Patents Issued in February 25, 2020
  • Patent number: 10571121
    Abstract: An oxy-gaseous fuel burner (400, 500) or a solid fuel burner (700) having an annular cavity (404, 504, 704) upstream from and proximate to an outlet plane (416, 516, 716) and a converging (434, 734) or converging-diverging nozzle (537) located upstream from and proximal to the cavity (404, 504, 704). The solid fuel burner (700) also is preferably operated so that the velocity of gas exiting a second annulus (730) is less than the velocity of gas exiting a central conduit (710).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Daniel D'Agostini, Anup Vasant Sane, Avishek Guha
  • Patent number: 10571122
    Abstract: A fuel-fired furnace incorporates specially designed fuel/air mixing and combustion structures. The fuel/air mixing structure is of a mixing sound-attenuating design and comprises a venturi having a perforated sidewall portion and being surrounded by a noise-damping housing chamber communicating with the interior of the venturi via its sidewall perforations. During use of the mixing structure, air is flowed through the venturi in a swirling pattern while fuel is transversely injected internally against the swirling air. The combustion structure comprises a burner box housing into which the fuel/air mixture is flowed, combusted, and then discharged as hot combustion gas into and through the heat exchanger tubes. The fuel/air mixture entering the burner box housing initially passes through a non-uniformly perforated diffuser plate functioning to substantially alter in a predetermined manner the relative combustion gas flow rates through the heat exchanger tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Amin Akbarimonfared, Timothy J. Shellenberger, Robert Steven Neihouse, Scott Alan Willbanks, Darryl Farley, Nathan Taylor Whalen, Shawn Allan Reed
  • Patent number: 10571123
    Abstract: In an air supply and exhaust adapter for a combustion device of a forced air supply and exhaust type, with the combustion device comprising an air supply section and an exhaust section being provided to project from a top plate portion of an outer casing; comprising a base portion that comprises a box shaped configuration and an open bottom portion, an air supply intake portion that is formed on the top surface portion of the base portion so as to cover the air supply section and to take in air from the surroundings of the combustion device, a circumferential wall portion that surrounds the periphery of the exhaust section; and a communication passage defined between the top surface portion and the top plate portion so as to communicate the space between the exhaust section and the circumferential wall portion with the air supply intake portion; the communication passage being constructed so that, due to the operation of the air blower means, the gauge pressure therein becomes negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: NORITZ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki Yamaguchi, Masaki Sugatani, Toshihiko Hamagami
  • Patent number: 10571124
    Abstract: A burner supporting primary and secondary combustion reactions may include a primary combustion reaction actuator configured to select a location of the secondary combustion reaction. A burner may include a perforated flame holder structure configured to support a secondary combustion reaction above a partial premixing region. The secondary flame support location may be selected as a function of a turndown parameter. Selection logic may be of arbitrary complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: CLEARSIGN COMBUSTION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas W. Karkow, James K. Dansie, Jesse Dumas, Donald Kendrick, Igor A. Krichtafovitch, Joseph Colannino, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 10571125
    Abstract: An assembly for a turbine engine includes a combustor wall. The combustor wall includes a shell, a heat shield and an annular land. The heat shield is attached to the shell. The land extends vertically between the shell and the heat shield. The land extends laterally between a land outer surface and an inner surface, which at least partially defines a quench aperture in the combustor wall. A lateral distance between the land outer surface and the inner surface varies around the quench aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis M. Moura, Jonathan J. Eastwood, Lee E. Bouldin, Monica Pacheco-Tougas
  • Patent number: 10571126
    Abstract: Manufactured articles, and methods of manufacturing enhanced wear protected components and articles. More particularly, wear protected components and articles, such as combustor components of turbine engines, and even more particularly enhanced wear protected micromixer tubes and assemblies thereof with one or more micromixer plates, the micromixer tubes having wear protection for enhanced performance and reduced wear related failure. Methods including surface treatment to enhance wear, including vacuum braze application of coatings to enhance surface hardness for wear benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dechao Lin, Srikanth Chandrudu Kottilingam, Brian Lee Tollison, Yan Cui
  • Patent number: 10571127
