Patents Assigned to American Standard
  • Thermistor probe for exposed sensing element for direct immersion in refrigerant flows
    Patent number: 4987749
    Abstract: A fast response temperature probe, and method of manufacture, for use in the refrigerant line of a refrigeration system comprising: a temperature sensitive element; means for operably connecting the temperature sensitive element to a control line of a refrigeration system controller; an inner housing supporting the temperature sensitive element at a first end and enclosing the operable connection means; and an outer housing surrounding the temperature sensitive element and the inner housing, the outer housing including at least one aperture located in proximity to the temperature sensitive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Terence D. Baier
  • Adjustable air brake hose support for railway vehicles
    Patent number: 4986500
    Abstract: An adjustable support arrangement for suspending an air brake hose from the coupler of a railway vehicle including an elongated rubber bungee and a pair of spring wire clip connectors. The rubber bunges includes a resilient circular cross-section intermediate portion and two rectangular cross-section end portions, each having a plurality of axially spaced elongated through holes. Each of the pair of spring wire clip connectors including a hook portion, which is threaded through a selected one of the elongated holes formed in the respective ends of the rubber bungee, and including a thumb-engaging loop portion for opening and closing the spring wire clip connectors and for being interlocked with the hook portion when excessive deformation occurs to either of the spring wire clip connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest J. Campbell
  • Wheel spin control system
    Patent number: 4987543
    Abstract: An energy storage wheel spin propulsion control system for detecting and correcting a spinning wheel situation so that the maximum available adhesion is utilized to the fullest extent in accelerating a railway vehicle while at the same time maximizing the use of the available processing time to permit an appropriate amount of time for diagnostic purposes. The primary data used to form the logic inputs is derived from the axle rate signals which are fed to spin energy storage value threshold and difference comparison sensors. The spin energy storage value and difference comparison sensors supply logical inputs in spin energy threshold, dissipation threshold and optimization threshold sensors and spin rate difference sum sensor, respectively, which, in turn, supply logic inputs to spin enable timer and spin enable sensors and a spin control logic output sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Wood, Richard J. Mazur
  • Incremental electrically actuated valve
    Patent number: 4986085
    Abstract: An electrically actuated valve for incremental fluid flow rate control is disclosed. The valve is comprised of a valve body having an interior with a planar outlet surface against which a rectilinear valve element is slidingly operated. The valve body includes an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in the planar outlet surface for fluid flow through the valve body. The valve element has an orifice therethrough controlling flow through the outlet orifice in accordance with the position of the valve element, which is linearly actuated by a rotary stepper motor. Linear actuation of the valve element by the rotary stepper motor is accomplished by a shaft extending through and rotating in bearings at opposing ends of the valve body. A drive key on the shaft interfits a corresponding slot in the valve element and converts rotary motion of the shaft to linear motion of the valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Tischer
  • Flushing mechanism with low water consumption
    Patent number: 4984311
    Abstract: A flushing mechanism for flushing a toilet bowl with a reduced amount of water. The flushing mechanism includes a containment vessel adapted to fit in a standard-sized toilet tank and means within the containment vessel for forcing water out of the vessel into the bowl to be flushed. In a first embodiment, the containment vessel includes an elastic bladder which is filled with the liquid and expands to provide the additional pressure. In a second embodiment, a piston spring system forces liquid out of the containment vessel to flush the bowl. A hydraulic actuation system is also provided for actuating the flushing mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Basile, Ashvani K. Madan, Fred E. Snyder, Harold M. Stillman
  • Shut-off valve for scald prevention
    Patent number: 4981261
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for the prevention of scalding in showers and other such installations. The assembly includes a valve assembly within a mixed water supply line and a temperature sensitive element for controlling the operation of the valve assembly. The valve assembly is preferably designed to allow some leakage when in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Konrad Bergmann, Josef Ems, Hans Nikolayczik
  • Method and apparatus for insuring operation of a multiple part system controller
    Patent number: 4982404
    Abstract: In a system controller having multiple parts including a microprocessor, a main program for execution upon the microprocessor, and at least one clock interrupt handler portion, a method and apparatus for insuring proper operation comprised of providing a main counter and a delay counter in the main program providing a hardware watching timer, and providing in the clock interrupt handler means for starting the hardware watchdog timer and decrementing the main counter of the main program. The hardware watchdog timer reinitializes the main program in the event that the main program fails to respond to the clock interrupt handler and the delay counter reinitializes the main program and the clock interrupt handler in the event that the watchdog timer fails to operate. Therefore, each of the multiple parts of the system controller serve to insure the functionality of the other parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Hartman
  • Transducer operational fault determination system
    Patent number: 4979391
    Abstract: A dynamic diagnostic operational transducer fault detection system including a first logic network which is connected to a low level pressure offset circuit and to an operational transducer to transducer equivalence check circuit. The low level pressure offset circuit is connected to a second logic network. The operational transducer to transducer equivalance check circuit is connected to the first logic network and to an operational transducer to transducer comparison check circuit. The second logic network is connected to a pair of transducer offset test check circuits. The pair of transducer offset test check circuits are connected to a third logic network. The third logic network is connected to a pair of high level transducer fault detector circuits which differentiate between a transducer failure and a dragging and/or stuck brake condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Drake, James A. Wood
  • Self-cleaning whirlpool system for bathtubs in general
    Patent number: 4979245
    Abstract: A self-cleaning whirlpool system for spas, including bathtubs, is disclosed. The system comprises a circulating pump connected to a water intake pipe, a filter and a hydraulic circuit having nozzles for whirlpool massage. An air intake circuit is provided for mixing air into the water delivered to the nozzles. Valve means are provided to close the nozzles to form a closed circuit. Cleansing agent is metered into the closed circuit, together with water, and is circulated through the closed circuit by means of the circulating pump. After the closed circuit is cleansed, the dirty water and cleaning agent are drained off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Luigi Gandini
  • Lever handle assembly for sanitary fixtures
    Patent number: 4977641
    Abstract: A lever handle assembly for a sanitary water fixture which includes a spindle for actuating the fixture. The lever handle assembly comprises the handle adapter, a handle sleeve having a handle lever, and a friction coupling. The handle adapter nonrotatably connects over the spindle, and the friction coupling couples the handle adapter to the handle sleeve, whereby the spindle can be selectively opened or closed by actuating the handle lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Rudolf Steffes
  • Brake assurance circuit operative in response to a low brake pipe pressure
    Patent number: 4978179
    Abstract: A low brake pipe pressure detecting circuit for a railway train is provided in conjunction with a conventional vent valve device typically associated with the locomotive brake valve device to exhaust the train brake pipe pressure and thereby effect an emergency brake application. Conventional pneumatic pilot valve devices are interconnected with the vent valve device to actuate the vent valve device only for a limited duration following which the pilot valves are automatically reset to effect closure of the vent valve device preparatory to recharging brake pipe pressure to obtain a subsequent brake release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Richard F. Balukin
  • Vent valve device
    Patent number: 4974911
    Abstract: A vent valve device having a pair of diaphragm-type piston members forming a pilot chamber therebetween. The one piston controls a vent valve via which brake pipe pressure is vented locally, while the other piston controls a pilot valve a control venting of the pilot chamber. A breather choke between the pilot chamber on one side of the other piston and a control chamber on the opposite side establishes a predetermined pressure differential thereacross only when brake pipe pressure supplied to the pilot chamber is reduced at an emergency rate to thereby actuate the other piston to a position opening the pilot valve. In addition, this other piston operates a cut-off valve to isolate the pilot chamber from brake pipe pressure so that the pilot valve quickly exhausts pilot chamber pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Hart
  • Control method and apparatus for refrigeration system
    Patent number: 4974420
    Abstract: In a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser exposed to a cooling medium for causing condensation of the refrigerant within the refrigeration system and an apparatus for controlling the flow of the cooling medium, a control method and apparatus for operating the flow control apparatus in response to suction pressure or suction temperature as sensed at the compressor. In an exemplary system utilizing air as the cooling medium and a fan for causing airflow, the fan is started after compressor start-up when sensed suction pressure rises above a predetermined amount. An additional feature includes an adaptive time limited compressor cut-out protection for low ambient temperature operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Kramer
  • Freight brake control valve having improved quick service function
    Patent number: 4974910
    Abstract: A freight brake control valve device for a railway vehicle having a service piston slide valve arranged with a detent to latch the service piston in preliminary quick service position until such time as the application pressure differential acting on the piston exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Hart
  • System for assuring recharge of brake pipe pressure in holding position of locomotive brake valve
    Patent number: 4971399
    Abstract: In an electropneumatic brake control system including a brake valve in which a holding position permits brake pipe recharge without effecting a concurrent release of brakes, there is provided an arrangement for preventing a release control valve of a penalty application valve from being actuated to a position in which charging of equalizing reservoir pressure is interrupted when the brake valve handle is in Holding position, as well as Release position during electropneumatic brake control, while preventing such actuation of the penalty release control valve only in Release position in the event the electropneumatic brake control is inoperative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Balukin, Robert J. Worbois, John R. Reiss, Frank J. Jerina
  • Method and apparatus for protecting the finished surfaces of sanitary fixtures
    Patent number: 4970733
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of protecting the finished surfaces of a sanitary fixture against damage during installation and construction at an installation site. In general, the method involves installing a removable protective covering over substantially all the finished surfaces of a sanitary fixture, prior to delivering the sanitary fixture to the installation site. Thereafter, the sanitary fixture and the installed protective covering, as a single unit, are delivered to the installation site. After, completion of installation and construction, and removal of the protective covering from the finished surfaces of the sanitary fixture, the finished surfaces thereof are free from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Cocciadiferro, Robert J. De Serio
  • Device for fastening covering elements to a sanitary fixture
    Patent number: 4970731
    Abstract: A fastening assembly coupled to a hinge assembly of a sanitary fixture so that a seat and/or cover can be pivotably mounted thereto. The fastening assembly includes a deformable elastic bushing, which is positioned in each mounting hole provided on the rear shelf of the sanitary fixture, an internally threaded ring mounted in the lower end of the bushing, and a rod having a complimentary threaded lower end threadedly coupled to the threaded ring which deforms the bushing when drawn upwards to its mounted position. Thereafter, a hinge post is mounted over the upper end of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Claudio Fait
  • Speed sensor gap fault-detection arrangement for multiple-axle rail vehicles
    Patent number: 4972145
    Abstract: A magnetic speed sensor air gap fault-detection arrangement having a two-input AND gate for each of the two-axle trucks of a railway vehicle for conditioning a gap process circuit common to each axle. Each of the gap process circuits of each axle is activated to provide a logical "1" output to an associated two-input AND gate. The associated two-input AND gates each outputs a logical "1" to a respective gap counter circuit when the axle rate reaches a predetermined value. The respective gap counter circuits count the logical "1's" and activate an associated gap fault check circuit to reset the respective gap counter circuit and to display an error code and to output a logical "1" signal to the dynamic diagnostic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Wood, John W. Drake
  • Drain assembly for sanitary fixture with built-in overflow device
    Patent number: 4969217
    Abstract: A drain assembly for a sanitary fixture with a built-in overflow device is disclosed. The sanitary fixture includes a main drain pipe, one end of which is mounted to the outlet opening thereof. The overflow device includes a conduit in the form of an inverted "U", each end of which is mounted, respectively, upstream and downstream of the stopper assembly which is mounted in the main drain pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Luigi Gandini
  • Combined single control valve and spout
    Patent number: D312119
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Konrad Bergmann