Patents Issued in August 17, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170234545
    Abstract: This invention relates to cooking stoves, in particular, to lightweight, efficient, and portable outdoor cooking stoves for use primarily by those undertaking general camping or other outdoor leisure pursuits, or by larger groups of people for entertaining or humanitarian purposes. The cooking stoves are designed to make efficient use of solid fuel blocks and to minimise the soot deposited on the cooking vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Eric Dennis BARFORD
  • Publication number: 20170234546
    Abstract: An apparatus usable in a kettle- or kamado-style grill instead of a conventional cooking grate. The apparatus includes a cooking surface support configured for support in a base of the grill in lieu of the conventional grate, and a complementary cooking surface supportable on the cooking surface support. The cooking surface support defines open fuel ports providing access to the fuel chamber. The apparatus may include a secondary fuel basket positionable within an open fuel port. An alternative apparatus comprises a unitary body adapted to be supported in the bottom portion of the cooking grill. The unitary body comprises a structural support portion configured to abut a bottom portion of the grill, and a cooking support portion spanning more than 50% of the area of the unitary body.; The unitary body defines at least one open fuel port permit admission of additional fuel to the bottom of the grill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: AFC BUSINESS VENTURES, LLC
    Inventor: Alfred F. Contarino, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170234547
    Abstract: An operating device for a domestic appliance includes an electronic display field, a guide, and an operating element which is movable relative to the electronic display field to set operating conditions of the domestic appliance. The operating element is comprised of multiple parts and includes a sliding ring and a front part resting on the sliding ring. The front part and the sliding ring are coupled to the guide such that the front part is rotatable in a guided manner relative to the sliding ring by the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: BSH Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Marianne Both, Stefan Brunn, Iris Costenoble, Andreas Dachs, Ulrich Goss, Bernd Martin, Robert Sachon, Matthias Sorg
  • Publication number: 20170234548
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed herein that relate to a ventilation system incorporated in a cooking apparatus. One example provides a cooking system including a body supporting a cooking surface, an air duct located within the body, and an air inlet disposed adjacent the cooking surface and in fluid communication with the air duct. The cooking system further comprises a fan disposed within the body and configured to pull exhaust from cooking through the air inlet and the air duct, a muffler configured to receive the exhaust from the fan, and an exhaust duct disposed within the body and connecting the fan to the muffler to carry the exhaust from the fan to the muffler, the exhaust duct having a curved configuration between an outlet of the fan and an inlet of the muffler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Robert A. Shingler, Joseph R. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20170234549
    Abstract: Synergistic Energy Ecosystem using a co-generation system and method wherein waste energy from waste heat producers within an enclosure including an electric generator is reclaimed to supply heat to the cold end of a heat pump within the enclosure for optimized use in space heating a habitat and to the management of the distribution of electricity from the generator so as to supply electricity to the habitat and to neighbouring habitats when efficient, cost-effective or required to do so by distribution policies managing the energy eco-system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Jai Zachary, James Andrew Leskosek, Greg John Montie
  • Publication number: 20170234550
    Abstract: A combined hot water and air heating and conditioning system including a first heat exchanger, a heat pump, a chilling tower loop, a burner and a second heat exchanger to provide hot water, air heating and air cooling. The system provides hot water, air heating and cooling all in one single unit. The system utilizes a heat pump to remove heat from ambient air and transfer the rejected heat into a hot water system, thereby using waste heat to heat the hot water system. The system utilizes a heat exchanger not only for the purpose of transferring heat from a heating source to a fluid in the heat exchanger but also for the purpose of dissipating heat from the fluid in the heat exchanger to the surroundings of the heat exchanger, thereby allowing a heat pump to act both as an air heating and conditioning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Intellihot Green Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sridhar Deivasigamani, Sivaprasad Akasam
  • Publication number: 20170234551
