With Refrigerant Collection And Intermittent Discharge Patents (Class 62/324.4)
  • Patent number: 11828528
    Abstract: A water dispenser for a refrigerator including a water discharge nozzle fluidly connected to a water source, a valve configured to selectively block the fluid connection, and an actuator operated to allow water to be dispensed. The water discharge nozzle is pivotally mounted to a surface of the refrigerator to pivot between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the water discharge nozzle is extended outwards beyond the surface of the refrigerator. The water discharge nozzle is biased towards one of the extended and retracted positions. The valve is configured to block the fluid connection between the water discharge nozzle and the water source when the water discharge nozzle is in the retracted position. When the water discharge nozzle pivots to the extended position, the valve is operated to enable fluid connection between the water discharge nozzle and the water source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhuochen Shi, Josh Hanson
  • Patent number: 11788769
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes an on-demand water heater which uses a heat pump to heat the fluid. The on-demand heat pump water heater can have a low fluid capacity heating chamber which has an inlet and an outlet, a heat pump for heating the fluid, and a controller to control the heat pump and maintain the temperature of the fluid at a predetermined temperature. The on-demand heat pump water heater can include one or more temperature sensors, flow sensors, fluid mixing valves, or supplemental heat sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jozef Boros, Christopher M. Hayden
  • Patent number: 11156393
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes heat-source-side units each including a compressor and a heat-source-side heat exchanger, a load-side heat exchanger and a load-side expansion device, a first header, a second header, bypass expansion devices, circuit switching units, discharge pressure sensors, bypass pressure sensors, and a controller configured to control, in a heat-source-side unit in defrosting mode, the circuit switching unit in such a manner that a portion of refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the heat-source-side heat exchanger and configured to control, in the heat-source-side unit in defrosting mode, an opening degree of the bypass expansion device in the heat-source-side unit in such a manner that a value representing a difference between a value obtained by the discharge pressure sensor and a value obtained by the bypass pressure sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Tadashi Ariyama
  • Patent number: 10598423
    Abstract: A refrigerator contains a dispenser for ice and/or liquid. A dispenser housing covers an opening in an outer shell of the refrigerator. The dispenser housing delimits a dispenser recess that extends outward and upward over an upper edge of the opening and is assembled from at least one main part, which extends from a lower edge of the opening over a rear wall to a front edge of a ceiling of the dispenser housing, and a filling part, which extends from the front edge to an upper edge of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Gerd Keller, Karl-Friedrich Laible, Florian Moertl, Senol Temizkan
  • Patent number: 10578344
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes a compressor, indoor heat exchanger, outdoor heat exchanger, and expansion valve. A main flow control device fluidly couples a discharge line to the outdoor heat exchanger when the heat pump system is in a cooling mode, and fluidly couples the discharge line to the indoor heat exchanger when the heat pump system is in a heating mode. An intermediate heat exchanger is configured to receive working fluid from the outdoor heat exchanger in a cooling mode and from the indoor heat exchanger in a heating mode. The intermediate heat exchanger is configured to superheat or sub-cool a working fluid therein. A secondary flow control device is configured to control a directional flow of working fluid between the indoor heat exchanger, the outdoor heat exchanger and the intermediate heat exchanger. A controller is operably coupled to the main and secondary flow control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeremy Wallet-Laily
  • Patent number: 10345021
    Abstract: A variable refrigerant charge refrigeration/air conditioner system is described that allows the refrigerant charge for the system to be altered based on operating or environmental factors. The system includes a main refrigerant loop holding a volume of refrigerant corresponding to a first level of refrigerant charge, a compressor in the main refrigerant loop, a condenser in the main refrigerant loop, and an evaporator in the main refrigerant loop. A branch refrigerant loop allows the alteration of the refrigerant charge using a control valve in the branch refrigerant loop and a receiver in the branch refrigerant loop. The receiver acts to hold a volume of refrigerant when the control valve is open, thereby removing the volume of refrigerant from the main refrigerant loop. A return path from the receiver to the main refrigerant loop allows refrigerant to flow back into the main loop from the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Uselton
