Flow Line Connected Transfer Fluid Supply And Heat Exchanger Patents (Class 62/434)
  • Publication number: 20040035141
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device wherein the coil tube (12) forming the condenser of a first heat pump assembly and the coil (13) which forms a second assembly are each fixed on vertical grids (28, 29). Said grids are arranged parallel to each other and are embedded in the concrete block (3) which forms one of the energy storage units incorporated in the system. The grids consist of concrete iron bars welded together into a network with square and rectangular meshes. The means fixing the tubes at certain intersetions of the grid are clamps of a particular type. The grids, the tubes and the clamps are embedded in the concrete block (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Michel Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20040031280
    Abstract: A distributed refrigeration system has a temperature controlled case configured to store and display objects in a facility, a first coolant adapted to cool the objects and circulate through a first cooling system configured to operate with the case, and a second cooling system communicating with the first cooling system to receive a second coolant for removing heat from the first coolant. A method of providing a distributed refrigeration system for delivery to a facility includes providing a temperature-controlled case to store and display objects within a facility, assembling a self-contained first cooling system with the case to circulate a first coolant to cool the objects, and providing a second cooling system communicating with the first cooling system, the second cooling system having a supply connection and a return connection to circulate a second coolant to remove heat from the first coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Scott Martin, Timothy D. Swofford, Walter H. Emerson
  • Patent number: 6691527
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air-conditioner having a heat exchanger, such as an evaporator, for example, with a reservoir for a cold storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Cathy Bureau, Roland Burk, Gottfried Duerr, Guenther Feuerecker, Kurt Molt, Gerald von Rappard, Wolfgang Seewald, Brigitte Taxis-Reischl, Marcus Weinbrenner
  • Publication number: 20040025521
    Abstract: A coiled pipe device is disposed in an ice storage tank. The coiled pipe device contains a brine therein. The coiled pipe device has an outer coiled pipe and an inner coiled pipe surrounded by the outer coiled pipe. The outer coiled pipe has a first brine inlet and a first brine outlet. The inner coiled pipe has a second brine inlet and a second brine outlet. A length of the outer coiled pipe is the same as the length of the inner coiled pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Zhung-Ping Huang
  • Patent number: 6688136
    Abstract: A cooling system for an electric generator involves connecting a centrifugal chiller to the electric generator. The centrifugal chiller circulates a refrigerant throughout the hot spots of the electric generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Alexander Abram Lemberg
  • Publication number: 20040020236
    Abstract: A bimodal refrigeration system for use in refrigerated transport containers or refrigerated warehouses. The present invention includes a refrigerated container having an enclosed cargo chamber for storing refrigerated goods and a mechanical refrigeration unit that produces a chilled forced-air current within the cargo chamber. The cargo chamber is designed to guide the forced-air current in a specified discharge and return path. In accordance with the present invention, a row of thermal storage ducts for retaining endothermic storage material are disposed within the cargo chamber. The thermal storage ducts are longitudinally disposed in parallel with the air flow direction of the specified forced-air discharge and return path to enable maximum convective thermal exchange between the forced-air current and the endothermic storage material without obstructing the specified forced-air discharge and return path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Gerard C. Vince, Prakash W. Shahani, Paul V. Robbins
  • Publication number: 20040020231
    Abstract: An inverter apparatus includes a liquid path in which cooling water flows, and in which the cooling water performs cooling at a cooling part located directly underneath the power circuit part of the inverter apparatus. The liquid path includes a first partial structure part formed between a feed pipe and the cooling part, and having a liquid path cross-sectional profile that is gradually reduced in the short-side direction of the cooling part and that is gradually enlarged in the long-side direction thereof; and a second partial structure part formed between the cooling part and a drain pipe, and having a liquid path cross-sectional profile that is gradually enlarged from the short-side of the cooling part and that is gradually reduced from the long-side thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Takayoshi Nakamura, Akihiro Tamba, Ryuichi Saito, Atsuo Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20040020237