    Abstract: A low water sensor testing device having an initial piping unit connected to a hot water boiler and also connected to a first three way purge valve unit, which valve unit is, in turn, connected to a T-shaped piping unit and affixed within the stem portion of which there is a low water level sensor unit with the T-shaped piping unit being further connected to a second three way purge valve unit, wholly equivalent to the first valve unit, with the second valve unit being connected to an adapter unit, in turn, also connected to outflow piping carrying boiler heated water via outflow piping to the heating system of a residential or commercial structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Craig W. Billings
  • Publication number: 20170234552
    Abstract: Provided is a muffler for an air-conditioning apparatus, which is compact and has a small pressure loss, and an air-conditioning apparatus including the same. The muffler for an air-conditioning apparatus including a muffler main body which has small diameter portions on an inlet side and an outlet side, the small diameter portions having inner diameters smaller than an inner diameter of a central portion of the muffler main body, an inlet pipe connected to the small diameter portion on the inlet side of the muffler main body; and an outlet pipe connected to the small diameter portion on the outlet side of the muffler main body. The inlet pipe is inserted into the muffler main body, and has a distal end positioned at a center of a length from an inlet to an outlet of the muffler main body. The distal end side of the inlet pipe inserted into the muffler main body has an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the inlet pipe on an upstream of the distal end side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Masayuki WATANABE, Yoshiyuki TADA
  • Publication number: 20170234553
    Abstract: An air conditioner (100), comprising a compressor (110), a reversing assembly (120), an outdoor heat exchanger (130), an indoor heat exchanger (140), an electric control heat sink assembly (150), a unidirectional throttle valve (160) and a throttle component (170). The unidirectional throttle valve (160) comprises a first valve port (161) and a second valve port (162), on the flow direction from the first valve port (161) to the second valve port (162), the unidirectional throttle valve (170) is fully turned on, and on the flow direction from the second valve port (162) to the first valve port (161), the unidirectional throttle valve (170) is a throttle valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Yu HAN, Jinbo LI, Qinghao MENG, Mingyu CHEN, Xiangbing ZENG
  • Publication number: 20170234554
    Abstract: A system and method for conditioning air is provided that optimizes the use of sustainable and locally sourced materials with agrarian, residential, and industrial applications. The system can be formed with a porous siliceous, or siliceous and aluminous material that is sufficiently porous, to allow conditioning fluid to flow there through. The material can also be formed into a structure that includes one or more passageways configured to allow air to be conditioned to also pass there through. The structure can be configured to cause the conditioning fluid passing through the porous portions of the structure to intersect and mix with air passing there through. The structure may include a plurality of passageways and intersections and may include a plurality of air inlets and outlets for air passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Nassar Mahmoud AL-MADHOUN
  • Publication number: 20170234555
    Abstract: BUILDING FEATURE APPLIED IN AIR-CONDITIONING APPLIANCE, capable of enriching the air with atomized water droplets in two stages, where in a first moment the water sent directly from the water supply network is pre-atomized in an appliance (8); being then delivered to the main atomizer (9), which produces the final atomization, creating an ultrafine mist that facilitates the thermal exchange between the mist and the air. The air-conditioning appliance must be associated to a fan so as to spread this mist to the room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Alcione Rodrigues de Olveira
  • Publication number: 20170234556
    Abstract: A motor control system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications is described. The motor control system includes a thermostat and an electronically commutated motor (ECM) coupled to the thermostat. The ECM is configured to retrofit an existing non-ECM electric motor included in an HVAC application and to operate in one of a plurality of HVAC modes. The HVAC modes include at least one of a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a continuous fan mode. The HVAC mode is determined based at least partially on outputs provided by the thermostat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Roger Carlos Becerra, Steven A. Nardin, Michael R. Koller, Andrew C. Barry, Brian L. Beifus, Andrew M. Knollman
  • Publication number: 20170234557
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the air temperature of a building using a control plan based on a target time. The system includes a controller which may be connected to a number of indoor and outdoor heating ventilation and air-conditioning units. The system may include a thermostat. The system may also operate without a thermostat. The method includes determining a control plan to reach a desired temperature in a target time. The method also includes updating the plan by comparing the actual time to reach the desired temperature with the target time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas Notaro, Jim Fisher
