Patents by Inventor Stephen Anthony Kujak

Stephen Anthony Kujak 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: 11635239
    Abstract: Refrigeration systems with a purge for removing non-condensables from the refrigerant and an acid filter for remove acid from the refrigerant are provided. The acid filter can be operatively connected to the purge. Optionally, the purge can include a separating device for separating non-condensable gases from condensable refrigerant gases and an acid filter is provided to remove acid from the condensable refrigerant gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Daoud Ali Jandal, Julie Ann Majurin, Stephen Anthony Kujak, Raymond Scott Schafer, Paul Edmond Cieslinski
  • Publication number: 20220026125
    Abstract: Oleophobic and/or philic surface(s) are utilized for oil separation, direction, and/or collection in a refrigeration system. Surfaces of component(s) of a refrigeration system (compressor, oil separator, evaporator, etc.) are produced to be oleophobic or philic. The oleophobic and/or philic surfaces are utilized to direct a flow path of oil within the refrigeration system or to prevent oil connection in an area. Refrigerant phobic and/or lubricant phobic material(s) also may be utilized to help promote separation of refrigerant vapor from refrigerant liquid and/or from oil in refrigeration systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Ronald Maurice Cosby, II, Stephen Anthony Kujak, Jay Johnson
  • Publication number: 20210348812
    Abstract: Refrigeration systems with a purge for removing non-condensables from the refrigerant and an acid filter for remove acid from the refrigerant are provided. The acid filter can be operatively connected to the purge. Optionally, the purge can include a separating device for separating non-condensable gases from condensable refrigerant gases and an acid filter is provided to remove acid from the condensable refrigerant gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Daoud Ali JANDAL, Julie Ann MAJURIN, Stephen Anthony KUJAK, Raymond Scott SCHAFER, Paul Edmond CIESLINSKI
  • Patent number: 11137183
    Abstract: Oleophobic and/or philic surface(s) are utilized for oil separation, direction, and/or collection in a refrigeration system. Surfaces of component(s) of a refrigeration system (compressor, oil separator, evaporator, etc.) are produced to be oleophobic or philic. The oleophobic and/or philic surfaces are utilized to direct a flow path of oil within the refrigeration system or to prevent oil connection in an area. Refrigerant phobic and/or lubricant phobic material(s) also may be utilized to help promote separation of refrigerant vapor from refrigerant liquid and/or from oil in refrigeration systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Maurice Cosby, II, Stephen Anthony Kujak, Jay Johnson
  • Publication number: 20210246347
    Abstract: Embodiments are described herein to provide refrigerant and/or refrigerant composition that is suitable for providing lubrication to, for example, moving parts of a chiller system. Embodiments are also described herein to provide an additive, such as a corrosion inhibitor and/or stabilizers, that can be added to the refrigerant to form refrigerant compositions that is suitable for providing lubrication to, for example, moving parts of a chiller system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Stephen Anthony Kujak
  • Patent number: 11073315
    Abstract: Refrigeration systems with a purge for removing non-condensables from the refrigerant and an acid filter for remove acid from the refrigerant are provided. The acid filter can be operatively connected to the purge. Optionally, the purge can include a separating device for separating non-condensable gases from condensable refrigerant gases and an acid filter is provided to remove acid from the condensable refrigerant gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Daoud Ali Jandal, Julie Ann Majurin, Stephen Anthony Kujak, Raymond Scott Schafer, Paul Edmond Cieslinski
  • Patent number: 10988651
    Abstract: Embodiments are described herein to provide refrigerant and/or refrigerant composition that is suitable for providing lubrication to, for example, moving parts of a chiller system. Embodiments are also described herein to provide an additive, such as a corrosion inhibitor and/or stabilizers, that can be added to the refrigerant to form refrigerant compositions that is suitable for providing lubrication to, for example, moving parts of a chiller system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Stephen Anthony Kujak
  • Patent number: 10969148
