Plural Pumps Having Separate Drive Motors, Supply Sources, Or Delivery Destinations Patents (Class 417/2)
  • Patent number: 6840743
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fan installation for a cooling system of a motor vehicle, comprising at least two fans which respectively have an electric fan motor arranged in a separate housing and a fan wheel which can be driven by the fan motor. The fan installation also comprises a control unit for operating the fan motors. The invention provides for an improved fan installation with a simple and cost-effective design, which is achieved by arranging the control unit in the housing of one of the fans for operating both fan motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: AFL Germany Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Herke, Thomas Kanamueller
  • Patent number: 6802696
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multistage compressor unit which comprises at least two different compressor elements (1 and 2) driven by means of separate electric motors (3, 4) with an adjustable speed, whereby the outlet (8) of a compressor element (1) of one stage connected to the inlet (10) of a successive compressor element (2) of a successive stage, characterized in that the electric motors (2, 4) are identical and therefore have approximately one and the same nominal capacity, whereas between each motor (3, 4) and the compressor element (1, 2) driven thereby, a gear transmission (13, 14) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Airpower, Naamloze Vennootschap
    Inventor: Ken Gustaaf Helena Verhaegen
  • Patent number: 6755620
    Abstract: A multi-stage variable speed compressor includes a pressure detector provided for each compressor on and after the second stage for detecting a discharge pressure of a compressor of a stage preceding the corresponding compressor or a suction pressure of the corresponding compressor, wherein the control device controls the rotational speeds of the compressor of the first stage using a deviation of discharge pressure from a desired target pressure, and controls the rotational speed of each compressor on and after the second stage based on the discharge pressure of the compressor in a stage before each compressor or the suction pressure of each compressor, using a pressure signal from the pressure detector provided for each compressor on and after the second stage for detecting a discharge pressure of a compressor of a stage preceding the corresponding compressor or a suction pressure of the corresponding compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Hajime Nakamura, Junichiro Totsuka
  • Patent number: 6752600
    Abstract: A fluid system for plural motor driven pumps is disclosed. The fluid system includes a hydraulic motor, a fluid reservoir, and a plurality of fixed displacement pumps. A control valve selectively directs flow of fluid to either a reservoir or the hydraulic motor. A control system responsive to an external condition and an internal condition generates a signal for each condition. The control valve is operated by the signals. The internal signal may be generated by an internal pressure monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Wayne Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne R. Worthington
  • Patent number: 6725132
    Abstract: A cooling fan including a fan module, a microcontroller, and a bus interface. The microcontroller is coupled to the fan module and is capable of adjusting a speed of the cooling fan based on a status of a second cooling fan and adjusting the speed of the cooling fan based on a temperature detected. The bus interface is in communication with the microcontroller, the second cooling fan, and the system to receive and output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Frankel, Peter Martin, Eric Hardt
  • Publication number: 20040022638
    Abstract: A radiator blower, in particular for motor vehicles, is indicated that comprises a plurality of individual fans (11, 12), each having an electrical drive motor (13, 14), and a plurality of switches (S1, S2, S3), each capable of being switched over into two positions, by means of which the drive motors (13, 14) are capable of being turned on and back off individually or in a series or parallel connection. To prevent disturbing noises from developing when the individual fan (11, 12) comes to rest after being turned off, when the operating drive motor or motors (13, 14) is/are turned off, an electronic control unit (20) forces the switches (S1, S2, S3)—at least temporarily—over into switch positions that bring about a short-circuiting of the turned-off drive motor or motors (FIG. 1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Strupp
  • Publication number: 20040018093
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the supply of a pressure medium on rail vehicles which are coupled together in a tractive link both mechanically and in order to enable the flow of said pressure medium, whereby said pressure medium is supplied by a main air container pipe which extends through all rail vehicles and which is fed with a pressure medium via a plurality of compressors individually mounted in each rail vehicle. The aim of the invention is to allow a balanced use of the compressors included in the tracture link. In order to achieve this, a changeable or fixed order of priority is defined for the compressors according to the total number of compressors in the tracture link, whereby the number of compressors activated depends on the order of priority necessary to meet the actual required amount of pressure medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Ralf-Rainer Schmid, Stefan Reinicke
  • Patent number: 6659726
    Abstract: A system for variable speed control of a plurality of motors under variable load demand is provided. The system includes a constant power source and a plurality of motors having electrical circuits with switches to connect with the constant power source. The system further includes a variable speed drive for driving each of the plurality of motors at variable speed, wherein each of the plurality of motors includes a switch to connect with the variable speed drive. Each of the plurality of motors is selectively electrically connected with the variable speed drive and the constant power source via the switches, for driving the each of the plurality of motors at one of variable and constant speed in response to load demands. To prevent short cycling of the motors under situations of increasing system demand, the control algorithm for the electrical switches provides hysteresis by overspeeding one of the motors before switching from variable speed mode to constant speed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Steve Holden
  • Patent number: 6638022
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes: a metal V-belt type infinitely variable gear-change mechanism 20 whereby the rotation of an engine E is subjected to change in gear ratio, a forwards clutch 14 and a reverse brake 15 that perform engagement/disengagement control of the engine and the infinitely variable gear-change mechanism, and a second motor generator 50 capable of driving the drive wheels arranged parallel with the engine. The control device is provided with a first hydraulic pump 3 for engine drive, a second hydraulic pump 56 that is driven by an electric motor 55 for pump drive, and a forwards/reverse clutch control valve 73 that performs changeover control of supply of working hydraulic pressure to the forwards clutch 14 etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eijirou Shimabukuro, Shigeru Ibaraki, Takuya Shirasaka, Makoto Kishida, Yutaka Tamagawa, Tetsuya Hasebe
  • Publication number: 20030190236
    Abstract: A liquid pump includes a container body, a vacuuming device, and a liquid-discharging device. The container body has an upper portion, a lower portion, a vent hole formed in the upper portion, a cap mounted removably on the upper portion for closing the vent hole, a liquid inlet formed in the upper portion, a guide tube connected to the liquid inlet, a liquid outlet formed in the lower portion, and a plug mounted removably on the lower portion for closing the liquid outlet. The vacuuming device is mounted on the container body and is operable so as to reduce air pressure within the container body. The liquid-discharging device includes a connecting rod connected to the plug and movable between a closing position and an opening position. The liquid-discharging device further includes a biasing unit connected to the connecting rod for biasing the connecting rod to the closing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Ming-Chang Chen
  • Patent number: 6625519
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the dry-run operation of a submersible fuel pump operating in a network of fuel pumps is disclosed in which the pump controller is able to switch itself off upon detection of a dry-run condition. After shutting itself off, the pump controller can request assistance from another pump in the pump network. When fuel is added to the tank, the fuel pump controller will detect the presence of the fuel and reactivate the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Veeder-Root Company Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Goodwin, Jeff Caparoon
  • Publication number: 20030161731
    Abstract: A plurality of turbo engines (1, 2, 3) cooperate in a station, and each turbo engine with the drive machine (4, 5, 6) driving it forms a machine unit, with which a machine controller (28, 29, 30) is associated. To control these turbo engines (1, 2, 3) in parallel or tandem operation to observe at least one process variable, which is preset by the station and is common to all turbo engines (1, 2, 3), the preset, common process variable is set directly to each of the machine controllers (28, 29, 30), and this preset, common process variable is controlled exclusively via the machine controllers (28, 29, 30) associated with the particular machine unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Wilfried Blotenberg
  • Patent number: 6589023
    Abstract: Generally, a vacuum pumping system having efficient power usage is provided. In one embodiment, the vacuum pumping system includes a first pump, a check valve and a second pump. The check valve and second pump are coupled in parallel to an exhaust line of the first pump. The first pump and second pump have a ratio of internal volume that is about 20 to about 130. In another embodiment, the vacuum pumping system includes a first pump, a check valve and a second pump. The check valve and second pump are coupled in parallel to an exhaust line of the first pump. The first pump and second pump have a ratio of power consumption that is about 5 to about 20. In yet another embodiment, the first pump and second pump have a ratio of pumping capacity that is about 50 to about 200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Royce, Pedram Sabouri, Peter Reimer
  • Publication number: 20030123989
    Abstract: A system for variable speed control of a plurality of motors under variable load demand is provided. The system includes a constant power source and a plurality of motors having electrical circuits with switches to connect with the constant power source. The system further includes a variable speed drive for driving each of the plurality of motors at variable speed, wherein each of the plurality of motors includes a switch to connect with the variable speed drive. Each of the plurality of motors is selectively electrically connected with the variable speed drive and the constant power source via the switches, for driving the each of the plurality of motors at one of variable and constant speed in response to load demands. To prevent short cycling of the motors under situations of increasing system demand, the control algorithm for the electrical switches provides hysteresis by overspeeding one of the motors before switching from variable speed mode to constant speed mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Steve Holden
  • Patent number: 6579067
    Abstract: A system for variable speed control of a plurality of compressors under variable load demand. The system includes a constant power source and a plurality of compressor motors having switches to connect with the constant power source. The system further includes a variable speed drive for driving any one of the plurality of compressor motors at variable speed, wherein each of the plurality of compressor motors includes a switch to connect with the variable speed drive. Each of the plurality of compressor motors is selectively electrically connected with the variable speed drive or the constant power source via the switches, for driving the each of the plurality of motors at one of variable or constant speed in response to compressor load demands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Holden
  • Patent number: 6565325
    Abstract: A pump control system incorporates a programmed processor and respond to input from multiple floats. The programmed processor can respond to detected float failures in real time by reassigning control, lag, or lead functions from a failing float to one of the remaining functioning floats. Pump alternating functionality can be provided if any two of a plurality of four or more floats continue to function as expected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Anton Belehradek
  • Patent number: 6544228
    Abstract: The infusion device comprises a central controller (10) and a plurality of infusion apparatus (12) each connected via a data channel (15) with the controller (10). Each infusion apparatus (12) is provided with a unique identification number. When an infusion apparatus (12) is connected to the controller (10) the identification number is requested and the controller (10) checks whether this identification number has already been allocated. If this is not the case, the controller (10) sends the inverted identification number back to the infusion apparatus (12). The infusion apparatus (12) accepts commands from the controller (10) only if the returned signal corresponds to the identification number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventor: Rolf Heitmeier
  • Patent number: 6537019
    Abstract: A fan assembly includes a first fan and a second fan. The first fan has a first housing and a first blade assembly. The first blade assembly includes a plurality of blades attached to a hub, and is configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation in a first direction. The second fan includes a second housing and a second blade assembly. The second blade assembly also includes a plurality of blades attached to a hub. The second blade assembly, however, is configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation in a second direction that is opposite the first direction of rotation. The first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation can be coincidental or they can be slightly offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: David E. Dent
  • Patent number: 6474949
    Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of evacuating a vacuum chamber (process chamber) or the like of a semiconductor fabrication facility, for example. The evacuating apparatus has a vacuum chamber to be evacuated, a discharge pipe connecting the vacuum chamber to an atmospheric port, a vacuum pump connected to the discharge pipe and operable at a variable rotational speed, and a controller for controlling the rotational speed of the vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Arai, Katsuaki Usui, Takahiro Isozaki
  • Publication number: 20020150476
    Abstract: Fluid pump control modes in a medical perfusion system include a Back Off Response Mode, a Flow Servo Mode, a Pressure Servo Mode, and a Master-Slave Servo Mode. In the Back Off Response Mode, pump's speed is decremented to a new speed when an excessive flow rate or pressure condition is detected. The new speed is maintained until an additional decrement is required or until the Back Off Response Mode is exited. In the Flow Servo Mode, a pump's speed is controlled to maintain a fluid flow rate indicated by a user as a setpoint. In the Pressure Servo Mode, a pump's speed is controlled to maintain a pressure indicated by the user as a setpoint. In the Master-Slave Servo Mode, a slave pump receives an indication of a master pump's speed, and the slave pump speed is controlled to maintain a specified percentage of the master pump's speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Lori E. Lucke, Richard M. Willems, Richard A. Griewski
  • Publication number: 20020127113
    Abstract: Disclosed herewith is a micro-fan. The micro-fan includes a hub attached to a rotating shaft and a plurality of blades extended from the side surface of the hub. In the micro-fan, if a leading edge is defined as the foremost edge of each of the blades consisting of a straight line portion and one or more arc portions, a trailing edge is defined as the rearmost edge of each of the blades, a chord line is defined as a line connecting two opposite points respectively situated in the leading and trailing edges and a blade angle is defined as an angle formed by the chord line and the horizontal line passing through the same point of the leading edge as that through which the chord line passes and lying in the same vertical plane as that in which the leading edge lies, the straight line portions of the leading and trailing edges are perpendicular to the hub and form a predetermined inside angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jae Woong Kwon, Si Young Yang
  • Publication number: 20020119050
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to control a discharge pressure in a multi-stage variable speed compressor always to be a desired target pressure, whereby the multi-stage variable speed compressor can be operated with a discharge pressure of a good precision and to make it possible to perform the control without needing operation data as used in the prior art, at all.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd)
    Inventors: Hajime Nakamura, Junichiro Totsuka
  • Patent number: 6428282
    Abstract: A system, such as a computer system, has cooling fans, each having a fan motor and fan blades. The fan motor operates to rotate the fan blades at a variable rotational speed. A frequency generator generates a reference speed signal having a reference frequency and a reference phase. Tachometers measure the variable rotational speeds of the fan blades of corresponding fans and provide corresponding fan speed signals representative of the variable rotational speeds of the corresponding fans. Each fan speed signal has a fan frequency and a fan phase. Motor controllers control the variable rotational speed of corresponding fan blades of corresponding fans based on the reference speed signal and the corresponding fan speed signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Philip David Langley
  • Publication number: 20020102162
    Abstract: A pump control system incorporates a programmed processor and respond to input from multiple floats. The programmed processor can respond to detected float failures in real time by reassigning control, lag, or lead functions from a failing float to one of the remaining functioning floats. Pump alternating functionality can be provided if any two of a plurality of four or more floats continue to function as expected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Anton Belehradek
  • Patent number: 6425740
    Abstract: A resonator pump system includes a resonating structure configured for resonating, and a fluid pump coupled to and driven by the resonating structure. An energy source is operatively coupled to the resonating structure for maintaining resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: SARCOS, L.C.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Clark C. Davis
  • Patent number: 6419455
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for regulating the pressure in an enclosure (1) that is to contain processed gas for manufacturing semiconductor components or micro- or nano-technology devices, the enclosure being connected by pipework (2) to a pump unit (3) comprising a dry mechanical primary pump (4) and at least one secondary pump (5). According to the invention, the system further comprises a speed controller (6) controlling simultaneously the speeds of rotation of the dry mechanical primary pump (4) and of said at least one secondary pump (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Claude Rousseau, Patrick Pilotti, Philippe Maquin
  • Patent number: 6398505
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a plurality of fan units having a fan respectively, a plurality of temperature sensors detecting temperature of an object of cooling, included in the fan units respectively, and a control portion deciding the speed of the fan according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensors in a self-control mode and increasing the speed of at least one of the other fans when the speed of any one of the fans is lower than a prescribed threshold in a coordinative control mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Takashi Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 6368064
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing redundant power and redundant fan speed control to a plurality of fans is provided. A first power supply input is electrically connected to a second power supply input to provide a combined power supply input. First and second fan speed controllers each having an input and an output are provided, along with first and second power converters each having an input and an output. The combined power supply input is electrically connected to the input of the first fan speed controller and the input of the first power converter. The combined power supply input is also electrically connected to the input of the second fan speed controller and the input of the second power converter. The output of the first fan speed controller is electrically combined with the output of the second fan speed controller to provide a combined fan speed control signal. The combined fan speed control signal is electrically connected to the plurality of fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: 3COM Corporation
    Inventors: Laura M. Bendikas, Dane L. Greives
  • Patent number: 6322325
    Abstract: A pump control system incorporates a programmed processor and responds to input from multiple floats. The programmed processor can respond to detected float failures in real time by reassigning control, lag, or lead functions from a failing float to one of the remaining functioning floats. Pump alternating functionality can be provided if any two of a plurality of four or more floats continue to function as expected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Anton Belehradek
  • Patent number: 6318965
    Abstract: An intelligent fan system includes a microcontroller having memory and an interface which provides a connection to a host computer system. The host computer system dynamically provides a plurality of controlled instructions to the microcontroller which are stored in the memory of the microcontroller. The system also includes a temperature sensing device which is connected to the microcontroller. A fan responsive to the communication signal provided by the microcontroller adjusts the speed of the fan in accordance with the plurality of control instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Degree Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Rajesh Muraleedharan Nair
  • Patent number: 6309539
    Abstract: A filtration and subsurface distribution system having a vaulted splitting device (e.g., dosing vault) in a recirculating pump tank. The recirculating pump tank houses a sand filter pump and the dosing vault houses a dosing pump. The dosing vault and the dosing pump may be housed outside and remote from the recirculating pump tank which ensures that effluent will not be mixed within the dosing vault. The sand filter pump doses a sand filter with the septic effluent via a feed line. The effluent is then filtered by the sand filter and returned to the dosing vault via a filtrate return. When the filtrate reaches a certain predetermined level within the dosing vault, the drip pump is enabled and turned “on”. In this manner, the filtrate is dosed or dripped into a drain absorption field without mixing with the septic effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: American Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Mayer
  • Patent number: 6287083
    Abstract: A compressed air production facility includes at least one variable speed compressor and a plurality of constant speed compressor, which are connected in parallel with one another. The variable speed compressor and the plurality of constant speed compressors are capacitively controlled with the use of a pressure in an air reservoir into which discharge air from these compressor are led. Both upper limit pressure at which the variable speed compressor is turned into its load operation mode into its unload operation mode and a lower limit pressure at which the variable speed compressor is turned into its unload operation mode into its load operation mode are set between an upper limit change-over pressure at which all of the plurality of constant speed compressors are turned into their load operation into their unload operation and a lower limit change-over pressure at which all of the plurality of constant speed compressors are changed over from their unload operation into their load operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Hase, Masakazu Aoki, Hiroyuki Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20010016165
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes: a metal V-belt type infinitely variable gear-change mechanism 20 whereby the rotation of an engine E is subjected to change in gear ratio, a forwards clutch 14 and a reverse brake 15 that perform engagement/disengagement control of the engine and the infinitely variable gear-change mechanism, and a second motor generator 50 capable of driving the drive wheels arranged parallel with the engine. The control device is provided with a first hydraulic pump 3 for engine drive, a second hydraulic pump 56 that is driven by an electric motor 55 for pump drive, and a forwards/reverse clutch control valve 73 that performs changeover control of supply of working hydraulic pressure to the forwards clutch 14 etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Eijirou Shimabukuro, Shigeru Ibaraki, Takuya Shirasaka, Makoto Kishida, Yutaka Tamagawa, Tetsuya Hasebe
  • Patent number: 6276900
    Abstract: A multiple fan system including at least two simultaneously operated fans. Each of the fans are operable as a constant speed fan and as an oscillating speed fan. Not more than one of the fans is operated as a constant speed fan. Each fan not being operated as a constant speed fan is operated as an oscillating speed fan. A fan controller operates each oscillating speed fan in a mode whereby a respective acoustic emission having a range of frequency different than any other oscillating speed fans is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Keith Alan Lyszkowski, Douglas E. Wallace, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6269872
    Abstract: A method for regulating coolant flow rate to a heat exchanger in an automotive vehicle is described. The method includes the steps of providing a main fluid pump for providing a source of fluid under pressure to the vehicle engine and the heat exchanger and providing a reversible flow auxiliary pump between the main fluid pump and the heat exchanger. The method further includes the steps of generating an engine speed signal and an ambient temperature signal. The auxiliary pump forces fluid against the flow from the main fluid pump when the engine speed signal is greater than a threshold value and forces fluid to the heat exchanger when the ambient temperature signal is below a predetermined value and the engine speed signal is less than the threshold value and within predetermined values. A system is also disclosed for accomplishing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John Stiles Anderson
  • Patent number: 6270319
    Abstract: A multiple fan system including at least two simultaneously operated fans. Each of the fans are operable as a constant speed fan and as an oscillating speed fan. Not more than one of the fans is operated as a constant speed fan. Each fan not being operated as a constant speed fan is operated as an oscillating speed fan. A fan controller operates each oscillating speed fan in a mode whereby a respective acoustic emission having a range of frequency different than any other oscillating speed fans is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Keith Alan Lyszkowski, Douglas E. Wallace, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6257832
    Abstract: A multiple fan system including at least two simultaneously operated fans. Each of the fans are operable as a constant speed fan and as an oscillating speed fan. Not more than one of the fans is operated as a constant speed fan. Each fan not being operated as a constant speed fan is operated as an oscillating speed fan. A fan controller operates each oscillating speed fan in a mode whereby a respective acoustic emission having a range of frequency different than any other oscillating speed fans is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Keith Alan Lyszkowski, Douglas E. Wallace, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6142740
    Abstract: A compression system includes a sequencing switch movable between a first switch position and a second switch position for alternating a first compressor and a second compressor between a lead mode and a lag mode so that one of the compressors is always in the lead mode and one of the compressors is always in the lag mode. The compression system includes a first compressor including a first microcontroller having a data entry device for establishing a lead mode pressure range and a lag mode pressure range. The first compressor includes a first pressure gauge for sensing the pressure level of compressed fluid discharged therefrom and for relaying the sensed pressure level to the first microcontroller. The first microcontroller continuously monitors the pressure level of the compressed fluid discharged from the first compressor and compares the pressure level of the compressed fluid to the lead mode pressure range and the lag mode pressure range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Marty L. Connell
  • Patent number: 6077044
    Abstract: A well pump storage and delivery assembly includes at least one collecting tank coupled to at least one source of water being derived from an underground well having a well pump therein. The collecting tank has an upper water level measuring member capable of detecting and measuring an upper level of water collected within the collecting tank and a lower water level measuring member capable of detecting and measuring a lower level of water collected within the collecting tank. A pressurization pump is connected to the collecting tank and is capable of receiving water therefrom. The pressurization pump is connected to a pressurized storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: John A. Reid
  • Patent number: 6056510
    Abstract: A multistage vacuum pump unit having a plurality of separate single-stage pumps connected in series with each other by exhaust pipes, the exhaust pipes each connecting a suction port of one of the adjacent single-stage pumps with an exhaust port of another of the adjacent single-stage pump; motors for driving the separate single-stage pumps respectively; driving device for varying a revolution of one of the single-stage pumps that is at least in contact with an atmospheric side; driving current detection device for detecting a driving current of the motor for driving the single-stage pump that is in contact with the atmospheric side; pressure detection device for detecting a pressure at a vacuum-side inlet; and control device for controlling revolutions of the motors of the single-stage pumps based on the pressure detected by the pressure detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuyuki Miura, Hiroya Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 6045331
    Abstract: A fluid pump speed controller apparatus for ensuring adequate system fluid pressure while minimizing energy consumption. The fluid pump speed controller has an adjustable frequency motor drive and control circuits to vary fluid pump motor speeds based on system fluid demand, monitored by a sensor. The control circuits set the pump speed, based on input from the sensor. The control circuits also set parameters in the control circuit logic, and are capable of self calibration and controlling multiple fluid pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventors: William Gehm, Lanny Gehm
  • Patent number: 5993654
    Abstract: First liquid pumping apparatus for containing a first quantity of first liquid, second liquid pumping apparatus for containing a second quantity of second liquid and control apparatus for alternately connecting the first liquid pumping apparatus and second liquid pumping apparatus to pressurized liquid utilization apparatus and for causing the first and second liquid pumping apparatus to alternately deliver the respective liquids to the liquid utilization apparatus at a substantially constant flow or substantially constant pressure; the first and second liquids may be the same liquid or different liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Eldex Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Black
  • Patent number: 5971711
    Abstract: A vacuum pump control system is used for controlling a plurality of vacuum pumps comprising at least one type of cryopump, turbomolecular pump, cryoturbo pump, and dry pump such as a Roots type vacuum pump. The vacuum pump control system for controlling a plurality of vacuum pumps, comprises a host computer; a plurality of vacuum pump controllers connected respectively to said vacuum pumps; and a network control unit for transmitting information between the host computer and the vacuum pump controllers. The vacuum pump controllers are connected in parallel to the network control unit by respective communication lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuharu Noji, Koichi Kido
  • Patent number: 5964510
    Abstract: A pump unit includes a first plunger pump including a suction port arranged at an end of the first pump distant from a camshaft and a discharge port arranged at another end thereof near the camshaft, and a plunger second pump including a suction port arranged at an end of the second pump near the camshaft and a discharge port arranged at another end thereof distant from the camshaft. The first and second pumps are arranged in parallel with each other along the camshaft so that plungers of the first and second pumps contact corresponding cams of the camshaft. The first and second pumps are connected in series so that the discharge port of the first pump communicates with the suction port of the second pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventor: Chiharu Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 5897781
    Abstract: A fluid delivery method and apparatus implementing active phasing to actively restore the substantially exact mechanical positions of driven components in a delivery system in order to precisely reproduce the mechanical signature and hydraulic characteristics of the system from run to run without perturbing output flow. The delivery system is configured to intelligently drive pump pistons to a known position and to deliver fluid(s) at a known pressure, and includes a plurality of pump modules each including motor driven syringes having respective pistons configured to reciprocate under control of a control mechanism. Pump phasing is accomplished through a mechanism of compensation delivery of the syringes. An independent, motor-driven syringe of any given pump in a plurality of pumps in a system has the ability to act as a delivering syringe to maintain a prescribed output flow while one other syringe of each of the plurality of pumps is repositioned under load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Waters Investments Limited
    Inventor: Theodore A. Dourdeville
  • Patent number: 5865601
    Abstract: A safety device for avoiding entrapment at a water reservoir drain by using a vacuum operated switch to interrupt power to the reservoir pump and by using a pressure pump to generate a positive pressure to dislodge the obstruction from the drain should a blockage occur. In addition, a manual reset switch requires human intervention to re-activate the reservoir pump once the blockage condition is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Bernard J. Miller
  • Patent number: 5772899
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing system is provided which has first diaphragm pump means, a filter connected to receive the discharge of said first pump, and accumulator/second diaphragm pump means connected to receive the discharge of said filter. Hydraulic fluids pumped by cylinder/piston/stepper assemblies independently actuate each of the diaphragm pumps, providing accurate, controllable and repeatable dispense of the subject fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Millipore Investment Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Ocie T. Snodgrass, Michael K. Farney, Gregory M. Gibson
  • Patent number: 5746581
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evacuating a vacuum system which includes an evacuating portion comprising first and second vacuum pumps which are connected in series. The method and the apparatus are characterized in that the first vacuum pump is operated in a range from reverse rotation to forward rotation, and the second vacuum pump is rotated unidirectionally, thereby enabling pressure control of the vacuum system over a wide range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Yuuichi Mikata, Manabu Tsujimura, Yoshio Ando
  • Patent number: 5743715
    Abstract: Balancing the load between compressors is not trivial. An approach is disclosed to balance loads for compression systems which have the characteristic that the surge parameters, S, change in the same direction with rotational speed during the balancing process. Load balancing control involves equalizing the pressure ratio, rotational speed, or power (or functions of these) when the compressors are operating far from surge. Then, as surge is approached, all compressors are controlled, such that they arrive at their surge control lines simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Compressor Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Serge Staroselsky, Brett W. Batson, Saul Mirsky, Vadim Shapiro
  • Patent number: 5743714
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling a multicompressor station so that the overall work requirement of the station is minimized while maintaining the compressors in a non-surge conditions. The apparatus includes interconnected control loops for controlling the turbine speed of variable speed compressors or the throttling valves of constant speed compressors that determine a set of criterion for computing the value and sign of the first derivative of work performed by the station. The speed of each compressor is then set to reduce overall system work while maintaining discharge pressure of the station and maintaining the compressors in a non-surge operating format. The method includes the steps of computing the criterion, computing the value and sign of the first derivative of the work function and adjusting the compressor speed to minimize station work while maintaining the compressors in a non-surge condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Dmitry Drob
    Inventor: Dmitry Drob