Patents Examined by Aaron Heyamoto
  • Patent number: 9897315
    Abstract: A safety device against gas leaks for an apparatus having at least one gas tap or the like (1) includes control means (11), safety means (22) and detection means (12, 53), for detecting possible presence of gas in a surrounding environment. The detection means (12, 53) are in signal communication with the control means (11), which are configured for controlling the safety means (22) in function of detections earned out by the detection means (12, 53), in order to prevent or interrupt the inflow of combustible gas to a burner. The control means (11) and the safety means (22) belong to a first functional unit (A) of the device (A, B), which is coupled or configured for the coupling with a portion of the body (2) of the tap (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ELTEK S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fabio Nebbia, Costanzo Gadini
  • Patent number: 9897327
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus comprises a housing forming an oven cavity within the housing. A door is attached to the housing for selectively opening and closing the oven cavity. The door comprises an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface includes a vent in fluid communication with an air channel within the door. A movable blocking element for selectively opens and closes the vent. The movable blocking element is biased against the vent when the door is open, thereby closing the vent when the door is open. The movable blocking element is configured to translate linearly within the door, toward the vent and away from the outer surface of the door to close the vent, and toward the outer surface of the door and away from the vent to open the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Thomas Phillips, Brian Martin, Tommaso Raggi, Gabriele Gardini
  • Patent number: 9897329
    Abstract: A cooktop is provided that has a downdraft ventilator with a seal arrangement that may include a plenum seal and a vent grate seal. The plenum and vent grate seals may be arranged at interconnections of a plenum, a panel of the cooktop, and a vent grate to provide a layered and substantially airtight interconnection between such components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Western Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Sosso, John J. Huber, Christopher R. Irgens, Gerhart S. Langenbach
  • Patent number: 9885495
    Abstract: A modular liquid heating assembly includes a plurality of liquid delivery modules in series. The liquid delivery modules each include a module body having an inlet fitting, an outlet fitting, and a plurality of vessel coupling ports. The vessel coupling ports each include inflow and outflow orifices. The inlet and outlet fittings and the plurality of vessel coupling ports are in serial communication with each other through respective inflow and outflow orifices of the plurality of vessel coupling ports. At least one of the liquid delivery modules are configured for coupling with an inflow liquid line coupled with a liquid reservoir. Similarly at least one of the liquid delivery modules are configured for coupling with an outflow liquid line coupled with the liquid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Bonnette
  • Patent number: 9851095
    Abstract: A candle holder comprising a body having a mouth, a base and sides that connect the mouth to the base is provided. The mouth comprises an opening arranged to receive a candle and at least a portion of the sides taper inwardly from the mouth towards the base. The inward most point of the tapered portion of the sides defines an aperture having a size which is less than that of the widest part of the candle. Also provided are a candle and a candle stand having a catching device for use with the candle holder. In use, wax and waste material from the candle pass through the aperture of the candle holder into the catching device. Thus, the candle holder can be reused repeatedly without the need for cleaning or replacement of the candle holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Barrett, Michael Murphy
  • Patent number: 9816425
    Abstract: An air heating apparatus may comprise a housing with a path through an interior of the housing between openings in the housing. An isolating wall may divide the interior into primary and secondary chambers, and may have a transfer opening through which the path extends from the primary to secondary chambers. An air heating assembly may comprise an engine in the primary chamber, a heat generator in the primary chamber and connected to the engine, and a main heat exchanger in the secondary chamber and in fluid communication with the heat generator to transfer heat generated by the heat generator to air flowing along the path. The apparatus may include an air movement assembly configured to move air along the path and comprises a primary fan between the primary and secondary chambers to move air from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: JR Koop, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Koopmann, Nathan Thompson, Luke Tooley, Joseph Naglestad, Chris Wielenga
  • Patent number: 9815154
    Abstract: A header box, a furnace and a blocked condensation protection system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the header box includes: (1) a first channel having a first channel supply port positioned to be in fluid communication with an inlet of a combustion air blower and a first pressure port couplable to a first input of a pressure sensing device, the combustion air blower and the pressure sensing device associated with the cold end header box and (2) a second channel having a second channel supply port positioned to be in fluid communication with the inlet of the combustion air blower, a second pressure port couplable to a second input of the pressure sensing device and a pressure reference inlet, the second channel in fluid communication with the first channel and configured to have about a same pressure as the first channel when the pressure reference inlet is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn W. Kowald, Hans J. Paller
  • Patent number: 9784448
    Abstract: A method for regulating the combustible mixture such as air/gas, air/methane gas or the like fed to a burner, the method including measuring a flame signal correlated with the composition of the mixture fed by feed members controlled by a combustion controller arranged to regulate the combustion on the basis of the flame signal. During burner operation the mixture feed conditions are modified within a narrow time interval to obtain a flame signal variation; a ratio between values of this the flame signal at the end and at the beginning of the interval is compared with a predetermined reference value; and, on the basis of the deviation of this ratio from the reference value, the flame set point is regulated, as consequently is the air or gas of the mixture if this is rendered necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: BERTELLI & PARTNERS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Bertelli
  • Patent number: 9777930
    Abstract: A telescoping downdraft ventilator with a movable fan and efficient way of removing gases and fumes is disclosed. The telescoping downdraft ventilator has the ability to fit behind a cook top unit beneath a countertop when the cook top unit is located against a wall. The telescoping downdraft ventilator has a fan that may be attached in front of the unit or behind the unit. The ventilator collects and draws in exhaust fumes and smoke, filters it, and re-circulates or expels it through a movable exhaust duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Western Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhart S. Langenbach, John J. Huber, William Punzel, Conrad G. Bohlman
  • Patent number: 9746178
    Abstract: A self-regenerative combustion system comprising a single burner, capable of operating both during the combustion step and the waste gas aspiration step, and a valve with four ways and three positions, capable of switching the regeneration and the on/off control (oxydizing agent end and waste gas end). The system is provided for obtaining the maximum efficiency, flexibility, minimum fuel consumption and minimum environmental impact with reduced NOx emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.P.A.
    Inventors: Davide Astesiano, Claudio Leoncini
  • Patent number: 9739506
    Abstract: An solar energy harvester and method for controlling the solar energy harvester, in which an insolation collector is formed of one or more elements each having two opposite major sides, a first side and a second side, and being configured to collect energy from insolation incident on any of the first and second sides. A cradle enables installation of the insolation collector on a roof with the first side generally towards the sun independently of the form of the roof. One or more heliostats reflect insolation to the second side of the insolation collector. A controller controls the one or more heliostats to maintain reflected insolation incident on the collector and to decrease the reflected insolation incident on the collector when necessary to inhibit the insolation collector receiving insolation exceeding given threshold through its first and second sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: SOLIXI OY
    Inventor: Jyri Jaakkola
  • Patent number: 9732965
    Abstract: A baking appliance includes a heatable baking chamber and a door that closes the baking chamber. The door includes an inner pane facing the baking chamber when the door is closed and an outer pane facing outward when the door is closed. At least one holding element is configured to arrange the inner pane and outer pane so as to form at least one ventilation channel between the inner pane and outer pane. At least one cooling element is associated with the at least one holding element and extends into the at least one ventilation channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: MIELE & CIE. KG
    Inventor: Uwe Keller
  • Patent number: 9719387
    Abstract: Injection nozzle 7 and electrode rods 8 and 9 (ignitor) are surrounded by double-cylinder flame stabilizer 10. Toroidal blocking plate 13 closes between inner and outer cylinders 11 and 12 of the stabilizer at its distal end whose proximal end is connected with line 15 for introducing combustion air 14 to between the cylinders. Inflow holes 16 are formed throughout the inner cylinder at its proximal end. Peripheral fins 17 are formed peripherally on the inner cylinder radially inwardly through cutting and bending-up at positions shifted from the inflow holes toward the distal end of the inner cylinder such that combustion air is introduced from circumferentially to form swirling flow inside the inner cylinder. End fins 18 are formed on the blocking plate in fuel injection direction through cutting and bending-up such that combustion air is discharged circumferentially to form swirling flow around flame 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ichiro Tsumagari, Ryo Shibuya, Masazumi Takayasu
  • Patent number: 9719694
    Abstract: A solar heat collecting element for use in solar troughs and solar power systems. The solar heat collecting element includes a conduit for carrying a heat transfer fluid; a light transparent envelope disposed about the conduit; and an edge welded metal bellows assembly coupling a first end of the conduit with a first end of the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: David Velasco, John Ditri, Nancy E. Wasson, Kristopher Thomas Heick
  • Patent number: 9702550
    Abstract: An electrically stabilized burner is configured to support a combustion reaction such as a combustion reaction substantially at a selected fuel dilution and with a mixing rate selected to maximize the reaction rate without quenching the combustion reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: CLEARSIGN COMBUSTION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph Colannino, Robert E. Breidenthal, Igor A. Krichtafovitch, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 9681773
    Abstract: An oven comprising a housing, a cavity, an H-shaped rotating door, a motor and a heat source is disclosed. The cavity, which includes an opening, is located within the housing. The H-shaped rotating door, which can be rotated by the motor, includes a first food loading section and a second food loading section. The H-shaped rotating door also serves as a cover to prevent heat within the cavity from escaping through the opening. The heat source provides heat to the cavity to heat up any food item placed on one of the food loading sections located within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Ovention, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip R. McKee, John Denman
  • Patent number: 9670428
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for starting up a gasifying reactor comprising a plurality of burners. Each burner is thereby charged with combustible dust from a metering vessel (1) via a dense flow conveyor line (51, 52, 53, 54), which is assigned thereto, and with fuel gas via a gas conveyor line (62, 63), wherein a fuel mixture of combustible dust and combustible gas is provided prior to a moment of ignition of a burner, wherein a first composition of combustible dust and combustible gas, with which a first burner is charged for ignition, is regulated as a function of the fuel quantity, which was supplied to the second burner for ignition, after the ignition of a second burner, which is charged with a second composition of combustible dust and combustible gas for ignition, following the ignition of the first burner, so that the starting up of each of the plurality of burners of the gasifying reactor takes place under a regulated supply of the fuel load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Olaf Schulze, Anton Althapp, Michael Gätke, Burkhard Möller, Reinhold Grunwald, Wolfgang Rabe, Günter Scholz
  • Patent number: 9671115
    Abstract: A home appliance with a telescopic rack including a cavity with walls having an opposing set of ribs, a rack with opposing side edges, a slide coupled to an opposing side edge, and a brace coupled to the slide and capturing the opposing set of ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventor: Suad Elkasevic
  • Patent number: 9644865
    Abstract: A solar receiver system includes a panel mounted to a multiple of standoffs such that the panel is spaced away from the support structure to provide convective cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: SOLARRESERVE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Johnny Mandel
  • Patent number: 9642374
    Abstract: A matchbox oven is disclosed. The matchbox oven includes a housing having a cavity and first and second openings. A surface is movable only in a single axis and a single plane, a first portion of the surface is located substantially within the cavity when a second portion of the surface is located substantially outside the cavity, and the first portion of the surface is located substantially outside the cavity when the second portion of the surface is located substantially within the cavity. A plurality of stoppers are attached onto the surface, wherein two of the stoppers substantially block the first and second openings when one of the first and second portions of the surface is located within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Ovention, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip R McKee