Plus Air Temperature Sensor Exerting A Control Patents (Class 62/176.6)
  • Patent number: 11959812
    Abstract: An example dehumidifier system may include one or more of a processor, an input display unit, a temperature and humidity censor configured to acquire current temperature and relative humidity data, an analog-to-digital transducer configured to convert, the acquired current temperature and relative humidity data from analog to digital output, a psychrometric converter module executed by the processor to convert the relative humidity data into ratio/absolute humidity data, a digital-to-analog transducer configured to convert the ratio/absolute humidity data into an analog format, a hysteresis comparator unit configured to compare hysteresis setpoint data received from the input display unit with data received from the temperature and humidity censor, and a ratio/absolute humidity setpoint comparator unit configured to compare a ratio/absolute humidity setpoint data received from the input display unit with the converted ratio/absolute humidity data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Greencomm Engineering, LLC
    Inventor: Baron Noviyanto
  • Patent number: 11946660
    Abstract: A method of controlling indoor air humidity includes determining a dew point set point and determining a dew point of air from a space within a building. The method also includes, in response to determining that the dew point satisfies the dew point set point, determining a vent air dew point of air in an external environment surrounding the building. The method further includes, in response to determining that the vent air dew point is below the dew point set point by a dew point threshold, controlling a connecting member of a damper assembly to position a first damper of the damper assembly in an open position to draw in vent air from the external environment into the space, and to position a second damper of the damper assembly in a close position to substantially prevent recirculation of air through the dehumidifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Research Products Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Grefsheim, Jeff Norton, Tom Friederick
  • Patent number: 11892187
    Abstract: A device such as a smart thermostat is provided for controlling heating and cooling systems. The device is operable to execute an energy control program to control the heating and a cooling systems based upon different control strategies: a first control strategy that compares the at least one temperature setpoint in the programming schedule to the current measured dry bulb temperature to determine whether to engage or disengage the heating and a cooling systems, and a second control strategy that compares the at least one temperature setpoint in the programming schedule to a normalized humidex temperature to determine whether to engage or disengage the heating and a cooling systems, the normalized humidex temperature being the current measured dry bulb temperature modified by historical humidity values to provide an indicator of thermal comfort within the premise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: GENERAC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin Trinh
  • Patent number: 11852366
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a first air conditioning device installed in a predetermined space, and a second air conditioning device installed in the predetermined space. The first air conditioning device is configured to change an air state in the predetermined space in accordance with a direction inputted by voice to an input-output device that is voice operable. The second air conditioning device is configured to change the air state in the predetermined space in accordance with the direction inputted by voice to the input-output device. Upon acquisition of direction information indicating the direction not specifying a device, the air conditioning system performs processing in response to the direction with use of an air conditioning device selected from the first air conditioning device and the second air conditioning device in accordance with a predetermined condition set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouhei Ogawa, Kiyoyuki Suou, Mayuko Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11813548
    Abstract: An evaporator is provided for evaporating water from an ambient body of water having a water surface. The evaporator includes a housing that has a proximal end proximate to the water surface, a distal end distal to the water surface, and a housing air flow channel directed toward the water surface. The housing is disposed on a support, such as a float assembly, that positions the housing above the water surface. The evaporator also includes an air flow induction device, preferably an impeller, disposed to direct an air flow stream from the distal end toward the proximal end through the housing air flow channel and toward the water surface so that the air contacts the water. The impeller preferably is made of a fiberglass material. The support preferably includes at least one float assembly air flow channel that receives the air flow stream from the housing and directs it outwardly from the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Resource West, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ballantyne, William MacDonald
  • Patent number: 11561015
