Patents by Inventor Bradley C. Zikes
Bradley C. Zikes 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).
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Publication number: 20230411094Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed that include multi-voltage contactors, controls, and related methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Thomas P. BUESCHER, Gregory E. SISK, Vincent P. FARGO, Randy T. RUIZ, Bradley C. ZIKES
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Patent number: 11764014Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed that include multi-voltage contactors, controls, and related methods.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Copeland Comfort Control LPInventors: Thomas P. Buescher, Greg Sisk, Vince Fargo, Randy T. Ruiz, Bradley C. Zikes
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Publication number: 20230160589Abstract: A method of controlling a gas furnace system includes controlling a motor of a draft inducer to increase a speed of the motor in response to a call for heat, receiving pressure signals output by a pressure transducer, receiving signals indicating whether a pressure switch is in a first state or a second state, and determining a first status of the pressure transducer as reliable, unreliable, or questionable at a first time based on the received pressure signals from the pressure transducer, the signals indicating whether the pressure switch is in the first state or the second state, and a first status of the motor of the draft inducer at the first time. Operation of the motor of the draft inducer is stopped when the first status of the pressure transducer indicates that the pressure transducer is unreliable.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2023Publication date: May 25, 2023Inventors: John F. Broker, Lily Wan, Bradley C. Zikes
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Patent number: 11635220Abstract: A method of controlling a gas furnace system includes determining a first pressure in a conduit coupled to a draft inducer from signals output by a pressure transducer positioned to sense a pressure within the conduit with a motor of the draft inducer in a stopped condition. A first status of the pressure transducer is determined based at least in part on the first pressure. The motor of the draft inducer is controlled to increase a speed of the motor from the stopped condition in response to a call for heat when the first status does not indicate that the pressure transducer is unreliable, and the motor is maintained in a stopped condition when the first status indicates that the pressure transducer is unreliable.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: John F. Broker, Lily Wan, Bradley C. Zikes
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Patent number: 11549708Abstract: A method of controlling a gas furnace system includes controlling a motor of a draft inducer coupled to a conduit to increase a speed of the motor from a stopped condition in response to a call for heat, and receiving pressure signals output by a pressure transducer responsive to pressure in the conduit. Signals indicating whether a pressure switch responsive to pressure in the conduit is in a first state or a second state are received. A first status of the pressure transducer is determined based on the received pressure signals from the pressure transducer and the signals indicating whether the pressure switch is in the first state or the second state. The method includes continuing to operate the motor when the first status does not indicate that the pressure transducer is unreliable, and stopping the motor when the first status indicates that the pressure transducer is unreliable.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2020Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: John F. Broker, Lily Wan, Bradley C. Zikes
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Publication number: 20220034536Abstract: A method of controlling a gas furnace system includes determining a first pressure in a conduit coupled to a draft inducer from signals output by a pressure transducer positioned to sense a pressure within the conduit with a motor of the draft inducer in a stopped condition. A first status of the pressure transducer is determined based at least in part on the first pressure. The motor of the draft inducer is controlled to increase a speed of the motor from the stopped condition in response to a call for heat when the first status does not indicate that the pressure transducer is unreliable, and the motor is maintained in a stopped condition when the first status indicates that the pressure transducer is unreliable.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: John F. Broker, Lily Wan, Bradley C. Zikes
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Publication number: 20220034537Abstract: A method of controlling a gas furnace system includes controlling a motor of a draft inducer coupled to a conduit to increase a speed of the motor from a stopped condition in response to a call for heat, and receiving pressure signals output by a pressure transducer responsive to pressure in the conduit. Signals indicating whether a pressure switch responsive to pressure in the conduit is in a first state or a second state are received. A first status of the pressure transducer is determined based on the received pressure signals from the pressure transducer and the signals indicating whether the pressure switch is in the first state or the second state. The method includes continuing to operate the motor when the first status does not indicate that the pressure transducer is unreliable, and stopping the motor when the first status indicates that the pressure transducer is unreliable.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: John F. Broker, Lily Wan, Bradley C. Zikes
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Publication number: 20200194205Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed that include multi-voltage contactors, controls, and related methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Thomas P. Buescher, Greg Sisk, Vince Fargo, Randy T. Ruiz, Bradley C. Zikes
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Patent number: 10209751Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a relay switch control configured for connection between a power source and a load. The control includes a processor having a clock upon which an operating frequency of the processor is based, and a sealed relay operable by the processor to electrically connect or disconnect the power source and the load. The relay switch control can start power to the load through the relay after a randomized time delay determined by the processor using a value of a counter of the processor. The counter is updated as a function of cycles of the clock.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2013Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Bradley C. Zikes, David L. Vie, Randy T. Ruiz
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Patent number: 10025328Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus, systems and methods for power stealing for a wireless-enabled thermostat. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless-enabled thermostat generally includes a control having a wireless network interface that intermittently connects the thermostat in a wireless network in accordance with a duty cycle, the duty cycle having a connect time in which the thermostat is connected in the wireless network and a sleep time in which the thermostat is not connected in the wireless network. A power stealing circuit of the thermostat steals power through an “on-mode” load of a climate control system to charge a capacitor or other energy storage device to provide the power for the wireless network interface. The control adjusts at least the sleep time in accordance with a time for charging the capacitor or other energy storage device to a threshold voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Bradley C. Zikes, William P. Butler, David L. Perry
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Patent number: 9870008Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for limiting DC voltage. In an exemplary embodiment, a DC voltage limiting circuit generally includes a current supply portion configured to receive a voltage input signal and provide a voltage output signal. A protective portion of the circuit is configured to limit or halt, at least temporarily, operation of the current supply portion based on a magnitude of the voltage input signal. A voltage level control portion is configured to limit the voltage output signal to a predetermined voltage level. In some embodiments, the DC voltage limiting circuit is provided in a climate control system controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Li Han, Liang Cao, Lihui Tu, Bradley C. Zikes
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Patent number: 9684316Abstract: A thermostat for use in a climate control system has a power stealing circuit that provides power from a voltage supply through a load of the climate control system when the load is in an “off” mode. The power stealing circuit has a current limiting circuit that provides a maximum level of instantaneous current predetermined to be a threshold beyond which the load is switched to an “on” mode.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Anil Ramachandran, Bradley C. Zikes
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Publication number: 20160334812Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus, systems and methods for power stealing for a wireless-enabled thermostat. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless-enabled thermostat generally includes a control having a wireless network interface that intermittently connects the thermostat in a wireless network in accordance with a duty cycle, the duty cycle having a connect time in which the thermostat is connected in the wireless network and a sleep time in which the thermostat is not connected in the wireless network. A power stealing circuit of the thermostat steals power through an “on-mode” load of a climate control system to charge a capacitor or other energy storage device to provide the power for the wireless network interface. The control adjusts at least the sleep time in accordance with a time for charging the capacitor or other energy storage device to a threshold voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Bradley C. Zikes, William P. Butler, David L. Perry
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Publication number: 20160259350Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for limiting DC voltage. In an exemplary embodiment, a DC voltage limiting circuit generally includes a current supply portion configured to receive a voltage input signal and provide a voltage output signal. A protective portion of the circuit is configured to limit or halt, at least temporarily, operation of the current supply portion based on a magnitude of the voltage input signal. A voltage level control portion is configured to limit the voltage output signal to a predetermined voltage level. In some embodiments, the DC voltage limiting circuit is provided in a climate control system controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2015Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: Li Han, Liang Cao, Lihui Tu, Bradley C. Zikes
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Patent number: 9405303Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus, systems and methods for power stealing for a wireless-enabled thermostat. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless-enabled thermostat generally includes a control having a wireless network interface that intermittently connects the thermostat in a wireless network in accordance with a duty cycle, the duty cycle having a connect time in which the thermostat is connected in the wireless network and a sleep time in which the thermostat is not connected in the wireless network. A power stealing circuit of the thermostat steals power through an “on-mode” load of a climate control system to charge a capacitor or other energy storage device to provide the power for the wireless network interface. The control adjusts at least the sleep time in accordance with a time for charging the capacitor or other energy storage device to a threshold voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Bradley C. Zikes, William P. Butler, David L. Perry
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Patent number: 9223324Abstract: A DC voltage-limiting circuit generally includes first, second, and third transistors. The first transistor is connected between a voltage input terminal and a voltage output terminal. The first transistor has a collector connected to the voltage input terminal, an emitter connected to the voltage output terminal, and a base connected to the voltage input terminal via a first resistor. The second transistor has a base connected to the voltage input terminal via a first voltage regulator and a second resistor, a collector connected to the base of the first transistor, and an emitter connected to the voltage output terminal. The third transistor has a collector connected to the base of the first transistor via a third resistor, an emitter grounded, and a base connected to the voltage output terminal via a second voltage regulator and a fourth resistor.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Zhongliang Xu, Liang Cao, Cuikun Chu, Bradley C. Zikes
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Publication number: 20150122900Abstract: A DC voltage-limiting circuit generally includes first, second, and third transistors. The first transistor is connected between a voltage input terminal and a voltage output terminal. The first transistor has a collector connected to the voltage input terminal, an emitter connected to the voltage output terminal, and a base connected to the voltage input terminal via a first resistor. The second transistor has a base connected to the voltage input terminal via a first voltage regulator and a second resistor, a collector connected to the base of the first transistor, and an emitter connected to the voltage output terminal. The third transistor has a collector connected to the base of the first transistor via a third resistor, an emitter grounded, and a base connected to the voltage output terminal via a second voltage regulator and a fourth resistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Zhongliang Xu, Liang Cao, Cuikun Chu, Bradley C. Zikes
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Publication number: 20140312129Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus, systems and methods for power stealing for a wireless-enabled thermostat. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless-enabled thermostat generally includes a control having a wireless network interface that intermittently connects the thermostat in a wireless network in accordance with a duty cycle, the duty cycle having a connect time in which the thermostat is connected in the wireless network and a sleep time in which the thermostat is not connected in the wireless network. A power stealing circuit of the thermostat steals power through an “on-mode” load of a climate control system to charge a capacitor or other energy storage device to provide the power for the wireless network interface. The control adjusts at least the sleep time in accordance with a time for charging the capacitor or other energy storage device to a threshold voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2013Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Bradley C. Zikes, William P. Butler, David L. Perry
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Publication number: 20140299670Abstract: A thermostat for use in a climate control system has a power stealing circuit that provides power from a voltage supply through a load of the climate control system when the load is in an “off” mode. The power stealing circuit has a current limiting circuit that provides a maximum level of instantaneous current predetermined to be a threshold beyond which the load is switched to an “on” mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2013Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Anil Ramachandran, Bradley C. Zikes
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Publication number: 20130211615Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a relay switch control configured for connection between a power source and a load. The control includes a processor having a clock upon which an operating frequency of the processor is based, and a sealed relay operable by the processor to electrically connect or disconnect the power source and the load. The relay switch control can start power to the load through the relay after a randomized time delay determined by the processor using a value of a counter of the processor. The counter is updated as a function of cycles of the clock.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2013Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.Inventors: Bradley C. Zikes, David L. Vie, Randy T. Ruiz