Reversible, I.e., Heat Pump Patents (Class 62/238.7)
  • Patent number: 11963331
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a liquid cooling apparatus includes a first cooling loop to provide cooling liquid to a heat load, wherein the first cooling loop comprises a first condenser unit, a first liquid supply line, and a first vapor return line and a second cooling loop to provide cooling liquid to the heat load, wherein the second cooling loop comprises a second condenser unit, a second liquid supply line, and a second vapor return line, wherein the first vapor return line and the second vapor return line are coupled by an interconnection loop. The liquid cooling apparatus further includes a first pressure sensor coupled to the first vapor return line, a second pressure sensor coupled to the second vapor return line, and at least one main cooling source controlled based on the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventor: Tianyi Gao
  • Patent number: 11959690
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a compressor, a metering device, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a first fan, a second fan, and a refrigerant circuit between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A thermal storage device coupled to the refrigerant circuit is configured to store thermal energy when the refrigerant fluid is above a threshold temperature and discharge thermal energy when the refrigerant fluid is below the threshold temperature. The heat pump is operated in a heating mode in which heat is transferred from the refrigerant fluid at the first heat exchanger and the temperature of the refrigerant fluid at the thermal storage device is above the threshold temperature, and a defrost mode in which heat is transferred to the refrigerant fluid at the first heat exchanger and the temperature of the refrigerant fluid at the thermal storage device is below the threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Jason T. LeRoy
  • Patent number: 11953239
    Abstract: A heat pump system provides at least six modes of heating, cooling, and/or domestic water heating operation, where domestic water heating may occur concurrently with heating or cooling a space in a structure. The heat pump system comprises a desuperheater positioned downstream of the compressor and operable as a desuperheater, a condenser or an evaporator, a source heat exchanger operable as either a condenser or an evaporator, a load heat exchanger operable as either a condenser or an evaporator, a reversing valve positioned downstream of the desuperheater heat exchanger and configured to alternately direct refrigerant flow from the desuperheater heat exchanger to one of the load heat exchanger and the source heat exchanger and to alternately return refrigerant flow from the other of the load heat exchanger and the source heat exchanger to the compressor, and an expansion valve positioned between the load heat exchanger and the source heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: WaterFurnace International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Brown
  • Patent number: 11927377
    Abstract: An air conditioning system can be toggled between a heating mode, in which heat is withdrawn from a source (e.g., a geothermal source) and deposited into a conditioned space (e.g., a building), and a cooling mode, in which heat is withdrawn from the conditioned space and deposited into the source. The air conditioning system uses a combination of efficiency-enhancing technologies, including injection of superheated vapor into the system's compressor from an economizer circuit, adjustable compressor speed, the use of one or coaxial heat exchangers and the use of electronic expansion valves that are continuously adjustable from a fully closed to various open positions. A controller may be used to control the system for optimal performance in both the heating and cooling modes, such as by disabling the economizer circuit and vapor injection when the system is in the cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: WaterFurnace International, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Hammond, Robert R. Brown
  • Patent number: 11913688
    Abstract: Mechanical refrigeration system includes a compression device. The compression device has a pair of dual-action cylinders connected together by a movable rod thereof. A first cylinder acts as an element for compressing coolant fluid, for which purpose the rod is moved through the second cylinder, fed by a pressurised fluid that allows the flow of coolant fluid in the first cylinder and the flow of pressurised fluid of the second cylinder at the outlet of both devices to be constant, thus configuring a completely autonomous device that does not need electricity or any type of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: OFF TECHNOLOGIES STP, S.L.
    Inventors: Luis Zuniga Mangas, Angel Gabriel Ramos Ramos
  • Patent number: 11912100
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal conditioning circuit (1) for a hybrid or electric motor vehicle, in which a refrigerant can circulate, said circuit (1) comprising a compressor (3), a condenser (5), an evaporator-condenser (7), an evaporator (9) and a heat exchanger (11) thermally coupled to an electric member, e.g. a vehicle electric battery, characterized in that the circuit is configured to operate at least in the following three modes in which the refrigerant can circulate in a cascade and successively:—via the condenser (5), the evaporator-condenser (7) and the evaporator (9) in a first mode;—via the condenser (5), the evaporator (9) and the evaporator-condenser (7) in a second mode; and—in another mode, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventors: Bertrand Nicolas, Mohamed Yahia
  • Patent number: 11909346
    Abstract: An electric motor system includes a drive shaft, a first electric motor, a second electric motor, a first inverter, a second inverter and a control unit. The drive shaft is rotatable around an axis. The first electric motor and the second electric motor rotate the drive shaft. The first inverter supplies power in order to generate a torque to the first electric motor. The second inverter supplies power in order to generate a torque to the second electric motor. The control unit controls the first inverter and the second inverter. The controller is configured to be able to change a ratio between an output torque of the first electric motor and an output torque of the second electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Ono, Yusuke Irino, Hiroshi Hibino
  • Patent number: 11852390
    Abstract: A heat exchanger, a heat pump system, and a heat exchange method. The heat exchanger operates in a cooling mode or a heating mode. A heat exchange medium flows through via a first flow path within the heat exchanger in the cooling mode, and flows through via a second flow path within the heat exchanger in the heating mode. A diversion component is disposed within the heat exchanger. The diversion component is configured such that the length of the first flow path is different from the length of the second flow path; moreover, a partial segment of the first flow path and a partial segment of the second flow path overlap with each other, and flow directions of the heat exchange medium therein are identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chunpeng Zhou, Shuang Lu, Guangyu Shen, Shuguang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11841154
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for tracking temperature profile of water in a hot water storage tank. The method performed by a control unit includes monitoring flow of water at one or more inlets and one or more outlets included in the tank to determine current locations of a plurality of water layers within the tank. The plurality of water layers changes corresponding positions within the tank based on water entering within and exiting from the tank. The method includes receiving a series of temperature values measured at a series of time instances from at least one temperature sensor mounted to the tank. The method includes electronically generating a temperature profile of the tank based at least on the current locations of the plurality of water layers and the series of temperature values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Harvest Thermal, Inc.
    Inventors: Elisabeth Jane Melia, Evan Green, Pascual Starink
  • Patent number: 11808496
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes plural heat transfer tubes disposed with a specified spacing from each other in the up and down direction, and a distributor configured to distribute refrigerant to the heat transfer tubes. The distributor includes a body part, and plural flow-splitting parts, the body part including a first passage in which refrigerant flows upward, the flow-splitting parts communicating with the first passage and with one of the heat transfer tubes. The flow-splitting parts include one or more first flow-splitting parts each communicating with a first heat transfer tube, which is a higher positioned heat transfer tube. The flow-splitting parts include one or more second heat transfer tubes each communicating with a second heat transfer tube positioned below the first heat transfer tube. The refrigerant inlet of the first flow-splitting part communicates with the first passage at a location below the refrigerant inlet of the second flow-splitting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Miyawaki, Yoji Onaka, Yohei Kato
  • Patent number: 11796210
    Abstract: Controlling heating and cooling in a conditioned space utilizes a fluid circulating in a thermally conductive structure in fluid connection with a hydronic-to-air heat exchanger and a ground heat exchanger. Air is moved past the hydronic-to-air heat exchanger, the air having fresh air supply and stale air exhaust. Sensors located throughout the conditioned space send data to a controller. User input to the controller sets the desired set point temperature and humidity. Based upon the set point temperature and humidity and sensor data, the controller sends signals to various devices to manipulate the flow of the fluid and the air in order to achieve the desired set point temperature and humidity in the conditioned space. The temperature of the fluid is kept less than the dew point at the hydronic-to-air heat exchanger and the temperature of the fluid is kept greater than the dew point at the thermally conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Energy Environmental Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Reid Wallace
  • Patent number: 11733106
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor for measuring temperature of a fluid within a vessel, the vessel having a first region and a second region and the fluid having a temperature profile extending between the first region and the second region, the sensor comprising an array of elements, each element having a temperature-dependent parameter, the array being capable of deployment within or adjacent the vessel such that the array extends along the vessel for measuring the temperature profile, the elements of the array being coupled together between an input and an output, the input being coupled or capable of being coupled to a driving source for driving the sensors, and the output being coupled or capable of being coupled to a detector for measuring an aggregate of the temperature-dependent parameter from the array of elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Oxford University Innovation Limited
    Inventors: Malcolm Duncan McCulloch, Peter Michael Armstrong
  • Patent number: 11719471
    Abstract: An energy efficient heat pump for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a vapor compression circuit, a heat exchanger of the vapor compression circuit configured to place a working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with an air flow directed across the heat exchanger, and a conduit system of the vapor compression circuit. The conduit system of the vapor compression circuit is configured to direct the working fluid into the heat exchanger and to receive the working fluid from the heat exchanger, wherein the conduit system is configured to direct the working fluid into the heat exchanger to place the working fluid in a counterflow arrangement with the air flow directed across the heat exchanger in a cooling mode of the heat pump and in a heating mode of the heat pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Pankaj Digambar Nalamwar, Anand Mallinath Dulange, Dnyaneshwar Gorakshanath Rokade, Hambirarao Sayajirao Sawant
  • Patent number: 11680739
    Abstract: The present invention describes a vapour compression apparatus wherein an intermediary located heat battery is capable of releasing charge (i.e. discharging) and/or charging and thereby controlling the temperature of a heat source or heat sink temperature in a vapour compression cycle. More particularly, the present invention describes vapour compression apparatus wherein an intermediary located heat battery comprising Phase change material (PCM) is capable of releasing charge (i.e. discharging) energy and/or charging and thereby controlling the temperature of a heat source and/or heat sink temperature in a vapour compression cycle in a range of refrigeration and/or heating systems including: air conditioning in both domestic and industrial uses; transportation of food/materials in vehicles, trains, air, etc. The present invention also relates to a methodology for selecting phase change materials (PCMs) and/or refrigerants for a vapour compression apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Sunamp Limited
    Inventors: Andrew John Bissell, David Oliver, Andrew William McCahey, Maurizio Zaglio
  • Patent number: 11674718
    Abstract: A well completion to convert a hydrocarbon production well into a geothermal well includes flow tubes to transport a working fluid through the well and a heat exchanger at a downhole location coupled to the flow tubes to exchange heat of the formation at the downhole location with the working fluid. A heat exchange fluid surrounds the heat exchanger at the downhole location to be heated by the formation at the downhole location. The heat exchanger heats the working fluid to a state in which the working fluid rises to the surface. At the surface, a power plant uses the heated working fluid to generate work. The working fluid is then cooled and returned to the downhole location to repeat the work generation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Atallah N. Alharbi, Mashari Al-Otaibi
  • Patent number: 11650556
    Abstract: A method for monitoring and controlling multiple utility consumption in a building includes: obtaining, by a first server, real-time utility usage data from a plurality of utility devices associated with the building; parsing the utility usage data obtained by the first server to generate individual data streams including utility consumption information; and storing the individual data streams in a database. The method further includes: obtaining, by a second server, at least a subset of the individual data streams from the database based on a client request for the utility consumption information; parsing and aggregating, by the second server, at least the subset of the obtained individual data streams and returning the parsed and aggregated data streams to a requesting client; and displaying the parsed and aggregated data streams, presenting to the client information regarding the multiple utility consumption associated with the building in a prescribed format controlled by the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Teghpal Singh Sandhu
    Inventor: Teghpal Singh Sandhu
  • Patent number: 11644214
    Abstract: Controlling heating and cooling in a conditioned space utilizes a fluid circulating in a thermally conductive structure in fluid connection with a hydronic-to-air heat exchanger and a ground heat exchanger. Air is moved past the hydronic-to-air heat exchanger, the air having fresh air supply and stale air exhaust. Sensors located throughout the conditioned space send data to a controller. User input to the controller sets the desired set point temperature and humidity. Based upon the set point temperature and humidity and sensor data, the controller sends signals to various devices to manipulate the flow of the fluid and the air in order to achieve the desired set point temperature and humidity in the conditioned space. The temperature of the fluid is kept less than the dew point at the hydronic-to-air heat exchanger and the temperature of the fluid is kept greater than the dew point at the thermally conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Energy Environmental Corporation
    Inventor: Albert Reid Wallace
  • Patent number: 11641023
    Abstract: A system for generating electrical power includes an electrochemical cell including a cathode and an anode separated by an electrolyte, a cathode fluid flow path in operative fluid communication with the cathode including a cathode-side inlet and a cathode-side outlet, and an anode fluid flow path in operative fluid communication with the anode including an anode-side inlet and an anode-side outlet. The system also includes: a reactant source in operative fluid communication with the anode-side inlet; an oxygen generator in operative fluid communication with the cathode-side inlet, including a combustible composition comprising a fuel and a salt that thermally decomposes to release oxygen; and an electrical connection between the electrochemical cell and a power sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Rheaume, Matthew Pess
  • Patent number: 11602984
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling system for an electric power system for a vehicle capable of selectively cooling a power component used while the vehicle travels or is charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Ju Hee Kim, Moon Jo Kang
  • Patent number: 11591738
    Abstract: A method of operating a washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance includes a rotatable basket and a motor configured to drive the rotatable basket. The method includes sensing an attribute of articles in the basket. The method also includes determining a pause duration for an agitation operation based at least in part on the sensed attribute of the articles in the basket. The method further includes performing the agitation operation for a period of time. The agitation operation includes activating a motor of the washing machine appliance to agitate the articles within the basket for an agitation duration and deactivating the motor of the washing machine appliance for the pause duration. The period of time is equal to the sum of the agitation duration and the pause duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Hettinger, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Patent number: 11585329
    Abstract: A subterranean geothermal power generation system is disclosed herein, comprising a closed cavity, a temperature differential mechanical power generation device, an electric power generation device and a heat conduction module. The mechanical power generation device with a heat source end and a cold source end and the electric power generation device are integrated into the cavity. The heat source end is exposed from the cavity for contacting with a heat source in the well; the cold source end and the electric power generation device are located in the cavity. A heat conduction fluid is filled into the cavity, the heat conduction module extends from the cavity to the outside of the well. Accordingly, a temperature difference between the cold source end and the heat source end is created to enable the mechanical power generation device to mechanically drive the electric power generation device to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ELAND BLOCKCHAIN FINTECH INC.
    Inventor: Ching Song Wu
  • Patent number: 11579094
    Abstract: A moisture sensing system for a refrigerant flow of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a moisture sensor including a color change material sample located in a refrigerant flow of the HVAC system. The color change material sample configured to change color as an indication of a moisture level of the refrigerant flow. A color sensor is in optical communication with the moisture sensor and is configured to sense a color of the color change material and communicate the sensed color to an HVAC system controller. A method of operating an HVAC system includes exposing a condensing a color change material sample to a flow of refrigerant and sensing a color of the color change material via a color sensor. The color is indicative of a moisture level of the flow of refrigerant. The sensed color is communicated to an HVAC system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Zidu Ma
  • Patent number: 11536474
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes a refrigerant system in which an outdoor unit, one or more indoor units, and one or more ventilators are connected by a refrigerant pipe and in which refrigerant circulates, and a control device configured to control the refrigerant system. The control device includes a target temperature adjustment unit configured to adjust a target evaporating temperature based on a detection value detected by a temperature and humidity detection unit provided to at least one of the indoor unit and the ventilator that satisfies a specific criterion, and an air-conditioning control unit configured to control the refrigerant system such that the evaporating temperature of each of the indoor unit and the ventilator is equal to the target evaporating temperature adjusted by the target evaporating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yuya Morishita, Hiroyuki Morimoto
  • Patent number: 11530857
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for controlling an air conditioning system. The method of controlling the air conditioning system can include receiving air temperature data from an air temperature sensor and determining that the air conditioning system should operate in a reheat mode based on the air temperature being less than a threshold air temperature. The method can include outputting a control signal to a first electronic expansion valve to close and thereby prevent refrigerant to flow through an outdoor condenser coil. The method can also include outputting a control signal to a second electronic expansion valve to open and thereby permit refrigerant to flow through a reheat coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Karl Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11506427
    Abstract: Provided is an air conditioning apparatus. The air conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor unit which includes a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger and through which a refrigerant is circulated, an indoor unit through which water is circulated, a heat exchanger in which the refrigerant and the water are heat-exchanged with each other, a water tube configured to guide the water circulated through the indoor unit and the heat exchanger, a pump installed in the water tube, and a controller configured to analyze an output signal of the pump so as to calculate a ration of an air layer in the water tube, the controller being configured to control a target supercooling degree or target superheating degree of the heat exchanger according to the calculated ratio of the air layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jisung Lee, Ahrae Jo, Yongcheol Sa, Chiwoo Song, Ilyoong Shin
  • Patent number: 11485252
    Abstract: A thermal management system of a vehicle electric power system allows a production cost of a system to be reduced by reducing the number of three-way valves when compared to a conventional system and, simultaneously, is capable of implementing cooling and heating performances equivalent to those of the conventional system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gun Goo Lee, Seung Woo Yang
  • Patent number: 11469426
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a fuel cell vehicle is provided. The thermal management system includes a fuel cell stack, a heater configured to use power generated by the fuel cell stack, a radiator configured to cool a coolant, a pump configured to circulate the coolant, and a valve configured to control a temperature of the coolant by adjusting a flow rate of the coolant supplied to the pump from at least one of the fuel cell stack, the heater, or the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Hun Lee, Tae Geun Kim, Hyun Ju Ji, Wook Il Jang, Oh Tak Kwon, Hun Woo Park, Chui Wan Park
  • Patent number: 11447016
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a traction battery and a battery thermal control system. A controller is configured to receive an initial regenerative braking capability and operation the battery thermal control system to precondition the traction battery during a charge event to a temperature that corresponds to the initial regenerative braking capability such that, during a subsequent drive cycle, the regenerative braking capability is at least equal to the initial regenerative braking capability for at least a predetermined duration into the subsequent drive cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Barker, Kevin Mackenzie, Liam West
  • Patent number: 11446981
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle air conditioning device, which is an air conditioning device using an integrated heat pump system, and in which left and right independent air conditionings can be implemented in a simple structure such that the left and right air volumes may be automatically controlled, the ability to mix hot and cold air is improved, and sufficient space can be secured inside a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Se Min Lee, Dae Bok Keon, Yun Jin Kim, Jae Chun Ryu, Yo Chan Min, Tae Yong Park, Sung Je Lee
  • Patent number: 11435119
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a compressor, a four-way valve, a second flow path switching unit, a first outdoor heat exchanger, a second outdoor heat exchanger, a first indoor heat exchanger and a second flow path switching unit. The second flow path switching unit switches between a third state in which the first port, the second port, the first outdoor heat exchanger, the fourth port, the third port, the second heat exchanger, the fifth port and the sixth port are successively connected in series, and a fourth state in which the sixth port, the fourth port, the first heat exchanger, the second port and the first port are successively connected in series, and the sixth port, the fifth port, the second heat exchanger, the third port and the first port are successively connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Matsuda
  • Patent number: 11402112
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a heat-source-side heat exchanger, a heat-source-side expansion device, and a circuit-circuit heat exchanger are connected via a refrigerant pipe and refrigerant circulates, and a heat medium circuit in which a pump, the circuit-circuit heat exchanger, a load-side expansion device, and a load-side heat exchanger are connected via a heat medium pipe and a heat medium circulates. The air-conditioning apparatus includes a radiator that is connected to the heat medium pipe and a control unit that is attached to the radiator. The circuit-circuit heat exchanger exchanges heat between the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit and the heat medium circulating in the heat medium circuit. The control unit is cooled via the radiator by the heat medium flowing in the heat medium pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Yamanaka, Shigeo Takata
  • Patent number: 11396227
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus of a vehicle driving system for driving a vehicle according to the invention activates a heat pump to cool a hybrid system by cooling medium and flows an engine cooling water in an engine water circulation passage through a condenser to cool the cooling medium by the engine cooling water at the condenser when an engine water circulation condition is satisfied. The engine water circulation condition is a condition that a heat pump activation condition is satisfied, and an engine cooling condition is not satisfied. The heat pump activation condition is a condition that a process of cooling the hybrid system by the cooling medium of the heat pump is requested. The engine cooling condition is a condition that a process of cooling an internal combustion engine by the engine cooling water is requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoichi Ogura, Kunihiko Hayashi, Masatoshi Yano, Yuji Miyoshi, Takuya Hirai, Tomohiro Shinagawa, Ryo Michikawauchi, Hidefumi Aikawa, Yu Ofune
  • Patent number: 11358464
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling system for an electric power system for a vehicle capable of selectively cooling a power component used while the vehicle travels or is charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ju Hee Kim, Moon Jo Kang
  • Patent number: 11326787
    Abstract: A refrigerant distributor branches refrigerant flowing in a refrigerant circuit into three, and includes a first bifurcate flow divider including a first pipe portion forming one inflow port, a second pipe portion and a third pipe portion forming two outflow ports communicating with the inflow port of the first pipe portion, and a second bifurcate flow divider including a fourth pipe portion forming one inflow port, and a fifth pipe portion and a sixth pipe portion forming two outflow ports communicating with the inflow port of the fourth pipe portion. The outflow port of the third pipe portion and the inflow port of the fourth pipe portion communicate with each other, and an angle ? formed by a first plane passing through the first bifurcate flow divider and a second plane passing through the second bifurcate flow divider is between 60 and 120 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Miyawaki, Yoji Onaka, Osamu Morimoto, Hiroyuki Okano, Takanori Koike, Hiroki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 11274660
    Abstract: A stand-alone long-distance closed-loop heat energy capture, conveyance, and delivery system, comprises three closed-loop modules in serial communication. The first module is in communication with a first closed-loop piping infrastructure interconnected with a source of heat energy, and has a LBP liquid circulating therein whereby the LBP liquid is converted into its gas phase when flowing through the source of heat energy thereby capturing a portion of heat energy therefrom, and is converted into its liquid phase when flowing through a first heat exchanger that transfers the captured-heat energy to a second closed-loop piping infrastructure wherein also is circulating a LBP liquid. The second closed-loop module may extend for long distances. The captured-heat energy in the second module is transferred to a third closed-loop piping infrastructure wherein is also circulating a LBP liquid. The captured-heat energy is transferred from the third module to a delivery site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Lochterra Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Alvin Radke
  • Patent number: 11274871
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration apparatus capable of reducing the leakage of a refrigerant even when a refrigerant leak occurs in a defrosting operation of a usage-side heat exchanger. When a refrigerant leak situation around a usage-side heat exchanger satisfies a predetermined leak condition in performing a defrosting operation with a connection state of a four-way switching valve brought into a defrosting connection state in which a heat source-side heat exchanger functions as an evaporator for a refrigerant and a usage-side heat exchanger functions as a radiator for the refrigerant, a controller performs density lowering control to lower a refrigerant density in the usage-side heat exchanger while maintaining the four-way switching valve at the defrosting connection state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Sakae, Azuma Kondou, Masaaki Takegami, Kazuyoshi Nomura
  • Patent number: 11193702
    Abstract: There is provided a thermal energy storage system suitable for use with systems adapted to transfer heat from at least one heat source to at least one heat sink (heat transfer system), comprising at least one thermal energy storage unit. There is additionally provided a thermal energy storage system for use with a heat pump, or vapour compression refrigeration systems, a method of defrosting evaporators without affecting the energy delivered in the condenser before the defrosting cycle, and system architecture for defrosting evaporators in heat pumps or in vapour compression refrigeration systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SUNAMP LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew John Bissell, Maurizio Zaglio
  • Patent number: 11022345
    Abstract: A heat pump, heat pump exchanger component, and method of using a heat exchanger, the heat pump exchanger has long pipes arranged in at least one layer in fluid communication with one another, and spaced a minimum of about two (2) feet apart. Shorter pipes may be disposed between long pipes. A cylindrical HDPE insert is placed between adjacent pipes to permit socket or butt fusing. The long pipes are composed of high thermal conductive materials, such as aluminum, while the short pipes and/or connectors may be composed of flexible lower thermal conductive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventors: Roy Dan Halloran, Don Rhule Richardson
  • Patent number: 11009268
    Abstract: A system for air-conditioning and hot-water supply is configured to selectively perform a cooling operation and a heating operation. The system includes: an outdoor unit having a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger; a plurality of indoor units each of which is connected to the outdoor unit and includes an indoor heat exchanger; a hot-water supply unit connected to the outdoor unit so as to be arranged in parallel to the indoor unit and including a refrigerant-water heat exchanger; and a controller configured to monitor a request for hot-water supply from the hot-water supply unit. The controller is further configured to continue a cooling operation after the request has occurred and until a predetermined condition is satisfied where the request for hot-water supply has occurred during the cooling operation at at least one of the plurality of indoor units, and then to start a heating operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD., DAIKIN EUROPE N.V.
    Inventors: Hideo Chikami, Tim Coessens
  • Patent number: 10946721
    Abstract: Vehicular heat management system includes a refrigerant circulation line including a compressor, a high pressure side indoor heat exchanger, a heat pump mode expansion valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, an air conditioning mode expansion valve, low pressure side indoor heat exchanger and a refrigerant-cooling water heat exchanger; an air conditioning mode branch line branched from the refrigerant circulation line and configured to, in an air conditioning mode, form a cooling loop by circulating a refrigerant through the compressor, the high pressure side indoor heat exchanger, the outdoor heat exchanger, the air conditioning mode expansion valve and low pressure side indoor heat exchanger. Heat pump mode branch line branched from the refrigerant circulation line is configured, in heat pump mode to form a heating loop by circulating the refrigerant through the compressor, the high pressure side indoor heat exchanger, the heat pump mode expansion valve and the refrigerant-cooling water heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Hanon Systems
    Inventors: Jae Min Lee, Young Chul Kim, In Hyeok Kim, Seo Jun Yoon, Kyeong Cheol Lee, Seung Ho Lee, Sung Ho Kang, Jung Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 10914310
    Abstract: A blowing device is provided. The blowing device includes a first blowing unit that suctions air from above and discharges the air downward, and a second blowing unit disposed below the first blowing portion so as to suction air from below and to discharge the air upward. The blowing device is advantageous in that no matter what position the user is in, wind may be easily discharged to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Heechul Park, Jaehyuk Jung, Kyuhwan Choi
  • Patent number: 10866002
    Abstract: A hybrid heat pump system comprising a heat pump loop integrated with a hydronic loop. The hybrid heat pump system offers multiple modes of operation to provide increased versatility and improved performance. Each of the loops can operate independently. In addition, the loops can operate in conjunction with each other in both heating and cooling modes. Still further, the hydronic loop can provide a reheat function when the heat pump loop is operating in the cooling mode to provide improved dehumidification of the air delivered to the conditioned space. The heat pump loop may include a hot gas bypass functionality for capacity control and/or freeze protection. The hydronic heat exchanger and the space heat exchanger of the heat pump loop may be combined in a compact single slab construction with a slit fin preventing cross-conduction between the heat exchanger sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Climate Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Taras, Michael S. Privett
  • Patent number: 10864926
    Abstract: A system for analyzing thermal properties of a railroad includes a thermal imaging device configured to generate thermal image data reproducible as a thermal image of a portion of the railroad, the thermal image data being associated with a location of the portion of the railroad, an electronic display device, a memory device configured to receive and store therein the generated thermal image data; and one or more processors configured to: determine a temperature metric of the portion of the railroad based at least in part on the thermal image data; and cause the electronic display device to display (i) a first graph indicative of the temperature metric of the portion of the railroad and (ii) a second graph indicative of a railroad track geometry metric associated with the location of the portion of the railroad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: ENSCO, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Dick, Zhipeng Liu, Samson Yilma
  • Patent number: 10731659
    Abstract: A kind of an energy-saving and endurable auto electric water pump, including fixed support, electrical connector, rear cover of motor, controller assembly, motor assembly, isolation sleeve, impeller assembly and pump head housing, and the said fixed support and said electrical connector are set on the outer end surface of the rear cover of the motor, the controller assembly is mounted on the inner end face of the rear cover of the motor, and rear cover of the motor is mounted together with the motor assembly, the said impeller assembly is installed together with the isolation sleeve through rotating axis, while the water-cooling mechanism is set on the controller assembly. In the present invention, the water cooling mechanism is set on the controller of the electric water pump, which can effectively reduce the temperature of the controller and improve the service life of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FEILONG AUTO COMPONENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiangqing Zhou, Fan Feng, Jianhua Tang
  • Patent number: 10723199
    Abstract: A vehicular heat management device includes a first heat source, a second heat source, a heater core, a first heat medium pathway, a second heat medium pathway, a heater core pathway, a switching portion, and a control unit. The first heat source is provided in the first heat medium pathway, and the second heat source is provided in the second heat medium pathway. The heater core is provided in the heater core pathway. The switching portion switches between flowing connection and flowing disconnection. The control unit performs at least one of a switching control and a second heat source control when a temperature of the heat medium of the heater core pathway is at or above a predetermined temperature. In the switching control, the switching portion connects the second heat medium pathway to the heater core pathway. In the second heat source control, the second heat source generates heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kato, Masayuki Takeuchi, Keigo Sato, Koji Miura, Norihiko Enomoto, Kengo Sugimura, Ariel Marasigan, Ikuo Ozawa, Nobuharu Kakehashi, Yoshikazu Shinpo, Yoichi Onishi, Toshio Murata
  • Patent number: 10723203
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device includes: a first expansion valve that decompresses a refrigerant flowing out of a high-pressure side heat exchanger; an exterior heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant flowing out of the first expansion valve and outside air; a second expansion valve that decompresses the refrigerant flowing out of the exterior heat exchanger; a low-pressure side heat exchanger arranged in series with the exterior heat exchanger; a cooler core that exchanges heat between the heat medium cooled by the low-pressure side heat exchanger and air to be blown into a vehicle interior to cool the air; and a controller configured to switch between a heat absorption mode and a heat dissipation mode by adjusting an amount of decompression in each of the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kato, Nobuyuki Hashimura, Koji Miura, Norihiko Enomoto, Kengo Sugimura, Keigo Sato, Masayuki Takeuchi, Ariel Marasigan
  • Patent number: 10684043
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a heat source unit, a plurality of indoor units, and a relay unit. The heat source unit includes a heat-source-side flow control valve connected to a heat-source-side heat exchanger, a bypass pipe connected in parallel to the heat-source-side heat exchanger, a bypass flow control valve provided in the bypass pipe, and a gas-liquid separating unit configured to, when refrigerant flows out to the high-pressure pipe, mix refrigerant in a liquid state flowing through the heat-source-side heat exchanger and refrigerant in a gas state flowing through the bypass pipe and cause mixed refrigerant to flow out to the high-pressure pipe, and configured to, when refrigerant flows in from the low-pressure pipe, separate the refrigerant flowing in from the low-pressure pipe into refrigerant in a liquid state flowing into the heat-source-side heat exchanger and refrigerant in a gas state flowing into the bypass pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Okano, Naofumi Takenaka
  • Patent number: 10634391
    Abstract: A vapor compression system that includes an evaporator system that changes a temperature of a fluid flowing across the evaporator system using a refrigerant. The evaporator system includes a first evaporator section that cools the fluid flowing across the first evaporator section using the refrigerant. The evaporator system also includes a second evaporator section that is capable of alternatively cooling and heating the fluid flowing across the second evaporator section with the refrigerant. A valve system controls a flow of the refrigerant through the second evaporator section between a first flow path of the evaporator system and a second flow path of the evaporator system. The refrigerant heats the fluid flowing across the second evaporator section as the refrigerant flows through the first flow path and the refrigerant cools the fluid flowing across the second evaporator section as the refrigerant flows through the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Nicholas P. Mislak
  • Patent number: 10601087
    Abstract: A cooling system is provided for a traction battery of an electrified motor vehicle. That cooling system includes a cooling circuit, a refrigerant circuit, a plurality of flow control valves and a control system. That control system includes a controller configured to (a) control operation of the plurality of flow control valves, including a coolant proportional valve, and (b) prioritize cabin cooling over traction battery cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Noah Blatchley, Angel Fernando Porras
  • Patent number: 10571173
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a bypass passage and a cooling-heating switching mechanism. The bypass passage is configured to be at least a part of a flow passage connecting a third port to a refrigerant inlet of a compressor. A linear expansion valve opens and closes the bypass passage. The cooling-heating switching mechanism includes check valves and four-way valves. The four-way valve causes a refrigerant outlet of the check valve to communicate with one of the refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet of the compressor. The four-way valve causes a refrigerant inlet of the check valve to communicate with one of the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet of the compressor and causes a port to communicate with the other of the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kosuke Tanaka, Takuya Matsuda, Hiroaki Asanuma