Thomas R Harrison

US Patent:

7216495, May 15, 2007

Filed:

Aug 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/468555

Inventors:

Thomas D. Harrison - Draper UT, US

International Classification:

F25B 27/00

US Classification:

62115, 62133, 62239, 60706

Abstract:

Implementations of the present invention include systems, methods, and apparatus for improving the fuel efficiency (mpg/kpl) of a motor vehicle during those times when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating. Whenever the driver takes his foot off the gas, or the vehicle engine is otherwise caused to decelerate, the refrigerant compressor clutch engages, allowing the compressor to operate on previously-imparted vehicle waste energy (e. g. , imparted by the engine, or by downhill travel. ) When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set maximum value, the clutch is deactivated, and the compressor stops. When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set minimum level, the clutch is activated regardless of the existence of vehicle waste energy. When the refrigerant pressure reaches another pre-set level between the aforementioned maximum and minimum levels, in the absence of any vehicle waste energy, the clutch is again deactivated and the compressor stops.

US Patent:

7308799, Dec 18, 2007

Filed:

Sep 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/531642

Inventors:

Thomas D. Harrison - Draper UT, US

International Classification:

B60H 1/32

US Classification:

62133, 62208, 62236, 62244

Abstract:

A waste energy-based vehicle air conditioning system includes efficient compression driving means coupled to refrigeration means, which greatly reduces the extra fuel otherwise required to operate conventional vehicle air conditioning systems. In one implementation, the compression driving means includes a controller (e. g. , magnetic clutch) that couples mechanical waste energy from an engine fan axle, a vehicle drive shaft, or a transmission shaft directly to an axle of a refrigerant compressor. Alternatively, the controller can also include a battery that is charged from the mechanical waste energy. Upon detecting the presence of vehicle waste energy, such as the driver's foot releasing from a gas pedal, the controller powers the refrigerant compressor with a rotating axle (e. g. , during deceleration) or with the vehicle's battery power, as appropriate. One or more kits can be used to retrofit existing vehicles to operate the respective air conditioning systems principally on waste energy.

US Patent:

7380405, Jun 3, 2008

Filed:

Feb 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/678785

Inventors:

Thomas D. Harrison - Draper UT, US

International Classification:

B60H 1/32

US Classification:

62133, 62239, 623231

Abstract:

Implementations of the present invention include systems, methods, and apparatus for improving the fuel efficiency (mpg/kpl) of a motor vehicle during those times when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating. Whenever the driver takes his foot off the gas, or the vehicle engine is otherwise caused to decelerate, the refrigerant compressor clutch engages, allowing the compressor to operate on previously-imparted vehicle waste energy (e. g. , imparted by the engine, or by downhill travel. ) When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set maximum value, the clutch is deactivated, and the compressor stops. When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set minimum level, the clutch is activated regardless of the existence of vehicle waste energy. When the refrigerant pressure reaches another pre-set level between the aforementioned maximum and minimum levels, in the absence of any vehicle waste energy, the clutch is again deactivated and the compressor stops.

US Patent:

7458224, Dec 2, 2008

Filed:

Feb 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/678779

Inventors:

Thomas D. Harrison - Draper UT, US

International Classification:

B60H 1/32

US Classification:

62133, 622283

Abstract:

Implementations of the present invention include systems, methods, and apparatus for improving the fuel efficiency (mpg/kpl) of a motor vehicle during those times when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating. Whenever the driver takes his foot off the gas, or the vehicle engine is otherwise caused to decelerate, the refrigerant compressor clutch engages, allowing the compressor to operate on previously-imparted vehicle waste energy (e. g. , imparted by the engine, or by downhill travel. ) When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set maximum value, the clutch is deactivated, and the compressor stops. When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set minimum level, the clutch is activated regardless of the existence of vehicle waste energy. When the refrigerant pressure reaches another pre-set level between the aforementioned maximum and minimum levels, in the absence of any vehicle waste energy, the clutch is again deactivated and the compressor stops.

US Patent:

7260947, Aug 28, 2007

Filed:

Jul 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/456199

Inventors:

Thomas D. Harrison - Draper UT, US

International Classification:

F25B 27/00

US Classification:

62115, 62233, 62239, 60706

Abstract:

A waste energy-based vehicle air conditioning system includes efficient compression driving means coupled to refrigeration means. In one implementation, the compression driving means includes a controller (e. g. , magnetic clutch) that couples mechanical waste energy from an engine fan axle, a vehicle drive shaft, or a transmission shaft to an axle of a refrigerant compressor. Alternatively, the controller can also include a battery that is charged from the mechanical waste energy. Upon detecting certain pressure values, the controller powers the refrigerant compressor with a rotating axle (e. g. , during deceleration) or with battery power, as appropriate. In one implementation, the controller is configured to engage compression immediately upon detecting that the vehicle is decelerating. One or more kits can be used to retrofit existing vehicles to operate the respective air conditioning systems principally on waste energy.

US Patent:

20080093143, Apr 24, 2008

Filed:

May 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/754281

Inventors:

Thomas Harrison - Draper UT, US

International Classification:

B60K 6/28
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

180165000, 701048000, 180065200, 903930000

Abstract:

A conventional vehicle can be turned into a semi-hybrid vehicle using an ultra capacitor, a self-charging motor, and a number of different other components configured to maximize usage of vehicle waste kinetic energy. In one implementation, detected deceleration of the semi-hybrid vehicle causes the self-charging motor to pass electrical power to the ultra capacitor. In one implementation, the self-charging motor can also be used to further decelerate, or brake, the vehicle. After deceleration, such as upon accelerating the vehicle, the self-charging motor initially draws power from the ultra capacitor to add torque to the drive shaft, which can significantly reduce required fuel consumption. In another implementation, the semi-hybrid vehicle is configured to differentially engage refrigerant compressor power sources so that the refrigerant compressor can be synchronized with a mechanical power source before engaging. This can minimize or eliminate jerking of the vehicle during air conditioner compressor engagement.

US Patent:

20140216753, Aug 7, 2014

Filed:

Feb 7, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/761604

Inventors:

Rodney Dee Smith - North Ogden UT, US
Thomas D. Harrison - Draper UT, US

International Classification:

E21B 43/12

US Classification:

166372, 166316, 166179, 166192, 166 7515

Abstract:

The disclosed hydrocarbon lift system and method prohibits water-coning in production of oil from a subterranean reservoir to the earth's surface. The system comprises a well bore with a first and a second section. The first section has perforations which draw a first fluid into and up the well bore based on a negative pump pressure applied thereto. The second section has perforations which draw a second fluid into the well bore based on a differential pressure between the pump pressure and a lower induced pressure therein. The system also comprises a venturi structure fixtured into the well bore. The venturi structure has flaring ends connected by a constricting throat defining perforations therein. The constricting throat perforations draw the second fluid through the second section perforations into the venturi throat in response to the lower induced pressure in the second section created by an increased first fluid velocity there through.