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).

  • 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
  • Publication number: 20230358415
    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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Day, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11808494
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes devices, systems, and methods for heat pump systems configured to operate in low ambient temperatures. The disclosed technology can include a heat pump water heater system having an evaporator, a first compressor configured to compress refrigerant to a first pressure, and a second compressor configured to compress the refrigerant to a second pressure. The second pressure can be greater than the first pressure. The heat pump water heater system can include a preheater configured to receive the refrigerant at the first pressure and heat water and a condenser configured to receive the refrigerant at the second pressure and heat water. The water can be passed through the preheater before being passed through the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Yang Zou, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11781760
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes an integrated system including a space conditioning system, a liquid heating system, and a controller. The space conditioning system can include a refrigerant circuit fluidly connecting a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a third heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and a reversing valve such that refrigerant can flow through the circuit. The liquid heating system can include a liquid heating device and a liquid circuit configured to direct liquid from the liquid heating device through the first heat exchanger. The controller can be in electrical communication with the space conditioning system and the liquid heating system. The controller can be configured to determine a demand of the space conditioning system and the liquid heating system, and in response, output instructions to a plurality of valves to direct the refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit and direct the liquid through the liquid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Baojie Mu, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11739952
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) conditioning system including a single outdoor unit and a VRF path extending between the single outdoor unit and a plurality of terminals. The plurality of terminals can include a first terminal configured to condition air of an interior room and a second terminal configured to heat or cool a liquid. The VRF system can provide heating or cooling of air in different rooms or zones within a building or home while also providing heating or cooling of water. In response to a demand for heating or cooling at each terminal, the VRF system can vary the supply of refrigerant to each terminal, such that efficient and precise temperature regulation of air and liquid can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Day, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11668503
    Abstract: A compression refrigeration system includes a switch to select between a plurality of operation modes of a metering device that controls a rate of flow of a refrigerant to an evaporator of the compression refrigeration system. Each operation mode is associated with a respective refrigerant. Further, the compression refrigeration system includes a reference database that comprises pressure-temperature data associated with a plurality of refrigerants. Furthermore, the compression refrigeration system includes a valve adjustment engine that is communicatively coupled to the switch and the reference database. The valve adjustment engine controls the metering device based on an operation mode of the metering device that is selected using the switch. The operation mode is selected based on a refrigerant with which the compression refrigeration system is currently charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Harshad Inamdar, Christina Hughes, Derek Brasuell, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan, Swapnil Khaire
  • Publication number: 20230128232
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for a heat pump water heater. The disclosed technology 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: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Yang Zou, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan, Atilhan Manay, Vishwanath Reddy Ardha
  • Publication number: 20230130780
    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 26, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Yang Zou, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Publication number: 20230129242
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes devices, systems, and methods for heat pump systems configured to operate in low ambient temperatures. The disclosed technology can include a heat pump water heater system having an evaporator, a first compressor configured to compress refrigerant to a first pressure, and a second compressor configured to compress the refrigerant to a second pressure. The second pressure can be greater than the first pressure. The heat pump water heater system can include a preheater configured to receive the refrigerant at the first pressure and heat water and a condenser configured to receive the refrigerant at the second pressure and heat water. The water can be passed through the preheater before being passed through the condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Yang Zou, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Publication number: 20230076857
    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: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Kenneth D. Frederick, Kevin M. Ray, Karl S. Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Publication number: 20230071382
    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: November 11, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Karl Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11585575
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improved heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems incorporating a plurality of refrigerant circuits. The system can include a compressor having a first compression chamber, a second compression chamber, and a motor. The system can further include a heat exchanger having a first set of microchannel coils and a second set of microchannel coils. The system can have a first circuit fluidly coupled between the first compression chamber and the first set of microchannel coils and a second circuit fluidly coupled between the second compression chamber and the second set of microchannel coils. Further, the first circuit comprises a first refrigerant and the second circuit comprises a second refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Yang Zou, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Publication number: 20230013427
    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: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Michael W. Branson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11548055
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pressure expanding a tube to fit a heat exchanger fin are disclosed. The systems can include one or more pressure relief devices, and each pressure relief device can be configured to release at least some pressurized fluid via a respective auxiliary flow path in response to a pressure of the pressurized fluid being greater than a predetermined pressure relief threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Yang Zou, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan, Swapnil Khaire