Edward I Wolfe

US Patent:

20050103031, May 19, 2005

Filed:

Nov 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/989867

Inventors:

S. Ahmed - Charlottesville VA, US
Edward Wolfe - Amherst NY, US
Prasad Kadle - Williamsville NY, US
William Kumpf - Lockport NY, US

International Classification:

G05D023/32
F25B001/00
F25B049/00
B60H001/32
F25B027/00

US Classification:

062157000, 062230000, 062323100, 062243000

Abstract:

In order to reduce refrigerant leakage from an automotive air conditioning system, the leakage paths are kept sealed by automatically reducing the output of a variable displacement compressor () after initial operation of the engine for a predetermined number of five minutes, and then only for a predetermined number of ten seconds, that is, so long as there has been an air conditioning on signal by the operator. After the reduction in output for ten seconds, the output of the compressor () is returned to full output for a predetermined number of two air-conditioning minutes, which is then followed by another ten seconds of reduced output.

US Patent:

20050257531, Nov 24, 2005

Filed:

Jun 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/148756

Inventors:

Prasad Kadle - East Amherst NY, US
Edward Wolfe - Amherst NY, US
Joseph Heremans - Troy MI, US
Donald Morelli - White Lake MI, US

International Classification:

F25B021/02
B60H001/32

US Classification:

062003300, 062003610, 062244000

Abstract:

A thermo-electric device is disposed in series with the HVAC module for heating and cooling air Tfrom the HVAC module for delivery to seat passages of a seat assembly and/or to a thermal container. The thermoelectric device includes a thermoelectric module, a heat exchanger having cold and hot sides, ductwork, a divider that sends variable air flow to the cold or hot sides of the thermoelectric module, and thermal insulation between the cold and hot sides downstream of the heat exchanger. The fan of the HVAC module is the sole motivation for moving the conditioned air Toriginating from the central HVAC module through the thermoelectric device and to the seat assembly and/or to a thermal container.

US Patent:

20050257541, Nov 24, 2005

Filed:

Jun 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/148527

Inventors:

Prasad Kadle - East Amherst NY, US
Edward Wolfe - Amherst NY, US
Joseph Heremans - Troy MI, US
Donald Morelli - White Lake MI, US

International Classification:

F25B021/02
F24F007/00
F25D017/04
B60H001/32

US Classification:

062186000, 062244000, 062003200

Abstract:

A thermo-electric device has a seat side and a cabin side for delivering heating and cooling air from a HVAC module to seat passages of a vehicle seat assembly. A selector is included for setting a desired or control temperature Tof the seat assembly. A comparator is included for determining the temperature difference ΔT between the actual temperature of the seat assembly Tand the desired or selected temperature T. A controller simultaneously adjusts a proportioning valve and adjusts the electrical current to the thermoelectric device in relationship to one another in response to the temperature difference ΔT.

US Patent:

20050268621, Dec 8, 2005

Filed:

Sep 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/948348

Inventors:

Prasad Kadle - East Amherst NY, US
Edward Wolfe - Amherst NY, US
Joseph Heremans - Troy MI, US
Donald Morelli - White Lake MI, US

International Classification:

F25B021/02

US Classification:

062003200

Abstract:

A thermoelectric device is disposed in series with the HVAC module for heating and cooling air Tfrom the HVAC module for delivery to seat passages of a seat assembly. The thermoelectric device includes a thermoelectric module, a heat exchanger having cold and hot sides, ductwork, a divider that sends variable air flow to the cold or hot sides of the thermoelectric module, and thermal insulation between the cold and hot sides downstream of the heat exchanger. The fan of the HVAC module is the sole motivation for moving the conditioned air Toriginating from the central HVAC module through the thermoelectric device and to the seat assembly.

US Patent:

20060260337, Nov 23, 2006

Filed:

May 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/133603

Inventors:

Prasad Kadle - East Amherst NY, US
Edward Wolfe - Amherst NY, US

International Classification:

B60H 1/00
F25D 17/06
E03C 1/00
B60H 1/32
F17D 1/00
F25D 21/00
E03B 1/00

US Classification:

062239000, 165202000, 062272000, 062093000

Abstract:

A heating and cooling and air conditioning (HVAC) module housing wherein the defrost outlet and the vent outlet and the seat outlet are disposed next adjacent to one another and a first plate overlies the defrost outlet and the seat outlet and a second plate overlies the seat outlet and the vent outlet for opening and closing various combinations of the outlets. Accordingly, the defrost valve and the vent valve are used to also control air flow through the seat outlet of a HVAC module to a thermo-electric device to heat and cool the seat assembly in a vehicle.

US Patent:

20070157630, Jul 12, 2007

Filed:

Jan 10, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/329711

Inventors:

Prasad Kadle - Williamsville NY, US
Edward Wolfe - Amherst NY, US
Xiaoxia Mu - East Amherst NY, US

International Classification:

F25B 21/02
F24F 3/14
F25D 23/12

US Classification:

062003300, 23604400C, 062003400, 062003610, 062331000

Abstract:

Conditioned air discharged from a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit is further conditioned by a thermoelectric (TE) air conditioning unit and then directed to air passages in a vehicle seat. Activation of the TE air conditioning unit is based on climate control parameters utilized by the HVAC unit, including a set temperature, radiant heating effects, and cabin air temperature. The climate control parameters are utilized to establish a target seat temperature that optimizes occupant comfort and the transient response of the seat cooling effect.

US Patent:

20070157631, Jul 12, 2007

Filed:

Jan 4, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/649682

Inventors:

Lin Jie Huang - East Amherst NY, US
Edward I. Wolfe - Amherst NY, US
Prasad S. Kadle - Williamsville NY, US
Xiaoxia Mu - East Amherst NY, US

International Classification:

F25B 21/02
F25D 23/12

US Classification:

62 33, 62331, 62 361

Abstract:

Conditioned air discharged from a vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit is further conditioned by a thermoelectric (TE) air temperature control module and then directed to air passages in a vehicle seat. Activation of the TE air temperature control module is based on climate control parameters utilized by the HVAC unit, including the set temperature and the cabin air temperature.

US Patent:

20070214800, Sep 20, 2007

Filed:

Mar 15, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/376586

Inventors:

Prasad Kadle - Williamsville NY, US
Edward Wolfe - Amherst NY, US
Xiaoxia Mu - East Amherst NY, US

International Classification:

F25B 21/02
B60H 1/32
F25D 23/12

US Classification:

062003300, 062003610, 062261000, 062244000

Abstract:

Differential thermal conditioning of vehicle seat zones is achieved with convenient adjustment of a seat temperature differential for optimizing the thermal comfort of the seat occupant. Two or more thermoelectric units supply conditioned air to different zones of the seat, and the temperature differential between specified zones of the seat is set by an occupant-adjustable control input.