Exchanging Heat Between Plural Systems, E.g., Disparate Patents (Class 62/79)
  • Patent number: 11913672
    Abstract: A dehumidification system for use with a dehumidification refrigerant to dry ambient air as part of a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (“HVAC”) system that includes an HVAC condenser as part of an HVAC refrigeration circuit. The dehumidification system may include a dehumidification refrigeration circuit separate from the HVAC refrigeration circuit. The dehumidification circuit may include a dehumidification compressor, a dehumidification condenser, a dehumidification expansion device, and a dehumidification evaporator. The dehumidification condenser may be positioned in close proximity to the HVAC condenser such that airflow across the HVAC condenser also flows across the dehumidification condenser. The dehumidification evaporator may be spaced apart from the dehumidification condenser such that airflow across the dehumidification evaporator does not flow across the dehumidification condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Goodman Global Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Geethakrishnan Vasudevan
  • Patent number: 11885533
    Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a compression device having at least a first compression stage and a second compression stage arranged in series refrigerant flow relationship. A first refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger is disposed downstream with respect to refrigerant flow of the second compression stage. A first refrigerant intercooler is disposed intermediate the first compression stage and the second compression stage. The first refrigerant intercooler is disposed downstream of the first refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger with respect to the flow of the first secondary fluid. An economizer includes a vapor line in fluid communication with a suction inlet to the second compression stage. A second refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger is disposed intermediate with respect to refrigerant flow of the second compression stage and the first refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Jianhua Zhou, Tobias H. Sienel, KeonWoo Lee, Jason D. Scarcella, Douglas Auyer, Ping Sue Vang, Bruce J. Poplawski
  • Patent number: 11859879
    Abstract: The solar augmented chilled-water cooling system comprises a refrigeration cycle, a cooling tower, an air handling unit (AHU), a supplemental cycle and a solar energy harvesting unit. The supplemental cycle is in fluid communication with the refrigeration cycle, which is in fluid communication with the cooling tower, which in turn is in fluid communication with the supplemental cycle. The cooling tower cools a water stream by evaporation. The water stream from the cooling tower is passed to the supplemental cycle for further cooling using energy from the solar energy harvesting unit. The water stream is then passed to a condenser of the refrigeration cycle for its efficient operation at proper temperature. The water stream is then retuned back to the cooling tower to be re-cooled. In the refrigeration cycle, an evaporator uses operation of the associated condenser for providing cooling effect through the AHU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS, King Abdullah City for Atomic & Renewable Energy (K.A.CARE)
    Inventors: Esmail M. A. Mokheimer, Mohammad R. Shakeel
  • Patent number: 11850908
    Abstract: A thermal management device having an indirect air conditioning circuit for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The device has a first refrigerant fluid loop (A) with a compressor, a two-fluid heat exchanger, a first expansion device, an evaporator, a second expansion device, an evaporator/condenser, and a first by-pass line including a first stop valve, a first and a second internal heat exchanger. A second by-pass line includes a third expansion device arranged upstream from a cooler, a shunt branch comprising a first external radiator. The device also has a second heat transfer fluid loop (B) in which a heat transfer fluid is intended to flow. The two-fluid heat exchanger is arranged jointly on the one hand on the first refrigerant fluid loop downstream of the compressor, between said compressor and the first expansion device, and on the second heat transfer fluid loop (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Jugurtha Benouali
  • Patent number: 11823001
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for recognizing an answer sheet includes the steps of: reading a filled answer sheet comprising at least one set of graphical codes; locating each set of graphical codes in the answer sheet; a set of graphical codes comprising one grid or two grids, wherein for each set of graphical codes, if the function mark of the first grid is filled, two sets or four sets of 8-digit binary codes are obtained according to the filling state of each of the filling areas in each grid of the set of graphical codes; and recognizing the corresponding characters according to the encoding format determined by the encoding format mark. If the function mark in the first grid is un-filled, the filling states of the eight icons of the encoding format mark are converted to the third set of binary codes for character recognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventors: Yuhong Wang, Ziming Wang
  • Patent number: 11794556
    Abstract: A climate control circuit for a transport climate control system is provided. The circuit includes a compressor, a plurality of evaporators, a suction flow control device, and a controller. The suction flow control device is downstream of the plurality of evaporators and directs the working fluid from each of the evaporators to one of a main suction port and an auxiliary port of the compressor. The controller determines whether each of the evaporators is operating in a fresh temperature range or in a frozen temperature range. For each of the evaporators operating in the fresh temperature range, the controller instructs the suction flow control device to direct the working fluid from the corresponding evaporator to the auxiliary suction port. For each of the plurality of evaporators operating in the frozen temperature range, the controller instructs the suction flow control device to direct the working fluid to the main suction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: THERMO KING LLC
    Inventors: Joseph R. Kaiser, Lars I. Sjoholm, Panayu Robert Srichai, David J. Dykes
  • Patent number: 11703255
    Abstract: Provided is a thermoacoustic refrigerator including an air column pipe, a prime mover, a load, and a heat accumulation tank. An exhaust gas supplied to and discharged from the heat accumulation tank is supplied, as a heat source, to the prime mover disposed inside the air column pipe, so as to cause self-oscillation of a working gas filled in the air column pipe so that sound waves are generated. With the sound waves, the load disposed inside the air column pipe converts sound wave energy into heat energy, so as to output cold heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SINTOKOGIO, LTD.
    Inventor: Shinsuke Iijima
  • Patent number: 11679642
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit (1) for coolant (47) comprising a main duct (3), a first branch (4), a second branch (5) and a third branch (25), the main duct (3) comprising a compression device (2) and a main heat exchanger (8) arranged to be traversed by an external air flow (EF), the first branch (4) comprising a first heat exchanger (13) thermally coupled to a loop (14) for heat transfer liquid (48) and an accumulation device (15), the second branch (5) comprising a second heat exchanger (17), the third branch (25) comprising a third heat exchanger (26), characterised in that the first branch (4) and the second branch (5) are parallel and meet at a convergence point (6), the first branch (4) and the third branch (25) meet at a first junction point (19). Application to motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventor: Mohamed Yahia
  • Patent number: 11673448
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a thermal management system for an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle may include a cabin, a battery system, a battery coolant loop including a battery coolant line thermally coupled to the battery system, a heat pump loop including a heat pump line thermally coupled to an internal heat exchanger, and a refrigerant-coolant heat exchanger thermally coupled to the battery coolant loop and the heat pump loop. The thermal management system may be configured to provide heating or cooling to the cabin or battery system depending on an operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Aiden Cohan, Akshit Markan, Derek McVay
  • Patent number: 11655757
    Abstract: A method of assembling a gas turbine engine is disclosed herein. The method comprises providing a set of standard axial compressor stages. Each axial compressor stage included in the set of standard axial compressor stages includes a rotor having a plurality of blades configured to rotate about an axis and a stator having a plurality of stator vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin M. Iwrey
  • Patent number: 11577580
    Abstract: A heat exchange system for a vehicle includes: a heat exchange module disposed at a rear, in a length direction, of a vehicle body, formed of a plurality of plate-shaped plates including a plurality of through-holes; a radiator installed at a front, in the length direction, of the vehicle body; a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module disposed at the rear, including an air conditioning cases that includes an evaporator, an indoor condenser, and an opening/closing door provided therein; an electric compressor; a rear driving motor disposed at the rear; an autonomous driving controller disposed at the rear; and a switching valve including a first valve installed on a first refrigerant line, a second valve installed on a second refrigerant line; and a third valve installed on a third refrigerant line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Seong-Bin Jeong
  • Patent number: 11486612
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system that includes a vapor compression system and an absorption heat pump. The vapor compression system includes a compressor configured to circulate refrigerant through the vapor compression system, an evaporator configured to place the refrigerant in thermal communication with a low temperature heat source, and a condenser configured to place the refrigerant in thermal communication with an intermediate fluid loop. The absorption heat pump includes an absorption evaporator configured to place a working fluid in thermal communication with the intermediate fluid loop, an absorber configured to mix the working fluid in an absorbent to form a mixture, a generator configured to heat the mixture and separate the working fluid from the absorbent, and an absorbent condenser configured to place the working fluid in thermal communication with a heating fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventor: Joseph M. Brillhart
  • Patent number: 11472266
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (200) including: a refrigeration unit (22) having a refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger (34) and a fan (40) configured to blow air across the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger; a first engine (26) configured to power the refrigeration unit (22), the first engine (26) having an engine coolant circuit (80) and an exhaust outlet (27); a heat exchanger (70) having: a first fluid passage (72) fluidly connected to the exhaust outlet (27); and a second fluid passage (74) fluidly connected to the engine coolant circuit (80); and a third fluid passage (76) fluidly connected to and configured to receive air blown across the refrigerant heat rejection heat exchanger (34). The second fluid passage (74) is thermally connected to the first fluid passage (72) and the third fluid passage (76) is thermally connected to the first fluid passage (72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Loic Renault
  • Patent number: 11466875
    Abstract: A hydronic system is provided that includes a primary fluid loop that includes a thermal source for heating or cooling a working fluid, dual secondary fluid loops that include respective thermal loads, and a decoupler. One leg of a supply tee at an output of the source places the output in fluid communication with one end of a decoupler and, beyond the decoupler, with the input of a thermal load of a first secondary fluid loop. Another leg of the supply tee places the source output in fluid communication with the input of a thermal load in a second secondary fluid loop. One leg of a return tee at an input of the source places the input in fluid communication with the other end of the decoupler and, beyond the decoupler, with the output of the thermal load of the first secondary fluid loop. Another leg of the return tee places the input of the source in fluid communication with the input of the thermal load in the second secondary fluid loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Weston IP, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Weston
  • Patent number: 11338647
    Abstract: A vehicle thermal system includes a heat-generating component, a heat-absorbing component, a liquid coolant reservoir for receiving and distributing a liquid coolant, a first liquid loop that is connected to the liquid coolant reservoir, includes a first pump upstream from a first functional component to circulate the liquid coolant, is heated by the heat-generating component, and includes a first valve downstream from the first functional component to control recirculation or return of the liquid coolant to the liquid coolant reservoir, and a second liquid loop that is connected to the liquid coolant reservoir, includes a second pump upstream from a second functional component to circulate the liquid coolant, is cooled by the heat-absorbing component, and includes a second valve downstream from the second functional component to control recirculation or return of the liquid coolant to the liquid coolant reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent G. Johnston, Damjan Puljic, Kegan J. Connick, Anup M. Vader
  • Patent number: 11325443
    Abstract: A heat pump system for a vehicle utilizes one chiller in which a coolant and a refrigerant are heat-exchanged to adjust a temperature of a battery module, and utilizes a sub-centralized energy module with waste heat of an electrical component in a heating mode of the vehicle to improve heating efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Yeon Kim, Yunho Hwang
  • Patent number: 11313601
    Abstract: A control method and a control system are provided. A valve closing position of a valve device can be controlled according to the current flow direction or working mode of a refrigerant. A stroke of the valve device from a fully-opened position to a fully-closed position is defined as a total valve closing stroke. When the flow direction of the refrigerant is a forward direction, the valve device is controlled to operate at a first valve closing position, and when the flow direction of the refrigerant is a reverse direction, the valve device is controlled to operate at a second valve closing position. The first valve closing position is different from the second valve closing position, such that wear caused by valve closing can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Hangzhou Sanhua Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bin Zhang, Jinlan Xie
  • Patent number: 11292313
    Abstract: A heat pump system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes an engine cooling device having a first radiator and a first water pump connected via a first coolant line. An electrical equipment cooling device includes a second radiator and a second water pump connected via a second coolant line. A battery module is disposed in a battery coolant line selectively connected with the second coolant line. An air conditioner is connected with the battery coolant line and includes a third water pump and a cooler disposed in the first connection line. A heating device is connected with the first coolant line via a third valve and includes a fourth water pump and a heater disposed in the second connection line. A centralized energy (CE) module supplies a coolant to the air conditioner, is connected with the coolant lines to supply a high-temperature coolant to the heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jae Yeon Kim
  • Patent number: 11262114
    Abstract: A system for deicing an external evaporator for heat pump systems includes at least one compressor, at least one internal condenser, at least one external evaporator, at least one liquid separator, and a system of ducts for cooling fluid. The deicing system includes a secondary refrigeration circuit, which includes a tank for storing a heat transfer fluid, and a first heat exchanger immersed in the heat transfer fluid and adapted to transfer heat to the heat transfer fluid by cooling the cooling fluid. The system further includes a bypass refrigeration circuit, which includes the tank, and a second heat exchanger immersed in the heat transfer fluid and adapted to absorb heat from the heat transfer fluid by heating the cooling fluid. The system also includes a deicing circuit adapted to convey cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: BEGAFROST S.R.L.
    Inventor: Bruno Begarelli
  • Patent number: 11207939
    Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes selective use of a liquid cooled gas cooler (LCGC) and conductive heat exchangers between heating, cooling, battery, and powertrain thermal management loops to increase temperature control and efficiency of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventors: Vincent G. Johnston, Donald P. Yuhasz, Mark R. Hoehne
  • Patent number: 11186137
    Abstract: A heat pump system for a vehicle includes a cooling apparatus including a radiator, a first water pump, a first valve, and a reservoir tank, a battery cooling apparatus including a battery coolant line connected to the reservoir tank through a second valve, a second water pump and a battery module, a chiller in a first branch line and connected to the battery coolant line through the second valve, a heating apparatus including a first connection line connected to the coolant line through a second valve, and a third water pump and a heater in the first connection line, an air conditioner including a second connection line connected to the battery coolant line through a fourth valve, and a fourth water pump and a cooler in the second connection line, and a centralized energy device connected to the first and second connection lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jae Yeon Kim
  • Patent number: 11187632
    Abstract: A test chamber and a method for conditioning air includes a temperature-insulated test space which can be closed off from the surroundings, and a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of the test space. The temperature control device allows a temperature in a temperature range of ?20° C. to +180° C. to be established within the test space, and includes a cooling circuit with a refrigerant, a heat exchanger, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion element. The cooling circuit has an internal storage device connected to a high-pressure side of the cooling circuit upstream of the expansion element and downstream of the condenser and to a low-pressure side of the cooling circuit upstream of the compressor and downstream of the heat exchanger via a bypass of the cooling circuit. Thermal energy is stored and exchanged with the refrigerant through the internal storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: WEISS TECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Haack, Bjoern Stroh, Dennis Reuschel
  • Patent number: 11189868
    Abstract: A battery module includes a module housing provided in an angular tube shape and a cell assembly having a plurality of pouch-type battery cells stacked and arranged in one direction with broad surfaces being erect and accommodated in the module housing. The battery module includes a sensing assembly configured to electrically connect electrode leads extending from the pouch-type battery cells and cover a front portion and a rear portion of the cell assembly, respectively. Flow paths through which a cooling air flows are formed between a top plate and the cell assembly and between a bottom plate and the cell assembly, respectively, the top and bottom plates serving as upper and lower portions of the module housing. Ventilation holes for allowing the cooling air to flow into and out of the flow path are formed at a top end and a bottom end of the sensing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-Ki Lee, Bum-Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 11143439
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a gas leakage sensor and a control device. When refrigerant leakage is detected by the gas leakage sensor, the control device performs a first mode operation to operate a compressor in such a state that a four-way valve is set to a cooling operation state, an expansion valve is opened, and a first shutoff valve is closed. After performing the first mode operation, the control device performs a second mode operation to operate the compressor in such a state that the four-way valve is set to a heating operation state and the first shutoff valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Matsuda, Makoto Wada, Yuji Motomura, Katsuhiro Ishimura
  • Patent number: 11137177
    Abstract: An internal return pump is disclosed for a heat engine converting energy from a vapor source to an output device. The heat engine comprises a heat engine body having a sealed first and a second heat engine body end with a heat engine piston is located in the heat engine bore. A heat engine piston rod is connected to the heat engine piston and extending from the second heat engine body end. A first valve and a second valve assembly communicating with the heat engine bore for reciprocating the heat engine piston within the heat engine bore. A condensate pump operated by the heat engine piston rod extending from the second heat engine body end for pumping low pressure vapor to the low pressure vapor return of the vapor source. An output section connecting said heat engine piston rod extending from said second heat engine body end to the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: VAPORGEMICS, INC
    Inventor: Michael B Gilmore
  • Patent number: 11112154
    Abstract: A control unit (19) that controls the operation of a refrigerant circuit (10) executes pump down operation in which a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture is collected into a portion of the refrigerant circuit (10) within an outdoor unit (2), executes compositional ratio determination in which the compositional ratio of the non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture is determined based on the pressure and temperature of the non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture collected into the outdoor unit (2) by the pump down operation, and generates an alert when the compositional ratio of the non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture determined by the compositional ratio determination is outside an acceptable proportion range of a hydrofluorocarbon having the property of undergoing a disproportionation reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Kumakura, Ikuhiro Iwata, Tetsuya Okamoto
  • Patent number: 11097596
    Abstract: A vehicle equipped with an electric motor includes an electric motor, an electrical storage device, an air-conditioning device, a heat source cooling circuit and a controller. The air-conditioning device includes a heater core, an air conditioning hot liquid circuit that causes a thermal medium liquid to flow through the heater core, and a temperature raising device that raises a temperature of the thermal medium liquid and cause electric power consumption. When regenerative braking is performed by the electric motor when a state of charge of the electrical storage device is a predetermined value or more, the controller raises a temperature of the thermal medium liquid using the temperature raising device and switches connection and shutting between the air conditioning hot liquid circuit and the heat source cooling circuit according to a temperature of the thermal medium liquid in the air conditioning hot liquid circuit and the heat source cooling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Takeuchi, Yoshihisa Tsuchiya, Kenzo Kimura
  • Patent number: 11067328
    Abstract: A hybrid cooling system and a method of controlling the same. The hybrid cooling system comprises an absorption refrigeration system, a compression refrigeration system and a controller which operates the absorption refrigeration system and the compression refrigeration system in three modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Dometic Sweden AB
    Inventors: Anton Lundqvist, Xingbiao Yang, Yongbin Zhang, Junbao Li, Patrick McConnell, Clayton Meyers
  • Patent number: 11027594
    Abstract: Heated plastic lines in a hybrid/electric vehicle (H/EV) in which a vehicle chassis thermal loop, component thermal loop, motor drive, and power electronics are coupled together and used in either a serial or parallel configuration. The vehicle chassis thermal loop includes a fluid, a circulation pump, and one or more lines through which the fluid flows. The component thermal loop includes the fluid and one or more lines in contact with the component through or around which the fluid flows. At least one of the vehicle chassis thermal loop and component thermal loop has at least a portion of the one or more lines being a plastic heated line. The plastic heated line is configured to heat the fluid to a temperature that is at or above a cold operating temperature predetermined for the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Stimson, Alastair Deane
  • Patent number: 10928107
    Abstract: A method for operating a vapour compression system (1) comprising a heat recovery heat exchanger (4) is disclosed. The heat recovery system requests a required level of recovered heat to be provided by the heat recovery heat exchanger (4) to the heat recovery system, generates a signal indicating the required level of recovered heat, and supplies the generated signal to a control unit of the vapour compression system (1). A setpoint value for at least one control parameter of the vapour compression system (1) is calculated, based on the generated signal, and the vapour compression system (1) is operated in accordance with the calculated setpoint value(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Frede Schmidt, Kristian Fredslund, Jan Prins
  • Patent number: 10897838
    Abstract: A cooling system including a primary cooling module supplying refrigerant to a circuit including a thermal load. A secondary cooling module provides a supplemental flow of refrigerant to the circuit upon detection of a deficiency of the primary cooling module. A valve is disposed between the primary: module and the circuit to prevent refrigerant flow between the primary cooling module in the circuit. The secondary cooling module transactions from a standby mode of operation to an online mode of operation and the primary cooling module is deactivated in response to detection of the deficiency of the primary cooling module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Vertiv Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Harvey, Stephen Sillato
  • Patent number: 10852009
    Abstract: A water heater comprising a heat pump device and a water tank is provided. A temperature controller operates the heat pump device based on a comparison of a measured water temperature and a set temperature. The water heater further comprises a source temperature sensor measuring the temperature of a heat source serving to provide heat energy to the heat pump device process. The source temperature sensor measures a source temperature and provides a source temperature value to the temperature controller. The temperature controller adapts an activation temperature in response to the measured source temperature. The water heater provides an improved accuracy of the temperature controller without unnecessarily reducing the life expectancy of the heat pump device. Furthermore, a corresponding method for controlling a heat pump device in a water heater is suggested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Stiebel Eltron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hubert Nolte
  • Patent number: 10823471
    Abstract: A method for controlling an operating discharge pressure in a multi-purpose HVAC system including an outdoor unit, and an indoor unit, the HVAC system including a plurality of flow control valves configured to isolate the indoor unit from the multi-purpose HVAC system, a compressor and a controller, operably coupled to a water heater module, the water heater module including at least one valve, the controller executing a method including operating the multi-purpose HVAC system in a water heating mode, monitoring the operating discharge pressure from the compressor; and generating a signal commanding at least one of the plurality of control valves to isolate the indoor unit from the outdoor unit and water heating module and direct high pressure refrigerant to the indoor unit when the operating discharge pressure is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rishabh Dixit
  • Patent number: 10811739
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of batteries, a housing, a circulation path, and a blower. The circulation path includes a bottom wall side path formed between lower faces of the batteries and a bottom wall which is the bottom side of the housing. The bottom wall is provided with a plurality of beams arranged in parallel for reinforcing the housing, and the batteries are arranged on the beams. The bottom wall side path is formed as a space surrounded by the lower faces of the batteries, the bottom wall, and the beam. The width of the bottom wall side path formed between adjacent beams is set to be larger than the width of one beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouji Yamashita, Yoshimitsu Inoue, Hiroyoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10794620
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus reduces occurrence of refrigerant accumulation on a downstream side of an evaporator to favorably circulate refrigerant. The air-conditioning apparatus includes: a main circuit in which a compressor, a refrigerant-flow switching device, a load-side heat exchanger, a load-side expansion device and three heat-source-side heat exchangers are connected by pipes to circulate refrigerant; and a heat-exchanger flow-passage switching device which performs switching to apply a first series refrigerant passage in the case where the three heat-source-side heat exchangers are used as condensers, and switching to apply a parallel refrigerant passage in the case where the three heat-source-side heat exchangers are used as evaporators. In the first series refrigerant passage, on an upstream side, the first and second heat-source-side heat exchangers are connected parallel to each other, and on a downstream side, the third heat-source-side heat exchanger is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Shuhei Mizutani
  • Patent number: 10745854
    Abstract: Provided is a garment processing apparatus for compactly optimizing the arrangement space of a heat pump system. A heat pump module is modularized by integrally mounting a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator in an integrated housing and is disposed at an upper portion of a tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Myoungjong Kim, Seongwoo An, Sangho Cho
  • Patent number: 10619895
    Abstract: Liquid desiccant air-conditioning systems cool and dehumidify a space in a building when operating in a cooling operation mode, and heat and humidify the space when operating in a heating operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: 7AC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter F. Vandermeulen
  • Patent number: 10578343
    Abstract: A mechanical subcooling system operatively connectable to a transcritical R-744 refrigeration system resulting in an energy efficiency ratio of a level comparable to that of refrigeration systems using common refrigerants. Mechanical subcooling increases the refrigeration capacity without increasing the power consumption of the refrigeration system's compressors. The compressors used to provide the refrigeration capacity for the subcooling process operate at much more favorable conditions, thus having a very high energy efficiency ratio. The result is higher refrigeration capacity and lower power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SYSTÈMES LMP INC.
    Inventors: Gaétan Lesage, Jordan Kantchev
  • Patent number: 10508835
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes at least a compressor, a condenser, an internal heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between parts of refrigerant each having a different pressure, a refrigerant reservoir configured to store the refrigerant, a first pressure reducing device, an evaporator. The compressor, the condenser, the internal heat exchanger, the refrigerant reservoir, the first pressure reducing device, and the evaporator are sequentially connected to each other. The refrigeration cycle apparatus also includes a first pipe connecting the condenser and the refrigerant reservoir, and a second pressure reducing device provided to the first pipe between the internal heat exchanger and the refrigerant reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Ishiyama, Yohei Kato
  • Patent number: 10495248
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a water system includes a compressor, a condenser fluidly coupled to the compressor by refrigerant tubing, a modulating motor-controlled valve configured to alter a flow of water through the condenser, an accelerometer mechanically coupled to the water system, and a water system controller. The water system controller may be configured to perform an automated anti-water hammer procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Perez, Steve Schneider, Harold Gene Havard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10480800
    Abstract: An air conditioner (100), comprising a compressor (110), a reversing assembly (120), an outdoor heat exchanger (130), an indoor heat exchanger (140), an electric control heat sink assembly (150), a unidirectional throttle valve (160) and a throttle component (170). The unidirectional throttle valve (160) comprises a first valve port (161) and a second valve port (162), on the flow direction from the first valve port (161) to the second valve port (162), the unidirectional throttle valve (170) is fully turned on, and on the flow direction from the second valve port (162) to the first valve port (161), the unidirectional throttle valve (170) is a throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: GD MIDEA AIR-CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Han, Jinbo Li, Qinghao Meng, Mingyu Chen, Xiangbing Zeng
  • Patent number: 10465952
    Abstract: A vapor injection heat pump includes a coolant loop and a refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop includes a compressor, a valve directing a refrigerant of the compressor to a first or second heat exchanger dependent upon a mode of operation, an expansion device receiving the refrigerant from at least one of the heat exchangers, a separator receiving an expanded liquid/vapor refrigerant mix from the expansion device and directing a vapor component to a first input port of the compressor and a liquid component to a second valve. The second valve directs the liquid component to the heat exchangers, dependent upon the mode, and an accumulator receives an output refrigerant of the heat exchangers dependent upon the mode and directs a vapor component to a second input port of the compressor. A control module controls a pump in the coolant loop and the first and second valves dependent upon the mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jing He, Loren John Lohmeyer, III, Manfred Koberstein, William Stewart Johnston, Angelo Patti
  • Patent number: 10406889
    Abstract: A heater core for exchanging heat between a coolant and ventilation air to be blown into a vehicle interior is disposed in a high-pressure side heat-medium circulation circuit that allows for circulation of the coolant heated by a heat pump cycle. A radiator for exchanging heat between at least a part of the coolant flowing out of the heater core and a low-pressure refrigerant in the heat pump cycle is disposed in a low-pressure side heat-medium circulation circuit coupled to the high-pressure side heat-medium circulation circuit. Thus, excessive heat included in the coolant flowing out of the heater core and which is not used to heat the ventilation air can suppress frost formation on an exterior heat exchanger and can also defrost the exterior heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kota Sakamoto, Satoshi Itoh
  • Patent number: 10371428
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward systems and method for cooling a refrigerant flow of a refrigerant circuit with a cool water flow from a cool water storage to generate a warm water flow and to cool the refrigerant flow by a subcooling temperature difference, flowing the warm water flow to the cool water storage, and thermally isolating the warm water flow from the cool water flow in the cool water storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William L. Kopko, Andrew M. Welch, Satheesh Kulankara
  • Patent number: 10365020
    Abstract: A switching device sequentially switches from having an evaporator-condenser generate an adsorbate and an adsorbent adsorb the adsorbate, to having an evaporator-condenser condense the adsorbate and an adsorbent desorb the adsorbate, such that the evaporator-condenser that generates the adsorbate and the adsorbent that adsorbs the adsorbate face each other, and the evaporator-condenser that condenses the adsorbate and the adsorbent that desorbs the adsorbate face each other. Accordingly, one adsorbent repeatedly desorbs and adsorbs in alternation, and another adsorbent repeatedly adsorbs and desorbs in alternation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Ryuichi Iwata, Takafumi Yamauchi, Yasuki Hirota, Takashi Shimazu
  • Patent number: 10302338
    Abstract: An ammonia plant system upgrade utilizing both a direct and indirect multistage chilling system in the ammonia plant air compression train to increase process air flow to the secondary ammonia reformer of an ammonia plant as well as upgrades to provide more pre-heating along with increased process air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Inventor: Vinod Kumar Arora
  • Patent number: 10291425
    Abstract: The present application discloses a method for controlling a terminal apparatus that is used for an appliance control system for executing a remote operation on a plurality of air conditioners from a car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Amano, Toshihisa Nakano
  • Patent number: 10208966
    Abstract: A method of and system for heating and/or cooling a fluid, the method comprising moving the fluid through a secondary side of a heat exchanger and controlling the temperature of a primary side of the heat exchanger such that the temperature of the primary side of the heat exchanger is maintained substantially at a determined temperature interval from a reference temperature which is a function of at least one of: a temperature of an inlet to the secondary side and a temperature of an outlet of the secondary side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ESG POOL VENTILATION LIMITED
    Inventor: Anthony Robinson
  • Patent number: 10180672
    Abstract: There is provided air-conditioning control in a low power operation so as not to exceed a target demand power amount in a predetermined measurement period while preventing deterioration of comfortableness of a living space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenjiro Miura, Fuyuki Sato, Kosuke Iwasaki, Kazumi Ueno, Kazuo Tomisawa, Sosuke Minamida, Toshihiro Mega
  • Patent number: 10018367
    Abstract: An air conditioner (100), comprising a compressor (110), a reversing assembly (120), an outdoor heat exchanger (130), an indoor heat exchanger (140), an electric control heat sink assembly (150), a first unidirectional throttle valve (160) and a second unidirectional throttle valve (160?). The electric control heat sink assembly (150) comprises an electric control component (151) and a heat dissipation assembly (152). The first unidirectional throttle valve (160), on the flow direction from a first valve port (161) to a second valve port (162), is completely turned on. On the flow direction from the second valve port (162) to the first valve port (161), the first unidirectional throttle valve (160) is a throttle component. The second unidirectional throttle valve (160?), on the flow direction from a third valve port (161?) to a fourth valve port (162?), is completely turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: GD Midea Air-Conditioning Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Han, Jinbo Li, Qinghao Meng, Mingyu Chen, Xiangbing Zeng