Patents by Inventor Todd W. Smith

Todd W. Smith 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: 12241474
    Abstract: A compressor including a housing, a shaft configured to be rotated relative to the housing to compress a refrigerant, a motor configured to drive the shaft, a lubrication system configured to supply lubricant to the compressor, and a bearing configured to support the shaft. The shaft includes a wear-resistant sleeve-like treatment on at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft adjacent the bearing. The lubricant is POE oil or a lubricant blend composition that includes two or more lubricants, the two or more lubricants including a first lubricant and a second lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Michael T. Siegersma, Daniel A. Strange, Russell T. Abbott, Todd W. Smith, Elyse M. Sorenson, Morgan Elizabeth Herried Leehey, Curtis E. Everson, Mohammad Akram
  • Patent number: 12209592
    Abstract: A lubricant supply system is for a compressor that compresses a first working fluid in a heat transfer circuit. The lubricant supply system includes a lubricant tank, a lubricant pathway for supplying lubricant from the lubricant tank to one or more bearings of the compressor, and a lubricant refrigeration system with a lubricant heater and a lubricant cooler. The lubricant heater configured to heat the lubricant discharged from the one or more bearings and the lubricant cooler configured to cool the lubricant flowing through the lubricant pathway. A method of lubricating a compressor includes heating the lubricant, directing the lubricant from a lubricant tank through a lubricant pathway to one or more bearings of the compressor, and cooling the lubricant passing through the lubricant pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark W. Harrison, Steven J. Pitts, Todd W. Smith
  • Patent number: 12044449
    Abstract: A compressor including a housing, a shaft configured to be rotated relative to the housing to compress a refrigerant, a motor configured to drive the shaft, a lubrication system configured to supply lubricant to the compressor, and a bearing configured to support the shaft. The shaft includes a wear-resistant sleeve-like treatment on at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft adjacent the bearing. The lubricant is a lubricant blend composition that includes two or more lubricants, the two or more lubricants including a first lubricant and a second lubricant. The first lubricant is present at a higher volume percentage than the second lubricant, and the first lubricant includes a higher viscosity than the second lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Michael T. Siegersma, Daniel A. Strange, Russell T. Abbott, Todd W. Smith, Elyse M. Sorenson, Morgan Elizabeth Herried Leehey, Curtis E. Everson, Mohammad Akram
  • Publication number: 20240183360
    Abstract: A lubricant supply system is for a compressor that compresses a first working fluid in a heat transfer circuit. The lubricant supply system includes a lubricant tank, a lubricant pathway for supplying lubricant from the lubricant tank to one or more bearings of the compressor, and a lubricant refrigeration system with a lubricant heater and a lubricant cooler. The lubricant heater configured to heat the lubricant discharged from the one or more bearings and the lubricant cooler configured to cool the lubricant flowing through the lubricant pathway. A method of lubricating a compressor includes heating the lubricant, directing the lubricant from a lubricant tank through a lubricant pathway to one or more bearings of the compressor, and cooling the lubricant passing through the lubricant pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Mark W. Harrison, Steven J. Pitts, Todd W. Smith
  • Patent number: 11898571
    Abstract: A lubricant supply system is for a compressor that compresses a first working fluid in a heat transfer circuit. The lubricant supply system includes a lubricant tank, a lubricant pathway for supplying lubricant from the lubricant tank to one or more bearings of the compressor, and a lubricant refrigeration system with a lubricant heater and a lubricant cooler. The lubricant heater configured to heat the lubricant discharged from the one or more bearings and the lubricant cooler configured to cool the lubricant flowing through the lubricant pathway. A method of lubricating a compressor includes heating the lubricant, directing the lubricant from a lubricant tank through a lubricant pathway to one or more bearings of the compressor, and cooling the lubricant passing through the lubricant pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark W. Harrison, Steven J. Pitts, Todd W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230383760
    Abstract: A compressor including a housing, a shaft configured to be rotated relative to the housing to compress a refrigerant, a motor configured to drive the shaft, a lubrication system configured to supply lubricant to the compressor, and a bearing configured to support the shaft. The shaft includes a wear-resistant sleeve-like treatment on at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft adjacent the bearing. The lubricant is POE oil or a lubricant blend composition that includes two or more lubricants, the two or more lubricants including a first lubricant and a second lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Michael T. Siegersma, Daniel A. Strange, Russell T. Abbott, Todd W. Smith, Elyse M. Sorenson, Morgan Elizabeth Herried Leehey, Curtis E. Everson, Mohammad Akram
