Patents Examined by Mark Paschall
  • Patent number: 10137760
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a PTC heater for a vehicle, which includes a plurality of cores, such as a first core and a second core, disposed independently and respectively arranged in a first passageway and a second passageway of an air-conditioning case to be controlled independently, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and weight of the air conditioner, enhancing vehicle fuel efficiency and productivity, being easily applicable to other vehicles using PTC heaters because one PTC heater is used for independent control at the right and the left.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Hanon Systems
    Inventors: Young In Kim, Jun Min Lee, Jung Won Cho, Sang Ho Oh, Chae Geun Lim
  • Patent number: 10139047
    Abstract: A metallic positive expulsion fuel tank with stress free weld seams may include a first hemispherical shell with a first edge; a pressurized gas inlet attached to the first hemispherical shell; and a metallic cylinder with first and second edges attached to the first hemispherical shell along matching first edges by a first weld seam. The tank may also include a second hemispherical shell with a first edge attached to a fuel outlet fixture. An elastomeric diaphragm may be attached to the fuel outlet fixture on the second hemispherical shell. The second hemispherical shell may be attached to the second edge of the metallic cylinder along matching edges by a second weld seam thereby forming a positive expulsion fuel tank with two interior chambers separated by the elastomeric diaphragm. The first and second weld seams may be subjected to a localized post-weld stress relief heat treatment in which heating of the tank is confined to a distance of 2 inches (5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Keystone Engineering Company
    Inventors: Wayne H. Tuttle, Ian Ballinger
  • Patent number: 10139843
    Abstract: An electric heating system controlled with a remote thermostat. The system may incorporate wireless technology and a line voltage equipment interface sub-system. The sub-system may have a line voltage relay and an antenna. The relay may be mounted within an electric heater enclosure. The antenna may be mounted directly on the enclosure. The antenna may receive temperature control signals from a transmitter of the thermostat. The signals may be processed to control a connection of the heater to power with a relay receiving the processed control signals. The control of power to the heater may maintain a temperature approximately equal to a thermostat temperature setting. The antenna and relay electronics may provide a backup control of the heater in the event of, for example, a loss of signals from the thermostat. The backup control may prevent the temperature proximate to equipment interface sub-system from approaching a freezing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic Boutin, Daniel Gelinas, Stephane Joseph Pierre Beland, Vincent Boutin
  • Patent number: 10131013
    Abstract: A non-transferred plasma arc system, which is provided with a non-transferred plasma torch (1) that is provided with a non-consumable electrode (101) as a negative electrode and an insert chip as a positive electrode, the insert chip being cooled by a circulated coolant (W) and the insert chip releasing a plasma arc onto a workpiece. The plasma arc torch (1) comprises a TIG welding torch (100) that is provided with the non-consumable electrode (101), whereby an arc is generated between the workpiece and said electrode (101), and a torch nozzle (105), which releases a shield gas toward an arc-generated weld pool of the workpiece. The plasma arc torch (1) is provided with an attachment (51) that is detachably attached to the TIG welding torch (100) while surrounding the periphery of the torch nozzle (105) and that functions as the insert chip, whereby a non-transferred plasma arc is inexpensively and easily used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunori Wada, Shuhei Kanemaru
  • Patent number: 10131094
    Abstract: An exemplary air cushion inflation machine includes: a first terminal connected to a direct current input; a second terminal; a reference resistor powered by the direct current input; an op-amp; and a transistor. The first terminal of the op-amp is connected to a variable voltage source and the second terminal of the op-amp is connected to the reference resistor. The transistor has a base connected to an output of the op-amp, an emitter connected to the reference resistor, and a collector connected to a first terminal of a sealing band apparatus having first and second terminals. A meltable material placed between the first and second terminals is melted by resistance of current flowing between the first and second terminals. The variable voltage source changes voltage based on a voltage drop measured across the first and second terminals by a voltage measurement device and the constant current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: AUTOMATED PACKAGING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Donald P. Shook, Chris Houin, Chris Miller
  • Patent number: 10132504
    Abstract: An embodiment of an electric heating element is disclosed, including an electrically resistive inner heating element, an electrically resistive outer heating element, and a thermostat positioned along a cold leg of the inner heating element. The thermostat is configured to selectively allow electrical current to be delivered to the inner heating element while maximum electrical current, for example, continues to be provided to the outer heating element. The thermostat cycles the electrical current on and off when detecting maximum and minimum desired temperatures radiated from the electric heating element. The inner heating element has a pair of cold legs that extend parallel to a pair of cold legs of the outer heating element, some or all of which may be supported by a terminal bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignees: BACKER EHP INC., WAKO (USA) INC.
    Inventors: Stacy Springer, Dan Maxwell, Shahid Ikram, Mitch Taylor, Zachary Newcomb
  • Patent number: 10126018
    Abstract: A water heater has a tank with at least one heating element. A non-invasive liquid level sensor is disposed in communication with a water containing volume encompassing the tank volume. If a signal received from the sensor indicates the at least one heating element is immersed in water, power is provided to the heating element. If the signal indicates the at least one heating element is not immersed in water, power is prevented from being provided to the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventor: Raheel A. Chaudhry
  • Patent number: 10124442
    Abstract: Apparatus related to marking a metal surface are provided. The solution includes a bed for an object including a metal surface, the bed including a total marking area; a cover forming an airtight space over the bed; one or more laser marking units capable of directing a laser beam onto the metal surface located within a unit marking area, wherein the unit marking area is smaller than the total marking area. In the proposed solution control data including information on the marking of a pattern on the metal surface is received; the focus, bandwidth and movement of the one or more laser marking units is controlled on the basis of the control data to produce the pattern defined in the control data on the metal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: CAJO TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventors: Tomi Karsikas, Niko Karsikas
  • Patent number: 10126692
    Abstract: A power supply control device including a chopper circuit generating a heater current for a halogen heater, a current feedback circuit generating a current feedback signal indicating a current amount based on an amount of the heater current, and a constant current circuit performing pulse-width modulation of the heater current amount according to a difference between a target heater current amount and the current amount indicated by the current feedback signal. The current feedback circuit switches between methods at least including a first method and a second method for generating the current feedback signal. The current feedback signal indicates a greater current amount with the first method than with the second method, and the current feedback circuit uses the first method during a period with a predetermined time length starting from when the halogen heater is turned on, and uses the second method after elapse of the period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Mikiyuki Aoki, Seiichi Kirikubo, Taku Kimura, Akinori Kimata, Takeshi Tamada
  • Patent number: 10119727
    Abstract: A circuit comprises a mechanical relay and a solid-state relay. The mechanical relay is configured to switch a first supply current of the first heating element on a first supply line. The solid-state relay is configured to switch a second supply current of a second heating element on a second supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Alfons Graf, Thomas Klug
  • Patent number: 10112250
    Abstract: The present invention belongs to the technical field of argon arc welding machine, and particularly refers to a welding power supply and an AC-DC argon arc welding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: SHENZHEN JASIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinlei Zhang, Lei Pan
  • Patent number: 10111314
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to generating energy. The teachings thereof may be embodied in methods for burning a reaction gas with an electropositive metal. An method for generating energy may include: supplying a reaction gas and an electropositive metal separately to at least one nozzle; wherein the electropositive metal is selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, aluminum, zinc, mixtures, and/or alloys thereof; burning the reaction gas with the electropositive metal; and coverting the reaction gas before or during burning at least temporarily into a plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Helmut Eckert, Renate Elena Kellermann, Marek Maleika, Manfred Ruehrig, Guenter Schmid, Dan Taroata
  • Patent number: 10101035
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a method of decoding and executing a custom coding program based on feedback includes using a heating apparatus to execute a first phase of a plurality of heating phases, the first phase having an associated prescribed time to perform the first phase, and receiving at least one sensor reading associated with the first phase. If the at least one sensor reading indicates that the first phase is complete, proceeding to a next phase of the plurality of heating phases. If the at least one sensor reading indicates that the first phase is incomplete, instructing the heating apparatus to extend the prescribed time to perform the first phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Silicon Valley Factory LLC
    Inventors: Sebastian Thrun, David St. Martin, Arash Kani
  • Patent number: 10099309
    Abstract: Provided are a systems and methods for continuously providing a metal wire to a welding torch in the correct orientation with respect to the heat source of the welding torch for manufacturing objects by solid freeform fabrication to provide continuous deposition of metal to the freeform object, especially objects made with titanium or titanium alloy, or nickel or nickel alloy, wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: NORSK TITANIUM AS
    Inventors: Brede Vigdal, Hans-Martin Berg Haga, Tom-Erik Falla
  • Patent number: 10101055
    Abstract: A system for heating a pipeline comprises a heater that heats a fluid, a supply line, and a return line. Heated fluid flows through the supply line away from the heater and through the return line back to the heater. The system further comprises a strap having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion between the first end and the second end. The strap forms a first pocket when the first end is folded over and attached to the middle portion of the strap. The strap forms a second pocket when the second end is folded over and attached to the middle portion of the strap. The first pocket holds the supply line in thermal contact with a first portion of the pipeline. The second pocket holds the return line in thermal contact with a second portion of the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Therma-Stor LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Myerholtz, Larry L. Dancey
  • Patent number: 10098498
    Abstract: An actively heated or cooled portable container has a body with a chamber that receives and holds a liquid, and one or more heating or cooling elements in thermal communication with at least a portion of the chamber. An outer surface of the body has one or more electrical contacts. A module is removably coupled to a portion of the body. The module has one or more electrical contacts on an outer surface of the module that contact the one or more electrical contacts on the outer surface of the body, control circuitry, and one or more power storage elements that provide power to the control circuitry and/or the one or more heating or cooling elements. The control circuitry wirelessly communicates with a mobile electronic device to wirelessly transmit information to the mobile electronic device associated with the operation of the module and/or wirelessly receive instructions from a user via the mobile electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: EMBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Clayton Alexander
  • Patent number: 10098187
    Abstract: A system and method for induction cooking using an induction cooking unit, an interface adapted to receive, store, and execute a plurality of instructions of a multistage programmable recipe using the induction cooking unit, a power supply, a controller coupled to said power supply, said interface, and said induction cooking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: NuWave, LLC
    Inventors: Jung S. Moon, Byung G. Choi, Jennifer E. Dawes, Mikale K. Kwon, Cathy Rosch, Terry Puerzer, Eunjung Huh, Teng Jin Lian, Kim Jong Rok, Zeng Qing Ping
  • Patent number: 10092981
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crossjet assembly for generating a gas flow that is conducted between a laser source (40, 41) and a welding region (42) in order to remove contaminants moving towards the laser source. The gas flow crosses the region between the laser source and the welding site numerous times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: KUKA DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Axel Heinrici, Armin Tesmer
  • Patent number: 10094561
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a burn proof lighter with a collapsible ceramic tip may include extending, with a switch module, a ceramic heating element beyond a body of an electronic lighter. The method may include adjusting, with a temperature switch, a temperature of the ceramic heating element, wherein the temperature switch may include multiple pre-defined temperature settings. The method may include retracting, with the switch module, the ceramic heating element into the body of the electronic lighter. In an embodiment, the switch module may include a sliding switch. Additionally, the temperature switch may include a plus button and a minus button. In a further embodiment, the multiple pre-defined temperature settings may include a vapor setting, a thick vapor setting, a combustion setting, or a butane lighter setting. In an embodiment, the pre-defined temperature settings may include a low temperature setting, a medium temperature setting, and a high temperature setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Inventor: Tyler Dean Hanson
  • Patent number: 10098185
    Abstract: A method for heating an object, where the method includes the steps of choosing one or more elongated heating member or members, adapting one or more elongated heating member or members to form an elongated combined heating member having a length within a predetermined length interval and providing a predetermined constant current through the elongated combined heating member by connecting a constant current source to a first end and a second end of the elongated combined heating member, such that the combined heating member generating a power per unit length when the constant current flowing through the combined heating member between the first end and the second end. A device for heating an object and a kit of parts for assembling such a heating device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: KIMA HEATING CABLE AB
    Inventor: Jan Anders Nilsson