Indirect Heat Transfer Liquid, E.g., Brine Patents (Class 62/185)
  • Patent number: 4501126
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly chilling a cool pack associated with a refrigeration system wherein slush-like medium is introduced into the pack in a first step and frozen to a substantially solid state in a second step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: Engineered Air Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Norton
  • Patent number: 4495777
    Abstract: A load shaving system for a closed loop cooling system adds a secondary heat exchange unit in shunt in the closed loop system between the output side of the load and the input to the primary heat exchange unit. The secondary heat exchange unit has constant or variable amounts of the return fluid from the load shunted through it in response to the temperature difference between the temperature of the return fluid and the temperature of the cooling medium used in the secondary heat exchange unit, which typically may be a plate and frame heat exchanger or the like. Part or all of the required temperature drop for the fluid in the closed loop system may be obtained from the secondary heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Inventor: Thomas G. Babington
  • Patent number: 4480445
    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 a 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 adapted to receive said partially frozen solution from the heat sink and to separate the ice particles from the liquid phase refrigerant to form a porous ice bed and a substantially ice free liquid bath, and wherein the thermal storage heat exchanger is adapted to receive heated refrigerant and to discharge the heated refrigerant into said chamber such that it is placed in intimate contact with the ice bed in a manner such that it may pass th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Inventor: Vladimir Goldstein
  • Patent number: 4459815
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a plurality of refrigerant compressors, a plurality of ventilating fans and a cooling/warming water pump which is controlled by both a memory and a contact-less control unit in accordance with an outdoor temperature and a refrigerant temperature which are sensed by associated temperature sensors. Alternatively, the control unit may be connected to both protective devices disposed on the fans, the compressors, the pump, etc. and further connected to a digital indicator which indicates the operating status of the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Seishi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 4457358
    Abstract: An integrated heating and cooling system which makes maximum use of available energy regardless of seasons. The chiller is used throughout the year to transfer heat between the chilled water circuit and either the heated water circuit or the cooling tower. Also, cooling tower water can be injected directly into the chilled water circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: Engineering Design and Management Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Kriege, Paul J. Marshall, Robert B. Tuckett
  • Patent number: 4429541
    Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a refrigerator of a type having a capacity control mechanism adapted to control the capacity of the refrigerator in such a manner as to make the temperature of the cold water supplied to an air conditioner coincide with a predetermined set temperature of cold water. The apparatus is adapted to vary the set temperature of the cold water in accordance with the level of the load imposed on the air conditioner, and to determine the difference of the new set temperature of the cold water with the actually measured temperature of the cold water. The apparatus effects the control of the capacity control mechanism of the refrigerator such that the above-mentioned difference of the temperature is nullified. In consequence, the efficiency of the refrigerator during partial-load operation is remarkably improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohji Kamejima, Yozo Hibino, Junichi Ooizumi, Hideki Tanaka, Morio Tamura
  • Patent number: 4415847
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a cooling liquid to the heat exchanger in a storage battery mounted on a vehicle for driving the vehicle, wherein the liquid is to be supplied to the battery at an inlet temperature which varies in a time-based relationship. The liquid to be cooled is obtained from the battery itself in a recirculative system located generally outside the vehicle. In accordance with this method and apparatus, the liquid returned from the vehicle mounted storage battery is divided into first and second portions, the first of these portions is cooled at a preselected cooling rate, thereafter, the cooled first portion and the uncooled or bypassed second portion are recombined to provide the liquid supplied to the battery heat exchanger. The ratio of the first and second portions is adjusted in accordance with a time-based relationship wherein the temperature within the battery is intentionally changed during a charging cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Energy Development Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Galloway
  • Patent number: 4406138
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for providing an air cooling operation during a load phase management shutdown of the air conditioning compressor utilizes a thermally insulated cold water tank for storing chilled water. The water is cooled by a free cooling effect using wet bulb temperature drop of a refrigerant circulating between a secondary coil in a condenser section of the air conditioning system and a heat exchanger in the chilled water tank located below the condenser. The secondary coil in the condenser is cooled by a waterspray which can advantageously be derived from the condensate obtained from the evaporator section during a compressor operation phase of the air conditioning system. The chilled water is supplied to a chilled water coil in an evaporator section to cool the air flow in a chilled water cooling operation when the air conditioning compressor is inoperative during the load management phase of the peak hour of the air conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Lorne W. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4372129
    Abstract: Fail-safe refrigeration comprised of dual mechanical refrigeration systems and an interdependent control responsive to a failure of a primary system being operated, for automatically placing the other a secondary system into immediate operation, whereby servicing and periodic inspection is conducted with refrigeration continuity, the primary system being manually returned into operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Moore & Hanks Co.
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Bennett, Leroy D. McBee, Richard F. Horak
  • Patent number: 4262491
    Abstract: Modulating system for electrically or pneumatically controlled chillers in which a sensor senses the space condition, in a controlled environment or space. Output signals from an enthalpy sensor or other sensor representing the space condition are fed to chiller modulator electronic controls and thence to the chiller modulator interface controls, be they electric or pneumatic. The sensor monitors the conditions in or returning from the controlled space or environment. By measuring both humidity and temperature, the enthalpy sensor generates an effective temperature or comfort level. The input signal from the sensor is compared to an operator adjustable set-point. If the measured condition is less than the set-point, an error signal is generated which is proportional to the difference multiplied by an operator-set sensitivity control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: Controlled Energy Systems Company
    Inventors: James E. Chorey, John Burch
  • Patent number: 4249388
    Abstract: The liquid ice system comprises an icing machine in the form of a compartment for receiving water and ice. Pulverizing means are provided for crushing the ice and uniquely oriented paddles stir the water and ice mixture to maintain a homogeneous mixture of liquid ice. A circulating conduit is provided in combination with a conveyor system and ice applicator devices connected to a portion of the conduit supported on an overhead structure of the conveyor. Boxes of vegetables or poultry are appropriately refrigerated for shipment by applying liquid ice to the boxes as they pass along the conveyor. Switches may be provided for automatically actuating the ice applicators when the box passes therebeneath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: Demco, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel E. Burns
  • Patent number: 4248292
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an apparatus for controlling the rate of heat transfer of one of the heat exchange coils in a heat pump installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: 379235 Ontario Ltd.
    Inventor: William H. Beacham
  • Patent number: 4233817
    Abstract: Apparatus is described for maintaining refrigerant temperature at or below a predetermined level by providing a combination of a primary chiller cooled by a primary mechanical refrigeration system and a series-connected back-up liquid nitrogen-cooled chiller which would operate only if the primary mechanical refrigeration system is incapable of providing the desired refrigerant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Assignee: Miles Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Toth
  • Patent number: 4220011
    Abstract: A refrigeration system is disclosed which includes evaporator means of the type for producing chilled liquid and wherein a compressor of the centrifugal type is provided for compressing refrigerant which has been vaporized in the evaporator means. Both air cooled and liquid cooled condenser means are connected in parallel flow relationship to the compressor, whereby the heat of condensation and compression may be rejected either to a source of ambient air or recovered through heat exchange with a source of liquid, whereby a heated liquid is produced for use as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1980
    Assignee: The Trane Company
    Inventors: Mark O. Bergman, John W. Leary, Duane F. Sanborn, Chester D. Ware
  • Patent number: 4191027
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling brine comprising a plurality of refrigerating units connected to a slow-current tank for brine in such a manner said refirgerating units are associated with successive portions of brine in said slow-current tank from the downstream side to the upstream side of said tank, one by one. The number of said refrigerating units taking part in the cooling work is increased and decreased in accordance with the temperature of said brine in said slow-current tank. The connection of said refrigerating units is selectively switched from series to parallel and vice versa with one another, with respect to the brine flow in said slow-current tank. Said means for switching the connection of said refrigerating units from series to parallel and vice versa are constituted by fluid element type shunting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1980
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisah Maekawa Seisakusho
    Inventor: Wahei Inoue
  • Patent number: 4173993
    Abstract: A domestic appliance system and method are provided for storing and processing food by exchanging heat between the food and a latent heat storing material by forced circulation of a liquid thermal exchange fluid. A plurality of appliances, each having a single heat exchanger for receiving the thermal exchange fluid, connect across supply and return mains which contain the thermal exchange fluid at a differential pressure. Hot supply and return mains are part of a liquid thermal exchange fluid circuit which also includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with latent heat storing material in a hot reservoir, a pump, and the appliance heat exchangers with selector and regulator valves to control flow and temperature of thermal exchange fluid within the appliances. Cold supply and return mains are part of a similar liquid thermal exchange fluid circuit for exchanging heat between a cold latent heat storing material and a plurality of appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1979
    Inventor: Stephen F. Skala
  • Patent number: 4129994
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a thermostatically-controlled variable air-circulation mechanism and a thermostatically-controlled coolant-pump circulatable of coolant from a coolant vessel to the fan-containing cooling-coils air-space enclosure cyclically, and a coolant vessel-thermostat and freezing coils connected with an electrical freezer mechanism, are powered by dual batteries in electrical parallel when in use, and the freezer mechanism by solely one thereof when ignition is off for an automobile by virtue of solenoid switch, the fans being run in electrical series at predetermined lower temperatures and in parallel at predetermined higher temperatures by virtue of circuitry and thermostatically-controlled other solenoid switches, maximum ice-production being controlled thermostatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Inventor: Paul H. Y. Ku
  • Patent number: 4124177
    Abstract: A system for utilization of waste heat streams, such as from a power plant, for the heating of buildings or for other uses of heat streams under 200.degree. F. employing preferably a multi-stage heat pump selectively operable to raise the temperature of the building heating system (heated fluid) above the temperature of the waste heat stream (heating fluid). The multi-stage heat pump comprises separate stages each including an evaporator, condenser and compressor, and a heat exchanger. The heat pump may be connected either as a counter flow heat pump or a parallel flow heat pump. The control of the system is in at least two different modes dependent upon the demand (load). In the low load mode heat transfer to the building heating system occurs without operation of the heat pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Inventor: Robert W. Timmerman
  • Patent number: 4060997
    Abstract: A control system for a water chiller comprising a heat exchanger, a pump for circulating a coolant comprising water or other process fluid through a path including the heat exchanger, a process apparatus, and a reservoir, and a compressor for circulating refrigerant through a path including the heat exchanger and a condenser; the control system includes electronic sensors for sensing the water supply pressure to the process apparatus, the refrigerant pressures at the compressor inlet and outlet, the water level in the reservoir, and the water temperatures at the heat exchanger inlet and outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1977
    Assignee: Application Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert F. Shultz, Ronald W. Bailey
  • Patent number: 3995440
    Abstract: A system for preventing substantial pollution of the atmosphere by benzene vapors displaced from a tank truck during loading of the truck with benzene. The benzene is loaded into the truck at its ambient temperature, and benzene vapors displaced from the truck are cooled to condense them to a liquid state. The system for cooling the benzene vapors is one in which natural gas at high pressure is expanded to a lower pressure, and the cooling effect which takes place during the expansion is utilized to cool and condense the benzene vapors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1976
    Assignee: Sun Oil Company of Pennsylvania
    Inventor: George E. Wengen