Patents by Inventor Brian M. Lewis

Brian M. Lewis 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: 6334411
    Abstract: A combination space and hot water heater is comprised of an inner tank having an outer casing spaced therebout with insulation being interposed between the casing and the inner tank. The inner tank has a glass-lined inner surface and a heater is provided within the inner tank for heating a same volume of water within the inner tank. An anode is provided within the inner tank. A closed water circulating circuit is connected to the inner tank for circulating hot water from the tank through heat exchange means connected in the closed water circulating circuit. Preferably, but not exclusively, the heat exchange devices are radiators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Giant Factories Inc.
    Inventors: Claude Lesage, Brian M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5979371
    Abstract: A foam distribution jacket (10) for containing an insulating expandable liquid foam mixture (44) prior to expansion into a space (17) between a hot water tank (22) and an outer casing (29) secured thereabout. The jacket (10) comprises a pair of sheets (11-12) which are superimposed to define a bottom trough section (13) having a straight bottom edge (15) and opposed end edges (16). A seal (17) is formed along the straight bottom edge and the opposed end edges to form the trough (13) and to interconnect the sheets (11-12). The pair of sheets (11-12) converge to a crest portion (19) at a top end section (14) thereof. An attachment hole (20) is provided in the crest of an inner one of the pair of sheets (11-12) and is adapted to attach the jacket (10) in a depending manner from a nipple (21) in a top wall (48) of a hot water tank (22). The method of insulating a surrounding space (27) formed between the hot water tank (22) and the outer casing (29) using the foam distribution jacket (10) is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Giant Factories Inc.
    Inventor: Brian M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5577491
    Abstract: A heat trap for hot water storage tanks is described and it comprises an outer tubular casing having opposed connecting end portions. The casing has an inner chamber which is divided to provide a convoluted water flow path. This convoluted water flow path can be provided by having concentric channels defined with the interior of the casing, or by having a member with two longitudinally spaced apart circular end walls joined by vanes extending radially from the central axis of the end walls. The first and second vanes have passages therein adjacent opposed ends. The opposed ends of the casing may also be a threaded tapered portion to connect the heat trap to threaded holes of different sizes depending on the make of the hot water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Bemel Inc.
    Inventor: Brian M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5431296
    Abstract: A corrosion resistant insert of the present invention is used for fitting at an opening in a metallic liquid tank. The insert has an open end, a radially outwardly extending lip at the open end, a closed end and an axially extending side wall spacing the open end and closed ends from one another. The closed end has a displaceable portion secured to the insert in a preweakened manner which facilitates opening in one direction while resisting opening in the other direction. The use of the insert in the tank enables lining and then pressure testing of the tank ready for fittings after which the closed end of the insert is opened to allow liquid flow through the tank when the tank is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: GSW Inc.
    Inventor: Brian M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5215247
    Abstract: A corrosion resistant insert of the present invention is used for fitting at an opening in a metallic liquid tank. The insert has an open end, a radially outwardly extending lip at the open end, a closed end and an axially extending side wall spacing the open end and closed ends from one another. The closed end has a displaceable portion secured to the insert in a preweakened manner which facilitates opening in one direction while resisting opening in the other direction. The use of the insert in the tank enables lining and then pressure testing of the tank ready for fittings after which the closed end of the insert is opened to allow liquid flow through the tank when the tank is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Inventor: Brian M. Lewis