  • Publication number: 20170234558
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems, methods and tools for coordinating the activities of a contractor and a user during a setup process of a building control system. In some instances, a contractor may install a building device and then partially configure the building device. The contractor may then leave a message at the building device for a customer. The message may including an instruction on how the customer can take action to further configure the building device. In some cases, the message may include an electronic message displayed on a display of the building device. In some cases, the message may be on a cling that is releasably secured to a face of the building device and/or may be on a hang tag that is releasably secured to the building device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Riley Gerszewski, David Quam, George Mcleod, Sriharsha Putrevu, Preston Gilmer
  • Publication number: 20170234559
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for minimizing power consumption in a cooling system. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises one or more processors, one or more sensors associated with one or more regulated environments and one or more chillers that regulate temperature of the one or more regulated environments and a storage device, coupled to the one or more processors, storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors performs a method. The method comprises gathering readings from the one or more sensors, determining a cost and power consumption associated with setting values for a plurality of control variables associated with the one or more chiller plants, selecting values for the control variables with a minimum cost as optimized control variable values and applying the optimized control variable values to the plurality of control variables to minimize power consumption of the cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: VIGILENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Clifford FEDERSPIEL, Prasad NAIR
  • Publication number: 20170234560
    Abstract: A thermostat that is configured to be releasably secured to a wall mountable connector, wherein the wall mountable connector includes a jumper switch that permits an installer or other professional to easily form an electrical connection between different wiring terminals of the wall mountable connector in accordance with how particular field wires are connected to the wiring terminals of the wall mountable connector. The thermostat is further configured to automatically determine the position of the jumper switch of the wall mountable connector, and in some cases, change the control of at least some functionality of the thermostat and/or HVAC equipment depending on the position of the jumper switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Josef Novotny, Petr Adamik, Steven L. Wolff, Ladislav Janovec, Tomas Rezny, David J. Emmons, Michal Sicner, Jiri Sapak, Tarik Khoury
  • Publication number: 20170234561
    Abstract: A method including: determining whether a cooling system is operating in a cooling mode, such that the cooling system is not operating in a reheat mode, a humidification mode or a dehumidification mode; determining whether the cooling system is operating in a compressor mode, such that the cooling system is not operating in a pump refrigerant economization mode; determining whether the cooling system is at steady-state; and if the cooling system is operating in the cooling mode and the compressor mode and is at steady-state, evaluating one or more rules to determine if a degradation symptom exists for the cooling system. The method further includes: subsequent to the evaluation, generating a degradation evaluation value to indicate whether the one or more rules are satisfied; and based on the degradation evaluation value, generating an alarm signal or performing a countermeasure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Zhiyong Lin, Martin Hrncar
  • Publication number: 20170234562
    Abstract: A system for a plurality of thermostats each located in a different building in a neighborhood. Each thermostat includes a processing circuit configured to receive one or more assigned operating time slots from an analytics service and operate building equipment associated with the thermostat based on the one or more assigned operating time slots. The system further includes the analytics service. The analytics service includes a processing circuit configured to receive weather forecast data from a weather service and predict a period of time during which an energy usage peak will occur for the plurality of buildings based on the weather forecast data, determine the one or more operating time slots based on the period of time, assign the one or more operating time slots to each of the plurality of thermostats, and send the one or more assigned operating time slots to the plurality of thermostats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph R. Ribbich, Michael J. Ajax, Michael F. Kornacki, Scott T. Holland, Youngchoon Park, Maria L. Mejia
  • Publication number: 20170234563
