Refrigeration Producer Patents (Class 62/467)
  • Publication number: 20120190552
    Abstract: A precooling device for a thermal radiation shield of a superconducting magnet has a mechanical heat conductive member in contact with the thermal radiation shield of a superconducting magnet, for cooling the thermal radiation shield down to a second temperature before the second stage of precooling of the superconducting magnet, this second temperature being below the temperature of the thermal radiation shield after a first stage of precooling of the superconducting magnet. A superconducting magnet and magnetic resonance imaging equipment embody such a precooling device. The precooling device reduces the external radiation heat onto a cryogen vessel, thereby reducing the consumption of cryogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Zhi Chun Fang, Lei Yang
  • Patent number: 8181460
    Abstract: The present disclosure details a thermoacoustic driven compressor having a pressurized housing, which contains within a thermoacoustic engine and a working gas, coupled to a positive displacement reciprocating compressor. The thermoacoustic driven compressor generates scalable compressed air from a given heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: e Nova, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan O. McQuary, Steve M. Cole
  • Publication number: 20120116594
    Abstract: A pumping system, method and computer readable medium for temperature management. The system comprises generator means for connection to an energy source, preferably waste heat or solar energy; condenser means; evaporator means; and pressure means comprising at least one supersonic ejector to receive and provide flow paths for input primary and secondary flows, the input primary flow being a gaseous or a liquid flow. The method comprises providing and operatively connecting energy source means, condenser means, evaporator means, generator means and a pressure means comprising at least one supersonic ejector to receive input primary and secondary flows from a flow path; selecting and delivering a supply of temperature management fluid to the flow path; and selectively adjusting the configuration and operational parameters of the ejectors in response to monitored temperature values and operating conditions. The system economically provides improved efficiency for heating, cooling or refrigeration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Zine Aidoun, Mohamed Ouzzane
  • Publication number: 20120055193
    Abstract: The motor-driven compressor includes a housing, a compression mechanism, a rotary shaft and an electric motor all disposed in the housing, and a resin film. The housing has a suction port and a discharge port. The compression mechanism is adapted to compress refrigerant drawn into the housing through the suction port and to discharge the compressed refrigerant out of the housing through the discharge port. The electric motor is adapted to rotate the rotary shaft to drive the compression mechanism. The electric motor has a rotor fixed on the rotary shaft and a stator supported by the housing. The rotor has a rotor body, a permanent magnet and an end plate. The rotor body has a magnet hole in which the permanent magnet is inserted. The end plate closes an opening of the magnet hole. The resin film coats an outer surface of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventor: Hiroshi FUKASAKU
  • Publication number: 20120042669
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are chiller apparatus containing cis-HFO-1336mzz. These chillers may be centrifugal chillers or positive displacment (e.g., screw) chillers and may comprise flooded evaporators or direct expansion evaporators. Also disclosed herein are methods for producing cooling comprising evaporating cis-HFO-1336mzz in the vicinity of a body to be cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Barbara Haviland Minor, Konstantinos Kontomaris, Thomas J. Leck
  • Patent number: 8109100
    Abstract: The invention provides the use of a material of general formula (I): [(AyCo1-y)]u(Mn1-zCz)[(Si1-xBx)]v??(I) as a magnetocaloric material, wherein the material is orthorhombic and wherein: A is selected from Ni, Cr, Fe, Al, P, Se, Ga and Sb and mixtures thereof; B is selected from Ge, Sn, Al, P, Se, Ga and Sb and mixtures thereof; C is selected from Ni, Cr, Fe, Al, P, Se, Ga and Sb and mixtures thereof; x, y and z are the same or different and are numbers in the range 0 to 0.2; and u and v are the same or different and are numbers in the range 0.5 to 1.5. The invention also provides a method of making materials of formula (I) and a magnetocaloric refrigeration device comprising such materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignees: Camfridge Ltd
    Inventors: Karll Sandeman, Neil Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120000218
    Abstract: A contactor for air conditioning unit includes a first magnetic coil, having a first set of contacts for the compressor; a second magnetic coil, having a second set of contacts for the fan motor; and a time delay device connected in series with either the first magnetic coil or the second magnetic coil. The contactor provides for independent control of the compressor and the fan motor. During the time period when the fan continues running and the compressor is switched off, the device equalizes the pressure difference between different portions of the air conditioning unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: Donald Nystrom
  • Publication number: 20110214450
    Abstract: A bite-in type pipe connection structure is provided, the pipe connection structure being capable of, even if piping connection work is performed with a length of piping inserted insufficiently, minimizing deterioration of air-tightness at the joint portion, at which the piping is connected, due to an offset load acting on the piping. Also provided are a valve, a bite-in type pipe joint, and a refrigeration device using the bite-in type pipe connection structure. A ferrule 30 is provided with: a low-strength portion 34a which, when a coupling member becomes fastened to a joint body by manually rotating the coupling member, allows the distal end portion 36 of the ferrule 30 to deform so that the distal end portion 36 restrains a length of piping which is to be connected; a level changing portion 32b which connects a front tapered surface 32a, which corresponds to the low-strength portion 34a, and a rear tapered surface 32c; and a rearward portion 30A which is adjacent to the low-strength section 34a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Haruo Nakata, Takashi Shimamura
  • Publication number: 20110173995
    Abstract: A pulse tube refrigerator, includes a pulse tube; and a regenerator having a low temperature end, the low temperature end being in communication with a low temperature end of the pulse tube via a communicating path, wherein a heat exchanger is provided at the low temperature end side of the pulse tube in the communicating path; the heat exchanger includes a laminated body, the laminated body including at least first and second metal gauzes; the first and second metal gauzes include copper or a copper alloy; interfaces of the metal gauzes are diffusion-bonded to each other; and a side surface of the laminated body is diffusion-bonded to an internal wall forming the communicating path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hirokazu TAKAYAMA, Mingyao Xu
  • Patent number: 7980093
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Kuehl, Guolian Wu
  • Publication number: 20110154846
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus comprising: a cabinet (100) defining a compartment for the storage of products to be cooled; and a cooling system coupled to the cabinet for cooling an interior atmosphere of the compartment. The cooling system comprises at least one condenser (130) and at least one compressor (125). The condenser comprises at least a first condenser portion (150) adapted to define a support surface for the at least one compressor, and the compressor is supported by and attached to said first condenser portion. The first condenser portion is mounted below a bottom of the cabinet. The condenser may comprise a second condenser portion (145) forming an angle, particularly of 90°, with the first condenser portion. The second condenser portion is mounted parallelly to a rear vertical wall of the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventor: Paolo Marega
  • Publication number: 20110104993
    Abstract: The present invention provides a blast cleaning method with cleaning performance adjustable by changing the hardness, shape and size of solid carbon dioxide to be used as a shot material, and a method and a device for producing solid carbon dioxide to be used for the blast cleaning method. The blast cleaning method includes the steps of: forming plate-shaped solid carbon dioxide, crushed pieces of which are used as a shot material (Step S10), transporting the formed plate-shaped solid carbon dioxide to a site of work (Step S20), crushing the plate-shaped carbon dioxide at the site of work, etc. (Step S30), putting the crushed pieces into a cleaning device (blasting machine) (Step S40), and cleaning an object to be cleaned by blowing the crushed pieces to the object to be cleaned (Step S50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Hayato Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7917334
    Abstract: A computer program and system for calculating the performance of a compressor includes selecting a compressor from a database, inputting application conditions, comparing data for the selected compressor to the inputted application conditions, defining an operating envelope for the selected compressor by defining a series of points representing lower and upper limits of evaporating and condensing temperatures for the selected compressor, determining whether the selected compressor operates within its operating envelope, and calculating the performance of the selected compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation LLC
    Inventor: Michael A. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20100328890
    Abstract: Vapor condensers and cooling apparatuses are provided which facilitate vapor condensation cooling of a coolant employed in cooling an electronic device. The vapor condenser includes a thermally conductive base structure with a plurality of condenser fins extending from the base structure. The condenser fins have a proximal end coupled to the base structure and a remote end remote from the base structure. At least one exposed cavity is provided within each condenser fin extending from the remote end towards the proximal end. The exposed cavities are sized to provide greater condenser fin surface area for facilitating vapor condensate formation, and thereby facilitate cooling of an electronic device using a two-phase coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Patent number: 7823412
    Abstract: A hermetic vessel capable of preventing noise caused by fluid flow, and an oil separator, a gas-liquid separator, and an air conditioning system using the same. The hermetic vessel having a vessel body includes an inlet through which a fluid flows into the vessel body, and a discharge pipe which is inserted into the vessel body to discharge the fluid. The discharge pipe includes a first discharge pipe which guides a flow of the fluid in a first direction and causes a wave of a higher frequency than an audible frequency, and a second discharge pipe which is connected to the first discharge pipe to guide a flow of the fluid from the first discharge pipe in a second direction which is different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won Jae Jang, Suk Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7743615
    Abstract: A formate salt based heat transfer fluid having a pH containing a phosphate for a secondary refrigeration loop is disclosed. The formate based heat transfer fluid generally is a more effective heat transfer medium than a glycol based fluid designed to operate in the same temperature range. The formate based fluid also has lower toxicity and environmental risks than the glycol fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert R. Malone, Stephen H. Stoldt
  • Patent number: 7735335
    Abstract: A complex fluid machine has an expansion-compressor device, a pump, and a motor generator. The expansion-compressor device, the pump, and the motor generator are operatively connected and arranged in series. A portion of an outlet side passage formed in the fluid machine, through which the working fluid flows from the expansion device, is arranged adjacent to a portion of a pump outlet-side passage formed in the fluid machine, through which the working fluid flows from the pump, so that heat of the working fluid in the outlet side passage is transferred to the working fluid in the pump outlet-side passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Keiichi Uno, Hironori Asa, Yasuhiro Takeuchi, Hiroshi Kishita, Kazuhide Uchida, Hiroshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7726138
    Abstract: A water production system (1) for making potable water (7) in an environment of humid tropical air (6) and cold deep ocean water (8) comprising a heat exchanger (2), means for controlling (3) the volume of the deep ocean water (2) passing through the heat exchanger (2) based on the amount of heat absorbed by the heat exchanger (2) in the process of condensing water vapor (7a) from the humid air (6), and means for enhancing (4) the rate of at which water vapor (7a) is condensed including a positive air pressure dome (9) system for enhancing the humidity, condensation rate, and water quality, and a continuous coil (2a) disposed in the flow of humid air (6) to condense additional potable water (7), and means for vibrating (38) elements of the system to increase condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Richard J. Bailey
  • Patent number: 7726135
    Abstract: The invention provides an energy transfer apparatus having an energy transfer chamber (optionally bounded by an energy transfer tube) in which rotating flow is established. Preferably, the apparatus has a cold-fluid-discharge end and a hot-fluid-discharge end. Also provided are methods of using such apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Greencentaire, LLC
    Inventor: Shaun E. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20100122545
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for use in refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pump systems wherein the composition comprises a tetrafluoropropene and at least one other component. The compositions of the present invention are useful in processes for producing cooling or heat, as heat transfer fluids, foam blowing agents, aerosol propellants, and fire suppression and fire extinguishing agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Barbara Haviland Minor, Thomas J. Leck, Donald Bernard Bivens
  • Publication number: 20100075016
    Abstract: A tempering treatment method whereby the temperature of meat, which involves carcass prepared by slaughtering cattle or poultry and sterilizing and washing, is lowered as close to the ice storage temperature as possible to prevent a temperature rise caused by the actions of enzymes contained within the meat before transporting the meant to a refrigerated storage, which comprises surface-freezing the meat by blowing a cold air stream at about ?20 to about ?40° C. to the meant before conducting the tempering treatment, thus allowing the generation of freezing latent heat in the subcutaneous part owing to the surface-freezing (freezing the subcutaneous tissue), and then rapidly lowering the core temperature inside the meat due to the latent heat released at the melting of the freezing latent heat to thereby conduct the tempering treatment at a temperature of 0 to +15° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: MAYEKAWA MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoto OKAMOTO, Suguru SAKURAMOTO, Takahiro ARAI, Kouichi TSUBATA, Akira TANIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20100037650
    Abstract: Disclosed are a refrigeration-cycle apparatus including a plurality of evaporators having various temperature bands, and a refrigerator including a plurality of cooling compartments to enable stable and even cooling operations in various temperature bands with the use of the plurality of evaporators. The refrigeration-cycle apparatus and the refrigerator enable the individual operation of a part of the evaporators, thereby reducing the consumption of energy and enabling the accurate control of an interior temperature of the refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Moon Yeon Lee, Jong Jin Park, Myung Ryul Lee
  • Publication number: 20090183853
    Abstract: A solar-powered cooling and heating system comprising one or more vertical water containers of special design as the thermal storage device (the structured water wall), a compressor driven by a DC motor powered directly by solar photovoltaic panel(s) for cooling, and a south-faced window for direct solar heating. The solar photovoltaic panel(s) is placed on an awning above the south-facing window; the said awning is designed to allow full sunlight in the winter but no direct sunlight in the summer through the window. The thermal inertia of the structured water wall allows optimum heating and cooling day and night for all seasons of a year. It allows an automatic self-adjustment utilizing the natural annual and diurnal cycles to achieve maximum comfort and efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: Chengjun Julian Chen
  • Patent number: 7530235
    Abstract: A Rankine cycle system has a condenser, a heat pump connected to the condenser, a heat collecting device connected to the heat pump, and an expansion turbine connected to the heat collecting device and the condenser. The heat pump includes an expansion tank or closed vessel, a refrigerant supply conduit connected to the lower part of the expansion tank and to the condenser, and a refrigerant discharge conduit connected to the upper part of the expansion tank. An open/close valve is installed in the refrigerant supply conduit. A pressure regulating valve installed in the refrigerant discharge pipe opens when a pressure reaches a specified value or higher. A temperature regulating device can heat the refrigerant in the expansion tank to produce a refrigerant vapor of saturated temperature or higher, which vapor can be introduced into the heat collecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignees: The Doshisha, Mayekawa Mfg. Co. Ltd., Showa Denko K.K., Showa Tansan Co., Ltd., Yoshimura Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Katsumi Fujima, Masatoshi Enomoto, Noboru Sawada
  • Patent number: 7451061
    Abstract: A system and method for calculating the performance of a compressor includes a controller in communication with a cooling system. A database includes compressor specification data. A computer communicates with the controller and accesses the database. A user interface associated with the computer is operable to select a compressor from the database, input application conditions, compare data for the selected compressor to the inputted application conditions, and verify operating limits of the selected compressor based on the compressor specification data and the input application conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation LLC
    Inventor: Michael A Saunders
  • Publication number: 20080245093
    Abstract: A refrigerator including a blowing unit optimized for a bottom type condenser. The refrigerator includes a main body having a storage compartment defined therein, a condenser mounted at the bottom of the main body, and a blowing unit to blow air that has already passed through the condenser. The blowing unit includes a centrifugal fan mounted in a machine compartment and a blowing guide member to guide air blown by the centrifugal fan to the front of the main body. Consequently, it is possible to discharge the air that has already passed through the bottom type condenser, to the front of the main body, thereby accomplishing the smooth discharge of air and reducing the power consumption necessary to blow the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won Jae Yoon, June Kee Min, Yong Pil Park, Sun Gyou Lee, Chang Hak Lim, Jin Jeong, In Sub Lee, Yong Han Kim, Yeo Wool Jung
  • Publication number: 20080229762
    Abstract: A multi-circuit refrigerant system includes a plurality of circuits that are provided with distinct refrigerants. A control selectively matches a sensed environmental space conditioning challenge to selectively engage the plurality of circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
  • Publication number: 20080209940
    Abstract: A Gust Water Trap Apparatus comprises means (9, 42, 52) for receiving air from ambient wind and means for feeding the received air into a compression chamber (46, 56). Restriction means (21, 41) leads from the compression chamber into a condensation chamber (18). The apparatus leads to an increase in the pressure of air from wind gusts so that the air loses energy and is cooled further in the condensation chamber so as to deposit liquid water in the condensation chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: WATER UN LIMITED
    Inventor: Maxwell Edmund Whisson
  • Publication number: 20080184731
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor for driving a refrigerant along a flow path in at least a first mode of system operation; a first heat exchanger along the flow path downstream of the compressor in the first mode; a second heat exchanger along the flow path upstream of the compressor in the first mode; and a pressure regulator or expansion device in the flow path downstream of the first heat exchanger and upstream of the second heat exchanger in the first mode, wherein the first heat exchanger comprises a plurality of heat exchanger components arranged along a flow path of heat exchange fluid for the first heat exchanger. The heat exchanger components can be positioned in smaller available areas within the unit and thereby use space more efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: CARRIER COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION, INC.
    Inventors: Tobias H. Sienel, Yu Chen, Parmesh Verma, Hans-Joachim Huff
  • Patent number: 7401475
    Abstract: A thermodynamic system that can approximate the Ericsson or Brayton cycles and operated in reverse or forward modes to implement a cooler or engine, respectively. The thermodynamic system includes a device for compressing a first fluid stream containing a first gas-liquid mixture having a sufficient liquid content so that compression of the gas within the first gas-liquid mixture by the compressing device is nearly isothermal, and a device for expanding a second fluid stream containing a second gas-liquid mixture having a sufficient liquid content so that expansion of the gas within the second gas-liquid mixture by the expanding device is nearly isothermal. A heat sink is in thermal communication with at least the liquid of the first gas-liquid mixture for transferring heat therefrom, and a heat source is in thermal communication with at least the liquid of the second gas-liquid mixture for transferring heat thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jason J. Hugenroth, James E. Braun, Eckhard A. Groll, Galen B. King
  • Publication number: 20080166246
    Abstract: To protect the bearings, lubricant and seals of a refrigerant compressor, the compressor includes one or more inductors for mitigating a high frequency common mode current that produces a high frequency shaft voltage. Each inductor is a ring of magnetic material encircling three insulated cables that convey three-phase power from an adjustable frequency drive to the compressor's motor. Without the inductors, the high frequency shaft voltage can become damagingly high due to the length of a cast iron housing that can be particularly long if the housing contains both a motor and several centrifugal impellers. The high frequency shaft voltage is just one component of a composite adverse shaft voltage. Another component, known as an operationally induced shaft voltage, can be reduced by a grounding contact, so instead of using just an inductor or just a contact, both can be used to provide a total solution to the problem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Robert M. Swanson, Joel S. Duga, David M. Foye
  • Publication number: 20080127671
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fan apparatus which can reduce noise and enhance fan efficiency by employing a BLDC motor that can make stable drive of the fan and increase an air flow rate, and an outdoor unit of a front suction/discharge type in an air conditioner that can enhance heat exchange efficiency by employing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: In Gyu Kim, Byung Il Park, Ja Hyung Koo, Yang Ho Kim, Kyeong Wook Heo, Si Kyong Sung, Dong Hyuk Lee, Young Hwan Ko, Jun Hyeon Hwang, Ho Jin Song, Jin Seong Hwang, Young Ho Hong, Hwan Jong Choi, Geun Bae Hwang, Chun Su Kang, Tac Geun Kim
  • Publication number: 20080120982
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improving the safety and efficiency and decreasing the cost of producing liquid gas, such as liquid oxygen, with a small-scale use liquefaction device, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, liquid oxygen barrier may be added to interface between a cryocooler and a dewar to control rate of liquid oxygen escape upon a tipping of the dewar. A boiloff vessel in fluid communication with the dewar allows expanding gas from a tipped dewar to escape while allowing the liquid to safely settle in the boiloff vessel. A temperature sensing circuit, in proximity with a heat dissipator or cold finger of the cryocooler, is operable to break an electrical power circuit of the cryocooler or cooling fan when a sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. Oxygen purity of a feed stream of gas may be sensed and/or displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: RESPIRONICS IN-X, INC.
    Inventors: Brian E. Dickerson, Steve W. Delve
  • Publication number: 20080115527
    Abstract: A high efficiency, low maintenance single stage or multi-stage centrifugal compressor assembly for large cooling installations. The assembly is highly efficient by virtue of a variable frequency drive (VFD) that drives a permanent magnet motor and matches compressor speed with compressor load, a direct drive impeller that eliminates gearing losses, and magnetic bearings that reduce frictional losses. The back-emf produced by the motor provides an intermediate power source for the magnetic bearings in the event of a loss of electrical power. A cooling system provides direct cooling of the rotor with gas refrigerant, and cooling of the stator with liquid refrigerant. Modular construction allows the compressor to be retrofit with upgrades. An inlet guide vane system operates without need for oil lubrication. The use of light metal castings and elimination of gearing reduces the weight to one-third or less of comparably powered conventional units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Mark C. Doty, Earl A. Campaigne, Thomas E. Watson, Paul K. Butler, Quentin E. Cline, Samuel J. Showalter
  • Patent number: 7343965
    Abstract: A brazed plate heat exchanger (30) is provided for transferring heat between a first fluid (32) and a second fluid (34), with the first fluid (32) being pressurized to a relatively high pressure. The heat exchanger includes plate pairs (41), with each pair (41) defining a plurality of flow channels (56) for the first fluid (32). Each of the flow channels (56) has a hydraulic diameter less than 1 mm. Reinforcements (62) are provided between each of the plate pairs (41) and are aligned with inlet and outlet openings (46,48) to define inlet and outlet manifolds (50,52) for the first fluid (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Stephen B. Memory, Jianmin Yin, Tao Jia, Milisav Lazarevic, Roland Strähle
  • Patent number: 7340918
    Abstract: A liquid-phase cooling device of a refrigeration system has an outer tubular housing enclosing a heat exchanger through which a mixture gases and liquid constituting a working fluid media is heated and cooled while undergoing compression and expansion within a cavity formed in the outer tubular housing at an axial end portion thereof closed by an electromagnetic actuator under selective control of an electrical power source through which operation of the heat exchanger is effected. The actuator has a casing attached to the outer tubular housing of the heat exchanger at said axial end thereof within which a diaphragm attached to the axial end of the casing is exposed to the working fluid media within the cavity enclosed by the outer tubular housing of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Frank A. Leban, Joseph P. Teter
  • Publication number: 20080028774
    Abstract: Heat pumps move heat from a source to a warmer sink, with Bernoulli heat pumps accomplishing this movement by reducing the temperature in a portion of the generally-warmer heat-sink flow. Heat flows spontaneously from the generally cooler heat-source flow into the locally cold portion of the heat-sink flow, which is the neck of a Venturi. The temperature reduction results from the Bernoulli conversion of random gas-particle motion (temperature and pressure) into directed motion (flow). This invention is a Bernoulli heat pump in which the heat transfer into the Venturi neck exploits unusual thermodynamic transport properties of rare-gases. Rare gases, especially mixtures of them, possess unusually small Prandtl numbers and thereby facilitate the diffusion of random particle motion (heat) relative to the diffusion of directed particle motion (viscosity), viscous friction being responsible for most of the power consumed by a Bernoulli heat pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Arthur R. Williams, Charles Agosta
  • Patent number: 7308797
    Abstract: A cryogenic refrigerator includes a first refrigerant tube and a second refrigerant tube each comprising two tubes that are arranged on a cooling stage substantially parallel to each other and communicate with each other through a gas passage formed in the cooling stage. Phase differences are provided to oscillating gas pressures in the first and second refrigerant tubes, to cancel vibration of the cooling stage. Thus, the cryogenic refrigerator can be provided which can effectively reduce the vibration of the cooling stage caused by the oscillating gas pressure and can reduce the size thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignees: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., High Energy Accelerator Research Organization
    Inventors: Rui Li, Tomohiro Koyama, Toshikazu Suzuki, Takayuki Tomaru, Takakazu Shintomi, Tomiyoshi Haruyama
  • Patent number: 7281383
