Flow Line Connected Transfer Fluid Supply And Heat Exchanger Patents (Class 62/434)
  • Publication number: 20120234036
    Abstract: An economized vapor compression circuit is disclosed. An evaporator, compressor, condenser and economizer are fluidly connected by a refrigerant line containing refrigerant. A portion of the liquid refrigerant leaving the economizer is diverted away from the evaporator to sub-cool liquid refrigerant at a location between the condenser and the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventor: Mustafa Kemal YANIK
  • 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: 20120216562
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a unitary heat pump air conditioner (Unitary HPAC) having a plate type exchanger assembly, an electrically driven compressor, and coolant pumps. The plate heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of plates stacked and hermetically sealed between an upstream end plate and a downstream end plate. The stacked plates define a condenser/chiller portion adjacent the upstream end plate, an accumulator portion adjacent the downstream end plate, and an evaporator/chiller portion sandwiched between the condenser/chiller portion and the accumulator portion. A refrigerant passageway extends through the plate type heat exchanger assembly, a hot coolant passageway extends through the condenser/chiller portion, and a cold coolant passageway extends through the evaporator/chiller portion. The cold coolant passageway and the hot coolant passageway are in non-contact thermal communication with the refrigerant passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: PRASAD S. KADLE, GARY S. VREELAND, FREDERICK V. ODDI
  • Publication number: 20120137718
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes: an evaporator, including a porous body, a vapor channel and a liquid channel separated by the porous body, to evaporate a working fluid in liquid phase; a condenser to condense the working fluid in vapor phase; a liquid reservoir tank to reserve the working fluid in the liquid phase; a vapor line connecting an outlet of the vapor channel in the evaporator and an inlet of the condenser; a liquid line connecting an outlet of the condenser and a first inlet of the liquid reservoir tank; a liquid supply line connecting an outlet of the liquid reservoir tank and an inlet of the liquid channel in the evaporator; a liquid return line connecting an outlet of the liquid channel in the evaporator and a second inlet of the liquid reservoir tank; and a liquid transport unit interposed in the liquid supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroki UCHIDA, Susumu Ogata, Seiji Hibino
  • Publication number: 20120131946
    Abstract: A cooling system for an engine includes a coolant tank, a heat exchanger, and a drain valve. The coolant tank holds a fluid coolant and is coupled with a tank conduit through which the coolant flows from or to the coolant tank. The heat exchanger is fluidly coupled with a supply conduit. The drain valve is fluidly coupled with the coolant tank by the tank conduit and with the supply conduit. The drain valve is fluidly coupled with a drain conduit that directs the coolant out of the cooling system and alternates between a closed position and an open position. The drain valve prevents the coolant from flowing out of the cooling system through the drain conduit when in the closed position and permits the coolant to flow from the heat exchanger and out of the cooling system through the drain conduit when in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Gokulnath CHELLAN, Hemant Patni, Prasannkumar Adimurti, Drew Johnson
  • Patent number: 8181474
    Abstract: A solar-powered air conditioning system including an energy-storage medium made of a mixture of 5%-20% glycerin, 2.5%-10% alcohol and water in a thermally insulated container is disclosed. While frozen, the said energy storage medium becomes slurry of thin sheets of ice dispersed in liquid, which will not damage the container and the heat-exchange pipes. The system uses a solar photovoltaic panel to directly drive a vapor-compression refrigeration unit to freeze the said energy storage medium. A ventilation system forces air through a heat-exchange coil in the said energy-storage medium, to generate chilled air to cool the space. In the absence of sunlight, the energy-storage medium can keep frozen for days. With or without sunlight, the flowing air chilled by the frozen energy-storage medium continues to cool the room or the entire building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Chengjun Julian Chen
  • Patent number: 8181470
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with multiple condensing units utilizing a common evaporator coil. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption and ease of installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Brian Parsonnet, Donald Thomas Cook
  • Publication number: 20120117996
    Abstract: A cascade refrigeration system includes an upper portion having at least one modular chiller unit that provides cooling to at least one of a low temperature subsystem having a plurality of low temperature loads, and a medium temperature subsystem having a plurality of medium temperature loads. The modular chiller unit includes a refrigerant circuit having at least a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. An ammonia refrigerant mixed with a soluble oil circulates within the refrigerant circuit. A control device may be programmed to modulate the position of the expansion device so that a superheat temperature of the ammonia refrigerant near an outlet of the evaporator fluctuates within a substantially predetermined superheat temperature range to positively return soluble oil from the evaporator to the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: David K. Hinde, John D. Bittner, Shitong Zha, Joseph R. Poland
  • Publication number: 20120111033
    Abstract: A space-saving cooling system for an aircraft may include an evaporator in an enclosure with an accumulation region in the enclosure for a liquid mixture of liquid refrigerant and lubricating oil. Space saving may be achieved through a combining of evaporator functions and accumulator functions in a single enclosure. A heat exchanger may be interposed between the evaporator and the compressor for heating refrigerant emerging from the evaporator so that liquid refrigerant does not reach an inlet of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: RANJIT DARKE, PETER ZHENG, RICKY GOV
  • Publication number: 20120111036
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for cooling an electronic component(s). The apparatus includes a coolant-cooled structure in thermal communication with the component(s) to be cooled, and a coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger in fluid communication with the coolant-cooled structure via a coolant loop. A thermal buffer unit is coupled in fluid communication with the coolant loop, and a refrigerant loop is coupled in fluid communication with the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger dissipates heat from coolant in the coolant loop to refrigerant in the refrigerant loop. A compressor is coupled in fluid communication with the refrigerant loop and is maintained ON responsive to heat load of the component(s) exceeding a heat load threshold, and is cycled ON and OFF responsive to heat load of the component(s) being below the threshold. The thermal storage unit dampens swings in coolant temperature within the coolant loop during cycling ON and OFF of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Patent number: 8171745
    Abstract: A galley cooling system comprises a plurality of galley cooling units each to be associated with separate galleys. A sensor senses a condition within each of the galleys. A control determines whether a sensed condition is indicative of efficient operation of a particular galley cooling unit, and the control is operable to decrease cooling capacity delivered to a galley cooling unit which is experiencing inefficient operation. An aircraft galley system incorporating the above cooling unit, and a method of operating a galley cooling unit are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce R. Schroder
  • Publication number: 20120096874
    Abstract: A free cooling system may include first and second conduits configured to carry first and second fluids, a cooling load configured to transfer heat to the first fluid, thereby causing the first fluid to have a post-loading temperature, a free cooling device configured to transfer heat from the second fluid to atmospheric air, thereby causing the second fluid to have a post-cooling temperature, a heat exchanger configured to facilitate a heat exchange between the first and second fluids of the first and second conduits, thereby causing the first fluid to have a pre-loading temperature and the second fluid to have a pre-cooling temperature, and a fluid flow control device configured to control a first flow rate of the first fluid and a second flow rate of the second fluid, such that the post-cooling temperature is less than the pre-loading temperature by at least a predefined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: John A. Goodfellow
  • Publication number: 20120090339
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a refrigerant device and a method for providing additional head to support a refrigeration liquid feed system. The refrigerating device comprises a refrigerant liquid container, a sinking conduit and a rising conduit, the sinking conduit extending downwardly to a connection with the rising conduit, the rising conduit extending upwardly from the connection with the sinking conduit. The refrigerating device further comprises an evaporator having an inlet connected downstream to the rising conduit and an outlet connected to the refrigerant liquid container via a return conduit, and a gas injector connected to the rising conduit, adapted to supply gas in order to allow gas to rise together with liquid refrigerant in the rising conduit, thereby reducing the total density of the mixture of liquid refrigerant and gas relative the density of liquid refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: JOHN BEAN TECHNOLOGIES AB
    Inventors: Hakan Ohlsson, Manne Eriksson
  • Publication number: 20120090348
    Abstract: A coolant reservoir includes a body portion defining an interior cavity configured to hold a coolant; and a barrier wall positioned within the body portion to partition the interior cavity into an upper chamber and a lower chamber, the barrier wall defining an opening therethrough that allows fluid communication between the lower chamber and the upper chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: DAVID B. O'ROURKE, CHRISTOPHER C. NYEHOLT
  • Patent number: 8156754
    Abstract: A climate control system may include a condenser, an evaporator, a compressor, a coolant circuit, and a heat exchanger. The evaporator may be in fluid communication with the condenser. The compressor may be in fluid communication with the condenser and the evaporator and may circulate a first fluid therebetween. The coolant circuit may include an engine, a radiator, and a second fluid circulating between the engine and the radiator. The heat exchanger may include a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit. The first fluid conduit may fluidly couple the compressor and the condenser. The second fluid conduit may fluidly couple the radiator and the engine. The heat exchanger may be configured to allow the second fluid to absorb heat from the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kwangtaek Hong, Bryan Styles
  • Patent number: 8151586
