Patents Assigned to Metropolitan Industries
  • Patent number: 12147204
    Abstract: A panel monitor for retrofitting existing control panels is provided that includes a wide voltage range input. The wide voltage range input is capable of accepting digital signals ranging from 0V to about 500V. More particularly, the wide voltage range input can include at least one high voltage low current linear regulator coupled to a low input current opto-isolator. The panel monitor can further include a communication module that enables remote functionalities for the existing control panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James Andrew Nimmer
  • Patent number: 11892889
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for network switching. The device includes an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) configured to provide electrical power from a power grid to a battery and a modem. The device further includes the battery configured to provide electrical power to a cellular modem. The device also includes the cellular modem configured to provide internet connection to a remote device. The device in addition includes a network switch configured to switch internet connectivity between the modem and the cellular modem. The network switch, when the power grid is interrupted, switches from the modem to the cellular modem to provide internet connectivity to the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James Andrew Nimmer, John R. Kochan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11049678
    Abstract: A magnetic float switch is provided. The magnetic float switch can include a housing configured to float in a liquid, response circuitry located inside the housing, an internal chamber located inside the housing, a float state indicator housed within the internal chamber, and an actuating arm housed outside the internal chamber and coupled to the response circuitry. In operation, when a position of the housing changes so as to indicate an increasing level of the liquid, the float state indicator can move within the internal chamber from a first position to a second position to initiate a magnetic force between the float state indicator and the actuating arm so as to actuate the actuating arm from an inactive position to an active position. Then, when the actuating arm is in the active position, the response circuitry can initiate a response to the increasing level of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James Andrew Nimmer, Joseph Kenneth Burza
  • Patent number: 11008738
    Abstract: A pump control system receives inputs from a low level fluid level sensor, a high level fluid level sensor, and/or a temperature sensor. Based on inputs from the sensors, and in response to sensed trouble conditions, duplex pumping or pump specific simplex operation is restricted based on past and present pump current draws. Furthermore, using the temperature sensor and a temperature sensor output device, the temperature of the sump environment can be monitored at will from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Kochan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10827053
    Abstract: A message projecting device is provided. The device comprises a lens, an optical display having light-modulating capability, a light source, a communication port and circuitry coupled to the communication port and optical display. Light generated by the light source can be directed through the optical display and lens. A communication port can be configured to electronically couple the projecting device to a nearby electronic device. A communication signal received by the electronic device can be relayed to the message projector and be received by the communication port, Information carried on the communication signal can be recovered and conveyed to the optical display via the circuitry. A virtual image embodying the information can be generated by the optical display and projected through the lens onto a nearby display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Kochan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9680401
    Abstract: A control switch incorporates a solid state transducer, a strain gauge. The transducer responds to a local environmental condition, such as fluid level, or pressure and exhibits a parameter change which can be detected as an electrical output. Control circuits coupled to the transducer can sense the parameter change and switch a source of electrical energy to a load in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Kochan, Casey Barker
  • Publication number: 20150311817
    Abstract: An apparatus including a plurality of transformers each having a primary winding and a secondary winding where the secondary windings are connected in series, a battery, a plurality of switches, each coupled to one of the plurality of transformers, the switches intermittently closes to complete a circuit between the battery and the primary winding of the one transformer and a processor that individually activates the respective switches of the plurality of transformers in a predetermined order to generate an alternating current voltage across an output of the series connected secondary windings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Metropolitan Industries
    Inventor: Wayne Joseph Barkley, JR.
  • Patent number: 8979503
    Abstract: A control switch incorporates a solid state transducer, a strain gauge. The transducer responds to a local environmental condition, such as fluid level, or pressure and exhibits a parameter change which can be detected as an electrical output. Control circuits coupled to the transducer can sense the parameter change and switch a source of electrical energy to a load in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Kochan, Jr., Casey Barker
  • Patent number: 8907789
    Abstract: A pump control system includes a controller coupled to first and second pressure sensors. The sensors couple serial pressure related information to the controller. The controller can evaluate respective liquid levels, in response to received pressure related information from the sensors. A current sensor coupled to the controller can provide signals indicative of operation of one or more pumps coupled to the controller. The controller includes circuits to detect the presence of predetermined faults and to emit an audible fault indicator in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Kochan, Jr., Casey W. Barker, Anton Belehradek
  • Publication number: 20140037464
    Abstract: A control switch incorporates a solid state transducer, a strain gauge. The transducer responds to a local environmental condition, such as fluid level, or pressure and exhibits a parameter change which can be detected as an electrical output. Control circuits coupled to the transducer can sense the parameter change and switch a source of electrical energy to a load in response thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Kochan, JR., Casey Barker
  • Publication number: 20140017095
    Abstract: A control switch incorporates a solid state transducer, a strain gauge. The transducer responds to a local environmental condition, such as fluid level, or pressure and exhibits a parameter change which can be detected as an electrical output. Control circuits coupled to the transducer can sense the parameter change and switch a source of electrical energy to a load in response thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Kochan, JR., Casey Barker
  • Patent number: 8591198
    Abstract: A control switch incorporates a solid state transducer, a strain gauge. The transducer responds to a local environmental condition, such as fluid level, or pressure and exhibits a parameter change which can be detected as an electrical output. Control circuits coupled to the transducer can sense the parameter change and switch a source of electrical energy to a load in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Kochan, Jr., Casey Barker
  • Publication number: 20130197700
    Abstract: A pump control system includes a controller coupled to first and second pressure sensors. The sensors couple serial pressure related information to the controller. The controller can evaluate respective liquid levels, in response to received pressure related information from the sensors. A current sensor coupled to the controller can provide signals indicative of operation of one or more pumps coupled to the controller. The controller includes circuits to detect the presence of predetermined, prioritized, faults and to emit a wired or wireless fault indicator in response thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8226371
    Abstract: A pump control unit incorporates an accelerometer as a sensor. Responsive to outputs from the sensor, electrical load driving signals can be provided to energize a pump motor to reduce a fluid level in an enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Kochan
  • Patent number: 8186975
    Abstract: Pumps with low profile disk-type motors can incorporate an impeller into one or both rotors. Alternately, a separate impeller can be attached to a rotor. The pumps can be contained in housings without seals as the rotors need not be mechanically attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Kochan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8180496
    Abstract: A pump control system includes a plurality of different variable speed pumps. Each of the pumps can be operated at a different speed to equalize pump loads. A system wide proportional integral differential control loop increases and decreases the speed of all pump motors to maintain a desired system output pressure. A second proportional integral differential control loop associated with each pump adjusts pump speed to equalize a load profile for each respective pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Scoleri, Richard Potter
  • Patent number: 8149122
    Abstract: A wireless pump on/off system incorporates a radio receiver and an antenna. An RFID tag is carried on a float. The float can be located in a fluid whose level is to be controlled with at least a portion thereof protruding above the fluid level. Signal strength of a wireless received from the tag can be indicative of at least one fluid level, and responsive thereto a pump can be activated. The pump can be deactivated in response to another received wireless signal, loss of the activating signal indicative of another fluid level or expiration of a preset time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph K. Burza
  • Publication number: 20110273288
    Abstract: A pump control system includes a controller coupled to first and second pressure sensors. The sensors couple serial pressure related information to the controller. The controller can evaluate respective liquid levels, in response to received pressure related information from the sensors. A current sensor coupled to the controller can provide signals indicative of operation of one or more pumps coupled to the controller. The controller includes circuits to detect the presence of predetermined faults and to emit an audible fault indicator in response thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Kochan, JR., Casey W. Barker, Anton Belehradek
  • Publication number: 20110064564
    Abstract: An axial flow pump includes a perforated impeller through which fluid being pumped flows. The pump can carry a stator which can interact with magnetic elements rotatably carried with the impeller to produce rotation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Kochan, JR.
  • Patent number: 7615954
    Abstract: A pump control system incorporates one or more solid state level sensors as well as solid state pump control switches. Elimination of mechanical or electrode-mechanical parts by using ultrasonically based fluid level sensors as well as solid state switches for motor control enhances reliability and results in reduced power consumption and dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Potter, Anton Belehradek, Adam Pleticha