    Abstract: A natural and environmentally friendly cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system includes an insulating enclosure, a block of ice within the insulating enclosure, a primary coil of tubing contacting the block of ice and beneath the block of ice for transferring fluid, a return coil of tubing beneath the block of ice for transferring fluid, and a floor pan for collecting water beneath the primary coil and the return coil. The enclosure can include sloped walls to facilitate freezing of water within the enclosure. Alternatively, the block of ice can be delivered via a service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Richard A. Burger
  • Patent number: 6681581
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose methods for producing pre-conditioned solutes that exhibit no temperature spike during super-cooling in a cryogenic process. In addition, the solutes demonstrate utile capabilities and characteristics such as more efficient heat absorption rates and eutectic material properties which make the preconditioned solutes an efficient heat exchange medium. The methods involve super-cooling a solute to induce a long-duration phase change capability. The pre-conditioned solute may be thawed and will retain long-duration phase change capabilities for subsequent freezing cycles if the freezing protocols disclosed herein are followed. Material to be frozen may be directly immersed into pre-conditioned, super-cooled solutes for freezing. The solute may be propylene glycol, glycerol, or other suitable solutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Supachill Technologies Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Allan J. Cassell, Brian Wood
  • Patent number: 6681593
    Abstract: A FreeTherm thermal energy storage system includes an ice-water shallow pool used for storing and extracting thermal energy cyclically, by thawing the ice and freezing water intra-seasonally. A series of heat extractors positioned within the shallow pool are adapted to extract heat during the formation of ice. Bladders are connected to the heat extractors and also connected to a conventional heat pump and have an anti-freeze mix that is maintained at sub-freezing temperatures flowing through their interiors to remove heat from the heat extractors. The extractors have concave-downward surfaces for extracting heat from water to produce ice. The heat extractors are made of flexible material that can be expanded to release ice from their surfaces, and are adapted to pivot up and out of the way to allow the released ice to float to the top of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Robert W. Gundlach
  • Publication number: 20040011074
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a thermal complementary (combination of heat supply and heat discharge) system which can complement heat without the restriction of area of a region to be supplied with heat. An endless multiplex helical loop is formed to complement the heat produced in a region such as plants and regional facilities on a reciprocal basis, and the water is not circulated forcibly but achieves heat transfer in the helical loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Makoto Sano, Kuniaki Kawamura, Junji Matsuda, Katsumi Fujima, Takanori Kudo, Youichi Kawazu, Choiku Yoshikawa, Syuji Fukano
  • Publication number: 20040007011
    Abstract: In a cooling system for cooling first and second heat-generating members, the first heat-generating member is cooled by a refrigerator, and cold produced by the refrigerator is stored in a cold storage unit, so that both the first and second heat-generating members can be continuously cooled by only using a single adsorption unit. Therefore, production cost of the cooling system can be reduced. Further, because the second heat-generating member is cooled through the cold storage unit, a temperature change in the adsorption unit immediately after a switching between an adsorbing mode and a desorbing mode can be absorbed in the cold storage unit. Accordingly, the heat-generating members can be stably cooled while the component number of the cooling system can be decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Masaaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6662864
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system is designed at least for an air-conditioning mode for cooling a thermal control medium (13) and a heat-pump mode for heating the thermal control medium. The system comprises a refrigerant circuit with a compressor (1) and an evaporator (8), a coolant circuit with a heat-generating unit (10) to be cooled and a heater (12) for heating the thermal control medium, and also a first refrigerant/coolant heat exchanger (3) functioning on the refrigerant side as a condenser/gas cooler. The evaporator is formed by a second refrigerant/coolant heat exchanger (8). A cooling body (14) for cooling the thermal control medium is connected downstream of heat exchanger (8) on the coolant side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Roland Burk, Hans-Joachim Krauss, Christoph Walter, Marcus Weinbrenner
  • Patent number: 6658879
    Abstract: A direct cooling type refrigerator includes: a main body with a certain space for keeping food items; a freezing chamber formed at an upper portion of the main body and keeping frozen food items; a refrigerating chamber sectioned by a barrier with the freezing chamber, formed at a lower portion of the main body and keeping refrigerated food items; a freezing chamber evaporator buried in a side wall of the freezing chamber and directly heat-exchanged with air inside the freezing chamber; and a refrigerating chamber evaporator buried in a side wall of the refrigerating chamber and directly heat-exchanged with air inside the refrigerating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-Koo Park, Yang-Kyu Kim, Se-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 6640889
