Patents Issued in March 29, 2016
  • Patent number: 9297521
    Abstract: A focusing structure for an LED lamp is provided. LED chips are provided in a main body of the LED lamp, a front end of the main body 1 is provided with a lens assembly. At least one of the LED chips 2 is not located on the axis of the LED lamp, and at least two groups of lenses with different degrees are provided on the lens assembly, the location of each group of lenses corresponding to a corresponding LED chip on the same circumference, and the lens assembly is connected to the main body with structures capable of relatively rotating and snap-fitting. The LED lamp can achieve the focusing function by rotating the lenses assembly to make the lenses with different degrees correspond to the LED chips. This structure has no light loss and can achieve the focusing function of various focal distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: MAINHOUSE (XIAMEN) ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nanqing Zhou
  • Patent number: 9297522
    Abstract: A lighting device may include a semiconductor light source module, an optical unit, and a common support for the semiconductor light source module and the optical unit. The optical unit is mounted on a front side of the support and has at least one dowel, which extends into a precisely fitting hole in the semiconductor light source module. The semiconductor light source module rests on a rear side of the support. The at least one dowel projects through an aperture in the support and extends into the precisely fitting hole in the semiconductor light source module. The at least one dowel forms a shoulder, which rests on a supporting surface of the semiconductor light source module that rests on the rear side of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: OSRAM GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Behr, Stephan Schwaiger, Philipp Helbig
  • Patent number: 9297523
    Abstract: A system and method for using LED sticker. The LED sticker has a top side and a bottom side. It has a positive lead and a negative lead, each coupled to a light emitting device. The LED sticker has first and second conductive surface which is electrically coupled to the leads. The LED sticker also has an adhesive used for adhering the sticker to a backing. When the circuit is complete, the light emitting device is activated. The circuit can be completed via any conductive medium, including conductive ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Jill MacKay
  • Patent number: 9297524
    Abstract: A stand alone multi-spotlight electric floor lamp having a hollow stem having an axis and carrying electrical wiring to the spotlights wherein the first spotlight is secured to the top of the hollow stem by a pivotal connection permitting the spotlight to be positioned in a plane orthogonal to the axis of the stem and by a swivel connection permitting the spotlight to be positioned in a plane parallel to the axis and two additional spotlights adjustably secured to the stem displaced from the first spotlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: LAMPS PLUS, INC.
    Inventor: Dennis K. Swanson
  • Patent number: 9297525
    Abstract: The present invention is an LED module for channel letter illumination utilizing multiple through-hole LEDs in a pixel formation as a light source where one surface mounted LED or other forms of LEDs were previously used. The use of a number of small through-hole LEDs ideally requires that a beam angle between and including 15° and 180° in vertical and horizontal directions, respectively, be utilized. When multiple light sources are used on a module, the distance between light sources is to be between 20 mm and 1 cm. The use of several smaller LEDs reduces the current needed to generate light of appropriate intensity and, thus reduces energy cost and heat generation. The use of smaller LEDs also assists in excess heat dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: EPISTAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Densen Cao
  • Patent number: 9297526
    Abstract: A light source apparatus includes a cooling mechanism driving portion for driving a cooling mechanism in such a manner that an element temperature of a light source element which is detected by an element temperature detecting portion reaches a target temperature, and a control portion for calculating a dew point temperature of the cooling mechanism and controlling the cooling mechanism driving portion and a light source element driving portion by using the calculated dew point temperature and the element temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Kumano, Makoto Kuriaki, Takumi Kijima, Yasuhito Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9297527
    Abstract: A modular lighting system for controlling light output and direction in a pole top luminaire includes a base. Lighting modules which have LEDs mounted on a heat sink include pairs of heat pipes extending from the heat sink plug into the base. Openings in the base receive the heat pipes to support the lighting modules in a desired orientation, enabling location specific customized orientation. The assembly allows universal replacement of pole top luminaires with efficient LED light engines, yet without need for custom parts, thus enabling a wide variety of applications for the lighting modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Sensity Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan E. Morgan
  • Patent number: 9297528
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for upgrading heavy liquid fractions resulting from oil refining, by combustion in a fluidized-bed chemical looping process. The method according to the invention allows energy to be produced by oxidizing totally the heavy liquid feeds while allowing direct capture of the CO2 emitted in the combustion fumes. The method according to the invention also allows a synthesis gas to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES, TOTAL S.A.
    Inventors: Ann Forret, William Pelletant, Ali Hoteit
  • Patent number: 9297529
    Abstract: An evaporator assembly unit, especially for a vehicle heater, includes an evaporator medium carrier (12) with a bottom wall (14), a porous evaporator medium (18) provided on one side of the bottom wall (14) and an electrically excitable ignition element (34). The ignition element is embedded in the material of which the bottom wall (14) is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Eberspächer Climate Control Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Walter Blaschke
  • Patent number: 9297530
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, apparatus and material are disclosed for generating oxygenated fuel. In one aspect, a method of producing an oxygenated fuel from biomass waste for use in a combustion system includes dissociating the biomass waste to produce one or more carbon donors. The biomass waste produced carbon donors are reacted with an oxygen donor to produce the oxygenated fuel comprising oxygenated carbon. Reacting the carbon donors with the oxygen donors includes applying waste heat recovered from an external heat source to the reaction of carbon donors and oxygen donor. The oxygenated fuel is combusted in the combustion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy E. McAlister
  • Patent number: 9297531
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes an air inlet, a combustor, an exhaust and first and second measurement devices. A plurality of fuel supply lines is provided to the at least one combustor. The first measurement device measures an amount of a gas in the air inlet. The second measurement device measures an amount of the gas in the exhaust. A control unit varies the fuel supply in the plurality of fuel supply lines so as to control the amount of the gas in the exhaust. The variation is made in dependence upon both the measured amount of the gas in the air inlet and the measured amount of the gas in the exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Robert Pearce
  • Patent number: 9297532
    Abstract: A can annular combustion arrangement (12) for a gas turbine engine (10), including: a combustor can (14) having an inlet (46) at a head end (62); an annular chamber (30) surrounding the combustor can (14) for delivering a flow of compressed air from a plenum (18) to the inlet (46); a fuel injector (49) configured to inject a flow of fuel into the flow of compressed air; and a flow tripping device (60) surrounding the combustor can (14) and disposed in the annular chamber (30) downstream of the fuel injector (49).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Samer P. Wasif, Juergen Meisl, Bertram Janus, Andreas Koch
  • Patent number: 9297533
    Abstract: A combustor includes a first shroud extending circumferentially inside the combustor and at least partially defining an inlet passage. A second shroud extends circumferentially inside the combustor. The second shroud defines an outlet passage. A first plate extends radially inside the second shroud downstream from the inlet passage of the first shroud and upstream from the outlet passage of the second shroud. The first plate generally defines an inlet port and an outlet port. A second plate extends radially around the first plate downstream from the inlet port and upstream from the outlet port of the first plate. A first fluid flow path extends from the inlet passage to the inlet port. A second fluid flow path extends from the outlet port to the outlet passage. A baffle extends from the first shroud to the first plate. The baffle separates the first and second fluid flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Bryan Wesley Romig, Lucas John Stoia
  • Patent number: 9297534
    Abstract: A turbomachine combustor portion includes a combustion chamber. A center injection nozzle is arranged within the combustion chamber and includes a center nozzle inlet and a center nozzle outlet. An outer premixed injection nozzle is positioned radially outward of the center injection nozzle and includes an outer nozzle inlet and an outer nozzle outlet that is arranged upstream of the center nozzle outlet. A late lean injector is positioned downstream of the center nozzle and the outer premixed nozzle. The combustor portion includes a first combustion zone arranged downstream of the outer nozzle outlet, a second combustion zone arranged downstream of the center nozzle outlet, and a third combustion zone arranged further downstream of the center nozzle outlet. The center injection nozzle, outer premixed injection nozzle, and late lean injector are selectively operated to establish a combustion flame front in the first, second, and third combustion zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph Citeno, Dmitry Alexandrovitch Lysenko, Sergey Anatolievich Meshkov, Valery Alexandrovich Mitrofanov, Almaz Valeev
  • Patent number: 9297535
