Intermediate Fluid Container Transferring Heat To Heat Absorber Or Holdover Patents (Class 62/430)
  • Patent number: 12140340
    Abstract: A solar photovoltaic powered phase change material thermal energy storage system includes a refrigerator unit having a phase change material (PCM) tank and a photovoltaic (PV) panel to provide electrical energy to the PCM tank to melt a PCM stored therein. The PCM tank includes a refrigeration coil immersed in the PCM and configured to circulate refrigerant to between the PCM tank and a condenser. Energy released and absorbed during solidification and melting of the PCM is used to support an air-conditioning (AC) unit and substitute power used by a compressor of the AC unit, to handle demand during peak hours, thereby reducing overall power requirement of a facility. The melting of the PCM is also controlled, so that the AC unit may operate with the aid of the PCM for longer duration during the day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventor: Kashif Irshad
  • Patent number: 11994348
    Abstract: A system for selectively heating and cooling including a three-way heat exchange apparatus, a source apparatus for selectively heating and cooling a source fluid, a phase change material for selectively storing heating and cooling potential, and a distribution apparatus for selectively distributing heating and cooling a distribution fluid, wherein the three-way heat exchange apparatus is connected to the phase change material by an interface between the heat exchange apparatus and the phase change material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: STASH ENERGY INC.
    Inventors: Erik Hatfield, Daniel Larsen, Hannah Mallalieu, Jordan Kennie
  • Patent number: 11796111
    Abstract: A structured assembly of perpendicular, interwoven fluidic conduits permits connections between conduits to be readily (and in some cases visibly) established, thereby providing operational convenience and amenability to automated means of validation or verification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Sunflower Therapeutics, PBC
    Inventors: Andrew Banchieri, David Weiser, Brian Hauser
  • Patent number: 11656005
    Abstract: A CO2 cooling system includes a compression stage in which CO2 refrigerant is compressed; a cooling stage in which the CO2 refrigerant releases heat; a CO2 liquid receiver in which the CO2 refrigerant is accumulated in liquid and gaseous states; an evaporation stage in which the CO2 refrigerant, having released heat in the cooling stage, absorbs heat. The evaporation stage has first and second evaporation sectors; a first metering device for feeding CO2 refrigerant into the first evaporation sector at a first pressure; and a second metering device for feeding CO2 refrigerant into the second evaporation sector at a second pressure. The first metering device and the second metering device are operated independently from one another. A plurality of CO2 transfer lines connects the compression stage, the cooling stage, the CO2 liquid receiver and the evaporation stage. The CO2 refrigerant is circulable in a closed-loop circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: GESTION MARC-ANDRÉ LESMERISES INC.
    Inventor: Marc-André Lesmerises
  • Patent number: 11421925
    Abstract: A container refrigeration apparatus includes a refrigeration cycle unit having a refrigerant circuit, and a controller configured to control an action of the refrigeration cycle unit to adjust a temperature of inside air in a container to a desired temperature. The controller is configured to include an impact determination section configured to determine whether or not a strong impact acted on the container, and an abnormality diagnosis section configured to perform an abnormality diagnosis to diagnose whether or not at least one of the container or the container refrigeration apparatus has an abnormality when the impact determination section determines that a strong impact acted on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Uehara, Kazuhide Mizutani, Makoto Ikemiya, Norio Iga
  • Patent number: 11135900
    Abstract: A thermal request mediating device includes a calculation unit configured to calculate amounts of heat for thermal circuits, a mediation unit configured to determine amounts of absorbed heat or amounts of discharged heat which are allocated to the thermal circuits based on amounts of heat transferable between the thermal circuits, and a distribution unit configured to distribute amounts of absorbed heat or amounts of discharged heat to units which are included in each thermal circuit based on the determined amounts of absorbed heat or amounts of discharged heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryuichi Wada, Tatsuya Masuhisa
  • Patent number: 9803908
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for rapid freezing of ice cubes by means of a higher dispensing rate and contact freezing, the cube being produced in 7 minutes with a water consumption equivalent to the volume of the cubes, thereby not wasting a single drop of water. A conventional condenser and compressor store cold in a store where the cold produced is maintained at a constant temperature of ?30° C., and a gel that absorbs the cold from the medium is pumped as far as the ice-tray, where it runs into the spaces separating the cells where the cubes are formed in order then to return via a downward conduit to the cold store, continuing the cycle, and a series of dispensing devices meter out the water necessary into the cells where a contact-freezing process is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: New Ices Technologies, Sociedad Limitada
    Inventor: Manuel Estrada Amo
  • Patent number: 9726437
    Abstract: A thermal energy storage and recovery device is provided including a container having a first fluid terminal for inserting heat transfer medium into the interior of the container and a second fluid terminal for extracting heat transfer medium from the interior of the container, a heat storage material for receiving thermal energy from the heat transfer medium when in a first operational mode and releasing thermal energy to the heat transfer medium when in a second operational mode, and a plurality of enclosures each filled at least partially with a part of the heat storage material. The enclosures are spatially arranged within the container so a flow of the heat transfer medium is guidable between the first and second fluid terminals and a direct thermal contact between the heat transfer medium and the enclosures is achievable as the heat transfer medium flows between the first and second fluid terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Hans Laurberg, Henrik Stiesdal
  • Patent number: 9618258
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes an ice making unit. The refrigerator also includes a refrigeration cycle including a refrigerant pipe to supply cooling energy to an ice making compartment, and a fixing member to fix a first portion of the refrigerant pipe, at least a second portion of the refrigerant pipe supported by and inserted into the ice making compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Shik Shin, Sang Hyun Park, Jin Jeong
  • Patent number: 9610825
    Abstract: A vehicle climate control system includes a thermal-adsorption heat pump driven by engine exhaust heat, the heat pump including two adsorbers asynchronously switching between adsorbing and desorbing modes, each adsorber coupled with a corresponding antifreeze tank via a plurality of refrigerant-containing wick chambers. Cold heat transfer fluid (HTF) flows through the adsorber during the adsorbing mode which causes evaporation of refrigerant from the wick chambers, thereby cooling antifreeze, whereas hot HTF flows through the adsorber during the desorbing mode which causes condensation of refrigerant at the wick chambers, thereby heating antifreeze. In this way, the thermal-adsorption heat pump may condition cabin air independent of engine coolant and without exerting a load on the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yongfang Zhong, Michael Levin, Furqan Zafar Shaikh, Danrich Henry Demitroff, Donald Masch
  • Patent number: 9581359
    Abstract: A regenerative air-conditioning apparatus is provided. The regenerative air-conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor unit including a compressor and an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor unit provided on a side of the outdoor unit, the indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger, a refrigerant tube that connects the outdoor unit to the indoor unit to guide circulation of a refrigerant, a heat accumulation bath provided on at least one side of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit to store cool air or heat, a first tube that extends from the refrigerant tube to one side of the heat accumulation bath, a second tube that extends from the other side of the heat accumulation bath to the refrigerant tube, and a third tube branched from the second tube, the third tube being connected to the refrigerant tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seungtak Kang, Sungoh Choi
  • Patent number: 9567150
    Abstract: There is provided a refrigerating assembly for temporarily storing an item at a first temperature lower than an ambient temperature. The refrigerating assembly comprises a container for receiving the item and a shell adapted for removably receiving the container therein. The container comprises a sidewall having therein defined a cavity containing an amount of a refrigerant medium having a second temperature lower than the ambient temperature for temporarily maintaining the item received in the container at the first temperature. The shell has an outer surface which is at the ambient temperature and an inner surface which has a layer of thermally insulating material mounted thereon for thermally insulating the shell from the container, thereby maintaining the outer surface at the ambient temperature. There is further provided a method for temporarily storing an item at a first temperature lower than an ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: 9201947 Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Yves Lachance
  • Patent number: 9150081
