Reversible Cycle Machine Patents (Class 62/160)
  • Patent number: 10914486
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an air conditioner system and a control method for the same. The air conditioner system includes: a refrigeration system. A first port of a second four-way valve is connected to a pipeline between the first four-way valve and the indoor heat exchanger, and a second port of a second four-way valve is connected to a first position in a pipeline between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger. A first port of the first passage of an auxiliary heat exchanger is in communication with a fourth port of the second four-way valve, and a second port of the first passage is connected to a second position in a pipeline between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventors: Xinli Wang, Yongfeng Xu, Meibing Xiong, Mingkun Feng, Gen Li, Haowei Zhao
  • Patent number: 10895413
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a pressure sensor is disposed in a suction line between a compressor and an indoor heat-exchange coil. The pressure sensor is electrically coupled to a compressor controller. An HVAC controller is electrically coupled to the compressor controller. The HVAC controller is configured to transmit a signal to the compressor controller to activate and de-activate the compressor. The compressor controller is configured to receive a signal from the HVAC controller to activate the compressor, determine a start speed of the compressor, monitor a run time of the compressor, and modulate a speed of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh Gokhale, Eric Berg
  • Patent number: 10883745
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit which allows refrigerant to circulate therethrough, and an outdoor heat exchanger which exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outdoor air. The outdoor heat exchanger has first to third heat exchange sections. The second heat exchange section is located below the first heat exchange section, and the third heat exchange section is located below the second heat exchange section. In a refrigerant passage connecting the second and third heat exchange sections, a first pressure reducing device reduces a pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passage. In an operation mode in which the first and second heat exchange sections each serve as an evaporator, the third heat exchange section is located upstream of the second heat exchange section in the flow of the refrigerant, and refrigerant having a temperature higher than that of the outdoor air flows through the third heat exchange section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Higashiiue, Ryota Akaiwa, Shin Nakamura, Yohei Kato, Tsubasa Tanda
  • Patent number: 10852027
    Abstract: An air conditioning system including one or more supercooling heat exchangers, a supercooling expansion device, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor so as to measure and control a current supercooling degree value of a fluid coolant flowing between a fluid pipe and a plurality of indoor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Chiwoo Song, Pilhyun Yoon
  • Patent number: 10837678
    Abstract: A geothermal adapter for use with a heat pump includes an outer chamber being sealed under vacuum and having a plurality of heat sinks extending outward, and an inner chamber positioned concentrically and within the outer chamber. The inner chamber has an outlet configured to be coupled to a first portion of a refrigerant conduit of the heat pump. The geothermal adapter also includes a central chamber positioned concentrically and within the inner chamber, where the central chamber has an inlet configured to be coupled to a second portion of the refrigerant conduit of the heat pump. The center chamber extends through the inner chamber to a bottom end that is open and in fluid communication with the inner chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: COMMERCIAL ENERGY SAVINGS PLUS, LLC
    Inventor: Stewart Kaiser
  • Patent number: 10830501
    Abstract: A heating and cooling system includes a reversing valve configured to adjust a flow of refrigerant through the heating and cooling system, where the reversing valve includes a first configuration to flow the refrigerant through a first circuit of the heating and cooling system and a second configuration to flow the refrigerant through a second circuit of the heating and cooling system. The heating and cooling system also includes a controller configured to determine an operating parameter of a compressor of the heating and cooling system, where the controller is configured to adjust operation of the compressor based on the operating parameter to adjust a position of the reversing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Shawn A. Hern
  • Patent number: 10760859
    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 1, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark D. Bumgardner, Jonathan A. Schweiger, Timothy W. Randich
  • Patent number: 10737216
