Of Expansion Zone Patents (Class 62/197)
  • Patent number: 11959669
    Abstract: Cooling systems and methods of operation are provided. The cooling system may include a two-phase pumped loop (TPPL). The two-phase pumped loop may include, a receiver, a pump downstream from the receiver, a heat load downstream from the pump, a TPPL tee downstream from the heat load, a TPPL check valve downstream from the TPPL tee, and a heat exchanger downstream from the TPPL check valve and upstream from the receiver. The cooling system may further include a vapor cycle system (VCS) loop. The vapor cycle system loop may include the receiver, a compressor downstream from a vapor outlet of the receiver, a compressor check valve downstream from the compressor and upstream of the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger, and the heat load downstream from a liquid outlet of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Unton, Douglas J. Snyder, Christopher Banham
  • Patent number: 11927379
    Abstract: The present disclosures discloses a precooler-based transcritical CO2 heat pump system and a control method of a waterway two-way valve thereof, in which a transcritical CO2 heat pump system is assisted by a precooler system. A circulating waterway is divided into two parts in the system through a three-way diversion valve and a three-way confluence valve and is connected to a waterway bypass valve through a waterway two-way regulating valve. An ambient temperature sensor, an evaporation fin temperature sensor and an evaporation pressure sensor are provided, and a programmable logic controller is used as a core for acquisition, operation and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: XI'AN JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Feng Cao, Yulong Song, Xiang Yin, Mingjia Li
  • Patent number: 11796241
    Abstract: A controller within a refrigeration application controls temperature and humidity within a compartment of the refrigeration application. The controller may begin cooling the compartment based on a measured temperature value for the compartment. The controller may delay a starting time of an evaporator fan within the compartment based at least in part on a measured humidity value for the compartment. The controller may also adjust an operating time of a condenser fan based at least in part on the measured humidity value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Viking Range, LLC
    Inventor: Jemsheer Thayyullathil
  • Patent number: 11686489
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a first condenser coil of a refrigerant circuit, wherein the first condenser coil is configured to receive a first refrigerant flow from a compressor of the refrigerant circuit, a modulating valve of the refrigerant circuit, and a control circuitry communicatively coupled to the modulating valve. The modulating valve is configured to receive a second refrigerant flow from the compressor and configured to direct the second refrigerant flow to a second condenser coil of the refrigerant circuit and to a reheat coil of the refrigerant circuit in a parallel flow arrangement, and the control circuitry is configured to operate the modulating valve to apportion the second refrigerant flow between the second condenser coil and the reheat coil based on a detected operating parameter of an air flow directed across the reheat coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Stephen Blake Pickle, Norman Jack Blanton, Kerry Lyman Shumway
  • Patent number: 11573037
    Abstract: A climate-control system may include a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a first sensor, a second sensor, a third sensor, and a control module. The compressor may include a motor and a compression mechanism. The condenser receives compressed working fluid from the compressor. The evaporator is in fluid communication with the compressor and disposed downstream of the condenser and upstream of the compressor. The first sensor may detect an electrical operating parameter of the motor. The second sensor may detect a discharge temperature of working fluid discharged by the compression mechanism. The third sensor may detect a suction temperature of working fluid between the evaporator and the compression mechanism. The control module is in communication with the first, second and third sensors and may determine whether a refrigerant floodback condition is occurring in the compressor based on data received from the first, second and third sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Richard Brostrom, Reema Kamat, Eric Winandy, Stephane Bertagnolio
  • Patent number: 11543165
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance has at least a first and a second temperature zone and a refrigerant circuit that includes a compressor, a first evaporator for cooling the first temperature zone and a second evaporator for cooling the second temperature zone. The first evaporator is serially connected downstream of the second evaporator in the refrigerant circuit, and a controllable throttle point is arranged upstream of the first evaporator and downstream of the second evaporator in the refrigerant circuit. A compressor controller is configured to control the rotational speed of the compressor on the basis of the temperature in the first temperature zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Mrzyglod, Vitali Ulrich, Niels Liengaard
  • Patent number: 11536502
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a use-side unit, a heat source-side unit, refrigerant connection pipes, cutoff valve provided in the refrigerant connection pipes, a refrigerant leakage detector, and a controller control. When the refrigerant leakage detector detects a refrigerant leakage, the controller performs pressure reduction control to lower the pressure of the refrigerant in the use-side unit, and thereafter puts the cutoff valves into a cutoff state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Ryuuzaburou Yajima
  • Patent number: 11530827
    Abstract: A heat source unit for an air conditioner that includes a refrigerant circuit includes: an external housing; a cooling heat exchanger disposed in the external housing and that is connected to the refrigerant circuit; a controller that controls the valve; and a first temperature sensor disposed within the external housing. The external housing accommodates: a compressor connected to the refrigerant circuit; a heat source heat exchanger that is connected to the refrigerant circuit and that exchanges heat between a refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit and a heat source; and an electric box. The electric box includes a top and a plurality of side walls; accommodates electrical components that control the air conditioner; and further includes an air passage that comprises an air inlet and an air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignees: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD., DAIKIN EUROPE N.V.
