Indirect Heat Transfer Liquid, E.g., Brine Patents (Class 62/185)
  • Patent number: 11852388
    Abstract: A heat pump arrangement includes a heat pump device, an evaporator cycle interface for inputting liquid to be cooled into the heat pump device and for outputting cooled liquid out of the heat pump device, a condenser cycle interface for inputting liquid to be heated into the heat pump device and for outputting heated liquid out of the heat pump device, a controllable heat exchanger for controllably coupling the evaporator cycle interface and the condenser cycle interface, and a control for controlling the controllable heat exchanger in dependence on an evaporator cycle temperature in the evaporator cycle interface or a condenser cycle temperature in the condenser cycle interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: EFFICIENT ENERGY GMBH
    Inventors: Oliver Kniffler, Jürgen Süss
  • Patent number: 11817334
    Abstract: A system of processing a substrate includes substrate-processing chambers; target components of temperature control disposed in the respective substrate-processing chambers; a chiller to supply a first temperature-controlling medium with a first flow rate and a second temperature-controlling medium with a second flow rate into the target components; flow controllers connected to the respective target components, each flow controller being configured to independently control a ratio of the first flow rate to the second flow rate to be fed into the corresponding target component from the chiller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Haruka Kaneko, Takehiko Arita, Hayato Sakai
  • Patent number: 11731483
    Abstract: A temperature adjustment circuit includes a first temperature adjustment circuit and a second temperature adjustment circuit in which a control device is configured to switch between a circulation state where a heat-transfer medium is circulated through a connection circuit in which the first temperature adjustment circuit and the second temperature adjustment circuit are connected to each other and a non-circulation state where the heat-transfer medium is not circulated through the connection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsu Miyamoto, Toshikatsu Katagiri, Kengo Aoki, Naoki Fujihara, Ayumu Uno, Kenta Sugitate, Takeshi Otani
  • Patent number: 11724623
    Abstract: A system for cooling a battery of an electrified vehicle includes a vehicle air-conditioning system having a first cooling circuit in which a first cooling medium circulates, a second cooling circuit in which a second cooling medium circulates, a cooling unit in thermal contact with the battery, wherein the second cooling medium flows through the cooling unit, and with a heat exchanger through which the first and second cooling media flow in separate channels which are in thermal contact, wherein in the heat exchanger, heat is discharged from the second cooling medium towards the first cooling medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Claus Schmitz, Gerd Wittmacher
  • Patent number: 11662106
    Abstract: This document describes a high efficiency dehumidification system (HEDS) and method of operating the same. The HEDS systems and physical implementations can include a variety of equipment, such as fans, filtration systems, fluid-conveying coils, piping or tubing, heat transfer coils, vents, louvers, dampers, valves, fluid chillers, fluid heaters, or the like. Any of the implementations described herein can also include controls and logic, responsive to one or more sensors or other input devices, for controlling the equipment for each implementation described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventor: Scot M. Duncan
  • Patent number: 11629867
    Abstract: This document describes a high efficiency dehumidification system (HEDS) and method of operating the same. The HEDS systems and physical implementations can include a variety of equipment, such as fans, filtration systems, fluid-conveying coils, piping or tubing, heat transfer coils, vents, louvers, dampers, valves, fluid chillers, fluid heaters, or the like. Any of the implementations described herein can also include controls and logic, responsive to one or more sensors or other input devices, for controlling the equipment for each implementation described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Scot M. Duncan
  • Patent number: 11618344
    Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes a cabin thermal loop, a battery thermal loop, a parallel valve assembly, and a controller. The cabin thermal loop includes a first chiller in fluid communication with a vehicle cabin. The battery thermal loop includes a second chiller in fluid communication with a high-voltage battery. The parallel valve assembly selectively links the cabin and battery thermal loops and includes a three-way valve and a conduit system arranged with one another to selectively link the first chiller and the second chiller to deliver cooling capacity to the battery. The controller is programmed to, responsive to detection of an available amount of cabin thermal loop cooling capacity exceeding a detected passenger vehicle cabin cooling capacity request, output a command to the parallel valve assembly to release the excess cooling capacity from the cabin thermal loop to cool the HV battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Szkrybalo, Hamish Lewis, Dinakara Karanth
