Diverse Control Or Response Patents (Class 62/178)
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Patent number: 12137534Abstract: A hardware-based fan controller for controlling fan modules in a computer system having multiple computer nodes is disclosed. Each of the computer nodes has a service processor. The fan controller includes a slave module that receives fan speed commands from each of the service processors. A fan speed generator is coupled to the slave module and a subset of the fan modules. The fan speed generator receives fan speed commands from the slave module and fan speed outputs from the subset of fan modules. The fan speed generator is configured to output a speed command to each of the fan modules in the subset.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2021Date of Patent: November 5, 2024Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.Inventors: Hsien-Yang Cheng, Ying-Che Chang, Yi-An Chen, Yu-Tang Zeng
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Patent number: 11719449Abstract: The present disclosure provides a refrigeration system. The system includes an evaporator unit having a housing configured to receive the refrigerant and an air inlet port configured to receive air. A porous material is disposed within the housing for defining a first compartment and a second compartment. A compressor unit is fluidically coupled to the housing and configured to induce an evacuation action within the housing, which enables air to enter the housing from the ambient surroundings via the air inlet port. The porous material is positioned above the air inlet port for allowing the air into the housing therethrough. The routed air disperses within the housing to form air bubbles, inducing turbulent motion of the refrigerant for converting the refrigerant into a mixture of refrigerant vapors and a cooled refrigerant. A heat exchanger is configured to refrigerate the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Inventor: Mina Sagar
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Patent number: 11543161Abstract: An ice maker for forming ice having a refrigeration system, a water system, and a control system. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an ice formation device, and a condenser fan comprising a fan blade and a condenser fan motor for driving the fan blade. The water system supplies water to the ice formation device. The control system includes a controller adapted to operate the condenser fan motor at a first speed in a forward direction when the ice maker is making ice and adapted to operate the condenser fan motor at a second speed in a reverse direction when the ice maker is not making ice. Operating the condenser fan motor at the second speed in the reverse direction is sufficient to reduce the amount of dirt, lint, grease, dust, and/or other contaminants on or in the condenser.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: TRUE MANUFACTURING CO., INC.Inventors: John Allen Broadbent, John Friend
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Patent number: 11326799Abstract: A controller has a timer operation mode in which the operation of a refrigeration cycle that operates as a heat source or a cold source is started before a set operation start time of an indoor fan by a preliminary operation time period. In the timer operation mode, the controller calculates a heat capacity of water or brine, calculates a heat storage amount of a second heat medium from a temperature detected by a temperature sensor and the heat capacity, and determines the preliminary operation time period from the heat storage amount. By determining the preliminary operation time period in this manner, timer operation can be performed such that air at an appropriate temperature is blown from an indoor unit at the operation start time of the indoor fan, from the initial time at which an air conditioning apparatus is installed.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2018Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Takuya Matsuda, Naofumi Takenaka, Kimitaka Kadowaki, Yuji Motomura
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Patent number: 11279203Abstract: An air conditioning control device senses a turning off of an ignition or a power supply of a vehicle, and stores a time of the turning off that is sensed at the vehicle, and stores a time of the turning off that is acquired by communication of a portable information terminal with the vehicle, and senses an advance setting command for pre-air-conditioning that operates an air conditioner of the vehicle, and determines absence or presence of the advance setting command, and, in a case in which it is determined that there is the advance setting command, instructs of execution of pre-air-conditioning control of the air conditioner on the basis of the time of the turning off that is sensed at the vehicle and the time of the turning off that is acquired by the communication of the portable information terminal with the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Takaaki Inokuchi, Asuka Marumo
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Patent number: 11019957Abstract: A coffee appliance includes a powered cooling system integrated with and matched to a hot coffee brewer, configured to cool freshly-brewed coffee by thermal contact to chill a small batch of fresh-brewed coffee in a cooled receiving vessel. The vessel has an evaporator coil to ice the beverage. The cooling system is a robust system, a phase change refrigerant compression-type system employing a positive-displacement compressor, sized in relation to its rate of thermal cooling and the temperature of the beverage and the thermal mass and conductivity of the fluid-contacting assembly, bringing hot coffee to an ice-cold temperature, 2-5° C., on demand and quickly. The fresh brewed, flash-cooled coffee has undiluted and undegraded flavor. An integrated appliance includes a coffee brewer and cooler in a single device, and a slide switch or valve allows the user to select hot or iced coffee.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: IceColdNow, Inc.Inventors: David Dussault, Benjamin J. Beck, Douglas A. Marsden, Ryan J. Donovan
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Patent number: 10928110Abstract: An ice maker for forming ice having a refrigeration system, a water system, and a control system. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an ice formation device, and a condenser fan comprising a fan blade and a condenser fan motor for driving the fan blade. The water system supplies water to the ice formation device. The control system includes a controller adapted to operate the condenser fan motor at a first speed in a forward direction when the ice maker is making ice and adapted to operate the condenser fan motor at a second speed in a reverse direction when the ice maker is not making ice. Operating the condenser fan motor at the second speed in the reverse direction is sufficient to reduce the amount of dirt, lint, grease, dust, and/or other contaminants on or in the condenser.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2016Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: True Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: John Allen Broadbent, John Friend
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Patent number: 10670328Abstract: A refrigerator having a cabinet with a storage compartment for storing food therein, a sensor mounted in the cabinet to sense information of an interior of the refrigerator, a first converting unit for converting the information sensed by the sensor into data to be transmitted through a light source, a light source for emitting light so as to flicker according to the data of the first converting unit, a camera for successively capturing an image of the light source, and a second converting unit for converting information related to flickering of the light source captured by the camera into data related to the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2016Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Kunkook Park, Joongkeun Lee, Choye Kim
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Patent number: 10655908Abstract: The present invention discloses a refrigerator controlling method and system with a linear compressor. The method comprises: monitoring an environment temperature T of the refrigerator located in the environment comparing the environment temperature T with a preset environment temperature threshold T0; if T is larger than T0, controlling a refrigerating unit and/or a heating unit in the refrigerator such that the refrigerator runs under a first operation condition; and if T is smaller than or equal to T0, controlling the refrigerating unit and/or the heating unit in the refrigerator such that the refrigerator runs under a second operation condition. When the linear compressor runs within predetermined time, a refrigeration amount of the linear compressor under the second operation condition is controlled to be larger than a refrigeration amount of the linear compressor under the first operation condition, such that a compartment of the refrigerator reaches a target temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2016Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER JOINT STOCK CO., LTD.Inventors: Feifei Qi, Xiaobing Zhu, Jianru Liu, Lisheng Ji, Shufeng Zhang
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Patent number: 10653042Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for cooling using both air and/or liquid cooling sub circuits. A vapor compression cooling system having both an air and liquid cooling sub circuit designed to service high sensible process heat loads that cannot be solely cooled by either liquid or air is provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: STULZ Air Technology Systems, Inc.Inventors: David Meadows, Joerg Desler
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Patent number: 10635120Abstract: A method for operating and/or monitoring an HVAC system (10), in which a medium circulating in a primary circuit (26) flows through at least one energy consumer (11, 12, 13), the medium entering with a volume flow (?) through a supply line (14) into the energy consumer (11, 12, 13) at a supply temperature (Tv) and leaving the energy consumer (11, 12, 13) at a return temperature (TR) via a return line (15), and transferring heat or cooling energy to the energy consumer (11, 12, 13) in an energy flow (E). A control unit (21) adaptively operates the system by empirically determining the dependence of the energy flow (F) and/or the temperature difference ?T between supply temperature (Tv) and return temperature (TR) on the volume flow (?) for the energy consumers (11, 12, 13) in a first step, and by operating and/or monitoring the HVAC system (10) according to the determined dependency or dependencies in a second step.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: BELIMO HOLDING AGInventors: Vinod D'Silva, Mark Nightlinger, Marc Thuillard, Ronald Aeberhard
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Patent number: 10619913Abstract: A body cooling assembly for cooling parts of a body includes a belt that is extendable around a waist. A housing is mounted on the belt includes a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall that extends between and is attached to the top and bottom wall. The housing has a first aperture and a second aperture for taking in and expelling air. A cooling unit is mounted in the housing. When actuated the cooling unit draws air into the housing, cools the air and dispends the cold air outwardly. A plurality of tubes is fluidly coupled to the housing and in thermal communication with the cooling unit such that air moves through the cooling unit and exits the housing through the tubes. The tubes are positionable on parts of a body and have a plurality of vent holes wherein each tube releases air.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Inventors: Michael Grant, Steven Grant, Sr.
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Patent number: 10542766Abstract: A machine for making liquid or semi-liquid products comprises: a container adapted to contain a liquid or semi-liquid base product; a thermal treatment system associated with the container to cool or heat the walls of the container; a stirrer equipped with a plurality of radial vanes and, in use, mounted inside the container to mix the liquid base product inside the container; the machine being characterized in that it further comprises a basket having a plurality of through openings on its walls, defining an internal space for containing flavorings or the like and, in use, mounted inside the container.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: ALI GROUP S.R.L.—CARPIGIANIInventors: Andrea Cocchi, Roberto Lazzarini
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Patent number: 10481018Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to systems and methods to evaluate performance of a fluid transport system. Towards this end, a performance report of the fluid transport system can be generated by estimating various performance parameters at an outlet of a heat exchanger in lieu of using sensor data obtained directly from the outlet of the heat exchanger. Specifically, in one exemplary implementation, sensor data is obtained from an inlet of the heat exchanger and an outlet of a downstream element that is coupled to the heat exchanger, for estimating the various performance parameters at the outlet of the heat exchanger. The estimated performance parameters can then be combined with empirical data and predictive data for generating the performance report of the fluid transport system.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Awadesh Kumar Tiwari, Arul Saravanapriyan, Gunaranjan Chaudhry, Nimmy Paulose
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Patent number: 10429086Abstract: When hot water supply and room heating are requested simultaneously, a hot water supply operation, by which energy saving is achieved without impairing the comfortability in a room, is performed. A heat-pump apparatus of a variable operation capacity type, a primary water circuit, a hot water tank, a room heater, and a controller are provided. The controller sets a hot water supply operation completion target time in the case of a requests for a simultaneous hot water supply and room heating operation, based on a temperature difference between the outdoor air temperature and the indoor temperature, and determines the rotation speed of the compressor in the hot water supply operation completion target time set.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2015Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Jun Yoshida, Taro Hattori, Kazutaka Suzuki, Koji Matsuzawa, Hirokazu Minamisako, Kei Takeyama, Masahiro Hata
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Patent number: 9950196Abstract: A breathing circuit device has a breathing gas line for forming a closed breathing system, with a cooling device with at least one cooling element for cooling a breathing gas sent through the breathing gas line. The at least one cooling element is separated from the breathing gas with a wall and the wall is a deformable wall, so that a direct contact can be established between the at least one cooling element and the deformable wall by means of a deformation of the deformable wall.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2011Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaAInventor: Jochim Koch
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Patent number: 9612188Abstract: An air purifier is presented with a sensor controlling a motorized fan, wherein the sensor continuously and automatically adjusts the sensitivity setting of the sensor as the quality of air being purified changes. The average air quality readings of the air passing through an air purifier are monitored over a designated time period and, as the quality fluctuates, the sensitivity of the sensor is automatically adjusted. If the air quality is poor (i.e. a high particulate count), the sensitivity of the sensor will be adjusted to a less sensitive setting (i.e. allowing higher fan speeds so that more air can be moved through the filter) and, if the air quality is good (i.e. a low particulate count), the sensitivity of the sensor will be adjusted to a more sensitive setting (i.e. setting a lower maximum fan speed because not as much air needs to move through the filter).Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Alen CorporationInventors: Luke Johnston, Mark Vander Berg, Suppawat Kosumsuppamala, Jason Matocha
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Patent number: 9533545Abstract: An electric vehicle thermal management system includes a dynamic heat dissipating unit, an air conditioner unit, a heat exchange unit, and a control unit. The heat exchange unit is connected to the dynamic heat dissipating unit and the air conditioner unit for transferring heat therebetween. The control unit adjusts the flow rate of a coolant in the dynamic heat dissipating unit for controlling and adjusting the heat dissipating ability of the dynamic heat dissipating unit to meet the heat dissipation of the system, thereby improving distribution and management of heat energy in the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Automotive Research & Testing CenterInventors: Liang-Cheng Chang, Hong-Chi Wang, Chih-Jung Yeh, Shih-Jung Ho
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Patent number: 9488399Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus has a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a four-way switching valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an indoor heat exchanger are interconnected. The outdoor heat exchanger uses multi-hole flat tubes as heat transfer tubes. When stopping a heating operation, the air conditioning apparatus performs pressure equalization control that switches the four-way switching valve from a heating cycle state to a cooling cycle state, thereafter stops the compressor, and equalizes the pressure in the refrigerant circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Yukako Kanazawa, Junichi Shimoda, Tatsuya Makino
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Patent number: 9267730Abstract: A refrigerator or liquid dispensing appliance adapted for receiving, storing, managing, processing and dispensing a liquid enhancement component for preparation of a finished beverage is disclosed. Delivery, processing and management of the liquid enhancement component includes loading a solid liquid enhancement component at a product interface, and managing the transfer of the liquid enhancement component through various systems of the invention including processing to provide a processed liquid enhancement component for discharging for preparing a finished beverage.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Boarman, John M. Knight, Tiemen Tobias Van Dillen
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Patent number: 9188356Abstract: According one embodiment, an air-conditioning system is connected to a server room, in which server racks accommodating a plurality of servers are placed between separated first and second spaces, by a return air duct and a supply air duct. In the server room, an airflow is formed so that cold air flown from under the floor into the first space is heated by heat generation of the servers and is flown out from the second space as return air. The system sets control contents for generating supply air within a previously determined supply air temperature target range and a previously determined supply air humidity target range and controls the operation of each device in the system based on the set control contents.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Dai Murayama, Yasuo Takagi, Yuuichi Hanada, Hideyoshi Ootani, Tomoyuki Kinoshita, Hiroshi Morimoto, Koubun Takahashi
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Patent number: 9021822Abstract: There is disclosed an air conditioner which can realize appropriate air conditioning control in a situation closer to a feeling temperature even in a case where a floor surface of a room to be conditioned is low. The air conditioner which blows air subjected to heat exchange between the air and a user side heat exchanger into a room to be conditioned by an indoor side blower comprises a user side controller which controls a revolution speed of the indoor side blower based on the present temperature in the room and a set temperature, and this controller raises the revolution speed of the indoor side blower in a case where an outside air temperature is not higher than a predetermined revolution speed rise temperature during a heating operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroaki Unagida, Masato Watanabe
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Patent number: 9016077Abstract: A refrigerator includes a low-temperature storage compartment damper to control supply of cool air to a low-temperature storage compartment, a high-temperature storage compartment damper to control supply of hot air to a high-temperature storage compartment, and a controller to control the low-temperature storage compartment damper to be opened and the high-temperature storage compartment damper to be closed while controlling a compressor and blowing fan to be driven so that the temperature of the low-temperature storage compartment reaches a low set temperature, to control the driving of the compressor and blowing fan to be stopped and the low-temperature storage compartment damper to be closed when the temperature of the low-temperature storage compartment reaches the low set temperature, and to control a defrosting heater and the blowing fan to be driven and the high-temperature storage compartment damper to be opened when the supply of cool air is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sung Ho Cho, Chang Hern Lee
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Publication number: 20150033779Abstract: A multi-split air or ground source heat pump system designed to provide a residential application with space heating and cooling, along with supplemental hydronic heating and potable water preheating. The supplemental hydronic heating supports applications like radiant floor heating and heating swimming pools. Commercially, the multi-split air or ground source heat pump system expands on this technology to incorporate comfort and/or process heating, cooling, and hydronic heating applications utilizing multiple types of energy sources.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventor: Karl J. Seggerman
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Patent number: 8939824Abstract: An air moving device includes an inlet for receiving airflow, an apparatus for cooling the received airflow, an apparatus for moving the airflow, an outlet for exhausting the cooled airflow, at least one louver positioned to direct the cooled airflow exhausted from the outlet, and a motor attached to the louver. The air moving device also includes a controller for controlling the motor to thereby vary a position of the movable louver to thereby vary a region of influence of the air moving device.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Cullen E. Bash, Chandrakant Patel
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Patent number: 8903553Abstract: A method and system for controlling a unitary room air conditioner and for reducing peak loads can comprise a communications transceiver coupled to a relay or switch. This relay or switch can control the flow of electricity to a compressor of the air conditioner. The communications transceiver can receive signals which may direct the communications transceiver to open or close the relay or switch. In this way, the compressor can be controlled independent of the air conditioner's control logic. In other words, the operation of the compressor can be controlled with signals which originate outside of the unitary air conditioner and independent of the air conditioner's own internal control logic.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Comverge, Inc.Inventors: Wendell Miyaji, John Rossi
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Publication number: 20140260385Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus includes a centrifugal compressor, a capacity control mechanism that controls a capacity of the compressor by changing an opening degree of the capacity control mechanism, an expansion mechanism that reduces a pressure of a refrigerant, and a controller. The controller calculates an opening degree of the expansion mechanism using compressor capacity as one of a plurality of indices of change in load. The compressor capacity is obtained from a current rotation number of the compressor, an opening degree of the capacity control mechanism, and a divergence rate of a current operation head from a surge region.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicants: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD., DAIKIN APPLIED AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Nobuhiro UMEDA, Takatoshi TAKIGAWA, Fumiaki ONODERA, Nobutoshi KOZONO, Yasutaka TAKADA, Tsubasa NISHIO
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Publication number: 20140182833Abstract: A ventilation system for a building in some cases includes a main HVAC blower for moving temperature-conditioned air through the building plus a smaller ventilation blower for providing fresh air. A controller regulates the ventilation blower's speed to provide a target ventilation flow rate regardless of changes in the pressure differential between the indoor and outdoor air. To ensure that the target rate is appropriate for a particular building, the target flow rate is determined based on a ventilation setting that reflects a specified number of bedrooms and a specified amount of floor space of the building.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2014Publication date: July 3, 2014Inventors: Robert W. Helt, Roy Randall Crawford
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Patent number: 8739564Abstract: A method for controlling a fan in a vehicle includes comparing the current temperature of at least a first device and a second device to multiple temperature ranges for each of said devices and determining on the basis of said comparisons whether fan speed should be changed, increasing fan speed to a maximum fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that the maximum fan speed is desired, increasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if at least one of the comparisons indicates that an increase in fan speed less than the maximum fan speed is desired, and decreasing fan speed to a reference fan speed if the comparisons indicate that a decrease in fan speed is desired.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2008Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Gregory A. Major, Lawrence P. Ziehr, William R. Hill, Thomas K. Lockwood, Todd M. Tumas
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Patent number: 8726680Abstract: A refrigerator is provided having a refrigeration system including a variable speed compressor, a condenser, a condenser fan, an evaporator, a variable speed evaporator fan. The refrigerator further includes multiple temperature sensors that communicate with an electronic microprocessor-based control system that in turn controls the operation of the refrigerator system based on the information provided by the multiple temperature sensors.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Dennis Schenk, Karl M. Truitt
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Patent number: 8701428Abstract: A refrigerator and a method for controlling the same are provided. More particularly, the refrigerator is provided with a dispenser having a cavity for a cup, dispenser doors that open and close the cavity, and a door driver positioned in the dispenser that drives the dispenser doors. The dispenser doors may be automatically controlled to open and close, thereby improving cleanliness and an exterior appearance of the refrigerator by reducing dust accumulation in the dispenser during periods of non-use.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Nam Gyo Lee, Kyung Seok Kim
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Publication number: 20140075977Abstract: An air conditioning system comprises a housing defining a first airflow path therein between an outside air inlet over a cooling coil and an outlet for delivering outside air from said outside air inlet over said coil to the outlet, a second airflow path between a return air inlet over the cooling coil and to the outlet for delivering return air over the cooling coil, and a third airflow path between the return air inlet and the outlet for delivering return air through the housing without passing over the cooling coil. The system includes outside, return, and bypass air dampers that are sequentially moveable between open and closed positions for directing air through or preventing air from entering the first, second, and third airflow paths, respectively. A controller independently controls the opening and closing of each damper in response to data received from the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: CONSOLIDATED ENERGY SOLUTIONS INC.Inventors: Bryan Elliott, Phillip Walker, Marty Robbins, Allen Payne
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Patent number: 8651391Abstract: An energy saving air quality control system modulates supply fan speed by use of controlled, variable-frequency drive controls for automatic dampers or suction pressure to maintain adequate air flow across the evaporator coil at partial cooling loads. Indexing the fan speed to maintain the suction pressure of the energized coil controls the maximum relative humidity of the conditioned space. Demand ventilation in the system balances air quality and energy consumption by controlling the outdoor air damper in response to indoor CO2 and humidity levels.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2009Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Inventor: Ronald Harrison Patch
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Publication number: 20140033751Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a modular fluid-handling system may include an air-handling and mixing unit and a cooling unit. The air-handling and mixing unit may include an air mover plenum and a first mixing plenum. The air mover plenum may have an air mover configured to move air and the air mover plenum may air mover plenum may be configured to be in fluid communication with an outside environment via a first damper and configured to be in fluid communication with a primary structure. The first mixing plenum may be configured to be in fluid communication with the air mover plenum via a second damper and configured to be in fluid communication with the outside environment via a third damper.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2012Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.Inventors: Mark Bailey, Ty Schmitt
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Patent number: 8596079Abstract: A system for regulating gas flow for a computer room containing computer components includes vents configured to direct gas from a gas supply toward the computer components, sensors disposed and configured to provide information regarding at least a first property associated with the computer components, and a controller coupled to the sensors and the vents and configured to effect a change in gas flow through a second one of the vents in accordance with a first value of the first property associated with a first of the computer components.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2005Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: American Power Conversion CorporationInventor: Jeffrey S. Beam
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Patent number: 8569989Abstract: A pulse width modulation (PWM) fan controller is used for an electronic device. The PWM fan controller includes a number of PWM signal generators, a number of PWM signal output elements, and a control unit. The control unit includes a number of outputs. An input of each PWM signal generator is electrically connected to a corresponding output of the control unit. An input of each PWM signal output element is electrically connected to an output of a corresponding PWM signal generator. An output of each PWM signal output element is electrically connected to a corresponding fan of the electronic device. The control unit is configured to control the PWM signal generators to sequentially generate a PWM signal to drive a corresponding fan to rotate in a preset time.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kang Wu
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Patent number: 8555660Abstract: An operation unit for a vehicle air conditioner includes a display device, a setting input portion of a control parameter of the air conditioner other than a set temperature, an obtaining portion configured to obtain a present set value of the control parameter, and an operating state identification portion configured to identify whether an air-conditioning operating state is in a plurality of predetermined operating states of the air conditioner. In the operation unit, a moving pattern of a pointer of the display device is changed according to the operating state of the air conditioner. For example, a pointer operation control portion can be configured to control an operation of a pointer driving motor such that the pointer moves on a dial of the display device at different moving speeds according to the air-conditioning operating state.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignees: Denso Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenichi Takenaka, Kuniharu Kutsuna, Kazumutsu Azuma, Hiroki Iwashita, Yuji Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20130192283Abstract: A refrigerant circuit device includes a compressor, a heat exchanger that is capable of exchanging heat between the refrigerant and a heat medium, and other components that are connected by pipes, in which the refrigerant circuit circulates a refrigerant. A heat medium circulating circuit circulates the heat medium in the heat exchanger. At least the compressor is housed in an outdoor unit, at least the heat exchanger is housed in a heat medium relay unit, and an indoor unit is housed in a use side heat exchanger. The outdoor unit, the heat medium relay unit, and the indoor unit are formed separately and can be disposed in separate positions. A housing of the heat medium relay unit has an opening that allows ventilation between the housing space of the heat exchanger related to heat medium and the space outside the housing space.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2010Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto
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Patent number: 8484988Abstract: A heating/cooling system includes a closed circuit refrigeration system including an evaporator. Water circulating through a closed water circuit exchanges heat with refrigerant in the evaporator, cooling the water for a cooling application. The water can also be heated by a boiler, and the heated water is used to heat a space. A water pump flows the water through the water circuit. When a current sensing relay detects a power failure, a boiler control algorithm is initiated to “trick” a motor of the compressor into believing the heating/cooling system is operating in a heating mode. Therefore, a compressor failure alarm is not generated. The water pump is powered by a battery pack during the power failure. Water continues to flow through the water circuit, preventing the water from freezing.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Arthur F. Friday, Jr., Thomas C. Pietrowicz
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Publication number: 20130133350Abstract: This discloses apparatuses for cooling individual server racks or electrical enclosures. These devices maintain target enclosure temperatures within plus or minus 1 or 2 degrees F. The devices employ industrial cooling using staged cooling towers to evaporatively reach temperatures below the wet bulb temperature of the ambient air. Methods for using such apparatuses are disclosed as well.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2013Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: R4 Ventures, LLCInventor: R4 Ventures, LLC
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Patent number: 8448460Abstract: A chiller bypass system is provided for deployment onboard a vehicle that includes a battery pack through which a first coolant is circulated. In one embodiment, the chiller bypass system comprises a chiller, a chiller bypass duct fluidly coupled to the battery pack and configured to supply the first coolant thereto, and a chiller bypass valve. The chiller bypass valve includes: (i) a valve inlet fluidly coupled to the battery pack and configured to receive the first coolant therefrom, (ii) a first valve outlet fluidly coupled to the chiller and configured to supply the first coolant thereto, and (iii) a second valve outlet fluidly coupled to the chiller bypass duct and configured to supply the first coolant thereto. The chiller bypass valve selectively directs coolant flow between the first valve outlet and the second valve outlet to adjust the volume of the first coolant cooled by the chiller.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2008Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Michael J. Dogariu, Christopher C. Nyeholt
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Publication number: 20130118551Abstract: There is provided a cooling control apparatus including a measurement unit that acquires a measured value of a power generation amount of a solar cell, and a cooling control unit that controls an intensity of cooling performed by a cooling mechanism of the solar cell in accordance with a relation between an expected value of the power generation amount of the solar cell and a measured value obtained by the measurement unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2012Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: Sony CorporationInventor: Sony Corporation
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Patent number: 8434316Abstract: A compressor inlet pressure estimation apparatus for a refrigeration cycle system is disclosed. An electronic control unit 14 answers YES by judging that the command to start a compressor 2 is issued when an air-conditioning switch is turned on in step S100. After that, the electronic control unit 14 answers NO in the case where a timer count time Tc is shorter than a predetermined time T1 in step S120. At the same time, Tefin_C is set to 15° C. in step S130. The lower one of Tefin_C and Tefin determined in this way is determined as Tefin_d (step S150). After that, Tefin_d is input to the first-order lag function to acquire Tefin_AD(N). Then, the control proceeds to step S170, where the estimated value Ps_es(N) of the refrigerant inlet pressure of the compressor 2 is determined using Tefin_AD(N) and Gr.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2008Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshikatsu Sawada, Yasutane Hijikata
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Publication number: 20130098090Abstract: An air-conditioning unit for a vehicle that has an idling stop function, may include: a blower fan configured to blow air; a first air-outlet port configured to permit air blown from the blower fan toward a first portion of a vehicle cabin; a second air-outlet port configured to permit air blown from the blower fan toward a second portion of the vehicle cabin; and an air-conditioning controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATIONInventor: CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION
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Publication number: 20130086928Abstract: A refrigerator includes a low-temperature storage compartment damper to control supply of cool air to a low-temperature storage compartment, a high-temperature storage compartment damper to control supply of hot air to a high-temperature storage compartment, and a controller to control the low-temperature storage compartment damper to be opened and the high-temperature storage compartment damper to be closed while controlling a compressor and blowing fan to be driven so that the temperature of the low-temperature storage compartment reaches a low set temperature, to control the driving of the compressor and blowing fan to be stopped and the low-temperature storage compartment damper to be closed when the temperature of the low-temperature storage compartment reaches the low set temperature, and to control a defrosting heater and the blowing fan to be driven and the high-temperature storage compartment damper to be opened when the supply of cool air is stopped.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2012Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
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Patent number: 8387890Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method, system, and apparatus to provide thermal management control. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving, by a control mechanism, a plurality of temperature representative signals from a plurality of temperature sensors, receiving a command signal from the control mechanism by an output weighting matrix mechanism, and controlling at least one thermal cooling device with at least one weighted output signal from the output weighting matrix mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Michael Crocker, Tod Byquist
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Publication number: 20120152514Abstract: A heating system includes: a heat generation unit which generates heat using electricity supplied through a second power system of a lower electricity rate; a heat storage unit which stores heat generated by the heat generation unit; a heat radiation unit which radiates heat stored in the heat storage unit; and a control unit which causes, when receiving a signal from a power supplier indicating that a supply of electricity through the second power system is to be stopped after an elapse of a predetermined period of time, the heat generation unit generates additional heat that is required while the supply of electricity through the second power system being suspended, during a period of time from when the signal is received to when the supply of electricity through the second power system is stopped.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichi Takasaki, Atsushi Kakimoto, Akira Hochi
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Patent number: 8191793Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method, system, and apparatus to provide thermal management control. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving, by a control mechanism, a plurality of temperature representative signals from a plurality of temperature sensors, receiving a command signal from the control mechanism by an output weighting matrix mechanism, and controlling at least one thermal cooling device with at least one weighted output signal from the output weighting matrix mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Tod A. Byquist, Michael T. Crocker
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Patent number: 8172655Abstract: An air conditioner includes an air conditioning module and a wireless access module. The air conditioning module has at least one blade for controlling the wind direction of the air conditioning module. The wireless access module has at least one antenna. The antenna is disposed on the blade.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2008Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.Inventor: Ming-Yen Liu
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Patent number: 8042347Abstract: A compressor inlet pressure estimation apparatus for a refrigeration cycle system is disclosed. An electronic control unit 14 uses Tefin_lag(N) as an actual corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) during a period Tp1 included in the timing t1 to t2. During a period Tp2 included in the timing t1 to t2, Tefin_fwd(N) is used as the actual corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N). Thus, a highly accurate corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) can be determined over the on period (t1 to t2) of a compressor 2. In addition, Tefin_fwd(N) is used as the actual corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) during the off period (t2 to 3) of the compressor 2. As a result, a highly accurate corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) can be determined over the whole period including the on and off periods of the compressor 2. In this way, a highly accurate estimated value Ps_es(N) of the refrigerant inlet pressure of the compressor 2 can be determined.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2008Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshikatsu Sawada, Yasutane Hijikata