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle includes an inner wall defining a central passage extending in an axial direction of the fuel nozzle, a hub wall surrounding the inner wall and defining a first annular passage, an outer wall surrounding the hub wall and defining a second annular passage, and a shroud surrounding the outer wall and defining a third annular passage. A swirler may receive air and direct the air into the first annular passage. The swirler includes at least one swirl vane extending from the shroud to the hub wall that has an air passage extending between the shroud and the hub wall. The air passage is coupled to the first annular passage and has a first width adjacent the shroud and a second width adjacent the hub wall. The second width is larger than the first width defining a diverging outlet into the first annular passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jong Ho Uhm, Bryan Wesley Romig, Yon Han Chong
  • Patent number: 9297536
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a static structure and an annular combustor extending around a central axis and located radially inwards of the static structure. The annular combustor includes an annular outer shell and an annular inner shell that define an annular combustion chamber there between. The annular combustor is free of any rigid attachments directly between the static structure and the annular outer shell. The annular outer shell includes a radially-outwardly extending flange. A stop member is rigidly connected with the static structure and is located adjacent the radially-outwardly extending flange such that axial-forward movement of the annular combustor is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Jeffery Eastwood, Kevin Joseph Low
  • Patent number: 9297537
    Abstract: An orifice holder for use with a gas-fueled appliance includes a body, an orifice passage defined in the body, a first tube passage defined in the body, and a second tube passage defined in the body. The orifice passage, the first tube passage, and the second tube passage are in flow communication within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Amelia Lear Hensley, Allen Louis Tatum, Michael Mahaney, Scott Russell King, Jason Randall Northcut, Jeffrey Shawn Coulter
  • Patent number: 9297538
    Abstract: Lighting for an oven door includes a light source and a design that is selectively illuminated by the light source. The light source is located in the oven door, and the design is etched in an oven door window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Hargrave, Allan G. Trowbridge
  • Patent number: 9297539
    Abstract: A sliding rack assembly includes an rack, a pair of retention members supporting the rack, and a pair of rear wall retainers. Each retention member includes a slide assembly and a retention plate fixed to the slide assembly. Each retention plate includes a front end for being toward an opening of the cavity and a rear end for being disposed toward a rear wall of the cavity. The rear end of the retention plate includes a holding feature. The rear wall retainers are for being fixed to the rear wall of the cavity. Each rear wall retainer includes a plurality of vertically spaced retention features. Each retention feature is for connecting with a holding feature of a retention member to prevent the retention members from tipping inwardly and separating from the rear wall retainers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SSW Holding Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Ambrose, Jason Robert Yochum, Randall Kelly Dhom
  • Patent number: 9297540
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a downdraft assembly capable of ventilating a cooktop including housing with a frame, a fluid box, and a movement assembly with a belt-lift. In some embodiments, the movement assembly can include a vertically moveable chimney. Some embodiments include a chimney with an upper and lower horizontal member and dual fluid inlets. In some embodiments, a first control panel can be coupled to the housing to activate at least one function of the downdraft assembly while remaining substantially stationary as the chimney moves. Some embodiments include a second control panel coupled chimney. Some embodiments include a visor and at least one illumination source configured and arranged to at least partially illuminate the cooktop. In some embodiments, the visor can articulate to control illumination or the flow of a cooking effluent into at least one of the dual inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLC
    Inventors: Richard R. Sinur, Brian R. Wellnitz, Jay F. Perkins, Sean Montag
  • Patent number: 9297541
    Abstract: An underlayment heating system for use with flooring, the system including an underlayment layer, a vapor barrier layer, a thin film radiant heater layered between at least part of the underlayment layer and the vapor barrier layer, wherein the thin film radiant heater includes a substrate, a conductive resistive ink pattern disposed on the substrate, wherein the ink pattern generates heat when electricity passes through the resistive ink pattern, wherein the underlayment heating system includes overlap portions that extend along opposing longitudinal edges of the system, and wherein the thin film radiant heater is layered between the underlayment layer and the vapor barrier layer such that the resistive ink pattern is disposed outside of the overlap portions of the underlayment heating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: AUGUSTA GLEN PARTNERS
    Inventor: Eugene B. McGillycuddy
  • Patent number: 9297542
