Patents by Inventor Dean Drake

Dean Drake 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: 11967788
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a plug-in connector including a housing having at least two contact terminals received in adjacent terminal receiving cavities. An electric identification device is arranged in the housing and adapted to simultaneously contact the at least two terminals. The electric identification device including a unique identifier, wherein one of the at least two terminals is an output terminal of the identification device, and wherein the unique identifier of the electric identification device is adapted to be read out via the output terminal for authenticating an original equipment manufacturer's parts, such as a plug-in authenticator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Dean Drake, Melissa Fritz, Raheel Chaudhry, Rajendra R. Pai, M. Deepan Ponraj
  • Publication number: 20230344179
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a plug-in connector including a housing having at least two contact terminals received in adjacent terminal receiving cavities. An electric identification device is arranged in the housing and adapted to simultaneously contact the at least two terminals. The electric identification device including a unique identifier, wherein one of the at least two terminals is an output terminal of the identification device, and wherein the unique identifier of the electric identification device is adapted to be read out via the output terminal for authenticating an original equipment manufacturer's parts, such as a plug-in authenticator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Drake, Melissa Fritz, Raheel Chaudhry, Rajendra Ramachandra Pai, Muthupandi Deepan Ponraj
  • Publication number: 20230344180
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a plug-in connector including a housing having at least two contact terminals received in adjacent terminal receiving cavities. An electric identification device is arranged in the housing and adapted to simultaneously contact the at least two terminals. The electric identification device including a unique identifier, wherein one of the at least two terminals is an output terminal of the identification device, and wherein the unique identifier of the electric identification device is adapted to be read out via the output terminal for authenticating an original equipment manufacturer’s parts, such as a plug-in authenticator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Dean Drake, Melissa Fritz, Raheel Chaudhry, Rajendra R. Pai, M. Deepan Ponraj
  • Publication number: 20220376343
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a battery module including a subassembly that can include cells electrically connected to form a group; and groups of cells electrically connected to form the subassembly. The subassembly can include a lower cell carrier and an upper cell carrier configured to retain a thermally insulating material, the group of cells disposed between the upper and lower cell carriers, cell alignment and retention features integrally formed with one or more of: lower or upper cell carriers, means for inhibiting propagation of thermal runaway, a current collector comprising two or more conductive regions; and positive and negative terminals electrically connected to the two or more conductive regions, respectively, to form positive and negative terminals of battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Erik William Anderson, Joshua William Payne, Jean-Paul Ortiz, Michael Paul Garascia, Matthew James Petraglia, Daniel-Dean Drake DeLorme, Marc Eduard Breitman, Matthew Jon Knoche, Shad Alan Kelly, Eric Walter Akkashian, Kriten Allison Swanson, Nolan Joseph Salani, Elaine Elizabeth Parkansky
  • Publication number: 20220299213
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling twinned heating appliances are described. The system includes a first heating appliance and a second heating appliance. The first heating appliance includes a first blower and a first wireless communication unit. Further, the second heating appliance is operatively coupled with the first heating appliance as a twinned unit. The second heating appliance includes a second blower and a second wireless communication unit. The system also includes a primary control unit configured to receive speed data indicative of a speed of the first blower and speed data indicative of a speed of the second blower. The primary control unit is further configured to output a blower speed control signal to at least one of the first blower and the second blower to synchronize the first blower and the second blower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Dean A. Drake, Robert Oglesbee, Shawn Reed, Rodrigo Cedeno
  • Publication number: 20220113061
    Abstract: An energy cutoff apparatus for a water heating system includes a safety cutoff circuit and a presence detection circuit. The safety cutoff circuit receives a temperature signal from a temperature sensor. The temperature signal is indicative of whether a temperature of water in the water heating system within a permissible temperature range. The safety cutoff circuit disables a safe operation current branch when the temperature signal indicates the water temperature is outside the permissible water temperature range. The presence detection circuit detects a presence of the temperature sensor and disables a presence detection current branch if the temperature sensor is absent. Switches can power heating elements of the water heating system responsive to the safe operation current branch being enabled and the temperature sensor being present and can disable the heat elements responsive to the safe operation current branch being disabled or the temperature sensor being absent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Sutkowski, Cameron Wright, Dean A. Drake
  • Patent number: 11247894
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system automatically selects one out of several available fuels for a vehicle having a specialized fuel filler neck. A dispenser pump assembly includes a pump base, a hose assembly and a nozzle assembly which includes a nozzle spout and a cylindrical collar member slidably mounted on the nozzle spout. A sensor on the nozzle assembly generates a signal, based on a position of the collar when the spout is fully inserted into a fuel filler neck of the vehicle. The signal is transmitted via wires, wireless signal, fiber-optic cables or other medium. An electronic controller in the pump base selects an appropriate fuel, based on the signal received from the sensor. If the available fuels include percentages of ethanol or other additives, a precision blending system ensures that the correct amount of additive is provided. Methods of selecting a fuel using the system hereof are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventor: Dean A. Drake
  • Publication number: 20210078851
    Abstract: A fuel delivery system automatically selects one out of several available fuels for a vehicle having a specialized fuel filler neck. A dispenser pump assembly includes a pump base, a hose assembly and a nozzle assembly which includes a nozzle spout and a cylindrical collar member slidably mounted on the nozzle spout. A sensor on the nozzle assembly generates a signal, based on a position of the collar when the spout is fully inserted into a fuel filler neck of the vehicle. The signal is transmitted via wires, wireless signal, fiber-optic cables or other medium. An electronic controller in the pump base selects an appropriate fuel, based on the signal received from the sensor. If the available fuels include percentages of ethanol or other additives, a precision blending system ensures that the correct amount of additive is provided. Methods of selecting a fuel using the system hereof are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventor: Dean A. DRAKE
  • Patent number: 7694525
