Patents Issued in June 12, 2018
  • Patent number: 9995464
    Abstract: An interior light, in particular for shelf or display case illumination, includes an adjustment unit, which has a lens; a main body, which has a cylindrical recess inside which a lighting means is arranged; at least one guide which is provided on the recess and extends parallel to a cylinder axis of the recess; and latch means which are arranged in the region of the recess and have a plurality of latching stages, the adjustment unit having mating latch means which can latch to the latch means and guide means for guiding the adjustment unit in the guide; the guide means being arranged in each case at different positions within the guide when the mating latch means latch to the different latching stages, and a different distance being set between the lighting means and the lens in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: H4X e.U.
    Inventor: Andreas Hierzer
  • Patent number: 9995465
    Abstract: A surface-mounted pluggable wiring insert key capable of being used for connecting structural parts of multiple strands of weak-current flexible wires, a driving power source box formed by using the surface-mounted pluggable wiring insert key, and a detachable modular LED lamp provided with the driving power source box structure. A damaged driving power source and other damaged assemblies can be conveniently replaced, abandonment of an LED chip having a long service life or even a whole LED lamp can be prevented, the designed structure is simple, and tin soldering is not required, thereby saving resources, greatly reducing use cost, and facilitating the popularization of the LED lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Guangyou Chen
  • Patent number: 9995466
    Abstract: A concealed connection system for a luminaire that includes an inner joining member having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface having a first guide surface, and a second side surface having a second guide surface. An outer joining member having a top surface, a bottom surface, a base surface, a front surface, a rear surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a first interior side surface opposite the first side surface having a first guide surface, and a second interior side surface opposite the second side surface having a second guide surface. The inner joining member may be slidably engaged along the guide surfaces onto the outer joining member, and the inner joining member may be secured to the outer joining member using a securing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Focal Point, LLC
    Inventors: Michael David SanFacon, Krutin S. Desai, Casey Chung, Ken Czech
  • Patent number: 9995467
    Abstract: A light emitting device and a holder thereof are provided, the light emitting device comprises a light emitting module, a holder, and a heat dissipate member formed with fastening holes in a surface thereof. The light emitting module comprises a substrate, a light emitting package, and at least two contact pads. The holder comprises a body, a bracket, at least two terminals pressed against the corresponding contact pads, and at least two latching members. The body has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a receiving opening and a plurality of fixing holes which penetrate through the top surface and the bottom surface. The receiving opening comprises an upper opening and a lower opening formed in the bottom surface of the body. The bracket is connected with the body and provided to the receiving opening for the light emitting module to abut against.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventor: Yi-Tse Ho
  • Patent number: 9995468
    Abstract: The invention provides an illumination device, which includes: a support block; multiple light source emitting parts, provided on the support block; one light guiding part, used for guiding light emitted by the light source emitting parts to a preset irradiation direction; and a light source switching mechanism, the light guiding part being selectively matched with one of the multiple light source emitting parts under the action of the light source switching mechanism. According to the illumination device of the invention, the illumination device is smaller in size and convenient to carry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: NEXTORCH INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Bing Liang
  • Patent number: 9995469
    Abstract: A lighting fixture with a driver housing assembly indirectly coupled to a heat sink through an offset mounting bracket. The heat sink having at least one light source attached thereto and the driver housing assembly housing a driver for powering the at least one lighting source. The lighting fixture may include a number of heat sinks with lighting sources to provide various levels of lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Energy Bank Incorporated
    Inventors: Neal R. Verfuerth, Brandon J. King
  • Patent number: 9995470
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light-emitting panel attachment structure, a light-emitting panel aligned-arrangement structure, and a light-emitting panel that enable light-emitting panels to be arranged with no gap therebetween on an installation surface such as a ceiling. An attachment side fitting part is turnably attached to a coupling part. An attachment device is changeable between a parallel orientation in which the light-emitting panel is parallel to the installation surface and an intersecting orientation in which the light-emitting panel faces a direction intersecting the installation surface, along with the turn of the attachment side fitting part. When the light-emitting panel is attached to the attachment device, the attachment device is changed to or maintained in the intersecting orientation, and either the light-emitting panel or the attachment device is moved to slide parallel to an emission surface to fit a panel side fitting part with the attachment side fitting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Kaneka Corporation
