world news Compositions comprising refrigerant and lubricant and methods for replacing CFC and HCFC refrigerants without flushing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A composition comprising a refrigerant and a lubricant is disclosed, wherein the refrigerant comprises (i) a fluorocarbon selected from the group consisting of R125, R134a, R32, R152a, R143a, R218 and mixtures thereof, and (ii) a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane, dimethyl ether, and mixtures thereof; the lubricant comprises (iii) a hydrocarbon-based lubricant component; and (iv) a synthetic lubricant component; and the synthetic lubricant component is less than 30% by weight of the total lubricant. Also disclosed are methods of replacing refrigerants in refrigeration or air conditioning systems containing a refrigerant comprising a CFC or HCFC and a lubricant. The methods involve adding to the system (a) a replacement refrigerant comprising (i) a fluorocarbon selected from the group consisting of R125, R134a, R152a, R32, R143a, R218 and mixtures thereof, and (ii) a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane, dimethyl ether, and mixtures thereof; and (b) a synthetic lubricant component; wherein after refrigerant replacement the synthetic lubricant component is less than 30% by weight of the total amount of lubricant in the system. Full Article
world news High rate, long cycle life electrochemical energy storage devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electrochemical energy storage device includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode. The anode includes a capacitive material as a majority component, and further includes an electrochemically active material as a minority component, such that an operating potential of the anode is configured according to a reaction potential of the electrochemically active material. Full Article
world news Electronic personal thermal control apparatus and system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic personal thermal control apparatus and method may provide heating and cooling for a user. A power source may provide power to a thermal module that is capable of heating or cooling a heat transfer component to a desired temperature. The heating or cooling may be managed by a controller. The components may be placed in a housing. The apparatus may be placed at any suitable position on a user's body, such as the wrist or ankle(s). The housing of the apparatus may be incorporated or combined with clothing, such as wristband(s), apparel, jackets, footwear, or the like. Full Article
world news Heating apparatus for an appliance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A heating apparatus for heating a subcompartment in a compartment of an appliance is disclosed. The heating apparatus includes an electromagnetic member disposed in the compartment, and a metal member thermally coupled to the subcompartment. The metal member is magnetically coupled to the electromagnetic member to generate an eddy current in the metal member in response to a magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic member for heating the subcompartment. A related heating method and a refrigerator incorporating such a heating apparatus are also disclosed. Full Article
world news Air conditioner and method for controlling the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An air conditioner and control method thereof is provided which may be controlled to adapt operation to changes in power rates. The method may include receiving electric power related information, determining whether a current power rate included in the received information is higher than a preset reference value, determining occupancy of a space to be air conditioned if the current power rate is higher than the preset reference value, and controlling a flow rate of air supplied to the space based on the determined occupancy. Full Article
world news Cryopump and vacuum pumping method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cryopump 10 includes: a first cryopanel including a radiation shield 18 having a shield opening 20 and a louver 23 arranged in the shield opening 20; a second cryopanel 24 surrounded by the first cryopanel; and a refrigerator 14 configured to cool the first cryopanel to a first cooling temperature and to cool the second cryopanel to a second cooling temperature lower than the first cooling temperature. A rough surface 42 is formed on the louver 23. Full Article
world news Methods for removing heat from enclosed spaces with high internal heat generation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods are provided for cooling data centers based on a cooperative system including a plurality of Indirect Air-Side Economizers, also referred to as Recirculation Air Cooling Units, that are advantageously operated in conjunction with one or more Side Stream Filtration Units or filters inclusive to a portion of the IASE/RACUs, and one or more Make-Up Air Dehumidification/Humidification Units for the introduction of ventilation air and control of humidity within the enclosed space. An objective of the systems and methods according to this disclosure is to provide the necessary rejection of heat, removal of particulate from the air, and control of the absolute moisture content of the air within a data center. Full Article
world news Ice maker for a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An ice maker for a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The ice maker includes a mold body that is rotatable relative to an ejector. The ejector is configured for selective receipt within the mold body to assist with removal of ice from the mold body. The ice maker also includes at least two sensors for monitoring rotational motion of the mold body. Utilizing the at least two sensors, the ice maker can monitor ice removal from the mold body. Full Article
world news Ice imaging system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A refrigerator includes a sensing system for detecting multiple physical characteristics of ice cubes in an ice cube storage bin. The system includes a digital image capture device coupled to a digital image analyzing system which captures digital images of the ice cube storage bin intermittently and compares the images to detect the presence of ice clumps. In addition, the digital image analyzing system evaluates the edges, ice size and/or image intensity of the ice cubes in the images in order to determine the presence of stale ice. An algorithm is utilized to estimate the volume of ice within the bin based on the number of pixels in an ice bin image, the number of pixels of the ice within the bin, and a known volume of the ice bin. Notifications for clumped ice, stale ice and ice volume within the bin are sent to a user interface. Full Article
world news Ice making device and control method using electrostatic capacitance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An ice making device may include an ice tray, a water-supply part for supplying water to the ice tray, an electrostatic capacity sensor having two or more electrodes attached to the ice tray, a water quantity detecting section for detecting a water quantity in the ice tray on a basis of variation of an electrostatic capacity between the electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor, and an ice frozen detecting section for detecting water supplied to the ice tray having been frozen on the basis of the variation of the electrostatic capacity between the electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor. A control unit for the ice making device controls the water-supply part, an ice tray drive part and an ice detecting part on the basis of variation of the electrostatic capacity between the electrodes of the electrostatic capacity sensor. Full Article
world news Multi-mode air conditioner with refrigerant cycle and heat medium cycle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Obtained is an air-conditioning apparatus that is capable of saving energy. A pressure in a passage of the second refrigerant flow switching device in which a refrigerant from an outdoor unit flows into is higher than a pressure in a passage of the second refrigerant flow switching device in which the refrigerant flows out to the outdoor unit regardless of switching states of a first refrigerant flow switching device, the second refrigerant flow switching devices, and a third refrigerant flow switching device. Full Article
world news Industrial fluid circuits and method of controlling the industrial fluid circuits using variable speed drives on the fluid pumps of the industrial fluid circuits By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An industrial fluid circulating system having at least one fluid circulation circuit, includes a plurality of pumps connected in parallel to circulate the fluid through each of the fluid circulation circuit, a separate motor driving each pump, a load detector to sense operating loads on the system and each circuit, and a speed control to vary the speed of each motor to thereby vary the pumping capacity of each pump in response to the detected load on the system, each pump of each respective circuit running simultaneously at a substantially similar speed or a predetermined equal reduced speed of the respective circuit or an almost equal reduced speed or a similar reduced speed. Full Article
world news Indoor expansion valve initialization sequence for an air conditioner By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This invention relates to a multi-room air conditioning system with a plurality of indoor expansion valves. A method for sequencing the initialization of each indoor expansion valve upon system startup is disclosed. The method includes the following steps: 1. Initializing expansion valves corresponding to active indoor units,2. Turning on the compressor,3. Adjusting the indoor expansion valves corresponding to active indoor units,4. Initializing and adjusting indoor expansion valves corresponding to inactive indoor units. Full Article
world news Manual Vi adjustment mechanism for screw compressors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A variable capacity screw compressor for use in a refrigeration system is provided. Compressed refrigerant gas from the compressor is expelled into a discharge port in fluid communication with the refrigeration circuit. The volume associated with the discharge port can be periodically varied, allowing the efficiency of the compressor to be varied periodically. The discharge port volume includes a penetration that houses a movable member or plug that permits the volume to be periodically varied. This movable member is accessible from the exterior of the compressor housing to adjust the position of the movable member within the discharge port volume. The movable member may be adjusted to a full open position in which the discharge port volume is maximized, to a full closed position in which the discharge port volume is minimized, and to any position between full open and full closed. Full Article