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, apparatuses and systems for tracking motion are disclosed. One method includes identifying a group of sensors that includes a plurality of neighboring sensors sensing motion greater than a threshold during a time interval, and tracking motion, comprising linking the group to at least one past group of at least one past time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: enLighted, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Hyman, Bo E. Ericsson, Tanuj Mohan
  • Publication number: 20170234564
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for regulating humidity of an enclosed space. The HVAC system includes an evaporator coil. A metering device is fluidly coupled to the evaporator coil. A variable-speed compressor is fluidly coupled to the condenser coil and the evaporator coil and a controller is operatively coupled to the variable-speed compressor. A humidity sensor is operatively coupled to the controller and exposed to the enclosed space. Responsive to a determination that the relative humidity of the enclosed space exceeds the maximum humidity threshold, the controller adjusts a speed of the variable-speed compressor to increase latent capacity of the HVAC system. Responsive to a determination that the relative humidity of the enclosed space falls below the minimum humidity threshold, the controller adjusts a speed of the variable-speed compressor to decrease latent capacity of the HVAC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh GOEL, Derek PHILLIPS
  • Publication number: 20170234565
    Abstract: A wall mountable connector may be secured to a wall in order to provide mechanical and electrical connections to a thermostat. In some cases, the wall mountable connector and the thermostat may, in combination, be configured to permit the thermostat to attach to the wall mountable connector only when the thermostat is in a particular orientation relative to the wall mountable connector. In some cases, the wall mountable connector includes a plurality of pin terminals that are configured to accommodate a plurality of pins extending from the thermostat. The interaction between the pins and the pin terminals may provide a lock and key arrangement between the wall mountable connector and the thermostat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: David J. Emmons, Travis Read, Eric Barton, Steven L. Wolff, Sriharsha Putrevu
  • Publication number: 20170234566
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems, methods and tools for coordinating the activities of a contractor and a user during a setup process of a building control system. In some instances, an application program for a mobile device may provide contractors and users with different user experiences when configuring a building device, where the contractor is provided with additional features and functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Riley Gerszewski, Preston Gilmer, David Quam, George Mcleod, Sriharsha Putrevu
  • Publication number: 20170234567
    Abstract: Enhancements to premises monitor or control device (e.g., thermostats, etc) are detailed herein. For example, enhanced relating to simplification of scheduling, are described as well as other enhancements relating to reducing device costs or consumption costs, providing richer features or more robust feature sets, and/or delivering associated product or services with increased simplicity, convenience, or ease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Seth Frader-Thompson, Michael DeBenedittis, Andrew Martin, Joshua Oberwetter, Michele Tepper
  • Publication number: 20170234568
    Abstract: A wall covering plate may be used in combination with a wall mountable connector and a thermostat that is designed to mate with the wall mountable connector. The wall covering plate may be configured to fit around the wall mountable connector and behind the thermostat. In some cases, for example, the wall covering plate may be configured such that the wall covering plate may be used with a wall mountable connector that is already installed and remains installed while the wall covering plate is installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Travis Read, Sriharsha Putrevu
  • Publication number: 20170234569
    Abstract: A wall mountable connector configured to facilitate a user in removing a first thermostat from the wall mountable connector and installing a new, different second thermostat on the wall mountable connector without having to do any wiring work. The field wires remain coupled to the wall mountable connector, and the wall mountable connector provides the appropriate electrical connections between the field wires and the first and second thermostats. In some cases, the wall mountable connector may include a memory for storing data communicated by a first thermostat, and to communicate the stored data to a subsequently installed second thermostat. In some instances, the first and second thermostats may be selected from a line of compatible thermostats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: David J. Emmons, Travis Read, Tarik Khoury, Jaromir Cechak, Preston Gilmer
  • Publication number: 20170234570
