Patents Issued in May 21, 2019
  • Patent number: 10295204
    Abstract: A dehumidizer includes an upper air passage, a lower air passage, a rotary heat storage device, an evaporator, a condenser, a motor, and a fan. The upper air passage and the lower air passage are separated by a partition, and the right end of the upper air passage has an air inlet, and the right end of the lower air passage has an air outlet, and the left end of the upper air passage and the left end of the lower air passage are communicated with each other. The upper end of the rotary heat storage device is disposed in the upper air passage, and the lower end of the rotary heat storage device is disposed in the lower air passage, and the motor drives the rotary heat storage device to rotate. The evaporator, condenser and fan are installed sequentially from left to right into the lower air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: NINGBO FREE TRADE ZONE REFINE MOULD TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Rui Zhou
  • Patent number: 10295205
    Abstract: A gravity-assisted heat pipe cooling source cold storage system and chiller set. The cold storage system includes a gravity-assisted heat pipe, a cold storage pool, a heat exchanging and cold condensing device, and a heat exchanger pipe. A lower end of the gravity-assisted heat pipe is arranged in the cold storage pool, and an upper end of the gravity-assisted heat pipe is arranged in the heat exchanging and cold condensing device. The heat exchanger pipe is buried underground, and includes a central pipe and a side pipe. Upper ends of the central pipe and the side pipes are communicated with an inlet and outlet of the heat exchanging and cold condensing device, respectively. Lower ends of the central pipe and the side pipes are communicated with each other. The system employs the heat exchanger pipe to provide a cooling source for the gravity-assisted heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: NANJING CANATAL DATA-CENTRE ENVIRONMENTAL TECH. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Weixing Zhang, Zongqin Zhang, Yi Yuan, Lingyun Wang
  • Patent number: 10295206
    Abstract: A gravity-assisted heat pipe ground cooling source cold storage system and a chiller set. The cold storage system includes a gravity-assisted heat pipe, a cold storage pool, a heat exchanging and cold condensing device, and a heat exchanger pipe. An inlet and outlet of the cold storage pool are parallel-connected to cold water pipes of a chiller set, and are connected or disconnected via control valves. The heat exchanger pipe is buried underground, and includes a flow inlet pipe and a flow return pipe having a cross section including a first arc, a second arc, a third arc, and a fourth arc. The second arc and the fourth arc are S-shaped arcs. The first arc has a radius exceeding that of the third arc, and centers of circles of the first arc and third arc are located at the cross section of the flow return pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: NANJING CANATAL DATA-CENTRE ENVIRONMENTAL TECH. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Weixing Zhang, Zongqin Zhang, Jun Tian, Yi Yuan, Lingyun Wang
  • Patent number: 10295207
    Abstract: An air blowing device adapted to be used in such a manner that at least two of the devices are horizontally and/or vertically aligned with each other, thereby to obtain a uniform flow of air in the downstream direction from device to device. An air-permeable front surface (11f) is formed to the blowing device (1) at the downstream side of a rectifier mechanism, and side surface sections (11a) which extend in the upstream direction of the device (1) are formed at both edges of the air-permeable front surface (11f). First ventilation holes (70a) are distributed at the air-permeable front surface (11f), and second ventilation holes (70b) are distributed at the side surface sections (11a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Koken Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuma Fukiura, Tomoyuki Kakinuma, Taketo Suzuki, Takahiro Sato
  • Patent number: 10295208
    Abstract: A roof vent for ventilating the roof of a building to the atmosphere. The roof vent includes a flange portion to lay against the roof, the flange portion having an opening to let air vent from the interior of the building (e.g. an attic). The roof vent can optionally include a collar portion extending from the flange portion and enclosing, at least in part, about a periphery of the opening and a cap dimensioned and configured to cover over the opening (including the hole in the roof) and optionally over the collar portion. The cap is configured to provide a passage (between the flange portion and the cap) through which air can pass between the atmosphere and the opening. The roof vent also includes a corrugated filter plate, e.g. partially enclosed by the cap, and interposed between the central opening and the passage, the corrugated filter plate having a pore size sufficient to permit air to pass through but inhibit the passage of snow particles, cinder particles and/or water droplets there-through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SnowVentCo Limited
    Inventors: Antoine Bourque, Stephen Devan Mootoo
  • Patent number: 10295209
    Abstract: The air-conditioning system includes: an opening/closing device opening and closing an openable portion in an opening of a building; an air-conditioning device performing air-conditioning inside the building by consuming energy for operation; a monitoring device monitoring environmental information regarding the inside and outside of the building; and a controller controlling the opening/closing device and the air-conditioning device based on the environmental information from the monitoring device, date and time information representing a current date and time, building information representing a location condition of the building, and draft information determined by parameters including an opening area and an opening shape in the openable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Yabunouchi, Hayato Takahashi, Naoki Muro
