Patents Issued in May 1, 2018
  • Patent number: 9958170
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes indoor units including a plurality of use side heat exchangers that exchange heat between air and a heat medium, and a heat medium relay unit having a plurality of heat exchangers related to heat medium. A plurality of pumps deliver the heat medium involved in heating or cooling performed by the plurality of heat exchangers related to heat medium to each passage and circulate the heat medium. A plurality of heat medium flow switching devices perform switching so that the heat medium from a selected passage flows into and flows out of each use side heat exchanger. An expansion tank is connected to a passage alleviates a pressure change caused by a volumetric change of the heat medium, and a pressure equalizing pipe connects each inlet passage or each outlet passage of the heat medium sending devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura
  • Patent number: 9958171
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus according to the present invention includes at least indoor heat exchangers. In response to a request to increase heat exchange performance from the indoor heat exchanger, the air-conditioning apparatus decreases a heat exchange capacity of an outdoor heat exchanger and controls an opening degree of an expansion valve corresponding to the indoor heat exchanger to decrease a flow rate of a refrigerant that flows through the indoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Takayama, Osamu Morimoto, Daisuke Shimamoto
  • Patent number: 9958172
    Abstract: One aspect provides a dehumidifier that has a dehumidifying circuit and includes an evaporator, a first portion of a condensing circuit, and a first blower configured to direct a first air stream along a first flow path and through the evaporator and the first portion of the condensing circuit, for reducing the humidity of the first air stream. The dehumidifier also comprises a heat removing circuit, comprising a second blower configured to direct a second air stream along a second flow path and through a second portion of the condensing circuit for removing heat from the second portion of the condensing circuit. The first and second condensing circuits are fluidly coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Uselton, Mark Cree Jackson
  • Patent number: 9958173
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a solar-powered ventilation system for mounting to a building. Through the use of internal dampers and destratification intake doors, the system is able to cool the inside of buildings by way of hot-air venting or cold-air induction methods. Further, the system may also be configured in a combinatory manner, allowing the building to be cooled by the simultaneous use of hot-air venting and cold-air induction methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: NORTHWEST RENEWABLE ENERGY CORP.
    Inventor: Jason Eric Wright
  • Patent number: 9958174
    Abstract: A HVAC unit manufacturing method and a HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC system includes: a controller having control board terminals, a parallel wiring harness having a first and a second connection header, the first connection header coupled to the control board terminals, and a switch having terminals. The terminals of the switch including: a pair of functional terminals configured to indicate a status of the switch and a pair of jumpered terminals independent of the pair of functional terminals and internally connected together within the switch, wherein designated combinations of the terminals indicate a circuit configuration for employing the switch in the HVAC system with each of the terminals having a particular design that dictates a specific corresponding connection header be used for each of the designated combinations, wherein a single one of the designated combinations of the terminals corresponds to the second connection header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Randall L. Lisbona
  • Patent number: 9958175
    Abstract: To provide an air-conditioning apparatus that is safer and has small conveying power for such as water at the indoor unit side can be made small. It is characterized in that a compressor 10 and a heat source side heat exchanger 12 are accommodated in a heat source apparatus 1, an intermediate heat exchanger 15 and a pump 21 in a relay unit 3, a use side heat exchanger 26 in an indoor unit 2, respectively, and when a controller 60 makes the compressor 10 stop based on the thermo-off due to decrease in the heat load in the use side heat exchanger 26 or an operation stop instruction, the controller 60 makes the pump 21 stop after the compressor 10 is stopped or almost at the same time as the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura, Takeshi Hatomura
  • Patent number: 9958176
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system has an input configured to receive at least one of a first heating setting, a first ventilation setting, a first cooling setting, a first humidity setting, and a first air quality setting, at least one of an image sensor and a microphone connected to at least one component in the HVAC system, the image sensor and/or microphone being configured to capture data from a first zone, and a controller connected to the input and at least one of the image sensor and the microphone, the controller configured to control at least one of the first heating setting, the first ventilation setting, the first cooling setting, the first humidity setting, and the first air quality setting in response to receiving the data from at least one of the image sensor and the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Kirby Neal Bicknell