    Inventors: Pieter Pirmez, Satoshi Kawano, Akiharu Kojima
  • Patent number: 11525605
    Abstract: A cooling circuit comprises a refrigerant compressor incorporating a suction port and a pressure chamber incorporating a pressure port, a condenser arranged downstream of the pressure port, a fluid collecting chamber in which a reservoir of refrigerant is formed, an evaporator which is located between the condenser and the suction port, a feed unit which is connected at one side to the refrigerant reservoir and to the pressure chamber at the other side and which serves for supplying refrigerant from the refrigerant reservoir to the pressure chamber which incorporates a pumping unit for the refrigerant. It is proposed that in order improve this cooling circuit, the pumping unit comprise a pressure-tight closed housing which is provided with only one inlet and one outlet as access points and a pumping element which is movable for pumping the refrigerant be arranged in the pumping chamber thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: BITZER Kuehlmaschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Julian Pfaffl, Klaus Ohser
  • Patent number: 11499769
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a compressor of an HVAC system in response to the refrigerant super heat value for refrigerant within the compressor. First and second signals are received for indicating one or more temperature values of refrigerant substantially at the first compressor sump and within the first distributor tube, respectively. A saturated suction temperature is estimated using at least the second signal. A first super heat value is calculated for refrigerant substantially at the first compressor sump using at least the saturated suction temperature and the one or more temperature values indicated by the first signal. A first control signal is generated for at least de-energizing the first compressor if the calculated first super heat value is below a tolerance value defining the minimum super heat value at which the first compressor may be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Rakesh Goel
  • Patent number: 11473814
    Abstract: An integrated system floods an air conditioning low side heat exchanger such that the air conditioning low side heat exchanger does not evaporate all the liquid refrigerant entering the air conditioning low side heat exchanger. As a result, both liquid and vapor refrigerant leave the air conditioning low side heat exchanger. The system includes an additional receiver that stores the refrigerant leaving the air conditioning low side heat exchanger. To prevent the liquid refrigerant in the receiver from overflowing, the liquid refrigerant in the receiver is used in a refrigeration system when the level of liquid refrigerant in the receiver exceeds a threshold (e.g., as detected by a sensor in the receiver).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC
    Inventor: Shitong Zha
  • Patent number: 11466902
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel vapor compression refrigeration system, and the methods of making and using the vapor compression refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: James E Braun, Eckhard A Groll, Xinye Zhang, Davide Ziviani
  • Patent number: 11371504
    Abstract: A scroll compressor is disclosed. The scroll compressor includes an shell, a fixed scroll, a housing and an orbiting scroll. The fixed scroll and the housing are disposed in the shell and fixed relative to each other. An outer peripheral surface of the housing and an inner peripheral surface of the shell are fitted to each other. The orbiting scroll is disposed between the fixed scroll and the housing. The fixed scroll is formed therein with a first injection passage, the housing is formed therein with a second injection passage, a port of the first injection passage and a port of the second injection passage face each other, so that the first injection passage and the second injection passage communicate with each other. The scroll compressor further includes an injection tube assembly, the injection tube assembly is disposed in the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Danfoss (Tianjin) Ltd.
    Inventors: Lin Ma, Wenhu Yao, Kun Qian, Bin Wang, Guillaume Rochet
  • Patent number: 11365916
    Abstract: A refrigeration system, includes a compressor, a condenser (200), a throttle flow path (100), and an evaporator (300) connected in sequence. A non-adjustable main throttle element (110,120) is disposed in the throttle flow path. A bypass flow path (500) is connected to the throttle flow path respectively at the upstream and downstream of the main throttle element, and provided with an adjustable auxiliary throttle element (510) thereon. A liquid level sensor is disposed upstream or downstream of the throttle flow path, and configured to detect the liquid level. A controller is configured to control the opening of the auxiliary throttle element according to a liquid level signal from the liquid level sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shaojuan Si, Haiping Ding, Michael Stark
  • Patent number: 11313599
    Abstract: A refrigerator cooling system, comprising a pipe forming a loop and, sequentially provided on the pipe, a compressor, a condenser, a refrigerant amount regulator, a capillary tube, and an evaporator. The refrigerant amount regulator comprises a storage device and an adjustor provided within the storage device. The storage device is provided therein with a storage cavity for holding a refrigerant. The storage device is provided with an opening for the storage cavity to be in communication with the pipe. The adjustor comprises a sealer used for opening or closing the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cong Han, Zhenhua Tian, Xuefeng Han
  • Patent number: 11268742
    Abstract: Gas vaporizer for flashing liquid to vapor received from a source prior to introduction into a compressor or the like, such as in air conditioning or refrigeration systems. In certain embodiments the vaporize includes an adapter member for connection to a liquid source, a connector member having a plurality of flow passages for facilitating the transfer of heat to fluid present therein to vaporize the same, a body portion providing visual access such as via one or more sight glasses to an internal chamber therein for visual confirmation that liquid has been vaporized, and a hose connecting member for connection to a point of destination such as a compressor. In certain embodiments, the connector has an axial bore containing a high thermal conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Uniweld Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Pearl, II, Dragan Bukur, David Foster, Douglas B. Pearl
  • Patent number: 11248829
    Abstract: An apparatus using a heat pump includes a refrigerant circuit and a heat medium circuit. The refrigerant circuit is capable of performing a first operation, in which a load-side heat exchanger is used as a condenser, and a second operation, in which the load-side heat exchanger is used as an evaporator. A main circuit of the heat medium circuit has a branching part and a joining part. An overpressure protection device and a refrigerant leakage detecting device are connected to the main circuit. The overpressure protection device is connected to a connection part located between the load-side heat exchanger and one of the branching part and the joining part, or at the load-side heat exchanger. When leakage of refrigerant is detected, the state of a refrigerant flow switching device is set to a second state, an expansion device is set to a closed state, and a compressor is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Hirokazu Minamisako, Kazutaka Suzuki, Takafumi Mito, Taro Hattori
  • Patent number: 11231199
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a refrigeration circuit, a first shut-off device provided at a pipe connecting a heat-source-side heat exchanger and an expansion device, a refrigerant leak detection device, and a controller. The controller controls a flow switching device to switch a connection state between a first connection state in which a discharge side of a compressor is connected to the heat-source-side heat exchanger, and a second connection state in which a suction side of the compressor is connected to the heat-source-side heat exchanger via an accumulator. When a refrigerant leak is detected, the controller performs a refrigerant retrieval operation and a refrigerant transfer operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soshi Ikeda, Jun Nishio, Katsuhiro Ishimura, Kohei Ogura, Koji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11162714