  • Patent number: 10295210
    Abstract: A method of configuring a control schedule for an environmental control system using a control device is disclosed. The control device has a display and a directional input element such as a rotary dial. The method involves performing a time period configuration process for a sequence of time periods. A time period is added to the control schedule and a representation of the added time period is displayed. In response to directional activation of the directional input element, a duration of the added time period is adjusted, with the representation being updated to indicate the adjusted duration. The adjusted duration is stored in response to a confirmation input signal. The time period configuration process is repeated until it is determined that no more time periods are to be added to the control schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: BRITISH GAS TRADING LIMITED
    Inventors: Nicola Combe, Curtis John Collinsworth, Brett Derek Middleton, Hideaki Matsui
  • Patent number: 10295211
    Abstract: A heating system comprising an air circulation fan, a heating unit, a memory that is operable to store a temperature map, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to operate the air circulation fan at a first speed and the heating unit in a first configuration. When the heating unit is in the first configuration, the heating unit is configured to achieve a first temperature and such that less than all of the burners are active. The microprocessor is also configured to receive a temperature set point and to determine a second speed for the air circulation fan using the temperature set point and the temperature map in response to receiving the temperature set point. Further, the microprocessor is configured to transition the air circulation fan from the first speed to the second speed in response to determining the second speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Perez, Mark G. Beste, Steven Schneider
  • Patent number: 10295212
    Abstract: A system for controlling a load control relay (LCR) supplying power to a thermostat of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a controller programmed to maximize the amount of time that a load of the HVAC system may receive power. The controller operates by measuring a thermostat delay time of the thermostat and modifying cycle shed and restore times for controlling the LCR based on the measured thermostat delay time. By controlling the LCR according to the modified cycle shed and restore times, the controller compensates for the thermostat delay time, and the load is able to be active for a longer period of time than it otherwise would be when operating under demand-response controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Justin Bruce Johnson, Karl Andrew Slingsby, Timothy Daniel Masters, Ryan F. Brager
  • Patent number: 10295213
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus, being a power efficient and highly resistant to external noise, includes: an outdoor device; and indoor devices. The outdoor device includes: a first current path, through which AC power is supplied; and a second current path, through which AC power is supplied from the AC power supply to the control-power-supply generation unit through a first noise reduction unit, a second outdoor power-feed switching relay, and a surge-current suppression resistor. When there is a possibility an inrush current to the control-power-supply generation unit to be generated, the outdoor device supplies AC power of the AC power supply to the control-power-supply generation unit through the first current path. When there is not a possibility for an inrush current to the control-power-supply generation unit to be generated, the outdoor device supplies AC power of the AC power supply to the control-power-supply generation unit through the second current path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Makino, Kenta Owada
  • Patent number: 10295214
    Abstract: A control system for a HVAC system includes a user interface configured to present information to a user and receive inputs from the user, a temperature sensor configured to measure an air temperature inside of the building space, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a user-preferred temperature setpoint, compare the user-preferred temperature setpoint to the measured air temperature, project an energy usage amount for the user-preferred energy setpoint, generate a user comfort score for the user-preferred energy setpoint, generate an overall score for the user-preferred temperature setpoint, and present, by the user interface, the user with a setpoint scoring interface including the overall score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jedidiah O. Bentz, Theresa N. Gillette, Shaun B. Atchison, John W. Uerkvitz
  • Patent number: 10295215
    Abstract: An HVAC actuator configured to actuate an HVAC component may include a rotatable output shaft having a full range of rotation between a first end position and a second end position, a drive mechanism configured to selectively drive the output shaft, and a housing having a front side that faces away from the HVAC component. The HVAC actuator may include a range adjustment lever manipulatable from the front side of the housing that allows a user to selectively limit rotation of the output shaft to a reduced range that is a subset of the full range. In some instances, the range adjustment lever allows the user to select between two or more predetermined reduced ranges. The two or more predetermined reduced ranges may each include the first end position but have a different second stop position, or include the second end position but have a different first stop position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Du, David J. Emmons, Bin Wang