  • Patent number: 9958177
    Abstract: An air conditioning system that includes refrigerant systems respectively including an indoor unit connected to an outdoor unit by a refrigerant pipe, the refrigerant systems being controlled by a remote controller that is provided. The indoor unit includes a human sensor whose power supply operates simultaneously with the indoor unit. When the air conditioning system is in an on-state and detection information of the human sensor indicates absence, the indoor unit transmits an absence signal to the remote controller. The remote controller that has received the absence signal transmits an absence-off period signal including absence-off period control information set in advance to the indoor unit. The indoor unit that has received the absence-off period signal is controlled according to the absence-off period control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9958178
    Abstract: A server rack includes a rack space for receiving equipment, a memory device, and a management controller coupled to the memory. The management controller is operable to receive configuration information for the server rack, store the configuration information in the memory device, and configure the equipment based upon the configuration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: John R. Palmer, Syed S Ahmed, Jinsaku Masuyama
  • Patent number: 9958179
    Abstract: A control unit includes a mode control unit that, when a test operation switch is turned on, transmits information indicating that a test operation mode is performed to a centralized management device via an adapter and an external network. When the information indicating that the test operation mode is performed is received, the centralized management device restricts an operation on the operation terminal to prevent an operation of the air-conditioning apparatus from being changed via the operation terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Sugiyama, Hideki Takahara
  • Patent number: 9958180
    Abstract: In some embodiments, security and/or automation systems, collectively referred to as automation systems, may offer a user the comforts of automatically controlling HVAC settings based at least in part on an alarm. The automation system may provide automatically meet desired HVAC conditions at select times and provide a more comfortable living situation. In some embodiments, the increased comfort level may enable or ease household activities. For example, if a person sleeps with a cooler temperature, it may be harder for the person to get out of bed. But an automated HVAC system may adjust the temperature such that when a person desires to wake up, the temperature is comfortable and may ease a transition from day to night.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Vivint, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Mahar, Matthew J. Eyring, Clint H. Gordon-Carroll, Jeremy B. Warren, James E. Nye, Jefferson H. Lyman
  • Patent number: 9958181
    Abstract: An indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus includes vanes, vane shafts and, which are disposed at the ends of the vanes, vane bearings and, which hold the vane shafts and, and motors, each of which is mounted on a corresponding one of the vane shafts and each of which causes a corresponding one of the vanes to rotate. Each of the vane shafts is provided with a rib, and each of the vane bearings, which hold the corresponding vane shafts, is provided with a hook portion. When one of the vane shafts moves by a reference movement amount in a direction toward the corresponding vane shaft, the corresponding rib and the corresponding hook portion engage with each other, so that movement of the vane shaft is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naoya Matsunaga, Masaaki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 9958182
    Abstract: An auxiliary drain pan for installation vertically below a humidifier. The pan has a base and a peripheral wall around the base and a first opening formed in the base adapted to form an anti-backflow connection with a conduit from the humidifier for directing liquid from the humidifier through the first opening and a first drainage connector, the anti-backflow connection preventing a reverse flow of liquid from the first opening into the humidifier. A second opening is formed in the pan in fluid communication with the first opening to receive the reverse flow of liquid from the first opening. The pan has a structure for supporting the base and having connecting features for connection with a vertical surface in an installed position, with the base secured in a substantially horizontal position in the installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Alan C. Rimmer
  • Patent number: 9958183
    Abstract: A water heating pod includes at least one water heating module packaged within a container. The water heating module includes a plurality of water heating units in fluid communication with a basin. The basin is configured to support a first fluid communication between the water heating units and provide a second fluid isolation between the water heating units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ARMSTRONG HOT WATER, INC.
