Patents Examined by Martha Becton
  • Patent number: 10041699
    Abstract: A forced flue heater draws out combustion gas using a burner fan installed downstream from a heat exchanger to prevent a burner fan motor from being heated to high temperature. The forced flue heater blows air to an air channel using a blower fan, and warms the air using the heat exchanger contained in the air channel. The pressure upstream from the heat exchanger is higher by a value corresponding to the resistance of the heat exchanger. The blower fan contained in an outer case draws in the surrounding air to lower the pressure inside the outer case. A partition separating between the inside and the outside of the air channel has an air outlet located upstream from the heat exchanger. This allows the cool air upstream from the heat exchanger to flow outside the partition. The air is then used as cooling air for cooling the burner fan motor. This structure prevents the burner fan motor from being heated to high temperature when the burner fan is heated to high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Rinnai Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Iwama, Yoshiaki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10018417
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand dryer for drying a user's hands by means of an airflow discharged through an air outlet on the hand dryer. The airflow is generated by a motor-driven fan unit, the airflow exiting the fan unit through a fan outlet on the fan unit. The fan unit is mounted to a fixed part of the hand dryer by means of an inflatable mount secured to the fixed part. The mount incorporates at least one inflatable duct connecting the fan outlet to the air outlet, which inflatable duct is, in use, inflated by the airflow passing from the fan outlet to the air outlet to provide pneumatic support for the fan unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Tim Turrini-Rochford, Stuart James Steele, Stephen Benjamin Courtney
  • Patent number: 9995491
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oven with at least one illuminated oven cavity (10). The oven cavity (10) comprises a top wall (12) with at least one embossing (22). The embossing (22) is arranged in a front portion of the top wall (12). The embossing (22) includes a surface section (24) with a cutout for latching a light emitting element (28) with a light source (38). The light source (38) is provided for generating a light cone (30). The embossing (22) includes an edge (26) in front of the surface section (24). Said edge (26) extends downwards and covers the light source (38) of the light source element (28), so that the light cone (30) is directed to the interior of the oven cavity (10). Alternatively, a bigger part of the light cone (30) is directed to the interior of the oven cavity (10) and a smaller part of the light cone (30) is directed to a lower part of an opening in the front side of the oven cavity (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventor: Klaus Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 9995481
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a burner adapted to heat a furnace or other environment of use. In particular, a burner for providing a fuel gas in combination with an oxidant to effect controlled reaction of the fuel gas in a manner to reduce NOx emissions is described. Combustion of the fuel gas is shifted from the burner combustor to a location outside the burner once the temperature within the furnace/radiant tube has reached a sufficient level to complete combustion of the fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Eclipse, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianhui Hong, Valeriy Smirnov
  • Patent number: 9989252
    Abstract: An exhaust adapter secures an exhaust tube relative to an exhaust pipe. The exhaust adapter is formed to have an annular shape enclosing a through hole, and is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust tube and on the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust pipe by inserting the exhaust tube into the through hole. When the exhaust adapter is being fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust tube, the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust adapter presses the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust tube, and when the exhaust adapter is being fitted on the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust pipe, the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust adapter presses the inner peripheral surface of the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Noritz Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Nagano, Koji Shimomura
  • Patent number: 9989250
    Abstract: A method of starting an auto-ignition gas torch includes increasing a flow of oxygen above zero and increasing a flow of fuel gas to a level lower than the flow of oxygen for improved start reliability. In one form, the flow of oxygen is from about two times to about six times higher than the flow of fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Victor Equipment Company
    Inventors: Mike Wolfinger, Brandon Hebert, Darrin MacKenzie, Chris Conway
  • Patent number: 9982895
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a baking oven door 2 and baking oven 1. A camera 10 is mounted inside the door 2 and coupled to a heat sink 8 constituting an outer cover of the door 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Electronlux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventor: Florian Ruther
  • Patent number: 9970679
    Abstract: A burner assembly for a fuel-fired heating furnace. The assembly comprises a burner body having an inlet opening to receive fuel delivered by a fuel control module, and, to receive an ambient source of primary air there-through. The furnace also comprises one or more burner heads connected to a common outlet opening of the burner body to receive a mixture of the fuel and the primary air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: LENNOX INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Shiblee S. M. Noman, John W. Whitesitt, Shailesh Manohar
  • Patent number: 9964304
    Abstract: A control module for preventing acoustic resonance noise generation from a heat exchanger of a heating furnace, comprising a control signal generated by the control module. The control signal is configured to operate an induction fan of the heating furnace at more than one speed for a given heat demand mode of the heating furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Shiblee S. M. Noman
  • Patent number: 9945560
    Abstract: This embodiment relates generally to the Fire-Starter Apparatus (200) as a means to provide an instant fire in a safe, portable, time-saving, disposable, and convenient manner. The Fire-Starter Apparatus (200) contains both the fuel and reagents housed in a safe and convenient manner. The Fire-Starter Apparatus (200) relies on the user to cause the separated reagents to admix together, causing an exothermic reaction between reagents as a result of a chemical reaction between reagents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: Paul Michael Rzonca
  • Patent number: 9927144
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a heating device may comprise a control assembly having a self-contained, on board power supply. A control unit may control the operation of the heater and the power supply may comprise a first power source in electrical communication with the control unit, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the first power source to selectively supply electrical power to at least a portion of the heating device; and, a second power source in electrical communication with the control unit, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the second power source to selectively supply electrical power to at least a portion of the heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: ENERCO GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Brian S. Vandrak, Dennis O'Toole
  • Patent number: 9918412
    Abstract: A cooling system for a computer room includes a forced air system. The forced air system moves cooling air through computers in one or more rack systems in the computer room. Stacks are coupled between the rack systems and the ceiling of the computer room. Each stack may include a flexible portion between an inlet portion and an exit portion of the stack. The stacks direct cooling air exiting from exit ports on the rack systems to openings in the ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Osvaldo P. Morales
  • Patent number: 9915398
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a gas distribution system that allows for the rapid displacement of an extraneous gas in the distribution system by a primary gas. The gas distribution system utilizes a gas accumulator to aid in the rapid displacement of the extraneous gas. In one embodiment a flare pilot system uses the inventive distribution system to allow for the rapid purge of air from the flare pilot system by a fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: John Zink Company, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary L. Kodesh, Thomas M. Korb, Roger L. Poe
  • Patent number: 9890314
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to solar water heaters, in particular to solar water heaters using glass vacuum tubes as both solar energy collector and thermal energy storage device, without a hot water storage tank. To improve the efficiency of thermal energy storage, a novel medium for thermal energy storage is disclosed, which utilizes the heat of solution of aluminum sulphate, comprising water and 40% to 47% of Al2(SO4)3. The working temperature range of such energy storage medium is between 50° C. and 100° C. The energy storage medium is contained in plastic capsules, submerged in water and placed in glass vacuum tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventor: Chengjun Julian Chen
  • Patent number: 9879858
    Abstract: An inertial electrode launcher may be configured to project charged particles or a voltage comprising an inertial electrode proximate a flame or combustion gas produced by the flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: CLEARSIGN COMBUSTION CORPORATION
    Inventors: David B. Goodson, Tracy A. Prevo, Joseph Colannino, Robert E. Breidenthal, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 9873511
    Abstract: An aircraft is provided including an environmental control system (ECS) having a first ECS pack and a second ECS pack. A duct couples the first ECS pack to the second ECS pack. The duct includes a first bypass conduit configured to form a bypass around a first primary heat exchanger of the first ECS pack. A second bypass conduit configured to form a bypass around a second primary heat exchanger of the second ECS pack. The duct includes a crossover conduit extending between the first bypass conduit and the second bypass conduit. The duct includes a plurality of valves for selectively controlling a flow between the first bypass conduit and the second bypass conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald E. Army, Jr., Thomas M. Zywiak, David Anderson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9863656
    Abstract: A sensor assembly has a housing with at least two ventilation openings, a sensing element, a passage within the housing, and an electrokinetic transducer. The passage extends between the at least two ventilation openings, and is in fluid communication with the sensing element. The electrokinetic transducer is configured to move air in a first direction with the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventor: Randall J. Amerson
  • Patent number: 9863655
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for storing articles in a controlled atmosphere, comprising: at least one storage module capable of receiving the articles to be stored; a storage module provided with at least one shelf for positioning the articles, the storage module having a substantially parallelepiped shape, and having two substantially vertical and opposite walls between which the shelves extend, wherein the device is characterized in that shutters are provided, each shutter being positioned opposite one of the shelves, and between one of the two walls and the shelf in question, so as to prevent the gas from flowing vertically at the location of a shutter, and to allow the gas to flow only transversely along the shelf associated with the shutter in question.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Vincent Maherault, Robert Briend, Marc Leturmy
  • Patent number: 9841182
    Abstract: A steam generator comprises a water storage chamber which stores water, a steam generating heater which heats water in the water storage chamber, a water supply pump which supplies water stored in a water supply tank through a water supply port provided in the water storage chamber and a water supply passage, a discharge passage which discharges water formed with a first water discharge passage having a U shape to be convex downward, which is in fluid communication with a discharge port provided in the water storage chamber, and a second water discharge passage having an inverted U shape to be convex upward, and configured such that water stored in the water storage chamber is discharged through the discharge port and the water discharge passage according to the theory of a siphon, wherein the first water discharge passage is formed by a nonmetallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Shibuya, Hiroshi Kawai, Yuji Hayakawa, Kuniaki Abe
  • Patent number: 9823715
    Abstract: Described herein is an air handling unit for use in an integrated data center that provides for efficient cooling, wherein the air handling unit includes one or more uninterruptable cooling fans each with a weighted rotor for providing uninterrupted cooling during a power outage until back-up generators come on-line, and a method of using the same. The uninterruptable cooling fan rotors are configured to store sufficient energy as rotational kinetic energy. Furthermore, the uninterruptable cooling fans may also be configured for generation of electricity to power a control system associated therewith during a power outage until back-up generators come on-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Switch, Ltd.
    Inventor: Rob Roy