By Accumulation On Freezing Surface, E.g., Ice Patents (Class 62/139)
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Patent number: 11643319Abstract: Beverage dispensing system comprising a pressure housing comprising a first housing part 12, 12? having a connector aperture 22, and a second housing part 14, 14?. The system further comprises a pair of connectors 24, 24? connectable to the connector aperture in a pressure-tight sealing connection. The pair of connectors 24, 24? comprises a first connector 24 having a through-going hole for allowing guiding a first tapping line 20 through the through-going hole and a second connector 24? being connectable to a second tapping line. The system further comprises a pair of beverage containers 16, 16?, both accommodating a carbonated beverage and having a beverage outlet. A first beverage container 16 of the pair of beverage containers comprises the first tapping line 20 communicating with the beverage outlet. A second beverage container 16? of the pair of beverage containers has an openable seal for establishing connection from the beverage outlet to the second connector 24?.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2018Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Carlsberg Breweries A/SInventor: Jonas Christiansen
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Patent number: 11333373Abstract: An air conditioning robot according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a main body having a suction hole and a discharge hole; a cooling cycle including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator, which are disposed within the main body; a blower fan configured to blow air suctioned through the suction hole so that the air is heat-exchanged with the evaporator and discharged through the discharge hole; a heat storage tank configured to accommodate a heat storage material in which heat of the condenser is stored; a heat dissipation part configured to dissipate the heat of the heat storage material accommodated in the heat storage tank, the heat dissipation part thermally contacting a heat transfer terminal disposed outside the main body; and a driving part configured to allow the main body to move so that the heat dissipation part thermally contacts or is thermally separated from the heat transfer terminal.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2018Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventor: Seongjae Kim
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Patent number: 11241939Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (3) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (4) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: BERGSTROM, INC.Inventors: Brett Sean Connell, Aaron D. Sullivan, Brett J. Herrmann, Terry Zeigler
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Patent number: 11029073Abstract: A cold storage heat exchanger includes refrigerant tubes having therein refrigerant passages and arranged to provide a clearance therebetween. A cold storage container is bonded to a refrigerant tube and defines therein a compartment receiving a cold storage material. The cold storage container has protrusion portions protruding outward and being in contact with the refrigerant tube.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Atsushi Yamada, Seiji Inoue, Yoshio Miyata, Naoki Yokoyama, Etsuo Hasegawa, Jun Abei, Hiroshi Ishikawa, Aun Ota, Kouta Hagihara
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Patent number: 10675948Abstract: Disclosed are climate systems for vehicles and methods for controlling the climate systems. In some implementations, a climate system includes: (1) a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature within the compartment of the vehicle; (2) a user interface configured to receive a desired temperature from a user; (3) a first compressor powered by an engine of the vehicle to compress a refrigerant; (4) a second compressor driven by an electric motor to compress the refrigerant; and (5) a controller electrically coupled to the first compressor and the second compressor. The controller configured to: (1) calculate a thermal load of the compartment based on a difference between a desired temperature and a measured temperature; and, (2) based on the calculated load, selectively activate: (i) the engine, (ii) the first compressor, and/or (iii) the second compressor.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: BERGSTROM, INC.Inventors: Brett S. Connell, Brett Herrmann, Aaron D. Sullivan, Terry Zeigler
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Patent number: 10655869Abstract: A method of controlling an in-wall dehumidifier is disclosed. The method includes setting the dehumidifier to a defrost mode if the dehumidifier has been operating in a dehumidifying mode for less than a predetermined amount of time and a measured evaporator coil temperature is less than a first evaporator coil temperature set point. The method further includes setting the dehumidifier to the defrost mode if the dehumidifier has been operating in the dehumidifying mode for equal to or greater than the predetermined amount of time and a measured evaporator coil temperature is less than a second evaporator coil temperature set point that is higher than the first evaporator coil temperature set point.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Therma-Stor LLCInventor: Jerome Verhoeven
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Patent number: 10465994Abstract: An internal melt ice thermal storage device having an ice build/melt coils with tubes fitted with extensions or “fins” that transfer heat from the thermal transfer medium in the tubes to distal portions of the ice rings that surround said tubes in order to define the shape of the liquid meniscus between the tube and ice allowing the ice to break free from the tube near the initiation of melt.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Evapco, Inc.Inventors: Davey Vadder, Jeff Kane
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Patent number: 10238132Abstract: A primary beverage cooling circuit for refrigerating a fluid used in a secondary beverage cooling circuit cools beverage in a beverage conduit by pumping the fluid through a heat exchange conduit adjacent the beverage conduit to transfer heat therebetween. The primary beverage cooling circuit includes a refrigerant circuit containing a refrigerant circulating through a heat exchanger in heat transfer communication with the fluid to cool the fluid, a variable displacement compressor for circulating the refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit, a cooling device for cooling the refrigerant, and a valve for controlling the volume of fluid into the heat exchanger. The primary beverage cooling circuit further includes a controller for controlling the operation of the compressor and/or the cooling device and/or the valve based on one or more measurements from temperature and/or pressure sensors in the refrigerant circuit to maintain a temperature of the fluid and/or refrigerant about a set-point temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2013Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: CUB PTY LTDInventor: Nathan Dryzun
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Patent number: 10203142Abstract: An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Tim L. Coulter, Thomas E. Gose, Steven G. Herndon, James H. Jenkins, Bill J. Koons, Brent A. Kramer, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Dean A. Martin, Alvin V. Miller, Kevin Lee Noel, Mauro M. Oliveira, Lester J. Ott, Ron S. Paulsen, Chad J. Rotter, David Allen Stauffer, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan M. Welch, Robert L. Wetekamp
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Patent number: 10179064Abstract: This invention is a sleep environment control system which uses wearable technology with physiological sensors to predict when a person will have a hot flash and to proactively provide localized cooling or accelerated airflow for that person for a limited time to alleviate the adverse effects of that hot flash. In an example, a physiological sensor can be a body temperature sensor, skin conductance sensor, or EEG sensor. This system can reduce interruptions of a person's sleep due to hot flashes and improve their quality of life.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Sleepnea LLCInventor: Robert A. Connor
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Patent number: 10047631Abstract: A turbine engine system includes a heat source, a heat exchanger, a cooling medium inlet and a cooling medium outlet. The heat source includes a first passage. The heat exchanger includes a second passage and a third passage. The first and the second passages are configured in a closed loop circuit. The third passage is configured between the inlet and the outlet in an open loop circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2017Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Michael F. Blair, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Mark F. Zelesky
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Patent number: 9739171Abstract: A turbine engine system includes a heat source, a heat exchanger, a cooling medium inlet and a cooling medium outlet. The heat source includes a first passage. The heat exchanger includes a second passage and a third passage. The first and the second passages are configured in a closed loop circuit. The third passage is configured between the inlet and the outlet in an open loop circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Michael F. Blair, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Mark F. Zelesky
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Patent number: 9267694Abstract: Temperature-control system used for heating or cooling in a method for controlling temperature of a component includes connected temperature-control device, temperature-control arrangement, supply line, and return line. The system additionally has a controller having a valve, an actuator, a supply temperature sensor, and a return temperature sensor. A temperature difference between the supply temperature and the return temperature of a fluid circulating in the system is registered using the supply temperature sensor and the return temperature sensor and also a regulator. Proceeding from this temperature difference, the regulator causes the actuator to set a degree of opening of the valve so the temperature difference is in a selected value range. The valve always has a minimal degree of opening in the open state.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: OBLAMATIK AGInventors: Edo Lang, Roland Obrist
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Patent number: 9066496Abstract: The present invention provides a smart water flow apparatus capable of maintaining a desired level of water in a reservoir while having an override or shutoff feature that is programmable to address variations in water pressure or to prevent flooding.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Inventor: Ron Hymes
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Publication number: 20140326009Abstract: A freezing detection device to be applied to a liquid cooling apparatus including a liquid tank for storing a liquid whose freezing is to be detected and a cooling unit located inside the liquid tank to cool the liquid, the freezing detection device comprises: a temperature detecting unit located at a predetermined distance from the cooling unit; and a determining unit configured to determine whether or not the liquid has frozen around the temperature detecting unit based on an output from the temperature detecting unit, the determining unit determining whether or not the liquid has frozen around the temperature detecting unit based on whether the output from the temperature detecting unit is fluctuating or not.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventor: Takahide Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8794018Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Gleine
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Patent number: 8677770Abstract: The present invention relates to a supercooling method and a supercooling apparatus which can maintain an object in a supercooled state. According to the present invention, a supercooling method includes a first cooling step of cooling a stored object toward a cooling temperature below a phase transition temperature thereof, a step of judging whether the stored object is released from a supercooled state in the first cooling step, a step of thawing the stored object when the stored object is released from the supercooled state, and a second cooling step of cooling the stored object toward a cooling temperature below zero that is higher than the lowest temperature of the stored object before the release of the supercooled state, wherein the first cooling step is continuously performed when the object is maintained in the supercooled state.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2008Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Su-Cheong Kim, Jong-Min Shin, Deok-Hyun Youn, Jae-Hyun Soh, Cheol-Hwan Kim, Won-Young Chung, Hoon-Bong Lee
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Patent number: 8667804Abstract: Thermal storage air conditioner including an outdoor unit having an outdoor heat exchanger for making heat exchange, and at least one compressor for compressing refrigerant, an indoor unit having at least one indoor heat exchanger for making heat exchange, a thermal storage unit having a thermal storage tank for holding thermal storage substance therein, a thermal storage heat exchanger for receiving refrigerant from an outside of the thermal storage unit to heat exchange with the thermal storage substance in the thermal storage tank, and a securing member for securing the thermal storage heat exchanger so as to maintain the thermal storage heat exchanger submerged under the thermal storage substance in the thermal storage tank, and a functional unit for selective control of refrigerant flows among the outdoor unit, the indoor unit and the thermal storage unit according to an operation condition, thereby maintaining the thermal storage heat exchanger in the thermal storage tank securely, to prevent drop of heType: GrantFiled: July 27, 2006Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jae Yoon Koh, In Kyu Kim, Jin Ha Hwang
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Patent number: 8584481Abstract: An integrated air conditioner that controls the operation of a water feed device according to the mode of use. The air conditioner includes a control section that determines whether or not exhaust heat from a condenser 3 is being released outdoors through an exhaust duct 7 according to whether or not an air intake duct 26 or an exhaust duct 7 is fitted, operates a water feed device 8 for leading drain wafer collected in the drain pan to the condenser 3 during both of a cooling operation and a dehumidifying operation if it determines that the heat to be released from the condenser 3 is being released outdoors, and operates the water feed device 8 during the cooling operation and stops the operation of the water feed device 8 during the dehumidifying operation if it determines that the exhaust heat from the condenser 3 is not being released outdoors.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2009Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tohru Ariga
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Patent number: 8567210Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator configured to improve the structure of an ice-making chamber provided to a refrigerator door, thereby efficiently supplying cool air into the ice-making chamber. The refrigerator includes a main body including a storage chamber, a refrigerator door rotatably coupled to the main body, an ice-making device provided to the refrigerator door and configured to make ice, an ice-making unit provided to the ice-making device and including a cool air introduction part, a freezing core vertically arranged in the ice-making unit and cooled by cool air, and an ice tray configured to receive at least one portion of the freezing core therein, wherein the cool air introduction part is provided on an upper side of the freezing core. Cool air is efficiently introduced into the ice-making chamber, thereby increasing the amount of ice made.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2008Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Hong-Hee Park, Tae-Hee Lee, Joon-Hwan Oh, Young-Jin Kim, Ho-Youn Lee
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Patent number: 8434321Abstract: An ice making assembly for a refrigerator and a method for controlling the ice making assembly are provided. The ice making assembly and the method of controlling the ice making assembly provides a constant amount of water supply for each ice making cycle regardless of environmental conditions such as the varying water supply pressure of different installation locations. Furthermore, overflowing can be prevented during water supply with the use of a capacitance water level sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Young Jin Kim, Tae Hee Lee, Hong Hee Park, Ho Youn Lee, Joon Hwan Oh
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Patent number: 8402783Abstract: An ice-making device for a refrigerator, which is designed to separate ice through a simple process is provided. The ice-making device for a refrigerator includes an ice tray defining an ice-making space, an ice core member that is partly received in the ice-making space to make ice at an end thereof, a driving unit moving and rotating at least one of the ice tray and the ice core member, and a power transmission unit for transferring power from the driving unit to the ice core member. The ice on the ice core member starts being separated in a state where the ice is spaced apart from an outer surface of the ice tray.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Young Jin Kim, Tae Hee Lee, Hong Hee Park, Ho Youn Lee, Joon Hwan Oh
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Patent number: 8402782Abstract: An ice-making device designed to make and separate ice from an ice tray through a simple process is provided. The ice-making device includes an ice tray defining an ice-making space, a freezing core that is partly received in the ice-making space to make ice at an end thereof, a driving unit moving and rotating the freezing core, and a power transmission unit for transferring power from the driving unit to the freezing core. The power transmission unit including a cam unit rotatably connected to the driving unit and a moving member that moves in vertical and rotational direction by a driving force of a motor transferred by the cam unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Young Jin Kim, Tae Hee Lee, Hong Hee Park, Ho Youn Lee, Joon Hwan Oh
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Patent number: 8205461Abstract: A method and system for detecting a low charge condition in an air conditioner for a vehicle. The system first determines whether noise factors are present that would interfere with reliably measuring a pressure delta. If noise factors are not present, the system determines a pressure delta value for the compressor by comparing the high side pressure when the clutch is engaged to a high side pressure when the clutch is disengaged. If the pressure delta value is less than a threshold value, a low charge condition may be recorded. When the number of low charge conditions detected exceeds a predetermined number of events, the system may set a temperature diagnostic trouble code, disable the air conditioning system and alert the driver of a potential problem.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: William Stewart Johnston, David Alan Wong, Hugh Hamilton, Manfred Koberstein, Debasish Dhar
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Patent number: 8049522Abstract: An ice thickness probe includes a longitudinally-extending probe rod, an insulator casing and a sleeve. The probe rod is fabricated from an electrically-conductive material. The insulator casing is fabricated from an electrically-insulative material and is wrapped around, is in contact with and extends along the probe rod. The sleeve is fabricated from a stiff yet resilient material and is wrapped around, is in contact with and extends along the insulator casing. The insulator casing and the sleeve are concentrically disposed about the probe rod as viewed in cross-section. An ice thickness probe assembly includes a frame structure, a reference bar and at least one ice thickness probe. An ice thickness monitoring apparatus is used in a thermal storage coil having a tank containing water and a tube disposed in the water so that, when the thermal ice storage coil is energized, ice is produced and accumulates on the tube.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Evapco, Inc.Inventors: Davey Joe Vadder, Jeffrey Michael Kane, Arthur James Marshall
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Publication number: 20110100039Abstract: An ice-full state detecting apparatus and a refrigerator having the same are disclosed. The refrigerator including an ice-full state detecting apparatus includes: a refrigerator body including a cooling chamber; a cooling chamber door to open and close the cooling chamber; an ice maker installed at the cooling chamber or at the cooling chamber door; an ice storage container to store ice made by the ice maker; and the ice-full state detecting apparatus to detect an ice-full state of the ice storage container, wherein the ice-full state detecting apparatus includes: a ice-full state detecting sensor to detect an ice-full state of the ice storage container; a sensor heater to heat the ice-full state detecting sensor; a detecting unit to detect whether the ice-full state detecting sensor is in contact with external air; and a controller to control the operation of the sensor heater based on the detection result of the detecting unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Yong-Su Kim, Dong-Hoon Lee, Kyung-Han Jeong, Kwang-Ha Suh
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Publication number: 20110094250Abstract: The air exchanger comprises at least one tubular circuit for evaporating a refrigerant and thermally conducting fins (40) fastened to the tubular evaporation circuit and at least one tubular circuit (35) for condensing a refrigerant, which is connected via thermally conducting fins (40) to the evaporation circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: 2F2CInventor: Jean-Marc Gourgouillat
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Patent number: 7854129Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus that provides refrigerant based energy storage and cooling. When connected to a condensing unit, the system has the ability to store energy capacity during one time period and provide cooling from the stored energy during a second time period. The system requires minimal energy to operate during either time period, and only a fraction of the energy required to operate the system during the first time period is required to operate the system during the second time period using an optional refrigerant pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2006Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.Inventor: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy
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Patent number: 7832217Abstract: A control system measures the pressure/temperature of the refrigerant within a Thermal Energy Module having a heat exchanger and calculates the thickness of ice within the Thermal Energy Module. A controller calculates an integral starting from the moment when ice accumulation begins: I(t)=?Tr(?)*d? where Tr is the refrigerant saturation temperature changing with time t. The thickness of the ice on one side of the heat exchanger can be calculated using the following formula: X=?(2*I*K*Ui/?i/ci) where Ui is the thermal conductance of ice ?i is the density of the ice Ci is the latent heat of the ice K is a correction coefficient associated with the type of the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Inventors: Daniel Reich, Michael Burdett, Vladimir Reich
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Publication number: 20100154438Abstract: A system, configured to be disposed in a information technology equipment rack for providing ice thermal storage, includes a tank configured to hold water, a heat exchanger disposed in water in the tank and configured to convey a two-phase liquid and vapor refrigerant and to transfer heat between the water and the refrigerant, a first valve connected to a liquid and a vapor refrigerant line and configured to selectively connect the liquid refrigerant line to a first port and the vapor refrigerant line to a second port in a first mode and to connect the liquid refrigerant line to the second port and the vapor refrigerant line to the first port in a second mode, a thermostatic expansion valve connected to an inlet of the heat exchanger, and a liquid/vapor pump connected to an outlet of the heat exchanger and to the second port of the first valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2010Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATIONInventor: John H. Bean, JR.
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Publication number: 20080256972Abstract: A water dispenser is provided for dispensing hot water, cold water, and carbonated water, all of which is filtered. The dispenser includes a housing defining a front dispensing face, a rear face, opposite side walls and a bottom wall. A filter is mounted in the housing and has a rear end connectable to a source of water and a front end accessible at the front face of the housing to facilitate replacing the filter. A dispensing faucet is disposed at the front face of the housing. A hot water tank is located at one side of the housing and has an inlet for receiving filtered water from the filter and a hot water outlet near the dispensing faucet for delivering hot water thereto. An ice bank assembly is located at an opposite side of the housing and has an inlet for receiving filtered water from the filter and a cold water outlet near the dispensing faucet for delivering cold water thereto. A compressor is mounted on the bottom wall of the housing and is coupled to one end of the ice bank evaporator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: George W. Knoll, Chester F. Robards, Kerry D. Roosmalen
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Publication number: 20080250796Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making and sensing ice. Also, apparatus and methods for sensing the change of phase of a substance. In one embodiment, a fringe-effect capacitor is placed proximate to a substance, such as water, which is undergoing a phase change, such as the change of phase from the liquid state to the solid state. During this change, the dielectric constant of the substance changes, and thereby changes the electrical flux between conductors of the fringe-effect capacitor. Also, apparatus and methods as described above, and using a capacitor but not a fringe-effect capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2006Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: CONTROL DEVICES, INC.Inventors: P. Edward Clugston, Kevin Damian, Michael F. Ehman, Kenneth M. Cyll
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Patent number: 7264731Abstract: Units (10), systems (100), and methods with treated water are provided in which a treated water source (12, 104) is included integrally in a host piece of equipment (10, 102). The host piece of equipment (10, 102) includes host functions such as ice making (14, 106). Other equipment, such as dispenser (108) may be coupled to the equipment (102) to share the treated water from treated water source (104).Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Inventor: Robert S. Bosko
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Patent number: 7131281Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for cooling a passenger compartment in a hybrid vehicle that operates an engine intermittently during vehicle operation, the hybrid vehicle having an HVAC system including an HVAC duct, a blower adapted to direct a flow of air through the HVAC duct, and an evaporator located within the HVAC duct. The method includes the steps of operating the blower; operating the compressor; allowing a predetermined amount of ice to form on the evaporator during operation of the compressor; turning off the vehicle engine; ceasing operation of the compressor; measuring an indicator corresponding to a remaining amount of the predetermined amount of ice formed on the evaporator; and re-starting the compressor when a predetermined air temp in air duct is reached.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Munther M. Salim, Gregory A. Major, Jeffrey A Bozeman
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Patent number: 6851273Abstract: An air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit and an indoor unit provided with an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor expansion device, wherein the outdoor unit comprises a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger for heat-exchanging a refrigerant, a four-way valve adjacently arranged to the compressor for circulating a refrigerant discharged from the compressor according to a heating cycle or a cooling cycle, and a refrigerant detouring path for detouring a refrigerant discharged from the outdoor heat exchanger to the compressor at the time of a defrosting operation, thereby performing the defrosting operation without stopping the heating cycle and thus preventing an indoor heating loss.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Sae-Dong Jang, Il-Nahm Hwang, Jin-Seob Song, Bong-Soo Park, Dong-Jun Yang, Ho-Jong Jeong
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Publication number: 20040231354Abstract: An auger-type ice making machine has an abnormality detecting device which detects a freezing of an ice-scraping auger on the basis of a hunting of current flowing through an auger motor 25. Current flowing through the auger motor 25 is taken out by a current-voltage converter 45, and an instantaneous value of the taken-out voltage waveform every predetermined time is A/D converted by an A/D converter 52 which is provided at a controller board 50.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventors: Koji Tsuchikawa, Masanobu Nagira
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Patent number: 6817408Abstract: A heat exchange method and apparatus having a cooled fluid flowing in contact with a first surface of a heat exchange wall and a cooling fluid flowing in contact with a second surface of the wall. At least one temperature sensor is located to directly monitor the temperature of the first surface. Flow of the cooling fluid is throttled when the temperature of the first surface drops at least 50 degrees below the freezing temperature of the cooled fluid.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Graham CorporationInventors: James Richard Lines, Alan Earl Smith, Lawrence Michael Saupe, Lance Lee Frens
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Publication number: 20040068995Abstract: An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, Douglas P. Goulet
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Publication number: 20040003600Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a cooling chamber filled with a bath of cooling fluid for cooling beverage fluids. A cooling unit, including an evaporator coil extending from the cooling unit into the cooling chamber, freezes the cooling fluid into a frozen cooling bank about the evaporator coil. Sensor units positioned at desired locations about the evaporator coil provide output corresponding to the size and shape of the frozen cooling bank. Also, a control unit reads the output from the sensor units and operates the cooling unit to regulate the growth of the frozen cooling bank. In addition, the control unit may read output from temperature sensors attached to dispensing valves or monitoring ambient temperature conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: John T. Hawkins, Stephen K. Versteeg
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Publication number: 20030205371Abstract: A heat exchange method and apparatus having a cooled fluid flowing in contact with a first surface of a heat exchange wall and a cooling fluid flowing in contact with a second surface of the wall. At least one temperature sensor is located to directly monitor the temperature of the first surface. Flow of the cooling fluid is throttled when the temperature of the first surface drops at least 50 degrees below the freezing temperature of the cooled fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2001Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: James Richard Lines, Alan Earl Smith, Lawrence Michael Saupe, Lance Lee Frens
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Publication number: 20030200757Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a cooling chamber filled with a bath of cooling fluid for cooling beverage fluids. A cooling unit, including an evaporator coil extending from the cooling unit into the cooling chamber, freezes the cooling fluid into a frozen cooling bank about the evaporator coil. Sensor units positioned at desired locations about the evaporator coil provide output corresponding to the size and shape of the frozen cooling bank. Also, a control unit reads the output from the sensor units and operates the cooling unit to regulate the growth of the frozen cooling bank. In addition, the control unit may read output from temperature sensors attached to dispensing valves or monitoring ambient temperature conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: John T. Hawkins, Stephen K. Versteeg