    Abstract: A ventilation system includes a supply register with a displacement-type diffuser providing a flow of ventilation air at a non-mixing rate that maintains stratification of air in the occupied space. An first exclusive return register is positioned near the ceiling and a second exclusive return register is positioned near the floor. A control system controls the flow of heated or cooled air to the supply register and selectively controls the flow of air into the first or second return registers. During the cooling mode, cooled air flows through the supply register and air is withdrawn only through the first exclusive return register, while in the heating mode warm air flows through the supply register and air is withdrawn only through the second return register.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Oy Halton Group Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrey V. LIVCHAK, Rick A. BAGWELL
  • Publication number: 20170234571
    Abstract: Supply air conduit (7) along which air is sent from outdoors to indoors by the air supply fan (9), exhaust air conduit (8) along which air is sent from indoors to outdoors by the air exhaust fan (10), and heat exchange element (6) provided at a position where supply air conduit (7) and exhaust air conduit (8) intersect, for exchanging heat between indoor air and outdoor air for ventilation are included. In addition, in exhaust air conduit (8), humidity detection unit (14) is provided at a position upstream of heat exchange element (6), and, in supply air conduit (7), temperature detection unit (13) is provided at a position upstream of heat exchange element (6). In addition, controller (11) reduces, when a temperature detected by temperature detection unit (13) and humidity detected by humidity detection unit (14) are predetermined values, speed of an air supply motor and an air exhaust motor so that air flow rates at which moisture neither condenses nor freezes are attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: KOUJI IIO, YASUAKI SHIMA, KENICHI ISHIGURO, YASUHIRO SUZUKI, TOSHIHIKO HASHIMOTO, TERUAKI YASUNISHI, YOSHIYUKI KIDO
  • Publication number: 20170234572
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a diffuser module that can be used to air condition a space. The space may comprise the interior space(s) of buildings such as hospitals, enclosed shopping malls, warehouses, factories, etc. The module may comprise a body defining an interior chamber, the body having an upper end able to be connected to the air conditioning unit (AHU) and an opposing lower end. The module may also comprise a first channel disposed in the chamber for receiving a first air stream from the unit. The module may also comprise at least one diffuser connected to the lower end of the body, the at least one diffuser able to receive the first air stream from the first channel and discharge it to the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin Harris, Sean Badenhorst
  • Publication number: 20170234573
    Abstract: Aspects extend to a baffle for directing air flow in a rack. For example, a baffle can be used to prevent recirculation of air within an equipment rack. When installed in a rack, the baffle creates a tunnel that more efficiently directs cold (or cooler) air from a cold (or cool) aisle into the intake of components that span less than full width of the rack. The baffle reduces excess air from flowing from a cold (or cool) aisle to a hot (or warm) aisle without passing through media and/or cooling a piece of equipment. Preventing excess air from flowing from a cold (or cool) aisle to a hot (or warm) aisle increases cooling efficiency. Use of a baffle can also significantly reduce cold (or cooler) air flowing into hot (or warm) aisle containment and up through the plenum without passing through any media that requires the cooling. Thus, running speed of Air Handling Units (AHUs) can be reduced while maintaining a viable pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Justin Clay Shaw, James Darrin Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20170234574
    Abstract: An illustrative damper system includes a damper blade that is configured to be positioned within a duct, such as a bypass duct of an HVAC system. A shaft is in communication with the damper blade, and an actuator or force adjustment mechanism is in communication with the shaft. The actuator or force adjustment mechanism may include a housing and a spring therein, where the spring is in communication with the shaft. The shaft, the damper blade, and the spring may be configured such that the shaft may affect movement of the damper blade about a rotation axis offset from a diametrical axis of the damper blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Pavel Marak, Steven L. Wolff, David J. Emmons, Eric Barton
  • Publication number: 20170234575
    Abstract: An in-line filter rack includes a chamber for housing at least one filter, an inlet opening providing access to the chamber and configured to be coupled to an upstream portion of a return air duct, and an outlet opening providing access to the chamber and configured to be coupled to a downstream portion of the return air duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Seal Tite LLC
    Inventors: Russell L. Ihme, Michael J. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20170234576
