Patents by Inventor Walter R. Key

Walter R. Key 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: 5768895
    Abstract: A pressure relief system for a mechanical refrigeration system. The pressure relief system has a pair of rupture disks connected in series to a pressure vessel that contains refrigerant. The pressure relief system allowing the changing of the primary rupture disk while the vessel is pressurized without the loss of overpressure protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventors: Luther D. Albertson, Walter R. Key, Mark B. Key
  • Patent number: 5729991
    Abstract: A pressure relief system for a mechanical refrigeration system. In one embodiment the pressure relief system having a pair of pressure relief valves connected in series to a pressure vessel that contains refrigerant. The pressure relief system allowing the changing of the primary pressure relief valve while the vessel is pressurized without the loss of overpressure protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventors: Luther D. Albertson, Walter R. Key, Mark B. Key
  • Patent number: 5722247
    Abstract: An improved system for recovering and charging refrigerant of a refrigeration system. The system includes a series arrangement of two gas compressors that boost the pressure of the recovered refrigerant to a high enough level for storage in a DOT-3AA type cylinder. The recovered refrigerant is not condensed to the liquid state during recovery, nor is the cylinder chilled. The second high-pressure compressor includes a free-floating piston within a cylinder. The piston is hydraulically actuated. The system includes microprocessor control. The system is well suited for recovery of refrigerants such as R-13, R-23, R-503, and SUVA-95.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Redi-Controls Inc.
    Inventors: Luther D. Albertson, Walter R. Key
  • Patent number: 5673563
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure relief system that utilizes fluid released from a pressure relief valve to activate a sensor. In one form of the present invention a relatively confined passageway is in fluid communication with a reseatable pressure relief valve for protecting a condenser from overpressurization. The pressure relief valve allowing the release of fluid into the passageway at pressures below the overpressure threshold protection value of the valve. The released fluid is accumulated in the passageway and sensed by a sensor. Further, upon the pressure in the relatively confined passageway exceeding a predetermined value the passageway is vented to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventors: Luther D. Albertson, Walter R. Key, Mark B. Key
  • Patent number: 5644930
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve that is rotatable relative to the pressure relief system to allow flexibility in the connection of an outlet aperture in the pressure relief valve with a vent pipe in the building. A circumferential channel being formed on a conduit comprising a portion of the valve to receive a plurality of fasteners thereon for attaching the valve body to the conduit. Further, a tension relief bar having a pair of apertures is utilized to manually control the movement of a valve member relative to a valve seat within the valve body. One of the apertures being positioned for receiving a locking pin therein to hold the valve member apart from the valve seat. The capability to rotate and separate the valve body from the conduit allows for flexibility in servicing and connecting the valve body to the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Inventors: Luther D. Albertson, Walter R. Key, Mark B. Key
  • Patent number: 5577389
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rupture disk fragment collection trap for minimizing the loss of refrigerant from a mechanical refrigeration system. A mechanical refrigeration system generally includes a storage vessel for the storage of a refrigerant, which to comply with applicable safety codes requires a pressure relief unit for venting an over-pressurized storage vessel. The pressure relief unit includes a fragmentary carbon rupture disk that provides a mechanical seal to contain the refrigerant, prevent the infiltration of contaminants into the refrigeration system, and rupture to relieve the over-pressurized state of the storage vessel. A mechanical re-seating type pressure relief valve is positioned downstream from the carbon rupture disk to control the flow of refrigerant into the atmosphere. The valve and the rupture disk are connected in fluid communication by a sealed passageway containing a rupture disk fragment collection trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Inventors: Luther D. Albertson, Walter R. Key, Mark B. Key
  • Patent number: 5542261
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid containment system for minimizing the loss of refrigerant fluid from a refrigerant evaporator. The mechanical refrigeration system includes an evaporator for absorbing energy from the cooling media. The evaporator includes a pressurized shell, which to comply with applicable safety codes requires a pressure relief system for relieving an over-pressure condition. A sealed over-pressure containment vessel is connected in fluid communication with the evaporator. The containment vessel receives liquid refrigerant from the evaporator in order to reduce the pressure in the evaporator, and the flow of refrigerant fluid from the evaporator to the containment vessel is controlled by a pressure differential therebetween. After the over-pressure condition in the evaporator has been corrected the liquid refrigerant in the containment vessel can be returned to the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventors: Luther D. Albertson, Walter R. Key, Mark B. Key
  • Patent number: 5339647
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for recovering high-pressure CFC refrigerants in vapor form includes a removable tank for receiving and storing the liquefied refrigerant to be recovered and two refrigeration circuits. The first refrigerant circuit processes the refrigerant to be recovered and includes a compressor and a condenser. The removable tank acts as the evaporator of the first refrigeration circuit. The second refrigeration circuit is included to cool both the condenser of the first refrigeration circuit and the removable tank. This second refrigeration circuit includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator, and contains a second refrigerant physically isolated from the refrigerant to be recovered. Both the condenser of the first refrigeration circuit and the evaporator of the second refrigeration circuit are preferably coil shaped, with the condenser coil preferably coaxially arranged within the evaporator coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Redi Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Luther D. Albertson, III, Walter R. Key, Mark A. Stansbury