  • Patent number: 10197331
    Abstract: To provide a solid-liquid separation system in which a stable operation can be continuously conducted and the introduction cost and the running cost can be suppressed, in cases where moisture or oil are separated from a substance containing moisture or oil by using changes in phase of a working fluid having a nature of dissolving moisture or oil in a liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoko Kokugan, Hiroshi Kusumoto, Tadashi Sano, Michiharu Watanabe, Mitsuhiro Matsuzawa
  • Patent number: 10168081
    Abstract: An adsorption heat pump system comprises an evaporator that evaporates an adsorbate; a first adsorption device that adsorbs the adsorbate of the evaporator and generates cooling in the evaporator; and a second adsorption device that adsorbs the adsorbate that was adsorbed by the first adsorption device and generates cooling in the first adsorption device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Yasuki Hirota, Takafumi Yamauchi, Ryuichi Iwata, Takashi Shimazu
  • Patent number: 9464830
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor unit, an indoor unit having an indoor heat exchanger, and a controller for executing a pump down operation. The outdoor unit has an accumulator of a capacity (Va), a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, a large-diameter tube, which are joined by refrigerant pipes. The capacity (Vhi) of the indoor heat exchanger is greater than the capacity (Vho) of the outdoor heat exchanger. The large-diameter tube, which is larger in diameter than the refrigerant pipes, is provided so that the capacity (Vt) of the large-diameter tube satisfies the formula: capacity (Vt)>capacity (Vhi)?capacity (Vho)?capacity (Va).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukako Kanazawa, Junichi Shimoda, Tatsuya Makino, Shouhei Miyatani, Toshihiko Takayama
  • Patent number: 9175883
    Abstract: A HVAC system including a multi-function unit for conditioning and controlling the flow of refrigerant. The multi-function unit may be contained within a housing that houses a receiver/dryer, integral heat exchanger and thermal expansion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Manfred Koberstein, Mitali Chakrabarti, Steven L. Lambert, Stephen Patrick Lepper, Angelo Patti
  • Patent number: 9134057
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle 1 is constituted by joining at least a compressor 2, a condenser 3, a decompression and expansion device 4, and an evaporator 5 to each other by a pipe 6. The condenser 3 is formed of a condenser with a supercooling part including a condensing part 7 and a supercooling part 8. The refrigeration cycle 1 further includes an internal heat exchanger 25. A rate at which the supercooling part 8 occupies with respect to the whole condenser 3 is set to a value which falls within a range of 3% to 9% when the heat exchange efficiency of the internal heat exchanger 25 falls within a range of 25% to 75%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: VALEO JAPAN CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji Iijima
  • Patent number: 9027358
    Abstract: A vehicle heat pump system includes a compressor, a first valve coupled to an outlet of the compressor, a cooling circuit between the first valve and the inlet of the compressor, a heating circuit between the first valve and the inlet of the compressor and a controller. The heating circuit includes a heating circuit evaporator and a second valve between the heating circuit evaporator and the inlet of the compressor. The controller is configured to operate the first valve to switch between a cooling mode and a heating mode, cycle the second valve opened and closed in the heating mode, such that when closed, the compressor draws refrigerant out of the cooling circuit and refrigerant pressure builds up within the heating circuit, and maintain the second valve open upon the controller determining that sufficient refrigerant has been drawn out of the cooling circuit during the cycling of the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Eisenhour
  • Publication number: 20150075202
    Abstract: A refrigeration device includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, an indoor heat exchanger, and a storage tank. The compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion mechanism and the indoor heat exchanger are connected to each other. During a cooling operation, a refrigerant flows sequentially through the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the expansion mechanism, and the indoor heat exchanger. During a heating operation, the refrigerant flows sequentially through the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger, the expansion mechanism, and the outdoor heat. The storage tank is configured to store the refrigerant and is provided between the outdoor heat exchanger and the expansion mechanism. The refrigeration device uses R32 as the refrigerant. A capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger is less than or equal to a capacity of the indoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Noriyuki Okuda, Takayuki Setoguchi, Keisuke Tanimoto
