Withdrawing Or Adding Refrigerant From Or To Normally Closed System Patents (Class 62/149)
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Patent number: 10422544Abstract: An information notification method for use in an information notification system connected to an air conditioner including a refrigerant circuit and an information communication apparatus includes detecting a connection state indicating whether the air conditioner is connected to a network, determining whether the air conditioner performed a refrigerant recovery operation on the refrigerant circuit on the basis of the operation log information that indicates an operation log of the air conditioner and that is received from the air conditioner, determining whether the air conditioner has been relocated on the basis of the detected connection state and the determination as to whether the air conditioner performed the refrigerant recovery operation, and sending, to the information communication apparatus, first information used to prompt for a test operation of the air conditioner if it is determined that the air conditioner has been relocated.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Chieko Sasaki, Yuji Osaki, Hiroko Sugimoto
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Patent number: 10391839Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device includes a pre-evaporator decompression unit that decompresses refrigerant which flowed out from an exterior heat exchanger, and an evaporator passage that guides the refrigerant which flowed out from the exterior heat exchanger to a suction port of a compressor while passing through a pre-evaporator decompression unit and an evaporator. Further, the refrigeration cycle device includes a bypass passage that guides the refrigerant which flowed out from the exterior heat exchanger to the suction port of the compressor while bypassing the pre-evaporator decompression unit and the evaporator, a pre-exterior device switching unit, and a passage switching unit that opens and closes the bypass passage. Further, the pre-exterior device switching unit and the passage switching unit form a coupled valve where the pre-exterior device switching unit and the passage switching unit are mechanically coupled.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Masaaki Kawakubo, Tetsuya Itou, Satoshi Itoh
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Patent number: 10371144Abstract: There is provided a linear motor that can detect the displacement of a moving member or the inclination of the moving member in a direction in which two windings are opposed to each other and equipment equipped with the linear motor. A linear motor includes: a first armature having an upper winding and a lower winding opposed to the upper winding through a gap in a vertical direction; a moving member having a permanent magnet and enabled to reciprocate in a longitudinal direction with respect to the first armature; and a current detecting unit that detects an electric current carried through the first armature. The upper winding and the lower winding are in parallel connection.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Eri Maruyama, Yasuaki Aoyama, Takahiro Suzuki
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Patent number: 10371396Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioner heat-radiating circulation system, comprising a compressor (1). A discharge pipe of the compressor (1) is connected to a four-way reversing valve (2), which is connected to an outdoor heat exchanger (4) that is connected to an indoor heat exchanger (10) via an electronic expansion valve (11), the indoor heat exchanger (10) is connected to a stop value (3) that is connected to a gas suction pipe of the compressor (1) via the four-way reversing valve (2), the gas suction pipe is provided with a refrigerating circulation branch, which includes a branch electromagnetic valve (5) that is connected to a flat tube micro-channel aluminum-based radiator (6) with a temperature sensor (8); the gas suction pipe is further provided with a gas suction electromagnetic valve (7) that is connected in parallel to the branch electromagnetic valve (5).Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: QINGDAO HISENSE HITACHI AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS CO., LTD.Inventors: Wugong Chi, Rui Cao, Wenqiang Zhang, Yajun Li, Chengjun He, Wentao Lin, Leilei Ge
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Patent number: 10352197Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting a leak in a thermodynamic cycle device with a condenser for condensing vaporous working medium, comprising the following steps: determining sub-cooling of the working medium in the condenser, wherein sub-cooling is determined as a difference between a condensation temperature in the condenser and a temperature of a liquid working medium exiting the condenser; detecting a leak in the event that the sub-cooling determined differs from a setpoint value for the sub-cooling or in the event that a filling quantity of the working medium in the thermodynamic cycle device, being determined from the determined sub-cooling, differs from a setpoint value for the filling quantity. The invention further relates to a corresponding computer program product and to a corresponding device.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2015Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: ORCAN ENERGY AGInventors: Andreas Grill, Jens-Patrick Springer, Richard Aumann, Roy Langer, Daniela Walter, Andreas Schuster
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Patent number: 10293662Abstract: A vehicle has a drive motor and a refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant circuit includes, when viewed in the direction of flow of the refrigerant, a compressor, a gas cooler or condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator. The refrigerant circuit has a first shut-off element which is arranged outside of an area arranged between the drive motor and the evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Stefan Morgenstern, Robert Herbolzheimer
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Patent number: 10275368Abstract: A terminal device includes an operating system that does not allow a user to have right to incorporate a device driver in the operating system, a processor, and a memory that is capable of storing therein the operating system in which a first device driver is preliminarily incorporated and an application, wherein the application includes a second device driver that converts a first control command provided by the application into a second control command in a form deliverable to an external peripheral device, and the first device driver transmits the second control command output from the second device driver to the external peripheral device.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: Hidenobu Ito, Kazuaki Nimura
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Patent number: 10190808Abstract: Refrigeration systems with a purge for removing non-condensables from the refrigerant and an acid filter for remove acid from the refrigerant are provided. The acid filter can be operatively connected to the purge. Optionally, the purge can include a separating device for separating non-condensable gases from condensable refrigerant gases and an acid filter is provided to remove acid from the condensable refrigerant gases.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Daoud Ali Jandal, Julie Ann Majurin, Stephen Anthony Kujak, Raymond Scott Schafer, Paul Edmond Cieslinski
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Patent number: 10173492Abstract: A dispensing canister apparatus for controlled release of a stored fluid includes first and second thermochromic clips for providing a visual indication of the ambient air temperature; a hose member surrounding a channel and having first and second open ends, and the first open end being connected to the canister such that the channel is in fluid flow communication with the inner cavity; a control on the canister for selectively actuating the flow of the stored fluid from the inner cavity into the channel and through a coupler member at the second open end of the hose member; and wherein storage of the first thermochromic clip in the first receptacle positions the fastening member such that it obstructs movement of the control for actuating the flow of the stored fluid.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: TSI Products, Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Quest
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Patent number: 10158359Abstract: Embodiments relate to integrated magnetic field sensor-controlled switch devices, such as transistors, current sources, and power switches, among others. In an embodiment, a magnetic switch and a load switch are integrated in a single integrated circuit device. In embodiments, the magnetic switch is configured to sense a dynamic change in magnetic field caused by movement of a magnet in at least one of a linear, three-dimensional, and rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2015Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Sebastian Maerz, Franz Jost, Udo Ausserlechner, Jean-Marie Le Gall
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Patent number: 10126029Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic expansion valve of a variable refrigerant flow air conditioning system includes steps as follows: when operating in a primary heating mode, obtaining a degree of superheat of return air of a compressor, and performing a control on an opening degree of the first electronic expansion valve according to the degree of superheat; judging the degree of superheat and the opening degree of each refrigerating indoor machine in the plurality of indoor machines; and if the degree of superheat is greater than a first preset degree of superheat and an opening degree in any refrigerating indoor machine reaches a maximum opening degree, obtaining a target medium pressure value by calculating a refrigerant volume of the refrigerating indoor machine reaching the maximum opening degree, and performing a medium pressure control on the first electronic expansion valve according to the target medium pressure value.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignees: GD MIDEA HEATING & VENTILATING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.Inventors: Bin Luo, Kun Yang
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Patent number: 10119756Abstract: A method and backup system for backing up a supply oxygen in an air separation plant in which during normal operation, a stream of oxygen-rich liquid is pumped through a main flow path, extending from a surge tank to a heat exchanger, to deliver an oxygen product. The surge tank receives the oxygen-rich liquid from a bottom region of the lower pressure column of the plant. Additionally, during normal operations, a stream of the oxygen-rich liquid is also introduced to a reserve storage tank through a backup flow path. During a transient operation, where the air separation plant has ceased operation, the surge tank is isolated and liquid is pumped from the surge tank through an auxiliary flow path to an auxiliary vaporizer to continue the supply of the oxygen product and the surge tank is replenished with oxygen-rich liquid previously stored in the reserve storage tank.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2013Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: David Parsnick, James Meagher, Gerald A. Paolino, John F. Billingham
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Patent number: 10119734Abstract: This invention relates to of a cooling device (1) comprising a compressor (2) which compresses the refrigerant fluid, a condenser (3) which enables the superheated vapor exiting the compressor (2) change to first a liquid-vapor phase then liquid phase entirely, a compressor cabinet (8) positioned separately from the cooling cabinet (7), into which the compressor (2) and the condenser (3) are positioned, one or more evaporators (4), and one or more capillary tubes (5) interposed between the compressor cabinet (8) and the evaporator (6), and a control method thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETIInventors: Yalcin Guldali, Ertugrul Ustundag, Sabahattin Hocaoglu
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Patent number: 10107514Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit connecting a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a first expansion device, and a second heat exchanger. The compressor and the first heat exchanger are housed in a heat source unit, the heat source unit, houses a second expansion device provided at a location on a downstream side with respect to the first heat exchanger and on an upstream side with respect to the first expansion device, and the second expansion device and the first expansion device are connected via an extension pipe. The second expansion device reduces a pressure of refrigerant flowing into the extension pipe in cooling operation to cause the refrigerant to turn into refrigerant having a medium pressure and in a two-phase state, and the medium pressure is lower than a refrigerant pressure in a condenser and higher than a refrigerant pressure in an evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventor: Koji Yamashita
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Patent number: 10094603Abstract: A system and method for retrofitting a refrigeration system containing an HCFC refrigerant and a compatible lubricant, with an HFC refrigerant, comprising providing a transport container containing a mixture of about 5-15% by weight of a miscible lubricant and the HFC refrigerant, removing the HCFC refrigerant from the refrigeration system while maintaining at least a portion of a lubricant immiscible with the HFC refrigerant, and charging the refrigeration system with the mixture.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Hudson Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Charles Harkins
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Patent number: 10077924Abstract: A two-stage refrigeration apparatus includes a high-stage refrigeration cycle including a high-stage-side refrigerant circuit including a high-stage-side compressor, high-stage-side condenser, high-stage-side expansion valve, and high-stage-side evaporator connected by pipes, a low-stage refrigeration cycle including a low-stage-side refrigerant circuit including a low-stage-side compressor, low-stage-side condenser, low-stage-side receiver, low-stage-side expansion valve, and low-stage-side evaporator connected by pipes, a cascade condenser including the high-stage-side evaporator and low-stage-side condenser, a receiver heat exchanging portion configured to cool the low-stage-side receiver, and a high-stage refrigeration cycle controller configured to perform controlling so as to activate the high-stage-side compressor when estimating a low-stage-side refrigerant will reach a supercritical state while the low-stage-side compressor is defrosted on the basis of the pressure of the low-stage-side refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2013Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Keisuke Takayama, Tomotaka Ishikawa, Takeshi Sugimoto, Tetsuya Yamashita, Takashi Ikeda
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Patent number: 10023022Abstract: A thermal management system for an electric vehicle is provided. The thermal management system includes a thermal circuit for regulating a battery temperature. A filter is located upstream of the battery for filtering liquid coolant. The thermal management system also includes a second thermal circuit in fluid communication with the battery thermal circuit. The second thermal circuit provides thermal control to a vehicle system other than the battery. The battery thermal circuit includes a plurality of battery cells. Pluralities of heat exchanger fins are located between each of the battery cells to provide the coolant to regulate the battery temperature. The filter has a filtration transfer function based on a filter characteristic of the fins.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Lev Pekarsky, David Fabricatore
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Patent number: 9939332Abstract: In a device and method for taking temperature readings on an HVAC system, a first probe is connectable in thermal communication with the HVAC system for taking a first temperature reading thereof. A second probe is connectable in thermal communication with the HVAC system for taking a second temperature reading thereof that is independent of the first temperature reading. A digital display is connectable to the first and second probes for displaying the first and second temperature readings.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool CompanyInventors: Bryan Alfano, Joseph J. Houle
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Patent number: 9939184Abstract: A refrigeration device includes a radiator, an evaporator, a compressor, a heater and a control device. The radiator causes a refrigerant to radiate heat. The evaporator causes the refrigerant to evaporate. The compressor compresses the refrigerant circulating between the radiator and the evaporator. The heater heats lubricating oil in the compressor. The control device controls the heater so that an oil temperature of the lubricating oil in the compressor reaches an oil temperature target value obtained by adding a predetermined temperature to saturation temperature of the refrigerant in the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshinori Yura, Shinichi Kasahara, Kousuke Kibo
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Patent number: 9920966Abstract: An apparatus and a method of removing a high boiling point residue from a waste refrigerant are provided to improve a reuse rate of the waste refrigerant by improving an oil removal rate at which oil is separated from the waste refrigerant. The apparatus includes a vaporizer that is configured to vaporize a waste refrigerant collected from a vehicle and includes an oil outlet configured to exhaust oil separated from the waste refrigerant. In addition, an oil separator is configured to receive the vaporized waste refrigerant transferred from the vaporizer and separate oil mists remaining in the waste refrigerant from the waste refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Han Seok Kim, Jong Rae Cho, Dae Sung Jung
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Patent number: 9897361Abstract: In various implementations, compressor operation in an air conditioner may be managed by maintaining oil viscosity, a temperature differential, compressor sump temperature, and/or suction pressure. Properties of the air conditioner or portions thereof, such as the compressor, may be determined. To manage compressor operations, operation(s) of the air conditioner may be adjusted based on one or more of the determined properties.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Anuradha Sundararajan, H. Gene Havard, Jr., Mark Olsen
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Patent number: 9810754Abstract: A cooling device for sub-MRI units of an embodiment includes a tank in which cooling water for cooling a heat generating unit that an MRI apparatus has is stored, a pump which circulates the cooling water stored in the tank through a circulation path starting from the tank and traveling around the heat generating unit, a heat exchanger which cools the cooling water, and a controller which decides that a water leakage has occurred on the circulation path when a decreasing rate of the cooling water in the tank is greater than a given reference value.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Hidekazu Tanaka, Ken Kudou, Masashi Hori
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Patent number: 9803902Abstract: A charge-verification system for a circuit including a condenser having an inlet, an outlet, and a coil circuit tube extending between the inlet and the outlet is provided. The charge-verification system may include a first of coil temperature sensor located on the coil circuit tube a first distance from the inlet and a second of coil temperature sensor located on the coil circuit tube a second distance from the inlet. The charge-verification system may also include a controller receiving a first signal from the first temperature sensor indicative of a first temperature and a second signal from the second temperature sensor indicative of a second temperature. The controller may determine which of the first signal and the second signal is closer to an actual saturated condensing temperature of the condenser.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2014Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Hung M. Pham
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Patent number: 9777724Abstract: A system and method for controlling a system that includes a variable speed compressor are described. The method can provide improved accuracy in the control of a system, for example, a heating, ventilating, and air condition (HVAC) system that includes a variable speed compressor, and can reduce a compressor cycling frequency of the compressor when a required capacity is below a minimum capacity of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: John Zhou, Roger J. Voorhis, Thomas J. Clanin
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Patent number: 9726393Abstract: A system includes a heat exchanger; a variable actuator in operative communication with the heat exchanger and configured to vary a flow of a first fluid through the heat exchanger in a continuous manner; a discrete actuator in communication with the heat exchanger and configured to vary a flow of a second fluid through the heat exchanger at one of at least two discrete rates; and a controller in communication with the variable actuator and the discrete actuator, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the position of the variable actuator within a range dependent upon a current position of the discrete actuator.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Harshad S. Sane, Scott A. Bortoff, Olivier Josserand, Eric Royet
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Patent number: 9714785Abstract: An appliance includes a cabinet; a first compartment; and a second compartment. The first compartment and the second compartment are separated by a horizontal mullion. The cabinet also typically includes a coolant system that has: a single compressor for regulating a temperature of the first compartment and a temperature of the second compartment operably connected to at least one evaporator; a shared coolant fluid connection system; and a coolant fluid spaced within the shared coolant fluid connection system used to regulate both the temperature of the first compartment and the second compartment. The compressor can provide the shared coolant at least two different pressures to at least one evaporator using the shared coolant fluid connection circuit. The ratio of the substantially steady state heat gain for the first compartment to the substantially steady state total heat gain for the overall cabinet is about 0.65:1 or greater.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2014Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Nihat O. Cur, Steven John Kuehl, Andrew D. Litch, Luiz A Lopez, Guolian Wu
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Patent number: 9696072Abstract: A method of operating a refrigerant service system to charge an air conditioning circuit includes pre-charging a predetermined pre-charge quantity of refrigerant into the air conditioning circuit, determining an average temperature in the air conditioning circuit based upon a pressure in the air conditioning circuit after pre-charging the air conditioning circuit, determining a charge compensation value based upon the determined average temperature in the air conditioning circuit, and charging the air conditioning circuit with a quantity of refrigerant based upon the charge compensation value.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignees: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc., Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Mark W. McMasters, Dylan M. Lundberg
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Patent number: 9683751Abstract: An outdoor unit for a multi-type air conditioner includes a compressor, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an outdoor expansion valve, a liquid tank, an accumulator, a shutoff valve provided for the refrigerant pipe between a liquid refrigerant inlet/outlet port and the liquid tank in the outdoor unit, and a first bypass circuit provided in the refrigerant pipe for bypassing the shutoff valve through a capillary tube to connect a liquid refrigerant inlet/outlet port side to an upper side of the refrigerant pipe in a gravity direction. The outdoor unit further includes a second bypass circuit for connecting a bottom portion of the liquid tank to an inlet side of the accumulator via an electromagnetic valve.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: TOSHIBA CARRIER CORPORATIONInventors: Yuji Inada, Yukio Kiguchi, Kiyotaka Ueno
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Patent number: 9669929Abstract: A storage assembly, which is in particular suitable for use in a cooling system designed for an operation with a two-phase coolant medium, comprising a storage container with a receiving area for receiving a coolant medium and a conveying device for conveying coolant medium from the receiving area of the storage container. The conveying device is formed integral with the storage container of the storage assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Ullrich Hesse, Markus Piesker, Martin Sieme, Gerd Wedler, Philipp Goldmann, Sebastian Roering
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Patent number: 9651284Abstract: A servicing device and method for operating a servicing device for vehicle air-conditioning systems in particular for the self-cleaning thereof, the servicing device is equipped with an emptying device and a filling device for the drawing off of the refrigerant/compressor oil mixture from the refrigerant circuit system of a vehicle air-conditioning system and for the refilling of the vehicle air-conditioning system with refrigerant and compressor oil. A vacuum pump is used for the residual emptying of the refrigerant circuit system of the vehicle air-conditioning system and/or of the servicing device. An at least partially evacuated flushing agent tank is connected directly or indirectly via a connecting line with at least one of the high pressure servicing connection connectors of the servicing device and/or the subsequent pressure hoses and/or the switchover valve block and that a fluidic further connection takes place to the refrigerant reservoir which is under increased refrigerant pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2012Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Dometic Sweden ABInventor: Franz-Josef Esch
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Patent number: 9638446Abstract: A method to detect the charge level of a refrigerant within a refrigeration circuit, where the refrigeration circuit has a compressor, a sensor to detect a pressure, and a sensor to detect a temperature. The method has a key cycle that has a first part and a second part.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: MAHLE International GmbHInventors: Aaron Kleinow, Joseph Lewis, Lawrence Wei, Ronald Goubeaux
