Operatively Correlated With Automatic Control Patents (Class 62/126)
  • Publication number: 20140260383
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a supplemental heat exchanger operably disposed between a condenser and an evaporator. This supplemental heat exchanger is located in selective fluid communication with the air in the conditioned space, and can be toggled between an “invisible” mode in which the heat exchanger acts as a simple fluid conduit between the condenser and evaporator, and a “humidity reduction” mode in which the heat exchanger operates to transfer heat from hot refrigerant to the colder conditioned space. This addition of heat into the conditioned space decreases the relative humidity of the conditioned space and subcools the refrigerant leading to the expansion valve and evaporator. This subcooling of the liquid enables the evaporator to operate at a lower temperature which enhances the moisture removal from the air moving through the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel J. Tippmann
  • Publication number: 20140260377
    Abstract: A refrigerator and method are provided where the refrigerator includes two or more cooling compartments monitored by temperature sensors and cooled by a plurality of evaporators. The cooling for the evaporators is provided by a compressor operating on a recurring cooling cycle. A processor provides varying levels of voltages to the compressor and sets the recurring cooling cycle. The recurring cooling cycle comprises at least two cooling periods and a rest period. The method includes determines the length of the rest period as compared a predetermined rest period range. When the rest period falls outside the predetermined range, the processor selects the voltage to send to the compressor during a subsequent cooling cycle. The processor selects the voltage based on at least one of the temperature of the first and second compartments and the voltage to the compressor during the cooling cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alberto R. Gomes, Stephen L. Keres, Andrew D. Litch
  • Publication number: 20140260333
    Abstract: A thermal control unit (TCU) for controlling temperature of a device under test (DUT) includes a sealed evaporation chamber disposed therein, the evaporation chamber configured with a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet; and at least one surface for thermal engagement of the device under test and configured to conduct heat to the evaporation chamber. A test system and a computer program product are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher A. Lopez, Thomas F. Lemczyk, Rick A. Davis
  • Publication number: 20140250928
    Abstract: A control system, which may be a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) control system, controls a component by adjusting the control input and the execution of the control output whenever a change in a state of a component exceeds a certain value. A method is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Elliott David Keen, Mark Phillip Roden, Shannon Marie Shaw
  • Publication number: 20140250927
    Abstract: An adsorption heat pump system includes: an adsorption heat pump including a condenser configured to condense a vapor of a refrigerant; an air-cooling device configured to air-cool a coolant discharged from the condenser in the adsorption heat pump and to resupply the air-cooled coolant to the condenser; and a controller. The controller controls a flow rate of the coolant to be supplied to the condenser according to a difference in temperature between the coolant supplied to the condenser and the coolant discharged from the condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yoshida, NORIYASU ASO
  • Patent number: 8826679
    Abstract: Apparatus and methodologies are provided to improve the refrigeration system by precisely controlling refrigerator compartment and heat exchanger temperatures through continuous modulation of device speeds or positions to match capacity with instantaneous load. A controller in a refrigerator is configured to provide a plurality of control loops to control various operational aspects of selected components in the refrigerator. A first loop controls the operating speed of a compressor based on temperature of the evaporator or based on the desired speed of an evaporator fan. A second control loop controls speed of an evaporator fan to maintain a prescribed freezer compartment temperature. A third control loop maintains a prescribed temperature in a fresh food compartment. In certain embodiments selected of the control loops may be thermodynamically coupled by way of thermal interaction between the various cooled compartments rather than being electrically coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Andrew May, Brian Michael Schork, Bryan James Beckley
  • Publication number: 20140245764
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle system is capable of reducing an amount of information required to be specified in advance, reducing a computational processing load, reflecting differences in actual installation conditions, and speeding up stabilization of an operational state in which the total amount of required input energy is reduced. A refrigeration cycle system is provided with a plurality of actuators, including outdoor fan motors, compressors, indoor fan motors, and the like for causing a refrigerant circuit to carry out a refrigeration cycle. A control unit obtains the slope at the current evaporation temperature and/or the current condensing temperature on a graph of the function between the actuators and the evaporation temperature or the condensing temperature, and updates the value of the target evaporation temperature and/or the target condensing temperature so that the sum of the input energy to the actuators is less that the current level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventor: Kousuke Kibo
  • Patent number: 8813517
    Abstract: An air conditioner including a humidifier and an air conditioning system. The humidifier is modularized within the air conditioner so that the air conditioner performs humidifying together with air conditioning. Further, the humidifier may be linked in operation to the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sunghwa Lee, Younghoon Kim, Bongjo Sung, Jongho Park
  • Publication number: 20140230467
    Abstract: A method including determining whether an OFF criterion is satisfied for a lag compressor of a tandem set of scroll compressors. The tandem set of scroll compressors includes a lead compressor. The method further includes: initiating at least one process when the OFF criterion is satisfied; and maintaining the lag compressor in an ON state for a predetermined period subsequent to the OFF criterion being satisfied. The at least one process includes at least one of: operating the lead compressor at a maximum level; overriding a motor overload protection method, wherein the motor overload protection method protects motors of the lead compressor and the lag compressor; and overriding a proportional integral derivative (PID) method to reduce a speed of a condenser fan. The PID method controls the speed of the condenser fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Roger NOLL, Lou MONNIER, Gary A. HELMINK, Zhiyong LIN, Daniel J. SCHUTTE, Benedict J. DOLCICH
  • Publication number: 20140230466
    Abstract: A method including: determining a cooling value; and comparing the cooling value to an activation point of a lead compressor. The lead compressor is in a tandem set of scroll compressors of a cooling system. The tandem set of compressors comprises a lag compressor. The method further includes: activating the lead compressor when the cooling value is greater than the activation point; activating the lag compressor subsequent to activating the lead compressor; and determining whether conditions exist including: an alarm associated with the lag compressor being generated, and the lead compressor being deactivated. The method further includes deactivating the lag compressor when at least one of the conditions exists in the cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Roger NOLL, Lou MONNIER, Zhiyong LIN, Daniel J. SCHUTTE, Benedict J. DOLCICH
  • Publication number: 20140223931
    Abstract: A method of controlling a refrigerated merchandiser. The method includes refrigerating a product display area of the merchandiser using a refrigerant, detecting a presence of an air-refrigerant mixture in the refrigerated merchandiser, activating a fan in response to detecting the presence of an air-refrigerant mixture, and at least partially evacuating an interior of the merchandiser in response to fan activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: HUSSMANN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Doron Shapiro, Norman E. Street, Ramakrishna Krishnaswamy, Jony M. Zangari, Derek Lea, Tobey D. Fowler
  • Patent number: 8800307
    Abstract: A method for operating a refrigeration system for a container for refrigerating chilled cargo includes providing a refrigeration system including a compressor and an evaporator fan associated with an evaporator. The method also includes determining the temperature of supply air and the temperature of return air. The method further includes determining one of a requirement for heating and a requirement for cooling based on the temperature of the return air and the temperature of the supply air. The method additionally includes activating the evaporator fan when a requirement for heating is determined and increasing the speed of the evaporator fan when increased heating is determined. The method also includes activating the compressor and the evaporator fan when a requirement for cooling is determined and increasing the power supplied to the compressor and maintaining the evaporator fan at a first speed when increased cooling is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: Thermo King Corporation, Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ole Thogersen, Allan Dyrmose, Dan Vad Steffensen
  • Patent number: 8800309
    Abstract: A method of automatically detecting an anomalous condition relative to a nominal operating condition in a vapor compression system. An expected input power function in the form of a hyperplane is calculated based on three temperature readings: an intake temperature from an intake area of the condenser unit, a return temperature from an intake area of an evaporator unit, and a supply temperature from a supply output area of the evaporator unit. The function produces an estimate of the expected input power consumed by the compressor unit, and this expected input power is compared with an actual input power measured from the compressor unit. If the expected input power deviates from the measured input power by more than a predetermined tolerance, an indication is stored and communicated that an anomalous condition, such as a refrigerant loss, condenser unit fouling, or a malfunctioning fan, exists in the vapor compression system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Robert Buda, Roy Stephen Colby, Scott Robert Littler
  • Publication number: 20140216081
    Abstract: Systems and methods are used to control operation of a rotary compressor of a refrigeration system to limit or prevent movement of rotors due to axial thrust loading resulting from rapid changes in speed of the rotors of the compressor. The operational profile of the motor is controlled to maintain acceleration torque and deceleration torque within predefined limits. The acceleration torque and deceleration torque are maintained within the predefined limits by controlling the speed of the motor, or by controlling the torque applied by the motor to the rotors during acceleration or deceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Thomas West, Dennis Myron Beekman, David Marshall Foye, Korwin Jay Anderson, Benjamin James Sykora
  • Publication number: 20140216082
    Abstract: A computing device calculates an evaporating temperature Te* and a dew-point temperature Tdew* from a quality X, a temperature glide ?T determined by a difference between a boiling temperature and a dew-point temperature at a predetermined pressure, and a refrigerant temperature detected by second temperature detection means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Morimoto, Koji Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20140216078
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to determining, by a controller comprising a processor, that a coil associated with a heat pump is subjected to a defrost cycle, determining, by the controller, that at least one of: a conditioned space is occupied, and a thermostat associated with the conditioned space indicates that an energy saving mode is not in use, and enabling, by the controller, an auxiliary heat source based on the determination that the coil is subject to the defrost cycle and the determination that the conditioned space is occupied or the thermostat indicates that the energy saving mode is not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Mark J. Ladd
  • Publication number: 20140216068
    Abstract: A chiller system and a control method thereof includes a plurality of chiller modules in which a refrigeration cycle is performed to supply cold water, a main control device generating an operation signal to simultaneously or successively operate the plurality of chiller modules, a module control device provided in each of the plurality of chiller modules to control an operation of each of the plurality of chiller modules on the basis of the operation signal of the main control device, and a starting device communicably connected to the module control device to selectively apply power into the plurality of chiller modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Horim LEE, Seulki ON, Jinhyuk YU, Yoonjei HWANG, Hanyoung PARK
  • Patent number: 8794018
    Abstract: A system for preventing icing in a conduit, as can occur in an aircraft's air conditioning system, includes at least one sensor for acquiring mechanical oscillations of the conduits, an electronic evaluation unit and an electronic control unit. The sensor is connected to the electronic evaluation unit, which knows characteristics relating to the oscillation behavior of the conduit and is equipped to compare the measured conduit oscillations with these characteristics, and through correlation to interpret them as conduit icing, and in the case of conduit icing to emit a signal to the control unit. If the operation-associated oscillations are inadequate, oscillations can be generated or amplified through an actuator. With this system an icing state within the conduit can be detected without the use of sensors located in the interior cross section of the conduit, which itself serves as a sensitive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Gleine
  • Publication number: 20140196490
    Abstract: A variable speed drive (VSD) can be used to vary the voltage-to-frequency ratio (V/f) supplied to a compressor motor of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning or refrigeration (HVAC&R) system to make the motor stronger or weaker to compensate for varying conditions in the HVAC&R system. The VSD and corresponding control system or algorithm can monitor an operating parameter of the HVAC&R system, such as the kW absorbed by the motor, and then raise or lower the V/f of the VSD to obtain the lowest possible power consumption from the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventor: Paul Nemit, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140196483
    Abstract: In a heat pump apparatus of an indirect type including a primary circuit on a heat source side and a secondary circuit on a load side, a refrigerant in the primary circuit is prevented from leaking through the secondary circuit. An air-conditioning apparatus includes a leakage detecting device that detects leakage of the refrigerant circulated through a refrigerant circuit, serving as the primary circuit, from an intermediate heat exchanger into a water circuit, serving as the secondary circuit, and a controller that closes valves arranged on both sides of the intermediate heat exchanger in the water circuit to prevent water containing the refrigerant from flowing beyond the valves when the leakage detecting device detects the leakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Okazaki
  • Patent number: 8777585
    Abstract: An electric compressor 10 includes a compression mechanism 11, an electric motor 12 driving the compression mechanism 11, and a control portion 13 controlling to drive the electric motor 12, incorporated into a single casing, and further includes a temperature detector 14 detecting a temperature of one or more components constituting one or both of the control portion 13 and the electric motor 12, and a current detector 15 detecting a current flowing through the component. When the temperature detected by the temperature detector 14 is a temperature Td, the current detected by the current detector 15 is a current Id, and a current corresponding to the temperature Td at a temperature characteristic relating to the current specific to the component is a current Ia(Td), the control portion 13 stops driving the electric motor 12 on the basis of a result of comparison between Ia(Td) and Id.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Nakano, Takashi Nakagami, Hideto Noyama, Masahiko Asai, Makoto Hattori, Takayuki Takashige
  • Publication number: 20140165612
    Abstract: In various implementations, a request for operation of an air conditioner may be received. The air conditioner may include a cooling mode and/or a dehumidifying mode. In some implementations, a compressor speed for a compressor of the air conditioner may be determined, and which mode(s) of the air conditioner to allow may be determined based at least partially on the determined compressor speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Yi Qu, Pete Hrejsa, Eric Berg
  • Patent number: 8756122
    Abstract: Intelligent refrigerator system for storing pharmaceutical product containers, such as vials, ampules, syringes, bottles, medication tubes, blister packs and cartons, at the point of dispensing. Embodiments of the invention use product identification technology, such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags and readers, to uniquely identify containers as they are added to or removed from the cold storage compartment of the refrigerator, and automatically retrieve from a local or remote database a variety of details associated with the containers and their contents, such as manufacturing data, expiration dates, time out of refrigeration, inventory levels, safety information, usage statistics, known contraindications and warnings, etc. If the details indicate that there is a problem with a particular pharmaceutical (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
    Inventor: Alan J. Lowenstein
  • Patent number: 8746296
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance is provided with a dispenser for directing a flow of ice and/or water to a dispenser recess of the dispenser. A camera is directed towards the dispenser recess, and a display is also provided for displaying an image from the camera. The image can assist a user in positioning a container within the dispenser recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony Tobbe, Jeffrey Martin Wood, Michael Thomas Chezem, Juan David Payares
  • Publication number: 20140150482
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, in a container refrigeration apparatus configured to cool the inside of a container, the accuracy of determination of occurrence of a lock abnormality and a connection abnormality of a motor is increased, and erroneous detection of the motor abnormalities is reduced or prevented. The container refrigeration apparatus of the present disclosure includes an abnormality determinator configured to compare a value for current flowing through an in-compartment motor with a preset current threshold to determine occurrence of the motor abnormalities of the in-compartment motor, and a threshold changer configured to change the current threshold of the abnormality determinator in accordance with a supply voltage for each supply frequency of a power supply configured to supply power to the in-compartment motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Akitoshi Ueno, Kiichirou Satou, Masataka Nakano
  • Publication number: 20140144159
    Abstract: A method of operating a climatic beam air conditioning system includes operably connecting one or more controllers to two or more climatic beams in two or more locations. Inputs are communicated from the two or more locations to the one or more controllers. Each controller of the one or more controllers is operably connected to two or more climatic beams. Independent commands are communicated to each climatic beam of the two or more climatic beams from the one or more controllers to control operation of the two or more climatic beams based on the inputs communicated from the two or more locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: Olivier Josserand, Eric Royet
  • Patent number: 8734640
    Abstract: A water purifying apparatus, comprises: a filtering unit for filtering water supplied from a wellhead into purified water; a water tank unit including a cold water tank for storing the purified water in a cold water state, and a hot water tank for storing the purified water in a hot water state; a discharging unit for selectively discharging out the purified water stored in the water tank unit; a state detecting unit for detecting an operation state of at least one of the filtering unit, the water tank unit, and the discharging unit; a controller for comparing the information detected by the state detecting unit with a preset reference, thereby judging an abnormal state of the water purifying apparatus; and a state displaying unit for displaying the abnormal state information to outside. When the water purifying apparatus has a breakdown, mal-operated components of the water purifying apparatus may be checked by being displayed on the state displaying unit, without being checked by an A/S specialist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Shin, Deul-Re Min
  • Publication number: 20140137583
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an air conditioner is provided. The apparatus may include a control apparatus connected to one of a plurality of component devices to monitor and control the plurality of component devices. The control apparatus may receive cycle data from the plurality of component devices to enable problem diagnosis on the plurality of component devices connected thereto, in real time, display the cycle data for the plurality of component devices on a frame, and change the cycle data thus displayed if the data on the plurality of component devices changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Seontaek KIM, Hana PARK, Seongjin SHIN
  • Publication number: 20140137585
    Abstract: A system includes an error module configured to integrate a difference between a superheat signal and a superheat setpoint to generate an error signal, wherein the superheat signal indicates suction superheat values of a compressor. A comparison module is configured to compare the error signal to a first predetermined threshold to generate a first comparison signal based on the comparison. A zero-crossing module is configured to compare a first count value to a second predetermined threshold to generate a second comparison signal. The first count value is generated based on at least one comparison between the superheat signal and the superheat setpoint. A setpoint module is configured to adjust the superheat setpoint based on the first comparison signal and the second comparison signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Zongtao LU, Zhiyong LIN, Craig WARD, Benedict J. DOLCICH, John F. JUDGE
  • Publication number: 20140137573
    Abstract: A system includes a load module, a comparison module and a control module. The load module is configured to determine a current load of a compressor. The comparison module is configured to compare the current load to a previous load of the compressor to generate a comparison signal based on the comparison. The control module is configured to generate (i) a first control signal based on a superheat value of the compressor, and (ii) a second control signal based on the current load and the previous load. The control module is configured to, based on the comparison signal, control a position of an expansion valve according to either the first control signal or the second control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Zhiyong LIN, Daniel J. SCHUTTE, Benedict J. DOLCICH, Roger NOLL
  • Publication number: 20140137574
    Abstract: An aircraft galley compartment cooling system includes a source of chilled air, and a closed compartment with a door. A sensor detects the opening of the door, and sends a signal to the cooling system to deactivate while the door is opened to prevent ambient air from entering the cooling system. Once the door is closed, the cooling system is reactivated. The sensor can be a light sensor, a mechanical sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like for determining movement or the presence/non-presence of the door to the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Harkamal Singh Hothi
  • Publication number: 20140137584
    Abstract: An air conditioning system is provided that may include a control apparatus that provides easy access to data for an air conditioner to determine and control an operation state of the air conditioner visually. The air conditioning system may store and manage data received from the air conditioner, and display visually a change in the operation state of the air conditioner with time, enabling a user to easily determine a state of the air conditioner and to instantly recognize a problem with the air conditioner and to easily determine a flow on a whole structure and general operation of the air conditioner, thereby to significantly improving user convenience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Seontaek KIM, Seongjin SHIN, Nakhoon KIM, Byungsoon KIM
  • Patent number: 8726678
    Abstract: A controller for a chiller includes processing electronics configured to detect a plurality of surge events. The processing electronics calculate a point for each detected surge event in at least a three dimensional coordinate system. The three dimensional coordinate system describes at least three conditions of the chiller when the surge event was detected. The processing electronics are configured to calculate a surface map for the at least three dimensional coordinate system using the calculated points. The processing electronics are further configured to control at least one setpoint for the chiller using the calculated surface map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Turney, Kirk H. Drees, Brett M. Lenhardt, Curtis C. Crane
  • Publication number: 20140130524
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an air conditioner and a method for operating the same are provided. The apparatus may include a control apparatus that enables easy access to data for the air conditioner, to determine and control an operation state thereof visually, and for which a mode of reception of the data from the air conditioner may be different corresponding to connection modes and positions of a plurality of component devices of the air conditioner to which the control apparatus is connected, making the data received thus different from one another according to the connection modes. These differences in the data permit various data to be easily displayed, enabling a user to change the connection modes as required, and to provide various information on the air conditioner by producing the data of the air conditioner in a frame on an output different from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Seontaek KIM, Jiun SOHN, Seungjin HAN, Seongjin SHIN
  • Patent number: 8725455
    Abstract: Systems and method for operating and monitoring refrigerators are described. Temperature cycles within the compartment are characterized using statistical, frequency and pattern analysis techniques to derive a steady-state characteristic of temperature within the compartment. A thermal sensor inside the conditioned area is monitored and temperature data sets can be analyzed to determine performance in comparison to a baseline, and energy consumption. Analysis of continuous temperature readings taken from individual or groups of freezers identifies patterns of variations in temperature cycles from which feedback on efficiency can be inferred. Electrical load can be determined by measuring or estimating current usage and identifying periods of time when compressors are active in the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Klatu Networks
    Inventor: Richard Kriss
  • Publication number: 20140116075
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a vapour compression system (1), and a vapour compression system (1) are disclosed. The vapour compression system (1) comprises a compressor (2), a heat rejecting heat exchanger (3), a controllable valve (4), a receiver (5), at least one expansion device and at least one evaporator arranged along a refrigerant path having refrigerant flowing therein. The vapour compression system (1) is capable of being operated in a subcritical control regime as well as in a supercritical control regime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: DANFOSS A/S
    Inventor: Jan Prins
  • Patent number: 8701307
    Abstract: A method for improving the manufacture and reliability of new, remanufactured, repaired or reconditioned Fire Control Radar APG-68 tactical radar systems (FCR) utilized in military aircraft and providing such units with extended useful life expectancies equivalent to or better than new of the FCR APG-68 unit high frequency, high voltage dual mode radar transmitters that are deployed in over 1000 state-of-the-art military aircraft such as the F-15, F-16 and F-18 fighter aircraft, and B-1 bombers. The novel method extends the mean lifetime of previously repaired and repairable FCR APG-68 tactical radar units and radar units and ageing transmitters from about 100 to a few hundred hours to about five hundred or more hours by the process of removing embedded moisture and absorbed moisture from the heterogeneous electronic components and preferably also removing contaminants from the heat transfer surfaces of the cold plates and heat exchangers in the FCR APG-68 tactical radar unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventors: Howard C. Slack, Clare L Milton, Andrew F. Slack
  • Patent number: 8701428
    Abstract: A refrigerator and a method for controlling the same are provided. More particularly, the refrigerator is provided with a dispenser having a cavity for a cup, dispenser doors that open and close the cavity, and a door driver positioned in the dispenser that drives the dispenser doors. The dispenser doors may be automatically controlled to open and close, thereby improving cleanliness and an exterior appearance of the refrigerator by reducing dust accumulation in the dispenser during periods of non-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Nam Gyo Lee, Kyung Seok Kim
  • Publication number: 20140102122
    Abstract: There are provided: a flow-rate adjustment unit capable of individually adjusting the flow rates of a heating medium to be supplied to a plurality of electronic devices; a temperature sensor configured to individually detect the temperatures of the heating medium released from the plurality of electronic devices; and a control unit. The control unit controls the flow-rate adjustment unit based on outputs of the temperature sensor such that the temperatures of the heating medium released from the plurality of electronic devices become equal to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: NORIYASU ASO, Toshio MANABE
  • Patent number: 8696151
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of determining, at a point during shipment, whether the solid phase refrigerant in a shipment is sufficient to preserve the shipment cargo, which is blood or other biological products, for the remaining shipment period, by: monitoring the temperatures encountered to said point and estimating the temperatures likely to be encountered during the remaining shipment period; determining the likelihood that the remaining refrigerant can maintain the shipment cargo within a specified temperature range during the remaining shipment period; and if the risk that the remaining refrigerant cannot maintain the shipment cargo within said range during the remaining shipment period is above a cut-off level, then taking action to preserve the value of the cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: TCP Reliable, Inc.
    Inventor: Maurice Barakat
  • Publication number: 20140096550
    Abstract: A thermal management system is provided for a vehicle having an electric traction motor. The system includes a coolant system configured to convey coolant through a first thermal load, a refrigerant circuit including a condenser and a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a control system and a sensor. The refrigerant circuit is configured to cool at least one second thermal load. The sensor is configured to send signals to the control system that are indicative of a temperature of the first thermal load. The control system is configured to control an outlet pressure of the compressor based on the signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Guangning Gao, Neil Carpenter
  • Patent number: 8689572
    Abstract: A thermostat is provided that receives one or more inputs from at least one heating system of a climate control system, and initiates an appropriate action in response to the input. The thermostat can turn off a heat pump providing substandard heat and responsively turn on a fuel-fired auxiliary furnace. The thermostat may discontinue further operation of the auxiliary furnace upon receiving an operating error signal associated with the auxiliary furnace, and responsively turn on the heat pump to provide for continued heating. The thermostat may also discontinue operation of the fuel-fired furnace and turn on a circulating fan in response to an input signal indicating a furnace high-temperature or a carbon monoxide presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Edward B. Evans, William P. Butler, Steven L. Carey, John R. Sartain, Ron Miles, Donald E. Donnelly, Swapna Subhash Baviskar
  • Patent number: 8683818
    Abstract: A fluid injector includes a cavity in the fluid injector configured to receive a container of fluid to be injected by the injector; a controller configured to control the fluid injector, the controller further configured to monitor a condition of the fluid in the container and modify the operation of the fluid injector based on the condition of the fluid in the container; a valve assembly configured to control fluid from entering and leaving the fluid injector, the valve assembly operatively connected to the controller to be controlled by the controller; a sensor operatively connected to the controller and configured to sense at least one of an amount of fluid in the container and an amount of fluid exiting the container; and an input device configured to input to the controller how much fluid should leave the fluid injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Willilam Brown
  • Publication number: 20140075967
    Abstract: A climate control system generally includes a conditioning system for controlling air conditions of a space and a drain fitting coupling a condensate drain line to an air circulation unit of the conditioning system. The drain fitting includes multiple sensors configured to detect a water level in the air circulation unit relative to the drain fitting, and to output a signal to a controller indicative of contact with water. The controller is then configured to output a signal to a thermostat of the conditioning system upon determining that the water level is indicative of the drain line being plugged or blocked. The climate control system may also include a remote service provider system that allows remote interaction with the conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey N. Arensmeier, Edward B. Evans
  • Patent number: 8676531
    Abstract: A measured value for a PMV within a living space is sent to a comfort efficacy evaluating device. Occupancy information (the current number of occupants N) in the living space is sent to the comfort efficacy evaluating device. The comfort efficacy evaluating device calculates a comfort index P as P=1.0?|PMV|/3, and this comfort index P is weighted by the number of occupants N at the time that the comfort index P was taken. In this case, if the number of occupants is relatively high, the weighting is high, and if the number of occupants is relatively low, then the weighting is low. Additionally, the weighted comfort index P is integrated over an evaluation interval, and thus integrated value, or a weighted average based on this integrated value, is used as a comfort efficacy index TP. An evaluation of the efficacy of energy conservation can be performed in the same way, taking into account the current occupancy of the living space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventors: Haruka Ueda, Ryouta Dazai, Masato Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140053586
    Abstract: There is disclosed a system and apparatus for connecting remote and environmental sensors and other operating systems to a portable computing and communications device. The portable device configured to receive and process a set of data and transmit a response or message to at least the user on the quality of the data received. The portable device adapted to reconfigure the remote sensors or operating systems to produce a new set of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: TSI INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Arndt Poecher, Gerald M. Bark, Rajagopala Menon
  • Publication number: 20140033749
    Abstract: A correspondence determination operation is performed. The correspondence determination operation differs a direction of distribution or a flow rate of a refrigerant flowing in one or some of use units among a plurality of use units to that of the other use units and determines, on the basis of a refrigerant temperature of the use unit, a location of a non-correspondence between a branch port that is connected to the use unit with refrigerant pipes and a set branch port that is obtained in accordance with the wire connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shogo TAMAKI, Fumitake Unezaki, Tomohiko Kasai
  • Publication number: 20140026598
    Abstract: A controller for a chiller includes processing electronics configured to detect a plurality of surge events. The processing electronics create a surge map by calculating and plotting a point for each detected surge event in an at least two dimensional coordinate system. The surge map is displayed through the use of an electronic display system. The surge map describes at least three conditions of the chiller when the surge event was detected through the use of axis and non-axis representations. The processing electronics are further configured to control at least one setpoint for the chiller using the calculated surge map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew T. Trawicki, Dennis J. Flood, Robert D. Turney, Michael H. Zamalis
  • Publication number: 20140020410
    Abstract: A metering device may automatically control fluid flow through a valve. A control system may alter the automatic control of a metering device. In some implementations, a predetermined event may occur to alter the automatic control of the metering device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Lenox International Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Perez, Shawn Nieman, Colin Clare, Der-Kai Hung
  • Publication number: 20140020417
    Abstract: Air conditioning systems and processes may monitor properties of the system and/or properties related to the system. The air conditioning system may allow operation based on user requests and/or allow stress operation(s) based on monitored properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Lennox International Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Perez, Shawn Niemann, Der-Kai Hung