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).
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Patent number: 9101856Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols, William P. Fornof, Fred W. Hoffman, Richard J. Conklin
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Patent number: 8707862Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.Inventors: William H. Oliver, Randall W. Nichols
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Publication number: 20130319232Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols, William P. Fornof, Fred W. Hoffman, Richard J. Conklin
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Patent number: 8114199Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: New York Air Brake CorporationInventor: Randall W. Nichols
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Publication number: 20110303091Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2010Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: New York Air Brake CorporationInventor: Randall W. Nichols
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Patent number: 8066801Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 24, 2007Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: New York Air Brake CorporationInventor: Randall W. Nichols
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Patent number: 7819958Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 8, 2005Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Bendix Commerical Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Fred W. Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols
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Patent number: 7789925Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: William P. Fornof, Fred Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W Nichols
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Patent number: 7753069Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 25, 2004Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Randall W. Nichols, Fred W. Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn
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Publication number: 20100139487Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2010Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W Nichols, William P. Fornof, Fred Hoffman
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Patent number: 7731784Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 17, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: New York Air Brake CorporationInventors: Eric Wright, Richard Kohar, Randall W. Nichols
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Patent number: 7708793Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: William P. Fornof, Fred Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols
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Patent number: 7678177Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 12, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: New York Air Brake CorporationInventor: Randall W. Nichols
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Patent number: 7637985Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Inventors: Fred W. Hoffman, Randall W. Nichols
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Publication number: 20090056292Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: William P. Fornof, Fred Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols
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Publication number: 20080263892Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventor: Randall W. Nichols
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Publication number: 20080110337Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2006Publication date: May 15, 2008Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Fred W. Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols, David J. Taneyhill, Justin R. Miller
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Publication number: 20080060517Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Inventor: Randall W. Nichols
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Patent number: 6923845Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 4, 2003Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Randall W. Nichols, Richard B. Jacobs
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Patent number: 6881245Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 18, 2002Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Randall W. Nichols, Fred W. Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn