Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Sean D. Detweiler
  • Patent number: 6010327
    Abstract: A fuel control system, parts therefor, and methods of making are provided. The fuel control system includes a fuel control valve unit (FCU) and a fuel conduit having an end secured in a fuel outlet opening in a housing of the fuel control valve unit. The end of the conduit is disposed in a certain desired axial position in the fuel outlet opening relative to the housing, the housing has a movable part. In a first position of the movable part, the end of the conduit can be axially moved from a position outside the housing to the certain desired axial position. In a second position, the movable part cooperates with a securing device on the end of the conduit to secure the end in the certain desired axial position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Jay Katchka
  • Patent number: 5988652
    Abstract: A fluid control assembly that includes fluid valving, fluid regulation, automatic safety shut-off valving and manual shut-off valving in one assembly, a novel fluid control unit that integrates the above functions in one unit, and a novel ignitor and a novel seal and diaphragm for use in the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: David D. Martin, Douglas W. Ray
  • Patent number: 5967766
    Abstract: A heater control system, parts therefor, and methods of making them are disclosed. The heater control system includes a fuel control unit having a thermocouple operated unit in the housing thereof, which has an opening therein leading to the thermocouple operated unit. The tip or end of the thermocouple device is secured in the opening for operative connection to the thermocouple operated unit. The thermocouple device has a unique securing structure which permits the end thereof to be axially moved from outside the housing to a certain desired axial position within the opening and cooperates with a unique securing structure on the housing to secure the end of the thermocouple device in the certain desired axial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Jay Katchka
  • Patent number: 5952788
    Abstract: A drive circuit for controlling a vacuum fluorescent display is provided. A charge storage device is connected between signal ground or a voltage supply and a display element. One multiway switch or two single-position switches are connected to the display element opposite the charge storage device. In either configuration, the switch or switches are controlled by an oscillator which, by toggling the switch or switches, alternates the configuration of the circuit to charge or discharge the charge storage device through the display element. The charge storage device and the display element may be connected to a regulated voltage which is maintained at a potential above the grid voltage to reduce cross-talk in the display. The switching operation is break before make and produces an AC voltage across the display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Graham, Stephen S. Otzman
  • Patent number: 5937846
    Abstract: A fluid control assembly that includes fluid valving, fluid regulation, automatic safety shut-off valving and manual shut-off valving in one assembly, a novel fluid control unit that integrates the above functions in one unit, and a novel ignitor and a novel seal and diaphragm for use in the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: David D. Martin, Douglas W. Ray
  • Patent number: 5912518
    Abstract: A synchronous motor stator coil assembly has a bobbin with a pair of annular spaced flanges, with one flange having an open receptacle shell formed integrally on the outer face and extending axially outwardly. The receptacle has an electrical terminal pin centrally located in a cylindrical surface in the receptacle. The pin has a projection extending through a slot in the bobbin flange. A coil of continuous electrical conductor is wound on the bobbin with one end of the coil conductor attached to the pin projection. An electrical wiper contact is disposed in a slot in the cylindrical wall in spaced parallel relationship to the central terminal pin. A projection on the wiper extends through a slot in the bobbin flange and is connected to the opposite end of the coil conductor. The central pin and wiper contact permit a widely used low voltage coaxial type harness connector to be plugged into the receptacle for supplying low voltage power to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Inventor: Michael F. Misik
  • Patent number: 5890282
    Abstract: A control and panel assembly using a thin dielectric carrier strip upon which a sheet of conductive material is adhesively attached. The conductive sheet is perforated to form an array of spaced parallel discrete conductors. The conductors are initially formed as interconnected by transverse webs which are frangibly removed after attachment to the carrier. Individual stand up connectors are then attached to each of the conductors to form a carrier sub-assembly and the terminals are inserted through slots in a dielectric deck plate. Individual user actuated control components are then plugged directly into the terminals with user actuated shafts or levers extending through deck plate and carrier strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventors: Denis J. Leveque, James R. Jaeschke
  • Patent number: 5877033
    Abstract: A system for detecting certain improperly soldered electrical component connections to a printed circuit board includes methods and apparatus providing an automated means for detecting unsoldered component leads is disclosed. A connection pad divided into two portions, or land areas is bridged by the component lead when soldered. A test pad connected to one of the land areas provides a test point for detecting the presence or absence of an open circuit condition through the lead of an electrical component to a point in the circuit to which it is to be electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: The Foxboro Company
    Inventor: Michael L. Matern
  • Patent number: 5877670
    Abstract: A user adjustable switching controller for duty cycle regulating flow of current to an electrical load such as a resistance heater, particularly for cooking appliances. A load current switch, when closed by a user operated cam also energizes a heat motor which includes a resistive strip attached to one active leg of a U-shaped bi-metal member. In one embodiment the integrally formed load current switch snap spring is securely attached to the heated leg of a U-shaped bi-metal and the moveable contact arm pivoted on the base. The other leg of the U-shaped bi-metal is anchored to a base including one of the load-connecting stationary terminals; and, the anchored leg serves to provide ambient temperature compensation. In another embodiment, the integrally formed blade spring of the moveable contact member is pivoted on the active leg of the U-shaped bi-metal and the moveable contact arm welded to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventors: Scott B. Sehlhorst, Stephen Schamberger
  • Patent number: 5857845
    Abstract: An ignition/reignition circuit (10) for a gas burner (12) having separate flame sensing and ignition electrodes. The flame sensing electrode (25,30) trips a switch (Q1) upon transition from sensor output signals indicative of the sensed presence of a flame to a sensed absence. The switch is coupled to a spark generator circuit which includes a spark electrode (16) for reigniting the burner in the event of flame failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Raymond M. Paciorek