Patents by Inventor Bruce L. Hill
Bruce L. Hill 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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Patent number: 11719436Abstract: A locally powered intermittent pilot combustion controller may include an igniter, a thermal electric and/or photoelectric device that produces an electrical signal having power when exposed to a flame, and a local power source for providing power when the thermal electric and/or photoelectric device is not exposed to a flame. In some cases, the intermittent pilot combustion controller may include a memory for storing information about an ignition sequence for igniting a pilot flame, and a controller coupled to the memory. The controller may be configured to initiate the ignition sequence of the pilot flame using information stored in the memory, determine whether the ignition was successful by monitoring the electrical signal produced by the thermal electric and/or photoelectric device, and adjust the information stored in the memory based on whether the ignition sequence completed successfully.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Brent Chian, Bruce L. Hill, Timothy J Nordberg, Rolf L. Strand, Douglas Bird, Peter Anderson
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Publication number: 20190249871Abstract: A locally powered intermittent pilot combustion controller may include an igniter, a thermal electric and/or photoelectric device that produces an electrical signal having power when exposed to a flame, and a local power source for providing power when the thermal electric and/or photoelectric device is not exposed to a flame. In some cases, the intermittent pilot combustion controller may include a memory for storing information about an ignition sequence for igniting a pilot flame, and a controller coupled to the memory. The controller may be configured to initiate the ignition sequence of the pilot flame using information stored in the memory, determine whether the ignition was successful by monitoring the electrical signal produced by the thermal electric and/or photoelectric device, and adjust the information stored in the memory based on whether the ignition sequence completed successfully.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Brent Chian, Bruce L. Hill, Timothy J Nordberg, Rolf L. Strand, Douglas Bird, Peter Anderson
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Patent number: 10345007Abstract: A method for detecting and compensating for sediment build-up in a tank style water heater is disclosed. An illustrative but non-limiting example may include monitoring a temperature of water within a water storage tank of a water heater over time, resulting in a monitored temperature profile. The method may then include determining if the monitored temperature profile includes one or more features that indicate sediment build up in the water storage tank, and if so, provide an output that indicates sediment build up is present.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2016Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Bruce L. Hill, Lubomir Dobsik
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Publication number: 20190137140Abstract: A method for detecting and compensating for sediment build-up in a tank style water heater is disclosed. An illustrative but non-limiting example may include monitoring a temperature of water within a water storage tank of a water heater over time, resulting in a monitored temperature profile. The method may then include determining if the monitored temperature profile includes one or more features that indicate sediment build up in the water storage tank, and if so, provide an output that indicates sediment build up is present.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2016Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Bruce L. Hill, Lubomir Dobsik
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Patent number: 10208954Abstract: A locally powered intermittent pilot combustion controller may include an igniter, a thermal electric and/or photoelectric device that produces an electrical signal having power when exposed to a flame, and a local power source for providing power when the thermal electric and/or photoelectric device is not exposed to a flame. In some cases, the intermittent pilot combustion controller may include a memory for storing information about an ignition sequence for igniting a pilot flame, and a controller coupled to the memory. The controller may be configured to initiate the ignition sequence of the pilot flame using information stored in the memory, determine whether the ignition was successful by monitoring the electrical signal produced by the thermal electric and/or photoelectric device, and adjust the information stored in the memory based on whether the ignition sequence completed successfully.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Brent Chian, Bruce L. Hill, Timothy J. Nordberg, Rolf L. Strand, Douglas Bird, Peter Anderson
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Patent number: 10088852Abstract: A water heater system including two or more water storage tanks plumbed in series, parallel or a combination thereof and methods of controlling said water heater systems. The water heater systems may include one or more mixing valves and one or more temperature sensors for providing water at a desired temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Fritz Hazzard, David Heil, James Holmberg, Gregory Young, Donald J. Kasprzyk, Bruce L. Hill
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Publication number: 20180058723Abstract: A method for detecting and compensating for sediment build-up in a tank style water heater is disclosed. An illustrative but non-limiting example may include monitoring a temperature of water within a water storage tank of a water heater over time, resulting in a monitored temperature profile. The method may then include determining if the monitored temperature profile includes one or more features that indicate sediment build up in the water storage tank, and if so, provide an output that indicates sediment build up is present.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Bruce L. Hill, Lubomir Dobsik
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Patent number: 9885484Abstract: A water heater system that includes a first water storage tank plumbed in series with a second water storage tank, and methods for controlling such a water heater system. In some instances, and in response to a water draw, a controller may activate both a first heat source associated with a first water storage tank and a second heat source associated for a second water storage tank. This rapid turn-on control may help reduce a drop in water temperature in the first water storage tank that might otherwise occur. The controller may also increase the setpoint temperature of the first water storage tank and/or the second water storage tank in response to a water draw.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2013Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Gregory Young, James Holmberg, Fritz Hazzard, Donald J. Kasprzyk, Bruce L. Hill
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Publication number: 20160342163Abstract: A water heater system including two or more water storage tanks plumbed in series, parallel or a combination thereof and methods of controlling said water heater systems. The water heater systems may include one or more mixing valves and one or more temperature sensors for providing water at a desired temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Fritz Hazzard, David Heil, James Holmberg, Gregory Young, Donald J. Kasprzyk, Bruce L. Hill
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Patent number: 9435566Abstract: A method for detecting and compensating for sediment build-up in a tank style water heater is disclosed. An illustrative but non-limiting example may include monitoring a temperature of water within a water storage tank of a water heater over time, resulting in a monitored temperature profile. The method may then include determining if the monitored temperature profile includes one or more features that indicate sediment build up in the water storage tank, and if so, provide an output that indicates sediment build up is present.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2012Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Bruce L. Hill, Lubomir Dobsik
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Patent number: 9249987Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting a temperature sensor, a gas valve, a power delivery unit, a controller and/or any other suitable object or device to a water heater tank. An illustrative but non-limiting example may be found in a mounting bracket that includes a polymeric body that has a sensor portion configured to receive a temperature sensor. The sensor portion may have a distal end that extends into and supports the temperature sensor within the water heater tank, and may include a shell disposed over at least a portion of the sensor portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Regan Foster, Thomas M. Johnson, Don C. Kennedy, Lynn Fliger, Bruce L. Hill
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Publication number: 20140209767Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting a temperature sensor, a gas valve, a power delivery unit, a controller and/or any other suitable object or device to a water heater tank. An illustrative but non-limiting example may be found in a mounting bracket that includes a polymeric body that has a sensor portion configured to receive a temperature sensor. The sensor portion may have a distal end that extends into and supports the temperature sensor within the water heater tank, and may include a shell disposed over at least a portion of the sensor portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Regan Foster, Thomas M. Johnson, Don C. Kennedy, Lynn Fliger, Bruce L. Hill
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Publication number: 20140203093Abstract: A water heater system that includes a first water storage tank plumbed in series with a second water storage tank, and methods for controlling such a water heater system. In some instances, and in response to a water draw, a controller may activate both a first heat source associated with a first water storage tank and a second heat source associated for a second water storage tank. This rapid turn-on control may help reduce a drop in water temperature in the first water storage tank that might otherwise occur. The controller may also increase the setpoint temperature of the first water storage tank and/or the second water storage tank in response to a water draw.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Gregory Young, James Holmberg, Fritz Hazzard, Donald J. Kasprzyk, Bruce L. Hill
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Publication number: 20140202549Abstract: A water heater system including two or more water storage tanks plumbed in series, parallel or a combination thereof and methods of controlling said water heater systems. The water heater systems may include one or more mixing valves and one or more temperature sensors for providing water at a desired temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Fritz Hazzard, David Heil, James Holmberg, Gregory Young, Donald J. Kasprzyk, Bruce L. Hill
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Publication number: 20140199640Abstract: A locally powered intermittent pilot combustion controller may include an igniter, a thermal electric and/or photoelectric device that produces an electrical signal having power when exposed to a flame, and a local power source for providing power when the thermal electric and/or photoelectric device is not exposed to a flame. In some cases, the intermittent pilot combustion controller may include a memory for storing information about an ignition sequence for igniting a pilot flame, and a controller coupled to the memory. The controller may be configured to initiate the ignition sequence of the pilot flame using information stored in the memory, determine whether the ignition was successful by monitoring the electrical signal produced by the thermal electric and/or photoelectric device, and adjust the information stored in the memory based on whether the ignition sequence completed successfully.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Brent Chian, Bruce L. Hill, Timothy J. Nordberg, Rolf L. Strand, Douglas Bird, Peter Anderson
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Publication number: 20140060457Abstract: A method for detecting and compensating for sediment build-up in a tank style water heater is disclosed. An illustrative but non-limiting example may include monitoring a temperature of water within a water storage tank of a water heater over time, resulting in a monitored temperature profile. The method may then include determining if the monitored temperature profile includes one or more features that indicate sediment build up in the water storage tank, and if so, provide an output that indicates sediment build up is present.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Bruce L. Hill, Lubomir Dobsik
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Patent number: 8245987Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting a temperature sensor, a gas valve, a power delivery unit, a controller and/or any other suitable object or device to a water heater tank. An illustrative but non-limiting example may be found in a mounting bracket that includes a polymeric body that has a sensor portion configured to receive a temperature sensor. The sensor portion may have a distal end that extends into and supports the temperature sensor within the water heater tank. The polymeric body may also includes a threaded portion that is configured to threadably engage a threaded spud in a water heater tank such that the distal end of the sensor portion extends into the water tank of the water heater.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Fritz Hazzard, James E. Eickson, Douglas Bird, Bruce L. Hill
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Publication number: 20110147549Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting a temperature sensor, a gas valve, a power delivery unit, a controller and/or any other suitable object or device to a water heater tank. An illustrative but non-limiting example may be found in a mounting bracket that includes a polymeric body that has a sensor portion configured to receive a temperature sensor. The sensor portion may have a distal end that extends into and supports the temperature sensor within the water heater tank. The polymeric body may also includes a threaded portion that is configured to threadably engage a threaded spud in a water heater tank such that the distal end of the sensor portion extends into the water tank of the water heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Fritz Hazzard, James E. Erickson, Douglas Bird, Bruce L. Hill
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Patent number: 7167813Abstract: A water heater performance monitoring device for monitoring whether a water heater is functioning optimally or whether it requires service. The device uses maximum heating rates taken from a plurality of measured heating rates to determine if the performance of the water heater has degraded from a threshold performance level. A water heater performance monitoring device can reduce the number of false alarms that occur regarding the need for water heater service by filtering out temporary factors, lasting less than a time cycle, which affect heating rate of water in the water heater. This can save users time and money by reducing unnecessary water heater inspections.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2005Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Brent Chian, Bruce L. Hill, Timothy J. Nordberg
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Patent number: D873958Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Gregory Young, Brian Moy, Don C. Kennedy, Bruce L. Hill, James E. Erickson