Patents by Inventor Thomas Grotophorst
Thomas Grotophorst 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).
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Patent number: 11984574Abstract: A battery cooling plate includes a first plate and a second plate that are joined together at their respective edges, and are spaced apart to define a coolant volume therebetween. Turbulating inserts can be arranged side-by-side within the coolant volume and multiple rods can extend through the turbulating inserts to at least partially define flow barriers between coolant flow channels. A fluid manifold for the battery cooling plate includes a non-planar wall that extends along a length-wise direction of the fluid manifold to separate a fluid volume into a first portion and a second portion. A series of apertures are arranged along the length-wise direction and successive ones of the apertures are fluidly connected to the first portion and to the second portion in alternating sequence.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2022Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Michael Bergnach, Kyle Shisler, Thomas Grotophorst, Christopher Moore
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Publication number: 20220336891Abstract: A battery cooling plate includes a first plate and a second plate that are joined together at their respective edges, and are spaced apart to define a coolant volume therebetween. Turbulating inserts can be arranged side-by-side within the coolant volume and multiple rods can extend through the turbulating inserts to at least partially define flow barriers between coolant flow channels. A fluid manifold for the battery cooling plate includes a non-planar wall that extends along a length-wise direction of the fluid manifold to separate a fluid volume into a first portion and a second portion. A series of apertures are arranged along the length-wise direction and successive ones of the apertures are fluidly connected to the first portion and to the second portion in alternating sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Michael Bergnach, Kyle Shisler, Thomas Grotophorst, Christopher Moore
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Patent number: 11431045Abstract: A battery cooling plate includes a first plate and a second plate that are joined together at their respective edges, and are spaced apart to define a coolant volume therebetween. Turbulating inserts can be arranged side-by-side within the coolant volume and multiple rods can extend through the turbulating inserts to at least partially define flow barriers between coolant flow channels. A fluid manifold for the battery cooling plate includes a non-planar wall that extends along a length-wise direction of the fluid manifold to separate a fluid volume into a first portion and a second portion. A series of apertures are arranged along the length-wise direction and successive ones of the apertures are fluidly connected to the first portion and to the second portion in alternating sequence.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Inventors: Michael Bergnach, Kyle Shisler, Thomas Grotophorst, Christopher Moore
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Patent number: 11289752Abstract: A plate assembly for a heat exchanger includes a first plate, a second plate, and an intermediate plate arranged between the first and second plates. The intermediate plate is joined to the first and second plates at peripheral edges to create a sealed periphery of the plate assembly. Corrugations of the intermediate plate provide crests and troughs that are in contact with inwardly facing surfaces of the first and second plates. The plate assembly can be configured as a battery cooling plate heat exchanger to transfer heat from a battery to fluid flowing through the plate assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2017Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: MODINE MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Kyle Shisler, Christopher Michael Moore, Mitchell Crawford, Thomas Grotophorst, Jason Braun, Frank Lippke
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Publication number: 20210280930Abstract: A battery cooling plate includes a first plate and a second plate that are joined together at their respective edges, and are spaced apart to define a coolant volume therebetween. Turbulating inserts can be arranged side-by-side within the coolant volume and multiple rods can extend through the turbulating inserts to at least partially define flow barriers between coolant flow channels. A fluid manifold for the battery cooling plate includes a non-planar wall that extends along a length-wise direction of the fluid manifold to separate a fluid volume into a first portion and a second portion. A series of apertures are arranged along the length-wise direction and successive ones of the apertures are fluidly connected to the first portion and to the second portion in alternating sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2019Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: Michael Bergnach, Kyle Shisler, Thomas Grotophorst, Christopher Moore
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Publication number: 20200006822Abstract: A plate assembly for a heat exchanger includes a first plate, a second plate, and an intermediate plate arranged between the first and second plates. The intermediate plate is joined to the first and second plates at peripheral edges to create a sealed periphery of the plate assembly. Corrugations of the intermediate plate provide crests and troughs that are in contact with inwardly facing surfaces of the first and second plates. The plate assembly can be configured as a battery cooling plate heat exchanger to transfer heat from a battery to fluid flowing through the plate assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2017Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Kyle Shisler, Christopher Michael Moore, Mitchell Crawford, Thomas Grotophorst, Jason Braun, Frank Lippke
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Patent number: 10408543Abstract: A liquid to refrigerant heat exchanger is provided having a stack of nested plates with fluid flow passages defined between the plates. The stack includes a condenser portion and a subcooler portion. A base plate at a bottom end of the stack has a refrigerant outlet port and a receiver bottle joined to it. A receiver flow path extends through a structural connection joining the receiver bottle to the base plate to allow for fluid flow between an internal volume of the receiver bottle and the condenser portion. Another receiver flow path extends through another structural connection to allow for fluid flow between an internal volume of the receiver bottle and the subcooler portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: MODINE MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Robert Barfknecht, Jason Braun, Michael Eklund, Thomas Grotophorst, Jeffrey Hanson, Jean Lysoivanov, Kyle Shisler
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Publication number: 20170335740Abstract: A rapid warm-up heat exchanger for heating a fluid using exhaust gas includes multiple plate pairs that are joined by braze joints to form a stack. A fluid inlet manifold and a fluid manifold extend through the stack, and each one of the plate pairs defines a tortuous flow path for the fluid that extends between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet manifolds. A housing surrounds the stack, and together the housing and the stack define an exhaust flow path in spaces provided between adjacent plate pairs. A valve element can be provided within the housing in order to selectively direct exhaust flow through the exhaust flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Christopher Dries, Jason Braun, Thomas Grotophorst
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Patent number: 9777680Abstract: A heat exchanger that transfers heat from an exhaust gas flow to a liquid coolant includes a first heat exchange section and a second heat exchange section located adjacent the first heat exchange section. The first heat exchange section is located within a first housing that at least partially encloses a first fluid volume. The second heat exchange section is located within a second housing that at least partially encloses a second fluid volume. A first plurality of heat exchange tubes traverses the first heat exchange section, and a second plurality of heat exchange tubes traverses the second heat exchange section. An exhaust gas flow path of the heat exchanger includes the first fluid volume and the interiors of the second plurality of heat exchange tubes. A coolant flow path of the heat exchanger includes the second fluid volume and the interiors of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: David Janke, Viswanath Setty, Jonathan Wattelet, Thomas Grotophorst
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Publication number: 20170009708Abstract: A heat exchanger that transfers heat from an exhaust gas flow to a liquid coolant includes a first heat exchange section and a second heat exchange section located adjacent the first heat exchange section. The first heat exchange section is located within a first housing that at least partially encloses a first fluid volume. The second heat exchange section is located within a second housing that at least partially encloses a second fluid volume. A first plurality of heat exchange tubes traverses the first heat exchange section, and a second plurality of heat exchange tubes traverses the second heat exchange section. An exhaust gas flow path of the heat exchanger includes the first fluid volume and the interiors of the second plurality of heat exchange tubes. A coolant flow path of the heat exchanger includes the second fluid volume and the interiors of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: David Janke, Viswanath Setty, Jonathan Wattelet, Thomas Grotophorst
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Patent number: 9494112Abstract: A heat exchanger that transfers heat from an exhaust gas flow to a liquid coolant includes a first heat exchange section and a second heat exchange section located adjacent the first heat exchange section. The first heat exchange section is located within a first housing that at least partially encloses a first fluid volume. The second heat exchange section is located within a second housing that at least partially encloses a second fluid volume. A first plurality of heat exchange tubes traverses the first heat exchange section, and a second plurality of heat exchange tubes traverses the second heat exchange section. An exhaust gas flow path of the heat exchanger includes the first fluid volume and the interiors of the second plurality of heat exchange tubes. A coolant flow path of the heat exchanger includes the second fluid volume and the interiors of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: David Janke, Viswanath Setty, Jonathan Wattelet, Thomas Grotophorst
