Using Electrical Or Magnetic Effect Patents (Class 62/3.1)
  • Patent number: 12140381
    Abstract: A method may produce a two-stage heat regenerating cryogenic refrigerator including a vacuum vessel, first and second cylinder disposed in the vessel, the second cylinder coaxially connected to the first cylinder, and first and second regenerator respectively disposed in the first and second cylinder. The method may include: accommodating a first heat regenerating material (HRM) in the first regenerator; and filling a plurality of HRM particles in the second regenerator. The HRM particles may be a second HRM, each of the HRM particles including an oxide or oxysulfide heat regenerating substance having a maximum value of specific heat at a temperature of ?20 K of 0.3+ J/cm3·K and Ca, Mn, Mg, Be, Sr, Al, Fe, Cu, Ni, and/or Co. Each of the HRM particles may include a first and second region, the second region being closer to an HRM particle outer edge than the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, TOSHIBA MATERIALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yamashita, Takahiro Kawamoto, Tomoko Eguchi, Takashi Kuboki
  • Patent number: 12135150
    Abstract: A heat transfer system includes first (62) and second (64) electrocaloric module with aligned first and second sides. First and second prime movers (80,82) are arranged to direct a working fluid in opposite directions along flow paths through the electrocaloric modules. A rotary fluid control device (92,98) including a plurality of openings (94,96,100,102) is disposed around the electrocaloric modules, and is configured to rotate between positions relative to the modules. In a first position, the first module is in operative fluid communication through the openings with the first prime mover, and the second module is in operative fluid communication through the openings with the second prime mover. In a second position, the first module is in operative fluid communication through the openings with the second prime mover, and the second module is in operative fluid communication through the openings with the first prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Subramanyaravi Annapragada, Aritra Sur, Craig R. Walker, Parmesh Verma, Hayden M. Reeve
  • Patent number: 12106878
    Abstract: Described is a magnetocaloric regenerator comprising one or more materials containing cobalt, manganese and boron and optionally carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary P. Tener, Mykola Abramchuk, Xiaoyan Tan, Michael Shatruk, Sumohan Misra, Daniel Barrera-Medrano
  • Patent number: 12073992
    Abstract: A current lead arrangement for supplying current to a superconducting magnet coil, comprising a current lead and a cryogenic refrigerator. The current lead comprises a first section of low temperature superconductor (LTS) wire, joined to a second section of a high temperature superconductor (HTS) material, in turn joined to a third section of a resistive material. The cryogenic refrigerator comprises a first cooling stage and a second cooling stage. A lower end of the third section and an upper end of the second section are thermally linked to the first cooling stage, a lower end of the first section is thermally and electrically connected to the superconducting magnet coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Simon Chorley, Adam Paul Johnstone
  • Patent number: 12061022
    Abstract: A magnetic refrigeration apparatus includes a main channel, a magnetic refrigerator, a fluid transfer mechanism connected to the main channel, and at least one control valve. A heating medium flows through the main channel. The magnetic refrigerator includes a magnetic working substance, a casing having a channel connected to the main channel, and a magnetic field modulator that applies a magnetic field variation to the magnetic working substance. The fluid transfer mechanism alternately performs a first operation of transferring the heating medium in the main channel in a first direction, and a second operation of transferring the heating medium in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The main channel includes at least one branch channel branching from a portion of the main channel between the magnetic refrigerator and the fluid transfer mechanism. The at least one control valve is connected to the at least one branch channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 12044448
    Abstract: A heat transfer system (310) is disclosed that includes a first electrocaloric module (62) comprising a first electrocaloric material, a first high-side voltage electrode, and a first low-side voltage electrode, arranged to impart an electric field to the electrocaloric material. The system also includes a second electrocaloric module (64) comprising a second electrocaloric material, a second high-side voltage electrode, and a second low-side voltage electrode, arranged to impart an electric field to the electrocaloric material. A bi-directional power transfer circuit (60) is also included arranged to alternately transfer power from the electrodes of the first electrocaloric module (62) to the second electrocaloric module (64), and from the electrodes of the second electrocaloric module (64) to the first electrocaloric module (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yongduk Lee, Joseph V. Mantese, Subramanyaravi Annapragada, Wei Xie, Luis Arnedo, Vladimir Blasko
  • Patent number: 12027309
