Patents Issued in March 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9599355
    Abstract: A dry air-water heat exchanger, wherein a cooling fan, a main tube row, at least an air pre-cooling water tube row, a water evaporator and a catchment chamber are set in a housing, wherein the air pre-cooling water tube row is provided to pre-cool for the entering air, and the water evaporator is provided to evaporate water for heat exchanging after air pre-cooling to thereby lower the temperature of the entering air, and the circulating refrigerant (or the circulating water) inside the main the row is heat exchanged by the main tube row, to thereby perform the high-efficiency cooling process with minimum energy and water consumption, to thereby cool and lower the temperature of the circulating refrigerant (or circulating water), to improve the cooling efficiency of the circulating refrigerant (or circulating water), and achieve the purpose of reducing bacterial growth and scale formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: HER JIU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuo-Liang Weng, Chien-Lun Weng, Ling-Hua Weng, Ching-Ju Weng
  • Patent number: 9599356
    Abstract: A humidifying apparatus includes a base, a water tank removably mounted on the base for supplying water to a chamber of the base, and a motor-driven impeller for generating an air flow over water stored in the chamber. An ultraviolet radiation emitting lamp irradiates water stored in the chamber. The air flow is humidified with water from the chamber, and conveyed by an outlet duct towards an air outlet for emission from the apparatus. A detachable section of the water tank is opaque to ultraviolet radiation and is positioned over the chamber when the water tank is mounted on the base. The detachable section of the water tank includes an air inlet of the outlet duct and a flange for occluding a peripheral portion of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Staniforth, Jude Paul Pullen
  • Patent number: 9599357
    Abstract: An air handling system for handling air and contaminants within an indoor gun range is provided. The air handling system includes a conditioning unit coupled to the indoor gun range. An air supply assembly is coupled in flow communication to the conditioning unit and the indoor gun range, wherein the air supply assembly is configured to discharge air from the conditioning unit and into the indoor gun range. The air handling system includes an air recirculation assembly coupled in flow communication to the air supply assembly and the indoor gun range. The air recirculation assembly is configured to recirculate at least one of a first amount of discharged air and a second amount of discharged air to the air supply assembly. An air exhaust assembly is coupled in flow communication to the indoor gun range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Vogel Sheet Metal and Heating, Inc
    Inventor: John Vogel
  • Patent number: 9599358
    Abstract: A ventilator having a ventilator stator for mounting to a structure and a ventilator rotor for mounting and rotation with respect to the stator. One or more wind-drivable elements are mounted to the ventilator. A motor is provided for operation between the ventilator rotor and ventilator stator for selective motor-driven rotation of the ventilation rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CSR Building Products Limited
    Inventors: Derek Lawrence Alan Munn, Tarek Alfakhrany
  • Patent number: 9599359
    Abstract: The disclosure provides, in one aspect, an integrated controller for a HVAC system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated controller includes: (1) an interface coupled to an auxiliary controller of the HVAC system and configured to communicate therewith, the auxiliary controller having an auxiliary non-volatile memory, (2) a processor, coupled to the interface and configured to direct the operation of the HVAC system, and (3) a main non-volatile memory coupled to the processor and configured to receive a copy of main controller application information associated with the main system controller via the interface and store the main controller application information, the processor further configured to automatically send a copy of the main controller application information during manufacturing of the HVAC system to the auxiliary controller of the HVAC system to store as back-up data on the auxiliary non-volatile memory of the auxiliary controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Will Kowald, Darko Hadzidedic
  • Patent number: 9599360
    Abstract: A multi-type air conditioning apparatus including an outdoor unit, indoor units, and a communication line, each of the outdoor unit and the indoor units including a communicator transmitting/receiving data through the communication line and a controller transmitting at least one preamble signal, including priority information to transmit the data using the communication line, through the communication line, and transmitting the data through the communication line when transmission of the at least one preamble signal has been completed. In the multi-type air conditioning apparatus, each of the outdoor unit and the indoor units selects a priority set time, transmits a preamble signal after the selected priority set time has elapsed, and delays data transmission when a preamble signal transmitted by another constituent unit is sensed during the priority set time, thus avoiding collision on the communication line and rapidly occupying the communication line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Joo Kim, Yong Gak Kim, Hee Il Park, Dong Kue Lee
  • Patent number: 9599361
    Abstract: A heat quantity displaying device displays the state of supply of a heat quantity from air-conditioning equipment to a subject space that is subject to air-conditioning control. The heat quantity displaying device includes a heat quantity display that displays substantially simultaneously on a screen at least a range of heat quantities that can be supplied by the air-conditioning equipment to the subject space, and a heat quantity currently are required by the subject space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: AZBIL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Honda
  • Patent number: 9599362
    Abstract: An air control system and associated methods including a flexible duct having air exit holes and a flexible liner sheet within the duct and extending longitudinally along the duct, the liner sheet having opposite longitudinal edges connected to the duct along the longitudinal length of the duct, the liner sheet being permeable in one aspect and regulating air flow through the exit holes when the sheet is pressed against the portion of the duct having the exit holes. The duct may also have multiple liner sheets arranged end-to-end and/or layered in various duct segments such that the different liners may be independently controlled to regulate the outflow of air from the duct as desired. The duct having a liner which closes or inhibits air flow from the exit holes may also be rotated to accommodate use of a single duct for different seasons and where the internal liner adjusts to assist with the downward control of air flow based on alignment of various perforations with the different exits holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Leiterman and Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Leiterman
  • Patent number: 9599363
    Abstract: An air curtain (18) for an air handler (12) is disclosed for moving to block air from passing through selected cooling coils (14). The cooling coils (14) are separated into separate sections (1-4) along a lineal direction (22), with the separate sections (1-4) connected to respective compressors (52), condensers (54), and expansion valves (56). The air curtain (18) is located on one side of the cooling coils (14) and furled into a housing (16) to provide full flow airflow through all the separate cooling coil sections (1-4). The air curtain (18) unfurls along the lineal direction (22) to block airflow (46) through selected sections (1-4) of the cooling coils (14). Position sensors (24-30) are mounted in registration with edge regions (32) of the cooling coil sections (1-4) and detect when a terminal end (20) of the air curtain (18) is proximate to respective ones of the positions sensors (24-30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NexRev Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Smith, David E Dellinger
  • Patent number: 9599364
    Abstract: An electrochemical compressor type heat pump system is described. An electrochemical compressor compresses a mixed gas refrigerant whereby heat from the compression can be used to heat an object. The electrochemical compressor is capable of producing high pressure gas from a mixed fluid system including an electrochemically-active component, such as hydrogen, and at least one refrigerant fluid, for example water. Any suitable proton associable compound, such as any suitable ionic or polar solvent compound, may be used in the mixed gas refrigerant. The electrochemical compressor may be configured in a hot water heater along with a secondary type heating source to produce a hybrid hot water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Xergy LTD
    Inventors: Bamdad Bahar, William Paul Parmelee, Steven K Naugler, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Brent Alden Junge
  • Patent number: 9599365
    Abstract: A jacket for a hot water heater appliance includes a top, bottom, front, back, and a fastener. The top is configured to insulate an upper portion of a hot water tank. The bottom is configured to insulate a lower portion of the hot water tank. The front is configured to insulate a front portion of the hot water tank. The back is configured to insulate a back portion of the hot water tank. The fastener is configured to releaseably fasten the front to the back. The top, bottom, front and back include expanded polypropylene (EPP) configured to provide insulation to the hot water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: The Marley-Wylain Company
    Inventors: Ryan Hardesty, Dan Karch, David King, Aaron Smith
  • Patent number: 9599366
