Patents by Inventor Timothy Dean Swofford

Timothy Dean Swofford 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).

  • Publication number: 20230358445
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a distribution system and a cooling unit. The distribution system is configured to circulate a distribution system refrigerant. The distribution system includes a distribution system pump, a main cooler, a distribution system input conduit, and a distribution system output conduit. The main cooler is configured to receive the distribution system refrigerant from the distribution system pump. The distribution system input conduit is configured to receive the distribution system refrigerant from the main cooler. The distribution system output conduit is configured to receive the distribution system refrigerant from the distribution system input conduit and to provide the distribution system refrigerant to the distribution system pump. The cooling unit is configured to circulate a cooling unit refrigerant. The cooling unit includes a cooling unit pump, an upstream receiver, a condenser, a downstream receiver, and an evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Newel, Neil John Rathje, Timothy Dean Swofford
  • Patent number: 11739989
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a distribution system and a cooling unit. The distribution system is configured to circulate a distribution system refrigerant. The distribution system includes a distribution system pump, a main cooler, a distribution system input conduit, and a distribution system output conduit. The main cooler is configured to receive the distribution system refrigerant from the distribution system pump. The distribution system input conduit is configured to receive the distribution system refrigerant from the main cooler. The distribution system output conduit is configured to receive the distribution system refrigerant from the distribution system input conduit and to provide the distribution system refrigerant to the distribution system pump. The cooling unit is configured to circulate a cooling unit refrigerant. The cooling unit includes a cooling unit pump, an upstream receiver, a condenser, a downstream receiver, and an evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Newel, Neil John Rathje, Timothy Dean Swofford
  • Publication number: 20230118033
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a distribution system and a cooling unit. The distribution system is configured to circulate a distribution system refrigerant. The distribution system includes a distribution system pump, a main cooler, a distribution system input conduit, and a distribution system output conduit. The main cooler is configured to receive the distribution system refrigerant from the distribution system pump. The distribution system input conduit is configured to receive the distribution system refrigerant from the main cooler. The distribution system output conduit is configured to receive the distribution system refrigerant from the distribution system input conduit and to provide the distribution system refrigerant to the distribution system pump. The cooling unit is configured to circulate a cooling unit refrigerant. The cooling unit includes a cooling unit pump, an upstream receiver, a condenser, a downstream receiver, and an evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Newel, Neil John Rathje, Timothy Dean Swofford
  • Patent number: 11525617
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case includes sidewalls, doors, shelves, a cooling system, a cooling coil defrost system, product defrost lights, and a controller. The sidewalls and doors may define an inner volume of the refrigerated display case. The shelves are positioned within the inner volume of the refrigerated display case, are fixedly coupled with at least one of the sidewalls, and are configured to support a product. The cooling system provides cooling to the inner volume of the refrigerated display case and may include a cooling coil. The cooling coil defrost system provides defrost heating to the cooling coil. Each of the product defrost lights are oriented towards a corresponding one of the shelves. The product defrost lights are configured to emit radiative heating for defrosting the product. The controller is operably coupled with the cooling system, the cooling coil defrost system, and the product defrost lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Dean Swofford, Neil John Rathje
  • Publication number: 20210108849
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case includes sidewalls, doors, shelves, a cooling system, a cooling coil defrost system, product defrost lights, and a controller. The sidewalls and doors may define an inner volume of the refrigerated display case. The shelves are positioned within the inner volume of the refrigerated display case, are fixedly coupled with at least one of the sidewalls, and are configured to support a product. The cooling system provides cooling to the inner volume of the refrigerated display case and may include a cooling coil. The cooling coil defrost system provides defrost heating to the cooling coil. Each of the product defrost lights are oriented towards a corresponding one of the shelves. The product defrost lights are configured to emit radiative heating for defrosting the product. The controller is operably coupled with the cooling system, the cooling coil defrost system, and the product defrost lights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Dean Swofford, Neil John Rathje
  • Publication number: 20150374140
    Abstract: A temperature controlled case includes: a housing that defines a display area configured to receive one or more products; an opening across a front of the housing that provides access to the display area; a cooling system configured to keep the display area at a predetermined temperature; and a door coupled to the housing. The door is movable between a full close position and a full open position, such that when the door is in the full close position, the door partially covers the opening to create a gap between the door and the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Larry C. Howington, Timothy Dean Swofford
