Reheat Of Cooled Air Downstream Of Indirect-contact Cooling Means Patents (Class 165/228)
  • Patent number: 11307176
    Abstract: A standard-moisture generator includes a flow controller configured to control a flow of a gas, a dryer connected to the flow controller, configured to absorb water molecules in the gas and to generate a dry gas having a background moisture, a moisture cell connected to the dryer, configured to add an object moisture to the dry gas, and a delay member connected to the moisture cell, configured to pass the dry gas with a delay time depending on a concentration of the background moisture in the dry gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Ball Wave Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuke Tsukahara, Osamu Hirayama, Nobuo Takeda, Toshihiro Tsuji, Kazushi Yamanaka, Toru Oizumi, Hideyuki Fukushi, Nagisa Sato, Shingo Akao, Tatsuhiro Okano
  • Patent number: 11175059
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a control unit, a circulation system, an AC-to-DC conversion unit, and a fan module. The control unit detects an area temperature, controls the compressor unit being in operation or not in operation according to the area temperature and a setting temperature set by the control unit, and control a rotation speed of the condensing fan according to a temperature difference between the area temperature and the setting temperature. When the area temperature is greater than the setting temperature, the control unit controls the compressor unit being in operation and control the condensing fan being in full-speed operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Lee-Lung Chen, Yen-Chang Chen, Chia-Wei Chen, Jian-Jhang Wu
  • Patent number: 11092347
    Abstract: Multiple-zone chilled beam air conditioning systems for cooling multiple-zone spaces, methods of controlling chilled beams in multi-zone air conditioning systems, and chilled-beam modules for controlling zones of a chilled-beam heating and air conditioning system. Embodiments include a pump serving each zone that both recirculates water within the module and chilled beam and circulates water in and out of a chilled water distribution system through one or more valves to control the temperature of the water delivered to the chilled beams. Different embodiments adjust the temperature of the beam to avoid condensation, change pump speed to save energy or increase capacity, provide heating as well as cooling, use check valves to reduce the number of control valves required, can be used in two- or four-pipe systems, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SEMCO LLC
    Inventors: John C. Fischer, Kirk T. Mescher, Richard K. Mitchell, Stephen P. Glen, Steven S. Carroll
  • Patent number: 10969123
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that include providing a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system with a system controller and an indoor air handling unit comprising an auxiliary heat source, whereby the system controller is configured to employ a hysteresis control algorithm to operate the HVAC system in a cooling mode while simultaneously operating the auxiliary heat source to provide a dehumidified, temperature-conditioned airflow to a zone conditioned by the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Kraft, Jason Thomas LeRoy, Roy Crawford
  • Patent number: 10837658
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes: a duct including an upstream flow path unit having an inlet through which air is taken in, and a downstream flow path unit provided with an outlet through which the air is discharged; a cooling unit positioned in the upstream flow path unit of the duct and cools the air; and a heating unit that is positioned in the downstream flow path unit of the duct and heats the air. The upstream flow path unit has a partition plate that partitions an inside space thereof into a main-flow flow path and a sub-flow flow path. The cooing unit is positioned in the main-flow flow path. The upstream flow path unit is provided with a flowrate adjusting member that covers at least a part of the sub-flow flow path so as to adjust an opening area of the sub-flow flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Shinwa Controls Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nishimura, Isamu Sasaki, Yosuke Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10775056
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved dehumidification and/or air conditioning systems, and associated methods and equipment, for example for use in a natatorium housing a swimming pool, or other buildings which may enclose sources of humidity or otherwise resulting in a need for air treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED MAINTENANCE, INC.
