Patents Issued in November 20, 2018
  • Patent number: 10132518
    Abstract: A controller for a thermal appliance configured to heat or cool an area of a premises. The controller comprises: a communications interface, configured to communicate over a communications network; a data store comprising information regarding a transport infrastructure; and a processor coupled to the data store and to the first communications interface. The processor is configured to obtain an estimate of the time for a user carrying a mobile device to return to the premises via the transport infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: British Gas Trading Limited
    Inventor: Andreu Tobella
  • Patent number: 10132519
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a collector that obtains user's voice data; a voice recognizer that generates character-string data on the basis of the voice data; a memory that stores therein a search table having a standard keyword that indicates the type of sensitivity to the environment inside a room and derivative keywords that indicate a same type of sensitivity as the standard keyword, while indicating different sensitivity levels; an analyzer that determines the type and level of user's sensitivity on the basis of the character-string data and the search table; and a controller that outputs a control signal to an adjustment device in an indoor device, the adjustment device adjusting the environment inside a room on the basis of the type and level of sensitivity, which are determined by the analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiki Iuchi, Kazuyuki Katayama
  • Patent number: 10132520
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a microcomputer unit that controls a utilization-side unit and a heat source-side unit of an air conditioner and a thermostat connected to the air conditioner. The thermostat switches between an ON state in which the thermostat inputs a control signal to the microcomputer unit and an OFF state in which the thermostat does not input the control signal to the microcomputer unit. The system further includes a relay that switches to a feed state in which power is fed to the microcomputer unit or a non-feed state in which power is not fed to the microcomputer unit, and a power-on circuit within or externally attached to the air conditioner. The power-on circuit switches the relay from the power non-feed state to the power feed state using a voltage of the control signal inputted to the microcomputer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihide Yamane, Hidehiro Ishii, Yasushi Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 10132521
    Abstract: A motor control system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications is described. The motor control system includes a thermostat and an electronically commutated motor (ECM) coupled to the thermostat. The ECM is configured to retrofit an existing non-ECM electric motor included in an HVAC application and to operate in one of a plurality of HVAC modes. The HVAC modes include at least one of a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a continuous fan mode. The HVAC mode is determined based at least partially on outputs provided by the thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Carlos Becerra, Steven A. Nardin, Michael R. Koller, Andrew C. Barry, Brian L. Beifus, Andrew M. Knollman
  • Patent number: 10132522
    Abstract: A counter flow air-to-air energy exchange assembly may include a plurality of air channel levels configured to allow air to pass therethrough. Each of the air channels may include a spacer layer having a plurality of modular spacer components secured together. At least two of the modular spacer components are identical in size and shape. The spacer layer includes a plurality of air channels. Each of the plurality of air channels extends from an air inlet to an air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Norman Erb, Stephen Hanson, Mohammad Afshin
  • Patent number: 10132523
    Abstract: A condensation collection system including a housing, a heat-exchanging coil located in the housing, a drain pan located in the housing and underneath the heat-exchanging coil, a water-sensitive element located in the housing and underneath both the heat-exchanging coil and the drain pan. The drain pan is configured to collect condensation from an interior of the housing. The drain pan includes a bottom, three or more exterior walls that generally conform to an interior perimeter of the housing, a primary drain located on a first exterior wall selected from the three or more exterior walls, and a controlled overflow drain located on a second exterior wall selected from the three or more exterior walls. The primary drain is configured to drain collected condensation from the drain pan. The controlled overflow drain is configured to drain the collected condensation from the drain pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Allen Peter Barbely, Joseph Paul Bush, Peter Christian Flynn
  • Patent number: 10132524
    Abstract: An apparatus and system and method for mixing airflow and draining condensate in a duct exposed to sub-freezing air are disclosed. An example mixing duct apparatus includes a recirculation duct and a pack duct having a first end and a second end. The first end of the pack duct is coupled to a side of the recirculation duct. The pack duct has a lip that extends into an airflow passage defined by the recirculation duct. This lip defines a flow channel for condensate in the recirculation duct to flow beneath sub-freezing air entering the recirculation duct from the pack duct to decrease ice build-up in the pack duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Scott P. Ellsworth, Sonny K. Nguyen, David W. Olson