  • Publication number: 20150020536
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes a liquid receiver valve that adjusts the amount of a refrigerant stored in a liquid receiver so that a circulation amount of the refrigerant that circulates the heat pump system can be adjusted according to a driving speed of a compressor and performance of the compressor and the heat pump system can be further improved. Also, since a plurality of liquid receiver refrigerant outlets can be selectively opened using a pressure difference between an inlet and an outlet of the compressor, active control can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Gil Bong LEE, Young Soo LEE, Min Sung KIM, Ki Chang CHANG, Jun Hyun CHO, Ho Sang RA
  • Patent number: 8756943
    Abstract: Heat pumps that heat or cool a space and that also heat water, refrigerant management systems for such heat pumps, methods of managing refrigerant charge, and methods for heating and cooling a space and heating water. Various embodiments deliver refrigerant gas to a heat exchanger that is not needed for transferring heat, drive liquid refrigerant out of that heat exchanger, isolate that heat exchanger against additional refrigerant flowing into it, and operate the heat pump while the heat exchanger is isolated. The heat exchanger can be isolated by closing an electronic expansion valve, actuating a refrigerant management valve, or both. Refrigerant charge can be controlled or adjusted by controlling how much liquid refrigerant is driven from the heat exchanger, by letting refrigerant back into the heat exchanger, or both. Heat pumps can be operated in different modes of operation, and segments of refrigerant conduit can be interconnected with various components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Nordyne LLC
    Inventors: Jie Chen, Justin W. Hampton
  • Patent number: 8695369
    Abstract: A heat pump system is provided and may include a compressor, a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the compressor, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger and the compressor, and a flash tank fluidly coupled to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A first conduit may extend between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A valve associated with the first conduit may operate in an open state to permit flow along the first conduit between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to at least partially bypass the flash tank and may operate in a closed state to prevent flow along the first conduit between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to direct flow into the flash tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Man Wai Wu, Li Yi Zhang
  • Patent number: 8578731
    Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure provides a refrigerant charge compensator having an increased heat transfer surface. The housing has an internal volume and first and second ports for allowing a passage of refrigerant therethrough. The internal volume is partitioned into an indirect refrigerant passageway that extends through the housing and a refrigerant storage area. The refrigerant storage area has a storage access port and is in contact with the indirect refrigerant passageway. Also a heat pump system implementing the compensator is provided and a method of manufacturing the compensator is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Distributor Products LLC
    Inventor: Dae-Hyun Jin
  • Publication number: 20120247142
    Abstract: In a heat pump pool heater, undesirable compressor-created pressure spikes resulting from start-up of the heater after extended idle periods thereof are substantially eliminated by the incorporation in the heat pump refrigerant circuit of a specially designed pressure spike eliminator structure. The spike eliminator structure includes an enclosed hollow wall structure extending around a first refrigerant tubing portion disposed between the heat pump circuit compressor and condenser and forming a cavity around the first refrigerant tubing portion, and a transfer tube directly connected to a second refrigerant tubing portion disposed between the condenser and expansion valve and intercommunicating the interiors of the cavity and the second refrigerant tubing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy B. Hawkins, Paul D. McKim
  • Patent number: 8261564
    Abstract: A recovery apparatus, system and method, including a compressor to evacuate a gas or liquid from a system during a first phase and a second phase of a recovery process, and a vacuum pump to evacuate the gas or liquid during the second phase. A memory stores one or more correlation relations to determine a predetermined second variable recovery time for the second phase to evacuate the system to a second predetermined level related to a first recovery time to evacuate the vessel or system to a first predetermined level during the first phase, and a processor to determine the second variable recovery time, based on the one or more correlation relations and the first recovery time, and selectively control the compressor and the vacuum pump to evacuate the gas or liquid from the vessel or system to the first and second predetermined levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: William Brown, Gary Murray
  • Patent number: 8220284
    Abstract: A heat storage device that includes a first heat storage material and a second heat storage material, both of which accumulate heat by heat exchange with a heat afferent medium, and a changeover device that selectively either performs or intercepts heat storage by the second heat storage material. Accordingly, if the absorption of heat by the first heat storage material has decreased, the changeover device changes flow of the second heat storage material so that heat may be extracted from the heat afferent medium by the second heat storage medium. Thus, when the heat afferent medium is a refrigerant, it is possible to supercool the refrigerant thereof. Furthermore, since heat is extracted from the heat afferent medium and is accumulated, accordingly it is possible to anticipate effective utilization thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Tsubone
  • Patent number: 8191376
    Abstract: A reversible HVAC heating/cooling refrigerant system includes a novel valve system that allows an outdoor heat exchanger to function as a subcooler during a cooling or defrost mode and function as a receiver tank for storing excess liquid refrigerant during a heating mode. In the heating mode, a cooling expansion valve is kept slightly open to flood the subcooler with liquid refrigerant while a heating expansion valve is regulated to maintain a desired level of superheat at the suction side of the refrigerant system's compressor. The novel valve system also serves as a pressure relief valve to protect the subcooler from excess pressure caused by thermal expansion of liquid refrigerant trapped within the subcooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Fox, George M. Singh, Scott A. Munns
  • Patent number: 8091377
    Abstract: A heat pump capable of performing heating and cooling simultaneously is provided. The heat pump includes a compressor, indoor devices that heat or cool an indoor space, outdoor heat exchangers, and switching devices. The outdoor heat exchangers are configured to individually operate as a condenser or an evaporator depending on a ratio of heating to cooling of the indoor devices. When an operation mode is changed, continuous heating and cooling is performed without stopping the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ho Jong Jeong, Il Nahm Hwang, Baik Young Chung
  • Patent number: 8056348
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes a compressor, a reversing valve, an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger in a circuit, and a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger. In the air cooling with water heating mode, the air heating with water heating mode and the water heating only mode, water from a water reservoir is passed through refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger. A refrigerant reservoir may be provided for use in refrigerant charge control. A refrigerant line (71) couples reservoir to the refrigerant circuit intermediate the outdoor and indoor heat exchangers for directing liquid refrigerant into the reservoir and a refrigerant line (73) couples the refrigerant circuit upstream of the suction inlet to the compressor for returning refrigerant to the refrigerant circuit. A controller controls flow into and from the refrigerant reservoir through selective opening and closing of control valve (72) in line (71) and control valve (74) in line (73).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Murakami, Carlos A. Tesche, Roberto G. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8037710
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger, a scroll compressor in fluid communication with each of the first and second heat exchangers, and a flash tank in fluid communication with each of the first and second heat exchangers and the scroll compressor. A first capillary tube is disposed between the first heat exchanger and an inlet of the flash tank and a first valve is disposed between the first heat exchanger and the first capillary tube to control refrigerant to the first capillary tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Man Wai Wu, Li Yi Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110146317
    Abstract: A multi-mode, bi-directional cascade heat pump system, according to some examples, includes at least two chillers each being part of a unidirectional refrigerant circuit. The system includes heat exchangers each of which are dedicated to operate as just a condenser or as just an evaporator, regardless of the system's operating mode. In some modes, a secondary fluid transfers heat between the condenser of one chiller and the evaporator of another chiller before the fluid returns to a secondary fluid source such as, for example, a geothermal borefield or a conventional water source. In some embodiments, fluid is withdrawn from a borefield by way of a pump having a speed that varies to maintain a desired fluid temperature and/or a desired heat transfer rate at the borefield. The heat pump system includes means for minimizing flow through the borefield and for minimizing unnecessary mixing of relatively high and low temperature fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Lee R. Cline, Michael C. A. Schwedler, Susanna S. Hanson, Brian J. Fiegen
  • Publication number: 20110120167
    Abstract: A room air conditioner and/or heat pump is shown with a main control and a user interface. The user interface is mounted on a user interface mount attached to the front of a main unit, but behind the bezel. The user interface mount is used to (a) insert or remove the main unit, (b) secure and protect wiring cables, (c) mount the user interface thereon, (d) direct a filter into position, (e) provide a slot for a fresh air slide, and (f) direct a bezel into position. A main control housing allows access there through to a main control circuit board, but prevents moisture from dripping on the main control circuit board. A dual filter element is located behind a double hinged door. Channels and flanges direct and secure the bezel into position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: David J. Lingrey, Kevin L. Eicher, Geethakrishnan Vasudevan, David John Sayler, Charles A. Wheeler, JR., Patrick J. Bush, Eduardo J. Guerrero
  • Publication number: 20100319369
    Abstract: A reversible HVAC heating/cooling refrigerant system includes a novel valve system that allows an outdoor heat exchanger to function as a subcooler during a cooling or defrost mode and function as a receiver tank for storing excess liquid refrigerant during a heating mode. In the heating mode, a cooling expansion valve is kept slightly open to flood the subcooler with liquid refrigerant while a heating expansion valve is regulated to maintain a desired level of superheat at the suction side of the refrigerant system's compressor. The novel valve system also serves as a pressure relief valve to protect the subcooler from excess pressure caused by thermal expansion of liquid refrigerant trapped within the subcooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Willaim B. Fox, George M. Singh, Scott A. Munns
  • Patent number: 7832466
    Abstract: A water supply system includes a main water tank and a sub-tank of smaller dimensions than the main tank for supplying hot and cold water for household use. The sub-tank is surrounded by a tubular coil of refrigerant in contact with the sub-tank, a layer of insulation and an outer wall for maintaining the insulation in place and protecting the tubular coil and sub-tank from being damaged. A water heater is disposed in or below a lower part of the tank and a three-way switch is provided for selecting heating or refrigeration during different seasons of the year.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Abdullah Ahmad Al-Hashash
  • Patent number: 7814761
    Abstract: An air conditioner according to the present invention prevents freezing of an outdoor heat exchanger in heating operation. A refrigeration cycle is formed by sequentially connecting a compressor 1, a four-way valve 2, an indoor heat exchanger 3, a pressure reducing device 4, and an outdoor heat exchanger 5. In the refrigeration cycle, a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant compressed by the compressor 1 flows through a receiver tank 6 before supplied for indoor heating. The receiver tank 6 is placed in the outdoor heat exchanger 5, and thus heat from the receiver tank 6 through which the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flows can be used to prevent freezing of a fin or a tube 10 in the outdoor heat exchanger 5, thereby ensuring heating performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keisuke Uchida
  • Publication number: 20100229585
    Abstract: A modular air conditioner is provided that operates on the basic principal of a split system yet allows user serviceability and modular components such that the system is flexible. The system generally includes an outdoor unit, at least one indoor unit and a user serviceable hose that extends between the outdoor and indoor units. The outdoor unit contains a compressor, an air-cooled condenser, a coolant to fluid heat exchanger, a fan and various other components such as controls. While the indoor unit contains a fan, a fluid pump, a cold fluid storage tank and a fluid to air heat exchanger. Finally, the hose is a detachable hose that includes three lumens therein that act as a cold fluid supply, a fluid return and wiring for power and control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: KIPPWORKS
    Inventors: Kipp Bradford, Kas DeCarvalho, Thomas Brendler
  • Publication number: 20100175413