    Abstract: An evaporator having a manifold and a plurality of refrigerant tubes extending downward in the direction of gravity from the manifold. The evaporator includes at least one PCM housing engaging the upper portion of the refrigerant tube for storing a phase change material. When operating in a first operating mode, heat is transferred from the phase change material to the refrigerant to freeze and cool the phase change material. When operating in a second operating mode, heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the frozen phase change material to condense the refrigerant. The condensed refrigerant falls downwardly through the tubes and receives heat from a flow of air to cool the air and evaporate the refrigerant. The evaporated refrigerant rises upwardly back to the low pressure of the cold manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Scott Vreeland, Edward Wolfe, IV, Scott B. Lipa, Prasad S. Kadle
  • Publication number: 20150121944
    Abstract: A phase change material (PCM) pack (1) for an air conditioning system comprises phase change material sealed between a first thermally conductive layer (2) forming a first outer surface of the PCM pack and a second thermally conductive layer (2) forming a second outer surface of the PCM pack. At least the first or second outer surface of the PCM pack takes the form of a substantially planar surface having defined therein a plurality of depressions (4) deviating from the planar surface towards the interior of the PCM pack in a direction perpendicular to the planar surface. The depressions improve heat transfer between the pack and an airflow passing over the surface of the PCM pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: VKR HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Zsolt Bako-Biro, Mathew Holloway
  • Patent number: 8925337
    Abstract: An air conditioning system having a cooling mode and a free-cooling mode is provided. The system includes a refrigeration circuit, two pressure sensors, a controller, and a pump-protection sequence resident on the controller. The refrigeration circuit includes a compressor and a pump. The first pressure sensor is at an inlet of the pump, while the second pressure sensor is at an outlet of the pump. The controller selectively operates in the cooling mode by circulating and compressing a refrigerant through the refrigeration circuit via the compressor or operates in the free-cooling mode by circulating the refrigerant through the refrigeration circuit via the pump: The pump-protection sequence turns the pump to an off state based at least upon a differential pressure determined by the controller from pressures detected by the first and second pressure sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Damien Poux, Jean-Philippe Goux, Joseph Ballet
  • Publication number: 20140238055
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a cooling unit having a cooling coil and a fan, the cooling unit for cooling recirculated air from a return duct; a bypass duct providing an air pathway bypassing the cooling unit; a phase change material (PCM) module including a PCM and a PCM fan for drawing makeup air over the PCM; and a supply duct fluidly coupled to the cooling unit and the PCM module, the supply duct for supplying conditioned air to a space to be conditioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory M. Dobbs
  • Publication number: 20140230471
    Abstract: In an integrated two-phase accumulator controlled loop cooling system, the pumped refrigerant is employed to cool the supply of refrigerant in the accumulator vessel. No external cooling of the accumulator vessel is required, and a standard heater in the accumulator is sufficient to regulate the boiling pressure. This allows to provide a cooling system in which sub-cooling in the pump is guaranteed by the laws of nature, and which is hence more reliable, structurally simpler, better to control and cheaper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: Nikhef, CERN-European Organization for Nuclear Research
    Inventor: Verlaat Bart
  • Patent number: 8783057
    Abstract: A refrigerant distributor is described and which includes a tank defining an internal cavity for receiving a source of refrigerant; an inlet conduit for delivering the source of the refrigerant to the internal cavity of the tank; a contaminant collection container coupled in fluid receiving relation relative to the internal cavity of the tank and in disposal fluid receiving relation relative to the inlet conduit; and a plurality of refrigerant distributor conduits coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the internal cavity of the tank and which have a multiplicity of apertures having variable diametral dimensions and which facilitate a variable flow of the source of refrigerant out through the refrigerant distributor conduits as the volume of the refrigerant in the tank increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Colmac Coil Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce I. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8726687
    Abstract: In an air conditioning unit for a car, which air conditioning unit has a refrigerant circuit with a primary consumer branch having a compressor, condenser, and an evaporator, which air conditioning unit also has at least one auxiliary consumer branch that is connected parallel to the primary consumer branch and has a cold accumulator and its own evaporator, a stop valve is arranged in front of each evaporator. After operational phases charging the cold accumulator, the stop valve of the primary consumer branch is regularly opened for only a predetermined opening time that depends on particular operating parameters. The substantial operating parameters are the air inlet temperature and the air mass flow at the evaporator of the primary consumer branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Klimasysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Haussmann
