Patents by Inventor Stan O. Hoium

Stan O. Hoium 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).

  • Method of controlling inlet pressure of a refrigerant compressor
    Patent number: 9453669
    Abstract: A refrigeration unit includes an engine, a motor capable of producing a similar power output as the engine, and a compressor driven by one of the engine and the motor. The compressor includes a suction inlet and a discharge outlet. The refrigeration unit also includes a condenser in fluid communication with the discharge outlet through which pressurized, gaseous refrigerant is condensed, an evaporator in fluid communication with the condenser to receive liquid refrigerant and return gaseous refrigerant to the suction inlet, a passageway having a first end in fluid communication with an outlet of the condenser, and a second end in fluid communication with the suction inlet, and a purge valve defining at least a portion of the passageway between the first and second ends. The purge valve is operable to selectively divert liquid refrigerant from the condenser to the suction inlet to increase the pressure in the suction inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott C. Milton, Stan O. Hoium, Peter W. Freund, Bradley M. Ludwig
  • METHOD OF CONTROLLING INLET PRESSURE OF A REFRIGERANT COMPRESSOR
    Publication number: 20110132006
    Abstract: A refrigeration unit includes an engine, a motor capable of producing a similar power output as the engine, and a compressor driven by one of the engine and the motor. The compressor includes a suction inlet and a discharge outlet. The refrigeration unit also includes a condenser in fluid communication with the discharge outlet through which pressurized, gaseous refrigerant is condensed, an evaporator in fluid communication with the condenser to receive liquid refrigerant and return gaseous refrigerant to the suction inlet, a passageway having a first end in fluid communication with an outlet of the condenser, and a second end in fluid communication with the suction inlet, and a purge valve defining at least a portion of the passageway between the first and second ends. The purge valve is operable to selectively divert liquid refrigerant from the condenser to the suction inlet to increase the pressure in the suction inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott C. Milton, Stan O. Hoium, Peter W. Freund, Bradley M. Ludwig