Patents Examined by Frances H Kamps
  • Patent number: 8475163
    Abstract: This invention relates to a heating device consisting of at least one burner for the combustion especially of a gaseous fuel, at least one radiant tube connecting to the burner, at least one fan generating a negative pressure or an excess pressure in the radiant tube, and at least one exhaust gas recirculation system with at least one exhaust gas recirculation passage through which an exhaust gas produced during the combustion of the primary fuel can be recirculated from the radiant tube to a transition zone from the burner into the radiant tube. In order to further develop a heating device of this type as well as a method for its operation the burner is adapted for being operated in at least two power stages and the exhaust gas recirculation system is controlled in dependence of the power stages of the burner in such a way that the volume flow of the recirculated exhaust gas is reduced with an increasing power stage of the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schwank GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd H. Schwank, Konrad Weber
  • Patent number: 8465350
    Abstract: A method of controlling the ventilation system for an energy source in a fuel cell vehicle is disclosed, which includes an HVAC system, a fluid reserve, and a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), capable of controlling a temperature of the RESS to militate against damage to or a shortened life of the battery, while maximizing vehicle durability, efficiency, performance, and passenger comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Peter Kilian, Remy Fontaine, Sebastain Lienkamp
  • Patent number: 8430087
    Abstract: A cooking appliance having a heating source and a cooking surface disposed above the heating source. A temperature sensing probe is located between the heating source and the cooking surface for indicating to a user the temperature at or near the cooking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Char-Broil, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Johnston, Joe Andrews
  • Patent number: 8425287
    Abstract: An in-row electronic equipment storage system and corresponding method provides cooling to an electronic equipment rack. The system includes an electronic equipment rack that includes a housing adapted to receive electronic equipment, and an electronic equipment rack air cavity. A cooling rack, including a housing adapted to receive cooling equipment, and a cooling rack air cavity, is configured to be disposed adjacent to the electronic equipment rack. An interface allows for fluid communication between the cooling rack air cavity and the electronic equipment air cavity. The interface may include dampers to control air flow between the air cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric It Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Wexler
  • Patent number: 8419513
    Abstract: A ventilation device (10), in particular for a vehicle interior, has a frame (12) which includes at least one opening (16), and at least one non-return flap (20), the non-return flap (20) having at least one recess (26) provided thereon through which a holding member (22) provided on the frame (12) extends, and the non-return flap (20), depending on the active pressure differential, being movably adjustable on the holding member (22) between a closed position, in which the non-return flap (20) rests against the frame (12) and closes the at least one opening (16) of the frame (12), and an open position. The holding member (22) is deformable between a mounting position, in which the non-return flap (20) can be mounted to the holding member (22), and a locked position, in which the non-return flap (20) can not be dismounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Weber
  • Patent number: 8381715
    Abstract: A radiant tube heater includes a housing and a burner tube extending outwardly therefrom for carrying products of combustion from the housing. When less heat is required, unless air from the blower is reduced, there is too much air for complete combustion of the fuel and excess air mixes with combustion gases causing cooling in the burner tube. This problem is solved by providing a short flame tube in the inlet end of the burner tube for receiving the flame. Excess air flow around the flame tube is heated. Thus, it is necessary to reduce only the supply of fuel to the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: John Vancak
  • Patent number: 8376821
    Abstract: A work cabinet with a work chamber that contains, on a temporary basis, a material being worked upon has a transfer opening connecting the work chamber with an ambient space of the cabinet. The transfer opening permits access to the worked material and gives access to the work chamber. A connected ventilating device provides a lower-than-ambient pressure in the work chamber. The work cabinet further has a printer transfer opening for connecting the work chamber to the delivery outlet for the printed output of a printer that is set up in the vicinity of the work cabinet. The delivery outlet for the printer output may reach through the printer transfer opening into the work chamber or it may merely adjoin the printer transfer opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventor: Bruno Nufer
  • Patent number: 8347874
    Abstract: The inventions disclosed herein relate to frame assemblies for gas barbecue grills which incorporate structures for preventing a consumer from storing replacement fuel tanks on the grill, in order to minimize fire and tipping hazards. Because it is known that many consumers never install or even remove prior art tank blockers, the tank blocker of the present invention is adapted to serve as a function of the grill (in addition to the function of blocking a tank) or to support a component of the grill. The preferred embodiment of the tank blocker described herein is adapted to support a component of the grease management system, namely the grease drip pan. Consequently, it is believed that consumers will be forced to install or will be prevented from removing the tank blocker, lest the grease management system become inoperable (or function improperly), causing grease to spill onto the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Adrian A. Bruno, Daniel S. Choi, Leonard Zelek
  • Patent number: 8348731
    Abstract: A technique for cooling equipment racks that contain multiple individual devices, such as computers, that each have their own internal cooling fans. An air passage (“shunt tube”) is placed between a compartment inside the rack, and the ambient air outside the rack, or between compartments inside the rack. Sensors inside the air passage detect movement of the air inside the passage, and thus indirectly measure the presence of a differential pressure. The preferred sensor embodiment uses temperature sensors, and takes advantage of the differences of the air temperatures inside the computer rack, and outside the computer rack (or between internal computer rack compartments) to determine if the air is moving through the air passage, and which direction the air is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Wilmington Research and Development Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas A. Johnson, Stephen B. Boyd
  • Patent number: 8308536
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ventilating device for providing a zone (1) of clean air between the ventilating device and a workplace region (2), which ventilating device comprises air supply units (3) adapted to generating laminar air flows intended to constitute said clean air zone. The ventilating device comprises at least three air supply units (3) disposed in a closed pattern and air stop and guide units (4) which prevent or hinder air with bacteria-bearing and other pollutant particles which surrounds the clean air zone (1) from being drawn in between the air supply units and into the clean air zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Airsonett Operating Room Innovation AB
    Inventors: Dan Allan Robert Kristensson, Jan Åke Allan Kristensson, Pål Martin Svensson
  • Patent number: 8298057
    Abstract: The invention relates to a simple hollow space, in particular a channel, a cellar or a living room, aerating device (10) comprising several paddles (12) which are fixed to a hub (14) and surrounded by a fan housing (16) provided with input and output (17, 18) sides and a motor (20) which is mounted on the axis of rotation (15) of the hub (14) for driving the hub (14) and the paddles (12). According to said invention, a cover arrangement (30; 40) can be positioned on the output side (17) in such a way that a part thereof is covered, wherein said cover arrangement (30; 40) is provided with at least one opening (34-36; 44, 45) for connecting to a respective discharge hose (37-39; 47, 48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Huber Kunststoff & Technik GmbH
    Inventor: Maximilian Huber
  • Patent number: 8292708
    Abstract: A register cover (also referred to as a vent cover) for use in a building that has heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems that utilize air registers. The register cover completely covers the register and secures to the register using a magnet in order to substantially block the flow of forced air through the register that is covered by the register cover. In the case of a non-metallic register, a method is disclosed for retrofitting the non-metallic register by placing metallic mounts on the register in order to secure the register cover over the register with one or more magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Elima-Draft Incorporated
    Inventors: Cheryl F. Viggers, Robert W. Viggers, Karen A. Poidomani, Kevin Poidomani
  • Patent number: 8292706
    Abstract: The roof light system is composed by a roof unit (10), a light conduit (70) and a diffuser unit (80). A ventilation device has a ventilation tube (60) is separate and detached from the light conduit (70). The first end (60a) of the ventilation tube is connected with the roof unit (10) and the second end (60b) is positioned at a distance from the diffuser unit (80). The ventilation device may additionally have a branch tube (160).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventors: Brent Møller, Per Jacobsen, Niels A. Larsen, James Eric Brinton, Leonard Kenneth Moody, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8257156
    Abstract: Provided are electronics chassis having air inlets with increased cross-sectional area that facilitate airflow through the chassis and thereby provide improved cooling. As electronics chassis are often stacked, it has been determined that the upper surfaces of a lower chassis may be utilized to at least partially define the air inlet of the upper chassis. In this regard, an upper portion of the lower chassis may be removed to increase the size of an air inlet. That is, portions of an upper wall and/or the top wall of a lower chassis are removed and connected by a connecting wall (e.g. a tapered and/or a chamfered wall). Likewise, the bottom wall of an upper chassis may be removed. When stacked, the air inlet of the upper chassis may be disposed above the truncated portion of the lower chassis. In such an arrangement, the size of the resulting air intake is significantly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Younes Shabany, Hans Yum, Todd Collis, Steve Bisbikis, Steve Koo, Kieran Miller
  • Patent number: 8251786
    Abstract: The invention relates to a protection device for ventilation ducts where at least one duct opening for the supply and/or evacuation of air is provided, in particular for fire protection of air conditioned rooms for information technology installations. To separate the protection zones in the event of an emergency according to high safety standards, it is suggested that said protection device comprises at least one protection slide that is supported in a vertically displaceable manner and furthermore includes a sliding mechanism by means of which said protection slide is movable from an open position to a closed position of said duct opening, said duct opening being completely covered by said protection slide in said closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Erwin Gasser
  • Patent number: 8251785
    Abstract: An information technology enclosure has a processing subsystem and infrastructure subsystem in separate shipping containers that cooperate to process information. The processing subsystem has increased information processing density by concentrating information handling systems in a first processing shipping container that is supported with infrastructure equipment in a second infrastructure shipping container. In one embodiment, the shipping containers are arranged in a stacked configuration so that cooled air and exhausted air are exchanged through aligned vents formed in the ceiling and floor of stacked shipping containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ty Schmitt, Robert Riegler
  • Patent number: 8231445
    Abstract: A ductwork system including a duct having a plurality of ducting panels joined together to define a flow passage extending therethrough, and the duct having structure for resisting damage thereto caused by a detonation within the duct. The structure for resisting damage can include an internal bracing within and extending across the flow passage of the duct to tie at least two sides of the duct together. For example, the internal bracing can be a reinforcement panel including a mounting frame with one or more elongated members extending from one side of the frame attached to a ducting panel to another side of the frame attached to an opposite ducting panel. Alternatively or in addition to the above structure, the duct can have structure for resisting damage that includes providing the duct with at least one curved or faceted side along an axial length of the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude Et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Franklin D. Lomax, Jr., Christopher H. Van Dyke, Edward T. McCullough, Daniel A. Evbota, Ronak A. Patel
  • Patent number: 8220449
    Abstract: An autonomous or battery powered foldable stove using dry biomass as combustion fuel is described herein. The device includes a base that contains an air flow generator having an inlet and an outlet. The outlet is in fluid communication trough a diffuser plate supporting the combustible to provide air thereto when the kit is functionally assembled and in operation. The stove defines a compact portable, stackable and autonomous device which can be stored for and then used in extreme situations, such as following a natural disaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Solhuma, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Rheault
  • Patent number: 8202145
    Abstract: A pressurized storage system for a service truck body or the like which pressurizes the storage compartment thereof by means of an air blower located above the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Maintainer Corporation of Iowa
    Inventors: Thomas E. Isaman, Matthew C. Lohafer, Kurtis L. Vos
  • Patent number: 8152608
    Abstract: An energy management method and system for incorporation when constructing a building such that solar energy and waste heat is intercepted and diverted, in turn causing a reduction in the demand on the artificial heating and cooling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Aubrey Eugene Hamby