Patents by Inventor Brian B. Johnson
Brian B. Johnson 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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Publication number: 20250058887Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes, among other things, a propulsor section including a rotor and blades, a geared architecture including a gear train, a compressor section and a turbine section. A static structure includes a first case and a second case. The first case includes a first engine mount location. The second case includes a second engine mount location. The first engine mount location is axially near the geared architecture.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2024Publication date: February 20, 2025Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Christopher M. Dye, Steven B. Johnson, Frederick M. Schwarz
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Publication number: 20240425342Abstract: The present application provides a beverage dispensing system for dispensing a fluid. The beverage dispensing system may include a nozzle, a container having semi-rigid plastic walls with the fluid therein, a pump for pumping the fluid from the container to the nozzle, and a gas backfill system in communication with the container. The gas backfill system provides a gas to the container as the fluid is pumped from the container to prevent a buildup of a vacuum therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2024Publication date: December 26, 2024Inventors: William EVANS, Brian B. JOHNSON, Michael SMITH, Xiaoyan HUANG, Jin M. LEE, Rahul GOKHALE, Amy RAYBURN, Sharon SACKETT
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Patent number: 11772954Abstract: A carbonated water dispenser comprises a carbonator with a water inlet and a carbonated water outlet. A backflow preventer module is fluidically coupled to the water inlet and comprises a check valve and a thermal mass flow meter. The thermal mass flow meter is configured to communicate a first signal based on a measured amount of heat transferred from a heater to a temperature sensor by a flow of a fluid through the backflow preventer module. A shut-off valve is fluidically coupled between the carbonated water outlet and a nozzle. The shut-off valve is configured to allow or prevent fluid flow from the carbonated water outlet to the nozzle base on a control signal. A controller is configured to detect a backflow condition based on the first signal and generate the control signal to configure the shut-off valve to prevent dispensing carbonated water upon detection of the backflow condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2023Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventors: James Dalberg, Jevawn Sebastian Roberts, Brian B. Johnson
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Publication number: 20230234829Abstract: A carbonated water dispenser comprises a carbonator with a water inlet and a carbonated water outlet. A backflow preventer module is fluidically coupled to the water inlet and comprises a check valve and a thermal mass flow meter. The thermal mass flow meter is configured to communicate a first signal based on a measured amount of heat transferred from a heater to a temperature sensor by a flow of a fluid through the backflow preventer module. A shut-off valve is fluidically coupled between the carbonated water outlet and a nozzle. The shut-off valve is configured to allow or prevent fluid flow from the carbonated water outlet to the nozzle base on a control signal. A controller is configured to detect a backflow condition based on the first signal and generate the control signal to configure the shut-off valve to prevent dispensing carbonated water upon detection of the backflow condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: James DALBERG, Jevawn Sebastian ROBERTS, Brian B. JOHNSON
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Patent number: 11644353Abstract: A flow control module with a thermal mass flow meter is provided. The thermal mass flow meter facilitates measuring both a flow rate and a temperature of a fluid passing through the flow control module. Fluids may experience different flow characteristics at different temperature ranges. The flow control module includes a proportional control valve for selectively adjusting the flow rate of the fluid passing through the flow control module. Upon detecting that the temperature of the fluid is outside of a temperature range for the fluid, a controller is configured to load a different set of calibration parameters for controlling the operation of the proportional control valve to accommodate the different flow characteristics of the fluid at that temperature. Additionally, the controller is configured to detect bubbles using the thermal mass flow meter based upon the difference in thermal conductivity of gasses and liquids.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2019Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: THE COCA-COLA COMPANYInventors: James Dalberg, Jevawn Sebastian Roberts, Brian B. Johnson
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Patent number: 11613457Abstract: A carbonated water dispenser comprises a carbonator with a water inlet and a carbonated water outlet. A backflow preventer module is fluidically coupled to the water inlet and comprises a check valve and a thermal mass flow meter. The thermal mass flow meter is configured to communicate a first signal based on a measured amount of heat transferred from a heater to a temperature sensor by a flow of a fluid through the backflow preventer module. A shut-off valve is fluidically coupled between the carbonated water outlet and a nozzle. The shut-off valve is configured to allow or prevent fluid flow from the carbonated water outlet to the nozzle base on a control signal. A controller is configured to detect a backflow condition based on the first signal and generate the control signal to configure the shut-off valve to prevent dispensing carbonated water upon detection of the backflow condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: THE COCA-COLA COMPANYInventors: James Dalberg, Jevawn Sebastian Roberts, Brian B. Johnson
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Publication number: 20220399153Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to power conversion using a planar transformer assembly that provides medium-voltage isolation at high frequencies. A planar transformer comprises primary and secondary planar windings configured to generate an isolated output. Each primary and secondary winding is interleaved on layers of a printed circuit board using one or more vias within the layers of the printed circuit board. The planar transformer also comprises a magnetic core and a field-shaping apparatus coupled with the printed circuit board. The field-shaping apparatus is configured to shape an electric field generated by the windings. The primary windings can be coupled to a DC source via switching devices while the secondary windings can be coupled via switching devices to one or more DC ports followed by AC inverters configured to generate three single-phase AC outputs for medium voltage applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2022Publication date: December 15, 2022Inventors: Satyaki Mukherjee, Branko Majmunovic, Dragan Maksimovic, Brian B. Johnson
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Patent number: 11503945Abstract: A beverage making machine having a cartridge holder with an upper portion movable in pivotal and/or linear ways relative to a lower portion. An actuator for the cartridge portion may include a handle-actuated spur gear and link to move the upper portion, which may be guided in movement via a cam and cam follower engagement. Information from a cartridge detector may be used based on movement of cartridge holder portions, e.g., as an upper portion moves from an open position to a closed position. A mixing chamber may be held by a drawer so as to be removable, and movement of the drawer may engage/disengage the mixing chamber from a fluid supply.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Bedford Systems LLCInventors: William Philip McHugh, Jeremy B. Gordon, Scott Grubb, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Peter Rae Peterson, Thomas J. Novak, Thomas Paul Dutremble, Gwynn Masada, Bradford Range, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro, Steven Raphaelson, Michael Sack, Brian B. Johnson
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Publication number: 20220073337Abstract: A carbonated water dispenser comprises a carbonator with a water inlet and a carbonated water outlet. A backflow preventer module is fluidically coupled to the water inlet and comprises a check valve and a thermal mass flow meter. The thermal mass flow meter is configured to communicate a first signal based on a measured amount of heat transferred from a heater to a temperature sensor by a flow of a fluid through the backflow preventer module. A shut-off valve is fluidically coupled between the carbonated water outlet and a nozzle. The shut-off valve is configured to allow or prevent fluid flow from the carbonated water outlet to the nozzle base on a control signal. A controller is configured to detect a backflow condition based on the first signal and generate the control signal to configure the shut-off valve to prevent dispensing carbonated water upon detection of the backflow condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: March 10, 2022Inventors: James DALBERG, Jevawn Sebastian ROBERTS, Brian B. JOHNSON
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Publication number: 20210356305Abstract: A flow control module with a thermal mass flow meter is provided. The thermal mass flow meter facilitates measuring both a flow rate and a temperature of a fluid passing through the flow control module. Fluids may experience different flow characteristics at different temperature ranges. The flow control module includes a proportional control valve for selectively adjusting the flow rate of the fluid passing through the flow control module. Upon detecting that the temperature of the fluid is outside of a temperature range for the fluid, a controller is configured to load a different set of calibration parameters for controlling the operation of the proportional control valve to accommodate the different flow characteristics of the fluid at that temperature. Additionally, the controller is configured to detect bubbles using the thermal mass flow meter based upon the difference in thermal conductivity of gasses and liquids.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2019Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: James DALBERG, Jevawn Sebastian ROBERTS, Brian B. JOHNSON
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Patent number: 11118701Abstract: A flow control module is provided. The flow control module includes a housing as well as an on/off solenoid assembly and a proportional solenoid assembly mounted to the housing. A flow body is situated within the housing and is interposed between the on/off solenoid assembly and the proportional solenoid assembly. The flow body provides for flow management of a flow of fluid through the housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventors: Francis R. Byle, Christopher J. Kujawski, Dominic P. Petri, Brian B. Johnson
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Patent number: 10855203Abstract: A cascaded architecture composed of interconnected blocks that are each designed to process constant power and eliminate bulk energy storage are provided. Further, local controls within each block natively achieve both block- and system-level aims, making the system modular and scalable. Further methods of providing power conversion using such interconnected clocks are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignees: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate, Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLCInventors: Dragan Maksimovic, Prasanta Achanta, Brian B. Johnson, Miguel Rodriguez, Vahan Gevorgian
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Patent number: 10843866Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage are disclosed. A gas source, which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid, and/or a beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in a cartridge. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: BEDFORD SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Enrico Raffaele Cafaro, Ralph K. Maider, Jr., Michael Sack, Steven Raphaelson, J. Corey Michal, Kevin Sweeney, Brian B. Johnson, James Passemato, Peter Rae Peterson, Richard M. Estabrook, Thomas Fedorka, Scott Grubb, Wai Ting Chan, Christopher Covey, Gary Stacey, Raymond Carroll
