Patents by Inventor Alan Schuster
Alan Schuster has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10852041Abstract: A two temperature electronic expansion valve control for variable speed compressors that utilizes a correlation between airflow percentage and heat exchanger pressure drop to control the operation of an expansion valve. An indoor airflow percentage request may be communicated from an outdoor controller to an air handler controller. Using a correlation between airflow percentage and pressure drop across the heat exchanger, the airflow percentage may be used in predicting an outlet pressure of refrigerant exhausted from the heat exchanger. The predicted pressure drop may be used in determining a saturated temperature for the exhausted refrigerant. The determined saturated temperature may be compared to a sensed temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet of the heat exchanger to determine a superheat value, which is compared to a reference superheat value in determining the degree to open or close the expansion valve.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Raymond Walter Rite, Don Alan Schuster, Jonathan Thrift
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Publication number: 20200361102Abstract: A knife is provided having both a multi-blade configuration for cutting multiple slices simultaneously as well as a single blade configuration for storage and single cuts. In some embodiments, the multiple blade configuration may be adjustable to define varying distances between the multiple blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2019Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventor: Alan SCHUSTER
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Patent number: 10421200Abstract: A knife is provided having both a multi-blade configuration for cutting multiple slices simultaneously as well as a single blade configuration for storage and single cuts. In some embodiments, the multiple blade configuration may be adjustable to define varying distances between the multiple blades.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Inventor: Alan Schuster
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Patent number: 10371395Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that include controlling operation of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system that utilizes information from a plurality of temperature sensors to monitor, verify, determine, and/or discover whether a temperature sensor is properly located in proximity to a dome of a compressor of the HVAC system. When the HVAC system determines that the temperature sensor associated with the dome of the compressor is not properly located, the HVAC system may initiate a shutdown of the compressor and/or other components of the HVAC system, generate a signal, present a message, and/or otherwise provide a notification of the improper temperature sensor placement, and/or reduce a runtime of the compressor, operate the compressor at a lower speed, reduce a power consumption of the compressor, and/or otherwise control the compressor and/or associated components to effectuate a reduced compressor dome temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Raymond Walter Rite, Don Alan Schuster
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Patent number: 9696067Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the heating of an airflow. According to certain embodiments, the temperature of an outdoor heat exchanger and the speed of a compressor are used to determine a blower speed for a variable speed indoor air blower. The selected blower speed may facilitate a flow of air across a second, indoor heat exchanger at an indoor volumetric flow rate that heats the airflow to a leaving air temperature. The leaving air temperature may at least seek to attain the temperature of a variable target leaving air temperature that is adjusted based on changes in outdoor ambient temperatures. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, the blower speed may be based on an indoor volumetric airflow rate that is determined, at least in part, on a determined system heating capacity and a temperature at the outdoor heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Raymond Walter Rite, Don Alan Schuster, Drew Whitehurst
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Publication number: 20150345813Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that include controlling operation of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system that utilizes information from a plurality of temperature sensors to monitor, verify, determine, and/or discover whether a temperature sensor is properly located in proximity to a dome of a compressor of the HVAC system. When the HVAC system determines that the temperature sensor associated with the dome of the compressor is not properly located, the HVAC system may initiate a shutdown of the compressor and/or other components of the HVAC system, generate a signal, present a message, and/or otherwise provide a notification of the improper temperature sensor placement, and/or reduce a runtime of the compressor, operate the compressor at a lower speed, reduce a power consumption of the compressor, and/or otherwise control the compressor and/or associated components to effectuate a reduced compressor dome temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Raymond Walter Rite, Don Alan Schuster
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Publication number: 20150068231Abstract: A two temperature electronic expansion valve control for variable speed compressors that utilizes a correlation between airflow percentage and heat exchanger pressure drop to control the operation of an expansion valve. An indoor airflow percentage request may be communicated from an outdoor controller to an air handler controller. Using a correlation between airflow percentage and pressure drop across the heat exchanger, the airflow percentage may be used in predicting an outlet pressure of refrigerant exhausted from the heat exchanger. The predicted pressure drop may be used in determining a saturated temperature for the exhausted refrigerant. The determined saturated temperature may be compared to a sensed temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet of the heat exchanger to determine a superheat value, which is compared to a reference superheat value in determining the degree to open or close the expansion valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Raymond Walter Rite, Don Alan Schuster, Jonathan Thrift
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Publication number: 20150068226Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the heating of an airflow. According to certain embodiments, the temperature of an outdoor heat exchanger and the speed of a compressor are used to determine a blower speed for a variable speed indoor air blower. The selected blower speed may facilitate a flow of air across a second, indoor heat exchanger at an indoor volumetric flow rate that heats the airflow to a leaving air temperature. The leaving air temperature may at least seek to attain the temperature of a variable target leaving air temperature that is adjusted based on changes in outdoor ambient temperatures. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, the blower speed may be based on an indoor volumetric airflow rate that is determined, at least in part, on a determined system heating capacity and a temperature at the outdoor heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Raymond Walter Rite, Don Alan Schuster, Drew Whitehurst
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Patent number: 8021545Abstract: The present invention relates to swimming pools and other pools of standing water, and in particular to a dispensing unit that distributes a chemical solution that reduces evaporation and heat loss by forming a film or monomolecular layer over the surface or substantial surface area of the swimming pool or water pond.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2010Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Seaklear Pool Pills LLCInventors: Alan Schuster, Larry Ruizzo, Richard Holstein, Shawn Mikuski
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Publication number: 20100327214Abstract: The present invention relates to swimming pools and other pools of standing water, and in particular to a dispensing unit that distributes a chemical solution that reduces evaporation and heat loss by forming a film or monomolecular layer over the surface or substantial surface area of the swimming pool or water pond.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Alan Schuster, Larry Ruizzo, Richard Holstein, Shawn Mikuski
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Patent number: 7763178Abstract: The present invention relates to swimming pools and other pools of standing water, and in particular to a dispensing unit that distributes a chemical solution that reduces evaporation and heat loss by forming a film or monomolecular layer over the surface or substantial surface area of the swimming pool or water pond.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Smartpool, Inc.Inventors: Alan Schuster, Larry Ruizzo, Richard Holstein, Shawn Mikuski
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Patent number: 7552596Abstract: The sufficiency of refrigerant charge in an air conditioning system is determined by a comparison of two sensed temperatures in the system, one being the liquid line temperature and the other being either the outdoor temperature or the condenser coil temperature. In one embodiment the two sensed temperatures are displayed on respective thermochromic strips which are so calibrated and juxtaposed as to provide a visual indication, by the relative positions of the two displayed sensed temperatures, as to whether the refrigerant charge is adequate. In another embodiment, the sensed liquid line temperature is displayed by way of a plurality of LEDs and the other temperature is displayed by way of a marker on a temperature scale. If the two displayed temperatures are aligned, then the refrigerant charge is optimized, and if they are not aligned, the system is undercharged or overcharged.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2004Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Timothy P. Galante, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan, Don Alan Schuster, Craig R. Kersten, Larry Burns
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Publication number: 20080268009Abstract: The present invention relates to hot tubs and spas, and in particular to a dispensing unit that distributes a water soluble solution of a scented fragrance in combination with a biomedicide or enzyme to provide a time release aroma therapy experience for a hot tub or spa, the biomedicide in the form of an enzyme aiding in the dissipation of the scented fragrance to allow introduction of a different replacement scented fragrance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Alan Schuster, Larry Ruizzo, Shawn Mikuski, Richard Holstein
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Publication number: 20080223771Abstract: The present invention relates to swimming pools and other pools of standing water, and in particular to a dispensing unit that distributes a desired chemical solution that maintains the desired water chemistry of the pool or spa, the chemical solution being color coded with a water soluble colorant or dye which serves as an indicia to the pool or spa owner of the depletion of the chemical solution from the dispensing unit and the need for replacement.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2007Publication date: September 18, 2008Inventors: Alan Schuster, Larry Ruizzo, Shawn Mikuski, Richard Holstein
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Publication number: 20080187471Abstract: The present invention relates to swimming pools and other pools of standing water, and in particular to a dispensing unit that distributes a chemical solution that reduces evaporation and heat loss by forming a film or monomolecular layer over the surface or substantial surface area of the swimming pool or water pond.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2007Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventors: Alan Schuster, Larry Ruizzo, Richard Holstein, Shawn Mikuski
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Patent number: 6354097Abstract: A heat pump system includes an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, a compressor, and outdoor and indoor fans. An outdoor heat exchanger coil is connected to an indoor heat exchanger coil by liquid and vapor tubes. A control system limits the pressure in the vapor tubes during heating mode periods of heat pump operation by using a temperature sensor including a switch operatively connected in the indoor heat exchanger coil for sensing a temperature in the indoor heat exchanger coil. The switch operatively connects in series with a motor of the outdoor fan, such that when the temperature sensor senses a predetermined temperature in the indoor heat exchanger coil, it causes the switch to reduce a speed of the outdoor fan, thereby reducing the temperature in the vapor tubes and indoor heat exchanger coil.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2000Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Carrier Corporation Carrier World Hdqrts.Inventor: Don Alan Schuster