Patents Examined by Daniel E Namay
  • Combustion device having double-layer structure
    Patent number: 11209160
    Abstract: A combustion device having a double-layer structure includes a main body, which is double layered, including an inner-layer wall and an outer-layer wall disposed outside of and spaced from the inner-layer wall such that the inner-layer wall and the outer-layer wall include a hollow disposed therebetween. The inner-layer wall forms a fuel receptacle with an opening. A wick has an end defining fuel-drawing end inserted into the fuel receptacle through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Pro-Iroda Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Wei Cheng Wu
  • Condensate drain system for a furnace
    Patent number: 11209187
    Abstract: A condensate drain system for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a heat exchanger having a plurality of tubes configured to receive ambient air and fluidly coupled to a drain via a conduit, a valve positioned along the conduit between the plurality of tubes and the drain, where the valve is configured to enable a flow of condensate from within the plurality of tubes toward the drain in an open position and the block the flow in a closed position, and a controller configured to adjust a position of the valve based on feedback indicative of an operational state of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Madhuka M. Jayarathne
  • Evaporator unit for a fuel-operated vehicle heater
    Patent number: 11198347
    Abstract: An evaporator assembly (10), in particular for a fuel-operated vehicle heater (12), comprising a pot-like evaporator reception (14), an evaporator body (16) inserted into the pot-like evaporator reception (14), a plate-like designed hold-down element (18), which is fixed to the evaporator reception (14) and fixes the evaporator body (16) in the evaporator reception (14), and wherein the plate-like designed hold-down element (18) has at least one retaining claw (22), which has an upper part (26) on an upper side (24) of the plate-like designed hold-down element (18) and a lower part (30) on a lower side (28) of the plate-like designed hold-down element (18), wherein the upper part (26) and the lower part (30) point away from the plate-like designed hold-down element (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Klaus Mösl, Bengt Meier, Vitali Dell, Jan Steffens
  • Engine HSG loading for rapid cabin warmup
    Patent number: 11186142
    Abstract: A method of rapidly increasing a temperature within a hybrid vehicle includes receiving an on input from a temperature control system after the vehicle engine has been turned on. In response to receiving the on input, an ambient temperature, a coolant temperature, and a battery state of charge are detected. When the ambient temperature is less than a predetermined threshold, the coolant temperature is less than a predetermined threshold, and the battery SOC is less than a predetermined threshold, a charge mode of the vehicle is changed to a charge increasing mode to thus increase the coolant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Schlingmann, Ryan Miller
  • HVAC systems and methods with improved heating element control
    Patent number: 11187436
    Abstract: Systems, tools, and methods are presented that enable a circuit to introduce a random time delay before actuating a relay to start or stop a supply of electrical power to a heating element of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In one instance, the circuit includes a time-delay switch electrically connected to the relay. The time-delay switch has a random time delay before entering a closed state or open state. The relay is operable to start and stop a supply of electrical power to the heating element in response to the switch entering, respectively, the closed state and the open state. Other systems, tools and methods are presented. Other systems, tools and methods are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Powell, Lee Nelson, Hermon Alan Boyd
  • Over firing protection of combustion unit
    Patent number: 11175040
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for protection of a combustion unit of a chemical process against over firing, the burner(s) of the combustion unit are limited by a fuel and duty limiter which limits the duty based on process feeds, combustion gas and fuel flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: HALDOR TOPSØE A/S
    Inventors: Emil Andreas Tjärnehov, Anne Krog Jensen, Christian Henrik Speth, Peter Bruun Jensen
  • Indirect gas furnace
    Patent number: 11168898
    Abstract: A high turndown furnace for an air handling system. In one example, the furnace includes a plurality of tubes divisible by four with a first modulating valve supplying gas to ¼ of the tubes and a second modulating valve supplying gas to ¾ of the tubes. In one aspect, the furnace is capable of providing a 16:1 turndown. In one aspect, the furnace is capable of providing seamless turndown operation throughout the entire firing range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Greenheck Fan Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Baker, Brandon Krautkramer
  • Water preconditioner system
    Patent number: 11168897