  • Patent number: 10295216
    Abstract: A modular assembly for regulating moisture and temperature of content of a container, and method associated thereof. The system includes a moisture and temperature regulating device with a condenser and an evaporator separated by a heat insulation layer; a container with moist content, the container and the moisture and temperature regulating device are joinable, and moisture and temperature associated with the container are regulated by the moisture and temperature regulating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventor: Defang Yuan
  • Patent number: 10295217
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes an evaporator coil and a metering device fluidly coupled to the evaporator coil. The HVAC system also includes a variable-speed circulation fan and a condenser coil fluidly coupled to the metering device. The HVAC system also includes a variable-speed compressor fluidly coupled to the condenser coil and the evaporator coil and a controller operatively coupled to the variable-speed compressor and the variable-speed circulation fan. The controller is configured to measure a speed of the variable-speed compressor, calculate a normal cooling Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM), measure a speed of the variable-speed circulation fan, and determine if the speed of the variable-speed circulation fan exceeds the normal cooling CFM. If the speed of the variable-speed circulation fan exceeds the normal cooling CFM, the HVAC controller adjusts a speed of at least one of the variable-speed compressor and the variable-speed circulation fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Rakesh Goel
  • Patent number: 10295218
    Abstract: An insulated duct comprises a free floating liner, an optional bulk insulation layer, a vapor barrier, and a reflective insulation system. The reflective insulation system includes an air gap and a low-e surface. The gap is positioned between the bulk insulation layer and the low-e surface or the outer member and the low-e surface if no insulation is used to gain additional insulating value for the duct. With the free floating liner and the reflective insulation system, a duct can be made to an industry standard R-value while using bulk insulation with a lower R-value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: FLEXIBLE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Donald B. Campbell, Ronald L. Carlay, II
  • Patent number: 10295219
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes: an air-conditioning case that includes an air passage through which air-conditioned wind flows and that is molded using a die; and an attachment part that is fixed on an outer surface of the air-conditioning case and includes a plate-shaped projection piece, which projects from a case main body part of the attachment part and includes a positioning hole passing through the projection piece. The air-conditioning case includes: a holding piece that projects from the outer surface to be engaged with the projection piece; and a positioning pin that projects from the outer surface to be inserted in the positioning hole. The holding piece includes: a leg part that projects from the outer surface and is capable of being resiliently deformed; and an engagement part that is bent and extends from an end portion of the leg part and that is engaged with a part of the projection piece on its end side of the positioning hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiichirou Kitagishi
  • Patent number: 10295220
    Abstract: An air handling system and an apparatus and method for removing snow from the intake air for the air handling system. The apparatus includes a sequence of snow fence panels which each have alternating filter areas and open flow areas. The locations of the filter areas and open flow areas in each succeeding panel alternate so that a filter area in one panel is positioned in front of an open area in the next panel. During an extreme snow event, if the snow clogs the filter elements, the air continues to flow through the alternating open flow areas, which creates low pressure zones behind the clogged filter elements. The snow separates from the air flow in the low pressure zones and is retained in the low pressure zones by horizontal collection pans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: ACME MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harold A. Lewis, Scott C. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10295221
    Abstract: A window type air conditioner rack, having an upper frame main rack and a diagonal bracing rack inserted to the upper frame main rack; the diagonal bracing rack is adjustably fixed inside the upper frame main rack; the upper frame main rack has a windowsill connection assembly and horizontal supporting pillars fixedly mounted to the an outer side of the windowsill connection assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventor: Mingsen Zhang
  • Patent number: 10295222
    Abstract: A hot water apparatus includes a burner, a latent heat recovery heat exchanger, a housing, a fixing member, an attachment member, and a straightening vane. The fixing member is configured to fix the latent heat recovery heat exchanger to the housing. The attachment member is configured to attach the fixing member to a case. The straightening vane is arranged in the case. The attachment member protrudes into the case. The straightening vane includes a top plate portion arranged upstream from the attachment member in a direction of flow of the heating gas in the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: NORITZ CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wataru Ooshita
  • Patent number: 10295223
