Patents Examined by Steven B. McAllister
  • Patent number: 11618303
    Abstract: An air vent for a vehicle includes a housing with an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air channel between the air inlet and the air outlet; at least one rigid air directing body arranged within the air channel; and an actuator arranged within the housing in order to act on the rigid air-directing body to determine a direction of an air stream exiting the air outlet, where the actuator includes a shape memory alloy element, and the rigid air-directing body is pivotably arranged within the housing by being affixed to a first axis which runs parallel to a second axis to which the actuator is affixed to be pivotably arranged within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Romeo Wieczorek, Torsten Weingärtner
  • Patent number: 11614236
    Abstract: Heating chamber for a portable stove comprises a fixation mechanism for securing, in a leak-free manner, a container such as a bottle to a first surface of the heating chamber; one or more compartments fillable with liquid, typically water, dispensed from the container; a pressure compensation valve; and an outlet configured to release the liquid from the heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Primus AB
    Inventors: Eric Svartström, Staffan Till, Magnus Johansson
  • Patent number: 11607070
    Abstract: A lightweight portable heating device consisting of a container assembly and lid assembly that house a tub assembly for the purpose of heating liquids and food submerged in aforementioned liquids by means of a multi-fuel burner. Container assembly provides for several structures that improve ergonomics and handling of the lightweight portable heating device. For instance, container assembly includes an integrated handle that surrounds the container assembly proximate the top portion of the container assembly and is molded into the container assembly. Integrated handle allows for the ease of moving of the lightweight portable heating device by personnel. Proximate the bottom of container assembly are lifting handles that enable the lifting of the device above shoulder level while also functioning as a tie down point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Mainstream Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Christian O. Rodriguez, Robert P. Scaringe
  • Patent number: 11608982
    Abstract: A portable draft inducer is adapted to assist a user in starting a fire in a fireplace and to prevent smoke from the newly ignited fire from entering an adjoining room when the fire is first started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel P. Kelley
  • Patent number: 11608983
    Abstract: A gas burner system and corresponding methods include a gas burner through which an air-gas mixture is conducted; a variable-speed forced-air device that forces air through the gas burner; a control valve that controls a supply of gas for mixture with the air to thereby form the air-gas mixture; an electrode configured to ignite the air-gas mixture and produce a flame, wherein the electrode is further configured to measure an actual flame strength of the flame; a controller; and an input device for inputting a calibration command to the controller. Upon receipt of the calibration command, the controller is configured to automatically calibrate and save the target flame strength set point and thereafter automatically regulate a speed of the variable-speed forced-air device to cause the actual flame strength to achieve the target flame strength set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas James Colin Hunniford, Stuart C. Black, Philip Eadie
  • Patent number: 11603996
    Abstract: A combination boiler provides heated water to a boiler loop and domestic hot water (DHW) to a domestic water loop. The combination boiler includes a primary heat exchanger (PHE) connected to the boiler loop and a burner to provide heat to the primary heat exchanger. A secondary heat exchanger (SHE) transfers heat energy from the boiler loop to the domestic water loop. A controller monitors a PHE inlet temperature and a DHW output temperature, obtains a pre-heat initialization temperature threshold and a pre-heat cancellation temperature threshold, and detects a low temperature condition. A pre-heat operation is initiated responsive to the low temperature condition by circulating heated water from the PHE to the SHE. The burner is selectively fired at least in part according to an outlet temperature of the PHE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Lochinvar, LLC
    Inventor: Curtis George Gagne
  • Patent number: 11603992
    Abstract: A viewport for a combustion zone includes an inner casing having a flange extending into the combustion zone. A first layer of ceramic fiber insulation is exterior to the inner casing. A middle casing includes two panes of quartz glass separated by traverse plates. A second layer of ceramic fiber insulation is exterior to the middle casing. An outer casing is positioned to the exterior of the second layer of insulation. The middle casing includes L-shaped ledges having third and fourth layers of ceramic insulation. The panes of glass are each positioned between layers of insulation and the insulation positioned in the L-shaped ledges. The viewport is modular enabling the separation of the first layer of insulation, the middle casing, the second layer of insulation and the outer casing from the combustion zone for maintenance or repair. The viewport minimizes heat migration to the outer casing during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: HRST, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester Stanley, Darryl Nagel, Robert Tretter, Joshua Himes, Matthew Adams, Lauri Reponen, Thomas George, Russell Marzette
  • Patent number: 11598531
    Abstract: An electronic stove incorporates a cylindrical outer shell and a concentric copper heater core. A foil heater surrounds the copper heater core and a heater control PCB carried in the outer shell is connected to the foil heater. A battery assembly has a cylindrical second outer shell carrying a battery pack. A power controller carried in the second outer shell is connected to the battery pack. A connector carriage is engaged between the battery assembly and cylindrical outer shell, extending through the shell of the battery assembly and received in the cylindrical outer shell aligned proximate a lower surface of the first outer shell whereby the lower surfaces of the first outer shell and the second outer shell are in planar alignment. A first contact set of a connector is connected to the heater control PCB. A second contact is connected to the power controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Murray Ruben
  • Patent number: 11602082
    Abstract: A data center provides containment walls of an operation technology (OT) interior compartment, such as a meet me room, positioned between cold and hot aisles in an information technology (IT compartment. The OT interior compartment limits air flow so that IT components outside of the OT interior compartment receive sufficient supply air for moderating or cooling a temperature of the IT components. Pressure differential is measured on an exterior and interior of door(s) to the OT interior compartment. Air flow regulation device(s) are positioned in a supply air passage to the OT interior compartment and/or in a return air passage out of the OT interior compartment are controlled to limit the pressure differential between an exterior and interior of the containment wall. Limiting the pressure differential ensures that door(s) facing the cold aisle are not difficult to open and door(s) facing the hot aisle are not difficult to close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark M. Bailey, Trey S. Wiederhold
  • Patent number: 11597260
    Abstract: An air-treatment system for a confined environment, in particular the cabin of a vehicle, includes: a supply unit including an inlet port, a delivery port, and a purge port, the supply unit being configured for delivering air to said confined environment through the delivery port; and a first filtering device having a first filtration level, and a second filtering device having a second filtration level, each of the first and second filtering devices being arranged in fluid communication with the inlet port of said supply unit at a circuit node. A single flow-control valve determines inlet flow through one or other of the filtering devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Tecnocad Engineering & Design S.r.l.
    Inventor: Nicolas Toppani
  • Patent number: 11592207
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a condensate trap for a gas furnace for collecting and discharging condensate generated in a heat exchanger and an exhaust pipe, the condensate trap including: a first inlet through which the condensate generated in the heat exchanger is introduced; a second inlet through which the condensate generated in the exhaust pipe is introduced; a first passage through which the condensate introduced from the first inlet passes; a second passage through which the condensate introduced from the second inlet passes; a discharge port through which the condensate, having passed through the first passage and the second passage, is discharged outside; and a backflow prevention device disposed on the first passage and configured to prevent backflow of air, wherein the backflow prevention device includes: a housing; and a core which is movably disposed in the housing, and which in response to an amount of the condensate introduced from the first inlet being less than or equal to a predetermin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hansaem Park, Jusu Kim, Janghee Park, Yongki Jeong, Doyong Ha
  • Patent number: 11592176
    Abstract: Provided is an RPM control method for an inducer for a gas furnace that induces a flow of combustion gas produced in a burner from a heat exchanger to an exhaust pipe. The RPM control method for an inducer for a gas furnace includes: (a) initiating a heating operation for the gas furnace; (b) determining whether the operation time during which the heating operation is performed is equal to or longer than a first time period; (c) if it is determined that the operation time is equal to or longer than the first time period, detecting whether a pressure switch is turned OFF; and (d) if the pressure switch is detected as turned OFF, increasing the RPM of the inducer by a first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jusu Kim, Doyong Ha, Yongki Jeong, Janghee Park, Hansaem Park
  • Patent number: 11592174
    Abstract: A gas burner includes a burner body that defines a plurality of forced induction flame ports. An air outlet orifice is mounted to an injet body at an outlet of an air passage such that the air outlet orifice is oriented for directing a flow of air towards the plurality of forced induction flame ports. A gas outlet orifice is mounted to the injet body at an outlet of a gas passage such that the gas outlet orifice is oriented for directing a flow of gaseous fuel towards the plurality of forced induction flame ports. A pneumatically actuated gas valve is positioned within the injet body. The pneumatically actuated gas valve is configured to adjust from a closed configuration to an open configuration in response to the flow of air through the air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Patent number: 11585531
    Abstract: A method for continuous firing of combustion chambers with at least three regenerative burners, wherein a first regenerative burner cyclically in the combustion mode conveys supply air and a second regenerative burner in the exhaust mode conveys exhaust air. To avoid escape of hazardous process gases from the combustion chamber into the environment and high carbon monoxide emissions, and to provide energy-efficient firing operation despite use of compact regenerators, the volume flow of the supply or exhaust air through the first or second regenerative burner is reduced continuously and in counter-cycle mode to the volume flow of supply or exhaust air through a third regenerative burner at constant combustion chamber pressure until the first or second regenerative burner is flow-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Hertwich Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Manuel Berrer
  • Patent number: 11585541
    Abstract: A heating cooking device includes: a heating chamber having a front face opening; and a heater that is provided on an upper wall of the heating chamber to heat an object to be heated stored in the heating chamber, at least part of the heater being disposed at a center of the heating chamber seen from above. The heating cooking device further includes camera that is provided on the upper wall of the heating chamber and is disposed closer to a front of the heating chamber than the center of the heating chamber is when seen from above, with camera having an imaging direction inclined toward a rear side of the heating chamber with respect to a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nakashima, Hiroki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11578866
    Abstract: An outer peripheral edge part of the air-fuel mixture permeable member is connected to a portion away outward by a predetermined distance from an inner peripheral edge of the burner frame. Between the burner frame and the air-fuel mixture permeable member a clearance reaching the inner peripheral edge of the burner frame is secured at a position inward of the outer peripheral part of the air-fuel mixture permeable member. Preferably, a bent edge part formed on an inner peripheral edge of the burner frame, in a manner to be bent toward the air-fuel mixture permeable member. The amount of the air-fuel mixture to flow into the clearance is limited to a smaller amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: RINNAI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Akagi
  • Patent number: 11578876
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual-purpose circulating purifier, including a housing, an oil fume purification device, a fresh air supply device, and a double-wing baffle device, where the oil fume purification device includes a fume suction opening, a first air outlet, a grease separator, a fume suction cavity, a first fan, a fume purification chamber, and a fume purification filter layer; the fresh air supply device includes an air suction opening, a second air outlet, a dust blocker, an air suction cavity, a second fan, a gas purification chamber, and a gas purification filter layer; and the double-wing baffle device includes a first baffle and a second baffle. The dual-purpose circulating purifier can purify indoor oil fumes, and also provide purified fresh air to the indoors, greatly improving air quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Shanghai Duohuan Oil-Smoke Purification Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weibin He, Yang He, Min He
  • Patent number: 11573034
    Abstract: A device including a liquid's flow path having an upstream side and a downstream side, a plurality of flow restrictive elements providing material communication between the upstream side to the downstream side, a thermoelectric generator or a thermophotovoltaic cell in thermal connection with a portion of the device located at the downstream side with respect to the plurality of flow restrictive elements. The portion is provided with roughness elements for, in use, contacting a fluid flowing through the device and facilitating collapse of cavitation bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SABANCI ÜNIVERSITESI
    Inventor: Ali Kosar
  • Patent number: 11573030
    Abstract: A louver assembly includes a support, a plurality of blades, and an insert. The support extends along a length and includes a plurality of slots formed therethrough. Additionally, each louver blade of the plurality of louver blades includes a retention aperture formed therethrough, where each louver blade of the plurality of louver blades extends through a respective blade aperture of the plurality of blade apertures. Moreover, the insert extends through the retention aperture of each louver blade of the plurality of louver blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Air Distribution Technologies IP, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph S. Rockhold, Melissa M. Massar, Christopher J. Driskell
  • Patent number: 11566814
    Abstract: Provided is a register that can more surely suppress abnormal noise caused by air passing through a space between a damper and a retainer. An inner wall of an upper side wall of the retainer is formed with a plurality of rib parts provided on a downstream side relative to an outer periphery on the downstream side of a plate member in a closed state of a damper. The plurality of rib parts is arranged in a direction parallel to a turning axis of the damper, and adjacent rib parts are formed into different shapes. A soft seal member is provided with a plurality of protrusion parts on an upper surface of the outer periphery on the downstream side of the plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignees: HOWA PLASTICS CO., LTD., KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidekazu Makimura, Yosuke Matsuzawa, Ryo Nagahashi, Atsushi Yamaguchi, Naoyuki Takahashi