    Abstract: A wall-mounted type air conditioner allows attachment and detachment of a fan without depending on a shape of a heat exchanger and without moving the heat exchanger. The air conditioner includes: a main body housing a fan; and a drain pan assembly. The drain pan assembly has: a peripheral part forming an outlet port to expel air from the fan; and a drain pan and is detachably attached to the main body. The main body includes, an opening part for withdrawing the fan. The drain pan assembly is attached to the main body with the outlet port facing the opening part. The outlet port peripheral part includes: an upper wall part located above the outlet port; and another outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuhji Uehara, Akihiro Itani
  • Patent number: 9297543
    Abstract: A dehumidification system for a dry clean room includes: a dry chamber supplied with air having a lower humidity than air in the dry clean room; a main dehumidification unit which supplies air to the dry clean room; and a terminal dehumidification unit which processes the air to be supplied from the dry clean room to the dry chamber, thus achieving energy saving and cost reduction for the dehumidification system for the dry clean room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD., DAIKIN APPLIED SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakayama, Toshiyuki Natsume, Naotoshi Fujita, Eisaku Okubo, Nobuki Matsui
  • Patent number: 9297544
    Abstract: There is provided a humidification device capable of performing humidification in as short a time as possible when an indoor humidity is low. A humidification device includes operation control means for selecting either a humidification priority mode or a normal operation mode based on a predetermined condition to operate the humidification device, and fans that can adjust airflow rates, and generates airflow passing through a condenser and an evaporator, wherein operation in the humidification priority mode is operation in which the airflow rates of the fans are decreased, as compared with operation in the normal operation mode, by which desorption of moisture from an adsorbent of the condenser and collection of moisture by an adsorbent of the evaporator are promoted, as compared with operation in the normal operation mode, so that humidification is given priority over ventilation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Gakuto Sakai, Akihiro Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9297545
    Abstract: Provided is a damper structure for an enclosed derrick, which can constantly compensate and maintain a pressure of an inner space of an enclosed derrick structure. The damper structure for the enclosed derrick includes: one or more communication ducts installed in a side of the enclosed derrick; and one or more open/close dampers coupled to the communication ducts to open or close the communication ducts, whereby air is selectively supplied to or exhausted from the enclosed derrick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd., Transocean Sedco Forex Ventures Limited
    Inventors: Keum Dae Choo, D. Scott Brittin
  • Patent number: 9297546
    Abstract: A humidity control apparatus and an air-conditioning system are capable of controlling the latent heat processing amount and the sensible heat processing amount in accordance with an indoor heat load without decreasing the operation efficiency. Every time an air route is switched to an air route A or an air route B, the route maintenance time for the switched air route is set on the basis of the heat load within a dehumidification target space, and switching of switching devices is controlled such that the set route maintenance time is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Ito, Masaki Toyoshima, Fumitake Unezaki
  • Patent number: 9297547
    Abstract: A control device controls a swing action of flaps of an air conditioning apparatus. The flaps are swung up and down. The control device includes an operation mode determining section, a swing pattern storage area and a control command generator. The operation mode determining section determines at least an air-cooling operation mode and an air-warming operation mode that are operation modes of the air conditioning apparatus. The swing pattern storage area stores a plurality of swing patterns that include information pertaining to the swing action. The control command generator generates a control command of the air conditioning apparatus on the basis of a swing pattern corresponding to the mode determined by the operation mode determining section from among the plurality of swing patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gen Kumamoto, Satoshi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9297548
    Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system and a method of controlling the system are adapted for controlling the distribution of cooling capacity between two or more temperature controlled zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stevo Mijanovic, Olawale Adetona, Futao Zhao, Robert Bitmead, Ruello Rubino, JeanPhilippe Goux, Fabienne Peyaud, Fengcheng Sun, Lishan Wang
  • Patent number: 9297549