  • Publication number: 20230384002
    Abstract: A compressor including a housing, a shaft configured to be rotated relative to the housing to compress a refrigerant, a motor configured to drive the shaft, a lubrication system configured to supply lubricant to the compressor, and a bearing configured to support the shaft. The shaft includes a wear-resistant sleeve-like treatment on at least a portion of an outer surface of the shaft adjacent the bearing. The lubricant is a lubricant blend composition that includes two or more lubricants, the two or more lubricants including a first lubricant and a second lubricant. The first lubricant is present at a higher volume percentage than the second lubricant, and the first lubricant includes a higher viscosity than the second lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Michael T. Siegersma, Daniel A. Strange, Russell T. Abbott, Todd W. Smith, Elyse M. Sorenson, Morgan Elizabeth Herried Leehey, Curtis E. Everson, Mohammad Akram
  • Publication number: 20230213040
    Abstract: A lubricant supply system is for a compressor that compresses a first working fluid in a heat transfer circuit. The lubricant supply system includes a lubricant tank, a lubricant pathway for supplying lubricant from the lubricant tank to one or more bearings of the compressor, and a lubricant refrigeration system with a lubricant heater and a lubricant cooler. The lubricant heater configured to heat the lubricant discharged from the one or more bearings and the lubricant cooler configured to cool the lubricant flowing through the lubricant pathway. A method of lubricating a compressor includes heating the lubricant, directing the lubricant from a lubricant tank through a lubricant pathway to one or more bearings of the compressor, and cooling the lubricant passing through the lubricant pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Mark W. Harrison, Steven J. Pitts, Todd W. Smith
  • Patent number: 11225973
    Abstract: Systems and methods to clamp an impeller on a shaft in a centrifugal compressor. The embodiments as disclosed herein may include clamping individual impeller independently to the shaft, which may reduce the tolerance stack-up effect of a plurality of impellers. The impeller can be clamped to the shaft by positioning, for example, a relatively stiff support (e.g. a shaft locknut) on a front side of the impeller. The impeller can also be clamped to the shaft by a relatively flexible support to compensate for e.g. thermal expansion/contraction of the impeller. The embodiments as disclosed herein are particularly suitable for a multi-stage impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark W. Harrison, Jon Christopher Johnson, Todd W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200149541
    Abstract: Systems and methods to clamp an impeller on a shaft in a centrifugal compressor. The embodiments as disclosed herein may include clamping individual impeller independently to the shaft, which may reduce the tolerance stack-up effect of a plurality of impellers. The impeller can be clamped to the shaft by positioning, for example, a relatively stiff support (e.g. a shaft locknut) on a front side of the impeller. The impeller can also be clamped to the shaft by a relatively flexible support to compensate for e.g. thermal expansion/contraction of the impeller. The embodiments as disclosed herein are particularly suitable for a multi-stage impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Mark W. Harrison, Jon Christopher Johnson, Todd W. Smith
  • Patent number: 10551098
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods to regulate the temperature of lubricant are provided. The regulation of the lubricant temperature can include increasing or decreasing the temperature of the lubricant. More specifically, apparatuses and methods are disclosed to reduce the temperature of the lubricant before it is directed to a mechanical component for lubrication purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Todd W. Smith, Todd Kearney, Greg Chilcote
  • Patent number: 10519958
    Abstract: Systems and methods to help provide lubricant to a bearing in a compressor are disclosed. The embodiments disclosed herein generally are directed to systems and methods to provide a lubricant flow to the bearing, where the lubricant flow relies on the rotation of a shaft of the compressor, so that the lubricant flow can be independent of a power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark W. Harrison, Jon C. Johnson, Todd W. Smith
  • Patent number: 10443604
    Abstract: Systems and methods to clamp an impeller on a shaft in a centrifugal compressor. The embodiments as disclosed herein may include clamping individual impeller independently to the shaft, which may reduce the tolerance stack-up effect of a plurality of impellers. The impeller can be clamped to the shaft by positioning, for example, a relatively stiff support (e.g. a shaft locknut) on a front side of the impeller. The impeller can also be clamped to the shaft by a relatively flexible support to compensate for e.g. thermal expansion/contraction of the impeller. The embodiments as disclosed herein are particularly suitable for a multi-stage impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Mark W. Harrison, Jon Christopher Johnson, Todd W. Smith
  • Patent number: 10408268
    Abstract: A pressure nitrided stainless steel hybrid ball bearing having an inner ring, an outer ring, and rolling elements disposed therebetween. The pressure nitrided stainless steel hybrid bearing has one or more component(s) made from a pressure nitrided stainless steel material. The pressure nitrided stainless steel hybrid bearing used with a refrigerant lubrication for chiller applications leads to a very long useful life time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: William E. Lapp, Todd W. Smith, Arthur L. Butterworth, Paul J. Sikorsky
  • Patent number: 10228148
    Abstract: A vibration isolation apparatus for an air conditioning system may include a flow passage, at least a portion of which has a convoluted structure. The flow passage may also be coupled to two stabilizing members. The vibration isolation apparatus may include a structural supporting member to retain the two stabilizing members. The rod may be isolated from the stabilizing members by vibration isolation members. The vibration isolation apparatus may be positioned in a refrigeration line between an outlet of a compressor and a refrigerant pipe. The stabilizing members, the convoluted flow passage and the vibration isolation members may attenuate the vibration generated by the compressor so as to reduce the vibration transmitted to the refrigerant pipe. The structural supporting member may enhance the structural strength of the vibration isolation apparatus to withstand the pressure of the compressed refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Pavak Mehta, Todd W. Smith, Rod Lakowske, Daniel R. Crum
  • Publication number: 20180274544
    Abstract: Systems and methods to help provide lubricant to a bearing in a compressor are disclosed. The embodiments disclosed herein generally are directed to systems and methods to provide a lubricant flow to the bearing, where the lubricant flow relies on the rotation of a shaft of the compressor, so that the lubricant flow can be independent of a power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Mark W. HARRISON, Jon C. JOHNSON, Todd W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180128520
    Abstract: A refrigeration chiller employs a centrifugal compressor the impellers of which are mounted on a shaft which is itself mounted for rotation using rolling element bearings lubricated only by the refrigerant which constitutes the working fluid of the chiller system. Apparatus is taught for providing liquid refrigerant to (1.) the bearings immediately upon chiller start-up, during chiller operation and during a coastdown period subsequent to shutdown of the chiller and (2.) the drive motor of the chiller's compressor for motor cooling purposes. By use of a variable speed-driven motor to drive the compressor, optimized part load chiller performance is achieved in a chiller which does not require or employ an oil-based lubrication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: William E. LAPP, Todd W. SMITH, Arthur L. BUTTERWORTH, Paul J. SIKORSKY
  • Publication number: 20160123634
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods to regulate the temperature of lubricant are provided. The regulation of the lubricant temperature can include increasing or decreasing the temperature of the lubricant. More specifically, apparatuses and methods are disclosed to reduce the temperature of the lubricant before it is directed to a mechanical component for lubrication purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Todd W. Smith, Todd Kearney, Greg Chilcote
  • Publication number: 20160123342
    Abstract: Systems and methods to clamp an impeller on a shaft in a centrifugal compressor. The embodiments as disclosed herein may include clamping individual impeller independently to the shaft, which may reduce the tolerance stack-up effect of a plurality of impellers. The impeller can be clamped to the shaft by positioning, for example, a relatively stiff support (e.g. a shaft locknut) on a front side of the impeller. The impeller can also be clamped to the shaft by a relatively flexible support to compensate for e.g. thermal expansion/contraction of the impeller. The embodiments as disclosed herein are particularly suitable for a multi-stage impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Mark W. Harrison, Jon Christopher Johnson, Todd W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160010691
    Abstract: A pressure nitrided stainless steel hybrid ball bearing having an inner ring, an outer ring, and rolling elements disposed therebetween. The pressure nitrided stainless steel hybrid bearing has one or more component(s) made from a pressure nitrided stainless steel material. The pressure nitrided stainless steel hybrid bearing used with a refrigerant lubrication for chiller applications leads to a very long useful life time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: William E. Lapp, Todd W. Smith, Arthur L. Butterworth, Paul J. Sikorsky