IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,734,859
Granted Patent B2
US 12,734,859 · App. 18/799,703 · Granted Sep 15, 2026

Technologies for manifolds

Inventor: John David Calderone (Los Gatos, CA)
Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
B60H1/3229B60H1/3223B60K7/0007F25B41/40B60H1/00571B60K2001/001B60K2007/0092
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,734,859
App. No.
18/799,703
Granted
Sep 15, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle comprising a compressor and a manifold physically and fluidly coupled to the compressor.

Claims (45)

1 . A device comprising:

a manifold that has first and second spaced-apart, parallel, and oppositely-facing major planar outer surfaces, wherein the second major planar outer surface is connected to a sensor;

one or more fluid channels disposed between the first and second major planar outer surfaces and within the manifold;

at least one compressor in fluid communication with the manifold and attached to the first major planar outer surface;

a heat exchanger coupled to the manifold such that the heat exchanger faces the first major planar outer surface; and

a fluid source in fluid communication with the manifold and attached to the second major planar outer surface,

wherein,

the manifold extends between the at least one compressor and the fluid source, and

the fluid source includes at least one of a condenser, a chiller, a receiver-drier, or a coolant container, and

fluid from the fluid source flows in the one or more fluid channels located in a plane between the first and second major planar outer surfaces.

2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the second major planar outer surface is further connected to a motor.

3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the manifold is T-shaped in cross section.

4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one compressor includes a plurality of compressors.

5 . The device of claim 4 , further comprising:

a VDA connector coupled to the manifold such that the manifold extends between the VDA connector and the plurality of compressors.

6 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a valve coupled to the manifold such that the valve faces the second major planar outer surface.

7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the manifold comprises two or more plates stacked and secured together, a first plate having a first interior surface, a second plate having a second interior surface, and wherein the first interior surface, the second interior surface, or both having the one or more of the fluid channels formed therein as concavities therein.

8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the fluid source includes the receiver-drier and the receiver-drier is integrated with the condenser or the chiller.

9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more fluid channels are located in a plane between the first and second major planar outer surfaces, which enclose the one or more fluid channels.

10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the manifold is a discrete plate-shaped manifold.

11 . A motorized vehicle comprising:

an HVAC assembly including a fluid source;

a manifold that has first and second spaced-apart, parallel, and oppositely-facing major planar outer surfaces, wherein the second major planar outer surface hosts a sensor, and one or more fluid channels in between the first and second major planar outer surfaces which major planar outer surfaces enclose the one or more fluid channels to which the fluid source is coupled and on which the fluid source is hosted, wherein the fluid source is in fluid communication with the manifold and is attached to the second major planar outer surface, wherein the fluid source includes a heat exchanger coupled to the manifold such that the heat exchanger faces the first major planar outer surface; and

at least one compressor which is fluidly coupled to the manifold and which is attached to and hosted on the first major planar outer surface, the fluid source being attached to and hosted on the second major planar outer surface, wherein fluid from the fluid source flows in the one or more fluid channels located in a plane between the first and second major planar outer surfaces.

12 . The motorized vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the fluid source includes at least one of a liquid-cooled condenser, a chiller, a receiver-drier, or a coolant container.

13 . The motorized vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the first major planar outer surface or the second major planar outer surface hosts at least a motor.

14 . The motorized vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the manifold is T-shaped in cross section.

15 . The motorized vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the at least one compressor includes a plurality of compressors.

16 . The motorized vehicle of claim 15 , further comprising:

a VDA connector coupled to the manifold such that the manifold extends between the VDA connector and the plurality of compressors.

17 . The motorized vehicle of claim 11 further comprising:

a valve coupled to the manifold such that the valve faces the second major planar outer surface.

18 . The motorized vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the motorized vehicle is an electrically powered vehicle.

19 . The motorized vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the manifold is a discrete plate-shaped manifold.

20 . An HVAC assembly comprising:

a manifold that has first and second spaced-apart, parallel, and oppositely-facing major planar outer surfaces, wherein the second major planar outer surface hosts a sensor, and one or more fluid channels in between the first and second major planar outer surfaces which major planar outer surfaces enclose the one or more fluid channels;

a fluid source which is fluidly coupled to the manifold and which is attached to and hosted on the manifold, wherein the fluid source includes a heat exchanger coupled to the manifold such that the heat exchanger faces the first major planar outer surface; and

at least one compressor which is in fluid communication with the manifold and which is attached to and hosted on the manifold, the at least one compressor being located on the first major planar outer surface and the fluid source being located on the second major planar outer surface,

wherein fluid from the fluid source flows in the one or more fluid channels located in a plane between the first and second major planar outer surfaces.

21 . The HVAC assembly of claim 20 , wherein the fluid source includes at least one of a liquid-cooled condenser, a chiller, a receiver-drier, or a coolant container.

22 . The HVAC assembly of claim 20 , wherein the second major planar outer surface hosts at least a motor.

23 . The HVAC assembly of claim 20 , wherein the manifold is T-shaped in cross section.

24 . The HVAC assembly of claim 20 , wherein the at least one compressor includes a plurality of compressors.

25 . The HVAC assembly of claim 20 , wherein the manifold is a discrete, plate-shaped manifold.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 9, 2024
From: CALDERONE, JOHN DAVID
To: TESLA, INC.
Reel/Frame 068242/0803 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17821090 · Aug 19, 2022
Continuation 15668963 · Aug 4, 2017
Related Publication 20240399838A1 · Dec 5, 2024
References Cited (58)
US 3141309A · Gesell, I · 1964 [cited by applicant]
US 3355097A · Hanns · 1967 [cited by applicant]
US 3712759A · Olson · 1973 [cited by applicant]
US 3728746A · Konen et al. · 1973 [cited by applicant]
US 4313314A · Boyanich · 1982 [cited by applicant]
US 4671856A · Sears · 1987 [cited by applicant]
US 4899799A · Drazy · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4957419A · Rascov · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 4978429A · Sears et al. · 1990 [cited by applicant]
US 5513966A · Krohn · 1996 [cited by applicant]
US 6052285A · Hileman · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 7516737B2 · Cerabone et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 9657733B2 · Chadwick · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 11440376B2 · Calderone · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 12151539B2 · Calderone · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 12485730B2 · Calderone · 2025 [cited by examiner]
US 20040110429A1 · Wizgall · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 20050281686A1 · Dewispelaere · 2005 [cited by examiner]
US 20060204611A1 · Serniuk · 2006 [cited by examiner]
US 20080210405A1 · Datta et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090071179A1 · Lamkin, Jr. · 2009 [cited by examiner]
US 20100071639A1 · Wegner et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110070101A1 · Mezza · 2011 [cited by examiner]
US 20120153718A1 · Rawlinson et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120216562A1 · Kadle · 2012 [cited by examiner]
US 20160039277A1 · Falls · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20190039440A1 · Calderone · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20220388374A1 · Calderone · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20240399837A1 · Calderone · 2024 [cited by applicant]
DE 112010005490T5 · 2013 [cited by examiner]
“U.S. Appl. No. 18/799,651, Notice of Allowance mailed Jul. 31, 2025”, 9 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 18/799,651, Corrected Notice of Allowability mailed Aug. 12, 2025”, 5 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Advisory Action mailed Mar. 23, 2021”, 4 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Examiner Interview Summary mailed Mar. 12, 2021”, 2 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Final Office Action mailed Jan. 21, 2022”, 7 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Final Office Action mailed Nov. 16, 2020”, 10 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Final Office Action mailed Nov. 21, 2019”, 11 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Non Final Office Action mailed Mar. 26, 2020”, 9 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Non Final Office Action mailed Jun. 13, 2019”, 10 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Non Final Office Action mailed Jul. 28, 2021”, 10 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Notice of Allowance mailed May 6, 2022”, 12 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Notice of Allowance mailed May 16, 2022”, 8 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Response filed Feb. 21, 2020 to Final Office Action mailed Nov. 21, 2019”, 9 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Response filed Mar. 10, 2021 to Final Office Action mailed Nov. 16, 2020”, 14 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Response filed Mar. 31, 2021 to Advisory Action mailed Mar. 23, 2021”, 15 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Response filed Apr. 10, 2019 to Restriction Requirement mailed Mar. 21, 2019”, 1 pg. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Response filed Apr. 20, 2022 to Final Office Action mailed Jan. 21, 2022”, 9 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Response filed Aug. 26, 2020 to Non Final Office Action mailed Mar. 26, 2020”, 11 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Response filed Aug. 27, 2019 to Non Final Office Action mailed Jun. 13, 2019”, 10 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Response filed Oct. 27, 2021 to Non Final Office Action mailed Jul. 28, 2021”, 10 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 15/668,963, Restriction Requirement mailed Mar. 21, 2019”, 5 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 17/821,090, Non Final Office Action mailed Mar. 27, 2024”, 10 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 17/821,090, Notice of Allowance mailed Jul. 17, 2024”, 9 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 17/821,090, Response filed Feb. 7, 2024 to Restriction Requirement mailed Dec. 11, 2023”, 6 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 17/821,090, Response filed Jun. 14, 2024 to Non Final Office Action mailed Mar. 27, 2024”, 11 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 17/821,090, Restriction Requirement mailed Dec. 11, 2023”, 2 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 18/799,651, Non Final Office Action mailed May 7, 2025”, 14 pgs. [cited by applicant]
“U.S. Appl. No. 18/799,651, Response filed Jul. 1, 2025 to Non Final Office Action mailed May 7, 2025”, 20 pgs. [cited by applicant]