    Inventor: Kuniharu Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9995471
    Abstract: LED lighting device includes LED light housing including hollow outer shell with planar mounting surface defined inner top side of accommodation chamber to face toward bottom opening and reflector cup mounted accommodation chamber and defining conical reflective surface therein and carrying lens at top center thereof with light exit surface of lens facing toward bottom opening of hollow outer shell, LED light-emitting module including circuit board mounted between planar mounting surface and lens, array of LEDs arranged front side of circuit board and control circuit with driver IC and capacitor thereof respectively arranged opposing front and back sides of circuit board for converting inputted AC power into stabilized DC power for driving LEDS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CHICONY POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huan-Hsiang Huang, Kui-Chih Su
  • Patent number: 9995472
    Abstract: A modular lighting fixture includes a housing having a front panel, the front panel having a radius of curvature, and a plurality of LED modules disposed adjacent the front panel, each LED module having a heat sink, an LED source mounted to the heat sink, and a lens disposed over the LED source, the lens capable of refracting light emitted by the LED source into a desired distribution pattern. The plurality of LED modules produce a concentrated illuminated area at a pre-determined distance from the front panel as determined by the radius of curvature of the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ABL Research Group, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9995473
    Abstract: An LED lamp uses a flexible metal fabric as a heat sink. At least one light emitting diode is attached to a circuit board that is mounted on a heat conducting member. The flexible heat sink is attached to the heat conducting member, such that heat generated by the light emitting diode and circuit board is conducted to the flexible heat sink. The flexible heat sink can be deformed to fit in a variety of spaces. The flexible heat sink dissipates the heat generated by the LED lamp without the need for a fan. The flexible heat sink may be made from braided copper fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Putco, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Elwell, Trent Quick, Baozhou Xu
  • Patent number: 9995474
    Abstract: A LED filament includes a frame; two metal electrodes, respectively disposed on two sides of the frame; a LED chip assembly, comprising a plurality of LED chips disposed inside the frame and electrically connecting to the two metal electrodes respectively; and a gel comprising phosphor, wrapping the LED chip assembly and parts of the metal electrodes inside the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Jiaxing Super Lighting Electric Appliance Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tao Jiang, Wenjang Jiang, Hong Xu
  • Patent number: 9995475
    Abstract: An illumination device that can obtain high withstanding voltage performance while making heat transfer to a casing from a light-emitting element favorable is provided. In a sports illumination device including a COB type LED as a light source in a casing, a base plate that has the COB type LED mounted thereon and is formed from a high thermoconductive material, to which heat of the COB type LED is transferred, is included, the casing is provided with an engaging hole with which the base plate is engaged in a state in which a part of the base plate is exposed outside the casing, and an insulation packing is provided at a site of contact of the base plate and the engaging hole in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: IWASAKI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Kimoto, Nobuyuki Baba, Keiichirou Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9995476
    Abstract: In various embodiments, disclosed is a lighting device comprising a bulbous body mounted on a cap, and an inner surface of the bulbous body comprising a plurality of steps that are axially displaced relative to each other along a central axis of the lighting device. The plurality of steps comprising in one example a first step supporting a first plurality of solid state lighting elements; and a second step supporting a second plurality of solid state lighting elements, wherein the first step is located in between the cap and the second step. A luminaire including such a lighting device is also disclosed. The lighting device may further comprise a bulbous member separated from the cap by a transparent member having a stepped wall profile including the first step and the second step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Yan Xiong, Hongxia Li, Zhenning Yao, ZhenXuan Lin, Bao Wang
  • Patent number: 9995477
    Abstract: The luminaires of the present disclosure provide a slim profile and simple construction for use in a variety of lighting applications. A circuit board can have a plurality of light sources thereon, and a lens can at least partially encapsulate the circuit board to protect and electrically insulate the circuit board. When used, for example, in a lighted shelf application, power can be provided to the luminaire through shelf brackets along the side of the shelf panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SCHOTT GEMTRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Greg Miedema, Craig Bienick
