Patents by Inventor Andrew R. Fox

Andrew R. Fox 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).

  • Patent number: 11060758
    Abstract: Air filters are disclosed. The air filters include filtration media comprising a first surface (104) comprising a first region (106) proximate a first end (110) of the filtration media and a second region (108) proximate a second end (112) of the filtration media. The second region (108) is configured to provide a zone including either a densified zone of the filtration media or a support layer (114) adjacent to the filtration media. Also an air conditioning unit with the air filters is disclosed. And also a method of manufacturing the air filters is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Liang Cheng, Andrew R. Fox
  • Patent number: 11040301
    Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for estimating a replacement status of an HVAC air filter. Outdoor weather data (e.g., outdoor temperature information), is obtained. A Total Runtime Value of the HVAC system is determined based upon the obtained outdoor weather data. Finally, a replacement status of the air filter is estimated as a function of a comparison of the Total Runtime Value with a Baseline Value. By correlating air filter replacement status with an estimated runtime of the HVAC system, a credible predictor of air filter usage is provided. By estimating fan runtime based on easily-obtained outdoor weather data, the methods are readily implemented with any existing HVAC system and do not require installation of sensors or other mechanical or electrical components to the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Eric C. Lobner, Theresa M. Meyer, Brian J. Stankiewicz
  • Patent number: 11027231
    Abstract: An air filter (1) comprises an air filter media (10) with a sorbent-free area (20) that provides a visual filter life indicator zone (30) and with a sorbent-loaded area (26) that provides a visual reference zone (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Liang Cheng, Andrew R. Fox, Himanshu Jasuja, Zhiqun Zhang
  • Publication number: 20210164674
    Abstract: A room air purifier including an RFID reader and a wireless communication unit, and methods of using such a room air purifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: ANDREW R. FOX, LIANG CHENG, WEILAI JIANG, YINGHUA YANG, ZHIJUN YANG, JIE ZHOU, YIXIONG CHEN, XIAODAN CHEN, PAN LIU, LING CHEN, WENQIAN TANG, LILIANG LIU
  • Patent number: 10994235
    Abstract: A frame assembly for releasably maintaining an air filter. In some embodiments, the frame assembly includes a thermoformed body integrally forming a base, opposing side walls, opposing end walls, and at least one closure sub-assembly. The frame assembly is configured to releasable retain an air filter relative to the base via the closure sub-assembly. In other embodiments, the frame assembly defines, in a flat state, foldable side and end panels at the perimeter edges of a central grid panel; the frame assembly can be transitioned to a final state for receiving an air filter by folding the panels. The frame assemblies of the present disclosure are re-usable, allowing a user to replace a “used” air filter with a “new” air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Zhiqun Zhang, Andrew R. Fox, Nicolas A. Echeverri, Gary N. Eastlund
  • Patent number: 10960341
    Abstract: An air filter including a filter support that supports polymeric sorbent particles. The polymeric sorbent is the reaction product of a divinylbenzene/maleic anhydride precursor polymeric material with a nitrogen-containing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Wendland, Michael W. Kobe, Himanshu Jasuja, Andrew R. Fox
  • Patent number: 10955150
    Abstract: A room air purifier comprises housing (9), air filter (100), RFID reader (143), RFID tag (120), and a wireless communication unit (142). A method is how to operating the room air purifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: SM Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Liang Cheng, Weilai Jiang, Yinghua Yang, Zhijun Yang, Jie Zhou, Yixiong Chen, Xiaodan Chen, Pan Liu, Ling Chen, Wenqian Tang, Liliang Liu
  • Publication number: 20200368661
    Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for estimating a replacement status of an HVAC air filter. Outdoor weather data (e.g., outdoor temperature information), is obtained. A Total Runtime Value of the HVAC system is determined based upon the obtained outdoor weather data. Finally, a replacement status of the air filter is estimated as a function of a comparison of the Total Runtime Value with a Baseline Value. By correlating air filter replacement status with an estimated runtime of the HVAC system, a credible predictor of air filter usage is provided. By estimating fan runtime based on easily-obtained outdoor weather data, the methods are readily implemented with any existing HVAC system and do not require installation of sensors or other mechanical or electrical components to the HVAC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Eric C. Lobner, Theresa M. Meyer, Brian J. Stankiewicz
  • Publication number: 20200298170
    Abstract: An air filter including a filter support that supports polymeric sorbent particles. The polymeric sorbent is the reaction product of a divinylbenzene/maleic anhydride precursor polymeric material with a nitrogen-containing compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Michael S. Wendland, Michael W. Kobe, Himanshu Jasuja, Andrew R. Fox
  • Patent number: 10773200
    Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for estimating a replacement status of an HVAC air filter. Outdoor weather data (e.g., outdoor temperature information), is obtained. A Total Runtime Value of the HVAC system is determined based upon the obtained outdoor weather data. Finally, a replacement status of the air filter is estimated as a function of a comparison of the Total Runtime Value with a Baseline Value. By correlating air filter replacement status with an estimated runtime of the HVAC system, a credible predictor of air filter usage is provided. By estimating fan runtime based on easily-obtained outdoor weather data, the methods are readily implemented with any existing HVAC system and do not require installation of sensors or other mechanical or electrical components to the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Eric C. Lobner, Theresa M. Meyer, Brian J. Stankiewicz
  • Publication number: 20200179860
    Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for estimating a replacement status of an HVAC air filter. Outdoor weather data (e.g., outdoor temperature information), is obtained. A Total Runtime Value of the HVAC system is determined based upon the obtained outdoor weather data. Finally, a replacement status of the air filter is estimated as a function of a comparison of the Total Runtime Value with a Baseline Value. By correlating air filter replacement status with an estimated runtime of the HVAC system, a credible predictor of air filter usage is provided. By estimating fan runtime based on easily-obtained outdoor weather data, the methods are readily implemented with any existing HVAC system and do not require installation of sensors or other mechanical or electrical components to the HVAC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Eric C. Lobner, Theresa M. Meyer, Brian J. Stankiewicz
