Patents Assigned to Robertshaw Controls Company
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Publication number: 20180347714Abstract: Provided herein are embodiments of a refrigerator valve and method of routing water through a refrigerator with the valve. The valve includes three valve bodies that route water in a refrigerator to different features. The middle valve body is higher than the two outer valve bodies, allowing the solenoid actuators to be mounted in a space-saving manner. The three valve bodies are linked by a central core pin that can be continuous or discontinuous such that the central core pin can provide fluid communication between all three valve bodies or divide the valve into two separate but linked valves. In a valve with a discontinuous central core pin, one valve body is isolated from the other two valve bodies so as to provide a redundant shutoff and allow a filter of a filtration unit to be replaced without having to shut off the water being supplied to the refrigerator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2017Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Jay P. Griswold, Todd D. Tiefenbach
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Publication number: 20180313463Abstract: A pilot operated valve is provided. The pilot operated valve includes a valve body defining an inlet, an outlet and a main valve seat. The pilot operated valve includes a valving member having a diaphragm and an insert. The insert defines a pilot valve seat and an insert stem. The valving member selectively seals against the main valve seat to separate the inlet from the outlet. The pilot operated valve includes a solenoid assembly having an armature with an armature end. The armature end and the pilot valve seat are located inside the guide tube. The armature end selectively seals against the pilot valve seat inside the guide tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2017Publication date: November 1, 2018Applicant: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Kenneth A. Bergbauer, Paul C. Berkley
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Patent number: 10100938Abstract: A gas control valve and method of controlling a gas control valve to provide infinite adjustability is provided. The gas control valve defines a fluid flow path. A flow adjustment arrangement within the fluid flow path has a plurality of discrete open configurations. Each discrete open configuration establishes a different flow rate through the fluid flow path. A controller operatively cyclically alternates the flow adjustment arrangement between different ones of the discrete configurations to provide an average flow rate through the fluid flow path that is between the flow rates permitted by the different ones of the discrete open configurations. The controller establishes residence times at the various ones of the discrete open configurations such that the resultant flow rate is the desired flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2008Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: ROBERTSHAW CONTROLS COMPANYInventor: Michael J. Millius
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Publication number: 20180292016Abstract: A multi-port valve is provided. The multi-port valve includes a housing which defines an internal cavity. The housing further includes a plurality of ports. Each of the plurality of ports is in communication with the internal cavity. A shell body is rotatably disposed within the internal cavity. A seal member is also provided which has a plurality of openings and surrounds the shell body such that it circumscribes the shell body within the internal cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Applicant: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Joe Ledvora, Philip C. Hawken, Thomas J. Davern
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Publication number: 20180283572Abstract: A water valve, guide tube for a water valve, and associated method are provided. The water valve includes a housing and the guide tube is installed on the housing via laser welding. The guide tube and housing each provide axially facing mating surfaces which abut one another in a pre-bonded configuration. In a post-bonded configuration, a laser weld joint is formed at the interface between the mating surfaces. The joint forms a portion of an outer periphery of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Shane Duncan Bartow, Paul Charles Berkley, James E. Pearson
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Publication number: 20180119955Abstract: A method for detecting a flame is provided. The method includes the step of providing alternating current to a flame rectification probe to produce a first voltage as an input for a sense circuit, wherein the flame rectification probe is placed in proximity to the flame. The method further includes the step of conditioning the first voltage using the sense circuit to produce a second voltage. Additionally, the method includes the steps of outputting the second voltage to a microcontroller, and determining with the microcontroller whether the flame is present based on a magnitude of the second voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Daniel Zuzuly, Michael Pietraszak
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Publication number: 20170227276Abstract: A rotary damper is provided. The rotary damper includes a first housing plate having a substantially flat substrate with a first plurality of windows; a rotary disc having a substantially flat substrate with a second plurality of windows, wherein the rotary disc is in rotatable communication with the first housing plate; and a motor that drives rotation of the rotary disc relative to the first housing plate such that the rotary disc rotates from a first configuration in which the second plurality of windows overlaps with the first plurality of windows of the first housing plate to at least a second configuration in which the second plurality of windows on the rotary disc and the first plurality of windows on the first housing plate do not overlap. Also provided is a refrigeration/freezer unit utilizing the rotary damper to control airflow between a freezer compartment and a refrigeration compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2016Publication date: August 10, 2017Applicant: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: James E. Pearson, Paul H. Tuma
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Patent number: 9645585Abstract: A variable flow rate gas control valve for use in consumer and commercial appliances is presented. The valve utilizes two or more solenoids to control the operating position of two different valve members whose orifices are sized in an exponential relationship with one another. By opening one or more of the valving members in various combinations, a variable flow rate of gaseous fuel may be controlled in integer multiple steps from full off to full on. The solenoid configurations may be in line, opposing, or symmetrical about an axis of the valve. The number of unique flow rates (F) is related to the number of solenoids (N) as F=2N. The relationship between the size (S) of the individual gas control orifices for each of the solenoids is related to N by the relationship S=2n?1 for each individual gas control orifice (n) numbered 1 to N.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2009Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Tam Nguyen, James D. Kimble
