Patents by Inventor Brian Westfall

Brian Westfall 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: 10422588
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are directed to heat exchangers that are made of microchannel tubes and that have offset fins of various geometries and density. The heat exchanger coils can be implemented in various refrigeration and/or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units or systems thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Sean A. Smith, Michael W. Groen, William B. Fox, Brian Westfall, Felix Quintero
  • Patent number: 10161685
    Abstract: Embodiments of a heat exchanger, e.g. a micro-channel heat exchanger are disclosed. The heat exchanger may include a plurality of rows of micro-channel tubes, each of which can be configured to direct a working fluid in a specific direction. The heat exchanger may include one or more distributors in a distribution header of the heat exchanger, each of which can be connected to a different application circuit (e.g. a refrigeration circuit) so that a capacity of the heat exchanger may be regulated. The heat exchanger as disclosed herein can be used as an evaporator and/or a condenser in a refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Roger J. Voorhis, Jr., Jun Wang, Brian Westfall, Sean A. Smith, Tao Zhou, William B. Fox, Felix Quintero, Michael W. Groen, Justin S. Winters, Robert F. Schult
  • Publication number: 20170284749
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are directed to heat exchangers that are made of microchannel tubes and that have offset fins of various geometries and density. The heat exchanger coils can be implemented in various refrigeration and/or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units or systems thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Sean A. SMITH, Michael W. GROEN, William B. FOX, Brian WESTFALL, Felix QUINTERO
  • Publication number: 20160201990
    Abstract: Embodiments of a heat exchanger, e.g. a micro-channel heat exchanger are disclosed. The heat exchanger may include a plurality of rows of micro-channel tubes, each of which can be configured to direct a working fluid in a specific direction. The heat exchanger may include one or more distributors in a distribution header of the heat exchanger, each of which can be connected to a different application circuit (e.g. a refrigeration circuit) so that a capacity of the heat exchanger may be regulated. The heat exchanger as disclosed herein can be used as an evaporator and/or a condenser in a refrigeration system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Roger J. VOORHIS, JR., Jun WANG, Brian WESTFALL, Sean A. SMITH, Tao ZHOU, William B. FOX, Felix QUINTERO, Michael W. GROEN, Justin S. WINTERS, Robert F. SCHULT
  • Patent number: 8387499
    Abstract: A method for automatically cutting a workpiece comprising the steps of moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and vertically moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby stab cutting the workpiece and creating a bevel cut. The method may also comprise moving the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along it longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Westfall, David L. McAdoo, Richard Zeinert, Andrew Lashley, Brent McMillan
  • Publication number: 20120198976
    Abstract: A method for automatically cutting a workpiece comprising the steps of moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and vertically moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby stab cutting the workpiece and creating a bevel cut. The method may also comprise moving the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along it longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Alpine Engineering Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Westfall, Brent McMillan, Richard Zeinert, Andrew Lashley, David L. McAdoo
  • Publication number: 20090266211
    Abstract: A method for automatically cutting a workpiece comprising the steps of moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and vertically moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby stab cutting the workpiece and creating a bevel cut. The method may also comprises moving the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along it longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Brian Westfall, Brent McMillan, Richard Zeinert, Andrew Lashley, David L. McAdoo
  • Publication number: 20050076759
    Abstract: A method for automatically cutting a workpiece comprising the steps of moving a workpiece along its longitudinal axis, positioning a cutting blade by rotating the blade about a vertical axis, positioning the cutting blade by rotating about a bevel axis, and vertically moving the blade into cutting contact with the workpiece, thereby stab cutting the workpiece and creating a bevel cut. The method may also comprises moving the blade along a transverse axis. Further steps may include moving the cutting blade along a transverse axis simultaneous to moving the workpiece along it longitudinal axis, thereby creating a scarf cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Westfall, Brent McMillan, Richard Zeinert, Andrew Lashley, David McAdoo
  • Patent number: 6546360
    Abstract: A system and method for determining when portable devices require service. In one embodiment, the system is co-located with the portable device and includes a sensor, positioning system receiver and communication transmitter. The sensor senses when the portable device requires service. The positioning system receiver receives positioning signals, such as positioning signals issued by the Global Positioning System, (GPS), and uses the positioning system signals to determine the location of the portable device. The communications transmitter transmits a service signal to a service base station to indicate that the portable device requires service. The service signal includes the determined location of the portable device, thereby eliminating the need for service personnel to physically inspect every portable device in order to determine if any portable devices require service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Charles Gilbert, Brian Westfall
  • Patent number: 5515057
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for eliminating the time delay variation associated with the satellite signal propagating within an antenna for a GPS receiver (or GLONASS receiver). The antenna is an n-point symmetrical feed double-frequency feed antenna which has the reduced electrical center error ellipsoid as compared with the single point antenna. The angular dependence of the time delay variation on the azimuth and the angle of elevation of the incoming satellite signal is reduced in case of n-feed point symmetrical antenna. The GPS receiver with n-point antenna can be used for differential GPS, both static and dynamic, and for absolute GPS positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Gary R. Lennen, Wilfred Hand, Brian Westfall
  • Patent number: 5465413
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing or cancelling impulse noise from a signal containing noise. The desired noise-free signal is assumed to have a representative frequency .omega..sub.3, but may have a range of frequencies adjacent to this frequency, and is assumed to have substantially zero amplitude for all frequencies .omega.<.omega..sub.1 and/or for all frequencies .omega.>.omega..sub.2, where .omega..sub.1 <.omega..sub.3 <.omega..sub.2 or .omega..sub.1 <.omega..sub.2. An input (noisy) signal is filtered and analyzed in a narrow frequency region surrounding .omega.=.omega..sub.1 and/or a narrow frequency region surrounding .omega.=.omega..sub.2 to obtain one or two output signal components n.sub.1 (t) and/or n.sub.2 (t), respectively, that, ideally, contain no contribution from the desired signal. The input signal is also filtered and analyzed in a narrow frequency region surrounding .omega.=.omega..sub.3 to obtain an output signal s(t)+n.sub.3 (t) component including the desired signal s(t).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Per Enge, Dominic Farmer, Brian Westfall