    Inventor: Adam J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10386089
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for regulating humidity of an enclosed space. The HVAC system includes an evaporator coil. A metering device is fluidly coupled to the evaporator coil. A variable-speed compressor is fluidly coupled to the condenser coil and the evaporator coil and a controller is operatively coupled to the variable-speed compressor. A humidity sensor is operatively coupled to the controller and exposed to the enclosed space. Responsive to a determination that the relative humidity of the enclosed space exceeds the maximum humidity threshold, the controller adjusts a speed of the variable-speed compressor to increase latent capacity of the HVAC system. Responsive to a determination that the relative humidity of the enclosed space falls below the minimum humidity threshold, the controller adjusts a speed of the variable-speed compressor to decrease latent capacity of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Derek Phillips
  • Patent number: 10054324
    Abstract: According to various aspects and embodiments, a system and method for controlling humidity and temperature are disclosed. The system includes temperature and humidity sensors, at least one unit configured to cool, heat, dehumidify, and humidify air, and a control module. The control module is configured to receive set point values for the temperature and humidity and to receive measured air and temperature values from the sensors. The control module then calculates differences between the measured values and the set point values to determine respective temperature and humidity error values. The control module controls the operation of the at least one unit based on a comparison between the temperature error value and the humidity error value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniele Marchetti, Fabio Greggio
  • Patent number: 10025278
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an input unit, an output unit, a change amount determination unit, and an instruction unit. The input unit is configured to input a measured temperature that is a measured value of a temperature of a measurement point. The output unit is configured to output a manipulated variable to a temperature control mechanism configured to control the temperature of the measurement point to be a set temperature, the manipulated variable being used for controlling the set temperature. The change amount determination unit is configured to determine an amount of temporal change of the input measured temperature. The instruction unit is configured to instruct the output unit to output a unit manipulated variable with a predetermined manipulated variable as a unit, based on a determination by the change amount determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michihiko Iida
  • Patent number: 10006392
    Abstract: To achieve a physical quantity detection device capable of obtaining a desired overall device accuracy without unnecessarily raising the tolerances of detection elements, the present invention is characterized by having a plurality of physical quantity detection units for respectively detecting plurality of physical quantities, a storage unit for storing the error characteristics of individual physical quantity detection units, a physical quantity calculation unit for using at least two physical quantities detected by at least two of the plurality of physical quantity detection units to calculate a separate physical quantity, and an error calculation unit for reading the error characteristics of the plurality of physical quantity detection units from the storage unit and calculating the error of the separate physical quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hoshika, Takayuki Yogo, Takahiro Miki, Takeo Hosokawa, Yuki Isoya
  • Patent number: 9924639
    Abstract: The temperature control structure for indoor gardens is a temperature controlled space that protects plants from heat stress. The temperature control structure for indoor gardens is a water cooled structure. A plurality of fans are also provided to provide air flow through the structure. The temperature control structure for indoor gardens comprises a cooling structure and a basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Chandler A. Arrighi
  • Patent number: 9772634
    Abstract: An improved incubator and control apparatus include separate temperature and humidity control loops wherein a commanded temperature and a commanded relative humidity (RH) value are commanded to the control apparatus via a user interface. The control apparatus employs a humidifier rate saturation controller which acts responsive to both a humidity control signal and a current temperature to regulate the addition of humidity to the air within the incubator assembly to avoid a transient humidity from exceeding a predetermined value and thereby avoiding the generation of condensation within the incubator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Sanjay Bharadwaj, Uttama Kumar Sahu
  • Patent number: 9557084
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of operating a refrigeration system includes measuring a relative humidity of a container and comparing the measured relative humidity to a humidity set point. The method also includes operating evaporator fans of a refrigeration system when the measured relative humidity is above the humidity set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ole Thogersen, Allan Dyrmose
  • Patent number: 8365542
    Abstract: The present invention provides an energy efficient air conditioner that can provide a continuous supply of air at dew point that is several degrees Celsius below zero, without requiring a defrost cycle. The air conditioner in accordance to present invention comprises a plurality of cooling coils with interconnecting refrigerant piping, refrigeration circuit consisting of compressor and condenser coils, control circuit and one or more electric motor driven centrifugal fan. The present invention uses two cooling systems. The first cooling system having single coil cools the air to a temperature just above zero deg. C., say four deg. C. so that the second stage gets a steady supply of cold air. The second stage has two coils, each being half the size of the first stage coil, thus taking half the air from it so that all the air from stage 1 passes through stage 2. In operation, only one coil of the second stage is active arid chills the air going through it to say minus 14 Deg. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Surendra Himatlal Shah
  • Patent number: 8151579
    Abstract: A cooling recover system and method are disclosed. A fluid, such as water, is chilled and provided to a cooling coil to cool and dehumidify air passing over the cooling coil. The fluid is output from the cooling coil through an outlet, and at least a portion of the fluid from the outlet of the cooling coil is provided to an inlet of a heat transfer coil to reheat air passing over the heat transfer coil. The fluid is warmed as it passes through the cooling coil, which warmer temperature serves to reheat the air passing over the heat transfer coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Scot M. Duncan
  • Publication number: 20090223240
    Abstract: A dehumidifier unit includes a first coil in fluid communication with a source of cooling fluid, a second coil in fluid communication with the source of cooling fluid, a third coil in fluid communication with the source of cooling fluid, and a thermal unit disposed between the source of cooling fluid and the second and third coils. The thermal unit may be adapted to remove heat from cooling fluid flowing to the second coil and adapted to heat cooling fluid flowing to the third coil. A fan may be configured to move air across the first, second and third coils. The first coil may be configured to pre-cool air moving over the first coil, the second coil may be configured to dehumidify the air moving over the second coil, and the third coil may be configured to warm the air moving over the third coil. Other embodiments and methods of cooling are further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: John H. Bean, JR.
  • Patent number: 7392838
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a vehicle HVAC system to automatically defog a windshield glass and to prevent fogging or condensation of the windshield glass. The ambient air temperature and vehicle speed are measured and used to determine a windshield glass temperature. The in-cabin air temperature and relative humidity are measured and used to determine a dewpoint. An dewpoint margin is calculated to compensate for sensor accuracy and fog predictability. A fog margin, which is based upon calculated windshield glass temperature and dewpoint, is calculated and used, in conjunction with the dewpoint margin, to control the HVAC system to anticipate potential fogging conditions and to scale the intensity of the HVAC system response based upon the severity of fogging conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bradley C. Errington, Junichi Kanemaru
  • Patent number: 7389813
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of controlling local environment. In one embodiment, incoming air enters a contactor such the Direct Contact Cooler-Condenser (DCCC) where the air contacts water distributed on the contact media. After passing through the DCCC, the air is saturated at a temperature equal or close to that of the water. Depending on the state of the incoming air, in the DCCC will be humidified or dehumidified to yield saturated air at the desired humidity ratio. In one embodiment, a blower draws air through the DCCC and blows into the heater. The heater heats the air to the desired dry-bulb temperature. Before exiting, the air may pass through a filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Dikran S. Babikian, Bryan H. Wade
  • Publication number: 20070215317
    Abstract: A movable multi-functional air-conditioner equipped with wheels for high mobility is disclosed having a front chamber with an air inlet and an air outlet, an evaporator and a fan mounted in the front chamber, a rear chamber with an air inlet and an air outlet, a heater and a condenser mounted in the rear chamber, a front valve mounted in the air inlet of the front chamber, a rear valve mounted in the air inlet of the rear chamber, and an intermediate valve for controlling the air passage between the front chamber and the rear chamber so that the user to select hot mode, cold mode, dehumidifying mode, or simultaneous dehumidifying and drying mode by opening/closing the front valve, the rear valve, and the intermediate valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: King-Leung Wong, Tsung-Lieh Hsien, Shih-Shih Ku, Huann-Ming Chou
  • Patent number: 7261150
    Abstract: A method for humidifying and controlling the temperature of a process gas stream comprising the steps of super-saturating and heating the process gas stream with steam until it reaches a first pre-set temperature; cooling the process gas stream until it reaches a second pre-set temperature; removing excess condensed water from the process gas stream; and heating the process gas stream until it reaches a third pre-set temperature. An apparatus for implementing this method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Joe Cargnelli, Ravi B. Gopal
  • Patent number: 7051801
    Abstract: A method for humidifying and controlling the temperature of a process gas stream comprising the steps of super-saturating and heating the process gas stream with steam until it reaches a first pre-set temperature; cooling the process gas stream until it reaches a second pre-set temperature; removing excess condensed water from the process gas stream; and heating the process gas stream until it reaches a third pre-set temperature. An apparatus for implementing this method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Joe Cargnelli, Ravi B. Gopal
  • Patent number: 6966364
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of controlling local environment. In one embodiment, incoming air enters a contactor such the Direct Contact Cooler-Condenser (DCCC) where the air contacts water distributed on the contact media. After passing through the DCCC, the air is saturated at a temperature equal or close to that of the water. Depending on the state of the incoming air, in the DCCC will be humidified or dehumidified to yield saturated air at the desired humidity ratio. In one embodiment, a blower draws air through the DCCC and blows into the heater. The heater heats the air to the desired dry-bulb temperature. Before exiting, the air may pass through a filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Dikran S. Babikian, Bryan H. Wade
  • Patent number: 6881685
    Abstract: An air-supply machine cleans outside air. The cleaned outside air is dehumidified by cooling by performing heat exchange between the cleaned outside air and an exhaust air from a lithography apparatus by a first heat-pipe. The dehumidified outside air is heated by performing heat treatment between the dehumidified outside air and an exhaust air from a vertical heat treatment apparatus by a second heat-pipe. The heated outside air is supplied to inside the housing of the vertical heat treatment apparatus. Thereby, the consumption of air in the clean room is reduced and the running cost of the clean room is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Taisei Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Suenaga, Sadao Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20040035569
