Controls Flow Through Parallel Heating Or Cooling Means Patents (Class 165/101)
  • Patent number: 8364327
    Abstract: A system, methods, and user-friendly program product to optimize energy recovery for a process or cluster of processes under all possible combinations of given process changes and stream-specific minimum temperature approach values without enumeration, are provided. The systems, methods, and program product can include steps/operations to identify an optimal set of discrete target temperature values for the process streams for a given heat exchanger network design, to identify which target temperature values of the various process streams have the most significant economic impact on the process or cluster of processes, and to identify process stream supply attribute ranges of variations, e.g., in the form of a criticality list for the plurality of process streams, e.g., resulting from disturbances and/or uncertainty, which have a highly significant or otherwise critical effect on streams target temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mahmoud Bahy Noureldin, Majid Mohammed Al-Gwaiz
  • Patent number: 8235101
    Abstract: A parallel flow heat exchanger system (10, 50, 100, 200) for heat pump applications in which single and multiple paths of variable length are established via flow control systems which also allow for refrigerant flow reversal within the parallel flow heat exchanger system (10, 50, 100, 200), while switching between cooling and heating modes of operation. Examples of flow control devices are an expansion device (80) and various check valves (70, 72, 74, 76). The parallel flow heat exchanger system may have converging or diverging flow circuits and may constitute a single-pass or a multi-pass evaporator together with and a multi-pass condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Taras, Alexander Lifson
  • Patent number: 8230911
    Abstract: A method is provided for adjusting several parallel connected heat exchangers supplied with a coolant medium. The aim of the invention is to simplify the adjustment. For this purpose, the method consists in a) determining a specific value of heat requirement for each heat exchanger in a predetermined time period; b) comparing the specific values of all heat exchangers therebetween and c) in modifying the adjustment of the heat exchanger having the lowest specific value of heat requirement in such a way that the heat requirement thereof is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Joergen Seerup, Niels Gregersen
  • Patent number: 8225849
    Abstract: A charge intercooler for a motor vehicle includes a heat transfer block with tubes through which charge air flows, airboxes connected to the tubes that form a charge air inlet and a charge air outlet, and a movable body mounted in one of the airboxes for selectively blocking at least some of the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Daniel Hendrix
  • Patent number: 8210244
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger, in particular a radiator for motor vehicles, comprising a black consisting of tubes and ribs and a lower and upper collection chamber, the lower collection chamber having several chambers which are separated from one another by partitions and between which a fluidic connection can be established. If necessary, by means of a displaceable actuator via connection orifices (17, 18, 19) that are located in a connection channel (16). According to the invention, the actuator is configured as a piston (30) that can be displaced axially between an open and a closed position and the cross-sections of the connection channel (16) and the piston (30) taper from the exterior to the interior in the vicinity of the connection orifices (17, 18, 19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Vladyslav Kuniavskyi, Matthias Schüle
  • Patent number: 8151872
    Abstract: Apparatus to control a temperature of a device that includes: a thermal head adapted to be thermally contacted to the device; a combined path to the thermal head; a first path maintained at a first temperature and connected to the combined path; a second path maintained at a second temperature different from the first temperature and connected to the combined path; a third path connected to the combined path; a pump assembly operable to circulate thermal transfer fluid: from the thermal head, through each of the first, second and third paths, from each of the first, second and third paths, through the combined path, and from the combined path, to and through the thermal head; and a valve assembly operable to control amounts of thermal transfer fluid that flow into the first and second paths, thereby controlling the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Centipede Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Di Stefano
  • Patent number: 8150559
    Abstract: Systems and program product for managing/assessing heat exchanger network energy efficiency and retrofit for an industrial facility, are provided. An embodiment of a system can include a heat exchanger network analysis and design computer and heat exchange network analysis and design program product configured to cause the heat exchange network analysis and design computer to perform various operations including those for determining an optimal heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence extending between a current heat exchanger network retrofit project satisfying a current desired waste energy recovery goal and a future heat exchanger network retrofit project satisfying the final waste energy recovery goal. The heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence can be configured so that each subsequent project within the heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence does not contradict any of the previous projects within the heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Mahmoud Bahy Noureldin
  • Patent number: 8150560
    Abstract: Methods for managing/assessing heat exchanger network energy efficiency and retrofit for an industrial facility, are provided. An embodiment of a method can include the performance of perform various steps/operations including those for determining an optimal heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence extending between a current heat exchanger network retrofit project satisfying a current desired waste energy recovery goal and a future heat exchanger network retrofit project satisfying the final waste energy recovery goal. The heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence can be configured so that each subsequent project within the heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence does not contradict any of the previous projects within the heat exchanger network retrofit projects sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Mahmoud Bahy Noureldin
  • Patent number: 8132616
    Abstract: Disclosed is a temperature conditioning system including several thermal transfer blocks, where each is associated with one of several components requiring thermal management. Each of the components is associated with a different time dependent thermal management profile. A fluid path, with a heat transfer fluid, connects one or more transports to the thermal transfer blocks. For each thermal transfer block, at least one thermo-responsive valve is located downstream from the thermal transfer block. The thermo-responsive valve is passive in that it does not require energy other than thermal energy to move from a starting position to an ending position and the thermo-responsive valve is free of any exterior control lines. A method of temperature conditioning components is also disclosed including circulating a heat transfer fluid and optimizing the flow rate of the heat transfer fluid in response to differential changes in temperature of the heat transfer fluid by actuating one or more thermo-responsive valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Brower, Bradley J. Horejsi
  • Patent number: 8051906
    Abstract: The assembly includes a pair of heat exchangers, each including an upper and lower manifold, parallel and spaced relative to one another. Tubes extend between each set of upper and lower manifolds with fins disposed between each of the tubes. A valve system controls fluid flow between the upper manifolds and the lower manifolds. The valve system is movable between a maximum cooling mode with fluid flow form the first upper manifold through both of the tubes and to said first lower manifold. A temperate mode allows fluid to flow from the first upper manifold to the first lower manifold and from the second upper manifold to the second lower manifold to prevent flash fogging. A maximum cooling mode allows fluid to flow from the second upper manifold through both of the first and second tubes to the lower manifolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Wolfe, IV, Gregory J. Kowalski, Prasad S. Kadle, John F. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8032262
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and program product to synthesize a grass-roots heat exchanger network for a plurality of hot process streams to be cooled and a plurality of cold process streams to be heated according to a plurality of utilities targets, are provided. An exemplary system includes a heat exchange network synthesizing computer and heat exchange network synthesizing program product configured to analyze the waste heat recovery problem without decomposition to produce a result having an optimal number of network heat exchanger units through application of advanced process-to-process matching schemes for both non-constrained and non-thermodynamically constrained problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Mahmoud Bahy Noureldin
  • Patent number: 8025097
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for setting and controlling temperature of a device that includes: (a) thermally contacting the device to a heat transfer apparatus, the heat transfer apparatus having an apparatus intake to receive thermal transfer fluid, an apparatus exhaust to output thermal transfer fluid, and a conduit to conduct thermal transfer fluid from the apparatus intake to the apparatus exhaust through the heat transfer apparatus; (b) flowing a first thermal transfer fluid in a first thermal control circuit at a first temperature, and flowing a second thermal transfer fluid in a second thermal control circuit at a second temperature; (c) at a first predetermined time, directing the first thermal transfer fluid to flow to the apparatus intake, and from the apparatus exhaust back to the first thermal control circuit and the second thermal transfer fluid to flow in the second thermal control circuit without flowing to the apparatus intake; and (d) at a second predetermined time, di
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Centipede Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter T. Di Stefano, Thomas H. Di Stefano
  • Publication number: 20110139402