    Abstract: To realize a CO2 heat pump system in which reduction in coefficient of performance of heat pump cycle is prevented by maintaining the temperature of the water supplied to the gas cooler of the CO2 heat pump below a certain temperature and raising heat source side temperature in the evaporator, and which has functions to supply a heat source not only to hot water supplying equipment but also to supply a heat source or coolness source to air conditioning equipment or others, the system comprises a low temperature water tank 6, a high temperature water tank 9 for storing high temperature water heated in a gas cooler 3, piping 10, 12 for supplying the high temperature water to hot water supplying equipment and room heating equipment respectively, a first heat exchanger 21 in which brine (water) for supplying latent heat of vaporization of CO2 refrigerant to the refrigerant in the evaporator 5 exchanges heat with heat giving fluid (fluid from which heat is withdrawn), a second heat exchanger located upstream of th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mayekawa Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Sato, Youichi Kawazu, Tooru Saitou
  • Patent number: 8151582
    Abstract: The liquid galley refrigeration system for cooling food carts for aircraft employs an intermediate working fluid to transfer heat from one or more food carts to one or more remote chillers, allowing the carts and chillers to be advantageously distributed in the aircraft. A plurality of heat exchanges effect a cooling of the carts wherein heat from the food cart is first transferred to a first airflow; heat from the first airflow is then transferred to an intermediate working fluid that is circulated between a location immediately adjacent the food carts and a remote chiller; heat from the intermediate working fluid is subsequently transferred to the chiller working fluid; and finally, heat from the chiller working fluid is expelled. While the chiller working fluid undergoes a phase change in order to transfer heat from the intermediate working fluid to the cooling air, the intermediate working fluid remains in its liquid phase throughout its circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: George Simadiris, Ian Douglas Oswald
  • Patent number: 8141623
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic switching two pipe hydronic system for conditioning a space. In one embodiment the two pipe hydronic system enables automatic switching from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation or vice versa in a reduced span of time. The present invention saves fuel, energy and water, when there are lower load conditions that affect boilers, chillers, and cooling towers. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a system for simultaneously heating and cooling a first portion and a second portion of a space by utilizing a plurality of boilers, chillers, heat exchangers, condenser pumps and closed loop pumps by using a plurality of sensors indicating the temperatures inside and outside the space and a controlling module controlling the operation of the system. The present invention can be easily achieved by making minor configurational modifications to existing systems thereby increases system versatility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph G. Blecker
  • Patent number: 8136368
    Abstract: A modular evaporator which can be assembled from a number of standard modules is provided. Depending on the requirements, the modular evaporator can be assembled to meet a wide range of design cooling loads. Additionally, the modular evaporator is capable of generating and holding ice for thermal storage purposes, eliminating the need for external ice storage tanks. Furthermore, the heat transfer and thermal storage fluid for the evaporator can simply be water which considerably simplifies the system, lowers the cost, and increases the efficiency of the heat transfer loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Reich, Michael Paul Burdett, Vladimir D. Reich
  • Patent number: 8132422
    Abstract: A cogeneration system includes a coolant circuit through which a coolant is circulated for conducting a heat exchange with an exhaust heat generated by a power generation unit, a buffer tank provided at the coolant circuit and storing the coolant, a heating circuit including a heating power source and a heating terminal, the heating power source generating a heating water that is circulated to be supplied to the heating terminal, a heating water bypass circuit bypassing a flow passage of the heating circuit at a portion between an exit of the heating terminal and the heating power source, and a heat exchanging device performing a heat exchange between the heating water flowing through the heating water bypass circuit and the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20120047930
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus for heating water and dehumidifying air and a water heating and air processing system. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: (1) a refrigeration circuit including an evaporator, a first condenser and a compressor, (2) a refrigerant-water heat exchanger having a second condenser fluidly coupled to the refrigeration circuit and (3) a control valve operatively connected to the refrigeration circuit to either direct flow of the refrigerant through the first condenser during a dehumidification mode or through the second condenser during a water heating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Lennox Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert Uselton
  • Publication number: 20120031111
