Patents by Inventor Brian R. Butler

Brian R. Butler 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).

  • Publication number: 20210381708
    Abstract: A refrigerant control system includes: a charge module configured to determine an amount of refrigerant that is present within a first portion of a refrigeration system within a building; and an isolation module configured to selectively open and close an isolation valve of the refrigeration system and to, via the isolation valve, maintain the amount of refrigerant within the first portion within the building below a predetermined amount of the refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. BUTLER, Stuart K. MORGAN, Hung PHAM, Winfield S. MORTER, Andrew M. WELCH, David ALFANO, Michael A. SAUNDERS
  • Patent number: 11131471
    Abstract: A refrigerant control system includes: a charge module configured to determine an amount of refrigerant that is present within a refrigeration system of a building; a leak module configured to diagnose that a leak is present in the refrigeration system based on the amount of refrigerant; and at least one module configured to take at least one remedial action in response to the diagnosis that the leak is present in the refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Butler, Stuart K. Morgan, Hung Pham, Winfield S. Morter, Andrew M. Welch, David Alfano, Michael A. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20210239339
    Abstract: First and second IAQ sensors are located within a building and are configured to measure first and second IAQ parameters, respectively, the first and second IAQ parameter being the same one of: relative humidity; amount of particulate; amount of volatile organic compounds; and amount of carbon dioxide. A mitigation device is separate from an HVAC system and includes a control module configured to turn the mitigation device on and off based on the first IAQ parameter, the second IAQ parameter, and whether the HVAC system is on or off. A mitigation module is configured to selectively turn the HVAC system on and off based on the second IAQ parameter, the first IAQ parameter, and whether the HVAC system is on or off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Stuart K. MORGAN, Hung M. PHAM, Brian R. BUTLER
  • Publication number: 20210236979
    Abstract: A control system for a mitigation device includes a processor and a computer-readable medium that includes instructions executable by the processor. The instructions include monitoring a first measured particulate matter (PM) level of a conditioned space. The first measured PM level includes PM having a first range of sizes. The instructions further include monitoring a second measured PM level of the conditioned space. The second measured PM level includes PM having a second range of sizes. The first and second ranges are different but overlapping. The instructions also include asserting, in response to the first measured PM level being greater than a first predetermined threshold, an activation signal. The activation signal forces operation of a fan of the mitigation device. The instructions include asserting, in response to the second measured PM level being greater than a predetermined percentage of the first measured PM level, the activation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hung M. PHAM, Stuart K. MORGAN, Brian R. BUTLER
  • Publication number: 20210239348
    Abstract: An indoor air quality (IAQ) system for a building includes an IAQ sensor that is located within the building and that is configured to measure an IAQ parameter, the IAQ parameter being one of: a relative humidity (RH) of air; an amount of particulate of at least a predetermined size present in air; an amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in air; and an amount of carbon dioxide present in air. A mitigation module is configured to: selectively turn on a mitigation device based on a comparison of the IAQ parameter with a first threshold; and selectively turn off the mitigation device based on a comparison of the IAQ parameter with a second threshold. A thresholds module is configured to: set the first and second thresholds to predetermined default values; and selectively adjust at least one of the first and second thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Stuart K. MORGAN, Hung M. PHAM, Brian R. BUTLER
  • Publication number: 20210239335
    Abstract: An indoor air quality (IAQ) system for a building includes an IAQ sensor that is located within the building and that is configured to measure an IAQ parameter. The IAQ parameter is one of: an amount of particulate of at least a predetermined size present in air; an amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in air; and an amount of carbon dioxide present in air. A mitigation module is configured to: selectively turn on a mitigation device based on a comparison of the IAQ parameter with a first ON threshold and a second ON threshold; and selectively turn off the mitigation device based on a comparison of the IAQ parameter with an OFF threshold. A clean module is configured to determine a clean value for the IAQ parameter. A thresholds module is configured to, based on the clean value, determine the first ON threshold and the OFF threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Stuart K. MORGAN, Hung PHAM, Brian R. BUTLER
  • Publication number: 20210231331
