Patents Issued in February 27, 2020
  • Publication number: 20200064006
    Abstract: A temperature detecting device is cooperated with an air conditioner. The temperature detecting device includes a temperature detector and a visual indicator. The temperature detector is utilized to generate a temperature distribution result about a specific area. The visual indicator is electrically connected to the temperature detector and utilized to provide a visual mark indicating position information according to the temperature distribution result. The conditioner includes an air supply module, a wind adjustment module and a detection camera. The wind adjustment module is adapted to adjust wind's direction from the air supply module. The detection camera is electrically connected with the wind adjustment module and adapted to detect the visual mark for controlling the wind adjustment module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Yi-Hsien Ko
  • Publication number: 20200064007
    Abstract: Controlling environmental conditions. A method includes using one or more sensors in a location, identifying an entity in the location. The method further includes identifying one or more roles for the entity. The method further includes based on the one or more roles for the entity, modifying environmental conditions in the location, by modifying one or more devices associated with the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel Escapa, Hubert Van Hoof, Matthew Evan Vogel
  • Publication number: 20200064008
    Abstract: A single-package, wall-mount air conditioner is provided with an economizer unit having a pair of vertical conduits for delivering fresh outside air to a pair of blowers and a damper system that can be selectively positioned to open and close the conduits. The damper system also opens and closes return air recirculation openings through which return air is delivered to the blowers. When the air conditioner is operating in an economizer cooling mode, the return air recirculation openings are partially or completely closed and some or all of the return air is discharged outwardly and upwardly from the air conditioner in a manner to impede any entrainment of the discharged return air with the fresh outside air that is entering the air conditioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Thompson Joshua MATAMBO, Paul Franklin FAY, William James WILSON, Vikas Dhummi CHANDRASHEKAR
  • Publication number: 20200064009
    Abstract: A heating system, includes a furnace that is configured to heat air to be provided to a conditioned space, a pressure sensor configured to collect sensor data indicative of a pressure of air within the furnace; a fan configured to supply the heated air to the conditioned space, and a motor configured to drive the fan. Additionally, the heating system includes processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the pressure sensor and the motor. The processing circuitry is configured to control the motor based upon the sensor data such that an amount of airflow supplied to the conditioned space is constantly supplied by the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Elton D. Ray, Bennie D. Hoyt
  • Publication number: 20200064010
    Abstract: A temperature control device comprises: first control means; and second control means. The first control means includes first cooling means for cooling of a heat carrier that moves heat from a heat source, and first adjustment means for adjusting a first cooling power being an amount of heat per time to be exchanged in the first cooling means. The second control means includes second cooling means for cooling of the heat carrier, and second adjustment means for adjusting a second cooling power being an amount of heat per time to be exchanged in the second cooling means. The second control means can compensate for a decrease in the first cooling power by a rise in the second cooling power, and can compensate for a decrease in the second cooling power by a rise in the first cooling power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru YOSHIKAWA, Hisato SAKUMA, Koichi TODOROKI
  • Publication number: 20200064011
    Abstract: A management device is connected to an apparatus and is configured to manage the apparatus. The management device includes a display unit, a wireless communication unit, and a control unit. The display unit is configured to display information about the apparatus. The wireless communication unit is configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile terminal. The control unit is configured to, when a distance between the management device and the mobile terminal is shorter than a threshold, adjust display settings of the display unit to display settings of the mobile terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Tomoo NAKANO
  • Publication number: 20200064012
    Abstract: In order to efficiently exchange indoor air and outdoor air, to reduce power consumption, and to reduce discomfort to a user, damper, which switches between a heat exchange exhaust air path and a normal ventilation air path, is provided in an exhaust air path. In addition, a discomfort index is calculated from detection results of indoor temperature sensor provided on indoor-side inlet and outdoor temperature sensor provided on outdoor-side inlet. Further, controller, which switches between the heat exchange exhaust air path and the normal ventilation air path so as not to cause discomfort to the user, is provided to control damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Daisuke HASHINO, Taketo YAMAMOTO, Meitoku OKUMURA, Kouji IIO, Yasuaki SHIMA, Tetsuya NAGASE
  • Publication number: 20200064013
    Abstract: A funnel system for redirecting cool air from a window-mounted, air conditioner helps to cool another room effectively without requiring a second a/c unit in the other room. The funnel system is telescopingly adjustable to mount to different sized a/c units from different makers. The system utilizes a unique rail without damaging or modifying the a/c window unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Wilver Franco
  • Publication number: 20200064014
    Abstract: A frame assembly for an air distribution system includes a damper assembly, a louver assembly, and a screen frame. Air flows through the damper assembly and the louver assembly, where the damper assembly terminates in a first flange and the louver terminates in a second flange. The first flange and the second flange are coupled to one another about a screen frame such that the screen frame is captured by abutting the first flange and the second flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Timothy A. Vogel
  • Publication number: 20200064015
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system that includes a return air section of an HVAC unit configured to receive a return airflow from a conditioned space. The HVAC system also includes an outdoor air section of the HVAC unit configured to receive an outdoor airflow from an environment surrounding the HVAC unit. Furthermore, the (HVAC) system includes a panel dividing the return air section and the outdoor air section. The panel includes a bypass damper actuatable to enable mixing of the return airflow and the outdoor airflow to produce a mixed airflow in the outdoor air section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Arun S. Palle, Pankaj B. Avhad, Dnyanesh C. Deshmukh
  • Publication number: 20200064016
    Abstract: A housing system for heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) equipment includes a housing configured to shroud the HVAC equipment and also includes a plurality of louver panels disposed on the housing. Each louver panel of the plurality of louver panels is configured to translate between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, each louver panel of the plurality of louver panels is configured to permit airflow between an interior of the housing and an ambient environment. In the open position, each louver panel of the plurality of louver panels is configured to permit increased airflow between the interior of the housing and the ambient environment when the louver panel is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Appiya B. Suriya Prakash, Dnyandev G. Vanare, Ganesh S. Devkhile, Anil V. Bhosale
  • Publication number: 20200064017
    Abstract: A packaged terminal air conditioner unit includes a bulkhead and a sealed system mounted at least partially within a wall sleeve. The wall sleeve is positioned in an opening on the side of a building and includes at least a portion that includes a plurality of layers formed from at least two materials. For example, the wall sleeve may include inner and outer metal layers sandwiching a middle layer of viscoelastic polymer material for damping noise generated by the sealed system during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Robert William Jewell, Stephen D. Hatcher
  • Publication number: 20200064018
    Abstract: A sound absorbing filter for a dust collector system is attached downstream of the system air blower and ahead of the cylindrical HEPA filter cartridge. The sound filter is formed of a cylindrical barrel or shell, favorably steel, another metal, plastics, or composite with end-caps bonded on. The cylindrical shell interior is lined with plural annular layers of sound absorbing materials. The sound absorbing elements are retained with two or more thin retainer plates The lining can comprise a radial outer layer of compressed fiber batting, and a radial inner layer of convoluted acoustic polyurethane foam 1 to 2 inches thick. The foam lining protects the fiberglass from the air flow reducing fiber shedding, and also absorbs higher frequencies, with the fiberglass being more absorptive of lower frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Oneida Air Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Fitzsimmons, Robert M. Witter, Jeffrey Hill, Joseph Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20200064019
    Abstract: An apparatus for pre-heating potable water in aircraft with waste heat includes an air to water heat exchanger having a heat exchanger housing with an inlet end that receives heat from one or more of a galley insert exhaust air inlet, a galley appliance exhaust air inlet and an air chiller exhaust air inlet. A potable water supply inlet supplies potable water to the air to water heat exchanger, which transfers heat to the potable water, and a potable water supply outlet supplies heated potable water, such as to a galley insert or galley appliance, for example. An exhaust air outlet vents cooled exhaust air from the air to water heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Peter J. L. Burd
  • Publication number: 20200064020
    Abstract: A heat exchanging unit exchanges heat between a fluid to be heated and exhaust gas. The heat exchanging unit includes a heat exchange portion, a header portion, and a flow changing portion. The heat exchange portion includes a heat exchange pipe in the interior of which the fluid to be heated flows. The header portion is connected to the heat exchange pipe, the header portion allowing the fluid to be heated to flow from the header portion to the heat exchange pipe or from the heat exchange pipe to the header portion. The flow changing portion changes the state of flow of the exhaust gas introduced into the heat exchange portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: PURPOSE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Aoki, Takeharu Totsuka, Kyohei Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20200064021
    Abstract: Process heaters and associated methods of processing with ultra-low pollutant emissions are provided. The process heaters and methods utilize a heat exchange tube having disposed therein a radiant permeable matrix burner at a first end of the tube. The tube further includes a thermally insulated insert disposed adjacent the radiant burner opposite an oxidant-fuel mixer that feeds the burner. The process heaters and methods act to reduce emissions of CO and NOx.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Aleksandr Kozlov, David Kalensky, Mark Khinkis, Vladimir Shmelev, Vladimir Nikolaev
  • Publication number: 20200064022
    Abstract: A heat emitting radiator for heating a space is provided that includes a radiator panel with tubing forming a fluid circuit or loop, wherein the loop includes at least one opening for inserting a heating element that can heat a fluid in the fluid circuit. The radiator may also include a heat absorbing material, such as stone, in thermal contact with the radiator panel. The radiator can be selectively de-activated when a certain temperature has been achieved in the space or in the fluid, allowing heat absorbed by a heat absorbing material positioned within the radiator to then be radiated into the space. The radiator can then be re-activated when a selected low temperature has been reached. The heating element may be a DC electrical heating element configured to be connected to an AC power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Ray King
  • Publication number: 20200064023
    Abstract: An electric water heater appliance is provided herein. The electric water heater appliance may include a tank, an electric heating element, and a temperature sensor. The tank may define an interior volume extending from a top portion to a bottom portion. The interior volume may define a volume height along a vertical direction between the bottom portion and the top portion. The electric heating element may be operable to heat water within the interior volume. The temperature sensor may be attached to the tank above the electric heating element. A sensor gap may be defined along the vertical direction between the electric heating element and the temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Craig lung-Pei Tsai, Alan George Constance
  • Publication number: 20200064024
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a smoke tube boiler which can prevent leakage of mixed gas and exhaust gas through a gap between a mix chamber and an ignition bar assembly. To this end, the smoke tube boiler according to the present invention comprises: a mix chamber having a mixing space, in which a combustion gas and air are mixed, and a flat plate type burner, the mix chamber being disposed on the upper side of a combustion chamber; an ignition bar assembly assembled to pass through one side of the mix chamber and extending across the upper portion of the combustion chamber to the lower side of the flat plate type burner; and a sealing means for preventing the mixed gas in the mixing space and an exhaust gas in the combustion chamber from leaking to the outside through a gap between the mix chamber and the ignition bar assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: KYUNGDONG NAVIEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Kyu PARK, Duck Sik PARK, Jung Woo KIM
  • Publication number: 20200064025
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hot water storage-type boiler having both a heat amount proportional control function and a backflow prevention function to prevent a backflow of exhaust gas with a simple structure. In the present invention, since a check valve is integrally coupled to a burner duct, there is an effect of convenient assembly. In addition, since the check valve is built in the burner duct, the check valve does not protrude to the outside, thereby having an effect that a separate space is not required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Young-Hwan CHOI
  • Publication number: 20200064026
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a solar heating system for cyclic heating of a swimming pool, relating to the swimming pool heating technology. The solar heating system structurally comprises a swimming pool, solar heaters and a water pump. Compared with the prior art, a solar panel is mainly added, and the water pump is installed on a solar heater in an integrated way that the water pump is connected with not only the solar heater as a waterway, but also the solar panel as a power supply circuit. After the above-mentioned improvements, the whole solar heating system has the advantages such as a compact structure, convenient disassembly and assembly, and miniaturization. Since the solar panel independently supplies power to the water pump, the solar heating system can be used normally in an outdoor place far away from a mains socket. The application place is not restricted with wide application scope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: ZHEJIANG CIPU POOL&SPA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Huaiping WANG
  • Publication number: 20200064027
    Abstract: Trench-confirmable geothermal reservoirs with flexible reservoir bodies that can snugly abut trench walls (that may be of virgin, compacted earth) for facilitating heat exchange and flow liquid from one lower end to an opposing top end, and vice versa, depending on desired heat exchange. The direction can be reversed for summer and winter heat/cooling configurations. A series of the reservoirs may be used for appropriate heat transfer. The water volume of the reservoirs is relatively large and slow moving for good earth heat conduction. The reservoirs include first and second ports, one of which has an elongate internal tube that has a bottom that resides adjacent a bottom of the reservoir body and a series of apertures on only a lower portion of the internal tube to intake or output liquid depending on flow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Gary Scott Peele
  • Publication number: 20200064028
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a thermosiphon system operable to consistently maintain the permafrost and active frost layer in a frozen condition to adequately support buildings and other structures. During cooler seasons, the thermosiphon system uses a passive refrigeration cycle to efficiently maintain the frozen layers using the cold air. When the air temperature rises during the warmer months, the system transitions into an active refrigeration mode that uses a refrigeration system to minimize thawing or degradation of the permafrost and active frost layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: John A. Warren, William Fraser, Bailey Gamble
  • Publication number: 20200064029
    Abstract: A device for storing refrigerant of a refrigeration circuit and a method of operating the device, in particular for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle. The device has a housing having a volume-enclosing wall with an inlet for introducing a refrigerant-oil mixture, and an outlet, a refrigerant discharge line arranged in the interior of the housing with an inlet opening arranged above a liquid level of the refrigerant for receiving gaseous refrigerant, and a system for returning oil to a compressor having at least one through hole formed below the liquid level of the refrigerant, in particular below a filling level of the oil, in the refrigerant discharge line. In addition, at least one through hole formed in the refrigerant discharge line is formed with an adjustable through-flow cross section, which can be varied by means of a closing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Stephan Köster, Dominik Sernetz
  • Publication number: 20200064030
    Abstract: A double acting alpha Stirling refrigerator includes a piston cylinder and a piston, the piston is provided in the piston cylinder. The piston is in a clearance fit with an inner wall of the piston cylinder. A closed cavity is formed inside the piston. A cross-shaped four-way pipe is provided in the cavity of the piston. A one-way air outlet valve and a one-way air inlet valve are further respectively provided on the four-way pipe in the cavity of the piston. An air outlet for connecting the cavity of the piston to the inner cavity of the piston cylinder is provided on the piston. A traction frame movable relative to the piston cylinder is provided outside the piston cylinder, and the movement of the piston is controlled by the movement of the traction frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Liping NING
  • Publication number: 20200064031
    Abstract: A chilling unit and a temperature control system using water circulation includes a refrigerant circuit, a pipe through which a heat medium flows, a flow switching device, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and a controller. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a pair of air-side heat exchangers, an expansion valve, and a heat-medium-side heat exchanger that are connected to each other by pipes, thereby enabling refrigerant to circulate in the refrigerant circuit. The flow switching device switches between refrigerant-circulation routes. The controller controls the compressor in accordance with a target outlet temperature, the temperature of the heat medium detected by the temperature sensor, and a pressure difference in the heat medium detected by the pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Yoshio YAMANO, Kimitaka KADOWAKI, Takahiro AKIZUKI, Takuya ITO, Yasushi OKOSHI
  • Publication number: 20200064032
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-efficiency absorption heat pump system having increased utilization rate of a waste heat source, including: an evaporator to which a waste heat source inlet line through which a waste heat source inflows, is connected to absorb thermal energy from the waste heat source, and to which a refrigerant inlet line for supplying a refrigerant is connected; an absorber connected to the evaporator such that steam evaporated in the evaporator is fed thereto, and to which a hot water inlet line and a hot water outlet line extending from a flash tank are connected; a high temperature regenerator through which a waste heat source divide line branching off from the waste heat source inlet line passes, which heats LiBr solution fed to the absorber and regenerates the same, and is provided with a concentrated solution line for supplying the LiBr solution to the absorber; an auxiliary absorber to which the steam evaporated from the high temperature regenerator is transferred and which is
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: WORLD E&C CO.,LTD
    Inventor: In Gwan KIM
  • Publication number: 20200064033
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a variable capacity compressor system configured to pressurize refrigerant within a refrigerant circuit and a controller configured to receive data indicative of an operating capacity of the variable capacity compressor system and configured to adjust a superheat target setpoint of the refrigerant within the refrigerant circuit based on the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Nathan T. Ostrye, Aron M. Seiler
  • Publication number: 20200064034
    Abstract: In an air conditioner, an inlet pipe penetrates a location that is offset towards an outer circumferential side from an apex portion of a top portion. The suction pipe penetrates a location that is offset towards the outer circumferential side from an apex portion of a bottom portion and is inserted into the interior of the main body portion, and the suction inner pipe, which constitutes a portion of the suction pipe that lies in the interior of the main body portion, extends as far as an upper portion of the main body portion so that an inlet port is disposed in a space defined by the top portion. Then, the suction inner pipe includes a bend portion that is bent from a location lying slightly above a location where the suction pipe penetrates the bottom portion as an originating point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: FUJITSU GENERAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Takashi KIMURA, Kazuki SUDA
  • Publication number: 20200064035
    Abstract: Oleophobic and/or philic surface(s) are utilized for oil separation, direction, and/or collection in a refrigeration system. Surfaces of component(s) of a refrigeration system (compressor, oil separator, evaporator, etc.) are produced to be oleophobic or philic. The oleophobic and/or philic surfaces are utilized to direct a flow path of oil within the refrigeration system or to prevent oil connection in an area. Refrigerant phobic and/or lubricant phobic material(s) also may be utilized to help promote separation of refrigerant vapor from refrigerant liquid and/or from oil in refrigeration systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Ronald Maurice Cosby, II, Stephen Anthony Kujak, Jay Johnson
  • Publication number: 20200064036
    Abstract: A detection system and method of detection directed towards the detection of refrigerant leaking from a refrigerant circuit in a heating, ventilation, air condition, and refrigeration (HVACR) system. The system including a refrigerant circuit utilizes a mixture of working fluid and an additive. The system also includes a detection device that can detect the additive when external to the refrigerant circuit. A method of detecting leaking refrigerant includes adding a detectable fluid to a refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Stephen A. Kujak
  • Publication number: 20200064037
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a first compressor system, a second compressor system, a first conduit, a heat exchanger, a second conduit, and a third conduit. The first compressor system includes a plurality of first compressors. The second compressor system includes a plurality of second compressors. The first conduit is configured to provide refrigerant from the first compressor system to the second compressor system. The second conduit is fluidly coupled to the first conduit and configured to provide the refrigerant from the first compressor system to the heat exchanger. The third conduit is configured to provide the refrigerant from the second compressor system to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Ferretti, Victor N. Votary, Jeffrey Newel
  • Publication number: 20200064038
    Abstract: A heat exchanger of an HVAC system including an inlet header, an outlet header, and tubes configured to extend between the inlet header and the outlet header. The system also includes a first interchangeable refrigerant distributor segment of the inlet header, where the first interchangeable refrigerant distributor segment includes first orifices configured to fluidly couple with the tubes to facilitate distribution of refrigerant from the inlet header to the tubes in a first configuration. The system also includes a second interchangeable refrigerant distributor segment of the inlet header, where the second interchangeable refrigerant distributor segment includes second orifices configured to fluidly couple with the tubes to facilitate distribution of refrigerant from the inlet header to the tubes in a second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Nicholas P. Mislak
  • Publication number: 20200064039
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus, comprising: a compressor, the compressor being provided with an air exhaust opening and an air return opening; a condenser, a first end of the condenser being connected to the air exhaust opening; an evaporator, a first end of the evaporator being connected to the air return opening, a throttling element being connected in series between a second end of the evaporator and a second end of the condenser; a first control valve, the first control valve being connected in series between the evaporator and the compressor; an air suction device, a gas port of the air suction device being connected between the first control valve and the air return opening; and a control device, the control device being connected to the compressor, the first control valve, and the air suction device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Gaowei XU, Huawei ZHANG, Zengwu QING, Rui WANG
  • Publication number: 20200064040
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit, a controller, a bypass pipe, a refrigerant cooler, a second expansion device, and a controller temperature sensor. In a case where a temperature measured by the controller temperature sensor is lower than or equal to a set temperature in a state where an opening degree of the second expansion device is controlled to an instruction opening degree that is lower than or equal to a set opening degree, the controller is configured to perform foreign substance release control where the controller is configured to increase the opening degree of the second expansion device and then is configured to return the opening degree of the second expansion device to the instruction opening degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Takanori KOIKE, Osamu MORIMOTO, Hiroyuki OKANO
  • Publication number: 20200064041
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling temperature of a medium by refrigerant vaporization, the system including a container, at least one a refrigerant reservoir having at least one reservoir section that includes a wall with an exterior surface structured to be thermally coupled with a volume of the medium in the container and to provide a volume of medium thermal coverage in the container, a vapor pressure apparatus to provide regulation of refrigerant vapor pressure in the at least one refrigerant reservoir, whereby the refrigerant reservoir forms a vapor space in each of the at least one reservoir section in response to receiving refrigerant and to the vapor pressure apparatus regulation of vapor pressure above the refrigerant to enable refrigerant vaporization at or near a selected temperature of the volume of medium in the container that is thermally coupled to the respective reservoir section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas U. Abell
  • Publication number: 20200064042
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a compressor configured to circulate a refrigerant, a condenser configured to condense the refrigerant circulated by the compressor, a cooling component configured to cool a storage compartment using the refrigerant condensed by the condenser, and a processor configured to control driving of the cooling component, obtain a load variation of the storage compartment of the refrigerator, the load variation comprising a refrigeration cycle, identify a drive value for driving a component forming the refrigeration cycle based on the load variation, drive the cooling component based on the drive value, and obtain the load variation with a lapse of time during at least one cooling period in which the refrigeration cycle cools the storage cornpartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Shimizu Tatsuya, Soda Yasushi
  • Publication number: 20200064043
    Abstract: An icemaker employs a thermoformed ice tray that may have preprinted conductors providing for heating elements in capacitive sensing. Capacitive sensing may be used to control a water fill level and/or to detect complete freezing of the ice cubes and/or to detect complete ejection of the ice cubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Eric K. Larson, William D. Chatelle, Juan J. Barrena
  • Publication number: 20200064044
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and ice bin assembly therefor are provided herein. The ice bin may include a bin body, an ice sweep, a sweep gear, and a drive gear. The bin body may define a storage volume to receive ice therein. The ice sweep may be positioned below the storage volume. The sweep gear may be rotatable about a sweep axis. The drive gear may be positioned in mechanical communication with the sweep gear. The drive gear may be rotatable about a drive axis, the drive axis extending along a non-parallel angle relative to the sweep axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Louis A. Wantland, Bradley Nicholas Gilkey, Charles Benjamin Miller, Sateesh Kumar Kudikala
  • Publication number: 20200064045
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and ice bin assembly therefor are provided herein. The ice bin assembly or ice bin may be removably received within the chilled chamber. The ice bin may include a bin body, an ice sweep, and a gear assembly. The bin body may define a storage volume to receive ice therein. The ice sweep may be positioned within the ice bin. The gear assembly may be positioned within the ice bin below the ice sweep in mechanical communication with the ice sweep to motivate rotation of the ice sweep.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Louis A. Wantland, Gaurav Sanjay Katre, Lauren Nicole Platts
  • Publication number: 20200064046
    Abstract: An inline vending machine for ice and water vending installed within a store wall allowing a user to purchase ice and water without entering the store. A shipping frame for shipping and installation of the insulated wall into the store wall is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Manoj Tadhani, Kevin Coppock, Troy Doom
  • Publication number: 20200064047
    Abstract: An ice cube dispensing unit comprising a housing suitable for containing at least two ice cubes, and a dispensing mechanism arranged at one end of the housing. The dispensing mechanism comprises an opening which is large enough for the ice cubes to pass through, a wall arranged near an edge of the opening, and an ice cube displacing mechanism suitable for displacing the ice cubes out of the housing through said opening. The ice cube displacing mechanism and the wall are arranged such that the ice cubes pass between the wall and the ice cube displacing mechanism on their way out of the housing. The ice cube displacing mechanism is arranged at a distance from the wall such that the minimum distance A between the wall and an outer periphery of the ice cube displacing mechanism is less than the minimum dimension of the ice cubes and either the wall and/or the outer periphery of the ice cube displacing mechanism is displaceable to allow the distance A to increase to allow ice cubes to leave the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Icebreaker Nordic ApS
    Inventor: Kim JENSEN
  • Publication number: 20200064048
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a coolant circuit in which a speed-controlled compressor, an adjustable restrictor and a forced-air cooled first evaporator are connected in series. An evaporator chamber receives the first evaporator, a first storage compartment communicates with the evaporator chamber and a second storage compartment communicates with the evaporator chamber. A control unit or controller is configured to distribute cold air from the evaporator between the first and second storage compartments according to desired temperatures which can be adjusted differently for the first and the second storage compartments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: NIELS LIENGAARD, MATTHIAS MRZYGLOD
  • Publication number: 20200064049
    Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body, an air-conditioning membrane assembly and an air pump assembly. The refrigerator body defines a storage space and a compressor chamber therein, a storage container is arranged in the storage space, and a freshness-keeping space is defined inside the storage container. The air-conditioning membrane assembly is provided with at least one air-conditioning membrane and an oxygen-rich gas collection chamber and configured to allow more oxygen than nitrogen in airflow in a surrounding space of the air-conditioning membrane assembly to pass through the air-conditioning membrane and enter the oxygen-rich gas collection chamber. An air pump pumps gas in the oxygen-rich gas collection chamber to the outside of the freshness-keeping space, such that a ratio of the content of nitrogen in the freshness-keeping space to the content of oxygen in the freshness-keeping space is greater than 78/21.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: HAOQUAN LIU, BO JIANG, LEI WANG, RUOWU XIN
  • Publication number: 20200064050
    Abstract: Coolers with airflow management systems are disclosed. The coolers may include a cabinet that has a door with a transparent section. A refrigeration unit may be coupled to the cabinet. The refrigeration unit has an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet. The cross sectional area of the airflow outlet may be less than the cross sectional area of the airflow inlet. The refrigeration unit may be fluidly coupled to an airflow management system that is in fluid communication with the airflow outlet. The airflow management system includes discharge vents and turbulence reduction vents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: PEPSICO, INC
    Inventor: Prashant DESPHANDE
  • Publication number: 20200064051
    Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigeration and freezing device, including a case body, a door body, an oxygen-enrichment membrane assembly, an air pump, and a refrigeration system. For the refrigeration and freezing device, temperature within an appropriate storage range and a nitrogen-rich and oxygen-deficient atmosphere cooperate, thereby effectively extending the shelf life of foods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: BO JIANG, LEI WANG, HAOQUAN LIU, RUOWU XIN
  • Publication number: 20200064052
    Abstract: An air-regulating freshness-preserving storage device comprises a container having a first storage space defined therein; and an oxygen removal device configured to remove a part or all of oxygen in air in the first storage space, so as to obtain the air rich in nitrogen, low in oxygen, and favorable for food preservation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: XIAOBING ZHU, BO JIANG, LEI WANG, HAO ZHANG, MING WANG, BIN FEI
  • Publication number: 20200064053
    Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body, an air-conditioning membrane assembly and an air pump assembly. The refrigerator body defines a storage space and a compressor chamber therein, a storage container is arranged in the storage space, and a freshness-keeping space is defined inside the storage container. The air-conditioning membrane assembly is configured to allow more oxygen than nitrogen in airflow in a surrounding space of the air-conditioning membrane assembly to pass through the air-conditioning membrane and enter an oxygen-rich gas collection chamber. An inlet end of the air pump is communicated with the oxygen-rich gas collection chamber in a controlled manner via a pipeline and a pipeline switching mechanism, for pumping gas in the oxygen-rich gas collection chamber to the outside of the freshness-keeping space, such that the actual content of oxygen in the freshness-keeping space is in a range of 2% to 19%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: XIAOBING ZHU, BO JIANG, LEI WANG, HAOQUAN LIU, RUOWU XIN
  • Publication number: 20200064054
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a condensate collection assembly that includes a condensate collection trough configured to couple to the heat exchanger, the condensate collection trough having a condensate receptacle and a channel, the condensate receptacle is configured to be positioned adjacent to a condensate flow path of the heat exchanger and receive a condensate from the condensate flow path, and the channel is configured to direct the condensate from the condensate receptacle to a condensate pan and a cover disposed over the channel, where the cover is configured to restrict a flow of air from entering the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Drew H. Carlton, Cody J. Kaiser, Wayne E. Romero
  • Publication number: 20200064055
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing a cold beverage with an apparatus (1) for mixing and storing a beverage, said apparatus comprising: —a container body (2), comprising a floor (21) and a sidewall (22) extending upwardly and longitudinally from the floor to an upper edge (221), —a removable and rotatable mixing device (23) positioned within the container body, —a motor (3) cooperating with the mixing device (23) through the floor of the container body in order to rotate the mixing device, wherein the method comprises the step of: —providing a mixing device (23), a part of said mixing device being covered with ice, —positioning said mixing device in the container body (2) in order to cooperate with the motor, —introducing at least one beverage liquid in the container body, —actuating the motor (3) to rotate the mixing device in the at least one beverage liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Vincent Boileau, Damien Wyttenbach, Cedric Beausire