    Abstract: A heat storage device that includes a first heat storage material and a second heat storage material, both of which accumulate heat by heat exchange with a heat afferent medium, and a changeover device that selectively either performs or intercepts heat storage by the second heat storage material. Accordingly, if the absorption of heat by the first heat storage material has decreased, the changeover device changes flow of the second heat storage material so that heat may be extracted from the heat afferent medium by the second heat storage medium. Thus, when the heat afferent medium is a refrigerant, it is possible to supercool the refrigerant thereof. Furthermore, since heat is extracted from the heat afferent medium and is accumulated, accordingly it is possible to anticipate effective utilization thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Kenji Tsubone
  • Patent number: 7591145
    Abstract: A heat pump heat pump system, operating with an R-410A refrigerant, comprised of at least one of an air source heat pump system, a water source heat pump system, and a direct expansion heat pump system, preferably for use in a Deep Well Direct Expansion heat pump system, which incorporates a three-mode receiver and an interior air handler, with at least one fan, with such air handler comprised of a combination of two sets of refrigerant to air heat exchange tubing/interior air heat exchange means, with by-pass lines and solenoid valves to facilitate system operation in the desired operational mode, all enabling optimum system performance in one of the desired heating mode, cooling mode, and dehumidification mode of system operation, as controlled by at least one of a thermostat/humidistat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Earth To Air Systems, LLC
    Inventor: B. Ryland Wiggs
  • Publication number: 20090139255
    Abstract: A device for controlling the heat output of a heat pump, with a storage circuit, wherein heat energy can be stored in a storage container, comprises means for receiving a volume flow of a heat carrier medium from a condenser of the heat pump and means in the circuit of the heat carrier medium for controllably feeding a volume flow of the heat carrier medium from a condenser of the heat pump to a desuperheater. In an embodiment of the invention, the device further comprises means in the refrigeration circuit of the heat pump for feeding the heat carrier medium from the desuperheater to the condenser of the heat pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Heinz-Dieter Hombucher
  • Patent number: 7530390
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air conditioner for a motor vehicle, comprising a coolant circuit (1) that is provided with several heat-transferring devices through which a coolant can be directed, a heat-transferring device (12) also being part of a coolant circuit. Coolant is redirected from portions of the coolant circuit (1), which are shut down during heating, into a portion of the coolant circuit (1), which is active during heating, as required. Also disclosed is a method for operating such an air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: BEHR GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Günther Feuerecker, Andreas Kemle
  • Patent number: 7500368
    Abstract: An apparatus for the diagnosis of a cooling system which receives inputs in the form of data about a cooling system, and measurements made from the cooling system, and which then calculates the amount of refrigerant to be removed or added to the cooling system for optimal performance. In addition, methods for ensuring correct setup of a cooling system are disclosed. The methods may apply to FXV (fixed expansion valve) systems and may include making and displaying a prediction of a refrigerant adjustment based upon measurements such as return air wetbulb temperature, condenser air entering temperature, refrigerant superheat vapor line temperature, and refrigerant superheat vapor line pressure. A method for ensuring correct setup of a cooling system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventor: Robert James Mowris
  • Publication number: 20080184727
    Abstract: A refrigerant reverse cycle balancing receiver includes an outer housing with a volume formed therein. A refrigerant pipeline extends through the volume for connection with a refrigerant line of a refrigeration system. The refrigerant pipeline is provided with a refrigerant relief port within the outer housing for allowing excess refrigerant to back up and fill the volume of the receiver when required in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Rodney Mitchell Innes
  • Publication number: 20080127666
    Abstract: A cooling system for a vehicle and method of operating it is disclosed. The cooling system may include a refrigerant to liquid heat exchanger, which may be located outside of a passenger cabin, and a chiller, which may be located inside the passenger cabin. A refrigerant circuit and a water circuit may both engage the refrigerant to liquid heat exchanger. The refrigerant to liquid heat exchanger may be an integrated heat exchanger and expansion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Major, William R. Hill
  • Publication number: 20080127667
    Abstract: A system pressure actuated charge compensator for use with a heat pump having a liquid service valve and a vapor service valve. The charge compensator comprises a holding tank having first and second ports, a first pressure tap coupled to the first port and removeably coupleable to the vapor service valve, and a second pressure tap coupled to the second port and removeably coupleable to the liquid service valve. A heat pump system and a method of manufacturing a charge compensator are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Lennox Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Buckley, Pete J. Den Boer, Robert B. Noll
  • Patent number: 7370483
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycle is provided with a single three-way service valve that is utilized for draining and adding refrigerant. In the prior art, a second two-way valve was used in combination with the three-way valve. The present invention simply drains the refrigerant, and does not need to return the refrigerant. The present invention is particularly well suited for use with an environmentally benign refrigerant such as CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Tobias H. Sienel, Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 7347062
    Abstract: An ejector cycle with an ejector includes a nozzle for decompressing refrigerant. A receiver for storing refrigerant is disposed at a refrigerant outlet side of a condenser. A bypass passage and a switching valve for opening and closing the bypass passage are provided so that high-temperature refrigerant discharged from a compressor is introduced into an evaporator while bypassing the condenser in a defrosting operation. When the defrosting operation is set, the switching valve is opened while a fan for blowing cool air to the condenser is operated. A part of refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows into the evaporator to remove frost on a surface of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nishijima, Hirotsugu Takeuchi, Toru Ikemoto, Hisatsugu Matsunaga, Takeharu Asaoka
  • Patent number: 7340915
    Abstract: A refrigerator door having a dispenser is disclosed. The refrigerator door includes an outer case forming a front appearance of the refrigerator door, an inner case forming a rear appearance of the refrigerator door, and an insulation layer disposed between the outer case and the inner case. First and second mounting frames are installed at both side ends of the refrigerator door and have first and second mounting slots longitudinally formed in the first and second mounting frames in opposition to each other. The dispenser is detachably coupled to a front surface of the outer case and includes a housing, which forms an external appearance of the dispenser and is formed with a recess section. An external plate section is coupled to the front surface of the outer case except for an area in which the dispenser is installed, forming an external appearance of the refrigerator door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yong-Chol Kwon
  • Patent number: 7316120
    Abstract: Refrigeration/air conditioning equipment includes a first internal heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a refrigerant to be sucked in a compressor and a high-pressure liquid refrigerant, an injection circuit for evaporating a bypassed high-pressure liquid at intermediate pressure and injecting the vaporized refrigerant into the compressor, a second internal heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the high-pressure liquid refrigerant and the refrigerant to be injected, and a heat source for heating the refrigerant to be injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanori Aoki, Masato Yosomiya, Fumitake Unezaki, Makoto Saitou, Tetsuji Saikusa
  • Patent number: 7299649
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a first and second heat exchanger, a scroll compressor and a flash tank in fluid communication. The flash tank includes an inlet fluidly coupled to the heat exchangers to receive liquid refrigerant. Furthermore, the flash tank includes a first outlet fluidly coupled to the first and second heat exchangers and a second outlet fluidly coupled to the scroll compressor. The first outlet is operable to deliver sub-cooled-liquid refrigerant to the heat exchangers while the second outlet is operable to deliver vaporized refrigerant to the scroll compressor. An expansion valve is further provided and is operable to selectively open and close the inlet by a float device. The float device is operable to control an amount of liquid refrigerant disposed within the flash tank by regulating an amount of liquid refrigerant entering the flash tank via the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Healy, Man Wai Wu, Simon Yiren Wang
  • Patent number: 7275385
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first heat exchanger, a scroll compressor in fluid communication with each of the first and second heat exchangers, and a flash tank in fluid communication with each of the first and second heat exchangers and the scroll compressor. The flash tank includes an inlet fluidly coupled to the first and second heat exchangers and receives liquid refrigerant from the first and second heat exchangers. The flash tank also includes a first outlet fluidly coupled to the first and second heat exchangers that delivers sub-cooled-liquid refrigerant to the second heat exchanger and a second outlet fluidly coupled to the scroll compressor that delivers vaporized refrigerant to the scroll compressor in a heating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gnanakumar Robertson Abel, Man Wai Wu, Ka Yiu Lau