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Patent number: 6581392Abstract: An ice machine and method for control thereof. The method has various features including control of upload/download of software and data, control of ice cube detection of falling pieces as well as a bin full condition, logging of machine cycle counts, electrical load run times, error codes linked to accumulated run time of the ice machine, of program style and display of error codes and verification of program styles.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2002Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Scotsman Ice SystemsInventors: David Brett Gist, Matthew Allison, Andy Pichotta, Chris J. Teal, Tim Bethuy
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Publication number: 20030094005Abstract: An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, Douglas P. Goulet
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Publication number: 20030010055Abstract: Disclosed is an ice making machine in which upon starting of ice making operation, a water level detecting switch starts measurement, a water-supply-stop time T1 being compared with a reference time T2. When the water-supply-stop time T1 is not longer than the reference time T2, it is determined that the ice making machine is in an excessive-ice-making state, and control is performed so as to reduce the RPM of a fan motor for cooling a condenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2002Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Masayuki Kuroyanagi, Teruhiko Otani, Hideo Sumikawa, Hiroshi Tanaka, Yoshio Furukawa, Akira Suyama
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Patent number: 6496752Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: David C. Sudolcan, Thomas J. Chadwell
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Patent number: 6449966Abstract: An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1997Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, Douglas P. Goulet
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Patent number: 6415615Abstract: An arrangement of apparatus for the measurement of the quantity amount of ice in an ice thermal storage system having a storage tank with a storage fluid and a cooling coil assembly therein, and the method for measuring such ice quantity, which apparatus includes a means to provide an uplift force to the coil assembly and, means for measurement of the vertical displacement of the coil in the storage tank and means for relating the vertical displacement of the cooling coil assembly to the quantity of ice on the cooling coil assembly, and further noting a specific uplifting force assembly for use in such storage tanks.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2000Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc.Inventors: William T. Osborne, Gary D. Smith
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Patent number: 6374622Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method that regulates the size of an ice bank (50) and that prevents short cycling of the compressor (30) therefor and operation thereof at undesired voltages. A microprocessor based control circuit (10) includes a circuit for sensing line voltage (14) combined with an ice bank sensing circuit (18, 20). The ice bank sensing circuit is of the conductivity sensing type wherein the electrical conductivity between two probes (P1, P2) is sensed. The microprocessor (16) continually monitors the probes (P1, P2) to determine if refrigeration is needed or not, and continually senses the line voltage to determine if that voltage is within the design limits of the refrigeration compressor (30). The voltage sensing circuit (14) can also sense if power has been interrupted where the voltage drops to zero.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2001Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.Inventors: Ming Zhang, Joseph W. Shannon, Brian C. Jones
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Publication number: 20010045098Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a dehumidifier in a de-ice mode is provided wherein the dehumidifier has an evaporator coil, a fan operated by a fan motor to cause a flow of ambient air over the evaporator coil, and a compressor operated by a compressor motor to cause a flow of refrigerant to the evaporator coil. A control is provided for detecting a characteristic of the dehumidifier associated with the formation of frost on the evaporator coil. Such characteristic could be the temperature of the evaporator coil, the rate of change of the temperature of the coil, a drop in the amp draw of the compressor motor below a predetermined value or a predetermined rate of downward change in the amp draw of the compressor motor. The control terminates power to the compressor motor after detection of the characteristic, either immediately or after a predetermined time, while continuing operation of the fan to provide the melting.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2001Publication date: November 29, 2001Inventors: Andy Lynn Derryberry, David Michael Jackson, Jon Donald Tromblee, Jurgen Pannock
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Patent number: 6298676Abstract: An arrangement of apparatus for the measurement of the quantity amount of ice in an ice thermal storage system having a storage tank with a storage fluid and a cooling coil assembly therein, and the method for measuring such ice quantity, which apparatus includes a means to provide an uplift force to the coil assembly and, means for measurement of the vertical displacement of the coil in the storage tank and means for relating the vertical displacement of the cooling coil assembly to the quantity of ice on the cooling coil assembly, and further noting a specific uplifting force assembly for use in such storage tanks.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2000Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc.Inventors: William T. Osborne, Gary D. Smith