Circulating External Gas Patents (Class 62/89)
  • Publication number: 20090020653
    Abstract: A method for suctioning the boundary layer at the surface (1) of an aircraft having an air-conditioning system (4), at whose flow-critical points of the surface multiple suction openings (2) are provided, the air quantity suctioned via these being discharged to the atmosphere again via at least one outlet (7) placed in a way favorable for flow, the air quantity suctioned from the surface (1) being fed to the air-conditioning system (4) of the aircraft, via whose outlet (7) the air quantity suctioned is discharged to the atmosphere together with the exhaust air of the air-conditioning system (4), to reduce flow losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Geza Schrauf
  • Patent number: 7475555
    Abstract: A water dispenser assembly used for a dispensing system includes an inlet configured to receive water from a water supply, and a flow meter in communication with the inlet. The flow meter is configured to measure an amount of water passing therethrough. A first valve is arranged in communication with the flow meter, and the first valve is configured to enable and restrict water flow to an outlet. A controller is operatively coupled to the flow meter and the first valve. The controller is configured to control the dispensing of water based on the measured amount of water passing through the flow meter and based upon a volume error factor correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ramesh Janardhanam, Kenneth Hanley, Abdel Hamad, John Kenneth Hooker, Anil Kumar Tummala, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric Paez, Eric Scott Johnson
  • Publication number: 20090000769
    Abstract: A temperature controlled loadlock chamber for use in semiconductor processing is provided. The temperature controlled loadlock chamber may include one or more of an adjustable fluid pump, mass flow controller, one or more temperature sensors, and a controller. The adjustable fluid pump provides fluid having a predetermined temperature to a temperature-controlled plate. The mass flow controller provides gas flow into the chamber that may also aid in maintaining a desired temperature. Additionally, one or more temperature sensors may be combined with the adjustable fluid pump and/or the mass flow controller to provide feedback and to provide a greater control over the temperature. A controller may be added to control the adjustable fluid pump and the mass flow controller based upon temperature readings from the one or more temperature sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Chun-Hsien Lin, Jyh-Cherng Sheu, Ming-Feng Yoo, Kewei Zuo
  • Publication number: 20080289358
    Abstract: A refrigeration unit includes an external housing and an internal housing supported by a vehicle roof. The external housing is located primarily outside of a vehicle compartment, and the internal housing is located primarily inside of the vehicle compartment. External air enters the refrigeration unit through a first opening located between the vehicle roof and the external housing and exits through a second opening in the external housing. The external air is heated by a condenser and a compressor and exits the refrigeration unit through the second opening. A fan is located within the second opening to control the airflow through the refrigeration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Veronique Michel, Joaquim Ferreira, Claude Saudoyez
  • Publication number: 20080271473
    Abstract: A refrigerated case (20) has a housing containing an interior volume (36) for storing items. Along an air flow path (510) through the case, a refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger (60) has an evaporator section (112) and a reheat section (114). A preconditioning section (110) may be upstream of the evaporator section (112) and the evaporator section is upstream of the reheat section (114). Along a refrigerant flow path (520), the reheat section (114) is downstream of the preconditioning section (110) (if any) and upstream of the evaporator section (112) and an expansion device (62) is between the reheat (114) and evaporator (112) sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: CARRIER COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION, INC.