    Abstract: A thermal machine that can function as either a refrigerator or an external combustion heat engine is disclosed. A working gas undergoes four thermodynamic processes that comprise a Brayton cycle. Two of these processes, adiabatic compression and adiabatic expansion, take place in the same cylinder, within which a piston, driven by a crankshaft, reciprocates. The remaining two processes, each of which is a transfer of heat at constant pressure, take place in a high pressure heat exchanger and a low pressure heat exchanger. A rotary valve, rotating at one-half crankshaft speed, creates passages between the cylinder and the heat exchangers, and is constructed so that compression and expansion ratios are equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Walter Redlich
  • Patent number: 7260940
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a heat pump having a high coefficient of performance (COP), and a heat utilizing apparatus that allows the obtaining of high energy efficiency by using that heat pump. The heat pump, comprising a refrigerant circuit 13 that contains a decomposer 20 in which a gas hydrate decomposition process is carried out and a former 25 in which a gas hydrate formation process is carried out. This refrigerant circuit 13 imparts heat to a high-temperature object in the gas hydrate formation process by taking up heat from a low-temperature object in the gas hydrate decomposition process. In addition, the heat pump comprises at least an excess water separator 40 that separates excess water from the gas hydrate formed in former 25, or a compression system that sends gas and liquid which are decomposition products of the gas hydrate decomposed in decomposer 20 to former 25 after compressing and mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenji Watanabe, Tomonari Ito, Tomohiro Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6945066
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant has a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expander, an indoor heat exchanger and an auxiliary compressor. The auxiliary compressor is driven by power recover by the expander. When refrigerant flows using the indoor heat exchanger as an evaporator, a discharge side of the auxiliary compressor becomes a suction side of the compressor, and when refrigerant flows using the indoor heat exchanger as a gas cooler, a discharge side of the compressor becomes a suction side of the auxiliary compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Hiwata, Yuji Inoue, Yoshikazu Kawabe, Noriho Okaza, Kazuo Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6928389
    Abstract: A system and method for calculating the performance of a compressor wherein the user can select a compressor from a database or retrieve a list of compressors to select from based on application conditions. The system calculates the capacity, power, current, mass flow, EER and isentropic efficiency for each compressor selected. The system has a verification process to assure that the compressor and conditions selected are within a designated operating range, and calculates the performance characteristics of the selected compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Saunders
  • Patent number: 6786059
    Abstract: Water is used as a refrigerant, and a humidification cooler (41) which evaporates the water to generate cold heat and a dehumidifier (42) are provided. A compressor (50) which compresses water vapor separated by the dehumidifier (42) is provided. A moisture discharging device (60) which discharges water vapor compressed in the compressor (50) is provided. The compressor (50) is driven by a steam turbine (80) capable of generating rotational power from thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-cheng Piao, Manabu Yoshimi, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yuji Watanabe, Kazuo Yonemoto
  • Patent number: 6739137
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for generating an artificial heat sink below ambient temperature for a cryogenic condenser by isothermally magnetizing a paramagnetic fluid and removing the magnetic field thereby creating a temperature drop in the fluid by the magentocaloric effect. The heat of magnetization is converted into mechanical work by initially placing the fluid inside a sealed chamber with a door that opens to a conduit leading into the bore of a superconducting solenoid. When the solenoid is energized with current, it creates a strong axial magnetic field that exerts magnetic attractive forces on the fluid inside the chamber. When the fluid is released by opening the door, it is accelerated through the conduit toward the superconducting solenoid where it becomes magnetized by the increasing strength of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Andrew Minovitch
  • Patent number: 6684645
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for cooling multilevel entities such as atoms, ions or molecules as well as entities with no apparent internal structure. Cooling is achieved by coherent scattering, where the frequency of the emitted radiation exceeds the frequency of the illumination radiation. Such coherent scattering is achieved by placing the entities in a resonator containing in which the cavity length and mirror coating are selected to support a resonant radiation. The entities are illuminated with an illumination radiation whose energy is lower than that of the resonant radiation supported by the resonator by a certain detuning energy selected such that coherent scattering of resonant radiation from the entities at a higher frequency than that of the illumination radiation is promoted by the resonator. As a result of the coherent scattering energy is carried away from the entities and they are cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stamford Junior University
    Inventors: Steven Chu, Vladan Vuletic
  • Patent number: 6672099
    Abstract: In a refrigeration system (10), an evaporator (11) and a condenser (15) are each formed of a container-like member (55). The inside of the container-like member (55) is divided into a liquid side space (12, 16) and a gas side space (13, 17) by a moisture permeable membrane (14, 18). Both the gas side spaces (13, 17) are held in a predetermined reduced-pressure condition. Both the liquid side spaces (12, 16) are placed in an atmospheric pressure condition. Water vapor provided by evaporation of water in the liquid side space (12) of the evaporator (11) passes through the moisture permeable membrane (14) and moves to the gas side space (13). The water vapor in the gas side space (13) is sucked by a compressor (21) so as to be pumped to the gas side space (17) of the condenser (15). In the condenser (15), the water vapor in the gas side space (17) moves to the liquid side space (16) and then condensates therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Yoshimi, Chun-cheng Piao, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yuji Watanabe, Kazuo Yonemoto
  • Patent number: 6668560
    Abstract: A magnetic refrigeration apparatus has an annular container including a plurality of magnetic regenerator compartments containing magnetocaloric material, and a magnet mounted for rotation around the annular container, whereby the motion of the magnet produces a variation of magnetic field strength in the magnetic regenerator compartments, which in term leads to a variation in temperature of the magnetocaloric material in the magnetic regenerator compartments. Heat transfer fluid is propelled by a pump, and directed to and from the regenerator compartments and hot and cold heat exchangers by valves. Each valve includes an axial port and a plurality of radial ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Astronautics Corporation of America
    Inventors: Carl B. Zimm, Alexander Sternberg, Alexander G. Jastrab, Lewis M. Lawton, Jr., Andre M. Boeder
  • Patent number: 6644062
    Abstract: A process employing a rotary axial turbine, and a nozzle, that includes providing a working fluid expansible from a characteristic supercritical region into the wet region, expanding the fluid from said supercritical region into the wet region via the nozzle and turbine blades, and providing an output shaft driven by the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Energent Corporation
    Inventor: Lance G. Hays
  • Patent number: 6604364
    Abstract: A method for operating a thermoacoustic engine which produces acoustic energy which may be used to generate refrigeration wherein energy delivery fluid from a hot energy source, which provides heat to the thermoacoustic engine, is used to provide heat to a first heat sink such as a Kalina cycle and then at a lower temperature to a second heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bayram Arman, Dante Patrick Bonaquist, John Henri Royal
  • Publication number: 20030136131
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for cooling multilevel entities such as atoms, ions or molecules as well as entities with no apparent internal structure. Cooling is achieved by coherent scattering, where the frequency of the emitted radiation exceeds the frequency of the illumination radiation. Such coherent scattering is achieved by placing the entities in a resonator containing in which the cavity length and mirror coating are selected to support a resonant radiation. The entities are illuminated with an illumination radiation whose energy is lower than that of the resonant radiation supported by the resonator by a certain detuning energy selected such that coherent scattering of resonant radiation from the entities at a higher frequency than that of the illumination radiation is promoted by the resonator. As a result of the coherent scattering energy is carried away from the entities and they are cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Steven Chu, Vladan Vuletic