Patents by Inventor Roger J. Voorhis
Roger J. Voorhis 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: 11035357Abstract: Method and system for controlling a compressor and a supply fan in a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system are disclosed. The system includes a compressor having a startup state and a running state, a supply fan, and a controller configured to control the compressor and the supply fan in the HVAC system. The compressor and the supply fan are controlled based on a dehumidification map and/or an efficiency map. The system also includes a cooling coil configured to receive a fluid in heat exchange relationship with refrigerant from an evaporator to cool air. The supply fan is configured to deliver the cooled air from the cooling coil to a conditioned space as supply air.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: John Zhou, Roger J. Voorhis, Thomas J. Clanin
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Patent number: 10852075Abstract: Embodiments of a refrigerant distributor for a micro-channel heat exchanger (MCHEX) are described. The refrigerant distributor may be configured to have orifices and/or a flow valve that are inside a header of the MCHEX. The MCHEX can be used as an evaporator in a cooling cycle, where refrigerant is distributed into the header(s) through the orifices and the flow valve may be generally in a closed state that generally prevents a refrigerant flow through the flow valve. In a heating cycle, the flow valve of the refrigerant distributor may be configured to be in an open state that allows the refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant distributor and to be directed out of the MCHEX through the refrigerant distributor. In some embodiments, the refrigerant distributor may be configured to receive liquid refrigerant, so as to eliminate the need of an expansion valve in a HVAC system.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Roger J. Voorhis, Jun Wang
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Patent number: 10309685Abstract: A combined heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (“HVACR”) system including an HVAC sub-system and a refrigeration sub-system. The HVAC sub-system is in communication with an open space of an indoor environment and includes a first condenser, a first evaporator, and a first compressor at least partially defining a first refrigerant circuit circulating a first refrigerant for selectively conditioning an airflow within the HVAC sub-system that conditions the open space. The refrigeration sub-system is in communication with an enclosed space within the indoor environment and includes a second condenser, a second evaporator, and a second compressor and at least partially defining a second refrigerant circuit circulating a second refrigerant for selectively conditioning the enclosed space. Heat from the second refrigerant is selectively transferred to the airflow within the second condenser to reheat the airflow prior to the airflow being discharged into the open space.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Hussmann CorporationInventors: Norm E. Street, Roger J. Voorhis, Doron Shapiro
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Publication number: 20190154318Abstract: Embodiments of a refrigerant distributor for a micro-channel heat exchanger (MCHEX) are described. The refrigerant distributor may be configured to have orifices and/or a flow valve that are inside a header of the MCHEX. The MCHEX can be used as an evaporator in a cooling cycle, where refrigerant is distributed into the header(s) through the orifices and the flow valve may be generally in a closed state that generally prevents a refrigerant flow through the flow valve. In a heating cycle, the flow valve of the refrigerant distributor may be configured to be in an open state that allows the refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant distributor and to be directed out of the MCHEX through the refrigerant distributor. In some embodiments, the refrigerant distributor may be configured to receive liquid refrigerant, so as to eliminate the need of an expansion valve in a HVAC system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Roger J. VOORHIS, Jun WANG
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Patent number: 10228170Abstract: Embodiments of a refrigerant distributor for a micro-channel heat exchanger (MCHEX) are described. The refrigerant distributor may be configured to have orifices and/or a flow valve that are inside a header of the MCHEX. The MCHEX can be used as an evaporator in a cooling cycle, where refrigerant is distributed into the header(s) through the orifices and the flow valve may be generally in a closed state that generally prevents a refrigerant flow through the flow valve. In a heating cycle, the flow valve of the refrigerant distributor may be configured to be in an open state that allows the refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant distributor and to be directed out of the MCHEX through the refrigerant distributor. In some embodiments, the refrigerant distributor may be configured to receive liquid refrigerant, so as to eliminate the need of an expansion valve in a HVAC system.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Roger J. Voorhis, Jun Wang
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Patent number: 10161685Abstract: Embodiments of a heat exchanger, e.g. a micro-channel heat exchanger are disclosed. The heat exchanger may include a plurality of rows of micro-channel tubes, each of which can be configured to direct a working fluid in a specific direction. The heat exchanger may include one or more distributors in a distribution header of the heat exchanger, each of which can be connected to a different application circuit (e.g. a refrigeration circuit) so that a capacity of the heat exchanger may be regulated. The heat exchanger as disclosed herein can be used as an evaporator and/or a condenser in a refrigeration system.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Roger J. Voorhis, Jr., Jun Wang, Brian Westfall, Sean A. Smith, Tao Zhou, William B. Fox, Felix Quintero, Michael W. Groen, Justin S. Winters, Robert F. Schult
