Accumulating Holdover Ice In Situ Patents (Class 62/59)
  • Publication number: 20080092559
    Abstract: A refrigeration system for merchandisers, drug cabinets and similar enclosures (10) that continues to provide temperature control during periods when external power is not necessarily available. The system typically has a compressor/condenser subsystem (11) that is powered by mains electricity (16) and a second subsystem (12) that includes an insulated eutectic tank. The compressor/condensor (11) cools the tank (12) using external electrical power, when available, while the tank cools the enclosure (10) without requiring external power. A refrigerant loop (14) between the second subsystem (12) and the enclosure (10) operates by way of convection and/or gravity and a simple controller (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: ERA (Environmental Refrigeration Alternatives) PTY LTD.
    Inventors: Theodore David Williams, Peter Kenneth Courtenay
  • Publication number: 20080034760
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with isolated external melt cooling. The disclosed embodiments provide a refrigerant-based ice storage system with increased reliability, lower cost components, and reduced power consumption compared to a single phase system such as a glycol system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: ICE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Mark W. Stewart, Robert R. Willis
  • Patent number: 7272935
    Abstract: A device for forming ice around an exterior surface of a container has an upper piece. The upper piece is an elongated tubular member having a hollow interior section and an open bottom and top end. A gasket assembly is coupled to an upper interior section of the upper piece. The gasket assembly creates a seal around a neck of the container to prevent water from rising above the neck of the container. A lower piece is provided and has an open top end and an opening formed in the bottom surface thereof. The open bottom end of the upper piece will mate with the open top end of the lower piece to form a watertight seal. A raised floor is formed in a bottom interior section of the lower piece. The raised floor allows water to collect and freeze underneath the bottom of the container. A cap is provided to close the opening in the bottom surface of the lower piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ice Jacket, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Davis Wolf
  • Patent number: 7231775
    Abstract: An energy management system may include a refrigeration apparatus such as may be used to form an ice rink. Heat rejected from that apparatus may be used to address heating loads elsewhere. The apparatus may include a thermal storage apparatus, such as may be charged with ice, or another phase change material. The refrigeration apparatus may then be run for the purpose of obtaining the rejected heat, with the cooling of the thermal storage material as a by-product of operation to obtain extra rejected heat. The cold reservoir then developed in the thermal storage material may be used subsequently to provide cooling to a different load, at a different time of day. The thermal storage element may be used to provide cooling to a condensor of the refrigeration apparatus, or may be placed in series with a cooling load, such as an ice sheet or refrigerated enclosure. The apparatus may be electronically controlled, may used ammonia as an operating fluid in a vapour cycle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Toromont Industries Limited
    Inventors: Wayne Dilk, Harold E. Martin
  • Patent number: 7162878
    Abstract: Disclosed is an efficient refrigeration apparatus that provides refrigerant based energy storage and cooling. When connected to a condensing unit, the system has the ability to store energy capacity during one time period and provide cooling from the stored energy during a second time period. The system requires minimal energy to operate during either time period, and only a fraction of the energy required to operate the system during the first time period is required to operate the system during the second time period using an optional refrigerant pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Ice Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert K. Kerrigan, Christopher A. Kay
  • Patent number: 7146818
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a cooling chamber filled with a bath of cooling fluid for cooling beverage fluids. A cooling unit, including an evaporator coil extending from the cooling unit into the cooling chamber, freezes the cooling fluid into a frozen cooling bank about the evaporator coil. Sensor units positioned at desired locations about the evaporator coil provide output corresponding to the size and shape of the frozen cooling bank. Also, a control unit reads the output from the sensor units and operates the cooling unit to regulate the growth of the frozen cooling bank. In addition, the control unit may read output from temperature sensors attached to dispensing valves or monitoring ambient temperature conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventors: John T. Hawkins, Jr., Stephen K. Versteeg
  • Patent number: 7124594
    Abstract: Disclosed is an efficient, energy storage and cooling system that is refrigerant based. When connected to a condensing unit, the system has the ability to store energy capacity during one time period and provide cooling from the stored energy during a second time period. The system requires minimal energy to operate during either time period, and only a fraction of the energy required to operate the system during the first time period is required to operate the system during the second time period using an optional refrigerant pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. McRell
  • Patent number: 7062923
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a cooling method and a cooling apparatus in which a thermal storage and a cooling in a vehicle, in particular in an automobile, are provided with the minimum electric power consumption, and an idling of an engine necessary for the cooling during the automobile stopping time is unnecessary. The cooling method includes performing a thermal storage by producing ice in the vehicle by utilizing a surplus electric power, and after stopping the engine, operating an air blowing fan, introducing an air to be cooled into a duct, which is cooled from outside thereof by the ice, and carrying out a heat exchange between the air and the ice, and with a cold air introduced from the duct cooling an interior portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventors: Masahiro Kawaji, Yuichi Shibata, Kaoru Onoe
  • Patent number: 7063138
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for cooling a passenger compartment in a hybrid vehicle that operates an engine intermittently during vehicle operation. The hybrid vehicle includes an HVAC system having an HVAC duct, a blower for directing a flow of air through the HVAC duct, an evaporator located within the HVAC duct, and a heater core. The heater core has a coolant inlet outlet and is located downstream of the evaporator in the HVAC duct. The method includes the steps of cooling a refrigerant; inducing a flow of the cooled refrigerant through the evaporator; blocking a flow of coolant through the coolant inlet and outlet to trap coolant in the heater core; activating the blower to move air through the evaporator and heater core; turning off the vehicle engine; measuring a duct outlet temperature; and starting the engine when the measured duct outlet temperature is above a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Munther M. Salim, Gregory A. Major, Todd M. Tumas, Gaurav Anand, Balaji Maniam
  • Patent number: 7043931
    Abstract: A vehicle interior cooling system (100) for a vehicle having a cabin (108) and an engine (107) for providing propulsion power is disclosed. The vehicle interior cooling system includes a cabin cooling system (102) driven by the engine of the vehicle and an electrically driven cooling system (103) having a cold storage device (110) coupled to the vehicle. The electrically driven cooling system selectively thermally charges the cold storage device when the engine is in an on and/or off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Lew E Plummer
  • Patent number: 7036326
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser is provided that stores ice and has a cold plate. The cold plate is provided with refrigerant and/or ice water drainage for cooling of the beverage upon dispensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Scotsman Ice Systems
    Inventor: Matthew Allison
  • Patent number: 7032398
    Abstract: An energy management system may include a refrigeration apparatus such as may be used to form an ice rink. Heat rejected from that apparatus may be used to address heating loads elsewhere. The apparatus may include a thermal storage apparatus, such as may be charged with ice, or another phase change material. The refrigeration apparatus may then be run for the purpose of obtaining the rejected heat, with the cooling of the thermal storage material as a by-product of operation to obtain extra rejected heat. The cold reservoir then developed in the thermal storage material may be used subsequently to provide cooling to a different load, at a different time of day. The thermal storage element may be used to provide cooling to a condenser of the refrigeration apparatus, or may be placed in series with a cooling load, such as an ice sheet or refrigerated enclosure. The apparatus may be electronically controlled, may used ammonia as an operating fluid in a vapor cycle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Toromont Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Wayne Dilk, Harold E. Martin
  • Patent number: 6988371
