Including Dehumidifying And Condensate Handling Patents (Class 62/3.4)
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Patent number: 11951503Abstract: A humidification system of a dispensing head of a dosing machine of fluid products, where the dispensing head includes a closing device having a cup, which can be moved between a distal inoperative position and an operative position where the dispensing head is isolated from the environment. The humidification system automatically generates a humid environment inside the cup, in the proximal position of the closing element, by means of a Peltier cell inserted in a forced flow duct of ambient air. The condensed and/or frosted water from the Peltier cell is fed from a collecting tank to the cup of the closing element automatically through a control unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Inventor: Luca Drocco
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Patent number: 11865547Abstract: A distribution metering device (1) for a roller mill which includes a housing (2) with at least one grinding stock inlet (3), at least one grinding stock outlet (4), and a feed roll (5) which is arranged in the housing (2) for metering grinding stock into a grinding gap of the roller mill through the grinding stock outlet (4). The feed roll is rotatable about a feed roll axis (SA). A conveyor shaft (6) is arranged in the housing (2) for distributing grinding stock along the feed roll (5). The conveyor shaft is rotatable about a conveyor shaft axis (FA). The conveyor shaft axis (FA) is substantially parallel to the feed roll axis (SA), and a first fill state sensor (7) is arranged in the housing (2) for ascertaining a first grinding stock fill state of the housing (2).Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Bühler AGInventors: Daniel Mark, Daniel Rickenbach, Stefan Salzmann
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Patent number: 11819853Abstract: An apparatus (1) for cooling containers, in particular vials, comprising at least one first cooling zone (200) for receiving containers, with a cooling zone base and a cooling zone wall (201), and a cooling device (300) for cooling air, and a first duct (113) for conducting the cooled air from the cooling device (300) into the cooling zone (200), wherein an outlet of the first duct (113) is spaced apart from the cooling zone base.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2020Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: CTC ANALYTICS AGInventors: Roland Kernen, Melchior Zumbach
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Patent number: 11812782Abstract: A system, method and devices for monitoring the humidity of a containment implemented in a humidor. A sensor is electronically coupled with a first coil to receive power wirelessly from a compatible second coil of a controller. The sensor may display the sensor readouts on a display and/or may communicate the information wirelessly to the controller or to another device. The sensor is placed within the containment, and the controller coil outside of the containment, or in some operably spaced apart manner (i.e., within the coil radiance or signal range) from the sensor to provide power to the sensor. The sensor does not require batteries, and the humidor may remain closed while sensor readings are ascertained and during the monitoring.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Inventor: Frank J Bonini, III
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Patent number: 11768016Abstract: Thermal management systems including a thermoelectric component, a two-phase heat transfer unit, and a controller are disclosed herein. The heat transfer unit has a phase-transition chamber and microfeatures in the phase-transition chamber that induce capillary forces to a working fluid that drives the working fluid through the phase-transition chamber. The controller is configured to operate the thermoelectric component and the heat transfer unit such that the heat transfer unit cools one side of the thermoelectric component to a first temperature and the thermoelectric component changes the temperature of a target material on its other side to a second temperature of +/?60° C. of the first temperature within 0.5-20 seconds.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2020Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: BLUEXTHERMAL, INC.Inventors: Reza Monazami, Sahar Jahani, Nicholas Keith Anselmo
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Patent number: 11634894Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a water tapping device for extracting water from the air in the environment comprising: a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere in an attachable and detachable manner, a first end of a cylindrical connector connected to the first hemisphere and a second end of the cylindrical connector connected to the second hemisphere respectively, air vents configured to suck air fluid and reaches the cylindrical connector comprising first rotor and second rotor configured to rotate with free air movement, gears configured to enable the first rotor and the second rotor to spin in any direction, the first rotor blades and the second rotor blades are aligned to optimize the rotation using free air movement, the air vents configured to create air pressure for condensation of pressurized air in first hemisphere and then condense pressurized air into water in second hemisphere.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: MARVEL BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PRIVATE LIMITEDInventor: Divya Reddy Meda
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Patent number: 11607644Abstract: Systems and methods for generating water for an end user are provided herein. The systems include a water generating unit that utilizes and/or controls internal heat sources, as well as external heat, electricity, and/or fluid sources, in response to ambient conditions. The systems may be monitored, optimized, and controlled remotely.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2019Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: SOURCE GLOBAL, PBCInventors: Cody Alden Friesen, Kamil Salloum, Jonathan Edward Goldberg, Grant Harrison Friesen
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Patent number: 11523541Abstract: Presented herein is a plurality of arrangements of cold plates having interior chambers. The interior chamber includes a plurality of fins with a first fin zone and a second fin zone. The cold plate further includes a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet. The cold plates can be connected such that each cold plate allows unidirectional flow or counter flow configurations. Unidirectional flow or counter flow cold plates can be arranged in rows and in combination of rows.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: M. Baris Dogruoz, Mandy Hin Lam, Mark Nowell, Rakesh Chopra
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Patent number: 11472264Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatuses/systems and associated methods for controlling an environmental condition inside a container or housing. The apparatus includes (1) a thermoelectric cooling unit having a first side facing away from an inner surface of the housing and a second side facing the inner surface of the housing; (2) a capillary unit having a first part and a second part; and (3) a sensor positioned inside the housing and configured to sense a humidity value and a temperature value inside the housing. The first part is coupled to the thermoelectric cooling unit and is positioned inside the housing. The second part is positioned outside the housing. If the humidity value is greater than a humidity threshold and the temperature value is greater than a temperature threshold, the thermoelectric cooling unit removes moisture in the housing, and the first part of the capillary unit collects the removed moisture and transmits the removed moisture to the second part of the capillary unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2018Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Gogoro Inc.Inventor: Sheng-Meng Hsieh
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Patent number: 11408151Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for collecting and irrigating water for plant growth in dry regions. Exemplary apparatus has appearance of a plant having leaves and stems, and operates same way plants grow and irrigate rain water and/or dew. Includes at least one water harvesting device for condensing moisture in air and collecting yield water. Device includes at least one device-body having a hydrophobic shell, and an internal-body-core surrounded by and enclosed within the hydrophobic shell; and plurality of condensation-protrusions disposed on the hydrophobic shell, each having internal-core and hydrophilic-shell surrounding and enclosing internal core. Device-body internal-body-core, in an integral manner, continuously extends to device-body hydrophobic shell and into (within) hydrophilic shell of each condensation-protrusion. When condensation-protrusions are cooler than moist air, hydrophilic-shell condenses and extracts moisture from air, becoming harvested water.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2019Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Inventor: HaeYoung Park
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Patent number: 11371732Abstract: A humidor heat exchanger system and method for using thereof to control temperature and relative humidity are disclosed. The humidor heat exchanger system comprises two or more processors coupled to one or more memories, one or more communication interfaces, one or more thermoelectric modules, one or more compressors, one or more heaters, two or more LEDs, one or more fans, one or more sensors, one or more displays, one or more water collectors, one or more doors, one or more water reservoirs, and one or more evaporators. The two or more processors are communicatively connected to the one or more thermoelectric modules, one or more compressors, one or more heaters, two or more LEDs, one or more fans, one or more sensors, one or more displays, one or more water collectors, one or more doors, and one or more water reservoirs, and one or more evaporators.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2021Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Inventors: Marcelo Rodrigues, Luigino Rigitano Netto, Thomas Andreas Behlau Ziemer
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Patent number: 11300370Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat transfer. In some embodiments, a heat transfer apparatus includes a body defining an inner volume; an inlet coupled to a vapor source; a coolant channel extending through the heat transfer apparatus; a condensing surface on which a vapor condenses, wherein the condensing surface is configured to cause the vapor to form as one or more drops on the condensing surface; and an actuator configured to excite the one or more drops at a resonant frequency of the one or more drops to remove the one or more drops from the condensing surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Christopher Phillip Migliaccio, Nathan Scott Lazarus
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Patent number: 11272642Abstract: An electronic rack liquid cooling system includes a rack manifold having a rack liquid supply line or channel and a rack liquid return line or channel. The liquid supply line is to receive first cooling liquid from a cooling liquid source and the liquid return line is to return first warmer liquid carrying the exchanged heat back to the cooling liquid source. The electronic rack further includes an array of server blades arranged in a stack therein. Each server blade includes one or more liquid cold plates associated with one or more information technology (IT) components. The electronic rack further includes a set of one or more liquid distribution units (LDUs) coupled between the rack liquid supply and return lines and the server blades. Each LDU includes a liquid supply port, a liquid return port, one or more pairs of supply sub-ports and return sub-ports, and a plate heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: BAIDU USA LLCInventor: Tianyi Gao
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Patent number: 11209176Abstract: A high efficiency, low noise thermoelectric dehumidifier that includes a heat pipe array, a condensing heat sink, an air intake duct, and a thermoelectric cooler. A first air flow is directed over the condensing heat sink that is cooled by the thermoelectric cool such that the first air flow is dehumidified by the cooled condensing heat sink. Heat is removed from a hot side of the thermoelectric cooler via the heat pipe array. A second air flow is directed over the heat pipe array such that the heat extracted from the hot side of the thermoelectric cooler is extracted and circulated back into the ambient environment.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2018Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURIInventors: Hongbin Ma, Willard Hanson, Zaichun Feng
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Patent number: 11014303Abstract: A spacecraft includes an additive manufacturing (A/M) subsystem and one or both of a thermal control arrangement and a contamination control arrangement. The A/M subsystem includes an A/M tool, feedstock and a workpiece and is configured to additively manufacture the workpiece using material from the feedstock. The thermal control arrangement is operable, in an on-orbit space environment characterized by near vacuum pressure and near zero-g force, to maintain temperature of at least one of the A/M tool, the feedstock, and the workpiece within respective specified ranges. The contamination control arrangement is operable, in the on-orbit space environment, to control outgassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLCInventors: John Scott Higham, Gordon Wu, Daniel Andrew Fluitt, Elijah Zebadiah Gurnee, Jude Zils
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Patent number: 10694644Abstract: A method of providing a cooling apparatus for cooling a heat-dissipating component(s) of an electronics enclosure includes: providing a thermal conductor to couple to the heat-dissipating component(s), the thermal conductor including a first conductor portion coupled to the heat-dissipating component, and a second conductor portion to position along an air inlet side of the electronics enclosure, so that in operation, the first conductor portion transfers heat from the component(s) to the second conductor portion; coupling at least one air-cooled heat sink to the second conductor portion to facilitate transfer of heat to airflow ingressing into the enclosure; providing at least one thermoelectric device coupled to the first or second conductor portion to facilitate providing active auxiliary cooling to the thermal conductor; and providing a controller to control operation of the thermoelectric device(s) and to selectively switch operation of the cooling apparatus between active and passive cooling modes.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Levi A. Campbell, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Milnes P. David, Dustin W. Demetriou, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
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Patent number: 10667437Abstract: An electronic rack liquid cooling system includes a rack manifold having a rack liquid supply line or channel and a rack liquid return line or channel. The liquid supply line is to receive first cooling liquid from a cooling liquid source and the liquid return line is to return first warmer liquid carrying the exchanged heat back to the cooling liquid source. The electronic rack further includes an array of server blades arranged in a stack therein. Each server blade includes one or more liquid cold plates associated with one or more information technology (IT) components. The electronic rack further includes a set of one or more liquid distribution units (LDUs) coupled between the rack liquid supply and return lines and the server blades. Each LDU includes an LDU container, a liquid supply port, a liquid return port, one or more pairs of supply sub-ports and return sub-ports, and a heat exchange channel or tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: BAIDU USA LLCInventor: Tianyi Gao
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Patent number: 10603603Abstract: A system for recovering water from air includes a skirt supported by legs and at least one interior wall suspended from the skirt. At least one exterior wall extends from an accumulator and is spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the at least one interior wall, thereby defining a flow channel between the at least one interior wall and the at least one exterior wall. At least one thermoelectric cooler (TEC) is connectable to an electrical power source for transferring heat from a cool side of the TEC to a warm side of the TEC, the cool side being positioned on the at least one interior wall, not in the flow channel, for cooling the at least one interior wall, the at least one interior wall defining a condensing surface proximate the at least one TEC.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Inventor: J. Glenn Turner, Jr.
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Patent number: 10113777Abstract: An ambient water condensing apparatus that extracts water vapor from ambient air utilizing a thermoelectric device, a superhydrophobic and/or superhydrophilic radiating condensing surface and a heat sink for providing point of source irrigation or drinking water using conventional and/or sustainable energy supplies. The thermoelectric device is thermally coupled intermediate of the condensing surface and the heat sink, and in particular a cold side of the thermoelectric device is thermally connected to the condensing surface and a hot side of the thermoelectric device is thermally connected to the heat sink. The water condensing apparatus may also include at least one fan element that cools the heat sink and introduces additional air to the condensing surface. The thermoelectric device and the fan element may be powered by any suitable electrical energy source, such as by solar energy, wind energy or grid power.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2015Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: The University of TulsaInventors: Todd P. Otanicar, Jared Starkweather
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Patent number: 10022649Abstract: A system for recovering water from air includes a base plate having an upper surface having a substantially non-reflective surface to absorb heat energy from the sun. A column is positioned on the base plate and has at least one wall through which heat energy from the sun may pass to the base plate to heat the base plate, and the base plate heats air in the column. An upper thermally conductive plate is secured at an angle between horizontal and vertical within an upper end of the column. A lower plate is secured within the column parallel to and spaced beneath the upper plate to define a flow channel between the upper plate and the lower plate. A thermoelectric cooler is connectable to a power source for cooling the upper plate. An accumulator is positioned for collecting and accumulating water that condenses on and flows through the flow channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Inventor: J. Glenn Turner, Jr.
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Patent number: 9700835Abstract: A gas dryer includes a first opening structure forming a cooling pathway fluidly connected to the first opening; a first thermoelectric device thermally connected to the structure forming the cooling pathway and a heat exchanger. A condensate drain is located near an end of the cooling pathway and configured to drain condensate formed when a fluid is cooled along the cooling pathway. A structure forming a warming pathway is located between the condensate drain and a second opening, and a second thermoelectric device thermally connected between the structure forming cooling pathway and the structure forming the warming pathway and connected to exchange heat between the cooling pathway and the warming pathway. A method of drying a gas is provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2011Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: SPX FLOW TECHNOLOGY USA, INC.Inventor: James W. Barnwell
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Patent number: 9651279Abstract: According to certain embodiments disclosed in the present application, a climate controlled seating assembly includes a thermal module. The thermal module comprises at least one inlet channel, at least one outlet channel and a thermoelectric device (e.g., Peltier circuit) positioned upstream of the outlet channel. In one embodiment, the seating assembly includes a sensor positioned within an interior of the thermal module and configured to detect the presence of a liquid, such as water, condensation or other fluids, on or near said sensor. In certain arrangements, the sensor is configured to detect the presence of a liquid by measuring an electrical resistance or capacitance across a portion of the sensor. A climate control system can include a separator gasket located within a housing of a fluid module and at least partially between the cold passage and the hot passage. In some embodiments, the separator gasket comprises one or more wicking materials.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Gentherm IncorporatedInventor: John D. Lofy
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Patent number: 9427701Abstract: A dehumidifier is disclosed comprising a base, a fast coupler disposed on the base, a water receiving tray, a water collection tank disposed below the water receiving tray, a water discharging tank connected to the water receiving tray, and a pump having an outlet connected to the fast coupler and an inlet connected to the water discharging tank, wherein a water level switch is provided in the water discharging tank and comprises a floater and a closed hollow rod, wherein the floater has a hole for passing through of the rod and a magnet, and the rod has a magnetic field response switch electrically connected with the pump.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2016Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignees: HISENSE KELON ELECTRICAL HOLDINGS CO., LTD., GUANGDONG KELON AIR CONDITIONER CO., LTD.Inventors: Yufeng Tan, Wei Tang, Xiaoqin Wei, Minzhu Huang, Bingxiang Liang, Zhongmin Liu
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Patent number: 9132439Abstract: An atomizing electrode includes: a trunk unit made to be tabular-shaped and almost rectangular-shaped for receiving water dropped from water supply means in a direction of gravitational force and delivering the water; and a top end atomizing unit which is a plate-shaped projection formed so as to be projected from a side surface of the trunk unit and formed unitedly with the trunk unit. The trunk unit of the atomizing electrode extends a long-side direction in a horizontal direction, is provided below the cooling unit with a space of a predetermined distance so as not to contact the cooling unit, and is arranged so that when the cooling unit is projected in the direction of gravitational force, a width of the cooling unit in a horizontal direction should be included in a width of a long-side direction of a top surface of the trunk unit exposed to the cooling unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Reiji Morioka, Takahiro Sakai
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Patent number: 9064994Abstract: Self-corrugating laminates useful in the manufacture of thermoelectric devices are disclosed. The laminates include an upper and a lower shrinkable film layer and a non-shrinkable core with a thermoelectric pattern formed thereon bonded between said upper and lower shrinkable film along bond lines arranged parallel, substantially parallel, radially, or annularly. The bond lines that bond the upper shrinkable film layer to top surface of the nonshrinkable core are staggered relative to the bond lines that bond the lower shrinkable film layer to the bottom surface of the non-shrinkable core such that upon shrinkage of the shrinkable film layers, structural corrugations are formed in the non-shrinkable core. Thermoelectric modules or devices and methods for forming them from the self-corrugating laminates are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2014Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Marcus David Shelby, David B. Calvert, Freddie Wayne Williams, Scott Allen Clear, Peter Borden Mackenzie, Candace Michele Tanner, Jennifer Lynne Stikeleather-Peavey, Jeffrey Todd Owens
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Patent number: 9016069Abstract: A condensate water removing apparatus for vehicle air conditioners which quickly removes condensate water generated from a thermoelement assembly. The apparatus includes: a thermoelement assembly installed in an air channel that guides air sucked and blown by a blower fan for heating or cooling; a partition plate placed to come into contact with the thermoelement assembly so that it guides air when sucked air passes through the thermoelement assembly so as to become cooling or heating air, the partition plate partitioning the air channel into an air supply channel and an air discharge channel; and a moisture absorbing material covering the thermoelement assembly and extending from the air supply channel to the air discharge channel so that the moisture absorbing material absorbs condensate water generated from the air supply channel and guides the condensate water to the air discharge channel, thereby removing the condensate water in the air discharge channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Kbautotech Co., Ltd.Inventors: Duck Chae Jun, Dal Young Jung, Tae Sung Kim
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Patent number: 8955337Abstract: A thermal module including a thermoelectric engine having a thermoelectric core, a first heat exchanger on one side of the thermoelectric engine, a second heat exchanger on another side of the thermoelectric engine, an air moving device blowing air across the first heat exchanger to condition the air, and a condensate management system including a collection tray below the thermoelectric engine, the first heat exchanger, and the second heat exchanger. The thermal module also includes an exhaust fan blowing air across the second heat exchanger and the collection tray to remove condensate from the collection tray.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2011Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Marlow Industries, Inc.Inventors: Overton (Bud) Parish, Leonard Recine, Kevin Garrett, Mark L. Kutch
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Patent number: 8839630Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a dehumidifier and a vent drain assembly to reduce moisture in an electrical enclosure. The dehumidifier can include a thermoelectric module, a drain pan, and a fitting to release the collected moisture from the drain pan. The vent drain assembly can receive the collected moisture from the drain pan and the fitting. The vent drain assembly can include a valve body, a float, and a cap.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2009Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Hoffman Enclosures, Inc.Inventors: William J. Nepsha, Bruce W. Larson, Gregory A. Quick, Robert M. Kalstabakken
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Patent number: 8769978Abstract: In a dehumidification/humidification device, a blower and an adsorbent module are contained in a casing. In other embodiment, the blower, the adsorbent module, and a flow passage-changing device are contained in the casing. The adsorbent module includes an adsorbing element formed by carrying an adsorbent on a permeable element and a heater directly disposed on the adsorbing element. The state of the electrification of the heater is changed and an air-blowing direction or a flow passage is changed, whereby a dehumidified air is discharged from a first suction/discharge port (or discharge port), and a humidified air is discharged from a second suction/discharge port (or discharge port).Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takanobu Nakaguro, Toshihiro Tsuemoto, Hiroyuki Kakiuchi, Hideto Hidaka
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Publication number: 20140174100Abstract: A refrigeration appliance comprises a freezer compartment in which air cooled by an evaporator is circulated by a fan and a thermoelectric device having a hot side in heat exchange relationship with the evaporator or with the freezer compartment and a cold side in heat exchange relationship with air within at least a portion of the freezer compartment in order to reduce temperature oscillations in the freezer compartment or in said portion thereof during evaporator defrost cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: CAROLINA BIOTTI, RAMEET SINGH GREWAL, MATTEO LUCIANO VANELLI
