Patents by Inventor Andrew L. Smith
Andrew L. Smith 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: 11078091Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automatically operating a high voltage resonance circuit. An embodiment of the system includes one or more coils each coil can be an alternating current (AC) coil or a direct current (DC) coil. An embodiment of the system further includes a microprocessor that issues commands to control amplitude and frequency of pulses of the one or more coils to reach and maintain a resonant condition for water treatment. The microprocessor determines whether a coil is an AC coil or a DC coil by detecting whether a capacitor is connected in series with the coil. An embodiment of the system further includes one or more sensors that measure the quality of water and provide feedback to the microprocessor.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: General Water Systems LLCInventor: Andrew L. Smith
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Patent number: 11028567Abstract: A plumbing fixture includes a sump and a trapway extending from sump at an inlet of the trapway. A jet orifice is disposed in the trapway at approximately the inlet and defines an angled axis that is oriented upwardly toward an upper wall of the trapway and rearwardly toward an interior of the trapway. The jet orifice is configured to direct fluid from a fluid supply source to the trapway.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Lawrence E. Duwell, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Billy Jack Ahola, Peter W. Swart, Scott R. Krebs
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Patent number: 11021863Abstract: A toilet that includes a bowl having a sump, a passageway, a fluid conduit and a valve. The passageway includes an entrance fluidly connected to the sump, an outlet, a dam located between the entrance and the outlet of the passageway, and an inlet located between the dam and the outlet of the passageway. The fluid conduit configured to supply a volume of water into the passageway through the inlet. The valve located between the inlet and the outlet of the passageway, wherein the valve is configured to retain the volume of water in a closed position prior to a flush cycle to affect a siphon during the flush cycle.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Mark Baumgartner, Larry Duwell, Don Bogenschuetz, Peter Swart, Tobin Vetting
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Publication number: 20200332509Abstract: A plumbing fixture includes a sump and a trapway extending from sump at an inlet of the trapway. A jet orifice is disposed in the trapway at approximately the inlet and defines an angled axis that is oriented upwardly toward an upper wall of the trapway and rearwardly toward an interior of the trapway. The jet orifice is configured to direct fluid from a fluid supply source to the trapway.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: ANDREW L. SMITH, Lawrence E. Duwell, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Billy Jack Ahola, Peter W. Swart, Scott R. Krebs
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Publication number: 20200263405Abstract: A universal canister flush valve having a valve body configured to be fixed relative to a toilet tank and having a hollow wall defining an internal flow passage; a guide post coupled to and extending away from the valve body; a float fitted about and configured to slide relative to the guide post between a closed position and an open position, the float having an open top; and an extender that selectively couples to the open top in a first position, in which a first end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, and in a second position, in which a second end of the extender is received in and coupled to the open top, wherein the extender and float define a first overflow height in the first position and define a second overflow height in the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Lawrence E. Duwell, Peter W. Swart, Jeffrey T. Laundre, Bradley Strasser, Matthew Krebs, Douglas E. Bogard, Daniel N. Halloran, Scott R. Krebs, Edward F. Malls, JR., Randy O. Mesun, Eric Demer, Stewart Anthony Schaal
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Patent number: 10738448Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank having an outlet; a mounting bracket including a base having a central opening, a first set of mounts, which comprises two mounting locations located on opposite sides of the central opening for mounting the tank to a first pedestal having a bowl and two mounting holes, and a second set of mounts, which comprises three mounting locations that are separate from the two mounting locations of the first set of mounts, are located in a triangular pattern around the central opening, and mount the tank to a second pedestal having a bowl and three mounting holes; a valve body extending through the outlet and the central opening, wherein the valve body fluidly connects the outlet to an inlet of one of the bowls; and two or more fasteners with each fastener engaging one mounting hole and an associated mounting location.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Peter William Swart, John F. Emmerling, Scott R. Krebs, Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Lawrence E. Duwell, Donald G. Bogenschuetz
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Publication number: 20200130982Abstract: A cord management system for a cabinet or other similar furniture, appliances, or other applications include a conduit. A cord management weight is disposed within the conduit. The cord management weight includes a cord receiving portion and a weight locking feature. The cord receiving portion is configured to receive a portion of an electrical cord of an electronic device. The weight locking feature is configured to selectively prevent translational movement of the cord management weight within the conduit. The cord management weight is configured to be selectively retracted into the conduit and locked into position within the conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Alexander V. LeTourneau, Scott R. Krebs, Lawrence E. Duwell, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Peter William Swart
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Publication number: 20200102729Abstract: A toilet includes an inlet structure, a bowl structure, and an outlet structure. The inlet structure is configured to receive water. The bowl structure has a toilet bowl including a rim and a sump, a split fluidly connected to the inlet structure and including a first passage and a second passage, a shelf located below the rim of the toilet bowl and fluidly connected to the first passage, a side channel fluidly connected to the second passage, and a diverter that redirects the water from the side channel to the sump of the toilet bowl. The outlet structure is fluidly connected to the sump and is configured to discharge water from the sump into a drain.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventors: Tony L. Lambert, Daniel N. Halloran, Andrew L. Smith
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Publication number: 20200048886Abstract: A toilet assembly includes a flush engine having a bowl defining a sump and a trapway extending from the sump. A bowl insert is configured to be located in the bowl and a shroud is configured to be positioned over the flush engine to conceal at least a portion of the flush engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Mark E. Baumgartner, Donald G. Bogenschuetz, Tobin J. Vetting, Lawrence E. Duwell, Peter W. Swart
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Publication number: 20190382994Abstract: A toilet that includes a bowl having a sump, a passageway, a fluid conduit and a valve. The passageway includes an entrance fluidly connected to the sump, an outlet, a dam located between the entrance and the outlet of the passageway, and an inlet located between the dam and the outlet of the passageway. The fluid conduit configured to supply a volume of water into the passageway through the inlet. The valve located between the inlet and the outlet of the passageway, wherein the valve is configured to retain the volume of water in a closed position prior to a flush cycle to affect a siphon during the flush cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2019Publication date: December 19, 2019Inventors: Andrew L. SMITH, Billy Jack Ahola, Mark Baumgartner, Larry Duwell, Don Bogenschuetz, Peter Swart, Tobin Vetting
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Patent number: 10428509Abstract: A method of flushing a siphonic toilet that includes retaining a first volume of water in a bowl and an up leg of a passageway that is upstream from a dam, retaining a second volume of water in the passageway between a valve and the dam in a closed position of the valve, activating a flush cycle of the toilet that introduces a third volume of water into the toilet, and moving the valve from the closed position to an open position to affect a siphon during the flush cycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Mark Baumgartner, Larry Duwell, Don Bogenschuetz, Peter Swart, Tobin Vetting
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Publication number: 20190169825Abstract: A toilet that includes a tank having an outlet; a mounting bracket including a base having a central opening, a first set of mounts, which comprises two mounting locations located on opposite sides of the central opening for mounting the tank to a first pedestal having a bowl and two mounting holes, and a second set of mounts, which comprises three mounting locations that are separate from the two mounting locations of the first set of mounts, are located in a triangular pattern around the central opening, and mount the tank to a second pedestal having a bowl and three mounting holes; a valve body extending through the outlet and the central opening, wherein the valve body fluidly connects the outlet to an inlet of one of the bowls; and two or more fasteners with each fastener engaging one mounting hole and an associated mounting location.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2018Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Peter William Swart, John F. Emmerling, Scott R. Krebs, Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Lawrence E. Duwell, Donald G. Bogenschuetz
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Publication number: 20190152803Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automatically operating a high voltage resonance circuit. An embodiment of the system includes one or more coils each coil can be an alternating current (AC) coil or a direct current (DC) coil. An embodiment of the system further includes a microprocessor that issues commands to control amplitude and frequency of pulses of the one or more coils to reach and maintain a resonant condition for water treatment. The microprocessor determines whether a coil is an AC coil or a DC coil by detecting whether a capacitor is connected in series with the coil. An embodiment of the system further includes one or more sensors that measure the quality of water and provide feedback to the microprocessor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Applicant: Griswold Water Systems, Inc.Inventor: Andrew L. Smith
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Patent number: 10189721Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automatically operating a high voltage resonance circuit. An embodiment of the system includes one or more coils each coil can be an alternating current (AC) coil or a direct current (DC) coil. An embodiment of the system further includes a microprocessor that issues commands to control amplitude and frequency of pulses of the one or more coils to reach and maintain a resonant condition for water treatment. The microprocessor determines whether a coil is an AC coil or a DC coil by detecting whether a capacitor is connected in series with the coil. An embodiment of the system further includes one or more sensors that measure the quality of water and provide feedback to the microprocessor.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Griswold Water SystemsInventor: Andrew L. Smith
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Publication number: 20180258630Abstract: A method of flushing a siphonic toilet that includes retaining a first volume of water in a bowl and an up leg of a passageway that is upstream from a dam, retaining a second volume of water in the passageway between a valve and the dam in a closed position of the valve, activating a flush cycle of the toilet that introduces a third volume of water into the toilet, and moving the valve from the closed position to an open position to affect a siphon during the flush cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Andrew L. SMITH, Billy Jack Ahola, Mark Baumgartner, Larry Duwell, Don Bogenschuetz, Peter Swart, Tobin Vetting
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Patent number: 9988802Abstract: A siphonic toilet including a bowl, a passageway and a valve. The passageway includes an entrance fluidly connected to the bowl, an outlet, and a dam located between the entrance and the outlet, wherein the dam and bowl are configured to hold a first volume of water prior to a flush cycle. An inlet is located in the passageway downstream from the dam to introduce water into the passageway downstream from the dam. The valve is located between the inlet and the outlet of the passageway, and the valve retains a second volume of water when in a closed position prior to the flush cycle of the toilet to affect a siphon during the flush cycle.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Mark Baumgartner, Larry Duwell, Don Bogenschuetz, Peter Swart, Tobin Vetting
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Publication number: 20180142457Abstract: A siphonic toilet including a bowl, a passageway and a valve. The passageway includes an entrance fluidly connected to the bowl, an outlet, and a dam located between the entrance and the outlet, wherein the dam and bowl are configured to hold a first volume of water prior to a flush cycle. An inlet is located in the passageway downstream from the dam to introduce water into the passageway downstream from the dam. The valve is located between the inlet and the outlet of the passageway, and the valve retains a second volume of water when in a closed position prior to the flush cycle of the toilet to affect a siphon during the flush cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventors: Andrew L. Smith, Billy Jack Ahola, Mark Baumgartner, Larry Duwell, Don Bogenschuetz, Peter Swart, Tobin Vetting
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Patent number: 9816259Abstract: One embodiment of the present application relates to a water tank for a toilet. The water tank includes a first chamber comprising an orifice for connecting to a toilet bowl. The water tank further includes a free-floating member within the first chamber that is not coupled to any other component and that is configured to selectively engage with and disengage from the orifice to selectively block or allow a flow of water through the orifice. The free-floating member can be selectively disengaged from the orifice via an actuator or a differential pressure within the water tank.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2014Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: KOHLER CO.Inventors: Billy Jack Ahola, Andrew L. Smith, Lawrence Westphal, Peter W. Swart, Mark E. Baumgartner, Lawrence Duwell, Don Bogenshuetz, Tobin J. Vetting, John F. Emmerling
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Patent number: 9664553Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for providing a float-based sensor are disclosed. Embodiments of the system and method provide a sealed pipe or tube, also referred to as a barrier chamber, that is located inside a tank (or body of water) to measure a fluid level in the tank, such as a fuel tank, an oil tank, a chemical tank, a water tank, and the like. No fluid is able to penetrate the interior of the sealed pipe to avoid any electrical, mechanical, or chemical problems, or degradation. Embodiments of the system and method use a float having a magnet that magnetically couples to a target located within the barrier chamber's interior. The movement of the target is constrained to one dimension, allowing it to move up and down as the fluid level in the tank (or body of water) moves the magnetically coupled float up and down.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Inventor: Andrew L. Smith
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Publication number: 20160159663Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automatically operating a high voltage resonance circuit. An embodiment of the system includes one or more coils each coil can be an alternating current (AC) coil or a direct current (DC) coil. An embodiment of the system further includes a microprocessor that issues commands to control amplitude and frequency of pulses of the one or more coils to reach and maintain a resonant condition for water treatment. The microprocessor determines whether a coil is an AC coil or a DC coil by detecting whether a capacitor is connected in series with the coil. An embodiment of the system further includes one or more sensors that measure the quality of water and provide feedback to the microprocessor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2016Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventor: Andrew L. Smith