Selective Heating Or Cooling Patents (Class 62/159)
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Patent number: 12158282Abstract: An apparatus includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a reheater, a first valve, a second heat exchanger, a four-way valve, a cap tube, and a blower. The compressor compresses a refrigerant. The blower moves air proximate the second heat exchanger to the reheater. During a cooling mode of operation, the four-way valve is configured to direct refrigerant from the first heat exchanger to the compressor; the compressor compresses the refrigerant received from the first heat exchanger; and the cap tube is configured to allow refrigerant to bypass the reheater.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2023Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Der-Kai Hung, Lin Lan, Christopher John Drury
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Patent number: 12066195Abstract: Heat exchanger output control device in a one-pipe heating network characterized in that a first T-branch, which is connected to a second T-branch interconnected to a primary outlet pipe connection of a primary outlet pipe to a heat source through a primary outlet, is connected to the primary inlet pipe connection through a primary inlet. The first T-branch is connected to a secondary supply pipe connection through a secondary supply pipe with a secondary supply temperature sensor, and the second T-branch is connected to a secondary return pipe connection through a secondary return pipe with an additional secondary return temperature sensor. An impeller of a pump is connected to a secondary circuit to pump the heat-transfer medium from the first T-branch through a heat exchanger back to the second T-branch, and to connected to a electrical motor provided with a control unit connected to secondary supply and return temperature sensors.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2019Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: CESKE VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V PRAZEInventors: Jir̆i Dostál, Tomás̆ Bäumelt, Jan Hauser, Jir̆i Kubes̆, Jir̆í Valtr, Ondr̆ej Zlevor
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Patent number: 11965683Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling system for a low temperature storage. The cooling system for the low temperature storage according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first outdoor valve disposed between a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger and selectively restricting an inflow of a refrigerant into the outdoor heat exchanger; and a first bypass pipe branched from an inlet side of the first outdoor valve and guiding the refrigerant to bypass the outdoor heat exchanger, so that the refrigerant can be guided to bypass the outdoor heat exchanger during defrosting operation of the cooling system.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2019Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Byoungjin Ryu, Yoonho Yoo, Jaeheuk Choi
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Patent number: 11892215Abstract: A control method for a heat pump unit includes acquiring a first output capability set when the heat pump unit reaches a first preset energy efficiency ratio set at a current ambient temperature; acquiring a total demand load demanded by an indoor area having a heating demand or a cooling demand; and causing the heat pump unit to operate in accordance with the first output capability set when the total demand load is smaller than the first output capability set.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: A. O. Smith CorporationInventors: Wenwei Gao, Yufeng Jing, Miao Chen
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Patent number: 11876197Abstract: In a power battery heating method for a vehicle, when a current temperature value of a power battery is lower than a preset temperature value, and a heating condition of the power battery meets a preset condition, a three-phase inverter is controlled to cause a three-phase alternating current motor to generate heat according to heating energy, to heat a coolant flowing through the power battery, a preset quadrature-axis current that causes a torque value outputted by the motor to be an appropriate value is obtained, and a corresponding preset direct-axis current is obtained according to heating power of the power battery, so as to control, according to the preset direct-axis current and the preset quadrature-axis current, the three-phase inverter to adjust a phase current of the three-phase alternating current motor in the heating process, where a direction of the preset direct-axis current changes periodically in the heating process.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Heping Ling, Hua Pan, Yuxin Zhang, Guo Tian, Zhao Xie
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Patent number: 11859894Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator including a temperature controlled room with improved utilization of space because no component for cooling or heating is positioned inside a temperature controlled room. The refrigerator includes a cabinet; a storage room provided inside the cabinet; a temperature controlled room positioned inside the storage room and being at inside temperature which is independent from inside temperature of the storage room; a cool air flow path guiding cool air generated inside the cabinet to inside of the storage room; a first fan positioned on the cool air flow path to supply the cool air to the storage room; a cool air supplier forming at least one portion of the cool air flow path and including a second fan to supply the cool air to the temperature controlled room; and a heating portion configured to heat air to supply hot air to inside of the temperature controlled room.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jinhong Yu, Youngmin You, Sungmo Kim, Jinyoung Song, Inyong Hwang, Jisick Hwang
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Patent number: 11835270Abstract: Thermal management systems include an open circuit refrigeration system featuring a receiver configurable to store a refrigerant fluid, an evaporator configurable to extract heat from a heat load when the heat load contacts the evaporator, and an exhaust line, where the receiver, the evaporator, and the exhaust line are connected to form a refrigerant fluid flow path, and a first control device configurable to control a vapor quality of the refrigerant fluid at an outlet of the evaporator along the refrigerant fluid flow path.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2019Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.Inventors: Igor Vaisman, Joshua Peters, Martin Seifert
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Patent number: 11828486Abstract: An apparatus includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a reheater, a first valve, a second heat exchanger, a four-way valve, a cap tube, and a blower. The compressor compresses a refrigerant. The blower moves air proximate the second heat exchanger to the reheater. During a heating mode of operation, the four-way valve is configured to direct refrigerant from the compressor to the second heat exchanger; the second heat exchanger is configured to use the refrigerant from the compressor to heat air proximate the second heat exchanger; and the cap tube is configured to allow refrigerant to bypass the reheater.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Der-Kai Hung, Lin Lan, Christopher John Drury
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Patent number: 11654740Abstract: A controller for a transport climate control system is provided. The controller includes a main processor, a co-processor and a verification memory. The main processor is configured to control operation of a compressor of the transport climate control system. The co-processor is separate from the main processor. The verification memory is connected in electronic communication with only the co-processor and is not in electronic communication with the main processor. The co-processor is configured to receive verification data from an independent sensor and wherein the independent sensor is not in communication with the main processor.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: THERMO KING LLCInventors: Adam Howard Raybin, Shawn Alan Schemmel, Oscar Sanz de Acedo Pollan, Niall Lynch
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Patent number: 11592228Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to have an inner case in which a storage chamber is formed, a cooler configured to cool the storage chamber, a heating device configured to be spaced apart from the cooler and heat the storage chamber, a circulation fan configured to circulate air in the storage chamber, and a controller configured to operate the circulation fan when the heating device is operated.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jeongwon Park, Giseok Seong, Myungjin Chung, Kyungseok Kim, Jinho Kim, Yonghun Suh, Tackwon Han
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Patent number: 11421923Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a first sensor disposed adjacent to an inlet of an evaporator configured to receive an airflow. The HVAC unit includes a second sensor disposed adjacent to an outlet of a reheat coil positioned downstream of the evaporator and configured to expel the airflow. The HVAC unit also includes a controller configured to regulate operation of a modulating reheat valve to adjust flow of a working fluid in thermal communication with the airflow to control a difference between a measurement of the first sensor and a measurement of the second sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2019Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventors: John T. Knight, Stephen B. Pickle, Norman J. Blanton, Kerry L. Shumway
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Patent number: 11300337Abstract: An outdoor system for an air conditioner may include at least one outdoor unit, the at least one outdoor unit including a compressor; an outdoor heat exchanger; a pair of two-stage compression lines that extends to outside of the outdoor system; a pair of connection lines that extends to the outside of the outdoor system and communicates with an indoor unit; and multiple valves that open/close the pair of two-stage compression lines and the pair of connection lines when the outdoor system is operated in a one-stage heating mode or a two-stage heating mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2018Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jaehwa Jung, Daehyoung Kim, Junseong Park, Pilhyun Yoon
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Patent number: 11255553Abstract: An apparatus includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a reheater, a first valve, a second heat exchanger, and a blower. The compressor compresses a refrigerant. The blower moves air proximate the second heat exchanger to the reheater. During a first mode of operation: the first heat exchanger removes heat from a first portion of the refrigerant from the compressor, the first valve opens such that a second portion of the refrigerant from the compressor flows to the reheater, the second heat exchanger uses the first portion of the refrigerant from the first heat exchanger and the second portion of the refrigerant from the reheater to cool air proximate the second heat exchanger, and the reheater uses the second portion of the refrigerant from the compressor to heat the air moved by the blower.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Der-Kai Hung, Lin Lan, Christopher John Drury