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Publication number: 20180087498Abstract: A system and method for controlling a system that includes a variable speed compressor are described. The method can provide improved accuracy in the control of a system, for example, a heating, ventilating, and air condition (HVAC) system that includes a variable speed compressor, and can reduce a compressor cycling frequency of the compressor when a required capacity is below a minimum capacity of the compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: John ZHOU, Roger J. VOORHIS, Thomas J. CLANIN
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Patent number: 9777724Abstract: A system and method for controlling a system that includes a variable speed compressor are described. The method can provide improved accuracy in the control of a system, for example, a heating, ventilating, and air condition (HVAC) system that includes a variable speed compressor, and can reduce a compressor cycling frequency of the compressor when a required capacity is below a minimum capacity of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: John Zhou, Roger J. Voorhis, Thomas J. Clanin
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Publication number: 20170261221Abstract: A combined heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (“HVACR”) system including an HVAC sub-system and a refrigeration sub-system. The HVAC sub-system is in communication with an open space of an indoor environment and includes a first condenser, a first evaporator, and a first compressor at least partially defining a first refrigerant circuit circulating a first refrigerant for selectively conditioning an airflow within the HVAC sub-system that conditions the open space. The refrigeration sub-system is in communication with an enclosed space within the indoor environment and includes a second condenser, a second evaporator, and a second compressor and at least partially defining a second refrigerant circuit circulating a second refrigerant for selectively conditioning the enclosed space. Heat from the second refrigerant is selectively transferred to the airflow within the second condenser to reheat the airflow prior to the airflow being discharged into the open space.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Norm E. Street, Roger J. Voorhis, Doron Shapiro
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Patent number: 9696059Abstract: A combined heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (“HVACR”) system including an HVAC sub-system and a refrigeration sub-system. The HVAC sub-system is in communication with an open space of an indoor environment and includes a first condenser, a first evaporator, and a first compressor at least partially defining a first refrigerant circuit circulating a first refrigerant for selectively conditioning an airflow within the HVAC subsystem that conditions the open space. The refrigeration sub-system is in communication with an enclosed space within the indoor environment and includes a second condenser, a second evaporator, and a second compressor and at least partially defining a second refrigerant circuit circulating a second refrigerant for selectively conditioning the enclosed space. Heat from the second refrigerant is selectively transferred to the airflow within the second condenser to reheat the airflow prior to the airflow being discharged into the open space.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2011Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Hussmann CorporationInventors: Norm E. Street, Roger J. Voorhis, Doron Shapiro
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Patent number: 9395106Abstract: A system and method for cooling power electronics using heat sinks, and including a heat pump. The heat pump includes a main refrigerant circuit having a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor heat exchanger, and a reversing valve. A biflow expansion valve is configured to receive condensed liquid refrigerant and to expand the refrigerant. A cooling circuit in fluid communication with the main refrigerant line includes an expansion device configured to receive a portion of condensed liquid refrigerant from the main refrigerant circuit and to expand the portion of condensed liquid refrigerant. A heat sink is configured to receive the expanded portion of refrigerant from the expansion device. Power electronics are coupled to the heat sink such that the portion of expanded refrigerant from the expansion device passes through the heat sink and cools the power electronics.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2015Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Roger J. Voorhis
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Publication number: 20160201990Abstract: Embodiments of a heat exchanger, e.g. a micro-channel heat exchanger are disclosed. The heat exchanger may include a plurality of rows of micro-channel tubes, each of which can be configured to direct a working fluid in a specific direction. The heat exchanger may include one or more distributors in a distribution header of the heat exchanger, each of which can be connected to a different application circuit (e.g. a refrigeration circuit) so that a capacity of the heat exchanger may be regulated. The heat exchanger as disclosed herein can be used as an evaporator and/or a condenser in a refrigeration system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Roger J. VOORHIS, JR., Jun WANG, Brian WESTFALL, Sean A. SMITH, Tao ZHOU, William B. FOX, Felix QUINTERO, Michael W. GROEN, Justin S. WINTERS, Robert F. SCHULT
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Publication number: 20160195345Abstract: A condensate drain device includes an elongate base having a first end, a second end and side edges extending between the first and second ends; a plurality of teeth extending away from a side edge of the base; and a lip formed on the side edge of the base opposite from the teeth. Each tooth includes a free end and two side edges. The condensate drain device is configured to be attached to a microchannel coil to collect condensate including a plurality of tubes and a plurality of fins coupled to the tubes, with each tooth being received in a space formed between two adjacent fins.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: July 7, 2016Inventors: Robert Fredrick SCHULT, Jun WANG, Roger J. VOORHIS, Justin Slade WINTERS