    Abstract: The gas turbine combustor includes a swirler lip on the air hole plate periphery, protruding toward a chamber, and a spring seal in an area for fitting the liner and the plate/lip. The spring seal has an air hole for passage of part of the combustion air introduced in the gap between the outer periphery of the air hole plate and the liner. The swirler lip has an air hole which introduces part of the combustion air passing through the spring seal air hole into the chamber. The liner has an air hole facing the spring seal air hole, to introduce part of air from outside the liner into the gap between the outer periphery of the air hole plate and the liner. A turn guide for rectifying a combustion air flow is provided at the liner end portion on the side for fitting the liner and air hole plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Sytems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Miura, Yasuhiro Akiyama, Tomohiro Asai, Kazuki Abe, Mitsuhiro Karishuku, Satoshi Dodo, Akinori Hayashi, Yoshitaka Hirata, Noboru Okuyama
  • Patent number: 10571128
    Abstract: Gas turbine combustion systems and fuel cartridge assemblies are provided. An exemplary combustion system may comprise a combustor including one or more components, such as a cylindrical combustion liner, a flow sleeve, a main mixer, a radial inflow swirler, a combustor dome, and a fuel cartridge assembly. An exemplary fuel cartridge assembly may comprise first and second fuel manifolds which are connected to respective fuel circuits which supply fuel, such as liquid fuel, through a plurality of fuel passages within the fuel cartridge assembly or to other locations within an associated combustor. The fuel cartridge assembly may further include a plurality of fuel injector tips located at a tip plate of the fuel cartridge assembly through which fuel may be supplied to an associated combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: ANSALDO ENERGIA IP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen W. Jorgensen, Joshua R. McNally, Douglas Pennell, Donald Gauthier, Pawel Matys, Marc Paskin, Thomas R. Ruck, Peter John Stuttaford, Bernard Tam-Yen Sam
  • Patent number: 10571129
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided comprising a first wheelbarrow tray having an inner chamber; a second wheelbarrow tray having an inner chamber; and a means for connecting the first and second wheelbarrow trays, so that the inner chamber of the first wheelbarrow tray and the inner chamber of the second wheelbarrow tray are spaced apart and face each other. The first wheelbarrow tray may have a bottom surface; and the bottom surface of the first wheelbarrow tray may have an opening which is covered by a screen connected to the first wheelbarrow tray. The means for connecting the first wheelbarrow tray to the second wheelbarrow tray may include first, second, third, and four elongated beams. A method is also provided including placing one or more combustible items in an inner chamber of a first wheelbarrow tray of such an apparatus; and causing the one or more combustible items to ignite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventor: Mark A. Kodila
  • Patent number: 10571130
    Abstract: A masonry oven constructed with the aid of a mold. An exemplary foam mold to provide inside shape of for pizza oven when covered in concrete is disclosed. Our mold allows DIY Homeowners the ability to make a pizza oven in their own backyard (or wherever) by simply pouring high˜temp concrete into our mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventor: Catherine Claridge Huggins
  • Patent number: 10571131
    Abstract: An oven appliance is provided herein. The oven appliance may include a cabinet, a convection duct, a heating element, and an air handler. The cabinet may define a cooking chamber to receive items to be cooked. The cabinet may include a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, and opposing sidewalls. The top wall and the bottom wall being spaced apart along a vertical direction. The opposing sidewalls may be spaced apart along a lateral direction. The convection duct may extend about a portion of the cooking chamber to direct a heated gas. The convection duct may define an upper passage above the top wall and a lower passage below the bottom wall. The heating element may be disposed within the convection duct to supply the heated gas thereto. The air handler may be disposed in fluid communication with the convection duct to motivate the heated gas therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans Juergen Paller
  • Patent number: 10571132
    Abstract: The high-temperature food preparation device of the present invention is an air-cooled high-temperature food preparation device that may be used in a large number of cooking methods and styles. Specifically, the present invention consists of a chassis, a range top, a heat source, and a support structure positioned above the heat source. The support structure is comprised of a tubular chamber insulator, a support ring, and a suspension structure. The support structure may be removably mounted above the heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: TOWN FOOD EQUIPMENT CO., INC.