  • Patent number: 11613164
    Abstract: A heat pump system for a vehicle may include first and second cooling apparatuses; a battery module; and a controller electrically connected to the first and second cooling apparatuses, the battery module, and an air conditioner apparatus to selectively control the first and second cooling apparatuses, the battery module, or the air conditioner apparatus according to a vehicle mode, wherein the heat exchanger provided in the air conditioner apparatus is connected to each of the first and second coolant lines to enable the coolants circulating in the first and second cooling apparatuses to pass through the heat exchanger, and a refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger is selectively condensed or evaporated depending on the vehicle mode through mutual heat exchange with the coolant supplied from any one of the first coolant line and the second coolant line, or the coolants supplied through the first and second coolant lines, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Yeonho Kim, Jae Yeon Kim, Wan Je Cho
  • Patent number: 11460226
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for freeze point suppression cycle control are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a method of freeze point suppression cycle control. The method may include flowing a liquid to a first sensor; the liquid may include a mixture of a melted solid and a freeze point suppressant. The method may include determining an indicator value of a freeze point suppressant property of the liquid utilizing the first sensor. The method may include controlling a flow of the liquid to a separator utilizing a flow controller based on at least the determined indicator value of the freeze point suppressant property of the liquid; the separator may form a concentrated freeze point suppressant from the liquid. Freeze point suppression cycle control systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Rebound Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Goldfarbmuren, Luke Erickson, Josh Nelson
  • Patent number: 11407282
    Abstract: The invention concerns an installation for the thermal conditioning of a passenger compartment and/or at least one component of a motor vehicle, comprising a first circuit (1) for circulating a heat transfer fluid, a second circuit (2) for circulating a refrigerant fluid, capable of forming a heat pump type circuit, the heat transfer fluid circuit comprising heating and/or cooling means (M1, M2, M3) for at least one component of a motor vehicle, means (S1, S2) for storing calories and/or frigories, a first exchanger (E1) forming an evaporator and capable of exchanging heat with the refrigerant circuit, and means for circulating the heat transfer fluid capable of drawing the frigories and/or calories from the storage means (S1, S2) or the first exchanger (E1), so as to transfer them to the heating and/or cooling means (M1, M2, M3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Fabrice Chopard, Hélder Filipe De Campos Garcia, Mathieu Leborgne
  • Patent number: 11306871
    Abstract: A cryogenic system as well as a method of generating a pressurized, sub-cooled mixed-phase cryogen and a method of delivering such a cryogen to a cryoprobe are disclosed. In an embodiment, the cryogenic system includes a reservoir containing a liquid cryogen and a sub-cooling coil immersed in the liquid cryogen. The cryogen is supplied to the sub-cooling coil and is cooled under pressure to produce a pressurized mixed phase cryogen within the sub-cooling coil. This pressurized mixed phase cryogen is provided via supply line to a cryo-device for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: CPSI Holdings LLC
    Inventors: John M. Baust, Joshua T. Smith, Anthony T. Robilotto, Jennie F. McKain
  • Patent number: 11186164
    Abstract: A thermal management system for an electric drive system, preferably for a vehicle, includes an electric drive including an electric motor and power electronics. The electric motor and the power electronics are integrated in a cooling circuit and are cooled by a coolant circulating in the cooling circuit. The coolant is circulated by a coolant pump. In the case of a variable thermal management system, the electric motor and the power electronics are in spatial contact with respective cooling units. The cooling units of the electric motor and of the power electronics are arranged parallel to each other and an electrically controlled coolant distributor is positioned between the coolant pump and the cooling units which coolant distributor has two outlets. One outlet leads to the cooling unit of the electric motor and one outlet leads to the cooling unit of the power electronics and the outlets of the cooling units are merged into a channel and led back to the coolant pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Gramann, Jochen Reith, Juergen Faber, Nicolai Gramann
  • Patent number: 11143425
