Patents by Inventor Rick T. James
Rick T. James 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).
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Patent number: 11661949Abstract: Centrifugal compressors can incorporate a side stream flow of intermediate pressure vapor between stages of that compressor. The side stream flow can be controlled by a side stream injection port controlled by a capacity control valve that has a curved surface facing a flow of refrigerant from the first stage to the second stage. The capacity control valve can allow or obstruct flow through the side stream injection port. The capacity control valve can extend and retract in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow from the first stage impeller to the second stage impeller. The side stream injection port and the capacity control valve can be ring-shaped. The side stream injection port and the capacity control valve can allow at least some of the side stream to be introduced on a side of the capacity control valve opposite the curved surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2022Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Rick T. James, Yuanjie Wu, Christopher Glen Thilges, Mark W. Harrison, Jon Christopher Johnson
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Publication number: 20220349414Abstract: Centrifugal compressors can incorporate a side stream flow of intermediate pressure vapor between stages of that compressor. The side stream flow can be controlled by a side stream injection port controlled by a capacity control valve that has a curved surface facing a flow of refrigerant from the first stage to the second stage. The capacity control valve can allow or obstruct flow through the side stream injection port. The capacity control valve can extend and retract in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow from the first stage impeller to the second stage impeller. The side stream injection port and the capacity control valve can be ring-shaped. The side stream injection port and the capacity control valve can allow at least some of the side stream to be introduced on a side of the capacity control valve opposite the curved surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Rick T. James, Yuanjie Wu, Christopher Glen Thilges, Mark W. Harrison, Jon Christopher Johnson
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Patent number: 11391289Abstract: Centrifugal compressors can incorporate a side stream flow of intermediate pressure vapor between stages of that compressor. The side stream flow can be controlled by a side stream injection port controlled by a capacity control valve that has a curved surface facing a flow of refrigerant from the first stage to the second stage. The capacity control valve can allow or obstruct flow through the side stream injection port. The capacity control valve can extend and retract in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow from the first stage impeller to the second stage impeller. The side stream injection port and the capacity control valve can be ring-shaped. The side stream injection port and the capacity control valve can allow at least some of the side stream to be introduced on a side of the capacity control valve opposite the curved surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Rick T. James, Yuanjie Wu, Christopher Glen Thilges, Mark W. Harrison, Jon Christopher Johnson
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Publication number: 20210340988Abstract: Centrifugal compressors can incorporate a side stream flow of intermediate pressure vapor between stages of that compressor. The side stream flow can be controlled by a side stream injection port controlled by a capacity control valve that has a curved surface facing a flow of refrigerant from the first stage to the second stage. The capacity control valve can allow or obstruct flow through the side stream injection port. The capacity control valve can extend and retract in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow from the first stage impeller to the second stage impeller. The side stream injection port and the capacity control valve can be ring-shaped. The side stream injection port and the capacity control valve can allow at least some of the side stream to be introduced on a side of the capacity control valve opposite the curved surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2020Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: Rick T. James, Yuanjie Wu, Christopher Glen Thilges, Mark W. Harrison, Jon Christopher Johnson
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Patent number: 9683758Abstract: A coaxial economizer for use in a chiller system comprising an inner housing and an outer housing having a common longitudinal axis. The outer housing has an inlet for receiving a fluid from a upstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor and an outlet for conveying a fluid to a downstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor. A flow chamber forms a fluid flow path about the inner housing. A flash chamber is coterminous with the flow chamber and flashes fluid in a liquid state to a gas state. A flow passage between said flash chamber and the flow chamber for conveying a flashed gas from the flash chamber to the flow chamber; wherein the flashed gas conveyed from the flash chamber and the fluid received from the inlet of the outer housing mix along the fluid flow path toward the outlet of the outer housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Rick T. James, Paul F. Haley, Randall L. Janssen, William J. Plzak
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Patent number: 9556875Abstract: A centrifugal compressor assembly for compressing refrigerant in a 250-ton capacity or larger chiller system comprising a motor, preferably a compact, high energy density motor or permanent magnet motor, for driving a shaft at a range of sustained operating speeds under the control of a variable speed drive. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises a mixed flow impeller and a vaneless diffuser sized such that a final stage compressor operates with an optimal specific speed range for targeted combinations of head and capacity, while a non-final stage compressor operates above the optimum specific speed of the final stage compressor. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises an integrated inlet flow conditioning assembly to condition flow of refrigerant into an impeller to achieve a target approximately constant angle swirl distribution with minimal guide vane turning.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Paul F. Haley, Dennis R. Dorman, Frederic Byron Hamm, Jr., David M. Foye, James A. Kwiatkowski, Rick T. James, Randall L. Janssen, William J. Plzak