    Abstract: A device for quantifying a useful thermal energy available in a tank for storing a heated or cooled fluid or solid includes: a plurality of thermoelectric converters configured to be distributed in plural locations of the storage tank; an electric circuit interconnecting the thermoelectric converters; a device measuring a single electrical variable of the electric circuit; and a converter converting a single measurement of the single electrical variable into a value for quantification of the useful thermal energy available in the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, AIX-MARSEILLE UNIVERSITE
    Inventor: Stephane Launay
  • Patent number: 10295224
    Abstract: A bladed solar thermal receiver for absorbing concentrated sunlight is disclosed. The receiver includes a plurality of panels arranged in a bladed configuration for absorbing sunlight. The bladed configurations can be radial or planar. The receiver design increases the effective solar absorptance and efficiency by providing a light trap for the incident solar radiation while reducing heat losses from radiation and convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, Australian National University
    Inventors: Clifford K. Ho, Joshua Mark Christian, John Downing Pye
  • Patent number: 10295225
    Abstract: A thermal apparatus (1) which comprises at least one primary circuit (P1) in which a heat transfer primary fluid is moved, in a reciprocating movement, by a displacement device, and at least one heat exchange interface (I1,1, I1,2), of the primary fluid, in which a secondary fluid that unidirectionally in a secondary circuit (S1,1, S1,2). The apparatus is characterized in that the exchange interface (I1,1, I1,2) comprises at least one heat exchange zone (ZN, ZN+1, Z?N, Z?N+1) in which the primary fluid and the secondary fluid flow unidirectionally and countercurrent with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: COOLTECH APPLICATIONS S.A.S.
    Inventor: Christian Muller
  • Patent number: 10295226
    Abstract: A vehicle temperature control unit includes an annular temperature control body (12) of magnetocaloric material over and/or around which heat transfer medium flows and a magnetic field arrangement (24), rotatable about an axis of rotation (A), providing magnetic field heating areas (36) and cooling areas (38) between the heating areas (36). A plurality of heat transfer medium flow zones (40), following one another in the circumferential direction are provided with the temperature control body (12), include two heat transfer medium flow zones (40) adjacent to one another that are associated with a heat transfer medium circulation sector (S). Heat input fluid flows through and/or around at least one heat transfer medium flow zone (50) for feeding heat into this heat transfer medium flow zone (50), or/and heat discharge fluid flows through and/or around at least one heat transfer medium flow zone (52) for discharging heat from the flow zone (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Eberspächer Climate Control Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Humburg
  • Patent number: 10295227
    Abstract: A caloric heat pump system includes a pair of caps mounted to a regenerator housing. Each cap of the pair of caps defines an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of each cap of the pair of caps is positioned at a chamber of the regenerator housing. The inlet and outlet of each cap of the pair of caps defines an area in a respective plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The area of the inlet of each cap of the pair of caps is less than the area of the outlet of each cap of the pair of caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Goodman Schroeder, Michael Alexander Benedict
  • Patent number: 10295228
    Abstract: A controller is configured to, based on a characteristic information of thermal output with respect to a temperature difference between a hot end and a cold end of a working chamber, changes at least one of a flow rate of a heating target fluid in a high temperature heat exchanger and a flow rate of a cooling target fluid in a low temperature heat exchanger. At least one of the flow rate of the heating target fluid in the high temperature heat exchanger and the flow rate of the cooling target fluid in the low temperature heat exchanger is adjusted such that the temperature difference between the hot and cold ends changes in a direction that increases thermal output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Watanabe, Shigeo Nomura, Akito Torii, Tsuyoshi Morimoto, Takayuki Sugiura, Tomoyuki Nomura, Yasunori Niiyama
  • Patent number: 10295229
    Abstract: A method and system to transfer heat using a cooling medium includes a first cold plate, including a first fluid flow path in thermal communication with a first thermal region of the first cold plate, and a second fluid flow path in fluid communication with the first fluid flow path and in thermal communication with a second thermal region of the first cold plate, and a thermoelectric heat exchanger in thermal communication with the first thermal region of the first cold plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Debabrata Pal
  • Patent number: 10295230
    Abstract: A method of controlling FPA system stabilization includes calculating FPA adjustments as a function of FPA temperature and adjusting a TEC set point to assist the FPA adjustments in attaining a predetermined level of FPA performance. Adjusting the TEC set point can include adjusting the TEC set point as a function of at least one of ambient temperature, FPA temperature, or disparity between the predetermined level of FPA performance and a level of FPA performance obtainable by calculating the FPA adjustments as a function of FPA temperature alone without adjusting the TEC set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Nazemi, Michael Delamere, Marc Hansen, Jinguo Yu
