Indirect Heat Transfer Liquid, E.g., Brine Patents (Class 62/185)
  • Patent number: 5778683
    Abstract: An thermal storage system controller implements a near optimal control strategy for minimizing energy and demand costs. A system performance variable is determined and evaluated under a given set of environmental conditions for selecting one of a plurality of control strategies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co.
    Inventors: Kirk H. Drees, James E. Braun
  • Patent number: 5749234
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a transportable storage cabinet for which the time at which a refrigerant has been frozen can be estimated. According to the present invention, a transportable storage cabinet, which includes a storage chamber wherein goods are stored, a refrigerant for cooling the storage chamber, and a refrigerator for freezing the refrigerant, comprises: power supply detection means for detecting a supply of power to the refrigerator; a timer for measuring elapsed time; and an elapsed time display means for displaying the elapsed time that is obtained by the timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Takano
  • Patent number: 5743110
    Abstract: Unit for distribution and/or collection of cold and/or of heat, including: (a) a main exchanger (1) of heat between a refrigerant fluid (2, 21, 22) and a heat transfer fluid (3); (b) a means for producing cold with a means for heat exchange with the heat transfer fluid; (c) a closed main circuit (3) for continuous free circulation of the heat transfer fluid; (d) at least one heat transfer fluid drawing loop (7 to 11); characterized in that the flow cross-section of the main circuit (3), the maximum refrigerating power of the means for producing cold, Pmax, expressed in W, and the main heat exchanger (1) are sized relative to one another in order to satisfy, in operation, approximately the relationship: P.sub.Max =f.sub.m .times.c.times..DELTA.T, in which: f.sub.m is the mass flow rate of the heat transfer fluid, expressed in kg/s; c is the mass heat of the heat transfer fluid, in liquid form, expressed in J/kg/.degree.K.; .DELTA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Adrien Laude-Bousquet
  • Patent number: 5743102
    Abstract: A commercial refrigeration network including refrigeration system units constructed and arranged for placement in strategic proximity to corresponding product cooling zones within the shopping arena of a food store, each refrigeration unit having a condensing unit rack configured to accommodate the maximum refrigeration loads of its associated zone with an optimum floor space footprint in the shopping arena, and the condensing unit rack including a plurality of multiplexed compressors, condenser and associated high side and low side refrigerant delivery and suction conduits operatively connected to evaporators for cooling the corresponding zone, and the network also including another cooling source remote from said modular refrigeration units and constructed and arranged for circulating a fluid coolant in heat exchange relationship with the condenser to obtain optimum condensing and efficiency of said evaporators in cooling the corresponding zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventors: Charles D. Thomas, Terry J. Broccard, Wayne G. Schaeffer, Doron Shapiro
  • Patent number: 5735133
    Abstract: Uncomfortable air temperatures in an air conditioned vehicle immediately following start up of the air conditioning system or when the air conditioning system compressor is being driven at low speeds are avoided in a cooling system including a blower (22) for blowing air into a compartment (10). An air/liquid heat exchanger (30) is located at the outlet (34) of the blower (22) for cooling air received from the blower (22). The system includes a compressor (50), an expansion device (58), a condenser (54) and a liquid/refrigerant evaporator (64) for expanding refrigerant and cooling a liquid coolant which is circulated through a thermal storage device (92) and the heat exchanger (30) by a pump (86). Upon system start up, or when the compressor (50) is being driven at low speed, the coolant is cooled by the thermal storage device (92) to provide a means of cooling air from the blower (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Mark G. Voss, Alan P. Meissner, Joseph R. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 5727393
    Abstract: A non-compressible coolant fluid system for cooling product merchandisers having heat transfer means constructed and arranged for maintaining preselected product zone temperatures, comprising an integrated closed circuit system having pumping means for circulating non-compressible coolant fluid, a first coolant fluid loop between the pumping means and the heat transfer means and including means for cooling coolant fluid in said first loop, a second coolant fluid loop between the pumping means and the heat transfer means in by-pass relation with the first loop and including means for heating coolant fluid in the second loop, and means for selectively controlling coolant fluid circulation by said pumping means through the first and second loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: Mahmoud Mahmoudzadeh
  • Patent number: 5724825
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic temperature controlling system for semiconductor process, when one of the chillers in the temperature controlling system is out of order, then another chiller will automatically take over the function of the broken one by using the second temperature controlling path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Mosel Vitelic Inc.