    Abstract: A system for detecting if a refrigerant in an HVACR system is contaminated. The system includes a detector that detectes a property of a refrigerant gas in a vapor space and compares the detected property with a reference property for uncontaminated refrigerant gas. The detector determines that a contaminant is present in the refrigerant gas if the detected property is different from the reference property. The property detected by the dectector can be either a speed of sound through the refrigerant gas or a thermal conductivity of the refrigerant gas. Also disclosed is a method for detecting contamination of refrigerant gas in a HVACR system that includes detecting, by a detector, a property of refrigerant gas in a vapor space of the HVACR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Anthony Kujak, Julie Ann Majurin, Randal Newton, Kenneth J. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20210088262
    Abstract: Generally, management of refrigerant in an evaporator of an HVAC chiller is described. Methods, systems, and apparatuses to manage refrigerant in an evaporator can include one or combination of the following approaches: (1) by use of a refrigerant displacement array to physically prevent refrigerant from residing where the array is positioned (2) by control of the interstitial velocity of refrigerant flow within the volume of the shell of an evaporator; (3) by a phase biased distribution of the refrigerant mixture, so that a gaseous portion is uniformly distributed into the evaporator shell, while liquid refrigerant and oil is distributed into the evaporator shell at a designated area; and (4) by preventing or reducing the occurrence of foaming inside the evaporator through anti-foaming surfaces, such as by the use of refrigerant phobic and lubricant phobic material(s). Refrigerant management can in turn improve the thermal performance and overall efficiency of the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Jon Phillip Hartfield, Harry Kenneth Ring, Michael William Groen, Stephen Anthony Kujak, Ronald Maurice Cosby, II
  • Publication number: 20200064035
    Abstract: Oleophobic and/or philic surface(s) are utilized for oil separation, direction, and/or collection in a refrigeration system. Surfaces of component(s) of a refrigeration system (compressor, oil separator, evaporator, etc.) are produced to be oleophobic or philic. The oleophobic and/or philic surfaces are utilized to direct a flow path of oil within the refrigeration system or to prevent oil connection in an area. Refrigerant phobic and/or lubricant phobic material(s) also may be utilized to help promote separation of refrigerant vapor from refrigerant liquid and/or from oil in refrigeration systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Ronald Maurice Cosby, II, Stephen Anthony Kujak, Jay Johnson
  • Patent number: 10465956
    Abstract: Oleophobic and/or philic surface(s) are utilized for oil separation, direction, and/or collection in a refrigeration system. Surfaces of component(s) of a refrigeration system (compressor, oil separator, evaporator, etc.) are produced to be oleophobic or philic. The oleophobic and/or philic surfaces are utilized to direct a flow path of oil within the refrigeration system or to prevent oil connection in an area. Refrigerant phobic and/or lubricant phobic material(s) also may be utilized to help promote separation of refrigerant vapor from refrigerant liquid and/or from oil in refrigeration systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Maurice Cosby, II, Stephen Anthony Kujak, Jay Johnson
  • Publication number: 20190285323
    Abstract: Refrigeration systems with a purge for removing non-condensables from the refrigerant and an acid filter for remove acid from the refrigerant are provided. The acid filter can be operatively connected to the purge. Optionally, the purge can include a separating device for separating non-condensable gases from condensable refrigerant gases and an acid filter is provided to remove acid from the condensable refrigerant gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Daoud Ali JANDAL, Julie Ann MAJURIN, Stephen Anthony KUJAK, Raymond Scott SCHAFER, Paul Edmond CIESLINSKI
  • Publication number: 20190218439
    Abstract: Embodiments are described herein to provide refrigerant and/or refrigerant composition that is suitable for providing lubrication to, for example, moving parts of a chiller system. Embodiments are also described herein to provide an additive, such as a corrosion inhibitor and/or stabilizers, that can be added to the refrigerant to form refrigerant compositions that is suitable for providing lubrication to, for example, moving parts of a chiller system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventor: Stephen Anthony Kujak
  • Patent number: 10208234
    Abstract: Embodiments are described herein to provide refrigerant and/or refrigerant composition that is suitable for providing lubrication to, for example, moving parts of a chiller system. Embodiments are also described herein to provide an additive, such as a corrosion inhibitor and/or stabilizers, that can be added to the refrigerant to form refrigerant compositions that is suitable for providing lubrication to, for example, moving parts of a chiller system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Stephen Anthony Kujak