    Abstract: A cooling system in a vehicle (1) powered by a combustion engine (2). A first line circuit (4) for cooling the combustion engine (2) and a second line circuit (5) which receives coolant from the first line circuit (4) for cooling at least one medium in a heat exchanger (14a, 14b). The second line circuit (5) includes a line (5b) with an extra radiator (9) and a bypass line (5c) with a valve (12) by which it is possible to distribute the coolant flow between the parallel lines (5b, 5c). A control unit (13) controls the valve (12) so that it leads at least a major part of the coolant through the line (5b) with the extra radiator (9) when there is need for extra cooling of the medium in the heat exchanger (14a, 14b) and so that it leads at least a major part of the coolant through the bypass line (5c) when there is no need for extra cooling of the medium in the heat exchanger (14a, 14b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Björn Kylefors, Sven Karlström, Anders Lampinen, Kristoffer Ågren
  • Patent number: 7931074
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes tubes which are arranged in parallel and through which a fluid for heating air flows. Fins which are joined to the tubes. The tubes and the fins are arranged to form three or more heating parts and at least two bypass passages each of which is provided between adjacent heating parts, through which the air passes without exchanging heat with the thermal fluid. First and second tank parts are arranged at two longitudinal ends of the tubes and extend across the bypass passages and the heating parts. The bypass passages and the heating parts are arranged perpendicular to an air flow direction. The heating heat exchanger is disposed in an air conditioning case down stream from an evaporator. The air conditioning case is separated into two air outlets. Cold air from the bypass passages and hot air from the heating parts are mixed prior to being blown through the air outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kouji Itou
  • Patent number: 7854256
    Abstract: A bypass valve for a heat exchanger including a plurality of parallel tubular members comprises a housing having a hollow plug portion adjacent to an actuator portion. The actuator comprises a reciprocating plunger extending into the plug portion and a solenoid having a central actuator shaft attached to the plunger, wherein the actuator shaft extends upon energization of the solenoid so that the plunger prevents bypass flow through the valve. The valve also comprises a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the fluid flowing through the heat exchanger, the temperature sensor being electrically coupled to the solenoid through one or more conductors, wherein the temperature sensor is located at the first end of the actuator shaft and the conductors extend through the hollow interior of the actuator shaft to the second end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Dana Canada Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Merle Pineo, Brian E. Cheadle, Yuri Peric
  • Publication number: 20100313591
    Abstract: An avionics cooling system includes a first heat exchange system, a second heat exchange system and a vapor cycle system. The second heat exchange system has a heat sink capacity that is generally out of phase with a heat sink capacity of the first heat exchange system. The vapor cycle includes a fluid loop in communication with the first and second heat exchange systems and the fluid loop transfers heat to the first and second heat exchange systems. A method for cooling aircraft components includes selectively directing a fluid having an elevated temperature in a fluid loop of a vapor cycle system to a first heat exchanger to transfer heat from the fluid to a fuel based on a heat sink capacity of the fuel, selectively directing the fluid to a second heat exchanger to transfer heat from the fluid to air based on a heat sink capacity of the air, and cooling aircraft components with the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles E. Lents, Scott F. Kaslusky
  • Patent number: 7665513
    Abstract: A heat exchanger structure of an automatic transmission stabilizing a temperature of oil is provided. A heat exchanger structure of an automatic transmission includes an automatic transmission, a first heat exchanger provided on an upstream side and a second heat exchanger provided on a downstream side, each capable of cooling oil ejected from the automatic transmission, and a thermo valve capable of supplying oil subject to heat exchange by at least one of first and second heat exchangers to the automatic transmission. When a temperature of the oil is relatively low, the thermo valve supplies oil passed through the first heat exchanger to the automatic transmission and shuts off a flow of oil from the second heat exchanger to the automatic transmission. When a temperature of the oil is relatively high, the thermo valve supplies oil passed through first and second heat exchangers to the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazumichi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7638038
    Abstract: A method for controlling the pseudo-isothermicity of a chemical reaction in a respective reaction zone. (9) in which the use of heat exchangers (6) is foreseen having an operating heat exchange fluid flowing through them and in which heat exchange critical areas (9a) are identified, the method being distinguished by the fact that it reduces and controls, in the critical areas (9a) of the reaction zone, the value of the heat exchange coefficient between the operating fluid and the zone (9), through thermal insulation of the portions (6a, 6b) of such exchangers extending in such areas (9a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Methanol Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Ermanno Filippi, Enrico Rizzi, Mirco Tarozzo
  • Patent number: 7594536
    Abstract: An EGR cooler including tubes and a shell enclosing the tubes. Cooling water is supplied into and discharged from the shell. Exhaust gas is guided from a diesel engine into the tubes for thermal exchange of the exhaust gas with the cooling water. A bypass flow path for guiding the cooling water is constituted within the shell so as to prevent stagnation of the cooling water in the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignees: Hino Motors, Ltd., Sankyo Radiator Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sugihara, Makoto Tsujita, Yoji Yamashita, Naoto Miwa, Junji Honma
  • Patent number: 7584782
    Abstract: A valve comprises an inlet portion configured to couple to a source of a fluid, and a body portion in fluidic communication with the inlet portion. The body portion defines a modulated flow path and a constant flow path adjacent to the modulated flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Bizzarro
  • Publication number: 20080307817
    Abstract: An integrated thermal management system is provided. The system includes a first device configured to release a first heat loss and coupled to an integrated cooling system. The system also includes at least a second device configured to release a second heat loss and coupled to the integrated cooling system. The system also includes at least one heat exchanger configured to release the first heat loss and the second heat loss to ambient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Roesner, Ralph Teichmann, Robert William Delmerico
  • Patent number: 7461687
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger which can suitably regulate the quantity, the feeding position or the feeding order of heat exchange medium fed into tubes to adjust heat exchange performance according to cooling and heating load. The heat exchanger comprises a plurality of tubes placed at least one header, each tube having both ends fixed to the header, medium-distributing means installed at the header for feeding heat exchange medium to the specific tubes, a tank placed over the medium-distributing means, the tank having a medium-inlet pipe, a medium-outlet pipe and distribution passages for feeding heat exchange medium to specific regions of the medium-distributing means, and medium-regulating means installed at the tank and operated in response to a control signal for adjusting the feed of the heat exchange medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Seongseok Han, Taeyoung Park
  • Patent number: 7458222
    Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus enables the temperature of a liquid located external to the apparatus in a recirculation loop to be controlled by heat transfer within the apparatus. A manifold fitting is also provided for distributing fluid from multiple conduits to a single conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Purity Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Troy J. Orr
  • Publication number: 20080223555
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus useful to control temperature of a device that includes: (a) a heat transfer apparatus; (b) a combined path to the heat transfer apparatus; (c) a first path maintained at a first temperature and connected to the combined path; (d) a second path maintained at a second temperature and connected to the combined path; (e) a third path connected to the combined path; (f) a pump assembly operable to circulate thermal transfer fluid: (i) from the heat transfer apparatus, (ii) through one or more of the first, second and third paths, (iii) from the one or more of the first, second and third paths, through the combined path, and (iv) from the combined path, to and through the heat transfer apparatus; and (g) a valve assembly operable to cause predetermined amounts of thermal transfer fluid to flow into one or more of the first, second, and third paths, thereby controlling the temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Centipede Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Di Stefano
  • Patent number: 7412945
    Abstract: A waste heat boiler includes an axial bypass pipe and multiple heat transfer pipes disposed within a cylindrical jacket. A hot exhaust gas stream transported between inlet and outlet ends of the heat transfer pipes is cooled by a coolant. A control system controls gas passage velocity and quantity of the exhaust gas stream through the bypass pipe whereby the exhaust gas stream exhaust temperature is maintained within a predetermined temperature range. The control system includes a stopper disposed at the outlet end of the bypass pipe and has a head plate extending into the outlet end of the bypass pipe. The stopper is axially displaceable from a closed position, where an outer surface of the stopper head plate contacts an inner surface of the bypass pipe outlet end. The gas passage formed between the inner surface of the bypass pipe outlet end and the outer surface of the stopper head plate has a cross-section that increases as the stopper is axially displaced from the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiri Jekerle, Heinrich Ormann, Klaus Rothenpieler
  • Patent number: 7406835
    Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a plurality of heat producing systems includes a heat exchanger having a plurality of cooling zones, each of which has a respective inlet and outlet for facilitating flow of a respective temperature control fluid therethrough. Each of the respective temperature control fluids facilitates temperature control of a respective heat producing system. A plurality of fans cool the temperature control fluids flowing through the heat exchanger, and a fan or fans are disposed proximate each zone of the heat exchanger to provide air flow substantially independently from the air flow over the other cooling zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: EMP Advanced Development, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Allen, Mark S. Bader, Robert D. Chalgren, Jr., Michael P. Lasecki, Michael W. Martin, Keith Brannstrom
  • Patent number: 7380411
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heat source unit capable of being used in either an air conditioner for switchable cooling and heating operation or an air conditioner for simultaneous cooling and heating operation. An air conditioner principally includes one heat source unit, a plurality of utilization units, and a connecting unit provided for each utilization unit. The heat source unit uses water as the heat source, and principally includes a compressing means, a main heat exchanger, a first switching means, a main refrigerant switching means, an auxiliary heat exchanger connected in parallel with the main heat exchanger, a second switching means, an auxiliary refrigerant switching means, and a liquid receiver. The auxiliary heat exchanger is capable of switching between functioning as an evaporator and a condenser, by the second switching means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Matsuoka, Shinri Sada, Hiroyuki Inoue, Hiroshi Fuchikami, Atsushi Umeda
  • Patent number: 7363962
    Abstract: A cold plate for a beverage chilling apparatus comprising a plurality of beverage conducting tubes sinuously arranged within a cast aluminum jacket. Interleaved between the beer conducting tubes are coolant conducting lines arranged in heat exchanging relation. The coolant lines are derived from a main coolant line pumping coolant to the cold plate, where a coolant inlet is divided into two separate smaller intermediate coolant segments at a first stage. Each intermediate glycol segment is then subdivided at a second stage into four heat exchanging coolant lines. At each subdivision of the coolant fluid conducting system, a pair of smaller lines equal distance from a feed line and having a smaller diameter than the feed line are incorporated using a two-for-one splitter so that each stage doubles the number of lines from the previous stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Cleland Sales Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Cleland
  • Patent number: 7360582
    Abstract: A cooling unit for cooling in particular power semiconductors contains a distributor for guiding liquid across a surface to be cooled. The distributor comprises an inlet manifold (8) and outlet manifold (9), whereby the inlet and outlet manifolds are connected through a flow cell, which has a main flow channel (50). The main channel is formed as a meandering sequence of channel segments (61,62,63,64). It has been found, that the transfer of heat by the liquid in the main flow channel can be improved by introducing a bypass flow channel (71,72,73) which allows the flow of liquid from the cell inlet to the cell outlet, wherein the bypass flow channel interconnects the channel segments of the main flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Danfoss Silicon Power GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Kristen Olesen
  • Patent number: 7322399
    Abstract: The heat exchange module, intended for a motor vehicle with internal combustion engine fitted with a high temperature cooling system and a low temperature cooling system, comprises at least one row of heat exchange tubes (102) connected to at least one inlet manifold (58, 64, 66) and to at least one outlet manifold (60, 62, 68), these tubes forming a heat exchange surface. It comprises surface distribution means (110, 42, 44) that are used to divide the heat exchange surface into a high temperature heat exchange section and a low temperature heat exchange section. The module preferably comprises a high temperature fixed section (52), a low temperature fixed section (54) and an intermediate section that can be allocated wholly or partly to the sections (52 and 54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Valeo Systems Thermiques
    Inventors: Pascal Guerrero, Jean-Louis Laveran, Jerome Genoist
  • Publication number: 20070240850
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, which can independently controls the volume of heat exchange medium flowing through tubes of a left heat exchange part and a right heat exchange part to independently control the temperature of a driver's seat and a passenger's seat, thereby realizing a compact structure since a temp door for controlling temperature is omitted from an air-conditioning system for the vehicle, which can reduce an operating force and increase durability since heat exchange medium controlling means are in a rotational structure, and which can minimize a temperature difference between the right and left sides thereof since the heat exchange medium is distributed to the tubes uniformly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventor: Seongseok Han
  • Patent number: 7210522
    Abstract: The invention constitutes an arrangement for cooling a vehicle component, for example a transmission, disposed adjacent to an engine, which arrangement includes a cooling circuit designed to feed a coolant through the transmission and including a line for coolant to the transmission and a line for coolant to the transmission. According to the invention, the cooling circuit is also designed to cool the engine and includes a further line for feeding the coolant to the engine, and the cooling circuit includes a flow control valve for controlling the coolant in the cooling circuit such that the flow of coolant to the vehicle component is lower than the flow to the engine. As a result of the invention, an improved arrangement is obtained for cooling, for example, a transmission, for example in heavy goods vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Marian Gruian
  • Patent number: 7201220
    Abstract: An air conditioner for automotive vehicles is disclosed. The flow rates of air supplied to an evaporator (4) and a heater (5) are adjusted by rotationally displacing a scroll casing (2b) and thus changing an air flow from a blower (2) to a predetermined direction. The air-mix door can thus be eliminated to allow a smaller size of an air-conditioner casing (3) (air-conditioning unit (1)). Also, the ratio between cool air flow rate and hot air flow rate is adjusted by rotationally displacing the scroll casing (2b) with a spur gear (2c) and, therefore, the size and the production cost of the air conditioner can be reduced as compared with a conventional system in which an air-mix door is swung by a link mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Tokunaga, Koji Ito, Masakazu Nagaya
  • Patent number: 7168419
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas heat exchanger comprising a bundle of pipes consisting of exhaust gas pipes and a bypass channel in a common housing. The pipe bundle is arranged in a first chamber that is crossflown by a liquid coolant and the bypass channel is arranged in a second, separate chamber. The pipe bundle and the by pass channel lead into a common exhaust gas inlet area and a common exhaust gas outlet area in which an exhaust gas valve actuated by a servo-drive is arranged, said valve guiding the exhaust gas flow through the pipe bundle or the bypass channel. According to the invention, the exhaust gas valve has a movable closing organ that is resistant to bending, said organ being preferably embodied as a pivoting semi-flap that is fixed with a longitudinal side to a drive shaft that is arranged crosswise relative to the exhaust gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Rosin, Bernhard Bronischewski, Ulrich Fassbender, Manfred Heinze, Andreas Krien, Markus Wallraven
  • Patent number: 7032577
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas heat exchanger (2) comprising a bundle of pipes (21) consisting of exhaust gas pipes (22) and a bypass channel (23) in a common housing. The pipe bundle is arranged in a first chamber that is crossflown by a liquid coolant and the bypass channel is arranged in a second, separate chamber. The pipe bundle and the bypass channel lead into a common exhaust gas inlet area and a common exhaust gas outlet area in which an exhaust gas valve actuated by a servo-drive is arranged, said valve guiding the exhaust gas flow through the pipe bundle or the bypass channel. According to the invention, the exhaust gas valve has a movable closing organ that is resistant to bending, said organ being preferably embodied as a pivoting semi-flap (27) that is fixed with a longitudinal side (28) to a drive shaft (30) that is arranged crosswise relative to the exhaust gas flow (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: BEHR GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Rosin, Bernhard Bronischewski, Ulrich Fassbender, Manfred Heinze, Andreas Krien, Markus Wallraven
  • Patent number: 7028768
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hydronic system is provided. The hydronic system includes a plurality of fluid heat exchange units for feeding a load, and a bypass valve for bypassing the load. The method includes operating at least a first and a second fluid heat exchange unit in the hydronic system to heat or cool a fluid. An output fluid flow of each of the operating fluid heat exchange units is monitored. The monitored output fluid flow of each fluid heat exchange unit is compared to a predetermined fluid flow setpoint. The output fluid flow of each of the operating fluid heat exchange units is adjusted towards the predetermined fluid flow setpoint if the monitored output flow is different from the predetermined fluid flow setpoint by at least a predetermined margin. A combined output fluid flow of the operating fluid heat exchange units is also monitored. The bypass valve is at least partially opened if the combined output fluid flow is below a predetermined minimum combined output fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Dennis Aler, James Jin-Hao Gu, Karen Jo Sanchez
  • Patent number: 6942183
    Abstract: An air conditioning pack for an aircraft provides primary and secondary heat exchangers arranged in a ram air duct. A third heat exchanger is arranged in the ram air duct and is fluidily connected to the primary and secondary heat exchangers. The overall or combined size of the primary, secondary, and third heat exchangers is less than that of the typical primary and secondary heat exchangers of the prior art. A combination of heat exchangers is used to provide cooling during worst case scenarios enabling efficient use of the overall heat exchangers configuration to provide the desired cooling capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand
    Inventor: Thomas M. Zywiak
  • Patent number: 6802368