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Publication number: 20160320141Abstract: A liquid to refrigerant heat exchanger is provided having a stack of nested plates with fluid flow passages defined between the plates. The stack includes a condenser portion and a subcooler portion. A base plate at a bottom end of the stack has a refrigerant outlet port and a receiver bottle joined to it. A receiver flow path extends through a structural connection joining the receiver bottle to the base plate to allow for fluid flow between an internal volume of the receiver bottle and the condenser portion. Another receiver flow path extends through another structural connection to allow for fluid flow between an internal volume of the receiver bottle and the subcooler portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Robert Barfknecht, Jason Braun, Michael Eklund, Thomas Grotophorst, Jeffrey Hanson, Jean Lysoivanov, Kyle Shisler
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Publication number: 20160146162Abstract: A heat exchanger that transfers heat from an exhaust gas flow to a liquid coolant includes a first heat exchange section and a second heat exchange section located adjacent the first heat exchange section. The first heat exchange section is located within a first housing that at least partially encloses a first fluid volume. The second heat exchange section is located within a second housing that at least partially encloses a second fluid volume. A first plurality of heat exchange tubes traverses the first heat exchange section, and a second plurality of heat exchange tubes traverses the second heat exchange section. An exhaust gas flow path of the heat exchanger includes the first fluid volume and the interiors of the second plurality of heat exchange tubes. A coolant flow path of the heat exchanger includes the second fluid volume and the interiors of the first plurality of heat exchange tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2014Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: David Janke, Viswanath Setty, Jonathan Wattelet, Thomas Grotophorst
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Patent number: 9309839Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation cooler that includes an inlet tank, an outlet tank, and an exhaust gas flow conduit in fluid communication with the inlet tank and the outlet tank. The exhaust gas flow conduit includes a first end, a second end, a first narrow side, a second narrow side, a first channel adjacent the first narrow side and extending between the first end and the second end, a second channel adjacent the second narrow side and extending between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of third channels located between the first channel and the second channel and extending between the first end and the second end. At least one of the inlet tank and the outlet tank includes a wall that inhibits exhaust gas from flowing through the first channel while allowing exhaust gas flow through the plurality of third channels.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Harald Schatz, Michael Daniel, Thomas Grotophorst, Jeff Schernecker, Daniel Hornback
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Patent number: 8915292Abstract: An exhaust gas heat exchanger that includes a stack at least partially surrounded by a housing. The stack includes a first tube, a second tube, and a coolant duct between the first tube and the second tube. A fin is located within the coolant duct. The fin includes a first portion and a second portion and the first tube includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the fin is fixed to the first portion of the first tube such that the first portion of the fin is coupled to the first portion of the first tube for movement with respect to the housing, and the second portion of the fin is supported in the housing for movement relative to the second portion of the first tube to permit movement of the second portion of the first tube with respect to the second portion of the fin.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Harald Schatz, Michael Daniel, Thomas Grotophorst, Jeff Schernecker, Daniel E. Hornback, Andrew Boyer
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Publication number: 20120043063Abstract: An exhaust gas heat exchanger that includes a stack at least partially surrounded by a housing. The stack includes a first tube, a second tube, and a coolant duct between the first tube and the second tube. A fin is located within the coolant duct. The fin includes a first portion and a second portion and the first tube includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the fin is fixed to the first portion of the first tube such that the first portion of the fin is coupled to the first portion of the first tube for movement with respect to the housing, and the second portion of the fin is supported in the housing for movement relative to the second portion of the first tube to permit movement of the second portion of the first tube with respect to the second portion of the fin.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2011Publication date: February 23, 2012Inventors: Harald Schatz, Michael Daniel, Thomas Grotophorst, Jeff Schernecker, Daniel E. Hornback, Andrew Boyer