    Inventors: Kwok K. Fung, Neelkanth S. Gupte
  • Publication number: 20080271468
    Abstract: A portable air conditioner (10) that has a loading chamber (30) substantially separated from a cooling chamber (32) within a housing (20). Heat-transfer cells (40) for holding a phase-changeable, frozen substance such as ice (3), have an open end that is accessible from the loading chamber (30) and have cell housings (40, 44) disposed within the heat-transfer chamber (32). An air-flow mechanism (62) causes air to be drawn in through at least one air-intake opening (60), circulated among the heat-transfer cells (40) and urged outwardly of the unit housing (20) through at least one air-outlet opening (70, 72).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Ronald J. Monroe
  • Publication number: 20080184716
    Abstract: In a storage type air conditioning system having plural storage type air conditioners, each air conditioner includes a storage battery in which external power from an external power source can be stored, an air conditioning unit that is supplied with stored power from the storage battery and perform an air conditioning operation, a residual amount detector for detecting a storage residual amount of the storage battery, and a stored power transmission/reception switching unit for switching transmission/reception of the stored power stored in the storage battery to/from the other storage type air conditioners. Information concerning the storage residual amounts of the storage batteries of the air conditioners are communicated with one another, and the stored power of the storage battery of some air conditioner having surplus stored power is supplied to another air conditioner having short stored power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Furutachi
  • Publication number: 20080178616
    Abstract: A temperature controlled storage facility includes a room having an enclosed structure, and a plurality of multi-level storage zones within the room. Each of the storage zones include a supply of temperature controlled air having two outlets, one outlet positioned adjacent to a top area of the storage area, and a second outlet positioned adjacent to an aisle, wherein pressure barriers are created to prevent air flow from migrating to other storage areas or to a return duct without cooling (or heating) all of the inventory in the storage zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Jeremy John Klysen
  • Publication number: 20080173029
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for a motor vehicle having a coolant circuit (1) that contains an electrically driven compressor (2), a condenser (4), an expansion valve (10) and a latent cold accumulator (12). Heat is removed from the latent cold accumulator (12) by the cooling circuit (1); this is referred to as the charging of the latent cold accumulator (12). The system is also equipped with an arrangement for cooling air, which are configured in such a way that heat is removed from the air and supplied to the latent cold accumulator (12). Thus, a cost-effective, efficient air conditioning system can be used, in particular, when the vehicle is stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kraemer, Noureddine Khelifa, Oliver Horn
  • Publication number: 20080156004
    Abstract: A cooling system may include a fan which may be placed near the center of the system board. The fan may include bottom inlet and may draw air through an opening in the bottom skin of the computer system and may generate a positive pressure within the computer system. Exhaust vents may be positioned at the periphery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Mark MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20080134712
    Abstract: A device for controlling the refrigeration and humidity inside a drawer movable within a compartment of a refrigerator, the drawer being insertable into the forced-air compartment provided in a cabinet of the refrigerator, the compartment receiving cold air forced through a feed conduit provided in the cabinet. The conduit is divided into a plurality of channels, one opening into a side wall of the compartment, and at least one other opening at an upper wall of the compartment above the drawer, in the channels an interceptor member is provided to allow control of the air flow passing through it and directed to the compartment for the drawer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: CLAUDIO CIVANELLI
  • Patent number: 7367197
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for maintaining a low internal temperature in items held in an open container system. Example embodiments generate a stationary, insulating layer of cold air that covers the exposed surface and slows the transfer of heat from the environment. One example embodiment includes a storage container employing a free convection cooling mechanism adjacent to an exposed surface of a perishable. The free convection cooling mechanism acts to chill the air immediately above the exposed surface, thereby creating an insulating layer of cold air. By raising or lowering the temperature of this layer, the example embodiment may further be able to raise or lower the internal temperature of the perishable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: H & K Dallas, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Reil, Nitish Vashishta
  • Patent number: 7367198
    Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area. The product display area defines a highest temperature zone and a lowest temperature zone. The merchandiser includes a first product simulator positioned in the highest temperature zone of the product display area to generate a first signal representative of the temperature of products positioned in the highest temperature zone of the product display area, and a second product simulator positioned in the lowest temperature zone of the product display area to generate a second signal representative of the temperature of products positioned in the lowest temperature zone of the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a controller in communication with the first and second product simulators. The controller is operable to adjust an outlet temperature set point in response to the first and second signals from the first and second product simulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: John Arthur Behr
  • Patent number: 7335240
    Abstract: An assembly for installation in a refrigerator provides comprises an enclosure for conducting service lines therethrough and an air filter unit mounted to the enclosure. The air filter unit includes an air filter housing that contains an air filter and includes openings for the ingress of air from the refrigerator which, after passing through the air filter, is discharged to the refrigerator interior through discharge openings in the air filter housing. Means such as a fan is provided to establish a flow of air through the air filter housing. The air filter unit has utility separately from the enclosure for conducting service lines in which case the air filter housing includes first and second portions that are pivotally connected to one another. The air filter within the air filter housing is supported by one of the first and second portions of the air filter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick L. Gunderson, Joseph E. Brand
  • Patent number: 7296420
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a pallet assembly which facilitates direct cooling of the wafer carrier. In one embodiment, the pallet assembly comprises a frame which holds at least one carrier of a component. The pallet assembly further comprises a tray which is operable for being mechanically coupled with the frame. The tray comprises at least one discreet region which corresponds with the carrier when the tray is coupled with the frame. In embodiments of the present invention, the discreet region comprises at least one hole extending through the tray for permitting a coolant medium to dissipate heat from the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Amsterdam, B.V.
    Inventors: Pei Chen, Jorge Goitia, Cherngye Hwang, Bigal Leung, Diana Perez, Yongjian Sun
  • Publication number: 20070261824
    Abstract: A wind velocity measuring device is used in an electronic apparatus including cooled objects and cooling fans for cooling the cooled objects and measures a wind velocity of air blown to the cooled objects. The wind velocity measuring device includes a wind velocity measuring unit that measures a wind velocity of air, and an air circulating unit that circulates a portion of the air blown to the cooled objects. The air circulating unit includes barrier portions that extend to cross a circulation direction of the air at a front stage side of the circulation direction of the air, and an exhaust port that discharges inner air to the outside and is formed at a rear stage side of the circulating direction of the air, and the wind velocity measuring unit measures a wind velocity of the air between the barrier portions and the exhaust port in the air circulating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Saegusa, Tsuyoshi Arai, Hideki Takasuka, Masaki Uchida, Yohei Sakai
  • Patent number: 7216493
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a plurality of walls forming a refrigeration compartment, an evaporator is positioned proximate at least one of the walls, a thermal insulator is positioned proximate the evaporator, and an airflow duct is positioned proximate the thermal insulator such that the thermal insulator is between the evaporator and the airflow duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ziqiang Hu
  • Patent number: 7191604
    Abstract: A heat pump dehumidification system comprised of one of an air source heat pump system, a water source heat pump system, and a direct expansion heat pump system, with an extra interior air heat exchange means situated between the system's compressor's hot refrigerant gas discharge side and the exterior heat exchange means, for activation and use in conjunction with the system's primary interior air heat exchange means, located between the exterior heat exchange means and the system's compressor's refrigerant gas suction side, when operation in a dehumidification mode is desired absent sensible cooling, and optimum design sizes for both interior air exchange means while the system is operating in one of a dehumidification mode, a cooling mode, and a heating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Earth To Air Systems, LLC
    Inventor: B. Ryland Wiggs
  • Patent number: 7162882
    Abstract: A multi-band air curtain forms a separation barrier at an interface between a first environment having a fluid at a first condition and a second environment having a fluid at a second condition. A first stream (55) of a fluid is directed along a first path (45) generally parallel to the interface between the first environment and the second environment. A second stream (65) of fluid is directed along a second path (75) generally outwardly at an angle of divergence with the first path (45). A third stream (65) of a fluid is directed along a third path (95) between the first path (45) and the second path (75) at a first interior angle with said first path (45) and at a second interior angle with said second path (75).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Abbas A. Alahyari, Mary D. Saroka
  • Patent number: 7069731
    Abstract: Cooling apparatus for use on a vehicle. The apparatus includes a heat exchanger in which heat is removed from a heat load by a coolant, and first and second coolant supplies. The first coolant supply is adapted to receive a first coolant and to supply the first coolant to the heat exchanger. The first coolant is available during normal vehicle operations. The second coolant supply is adapted to receive a second coolant and to supply the second coolant to the heat exchanger. The second coolant is supplied by a fluid supply and is unavailable during normal vehicle operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell Normalair-Garrett (Holdings) Limited
    Inventor: Richard Grant Hunt
  • Patent number: 7055335
    Abstract: A venting arrangement for a vehicle refrigerator including a lower vent assembly and an upper vent assembly. The lower vent assembly provides ventilation intake for cooling of refrigeration components. The upper vent assembly provides ventilation exhaust for cooling of refrigeration components. The venting arrangement further includes a flue exhaust tube assembly. The flue exhaust tube assembly causes the combustion exhaust gases to mix with the ventilation air prior to being exhausted near the upper vent assembly and away from the refrigerator components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Norcold, Inc.
    Inventor: Jozef Hermanus van Leeuwen
  • Patent number: 7043926
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for supplying refrigerated air to a localized volume in a vehicle, suitable for the transport of groceries and other perishables. The localized volume is created by insulated panels in the storage area of a vehicle. The chiller unit includes an air duct that contains inlet and outlet openings, an evaporator core and a fan. The evaporator core receives refrigerant fluid from a powered compressor and a condenser that are shared in common with the HVAC system that serves the passenger compartment. Although the compressor and condenser are shared, the chiller unit is separate and may be used independently of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Smith
  • Patent number: 7010924
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case reduces the temperature of refrigerated items in the front of the case and achieves a tighter temperature range within the case. Air drawn from a cooler is further cooled by a coil. Some of the cold air is discharged along the front of the case as an air curtain is and drawn by fans back into the cooler. The remaining cold air is directed to a duct in the rear of the case. Openings in the duct allow air to flow across the refrigerated items towards the front of the case, further reducing the temperature of the refrigerated items in the front of the case. To prevent refrigerated items in the rear of the case from freezing, air entering the duct is warmed with air that bypasses the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration
    Inventor: Michael J. Kempiak
  • Patent number: 6968707
    Abstract: A variable speed air handling system for cooling and/or heating a room and a method of controlling the system. The system includes a fan assembly to transport air from the system into the room, the fan assembly having a substantially continuously adjustable speed within a range of speeds defined by a predetermined upper limit and a predetermined lower limit. A user interface transmits a signal in response to a desired speed of the fan assembly input by an operator via the user interface. The system further includes a control unit to substantially continuously adjust the speed of the fan assembly to a speed in the range of speeds in response to the signal transmitted by the user interface, and a climate control unit for heating and/or cooling the air to be transported from the air conditioner by the fan assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Violand, Paul Fasolo
  • Patent number: 6945058
    Abstract: In a cooling system for cooling racks in a data center, cooling fluid is circulated in the data center by a cooling device having a fan. In addition, this system includes a plenum having a plurality of returns and an outlet. The outlet of the plenum is in fluid communication with the fan and the plurality of returns are configured for removing the cooling fluid from the data center. Furthermore, the returns and are operable to vary a characteristic of the removal of the cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Cullen E. Bash, Chandrakant D. Patel, Abdlmonem H. Beitelmal, Ratnesh K. Sharma
  • Patent number: 6925819
    Abstract: A refrigeration system trapping device and method traps airborne liquid water and ice particles before they accumulate on evaporator coils, reducing frost deposition on the evaporator. The frost on the trapping device can be actively removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert A. Ingley, III, Sherif A. Sherif
  • Patent number: 6915645
    Abstract: An at least partially cooled product display cabinet in which cooling of the area or areas of the product display cabinet to be cooled takes place at least partially by means of a cooling air flow and/or by means of static cooling is described. According to the invention, at least one sensor (a, a?, a?, b, b?, b?, c, c?, c?, d, d?, d?) that is used to detect contaminants and/or particles of dirt in the cooling air flow is arranged in and/or on the product display cabinet. If the product display cabinet has at least one cooling air inlet area (5, 5?, 5?) and/or at least one cooling air outlet area (7, 7?, 7?) and/or at least one evaporator (8, 8?, 8?), the sensor or sensors (a, a?, a?, b, b?, b?, c, c?, c?, d, d?, d?) in the or a cooling air inlet area (5, 5?, 5?) and/or in the or a cooling air outlet area (7, 7?, 7?) and/or in the flow direction are located essentially directly upstream or downstream from the evaporator or evaporators (8, 8?, 8?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Linde Kaltetechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harry Finkenauer, Eugen Stall
  • Patent number: 6880349
    Abstract: A gas distribution unit for use in a rack, that holds rack-mounted equipment that produces heat during operation, includes a housing defining a cavity, an exhaust port in a top wall of the housing, and at least one intake port configured to provide fluid communication between the cavity and a volume of gas external to the housing, the at least one intake port being at least partially laterally displaced relative to the exhaust port, the housing being configured to be disposed in and coupled to the rack and to direct gas from the cavity substantially directly upward through the exhaust port when coupled to the rack, and at least one fan coupled to and disposed within the housing and configured to draw gas through the at least one intake port, and to force the drawn-in gas out of the gas distribution unit through the exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Johnson, Robert C. Pfleging, Timothy J. Anderson, Daniel C. Kroupa
  • Patent number: 6860112
    Abstract: When a vehicle approaches a station, this is detected by means of spot detection and vehicle velocity detection, and operation of a ventilator is slowed down or stopped when the vehicle is at a stop at the station. This allows the numbers of revolutions of an indoor blower, an outdoor blower and a compressor of an air conditioner to be reduced by half, with the heat load being reduced by half. This operation control can reduce the powers of sound sources constituting the interior noise, thereby reducing the interior noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Kobayashi, Tomoyuki Shibuya
  • Patent number: 6843063
    Abstract: Energy saving in indoor air conditioning is achieved by combining indoor air vertical convection producing means and indoor air conditioning means. A fan for performing suction and exhaust of air for vertically circulating the indoor air through suction and exhaust ports provided on upper and lower parts of a room is operated or stopped according to a difference in temperatures detected on the upper and lower parts of the room. The output of the fan at the time of operation is increased or decreased according thereto to prevent energy loss occurring when warm air accumulates on the upper part and cool air accumulates on the lower part. The operation or suspension of an air conditioner installed indoors, and the amount of energy consumed at the time of operating the air conditioner is controlled depending on a difference between a temperature detected in the room and a preset indoor temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Kazuo Miwa
  • Patent number: 6802185
    Abstract: A control device for a motor fan of a vehicle, which controls the motor fan to cool a radiator for engine coolant and a condenser for air conditioner refrigerant, includes: a first command value calculation section which calculates a first command value for control of the motor fan according to refrigerant pressure; a second command value calculation section which calculates a second command value for control of the motor fan according to coolant temperature; a first target value setting section which sets the greater of the first command value and the second command value as a first target value; a second target value setting section which obtains a second target value for control of the motor fan which corresponds to a total torque which is smaller than a total torque of a torque of an alternator and a torque of a compressor corresponding to the first target value; and a control section which controls the motor fan according to the second target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Furukawa, Hiromi Murao, Kazuhira Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6801836
    Abstract: A refrigerated vending machine provides separate power conservation modes for the cooling system and the panel lights. Power conservation for the panel lights takes into account whether the vending machine is located indoors or outdoors. The location can be indicated by a setting by the vending machine operator or may be determined automatically according to maximum brightness or color temperature. If the vending machine is outdoors, the panel lights are turned off when the ambient is bright (to save energy when the panel lights are not needed) and turned on when the ambient is dark (to attract customers). If the vending machine is indoors, the panel lights are turned off when the ambient is dark (since the room is presumably vacant) and turned on when the ambient is bright (indicating the room is in use). Optionally, an occupancy sensor can be used to turn off the panel lights if the room light is on but no one has been detected in it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: USA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Schanin
  • Patent number: 6796132
    Abstract: A bustop air conditioning module is provided with an evaporator section having a return air opening and a condenser section having a fresh air opening. A mixer opening is provided between the fresh air opening and the evaporator coil, and a flap is selectively positionable to cover or uncover the mixer opening to allow a selective amount of fresh air to be passed to the evaporator coil. Simultaneously, the flap also to selectively block a portion of the return air flowing to the evaporator coil and at the same allow a portion of the return air to be exhausted from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Hille, Robert C. Reimann, Belin Czechowicz
  • Patent number: 6775994
    Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser (12) includes a display case (30) defining a product display region having an open-front isolated from the ambient air of the store by means of a downwardly directed inner air curtain (55) of relatively cold refrigerated air. The amount of airflow forming the air curtain is selectively increased in response to a signal from a controller (80) whenever a sensor (70) detects a disturbance in the integrity of the air curtain or from movement in front of the display case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Math, Dochul Choi
  • Patent number: 6763668
    Abstract: Rather than having a frame into which, or upon which, an air conditioning system is mounted, a bus rooftop air conditioning module has a unibody which is formed partially of structural members interconnected to the tube sheets of the evaporator and condenser coils to form a structural body which supports the components of the system. In this way the coil tube sheets combine with other structural members to form the supporting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Peter R. Bushnell, Robert C. Reimann, Christopher Repice, Mark Colton, Xuqiang Liao, Gawain Mundy, Stephen Stopyra, Belin Czechowicz, Suresh Duraisamy, Timothy R. Campbell, Dennis Stone
  • Patent number: 6748761
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle includes an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant and including a predetermined portion in which refrigerant pools. A device for directing the flow of air to the predetermined portion to minimize the pooling of refrigerant in the predetermined portion includes a spool and a sheet wound around the spool for winding and unwinding the sheet. The opening is disposed in the sheet for allowing airflow to said predetermined portion of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud Ghodbane, James Allen Baker, Prasad Shripad Kadle
  • Patent number: 6745579
    Abstract: A computer room reduced air flow method and apparatus is provided which utilizes an increased delta T to reduce the required air quantity required from an air conditioning system, thus resulting in a reduced air flow capability. Specifically, the present invention utilizes an approximately 40° delta T to reduce the CFM requirements by substantially 50% so as to correspondingly reduce the required power for the fan by approximately 50% so as to result in substantial energy savings. The present invention serves to communicate cooling air from a cooling apparatus into an air passageway, guiding the cooling air within the air passageway into the equipment assembly and introducing the air released from the equipment into either a plenum for communicating such released air to the cooling apparatus or introducing the air released from the equipment into the room in which the equipment and/or cooling apparatus are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: TOC Technology, LLC
    Inventors: R. Stephen Spinazzola, Dennis L. Peltz
  • Patent number: 6742344
    Abstract: A shelved cupboard for refrigerated goods comprises an opening (1) for putting in or taking out refrigerated goods (2) and a ducting arrangement (3-10) for circulating of cooled air form a cooling element (11) provided thereto. The ducting arrangement (3-10) enables cooled air to be carried in separate streams, partly in between the refrigerated goods (2) and partly past the opening (1) in order to create a screening layer. The distribution of cooled air between the refrigerated goods (2) takes place via an outlet nozzle (7) at an end of an overlying shelf (12), while the distribution of cooled air to the screening layer takes place via an outlet nozzle (10) near the upper transverse end of the opening (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: Svein Henrik Vormedal
  • Patent number: 6722151
    Abstract: An air conditioning cooling apparatus and method which includes the steps of supplying cooling air generated from a cooling apparatus into an air passageway formed below a floor; guiding the cooling air in a controlled manner within the air passageway into an equipment assembly disposed on the floor through an opening located in the floor; communicating the cooling air introduced into the equipment assembly in a controlled manner into a plenum and introducing the air released from within the equipment into the plenum and communicating the released air through the cooling apparatus for cooling the released air. The method can permit temperature differential between the air supplied to the air passageway and the air introduced into the plenum from the equipment assembly to be 45° F. to substantially 40° F. so as to reduce the power necessary for operating on the fan of the blowing apparatus, and can also permit a controlled, uniform flow of air to and from the equipment in the equipment assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: TOC Technology, LLC
    Inventors: R. Stephen Spinazzola, Dennis L. Peltz
  • Patent number: 6684653
    Abstract: Closed loop cooling is provided by means of a mechanical air conditioner combined with an air-to-air heat exchanger. Three basic modes of operation maximize cooling while minimizing energy consumption, depending on ambient air temperature. In the first mode the air-to-air heat exchanger or economizer provides all required cooling to a closed circuit enclosure air stream, transferring heat to the cold ambient air stream. In the second mode the air-to-air heat exchanger precools the closed air circuit stream using moderate temperature ambient air, in the same manner as in the first mode, followed by further removal of heat by passing enclosure air through refrigeration condenser coils. The heat taken in at the evaporator is transferred to the ambient air stream as it passes through a condenser coil after passing through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventors: Nicholas H. Des Champs, Benjamin R. Tritt
  • Publication number: 20040003623
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle includes an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant and including a predetermined portion in which refrigerant pools. A device for directing the flow of air to the predetermined portion to minimize the pooling of refrigerant in the predetermined portion includes a spool and a sheet wound around the spool for winding and unwinding the sheet. The opening is disposed in the sheet for allowing airflow to said predetermined portion of the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Mahmoud Ghodbane, James Allen Baker, Prasad Shripad Kadle
  • Patent number: 6668565
    Abstract: A gas distribution unit for use in a rack, that holds rack-mounted equipment that produces heat during operation, includes a housing defining a cavity, an exhaust port in a top wall of the housing, and at least one intake port configured to provide fluid communication between the cavity and a volume of gas external to the housing, the at least one intake port being at least partially laterally displaced relative to the exhaust port, the housing being configured to be disposed in and coupled to the rack and to direct gas from the cavity substantially directly upward through the exhaust port when coupled to the rack, and at least one fan coupled to and disposed within the housing and configured to draw gas through the at least one intake port, and to force the drawn-in gas out of the gas distribution unit through the exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: American Power Conversion
    Inventors: Richard J. Johnson, Robert C. Pfleging, Timothy J. Anderson, Daniel C. Kroupa
  • Patent number: 6619052
    Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a display case having an exterior and an interior. A fan blows or draws air across an evaporator coil to cool the display case. The air is blowing over a viewing area to create an air curtain. At least one sensor obtains environmental data, which is fed to a control unit. The control unit communicates with the fan and adjusts the air curtain based on the sensed environmental data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Tyler Refrigeration Corporation
    Inventor: Robert V. Nash, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6615593
    Abstract: A method of reducing energy costs and reducing maintenance costs for a refrigeration system are provided. More particularly, the method or reducing energy costs preferably includes connecting an evaporator to a top outer surface of a refrigeration container and forming a cool air curtain by removing warm air from an interior upper portion of the refrigeration container and introducing cool air into the interior upper portion of the refrigeration container. The method of reducing maintenance costs preferably includes connecting an evaporator to an outer surface of a refrigeration container and providing ready access to the evaporator so that maintenance can be readily conducted on the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Matt Alvin Thurman
  • Patent number: 6574970
    Abstract: A computer room reduced air flow method and apparatus is provided which utilizes an increased delta T to reduce the required air quantity required from an air conditioning system, thus resulting in a reduced air flow capability. Specifically, the present invention utilizes an approximately 40° delta T to reduce the CFM requirements by substantially 50% so as to correspondingly reduce the required power for the fan by approximately 50% so as to result in substantial energy savings. The present invention serves to communicate cooling air from a cooling apparatus into an air passageway, guiding the cooling air within the air passageway into the equipment assembly and introducing the air released from the equipment into either a plenum for communicating such released air to the cooling apparatus or introducing the air released from the equipment into the room in which the equipment and/or cooling apparatus are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: TOC Technology, LLC