    Abstract: A system for and method of controlling the temperature of a flat workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer are disclosed. The workpiece is mounted on a workpiece chuck which is mounted over a base between the chuck and a host machine such as a wafer prober used to test integrated circuits on a wafer. The chuck includes an upper portion on which the workpiece is mounted. The temperature of the upper portion of the chuck is controlled to control the temperature of the workpiece. The temperature of the base is controlled to reduce the amount of heat flow between the chuck and the host machine. A power and control system includes a switching power supply which provides power to system components including heaters in the chuck used to heat the workpiece. A series of filters removes electrical noise generated by the switching power supply such that low-noise operation is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Temptronic Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Getchel, Kenneth M. Cole, Sr., Henry A. Lyden
  • Patent number: 6749007
    Abstract: A compact cooling system including a radial fan directing air flow outwardly and a plurality of heat exchangers disposed around the radial fan. Each heat exchanger has a plurality of tubes extending between an inlet header and an outlet header, with the headers extending generally in the same direction as the fan axis. A system inlet is connected to the inlet headers and a system outlet is connected to the outlet headers, whereby the length of the connection between each heat exchanger and the system outlet and system inlet is generally the same for each heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael Ehlers, Wolfgang Knecht, Daniela Fischer, Roland Strähle, Jörg Soldner, Werner Zobel
  • Patent number: 6688376
    Abstract: A coil modulator apparatus for use in connection with heat transfer coil assemblies found in commercial heating and air conditioning units is used to limit the number of active tube sections in cooling coil assemblies. The two port modulator apparatus comprises an inner valve, having valve ports in the sides of the valve, that rotates within an outer housing having openings that correspond to those ports in the inner valve. Apertures in the outer housing connect with upstream and downstream tube sections in the bank of tubes. As the actuator arm of the coil assembly is rotated this rotates one of the valves changing the orientation of the outer and inner valve ports and so cutting off water flow in various tubes depending upon how far the actuator is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Peter Koenig
  • Publication number: 20030213581
    Abstract: A coil modulator apparatus for use in connection with heat transfer coil assemblies found in commercial heating and air conditioning units is used to limit the number of active tube sections carrying fluid in cooling coil assemblies. The single port modulator apparatus comprises an inner valve with an inner and outer housing. The modulator has valve ports in the sides of the modulator. The inner valve rotates within the outer housing and the openings in the inner housing correspond to those ports in the outer valve. These openings connect with upstream or downstream tube sections in the bank of tubes and allow flow of fluid to be diverted. The actuator arm of the coil assembly rotates the inner valve thus changing the orientation of the outer and inner valve ports and so diverting fluid flow from various numbers of tubes depending upon how far the actuator is moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Peter Koenig
  • Patent number: 6640543
    Abstract: A variable displacement engine is provided with a group of variably operated cylinders which are controllable to start and stop operation under predetermined operating conditions, and a group of invariable operated cylinders which are constantly in operation irrespective of the operating condition. The engine is operably connected to a variable displacement control system operable to deactivate the operation of the group of variably operated cylinders under predetermined operating conditions, such as idling, highway cruising speeds, and the like, so that the overall fuel efficiency of the engine is improved. In an aspect of the present invention, a turbocharger is provided. The turbocharger includes an inlet for receiving exhaust gas from the invariable operated cylinders and an outlet for supplying compressed air to the variable operated cylinders. In one embodiment, the engine is a reciprocating piston type engine, and in another embodiment, the engine is a rotary piston type engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Western Washington University
    Inventor: Michael Ronald Seal
  • Patent number: 6626234
    Abstract: A coil modulator apparatus for use in connection with heat transfer coil assemblies found in commercial heating and air conditioning units is used to divert passage of water flow in certain sections of each tube in the coil assembly. The coil modulator apparatus comprises an inner valve, having valve ports in the sides of the valve, that rotates within an outer housing. Apertures in the outer housing connect with each tube in the bank of tubes so that there is an aperture in the outer housing that connects with both the downstream tube section and the upstream tube section of each tube. A portion of the water that collects in the modulator then flows back out of the modulator and into each of the downstream sections of every tube in the coil assembly. Another portion of the water in the modulator is diverted from the bank of tubes so that it flows out of the bypass tube of the modulator and directly back to the return feed of the coil assembly unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Peter Koenig
  • Publication number: 20030159801
    Abstract: A coil modulator apparatus for use in connection with heat transfer coil assemblies found in commercial heating and air conditioning units is used to divert passage of water flow in certain sections of each tube in the coil assembly. The coil modulator apparatus comprises an inner valve, having valve ports in the sides of the valve, that rotates within an outer housing. Apertures in the outer housing connect with each tube in the bank of tubes so that there is an aperture in the outer housing that connects with both the downstream tube section and the upstream tube sections of each tube. A portion of the water that collects in the modulator then flows back out of the modulator and into each of the downstream sections of every tube in the coil assembly. Another portion of the water in the modulator is diverted from the bank of tubes so that it flows out of the bypass tube of the modulator and directly back to the return feed of the coil assembly unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Peter Koenig
  • Patent number: 6527046
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has a core provided with passages for a liquid to keep cool and passages for a cooling medium, a first collection tank for supplying the liquid, a second collection tank for withdrawing the liquid, at least one third collection tank, the core being divided into at least two sections through which the liquid successively flows and which are interconnected by the at least one third collection tank, one of the sections being connected with the first collection tank, while the other of the sections being connected with the second collection tank, a bypass line connected with the third collection tank and in parallel with the other sections, and structure for activating and deactivating the bypass lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: AKG of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Grover Richard White
  • Publication number: 20030037919
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connected chilling-hating system capable of saving delivering power during reduced load periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Takashi Okada, Masakazu Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20030034149
    Abstract: This invention provides a thermal energy system comprising a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy between a source and a load, the heat exchanger having a primary side associated with the source, and a secondary side for conducting a fluid associated with the load, wherein the secondary side of the heat exchanger is passively back-flushed upon consumption of a portion of the fluid. Passive back-flushing prevents fouling of the heat exchanger due to sediments, scale, and mineral deposits which may be present in the circulating fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen J. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20030019620
    Abstract: Bypass valves and heat exchangers employing same are shown where the bypass valves cause the flow through the heat exchangers to be short-circuited under certain temperature conditions. The heat exchangers are formed of stacked plate pairs or tubes having enlarged communicating distal end portions forming inlet and outlet manifolds. The bypass valves can be plugged in where desired between the enlarged distal end portions to produce bypass flow between the inlet and outlet manifolds. The bypass valves include a housing which can be brazed in place during brazing of the heat exchanger. The housing has inlet and outlet openings in communication with the respective inlet and outlet manifolds for bypass flow therebetween. A removable temperature responsive actuator is located in the housing for blocking and unblocking the bypass flow through the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Gregory Merle Pineo, Brian Edward Cheadle
  • Patent number: 6510892
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has a plurality of fluidically parallel first layers which define first heat exchanger ducts through which a first medium is capable of flowing, and in each case has a second layer between the two first layers. The respective second layer is in thermal contact with the two adjacent first layers and defines at least one second heat exchanger duct through which a second medium is capable of flowing in parallel. The respective second layer comprises two fluidically parallel layer plies. A controllable supply of the second medium to the one and/or the other layer ply in each case is provided. Such a heat exchanger can be used, in particular, as an evaporator with an integrated starting and main evaporator part, and particularly as an evaporator in a reforming plant of a fuel-cell vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Stefan Boneberg, Bruno Motzet, Alois Tischler, Marc Weisser
  • Patent number: 6450254
    Abstract: A plurality of autonomously controlled valves in a fluid distribution system are interconnected by a data communication network. The system also includes fluid flow sensors which report to the system by way of the network. The autonomous controllers include information as to their neighbors or environment sufficient to determine malfunctions such as a leak or break in an associated path, and can take autonomous action. The actions are established by the autonomous controllers regardless of the existence of a connection to the network, so that even if the network connection fails or is damaged, the valve can still respond to its own flow sensor with predetermined actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.
    Inventors: Scott Baxter Hoyle, Michael Anthony McSweeney