Patents by Inventor Thomas Blad

Thomas Blad 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: 10746415
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the setpoint temperature of a heat transfer medium circulating in a heating or cooling system (9) inside a building or at least inside a surrounding part of a building. The heating or cooling circuit includes a plurality of heat transferring units, each with a temperature controlled valve. A sum opening degree (OD) of all temperature controlled valves is determined in a time dependent manner and a setpoint temperature Tw,ref of heat transferring medium is controlled according to a predetermined sum opening degree (OD) of all temperature controlled valves. A heating system (9) is provided for supplying heat to a building or a part of the building via a liquid heat transfer medium circulated in a circuit. The heating system (9) includes heat transferring units, each being equipped with a temperature controlled valve. The system is controllable according to the method for adjusting the setpoint temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Erik Baasch Sørensen, Hakon Børsting, Thomas Blad
  • Patent number: 10677249
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a circulation pump assembly (2) provided with a speed controller (4, 26), a hydraulic circuit (A, B) connected to the circulation pump assembly (2) as well as a mechanical switch device (86, 88; 120, 122; 120?, 122?) which is subjected to pressure from a fluid in the hydraulic circuit (A, B) and which can be moved into at least two different switch positions. The mechanical switch device (28; 86, 28; 120, 122) can be moved by the circulation pump assembly (2) by way of a hydraulic coupling via the fluid. The speed controller is configured to initiate a movement of the switch device (86, 88; 120, 122; 120?, 122?) by way of at least one hydraulic force acting thereon and causing a movement of the switch device (86, 88; 120, 122; 120?, 122?), produced via the hydraulic circuit, via a speed adaptation of the circulation pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Blad, Christian Blad
  • Publication number: 20200158351
    Abstract: A mixing device includes a first inlet (84) and a second inlet (86) inlet and an outlet (80). The first inlet (84) is connected to the outlet (80) via a first flow connection and the second inlet (86) is connected to the outlet (80) via a second flow connection. A circulation pump assembly (24; 46) includes an electric drive motor (30), a control device (34), for controlling the speed of the drive motor (30), and at least one impeller (68; 100) driven by the drive motor. The at least one impeller (68; 100) is positioned in the first flow connection. The flow connections are configured such that at least one hydraulic pressure generated by the impeller (68; 100) in the first flow connection acts as hydraulic resistance in the second flow connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas BLAD, Christian BLAD
  • Publication number: 20200116161
    Abstract: A hydraulic construction unit includes a centrifugal pump assembly which includes an electrical drive motor and at least one impeller which is driven by the electric drive motor. At least one valve element is arranged such that the valve element is movable by way of a fluid flow which is created by the impeller. At least one section of a wall delimits a flow path in the hydraulic construction unit and is configured to be movable as a moveable section. The movable section of the wall is part of the valve element or is connected to the valve element for movement. The movable section is movable so as to be at least partly effected by friction forces of a fluid flow which runs along the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas BLAD, Christian BLAD
  • Publication number: 20200072223
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly includes an electrical drive motor (4, 6), an impeller (14) which is driven by the electrical drive motor (4, 6) as well as with at least one valve element (18) which is directly or indirectly movable along a first movement path between at least two switching positions, by the electrical drive motor (4, 6). At least a part of the valve element (18) is additionally movable along a second movement path which is different to the first movement path, between a released position, in which the valve element is distanced to at least one contact surface and a bearing position, in which the valve element bears on the at least one contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas BLAD
  • Publication number: 20200072227
    Abstract: A pump assembly includes an electrical drive motor, at least one impeller (14) which is rotatingly driven by the electrical drive motor as well as a control device (17) which activates the drive motor. The control device (17) is configured such that the control device (17) selectively activates the drive motor in at least one first or a second operating mode. In a first operating mode, the drive motor is activated by the control device (17) such that a rotor (6) of the drive motor continuously rotates. In the second operating mode the drive motor is controlled by the control device (17) such that the rotor (6) of the drive motor is moved further stepwise manner in at least one selected angular step of preferably smaller than 360°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas BLAD, Peter MØNSTER
  • Publication number: 20200072238
    Abstract: A pump assembly includes at least one rotatingly driven impeller (14) and at least one valve element (18) which is rotatable about a rotation axis (X) between at least two switching positions. The valve element (18) includes a first face side (22) which extends transversely to the rotation axis of the valve element. A suction opening (24), which is engaged with a suction port (26) of the impeller (14), is formed in this first face side in a central region. The first face side (22) includes a pressure surface which surrounds the suction opening (24) and is adjacent to a delivery chamber (28) which surrounds the impeller (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas BLAD, Peter MØNSTER
