Diverse Systems, E.g., Ice And Mechanical Patents (Class 62/332)
  • Patent number: 11946685
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes an outer case, an inner case coupled to the outer case and equipped with a storeroom, a heat exchanger disposed adjacent to the storeroom to supply cold air, and a front cover defining one side of the storeroom. The front cover includes at least one end having a recessed portion that forms a cold air supply port to supply cold air supplied from the heat exchanger into the storeroom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youngmin You, Ilsung Bae, Jinyoung Song, Byungkwan Yang
  • Patent number: 11805627
    Abstract: A data center heat recovery system includes a building heat pump system providing a first liquid when an ambient temperature is lower than a first preset temperature, a heat exchanger receiving the first liquid from the building heat pump system when the ambient temperature is lower than the first preset temperature, and modular data centers. Each of the modular data centers includes an air chiller and a data center. Each of the modular data centers is coupled to the heat exchanger through a second pipeline containing a second fluid. When the ambient temperature is higher than a second preset temperature, the air chiller cools the second fluid. When the ambient temperature is lower than the first preset temperature, the heat exchanger collects heat from the second fluid, and the heat exchanger transports the collected heat to the building heat pump system through the first fluid in the first pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Fulian Precision Electronics (Tianjin) Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Chun Fu, Tze-Chern Mao, Chao-Ke Wei, Chih-Hung Chang
  • Patent number: 11703393
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a cooling system. In some embodiments, the cooling system includes a chiller and a heat exchange process connected to the chiller by a coolant supply line and a coolant return line, and the apparatus includes a first temperature sensor, for measuring a coolant temperature in the coolant supply line, and a second temperature sensor, for measuring a coolant temperature in the coolant return line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Southwest Medical Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Shane McCormack
  • Patent number: 11585245
    Abstract: A power generation system comprising a liquid pump section (4) comprising a rotary liquid pump (7) with an impeller in which a working fluid is pressurised and which is driven by a drive shaft (8); an evaporator section comprising an evaporator (9) in which the in the rotary liquid pump (7) pressurised working fluid is at least partly evaporated by addition of heat from a heat source; an expander section (3) comprising a rotary expander (11) with an inlet port (16) and a rotary expander element in which the in the evaporator section at least partly evaporated working fluid is expanded; and a generator section (5) comprising a rotary power generator (13) with a rotor, whereby the expander section (3), the liquid pump section (4) and the generator section (5) are rotably connected in such a manner that relative rotational speed ratios between the rotary expander element of the rotary expander (11), the impeller of the rotary liquid pump (7) and the rotor of the rotary power generator (13) are mechanically u
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER, NAAMLOZE VENNOOTSCHAP
    Inventors: Henrik Öhman, Anton Jan Goethals
  • Patent number: 11413934
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle-mounted heat dissipation system and a heat dissipation method. The vehicle-mounted heat dissipation system include: a display screen; a heat dissipation structure configured to define a heat dissipation cavity at the back surface of the display screen; an air-cooling heat dissipation device comprising an air supply device, an air inlet, and an air outlet; a water-cooling heat dissipation device comprising a water storage device and a water pipe; and a control device configured to control, if a temperature of the display screen is higher than a first temperature threshold, the vehicle-mounted heat dissipation system to be in an air-cooling heat dissipation mode, and also configured to control, if the temperature of the display screen is higher than a second temperature threshold, the vehicle-mounted heat dissipation system to be in a water-cooling heat dissipation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI TIANMA MICRO-ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Donghua Chen, Yongxin He, Ping An
  • Patent number: 11350650
    Abstract: The efficiency of a device for cooling or heating objects on a belt that moves through a path of a helix, in which gaseous cooling or heating medium is circulated within the device, is improved by positioning fans that circulate the cooling or heating medium so that the fans are distanced from the top of the helix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore H Gasteyer, III, Yeu-Chuan Simon Ho
  • Patent number: 10823461
    Abstract: An ejector refrigeration circuit comprises: a high pressure ejector circuit comprising in the direction of flow of a circulating refrigerant: a heat rejecting heat exchanger/gas cooler having an inlet side and an outlet side; at least one ejector comprising a primary high pressure input port, a secondary low pressure input port, and an output port, the primary high pressure input port being fluidly connected to the outlet side of the heat rejecting heat exchanger/gas cooler; a receiver, having a liquid outlet, a gas outlet and an inlet, which is fluidly connected to the output port of the at least one ejector; at least one compressor having an inlet side and an outlet side, the inlet side of the at least one compressor being fluidly connected to gas outlet of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sascha Hellmann
  • Patent number: 10724776
    Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery type of air-conditioning apparatus includes: an air-conditioning-side refrigerant circuit including a first flow switching device, a second flow switching device, and an exhaust-heat recovery heat exchanger connected in parallel to an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger; and a refrigeration-side refrigerant circuit. The first flow switching device causes the outdoor heat exchanger to communicate with one of a discharge side and a suction side of a first compressor through a pipe. The second flow switching device causes the indoor heat exchanger to communicate with one of the discharge and suction sides of the first compressor through a pipe. The exhaust-heat recovery heat exchanger is connected to the suction side of the first compressor through a pipe, and causes heat exchange between refrigerants. Because of the above configuration, the exhaust heat recovery type of air-conditioning apparatus can use exhaust heat in any of operation modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Taninaka, Shigeo Takata, Naofumi Takenaka
  • Patent number: 10130114
    Abstract: A frozen condiment is described, chosen among the group consisting of sauces, pastes, pates, creams and pizza toppings, having hygienic and organoleptic features comparable with those of a corresponding fresh condiment, which is in the form of granules having a porous surface, having an average weight of 6.0 g or less and essentially homogeneous in size having a diameter comprised between 1 mm and 20 mm, and apt to determine a rapid and uniform thawing of the deep-frozen condiment; a process for the deep-freezing of a substantially fluid condiment is also described, which involves dividing a substantially fluid condiment into a plurality of drops, which, in a first deep-freezing step, are dosed within a liquid bath at a temperature lower than ?150° C., obtaining a plurality of partially frozen granules having a hard and deep-frozen external surface and a soft not completely deep-frozen core, and a second deep-freezing step at a temperature comprised between ?30° C. and ?90° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: AMBIENTE E NUTRIZIONE S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giuseppina Cerea
  • Patent number: 10065195
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for harvesting vegetation material byproduct enables regulated flow of carbon dioxide and mechanical agitation to create flash frozen vegetation material byproduct, followed by selective collection of the byproducts based on size and composition. An apparatus frame and a pivotally mounted extraction assembly mount frame provide structural support. An extraction assembly includes a container that is carried by the extraction assembly mount frame. The container contains the vegetation material. A carbon dioxide vessel contains a carbon dioxide that flash freezes the vegetation material. A conveyor and a size adjustable nozzle regulate flow rate and quantity of carbon dioxide flowing from a carbon dioxide vessel to the container. An agitation motor mechanically engages the flash frozen material in the container. A classifier having a classifier mesh with multiple mesh openings is carried by the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: William Stacy Page
  • Patent number: 10047978
    Abstract: A device includes a plurality of evaporators coupled to a payload bay with a multiplicity of coolant tubes in each evaporator, wherein each tube enters and then exits the payload bay, further comprising one or more cryogenic valves coupled to the coolant tubes; a pump to force coolant flowing through the evaporators; and a thermal box immediately outside the evaporators and payload bay to thermally seal the payload bay from the outside environment and reduce heat gain, the thermal box including high strength open cell panels and a vacuum or Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs) with polyurethane foam to fill the voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Reflect Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: William Moon, Bao Tran
  • Patent number: 9752829
