Reversible Cycle Machine Patents (Class 62/160)
  • Patent number: 11959668
    Abstract: A heat management system which includes: a refrigerant circulation line which includes a compressor, a water cooling-type condenser, a first expansion valve, an air cooling-type condenser, a second expansion valve, and an evaporator, and cools the indoor space by circulating a refrigerant; a heating line which heats the indoor space by circulating cooling water which exchanges heat with the refrigerant through the water cooling-type condenser; a first cooling line which cools a battery by circulating cooling water which exchanges heat with air or the refrigerant; and a second cooling line which cools electric components including a driving motor, by circulating cooling water which exchanges heat with air or the refrigerant. The heat management system enables efficient heat management of electric components and a battery in a vehicle as well as cooling and heating of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Hanon Systems
    Inventors: Hae-Jun Lee, Sung Je Lee, In-Guk Hwang
  • Patent number: 11951806
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted temperature controller 100 provided with a compressor 2 having a compression part 2a compressing a refrigerant and a drive motor 2b driving the compression part 2a and using waste heat accompanying driving of the compression part 2a to make the temperature of the refrigerant rise, a blower 61 blowing air to a heater core 145 raised in temperature by receiving heat of the refrigerant and blowing air exchanged in heat with the heater core 145 to the inside of the passenger compartment, and an electronic control unit 51 controlling a current phase of the drive motor 2b to a phase by which a ratio of change of an output of the drive motor 2b to a change of the current phase becomes relatively larger to thereby drive the drive motor 2b by an inefficient drive operation when the blower 61 is in a nondriven state and controlling the current phase to a phase by which a ratio of change of an output of the drive motor 2b to a change of the current phase becomes relatively smaller to thereby drive the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Hirai, Hidefumi Aikawa, Yuji Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 11933527
    Abstract: A cooling system drains oil from low side heat exchangers to vessels and then uses compressed refrigerant to push the oil in the vessels back towards a compressor. Generally, the cooling system operates in three different modes of operation: a normal mode, an oil drain mode, and an oil return mode. During the normal mode, a primary refrigerant is cycled to cool one or more secondary refrigerants. As the primary refrigerant is cycled, oil from a compressor may mix with the primary refrigerant and become stuck in a low side heat exchanger. During the oil drain mode, the oil in the low side heat exchanger is allowed to drain into a vessel. During the oil return mode, compressed refrigerant is directed to the vessel to push the oil in the vessel back towards a compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC
    Inventor: Shitong Zha
  • Patent number: 11929676
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes a converter circuit converting alternating current voltage output from an AC power supply into direct current voltage. The converter circuit includes unit converters. The power conversion apparatus generates a reference duty based on detection values of a current detector and a voltage detector, and generates a pulse width modulation signal based on a result of comparison between a carrier signal and a corrected duty obtained by correcting the reference duty. When a first reference duty in a first carrier period differs from a second reference duty in a second carrier period subsequent to the first carrier period, a first corrected duty of a first phase in a first carrier period in one power supply period after and a second corrected duty of a second phase in the first carrier period in one power supply period after are controlled to have different values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Motoya Suzuki, Kenji Iwazaki, Satoru Ichiki, Koichi Arisawa
  • Patent number: 11913694
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a refrigerant flow path included in a heat medium heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and a heat source side heat exchanger are connected, the heat medium heat exchanger including the refrigerant flow path and a heat medium flow path; a heat medium feed path connected to the heat medium flow path included in the heat medium heat exchanger; an indoor unit connected to the heat medium feed path and configured to condition air inside a room; a room temperature sensor configured to detect an indoor temperature in the room; a heat medium temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of a heat medium that flows into the indoor unit; and a controller configured to control the refrigerant circuit or the indoor unit by using a set temperature in the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Hayashida, Yasushi Okoshi, Takuya Ito, Yoshio Yamano, Kimitaka Kadowaki, Takahiro Akizuki
  • Patent number: 11913661
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes: an outdoor unit including an outdoor-side control device; indoor units each including an indoor-side control device controlling a device in response to an instruction; communication lines connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor units for communication between them; and a remote control unit including a remote-control controlling device and wirelessly communicating with each indoor unit. Each indoor unit includes an indoor-side setting device that determines an identification number identifying the indoor unit. When receiving, from the remote control unit, a signal including the instruction, the indoor-side control device determines whether or not to control the device based on an identification signal, and sends the signal to the outdoor unit via a communication line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11879677
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a load-side heat exchanger including a first heat exchanger disposed on a windward of a second heat exchanger in a direction of an air flow generated by an air-sending device. The air flow passing through the first heat exchanger passes through a second heat exchanger. During cooling operation, a bypass valve causes a part of refrigerant flowing through a first refrigerant pipe to flow through a coupling pipe through a bypass pipe. During heating operation, the bypass valve blocks a flow of the refrigerant flowing from the coupling pipe toward the first refrigerant pipe through the bypass pipe, and causes all of the refrigerant flowing through the coupling pipe to flow from the coupling pipe to the first heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Akinori Sakabe, Masanori Sato, Naoki Nakagawa, Atsushi Kawashima
  • Patent number: 11840122
    Abstract: A thermal management system includes a cooling liquid circulation flow path, a refrigerant circulation flow path and a first heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger includes a first heat exchange portion and a second heat exchange portion. The cooling liquid circulation flow path includes a first heat exchange assembly, a second heat exchange assembly and a first branch. The thermal management system has a heating mode. After passing through the first heat exchange assembly, one path of the cooling liquid flows to the first branch, and another path of the cooling liquid flows to the second heat exchange assembly. The cooling liquid after flowing through the first branch and after flowing through the second heat exchange assembly merge and then flow to the first heat exchange portion. As a result, the number of heat exchangers used by the thermal management system to recover waste heat is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: HANGZHOU SANHUA RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuiyang Wang, Qiaofeng Liu, Junqi Dong, Shiwei Jia
  • Patent number: 11815281
    Abstract: An air-conditioning device includes: a heat medium cycle circuit including: a pump, a plurality of indoor heat exchangers, and a plurality of flow control devices configured to control a flow rate of the heat medium through the heat medium cycle circuit; a heat-source-side device configured to heat or cool the heat medium; and a controller that includes a determination processing unit to determine whether the heat medium is caused to pass through the plurality of indoor heat exchangers where heat exchange is stopped, a selection processing unit to select, based on a determination from the determination processing unit, an indoor heat exchanger through which the heat medium is caused to pass from the plurality of indoor heat exchangers where heat exchange is stopped, and an instruction processing unit to instruct a release of a flow control device that corresponds to the indoor heat exchanger selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kimitaka Kadowaki, Naofumi Takenaka
  • Patent number: 11802723
    Abstract: In an air-conditioning apparatus, a first flow passage selection device and a second flow passage selection device each are a constant-energized-type three-way valve in which a position of a main valve can be fixed in a de-energized state. When the refrigerant circuit is switched to the cooling circuit by a flow switching device, when at least one of the first flow passage selection device and the second flow passage selection device is in a de-energized state, the first flow passage selection device or the second flow passage selection device in the de-energized state is configured to output refrigerant discharged from the compressor and input therein via the flow switching device and the bypass pipe to a corresponding one of an upper-side outdoor heat exchanger and a lower-side outdoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Kawashima, Yasuhide Hayamaru, Masakazu Sato, Yusuke Adachi
  • Patent number: 11747049
    Abstract: Method of operating a thermal energy system coupled to a building energy system which selectively provides heating and/or cooling to a building, the method comprising the steps of; (a) providing a thermal energy system comprising a heat pump system having an output side and an input side, a heat energy working fluid loop extending into the building, the output side being coupled to a building by the heat energy working fluid loop to provide heating to the building from the thermal energy system, a cooling demand working fluid loop extending into the building, a first geothermal system in which a working fluid is circulated and a second geothermal system in which a working fluid is circulated; (b) selectively thermally connecting the first geothermal system to the input side of the heat pump system, or to the heat energy working fluid loop to provide heating to the building; and (c) selectively thermally connecting the second geothermal system to the input side of the heat pump system, or to the cooling demand
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ERDA Master IPCO Limited
    Inventors: Dmitriy Zaynulin, Kevin Stickney
  • Patent number: 11739952
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) conditioning system including a single outdoor unit and a VRF path extending between the single outdoor unit and a plurality of terminals. The plurality of terminals can include a first terminal configured to condition air of an interior room and a second terminal configured to heat or cool a liquid. The VRF system can provide heating or cooling of air in different rooms or zones within a building or home while also providing heating or cooling of water. In response to a demand for heating or cooling at each terminal, the VRF system can vary the supply of refrigerant to each terminal, such that efficient and precise temperature regulation of air and liquid can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Day, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11624358
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring backlash of a gear train of a pump unit for pumping a fluid. An example method may include locking a crankshaft of the pump unit such that the crankshaft cannot rotate. The method may further include commencing operation of a processing device to receive rotational position measurements indicative of rotational position of an output shaft of a prime mover, cause the prime mover to rotate the output shaft in a first direction until the output shaft reaches a first rotational position, and cause the prime mover to rotate the output shaft in a second direction until the output shaft reaches a second rotational position. The processing device may then determine backlash of the gear train by determining rotational distance between the first rotational position of the output shaft and the second rotational position of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Raymond Netecke
  • Patent number: 11607926
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle air-conditioning system configured so that air-cooling/heating can be efficiently performed. The system (10, 20, 30, 40) includes a vapor compression heat pump unit (HP) having at least a compressor (CP), a condenser (CD), an expansion mechanism (EX), and an evaporator (EV) on a refrigerant circuit (RC), a brine flow path network (BC) having multiple pumps (PC, PH) and multiple flow path switching valves (TV1 to TV8, V1 to V9), and a vehicle indoor air-conditioning unit (AC) having an air duct (AD) and multiple vehicle indoor heat exchangers (HXC1, HXC2) arranged in series in the air duct. Upon actuation in an air-cooling mode or an air-heating mode accompanied by neither dehumidification nor defrosting, brine flows in series in the multiple vehicle indoor heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: SANDEN HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Kaneko
  • Patent number: 11602977
    Abstract: A heat pump system for a vehicle includes an air conditioner circulating a refrigerant through a refrigerant line, a coolant circulation device circulating a coolant through a coolant line, a first chiller connected to the coolant circulation device through the coolant line, connected to the refrigerant line through a first refrigerant connection line, and heat-exchanges a selectively introduced coolant with a refrigerant supplied from the air conditioner to control a temperature of a coolant, and a second chiller connected to the coolant circulation device through the coolant line, connected to a second refrigerant connection line so that a refrigerant is supplied from the air conditioner, and increases a temperature of a refrigerant by heat-exchanging a coolant and a refrigerant so that waste heat is recovered from a coolant selectively flowing thereinto, wherein the air conditioner includes a gas injection part that bypasses some of a refrigerant passing through a condenser to a compressor to increase a fl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeawan Kim, Jae Yeon Kim, Yeonho Kim
  • Patent number: 11571949
    Abstract: A vehicle heat exchange system includes a coolant circulation circuit, a refrigerant circulation circuit, a pump controller, and a detector. In the coolant circulation circuit, a coolant is circulated. In the refrigerant circulation circuit, a refrigerant is circulated. The pump controller controls a flow rate of the coolant. The detector detects a liquid temperature of the coolant before cooling an electric unit. The coolant circulation circuit includes a radiator that dissipates heat of the coolant having cooled the electric unit. The refrigerant circulation circuit includes an exterior heat exchanger in rear of the radiator. The exterior heat exchanger causes the refrigerant to absorb heat from external air. When the detected liquid temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the pump controller maintains or increases the flow rate. When the detected liquid temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, the pump controller decreases the flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuki Ohara
  • Patent number: 11518210
    Abstract: An integrated thermal management system for mobility vehicles, may include a hybrid compressor including a mechanical compression unit driven using the driving force of an engine, and an electric compression unit driven using the driving force of a motor and configured such that an air blower is connected to the electric compression unit, a refrigerant circulation line fluidically-connected to the hybrid compressor, a condenser and an expansion valve such that a refrigerant circulates thereto, and an indoor air conditioning unit configured to cool or heat air introduced through the air blower and then to discharge the air to the inside of a mobility vehicle and including a cooling core connected to a point of the refrigerant circulation line downstream of the expansion valve of the refrigerant circulation line and a heating core fluidically-connected to an exhaust gas discharge line connected to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Gwi Taek Kim, Woo Suk Jung
  • Patent number: 11505038
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heat pump system for a vehicle, providing for selective heat-exchanging heat energy generated from a coolant with a coolant upon condensing and evaporation of the coolant to control an internal temperature of the vehicle using the heat-exchanged coolant of a low temperature or a high temperature. The heat pump system adjusts a temperature of a battery module by using one chiller that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and a coolant and improves the heating efficiency of the vehicle using a waste heat of an electrical component and a battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jae Yeon Kim, Yeonho Kim, Jeawan Kim, Su Whan Kim
  • Patent number: 11506430
    Abstract: An HVAC system is disclosed, comprising: (a) a compressor, (b) a source heat exchanger for exchanging heat with a source fluid, (c) a first load heat exchanger operable for heating/cooling air in a space, (d) a second load heat exchanger for heating water, (e) first and second reversing valves, (f) first and second 3-way valves, (f) a bi-directional electronic expansion valve, (g) a first bi-directional valve, and (h) a second bi-directional valve to modulate exchange of heat in the first load heat exchanger when operating as an evaporator and to control flashing of the refrigerant entering the source heat exchanger when operating as an evaporator, (h) a source pump for circulating the source fluid through the first load heat exchanger, (i) a water pump for circulating water through the second load heat exchanger, and (j) a controller to control operation of the foregoing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Climate Master, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Lingrey, Michael S. Privett, Reem S. Merchant, Michael F. Taras
  • Patent number: 11498391
    Abstract: An air conditioner is configured to be switchable between a heating mode and a cooling mode. In the cooling mode, a high-temperature heat medium circulates between a high-pressure side refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger and a high-temperature heat medium-outside air heat exchanger in a state where a refrigerant circulates in an air-cooling heat exchanger. In the heating mode, the high-temperature heat medium circulates between the high-pressure side refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger and an air-heating heat exchanger, while a low-temperature heat medium circulates between a low-pressure side refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger and a low-temperature heat medium-outside air heat exchanger, in a state where the refrigerant circulates in the low-pressure side refrigerant-heat medium heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Shiratori, Yoshiki Kato
  • Patent number: 11480367
    Abstract: A reversible refrigeration system including a compressor arranged to compress gaseous refrigerant, a four-way valve switchable between a heating position in which a payload is heated and a cooling position in which the payload is cooled. A payload heat exchanger is connected to the payload requiring heating or cooling, and a dump heat exchanger, two one-way valves, and two controllable expansion valves as well, wherein the one-way valves each are connected parallel to a corresponding expansion valve, wherein switching of the four-way valve between the heating position and the cooling position controls a flow of pressurized refrigerant to either of the payload heat exchanger or the dump heat exchanger and wherein the heat exchanger which receives the flow of pressurized refrigerant functions as a condenser and the other heat exchanger functions as an evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SWEP INTERNATIONAL AB
    Inventors: Tomas Dahlberg, Sven Andersson
  • Patent number: 11415343
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor device that is configured to circulate refrigerant and that includes a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, a plurality of indoor devices configured to circulate water, and a heat exchange device that connects the outdoor device with the indoor device. The heat exchange device includes a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the water, and a switch device configured to control flow of refrigerant between the indoor device and the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chiwoo Song, Yongcheol Sa, Youngjoo Shin, Ilyoong Shin
  • Patent number: 11408651
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a high side heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a load, a variable speed compressor, and a three-way valve. The high side heat exchanger removes heat from a refrigerant. The second heat exchanger removes heat from the refrigerant. The load uses the refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the load. The variable speed compressor compresses the refrigerant from the load and directs the compressed refrigerant to the high side heat exchanger. The three-way valve, when operating in a first mode, directs the refrigerant from the high side heat exchanger to the load and when operating in a second mode, directs the refrigerant from the high side heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Berg, Austin Clay Styer, Carl T. Crawford
  • Patent number: 11408652
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a high side heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a load, a variable speed compressor, and a three-way valve. The high side heat exchanger removes heat from a refrigerant. The second heat exchanger removes heat from the refrigerant. The load uses the refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the load. The variable speed compressor compresses the refrigerant from the load and directs the compressed refrigerant to the high side heat exchanger. The three-way valve, when operating in a first mode, directs the refrigerant from the high side heat exchanger to the load and when operating in a second mode, directs the refrigerant from the high side heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Berg, Austin Clay Styer, Carl T. Crawford
  • Patent number: 11384962
    Abstract: A system for the regeneration of nitrogen energy within a closed loop cryogenic system is described. A liquid nitrogen storage is provided in fluid communication with a first flow line. A pump pumps liquid nitrogen from the liquid nitrogen storage to the first flow line. At least one cryogenic cooling loop is provided in fluid communication with the first flow line. The cryogenic cooling loop has an nitrogen intake and a nitrogen outlet with the nitrogen outlet being positioned downstream of the nitrogen intake. The cryogenic cooling loop has a heat exchanger between the nitrogen intake and the nitrogen outlet. A turbo expander used for re-cooling the nitrogen flowing through the first flow line and the at least one cryogenic cooling loop has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is provided in fluid communication with the first flow line. The turbo expander is connected to a power source. A second flow line connects the outlet of the turbo expander to the liquid nitrogen storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Geoff Rowe
  • Patent number: 11371755
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus that includes a compressor, a flow switching device, an outdoor heat exchange unit, an expansion section and an indoor heat exchanger, which are connected by pipes, in which the outdoor heat exchange unit includes a first outdoor heat exchanger, a first flow rate control device, a second outdoor heat exchanger, a second flow rate control device, a bypass pipe, the second outdoor heat exchanger, the second flow rate control device, a third flow rate control device, and a flow control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Maruyama, Osamu Morimoto, Hiroyuki Okano, Naofumi Takenaka
  • Patent number: 11339997
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor device that is configured to circulate refrigerant and that includes a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, a plurality of indoor devices configured to circulate water, and a heat exchange device connecting the outdoor device with the indoor device. The heat exchange device includes a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the water, and a switch device configured to control flow of refrigerant between the indoor devices and the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chiwoo Song, Ilyoong Shin, Yongcheol Sa, Jisung Lee
  • Patent number: 11320175
    Abstract: In a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning device, an upper heat source side heat exchanger having a large heat load and a lower heat source side heat exchanger having a small heat load are connected in parallel between an expansion device and a suction side of a compressor. Additionally, the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioning device is provided with a branch circuit configured to distribute refrigerant to each of the upper heat source side heat exchanger and the lower heat source side heat exchanger, and the branch circuit is configured to supply the upper heat source side heat exchanger with refrigerant of lower quality than that of the refrigerant supplied to the lower heat source side heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Matsumoto, Yoji Onaka, Hiroyuki Okano
  • Patent number: 11313575
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a networking method device and terminal for an air conditioning unit. The networking method includes: detecting an outside ambient temperature after a target networking indoor unit is started; determining a target operating mode of the target networking indoor unit according to the outside ambient temperature; detecting a system pressure value of a multi-split air conditioning system after an operating duration of the target networking indoor unit in the target operating mode is greater than a preset operating duration; and determining whether the target networking indoor unit belongs to a target networking system according to the system pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai
    Inventors: Hua Liu, Qunbo Liu, Jie Tang, Longfei Li, Yi Ni
  • Patent number: 11306928
    Abstract: A metering device is fluidly coupled to the condenser coil. A distributor is fluidly coupled to the metering device. An evaporator coil is fluidly coupled to the distributor via a plurality of evaporator circuit lines. A re-heat coil is disposed adjacent to the evaporator coil. The re-heat coil includes a first fluid connection to the metering device via a re-heat return line and a second re-heat feed line. The re-heat coil includes a second fluid connection to the condenser coil via a connecting line and a condenser intake line. A first check valve is disposed between the connecting line and the condenser intake line. A second check valve is disposed between the re-heat return line and the second re-heat feed line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Wenqian Liu
  • Patent number: 11293658
    Abstract: A controller of an HVAC system is communicatively coupled to a suction-side sensor and a shutoff switch. The controller stores measurements of the suction-side property over an initial period of time. The controller detects that the shutoff switch is tripped at a first time stamp corresponding to an end of the initial period of time. The controller accesses the measurements of the suction-side property. The controller determines, based on the measurements of the suction-side property, whether the suction-side property has an increasing or decreasing trend. In response to determining that the suction-side property has the increasing trend, the controller determines that a malfunction of a fan caused the shutoff switch to trip. In response to determining that the suction-side property has the decreasing trend, the controller determines that a blockage of the refrigerant conduit subsystem caused the shutoff switch to trip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Amita Brahme, Umesh Gokhale
  • Patent number: 11268730
    Abstract: A technical adapter system operates to wirelessly, remotely control a conventional thermostat and/or components of an HVAC system, HVAC/R system or both, to which the conventional thermostat is connected, and optimizing energy efficiency of the HVAC system components. This effectively heats and/or cools a space or volume that the HVAC and/or HVAC/R system is configured to heat and/or cool. An adapter device includes a processor, a memory and an adapter application program component, the adapter device configured to connect to the conventional thermostat, the HVAC system or both. A hand-held electronic device including a smart device application program component that operates to enable a hand-held electronic device user to wirelessly connect to the adapter device, and remotely control and command the adapter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Edward Helbling
  • Patent number: 11268717
    Abstract: A method of controlling power applications for a power transformer in a heating ventilation and cooling system (HVAC). The method includes measuring a voltage output of a transformer, the transformer configured to supply control power to a component of the HVAC system, determining a loading of the transformer; prioritizing a loading of the transformer; and applying the prioritization to mitigate loading constraints associated with the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bradley D. Powell, Allen C. Kirkwood, Keith David Heigl
  • Patent number: 11268720
    Abstract: A controller of an HVAC system monitors a suction-side property and a liquid-side property over a period of time. The controller determines whether the suction-side property has an increasing or decreasing trend over the period of time. The controller determines whether the liquid-side property has an increasing or decreasing trend. In response to determining that both the suction-side property and the liquid-side property have an increasing trend over the period of time, a fan fault is detected. In response to determining that the suction-side property has a decreasing trend and the liquid-side property has an increasing trend over the period of time, a blockage of a refrigerant conduit subsystem is detected. In response to determining that both the suction-side property and the liquid-side property have a decreasing trend over the period of time, a blower fault is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Amita Brahme, Umesh Gokhale
  • Patent number: 11203251
    Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle air conditioning device which inhibits generation of noise in a solenoid valve 30 disposed on an inlet side of a radiator 4 and improves durability of the solenoid valve. A second operation mode is executed to shut off an outdoor expansion valve 6, close the solenoid valve 30, open a solenoid valve 40 and thereby send a refrigerant discharged from a compressor 2 through a bypass pipe 35 to an outdoor heat exchanger 7. When a first operation mode to open the solenoid valve 30 and close the solenoid valve 40 and thereby send the refrigerant to the radiator 4 is shifted to the second operation mode, a controller opens the solenoid valve 30 at a timing to stop the compressor 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: SANDEN AUTOMOTIVE CLIMATE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ishizeki, Kohei Yamashita, Ryo Miyakoshi
  • Patent number: 11193686
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a reversing valve configured to receive compressed refrigerant and direct the refrigerant based on an operating mode of the HVAC system. One or more suction-side sensors measure suction-side properties associated with refrigerant provided to an inlet of the compressor. The suction-side properties comprise a suction-side temperature. One or more liquid-side sensors measure liquid-side properties associated with the refrigerant provided from an outlet of the compressor. A controller monitors the suction-side property and liquid-side property. The controller determines whether the suction-side property is greater than the liquid-side property. If the suction-side temperature is greater than the liquid-side temperature, the reversing valve is determined to be in an equalizing configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Amita Brahme, Umesh Gokhale
  • Patent number: 11193685
    Abstract: A controller of an HVAC system is communicatively coupled to a liquid-side sensor and a shutoff switch. The controller stores measurements of a liquid-side property over an initial period of time. The controller detects that the shutoff switch is tripped at a first time stamp corresponding to an end of the initial period of time. The controller accesses the measurements of the liquid-side property. The controller determines, based on the measurements of the liquid-side property, whether the liquid-side property has an increasing or a decreasing trend. In response to determining that the liquid-side property has the decreasing trend, a malfunction of a blower of the system is determined to have caused the shutoff switch to trip. In response to determining that the liquid-side property has the increasing trend, a blockage of the refrigerant conduit subsystem is determined to have caused the shutoff switch to trip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Amita Brahme, Umesh Gokhale
  • Patent number: 11188103
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for providing personalized comfort to occupants of a conditioned space. A precision air device having a standalone controllable fan with directional nozzles is provided. The precision air device includes environmental and occupancy sensors, and communicates with a user device and with other precision air devices in the space. Application software installed on an occupant's user device enables the occupant to specify whether it is too cold or too warm within his or her personal space, or microzone. The collective demand of all microzones within a VAV macrozone is determined by a precision air aggregator to adjust a controllable VAV damper for that macrozone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Ben Clark, Princeton Lobo, Scott A. Munns, William B. Rockwood, Franklin K. Rolles, Kaustubh Pradeep Phalak
  • Patent number: 11168913
