| TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120080179 | EXPANSION VALVE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS - A method of reducing a cyclical loss coefficient of an HVAC system efficiency rating of an HVAC system includes operating the HVAC system using a recorded electronic expansion valve position of an electronic expansion valve of the HVAC system, discontinuing operation of the HVAC system, and resuming operation of the HVAC system using an electronic expansion valve position that allows greater refrigerant mass flow through the expansion valve as compared to the recorded electronic expansion valve position. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120017634 | Variable Capacity Screw Compressor and Method - A variable capacity screw compressor comprises a suction port, at least two screw rotors and a discharge port being configured in relation to a selected rotational speed that operates at least one screw rotor at an optimum peripheral velocity that is independent of a peripheral velocity of the at least one screw rotor at a synchronous motor rotational speed for a rated screw compressor capacity. A motor is configured to drive the at least one screw rotor at a rotational speed at a full-load capacity that is substantially greater than the synchronous motor rotational speed at the rated screw compressor capacity. A variable speed drive receives a command signal from a controller and generates a control signal that drives the motor at the selected rotational speed. A method for sizing at least two variable capacity screw compressors and a refrigeration chiller incorporating a variable capacity screw compressor are separately presented. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20110298629 | SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR MONITORING AND SCHEDULING MAINTENANCE ON MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT - A method of scheduling maintenance on mechanical equipment includes monitoring the mechanical equipment with a sensor and collecting diagnostic information provided by the sensor with a local controller associated with the mechanical equipment. The diagnostic information relates to an operational characteristic of the mechanical equipment. The method also includes generating an alarm with the local controller in response to the collected diagnostic information, transferring the alarm from the local controller to a remote monitoring system, assigning an alarm value to the alarm using one of the local controller and the remote monitoring system, referencing a maintenance schedule for the mechanical equipment to ascertain a scheduled maintenance timeframe, and one of generating a work order and not generating the work order for the mechanical equipment based on the alarm value and the scheduled maintenance timeframe. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110296856 | CONDENSING UNIT DESUPERHEATER - A condensing unit has a fan selectively operable to draw air through the condensing unit along an airflow path, a first row of condenser tubes disposed along the airflow path, and a second row of desuperheater tubes disposed along the airflow path downstream relative to the first row of condenser tubes. A condensing unit has an airflow path, a desuperheater heat exchanger disposed along the airflow path, and a condenser heat exchanger disposed along the airflow path. A method of desuperheating a refrigerant includes causing air having a first air temperature to encounter a condenser tube comprising refrigerant having a first refrigerant temperature, raising the temperature of the air to a second air temperature, and causing the air having the second air temperature to encounter a desuperheater tube comprising refrigerant having a second refrigerant temperature higher than the first refrigerant temperature. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110237177 | Modular Air Handling Unit - An air handling unit has a first modular cabinet comprising a first profile, a second modular cabinet comprising a second profile that is complementary to the first profile, and the first profile comprises an alignment feature. An air handling unit has a heat exchanger cabinet comprising a first profile, a blower cabinet comprising a second profile complementary to the first profile, a first connector system disposed at least partially on each of the heat exchanger cabinet and the blower cabinet, and the first connector system is operable to releasably secure the first profile to the second profile. An air handling unit has a first modular cabinet comprising a first portion of a first connection system and a second modular cabinet comprising a second portion of the first connection system. A component of the first portion may be least partially received within the second portion. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110232861 | Air Handling Unit With Integral Inner Wall Features - An air handling unit has an interior wall configured to selectively retain a removable component of the air handling unit. An air handling unit has an interior wall configured as a drain pan. An air handling unit has an outer skin joined to the interior wall, an insulator disposed between the interior wall and the outer skin, and the interior wall has a mounting channel configured to selectively retain a removable component of the air handling unit. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110232860 | Air Handling Unit With Inner Wall Space - An air handling unit has an interior shell, an exterior skin associated with the interior shell to form a wall space at least partially bound by each of the interior shell and the exterior skin, and a control component at least partially carried within the wall space. A cabinet for an air handling unit has at least one wall comprising an interior shell and an exterior skin associated with the interior shell to form a wall space at least partially bound by each of the interior shell and the exterior skin. The at least one wall at least partially defines a fluid duct of the cabinet and a control component is at least partially disposed within the wall space. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110219790 | System and Method For Charging HVAC System - A method of charging an HVAC system by determining a relationship between a liquid line temperature of the HVAC system, a suction line pressure of the HVAC system, and an ambient outdoor temperature of the HVAC system. A method of charging an HVAC system by adjusting a mass of refrigerant in the HVAC system to approach a target minimum liquid line temperature. A method of charging an HVAC system by testing the HVAC system according to at least three sets of test parameters, two of the three sets of test parameters comprising testing the HVAC system at substantially a same outdoor ambient temperature and at least one of the remaining set of test parameters comprising testing the HVAC system at a different outdoor ambient temperature. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110217185 | System and Method For Reducing Compressor Noise - A noise reduced compressor has a body, an energy dissipation element, and a structural element configured to retain the energy dissipation element relative to the body. A noise reducer for an HVAC system compressor has an energy dissipation element and a structural element connected to the energy dissipation element. A method of reducing compressor noise includes disposing an energy dissipation element between a body of the compressor and a structural element and compressing the energy dissipation element against between the body of the compressor using the structural element. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110111352 | System and Method for Controlling A Furnace - Controlling a modulating gas furnace by monitoring a differential pressure associated with the modulating gas furnace using a low pressure limit switch configured to actuate at a first pressure, an intermediate pressure limit switch configured to actuate at a second pressure, and a high pressure limit switch configured to actuate at a third pressure, the second pressure being between the first and third pressure, selectively operating the modulating gas furnace in one of a cycling mode, a modulating mode in a lower range, and a modulating mode in an upper range, the modulating mode in the lower range being associated with an output capacity range between the output capacity ranges of the cycling mode and the modulating mode in the upper range, and selectively operating the furnace in response to at least one of the low pressure limit switch, the intermediate pressure limit switch, and the high pressure limit switch. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110104622 | Gas-Fired Furnace With Cavity Burners - A gas-fired air conditioning furnace has a cavity burner configured to combust an air-fuel mixture at least partially within an interior space of the cavity burner. A method of operating a gas-fired furnace by flowing an air-fuel mixture into a cavity burner through a perforated wall of the cavity burner, combusting at least a portion of the air-fuel mixture within an interior space of the cavity burner, and flowing at least partially combusted air-fuel mixture into a heat exchanger. A gas-fired air conditioning device has a cavity burner that has a cylindrically shaped body and a cap on a first end of the body, each of the body and the cap being perforated. The device has a cylindrically shaped heat exchanger inlet tube and the cavity burner is at least partially concentrically received within the heat exchanger inlet tube. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110100349 | Modulating Gas Furnace - A method controls a modulating gas furnace by monitoring a differential pressure associated with the modulating gas furnace, learning an intermediate value associated with an intermediate capacity between a minimum output capacity of the gas furnace and a maximum output capacity of the gas furnace, learning one of a high value associated with the maximum output capacity and a low value associated with a minimum output capacity, establishing an estimated operating curve using either the intermediate value and the low value or using the intermediate value and the high value, and operating the gas furnace in accordance with the estimated operating curve. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110100051 | Air Handling Unit With Mixed-Flow Blower - An air handling unit has a cabinet forming a duct, a mixed-flow blower assembly configured to provide airflow through the duct, and a refrigeration coil assembly disposed within the cabinet and downstream of the mixed-flow blower assembly. Another air handling unit has a cabinet forming a duct having a generally downstream direction and a blower assembly to provide airflow through the duct. The blower assembly may have an axis of rotation generally parallel to the downstream direction and the blower assembly may be configured to primarily expel air in a direction that has a directional component that extends radially away from the axis of rotation. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110036551 | Louvered Plate Fin - A fin has a substantially flat base plane with a first side facing a first direction and a second side facing a second direction. The fin also has a first louver with a leading edge closer to the base plane and a trailing edge offset from the base plane in the first direction, a second louver located at least partially downstream of the first louver, with a leading edge offset from the base plane in the second direction and a trailing edge offset from the base plane in the first direction, and a third louver located at least partially downstream of the second louver, the third louver having a leading edge offset from the base plane in the second direction and a trailing edge closer to the base plane than the third louver leading edge. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20100326643 | Plate Fin With Hybrid Hole Pattern - A fin having a leading edge, a trailing edge opposing the leading edge, and a plurality of leading holes substantially centered along a leading axis. The fin further having a plurality of secondary holes substantially centered along a secondary axis, the secondary axis being substantially parallel to the leading axis and located between the leading axis and the trailing edge, the plurality of secondary holes being located so that the plurality of leading holes and the plurality of secondary holes form a substantially rectangular matrix. The fin further having a plurality of trailing holes substantially centered along a trailing axis, the trailing axis being substantially parallel to at least one of the leading axis and the secondary axis and located between the secondary axis and the trailing edge, each of the plurality of trailing holes being substantially equidistant from the respective two nearest secondary holes. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100326624 | Blow Through Air Handler - An air handling unit has an enclosure, a heat exchanger disposed within the enclosure, and a heating element substantially co-located with the heat exchanger within the enclosure. An air handling unit has a cabinet with a first air opening and a second air opening. A blower is disposed within the cabinet adjacent to the first air opening and a heat exchanger is disposed within the cabinet adjacent to an air outlet of the blower unit and also adjacent to the second air opening. At least one heating element is located adjacent the heat exchanger. A method of constructing an air handling unit includes forming an air handling enclosure, mounting a blower in the air handling enclosure, mounting a heat exchanger in the air handling enclosure downstream of the blower, and mounting at least one heating element in the air handing enclosure downstream of the blower. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100219231 | Braze Ring - A method of connecting a straight tubular end to a flared tubular end includes locating a substantially annular braze ring substantially concentrically around the straight tubular end, inserting the straight tubular end into the flared tubular end so that the braze ring engages the flared tubular end, and heating the braze ring so that flux separates from an exterior channel of the braze ring and the separated flux from the exterior channel contacts at least one of a faying surface of the flared tubular end and a faying surface of the straight tubular end. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100212876 | Heat Exchanger - A heat exchanger has a first fin having a hole, a collar attached to the first fin and associated with the hole, and a bluff body carried by the first fin. The bluff body is partially directly upstream of the collar. A heat exchanger has a fin having a hole, a collar attached to the fin and associated with the hole, and a bluff body associated with the fin. A configuration of the bluff body is associated with a fin pitch separation distance of the heat exchanger. A method of increasing a heat exchange efficiency of a heat exchanger is provided that includes passing an air flow adjacent a surface of a fin, obstructing the air flow with a bluff body, reducing a thickness of a thermal boundary layer, and locating a reduced thickness portion of the thermal boundary layer adjacent to a collar associated with the fin. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100177787 | System and Method for Extending Communication Protocols - A system and method are provided for extending a communication protocol by constructing a top level message, constructing a first level extension message, and embedding the first level extension message in a data component of the top level message. Also, a system and method are provided for extending a communication protocol by receiving a top level message from a communication medium, determining whether a first level extension message is included within the top level message, and extracting the first level extension message from the top level message. Further, a system and method are provided for extending a communication protocol by using a processor to embed a first level extension packet within a top level packet. At least one of the top level packet and the first level extension packet include a message for use in an HVAC system. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100125369 | System and Method for Defrost of an HVAC System - A system and a method are provided for monitoring a condition and selectively executing a certification defrost algorithm for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in response to the status of the monitored condition. A system and a method are provided for selectively operating a certification defrost algorithm in parallel to a field defrost algorithm. A system and a method are also provided for causing a controller to execute a first algorithm and for causing the controller to selectively execute a second algorithm while also executing the first algorithm where each of the first algorithm and the second algorithm are configured to selectively cause the HVAC system to operate in a defrost mode. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100125368 | System and Method for Sump Heater Control in an HVAC System - A system and a method are provided for powering up a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and operating a sump heater for a compressor for a first predetermined period of time in response to the HVAC system being powered up. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and a method for controlling the system are provided. The HVAC system includes a compressor, a sump heater associated with the compressor, and a controller configured to control the compressor and the sump heater so that the sump heater is not operated while the compressor is operated. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100123016 | System and Method for Oil Return in an HVAC System - A system and a method are provided for returning oil in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by determining when an ambient zone temperature is equal to or less than a temperature limit and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow of the HVAC system based on the length of time. Also, a system and a method are provided for monitoring the length of operation in a first and a second heating mode and for reversing a direction of refrigerant flow based on the length of time operation occurs in the first and second heating modes. A system and a method having a first compressor, a first heating mode, a second heating mode, a defrost mode, and a controller is disclosed. The controller selectively controls initiation of the defrost mode in response to an HVAC system operating in a heating mode of operation for a predetermined amount of time. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100101246 | System and Method For Controlling Working Fluid Charge In A Vapor Compression Air Conditioning System - Vapor compression air conditioning systems are provided with a flow restrictor for transferring working fluid to and from at least one of the compressor low pressure inlet conduit and compressor high pressure outlet conduit to provide for accurate charge adjustment to achieve predetermined fluid sub-cooling. Pressure and temperature measurements are taken at a condenser fluid outlet conduit and provided to a microcontroller for determining fluid sub-cooling and comparing sub-cooling with a predetermined target sub-cooling. A charge addition or recovery apparatus may include a solenoid valve controlled by the microcontroller to more accurately control the addition or recovery of refrigerant fluid charge. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100080713 | System and Method of Disabling an HVAC Compressor Based on a Low Pressure Cut Out - A system and method is provided for monitoring a system pressure to infer whether a high pressure cut out (HPCO) switch has opened disabling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) compressor. A system and method are also provided for determining whether to disable the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) compressor based on a status of a low pressure cut out (LPCO) switch, an ambient temperature, and system mode state. The systems and methods may be used interchangeably with the appropriate adjustments to decision limits, such as where the LPCO may be monitored to infer status and the HPCO status may be directly used with temperature and system mode state. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100080712 | System and Method of Disabling an HVAC Compressor Based on a High Pressure Cut Out - A system and method is provided for monitoring a system pressure to infer whether a high pressure cut out (HPCO) switch has opened disabling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) compressor. A system and method are also provided for determining whether to disable the HVAC compressor based on a status of a low pressure cut out (LPCO) switch, an ambient temperature, and system mode state. The systems and methods may be used interchangeably with the appropriate adjustments to decision limits, such as where the LPCO may be monitored to infer status and the HPCO status may be directly used with temperature and system mode state. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100050756 | Drain Pan Level Monitoring System - A drain pan level monitoring system of an air conditioning system comprises a level sensor that generates a level sensor output signal related to a sensed level of condensation buildup within a drain pan. A method of monitoring a liquid level buildup in a drain pan of an air handling unit comprises determining a level of liquid buildup in the drain pan and determining whether an action should be taken in response to the determined level of liquid buildup by comparing the determined level of liquid buildup to a predetermined value. A method of preventing liquid overflow of a drain pan of an air handling unit comprises monitoring a pressure related to a liquid level buildup within the drain pan and taking an action when the pressure meets a predetermined criteria. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100043631 | Compressor with Improved Lubrication - A compressor for an air conditioning system comprises a piston and a pin. The piston comprises an aperture forming a piston bearing surface and a lubrication port in communication with the aperture. The pin comprises a pin bearing surface and the pin is received within the aperture to form an interface between the pin bearing surface and the piston bearing surface. In another embodiment, a method of lubricating within a compressor comprises rotating a crankshaft within a crankcase, introducing lubricant into the crankcase; and contacting the lubricant with a portion of a pin disposed within a piston via a lubrication port in the piston. In yet another embodiment, a piston for a compressor comprises an aperture forming a piston bearing surface and a lubrication port in communication with the aperture. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100008791 | Acoustical Vibration Dampener for a Rotatable Blade - An acoustical vibration dampening system for a rotatable blade comprises at least one section of a rotatable blade and a layer of acoustic damping material coupled to a portion of the at least one section of a rotatable blade. A fan blade comprises a first structural section of a fan blade, a second structural section of the fan blade, and a layer of acoustic damping material provided between the first structural section and the second structural section of the fan blade. A method of making a fan blade with acoustic damping comprises forming at least two sections of a fan blade, and disposing an acoustical vibration dampener between the at least two sections of the fan blade. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20090324418 | Structural and acoustical vibration dampener for a rotatable blade - A structural and acoustical vibration dampener for a rotatable blade comprises a layer of structural/acoustic damping material coupled to at least a portion of the blade. A fan blade comprises a structural layer and a layer of damping material coupled to at least a portion of the structural layer. A method of applying a structural and acoustical vibration dampener to a fan blade comprises identifying a region on the fan blade and securing the structural/acoustical vibration dampener to the fan blade over at least a portion of the region. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090314846 | Multiple Thermostats For Air Conditioning System With Time Setting Feature - An air conditioning (HVAC) system for a residential dwelling or other building with enclosed spaces includes multiple thermostats hard wire interconnected or communicating via radio frequency transceivers. The thermostats each include control circuits for adjusting the setpoint temperature at any one thermostat and displaying the set temperature at all thermostats, setting the time at any one thermostat and displaying the time at all thermostats, controlling the thermostat temperature setting from a selected one of the thermostats and providing a setpoint for control of the air conditioning system based on an average temperature sensed by all of the thermostats. A method for correctly setting a thermostat time display to one of Daylight Saving Time or Standard Time and displaying an icon identifying one or the other is disclosed. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090200363 | Braze Ring - A braze ring includes a generally annular body and an outer annular channel formed on an outer surface of the body. A method of connecting a straight tubular end to a flared tubular end includes locating a substantially annular braze ring substantially concentrically around the straight tubular end, inserting the straight tubular end into the flared tubular end so that the braze ring engages the flared tubular end, and heating the braze ring so that flux separates from an exterior channel of the braze ring and the separated flux from the exterior channel contacts at least one of a faying surface of the flared tubular end and a faying surface of the straight tubular end. Another braze ring includes a body having a substantially symmetric cross-sectional shape forming an inner channel and an outer channel and flux carried within each of the inner channel and the outer channel. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090196685 | Alignment Feature for Hub and Driveshaft Assembly - A hub-driveshaft assembly comprises a hub and driveshaft with a flat portion having a width. The hub comprises a body having an axial bore therethrough, a set screw hole extending radially through a wall of the body and communicating with the axial bore, and an alignment feature positioned near an entrance to the axial bore, wherein the alignment feature substantially aligns the flat portion of the driveshaft with the set screw hole when the driveshaft is inserted into the axial bore. In another embodiment, the hub comprises an alignment feature to promote proper alignment of the driveshaft with respect to the hub when the driveshaft is inserted into the axial bore, wherein the alignment feature is eliminated under load. In yet another embodiment, the hub comprises an alignment feature that flattens in response to loading from the driveshaft. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20080257336 | Furnace with Integrated Blower Housing and Heat Exchanger - A combustion furnace includes a blower housing with a centrifugal blower impeller disposed therein and plural heat exchanger tubes disposed substantially around a major portion of the periphery of the impeller. The heat exchanger tubes receive combustion gasses from plural burner nozzles and discharge combustion gasses to a plenum in communication with a motor driven inducer gas pump. The integrated blower housing and heat exchanger may be disposed in a cabinet including support structure for a fuel delivery manifold, associated burner nozzles and forming air inlet and outlet openings for air being circulated by the blower. | 10-23-2008 |
