Patents by Inventor Timothy W. Storm

Timothy W. Storm 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: 8117862
    Abstract: HVAC apparatus is configured to include a control system with a controller which may be connected directly to a personality module for transferring information stored in the controller related to historic operating conditions of the apparatus to the module, or information may be transferred to the controller from the module to configure the controller for operation of the apparatus at selected operating conditions of temperature, pressure and blower motor speed, for example. The personality module includes a memory circuit and a connector for releasably connecting the module to the control system of the apparatus for transferring information between the module and the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Helt, Jie Song, Gordon Jeffrey Hugghins, John Tanner Taylor, W. Randall Erwin, Stephen Kowalski, Bruce David Montgomery, Timothy W. Storm, Alan Dale Marble, James T. Schaefer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7975494
    Abstract: A user interface for a control system for an air conditioning apparatus includes a visual display and keys for scrolling menu items and entering commands to the control system. The interface is mounted in the apparatus cabinet and on a rotatable bracket to orient the interface for ease of reading the display and actuating the respective keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Trane International, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Boydstun, Robert W. Helt, Gordon Jeffrey Hugghins, Carl L. Garrett, Daniel J. Blair, Robert G. Royoroft, Timothy W. Storm
  • Patent number: 7640761
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes a variable speed electric motor driven fan for circulating air to an enclosed space through an indoor unit for providing heating or cooling effect to air circulated through the indoor unit. A controller with user or system installer actuatable switches includes a programmable microcontroller providing a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to a motor control unit to select a predetermined air flowrate less than full air flowrate during system startup and shutdown. User input parameters include selected percentages of full air flowrate to satisfy requirements for reduced noise level, lower humidity and for improved sensible heating of air being circulated, the latter being effective particularly for heat pump applications. Selection of pre-run, short run and shutdown cycles may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Garrett, Timothy W. Storm, Robert W. Helt, Gordon Jeffrey Hugghins
  • Publication number: 20090090115
    Abstract: A user interface for a control system for an air conditioning apparatus includes a visual display and keys for scrolling menu items and entering commands to the control system. The interface is mounted in the apparatus cabinet and on a rotatable bracket to orient the interface for ease of reading the display and actuating the respective keys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Roger L. Boydstun, Robert W. Helt, Gordon Jeffrey Hugghins, Carl L. Garrett, Daniel J. Blair, Robert G. Royoroft, Timothy W. Storm
  • Publication number: 20080223944
    Abstract: HVAC apparatus is configured to include a control system with a controller which may be connected directly to a personality module for transferring information stored in the controller related to historic operating conditions of the apparatus to the module, or information may be transferred to the controller from the module to configure the controller for operation of the apparatus at selected operating conditions of temperature, pressure and blower motor speed, for example. The personality module includes a memory circuit and a connector for releasably connecting the module to the control system of the apparatus for transferring information between the module and the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: AMERICAN STANDARD INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Robert W. Helt, Jie Song, Gordon Jeffrey Hugghins, John Tanner Taylor, W. Randall Erwin, Stephen Kowalski, Bruce David Montgomery, Timothy W. Storm, Alan Dale Marble, James T. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 7299996
    Abstract: An air conditioning system thermostat includes a visual display and plural switch actuators, respectively backlit by an electroluminescent lamp and LED light sources mounted on a circuit board disposed in a thermostat housing. A control circuit causes at least one switch actuator to be illuminated continuously and the light sources for the display and the remaining switch actuators are illuminated in response to actuation of any one of the switch actuators. Switch contact elements mounted on the switch actuators and the circuit board provide advantageous positioning of the LED light sources for the switch actuators. An energy savings switch actuator allows the control circuit to directly assume setback temperature settings in response to a first actuation and a second actuation resets the thermostat to the initial user set temperature settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Garrett, W. Randall Erwin, Timothy W. Storm
  • Patent number: 6585484
    Abstract: An air handler enclosure having a pivotal door panel covers an access opening leading to a blower inside the enclosure. The door panel is held in engagement with the enclosure when the panel is fully open or closed. The panel can completely disengage the enclosure if the panel is first pivoted to an intermediate position between the fully open and fully closed positions. However, the weight of the panel itself urges the panel to remain engaged with the enclosure as the panel pivots through the intermediate position, which helps prevent the panel from disengaging the enclosure unintentionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Rosenthal, Timothy J. Lawlor, Sr., Thomas F. Byrne, James T. Vershaw, Timothy W. Storm
  • Publication number: 20030077169
    Abstract: An air handler enclosure having a pivotal door panel covers an access opening leading to a blower inside the enclosure. The door panel is held in engagement with the enclosure when the panel is fully open or closed. The panel can completely disengage the enclosure if the panel is first pivoted to an intermediate position between the fully open and fully closed positions. However, the weight of the panel itself urges the panel to remain engaged with the enclosure as the panel pivots through the intermediate position, which helps prevent the panel from disengaging the enclosure unintentionally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: David J. Rosenthal, Timothy J. Lawlor, Thomas F. Byrne, James T. Vershaw, Timothy W. Storm
  • Patent number: 6377426
    Abstract: A method of controlling a variable speed draft inducer motor and fan in a gas furnace. The method comprises the steps of: detecting a first fault driving the motor to a maximum operating range; detecting a second fault forcing the motor to operate towards a minimum operating range; and generating a fault signal if both faults are detected substantially simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventors: G. Jeffrey Hugghins, Robert W. Helt, Leonard W. Holmes, James T. Vershaw, Timothy W. Storm
  • Publication number: 20010044084
    Abstract: A method of controlling a variable speed draft inducer motor and fan in a gas furnace. The method comprises the steps of: detecting a first fault driving the motor to a maximum operating range; detecting a second fault forcing the motor to operate towards a minimum operating range; and generating a fault signal if both faults are detected substantially simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: G. Jeffrey Hugghins, Robert W. Helt, Leonard W. Holmes, James T. Vershaw, Timothy W. Storm
  • Patent number: 6257870
    Abstract: A method of controlling a variable speed draft inducer motor and fan in a gas furnace. The method comprises the steps of: detecting a first fault driving the motor to a maximum operating range; detecting a second fault forcing the motor to operate towards a minimum operating range; and generating a fault signal if both faults are detected substantially simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventors: G. Jeffrey Hugghins, Robert W. Helt, Leonard W. Holmes, James T. Vershaw, Timothy W. Storm
  • Patent number: D533091
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: American Standard International Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Garrett, Nathan P. Parker, Robert W. Helt, Timothy W. Storm, Dale C. Cotton, Amy N. Sorensen, Randy S. Amborn