    Abstract: An appliance system that includes an appliance and a turbo-chilling chamber is provided. In one embodiment, the turbo-chilling chamber for chilling a beverage within a beverage container or a foodstuff is operably engaged to an interior surface of the appliance and typically includes a rigid outer wall; a flexible inner wall defining a coolant chamber; and at least one coolant spaced between the rigid outer wall and flexible inner wall in the coolant chamber. The flexible inner wall defines a receiving space, accommodates various sized beverage containers or foodstuffs, and moves between a first position and a second position. The coolant within the coolant chamber is typically at higher than atmospheric pressure when the flexible inner wall is in the second position and a lesser pressure when the flexible inner wall is in the first position. The method of turbo-chilling a beverage container/beverage/foodstuff within the turbo-chilling chamber is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: TUSHAR V. KULKARNI, GUOLIAN WU
  • Publication number: 20120031120
    Abstract: A method and system for liquid purification and defrosting a freezing unit harvests energy released as heat from a condenser. Liquid received from a source into a first liquid storage container is heated using heat collected from the condenser using at least one heat conducting rod. A second liquid storage container connected to the first liquid storage container is maintained at a lower temperature than the first liquid storage container. As a first portion of heated liquid is transferred from the first liquid storage container to the second liquid storage container, bacteria in the first portion of heated liquid is denatured as a result of the temperature change, and the liquid is purified. Filters may also be used to improve purification. A second portion of heated liquid is transferred between the first liquid storage container and a freezing unit via at least one heat conducting pipe causing defrosting of the freezing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: MANIPAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Mayank Swarup, Tanvi Gupta
  • Patent number: 8099975
    Abstract: An icemaker having a mold comprising at least one cavity and a cooling system. The cooling system has a first heat exchanger configured to have a medium flow there through. The first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the mold to reduce the temperature of the mold below a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Omar Haidar, Matthew William Davis, Krzysztof Struminski, Solomon Muthumani, Ronald Scott Tarr, Stephen Bischoff, Alvaro Delgado
  • Publication number: 20120006048
    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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Man Wai Wu, Li Yi Zhang
  • Patent number: 8087256
    Abstract: The methods and systems using supercritical fluids for cooling of objects with high thermal emissions are disclosed. The unique thermodynamic properties of supercritical fluids combined with microchannel cooling technology allow effective absorption of the waste heat and exclude “vapor lock”, “boiling crisis”, and other deficiencies of conventional two-phase liquid cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cryomechanics, LLC
    Inventors: Alexei V. Babkin, Robert V. Duncan, Anatoly I. Efremov, Peter J. Littrup
  • Publication number: 20110314863
    Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank economizer and a refrigerant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger economizer disposed in series refrigerant flow relationship in the refrigerant circuit intermediate a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger and a refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger. A primary expansion valve disposed in the refrigerant circuit in operative association with and upstream of the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger and an economizer expansion valve disposed in the refrigerant circuit in operative association and upstream of the flash tank economizer provide a two-step expansion process for expanding refrigerant passing through the refrigerant circuit from the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger to the refrigerant heat absorption heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Biswajit Mitra, Yu H. Chen
  • Publication number: 20110296849
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for utilizing waste heat to power a reconfigurable thermodynamic cycle that can be used to selectively cool or heat an environmentally controlled space, such as a room, building, or vehicle. The present invention also integrates an electric machine, which may operate as a motor or generator, or both, and an additional prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine. Different combinations of these components are preferable for different applications. The system provides a design which reasonably balances the need to maximize efficiency, while also keeping the design cost-effective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Dwayne M. Benson
  • Patent number: 8066152
    Abstract: A device that attaches to a bottle's neck has a base that secures to the bottle's neck and has two passages that traverse the base. The first passage leads to an enclosure located above the base that holds cooling material and optionally has a conduit that improves the heat exchange between a dispensing liquid and the cooling material retained in the enclosure. The exit passage of the enclosure has in at least one embodiment a valve. The second passage through the base forms a vent line that is located entirely below the enclosure and allows air to flow into the bottle as bottle's contents are dispensed through the first passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ravi Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Tétreault, Jean-François Jodoin
  • Patent number: 8042355