    Inventors: David Soohoo, Davor Pavlovich
  • Patent number: 10571133
    Abstract: An oven has at least one of bake and broil heating elements which have a temperature switch as a portion of the replaceable heating element. Upon reaching a predetermined temperature, the switch opens and power through the heating element is secured. Once temperature is reduced below another predetermined temperature, the switch closes for normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Brown Stove Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Smith, Matthew H. Brown
  • Patent number: 10571134
    Abstract: An oven appliance includes a cabinet having a chamber defined therein. The chamber is accessible through an opening. The oven appliance also includes a first door having a first side and a second side. The first side of the first door is rotatably mounted to one side of the cabinet proximate the opening. A second door includes a first side and a second side. The first side of the second door is rotatably connected to the second side of the first door by a hinge comprising a pivot. The first door and the second door are movable between an open position and a closed position to selectively sealingly enclose the chamber. The first door and the second door define a gap therebetween in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Aaron Weaver
  • Patent number: 10571135
    Abstract: Provided herein are various systems and methods (i.e., utilities) broadly directed to the generation of hot water using energy derived from renewable energy sources as an alternative to or in conjunction with another power source (e.g., fossil fuel-based energy from a utility provider, an underperforming solar/wind/wind system, etc.). In the various aspects, these utilities are directed to the retrofitting of existing water heaters with electrical heating elements that are connectable to a renewable source of electrical energy. While primarily discussed in relation to retrofitting existing water heaters, various aspects are applicable to OEM manufactured systems. Further, various control methods are provided that allow for enhancing the efficiency of hot water generation, net metering, and/or the generation of renewable energy credits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventor: David Kreutzman
  • Patent number: 10571136
    Abstract: An indoor unit (1000) of an air conditioner includes a housing (100) having an upper base plate (110) provided with an air inlet (101), a lower base plate (120) detachably mounted to the upper base plate (110) and provided with an air outlet, and a front cover (130) detachably mounted to the upper base plate (110); a heat exchanger (140) mounted on the upper base plate (110); a fan (142) detachably mounted to the lower base plate (120); and a thrust structure (340) having a body (350) that is disposed to a rear portion of the indoor unit (1000) and has a thrust face (351) abutting against a mounting member to limit a degree of freedom of upward movement of the indoor unit (1000).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignees: GD MIDEA AIR-CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhicai Cai, Xing Liu, Xiaofeng Bai, Xinzhou Zhang
  • Patent number: 10571137
    Abstract: A filtration material comprising a blend of polypropylene and acrylic fibers of round, flat, dog bone, oval or kidney bean shape in any size from 0.08 to 3.3 Dtex. A preferred blend contains about 50 weight percent polypropylene fibers and about 50 weight percent acrylic fibers. The fibers can be blended ranging from 90:10 to 10:90 polypropylene to acrylic. The shape contains 25 weight percent round, flat, oval, dog bone and kidney bean shapes. The fiber blend contains 25 weight percent of at least one size between 0.08 and 3.3 Dtex. Electret fibers incorporated within these blends have 0.02 to 33 weight percent of a charge control agent. These fibers can be used in producing electret material by corona or triboelectric charging methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: DelStar Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick L. Chapman
  • Patent number: 10571138
    Abstract: A humidifier with regular addition of fixed quantity of essential oil is located in public areas and configured such that humidified air contains fragrance regularly. The humidifier is provided with a main body, water storage bucket mounted to the main body, and essential oil supplier mounted to the main body. The essential oil supplier includes a casing, at least one essential oil bottle within the casing and stored with essential oil, at least one peristaltic pump corresponding to each bottle and connected to the main body to be controlled. Each peristaltic pump is controlled by the main body, such that fixed quantity of essential oil is supplied regularly by the humidifier with the water storage bucket being not dismounted to keep fragrance in atomizing air continuous and eliminate the problem of only presence of fragrance at the beginning of addition of essential oil due to conventional method of addition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventor: Pao-Tien Chiu
  • Patent number: 10571139
    Abstract: Disclosed is an equalization vent usable for venting and drying a roof. In accordance with example embodiments, the equalization vent may include a base, a cup arranged in the base, a flexible membrane arranged in the cup, an airflow guide arranged on the base and the cup, and a cover on the air flow guide, wherein the flexible membrane allows air to flow through the vent when the pressure outside of the vent is less than the pressure inside the base and prevents air from flowing through the vent when the pressure outside of the vent is greater than pressure inside the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: WINDSMART, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Pyle, Jim Johnson, David Harvey, Chris H. Hill, Mark Williamson, Andrew J. Six, Cole Van Lent