  • Patent number: 9995478
    Abstract: A switch unit has a display part configured to display an image, and an operation part provided on the display part in a stacked manner. The operation part includes a plurality of press buttons each having a pressable top surface formed to be transparent, a transparent base having a plurality of openings formed so as to be spaced from each other in positions corresponding to a display region of the display part, while avoiding a peripheral edge of the display region, and a transparent substrate provided below the base and having a light source in a position corresponding to the outer periphery of the top surface. Each of the press buttons includes, and forms into a unit, a button body having the top surface, and a frame-like light guiding body provided in a flange shape below the button body and provided so as to cover the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Taichi Onoyama, Masaaki Sumi, Hiroyuki Onitsuka, Takehiro Agata, Masataka Kimura
  • Patent number: 9995479
    Abstract: A cavitation engine configured to produce superheat steam from injected liquid water. The cavitation engine includes a funnel shaped impact chamber having an impact surface having a temperature of at least 375 degrees Fahrenheit, a small diameter opening at a bottom of the impact chamber, and an expansion chamber below the small diameter opening. The engine includes a fluid injector having an outlet positioned adjacent a largest diameter of the impact chamber and located to inject hyperbaric liquid water onto the impact surface of the impact chamber at supersonic velocities such that cavitation bubbles are present in the injected water. The outlet of the fluid injector and the impact surface are located relative to one another such that the outlet is spaced a distance from the impact surface of between 0.150 and 0.450 inches and the injected water hits the impact surface at an angle of between 85 and 95 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Richard E. Aho
  • Patent number: 9995480
    Abstract: A burner includes a burner inlet and outlet. The burner also includes a primary conduit defining a flow channel extending along a burner axis for conveying a mixture of fuel and gas and a secondary conduit defining a flow channel disposed about the primary conduit for conveying gas. The primary conduit defines a flow channel extending to a primary conduit outlet within the burner substantially upstream of the burner outlet, whereby the secondary conduit downstream of the primary outlet defines a common conduit for flow from the primary and secondary conduits. A swirl generation device imparts a swirl to the flow of gas from the secondary conduit upstream of the primary conduit outlet. A venturi arrangement is provided in the vicinity of the primary outlet to act on the primary flow stream to impart a flow deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: DOOSAN BABCOCK LIMITED
    Inventor: Ik Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 9995481
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a burner adapted to heat a furnace or other environment of use. In particular, a burner for providing a fuel gas in combination with an oxidant to effect controlled reaction of the fuel gas in a manner to reduce NOx emissions is described. Combustion of the fuel gas is shifted from the burner combustor to a location outside the burner once the temperature within the furnace/radiant tube has reached a sufficient level to complete combustion of the fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Eclipse, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianhui Hong, Valeriy Smirnov
  • Patent number: 9995482
    Abstract: A gas burner assembly includes a grate that defines a first internal fuel passage and a second internal fuel passage. A burner defines an inner burner ring and an outer burner ring. The first internal fuel passage of the grate extends to the inner burner ring, and the second internal fuel passage of the grate extends to the outer burner ring. A fuel chamber of the inner burner ring is contiguous with the plurality of flame ports of inner burner ring, and a fuel chamber of the outer burner ring is contiguous with the plurality of flame ports of outer burner ring. At least a portion of the fuel chamber of the outer burner ring is positioned directly below the fuel chamber of the inner burner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Patent number: 9995483
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for combining oxygen and fuel to produce a mixture to be burned in a burner. The oxygen-fuel mixture is ignited in a fuel-ignition zone in a flame chamber to produce a flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis Taylor
  • Patent number: 9995484
    Abstract: A damper opening/closing mechanism includes: a damper which swings about a shaft to open and close a flow passage; an actuating lever which swings so as to swing the damper about the shaft; a reciprocating part which moves reciprocatively; and elastic members which are attached to the reciprocating part and positioned on forward-and-backward both sides in a swinging direction of the actuating lever and moreover which elastically bias the actuating lever along with reciprocative motions of the reciprocating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohichi Ishizaki, Masayuki Uno
  • Patent number: 9995485