    Abstract: A distributed refrigeration appliance system for use in a residential kitchen and other locations in a dwelling and includes multiple separate refrigeration appliance modules, a central cooling system and a cooling circuit. The system can also include one or more satellite stations having a heat exchanger and arranged for supplying chilled air to one or more refrigeration appliance modules. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can include a thermal cascade cooling device to cool the module to lower temperatures than the cooling circuit can attain. One or more refrigeration appliance modules can be refrigeration/storage modules that can provide refrigerated, unconditioned or heated storage space. The central cooling system can be a vapor compression system having a refrigerant circuit connecting the modules. Alternately, the central cooling system can cool a secondary cooling medium circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nihat O. Cur, Steven John Kuehl, John Joseph Vonderhaar, Diego Barone, Lorenzo Bianchi
  • Publication number: 20110247780
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a heat exchanger, a refrigerant reservoir and a pump. The pump is connected to the heat exchanger by a first line. A second line connects the heat exchanger to the reservoir. A third line connects the reservoir to the pump. The third line has an opening within the reservoir that is below an opening of the second line within the reservoir. The first, second and third lines are capable of carrying a refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Incorporated
    Inventor: William H. Scofield
  • Publication number: 20110232890
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle includes a heat exchanger having a thermal energy storage material provided therein, a first coolant loop thermally coupled to an electrochemical storage device located within the first coolant loop and to the heat exchanger, and a second coolant loop thermally coupled to the heat exchanger. The first and second coolant loops are configured to carry distinct thermal energy transfer media. The thermal management system also includes an interface configured to facilitate transfer of heat generated by an internal combustion engine to the heat exchanger via the second coolant loop in order to selectively deliver the heat to the electrochemical storage device. Thermal management methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin L. Gering, Daryl R. Haefner
  • Patent number: 8020389
    Abstract: Climatic test chamber (10) for carrying out a sequence of specified test cycles and cooled by means of at least a refrigerating circuit (100, 200, 410) including a variable-speed compressor (120, 210, 410). During the steps of the test cycles in which said chamber (10) is held at a minimum set temperature, the compressor (120, 210, 410) operates at the minimum rotating speed thereof and the refrigeration capacity is used to cool a cold storage medium. The cold stored by the cold storage medium is then recovered to subcool the refrigerant medium during the cooling-down steps in which the compressor (120, 210, 410) operates at the maximum rotating speed thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Angelantoni Industrie SpA
    Inventor: Maurizio Ascani
  • Patent number: 8011204
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for controlling the temperature of a series of interconnected kennels. The system includes a primary reservoir and supply and return lines for delivering a refrigerant to the series of kennel beds. Each of the kennels includes a flexible bed for supporting the animal and an interior chamber which is adapted to receive a volume of the refrigerant. Thus, the refrigerant, by way of the supply and return valves, is continuously supplied to the beds to provide a pleasing temperature for the animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: WFK & Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Waldemar F. Kissel, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110209494
    Abstract: A direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system and a method of direct expansion ammonia refrigeration is described and which includes a source of liquid ammonia refrigerant which is delivered in fluid flowing relation to a plurality of evaporator tubes which incorporate wicking structures, and which through capillary action facilitated by the wicking structures are effective for drawing liquid ammonia refrigerant along the inside facing surface of the evaporator tubes so as to substantially reduce any stratified and/or wavy flow patterns of the liquid ammonia refrigerant within the evaporator tubes. The invention further includes a novel accumulator vessel and heat exchanger vessel which are coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system and which facilitate the removal of water from the ammonia refrigerant in order to enhance the operation of the direct expansion ammonia refrigeration system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce Ian Nelson
  • Publication number: 20110197604
    Abstract: An air conditioning or refrigeration system includes a secondary loop cooling system for use with a vapor compression system having a bypass line in order to bypass a reservoir in the secondary loop system. This bypass allows the air conditioning or refrigeration system to cool down more quickly. The secondary loop cooling system uses a non-flammable cooling fluid, which is particularly useful when the refrigerant used in the vapor compression system is flammable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: E.I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Barbara Haviland Minor, Mack Mcfarland
  • Patent number: 7992397