    Abstract: A spool has a cylindrical outer shape extending in an axial direction intersecting an upward/downward direction, the spool having an outer circumferential surface in which a plurality of annular groove portions extending in a circumferential direction are formed with a space being interposed between the plurality of annular groove portions in the axial direction, a superconducting coil being wound and accommodated inside each of the plurality of annular groove portions. A cover portion is attached to the spool so as to cover each of the plurality of annular groove portions, the cover portion and the plurality of annular groove portions forming a plurality of annular flow paths for refrigerant to cool the superconducting coil. One or more communication paths extend in parallel with the axial direction to communicate adjacent annular flow paths of the plurality of annular flow paths with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Iwamoto, Masayoshi Oya, Hajime Tanabe
  • Patent number: 11950510
    Abstract: A superconductor junction includes a normal metal layer having a first side and a second side, an insulating layer overlying the second side of the normal metal layer, and a first superconductor layer formed of a first superconductor material that overlies a side of the insulating layer opposite the side that overlies the normal metal layer. The superconductor junction further includes a second superconductor layer formed of a second superconductor material with a first side overlying a side of the first superconductor material opposite the side that overlies the insulating layer. The second superconductor material has a higher diffusion coefficient than the first superconductor material and/or the second superconductor material has a lower recombination coefficient than the first superconductor metal layer. A normal metal layer quasiparticle trap is coupled to a second side of the second superconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aaron Ashley Hathaway, Edward R. Engbrecht, John X. Przybysz, Robert Miles Young
  • Patent number: 11926783
    Abstract: A method of electrochemical redox refrigeration includes inducing a flow of an electrochemical refrigerant that is in contact with a first electrode to a second electrode; applying an electrical potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the electrochemical refrigerant is oxidized at one of the first electrode and second electrode and reduced at another of the first electrode and second electrode; wherein the first electrode is at least partially thermally isolated from Joule heating in the electrochemical refrigerant and from activation losses in the second electrode by an action of the flow of the electrochemical refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Arunava Majumdar, Ian S. McKay
  • Patent number: 11930709
    Abstract: Integrated arrangements of electrical machines and power electronics converters are described. One such arrangement comprises: an electrical machine comprising one or more windings; a power electronics converter arranged to supply current to or receive current from the one or more windings of the electrical machine; a magnetocaloric effect (MCE) material in thermal contact with the power electronics converter; and a heat sink for removing heat from the MCE material. The MCE material is arranged in proximity to the one or more windings of the electrical machine whereby, in use, stray magnetic flux from the windings of the electrical machine passes through the MCE material and activates the MCE material. The repeated application and removal of the stray flux during normal operation of the electrical machine creates cycles of magnetic refrigeration, which removes heat from the power electronics converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Ellis F H Chong
  • Patent number: 11825628
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a hybrid cooling system includes a cold plate that is arranged to mount on an IT component that is mounted on a piece of IT equipment, the cold plate is arranged to receive coolant via a supply line and to return warmed coolant via a return line, the warmed coolant is produced by the cold plate when the cold plate is in contact with the IT component and heat generated by the IT component is transferred into the coolant by the cold plate; a TEC element that is arranged to couple to the IT component; and a heat sink that includes a base that is arranged to couple to the TEC element and one or more fins, the TEC element is configured to transfer at least a portion of the heat generated by the IT component into the one or more fins of the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: BAIDU USA LLC
    Inventors: Shuai Shao, Tianyi Gao
  • Patent number: 11802663
    Abstract: Techniques facilitating multiple cryogenic systems sectioned within a common vacuum space are provided. In one example, a cryostat can comprise a plurality of thermal stages and a thermal switch. The plurality of thermal stages can intervene between a 4-Kelvin (K) stage and a Cold Plate stage. The plurality of thermal stages can include a Still stage and an intermediate thermal stage that can be directly coupled mechanically to the Still stage via a support rod. The thermal switch can be coupled to the intermediate thermal stage and an adjacent thermal stage. The thermal switch can facilitate modifying a thermal profile of the cryostat by providing a switchable thermal path between the intermediate thermal stage and the adjacent thermal stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Antonio Corcoles-Gonzalez, Patryk Gumann, Jerry M. Chow