    Abstract: A HVAC unit manufacturing method and a HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC system includes: a controller having control board terminals, a parallel wiring harness having a first and a second connection header, the first connection header coupled to the control board terminals, and a switch having terminals. The terminals of the switch including: a pair of functional terminals configured to indicate a status of the switch and a pair of jumpered terminals independent of the pair of functional terminals and internally connected together within the switch, wherein designated combinations of the terminals indicate a circuit configuration for employing the switch in the HVAC system with each of the terminals having a particular design that dictates a specific corresponding connection header be used for each of the designated combinations, wherein a single one of the designated combinations of the terminals corresponds to the second connection header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Randall L. Lisbona
  • Patent number: 9297550
    Abstract: An HVAC duct is provided. The duct includes an outer tube having a fully continuous external perimeter. The duct further includes an inner tube capable of conveying forced air. The inner tube extends within the outer tube longitudinally. The duct also includes a plurality of support elements spanning between the outer tube and the inner tube. The elements extends along the outer tube and the inner tube longitudinally. The elements define a plurality of channels between the outer tube and the inner tube. The outer tube, the inner tube, and the elements are fully unitary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Green HVAC Ducts USA, LLC
    Inventor: Carl Fanelli
  • Patent number: 9297551
    Abstract: A heat generating element for an electrical heating device of a motor vehicle has a positional frame, which forms a receptacle in which at least one PTC element is accommodated, and additionally has contact plates abutting on two oppositely situated sides of the PTC element. With a view to providing well-insulated support of the PTC element, several supporting points are arranged in circumferential direction of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Eberspächer catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Michael Niederer, Christian Morgen
  • Patent number: 9297552
    Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure provides a zoning baffle for a gas furnace. This embodiment comprises a housing, a primary heating zone located in the housing and comprising one or more heating chambers. A blower having an exhaust opening is located adjacent the primary heating zone and is positioned to force air through the primary heating zone. A zoning baffle is located between the blower and the primary heating zone. The zoning baffle comprises spaced apart baffles oriented substantially parallel with the one or more heating chambers. A method of manufacturing a gas furnace is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Shiblee S. M. Noman, Ian Burmania
  • Patent number: 9297553
    Abstract: A pump assembly includes a motor and a pump, with the motor having an output shaft that extends into a volute chamber defined by a housing of the pump. An impeller may be mounted to the end of the output shaft. A heating element maybe located within a projection formed in an end of the housing and defines a heat transfer area confronting the volute chamber, wherein heat generated by the heating element may be conducted into the volute chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Alvaro Vallejo Noriega, Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 9297554
    Abstract: A tubular heat-absorbing element partly enclosed in an insulating layer or jacket, has absorbing surface that is accessible to solar radiation. The thermal insulation is designed to provide entry to solar radiation by way of a cavity. The absorbing surface can be substantially planar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: NORWICH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Stettenheim, Troy O. McBride, Oliver J. Brambles
  • Patent number: 9297555
    Abstract: A heat exchange device including a flexible hinge, a solar collector, a tank containing serpentine or coiled tubes which contain municipal water, wherein the tank contains thermal transmission vents designed for outflow of hot gasses from an attic, an insect screen, a precipitation drain and an attachment area is hereby disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Daniels, Janet Ruth Daniels
  • Patent number: 9297556
    Abstract: Selective solar absorbent coating and manufacturing method, with solar absorption and low emissivity properties. The coating comprises a substrate (1) of metal, dielectric or ceramic material, at least one highly reflective metal layer (2) in mid-far infrared applied to the substrate itself which provides low emissivity properties, a multi-layer structure of alternating dielectric and metallic layers (3) of subnanometric thickness applied to the reflective metal layer and at least one dielectric layer (4) that acts as an anti-reflective layer for the solar spectrum. The coating is applicable as a selective absorbent coating in absorbent tubes for parabolic-trough solar collectors, in solar panels for hot water, heating or domestic cooling, both in the form of absorbent tubes and absorbent sheets, in capture systems in tower solar thermoelectric power plants, and in capture systems in Stirling disk systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Abengoa Solar New Technologies, S.A.