  • Patent number: 8973385
    Abstract: A temperature controlled case is provided that includes an enclosure defining an airspace for receiving products therein, a refrigeration system configured to circulate a refrigerant through an expansion device and at least one cooling element to cool the airspace and a control module having a first predetermined setpoint corresponding to a first cooling mode and a second predetermined setpoint corresponding to a second cooling mode. The control module is configured to determine which one of the first cooling mode and the second cooling mode the refrigeration system is to operate within and to apply the corresponding predetermined setpoint for reference in modulating a position of the expansion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Dean Swofford
  • Patent number: 8863541
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled case is provided including a rear wall spaced apart from an intermediate wall, forming a cavity therebetween. The intermediate wall includes a first set of openings disposed below a second set of openings. A deck may be disposed proximate to the first set and the shelves proximate to the second set of openings. Each shelf may include a shelf base and cover, the cover having openings through which air may be directed. An air distribution system having an air diverting device provides for improved air flow and cooling of products within the case. The air diverting device directs a first portion of an air flow toward the deck and permits a second portion to be directed toward the shelves. The air diverting device may direct the first portion of the air flow through the cavity and towards the deck, or away from the cavity and towards the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Dean Swofford, Larry C. Howington, Jules G. Choueifati
  • Patent number: 8647183
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case, an air curtain system, and a method of providing an air curtain are provided. The air curtain is suitable for use with a refrigerated display case of the type having an open front, including those with a door selectively covering the open-front. The air curtain includes a secondary layer formed of ambient air cooled by exposure to a refrigerated primary layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Dean Swofford
  • Patent number: 8020391
    Abstract: A refrigeration device includes a control device and a multiple cooling elements. A supply header delivers refrigerant to the cooling elements and a return header returns refrigerant from the cooling elements. A single pressure sensor provides a signal representative of a pressure of the refrigerant in the return header to the control device, and a single temperature sensor provides a signal representative of a temperature of the refrigerant in the return header to the control device. The control device provides an output signal to control each of the cooling elements, in response to the signals from the single temperature sensor and the single pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Dean Swofford, Angel Antonio Barreto
  • Publication number: 20100313588
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled case is provided including a rear wall spaced apart from an intermediate wall, forming a cavity therebetween. The intermediate wall includes a first set of openings disposed below a second set of openings. A deck may be disposed proximate to the first set and the shelves proximate to the second set of openings. Each shelf may include a shelf base and cover, the cover having openings through which air may be directed. An air distribution system having an air diverting device provides for improved air flow and cooling of products within the case. The air diverting device directs a first portion of an air flow toward the deck and permits a second portion to be directed toward the shelves. The air diverting device may direct the first portion of the air flow through the cavity and towards the deck, or away from the cavity and towards the deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Timothy Dean Swofford, Larry C. Howington, Jules G. Choueifati
  • Patent number: 7806543
    Abstract: A temperature controlled case is disclosed that includes a housing defining a display area and a first shelf provided within the display area. The temperature controlled case also includes a light system associated with the first shelf. The light system includes a substrate having a first portion and a second portion and a light source provided at the first portion of the substrate and configured to direct light through the substrate towards the second portion for illuminating an area below the first shelf. According to another embodiment, the substrate is a light sheet that cooperates with the light source to provide a distribution of light that varies between the first portion of the light sheet and the second portion of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Dean Swofford, Larry C. Howington
  • Publication number: 20100212343
    Abstract: A refrigerated case with reduced frost operation includes a housing having an open front and defining a product storage space therein. A contact cooling device or gravity cooling device is disposed within the space to receive chilled liquid coolant from a coolant system supply header and to return warmed liquid coolant to a coolant system return header. An air flow device in an air flow path directs a flow of air over a dehumidification coil that operates frost-free at a temperature of greater than 32° F. for discharge as a dehumidified air curtain over the open front. A precooling coil is provided in the air flow path upstream of the dehumidification coil, the precooling coil receives warmed liquid coolant from the coolant system return header to precool the flow of air, so that the dehumidified air curtain operates as a humidity tempering boundary to minimize the humidity within the storage space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Timothy Dean Swofford, Larry C. Howington
  • Publication number: 20090215381
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case, an air curtain system, and a method of providing an air curtain are provided. The air curtain is suitable for use with a refrigerated display case of the type having an open front, including those with a door selectively covering the open-front. The air curtain includes a secondary layer formed of ambient air cooled by exposure to a refrigerated primary layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Timothy Dean Swofford
  • Publication number: 20090133416
    Abstract: A refrigeration device includes a control device and a multiple cooling elements. A supply header delivers refrigerant to the cooling elements and a return header returns refrigerant from the cooling elements. A single pressure sensor provides a signal representative of a pressure of the refrigerant in the return header to the control device, and a single temperature sensor provides a signal representative of a temperature of the refrigerant in the return header to the control device. The control device provides an output signal to control each of the cooling elements, in response to the signals from the single temperature sensor and the single pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy Dean Swofford, Angel Antonio Barreto
  • Publication number: 20080209921
    Abstract: A temperature controlled case is provided that includes an enclosure defining an airspace for receiving products therein, a refrigeration system configured to circulate a refrigerant through an expansion device and at least one cooling element to cool the airspace and a control module having a first predetermined setpoint corresponding to a first cooling mode and a second predetermined setpoint corresponding to a second cooling mode. The control module is configured to determine which one of the first cooling mode and the second cooling mode the refrigeration system is to operate within and to apply the corresponding predetermined setpoint for reference in modulating a position of the expansion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventor: Timothy Dean Swofford
  • Publication number: 20080212314
    Abstract: A temperature controlled case is disclosed that includes a housing defining a display area and a first shelf provided within the display area. The temperature controlled case also includes a light system associated with the first shelf. The light system includes a substrate having a first portion and a second portion and a light source provided at the first portion of the substrate and configured to direct light through the substrate towards the second portion for illuminating an area below the first shelf. According to another embodiment, the substrate is a light sheet that cooperates with the light source to provide a distribution of light that varies between the first portion of the light sheet and the second portion of the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy Dean Swofford, Larry C. Howington
  • Publication number: 20080148751
    Abstract: A refrigeration system for use with a plurality of temperature controlled cases is disclosed. The refrigeration system includes a cooling system having at least one compressor and a condenser for supplying liquid refrigerant to a cooling element associated with each case. Each cooling element receives liquid refrigerant through a liquid refrigerant supply line and returns vapor refrigerant through a suction line. The refrigeration system further includes a control module having a stored reference temperature (T ref) for each case, a temperature sensor disposed in each case for generating a signal representative of the actual temperature within the case (T act), and an expansion device provided at the liquid refrigerant supply line side of each case. The control module compares T ref with T act and moves the expansion devices between an open position and a closed position accordingly to obtain or maintain the desired temperature in each temperature controlled case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Timothy Dean Swofford
  • Publication number: 20070289323
    Abstract: An open-front refrigerated case with reduced frost operation includes a housing having an open front and defining a product storage space therein. An air flow device is operatively coupled to an air flow path to direct a flow of air over a dehumidification coil for discharge as a dehumidified air curtain over the open front. The dehumidification coil operates substantially frost-free at a temperature of greater than 32° F. A contact cooling device and/or a gravity cooling device is disposed within the space and arranged to receive a coolant from a coolant system, where the dehumidified air curtain operates as a humidity tempering boundary to minimize the humidity within the storage space, so that the case operates in a substantially frost-free manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Timothy Dean Swofford, Larry C. Howington
  • Patent number: 7275376
    Abstract: A defrost system for a temperature controlled storage unit includes an enclosure providing a space for storage of products. A refrigeration system has a supply line and a return line coupled to a cooling element to circulate a refrigerant through the cooling element to provide cooling to the space. A control module initiates a plurality of defrost modes on a predetermined frequency and for a predetermined duration by reducing a flow rate of the refrigerant through the cooling element so that a superheat temperature of the refrigerant in the cooling coil is increased to a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Dover Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Dean Swofford, Larry C. Howington, Arnold M. Stephens, Robert D. Tanner