Operated By Temperature Sensor Patents (Class 165/233)
  • Patent number: 11320202
    Abstract: A heat pump dryer includes a main casing having an air inlet channel and an air outlet channel, a compressor, a first heat exchanger positioned in the air inlet channel, a second heat exchanger positioned in the air outlet channel, a fan provided in the air inlet channel, and an energy efficient heat exchanger. The energy efficient heat exchanger has a first portion partially exposed to the air inlet channel, and a second portion partially exposed to the air outlet channel. Air is arranged to enter the air inlet channel to sequentially perform heat exchange with the first portion of the energy efficient heat exchanger and the first heat exchanger. Air passing through the air inlet channel is arranged to enter the air outlet channel to sequentially perform heat exchange with the second portion of the energy efficient heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: Sui Liu
  • Patent number: 10415856
    Abstract: A condenser system that includes a first compressor and a second compressor. An upper coil and a de-superheater coil are fluidly coupled to the first compressor. The upper coil, the de-superheater coil, and the first compressor define a first compressor circuit. A lower coil is fluidly coupled to the second compressor. The lower coil and the second compressor define a second compressor circuit. The upper coil and the de-superheater coil together utilize an entire heat-transfer surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Davis, II, Colin Clara, Eric Perez, Eric Chanthalangsy
  • Patent number: 10386078
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a heat pump unit including a radiator usable with a refrigerant, a gas furnace unit including a heating section arranged to heat passing air, a blower arranged to generate an air flow that passes through the radiator and the heating section, a first temperature sensor provided in a room, and a controller configured to control each action of the heat pump unit, the gas furnace unit, and the blower. The temperature sensor detects an indoor temperature in the room. The controller causes the gas furnace unit to operate as a heat source unit when a difference value obtained by subtracting the indoor temperature from a set temperature is equal to or greater than a first threshold at startup, and causes the heat pump unit to operate as a heat source unit when the difference value is less than the first threshold at startup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoh, Michio Moriwaki, Masakazu Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10094604
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus cools and heats a first heat transfer medium at the same time in a relay unit, and the cooled first heat transfer medium and the heated first heat transfer medium are separately distributed to a plurality of indoor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10041721
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a method of managing defrost operations in HVAC systems. In one embodiment a primary defrost operation comprises allowing a cooling cycle of the heat pump and a secondary defrost operation comprises allowing fans of the heat pump to operate at a low speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Qu, Bruce Perkins, Chris Mchugh, Mark Olsen
  • Patent number: 9709310
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit performing an air-warming operation by circulating refrigerant through the compressor, indoor heat exchanger, expansion valve, and outdoor heat exchanger in order. The outdoor heat exchanger has flat perforated tubes arrayed vertically in multiple levels. The heat transfer tubes are sectioned into main and subordinate heat exchange parts. Upper and lower exit-entry spaces are formed in the outdoor heat exchanger. When an oil-accumulation-resolving criterion is met during the air-warming operation, low-refrigerant-circulation control, in which the refrigerant is circulated through the compressor, indoor heat exchanger, expansion valve, and outdoor heat exchanger in order, is performed for a predetermined time with an operating capacity of the compressor having been lowered to a predetermined capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Makino, Yoshiaki Yumoto, Shouhei Miyatani, Tsuyoshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 9581371
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a system for operating a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. A controller operates compressors in tandem connected to an evaporator. In response to detection of a pre-freezing condition of in the coils of the evaporator, the controller adjusts an operating condition of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Der-Kai Hung, Harold Gene Havard, Jr., Rosa Maria Leal
  • Patent number: 9377026
    Abstract: An electric device has a casing with an air-inlet and an air-outlet, a main unit disposed inside the casing, a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature inside the casing, a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature outside the casing, an electric fan, and a control unit. The control unit rotates the electric fan at the time of the low-temperature startup such that the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor is lower than a preset first threshold value, while the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor is higher than the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kumiko Suzuki, Jun Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 9222695
    Abstract: A heat exchange ventilator includes a plurality of heat exchanger elements provided with a heat-exchanger exhaust airflow path and a heat-exchanger intake airflow path. Exhaust airflow and intake airflow are guided to pass through one of the plurality of heat exchanger elements, and the exhaust airflow and the intake airflow are switched to the next heat exchanger element in a sequential order when a state of the heat exchanger element comes to a predetermined condition set based on adverse influences of ice formation inside a heat-exchanger exhaust airflow path. The structure prevents the heat exchanger element from icing to avoid the adverse influences, thereby making it capable of exerting the fundamental heat exchanging and ventilating function continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiko Hasegawa, Hirotsugu Hirano
  • Patent number: 8910705
    Abstract: An automobile which includes a radiator fan control for heat pump HVAC which can selectively reverse fan direction based on ambient temperature and moisture to reduce ice buildup on a liquid-gas converter. The automobile may include a liquid-gas converter located within an engine bay, a radiator located adjacent the liquid-gas converter, a first fan located adjacent the radiator, a fuel cell and motor with the inverter located adjacent the first fan, the fuel cell supplying electricity to the motor with the inverter to drive the vehicle. The automobile can also include a temperature sensor located on an exterior surface of the automobile to sense an ambient temperature, a heater core connected to the liquid-gas converter and located between the engine bay and the passenger area, and a control unit connected to the first fan, the temperature sensor, and the heater core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Shimpei Miura
  • Patent number: 8905123
    Abstract: An automobile which includes a radiator fan control for heat pump HVAC which can selectively reverse fan direction based on ambient temperature and moisture to reduce ice buildup on a liquid-gas converter. The automobile may include a liquid-gas converter located within an engine bay, a radiator located adjacent the liquid-gas converter, a first fan located adjacent the radiator, a fuel cell and motor with the inverter located adjacent the first fan, the fuel cell supplying electricity to the motor with the inverter to drive the vehicle. The automobile can also include a temperature sensor located on an exterior surface of the automobile to sense an ambient temperature, a heater core connected to the liquid-gas converter and located between the engine bay and the passenger area, and a control unit connected to the first fan, the temperature sensor, and the heater core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Shimpei Miura
  • Publication number: 20140216705
    Abstract: An automatic climate controller device may be configured to perform operations including identifying, by an automatic climate controller device, an operating zone of the climate control system according to at least two input factors; identifying a discharge temperature of the climate control system; determining, based on the operating zone and the discharge temperature, whether to perform at least one override action to override a climate control system setting to reduce the possibility of evaporator core icing; and adjusting an evaporator set point according to the at least one override action to reduce the discharge temperature. The input factors may include evaporator temperature and cabin relative humidity. The actions may include to increase blower speed and to increase use of recirculated air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gary A. Dage, Steven L. Lambert
  • Patent number: 8745998
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a defrost unit for a vehicle. A prediction is performed as to whether condensation has formed against a surface of the vehicle. The defrost unit is automatically activated when it is predicted that the condensation has formed against the surface. Another prediction is made as to whether condensation has dissipated from the surface while the defrost unit is operating. The defrost unit is automatically deactivated when it is predicted that the condensation has dissipated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gilles M. Delorme, Thomas D. Hagen, Todd M. Tumas
  • Patent number: 8733428
    Abstract: An air conditioning system of a vehicle including a controller and sensors in communication with the controller. The sensors include an interior temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the vehicle interior and an inner surface temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the inner surface of the vehicle's windshield. The controller determines a dew-point for the vehicle interior based on the sensed interior temperature. The controller adjusts the dew-point or the inner surface temperature based on a correction value, and performs a defogging operation when the temperature of the inner surface of the windshield is less than the dew-point, wherein the dew-point or the inner surface temperature is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8434317
    Abstract: A refrigerated appliance such as a refrigerator receives a demand response signal indicating a peak demand period and operates the refrigerator in an energy savings mode by disabling an anti-sweat heater. Sensors monitor ambient temperature and humidity, and the dry bulb temperature of a preselected region where incipient moisture would likely form. Data from the sensors is sent to a controller which calculates ambient dew point and compares the dry bulb temperature of the preselected region with the calculated dew point to enable the anti-sweat heater during the peak demand period and prevent incipient formation of moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John K. Besore
  • Patent number: 8088520
    Abstract: The power supply apparatus includes a power supply unit, a piezoelectric element for transferring heat of the power supply unit to a floor panel, and an element power supply control circuit for controlling application of a voltage to the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is placed between the power supply unit and the floor panel and is switched between a contact state in which the piezoelectric element is in contact with the power supply unit and the floor panel and a non-contact state in which the piezoelectric element is not in contact with the power supply unit and/or the floor panel in accordance with the application of a voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Izumi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7900464
    Abstract: A humidity detecting apparatus includes a humidity sensor for detecting a relative humidity of air on an inner side of a window glass, an air temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the air, a glass temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the window glass, and a glass surface relative humidity calculation unit for calculating a glass surface relative humidity based on output values of the humidity sensor, the air temperature sensor and the glass temperature sensor. A heat conductive member is disposed between the glass temperature sensor and the window glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Aoki, Shinichirou Hirai, Takuya Kataoka, Yoshiaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7836711
    Abstract: Based on a result of detection taken by the high-low pressure difference detection means (93, 97) for detecting a difference between a high and a low pressure of a refrigeration cycle, an estimate of whether there is leakage of refrigerant in an expansion valve (52) is made. Based on the result detected by the high-low pressure difference detection means (93, 97), a control means (81) sets a reference temperature (T3) to a value corresponding to the degree of refrigerant leakage in the expansion valve (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kojima, Shinichi Kasahara
  • Publication number: 20080173438
    Abstract: The dehumidifier uses an all-plastic air-to-air heat exchanger together with an integral chiller to cool the incoming air to remove water vapor, and then exchange heat with incoming air to cool the incoming air and re-heat the outgoing air. The degree of dehumidification and the temperature of the outgoing air can be controlled by varying the speed of a variable speed fan so as to provide varying degrees of cooling as well as dehumidification. A programmable controller can be used to operate the dehumidifier automatically, either together with a humidistat and thermostat, or in accordance with a predetermined time profile for the conditioned space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Building Performance Equipment Inc. (a Delaware Corporation)
    Inventor: Klas C. Haglid
  • Patent number: 7185502
    Abstract: Air conditioner, and method for controlling an operation of the same, the air conditioner including a sheath heater in the accumulator for heating the refrigerant in room heating for delaying deposition of frost on the outdoor heat exchanger. The sheath heater includes a coil formed heat generating part, and two electrodes connected to the heat generating part for supplying power. The method including the step of varying the heat generating rate of the sheath heater with an exterior temperature or a capacity of the indoor unit, thereby delaying deposition of frost on the outdoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc
    Inventors: Jong Han Park, Young Min Park, Chang Seon Lee, Sung Oh Choi, Sung Chun Kim, Seung Yong Chang, Seok Ho Yoon, Baik Young Chung
  • Patent number: 6983794
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heat exchanger unit that can appropriately inhibit freezing of a heat exchange element even in cold climates. The heat exchanger unit performes heat exchange and ventilation between an indoor space and an outdoor space, and is provided with a heat exchange element, a supply air passage and an exhaust air passage that are routed via the heat exchange element, a temperature sensor, and a control unit. The temperature sensor detects the outside air temperature. The control unit executes a first freeze inhibit control mode, which inhibits freezing of the heat exchange element, if the outside air temperature falls below a first level, and a second freeze inhibit control mode, which inhibits freezing of the heat exchange element more strongly than the first freeze inhibit control mode, if the outside air temperature falls below a second level, which is lower than the first level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 6427772
    Abstract: The present invention is direct to a system and method for electronically controlling the refrigeration and/or heating of the product storage compartment in a vending machine. The system includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature in the product storage compartment, and a door sensor for sensing whether the door is open or closed. The control method includes the steps of activating a defrost mode, which is a timed period with no heating or cooling activity, when the door to the vending apparatus is open. The defrost mode is also activated whenever the cooling element has been running continuously for several hours. Further, the control method includes a step of cycling the cooling element “on” whenever a predetermined high temperature is reached. When the cooling element is “off” for more than 6 hours and the predetermined high temperature has not been reached, the heater is turned “on” to prevent the products in the vending machine from freezing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Royal Vendors, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Woodward Oden, Glenn Decker Selfridge
  • Publication number: 20010035286
    Abstract: The air heating capability of an indoor heat exchanger is limited to set the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger to a first predetermined temperature Tel or lower during heating. Thereby, fogging is prevented through re-evaporation of the condensed water in the indoor heat exchanger during heating within an air-conditioning apparatus with a hot water heater core using hot water as the heat source and the heating circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Ryo Kobayashi, Yasushi Yamanaka, Yoshitaka Tomatsu, Satoshi Itoh, Motohiro Yamaguchi, Satoshi Izawa, Yoshiaki Takano, Toshitaka Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6250373
    Abstract: A ceiling mounted apparatus draws air upwardly through an inlet and processes the air through heat exchange elements before distributing the air downwardly. The air is preferably distributed downwardly by air discharge structure surrounding the heat exchange elements. The air is ultimately discharged through one or more air discharge ducts positioned relatively close to the air inlet. Each air discharge duct includes a rotatable louver mounted therein that in conjunction with the walls of the duct defines particular paths for the conditioned air in heating versus cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Gianluca Vecchi, Maurizio Rabito, Giorgio Rusignuolo, Lee G. Tetu
  • Patent number: 6223817
    Abstract: The present invention is direct to a system and method for electronically controlling the refrigeration and/or heating of the product storage compartment in a vending machine. The system includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature in the product storage compartment, and a door sensor for sensing whether the door is open or closed. The control method includes the steps of activating a defrost mode, which is a timed period with no heating or cooling activity, when the door to the vending apparatus is open. The defrost mode is also activated whenever the cooling element has been running continuously for several hours. Further, the control method includes a step of cycling the cooling element “on” whenever a predetermined high temperature is reached. When the cooling element is “off” for more than 6 hours and the predetermined high temperature has not been reached, the heater is turned “on” to prevent the products in the vending machine from freezing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Royal Vendors, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Woodward Oden, Glenn Decker Selfridge
  • Patent number: 6185481
    Abstract: A semiconductor device provided with a first cooling fan and heat-radiating fins is mounted on a board, and there is provided a second cooling fan for supplying cooling air to the board, such that a flow passage is formed for directing the cooling air, supplied from the second cooling fan, toward the board through the first cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kondou, Tadakatsu Nakajima, Shigeo Ohashi, Susumu Iwai, Masayoshi Miyazaki, Shoohei Fuse, Kazuo Morita, Hidetada Fukunaka
  • Patent number: 6161765
    Abstract: A protective enclosure for housing heat-generating electronics, having a sorption device for controlling humidity and a heater for heating the sorption device. The invention protects electronics placed within the enclosure from the effects of water vapor and condensation during normal operation and in the event of power loss. The sorption device adsorbs water vapor during normal operation or power loss when the temperature in the enclosure falls below the dew point. The sorption device releases collected water as water vapor when power is restored and the temperature in the enclosure rises above the dew point. The invention thereby prevents failure of the electronics due to condensation build-up and provides for effective long-term use of the sorption device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Abraham Kay, David Stevens Kerr, John Robert Morris, Jr., Ivan Pawlenko, Richard Franklin Schwartz
  • Patent number: 5934368
    Abstract: A highly reliable electronic apparatus free from condensation in the cabinet of the apparatus. The electronic apparatus has printed circuit boards on which heat emitting semiconductor devices are mounted and a fan. The electronic apparatus further comprises a hygrometer for measuring the relative humidity and dew-point temperature of the cooling air that is introduced into the cabinet through an opening, a surface temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the surface of the semiconductor devices, an internal temperature sensor for sensing the internal temperature of the semiconductor device, dehumidifier and heater means made up of a heat pump and an outdoor unit, and a controller for controlling the dehumidifier means and the heater means so that the relative humidity is less than 100% and the dew-point temperature is less than the surface temperature of the semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Tanaka, Toshio Hatada, Takayuki Atarashi, Junichi Kobayashi, Akihiro Takanashi, Takahiro Daikoku, Yutaka Watanabe, Shizuo Zushi
  • Patent number: 5730216
    Abstract: Air conditioning and refrigeration apparatus for controlling the temperature of a conditioned space to a predetermined temperature band adjacent to a predetermined set point temperature via cooling and heating cycles utilizing a supply of pressurized cryogen. A cryogen driven motor drives a fan and an alternator. The alternator provides control voltage for operating electrical control devices which select a heating cycle, or a cooling cycle, as required, and which control the flow of cryogen during the selected cycle. Electrical load on the alternator, and thus a load on the vapor driven motor, is minimized to maintain air delivered by the fan to the conditioned space at a level which provides a substantially uniform air flow and temperature throughout the conditioned space. A cryogen flow control valve is motor controlled and only requires electrical energy when a change in the cryogen flow rate is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Herman H. Viegas, Bradley G. Ellingson
  • Patent number: 5632334
    Abstract: A heat recovery ventilator for use in ventilating a building, the ventilator having a single two-position damper operable such that in one damper position, heat is exchanged between a first flow of fresh air passing through the first path and a second flow of exhaust air passing through the second air path. When placed in the second damper position, fresh air is blocked from entering the ventilator and exhaust air is recirculated, passing through both air paths, and exiting through the fresh air outlet. In this mode of operation, exhaust air is inhibited from exiting through the exhaust outlet due to the relative pressures within the ventilator, thereby inhibiting the formation of a negative pressure within the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Nutech Energy Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Peter K. Grinbergs, Grant W. Miles