    Abstract: A vehicle heating and cooling system having a first coolant loop selectively connecting an engine cooling system with a heater core or a first coolant/refrigerant heat exchanger, a second coolant loop connecting a second coolant/refrigerant heat exchanger and the heater core to warm a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The system also includes a refrigerant loop that provides for conventional cooling of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, as well as operating as a heat pump, together with the coolant loops, to provide heat to the vehicle passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane A. Harte, Franck A. Vouzelaud, David K. Johnson, Thomas P. Gielda
  • Patent number: 6640557
    Abstract: A method for refrigerating a high temperature superconducting device to maintain superconducting operating conditions wherein a first heat transfer means such as a first heat transfer fluid is cooled to a temperature greater than the temperature of saturated liquid nitrogen and is used for ambient heat intercept while a second heat transfer means such as a second heat transfer fluid is cooled to a temperature within the high temperature superconductivity temperature operating range to maintain superconducting operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bayram Arman, Arun Acharya, Dante Patrick Bonaquist, John Henri Royal
  • Patent number: 6640561
    Abstract: A unit comprises a refrigerating circuit (30), at least part of a primary circuit (110), and connections (151, 152) for a user's circuit (120). The refrigerating circuit comprises an evaporator (E), a compressor (31), a condenser battery (C), and an expansion valve (34), and connection lines. The primary circuit extends through the evaporator and through an air-cooled “free-cooling” battery (FC). To allow a variable flow through the free-cooling battery, though maintaining the flow rate constant through the evaporator, the primary circuit (110) comprises a bypass line (140) extending between an outlet line from the evaporator and an inlet line to the evaporator, and a storage tank (A) on said bypass line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: RC Group S.P.A.
    Inventor: Trecate Roberto
  • Publication number: 20030200762
    Abstract: A cooling device for cooling a semiconductor element includes at least one cold plate utilizing a copper plate for cooling a semiconductor element, a condenser utilizing a plurality of flat micro-tubes, a refrigerant pump for circulating a refrigerant, and a fan for cooling the condenser. The cold plate, the condenser, and the refrigerant pump are fluid connected to define a refrigerant circulating circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Masao Nakano, Hiromasa Ashitani, Masafumi Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6634182
    Abstract: A highly efficient and compact ammonia refrigerator, whose safety is further improved, is obtained. The ammonia refrigerator uses ammonia as refrigerant and has an ammonia refrigerating cycle in which a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator are connected through piping. The refrigerator comprises a casing in which the compressor and a motor for driving the compressor are accommodated and the refrigerant flows, a stator winding of the motor made of an aluminum wire, and a brine cooled by the refrigerant which is compressed in the casing and then evaporated in the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Trustee for the benefit of Hitachi Air Conditioning Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Ichikawa, Makoto Ohtahara
  • Publication number: 20030182949
    Abstract: A temperature control system is described for producing and maintaining temperatures in a pre-defined space within a pre-defined temperature range. A working fluid comprising an aqueous solution of 1-3 propanediol is circulated through a heat transfer system in thermal communication with both the working fluid and the pre-defined space to produce and maintain the temperature in the pre-defined space that is within the pre-defined temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Richard P. Carr
  • Publication number: 20030164001
    Abstract: A vehicle heating and cooling system having both a coolant loop with a heater core employing a coolant to warm a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a refrigerant loop with an air conditioning system for cooling the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The refrigerant loop and coolant loop can also operate together where the air conditioning system is operating as a heat pump and drawing heat from the coolant loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Franck A. Vouzelaud, Thomas P. Gielda, Shane A. Harte, David K. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20030136133
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid cooling system for machine components of production machines of the tobacco-processing industry. The object of the described cooling system is to improve the conveyance of liquid, both in terms of structure and function. This object is accomplished by dividing the liquid cooling system, which is embodied as a closed system, into at least two liquid loops (13, 17). The advantage that can be attained with the new liquid cooling system is that the liquid loops can be adapted to one another such that the temperature and output of the consumers match. The pipe cross-sections and pumps can therefore be kept small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Joachim Schicke
  • Publication number: 20030131623
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward compositions of phase change materials derived from fats and oils, and the utilization of such phase change materials in heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. More particularly, the utilization of such phase change materials in a heat pump or air conditioner to significantly increase the efficiency of heat exchange with the surrounding environment. Various embodiments are disclosed including energy storage devices having phase change materials encapsulated between sheets of material to reduce stresses associated with freezing and thawing of the phase change material. A preferred heat pump apparatus utilizes the phase change material in the evaporator, and a smart fan mode of operation to circulate outside air through the evaporator based on approach temperature rather than compressor operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Galen J. Suppes
  • Patent number: 6591632
    Abstract: A system for chilling and/or liquefying a fluid wherein a multicomponent refrigerant in a circuit is compressed, condensed, expanded and warmed to cool one or more portions of the fluid which are then turboexpanded to generate refrigeration and which are then used to provide refrigeration to a remaining portion of the fluid so as to chill and/or liquefy that remaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin William Mahoney
  • Patent number: 6584793
    Abstract: A cogeneration system in which cold is generated by recovering exhaust heat of a gas turbine for driving a generator to drive a refrigerating machine, and the cold is used for cooling intake air for the gas turbine and as a cold heat source for an air conditioner, wherein there are provided a thermal storage tank for storing the cold generated by the refrigerating machine and an electric energy storage equipment for storing electric energy generated by the generator; and cooling of the intake air for the gas turbine, thermal storage, and electric energy storage are controlled in relation to the load of the air conditioner and the electric power load of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Fukushima, Tadakatsu Nakajima, Masaaki Ito
  • Patent number: 6581405
    Abstract: This invention relates to an airconditioning system which uses a plurality of absorption chiller-cells, for refrigerating an antifreeze fluid that is circulated through fan-coil units of an airconditioning system. The anti-freeze fluid passes through refrigerant evaporators in each cell structure in a consecutive order for lowering the temperature of the antifreeze fluid gradually. More particularly, it relates to an absorption chiller-cell system having a plurality of evaporators employing multi-refrigerant circulation circuits in an absorption cycle to produce sufficient refrigerant for the airconditioning system. The invention enables the physical size of the system to be relatively small, so that the system can replace conventional electric airconditioning units for home applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventors: Jong Hae Kim, Jitae Kim
  • Patent number: 6581403
    Abstract: A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and a variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A coolant pump circulates the heating/cooling fluid between the heat exchanger and the heat exchange bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Alsius Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Whitebook, Wayne Arthur Noda, Suzanne C. Winter, Sean Nash, Dan Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6574972
    Abstract: Methods of cooling an object are presented, the methods comprising contacting a heat transfer fluid with a liquid cryogen to form a precooled, substantially pure heat transfer fluid, and contacting the object with the precooled substantially pure heat transfer fluid to form a cooled object and a recycle flow of the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid consists essentially of a compound selected from the group consisting of substantially pure hydrogen, substantially pure helium, substantially pure argon, substantially pure nitrogen, and substantially pure carbon dioxide. Each of the contacting steps may be either direct contact, indirect contact, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignees: L'Air Liquide - Societe' Anonyme a' Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, American Air Liquide
    Inventors: Frederick W. Giacobbe, Michael G. Pizzo
  • Publication number: 20030097852
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner allows storing cold thermal energy in a cold thermal energy storage unit during operation of a vehicle engine to be used later during an eco-run mode of a hybrid vehicle. Vehicle cabin air is cooled by the cold thermal energy quantity of a cold thermal energy storage unit when the vehicle engine is stopped and cold air continues to be requested by passengers. During engine operation, the cold thermal energy storage time, which is the time it takes for the temperature of the cold thermal energy storage unit to reach the solidifying point of the cold thermal energy storage material or lower, is measured. The stored cold thermal energy quantity of the cold thermal energy storage material during the operation of the vehicle engine is calculated based on information including the cold thermal energy storage time and cold air volumes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tomita, Yuichi Shirota