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of preventing evaporator coil freeze in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes determining a reference saturated suction temperate (SST) via a sensor disposed in relation to an evaporator coil in the HVAC system, where the HVAC; system is operating in reheat dehumidification mode. The method also includes determining whether the reference SST is below a minimum SST threshold. The method also includes, responsive to a determination that the reference SST is below the minimum SST threshold, determining a decreased compressor speed. The method also includes modulating a variable-speed compressor in the HVAC system in correspondence to the decreased compressor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Siddarth Rajan
  • Patent number: 11499744
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an HVAC system that includes a plurality of dampers each corresponding to one building zone of a plurality of building zones, a plurality of sensors each corresponding to the one of the plurality of building zones, and a control board communicatively coupled with the plurality of dampers and sensors. The control board includes a plurality of status light sources, each corresponding to one damper the plurality of dampers, a plurality of communication light sources each corresponding to one sensor of the plurality of sensors, and a microcontroller programmed to control operation of equipment in the HVAC system. The microcontroller is configured to perform “a hardware test mode” to facilitate diagnosis of the plurality of dampers by causing the plurality of status light sources to sequentially execute a first light scheme or a second light scheme in response to instructions to the plurality of dampers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventor: Shaun B. Atchison
  • Patent number: 11449084
    Abstract: A system and a method include receiving, by a processor, from environmental sensors, environmental output data measurements. The environmental sensors are located at a site location. An health impact scoring algorithm computes a plurality of health impact scores from the environmental output data measurements. An overall health impact score at the site location is computed from the any of the health impact scores having a lowest value. A machine learning model generates at least one recommendation for remediating at least one verified environmental hazard type. At least one of the overall health impact score, the at least one verified environmental hazard type, or the at least one recommendation are displayed on a computing device. An instruction is sent to environment-controlling equipment located at the site location to change an operational parameter of the environment-controlling equipment to mitigate the at least one verified environmental hazard type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Building4Health Inc.
    Inventors: Stephanie Hughes Taylor, Michael Bennett Solovay, Peter Railey Taylor, Sr.
  • Patent number: 11243003
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for operating an environmental control system that delivers dehumidified outdoor air into a conditioned space through an air valve. The method includes establishing CO2 setpoints corresponding to a ventilation outdoor air flow rate and a dehumidification outdoor air flow rate, determining a humidity metric of the conditioned space, and delivering outside air to the conditioned space at the ventilation outdoor air flow rate or dehumidification outdoor air flow rate based upon the humidity metric. The outside air may be tempered with return air from the conditioned space. The dehumidification CO2 set point is determined by predicting the dehumidification CO2 set point based on the airflow quantity per occupant and the relationship of the occupant predicted water vapor emission rate and CO2 emission rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Ronnie R. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 11215371
    Abstract: A Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) dehumidification system. The system has at least one condenser module in fluid communication with one or more indoor air handlers. At least one evaporator coil is in fluid communication with the indoor air handlers and at least one reheat/reclaim coil. The evaporator and reheat/reclaim coils are also in communication with the condenser module. A plurality of electronic expansion valves (EEVs) are in fluid communication with the indoor air handlers. A plurality of sensors is disposed in the system and are in communication with at least one VRF dehumidification system controller. In one embodiment, a logic is stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the VRF dehumidification system to monitor the data input from the plurality of sensors and regulates the capacity of the VRF dehumidification system needed to maintain a set dew point parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: John O'Brian
  • Patent number: 11187425
    Abstract: A method for providing a variable fan-off delay after a thermostat call for cooling or after a heating on cycle for a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The variable fan-off delay may be ended based on comparing a measurement of a Conditioned Space Temperature (CST) to a CST threshold. The CST threshold may be based on a previous measurement of the CST monitored during the current variable fan-off delay. The CST threshold may be an inflection point where the rate of change of the CST with respect to time equals zero plus or minus a confidence interval tolerance. The CST threshold may also be a fan-off delay differential offset or a thermostat setpoint differential where the variable fan-off delay is ended when the measurement of the CST during the variable fan-off delay crosses the differential at least once after the cooling or heating on cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventors: Robert J. Mowris, John Walsh