    Abstract: A process and system for lyophilizing a product. The product is first cooled in a cooling chamber (12) and then passed through a liquid nitrogen bath (14) where it is frozen. It is then freeze dried in a lyophilization chamber (26) during which the water or non-aqueous media is sublimated using a combination of gaseous nitrogen and vaporized nitrogen from liquid nitrogen supplied to the lyophilization chamber. Water and non-aqueous media removed from the product during sublimation is purged from the chamber. The system of the present invention provides more energy efficient operation, eliminates the use of hot oils and oil leaks, operates more reliably, and the liquid nitrogen can be used both as a refrigeration source, for heating shelves instead of hot oil and also can maintain the lyophilization temperature in case of power failure with minimum electric power supply in case of a power outage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Sudhir R. Brahmbhatt
  • Patent number: 9741793
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate and first and second transistors disposed in the semiconductor substrate. The first transistor includes a channel region and a drain region adjacent the channel region. The second transistor includes a channel region, a false drain region adjacent the channel region, and a drain region electrically coupled to the channel region by a drift region such that the second transistor is configured for operation at a higher voltage level than the first transistor. The respective channel regions of the first and second transistors have a common configuration characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Patrice M. Parris, Weize Chen
  • Patent number: 9683758
    Abstract: A coaxial economizer for use in a chiller system comprising an inner housing and an outer housing having a common longitudinal axis. The outer housing has an inlet for receiving a fluid from a upstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor and an outlet for conveying a fluid to a downstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor. A flow chamber forms a fluid flow path about the inner housing. A flash chamber is coterminous with the flow chamber and flashes fluid in a liquid state to a gas state. A flow passage between said flash chamber and the flow chamber for conveying a flashed gas from the flash chamber to the flow chamber; wherein the flashed gas conveyed from the flash chamber and the fluid received from the inlet of the outer housing mix along the fluid flow path toward the outlet of the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Rick T. James, Paul F. Haley, Randall L. Janssen, William J. Plzak
  • Patent number: 9303905
    Abstract: A cryogenic system to remove energy includes a heat engine to store content at a predetermined temperature; one or more fans to deliver air flow through the heat engine; a cryogenic storage unit to store cryogen and having one or more insulated pipes thermally coupled to the heat engine to cool the heat engine; one or more reuse pipes coupled to one or more insulated pipes to send a portion of cryogen gas flow back to the cryogenic storage for reuse; a controller to maintain the predetermined temperature; and an on-board power generator to supply operating power to the controller and the one or more fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Reflect Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: Boyd Bowdish, William Moon
  • Publication number: 20150027141
    Abstract: A freezer for a product includes a housing having a chamber therein with an atmosphere for reducing a temperature of the product; a cryogen refrigeration apparatus operationally associated with the chamber during a first cycle to pre-cool the atmosphere in the chamber; and a mechanical refrigeration apparatus operationally associated with the chamber during a second cycle to cool the atmosphere in the chamber when the first cycle is completed. A process is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Louis Lilakos, Michael D. Newman
  • Patent number: 8936071
    Abstract: An aircraft cooling system includes a refrigerant cycle including a first heat exchanger. A liquid cycle passes a liquid through the first heat exchanger, at which it is cooled by a refrigerant in the refrigerant cycle. An air cycle compresses air and delivers the compressed air into a second heat exchanger. The liquid passes through the second heat exchanger at a location downstream of the first heat exchanger. The liquid cools the air in the second heat exchanger. Air downstream of the second heat exchanger passes to be utilized by a use on an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Louis J. Bruno, Douglas L. Christians
  • Patent number: 8863992
    Abstract: An ice portion control module is provided that includes an ice bin for storing ice having a base in the ice bin having one or more portion control compartments and one or more magnets associated with the one or more portion control compartments, the one or more portion control compartments having an interior volume to hold a predetermined portion of the ice, an actuator which moves the one or more portion control compartments between a fill position wherein the one or more portion control compartments holds the ice, and a dispense position wherein the predetermined portion of the ice is dispensed out of the one or more portion control compartments, and a sensor outside of the ice bin that detects the one or more magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: The Delfield Company, LLC
