Patents by Inventor Robert L. Long

Robert L. Long 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: 20240142126
    Abstract: Embodiments include overflow sensor assemblies for water heaters, HVAC systems, and other devices for which temperature control systems may be used. An example overflow sensor assembly for detecting fluid leaks at a device may include a sensor probe configured to be in electrical communication with a power supply, and a sensor mounting bracket that forms a ground, where the sensor mounting bracket is configured to be adjustably coupled to a mounting surface on the device, such that the sensor mounting bracket can deflect about the mounting surface. The sensor probe is suspended from the sensor mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Kenneth D. Frederick, Kevin M. Ray, Karl S. Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11906183
    Abstract: Embodiments include overflow sensor assemblies for water heaters, HVAC systems, and other devices for which temperature control systems may be used. An example overflow sensor assembly for detecting fluid leaks at a device may include a sensor probe configured to be in electrical communication with a power supply, and a sensor mounting bracket that forms a ground, the sensor mounting bracket configured to attach to a mounting surface on the device and suspend the sensor probe in a condensate drain pan of the device. An overflow detection circuit can be activated when the sensor probe and the sensor mounting bracket come in contact with a condensate fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Kenneth D. Frederick, Kevin M. Ray, Karl S. Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Publication number: 20240027112
    Abstract: A combination water heating, air conditioning refrigerant system is described. The combined system includes a plurality of independently adjustable electronic expansion valves. The expansion valves can independently modulate the delivery of high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant to either a water heat exchanger or an outside condenser. A controller can receive input signals, including temperature signals from one or more temperature sensors that indicate the temperature at various locations of the system. The temperature signals include one or more of water temperature signals, ambient air temperature signals, or refrigerant super heat temperatures signals. In response to the input signals, the controller can output control signals to one or more of the plurality of electronic expansion valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert L. Long
  • Patent number: 11815298
    Abstract: A combination water heating, air conditioning refrigerant system is described. The combined system includes a plurality of independently adjustable electronic expansion valves. The expansion valves can independently modulate the delivery of high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant to either a water heat exchanger or an outside condenser. A controller can receive input signals, including temperature signals from one or more temperature sensors that indicate the temperature at various locations of the system. The temperature signals include one or more of water temperature signals, ambient air temperature signals, or refrigerant super heat temperatures signals. In response to the input signals, the controller can output control signals to one or more of the plurality of electronic expansion valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert L. Long
  • Publication number: 20230076857
    Abstract: Embodiments include overflow sensor assemblies for water heaters, HVAC systems, and other devices for which temperature control systems may be used. An example overflow sensor assembly for detecting fluid leaks at a device may include a sensor probe configured to be in electrical communication with a power supply, and a sensor mounting bracket that forms a ground, the sensor mounting bracket configured to attach to a mounting surface on the device and suspend the sensor probe in a condensate drain pan of the device. An overflow detection circuit can be activated when the sensor probe and the sensor mounting bracket come in contact with a condensate fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Kenneth D. Frederick, Kevin M. Ray, Karl S. Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Publication number: 20230071382
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for controlling an air conditioning system. The method of controlling the air conditioning system can include receiving air temperature data from an air temperature sensor and determining that the air conditioning system should operate in a reheat mode based on the air temperature being less than a threshold air temperature. The method can include outputting a control signal to a first electronic expansion valve to close and thereby prevent refrigerant to flow through an outdoor condenser coil. The method can also include outputting a control signal to a second electronic expansion valve to open and thereby permit refrigerant to flow through a reheat coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Karl Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11585567
    Abstract: A condensate drain assembly includes a drain pan configured to receive condensate from an evaporator coil of an air conditioning system. The drain pan is configured to be removed from the air conditioning system. The condensate drain assembly also includes a drainage pipe configured to translate the condensate from the drain pan to a drain located beneath the air conditioning system and a drain pan end cap. The drain pan end cap includes a first aperture configured to drain the condensate from the drain pan and a second aperture configured to align with the drainage pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Frederick, Karl S. Tallakson, Robert L. Long
  • Publication number: 20220404075
    Abstract: A combination water heating, air conditioning refrigerant system is described. The combined system includes a plurality of independently adjustable electronic expansion valves. The expansion valves can independently modulate the delivery of high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant to either a water heat exchanger or an outside condenser. A controller can receive input signals, including temperature signals from one or more temperature sensors that indicate the temperature at various locations of the system. The temperature signals include one or more of water temperature signals, ambient air temperature signals, or refrigerant super heat temperatures signals. In response to the input signals, the controller can output control signals to one or more of the plurality of electronic expansion valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventor: Robert L. Long
  • Patent number: 11530829
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an overflow sensor assembly of an HVAC unit includes a sensor mounting bracket that is configured to be coupled to a mounting surface of the HVAC unit such that sensor probes of the overflow sensor assembly are suspended within and extend into a condensate drain pan of the HVAC unit. The sensor probes are defined by a sensor element that is coupled to the sensor mounting bracket and a spring that is coupled to the sensor element. The sensor probes are configured to activate an overflow detection circuit when the sensor probes come in contact with condensate fluid collected in the condensate drain pan prior to the condensate fluid overflowing from the condensate drain pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Kenneth D. Frederick, Kevin M. Ray, Karl S. Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11530857
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for controlling an air conditioning system. The method of controlling the air conditioning system can include receiving air temperature data from an air temperature sensor and determining that the air conditioning system should operate in a reheat mode based on the air temperature being less than a threshold air temperature. The method can include outputting a control signal to a first electronic expansion valve to close and thereby prevent refrigerant to flow through an outdoor condenser coil. The method can also include outputting a control signal to a second electronic expansion valve to open and thereby permit refrigerant to flow through a reheat coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Karl Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Patent number: 11493214
    Abstract: A termination block of an HVAC unit comprises an elongated body that is coupled to the frame of the HVAC unit. The elongated body securely retains a refrigerant pressure gauge port therein and mounts a filter drier thereto such that copper tubing to and/or from the refrigerant filter drier and the refrigerant pressure gauge port is held in position to assist with brazing the copper tubing to other copper tubing and/or components of the HVAC unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Kenneth D. Frederick, Karl S. Tallakson
  • Publication number: 20220221203
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes an air system including a first interlaced microchannel heat exchanger and a second interlaced microchannel heat exchanger. The air system can include a plurality of fluidly separated refrigerant circuits, and each of the refrigerant circuits can be configured to flow through the first interlaced microchannel heat exchanger and the second interlaced microchannel heat exchanger. The first interlaced microchannel heat exchanger can be located indoors, and the second interlaced microchannel heat exchanger can be located outdoors. Each of the refrigerant circuits can include its own compressor and expansion valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Hari Krishna Kanagala, H. Gene Havard, Robert L. Long, Rosa Leal, David Kauppila, Junjie Luo
  • Publication number: 20220186979
    Abstract: A heating system with wraparound heat exchanger is disclosed. The system includes a centrifugal fan that expels air radially into a plenum space. A heat exchanger tube is placed in the plenum space, thereby heating the air in the plenum space before it exits an assembly cabinet. The heat exchanger tube can have various configurations, including non-horizontal configurations so as to allow condensate to drain from the heat exchanger tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventor: Robert L. Long
  • Publication number: 20220146164
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for controlling an air conditioning system. The method of controlling the air conditioning system can include receiving air temperature data from an air temperature sensor and determining that the air conditioning system should operate in a reheat mode based on the air temperature being less than a threshold air temperature. The method can include outputting a control signal to a first electronic expansion valve to close and thereby prevent refrigerant to flow through an outdoor condenser coil. The method can also include outputting a control signal to a second electronic expansion valve to open and thereby permit refrigerant to flow through a reheat coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Karl Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Publication number: 20220136712
    Abstract: A combination domestic hot water and space heating system is disclosed. The system includes two refrigerant circuits, one dedicated to heating potable water in a water storage tank and one dedicated to heating a condenser used to heat a space within a building. A controller sends output signals to valves to vary refrigerant flow into the first refrigerant circuit and/or the second refrigerant circuit. The variation in refrigerant flow can be provided by a single multi-directional valve, one or more valves placed at a first end of each refrigerant circuit, and/or one or more electronic expansion valves placed at the end of each refrigerant circuit. Portions of the system can be placed into a single housing, thereby reducing installation costs and labor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Vishwanath Ardha, Atilhan Manay, Robert L. Long, Harshad Inamdar, Timothy Shellenberger
  • Publication number: 20210010714
    Abstract: A condensate drain assembly includes a drain pan configured to receive condensate from an evaporator coil of an air conditioning system. The drain pan is configured to be removed from the air conditioning system. The condensate drain assembly also includes a drainage pipe configured to translate the condensate from the drain pan to a drain located beneath the air conditioning system and a drain pan end cap. The drain pan end cap includes a first aperture configured to drain the condensate from the drain pan and a second aperture configured to align with the drainage pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Frederick, Karl S. Tallakson, Robert L. Long
  • Patent number: 10788241
    Abstract: A condensate drain assembly includes a drain pan configured to receive condensate from an evaporator coil of an air conditioning system. The drain pan is configured to be removed from the air conditioning system. The condensate drain assembly also includes a drainage pipe configured to translate the condensate from the drain pan to a drain located beneath the air conditioning system and a drain pan end cap. The drain pan end cap includes a first aperture configured to drain the condensate from the drain pan and a second aperture configured to align with the drainage pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Frederick, Karl S. Tallakson, Robert L. Long
  • Publication number: 20200149765
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an overflow sensor assembly of an HVAC unit includes a sensor mounting bracket that is configured to be coupled to a mounting surface of the HVAC unit such that sensor probes of the overflow sensor assembly are suspended within and extend into a condensate drain pan of the HVAC unit. The sensor probes are defined by a sensor element that is coupled to the sensor mounting bracket and a spring that is coupled to the sensor element. The sensor probes are configured to activate an overflow detection circuit when the sensor probes come in contact with condensate fluid collected in the condensate drain pan prior to the condensate fluid overflowing from the condensate drain pan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Kenneth D. Frederick, Kevin M. Ray, Karl S. Tallakson, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan
  • Publication number: 20200149778
    Abstract: A termination block of an HVAC unit comprises an elongated body that is coupled to the frame of the HVAC unit. The elongated body securely retains a refrigerant pressure gauge port therein and mounts a filter drier thereto such that copper tubing to and/or from the refrigerant filter drier and the refrigerant pressure gauge port is held in position to assist with brazing the copper tubing to other copper tubing and/or components of the HVAC unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Robert L. Long, Kenneth D. Frederick, Karl S. Tallakson
  • Publication number: 20190128560
    Abstract: A condensate drain assembly includes a drain pan configured to receive condensate from an evaporator coil of an air conditioning system. The drain pan is configured to be removed from the air conditioning system. The condensate drain assembly also includes a drainage pipe configured to translate the condensate from the drain pan to a drain located beneath the air conditioning system and a drain pan end cap. The drain pan end cap includes a first aperture configured to drain the condensate from the drain pan and a second aperture configured to align with the drainage pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Frederick, Karl S. Tallakson, Robert L. Long