Kenneth E Schultz

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:

20210341190, Nov 4, 2021

Filed:

Apr 30, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/246233

Inventors:

- Davidson NC, US
Marcos Eric Perez-Blanco - La Crosse WI, US
Elyse M. Sorenson - Stoddard WI, US
Abolfazl Maneshi - La Crosse WI, US
Lee L. Sibik - Onalaska WI, US
Erica L. Gallant - Onalaska WI, US
John R. Wold - La Crosse WI, US
Kenneth J. Schultz - Onalaska WI, US

International Classification:

F25B 43/00
F25B 45/00

Abstract:

Purge systems for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) circuits in chillers can use adsorbent and/or membranes to separate refrigerant from non-condensable gases, allowing the non-condensables to be exhausted while the working fluid can be recovered and returned to the HVACR circuit. The purge systems can include one or more separation chambers including either an adsorbent material or a selectively permeable membrane. The selectively permeable membrane can be solubility-based for its selectivity. Optionally, a pusher pump can be upstream of the separation chambers to pressurize the purge gas through the purge system, including in the separation chamber. The purge system can be controlled using a model correlating pressure differentials in the purge system with purge gas conditions such as non-condensable and working fluid concentrations.

US Patent:

20210033323, Feb 4, 2021

Filed:

Jul 31, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/527909

Inventors:

- Davidson NC, US
Kenneth J. Schultz - Onalaska WI, US
Elyse M. Sorenson - Stoddard WI, US
Morgan Elizabeth Herried Leehey - La Crosse WI, US

International Classification:

F25B 43/00
C09K 5/04
C09K 15/06
C09K 15/18

Abstract:

A heat transfer circuit that includes a main flow path for a working fluid that extends through a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator. The working fluid includes CFI. The heat transfer circuit also includes an additive stream configured to supply additive for the CFI to the working fluid in the main flow path based on a discharge temperature of the compressor. A method for operating a heat transfer circuit that includes directing a working fluid including CFI through a main flow path of the heat transfer circuit. The method also includes changing a concentration of additive for the CFI based on a discharge temperature of the working fluid from the compressor.

US Patent:

20200283664, Sep 10, 2020

Filed:

Oct 14, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/600963

Inventors:

- Davidson NC, US
Kenneth J. SCHULTZ - Onalaska WI, US

International Classification:

C09K 5/04
F25B 45/00

Abstract:

Compositions and methods are described for reducing flammability in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system having R32 refrigerant included in the refrigerant composition. Refrigerant compositions and methods of use are described which can be used for retrofitting, servicing, controlling flammability, improving performance, lubricant solubility and miscibility, and improving the safety of an HVAC system.

US Patent:

20200172781, Jun 4, 2020

Filed:

Sep 9, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/564060

Inventors:

- Davidson NC, US
Kenneth J. SCHULTZ - Onalaska WI, US

International Classification:

C09K 5/04
F25B 45/00

Abstract:

A refrigeration system is disclosed. The system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator fluidly connected to form a refrigeration circuit. A refrigerant composition including an environmentally-suitable chiller refrigerant that has a 100 year direct global warming potential (GWP) of less than 150 is included. The refrigerant composition includes a mixture including R-1336mzz-(Z) and R-1130-(E), wherein an amount of R-1336mzz-(Z) in the mixture is in a range from at or about 69% by weight to at or about 81% by weight, and an amount of R-1130-(E) in the mixture is in a range from at or about 31% by weight to at or about 19% by weight.

US Patent:

20190161659, May 30, 2019

Filed:

Nov 30, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/827902

Inventors:

- Davidson NC, US
Kenneth J. SCHULTZ - Onalaska WI, US

International Classification:

C09K 5/04

Abstract:

A refrigeration system is disclosed. The system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator fluidly connected to form a refrigeration circuit. A refrigerant composition including an environmentally-suitable chiller refrigerant that has a 100 year direct global warming potential (GWP) of less than 150 is included. The refrigerant composition includes a mixture including R-1336mzz-(Z) and R-1130-(E), wherein an amount of R-1336mzz-(Z) in the mixture is in a range from at or about 69% by weight to at or about 81% by weight, and an amount of R-1130-(E) in the mixture is in a range from at or about 31% by weight to at or about 19% by weight.

US Patent:

20180362819, Dec 20, 2018

Filed:

Jan 12, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/869366

Inventors:

- Davidson NC, US
Kenneth J. Schultz - Onalaska WI, US

International Classification:

C09K 5/04

Abstract:

Refrigerant compositions are described, which can be used for example, in refrigeration, air conditioning, and/or heat pump systems which for example, can be incorporated into a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system or unit. The refrigerant composition includes an amount of a R125 refrigerant, an amount of a R32 refrigerant, and an amount of a R1234yf refrigerant, where the R32 refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant, and the R1234yf refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant.

US Patent:

20180363947, Dec 20, 2018

Filed:

Dec 8, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/781943

Inventors:

- Davidson NC, US
Stephen A. KUJAK - Brownsville MN, US
Kenneth J. Schultz - Onalaska WI, US

Assignee:

TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC. - Davidson NC

International Classification:

F24H 4/04
C09K 5/04
F25B 6/04
F25B 7/00
F25B 29/00
F25B 30/02

Abstract:

Heat is recovered from a heat source to heat water to high temperatures. Apparatuses, systems and methods are described to heat water to a high temperature by using heat, such as may be considered in some instances as waste heat, recovered from a heat source. The methods, systems, and apparatuses described utilize low pressure refrigerant(s) as a fluid to provide a refrigeration cycle that utilizes a source of heat to heat water to a high temperature. The refrigeration cycle can be with or without a cascade cycle. The refrigerant cycle in some examples uses an oil free compressor.