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for cooling a passenger compartment in a hybrid vehicle that operates an engine intermittently during vehicle operation, the hybrid vehicle having an HVAC system including an HVAC duct, a blower adapted to direct a flow of air through the HVAC duct, and an evaporator located within the HVAC duct. The method includes the steps of operating the blower; operating the compressor; allowing a predetermined amount of ice to form on the evaporator during operation of the compressor; turning off the vehicle engine; ceasing operation of the compressor; measuring an indicator corresponding to a remaining amount of the predetermined amount of ice formed on the evaporator; and re-starting the compressor when a predetermined air temp in air duct is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Munther M. Salim, Gregory A. Major, Jeffrey A Bozeman
  • Publication number: 20040244387
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a cooling method and a cooling apparatus in which a thermal storage and a cooling in a vehicle, in particularly in an automobile, are provided with the minimum electric power consumption and an idling of an engine necessary for the cooling during the automobile stopping time is dissolved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Masahiro Kawaji, Yuichi Shibata, Kaoru Onoe
  • Publication number: 20040159118
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for refrigerating at least one enclosure, such as an aircraft galley cart. The system includes at least one air-to-liquid heat exchanger, an eutectic thermal battery, a liquid-to-direct heat exchanger and at least one liquid-to-direct heat pump. The air-to-liquid heat exchangers are in thermal communication with the interiors of the enclosures. The thermal battery is in fluid communication with the air-to-liquid heat exchangers via a first coolant loop. The liquid-to-direct heat exchanger and the liquid-to-direct heat pumps are in fluid communication with the eutectic thermal battery via a second coolant loop, and in thermal communication with a cold heat sink, such as an aircraft fuselage skin structure. The system can controllably operate in direct passive, indirect passive, direct active and/or an indirect active modes whereby a coolant can selectively flow in the first and/or second coolant loops to thereby refrigerate the enclosures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Ben P. Hu
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040003600
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a cooling chamber filled with a bath of cooling fluid for cooling beverage fluids. A cooling unit, including an evaporator coil extending from the cooling unit into the cooling chamber, freezes the cooling fluid into a frozen cooling bank about the evaporator coil. Sensor units positioned at desired locations about the evaporator coil provide output corresponding to the size and shape of the frozen cooling bank. Also, a control unit reads the output from the sensor units and operates the cooling unit to regulate the growth of the frozen cooling bank. In addition, the control unit may read output from temperature sensors attached to dispensing valves or monitoring ambient temperature conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventors: John T. Hawkins, Stephen K. Versteeg
  • Patent number: 6662573
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a cooling chamber filled with a bath of cooling fluid for cooling beverage fluids. A cooling unit, including an evaporator coil extending from the cooling unit into the cooling chamber, freezes the cooling fluid into a frozen cooling bank about the evaporator coil. Sensor units positioned at desired locations about the evaporator coil provide output corresponding to the size and shape of the frozen cooling bank. Also, a control unit reads the output from the sensor units and operates the cooling unit to regulate the growth of the frozen cooling bank. In addition, the control unit may read output from temperature sensors attached to dispensing valves or monitoring ambient temperature conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventors: John T. Hawkins, Jr., Stephen K. Verteeg
  • Publication number: 20030200757
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a cooling chamber filled with a bath of cooling fluid for cooling beverage fluids. A cooling unit, including an evaporator coil extending from the cooling unit into the cooling chamber, freezes the cooling fluid into a frozen cooling bank about the evaporator coil. Sensor units positioned at desired locations about the evaporator coil provide output corresponding to the size and shape of the frozen cooling bank. Also, a control unit reads the output from the sensor units and operates the cooling unit to regulate the growth of the frozen cooling bank. In addition, the control unit may read output from temperature sensors attached to dispensing valves or monitoring ambient temperature conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventors: John T. Hawkins, Stephen K. Versteeg
  • Patent number: 6581391
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system and method for sensing the presence of ice, particularly applicable in the control of ice thickness in machines employing an ice bank such as a commercial beverage chiller. The chiller may be of the conventional type having a water bath with a cold element at least partially submerged therein. The cold element is cooled by a refrigerant such as freon to the point where ice forms and grows on the element, thereby forming an ice bank in the water bath. A temperature sensor, which preferably is a thermistor-type sensor comprising a bead disposed in a metal housing, is mounted on a carrier to allow the position of the sensor to be adjustable relative to the cold element. Circuitry is provided which is operative to detect the presence of ice by sensing a temperature signal from the temperature sensor and to control the thickness of the ice bank. A method of controlling the thickness of an ice bank is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Technology Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard I. Horey, Dennis W. Norwich, Sam O. Sman, Mario G. Ceste
  • Patent number: 6560972
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for enhancing the carbonation efficiency of an ice-chilled beverage dispenser. The system includes a beverage dispenser having an ice bin, a pre-chill coil proximate a portion of a store of ice in the ice bin; and an under-counter assembly having a carbonator in fluid flow communication with the pre-chill coil, and a pump for pumping water through said system. Water flows through the pre-chill coil prior to flowing through the carbonator. The present invention provides various methods of converting existing ice-chilled beverage dispensers including installing a pre-chill coil proximate to a store of ice in the ice bin so that water flows through the pre-chill coil before it flows through the carbonator. Another method includes diverting the flow of water from a water chill coil to the carbonator, instead of a plain water valve to which fluid originally flowed from the water chill coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: SerVend International, Inc.
    Inventor: Fernando A. Ubidia
  • Patent number: 6543245
    Abstract: A system and method of maintaining multiple temperatures using a single refrigeration system. A single refrigeration system includes a compressor, reservoir, condenser and associated piping is selectively coupled to one of a plurality of evaporator units. Each evaporator unit has an inlet valve, an expansion valve and an evaporator. A sensor signals a microprocessor that one of the plurality of evaporators requires cooling, initiating a cooling cycle. The compressor is energized and the evaporator inlet valve opens, allowing refrigerant to flow through the evaporator unit. At the conclusion of the cooling cycle, the evaporator inlet valve closes while the compressor continues to operate allowing the removal or drawing down of the refrigerant from the evaporator prior to cooling another evaporator section. At the conclusion of the draw down process, the compressor is de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: John Elliott Waldschmidt, William Leo Waldschmidt
  • Patent number: 6449966
    Abstract: An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, Douglas P. Goulet
  • Patent number: 6415615
    Abstract: An arrangement of apparatus for the measurement of the quantity amount of ice in an ice thermal storage system having a storage tank with a storage fluid and a cooling coil assembly therein, and the method for measuring such ice quantity, which apparatus includes a means to provide an uplift force to the coil assembly and, means for measurement of the vertical displacement of the coil in the storage tank and means for relating the vertical displacement of the cooling coil assembly to the quantity of ice on the cooling coil assembly, and further noting a specific uplifting force assembly for use in such storage tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Osborne, Gary D. Smith
  • Patent number: 6393861
    Abstract: A thermal energy storage unit is provided in connection with an air conditioning or refrigeration condenser. Working fluid waste heat is stored in the thermal energy storage unit during at least a relatively hot part of the day. Heat stored in the thermal energy storage unit is then rejected to the air during a cooler period, such as night. By rejecting the stored heat directly to the atmosphere, there is no need to provide an energy-consumptive refrigeration cycle for cooling the thermal storage medium material. In this way, a refrigeration system compressor has a reduced load and/or reduced duty cycle during hot parts of the day and relatively less energy can be used during high-demand times when energy may be more expensive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Levenduski, James Marsh Lester
  • Patent number: 6374622
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method that regulates the size of an ice bank (50) and that prevents short cycling of the compressor (30) therefor and operation thereof at undesired voltages. A microprocessor based control circuit (10) includes a circuit for sensing line voltage (14) combined with an ice bank sensing circuit (18, 20). The ice bank sensing circuit is of the conductivity sensing type wherein the electrical conductivity between two probes (P1, P2) is sensed. The microprocessor (16) continually monitors the probes (P1, P2) to determine if refrigeration is needed or not, and continually senses the line voltage to determine if that voltage is within the design limits of the refrigeration compressor (30). The voltage sensing circuit (14) can also sense if power has been interrupted where the voltage drops to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Zhang, Joseph W. Shannon, Brian C. Jones
  • Patent number: 6367268
    Abstract: A method for the refrigerated transportation of a product introduced into a hollow-walled refrigerated container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Integral Energietechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Paul
  • Patent number: 6363733
    Abstract: A refrigerator is described, specially for beverage bottles, in particular beer bottles, a humidity production system for a refrigerator and a method for generating a COVERING OF ICE CRYSTALS on the bottle. The objective of the invention is to provide an equipment for producing a COVERING OF ICE CRYSTALS on a beverage bottle, in particular beer bottles, which produces a covering of ice crystals regardless of the weather conditions of the place and without causing the freezing of the beverage. This objective is achieved with a refrigerator comprising a humidity production system (4) to produce humidity in the internal compartment (3), the humidity production system (4) having a water feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Companhia Cervejaria Brahma
    Inventor: Gabriel Galembeck
  • Patent number: 6330909
    Abstract: In a vehicle air-conditioning system, an evaporator is disposed in an air-conditioning case to form a bypass passage through which air bypasses the evaporator, and an opening degree of the bypass passage is adjusted by a bypass door. When a vehicle engine operates, the system performs a cold-storing mode where cold quantity stored in condensed water on the evaporator is increased. On the other hand, when operation of the vehicle engine is stopped, the system performs a cold-releasing mode where air passing through the evaporator is cooled by cold released from frozen condensed water. During the cold-storing mode and the cold-releasing mode, temperature of air blown into a passenger compartment can be adjusted by adjusting the opening degree of the bypass passage. Thus, in the vehicle air-conditioning system, cold-storing quantity in the evaporator can be improved while power-saving effect of the vehicle engine is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Takahashi, Yuichi Shirota, Koichi Ban, Hikaru Sugi, Yasuhiko Niimi, Hiroshi Kishita, Yasushi Yamanaka, Masayoshi Naka
  • Publication number: 20010041210
    Abstract: Slush ice is produced in a liquid by adding a freezing point-depressing agent and particles to the liquid to form a liquid mix, and then cooling the liquid mix by heat exchange with a refrigeration circuit, ice crystals being formed in the liquid mix at nucleation sites provided by the particles. A slush ice of nonfrozen liquid and ice particles is produced and ice formation on the conduit in which the liquid mix flows is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Michael Kauffeld, Kaj Rosenstedt, Lars Bay Moller, Frank Elefsen
  • Patent number: 6298676
    Abstract: An arrangement of apparatus for the measurement of the quantity amount of ice in an ice thermal storage system having a storage tank with a storage fluid and a cooling coil assembly therein, and the method for measuring such ice quantity, which apparatus includes a means to provide an uplift force to the coil assembly and, means for measurement of the vertical displacement of the coil in the storage tank and means for relating the vertical displacement of the cooling coil assembly to the quantity of ice on the cooling coil assembly, and further noting a specific uplifting force assembly for use in such storage tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Osborne, Gary D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20010018971
    Abstract: In a heat storage air conditioning apparatus, a power demand time-sequence data collecting unit collects time-sequence data on demand for power; a power demand curve estimating unit estimates a power demand curve obtained as a result of analysis of the power demand time-sequence data collected by the power demand time-sequence data collecting unit; a thermal energy load demand estimating unit estimates thermal energy load demand from the power demand curve estimated by the power demand curve estimating unit; an operation unit of a thermal-energy source feeds cooling/heating energy; a heat accumulating unit stores the cooling/heating energy supplied from the operation unit therein; a cold/hot air discharging unit discharges the thermal energy stored in the heat accumulating unit; a cooling/heating energy quantity recognizing unit recognizes the quantity of cooling or heating energy dissipated from the cold/hot air discharging unit; and a converting unit converts the quantity of cooling/heating energy into the
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Applicant: Ellen Marcie Emas
    Inventors: HIDEYUKI TABUCHI, MASAHIRO INOUE, JYUNYA OGURA, HIROSHI IGAWA, OSAMU OOTSUKA
  • Patent number: 6253557
    Abstract: An ice detector for an ice water bath tank having an evaporator system operated by a compressor to promote the growth of ice therein. The detector includes a device for providing reciprocating motion and a probe connected to the device. The probe is capable of reciprocating movement within the ice water bath tank until a predetermined amount of ice grows adjacent to the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: William S. Credle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6250088
    Abstract: Method for cooling a product, preferably in gas or liquid form, using the cooling content of a condensed gas, where the condensed gas is vaporized in a vaporization heat exchanger arrangement and the product is cooled in a product-cooling heat exchanger arrangement. Both the vaporization and the product-cooling take place under energy exchange with the vaporized gas. As heat exchanger arrangements, use is made of a combined arrangement (1) comprising a plurality of passages (A, B, C) which are in heat-transferring contact with one another and are used for the different media. The passages (A)_ intended for vaporization of the condensed gas are coupled in parallel between an inlet (5) and an outlet (6) and the media are supplied to the passages so that between a passage (A) for the condensed gas and a passage (C) for the product to be cooled there is at all times at least one passage (B) through which vaporized gas flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: AGA AB
    Inventor: Sven Åke Johansson
  • Patent number: 6240734
    Abstract: An ice bank chiller comprises a reservoir, a vertically extending cooling coil adjacent to a side wall of the reservoir, and an agitation pump for agitating water contained in the reservoir, the agitation pump being arranged to cause substantial circulation of the reservoir water adjacent to ice on both the upper and lower regions of the cooling coil in order to promote an even thickness of ice on the cooling coil. The agitation pump comprises an impeller rotatable within a pump housing, the housing being provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart pump outlets, through which streams of water are directed towards the ice on the upper region of the cooling coil (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: The Electric Motor Company Limited
    Inventors: Derek Ferrier, Jason Futter
  • Patent number: 6220047
    Abstract: The present invention includes a dual purpose carbonator/blending bottle connected to a source of beverage syrup, a source of potable water and to a source of pressurized carbon dioxide gas. The dual purpose bottle is retained within an ice bank water bath tank. A pair of ratio valves provide for metering the water and syrup at a desired ratio. The mixed beverage first flows through a serpentine coil, also located in water bath, and then flow into the dual purpose bottle. A refrigeration system provides for cooling an evaporator located in the water tank for forming the ice bank thereon. The carbonated beverage then flows from the bottle into a freeze cylinder. The freeze cylinder also includes a further evaporator coiled around an exterior perimeter thereof. The freeze cylinder evaporator is connected to and cooled by the same refrigeration system that cools the evaporator in the water bath tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Vogel, Hassan Shams, Paul R. Weber, Rajesh Valabh
  • Patent number: 6216469
    Abstract: Devices and methods for rapid chilling of products, articles and devices, including both perishable and non-perishable goods are provided. These devices and methods store thermal energy by ice and/or slush formation and employ the heat of the product to be chilled to help harvest the ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Bruce Miller
  • Patent number: 6216486
    Abstract: The present invention provides a planned array tubes and circuits in a cooling coil for a thermal storage unit to maintain at least some of the vertical aisles between adjacent circuits or sets of circuits to provide communication through the coil to present more ice-contact surface area to the heat transfer fluid for maintenance of a fluid temperature at about the desired output temperature and to provide a circuit having a means to monitor and control termination of the ice build in a thermal storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Aaron, Frank T. Morrison
  • Patent number: 6158235