  • Patent number: 7104086
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus is provided with a vapor compression type refrigerant circuit. With this apparatus, reliability from the standpoint of the pipe cleaning mode of the apparatus is improved. The air conditioning system has a main refrigerant circuit that has a compressor, a heat-source-side heat exchanger, and a user-side heat exchanger. The air conditioning system also has a contaminant collecting device provided on the intake side of the compressor (21). The contaminant collecting device is equipped with a contaminant collecting container, an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe, and a main opening/closing device. The contaminant collecting container separates contaminants from refrigerant flowing in the intake gas pipe toward the compressor when the refrigerant is directed through it. The inlet and outlet pipes are each provided with a return preventing shape for preventing contaminants that have accumulated inside the pipes from returning to the intake gas pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhide Mizutani, Hiromune Matsuoka, Atsushi Yoshimi, Manabu Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 6826924
    Abstract: Indoor circuits (60, 65) of indoor units (12, 13) are each connected in parallel to an outdoor circuit (20) of an outdoor unit (11). The outdoor circuit (20) has a gas vent pipe (35) by which a receiver (23) is brought into communication with suction sides of compressors (41, 42). During the heating operation in the heating mode of operation, a gas vent solenoid valve (36) is placed in the open state so that the receiver (23) decreases in pressure. This relaxes restrictions on the difference in installation height between each indoor unit of a multi type airconditioner having a plurality of indoor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Shimoda, Hiromune Matsuoka
  • Patent number: RE43312
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to reduce the constraint that the density ratio is constant as small as possible, and to obtain high power recovering effect in a wide operation range. A refrigeration cycle apparatus uses carbon dioxide as refrigerant and has a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger evaporator, an expander and an indoor heat exchanger a radiator. An injection circuit for introducing high pressure refrigerant is provided in a halfway of an expansion process of said expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Nakatani, Yoshikazu Kawabe, Yuji Inoue, Noriho Okaza, Akira Hiwata
  • Patent number: RE43409
    Abstract: A refrigerator door having a dispenser is disclosed. The refrigerator door includes an outer case forming a front appearance of the refrigerator door, an inner case forming a rear appearance of the refrigerator door, and an insulation layer disposed between the outer case and the inner case. First and second mounting frames are installed at both side ends of the refrigerator door and have first and second mounting slots longitudinally formed in the first and second mounting frames in opposition to each other. The dispenser is detachably coupled to a front surface of the outer case and includes a housing, which forms an external appearance of the dispenser and is formed with a recess section. An external plate section is coupled to the front surface of the outer case except for an area in which the dispenser is installed, forming an external appearance of the refrigerator door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yong-Chol Kwon
  • Patent number: RE43805
    Abstract: Refrigeration/air conditioning equipment includes a first internal heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a refrigerant to be sucked in a compressor and a high-pressure liquid refrigerant, an injection circuit for evaporating a bypassed high-pressure liquid at intermediate pressure and injecting the vaporized refrigerant into the compressor, a second internal heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the high-pressure liquid refrigerant and the refrigerant to be injected, and a heat source for heating the refrigerant to be injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Aoki, Masato Yosomiya, Fumitake Unezaki, Makoto Saitou, Tetsuji Saikusa
  • Patent number: RE43998
    Abstract: Refrigeration/air conditioning equipment includes a first internal heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a refrigerant to be sucked in a compressor and a high-pressure liquid refrigerant, an injection circuit for evaporating a bypassed high-pressure liquid at intermediate pressure and injecting the vaporized refrigerant into the compressor, a second internal heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the high-pressure liquid refrigerant and the refrigerant to be injected, and a heat source for heating the refrigerant to be injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Aoki, Masato Yosomiya, Fumitake Unezaki, Makoto Saitou, Tetsuji Saikusa