    Abstract: A method for conditioning a fluid in a temperature-insulated test space and a test space of a test chamber for receiving test materials. A cascading cooling device creates a particular temperature range within the test space, and the cooling device has a first cooling circuit including a cascading heat exchanger, a first compressor, a condenser and a first expanding element, and a second cooling circuit including a heat exchanger, a second compressor, the cascading heat exchanger and a second expanding element The cascading heat exchanger is cooled by the first cooling circuit, the heat exchanger is cooled by a bypass passing through the heat exchanger and bridging the cascading heat exchanger, the first compressor is turned off, and a first refrigerant is conducted and condensed in a gaseous state in the cascading heat exchanger on a low-pressure side of the bypass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Weiss Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Haack, Yannik Zahrt, Dennis Reuschel, Andre Zinnkann, Pascal Bellet
  • Patent number: 11143446
    Abstract: As a refrigerant, a refrigerant containing a fluorocarbon having a property of causing a disproportionation reaction is used. A refrigeration apparatus includes: a refrigerant temperature detector configured to detect a discharged refrigerant temperature which is a temperature of the refrigerant that is being discharged from the compression mechanism or immediately after the discharge; and a controller configured to control the discharged refrigerant temperature detected by the refrigerant temperature detector such that the discharged refrigerant temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature Ts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Kumakura, Kazuhiro Furusho
  • Patent number: 11092370
    Abstract: The present application provides a low load operating system for a refrigeration system having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The low load operating system may include a hot gas bypass line extending from a discharge side of the compressor to a suction side of the compressor and a desuperheat line extending from upstream of the expansion valve to the suction side of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration (Wuxi) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhi Zhang, Yang Xie, Hongxiang Chen
  • Patent number: 11035382
    Abstract: A variable orifice flow device controls the flow of refrigerant into a compressor motor housing in a compressor. The variable orifice flow device may include, for example, an electronic expansion valve, a thermal expansion valve, or a shuttling valve controlling the flow of refrigerant into a compressor motor housing. One or more flows of refrigerant may be through a fixed orifice, a valve seat of the variable orifice flow device, or leakage through a seal of the compressor motor housing, providing a baseline refrigerant flow to the inside of the compressor motor housing in addition to the flow through the variable orifice flow device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Espelien, Joseph M. Heger, Daniel A. Strange, Russell T. Abbott, Robert S. Bakkestuen
  • Patent number: 10982674
    Abstract: A scroll compressor may include an orbiting scroll; a non-orbiting scroll engaged with the orbiting scroll to form a pair of compression chambers between the orbiting scroll and the non-orbiting scroll; a back pressure chamber assembly coupled to the non-orbiting scroll to form a back pressure chamber to support the non-orbiting scroll toward the orbiting scroll; a first back pressure passage that connects a first intermediate pressure chamber in the compression chamber and the back pressure chamber; a second back pressure passage that connects a second intermediate pressure chamber having a higher pressure than the first intermediate pressure chamber and the back pressure chamber; and a back pressure control valve configured to selectively open and close the first back pressure passage and the second back pressure passage according to an operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Minjae Kim
  • Patent number: 10941775
    Abstract: A compressor system is provided that includes a contact cooled compressor and a coolant separator. The coolant separator is used to remove coolant fluid from a compressed flow stream produced by the contact cooled compressor during its operation. The coolant separator routes the removed coolant fluid back to the contact cooled compressor for further use. In some forms the coolant fluid is cooled prior to delivery back to the compressor. A stop valve can be provided in the coolant fluid return line to halt the flow of the fluid. A pressure sensitive member can be disposed to sense pressure of the coolant fluid that has been routed past the stop valve. Operation of the compressor can be changed as a result of the sensed pressure from the pressure sensitive member. Information from a temperature sensitive member can also be used to change operation of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL U.S., INC.
    Inventors: Michael Borkowski, Christopher Taylor, Eric M. Kaszuba
  • Patent number: 10928091
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an HVAC system includes an indoor unit having a furnace, an outdoor heat pump unit having a compressor and an outdoor coil, a refrigerant line coupled to the indoor unit and the outdoor heat pump unit, and a valve coupled to the refrigerant line. The HVAC system further includes one or more controllers operable to determine that the outdoor heat pump unit is in operation during an air conditioning cycle. The controllers are further operable to determine an outdoor temperature and compare the outdoor temperature to a predetermined temperature. The controllers are further operable to initiate a closure of the valve coupled to the refrigerant line and initiate operation of the compressor at an end of the air conditioning cycle to pump down a refrigerant to the outdoor coil in response to comparing the outdoor temperature to the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Carl T. Crawford, Umesh Gokhale
  • Patent number: 10913332
    Abstract: In a heat exchange unit, a shutter device is disposed on a vehicle front side with respect to a coolant heat exchanger to open and close a passage for traveling air directed toward the coolant heat exchanger. A blower is switchable between a first blowing state in which air flows from the vehicle front side to the vehicle rear side and a second blowing state in which air flows from the vehicle rear side to the vehicle front side. In a case where a switch that makes a vehicle travelable is in an on state, a control unit switches the blower to the second blowing state, while an open degree of the shutter device is set at a closing side from a maximum open degree of the shutter device when a temperature of the engine coolant is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature determination value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Go Sato, Takashi Yasuda, Koichi Harada, Ken Muto, Masaaki Kawakubo, Nobukazu Kuribayashi, Hiroyuki Sakane
  • Patent number: 10906150
    Abstract: A thermal system may comprise a reservoir, a first fluid flowpath, and a second fluid flowpath. The first fluid flowpath may start at the reservoir and return to the reservoir. The first fluid flowpath may comprise, in a direction of the fluid flow, a first side of a sub-cooler, a liquid pump, a first side of a pre-heater, and a first side of an evaporator. The second fluid flowpath may start at the reservoir and return to the reservoir. The second fluid flowpath may comprise, in a direction of a fluid flow, a pressure regulator, a vapor compressor, a first side of a condenser, and an expansion value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE NORTH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES INC
    Inventors: Eugene Jansen, Eric Donovan
  • Patent number: 10816249
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a compressor of an HVAC system in response to the refrigerant super heat value for refrigerant within the compressor. First and second signals are received for indicating one or more temperature values of refrigerant substantially at the first compressor sump and within the first distributor tube, respectively. A saturated suction temperature is estimated using at least the second signal. A first super heat value is calculated for refrigerant substantially at the first compressor sump using at least the saturated suction temperature and the one or more temperature values indicated by the first signal. A first control signal is generated for at least de-energizing the first compressor if the calculated first super heat value is below a tolerance value defining the minimum super heat value at which the first compressor may be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Rakesh Goel
  • Patent number: 10533553
    Abstract: A single-stage compressor including one compressing unit, includes: a housing having a compressing chamber formed therein and including a suction port, which is located in one side of the compressing chamber and into which a working fluid enters, and an injection port, which is located on the compressing chamber to be spaced apart from the suction port by a predetermined distance and into which an intermediate-pressure working fluid is injected; and an intermediate-pressure valve installed on an intermediate-pressure fluid flow path on which the intermediate-pressure working fluid moves and configured to control supply of the intermediate-pressure working fluid so that the intermediate-pressure working fluid is supplied to the injection port in response to an intermediate pressure of the compressing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Gil Bong Lee, Young Soo Lee, Beom Joon Lee, Ho Sang Ra, Young Jin Baik, Jun Hyun Cho, Hyung Ki Shin
  • Patent number: 10393417
    Abstract: A heat pump unit control system, comprising a heat exchanger, a compressor, a first switching element, a second switching element, an enhanced vapor injection electronic expansion valve, and a main circuit electronic expansion valve. A first end of the compressor is connected to a first port of the heat exchanger by the first switching element and the enhanced vapor injection valve, a second port of the heat exchanger is connected to an injection end of the compressor, the end of the first switching element connected to the compressor is connected to a third port of the heat exchanger, a fourth port of the heat exchanger is connected to a second end of the compressor by the main circuit valve, and the end of the first switching element connected to the enhanced vapor injection valve is connected to the fourth port of the heat exchanger by the second switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai
    Inventors: Feng Wei, Haidong Lin, Weiping Zheng, Chuanhua Wang, Si Sun, Chengsong Wu, Enquan Zhang
  • Patent number: 10267539
    Abstract: A vapor compression system comprising a centrifugal compressor (22) having: an inlet (24); an outlet (26); a first impeller stage (28); a second impeller stage (30); and a motor (34) coupled to the first impeller stage and second impeller stage. A first heat exchanger (38) is downstream of the outlet along a refrigerant flowpath. An expansion device (56) and a second heat exchanger (64) are upstream of the inlet along the refrigerant flowpath. A bypass flowpath (120; 320) is positioned to deliver refrigerant from the compressor bypassing the first heat exchanger. A valve (128) is positioned to control flow through the bypass flowpath, wherein: the bypass flowpath extends from a first location (140) intermediate the inlet and outlet to a second location (142; 342) downstream of the first heat exchanger along the refrigerant flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Vishnu M. Sishtla
  • Patent number: 10254014
    Abstract: A centrifugal chiller in which a closed-cycle refrigeration cycle is formed by connecting a compressor, a condenser, an economizer and decompression means forming a multi-stage compression cycle, and an evaporator, with the refrigeration cycle being charged with a low-pressure refrigerant. The condenser and the economizer are integrated with each other by having a portion of their vessel walls form a shared wall, with the base surface of the economizer being positioned below the base surface of the condenser and above the base surface of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoya Miyoshi, Kenji Ueda, Yasushi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 10155430
    Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle air-conditioning device in which a heating qualification by gas injection can sufficiently be obtained. The vehicle air-conditioning device comprises a compressor 2 which compresses a refrigerant, an air flow passage 3 through which air to be supplied into a vehicle interior flows, a radiator 4 disposed in the air flow passage to let the refrigerant radiate heat, a heat absorber 9 disposed in the air flow passage to let the refrigerant absorb heat, an outdoor heat exchanger 7 disposed outside the vehicle interior to let the refrigerant radiate or absorb heat, and a controller. The controller executes a heating mode in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 radiates heat in the radiator 4 and the refrigerant by which heat has been radiated is decompressed and then absorbs heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Sanden Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Megumi Shigeta
  • Patent number: 10131208
    Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle air-conditioning device in which a heating qualification by gas injection can sufficiently be obtained. The vehicle air-conditioning device comprises a compressor 2 which compresses a refrigerant, an air flow passage 3 through which air to be supplied into a vehicle interior flows, a radiator 4 disposed in the air flow passage to let the refrigerant radiate heat, a heat absorber 9 disposed in the air flow passage to let the refrigerant absorb heat, an outdoor heat exchanger 7 disposed outside the vehicle interior to let the refrigerant radiate or absorb heat, and a controller. The controller executes a heating mode in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 radiates heat in the radiator 4 and the refrigerant by which heat has been radiated is decompressed and then absorbs heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Sanden Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Megumi Shigeta
  • Patent number: 10112458
    Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle air-conditioning device in which a heating qualification by gas injection can sufficiently be obtained. The vehicle air-conditioning device comprises a compressor 2 which compresses a refrigerant, an air flow passage 3 through which air to be supplied into a vehicle interior flows, a radiator 4 disposed in the air flow passage to let the refrigerant radiate heat, a heat absorber 9 disposed in the air flow passage to let the refrigerant absorb heat, an outdoor heat exchanger 7 disposed outside the vehicle interior to let the refrigerant radiate or absorb heat, and a controller. The controller executes a heating mode in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 radiates heat in the radiator 4 and the refrigerant by which heat has been radiated is decompressed and then absorbs heat in the outdoor heat exchanger 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Sanden Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Megumi Shigeta
  • Patent number: 10107526
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a switchable two-stage and cascade marine energy-saving ultralow-temperature refrigeration system which comprises a high-temperature level refrigeration system, a low-temperature level refrigeration system, a hot fluorine defrosting system of a high-temperature level air cooler and a hot fluorine defrosting system of a low-temperature level air cooler. The hot fluorine defrosting system of the high-temperature level air cooler comprises a high-temperature level compressor of which the outlet is divided into two paths through a first oil separator; and the second path is connected with an air suction port of the high-temperature level compressor through a first solenoid valve, the high-temperature level air cooler, a third solenoid valve, a first pressure relief valve, a first gas-liquid separator, a first one-way valve and a first heat regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventors: Jing Xie, Yaojun Guo, Jinfeng Wang, Yizhe Li, Minsheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10030653
    Abstract: A screw compressor housing having screw rotor bores, screw rotors, a drive for the screw rotors, and a slider in a slider receptacle for adjusting a volume ratio of the screw compressor and which extends in a direction towards the high-pressure outlet in a guide trough of the slider receptacle that is open towards the screw rotor bores and which is capable of being positioned in a first position and a second position, wherein the volume ratio of the screw compressor is greater in one of the positions than in the other of the positions, the slider connected to a first cylinder element and cooperates with a second cylinder element, the cylinder elements being at least partially arranged in the insertion space and arranged following the slider in the displacement direction thereof on a side of the slider that is opposite the high-pressure outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: BITZER Kuehlmaschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Dominic Kienzle
  • Patent number: 10017031
    Abstract: The invention concerns an air conditioning system for conditioning the air of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle including a housing with a first flow channel and a second flow channel for conducting air and a refrigerant circuit with an evaporator and a condenser. The evaporator is arranged in the first flow channel and the condenser in the second flow channel. The air conditioning system is designed for cooling and heating the passenger compartment and for a reheat operation. The setting of the operating mode is done only via the controlling of air guidance mechanisms. One of the heat exchangers evaporator or condenser is arranged with a part of the heat transfer surface in both the first and the second flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Torsten Klein, Roberto Della Rovere, Marc Graaf, Gerald Richter, Felix Girmscheid
  • Patent number: 10018401
    Abstract: If an exterior heat exchanger is sensed to be frosted while a heat pump device is operating in a first heating operation mode in which two interior heat exchangers are used, the operation modes are switched into a second heating operation mode in which one interior heat exchanger is used, and then switched into a defrosting operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignees: JAPAN CLIMATE SYSTEMS CORPORATION, PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hamamoto, Kohei Fukawatase, Yoshihiko Otake, Kou Komori, Subaru Matsumoto, Norihiro Miyamura
  • Patent number: 10018393
    Abstract: A method for controlling an economizer circuit is provided. The economizer circuit includes a valve to regulate refrigerant flow between the economizer and the compressor. The valve can be opened to engage the economizer circuit or closed to disengage the economizer circuit based on the output frequency provided to the compressor motor by a variable speed drive and an operating condition of the economizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William L. Kopko, Andrew John Graybill, Glenn Eugene Nickey, Israel Federman, Satheesh Kulankara
  • Patent number: 9994322
    Abstract: A system, which includes a plurality of heat exchangers and a compressing device, is configured to prepare in parallel a medium bled from a low-pressure location of an engine and flowing through a plurality of heat exchangers into a chamber. The compressing device is in communication with the plurality of heat exchangers and regulates a pressure of the medium flowing through the plurality of heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Louis J. Bruno, Donald E. Army, Jr., Thomas M. Zywiak, Erin G. Kline, Christina W. Millot, Harold W. Hipsky, Paul M. D'Orlando
  • Patent number: 9982925
    Abstract: An air conditioner and a method of controlling an air conditioner are provided. The method of controlling an air conditioner may include determining whether a low-load condition is satisfied on the basis of a number of indoor devices or a temperature of external air, performing a low-load operation of a compressor at a predetermined frequency when the low-load condition is satisfied, detecting whether an operation pressure is out of a target pressure value or range while the low-load operation is performed, and bypassing a refrigerant from the compressor to a gas/liquid separator via an injection passage when the operation pressure is out of the target pressure value or range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hongjae Lim, Jaewan Lee
  • Patent number: 9821700
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS), a refrigerated transport unit, and a method of charging a thermal accumulator in a TRS are disclosed. The TRS includes a thermal accumulator including a phase change material (PCM) configured in a first state, to absorb thermal energy from the interior space of the transport unit during transformation to a second state. A heat exchanger, a portion of which is disposed within the thermal accumulator, is in thermal communication with the PCM. The TRS also includes an expansion device and a transport refrigeration unit (TRU). A heat transfer fluid circuit connects the TRU and the heat exchanger, and is configured to direct a heat transfer fluid from the TRU to the heat exchanger via the expansion device for charging the PCM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Václav Rajtmajer, Michal Kolda, Markéta Kopecka, Michal Hegar, Pavel Houdek
  • Patent number: 9803897
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a refrigerant circuit including a compressor, an indoor heat exchanger, a first expansion valve, a gas-liquid separator, a second expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger which are sequentially connected together to perform a two-stage expansion refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant circuit further includes: a gas injection pipe through which intermediate-pressure gas refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator flows into an intermediate port of the compressor, and a liquid-gas heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between low-pressure gas refrigerant obtained by evaporating refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger and travelling toward the compressor and intermediate-pressure liquid refrigerant travelling from the gas-liquid separator toward the second expansion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shuji Furui, Kazuhiro Furusho, Hiroshi Yoh
  • Patent number: 9791196
    Abstract: Provided is an air conditioning apparatus that is capable of suppressing increases in volume and cost of the apparatus and performing more suitable overheating protection. An electric compressor is an inverter-integrated electric compressor integrally including a compressor, an electric motor that drives the compressor, and an inverter including a temperature sensor that detects the temperature in the vicinity of a semiconductor switching device, wherein a controller estimates a discharge temperature of the compressor on the basis of a correlation of respective pressure loading characteristics for the detected temperature of the inverter, for the rotational speed of the compressor, and for the motive force of the compressor in a refrigerating cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Hagita, Takayuki Takashige, Nobuya Nakagawa, Mikihiko Ishii, Takeshi Hirano, Koji Nakano, Masayuki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9791175
    Abstract: A method is provided for managing a flooded start of a compressor in a vapor compression system. Following an initial bump start, a determination is made as to whether working fluid in a liquid state remains in the sump of the compressor. If working fluid in a liquid state remains in the compressor sump, an additional bump start of the compressor is completed, followed by another determination as to whether working fluid in a liquid state still remains in the compressor sump. If working fluid in a liquid state remains in the compressor sump, another bump start of the compressor is initiated and the sequence repeated until no working fluid in the liquid state remains in the compressor sump. A normal start of the compressor may be initiated after determining no working fluid in the liquid state remains in the compressor sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Raymond L Senf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9682611
    Abstract: An air conditioning system, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a refrigerant circuit having at least one compressor, and comprising a coolant circuit having an external heat exchanger which is arranged in a heat pump system, wherein a redundant heat source is provided which is integrated in the heat pump system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Haug
  • Patent number: 9681590
    Abstract: A cooling system that cools HV equipment includes a compressor that circulates refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant, a gas-liquid separator that stores the refrigerant in liquid form that is condensed by the condenser, an expansion valve that reduces a pressure of the refrigerant, an evaporator that vaporizes the refrigerant that is reduced in pressure by the expansion valve, a first passage and a second passage through which the refrigerant flows from the gas-liquid separator toward the expansion valve, and that are provided in parallel, and a cooling portion that is provided along the second passage and cools the heat source using the refrigerant. The refrigerant in liquid form flows from the gas-liquid separator through the second passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, NIPPON SOKEN, INC
    Inventors: Kazuhide Uchida, Yuichi Ohno, Yoshiaki Kawakami, Yuki Jojima, Eizo Takahashi, Kousuke Sato
  • Patent number: 9651288
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus includes a compressor receiving refrigerant through an injection pipe and of discharging the refrigerant, a condenser, an electronic expansion valve connected by piping to another end of the injection pipe, a subcooling coil, a solenoid valve configured to control inflowing of the refrigerant through the injection pipe into the compressor, an injection bypass pipe connecting the injection pipe and a pipe on a suction side of the compressor, a solenoid valve configured to control passage of the refrigerant flowing through the injection bypass pipe, a high-low pressure bypass pipe connecting a pipe on a discharge side of the compressor and the pipe on the suction side of the compressor, a solenoid valve configured to control passage of the refrigerant through the high-low pressure bypass pipe, and a controller configured to control a frequency of the compressor and opening and closing of each of the solenoid valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Hata, Hiroshi Sata
  • Patent number: 9581368
    Abstract: An automobile air-conditioning system is provided, which includes an evaporator and an electrical expansion valve in communication via pipes, with the electrical expansion valve including a coil and a valve body, the coil being fixedly mounted on the valve body; the system also includes a support, the support including a heat-sinking bridge and a cooling ring, with the evaporator provided on one side of the heat-sinking bridge and the cooling ring provided on the other side of the heat-sinking bridge; the heat-sinking bridge and the cooling ring are formed in one piece or are connected with each other fixedly, and the coil is provided within the cooling ring. The automobile air-conditioning system has the advantages of a compact structural design, is capable of effectively cooling the electrical expansion valve, and has high system strength, stable transmission of coolant, and high security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hangzhou Sanhua Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rongrong Zhang, Edwin J. Stanke, Longzhou Xu