    Abstract: An ammonia/CO2 refrigeration system is provided in which the ammonia cycle and CO2 brine cycle can be combined without problems even when refrigeration load such as refrigerating showcase, etc. is located at any place in accordance with circumstances of customer's convenience. The system comprises apparatuses working on an ammonia refrigerating cycle, a brine cooler for cooling and condensing CO2 by utilizing the latent heat of vaporization of the ammonia, and a liquid pump provided in a supply line for supplying the cooled and liquefied CO2 to a refrigeration load side cooler, wherein said liquid pump is a variable-discharge pump for allowing CO2 to be circulated forcibly, and the forced circulation flow is determined so that CO2 is recovered from the outlet of the cooler of the refrigeration load side in a liquid or liquid/gas mixed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Mayekawa Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nemoto, Akira Taniyama, Shinjirou Akaboshi, Iwao Terashima
  • Publication number: 20110185763
    Abstract: An outdoor unit of an air conditioner is provided in which the refrigerant heating apparatus can be stably mounted and ease of assembly can be improved. The outdoor unit (2) of an air conditioner is provided with a compressor (21), an accumulator (25) for separating gas and liquid refrigerant, and a refrigerant heating apparatus (30). The accumulator (25) is connected to the intake side of the compressor (21). The refrigerant heating apparatus (30) is connected to the intake side of the accumulator (25) and heats the refrigerant. The refrigerant heating apparatus (30) is arranged above the accumulator (25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Wakashima, Satoshi Asada
  • Publication number: 20110146313
    Abstract: A refrigeration circuit has a mono- or multi-component refrigerant, especially CO2, circulating therein, said refrigeration circuit enabling an transcritical operation, said refrigeration circuit comprising, in the direction of refrigerant flow, a compressor unit, a condenser/gascooler, a high pressure control valve, a collecting container, and at least one evaporator having an expansion device connected upstream thereof, wherein a flashgas line having a medium pressure control valve arranged therein is provided between an upper portion of the collecting container and the suction line leading to the compressor unit, wherein a temperature, pressure or liquid level sensor is provided in or at the collecting container, wherein a bypass line having a medium pressure holding valve arranged therein is provided connecting the line between the condenser/gascooler and the high pressure control valve to the line between the collecting container and the expansion device(s), and wherein a control unit is provided said co
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Oliver Finckh, Tobias H. Sienel, Markus Hafkemeyer, Christoph Kren, Rainer Schrey
  • Publication number: 20110132017
    Abstract: A cooling system for an eco-friendly vehicle, may include an unified radiator that cools working fluid flowing therethrough to cool an electric power component and an air-cooling type AC condenser, respectively, a pump that is disposed in a series with the unified radiator to pump up the working fluid in the unified radiator to the electric power component or the water-cooling type AC condenser, a first branch pipe and a second branch pipe that connect the electric power components with the water-cooling type AC condenser in parallel for the unified radiator and the pump, and a valve connected to the first and second branch pipes and disposed to selectively supply the working fluid from the pump to the first branch pipe and the second branch pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jaeyeon Kim, Manhee Park
  • Patent number: 7954336
    Abstract: Disclosed is a demand shifting thermal storage system employing a heat transfer/thermal energy storage vessel to produce and hold a phase change fluid using an air cooled/water cooled/ground coupled or evaporative condensing unit to generate the cold fluid with a separate and dependent circuit coupled to the indoor cooling load to remove heat from the HVAC or process cooling load using one or multiple indoor coils to absorb heat returning the heat to the thermal energy storage vessel to reject the space heat, cool the space and continue the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Robert W. Jacobi
  • Patent number: 7942018
    Abstract: A thermal storage system includes a thermal storage device that includes an aqueous slurry of micro-encapsulated phase change material, a thermal collector in a heat exchange relationship with the thermal storage device through a first heat exchanger, and a thermal service device in a heat exchange relationship with the thermal storage device through a second heat exchanger. The aqueous slurry of micro-encapsulated phase change material is configured to convert between solid and liquid states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Jianlei Niu, Xichun Wang
  • Publication number: 20110107787
    Abstract: In a heat pump with an evaporator and a liquefier as well as a gas region extending between the evaporator and the liquefier, the liquefier is arranged above the evaporator in a setup direction for operation of the heat pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Holger Sedlak, Oliver Kniffler
  • Patent number: 7938170
    Abstract: A cold and/or heat accumulator with a plurality of carrier elements which are charged with a cold or heat storage medium, and with at least one heat exchanger which is designed to have a heat transfer medium flow through it in order to cause heat exchange between the cold or heat storage medium and the heat transfer medium. The at least one heat exchanger has a serpentine hollow section, and carrier elements are provided between the legs of the loops of the serpentine hollow section. Two heat exchangers can be provided with the loops of the serpentine hollow section one heat exchanger being interspersed with those of the serpentine hollow section of the other heat exchanger. Preferably, the carrier elements are made of a porous metal foam, and the inlet and outlet for the heat transfer medium are located together at a bottom area at one side of the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Robert Lang, Kemal-Edip Yidirim, Wolfgang Kraemer