    Abstract: Provided are a control method and control device of an air conditioner and an air conditioner. The control method of the air conditioner includes: when a starting capacity of an indoor unit is lower than or equal to a capacity threshold value and a low-voltage protection signal is received, an opening degree of an electronic expansion valve is adjusted. By applying the technical solution provided in embodiments of the present disclosure, when the starting capacity of the indoor unit is low, a shutdown of the air conditioner caused by a false alarm of the low-voltage protection signal due to the fact that an operating load of the air conditioner is low and the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve is low can be avoided, frequent false shutdown caused by the fact that the starting capacity of the indoor unit of the air conditioner is low is avoided, the reliability of the air conditioner can be effectively improved, and the comfort of a user for using the air conditioner is further improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: HEFEI MIDEA HEATING & VENTILATING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., GD MIDEA HEATING & VENTILATING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Linxing Ren, Yongfeng Xu, Xihua Ma
  • Patent number: 11154073
    Abstract: Versatile temperature control systems adaptable to many different applications employ different states and proportions of a pressurized dual phase medium in direct contact with a thermal load. In one aspect of the invention, thermal energy generated by pressurization of a gaseous medium is stored at a selected temperature level so that it is later readily accessible. In addition, in accordance with the invention temperature control of a two-phase medium can be exercised across selectable dynamic ranges and with different resolutions. In accordance with such features, the control can be exerted by varying the input flow rate of a mixture applied to a thermal load, or by controlling the back pressure of the flow through the thermal load. In accordance with another feature of the invention, substantial energy conservation can be effected by employing an ambient temperature evaporator configuration between the thermal load and the input to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Cowans, William W. Cowans, Glenn Zubillaga
  • Patent number: 11156391
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a heat source unit configured to supply refrigerant, a first distribution unit and a second distribution unit respectively connected to the heat source unit, and a distribution pipe located between the heat source unit and the first distribution unit and the second distribution unit for distributing the refrigerant flowing from the heat source unit into the first distribution unit and the second distribution unit. Further, the first distribution unit and the second distribution unit individually include a heat exchanger configured to serve as a condenser. Further, if the refrigerant flowing through the distribution pipe is unevenly distributed into the first distribution unit and the second distribution unit, a degree of subcooling at an outlet of the heat exchanger of one of the first distribution unit and the second distribution unit of which the distributed refrigerant is of high quality is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kensaku Hatanaka, Yuji Motomura
  • Patent number: 11143420
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit and a fluid circuit. The fluid circuit includes a first branch circuit that connects a branching portion at which a downstream portion of a second heat exchanger branches and a connecting portion farther downstream in a direction of fluid flow than the branching portion, and a second branch circuit that connects a branching portion at which a portion farther downstream than the connecting portion of the first branch circuit branches and a connecting portion farther downstream in the direction of fluid flow than the branching portion of the second branch circuit. The first branch circuit is provided with a third heat exchanger that exchanges heat between fluid flowing through the fluid circuit and outdoor air, and the second branch circuit is provided with a heat storage tank that stores fluid having exchanged heat with outdoor air in the third heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hayato Horie, Mamoru Hamada
  • Patent number: 11143205
    Abstract: A compressor 1 includes a base 10 that is fixed on a foundation F and supports a compressor main body 20 from below in a vertical direction Dv, and a connecting part that detachably connects the compressor main body 20 and the base 10 to each other. The compressor main body 20 includes a suction-side protruding pipe 28A and a discharge-side protruding pipe 28B that communicate between an inside and an outside of a casing 21 and protrude outward from an outer peripheral surface of the casing 21. The base 10 includes a support base 11 having a support surface 11f for supporting a lower part of the casing 21, and a suction port 12 that extends downward from the support base 11 in the vertical direction Dv and has a through-hole into which the suction-side protruding pipe 28A is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Oda, Daisuke Hirata
  • Patent number: 11125479
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing non-expert installation of HVAC systems are provided. The HVAC system includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, a first pre-charged refrigerant line-set, a second pre-charged refrigerant line-set, and a line-set coupler, each containing pre-pressurized refrigerant securely positioned therein prior to engagement between two or more of the aforementioned elements. The first pre-charged refrigerant line-set is couplable between an indoor unit refrigerant port of the indoor unit and a first coupler end of the line-set coupler. The second pre-charged refrigerant line-set is couplable between an outdoor unit refrigerant pot of the outdoor unit and a second coupler end of the line-set coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: JOI HOLDING LLC
    Inventor: Jason Ingram
  • Patent number: 11118849
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to methods and apparatus for controlling the temperature of large scale structures during manufacturing operations. A structure or surface when measured by Computer Aided Measuring Systems (CAMS) preferably remains a predetermined constant temperature with minimum variance. The manufacturing system includes a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, a plurality of temperature regulation devices, and a processor, all in wireless communication. During performance of a CAMS process on a large scale structure or surface, a recorded temperature value of the structure or surface is communicated. A determination is made based on the recorded temperature value to operate the plurality of temperature regulation devices to control the temperature of targeted areas of the structure or surface. The temperature regulation devices are monitored and controlled such that the structure or surface is stabilized and distortion is prevented during the CAMS process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark D. Bumgardner, Jonathan A. Schweiger, Timothy W. Randich
  • Patent number: 11117445
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning device includes a compressor, a radiator, an outside heat exchanger, an evaporator, a first decompressor, a second decompressor, a switching portion, and a controller. The radiator exchanges heat between a refrigerant discharged from the compressor and air. The outside heat exchanger exchanges heat between outside air and the refrigerant flowing out of the radiator. The evaporator is exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing out of the outside heat exchanger and the air flowing through the radiator. The switching portion switches between a series dehumidifying-heating mode and a parallel dehumidifying-heating mode. The controller is configured to control the switching portion to switch from the parallel dehumidifying-heating mode to the series dehumidifying-heating mode when the amount of the refrigerant oil flowing from the outside heat exchanger to the compressor is insufficient in the parallel dehumidifying-heating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuro Kyuto, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Yoshiharu Endo
  • Patent number: 11118797
    Abstract: A heat source unit for a refrigeration apparatus. The heat source unit includes: a casing; a heat exchanger disposed in an internal space of the casing, and that performs heat exchange between a refrigerant and air; a fan disposed in the internal space of the casing, and that horizontally blows out the air passing through the heat exchanger; a shut-off valve including a valve main body that forms a flow channel where the refrigerant flows, a valve-operating part with a longitudinal axis, and a valve body that is threaded into the valve-operating part and that is movable with respect to the valve-operating part for opening and closing the flow channel; and an above-shut-off-valve member disposed in the casing and above the shut-off valve in a vertical direction of the heat source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Keiko Kobayashi, Ying Ying Ji
  • Patent number: 11040600
    Abstract: An arrangement for de-icing a heat exchanger includes an air guiding housing and at least one fan. The air guiding housing is configured to take in an air from an outside of a motor vehicle through an inlet opening and to discharge the air from an outlet opening. The fan is positioned between the inlet opening and the outlet opening inside the air guiding housing and is configured to circulate the air in the air guiding housing. The heat exchanger is positioned between the inlet opening and the outlet opening inside the air guiding housing and allows the air to pass therethrough, thereby being configured to cool the air. The inlet opening and the outlet opening each are configured to be closed. The air guiding housing is configured to cause a circulation flow therein when the fan is operated while the inlet opening and the outlet opening are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignees: DENSO AUTOMOTIVE Deutschland GmbH, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Werner Huenemoerder
  • Patent number: 10982889
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus, in which demand control is performed to adjust electric power, includes: a compressor, a driving rotation speed; a recording device that records, as data, a relationship between the driving rotation speed of the compressor and a temperature difference between a set temperature and a detected temperature, the set temperature being set as desired as a temperature control target for a temperature adjustment target, and the detected temperature being detected by a temperature detecting device disposed at a position at which a temperature of the temperature adjustment target is detected; and a main controller that, in response to a request for the demand control, calculates the temperature difference between the set temperature and the detected temperature, retrieves, from the recording device, data of the driving rotation speed of the compressor corresponding to the calculated temperature difference, and controls the compressor based on the retrieved driving rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Soichiro Koshi, Toshinori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10928105
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a refrigeration cycle in which a first compressor and a second compressor are connected in parallel, and the first compressor, the second compressor, a first outdoor heat exchanger, a second outdoor heat exchanger, a first indoor heat exchanger, a second indoor heat exchanger, and expansion valves are connected. When the air conditioning apparatus is operated in a first operation mode in which the second outdoor heat exchanger and the first indoor heat exchanger are operated as condensers and the second indoor heat exchanger is operated as an evaporator, refrigerant discharged from the first compressor flows through the first indoor heat exchanger, the expansion valves, and the second indoor heat exchanger in order while bypassing the first outdoor heat exchanger and the second outdoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Ito, Kosuke Tanaka