  • Patent number: 10295231
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a refrigerant compressor and a first operating medium, which provides a mixture of refrigerant and lubrication oil. An oil separator reduces the percentage of the refrigerant in the operating medium to a value between 25% by weight and 80% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Rudolf Hauleitner, Mario Kammerhuber, Guillermo Morales Espejel, Hans Wallin
  • Patent number: 10295232
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a refrigerant compressor and a first operating medium, which includes a mixture of refrigerant and lubrication oil. An oil separator reduces the percentage of the refrigerant in the operating medium so that a second lubrication oil enriched operating medium is provided by the oil separator, the provided second operating medium having at least in a second operating state a viscosity ratio of ?>1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Rudolf Hauleitner, Mario Kammerhuber, Guillermo Morales Espejel, Hans Wallin
  • Patent number: 10295233
    Abstract: A closed compressor is provided with a flexible oil fence, of which a fixed portion as one end is fixed onto an upper surface of a cylinder between a shaft and a cylinder head and a free end as the other end extends toward an upper inner surface of a closed container. According to this configuration, a collision sound can be prevented from being generated even when the oil fence collides with the upper inner surface of the closed container and hot oil can be prevented from flowing along a surface of suction muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC APPLIANCES REFRIGERATION DEVICES SINGAPORE
    Inventor: Seigo Yanase
  • Patent number: 10295234
    Abstract: A heat exchange device includes a first heat exchange unit having a first condenser tube bundle disposed within a first cylinder of the first heat exchange unit and a second heat exchange unit having a refrigerant dispenser disposed in a second cylinder of the second heat exchange unit, where a first refrigerant outlet of the first heat exchange unit is in fluid communication with a first refrigerant inlet of the second heat exchange unit through a throttling device, the refrigerant dispenser extends along an axial direction of the second cylinder to form a chamber within the second cylinder, the chamber includes an upper portion and a lower portion, a second condenser tube bundle is disposed in the upper portion of the chamber, and an evaporation tube bundle is disposed in the lower portion of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: Johnson Controls Technology Company, York (Wuxi) Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiuping Su
  • Patent number: 10295235
    Abstract: A gas cooling equipment is provided comprising a refrigerant storage device, a cooling processing device, and a dehydrating device. The dehydrating device is disposed on an air intake end of the cooling processing device for dewatering a high temperature gas. The invention is adopted to solve problems arising from the pressure increasing and the quartz cassettes breaking easily due to moisture in a low temperature portion of the high temperature gas discharged from a high temperature oven entering the cooling processing device, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing the manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei Yu
  • Patent number: 10295236
    Abstract: A compressor heating system includes a compressor drive controller electrically coupled to an outdoor controller configured to selectively implement a pulse width modulation algorithm to deliver a pulsed direct current (DC) from the compressor drive controller to at least one stator winding of a motor of a variable speed compressor to provide heat to the compressor to prevent refrigerant migration to the compressor when the compressor remains idle with respect to operating in a cooling or heating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Chuan Yan, Don Schuster, Drew Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 10295237
    Abstract: A system and method for conditioning air within an air handling system of a building is provided. The building has a hot water source and a cold water source. The conditioning system includes at least one heating-cooling unit connected to the air handling system, a primary water storage device, at least one heat pump, and a controller. The heating-cooling unit, which includes at least one chilled beam, is operable to transfer heat into or out of air passing within the air handling system of the building. The primary water storage device is operable to store a volume of water within a predetermined temperature range. The primary water storage device is in communication with the hot water source and the cold water source. The heat pump is connected to the primary water storage device and the chilled beam. The controller is adapted to selectively drive the heat pump to transfer heat between the primary water storage device and the chilled beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Michel Grabon, Shui Yuan, Yuhui Kuang, Dong Luo, Stella M. Oggianu
  • Patent number: 10295238
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a compressor, a load, a heat exchanger, and a heater. The compressor compresses a refrigerant. The load uses the refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the load. The load sends the refrigerant to the compressor. The heat exchanger receives the refrigerant from the compressor. The heat exchanger transfers heat from a fluid to the refrigerant. The heat exchanger discharges the refrigerant to the compressor. The heater adds heat to the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC
    Inventors: Augusto J. Pereira Zimmermann, Robert H. Austin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10295239
