With Vehicle Feature Patents (Class 62/239)
  • Patent number: 8720215
    Abstract: An auxiliary air-conditioning system for a motor vehicle, in particular a truck comprising a tractor provided with a driving cab and possibly a sleeper compartment, and a primary air-conditioning system connected to the main engine and to the battery of the truck. The auxiliary air-conditioning system is totally independent of the primary air-conditioning system of the truck and is formed by an external unit designed to be set on the outside of the driving cab and/or of the sleeper compartment, and by at least one heat-exchange unit, which is hydraulically and electrically connected to the external unit and is designed to be set inside the driving cab and/or inside the sleeper compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Lombardini S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Magri, Davide Bandiera
  • Patent number: 8707718
    Abstract: An engine configured to drive a compressor of a vehicle air conditioning system is controlled based on a threshold condition. In at least one embodiment, a comfort-level selection is received, a threshold condition is determined based on the comfort-level, and a vehicle interior condition is detected. The engine is requested to run if the interior condition exceeds the threshold condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Elaine Y. Chen, William Treharne, Wayne Buescher, Thomas Fox
  • Patent number: 8707721
    Abstract: A cooling system for an aircraft includes an air inlet through which air from the environment of the aircraft enters a ram air channel, and an air outlet through which air emerges from the ram air channel. A heat exchanger is arranged in the ram air channel. A ventilation device is in fluid communication with the ram air channel. Also connected to the ram air channel is a distribution line to cool at least one heat-loaded component of the aircraft, in particular a cabin air conditioning system, and/or to ventilate an installation space of the at least one heat-loaded component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Scherer, Rudiger Schmidt, Alexander Solntsev
  • Patent number: 8701430
    Abstract: A refrigeration unit body (31) is mounted to a trailer (20). The refrigeration unit body (31) includes a refrigerant circuit (40), an engine (50) and an electric generator (51). The refrigeration unit body (31) has a condensation side passage (70) formed from the front surface of the refrigeration unit body (31) to the top thereof. In the condensation side passage (70), a condenser (42) and an electrical component box (54) are disposed in series with condenser fans (44) for the condenser (42) and a radiator (55) in order from upstream to downstream of air flow. In addition, the refrigeration unit body (31) has an evaporation side passage (71) formed therein. The condenser fans (44) in the condensation side passage (70) and evaporation fans in the evaporation side passage are disposed alternately in the width direction of the refrigeration unit body (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeichi Kitano, Yukio Nishihama, Keisuke Kudou
  • Patent number: 8701426
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing loss of a cooling fluid from a boiler in an aircraft by incorporating an absorber material is provided. In some aspects, an apparatus may include a base section, a top section, a cooling fluid, and an absorber material disposed in the base section. The absorber material may be configured to retain the cooling fluid therein. The apparatus may further include a barrier disposed between the base and top sections. The barrier may be configured to retain the absorber material in the base section while allowing the cooling fluid to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Frank E. Mills
  • Patent number: 8696151
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process of determining, at a point during shipment, whether the solid phase refrigerant in a shipment is sufficient to preserve the shipment cargo, which is blood or other biological products, for the remaining shipment period, by: monitoring the temperatures encountered to said point and estimating the temperatures likely to be encountered during the remaining shipment period; determining the likelihood that the remaining refrigerant can maintain the shipment cargo within a specified temperature range during the remaining shipment period; and if the risk that the remaining refrigerant cannot maintain the shipment cargo within said range during the remaining shipment period is above a cut-off level, then taking action to preserve the value of the cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: TCP Reliable, Inc.
    Inventor: Maurice Barakat
  • Publication number: 20140096554
    Abstract: A vehicle heating, ventilation, and air cooling (HVAC) system that includes a casing, an evaporator, and a heater core. The casing defines a windshield outlet, a side window outlet, a front face outlet, and a front foot outlet. The evaporator and heater core are both housed within the casing. The side window outlet is between the evaporator and the windshield outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa Buczek, John Uhrick, Simon Kehimkar
  • Publication number: 20140083647
    Abstract: An aircraft is provided including an environmental control system (ECS) having a first ECS pack and a second ECS pack. A duct couples the first ECS pack to the second ECS pack. The duct includes a first bypass conduit configured to form a bypass around a first primary heat exchanger of the first ECS pack. A second bypass conduit configured to form a bypass around a second primary heat exchanger of the second ECS pack. The duct includes a crossover conduit extending between the first bypass conduit and the second bypass conduit. The duct includes a plurality of valves for selectively controlling a flow between the first bypass conduit and the second bypass conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Donald E. Army, JR., Thomas M. Zywiak, David Anderson, JR.
