Patents Examined by William E. Tapolcai, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4272014
    Abstract: An improved humidification system for jet-powered commercial aircraft comprising an evaporator adapted to add moisture to a gas flow, a gas flow control system for applying to the evaporator a gas flow having an internal energy sufficient to vaporize the moisture and a temperature measuring system for measuring the temperature of the gas flow exiting from the evaporator for regulating the amount of moisture added to the gas flow so as to maintain the evaporator exit temperature constant is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. Halfpenny, Camillo L. Passarelli, Philip S. Starrett
  • Patent number: 4272013
    Abstract: Thermally actuated damper for vents or flues of gas-fired heating appliances having bimetallic slotted blades each of which performs both the sensing and the closing function. In the present invention the slots, which are necessary to enable the bimetal blade to flex in the desired direction, are covered, or eliminated, or substantially reduced for a more complete closure of the damper in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Inventors: Werner Diermayer, Luitpold Kutzner
  • Patent number: 4270363
    Abstract: An improved commercial cube/crushed ice making machine includes a refrigeration unit having a water-to-refrigerant heat exchange condenser operatively connectible to an external water supply for heating water therein. The condenser provides for improved efficiency in the refrigeration unit over a conventional air-cooled condenser. Also, the water heating capability of the ice-making machine preferably functions as a secondary heat source for the external water supply, thus providing savings in energy costs for the primary water heating source. Further, the heat exchange relation between the refrigeration unit and the external water supply is determined by an improved control system which is responsive to both a refrigerant pressure at the condenser refrigerant outlet, and the water temperature at the condenser water outlet for controlling water flow through the condenser while maintaining a pre-determined refrigerant pressure in the heat exchange means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: Schneider Metal Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Oscar M. Maring, Kenneth W. Schneider
  • Patent number: 4269039
    Abstract: An ice receptacle support for use in a refrigeration apparatus, such as a freezer, wherein ice bodies are stored in an upwardly opening receptacle. The receptacle is removably carried on a support which is swingably mounted by a front pair of links and a rear pair of links so as to be gravity biased forwardly against a small access door carried in the main door of the freezer. When the small access door is opened, the receptacle swings forwardly as a result of the forward gravity biasing thereof by the supporting link arrangement so as to place the receptacle automatically in an ice access position. The links are arranged to provide a controlled limited force of the gravity biasing so as to effectively avoid undesirable opening of the freezer doors by the gravity biasing force. The front pair of links may be pivotally connected to a front upper portion of the receptacle carrier and the rear pair of links may be pivotally connected to a lower rear portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Cecil J. Baker
  • Patent number: 4269350
    Abstract: A thermostatic fluid valve of the type having a temperature responsive power element mounted between upper and lower housing members. A tubular extension member is attached to the lower end of the power element and permits a spring biased valve member to be mounted thereon. The tubular extension member has an inwardly extending flange formed on the upper end and is received over a cylindrically shaped, cold formed boss projecting from the lower end of the power element. The extension member is retained on the lower end of the power element by orbitally staking the boss radially outward to form a cold worked, high strength retaining flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Mark E. Beck
  • Patent number: 4269212
    Abstract: The application discloses a procedure appropriate in the manipulation especially of small batches of liquid and an apparatus for carrying out the procedure, these being based on the use of valves closable by freezing and openable with the aid of electrical heating elements. The apparatus comprises an integral system composed of volumes and of conduits connecting these, wherein the conduits have been provided with said freezable valves. The transfer of liquids within the sytem is accomplished by means of control signals directed to the valve heating elements. As valve heating elements film resistances incorporated in plate-like components are employed in such manner that one component establishes a plurality of valves. At the same time these valves are connected to a common refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Inventor: Niilo Kaartinen
  • Patent number: 4269349
    Abstract: A solid fuel furnace is disclosed as including a firebox disposed inside of a heating chamber through which air to be heated is passed. A pair of baffles guides the air through the heating chamber to progressively heat the air. In addition, an auxiliary air system is provided to inject air into the fire when there is a heating demand to increase combustion and provide more heat when it is most needed.A modified solid fuel furnace is also disclosed which includes a combustion chamber having a door designed to prevent flash-back when the door is opened, a valve for preventing a flow of combustion air to the combustion chamber when the temperature in the combustion chamber rises above a present level, and a manual override for the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Inventor: Bunyan B. Cagle
  • Patent number: 4267699
    Abstract: Cold gas is used to freeze liquid in a pipe without directly encountering the pipe wall, which is surrounded and reinforced by a clamp assembly within a housing through which the gas flows. Gas temperature at an outlet from the housing is monitored for control of the rate of gas to provide a uniform cool down rate, avoiding thermal shock to the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Inventor: Harry H. Bahrenburg
  • Patent number: 4267884
    Abstract: An especially compact, highly efficient heat recovery device for use in the cool air return duct of a heating system may be easily installed in existing flue pipes and transfers the ordinarily wasted heat in the exhaust gases flowing through the flue pipe to the cool return air thereby preheating the latter and increasing the efficiency of the heating system. The device includes a three stage heat transfer structure housed within a heat conductive tubular member which cooperate to transfer heat away from the gases into the cool return air by means of conduction, convection and radiation processes. A first stage deflects a portion of the gases toward and into heat exchanging contact with the sidewalls of the tubular member and directs the remaining portion into a gas pervious heat storage trap which comprises the second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Inventor: Fred J. Gary
  • Patent number: 4267968
    Abstract: A pneumatic control system for controlling a pneumatically operated device in relation to the operation of a pneumatic signal sending thermostat and a pneumatic signal sending set point adjuster, the set point adjuster being adapted to direct its pneumatic signal to pneumatically operated temperature setting means of the thermostat to set the temperature sensor of the thermostat to a particular temperature thereof whereby a valve means of the thermostat is adapted to direct its pneumatic signal to the device to control the device in relation to the differential between the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor and the temperature setting thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Douglas R. Scott
  • Patent number: 4265089
    Abstract: An ice maker in a freezer compartment and the method of controlling the ejection of ice pieces made by the ice maker, including a mold containing a plurality of spaced cavities for forming ice pieces, a water conduit for introducing water into the mold, a water valve, and an arrangement for signaling when the water in the mold is frozen, including a temperature sensor. A thermal mass is located in the freezer compartment spaced from the mold and in heat transfer relationship with the incoming water flowing through the conduit from the water valve to the mold. The temperature sensor is located in temperature sensing relationship with the thermal mass and is calibrated to actuate the signal arrangement when the water in the mold reaches a preselected temperature below 32.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: William M. Webb
  • Patent number: 4265092
    Abstract: A refrigerated display cabinet of the open top or open front type having a conduit extending around a storage and display space in the cabinet between an inlet and an outlet, refrigerated coils located in the conduit, air circulating fans for propelling air through the conduit over and/or around and/or through the refrigeration coils in a first direction during a refrigeration cycle, and in a second substantially opposite direction, during a defrost cycle, whereby during a defrost cycle ambient air is drawn into the conduit through the outlet and is passed around and/or through the refrigeration coils to defrost same, a supplemental defroster located in the conduit upstream of the refrigeration coils in the direction of air flow through the conduit in the defrost cycle; and, a sensing and control mechanism coupled with the supplemental defroster for sensing defrost conditions during the defrost cycle and for energizing the supplemental defroster means upon the detection of an abnormal defrost condition to the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: Tyler Refrigeration Corporation
    Inventor: Fayez Abraham
  • Patent number: 4263931
    Abstract: A mixed air conditioning controller is formed as a factory assembled and adjusted unit in a compact housing, with simple and direct input/output field connectors. Various temperature and humidity input devices are field connected to produce a sequenced control of the air dampers and mechanical cooling and heating devices, as well as auxiliary devices. The controller includes a primary input related to room demand, an outside air temperature input, with an interlocked control to the damper, a fan status input, a minimum air supply control and a by-pass switch having a low limit input. The logic network connecting the input/output includes pneumatic switching, pressure selecting and comparing devices of a diaphragm-controlled-orifice construction connected to function as fluidic repeaters, pressure regulating valves and pressure isolating and switching devices. The controller includes a conditioning channel and a damper channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Assignee: Johnson Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott B. Bramow, Richard N. Laakaniemi, Paul E. Wichman
  • Patent number: 4264296
    Abstract: A pivotal vane carrying member secured to the damper for a furnace flue normally maintains the damper by gravity in an open position. An electric motor driven air blower discharges air against the vanes of the pivotal member to pivot the latter and damper to a closed position when no fuel is supplied to the furnace. Otherwise power for the blower motor is shut off and the pivotal member returns by gravity to its normal flue-open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Inventor: Walter E. Folkerts
  • Patent number: 4264239
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring ice cubes and the like from a first location to a remote second location, the apparatus including a conduit system communicating the two locations and a source of air for causing ice to be moved through the conduit system between the two locations; the apparatus further including diverter means whereby ice cubes being transmitted from the first location to the second location may be diverted via the conduit system to a third location. The invention further includes means for preventing damage to the ice cubes being transmitted through the conduit system due to the high velocity of air being utilized therein and also means for disposing of any melt water which may exist within the conduit system as the ice cubes are being communicated between the various remote locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Assignee: King-Seeley Thermos Co.
    Inventor: Walter H. Hoenisch
  • Patent number: 4264035
    Abstract: A controller for at least one damper maintains a constant volume rate of flow of air through a duct into a controlled space for a given condition in the controlled space. The dual reset controller resets the volume rate of flow as functions of two sensed conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Assignee: Barber-Colman Company
    Inventors: Dale E. Maxson, Gilbert H. Avery
  • Patent number: 4262844
    Abstract: A temperature-responsive valve for controlling the flow of fluid substantially without being affected by the pressure of or the turbulence generated by said fluid, comprises a housing having a chamber therein, an inlet port communicating with said outlet port communicating with said chamber, a temperature deflectable partition having an aperture and a tube. The tube extends from said inlet port past said aperture when the deflectable partition is in the position permitting a full flow of fluid. When the temperature of the fluid transmitted to said partition reaches a first predetermined value, the deflectable partition snaps to restrict with its surface the flow of fluid into said outlet port and remains in that position until the temperature of said fluid transmitted to said partition reaches a second predetermined value. The deflectable partition then snaps to permit the full flow of fluid into said outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: Mark Controls Corporation
    Inventor: George W. Sekiya
  • Patent number: 4262738
    Abstract: A plurality of movable dampers (23), (26), (31) are provided in an air flow duct (12) to control the temperature and air flow therethrough. A heater core (19) and/or air conditioner evaporator (18) are disposed in the duct (12). The dampers (23), (26), (31) are positioned by vacuum actuators (28), (29), (33) in accordance with applied vacuum. Sensors (47), (48), (49) sense the temperature in the duct (12), an automobile passenger compartment into which the duct (12) leads and the like. A control means unit (44) modulates vacuum from a source (34) in accordance with sensed temperature so as to maintain the temperature at a desired value. In case of failure of the automatic control unit (44), a manual valve unit (51), (53), (56) may be operated to connect the actuators (28), (29), (31) either to the vacuum source (34) or to the atmosphere so as to position the dampers (23), (26), (31) minimum or maximum temperature operation respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: Diesel Kiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kato, Masami Ohtani
  • Patent number: 4261178
    Abstract: The invention pertains to an environmental protection system and method for withdrawing and charging refrigerants, particularly fluorocarbon refrigerants, with respect to refrigeration systems as used for refrigeration, dehumidifying, air conditioning and the like without contamination of the atmosphere. Refrigerant is evacuated from a refrigeration system through a closed circuit into a closed disposal or storage container, and in an embodiment of the invention direct evacuation pumping of the refrigerant may be proceeded by drawing the majority of the refrigerant from the refrigeration system by means of a preliminary vacuum tank connected in series with a refrigerant disposal container. Additionally, the invention contemplates combining a refrigerant charging circuit with the refrigerant evacuation circuit in order to provide complete refrigeration system servicing without the release of refrigerant to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Assignee: Robinair Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Cain
  • Patent number: 4261179
    Abstract: An input control system having a sensing circuit, a switching circuit and a source of power isolated from the sensing circuit and the switching circuit. The sensing circuit includes a sensor having a variable electrical characteristic, a detector for detecting variations in that characteristic and for producing a representative output, a signal producing circuit for producing a predetermined signal in response to the detector output achieving a selected value, and coupler responsive to the predetermined signal to produce a coupling output. The switching circuit which is isolated from the sensing circuit produces a switching signal in response to the coupling signal to operate a switch for connecting an electrical load to the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Assignee: Ardco, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest Dageford