  • Patent number: 11181294
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus saves space, has a low cost and a high energy efficiency. In a former stage, total heat exchange is carried out in a total heat exchange rotor which performs heat exchange between the return air from the indoor space and outdoor air. A passive desiccant rotor, if provided, may eliminate a the need for a regenerative heat source in a latter stage. Latent heat exchange is performed in a heat pump circuit which exchanges heat between the outdoor air and the return air which have undergone total heat exchange. Further, the air conditioning apparatus may realize reduction of the total cost of equipment by eliminating the outdoor unit, and may realize reduction of on-site construction cost after the installation of the equipment and shortening of the construction term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: SEIBU GIKEN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nakahama Nobutaka
  • Patent number: 11137156
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to subcooling control of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. An HVAC system may include a first electronic expansion valve (EEV) fluidly coupled to an indoor coil, wherein the first EEV is adjacent to the indoor coil. The HVAC system may also include a second EEV fluidly coupled to an outdoor coil, wherein the second EEV is adjacent to the outdoor coil. A system controller may be configured to control the first and second EEVs to control a flow of refrigerant to control subcooling (SC) produced by the HVAC system. The second EEV remains open during a cooling mode, and the first EEV modulates during the cooling mode. The second EEV modulates during a heating mode, and the first EEV remains open during the heating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Trane International Inc
    Inventor: Raymond Walter Rite
  • Patent number: 11067308
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for regulating humidity of an enclosed space. The HVAC system includes an evaporator coil. A metering device is fluidly coupled to the evaporator coil. A variable-speed compressor is fluidly coupled to the condenser coil and the evaporator coil and a controller is operatively coupled to the variable-speed compressor. A humidity sensor is operatively coupled to the controller and exposed to the enclosed space. Responsive to a determination that the relative humidity of the enclosed space exceeds the maximum humidity threshold, the controller adjusts a speed of the variable-speed compressor to increase latent capacity of the HVAC system. Responsive to a determination that the relative humidity of the enclosed space falls below the minimum humidity threshold, the controller adjusts a speed of the variable-speed compressor to decrease latent capacity of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Derek Phillips
  • Patent number: 11009249
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a variable-speed compressor which compresses refrigerant flowing through the HVAC system, a blower which provides a flow of air through the HVAC system at a controllable flow rate, and a controller communicatively coupled to the variable-speed compressor and the blower. The controller receives a demand request, which includes a command to operate the HVAC system at a predefined setpoint temperature. In response to receiving the demand request, a setpoint temperature associated with the HVAC system is adjusted to the predefined setpoint temperature. The variable-speed compressor is adjusted to a low-speed setting, thereby operating the HVAC system at a first tonnage of cooling. The rate of the flow of air provided by the blower is adjusted to a first flow rate, such that a ratio of the first flow rate to the first tonnage of cooling is increased to a first predefined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Vijaykumar Sathyamurthi
  • Patent number: 10962243
    Abstract: An air conditioning system with precisely controlled dehumidification functions is disclosed. The air conditioning system comprises an indoor air handling system comprising a primary heat exchanger and a secondary heat exchanger. The indoor air handling system can be coupled to an outdoor unit comprising a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger. When a controller system receives a measured humidity that exceeds a set humidity, the controller system can increase the cooling capacity of the air conditioning system to meet a set temperature. Once the set temperature is met, the controller system can switch to a dehumidification mode wherein the primary heat exchanger is cooled and the secondary heat exchanger is activated. When the measured temperature exceeds the set temperature, the controller system can switch from the dehumidification mode back to cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Bush, So Nomoto
  • Patent number: 10946719