    Abstract: A component configuration for enhancing the serviceability of a dispenser includes a platform positionable on the housing of the dispenser. A refrigeration unit mounts at a center and rear portions of the platform. An electronic control is disposed within a housing that is mounted at a center portion of the platform adjacent to the refrigeration unit. The electronic control housing permits access to the electronic control from the front of the dispenser. An evaporator coil of the refrigeration unit includes concentric coil sections defined by an inner coil section, an intermediate coil section, and an outer coil section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Thomas Hawkins, Jr., Ernest Matthew Chavana, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6158499
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting stored thermal energy using a combined internal and external melt cycle are disclosed. The present invention relates, in one aspect, to a heat exchange system which uses both an internal melt cycle and an external melt cycle to extract stored thermal energy. The heat exchange system includes a thermal energy storage medium and a heat exchanger which is in communication with the thermal energy storage medium. The heat exchanger is arranged to hold a heat exchange liquid and to facilitate the indirect transfer of heat between the heat exchange liquid and the thermal energy storage medium. The heat exchange system further includes a fluid supply which provides a fluid which directly contacts the thermal energy storage medium to transfer heat between the fluid and the thermal energy storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Fafco, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O. Rhodes, Hollend F. Bishop
  • Patent number: 6131393
    Abstract: A chilling chamber (10) connected to a water reservoir (12) or to a pipe (29) within which water flows has a thermally conductive probe (16) which is connected to the cold side of a thermoelectric device (18), the hot side being connected to a heat sink (20). A tube (30) is coiled about the probe and has one end (28) connected with the water in the storage reservoir or pipe and another end (32) connected to a faucet (34). Water as a heat transfer medium (36) is stored within the chilling chamber (10) about the probe (16) and the coil of tubing (30). The probe cools the heat transfer medium which cools the water within the coil of tubing. A check valve (42) releases air in the chamber compressed as an ice ball forms about the probe. Cold water thus flows out the faucet when the faucet is opened for a short time and the water within the coil gradually raises in temperature to again be cooled by the heat transfer medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company
    Inventor: Ralph G. Greene
  • Patent number: 6119464
    Abstract: A beverage server comprises a tank containing water serving as a coolant and a coiled beverage duct through which beer or other beverage flows and cooling means fitted to a portion of the wall of the tank so as to rapidly cool and serve beer or other beverage discharged from the storage container. The inner wall of the tank near the portion where the cooling means is fitted is made of a material having a high thermal conductivity, whereas the inner wall of the tank near the beverage duct is made of a material having a low thermal conductivity. A sensor is provided near the beverage duct to obtain information for controlling the cooling means. This simple beverage server assures stable serving of beverage at a suitable temperature. Another sensor is provided near a portion of the tank wall where the cooling means and a controller to controls the action of the cooling means based on the information from the sensors are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignees: Sapporo Breweries Limited, Nittetsu Hokkaido Control Systems Co., Tokyo Cooling Technical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakayama, Takaaki Furuhashi, Katsuoki Kawanishi, Kenji Kobayashi, Takashi Mizumoto, Kazumasa Masuda, Yasuo Fujikura
  • Patent number: 6101837
    Abstract: An ice thermal storage type air-conditioner and an ice thermal storage tank, in which unused portions in the ice thermal storage tank is reduced to enhance an ice filling rate in the ice thermal storage tank or to prevent excessive icing from damaging a heat transfer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Imanari, Toshihiko Fukushima, Toshio Hatada, Katsumi Matsubara, Naoto Katsumata
  • Patent number: 6101821
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an ice-on-coil (IOC) thermal storage coil system and method utilizing "deep-tank" technology and dimensional relationship of coil height to coil width wherein the coil serpentine's height (vertical tube dimension) is greater than the width (the horizontal dimension), and wherein all manifold and header joints are above, or just below the water surface of the tank, easily visible and accessible for maintenance, assembly, leak-checking or repair. Another aspect of the present ice-on-coil (IOC) thermal storage coil system and method is that, in some embodiments, the ice-coil tubes are never horizontal anywhere in the full coil height, but instead vertical tubes or "near-horizontal" sloped tubes are utilized which slope in an upward direction to facilitate air removal during filling of the coil with the coolant mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Evapco International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Cates
  • Patent number: 6056043
    Abstract: An accumulator (20) operating according to the layered storage principle is used in connection with the cooling loop of a vehicle, and includes charge alternation devices (34, 38) adapted to upper and lower storage regions (26, 28). The inflow and outflow velocity of the coolant should be between 0.1 and 0.5 m/s, and charging or discharging of the accumulator (20) should occur within 10 to 100 seconds. Inflow and outflow lines (32, 36) run within an insulation space (40) in the fashion of a thermosiphon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Langerer & Reich GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Strahle, Bernhard Stephan, Bernd Streicher
  • Patent number: 6003318
    Abstract: A water cooler is provided with a thermoelectric heat transfer module for chilling water within a cooler reservoir. The water cooler includes a sensor mounted in a position to detect build-up of an ice bank within the cooler reservoir, and to provide a signal to a controller which regulates the thermoelectric module to prevent excessive ice bank growth. The water cooler further includes an air filter for filtering air drawn by a fan to circulate over a heat sink associated with the thermoelectric module, wherein the air filter is adapted for quick and easy access and removal for periodic cleaning or replacement. The thermoelectric module and air filter are included as part of a chiller subassembly adapted for quick and easy assembly with a water cooler housing for use in chilling water within the reservoir, and also for quick and easy disassembly from the water cooler housing for service or replacement, if required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Oasis Corporation
    Inventors: Louis M. Busick, Bruce D. Burrows
  • Patent number: 5987897
    Abstract: A refrigeration system control apparatus for use with an ice bank for sequentially cycling a refrigerator compressor on and off based on sensed conditions. The system includes a first temperature probe located a first distance from a refrigerator evaporator coil and a second temperature probe located a second, greater distance from the refrigerator evaporator coil. A programmable controller monitors temperature outputs from the first and second temperature probes and turns on and off the refrigerator compressor based upon a rate of change of the temperature difference between the sensed temperatures of the first and second probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware
    Inventor: James R. Hall
  • Patent number: 5984144
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser comprises a cooling device comprising a cooling chamber (6) filled with a cooling liquid, such as water. Located within the chamber (6) is a refrigeration component (8). Extending through the chamber is a conduit (10), by which beverage is fed from a supply towards a dispensing head (30), the conduit including to a heat exchanging coil (12) within the chamber. Located in the chamber at a position so as to be totally immersed by cooling liquid is a pump unit comprising a motor (16a) and an impeller (16b), the motor also driving an agitator (18) to cause liquid within the chamber (6) to be circulated to the refrigeration component (8) and the cooling coils (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Whitlenge Drink Equipment Ltd
    Inventor: Gary David Wyatt
  • Patent number: 5975202
    Abstract: PURPOSE: To facilitate a bending of a core and to reduce a resistance of fluid by a method wherein a fin at one end is overlapped integrally between each of rows from a deformation part of the core and the other end fin is separated for each of the rows and contacted and fixed to a tube, respectively.CONSTITUTION: Tubes 1 and 2 are arranged in a thickness direction of a core. The tubes pass through several fins 3 and 4. The fin 3 is provided with tube insertion holes of circular form in two rows. Outside tube and the core part formed by the fin 4 are projected longer than that of the core. A reamer is placed within the tube to expand an outer diameter and then the tube is press fitted to the fin. A bending machining guide jig 6 is placed within the core, an external force is applied to the core as indicated by an arrow and bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Rene Grandi
  • Patent number: 5944089
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes related to thermal storage and exchange systems for use in buildings to selectively cool and/or heat a heat storage medium and cause said medium to reversibly pass between a liquid phase and a solid phase without requiring a complete discharge of a thermal reservoir between phase changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Russel Anthony Roland