    Inventors: Wen Hong Lee, Thomas Chang, Simon Chang
  • Patent number: 5718122
    Abstract: An air conditioning system is provided by combining a first air conditioning device for processing mainly a sensible heat load, a second air conditioning device using desiccant for dehumidification of the air, and a heat pump as a heat source, so that not only the cooling tower is no longer necessary but a significantly higher coefficient of performance is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventor: Kensaku Maeda
  • Patent number: 5682752
    Abstract: Refrigerant management control is provided for an air conditioning system (10) with cool thermal energy storage. The system includes a compressor (18), a condensing unit (12), a temporary refrigerant storage vessel (28), a storage module (14) containing a thermal energy storage medium (35), a liquid refrigerant pump (42) associated with the storage module, expansion means (62) and an evaporator (16) operatively interconnected. The system is operable in a shift cooling mode, direct cooling mode, and storage medium cooling mode. Before the system is operable in the shift cooling mode, the system is operated in a first transitory mode wherein the storage module (14) is utilized as a heat sink to draw refrigerant from the condensing unit (12), temporary refrigerant storage vessel (28) and evaporator (16) into the storage module (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Dean
  • Patent number: 5666817
    Abstract: An energy transfer system is provided for a refrigeration appliance. The energy transfer system includes a fluid passage disposed in the housing of the appliance for enabling the transfer of a fluid into, through, and out of the housing. The fluid is contained in a vessel which can be disposed outside of the home or underground so that the fluid is cooled by the outside air or by the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Edward R. Schulak
    Inventors: Edward R. Schulak, J. Benjamin Horvay
  • Patent number: 5600960
    Abstract: A method of minimizing energy use in a chiller and cooling tower system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: determining a measure of chiller efficiency; determining a measure of cooling tower efficiency; determining a measure of the transfer rate of heat energy between the cooling tower and the chiller; calculating a near optimal water temperature as a function of the chiller work efficiency, the cooling tower efficiency and the transfer rate; and operating the cooling tower to provide a conditioned fluid at the temperatures to produce near optimal energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. A. Schwedler, Jon R. Hage, Dennis R. Dorman, Michael J. Stiyer
  • Patent number: 5598716
    Abstract: An ice thermal storage refrigerator unit includes a brine path consisting essentially of a refrigerator, an ice thermal storage tank, a water heat exchanger, a brine pump, and control valves, which are connected by piping, and a cold water path consisting essentially of the water heat exchanger, a cooling load, and a cold water pump, which are connected by piping, so that brine is cooled in the refrigerator, and water in the ice thermal storage tank is frozen by the brine, thereby storing heat, and when heat is to be discharged, the brine is cooled by heat of fusion of the ice in the ice thermal storage tank, and the brine is introduced into the water heat exchanger to cool cold water, thereby taking out a cooling capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Syouji Tanaka, Naoyuki Inoue, Kyoichi Katoh
  • Patent number: 5564284
    Abstract: An improved recycling water cooler for a water cooled refrigeration system comprising first conduits interconnecting the water cooled refrigeration system and the recycling water cooler and the ambient water source for enabling the flow of water therebetween. Second conduits interconnect the water cooled refrigeration system and the recycling water cooler and the drain for enabling the flow of water therebetween. A first and second valve is interposed in the first and second conduits for enabling heated water discharged from the water cooled refrigeration system to enter the recycling water cooler to be cooled thereby and to be returned to the water cooled refrigeration system when the first and second valves are disposed in a first position. The first and second valves interconnect the water cooled refrigeration system to the ambient water source and to a drain for operating the water cooled refrigeration system in a conventional manner when the first and second valves are disposed in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Darrell Pugin
  • Patent number: 5542260
    Abstract: An underfloor cooling system for cooling a building structure has tubing located in or under a massive floor of the structure for circulating water through the system. The water is directed through a cooling means connected to the tubing to cool the water. The cool water is then returned to the tubing to cool the massive floor and passively cool the structure. The cooling means may be a direct evaporative cooler or an evaporative radiative roof spray system. The cooling means may be located outdoors. The system may additionally include active cooling delivery such as at least one fan coil or at least one hydronic panel, through which cool water from the underfloor tubing is circulated to provide cool air to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventors: Richard C. Bourne, David A. Springer
  • Patent number: 5491979
    Abstract: Food stuffs transported in trolleys are cooled on board of an aircraft directly in the trolley which has a heat exchange surface connected to a secondary coolant flow circuit in the trolley. When the trolley is parked in a parking space for example in an aircraft galley, the heat exchange surface of the trolley is in heat exchange contact with a heat exchanger connected to a central primary refrigerant circuit including a refrigerating unit (4). The heat exchange surface of the trolley and a heat exchange surface of the heat exchanger are connected to separate refrigerant circulating circuit, whereby leaks are avoided while the direct surface contact between the two heat exchange surfaces assures a substantially improved efficiency in the heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aerospace Airbus GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Kull, Thomas Scherer, Siegfried Seidler
  • Patent number: 5461877
    Abstract: An air conditioner with coolant pumped from a chiller first through a heat exchange conduit of an outside air heat exchanger to provide a minimum wetted surface temperature when treating undiluted outside air at its current temperature and humidity as it passes through this heat exchanger so to make maximum use of the available potential difference between the outside air and the coolant and therefore to cause maximum dehumidification. The leaving coolant from the outside air heat exchanger is the source of the coolant which then passes to the return air heat exchanger which cools and dehumidifies the return air. The leaving air streams from the return and outside air heat exchangers are mixed to become the supply air for a conditioned room which is economically dehumidified without need to overcool and reheat, nor to curtail the design flow rate of ventilation air and hence without contributing to conditions which are associated with the "sick building syndrome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Luminis Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Allan Shaw, Russell E. Luxton
  • Patent number: 5372014
    Abstract: A cooling system which is modular and capable of maintaining a variety of pre-selected temperatures for a plurality of liquids being dispensed and/or a plurality of spaces being air conditioned. A single refrigerator unit has a chilled glycol distribution line connected thereto and through which the chilled glycol is pumped. One or more cooler modules are tapped into the glycol distribution line at points wherever desired. The modules contain a low boiling refrigerant, a fluid tube carrying a relatively warm fluid (liquid or air), a cooling tube connected to the distribution line run and a flow control valve responsive to pressure changes in the module for permitting flow of chilled glycol thereinto and being adjustable to achieve the desired temperature of the fluid within the fluid tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Perfection Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney W. Adams
  • Patent number: 5363668
    Abstract: To provide an absorption air conditioning system and cooling/heating change-over method which do not make users uncomfortable just after a cooling mode is changed to a heating mode and vice versa, there is provided an absorption air conditioning system including an absorption cool water/hot water making machine for producing cool water/hot water for air conditioning, a room machine for carrying out the air conditioning of a room by circulation of the cool water/hot water from the absorption cool water/hot water making machine, and a piping for introducing the cool water/hot water from the absorption cool water/hot water making machine to the room machine, wherein the system further includes a bypass piping connected between the absorption cool water/hot water making machine and the room machine through a valve, and a means for opening/closing the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nakao, Hiroaki Yoda
  • Patent number: 5337577
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved latent heat extraction combines a run-around coil system with a condenser heat recovery system to enhance the moisture removing capability of a conventional vapor compression air conditioning unit. The run-around coil system exchanges energy between the return and supply air flows of the air conditioning unit. Energy recovered in the condenser heat recovery system is selectively combined with the run-around system energy extracted from the return air flow to reheat the supply air stream for downstream humidity control. A control system regulates the relative proportions of the extracted return air flow energy and recovered heat energy delivered to the reheat coil for efficient control over moisture in the supply air flow. Auxiliary energy in the form of electric heat energy is further added to the recovered heat energy for additional reheat use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Eiermann
  • Patent number: 5318106
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a primary loop with a secondary loop for circulating processing fluids therebetween comprising in combination a first connection for the feed line of the primary loop and a second connection for the return line of the primary loop; a third connection for the feed line of the secondary loop and a fourth connection for the return line of the secondary loop; a crossover line coupling the four connections; first valve means for controlling the flow through the primary loop; first sensor means responsive to the flow across the crossover line to control the first valve means; second valve means in the path of flow through the crossover line; second sensor means responsive to the temperature of the process fluid in the secondary loop to control the second valve means; a common controller for the first and second sensor means adapted to control the first and second valve means as a function of the sensed temperature and flow; and a common controller for the first and second sensor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventors: Donald K. Dorini, Gene D. Krist, Gerald F. Mannion, James R. Mannion
  • Patent number: 5293754
    Abstract: According to this invention, a liquid coolant circulating system includes a cooling tank, a discharge pump, a recovery pump, a heat exchanger, a detector, and a controller. The cooling tank is filled with a liquid coolant for immersing an object to be cooled. The discharge pump is arranged on an inlet side of the cooling tank and supplies a liquid coolant to the cooling tank at a predetermined flow rate. The recovery pump is arranged on an outlet side of the cooling tank and recovers a liquid coolant from the cooling tank. The heat exchanger is arranged on an outlet side of the recovery pump and cools a heated liquid coolant to a predetermined temperature and supplies a cooled liquid coolant to the discharge pump. The detector detects a value related to a pressure in the cooling tank. The controller controls the ability of the recovery pump in response to a detection signal from the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Tsukasa Mizuno
  • Patent number: 5289868
    Abstract: An unit-type air conditioning system is provided to enable low-load operation of an absorption chiller heater, to thereby improve the load responsiveness, and to use such a chiller heater as an outdoor unit. A plurality of burners are provided in a high temperature generator of the absorption chiller heater, thereby enabling the low-load operation. A refrigerant return valve is provided so as to speed up the stop operation. Flow rates of pumps are controlled in accordance with detected values of temperatures in the chiller heater and a load change, thus improving the load responsiveness. Further, in the air conditioning system with this chiller heater serving as an outdoor unit, required operation prediction is performed on the basis of outer signals from load units and the like, and prediction control according to its result is conducted, further improving the load responsiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Koseki, Ryuichi Kaji, Hiroaki Yoda, Takashi Nakao, Tomihisa Ohuchi, Akira Nishiguchi, Daisuke Hisajima, Katsuya Ebara
  • Patent number: 5261251
    Abstract: A temperature control device cools the air in a space bounded by a thermally conductive structure such as a floor structure having embedded coolant pipes. Liquid coolant is provided at a temperature lower than a temperature of the air space, for example using a heat pump to lower the temperature of a coolant in a circulating path or by circulating the coolant through a ground based heat exchanger. Proportionately controllable valves or variably coupled heat exchangers allow regulation of the temperature of the liquid coolant passed through the embedded coolant pipes. A controller such as a microprocessor has outputs coupled to the valves or variable heat exchangers for regulating temperature, and inputs coupled to sensors providing sufficient data to establish the dew point of the air in the room. The controller repetitively establishes the dew point by sensing, for example, air temperature, pressure and relative humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: United States Power Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Galiyano
  • Patent number: 5247811
    Abstract: The present invention includes a heat storage tank (1) with a built-in suction chamber (2), a first heat source unit (R-1) and a first pump (P-1) for pumping up water from the high-temperature side (3) of said heat storage tank (1) and supplying the chilled water into said suction chamber (2), a low-temperature heat exchanger (5) for exchanging heat between water and an antifreeze solution, a second pump (P-2) for pumping up water from said suction chamber (2) and supplying the water chilled by the antifreeze solution in said low-temperature heat exchanger (5) to the low-temperature side (4) of said heat storage tank (1) and a second heat source unit (R-2) and a third pump (P-3) for cooling the antifreeze solution in an antifreeze solution tank (6) and feeding it to said low-temperature heat exchanger (5), and is designed to variably control the flow rates of said first and second pumps (P-1 and P-2) in dependence upon their suction temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Shimizu Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshimi Seya, Seishiro Igarashi, Masaya Tachibana
  • Patent number: 5245835
    Abstract: An interior thermal conditioning method and apparatus with improved zone control is disclosed. The thermal conditioning apparatus, such as a heat pump assembly, generates a desired thermal condition which is conveyed by a thermal distribution medium to a number of zones within a multiple zone building. Each zone includes a heat exchange device for receiving the thermal distribution medium. Each zone also includes a thermostat which is used to set a desired temperature range and to indicate the prevailing temperature. When the prevailing temperature is inconsistent with the desired temperature range, a conditioning request is generated. Rather than immediately responding to the conditioning request, the heat pump controller assesses the temperature of the thermal distribution medium to determine whether it is within a target range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry M. Cohen, Andrew Popelka
  • Patent number: 5201187
    Abstract: A control system for controlling cooling equipment comprising a refrigerant circuit for cooling water by heat exchange, a plurality of cooling modules in a backup relationship with an adjusting apparatus for adjusting the cooling capability of the refrigerant circuit and a controller controlling the adjusting apparatus for adjusting the cooling capability, a control module having a coolant temperature sensor and a controller for calculating a cooling capability control command based on the value detected by the coolant temperature sensor. The controller in one of the cooling modules controls the adjusting apparatus and on the cooling capability control commend transmitted from the controller in the control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomio Yoshikawa, Takashi Kato, Tetsuji Yamashita, Kyoshiro Murakami, Shizuo Zushi