  • Patent number: 11764707
    Abstract: A machine for converting thermal energy originating from waste heat deposits into electrical energy. It uses the magnetic phase transition properties of certain materials when they are exposed to a temperature variation with respect to their Curie temperature. The machine includes a magnetothermal converter provided with a fixed stator provided with active elements made of the materials, and a mobile rotor provided with magnetic poles and non-magnetic poles. The machine includes a closed fluidic circuit of heat-transfer fluid, coupled with two thermal sources of different temperatures by means of heat exchangers and with the stator to transfer thermal energy collected in the active elements. A synchronization system makes it possible to expose the active elements to alternating thermal cycles to generate a permanent magnetic imbalance between the rotor and the stator, and generate a displacement of the rotor, creating mechanical energy that can be converted into electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: magnoric
    Inventors: Christian Muller, Michel Risser
  • Patent number: 11747054
    Abstract: A magnetic refrigerator including an electromagnet for magnetic refrigeration. The electromagnet for magnetic refrigeration includes: a return yoke; at least one pair of opposite magnetic poles disposed inside the return yoke and spaced from each other by a gap; a pipe disposed in the gap to pass a heat transport medium therethrough; a magnetocaloric member disposed inside the pipe to exchange heat with the heat transport medium; and a coil to surround at least one of the paired opposite magnetic poles to generate a magnetic flux passing across the gap when the coil is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Matsuda, Shun Tonooka, Atsushi Ogasahara
  • Patent number: 11674999
    Abstract: A system for testing circuits of an integrated circuit semiconductor wafer includes a tester system for generating signals for input to the circuits and for processing output signals from the circuits for testing the wafer and a test stack coupled to the tester system. The test stack includes a wafer probe for contacting a first surface of the wafer and for probing individual circuits of the circuits of the wafer, a wafer thermal interposer (TI) layer operable to contact a second surface of the wafer and operable to selectively heat areas of the wafer, and a cold plate disposed under the wafer TI layer and operable to cool the wafer. The system further includes a thermal controller for selectively heating and maintaining temperatures of the areas of the wafer by controlling cooling of the cold plate and by controlling selective heating of the wafer TI layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Advantest Test Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Samer Kabbani, Paul Ferrari, Ikeda Hiroki, Kiyokawa Toshiyuki, Gregory Cruzan, Karthik Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 11649992
    Abstract: A process for liquefying a process gas that includes introducing a heat transfer fluid into an active magnetic regenerative refrigerator apparatus that comprises a single stage comprising dual multilayer regenerators located axially opposite to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignees: Battelle Memorial Institute, Emerald Energy NW, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie D. Holladay, Kerry D. Meinhardt, Evgueni Polikarpov, Edwin C. Thomsen, John Barclay
  • Patent number: 11635235
    Abstract: A device including a bottom electrode on a substrate and a top electrode on a substrate separated by a fixed distance from each other. Semi-insulator layers with proper electrical conductivity are attached to the bottom and top electrodes. Disposed between the substrates is a flexible S-shaped polymer stack having electrode layers with one end of the stack attached to the top substrate and the other end in contact with the bottom substrate. When a voltage is applied between the stack and the electrode layer on the bottom substrate, the stack is induced by electrostatic force to deflect in a rolling wave-like motion. While the voltage applied between the stack and bottom electrode is turned off, the static charges on the semi-insulator layer can move away quickly due to the proper electrical conductivity of the semi-insulator layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Qibing Pei, Rujun Ma, Ziyang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11629912
    Abstract: A main heat exchanger receives and partially condenses an effluent fluid stream so that a mixed phase effluent stream is formed. A primary separation device receives and separates the mixed phase effluent stream into a primary vapor stream including hydrogen and a primary liquid stream including an olefinic hydrocarbon. The main heat exchanger receives and warms at least a portion of the primary vapor stream to provide refrigeration for partially condensing the effluent fluid stream. The main heat exchanger also receives, warms and partially vaporizes the primary liquid stream. A mixed refrigerant compression system also provides refrigeration in the main heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Chart Energy & Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Ducote, Jr., Brent A. Heyrman, Timothy P. Gushanas, Richard Hopewell