    Abstract: An air-supply machine cleans outside air. The cleaned outside air is dehumidified by cooling by performing heat exchange between the cleaned outside air and an exhaust air from a lithography apparatus by a first heat-pipe. The dehumidified outside air is heated by performing heat treatment between the dehumidified outside air and an exhaust air from a vertical heat treatment apparatus by a second heat-pipe. The heated outside air is supplied to inside the housing of the vertical heat treatment apparatus. Thereby, the consumption of air in the clean room is reduced and the running cost of the clean room is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Osamu Suenaga, Sadao Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6643567
    Abstract: A system for estimating energy cost savings during curtailment periods, for example, determines an estimated temperature in the zone during the period of interest as if the thermostat were set at a temperature different than the actual set point temperature. By determining a difference in the estimated temperature in the zone and the actual temperature over time, the amount of energy savings can be estimated. Applying real time energy cost data to the estimated energy savings provides a real time estimation of actual cost savings during a selected period. The inventive estimation technique includes determining an equilibrium condition for the zone as part of the estimation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Kolk, Raymond J. Archacki, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030136134
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular apparatus and methods for active heat exchange involving continuous atomization of chilled or heated fluid droplets, droplets projection, and formation of fluid film on a large surface for reciprocal two way heat transfer with circulating air. A closed, pleated, corrugated, thin-wall, heat conductive chamber (1) provides the large surface for formation of fluid film and separation between fluid and air offering short and rapid heat conductive path between fluid and air. An axial blower (11) integrated with the heat exchanger module provides re-circulation of air where the heat exchanger module (28) is situated. The modular heat exchanger (28) or multiple of which is integrated with other components such as a refrigeration unit (37), a heating element (25), and a central fluid reservoir (23) in which fluid is pre-chilled or preheated in the application of air conditioning and heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: John Y. Pun
  • Patent number: 6483078
    Abstract: A moisture control device and method has a heat generating source in electrical devices that is powered to operate independent of the electrical device for reducing, minimizing or preventing condensation, nucleation and degradations on electronic parts and circuit boards of the electrical device. A power supply is connected to the heat generating source and a switch connected to the power supply. The switch may be manually operable or automatic and is used for controlling operation of the heat generating source. A sensor senses on/off status of the electrical device and automatically operates the switch in response to the sensing. Power is supplied to the heat generating source when the electrical device powers down and disconnected when the electrical device powers on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Oceanit Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick K. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20020088614
    Abstract: A method for humidifying and controlling the temperature of a process gas stream comprising the steps of super-saturating and heating the process gas stream with steam until it reaches a first pre-set temperature; cooling the process gas stream until it reaches a second pre-set temperature; removing excess condensed water from the process gas stream; and heating the process gas stream until it reaches a third pre-set temperature. An apparatus for implementing this method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: Hydrogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Joe Cargnelli, Ravi B. Gopal
  • Patent number: 6415859
    Abstract: A dehumidified/humidified air supply apparatus includes two sets of air passages including heating units disposed at an upstream side thereof, a dehumidifying/humidifying unit having two portions disposed at a downstream side thereof and a blower. When dehumidified air is supplied by the dehumidifying/humidifying unit of the first air passage, the dehumidifying/humidifying unit is dehumidified by air which is heated by the heating unit of the second air passage. When humidified air is supplied by the heating unit of the first air passage and the dehumidifying/humidifying unit, the dehumidifying/humidifying unit is humidified by air of the second air passage. The dehumidifying/humidifying unit is moved between the first air passage and the second air passage by a driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichiro Kametani, Shigehito Ota
  • Patent number: 6338474