world news Adaptive defrost controller for a refrigeration device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for controlling automatic defrost of a refrigerator device adaptively moves the defrost cycle to a time period of comparatively low compressor activity based on an evaluation of compressor usage over a cyclically recurring time interval. An adaptive defrost controller (ADC) analyzes stored data to develop a profile for compressor activity vs. time. From this profile, high compressor activity times of the time interval are distinguished from low compressor activity times in the time interval and a defrost cycle is scheduled based on the results of the analyzed data. Full Article
world news Condenser cooling system and method including solar absorption chiller By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system configured to thermally regulate exhaust portions of a power plant system (e.g. steam turbine) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: a condenser adapted to connect to and thermally regulate exhaust portions of a steam turbine; and a cooling system operably connected to the condenser and adapted to supply a cooling fluid to the condenser, the cooling system including a solar absorption chiller adapted to adjust a temperature of the cooling fluid. Full Article
world news Electronics cooling using lubricant return for a shell-and-tube style evaporator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component. Full Article
world news Electronics cooling using lubricant return for a shell-and-tube evaporator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A refrigeration system that induces lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow from a flooded or falling film evaporator by means of the lubricant-liquid refrigerant mixture flow adsorbing heat from an electronic component. Full Article
world news Solar-absorption hybrid modular cooling apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides cooling apparatus comprising: a solar heat collection means (2); two or more absorption refrigeration modules (1), each module being arranged to receive heat from the heat collection means and to re-circulate refrigerant through an evaporator (16); and means for putting a fluid to be cooled into thermal contact with each of the evaporators. Full Article
world news Air conditioner By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, an evaporator, and a supercooling device configured to supercool a refrigerant passing through the condenser. The supercooling device includes a supercooling main body in which the refrigerant passing through the condenser and a refrigerant to be injected into the compressor are introduced, a first passage disposed within the supercooling main body so that the refrigerant passing through the condenser flows in one direction, a second passage disposed on a side of the first passage so that the refrigerant passing through the condenser flows in the other direction, and a third passage in which the refrigerant to be injected into the compressor flows, the third passage being heat-exchanged with at least one of the first and second passages. Full Article
world news Cold-storage heat exchanger By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cold storage heat exchanger includes multiple refrigerant tubes, a cold storage container, an inner fin, a cooling air passage and an air-side fin. The inner fin is arranged inside of the cold storage container. The cooling air passage, in which air flows to cool a space, is provided to contact a surface of the refrigerant tube on a side opposite to the cold storage container. The air-side fin is arranged in the cooling air passage and thermally connected to the refrigerant tube. The cold storage container includes multiple recess portions bonded to the inner fin, and multiple protrusion portions located on an outer side of the recess portions. The protrusion portions of the cold storage container are bonded to an outer surface of the refrigerant tube. Full Article
world news Slide assembly for refrigerator storage drawer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A slide assembly for a drawer inside a refrigerator employs both side and central rollers which control both horizontal and vertical movement of the drawer through a first set of rollers employed at front and rear portions at each side of the drawer to control vertical movement within side tracks while the drawer is moved between an extended position and a retracted position. A second set of rollers is mounted along axes which are arranged 90 degrees relative to the first set of rollers and underneath the drawer. This second set of rollers control side-by-side movement of the drawer as it is opened and closed. In one embodiment, the second set of rollers is mounted in a refrigerated compartment and travel within a track or guideway mounted on the bottom of the drawer. Full Article
world news Apparatuses and methods for thermodynamic energy transfer, storage and retrieval By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for transferring and optionally storing and/or retrieving thermal energy are disclosed. The systems and methods generally include a heat engine and a heat pump, the heat engine including first isothermal and gradient heat exchange mechanisms, and the heat pump including second isothermal and gradient heat exchange mechanisms. The heat engine and the heat pump exchange heat with each other countercurrent across the first and second gradient heat exchange mechanisms, the first isothermal heat exchange mechanism transfers heat to an external heat sink, and the second isothermal heat exchange mechanism receives heat from an external heat source. Full Article
world news Temperature control system with thermoelectric device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Certain disclosed embodiments pertain to controlling temperature in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. For example, a temperature control system (TCS) can include an air channel configured to deliver airflow to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The TCS can include a one thermal energy source and a heat transfer device connected to the air channel. A first fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and a thermoelectric device (TED). A second fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the TED and the heat transfer device. A bypass circuit can connect the thermal energy source to the heat transfer device. An actuator can cause coolant to circulate selectively in either the bypass circuit or the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. A control device can operate the actuator when it is determined that the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the airflow. Full Article
world news Beverage cooler, a refrigerator comprising such a beverage cooler and a method for cooling beverage By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a beverage cooler having an in-line operating cooling unit for instant cooling of beverage flowing through the same, comprising a cooling container (5) having an inlet (10) and an outlet (11), for feeding the beverage to and from the cooling container, respectively, and a cooling tube (14) located inside the cooling container. The cooling container (5) is adapted to be located in an ambient temperature which is above the freezing point for the beverage, wherein the cooling tube (14) is adapted to carry a cooling fluid having a temperature below the freezing point of the beverage and is located such that the beverage can pass between the cooling tube and an outer wall of the cooling container (5). Hence, the beverage will pass by the cooling tube and be cooled from it and freeze to solid phase in the area closest to the cooling tube, whereas the outside of the cooling container, having a temperature above the freezing point of the beverage, will ensure a free passage of non-frozen beverage closest to the outside wall of the cooling container. Full Article
world news Apparatus and method for separating droplets from vaporized refrigerant By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for separating droplets from vaporized refrigerant. The droplet separator according to the invention has a separation vessel, where the droplets gravitationally separate from the vaporized refrigerant. A partition plate has been arranged in the separation vessel, which partition plate divides the separation space into two separation parts. Thereby the refrigerant is arranged—to pass firstly through the first separation space on the first side of the partition plate, —then to transfer to the second side of the partition plate, i.e. to the second separation space—then to pass through the second separation space on the second side of the partition plate. Full Article
world news Vacuum insulated door structure and method for the creation thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A vacuum insulated door structure comprises a first wall having a first edge, outer sidewalls that extend from the first edge to a perimetrical lip, a first inner surface and a first outer surface. A second wall has a second inner surface, a second outer surface and a second edge coupled to the perimetrical lip forming a cavity volume. The second wall includes inner sidewalls defining a second wall opening. The inner sidewalls extend to a back wall and define a second wall offset. A tubular member includes a first end coupled to a first conduit opening in the first wall and a second end coupled to a second conduit opening in the second wall offset. A barrier layer is disposed on the first and second walls and the tubular member. A cavity insulation material is disposed within the cavity volume which is hermetically sealed. Full Article
world news High efficiency cooling system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cooling system has a cabinet and a plurality of separate cooling stages including an upstream cooling stage and a downstream cooling stage. At least the upstream cooling state is a variable capacity cooling stage. Each cooling stage has a cooling circuit. Evaporators of the cooling circuits are arranged in the cabinet so that air passes over them in serial fashion. A controller when a Call for Cooling first reaches a point where cooling is needed, operating the upstream cooling circuit to provide cooling and not the downstream cooling circuit. When the Call for Cooling has increased to a second point, the controller additionally operates the downstream cooling circuit to provide cooling. The cooling capacity at which the upstream cooling circuit is being operated is less than its full capacity when the Call for Cooling reaches the second point. Full Article