    Abstract: A system includes a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a condenser, an expander, an electric motor configured to drive the compressor, and a controller configured to control a motor drive to drive the electric motor. The controller is configured to first evaluate whether the compressor is idle based upon a control state of the controller being configured not to operate the motor drive to drive the motor, second, in response to an affirmative evaluation that the compressor is idle, evaluate a risk of undesired or un-commanded compressor rotation based upon a combination of two or more system conditions, each of the two or more system conditions indicating the risk of undesired or un-commanded compressor rotation, and third, in response to an affirmative evaluation of the risk of undesired or un-commanded compressor rotation, control the motor drive to oppose rotation of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Thomas West, Benjamin James Sykora, David Marshall Foye, Dennis Myron Beekman, Korwin Jay Anderson, Robert Bakkestuen
  • Patent number: 10295240
    Abstract: A filter-integrated ice maker for a refrigerator includes a case for enclosing a cooling space into which cold air is supplied, an ice making assembly for making ice using cold air supplied to the cooling space, an ice bucket for containing the ice made by the ice making assembly, a filter housing integrally fixed to the case, a water filter detachably coupled to the inside of the filter housing, a supply channel for supplying water supplied from a water source to the water filter, and a drain channel for discharging water purified with the water filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Wang Goo Lee
  • Patent number: 10295241
    Abstract: A bottom mount household refrigerator is provided with an apparatus to permit the dispensing of ice. According to one embodiment, a sealed ice making compartment is provided within the fresh food compartment. The sealed ice making compartment may be located at the bottom, at the top, or along a side wall within the fresh food compartment. According to another embodiment, ice is made in the ice compartment, and lifted upward to a dispensing location through the door of the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph R. Adamski, Jason Colsch, Tim L. Coulter, Glenn E. Goetz, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons, Lou Montuoro, John H. Tenhundfeld, David Thalacker, Brett Vladika
  • Patent number: 10295242
    Abstract: Thermal protection for sensitive items stored for extended periods of time in a passenger vehicle is a requirement that has not been adequately addressed by the industry. A primary object of this invention therefore, will be to provide a convenient and versatile means for forming and integrating a storage container employing appropriate phase change materials to create a controlled temperature environment for heat-sensitive articles inside an automobile, truck, or other enclosed road vehicle. As such, the invention will afford protection where summer temperatures build up to levels inside the stationary vehicle which could exceed safe limits for heat sensitive items that might be stored in the vehicle for an extended period of time; ie an hour or more. An additional optional objective will be to further include a phase change material with a substantially lower melting point to protect sensitive items from freezing during the winter months.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventor: David Legare
  • Patent number: 10295243
    Abstract: A gas supply device is configured such that its supply state is switchable between a first supply state supplying, as supply air, nitrogen-enriched air produced from outside air into a containe, and a second supply state in which the gas supply device takes outside air therein and supplies, as supply air, the outside air into the container. A CA system is provided with a branch pipe which guides at least part of the supply air flowing through a supply passage to an oxygen sensor, and an open/close valve which opens/closes the branch pipe. An outside air calibration operation is performed in which the open/close valve is opened in the second supply state to guide the least part of the outside air flowing through the supply passage to the oxygen sensor, thereby calibrating the oxygen sensor using the outside air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuma Yokohara, Masataka Nakano, Noritaka Kamei, Naohiro Tanaka, Atsushi Ozato, Yuusuke Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 10295244
    Abstract: In various implementations, a heat pump may include heating operations and defrost operations. The heat pump may monitor cycle time(s) for one or more of the operations. Defrost operation(s) in the heat pump may be automatically adjusted based at least partially on cycle times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Qu, Bruce Perkins, Mark Olsen
  • Patent number: 10295245
    Abstract: A refrigeration device, including a cabinet, a door body, a drawer, a first snap assembly, and a second snap assembly. The door body is provided to the cabinet in a drawable manner; the drawer is detachably provided to the door body, the first snap assembly is adapted to limit the door body at a first position where the door body can be fixed to the cabinet, the second snap assembly is adapted to limit the door body at a second position where the door body can be fixed to the cabinet, during the process that the door body is pulled out of the cabinet, the door body passes through the first position and the second position in sequence, when the first snap assembly fails, the drawer is adapted to be taken out of the door body, and when the second snap assembly fails, the door body is adapted to be separated from the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: HEFEI HUALING CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Yao, Dongxian Liu