    Abstract: An air-conditioning and hot water supplying composite system includes a heat source unit and a heat source-side heat exchanger, an indoor heat source unit, a hot water supply unit connected to the heat source unit and including a hot water supply-side heat exchanger and a hot water supply-side expansion device, and a controller that controls the heat source unit. The controller includes a mode switching unit that switches a control mode of the air-conditioning and hot water supplying composite system between a hot water supply control mode, a hot water supply preheating mode, and a condensing temperature control unit. The condensing temperature control unit determines the target condensing temperature according to a temperature of a heat medium subjected to heat exchange by the hot water supply unit, in the hot water supply control mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Tomokazu KAWAGOE, Hirofumi KOGE, Osamu MORIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170234577
    Abstract: A temperature control unit includes a fitting, a heating wire, a first temperature sensor, and a housing, which contains the first temperature sensor and portions of the fitting and the heating wire. The fitting includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a flow channel extending from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, and a passage extending through a wall of the fitting to the flow channel. The heating wire extends through the passage and into the flow channel. The first temperature sensor is secured to an external surface of the fitting opposite the flow channel and is electrically connected to the heating wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph E. Tix, Martin P. McCormick, Mark J. Brudevold
  • Publication number: 20170234578
    Abstract: The present description discloses a combustion type water heater that heats water by burning fuel. The combustion type water heater includes: a burner that generates combustion gas by burning the fuel; a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the water passing through on an inside of the heat exchanger and the combustion gas flowing on an outside of the heat exchanger, an exhaust pipe that discharges the combustion gas after the heat exchange in the heat exchanger as exhaust gas; an exhaust gas temperature detector that detects a temperature of the exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust pipe as an exhaust gas temperature; a clog degree detector that detects a degree of clog in the exhaust pipe; and a scale buildup determiner that determines whether or not scale has built up inside the heat exchanger based on the exhaust gas temperature and the degree of clog in the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: RINNAI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eri Sato, Makoto Kito
  • Publication number: 20170234579
    Abstract: Disclosed is a solar collector panel (1) configured for collecting thermal energy by heating of air. The solar collector panel (1) comprises an air conduit (2) for guiding air through the panel (1) between an air inlet (3) and an air outlet (4) and the panel (1) comprises air flow means (5) arranged to generate an air flow through the air conduit (2) from the air inlet (3) to the air outlet (4). The panel (1) further comprises light absorbing means (6) arranged in or at the air conduit (2) to heat passing air and air drying means (7) arranged between the air inlet (3) and the light absorbing means (6), wherein the air drying means (7) is arranged to reduce the absolute humidity of passing air. A method for operating a solar collector panel (1) is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Hans Jørgen Christensen
  • Publication number: 20170234580
    Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises a bearing wheel with a rotational axis, the bearing wheel including and extending radially between an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface at least partially forms a bore, the bore extends axially through the bearing wheel along the rotational axis, and the bore has a cross-sectional geometry configured to receive a rotatable shaft with a complementary cross-sectional geometry, and wherein the outer surface extends circumferentially around the rotational axis, and the outer surface has a circular cross-sectional geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Andrew Barron Worden
  • Publication number: 20170234581
    Abstract: A floating coil configuration for a compressor of a closed cycle cryogenic cooler, the coil configuration comprises a coil having a positive end and a negative end and first and second springs concentrically located within the coil, each spring having a first end and a second end. The positive end of the coil is coupled to the first end of the first spring and the negative end of the coil is coupled to the second end of the second spring. The second end of the first spring is electrically coupled to the first end of the second spring such that the first and second springs define an electrical path across the coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Carleton Life Support Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lane Daniel Dicken, Dennis Eugene Lund, JR., Andrew Ray Cook, Mark Russell Squires
  • Publication number: 20170234582