    Inventors: James B. Baker, IV, Matthew Dautle, Brad Allison
  • Patent number: 9958184
    Abstract: A vent proving system is described for use with a gas fired appliance. The gas fired appliance includes a gas burner, a vent damper for selectively opening or closing an exhaust vent from the gas fired appliance and a relay control for operatively controlling the vent damper and the gas burner to open the damper if the gas burner is on. The vent proving system comprises a sensor for sensing a variable in the vent representing air flow direction in the vent. An electrical switch is connected in series between the relay control and the vent damper. A controller is operatively connected to the sensor, the electrical switch and to the relay control. The controller determines if a back draft condition is present in the vent when the gas burner is on and selectively operates the electrical switch to open the connection between the relay control and the vent damper if a back draft condition is present in the vent when the gas burner is on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Field Controls, LLC
    Inventor: James L. Aycock
  • Patent number: 9958185
    Abstract: A concentrator tube comprises a reflector portion having two walls; and an aperture closing an opening to the reflector portion. The aperture and the reflector portion extend longitudinally. The aperture is substantially flat relative to curvature of the reflector portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Roland Winston, Lun Jiang
  • Patent number: 9958186
    Abstract: A CO2 vapor compression system is provided with at least one pressure relief device which is designed to open when the pressure in the low pressure side exceeds the predetermined level because of exposure to high temperatures during non-operational periods. A pressure relief device is provided near the compressor suction inlet to relieve one section of the circuit and another is provided upstream of an unloading valve to relieve pressure in another section thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zvonko Asprovski, Suresh Duraisamy
  • Patent number: 9958187
    Abstract: An active cooler having an insulated five sided box having an inner chamber, the box has an openable lid hingedly attached to the upper edge of the box, a temperature sensor in the inner chamber for detecting temperature readings of the inner chamber when the lid is closed, a peltier cooling element operably engaged to the inner chamber to remove heat, a voltage regulator operably connected to the sensor to change the cooling element in response to temperature readings from the sensor, and a wireless transmitter connected to the temperature sensor for transmission of temperature readings and detection of pre-determined temperatures. The cooler may also have a program that is operated by an onboard computer to generate temperature and time related data, transmit the data via cell phone, internet, or local area and interact with hand held devices via specialized application software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Jerry Monroy
  • Patent number: 9958188
    Abstract: An air conditioner and a method of operating an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include a heat pump having a water-refrigerant heat exchanger that condenses or evaporates a refrigerant by heat exchange with heat source water; a heat source water flow path connected to the water-refrigerant heat exchanger; a pump installed on the heat source water flow path; a variable flow valve installed on the heat source water flow path; and a variable flow valve controller that controls an opening degree of the variable flow valve. The variable flow valve controller may include a heat source water minimum flow manipulator that manipulates a minimum flow rate of the heat source water and regulates the opening degree of the variable flow valve according to the manipulation of the heat source water minimum flow manipulator. Accordingly, a user or installation personnel may selectively regulate power consumption and efficiency as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Changhwan Cho, Hongseok Choi, Sunyoung Kang, Junhyeon Hwang
  • Patent number: 9958189
    Abstract: An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner includes a compressor having a suction unit and a plurality of injection inlets, an inside heat exchanger into which refrigerant compressed in the compressor is introduced during a heating operation, an outside heat exchanger into which refrigerant compressed in the compressor is introduced during a cooling operation, a plurality of refrigerant separation devices through which refrigerant condensed in the inside heat exchanger or the outside heat exchanger pass, a plurality of injection flow paths which extends from the three refrigerant separation devices to the plurality of injection inlets, and a bypass flow path which extends from any one injection flow path among the plurality of injection flow paths to the suction unit of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Byoungjin Ryu, Younghwan Ko, Byeongsu Kim, Beomchan Kim, Baikyoung Chung
  • Patent number: 9958190