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a blower configured to provide a flow of air into a conditioned space. A temperature sensor measures a discharge air temperature of the flow of air provided to the conditioned space. A controller of the HVAC system determines that heating or cooling mode operation is not requested. Following this determination, the blower provides the flow of air at a predefined flow rate. The controller determines that the measured discharge air temperature satisfies predefined stability criteria associated with a change in the discharge air temperature during the first period of time being less than a threshold value. If the stability criteria are satisfied, a temperature offset is determined between the discharge air temperature and an indoor temperature. The temperature offset is stored in a lookup table such that the temperature offset is associated with the flow rate of air provided by the blower and the outdoor temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Payam Delgoshaei, Glenn W. Kowald
  • Patent number: 11039556
    Abstract: Approaches presented herein enable cooling a data center with a cooling system having a relatively high coolant temperature. This cooling system is controlled by a building management system and includes piping through which coolant flows, an air cooling unit in thermal contact with the coolant, and a chiller to cool the coolant to a temperature between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius as instructed by the building management system. The building management system uses a chiller controller to vary the chilling of coolant within a range of 18-22 degrees Celsius, thereby controlling the air temperature within the data center to within a required temperature range. Because the building management system maintains the coolant temperature to 18-22 degrees Celsius, the cooling system can be simplified by excluding typical cooling system components such as variable flow control valves and their controllers. This simplification decreases the need for maintenance and reduces operating cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wally Karrat, Lin Heng Lee, Daniel Pare
  • Patent number: 10995993
    Abstract: Thermal recuperation methods, systems, and devices are provided. The methods, systems, and/or devices may provide for: introducing a first fluid into at least a portion of a tank containing a solid; exchanging heat between the solid contained within the tank and the first fluid as the first fluid passes at least around or through the solid; extracting the heated first fluid from at least the portion of the tank containing the solid; and/or passing the heated first fluid with respect to a heat exchanger thermally coupled with a second fluid. The heated first fluid may be cooled as it passes with respect to the heat exchanger and heat may be thermally recuperated between the solid and the second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Rebound Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Muren, Luke Erickson
  • Patent number: 10960727
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner includes: a refrigerant circuit which includes a compressor, an external heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an evaporator; and a cooling fan. The vehicle air conditioner further includes: a refrigerant temperature detection part; a vehicle environment temperature detection part; and a controller. The refrigerant temperature detection part is configured to determine the temperature of a refrigerant which flows into the expansion valve. The vehicle environment temperature detection part is configured to determine a temperature outside the refrigerant circuit under an installation environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Ishida, Hiroshi Maeda, Masaki Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 10823478
    Abstract: A modular cooling/heating device includes a thermal plant such as a micro-refrigeration system with an integrated heater for providing remote, on-site cooling/heating to an insulated enclosure defining a modular cooling volume by exchanging a liquid thermal-transfer medium, such as available tap water or alcohol-glycol mixture, with a thermal exchanger disposed within the insulated enclosure. A thermal source adapted for thermal exchange with a fluidic transfer medium combined with an engageable fluidic coupling between the thermal source and the thermal exchanger provides for detachable engagement of the thermal exchanger in a verity of contexts. The thermal exchange may take the form of a flexible, fluid carrying pouch, or a rigid thermal vessel having substantial vacuum and phase-change lining features for thermal inertia. Both may be combined with an integrated, insulated enclosure including the battery and thermal source as a combined, portable package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Inventor: Benjamin S. Williams
  • Patent number: 10687635
    Abstract: Refrigerative shelving arrangement comprising a heat-absorbing shelf (10) formed from a panel having first and second main faces containing plural passages (50) for conveying a working fluid in both liquid and gaseous states around an interior portion of the shelf (10); and a condenser (35) in fluid communication with the heat-absorbing shelf (10), wherein the heat-absorbing shelf (10) and the condenser (35) form a hermetically sealed system configured to allow the working fluid to circulate between the heat-absorbing shelf (10) and the condenser (35) without a compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Flint Engineering Limited
    Inventors: Hussam Jouhara, Savvas Tassou
  • Patent number: 10558182
    Abstract: A system for light commercial building solutions (LCBS). Solutions and other systems may incorporate lightweight alerting service, auto-adjustment of gateway poll rates based on the needs of various consuming applications, detecting loss of space comfort control in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, HVAC capacity loss alerting using relative degree days and accumulated stage run time with operational equivalency checks, and HVAC alerting for loss of heat or cool capacity using delta temperature and dependent system properties. Also, incorporated may be triggering s subset of analytics by automatically inferring HVAC equipment details from controller configuration details, ensuring reliability of analytics by retaining logical continuity of HVAC equipment operational data even when controllers and other parts of the system are replaced, and an LCBS gateway with workflow and mechanisms to associate to a contractor account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Wacker
  • Patent number: 10493819
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger cabin, an inverter, and a coolant system having conduit arranged to circulate coolant through the inverter and an evaporator. A refrigerant system includes a condenser and conduit arranged to circulate refrigerant through the condenser and through the evaporator to absorb heat generated by the inverter. A climate control system is arranged to circulate an airstream through the condenser and into the cabin to heat the cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Zenner, Daniel Benjamin Kok, Kenneth J. Jackson, Serdar Hakki Yonak
  • Patent number: 10222119
    Abstract: A cold-shed may be deployed in areas with little or no electrical infrastructure in order to provide a cold storage area for perishable goods including agricultural, dairy products, medicines, vaccines, etc. A wireless communication device may be installed in the cold-shed to allow remote management, access control, and monitoring of the cold-shed devices, including cooling units, solar power cells, batteries, power conditioners, and a variety of sensors to determine internal and external temperatures, door positions, and other information. A mobile device configured to communicate with the wireless communication device may receive information and updates via cellular networks or text messaging. The mobile device may also be used to change temperature settings, lock and unlock doors, conduct inventory management and auditing, and make other changes. The corresponding application allows an owner to manage and monitor many cold-sheds from a single mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: Mohsen Rezayat
  • Patent number: 10161665
    Abstract: A refrigerator cooling system and method provides cooling to one or more features of a refrigerator by employing a secondary cooling loop that utilizes the excess cooling capacity of an evaporator to selectively provide supplemental cooling to the features when a thermal demand arises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Guolian L. Wu
  • Patent number: 10012418
    Abstract: A refrigeration system and a method eliminate compressor-generated noise within a predetermined interval during operation of the refrigerator system wherein an interior of a refrigerator normally is maintained within a desired cool temperature range by operation of a compressor-driven refrigeration device. A thermo-electric refrigeration device is placed in communication with the interior of the refrigerator for cooling the interior of the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Paul Storch
  • Patent number: 9995520
    Abstract: An evaporator apparatus comprising at least one container configured to maintain liquid for freezing and a plurality of heat transfer compartments configured around the at least one container to allow for the flow of cold anti-freeze in order to freeze the liquid and warm anti-freeze in order to thaw frozen blocks of ice contained within the evaporator apparatus. A lever integrated into the body of the evaporator to allow for rotation of the evaporation in order to harvest the frozen blocks of ice. The evaporator further including, at least one inlet opening to allow for the inflow of anti-freeze into the plurality of heat transfer compartments and at least one outlet opening to allow for the discharge of anti-freeze from the evaporator apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Inventor: Hani Toma
  • Patent number: 9638453
    Abstract: A method for freezing a plurality of conditioning tubes is provided, each tube filled with a predetermined volume of biological substance, including arranging each conditioning tube directly into a conditioning unit placed in a cooling enclosure then causing the enclosure to be passed through by a flow of cooling agent and simultaneously driving the conditioning unit (6) in rotation, and providing the unit (6) with a greater capacity than the plurality of tubes; wherein the step of arranging each tube directly in a unit is carried out by placing the plurality of tubes into the unit, and the step of driving the unit in rotation is implemented by setting each tube in motion with respect to the unit and with respect to the other tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: IMV TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Christian Beau, Agnes Camus, Eric Schmitt
  • Patent number: 9554490
    Abstract: A control system for providing thermal management of electronic equipment housed in a cabinet enclosure. The system can include a plurality of sensors in proximity to the cabinet enclosure for monitoring a temperature, a pressure and a humidity associated with the electronic equipment; and a controller in communication with the sensors for receiving data from the sensors, where the controller adjusts the temperature, the pressure and the humidity associated with the electronic equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: BASELAYER TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: George Slessman
  • Patent number: 9141117
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for thermally controlling a plurality of devices of a system using an element. The element is controlled in accordance with a first control strategy via a processor if a temperature of a first device of the plurality of devices is within a first range, a temperature of a second device of the plurality of devices is within a second range, and an inlet temperature of the system is within a third range. The element is controlled via the processor in accordance with a second control strategy via the processor if the temperature of the first device is not within the first range, the temperature of the second device is not within the second range, or the inlet temperature is not within the third range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Stephen L. Shen, Keith D. Buford
  • Patent number: 9140484
    Abstract: A refrigerated point-of-use food holding cabinet keeps food products cold in compartments having cross sections that are substantially U-shaped. Food products are kept refrigerated using heat-absorbing, heat-exchangers thermally coupled to the U-shaped compartment. Refrigeration is provided by a chilled, re-circulating liquid that does not change phase as it circulates but which is chilled by another refrigeration system, such as a conventional refrigeration system. An optional cover helps prevent food flavor transfers between compartments. Semiconductor temperature sensors and a computer effectuate temperature control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: PRINCE CASTLE LLC
    Inventor: Loren Veltrop
  • Patent number: 9137123
    Abstract: An aircraft galley system is configured with a GAIN to GAIN network that allows for data exchange and communication between each GAIN on the system. By omitting reliance on a galley network controller for acquisition of GAIN data, the present system is simpler, lighter, and more cost-effective. Each GAIN may be polled for data by any other GAIN, such as via a data port, dedicated bus, or wireless connection. The data acquisition between the GAIN and a data collection and display device may be wired in network, wired out of network, or through a wireless link such as a Wi-Fi network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: BE Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Birkmann, William J. Godecker, Sebastien A. Ramus
  • Patent number: 9032748
    Abstract: An industrial fluid circulating system having at least one fluid circulation circuit, includes a plurality of pumps connected in parallel to circulate the fluid through each of the fluid circulation circuit, a separate motor driving each pump, a load detector to sense operating loads on the system and each circuit, and a speed control to vary the speed of each motor to thereby vary the pumping capacity of each pump in response to the detected load on the system, each pump of each respective circuit running simultaneously at a substantially similar speed or a predetermined equal reduced speed of the respective circuit or an almost equal reduced speed or a similar reduced speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventors: David Man Chu Lau, Ka Lim Shek
  • Patent number: 9032747
    Abstract: Obtained is an air-conditioning apparatus that is capable of saving energy. A pressure in a passage of the second refrigerant flow switching device in which a refrigerant from an outdoor unit flows into is higher than a pressure in a passage of the second refrigerant flow switching device in which the refrigerant flows out to the outdoor unit regardless of switching states of a first refrigerant flow switching device, the second refrigerant flow switching devices, and a third refrigerant flow switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura, Takeshi Hatomura
  • Patent number: 9010136
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a refrigerating installation, according to which the cooling liquid temperature is controlled and stabilized upstream of the expansion valve, and the suction vapor temperature is controlled and stabilized upstream of the condenser in dry expansion systems, thermosyphon installations, two-stage evaporation installations, dry expansion installations having a downstream internal heat exchanger (IWT), and all other refrigerating systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: BMS-Energietechnik AG
    Inventor: Remo Meister
  • Patent number: 8991200
    Abstract: An air conditioner and a method of operating an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include at least one indoor device, each having an indoor heat exchanger installed therein; at least one outdoor device connected to the at least one indoor device by a refrigerant flow path, and each having a water-refrigerant heat exchanger that provides heat exchange between a refrigerant and heat source water and an outdoor device controller installed therein; a heat source water flow path connected to each water-refrigerant heat exchanger; a pump installed on the heat source water flow path; a variable flow valve installed on the heat source water flow path; a central controller that controls the at least one outdoor device; and a variable flow valve control board that regulates an opening degree of the variable flow valve and a flow rate of heat source water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Junhyeon Hwang, Hongseok Choi, Changhwan Cho
  • Patent number: 8984901
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes: a heat-source-side refrigerant circuit having a heat-source-side compressor, a first usage-side heat exchanger operable as a radiator of heat-source-side refrigerant, and a heat-source-side heat exchanger operable as a radiator of heat-source-side refrigerant; and a usage-side refrigerant circuit having a usage-side compressor, a refrigerant/water heat exchanger operable as a radiator of usage-side refrigerant to heat an aqueous medium, and the first usage-side heat exchanger operable as an evaporator of usage-side refrigerant by radiation of heat-source-side refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignees: Daikin Industries, Ltd., Daikin Europe N.V.
    Inventor: Masahiro Honda
  • Patent number: 8978741
    Abstract: A device for reducing temperature variation in a plenum includes at least one pipe and a plurality of sumps containing a fluid operable to vary between a liquid state and a gaseous state depending upon a temperature of the fluid. The plurality of sumps are positioned at various locations within the plenum and the at least one pipe is in fluid communication with the plurality of sumps. In addition, the fluid, in the gaseous state, is caused to move through the at least one pipe and condense, thereby reducing the temperature at the location of the sump where the fluid was vaporized and thereby reducing temperature variation in the plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ratnesh K. Sharma, Cullen E. Bash, Chandrakant D. Patel, Abdlmonem Beitelmal
  • Patent number: 8943847
    Abstract: To provide an air-conditioning apparatus capable of achieving energy saving. An air-conditioning apparatus controls first heat medium flow switching devices and second heat medium flow switching devices in a heating only operation mode and a cooling only operation mode such that a flow rate through which a heat medium circulates is formed between all of the heat exchangers related to heat medium and at least one of use side heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura, Shinichi Wakamoto, Naofumi Takenaka
  • Patent number: 8939196
    Abstract: A secondary pump-type heat source system includes: heat sources connected in parallel; a load system in which the heat source water flows; a primary pump supplying the heat source water to the load system; a secondary pump provided for each heat source and supplies the heat source water subjected to heat exchange in the load system to the heat source; and a heat source controller calculating flow quantity of the heat source water flowing in the heat source side and flow quantity of the heat source water flowing in the load system side by assigning a result from measurement by a water temperature sensor detecting heat source temperature to an operating characteristic of each heat source and controlling operation of the secondary pumps based on the calculation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Takeru Morita, Yuuji Matsumoto, Seiji Tsukiyama, Manabu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8936071
    Abstract: An aircraft cooling system includes a refrigerant cycle including a first heat exchanger. A liquid cycle passes a liquid through the first heat exchanger, at which it is cooled by a refrigerant in the refrigerant cycle. An air cycle compresses air and delivers the compressed air into a second heat exchanger. The liquid passes through the second heat exchanger at a location downstream of the first heat exchanger. The liquid cools the air in the second heat exchanger. Air downstream of the second heat exchanger passes to be utilized by a use on an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Louis J. Bruno, Douglas L. Christians
  • Patent number: 8910489
    Abstract: A heat pump system for a vehicle includes a water cooled condenser that uses a coolant as a heat exchange media and uses waste heat generated from a motor and an electronic device to improve heating performance, efficiency, and dehumidifying performance. A control method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yong Hyun Choi, Jae Yeon Kim, Yong Woong Cha, Wan Je Cho, Jungha Park, Jaesan Kim, Man Hee Park, Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 8881539
    Abstract: A hybrid storage absorption refrigeration system and method. The system includes a thermal collector, a condenser, an evaporator, a cold storage tank, an absorber, a weak solution tank, a strong solution tank, a refrigerant storage tank, a refrigerant heat exchanger, and a solution heat exchanger. The method includes providing heat from a thermal collector to produce a refrigerant vapor from strong solution, condensing the refrigerant vapor, producing a refrigeration effect in an evaporator, chilling a cold storage medium in a cold storage tank, combining refrigerant vapor with weak solution in an absorber to produce strong solution, storing weak solution, storing strong solution, storing refrigerant, exchanging heat between hot and cold refrigerants in a refrigerant heat exchanger, and exchanging heat between weak solution and strong solution in a solution heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Maged Ahmed El-Shaarawi, Syed Ahmed Said, Farooq Riaz Siddiqui
  • Patent number: 8850830
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a cooling loop that includes a reservoir. The reservoir has a level sensor that is configured to provide a level signal indicative of a coolant level within the reservoir. A temperature sensor is in communication with the cooling loop and is configured to provide a temperature signal. A controller is in communication with the level sensor and the temperature sensor. The controller has a coolant density data. The controller is configured to correct the level signal based upon the temperature signal and detect a leakage condition of the cooling system. A method of determining a coolant amount within a cooling system includes the steps of determining an amount of coolant having a temperature-variable density, determining a coolant temperature, correcting the coolant amount based upon the coolant temperature, and comparing the corrected coolant amount to a desired coolant amount to detect a coolant leakage condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Kurt J. Doughty
  • Patent number: 8844302
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus has at least one intermediate heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant changing in two phases or a refrigerant in a supercritical state and a heat medium such as water and anti-freezing fluid different from the refrigerant, a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a heat-source side heat exchanger, at least one expansion valve, and a refrigerant-side channel of the intermediate heat exchanger are connected via a pipeline through which the refrigerant flows, and a heat-medium circulation circuit in which a heat-medium side channel of the intermediate heat exchanger, a pump, and a use-side heat exchanger are connected via a pipeline through which the heat medium flows, in which in the heat-medium circulation circuit, a fourth temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the heat-medium flowing out of the use-side heat exchanger is provided, and leakage of the heat medium from the heat-medium circulation circuit is detected on the basis of a change amount of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeo Takata
  • Patent number: 8813513
    Abstract: The liquid galley refrigeration system for cooling food carts for aircraft employs an intermediate working fluid to transfer heat from one or more food carts to one or more remote chillers, allowing the carts and chillers to be advantageously distributed in the aircraft. While the chiller working fluid undergoes a phase change in order to transfer heat from the intermediate working fluid to the cooling air, the intermediate working fluid remains in its liquid phase throughout its circulation. A recirculation pump circulates the intermediate working fluid through a distribution system that may link a plurality of chillers to a plurality of food carts, and the temperature of the food carts is regulated by a combination of controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: George Simadiris, Ian Douglas Oswald
  • Patent number: 8800319
    Abstract: Energy saving of a refrigerating cycle device is achieved by equalizing heat-medium inlet temperatures of a plurality of use-side heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Takayama, Yusuke Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20140174115
    Abstract: The disclosure features various embodiments and aspects of a chest for quenching beverages. The chest can include a tank for holding a chilled mixture of ice and water, an ice maker adapted for making ice having an output for ejecting ice into a conduit in fluid communication with the tank, and a plurality of quench trays disposed above the tank for holding containers of beverages located in first and second positions. The trays can be filled with cold water by way of a conduit in fluid communication with the tank. The quench trays can include a compartment defined by a bottom and a plurality of walls, and defining therein a plurality of rows for aligning and containing a plurality of beverage containers. The drawers can further include at least one drain orifice configured to guide water out of the quench tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: Mr. John Lauchnor
  • Patent number: 8752397
    Abstract: In an air-conditioning apparatus, a heat source side heat exchanger 12, intermediate heat exchangers 15a and 15b, and use side heat exchangers 26a to 26d are separately formed and adapted to be disposed at separate locations, respectively. There are provided a defrosting operation function to melt frost attached around the heat source side heat exchanger 12, and a heating function during defrosting operation that drives a pump 21a to circulate a heat medium and supply heating energy to the use side heat exchangers 26a to 26d in need of heating to perform heating operation. The defrosting operation function can be executed by switching a four-way valve 11 to cooling side to introduce a high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant flowed out of the compressor 10 into the heat source side heat exchanger 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura, Takeshi Hatomura
  • Patent number: 8733115
    Abstract: A method for controlling freezing capacity of a variable-frequency freezing AC ice-water system separates the freezing capacity of each individual requirement end so as to reduce sudden or peak concentrating freezing demand and relieve variable-frequency load demand, and defines operating procedures corresponding to different requirement ends, respectively, wherein each of the operating procedures has a corresponding high-low temperature range that can be used as a temperature buffer zone so as to redistribute supply of the freezing capacity to each requirement end, thereby allowing the compressors thereof to operate smoothly and thus achieve energy saving as a result. The drawbacks of damaged pipelines are overcome that cause deficiency in freezing capacity as encountered in prior techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shyang-Yih Chen, Yu-Huan Wang, Chen-Kun Hsu, Ming-Hsien Pan, Pin-Chuan Chen, Ya-Ru Yang, Yan-Shao Lin
  • Patent number: 8701424
    Abstract: A turbo chiller that allows for temperature adjustment even when a target heat load is low is provided. A turbo chiller (11) is equipped with a chiller-side control unit that controls an operation so that a coolant outlet temperature is equal to a desired value. When a target heat load is lower than or equal to a predetermined value, the chiller-side control unit outputs a target coolant flow rate, which satisfies the target heat load, of the coolant on the basis of a current coolant inlet temperature, which is a current temperature of the coolant flowing into an evaporator, and a target coolant outlet temperature, which is a coolant outlet temperature to be targeted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Ueda, Minoru Matsuo
  • Patent number: 8667805
    Abstract: An air conditioner for communication equipment is provided. The air conditioner includes an indoor module disposed at an indoor space of a base station having communication equipment and including an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor ventilator, an outdoor module disposed at an outside of the base station and including an outdoor ventilator, a brine cooling cycle including first and second outdoor brine heat exchangers, and first and second brine coolers, the indoor heat exchanger, and a brine pump, which are connected through a brine pipe, a first refrigerant cooling cycle including an expansion valve, the first brine cooler, a compressor, and a first outdoor refrigerant heat exchanger, which are connected through a first refrigerant pipe, and a second refrigerant cooling cycle including an expansion valve, the second brine cooler, a compressor, and a second outdoor refrigerant heat exchanger, which are connected through a second refrigerant pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Chang Jo 21 Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hee Tae Park
  • Patent number: 8607586
    Abstract: An aircraft galley refrigeration system is provided which, in one embodiment, includes: first and second galleys; a first chiller for providing a first heat transfer fluid to the first galley; a second chiller for providing a second heat transfer fluid to the second galley; and a heat exchanger including a first circuit and a second circuit, the first circuit connecting the first galley with the first chiller, and the second circuit connecting the second galley with the second chiller. In another embodiment, the system includes a first cooling subsystem with a first heat transfer fluid, a second cooling subsystem with a second heat transfer fluid, and a heat exchanger that thermally couples the first and second cooling subsystems for distributing heat between the first and second heat transfer fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Qiao Lu