  • Patent number: 8667804
    Abstract: Thermal storage air conditioner including an outdoor unit having an outdoor heat exchanger for making heat exchange, and at least one compressor for compressing refrigerant, an indoor unit having at least one indoor heat exchanger for making heat exchange, a thermal storage unit having a thermal storage tank for holding thermal storage substance therein, a thermal storage heat exchanger for receiving refrigerant from an outside of the thermal storage unit to heat exchange with the thermal storage substance in the thermal storage tank, and a securing member for securing the thermal storage heat exchanger so as to maintain the thermal storage heat exchanger submerged under the thermal storage substance in the thermal storage tank, and a functional unit for selective control of refrigerant flows among the outdoor unit, the indoor unit and the thermal storage unit according to an operation condition, thereby maintaining the thermal storage heat exchanger in the thermal storage tank securely, to prevent drop of he
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Yoon Koh, In Kyu Kim, Jin Ha Hwang
  • Patent number: 8650896
    Abstract: A system, configured to be disposed in a information technology equipment rack for providing ice thermal storage, includes a tank configured to hold water, a heat exchanger disposed in water in the tank and configured to convey a two-phase liquid and vapor refrigerant and to transfer heat between the water and the refrigerant, a first valve connected to a liquid and a vapor refrigerant line and configured to selectively connect the liquid refrigerant line to a first port and the vapor refrigerant line to a second port in a first mode and to connect the liquid refrigerant line to the second port and the vapor refrigerant line to the first port in a second mode, a thermostatic expansion valve connected to an inlet of the heat exchanger, and a liquid/vapor pump connected to an outlet of the heat exchanger and to the second port of the first valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Schneider Electric It Corporation
    Inventor: John H. Bean, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8640472
    Abstract: Recuperation systems and methods are applied to vapor compression cycles in dehumidification, such as in air conditioning. In some embodiments, a method for dehumidification includes introducing a refrigerant from a heating unit to a cooling unit along a first path; introducing the refrigerant from the cooling unit to the heating unit along a second path different from the first path; introducing the refrigerant from the heating unit to the cooling unit along a third path different from the first path; and contacting the cooling unit and the heating unit with a first gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: TIAX LLC
    Inventors: John T. Dieckmann, Detlef Westphalen
  • Patent number: 8607586
    Abstract: An aircraft galley refrigeration system is provided which, in one embodiment, includes: first and second galleys; a first chiller for providing a first heat transfer fluid to the first galley; a second chiller for providing a second heat transfer fluid to the second galley; and a heat exchanger including a first circuit and a second circuit, the first circuit connecting the first galley with the first chiller, and the second circuit connecting the second galley with the second chiller. In another embodiment, the system includes a first cooling subsystem with a first heat transfer fluid, a second cooling subsystem with a second heat transfer fluid, and a heat exchanger that thermally couples the first and second cooling subsystems for distributing heat between the first and second heat transfer fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Qiao Lu
  • Patent number: 8607498
    Abstract: A fishing bait holding apparatus includes a container that has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The perimeter wall has an upper edge defining an access opening into the container. A liner is removably positioned within the container. The liner has a lower wall and peripheral wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the lower wall. The lower and peripheral walls each include an outer layer enclosing an interior space. A fluid is positioned within the interior space. The fluid may be chilled and the liner placed in the container to cool an area enclosed by the container. The container can be cooled with the liner such that fishing bait positioned in the container is cooled by the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Dirk J. Smith, Shelly M. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130298582
    Abstract: A refrigerant system according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a outdoor heat exchanger performing heat exchange between outdoor air and a refrigerant; a compressor compressing the refrigerant; an indoor heat exchanger performing heat exchange between indoor air and the refrigerant; an expansion portion expanding the refrigerant; and a refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor heat exchanger, the compressor, the indoor heat exchanger and the expansion portion to form a refrigerant cycle, wherein the outdoor heat exchanger includes a refrigerant storage portion storing the refrigerant to control flowing refrigerant amount on the refrigerant cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hojong Jeong, Baikyoung Chung, Jaehwa Jung, Yongcheol Sa, Byungsoon Kim