    Abstract: A flameless heater produces hot dry air utilizing hydraulic heat-transfer fluid as a heat transfer medium. The heater is powered preferably by a natural gas engine. The process begins with the natural gas engine producing rotary power which drives a hydraulic pump which directs the heat-transferring fluid through a dynamic heat generator to heat the fluid via an internal friction process. The heated fluid is subsequently circulated through a heat exchanger where a hydraulically-powered fan blows ambient air through to be heated. The heat exchanger also extracts heat from the exhaust and coolant system portions of the engine to further heat the air. The produced dry hot air may be used for general heating. It is envisioned that engines which utilize other fuel sources such as diesel, gasoline, steam, or the like could be utilized with equal effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Steve Hoffert
  • Patent number: 9599367
    Abstract: A portable battery operated heater powered by a battery includes a housing having an air inlet formed at a rear wall and an air outlet formed at a front wall, the housing further comprising an interiorly concave portion extending from the rear wall to the front wall, the interiorly concave portion directing a flow of air from the air inlet to the air outlet; a fan electrically connectable to the battery, the fan being disposed within the housing for creating the flow of air; and a heating element electrically connectable to the battery, the heating element being interposed between the air inlet and the air outlet in such manner that the flow of air passes over the heating element and is heated thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Carline Curry
  • Patent number: 9599368
    Abstract: A bladeless fan assembly for creating an air current includes a nozzle mounted on a base housing a device for creating an air flow. The nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving the air flow and a mouth for emitting the air flow. The nozzle defines, and extends about, an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth. The nozzle also includes a heater for heating the air flow upstream of the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Gerald Fitton, John Scott Sutton, Peter David Gammack, James Dyson, John David Wallace, Arran George Smith
  • Patent number: 9599369
    Abstract: A control system for controlling a gas powered water heater includes a thermoelectric generator to provide electrical power at a first voltage, a valve control system to selectively hold a main gas valve in an open position, a valve pick system to selectively pick the main gas valve from a closed position to the open position using the electrical power at the first voltage, and a power converter. The controller is electrically powered by a boosted electrical power at the second voltage from the power converter. The controller is communicatively coupled to the valve control system, the valve pick system, and the safety system. The controller is configured to control operation of the main burner and the main gas valve using the valve control system, the valve pick system, and the safety system to provide water heated to substantially a setpoint temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Furmanek, Thomas P. Buescher
  • Patent number: 9599370
    Abstract: A solar collector is provided that has a base material and a nanostructured layer integrated into the base material so as to form a light-absorbing surface. The nanostructured layer has nanoparticles of an inorganic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Englert
  • Patent number: 9599371
    Abstract: An installation for the production of cold and/or heat has a driving and a receiving machine. The driving machine has means for circulating a working fluid GM, an evaporator EM, at least one transfer cylinder CTM that contains a transfer liquid LT in a lower part and the working fluid GM liquid and/or vapor form above the transfer liquid, a condenser CM, at least one device BSM for separating the liquid and vapor phases of the working fluid GM, and a device for compressing the working fluid GM to the liquid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Sylvain Mauran, Nathalie Mazet, Pierre Neveu, Driss Stitou
  • Patent number: 9599372
    Abstract: A vortex tube with an arcuate hot leg. A vortex tube include a vortex chamber couple to a first tube, a cold leg, to carry a cold air stream and a second tube, the hot leg, to cause the separation of hot and cold air. The hot leg bends in an arc to allow a longer and more efficient hot leg in reduced linear space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: RPB Safety, LLC
    Inventors: Mathew E. Bancroft, Adam S. Lawlor, Elizabeth A. Gordon, Adrian P. Taylor, William C. Hamill
  • Patent number: 9599373
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage heat pump, including: a hydrogen storage unit in which hydrogen gas is stored in a compressed state; a hydrogen flow tube through which the hydrogen gas, which is supplied from the hydrogen storage unit, flows; plural hydrogen absorbing materials that are provided at the hydrogen flow tube, that each have a different absorption pressure at which hydrogen is absorbed, and that are arranged in an order such that the absorption pressure decreases in a hydrogen gas flow direction from the hydrogen storage unit; and a switching valve that is disposed between the hydrogen absorbing materials in the hydrogen flow tube and that switches a flow rate of the hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Takafumi Yamauchi, Yasuki Hirota, Masakazu Aoki, Takashi Shimazu