  • Patent number: 10132525
    Abstract: A flow-through fluid heater comprises: a high thermal conductivity conduit-defining body shaped to provide a conduit that extends between an inlet port and an outlet port; one or more heating elements connected to the body for providing heat to the body, thereby permitting the body to provide heat to fluid flowing through the conduit; a temperature sensor connected to sense a measured temperature indicative of a temperature of the fluid in a vicinity of the temperature sensor; one or more flow rate sensors for sensing a measured flow rate of the fluid through the conduit; and a controller connected to receive signals from the temperature sensor and the flow rate sensors, the controller configured to control an amount of heat energy imparted to the fluid during a period that the fluid is resident in the conduit between the inlet port and the outlet port based at least in part on the measured temperature and the measured flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventor: Peter Klein
  • Patent number: 10132526
    Abstract: In an ejector refrigeration cycle, an inlet of a nozzle portion of an ejector is connected to a refrigerant outlet side of a high-stage side evaporator, a refrigerant suction port of the ejector is connected to a refrigerant outlet side of a low-stage side evaporator, and an internal heat exchanger is provided for exchanging heat between a high-pressure refrigerant flowing into a low-stage side throttle device for decompressing the refrigerant flowing into the low-stage side evaporator, and a low-stage side low-pressure refrigerant flowing out of the low-stage side evaporator. Because a difference in enthalpy between the inlet and outlet of the low-stage side evaporator can be enlarged, the cooling capacities exhibited by the respective evaporators can be adjusted to be closer to each other even if the flow-rate ratio Ge/Gn of the suction refrigerant flow rate Ge to the injection refrigerant flow rate Gn is set to a relatively small value so as to make it possible to improve the COP of the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gouta Ogata, Yuichi Shirota, Hiroya Hasegawa, Tatsuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10132527
    Abstract: An electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pump increases refrigerant flow rate and the resulting pressure in a vapor compression based cooling system for permitting reduced compressor sizes and power demands. The EHD pump disposes electrodes in a liquid path of the refrigerant flow, and increases fluid flow and resulting pressure by an induced liquid flow between a pair of asymmetric electrodes. Voltage applied to these electrodes results in a conduction pumping mechanism associated with heterocharge layers in the vicinity of the electrodes based on disassociation of a neutral electrolyte species in the refrigerant fluid and recombination of the generated ions. The induced flow draws the liquid due to a net fluid flow toward one of the electrodes based on the asymmetry of the electrode pair. Electrodes are disposed on an inner surface of a refrigerant vessel, in communication with an annular liquid film that forms around the inner circumference in two-phase fluid systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventor: Jamal S. Yagoobi
  • Patent number: 10132529
    Abstract: A thermal management system includes a closed dynamic cooling circuit, and a closed first steady-state cooling circuit. Each circuit has its own compressor, heat rejection exchanger, and expansion device. A thermal energy storage (TES) system is configured to receive a dynamic load and thermally couple the dynamic cooling circuit and the first steady-state cooling circuit. The dynamic cooling circuit is configured to cool the TES to fully absorb thermal energy received by the TES when a dynamic thermal load is ON, and the steady-state cooling circuit is configured to cool the TES when the dynamic thermal load is OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Vaisman, Steve T. Gagne, Kyle Burkholder
  • Patent number: 10132530
    Abstract: A heat recovery variable-frequency multi-split heat pump system and a control method thereof. The system includes an outdoor unit and at least two indoor units. The system is a three-pipe heating recovery multi-split heat pump system designed on the basis of a four-way reversing valve, and one indoor unit thereof is provided with two electronic expansion valves and two heat exchangers so that any indoor unit in the system can operate independently under three working conditions of refrigeration, heating or heat recovery dehumidification. Under multi-split condition, the system can operate under six working conditions, namely, the full-refrigeration working condition, the full-heating working condition, the common-heat-recovery working condition, the common-heat-recovery-dehumidification working condition, the heat recovery dehumidification-refrigeration-combination working condition and the heat recovery dehumidification-heating-combination working condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignees: Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Air-Conditioning Systems Co., Ltd., Hisense USA Corporation, Hisense International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Liu, Yuanpeng Wang, Wenqiang Zhang, Rui Cao, Yajun Li, Yongmei Li
  • Patent number: 10132531