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Publication number: 20160273549Abstract: A centrifugal compressor assembly for compressing refrigerant in a 250-ton capacity or larger chiller system comprising a motor, preferably a compact, high energy density motor or permanent magnet motor, for driving a shaft at a range of sustained operating speeds under the control of a variable speed drive. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises a mixed flow impeller and a vaneless diffuser sized such that a final stage compressor operates with an optimal specific speed range for targeted combinations of head and capacity, while a non-final stage compressor operates above the optimum specific speed of the final stage compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2016Publication date: September 22, 2016Inventors: Paul F. Haley, Rick T. James
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Patent number: 9353765Abstract: A centrifugal compressor assembly for compressing refrigerant in a 250-ton capacity or larger chiller system comprising a motor, preferably a compact, high energy density motor or permanent magnet motor, for driving a shaft at a range of sustained operating speeds under the control of a variable speed drive. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises a mixed flow impeller and a vaneless diffuser sized such that a final stage compressor operates with an optimal specific speed range for targeted combinations of head and capacity, while a non-final stage compressor operates above the optimum specific speed of the final stage compressor.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Paul F. Haley, Rick T. James
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Publication number: 20150013360Abstract: A coaxial economizer for use in a chiller system comprising an inner housing and an outer housing having a common longitudinal axis. The outer housing has an inlet for receiving a fluid from a upstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor and an outlet for conveying a fluid to a downstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor. A flow chamber forms a fluid flow path about the inner housing. A flash chamber is coterminous with the flow chamber and flashes fluid in a liquid state to a gas state. A flow passage between said flash chamber and the flow chamber for conveying a flashed gas from the flash chamber to the flow chamber; wherein the flashed gas conveyed from the flash chamber and the fluid received from the inlet of the outer housing mix along the fluid flow path toward the outlet of the outer housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Paul F. Haley, Dennis R. Dorman, Frederic Byron Hamm, David M. Foye, James A. Kwiatkowski, Rick T. James, Randall L. Janssen, William J. Plzak
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Patent number: 8844318Abstract: A coaxial economizer for use in a chiller system comprising an inner housing and an outer housing having a common longitudinal axis. The outer housing has an inlet for receiving a fluid from a upstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor and an outlet for conveying a fluid to a downstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor. A flow chamber forms a fluid flow path about the inner housing. A flash chamber is coterminous with the flow chamber and flashes fluid in a liquid state to a gas state. A flow passage between said flash chamber and the flow chamber for conveying a flashed gas from the flash chamber to the flow chamber; wherein the flashed gas conveyed from the flash chamber and the fluid received from the inlet of the outer housing mix along the fluid flow path toward the outlet of the outer housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Rick T. James, Paul F. Haley, Randall L. Janssen, William J. Plzak
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Publication number: 20140127059Abstract: A centrifugal compressor assembly for compressing refrigerant in a 250-ton capacity or larger chiller system comprising a motor, preferably a compact, high energy density motor or permanent magnet motor, for driving a shaft at a range of sustained operating speeds under the control of a variable speed drive. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises a mixed flow impeller and a vaneless diffuser sized such that a final stage compressor operates with an optimal specific speed range for targeted combinations of head and capacity, while a non-final stage compressor operates above the optimum specific speed of the final stage compressor. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises an integrated inlet flow conditioning assembly to condition flow of refrigerant into an impeller to achieve a target approximately constant angle swirl distribution with minimal guide vane turning.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2014Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Trane International, Inc.Inventors: Paul F. Haley, Dennis R. Dorman, Frederic Byron Hamm, JR., David M. Foye, James A. Kwiatkowski, Rick T. James, Randall L. Janssen, William J. Plzak
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Patent number: 8627680Abstract: A centrifugal compressor assembly for compressing refrigerant in a 250-ton capacity or larger chiller system comprising a motor, preferably a compact, high energy density motor or permanent magnet motor, for driving a shaft at a range of sustained operating speeds under the control of a variable speed drive. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises a mixed flow impeller and a vaneless diffuser sized such that a final stage compressor operates with an optimal specific speed range for targeted combinations of head and capacity, while a non-final stage compressor operates above the optimum specific speed of the final stage compressor. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises an integrated inlet flow conditioning assembly to condition flow of refrigerant into an impeller to achieve a target approximately constant angle swirl distribution with minimal guide vane turning.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Trane International, Inc.Inventors: Paul H. Haley, Dennis R. Dorman, Frederic Byron Hamm, Jr., David M. Foye, James A. Kwiatkowski, Rick T. James, Randall L. Janssen, William J. Plzak