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Patent number: 11192425Abstract: An integrated thermal management module may include a first pump for flowing coolant of an indoor heating line for connecting a first heat exchanger heat-exchanged with a condenser of a refrigerant line and an indoor air-conditioning heating core, a second pump for flowing coolant of an indoor cooling line for connecting a second heat exchanger heat-exchanged with an evaporator of a refrigerant line and an indoor air-conditioning cooling core, a fourth pump for flowing coolant of a battery line for connecting a high-voltage battery core and a third radiator, a first valve simultaneously connected to a second radiator line for connecting the first heat exchanger and a second radiator, the indoor heating line, and the battery line to change flow direction of the coolant, and a second valve simultaneously connected to the indoor cooling line and the battery line to change flow direction of the coolant.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hanon SystemsInventors: Man Ju Oh, Sang Shin Lee, Jae Woong Kim, So La Chung, Yun Sub Chung, Gum Bae Choi
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Patent number: 11181286Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods, systems, and devices for detecting an operational mode of a building component of an environmental control system. In some instances, the apparatus may include a sensor for outputting a signal related to a measure of power drawn by the building component. The sensor may be a current sensor associated with a power cord of an air conditioning unit. The signal output by the sensor may be received by a signal conditioning circuit for conditioning the signal received from the sensor such as, for example, by amplifying and/or filtering. A comparator may be configured to compare the conditioned signal to a specified threshold associated with an ON condition and/or an OFF condition of the building component. The apparatus may include a wireless interface configured to wirelessly transmit a determination of whether the building component is ON or OFF based on the result determined by the comparator.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Appar Vallikannu, Raman Subramaniam, Janaki Krishnaswamy
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Patent number: 11022360Abstract: A heat transfer system for high transient heat loads includes a fluid, a heat exchanger; a compressor downstream of the heat exchanger outlet; a condenser downstream of the compressor outlet, and a thermal energy storage (TES) section downstream of the condenser outlet and upstream of the heat exchanger. The TES section may include a first pressure regulating valve downstream of a TES unit; and a second pressure regulating valve upstream of the first pressure regulating valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Eric Donovan, Michael Head, Tim Unton, Eugene Jansen
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Patent number: 11022331Abstract: An HVAC system with a reheat coil is described, the system includes a compressor, a micro-channel condenser and an evaporator. A reversing valve is connected to the compressor, the micro-channel condenser and the reheat coil. The reversing valve is used to direct the refrigerant from the compressor to the micro-channel condenser in a normal mode, and to direct the refrigerant from the compressor to the reheat coil in a reheat mode. The reversing valve can be switched from normal mode to reheat mode when a high pressure condition is detected at an input to the micro-channel condenser, and switched back from reheat mode to normal mode when the high pressure condition has resolved or an amount of time has passed. In the normal mode the refrigerant is returned from the reheat coil into a refrigerant line between the evaporator and the compressor through a restrictor.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.Inventors: Colin Clara, Eric Perez, Walter E. Davis, II
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Patent number: 10953725Abstract: Methods and system for providing heat to a vehicle are presented. In one example, a refrigerant loop is operated to heat a passenger cabin via heat generated by a compressor and heat generated by a resistive heating element. The heat that is generated by the compressor and the heat that is generated by the resistive heating element is transferred to a refrigerant before it is transferred to the passenger cabin.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Debasish Dhar, Gopichandra Surnilla, Ross Pursifull, Brad Alan VanDerWege
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Patent number: 10712100Abstract: A thermal management loop system may include an accumulator, an evaporator in fluid receiving communication with the accumulator, a condenser in fluid receiving communication with the evaporator, and a membrane separator in fluid receiving communication with the condenser. Gas exiting the membrane separator may recirculate back to the condenser and liquid exiting the membrane separator may flow to the accumulator. The thermal management loop system may be a dual-mode system and thus may be operable in a powered-pump mode or a passive-capillary mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventors: Gary A. Adamson, Wei-Lin Cho