  • Publication number: 20200056614
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly includes an electrical drive motor (4, 6), an impeller (14) which is driven by the drive motor and a pump casing (12) surrounds the impeller and including two branches (27, 32, 34). A movable valve element (18) is arranged in the pump casing and is movable between two switching positions, in which the flow paths through the two branches (27, 32, 34) are opened to a different extent. The valve element (18) is configured and arranged in the pump casing (12) such that it separates a suction chamber (24) which is connected to a suction side of the impeller (14) from a delivery chamber (26) which is in connection with the delivery side of the impeller (14). The valve element (18) is mechanically and/or hydraulically coupled to the drive motor (4, 6) for at least a movement between the two switching positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas BLAD
  • Patent number: 10539143
    Abstract: A pump assembly (2) includes an electric drive motor (14) and with at least one impeller (18) which is driven by the motor. The impeller is movable in an axial direction (X) between at least one first and one second position. The impeller in the first axial position is situated in a first flow path through the pump assembly and delivers a fluid through this first flow path. The impeller in the second position is situated in a second flow path through the pump assembly and delivers a fluid through this second flow path. The pump assembly (2) is configured such that a movement of the impeller (18), between the first and the second position at least in one direction, is effected by a hydraulic force which acts on the impeller (18) and is produced by the delivered fluid. A heating installation is provided with such a pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Blad
  • Patent number: 10539142
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly has an electric drive motor (2) and at least one impeller (10; 10?), which is movable in an axial direction (X) between at least two functional positions. In one functional position a flow path through the impeller (10; 10?) is essentially closed and in another functional position the flow path through the impeller (10; 10?) is opened. The impeller (10; 10?) in a first functional position is held by a magnetic force (FM) or a spring force and in a second functional position is held by a hydraulic force (FH) produced by a delivered fluid. An impeller is provided for the centrifugal pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Blad
  • Publication number: 20200018491
    Abstract: A hydraulic construction unit for a heating facility or air-conditioning facility, includes a return connection (20) and a first feed connection (16) for a heating circuit (6), with a heat source outlet (12) fluid conducting connected to the return connection. A heat source inlet (14) is fluid conducting connected to the first feed connection and to a circulation pump assembly (28) in a flow path between the return connection and the heat source outlet (12) or in a flow path between the heat source inlet and the first feed connection. A second feed connection (18) for a second heating circuit (8), is fluid conducting connected to the heat source inlet and to the return connection. A mixing valve (54) is arranged in a flow path from the heat source inlet to the second feed connection and/or in a flow path from the return connection to the second feed connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas BLAD, Peter MØNSTER
  • Publication number: 20200011330
    Abstract: A circulation pump assembly (22) includes an electrical drive motor (10) and an electronic control device (12) controlling the drive motor (10). The control device (12) is configured for the speed control of the drive motor (10) according to a control schema (I, II, III). The control device (12) includes a detection function (42) which is configured to detect a condition variable representing an operating condition, from a parallel flow path (16, 18, 20) with a second circulation pump assembly (22). The control device (12) is also configured such that it can change the control schema (I, II, III) on the basis of a condition variable detected by the detection function (42). Further an arrangement of at least two such circulation pump assemblies (22) and a method for the control of such two circulation pump assemblies (22) are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas BLAD
  • Patent number: 10443860
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes at least one circulation pump assembly (2) provided with a speed controller (26), at least one hydraulic circuit (A, B) connected to the circulation pump assembly (2) as well as at least one mechanical switch device (86, 88; 120, 122) which is mechanically subjected to pressure by a fluid in the hydraulic circuit (A, B) and which can be moved into at least two different switch positions. The mechanical switch device (86, 88; 120, 122) moves by the circulation pump assembly (2) hydraulic coupling via the fluid. The speed controller is configured to initiate a movement of the switch device (86, 88; 120, 122), by at least one hydraulic force acting upon the switch device (86, 88; 120, 122) and causing a movement of the switch device (86, 88; 120; 122) via the hydraulic circuit, via a speed adaptation of the circulation pump assembly (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Blad, Christian Blad
  • Publication number: 20180291908