    Abstract: A system for maximizing the measured efficiency of an HVAC&R system including two pressure sensors, two temperature sensors, a flow sensor, a power voltage sensor, a power current sensor, and a controller. Each pressure sensor may be adapted to measure different refrigerant pressures and generate respective pressure signals. Each temperature sensor may be adapted to measure different refrigerant temperatures and generate respective temperature signals. The flow sensor may be adapted to measure a refrigerant flow rate and to generate a flow signal. The power voltage sensor may be configured to measure an electrical voltage input and generate a power voltage signal. The power current sensor configured to measure an electrical current input and to generate a power current signal. The controller may be adapted to receive the signals, calculate a measured efficiency, and output a first voltage output signal having a value dependent upon the measured efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Advantek Consulting Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Kenneth West
  • Patent number: 9958191
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus uses R32 as a refrigerant, and includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, an evaporator, an intermediate injection channel and a suction injection channel. The intermediate injection channel guides a part of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser toward the evaporator to the compressor, causing the refrigerant to merge with intermediate-pressure refrigerant of the compressor. The suction injection channel guides a part of the refrigerant flowing from the condenser toward the evaporator to the suction passage, causing the refrigerant to merge with low-pressure refrigerant sucked into the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kawano, Shinya Matsuoka, Masahiro Oka
  • Patent number: 9958192
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator may include a power supply unit configured to power the refrigerator using commercial power, a battery coupled to the power supply unit and configured to supply auxiliary power to the refrigerator, a power detection unit coupled to the power supply unit and the battery and configured to detect whether power is being supplied from the power supply unit, a driving unit to provide cold air, and a controller configured to control an operational mode of the driving unit based on the detection at the power detection unit. When the power supply unit is supplying power, the driving unit may be controlled to operate in a normal operation mode, and when the power supply unit is not supplying power, the driving unit may be controlled to operate in a power failure operation mode and to control the power to be supplied from the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Shinhyun Park, Sun Kim, Byoungsuk Choi
  • Patent number: 9958193
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator may include a power supply unit configured to power the refrigerator using commercial power, a battery coupled to the power supply unit and configured to supply auxiliary power to the refrigerator, a power detection unit coupled to the power supply unit and the battery and configured to detect whether power is being supplied from the power supply unit, a driving unit to provide cold air, and a controller configured to control an operational mode of the driving unit based on the detection at the power detection unit. When the power supply unit is supplying power, the driving unit may be controlled to operate in a normal operation mode, and when the power supply unit is not supplying power, the driving unit may be controlled to operate in a power failure operation mode and to control the power to be supplied from the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Shinhyun Park, Sun Kim, Byoungsuk Choi
  • Patent number: 9958194
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a compressor, a condenser such as an indoor heat exchanger, first expansion means, and an evaporator such as an outdoor heat exchanger that are connected by refrigerant pipes to form a refrigeration cycle. The evaporator is a heat exchanger including a plurality of plate-like heat transfer fins arranged in parallel and subjected to water slip or water repellent treatment, and a heat transfer tube provided in contact with the plurality of heat transfer fins such that refrigerant flows therein. The refrigeration cycle apparatus further includes a drain pan disposed below the evaporator, an evaporator fan for producing an air current flowing to the evaporator, such as an outdoor fan, and a heating unit disposed at a position below the heat transfer fins and on a leeward side of the heat transfer fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Tashiro, Kosuke Tanaka, Sangmu Lee
  • Patent number: 9958195
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes multiple tubes, multiple fins, and a partition wall. The multiple fins are stacked alternately with the tubes to form a core including a first section and a second section. The partition wall partitions between the first section and the second section. The first section has multiple drain passages in the vicinity of the partition wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Mazzocco, James Stander, William Cochran