  • Patent number: 8650895
    Abstract: A method of constructing modular air conditioning systems for vehicles includes providing identical universal base units that can be built out into a variety of different types of air conditioning systems. Each base unit includes a frame, a condenser, an evaporator coil, and a blower, and has open-circuit refrigerant connection lines so as to be non-operational without a completion kit. Completion kits are provided in a variety of configurations, including at least two of a simple connection kit, a front box kit, and a compressor kit, each of which is connectable with a universal base unit to form a unique type of air conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Jiri Zapotocky, Miroslav Vavrik, Thomas Reitz
  • Publication number: 20140033752
    Abstract: In vehicle air-conditioning devices including a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, and an indoor heat exchanger that are connected by refrigerant pipes to form a refrigeration cycle; an indoor air-sending device that supplies air to the indoor heat exchanger; and an outdoor air-sending device that supplies air to the outdoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant circuit is installed under the floor of a vehicle and uses carbon dioxide as the refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Munehisa Gunjima, Hiroki Murakami
  • Patent number: 8631662
    Abstract: A pressure and prevacuum testing system for an AC system in a vehicle includes an air pressure source for pressurizing a cooling circuit of the AC system to a predetermined high pressure threshold and a vacuum source for prevacuuming the cooling circuit either to a predetermined prevacuum low pressure level or for a predetermined time period. The system also includes a pressure gauge for operatively measuring a pressure level in the cooling circuit. A controller is operatively connected to the air pressure source, the vacuum source and the pressure gauge. The controller compares the pressure level as measured by the pressure gauge to the predetermined high pressure threshold during a pressurized test of the cooling circuit and to the predetermined prevacuum low pressure level during a prevacuum test of the cooling circuit to determine if leaks are present in the cooling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Terry Castle, Tiffany Kasettratut, Richard McDonald, Charles Hudgins, Kevin Lilly
  • Publication number: 20140013787
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plate-type heat exchanger or chiller, with multiple stacking plates stacked one on top of the other such that a first fluid duct for a first fluid and a second fluid duct for a second fluid are formed between the stacking plates. A first inlet and outlet opening for conducting in and discharging the first fluid, and a second inlet and outlet opening for conducting in and discharging the second fluid is provided. The first inlet or outlet opening is formed by an immersion pipe and the first fluid can be conducted into the first fluid duct through the immersion pipe, such that the first inlet and outlet openings are formed on the same side of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: BEHR GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Markus Wesner, Hans-Georg Herrmann, Peter Klein, Thomas Himmer
  • Publication number: 20130305761
    Abstract: In an arrangement structure for an air-conditioning compressor in a hybrid electric vehicle, an engine, a power generating motor, a driving motor, and an air-conditioning compressor are disposed in an engine room, the engine and the power generating motor being arranged in series, in which the air-conditioning compressor is arranged on a side portion of the power generating motor. The power generating motor and the driving motor are provided in parallel with each other in a vehicle longitudinal direction and are accommodated respectively in separate motor cases, and one of the motor cases on which the air-conditioning compressor is fixed is arranged at a position behind and higher than another one of the motor cases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihito Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20130298587
    Abstract: The present invention is a personal cooling device for use during the operation of a motorcycle to provide a mist of water to keep a rider or passenger cool during hot weather. The device in a first embodiment consists of a water reservoir connected to an electric motor driven by the bikes electrical system to push water through tubing toward and out nozzles mounted on the motorcycle's handle bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Allen D. Spurlin
  • Publication number: 20130298849
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a cab unit (3) tiltable relative to a vehicle frame (2) between a lowered state and a raised state. A first circuit (10) on the vehicle frame circulates a first medium. A second circuit (20) in the cab unit circulates a second medium. A heat transfer arrangement (4) transfers heat between the media. The arrangement includes a first heat transfer unit (11) on the vehicle frame, and in the first circuit and the first medium flows through it, and a second heat transfer unit (21) on the cab unit and in the second circuit and the second medium flows through it. These heat transfer units (11, 21) are in heat-transferring contact when the cab unit is in the lowered state and are separated when the cab unit is in the raised state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Hallqvist, Zoltan Kardos
  • Publication number: 20130298586