    Abstract: A hold down mechanism for releasably securing a refractory lining to a furnace. The hold down mechanism can comprise plate segments that form a composite plate. The plate segments can comprise a first plate segment structured to articulate relative to a second plate segment. Furthermore, a gap in the hold down mechanism can be structured to adjust in response to a thermal condition of the composite plate, such as thermal expansion or thermal contraction of at least one plate segment. The composite plate can also comprise an articulation plate pivotally coupled to at least one of the first plate segment and the second plate segment via a pivot and/or a slot and pin engagement. The composite plate can further comprise a third plate segment and a second articulation plate pivotally coupled to at least one of the second plate segment and the third plate segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ATI PROPERTIES LLC
    Inventors: Edward A. Kosol, Joseph F. Perez
  • Patent number: 9995486
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one example, the valve assembly may include a valve body with a fluid path, one or more valves or valve sealing members positioned across the fluid path, and one or more pressure sensors in fluid communication with a fluid path of the valve assembly. The valve assembly may include a valve controller in communication with the pressure sensors, where the valve controller may be configured to compare a measure related to a pressure sensed by the one or more pressure sensors to a pressure threshold value (e.g., a high pressure threshold value, a low pressure threshold value, or other pressure threshold value). If the measure surpasses the threshold value, the valve controller may provide a predetermined output signal indicating a pressure event has occurred, such as a high or low gas pressure event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Young, Donald J. Kasprzyk, David Kucera
  • Patent number: 9995487
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle guide for a combustor of a turbine engine includes an annular base with a hub section, the hub section at least partially formed of a Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) weld and a method and system therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: William M. Rose
  • Patent number: 9995488
    Abstract: A combustion chamber including a first fuel injector and a second fuel injector, the first and second fuel injectors being arranged to inject fuel into a mainstream flow of air with the second fuel injector arranged downstream of the first fuel injector. A method of mixing fuel and air in a combustion chamber, including injecting fuel into a mainstream flow of air with a first fuel injector; injecting fuel into the mainstream flow of air with a second fuel injector, which is arranged downstream of the first fuel injector; injecting fuel into the mainstream flow with the first fuel injector such that the resulting mixture between the first and second fuel injectors has an equivalence ratio less than the lean flame stability limit; and injecting fuel into the mainstream flow with the second fuel injector such that a combustion zone is provided downstream of the second fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Stephen C. Harding
  • Patent number: 9995489
    Abstract: A pellet stove having a combustion assembly housing. Located within the housing in a vertical array are a primary combustion chamber, a secondary combustion chamber located below the primary combustion chamber, and an ash receptacle located below the secondary combustion chamber. The primary combustion chamber communicates with the secondary combustion chamber, and the secondary combustion chamber communicates with the ash receptacle. A pellet feed housing is located above the primary combustion chamber and has a feed plate configured to feed pellets directly into the primary combustion chamber along an inclined path. Air intake ducts communicate ambient air with the interior of the housing. The primary combustion chamber communicates with a combustion gas conduit that conducts combustion gases along an upwardly extending tortuous path to an exhaust stack to provide heating. A pivotal, latchable door is attached to the front of the combustion assembly housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: William K. Amlin
  • Patent number: 9995490
    Abstract: A gas burner assembly includes an elongated burner and a round burner positioned at a middle portion of the elongated burner. The elongated burner defines a plurality of flame ports adjacent a first end portion of the elongated burner. Flame ports of the plurality of flame ports that are positioned on a pair of parallel linear segments of the elongated burner have a first total port area, and flame ports of the plurality of flame ports that are positioned on an arcuate segment of the elongated burner have a second total port area. The second total port area is greater than the first total port area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Patent number: 9995491
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oven with at least one illuminated oven cavity (10). The oven cavity (10) comprises a top wall (12) with at least one embossing (22). The embossing (22) is arranged in a front portion of the top wall (12). The embossing (22) includes a surface section (24) with a cutout for latching a light emitting element (28) with a light source (38). The light source (38) is provided for generating a light cone (30). The embossing (22) includes an edge (26) in front of the surface section (24). Said edge (26) extends downwards and covers the light source (38) of the light source element (28), so that the light cone (30) is directed to the interior of the oven cavity (10). Alternatively, a bigger part of the light cone (30) is directed to the interior of the oven cavity (10) and a smaller part of the light cone (30) is directed to a lower part of an opening in the front side of the oven cavity (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventor: Klaus Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 9995492
