Patents by Inventor Robert Scott Hicks

Robert Scott Hicks 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: 8109107
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to efficiently regulate flow of refrigerant while maintaining a sealed chamber in systems providing stored thermal energy for use during peak electrical demand. A mixed-phase regulator replaces the thermostatic expansion valve used in conventional air-conditioning systems that, along with capillary tubes and orifices, regulates the refrigerant fed from the compressor to the heat load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks, Robert K. Kerrigan, Christopher A. Kay
  • Publication number: 20110048058
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks
  • Patent number: 7827807
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks
  • Publication number: 20100162735
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to efficiently regulate flow of refrigerant while maintaining a sealed chamber in systems providing stored thermal energy for use during peak electrical demand. A mixed-phase regulator replaces the thermostatic expansion valve used in conventional air-conditioning systems that, along with capillary tubes and orifices, regulates the refrigerant fed from the compressor to the heat load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks, Robert K. Kerrigan, Christopher A. Kay
  • Patent number: 7690212
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to efficiently regulate flow of refrigerant while maintaining a sealed chamber in systems providing stored thermal energy for use during peak electrical demand. A mixed-phase regulator replaces the thermostatic expansion valve used in conventional air-conditioning systems that, along with capillary tubes and orifices, regulates the refrigerant fed from the compressor to the heat load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks, Robert K. Kerrigan, Christopher A. Kay
  • Publication number: 20090183518
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks
  • Patent number: 7503185
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks