Compressing, Condensing And Evaporating Patents (Class 62/115)
  • Patent number: 9884394
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for reducing a refrigerant pressure difference within an HVAC system having a controller, one or more compressors, and at least two paths of refrigerant piping comprising alternative paths for refrigerant flow through the HVAC system. A valve is coupled to each refrigerant piping path for permitting, or preventing, refrigerant flow through each of the alternate paths of refrigerant piping. The controller may open at least one valve for a defined period of time in response to a triggering input to allow a refrigerant pressure difference within the HVAC system to dissipate across the opened valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Gene Havard, Jr., Rakesh Goel, Rosa Maria Leal, Thomas Edward Pate, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9851228
    Abstract: A fluid gauging system for gauging a fluid includes a flow measuring device, an air sealing arrangement, and an electronic circuit. The flow measuring device includes a flow sensor that measures a flow rate of the fluid. The air sealing arrangement seals an inlet of the flow measuring device against an entry of atmospheric air. The electronic circuit includes a processor, a GPS module, and a communication module. The processor generates a data signal based on the flow rate. The GPS module provides a real time location of the flow measuring device. The communication module transmits the data signal and real time location to a remote server. A user device includes a software application that receives the data signal from the remote server and generates reports and statistics. Further, the processor notifies the user device if the flow measuring device is disconnected from the electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Sahil Chawala
  • Patent number: 9618235
    Abstract: Condensation occurs on an indoor fan. In an air conditioner of the present invention, an indoor heat exchanger includes an auxiliary heat exchanger 20 and a main heat exchanger 21 disposed leeward from the auxiliary heat exchanger 20. The auxiliary heat exchanger 20 is disposed forward of a front heat exchanger 21a of the main heat exchanger 21. In an operation in a predetermined dehumidification operation mode, a liquid refrigerant supplied to the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 all evaporates midway in the auxiliary heat exchanger 20. Then, the refrigerant having flowed through a superheat region of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 flows through a portion of the front heat exchanger 21a which portion is located leeward from an evaporation region of the auxiliary heat exchanger 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Haikawa
  • Patent number: 9546806
    Abstract: When a fully-closable expansion valve is used, there is a possibility that the expansion valve is fully closed thereby to block a refrigerant circuit. In an air conditioner 1 of the present invention, an indoor heat exchanger 14 includes an auxiliary heat exchanger 20 and a main heat exchanger 21 disposed leeward from the auxiliary heat exchanger 20. In an operation in a predetermined dehumidification operation mode, a liquid refrigerant supplied to the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 all evaporates midway in the auxiliary heat exchanger 20, i.e., before reaching the outlet. Therefore, only an upstream partial area in the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 is an evaporation region, while an area downstream of the evaporation region in the auxiliary heat exchanger 20 is a superheat region. Further, an evaporation temperature sensor 30 which detects an evaporation temperature is disposed downstream of an expansion valve 13 in an outdoor unit 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Haikawa, Youichi Ohnuma, Tomoatsu Minamida
  • Patent number: 9506674
    Abstract: An air conditioner that can perform defrosting efficiently while heating or the like is continued even if the air conditioner is configured by one outdoor unit is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Morimoto, Makoto Saito, Satoru Yanachi, Koji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9459029
    Abstract: To provide a motor-driven valve with a small number of parts, with excellent assemblage, capable of maintaining a large valve port diameter even downsized, and to prevent deterioration of housing environment due to sound caused by the impact and shortened life that are generated by collisions of closing limit stopper parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9410451
    Abstract: The present application provides an integrated bottoming cycle system for use with a gas turbine engine. The integrated bottoming cycle system described herein may include a compressor/pump, a cooling circuit downstream of the compressor/pump, a bottoming cycle heat exchanger, a heating circuit downstream of the bottoming cycle heat exchanger, and a number of turbine components in communication with the cooling circuit and/or the heating circuit to maximize the overall plant efficiency and economics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Gordon Laing, Charles Michael Booth
  • Patent number: 9400125
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus (1) for transferring heat from a first relatively cold medium to a second relatively hot medium, comprising a gastight rotor (4) rotatably mounted in a frame (2), and, mounted inside the rotor (4), a compressor (10), a first heat exchanger (8) for transferring heat from the fluid to the second medium and located relatively far from the axis of rotation of the rotor (4), an expansion chamber (11) for expanding the fluid, and a channel (14) for conveying the expanded fluid from the expansion chamber (11) to the compressor (10), wherein the first heat exchanger (8) is thermally insulated from the channel (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Heleos Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Hoos
  • Patent number: 9360241
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes a heat pump circuit, a load distribution element, and a controller. The heat pump circuit includes low-stage and high-stage compression mechanisms having a fixed capacity ratio relationship. The load distribution element establishes a load distribution between first and second heat loads subjected to heating processes by heat exchange with refrigerant discharged from the low-stage and high-stage compression mechanisms, respectively. The controller performs distribution control to maintain a ratio of 1 between temperatures of the refrigerant discharged from the low-stage and high stage compression mechanisms and after heat exchange with the first and second heat loads, respectively. Alternatively, the controller performs distribution control to reduce a difference between the temperatures of the refrigerant discharged from the low-stage and high stage compression mechanisms and after heat exchange with the first and second heat loads, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakayama, Shuji Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9353302
    Abstract: A composition is described including a first fluorinated hydrocarbon compound according to the formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are each independently H, F, Cl, Br, or I, n is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and each R? group is independently H, F, Cl, Br, or I, with the proviso that zero to three of R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are F; a second fluorinated hydrocarbon compound according to the formula: wherein m is 0 or 1, and R6, R7, and R8 are each independently H, F, Cl, Br, or I, with the proviso that one of R6, R7, and R8 is F; and a third fluorinated hydrocarbon compound according to the formula: wherein R9, R10, R11, R12 and R13 are each independently H, Cl, Br, or I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yinshan Feng, Parmesh Verma
  • Patent number: 9341393
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus increases the cooling capacity even under overload conditions in a refrigeration cycle apparatus that uses a refrigerant which undergoes transition to a supercritical state and in which the high-pressure side enters a supercritical state. A refrigeration cycle apparatus adjusts a high-pressure-side pressure of a refrigerant flowing through a main refrigerant circuit by causing a controller to control an opening degree of a second expansion valve and a heat transfer area of a radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Takayama, Yusuke Shimazu, Takeshi Hatomura
  • Patent number: 9335071
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a compressor, indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, an indoor fan, an expansion valve, a refrigerant-pressure-perceiving part, which perceives a pressure of refrigerant sent from the compressor to the indoor heat exchanger, and a control part, which performs startup fan control in which the indoor fan remains stopped until the compressor goes from being at rest to starting up and the pressure perceived reaches a high-pressure threshold. The control part repeats an action of reducing a flow rate of the indoor fan or stopping driving of the indoor fan when the pressure perceived is equal to or less than a low-pressure lower than the high-pressure threshold, and an action of increasing the flow rate of the indoor fan or initiating driving of the indoor fan when the pressure perceived reaches or exceeds a pressure threshold which is higher than the low-pressure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiko Kinoshita, Tsuyoshi Yamada, Junichi Shimoda, Kenta Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9338871
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling temperatures in plasma processing chamber with reduced controller response times and increased stability. Temperature control is based at least in part on a feedforward control signal derived from a plasma power input into the processing chamber. A feedforward control signal compensating disturbances in the temperature attributable to the plasma power may be combined with a feedback control signal counteracting error between a measured and desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Chetan Mahadeswaraswamy, Walter R. Merry, Sergio Fukuda Shoji, Chunlei Zhang, Yashaswini B. Pattar, Duy D. Nguyen, Tina Tsong, Shane C. Nevil, Douglas A. Buchberger, Jr., Fernando M. Silveira, Brad L. Mays, Kartik Ramaswamy, Hamid Noorbakhsh
  • Patent number: 9328944
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a refrigeration circuit, a magnetic material member, a magnetic field generator, a detector and a controller. The refrigeration cycle has a compressor, an intake-side heat exchanger, a discharge-side heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and a refrigerant tube connected in series by first, second, third and fourth tube parts of the refrigerant tube to form a closed loop. The magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field in order to inductively heat the magnetic material member. The detector detects temperature or pressure in refrigerant flowing through a predetermined portion of the refrigerant circuit. The controller confirms satisfaction of a magnetic-field-generating-permission condition before initiating the magnetic field generator to generate the magnetic field after a startup of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidehiko Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9297548
    Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system and a method of controlling the system are adapted for controlling the distribution of cooling capacity between two or more temperature controlled zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stevo Mijanovic, Olawale Adetona, Futao Zhao, Robert Bitmead, Ruello Rubino, JeanPhilippe Goux, Fabienne Peyaud, Fengcheng Sun, Lishan Wang
  • Patent number: 9194615
    Abstract: There is provided a CO2 cooling system which comprises: a compression stage in which CO2 refrigerant is compressed; a cooling stage in which the CO2 refrigerant releases heat; and an evaporation stage in which CO2 refrigerant, having released heat in the cooling stage, absorbs heat. The CO2 refrigerant exiting the evaporation stage is directed to at least one of the compression stage, before being directed to the cooling stage, and the cooling stage by at least one of gravity and natural convection. There is also provided a method for operating a CO2 cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventor: Marc-André Lesmerises
  • Patent number: 9163603
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of properly determining timing for restarting the engine in a stopped state when idle stop control of the engine is executed during a heating operation of an air conditioner, thereby making it possible to ensure marketability and fuel economy performance in a well-balanced manner. The control system executes the idle stop control of the engine during the heating operation of the air conditioner. The control system includes an ECU. The ECU sets a lower limit blowout temperature, calculates an estimated blowout temperature, and controls the engine such that the engine is restarted when the estimated blowout temperature has become not higher than the lower limit blowout temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichirou Wakou, Yoshihisa Tsuchiya, Masanobu Eguchi, Shinji Yasuno, Kanao Kogure, Nobuyuki Akahoshi
  • Patent number: 9157650
    Abstract: A heat source apparatus of a heat source system made up of a heat source machine side and a load facility side includes a heat source machine, and a heat source controller, wherein the heat source machine includes: a water heat exchanger that exchanges heat between heat source water and a refrigerant circulating through a refrigeration cycle; a primary pump that delivers heat source water to the water heat exchanger; and a heat source machine control device that operates based on information from the water heat exchanger and the primary pump, and wherein the heat source controller is connected to the heat source machine control device on a heat source side and to the load facility side so as to determine, after the primary pump is activated, whether or not the heat source water is normally fed by the primary pump based on a temperature difference between the heat source water before and after the water heat exchanger or a pressure difference between the heat source water before and after the water heat exchan
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Yamamoto, Kunio Muroi, Yuuji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9127850
    Abstract: An air conditioner using photovoltaic energy is provided. The air conditioner may include a photovoltaic cell for converting photovoltaic energy into Direct Current (DC) power, an indoor unit for exchanging heat, and an outdoor unit for exchanging heat. Photovoltaic power generated by the photovoltaic cell may be supplied to the indoor unit and used as at least one of standby power in a standby mode, consumption power in an automatic photovoltaic mode, or auxiliary power in a cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Choonghee Lee, Jintag Choi
  • Patent number: 9103556
    Abstract: A multi type air conditioner may include an outdoor unit, a distributor connected to the outdoor unit, and a plurality of indoor units connected to the distributor. The distributor may include a plurality of pipe ports. Two or more of the indoor units may be connected to one or more of the pipe ports to form an indoor unit group. An operation mode of the two or more indoor units forming the indoor unit group may operate in a reference mode that corresponds to an operation mode of a main indoor unit or an appropriate pipe port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaewan Lee, Sanghun Lee
  • Patent number: 9096143
    Abstract: A temperature control system for a drive device of a motor vehicle includes a first temperature control circuit, which is coupled to an electric drive apparatus of the drive device; a second temperature control circuit, which is separate from the first temperature control circuit and is coupled to an electric energy store of the drive device; and a heat exchanger for optionally transferring heat between the first temperature control circuit and the second temperature control circuit. A method for operating a temperature control system for a drive device of a motor vehicle includes optional transmission of heat between the first temperature control circuit and the second temperature control circuit by way of a heat exchanger in such a way that heat is extracted from the first temperature control circuit and the second temperature control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Füchtner
  • Patent number: 9046289
    Abstract: A horizontal suction accumulator generally includes a tank, an inlet tube, and an outlet tube. The tank extends in a horizontal direction and is configured to receive a refrigerant. The refrigerant includes a vapor and a liquid. The tank stores the liquid refrigerant and discharges the vapor refrigerant. The inlet tube supplies into the tank an inlet stream that includes the liquid and vapor refrigerants. The inlet tube extends into the tank and is bent upward at an acute angle. The liquid refrigerant is stored in the tank. The vapor refrigerant is discharged through the outlet tube, which extends offset from the inlet tube and into the tank. The inlet tube defines an inlet opening positioned at a first elevation, the outlet tube defines an outlet opening positioned at a second elevation, and the first and second elevations are substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daniel L. Price
  • Publication number: 20150143826
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes: a compressor arrangement for compressing gaseous refrigerant from a first pressure to a second pressure, wherein the second pressure comprises a condensing pressure; a first condenser evaporator system and a second condenser evaporator system, where in the first condenser evaporator system and the second condenser evaporator system are arranged in parallel and each comprises: (1) a condenser for receiving gaseous refrigerant at a condensing pressure and condensing the refrigerant to a liquid refrigerant, where in the condenser comprises a gaseous refrigerant inlet, a plate and a liquid refrigerant outlet, and a water delivery system for delivering water to an outside of the plate for removing heat from the plate; (2) a controlled pressure receiver for holding the liquid refrigerant from the condenser; and (3) an evaporator for evaporating the liquid refrigerant from the controlled pressure receiver to form the gaseous refrigerant; a first gaseous refrigerant feed line for feed
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: John Lingelbach
  • Publication number: 20150143828
    Abstract: A system for recycling heat or energy of a working medium of a heat engine for producing mechanical work is described. The system may comprise a first heat exchanger (204) for transferring heat from a working medium output from an energy extraction device (202) to a heating agent to vaporise the heating agent; a second heat exchanger (240) for transferring further heat to the vaporised heating agent; a compressor (231) coupled to the second heat exchanger (240) arranged to compress the further-heated heating agent; and a third heat exchanger (211) for transferring heat from the compressed heating agent to the working medium. A heat pump is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Naji Amin ATALLA
  • Patent number: 9038403
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated door structure comprises a first wall having a first edge, outer sidewalls that extend from the first edge to a perimetrical lip, a first inner surface and a first outer surface. A second wall has a second inner surface, a second outer surface and a second edge coupled to the perimetrical lip forming a cavity volume. The second wall includes inner sidewalls defining a second wall opening. The inner sidewalls extend to a back wall and define a second wall offset. A tubular member includes a first end coupled to a first conduit opening in the first wall and a second end coupled to a second conduit opening in the second wall offset. A barrier layer is disposed on the first and second walls and the tubular member. A cavity insulation material is disposed within the cavity volume which is hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nihat Cur, Guolian Wu
  • Publication number: 20150135743
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a chiller system including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator; a phase change material in thermal communication with the condenser; an actuator coupled to the phase change material; and a controller providing a trigger signal to the actuator to initiate changing the phase change material from a supercooled state to a solid state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Gregory M. Dobbs
  • Publication number: 20150135745
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fluoroolefin compositions. The fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention are useful as refrigerants or heat transfer fluids and in processes for producing cooling or heat. Additionally, the fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention may be used to replace currently used refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions that have higher global warming potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: MARIO JOSEPH NAPPA, Barbara Haviland Minor, Allen Capron Sievert
  • Publication number: 20150135744
    Abstract: A combination air and ground source heating and/or cooling system. The system includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit and an in-ground unit, each of which has a coil, an inlet line and an outlet line. The system also comprises a flow connector, a coupling and a controller. The controller is configured to control the flow connector and coupling so that the system is selectively operable in three different modes. In the first mode, refrigerant bypasses the coil of the outdoor unit, while, in the second mode, refrigerant bypasses the coil of the in-ground unit. In the third mode, refrigerant flows through the coils of the in-ground and outdoor units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: ATLAS L.C. HEATING & A/C
    Inventor: Robert Gault
  • Publication number: 20150128626
    Abstract: The invention relates to heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning equipment (1) including a device (9) for controlling the temperature of a battery (7) of an automobile including at least a compressor (11), a condenser (13), a first expansion member (15), a thermal-conditioning exchanger (17) for exchanging heat between a coolant and a heat-transport fluid (FC), and switching means. The temperature control device (9) includes at least one bypass line (9b) connecting an outlet of the compressor (11) to an inlet of the thermal-conditioning exchanger (17) while bypassing the condenser (13). The invention also relates to a method for controlling the temperature of an automobile battery (7) implemented by means of such heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning equipment (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Pascal Guigou, Mohamed Yahia
  • Publication number: 20150121918
    Abstract: The refrigerator includes a compressor compressing a refrigerant, a condenser condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor, and a dryer in which the refrigerant condensed in the condenser is introduced. The dryer removes impurities or moisture of the refrigerant. A flow adjustment part is provided on an outlet-side of the dryer to switch or control a flow direction of the refrigerant. A plurality of evaporators is connected to the flow adjustment part, and the plurality of evaporators includes a first evaporator and a second evaporator. A first refrigerant passage extends from the flow adjustment part to the first evaporator, and a second refrigerant passage extends from the flow adjustment part to the second evaporator. A guide tube extends from the dryer to one side of at least one evaporator of the plurality of evaporators to guide the refrigerant to be cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Sangbong LEE, Jangseok Lee, Hyoungkeun Lim, Myungjin Chung, Minkyu Oh, Youngsu Jeong, Younggyu An
  • Publication number: 20150121917
    Abstract: A refrigerator and a method for controlling a refrigerator are provided. The method may include driving a refrigerating cycle including a first evaporator and a second evaporator by activating at least one compressor, supplying refrigerant to the first and second evaporators by controlling a flow adjuster, recognizing whether the refrigerant is unequally introduced into the first or second evaporator, by sensing a temperature of the first or second evaporator through at least one temperature sensor, reducing supply of the refrigerant to the first or second evaporator into which the refrigerant is unequally introduced, by adjusting the flow adjuster, storing information about an operation time of the flow adjuster, recognizing whether the at least one temperature sensor has malfunctioned, and determining an operation time of the flow adjuster according to whether the at least one temperature sensor has malfunctioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sangbong LEE, Jangseok LEE, Hyoungkeun LIM, Myungjin CHUNG
  • Publication number: 20150121919
    Abstract: Provided are a refrigerator and a method of controlling the refrigerator. The method includes driving a refrigerating cycle that includes a first evaporator and a second evaporator by activating a compressor and simultaneously supplying cold air to a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment by supplying refrigerant to the first and second evaporators according to the driving of the refrigerating cycle. The method may further include preventing the refrigerant from being introduced into the second evaporator by more than a first prescribed amount by increasing, for a first prescribed amount of time, a flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the first evaporator; and preventing the refrigerant from being introduced into the first evaporator by more than a second prescribed amount by increasing, for a second prescribed amount of time, a flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the second evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Sangbong LEE, Jangseok LEE, Hyoungkeun LIM, Myungjin CHUNG
  • Publication number: 20150121920
    Abstract: A refrigerator and a method for controlling the same may be provided. The refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor, a refrigerant tube for guiding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, a flow adjustment part coupled to the refrigerant tube to divide the refrigerant into a plurality of refrigerant passages, a plurality of expansion devices respectively disposed in the plurality of refrigerant passages to decompress the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, a plurality of evaporators evaporating the refrigerant decompressed in the plurality of expansion devices, and a supercooling heat exchanger disposed at an outlet-side of the condenser to supercool the refrigerant. The refrigerant supercooled in the supercooling heat exchanger may be introduced into the flow adjustment part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sangbong LEE, Jangseok LEE, Hyoungkeun LIM, Myungjin CHUNG, Minkyu OH
  • Patent number: 9016075
    Abstract: An environmental control system including a turbomachine assembly having a shaft, motor, turbine and compressor, the compressor outputting a compressed air stream, a first valve that splits the compressed air stream into first and second compressed air streams, a heat exchanger to cool the first compressed air stream and output a cooled air stream, a second valve positioned to receive the cooled air stream and split the cooled air stream into first and second cooled air streams, wherein the first cooled stream is expanded in the turbine to produce an expanded air stream that is combined with the second compressed air stream and the second cooled air stream to provide a combined air stream having a temperature and a flow rate, and a controller that communicates control signals to the compressor, motor and first and second valves to control the temperature and flow rate of the combined air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Andrew T. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9016074
    Abstract: A system and method for heating water are provided. The system includes a first subcooler for receiving a first water flow, a second subcooler for receiving a second water flow, a first condenser in fluid communication with the first subcooler and the second subcooler for receiving water from both subcoolers, and a second condenser in fluid communication with the first condenser. The method involves receiving a flow of water, and transferring heat to the water using the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Energy Recovery Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Sean Douglas Marte
  • Publication number: 20150107283
    Abstract: This invention hereof discloses a refrigerating capacity control device, a test apparatus and a refrigerating control method using the device. The refrigerating capacity control device comprises a compressor (2), a condenser (5), an evaporator (7), a controller (1), a pressure regulating valve (4), a throttling device (6), a control panel (13) for driving a hot-gas valve, and a hot-gas valve (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: XUTEMP TEMPTECH Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yueming Xu
  • Publication number: 20150107284
    Abstract: An actuation method of a refrigerating machine (10) provided with an economizer apparatus (16) and including an auxiliary laminating member (18) having the opening adjustable for modulating a tapping flow rate of refrigerating fluid flowing through the economizer apparatus (16) including a checking phase of the value of the condensing temperature (Tc) compared to a first threshold value (Tc-max); a first adjustment phase of the opening of the auxiliary laminating member (18) in order to keep the temperature of said tapping flow rate at the entrance of the compressor (15) of the refrigerating machine (10) substantially equal to a predetermined overheating value, if the condensing temperature (Tc) is lower than the first threshold value (Tc-max); a second adjustment phase of the opening of the auxiliary laminating member (18) depending on the value of the condensing temperature (Tc).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Giuseppe DAL PRA'
  • Publication number: 20150107282
    Abstract: The invention discloses a controller for a vapour compression system for cooling a refrigerated space. The system comprises a circuit for circulation of a refrigerant between a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. An expansion valve controls a flow of the refrigerant into the evaporator and thereby cooling of the refrigerated space. The control system is adapted to control the expansion valve based on a first temperature in the circuit between the evaporator and the compressor and a second temperature determined in the refrigerated space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Roozbeh Izadi-Zamanabad, Harald Alnor
  • Patent number: 9010138
    Abstract: A variable displacement compressor adjusts the pressure in a control pressure chamber and controls the displacement in accordance with the adjusted pressure. Refrigerant is supplied via a supply passage, and released via a bleed passage. The compressor includes a first control valve for adjusting the cross-sectional area of the supply passage for refrigerant. The compressor further includes a second control valve that adjusts the cross-sectional area of the bleed passage in accordance with the opening/closing state of the first control valve. The second control valve adjusts the cross-sectional area of the bleed passage such that the cross-sectional area when the first control valve is in the closed state is larger than that when the first control valve is in the opened state. The back pressure chamber is located in a section of the bleed passage that is located between the second control valve and the control pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yoshida, Osamu Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 9004369
    Abstract: A method and system is provided which receives a desired humidity level from a user for the refrigeration compartment of a refrigerator, determines the current humidity level, and then activates an atomizer in the refrigeration compartment to increase the humidity level if needed. The humidity in the refrigeration compartment may be determined based at least in part on the temperature of the refrigeration compartment, the defrost timer, the door opening times, and the compressor timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Anderson Bortoletto, Rameet Singh Grewal, Guolian Wu
  • Patent number: 9003816
    Abstract: A thermostat includes a processing system configured to control an HVAC system. The thermostat may also include a plurality of HVAC connectors configured to receive corresponding HVAC control wires, and a connection sensing module configured to determine the identities of HVAC connectors into which corresponding wires have been inserted. The processing system may be further configured to identify, based on the subset of HVAC connectors, whether (i) only a single possible HVAC system configuration is indicated thereby, or (ii) multiple possible HVAC system configurations are indicated thereby, resolve a particular one of the multiple possible HVAC system configurations that is applicable, and operate the HVAC system according to the HVAC system configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Stefanski, David Sloo, Yoky Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20150096313
    Abstract: A system off configuration for an automotive climate control system is provided. The climate control system includes a compressor having two downstream flow paths. The two downstream flow paths may be selectively used to provide multiple modes of operation. When the compressor moves to an off condition the valves found in each flow path immediately downstream from the compressor are closed so that a refrigerant oil blend is kept in the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Franco Ragazzi
  • Publication number: 20150096314
    Abstract: A heat pump is provided including a plurality of lines having refrigerant flowing therethrough. A reversing valve is provided including a selector mechanism having a plurality of cavities formed therein and extending therethrough. A source of motion is coupled to the selector mechanism for movement of the selector mechanism. Each one of the plurality of cavities fluidly couples at least two of the plurality of lines. The selector mechanism is movable between a cooling mode and a heating mode so that the cavities fluidly couple different ones of the plurality of lines in each of the cooling mode and the heating mode. The selector mechanism will maintain its position with respect to the plurality of lines when the source of motion is de-energized, regardless of a pressure differential between different ones of the plurality of lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Mark Shoemaker, Allen C. Kirkwood
  • Publication number: 20150096315
    Abstract: A system (20) comprises the integrated combination of: a condenser (34) having a condenser water path leg extending from a water inlet (40) to a water outlet (42); a first expansion device (50); a flash tank economizer (60; 360; 420); a second expansion device (79; 190); an evaporator (72) having an evaporator water path leg extending from a water inlet (80) to a water outlet (82); and a refrigerant flowpath (520, 522, 524) passing sequentially through the condenser, the expansion device, the economizer, the second expansion device and the evaporator. The flash tank economizer comprises a horizontally elongate body having a first end (108) and a second end (110). The economizer has an inlet conduit (120) having an outlet (122). The economizer has a liquid outlet (120), a vapor outlet (64), and a medium (158) between the outlet of the inlet conduit and the liquid outlet. A length of the refrigerant flowpath between the expansion device and the outlet of the inlet conduit is at least 0.5m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Hsihua Li, Haiping Ding
  • Publication number: 20150096316
    Abstract: An air conditioning system of a motor vehicle is provided herein, as well as a method for the same. The air condition system includes a refrigerant circuit including a compressor and an evaporator located inside the flow duct; an air conducting device provided downstream of the evaporator in the air flow direction; a heating heat exchanger provided inside the flow duct; and a control unit to receive a signal from a sensor. The control unit is configured to receive a position of the air conducting device from the position sensor, the control unit is configured to switch the compressor off or on based on the position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Bodo Thiele, Rowena Tomski
  • Publication number: 20150082819
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving refrigeration and air conditioning efficiency for use with a heat exchange system having a compressor, condenser, evaporator, expansion device, and circulating refrigerant. The apparatus includes is a liquid refrigerant containing vessel having a refrigerant entrance and a refrigerant exit with the vessel positioned in the heat exchange system between the condenser and the evaporator, and means for creating a turbulent flow of liquefied refrigerant. The apparatus further preferably includes a refrigerant bypass path to sub-cool a portion of the refrigerant within the vessel; a disk positioned at the liquid refrigerant entrance to develop a low pressure area on the back side and create a turbulent flow of refrigerant entering the vessel; and a refrigerant valve incorporated into the refrigerant path downstream of the expansion valve and before the coil which develops a vortex that continues through the refrigerant coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Gary E Phillippe, Cass Khoo
  • Publication number: 20150068227
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fluoroolefin compositions. The fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention are useful as refrigerants or heat transfer fluids and in processes for producing cooling or heat. Additionally, the fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention may be used to replace currently used refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions that have higher global warming potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: MARIO JOSEPH NAPPA, BARBARA HAVILAND MINOR, ALLEN CAPRON SIEVERT
  • Publication number: 20150068821
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a storage facility for articles, comprising at least one load state detection device and at least one user detection device. The user detection device is configured to record a time period of at least one user in front of the storage facility, a time period up to removal of at least one article from and/or loading of the storage facility with at least one article by the at least one user, and/or a time period of at least one user in front of the storage facility without removal from and/or loading of the storage facility. The load state detection device is configured to detect a loading of and/or removal from the storage facility. The present disclosure further relates to a computer network having at least one such storage facility and to a method for detecting usage of such a storage facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Dillon, Philipp Herzog, Werner Wolf
  • Publication number: 20150068231
    Abstract: A two temperature electronic expansion valve control for variable speed compressors that utilizes a correlation between airflow percentage and heat exchanger pressure drop to control the operation of an expansion valve. An indoor airflow percentage request may be communicated from an outdoor controller to an air handler controller. Using a correlation between airflow percentage and pressure drop across the heat exchanger, the airflow percentage may be used in predicting an outlet pressure of refrigerant exhausted from the heat exchanger. The predicted pressure drop may be used in determining a saturated temperature for the exhausted refrigerant. The determined saturated temperature may be compared to a sensed temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet of the heat exchanger to determine a superheat value, which is compared to a reference superheat value in determining the degree to open or close the expansion valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Raymond Walter Rite, Don Alan Schuster, Jonathan Thrift
  • Patent number: 8973393
    Abstract: An aircraft system for improved cooling efficiency comprises at least one air conditioning pack, coupled to an aircraft, having at least one air compression device powered by at least one power source and having an air compression device inlet. The system further comprises at least one air flow path for redirecting a first portion of a first volume of aircraft interior outflow air from an aircraft interior to the air compression device inlet. The air flow path includes a shutoff valve to enable the air flow path during ground operation of the aircraft and to disable the air flow path for flight operation of the aircraft. The air compression inlet mixes the first volume of aircraft interior outflow air with a second volume of aircraft exterior inflow air to form an air mixture. The air conditioning pack conditions and circulates the air mixture into the aircraft interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Warren A. Atkey, Steve G. Mackin, Rod Millar