Patents by Inventor Randall W. Nichols

Randall W. Nichols 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: 9101856
    Abstract: A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber, a sump chamber, a selectively charged surface in the inlet chamber, and an orifice. The inlet chamber receives purge exhaust including at least one of air, water vapor, oil aerosol, and water aerosol. The selectively charged surface agglomerates at least one of the oil aerosol and water aerosol into a liquid. The orifice is sized for passing the agglomerated liquid from the inlet chamber to the sump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols, William P. Fornof, Fred W. Hoffman, Richard J. Conklin
  • Patent number: 8707862
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for cooking food are provided. In particular, food is placed in a bowl held at an angle to horizontal. With the food in the bowl, the bowl is simultaneously heated and rotated. A scraper assembly is disposed within the bowl, to lift the food from the side and bottom surfaces of the bowl as the bowl rotates. A temperature sensor can be provided to provide a signal to discontinue rotation of the bowl and the application of heat to the bowl when the food has reached a desired temperature. A tilt mechanism can also be provided to maintain the food within a desired distance from the top edge of the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Oliver, Randall W. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20130319232
    Abstract: A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber, a sump chamber, a selectively charged surface in the inlet chamber, and an orifice. The inlet chamber receives purge exhaust including at least one of air, water vapor, oil aerosol, and water aerosol. The selectively charged surface agglomerates at least one of the oil aerosol and water aerosol into a liquid. The orifice is sized for passing the agglomerated liquid from the inlet chamber to the sump chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols, William P. Fornof, Fred W. Hoffman, Richard J. Conklin
  • Patent number: 8114199
    Abstract: A membrane dryer includes a shell having an inner tube and an outer tube and a bundle of hollow fibers supported in the shell. A dryer air inlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air outlet from the inner tube are at a first end of the shell. A dryer air outlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air inlet from the inner tube are at a second end of the shell. The inner tube has a first set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell and a second set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell; and a second plug is in the inner tube between the first and second set of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Randall W. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20110303091
    Abstract: A membrane dryer includes a shell having an inner tube and an outer tube and a bundle of hollow fibers supported in the shell. A dryer air inlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air outlet from the inner tube are at a first end of the shell. A dryer air outlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air inlet from the inner tube are at a second end of the shell. The inner tube has a first set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell and a second set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell; and a second plug is in the inner tube between the first and second set of openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Randall W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 8066801
    Abstract: A membrane dryer includes a shell having an inner tube and an outer tube and a bundle of hollow fibers supported in the shell. A dryer air inlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air outlet from the inner tube are at a first end of the shell. A dryer air outlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air inlet from the inner tube are at a second end of the shell. The inner tube has a first set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell and a second set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell; and a second plug is in the inner tube between the first and second set of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Randall W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 7819958
    Abstract: A purge valve for use with an air drying system is provided. The valve includes a housing or body, a piston disposed within the body, and a valve in communication with the piston. The respective geometries of the piston body and the valve define a circumferential cavity between and around the piston body and the valve. A sealing means is disposed within the circumferential cavity for forming a seal between the valve and the body. A plurality of guide members attached to or formed integrally with the valve provide positional stability to the valve within the body and provide enhanced airflow in, through, and around the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Bendix Commerical Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Fred W. Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 7789925
    Abstract: A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber receiving a purge exhaust. A portion of the purge exhaust including at least one of moisture, air, and oil is passed from the inlet chamber to a sump volume. A heat source changes a phase of the moisture from liquid to gas. A wick transfers the oil from the sump volume to an oil collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: William P. Fornof, Fred Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W Nichols
  • Patent number: 7753069
    Abstract: A drain valve for a vehicle compressed air system, which separates dirt, water, debris and other relatively heavy objects from a compressed air stream. The drain valve includes a sump with a tangential inlet. The tangential inlet creates a vortex within the sump that collects relatively heavy objects at the bottom of the sump and allows the compressed air to exit the drain valve through an outlet port located at the top of the drain valve. A pressure actuated valve and drain port allows for the water to be discharged from the drain valve while retaining the pneumatic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Randall W. Nichols, Fred W. Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn
  • Publication number: 20100139487
    Abstract: A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber receiving a purge exhaust. A portion of the purge exhaust including at least one of moisture, air, and oil is passed from the inlet chamber to a sump volume. A heat source changes a phase of the moisture from liquid to gas. A wick transfers the oil from the sump volume to an oil collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W Nichols, William P. Fornof, Fred Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7731784
    Abstract: The membrane air dryer includes a housing with an air inlet adjacent a first end of the housing, an air outlet adjacent a second end of the housing, a sweep air inlet and a sweep air outlet. A membrane separator has surfaces extending between and connected to the air inlet and the air outlet. A first sweep air passage in the housing extends between the first and second ends of the membrane along and including surfaces of the membrane. The first sweep air passage has an inlet adjacent the air outlet and an outlet adjacent the air inlet and connected to the sweep air outlet. The sweep air inlet and outlet is adjacent the air inlet. A second sweep air passage in the housing extends between the first and second ends of the membrane. The second sweep air passage has an inlet that is connected to the sweep air inlet and is adjacent the air inlet and has an outlet that is adjacent the air outlet and in fluid communication with the inlet of the first sweep air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Wright, Richard Kohar, Randall W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 7708793
    Abstract: A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber receiving a purge exhaust. A portion of the purge exhaust including at least one of moisture, air, and oil is passed from the inlet chamber to a sump volume. A heat source changes a phase of the moisture from liquid to gas. A wick transfers the oil from the sump volume to an oil collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: William P. Fornof, Fred Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 7678177
    Abstract: A membrane air dryer includes a proportioning valve for providing sweep air to the dryer. The valve may be located in an easily accessible location and may be oriented so that the movable valve element extends transverse to the length of the shell. The valve may be configured to allow air to flow back from the delivery port to the fibers during a compressor unload cycle to maintain pressure on the fibers, while blocking flow of air from the delivery port to the sweep chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Randall W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 7637985
    Abstract: A dry compressed air module is provided for attachment to the frame of commercial vehicle. The dry compressed air module includes a shell, an air compressor, an air dryer, and a reservoir. The air compressor, the air dryer, and the reservoir are disposed on the shell, and can be collectively attached to the frame using the shell. The air dryer is provided with compressed air from the air compressor, and the reservoir is provided with dry compressed air from the air dryer. The reservoir capable of storing and supplying the dry compressed air to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventors: Fred W. Hoffman, Randall W. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20090056292
    Abstract: A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber receiving a purge exhaust. A portion of the purge exhaust including at least one of moisture, air, and oil is passed from the inlet chamber to a sump volume. A heat source changes a phase of the moisture from liquid to gas. A wick transfers the oil from the sump volume to an oil collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: William P. Fornof, Fred Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20080263892
    Abstract: A membrane air dryer is located inside a compressed air reservoir. A sweep air system includes a sweep control valve upstream of the dryer, and a sweep vent that is open to atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Randall W. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20080110337
    Abstract: A saturation level of moisture and/or other contaminants is determined in a desiccant material by determining an electrical parameter across the desiccant material. An air dryer includes a housing, a desiccant in the housing, and an electrical contact in the desiccant. A level of at least one of moisture and other contaminants is determined as a function of an electrical parameter between two electrical contacts of dissimilar materials that electrically contact the desiccant. Alternatively, the level of at least one of moisture and other contaminants is determined as a function of an amount of the reflected light received by the optical sensor from the desiccant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Fred W. Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols, David J. Taneyhill, Justin R. Miller
  • Publication number: 20080060517
    Abstract: A membrane air dryer includes a proportioning valve for providing sweep air to the dryer. The valve may be located in an easily accessible location and may be oriented so that the movable valve element extends transverse to the length of the shell. The valve may be configured to allow air to flow back from the delivery port to the fibers during a compressor unload cycle to maintain pressure on the fibers, while blocking flow of air from the delivery port to the sweep chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Randall W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6923845
    Abstract: An air drying system for a vehicle including a membrane air dryer is provided. The air dryer is supplied with a stream of compressed air that has a low and constant concentration of oil vapor. A coalescing filter element may be used to maintain the oil vapor concentration. The filtered material may be discharged from the coalescing filter by a pressure swing drain valve, which discharges the filtered material upon unloading of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Randall W. Nichols, Richard B. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6881245
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting an air dryer to a commercial vehicle is provided. The end caps of the membrane air dryer are used to retain the membrane air dryer core and attach the membrane air dryer to the surface of the air supply reservoir. Bosses can be welded to the external surface of the air supply reservoir, which can then be used to mount the membrane air dryer by bolting the end caps to the bosses. The method and apparatus can be applied to two or three tank air supply reservoir systems. A disengagement tank may be included within the air dryer system, in place of a coalescing filter, to reduce the amount of moisture that reaches the membrane air dryer core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Randall W. Nichols, Fred W. Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn