Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080289347 | Control method for a variable displacement refrigerant compressor in a high-efficiency AC system - A high efficiency air conditioning system includes a pneumatically-controlled variable displacement compressor and a compressor clutch that is selectively cycled on and off to minimize series re-heating of conditioned air. Conditioned air is discharged after passing through an evaporator core, and a target value for the evaporator outlet air temperature is determined based on the desired air discharge temperature. The compressor clutch is cycled off when the evaporator outlet air temperature falls below the target value by at least a calibrated amount, and is thereafter cycled on again when the evaporator outlet air temperature rises above the target value. The target value is preferably biased to prevent compressor operation when the desired air discharge temperature exceeds outside air temperature by at least a calibrated amount and to prevent the relative humidity in the air-conditioned space from rising above a desired level. | 11-27-2008 |
20090260374 | Compressor cycle control method for a vehicle air conditioning system - A control methodology for dynamically adjusting the switching limits of a cycled refrigerant compressor in an air conditioning system with the objective of achieving an optimal or specified tradeoff between compressor cycling frequency and discharge air temperature variation under all operating conditions. In a first embodiment, the compressor cycling limits are controlled to maintain a virtually constant discharge air temperature variation for all operating conditions. In a second embodiment, the compressor cycling limits are controlled so that the discharge air temperature variation changes in relation to the discharge air temperature to provide a virtually constant human comfort level for the occupants. And in a third embodiment, the compressor cycling limits are controlled so that the discharge air temperature variation changes in relation to the ambient or outside air temperature to provide a virtually constant human comfort level for the occupants. | 10-22-2009 |
20100001086 | Comfort heating system for motor vehicle - A method for heating ambient air for a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of positioning a first heat exchanger proximate to a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The method also includes the step of passing ambient air for the passenger compartment through a first heat exchanger. The method also includes the step of concurrently directing distinct flows of engine coolant and steam to the first heat exchanger to heat the ambient air. | 01-07-2010 |
20100122793 | SECONDARY LOOP-INTEGRAL HEATER CORE AND COOLER - The assembly includes a pair of heat exchangers, each including an upper and lower manifold, parallel and spaced relative to one another. Tubes extend between each set of upper and lower manifolds with fins disposed between each of the tubes. A valve system controls fluid flow between the upper manifolds and the lower manifolds. The valve system is movable between a maximum cooling mode with fluid flow form the first upper manifold through both of the tubes and to said first lower manifold. A temperate mode allows fluid to flow from the first upper manifold to the first lower manifold and from the second upper manifold to the second lower manifold to prevent flash fogging. A maximum cooling mode allows fluid to flow from the second upper manifold through both of the first and second tubes to the lower manifolds. | 05-20-2010 |
20100146953 | EXHAUST GAS STEAM GENERATION SYSTEM - A cylindrical stainless steel housing includes an exhaust inlet collar and exhaust outlet collar allowing exhaust gas to travel therethrough at a mean flow velocity in accordance with a velocity formula. A plurality of stainless steel tubes extend through the housing from a steam inlet manifold to a steam outlet manifold. A number and size of the tubes is determined by formulas and dependent on an Euler number, a Reynolds number, a number of transfer units, a Prandtl number, a porosity factor and a system efficiency. The tubes may comprise an S-shape or a U-shape. The tube walls have a thickness determined according to wall thickness formulas and the walls include a plurality of cavities on an interior surface of each tube wall. The cavities may comprise a conical or semi-spherical shape and have a diameter determined according to formulas. | 06-17-2010 |
20100147498 | HEAT EXCHANGER ASSEMBLY - A heat exchanger assembly including a first and second heat exchangers disposed in sandwiched relationship with one another. The tubes and air fins of the first and second heat exchangers are aligned with one another in a transverse air flow direction. A plurality of middle connecting portions are integral with and extend in the transverse air flow direction between the aligned first and second air fins of the two heat exchangers. Each of the middle connecting portions has a slot for impeding heat conduction between the first and second air fins, and each of the slots in the middle connecting portions is disposed closer to the first tubes than to the second tubes to maximize the effective length of the second air fin. | 06-17-2010 |
20100242510 | Air Conditioner System Having an Externally Controlled Variable Displacement Compressor and a Clutch and Method of Operating the Same - A vehicle air conditioner system having, and method of operating, an externally controlled variable displacement compressor and a compressor clutch. If the system is operating during conditions when the operating displacement is low, the efficiency of the system is increased by duty cycling the clutch. Operating an externally controlled variable displacement compressor in this manner can also prevent overcooling by the air conditioner. | 09-30-2010 |
20100313587 | Evaporator Phase Change Thermal Siphon - An air conditioning system including an evaporator having a manifold and a plurality of tubes extending downward in a vertical direction from the manifold. The evaporator defines at least one PCM tank engaging the manifold for storing a phase change material. When operating in a first operating mode, heat is transferred from the phase change material to the refrigerant to freeze and cool the phase change material. When operating in a second operating mode, heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the frozen phase change material to condense the refrigerant. The condensed refrigerant falls downwardly through the tubes and receives heat from a flow of air to cool the air and evaporate the refrigerant. The evaporated refrigerant rises upwardly back to the low pressure of the cold manifold. | 12-16-2010 |
20110277541 | REFRIGERANT LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM - A refrigerant leak detection system is provided for a motor vehicle, in which the system includes a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) module having a refrigerant sensor assembly adapted to be fixed within the drain hole of the sump. The refrigerant sensor assembly includes an elongated sensor element extending into the sump, a flange portion having apertures that allows the condensate to drain from sump, a collar portion with self-tapping threads. | 11-17-2011 |
20110284195 | FABRICATED TUBE FOR AN EVAPORATOR - An evaporator assembly having a first header, a second header, at least two banks of evaporator tubes extending therebetween and in hydraulic communication with the first and second headers. At least one of the evaporator tube may be folded from a unitary strip clad aluminum folded having a thickness (t). The evaporator tube includes a height (h) which is measured from the bottom exterior surface to the top exterior surface, and a corner radius (r | 11-24-2011 |
20120055195 | Internal Heat Exchanger Assembly Having an Internal Bleed Valve Assembly - An internal heat exchanger assembly for an air conditioning system, having a substantial cylindrical cavity in which a helical coil tube is coaxially disposed within the cylindrical cavity. A bleed valve assembly is incorporated into the helical coiled tube, in which the bleed valve assembly is adapted to open at a predetermined differential pressure between the high pressure side and low pressure side of the internal heat exchanger. The bleed valve selectively bleeds refrigerant from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, thereby increasing the pressure and mass flow rate of the refrigerant to the suction side of a compressor to reduce or eliminate compressor rattle. | 03-08-2012 |
20120216562 | UNITARY HEAT PUMP AIR CONDITIONER HAVING A HEAT EXCHANGER WITH AN INTEGRAL ACCUMULATOR - The disclosure relates to a unitary heat pump air conditioner (Unitary HPAC) having a plate type exchanger assembly, an electrically driven compressor, and coolant pumps. The plate heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of plates stacked and hermetically sealed between an upstream end plate and a downstream end plate. The stacked plates define a condenser/chiller portion adjacent the upstream end plate, an accumulator portion adjacent the downstream end plate, and an evaporator/chiller portion sandwiched between the condenser/chiller portion and the accumulator portion. A refrigerant passageway extends through the plate type heat exchanger assembly, a hot coolant passageway extends through the condenser/chiller portion, and a cold coolant passageway extends through the evaporator/chiller portion. The cold coolant passageway and the hot coolant passageway are in non-contact thermal communication with the refrigerant passageway. | 08-30-2012 |
20120222846 | UNITARY HEAT PUMP AIR CONDITIONER HAVING A HEAT EXCHANGER WITH AN INTEGRAL RECEIVER AND SUB-COOLER - The disclosure relates to a unitary heat pump air conditioner (Unitary HPAC) having a plate type hot-side heat exchanger assembly, a cold-side heat exchanger assembly, and electrically driven compressors and coolant pumps. The plate type hot-side heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of plates stacked and hermetically sealed between an upstream end plate and a downstream end plate, defining a condenser/chiller portion having a first coolant passageway, a sub-cooler portion having a second coolant passageway, and a refrigerant receiver portion sandwiched between the condenser/chiller portion and the sub-cooler portion. The first coolant passageway and the second coolant passageway are in non-contact thermal communication with the refrigerant passageway. | 09-06-2012 |
20120272679 | EVAPORATOR PHASE CHANGE THERMAL SIPHON - An evaporator having a manifold and a plurality of refrigerant tubes extending downward in the direction of gravity from the manifold. The evaporator includes at least one PCM housing engaging the upper portion of the refrigerant tube for storing a phase change material. When operating in a first operating mode, heat is transferred from the phase change material to the refrigerant to freeze and cool the phase change material. When operating in a second operating mode, heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the frozen phase change material to condense the refrigerant. The condensed refrigerant falls downwardly through the tubes and receives heat from a flow of air to cool the air and evaporate the refrigerant. The evaporated refrigerant rises upwardly back to the low pressure of the cold manifold. | 11-01-2012 |
20120276831 | System and Method of Providing Quick Thermal Comfort with Reduced Energy by Using Directed Spot Conditioning - A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and a method of controlling a HVAC system that is configured to provide a perceived comfortable ambient environment to an occupant seated in a vehicle cabin. The system includes a nozzle configured to direct an air stream from the HVAC system to the location of a thermally sensitive portion of the body of the occupant. The system also includes a controller configured to determine an air stream temperature and an air stream flow rate necessary to establish the desired heat supply rate for the sensitive portion and provide a comfortable thermal environment by thermally isolating the occupant from the ambient vehicle cabin temperature. The system may include a sensor to determine the location of the sensitive portion. The nozzle may include a thermoelectric device to heat or cool the air stream. | 11-01-2012 |
20130199760 | HEAT EXCHANGER ASSEMBLY HAVING SPLIT MINI-LOUVERED FINS - A heat exchanger assembly is provided having at least one header, a plurality of spaced apart fluid tubes in hydraulic communication with the header, and a plurality of corrugated fins disposed between the tubes. The corrugated fins include a planar portion having a louver segment defined between a pair of primary slits, in which the louver segment includes an intermediate slit splitting the louver segment into a pair of mini-louvers. The mini-louvers are counter-offset such that one of the mini-louvers is on one side of the planar portion and the other one of the mini-lover is on the other side of the planar portion. The mini-louvers may be pivoted about their respective junctures such that each of the mini-louver segments is oblique relative to the planar portion. | 08-08-2013 |
20130283827 | PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL EVAPORATOR CHARGING CONTROL - A method of controlling an air conditioning compressor in a heating ventilation and air conditioning system having a evaporator including a phase change material is presented. The method includes the steps of measuring an evaporator output air temperature, determining a state of charge value by calculating a difference between an estimated refrigerant temperature based on the evaporator output air temperature and a phase change material freeze temperature and integrating this difference over time and operating the air conditioning compressor to maintain the state of charge value between an upper and lower limit. A method of recovering braking energy in a vehicle containing a heating ventilation and air conditioning system having the evaporator including the phase change material is also presented. | 10-31-2013 |
20130283838 | UNITARY HEAT PUMP AIR CONDITIONER - The disclosure relates to a unitary heat pump air conditioner (Unitary HPAC) that includes a refrigerant loop having a condenser, a refrigerant expansion device, and an evaporator hydraulically connected in series. An electrically driven compressor is provided to circulate a two-phase refrigerant through the refrigerant loop to transfer heat from the evaporator to the condenser. The unitary HPAC also includes a cold side chiller configured to hydraulically connect to a cold side coolant loop and is in thermal communication with the evaporator. The unitary HPAC further includes a hot side chiller configured to hydraulically connect to a hot side coolant loop and is in thermal communication with the condenser. The refrigerant loop transfer heat from the cold side chiller to the hot side chiller, thereby cooling the cold side coolant loop and heating the hot side coolant loop. The components of the unitary HPAC are mounted on a common platform. | 10-31-2013 |
20130344791 | AIR STREAM VELOCITY CONTROL FOR VENTILATION SYSTEM - A system and a method of controlling a ventilation or HVAC system that is configured to provide an air stream having a comfortable contact velocity to an occupant seated in a vehicle cabin. The system includes a sensor to determine the distance from a discharge nozzle to the vehicle occupant and a controller to control the exit velocity and/or an effective diameter of the nozzle. The sensor may use ultrasonic, infrared, LIDAR, or RADAR technology to determine distance. The system may determine the distance from the nozzle to the occupant based on a seat location determined by a seat location sensor. The seat location sensor may be common to an inflatable restraint (air bag) system. | 12-26-2013 |
20140096945 | HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM FOR OCCUPANTS OF THE REAR PORTION OF A VEHICLE - A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system configured for use in a vehicle to provide a perceived comfortable thermal environment to an occupant seated in a rear portion of a vehicle cabin. A heat exchanger provides a first airstream characterized as having a first temperature to an air moving device configured to generate a second airstream characterized as having a second temperature. The second airstream comprises a mixture of the first airstream and cabin air drawn from the rear portion of the vehicle cabin. The air moving device may be disposed in the rear portion of the vehicle. The HVAC system further includes a nozzle that may be configured to direct the second airstream toward an occupant in the rear portion of the vehicle cabin to provide spot conditioning. | 04-10-2014 |
20140190189 | UNITARY HEAT PUMP AIR CONDITIONER HAVING A COMPRESSED VAPOR DIVERSION LOOP - Disclosed is a unitary heat pump air conditioner (HPAC) system having a refrigerant diversion loop configured to supply sufficient heat to defrost an external heat exchanger while not materially affecting the supply of heat to the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The HPAC system includes a refrigerant loop configured to pump heat from a cold coolant loop that scavenges heat from the external heat exchanger to a hot coolant loop that supplies heat to the passenger compartment. The refrigerant loop includes a condenser in thermal communication with the hot coolant loop, evaporator in thermal communication with the cold coolant loop, and a compressor to cycle the refrigerant through the refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop further includes means to selectively divert at least a portion of the hot compressed refrigerant exiting the compressor directly to the evaporator to heat the cold coolant loop sufficient to defrost the external heat exchanger. | 07-10-2014 |
20140284034 | Plate-Type Heat Pump Air Conditioner Heat Exchanger for a Unitary Heat Pump Air Conditioner - A plate-type heat exchanger having a first heat exchanger portion configured to receive a refrigerant flow and a hot side coolant flow having a lower temperature than the refrigerant flow, a second heat exchanger portion configured to receive the refrigerant flow exiting from the first heat exchanger portion and a cold side coolant flow having a higher temperature than the refrigerant flow exiting from the first heat exchanger portion, and an internal heat exchanger portion sandwiched between the first heat exchanger portion and the second heat exchanger portion. The refrigerant flow through the plate type heat exchanger is in non-contact thermal communication with the hot side coolant flow and the cold side coolant flow. The cold side coolant flow transfers heat energy to the refrigerant, which in turn transfer that heat energy to the hot side coolant flow. | 09-25-2014 |