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of operating an adsorption compressor system, which system comprises a hot source and a cold source and at least a first and a second adsorption bed, wherein the first bed has an initial temperature that is lower than the initial temperature of said second bed, in which system heat is circulated using a heat transfer fluid (HTF), the method comprising the following phases: phase A) comprising the steps of: heating the first adsorption bed by feeding HTF to it, coming from said second bed, optionally via said hot source, while maintaining a thermal wave in said first bed; and cooling the second adsorption bed by feeding HTF to it, coming from said first bed, optionally via said cold source, while maintaining a thermal wave in said second bed; wherein phase A) is maintained until the exit temperature of said first bed and said second bed are essentially the same and phase B) comprising the steps of: feeding the HTF effluent of said first bed to said hot sourc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Cooll Sustainable Energy Solution B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Faas Burger, Robert Jan Meijer
  • Patent number: 10132532
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a cooling system, in which a cooling agent is prepared in a reservoir of an evaporator device (1) of a single- or multi-stage sorption cooling system, a fluid to be cooled is cooled by having a heat exchanger of the evaporator device (1) effect a cooling heat transfer from the fluid to be cooled to the cooling agent for cooling purposes, and the cooling heat transfer causes the cooling agent to at least partially evaporate on the heat exchanger, and the evaporated cooling agent is relayed to a liquefier device (2), wherein the cooling heat transfer is improved by conveying external thermal energy provided by an external heat source (10) to the cooling agent, specifically in addition to and separately from the cooling heat transfer, and thereby initiating bubble formation that supports cooling heat transfer in the cooling agent in the reservoir, specifically by inducing bubble formation in conjunction with supplying the external thermal energy or intensifying bub
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET BERLIN
    Inventors: Stefan Petersen, Walther Hüls Güido
  • Patent number: 10132533
    Abstract: A cooling and heating cup holder may include a plurality of holder bodies having a container shape, a plurality of thermoelectric elements each provided to sides of the plurality of holder bodies, a heat dissipating part installed to be thermally connected to a heat dissipating surface of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, a housing embedding the heat dissipating part and having an air inlet formed at an upper portion thereof, and a blower being embedded in the housing and positioned at an upper portion or a lower portion of the heat dissipating part to allow the air discharged from a bent part and introduced through the air inlet to be heat-exchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Man Ju Oh, Jae Woong Kim, Jae Woo Park
  • Patent number: 10132534
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrothermal converter, which has at least one cold side and one warm side. Provision is made that all the components of the converter cope with the thermal loads appearing when the converter is operated and/or in particular maintains its mechanical stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: GENTHERM GMBH
    Inventors: Goran Bajic, Syed Iqbal, Dmitri Axakov, Tim Normand
  • Patent number: 10132535
    Abstract: An inverter-integrated electric compressor includes an inverter housing portion, an inverter device including a substrate having an inverter circuit mounted thereon, the inverter device being integrally incorporated in the inverter housing portion, and a busbar assembly formed by a UVW busbar covered by a resin case, the UVW busbar conducting AC power converted by the inverter circuit from the substrate side to a motor terminal. In such a compressor, the busbar assembly includes an adhering partition adhered to an end surface of the substrate using an adhesive, the adhering partition being provided in an upright manner on a lower surface of the resin case of the busbar assembly; a height (H) and a gap (S) of the adhering partition relative to the end surface of the substrate are set as appropriate; and the adhering partition and the end surface of the substrate are adhered to each other using the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Hattori, Takeo Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10132536
    Abstract: The invention relates to a condenser receiver adapted to receive and house a fluid used in a cold loop of an air-conditioning circuit. The condenser receiver comprises an outer wall and an inner wall which define an intermediate space, said inner wall defining an inner space for housing the fluid. The intermediate space comprises a static component adapted to store and release a given quantity of heat in order to allow a heat exchange between the static component and the fluid contained in the inner space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventors: Kamel Azzouz, Dawid Szostek
  • Patent number: 10132537
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a shell, a refrigerant distributor disposed in the shell, and a heat transferring unit disposed in the shell. The shell has a refrigerant inlet through which at least liquid refrigerant flows and a shell refrigerant vapor outlet. The refrigerant distributor includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is connected to the refrigerant inlet to receive refrigerant from the inlet. The first portion has at least one first refrigerant liquid distribution opening and a first refrigerant vapor distribution outlet opening. The second portion is connected to the first portion to receive refrigerant from the first refrigerant liquid distribution opening. The second portion has at least one second refrigerant liquid distribution opening and at least one second refrigerant vapor distribution outlet opening. The heat transferring unit is disposed below the refrigerant distributor to receive liquid refrigerant discharged from the second portion of refrigerant distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: DAIKIN APPLIED AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Stamp, Louis A. Moreaux, Michael Wilson
  • Patent number: 10132538
    Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of tubes, each having an inlet end and an outlet end. An inlet header is configured to receive a cooling fluid and to distribute the cooling fluid to the inlet ends of the plurality of tubes. An outlet header includes an outer shell and defines an outlet chamber. The outlet chamber is configured to receive cooling fluid discharged from the outlet ends of the plurality of tube. A supply conduit supplies the cooling fluid to the inlet header. The supply conduit includes a conduit portion extending through the outlet header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: Steve L. Fritz
  • Patent number: 10132539
    Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus includes a high-temperature side circuit and a low-temperature side circuit connected to each other via a cascade condenser, a low-temperature side second flow control valve that turns a refrigerant, passing through a liquid pipe connecting between a cooling unit and other circuit parts in a low-temperature side circuit b, into a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and an expansion tank connected to the suction side of a low-temperature circuit compressor via a tank electromagnetic valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Sugimoto, So Nomoto, Tomotaka Ishikawa, Takashi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10132540
    Abstract: A motor operated valve apparatus includes: a motor driven valve; a drive unit configured to drive the motor; a control unit configured to control the drive unit; and a communication unit configured to communicate with an external controller. The control unit starts control of the motor operated valve according to a command from the external controller; drives the motor in a valve closing direction at start of the control, detects a load on the motor based on a drive pulse output by the drive unit for driving the motor, and sets a driven state when the detected load reaches a predetermined reference value to be a valve switching point of a valve section; and drives the motor relative to the valve switching point of the valve section to perform control so that an opening degree of the valve section becomes a value corresponding to a control command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: TGK CO., LTD
    Inventor: Kazushi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10132541
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a refrigerant charge port provided in an outdoor liquid-side connection valve or an outdoor gas-side connection valve, a liquid-side valve provided between the outdoor liquid-side connection valve and an expansion valve, and a gas-side valve between the indoor gas-side connection valve and a compressor. When an outdoor unit and indoor unit are separated, the liquid-side and gas-side valves are closed, and a refrigerant is charged into an outdoor connection pipe that is closed by the liquid-side valve and the gas-side valve. A control unit is adapted to close the refrigerant charge port, and then open the liquid-side valve and the gas-side valve when a pressure detector detects a predetermined degree of vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Kawabe, Akira Fujitaka
  • Patent number: 10132542
    Abstract: A system includes a condenser and an evaporator. The condenser is configured to condense a working fluid, and the evaporator is configured to evaporate the working fluid. The system also includes piping that is configured to circulate the working fluid between the condenser and the evaporator. In addition, the system includes a low point configured to collect condensed working fluid. A controller is configured to selectively enable heating of the condensed working fluid collected within the low point based on a working fluid pressure of the low point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Paul Marie de Larminat, Roger Marc Levesque
  • Patent number: 10132543
    Abstract: A climate-control system includes a variable-capacity compressor unit operable in a first capacity mode and in a second capacity mode that is higher than the first capacity mode and a control module configured to (i) switch the variable-capacity compressor unit between the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode based on a demand signal, a current outdoor air temperature, and an outdoor-air-temperature slope, (ii) select a region based on a first comparison of at least one outdoor-air-temperature value with a predetermined outdoor-air-temperature range and a second comparison of at least one outdoor-relative-humidity value with a predetermined outdoor-relative-humidity range, and (iii) set at least one system operating parameter based on the selected region, the at least one system operating parameter including at least one of a high-capacity runtime of the variable-capacity compressor unit, a low-capacity runtime of the variable-capacity compressor unit, and a fan speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sahil Popli, Edward J. Trudeau, Jr., Hung M. Pham
  • Patent number: 10132544