  • Patent number: 9599374
    Abstract: A magnetic air conditioner includes heat generation disks of a hollow shape each having a magneto-caloric material and a thermal switch, and magnetic field application disks of a hollow shape each having a magnetic field application unit that applies a magnetic field to the magneto-caloric material, the heat generation disks and the magnetic field application disks being alternately stacked. At least either of the heat generation disks and the magnetic field application disks is made to relatively rotate so as to transport heat in a direction intersecting the rotating direction. The magnetic air conditioner also includes an outer-rotor motor that causes at least one of the heat generation disks and the magnetic field application disks to rotate, and a clutch that transmits a driving force collectively to the plurality of heat generation disks or to the plurality of magnetic field application disks, or separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Takahashi, Yutaka Tasaki, Yoshiteru Yasuda
  • Patent number: 9599375
    Abstract: A magnetic cooling apparatus includes first magnetic regenerators that pass a first heat transfer fluid and a first magnetocaloric material, second magnetic regenerators that pass a second heat transfer fluid having a relative lower freezing point than the first heat transfer fluid and a second magnetocaloric material having a relative lower Curie temperature than the first magnetocaloric material, a magnet that applies a magnetic field to the first magnetic regenerators and the second magnetic regenerators, a hot side heat exchanger allowing the first heat transfer fluid to emit heat, a cold side heat exchanger allowing the second heat transfer fluid to absorb heat, and an intermediate heat exchanger allowing the first heat transfer fluid flowing between cold sides of the first magnetic regenerators and the second heat transfer fluid passing through hot sides of the second magnetic regenerators to exchange heat with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo Hyek Choi, Il Ju Mun, Keon Kuk, Min Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 9599376
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an energy efficient thermal protection assembly. The thermal protection assembly can comprise three or more thermoelectric unit layers capable of active use of the Peltier effect; and at least one capacitance spacer block suitable for storing heat and providing a delayed thermal reaction time of the assembly. The capacitance spacer block is thermally connected between the thermoelectric unit layers. The present disclosure further relates to a thermoelectric transport and storage devices for transporting or storing temperature sensitive goods, for example, vaccines, chemicals, biologicals, and other temperature sensitive goods. The transport or storage device can be configured and provide on-board energy storage for sustaining, for multiple days, at a constant-temperature, with an acceptable temperature variation band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ambassador Asset Management Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Alp Ilercil
  • Patent number: 9599377
    Abstract: Provided is a heat pump device configured to collect heat both from outside air and another heat source. A controller calculates heat exchange amounts with use of heat exchange performance of each of an air heat-source heat exchanger and an underground heat-source heat exchanger in addition to an outside air temperature and an underground temperature. Then, in switching between a simultaneous operation of causing refrigerant to flow through both of the air heat-source heat exchanger and the underground heat-source heat exchanger and a single operation of selecting the air heat-source heat exchanger or the underground heat-source heat exchanger to cause refrigerant to flow therethrough, the controller selects a heat source having a larger calculated heat exchange amount. In this manner, an appropriate heat source suitable for operation conditions can be selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yohei Kato
  • Patent number: 9599378
    Abstract: A heat pump hot-water supply apparatus controls a second expansion device during a heating operation so as to adjust the amount of refrigerant flowing through an injection pipe, and controls a third expansion device during a cooling operation so as to adjust the amount of refrigerant flowing through the injection pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Katsuhiro Ishimura, Shinichi Wakamoto, Naofumi Takenaka
  • Patent number: 9599379