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Publication number: 20150345843Abstract: Embodiments of a refrigerant distributor for a micro-channel heat exchanger (MCHEX) are described. The refrigerant distributor may be configured to have orifices and/or a flow valve that are inside a header of the MCHEX. The MCHEX can be used as an evaporator in a cooling cycle, where refrigerant is distributed into the header(s) through the orifices and the flow valve may be generally in a closed state that generally prevents a refrigerant flow through the flow valve. In a heating cycle, the flow valve of the refrigerant distributor may be configured to be in an open state that allows the refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant distributor and to be directed out of the MCHEX through the refrigerant distributor. In some embodiments, the refrigerant distributor may be configured to receive liquid refrigerant, so as to eliminate the need of an expansion valve in a HVAC system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Roger J. VOORHIS, Jun WANG
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Publication number: 20150337831Abstract: A system and method for controlling a system that includes a variable speed compressor are described. The method can provide improved accuracy in the control of a system, for example, a heating, ventilating, and air condition (HVAC) system that includes a variable speed compressor, and can reduce a compressor cycling frequency of the compressor when a required capacity is below a minimum capacity of the compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: John ZHOU, Roger J. VOORHIS, Thomas J. CLANIN
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Publication number: 20150153075Abstract: A heat pump includes a main refrigerant circuit having a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor heat exchanger, and a reversing valve. A biflow expansion valve is configured to receive condensed liquid refrigerant and to expand the refrigerant. A cooling circuit in fluid communication with the main refrigerant line includes an expansion device configured to receive a portion of condensed liquid refrigerant from the main refrigerant circuit and to expand the portion of condensed liquid refrigerant. A heat sink is configured to receive the expanded portion of refrigerant from the expansion device. Power electronics are coupled to the heat sink such that the portion of expanded refrigerant from the expansion device passes through the heat sink and cools the power electronics.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2015Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventor: Roger J. Voorhis
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Patent number: 8950201Abstract: A heat pump includes a main refrigerant circuit having a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor heat exchanger, and a reversing valve. A biflow expansion valve is configured to receive condensed liquid refrigerant and to expand the refrigerant. A cooling circuit in fluid communication with the main refrigerant line includes an expansion device configured to receive a portion of condensed liquid refrigerant from the main refrigerant circuit and to expand the portion of condensed liquid refrigerant. A heat sink is configured to receive the expanded portion of refrigerant from the expansion device. Power electronics are coupled to the heat sink such that the portion of expanded refrigerant from the expansion device passes through the heat sink and cools the power electronics.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventor: Roger J. Voorhis
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Patent number: 8561426Abstract: A flow restriction or metering device for a refrigerant system includes a crimped or otherwise formed tubular insert that is installed within a standard flare fitting. The flare fitting can be similar to those used for coupling two refrigerant lines, or the fitting can be part of a service valve, such as those used for charging, discharging, or servicing refrigerant systems. The insert provides a fixed orifice having a predetermined flow coefficient. The insert is removably clamped within the fitting and extends into a refrigerant line that connects to the fitting.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2008Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventor: Roger J. Voorhis
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Publication number: 20130255292Abstract: A heat pump includes a main refrigerant circuit having a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor heat exchanger, and a reversing valve. A biflow expansion valve is configured to receive condensed liquid refrigerant and to expand the refrigerant. A cooling circuit in fluid communication with the main refrigerant line includes an expansion device configured to receive a portion of condensed liquid refrigerant from the main refrigerant circuit and to expand the portion of condensed liquid refrigerant. A heat sink is configured to receive the expanded portion of refrigerant from the expansion device. Power electronics are coupled to the heat sink such that the portion of expanded refrigerant from the expansion device passes through the heat sink and cools the power electronics.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: Ingersoll-Rand CompanyInventor: Roger J. Voorhis
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Publication number: 20130167577Abstract: A combined heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (“HVACR”) system including an HVAC sub-system and a refrigeration sub-system. The HVAC sub-system is in communication with an open space of an indoor environment and includes a first condenser, a first evaporator, and a first compressor at least partially defining a first refrigerant circuit circulating a first refrigerant for selectively conditioning an airflow within the HVAC subsystem that conditions the open space. The refrigeration sub-system is in communication with an enclosed space within the indoor environment and includes a second con-denser, a second evaporator, and a second compressor and at least partially defining a second refrigerant circuit circulating a second refrigerant for selectively conditioning the enclosed space. Heat from the second refrigerant is selectively transferred to the airflow within the second condenser to reheat the airflow prior to the airflow being discharged into the open space.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: HUSSMANN CORPORATIONInventors: Norm E. Street, Roger J. Voorhis, Doron Shapiro