  • Publication number: 20030094003
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose methods for producing pre-conditioned solutes that exhibit no temperature spike during super-cooling in a cryogenic process. In addition, the solutes demonstrate utile capabilities and characteristics such as more efficient heat absorption rates and eutectic material properties which make the preconditioned solutes an efficient heat exchange medium. The methods involve super-cooling a solute to induce a long-duration phase change capability. The pre-conditioned solute may be thawed and will retain long-duration phase change capabilities for subsequent freezing cycles if the freezing protocols disclosed herein are followed. Material to be frozen may be directly immersed into pre-conditioned, super-cooled solutes for freezing. The solute may be propylene glycol, glycerol, or other suitable solutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Allan J. Cassell, Brian Wood
  • Patent number: 6560971
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a hydrate slurry, which involves the preparation of an aqueous solution of a guest compound for forming a clathrate hydrate, cooling the aqueous solution, and contacting the aqueous solution with nuclear particles. A thermal storage method, a thermal storage apparatus, and a thermal storage medium using an aqueous solution of a clathrate hydrate, in a concentration which provides a congruent melting point or lower. A refrigerating apparatus and an air conditioner using the thermal storage apparatus and the thermal storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Takao, Hidemasa Ogoshi, Shigenori Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20030079485
    Abstract: In an oil conditioner comprising: a coolant oil circulation circuit (8) through which a coolant oil of a machine tool (1) is circulated by an oil pump (12); a refrigeration circuit (20) formed by interconnecting, in the order given, a compressor (15), a condenser (16), a pressure reducing mechanism (17), and an evaporator (18) for cooling the coolant oil in the coolant oil circulation circuit (8) by heat exchange with refrigerant; and an inverter (28) for controlling the operating frequency of a motor (14) of the compressor (15), the output from the inverter (28) is switched to a motor (11) of the oil pump (12) during the time the compressor (15) is out of operation so that the amount of coolant oil that the oil pump (12) circulates is made variable, and the amount of coolant oil that the oil pump (12) circulates is reduced when the amount of heat produced in the operation of the machine tool (1) decreases because, for example, the machine tool (1) is stopped, for reducing wasteful consumption of energy by th
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Tetsuo Nakata
  • Publication number: 20030070436
    Abstract: An article according to one embodiment of the disclosures herein includes a cooling core body, a cooling member and a super-coolable composition. The cooling core body has a core cavity therein. The cooling member disposed in the core cavity. A super-coolable composition is disposed within the core cavity encapsulating at least a portion of the cooling member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Brian Wood, Allan J. Cassell
  • Patent number: 6536226
    Abstract: An equalizing tank is disclosed comprising a housing, a pressure dissipation orifice, and a return flow line configured to provide fluid communication within the housing without fluid entering the pressure dissipation orifice. Also disclosed is a method of making the equalizing tank and an automotive air-conditioning system including the equalizing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Dietrich Klingler
  • Publication number: 20030051496
    Abstract: A cogeneration system in which cold is generated by recovering exhaust heat of a gas turbine for driving a generator to drive a refrigerating machine, and the cold is used for cooling intake air for the gas turbine and as a cold heat source for an air conditioner, wherein there are provided a thermal storage tank for storing the cold generated by the refrigerating machine and an electric energy storage equipment for storing electric energy generated by the generator; and cooling of the intake air for the gas turbine, thermal storage, and electric energy storage are controlled in relation to the load of the air conditioner and the electric power load of the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Toshihiko Fukushima, Tadakatsu Nakajima, Masaaki Ito
  • Patent number: 6532755
    Abstract: A brine cooling apparatus is provided which addresses an environmental problem by not contributing to global warming and can prevent brine from freezing within a heat exchanger. The apparatus is structured such that a screw compressor, a condenser, a main expansion valve and an evaporator are connected by a pipe so as to cool brine flowing through the evaporator. The refrigerant is an ammonia refrigerant, the evaporator is a plate type heat exchanger constructed by laying a plural sheets of plates, and capacity control means is provided in such a manner as to control a capacity of the screw compressor in accordance with the flow amount of the brine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Ichikawa, Tsuneji Morohoshi
  • Publication number: 20030046945