    Abstract: A dehumidifier includes: a housing; a refrigerant circuit configured to allow low GWP refrigerant to circulate therethrough, the refrigerant circuit including a compressor having a variable operating frequency, a condenser, a pressure reducing device, and an evaporator, which are provided in the housing, the low GWP refrigerant being flammable and having a value of GWP of 6 or less; a blowing fan, which is provided in the housing, and is configured to take in air in a room into the housing and cause the taken-in air to pass through the evaporator and the condenser before blowing out the air from the housing into the room; and a water storage tank, which is provided below the evaporator, and is configured to accumulate dew condensation water generated in the evaporator, a number of refrigerant paths passing through the evaporator being greater than a number of refrigerant paths passing through the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Home Appliance Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Ito, Hideaki Maeyama, Hiroshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10663212
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant introduced from the compressor, a main flow passage configured to deliver the refrigerant compressed in the compressor to the condenser, a heat storage tank configured to partially store the heat of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, an auxiliary flow passage configured to deliver the refrigerant compressed in the compressor to the heat storage tank, an expansion valve configured to expand the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, and an evaporation-side composite heat exchanger configured to evaporate the expanded refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Inventors: Jin Sup Bark, Sang Myun Park
  • Patent number: 10655527
    Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the temperature of air being fed to a vehicle engine includes an engine compartment in which the engine is arranged. The engine compartment is provided with an ambient air intake allowing an airflow into the engine compartment. The engine is provided with an engine air intake arranged inside the engine compartment. The arrangement further includes an air fan for forcing the airflow via the ambient air intake into the inside of the engine compartment. The engine air intake is arranged in a position allowing at least a substantial part of the airflow to enter the engine air intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Joakim Haegerstam
  • Patent number: 10644609
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, including a capacitor module having a plurality of connecting terminals and a plurality of switch elements. Each switch element has at least one switch terminal coupled to a corresponding connecting terminal, wherein the switch elements are configured for mutually exclusive operation via a control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fan Zhang, Richard S. Zhang, Kunlun Chen, Stefan Schroeder, Zhihui Yuan, Jie Shen
  • Patent number: 10605508
    Abstract: A heat pump system can be reversed to either heat or cool a controlled space, such as environment in a building. In a typical use, such as heat pump system extracts heat or cold energy from the surrounding air around the building. A water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger is added to the refrigerant loop of the heat pump system along with a control system to operate water flow and a thermal energy exchange process. Addition of the water heat exchanger can add the heat or cold energy stored in a pool, or other external water reservoir, into the heat or cold exchanging process. Depending upon surrounding conditions, the automatic control system can switch in-between the energy sources, or use a combination of them, to improve efficiency the heat pump system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: AquaCalor
    Inventor: Igor Alexander Goldman
  • Patent number: 10500920
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle air conditioner which is capable of smoothly achieving a dehumidifying and heating mode without using an evaporation pressure adjustment valve, so that cost reduction is achievable. A controller executes a normal mode to control an operation of a compressor 2 on the basis of a radiator pressure PCI and control a valve position of an outdoor expansion valve 6 on the basis of a heat absorber temperature Te, and in this normal mode, when the valve position of the outdoor expansion valve 6 is maximized but the heat absorber temperature Te falls, the controller shifts to a heat absorber temperature control mode to control the operation of the compressor 2 on the basis of the temperature of a heat absorber 9 and generate heat from an auxiliary heater 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Sanden Automotive Climate Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ishizeki, Ryo Miyakoshi, Kohei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10496108
    Abstract: A flood prevention system includes a first load, a second load, a third load, a fourth load, a first compressor, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a controller. The first, second, third, and fourth loads are configured to use a refrigerant to remove heat from a first, second, third, and fourth space, respectively, proximate to the first, second, third, and fourth load, respectively. The first compressor is configured to compress the refrigerant from the fourth load. The first temperature sensor is configured to detect a first temperature of the refrigerant from the first load, the second load, and the third load. The second temperature sensor is configured to detect a second temperature of the refrigerant from the first load, the second load, the third load, and the compressor. The controller is configured to trigger an alarm in response to certain conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC
    Inventors: Shitong Zha, Douglas Cole
  • Patent number: 10480837
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus includes a compressor, a heat-source-side heat exchanger operable as a refrigerant evaporator or radiator, and a usage-side heat exchanger operable as a refrigerant evaporator or radiator. The heat-source-side heat exchanger is disposed inside a heat source unit having an exhaust port and an outdoor fan in an upper part, and an intake port in a side part. The heat-source-side heat exchanger includes first and second heat-source-side heat exchangers. Adjustable first and second heat-source-side flow rate adjusting valves are connected to liquid sides of the first and second heat-source-side heat exchangers, respectively. In a defrost operation in order to defrost the first and second heat-source-side heat exchangers, the opening degrees of the first and second heat-source-side flow rate adjusting valves are controlled so as to achieve a defrost flow rate ratio at which more refrigerant flows to the second heat-source-side heat exchanger than during an air-cooling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junya Minami, Masahiro Oka
  • Patent number: 10473377
    Abstract: A method of operating an air conditioning system including: operating a refrigerant compression device at a demand speed to circulate refrigerant through a refrigeration circuit; monitoring, using a temperature sensor, a temperature of external ambient air; monitoring, using a pressure sensor, a pressure of the refrigerant within the refrigerant circuit; detecting, using a controller, when the temperature of external ambient air is greater than a selected temperature; detecting, using the controller, when the pressure of the refrigerant is greater than a selected pressure; and reducing the speed of the refrigerant compression device to a selected speed for a first duration of time when the temperature of external ambient air is greater than the selected temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant is greater than the selected pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Pyo Lee, Sathish R. Das, Everett Lumpkin, Mathew Gervais
  • Patent number: 10465948
    Abstract: An air conditioner that includes a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a main outdoor heat exchanger that condenses the refrigerant in a cooling mode and that evaporates the refrigerant in a heating mode, an indoor heat exchanger that evaporates the refrigerant in the cooling mode while condensing the refrigerant in the heating mode, a switch that guides the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the main outdoor heat exchanger in the cooling mode and that guides the refrigerant discharged from the compressor to the indoor heat exchanger in the heating mode, and a sub outdoor heat exchanger that evaporates a portion of the refrigerant condensed in the main outdoor heat exchanger in a low-load cooling mode and that condenses a portion of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor in a low-load heating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Heewoong Park, Jeongseob Shin, Noma Park, Seungtaek Oh
  • Patent number: 10451305
    Abstract: The air-conditioning apparatus includes: a refrigerant cycle circuit through which a heat source side refrigerant circulates; a plurality of heat medium cycle circuits through which a heat medium circulates, the plurality of heat medium cycle circuits including a plurality of use-side heat exchangers, the heat medium exchanging heat with the heat source side refrigerant of the refrigerant cycle circuit in intermediate heat exchangers; and a heat medium distribution device provided in one of the plurality of heat medium cycle circuits to which a plurality of the use-side heat exchangers are connected, the heat medium distribution device controlling flow rates of the heat medium of the plurality of use-side heat exchangers connected to the heat medium cycle circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Motomura
  • Patent number: 10443901
    Abstract: An indoor unit of an air conditioner indicates cooling or heating operation states not obtained from an outdoor unit of the air conditioner. The indoor unit includes an indoor control section having first and second control modes. The second control mode is performed in a case when information ascertained by a second information ascertaining section satisfies a predetermined condition. In the first control mode, the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve is controlled so that the degree of superheat satisfies a predetermined superheat condition. In the second control mode, the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve is controlled such that the opening degree is larger than in the first control mode, or the opening degree of the indoor expansion valve is controlled using a modified first control mode by setting a lower limit opening degree narrowing an adjustable range of the opening degree in the first control mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukako Kanazawa, Junichi Shimoda
  • Patent number: 10436463
    Abstract: Upon switching of an air-conditioning apparatus from an operation mode in which all of indoor units each including a use side heat exchanger are in non-operation to another operation mode in which at least one of the indoor units starts a cooling operation mode or a heating operation mode, a heat medium conveyed to the use side heat exchanger included in the indoor unit which has received a start instruction is cooled or heated to a predetermined temperature by a heat source side refrigerant, and after that, an air-sending device included in the indoor unit which starts the cooling operation mode or the heating operation mode is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Motomura, Osamu Morimoto, Daisuke Shimamoto, Takayoshi Honda
  • Patent number: 10401064
    Abstract: A heat pump performs a simultaneous air-conditioning and heating operation through the addition of a flow path switching apparatus. The heat pump may include a plurality of outdoor units, a plurality of indoor units, and a plurality of flow path switching apparatuses that switch a flow path between an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. A refrigerant flow path may be formed from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit via a high-pressure gas pipe. The flow path switching apparatuses may switch a flow path so that a refrigerant flow path is formed from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit via a low-pressure gas pipe. The heat pump may further include an indoor unit mode controller that is connected to the plurality of outdoor units through a liquid pipe, and which is connected to each of the plurality of flow path switching apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Suk Ho Lee, Il Yong Cho, Hyung Mo Koo, Min Chang
  • Patent number: 10352579
    Abstract: A method of determining loss of refrigerant charge in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. The method includes receiving, using a controller, a plurality of temperature values from a plurality of temperature sensors placed at multiple locations within the HVAC system and calculating, using the controller using the plurality of temperature values, a plurality of temperature-dependent values. The method further includes determining, using the controller, whether a first temperature-dependent value of the plurality of temperature-dependent values is above a first predetermined temperature value and responsive to a determination that the first temperature-dependent value is above the first predetermined temperature value, transmitting, using the controller to a user interface, a notification indicating that the HVAC system is operating with low refrigerant charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: LiYing Guo, David Omlor
  • Patent number: 10345010
    Abstract: The present invention includes a heat exchanger reactive to external and internal temperatures for carrying a working fluid, including two pairs of nested pipes; each pair including one pipe with a channel portion and a stress relief portion and a second pipe with just a channel portion, one of said pipes enclosing the other with an interference fit and both pipes having different coefficients of thermal expansion. The first pair of pipes positioned co-axially with and encompassing the second pair. A fluid is positioned in the space defined by the inner surface of outer pair of pipes and the outer surface of inner pair of pipes. The two pipe pairs have positions responsive to the internal and external temperatures in which the space defined by pipe pairs is either minimized or maximized by expansion and contraction of the pipe pairs caused by differences in coefficients of thermal expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Thomas J Gieseke
  • Patent number: 10295236
    Abstract: A compressor heating system includes a compressor drive controller electrically coupled to an outdoor controller configured to selectively implement a pulse width modulation algorithm to deliver a pulsed direct current (DC) from the compressor drive controller to at least one stator winding of a motor of a variable speed compressor to provide heat to the compressor to prevent refrigerant migration to the compressor when the compressor remains idle with respect to operating in a cooling or heating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Chuan Yan, Don Schuster, Drew Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 10293660
    Abstract: An integrated valve includes a connecting member including a first valve element and a second valve element. The first valve element is disposed in a pressure reducing chamber of a body of the integrated valve and forms a pressure reducing valve that reduces the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from a compressor. The second valve element is disposed in an on-off valve chamber of the body and forms an on-off valve for adjusting a flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into an intermediate-pressure port of the compressor. The on-off valve is in a fully opened state when the pressure reducing valve is in a throttling state, the on-off valve is in an opened state when the pressure reducing valve is in an opened state, and the on-off valve is in a closed state when the pressure reducing valve is in a fully opened state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeji Ohishi