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a first compressor and a first indoor heat exchanger, and the air conditioner forming a first refrigeration cycle. A cooler includes a second compressor and a second indoor heat exchanger, and the cooler forming a second refrigeration cycle The cooler includes a sensing part to detect a pressure and/or temperature of a refrigerant circulating in the second refrigeration cycle; and a branch part includes a plurality of branches for dividing the refrigerant to be introduced into the second heat exchange part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Doyong Ha, Yoonho Yoo, Taehee Kwak, Jaeheuk Choi
  • Patent number: 9599380
    Abstract: When a first temperature difference is the difference between a saturated gas temperature of a first refrigerant at an inlet side and a saturated liquid temperature of the first refrigerant at an outlet side in a heat exchanger for heating, and when a second temperature difference is the difference between a saturated gas temperature of a second refrigerant at an outlet side and a temperature of the second refrigerant at an inlet side in the heat exchanger for heating, the difference between the first temperature difference and the second temperature difference is held in a predetermined value or less by charging the second refrigerant to the second refrigeration cycle so that a plurality of single refrigerants forming the second refrigerant have a predetermined mixing ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9599381
    Abstract: Compositions which are based on tetrafluoropropene and more particularly relates to compositions including 60% to 90% by weight of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 10% to 40% by weight of at least one compound selected from difluoroethane and difluoromethane, which can be used as a heat transfer fluid. The compositions may include 60% to 79% by weight of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 21% to 40% by weight of a compound selected from difluoroethane and difluoromethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ARKEMA FRANCE
    Inventor: Wissam Rached
  • Patent number: 9599382
    Abstract: An air-conditioning remote controller includes a display section, an operable section, a memory, a transmitter unit, and a processor. The operable section includes a set-temperature increase button and a set-temperature decrease button. In the memory, information designating an upper limit, a lower limit, or both the upper limit and the lower limit as a setting target in setback control is set. The processor makes the display section display a set temperature or temperatures designated by the setting target set in the memory, changes the set temperature or temperatures designated by the setting target on the basis of an operation result of one of or both of the set-temperature increase button and the set-temperature decrease button, and transmits the changed result to the transmitter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Higaki
  • Patent number: 9599383
    Abstract: One aspect provides an air conditioning system that includes a compressor housing, a motor having fan blades rotatably coupled thereto and located within the compressor housing. The motor has a rotation sensor associated with it that is configured to sense a rotation of the fan blades. This embodiment further comprises a controller coupled to the motor and is configured to increase a torque of the motor when the rotation sensor indicates that the fan blades are not rotating after an on command signal is received by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Mangum
  • Patent number: 9599384
    Abstract: In a refrigeration system having a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a controller for controlling an expansion valve, a process for controlling compressor discharge during a cooling cycle includes monitoring a compressor discharge temperature, operating the expansion valve in a base mode wherein the expansion valve is controlled in response to a difference between actual superheat and desired superheat of the evaporator; and controlling the expansion valve in response to a difference between a set point and a compressor discharge parameter when the ambient air temperature, the return air temperature and the compressor discharge temperature meet respective limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul V. Weyna, Eliot W. Dudley, Alan D. Abbott, Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9599385
    Abstract: An ice tray may include a substantially planar body portion with a plurality of cavities that are not interconnected by weirs. The ice tray may include a body having raised portions between adjacent cavities to alleviate stress that may otherwise form in these areas. A water distribution system may be utilized to provide specified volumes of water in the cavities to prevent overflowing of the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James C.L. Guarino, Lindsey Ann Wohlgamuth
  • Patent number: 9599386
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes an ice making device for producing ice cubes. The ice making device includes a mold body having a plurality of ice forming cavities adapted to hold fluid. In an ice making cycle, air is evacuated from the cavities by a vacuum system, thereby depressurizing the cavities. Then, liquid is delivered to the depressurized cavities by a liquid delivery system, whereby an initial portion of the liquid bubbles up within the respective cavities. Once ice cubes have been formed within the cavities, the cavities are heated by a heat transfer system, thereby partially melting the ice cubes and aiding in the expulsion of ice cubes from the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Alexandre D. Grosse, Adriana Syliva Guillen
  • Patent number: 9599387
    Abstract: An ice maker having a housing defining an interior volume, with an ice tray rotatably coupled with the housing and horizontally suspended across the interior volume thereof. The ice tray has ice wells, defined along the bottom by a bottom surface and the sides by an interior surface of at least one containment wall, wherein the containment wall has an upper portion, including a top surface of the containment wall and the interior surface adjacent the top surface. The upper portion of the containment wall has an insulating layer applied thereto. A tray for use in the ice maker and method of manufacturing the tray are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Boarman, Lindsey Ann Wohlgamuth
  • Patent number: 9599388
    Abstract: A clear ice maker assembly for an appliance includes an ice tray rotatably coupled with a housing and horizontally suspended within an interior volume of the housing. The ice tray includes a metallic ice forming plate with a bottom surface, a substantially planar top surface and an edge portion. A containment wall extends upward from the top surface along the edge portion. A grid having at least one dividing wall extends across the top surface between the containment walls. A fluid line extends into the housing and supplies water to the top surface of the ice tray to be retained by the containment wall and the grid. A cooling source is thermally coupled to the bottom surface of the ice forming plate. The containment wall and the grid have a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the ice forming plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Boarman, Brian K. Culley
  • Patent number: 9599389
    Abstract: A clear ice making system and method utilizes an ice forming tray pivotally connected to opposing side walls of an icemaker housing. Ice forming fingers of a dedicated evaporator extend into fluid within the ice forming tray, and are cooled by communication with the refrigerant circulating system of the refrigerator. A motor oscillates the ice forming tray about a longitudinal axis at a frequency of about 0.4-0.6 hertz as fluid channels freezes on the ice forming fingers over time, forming clear ice pieces. During an ice dispensing event, the motor pivots the ice making tray about the longitudinal axis such that fluid remaining within the ice making tray drains into a fluid reservoir below. The ice forming fingers are then heated to release the clear ice pieces for transfer from the fresh food compartment to the freezer compartment of the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Anderson Bortoletto, Kevin M. Chase, Tony L. Koenigsknecht, Ronald L. Voglewede, Matthew E. Young
  • Patent number: 9599390
    Abstract: A device for producing artificial snow includes: elements (100) for producing a central jet (101) consisted by a first fluid chosen among air or water; elements (110) for producing a peripheral jet (111) consisted by a second fluid chosen among water or air and different from the first fluid; and nucleation elements (120) for the production of at least one nucleation jet (121). The elements for producing the central jet and the elements for producing the peripheral jet are arranged in such a manner that the opposite contours (103, 114) of their respective jets each define a generating line, which opposite generating lines extend parallel or at least approximately parallel to each other; moreover, the nucleation elements (120) are distributed over the external periphery of the elements (110) for producing the peripheral jet (111).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TECHNOALPIN FRANCE SAS
    Inventors: Michel Galvin, Eric David, Karlheinz Terrabona
  • Patent number: 9599391
    Abstract: A cooling device (1) is describe having a refrigeration volume (3) wherein the foodstuffs to be cooled are placed, at least one cabinet (2) having an inner wall (4) surrounding the refrigeration volume (3) and an outer wall (5) with heat insulating material injected between itself and the inner wall (4), a compressor (6) providing compression of the refrigerant and circulation pipes (7) that extend at least between the inner wall (4) and the outer wall (5), providing the refrigeration volume (3) to be cooled by circulating the refrigerant leaving the compressor (6) therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI
    Inventors: Ozgun Atac Gultekin, Fatih Demiray, Musa Caliskan, Murat Ungor
  • Patent number: 9599392
    Abstract: An appliance door includes a vacuum insulated structure having a plurality of core sections that are folded to form an ice and/or water dispensing cavity on an outer side of the appliance door. The vacuum insulated door structure may be positioned between an outer door member and a door liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Guolian Wu
