Patents Examined by Gregory Huson
  • Patent number: 10274224
    Abstract: A discharge plenum for use with a packaged HVAC unit has an outer enclosure with opposing side walls, a front wall, a rear wall, and a top wall. A planar barrier is arranged within the discharge plenum, and extends between the side walls and furthermore extends to the front wall. One air volume is arranged in a bottom portion of the discharge plenum directly below the planar barrier, and another is arranged in a top portion of the discharge plenum directly above the planar barrier, so that the planar barrier separates the two air volumes. A turning vane is provided within the discharge plenum to direct a flow of air received into the discharge plenum towards the air volume in the bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Erik Hansen, Jacob Pachniak, Roy Turtenwald
  • Patent number: 10253697
    Abstract: A cooling device for use in a power plant, having at least two controllable fans, which are designed to produce an air flow having a specified flow direction during operation, at least two closing flaps, which close respective flow cross-sections, and a heat exchanger, which thermally interacts with the at least two air flows for heat exchange as a secondary medium, wherein the closing flaps are not operated by a mechanical adjusting device but rather are each to be opened merely by one of the two air flows as a result of the dynamic pressure when a minimum flow rate is reached. Furthermore at least two holding devices are provided, which hold the closing flaps in an open position when the closing flaps are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andreas Waruschewski
  • Patent number: 10257957
    Abstract: Cooling systems employing adjacent fan cages having cage walls with interflow passages are disclosed. A cooling system includes cooling fans disposed in adjacent fan cages. Cage walls of the fan cages direct flows from the fans to the outlet ports of the fan cages which are in fluid communication with electrical components within an electronics-containing enclosure. By forming an interflow passage between the adjacent fan cages, upon occurrence of an inoperable fan, a portion of the flow from an adjacent operable fan can pass to the outlet port of the fan cage of the inoperable fan via the passage and provide better cooling of the components impacted by the inoperable fan. In this manner, thermal damage is avoided while minimizing fan noise associated with higher fan speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Paul Barron, Howard Victor Mahaney, Jr., Phillip V. Mann, Matthew Tant Richardson
  • Patent number: 10253975
    Abstract: A device has a platform with an upward facing receptacle therein. A base supports the platform at a predetermined height and a fuel burning insert is removably retained in the upward facing receptacle by retention means affixed to the receptacle. The fuel burning insert provides for combustion of liquid fuel proximate the predetermined height of the platform. The fuel burning insert may be removed, exchanged, and refilled by a user without tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Lamplight Farms Incorporated
    Inventors: Ron White, Scott Gehring
  • Patent number: 10239622
    Abstract: An outflow valve is provided. The outflow valve includes a frame and a first door rotatably coupled to the frame. The first door has a first side opposite a second side and a bellmouth. The bellmouth is defined by a super-ellipse, with a major axis of the super-ellipse substantially parallel to the second side and a minor axis of the super-ellipse substantially perpendicular to the second side. The outflow valve also includes a second door rotatably coupled to the frame. The first door and the second door are substantially simultaneously movable between at least a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Brown, Yogendra Yogi Sheoran, Bruce Dan Bouldin, William Facinelli
  • Patent number: 10240781
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reclaiming uncondensed hydrocarbons normally exhausted to the atmosphere from a still column of a glycol dehydrator system, and combusting the uncondensed hydrocarbons in a burner assembly of a reboiler after the burner assembly has been ignited by fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventors: D. Jeffrey Hill, J. Scott Hill, E. Todd Wiggins
  • Patent number: 10239543
    Abstract: A vehicle cooling system may include a cooling circuit for cooling at least one main component of a vehicle. The cooling circuit may include at least one cooler through which cooling air is flowable and at least two fan chambers adjoined to an outlet side of the at least one cooler. The at least two fan chambers may each include a respective fan arranged therein, a respective main outlet and a respective ancillary outlet. The vehicle cooling system may also include at least one waste air channel that may be connected to the respective ancillary outlets of the at least two fan chambers. The vehicle cooling system may further include at least one control device configured to control a cross-section of each of the respective ancillary outlets and to enable operation of the vehicle cooling system in a normal operating state and in at least two emergency operating states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Frank
  • Patent number: 10238236
