Patents by Inventor Jeff Hankins

Jeff Hankins 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: 11774140
    Abstract: A heating unit for heating fluid is described having at least one electrical resistance heating element on an outer surface of a tube. At least one indexed groove is provided around a surface of the tube allowing for at least one retention clip to hold the electrical resistance heating element. A heating chamber is also provided to enclose a portion of the tube and to provide a flow channel therebetween. The heating chamber includes an optical sensor to detect overheating of the at least one electrical resistance heating element. Fluid is heated by flowing over the surface of the at least one electrical resistance heating element and through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Hayden, Eric R. Jurczyszak, Jeff Hankins
  • Publication number: 20210239362
    Abstract: A heating unit for heating fluid is described having at least one electrical resistance heating element on an outer surface of a tube. At least one indexed groove is provided around a surface of the tube allowing for at least one retention clip to hold the electrical resistance heating element. A heating chamber is also provided to enclose a portion of the tube and to provide a flow channel therebetween. The heating chamber includes an optical sensor to detect overheating of the at least one electrical resistance heating element. Fluid is heated by flowing over the surface of the at least one electrical resistance heating element and through the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher M. Hayden, Eric R. Jurczyszak, Jeff Hankins
  • Patent number: 10914492
    Abstract: A heating unit for heating fluid is described having at least one electrical resistance heating element on an outer surface of a tube. At least one indexed groove is provided around a surface of the tube allowing for at least one retention clip to hold the electrical resistance heating element. A heating chamber is also provided to enclose a portion of the tube and to provide a flow channel therebetween. The heating chamber includes an optical sensor to detect overheating of the at least one electrical resistance heating element. Fluid is heated by flowing over the surface of the at least one electrical resistance heating element and through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: EEMAX, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Hayden, Eric R. Jurczyszak, Jeff Hankins
  • Publication number: 20190145656
    Abstract: A heating unit for heating fluid is described having a first manifold having at least one inlet, a second manifold connected to the first manifold and having at least one outlet, and a third manifold. The heating unit also includes one or more heating systems which extend from the third manifold to the first manifold via the second manifold, where the one or more heating systems have an inner tube and an outer tube. Further, the heating unit includes a fluid flow path from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet via the first manifold, an area between the inner tube and outer tube, the interior of the inner tube and the second manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: EEMAX, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Hayden, Eric Jurczyszak, Jeff Hankins
  • Patent number: 10222091
    Abstract: A heating unit for heating fluid is described having a first manifold having at least one inlet, a second manifold connected to the first manifold and having at least one outlet, and a third manifold. The heating unit also includes one or more heating systems which extend from the third manifold to the first manifold via the second manifold, where the one or more heating systems have an inner tube and an outer tube. Further, the heating unit includes a fluid flow path from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet via the first manifold, an area between the inner tube and outer tube, the interior of the inner tube and the second manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: EEMAX, INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Hankins, Chris Hayden, Eric Jurczyszak
  • Patent number: 10139136
    Abstract: A heating unit for heating fluid is described having at least one electrical resistance heating element on an outer surface of a tube. At least one indexed groove is provided around a surface of the tube allowing for at least one retention clip to hold the electrical resistance heating element. A heating chamber is also provided to enclose a portion of the tube and to provide a flow channel therebetween. The heating chamber includes an optical sensor to detect overheating of the at least one electrical resistance heating element. Fluid is heated by flowing over the surface of the at least one electrical resistance heating element and through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: EEMAX, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Hayden, Eric R. Jurczyszak, Jeff Hankins
  • Patent number: 9410720
    Abstract: A fluid heating system may be installed for residential and commercial use, and may deliver fluid at consistent high temperatures for cooking, sterilizing tools or utensils, hot beverages and the like, without a limit on the number of consecutive discharges of fluid. The fluid heating system is installed with a tankless fluid heating that includes an inlet port, an outlet port, a drain port, at least one heat source connected with the inlet port, and a valve manifold connected to the at least one heat source, the drain port, and the outlet port. A temperature sensor is downstream of the at least one heat source and connected to the valve manifold. The valve manifold is operated so that an entire volume of a fluid discharge from the fluid heating system is delivered at a user-specified temperature (including near boiling fluid) on demand, for every demand occurring over a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: EEMAX, INC.
    Inventors: Eric R. Jurczyszak, Jeff Hankins, Chris Hayden, Emily Morris, Roland Opena, Nicholas Visinski
  • Publication number: 20160097562
    Abstract: A heating unit for heating fluid is described having at least one electrical resistance heating element on an outer surface of a tube. At least one indexed groove is provided around a surface of the tube allowing for at least one retention clip to hold the electrical resistance heating element. A heating chamber is also provided to enclose a portion of the tube and to provide a flow channel therebetween. The heating chamber includes an optical sensor to detect overheating of the at least one electrical resistance heating element. Fluid is heated by flowing over the surface of the at least one electrical resistance heating element and through the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: EEMAX, INC.
    Inventors: Chris HAYDEN, Eric R. JURCZYSZAK, Jeff HANKINS
  • Patent number: 9234674
    Abstract: A heating unit for heating fluid is described having at least one electrical resistance heating element on an outer surface of a tube. At least one indexed groove is provided around a surface of the tube allowing for at least one retention clip to hold the electrical resistance heating element. A heating chamber is also provided to enclose a portion of the tube and to provide a flow channel therebetween. The heating chamber includes an optical sensor to detect overheating of the at least one electrical resistance heating element. Fluid is heated by flowing over the surface of the at least one electrical resistance heating element and through the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: EEMAX, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Hayden, Eric R. Jurczyszak, Jeff Hankins
  • Publication number: 20150345830
    Abstract: A fluid heating system may be installed for residential and commercial use, and may deliver fluid at consistent high temperatures for cooking, sterilizing tools or utensils, hot beverages and the like, without a limit on the number of consecutive discharges of fluid. The fluid heating system is installed with a tankless fluid heating that includes an inlet port, an outlet port, a drain port, at least one heat source connected with the inlet port, and a valve manifold connected to the at least one heat source, the drain port, and the outlet port. A temperature sensor is downstream of the at least one heat source and connected to the valve manifold. The valve manifold is operated so that an entire volume of a fluid discharge from the fluid heating system is delivered at a user-specified temperature (including near boiling fluid) on demand, for every demand occurring over a short period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: EEMAX, INC.
    Inventors: Eric R. JURCZYSZAK, Jeff Hankins, Chris Hayden, Emily Morris, Roland Opena, Nicholas Visinski
  • Patent number: 9140466
    Abstract: A fluid heating system may be installed for residential and commercial use, and may deliver fluid at consistent high temperatures for cooking, sterilizing tools or utensils, hot beverages and the like, without a limit on the number of consecutive discharges of fluid. The fluid heating system is installed with a tankless fluid heating that includes an inlet port, an outlet port, a drain port, at least one heat source connected with the inlet port, and a valve manifold connected to the at least one heat source, the drain port, and the outlet port. A temperature sensor is downstream of the at least one heat source and connected to the valve manifold. The valve manifold is operated so that an entire volume of a fluid discharge from the fluid heating system is delivered at a user-specified temperature (including near boiling fluid) on demand, for every demand occurring over a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: EEMAX, INC.
    Inventors: Eric R. Jurczyszak, Jeff Hankins, Chris Hayden, Emily Morris, Roland Opena, Nicholas Visinski
  • Publication number: 20140178057
    Abstract: A heating unit for heating fluid is described having at least one electrical resistance heating element on an outer surface of a tube. At least one indexed groove is provided around a surface of the tube allowing for at least one retention clip to hold the electrical resistance heating element. A heating chamber is also provided to enclose a portion of the tube and to provide a flow channel therebetween. The heating chamber includes an optical sensor to detect overheating of the at least one electrical resistance heating element. Fluid is heated by flowing over the surface of the at least one electrical resistance heating element and through the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: EEMAX, INC.
    Inventors: Chris HAYDEN, Eric R. JURCZYSZAK, Jeff HANKINS
  • Publication number: 20140023354
    Abstract: A heating unit for heating fluid is described having a first manifold having at least one inlet, a second manifold connected to the first manifold and having at least one outlet, and a third manifold. The heating unit also includes one or more heating systems which extend from the third manifold to the first manifold via the second manifold, where the one or more heating systems have an inner tube and an outer tube. Further, the heating unit includes a fluid flow path from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet via the first manifold, an area between the inner tube and outer tube, the interior of the inner tube and the second manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: EEMAX, INC.
    Inventors: Jeff HANKINS, Chris Hayden, Eric Jurczyszak
  • Publication number: 20140023352
    Abstract: A fluid heating system may be installed for residential and commercial use, and may deliver fluid at consistent high temperatures for cooking, sterilizing tools or utensils, hot beverages and the like, without a limit on the number of consecutive discharges of fluid. The fluid heating system is installed with a tankless fluid heating that includes an inlet port, an outlet port, a drain port, at least one heat source connected with the inlet port, and a valve manifold connected to the at least one heat source, the drain port, and the outlet port. A temperature sensor is downstream of the at least one heat source and connected to the valve manifold. The valve manifold is operated so that an entire volume of a fluid discharge from the fluid heating system is delivered at a user-specified temperature (including near boiling fluid) on demand, for every demand occurring over a short period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: EEMAX, INC.
    Inventors: Eric R. Jurczyszak, Jeff Hankins, Chris Hayden, Emily Morris, Roland Opena, Nicholas Visinski
  • Patent number: 8577211
    Abstract: In various aspects, the present application describes a heating element assembly for a liquid heater, embodiments of which may include an electrically conductive termination rod with a base portion defining a securement opening. An electrically conductive fastener may include a shank portion for fitting into the securement opening. The heating element assembly may have a head portion larger than the securement opening, and an electrical resistance heating element comprising a continuous coil. An end portion of the continuous coil may be formed to loop around the fastener shank portion. The end portion may be in electrical contact with the fastener head portion and the termination rod base portion. An adjacent portion of the continuous coil may be formed to clear the fastener head portion as the adjacent portion extends from the end portion. The continuous coil may have a coil axis substantially aligned with a lengthwise axis of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Eemax Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Lucker, Jeff Hankins
  • Publication number: 20120063755
    Abstract: In various aspects, the present application describes a heating element assembly for a liquid heater, embodiments of which may include an electrically conductive termination rod with a base portion defining a securement opening. An electrically conductive fastener may include a shank portion for fitting into the securement opening. The heating element assembly may have a head portion larger than the securement opening, and an electrical resistance heating element comprising a continuous coil. An end portion of the continuous coil may be formed to loop around the fastener shank portion. The end portion may be in electrical contact with the fastener head portion and the termination rod base portion. An adjacent portion of the continuous coil may be formed to clear the fastener head portion as the adjacent portion extends from the end portion. The continuous coil may have a coil axis substantially aligned with a lengthwise axis of the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Brian LUCKER, Jeff HANKINS
  • Publication number: 20120057857
    Abstract: In various aspects, the present application describes a tankless liquid heater receiving liquid at an inlet and providing heated liquid at an outlet. The tankless liquid heater may include a heating element for heating liquid received from the inlet. A flow sensor indicates the flow rate of the liquid received by the heating element. The heater includes a temperature sensor measuring the temperature of liquid exiting the heating element. A controller of the heater regulates the amount of electrical current energizing the heating element responsive to the flow sensor and the temperature sensor, energizes the heating element when the flow rate of the liquid exceeds a predefined value and prevents energizing the heating element when the heated liquid exceeds a predefined temperature. The heater may also include a thermostatic mixing valve for mixing the heated liquid with liquid diverted from the inlet responsive to the temperature of the heated liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph Kevin Kenney, Jeff Hankins