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Publication number: 20200146501Abstract: A beverage making machine having a cartridge holder with an upper portion movable in pivotal and/or linear ways relative to a lower portion. An actuator for the cartridge portion may include a handle-actuated spur gear and link to move the upper portion, which may be guided in movement via a cam and cam follower engagement. Information from a cartridge detector may be used based on movement of cartridge holder portions, e.g., as an upper portion moves from an open position to a closed position. A mixing chamber may be held by a drawer so as to be removable, and movement of the drawer may engage/disengage the mixing chamber from a fluid supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: William Philip McHugh, Jeremy B. Gordon, Scott Grubb, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Peter Rae Peterson, Thomas J. Novak, Thomas Paul Dutremble, Gwynn Masada, Bradford Range, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro, Steven Raphaelson, Michael Sack, Brian B. Johnson
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Publication number: 20200067423Abstract: A cascaded architecture composed of interconnected blocks that are each designed to process constant power and eliminate bulk energy storage are provided. Further, local controls within each block natively achieve both block- and system-level aims, making the system modular and scalable. Further methods of providing power conversion using such interconnected clocks are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Dragan Maksimovic, Prasanta Achanta, Brian B. Johnson, Miguel Rodriguez, Vahan Gevorgian
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Patent number: 10531762Abstract: A beverage making machine having a cartridge holder with an upper portion movable in pivotal and/or linear ways relative to a lower portion. An actuator for the cartridge portion may include a handle-actuated spur gear and link to move the upper portion, which may be guided in movement via a cam and cam follower engagement. Information from a cartridge detector may be used based on movement of cartridge holder portions, e.g., as an upper portion moves from an open position to a closed position. A mixing chamber may be held by a drawer so as to be removable, and movement of the drawer may engage/disengage the mixing chamber from a fluid supply.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: BEDFORD SYSTEMS LLCInventors: William Philip McHugh, Jeremy B. Gordon, Scott Grubb, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Peter Rae Peterson, Thomas J. Novak, Thomas Paul Dutremble, Gwynn Masada, Bradford Range, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro, Steven Raphaelson, Michael Sack, Brian B. Johnson
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Publication number: 20200003325Abstract: A flow control module is provided. The flow control module includes a housing as well as an on/off solenoid assembly and a proportional solenoid assembly mounted to the housing. A flow body is situated within the housing and is interposed between the on/off solenoid assembly and the proportional solenoid assembly. The flow body provides for flow management of a flow of fluid through the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2018Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Francis R. BYLE, Christopher J. KUJAWSKI, Dominic P. PETRI, Brian B. JOHNSON
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Publication number: 20190166886Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. Carbonating gas can be provided to a tank via the tank outlet, thereby purging at least a portion of a dispense line leading from the tank to a dispensing station. A single pump may be used to deliver liquid to the tank, e.g., for carbonation, and to pump pressurized air to dispense liquid from the tank. A water trap may help remove moisture from carbonating gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2019Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Jeremy B. Gordon, Brian B. Johnson, Steven Raphaelson, Mario Liuzza, Scott Grubb, Trevor Beckett, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Thomas J. Novak, Peter Rae Peterson, Miles Hember, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro
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Patent number: 10201171Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. Carbonating gas can be provided to a tank via the tank outlet, thereby purging at least a portion of a dispense line leading from the tank to a dispensing station. A single pump may be used to deliver liquid to the tank, e.g., for carbonation, and to pump pressurized air to dispense liquid from the tank. A water trap may help remove moisture from carbonating gas.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: BEDFORD SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Jeremy B. Gordon, Brian B. Johnson, Steven Raphaelson, Mario Liuzza, Scott Grubb, Trevor Beckett, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Thomas J. Novak, Peter Rae Peterson, Miles Hember, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro
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Publication number: 20160235242Abstract: A beverage making machine having a cartridge holder with an upper portion movable in pivotal and/or linear ways relative to a lower portion. An actuator for the cartridge portion may include a handle-actuated spur gear and link to move the upper portion, which may be guided in movement via a cam and cam follower engagement. Information from a cartridge detector may be used based on movement of cartridge holder portions, e.g., as an upper portion moves from an open position to a closed position. A mixing chamber may be held by a drawer so as to be removable, and movement of the drawer may engage/disengage the mixing chamber from a fluid supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: William Philip McHugh, Jeremy B. Gordon, Scott Grubb, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Peter Rae Peterson, Thomas J. Novak, Thomas Paul Dutremble, Gwynn Masada, Bradford Range, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro, Steven Raphaelson, Michael Sack, Brian B. Johnson