Patents by Inventor Brian R. Wellnitz
Brian R. Wellnitz 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: 20230129115Abstract: A sensor-enabled range hood can be used with a cooking appliance. Information from multiple sensors can be used to determine whether abnormal or hazardous conditions are present, such as when unattended cooking is detected. A local indication or a remote notification can be generated in response to one or more conditions. A control signal to control a cooking appliance or range hood can be issued in response to one or more conditions. A remediation signal to address an actual fire present can be issued, such as to trigger fire remediation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2014Publication date: April 27, 2023Applicant: Broan-NuTone LLCInventors: Richard R. Sinur, Brian R. Wellnitz, Richard J. Palmersheim
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Patent number: 11519611Abstract: A mounting bracket mountable to the underside of the cabinet prior to the range hood and configured to engage and support the range hood as the range hood is secured to the cabinet. The mounting bracket having a support feature engagable to the range hood to hold the range hood proximate the cabinet while fasteners are sunk to secure the range hood to the cabinet. The mounting brackets are pre-positioned on the cabinet such that range hood is aligned with the cabinet when the range hood is supported by the support feature. The smaller mounting brackets can be more easily mounted in the proper position on the cabinet then the larger range 10 hood speeding the installation process and reducing errors.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2019Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLCInventors: Benoit Gauthier, Richard R. Sinur, Brian R. Wellnitz, Jonathan Houde, Remi Cossette, Yannick Morin, Mark Kurth, Peter Muller, Timothy Payne, David Wylen, Phil Anthony, Aaron Eiger, Scott Rote
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Publication number: 20220282872Abstract: A mounting bracket mountable to the underside of the cabinet prior to the range hood and configured to engage and support the range hood as the range hood is secured to the cabinet. The mounting bracket having a support feature engagable to the range hood to hold the range hood proximate the cabinet while fasteners are sunk to secure the range hood to the cabinet. The mounting brackets are pre-positioned on the cabinet such that range hood is aligned with the cabinet when the range hood is supported by the support feature. The smaller mounting brackets can be more easily mounted in the proper position on the cabinet then the larger range 10 hood speeding the installation process and reducing errors.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Benoit Gauthier, Richard R. Sinur, Brian R. Wellnitz, Jonathan Houde, Remi Cossette, Yannick Morin, Mark Kurth, Peter Muller, Timothy Payne, David Wylen, Phil Anthony, Aaron Eiger, Scott Rote
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Publication number: 20210215347Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a ventilation system comprising a housing that includes a plurality of panels. At least one socket can be defined through at least one of the panels and the socket can be coupled to an electricity source. In some embodiments, the ventilation system can include at least one illumination system that can include a socket interface, an extension member, and at least one illumination device. The socket interface can be configured to engage the socket and the extension member can be capable of moving in a plurality of directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Eric Williams, Jesse Allen Hollingsworth, Richard R. Sinur, Brian R. Wellnitz
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Patent number: 10801735Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a downdraft assembly capable of ventilating a cooktop including housing with a frame, a fluid box, and a movement assembly with a belt-lift. In some embodiments, the movement assembly can include a vertically moveable chimney. Some embodiments include a chimney with a horizontal member coupled to a first vertical region and a second vertical region and including a fluid inlet. In some embodiments, a first control panel can be coupled to the housing to activate at least one function of the downdraft assembly while remaining substantially stationary as the chimney moves. Some embodiments include a second control panel coupled chimney. Some embodiments include a visor and at least one illumination source configured and arranged to at least partially illuminate the cooktop. In some embodiments, the visor can articulate to control illumination or the flow of a cooking effluent into a fluid inlet.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLCInventors: Richard R. Sinur, Brian R. Wellnitz, Jay F. Perkins, Sean Montag
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Publication number: 20200158348Abstract: A mounting bracket mountable to the underside of the cabinet prior to the range hood and configured to engage and support the range hood as the range hood is secured to the cabinet. The mounting bracket having a support feature engagable to the range hood to hold the range hood proximate the cabinet while fasteners are sunk to secure the range hood to the cabinet. The mounting brackets are pre-positioned on the cabinet such that range hood is aligned with the cabinet when the range hood is supported by the support feature. The smaller mounting brackets can be more easily mounted in the proper position on the cabinet then the larger range 10 hood speeding the installation process and reducing errors.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Benoit Gauthier, Richard R. Sinur, Brian R. Wellnitz, Jonathan Houde, Remi Cossette, Yannick Morin, Mark Kurth, Peter Muller, Timothy Payne, David Wylen, Phil Anthony, Aaron Eiger, Scott Rote
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Patent number: 10539329Abstract: A mounting bracket mountable to the underside of the cabinet prior to the range hood and configured to engage and support the range hood as the range hood is secured to the cabinet. The mounting bracket having a support feature engagable to the range hood to hold the range hood proximate the cabinet while fasteners are sunk to secure the range hood to the cabinet. The mounting brackets are pre-positioned on the cabinet such that range hood is aligned with the cabinet when the range hood is supported by the support feature. The smaller mounting brackets can be more easily mounted in the proper position on the cabinet then the larger range hood speeding the installation process and reducing errors.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2016Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLCInventors: Benoit Gauthier, Richard R. Sinur, Brian R. Wellnitz, Jonathan Houde, Rémi Cossette, Yannick Morin, Mark Kurth, Peter Muller, Timothy Payne, David Wylen, Phil Anthony, Aaron Eiger, Scott Rote
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Publication number: 20190249880Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a ventilation system comprising a housing that includes a plurality of panels. At least one socket can be defined through at least one of the panels and the socket can be coupled to an electricity source. In some embodiments, the ventilation system can include at least one illumination system that can include a socket interface, an extension member, and at least one illumination device. The socket interface can be configured to engage the socket and the extension member can be capable of moving in a plurality of directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Eric Williams, Jesse Allen Hollingsworth, Richard R. Sinur, Brian R. Wellnitz
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Patent number: 10378777Abstract: A modular range hood having a backbone module attachable to a cabinet or other support structure, wherein a shell and at least one ventilation module can be coupled to the backbone module to provide desired aesthetic characteristics and/or functionality. The backbone module can have a mounting feature for receiving a fastener or configured to otherwise secure the backbone module to an underside mounting position of the cabinet or other support structure. The backbone module can provide a standardized base to which different shells and ventilation modules can be coupled to provide a modular range hood having the desired aesthetic characteristics and/or functionality. Similarly, the standardized backbone module can simplify installation by standardizing the mounting of the modular range hood to the cabinet or other support structure irrespective the shell and ventilation module attached to the range hood.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLCInventors: Richard R. Sinur, Brian R. Wellnitz
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Patent number: 9638432Abstract: A ventilation unit for installation in a ventilation system. The ventilation unit can include a motor coupled to a fan element and a power source. The ventilation unit can also include a calibration module having one of a voltage and current regulator for adjusting the performance of the ventilation unit based on at least one characteristic of the ventilation system.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLCInventors: Richard R. Sinur, Steven A. Johnson, Brian R. Wellnitz, Mirko Zakula
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Publication number: 20170051939Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system capable of reducing negative pressure. The system includes a make-up air system that can be configured and arranged to be installed within a structure, such as a building. The system can also include a pressure switch that is configured and arranged to sense a pressure within an exhaust duct coupled to an exhaust device. The pressure switch can also be configured to communicate an activation signal and a deactivation signal to the make-up air system. In some embodiments, communication of the activation and deactivation signals can be at least partially dependent on the pressure within the exhaust duct. Moreover, the pressure switch can be configured and arranged to be retroactively coupled to at least one of the exhaust duct and the exhaust device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: Richard R. Sinur, Thomas Heidel, Brian R. Wellnitz
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Patent number: 9506668Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system capable of reducing negative pressure. The system includes a make-up air system that can be configured and arranged to be installed within a structure, such as a building. The system can also include a pressure switch that is configured and arranged to sense a pressure within an exhaust duct coupled to an exhaust device. The pressure switch can also be configured to communicate an activation signal and a deactivation signal to the make-up air system. In some embodiments, communication of the activation and deactivation signals can be at least partially dependent on the pressure within the exhaust duct. Moreover, the pressure switch can be configured and arranged to be retroactively coupled to at least one of the exhaust duct and the exhaust device.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2012Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLCInventors: Richard R. Sinur, Tom P. Haidel, Brian R. Wellnitz
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Publication number: 20160341432Abstract: A modular range hood having a backbone module attachable to a cabinet or other support structure, wherein a shell and at least one ventilation module can be coupled to the backbone module to provide desired aesthetic characteristics and/or functionality. The backbone module can have a mounting feature for receiving a fastener or configured to otherwise secure the backbone module to an underside mounting position of the cabinet or other support structure. The backbone module can provide a standardized base to which different shells and ventilation modules can be coupled to provide a modular range hood having the desired aesthetic characteristics and/or functionality. Similarly, the standardized backbone module can simplify installation by standardizing the mounting of the modular range hood to the cabinet or other support structure irrespective the shell and ventilation module attached to the range hood.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Richard R. Sinur, Brian R. Wellnitz
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Publication number: 20160341433Abstract: A mounting bracket mountable to the underside of the cabinet prior to the range hood and configured to engage and support the range hood as the range hood is secured to the cabinet. The mounting bracket having a support feature engagable to the range hood to hold the range hood proximate the cabinet while fasteners are sunk to secure the range hood to the cabinet. The mounting brackets are pre-positioned on the cabinet such that range hood is aligned with the cabinet when the range hood is supported by the support feature. The smaller mounting brackets can be more easily mounted in the proper position on the cabinet then the larger range hood speeding the installation process and reducing errors.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Benoit Gauthier, Richard R. Sinur, Brian R. Wellnitz, Jonathan Houde, Rémi Cossette, Yannick Morin, Mark Kurth, Peter Muller, Tim Payne, David Wylen, Phil Anthony, Aaron Eiger
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Patent number: 9297540Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a downdraft assembly capable of ventilating a cooktop including housing with a frame, a fluid box, and a movement assembly with a belt-lift. In some embodiments, the movement assembly can include a vertically moveable chimney. Some embodiments include a chimney with an upper and lower horizontal member and dual fluid inlets. In some embodiments, a first control panel can be coupled to the housing to activate at least one function of the downdraft assembly while remaining substantially stationary as the chimney moves. Some embodiments include a second control panel coupled chimney. Some embodiments include a visor and at least one illumination source configured and arranged to at least partially illuminate the cooktop. In some embodiments, the visor can articulate to control illumination or the flow of a cooking effluent into at least one of the dual inlets.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLCInventors: Richard R. Sinur, Brian R. Wellnitz, Jay F. Perkins, Sean Montag
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Publication number: 20140116414Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a range hood system including a housing, a ventilation system including an inlet and a fan, an illumination source, and a user interface coupled with a control system. In some embodiments, a fan speed can be varied, and in some further embodiments, the range hood system can include a filter change indicator and fan delay-off feature. In some other embodiments, the illumination intensity can be varied to provide variable illumination intensity to the range top surface. Some embodiments can include a clock, a timer coupled to an audible alarm, and a fan delay-off time coupled to a user interface. In some other embodiments, a heat sensor can be coupled to a component of a range hood system, and a heat sentry mode can display a status on a user interface, and can operate a fan if the temperature exceeds a preset limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Broan-NuTone LLCInventors: Richard R. Sinur, Brian R. Wellnitz
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Patent number: D709606Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2013Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLCInventors: Richard R. Sinur, Gregory T. Ruggles, Brian R. Wellnitz
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Patent number: D743520Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLCInventors: Richard R. Sinur, Gregory T. Ruggles, Brian R. Wellnitz
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Patent number: D745131Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2014Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLCInventors: Richard R. Sinur, Gregory T. Ruggles, Brian R. Wellnitz
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Patent number: D826392Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLCInventors: Richard R. Sinur, Brian R. Wellnitz, Benjamin Thorpe Puffer, Benoit Gauthier, Daniel Bathalon