Indirect Cooling Using Closed Circuit Heat Transfer Fluid Patents (Class 62/96)
  • Patent number: 11859868
    Abstract: A heat pump water heater has a tank, a heat source, and a heat pump system. The heat pump system has a refrigerant path, at least a portion of which is in thermal communication with the water tank volume so that heat transfers from refrigerant to the water tank volume. A fan causes air to flow through a housing, and another portion of the refrigerant path includes an evaporator in the housing. The fan is within the housing and may further be within a second housing. The first housing may comprise a baffle to direct air flow. The fan may be a variable speed fan in communication with a controller, so that the controller controls the fan speed depending on a temperature of the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Rodney K. Pugh, Emil J. Antoon, Josue Figueroa, Hector T. Donastorg, Richard T. Robbins
  • Patent number: 11712656
    Abstract: A drying and filtering device. The filtering and drying device comprises a bearing base body, an adsorption drying tube and a refrigerating tube. The bearing base body comprises an upper adsorption airflow cavity and an upper refrigerating airflow cavity located at an upper end of the bearing base body, and a lower adsorption airflow cavity and a lower refrigerating airflow cavity located at a lower end of the bearing base body. The adsorption drying tube is vertically arranged between the upper end and the lower end, and communicates with the upper adsorption airflow cavity and the lower adsorption airflow cavity. The refrigerating tube is vertically arranged between the upper end and the lower end, and communicates with the upper refrigerating airflow cavity and the lower refrigerating airflow cavity. The bearing base body further comprises an air intake guide cavity, and communicates with the refrigerating tube and the adsorption drying tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Shenzhen Biteman Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying Hui Guo
  • Patent number: 11560042
    Abstract: A heat pump includes a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a compressor, a first condenser, a vapor generator having a first region and a second region, a first expansion valve, a second expansion valve, and a first evaporator. A branching point is positioned between the first condenser and the vapor generator. The branching point diverts a portion of a first heat exchange fluid circulating through the refrigerant loop to the vapor generator. The first expansion valve is positioned between the branching point and the vapor generator. An outlet of the vapor generator is coupled to a mid-pressure inlet port of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Paul Brown, Manfred Koberstein, Loren John Lohmeyer, Rachael Shey
  • Patent number: 11543164
    Abstract: An exemplary heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a building includes a primary heat pump system having a primary heat pump system size, a secondary heat pump system having a secondary heat pump system size less than the primary heat pump system size, a thermal energy storage system, and a control system operable to control operation of the primary heat pump system and the secondary heat pump system. The control system may limit operation of the secondary heat pump system to a first time period, and operates the primary heat pump system according to demand of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Melink Solar & Geo, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen K. Melink, Stephen Hamstra, Roshan Revankar
  • Patent number: 10718549
    Abstract: A heat pump water heater has a tank, a heat source, and a heat pump system. The heat pump system has a refrigerant path, at least a portion of which is in thermal communication with the water tank volume so that heat transfers from refrigerant to the water tank volume. A fan causes air to flow through a housing, and another portion of the refrigerant path includes an evaporator in the housing. The fan is within the housing and may further be within a second housing. The first housing may comprise a baffle to direct air flow. The fan may be a variable speed fan in communication with a controller, so that the controller controls the fan speed depending on a temperature of the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Rodney K. Pugh, Emil J. Antoon, Josue Figueroa, Hector T. Donastorg, Richard T. Robbins
  • Patent number: 9157655
    Abstract: An endothermic heat pump water heater has a water tank supported atop a hollow base, a heat pump circuit operable to provide primary heat to water in the tank, and an electric resistance heating element operable to provide secondary heat to the water. The heat pump circuit includes refrigerant tubing in which a compressor disposed within the base, a condenser in heat exchange external contact with the tank, a refrigerant expansion device, and an evaporator disposed within the base are connected in series. A vertical duct, external to the tank, has an inlet adjacent the upper tank end, and a fan is operative to sequentially flow air inwardly through the inlet, downwardly through the duct into the base, across the compressor, across the evaporator, and then outwardly from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeremy Lee Babb, Paul D. McKim
  • Publication number: 20140260374
    Abstract: A merchandiser including a case that defines a product display area. The case includes a canopy that has a first air outlet in fluid communication with a primary air passageway within the case to direct a primary air curtain into the product display area, and a second air outlet in fluid communication with a secondary air passageway within the case to direct a secondary air curtain into the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a divider that is coupled to the canopy between the primary air passageway and the secondary air passageway. The divider provides airflow communication between the primary air passageway and the secondary air passageway upstream of the first and second air outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HUSSMANN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy D. Anderson, Ken Nguyen, Paul R. Laurentius
  • Patent number: 8808638
    Abstract: A retort sterilization device includes a water steam generation device for generating water steam and a heating pot, connected to the water steam generation device, for accommodating retort food. The water steam generation device includes a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between liquid flowing in a liquid path and heating vapor flowing in the vapor path. A top end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected via a water steam supply pipe to a water steam ejection section located in an internal area of the heating pot. The heat exchanger is connected to a liquid container. A bottom end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected to the liquid container via a communicating tube. The liquid container is coupled to the heating pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: Tomoda Selling & Sailing Co., Ltd., Tomoda Fisheries Co., Ltd., Houshou Co., Ltd, Wakisangyou Yugenkaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tomoda, Norio Kadowaki, Hironobu Tomoda, Manabu Moriwaki, Satoru Kadowaki
  • Publication number: 20140069127
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a modular fluid-handling system may include an air-handling and mixing unit and a cooling unit. The air-handling and mixing unit may be configured to be in fluid communication with a primary structure, and may include an air mover configured to move air. The cooling unit may be configured to be in fluid communication with the primary structure and the air-handling and mixing unit, the cooling unit further configured to receive, one at a time, a plurality of different types of heat-rejection media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Mark Bailey, Ty Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20130068423
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus and method are provided for cooling an electronic subsystem of an electronics rack. The cooling apparatus includes a local cooling station, which has a liquid-to-air heat exchanger and ducting for directing a cooling airflow across the heat exchanger. A cooling subsystem is associated with the electronic subsystem of the rack, and includes either a housing facilitating immersion cooling of electronic components of the electronic subsystem, or one or more liquid-cooled structures providing conductive cooling to the electronic components of the electronic subsystem. A coolant loop couples the cooling subsystem to the liquid-to-air heat exchanger of the local cooling station. In operation, heat is transferred via circulating coolant from the electronic subsystem and rejected in the liquid-to-air heat exchanger of the local cooling station to the cooling airflow passing across the liquid-to-air heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the cooling airflow is outdoor air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: International Business Machines Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130014523
    Abstract: The disclosed operation method of a heat pump-type vehicle air conditioning system involves a step for setting a cold operating mode for raising the output air temperature of the air conditioner by means of a heater or a normal operating mode for raising the heating COP; a step for detecting the temperatures inside and outside the vehicle; and a step which, by selecting either the cold operating mode or the normal operating mode on the basis of the detected temperatures inside and outside of the vehicle, is for bypassing a condenser, controlling the opening of an electronic expansion valve contained in a bypass unit connected in series to a gas/liquid separating liquid coolant storage unit downstream of the aforementioned heater, and adjusting the pressure drop applied to the coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenzo Kimura, Daisuke Yamaoka, Hidenori Esaki, Kosuke Masuzawa, Satoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8272324