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a refrigeration cycle circulating refrigerant and connecting a compressor, a heat-source-side heat exchanger, one or more of load-side expansion devices, and one or more of load-side heat exchangers by refrigerant pipes, a bypass having one end connected to a discharge side of the compressor of the refrigeration cycle and the other end connected to a suction side of the compressor of the refrigeration cycle to bypass a portion of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, a first expansion device depressurizing the refrigerant flowing through the bypass, an auxiliary heat exchanger cooling the refrigerant depressurized at the first expansion device, a second expansion device controlling a flow rate of the refrigerant flowing from the auxiliary heat exchanger to the suction side of the compressor, and a controller controlling an opening degree of the second expansion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Takeshi HATOMURA, Osamu MORIMOTO, Katsuhiro ISHIMURA, Shinichi WAKAMOTO, Soshi IKEDA
  • Publication number: 20170234583
    Abstract: A shipping vessel includes a cryogenic tank secured to the shipping foundation; a payload bay to receive products therein; a tube connected to the cryogenic tank and thermally coupled to the payload bay; a housing secured to the shipping foundation, said housing covering the tube and the payload bay to thermally seal the payload bay from outside environment; a controller mounted on the housing and having a sensor to determine temperature in a closed-loop and maintaining a set point within a predetermined range; and an energy storage device coupled to the controller and electronics to provide power for a predetermined shipping period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Reflect Scientific, Inc
    Inventors: William G. Moon, William J. Hancock, Steven V. Boyce, Steven J. Parkinson
  • Publication number: 20170234584
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed package effectively dissipates heat generated inside the package. The hermetically sealed package includes a hermetically sealed enclosure formed from a base portion and a lid. Within the enclosure two or more heat generating elements, such as integrated circuit chips, are supported by the base portion and rise to different heights from the base portion. At least one resilient heat exchange component, such as a leaf spring, extends from the lid of the hermetically sealed enclosure to the different heights. The heat exchange component is configured to conduct heat from the plurality of heat generating elements to the lid of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Jovica Savic, Mudasir Ahmad, Thomas Brenner
  • Publication number: 20170234585
    Abstract: Generally, apparatuses, systems, and methods are described to vent refrigerant vapor from the refrigerant pump line using a vent line, such as during priming of the pump and/or during a startup of the compressor, directed to a relatively reduced volute casing mass of the refrigerant pump, and/or directed to returning refrigerant to an economizer or chiller component other than the condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Daoud Ali JANDAL, Brian Thomas SULLIVAN, Steven Erwin MELOLING, Reginald Loyd BERRY, Ronald Allen BOLDT, Matthew Aron WITT, Damion Scott PLYMESSER
  • Publication number: 20170234586
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described to help manage oil return such as in a chiller system of a HVAC system. A refrigerant/oil mixture can be directed out of the evaporator into an oil return heat exchanger that is configured to help vaporize a refrigerant portion of the refrigerant/oil mixture. Superheat refrigerant vapor can be directed from a condenser into the oil return heat exchanger as the heat energy to vaporize the refrigerant portion in the refrigerant/oil mixture. The oil return heat exchanger can be positioned lower than the evaporator so that gravity can help the refrigerant/oil mixture to flow into the oil return heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Zhenhai LV, Limin ZHANG, Wenyong CHEN
  • Publication number: 20170234587
    Abstract: A refrigerant evaporator includes a plurality of vertically disposed flat tubes, and a refrigerant distribution and supply section that causes inflowing refrigerant to flow out to the plurality of flat tubes on a downstream side. The refrigerant distribution and supply section includes a refrigerant supply section having plural supply spaces, a refrigerant introduction and distribution section having an introduction space to introduce the inflowing refrigerant from a lower end side surface, and a distribution space to distribute the refrigerant, and plural connecting passages that guide the refrigerant to the supply spaces. A first flat tube communicating with a lowermost-tier supply space positioned on the lowermost side is disposed at a height position included in a height range of the introduction space, and a lowermost-tier connecting passage that guides the refrigerant to the lowermost-tier supply space is disposed at a position higher than the introduction space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Masanori JINDOU, Yoshio ORITANI, Tomohiko SAKAMAKI, Junichi HAMADATE
  • Publication number: 20170234588
    Abstract: An accumulator to separates gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. The accumulator includes a casing, and a resonance-suppressing member installed in an internal space of the casing. The casing has a cylinder portion having a cylinder axis extending along a vertical direction, an upper lid portion linked with an upper end of the cylinder portion, and a lower lid portion linked with a lower end of the cylinder portion. The resonance-suppressing member is installed at a height position that, in a case in which a standing wave of pressure having a first antinode, a node, and a second antinode from the upper lid portion toward the lower lid portion is generated in the internal space, is near a height position of at least one of the first antinode and the second antinode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Hikaru WADA
  • Publication number: 20170234589
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus including a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outside air temperature sensor, and a controller configured to perform a hot gas defrosting operation and a reverse-defrosting operation based on a temperature obtained by the outside air temperature sensor. In the hot gas defrosting operation, hot gas discharged from the compressor without passing through the indoor heat exchanger is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger. In the reverse-defrosting operation, refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger is supplied from the compressor to the outdoor heat exchanger. The controller has at least a mixed defrosting operation mode in which the hot gas defrosting operation and the reverse-defrosting operation are performed in sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yusuke TASHIRO
  • Publication number: 20170234590
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an outdoor heat exchanger connected to each other via refrigerant pipes. The outdoor heat exchanger includes a heat transfer pipe, and a plurality of fins. The outdoor heat exchanger is configured so that a ratio of a heat capacity of the plurality of fins to a total of heat capacities of the heat transfer pipe and the plurality of fins is not more than 50%. The refrigeration cycle apparatus has a mixed defrosting operation mode in which a hot gas defrosting operation and a reverse-defrosting operation are performed in sequence. In the hot gas defrosting operation, hot gas discharged from the compressor is supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger. In the reverse-defrosting operation, refrigerant passing through the indoor heat exchanger is supplied from the compressor to the outdoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Yusuke TASHIRO, Shin NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20170234591
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for a TRS to automatically sense a voltage level and configuration of an input AC power provided by an AC power source and automatically adapt to the input AC power being used are provided. When the voltage level of an input AC power supplied to a TRS changes, the TRS can automatically detect the change of the voltage level, and adjust a winding configuration of a compressor motor of the TRS and a voltage level of the TRS based on the detected voltage level of the input AC power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Vaitheeswaran KANDASAMY
  • Publication number: 20170234592
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device uses a refrigerant having a higher concentration than air under atmospheric pressure, and is capable of preventing a region having a certain refrigerant concentration or higher from being formed even if the refrigerant leaks in a casing of the refrigeration cycle device in a nonenergized state. The refrigeration cycle device includes: a casing having a first opening and a second opening, one of which is an inlet and the other of which is an outlet, and having therein an air course providing communication between the first opening and the second opening; and a refrigerant circuit provided in the air course in the casing and filled with a refrigerant having a higher concentration than air under atmospheric pressure, the casing having a third opening providing communication between the air course and outside of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Mitsuru KAWASHIMA, Akira MAEDA, Takao KOMAI, Yasuhiro SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20170234593
    Abstract: An ice maker includes a casing that defines a chamber. The casing extends between a top portion and a bottom portion. An extruder die is mounted to the casing at the top portion of the casing. An auger is disposed within the chamber of the casing. A radial sleeve bearing engages the auger at the bottom portion of the casing. A radial and thrust bearing engages the auger at the extruder die. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Bart Andrew Nuss
  • Publication number: 20170234594
    Abstract: An ice maker includes a casing that defines a chamber. The casing extends between a top portion and a bottom portion. An extruder die is mounted to the casing at the top portion of the casing. A motor is positioned above the extruder die. An auger is disposed within the chamber of the casing. The auger is coupled to a shaft of the motor with a threaded connection such that the auger is rotatable with the motor along a rotational direction within the chamber of the casing. The threaded connection between the auger and the shaft of the motor is wound opposite the rotational direction of the auger. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Bart Andrew Nuss, Ansuraj Seenivasan