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Patent number: 9618222Abstract: The SmartVent and Atmospheric Controller Apparatuses, Methods and Systems (“SmartVent”) transforms user desired environmental setting and SmartVent measurement inputs via SmartVent components into SmartVent adjustment messages and environmental change outputs. In one embodiment, a SmartVent system may include a self-regulating HVAC system, comprising a plurality of smart HVAC vents disposed in wireless communication with a remote computing device. Where the remote computing device a includes a memory and a processor disposed in communication with the memory, configured to record calibration data from each of said plurality of smart HVAC vents. The calibration data may include temperature and flow rate data from each of said plurality of smart HVAC vents.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Keen Home Inc.Inventors: Nayeem M Hussain, Ryan T Fant, William J McLeod, Dean DiPietro, Theodore R Ullrich
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Patent number: 9518755Abstract: An outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor heat exchanger; a compressor; a refrigerant pipe configured to couple the outdoor heat exchanger and the compressor with an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger; and a control unit that determines whether the heating capacity of the indoor unit performing a heating operation is decreased by the refrigerant stagnated in the indoor heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2013Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: FUJITSU GENERAL LIMITEDInventors: Kotaro Toya, Hideya Tamura, Takahiro Matsunaga, Shinju Watanabe, Takashi Kimura, Yasuhiro Oka, Ken Nakashima
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Patent number: 9506678Abstract: A variable refrigerant charge refrigeration/air conditioner system is described that allows the refrigerant charge for the system to be altered based on operating or environmental factors. The system includes a main refrigerant loop holding a volume of refrigerant corresponding to a first level of refrigerant charge, a compressor in the main refrigerant loop, a condenser in the main refrigerant loop, and an evaporator in the main refrigerant loop. A branch refrigerant loop allows the alteration of the refrigerant charge using a control valve in the branch refrigerant loop and a receiver in the branch refrigerant loop. The receiver acts to hold a volume of refrigerant when the control valve is open, thereby removing the volume of refrigerant from the main refrigerant loop. A return path from the receiver to the main refrigerant loop allows refrigerant to flow back into the main loop from the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventor: Robert B. Uselton
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Patent number: 9494345Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigeration circuit having a mono- or multi-component refrigerant circulating therein, said refrigeration circuit comprising, in the direction of flow, a condenser, a collecting container, a relief device connected upstream of an evaporator, an evaporator and a compressor unit with single-stage compression. According to the invention, there is an intermediate relief device arranged between the condenser and the collecting container. Furthermore, there is disclosed a method of operating a refrigeration device in which pressure relief of the refrigerant to an (intermediate) pressure of 5 to 40 bar is effected in the intermediate relief device arranged between the condenser and the collecting container.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Bernd Heinbokel, Andreas Gernemann, Uwe Schierhorn
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Patent number: 9476602Abstract: Building cooling system involving circulation of a cooling liquid in a hydraulic circuit comprising at least one first tank (2), at least one second tank (4) in which at least part of one of its walls (4.1) are made of a porous material and at least one heat exchanger (6) connected in series through a hydraulic circuit, at least one hydraulic pump (8) placed between the first tank (2) and the heat exchanger (6), in which the second tank (4) is located outside the building, in which in which the system comprises means (10) of controlling circulation of liquid from the second tank (4) to the first tank (2), and when the system is in operation to cool the inside of the building, flow from the second tank (4) to the first tank (2) is interrupted and the hydraulic pump (8) circulates the liquid from the first tank (2) to the second tank through the heat exchanger (6), such that the second tank fills up.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternativesInventor: Louis Stephan
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Patent number: 9476614Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigeration circuit having a mono- or multi-component refrigerant circulating therein, said refrigeration circuit comprising, in the direction of flow, a condenser, a collecting container, a relief device connected upstream of an evaporator, an evaporator and a compressor unit with single-stage compression. According to the invention, there is an intermediate relief device arranged between the condenser and the collecting container. Furthermore, there is disclosed a method of operating a refrigeration device in which pressure relief of the refrigerant to an (intermediate) pressure of 5 to 40 bar is effected in the intermediate relief device arranged between the condenser and the collecting container.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Bernd Heinbokel, Andreas Gernemann, Uwe Schierhorn
