Patents by Inventor Robert S. Neihouse

Robert S. Neihouse 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: 10648664
    Abstract: A high-efficiency modulating gas furnace (herein ‘gas furnace’) includes a furnace controller. The gas furnace further includes a gas valve and at least one pressure switch that is coupled to the furnace controller. The electrical contacts of the at least one pressure switch are removed from a series electrical circuit with the gas valve such that the gas furnace operates without de-energizing the gas valve as soon as the electrical contacts of the at least one pressure switch are opened. Further, the furnace controller operates the induced draft blower at or close to a lowest RPM at which the electrical contacts of the at least one pressure switch can be kept closed, which is between a make point RPM at which the electrical contacts of the at least one pressure switch close and a break point RPM at which the electrical contacts of the at least one pressure switch open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Shawn A Reed, Scott Willbanks, Robert S. Neihouse, Robert Kepesky, Kevin Thompson, Joey Huffaker, Daniel Schmalz
  • Publication number: 20190186737
    Abstract: A high-efficiency modulating gas furnace (herein ‘gas furnace’) includes a furnace controller. The gas furnace further includes a gas valve and at least one pressure switch that is coupled to the furnace controller. The electrical contacts of the at least one pressure switch are removed from a series electrical circuit with the gas valve such that the gas furnace operates without de-energizing the gas valve as soon as the electrical contacts of the at least one pressure switch are opened. Further, the furnace controller operates the induced draft blower at or close to a lowest RPM at which the electrical contacts of the at least one pressure switch can be kept closed, which is between a make point RPM at which the electrical contacts of the at least one pressure switch close and a break point RPM at which the electrical contacts of the at least one pressure switch open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Shawn A. Reed, Scott Willbanks, Robert S. Neihouse, Robert Kepesky, Kevin Thompson, Joey Huffaker, Daniel Schmalz
  • Patent number: 9677785
    Abstract: A fuel-fired condensing type air heating furnace is provided with an electronic condensate water level sensing system operative to sense improper outflow of condensate from a collector box portion of the furnace and responsively shut down or prevent operation of the furnace. Condensate probe portions of the system are oriented in a manner such that several air flow orientation of the furnace may be utilized without the necessity of relocating the probes or effecting an re-wiring of the water level sensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert S. Neihouse, Shawn A. Reed, Walter R. Lowrimore, Randy R. Koivisto, Scott A. Willbanks
  • Publication number: 20130045451
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for compensating for high altitude reduction in the heating capacity of a gas heating appliance, illustratively a gas-fired heating furnace. In a representative embodiment of such apparatus and methods the regulated pressure of the furnace gas valve, and the speeds of its combustion and indoor blowers, are coordinatingly increased to provide the furnace with a substantially unchanged maximum heating output despite its new higher altitude location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Shellenberger, Robert S. Neihouse