    Abstract: An ice-making device for a refrigerator. The ice-making device includes an ice tray, an ice-storing unit, and a slide. The slide is configured to guide ice pieces discharged from the ice tray toward the ice-storing unit. The ice-storing unit includes an ice storage part configured to accommodate the ice pieces released from the ice-making unit and a drive device configured to drive a delivery member for discharging the ice pieces from the ice storage part. The ice tray extends to a location above the drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: DONGBU DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sung Jin Yang
  • Patent number: 10132545
    Abstract: An ice storage device includes an ice storage box. An ice discharging door is provided at an outlet of the ice storage box, and an ice crushing device is provided inside the ice storage box. The ice crushing device includes at least one fixed ice crushing blade and at least one moving ice crushing blade which is provided on a rotating shaft and rotates synchronously to the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is connected to a driving device. At least one stirrer is provided on the rotating shaft and rotates synchronously to the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Hisense Ronshen (Guangdong) Refrigerator Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gang Guo, Meiyan Wang, Xiaofen Long, Wen Zeng, Qiang Liao, Feiyue You
  • Patent number: 10132546
    Abstract: In a refrigeration appliance, an enclosure or container defines an enclosed space. A two-plane door forms a portion of the container. The two-plane door opens along one pivot axis and allows access to the enclosed interior space. The container can be a thermally insulated in-door ice compartment of a refrigerated appliance. One example is a bottom freezer style, with the in-door ice compartment in the cold food section of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Deron M. Drach, Eric D. Lively, Garett L. Strandemo, Eric W. Kost, Julie A. Mann
  • Patent number: 10132547
    Abstract: A refrigerating device includes a camera module for capturing a first digital image with markings in the interior of the refrigerating device. The refrigerating device includes a processing device which is configured to convert the first digital image into a second digital image on the basis of the captured markings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Grimminger, Stephan Kempfle, Hans Peter Werner, Gerhard Wetzel
  • Patent number: 10132548
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a secondary cooling path for circulating liquid coolant through the refrigerator wherein the liquid coolant is cooled by the freezer compartment and wherein the liquid coolant cools the ice maker and the ice bin as the liquid coolant circulates through the secondary cooling path. A pump is positioned along the secondary cooling path for pumping the liquid coolant through the secondary cooling path. A tube having a first end proximate the pump and an opposite end exposed to atmosphere may control suction pressure associated with the pump. The refrigerator reduces frost build up through configuration of the secondary cooling path or performing ice harvesting operations which melt frost. The secondary cooling path may be used to provide for circulating hot liquid. The secondary cooling path may be used to provide for circulating liquid coolant during a power outage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nihat O. Cur, Guolian Wu
  • Patent number: 10132549
    Abstract: A cold storage heat exchanger includes multiple refrigerant tubes arranged to provide a clearance therebetween, multiple cold storage containers each of which is interposed between adjacent refrigerant tubes, bonded to the adjacent refrigerant tubes and defining a compartment receiving a cold storage material. A surface of each cold storage container has multiple protrusion portions, and each protrusion portion protrudes outward and is in contact with the adjacent refrigerant tubes. The multiple protrusion portions are arranged in a zigzag manner or extend continuously in an air flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamada, Seiji Inoue, Yoshio Miyata, Naoki Yokoyama, Etsuo Hasegawa, Jun Abei, Hiroshi Ishikawa, Aun Ota, Kouta Hagihara
  • Patent number: 10132550
    Abstract: An air-conditioning unit including an air circuit with an air inlet, a main fan and an air outlet designed to be connected to a chamber, preferably via one or more flexible ducts, and a refrigerant circuit including a heat exchanger/evaporator positioned in the air circuit to cool the air by evaporating the refrigerant, a compressor and a condenser for condensing the refrigerant before it is returned to the heat exchanger/evaporator. The heat exchanger/evaporator includes several parallel circuits each having at least one regulator valve. The air circuit also includes a temperature probe downstream of the heat exchanger/evaporator and connected to a controller which controls the regulator valves to regulate the flow of refrigerant, and a pressure probe at the air outlet and connected to a regulator for regulating the speed and/or the power of the main fan so as not to exceed a maximum raised pressure at air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: LEBRUN-NIMY EN ABREGE LEBRUN SA
    Inventor: Claudy Christian Urbain
  • Patent number: 10132551
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, an ice making compartment remote from the freezer compartment, and a fresh food compartment duct riser extending upwardly along a back of the fresh food compartment. The refrigerator further includes a shroud associated with a freezer compartment evaporator, an ice compartment supply duct leading from the shroud to the ice making compartment, and an ice compartment return duct leading from the ice making compartment towards the freezer compartment evaporator. The ice compartment supply duct has a split pathway and is positioned behind the fresh food compartment duct riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Zardo, Matthew P. Dieg, Michael Heaven
  • Patent number: 10132552
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a refrigerator comprising an ice machine, the refrigerator comprising: a main body, a door, a dispenser disposed on a front surface of the door, a compressor, a condenser and an expansion valve on the door, an ice tray disposed in the ice-making compartment, a refrigerant pipe configured to connect the compressor, the condenser, and the expansion valve, a heater disposed at a peripheral portion of the ice tray, a drain duct disposed under the ice tray, and a defrost water discharge pipe configured to couple the drain duct and the excess water tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: DONGBU DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sung Jin Yang
  • Patent number: 10132553
    Abstract: A drainage system comprising a first bracket having a horizontal structure and one or more vertical structures, a second bracket having a horizontal structure and one or more vertical structures and a drain pan having a plurality of locking mechanisms, each configured to interlock with one of the vertical structures of the first bracket or the second bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Neil D. Booz, Angus B. Latham, Beau G. Brooks
  • Patent number: 10132554
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a cabinet forming an external appearance of the air conditioner and is provided with an opening, and a cover to open and close the opening. The cover includes a cover body to cover the opening and includes a first cover body and a second cover body that are spaced apart from each other, and a spacing rib provided between the first cover body and the second cover body such that the first cover is spaced apart from the second cover body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Do Hoon Kim, Young Seok Lim, Hyuk Jin Gwon, Jong Mun Lee
  • Patent number: 10132555
    Abstract: Provided herein is a door opening and closing apparatus capable of reducing torque of a motor required for removing an adhesive force between a door and a housing. The door opening and closing apparatus includes a motor configured to output power for opening and closing a door, a power transmission apparatus configured to transmit the power of the motor to a hinge by rotation of a plurality of driving gears, and an auxiliary apparatus configured to generate an auxiliary force for moving the door at a closing position toward an opening position, where the auxiliary force is generated at the auxiliary apparatus by the power of the motor before the power of the motor is transmitted to the hinge through the power transmission apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshio Yasaka, Kentaro Kan, Katsumi Takenaka, Makoto Shibuya, Chan Young Park, Hyun Uk Park, Tae-In Eom, Young Kyun Jeong
  • Patent number: 10132556
    Abstract: A dispenser for a refrigerator appliance includes a liquid outlet conduit that extends from a tank. An air conduit extends to the liquid outlet conduit, and an air pump is coupled to the air conduit. The air pump is configured for selectively pumping air into a flow of liquid in the liquid outlet conduit. A related method for operating a dispenser of a refrigerator appliance is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Gloria Faye McKinney
  • Patent number: 10132557
    Abstract: For the purpose of improving efficiency a home appliance device, in particular a home chiller appliance device, is proposed. The device has a housing defining a storage space; a home appliance door configured for closing off the storage space; and an insert which is insertable into the storage space and has a base unit and an insulation element arranged in a vicinity of a corner of the base unit in a closed state of the home appliance door, wherein the insulation element at least partly insulates a further intermediate space between the base unit and the home appliance door in the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Muharrem Uemit Caglin, Mehmet Ciyanoglu, Tanzer Yildizgoecer
  • Patent number: 10132558
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Coporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons
  • Patent number: 10132559
    Abstract: A system and method for determining and reporting refrigeration equipment operating metrics using only sensed interior air temperature is taught. By repeatedly sensing interior air temperature an average food temperature metric, a runtime metric, a compressor cycle metric, and a door opening count metric is determined and reported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventor: Carleton Saunders, IV
  • Patent number: 10132560
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device (1) for cooling an arrangement (2) using a cold head (3), with a thermal cooling of the unit (2) to be cooled by means of the thermosiphon principle. At the same time, heat is conducted via a mechanical heat bridge (5), which provides a direct thermal connection from the cold head (3) to the unit (2) to be cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinz Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10132561
    Abstract: A system and method for removal of a contaminant comprising removing a liquefied portion of a refrigerant stream comprising nitrogen from a reverse Brayton cycle refrigerant system, introducing the liquefied refrigerant stream into a contaminant removal column as a reflux stream removing a contaminant stream from the bottom of the contaminant removal column, removing a vapor stream enriched in nitrogen from the top of the contaminant removal column, and introducing the vapor stream enriched in nitrogen back into the reverse Brayton cycle refrigerant system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Adam Adrian Brostow
  • Patent number: 10132562
    Abstract: In a process for the cryogenic separation of a methane-rich feed stream containing between 3 and 35% of oxygen and also nitrogen, the feed stream is cooled in order to produce a cooled stream, at least one portion of the cooled stream is sent to a distillation column, a bottom stream is withdrawn from the distillation column, the bottom stream being enriched in methane compared to the feed stream, a stream enriched in oxygen compared to the feed stream is withdrawn from the distillation column, and a nitrogen-rich stream is sent to the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Golo Zick
  • Patent number: 10132563
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the removal of organic solvents from wet bagasse. The use of the methods result in dried bagasse that contains no more than 1 weight percent organic solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Yingyi Huang, Mark W. Smale, William M. Cole
  • Patent number: 10132564
    Abstract: A plant dryer with improved convection flow is provided. The plant dryer has minimal corners in the drying vessel to promote efficient distribution of heated air through the device and to eliminate dead spots within the unit. The plant dryer has additional safety features where, unlike a conventional oven configuration, the unit may not be operated without the drying bowl properly placed within the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventor: Harvey Romanek
  • Patent number: 10132565
    Abstract: The invention is based on a star-shaped rotation dryer (1) for segmenting a fluidizing chamber 4) into process compartments (11), whereby the star-shaped rotation dryer (1) is pivot mounted and features dividing wall (9) or similar for the conveyance of solid particles along a conveyance path, whereby a flow-receiving base (10) is detachably mounted below the star-shaped rotation dryer (1); the invention further relates to a method of spray-coating solid particles for the purpose of agglomeration, coating, layering, spray granulation or pelletization, whereby the retention time spectrum of the solid particles inside the fluid-bed apparatus (2) has a margin of at least 1:3 (alternatively tRTD90?3 tRTD10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Glatt Ingenieurtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Jacob, Reinhard Boeber, Raoul Pila, Heinz Pritzke
  • Patent number: 10132566
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a roof for an electric furnace. The roof includes: a small-ceiling seating port (120) which has a small-ceiling seating surface (122) and a small-ceiling support surface (124) that extends from the small-ceiling seating surface inwards and downwards; and a large ceiling (130) which has an upper roof panel (132) that radially extends from the small-ceiling seating port at a downward inclination angle, a lower roof panel (134) disposed below the upper roof panel at a position spaced apart from the upper roof panel, and a side roof panel (136) connected to the upper roof panel and the lower roof panel. The upper roof panel is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the small-ceiling seating port, and the lower roof panel is connected to a lower end of the small-ceiling support surface so that the inclination angle of the lower roof panel can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Steel Company
    Inventor: Sang-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 10132567
    Abstract: A skimmer (100) for removing a slag layer (24) from hot metal (6) in a ladle (2) during a process of metal purification such as steelmaking. The improved skimmer (100) is a steel framework covered in reinforced refractory, having a system of internal piping (60) that at one end is attached to a source of gas and at a second end terminating at one or more ports (64). The improved skimmer (100) is attached to a boom for a prior art skimming machine. In use, the improved skimmer (100) is moved along a top surface (6a) of the hot metal, though the slag layer, and predetermined flows of gas are forced into the piping system and expelled through the port or ports to move the slag layer out from the back of ladle so it can be skimmed into a slag pot (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventor: Larry J Epps
  • Patent number: 10132568
    Abstract: An indirect dry cooling system suitable for steam condensing applications in a power plant Rankine cycle includes an air blast chiller having a plurality of interconnected modular cooler cells. Each cell includes a blower and tube bundle including inlet headers, outlet headers, and plurality of tubes extending between the headers. In one embodiment, the tube bundles form an A-frame cell construction being structurally self-supporting from a base. Each of the tubes may be finned. Cooling water circulating in a closed flow loop on the tube side between the air blast chiller and turbine steam condenser is cooled by ambient air blown through the tube bundles. The cooled water flows through a second tube bundle in the condenser which condenses steam. The heated cooling water returns through the air blast chiller to complete the cooling water cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventors: Krishna P. Singh, Vytautas Vincas Maciunas, Indresh Rampall