  • Patent number: 11600962
    Abstract: A device for cooling locally, including a cooling member, a crystal having the capacity to cool via absorption of a near-infrared exciting light signal, an illuminating system intended to deliver an exciting light signal, the crystal having an elongate shape about a longitudinal axis between a near end and a far end and having a closed constant outside cross section and containing a central channel formed, from its far end, over at least some of its length, the cooling member including a rod embedded via a first end into the central channel of the crystal and including a protruding second end that forms a cooling finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Quentin Mermillod-Ansleme, Nicolas Aubert, Claude Chabrol, Mathieu Dupoy
  • Patent number: 11486611
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a cryogen-free cooling apparatus for cooling a sample, comprising a vacuum chamber, a first cooling device which is configured to generate a first temperature in the vacuum chamber to provide a main thermal bath, a second cooling device, which is in connection with a sample stage on which a sample is to be arranged, wherein the second cooling device is a solid state cooler which is configured to provide a second temperature to the sample stage, and wherein the second temperature is different from the first temperature, and a sample loading device which is configured to change the sample while operating the first cooling device and the second cooling device, wherein the sample stage is held in the vacuum chamber by a plurality of first fibers of low thermal conductivity such that the sample stage is thermally decoupled from the main thermal bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: kiutra GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Regnat, Jan Spallek, Christopher Duvinage, Christian Pfleiderer
  • Patent number: 11466906
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heat transfer system with a module that includes a peripheral frame (10) and an electrocaloric element (46) disposed in an opening in the peripheral frame. The electrocaloric element includes an electrocaloric film (46), a first electrode (48) on a first side of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode (50) on a second side of the electrocaloric film. First and second electrically conductive elements (24, 25) are disposed adjacent to first and second surfaces of the peripheral frame, and provide an electrical connection to the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wei Xie, Aritra Sur, Subramanyaravi Annapragada, William A. Rioux, Joseph V. Mantese, Parmesh Verma, Scott Alan Eastman, Thomas D. Radcliff
  • Patent number: 11346586
    Abstract: An electrocaloric module includes an electrocaloric element that includes an electrocaloric film, a first electrode on a first surface of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode on a second surface of the electrocaloric film. A support is attached along an edge portion of the electrocaloric film, leaving a central portion of the electrocaloric film unsupported film. At least one of the first and second electrodes includes a patterned disposition of conductive material on the film surface. The electrocaloric module also includes a first thermal connection configured to connect to a first thermal flow path between the electrocaloric element and a heat sink, a second thermal connection configured to connect to a second thermal flow path between the electrocaloric element and a heat source, and a power connection connected to the first and second electrodes and configured to connect to a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wei Xie, Subramanyaravi Annapragada, Joseph V. Mantese, Scott Alan Eastman, Parmesh Verma, Suman Dwari, Michael L. Perry, Vladimir Blasko
  • Patent number: 11320178
    Abstract: The cooling device includes an electrocaloric portion including an electrocaloric effect material, a first thermal switch including a first actuator, and a second thermal switch including a second actuator, in which a thickness and a length of the first actuator and the second actuator are changed depending on an electric field to be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Haseba, Kiyoshi Minoura
  • Patent number: 11262115
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus that cools a cooling target object in a state in which an electromagnetic field or an electric field acts on the cooling target object is provided. The cooling apparatus includes a refrigeration machine to cool a cooling target object, an electromagnetic wave irradiation device to generate an electromagnetic field which acts on the cooling target object, a controller to control operations of the refrigeration machine and the electromagnetic wave irradiation device and perform a subcooling operation of cooling the cooling target object by using the refrigeration machine in a state in which the electromagnetic field is generated, and a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the cooling target object. In the subcooling operation, the controller controls the intensity of the electromagnetic field generated by the electromagnetic wave irradiation device in accordance with the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryozo Inada, Chiharu Tomita, Kazuhide Mizutani, Toshiro Ino
  • Patent number: 11231225
