Patents by Inventor Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan

Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan 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: 12674630
    Abstract: An interlaced heat exchanger is described. The interlaced heat exchanger includes a plurality of microchannel tubes configured to allow flow of a first fluid therethrough and a plurality of flat tubes configured to allow flow of a second fluid therethrough to exchange heat with the first fluid. The plurality of microchannel tubes and the plurality of flat tubes are stacked in an alternating arrangement along a longitudinal axis of the interlaced heat exchanger such that the plurality of microchannel tubes and the plurality of flat tubes are interlaced. The interlaced heat exchanger further includes a plurality of fin plates interspersed with the plurality of microchannel tubes and the plurality of flat tubes. The plurality of fin plates allows a flow of air across a width of the interlaced heat exchanger to exchange heat with at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2026
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Baojie Mu, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 12578128
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a heat pump having a thermal energy storage (TES) material. The heat pump can include a first heat exchanger to exchange heat between ambient air and refrigerant, a second heat exchanger to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air supplied to a climate-controlled space, and a third heat exchanger to exchange heat between the TES material and the refrigerant in a first fluid path and the refrigerant in a second fluid path. The heat pump can include a first compressor to circulate refrigerant to the first, second, and third heat exchangers and a second compressor to circulate refrigerant to the second and third heat exchangers. The first compressor can facilitate heat exchange between the ambient air and the TES material and the second compressor can facilitate heat exchange between the TES material and the air supplied to the climate-controlled space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2026
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Yang Zou, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 12347840
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes devices, systems, and methods for a battery-integrated heat pump system. The disclosed technology can include a heat pump system having a battery, a compressor, and a variable speed drive in electrical communication with the battery and the compressor. The variable speed drive can be configured to control a speed of the compressor. The heat pump system can include a fan that can be configured to move air across a heat exchanger coil of the heat pump system and the battery can be located in an airflow path of the fan such that the fan can also move air across the battery to regulate a temperature of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Christopher Day, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan, Yang Zou
  • Patent number: 12313271
    Abstract: Embodiments include overflow sensor assemblies for water heaters, HVAC systems, and other devices for which temperature control systems may be used. An example overflow sensor assembly for detecting fluid leaks at a device may include a sensor probe configured to be in electrical communication with a power supply, and a sensor mounting bracket that forms a ground, where the sensor mounting bracket is configured to be adjustably coupled to a mounting surface on the device, such that the sensor mounting bracket can deflect about the mounting surface. The sensor probe is suspended from the sensor mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Kenneth D. Frederick, Kevin M. Ray, Karl S. Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Publication number: 20250109898
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a heat pump water heater can include a heat pump water heater system having an evaporator, a condenser, a vapor injection line, a compressor, and a multi-fluid heat exchanger. The vapor injection line can include an expansion valve to transition refrigerant received from the condenser at a first pressure to a second pressure. The compressor can be configured to circulate refrigerant through the condenser, the multi-fluid heat exchanger, the vapor injection line, and the evaporator. The multi-fluid heat exchanger can be configured to receive refrigerant at a first pressure from the condenser, refrigerant at a second pressure from the vapor injection line, and water. The multi-fluid heat exchanger can further facilitate heat transfer between the refrigerants at the first and second pressures and the water to preheat the water before the water is passed through the condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2024
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: Yang Zou, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan, Atilhan Manay, Vishwanath Reddy Ardha
  • Publication number: 20250060114
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for heating water and cooling air simultaneously, as well as other simultaneous heating and cooling operations. An example variable refrigerant flow conditioning system includes an outdoor unit having a compressor, a condenser coil, and a fan, a water heater coupled to the outdoor unit, a first air conditioning unit coupled to the outdoor unit, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine that a cooling mode is active during a first time interval, cause vapor refrigerant to be directed from the outdoor unit to the water heater and liquid refrigerant to be directed from the outdoor unit to the first air conditioning unit, determine that an air heating mode is active during a second time interval, and cause the vapor refrigerant to be directed from the outdoor unit to both the water heater and the first air conditioning unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Christopher Day, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 12209783
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a heat pump water heater can include a heat pump water heater system having an evaporator, a condenser, a vapor injection line, a compressor, and a multi-fluid heat exchanger. The vapor injection line can include an expansion valve to transition refrigerant received from the condenser at a first pressure to a second pressure. The compressor can be configured to circulate refrigerant through the condenser, the multi-fluid heat exchanger, the vapor injection line, and the evaporator. The multi-fluid heat exchanger can be configured to receive refrigerant at a first pressure from the condenser, refrigerant at a second pressure from the vapor injection line, and water. The multi-fluid heat exchanger can further facilitate heat transfer between the refrigerants at the first and second pressures and the water to preheat the water before the water is passed through the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Yang Zou, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan, Atilhan Manay, Vishwanath Reddy Ardha
  • Publication number: 20250020378
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for controlling an air conditioning system. The method of controlling the air conditioning system can include receiving air temperature data from an air temperature sensor and determining that the air conditioning system should operate in a reheat mode based on the air temperature being less than a threshold air temperature. The method can include outputting a control signal to a first electronic expansion valve to close and thereby prevent refrigerant to flow through an outdoor condenser coil. The method can also include outputting a control signal to a second electronic expansion valve to open and thereby permit refrigerant to flow through a reheat coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Karl Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 12173909
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for heating water and cooling air simultaneously, as well as other simultaneous heating and cooling operations. An example variable refrigerant flow conditioning system includes an outdoor unit having a compressor, a condenser coil, and a fan, a water heater coupled to the outdoor unit, a first air conditioning unit coupled to the outdoor unit, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine that a cooling operation mode is active during a first time interval, cause vapor refrigerant to be directed from the outdoor unit to the water heater and liquid refrigerant to be directed from the outdoor unit to the first air conditioning unit, determine that a heating operation mode is active during a second time interval, and cause the vapor refrigerant to be directed from the outdoor unit to both the water heater and the first air conditioning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Christopher Day, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Publication number: 20240384943
    Abstract: An interlaced heat exchanger is described. The interlaced heat exchanger includes a plurality of microchannel tubes configured to allow flow of a first fluid therethrough and a plurality of flat tubes configured to allow flow of a second fluid therethrough to exchange heat with the first fluid. The plurality of microchannel tubes and the plurality of flat tubes are stacked in an alternating arrangement along a longitudinal axis of the interlaced heat exchanger such that the plurality of microchannel tubes and the plurality of flat tubes are interlaced. The interlaced heat exchanger further includes a plurality of fin plates interspersed with the plurality of microchannel tubes and the plurality of flat tubes. The plurality of fin plates allows a flow of air across a width of the interlaced heat exchanger to exchange heat with at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Baojie Mu, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 12135156
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for controlling an air conditioning system. The method of controlling the air conditioning system can include receiving air temperature data from an air temperature sensor and determining that the air conditioning system should operate in a reheat mode based on the air temperature being less than a threshold air temperature. The method can include outputting a control signal to a first electronic expansion valve to close and thereby prevent refrigerant to flow through an outdoor condenser coil. The method can also include outputting a control signal to a second electronic expansion valve to open and thereby permit refrigerant to flow through a reheat coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Karl Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Publication number: 20240230129
    Abstract: An air mover system for use in an indoor unit of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a blower comprising a motor and a blower control unit configured to control operations of the motor. The blower control unit includes a controller and a sensor communicably coupled to the controller. The sensor is configured to sense air inside the indoor unit and to provide sensor information to the controller. The controller is configured to determine whether a refrigerant is present in the air based on the sensor information and to control the blower to move the air out of the indoor unit in response to determining that the refrigerant is present in the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Michael W. Branson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 12018900
    Abstract: An interlaced heat exchanger is described. The interlaced heat exchanger includes a plurality of microchannel tubes configured to allow flow of a first fluid therethrough and a plurality of flat tubes configured to allow flow of a second fluid therethrough to exchange heat with the first fluid. The plurality of microchannel tubes and the plurality of flat tubes are stacked in an alternating arrangement along a longitudinal axis of the interlaced heat exchanger such that the plurality of microchannel tubes and the plurality of flat tubes are interlaced. The interlaced heat exchanger further includes a plurality of fin plates interspersed with the plurality of microchannel tubes and the plurality of flat tubes. The plurality of fin plates allows a flow of air across a width of the interlaced heat exchanger to exchange heat with at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Baojie Mu, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Publication number: 20240142126
    Abstract: Embodiments include overflow sensor assemblies for water heaters, HVAC systems, and other devices for which temperature control systems may be used. An example overflow sensor assembly for detecting fluid leaks at a device may include a sensor probe configured to be in electrical communication with a power supply, and a sensor mounting bracket that forms a ground, where the sensor mounting bracket is configured to be adjustably coupled to a mounting surface on the device, such that the sensor mounting bracket can deflect about the mounting surface. The sensor probe is suspended from the sensor mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Kenneth D. Frederick, Kevin M. Ray, Karl S. Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11971184
    Abstract: An air mover system for use in an indoor unit of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a blower comprising a motor and a blower control unit configured to control operations of the motor. The blower control unit includes a controller and a sensor communicably coupled to the controller. The sensor is configured to sense air inside the indoor unit and to provide sensor information to the controller. The controller is configured to determine whether a refrigerant is present in the air based on the sensor information and to control the blower to move the air out of the indoor unit in response to determining that the refrigerant is present in the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael W. Branson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11906223
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a method for identifying and determining a fault or a potential fault in an air system having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit in fluid communication via a refrigerant circuit. The method can include receiving, from a sensor, vibration data indicative of one or more sounds or vibrations detected by at least a portion of the refrigerant circuit. The method can include identifying, based at least in part on the vibration data and stored baseline vibration data, an abnormality in the vibration data. The abnormality can be indicated by vibration data indicative of a frequency that is outside a range of acceptable frequencies. The method can include analyzing the identified abnormality according to a predetermined set of evaluation factors to determine the fault or the potential fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan, Ammar K. Sakarwala
  • Patent number: 11906183
    Abstract: Embodiments include overflow sensor assemblies for water heaters, HVAC systems, and other devices for which temperature control systems may be used. An example overflow sensor assembly for detecting fluid leaks at a device may include a sensor probe configured to be in electrical communication with a power supply, and a sensor mounting bracket that forms a ground, the sensor mounting bracket configured to attach to a mounting surface on the device and suspend the sensor probe in a condensate drain pan of the device. An overflow detection circuit can be activated when the sensor probe and the sensor mounting bracket come in contact with a condensate fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Kenneth D. Frederick, Kevin M. Ray, Karl S. Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Publication number: 20240035717
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a heat pump having a thermal energy storage (TES) material. The heat pump can include a first heat exchanger to exchange heat between ambient air and refrigerant, a second heat exchanger to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air supplied to a climate-controlled space, and a third heat exchanger to exchange heat between the TES material and the refrigerant in a first fluid path and the refrigerant in a second fluid path. The heat pump can include a first compressor to circulate refrigerant to the first, second, and third heat exchangers and a second compressor to circulate refrigerant to the second and third heat exchangers. The first compressor can facilitate heat exchange between the ambient air and the TES material and the second compressor can facilitate heat exchange between the TES material and the air supplied to the climate-controlled space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Yang Zou, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11859837
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes devices and systems for an economizer of a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The disclosed technology can include an economizer for an HVAC system comprising a housing, an air inlet extending through a wall of the housing, a sliding door configured to transition between a closed position and an open position, and a controller configured to cause the sliding door to transition between the closed position and the open position based on temperature data. The sliding door can comprise a first portion forming a barrier and a second portion comprising at least one aperture. In the closed position, the first portion can align with the air inlet and substantially prevent ambient air from moving through the air inlet. In the open position, the second portion can align with the air inlet and permit the ambient air to move through the air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Chitra Sadanandan, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11821662
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a heat pump having a thermal energy storage (TES) material. The heat pump can include a first heat exchanger to exchange heat between ambient air and refrigerant, a second heat exchanger to exchange heat between the refrigerant and air supplied to a climate-controlled space, and a third heat exchanger to exchange heat between the TES material and the refrigerant in a first fluid path and the refrigerant in a second fluid path. The heat pump can include a first compressor to circulate refrigerant to the first, second, and third heat exchangers and a second compressor to circulate refrigerant to the second and third heat exchangers. The first compressor can facilitate heat exchange between the ambient air and the TES material and the second compressor can facilitate heat exchange between the TES material and the air supplied to the climate-controlled space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Yang Zou, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan