Inventor Richard K. Mitchell

Richard K. Mitchell 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: 11092347
    Abstract: Multiple-zone chilled beam air conditioning systems for cooling multiple-zone spaces, methods of controlling chilled beams in multi-zone air conditioning systems, and chilled-beam modules for controlling zones of a chilled-beam heating and air conditioning system. Embodiments include a pump serving each zone that both recirculates water within the module and chilled beam and circulates water in and out of a chilled water distribution system through one or more valves to control the temperature of the water delivered to the chilled beams. Different embodiments adjust the temperature of the beam to avoid condensation, change pump speed to save energy or increase capacity, provide heating as well as cooling, use check valves to reduce the number of control valves required, can be used in two- or four-pipe systems, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SEMCO LLC
    Inventors: John C. Fischer, Kirk T. Mescher, Richard K. Mitchell, Stephen P. Glen, Steven S. Carroll
  • Patent number: 10364995
    Abstract: Ventilating units that include a recovery wheel, a supply air outlet from the wheel, an outdoor air supply fan that moves outdoor air through the recovery wheel, an economizer damper that opens to bring outdoor air directly into the supply air outlet, and an exhaust air discharge fan that moves exhaust air through the recovery wheel and to outdoors; HVAC units that include air conditioning with an air handler supply fan, a recovery wheel, an economizer section, an outdoor air supply fan, and controls; and methods of controlling airflow in an HVAC unit that include controlling an economizer damper based on outdoor and return air temperature and enthalpy or dew point. Some ventilating units connect to a packaged air handler and other ventilating units include the air handler, cooling coil, and air handler supply fan. Some embodiments include another damper that opens to bypass the recovery wheel for power exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: SEMCO LLC
    Inventors: John C. Fischer, Richard K. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20180372345
    Abstract: Multiple-zone chilled beam air conditioning systems for cooling multiple-zone spaces, methods of controlling chilled beams in multi-zone air conditioning systems, and chilled-beam modules for controlling zones of a chilled-beam heating and air conditioning system. Embodiments include a pump serving each zone that both recirculates water within the module and chilled beam and circulates water in and out of a chilled water distribution system through one or more valves to control the temperature of the wafer delivered to the chilled beams. Different embodiments adjust the temperature of the beam to avoid condensation, change pump speed to save energy or increase capacity, provide heating as well as cooling, use check valves to reduce the number of control valves required, can be used in two- or four-pipe systems, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: John C. Fischer, Kirk T. Mescher, Richard K. Mitchell, Stephen P. Glen, Steven S. Carroll
  • Patent number: 10060638
    Abstract: Multiple-zone chilled beam air conditioning systems for cooling multiple-zone spaces, methods of controlling chilled beams in multi-zone air conditioning systems, and chilled-beam pump modules for controlling zones of a chilled-beam heating and air conditioning system. Embodiments include a pump serving each zone that both recirculates water within the module and chilled beam and circulates water in and out of a chilled water distribution system through one or more valves to control the temperature of the water delivered to the chilled beams. Different embodiments adjust the temperature of the beam to avoid condensation, change pump speed to save energy or increase capacity, provide heating as well as cooling, use check valves to reduce the number of control valves required, can be used in two- or four-pipe systems, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: SEMCO LLC
    Inventors: John C. Fischer, Kirk T. Mescher, Richard K. Mitchell, Stephen P. Glen, Steven S. Carroll
  • Publication number: 20170205088
    Abstract: Chilled-beam zone pump modules for controlling zones of a chilled-beam heating and air conditioning system, multiple-zone chilled beam air conditioning systems for cooling multiple-zone spaces, and methods of controlling chilled beams in multi-zone air conditioning systems. Embodiments include a pump serving each zone that both recirculates water within the module and chilled beam and circulates water in and out of a chilled or warm water distribution system through valves to control temperature. Different embodiments provide heating as well as cooling, use check valves to reduce the number of control valves required, adjust the temperature of the beam to avoid condensation, change pump speed to save energy or increase capacity, can be used in two- or four-pipe systems, allow for lower installation cost, provide better performance or control, improve reliability, overcome barriers to the use of chilled beams, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: John C. Fischer, Kirk T. Mescher, Richard K. Mitchell, Stephen P. Glen, Steven S. Carroll
  • Patent number: 9625222
    Abstract: Chilled-beam zone pump modules for controlling zones of a chilled-beam heating and air conditioning system, multiple-zone chilled beam air conditioning systems for cooling multiple-zone spaces, and methods of controlling chilled beams in multi-zone air conditioning systems. Embodiments include a pump serving each zone that both recirculates water within the module and chilled beam and circulates water in and out of a chilled or warm water distribution system through valves to control the temperature of the water delivered to the chilled beams. Different embodiments provide heating as well as cooling, use check valves to reduce the number of control valves required, adjust the temperature of the beam to avoid condensation, change pump speed to save energy or increase capacity, can be used in two- or four-pipe systems, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SEMCO LLC
    Inventors: John C. Fischer, Kirk T. Mescher, Richard K. Mitchell, Stephen P. Glen, Steven S. Carroll
  • Publication number: 20160169544
    Abstract: Ventilating units that include a recovery wheel, a supply air outlet from the wheel, an outdoor air supply fan that moves outdoor air through the recovery wheel, an economizer damper that opens to bring outdoor air directly into the supply air outlet, and an exhaust air discharge fan that moves exhaust air through the recovery wheel and to outdoors; HVAC units that include air conditioning with an air handler supply fan, a recovery wheel, an economizer section, an outdoor air supply fan, and controls; and methods of controlling airflow in an HVAC unit that include controlling an economizer damper based on outdoor and return air temperature and enthalpy or dew point. Some ventilating units connect to a packaged air handler and other ventilating units include the air handler, cooling coil, and air handler supply fan. Some embodiments include another damper that opens to bypass the recovery wheel for power exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: John C. Fischer, Richard K. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7886986
    Abstract: Control systems for recovery wheels, ventilation systems with recovery devices, buildings having ventilation, and methods of controlling recovery wheels and controlling or modifying ventilation systems. A parameter of ventilation systems or recovery devices, such as the speed of a recovery wheel, may be controlled as a function of pressure, differential pressure, flow rate, or fan speed, for example, to provide appropriate purge flow to maintain purge effectiveness and limit the carry-over of contaminants from a return/exhaust airstream to an outside/supply airstream, for instance, in a variable air-volume system. A purge angle may be set at a minimum position commensurate with a maximum flow rate and recovery-wheel speed may be reduced at lower flows to maintain purge effectiveness. In some embodiments, temperature and humidity are measured, and wheel speed is also controlled as a function of these measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Semco Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Fischer, Jr., Michael L. Boles, Richard K. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20080108295
    Abstract: Control systems for recovery wheels, ventilation systems with recovery devices, buildings having ventilation, and methods of controlling recovery wheels and controlling or modifying ventilation systems. A parameter of ventilation systems or recovery devices, such as the speed of a recovery wheel, may be controlled as a function of pressure, differential pressure, flow rate, or fan speed, for example, to provide appropriate purge flow to maintain purge effectiveness and limit the carry-over of contaminants from a return/exhaust airstream to an outside/supply airstream, for instance, in a variable air-volume system. A purge angle may be set at a minimum position commensurate with a maximum flow rate and recovery-wheel speed may be reduced at lower flows to maintain purge effectiveness. In some embodiments, temperature and humidity are measured, and wheel speed is also controlled as a function of these measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: SEMCO Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Fischer, Michael L. Boles, Richard K. Mitchell