    Inventors: Francisco Villuendas Yuste, Carlos Alcañiz Garcia, Rafael Alonso Esteban, Javier Pelayo Zueco, Jesus Mario Subias Domingo, Carlos Heras Vila, Noelia Martinez Sanz
  • Patent number: 9297557
    Abstract: A Fresnel lens comprising a substantially polygonal focusing portion adapted to focus solar radiation to a area having the same geometry as the focusing portion of the lens. Also a solar module comprising the Fresnel collecting lens and a substantially polygonal photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell is mounted at distance from the Fresnel collecting lens so that the size of the area substantially matches the size of the photovoltaic cell. Also a solar panel having multiple modules within a glazed building envelope system. The solar panel also includes an actuating mechanism within the glazed window envelope system. The actuating mechanism is operatively connected to the plurality of solar modules and is adapted to move the solar modules to track the sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Anna H. Dyson, Michael K. Jensen, David N. Borton
  • Patent number: 9297558
    Abstract: A refrigerating system including an air conditioning system and a cooler system is provided. An air conditioner-side refrigerant passage may be connected to a cooler-side refrigerant passage to allow refrigerant to flow between the air conditioning system and the cooler system. Thus, if a cooler-side compressor experiences abnormal operation, cooler-side refrigerant may be compressed by an air conditioner-side compressor so as to maintain cooling performance of the refrigerating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jae Heuk Choi, Yoon Ho Yoo, Do Yong Ha, Baik Young Chung
  • Patent number: 9297559
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a processor includes a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) controller to obtain a platform cooling level associated with the processor; obtain a temperature associated with the processor; calculate a TEC power level based at least in part on the platform cooling level and the temperature; and provide the TEC power level to a TEC device associated with the processor, wherein the TEC device is to transfer heat from the processor to a heat sink. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thanunathan Rangarajan, Rahul Khanna, Richard Marian Thomaiyar, Minh T Le
  • Patent number: 9297560
    Abstract: A dehumidifier for a compressor, including: a plurality of dehumidifying members that absorb moisture; and a flow passage controlling valve module that enables a low-temperature vapor refrigerant to alternately flow into the plurality of dehumidifying members and enables the low-temperature refrigerant to flow into a compressor in a state where moisture contained in the low-temperature refrigerant is absorbed and is removed, enables a high-temperature vapor refrigerant ejected from the compressor to alternately flow into the dehumidifying members and regenerates the dehumidifying members. Thus, since a liquid-state absorbent contained in a refrigerant flowing into the compressor is removed by the dehumidifier, damage caused by liquid compression and corrosion of the compressor can be reduced. In addition, the structure of the dehumidifier is simple, and an additional external heating source is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Seong-Ryong Park, Ji-Young Kim, Minsung Kim, Young-Jin Baik, Ho-Sang Ra, Jun-Tack Park, Hyung-Kee Yoon, Young-Soo Lee, Ki-Chang Chang
  • Patent number: 9297561
    Abstract: An evaporator with a cool storage function includes a plurality of refrigerant flow tubes, fins, and cool storage material containers. Each of the cool storage material containers has a longitudinal direction and includes a third side wall and a fourth side wall opposite to the third side wall. The third side wall and the fourth side wall have first convex portions and second convex portions, respectively. The cool storage material containers are provided in a second part of spaces such that the first convex portions contact a first side wall of one of the plurality of refrigerant flow tubes and the second convex portions contact a second side wall of another of the plurality of refrigerant flow tubes. The third side wall and the fourth side wall have a concavo-convex shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: KEIHIN THERMAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Motoyuki Takagi
  • Patent number: 9297562
    Abstract: An electronic expansion valve includes a drive component including a screw rod which reciprocates axially and a nut which cooperates with the screw rod by screw threads, and a lower end of the screw rod forms the valve needle component. A sleeve is fixed in the main valve cavity, an upper portion of the sleeve cooperates with the nut, and a lower end of the sleeve is supported by the valve seat and surrounds the main valve port. The valve core seat is axially movably arranged in the sleeve, and the lower end of the screw rod extends into the sleeve to open and close the valve core valve port. The structural design of the electronic expansion valve prevents an excessive impact on a valve core seat caused by the refrigerant with high pressure when the refrigerant flows forward, thereby preventing the eccentricity of the valve core seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Zhejiang Sanhua Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Caiyi Zhan
  • Patent number: 9297563