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Patent number: 10611210Abstract: A heat pump system for climate control of an electric or hybrid vehicle includes an air conditioning unit having a heating heat exchanger, and an air conditioning unit evaporator having a refrigeration circuit, in which the air conditioning unit evaporator and a condenser are arranged. The refrigeration circuit includes a low temperature (LT) circuit in which at least one electrical power component is arranged. The heat pump system is configured to switch over between a cooling mode and a heating mode. The condenser, which is configured to transfer heat into the LT circuit, and an LT cooler are incorporated into the LT circuit. In the heating mode, the condenser outputs heat into the LT circuit and from there into a heating circuit, in which the heating heat exchanger is arranged, and in the cooling mode, the condenser outputs heat via the LT circuit to the LT cooler.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Felix Schedel, Oliver Horn, Philipp Hofmann, Peter Satzger, Robert Herbolzheimer
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Patent number: 10556487Abstract: The present disclosure provides an accumulating/receiving device for a heat pump system. The accumulating/receiving device includes a body, an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The body defines therein a space. The body is disposed downstream of an outside heat exchanger. The inlet is connected to the outside heat exchanger through a first conduit. The first outlet is connected to an inside heat exchanger through a second conduit. The second outlet is connected, through a bypass conduit, to a third conduit. A liquid of the refrigerant flows out of the body through the first outlet in a cooling mode. A vapor of the refrigerant flows out of the body through the second outlet in a heating mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Zhiwei Shan
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Patent number: 10539342Abstract: The present disclosure provides a refrigeration system comprising a receiver for use in applications where environmentally-friendly, typically flammable refrigerants are used. The receiver is sized so that it allows for the maximum amount of refrigerant to be used when regulatory concerns restrict the total amount. The present disclosure also provides a method for selecting the size of the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2018Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: THE DELFIELD COMPANY, LLCInventors: Thomas Joseph Frick, Jeremy Robert Huhn
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Patent number: 10369864Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle air conditioner device which is capable of continuing air conditioning of a vehicle interior also in a case where a failure occurs in a solenoid valve to change a flow of a refrigerant in each operation mode. A vehicle air conditioner device 1 includes a solenoid valve 17 for cooling, a solenoid valve 21 for heating and a solenoid valve 22 for dehumidifying to switch respective operation modes of the vehicle air conditioner device. A controller changes and executes the respective operation modes of a heating mode, a dehumidifying mode, and a cooling mode. The controller has a predetermined air conditioning mode during failure, and failure detecting means for detecting failure of the solenoid valve.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: SANDEN HOLDINGS CORPORATIONInventors: Tetsuya Ishizeki, Megumi Shigeta, Yasunobu Takano, Hidenori Takei, Osamu Takazawa
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Patent number: 10315485Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner device of a heat pump system, control of an air mix damper is appropriately performed in each operation mode, thereby achieving efficient vehicle interior air conditioning. The vehicle air conditioner device includes an air mix damper 28 to adjust a ratio at which air in an air flow passage 3 passed through a heat absorber 9 is to be passed through a radiator 4. In a cooling mode, a controller controls the air mix damper 28 to adjust the ratio at which the air is to be passed through the radiator 4 on the basis of one, any combination, or all of a target outlet temperature, a temperature of the radiator and a temperature of the heat absorber, and in a heating mode, the controller controls the air mix damper 28 to pass all the air in the air flow passage 3 through the radiator 4.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Sanden Holdings CorporationInventors: Ryo Miyakoshi, Kenichi Suzuki, Kouhei Yamashita
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Patent number: 10252600Abstract: There is disclosed an air-conditioning apparatus for vehicle which is capable of selecting an appropriate operation mode while inhibiting the operation mode from being unnecessarily changed, and achieving rapid and stable vehicle interior air conditioning. A controller has respective operation modes of a heating mode, a dehumidifying and heating mode, a dehumidifying and cooling mode, and a cooling mode, and selects and executes these operation modes. The controller has a dehumidifying and heating mode maximum radiator temperature MAP and a dehumidifying and cooling mode maximum radiator temperature MAP. The controller selects an operation mode in which a radiator target temperature TCO is achievable by heat radiation in a radiator 4 with reference to each MAP, on startup or at a time of change of the operation mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Sanden Holdings CorporationInventors: Ryo Miyakoshi, Kenichi Suzuki, Kouhei Yamashita
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Patent number: 10203122Abstract: An air-conditioning and ventilation apparatus includes an air-conditioning coil that is installed on a downstream side of a heat exchanger in a supply air trunk and changes cooling capacity with respect to heat-exchanged outdoor air in multiple stages; an outdoor-air temperature and humidity sensor that detects temperature and relative humidity of the outdoor air; and a control unit that stores therein reference data in which the cooling capacity is set for each combination of temperature and relative humidity of the outdoor air such that absolute humidity of supply air becomes equal to or lower than indoor target absolute humidity on the basis of a dehumidification load corresponding to an absolute humidity difference between indoors and outdoors, and determines a cooling capacity value of the air-conditioning coil on the basis of detection results during a cooling operation by the outdoor-air temperature and humidity sensor and the reference data.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2014Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Masahiro Hasegawa, Masami Yasuda, Hidemoto Arai
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Patent number: 10183550Abstract: Methods and systems for providing controlling environmental conditions in a passenger compartment of a vehicle are presented. In one example, various low cost expansion valves are included in a system that has a receiver positioned downstream of an exterior heat exchanger to provide a climate control system with heating, cooling, dehumidification, and de-icing modes.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2015Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James George Gebbie, Clay Wesley Maranville, Timothy Noah Blatchley
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Patent number: 10093146Abstract: An air-conditioning system for a vehicle, comprising a refrigerant circuit through which a refrigerant can flow and which is configured as a heat pump circuit and as a cooling system circuit, and associated with these, a compressor, at least one external heat exchanger, at least one internal heat exchanger that is associated with an internal heating condenser, whereby a device is provided for generating an air stream that can be thermally coupled to the internal heat exchanger and to the internal heating condenser, as well as a metering device that can meter the flow of at least a partial stream of the thermally coupled air stream through the internal heating condenser is provided, wherein in the heat pump mode of operation, the refrigerant can be or is conveyed from the high-pressure side of the compressor into the internal heating condenser, can be or is conveyed from the internal heating condenser via a first expansion valve to the internal heat exchanger, can be or is conveyed from the internal heat exType: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Volkswagen AktiengesellschaftInventors: Matthias Fürll, Stefan Schmitt, Horst Achim Schröter, Stefan Brück, Gregor Homann
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Patent number: 9915456Abstract: A vapor compression system includes a heat exchanger having an inlet header pipe connected to a set of paths for passing refrigerant to condition a controlled zone. The inlet header pipe splits the refrigerant into different paths. An amount of the refrigerant entering the inlet header pipe is controlled by a valve. The vapor compression system also includes a set of sensors for measuring temperatures of the refrigerant in each path of the set of paths and a controller including a processor for determining a position of the valve based on the measurements of at least one sensor from the set of sensors and a thermal capacity requested for the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J Burns, Scott A Bortoff
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Patent number: 9879896Abstract: Ice making system and method for a refrigerator is disclosed. The ice making system includes an ice making unit that makes ice cubes, a cold air generator that cools air inside a cooling duct so as to produce cold air, a cold air circulation unit that supplies the cold air from the cold air generator to the ice making unit, and discharges the cold air from the ice making unit to the cold air generator, and a cold air guiding unit that circulates the cold air inside the ice making unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics CorporationInventor: Min Bon Koo
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Patent number: 9851132Abstract: This air conditioner performs a cooling operation and a heating operation in parallel with each other with an outdoor unit and indoor units connected together through two communication pipes. The air conditioner includes a switching mechanism changing the directions of refrigerants flowing through the communication pipes depending on whether a heating dominant operation is being performed in a first load region where a cooling load is relatively light or a second load region where the cooling load is heavier than in the first load region. In the second load region, the switching mechanism allows a low-pressure refrigerant to flow from the indoor units to the outdoor unit through the second communication pipe thicker than the first communication pipe to reduce a performance deterioration due to the pressure loss involved with the heating dominant operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2013Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Kawano, Shinya Matsuoka, Masahiro Oka, Mari Susaki
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Patent number: 9816712Abstract: An outdoor unit includes a casing having a bottom plate and is configured such that at least a part thereof is made of metal, a compressor provided within the casing to compress a flammable refrigerant, an outdoor heat exchanger provided within the casing to exchange heat between the refrigerant and outside air, and an electric heater provided on an upper surface of the bottom plate. The power consumption of the electric heater is 250 W or less.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Tatsuya Mochizuki, Yoshihiro Tanabe
