Patents Issued in October 24, 2017
  • Patent number: 9797606
    Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing freeze damage to heating system pipes are provided. In some embodiments, systems for preventing freeze damage to heating system pipes that carry a liquid used to heat a heated space and that are exposed to freezing temperatures outside of the heated space are provided, the systems comprising: a hardware controller that causes the liquid to be circulated through the heating system pipes irrespective of the air temperature in the heated space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Valentin Borovinov
  • Patent number: 9797607
    Abstract: A heat source side unit for an air conditioning apparatus includes a machine room in which a compressor is accommodated, an air-sending unit room in which an air-sending unit is accommodated, a separator for partitioning a space into the machine room and the air-sending unit room, a reactor installed in the machine room, and a reactor mounting member fixed to the separator on a side of the machine room and on which the reactor is mounted, and the reactor mounting member includes a first mounting unit and a second mounting unit corresponding to each of the reactors with the sizes different from each other, and on the reactor mounting member, the reactor is selectively mounted on either one of the first mounting unit and the second mounting unit corresponding to the size of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kubono, Hiroyuki Jinnai, Tomoya Yanase
  • Patent number: 9797608
    Abstract: In an air-conditioning apparatus including a plurality of indoor units connected to a heat medium converter and a plurality of remote controllers respectively provided for the indoor units, the remote controllers each include a temperature sensor that detect a temperature of a corresponding space to be air-conditioned, and are each configured to communicate with a heat medium converter controller of the heat medium converter and an indoor unit controller of the corresponding indoor unit, transmit an instruction to start and stop an operation and data related to rotation speed of an indoor air-sending device to the corresponding indoor unit controller, and transmit the instruction to start and stop the operation, and a target temperature and a temperature detected by the temperature sensor or a difference therebetween, to the heat medium converter controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Shimamoto, Yuji Motomura, Osamu Morimoto, Takayoshi Honda, Tatsuo Ono, Koji Nishioka
  • Patent number: 9797609
    Abstract: A local cleaned air supply device includes: a power supply unit, a control unit, and a freely rotatable cleaned air supply unit. The cleaned air supply unit, which includes a fan driven by driving electric power, and of which a height position, a swing angle in a left-right direction, and a tilting angle can be freely adjusted, is configured so that air drawn therein is cleaned by passing through a pre-filter and a main filter and is then discharged toward a front side thereof from an air discharge opening. The cleaned air supply unit also includes a sighting unit that visualizes a range in which high cleanliness is guaranteed in a space on the front side of the cleaned air supply unit. The sighting unit includes a plurality of laser emitting units that output laser beams, to surround the range, toward a front side of the air discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: NIKKA MICRON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeo Sekiguchi, Hiroyuki Shuto
  • Patent number: 9797610
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a suction-injection pipe that introduces a refrigerant in a liquid or two-phase state into a suction side of a compressor, an expansion device that is arranged at the suction-injection pipe, and a controller that regulates the suction-injection flow rate of a refrigerant introduced into the suction side of the compressor through the suction-injection pipe by controlling the opening degree of the expansion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Takeshi Hatomura, Katsuhiro Ishimura
  • Patent number: 9797611
    Abstract: A combination air and ground source heating and/or cooling system. The system includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit and an in-ground unit, each of which has a coil, an inlet line and an outlet line. The system also comprises a flow connector, a coupling and a controller. The controller is configured to control the flow connector and coupling so that the system is selectively operable in three different modes. In the first mode, refrigerant bypasses the coil of the outdoor unit, while, in the second mode, refrigerant bypasses the coil of the in-ground unit. In the third mode, refrigerant flows through the coils of the in-ground and outdoor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Atlas L.C. Heating & A/C
    Inventor: Robert Gault
  • Patent number: 9797612
    Abstract: Humidifying apparatus includes a chamber, and a water tank for supplying water to the chamber. A baffle located within the chamber divides the chamber into an inlet section and an outlet section, and guides water received from the water tank along the inlet section to the outlet section. An air flow is conveyed over water stored in the outlet section of the chamber and is emitted from the apparatus. Water within both the inlet section and the outlet section of the chamber is irradiated with ultraviolet radiation. The water within the outlet section is atomized by a transducer to humidify the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Staniforth, Daniel James Beavis, Jude Paul Pullen, Paul Richard Riggs
  • Patent number: 9797613
    Abstract: Humidifying apparatus includes a base housing an impeller and a motor for driving the impeller to generate a first air flow. A nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving the first air flow and an air outlet for emitting the first air flow. The nozzle defines an opening through which air from outside the apparatus is drawn by air emitted from the air outlet. The apparatus is configured to humidify a second air flow, which is emitted from a plurality of second air outlets. The second air flow is humidified with water supplied from a water tank mounted on the base. The water tank has an upwardly curved upper surface. The nozzle is mounted on the apparatus so that the upper surface of the water tank at least partially covers a lower section of an external surface of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Staniforth, Daniel James Beavis, Jude Paul Pullen, James Dyson, Nicholas Gerald Fitton
  • Patent number: 9797614
    Abstract: An air conditioning system, a set temperature determining device determines a target temperature of water to be supplied to an indoor heat exchanger, based on [“target outflow temperature”=“current outflow temperature”+((“inlet and outlet temperature difference”/“indoor and outdoor temperature difference”)דset temperature difference”)]. The indoor and outdoor temperature difference is a difference between an indoor temperature and an outdoor temperature, the inlet and outlet temperature difference is a difference between temperatures of water at the inlet side and the outlet side of an intermediate heat exchanger, and the set temperature difference is a difference between an indoor temperature and a set temperature. A control device controls an outdoor unit in response to the target temperature determined by the set temperature determining device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yohei Kato, Takashi Okazaki, So Nomoto, Koji Matsuzawa
  • Patent number: 9797615
    Abstract: Remote control of energy consumption is realized using a readily installable, flexible approach. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a remote source communicates with a wireless controller for executing energy usage control. The remote source sends signals to the wireless controller via a gateway located near or, in one implementation, forming part of the wireless controller. In response to the signals, the wireless controller sets control settings for operating one or more of a variety of equipment types, such as a furnace, air conditioner, water heater or heat pump. With this approach, wired connections from the gateway to energy-consuming equipment do not necessarily need to be made in order to affect remote energy-consumption control. For instance, when used in connection with a controller wired to the energy-consuming equipment, the gateway need only communicate wirelessly with the controller and does not necessarily need to be coupled to the energy-consuming equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Tessier, Jeffrey Hartzler
  • Patent number: 9797616
    Abstract: A navigation device (100) estimates a time when a user utilizing the navigation device (100) comes home, and transmits the estimated expected arrival time to a control device (203) in association with the user identifier of the user. In response to receiving the expected arrival times from a plurality of the navigation devices (100), the control device (203) transmits, to an air conditioner (201), a reservation instruction for setting the room temperature at the home to a predetermined target temperature by the estimated arrival time of the earliest user who is supposed to come home earliest. The air conditioner (201) is turned on in accordance with the transmitted reservation instruction among the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America
    Inventors: Kazutaka Furuta, Toshihisa Nakano, Tsutomu Muraji, Yasunori Ishii
  • Patent number: 9797617
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes: a furnace having a furnace heat exchanger; and an indoor HVAC unit having a refrigerant heat exchanger. At least one of a component of the furnace and a component of the indoor HVAC unit are selectively removable from an airflow path of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Kirby Neal Bicknell
  • Patent number: 9797618
    Abstract: In an air-conditioning apparatus, a heat source side heat exchanger, intermediate heat exchangers, and use side heat exchangers are formed in separate bodies respectively and adapted to be disposed at separate locations one another. In a heat medium circulation circuit where the intermediate heat exchanger and the use side heat exchanger are connected, temperature sensors are installed. An anti-freezing operation mode is provided in which, when the detection temperatures of the temperature sensors become equal to or lower than a set temperature Ts while a compressor or pumps are stopped, the heat medium is circulated to perform anti-freezing of the heat medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura, Takeshi Hatomura
