Refrigerant Or Coolant, Storer Or Handler Patents (Class 62/529)
  • Patent number: 11994148
    Abstract: A centrifugal fan includes a fan configured to be driven to rotate, and a scroll casing housing the fan. The scroll casing includes a peripheral wall having a volute shape having an inner end of a spiral thereof at a boundary with a tongue portion of the scroll casing. When a portion at the peripheral wall at which a distance between the peripheral wall and a rotation shaft of the fan is minimum is defined as a closest portion, the peripheral wall includes a narrowed portion at which the distance between the peripheral wall and the rotation shaft is reduced from the inner end toward the closest portion in a rotation direction of the fan, and an expanded portion that is formed between the narrowed portion and the closest portion and at which the distance between the peripheral wall and the rotation shaft is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hayashi, Takuya Teramoto, Kazuya Michikami, Ryo Horie, Takahiro Yamatani, Hiroshi Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 11841175
    Abstract: A refrigerant metering system/method incorporating a manual expansion valve (MEV), condenser isolation valve (CIV), flow isolation valve (FIV), and evaporator isolation valve (EIV) is disclosed. The MEV is configured to replace a conventional automated expansion valve (AEV) that controls a refrigerant flow valve (RFV) that is positioned in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system between a refrigerant condenser coil (RCC) and a refrigerant evaporator coil (REC) and permits manual metering of refrigerant by the RFV from the RCC to the REC and also allows complete shutoff of refrigerant flow by the RFV from the RCC to the REC. The MEV allows rapid HVAC repair and restoration of service where a replacement AEV is not readily available. The CIV/FIV/EIV are positioned in the refrigerant flow lines to permit the AEV and/or REC to be isolated from HVAC refrigerant flow for repairs to the AEV and/or REC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventor: Kenneth Ray Green
  • Patent number: 11808497
    Abstract: A refrigerant metering system/method incorporating a manual expansion valve (MEV), condenser isolation valve (CIV), flow isolation valve (FIV), and evaporator isolation valve (EIV) is disclosed. The MEV is configured to replace a conventional automated expansion valve (AEV) that controls a refrigerant flow valve (RFV) that is positioned in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system between a refrigerant condenser coil (RCC) and a refrigerant evaporator coil (REC) and permits manual metering of refrigerant by the RFV from the RCC to the REC and also allows complete shutoff of refrigerant flow by the RFV from the RCC to the REC. The MEV allows rapid HVAC repair and restoration of service where a replacement AEV is not readily available. The CIV/FIV/EIV are positioned in the refrigerant flow lines to permit the AEV and/or REC to be isolated from HVAC refrigerant flow for repairs to the AEV and/or REC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventor: Kenneth Ray Green
  • Patent number: 11772866
    Abstract: A single-walled disposable cooler can include: a body including a base and a plurality of support walls coupled to the base, the plurality of support walls and the base defining an interior cavity of the body, and the plurality of support walls extending upwardly from the base to form an opening at an upper terminus of the body in fluid communication with the interior cavity; and a lid configured to reversibly couple with the body, the lid shaped to cover the opening of the body. The body can be made entirely of a pulp-based material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Igloo Products Corp.
    Inventors: Benjamin Soto, John Maldonado, Vasanthi Iyer, Roque Barros
  • Patent number: 11717068
    Abstract: A sheet of material has a left panel secured to the left edge and a right panel secured to a right edge such that a pouch is formed at one end of the sheet of material with a roll panel portion of the sheet extending outwardly form the pouch. Storage structures, such as pouches and tool rolls may secure to the roll panel removably or non-removably. The storage structures and roll panel which may be rolled up and placed within the pouch. A perimeter of the pouch may include a closure mechanism, such as a cord and cord lock for constricting the opening of the pouch. A suspension portion may secure to the roll panel for hanging the roll panel and pouch during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: A Wood Products LLC
    Inventors: Adam Wood, Kevin Klemmt
  • Patent number: 11655406
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising HCFC-243db, HCFO-1233xf, HCFC-244db and/or HFO-1234yf and at least one additional compound. For the composition comprising 1234yf, the additional compound is selected from the group consisting of HFO-1234ze, HFO-1243zf, HCFC-243db, HCFC-244db, HFC-245cb, HFC-245fa, HCFO-1233xf, HCFO-1233zd, HCFC-253fb, HCFC-234ab, HCFC-243fa, ethylene, HFC-23, CFC-13, HFC-143a, HFC-152a, HFC-236fa, HCO-1130, HCO-1130a, HFO-1336, HCFC-133a, HCFC-254fb, CHF=CHCl, HFO-1141, HCFO-1242zf, HCFO-1223xd, HCFC-233ab, HCFC-226ba, and HFC-227ca. Compositions comprising HCFC-243db, HCFO-1233xf, and/or HCFC-244db are useful in processes to make HFO-1234yf. Compositions comprising HFO-1234yf are useful, among other uses, as heat transfer compositions for use in refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: THE CHEMOURS COMPANY FC, LLC
    Inventors: Barry Asher Mahler, Mario Joseph Nappa
  • Patent number: 11506450
    Abstract: A cooling package that includes a sensor that provides a signal to the user to indicate that the cooling package is ready for use and when the cooling package is depleted is described. The sensor and sensor display are selected on the basis of the freezing point of the contained solution. The freezing point of the solution is adjustable through use of organic or inorganic additives. The sensor can further be used by placement directly in contact with a food product and through measurement of temperature, pH or electrical conductivity a signal to the user through the built in display warns of food spoilage if the temperature, cumulative time above a pre-selected temperature, pH or electrical conductivity exceed a pre-selected limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: KOI CREATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Aliberti
  • Patent number: 11453834
    Abstract: Compositions, systems and methods for introducing lubricants, and additives, that are designed to work with environmentally friendly refrigerants into vehicle heat management systems including passenger compartment air conditioning (A/C) systems are disclosed. Methods for charging lubricants and specific additives using environmentally desirable (low GWP) refrigerant or refrigerant blend compositions into an environmentally friendly system, such as a system that uses HFO-1234yf, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: THE CHEMOURS COMPANY FC, LLC
    Inventors: Mary E. Koban, Nina E. Gray, Hubert Mentz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11454116
    Abstract: A housing of a scroll type expansion machine includes: a suction port formed at a position on the opposite side to a drive shaft with a fixed scroll interposed therebetween; a discharge port formed on the side of a drive-side bearing closer to the tip end of the drive shaft; a low pressure chamber formed on the outer side of an orbiting-side scroll portion when viewed from the axial direction of the drive shaft; and a tip end-side low-pressure space being a space in which a sealing member is disposed, and has: a partition wall partitioning the tip end-side low-pressure space and the low-pressure chamber from each other; and a communication space communicating the tip end-side low-pressure space with the low-pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: SANDEN AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10054353
    Abstract: Inserts for holding items stored in a cooler above the bottom of the cooler so that condensation or ice melt drains below the items. In one illustrative embodiment, the insert has a base portion that serves as a shelf for holding items stored in a cooler above the bottom thereof, which has a drainage structures to allow ice melt to flow underneath the base and away from the items. The base may be formed of one or more separate pieces and may be adjustable in size for use in different coolers. Adjustment features may include removably attachable extensions and base components that are slidably adjustable to form a complete base member of a desired size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Ice-Olate USA, LLC
    Inventor: Bryan W. Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20150052931
    Abstract: The heat exchanger is adapted for cooling a coolant (e.g., water), used to cool a device or an area (e.g., building interior), such as during periods of peak energy cost and usage, to save energy and energy costs. The heat exchanger includes a coolant storage tank with one or more refrigerant circulators in contact with the floor of the tank. The circulators use a refrigerant having a freezing temperature colder than the coolant, with coolant on the floor of the tank forming a layer of ice thereon. A rotary scraper extends up through the tank floor from each circulator, with the scrapers operating to remove the thin layer of ice from the floor as the ice forms. The resulting ice chips are relatively small and thin, thus having a relatively large surface area for their volume in order to maximize melting and rapid cooling of the coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: SYED A. M. SAID, MUHAMMAD UMAR SIDDIQUI
  • Patent number: 8935936
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchange device including at least two tubes (12) for circulating a heat transfer fluid arranged in at least two rows (R1, R2) offset two-by-two from one row to the other. A heat exchange fin (20) and a heat storage tank (22) made from a heat storage material extend transversely to the rows of the tubes (R1, R2) forming a group of tanks and tubes (24) in each instance, wherein a single heat storage tank (22) is in contact with one tube (12) of each row of tubes (R1, R2). The contact with the tubes (12) takes place alternately on two opposing walls (26, 28) of the heat storage tank (22), and the walls (26, 28) are also in contact with fins (20). The invention can be used for the air-conditioning evaporators of automobiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventors: Stefan Karl, Abdelmajid Taklanti, Laurent Labaste Mauhe
  • Patent number: 8899072
    Abstract: An adapter for mounting an icemaker on top of an ice bin of an ice and beverage dispenser has a lid mounted for both sliding movement and pivotal movement relative to the remainder of the adapter. The lid normally covers an inlet to the ice bin. To expose the ice bin inlet for visually inspection of the interior of the bin and/or to accommodate manual filling of the bin with ice, the lid is manually slid forward off of and then be rotated away from the bin inlet to fully expose the inlet. The lid at all times remains connected to the adapter so that it is not lost or exposed to unsanitary conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaji Kulangara Veettil, Nishant Kulkarni, Douglas Anderson
  • Patent number: 8899073
    Abstract: A refrigerant storage device that arranges two end plates to form a cavity and includes a turbulator plate within the cavity. The turbulator plate is arranged within the cavity to reinforce the cavity by providing a plurality of reinforcement portions between the end plates. The cavity is sized and the turbulator plate is configured so a liquid portion of refrigerant flowing through the cavity collects onto the turbulator plate. The device has a rectangular shape that simplifies vehicle packaging and allows the device to be readily integrated into a plate-type refrigerant-to-liquid coolant heat exchanger. The device is formed by a stacking arrangement of parts that provides for a readily scalable design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Scott Vreeland, Frederick Vincent Oddi
  • Publication number: 20140326020
    Abstract: The present invention involves plastic-rod-screen-fills for use as fill media in any evaporative water cooling and airborne fumes removal apparatuses. The plastic-rod-screen-fill consists of top and bottom frames and several plastic rods suspending from between the top and bottom frames in the shape of a rectangular thin plate as a rod screen. The plastic rods are separated sufficiently apart from each other in one layer and parallel to the length of the rectangular plastic-rod-screen-fill. The plastic rods and top and bottom frames are in one structure. Plastic-rod-screen-fills are assembled by adjoining to each other to fabricate the plastic-rod-screen-fills pack and designed to be installed upright or slantly in the evaporative cooling apparatuses. The plastic-rod-screen-fills have high manufacturing and installation cost competition, compared with those of current film fills and string-screen-fills.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Chong Mook Park
  • Patent number: 8877086
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising HCFC-243db, HCFO-1233xf, HCFC-244db and/or HFO-1234yf and at least one additional compound. For the composition comprising 1234yf, the additional compound is selected from the group consisting of HFO-1234ze, HFO-1243zf, HCFC-243db, HCFC-244db, HFC-245cb, HFC-245fa, HCFO-1233xf, HCFO-1233zd, HCFC-253fb, HCFC-234ab, HCFC-243fa, ethylene, HFC-23, CFC-13, HFC-143a, HFC-152a, HFC-236fa, HCO-1130, HCO-1130a, HFO-1336, HCFC-133a, HCFC-254fb, HCFC-1131, HFO-1141, HCFO-1242zf, HCFO-1223xd, HCFC-233ab, HCFC-226ba, and HFC-227ca. Compositions comprising HCFC-243db, HCFO-1233xf, and/or HCFC-244db are useful in processes to make HFO-1234yf. Compositions comprising HFO-1234yf are useful, among other uses, as heat transfer compositions for use in refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Barry Asher Mahler, Mario Joseph Nappa
  • Patent number: 8874381
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for calculating a destruction rate of refrigerant by establishing a calibration line using standard refrigerant gases and measuring the amount of refrigerant remaining in exhaust gas discharged after destruction of waste refrigerant. For this purpose, the present invention provides a method for calculating a destruction rate of refrigerant, the method including: establishing a calibration line using standard refrigerant gas samples whose concentrations are known; sampling exhaust gas finally discharged after decomposition of waste refrigerant; measuring the concentration of refrigerant remaining in the sampled exhaust gas; and calculating the amount of undestroyed refrigerant using the concentration of refrigerant remaining in the exhaust gas, the amount of exhaust gas discharged, and the known density of refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dae Sung Jung, Jun Young Lee, Jong Rae Cho, Han Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 8822395
    Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerating machine oil composition for use in a compressor for a refrigerator in which a sliding surface of at least a part of constitutional members of the compressor is coated with a lubrication film-forming composition containing a resin having a heat distortion temperature of 100° C. or higher as a binder, and a solid lubricant, wherein the refrigerating machine oil composition contains a base oil made of a polyoxyalkylene glycol having a kinematic viscosity of from 3 to 50 mm2/s as measured at 100° C., and a compound selected from the group consisting of amide compounds, amidated amino acid compounds and aliphatic amines having a specific structural formula which compound is contained in an amount of from 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Harutomo Ikeda, Takayuki Kato, Manabu Sugiura, Masami Ohno, Shuichi Yasuda, Takahiro Sugioka
  • Publication number: 20140137596
    Abstract: A cooling element includes two layers of a foil material, fastened to one another by welding connections such that a compartment closed for liquid is formed between them and at least one of the layers is vapor-transmitting over at least a portion of its surface area. The two layers of foil material include thermoplastic plastic, or polyurethane, polypropylene, or polyethylene. Alternatively or additionally, the layers of foil material include a weldable material at least at sides that face one another, and the connections are formed by welded connections. The layers of foil material and the intermediate layer may be manufactured from thermoplastic plastics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: INUTEQ B.V.
    Inventors: Vincent Dijkema, Erland Bakkers
  • Publication number: 20140137593
    Abstract: A sump for use in an ice maker, the sump adapted to hold a mass of water, wherein the ice maker freezes some or all of the mass of water into ice. The sump includes a recirculation area and one or more additional areas separated from the recirculation area. The recirculation area and the one or more additional areas are in fluid communication via one or more passageways. The recirculation area is adapted to hold and receive a first portion of the mass of water having a first mass. The one or more additional areas are adapted to hold a second portion of the mass of water having a second mass. Thus, if the first portion of water forms into slush, the second portion of water can be recirculated to melt the slush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: True Manufacturing Comapany, Inc.
    Inventor: John Allen BROADBENT
  • Patent number: 8720218
    Abstract: A cooling platform for cooling an object is provided. The cooling platform comprises a temperature regulation, a support layer, and a channeled covering layer. The temperature regulation layer is adapted to hold a composition. The temperature regulation layer has a plurality of angled segments, wherein angled segments within a sealed perimeter of the temperature regulation layer are formed by a top side and a bottom side at a predefined distance, and channels, wherein the channels substantially form sides by contacting the top side with the bottom side at a distance lesser than the predefined distance. The support layer is substantially bonded to the bottom side of the temperature regulation layer and is comprised of material sufficiently pliable to deform and sufficiently rigid to withstand collapse in response to the weight of the object. The channeled covering layer encompasses the support and temperature regulation layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: The Green Pet Shop Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Gerard E. Prendergast
  • Publication number: 20130340467
    Abstract: An iceless chill chamber cooler includes a chill chamber block and an iceless chill chamber. The chill chamber block can include at least one attachment feature. The iceless chill chamber can include a wall having at least one receiving feature. The receiving feature can complement and receive the attachment feature of the chill chamber block. The chill chamber block can be configured to transfer cold to an item positioned inside the iceless chill chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Gary Kiedaisch, John Maldonado
  • Patent number: 8570002
    Abstract: A generator set including a prime mover, a generator coupled to the prime mover, and a controller that is associated with a temperature controlled space and operates the generator set in one of a start/stop mode and a continuous mode depending on a demand defined at least in part by contents within the temperature controlled space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Randy S. Burnham, David J. Renken
  • Patent number: 8479526
    Abstract: A refrigerant charging method for an air conditioning device in which carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant includes a connecting step and a refrigerant charging step. In the connecting step, a cylinder containing the refrigerant is connected to a space in the air conditioning device intended to be charged by the refrigerant. A heater is interposed between the cylinder and the air conditioning device. In the refrigerant charging step, the refrigerant is moved to the intended charging space from the cylinder, via the heater. In the refrigerant charging step, further, the refrigerant that has exited the cylinder is heated by the heater so that a specific enthalpy of the refrigerant when it enters the intended charging space will be 430 kJ/kg or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromune Matsuoka, Toshiyuki Kurihara
  • Patent number: 8465665
    Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerator oil composition which satisfies both sludge dispersibility and prevention of wear and seizing of sliding parts made of aluminum and/or iron, and a compressor and a refrigeration apparatus using the refrigerator oil composition. The refrigerator oil composition is characterized by comprising a base oil which is at least one member selected from mineral oils and synthetic oils, and at least one polyamide compound having two or more amide groups in the molecule and being present in an amount of 0.01 to 5% by mass based on the total amount of the refrigerator oil composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masato Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8430658
    Abstract: A frozen comestible maker suitable for home use includes single or multiple molding cavities for forming frozen comestibles, a heat exchanger for maximizing the heat transfer away from the fluid that is being frozen in the molding cavities, a refrigerant solution with a depressed freezing point in contact with the heat exchangers, a base container to seal the refrigerant solution from the fluid that is being frozen, and a bezel piece to retain spills and aid with handling. The refrigerant solution is captured between the molding cavities and the base container. One or more sticks, a drip cup, and an extraction tool may be provided with the frozen comestible maker for preparing and extracting shaped frozen comestibles, such as ice pops and popsicles, therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Propeller, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Daniel Zorovich, Yos Kumthampinu, John Chandler Earle, Jesse Pierce Delgigante
  • Publication number: 20130047634
    Abstract: A cooling cube assembly for cooling a liquid contained within a beverage container. The cooling cube assembly includes a cooling element containing a cooling solution, and an insertion and extraction filament attached to the cooling element for inserting and extracting the cooling element from the liquid within the beverage. The insertion and extraction filament is an elongated flexible filament connected at a first end to the cooling element and at a second end to a tag for inserting and extracting the cooling element from the liquid within the beverage. The cooling element is inserted into the liquid to be cooled while the tag remains outside of the liquid. The cooling element is extracted from the liquid by pulling on the elongated filament with the tag after the liquid is cooled to a desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Cory James Harsh, Kim Marie Block, Robert Eliot Block, Andrew Michael Harsh
  • Patent number: 8381537
    Abstract: The present invention provides a brine composition for a frozen food which does not raise the freezing temperature even if the ethanol concentration is low, and is therefore able to suppress tissue breakdown caused by the growth of water ice crystals in the tissues (cells) of foods, and a method for producing a frozen food. The brine composition for a frozen food contains 30 to 70% by weight of ethyl alcohol, 0.5 to 10.0% by weight of erythritol, and water. It is preferable that the concentration of the ethyl alcohol is 35 to 60% by weight, the concentration of the erythritol is 0.8 to 5.0% by weight, and the rest is water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Tetsuya Sugino
    Inventors: Hideo Morita, Fumio Noda
  • Publication number: 20120204597
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchange device including at least two tubes (12) for circulating a heat transfer fluid arranged in at least two rows (R1, R2) offset two-by-two from one row to the other. A heat exchange fin (20) and a heat storage tank (22) made from a heat storage material extend transversely to the rows of the tubes (R1, R2) forming a group of tanks and tubes (24) in each instance, wherein a single heat storage tank (22) is in contact with one tube (12) of each row of tubes (R1, R2). The contact with the tubes (12) takes place alternately on two opposing walls (26, 28) of the heat storage tank (22), and the walls (26, 28) are also in contact with spacers fins (20). The invention can be used for the air-conditioning evaporators of automobiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Valeo Systems Thermiques
    Inventors: Stephan Karl, Abdelmajid Taklanti, Laurent Labaste Mauhe
  • Patent number: 8220284
    Abstract: A heat storage device that includes a first heat storage material and a second heat storage material, both of which accumulate heat by heat exchange with a heat afferent medium, and a changeover device that selectively either performs or intercepts heat storage by the second heat storage material. Accordingly, if the absorption of heat by the first heat storage material has decreased, the changeover device changes flow of the second heat storage material so that heat may be extracted from the heat afferent medium by the second heat storage medium. Thus, when the heat afferent medium is a refrigerant, it is possible to supercool the refrigerant thereof. Furthermore, since heat is extracted from the heat afferent medium and is accumulated, accordingly it is possible to anticipate effective utilization thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Tsubone
  • Publication number: 20120144858
    Abstract: A refrigeration connection tube. The tube comprises a flexible section of tubing that includes a ribbing. The ribbing circumscribes the flexible section of tubing in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a long axis of the flexible section of tubing. The ribbing traverses an entire thickness of the flexible section of tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Colby Logan, James Timbs
  • Patent number: 8185251
    Abstract: A generator set including a prime mover, a generator coupled to the prime mover, and a controller that is associated with a temperature controlled space and operates the generator set in one of a start/stop mode and a continuous mode depending on a demand defined at least in part by contents within the temperature controlled space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Randy S. Burnham, David J. Renken
  • Patent number: 8151577
    Abstract: A frozen beverage device (10) has a container (20) and sealable cover (30) to convert a liquid (60), such as a non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverage into an at least semi-frozen slurry containing ice crystals (61). Freezing device(s) (50), which may have a range of shapes, contain refrigerant to from a thin layer of ice/ice crystals on the deformable wall(s) of the freezing device(s) (50), the ice crystals (61) being released therefrom due to agitation of the liquid (60) by shaking/rotation and/or squeezing on the container (20) and/or cover (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Turbine Developments Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Alfio Bucceri
  • Publication number: 20120042663
    Abstract: A cooling element for cooling goods to be chilled is proposed, comprising a shell with at least one heat transfer wall for exchanging thermal energy with the goods. The cooling element further comprises at least one fluid space proximate to the heat transfer wall and at least one storage space separated from the fluid space by at least one separating element, wherein the storage space is configured to hold a supply of cooling medium in the solid aggregate state. The separating element is configured to substantially separate the supply of cooling medium in the solid aggregate state from the fluid space and to enable the cooling medium in the liquid aggregate state to pass over from the storage space to the fluid space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Ideapro GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Baumgärtner, Klaus Kauer
  • Publication number: 20120038120
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system for cooling a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Allen J. Bartlett, William Johnson, Mark Collins, Sergei Syssoev, James A. O'Neil, Michael J. Eacobacci
  • Publication number: 20120031141
    Abstract: [Purpose] To provide a fluid machine, and a refrigerant circuit and a waste heat utilization device using the fluid machine, whereby the size and cost of a Rankine circuit and thus of the waste heat utilization device can be reduced while preventing an abnormally high pressure from being developed in the Rankine circuit and also improving starting performance of the Rankine circuit. [Means for Attaining the Purpose] A waste heat utilization device (1) is provided with a Rankine circuit (4) including a fluid machine (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Hirofumi Wada
  • Publication number: 20120019115
    Abstract: A mobile container may include a bottom element, a top element, a front element, a back element, and two side elements defining a containment volume. The two side elements may have a length longer than a length of either the front element or the back element. The containment volume may be configured to include a plurality of rack frames. Each rack frame may include a module insertion area on a first side of the rack frame, a universal backplane area, and a power bus. The universal backplane area may be positioned on a second side of the rack frame opposite to the first side and may include at least one mounting surface configured to mount two or more backplane boards. At least two of the backplane boards may be configured to couple to two respective modules that each have at least two different functions and are insertable through the module insertion area. The at least two different functions of at least one backplane board may include rack power and management functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: John Craig Dunwoody, Teresa Ann Dunwoody
  • Patent number: 8080138
    Abstract: This invention describes a low temperature, self-sustainable desalination process operated under natural vacuum conditions created and maintained by barometric pressure head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Arrowhead Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Nagamany Nirmalakhandan, Veera Gnaneswar Gude
  • Patent number: 8056359
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes an insulated cabinet forming an interior cavity and a refrigeration system for cooling the interior cavity. A thermally conductive shelf forms a support surface within the interior cavity, and a thermal sink is operatively coupled to the conductive shelf. The thermal sink is adapted to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy from the thermally conductive shelf. In one example, the thermal sink includes a plurality of thermal sinks operatively coupled to the conductive shelf. In another example, the thermal sink is removable from the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Smith, Joel Benjamin Kelso, Mary Catherine Stommes
  • Patent number: 8057207
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing frozen comestibles including a container having an interior portion holding a refrigerant solution, and a mold insert attached to the container. The mold insert includes a base, molding cavities extending therefrom, and a heat exchanger in communication with the molding cavities. The mold insert is received within the container such that the molding cavities are housed within the interior portion of the container and the heat exchangers are submerged within the refrigerant solution. The molding cavities include exposed openings that receive fluids to be frozen. When the refrigerant solution is at a sufficiently cool temperature, the fluids freeze into a shaped frozen comestible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Propeller, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Daniel Zorovich, Yos Kumthampinij, John Chandler Earle, Jesse Pierce Delgigante
  • Patent number: 8043523
    Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerator oil composition which satisfies both sludge dispersibility and prevention of wear and seizing of sliding parts made of aluminum and/or iron, and a compressor and a refrigeration apparatus using the refrigerator oil composition. The refrigerator oil composition is characterized by comprising a base oil which is at least one member selected from mineral oils and synthetic oils, and at least one polyamide compound having two or more amide groups in the molecule and being present in an amount of 0.01 to 5% by mass based on the total amount of the refrigerator oil composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masato Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20110197627
    Abstract: A poppet valve has a valve pin movable relative to a bore, and with a curved outside shape. A flow cross-sectional area across the poppet valve is defined between an outer diameter of the curved outside shape, and an inner diameter of the bore. Further, a vapor cycle incorporating such a poppet valve is disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Jason Labrie
  • Publication number: 20110126557
    Abstract: A cooling element for cooling goods to be chilled is proposed, comprising a shell with at least one heat transfer wall for exchanging thermal energy with the goods. The cooling element further comprises at least one fluid space proximate to the heat transfer wall and at least one storage space separated from the fluid space by at least one separating element, wherein the storage space is configured to hold a supply of cooling medium in the solid aggregate state. The separating element is configured to substantially separate the supply of cooling medium in the solid aggregate state from the fluid space and to enable the cooling medium in the liquid aggregate state to pass over from the storage space to the fluid space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Ideapro GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Baumgartner, Klaus Kauer
  • Publication number: 20110100032
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a first gas from a system including a second different gas, includes a collecting basin for collecting the first gas, wherein the collecting basin includes a variable inlet opening for letting in the first gas into the collecting basin, wherein the inlet opening can be brought into communication with the system, and a variable outlet opening for letting out the first gas from the collecting basin, wherein the variable outlet opening is not in communication with the system, and a generator for generating a pressure within the collecting basin, which is higher than the pressure of an atmosphere outside the variable outlet opening, wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening are implemented such that in a discharge mode at a pressure within the collecting basin which is higher than the pressure in the atmosphere, the inlet opening has a higher fluid resistance than the outlet opening, such that the second gas can be output from the collecting basin via the outlet opening, and that
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Holger Sedlak, Oliver Kniffler
  • Publication number: 20110094256
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a sub door which reduces energy loss and a method of manufacturing method the sub door. The refrigerator includes a main body provided with storage chambers formed therein, doors opening and closing the storage chambers, and provided with an opening, a sub door to open and close the opening, and a cooling unit provided on the rear surface of the sub door. When the sub door is opened, cool air of the cooling unit is transmitted to a stored article put on the rear surface of the sub door, and when the sub door is closed, relatively uniform temperature distribution in the storage chamber is achieved and thus storage performance of the refrigerator is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo Hee Song, Jeong Wook Lee, Ha Jin Jeong
  • Publication number: 20110088427
    Abstract: A four-way valve (12) includes a valve housing (14) having a valve chamber (30) inside; connection openings (62, 64, 66) opening in the inner surface of the valve chamber (30); a slide valve element (24) for controlling communication between the connection openings (62, 64, 66) according to a sliding position thereof; and a drive mechanism for driving the slide valve element (24),the drive mechanism having a sleeve (80) defining a cylinder bore (86) inside; a piston (78) slidably fitted in the cylinder bore (86); a valve rod (76) attached with the slide valve element (24); a pilot pressure chamber (88) supplied with pilot pressure for sliding the piston (78); and an O-ring (94) supporting the sleeve (80) inside the valve housing (14), the O-ring (94) securing a gap (98) between the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve (80) and the inner circumferential surface of the valve housing (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Yutaka Ishii, Makoto Kobayashi, Hironori Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20110063796
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide for a system that removes excess thermal energy from a datacenter. In one embodiment, the system includes a holding container with highly thermally conductive surfaces installed in the warmest area(s) of the datacenter. Two substances are released into the holding container and are mixed creating a liquid solution and causing an endothermic reaction. The resulting reaction transfers thermal energy from the datacenter air to the new solution. The liquid solution is then pumped out of the datacenter, where it can be passed through a dialyzing membrane or an evaporation chamber, which separates the liquid solution into its two original substances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cary M. Huettner, Joseph Kuczynski, Robert E. Meyer, III, Timothy J. Tofil
  • Publication number: 20110048035
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a neck portion sized to wrap around the neck of an animal and a poll cap portion adapted to cover at least the poll of the animal. The neck portion includes an upper end, a lower end, a first edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining one side of the neck portion, a second edge extending between the upper and lower ends and defining another side of the neck portion, and a pocket adapted to contain a refrigerant. The poll cap portion includes a pocket adapted to contain a refrigerant. The apparatus may be employed with any suitable refrigerant, including, but not limited to, a single-use refrigerant or a reusable refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: James T. Crews, Carmen H. Stiles
  • Publication number: 20100269539
    Abstract: A composite configured to release refrigerant therefrom comprises a substrate material comprising polarized fibers of glass, polyamide, phenylene sulfide, carbon or graphite or combinations of two or more thereof having bonded thereon a metal compound comprising a complex compound of a polar gaseous refrigerant and a metal salt and/or a hydrated metal hydroxide and/or a metal hydroxide of a metal comprising alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, zinc, cadmium, tin, aluminum, or two or more thereof, at a concentration of at least about 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: ROCKY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Kaveh Khalili
  • Publication number: 20100050660
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile refrigerated vehicle comprising a refrigerated chamber housing for at least one refrigerated chamber contained therein, a tank for liquefied gas, an evaporator for the evaporation of the liquefied gas during the delivery of cold to the refrigerated chamber and an exhaust pipe for the evaporated gas, in conjunction with which the evaporator is arranged outside the refrigerated chamber; and a method for refrigerating a refrigerated chamber of a mobile refrigerated vehicle comprising the following process stages: removal of a liquefied gas from a tank and supply of the gas into an evaporator arranged outside the refrigerated chamber; removal of a flow of cooling air to be refrigerated from the refrigerated chamber, evaporation of the liquefied gas in the evaporator and utilization of at least one part of the cold content for the refrigeration of the flow of cooling air; introduction of the refrigerated flow of cooling air into the refrigerated chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: L'AIR LIQUIDE SOCIETE ANONY POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPL
    Inventors: Dirk Teegen, Franz Lurken, Helmut Henrich, Reinhard Kost