Patents by Inventor Thomas D. Chase
Thomas D. Chase 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: 11965664Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, and methods for monitoring building efficiency by a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In an aspect, an HVAC unit including a memory and a processor coupled with the memory is disclosed. The processor may be configured to establish a current building efficiency state value of a current run cycle of the HVAC system. The processor may also be configured to determine an building efficiency state deviation value based on a difference between an average building efficiency state value of a set of previous building efficiency state values and the current building efficiency state value. The processor may further be configured to determine whether the building efficiency state deviation value satisfies a building inefficiency threshold.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbHInventors: Madhuka Manuranga Jayarathne, Theresa Thy N. Gillette, Andrew Michael Boyd, Thomas D. Chase
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Publication number: 20240035705Abstract: In an aspect, an HVAC system includes an inducer motor to provide combustion airflow, and a pressure sensor to measure an output airflow pressure of the inducer motor. The HVAC system may initiate the inducer motor, and receive a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal from the inducer motor, wherein the PWM signal indicates a PWM signal of the inducer motor corresponding to a predetermined airflow pressure of the inducer motor and measured by the pressure sensor. The HVAC system may compare the PWM signal to a baseline value, and control the inducer motor based on the comparing of the PWM signal to the baseline value. The HVAC system may also generate a status notification of the combustion airflow of the HVAC system in response to the comparing the PWM signal to the baseline value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Madhuka Manuranga JAYARATHNE, Andrew Michael BOYD, Theresa N. GILLETTE, Thomas D. CHASE
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Publication number: 20240003567Abstract: A system faults to a return air sensor integrated within a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. The system transmits a signal to a remote sensor. The system determines that a return signal is not received from the remote sensor. The system obtains a temperature reading from the return air sensor. The system determines whether the temperature reading satisfies a temperature setting stored in the memory. In response to determining that the temperature reading does not satisfy the temperature setting, the system enables heating or cooling of the HVAC unit until the temperature setting is satisfied. In response to determining that the temperature reading satisfies the temperature setting, the system disables heating or cooling of the HVAC unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Madhuka Manuranga JAYARATHNE, Thomas D. Chase, Theresa N. Gillette, Andrew Michael Boyd
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Patent number: 11781785Abstract: In an aspect, an HVAC system includes an inducer motor to provide combustion airflow, and a pressure sensor to measure an output airflow pressure of the inducer motor. The HVAC system may initiate the inducer motor, and receive a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal from the inducer motor, wherein the PWM signal indicates a PWM signal of the inducer motor corresponding to a predetermined airflow pressure of the inducer motor and measured by the pressure sensor. The HVAC system may compare the PWM signal to a baseline value, and control the inducer motor based on the comparing of the PWM signal to the baseline value. The HVAC system may also generate a status notification of the combustion airflow of the HVAC system in response to the comparing the PWM signal to the baseline value.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2019Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLPInventors: Madhuka Manuranga Jayarathne, Andrew Michael Boyd, Theresa N. Gillette, Thomas D. Chase
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Patent number: 11761656Abstract: A system faults to a return air sensor integrated within a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. The system transmits a signal to a remote sensor. The system determines that a return signal is not received from the remote sensor. The system obtains a temperature reading from the return air sensor. The system determines whether the temperature reading satisfies a temperature setting stored in the memory. In response to determining that the temperature reading does not satisfy the temperature setting, the system enables heating or cooling of the HVAC unit until the temperature setting is satisfied. In response to determining that the temperature reading satisfies the temperature setting, the system disables heating or cooling of the HVAC unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventors: Madhuka Manuranga Jayarathne, Thomas D. Chase, Theresa N. Gillette, Andrew Michael Boyd
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Patent number: 11725888Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting a condensate trap to a heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that can be mounted in multiple orientations such that the condensate trap receives condensate fed by gravity.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2019Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLPInventor: Thomas D. Chase
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Patent number: 11635232Abstract: A flame sensor for a furnace of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a sensor body and an electrically conductive member of the sensor body. The electrically conductive member is configured to be disposed within a flame region of a burner of the furnace and configured to receive electrical current from a controller of the furnace. The flame sensor also includes an anti-oxidation coating disposed on an outer surface of the electrically conductive member and configured to transmit the electrical current from the electrically conductive member. The anti-oxidation coating is configured to contact a flame produced by the burner and expose the electrical current to the flame.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2021Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventor: Thomas D. Chase
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Publication number: 20230069940Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a furnace that includes a blower configured to operate to force a fluid through the furnace, a motor having a rated speed, in which the motor is coupled to and configured to actuate the blower, and a controller configured to receive data indicative of an operating characteristic of the furnace and regulate operation of the motor to be at or below an operational speed limit. The controller is configured to set the operational speed limit based on the data indicative of the operating characteristic of the furnace, such that the operational speed limit is less than or equal to the rated speed of the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventor: Thomas D. Chase
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Patent number: 11536466Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gas valve assembly for a furnace. The gas valve assembly includes a gas valve including an inlet flange having an outer geometric profile and defining a gas inlet of the gas valve. The gas valve assembly also includes a bracket having a mounting panel, a first support flange, and a second support flange, where the mounting panel extends between and is integral with the first support flange and the second support flange. A slot is formed in the first support flange and defined by a portion of a perimeter of the bracket. The outer geometric profile of the inlet flange corresponds to a profile of the slot, and the slot is configured to receive and abut a portion of the outer geometric profile. A passage is formed in the second support flange and configured to receive a gas flow from the gas valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventors: Thomas D. Chase, Frank D. Ashby
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Patent number: 11473797Abstract: A heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a headless thermostat device and an adapter unit. The headless thermostat device includes one or more circuits configured to receive a control input from a user device via a local wireless network and generate a control signal for HVAC equipment based on the control input. The adapter unit includes one or more circuit configured to receive the control signal from the headless thermostat device via the local wireless network and provide the control signal to the HVAC equipment for operation of the HVAC equipment in accordance with the control input.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventors: Vineet Sinha, Yingchun Xu, Patrick W. Mulcahy, August Lu, Bing Mao, Karl F. Reichenberger, Theresa N. Gillette, Andrew M. Boyd, Thomas D. Chase, Madhuka M. Jayarathne
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Patent number: 11441816Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a furnace that includes a blower configured to operate to force a fluid through the furnace, a motor having a rated speed, in which the motor is coupled to and configured to actuate the blower, and a controller configured to receive data indicative of an operating characteristic of the furnace and regulate operation of the motor to be at or below an operational speed limit. The controller is configured to set the operational speed limit based on the data indicative of the operating characteristic of the furnace, such that the operational speed limit is less than or equal to the rated speed of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventor: Thomas D. Chase
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Patent number: 11300308Abstract: A heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a headless thermostat device and an adapter unit. The headless thermostat device includes one or more circuits configured to receive a control input from a user device via a local wireless network and generate a control signal for HVAC equipment based on the control input. The adapter unit includes one or more circuit configured to receive the control signal from the headless thermostat device via the local wireless network and provide the control signal to the HVAC equipment for operation of the HVAC equipment in accordance with the control input.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLPInventors: Theresa N. Gillette, Andrew Michael Boyd, Thomas D. Chase, Madhuka Manuranga Jayarathne
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Publication number: 20210302069Abstract: A flame sensor for a furnace of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a sensor body and an electrically conductive member of the sensor body. The electrically conductive member is configured to be disposed within a flame region of a burner of the furnace and configured to receive electrical current from a controller of the furnace. The flame sensor also includes an anti-oxidation coating disposed on an outer surface of the electrically conductive member and configured to transmit the electrical current from the electrically conductive member. The anti-oxidation coating is configured to contact a flame produced by the burner and expose the electrical current to the flame.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventor: Thomas D. Chase
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Publication number: 20210102763Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting a condensate trap to a heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that can be mounted in multiple orientations such that the condensate trap receives condensate fed by gravity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2019Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventor: Thomas D. Chase
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Publication number: 20200292193Abstract: A system faults to a return air sensor integrated within a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. The system transmits a signal to a remote sensor. The system determines that a return signal is not received from the remote sensor. The system obtains a temperature reading from the return air sensor. The system determines whether the temperature reading satisfies a temperature setting stored in the memory. In response to determining that the temperature reading does not satisfy the temperature setting, the system enables heating or cooling of the HVAC unit until the temperature setting is satisfied. In response to determining that the temperature reading satisfies the temperature setting, the system disables heating or cooling of the HVAC unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2019Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Madhuka Manuranga Jayarathne, Thomas D. Chase, Theresa N. Gillette, Andrew Michael Boyd
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Publication number: 20200292182Abstract: In an aspect, an HVAC system includes an inducer motor to provide combustion airflow, and a pressure sensor to measure an output airflow pressure of the inducer motor. The HVAC system may initiate the inducer motor, and receive a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal from the inducer motor, wherein the PWM signal indicates a PWM signal of the inducer motor corresponding to a predetermined airflow pressure of the inducer motor and measured by the pressure sensor. The HVAC system may compare the PWM signal to a baseline value, and control the inducer motor based on the comparing of the PWM signal to the baseline value. The HVAC system may also generate a status notification of the combustion airflow of the HVAC system in response to the comparing the PWM signal to the baseline value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2019Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Madhuka Manuranga JAYARATHNE, Andrew Michael BOYD, Theresa N. GILLETTE, Thomas D. CHASE
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Publication number: 20200292190Abstract: A temperature control system receives, from a remote user device associated with a user, a user designation designating a temperature sensor from among a plurality of temperature sensors. The temperature control system selects, in response to receiving the user designation, the temperature sensor as a primary temperature sensor for controlling an ambient condition. The temperature control system receives a primary temperature measurement from the primary temperature sensor, and performs a primary temperature control based on the primary temperature measurement. The temperature control system may further receive secondary temperature measurements from secondary temperature sensors, and perform a secondary temperature control based on the secondary temperature measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2019Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Theresa N. GILLETTE, Andrew Michael BOYD, Thomas D. CHASE, Madhuka Manuranga JAYARATHNE
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Publication number: 20200292192Abstract: A climate control unit (e.g., for a residential building) may include a heat exchanger, a blower that circulates air from a return duct, across the heat exchanger, to a supply duct, and a filter that cleans the air before entering the heat exchanger. The effectiveness and/or efficiency of the filter may decrease as the filter collects particles. The climate control unit may include a controller configured to set a baseline measurement according to measurements of a blower property after a reset event. The controller may be configured to measure a deviation of the blower property from the baseline measurement of the blower property. The controller may be configured to generate a status notification in response to the deviation satisfying a threshold. The status notification may indicate that the filter should be changed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2019Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Andrew Michael BOYD, Madhuka Manuranga Jayarathne, Thomas D. Chase, Theresa N. Gillette
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Publication number: 20200292194Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, and methods for monitoring building efficiency by a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In an aspect, an HVAC unit including a memory and a processor coupled with the memory is disclosed. The processor may be configured to establish a current building efficiency state value of a current run cycle of the HVAC system. The processor may also be configured to determine an building efficiency state deviation value based on a difference between an average building efficiency state value of a set of previous building efficiency state values and the current building efficiency state value. The processor may further be configured to determine whether the building efficiency state deviation value satisfies a building inefficiency threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2019Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Madhuka Manuranga JAYARATHNE, Theresa N. GILLETTE, Andrew Michael BOYD, Thomas D. CHASE
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Publication number: 20200224907Abstract: A heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a headless thermostat device and an adapter unit. The headless thermostat device includes one or more circuits configured to receive a control input from a user device via a local wireless network and generate a control signal for HVAC equipment based on the control input. The adapter unit includes one or more circuit configured to receive the control signal from the headless thermostat device via the local wireless network and provide the control signal to the HVAC equipment for operation of the HVAC equipment in accordance with the control input.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Theresa N. GILLETTE, Andrew Michael BOYD, Thomas D. CHASE, Madhuka Manuranga JAYARATHNE