Including Mass Flow Sensor Patents (Class 165/295)
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Patent number: 11906211Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The system includes a primary heat transfer loop configured to be disposed at least partially outside of a building, and the primary heat transfer loop includes a heat exchanger, a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, where the refrigerant is reactive, a condenser configured to receive and condense the refrigerant, and an expansion device configured to reduce a temperature of the refrigerant. The system further includes a secondary heat transfer loop configured to circulate a two-phase fluid at least partially inside the building, wherein the two-phase fluid is less reactive than the refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventor: Douglas A. Kester
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Patent number: 10995997Abstract: A counterflow heat exchanger configured to exchange thermal energy between a first fluid flow at a first pressure and a second fluid flow at a second pressure less than the first pressure includes a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet fluidly coupled to the first fluid inlet via a core section, a second fluid inlet, and a second fluid outlet fluidly coupled to the second fluid inlet via the core section. A heating arrangement is configured to heat the second fluid inlet to prevent ice ingestion via the second fluid inlet.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATIONInventors: Brian St. Rock, Ram Ranjan
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Patent number: 10394257Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for operating and controlling flow control systems. The method includes sensing an actual medium flow through a pipe part and outputting an electrical signal indicative of the sensed actual medium flow; comparing the sensed medium flow with a set medium flow and outputting a control signal; using an orifice adjusting system to adjust an adjustable orifice in a pipe part in response to the control signal; and performing a correction of a characteristic curve. The method can include setting an upper limit for medium flow to Vmax wherein Vmax is less than a maximum medium flow.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: BelpartsInventors: Jan Ulens, Philip Vandenheuvel, Peter Vandendriessche
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Patent number: 10344662Abstract: A seawater cooling system adapted to mitigate salt crystallization in a seawater cooling loop. The system may include a pump operatively connected to the cooling loop and configured to pump seawater through the cooling loop, a temperature sensor operatively connected to the cooling loop and configured to monitor a temperature of the seawater in the cooling loop, and a controller operatively connected to the temperature sensor and to the pump, the controller configured to issue a warning and to increase a speed of the pump if it is determined that the monitored temperature of the seawater exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2015Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: CIRCOR PUMPS NORTH AMERICA, LLCInventors: Dan Yin, Stefan Werner, Soeren Lemcke
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Patent number: 10151676Abstract: Disclosed herein are a refrigerator of sensing a degree of rancidity of fermented beverage to transmit state information of the fermented beverage to a remote user, and a method of controlling the refrigerator. The refrigerator may include a storage space configured to store fermented beverage, a cooling unit configured to cool inside air of the storage space; a rancidity sensor configured to sense a degree of rancidity of the fermented beverage, and a communication device configured to transmit state information of the fermented beverage created based on the degree of rancidity to a predetermined external device.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Kyu Sun Han, Yoon Young Kim
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Patent number: 10144876Abstract: A process for operating a bitumen froth treatment operation in turndown mode includes adding solvent to bitumen froth to produce diluted bitumen froth and separating it into diluted bitumen and solvent diluted tailings and in response to a reduction in bitumen froth flow recirculating part of the diluted bitumen into the bitumen froth and returning part of the solvent diluted tailings into the step of separating. A method for turndown of separation vessel for PFT includes sustaining the feed flow to vessel; maintaining solvent-to-bitumen ratio in the diluted bitumen froth; and retaining water, minerals and asphaltenes in a lower section of the vessel while sustaining an outlet flow. The use of diluted bitumen derived from PFT as a viscosity modifying agent of the bitumen froth and an associated process are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: FORT HILLS ENERGY L.P.Inventors: Shawn Van Der Merwe, Thomas Hann, Benjamin John Grappolini
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Patent number: 9976569Abstract: Method for recovering energy when compressing a gas using a compressor system with two or more compression stages, with each stage having a compressor element. Downstream from at least two compressor elements there is a heat exchanger having a primary and a secondary part. The coolant is guided successively in series through the secondary part of at least two heat exchangers, and the guiding sequence is chosen such that the temperature at the inlet of the primary part of at least one subsequent heat exchanger is higher than or equal to the temperature at the inlet of the primary part of a preceding heat exchanger, relative to the direction of flow of the coolant. At least one heat exchanger is provided with a tertiary part for a coolant.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2010Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER, NAAMLOZE VENNOOTSCHAPInventor: Stijn Jozef Rita Johanna Janssens
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Patent number: 9587177Abstract: More particularly, the model was a dynamic simulation built in HYSYS™ v7.1. The component slate was simplified and selected to give a vapor and two liquid phases, and have the ability to measure an S/B ratio. All the unit operations were included and modeled as best fit within HYSYS™. Pumps were all modelled as standard HYSYS™ centrifugal pumps with performance curves, settlers were modelled as vertical 3-phase vessels with internal weir enabled—the overflow side of the weir is used to simulate the overflow vessels on the settlers. All proposed controllers were included with generic tuning parameters, which control the system process variable (PV) to match a set point (SP). The control algorithm incorporated master PV controllers such as S/B ratio to relate froth and solvent flows and maintain relative material balance relationship between the process streams involved.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2012Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: FORT HILLS ENERGY L.P.Inventors: Shawn Van Der Merwe, Thomas Hann, Benjamin John Grappolini
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Patent number: 8939196Abstract: A secondary pump-type heat source system includes: heat sources connected in parallel; a load system in which the heat source water flows; a primary pump supplying the heat source water to the load system; a secondary pump provided for each heat source and supplies the heat source water subjected to heat exchange in the load system to the heat source; and a heat source controller calculating flow quantity of the heat source water flowing in the heat source side and flow quantity of the heat source water flowing in the load system side by assigning a result from measurement by a water temperature sensor detecting heat source temperature to an operating characteristic of each heat source and controlling operation of the secondary pumps based on the calculation result.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2010Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Toshiba Carrier CorporationInventors: Takeru Morita, Yuuji Matsumoto, Seiji Tsukiyama, Manabu Yamamoto
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Patent number: 8905124Abstract: A temperature controlled loadlock chamber for use in semiconductor processing is provided. The temperature controlled loadlock chamber may include one or more of an adjustable fluid pump, mass flow controller, one or more temperature sensors, and a controller. The adjustable fluid pump provides fluid having a predetermined temperature to a temperature-controlled plate. The mass flow controller provides gas flow into the chamber that may also aid in maintaining a desired temperature. Additionally, one or more temperature sensors may be combined with the adjustable fluid pump and/or the mass flow controller to provide feedback and to provide a greater control over the temperature. A controller may be added to control the adjustable fluid pump and the mass flow controller based upon temperature readings from the one or more temperature sensors.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2007Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chun-Hsien Lin, Jyh-Cherng Sheu, Ming-Feng Yoo, Kewei Zuo
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Publication number: 20140116674Abstract: A method for the heat recovery from a tunnel cooling apparatus, having one or several cooling cells for cooling products in containers by means of a cooling agent circulating in a coolant circuit, and a heat exchanger; including: controlling the circulating quantity of the coolant, and controlling the temperature of the coolant, wherein both the circulating quantity and the temperature of the coolant are measured and controlled on the basis of comparisons with predefined parameters, so that the thermal yield of the heat exchanger is optimized.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: KRONES AGInventors: Falko Jens Wagner, Jan Karsten Münzer, Johannes Eckstein
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Patent number: 8695690Abstract: An electronic device can be provided with a housing having at least one wall defining a cavity and a flow sensor at least partially contained within the cavity. The flow sensor may be configured to detect a flow characteristic related to the flow of a fluid through a first portion of the cavity. The electronic device may also include a processor configured to alter a performance characteristic of the electronic device based on the detected flow characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2008Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ihab A. Ali, Frank Liang
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Publication number: 20130333912Abstract: The present invention relates to a superconducting cable cooling system which pumps a coolant for cooling a superconducting cable to a heat exchange section by using a circulation pump, and cools the coolant by a refrigerator. Specifically, the superconducting cable cooling system includes a heat exchange unit having a cooling space charged with a liquefied gas, a flow rate sensor which detects the flow rate of the coolant, a temperature sensor which detects the temperature of the liquefied gas charged in the heat exchange unit, and a control section which controls the refrigerator based on the detected values of the flow rate sensor and the temperature sensor such that the temperature of the liquefied gas charged in the heat exchange unit has a specific value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: MAYEKAWA MFG. CO., LTD.Inventor: Keiichi YAMAMOTO
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Publication number: 20120006527Abstract: A temperature controlling device includes a setting controller, a gas valve, a burner, an inlet temperature sensor, a water meter, and an operational controller. User sets a desired temperature via the setting controller. The inlet temperature sensor senses an inlet temperature of water at an inlet of a pipe, and then operational controller calculates a difference between the inlet temperature and the desired temperature to get a total heat for heating water in a predetermined heating time and transfer the total heat into a total gas consumption, and controls the gas valve to supply gas to the burner with an amount of the total gas consumption in a predetermined heating time. After that, water should be heated to the desired temperature, and the operational controller controls the gas valve to decrease the gas supply for maintaining water temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2010Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: GRAND MATE CO., LTD.Inventors: Chung-Chin Huang, Chin-Ying Huang, Hsin-Ming Huang, Hsing-Hsiung Huang, Kuan-Chou Lin
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Publication number: 20110253359Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling an HVAC system in a building are provided. The apparatus may include: (a) sensors provided at different locations inside and outside of the building each providing an electrical output signal representative of a measured condition, wherein the sensors sense two or more of the following conditions: temperature, carbon dioxide and volatile organic compound conditions; (b) an embedded computer receiving the electrical output signals of the sensors and based upon which provides a plurality of output control signals; and (c) HVAC actuators operating in accordance with the output control signals, wherein the HVAC actuators affect a climatic condition or an air quality condition at one or more locations where the sensors are located.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventor: John Stockton
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Patent number: 7968827Abstract: A heating module for an oxygen sensor comprises an estimated mass module, a cumulative mass module, and a temperature control module. The estimated mass module determines an estimated mass of intake air to remove condensation from an exhaust system after startup of an engine. The cumulative mass module determines a cumulative mass of intake air after the engine startup. The temperature control module adjusts a temperature of an oxygen sensor measuring oxygen in the exhaust system to a first predetermined temperature after the engine startup and adjusts the temperature to a second predetermined temperature when the cumulative air mass is greater than the estimated air mass, wherein the second predetermined temperature is greater than the first predetermined temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Inventors: Justin F. Adams, Louis A. Avallone, Dale W. McKim, Jeffrey A. Sell, John W. Siekkinen, Julian R. Verdejo
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Patent number: 7826986Abstract: A system and method for operating a mass flow controller is described. One embodiment validates the operation of a mass flow controller thermal sensor, including detecting zero drift and span drift in the sensor by comparing the thermal sensor output to a pressure sensor output. In one embodiment, each sensor provides a signal to a digital controller or other processing unit and the controller calculates the mass flow rates of a gas flowing through the unit as measured by the sensors. The mass flow rates may then be compared to determine if one of the thermal sensor is operating properly.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.Inventor: R. Mike McDonald
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Patent number: 7637315Abstract: In a constant temperature liquid circulating device that connects a piping of circulating liquid in an external device between a discharge port and a return port of a conduit for delivering the circulating liquid at a constant temperature by a pump, a flow amount sensor and temperature sensors for detecting discharge temperature (T1) of the circulating liquid from the conduit and the return temperature (T2) of the circulating liquid are provided in the conduit, so that the flow amount and the temperature of the circulating liquid is controlled by a controller according to the heat load of the external device obtained on the basis of the outputs from the temperature sensors.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: SMC CorporationInventors: Takeo Ichinose, Katsutoshi Sato
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Patent number: 7636640Abstract: A system and method of characterizing or controlling a flow of a fluid is provided that involves a sensor conduit and a bypass. A plurality of fluids may be utilized in the flow control device based on characteristic information of the device generated during calibration thereof. The characteristic information, in turn is based on a dimensionless parameters, such as adjusted dynamic pressure and adjusted Reynolds number.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2007Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignee: Brooks Instrument, LLCInventors: Chiun Wang, John M. Lull, William S. Valentine
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Patent number: 7571762Abstract: A ground source heat exchange system includes an upstream manifold and a downstream manifold. More than one heat exchange flow circuit can be connected to the upstream and downstream manifolds for burial in the ground. A control valve associated with each heat exchange flow circuit is mounted on at least one of the manifolds. Each control valve controls flow of heat exchange fluid through a respective heat exchange flow circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: 1438253 Ontario Inc.Inventor: Mark G. Ross
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Publication number: 20090000769Abstract: A temperature controlled loadlock chamber for use in semiconductor processing is provided. The temperature controlled loadlock chamber may include one or more of an adjustable fluid pump, mass flow controller, one or more temperature sensors, and a controller. The adjustable fluid pump provides fluid having a predetermined temperature to a temperature-controlled plate. The mass flow controller provides gas flow into the chamber that may also aid in maintaining a desired temperature. Additionally, one or more temperature sensors may be combined with the adjustable fluid pump and/or the mass flow controller to provide feedback and to provide a greater control over the temperature. A controller may be added to control the adjustable fluid pump and the mass flow controller based upon temperature readings from the one or more temperature sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Inventors: Chun-Hsien Lin, Jyh-Cherng Sheu, Ming-Feng Yoo, Kewei Zuo
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Publication number: 20080245520Abstract: A system and method is described generally for producing surface deformations on a surface of a body. The system and method relate to changing the convective heat transfer coefficient for a surface. The system includes a first surface being a surface of a body exposed to a fluid flow and at least one actuator affecting deformation of the first surface. The system also includes a control system providing control commands to the at least one actuator, the control commands configured to change deformations on the first surface in order to change the convective heat transfer coefficient of the first surface. Further, the system includes a sensor providing environmental characteristic information to the control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2006Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Lowell L. Wood, Alistair K. Chan, Clarence T. Tegreene
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Patent number: 7407003Abstract: A ground source heat exchange system includes an upstream manifold and a downstream manifold. More than one heat exchange flow circuit can be connected to the upstream and downstream manifolds for burial in the ground. A control valve associated with each heat exchange flow circuit is mounted on at least one of the manifolds. Each control valve controls flow of heat exchange fluid through a respective heat exchange flow circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: 1438253 Ontario Inc.Inventor: Mark G. Ross
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Patent number: 7334627Abstract: An enhanced heat transfer device with electrodes is provided, which is applied to a heat exchanger with a plurality of fluid channels and includes a plurality of electrodes mounted in the fluid channels of the heat exchanger; a plurality of sensor units mounted in the fluid channels of the heat exchanger for measuring mass flow rates of fluids in the fluid channels; and a power source for providing voltage to the electrodes. The power source is used to drive the electrodes to produce turbulence to fluids passing through the fluid channels according to measured mass flow rates from the sensor units, so as to facilitate uniform fluid flows in the plurality of fluid channels and reduce effect of thermal boundary layer in the fluid channels to thereby enhance heat transfer performance for the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Min-Sheng Liu, Chi-Chung Wang, Bing-Chwen Yang
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Patent number: 7293605Abstract: The invention relates with the feed-back control system of a heat exchanger by use of the flow resonance phenomenon which maximizes the heat transfer efficiency by generating the flow disturbances of a heat transfer medium. If a heat transfer medium is periodically stimulated at the characteristic frequency of a heat exchanger, the flow resonance frequency, which is dependent upon the flow conditions of heat transfer medium and the geometries of a heat exchanger, the disturbances of heat transfer medium is increased to the extent that heat transfer is dramatically high. This system is composed of the detecting part for the detection of flow characteristics, the processing part for the determination of flow resonance frequency, and the stimulating part which excites a heat transfer medium at the calculated flow resonance frequency.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2002Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Bstech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Seungyoup Lee
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Patent number: 7069976Abstract: Process and device for controlling the temperature of an outbound secondary flow in a secondary circuit from a heat exchanger by a primary flow in a primary circuit, via a member that regulates the primary flow, influenced by a control unit. The enthalpy difference between inbound and outbound primary flow to and from the heat exchanger and the secondary flow are determined. The flow in the primary circuit is determined, and the parameters are supplied to the control unit for controlling the member, whereby the primary flow is controlled in dependence of the secondary flow, so that power supplied to the heat exchanger substantially equals the sum of the power needed to raise the temperature of the secondary flow from the initial temperature to the desired outbound temperature; the assumed power requirement for compensating for energy stored in the heat exchanger; and the assumed leak power from the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Inventor: Matts Lindgren
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Patent number: 6802314Abstract: A flow probe for use in a humidification system is disclosed. The flow probe is adapted to be positioned in a humidified gases flow (for example oxygen or anaesthetic gases) such as that which is provided to a patient in a hospital environment. The flow probe is designed to provide both temperature and flow rate sensing of the gases flow by incorporating two sensors (preferably thermistors) and the shape and alignment of the probe enables accurate readings by reducing the occurrence of condensation on the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Fisher & Paykel LimitedInventor: Stephen William McPhee
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Publication number: 20040112568Abstract: An enhanced heat transfer device with electrodes is provided, which is applied to a heat exchanger with a plurality of fluid channels and includes a plurality of electrodes mounted in the fluid channels of the heat exchanger; a plurality of sensor units mounted in the fluid channels of the heat exchanger for measuring mass flow rates of fluids in the fluid channels; and a power source for providing voltage to the electrodes. The power source is used to drive the electrodes to produce turbulence to fluids passing through the fluid channels according to measured mass flow rates from the sensor units, so as to facilitate uniform fluid flows in the plurality of fluid channels and reduce effect of thermal boundary layer in the fluid channels to thereby enhance heat transfer performance for the heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Min-Sheng Liu, Chi-Chung Wang, Bing-Chwen Yang
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Patent number: 6694974Abstract: A flow probe for use in a humidification system is disclosed. The flow probe is adapted to be positioned in a humidified gases flow (for example oxygen or anaesthetic gases) such as that which is provided to a patient in a hospital environment. The flow probe is designed to provide both temperature and flow rate sensing of the gases flow by incorporating two sensors (preferably thermistors) and the shape and alignment of the probe enables accurate readings by reducing the occurrence of condensation on the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2000Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Fisher & Paykel LimitedInventors: Lewis George-Gradon, Stephen William McPhee, Paul John Seakins, Peter John Leonard
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Patent number: 6584972Abstract: A flow probe for use in a humidification system is disclosed. The flow probe is adapted to be positioned in a humidified gases flow (for example oxygen or anaesthetic gases) such as that which is provided to a patient in a hospital environment. The flow probe is designed to provide both temperature and flow rate sensing of the gases flow by incorporating two sensors (preferably thermistors) and the shape and alignment of the probe enables accurate readings by reducing the occurrence of condensation on the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2002Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Fisher & Paykel LimitedInventor: Stephen William McPhee
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Patent number: 6450254Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.Inventors: Scott Baxter Hoyle, Michael Anthony McSweeney
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Patent number: 6449969Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a coolant circulation system including a coolant circuit and a refrigerating or refrigerating/heating machine in which a portion of the coolant circuit passes through the refrigerating or refrigerating/heating machine and includes a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet provided at opposite ends thereof, with the output of the refrigerating or refrigerating/heating machine being controlled on the basis of a temperature of the coolant at either one of the coolant inlet or the coolant outlet of the coolant circuit, the control method comprising controlling a flow rate of coolant flowing in the coolant circuit on the basis of a coolant temperature at the coolant inlet.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Ebara CorporationInventors: Masakazu Fujimoto, Takashi Okada
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Patent number: 6349722Abstract: A flow probe for use in a humidification system is disclosed. The flow probe is adapted to be positioned in a humidified gases flow (for example oxygen or anaesthetic gases) such as that which is provided to a patient in a hospital environment. The flow probe is designed to provide both temperature and flow rate sensing of the gases flow by incorporating two sensors (preferably thermistors) and the shape and alignment of the probe enables accurate readings by reducing the occurrence of condensation on the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1998Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Fisher & Paykel LimitedInventors: Lewis George Gradon, Stephen William McPhee, Paul John Seakins, Peter John Leonard
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Air conditioning installation with an external temperature estimator, especially for a motor vehicle
Patent number: 6123146Abstract: A motor vehicle air conditioning installation has a cold loop, a hot loop, a sensor for measuring cabin temperature, a manual setting unit for setting demand values of cabin air parameters, and a control unit for defining the resulting required adjustments to be made to the various components of the cold and hot loops. The control unit includes a temperature estimating module which generates an estimated value of the outside temperature, either from (a) the measured value of cabin temperature (in stabilized operation of the installation), or (b) a temperature value stored in a sub-memory of the control unit (when the installation is converging towards its stabilized mode).Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1997Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Valeo ElectroniqueInventor: Dominique Dias -
Patent number: 5927400Abstract: A device is described, for the adjustment of the flow rate of a liquid which circulates within thermal convectors or heat exchangers making up part of heating, conditioning or ventilation plants, or apparatus for the thermal treatment of products. The device comprises a body within which a movable shutter is provided, the position of which allows for adjusting the quantity of liquid flowing between at least an inlet duct and an outlet duct, the positioning of the shutter being obtained by way of a suitable actuator.The device comprises a control circuit and an instant flow rate and/or quantity meter of the liquid flowing in one of said ducts, for the automatic and continuous adjustment of the flow, by way of the appropriate positioning of the shutter.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1996Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Eltek S.p.a.Inventors: Elvio Bononi, Costanzo Gadini
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Patent number: 5904292Abstract: The present invention relates to a modulating fluid control device for a fluid-based heating and cooling system for a measured environment. The control device comprises a body, a fluid entry port and a fluid exit port and a valve with actuator located between the ports. In the case of three-way valves a bypass port is also provided thus becoming a mixing or diverting valve. The valve is responsive to input from a sensor and controller to restrict or permit the flow of fluid through the valve dependent upon conditions in the measured environment. The improvement is characterized in that the control device is provided with: (a) a valve controller and means associated therewith to position the valve and thereby regulate the flow of fluid through that valve, and (b) flow detection means associated with the valve to measure the flow of fluid at a location in the system and provide to the valve controller a feedback signal representative of that flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1996Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Inventor: Douglas S. McIntosh
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Patent number: 5810078Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the air condition and heating within a vehicle interior compartment, in which the apparatus includes a fan (13), heat exchangers (14, 15), temperature sensors (26, 27, 28) and a solar sensor (29) and temperature control (47) for setting a desired temperature. The apparatus further includes a control unit (46) which is operative to calculate a theoretical interior temperature T.sub.I based only upon information from sensors (26, 29) sensing the external heat load of the compartment, a sensor (27) sensing the temperature of the air supplied to the compartment and fan current representative of the volume of air supplied to the compartment. The control unit (46) compares this theoretical interior temperature T.sub.I with the preset temperature T.sub.ISet , calculates the difference .DELTA.T.sub.I, and then controls air flow and mixed temperature T.sub.M to readjust or maintain the interior temperature within the compartment (19) at the preset temperature T.sub.ISet.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1995Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Saab Automobile ABInventors: Anders M. Knutsson, Wolfgang Kirchner
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Patent number: 5806582Abstract: A method and an arrangement for controlling heat transfer in a ventilation apparatus or an air conditioning apparatus, in which heat contained in exhaust air is recovered into supply air by means of a heat transfer circuit having fluid circulation. Additional heating or additional cooling energy is supplied to the heat transfer circuit when the heat transfer is insufficient for maintaining a desired temperature of the supply air. To optimize the heat recovery, the supply of additional heating or cooling energy is minimized by measuring the temperatures and fluid flows of the heat transfer fluid and of the additional energy.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1996Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: ABB Installaatiot oyInventors: Esko Tapio Santavuori, Ingmar Erik Rolin, Seppo Juhani Leskinen
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Patent number: 5802863Abstract: A refrigerator for rapidly cooling down and then maintaining a plurality of wine bottles of arbitrary configuration within a selected temperature range comprises a compression type refrigeration unit in association with the refrigerated compartment which receives the wine bottles. The refrigeration unit includes a controllable expansion valve and a control system in which a microcontroller is arranged with a plurality of stored cooldown models as references for bringing the wine bottles to temperature without damage to the wine. Temperature, pressure and air flow measurements are used by a computer programmed to determine the status of the thermal load as affected by the number of wine bottles and their temperatures, and to adjust variations in the load compartment temperature for both cooldown modes and a steady state mode. Given an arbitrary thermal load, the refrigerator system lowers the wine temperature in a maximized but controlled manner so that chilled wine is available in no more than 30 minutes.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1995Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth W. Cowans
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Patent number: 5779141Abstract: A heating apparatus of a re-heat type for an air conditioning system for a vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine. The heating apparatus includes a flow control valve for controlling an amount of an engine hot water directed to a heat exchanger for heating. When the degree of the opening of the flow control valve is 2/8 or less and when the target degree of the opening of the flow control valve is 2/8 or more, a control of the degree of the opening of the flow control valve to the target opening plus a predetermined overshoot amount is initially executed, which is followed by a control to the target opening. When both of the initial and target opening is larger than 2/8 or the initial and target opening are identical, the overshoot control is not carried out, i.e., the degree of the opening of the flow control valve is directly controlled to the target value.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1996Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihiko Okumura, Koichi Ito, Yoshimitsu Inoue, Hikaru Sugi
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Patent number: RE40806Abstract: A flow probe for use in a humidification system is disclosed. The flow probe is adapted to be positioned in a humidified gases flow (for example oxygen or anaesthetic gases) such as that which is provided to a patient in a hospital environment. The flow probe is designed to provide both temperature and flow rate sensing of the gases flow by incorporating two sensors (preferably thermistors) and the shape and alignment of the probe enables accurate readings by reducing the occurrence of condensation on the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2004Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare LimitedInventors: Lewis George Gradon, Stephen William McPhee, Paul John Seakins, Peter John Leonard