  • 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: 20130263612
    Abstract: A horizontal suction accumulator generally includes a tank, an inlet tube, and an outlet tube. The tank extends in a horizontal direction and is configured to receive a refrigerant. The refrigerant includes a vapor and a liquid. The tank stores the liquid refrigerant and discharges the vapor refrigerant. The inlet tube supplies into the tank an inlet stream that includes the liquid and vapor refrigerants. The inlet tube extends into the tank and is bent upward at an acute angle. The liquid refrigerant is stored in the tank. The vapor refrigerant is discharged through the outlet tube, which extends offset from the inlet tube and into the tank. The inlet tube defines an inlet opening positioned at a first elevation, the outlet tube defines an outlet opening positioned at a second elevation, and the first and second elevations are substantially the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daniel L. Price
  • Publication number: 20130255289
    Abstract: A flash tank for use in a vapor compression system includes a flash tank housing, an inlet, a vapor outlet, a liquid outlet, and an eliminator. The eliminator is fluidically positioned between the inlet and the vapor outlet. The eliminator includes either a plurality of blades or a piccolo tube connected to the vapor outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Sung-Han Jung
  • Patent number: 8539780
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for ice maker systems are disclosed. One exemplary method comprises the steps of: heating an ice mold body to separate ice formed in the ice mold body from the ice mold body; releasing the separated ice from the ice mold body; and contacting at least a portion of the ice mold body with a heat transfer fluid to cool the ice mold body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carlos A. Herrera, Russell James Fallon, Ronald Gary Foster, William Newton
  • Patent number: 8516847
    Abstract: The present invention relates to air conditioners, and more particularly, to a thermal storage air conditioner in which a cold heat is produced and stored in a tank during night time for using the cold heat during day time for cooling a room. For this, the thermal storage air conditioner includes an outdoor unit having an outdoor heat exchanger for making heat exchange, and at least one compressor for compressing refrigerant, an indoor unit having a plurality of indoor heat exchangers for making heat exchange, a thermal storage unit for storing energy, the thermal storage unit having a plurality of thermal storage heat exchangers for making heat exchange, and a functional unit having a plurality of valves for selective control of refrigerant flows among the outdoor unit, the indoor unit and the thermal storage unit according to an operation mode, and a valve controller for making a unitary control of operation of the valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Yoon Koh, In Kyu Kim, Jin Ha Hwang
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8505314
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, method and system to thermally package an item having at least one container (100) substantially filled with an alcohol, wherein said alcohol undergoes a phase change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: TCP Reliable, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Romero
  • Patent number: 8459052
    Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank receiver disposed in the refrigerant circuit intermediate the refrigerant cooling heat exchanger and the refrigerant heating heat exchanger. The flash tank receiver, which receives a liquid/vapor refrigerant mix, also functions as a receiver. A refrigerant charge control apparatus includes at least one sensor for sensing an operating characteristic of the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant compression device, and a controller operative to selectively adjust a secondary expansion device to increase or decrease the flow of refrigerant passing into the flash tank receiver to provide a circulating refrigerant charge consistent with maintaining a desired system operating characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Bush, Wayne P. Beagle, Biswajit Mitra
  • Publication number: 20130125577
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a brazing method for a component (100) of an air-conditioning circuit comprising a fluid refrigerant receiver (200), said receiver containing a desiccator (210) for said fluid refrigerant. Said method includes the steps consisting of: equipping said receiver (200) with confinement means (221, 222) capable of insulating said desiccator (210) from said component (100); assembling and brazing together said receiver (200) and said component (100); releasing said confinement means (221, 222). The invention also relates to a fluid receiver intended in particular for implementing such a method, with application to the air conditioning of motor vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventors: Laurent Moreau, Lionel Taupin, Patrick Zanchetta