  • Patent number: 9797619
    Abstract: Systems and methods herein include features for compensating a temperature reading of a thermostat. The thermostat may include a housing and one or more temperature sensors within the housing. The thermostat may sense a temperature using one or more of the temperature sensors. A processor and/or memory of the thermostat may be capable of and/or configured to compensate the sensed temperature with a first temperature compensation model and compensate the sensed temperature with a second temperature compensation model. During compensation of the sensed temperature, the system may transition from compensating the sensed temperature with the first temperature compensation model to compensating the sensed temperature with the second temperature compensation model over time and independent of the sensed temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad Aljabari, Michael Lunacek
  • Patent number: 9797620
    Abstract: A total heat exchanger exchanges heat between air flowing through an air supply passage and air flowing through an air exhaust passage. An air supply fan transfers air from the outside of a room into the room through the air supply passage. If the temperature of outdoor air (OA) is below a lower temperature threshold (Tth), a controller intermittently stops the air supply fan in response to an index of the moisture content in room air (RA) such that as the stage of the index of the moisture content depending on the moisture content in the room air (RA) shifts toward higher stages, the period of time during which the air supply fan is at rest in an intermittent operating cycle increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Matsugi, Kenichi Maegaito, Takayuki Sunayama, Tooru Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9797621
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a portable device for heating the ends of plastic tubing to enlarge the diameter and increase the flexibility of the tubing to more easily connect with various fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Charles Parzick
  • Patent number: 9797622
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for supplying heat includes a housing, a bundle of helical fin-coil tubes, and a flue channel. The housing includes a burner, a water inlet, a water outlet and a flue gas outlet. The burner is disposed on a top portion of the housing and connected to an air/gas mixture unit. The bundle of helical fin-tube coils is disposed tightly, circularly, and coaxially around the burner. The flue channel is disposed below the burner and is formed by a plurality of serpentine bent fin-tube coils. A flow of flue gas vents from the flue channel to the flue gas outlet. The water inlet is connected to the plurality of serpentine bent fin-tube coils which forms the flue channel below the burner. The plurality of serpentine bent fin-tube coils below the burner are connected to the bundle of helical fin-tube coils. The bundle of helical fin-tube coils are connected to the water outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Suzhou CQ Heat Exchanger Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuqing Cui
  • Patent number: 9797623
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods of using 70 CFM ventilation fans with heaters for bathrooms having depressibly engageable and depressibly releaseable light covers. The novel ventilation fans and heaters can be mounted to structure in ceilings and inside walls with telescoping suspension brackets that are affixed directly to separate sides of the housing to support the housing against joists and structural supports behind the ceiling. Adjustable louvers on the grill cover allow for outgoing heated air to travel in a different direction into a space from the incoming air travelling into the housing. Plastic type housings around blower wheels reduce undesirable noise effects. Light covers can be easily opened and closed by using depressible engageable fasteners, and depressible release fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Chien Luen Industries Co., Ltd. Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Tom
  • Patent number: 9797624
    Abstract: A hot-air blower comprises a heat lamp with a rated power consumption of 180 W to 380 W, a lampshade having a socket for the heat lamp, a cylindrical outer casing with an inner diameter larger than a largest outer diameter of the lampshade, a lampshade fixing part coupled with the lampshade and fastened to the outer casing to allow the lampshade to be provided on a central axis of the outer casing, an impeller generating an air flow by rotation, a waterproof motor coupled with the impeller to rotate the impeller, and a motor fixing part coupled with the waterproof motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Do Hyung Kim
  • Patent number: 9797625
    Abstract: A heater with a recovery device for swelling water is provided. A water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe are longitudinally provided on the heater. The recovery device is transversely disposed on the heater and connected with the water inlet pipe, such that the recovery device is coupled on to reduce the entire size. The recovery device is adapted to recycle and store the swelling hot water in the heater so as to provide an energy-saving effect and to stop water from dripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Yi-Huang Chen
  • Patent number: 9797626
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of collecting solar energy having a variable position for optimizing sunlight collection and for use in a heating and/or cooling system. The system includes a solar collector apparatus, a collector support frame assembly, a sun position tracking apparatus, a fluid transfer pump, a fluid storage tank, an insulated pipe for connecting the fluid pump to the storage tank and the solar collector, a differential temperature controller, and a safety override relay controller. The system includes a cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing having an aluminum welded tube as reinforcement and method of making PEX tubing having an inner PEX layer and an outer polyethylene layer with an intermediate aluminum tube enveloped by adhesive layers for joining the inner and outer polyethylene layers with the aluminum tube. Carbon black particles are included in the outer layer of polyethylene material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventors: R. Curtis Best, Lawrence J. Mudd, William E. Hucks, James H. Pinner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9797627
    Abstract: A district public water supply pipe network system compatible for ground source heat pump water and reclaimed water comprises a water supply main pipe connected with a reclaimed water outlet side of a sewage treatment system and connected to a plurality of energy stations and a plurality of transmission and distribution station, and a return water main pipe arranged between the adjacent energy stations to connect them. The energy stations are provided with a plurality of shallow geothermal heat exchange system for exchanging heat with shallow geothermal energy in the region. Both the energy stations and the transmission and distribution station are connected with corresponding distribution pipe networks connected with a user terminal water supply system. The system provides the source side water and the reclaimed water to users. It is a district public geothermal pipe network and a reclaimed water pipe network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: TIANJIN GERUISI NEW TECHNOLOGY OF MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Dingguo Liu
  • Patent number: 9797628
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) and a method for converting thermal energy of low temperature to thermal energy of high temperature by means of mechanical energy and vice versa, said device comprising a rotor (2) that is rotatably supported about a rotational axis (3), a flow channel for a working medium that runs through a closed cycle being provided in the rotor, wherein the flow channel has a compression channel (8), a relaxation channel (10), and two connection channels (9, 11) extending substantially parallel to the rotational axis (3), and furthermore heat exchangers (13, 14) for exchanging heat between the working medium and a heat-exchange medium are provided, wherein the compression channel (8) and the relaxation channel (10) have a heat-exchange segment (8?, 10?), each of which has a heat exchanger (13, 14) that rotates together with the compression channel (8) or the relaxation channel (10) associated therewith, said heat exchanger being formed by at least one heat-exchange channel (15, 18) t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: ECOP TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Adler, Sebastian Riepl
  • Patent number: 9797629
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out a heat transfer between alternately working adsorbers (Ad1, Ad2) in an adsorption refrigeration installation comprising an external cooling circuit (Kw) and an external heating circuit (Hw). The method is characterized by a closed heat transfer circuit, connected between the first and the second adsorber, comprising a heat transfer medium (Wm) circulating therein, a heat transfer with the external cooling circuit (Kw) being carried out in the heat transfer circuit via a first heat contact and a heat transfer with the external heating circuit (Hw) being carried out via a second heat contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Fahrenheit AG
    Inventor: Walter Mittelbach
  • Patent number: 9797630
    Abstract: A heat pump system is provided that uses MCM to provide for heating or cooling. The heat pump can include one or more stages of MCM, each stage having an original peak Curie temperature. In the event the magneto caloric response of one or more stages of MCM degrades, the present invention provides for operating the heat pump system so that one or more stages of MCM are held at a different temperature from the original peak Curie temperature so as to restore the MCM to its original peak Curie temperature or to within a certain interval thereof. The present invention can be used with e.g., an appliance, air-conditioning systems (heating or cooling), or other devices using such a heat pump system as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, David G. Beers
  • Patent number: 9797631
    Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature-control device for the temperature control of an energy source, wherein the temperature-control device comprises a temperature-control unit, which has at least one Peltier element which is arranged between an accommodation area for the energy source and a fluid area in a thermally effective manner. Furthermore, the temperature-control device comprises a control unit for supplying voltage to the Peltier element, wherein the control unit is designed to supply a voltage to the Peltier element, which causes the Peltier element to transfer heat from the hotter part of the accommodation area or fluid area to the colder part of the accommodation area or fluid area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Jürgen Grünwald, Manuel Wehowski
  • Patent number: 9797632
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a thermoelectric-based air conditioning system. The system includes at least a first supply air channel and a separate second supply air channel disposed in a housing. The system also includes a first thermoelectric cooler (TEC) assembly forming at least a portion of the first supply air channel and configured to independently condition air within the first supply air channel. The system further includes a second TEC assembly forming at least a portion of the second supply air channel and configured to independently condition air within the second supply air channel. The system includes a single heat exchanger configured to transfer heat with both the first TEC assembly and the second TEC assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: MARLOW INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Overton (Bud) Parish, Leonard Recine
  • Patent number: 9797633
    Abstract: A novel temperature regulating food conveying container system for holding hot and cold food in close proximity is provided. In preferred embodiments, the system generally includes a plurality of stacked, concentric, and annular levels with decreasing diameters. The levels are configured with a plurality of food serving containers each with a corresponding temperature regulating unit. One or more motors may be configured to rotate the individual levels. One or more light elements may be positioned at various locations on and around the levels. In further preferred embodiments, a control switch is configured to control the temperature of each individual temperature unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Pearl Beach
  • Patent number: 9797634
    Abstract: In the case of a heating operation in which a use side heat exchanger functions as a condenser when the outside air has a predetermined low temperature, a low-outside-air-temperature heating operation start mode is executed in which, while a refrigerant, as discharged from a compressor, flows into the use side heat exchanger, the refrigerant is supplied to the injection port of the compressor via an injection pipe and a part of a refrigerant that is accumulated in an accumulator is supplied to the compressor via a connecting pipe, and thereafter a low-outside-air-temperature heating operation mode is executed in which the refrigerant, as discharged from the compressor, is supplied to the injection port of the compressor via the injection pipe while flowing into the use side heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Hatomura, Koji Yamashita, Naofumi Takenaka
  • Patent number: 9797635
    Abstract: Refrigeration systems and appliances are provided. A refrigeration system includes a refrigerant, the refrigerant including a working fluid and an electrochemically active fluid. The refrigeration system further includes a condenser, an evaporator, and an electrochemical compressor in fluid communication with the condenser and the evaporator. The refrigeration system can further include various components which advantageously reduce the energy consumption and increase the predicatability and efficiency of the refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Brent Alden Junge
  • Patent number: 9797636
    Abstract: A plate apparatus suitable for heat and/or material exchange has plates (P0, P1, P2, P3) contacting each other flush along a peripheral seal (1) while forming respective intermediate spaces (Z0, Z1, Z2, Z3) and having upper (2, 3) and lower (4, 5) through-flow openings for fluids. A group of these upper and lower through-flow openings (2, 5) is allocated to at least two fluids and is connected by correspondingly placed seals to every second plate intermediate space (Z1, Z3) carrying a flow from top to bottom. In flush upper through-flow openings (2) of plates (P0, P1, P2, P3) a distribution lance (6) runs across these openings and has outlet openings (6a) for at least one of the fluids. It is essential that the outlet openings (6a) are directed into those plate intermediate spaces (Z0, Z2) arranged between the second plate intermediate spaces (Z1, Z3) for the fluids to be mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: API Schmidt-Bretten GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Volker Wagner, Nina Merkel, Karlheinz Schaber
  • Patent number: 9797637
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a compressor, a condenser, a first subcooling device that subcools a refrigerant by exchanging heat with the air, a second subcooling device that performs a heat exchange between refrigerant streams that have been branched by a branch pipe, thereby subcooling one of the refrigerant streams, a flow control device that adjusts a flow rate of the second stream of the refrigerant and passes this refrigerant through the second subcooling device, a bypass path that allows the refrigerant passing through the flow control device and the second subcooling device to flow therethrough, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and a controller configured to control an amount of heat exchanged in the first subcooling device and an amount of heat exchanged in the second subcooling device based on a temperature of the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yusuke Shimazu
  • Patent number: 9797638
    Abstract: A compressor capable of reducing oil circulation rate with a simple structure is provided. A compressor 100 in which a piston 136 is caused to reciprocate, so that a refrigerant gas drawn from a suction chamber 141 via a suction hole 103a is compressed and discharged, includes: a partition member 150 dividing the suction chamber 141, into which the refrigerant gas flows from a suction passage 104a, into a first space 141a connected to the suction passage 104a and a second space 141b connected to the suction hole 103a; and a communication passage 150a configured to allow the first space 141a and the second space 141b to be in communication with each other, and introduce the refrigerant gas, from which lubricating oil has been separated, from the first space 141a to the second space 141b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SANDEN HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yukihiko Taguchi
  • Patent number: 9797639
    Abstract: A vapor compression system comprises a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, e.g. in the form of an expansions valve, and an evaporator arranged along a refrigerant path. A method for operating the vapor compression system comprises the steps of: obtaining a superheat value being representative for the superheat of refrigerant entering the compressor; obtaining a subcooling value being representative for the subcooling of refrigerant entering the expansion device; and operating the expansion device on the basis of the obtained superheat value and on the basis of the obtained subcooling value. The subcooling value is taken into account when operating the expansion device, because variations in the subcooling value have significant influence on the refrigerating capacity of the evaporator at a given opening degree of the expansion device, thereby resulting in a more stable operation of the system. The system may further comprise an internal heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventor: Frede Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9797640
    Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus includes a centrifugal compressor, a capacity control mechanism that controls a capacity of the compressor by changing an opening degree of the capacity control mechanism, an expansion mechanism that reduces a pressure of a refrigerant, and a controller. The controller calculates an opening degree of the expansion mechanism using compressor capacity as one of a plurality of indices of change in load. The compressor capacity is obtained from a current rotation number of the compressor, an opening degree of the capacity control mechanism, and a divergence rate of a current operation head from a surge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: DAIKIN APPLIED AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Umeda, Takatoshi Takigawa, Fumiaki Onodera, Nobutoshi Kozono
  • Patent number: 9797641
    Abstract: There is disclosed an air-conditioning device of a so-called heat pump system which acquires comfortable heating in a vehicle interior by preventing or inhibiting frost formation to an outdoor heat exchanger. In a vehicular air-conditioning device 1, a controller calculates a requested refrigerant evaporation temperature in non-frosting TXObaseQtgt which is a refrigerant evaporation temperature of an outdoor heat exchanger 7 when a required heating capability Qtgt as a heating capability required for a radiator 4 is realized in non-frosting of the outdoor heat exchanger 7, and the controller controls heating by the radiator 4 and heating by a heating medium-air heat exchanger 40 of a heating medium circulating circuit 23 on the basis of the requested refrigerant evaporation temperature in non-frosting TXObaseQtgt and a frost point Tfrost to achieve the required heating capability Qtgt without causing frost formation to the outdoor heat exchanger 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Sanden Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Ryo Miyakoshi
  • Patent number: 9797642
    Abstract: A method for controlling an air conditioning system, an outdoor apparatus of an air conditioning system and an air conditioning system are provided. The method includes: obtaining a working mode of the air conditioning system and starting a variable-frequency compressor in an outdoor apparatus of the air conditioning system according to the working mode; obtaining a target refrigerant saturation temperature; performing a variable-frequency control on the variable-frequency compressor according to the target refrigerant saturation temperature; during the variable-frequency control, obtaining a working time of the variable-frequency compressor and a stop-start number of time of the variable-frequency compressor in a first predetermined period; and adjusting the target refrigerant saturation temperature according to the working time of the variable-frequency compressor and the stop-start number of time of the variable-frequency compressor in the first predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignees: GD Midea Heating & Ventilating Equipment Co. Ltd., Midea Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bin Luo, Fudang Wei
  • Patent number: 9797644
    Abstract: A collapsible and expandable ice dispensing tubing apparatus having a first end and an opposite second end, the apparatus comprising: a hollow flexible body having a first opening formed at the first end and an opposite second opening formed at the second end, the body comprising a sheath and at least one reinforcing member for communication through the body from the first opening to the second opening; a first collar formed on the body at the first end and an opposite second collar formed on the body at the second end; and a fastener configured to selectively engage the first and second collars so as to selectively maintain the apparatus in a collapsed configuration. The apparatus may be employed in conjunction with other devices for selectively dispensing ice from an ice dispensing machine into a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Taylor Christopher Lowe
  • Patent number: 9797645
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transporting heat-sensitive products in a refrigerated lorry of the indirect injection type, wherein the temperature Tint inside the storage chamber is regulated by varying the pinch of the exchanger (Pinch=Tint?TFluid outflow) according to the position of the internal temperature Tint in relation to a temperature set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Mohammed Youbi-Idrissi, Cecile Clement, Antony Dallais
  • Patent number: 9797646
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cold air supply device received in an insulating partition that defines a storage compartment into upper and lower storage compartments. As cold air is supplied into the storage compartment below the insulating partition through the cold air supply device, the refrigerator has enhanced productivity and interior volume efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yang Yeol Gu
  • Patent number: 9797647
    Abstract: A domestic refrigerator (1) comprises a thermally insulated housing (2), a cold storage compartment (5) and a fresh food compartment (4) contained within the housing (2) and located on top of each other, a refrigerant circuit which comprises an evaporator (29) configured to directly cool the cold storage compartment (5), a first door leaf (18) for closing and opening the fresh food compartment (4), a second door leaf (19) for closing and opening the cold storage compartment (5), a divisional wall (17, 42) separating the cold storage compartment (5) from the fresh food compartment (5), and a air channel system (31, 32) which is configured to allow an air exchange between the cold storage compartment (5) and the fresh food compartment (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: BSH HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Görz, Jicong Song
  • Patent number: 9797648
    Abstract: A refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus performs, even during a heating operation under air conditions leading to formation of frost, a defrosting operation while simultaneously continuing a heating operation and that improves comfort through heating by ensuring an appropriate amount of ventilation. A plurality of refrigeration cycles that are capable of independently performing a heating operation and a defrosting operation, are provided. A ventilation damper of an indoor unit in which a refrigeration cycle that performs a defrosting operation is installed is closed during a defrosting operation, and a ventilation damper of an indoor unit in which a refrigeration cycle that performs a heating operation is installed is controlled to achieve a required amount of ventilation corresponding to the indoor ventilation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tomotaka Ishikawa, So Nomoto
  • Patent number: 9797649
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber, an ice making device and an ice making water supply device. A variable temperature drawer is disposed in lower part of the refrigerating chamber. The ice making water supply device includes a water tank disposed above the variable temperature drawer, a water pump connected with the water tank, and a water pipe connected with the water tank and the ice making device for introducing the water in the water tank into the ice making device. With the refrigerator according to embodiments, the water quality is ensured and the preservation effect is improved. Because the temperature of the variable temperature drawer is generally in the range of ?3° C. to 8° C., the water in the water tank is not easy to be frozen, and can be supplied to the ice making device continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignees: HEFEI MIDEA REFRIGERATOR CO., LTD., HEFEI HUALING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lingyun Li, Gang Li, Dongxian Liu
  • Patent number: 9797650
    Abstract: A thermally insulated door assembly includes first and second panes of light transmissive material, a light assembly, and a heat sink. The first pane and the second pane are spaced apart from each other by a separation gap to define an interior chamber. The light assembly is in the interior chamber between the first pane and the second pane, and is configured to generate light within the interior chamber. The heat sink is disposed within the interior chamber and coupled with the light assembly and an inwardly facing surface of the first pane. The heat sink is configured to conduct thermal energy generated by the light assembly onto an inwardly facing surface of the first pane and into the interior chamber such that the inwardly facing surface of the first pane and the interior chamber are heated by the light assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Sanders, Timothy G. Waller, Matthew K. McAleer
  • Patent number: 9797651
    Abstract: A system for facilitating communication of information between an information source positioned inside a refrigerated environment and a position outside the refrigerated environment comprising a transmitter for transmitting a signal including the information, a planar antenna fixed to a gasket for resonating the transmitted signal, the gasket providing a seal between the refrigerated compartment and a door providing access to the refrigerated compartment, and a receiver for receiving the signal including the information. The information could include information concerning at least one container positioned in a refrigerated environment. The system may utilize a Wi-Fi device, a Bluetooth® device, RFID device, or other devices for transmitting the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: FLUID MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Somnath Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 9797652
    Abstract: An invention for rapid chilling or heating of both carbonated and non-carbonated fluids is disclosed. The invention is a fluid dispensing device that can rapidly cool or heat carbonated or non-carbonated liquid from room temperature to a desired temperature. The electric on-demand device allows pour-through and pump-through fluid dispensing and temperature control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Jonathan Wilkerson
  • Patent number: 9797653
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for condensing a carbon dioxide-rich gas stream, wherein a stream of water heated by an exchange of heat with the carbon dioxide-rich stream, which is at least partially condensed, is sent to at least one compressor (3,21) for compressing the carbon dioxide-rich stream or a fluid, the carbon dioxide-rich stream of which is derived, in order to at least partially cool at least one stage of said compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme pour l'Étude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Arthur Darde
  • Patent number: 9797654
    Abstract: A method and device to produce oxygen by the low-temperature separation of air at variable energy consumption. A distillation column system comprises a high-pressure column, a low-pressure column and a main condenser, a secondary condenser and a supplementary condenser. Gaseous nitrogen from the high-pressure column is liquefied in the main condenser in indirect heat exchange with an intermediate liquid from the low-pressure column. A first liquid oxygen stream from the bottom of the low-pressure column is evaporated in the secondary condenser in indirect heat exchange with feed air to obtain a gaseous oxygen product. The supplementary condenser serves as a bottom heating device for the low-pressure column and is heated by means of a first nitrogen stream from the distillation column system, which nitrogen stream was compressed previously in a cold compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lars Kirchner, Dimitri Goloubev
  • Patent number: 9797655
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying wood veneer includes an elongate drying chamber including a conveyor for conveying material to be dried from an input end to an output end; and a cooling section for cooling veneer leaving the output end of the drying chamber, the cooling section including a pressure controller for maintaining a pressure in the cooling section that is slightly higher than pressure in the drying chamber while maintaining a near-zero pressure differential between the drying chamber and the cooling section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: USNR, LLC
    Inventors: Irven McMahon, Bryan J. Wolowiecki
  • Patent number: 9797656
    Abstract: Cooling performance is secured by reducing a compression loss when a high-pressure gas refrigerant is allowed to flow without heat exchange on cooling in a vehicle interior heat exchanger. In the vehicle interior heat exchanger, an upstream header and a downstream header are communicated and connected with the same end side of the refrigerant circulation tubes of an upstream tube group and a downstream tube group where the refrigerant circulation tubes are stacked. Internal spaces of the upstream header and the downstream header are communicated and connected with each other via communication holes in the boss portions of the connecting member. In the vehicle interior heat exchanger, the total opening area of the communication holes is set such that the percentage thereof, with respect to the total opening area of the channel on the uppermost stream side of the upstream tube group, is in the range of 38% to 93%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SANDEN HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuichi Matsumoto, Yusuke Iino