    Inventors: Harry Edward Wing, Kenneth Lee Lundberg, Darrel Jay Walker, Travis James Krchmar
  • Publication number: 20140263406
    Abstract: The present application provides a beverage dispenser for mixing a flow of concentrate, a flow of water, and a flow of gas. The beverage dispenser may include a carbonator with a water input in communication with the flow of water, a gas input in communication with the flow of gas, a carbonated water output, and a chilling reservoir in communication with the flow of water, and a dispensing nozzle in communication with the flow of concentrate and a flow of carbonated water from the carbonated water output of the carbonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Charles Bradley Green, Arthur G. Rudick, Daniel S. Quartarone, Ian Stewart Fitzpatrick, Joanne Fleming, David Berardelli
  • Patent number: 8769978
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanobu Nakaguro, Toshihiro Tsuemoto, Hiroyuki Kakiuchi, Hideto Hidaka
  • Patent number: 8756948
    Abstract: A system for conditioning air in a structure includes a first conditioning system and a second conditioning system. The first conditioning system is capable of supplying conditioned air to a first space of the structure. The first space is enclosed, at least in part, by one or more external walls. The second conditioning system is capable of supplying conditioned air to a second space of the structure that is located above the first space. The second space is enclosed, at least in part, by a roof that is sealed to prevent a flow of air between the second space and an outside environment. The first space and the second space are separated by a ceiling that permits thermal energy to pass between the first space and the second space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: EcoMePlease, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph K. Kirby, Victor M. Menendez
  • Publication number: 20140069135
    Abstract: An air conditioning device is provided. The air conditioning device includes a primary circuit in which a refrigerant circulates, the primary circuit including an evaporator, and a first secondary circuit in which a first fluid circulates. The first fluid passes through the evaporator to exchange heat therein with the refrigerant. The first secondary circuit includes at least one first heat exchanger in which the first fluid exchanges heat with the air. The air conditioning device further includes at least one first compartment in which the primary circuit is housed, an air treatment zone, formed outside the first compartment and intended to communicate with the inside air, and in which the first heat exchanger is housed, and at least one sealed wall, separating the compartment from the air treatment zone. A railway vehicle having an air conditioning device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: ALSTOM TRANSPORT SA
    Inventor: Francis Mortreux
  • Patent number: 8621881
    Abstract: A system and method to control environmental parameters of pre-defined zones within an environment using an electronic controller. An electronic controller monitors a loop temperature of a loop field of a geo-thermal heat pump as detected by a temperature sensor connected to the loop field. The electronic controller selects a staging combination of the geo-thermal heat pump and an auxiliary HVAC equipment based on at least the loop temperature. The electronic controller activates the selected staging combination, to modify at least a portion of the environmental parameters, using non-proprietary activating signals provided by the electronic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Arzel Zoning Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Votaw, Dennis Laughlin, Joseph Ramunni, Bill Molica, Ken Barton
  • Patent number: 8567208
    Abstract: A water cooler has a heat exchanger; a water inlet line through which water is supplied to the heat exchanger and a water outlet line through which the water flows out of the latter; a cooling medium supply line which supplies a cooling medium to the heat exchanger so that in the heat exchanger the water is cooled in the heat exchange with the cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventors: Alexander Fain, Michael Kudatsky
  • Patent number: 8511109
    Abstract: A thermal storage container is coupled to a pump for circulating cooled liquid from the thermal storage container in at least one of two circuits. One circuit includes a heat exchanger coupled to the fresh food evaporator for assisting in cooling the fresh food section of the refrigerator or for chilling the liquid. Another circuit includes a sub-cooler between the compressor and condenser for cooling the hot gas output from the compressor before entering the condenser, thereby increasing the efficiency of the system. A three-way valve is coupled from the output pump to couple the stored coolant selectively to one or the other or both of the coolant circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Kuehl, Guolian Wu
  • Publication number: 20130205824
    Abstract: A heat pump device heats a second heat medium to a high temperature with high efficiency by using a secondary-loop refrigeration cycle while achieving a cooling operation and a heating operation simultaneously in a state where reliability and efficiency are ensured. In a heat pump device, a heat medium relay unit and a water heating unit are each provided with two connection ports that are connectable to refrigerant pipes, a refrigerant circuit and a refrigerant circuit are connected to each other via a heat exchanger included in the water heating unit, and a second heat medium is heated in a heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Morimoto, Koji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8496823
    Abstract: A water dispenser in a refrigerator door can include a filter casing in the door opening into the bottom of the dispenser housing. The filter casing can include a top wall positioned in the bottom of the dispenser housing, a head assembly at the bottom of the filter casing connected to the water supply and to a water outlet in the dispenser, and can include a filter casing drain. A filter cartridge in the filter casing can connect to the head assembly. The filter casing can include a filter retainer mounted adjacent the opening into the filter casing and can hold the filter cartridge connected to the head assembly in a first position and can release the filter cartridge in a second position. The filter casing can include a drain line leading from the filter casing drain to a pan outside the refrigerated space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nihat O. Cur, Timothy T. Murphy, Michael A. Kahwaji, Paul B. Allard, Guolian Wu, Claiton E. Amaral, Marcos Heinzle
  • Patent number: 8443868
    Abstract: An air/refrigerant heat exchanger includes a plurality of coiled tubes. A first tube of the plurality of coiled tubes has a phase change material therein. A second tube of the plurality of coiled tubes has a flow of cooled refrigerant flowing therethrough and the first tube is in thermal contact with the second tube. A third tube of the plurality of coiled tubes has a flow of air flowing therethrough and the third tube is in thermal contact with the first tube and the second tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Barnwell
  • Patent number: 8443617
    Abstract: Provided is a rail assembly fixed to the sides of a storage compartment of a refrigerator, with rail housings supporting rail members that insert and extrude a storage container, and a light source fixed to a rail housing to indicate whether a certain function is being performed in the storage compartment and function as a lamp that illuminates the inside of the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jin-Woo Park
  • Publication number: 20130014529
    Abstract: The apparatus has a cooling arrangement with an expander/compressor system, condenser and evaporator primarily for air conditioning. An external heat source is provided for transfer of heat to the expander housing. For example, this heating medium is an electrical heat source in thermal contact with the outer side of the expander housing. Alternatively, the expander is provided inside an externally heated liquid buffer tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: AC-SUN APS
    Inventors: Gunnar Minds, Søren Minds
  • Publication number: 20120324939
    Abstract: An air conditioner apparatus includes an exhaust pipe having a first end in communication with exhaust gas from an exhaust generating device disposed in a first atmosphere with a first temperature, and a second end discharging the exhaust gas to a second atmosphere with a second temperature; an inlet pipe substantially surrounding the exhaust pipe, the inlet pipe spaced apart from the exhaust pipe for providing a space therebetween and having a first end in communication with the first atmosphere and a second end in communication with the second atmosphere and through which the second atmosphere is introduced into the space; and a guide assembly disposed in the space for guiding the second atmosphere through the space for heat transfer with the exhaust gas moving through the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Michael D. NEWMAN, Stephen A. McCormick
  • Patent number: 8327660
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermochemical device and to a method for producing refrigeration at very low temperature. The device produces refrigeration at a temperature Tf<?20° C., from an available heat source at a temperature Th of 60-80° C. and a heat sink at the ambient temperature To of 10° C.-25° C. It comprises two coupled dipoles, operating in phase opposition. The thermochemical phenomena in one of the dipoles are such that this dipole may produce refrigeration at Tf with a heat sink at the ambient temperature To. The thermochemical phenomena in the other dipole are such that this dipole may be regenerated from the heat source Th and a heat sink at the temperature To.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Driss Stitou, Nathalie Mazet, Bernard Spinner, Caroline Spinner Brossard, legal representative, Anne Christel Spinner Kohler, legal representative, Bruno Spinner, legal representative, Martin Spinner, legal representative, Camille Spinner, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8282820