  • 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: 8418487
    Abstract: A process-fluid chiller system for chilling a process fluid to be transported to a process load to remove thermal energy from the process load. The process-fluid chiller system includes a storage tank in which the process fluid can be stored, and a refrigeration system that can be selectively activated to chill the process fluid. The refrigeration system includes an evaporation device for evaporating a refrigerant from a liquid state to a gaseous state and a compressor for elevating a pressure of the refrigerant in the gaseous state. A temperature sensor is included for sensing a temperature of an exchange medium to which thermal energy from the process fluid can be transferred when the temperature of the exchange medium falls below a predetermined low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Martin P. King
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8316662
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, method and system to thermally package an item having at least one container (100) substantially filled with an alcohol, wherein said alcohol undergoes a phase change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: TCP Reliable, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Romero
  • Publication number: 20120291480
    Abstract: A liquid carbon dioxide refrigeration system is provided. The refrigeration system may include a storage tank arranged for storing liquid carbon dioxide, and a vessel arranged to separate carbon dioxide into a vapor carbon dioxide portion and a liquid carbon dioxide portion. A first conduit is coupled to the storage tank and the first vessel such that liquid carbon dioxide can pass from the storage tank to the first vessel. A second conduit is coupled to the first vessel such that the liquid carbon dioxide portion can pass into a refrigeration device, and a third conduit is coupled to the first vessel and the first conduit to recycle the vapor carbon dioxide portion back to the first conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: John M. Girard, Jeffrey R. Wallace, Bryce M. Rampersad, Kenneth L. Burgers, Yeu-Chuan Simon Ho, Balazs Hunek
  • Patent number: 8312736
    Abstract: A cold plate including a cold wall, a first cavity, a first pipe, a second cavity, an expansion unit and a second pipe is provided. The first cavity covers on the cold wall to form a first fluid space, and the first pipe is connected with the first cavity. The second cavity is disposed inside the first cavity and covers on the cold wall to form a second fluid space. The expansion unit is disposed between the second cavity and the cold wall to interconnect the first fluid space and the second fluid space. The second pipe is disposed inside the first pipe and connected with the second cavity. Besides, a refrigeration system including the cold plate mentioned above is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Kai-Shing Yang, Chi-Chuan Wang, Shih-Jie Lin, Yu-Lieh Wu
  • Patent number: 8272432
    Abstract: A system and method for providing cool air to a passenger compartment of a hybrid vehicle in an engine off mode is disclosed. This may include operating a HVAC system to provide cold refrigerant flowing through an evaporator while an engine is operating, and forcing air through the evaporator to cool the air. A first portion of the cooled air from the evaporator is directed through a heater core and a second portion around the heater core, and an electric water pump is activated to pump coolant from a thermal storage tank, through the heater core and back to the thermal storage tank to cool the coolant. When the engine operation is ceased, the air flow is directed through the heater core, and the coolant is pumped from the thermal storage tank, through the heater core and back to the thermal storage tank to cool the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gregory A. Major, Mark D. Nemesh
  • Patent number: 8261565
    Abstract: A cooling system for transferring heat from a heat load to an environment has a volatile working fluid. The cooling system includes first and second cooling cycles that are thermally connected to the first cooling cycle. The first cooling cycle is not a vapor compression cycle and includes a pump, an air-to-fluid heat exchanger, and a fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger. The second cooling cycle can include a chilled water system for transferring heat from the fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger to the environment. Alternatively, the second cooling cycle can include a vapor compression system for transferring heat from the fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger to the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A Borror, Franklin E DiPaolo, Thomas E Harvey, Steven M Madara, Reasey J Mam, Stephen C Sillato
  • Publication number: 20120210744