  • Patent number: 9958196
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator door frame apparatus and method. In one embodiment, a refrigerator door frame: a first side section forming a first side of the door frame; a second side section forming a second side of the door frame; a third side section forming a third side of the door frame, the third side section integrally coupled to the first side section and the second side section; and a fourth side section forming a fourth side of the door frame; the fourth side section integrally coupled to the first side section and the second side section; wherein the first side section, the second side section, the third side section, and the fourth side section are integrally formed with one another, and one or more ribs are formed on one or more of the first side section, the second side section, the third side section, and the fourth side section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: DONGBU DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sung Jin Yang
  • Patent number: 9958197
    Abstract: A traveling harness system is provided for an appliance to maintain electrical connections between the appliance and a drawer, while allowing the drawer to move. Wiring harness guides formed in the drawer force the wiring harness to maintain a predictable and desirable loop radius to reduce stress on the wiring harness, which prevents the wiring harness from prematurely wearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Haltmeyer, Dean A. Martin, Guadalupe Antonio Sanchez, Jose Paulo Remor
  • Patent number: 9958198
    Abstract: A method and system for use with a volume containing a cargo having a thermal mass includes, at least one temperature sensor associated with the cargo to provide at least one temperature associated with the thermal mass, a refrigeration unit associated with the volume, and a controller to control the refrigeration unit in response to the at least one temperature associated with the thermal mass and a temperature set point, wherein the controller models a temperature characteristic of the thermal mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Giorgio Rusignuolo, Stephen Varga, Thibaut Gavignet, Greg Deldicque, Yu H. Chen
  • Patent number: 9958199
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator having an improved structure with a display unit. The refrigerator comprises a main body, a storeroom arranged inside the main body with an open front, a door pivotally connected to the main body for opening or closing the open front of the storeroom and a display unit installed on the door. The display unit comprises a display for displaying images, a display glass located on the front of the display to have an area larger than the display and form a touch screen, a display case with a display mounter for the display to be mounted therein, a display unit case fixedly connected to the door and a fixing unit for fixedly connecting the display case to the display unit case by pressing a part of the display case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keon Pyo Koo, Yong Bum Seo, Chun Youp Shin, Woo Yeol Yoo, Jeong Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 9958200
    Abstract: A method is provided for separating off acid gases, in particular CO2 and H2S, from a hydrocarbon-rich fraction, in particular natural gas. The hydrocarbon-rich fraction is cooled and partially condensed. The resultant CO2-enriched liquid fraction is separated by rectification into a CO2-rich liquid fraction and a CO2-depleted gas fraction. The hydrocarbon-rich fraction is cooled close to the temperature of the CO2 triple point by means of a closed multistage refrigeration circuit. The refrigerant is a CO2 fraction of greater than 99.5% by volume. The rectification column is operated at a pressure between 40 and 65 bar. The reboiler of the rectification column is heated by means of a condensing refrigerant substream of the refrigeration circuit that is at a suitable pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Heinz Bauer, Claudia Gollwitzer
  • Patent number: 9958201
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a column (1) having a cylindrical, vertical column body (2) forming a column cavity (3), and a mass transfer tray (4) disposed in the column cavity (3) and forming a collecting area (5). The column (1) is characterized by a circulation device (9) having at least one drain orifice (10) formed in the column body (2) above the collecting area (5), a circulation line (11) in fluid connection with the drain orifice (10) and at least one recycling orifice (14; 14-1 to 14-3) which is in fluid connection with the circulation line (11) and is formed in the column body (2) above the collecting area (5). Also disclosed herein is a thermal separating process in which a gas ascends within a column (1) of the present disclosure, and a liquid descends within the column (1), said gas and/or liquid containing (meth)acrylic monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Ulrich Hammon, Thomas Walter