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Patent number: 9694646Abstract: In a refrigeration cycle device, a first evaporator for cooling a first cooling target and a second evaporator for cooling a second cooling target are arranged in parallel between a radiator and an accumulator, a first pressure reducer is arranged upstream of the first evaporator, and a mechanical expansion valve as a second pressure reducer is arranged upstream of the second evaporator. The refrigeration cycle device includes a refrigerant passage through which a portion of a refrigerant flowing out of the radiator flows while bypassing the second pressure reducer and the second evaporator, and is decompressed by a separate pressure reducer from the second pressure reducer, so as to return the refrigerant containing a liquid phase refrigerant to the accumulator, in a cooling operation mode for cooling only the second cooling target.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2013Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Masayuki Takeuchi, Takashi Yamanaka
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Patent number: 9677789Abstract: A refrigerator having a refrigerating circuit with a compressor, a condenser and two evaporators placed in different compartments of the appliance comprises valve means for alternatively directing refrigerant flow towards one of the evaporators. One of the evaporators is in heat exchange relationship with a phase change material.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Cesare Maria Joppolo, Luca Molinaroli, Matej Visek
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Patent number: 9610822Abstract: An vehicle air conditioner (1A) includes a duct (3) in which a partition member (4) forming a first flow path (3A) and a second flow path (3B) is provided, and a heat pump circuit (2A). In the heat pump circuit (2A), a first indoor heat exchanger (12A) that contributes mainly to heating is located in the first flow path (3A) or faces an outlet of the first flow path (3A), and a second indoor heat exchanger (12B) that contributes mainly to cooling is located in the second flow path (3B). The ratio between an internal air and an external air within air flowing through each of the first flow path (3A) and the second flow path (3B) is adjustable. The duct (3) is provided with at least one of a heating exhaust port (35) for discharging air cooled in the second indoor heat exchanger (12B) to the outside of the vehicle interior in heating operation, and a cooling exhaust port (36) for discharging air heated in the first indoor heat exchanger (12A) to the outside of the vehicle interior in cooling operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2012Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Yasufumi Takahashi
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Patent number: 9534825Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Michael J. Eveland, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons
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Patent number: 9353983Abstract: Refrigerator appliances are provided. A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a fresh food chamber, and a door rotatably hinged to the cabinet for accessing the fresh food chamber, the door including an inner surface and an outer surface. The refrigerator appliance further includes a compartment defined in the inner surface of the door, the compartment defining an interior chamber and including a compartment door providing access to the interior chamber. The compartment is selectively operable at a first temperature below approximately 32 degrees Fahrenheit and a second temperature above approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Joel Erik Hitzelberger, Ronald Gary Foster
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Patent number: 9285171Abstract: A unified heat exchanger includes a first heat exchanging arrangement and a second heat exchanging arrangement. The first heat exchanging arrangement is adapted to exchange heat between high pressure refrigerant and conditioning air. The second heat exchanging arrangement is adapted to exchange heat between low pressure refrigerant and the conditioning air. The first heat exchanging arrangement and the second heat exchanging arrangement are integrated together and are arranged to enable heat exchange of the conditioning air with both of the high pressure refrigerant and the low pressure refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshiki Katoh, Satoshi Itoh
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Patent number: 9046284Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus 1 includes first start control and second start control as its start control. In the first start control, first outdoor heat exchangers 24a, 24b are controlled to function as evaporators and second outdoor heat exchangers 25a, 25b are controlled to function as condensers. Thus, even when the compressors 21a, 21b are driven on at a given rotation number, the discharge pressures thereof can be prevented from increasing, thereby being able to prevent the internal pressures of the compressors 21a, 21b from increasing. Also, after end of the first start control, the first outdoor heat exchangers 24a, 24b and second outdoor heat exchangers 25a, 25b are all controlled to function as evaporators, and the compressors 21a, 21b are driven on at a given rotation number. This can shorten the rising time of the heating capacity in the start of the normal heating operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: FUJITSU GENERAL LIMITEDInventors: Hideya Tamura, Takahiro Matsunaga, Shinju Watanabe, Keito Kawai, Takashi Kimura, Kotaro Toya, Yasuhiro Oka, Ken Nakashima