    Abstract: An oven appliance includes a baking stone positioned within a housing at a bottom portion of a cooking chamber. An entrance of a venting channel is positioned over an opening of the housing, and an exit of the venting channel is positioned above the entrance of the venting channel. The exit of the venting channel is also positioned such that the exit of the venting channel is exposed to interior room ambient atmosphere about the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Bernard Froelicher, Christopher James Adelmann, James Lee Armstrong
  • Patent number: 9995493
    Abstract: An efficient fan controller for Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems including at least one electrical signal input from thermostat or equipment control terminals with a microprocessor to control a switching device connected to a signal output to control a fan relay and operate a system fan. The microprocessor is configured to monitor a thermostat call for cooling/heating duration and determine a variable fan-off delay based on the cooling cycle or heating cycle duration, and at an end of a cooling/heating cycle energize the fan relay to operate the system fan for the variable fan-off delay. The fan controller can include a heat pump detection signal input and electrical signal inputs to connect to a thermostat heat terminal, heat pump reversing valve terminal, or compressor terminal. The fan controller can also include a normally-closed relay connected to the switching device to maintain continuity between the fan signal input and output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventors: Robert J. Mowris, John Walsh
  • Patent number: 9995494
    Abstract: An air conditioner (AC) indoor unit includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet; a heat exchanger arranged inside the housing; a blower fan for sucking in air at the inlet to be subject to heat exchange with the heat exchanger, and discharging the heat-exchanged air out of the outlet; and an air flow control device for controlling an air flow discharged from the outlet by sucking in air around the outlet. The AC indoor unit may control the direction of a discharged air flow without a conventional blade structure, thereby increasing an amount of discharged air, reducing circulation noise, and enabling design differentiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo Seog Song, Dong Yoon Lee, Bu Youn Lee, Dong Woon Kang, Do Yeon Kim, Do-Hoon Kim, Byung Ghun Kim, Young-Jae Kim, Jun Woo Kim, Hyun Ah Kim, Yong Ho Seo, Hyeong Joon Seo, Byung Yul So, Jae Hyoung Sim, Joon-Ho Yoon, Jung Dae Lee, Chang Seon Lee, Chul Ju Lee, Seung Beom Lim, Keun Jeong Jang, Min Gu Jeon, Min-Gi Cho, Sung-June Cho, Eun Sung Jo, Hyeong Kyu Cho
  • Patent number: 9995495
    Abstract: A HVAC system includes a cabinet configured as a duct, a coil assembly disposed within the cabinet, and at least one barrier configured to substantially segregate a low pressure zone associated with a downstream side of a heat exchanger of the coil assembly from a high pressure zone, wherein a leakage path is provided between the high pressure zone and the low pressure zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: John Raymond Edens, Jonathan Edward Thrift, Bradley Lynn Kersh
  • Patent number: 9995496
    Abstract: An air supply system and a method for controlling operation of an air supply system for supplying a conditioned air flow at a setpoint air temperature to a climate controlled space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard G. Lord, Guy A. DeLuca, Michael J. Froehlich
  • Patent number: 9995497
    Abstract: An Electronically-Controlled Register vent (ECRV) that can be easily installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The ECRV can be used to convert a non-zoned HVAC system into a zoned system. The ECRV can also be used in connection with a conventional zoned HVAC system to provide additional control and additional zones not provided by the conventional zoned HVAC system. In one embodiment, the ECRV is configured have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled register vent. In one embodiment, a zone thermostat is configured to provide thermostat information to the ECRV. In one embodiment, the zone thermostat communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of the heating and cooling zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence Kates
  • Patent number: 9995498
    Abstract: A monitoring apparatus includes an information obtaining unit that obtains, from a target VAV air conditioning system to be monitored, a room temperature and a variable air volume; a room temperature display processing unit that displays, in a form of a graph, the room temperature obtained from the target VAV air conditioning system to be monitored; a controllable range calculating unit that calculates a length of a bar of a bar graph indicating a controllable range on the basis of the variable air volume; and a controllable range display processing unit that displays the bar graph including the bar having the length calculated by the controllable range calculating unit such that the bar graph is overlapped with the room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: AZBIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Harayama, Mayumi Miura, Masato Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9995499
    Abstract: Various arrangements for installing or configuring an electronic device are presented. The device may determine which wire connectors of a set of one or more wire connectors have a wire attached. A user inquiry may be output based on the electronic device identifying the wire connector with which the wire has been connected. The electronic device may be operated based on the response to the user inquiry and the electronic device identifying the wire connector with which the wire has been connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Michael Fadell, Matthew Lee Rogers, David Sloo, Mark D. Stefanski, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 9995500
    Abstract: An adaptive ventilation system and method for a data center are provided. The adaptive ventilation system includes: one or more system-controlled vents facilitating dynamic redirection of airflow passing through the vent(s), and including (for instance) a plurality of adjustable louvers; and a plurality of sensors dispersed within the data center for ascertaining one or more feedback parameters within different zones of the data center. The system also includes a controller configured or programmed to automatically manage adjustment of the system-controlled vent(s) based on the ascertained feedback parameter(s) within the data center. The automatically managing includes, for instance, automatically controlling orientation of multiple louvers of the system-controlled vent(s) to dynamically facilitate a desired airflow discharge adjustment to at least one system-controlled vent based, at least in part, on the sensed feedback parameter(s) within the different zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eli M. Dow, Joseph D. Harvey, Douglas E. Rohde
  • Patent number: 9995501
    Abstract: A system that allows a contractor to remotely monitor and/or interact with its customers' building control systems, such as heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and analyze information obtained from the building control systems over time. Such a system may help the contractor monitor and diagnosis customer building control systems, setup service calls, achieve better customer relations, create more effective marketing opportunities, as well as other functions. In some cases, the disclosed system may help a contractor pro-actively identify possible issues with its customer's building control systems, and only then schedule maintenance as required. In some cases, based on the analysis of information obtained from the building control systems over time, the system may output indications of abnormalities in the operation of the building control systems from which information may be received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David Quam, Amy Ragland, Steve R. Peterson, Wendy Foslien, Jennifer Teves, Pedro Davolos, Soumitri Kolavennu, Henry Nahurski
  • Patent number: 9995502
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for tracking computing enthalpy measurements indicating abnormalities associated with operation of a heating, ventilating, and cooling (HVAC) system. In some implementations, a computer-implemented method includes: obtaining, from one or more sensors associated with the HVAC system, (i) temperature data including a source vent temperature measurement and a return vent temperature of the HVAC system, and (ii) humidity data including a source vent humidity measurement and a return vent humidity measurement of the HVAC system; computing an enthalpy measurement associated with operation of the HVAC system; determining that the computed enthalpy measurement indicates an efficiency issue associated with operation of the HVAC system; and in response to determining that the computed enthalpy measurement indicates the efficiency issue associated with operation of the HVAC system, taking action related to the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventor: Alexander Lawrence Reeder
  • Patent number: 9995503
    Abstract: Reinforced duct section comprising side walls defining a duct interior. At least two of the side walls are parallel. A compression member extends between ribs provided on the inside surfaces of the two parallel side walls to prevent the parallel side walls from bowing inwardly. A tension member extends between two force distribution members provided on the outside surfaces of the parallel side walls to prevent the side walls from bowing outwardly. The compression member may comprise a truss provided between two ribs. The truss may be longer than the duct section. The ribs may connect first and second flanges provided on the ends of the two parallel side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Fran Lanciaux
  • Patent number: 9995504
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes: a heat exchanger housed inside a main body and arranged in a flow passage of air to be sucked into the main body through an air inlet and blown out to a target space through an air outlet; and an airflow-direction vane arranged at the air outlet. The airflow-direction vane includes a first curved portion and a second curved portion. The first curved portion is positioned on an upstream side with respect to the second curved portion, and a curvature of the first curved portion is larger than a curvature of the second curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Kono, Takashi Ikeda, Masahiko Takagi, Makoto Kurihara
  • Patent number: 9995505
    Abstract: A transportable combustion air heater comprises a transportable supporting frame, a housing fixed to the frame, a cylindrical combustion chamber arranged in housing, a cylindrical annular thermal exchange channel formed around the combustion chamber, an external heating chamber defining an annular fume channel around the thermal exchange channel, in which one or more transversal guide walls are arranged in the external heating chamber, which guide walls lengthen flow paths of the fumes in the annular fume channel from fume inlet openings to an exhaust fume opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: MCS ITALY, S.P.A.