  • Patent number: 5168724
    Abstract: A chill water system combining a storage vessel 10, a multiplicity of ice encapsulating units 11 contained in the vessel and a chiller system 60. The vessel contains a volume of glycol and water solution having a freezing point about twenty six degrees F. The ice encapsulating units 11 comprise sealed containers filled with deionized water and having a volume 131 of powdered cholesterol therein to serve as an ice nucleating agent to lower the initial ice formation temperature of the unit. The containers have imperfect geometric deformable wall structures to permit an increase in enclosed volume as said water therein freezes. Chiller system 60 is operatively associated with the vessel and cools the glycol and water solution to about twenty six degrees to freeze the water in the containers 11. A topping tank 90 and an inventory tank 93 receive liquid from the storage vessel 10 as the ice encapsulating units 11 freeze and expand in volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Reaction Thermal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gilbertson, Michael R. Meyers, Bruce Kinneberg
  • Patent number: 5138845
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of process fluids comprising a primary loop for process fluids; a plurality of secondary loops for the process fluids; a plurality of bridges, each coupling the primary loop with a secondary loop, each bridge having feed and return connections coupled to feed and return lines of the primary loop and feed and return connections coupled to feed and return lines of the secondary loop, and a crossover line coupling the primary and secondary loops; valve means for each bridge for controlling the flow of processing fluid through its associated second loop; microprocessor means for each bridge for adjusting its associated valve means; sensor means for each bridge for determining operating characteristic information of the processing fluid and for feeding such determined information to the microprocessor means; and a host computer coupling each of the microprocessor means in systems configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: BRDG-TNDR Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald F. Mannion, James R. Mannion
  • Patent number: 5097669
    Abstract: A system for cooling hydrogen which is used for cooling an electric power generator, cooling of the hydrogen being effected by transfer of heat from hydrogen leaving the generator to cooling water extracted from a source which has a temperature determined by external conditions. The system is composed of an indirect heat exchanger for bringing cooling water into heat exchange communication with hydrogen leaving the generator and cooling water is supplied to the heat exchanger partially from the source and partially from cooling water leaving the heat exchanger. A temperature monitoring unit produces an indication of the temperature of the cooling water extracted from the source and a control unit is coupled to the temperature monitoring unit to cool the hydrogen to a desired temperature while maintaining a constant flow rate of cooling water into the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Homer G. Hargrove, Lon W. Montgomery, James R. Pipkin
  • Patent number: 5090207
    Abstract: A chill water system combining a storage vessel 10, a multiplicity of ice encapsulating units 11 contained in the vessel and a chiller system 60. The storage vessel contains a volume or glycol and water solution having a freezing point of about twenty six degrees F. The ice encapsulating units 11 comprise sealed containers filled with a deionized water. The containers have imperfect geometric shape and deformable wall structures to permit an increasee in enclosed volume as said water therein freezes. Chiller system 60 is operatively associated with the vessel and cools the glycol and water solution to about twenty six degrees to freeze the water in the containers 11. A topping tank 90 and an inventory tank 93 receive liquid from the storage vessel 10 as the ice encapsulating units 11 freeze and expand in volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Reaction Thermal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gilbertson, Michael R. Meyers
  • Patent number: 5072596
    Abstract: A chill water system combining a storage vessel 10, a multiplicity of ice encapsulating units 11 contained in the vessel and a chiller system 60. The storage vessel contains a volume of glycol and water solution having a freezing point of about twenty six degrees F. The ice encapsulating units 11 comprise sealed containers filled with a deionized water and having a volume of powered cholesterol therein to serve as an ice nucleating agent to lower the initial ice formation temperature of the unit. The containers have imperfect geometric shape and deformable wall structures to permit an increase in enclosed volume as said water therein freezes. Chiller system 60 is operatively associated with the vessel and cools the glycol and water solution to about twenty six degrees to freeze the water in the containers 11. A topping tank 90 and an inventory tank 93 receive liquid from the storage vessel 10 as the ice encapsulating units 11 freeze and expand in volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Reaction Thermal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gilbertson, Michael R. Meyers, Bruce Kinneberg
  • Patent number: 5052472
    Abstract: An LSI temperature controlling system has closed LSI cooling water circuit, and a refrigeration circuit including a motor-driven refrigerant compressor, a first heat exchanger for exchanging the heat of the LSI cooling water and the refrigerant and a second heat exchanger for exchanging the heats of the refrigerant and another fluid. The motor speed is controlled by an inverter the operation of which is controlled based on the temperature of the LSI cooling water measured by a temperature detector. A heater is used to suppress dew formation on LSI substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Takahashi, Takuji Torii, Takao Senshu, Tetsuji Yamashita, Shizuo Zushi
  • Patent number: 5003787
    Abstract: A cell preservation system utilizes a pre-chilled coolant stored in a coolant reservoir, which is pumped at a controlled rate into a specimen vessel containing a specimen. This allows the achievement of a controlled rate of cooling the specimen and controls the formation of crystals in the specimen. The coolant reservoir is sealed, and the coolant is pumped from the specimen vessel to the coolant reservoir, whereby heat from the pump is not entered into the specimen vessel. A magnetic stirrer is selectively controlled to maintain a uniform temperature in the specimen vessel or, alternatively, is deenergized to permit temperature stratification to occur. A heater is included in the specimen vessel for precise heat control, and for raising the temperature of the coolant in the specimen vessel to a value suitable for beginning a cooling cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Savant Instruments
    Inventor: Yury Zlobinsky
  • Patent number: 4984628
    Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining liquid temperature at a constant level comprises a reaction vessel for containing liquid, a cooling device connected with the reaction vessel for cooling the liquid, a heating device connected with the cooling device for heating the liquid cooled by the cooling device, a circulating device for circulating the liquid through and among the reaction vessel, the cooling device and the heating device, a temperature detecting device for detecting the temperature of the liquid heated by the heating device, a heat exchange rate control device for controlling the heat exchange rate between the cooling device and the liquid, and a control device for controlling the heating device and the heat exchange rate control device based on a control state of the apparatus and on the temperature difference between the detected temperature and a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Uchida, Tetsuaki Abe, Hiroaki Ishizawa
  • Patent number: 4984435
    Abstract: A brine refrigerating apparatus includes a cooling chamber which is divided into a plurality of cooling sections by shelves provided in the cooling chamber, each shelf having a brine pipe in which a cold brine flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Dairei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Seino, Norio Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 4928493
    Abstract: A chill water system combining a storage vessel 10, a multiplicity of ice encapsulating units 11 contained in the vessel and a chiller system 60. The storage vessel contains a volume of glycol and water solution having a freezing point of about twenty six degrees F. The ice encapsulating units 11 comprise sealed containers filled with a deionized water and having a volume of powdered cholesterol therein to serve as an ice nucleating agent to lower the initial ice formation temperature of the unit. The containers have imperfect geometric shape and deformable wall structures to permit an increase in enclosed volume as said water therein freezes. Chiller system 60 is operatively associated with the vessel and cools the glycol and water solution to about twenty six degrees to freeze the water in the containers 11. A topping tank 90 and an inventory tank 93 receive liquid from the storage vessel 10 as the ice encapsulating units 11 freeze and expand in volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Reaction Thermal Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gilbertson, Michael R. Meyers, Bruce Kinneberg
  • Patent number: 4909041
    Abstract: A residential HVAC system includes a heat pump having a compressor arranged to heat a domestic hot water vessel and to heat or cool a storage vessel which is connected to a heat exchanger within the residence. Temperature sensors are provided at critical locations throughout the system and current and voltage sensors are coupled to the power lines feeding the residence. A microprocessor controls the operation of the compressor and other components of the heat pump system in response to measured tempertures, in response to the level of energy supplied to the residence and in response to the existence of on- or off-peak time intervals to operate the compressor and/or resistive heating elements to condition the hot water and storage vessels for subsequent use and to control an interior fan to condition the space. Operation of the compressor is controlled during on-peak intervals as a function of the resident's life style as reflected in power usage and requested comfort level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: UHR Corporation
    Inventor: Richard D. Jones
  • Patent number: 4850201
    Abstract: A mechanically refrigerated chiller system for a process coolant has a process coolant circuit which includes a coolant reservoir with refrigerant evaporator coils in it. Coolant returns from the process to the reservoir through several and alternate paths. An additional coolant path is provided through a heat exchanger. An extra hot-gas line from the high pressure side of the refrigerant compressor is coupled through the heat exchanger to the refrigerant condenser. When the temperature of the coolant is too low, adjustment is made by adding heat to some of the coolant in the heat exchanger. Coolant temperature is sensed in an area where coolant returns from the process through a direct path and in another area where the coolant is leaving the evaporator through the aforementioned heat exchanger are mixed with a portion of the reservoir coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Advantage Engineering Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip D. Oswalt, Harold R. Short, Steven E. Wash
  • Patent number: 4840037
    Abstract: A cold-accumulation type refrigerator having variable length cycle for cooling by means of the cold-accumulation material. The cycle length is a function of refrigerator load. The refrigerator includes a refrigerating cycle to cool a refrigerator compartment and the cold-accumulation material, a load detecting device, such as a room temperature detecting device, to measure an amount of a load to be cooled, clock counting device to generate a time data, and a control device, such as microcomputer. The control device controls the operation of the refrigerator which operates in a first mode (ordinary cooling operation), a second mode wherein the refrigerator compartments are cooled by means of the cold accumulation material and a third mode wherein the cold accumulation material is cooled. The control device controls the time period for second and third mode operation as a function of load to be cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Koji Yamada, Noriaki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 4809516
    Abstract: A residential HVAC system includes a heat pump having a compressor arranged to heat a domestic hot water vessel and to heat or cool a storage vessel which is connected to a heat exchanger within the residence. Temperature sensors are provided at critical locations throughout the system and current and voltage sensors are coupled to the power lines feeding the residence. A microprocessor controls the operation of the compressor and other components of the heat pump system in response to measured temperatures, in response to the level of energy supplied to the residence and in response to the existence of on- or off-peak time intervals to operate the compressor and/or resistive heating elements to condition the hot water and storage vessels for subsequent use and to control an interior fan to condition the space. Operation of the compressor is controlled during on-peak intervals as a function of the resident's life style as reflected in power usage and requested comfort level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: UHR Corporation
    Inventor: Richard D. Jones
  • Patent number: 4800729
    Abstract: A thermo-hygrostatic refrigerator has a cabinet defining a storage room for cooling and storing food materials therein, a refrigeration unit composed of a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and other refrigeration systems, a brine tank storing brine therein and including the evaporator on the bottom thereof, an accumulator connected to the outlet side of the evaporator and having at least one portion immersed in the brine, a cooler mounted within the storage room and operatively connected to the outlet side of the evaporator and having at least one portion immersed in the brine, a cooler mounted within the storage room and operatively connected to the brine tank to circulate the brine therethrough to cool the interior of the storage room, and a sensing device mounted within the brine tank for monitoring presence of brine circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuo Hara
  • Patent number: 4769998
    Abstract: A mechanically refrigerated chiller system for a process coolant has a process coolant circuit which includes a coolant reservoir with refrigerant evaporator coils in it. Coolant returns from the process to the reservoir through several and alternate paths. An additional coolant path is provided through a heat exchanger. An extra hot-gas line from the high pressure side of the refrigerant compressor is coupled through the heat exchanger to the refrigerant condenser. When the temperature of the coolant is too low, adjustment is made by adding heat to some of the coolant in the heat exchanger. Coolant temperature is sensed in an area where coolant returns from the process through a direct path and in another area where the coolant is leaving the evaporator through the aforementioned heat exchanger are mixed with a portion of the reservoir coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignees: Advantage Electronics, Incorporated, Advantage Engineering, Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip D. Oswalt, Harold R. Short, Steven E. Wash
  • Patent number: 4744408
    Abstract: A control system controls the temperature of a chemical process vessel by recirculating a heat transfer medium through a jacket surrounding the vessel. In order to control the temperature of the recirculating medium, the control system uses an internal cooling heat exchanger connected in series with an internal heating heat exchanger and can also connect the recirculating loop to a central refrigeration system. Operation of the heat exchangers and connections to the central refrigeration system are automatically controlled by a computer which selects the cooling method in order to minimize energy use while maintaining the selected temperature. The computer also monitors the inlet and internal temperatures of the vessel and the outlet temperature of the cooling heat exchanger to prevent thermal shock damage when the system changes between heating and cooling during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Herzog-Hart Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne K. Pearson, Charles E. Cordino, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4694588
    Abstract: The dry cleaning machine according to the invention comprises: a rotating drum (1) disposed in an enclosed chamber (2); an air flow duct (3) in the form of a closed loop in association with the chamber (2); and a cooling circuit having a condenser (6) disposed in the air flow duct (3) downstream of an evaporator (10) and is characterized by a control circuit (11) comprising: an internal heat exchanger (12) interlaced at least to some extent with the condenser (6); and means (13) for controlling the flow of a fluid in the control circuit (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Frimair S.A.
    Inventors: Alain Bagolin, Joel Gay
  • Patent number: 4656836
    Abstract: A sealed, pressurized thermal storage system (20) which uses ice as the static thermal storage medium. The system is applicable to diverse cooling and storage requirements such as air conditioning and other relatively large scale cooling loads. The heart of the system is one or more ice-storage chilled water heat exchangers (21, 40) which form a closed pressurized water circulation system (21) with the loads (22) for circulating chilled water thereto. A refrigeration piping system (55, 57) circulates refrigerant through the water heat exchanger(s) (21, 40) for cooling the sealed water system and for making and storing ice along the refrigerant piping (55) within the water heat exchanger (40). An overflow/return circuit (27) compensates for pressure variations within the sealed water system, e.g., to accommodate volume changes in the stored ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Inventor: Thomas A. Gilbertson
  • Patent number: 4607498
    Abstract: The system in the present invention includes HVAC unit, such as an air-conditioner, having an evaporator coil, and a heat exchanger for drawing heat from air entering the inlet side of the air-conditioner evaporator and supplying heat to air at the outlet side of the air-conditioner evaporator. The heat exchanger is a phase change heat pipe-type heat exchanger, having a evaporator before the air-conditioning evaporator and a condenser after the air-conditioner evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Dinh Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Khanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 4554791
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for conveying liquids of which the vapor pressure is above atmospheric at ambient temperatures from a storage container to a delivery point, particularly for dispensing refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventor: Gustav A. Johansson
  • Patent number: 4554797
    Abstract: In a heat pump having a heat source, a heat sink and a thermal storage heat exchanger in which heat energy is cyclically accumulated and discharged by circulation of a secondary refrigerant therethrough, the improvement wherein: the secondary refrigerant is an aqueous solution having a concentration which is below its eutetic concentration, the heat sink is adapted to super cool the aqueous solution to partially freeze it to generate a partially frozen solution in which fine ice particles are retained in suspension, the thermal storage heat exchanger has a storage chamber, a first input communicating with said storage chamber for admitting said partially frozen solution from the heat sink to said storage chamber, a second input communicating with said storage chamber for admitting heated refrigerant from the heat source sink to said storage chamber, a first output communicating with said storage chamber for discharging liquid phase refrigerant from said storage chamber for circulation to said heat sink and/or
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Inventor: Vladimir Goldstein
  • Patent number: 4519216
    Abstract: An S.I.R SYSTEM is a self-contained, indirect, refrigeration system which effectively and efficiently removes varying heat loads (i.e. heat of respiration of climacteric fruits) at changeable operating conditions. System design allows for quick and easy installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Inventor: Joseph A. Felicetta
  • Patent number: 4517808
    Abstract: A heat transfer system is disclosed in which heat is transferrable to a first primary user by means of a two-coil heat exchanger acting as a condenser which is in the high pressure path, while at the same time another two-coil heat exchanger used as a condenser is used to provide cooling to a record primary user. The system also includes a fan type heat exchanger, which acts as the condenser, when the first primary user does not need heating energy. The system is also operable to heat the second primary user whose heat exchanger acts as a condenser, connectible in series with the heat exchanger of the first primary user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: Amcor Ltd.
    Inventors: Avner Movshovitz, Amos Ityel