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning device may achieve comfortable heating of a vehicle interior by starting a compressor, an indoor blower and heat generating means at appropriate timing. The vehicle air-conditioning device includes a compressor which compresses a refrigerant, a radiator disposed in an air flow passage to let the refrigerant radiate heat, a heat absorber which lets the refrigerant absorb heat, and an indoor blower which blows the air through the air flow passage. The vehicle interior is heated by heat radiated from the radiator. The vehicle air-conditioning device includes a heating medium-air heat exchanger of a heating medium circulating circuit disposed in the air flow passage to heat air supplied to the vehicle interior. On a basis of an outdoor air temperature, the timing to start the compressor, the indoor blower and the heating medium circulating circuit is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sanden Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Ryo Miyakoshi
  • Patent number: 10921300
    Abstract: Air quality inside a computing device is monitored utilizing an air quality monitor that can be sized to simulate a server computing device and can have multiple sensing equipment mounted inside, including equipment to detect corrosive aspects in the air and condensation sensing equipment to detect instances in which condensation can form on computing device hardware. Corrosion sensing can include metallic members that can be electrically coupled to voltage that can induce a current within the metallic members, thereby more accurately simulating the corrosion of operating PCBs. Condensation sensing can include condensation hosting members that can have a thermal mass that is approximately equal to the thermal mass of PCBs and can include heating elements by which the condensation hosting members can more accurately simulate the thermal effects and aspects of operating PCBs, and also moisture detectors, including electrical and optical moisture detectors. Additionally, an off-gassing chamber can be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Husam Alissa, Osvaldo P. Morales, Roy Medhi Zeighami, Brandon Aaron Rubenstein, Scot Edward Heath, Adolfo Bravo Ferreira
  • Patent number: 10830516
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an output for a plurality of compressors includes a control unit receiving a first value from a first sensor and generating a first output based on the first value. The control unit receives a second value from a second sensor and derives a final output from the first output and the second value. A plurality of compressors receives the control commands from the control unit based on the final output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kamalakkannan Muthusubramanian
  • Patent number: 10830459
    Abstract: A system includes a coil of an outdoor unit, where tubing forming the coil is configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough, a fan configured to direct air from within an inner chamber formed by a structure of the coil such that air is in a heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant, a motor located within the inner chamber, where the motor is configured to rotate the fan, a panel coupled to the coil, a fan controller mounted to the panel such that the fan controller is positioned within the inner chamber remote from the fan and the motor, where the fan controller is coupled to the motor, and the fan controller is configured to supply power to the motor to adjust a speed of the fan, and a rain shield disposed over the fan controller and configured to block contaminants from entering a housing of the fan controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Eskew, Jeremiah M. Horn, Nicholas A. Kauffman, Paul Lucas
  • Patent number: 10816521
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates a sensor hub that allows users to visually and easily check the air environment and power consumption of a room, and a method for operating the same. The sensor hub may include a housing having ventilation ports on lateral and rear sides. A fine dust sensor may be provided to sense a concentration of fine dust introduced through the ventilation ports. A CO2 sensor may be provided in the housing that senses a concentration of CO2. A display plate and a display unit and an illumination plate including a plurality of light emitting units may be provided in the housing. A main board and processor may be disposed in the housing to control the plurality of light emitting units and the display unit based on data on the fine dust concentration and the CO2 concentration received respectively from the fine dust sensor and the CO2 sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Sungyong Sohn
  • Patent number: 10718796
    Abstract: A multifunction multitask apparatus for use in building inspections is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a portable case comprising a grippable handle, a mini-desk, lighting elements and a plurality of sensors for building structure inspection. The apparatus includes a power source in electric communication with a sensor. The apparatus may include a variety of sensors including a voltage tester, a circuit polarity sensor, and ambient air testing sensor, and ambient temperature sensor, and ambient humidity sensor, a moisture meter, a radon sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, and an airborne toxin sensor. Other embodiments of the invention may include safety features including a first-aid cat, a chemical spray deterrent device, and a tactical prong. Other embodiments may include lights including a laser pointer, an LED light, an a focused light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Inventor: Richard Giltz
  • Patent number: 10655883
    Abstract: A system and associated methods of operation for regulating an environmental variable (such as ambient room temperature) within a target zone. The system includes an occupancy sensor configured to monitor the target zone and determine a number of inhabitants present within the zone. The occupancy sensor generates an occupancy signal communicating the number of detected inhabitants to an environmental control system. Upon receiving the occupancy signal, the environmental control system regulates an environmental variable within the zone based on the number of inhabitants present in the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Jesse R. Cheatham, III, William David Duncan, Eun Young Hwang, Roderick A. Hyde, Tony S. Pan, Clarence T. Tegreene, Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 10539335
    Abstract: To avoid decline in the efficiency of a compressor at a low load, the thermal storage air conditioner has an operation controller which, if a rotational speed of the compressor is slowed down to a predetermined lower reference value in a simple cooling operation, switches operation of the thermal storage air conditioner from the simple cooling operation to a cooling and cold thermal energy storage operation to increase the rotational speed of the compressor. During the simple cooling operation refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger and evaporates in the indoor heat exchanger, and during a cooling and cold thermal energy storage operation the refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger, evaporates in the indoor heat exchanger, and the thermal storage medium in the thermal storage section is cooled by the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Yasuo, Shuuji Fujimoto, Kebi Chen, Takuya Nakao
  • Patent number: 10492967
    Abstract: A person support apparatus includes a support adapted to support thereon an occupant of the person support apparatus and a sensor configured to detect an ambient air characteristic. The sensor generates an output signal based on the detected characteristic and communicates the output signal to a controller. The controller is configured to receive the output signal from the sensor and determine a usability status of the person support apparatus. The usability status may include an indication that the person support apparatus is ready for use by an occupant, whether a potential hazard exists for an occupant of the person support apparatus, a cleaning status of the person support apparatus, or a location of the person support apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventor: Marko N. Kostic
  • Patent number: 10488064
    Abstract: A portable indoor air quality monitor measures the air surrounding the device and displays those qualities on a liquid crystal display with touchscreen capabilities, the monitor providing an internal power supply, fans to circulate air through a housing, and sensors to detect particulate matter, harmful gasses, volatile organic compounds, CO2, temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure, the device providing a stationary monitor or one worn by a user, especially a first responder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas Dwayne Crowder, Anthony Herron Mills, Jack Benjamin Scherlag
  • Patent number: 10391836
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning device may achieve comfortable heating of a vehicle interior by starting a compressor, an indoor blower and heat generating means at appropriate timing. The vehicle air-conditioning device includes a compressor which compresses a refrigerant, a radiator disposed in an air flow passage to let the refrigerant radiate heat, a heat absorber which lets the refrigerant absorb heat, and an indoor blower which blows the air through the air flow passage. The vehicle interior is heated by heat radiated from the radiator. The vehicle air-conditioning device includes a heating medium-air heat exchanger of a heating medium circulating circuit disposed in the air flow passage to heat air supplied to the vehicle interior. On a basis of an outdoor air temperature, the timing to start the compressor, the indoor blower and the heating medium circulating circuit is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Sanden Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Ryo Miyakoshi
  • Patent number: 10359334
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a fluid leak associated with fluid cooled components in a millisecond anneal system are provided. In one example implementation, a millisecond anneal system can include a processing chamber having one or more fluid cooled components. The system can include a gas flow system configured to provide for the flow of process gas in the processing chamber. The system can include a vapor sensor configured to measure vapor in process gas flowing through the gas flow system for detecting a fluid leak associated with the one or more fluid cooled components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Mueller, Dieter Hezler
  • Patent number: 10337755
    Abstract: The HVAC system includes an evaporator coil and a metering device fluidly coupled to the evaporator coil via a distribution line. The HVAC system includes a variable-speed circulation fan for circulating air around the evaporator coil. A temperature sensor is thermally exposed to the distribution line. At least one controller is operatively coupled to the temperature sensor and to the variable-speed circulation fan. The at least one controller adjusts a speed of the variable-speed circulation fan to increase latent capacity of the HVAC system responsive to a determination that a temperature of fluid in the distribution line exceeds an optimal distribution line temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries LLC
    Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Derek Phillips
  • Patent number: 10260762
    Abstract: A dehumidification device according to the present invention includes an operation control unit configured to switch between thermo-on for circulating refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit and thermo-off for suspending circulation of the refrigerant, and an operation mode control unit configured to switch an operation mode to any one of a first operation mode in which a moisture adsorption unit is caused to adsorb moisture and a second operation mode in which moisture retained in the moisture adsorption unit is caused to be desorbed. The operation mode control unit is configured to select the operation mode at a time when the thermo-on is switched from the thermo-off in response to the operation mode and a relative humidity of air in switching from the thermo-on to the thermo-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporartion
    Inventors: Keigo Okajima, Keizo Fukuhara, Manabu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10247434
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system comprises a circulation fan, one or more humidity sensors operable to sense humidity data associated with an enclosed space, and a controller. In operation, the controller receives the humidity data from the one or more humidity sensors and receives air quality data associated with at least one air pollutant. The controller determines, based on the air quality data, that a threshold associated with the air pollutant has been exceeded and determines, based on the humidity data, that a threshold associated with humidity has not been exceeded. The controller operates the circulation fan in response to determining that the threshold associated with the air pollutant has been exceeded and the threshold associated with humidity has not been exceeded, the circulation fan operated for filtration purposes while not servicing any conditioning demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hrejsa, Kyle Golden, Kevin Lyons, Jonathan Douglas, Thomas Wolowicz, Shailesh Manohar
  • Patent number: 10225442
    Abstract: An electronic device for sensing air quality is provided. The electronic device includes a proximity sensor, a processor and a memory. The proximity sensor at least includes a light source and a light sensor. The light source emits light toward particulate matter in air, wherein the light is reflected by a surface of the particulate matter to form reflected light. The light sensor senses the reflected light. The processor is coupled to the proximity sensor, and the memory is operatively coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to execute program code stored in the memory by: obtaining an air quality value corresponding to an intensity value of the reflected light according to an air quality table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Kui-Chang Tseng, Tsu-Ming Liu
  • Patent number: 10161662
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes an indoor unit having a return air duct and a supply air duct in an enclosed space. The HVAC system includes an outdoor unit having a variable-speed condenser fan. A first temperature sensor is disposed in at least one of the return air duct, the supply air duct, or an enclosed space. A controller is operatively coupled to the first temperature sensor, and the variable-speed condenser fan. The controller is configured to determine whether at least one of over-cooling or over-heating of air in the enclosed space is occurring. Responsive to a determination that at least one of over-cooling or over-heating of air in the enclosed space is occurring, the controller adjusts a speed of the variable-speed condenser fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Lennox Industries LLC
    Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Eric Berg
  • Patent number: 10143608
    Abstract: A person support apparatus includes a support adapted to support thereon an occupant of the person support apparatus and a sensor configured to detect an ambient air characteristic. The sensor generates an output signal based on the detected characteristic and communicates the output signal to a controller. The controller is configured to receive the output signal from the sensor and determine a usability status of the person support apparatus. The usability status may include an indication that the person support apparatus is ready for use by an occupant, whether a potential hazard exists for an occupant of the person support apparatus, a cleaning status of the person support apparatus, or a location of the person support apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventor: Marko N. Kostic
  • Patent number: 10108154
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for updating an influence model used to manage physical conditions of an environmentally controlled space. A method comprises operating an environmental maintenance system in a first production mode with the influence model until an event causes the system to enter a second production mode. In the second production mode a first actuator's operation level is varied and operation levels of other actuators are optimized. The influence model is adjusted based on the operation levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: VIGILENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter Christian Varadi, Jerry Chin, Steven David Horowitz, Clifford Federspiel
  • Patent number: 9976759
    Abstract: A system includes a coil of an outdoor unit, where tubing forming the coil is configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough, a fan configured to direct air from within an inner chamber formed by a structure of the coil such that air is in a heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant, a motor located within the inner chamber, where the motor is configured to rotate the fan, a panel coupled to the coil, a fan controller mounted to the panel such that the fan controller is positioned within the inner chamber remote from the fan and the motor, where the fan controller is coupled to the motor, and the fan controller is configured to supply power to the motor to adjust a speed of the fan, and a rain shield disposed over the fan controller and configured to block contaminants from entering a housing of the fan controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Eskew, Jeremiah M. Horn, Nicholas A. Kauffman, Paul Lucas
  • Patent number: 9960101
    Abstract: A heat-dissipating device includes at least one heat-dissipating surface and a micro-sized cooling mechanism formed directly on the heat-dissipating surface by an additive manufacturing process. The cooling mechanism includes at least one fluid passage, such as a micro-hose, for carrying a cooling medium from a coolant source directly to the heat-dissipating surface. The cooling mechanism is fluidly sealed to the heat-dissipating surface such that the cooling medium is in thermal contact directly with the heat-dissipating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Jason G. Milne
  • Patent number: 9927190
    Abstract: A method of controlling a chiller is disclosed. The method includes predicting, by a controller, a quantity of energy used by a chiller, based on a predicted flow of heat into one or more rooms in a building, to maintain a temperature of the one or more rooms in a building at a desired temperature during each of a first plurality of time periods of a chilling cycle. The predicted flow of heat is calculated using a predicted condition. A set point of the chiller is automatically adjusted during the chilling cycle using the predicted quantity of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Lacon Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Izidor Liberman
  • Patent number: 9892472
    Abstract: A method including: computing a total cost for a first zone in a building, wherein the total cost is equal to an actual energy cost of the first zone plus a thermal discomfort cost of the first zone; and heuristically optimizing the total cost to identify temperature setpoints for a mechanical heating/cooling system and a start time and an end time of the mechanical heating/cooling system, based on external weather data and occupancy data of the first zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Corporation
    Inventors: Kun Ji, Yan Lu
  • Patent number: 9811097
    Abstract: A system and computer program product are provided for controlling liquid-cooled electronics, which includes measuring a first set point temperature, Ta, wherein the Ta is based on a dew point temperature, Tdp of a computer room. A second set point temperature, Tb, is measured, wherein the Tb is based on a facility chilled liquid inlet temperature, Tci, and a rack power, Prack, of an electronics rack. A Modular Cooling Unit (MCU) set point temperature, Tsp, is selected. The Tsp is the higher value of said Ta and said Tb. Responsive to the selected Tsp, a control valve is regulated. The control valve controls a flow of liquid that passes through a heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: DARPA
    Inventors: Ravi K. Arimilli, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Edward J. Seminaro
  • Patent number: 9772126
    Abstract: A cooling system for transferring heat from a heat load to an environment has a volatile working fluid. The cooling system includes first and second cooling cycles that are thermally connected to the first cooling cycle. The first cooling cycle is not a vapor compression cycle and includes a pump, an air-to-fluid heat exchanger, and a fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger. The second cooling cycle can include a chilled water system for transferring heat from the fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger to the environment. Alternatively, the second cooling cycle can include a vapor compression system for transferring heat from the fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Borror, Franklin E. DiPaolo, Thomas E. Harvey, Steven M. Madara, Reasey J. Mam, Stephen C. Sillato
  • Patent number: 9746213
    Abstract: For more efficient operation of an air cooled chiller, a refrigerant pump and bypass valve connected in parallel feed refrigerant from the condenser to a receiver. The pump is activated in response to pressure in the condenser; the bypass is used otherwise. Further efficiency is provided by controlling the condenser fan based on power consumption by the air cooled chiller and/or resetting a set point of the evaporator to meet load conditions. An expansion valve for the evaporator is controlled based on chilled water temperature, such as Delta T, or information from an air handling unit. Feedback of valve setting or position, air temperature, valve size, and/or importance of an air handling unit may be used to control the flow of chilled water. In addition to or an alternative to control of the chilled water flow, the refrigerant temperature may be controlled based on information from the air handling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc
    Inventor: Duane D. Warren
  • Patent number: 9744889
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes a vehicle air-conditioner which uses a target blowing-out temperature as the basis to control an air outlet temperature in a cabin and a seat air-conditioning unit which sucks recirculated air into a seat. The air-conditioning system controls at least the seat air-conditioning air flow per unit time so as to perform seat air-conditioning. The air-conditioning system increases the seat air-conditioning air flow when detecting that the vehicle speed is stopped or idling, calculates a correction amount for the target blowing-out temperature considered neutral in warmness sense level for the increased seat air-conditioning air flow, and uses the correction amount as the basis to correct the target blowing-out temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masafumi Kawashima
  • Patent number: 9696077
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance including a multi-capacity compressor and a refrigerant circuit with two conduits and pressure reducing devices arranged in parallel between an evaporator and a condenser. Refrigerant can flow through one, both or none of the conduits and pressure reducing devices. The appliance also has a heat exchanger in contact with either one pressure reducing device, or one conduit between the pressure reducing device and the valve system. The appliance also includes a controller for priming the compressor above a nominal capacity for a predetermined or calculated duration at the beginning of an ON-cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Alberto Regio Gomes, Steven J. Kuehl, Andrew D. Litch, Guolian Wu
  • Patent number: 9696075
    Abstract: A container refrigeration device includes: a fan controller which reduces a rotation speed of an inside fan when a temperature inside a container is stabilized; and a rotation speed controller which reduces an operational rotation speed N of a compressor such that the temperature inside the container becomes equal to a target temperature as the fan controller reduces the rotation speed of the inside fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuusuke Fujimoto, Kazuma Yokohara, Atsushi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 9618246
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance including a refrigerant circuit between a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor that includes two conduits and pressure reducing devices arranged in parallel between the evaporator and the condenser. The appliance also includes a valve system to direct refrigerant through one, both or none of the conduits and pressure reducing devices, and a heat exchanging member in thermal contact with either one pressure reducing device, or one conduit between the pressure reducing device and the valve system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew D. Litch, Guolian Wu
  • Patent number: 9510073
    Abstract: An air conditioner is provided. The air conditioner may include a body including an outlet and an audio collecting device provided on one side of the outlet, the audio collecting device including a microphone that collects audio input. The audio collecting device may include a housing body including an opening in which the microphone is installed, a housing cover provided on one side of the housing body, and a noise insulation space defined by the housing body and the housing cover. The microphone may be received in the noise insulation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sanggil Park, Yeol Lee, Jungwoo Lee
  • Patent number: 9500379
    Abstract: Methods of providing dehumidification control in unoccupied spaces are disclosed. An illustrative method can include the steps of providing a controller having an away mode of operation adapted to provide dehumidification within the interior space of a building or room, providing one or more system components adapted to control the humidity and/or temperature within the interior space, initiating the away mode of operation within the controller, and operating the one or more system components for at least one cycle to reduce the humidity within the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Schnell, Heidi J. Finch, David A. Schultz, Cary Leen, Patrick C. Tessier, James Grenkoski
  • Patent number: 9360228
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling a ventilation system is provided based on a determination of local dew point and automatically activating an exhaust fan before condensate appears on structure and objects and ideally before visible condensation forms in the air of an enclosed area. Firmware in the control circuit detects the presence of hardware components and operates a control circuit in one of a plurality of modes based on the detected hardware components that are coupled to the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GTR Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony Branham, Christopher Erickson
  • Patent number: 9103575
    Abstract: A refrigerant system control operates tandem compressors. If one of the monitored system conditions does not change as each of the tandem compressors or associated components is brought on line, then a determination is made that the respective component is malfunctioning. A refrigerant system can also be additionally equipped with other functions and components, such as variable speed drive, economizer circuit, unloader bypass, and reheat circuit. In case of a reheat circuit, the system can have single or multiple compressors. The control algorithm can also be updated such that that particular malfunctioning component is eliminated from the operational sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Taras, Alexander Lifson