    Abstract: In an air feeder for supplying air with a predetermined temperature and humidity into a cup in a resist coating unit provided in a coating and developing system, a cooling section, a by-pass, a heating section, a humidifying section, and a blower are provided. 55% of introduced air is cooled in the cooling section, 45% of the introduced air passes through the by-pass, and mixed air of the cooled air and the air from the by-pass is heated in the heating section and humidified in the humidifying section, thereby enabling energy-saving and space-saving temperature and humidity control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Norio Semba
  • Patent number: 6279650
    Abstract: A temperature-humidity controller for a semiconductor equipment comprises a housing; an inlet pipe for introducing processing air, which has a discharging portion for flowing the air into an inner portion of the housing; a water supplying means for supplying water into the inner portion of the housing so as to contact with the processing air from the discharging portion of the inlet pipe thereby simultaneously performing dehumidifying and humidifying processes; a cooling means for cooling the water at a dew point; a heating means for heating the air at a desired temperature, which is dehumidified and humidified by the water supplying means; an outlet pipe for supplying the heated air to the semiconductor equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Dasan C & I Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myeon-Chang Sung
  • Patent number: 6131653
    Abstract: An air dehumidifying and conditioning system (20) draws incoming air (32) through a fan (40) and uses heat from the fan (40) and fan motor (48) to heat air discharged from the fan. The system then divides air discharged from the fan into a supply stream (50) and a scavenge stream (52). The supply stream is passed through a pre-cooler (60A) and an air cooler (60) for cooling and dehumidification. If necessary, the scavenge stream is heated with a pre-heater (62A) and a supplemental heater (62). The dehumidified air of the supply stream (50) is then heated by passing through a heat exchanger (80), with the heating by the heat exchanger being accomplished using the scavenge stream (52). Should no heating, cooling, or dehumidifying be required, a bypass stream (54) formed from the scavenge stream (52) is transmitted to the conditioned space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Donald E. Larsson
  • Patent number: 6123147
    Abstract: A system for controlling the humidity with a residential air conditioning system without compressor or air flow control employs a simple control technique of matching inlet air temperature prior to the refrigeration coils of the air conditioning system to outlet temperature after the refrigeration coil and as raised by a reheat coil supplied with hot water from the residential hot water heater. The system permits heating and cooling cycles and may be retrofit into existing residential units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventor: Jerry R. Pittman
  • Patent number: 6112807
    Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for preventing fogging of the windows of an automotive vehicle. The system and method operate the air conditioning system of the vehicle at temperatures where a high degree of probability of fogging exists. The method includes the steps of measuring the ambient temperature, the evaporator core temperature and operating the air conditioning compressor at specific duty cycles depending upon these temperatures. The duty cycle will be determined based upon these temperature variables as well as the relative humidity within the passenger cabin of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Gerhard Allan Dage
  • Patent number: 6079483
    Abstract: In a main controller for use in an air conditioner for controlling temperature/humidity of an intaken outside air, a controlling line setter (18) sets each of control lines (J.sub.1 -J.sub.5) on a psychrometric chart table (13), in which an aimed temperature/humidity line (Lo) is formed by connecting an upper limit state point (Ps) and a lower limit state point (Pw) of condition air from each of the outside air state points (G.sub.1 -G.sub.5) to the aimed temperature/humidity line (Lo). The controlling line (J.sub.1 -J.sub.5) is formed by connecting necessary lines selected from a main heating line (H.sub.L) showing the heating operation of a main heater (H), an adiabatic humidifying line (W.sub.L) showing the humidifying operation of an adiabatic humidifying device (W), a cooling line (C.sub.L) showing the cooling operation of a cooler (C) and an auxiliary heating line (RH.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Trinity Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Morooka, Yoshio Suzuki, Naoki Mawatari, Muneo Ueda
  • Patent number: 6012296
    Abstract: A controller for climate controller system having a humidity and temperature sensor wherein the controller operates to insure that both temperature and humidity are within comfort levels. Wherein said controller further controls a reheat system which reheats chilled air in order to keep the dry bulb temperature of an enclosure near a specific set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Dipak J. Shah
  • Patent number: 5984002