    Abstract: A refrigerant additive supply device can include an outer rigid container, an inner flexible bag positioned in the outer rigid container and defining a space therebetween where the inner flexible bag contains an additive without a refrigerant, a valve in fluid communication with the inner flexible bag, an actuator operably coupled to the valve, and a propellant sealed within the space, where the inner flexible bag has a device pressure that allows flow of the additive into a refrigerant circuit when the actuator is depressed. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: TIRE SEAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Eggen, Phil Eggen, Paul Erdek
  • Patent number: 9297564
    Abstract: A refrigerant recovery unit is provided that is capable of communicating with a vehicle diagnostic tool. The diagnostic tool can retrieve vehicle information, such as vehicle identifying information or vehicle diagnostic information. The refrigerant recovery unit can diagnose the vehicle and provide fixes to the user using the database stored therein or from a remote location. The refrigerant recovery unit includes various hardware and software to communicate with electronic control units in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Wagaman, Mark McMasters
  • Patent number: 9297565
    Abstract: In various implementations, an air conditioning system may automatically adjust an amount of refrigerant using an accumulator. The air conditioning system may operate in at least two operation modes including a cooling operation and a reheat operation. The amount of refrigerant allowed to flow to a condenser of the system may be based at least partially on the operating mode of the air conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Der-Kai Hung
  • Patent number: 9297566
    Abstract: A control system for a refrigeration appliance is provided. The control system uses a linear model that is designed to minimize or remove excess enthalpy from one or more compartments and/or features of the appliance. At least one variable speed compressor is operated at a speed that will remove excess enthalpy within a desired time period while also operating at an optimized speed for energy efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bahman Abbasi, Keith Wesley Wait
  • Patent number: 9297567
    Abstract: A condenser assembly through which a refrigerant is circulated to transfer heat from the refrigerant to ambient air in which the condenser assembly is at least partially disposed. The condenser assembly includes a compressor, a crankcase heater energizable via a crankcase heater control circuit, a condenser, a condenser fan, and an electronically commutated condenser fan motor. The condenser assembly also includes an ambient temperature sensor for sensing at least one temperature of the ambient air, to provide a sensed temperature. The condenser assembly includes a condenser switch subassembly configured to control energization of the crankcase heater and the condenser fan motor. The condenser switch subassembly is controlled by the ambient temperature sensor. The condenser fan motor is controlled by a condenser fan controller that applies a first voltage or a second voltage to the condenser fan motor depending on whether a third conductor attached to the motor is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: National Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Vince Zolli, William J. Mead
  • Patent number: 9297568
    Abstract: A cooler is presented with integrated vertical storage tubes that are sized to receive folding camp chairs for storage and ease of transport. When a desired location is reached, the camp chairs may be removed for use, and cup holder inserts may then be placed into the tubes to convert the tubes to cup holders or closed storage for additional items. The cooler may also include a storage box attached to the lid or brackets to receive additional camp chairs in a horizontal configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Geoffrey Thompson
  • Patent number: 9297569
    Abstract: A system and method for cooling an environmental test chamber is described where a controller is in communication with an auxiliary cooling unit and the primary refrigeration unit. A first chamber temperature measurement associated with the environmental test chamber is received, and the heat load associated with a target temperature is determined. Based on the first chamber temperature measurement and the heat load, it is determined that the auxiliary cooling unit can sustain the target temperature. In response to the determination, the controller is used to transmit a signal to power on the auxiliary cooling unit and a signal to time out the primary refrigeration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Taylor, Don R. Tolbert
  • Patent number: 9297570
    Abstract: An installation and method for freezing and cold storage of palletized product. A chiller is provided in the interior of a cold storage warehouse space that maintains the temperature of ambient air within the space below freezing. A plurality of racking structures each define an air flow chamber having air intake openings on opposite sides thereof and an air outlet to enable freezing air to be drawn into the chamber through the intake openings and exhausting into the warehouse space. Pallets on pallet guides are pressed against the intake openings such that freezing air is drawn through the palletized product to thereby quickly freeze the product. The pallet structure and air flow chambers are arranged in spaced-apart rows to enable a forklift to pass down the aisles so as to place and remove the palletized product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Tippmann Companies LLC
    Inventor: Daniel J. Tippmann