    Abstract: A heat exchanger module includes a glycol coolant circuit adapted to function as a heat pump for the heating of the interior passenger compartment of the motor vehicle with a glycol/water mixture as the heat carrier, a refrigerant circuit, and a glycol/refrigerant heat exchanger positioned between and interconnecting the cooling circuit and the refrigerant circuit, wherein the glycol/refrigerant heat exchanger has integrated connection lines for heat transfer from the coolant circuit to the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Peter Heyl, Jorn Frohling
  • Publication number: 20030042361
    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: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: George Simadiris, Ian Douglas Oswald
  • Patent number: 6516626
    Abstract: A two-stage refrigeration system includes an intermediate slurry tank for receiving and storing a refrigerant vapor and a slurry of solid sublimatable refrigerant particles in a liquid. The intermediate slurry tank has a first outlet for outflow of the slurry from the tank, a second outlet for outflow of the refrigerant vapor, a first inlet for receiving at least the liquid, and a second inlet for receiving the refrigerant. The refrigeration system also includes a compression system having a first low pressure inlet and second intermediate pressure inlet, and having a high pressure outlet. A conduit connects the second outlet of the intermediate slurry tank to the intermediate pressure inlet of the compression system so as to compress the vapor with less energy than would be needed to compress low pressure refrigerant vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Grant Escobar, Jon Almon Hocker, Håkan Ohlsson, John Richard Strong
  • Patent number: 6508068
    Abstract: Provision of a chilling system accomplishing a reduction in the amount of energy expended and in energy loss. The chilling system includes a load (H); a chilling circuit (A) for chilling or cooling the load with a refrigerant; a heat-dissipating mechanism (5) for dissipating heat of the refrigerant in the chilling circuit (A) to the outside; a refrigerant tank (8) connected to the chilling circuit (A) via a confluent valve (13); a chiller for maintaining the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank (8) at a predetermined temperature; a controller (12) for controlling the degree of valve opening of the confluent valve (13); and a temperature sensor (14) for detecting a temperature of the refrigerant in the chilling circuit (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Innotech Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Ohkawara
  • Publication number: 20030010039
    Abstract: A cryogenic cooling system is configured to control the flow of a heat transfer fluid through a remote thermal load, such as a superconducting magnet or rotor. The cryogenic cooling system includes a refrigerator including a cryogenically cooled surface and a cryogenic fluid transport device disposed within the refrigerator for circulating a heat transfer fluid between the cryogenically cooled surface and the remote thermal load. The cryogenic fluid transport device being positioned within the refrigerator advantageously serves as device for providing the necessary mechanical force necessary to move the heat transfer fluid from the cryogenically cooled surface (e.g., end of a cryocooler) to the remote thermal load. Thus, unlike conventional cooling arrangements the heat transfer fluid does not require a phase change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: American Superconductor Corporation, a Delaware corporation
    Inventors: James F. Maguire, Peter M. Winn, Ahmed Sidi-Yekhlef, Jie Yuan
  • Publication number: 20020189277
    Abstract: The best mode aims to provide a thermal storage medium that improves the efficiency of heat exchange between the thermal storage medium and the cooling medium liquid in the cooling medium body, and that prevents supercool of the aqueous solution which produces hydrate. A large thermal storage capacity is attained using the latent heat of hydrate in the cooling medium body. By forming slurry of hydrate, the fluidability of the hydrate increases the efficiency of the heat exchange with cooling medium liquid. By sealing fine particles in the cooling medium body, the super-cool of aqueous solution is prevented. By changing position of the cooling medium body or by other means, the aqueous solution is agitated to keep the fine particles disperse and float in the aqueous solution, thus preventing the degradation of effect to prevent supercooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: NKK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shingo Takao, Hidemasa Ogoshi, Shinichiro Fukushima, Shigenori Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6494054
    Abstract: A refrigeration system wherein an ammonia refrigerant fluid in a cascade refrigeration circuit provides auxiliary refrigeration to a multicomponent refrigerant fluid which passes from an autorefrigerator to provide refrigeration to a heat load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Kai Wong, Boris Yudin, Dante Patrick Bonaquist, Mohammad Abdul-Aziz Rashad
  • Publication number: 20020166334
    Abstract: A liquid-cooled or air-cooled air conditioning system for corrosive industrial environments is disclosed. The system includes a corrosion-resistant lower or upper cooling module releasably connected to an external source of cool liquid or air and power, and a corrosion-resistant upper or lower blower module releasably connected to an external power source. The two modules are contained within a single corrosion-resistant enclosure. Each module is mounted on a removable frame for placement into either an upper or lower chamber of the enclosure. The system is designed to allow all major air-conditioning components to be quickly disconnected, and removed from the enclosure for maintenance, repair or replacement, on site with minimal work stoppage. The heavy-duty components used increase system durability, reduce component failure, and increase system life ultimately resulting in low cost of ownership.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas I Houk, Carroll O. Wright,III