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Patent number: 8739558Abstract: The various embodiments herein provide an air conditioner system for providing cold and warm air in cars and buildings. The air conditioner system includes a chamber, a plurality of input air blades, a plurality of input air filters, an electrical ventilator, one or more wet heat exchangers, and one or more dry heat exchangers installed in the chamber, an outgoing air heat exchanger, an operation selection valve, an electrical circulating pump, one or more sets of water sprayers nozzles, one or more water sprayer pumps, one or more thermoelectric modules and a microcontroller unit. The passing of air through the chamber is automatically controlled by the microcontroller unit based on the operation of the system in the cooling or heating mode. The air is cooled in the cooling mode using the multistage water evaporation mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Inventor: Payman Enayati
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Patent number: 8671697Abstract: Techniques herein describe a pumping system, adapted to reduce or eliminate fluid cavitation. Optionally, the pumping system is adapted for application to a passive fluid recovery system. In one example, the pumping system includes a pump and a thermal sub-cooling device. The thermal sub-cooling device may sub-cool fluid input to a pump and heat fluid output from the pump, particularly under start-up conditions. In a further example, a controller manages power supplied to both the pump and the thermal sub-cooling device, to transition from an ambient temperature start-up condition to an elevated temperature operating condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Parker-Hannifin CorporationInventors: Sammy Lee Zimmerman, Charles L Tilton
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Patent number: 8613200Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include systems for heating and cooling the interior climate of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the system comprises a conduit having a first fluid channel, a second fluid channel, a fluid diversion channel configured to divert fluid flow between the first and second channels, and a thermoelectric device operatively connected to the fluid conduit. In certain embodiments, the thermoelectric device comprises a plurality of thermal zones. In some embodiments, the plurality of thermal zones comprises a first thermal zone connected to a first electric circuit switchable between a first polarity and a second polarity and a second thermal zone connected to a second electric circuit switchable between the first polarity and the second polarity independent of the polarity of the first electric circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2009Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: BSST LLCInventors: John LaGrandeur, Lon E. Bell
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Patent number: 8601824Abstract: A heating and cooling apparatus for a vehicle seat, may include a blower blowing air into a duct leading to the vehicle seat, and a thermoelectric element assembly connected to the duct and including a thermoelectric element that heats or cools air introduced toward the vehicle seat from the duct, the thermoelectric element having condensed water passages penetrating from one side to the other side thereof to allow condensed water to flow therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Duck Chae Jun, Wook Jeong, Man Ju Oh, Jang Su Park
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Patent number: 8584481Abstract: An integrated air conditioner that controls the operation of a water feed device according to the mode of use. The air conditioner includes a control section that determines whether or not exhaust heat from a condenser 3 is being released outdoors through an exhaust duct 7 according to whether or not an air intake duct 26 or an exhaust duct 7 is fitted, operates a water feed device 8 for leading drain wafer collected in the drain pan to the condenser 3 during both of a cooling operation and a dehumidifying operation if it determines that the heat to be released from the condenser 3 is being released outdoors, and operates the water feed device 8 during the cooling operation and stops the operation of the water feed device 8 during the dehumidifying operation if it determines that the exhaust heat from the condenser 3 is not being released outdoors.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2009Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tohru Ariga
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Publication number: 20130295776Abstract: Methods for recovery of precursor vapor from a gas and precursor vapor mixture used in a deposition process. The gas and precursor vapor mixture is passed through a multitude of heat transfer surfaces in a heat conducting housing causing the precursor vapor to condense. The precursor vapor in liquid form is then collected after condensation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: MSP CorporationInventors: Benjamin Y.H. Liu, Thuc M. Dinh, Yamin Ma
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Patent number: 8561416Abstract: A method for managing thermal energy in an internal combustion engine including an exhaust gas recirculation system and an engine cooling system includes recirculating a portion of an exhaust gas through the exhaust gas recirculation system that is in thermal communication with a first side of a thermoelectric device, flowing an engine coolant into thermal communication with a second side of a thermoelectric device, and controlling electric current between an electrical energy storage device and the thermoelectric device to transfer thermal energy between the recirculated exhaust gas and the engine coolant.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Xin He, Alexander Knafl, Russell P. Durrett