  • Patent number: 10295246
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a position of a door on a housing of a household refrigeration appliance to change a placement of the door while located on the housing, includes separating a door leaf of the door from a front flange of the housing in a depth direction of the household refrigeration appliance by a gap in a closed state of the door. A tool is inserted into the gap and a readjustment element, which can be accessed through the gap, is readjusted by using the tool in such a way that the position of the door relative to the housing is changed in dependence on the readjustment of the readjustment element. A household refrigeration appliance is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Heisswolf, Simon Kraemer, Alfred Raab, Christian Schmid
  • Patent number: 10295247
    Abstract: A vacuum insulation body includes at least one vacuum-tight casing and at least one vacuum region surrounded by the casing. The casing is provided with at least one opening, in particular with at least one evacuation port, for evacuating the vacuum region. At least one adsorbent material is present in the vacuum insulation body. The adsorbent material is partly or completely arranged in the region of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: Liebherr-Hausgeraete Lienz Gmbh, Liebherr-Hausgeraete Ochsenhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Hiemeyer, Michael Freitag, Martin Kerstner
  • Patent number: 10295248
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a cabinet that defines a storage compartment. A door is pivotably coupled to the cabinet and is movable between a closed position for closing the storage compartment and an open position for allowing access to the storage compartment. The door includes an inner surface and an outer surface. An opening extends between the inner surface and the outer surface. A window is disposed within the opening. The window optionally includes a lower portion that is non-transparent. A storage bin is attachable to a lower portion of the inner surface of the door wherein the non-transparent portion of the window obstructs viewing of the storage bin when the door is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Orin Miller, Ricky Burgan, Doug Burnett, Miranda Valentino, Joel Riddell, Varun Rajasekaran, Jose Macias, Terry Lynn Sexton, Josh Hanson, Ran Zhou, Cornel Comsa, Matthew Elexy Edge, Billy Seth Lon Campbell
  • Patent number: 10295249
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a door including a door frame with an opening, a panel assembly provided at the opening and configured to allow an inside of the refrigerator to be seen through the panel assembly from an outside of the refrigerator, a knock detection device configured to detect a user's knocking operation on the panel assembly, and a lighting unit provided inside the refrigerator and configured to turn on or off based on a signal of the knock detection device while the door is closed. The panel assembly includes a front panel, an insulation panel spaced apart from a rear surface of the front panel, and a spacer bar provided between the front panel and the insulation panel. An insulation space is defined between the front panel and the insulation panel, and the knock detection device is provided outside the insulation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyungkyu Park, Jongpil Kim, Cheoljun Park
  • Patent number: 10295250
    Abstract: Example apparatus and methods are disclosed for a vehicle-based smart cooler. An example disclosed cooler includes an electric cooling unit, a plurality of sensors, a wireless node, and a cooling control unit. The example wireless node communicatively couples to the vehicle. The example cooling control unit monitors a charge margin of the vehicle and, in response to the charge margin being below a threshold, activates a power management technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 10295251
    Abstract: A system and method for cryogenic purification of a hydrogen, nitrogen, methane and argon containing feed stream to produce a methane free, hydrogen and nitrogen containing synthesis gas and a methane rich fuel gas, as well as to recover an argon product stream, excess hydrogen, and excess nitrogen is provided. The disclosed system and method are particularly useful as an integrated cryogenic purifier in an ammonia synthesis process in an ammonia plant. The excess nitrogen is a nitrogen stream substantially free of methane and hydrogen that can be used in other parts of the plant, recovered as a gaseous nitrogen product and/or liquefied to produce a liquid nitrogen product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Henry E. Howard
  • Patent number: 10295252
    Abstract: A system and method for providing refrigeration to a cryogenic separation unit is provided. The disclosed system and associated methods employ both a warm recycle turbine arrangement and cold turbine arrangement to provide the refrigeration required to produce a large amount of liquid products, such as liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen and liquid argon when used in a cryogenic air separation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Henry E. Howard
  • Patent number: 10295253
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating air by cryogenic distillation in a set of columns including a first column operating at a first pressure, a second column operating at a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure, and a third column operating at a third pressure, which is lower than the second pressure, wherein the third column includes first and second evaporator-condensers, and nitrogen from a cold compressor is sent to one of the evaporator-condensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Benoit Davidian