Michael William Groen

US Patent:

20170284749, Oct 5, 2017

Filed:

Aug 21, 2015

Appl. No.:

15/505000

Inventors:

- Davidson NC, US
Michael W. GROEN - La Crosse WI, US
William B. FOX - Onalaska WI, US
Brian WESTFALL - Elgin SC, US
Felix QUINTERO - Columbia SC, US

International Classification:

F28F 1/22
F28F 19/02
F28F 19/00
F28F 1/12
F25B 39/00

Abstract:

Apparatuses, systems and methods are directed to heat exchangers that are made of microchannel tubes and that have offset fins of various geometries and density. The heat exchanger coils can be implemented in various refrigeration and/or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units or systems thereof.

US Patent:

20160201990, Jul 14, 2016

Filed:

Jan 11, 2016

Appl. No.:

14/992636

Inventors:

- Davidson NC, US
Jun WANG - Clarksville TN, US
Brian WESTFALL - Elgin SC, US
Sean A. SMITH - Chapmansboro TN, US
Tao ZHOU - Onalaska WI, US
William B. FOX - Onalaska WI, US
Felix QUINTERO - Columbia SC, US
Michael W. GROEN - La Crosse WI, US
Justin S. WINTERS - Adams TN, US
Robert F. SCHULT - Clarksville TN, US

International Classification:

F28D 1/053
F28F 9/02

Abstract:

Embodiments of a heat exchanger, e.g. a micro-channel heat exchanger are disclosed. The heat exchanger may include a plurality of rows of micro-channel tubes, each of which can be configured to direct a working fluid in a specific direction. The heat exchanger may include one or more distributors in a distribution header of the heat exchanger, each of which can be connected to a different application circuit (e.g. a refrigeration circuit) so that a capacity of the heat exchanger may be regulated. The heat exchanger as disclosed herein can be used as an evaporator and/or a condenser in a refrigeration system.

US Patent:

20160138842, May 19, 2016

Filed:

Jan 26, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/006950

Inventors:

- Davidson NC, US
Harry Kenneth Ring - Houston MN, US
Michael William Groen - La Crosse WI, US
Stephen Anthony Kujak - Onalaska WI, US

International Classification:

F25B 39/02

Abstract:

Generally, management of refrigerant in an evaporator of an HVAC chiller is described. Methods, systems, and apparatuses to manage refrigerant in an evaporator can include one or combination of the following approaches: (1) by use a refrigerant displacement array to physically prevent refrigerant from residing where the array is positioned; (2) by control of the interstitial velocity of refrigerant flow within the volume of the shell of an evaporator; (3) by a phase biased distribution of the refrigerant mixture, so that a gaseous portion is uniformly distributed into the evaporator shell, while liquid refrigerant and oil is distributed into the evaporator shell at a designated area; and (4) by preventing or reducing the occurrence of foaming inside the evaporator through anti-foaming surfaces, such as by the use of refrigerant phobic and lubricant phobic material(s). Refrigerant management can in turn improve the thermal performance and overall efficiency of the evaporator.

US Patent:

20140223936, Aug 14, 2014

Filed:

Sep 26, 2012

Appl. No.:

14/347521

Inventors:

- PISCATAWAY NJ, US
Harry Kenneth Ring - Houston MN, US
Michael William Groen - La Crosse WI, US
Stephen Anthony Kujak - Onalaska WI, US
Ronald Maurice Cosby II - La Crosse WI, US

Assignee:

TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC. - PISCATAWAY NJ

International Classification:

F28F 13/02
F28F 13/18
F25B 39/02

US Classification:

62115, 165133

Abstract:

Generally, management of refrigerant in an evaporator of an HVAC chiller is described. Methods, systems, and apparatuses to manage refrigerant in an evaporator can include one or combination of the following approaches: (1) by use of a refrigerant displacement array to physically prevent refrigerant from residing where the array is positioned; (2) by control of the interstitial velocity of refrigerant flow within the volume of the shell of an evaporator; (3) by a phase biased distribution of the refrigerant mixture, so that a gaseous portion is uniformly distributed into the evaporator shell, while liquid refrigerant and oil is distributed into the evaporator shell at a designated area; and (4) by preventing or reducing the occurrence of foaming inside the evaporator through anti-foaming surfaces, such as by the use of refrigerant phobic and lubricant phobic material(s). Refrigerant management can in turn improve the thermal performance and overall efficiency of the evaporator.

US Patent:

20140202203, Jul 24, 2014

Filed:

Mar 26, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/226046

Inventors:

- Davidson NC, US
Harry Kenneth Ring - Houston MN, US
Michael William Groen - La Crosse WI, US

International Classification:

F25B 39/02

US Classification:

62515

Abstract:

A refrigerant evaporator includes a shell having a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet, and a plurality of tubes disposed within the shell and carrying a process fluid. One embodiment includes at least a first plurality of the tubes are immersed in liquid refrigerant within the shell, and at least a second plurality of the tubes are partially immersed in liquid refrigerant and partially surrounded by gaseous refrigerant. The refrigerant evaporator also includes a baffle positioned adjacent the first plurality of tubes and immersed in the liquid refrigerant to displace the liquid refrigerant.