    Abstract: A temperature and humidity control apparatus includes a humidity control section for controlling humidity when a flow rate of a low temperature fluid in a cooling dehumidifier composed of a heat exchanger is determined; a heater control section for controlling temperature when a flow rate of a high temperature fluid in a heater; and a predicting device for predicting an amount of temperature change caused by an operation of the cooling dehumidifier. The amount of predicted temperature change is canceled when the flow rate of the high temperature fluid in the heater is determined in the heater control section, and the flow rate of the high temperature fluid in the heater is determined so that the setting temperature can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Kido, Masaya Shimoji, Nakamasa Satoh
  • Patent number: 5983989
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for controlling discharged-air temperature for a vehicular air-conditioning system, comprising a duct, a cooling medium circuit, a heating medium circuit, an air-mixing unit, and an automatic air-conditioning ECU. The automatic air-conditioning ECU performs air-mixing control for cold air and hot air by means of the air-mixing unit to adjust the temperature of air discharged from a face outlet into a passenger's compartment only when an estimated discharged-air temperature in an operation mode is not lower than a reference temperature setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Kimishima, Kouji Nawata
  • Patent number: 5887651
    Abstract: A space comfort system controls humidity in a space by applying heat to air recirculated to the space when the humidity is excessive and cooling of the air is not required. In a preferred embodiment, the call for heat occurs from the time the humidity increases to a level above a differential band within which is the humidity set point until humidity falls to below the differential band. Heat is applied to the air only when there is no demand for cooling of the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5884694
    Abstract: A dehumidifier for use in a bathroom or the like utilizes the cold surface of a heat exchanger to condense moisture, and the hot surface of a heat exchanger to warm the air after the moisture is removed. The cold surface is provided by having the cold water supplied to the room pass through the cold heat exchanger; and, the hot surface is provided by having the hot water supplied to the room head pass through the hot heat exchanger. The heat exchangers may be concentric circles, so a recirculation fan centrally of the heat exchangers will move air across the two, or may be rectangular with a plenum at each end so air moves across the two. A drip pan beneath the cold heat exchanger catches the condensate. The circular heat exchangers may be less than a full circle, and a light housed in the space defined. Also, an exhaust fan may be mounted concentrically with the recirculation fan in the circular heat exchanger, or may be mounted in the output plenum of the rectangular device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: Aaron Tanenbaum
  • Patent number: 5816066
    Abstract: An air conditioner has air an duct defining an air path. Cooling and heating devices are provided in the air path, and the cooling and heating devices are disposed in parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of the air duct. Switching means are provided at positions upstream and downstream of the parallel cooling and heating devices, respectively, for controlling air flow into, and air flow from, the cooling device or the heating device, or both. The size, e.g., the length of the air duct is reduced by the parallel disposition of the cooling and heating devices, thereby reducing the size of the entire air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Hisao Aoki, Susumu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5802862
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved latent heat extraction combines a run-around coil system with a condenser heat recovery system to enhance the moisture removing capability of a conventional vapor compression air conditioning unit. The run-around coil system exchanges energy between the return and supply air flows of the air conditioning unit. Energy recovered in the condenser heat recovery system is selectively combined with the run-around system energy extracted from the return air flow to reheat the supply air stream for downstream humidity control. A control system regulates the relative proportions of the extracted return air flow energy and recovered heat energy delivered to the reheat coil for efficient control over moisture in the supply air flow. Auxiliary energy in the form of electric heat energy is further added to the recovered heat energy for additional reheat use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Eiermann
  • Patent number: 5632333
    Abstract: A temperature and humidity adjusting apparatus has an air cooling and dehumidifying device, an air heater and a humidifier arranged in order. The air cooling and dehumidifying device includes thermoelements that use the Peltier effect. The humidifier includes hollow yarn bodies, each of which are formed by winding metal wire that serves as a heater on the outer periphery of a hollow yarn that is formed into hollow construction from heat resistant fiber. The humidifier also includes means for supplying water to each of the hollow yarn bodies and a power supply that supplies power to the metal wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Toshihide Imamura, Kanichi Kadotani, Katsuyoshi Ito