    Abstract: A pump assembly includes an impeller (18), which for rotation is connected to an electrical drive motor (20) which can be driven in two rotation directions (A, B) and a valve (10) situated in an inlet of the pump assembly. The valve includes a valve element (48) movable between at least two switch positions and is connected for movement to a drive element (36, 60) subjected to the flow produced by the impeller (18). The valve element (48), in at least a first of the two switch positions, closes an inlet channel (44, 46) of the pump assembly (12) and is arranged such that the movement direction into this first switch position corresponds to the flow direction (S1, S2) through this inlet channel (44, 46). A hydraulic system is provided with two circuits and such a pump assembly. The valve serves as a switch-over valve between the two circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas BLAD, Peter MØNSTER
  • Publication number: 20180283559
    Abstract: A method switches a switching device (4) between two switch positions in a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system apart from the switching device (4) includes a pump assembly (2). The pump assembly (2) can assume at least two different operating conditions. A switching-over of the switching device (4) is initiated by the pump assembly (2) via the hydraulic system. The switch positions of the switching device (4) are reached depending on a stay duration of the pump assembly (2) in at least one of the two operating conditions. Further, a hydraulic system for carrying out the method is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas BLAD
  • Publication number: 20180283702
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes at least one pump assembly and a switching device which includes at least two switch positions. The switching device is configured such that on operation of the pump assembly in a first operating condition, the switching device is held in a stable manner in each of the at least two switch positions in each case by the hydraulic forces in the system. In a second operating condition of the pump assembly, the switching device is moved from a first switch position into a second switch position, assisted by switching energy stored in the first operating condition. The hydraulic system is configured such that in the first operating condition, the switching energy is stored independently of a switching-over of the switching device between the switch positions. A method is provided for operating such a hydraulic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas BLAD
  • Patent number: 10024324
    Abstract: A pump assembly includes an electric drive motor having a stator and a permanent magnet rotor, at least one impeller connected to the rotor via a rotor shaft, a thrust bearing accommodating axial forces acting on the impeller and rotor shaft in operation, and at least one radial bearing arranged on the rotor shaft. The rotor and stator are designed such that a magnetic axial force, acting in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor and acting on the rotor in the direction of the inflow direction into the impeller, is produced between the rotor and the stator. The rotor shaft and rotor are mounted displaceably in the axial direction relative to the stator, and with an axial displacement of the rotor shaft in the inflow direction into the impeller, the bearing surfaces of the radial bearing lying opposite one another at least partly disengage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Grundfos Holding a/s
    Inventor: Thomas Blad
  • Publication number: 20170356449
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a circulation pump assembly (2) provided with a speed controller (4, 26), a hydraulic circuit (A, B) connected to the circulation pump assembly (2) as well as a mechanical switch device (86, 88; 120, 122; 120?, 122?) which is subjected to pressure from a fluid in the hydraulic circuit (A, B) and which can be moved into at least two different switch positions. The mechanical switch device (28; 86, 28; 120, 122) can be moved by the circulation pump assembly (2) by way of a hydraulic coupling via the fluid. The speed controller is configured to initiate a movement of the switch device (86, 88; 120, 122; 120?, 122?) by way of at least one hydraulic force acting thereon and causing a movement of the switch device (86, 88; 120,122; 120?, 122?), produced via the hydraulic circuit, via a speed adaptation of the circulation pump assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas BLAD, Christian BLAD
  • Publication number: 20170336081
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes at least one circulation pump assembly (2) provided with a speed controller (4, 26), at least one hydraulic circuit (A, B) connected to the circulation pump assembly (2) as well as at least one mechanical switch device (86, 88; 120, 122) which is mechanically subjected to pressure by a fluid in the hydraulic circuit (A, B) and which can be moved into at least two different switch positions. The mechanical switch device (86, 88; 120, 122) moves by the circulation pump assembly (2) hydraulic coupling via the fluid. The speed controller is configured to initiate a movement of the switch device (86, 88; 120, 122), by at least one hydraulic force acting upon the switch device (86, 88; 120, 122) and causing a movement of the switch device (86, 88; 120; 122) via the hydraulic circuit, via a speed adaptation of the circulation pump assembly (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas BLAD, Christian BLAD
  • Patent number: 9546663
    Abstract: A heat circulation pump includes a pump housing (1) with a pump impeller arranged therein which is driven by an electric motor arranged in a motor housing (8) which axially connects to the pump housing (1). The heat circulation pump also includes a terminal box (12) which is axially connected to the motor housing (8) in order to receive electric and/or electronic components of the engine control. A plug or socket (34) of an electric plug connection is arranged on the outside of the terminal box (12) for the electric connection. The plug or socket (34) is/are axially offset with respect to the terminal box (12) and is/are arranged adjacent to the motor housing (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS MANAGEMENT A/S
    Inventors: Finn Mathiesen Høj, Thomas Blad