  • Patent number: 9958202
    Abstract: An inerted plate dryer for drying solvent based coating is disclosed. The dryer uses two tiers of substantially parallel heating plates that are located not more than 10 cm apart. A moving web with solvent based coating is passed through the dryer, and runs closer to one of the heating plates. The method of using such inerted plate dryer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Juan De Santos Avila, Kostas N. Christodoulou, Ahmad Khodaei, Ali R. Mehrabi, Luigi Sartor, Henk De Koning, George Arkesteijn
  • Patent number: 9958203
    Abstract: An apparatus 20 for microwave vacuum-drying organic materials such as foods and bioactives has a plurality of microwave generators 50 actuated so as to cause interference between their respective microwave streams and evenly distribute the microwave energy across the vacuum chamber 34. The microwave-transparent window 36 in the chamber is arranged so the organic material to be dried is moved across it on a conveyor belt 60 and the microwave energy passing into the chamber 34 immediately encounters the organic materials, thus attenuating the energy and reducing arcing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: EnWave Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Fu, Timothy D. Durance, Parastoo Yaghmaee
  • Patent number: 9958204
    Abstract: A system for treating objects includes a device for tempering objects in which a tempering tunnel having at least one air outlet and at least one air inlet is arranged in a housing. At least one heating unit, in which a hot primary gas flow can be generated, is assigned to the tempering tunnel, wherein the hot primary gas can be guided into a circulating air heat exchanger, in which air from the tempering tunnel can be heated by hot primary gas as circulating air, which can be fed back to the tempering tunnel in a circuit via the at least one air inlet. The heating unit is coupled in the manner of a combined heating and power plant to an electric generator in such a way that electrical energy is produced during operation of the heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: EISENMANN SE
    Inventors: Daniel Sluka, Reiner Erhardt
  • Patent number: 9958205
    Abstract: Exhaust air from a coater drier is sent to a desorption zone of a VOC concentration rotor. Air which comes out of the desorption zone is sent to a heat exchanger and cooled, the cooled air which comes out of the heat exchanger is sent to a cooling coil which carries out VOC concentration recovery. Air which comes out of the cooling coil is sent to an absorption zone of the VOC concentration rotor. Air which comes out of the absorption zone is sent to the heat exchanger and heated. The heated air which comes out of the heat exchanger is sent to a heating coil to be used as supply air for a coater drier. A heat pump can be used for the cooling coil which carries out cooling condensation of the organic solvent and the heating coil which heats purified air as air supply for the coater drier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SEIBU GIKEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobutaka Nakahama, Keimei Furuki
  • Patent number: 9958206
    Abstract: A curing oven provides a structure which is supportive such that structural members extending the axial length of the oven are not necessary. Additionally, the curing oven provides structures which extend transverse to the axial length of the oven but do not extend through the walls of the oven. Thus, conductive heat transfer is limited and reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventors: Arron Duvall, Dennis M. Shea, Joseph R. Paris
  • Patent number: 9958207
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sintering furnace for components consisting of sintering material, especially dental components and in particular components consisting of ceramic, and a method for sintering such components. The sintering furnace 1 comprises a heatable furnace chamber 2 for the component 9 to be sintered, the furnace chamber 2 having a wall section 6 to be opened for inserting the component 9 to be sintered into the furnace chamber 2. Drive means 10 are provided for mechanized opening and closing of the wall section 6, and a control 11 is provided for the drive means 10 that has an actuation element 12 for the drive means 10. Furthermore, a heating device 5 for the furnace chamber 2 is provided, and the control 11 causes the furnace chamber 2 to be heated. Actuating the control element 12 triggers the loading sequence of the control 11, and the drive means 10 are automatically actuated by the control 11 corresponding to the loading sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Schmidt, David Figge, Siegfried Gleditzsch, Peter Fornoff
  • Patent number: 9958208