    Abstract: A refrigerant distributor is described and which includes a tank defining an internal cavity for receiving a source of refrigerant; an inlet conduit for delivering the source of the refrigerant to the internal cavity of the tank; a contaminant collection container coupled in fluid receiving relation relative to the internal cavity of the tank and in disposal fluid receiving relation relative to the inlet conduit; and a plurality of refrigerant distributor conduits coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the internal cavity of the tank and which have a multiplicity of apertures having variable diametral dimensions and which facilitate a variable flow of the source of refrigerant out through the refrigerant distributor conduits as the volume of the refrigerant in the tank increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce I. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8220277
    Abstract: Recuperation systems and methods are applied to vapor compression cycles in dehumidification, such as in air conditioning. In some embodiments, a method for dehumidification includes introducing a refrigerant from a heating unit to a cooling unit along a first path; introducing the refrigerant from the cooling unit to the heating unit along a second path different from the first path; introducing the refrigerant from the heating unit to the cooling unit along a third path different from the first path; and contacting the cooling unit and the heating unit with a first gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Tiax LLC
    Inventors: John T. Dieckmann, Detlef Westphalen
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120167614
    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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Dae-Hyun Jin
  • Publication number: 20120151957
    Abstract: An accumulator including a liquid accumulating chamber for accumulating refrigerant, a refrigerant inlet port leading the refrigerant, a refrigerant outlet pipe, an oil return opening, a refrigerant flow generating structure and a refrigerant flow mixing structure. The refrigerant outlet pipe includes an upstream open end exposed to an upper part of the liquid accumulating chamber to discharge the refrigerant from the chamber to outside the chamber. The oil return opening is in the refrigerant outlet pipe to return oil contained in the lower part of the liquid accumulating chamber to a compressor of the refrigeration cycle system. The refrigerant flow generating structure provides refrigerant from the refrigerant inlet port with a given flow, the given flow being produced by a drive force possessed by the refrigerant. The refrigerant flow mixing structure provides the given flow with an upward-and-downward movement to mix the refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Naohisa Kamiyama, Takeharu Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20120125036
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a refrigeration housing having an enclosed evaporation chamber and a water storage structure formed of a water pan or water pans, a water-filling pipeline extending from the outside the refrigeration housing to the evaporation chamber for guiding water to each water pan and having installed therein a water intake control valve controllable to open/close the water-filling pipeline, an air-intake pipeline extending from the outside of the refrigeration housing to the evaporation chamber and having installed therein an air-intake control valve controllable to open/close the air-intake pipeline, one or a number of heat sink pipelines extending from the outside of the refrigeration housing to each water pan for heat exchange with the storage water, and an exhaust pipeline extending from the outside of the refrigeration housing to the evaporation chamber and having installed therein a pump controllable to draw air out of the evaporation chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Hui-Li LIN
  • Publication number: 20120103005
    Abstract: Screw chillers have economizer systems that include a low pressure economizer and a high pressure economizer. According to certain embodiments, the low pressure economizer includes a flash tank, an expansion device and a flow control valve while the high pressure economizer includes a heat exchanger and an expansion device. The screw chillers also include a screw compressor that compresses refrigerant. The screw compressor includes a low pressure economizer port designed to receive lower pressure refrigerant from the flash tank within the low pressure economizer and a high pressure economizer port designed to receive higher pressure refrigerant from the heat exchanger within the higher pressure economizer. The screw compressor is designed to compress the refrigerant received from the evaporator, the refrigerant received through the low pressure economizer port, and the refrigerant received through the high pressure economizer port and to discharge the refrigerant through a common discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William L. Kopko, Douglas Alan Kester, Paul Nemit, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120102989
    Abstract: A refrigeration system may be provided with a space-saving suction-line heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be incorporated into a receiver. As heated liquid refrigerant enters and flows through the receiver, it may transfer heat into the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may be connected to a suction line of the system so that refrigerant vapor and an oil-refrigerant mixture may be heated as it passes from an evaporator and into an inlet of a compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: RICKY GOV, RANJIT DARKE, PETER ZHENG