  • Patent number: 6477855
    Abstract: A chiller tank system for containment of chilled liquids comprises a first tank and a second tank position within the first tank. The first tank is spaced apart from the second tank so that insulation material can be positioned between them The second tank defines a chamber for receiving the liquid to be chilled. A straight-lined, chiller barrel is positioned vertically within the chamber, the chiller barrel defining a bore connected to a flexible, dual hose. The straight-lined chiller barrel extends downward into the tank thereby evenly chilling the liquid to avoid thermal stratification that causes vaporization by creating warm spots within the liquid. A refrigeration unit supplies inert refrigerant to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Severn Trent Services - Water Purification Solutions, Inc
    Inventors: David G. Findley, Brent Simmons
  • Patent number: 6477847
    Abstract: A method wherein refrigeration is generated, preferably using a pulse tube cryocooler or refrigerator, to produce cold working gas which is used to liquefy coupling fluid circulating between a coupling fluid liquid reservoir and a refrigeration load, such as superconductivity equipment, using thermo-siphon effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dante Patrick Bonaquist, John Fredric Billingham, Jalal Zia, Nancy Jean Lynch, Bayram Arman
  • Publication number: 20020162644
    Abstract: In a device for air temperature control in a vehicle either by use of a valve unit to control a portion of coolant and thereby the temperature of air flowing from the temperature control element, by a temperature of coolant controlled by said thermostat, or by speed of said fan, individually and independently from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Fladlen Futernik, Rakhil Futernik
  • Publication number: 20020162351
    Abstract: A chiller tank system for containment of chilled liquids comprises a first tank and a second tank position within the first tank. The first tank is spaced apart from the second tank so that insulation material can be positioned between them The second tank defines a chamber for receiving the liquid to be chilled. A straight-lined, chiller barrel is positioned vertically within the chamber, the chiller barrel defining a bore connected to a flexible, dual hose. The straight-lined chiller barrel extends downward into the tank thereby evenly chilling the liquid to avoid thermal stratification that causes vaporization by creating warm spots within the liquid. A refrigeration unit supplies inert refrigerant to the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: Severn Trent Services Water Purification Solution, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Findley, Brent Simmons
  • Patent number: 6474081
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cooling a vehicle interior with a secondary circuit (26) for transferring the cold produced in an evaporator (24) of a primary refrigerating circuit (14) of a refrigerating unit (12) by means of a refrigerating medium to at least one heat transfer device (34) for cooling the air to be fed into the vehicle interior, the secondary circuit (26) having a main circuit (36) and an auxiliary circuit (40) containing the heat transfer device (34), which are coupled by a four-way valve (56), by means of which an adjustable proportion of the flow of refrigerating medium can be diverted from the main circuit (36) and fed into the auxiliary circuit (40). In order to provide an improved device for cooling, in particular one that can be produced at a more reasonable cost, it is proposed that an inner heat exchanger (80) should be provided in the auxiliary circuit (40), allowing heat exchange to take place between a feed (60) and a return (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Behr GmbH. & Co.
    Inventor: Guenther Feuerecker
  • Patent number: 6474093
    Abstract: Self-contained closed-loop cooling systems and related methods for rapidly cooling individual beverage containers of different sizes to a suitable target temperature, in the range of 35° F. to 50° F. Each system includes a chiller, a coolant circuit with a hyper-chilled supply reservoir, a refrigerant circuit for cooling the reservoir, and an electronic controller to operate the system upon operator command. The chiller is preferably formed like a barrel, with a cylindrical array of hollow chill elements arranged about a cylindrical area into which a beverage container, such as beverage bottle or can is placed. Then, very cold coolant from the coolant supply is pumped through the array of chill elements to rapidly cool the beverage container, which makes physical contact with the hyper-chilled elements, which are thus excellent heat absorbers. The chill elements are preferably separated from one another by keystone spacers, and are flexibly held in place with a plurality of coil springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Cosmo Tech Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey S. Fink, Thomas E. Mahany, Lawrence J. Nolan