    Abstract: Control process for a furnace for baking carbon anodes comprising: longitudinal hollow partitions in each of which a flow of hot baking gas may circulate, hollow partitions together defining cells to receive the anodes to be baked, and a heating system rotating in relation to the hollow partitions comprising an upstream blowing ramp blowing air into the various partitions, a downstream suction ramp sucking gas from the various partitions and at least one heating ramp. This process comprises a natural pre-heating phase of the partitions and anodes which release combustible, volatile matter which burns inside the hollow partitions as a degassing in a natural pre-heating zone of the furnace downstream of the heating ramp. According to the invention, gas flows circulating in the hollow partitions are modified so as to control gas flows passing through a first natural pre-heating zone from gas flows leaving a second natural pre-heating zone to control the location of the degassing front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: François Morales, Alain De La Torre
  • Patent number: 9958209
    Abstract: A permanent magnet-type molten metal stirring device includes: a support body that can suppress heat transfer from molten metal; a magnetic field unit provided above the support body and including a permanent magnet allowing magnetic force lines to vertically extend in the molten metal; and a drive unit provided below the support body and driving the molten metal with an electromagnetic force generated by the magnetic force lines and current allowed to flow through the molten metal by the drive unit. The drive unit includes: a cylindrical drive main body mounted on a lower portion of the support body and including a passage formed therein and laterally extending in a longitudinal direction, and a pair of electrodes provided at positions opposed to each other along a width direction via the passage, the pair of electrodes allowing current intersecting the magnetic lines of force in the molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Kenzo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9958210
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plate-type heat exchanger, in particular for motor vehicles, having a plurality of plate pairs for forming first, second and third flow paths, a spatial region for fourth flow paths being formed between adjacent plate pairs, the plate pairs being formed from at least one first plate and a second plate in order to form the first flow paths and the second flow paths between the first and second plates, the third flow paths also being formed between the first plate and the second plate or an attachment plate being placed upon the first and/or the second plate in order to form the third flow path between the first plate and the attachment plate and/or between the second plate and the attachment plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Seewald, Falk Viehrig
  • Patent number: 9958211
    Abstract: Disclosed is a technology based upon the nesting of tubes to provide chemical reactors or chemical reactors with built in heat exchanger. As a chemical reactor, the technology provides the ability to manage the temperature within a process flow for improved performance, control the location of reactions for corrosion control, or implement multiple process steps within the same piece of equipment. As a chemical reactor with built in heat exchanger, the technology can provide large surface areas per unit volume and large heat transfer coefficients. The technology can recover the thermal energy from the product flow to heat the reactant flow to the reactant temperature, significantly reducing the energy needs for accomplishment of a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BayoTech, Inc.
    Inventor: Milton Edward Vernon
  • Patent number: 9958212
    Abstract: Disclosed is a superposed heat exchanger, including a plurality of fins superposed up. Two opposite side edges of each fin are bent upwards to form a ventilating air path in coordination with an upper fin, and adjacent fins are arranged in a mode of vertical-horizontal alternating so as to form horizontal air paths and vertical air paths independent from each other with up-down intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignees: Haier Group Corporation, Quingdao Haier Drum Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peishi Lv, Yonghong Xu, Xueli Zhao, Huacheng Zhang, Yuliang Jiang
  • Patent number: 9958213
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising a base plate for receiving a heat load from one or more electric components, an evaporator being in thermal contact with a surface of the base plate for transferring said heat load into a first fluid in the evaporator channels, and a condenser dissipating heat from the first fluid. In order to provide an efficient heat exchanger the heat exchanger comprises a collector space receiving first fluid from the condenser, and the collector space which is located higher than the lower ends of the evaporator channels is in fluid communication with lower ends of the evaporator channels for passing first fluid received from the condenser to the lower ends of the evaporator channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Bruno Agostini, Daniele Torresin, Francesco Agostini, Mathieu Habert
  • Patent number: 9958214