  • Publication number: 20200129907
    Abstract: An air filter media (10) including a pleated fibrous filtration web (8) with a first major side (2) that includes at least one sorbent-loaded area (26) in which sorbent particles (14) are present on a first major surface (25) of the pleated fibrous filtration web (8), at least some of the sorbent particles (14) being post-pleat-deposited sorbent particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Himanshu Jasuja, Mikhail A. Belkin, Bryan L. Gerhardt, Glen O. Gregerson, Gerry A. Hoffdahl, Jonathan M. Lise, Tien T. Wu
  • Patent number: 10610818
    Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for estimating a replacement status of an HVAC air filter. Outdoor weather data (e.g., outdoor temperature information), is obtained. A Total Runtime Value of the HVAC system is determined based upon the obtained outdoor weather data. Finally, a replacement status of the air filter is estimated as a function of a comparison of the Total Runtime Value with a Baseline Value. By correlating air filter replacement status with an estimated runtime of the HVAC system, a credible predictor of air filter usage is provided. By estimating fan runtime based on easily-obtained outdoor weather data, the methods are readily implemented with any existing HVAC system and do not require installation of sensors or other mechanical or electrical components to the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Eric C. Lobner, Theresa M. Meyer, Brian J. Stankiewicz
  • Patent number: 10575571
    Abstract: A flat-fold respirator is made from a stiff filtration panel joined to the remainder of the respirator through at least one line of demarcation. The panel contains a porous monocomponent monolayer nonwoven web that contains charged intermingled continuous monocomponent polymeric fibers of the same polymeric composition and that has sufficient basis weight or inter-fiber bonding so that the web exhibits a Gurley Stiffness greater than 200 mg and the respirator exhibits less than 20 mm H2O pressure drop. The respirator may be formed without requiring additional stiffening layers, bicomponent fibers, or other reinforcement and can be flat-folded for storage. Scrap from the manufacturing process may be recycled to make additional stiff filtration panel web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Seyed A. Angadjivand, James E. Springett, John M. Brandner, Marvin E. Jones, Andrew R. Fox, Michael R. Berrigan, John D. Stelter
  • Publication number: 20190314751
    Abstract: An air filter (1) comprises an air filter media (10) with a sorbent-free area (20) that provides a visual filter life indicator zone (30) and with a sorbent-loaded area (26) that provides a visual reference zone (27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Liang Cheng, Andrew R. Fox, Himanshu Jasuja, Zhiqun Zhang
  • Patent number: 10406472
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to air filters expandable from a collapsed arrangement to an expanded, end-use arrangement and to methods of making, using, and installing such air filters. Some embodiments relate to an air filter having an expanded state and a collapsed state. The air filter includes a filter media assembly including (1) filter media including a plurality of pleats, (2) first and second opposing sides, and (3) first and second opposing ends. The air filter also includes a shape retention structure capable of being connected to at least a portion of the filter media assembly and capable of retention the filter media assembly in the expanded state. A spacing distance between adjacent pleats in the filter media is greater in the expanded state of the air filter than in the collapsed state of the air filter. In some embodiments, the air filter is an HVAC air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Zhiqun Zhang, Andrew R. Fox, Matthew T. Scholz, Gene B. Portelli, Nicolas A. Echeverri, Amanda B. Dauphinais, Leonard M. Martinez, Stephen M. Sanocki, Kannan Seshadri
  • Publication number: 20190262755
    Abstract: A frame assembly for releasably maintaining an air filter. In some embodiments, the frame assembly includes a thermoformed body integrally forming a base, opposing side walls, opposing end walls, and at least one closure sub-assembly. The frame assembly is configured to releasable retain an air filter relative to the base via the closure sub-assembly. In other embodiments, the frame assembly defines, in a flat state, foldable side and end panels at the perimeter edges of a central grid panel; the frame assembly can be transitioned to a final state for receiving an air filter by folding the panels. The frame assemblies of the present disclosure are re-usable, allowing a user to replace a “used” air filter with a “new” air filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Zhiqun Zhang, Andrew R. Fox, Nicolas A. Echeverri, Gary N. Eastlund
  • Publication number: 20190262759
    Abstract: A nestable framed pleated air filter, including a non-self-supporting, compressible, pleated air filter media with a plurality of oppositely-facing pleats and with a plurality of upstream pleat tips and downstream pleat tips and downstream pleat valleys, the pleated air filter media further including a plurality of bridging filaments that are bonded to at least some of the upstream pleat tips. The filter includes a frame with sidewalls that are angled so that the framed pleated air filter is nestable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Jonathan M. Lise, John J. Rogers, Stephen M. Sanocki, Kannan Seshadri
  • Publication number: 20190209954
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to improved room air purifiers and filtration media for use in room air purifiers. In some embodiments, the room air purifiers and media exhibit excellent filtration of cigarette smoke and/or formaldehyde. Some embodiments include a multilayer filtration media, comprising: a fluorinated electret layer; a sorbent layer adjacent to the fluorinated electret layer; and an optional backing layer having a Gurley stiffness of at least about 200 mg; where the backing layer is not present, at least one of the fluorinated electret layer, the sorbent layer, or the combination of the two layers has a Gurley stiffness of at least about 200 mg. In some embodiments, the filtration media is pleated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew R. Fox, Himanshu Jasuja, Bryan L. Gerhardt, Dennis M. Glass
  • Patent number: D893695
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Brian D. Gale, Andrew R. Fox