Patents by Inventor Kevin J. Gebke
Kevin J. Gebke 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: 20240098941Abstract: An example air barrier system for a data center within a building is disclosed. The example air barrier system includes a pliable barrier material to partition an area above a top of row of computer cabinets in the data center and below an overhead surface of the building. The pliable barrier material is to reduce mixing of air between first and second aisles on opposites sides of the row of computer cabinets. The example air barrier system also includes a frame to support the pliable barrier material in position when in the area above the top of the row of computer cabinets. The frame is to be supported by the row of computer cabinets without support from the overhead surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Blaine Schmidt, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, Philip Sloan, William A. Niehaus
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Publication number: 20240068702Abstract: Apparatus for tensioning pliable airducts while supporting internal HVAC components are disclosed. An airduct system includes an airduct having a tubular wall of a pliable material. The airduct is elongate in a longitudinal direction. The airduct system further includes a frame including a hoop disposable inside the airduct to support the tubular wall in a radial direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The hoop is less flexible than the pliable material. The airduct system also includes a sensor to be attached to the frame to be in fluid communication with a current of air within the airduct. The sensor is to provide a feedback signal that varies in response to a changing condition of the current of air.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Blaine Schmidt, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
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Publication number: 20240003562Abstract: An under-floor HVAC system for a building includes a pliable air duct lying upon a subfloor. A matrix of pedestals resting upon and extending upward from the subfloor supports a set of floor panels, which thus creates a plenum between the subfloor and the set of floor panels. The air duct extends through the plenum to convey conditioned air from a supply air duct to a series of registers in the floor panels. The registers disperse the conditioned air to a room or area just above the panels. To help keep the air duct from repeatedly extending, retracting, and otherwise sliding freely along the subfloor in response to changes in air duct pressure, the air duct is held taut by anchoring a distal downstream end of the duct to one or more of the floor-supporting pedestals. Various air duct configurations can be assembled from a predefined assortment of duct components.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Jeffrey Klopfenstein, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicolas B. Paschke
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Patent number: 11856735Abstract: An example air barrier system for a data center within a building is disclosed. The example air barrier system includes a pliable barrier material to partition an area above a top of row of computer cabinets in the data center and below an overhead surface of the building. The pliable barrier material is to reduce mixing of air between first and second aisles on opposites sides of the row of computer cabinets. The example air barrier system also includes a frame to support the pliable barrier material in position when in the area above the top of the row of computer cabinets. The frame is to be supported by the row of computer cabinets without support from the overhead surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2019Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Blaine Schmidt, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, Philip Sloan, William A. Niehaus
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Publication number: 20230408135Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include an air duct including a tubular sidewall that is pliable, the tubular sidewall defining an interior of the air duct, the air duct elongate in a longitudinal direction. Example air duct assemblies include a hoop disposable within the interior of the air duct, the hoop providing the sidewall with support in a radial direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Example air duct assemblies include a cable disposable within the interior of the air duct, the cable to extend along a longitudinal length of the air duct, the cable to engage the hoop to help support a weight of the hoop and the tubular sidewall.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
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Patent number: 11796214Abstract: Apparatus for tensioning pliable airducts while supporting internal HVAC components are disclosed. An airduct system includes an airduct having an elongate tubular wall of a pliable material. The airduct system further includes a frame disposable inside the tubular wall of the airduct, the frame including a hoop to support the tubular wall in a radial direction, the hoop to define an opening to provide passage of a flow of air along a length of the airduct. The airduct system also includes an HVAC component disposable within the tubular wall of the airduct, the HVAC component to be attached to and supported by the frame inside the airduct, the HVAC component to adjust a characteristic of the air.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Blaine Schmidt, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
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Patent number: 11788763Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
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Patent number: 11739958Abstract: An under-floor HVAC system for a building includes a pliable air duct lying upon a subfloor. A matrix of pedestals resting upon and extending upward from the subfloor supports a set of floor panels, which thus creates a plenum between the subfloor and the set of floor panels. The air duct extends through the plenum to convey conditioned air from a supply air duct to a series of registers in the floor panels. The registers disperse the conditioned air to a room or area just above the panels. To help keep the air duct from repeatedly extending, retracting, and otherwise sliding freely along the subfloor in response to changes in air duct pressure, the air duct is held taut by anchoring a distal downstream end of the duct to one or more of the floor-supporting pedestals. Various air duct configurations can be assembled from a predefined assortment of duct components.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2022Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Jeffrey Klopfenstein, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicolas B. Paschke
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Patent number: 11543149Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
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Publication number: 20220146139Abstract: An under-floor HVAC system for a building includes a pliable air duct lying upon a subfloor. A matrix of pedestals resting upon and extending upward from the subfloor supports a set of floor panels, which thus creates a plenum between the subfloor and the set of floor panels. The air duct extends through the plenum to convey conditioned air from a supply air duct to a series of registers in the floor panels. The registers disperse the conditioned air to a room or area just above the panels. To help keep the air duct from repeatedly extending, retracting, and otherwise sliding freely along the subfloor in response to changes in air duct pressure, the air duct is held taut by anchoring a distal downstream end of the duct to one or more of the floor-supporting pedestals. Various air duct configurations can be assembled from a predefined assortment of duct components.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Jeffrey Klopfenstein, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicolas B. Paschke
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Publication number: 20220146141Abstract: Fabric drop-down diffusers are disclosed. An example drop-down diffuser includes a hoop to be supported adjacent an end of an air duct, and a first fabric sheet to hang downward from the hoop. The first fabric sheet to define a first wall of an air chamber adjacent the hoop on a side of the hoop opposite the air duct. The first fabric sheet to completely surround the air chamber along a circumferential path corresponding to the hoop. The hoop to be transverse to the air duct and positioned so that air delivered by the air duct is to pass through the hoop and into the air chamber. The drop-down diffuser also includes a second fabric sheet to be coupled to the first fabric sheet. The second fabric sheet to define a second wall of the air chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Blaine Schmidt, Kevin J. Gebke, Michael A. Jacobson, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
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Patent number: 11293663Abstract: Fabric drop-down diffusers are disclosed. An example drop-down diffuser includes a first fabric sheet. The first fabric sheet is to extend away from a ceiling at a location adjacent a supply inlet. The supply inlet is to provide a flow of air toward the first fabric sheet. The example drop-down diffuser also includes a blanking sheet to restrict air flow through the first fabric sheet. The blanking sheet is to be disposed on an interior surface of the first fabric sheet. The blanking sheet has a lower permeability than the first fabric sheet.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Blaine Schmidt, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicolas B. Paschke, Thomas C. Smith
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Patent number: 11231202Abstract: Fabric drop-down diffusers are disclosed. An example drop-down diffuser includes an upper panel including an upper fabric sheet to be held in radial tension by an upper hoop. The upper panel defines a supply air inlet. The example drop-down diffuser further includes a lower panel to be underneath and spaced apart from the upper panel. The example drop-down diffuser also includes a circumferential fabric sheet to encircle the upper panel and the lower panel. The circumferential fabric sheet is to extend downward from the upper panel to the lower panel to define an air chamber bordered by the upper panel, the lower panel and the circumferential fabric sheet. The air chamber is connected in fluid communication with the supply air inlet.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2017Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Blaine Schmidt, Kevin J. Gebke, Michael A. Jacobson, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
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Patent number: 11231189Abstract: An under-floor HVAC system for a building includes a pliable air duct lying upon a subfloor. A matrix of pedestals resting upon and extending upward from the subfloor supports a set of floor panels, which thus creates a plenum between the subfloor and the set of floor panels. The air duct extends through the plenum to convey conditioned air from a supply air duct to a series of registers in the floor panels. The registers disperse the conditioned air to a room or area just above the panels. To help keep the air duct from repeatedly extending, retracting, and otherwise sliding freely along the subfloor in response to changes in air duct pressure, the air duct is held taut by anchoring a distal downstream end of the duct to one or more of the floor-supporting pedestals. Various air duct configurations can be assembled from a predefined assortment of duct components.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Klopfenstein, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicolas B. Paschke
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Publication number: 20210356162Abstract: Apparatus for tensioning pliable airducts while supporting internal HVAC components are disclosed. An airduct system includes an airduct having an elongate tubular wall of a pliable material. The airduct system further includes a frame disposable inside the tubular wall of the airduct, the frame including a hoop to support the tubular wall in a radial direction, the hoop to define an opening to provide passage of a flow of air along a length of the airduct. The airduct system also includes an HVAC component disposable within the tubular wall of the airduct, the HVAC component to be attached to and supported by the frame inside the airduct, the HVAC component to adjust a characteristic of the air.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: Blaine Schmidt, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, William A. Niehaus
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Publication number: 20210293442Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
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Publication number: 20210190367Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2020Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
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Patent number: 10876758Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
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Patent number: 10709040Abstract: Cooling systems for devices arranged in rows are disclosed. An example cooling system for a datacenter in a building includes a supply air duct to extend lengthwise along a first aisle within the building. The first aisle is defined between a first row of computers and a second row of computers. The first row of computers provides passage of a first current of air from the first aisle to a second aisle on an opposite side of the first row of computers. The supply air duct is to be positioned with an upper section that is higher than a top surface associated with the first and second rows of computers. The cooling system includes a first wing to extend from the supply air duct toward the first row of computers, and a second wing to extend from the supply air duct toward the second row of computers.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Micaela White, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
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Patent number: D932609Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin J. Gebke, Blaine Schmidt, Nicolas B. Paschke