  • Patent number: 10571140
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a substantially constant volume exhaust or ventilation air terminal system is shown for controlling exhaust and/or return airflow rates in a system having a central fan or ventilator. The system and method permits zone-by-zone or area-by-area airflow regulation or control in non-demand areas in response to a demand or call for ventilation in demand areas. In one embodiment, the system employs at least one constant airflow controller or regulator situated in a damper. Another embodiment shows a combination of a first constant airflow controller or regulator situated or mounted on a damper with a second constant airflow controller or regulator situated in a duct associated with the damper. In still another embodiment, a constant airflow controller or regulator is provided in a duct, and used in combination with a solid damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: American Aldes Ventilation Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis R. Dietz, John Robert Harrell, Dwight Ray Shackelford
  • Patent number: 10571141
    Abstract: A roof moisture detection and removal system that is operable to provide detection and removal of moisture for low slope or no slope roof types. The present invention further includes a roof vent having a vent riser tube with a roof vent cap proximate the upper end and a split base ring proximate the lower end. The split base ring further includes a plurality of airflow spacers and airflow extension tubes mounted thereto that function to increase the air intake plenum for the roof vent in order to optimize the moisture reduction delivered by the roof vents of the present invention. The roof vents of the present invention further include a roof vent cap having a photovoltaic panel configured to supply power to a detection-communications module. A plurality of sensors are integrated into the detection-communications module and are configured to measure parameters such as humidity, temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventors: Paul A Gray, Jesse L Gray
  • Patent number: 10571142
    Abstract: The INTERIOR USER-COMFORT ENERGY EFFICIENCY MODELING AND CONTROL SYSTEMS AND APPARATUSES (“IUCEEMC”) transforms comfort maps and occupant comfort inputs via a profile library manager component, exploration manager component, comfort map manager component, regulation monitor component, control temperature sequence generator component, and comfort map modification component, into comfort map and control temperature sequence outputs. In some implementations, the IUCEEMC can divide a timespace of a temperature model into a plurality of sections, select a section from the plurality of sections, perform a first persistent change of the section from the plurality of sections, and, via a control temperature sequence generator, calculate a control temperature sequence using the temperature model. The IUCEEMC can develop and execute a temperature trajectory on an HVAC system, such as a home or industrial HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Robert Buda, Larry A. Turner, Scott Robert Brown, Gary Brent Pollard, David R. Glasgow, Jason Pazis
  • Patent number: 10571143
    Abstract: A venue occupant comfort system, comprises a processor that stores computer executable components stored in memory. A plurality of sensors sense ambient conditions associated with exterior and interior conditions of a venue. A context component infers or determines context of an occupant of the venue. A crowd estimation component infers, based at least in part on mining social networks, size of crowd expected at the venue. A comfort model component implicitly and explicitly trained on occupant comfort related data analyzes information from the plurality of sensors, the crowd estimation component and context component. A comfort controller adjusts environmental conditions of the venue based at least in part on output of the comfort model component. The adjustments to venue environment can optionally be differentiated by zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karan Ahuja, Heena Bansal, Kuntal Dey, Seema Nagar, Roman Vaculin
  • Patent number: 10571144
    Abstract: A position detection unit detects a current position of the terminal device, an environmental-information acquisition unit acquires environmental information of the terminal device, and a storage unit stores therein a behavior pattern of a user of the terminal device, a control pattern of an air conditioner, and air-conditioner position information. The terminal device also includes a control unit that estimates an arrival time at which the user arrives at a position of the air conditioner based on the current position, a moving speed included in the environmental information, and the air-conditioner position information, estimates a behavior pattern of the user by using the moving speed, and decides a control pattern of the air conditioner based on the environmental information and the estimated behavior pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromitsu Kanada
  • Patent number: 10571145
    Abstract: A maintenance support system includes an air conditioner system including air conditioners, an Internet line, a portable terminal and a server, and supports maintenance of the system. The system, portable terminal, and server are communicably interconnected via the Internet line. The server stores individual identification information, operation information and abnormality history of each air conditioner. The portable terminal receives the individual identification information, operation information and abnormality history of each air conditioner from the server. The portable terminal includes an image pickup unit photographing a space to acquire a picked-up image thereof, and a display unit displaying the air conditioner included in the picked-up image and one of the individual identification information, the operation information and the abnormality information of the air conditioner in association with each other with one being superimposed on other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yohei Miyaura
  • Patent number: 10571146
    Abstract: An air handling unit (AHU) or rooftop unit (RTU) in a building HVAC system includes one or more powered components, a battery, and a predictive controller. The powered components include a fan configured to generate a supply airstream provided to one or more building zones. The battery is configured to store electric energy and discharge the stored electric energy for use in powering the powered components. The predictive controller is configured to optimize a predictive cost function to determine an optimal amount of electric energy to purchase from an energy grid and an optimal amount of electric energy to store in the battery or discharge from the battery for use in powering the powered components at each time step of an optimization period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Turney, Nishith R. Patel
  • Patent number: 10571147
    Abstract: An HVAC system and method for digital communication timing discovery over a two wire connection. The HVAC system comprises a thermostat and at least one remote sensor unit comprising at least one sensor with an associated memory. The thermostat comprises a communication interface adapted to be connected to the remote sensor unit via a two-wire connection over a communication channel. The thermostat further comprises a controller adapted to perform a communication timing discovery to determine a communicating timing value that minimizes communication error rates for each sensor of the remote sensor unit by performing an iterative communication error rate detection operation over a range of timing values. The thermostat controller uses the determined communication timing value for communicating with the respective sensor during normal operation to receive sensor information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ludlow
  • Patent number: 10571148
    Abstract: A method, a computer program product, and a computer system for providing a cognitive solution for maintaining a microenvironment. A cognitive service in an infrastructural computing system receives from a user computing device data of one or more sensors in the microenvironment. The cognitive service receives from the user computing device a profile of a user of the microenvironment. The cognitive service determines one or more current conditions of the microenvironment, based on the data of the one or more sensors. The cognitive service determines a cognitive solution for maintaining the microenvironment, based on the profile of the user and the one or more current conditions of the microenvironment. The cognitive service sends to the user computing device the cognitive solution. The user computing device adjusts one or more devices based on the cognitive solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mary T. Fetterman, Kathleen M. Pfeiffer, Robert F. Pfeiffer, Anne M. Romanowski, Philip A. Siconolfi
  • Patent number: 10571149
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a circuit for providing a mixed air temperature signal is provided. The circuit has a temperature input to an economizer controller, an air temperature sensor, a false air temperature device, and a switching device. The switching device has a switch and a switch actuating device. The switch connects the temperature input to the air temperature sensor when the switch is in a first state. The switch connects the temperature input to the false air temperature device when the switch is in a second state. The switch actuating device places the switch in the first state when a mechanical cooling signal is not sent. The switch actuating device places the switch in the second state when the mechanical cooling signal is sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Troxell, Michael Renker
  • Patent number: 10571150
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are provided of HVAC control assemblies. In an exemplary embodiment, an HVAC control assembly includes an HVAC control board, a first interface connector, and a second interface connector. The first interface connector and the second interface connector each include multiple pins adapted for connection to an equipment wiring harness. The assembly also includes an electrical conductor connected between at least one of the multiple pins of the first interface connector and at least one of the multiple pins of the second interface connector, and an HVAC controller configured to determine whether an equipment wiring harness is connected to the first interface connector or the second interface connector based on a state of at least one of the multiple pins connected to the electrical conductor. Example methods of determining an equipment wiring harness connection in an HVAC control assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventors: David L. Vie, Thomas Blizzard, Amanda Diaz
  • Patent number: 10571151
    Abstract: A duct type air conditioning apparatus is provided with a blowing portion including a first cabinet in which a blower assembly is installed and a heat exchanging portion including a second cabinet in which a heat exchanger is installed. The air conditioning apparatus includes a partition panel arranged between the first and second cabinets and connected to facing sides of the first and second cabinet, and first and second link members separably fastened along an upper end and a lower end of the partition panel to keep an airtight seal in a connection portion between the first and second cabinets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyung-jin Kwon, Min-gu Jeon, Do-yeon Kim, Hyun-ho Kim, Chul-byung Park, Bu-youn Lee
  • Patent number: 10571152
    Abstract: A reverse combustion type combustion apparatus (1) includes a combustion section (2) that combusts fuel in a downward direction, heat exchangers (4, 5) disposed under the combustion section (2), and an exhaust box (6) disposed under the heat exchangers (4, 5). The exhaust box (6) is a molded product made from a synthetic resin material; the exhaust box (6) includes an opening portion (30) for introduction of combustion exhaust gases generated by an upper portion, a fixing portion (33) for fixing the heat exchanger (5), and an inclined bottom portion (35) that collects condensed water generated by the heat exchanger (5); and, at the lower end portion of the exhaust box (6), at least three legs (40) are integrally formed and make the exhaust box (6) stand up by itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: NORITZ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hironao Matsunaga, Eiji Kanki
  • Patent number: 10571153
    Abstract: A water heater monitoring and notification method includes determining, by a controller of a water heater system, a deviation of a duration of a pre-purge operation from a pre-purge duration average value. The method further includes determining, by the controller of the water heater system, a deviation of a flame current from a flame current average value and determining, by the controller of the water heater system, a deviation of a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) parameter from a PWM parameter average value. The method also includes providing a notification related to a combustion system of the water heater system based on at least the deviation of the duration of the pre-purge operation from the pre-purge duration average value, the deviation of the flame current from the flame current average value, and the deviation of the PWM parameter from the PWM parameter average value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Raheel A. Chaudhry, Michael C. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10571154
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for discharging a hydrogen storage system that is found in the annular space of a receiver tube, in particular for solar collectors, wherein the annular space is formed at least by an outer-lying tubular jacket and an inner-lying absorber tube of the receiver tube, and the outer-lying tubular jacket is joined by means of a wall to the absorber tube. The method is hereby characterized in that a first opening penetrating the tubular jacket or the wall is produced under a protective gas atmosphere, wherein protective gas enters through the first opening into the annular space, after which a process chamber with a connection for a vacuum pump is arranged in a gas-tight manner above the first opening, the receiver tube is evacuated through the first opening, and the first opening is subsequently sealed in a gas-tight manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventor: Thomas Kuckelkorn
  • Patent number: 10571155
    Abstract: A high-temperature long-shaft molten salt pump detection testbed, comprising: three pressure sensors, three electric shut-off valves, two flow sensors, two electric adjustments, and two temperature sensors, and also comprising a molten salt storage tank, a motor, a high-temperature long-shaft molten salt pump, a plurality of groups of insertion electric heaters, a first multipoint thermocouple, a second multipoint thermocouple, a preheating hole, a molten salt injection port, the test device can install a variety of models of molten salt pump, pipeline can use reducer to connect different types of molten salt pump, molten salt tank height can also meet the depth of different molten salt pump, a variety of models of molten salt pumps are used for tests, which are versatile and easy to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Changzhou Solar Molten Salt Pump Valve Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaojuan Qiu, Zhefu Shi, Yanan Shen, Zhikuan Xue, Zhenhai Yue
  • Patent number: 10571156
    Abstract: A valve (9) for use in a vapour compression system (1) is disclosed. The valve (9) comprises a first inlet (13) arranged to be connected to a gaseous outlet (11) of a receiver (6), a second inlet (14) arranged to be connected to an outlet of an evaporator (8), a first outlet (15) arranged to be connected to an inlet of a compressor unit (2), a non-return valve arrangement (19) arranged to allow a fluid flow from the second inlet (14) towards the first outlet (15), but to prevent a fluid flow from the first outlet (15) towards the second inlet (14), and a control valve mechanism (20) arranged to control a fluid flow from the first inlet (13) towards the first outlet (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventor: Michael Birkelund
  • Patent number: 10571157
    Abstract: Example field instrument temperature apparatus and methods for affecting or regulating a temperature of a field instrument are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a vortex tube having an inlet to receive a fluid, a first outlet to dispense a first portion of the fluid at a first temperature and a second outlet to dispense a second portion of the fluid at a second temperature, the second temperature being greater than the first temperature. The example apparatus also includes a first passageway fluidly coupled to the first outlet to direct the first portion of the fluid to an electronic device in a process control system to affect a temperature of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Fisher Centrols International LLC
    Inventor: Mark Byer
  • Patent number: 10571158