    Abstract: A system including: an active magnetic regenerative refrigerator apparatus that includes a high magnetic field section in which a hydrogen heat transfer fluid can flow from a cold side to a hot side through at least one magnetized bed of at least one magnetic refrigerant, and a low magnetic field or demagnetized section in which the hydrogen heat transfer fluid can flow from a hot side to a cold side through the demagnetized bed; a first conduit fluidly coupled between the cold side of the low magnetic field or demagnetized section and the cold side of the high magnetic field section; and a second conduit fluid coupled to the first conduit, an expander and at least one liquefied hydrogen storage module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignees: Battelle Memorial Institute, Emerald Energy NW, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie D. Holladay, John Barclay
  • Patent number: 11233254
    Abstract: A process that includes pre-cooling a H2 gas feedstock with a compressed liquid natural gas via a heat exchanger, introducing the pre-cooled H2 gas feedstock into an active magnetic regenerative refrigerator H2 liquefier module, and delivering liquid H2 from the active magnetic regenerative refrigerator H2 liquefier module to a liquid H2 vehicle dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignees: Battelle Memorial Institute, Emerald Energy NW, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie D. Holladay, John Barclay
  • Patent number: 11193696
    Abstract: A process for liquefying a process gas that includes introducing a heat transfer fluid into an active magnetic regenerative refrigerator apparatus that comprises a single stage comprising dual multilayer regenerators located axially opposite to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignees: Battelle Memorial Institute, Emerald Energy NW, LLC
    Inventors: Jamie D. Holladay, Kerry D. Meinhardt, Evgueni Polikarpov, Edwin C. Thomsen, John Barclay
  • Patent number: 11149994
    Abstract: A caloric regenerator system includes a flow body that defines a plurality of cold side channels, a plurality of hot side channels and a central passage. A port body is received within the central passage of the flow body such that the flow body is rotatable relative to the port body. The port body defines a hot side port and a cold side port. A width of the hot side port is less than a width of the cold side port. An annular caloric regenerator is in flow communication with the plurality of cold side channels and the plurality of hot side channels such that a heat transfer fluid is flowable into the annular caloric regenerator through the plurality of cold side channels and out of the annular caloric regenerator through the plurality of hot side channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11125477
    Abstract: A magnetic refrigeration apparatus includes one or more beds of magnetocaloric material arranged along a circumferential direction. The apparatus also includes a heat transfer fluid, one or more hot side heat exchangers (HHEX), one or more pumps or fluid displacement devices configured to move the heat transfer fluid, and a magnetic-field source. The magnetic-field source generates magnetic flux oriented substantially in a radial direction through the beds. The field source advantageously includes one or more pole pieces, one or more axial-end magnets, and one or more axial-end flux return pieces. Additionally, one or more circumferential flux returns, one or more gap flux return pieces, one or more side magnets, and one or more side flux return pieces can be added to increase system performance and reduce cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Astronautics Corporation of America
    Inventors: Kyle Charles Rule, Jeremy Jonathan Chell, Andre Michael Boeder, Bryant Wayne Mueller, Steven Lee Russek, Carl Bruno Zimm, Markus Schwind
  • Patent number: 11112146
    Abstract: A heat pump, as provided herein, may include a hot side heat exchanger, a cold side heat exchanger, a pump, and a caloric heat pump. The caloric heat pump may include a regenerator housing, a plurality of stages, and a field generator. The regenerator housing may extend along an axial direction between a first end portion of the regenerator housing and a second end portion of the regenerator housing. The plurality of stages may be arranged sequentially along the axial direction from the first end portion to the second end portion. The plurality of stages may be arranged so that caloric temperature peaks of the plurality of stages increase along the axial direction according to a predetermined, non-linear curve. The field generator may be positioned adjacent to the plurality of stages to subject the plurality of stages to a variable field generated by the field generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11105541
    Abstract: A refrigerator may include a temperature sensor, a thermoelectric device module having a thermoelectric device, and at least one fan and configured to cool a storage compartment, and a controller that controls the output power of the thermoelectric device based on the temperature of the storage compartment, a set temperature, and the outside temperature. The output power of the thermoelectric device may be determined based on whether the temperature of the storage compartment is within a first temperature region including the set temperature, a second temperature region, or a third temperature region. In the first and second temperature regions, the thermoelectric device may operate at different output power and which gradually increases as the outside temperature increases. In the third temperature region, the thermoelectric device may operate at a third output power which exceeds the first output power and is greater than or equal to the second output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seokhyun Kim, Minkyu Oh, Heayoun Sul, Hyoungkeun Lim, Jeehoon Choi
