Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Benedict

Thomas J. Benedict 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: 10696139
    Abstract: A method (300) of de-icing a return air intake of a transport refrigeration system is provided. The method comprises using a controller for controlling the refrigeration system; determining (306) when de-icing mode is required; deactivating (308) an evaporator and an evaporator fan of the refrigeration system when de-icing mode is required; activating (310) a heater when de-icing mode is required; adjusting (312) the temperature of the heater to a selected temperature; deactivating (314) the heater when the heater has reached the selected temperature; and permitting (316) the refrigeration system to remain deactivated for a selected time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas J. Benedict
  • Patent number: 10465675
    Abstract: A fluid valve is described to help reduce oil sump pressures of a variable speed compressor and a fixed speed compressor working in parallel in a HVAC system. The fluid valve can be a ball valve. Openings of a variable flow through structure of the ball can be configured to elongate along an equator the ball. When the ball rotates along a rotation axis, a size of a variable fluid path formed between the openings can be varied, resulting in a variable pressure drop across the ball. In operation, when the variable speed compressor is operated at different operation speeds, the ball can be rotated to different positions relative to the rotation axis, which may help reduce the pressure differential between the sumps of the variable speed compressor and the fixed speed compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: James Philip Crolius, Thomas J. Benedict
  • Publication number: 20190128568
    Abstract: A refrigeration system (30) comprises a compressor (36) for driving the refrigerant along a refrigerant flowpath (34) and having a first stage (36A) and a second stage (36B). A first heat exchanger (38) is along the refrigerant flowpath. An intercooler heat exchanger (120) is along the refrigerant flowpath. A second heat exchanger (42) is along the refrigerant flowpath. An additional heat exchanger (170) is along the refrigerant flowpath between the compressor second stage and the first heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Jason D. Scarcella, Thomas J. Benedict
  • Publication number: 20190092129
    Abstract: A method (300) of de-icing a return air intake of a transport refrigeration system is provided. The method comprises using a controller for controlling the refrigeration system; determining (306) when de-icing mode is required; deactivating (308) an evaporator and an evaporator fan of the refrigeration system when de-icing mode is required; activating (310) a heater when de-icing mode is required; adjusting (312) the temperature of the heater to a selected temperature; deactivating (314) the heater when the heater has reached the selected temperature; and permitting (316) the refrigeration system to remain deactivated for a selected time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas J. Benedict
  • Publication number: 20150167660
    Abstract: A fluid valve is described to help reduce oil sump pressures of a variable speed compressor and a fixed speed compressor working in parallel in a HVAC system. The fluid valve can be a ball valve. Openings of a variable flow through structure of the ball can be configured to elongate along an equator the ball. When the ball rotates along a rotation axis, a size of a variable fluid path formed between the openings can be varied, resulting in a variable pressure drop across the ball. In operation, when the variable speed compressor is operated at different operation speeds, the ball can be rotated to different positions relative to the rotation axis, which may help reduce the pressure differential between the sumps of the variable speed compressor and the fixed speed compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: James Philip Crolius, Thomas J. Benedict
  • Patent number: 8016071
    Abstract: A multi-stage low pressure drop muffler for a compressor including a first plate having a hole, a tube attached to the first plate, a plurality of holes disposed around the circumference of the tube, a plurality of tubes extending through a second plate, and an internal ring disposed on the second plate between the center of the second plate and the plurality of tubes. The muffler is designed to muffle a wide range of frequencies, minimize pressure reduction, improve fluid flow, and improve compressor efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Ferdy Martinus, Gang Wang, Thomas J. Benedict, Brad A. Boecker, William B. Rockwood