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control system generates a request to replace a first air filter installed in an air handler of an HVAC system with a second air filter. The second air filter has a particulate matter removal efficiency rating that is greater than a particulate matter removal efficiency rating of the first filter. The system delays for a predetermined period of time and then obtains (i) a first temperature of air downstream of the air handler and (ii) a second temperature of air upstream of the air handler. The system then calculates a temperature difference between the f temperatures and determines whether the temperature difference is within an acceptable range. In response to the temperature difference being within the acceptable range, the system (i) operates the HVAC system using the second air filter and (ii) generates an alert indicating compatibility of the second air filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hung M. PHAM, Stuart K. MORGAN, Brian R. BUTLER
  • Publication number: 20210231338
    Abstract: An IAQ sensor module includes: a sensor configured to measure an amount of an item in air, the item being one of particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and carbon dioxide; a minimum module configured to selectively store the amount of the item as a minimum value of the amount when a mitigation device has been on for at least a predetermined period, the mitigation device being configured to decrease the amount of the item in the air when on; a storing module configured to selectively store the minimum value as an initial minimum value; an offset module configured to determine a drift offset for the sensor based on a difference between the minimum value and the initial minimum value; and an adjustment module configured to determine an adjusted amount of the item in the air at the IAQ sensor module based on the amount and the drift offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hung M. PHAM, Stuart K. MORGAN, Brian R. BUTLER
  • Publication number: 20210116144
    Abstract: A condition identification module is configured to, based on output from the at least one of a microphone and a camera, indicate an occurrence of a user having a physical condition. A correlation module is configured to, based on the occurrence of the user having the physical condition and at least one of a temperature of air, a relative humidity of air, an amount of particulate of at least a predetermined size present in air, an amount of VOCs present in air, and an amount of carbon dioxide present in air, selectively identify the presence of a correlation between the occurrence of the user having the physical condition and the at least one of the temperature, the RH, the amount of particulate, the amount of VOCs, and the amount of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Stuart K. MORGAN, Hung M. PHAM, Brian R. BUTLER
  • Publication number: 20210041119
    Abstract: A control system for a mitigation device includes a processor and a computer-readable medium that includes instructions executable by the processor. The instructions include monitoring a first measured particulate matter (PM) level of a conditioned space. The first measured PM level includes PM having a first range of sizes. The instructions further include monitoring a second measured PM level of the conditioned space. The second measured PM level includes PM having a second range of sizes. The first and second ranges are different but overlapping. The instructions also include asserting, in response to the first measured PM level being greater than a first predetermined threshold, an activation signal. The activation signal forces operation of a fan of the mitigation device. The instructions include asserting, in response to the second measured PM level being greater than a predetermined percentage of the first measured PM level, the activation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung M. PHAM, Stuart K. MORGAN, Brian R. BUTLER
  • Publication number: 20210041118
    Abstract: An indoor air quality (IAQ) system for a building includes an IAQ sensor that is located within the building and that is configured to measure an IAQ parameter. The IAQ parameter is one of: an amount of particulate of at least a predetermined size present in air; an amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in air; and an amount of carbon dioxide present in air. A mitigation module is configured to: selectively turn on a mitigation device based on a comparison of the IAQ parameter with a first ON threshold and a second ON threshold; and selectively turn off the mitigation device based on a comparison of the IAQ parameter with an OFF threshold. A clean module is configured to determine a clean value for the IAQ parameter. A thresholds module is configured to, based on the clean value, determine the first ON threshold and the OFF threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Stuart K. MORGAN, Hung PHAM, Brian R. BUTLER
  • Patent number: 10767878
    Abstract: An indoor air quality (IAQ) system for a building includes a relative humidity (RH) sensor. The RH sensor is configured to measure a RH of the air within the building. At least one of a thermostat and an IAQ control module is configured to control humidification of the building based on the RH measured by the RH sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung M. Pham, Stuart K. Morgan, Brian R. Butler
  • Patent number: 10760803
    Abstract: An indoor air quality (IAQ) system for a building includes a relative humidity (RH) sensor. The RH sensor is configured to measure a RH of the air within the building. At least one of a thermostat and an IAQ control module is configured to control humidification of the building based on the RH measured by the RH sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung M. Pham, Sahil Popli, Brian R. Butler, Winfield S. Morter
  • Patent number: 10760804
    Abstract: An indoor air quality (IAQ) system for a building includes a relative humidity (RH) sensor. The RH sensor is configured to measure a RH of the air within the building. At least one of a thermostat and an IAQ control module is configured to control humidification of the building based on the RH measured by the RH sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung M. Pham, Stuart K. Morgan, Brian R. Butler
  • Publication number: 20190154285
    Abstract: An indoor air quality (IAQ) system for a building includes a relative humidity (RH) sensor. The RH sensor is configured to measure a RH of the air within the building. At least one of a thermostat and an IAQ control module is configured to control humidification of the building based on the RH measured by the RH sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung M. Pham, Stuart K. Morgan, Brian R. Butler
  • Publication number: 20190154287
    Abstract: An indoor air quality (IAQ) system for a building includes a relative humidity (RH) sensor. The RH sensor is configured to measure a RH of the air within the building. At least one of a thermostat and an IAQ control module is configured to control humidification of the building based on the RH measured by the RH sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung M. PHAM, Sahil POPLI, Brian R. BUTLER, Winfield S. Morter
  • Publication number: 20190154286
    Abstract: An indoor air quality (IAQ) system for a building includes a relative humidity (RH) sensor. The RH sensor is configured to measure a RH of the air within the building. At least one of a thermostat and an IAQ control module is configured to control humidification of the building based on the RH measured by the RH sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung M. PHAM, Stuart K. MORGAN, Brian R. BUTLER
  • Patent number: 10087936
    Abstract: A compressor may include first and second scrolls, a seal assembly and a valve ring. The first scroll may include a first end plate having a discharge passage, a modulation port, and a biasing passage. The modulation port may be in communication with a first pocket formed between spiral wraps of the first and second scrolls. The biasing passage may be in communication with a second pocket formed between spiral wraps of the first and second scrolls. The modulation valve ring is axially displaceable relative to the seal assembly and the first scroll between first and second positions. The valve ring may abut an end plate of the first scroll and close the modulation port when in the first position. The valve ring may abut an axially-facing surface of the seal assembly and is spaced apart from the end plate to open the modulation port when in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis D. Pax, Stephen Barry Tummino, Troy R. Brostrom, Anthony Joseph Dahlinghaus, Brian R. Butler
  • Patent number: 10066622
    Abstract: A compressor may include first and second scrolls, a seal assembly and a valve ring. The first scroll may include a first end plate having a discharge passage, a modulation port, and a biasing passage. The modulation port may be in communication with a first pocket formed between spiral wraps of the first and second scrolls. The biasing passage may be in communication with a second pocket formed between spiral wraps of the first and second scrolls. The modulation valve ring is axially displaceable relative to the seal assembly and the first scroll between first and second positions. The valve ring may abut an end plate of the first scroll and close the modulation port when in the first position. The valve ring may abut an axially-facing surface of the seal assembly and is spaced apart from the end plate to open the modulation port when in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis D. Pax, Stephen Barry Tummino, Troy R. Brostrom, Anthony Joseph Dahlinghaus, Brian R. Butler, Hua Xu, Mindy Lanzer
  • Publication number: 20170314558
    Abstract: A compressor may include first and second scrolls, a seal assembly and a valve ring. The first scroll may include a first end plate having a discharge passage, a modulation port, and a biasing passage. The modulation port may be in communication with a first pocket formed between spiral wraps of the first and second scrolls. The biasing passage may be in communication with a second pocket formed between spiral wraps of the first and second scrolls. The modulation valve ring is axially displaceable relative to the seal assembly and the first scroll between first and second positions. The valve ring may abut an end plate of the first scroll and close the modulation port when in the first position. The valve ring may abut an axially-facing surface of the seal assembly and is spaced apart from the end plate to open the modulation port when in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis D. PAX, Stephen Barry TUMMINO, Troy R. BROSTROM, Anthony Joseph DAHLINGHAUS, Brian R. BUTLER, Hua XU, Mindy LANZER