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Publication number: 20120087815Abstract: A centrifugal compressor assembly for compressing refrigerant in a 250-ton capacity or larger chiller system comprising a motor, preferably a compact, high energy density motor or permanent magnet motor, for driving a shaft at a range of sustained operating speeds under the control of a variable speed drive. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises a mixed flow impeller and a vaneless diffuser sized such that a final stage compressor operates with an optimal specific speed range for targeted combinations of head and capacity, while a non-final stage compressor operates above the optimum specific speed of the final stage compressor. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises an integrated inlet flow conditioning assembly to condition flow of refrigerant into an impeller to achieve a target approximately constant angle swirl distribution with minimal guide vane turning.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Inventors: Paul H. Haley, Dennis R. Dorman, Frederic Byron Hamm, JR., David M. Foye, James A. Kwiatkowski, Rick T. James, Randall L. Janssen, William J. Plzak
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Publication number: 20110296859Abstract: A coaxial economizer for use in a chiller system comprising an inner housing and an outer housing having a common longitudinal axis. The outer housing has an inlet for receiving a fluid from a upstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor and an outlet for conveying a fluid to a downstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor. A flow chamber forms a fluid flow path about the inner housing. A flash chamber is coterminous with the flow chamber and flashes fluid in a liquid state to a gas state. A flow passage between said flash chamber and the flow chamber for conveying a flashed gas from the flash chamber to the flow chamber; wherein the flashed gas conveyed from the flash chamber and the fluid received from the inlet of the outer housing mix along the fluid flow path toward the outlet of the outer housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventors: Rick T. James, Paul F. Haley, Randall L. Janssen, William J. Plzak
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Patent number: 8037713Abstract: A centrifugal compressor assembly for compressing refrigerant in a 250-ton capacity or larger chiller system comprising a motor, preferably a compact, high energy density motor or permanent magnet motor, for driving a shaft at a range of sustained operating speeds under the control of a variable speed drive. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises a mixed flow impeller and a vaneless diffuser sized such that a final stage compressor operates with an optimal specific speed range for targeted combinations of head and capacity, while a non-final stage compressor operates above the optimum specific speed of the final stage compressor.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Trane International, Inc.Inventors: Paul F. Haley, Dennis R. Dorman, Frederic Byron Hamm, Jr., David M. Foye, James A. Kwiatkowski, Rick T. James, Randall L. Janssen, William J. Plzak
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Patent number: 7975506Abstract: A coaxial economizer for use in a chiller system comprising an inner housing and an outer housing having a common longitudinal axis. The outer housing has an inlet for receiving a fluid from a upstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor and an outlet for conveying a fluid to a downstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor. A flow chamber forms a fluid flow path about the inner housing. A flash chamber is coterminous with the flow chamber and flashes fluid in a liquid state to a gas state. A flow passage between said flash chamber and the flow chamber for conveying a flashed gas from the flash chamber to the flow chamber; wherein the flashed gas conveyed from the flash chamber and the fluid received from the inlet of the outer housing mix along the fluid flow path toward the outlet of the outer housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Trane International, Inc.Inventors: Rick T. James, Paul F. Haley, Randall L. Janssen, William J. Plzak
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Publication number: 20090205360Abstract: A centrifugal compressor assembly for compressing refrigerant in a 250-ton capacity or larger chiller system comprising a motor, preferably a compact, high energy density motor or permanent magnet motor, for driving a shaft at a range of sustained operating speeds under the control of a variable speed drive. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises a mixed flow impeller and a vaneless diffuser sized such that a final stage compressor operates with an optimal specific speed range for targeted combinations of head and capacity, while a non-final stage compressor operates above the optimum specific speed of the final stage compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: Paul H. Haley, Dennis R. Dorman, Frederic Byron Hamm, Jr., David M. Foye, James A. Kwiatkowski, Rick T. James, Randall L. Janssen, William J. Plzak
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Publication number: 20090208331Abstract: A centrifugal compressor assembly for compressing refrigerant in a 250-ton capacity or larger chiller system comprising a motor, preferably a compact, high energy density motor or permanent magnet motor, for driving a shaft at a range of sustained operating speeds under the control of a variable speed drive. Another embodiment of the centrifugal compressor assembly comprises a mixed flow impeller and a vaneless diffuser sized such that a final stage compressor operates with an optimal specific speed range for targeted combinations of head and capacity, while a non-final stage compressor operates above the optimum specific speed of the final stage compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: Paul F. Haley, Rick T. James
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Publication number: 20090205361Abstract: A coaxial economizer for use in a chiller system comprising an inner housing and an outer housing having a common longitudinal axis. The outer housing has an inlet for receiving a fluid from a upstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor and an outlet for conveying a fluid to a downstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor. A flow chamber forms a fluid flow path about the inner housing. A flash chamber is coterminous with the flow chamber and flashes fluid in a liquid state to a gas state. A flow passage between said flash chamber and the flow chamber for conveying a flashed gas from the flash chamber to the flow chamber; wherein the flashed gas conveyed from the flash chamber and the fluid received from the inlet of the outer housing mix along the fluid flow path toward the outlet of the outer housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: Rick T. James, Paul F. Haley, Randall L. Janssen, William J. Plzak