    Abstract: A water preconditioner system comprising a user interface for manually or automatically receiving inputs from a user, a mixing assembly including a plurality of control valves coupled to hot and cold water supply lines, and a controller in communication with the plurality of control valves and the user interface for controlling the operation of the system. The controller is configured to operate in a plurality of modes to precondition the water to one of a desired preset water dispensing temperature or a target temperature different from the desired preset water dispensing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Prexcel Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Gawthrop
  • Flame sensor assemblies and methods of replacing flame sensor assemblies
    Patent number: 11168885
    Abstract: A flame sensor assembly includes a flame sense rod and a flame sensor body. The flame sense rod includes a flame sensor end and a coupling end opposite the flame sensor. The flame sensor body defines a receptacle for receiving the coupling end of the flame sense rod, and includes an adjustable positioning bracket. The assembly also includes a wiring adapter for connecting the flame sensor body with a flame sense signal connector, and a mounting bracket adapted to mount the flame sensor body to a heating device with the flame sensor end of the flame sense rod positioned adjacent a flame of the heating device. Methods of replacing a flame sensor assembly for a heating device are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: David L. Vie
  • Process for operating a fuel-operated vehicle heater and fuel-operated vehicle heater
    Patent number: 11162680
    Abstract: A fuel-operated vehicle heater includes a burner area (12) with a combustion chamber (14); a fuel pump (24); and a combustion air blower (28). A pressure sensor (38) detects a feed back pressure. An actuating unit (36) actuates the fuel pump (24) with a predefined value of a pump operating variable, and actuates the combustion air blower with a predefined value of a blower operating variable. A heater process includes detecting the feed back pressure in case of a feed operating state set during the combustion operation and comparing the detected feed back pressure (Pe) with an expected feed back pressure (PE) for the set feed operating state. If the detected feed back pressure deviates from the expected feed back pressure the pump operating variable is changed such that the feed back pressure changes toward the expected feed pressure and/or essentially corresponds to the expected feed back pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Eberspächer Climate Control Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Blaschke, Michael Humburg, Wolfgang Pfister, Hans Jensen
  • Fuel-operated vehicle heater and method for operating a fuel-operated vehicle heater
    Patent number: 11161391
    Abstract: A method for operating a fuel-operated vehicle heater, wherein after receipt of a switch-off signal by a control unit of the fuel-operated vehicle heater, a shutdown phase is initiated, during which remaining fuel present in the fuel-operated vehicle heater is combusted, and wherein a restart phase is initiated by the control unit after receipt of a switch-on signal during the shutdown phase, without the shutdown phase being terminated after complete combustion of the remaining fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Andreas Rutsche, Johannes Wilhelm, Alexander Rombold
  • Flow control module and method for controlling the flow in a hydronic system
    Patent number: 11149964
    Abstract: A hydronic system (1) includes a side (3) with a first port (21) connected with a source element output (23), a second port (27) connected with a source element input (29), and a controllable primary side flow actuator (9) for providing a primary side flow (q1). Another side (5) has a third port (31) connected with a load element input (33), a fourth port (35) connected with a load element output (37), and a controllable secondary side flow actuator (13) providing a secondary side flow (q2). A transfer element (17) is connected with the first port, the second port, the third port and the fourth port. A flow control module (39) adapts a transfer element thermal power transfer by controlling the primary side flow actuator and/or the secondary side flow actuator by minimizing a signed deviation value (??v) that is correlated with the transfer element thermal power transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Agisilaos Tsouvalas, Casper Hillerup Lyhne
  • Fuel-operated vehicle heating device and method to operating a fuel-operated vehicle heating device
    Patent number: 11148504
    Abstract: A method to operate a fuel-operated vehicle heater comprising the lowering of a combustion air ratio ? between supplied combustion air and supplied fuel to a combustion chamber of the fuel-operated vehicle heater from a starting value ?start>1 to a range ?<?start for a time period ?t.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Andreas Rutsche, Vitali Dell, Matthias Pfau
  • Premixing device and combustion device
    Patent number: 11143399
    Abstract: The premixing device includes a first and a second venturi having a pressure reducing portion for air, and a gas supply passage for supplying fuel gas to the venturis, and generates air-fuel mixture by mixing fuel gas with air flowing in the venturi by using a fan and supplies the air-fuel mixture to a burner. A first and a second nozzles for reducing pressure of fuel gas are disposed in the gas supply passage, and the first and the second nozzles are formed in the same nozzle shape as the pressure reducing portion of the first and the second venturis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: PALOMA CO., LTD
    Inventor: Koki Kanazawa
  • Variably heatable radiator
    Patent number: 11137147
    Abstract: A variable heatable radiator for use in a fluid circuit containing coolant therein, and which can generate substantial amounts of heat to heat larger spaces, such as in a home or business, while utilizing minimal power to run, and which can be utilized in various implementations and configurations. The radiator can be selectively activated or de-activated by, for example, a cell phone or the like whereby the fluid circuit in the radiator can be monitored for time of use, temperature and cost of use. The circuit possesses at least one opening defined therein on sides of the radiator and top and bottom thereof which is in communication with the circuit, whereby a heating element can be inserted to heat the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventor: Ray King
  • Heat delivery system and method
    Patent number: 11129341
    Abstract: A heat delivery system for agricultural applications, the system including: piping including alternate heat insulated segments and heat transferring segments, the piping being configured with a fluid flow path extending through the alternating heat insulated segments and heat transferring segments; and a fluid propelling arrangement configured for motivating flow of heat accommodating fluid within the fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventors: Sharon Devir, Yakov Weisman, Eran Fridman, Erez Zimhoni, Boaz Wachtel
  • Method and system for vented rollout switch
    Patent number: 11125464
    Abstract: A furnace includes a gas burner exposed to a heat-exchange tube. An inducer is fluidly coupled to the heat-exchange tube and configured to induce draft air through the heat-exchange tube. A regulator is fluidly coupled to the gas burner. A rollout shield is disposed adjacent to the gas burner. A rollout switch is disposed in the rollout shield. The rollout switch is electrically coupled to the regulator. At least one vent is formed through the rollout shield adjacent to the rollout switch. The vent provides a path for a rollout flame to the rollout switch. The at least one vent is disposed on at least two sides of the rollout switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Allied Air Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: George Lee Joyner, Jr., Randall Moody, Jeff Butler
  • Vehicular HVAC system with liquid-cooled charge air cooler integration
    Patent number: 11124047
    Abstract: A system for heating a cabin of a vehicle can include: a liquid-cooled charge air cooler configured to receive a liquid, to receive heated air from one of a turbocharger and a supercharger of the vehicle, to cool the heated air via the liquid, thereby heating the liquid, to output the cooled air to an intake manifold of an engine of the vehicle, and to output the heated liquid; and a multi-function heat exchanger connected to the liquid-cooled charge air cooler, the multi-function heat exchanger configured to receive the heated liquid outputted by the liquid-cooled charge air cooler, to generate heated air via the heated liquid, and to output the heated air into the cabin of the vehicle, thereby heating the cabin of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Scott Vehige
  • System and method for bimodal air control in a kettle-style grill
    Patent number: 11125438
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a system and method for bimodal air control in a kettle-style grill are configured to be detachably mounted to the exterior of a kettle-styled grill such as, but not limited to, a Weber® charcoal grill. When mounted to the kettle-styled grill, a plenum-like component directs air flows to the interior of the grill's kettle via the kettle's lower body damper holes. A manually adjustable intake damper in the plenum component allows, restricts, or prevents a drawn ambient air flow into the plenum component. Separately, a forced air flow generated by a fan may also be provided into the plenum component. Adjustment of the intake damper may also adjust damper blades inside the grill's kettle. Ash that falls out of the kettle's damper holes falls through the plenum component and is captured in an ash receptacle that is removably mounted to the plenum component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventors: Joseph Pruitt, Jeffrey Broadrick
  • Curved surface absorber type solar fluid heater
    Patent number: 11112144
    Abstract: A curved surface absorber type solar fluid heater having radially spaced curved surfaces, preferably hemispherical and closed at bottom periphery, defining a closed chamber termed as collector which receives a fluid to be heated. The curved surface absorber type solar fluid heater encompasses two radially spaced transparent curved surfaces preferably hemispherical, closed at bottom periphery, placed over collector termed as a glazing, and an insulated hemispherical hot fluid tank, placed within the cavity of inner curved surface of the collector and bottom insulation. A plurality of plumbing connections is made between the collector and the hot fluid tank with arrangement of non-return valves to prevent backflow of fluid from hot fluid tank towards the collector. An air vent is located at the highest position of the collector. A drain plug is located at a lowest position on the collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventors: Sanjeev Damodar Suryawanshi, Narendra Nilkanth Pawar