    Abstract: A water dispenser in a refrigerator door can include a filter casing in the door opening into the bottom of the dispenser housing. The filter casing can include a top wall positioned in the bottom of the dispenser housing, a head assembly at the bottom of the filter casing connected to the water supply and to a water outlet in the dispenser, and can include a filter casing drain. A filter cartridge in the filter casing can connect to the head assembly. The filter casing can include a filter retainer mounted adjacent the opening into the filter casing and can hold the filter cartridge connected to the head assembly in a first position and can release the filter cartridge in a second position. The filter casing can include a drain line leading from the filter casing drain to a pan outside the refrigerated space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nihat O. Cur, Timothy T. Murphy, Michael A. Kahwaji, Paul B. Allard, Guolian Wu, Claiton E. Amaral, Marcos Heinzle
  • Patent number: 8104306
    Abstract: A fan driven evaporator is one component for use in refrigeration applications such as an evaporative cooler which employs refrigeration. In one embodiment, a frosting evaporative cooler utilizes an evaporator in the shape of a squirrel cage blower that utilizes alternating and opposing flows of refrigerant in refrigerant tubing to allow for the dehumidifying and cooling of humid air without freezing over and losing air flow. A fan for use in coolers in humid conditions comprises a motor driving a centrifugal blower. At least two cooling coils that are parallel have cooling fins separating all the coils. The coils surround the blower wheel thereby matching the shape of the outside of the blower housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventor: Steven C. Elsner
  • Patent number: 8001802
    Abstract: An air conditioner including an indoor heat exchange unit to perform a heat exchange process by the supply and absorption of heat through the circulation of a first refrigerant, at least one outdoor heat exchange unit to perform a heat exchange process by the absorption and supply of heat through the circulation of a second refrigerant, and an intermediate connection unit to perform a heat exchange between the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Min Choi, Sai Kee Oh, Baik Young Chung
  • Patent number: 7975506
    Abstract: A coaxial economizer for use in a chiller system comprising an inner housing and an outer housing having a common longitudinal axis. The outer housing has an inlet for receiving a fluid from a upstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor and an outlet for conveying a fluid to a downstream compressor stage of a multistage compressor. A flow chamber forms a fluid flow path about the inner housing. A flash chamber is coterminous with the flow chamber and flashes fluid in a liquid state to a gas state. A flow passage between said flash chamber and the flow chamber for conveying a flashed gas from the flash chamber to the flow chamber; wherein the flashed gas conveyed from the flash chamber and the fluid received from the inlet of the outer housing mix along the fluid flow path toward the outlet of the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Trane International, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick T. James, Paul F. Haley, Randall L. Janssen, William J. Plzak
  • Patent number: 7975492
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case (10) is provided with an open face (25) and an air flow (30) across the open face (25), which is cooled by a primary refrigeration system (20) and a thermoelectric heat pump (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Abbas A. Alahyari
  • Patent number: 7926294
    Abstract: A heating and cooling system to maintain an area at a desired temperature including a thermoelectric device (102), a vapor compression system (106), and a control system (104) operably connected to the thermoelectric device (102) and the vapor compression system (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Chung-Yi Tsai, Rakesh Radhakrishnan, Xiaomei Yu
  • Patent number: 7921655
