Patents by Inventor Scott A. Willbanks

Scott A. Willbanks 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
  • Patent number: 5833449
    Abstract: A multiple inshot-type gas burner structure is formed from a pair of facing, intersecured stamper sheet metal plates. A spaced plurality of parallel, rectangularly cross-sectioned burner bodies are defined by facing triangular indentation pairs in the plates and have, at front outlet end portions thereof, side indentations which serve to mix air and gaseous fuel received at rear end portions of the burner bodies, and to divert a portion of the fuel/air mixture into crossover channels intercommunicating front interior portions of the burner bodies. The crossover channels have central arcuate closed portions that cooperate with progressively sized standoff dimples extending between opposite wall portions of the channels to provide an even crossover flame pattern along the outlet slot section of each channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John T. Knight, Scott A. Willbanks, Joey W. Huffaker, Kenneth F. Thereau, Richard J. Bazzo, Jacob J. Verderber, Jr., deceased
  • Patent number: 5732691
    Abstract: A modulating, forced draft, fuel-fired air heating furnace is provided with a two-speed draft inducer fan, and a fuel valve which is fully modulatable between a maximum firing rate and a low firing rate of approximately forty percent thereof. Incorporated into the furnace control system are normally closed low and high fire pressure-electric switches which sense and are sequentially closed by increasingly negative pressure in the draft inducer fan. Upon a call for heat from a thermostat located in the conditioned space served by the furnace, the draft inducer fan is energized at its high speed setting, and a signal is sent to the fuel valve to set it at its full firing rate flow when opened by an ignition switch portion of the control system. The control system functions to open the fuel valve at this maximum flow setting, and permit light-off of the burner, only if (1) both of the low and high fire pressure-electric switches are closed, and (2) the draft inducer fan is operating at its high speed setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Dennis R. Maiello, Scott A. Willbanks
  • Patent number: 5730116
    Abstract: A fuel-fired air heating furnace is provided with NOx reduction apparatus associated with a plurality of combustor tubes forming a portion of the furnace heat exchanger section. Inshot-type fuel burners are spaced apart from and face the open inlet ends of horizontal combustion sections of the combustor tubes. The NOx reduction apparatus includes a plurality of NOx reduction members formed from a metal rod material, and a mounting plate having a row of spaced apart pairs of mounting holes therein. Each NOx reduction member has an elongated, generally U-shaped configuration, with a closed inner end, an open outer end, and a spaced pair of corrugated leg portions extending between such inner and outer ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Dennis R. Maiello, Scott A. Willbanks, Phillip G. Brown