  • Patent number: 10288328
    Abstract: An outdoor unit (100) for a VRF air conditioning system and a VRF air conditioning system having the same are provided. The outdoor unit (100) comprises: a compressor (10); a reversing assembly (20); an outdoor heat exchanger (30) comprising an header (31), an heat exchange portion (32), a plurality of flow-distribution capillary tubes (33) and a flow distributor (34); an electronic expansion valve (40) connected to the flow distributor (34); an refrigerant flow path (50) and an adjusting valve assembly (60), in which the refrigerant flow path (50) is connected to the electronic expansion valve (40), and the adjusting valve assembly (60) is connected to the refrigerant flow path (50) in series; a reversing valve assembly (70) configured to make the refrigerant flow out of the outdoor unit (100) via the second stop valve (120), and make the refrigerant flow into the outdoor unit (100) via the first stop valve (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: GD MIDEA HEATING & VENTILATING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guozhong Yang, Rui Song
  • Patent number: 10281179
    Abstract: A replacement compressor assembly connects to an existing air conditioning system which has an electric compressor and a refrigerant line which contains a refrigerant. The replacement compressor assembly includes a compressor which is connected to a gas-powered engine. The compressor is connected to the refrigerant line so that the refrigerant passes through the compressor. A refrigerant valve is connected to the refrigerant line of the air conditioning system. The refrigerant valve is positionable to allow the refrigerant to pass through either the compressor or the electric compressor. An engine speed selector is connected to the gas-powered engine, and causes the gas-powered engine to run at a desired operating speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: David John Prezioso
  • Patent number: 10279654
    Abstract: There is disclosed an air conditioning device for vehicle in which in a defrosting mode to defrost an outdoor heat exchanger, the defrosting of the outdoor heat exchanger can be achieved without hindrance while maintaining heating of a vehicle interior. A refrigerant discharged from a compressor 2 radiates heat in a radiator 4 and the refrigerant by which heat has been radiated is decompressed and then absorbs heat in an outdoor heat exchanger 7 to heat the vehicle interior. The air conditioning device for vehicle includes an injection circuit 40 which distributes a part of the refrigerant flowing out from the radiator 4 to return the part to the compressor 2. When a controller 32 passes the high-temperature refrigerant through the outdoor heat exchanger 7 to perform defrosting, the controller operates the injection circuit 40 to return the refrigerant to the compressor 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Sanden Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Miyakoshi, Kenichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10279655
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for a motor vehicle operable in refrigeration mode and in heat pump mode, as well as in reheating mode. The operating mode adjusted by controlling air dampers and air directing elements. The air conditioning system has a housing having a cold air flow path a warm air flow path, and an air outlet. The air outlet formed in the region of the cold air flow path and discharging air into the environment. The warm air flow path branches off from the cold air flow path. The cold air flow path and the warm air flow path lead into a first mixing chamber. The air conditioning system further includes a refrigerant circuit having a heat exchanger operable as an evaporator, a compressor, a heat exchanger operable as a first condenser/gas cooler, a heat exchanger operable as a second condenser/gas cooler, and an expansion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Marc Graaf, Gerald Richter
  • Patent number: 10234149
    Abstract: In one instance, a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a four-way reheat valve and is configured to accesses pressures within a conduit network to facilitate control of the reheat valve. The four-way reheat valve includes a piston valve slide within a main valve chamber and a pilot valve fluidly coupled to the main valve chamber and a compressor-suction conduit fluidly coupled to the four-way valve and to a compressor. The system also includes a flow-restricting device disposed on the conduit downstream of the four-way valve and a pilot conduit coupled to the conduit downstream of the flow-restricting device and coupled to the pilot valve for assisting with movement of the piston valve slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm Lloyd Alford
  • Patent number: 10214072
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SANDEN HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Miyakoshi, Kenichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10215464
    Abstract: One aspect presents a controller that comprises a control board, a microprocessor located on and electrically coupled to the control board, and a memory coupled to the microprocessor and located on and electrically coupled to the control board. The controller is configured to receive an operating parameter signal and recalculate a first maximum heating % demand to a second maximum heating % demand that is greater than the first maximum heating % demand, when a value of the operating parameter signal exceeds a predetermined value, and operate the HP system based on the second maximum heating % demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Eric Berg, Pete Hrejsa
  • Patent number: 10208987
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a bypass pipe that has one end connected to the discharge side of a compressor and through which refrigerant exiting the compressor flows, an auxiliary heat exchanger that is connected to the other end of the bypass pipe and the suction part of the compressor, and cools refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe and supplies the cooled refrigerant to the suction part of the compressor, and a flow regulating unit that is provided on the refrigerant outlet side of the auxiliary heat exchanger, and regulates the flow rate of refrigerant routed into the suction part of the compressor from the auxiliary heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Soshi Ikeda, Shinichi Wakamoto, Naofumi Takenaka, Koji Yamashita, Takeshi Hatomura
  • Patent number: 10189331
    Abstract: A heat pump device includes an air conditioning control device configured to switch the heat pump device among a plurality of operation modes including an air-heating operation mode in which an indoor heat exchanger serves as a radiator and an outdoor heat exchanger serves as a heat absorber, and an air-cooling operation mode in which the indoor heat exchanger serves as a heat absorber and the outdoor heat exchanger serves as a radiator. The air conditioning control device switch a refrigerant pipe such that refrigerant is, in the air-cooling operation mode, supplied to part of the outdoor heat exchanger serving as a refrigerant inlet in the air-heating operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: JAPAN CLIMATE SYSTEMS CORPORATION, Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hamamoto, Kohei Fukawatase, Yoshihiko Otake, Kou Komori, Subaru Matsumoto, Katsuyoshi Wakano
  • Patent number: 10168066
    Abstract: A CPU 210 receives suction pressure PL and a suction temperature Te, calculates a saturation temperature corresponding to the evaporation pressure Ts1 by using the suction pressure PL, and calculates a suction superheating degree SHs of a compressor 21 by using the suction temperature Te and the saturation temperature corresponding to the evaporation pressure Ts1. The CPU 210 reads a current opening degree De of an outdoor expansion valve 24. Next, the CPU 210 uses the received suction pressure PL and opening degree De of the outdoor expansion valve 24 and the calculated suction superheating degree SHs, refers to an outdoor fan control table 300, and determines a control aspect of an outdoor fan 27. The CPU 210 executes control of the outdoor fan 27 in accordance with the control aspect that is determined by referring to an outdoor fan control table 300.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: FUJITSU GENERAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Takashi Kimura, Kuniko Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10139125
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes at least one system including a heat-medium conveying device, a heat-medium flow regulator, and a heat-medium flow control device, as a heat medium system capable of regulating a flow rate of a heat medium supplied to a heat source device-side heat exchanger exchanging heat between refrigerant and the heat medium. The air-conditioning apparatus switches each of a plurality of use-side heat exchangers to a cooling operation or a heating operation in accordance with a control command to perform a cooling and heating simultaneous operation. The refrigerant is caused to flow through the heat source device-side heat exchanger depending on a ratio of a total cooling capacity and a total heating capacity of the plurality of use-side heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Azuma, Hirofumi Koge, Osamu Morimoto, Kensaku Hatanaka, Kazuyoshi Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 10137763
    Abstract: A refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger that heats a heat medium which circulates in a heater core of an HVAC unit is provided in a discharge pipe of a cooling refrigerant circuit, a heating bypass circuit that extends to a receiver is connected to a downstream side of the refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger through a switching means, a second circuit having a second decompression means is provided between an outlet of the receiver and a first end of a vehicle exterior heat exchanger, and a third circuit having a solenoid valve is provided between a second end of the vehicle exterior heat exchanger and an intake circuit. In a vehicle air-conditioning system, a heating refrigerant circuit is configured by an electric compressor, a refrigerant/heat medium heat exchanger, a switching means, a heating bypass circuit, a receiver, a second circuit, a vehicle exterior heat exchanger, and a third circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuya Nakagawa, Hirotsugu Kohigashi
  • Patent number: 10113772
    Abstract: A ground circuit in a low-energy system includes a connection pipeline (3), collection pipe system (2) and a return pipeline(4) for circulating a transfer fluid. The ground circuit is utilized for transferring thermal energy recovered from its surroundings, for instance, to a heat pump (5). The ground circuit collection pipe system (2) consists of a hollow profile (6) arranged to be a coil, whereby the hollow profile is connected at its first end to a connection pipeline (3) for conveying the transfer fluid along the hollow profile from the first coil end to the second, and at the second end of the coil, the second end of the hollow profile is connected to the return pipeline (4) for conveying the transfer fluid from the hollow profile towards the place where it is used. At the opposite ends of the hollow profile, means for controlling the fluid flow are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Inventor: Mauri Antero Lieskoski
  • Patent number: 10116747
    Abstract: A system for providing access to a content platform of an electricity provider comprises an interface operable to receive a request to access content from a content platform of an electricity provider from a communication device, one or more processors communicatively coupled to the interface, the one or more processors operable to determine, based on the received request, a display format for the communication device from a plurality of display formats, convert content from the content platform in the determined display format of the communication device, and the interface further operable to communicate the content to the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: TXU ENERGY RETAIL COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: Chris H. Hayden
  • Patent number: 10088209
    Abstract: An air conditioner 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, when all compressors 21a-21c have been stopping for a given time or more, starts an air conditioning operation without performing pressure equalizing control in switch units 6a-6d with starting the operation of the air conditioner 1. Also, when the stopping time of all compressors 21a-21c is less than the given time, the air conditioner 1 performs the pressure equalizing control by controlling switch units 6a-6d with starting the operation of the air conditioner 1. In this case, when the stopping time reaches the given time during execution of the pressure equalizing processing control, the pressure equalizing processing control being executed is stopped and the air conditioning operation is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Fujitsu General Limited
    Inventors: Keito Kawai, Hideya Tamura, Takahiro Matsunaga, Shinju Watanabe, Takashi Kimura, Kotaro Toya, Yasuhiro Oka, Ken Nakashima
  • Patent number: 10064313
    Abstract: An information processing system includes a chiller configured to cool a primary refrigerant; a liquid immersion tank in which a processing device including a first electronic component is immersed in a secondary refrigerant; a second electronic component coupled to the processing device; a blower configured to blow or inhale air for the second electronic component; a coil in which the secondary refrigerant is cooled by the air; an air tank that is coupled to the coil and that includes a refrigerant pipe through which the secondary refrigerant flows; a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the primary refrigerant and the secondary refrigerant; and a pump configured to circulate the secondary refrigerant from the liquid immersion tank to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Minoru Ishinabe
  • Patent number: 10047988
    Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle air conditioner in which in a dehumidifying and heating mode, a heating capability by a radiator can be acquired while avoiding frost formation to a heat absorber. A dehumidifying and heating mode is executed in which a refrigerant discharged from a compressor 2 radiates heat in a radiator 4, the refrigerant by which heat has been radiated is decompressed, and then heat is absorbed in a heat absorber 9 and an outdoor heat exchanger 7 or only in the heat absorber 9 to heating a vehicle interior while dehumidifying the vehicle interior. The vehicle air conditioner includes an injection circuit 40 which distributes a part of the refrigerant flowing out from the radiator 4 to return the part to the compressor 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Sanden Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Miyakoshi, Kenichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10041702
    Abstract: A system for conditioning air circulated from an interior of a building includes a refrigerant path, an air-cooled condenser in the refrigerant path, a water-cooled condenser in the refrigerant path that transfers heat from refrigerant in the refrigerant path to the building water, an evaporator in the refrigerant path, and a control system. The control system moves the system between operation of the air-cooled condenser and the water-cooled condenser based upon predetermined system conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Walker R. Lowrimore, Robert L. Long, Scott D. Winters, Randy W. Foster
  • Patent number: 10018389
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kosuke Tanaka, Koji Yamashita, Takeshi Hatomura, Shinichi Wakamoto, Naofumi Takenaka
  • Patent number: 10012398
    Abstract: A compact air conditioner is provided, the air conditioner having a housing with an internal cavity and an outer surface, an evaporator assembly arranged within a front portion of the internal cavity of the housing, a condenser assembly arranged within a back portion of the internal cavity of the housing, and a compressor associated with the evaporator and condenser assemblies. The evaporator assembly includes an evaporator fan, a front motor that drives the evaporator fan, and an evaporator arranged adjacent to the evaporator fan. The condenser assembly includes a condenser fan, a back motor that drives the condenser fan, and a condenser arranged adjacent to the condenser fan. The compressor includes a coolant adapted to circulate between the evaporator and the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Premium Home Comfort, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt M. Swanson
  • Patent number: 10006670
    Abstract: A method for managing a refrigerant charge in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by removing power from an indoor fan for a first duration of time prior to switching at least one valve to configure a second refrigerant circuit for satisfying a water heating demand. A method for managing a refrigerant charge in a system for heating water and conditioning an interior space by removing power from a water pump for a second duration of time prior to switching at least one valve to reconfigure a first refrigerant circuit to satisfy an interior space heating demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Derek Leman, Matthew Austin, Aaron M. Bright
  • Patent number: 10006647
    Abstract: An air conditioning system may include an outdoor device disposed in an outdoor space, the outdoor device including a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, a plurality of indoor devices disposed in an indoor space, the plurality of indoor devices including an indoor heat exchanger, and a distributor that distributes and introduces a refrigerant into the plurality of indoor devices. The outdoor device may include an outdoor branch branched into a plurality of refrigerant paths, a first outdoor tube that extends from the outdoor branch to guide the refrigerant to a first heat exchanger of the outdoor heat exchanger, a second outdoor tube that extends from the outdoor branch to guide the refrigerant to a second heat exchanger of the outdoor heat exchanger, and a bypass tube that extends from the outdoor branch to allow the refrigerant to bypass the outdoor heat exchanger, thereby guiding the refrigerant to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaehwa Jung, Chiwoo Song, Kakjoong Kim
  • Patent number: 10001317
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a main circuit in which a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, a first flow control device, and a plurality of parallel heat exchangers connected in parallel to each other are sequentially connected via a pipe to allow refrigerant to circulate, a first defrost pipe that branches a part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor and allows the refrigerant to flow into the parallel heat exchanger to be defrosted among the plurality of parallel heat exchangers, a expansion device provided in the first defrost pipe and configured to depressurize the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, and a connection switching device that allows the refrigerant flowing out of the parallel heat exchanger to be defrosted to flow into the main circuit at a position upstream of the parallel heat exchangers other than the parallel heat exchanger subject to defrosting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naofumi Takenaka, Shinichi Wakamoto, Koji Yamashita, Takeshi Hatomura
  • Patent number: 9970370
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for heating a storage container (1) for an aqueous operating liquid in a motor vehicle having a combustion engine cooled by means of a liquid heat transfer medium, using the waste heat from the combustion engine, which is transferred to the heat transfer medium. The system comprises a first heat exchanger (9), which is provided in or on the storage container (1) and can be heated by means of the heat transfer medium in a cooling circuit (3) for the combustion engine, wherein the first heat exchanger (9) is part of a storage container heating circuit (10), which comprises a heat transfer medium feed (11) and a heat transfer medium return (12), wherein the storage container heating circuit (10) is connected hydraulically in parallel with a second heating circuit (7b) with a second heat exchanger (7) for heating the passenger cell (8) of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH& CO. KG
    Inventors: Volker Treudt, Theodor Ossege
  • Patent number: 9945587
    Abstract: A system for conditioning air circulated from an interior of a building includes a refrigerant path, an air-cooled condenser in the refrigerant path, a water-cooled condenser in the refrigerant path that transfers heat from refrigerant in the refrigerant path to the building water, an evaporator in the refrigerant path, and a control system. The control system moves the system between operation of the air-cooled condenser and the water-cooled condenser based upon predetermined system conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Walter R. Lowrimore, Robert L. Long, Scott D. Winters, Randy W. Foster