  • Publication number: 20110079025
    Abstract: A thermal storage device for generating a thermal storage medium from a fluid and including a storage tank for containing the fluid, a refrigeration system having a heat exchanger positioned in the storage tank, a pump for pumping the fluid through the storage tank, a storage medium detection device, and a controller. The storage medium detection device generates a signal corresponding to at least one parameter of the pump. The controller controls the refrigeration system in one of a first mode and a second mode based on the signal. The at least one heat exchanger removes heat from the fluid to generate the thermal storage medium thereon when the refrigeration system operates in the first mode, and the at least one heat exchanger does not remove heat from the fluid thereby terminating generation of the thermal storage medium when the refrigeration system operates in the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: William F. Mohs, Bernard Wayne Benson
  • Patent number: 7918104
    Abstract: A water cooling type air conditioner is provided. The water cooling type air conditioner includes first and second heat exchangers, a refrigerant pipe, and a direction controlling unit. The first heat exchanger performs heat exchange between air and refrigerant. The second heat exchanger performs heat exchange between the refrigerant and cooling water. The refrigerant pipe is connected between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to guide a flow of the refrigerant. The direction controlling unit is disposed on one side of the second heat exchanger and controls the refrigerant and the cooling water flowing inside the second heat exchanger to flow in respectively opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Woong Park, Ja Hyung Koo, Seung Cheol Baek, Soo Yoon Shin, Dong Hyuk Lee, Chang Ryul Kim, Man Ho Chun, Hyoung Suk Woo, Yong Taeg Kim, Sung Rok Ryu
  • Publication number: 20110072849
    Abstract: A compressor for a refrigerant is integrally contained in a housing with a positive displacement pump for a secondary coolant. Both the compressor and pump are driven by a common motor. In one embodiment, a linear compressor includes a reciprocating piston rod coupled at one end to a refrigerant compressor and at an opposite end to a positive displacement liquid pump. The pump circulates a secondary coolant through a thermal storage unit and heat exchanger associated with an evaporator. The evaporator is coupled to a condenser, in turn, coupled to the compressor. A conventional rotary compressor may also have a positive displacement pump coupled to the motor to provide circulation for a secondary coolant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: STEVEN J. KUEHL, GUOLIAN WU
  • Patent number: 7913501
    Abstract: A water-cooled air conditioning system using a regenerative condenser water circuit to reheat the supply air during a dehumidification mode. The air conditioning system may be any type of water-cooled system, including a water source heat pump or water-cooled air conditioner. The reheat circuit circulates water leaving the condenser through the reheat heat exchanger and then returns the water to the condenser inlet. Thus, the reheat circuit ensures that water leaving the condenser is warm enough to provide sufficient reheating for the supply air, regardless of the water source temperature. In addition, a modulation assembly controls the amount of water flowing through the reheat circuit, and thereby its temperature, so that the temperature of the reheated supply air can be maintained within a narrow range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Climate Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Ellis, Laxmikant N. Nerurkar
  • Patent number: 7913506
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a medium temperature subsystem circulating a coolant in a closed loop between at least one medium temperature chiller and at least one medium temperature load and at least one cascade heat exchanger, and a low temperature subsystem circulating a coolant in a closed loop between at least one low temperature chiller and at least one low temperature load. A cooling circuit is provided for circulating a coolant and includes a first pump and a second pump and a fluid cooler and a valve, and interfaces with the medium temperature chiller and the low temperature chiller. The valve is movable to a closed position to define a first flow path and a second flow path, where the first flow path includes the first pump and the medium temperature chiller and fluid cooler, and the second flow path including the second pump and the low temperature chiller and the cascade heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Bittner, Vincent Ronald Rose, Bengt Ake Arthur Bredberg
  • Publication number: 20110067427
    Abstract: The invention is related to an AC loop (12) for ventilation, heating and/or air conditioning installation comprising, according to the circulation of an refrigerant in the AC loop, at least a compressor (14), a first heat exchanger (16) for heating an air flow distributed into the passenger compartment, a first expansion device (18), an exterior heat exchanger (20) and a second heat exchanger (24). The AC loop (12) comprises a storage device (28) connected to the outlet of the first heat exchanger (16) and to the outlet of the exterior heat exchanger (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Régine HALLER, Mohamed YAHIA, Imed GUITARI