    Inventors: Enzo Giaretta, Francesco Sembenini, Alberto Meneghini
  • Patent number: 9995506
    Abstract: A cable drive system for solar tracking for solar array systems. The cable drive system employs one or more cables wound around a drive pulley of a drive device and one or more driven pulleys of respective rotatable solar assemblies of the solar array system. The system may use a tension device such as a spring or weight that returns the solar array system to an initial position at the end of the day. The drive device may be an active or passive solar tracker. The disclosed techniques of rotating solar panels are flexible, inexpensive, and reliable. The techniques can apply to any solar technology that benefit from following the sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Sulas Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Fintan Joseph Doyle
  • Patent number: 9995507
    Abstract: The present invention is primarily directed to cost-effective systems for using large reflective elements that track the sun on two axes to concentrate solar energy onto a receiver that can convert the sun's optical energy to a form usable for extensive displacement of combustion of fossil fuels. The structures of the tracker frame, tracking mechanism and tracker supports are co-optimized with the optical elements and the receiver for high efficiency, low cost, and ease of assembly, making moderate and large-scale implementations cost-competitive with fossil fuels for peak power, and, with suitable storage, for base-load power and dispatchable peaking power in sunny locations. Improvement to small-tracker two-axis systems and one-axis tracking systems that focus in two dimensions are also included, as are improvements in systems for space-based solar power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventors: Richard Norman, Philippe Dauphin, Frederick de St. Croix
  • Patent number: 9995508
    Abstract: A system for flameless heating of a fluid includes a hydraulic pump having an input shaft and a rotational power source coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with the input shaft of the hydraulic pump. A hydraulic fluid circuit is in fluid connection with an inlet port and an outlet port of the hydraulic pump. A water heat exchanger having a tank provided with water from a water source and a conduit provided with heated fluid from at least one of the hydraulic pump and the power source is arranged such that heat is transferred from the heated fluid in the conduit to the water in the tank. In one example, at least one valve in the hydraulic fluid circuit selectively limits output flow from the outlet port of the hydraulic pump, thereby providing resistance to pumping motion and heating the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Multitek North America, LLC
    Inventor: Ernie Brookins
  • Patent number: 9995509
    Abstract: A cascade heat recovery system connects an evaporator from a heating unit to a recovery condenser of the cooling unit, where the recovery condenser is different from a cooling condenser of the cooling unit, and/or connects the evaporator of the heating unit to the cooling loop of the cooling unit, for example in fluid communication with the evaporator of the cooling unit. Both configurations allow the heating unit to be isolated or decoupled from the heat rejection circuit on which the cooling condenser runs. The use of either or both configurations, depending on the operating conditions, can use heat rejected by the evaporator of the cooling unit to be available to the heating unit, so as to provide lift to the heating unit and improve its operating efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Lee R. Cline
  • Patent number: 9995510
    Abstract: A connecting device in a pulse tube cooler system branches such that a first line branch (11) has a first flexible line segment (4a) and a second line branch (12) has a second flexible line segment (4b), the flexible line segments being arranged in parallel with and offset from one another. The flexible line segments each have a front segment end (17, 18) and a rear segment end (19, 20), the front segment end (17) of the first flexible line segment (4a) and the rear segment end (20) of the second flexible line segment (4b) are rigidly connected to one another, the rear segment end (19) of the first flexible line segment (4a) and the front segment end (18) of the second flexible line segment (4b) are rigidly connected to one another, and there is no continuous rigid connection between the control valve and the cold head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Bruker BioSpin GmbH
    Inventors: Patrick Wikus, Steffen Bonn, Gerhard Roth
  • Patent number: 9995511
    Abstract: A magnetic refrigeration system provides flow-balanced channels between fluid control valves and the magnetocaloric beds to eliminate inefficiencies caused by unequal utilization of the magnetic beds from flow variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Astronautics Corporation of America
    Inventors: John Paul Leonard, Jon Jay Auringer, Andre Michael Boeder, Jeremy Jonathan Chell, Carl Bruno Zimm
  • Patent number: 9995512
    Abstract: A magnetic refrigeration system constructed in such a way that a refrigerant transfer part transfers refrigerant from a first refrigerant discharge part of one refrigerant port to a first refrigerant circulation circuit after a magnetic field is applied to a magnetic working material by a magnetic field applying and removing part and that the refrigerant transfer part transfers refrigerant from a second refrigerant discharge part of other refrigerant port to a second refrigerant circulation circuit after the magnetic field is removed from the magnetic working material by the magnetic field applying and removing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Morimoto, Naoki Watanabe, Shinichi Yatsuzuka, Katzutoshi Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 9995513
    Abstract: Provided in an interior of a leeward tank unit of a leeward evaporation portion is a refrigerant flow changing portion that guides a refrigerant from a first refrigerant collecting portion to a second refrigerant distributing portion and guides a refrigerant from a second refrigerant collecting portion to a first refrigerant distributing portion. The refrigerant flow changing portion is configured such that a refrigerant flow guided from the first refrigerant collecting portion to the second refrigerant distributing portion and a refrigerant flow guided from the second refrigerant collecting portion to the first refrigerant distributing portion are in a non-crossed state when viewed from a longitudinal direction of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Norimasa Baba