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigeration method, during which a user is supplied with frigories by means of a working gas, such as helium, that is cooled by having the same flow into a cold box that comprises, in series, at least one first aluminum heat exchanger having brazed plates and flanges, one second heat exchanger having welded plates, and one third aluminum heat exchanger having brazed plates and flanges in such a way that the flow of said working gas is at least partially caused to pass, consecutively, through the first exchanger, then through the second exchanger, and finally through the third exchanger before said working gas flow is directed to the user in order to supply the user with frigories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Frederic Bonne, Mustapha Tebbani, Alain Briglia, Oriane De La Forterie
  • Patent number: 10571159
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus is equipped with a heat source unit, a cooling unit, a low-pressure gas tube, and a bypass circuit. In the heat source unit, a compressor, a condenser, and a tube are housed. The compressor has a variable operating capacity, and sucks, compresses, and discharges refrigerant. The condenser condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor. The tube connects the compressor with the condenser. In the cooling unit, an expansion valve and a cooler are housed. The expansion valve decompresses the refrigerant condensed by the condenser. The cooler evaporates the refrigerant decompressed by the expansion valve. The low-pressure gas tube connects the cooler with the compressor. The bypass circuit connects the tube located in the heat source unit with the low-pressure gas tube located in the cooling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Saito
  • Patent number: 10571160
    Abstract: A self-cleaning metal hydride heat recovery system comprising a thermally insulated housing partitioned into at least two thermally insulated chambers, each chamber enclosing a metal hydride reactor assembly containing a regenerating, high-temperature metal hydride alloy, an ambient air inlet adapted to receive an ambient air stream into the housing to be fed to at least one of the two thermally insulated chambers, a fluid recirculation circuit configured to recirculate an exhaust stream as received from an exhaust source, the fluid recirculation circuit comprises a mixer adapted to mix a portion of a recirculation stream and the exhaust stream to provide a resultant stream, fluid stream switching means coupled to the mixer and adapted to switch flow of the resultant stream and the ambient air stream in a cyclic manner, flow regulating means provided downstream of the metal hydride reactor assemblies, and an exhaust outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: THERMAX LIMITED
    Inventors: Devadatta Pundlik Navale, Amol Jambukumar Bharamgonda, Sachin Narayan Gunjal, Ramakrishna Ramanath Sonde, Sameer Vasudeo Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 10571161
    Abstract: Provided is a cooling device including a valve structure including a temperature-responsive material that changes in volume in response to changes in temperature, a supporting structure, which is joined to the valve structure and supports the valve structure, and a solvent which contacts the valve structure, wherein a portion of the solvent contacts the valve structure and another portion of the solvent is externally exposed, the valve structure changes in volume in response to changes in temperature and thereby regulating the externally exposed surface area of the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Junsoo Kim, Jungyun Kwon, Seungeon Moon, Seung Min Lee, Jaewoo Lee, Solyee Im
  • Patent number: 10571162
    Abstract: A thermoelectric device including a panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements including compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material wherein the thermoelectric elements run substantially parallel to or at an acute angle relative to the long dimension of the panel. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling with controls and configurations to optimize the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Tempronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tarek Makansi, Michael J. Berman, John Latimer Franklin, Mark Nelsen Evers, Steven Wood
  • Patent number: 10571163
    Abstract: A thermoelectric heat pump air conditioner comprising an indoor air conditioner and an outdoor air conditioner. The indoor air conditioner comprises a first phase-change suppressing heat transfer plate, a thermoelectric cooling assembly and a heat exchanger. A first cooling medium pipe and a first thermally superconducting pipe are formed in the first phase-change suppressing heat transfer plate. The first thermal superconducting pipe is filled with a first heat transfer working medium. The heat exchanger is attached on a surface, away from the phase-change suppressing heat transfer plate, of the thermoelectric cooling assembly. A second cooling medium pipe is formed in the heat exchanger. The outdoor air conditioner comprises a second phase-change suppressing heat transfer plate. A third cooling medium pipe and a second thermally superconducting pipe are formed in the second phase-change suppressing heat transfer plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventors: Cheechiang Saelee, Jianzhong Zhang
  • Patent number: 10571164
    Abstract: The invention concerns an air conditioning system for the conditioning of the air of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The air conditioning system has a refrigerant circuit with a compressor, a refrigerant-coolant heat exchanger for desuperheating the refrigerant after the compression, a first refrigerant-air heat exchanger and a second refrigerant-air heat exchanger, and at least one coolant circuit. The coolant circuit has a heating heat exchanger for heating an air mass flow being supplied to the passenger compartment. The refrigerant-coolant heat exchanger is designed as a component of the coolant circuit having the heating heat exchanger. The air conditioning system is designed for an operation in refrigerator mode, in heat pump mode, and in afterheating mode for the heating, cooling, and dehumidification of the air being supplied to the passenger compartment. A valve arrangement switches the air conditioning system between the different operating modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Navid Durrani, Roberto Della Rovere, Marc Graaf
  • Patent number: 10571165
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS) and method of operating a TRS having a sorption subsystem are disclosed. The TRS includes a refrigeration subsystem and a sorption subsystem. The refrigeration subsystem includes a refrigerant, a compressor, a refrigerant condenser, a refrigerant expansion device, and a refrigerant evaporator in fluid communication such that the refrigerant can flow therethrough. The sorption subsystem includes a heat transfer fluid, a heat source, a boiler, a sorption condenser, a sorption expansion valve, a sorption evaporator, and a pump in fluid communication such that the heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The sorption evaporator is in thermal communication with the refrigeration subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Panayu Robert Srichai, Robert Michael Lattin, Vladimir Sulc, Jeffrey B. Berge, Clay A. Rohrer, Don Shapiro
  • Patent number: 10571166
    Abstract: A power generation module of a vehicle air-conditioning system is provided. The air-conditioning=includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The power generation module includes a high-temperature flow channel through which a refrigerant in a high-temperature state flows and a low-temperature flow channel through which a refrigerant in a low-temperature state compared with the high-temperature flow channel flows. A thermoelectric module is provided in which heat of the high-temperature flow channel is transferred to a first side thereof, heat of the low-temperature flow channel is transferred to a second side thereof, and an electromotive force is generated by a temperature difference between the first and second sides due to the transferred heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Woong Kim, Jae Woo Park, So Yoon Park, Man Ju Oh, Sang Shin Lee, So La Chung
  • Patent number: 10571167
    Abstract: A transportation refrigeration unit includes an evaporator 32 circulating a flow of refrigerant therethrough to cool a flow of supply air flowing over the evaporator. Two compressors 36,38 are in fluid communication with the evaporator to compress the flow of refrigerant and are configured and connected to operate in parallel with one another. A condenser 44 is in fluid communication with the evaporator and the two compressors. An economizer heat exchanger 56 and a suction line heat exchanger 68 are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10571168
    Abstract: Methods and systems to manage refrigerant flow inside a shell and tube heat exchanger, such as a condenser, to reduce inundation effect are provided. A method of managing refrigerant flow may include collecting at least a portion the refrigerant in the liquid state and directing the collected refrigerant in the liquid state toward an end of an internal space of the condenser. The method may further include directing the refrigerant in the liquid form toward a subcooling section. The method may also include directing the collected in the liquid state toward a refrigerant outlet located at proximately a middle section of a length of the condenser through the subcooling section. The condenser may have one or more separation/collection pans positioned within heat transfer tubes to collect and direct the refrigerant in the liquid form. A two-stage refrigerant distributor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Bin Wade Liu, Hai Zhen Lv
  • Patent number: 10571169
    Abstract: A test chamber for conditioning air has a temperature-insulated test space sealable against an environment for receiving test materials and a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of the test space, a temperature ranging from ?20° C. to +180° C. in temperature being able to be realized within the test space by means of the temperature control device, said temperature control device comprising a cooling device having a cooling cycle having a refrigerant, a heat transmitter, a compressor, a condenser and an expanding element, the cooling cycle comprising an internal heat transmitter, the internal heat transmitter being connected to a high-pressure side of the cooling cycle upstream of the expanding element and downstream of the condenser in a flow direction, said refrigerant being able to cooled by means of the internal heat transmitter which is coupled to an adjustable supplementary refrigeration of the cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: WEISS UMWELTTECHNIK
    Inventors: Christian Haack, Johannes Teichmann
  • Patent number: 10571170
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a heat exchanger, a load, a compressor, and a valve. The heat exchanger receives a refrigerant at a first inlet and directs the refrigerant received at the first inlet to an outlet. The load uses the refrigerant from the outlet to remove heat from a space proximate the load. The compressor compresses the refrigerant from the load. The valve directs the refrigerant from the compressor to a second inlet of the heat exchanger when a temperature of the refrigerant at the load is below a first threshold. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the refrigerant received at the second inlet to the refrigerant received at the first inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Hagler, Carlton Wilkerson