Patents by Inventor Jan Tjaden
Jan Tjaden 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: 20240141905Abstract: A sump pump system may detect and utilize motion or acceleration of water in sump basins when implementing control of sump pumps. To detect the motion or acceleration, the sump pump system may utilize a sensor that is configured to detect motion or acceleration, such as an accelerometer or gyroscope. The sump pump system may identify a water level in a sump basin based on the detected motion or acceleration, which may be compared to a reading or expected signal from the sump pump system's “typical” sensor (e.g., float switch) that is used to detect one or more water levels. In this manner, the sump pump system may detect a malfunctioning level sensor that is used by the pump to detect high-water and low-water marks at which the sump pump activates and deactivates, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John R. Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Publication number: 20240035478Abstract: Example systems and methods for manipulating control of sump pumps in order to extend lifespans of the sump pumps are disclosed. An example method includes activating a sump pump a first time; deactivating the sump pump when a first current water level in a sump basin in which the sump pump is disposed reaches a first low-water mark; and determining, by one or more processors, a time since a last activation of the sump pump wherein the last activation occurred when the sump pump activated the first time. When the time satisfies a threshold, the method activates the sump pump at second time, determines, by one or more processors, a second current water level in the sump basin, and in response to determining that the second current water level in the sump basin is below a second low-water mark corresponding to a bottom of an impeller of the sump pump, deactivates the sump pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John R. Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Publication number: 20240003352Abstract: A sump pump system may implement adaptive learning and machine learning techniques to facilitate improved control of sump pumps. A sump pump system may implement the described techniques to generate, train, and/or implement a machine learning model that is capable of predicting or estimating one or more conditions of the sump pump system (e.g., water level in the basin, motor malfunction, stuck impeller, geyser effect, blocked outlet pipe, faulty level sensor/switch, faulty bearing, failure to engage pump at high-water mark, etc.) based on one or more detected input variables (e.g., acceleration or vibration patterns detected in water, on a pump, or on a pipe; capacitance values of water; audio signatures; electrical signatures, such as power or current draw; pump motor rotation speed; water pressure signatures or values, such as those detected at the bottom of a sump basin; etc.).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John R. Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Publication number: 20240003351Abstract: A sump pump system detects backflow from an outlet pipe in a sump pump system and implements control of the sump pump in light of the detected backflow (or lack thereof). The sump pump system may detect the backflow (or lack thereof) by detecting and comparing water rise rates in a sump basin before activation or engagement of the sump pump (e.g., immediately before the pump starts pumping) and after the pump has disengaged or deactivated (e.g., immediately after the pump stops pumping). The rises rates may be detected via sensors configured to detect motion or acceleration (e.g., accelerometers, inertial measurement units, or force acceleration sensors) placed in the sump basin such that detect motion of water in the basin corresponding to changing water levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John R. Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Patent number: 11859620Abstract: A sump pump system may detect and utilize motion or acceleration of water in sump basins when implementing control of sump pumps. To detect the motion or acceleration, the sump pump system may utilize a sensor that is configured to detect motion or acceleration, such as an accelerometer or gyroscope. The sump pump system may identify a water level in a sump basin based on the detected motion or acceleration, which may be compared to a reading or expected signal from the sump pump system's “typical” sensor (e.g., float switch) that is used to detect one or more water levels. In this manner, the sump pump system may detect a malfunctioning level sensor that is used by the pump to detect high-water and low-water marks at which the sump pump activates and deactivates, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Patent number: 11788535Abstract: Example systems and methods for manipulating control of sump pumps in order to extend lifespans of the sump pumps are disclosed. An example method includes activating a sump pump a first time; deactivating the sump pump when a first current water level in a sump basin in which the sump pump is disposed reaches a first low-water mark; and determining, by one or more processors, a time since a last activation of the sump pump wherein the last activation occurred when the sump pump activated the first time. When the time satisfies a threshold, the method activates the sump pump at second time, determines, by one or more processors, a second current water level in the sump basin, and in response to determining that the second current water level in the sump basin is below a second low-water mark corresponding to a bottom of an impeller of the sump pump, deactivates the sump pump.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Patent number: 11773856Abstract: A sump pump system detects backflow from an outlet pipe in a sump pump system and implements control of the sump pump in light of the detected backflow (or lack thereof). The sump pump system may detect the backflow (or lack thereof) by detecting and comparing water rise rates in a sump basin before activation or engagement of the sump pump (e.g., immediately before the pump starts pumping) and after the pump has disengaged or deactivated (e.g., immediately after the pump stops pumping). The rises rates may be detected via sensors configured to detect motion or acceleration (e.g., accelerometers, inertial measurement units, or force acceleration sensors) placed in the sump basin such that detect motion of water in the basin corresponding to changing water levels.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Patent number: 11761447Abstract: A sump pump system may implement adaptive learning and machine learning techniques to facilitate improved control of sump pumps. A sump pump system may implement the described techniques to generate, train, and/or implement a machine learning model that is capable of predicting or estimating one or more conditions of the sump pump system (e.g., water level in the basin, motor malfunction, stuck impeller, geyser effect, blocked outlet pipe, faulty level sensor/switch, faulty bearing, failure to engage pump at high-water mark, etc.) based on one or more detected input variables (e.g., acceleration or vibration patterns detected in water, on a pump, or on a pipe; capacitance values of water; audio signatures; electrical signatures, such as power or current draw; pump motor rotation speed; water pressure signatures or values, such as those detected at the bottom of a sump basin; etc.).Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Publication number: 20230220847Abstract: A sump pump system enables automatic determination and utilization of frequencies for mechanical shakers for sump pumps. These techniques may be implemented to detect a fault (e.g., a stuck impeller) with a sump pump and to identify a desirable frequency at which a mechanical shaker for the sump pump should vibrate to correct the fault.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Johathan Christopher Hull, John Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Patent number: 11635080Abstract: A sump pump system enables automatic determination and utilization of frequencies for mechanical shakers for sump pumps. These techniques may be implemented to detect a fault (e.g., a stuck impeller) with a sump pump and to identify a desirable frequency at which a mechanical shaker for the sump pump should vibrate to correct the fault.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Patent number: 10113291Abstract: A sump system includes a flow restrictor for a drain line into a sump pit. The flow restrictor limits the water discharge capacity through the drain line into the sump pit. The flow restrictor is preferably sized and arranged to restrict the total maximum flow capacity of the drain line into the sump pit to match the maximum capacity output flow rate of the sump pump.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANYInventor: Richard Jan Tjaden
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Patent number: 4426401Abstract: Perishable goods containing water, especially foodstuffs, are packed aseptically in packages formed from impervious but flexible film and furnished with vents adequate for the escape of vapor during treatment at bake or part-bake temperatures at which goods in the package are pasteurized, the vents remaining open throughout the heating and subsequent cooling thereafter to prevent the package collapsing on the goods. The vents are positioned for security of subsequent closure in a closure seam first made to enclose the goods in the package and are constituted by interruptions in the seam providing a total cross-sectional venting area of more than 2.5 mms.sup.2. The vents are sealed after cooling. The invention is particularly applicable to the packaging of bakers' goods which are baked or part-baked in the package, which is preferably made from laminated polymeric film material.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1981Date of Patent: January 17, 1984Assignee: Internationale Octrooi Maatschappij "Octropa" B.V.Inventors: Alexander B. Ottow, Arthur Stiegeler, Jan Tjaden
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Patent number: 4227571Abstract: A plate heat exchanger has elements through which a medium flows. The elements are two thin metal plates, in at least one of which passages and opposed manifolds connecting the passages are formed by deep drawing. The plates are coated with a sealing adhesive and bonded together. The manifolds extend across the entire length of the elements and are closed at their ends by end closures inserted in the manifolds and sealed to the plates. Distributing conduits running transversely to the plates of the heat exchange elements, are connected to channels provided in the end closures so that the medium can flow from a distributing conduit through an end closure into a deeper shaped manifold and then into the passages and leave the elements in a corresponding manner. Pipes having a cross-shaped cross-section can be inserted in the end closures to serve as distributing conduits and also as tie-rods to hold the elements of the heat exchanger together.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1978Date of Patent: October 14, 1980Assignee: Internationale Octrooi Maatschappij "Octropa" B.V.Inventor: Jan Tjaden
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Patent number: 4089324Abstract: A heat transfer element having a plurality of parallel channels is formed from at least two interconnected metal foils or sheets, at least one of which is corrugated and at least one of which is flat, wherein the surfaces of the foils or sheets facing each other are coated with a weldable or sealable plastic or lacquer layer and are bonded to each other by means of these layers in their respective contact zones.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1976Date of Patent: May 16, 1978Assignee: N.V. Internationale Octrooi Maatschappij "OCTROPA"Inventor: Jan Tjaden