Patents by Inventor Craig M. Nold

Craig M. Nold 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: 5572104
    Abstract: An electric control for gas furnaces which controls a two speed main blower fan and an induction draft fan based on inputs from a room thermostat, a high limit and an ignition control including a gas valve. The control has a circuit board having a power supply for providing 24 volts DC current source to drive DC relays and a 5 volt DC power source to power a microprocessor. 24 volt AC input signals are coupled to the input ports of the microprocessor through current limiting resistors and to AC ground through pull down resistors. AC ground is also connected to the IRQ port of the microprocessor. The output ports of the microprocessor are connected to a relay driver which in turn is connected to the relays. Several breakaway tabs in the board provide optional features such as eliminating a normally provided draft delay timing function. Test pads are provided on the board so that the board can be tested during manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Craig M. Nold, Mark E. Miller, Mitchell R. Rowlette, Robert B. Brown
  • Patent number: 5530615
    Abstract: An electronic control for gas furnaces controls a two speed main blower fan and an induction draft fan based on 24 volt input signals from a room thermostat, a high limit and an ignition control including a gas valve. The input signals are coupled to input ports of a microprocessor through current limiting resistors and to AC ground through pull down resistors. AC ground is also connected to the IRQ port of the microprocessor. Output ports of the microprocessor are connected to a relay driver which in turn is connected to relays for energizing and de-energizing the fans. The control calibrates itself on a continuing periodic basis to read the AC inputs synchronously at the peak of their wave and can switch the relays asynchronously based on the Real Time Clock of the microprocessor or can be switched synchronously by providing a selected delay so that contact engagement and disengagement occurs at or near the zero crossing of the AC line voltage wave form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark E. Miller, Mark A. Eifler, Alan R. Sawyers, Mitchell R. Rowlette, Craig M. Nold
  • Patent number: 5397970
    Abstract: A low voltage terminal board interfaces a fan motor with a field thermostat. The board includes a power supply providing a 24 volt DC power source for driving an electronic air cleaner relay and fan motor control lines and a 5 volt DC power source for providing optical isolation and timing logic. Several heater stage signals are connected to a diode interlock network so that no matter which signal is generated the first electric stage heater is energized. A first optically coupled isolator receives a 240 volt AC input whenever the first stage electric heater is energized with the isolator output controlling energization of a heat or medium speed operation of the fan motor. Second and third optically coupled isolators receive a 24 volt AC input indicative of continuous fan operation and compressor operation respectively with the outputs controlling energization of low (on/off) fan speed operation and high speed fan operation respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mitchell R. Rowlette, Darryel L. Price, Craig M. Nold
  • Patent number: 5272427
    Abstract: An electric control for gas furnaces which controls a two speed main blower fan and an induction draft fan based on inputs from a room thermostat, a high limit and an ignition control including a gas valve. The control has a circuit board having a power supply for providing 24 volts DC current source to drive DC relays and a 5 volt DC power source to power a microprocessor. 24 volt AC input signals are coupled to the input ports of the microprocessor through current limiting resistors and to AC ground through pull down resistors. AC ground is also connected to the IRQ port of the microprocessor. The output ports of the microprocessor are connected to a relay driver which in turn is connected to the relays. Several breakaway tabs in the board provide optional features such as eliminating a normally provided draft delay timing function. Test pads are provided on the board so that the board can be tested during manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Craig M. Nold, Mark E. Miller, Mitchell R. Rowlette, Robert B. Brown