    Abstract: A unitary control for operating at least the fan and compressor of a climate control apparatus in response to signals received from a thermostat, the unitary air conditioning control includes a circuit board, a microprocessor on the circuit board; a first relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a fan connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts at least one of which is connected to the microprocessor; and a second relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a fan connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts connected to the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William P. Butler, Dean A. Drake, Nagaraj B. Jayanth
  • Patent number: 7672095
    Abstract: A relay controller for connecting a power source includes at least one relay having at least two contacts. The relay controller includes a processing device operable to selectively switch the relay contacts, and a feedback circuit adapted to identify an actual state of the relay contacts. The processing device is configured to recognize a fault contact condition of a disparity between an expected state of the relay contacts and the actual state of the relay contacts. The processing device is also configured to responsively communicate information relating to the relay fault condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Dean A. Drake, Gregg Mueller, George E. Hendrix
  • Publication number: 20090049847
    Abstract: A unitary control for operating at least the fan and compressor of a climate control apparatus in response to signals received from a thermostat, the unitary air conditioning control includes a circuit board, a microprocessor on the circuit board; a first relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a fan connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts at least one of which is connected to the microprocessor; and a second relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a fan connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts connected to the microprocessor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: William P. Butler, Dean A. Drake, Nagaraj B. Jayanth
  • Patent number: 7464561
    Abstract: A unitary control for operating at least the fan and compressor of a climate control apparatus in response to signals received from a thermostat. The unitary air conditioning control includes a circuit board, a microprocessor on the circuit board, a first relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a fan connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts at least one of which is connected to the microprocessor; and a second relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a compressor connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts connected to the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William P. Butler, Dean A. Drake, Nagaraj B. Jayanth
  • Patent number: 7444824
    Abstract: A unitary control for operating at least the fan and compressor of a climate control apparatus in response to signals received from a thermostat, the unitary air conditioning control includes a circuit board, a microprocessor on the circuit board; a first relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a fan connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts at least one of which is connected to the microprocessor; and a second relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a fan connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts connected to the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William P. Butler, Dean A. Drake, Nagaraj B. Jayanth
  • Publication number: 20080089000
    Abstract: A relay controller for connecting a power source includes at least one relay having at least two contacts. The relay controller includes a processing device operable to selectively switch the relay contacts, and a feedback circuit adapted to identify an actual state of the relay contacts. The processing device is configured to recognize a fault contact condition of a disparity between an expected state of the relay contacts and the actual state of the relay contacts. The processing device is also configured to responsively communicate information relating to the relay fault condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Dean Drake, Gregg Mueller, George Hendrix
  • Patent number: 7298148
    Abstract: A relay controller for connecting a power source includes at least one relay having at least two contacts. The relay controller includes a processing device operable to selectively switch the relay contacts, and a feedback circuit adapted to identify an actual state of the relay contacts. The processing device is configured to recognize a fault contact condition of a disparity between an expected state of the relay contacts and the actual state of the relay contacts. The processing device is also configured to responsively communicate information relating to the relay fault condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Dean A. Drake, Gregg Mueller, George E. Hendrix
  • Publication number: 20070205771
    Abstract: A relay controller for connecting a power source includes at least one relay having at least two contacts. The relay controller includes a processing device operable to selectively switch the relay contacts, and a feedback circuit adapted to identify an actual state of the relay contacts. The processing device is configured to recognize a fault contact condition of a disparity between an expected state of the relay contacts and the actual state of the relay contacts. The processing device is also configured to responsively communicate information relating to the relay fault condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Dean Drake, Gregg Mueller, George Hendrix
  • Patent number: 7100382
    Abstract: A unitary control for operating at least the fan and compressor of a climate control apparatus in response to signals received from a thermostat, the unitary air conditioning control includes a circuit board, a microprocessor on the circuit board; a first relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a fan connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts at least one of which is connected to the microprocessor; and a second relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a fan connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts connected to the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William P. Butler, Dean A. Drake, Nagaraj B. Jayanth
  • Publication number: 20050016191
    Abstract: A unitary control for operating at least the fan and compressor of a climate control apparatus in response to signals received from a thermostat, the unitary air conditioning control includes a circuit board, a microprocessor on the circuit board; a first relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a fan connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts at least one of which is connected to the microprocessor; and a second relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a fan connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts connected to the microprocessor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: William Butler, Dean Drake, Nagaraj Jayanth
  • Patent number: 6767647
    Abstract: A gypsum wallboard that exhibits antimicrobial characteristics is disclosed. A method for making the wallboard is also disclosed. Suitable antimicrobial agents that may be applied to the wallboard or any components thereof include propiconazole, sodium pyrithione, tolyl diiodomethyl sulfone; tebuconazole; thiabendazole; 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate; and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Microban Products Company
    Inventors: Howard Wayne Swofford, Stephen A. Payne, Kevin Dean Drake
  • Publication number: 20030234068
    Abstract: A gypsum wallboard that exhibits antimicrobial characteristics is disclosed. A method for making the wallboard is also disclosed. Suitable antimicrobial agents that may be applied to the wallboard or any components thereof include propiconazole, sodium pyrithione, tolyl diiodomethyl sulfone; tebuconazole; thiabendazole; 3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate; and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: MICROBAN PRODUCTS COMPANY
    Inventors: Howard Wayne Swofford, Stephen A. Payne, Kevin Dean Drake