  • Patent number: 11092364
    Abstract: A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a magneto-caloric cylinder. A plurality of thermal stages is stacked along an axial direction between a cold side and a hot side. A hot side heat exchanger is positioned at the hot side of the plurality of thermal stages. The hot side heat exchanger includes a plurality of pins or plates for rejecting heat to ambient air about the hot side heat exchanger. A cold side heat exchanger is positioned at the cold side of the plurality of thermal stages. A heat transfer fluid is flowable through the cold side heat exchanger. The cold side heat exchanger is configured such that the heat transfer fluid rejects heat to the cold side of the plurality of thermal stages when the heat transfer fluid flows through the cold side heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11067316
    Abstract: A double or multi-layer apparatus or device for optical anti-Stokes cooling of object surfaces. The apparatus comprises at least one bottom layer, which is configured to respond in anti-Stokes fluorescence upon absorption of electromagnetic radiation and at least one top layer, which is overlaid on the bottom layer and configured to filter the electromagnetic radiation and transmit selected spectral band of the electromagnetic radiation to the bottom layer. The active cooling does not depend on the coherent nature of the radiation, which enables the usage of incoherent solar radiation as the active cooling input power source. The cooling technology of the invention is suitable for small and large scales and practically for any object with surface on which the layer substance can be applied or overlaid, e.g., roof, wall, car, ship, tent, clothing, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventors: Yaron Shenhav, Gadi Grottas
  • Patent number: 11060804
    Abstract: A thermal rectifier includes a first panel, a second panel, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism includes a first thermally conductive portion thermally connected to the first panel and a second thermally conductive portion thermally connected to the second panel. The switching mechanism switches, as at least one of the first thermally conductive portion or the second thermally conductive portion changes their shape or dimensions, from a heat radiation state to a heat insulation state, or vice versa. The heat radiation state is a state where the first thermally conductive portion and the second thermally conductive portion are thermally coupled together. The heat insulation state is a state where the first thermally conductive portion and the second thermally conductive portion are thermally isolated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Abe
  • Patent number: 11009282
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a fresh food cold side heat exchanger positioned within a cabinet at a fresh food chamber and a freezer cold side heat exchanger positioned within the cabinet at a freezer chamber. Working fluid is flowable through a caloric material within a regenerator housing. The refrigerator appliances also includes features for flowing the working fluid from the regenerator housing to the fresh food cold side heat exchanger and for separately flowing the working fluid from the regenerator housing to the freezer cold side heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Goodman Schroeder, Michael Alexander Benedict
  • Patent number: 10995973
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a magnetocaloric material, a magnetizing device, a converting device for applying pressure or tension to the magnetocaloric material, and a movement mechanism to move the magnetocaloric material. The magnetocaloric material changes its temperature when there is a change in an external magnetic field and when there is a change in an applied pressure. The movement mechanism moves the magnetocaloric material to expose it alternatingly to the external magnetic field and the change in pressure and to cause a periodic temperature change in the magnetocaloric material, whereby periods of lower temperature can be used for cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT DARMSTADT
    Inventors: Tino Gottschall, Konstantin P. Skokov, Oliver Gutfleisch
  • Patent number: 10830506
    Abstract: A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a magneto-caloric cylinder. Each of a plurality of thermal stages includes a plurality of magnets and a non-magnetic ring. The plurality of magnets is distributed along a circumferential direction within the non-magnetic ring in each of the plurality of thermal stages. A variable speed motor is coupled to one of the magneto-caloric cylinder and the plurality of thermal stages. The variable speed motor is operable to rotate the one of the magneto-caloric cylinder and the plurality of thermal stages relative to the other of the magneto-caloric cylinder and the plurality of thermal stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Patent number: 10677525
    Abstract: A method for separating a hydrogen-containing hydrocarbon mixture (C2minus), which in addition to the hydrogen essentially contains hydrocarbons with two carbon atoms and methane, using a distillation column (10). Fluid (a, c, e) of the hydrocarbon mixture (C2minus) is cooled stepwise at a first pressure level, during which time first condensates (b, d) are separated from the fluid (a, c, e). Fluid (e) from the hydrocarbon mixture (C2minus) which remains gaseous after this is fed at the first pressure level into a C2 absorber (7), to which a liquid reflux (r) is added at the top, while a second condensate (f) is drawn off from the sump of the C2 absorber (7) and a gaseous top stream (g) containing predominantly methane and hydrogen is drawn off at the top of the C2 absorber (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Helmut Fritz, Torben Höfel
  • Patent number: 10648705
    Abstract: A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a first magneto-caloric cylinder and a second magneto-caloric cylinder. First and second pluralities of thermal stages are stacked along an axial direction between a cold side and a hot side. The second magneto-caloric cylinder and the second plurality of thermal stages are nested concentrically within the first magneto-caloric cylinder and the first plurality of thermal stages. Each thermal stage of the first and second pluralities of thermal stages includes a plurality of magnets and a non-magnetic ring. The plurality of magnets is distributed along a circumferential direction within the non-magnetic ring in each thermal stage of the first and second pluralities of thermal stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Patent number: 10641527
    Abstract: The present invention describes the design and fabrication of Multi-Material-Blades used as active regenerative regenerators in active regenerative magneto-caloric or electro-caloric engines. The blades consist of a plurality of elements (2) that divide the blade body along its length. Each element (2) is made of a different magneto-caloric or electro-caloric material selected appropriately, and a plurality of dedicated channels (3) penetrates the blade body (1) and extends along the length of the blade. The dedicated channels (3) can be provided with fluid mixing structures, porous layers or hydrophobic coatings to reduce the HE loss in an active regenerative engine. The Multi-Material-Blades are obtainable by ink jet printing techniques to reduce costs. The Multi-Material-Blades can further have a curved shape to form an involute blade body (1). All measures can improve the performance of active regenerative magneto-caloric or electro-caloric engines, and lay the basis for commercial solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Camfridge Ltd.
    Inventors: Sibel Oezcan, Paul Burdett, Neil Wilson
  • Patent number: 10641539
    Abstract: A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a plurality of thermal stages stacked along an axial direction between a cold side and a hot side. A plurality of magnets is distributed along a circumferential direction within a non-magnetic ring in each of the plurality of thermal stages. Each of the plurality of thermal stages between a cold side thermal stage and a hot side thermal stage is positioned between a respective pair of the plurality of thermal stages along the axial direction. The plurality of magnets of each of the plurality of thermal stages between the cold side thermal stage and the hot side thermal stage is spaced from the non-magnetic ring of one of the respective pair of the plurality of thermal stages along the axial direction and is in conductive thermal contact with the non-magnetic ring of the other of the respective pair of the plurality of thermal stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Patent number: 10551095
    Abstract: A magneto-caloric thermal diode assembly includes a plurality of elongated magneto-caloric members. Each of a plurality of thermal stages includes a plurality of magnets and a plurality of non-magnetic blocks distributed in a sequence of magnet then non-magnetic block along a transverse direction. The plurality of thermal stages and the plurality of elongated magneto-caloric members are configured for relative motion along the transverse direction. The plurality of magnets and the plurality of non-magnetic blocks are spaced along the transverse direction within each of the plurality of thermal stages. Each of the plurality of magnets in the plurality of thermal stages is spaced from a respective non-magnetic block in an adjacent thermal stage towards a cold side thermal stage along the lateral direction and is in conductive thermal contact with a respective non-magnetic block in an adjacent thermal stage towards a hot side thermal stage along the lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Patent number: 10527325
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a cold side heat exchanger positioned within a cabinet such that a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber are chillable with air from the cold side heat exchanger. A regenerator housing is connected to the cold side heat exchanger such that working fluid is flowable from the regenerator housing to the cold side heat exchanger. The working fluid is flowable through a caloric material within the regenerator housing. The refrigerator appliance also includes features for drawing the working fluid from the regenerator housing at a plurality of locations along the length of the caloric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Goodman Schroeder, Michael Alexander Benedict
  • Patent number: 10502462
    Abstract: A magnetocaloric thermal generator having a primary circuit fluidically connecting first and second stages of magnetocaloric elements using a heat transfer primary fluid flowing alternately back and forth. The stages being subjected to variable magnetic field of a magnetic system. The primary system includes a cold side and a hot side to which the magnetocaloric elements of the stages are fluidically connected. At least the cold side of the primary circuit has an outlet point connected to another point of the primary circuit, referred to as the injection point, on the hot side by a bypass pipe allowing the primary fluid to be displaced only from the outlet point towards the injection point. The magnetocaloric thermal generator is used in a method for cooling the secondary fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: COOLTECH APPLICATIONS
    Inventor: Christian Muller
  • Patent number: 10470430
    Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a flow of milk includes a first and a second refrigeration system; a first and a second intermediate coolant circulating system; and a line manifold interconnectable between the first and second intermediate coolant circulating systems, wherein coolant in the first intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the first refrigeration system in a first heat exchange section and coolant in the second intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the second refrigeration system in a second heat exchange section. The cooling system is reconfigurable between first operation configuration providing two-stage cooling of the flow of milk and a second operation configuration providing one-stage cooling of the flow of milk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: DELAVAL HOLDING AB
    Inventor: Jerzy Stopa
  • Patent number: 10422555
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a fresh food working fluid circuit and a freezer working fluid circuit. The fresh food working fluid circuit couples a fresh food cold side heat exchanger and a first chamber of a regenerator housing such that a first working fluid is flowable between the fresh food cold side heat exchanger and the first chamber. The freezer working fluid circuit couples the freezer cold side heat exchanger and a second chamber of the regenerator housing such that a second working fluid is flowable between the freezer cold side heat exchanger and the second chamber. A liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger connects the fresh food working fluid circuit and the freezer working fluid circuit for heat transfer between the first and second working fluid. A freezing temperature of the first working fluid is greater than a freezing temperature of the second working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Goodman Schroeder, Michael Alexander Benedict
  • Patent number: 10386096
    Abstract: A magnet assembly for a magneto-caloric heat pump includes a first frame that extends between first and third magnets and a second frame that extends between second and fourth magnets. Each of the first and second frames includes a series of metal layers arranged such that a thermal break is formed between adjacent metal layers in the series of metal layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Patent number: 10352595
    Abstract: An active regenerator in a magnetocaloric or an electrocaloric heat pump refrigeration system provides more efficient flow of heat. The heat exchange fluid moves synchronously with the motion of a magnetic or electric field. Only a portion of the length of the active regenerator bed is introduced to or removed from the field at one time, giving rise to a hot pulse and a cold pulse. Valves may direct the hot pulse and/or the cold pulse to supplement refrigeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventor: Charles N. Hassen
  • Patent number: 10323964
    Abstract: A motion detection device having a detachable sensor is disclosed and including a main body, a rotating and swing module, and at least one detachable detecting module. The main body has a receiving space and a clamp part. The rotating and swing module is disposed in the receiving space and has a rotating disc and a swing rail. The rotating disc is clamped by the clamp part and rotated in a clockwise and counterclockwise motion at a horizontal angle relative to the main body. The swing rail is disposed on the rotating disc. The detachable detecting module has the sensor and an engaged unit detachably engaged with the swing rail, and the detachable detecting module is swung along the swing rail so that the detachable sensor of the detachable detecting module is swung along the swing rail at a deflecting angle relative to the rotating disc for motion detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Shin-Chung Jain, Tien-Szu Lo
  • Patent number: 10299655
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a caloric heat pump system that is configured for heating and cooling a wash chamber of a tub. A field generator is positioned such that caloric material stages are moved in and out of a field of the field generator during operation of the caloric heat pump system. A pump circulates a heat transfer fluid between a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger and the caloric material stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Alexander Benedict, David G. Beers