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Publication number: 20130255280Abstract: A portable water-generating device for obtaining water from ambient air including a thermoelectric cooling device having a cold side and a hot side, a thermally-conductive cold sink having multiple cold sink fins of a first size thermally coupled to the cold side and a thermally-conductive heat sink with multiple heat sink fins of a second size thermally coupled to the hot side. Air-movement devices move ambient air into the device and over the cold sink fins. The ambient air is cooled as it passes over the cold sink fins causing water to condense on the cold sink fins and to collect into a collecting tray. The water is then pumped through a multi-stage filtration and mineralization system and into a dispensing water reservoir for immediate or later use.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Thomas John Murphy, Denis Napoleon Jean, Marietta Sue Murphy, Johanna Julia Adler
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Publication number: 20130220905Abstract: A water production system with a thermal separation device that defines a cold region and a hot region, a fluid-air heat exchanger located remotely from the thermal separation device and exposed to air, and a fluid circulation loop that thermally connects the cold region of the thermal separation device to the fluid-air heat exchanger so as to cool the fluid-air heat exchanger and condense water from ambient air to produce water pure enough so that with further treatment it can be made potable. Also disclosed are filtration and dispensing features that are appropriate for a potable water supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: Infinite Water, Inc.Inventor: Infinite Water, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130145775Abstract: A direct thermoelectric converter includes a condensing surface. The condensing surface conducts heat to a silicon matrix to cool the condensing surface to a temperature to precipitate a gas fraction from a flow of gas. The matrix includes a first layer of low recombination material fused to a first layer of high recombination material at a first n-type junction, the first layer high recombination material fused to a second layer of low recombination material at a p-type junction, the second layer of low recombination material fused to a second layer of high recombination material at a second n-type junction. Each of a positive and a negative terminal are affixed conductively to the silicon matrix thereby to supply a current of electrons at a supply voltage. A controller senses the current of electrons and selectively connects the direct thermoelectric converter to a load in response to the supply of electrons.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2012Publication date: June 13, 2013Inventor: Peter Milon Orem
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Patent number: 8408013Abstract: A portable moisture trap for use with a vacuum pump includes: a housing; a cooling chamber positioned at least partially within the housing including a first inlet port and a second outlet port; a lid that sealably attaches to a top portion of the cooling chamber to seal the cooling chamber; a heat sink residing under the cooling chamber; a thermoelectric device having an upper cooling side and a lower heat generating side residing between the cooling chamber and the heat sink; a fan oriented to blow air upwardly toward the heat sink; and a baffle extending downwardly in the cooling chamber from a location proximate the lid to a location proximate an inner bottom surface of the cooling chamber, with the baffle configured to define a physical barrier to urge air received through the first port to flow down toward the inner bottom surface of the cooling chamber before exiting through the second port, to thereby remove moisture from air traveling through the cooling chamber in response to a vacuum pump in fluidType: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Instrotek, Inc.Inventors: Peter D. Muse, Johnny Gordon Williams, Jr., Ali Regimand, Lawrence H. James
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Patent number: 8327652Abstract: To provide a more comfortable vehicle cabin space for a passenger. In a vehicle humidifying/dehumidifying device 10, when a control unit 26 is switched to an “intermittent operation mode”, a pair of heat exchange elements 28A and 28B are heated simultaneously and intermittently. Additionally, this allows humidified air to be generated by both of the pair of heat exchange elements 28A and 28B when the pair of heat exchange elements 28A and 28B are being heated simultaneously by a heater 30. Consequently, in comparison to a case where the humidified air is generated alternately by the heat exchange elements 28A and 28B, the humidifying amount imparted to the humidified air when the humidified air is generated by a humidifying/dehumidifying unit 16 can be increased. Thus, it becomes possible to perform humidifying amount control corresponding to various situations in a vehicle cabin, and it becomes possible to provide a more comfortable vehicle cabin space for a passenger.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takanobu Nakaguro
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Publication number: 20120260671Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for condensing moisture in a moist gas stream entering a bioreactor or leaving a bioretractor, forming a dry gas stream for entering or leaving the bioreactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: Xcellerex, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. DAMREN, Colin Tuohey, Thomas Erdenberger, Michael Fisher, Geoffrey L. Hodge, Patrick M. Guertin, Parrish M. Galliher
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Publication number: 20120174599Abstract: A gas dryer is provided. The gas dryer includes a first opening structure forming a cooling pathway fluidly connected to the first opening; a first thermoelectric device thermally connected to the structure forming the cooling pathway and a heat exchanger. A condensate drain is located near an end of the cooling pathway and configured to drain condensate formed when a fluid is cooled along the cooling pathway. A structure forming a warming pathway is located between the condensate drain and a second opening, and a second thermoelectric device thermally connected between the structure forming cooling pathway and the structure forming the warming pathway and connected to exchange heat between the cooling pathway and the warming pathway. A method of drying a gas is provided. The method includes directing the gas through a cooling pathway, removing heat from the gas in the cooling pathway with a first thermoelectric device to a heat exchanger, condensing a fluid out of the gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: SPX CorporationInventor: James W. BARNWELL
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Patent number: 8181468Abstract: Apparatus and methods for dispensing small amounts of a viscous material onto a workpiece. The narrow-profile dispensing apparatus includes a fluid chamber, a nozzle, and a valve seat disk representing individual components that are removable from a main body of the dispensing apparatus for cleaning and/or replacement. The nozzle is coupled with the fluid chamber by a heat transfer body that may be cooled by, for example, a cooling fluid routed through an air pathway defined in the heat transfer body. The main body of the dispensing apparatus may be cooled by air exhausted from an air cavity of a pneumatic actuator regulating the movement of a needle to control the flow of viscous material in the dispensing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Erik Fiske, Horatio Quinones, Philip P. Maiorca, Alec Babiarz, Robert Ciardella
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Publication number: 20120117983Abstract: The air-conditioning heat exchanger includes a plurality of Peltier devices, a plurality of first heat transfer members, a plurality of second heat transfer members, an air-conditioning passage and a heat exchange medium passage. The air-conditioning passage has therein the Peltier devices and the first heat transfer members. The air-conditioning passage allows air to be air-conditioned to flow therethrough. The air-conditioning passage has a plurality of divided passages at least at positions that are downstream of upstream ends of the first heat transfer members with respect to an air flowing direction in which the air flows through the air-conditioning passage. The Peltier device in each divided passage is controlled separately from the Peltier device in other divided passage. The heat exchange medium passage has therein the second heat transfer members and allows fluid to flow through the heat exchange medium passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKIInventors: Hirokuni AKIYAMA, Hirohisa KATO, Naoto MORISAKU, Naoya YOKOMACHI, Masakazu MURASE, Takahisa BAN
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Publication number: 20120036869Abstract: Disclosed are a portable refrigerator with a fuel cell system and an operating method thereof. The portable refrigerator with a fuel cell system comprises a case having a storage space, a fuel cell stack disposed in the case, a gas tank configured to store gas necessary to operate the fuel cell stack, a fan configured to cool the fuel cell stack and supply air to the fuel stack, a thermoelectric cooling means disposed in the case, and configured to cool the storage space, a battery charged by the fuel cell stack, and configured to supply power to the thermoelectric cooling means, and a controller configured to control the fuel cell stack and the thermoelectric cooling means.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Inventors: Seo Young Kim, Yun Ho Kim, Hun Sik Han, Dae-Young Lee, Yoon Pyo Lee, Young Soo Chang, Kwang-Ho Kim, Sarng Woo Karng, Changhwan Cho
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Publication number: 20120000207Abstract: A condensate management system is adapted for use in a personal comfort system with an air conditioning system having a thermoelectric engine including a thermoelectric core, a supply heat exchanger and an exhaust heat exchanger. Condensate is managed by a primary condensate management system configured to draw condensate away from the thermoelectric core, the supply heat exchanger and/or the exhaust heat exchanger using wicking material. Optionally, a secondary condensation management system may be included which is configured to generate a condensate air flow operable for drawing moisture away from a collection tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: Marlow Industries, Inc.Inventors: Overton (Bud) Parish, Leonard Recine, Kevin Garrett, Mark L. Kutch
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Publication number: 20110314837Abstract: A system and method for controlling ventilation in a bed (mattress) includes an user-controlled air conditioning control system for generating and supplying a conditioned air flow to a distribution layer/system located on or near the mattress. The distribution layer/system includes a spacer structure surrounded by fabric material(s) and configured to receive the conditioned air flow and provide a cooling or heating effect to a body adjacent the mattress.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2011Publication date: December 29, 2011Applicant: MARLOW INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Overton Bud Parish, Leonard Recine, Kevin Garrett, Mark L. Kutch
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Patent number: 7996928Abstract: A toilet includes a dehumidifier operable to draw water vapor from the air and discharge water. A tank is configured to store the water discharged from the dehumidifier. A drain valve is movable from a closed position to an open position whereby the toilet is flushed solely with the water discharged from the dehumidifier and stored in the tank.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Inventor: Martin H. Lorenz