    Inventors: R. Stephen Spinazzola, Dennis L. Peltz
  • Patent number: 6557357
    Abstract: An air conditioning cooling apparatus and method which includes the steps of supplying cooling air generated from a cooling apparatus into an air passageway formed below a floor; guiding the cooling air in a controlled manner within the air passageway into an equipment assembly disposed on the floor through an opening located in the floor; communicating the cooling air introduced into the equipment assembly in a controlled manner into a plenum and introducing the air released from within the equipment into the plenum and communicating the released air through the cooling apparatus for cooling the released air. The method can permit temperature differential between the air supplied to the air passageway and the air introduced into the plenum from the equipment assembly to be 45° F. to substantially 40° F. so as to reduce the power necessary for operating on the fan of the blowing apparatus, and can also permit a controlled, uniform flow of air to and from the equipment in the equipment assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: TOC Technology, LLC
    Inventors: R. Stephen Spinazzola, Dennis L. Peltz
  • Patent number: 6539729
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a vertically extending airflow distribution assembly for reducing vertical temperature gradients therein, and laterally extending air passages are in flow communication with the air distribution assembly for reducing horizontal temperature gradients therein. A single fan simultaneously directs freezer compartment air into the air distribution assembly, the laterally extending passages and into a storage drawer for temperature regulation therein. A damper is located in flow communication with a light assembly and is selectively positionable to cool the refrigeration compartment through the air distribution assembly and the laterally extending passages, as well as to remove heat from the light assembly that may damage a refrigeration compartment liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffery Allen Tupis, Martin Christopher Severance, Arthur Wilson Scrivener, Gerald Eugene Sturgeon, Richard DeVos, Steven Gray
  • Patent number: 6530236
    Abstract: This invention increases efficiency of a refrigeration system by maximizing the cooling of the condenser and reducing unnecessary work done by the compressor. In air cooled systems it will also increase the stability of the fans by reducing fan cycling. The fan controller will utilize an algorithm that will consider the following inputs: oil pressure, compressor suction pressure, expansion valve position, compressor loading, last compressor loading change, and current fan stage. The algorithm uses fuzzy logic to characterize the inputs and generates an output that controls the system cooling fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: York International Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis C. Crane, John F. Judge
  • Patent number: 6508076
    Abstract: A removable modular duct system for conducting air in a temperature-controlled cargo container. Temperature-controlled air produced and propelled by a refrigeration unit, is conducted along the modular duct system by one or more duct sections and a transition section that conducts air from the refrigeration unit to the duct sections. The air may be discharged laterally via lateral discharge openings in the duct sections. An end section may be coupled to the duct sections to discharge air at the end of the duct system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Randal Gast, David B. Ziegler, Doug Lenz, Ming Zhang, Verlin Wirth
  • Patent number: 6494050
    Abstract: An air conditioning cooling apparatus and method which includes the steps of supplying cooling air generated from a cooling apparatus into an air passageway formed below a floor; guiding the cooling air within the air passageway into an equipment assembly disposed on the floor through an opening located in the floor; communicating the cooling air introduced into the equipment assembly into a plenum and introducing the air released from within the equipment into the plenum and communicating the released air through the cooling apparatus for cooling the released air. The method permits temperature differential between the air supplied to the air passageway and the air introduced into the plenum from the equipment assembly to be 45° F. to substantially 40° F. so as to reduce the power necessary for operating on the fan of the blowing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: TOC Technology, LLC
    Inventors: R. Stephen Spinazzola, Dennis L. Peltz