world news Solid state control system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A control system to selectively control the operation of the compressor of a mini-split air conditioning system including at least one remote evaporator operatively coupled to the compressor to receive refrigerant therethrough, a sensor to monitor the operation of the evaporator and to generate an operating control signal to turn-off the compressor when a predetermined operating condition is sensed at the evaporator and a condensate drain pan to receive or catch condensate from the evaporator, the control system comprising a condensate sensor disposed to sense condensate in the condensate drain pan at a predetermined level and to generate a condensate level signal fed to a battery powered control device including an isolated solid state relay coupled to the sensor by a control coupling device to generate a condensate level control signal fed to the sensor causing the sensor to generate the operating control signal fed to turn off the compressor when condensate within the condensate drain pan reaches the predetermined level. Full Article
world news Electro-hydrodynamic cooling with enhanced heat transfer surfaces By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The electronic control has an electric control which incorporates circuitry which will generate heat in use. A cooling channel placed in contact with at least one surface on the electric control. The cooling channel has a portion which receives an enhanced heat transfer surface. At least one electrode pair is mounted on an inlet channel portion upstream of the portion of the channel that receives the enhanced heat transfer surface. A source of current is provided for the electrode. The electrode induces an electric field in the inlet channel, to drive a dielectric fluid across the enhanced heat transfer surfaces. Full Article
world news Wastewater effluent to geothermal heating By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A wastewater geothermal heat system is supplied with processed wastewater through a drip field in proximity to a thermal array part of a geothermal heat pump system. The wastewater treatment system portion provides a periodic source of treated wastewater. Several sensors and a control system regulate a pump that discharges wastewater from the treatment system and enters a drip field where it is released into the surrounding soil. The dampened soil provides an efficient vehicle to transfer heat into or out of a thermal array which is positioned adjacent to the drip field such that it is in contact with the soil that is dampened by the discharged wastewater. Full Article
world news Method and system for the continuous or semi-continuous production of flavored ice By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An ice making system includes a flavored liquid, an ice machine and a refrigerated storage bin. The ice making system continuously produces flavored ice pieces for storage in an ice storage bin. A refrigeration system cools the ice storage bin. Full Article
world news Block ice maker with mold body and method of forming fan shaped ice with mold body By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An ice maker has an ice-making vessel having a cylindrical shape, a cooling means, a block ice making mold which is placed inside, and an agitator. The mold includes a main mold body having a plurality of connected L-shaped plates projected radially outward from the central axis; a base plate which is joined to each L-shaped plate, and the top side of the L-shaped plates form a screw insertion part of the mold body such that the agitator fits between the L-shaped plates at a second end of the central axis. Full Article
world news Refreezable ice barrel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is an environmentally friendly refreezable barrel for chilling a plurality of items in an energy efficient manner that also conserves water. The refreezable barrel includes a cooler body defining an open end and a closed end portion. The cooler body defines a cavity extending from the open end towards the closed end portion. The cavity is configured to receive the plurality of items. A cooling element is disposed within the cooler body and is refreezable to mitigate temperature rise within the cooler body to prolong the melting of ice within the barrel, thereby reducing the overall amount of water used by the barrel. The refreezable barrel also includes a cooler stand defining a recess configured to engage with the closed end portion of the cooler body. Full Article
world news Separation method and apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Separation method and apparatus for separating a gaseous mixture, for example, air, in a cryogenic rectification plant in which a compressed stream is divided into subsidiary streams that are extracted from a main heat exchanger of the plant at higher and lower temperatures. The two streams are then combined and expanded in a turboexpander to generate refrigeration for the plant. The flow rates of the two streams are adjusted to control inlet temperature of a turboexpander supplying plant refrigeration and to minimize potential deviation of the turboexpander exhaust from a saturated vapor state. Control of the expansion ratio can advantageously be applied to allow variable liquid production from the rectification plant. Full Article
world news Insulated beverage apparatus and cooling device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device for a beverage container may include a tubular member that is insulated and has an axis. The tubular member may further include an upper axial end and a lower axial end. Both the upper and lower axial ends can be open. The tubular member may be configured to receive and insulate the beverage container therein. The device may include a base. The base may be removably coupled to the lower axial end of the tubular member to close the lower axial end. The base may include an interior compartment containing a fluid permanently sealed therein. The fluid can have a freezing point of about 0° C. or less. Full Article
world news System and method for cooling heat generating components By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An assembly for cooling heat generating components, such as power electronics, computer processors and other devices. Multiple components may be mounted to a support and cooled by a flow of cooling fluid. A single cooling fluid inlet and outlet may be provided for the support, yet multiple components, including components that have different heat removal requirements may be suitably cooled. One or more manifold elements may provide cooling fluid flow paths that contact a heat transfer surface of a corresponding component to receive heat. Full Article
world news Dynamically limiting energy consumed by cooling apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Cooling apparatuses and methods are provided which include one or more coolant-cooled structures associated with an electronics rack, a coolant loop coupled in fluid communication with one or more passages of the coolant-cooled structure(s), one or more heat exchange units coupled to facilitate heat transfer from coolant within the coolant loop, and N controllable components associated with the coolant loop or the heat exchange unit(s), wherein N≧1. The N controllable components facilitate circulation of coolant through the coolant loop or transfer of heat from the coolant via the heat exchange unit(s). A controller is coupled to the N controllable components, and dynamically adjusts operation of the N controllable components, based on Z input parameters and one or more specified constraints, to provide a specified cooling to the coolant-cooled structure(s), while limiting energy consumed by the N controllable components, wherein Z≧1. Full Article
world news Refrigeration system having dual suction port compressor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Jan 2016 08:00:00 EST A cooling system for appliances, air conditioners, and other spaces includes a compressor, and a condenser that receives refrigerant from the compressor. The system also includes an evaporator that receives refrigerant from the condenser. Refrigerant received from the condenser flows through an upstream portion of the evaporator. A first portion of the refrigerant flows to the compressor without passing through a downstream portion of the evaporator, and a second portion of the refrigerant from the upstream portion of the condenser flows through the downstream portion of the evaporator after passing through the upstream portion of the evaporator. The second portion of the refrigerant flows to the compressor after passing through the downstream portion of the evaporator. The refrigeration system may be configured to cool an appliance such as a refrigerator and/or freezer, or it may be utilized in air conditioners for buildings, motor vehicles, or other such spaces. Full Article
world news Motor cooling system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Mar 2016 08:00:00 EDT A cooling system provided for a motor powering a compressor in a vapor compression system. The cooling system includes a housing enclosing the motor and a cavity located within the housing. A fluid circuit has a first connection with the housing configured to provide a liquid or two phase cooling fluid to the motor. The two phase cooling fluid is separable into a vapor phase portion and a liquid phase portion. The fluid circuit further has a second connection with the housing to remove cooling fluid in fluid communication with the fluid circuit. The cooling fluid conveyed through the second connection is two phase cooling fluid. The fluid circuit further has a third connection with the housing for receiving and circulating in the cavity the vapor phase portion conveyed through the second connection. Full Article
world news Level for picture hanging By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Sep 2019 08:00:00 EDT Full Article
world news Flush-mounted fireplace assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A flush-mounted fireplace assembly comprising a surround structure configured to encompass a perimeter of an opening in a mounting wall and a bezel structure configured to fit within the outer surround structure. An inner edge of the surround structure and an outer edge of the bezel structure oppose each other and define a gap between inner edge and outer edge such that air can flow through the gap. An outside major surface of the surround structure and an outside major surface of the bezel structure are substantially co-planar with each other and with an exterior surface of the mounting wall. Full Article
world news Gas burner By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gas burner, which is particularly suitable for flame treatment of substrates having large surfaces, e.g. for coating such surfaces in a combustion chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) process, includes a burner body with a gas supply connection and a nozzle plate, wherein the burner body and the nozzle plate constitute together a gas plenum and the nozzle plate constitutes a perforated wall section of the plenum. The nozzle plate includes a large number of nozzles extending from a plenum side to a flame side of the nozzle plate and it is made of a plurality of sheets which are arranged in a stack and extend substantially perpendicular or substantially parallel to the nozzle extension. The sheets include through openings, wherein the through openings of all sheets are at least partly aligned with each other, or they have a comb-like form. Full Article
world news Solar receiver By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lightweight reflector with a load bearing structure based on a tensile spoke-wheel. The spoke structure is especially compatible with dish parabolic mirrors, but has utility as a carrier structure for any round functional surface, including flat or slightly-curved mirrors used in central tower solar systems, parabolic dishes for radio telescopes and antennas, and for non-concentrating thin film solar panels. There are no radial members loaded in compression. All the spokes pull the rim inwards, and the rim is compressed in the circumferential direction. The imbalance in spoke tension results from the application of load provides the rigidity of the rim in respect to the hub, both for in-plane and out-of-plane forces. Ribs stiffen the spokes to resist wind and gravity, but are not structurally supported by either the hub or the rim. Lightweight reflector tiles match the wheel structure and create the reflective surface. Full Article
world news Sportsmans EZ grill By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The foldable Sportsman EZ grill is described. The Sportsman EZ portable grill has a grill member and a frame. The frame supports the Sportsman EZ grill on a support surface, keeping the front legs away from the fire/heat source, extending outwardly and in an arch from the frame. The support arms have a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is joined to the support structure which connects to the grill member. Full Article
world news Cookery air purification and exhaust system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An air filtration and exhaust system is described. The system comprises a microcontroller, a power supply, and a series of sensors that detect the presence of airborne contaminants such as ultra fine particles, smoke, natural gas and radon gas. In the presence of these airborne contaminants, the system is designed to inactivate and prevent operation of nearby food preparation appliances. Once these contaminants have been safely removed, the operation of these appliances is restored. In addition, the ventilation system may be equipped with a purification subassembly, which safely and efficiently removes such containments from the area. The system may also comprise an alarm that is activatable in the presence of these contaminants. Full Article
world news Pull-out device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pull-out device for a household appliance The pull-out device includes a side grid configured to be installed in an interior space of the household appliance and a plurality of horizontal rods each having a bent end section on opposite sides of the rod, the bent end sections being fixed on a vertical post of the side grid. Also included is a guide rail fixed on at least one of the rods by a fastening element and locking means configured to detachably fix a sliding rail that is movably supported on the guide rail in one or both of a retracted and an extended position. Full Article
world news Solar collector based on carbon nanotubes and solar heating system using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A solar collector includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to the upper surface, a sidewall, a transparent cover, and a heat-absorbing layer. The sidewall is arranged on the periphery of the top surface of the substrate. The transparent cover is disposed on the sidewall opposite to the substrate to form a sealed chamber. The heat-absorbing layer is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and includes a carbon nanotube film having a plurality of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube film are joined end-to-end. Full Article
world news Solar panel system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A housing has a bottom, side panels, end panels, and a top, forming a chamber. The side and end panels have interior sections and slidable exterior sections. A solar energy collector, tubing or solar panels, is within the chamber. A cover plate is fabricated of a transparent material and is secured to the exterior section adjacent to the top. Lenses are coupled to the exterior section, and focus sunlight on the solar energy collector. Lift drivers vary the elevation of the lenses with respect to the solar energy collector. A gimbal assembly with a tilt driver operatively couples the housing to the roof to vary the angular tilt of the housing. A light sensor, a temperature sensor, and an associated controller adjust the elevation of the lenses and the tilt of the housing. Full Article
world news Closed loop tracking system using signal beam By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention is a system and method for heliostat mirror control. Here, each heliostat mirror generates a low intensity “signal beam”, directed at an angle off from the heliostat mirror's high intensity and sensor blinding “main beam” of reflected solar energy. The low intensity signal beams may be created by reflecting a small portion of the incident solar light at an angle from the main beam, by reflected artificial light, or from lasers shinning onto mirrors from known locations. The signal beams are detected by optical sensors mounted way from the main heliostat receiver focus, and can be used in a closed loop control system to efficiently ensure that individual heliostat mirrors in a heliostat array accurately track sunlight and direct the sunlight to a central receiver. Because heliostat mirrors need not be taken “off sun” for positioning, the system allows heliostat arrays to be run at high efficiency. Full Article