Patents by Inventor Jonathan D. Nelson

Jonathan D. Nelson 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).

  • Publication number: 20170146268
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides chiller apparatus including a storage tank for storing the liquid and a refrigerant cooling system. The refrigerant cooling system includes a compressor attached to the storage tank, a condenser positioned downstream from the compressor to condense a refrigerant received therefrom, and at least one evaporator positioned downstream of the condenser and wrapped about the outer surface of the storage tank. The evaporator includes a negative pitch coil configured to direct refrigerant flow from a position near a top of the storage tank to a position near a bottom of the storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Noel Aguilar, Craig lung-Pei Tsai, Alan George Constance, Christopher Bryan Rissler, Michelle Diana Gross, Timothy David Gantt, Jonathan D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9541304
    Abstract: A water heater is provided that includes a centering ring or thermal barrier that facilitates centering or alignment of a tank of the water heater while also diminishing heat loss through the bottom of the tank. Features are provided with centering ring that keep the centering ring in place and help prevent insulation from intruding under the centering ring and the tank of the water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Haier U.S. Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bryan Rissler, Jonathan D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9518761
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides a heat pump water heater appliance with a mounting assembly for coupling a compressor to a plate within a casing of the heat pump water heater appliance. The mounting assembly includes a post that extends through a foot of the compressor and a fastener that extends through the bracket and the plate into the post in order to secure the bracket and the post together. A nut is threaded onto the post in order to secure the post and the foot of the compressor together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bryan Rissler, Jonathan D. Nelson, Noel Gabriel Aguilar, Alan George Constance
  • Publication number: 20160169555
    Abstract: A water heater is provided that includes a centering ring or thermal barrier that facilitates centering or alignment of a tank of the water heater while also diminishing heat loss through the bottom of the tank. Features are provided with centering ring that keep the centering ring in place and help prevent insulation from intruding under the centering ring and the tank of the water heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Bryan Rissler, Jonathan D. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20160109155
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides a heat pump water heater appliance with a mounting assembly for coupling a compressor to a plate within a casing of the heat pump water heater appliance. The mounting assembly includes a post that extends through a foot of the compressor and a fastener that extends through the bracket and the plate into the post in order to secure the bracket and the post together. An attachment mechanism secures the post and the foot of the compressor together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Bryan Rissler, Jonathan D. Nelson, Noel Gabriel Aguilar, Alan George Constance
  • Publication number: 20160084525
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides a heat pump water heater appliance with a mounting assembly for coupling a compressor to a plate within a casing of the heat pump water heater appliance. The mounting assembly includes a post that extends through a foot of the compressor and a fastener that extends through the bracket and the plate into the post in order to secure the bracket and the post together. A nut is threaded onto the post in order to secure the post and the foot of the compressor together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Bryan Rissler, Jonathan D. Nelson, Noel Gabriel Aguilar, Alan George Constance
  • Patent number: 9268342
    Abstract: A water heater and thermal mixing valve assembly and method for providing a reduced discharge water temperature and a hot water temperature from the same tank. The assembly includes a tank adapted to accept and store an amount of cold water, a heater to heat the cold water held in the tank and increase the cold water temperature to a predetermined hot water temperature, at least one thermal mixing valve integrated with the tank in communication with a hot water passage and a cold water bypass conduit to provide a discharge water of a controlled temperature, the cold water bypass conduit being mounted to the cold water passage allowing the associated cold water to communicate with the tank and the thermal mixing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Beyerle, Jonathan D. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20160040906
    Abstract: A water heater appliance includes a sealed system and an electric heating element. The sealed system and electric heating element are configured for heating water within an interior volume of a tank. A temperature sensor is mounted to the tank. The electric heating element is positioned below the temperature sensor within the interior volume of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Noel Gabriel Aguilar, Craig lung-Pei Tsai, Jonathan D. Nelson, Alan George Constance
  • Publication number: 20160025378
    Abstract: A water heater appliance includes a support pad positioned on an outer shell of the water heater appliance. A pair of inserts is disposed within the support pad. Each insert of the pair of inserts is positioned on a respective one of an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit of the water heater appliance. The inserts have a density greater than the support pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Noel Gabriel Aguilar, Christopher Bryan Rissler, Jonathan D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9206996
    Abstract: Water heater appliances are provided. A water heater appliance includes a tank defining a chamber, the tank further defining an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture. The water heater appliance further includes a cold water conduit extending through the inlet aperture and in fluid communication with the chamber of the tank, the cold water conduit configured for directing a flow of water into the chamber of the tank. The water heater appliance further includes an alignment feature configured on the cold water conduit for orienting the cold water conduit within the chamber, the alignment feature corresponding to a mating alignment feature configured on the inlet aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Noel Gabriel Aguilar, Jonathan D. Nelson, Timothy David Gantt
  • Patent number: 9206995
    Abstract: A duct adapter system directs air flow relative to a hybrid water heater. The duct adapter system includes a collar adapted to surround a vent of a hybrid water shroud. The collar couples to standard duct pipe to extend ductwork to a heat pump portion of the hybrid water heater. A boost fan may be included in the system for boosting air flow to or from a remote location. The duct adapter system is adapted to deliver a warm air supply to the heat pump from the remote location, or deliver the cool discharge air from the heat pump water heater to a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Nelson, Michael Thomas Beyerle, Jeffrey A. Kern, Eliel Fresco Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20150338128
    Abstract: Casings for water heater appliance and methods for assembling such casings are provided. In one embodiment, a casing includes a wrapper extending generally along a vertical direction between a top edge and a bottom edge, the wrapper including an inner surface and an outer surface and defining an interior of the casing. The casing further includes a channel defined in the outer surface of the wrapper and extending generally peripherally about the wrapper adjacent to one of the top edge or the bottom edge. The casing further includes a cover coupled to the wrapper at one of the top edge or the bottom edge, the cover including a sidewall, the sidewall generally surrounding the channel. The casing further includes a fastener extending through the sidewall and the channel, the fastener coupling the wrapper and the cover together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Bryan Rissler, Jonathan D. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20150192326
    Abstract: Water heater appliances are provided. A water heater appliance includes a tank defining a chamber, the tank further defining an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture. The water heater appliance further includes a cold water conduit extending through the inlet aperture and in fluid communication with the chamber of the tank, the cold water conduit configured for directing a flow of water into the chamber of the tank. The water heater appliance further includes an alignment feature configured on the cold water conduit for orienting the cold water conduit within the chamber, the alignment feature corresponding to a mating alignment feature configured on the inlet aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Noel Gabriel Aguilar, Jonathan D. Nelson, Timothy David Gantt
  • Publication number: 20150168011
    Abstract: A water heater system includes a water heater, a cover, a shroud assembly and at least one ring. The water heater includes a tank, a layer of foam surrounding the tank and a wrapper surrounding the layer of foam. The cover is positioned on a top edge of the water heater. The shroud assembly is positioned over the cover. The at least one ring is positioned around at least one of an inlet port and an outlet port of the water heater. The cover, the shroud assembly and at least one ring are operative to prevent a liquid from coming into contact with at least one of the layer of foam surrounding the tank and one or more components covered by the shroud assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Jonathan D. NELSON, Eliel Fresco RODRIGUEZ, Samuel Vincent DUPLESSIS, Steve FROELICHER, Christopher RISSLER
  • Patent number: 9019676
    Abstract: A system for protecting an electrical junction having a first pin and a second pin is provided. The system includes a first circuit protection device coupled to the first pin and configured to sense at least a first current and a second circuit protection device coupled to the second pin and configured to sense at least a second current. Each of the first circuit protection device and the second circuit protection device includes a trip mechanism configured to interrupt current flowing through a respective circuit protection device and a trip unit operatively coupled to the trip mechanism. The trip unit is configured to activate the trip mechanism based on a determination that a respective current exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick D. Galbreath, Craig Lung-Pei Tsai, Almir Begovich, Gregory Michael Thomas, Jonathan D. Nelson, John Michael Todd, Robert Jules Lafleur, Brice Alan Bowley
  • Patent number: 8991638
    Abstract: A water heater system includes a water heater, a cover, a shroud and at least one ring. The water heater includes a tank, a layer of foam surrounding the tank and a wrapper surrounding the layer of foam. The cover is positioned on a top edge of the water heater. The shroud is positioned over the cover. The at least one ring is positioned around at least one of an inlet port and an outlet port of the water heater. The cover, shroud and at least one ring are operative to prevent a liquid from coming into contact with at least one of the layer of foam surrounding the tank and one or more components covered by the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jonathan D Nelson, Eliel Fresco Rodriguez, Samuel Vincent Duplessis
  • Patent number: 8890703
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to methodologies and algorithms for providing anode rod depletion detection and warnings thereof to consumers. Consumers general are not concerned with monitoring consumption of protective anode rods incorporated within water heaters, The present subject matter provides automatic monitoring of anode rod depletion and provides the consumer with notification of rod depletion beyond a predetermined amount by one or more of optical, audible, or electronic devices. Aspects of the algorithm include handling of start-up conditions, service board replacement conditions, and properly defining the anode rod depletion threshold. Additional algorithm aspects include considerations for taking into consideration power outage conditions and accurately estimating galvanic current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brett Alan Farris, Michelle Diana Gross, Jonathan D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8867906
    Abstract: A dry fire protection system for a water heater is provided. The water heater includes a body having an elongated hollow for holding water to be heated, an inlet opening and an outlet opening in communication with the hollow for flowing water therethrough. A heating element is coupled to the body for heating the water within the hollow. The dry fire protection system comprises a sensing element disposed in the hollow of the body for detecting the presence of water in the hollow. The sensing element is spaced from and operably connected to the heating element. The sensing element is configured to generate a voltage in response to a temperature of the sensing element. A controller is operably connected to the sensing element for monitoring the generated voltage across the sensing element. The controller is configured to prevent a supply of electrical power to the heating element as a function of the generated voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric K. Watson, Jonathan D. Nelson, Denis Alagic, David Hicks, Neil Philip Smith, Frederick Pizzella
  • Publication number: 20140218006
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to methodologies for sensing anode rod depletion. Consumers generally are not concerned with monitoring consumption of protective anode rods incorporated within water heaters. The present subject matter provides automatic monitoring of anode rod depletion and provides the consumer with notification of rod depletion beyond a predetermined amount. The principles of Faraday's Law are used to calculate anode weight loss by conversion of measured and accumulated current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michelle Diana Gross, Jonathan D. Nelson, Brett Alan Farris, William A. Baker
  • Publication number: 20140216945
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to methodologies and algorithms for providing anode rod depletion detection and warnings thereof to consumers. Consumers general are not concerned with monitoring consumption of protective anode rods incorporated within water heaters, The present subject matter provides automatic monitoring of anode rod depletion and provides the consumer with notification of rod depletion beyond a predetermined amount by one or more of optical, audible, or electronic devices. Aspects of the algorithm include handling of start-up conditions, service board replacement conditions, and properly defining the anode rod depletion threshold. Additional algorithm aspects include considerations for taking into consideration power outage conditions and accurately estimating galvanic current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Brett Alan Farris, Michelle Diana Gross, Jonathan D. Nelson