Patents by Inventor Blake Norman Erb
Blake Norman Erb has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 11598534Abstract: An air delivery system may include a housing, a first liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE), and a desiccant storage tank. The housing includes a supply air channel and an exhaust air channel. The first LAMEE may be an exhaust LAMEE disposed within an exhaust air channel of the housing. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to receive the outside air during a desiccant regeneration mode in order to regenerate desiccant within the exhaust LAMEE. The desiccant storage tank is in communication with the exhaust LAMEE. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to store regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank. The regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank is configured to be tapped during a normal operation mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Paul Coutu, Cam Forman, Philip Paul LePoudre, Blake Norman Erb, Howard Brian Hemingson, Manfred Gerber
-
Patent number: 11300364Abstract: A method of forming a membrane panel configured to be secured within an energy exchange assembly may include forming an outer frame defining a central opening, and integrating a membrane sheet with the outer frame. The membrane sheet spans across the central opening, and is configured to transfer one or both of sensible energy or latent energy therethrough. The integrating operation may include injection-molding the outer frame to edge portions of the membrane sheet. Alternatively, the integrating operation may include laser-bonding, ultrasonically bonding, heat-sealing, or the like, the membrane sheet to the outer frame.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Ine.Inventors: Blake Norman Erb, Stephen Harold Hanson, Mohammad Afshin
-
Publication number: 20220003436Abstract: An energy exchanger is provided. The exchanger includes a housing having a front and a back. A plurality of panels forming desiccant channels extend from the front to the back of the housing. Air channels are formed between adjacent panels. The air channels are configured to direct an air stream in a direction from the front of the housing to the back of the housing. A desiccant inlet is provided in flow communication with the desiccant channels. A desiccant outlet is provided in flow communication with the desiccant channels. The desiccant channels are configured to channel desiccant from the desiccant inlet to the desiccant outlet in at least one of a counter-flow or cross-flow direction with respect to the direction of the air stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Robert Besant, Carey Simonson, Blake Norman Erb, Howard Brian Hemingson
-
Publication number: 20200173672Abstract: An air delivery system may include a housing, a first liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE), and a desiccant storage tank. The housing includes a supply air channel and an exhaust air channel. The first LAMEE may be an exhaust LAMEE disposed within an exhaust air channel of the housing. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to receive the outside air during a desiccant regeneration mode in order to regenerate desiccant within the exhaust LAMEE. The desiccant storage tank is in communication with the exhaust LAMEE. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to store regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank. The regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank is configured to be tapped during a normal operation mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Kenneth Paul Coutu, Cam Forman, Philip Paul LePoudre, Blake Norman Erb, Howard Brian Hemingson, Manfred Gerber
-
Patent number: 10584884Abstract: An air delivery system may include a housing, a first liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE), and a desiccant storage tank. The housing includes a supply air channel and an exhaust air channel. The first LAMEE may be an exhaust LAMEE disposed within an exhaust air channel of the housing. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to receive the outside air during a desiccant regeneration mode in order to regenerate desiccant within the exhaust LAMEE. The desiccant storage tank is in communication with the exhaust LAMEE. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to store regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank. The regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank is configured to be tapped during a normal operation mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2014Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Paul Coutu, Cam Forman, Philip Paul LePoudre, Blake Norman Erb, Howard Brian Hemingson, Manfred Gerber
-
Publication number: 20190346212Abstract: A method of forming a membrane panel configured to be secured within an energy exchange assembly may include forming an outer frame defining a central opening, and integrating a membrane sheet with the outer frame. The membrane sheet spans across the central opening, and is configured to transfer one or both of sensible energy or latent energy therethrough. The integrating operation may include injection-molding the outer frame to edge portions of the membrane sheet. Alternatively, the integrating operation may include laser-bonding, ultrasonically bonding, heat-sealing, or the like, the membrane sheet to the outer frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: Blake Norman Erb, Stephen Harold Hanson, Mohammad Afshin
-
Patent number: 10352628Abstract: A method of forming a membrane panel configured to be secured within an energy exchange assembly may include forming an outer frame defining a central opening, and integrating a membrane sheet with the outer frame. The membrane sheet spans across the central opening, and is configured to transfer one or both of sensible energy or latent energy therethrough. The integrating operation may include injection-molding the outer frame to edge portions of the membrane sheet. Alternatively, the integrating operation may include laser-bonding, ultrasonically bonding, heat-sealing, or the like, the membrane sheet to the outer frame.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.Inventors: Blake Norman Erb, Stephen Hanson, Mohammad Afshin
-
Publication number: 20190212020Abstract: An energy exchanger is provided. The exchanger includes a housing having a front and a back. A plurality of panels forming desiccant channels extend from the front to the back of the housing. Air channels are formed between adjacent panels. The air channels are configured to direct an air stream in a direction from the front of the housing to the back of the housing. A desiccant inlet is provided in flow communication with the desiccant channels. A desiccant outlet is provided in flow communication with the desiccant channels. The desiccant channels are configured to channel desiccant from the desiccant inlet to the desiccant outlet in at least one of a counter-flow or cross-flow direction with respect to the direction of the air stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Robert Besant, Carey Simonson, Blake Norman Erb, Howard Brian Hermingson
-
Patent number: 10132522Abstract: A counter flow air-to-air energy exchange assembly may include a plurality of air channel levels configured to allow air to pass therethrough. Each of the air channels may include a spacer layer having a plurality of modular spacer components secured together. At least two of the modular spacer components are identical in size and shape. The spacer layer includes a plurality of air channels. Each of the plurality of air channels extends from an air inlet to an air outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.Inventors: Blake Norman Erb, Stephen Hanson, Mohammad Afshin
-
Patent number: 9920940Abstract: A rotary wheel assembly is configured for use with a system for conditioning air to be supplied to an enclosed structure. The rotary wheel is configured to be positioned within a supply air stream and an exhaust air stream. The assembly includes a cassette frame, a wheel rotatably secured within the cassette frame, and a self-adjusting seal subassembly configured to maintain sealing engagement with respect to a surface of the wheel. The self-adjusting seal subassembly includes at least one seal member.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2011Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.Inventors: Blake Norman Erb, Manfred Gerber, Maury Brad Wawryk, David Martin Wintemute, Paul Lorenzo Pieper
-
Patent number: 9901760Abstract: An air delivery system is configured to deliver air to an enclosed structure and may include at least one air channel configured to deliver air to or receive air from the enclosed structure, at least one component disposed within the at least one air channel, and at least one flame-blocking filter removably and adjustably secured within the at least one air channel. The at least one flame-blocking filter is configured to isolate the at least one component from a source of excessive temperature or flames. The at least one flame-blocking filter is configured to allow air to pass therethrough under normal operating conditions, and to block air and flames from passing therethrough when exposed to the excessive temperature or the flames.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2013Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.Inventors: Blake Norman Erb, Stephen Harold Hanson, Mohammad Afshin
-
Patent number: 9772036Abstract: A rotary wheel assembly is configured for use with a system for conditioning air to be supplied to an enclosed structure. The rotary wheel is configured to be positioned within a supply air stream and an exhaust air stream. The assembly includes a cassette frame, a wheel rotatably secured within the cassette frame, and a self-adjusting seal subassembly configured to maintain sealing engagement with respect to a surface of the wheel. The self-adjusting seal subassembly includes at least one seal member.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.Inventors: Blake Norman Erb, Manfred Gerber, Maury Brad Wawryk, David Martin Wintemute, Paul Lorenzo Pieper
-
Patent number: 9279598Abstract: A method of forming an energy exchange assembly may include forming a plurality of creases and a plurality of slits in a membrane sheet according to a predefined pattern, positioning a first spacer on top of a first forming area of the membrane sheet, folding the membrane sheet over a top of the first spacer so that a second forming area is positioned over the top of the first spacer, sealing a first portion of the first forming area to a first outer lateral wall of the first spacer, and positioning a second spacer on top of the second forming area, thereby stacking the second spacer over the first spacer.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Nortek Air Solutions Canada, Inc.Inventors: Blake Norman Erb, Stephen Hanson, Mohammad Afshin, Kenneth Paul Coutu
-
Publication number: 20150276256Abstract: A counter flow air-to-air energy exchange assembly may include a plurality of air channel levels configured to allow air to pass therethrough. Each of the air channels may include a spacer layer having a plurality of modular spacer components secured together. At least two of the modular spacer components are identical in size and shape. The spacer layer includes a plurality of air channels. Each of the plurality of air channels extends from an air inlet to an air outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: VENMAR CES, INC.Inventors: BLAKE NORMAN ERB, STEPHEN HANSON, MOHAMMAD AFSHIN
-
Publication number: 20140264968Abstract: A method of forming an energy exchange assembly may include forming a plurality of creases and a plurality of slits in a membrane sheet according to a predefined pattern, positioning a first spacer on top of a first forming area of the membrane sheet, folding the membrane sheet over a top of the first spacer so that a second forming area is positioned over the top of the first spacer, sealing a first portion of the first forming area to a first outer lateral wall of the first spacer, and positioning a second spacer on top of the second forming area, thereby stacking the second spacer over the first spacer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: VENMAR CES, INCInventors: Blake Norman Erb, Stephen Hanson, Mohammad Afshin, Kenneth Paul Coutu
-
Publication number: 20140260367Abstract: An air delivery system may include a housing, a first liquid-to-air membrane energy exchanger (LAMEE), and a desiccant storage tank. The housing includes a supply air channel and an exhaust air channel. The first LAMEE may be an exhaust LAMEE disposed within an exhaust air channel of the housing. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to receive the outside air during a desiccant regeneration mode in order to regenerate desiccant within the exhaust LAMEE. The desiccant storage tank is in communication with the exhaust LAMEE. The exhaust LAMEE is configured to store regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank. The regenerated desiccant within the desiccant storage tank is configured to be tapped during a normal operation mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: VENMAR CES, INC.Inventors: KENNETH PAUL COUTU, Cam FORMAN, Philip Paul LePOUDRE, Blake Norman ERB, Howard Brian HEMINGSON, Manfred GERBER
-
Publication number: 20140262125Abstract: An energy exchange assembly may include one or more membrane panels. The one or more membrane panels may include a microporous membrane that has a pore size between 0.02 and 0.3 micrometers (?m) and a porosity between 45% and 80%. Optionally, the energy exchange assembly may further include a plurality of spacers that define air channels. The air channels may be configured to receive air streams therethrough. Each of the one or more membrane panels may be disposed between two spacers. The one or more membrane panels may be configured to allow a transfer of sensible energy and latent energy across the one or more membrane panels between the air channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: VENMAR CES, INC.Inventors: Blake Norman ERB, Stephen HANSON, Mohammad AFSHIN
-
Publication number: 20140262144Abstract: A method of forming a membrane panel configured to be secured within an energy exchange assembly may include forming an outer frame defining a central opening, and integrating a membrane sheet with the outer frame. The membrane sheet spans across the central opening, and is configured to transfer one or both of sensible energy or latent energy therethrough. The integrating operation may include injection-molding the outer frame to edge portions of the membrane sheet. Alternatively, the integrating operation may include laser-bonding, ultrasonically bonding, heat-sealing, or the like, the membrane sheet to the outer frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: VENMAR CES, INCInventors: Blake Norman Erb, Stephen Hanson, Mohammad Afshin
-
Publication number: 20140273799Abstract: An air delivery system is configured to deliver air to an enclosed structure and may include at least one air channel configured to deliver air to or receive air from the enclosed structure, at least one component disposed within the at least one air channel, and at least one flame-blocking filter removably and adjustably secured within the at least one air channel. The at least one flame-blocking filter is configured to isolate the at least one component from a source of excessive temperature or flames. The at least one flame-blocking filter is configured to allow air to pass therethrough under normal operating conditions, and to block air and flames from passing therethrough when exposed to the excessive temperature or the flames.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: VENMAR CES, INC.Inventors: BLAKE NORMAN ERB, Stephen Harold Hanson, Mohammad Afshin
-
Publication number: 20140190037Abstract: An energy exchange system is configured to provide dry supply air to an enclosed structure. The system may include an energy transfer device having a first portion configured to be disposed within a supply air flow path and a second portion configured to be disposed within a regeneration air flow path. The energy transfer device is configured to decrease a humidity level of supply air. The energy transfer device is configured to be regenerated with regeneration air. The system may also include a first heat exchanger configured to be disposed within the supply air flow path downstream from the energy transfer device and within the regeneration air flow path upstream from the second portion of the energy transfer device. The first heat exchanger is configured to transfer sensible energy between the supply air and the regeneration air. The supply air is configured to be supplied to the enclosed structure after passing through the energy transfer device and the first heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2013Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Venmar CES, Inc.Inventors: Blake Norman Erb, Mohammad Afshin