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle, having a cooling air duct disposed within a battery to move cooling air for cooling the battery, so as to enable same to be compact and improve space utilization, in order to optimize cooling performance within a limited space. The vehicle of the present invention also includes a battery-cooling unit that exchanges heat and cools air ventilated from the passenger compartment and then supplies the air to the battery, so as to use the air from the passenger compartment with minimal effects on the air temperature in the passenger compartment, and more efficiently cool the battery. Further, the vehicle and method for controlling same according to the present invention can detect the temperatures of the battery and of the passenger compartment, and determine whether to cool the air in the passenger compartment using a heat exchanger in accordance with each detected temperature, or control the rotation speed of a ventilation fan, in order to more efficiently cool the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Jae Cheol Hwang, Seung Hun Yeon, Jeung ju Hwang, Hyun Woo Yoon, Tae Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 8578723
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system control apparatus for controlling an air-conditioning system of a vehicle equipped with a motive power engine, having: a device for determining whether there is a history of a load that has been applied to a compressor, operated by the output of the motive power engine, equal to or greater than a threshold, during operation of the air-conditioning system; a device for carrying out initial operation process of the air-conditioning system if the load history determination device determines that there is a history of a load equal to or greater than the threshold has been applied to the compressor; and a device for carrying out liquid accumulation resolution process when liquefaction of a refrigerant occurs in the compressor only if the load history determination device determines that there is no history of a load equal to or greater than the threshold has been applied to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuma Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8567206
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system includes a controller that initially controls operation of a compressor to switch between inactive and active states in response to detecting that an operating condition is equal to or surpasses a first operation threshold. The controller determines a first time delay occurring between initiating the switch from one of the inactive and active states to the other of the compressor, and an actual change in the operating condition. The controller subsequently defines a first limit that is offset from the first operation threshold such that the controller controls the operation of the compressor to subsequently switch from the one of inactive and active states to the other in response to detecting that the operating condition is equal to or surpasses the first limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Ic.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Eisenhour
  • Publication number: 20130277009
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with an aircraft air conditioning machine to provide conditioned air to an aircraft cabin includes a recirculation air mixer to mix recirculation air and cold air from a turbine in the air conditioning machine as mixed air, the recirculation air mixer including a cold inlet, a plenum, a recirculation air inlet connected to an annulus and a plurality of injectors for injecting the recirculation air from the annulus into the plenum; and a condenser connected to the recirculation air mixer, the condenser including an inlet to receive air from a heat exchanger, a chamber where air from the recirculation air mixer enters to condense the air received through the inlet from the heat exchanger, an outlet for transferring the condensed air to the turbine, and an outlet for transferring conditioned air to the aircraft cabin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Donald E. Army
  • Patent number: 8555667
    Abstract: A portion of a draft duct in an air conditioning unit upstream from a heater core is divided into three passages. Each of the divided passages is provided with air mix doors 9a, 9b, and 9c that distribute air into a warm air passage and a cool air passage at a predetermined ratio. The air mix doors 9a and 9b are driven by first slide systems 34a and 34b having drive gears 21a and 21b that mesh with racks 20a and 20b of the air mix doors 9a and 9b, and support shafts 22a and 22b that support the drive gears 21a and 21b. The air mix door 9c is driven by a second slide system 35c having a drive gear 21c that meshes with a rack 20c of the air mix door 9c and that is supported by a support shaft 22c, and a second auxiliary gear 24a that meshes with a first auxiliary gear 24b supported by the support shaft 22c and that is supported by an auxiliary support shaft 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Ozeki, Toshio Ohashi, Masato Ono, Akihiro Tsurushima
  • Patent number: 8544292
    Abstract: The present invention provides an air conditioner for a vehicle that includes a closed refrigeration loop. The closed refrigeration loop includes a compressor, a refrigerant-to-coolant heat exchanger, a coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger and a refrigerant dryer in series fluid connection with one another. An engine coolant outlet connector is connected to the coolant-to-refrigerant exchanger. A compartment inlet connector connected to the coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger. A compartment outlet connector connected to the refrigerant-to-coolant heat exchanger. An engine coolant inlet connector connected to the refrigerant-to-coolant heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: OmniTherm, Inc.
    Inventors: W. James Masters, Douglas W. Fugate, Edwin E. Wilson, John T. Johnson, W. Jason Masters
  • Publication number: 20130247605
    Abstract: A truck includes a refrigerated compartment that is equipped with a dedicated refrigerating system, and a driver cabin. The driver cabin is equipped with a least a first heat exchanger adapted to cool an air flow directed to the cabin. The truck further includes a compartment heat exchanger located in the refrigerated compartment and adapted to cool a heat transfer liquid sent to the first heat exchanger through a heat transfer liquid connecting the first heat exchanger to the compartment heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: RENAULT TRUCKS
    Inventor: Frédéric Laudet
  • Patent number: 8539784
    Abstract: An adjustable orifice for use in an aircraft air conditioning system includes a first orifice element which has an orifice frame as well as a first orifice area. When the orifice is assembled at a duct, the first orifice area of the first orifice element leaves open a part of a cross section of the duct. The orifice also includes a second orifice element with a second orifice area. When the orifice is assembled at the duct, the second orifice area of the second orifice element leaves open a part of the cross section of the duct. The second orifice element is rotatable about an axis, so that the second orifice area is rotatable relative to the first orifice area in order to set a desired flow cross section in the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Gunnar Heuer, Birgit Meiser
  • Publication number: 20130239598
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for an aircraft includes at least one air conditioning pack which for the purpose of heat dissipation can be connected to at least one cooling air inlet of the aircraft and is designed to cool air and to introduce it at a cabin pressure into a passenger cabin of the aircraft. A separately operable cooling device is designed to cool the ambient air flowing into the cooling air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Jan Barkowsky
  • Patent number: 8534093
    Abstract: A unit for an ejector-type refrigeration cycle includes an ejector, first and second evaporators connected in parallel to a downstream side of the ejector and configured to evaporate the refrigerant discharged from the outlet of the ejector, and a refrigerant distributor configured to distribute the refrigerant discharged from an outlet of the ejector to a side of the first evaporator and a side of the second evaporator. The ejector draws refrigerant from a refrigerant suction port by a high-velocity refrigerant flow jetted from a nozzle portion, and mixes the refrigerant injected from the nozzle portion with the refrigerant drawn from the refrigerant suction port so as to discharge the mixed refrigerant from the outlet of the ejector. The ejector and the refrigerant distributor are connected to each other such that the refrigerant discharged from the outlet of the ejector directly flows into the refrigerant distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Sugiura, Hirotsugu Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8528354
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle air-conditioning system in which an air for air-conditioning is cooled at a first evaporator, is heated at a condenser, and is supplied to a vehicle interior in heating operation. The object of the present invention is to suppress a dew condensation at the first evaporator to prevent a freeze of the dew condensation water even if the temperature of the air for air-conditioning introduced from the outside of the vehicle is low. The above object is achieved by disposing a second evaporator between an automated expansion valve to decompress the refrigerant exhausted from a compressor and the first evaporator so as to reduce the absorbed heat at the first evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidenori Esaki
  • Patent number: 8516841
    Abstract: A heating and air conditioning device 20 for an automotive vehicle, including a refrigerant circuit 4 in which a refrigerant circulates between three distinctive units 6, 10, 14 exchanging with respective secondary liquid loops 8, 12, 16. An evaporating unit 6 is dedicated to the evaporation of the refrigerant when operating in a cooling mode. A cooling unit 10 is dedicated to the cooling or condensation of the refrigerant when operating in the cooling mode as well as operating in the heating mode. A reversible unit 14 is dedicated to the evaporation of the refrigerant when operating in the heating mode and dedicated to the cooling or condensation of the refrigerant when operating in the cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Systems Thermiques
    Inventors: Klaus Wittmann, Daniel Neveu, Jean Luc Thuez, Didier Barat
  • Patent number: 8495887
    Abstract: The liquid galley refrigeration system for cooling food carts for aircraft employs an intermediate working fluid to transfer heat from one or more food carts to one or more remote chillers, allowing the carts and chillers to be advantageously distributed in the aircraft. While the chiller working fluid undergoes a phase change in order to transfer heat from the intermediate working fluid to the cooling air, the intermediate working fluid remains in its liquid phase throughout its circulation. A recirculation pump circulates the intermediate working fluid through a distribution system that may link a plurality of chillers to a plurality of food carts, and the temperature of the food carts is regulated by a combination of controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: George Simadiris, Ian Douglas Oswald
  • Publication number: 20130180277
    Abstract: Provided is an air-conditioning apparatus for vehicle including a main frame capable of being assembled without increasing the number of parts and the number of processes. An air-conditioning apparatus for vehicle includes a casing divided into an indoor chamber and an outdoor chamber by a partition plate, the casing including a cover placed on a top thereof, and a refrigeration cycle device placed across the indoor chamber and the outdoor chamber in the casing. Each of side plates, serving as side surfaces of the indoor chamber and the outdoor chamber, of the casing is extruded in one piece of aluminum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Taichi Uto, Nobuhiko Nakagawa, Hidetaka Adachi, Hisanobu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8464546
    Abstract: A pipe structure of an electric compressor has an electric compressor disposed in an engine compartment of a vehicle and configured to be driven by a battery power source to compress a refrigerant, a harness connecting portion disposed on an upper surface of the electric compressor and electrically connecting a harness to the electric compressor, and a pipe connecting portion disposed forward of the harness connecting portion and connecting an air conditioner pipe to the electric compressor. At least a part of the air conditioner pipe is disposed above the electric compressor and forward of the harness connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichiro Minami
  • Publication number: 20130145789
    Abstract: A condenser apparatus may include a first heat-radiating portion formed by stacking a plurality of plates, fluid-connected to the radiator to circulate the coolant, and fluid-connected to the compressor to circulate the refrigerant supplied from the compressor so as to condense the refrigerant through heat-exchange with the coolant and the refrigerant, a second heat-radiating portion integrally formed at a lower portion of the first heat-radiating portion and fluid-connected thereto, and a receiver-drier portion integrally formed at each one end of the first and second heat-radiating portions and fluid-connected to the first heat-radiating portion to receive a condensed refrigerant from the first heat-radiating portion and performing gas-liquid separation and moisture removal of the refrigerant, wherein the first heat-radiating portion may be provided with a gas-liquid separating portion which separates the refrigerant into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae Yeon KIM
  • Publication number: 20130142669
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an improved strategy for controlling a variable speed water pump in a vehicle. In some embodiments, more than one water pump speed function is calculated based on values obtained from vehicle sensors, and a controller chooses among the water pump speed function results to set a water pump speed. In some embodiments, the water pump speed is increased when driveline torque is greater than a threshold amount for an amount of time that varies based on the driveline torque. In some embodiments, ambient temperature is considered while determining whether the water pump should provide full coolant flow to an auxiliary coolant loop of a trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: PACCAR INC
    Inventors: Tristan Pyle, René M.P.A. Nevels
  • Patent number: 8443872
    Abstract: In an evaporator that constitutes part of a vehicular air conditioning apparatus, first fins having louvers therein are arranged between first and second tubes. Together therewith, a second fin, which does not have any louvers therein, is provided at a boundary portion between a first cooling section, which faces toward a first front passage through which air from a first blower unit flows, and a second cooling section, which faces toward a first rear passage through which air from a second blower unit flows. In addition, air is supplied to the interior of a casing from the first blower unit and is cooled by the first cooling section, which is partitioned by the second fin, whereas air supplied from the second blower unit passes through the second cooling section, which is partitioned from the first cooling section by the second fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Seto
  • Patent number: 8439306
    Abstract: A thermal management system comprises a first heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet, a second heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet, a fluid loop, a first heat pump, and a second heat pump. The fluid loop circulates a fluid, and forms a continuous path between the first and second heat exchangers. The first heat pump is connected to the fluid loop and is disposed between the outlet of the second heat exchanger and the inlet of the first heat exchanger. The second heat pump is connected to the fluid loop and is disposed between the outlet of the first heat exchanger and the inlet of the second heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: George Eugene Wilmot, Jr., Diane G. Drew, Gregory M. Ott
  • Patent number: 8438865
    Abstract: A cooling system (10) for cooling an aircraft device (12) comprises an evaporator (14, 16, 18) for receiving a fluid (F) which is to be evaporated, a first adsorber (24) which contains a medium (28) for the adsorption of the fluid (F) which is evaporated in the evaporator (14, 16, 18), as well as a second adsorber (26) which contains a medium for the adsorption of the fluid (F) which is evaporated in the evaporator (14, 16, 18). A control system (22) is adapted to establish or to interrupt a fluid connection between the evaporator (14, 16, 18) and the first and/or the second adsorber(s) (24, 26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Frey, Ahmet Kayihan Kiryaman, Carsten Colberg, Peter Schwebke, Markus Kerber, Michael Dreyhaupt
  • Patent number: 8424330
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for temporarily refrigerating perishable items contained in a refrigerated truck or trailer whose refrigeration unit is not functioning properly or at all. The apparatus comprises a portable, auxiliary refrigeration unit adapted to be transported to the refrigerated truck or trailer and includes a sealing element configured and adapted for placement in or adjacent a door opening of the refrigerated truck or trailer to provide at least a partial seal thereat. A chilled air duct is provided for delivering chilled air through/across the sealing element to the perishable items inside the refrigerated truck or trailer and the portable, auxiliary refrigeration unit is operable to deliver chilled air through the chilled air duct and into the interior of the refrigerated truck or trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: David A. Gill
  • Patent number: 8424331
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle, including: a primary, gas compression cooling circuit set entirely in the engine compartment; a secondary cooling circuit that takes cold from an evaporator or chiller of the primary circuit and conveys it to a heat exchanger in the passenger compartment; the system has elements for setting in fluid communication the primary circuit, the secondary circuit and a circuit for heating the passenger compartment. The heating circuit has a heat exchanger which is used as a heater when the heating system is activated, and can be used as additional mass for cooling air of the passenger compartment to meet the peak cooling requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Monforte
  • Patent number: 8420270
    Abstract: A fuel cell system capable of restraining temperature change in a fuel cell caused by a refrigerant. The fuel cell system has a refrigerant circulating system for circulating the refrigerant. The refrigerant circulating system has flow control means for restraining the inflow of the refrigerant, which has a predetermined difference in temperature from that of the fuel cell, into the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuki Ishigaki, Hironori Noto, Takashi Yamamoto, Masataka Ota
  • Patent number: 8418490
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicular air conditioning system including: setting up a target indoor temperature of a vehicle determined by a user; inputting inside and outside temperatures of the vehicle and solar radiation with reference to a sensor mounted on the vehicle; calculating a target discharge temperature of a vent (t1); inputting the maximum evaporator temperature (t2); setting up a target evaporator temperature by comparing t1 and t2; calculating the opening degree of a temperature control door; measuring actual evaporator temperature while controlling the discharge capacity of a compressor; calculating the opening degree of the temperature control door by using the actual opening degree of the compressor discharge capacity control valve and the actual evaporator temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corp.
    Inventor: Jeong-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8371140
    Abstract: A refrigerated container and method capable of maintaining super frozen temperatures of about?50 degrees C. or less, includes container walls insulated to a value of at least about r-20, a cargo compartment configured for receiving cargo, and at least one refrigerant compartment configured for receiving refrigerant in the form of CO2 snow. The refrigerant compartment maintains the CO2 snow and vapor sublimating therefrom separately from the cargo compartment. The refrigerant compartment is located within the cargo compartment and configured to permit ambient atmosphere within the cargo compartment to contact at least three sides, and up to six sides, of the refrigerant compartment. The placement of the refrigerant compartment is also configured to generate a temperature gradient within the cargo compartment capable of generating convection therein, so that the super frozen temperatures are maintained within the cargo compartment without the use of external power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: CWS Group LLC
    Inventors: George A. Holmes, B. Eric Graham
  • Publication number: 20130025311
    Abstract: A fluid conditioning system includes a refrigeration circuit and a heat pump circuit. The refrigeration circuit includes a heat exchanger and an evaporator. The heat pump circuit includes a condenser, a chiller serially connected to the evaporator, and a first expansion member in fluid communication with the chiller, wherein the heat pump circuit is configured to utilize heat from ambient air and a cooling agent circuit for heating a passenger compartment of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Marc Graaf, Tobias Haas
  • Patent number: 8342597
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a cab, an air conditioner casing, an air conditioner unit and a rear monitoring camera. The air conditioner casing is attached to a rear upper part of the cab and includes a downwardly opened recess on a bottom face thereof. The air conditioner unit is accommodated in the air conditioner casing. The rear monitoring camera includes a main body accommodated in the recess of the air conditioner casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Nagami, Makoto Yomogita, Masamichi Miyazaki, Jun Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8333078
    Abstract: In a method for controlling an aircraft air conditioning system, a correlation is established between a plurality of values of a process air mass flow supplied to an air conditioning unit of the aircraft air conditioning system and the fuel consumption of the aircraft. A correlation is also established between a plurality of values of an ambient air mass flow which is used to cool the process air mass flow supplied to the air conditioning unit of the aircraft air conditioning system and the fuel consumption of the aircraft. The process air mass flow and the ambient air mass flow are controlled in dependence on a predetermined cooling capacity of the aircraft air conditioning system such that the fuel consumption of the aircraft is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Juergen Kelnhofer
  • Patent number: 8327654
    Abstract: An apparatus to rotate a cooling fan may employ an engine coolant radiator having a radiator inlet tank attached at an end of the radiator. The radiator inlet tank may be filled with engine coolant and transfer heat into a fan system evaporator contained inside the radiator inlet tank. The tank may contain a liquid working fluid capable of absorbing heat from the engine coolant and becoming a gaseous working fluid. A gas expander with an impeller may be employed to receive the gaseous working fluid from the fan system evaporator and impart rotation in a shaft to which the impeller of the gas expander and cooling fan is attached. A fan system condenser may receive the gaseous working fluid from the gas expander and condense the gaseous working fluid to form a liquid working fluid. A pump pumps the liquid working fluid back to the fan system evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Dwayne Robert Taylor
  • Publication number: 20120297809
    Abstract: In an aspect, a thermal management system for an electric vehicle is provided. The thermal management system includes a battery circuit that transports coolant for cooling a thermal load that includes at least one traction battery, a refrigerant circuit that includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. The thermal management system further includes an internal heat exchanger through which both refrigerant and coolant flow so as to cool the coolant in the battery circuit. Optionally, the thermal management system may further include a chiller. In this optional case the internal heat exchanger may be used to pre-cool the coolant upstream from the chiller. Alternatively the internal heat exchanger may be used to cool the coolant so as to delay initiating operation of the chiller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Neil Carpenter
  • Patent number: 8316652
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, and to a method for installation of the system, for whole-body cryotherapy applicable to humans or animals at a temperature of the order of ?110° C. According to the invention, the treatment chamber and the refrigerating elements, or at least one of these two elements, are mounted on at least one mobile or transportable self-supporting structure, in a way that permits use from the self-supporting structure. It also relates to a whole-body cryotherapy system equipped with pre-chambers at intermediate temperatures, defining a modifiable or removable two-way path between the treatment chamber and the outside, and including elements for local cryotherapy. It also relates to such a system divided into several separable modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventors: Olivier Marcel Maurice Decourcelle, Gilles Barette
  • Patent number: 8297526
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting low levels of humidity (i.e. less than 10%) inside an automotive vehicle is provided whereby the total absolute humidity inside the vehicle is determined by multiplying the number of occupants in the vehicle by an absolute humidity factor to obtain a total absolute humidity expelled by the vehicle occupants. The absolute humidity outside the vehicle is added to the total absolute humidity expelled by the vehicle occupants to arrive at a total vehicle cabin absolute humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Trevor Burns, Junichi Kanemaru
  • Patent number: 8297068
    Abstract: A motor control device controls a fan motor, and controls a motor speed so as to maintain a predetermined airflow value. For this, the motor control device includes an input terminal for inputting a first operation parameter indicating the motor speed or a second operation parameter indicating a motor torque. Moreover, the motor control device includes a motor-speed target value arithmetically-operating unit that calculates, using a predetermined airflow value and the motor torque, a necessary modified value for the motor speed at the predetermined time intervals. Further, the motor control device includes an output terminal that outputs an instruction speed of the motor based on the necessary modified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Yokouchi, Yasushi Kato
  • Publication number: 20120266615
    Abstract: Adaptable evaporator defrost logic is employed in a refrigeration system to detect a build-up of ice on the evaporator. In response to the detected build-up of ice, a defrost operation is initiated that includes decreasing the speed of the compressor. At the end of the defrost operation, the adaptable evaporator defrost logic determines whether the defrost operation was a success. If the defrost operation was a success, then normal operation is resumed. If the defrost operation was not a success, then the defrost operation is modified by turning the compressor off and extending a duration of the defrost operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kodjovi Coussey, Richard Rusich, Tejendra Patel, Anson Stark Coolidge
  • Patent number: 8291721
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system having a structural framework supporting a refrigeration unit including a condenser heat exchanger supported in an upper region of the framework and an engine and an electric generator powered by the engine supported by the framework in an engine compartment in a lower region of the framework, includes a pair of vertically disposed condenser fan/motor assemblies disposed aft of the condenser heat exchanger in side-by-side relationship and above the engine compartment; and a flow partition extending vertically between the pair of condenser fan/motor assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Richie C. Stauter, Peter R. Bushnell, Stephen Stopyra, Donald B. Hotaling, Jason A. Gough