  • Patent number: 9599393
    Abstract: A refrigerator in which a rotating bar installed to one of a pair of doors is rotated when the other door is opened or closed. The refrigerator includes a rotating bar to seal a gap between doors, and a guide device to guide rotation of the rotating bar. The guide device includes a base having a receptacle, a rotating unit mounted in the receptacle and rotated by a rotating shaft, a ramp structure fixed in the receptacle and having a ramp, a linkage unit linearly movably secured to the rotating unit and connected to the rotating bar so as to be linearly moved on the ramp and rotated along with the rotating unit about the rotating shaft, and an elastic unit supported by the rotating unit and adapted to transmit elastic force to the linkage unit to allow the linkage unit to move on the ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Woon Jeon, Se Youn Park, Sun Min Lee, Jae Moon Lee
  • Patent number: 9599394
    Abstract: An example functional member of a refrigerator, freezer or icemaker having two closing members intended to be separated by a first distance includes a structure to implement a function for the refrigerator, freezer or icemaker, and a gap gauge dimensioned for use in aligning the two closing members apart by the first distance. An example functional member is a divider, a hinge cover or a scoop having a gap gauge with a blade-shaped, an oval or a rectangular cross-section, where a dimension of the cross-section is the first distance. An example gap gauge may be further dimensioned for use in aligning one of the two closing members and a third closing members, or two additional closing members apart by a second different distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Duane M. Kobos, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: 9599395
    Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus includes a high temperature side first cycle; a high temperature side second cycle; a low temperature side cycle in which carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant; a first cascade condenser and a second cascade condenser, which each exchange heat between a high temperature side refrigerant and a low temperature side refrigerant; and a control unit lowering an evaporation temperature of a high temperature side evaporator in correspondence to the flow of the low temperature side refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yamashita, Takeshi Sugimoto, Takashi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9599396
    Abstract: A system and method for producing argon that uses a higher pressure column, a lower pressure column, and an argon column collectively configured to produce nitrogen, oxygen and argon products through the cryogenic separation of air. The present system and method also employs a once through argon condensing assembly that is disposed entirely within the lower pressure column that is configured to condense an argon rich vapor stream from the argon column against the oxygen-enriched liquid from the higher pressure column to produce an argon liquid product. The control system is configured for optimizing the production of argon product by ensuring an even flow split of the oxygen-enriched liquid is distributed to the argon condenser cores and by adjusting the flow rate of the argon removed from the argon condensing assembly to maintain the liquid/vapor balance in the argon condensing assembly within appropriate limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Karl K. Kibler, Maulik R. Shelat
  • Patent number: 9599397
    Abstract: A curing apparatus is disclosed. The curing apparatus includes a flash lamp and a lamp housing for containing the flash lamp with the flash lamp's longitudinal axis in parallel with the direction of motion of a moving substrate irradiated by the flash lamp. The lamp housing is capable of attaching to a second lamp housing to form a concatenated lamp housing having a common reflector cavity. The second lamp housing also holds a second flash lamp with the second flash lamp's longitudinal axis in parallel with the direction of the moving substrate under the second flash lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NCC NANO, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas K. Jackson
  • Patent number: 9599398
    Abstract: A condensation dryer, in particular a tumble dryer, having a heat exchanger (2). In the heat exchanger (2) moisture, which has been absorbed in a drying chamber (1), is separated from an air circuit (3). The condensation dryer includes a sorption unit (5). The sorption unit (5) is connectable to a liquid reservoir (7). Between the liquid reservoir (7) and the sorption unit (5) a cooling fluid flow (4) can be generated. The cooling fluid flow (4) passes through the heat exchanger (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Eichenauer Heizelemente GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jerome Grunewald
  • Patent number: 9599399
