Steven J Pitts

US Patent:

7421855, Sep 9, 2008

Filed:

Jan 4, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/649541

Inventors:

H. Kenneth Ring - Houston MN, US
Kenneth J. Schultz - Onalaska WI, US
Steven J. Pitts - La Crescent MN, US
Brian T. Sullivan - La Crosse WI, US

Assignee:

Trane International Inc. - Piscataway NJ

International Classification:

F25B 39/02

US Classification:

62525, 62512

Abstract:

A shell-and-tube evaporator of a refrigerant system includes a refrigerant inlet distributor that traps a pocket of gaseous refrigerant to displace liquid refrigerant underneath the evaporator's tube bundle, thereby reducing the total charge of refrigerant in the evaporator. In some embodiments, the distributor comprises four sections interconnected by a central refrigerant feed line, which properly apportions the refrigerant to the four sections.

US Patent:

20180128527, May 10, 2018

Filed:

Nov 7, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/344974

Inventors:

- Davidson NC, US
Brian T. Sullivan - La Crosse WI, US
Steven J. Pitts - La Crescent MN, US
Thomas Gallant - La Crosse WI, US

International Classification:

F25B 41/06
F25B 41/04
F25B 1/00

Abstract:

A refrigerant circuit is disclosed. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device, an economizer, a second expansion device, and an evaporator fluidly connected. A working fluid flows through the refrigerant circuit. A bypass segment is fluidly connected to the refrigerant circuit. A portion of the working fluid is provided from the refrigerant circuit to the bypass segment from a location in the refrigerant circuit disposed between the condenser and the evaporator with respect to flow of the working fluid. The portion of the working fluid flows through the bypass segment in a flow enabled state and is provided to a location in the refrigerant circuit disposed between the economizer and the evaporator with respect to flow of the working fluid. A vortical flow is induced at the location in the refrigerant circuit disposed between the economizer and the evaporator.

US Patent:

20180045470, Feb 15, 2018

Filed:

Oct 25, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/793344

Inventors:

- Davidson NC, US
Steven Joseph PITTS - La Crescent MN, US

International Classification:

F28F 1/00
F28F 17/00
F25B 39/04

Abstract:

A condenser equipped with a refrigerant outlet configured to receive and store liquid refrigerant during an off-cycle is described. The refrigerant outlet may include an outflow pipe surrounded by a weir. The weir may include a port, through which liquid refrigerant in the weir can be directed to, for example, moving parts of the chiller for lubrication. The outflow pipe may extend vertically relative to the bottom of the condenser. In some embodiments, a first opening of the outflow pipe may be positioned higher than the bottom of the condenser in the vertical direction, while the weir may be positioned lower than the bottom of the condenser. Liquid refrigerant in the condenser can flow to and stay in the weir in an off-cycle. During a subsequent start-up, the liquid refrigerant in the weir can be directly quickly to moving parts of the chiller.

US Patent:

20150362260, Dec 17, 2015

Filed:

Jan 24, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/763445

Inventors:

- Piscataway NJ, US
Steven Joseph PITTS - La Crescent MN, US

International Classification:

F28F 1/00

Abstract:

A condenser equipped with a refrigerant outlet configured to receive and store liquid refrigerant during an off-cycle is described. The refrigerant outlet may include an outflow pipe surrounded by a weir. The weir may include a port, through which liquid refrigerant in the weir can be directed to, for example, moving parts of the chiller for lubrication. The outflow pipe may extend vertically relative to the bottom of the condenser. In some embodiments, a first opening of the outflow pipe may be positioned higher than the bottom of the condenser in the vertical direction, while the weir may be positioned lower than the bottom of the condenser. Liquid refrigerant in the condenser can flow to and stay in the weir in an off-cycle. During a subsequent start-up, the liquid refrigerant in the weir can be directly quickly to moving parts of the chiller.

US Patent:

20090158762, Jun 25, 2009

Filed:

Dec 20, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/004783

Inventors:

Alan Hv Eber - La Crosse WI, US
Steven J. Pitts - LaCrescent MN, US
Brian T. Sullivan - La Crosse WI, US

International Classification:

F25B 41/00
F25B 1/00

US Classification:

621964, 62222, 62498

Abstract:

A chiller includes a main condenser that has a refrigerant condensate sump with an internal weir or standpipe that maintains at least a minimum liquid seal between the outlets of the main condenser and a heat-recovery condenser. The main condenser is used for normal cooling operation, and the heat-recovery condenser is for supplying an external process with heat that would otherwise be wasted. In addition to providing a liquid seal, the sump and weir combination provides a reliable source of liquid refrigerant to cool the chiller's compressor motor and creates a trap for collecting foreign particles that might exit either of the chiller's two condensers.