    Abstract: A system is provided for tempering, or controlling the temperature of a printing machine to maintain a desired temperature by the use of a cooling device. The cooling device prepares, on a first output, a tempering medium having at least one first desired temperature level, for a first supply current of the tempering medium for the components whose temperatures are to be controlled. The cooling device provides a first cooling process which can be carried out by a first fluid circuit. Tempering medium, which is to be cooled to a tempering temperature that is below the ambient, or an external temperature, are provided. A second cooling process is carried out by a device for cooling a second fluid circuit which is different from the first fluid circuit, by the use of outside air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Georg Matthias Müller, Jürgen Marx, Karl Erich Albert Schaschek, Georg Schneider
  • Patent number: 8151579
    Abstract: A cooling recover system and method are disclosed. A fluid, such as water, is chilled and provided to a cooling coil to cool and dehumidify air passing over the cooling coil. The fluid is output from the cooling coil through an outlet, and at least a portion of the fluid from the outlet of the cooling coil is provided to an inlet of a heat transfer coil to reheat air passing over the heat transfer coil. The fluid is warmed as it passes through the cooling coil, which warmer temperature serves to reheat the air passing over the heat transfer coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Scot M. Duncan
  • Publication number: 20110174001
    Abstract: A method of providing cooled air to electronic equipment includes capturing heated air from a volume containing electronic equipment, cooling the heated air by more than fifteen degrees Celsius in an air-to-water heat exchanger, and supplying cooling water to the air-to-water heat exchanger at a temperature above a dew point temperature of the heated air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Exaflop LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Carlson, William Whitted, Jimmy Clidaras, William Hamburgen, Gerald Aigner, Donald L. Beaty
  • Patent number: 7654307
    Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system is disclosed comprising an evaporative cooler in series with the conventional vapor compression system. The evaporative cooler comprises an array of dry channels and a contiguous array of wet channels. The primary air stream to be conditioned by the evaporator of the conventional air conditioning system is preconditioned by the evaporative cooler by lowering its dry bulb temperature without changing its absolute humidity. An evaporator core is supported downstream of the evaporative cooler for receiving the primary air from the dry channels and thereby produces liquid condensate. The system is distinguished by conducting the liquid condensate from the evaporator core to the wicking tank for use in the wet channels of the evaporative cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohinder Singh Bhatti, Ilya Reyzin, Kurt Dale Hollasch
  • Patent number: 7650757
    Abstract: A thermoelectric heat transfer system is provided. The thermoelectric heat transfer system comprises a coolant circuit with a pump circulating coolant through the circuit. A first heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the coolant circuit to remove heat from the coolant. At the same time, a second heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the coolant circuit. Thermoelectric modules (TEMs) are integrated into the second heat exchanger to create a temperature differential between fins and conduits of the second heat exchanger. The coolant flows through the conduits to draw heat from the TEMs, while a fan assembly conveys air through the fins into a climate-controlled area to cool the climate-controlled area to a desired temperature. In other embodiments, a sleeve acts as the second heat exchanger. The sleeve is adapted to receive and cool beverage containers and like items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohinder Singh Bhatti
  • Publication number: 20090107155
    Abstract: Hydrogen gas at a hydrogen refueling site is cooled below liquid nitrogen temperature (e.g., about 80K) for more efficient adsorption of hydrogen on hydrogen adsorbent particles in the fuel storage of a hydrogen powered vehicle. When compressed hydrogen gas is available it may be cooled with liquid nitrogen and then sub-cooled below about 70K by a Joule-Thompson expansion. When liquid hydrogen provides hydrogen gas it may be cooled below liquid nitrogen temperatures by mixing with liquid hydrogen or by heat exchange with liquid hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Senthil Kumar Vadivelu
  • Publication number: 20080264076
    Abstract: A system and process to re-liquefy boil-off liquid natural gas in varied amounts by a process using a screw compressor having an effective compression range from about 10 to about 100 percent of its rated capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Brian C. Price, Randal J. Winkler
  • Patent number: 7111470
    Abstract: A variable evaporator control system and method in a gas dryer for maximizing the cooling which can be accomplished for a given length heat exchanger by adjusting the evaporator refrigerant approach temperature responsive to changes in the gas load on the system. Pressure and/or temperature sensors positioned at particular locations in the system provide feedback for controlling adjustments in the approach temperature depending on the gas load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Brian W. Pritchard, Mark F. Honath, Timothy J. Fox
  • Patent number: 7089997
    Abstract: A heat exchanger that uses water liquid and vapor phases transformation to enhance heat exchange performance mainly includes a primary heat exchanger, a water vaporization device and an auxiliary heat exchanger. The auxiliary heat exchanger has an upper heat exchange tube on an upper end and a lower heat exchange tube on a lower end thereof. The upper and lower heat exchange tubes are connected by a plurality of vertical heat tubes. Refrigerant and water serve as heat exchange media to pre-cool (pre-heat) air intake. The auxiliary heat exchanger and water vaporization device can generate liquid and vapor phases transformation to increase water content in the air to enhance heat exchange effect of the air, thereby to enhance heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger, and save energy and reduce thermal pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Cohand Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Liang Weng, Ming-Tsun Ke, Jing-Wen Weng
  • Patent number: 6915646
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for a vehicle includes an accumulator/dehydrator (A/D) disposed in the suction fluid line for accumulating refrigerant and a heat transfer jacket surrounds the A/D for exchanging heat with the A/D and the refrigerant therein. The heat transfer jacket may define a space between an inner wall of the A/D and an outer wall spaced therefrom with a heat transfer media disposed in the space for cooling by extracting heat from the refrigerant in the A/D. Alternatively, the jacket is defined by a double walled sleeve surrounding the A/D and defining the space for the heat transfer media. Yet another alternative is for the heat transfer jacket to comprise a thermoelectric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Prasad Shripad Kadle, James Allen Baker, Mahmoud Ghodbane
  • Patent number: 6883602
    Abstract: An evaporator unit for use in the air conditioning system of a mass transit vehicle that includes a housing mounted inside the air conditioned section of the vehicle having a return air inlet connected to a supply air outlet by a flow passage. The evaporator coil of the air conditioner is mounted in the flow passage to cool the air moving through the passage. A heater coil is mounted behind the evaporator coil to selectively heat the air moving through the passage. A dehumidifying coil is mounted in front of the evaporator coil that utilizes ambient air to dehumidify the indoor air when the ambient air temperature is at a temperature below that at which the air conditioner cannot reliably operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Alan S. Drucker
  • Publication number: 20040148956
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a first cooling system having a refrigerant in thermal communication with a heat exchanger device to provide a first cooling source. A second cooling system has a coolant in thermal communication with the heat exchanger device and a refrigeration device is configured to receive the coolant. A third cooling system is configured to provide a second cooling source to the coolant when the first cooling source is unavailable, so that a pressure of the coolant does not exceed a predetermined level when the first cooling source is unavailable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Yakov Arshansky, David K. Hinde, Richard N. Walker, Georgi S. Kazachki
  • Patent number: 6640561
    Abstract: A unit comprises a refrigerating circuit (30), at least part of a primary circuit (110), and connections (151, 152) for a user's circuit (120). The refrigerating circuit comprises an evaporator (E), a compressor (31), a condenser battery (C), and an expansion valve (34), and connection lines. The primary circuit extends through the evaporator and through an air-cooled “free-cooling” battery (FC). To allow a variable flow through the free-cooling battery, though maintaining the flow rate constant through the evaporator, the primary circuit (110) comprises a bypass line (140) extending between an outlet line from the evaporator and an inlet line to the evaporator, and a storage tank (A) on said bypass line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: RC Group S.P.A.
    Inventor: Trecate Roberto
  • Publication number: 20030188543
    Abstract: A unit comprises a refrigerating circuit (30), at least part of a primary circuit (110), and connections (151, 152) for a user's circuit (120). The refrigerating circuit comprises an evaporator (E), a compressor (31), a condenser battery (C), and an expansion valve (34), and connection lines. The primary circuit extends through the evaporator and through an air-cooled “free-cooling” battery (FC). To allow a variable flow through the free-cooling battery, though maintaining the flow rate constant through the evaporator, the primary circuit (110) comprises a bypass line (140) extending between an outlet line from the evaporator and an inlet line to the evaporator, and a storage tank (A) on said bypass line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: RC GROUP S.P.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Trecate
  • Patent number: 6615908
    Abstract: The invention allows cool rooms or sea containers designed for frozen goods to handle produce requiring more precisely controlled temperatures and conditions, e.g., vegetables and fruits requiring temperatures in the chilling range and often also needing control or modification of the atmosphere. Each load of produce (100) (e.g. of pallet size) is held in the sea container or cool room but is sealed from the air of the refrigerated environment by, for example, a plastics bag (56). The atmosphere within the bag is then circulated by a fan (12) (or by convection currents from a heating element) so as to pass through the load and around it via ducts (30) provided adjacent the bag (56). Heat exchange (50) between the circulating gas and the refrigerated environment, via the plastics film, serves to cool the load. However, if cooling is excessive a heating element can be used to raise the temperature of the circulating atmosphere. Gas composition of the atmosphere can be controlled by scrubbing, flushing, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Transphere Systems Limited
    Inventors: Paul Raymond Bosher, Robert Barnes
  • Patent number: 6591632
    Abstract: A system for chilling and/or liquefying a fluid wherein a multicomponent refrigerant in a circuit is compressed, condensed, expanded and warmed to cool one or more portions of the fluid which are then turboexpanded to generate refrigeration and which are then used to provide refrigeration to a remaining portion of the fluid so as to chill and/or liquefy that remaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin William Mahoney
  • Patent number: 6574972
    Abstract: Methods of cooling an object are presented, the methods comprising contacting a heat transfer fluid with a liquid cryogen to form a precooled, substantially pure heat transfer fluid, and contacting the object with the precooled substantially pure heat transfer fluid to form a cooled object and a recycle flow of the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid consists essentially of a compound selected from the group consisting of substantially pure hydrogen, substantially pure helium, substantially pure argon, substantially pure nitrogen, and substantially pure carbon dioxide. Each of the contacting steps may be either direct contact, indirect contact, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignees: L'Air Liquide - Societe' Anonyme a' Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, American Air Liquide
    Inventors: Frederick W. Giacobbe, Michael G. Pizzo
  • Publication number: 20030037905
    Abstract: An air conditioning system utilizes heat transfer circulation of the change of two water phases where are liquid and water as primary and heat transfer of other air conditioning heat sources such as mechanical types or non-mechanical types as auxiliary mechanisms to perform composite heat transfer to thereby effectively reduce energy consumption required in heat transfer of the air conditioning systems and decrease thermal pollution resulting from the discharging of waste heat. A water circulation system within an air conditioning unit draws outdoor air into an air inlet passage. A discharge water pipe is located at one side of an indoor heat exchanger to use water in the water circulation system as a heat exchange medium. A large portion of air conditioning load is removed before the incoming air reaches the indoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Kuo-Liang Weng
  • Patent number: 6324860
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a dehumidifying air-conditioning system which increases the entire energy efficiency thereof to have a low operating cost, consume reduced electric energy in daytime, and radiate minimum heat into the atmosphere in thermal storage operation at night.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Kensaku Maeda, Hideo Inaba
  • Patent number: 6293113
    Abstract: Cooling system and process for removing at least one of excess process heat and excess machine heat from one of a paper and cardboard machine. The cooling system includes at least one closed primary cooling cycle arranged to remove excess heat, at least one closed secondary cooling cycle arranged to remove the excess heat from the at least one closed primary cooling cycle, and at least one primary heat exchanger coupled to each at least one primary cooling cycle for transferring the excess heat from the at least one closed primary cooling cycle to the at least one closed secondary cooling cycle. The cooling device also includes a tertiary cooling water path having a cooling water feed line and a cooling water return line coupled to the one of the paper and cardboard machine, and at least one secondary heat exchanger coupled to the second cooling cycle for transferring the excess heat from the at least one closed secondary cooling cycle to the tertiary cooling water path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Prechtel
  • Patent number: 6178765
    Abstract: An air conditioner which includes therein a dust collecting device having a high voltage unit coupled to a power supply and discharge and dust collecting electrodes each coupled to the high voltage unit, and which has an air cleaning function for collecting by means of the dust collecting device dust contained in external air sucked by rotation of a fan thereby to exhaust the air thus cleaned to an outside. The air conditioner further includes a microcomputer control section (dust removing control section) which executes a dust removing mode for heating a heater provided at the dust collecting electrode to remove dust adhered to the dust collecting electrode, in which the dust removing control section executes the dust removing mode after stopping the operation of the air conditioning function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasumasa Hironaka, Takao Sakaue
  • Patent number: 6109044
    Abstract: A fan coil unit comprising an air conditioning coil using a main cooling coil surrounding by a heat pipe. The cooling coil is face-split to form a first portion for conditioning inside air, as needed, and second portion for continuously conditioning outside air. The air conditioning coil is positioned between an pre-cooler or evaporator coil and a re-heater or condenser coil. The pre-cooler and re-heater are comprised of a plurality of passive heat pipes, at least one circuit for each of the first and second portions of the face-split cooling coil. Each of the circuits is a continuous length of pipe folded into a C-shape having a crossover end and a hair pin end. In this way, vapor can rise in the upper portion of the pre-cooler side, through the upper crossover pipe, to the re-heater side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: International Environmental Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Porter, Kim A. Sabatino
  • Patent number: 6085529
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising a precooler and reheater core adjacent a chiller core, first heat transfer passages extending through both cores through which incoming air passes in a first direction, second heat transfer passages extending through the chiller core through which coolant passes in heat exchange relationship with incoming air and perpendicular to the first direction, and third heat transfer passages extending through the precooler and reheater core through which cooled air from the chiller core passes in heat exchange relationship with the incoming air and perpendicular to the first direction. A manifold contiguous with both cores conducts chilled air from the chiller core to the third set of heat transfer passages.Incoming air is chilled in the chiller core and thereafter exchanges heat with the incoming air in the precooler and reheater core to precool the incoming air to form water droplets and to raise the temperature of the chilled air to a usable temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: American Precision Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Galus, David F. Fijas
  • Patent number: 5927084
    Abstract: An air conditioning system comprises first (8) and second (13) heat exchangers having first and second counterflow passages, a twin bed gas purification unit comprising (i) first (22) and second (23) parallel filter beds, (ii) valve means for directing air from an inlet to flow through the first filter bed and for directing purified air from the first bed so that a greater proportion flows to an outlet while a smaller proportion flows in counter direction as purge gas through the second bed and then to a purge outlet, (iii) a plurality of heater units (30) at spaced apart locations along each of the filter beds for heating a gas as it flows through the heater bed, and (iv) means for controlling the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Domnick Hunter Limited
    Inventor: Robert Michael Fielding
  • Patent number: 5372011
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling temperature and humidity of an air stream by chilling a cold storage material and warming a heat storage material by evaporation and condensation respectively from a fixed capacity refrigeration cycle, and selectively cooling and warming the air stream by controlled heat transfer from the cold and heat storage materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Indoor Air Quality Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. O'Neal
  • Patent number: 5265442
    Abstract: A system for cooling employee and customer-occupied area of a commercial establishment of a type having an internal refrigerated inventory storage compartment includes a water reservoir located within the refrigerated compartment. Included is an assembly for continually supplying a portion of water from the reservoir to an input of a heat exchanger external of the refrigerated compartment. Further included is an assembly for, after circulation of water through the heat exchanger, return of the water to the water reservoir within the refrigerated compartment. The system also includes an assembly for inputting air external of the refrigerated compartment through the heat exchanger to transfer the air's thermal values to the circulated water. Further provided are a fan and ductwork sub-system for distributing resulting cooled air outputted from the heat exchanger to the employee and customer-occupied areas of the establishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: Thomas T. Lamie
  • Patent number: 5105633
    Abstract: The invention is an improvement in an apparatus for condensing and recovering vaporized solvent entrained with a gas. Such apparatus has a multistage refrigeration system including a high stage circuit with a high pressure refrigerant conductor. The inventive improvement includes a solvent heat exchanger with a vessel for containing very cold condensed solvent. A portion of the high pressure refrigerant conductor is in heat-exchange relationship to such condensed solvent and transfers heat to such solvent, thereby increasing the refrigerating capacity of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Venturedyne, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark W. Briggs
  • Patent number: 5097669
    Abstract: A system for cooling hydrogen which is used for cooling an electric power generator, cooling of the hydrogen being effected by transfer of heat from hydrogen leaving the generator to cooling water extracted from a source which has a temperature determined by external conditions. The system is composed of an indirect heat exchanger for bringing cooling water into heat exchange communication with hydrogen leaving the generator and cooling water is supplied to the heat exchanger partially from the source and partially from cooling water leaving the heat exchanger. A temperature monitoring unit produces an indication of the temperature of the cooling water extracted from the source and a control unit is coupled to the temperature monitoring unit to cool the hydrogen to a desired temperature while maintaining a constant flow rate of cooling water into the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Homer G. Hargrove, Lon W. Montgomery, James R. Pipkin
  • Patent number: 4928752
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering latent heat from a heat transfer medium comprising a mixture of water and alcohol, which is circulated through a heat collector and a heat exchanger for heat exchange with the evaporator in a refrigerating circuit. The heat transfer medium is sucked from the heat exchanger to provide an underpressure for atomization of the heat transfer medium with following generation of bubbles in the heat transfer medium, ice crystals then being precipitated and the ratio of water and alcohol thus being changed, the heat transfer medium with ice crystals entrained therein then being supplied to the heat collector under overpressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Inventor: Magnus H. Von Platen
  • Patent number: 4554797
    Abstract: In a heat pump having a heat source, a heat sink and a thermal storage heat exchanger in which heat energy is cyclically accumulated and discharged by circulation of a secondary refrigerant therethrough, the improvement wherein: the secondary refrigerant is an aqueous solution having a concentration which is below its eutetic concentration, the heat sink is adapted to super cool the aqueous solution to partially freeze it to generate a partially frozen solution in which fine ice particles are retained in suspension, the thermal storage heat exchanger has a storage chamber, a first input communicating with said storage chamber for admitting said partially frozen solution from the heat sink to said storage chamber, a second input communicating with said storage chamber for admitting heated refrigerant from the heat source sink to said storage chamber, a first output communicating with said storage chamber for discharging liquid phase refrigerant from said storage chamber for circulation to said heat sink and/or
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Inventor: Vladimir Goldstein
  • Patent number: 4532777
    Abstract: A two stage cooling system in which the first stage's cooling affect is transferred to the second stage through direct contact with an oil-like material. The oil-like material is cooled by direct contact with water which has been evaporatively cooled. The oil-like material is then utilized to cool the air stream prior to the second stage evaporative cooling. The use of an oil-like material in the first cooling stage of evaporative cooling allows a relatively dry air stream to be produced so as to fully capitalize upon the evaporative cooling affect of the second stage cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: University of Arizona Foundation
    Inventor: Tommy L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4480445
    Abstract: In a heat pump having a heat source, a heat sink and a thermal storage heat exchanger in which heat energy is cyclically accumulated and discharged by circulation of a secondary refrigerant therethrough, the improvement wherein: the secondary refrigerant is a aqueous solution having a concentration which is below its Eutetic concentration, the heat sink is adapted to super cool the aqueous solution to partially freeze it to generate a partially frozen solution in which fine ice particles are retained in suspension, the thermal storage heat exchanger has a storage chamber adapted to receive said partially frozen solution from the heat sink and to separate the ice particles from the liquid phase refrigerant to form a porous ice bed and a substantially ice free liquid bath, and wherein the thermal storage heat exchanger is adapted to receive heated refrigerant and to discharge the heated refrigerant into said chamber such that it is placed in intimate contact with the ice bed in a manner such that it may pass th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Inventor: Vladimir Goldstein
  • Patent number: 4474022
    Abstract: An ambient air assisted cooling system comprising: vapor-compression refrigeration means; air-cooled heat exchanger means; and means responsive to the temperature of the ambient air for advancing the matter to be cooled through said refrigeration means and/or said heat exchanger means. Said means for advancing said matter preferably comprises microprocessor means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Standard Oil Company
    Inventor: John R. Puskar
  • Patent number: 4429542
    Abstract: A method of freezing fertilized ova, spermatozoa or the like which has the steps of containing fertilized ova, spermatozoa or the like in a buffer solution at an irregular position in a tube, and cooling the same so that a buffer solution contained in an area containing no fertilized ova, spermatozoa or the like become lower in temperature than the buffer solution containing the fertilized ova, spermatozoa or the like with a desired refrigerant to freeze the second buffer solution to produce crystalline nuclei, and then cooling the nuclei so that the nuclei grow to the first buffer solution. And, an apparatus for freezing fertilized ova, spermatozoa or the like which can carry out the above method. Thus, the survival rate of the fertilized ova, spermatozoa or the like can be raised, and the fertilized ova, spermatozoa or the like can be readily frozen under an automatic control by simple cooling means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Hoxan Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuo Sakao, Yasuo Kuraoka
  • Patent number: 4319460
    Abstract: Warm food products are chilled to a sanitary storage temperature approaching 0.degree. C. without dehydration by introducing them into a cold humid 100% humidity chamber. The humidity is regenerated by spraying refrigerated water and the products are passed through a chilling chamber on a conveyor belt with a spiral path configuration.Various cabinet features reduce input energy and provide sanitary conditions, such as supplying sanitary water, and filtering droplets of water from the cold moist air to avoid contamination or product disfiguring drip. Provisions are made to prevent a moving conveyor belt from carrying warm air into the chiller or from carrying cold air out of it as it passes continuously through the chiller cabinet. All lubricated mechanical equipment is mounted external to the food processing chilling chamber and access doors are provided for sanitation. The water spray chamber and water flow paths are simply sanitized by replacing the water with a detergent solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: Hester Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Williams
  • Patent number: 4193271
    Abstract: An improved air conditioning system comprises a first medium in heat exchange relation with an air stream, means for controlling the temperature of the first medium to effect sufficient heat exchange to control the temperature of the air stream, a second medium having thermal storage capacity, thermal conducting means interposed between said first and second media for effecting heat exchange therebetween, the thermal conducting means being thermally coupled to a means for exchanging heat with the air stream, and a means for controlling the flow rate of the air stream through the heat exchange means in order to controllably apportion heat exchange between (a) the first medium and (b) the air stream and the second medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Inventor: Richard F. Honigsbaum
  • Patent number: 4182129
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising:(a) a housing having an interior surface;(b) a thermally conductive member in intimate contact with the housing;(c) a thermally conductive element coaxially disposed in said housing and having an inner and an outer surface and in thermal communication with the member, wherein the inner surface of the element defines a first fluid passage, and wherein the interior surface of the housing and the outer surface of the element are in spaced relationship thereby defining a second fluid passage, the first and second fluid passages being in fluid communication;(d) a first port for maintaining the first fluid passage in fluid communication with a first external fluid;(e) a second port for maintaining the second fluid passage in fluid communication with a second external fluid; and(f) means for regulating the member's temperature; wherein heat is transferred between the member and the element via solid conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1980
    Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Otto Haunold, Malbone W. Greene
  • Patent number: 4018060
    Abstract: An open loop air cycle air conditioning system draws ambient air into a turbine for expansion and cooling. The air passes through a heat exchanger where it withdraws heat from recirculated cabin air and is passed to a compressor which is operatively coupled to and driven by the turbine to partially recompress the air. The air is directed from the compressor to the intake manifold of the airplane engine. Valves may be positioned at the ambient air inlet to control the flow of air through the air conditioning system and into the engine. Water can be sprayed into the low pressure air at the heat exchanger to provide substantial additional cooling by evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Kinsell, James C. Noe, Carl D. Campbell
  • Patent number: 4014179
    Abstract: Inlet air for an internal combustion engine in an airplane is expanded through a turbine to lower its pressure and temperature and is passed through a water chiller wherein heat exchange and evaporative cooling substantially lower the temperature of the water. The air is then fed to a compressor driven by the turbine and its pressure is raised to a level suitable for input to the engine manifold. The chilled water is circulated through a heat exchanger to provide cooling for the cabin of the airplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1977
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas L. Iles, Kwang-Chou Hwang, Robert C. Kinsell