Bruce Elliot Mcclellan

US Patent:

20080314059, Dec 25, 2008

Filed:

Jun 20, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/765513

Inventors:

Jeffrey G. Harkness - Montgomery MN, US
Bruce McClellan - Bloomington MN, US

Assignee:

THERMO KING CORPORATION - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F25B 27/00
B62D 53/06

US Classification:

62236, 2804231

Abstract:

A double clutch system that allows the engine to drive the compressor of an OEM system through a first engaged clutch when the engine is running and allows an electric motor to drive the compressor through a second engaged clutch when the engine is not running. The electric motor is powered by either a power source external to the tractor's engine compartment (e.g., a electric outlet or an auxiliary power unit having a diesel-fired engine and a generator) or powered by the tractor battery, which is charged by a power source external to the tractor's engine compartment.

US Patent:

60863471, Jul 11, 2000

Filed:

Aug 25, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/139184

Inventors:

Antonin Ryska - Praha, CZ
Jiri Ota - Praha, CZ
Herman H. Viegas - Bloomington MN
Bruce E. McClellan - Richfield MN

Assignee:

Thermo King Corporation - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F01C 1100

US Classification:

418212

Abstract:

A two-stage rotary vane motor is provided that is particularly efficient for use in cryogenic refrigeration systems where the mass flow rate of the drive fluid (which may be expanding cryogen gas) varies substantially. The two-stage rotary vane motor includes a housing enclosure having first and second fluid chambers, each with their own inlets for receiving pressurized cryogen, and first and second rotors rotatably mounted within the chambers by means of a shaft assembly having an output end. In operation, when the mass flow of the drive fluid is high (350 pounds per hour), fluid is admitted through the inlets of both the chambers of the housing enclosure to drive both of the rotors. However, when the mass flow of the drive fluid drops to a low level (i. e. , 100 pounds per hour), expanding cryogen is admitted only through the second chamber of the housing enclosure to drive only the second rotor.

US Patent:

59477121, Sep 7, 1999

Filed:

Apr 11, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/837037

Inventors:

Herman H. Viegas - Bloomington MN
Bruce E. McClellan - Richfield MN

Assignee:

Thermo King Corporation - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F01C 1344

US Classification:

418152

Abstract:

A rotary vane motor for efficiently extracting mechanical energy from an expanding gas at low rotational speeds is provided. The motor includes a housing having a cylindrical enclosure, a rotor having a plurality of radially oriented slots, a plurality of vanes slidably movable in the slots, a shaft for rotatably mounting the rotor in an eccentric position within the housing enclosure, and a slidable connection between the rotor and the shaft for equilibrating close clearances between the rotor and the side edges of the vanes and the inner surfaces of the housing to minimize inefficiencies due to blow-by and friction. Additionally, the materials forming the rotor, the vanes, and the housing are all selected to have the same thermal coefficient of expansion so that the vanes tightly interfit within their respective slots and the sealing surfaces of the housing over a temperature range spanning the cryogenic temperatures associated with the prefeffed drive gas, and maximum ambient temperatures. Finally, gas conducting structures in either the rotor or the vanes are provided for admitting a portion of the drive gas to the inner edges of the vanes to radially push the outer edges into tight sealing engagement with the inner surfaces of the housing.

US Patent:

53223314, Jun 21, 1994

Filed:

Jul 26, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/096231

Inventors:

William L. Waldschmidt - Farmington MN
Bruce E. McClellan - Richfield MN

Assignee:

Thermo King Corporation - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F16L 3322

US Classification:

285259

Abstract:

A hose coupling, and method of constructing same, for sealably interconnecting a flexible hose and a rigid center pipe. The hose coupling is assembled without requiring relative rotation between the rigid center pipe and the inner surface of the flexible hose. The method includes the steps of inserting an end of the center pipe rectilinearly into the opening of the flexible hose, disposing a compression sleeve member having first and second outwardly facing frustoconical surfaces about the flexible hose, disposing first and second complementary threaded tubular members, which respectively define first and second outwardly facing frustoconical surfaces, about the flexible hose and rigid center pipe, respectively, and threadably drawing the first and second complementary threaded tubular members together such that the first and second outwardly inwardly facing frustoconical surfaces respectively force the first and second outwardly facing frustoconical surfaces inwardly to compress the compression member tightly about the flexible hose and the center pipe. The hose coupling includes the compression sleeve member, the first and second complementary threaded tubular members, and the cooperative frustoconical surfaces which force the compression sleeve member to a smaller stressed diameter which securely and sealably interconnects the rigid pipe member and flexible hose.

US Patent:

48345725, May 30, 1989

Filed:

Nov 7, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/268099

Inventors:

Robert L. Harrington - Eden Prairie MN
Dennis F. Feldhake - Prior Lake MN
Bradley G. Ellingson - Bloomington MN
Bruce E. McClellan - Richfield MN

Assignee:

Thermo King Corporation - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F16B 200
B65J 122

US Classification:

403316

Abstract:

A mounting clamp for mounting a power supply to the corner castings of a thermal freight container, having a locking mechanism which automatically locks the mounting clamp in selectable installation and locking positions. The locking mechanism includes a gravity biased release lever which is actuated when it is desired to change from one position to the other. When the release lever is actuated and a new operating position is reached, the release lever automatically locks the mounting clamp in the new position, without human intervention. The mounting clamp includes a base having first and second selectable positions for mounting the release lever, which positions respectively adapt the mounting clamp for right and left hand use.

US Patent:

47700025, Sep 13, 1988

Filed:

Sep 8, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/095380

Inventors:

Herman H. Viegas - Bloomington MN
Robert K. Havemann - Bloomington MN
Bruce E. McClellan - Richfield MN

Assignee:

Thermo King Corporation - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

B60H 132

US Classification:

62239

Abstract:

A transport refrigeration system including a compressor, a prime mover for the compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator blower assembly. The evaporator blower assembly includes a shaft driven by the prime mover, a first blower fixed to the driven shaft, a second blower journaled for rotation about the driven shaft, and a clutch for coupling and decoupling the first and second blowers. The volume of air moved through the evaporator and into the conditioned space or cargo area is thus selectable based upon need of the transport refrigeration system, without the necessity of changing the speed of the prime mover. The resulting savings in power realized when only one blower is being driven is automatically translated into fuel savings and/or increased cooling capacity.

US Patent:

61062553, Aug 22, 2000

Filed:

Jul 10, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/113833

Inventors:

Herman H. Viegas - Bloomington MN
Bruce E. McClellan - Richfield MN

Assignee:

Thermo King Corporation - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F01C 2100

US Classification:

418 82

Abstract:

A rotary vane motor adapted to operate at low rpm with a source of cryogenic pressurized gas. The rotary vane motor includes a housing having a cylindrical opening connected to a primary inlet assembly and an outlet assembly, a first and second end plate attached at opposite sides of the cylindrical opening, a rotor having a plurality of radially oriented, a plurality of vanes movable within the slots and a shaft for rotatably mounting the rotor in an eccentric position within the cylindrical opening. The first end plate includes a slot positioned for fluid communication with at least one of the rotor slots so as to direct pressurized fluid from a secondary inlet assembly. In the preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of vanes includes grooves for facilitating release of trapped fluid. During use, pressurized gas from the secondary inlet assembly forces the vanes radially outward relative to the rotor slots upon communication with first end plate slot such that any friction-causing problems are overcome.

US Patent:

54150140, May 16, 1995

Filed:

Mar 21, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/210861

Inventors:

William L. Waldschmidt - Farmington MN
William P. Maxwell - Burnsville MN
Bruce E. McClellan - Richfield MN

Assignee:

Thermo King Corporation - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

F25B 3904

US Classification:

62509

Abstract:

A refrigerant receiver tank assembly having a refrigerant inlet flow path for receiving refrigerant from a condenser coil and a refrigerant outlet flow path for supplying refrigerant to an evaporator coil. The receiver tank assembly includes a tank and a manifold which define a closed space for holding a supply level of liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant inlet flow path includes an outlet opening in the closed space, and an inlet opening. The manifold defines the refrigerant outlet flow path, with the refrigerant outlet flow path having an inlet opening in the closed space, and first and second outlet openings. A pick-up tube is disposed in the closed space having a first end connected to the inlet opening of the refrigerant outlet flow path and a second end disposed below the level of liquid refrigerant in the closed space. A controllable valve is mounted on the manifold which selectively controls flow of refrigerant to a predetermined outlet opening of the refrigerant outlet flow path. In a preferred embodiment, an additional tubular member is disposed in the closed space having a first end connected to the refrigerant inlet flow path and a second end disposed above the liquid level the refrigerant.