Heat Exchange Between Diverse Function Elements Patents (Class 62/513)
  • Patent number: 8327661
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus uses a refrigerant that operates in a region including critical processes, and includes a compression mechanism having first and second compressors, a heat-source-side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, a utilization-side heat exchanger, an intercooler, and an intermediate refrigerant pipe. The first compressor has a first low-pressure compression element and a first high-pressure compression element to increase pressure of refrigerant more than the first low-pressure compression element. The second compressor has a second low-pressure compression element and a second high-pressure compression element to increase pressure of refrigerant more than the second low-pressure compression element. The intermediate refrigerant pipe causes refrigerant discharged by the first and second low-pressure compression elements to pass through the intercooler and be sucked into first and second high-pressure the compression elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Fujimoto, Atsushi Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 8322150
    Abstract: A refrigeration system (20A) comprises an evaporator (27) for evaporating a refrigerant, a two-stage compressor (32) for compressing the refrigerant, a single-stage compressor (34) for compressing the refrigerant, a heat rejecting heat exchanger (24) for cooling the refrigerant, a first economizer circuit (25A), and a second economizer circuit (25B). The first economizer circuit (25A) is configured to inject refrigerant into an interstage port (48) of the two-stage compressor (32). The second economizer circuit (25B) is configured to inject refrigerant into a suction port (52) of the single-stage compressor (34). The single-stage compressor (34) is configured to discharge into the interstage port (48) of the two-stage compressor (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Biswajit Mitra, Wayne P. Beagle, James W. Bush
  • Patent number: 8316657
    Abstract: A refrigerant system is configured to alternatingly run in an economized mode and a standard mode. A control system shifts the refrigerant system between the economized mode and standard mode responsive to a determined efficiency reflecting a combination of at least two of: compressor isentropic efficiency; condenser efficiency; evaporator efficiency; efficiency of hardware mechanically powering the compressor; and a mode-associated cycling efficiency. In a bypass mode, a bypass refrigerant flow from an intermediate port may return to the suction port. Shifting into the bypass mode may be similarly controlled based upon the determined efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander Lifson
  • Publication number: 20120291459
    Abstract: Described in this application for patent is a novel method and apparatus for providing cooling to an aircraft galley. The aircraft galley is cooled by means of a central aircraft cooling line, including a phase change cooling system and a ram air heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Rodney Millar, Steve G. Mackin
  • Patent number: 8312737
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor. A heat rejection heat exchanger is downstream of the compressor along a refrigerant primary flowpath. An expansion device is downstream of the heat rejection heat exchanger along the primary flowpath. A heat absorption heat exchanger is downstream of the expansion device along the primary flowpath. An economizer heat exchanger is between the heat rejection heat exchanger and the expansion device along the primary flowpath. The economizer heat exchanger includes a first portion configured to provide heat transfer from the primary flowpath to a first economizer flowpath. The economizer heat exchanger includes a second portion configured to provide heat transfer from the primary flowpath to a second economizer flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Bush, Wayne P. Beagle
  • Patent number: 8291719
    Abstract: A system for improving the thermal efficiency of a thermal control loop in which refrigerant after compression and condensation is applied to an evaporator employs a subsidiary counter-current heat exchange intercepting refrigerant flow to maintain the quality of the refrigerant by exchanging thermal energy between the input flow and the output flow from the evaporator. The same principle is effective, with particular advantage when small connections have to be made, in systems using mixed phase media and using the concept of direct energy transfer with saturated fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Cowans, Glenn W. Zubillaga, Kenneth W. Cowans
  • Patent number: 8272233
    Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a first flat tube in which a low temperature fluid flows and a second flat tube in which a high temperature fluid flows and that is laminated on the first flat tube and arranged so that the flow direction of the high temperature fluid is parallel to the flow direction of the low temperature fluid. One of the first and second flat tubes is arranged in the direction of lamination. Ends of the flat tubes are bent in a direction intersecting at right angles both flow directions of the fluids and the direction of lamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Yoshimura, Shinichi Wakamoto, Hajimu Yoshiyasu
  • Publication number: 20120234027
    Abstract: A supersonic cooling system, as disclosed herein, operates by pumping liquid. Because the supersonic cooling system pumps liquid, the cooling system does not require the use of a condenser. The cooling system utilizes a compression wave to facilitate a phase change utilized in the cooling effect generated by the system. An evaporator operates in the critical flow regime in which the pressure in one or more evaporator nozzles will remain almost constant and then ‘shock up’ to the ambient pressure. The evaporator may be provided with airfoils to improve characteristics of the fluid flow, thereby increasing efficiency of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: David Halt
  • 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: 20120186282
    Abstract: An air cooling system includes a heat exchanger, an inlet duct, an outlet duct, and an outlet header. The inlet duct is fluidly connected to the heat exchanger and is configured to direct relatively warm air from the cabin into the heat exchanger. The outlet duct is fluidly connected to the heat exchanger and configured to direct relatively cool air out of the heat exchanger and back to the cabin. The outlet header is located between the heat exchanger and the outlet duct. The outlet header has a shape configured to collect water from the cool air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven D. Army, Charles J. McColgan
  • Patent number: 8220289
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigeration apparatus capable of minimizing the pressure loss of a refrigerant circulated through an internal heat exchanger and capable of improving a cooling capability. A refrigeration apparatus in which a compressor, a radiator, an electronic expansion valve and an evaporator are successively annularly connected to one another to constitute a refrigerant circuit includes a refrigerator unit provided with the compressor and the radiator, and a cooling unit provided with the electronic expansion valve and the evaporator, the refrigerator unit is connected to one or a plurality of cooling units via a communication pipe to constitute the refrigerant cycle, an internal heat exchanger which performs heat exchange between a refrigerant discharged from the radiator and a refrigerant discharged from the evaporator is constituted of a double tube, and the internal heat exchanger is provided in the cooling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Yanagi, Kazuaki Mizukami, Setsu Hasegawa, Takashi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8220280
    Abstract: In a refrigerant amount determining method of an air-conditioning apparatus, when a refrigerant amount determining mode is requested to be performed, whether or not the amount of refrigerant in the air-conditioning apparatus can be automatically determined. Thus, a user can easily check whether or not the refrigerant charged in the air-conditioning apparatus is excessive or insufficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Yong Chang, Chi Woo Song, Sung Hwan Kim, Chang Min Choi
  • Publication number: 20120131948
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus is provided with a refrigerant cycle through which a heat-source-side refrigerant is to be circulated, a first heat medium channel to which a pump is connected and through which a heat medium such as water, an anti-freezing solution or the like is circulated, a first heat medium channel to which a pump is connected and through which a heat medium is circulated, and a plurality of use-side heat exchangers connected to the first heat medium channels. Also, the first heat medium channels are connected to the suction side of a pump through a pump flow direction switching device, and the first heat medium channels are connected to the discharge side of the pump through a pump flow direction switching device. By controlling opening degrees of the pump flow direction switching devices, the first heat medium channel which communicates with the pump is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura
  • Publication number: 20120125033
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heat source unit apparatus includes air heat exchangers, each includes a plurality of fins arranged at prescribed intervals, heat exchanging pipes penetrating the fins, and bent strips extending at sides and bent in the same direction, and a heat exchange module includes two air heat exchangers, each having the bent strips opposed to those of the other air heat exchanger, the air heat exchangers being inclined such that lower edges are close to each other and upper edges are spaced apart, whereby the heat exchange module is shaped like a letter V as seen from side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: TOSHIBA CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki TANNO, Masahiro OKADA, Kenjiro MATSUMOTO, Takamitsu ISHIGURO
  • Publication number: 20120125023
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a chiller with an integrated free cooling system and refrigeration system. In certain embodiments, the chiller may be a single package unit with all equipment housed within the same support frame. The chiller may generally include three modes of operation: a first mode that employs free cooling, a second mode that employs free cooling and implements a refrigeration cycle, and a third mode that uses the free cooling system provide additional cooling capacity for the refrigeration system. The free cooling system includes an independent loop configured to transfer heat from a cooling fluid circulating within the free cooling system to the ambient air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: William L. Kopko, Mustafa K. Yanik
  • Patent number: 8181478
    Abstract: A refrigeration system can incorporate a liquid-injection system that can provide a cooling liquid to an intermediate-pressure location of the compressor. The cooling liquid can absorb the heat of compression during the compression of the refrigerant flowing therethrough. The refrigeration system can include an economizer circuit that injects a refrigerant vapor into an intermediate-pressure location of the compressor in conjunction with the injection of the cooling liquid. The incorporation of the vapor injection in conjunction with the cooling-liquid injection can advantageously increase the cooling capacity and/or efficiency of the refrigeration system and the performance of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirill Ignatiev
  • Patent number: 8181480
    Abstract: A refrigeration device includes a compression mechanism, a radiator, a first expansion mechanism, a second expansion mechanism, an evaporator, a first internal heat exchanger, a branch pipe a third expansion mechanism, and a second internal heat exchanger. The first internal heat exchanger causes heat to be exchanged between refrigerant that flows from the radiator to the inflow side of the first expansion mechanism, and refrigerant that flows from the evaporator to the compression mechanism. The branch pipe branches from a third refrigerant pipe for connecting the radiator and the second expansion mechanism, and merges with the second refrigerant pipe. A third expansion mechanism is provided to the branch pipe. The second internal heat exchanger causes heat to be exchanged between refrigerant that flows out from the first expansion mechanism, and refrigerant that flows out from the third expansion mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Kasahara, Toshiyuki Kurihara, Shuuji Fujimoto, Takahiro Yamaguchi, Atsushi Yoshimi, Yoshio Ueno
  • Publication number: 20120118005
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus achieves improvement of safety and further achieves saving of energy without allowing a refrigerant to circulate in or near an indoor unit. The air-conditioning apparatus is configured such that heat medium pipes have a larger inner cross-sectional area per unit capacity than that of refrigerant pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELRCTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yuji Motomura, Takeshi Hatomura
  • Publication number: 20120111034
    Abstract: A heat exchange assembly and apparatus and method employing the heat exchange assembly are provided. The heat exchange assembly includes a coolant-to-refrigerant heat exchanger and a heater. The heat exchanger includes a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet for passing a coolant through the heat exchanger, and a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet for separately passing a refrigerant through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger cools coolant passing through the heat exchanger by dissipating heat from coolant passing through the heat exchanger to refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger. The heater is integrated with the heat exchanger and applies an auxiliary heat load to refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger to facilitate ensuring that refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger absorbs at least a specified minimum heat load, for example, to ensure that refrigerant egressing from the refrigerant outlet of the heat exchanger is superheated vapor refrigerant.
    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: 8171750
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioner coated by the coating composition to the resin-made components where due formation occurs upon the cooling operation, provides the antifouling performance against various stains, restrains enlargement of droplet, and provides an excellent long-term durability (sticking property and peeling off property) all at the same time. The air conditioner of the present embodiment forms a coating film 103 to surfaces of resin-made components and resin-made components installed to a rear flow side of the heat exchanger, includes the silica ultrafine particles 101 and the fluororesin particles 102, and provides, within the coating film 103, a silica film 104 comprising the silica ultrafine particles and the fluororesin particles 102 partially exposed from a surface of the silica film 104 in dots, and an exposed area of the silica film 104 is greater than an exposed area of the fluororesin particles 102.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Reiji Morioka, Yoshinori Yamamoto, Yasuhiro Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20120103008
    Abstract: Provided is a heater unit, which includes a heater-mounting part, a coil, a magnetic member, a cover member, and a coupling member. The heater-mounting part is attached to an outside of an object. The coil is coupled to the heater-mounting part and generates a magnetic field by electric current flowing therein. The magnetic member is disposed at a side of the coil, and is coupled to the heater-mounting part. The cover member covers an outside of the coil and an outside of the magnetic member. The coupling member detachably couples the heater-mounting part to the object. The heater unit is modularized so as to be removably mounted on the air conditioner, whereby the coil can be efficiently replaced and repaired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Hwanjong Choi, Seunghyun Jung, Byoungjin Ryu
  • Patent number: 8166776
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system having a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and a multichannel heat exchanger connected in a closed refrigerant loop. The multichannel heat exchanger has at least two fluid flow paths cooled by a flow of air from an air-moving device through the multichannel heat exchanger. Each of the at least two fluid flow paths have an inlet and an outlet in communication there between. The multichannel heat exchanger also has at least one flow regulator disposed in at least one outlet to regulate through at least one fluid flow path in response to the air flow through the heat exchanger to achieve a substantially equal temperature of a fluid flowing in the at least two flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William L. Kopko, Jose Ruel Yalung De la Cruz, Glenn Eugene Nickey, Mustafa Kemal Yanik
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8161770
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle air conditioning system including not less than two evaporators 3, 4, in which internal heat exchangers 5, 6 are provided to the respective evaporator 3, 4, a first evaporator 3 is placed in a front part of a compartment 8A whereas a second evaporator 4 is placed in a rear part of the compartment 8B; and the second evaporator 4 is connected to the internal heat exchanger 6 extended from the engine room 7 to the compartment 8. The internal heat exchanger 6 has a triple tube structure in which a heat insulator 15 is provided between a high-pressure medium passage 13 and a low-pressure medium passage 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Torahide Takahashi, Yoshitomo Fukutomi, Yukitoshi Kobori
  • Publication number: 20120073316
    Abstract: A transcritical vapor compression system includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger for cooling the refrigerant, an expansion device for decreasing the pressure of the refrigerant, a second heat exchanger for absorbing heat into the refrigerant, and a controller programmed to calculate a first energy difference across the second heat exchanger and a second energy difference across the compressor, to calculate an energy ratio by dividing the first energy difference by the second energy difference, to compare the energy ratio to a previously calculated energy ratio, and to adjust operating parameters of the system based on the comparison of the energy ratio with respect to the previously calculated energy ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michal Hegar, Michal Kolda, Marketa Kopecka, Vaclav Rajtmajer
  • Patent number: 8141383
    Abstract: A heat exchanger unit is disclosed, the heat exchanger unit including a first tube element unit, a second tube element unit, and an engine machine apparatus having an expansion step unit and a compression step unit. Each of the tube element units is adapted to condition a fluid flowing therethrough. Desirably, the fluid is compressed in the compression step unit and expanded in the expansion step unit in such a manner that technical operation is transferred from the expansion step unit to the compression step unit so that an inner recovery of energy is made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Heyl, Peter Kuhn, Frank Obrist
  • Publication number: 20120067713
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger unit having an evaporator device configured for evaporating a heat exchanger operating fluid, and a condenser device for condensing the heat exchanger operating fluid, wherein the evaporator device and the condenser device are fluidically connected to each other in a frontal configuration. The invention further relates to a thermotechnical system having a plurality of heat exchanger units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Stefan Petersen, Christian Finck, Martin Mittermaier, Anna Jahnke
  • Patent number: 8136364
    Abstract: A refrigerant system is provided with an expansion device that may be a thermostatic expansion device or an electronic expansion device. A bypass line selectively allows a portion of refrigerant to bypass the expansion device and to flow through a fixed restriction expansion device such as an orifice positioned in parallel configuration with the main expansion device. A valve selectively enables or blocks refrigerant flow through this bypass line depending on the volume of refrigerant required to circulate through the refrigerant system as defined by environmental conditions and a mode of operation. The valve can be a simple shutoff valve or a three-way valve selectively allowing or blocking refrigerant flow through a particular refrigerant line or lines. In one embodiment, the expansion device is the main expansion device for the refrigerant system. In the other embodiment, the expansion device is a vapor injection expansion device for expanding refrigerant for performing an economizer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
  • Publication number: 20120060551
    Abstract: Energy saving of a refrigerating cycle device is achieved by equalizing heat-medium inlet temperatures of a plurality of use-side heat exchangers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Takayama, Yusuke Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20120060550
    Abstract: Heat exchanger systems described and illustrated here in include multiple stacked plates each defining an aperture, first and second flow ducts formed by the stacked plates, multiple inflow and outflow ducts formed by the apertures in the stacked plates, a first heat exchanger section defining a condenser including first and second flow ducts, a second heat exchanger section defining an evaporator, first, second and third fluids, and an expansion element for the first fluid connected to the heat exchanger. In some embodiments, the first fluid is in heat-exchanging contact with the second fluid in one of the first and second heat exchanger sections, the first fluid is in heat-exchanging contact with the third fluid in the other of the first and second heat exchanger sections, and/or the first fluid flows through the first flow duct in the first heat exchanger section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Martin Mann
  • Publication number: 20120055195
    Abstract: An internal heat exchanger assembly for an air conditioning system, having a substantial cylindrical cavity in which a helical coil tube is coaxially disposed within the cylindrical cavity. A bleed valve assembly is incorporated into the helical coiled tube, in which the bleed valve assembly is adapted to open at a predetermined differential pressure between the high pressure side and low pressure side of the internal heat exchanger. The bleed valve selectively bleeds refrigerant from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, thereby increasing the pressure and mass flow rate of the refrigerant to the suction side of a compressor to reduce or eliminate compressor rattle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Edward Wolfe, IV, Prasad S. Kadle, Carrie M. Kowsky, James A. Bright, Timothy D. Craig, Gregory J. Kowalski, Mark J. Zima, Nick G. Sabha
  • Publication number: 20120055183
    Abstract: A system for cooling a space in a vehicle comprises a sorption wheel, at least one heat exchanger, at least a first humidifier unit and at least one fuel cell, wherein the sorption wheel is adapted for drying ambient air and for conveying dried process air to the downstream heat exchanger and the heat exchanger is adapted for cooling process air, with the heat exchanger being connected to the first humidifier unit for humidifying cooled process air, and wherein the fuel cell is connected to the sorption wheel and adapted for making available fuel cell exhaust air for regenerating the sorption wheel and water to be introduced into the first humidifier unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicants: AIRBUS S.A.S., AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Carsten Bohlen, Homayoun Dilmaghani
  • 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: 20120042674
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus capable of achieving enhancement of the system COP while suppressing product cost. The air-conditioning apparatus controls the difference between the temperatures of brine at a position before and at a position after an indoor heat exchanger or at a position before and at a position after an intermediate heat exchanger to be a preset target value and to be larger at the time of a heating operation than at the time of a cooling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naofumi Takenaka, Shinichi Wakamoto, Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yusuke Shimazu
  • Patent number: 8117855
    Abstract: Modernized refrigeration cycle includes two consecutive expansions with two expansion devices and two condensers, wherein the first condenser liquefies refrigerant after compressor and the second condenser liquefies refrigerant after the first expansion device. The cooling medium for the second condenser is either air to be conditioned in the refrigeration system or another available medium. Invention presents sealed systems of air conditioners, dehumidifiers and heat pumps operating per aforementioned refrigeration cycle that allows enhanced dehumidification with efficiency improvement in cooling mode and heating capacity and efficiency increase in heating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Alexander P Rafalovich
  • Patent number: 8117864
    Abstract: A modular and compact air conditioning system is designed to be conveyed by a ground support equipment cart and to occupy minimal space within the cart. The system is constructed within a rectangular frame supporting top, bottom, left side, right side, front side, and back side panels. The top and back side panels contain thin air conditioner condensers. One of the left and right side panels contain an air outlet, and the other contains an air inlet and a duct that may be connected to an airplane to provide cooling air to the airplane. A condenser fan is mounted within the rectangular frame and is arranged to draw outside air in through the condensers and to blow the air out through the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Montminy, Kyta Insixiengmay, James W. Mann, III, Benjamin E. Newell, Ty A. Newell
  • Publication number: 20120036877
    Abstract: An evaporative cooling condenser for a household appliance cooling system includes a water source, a heat exchanger configured to contain a refrigerant, and a fluid heat transfer device, the fluid heat transfer device configured to receive water from the water source and apply the water to the heat exchanger for rejecting heat from the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Martin Nicholas AUSTIN, Joel Erik Hitzelberger, Jeffrey M. Wood, Richard DeVos, Andrew Jason Veenstra, Brent Alden Junge
  • Publication number: 20120036887
    Abstract: A multi-chamber type air-conditioning apparatus is provided in which a refrigerant whose effect on human bodies is a concern is prevented from leaking into a room or the like in which an indoor unit is installed, simultaneous operation of cooling and heating is possible, and performance deterioration by a refrigerant flow control device or drop of the cooling capacity of the indoor unit can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Wakamoto, Koji Yamashita, Naofumi Takenaka, Yusuke Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20120038120
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system for cooling a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Allen J. Bartlett, William Johnson, Mark Collins, Sergei Syssoev, James A. O'Neil, Michael J. Eacobacci
  • Publication number: 20120031133
    Abstract: An air conditioner having a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a radiator, a pressure-reducing device and an evaporator, a total heat exchanger for performing heat-exchange between outdoor air and air under cooling operation using the evaporator for a room to be air-conditioned, and for ventilating the room to be air-conditioned, and a desiccant rotor having a moisture adsorbing area for adsorbing moisture in the outdoor air when the outdoor air is introduced, and regenerating the moisture adsorbing area by heat of the radiator, the outdoor air successively flowing through the total heat exchanger, the evaporator and the moisture adsorbing area in this order and then entering the room to be air-conditioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Osamu Kuwabara, Reinhard Radermacher, Yunho Hwang, Jiazhen Ling
  • Patent number: 8109101
    Abstract: A multi-zone HVAC&R system has its control programmed to provide diagnostic testing of air handling components and refrigerant components associated with each climate controlled zone in sequence. The control changes the original position of the corresponding component and a resultant change in a relevant operational parameter is sensed. If the actual change is outside of the tolerance band associated with the expected change, then the determination is made that the component under consideration is malfunctioning. The periodicity of a diagnostic procedure for a particular component is typically defined by its criticality and reliability level. If the change in the corresponding operation parameter is recorded and stored in the database, the component degradation can be observed over time and a prognostic prediction can be made when a particular component requires preventive maintenance or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Taras, Alexander Lifson
  • Publication number: 20120023893
    Abstract: Disclosed are a cooling device for high temperature fluid, a flight vehicle having the same and a cooling method for high temperature fluid, the cooling device including a heat exchanger configured such that fluid is introduced therein to be heat-exchanged with a refrigerant, and configured to vaporize the refrigerant by the heat exchange such that the fluid is discharged at temperature close to vaporization temperature of the refrigerant, a compressor connected to the heat exchanger and configured to compress the fluid discharged out of the heat exchanger, a turbine connected to the compressor and configured to expand the fluid compressed in the compressor to lower temperature of the compressed fluid, and a phase change heat exchanger connected to the turbine, storing a phase change material, and configured to cause heat exchange between the phase change material and the fluid discharged out of the turbine so as to control temperature of the discharged fluid, whereby a cooling device capable of minimizing in
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Young-June YOO, Hyung-Ju LEE, Jae-Yun LEE, Geun-Hong PARK, Sang-Wook JIN, Chang-Mook OH, Nak-Gon BAEK, Seong-Ki MIN, Jin-Shik LIM
  • Publication number: 20120017466
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a mechanical refrigeration cycle arrangement having a working fluid and an evaporator, a condenser of adjustable surface area, a compressor, and an expansion device, cooperatively interconnected and containing the working fluid. The apparatus also includes a drum to receive clothes to be dried, a duct and fan arrangement configured to pass air over the condenser and through the drum, a sensor located to sense at least one parameter, and a controller coupled to the sensor, condenser and/or the compressor. The controller is operative to adjust the condenser to increase surface area during a steady state drying rate period of the cycle, and adjust the condenser to decrease surface area during a start transient period of the cycle, wherein adjusting the condenser to decrease surface area during a start transient period of the cycle accelerates the start transient period of the cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: David G. BEERS, Nicholas Okruch, JR., Brent Alden Junge, Amelia Lear Hensley
  • Patent number: 8099977
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycle device capable of preventing inflow of a liquid refrigerant into a compressor and having a compact structure is disclosed. The refrigerant cycle device includes a compressor, a gas cooler, a pressure reducing device, an evaporator, and a heat exchanger to heat-exchange a refrigerant discharged from the gas cooler and a refrigerant discharged from the evaporator. The heat exchanger includes a first passage connected to an outlet of the gas cooler and a second passage connected to an outlet of the evaporator. The refrigerant in the first passage flows downward, and the refrigerant in the second passage flows upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaji Yamanaka, Sung Oug Cho
  • Publication number: 20120006050
    Abstract: Use side heat exchangers, an intermediate heat exchanger that heats a heat medium flowing to the use side heat exchangers, an intermediate heat exchanger that cools the heat medium flowing to the use side heat exchangers, three-way valves that switch between a flow path connecting the intermediate heat exchanger to the use side heat exchangers and a flow path connecting the intermediate heat exchanger to the use side heat exchangers, and three-way valves and bypasses that control the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into the use side heat exchangers are included. When at least one of the use side heat exchangers is switched from a stop state to an operation state or switched to another operation mode, the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into this use side heat exchanger is suppressed, and a change in air output temperature in the use side heat exchangers other than this use side heat exchanger is suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Takayama, Koji Yamashita, Hiroyuki Morimoto, Yusuke Shimazu
  • Patent number: 8091381
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention are found in a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a fluid inlet manifold, a fluid outlet manifold, a plurality of heat transfer channels configured to communicate with the fluid inlet manifold and the fluid outlet manifold, and packing located within the fluid inlet manifold. Further aspects of the invention are found in a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system includes a compressor and at least one heat exchanger coupled to the compressor. The at least one heat exchanger includes a header, packing located in the header, and a heat transfer channel. The heat transfer channel is configured to receive fluid passing through the header and the packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Boiarski, Oleg Podtcherniaev, Kevin P. Flynn
  • Publication number: 20110315353
    Abstract: Liquid-cooled electronics racks are provided which include: immersion-cooled electronic subsystems; a vertically-oriented, vapor-condensing unit facilitating condensing dielectric fluid vapor egressing from the immersion-cooled subsystems, the vertically-oriented, vapor-condensing unit being sized and configured to reside adjacent to at least one side of the electronics rack; a reservoir for holding dielectric fluid, the reservoir receiving dielectric fluid condensate from the vertically-oriented, vapor-condensing unit; a dielectric fluid supply manifold coupling in fluid communication the reservoir and the dielectric fluid inlets of the immersion-cooled electronic subsystems; and a pump associated with a reservoir for pumping under pressure dielectric fluid from the reservoir to the dielectric fluid supply manifold for maintaining dielectric fluid in a liquid state within the immersion-cooled electronic subsystems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, JR., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Publication number: 20110315355
    Abstract: Cooling apparatus and method are provided for immersion-cooling of an electronic subsystem of an electronics rack. The cooling apparatus includes a housing at least partially surrounding and forming a sealed compartment about the electronic subsystem and a dielectric fluid disposed within the sealed compartment, with the electronic subsystem being immersed within the dielectric fluid. A liquid-cooled vapor condenser is provided which includes a plurality of thermally conductive condenser fins extending within the sealed compartment in an upper portion of the compartment. The condenser fins facilitate cooling of dielectric fluid vapor rising to the upper portion of the compartment. A filler material is disposed within the sealed compartment to reduce the amount of dielectric fluid required within the compartment to achieve immersion-cooling of the electronic subsystem, and the filler material includes a shaped surface to direct dielectric fluid vapor within the compartment towards the condenser fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. CAMPBELL, Richard C. CHU, Michael J. ELLSWORTH, Jr., Madhusudan K. IYENGAR, Robert E. SIMONS
  • Patent number: RE43458
    Abstract: A self-contained beverage chilling apparatus including a refrigerant cooling system comprising a refrigerant reservoir in a fluid communication with a cold plate, a refrigerator accumulator, a compressor and a refrigerant condenser mounted within a housing unit. The housing unit further included beverage inlet means in fluid communication with the cooling system cold plate, and beverage dispenser means in fluid communication with the cold plate wherein the beverage to be dispensed is chilled to a desired temperature as it passes through the cold plate to the beverage dispensing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: James M. Cleland
  • Patent number: RE43805
    Abstract: Refrigeration/air conditioning equipment includes a first internal heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a refrigerant to be sucked in a compressor and a high-pressure liquid refrigerant, an injection circuit for evaporating a bypassed high-pressure liquid at intermediate pressure and injecting the vaporized refrigerant into the compressor, a second internal heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the high-pressure liquid refrigerant and the refrigerant to be injected, and a heat source for heating the refrigerant to be injected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Aoki, Masato Yosomiya, Fumitake Unezaki, Makoto Saitou, Tetsuji Saikusa