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Publication number: 20170122574Abstract: Appliances, such as hot water heaters, hot water heater controllers, and methods of operating such hot water heaters, that take into consideration the availability and capacity of alternative energy sources so that additional efficiencies can be realized by sensing the availability of an alternative energy source and adjusting the control algorithms used to control the use of the available electric power is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2016Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Joseph Ferron, Wayne Robert Schindler
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Publication number: 20170114913Abstract: Presented are embodiments of pressure relief valves for use in water supply systems to prevent damage thereto caused by over pressure resulting from freezing of the water therein. In one embodiment the pressure relief valve is included in an electromechanical solenoid controlled water valve particularly useful in appliances such as washing machines, water heaters, refrigerators, etc. Prior to the main valving member, a spring loaded pressure relief valving member is included. Once the pressure within the valve exceeds the spring force, which is set below the failure pressure of the water supply system and the valve, the pressure relief valving member opens to allow a flow of water therethrough. Alternatively or additionally, a temperature active device such as a bi-metal disc is interposed between the spring and the pressure relief valving member to provide actuation thereof below a predetermined temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: James E. Pearson, Stefan John Szewczyk, Gary Richard Millikan
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Publication number: 20170102166Abstract: A system to reduce standby losses in a hot water heater is presented. The system utilizes a dual safety relay valve between the combination gas controller and the burner. The dual safety relay valve bypasses gas to a rotary damper actuator valve to position a damper flapper valve located over/inside the flue pipe. Once the flapper valve has opened to ensure combustion, the gas is allowed to flow back to the dual safety relay valve. Some of the bypass gas may be diverted to boost the pilot or to supply a booster. The dual safety relay valve is then opened to allow the gas supply to the burner. Once the burner is turned off, bypass gas bleeds out of the rotary damper actuator valve to close the damper flapper valve to reduce standby losses through the flue pipe, and to allow the dual safety relay valve to close tightly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Applicant: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Geoffrey Mervyn Whitford, Brendon John Ruwoldt, Juraj Gacsay
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Publication number: 20160356026Abstract: A valve includes a valve housing with a valve inlet and valve outlet. A valve member is disposed between the valve inlet and valve outlet. The valve member is movable between an open and closed position. The valve has one or more electronic sensors disposed in the valve housing. The one or more electronic sensors may include an electronic flow meter, a temperature sensor, pressure sensor, and/or a position sensor. A wireless RF transmitter is electrically coupled to the one or more electronic sensors. The wireless RF transmitter is configured to wirelessly communicate information from the one or more electronic sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Applicant: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventor: Kevin J. Engler
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Patent number: 9423153Abstract: An unregulated gas valve for a water heater that includes an inlet configured to receive a gas flow into the gas valve, an outlet configured to direct a portion of the gas flow to a combustion chamber, a pilot line configured to direct a portion of the gas flow to a pilot flame, and a dial configured to regulate the flow of gas into the gas valve, and further configured to select a water temperature setting.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Can Trong Nguyen, Raymond Joubran
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Publication number: 20160209045Abstract: An electro-mechanical energy regulator for controlling an application of power supplied to a heating element of a cooking appliance that provides simmer operation is provided. The temperature and/or mode of operation is made via a user interface knob that is coupled to a switching control cam. This cam has an outer profile configured to drive a switching element via a power switch cam follower to close two power line contacts to power a heater. The heater drives a bimetal element whose deflection forces a temperature control switching element to close to enable power to flow to the heating element. The regulator also includes a cooking mode selector operable to open and close a pair of electrical contacts coupled in series with the heating element, and a diode coupled in parallel with the pair of electrical contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2015Publication date: July 21, 2016Applicant: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventor: Michael J. Millius
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Patent number: 9366351Abstract: A water tight valve with sealed flying leads is presented. The sealing is provided by an adhesive heat shrink collar that is affixed to the insulation of the flying leads. An overmolding is used to provide further protection of the terminal/wire contact interface and to seal against the exterior surface of the collar. The profile of the collar also provides a tortuous path that further prevents the ingress of any conductive fluid to the wire/terminal contact area.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2010Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Kevin J. Engler, Russell A. Meyer
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Patent number: D761743Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Kevin J. Engler, James E. Pearson, Thomas J. Davern
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Patent number: D784495Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: James E. Pearson, Mark A. Hentschel
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Patent number: D790485Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Kevin J. Engler, James E. Pearson, Thomas J. Davern
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Patent number: D798346Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: James E. Pearson, Paul H. Tuma
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Patent number: D806833Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: James E. Pearson, Mark A. Hentschel