    Abstract: A capillary-driven heat transfer device, adapted to extract heat from a heat source and to release this heat to a cold source by means of a two-phase working fluid, includes an evaporator, having a microporous mass adapted to perform capillary pumping of fluid in the liquid phase, a condenser, a reservoir having an inlet and/or outlet port, a vapor communication circuit, connecting the outlet of the evaporator to the inlet of the condenser, and a liquid communication circuit connecting the outlet of the condenser to the reservoir and to the inlet of the evaporator. The reservoir includes multiple separate volumes that remain in fluid communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: EURO HEAT PIPES
    Inventor: Vincent Dupont
  • Patent number: 9958215
    Abstract: A heat transfer surface for a heat exchanger has a corrugated member having parallel spaced apart ridges and planar fin surfaces extending the ridges. Tabs are formed in the planar fin surfaces for forming counter-rotating vortices in the fluid flowing over the heat transfer surface, the tabs being lifted out of the surface of the planar fin surface and extending into or nesting within the openings formed by the corresponding tabs in the adjacent planar fin surface so as to achieve high fin density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Buckrell, Michael Bardeleben
  • Patent number: 9958216
    Abstract: The application relates to a heat exchanger and a connecting system for the heat exchanger. This subject matter includes a housing formed by a top part and a bottom part and a first connecting element and a second connecting element connected to these top and bottom parts. Specific embodiments of the subject matter are shown in which the connecting elements connect the housing top part and bottom part by a positive and/or material connection. The advantages of each embodiment over prior approaches are too numerous to include in this abstract, but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art when reviewing the full specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BEHR GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Caroline Schmid, Michael Moser, Nikolaus Daubitzer, Holger Schroth, Heiko Neff, Dominique Raible, Anton Kierig, Thomas Schiehlen, Nic Sautter, Stefan Hirsch
  • Patent number: 9958217
    Abstract: Disclosed is: A casing of a heat recovery steam generator has a sidewall, and heat exchanger coil located therein capable of exchanging heat from hot exhaust gas flow into the casing, with a gap between the end of the coil and a sidewall. A baffle system for closing the gap after the coil is installed in the casing comprises a mount attached to the coil near the gap, and a baffle plate associated with the mount and movably supported thereby. The configuration of the mount and baffle plate are such to allow the baffle plate to be capable of moving from a retracted position withdrawn from the sidewall, to an extended position closing the gap. A retainer can hold the plate in the retracted position. The retainer can release, for example, by being temperature sensitive. The mount can have a support that engages the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: NOOTER/ERIKSEN, INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence Oakes, Daniel C. Osbourne
  • Patent number: 9958218
    Abstract: A heat exchanger (1) for a motor vehicle includes a plurality of tubes (2) arranged in a first and a second row (3A, 3B); a first and a second header tank (4, 5) inside which tanks (4, 5) the tubes (2) of each of the rows (3A, 3B) emerge; and a longitudinal dividing partition (16) arranged in the first header tank (4) to divide the first header tank (4) longitudinally into refrigerant inlet and outlet compartments (17, 18) into which the tubes (2) of the first row (3A) and of the second row (3B) emerge. The longitudinal dividing partition (16) includes a plurality of transverse dividing partitions (27) arranged in the second header tank (5) to divide the second header tank (5) transversely into a plurality of return compartments (28) into which at least one tube (2) of each of the rows (3A, 3B) emerges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventors: Aurelie Bellenfant, Alain Pourmarin, Fabienne Bedon, Eric Goyet, Jean-Christophe Prevost, Virginie Vincent
  • Patent number: 9958219
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes tubes having tube inlets, an inlet tank having therein an inlet tank space, and a dynamic baffle disposed in the inlet tank space. The inlet tank has a tank inlet. The tubes include first tubes and second tubes. The first tubes are closer to the tank inlet than the second tubes are to the tank inlet. The first tubes include a nearest tube that is, among the tubes, closest to the tank inlet. The dynamic baffle is configured to, when the fluid pressure of the thermal fluid in the inlet tank space is below a specified value, suppress the flow rates of the plurality of first tubes, and, when the fluid pressure of the thermal fluid in the inlet tank space is at or above the specified value, increase the flow rate of at least one of the plurality of the first tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Delomer Gosioco, Shawn Westergaard, David Korenchuk