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Patent number: 9404681Abstract: In an air-conditioning apparatus equipped with an outdoor unit having outdoor devices including a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a flow switching valve that switches the flowing direction of the refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air, a first expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, an excess-refrigerant container that retains an excess refrigerant of the refrigerant, and a second expansion valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant; and an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and indoor air, the air-conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor-heat-exchanger refrigerant injection port provided in a refrigerant pipe that is directly connected to the outdoor heat exchanger, and an excess-refrigerant-container refrigerant injection port provided in a refrigerant pipe that is directly connected to the excess-refrigerant container.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Kazunori Korenaga, Takeshi Kuramochi, Hirofumi Horiuchi
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Patent number: 9383126Abstract: Heat pumps that heat or cool a space and that also heat water, refrigerant management systems for such heat pumps, and methods of managing refrigerant charge. Various embodiments remove idle refrigerant from a heat exchanger that is not needed for transferring heat by opening a refrigerant recovery valve and delivering the idle refrigerant from the heat exchanger to an inlet port on the compressor. The heat exchanger can be isolated by closing an electronic expansion valve, actuating a refrigerant management valve, or both. Refrigerant charge can be controlled by controlling how much refrigerant is drawn from the heat exchanger, by letting some refrigerant back into the heat exchanger, or both. Heat pumps can be operated in different modes of operation, and various components can be interconnected with refrigerant conduit. Some embodiments deliver refrigerant gas to the heat exchanger and drive liquid refrigerant out prior to isolating the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Nortek Global HVAC, LLCInventors: Jie Chen, Justin W. Hampton
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Patent number: 9377236Abstract: A C02 refrigeration system has an LT system with LT compressors and LT evaporators, and an MT system with MT compressors and MT evaporators, operating in a refrigeration mode and a defrost mode using C02 hot gas discharge from the MT and/or the LT compressors to defrost the LT evaporators. A C02 refrigerant circuit directs C02 refrigerant through the system and has an LT compressor discharge line with a hot gas discharge valve, a C02 hot gas defrost supply header directing C02 hot gas discharge from the LT and/or the MT compressors to the LT evaporators, a flash tank supplying C02 refrigerant to the MT and LT evaporators during the refrigeration mode, and receiving the C02 hot gas discharge from the LT evaporators during the defrost mode, and a control system directing the C02 hot gas discharge through the LT evaporators and to the flash tank during the defrost mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Hilll Phoenix, Inc.Inventors: David K. Hinde, J. Scott Martin, Kim Christensen, John D. Bittner
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Patent number: 9341397Abstract: Electrical appliance that can be used in industry for cooling or freezing products with maximum speed by selecting the desired temperature or time from a control panel. The gas R410A, when introduced into the compressing motor is responsible for compressing the gas of the circuit passing through the coil. The condenser, the first filter dryer, the capillary tube, the evaporator, the second filter dryer being strategically placed for rearranging the particles and molecules, continuing through the coil until returning to the compressing motor. This set of components becoming a single closed circuit, without the need to be recharged. One or more fans are placed on walls or ceiling of the evaporator for transmitting a cold shock or thermal sensation making use of the cold existing within the evaporator. A second filter can be strategically placed for cooling with maximum speed.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Inventor: Jose Antonio Martinez Aroca
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Patent number: 9335078Abstract: An air conditioning system for refrigerant based cooling of air within a building, the air conditioning system including an outdoor condenser unit having a refrigerant output port and a refrigerant input port; an indoor evaporator unit having a refrigerant input port and refrigerant output port; a pair of refrigerant carrying lines having a condenser unit and evaporator unit ends, one of the lines extending from the condenser unit's refrigerant output port to the evaporator unit's refrigerant input port, and the other line extending from the evaporator unit's refrigerant output port to the condenser unit's refrigerant input port; and exterior and interior pairs of isolation valves respectively operatively connected to the refrigerant carrying lines' condenser and evaporator unit ends, each isolation valve having at least a first pressure testing port opening its upstream or downstream end.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Inventor: Gregory D. Buggs, Sr.
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Patent number: 9273888Abstract: A refrigerant recovery unit includes a refrigerant storage unit, a refrigerant circuit, a processor, and a memory. The refrigerant storage unit is configured to store a refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit is in fluid connection with refrigeration system. The refrigerant circuit is configured to recover refrigerant from the refrigeration system and recharge the refrigeration system with the refrigerant. The processor is configured to control the refrigerant recovery unit and the processor is configured to control a fan. The fan is configured to provide a flow of air to the refrigeration system. The memory is to store diagnostic software and operating software to operate the refrigerant recovery unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Bosh Automotive Service Solutions Inc.Inventor: Mark McMasters
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Patent number: 9188376Abstract: Operation data of a refrigerant circuit is acquired after an initial refrigerant charge amount of refrigerant is charged in the refrigerant circuit and operation of the refrigerant circuit is started, an internal volume of a high-pressure pipe 6 is computed from the obtained operation data and the initial refrigerant charge amount input in a input unit 112, a target refrigerant charge amount is computed from the computed internal volume of the high-pressure pipe 6 and a standard operating state acquired in advance, the standard operating state being operation data of the refrigerant circuit when the refrigerant circuit is in a standard operating state that satisfies a preset condition, and an additional refrigerant charge amount is computed from the target refrigerant charge amount and the initial refrigerant charge amount.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Shogo Tamaki, Fumitake Unezaki, Kazuyoshi Shinozaki, Tomohiko Kasai
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Synchronous temperature rate control and apparatus for refrigeration with reduced energy consumption
Patent number: 9140479Abstract: A refrigerator appliance configuration, and associated methods of operation, for an appliance with a controller, a condenser, at least one evaporator, a compressor, and two refrigeration compartments. The configuration may be equipped with a variable-speed or variable-capacity compressor, variable speed evaporator or compartment fans, a damper, and/or a dual-temperature evaporator with a valve system to control flow of refrigerant through one or more pressure reduction devices. The controller, by operation of the compressor, fans, damper and/or valve system, depending on the appliance configuration, synchronizes alternating cycles of cooling each compartment to a temperature approximately equal to the compartment set point temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Alberto Regio Gomes, Stephen L. Keres, Steven J. Kuehl, Andrew D. Litch, Peter J. Richmond, Guolian Wu -
Patent number: 9140477Abstract: A refrigerator appliance configuration, and associated methods of operation, for an appliance with a controller, a condenser, at least one evaporator, a compressor, and two refrigeration compartments. The configuration may be equipped with a variable-speed or variable-capacity compressor, variable speed evaporator or compartment fans, a damper and/or a dual-temperature evaporator with a valve system to control flow of refrigerant through one or more pressure reduction devices. The controller, by operation of the compressor, fans, damper and/or valve system, depending on the appliance configuration, controls the cooling rate in one or both compartments to synchronize, alternating cycles of cooling the compartments to their set point temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Alberto Regio Gomes, Stephen L. Keres, Stephen J. Kuehl, Andrew D. Litch, Peter J. Richmond, Guolian Wu
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Patent number: 9074801Abstract: A refrigerant recovery unit is provided and includes a safe purging mode. The safe purging mode allows non-condensable gases to be incrementally purged from a storage tank when the determined ideal vapor pressure is high, such as 40 p.s.i., in order to minimize refrigerant loss during purging. The purging can be done in small increments of time, pressure or mass. The storage tank can include a dip tube that extends into the liquid portion of the refrigerant in order to heat up the refrigerant in the tank with the heated recovered refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Bosch Automotive Services Solutions INC.Inventors: William Brown, Mark McMasters
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Patent number: 9074805Abstract: An apparatus and method are developed to improve accuracy of diagnostic tests for A/C systems. In particular, a refrigerant recovery unit may have its hoses pre-charged with a refrigerant to a predetermined pressure or amount before performing the diagnostic tests on the A/C system of the vehicle. For example, a predetermine amount of refrigerant may be injected into the hoses of the refrigerant recovery unit to pre-charge them. The pre-charged hoses of the refrigerant recovery unit may prevent a refrigerant flow from the A/C system to the hoses connected thereto before the diagnostic tests are implemented and thus, improve the accuracy of the diagnostic tests.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.Inventor: Mark McMasters
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Patent number: 9052129Abstract: A charging device (1) of a cooling system comprising a coolant fluid; said charging device (1) comprises a supply system (2) suitable to place a reservoir (10) of coolant fluid in fluidic connection with the cooling system; said charging device (1) comprises measurement means (3) of the coolant fluid, comprising a pressure sensor (3a) suitable to measure the pressure of the coolant fluid in the cooling system and a thermometer (3b) suitable to measure the temperature of the coolant fluid in the cooling system; a connection means (4) suitable to functionally and simultaneously connect the supply system (2) and the measurement means (3) to the cooling system; and a control unit (5) suitable to measure at least the quantity of coolant fluid present in the cooling system as a function of said temperature and said pressure.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Inventor: Luciano Faccin
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Patent number: RE47322Abstract: A system for performing rapid charging and evacuation of systems that contain a fluid, such as cooling systems on refrigeration products. In addition, the invention relates to methods of accomplishing rapid charging and evacuation, as well as to tools that form part of the system and that are used to accomplish the methods.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2017Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: FasTest, Inc.Inventors: Robert B. Danielson, Stanlee Meisinger