    Abstract: A material supply apparatus and process for co-injecting heated solid metalliferous material and solid carbonaceous material via a solids injection lance into a direct smelting vessel are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Technological Resources Pty Limited
    Inventor: Rodney James Dry
  • Patent number: 9599400
    Abstract: An apparatus to feed and pre-heat a metal charge to a melting furnace of a steelworks comprises a feeding and pre-heating tower separate from the melting furnace provided with at least one compartment to temporarily contain said metal charge, transfer means to transfer said metal charge to said melting furnace and conveying means to convey the fumes exiting from the melting furnace to said compartment. The apparatus also comprises a post-combustion chamber, disposed adjacent to and below said compartment, and connected on one side to said compartment and on another side to said conveying means, the post-combustion chamber being configured to determine the expansion of the fumes introduced by the conveying means and to direct said expanded fumes toward said compartment along a path such as to determine a desired residence time of said fumes suitable to obtain at least the substantial complete combustion of the unburned gases present in said fumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: DANIELI & C. OFFICINE MECCANICHE SPA
    Inventor: Alfredo Poloni
  • Patent number: 9599401
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling a melting and refining process in an electric arc furnace for melting a metal, wherein the electric arc furnace includes molten and solid metal and a slag layer on the surface of the molten metal, wherein an electromagnetic stirrer is arranged for stirring the molten metal. The method includes calculating/determining masses of the molten and solid metal at a point of time, wherein the calculation is based on initial values of the molten and solid metal, an arc power supplied to the electric arc furnace, and temperatures of the molten and solid metal, determining a stirring power based on the calculated/determined masses, and supplying the determined stirring power to the electromagnetic stirrer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Michael Lundh, Xiaojing Zhang, Jan-Erik Eriksson, Lidong Teng, Carl-Fredrik Lindberg
  • Patent number: 9599402
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for a decoloring information management of a decoloring apparatus includes an decoloring processing unit, a sheet conveying unit, a sheet reading unit, a user ID reading unit, a storing unit configured to store a predetermined information, and a control unit. A sheet on which an image is formed with an decolorable colorant is subject to decoloring processing. The sheet conveying unit conveys the sheet and causes the sheet to pass through the decoloring processing unit. The sheet reading unit is arranged further on an upstream side than the decoloring processing unit. The user ID reading unit reads ID information of a user. The storing unit stores predetermined information. The control unit controls the storage unit to correlate the user ID and the read information by the sheet reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Iguchi, Hiroyuki Taki, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Isao Yahata, Hiroyuki Taguchi, Hiroyuki Tsuchihashi
  • Patent number: 9599403
    Abstract: A cooling tower having plume abating means is disclosed. The cooling tower disclosed herein includes: a housing; a cooling unit disposed inside of the housing and configured to convert high-temperature cooling water into low-temperature cooling water by contacting it with ambient air, wherein the cooling unit includes a wet unit and a dry unit that limit or block transfer of materials therebetween; a cooling water distributing unit disposed on top of the cooling unit and configured to spray cooling water to at least the wet unit of the cooling unit; a plume generating unit for generating plume by contacting first air discharged from the wet unit with second air discharged from the dry unit; a plume collecting unit disposed inside or outside of the housing and configured to collect plume generated in the plume generating unit; and an exhausting means disposed in a front end or back end of the plume collecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Moo Shin, Hyun Ho Lee, Sung Soo Choi, Young A. Choi, Young Shin Jeon, Hyun Soo Park
  • Patent number: 9599404
    Abstract: A fluid direct contact heat exchanger having a contact chamber with a source fluid inlet provided by a source fluid inlet pipe, a source fluid outlet provided by a source fluid outlet pipe, a transfer fluid inlet provided by a transfer fluid inlet pipe, and a transfer fluid outlet provided by a transfer fluid outlet pipe. The source fluid and the transfer fluid have substantially different specific gravities and the source fluid and the transfer fluid are each insoluble in the other. The heat exchanger incorporates a heat transfer inducement element in the contact chamber which has a rotatable inducer shaft and a transfer accelerator element attached to the inducer shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Black Night Enterprises, INC.
    Inventor: Neldon P. Johnson