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting a barbecue into a pizza cooking oven includes an open door frame and vertical side panels pivotally attached to the vertical side posts of the open door frame. The side panels can be pivotally adjusted on the open door frame to extend rearward of the open door frame at different pivot positions. When the side panels are extended rearward of the open door frame, the bottom edges of the side panels provide a support base for setting the apparatus onto the top rim of a bottom bowl of a barbecue and the top edges of the side panels support a cover of a barbecue in an elevated position above the bottom bowl of the barbecue. The elevation of the cover creates an expanded cooking chamber above the bottom bowl of the barbecue and the open door frame provides access to the expanded cooking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Charcoal Companion Incorporated
    Inventors: Cory Thomas Borovicka, Kwame Phillips-Solomon
  • Patent number: 10234136
    Abstract: An evaporator burner (100) for a mobile heating unit which is operated using liquid fuel is provided, said evaporator burner having: a mixture preparation region (2) for the mixing of fuel with combustion air to form a fuel-air mixture; a fuel feed (1) for feeding liquid fuel to the mixture preparation region (2); a combustion air feed (B) for feeding combustion air to the mixture preparation region (2); at least one evaporation surface (8) to which the liquid fuel is fed and which serves for the evaporation of the liquid fuel; a conversion region (3), positioned downstream of the mixture preparation region (2) in terms of flow, for the conversion of the fuel-air mixture into combustion exhaust gases (A) with a release of heat; and an exhaust-gas recirculation means (10; 210) for the recirculation of combustion exhaust gases (A) into the mixture preparation region (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Vitali Dell, Klaus Moesl, Stefan Sommerer, Thomas Kerscher
  • Patent number: 10234146
    Abstract: Provided is a door for a cooking appliance, such as an oven range, with multiple spaced apart glass panels. An interlocking mechanism promotes a proper installation of the glass panels, and interferes with the installation of the glass panels or with operation of the appliance if at least one of the panels is not properly installed. A switch with a plunger can be installed in the door, which allows the appliance to operate only when a failsafe electrical circuit is closed corresponding to a selected position of the plunger when the door is closed. The plunger is prevented from retaining that selected position if at least one of the glass panels is improperly installed or if a top cap is not properly seated or installed above the glass panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Thomas Phillips, Brian Martin, Steven Baas
  • Patent number: 10226985
    Abstract: Devices and methods for enhancing heat exchanger airflow in a transport refrigeration system (TRS) of a refrigerated transport unit are provided. In particular, a fairing is provided on a top surface of a TRU to shield the TRU from an adverse effect of wind (e.g., ram air) and build a negative pressure at a heat exchanger fan delivery side of the TRU. The angle, shape and height of the fairing can be optimized to achieve a desired heat exchanger airflow through condenser coil(s), a radiator and/or intercooler of the TRU during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wilson Samuel Jesudason Lawrence, David John Dykes, Abhijith Balakrishna, Christopher Thomas Arneson
  • Patent number: 10226991
    Abstract: An apparatus provides an air shield over a portal access opening between a vehicle access member and a stationary vehicle trim member. An air supply device disposed within the vehicle. The air supply device includes an active material creating the burst of air. The air supply device produces a burst of air that discharges upon opening of the vehicle access member. At least one output port outputs the burst of air. The burst of air forms the air shield in a direction substantially transverse to the portal opening. The air shield is formed across at least a portion of a perimeter of the portal access opening between the vehicle access member and the stationary vehicle trim member. The air shield inhibits precipitation from entering the compartment of the vehicle during a pressure equalization phase that occurs in response to the opening of the vehicle access member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Louise E. Stauffer, Alan L. Browne
  • Patent number: 10220669
    Abstract: An air passage opening and closing device has: a case defining an air passage; and a slide door provided with a door body that has a plate shape, the slide door slidably disposed in the case and opening or closing the air passage. The case is provided with a case-side sealing surface that is in contact with the door body when the slide door is located to close the air passage. The door body is provided with a rib that protrudes toward an upstream side in a flow direction of air and extends in a moving direction of the slide door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10222069
    Abstract: A heating appliance includes a cooktop having a plurality of burners. A burner box defines a burner position for each burner, each burner position having a plurality of slots. An orifice holder is slidably engaged with the plurality of slots in a linear direction. Opposing flanges extend from a bottom portion of the orifice holder that extend through the plurality of slots to be at least partially secured therein, wherein the opposing flanges are adapted to engage the plurality of slots in only one directional orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Duffy, Anthony S. Roberts
  • Patent number: 10220668
    Abstract: The present teachings provide for an HVAC assembly. A first flue can be configured to fluidly couple a first heat exchanger to a mixing flue. A second flue can be configured to fluidly couple a second heat exchanger to the mixing flue. A door can inhibit fluid communication through the second flue when in a first position. The door can inhibit fluid communication through the first flue when in a second position. The door can permit fluid communication through the first and second flues when in a third position. The third flue can be configured to fluidly couple the first heat exchanger to a portion of the second flue downstream of the second heat exchanger and upstream of the mixing flue when the door is in the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas Mazzocco, Daniel Okray, Ryan Rosenburg
  • Patent number: 10215425
    Abstract: An air heating and cooling system includes (1) a heat pump, illustratively devoid of auxiliary electric resistance type air heating structure, operative to provide refrigerant-based heating or cooling of air being delivered to a conditioned space, (2) a fuel-fired modular blower selectively operable to generate combustion heat, and (3) a control system associated with the heat pump and the modular blower. The control system has a heat pump thermostat electrically connected to a modular blower control and operative to transmit to the modular blower a first signal indicative of heating operation of the heat pump, and a second signal indicative of a need for alternative heat during a heating demand cycle. The modular blower is operative, in response to receiving both signals, to provide combustion-based air heating in place of refrigerant-based heat pump air heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael W. Branson, Kelvin W. Kleman, Timothy B. Hawkins, Diane M. Jakobs
  • Patent number: 10215448
    Abstract: A heat receiver tube for absorbing solar energy and for transferring absorbed solar energy to a heat transfer fluid which can be located inside of at least one core tube of the heat receiver tube is provided. The core tube includes a core tube surface with at least one solar energy absorptive coating for absorbing solar radiation. The core tube is enveloped by at least one enveloping tube. The enveloping tube includes at least one enveloping tube wall which is at least partly transparent for the solar radiation. The enveloping tube wall includes at least one inner enveloping tube surface. The core tube and the enveloping tube are coaxially arranged to each other such that an inner heat receiver tube space is formed which is bordered by the core tube surface (and the inner enveloping tube surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Concentrated Solar Power Ltd.
    Inventor: Shmulik Klapwald
  • Patent number: 10215403
    Abstract: A gas premix burner and a gas water heater. The gas premix burner has a combustion direction, the gas premix burner can be matched and connected with a premix chamber that is disposed upstream the combustion direction of the gas premix burner, gas and air can be burned by the gas premix burner after mixed in the premix chamber; the gas premix burner comprising: a burner substrate, a main combustion hole provided on the burner substrate; an auxiliary combustion hole disposed downstream the main combustion hole along the combustion direction on the burner substrate; an auxiliary flame of the auxiliary combustion hole intersects a main flame of the main combustion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Ruihong Wei, Jingzhan Yang
  • Patent number: 10214125
    Abstract: An air-circulation promotion apparatus for a vehicle includes a driver's seat and a front passenger seat provided in the vehicle, and a face outlet port of a vehicle air conditioner disposed in front of those seats. A seat outlet port that blows a sucked air from a side surface of a seat back of the seat toward a rear area of the vehicle is disposed in the seat. An air present between the face outlet port and the seat flows rearward of the seat by aid of wind blown out of the seat outlet port. This makes it possible to circulate a comfortable air rearward of the seat to create a vehicle interior environment having no air retention. A circulation fan is provided in the seat and can be integrated with a seat ventilation system or a seat air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sakane, Yasuhiko Niimi, Yuuji Yamanaka, Akira Oga
  • Patent number: 10213051
    Abstract: A grilling device includes an oven section having an outer wall with opposing side portions and an encircling body portion extending therebetween. The body portion has an access opening and the grilling device includes a lid that selectively covers the access opening by means of a handle attached thereto. The grilling device also includes opposing hinge elements connected to opposite sides of the lid and to the side portions of the outer wall, as opposed to the encircling body portion. In particular, the hinge elements are connected to respective rear areas of the side portions. Accordingly, the path of opening the lid has a different shape or curvature and thereby positions the handle substantially lower than if the hinge elements were connected to the body portion adjacent to the access opening. The opposing side portions have a substantially oval shape and the hinge elements have an elongated configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Colston, Daniel A. C. Altenritter, Matthew G. Czach