  • Patent number: 10190808
    Abstract: Refrigeration systems with a purge for removing non-condensables from the refrigerant and an acid filter for remove acid from the refrigerant are provided. The acid filter can be operatively connected to the purge. Optionally, the purge can include a separating device for separating non-condensable gases from condensable refrigerant gases and an acid filter is provided to remove acid from the condensable refrigerant gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Daoud Ali Jandal, Julie Ann Majurin, Stephen Anthony Kujak, Raymond Scott Schafer, Paul Edmond Cieslinski
  • Publication number: 20180215978
    Abstract: Embodiments are described herein to provide refrigerant and/or refrigerant composition that is suitable for providing lubrication to, for example, moving parts of a chiller system. Embodiments are also described herein to provide an additive, such as a corrosion inhibitor and/or stabilizers, that can be added to the refrigerant to form refrigerant compositions that is suitable for providing lubrication to, for example, moving parts of a chiller system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen Anthony Kujak
  • Publication number: 20180087815
    Abstract: A system for detecting if a refrigerant in an HVACR system is contaminated. The system includes a detector that detectes a property of a refrigerant gas in a vapor space and compares the detected property with a reference property for uncontaminated refrigerant gas. The detector determines that a contaminant is present in the refrigerant gas if the detected property is different from the reference property. The property detected by the dectector can be either a speed of sound through the refrigerant gas or a thermal conductivity of the refrigerant gas. Also disclosed is a method for detecting contamination of refrigerant gas in a HVACR system that includes detecting, by a detector, a property of refrigerant gas in a vapor space of the HVACR system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen Anthony KUJAK, Julie Ann MAJURIN, Randal NEWTON, Kenneth J. SCHULTZ
  • Patent number: 9879164
    Abstract: Embodiments are described herein to provide refrigerant and/or refrigerant composition that is suitable for providing lubrication to, for example, moving parts of a chiller system. Embodiments are also described herein to provide an additive, such as a corrosion inhibitor and/or stabilizers, that can be added to the refrigerant to form refrigerant compositions that is suitable for providing lubrication to, for example, moving parts of a chiller system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Stephen Anthony Kujak
  • Publication number: 20160138842
    Abstract: Generally, management of refrigerant in an evaporator of an HVAC chiller is described. Methods, systems, and apparatuses to manage refrigerant in an evaporator can include one or combination of the following approaches: (1) by use a refrigerant displacement array to physically prevent refrigerant from residing where the array is positioned; (2) by control of the interstitial velocity of refrigerant flow within the volume of the shell of an evaporator; (3) by a phase biased distribution of the refrigerant mixture, so that a gaseous portion is uniformly distributed into the evaporator shell, while liquid refrigerant and oil is distributed into the evaporator shell at a designated area; and (4) by preventing or reducing the occurrence of foaming inside the evaporator through anti-foaming surfaces, such as by the use of refrigerant phobic and lubricant phobic material(s). Refrigerant management can in turn improve the thermal performance and overall efficiency of the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Jon Phillip Hartfield, Harry Kenneth Ring, Michael William Groen, Stephen Anthony Kujak, Ronald Maurice Cosby, II
  • Publication number: 20160032209
    Abstract: Defoaming compounds that can be included in a HVAC system are provided. In some embodiments, the refrigerant compositions and/or additives may include one or more defoaming compounds that have one or more of the following properties: helping reduce a surface tension of the lubricant and/or refrigerant; having a different surface tension than the lubricant and/or refrigerant; being substantially non-dissolvable with the refrigerant and/or lubricant; and/or having less dense than the refrigerant and/or lubricant so that the compounds may stay on the surface of the refrigerant and/or lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen Anthony KUJAK, Julie Ann MAJURIN, Daryl Dean STEINKE