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Publication number: 20150135750Abstract: The hot and cold water air conditioning system includes a water temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of water flowing out of the heat pump heat source apparatus by an operation of the water circulation pump, and a controller configured to perform, in a heating operation, on/off normal control that turns on a compressor when the water temperature detected by the water temperature sensor becomes lower than a target water temperature and turns off the compressor when the water temperature becomes higher than a first temperature value higher than the target water temperature, and to switch from the on/off normal control, upon repeating the on/off operation of the compressor at a minimum frequency necessary for an operation of the compressor in the on/off normal control, to on/off restriction control that turns on the compressor when the water temperature becomes lower than a second temperature value lower than the target water temperature and turns off the compressor when the water temperature beType: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventor: Takahiro USHIJIMA
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Patent number: 8997503Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning system includes an HVAC unit that blows air whose temperature is adjusted by a refrigerant evaporator and a second refrigerant condenser. The system includes a heat pump cycle in which a refrigerant compressor, a refrigerant circuit changeover section, a first refrigerant condenser, a first expansion valve, and the refrigerant evaporator are sequentially connected. The system includes a second expansion valve and a refrigerant heat exchanger connected in parallel with the first expansion valve and the refrigerant evaporator. The second refrigerant condenser is connected in parallel with the first refrigerant condenser. The system includes a coolant cycle in which a coolant circulating pump, a ventilation-exhaust-heat recovery unit, a motor/battery, an electric heater, and the refrigerant heat exchanger are sequentially connected, and the ventilation-exhaust-heat recovery unit, motor/battery, and electric heater can be selectively used as a heat source.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Masatosi Morisita, Hideki Suetake, Toshihisa Kondo, Akira Katayama
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Patent number: 8973382Abstract: An air heating, air conditioning and water heating system includes a multi-communicative valve unit, a compressor arranged for compressing the refrigerant in a state of superheated vapor, a condenser communicated with the compressor through the multi-communicative valve unit, a heat exchanger communicated with the condenser through the multi-communicative valve unit, an expansion valve, and a water heater communicated with the heat exchanger and the compressor through the multi-communicative valve unit, wherein the multi-communicative valve unit is arranged to be operated to selectively establish at least an air conditioning route, an air heating route, and a water heating route for the refrigerant so that the air heating, air conditioning and water heating system is capable of selectively providing air conditioning, heating and delivering hot water for a predetermined premises.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Inventor: Lee Wa Wong
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Publication number: 20150040595Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus simultaneously performs a cooling operation mode in which a refrigerant from a compressor is caused to flow to an indoor heat exchanger of an indoor unit having a cooling load, and a hot water supply operation mode in which a refrigerant from the compressor is caused to flow to a water heat exchanger of a hot water supply unit having a hot water supply demand. An operation control part switches the control mode of the simultaneous cooling and heating and hot water supply operation mode between a cooling-prioritized mode and a hot-water-supply-prioritized mode according to the relationship between the cooling load and the hot water supply load.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2012Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Shogo Tamaki, Makoto Saito, Ryo Oya
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Publication number: 20150040594Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning apparatus is provided that can prevent temperature variations of the air after the heat exchange in a radiator to reliably control the temperature of the air supplied to the vehicle interior. During the heating operation and the heating and dehumidifying operation, target degree of supercooling SCt when target air-blowing temperature TAO is a predetermined temperature or higher is set to SCt1 that is greater than SCt2 when the target air-blowing temperature TAO is lower than the predetermined temperature. When amount of air Ga supplied from indoor fan 12 is lower than a predetermined value, the target degree of supercooling SCt is corrected, which is set such that the degree of supercooling is lower than target degree of supercooling corrected when the amount of air Ga supplied from the indoor fan 12 is a predetermined value or higher.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2012Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Atsuo Inoue, Hidenori Takei
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Patent number: 8943847Abstract: To provide an air-conditioning apparatus capable of achieving energy saving. An air-conditioning apparatus controls first heat medium flow switching devices and second heat medium flow switching devices in a heating only operation mode and a cooling only operation mode such that a flow rate through which a heat medium circulates is formed between all of the heat exchangers related to heat medium and at least one of use side heat exchangers.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura, Shinichi Wakamoto, Naofumi Takenaka
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Publication number: 20140373562Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioning apparatus, during a cooling operation, and a cooling and dehumidifying operation, a refrigerant flows through an outdoor heat exchanger, flows through a supercooling radiator, and then flows into a radiator to absorb heat. During a heating operation, the refrigerant flows through a heat exchanger and then is sucked into a compressor without passing through the supercooling radiator. During a first heating and dehumidifying operation, the refrigerant flows through another radiator, flows through the supercooling radiator, and then flows into another heat exchanger to absorb heat.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2012Publication date: December 25, 2014Applicant: SANDEN CORPORATIONInventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Hidenori Takei
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Publication number: 20140338382Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor expansion valve controller configured to control an evaporating temperature of a refrigerant in a heat exchanger by regulating an opening of an outdoor expansion valve during a heating and dehumidifying operation, an evaporating temperature control valve provided in a refrigerant flow passage to an output side of the heat exchanger from which the refrigerant is discharged, and configured to control the evaporating temperature of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger by regulating an amount of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow passage, a temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger, and a control changer configured to change control of the evaporating temperature of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger from by regulating an opening of the outdoor expansion valve to by regulating an opening of the evaporating temperature control valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2012Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: SANDEN CORPORATIONInventors: Ryo Miyakoshi, Kenichi Suzuki
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Publication number: 20140331702Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus including a refrigeration cycle configured by connecting one or more load-side units including a load-side heat exchanger and a load-side expansion device with a heat-source-side unit including a heat-source-side heat exchanger and a compressor and by causing refrigerant to circulate through a refrigerant circuit including the load-side heat exchanger, the load-side expansion device, the heat-source-side heat exchanger, and the compressor, controls, during a heating operation, the opening degree of the load-side expansion device, based on the discharge pressure of the compressor, so that the pressure of refrigerant at the outlet of the compressor becomes equal to a target pressure, in the case where the operation capacity of the compressor is approximately at the maximum value of the operation capacity of the compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Kosuke Tanaka, Koji Yamashita, Takeshi Hatomura, Shinichi Wakamoto, Naofumi Takenaka
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Publication number: 20140245767Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning apparatus can ensure that the temperature of the air supplied to the vehicle interior is a preset temperature by securing the quantity of heat release for the radiator during a cooling and dehumidifying operation. The valve opening of the condensing pressure regulating part of the first control valve is smaller when the calculated opening SW of the air mix damper is equal to or more than the predetermined value than when the opening SW is smaller than the predetermined value. Accordingly, when the quantity of heat release is not sufficient in the radiator, it is possible to increase the condensing pressure of the refrigerant in the radiator to raise the temperature of the refrigerant in the radiator. Consequently, it is possible to secure the amount of heating, and therefore to ensure that the temperature of the air supplies to the vehicle interior is a preset temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2012Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: SANDEN CORPORATIONInventors: Ryo Miyakoshi, Kenichi Suzuki
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Patent number: 8820106Abstract: A heat source-side refrigerant circuit A including a compressor 11, an outdoor heat exchanger 13, a first refrigerant branch portion 21 connected to the compressor 11, a second refrigerant branch portion 22 and a third refrigerant branch portion 23 connected to the outdoor heat exchanger 13, a first refrigerant flow rate control device 24 provided between branch piping 40 and the second refrigerant branch portion 22, intermediate heat exchangers 25n connected at one side thereof to the first refrigerant branch portion 21 and the third refrigerant branch portion 23 via three-way valves 26n and connected at the other side thereof to the second refrigerant branch portion 22, and second refrigerant flow rate control devices 27n provided between the respective intermediate heat exchangers 25n and the second refrigerant branch portion 22, and user-side refrigerant circuits Bn having indoor heat exchangers 31n connected respectively to the intermediate heat exchangers 25n are provided, and at least one of water andType: GrantFiled: October 29, 2008Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Shinichi Wakamoto, Koji Yamashita, Takashi Okazaki, Naoki Tanaka, Keisuke Hokazono, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura, Takeshi Hatomura, Tomohiko Kasai, Naofumi Takenaka, Yusuke Shimazu