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a cooling system for a heat-generating structure comprises a heat exchanger, a first structure, a condenser heat exchanger, and a second condenser. The heat exchanger is in thermal communication with a heat-generating structure. The heat exchanger has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is operable to receive fluid coolant substantially in the form of a liquid into the heat exchanger, and the outlet is operable to dispense fluid coolant at least partially in the form of a vapor out of the heat exchanger. The first structure directs a flow of the fluid coolant substantially in the form of a liquid to the heat exchanger. Thermal energy communicated from the heat-generating structure to the fluid coolant causes the fluid coolant substantially in the form of a liquid to boil and vaporize in the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: William G. Wyatt, James F. Kviatkofsky, James A. Pruett, Timothy E. Adams, Christopher Moshenrose
  • Patent number: 7900467
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a first circuit configured to circulate a first refrigerant. The first circuit includes an evaporator. The refrigeration system also includes a second circuit configured to circulate a second refrigerant. The second circuit includes a receiver associated with the evaporator such that the second refrigerant within the receiver is in a heat exchange relationship with the first refrigerant within the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: Robert B. Allen
  • Patent number: 7874171
    Abstract: An air conditioner for communication equipment according to the present invention comprises an indoor module located inside a base station, and having a storage tank in which cooling water is stored, a pair of circulation pumps which are installed in parallel on a cooling water pipe extending from an outlet of the storage tank, an indoor heat exchanger which is installed on the cooling water pipe extending from outlets of the circulation pumps, and an indoor blower which is positioned adjacent to the indoor heat exchanger; and an outdoor module located outside the base station, and having an outdoor heat exchanger which is installed on the cooling water pipe extending from an outlet of the indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor blower which is positioned adjacent to the outdoor heat exchanger, and a pair of cooling units which are installed in series on the cooling water pipe extending from an outlet of the outdoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Chang Jo 21 Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hee Tae Park
  • Patent number: 7827807
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks
  • Patent number: 7784289
    Abstract: In a cooling system (10) for cooling heat-generating installations (44, 46, 48) in an aircraft, with a refrigerating installation (12), at least one refrigeration consumer (44, 46, 48) and a refrigeration transport system (14) connecting the refrigerating installation (12) and the refrigeration consumer (44,46, 48), it is provided that the refrigerating installation (12) comprises at least one refrigeration machine (18, 20) which covers the maximum refrigeration requirement of the at least one refrigeration consumer (44, 46, 48) and in that the at least one refrigeration consumer (44, 46, 48) is supplied with cold generated in the refrigerating installation (12) via a refrigerating agent circulating in the refrigeration transport system (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Scherer, Matthias Witschke, Ahmet Kayihan Kiryaman
  • Patent number: 7757506
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for cooling an electronics rack, which includes a heat-generating electronics subsystem across which air flows from an air inlet to an air outlet side of the rack. First and second modular cooling units (MCUs) are associated with the rack and configured to provide system coolant to the electronics subsystem for cooling thereof. System coolant supply and return manifolds are in fluid communication with the MCUs for facilitating providing of system coolant to the electronics subsystem, and to an air-to-liquid heat exchanger associated with the rack for cooling air passing through the rack. A controller monitors the system coolant and automatically shuts off flow of system coolant through the heat exchanger, using at least one isolation valve, upon detection of failure at one of the MCUs, while allowing the remaining operational MCU to provide system coolant to the electronics subsystem for liquid cooling thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Francis R. Krug, Jr., Robert K. Mullady, Roger R. Schmidt, Edward J. Seminaro
  • Patent number: 7726138
    Abstract: A water production system (1) for making potable water (7) in an environment of humid tropical air (6) and cold deep ocean water (8) comprising a heat exchanger (2), means for controlling (3) the volume of the deep ocean water (2) passing through the heat exchanger (2) based on the amount of heat absorbed by the heat exchanger (2) in the process of condensing water vapor (7a) from the humid air (6), and means for enhancing (4) the rate of at which water vapor (7a) is condensed including a positive air pressure dome (9) system for enhancing the humidity, condensation rate, and water quality, and a continuous coil (2a) disposed in the flow of humid air (6) to condense additional potable water (7), and means for vibrating (38) elements of the system to increase condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Richard J. Bailey
  • Patent number: 7723845
    Abstract: The present invention is a MEMS-based two-phase LHP (loop heat pipe) and CPL (capillary pumped loop) using semiconductor grade silicon and microlithographic/anisotrophic etching techniques to achieve a planar configuration. The principal working material is silicon (and compatible borosilicate glass where necessary), particularly compatible with the cooling needs for electronic and computer chips and package cooling. The microloop heat pipes (?LHP™) utilize cutting edge microfabrication techniques. The device has no pump or moving parts, and is capable of moving heat at high power densities, using revolutionary coherent porous silicon (CPS) wicks. The CPS wicks minimize packaging thermal mismatch stress and improves strength-to-weight ratio. Also burst-through pressures can be controlled as the diameter of the coherent pores can be controlled on a sub-micron scale. The two phase planar operation provides extremely low specific thermal resistance (20-60 w/cm2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: H. Thurman Henderson, Ahmed Shuja, Srinivas Parimi, Frank M. Gerner, Praveen Medis
  • Patent number: 7640763
    Abstract: A hot water supply system (10) is provided which includes a first refrigerant circuit (20), an intermediate temperature water circuit (40), a second refrigerant circuit (60), and a high temperature water circuit (80). The first refrigerant circuit (20) constitutes a heat pump which uses the outdoor air as a heat source, and heats heat transfer water in the intermediate temperature water circuit (40). In the intermediate temperature water circuit (40), the heat transfer water is circulated between a radiator (45) for floor heating and a first heat exchanger (30) and between a second heat exchanger (50) and the first heat exchanger (30). The second refrigerant circuit (60) constitutes a heat pump which uses the heat transfer water in the intermediate temperature water circuit (40) as a heat source, and heats water for hot water supply in the high temperature water circuit (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadafumi Nishimura, Takahiro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7631511
    Abstract: A portable air conditioning and water-cooling unit includes a mass of refrigerant and a compressor for compressing the refrigerant. The unit also includes a single condenser for condensing the refrigerant and a pipe connecting the compressor and condenser. First and second capillary tubes and first and second connectors connect the first capillary tube to the condenser and a second connector connects the second capillary tube to the condenser. In addition, the unit includes an air conditioning evaporator and a pipe for connecting the air conditioning evaporator to the first capillary tube for cooling air. A water supply is also provided as well as a water-cooling evaporator and pipe connecting the water-cooling evaporator to the second capillary tube. A first thermostat senses the temperature of the water and sends a signal to a solenoid valve for stopping the flow of refrigerant to the second capillary tube when the water reaches a pre-selected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventors: Eid Al-Azmi, Ibrahim Al-Ajmi, Talal Al-Otaibi, Mishal Al-Ajmi
  • Patent number: 7628029
    Abstract: A nonfreezing liquid is hermetically enclosed in one or more brine bags of a flexible plastic material. In the case using an existing refrigerator equipped with a freezer compartment, the brine bags are placed in a brine bag receiving vessel adapted to be located in the freezer compartment, and a cooling plate is provided at a location at the uppermost one of the brine bags. In freezing, food to be frozen is inserted between the cooling plate and the brine bags or between the brine bags so that at least the greater part of outer peripheries of the food is surrounded by a low temperature environment to substantially the same extent as immersion of the food in the nonfreezing liquid, thereby substantially realizing the liquid surface contact freezing. In the case of a newly fabricated refrigerator, the brine bags are directly placed in an exclusive freezer compartment and further cold air is forced against the cooling plate, thereby obtaining more complete frozen food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Technican Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Yamada
  • Patent number: 7578139
    Abstract: A controller reduces a rotational speed of a Rankine cycle from a predetermined normal rotational speed during an operation of a compressor in a predetermined state when the controller determines that a predicted refrigerant flow quantity, which is predicted by assuming that the compressor is operated in a sole operation of the Rankine cycle at the predetermined normal rotational speed of the Rankine cycle, exceeds a predetermined flow quantity. The predetermined state is a state that satisfies a predetermined condition, which relates to the sole operation of the Rankine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Michio Nishikawa, Atsushi Inaba, Hironori Asa, Hiroshi Kishita