Patents by Inventor Daniel J. Hruby

Daniel J. Hruby 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: 9051930
    Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump, an infinitely variable speed motor, and an arrangement for operating the motor. In one example, the pumping system includes a memory configured to store a plurality of retained speed values, an arrangement for providing a plurality of retained speed values to the memory, and an arrangement for reading a selected one of the plurality of retained speed values from the memory. In addition or alternatively, the pumping system includes a storage medium for digitally storing a plurality of pre-established motor speed values and an arrangement for receiving input from a user to select one of the pre-established motor speeds. In addition or alternatively, the pumping system further includes an arrangement for restarting operation of the motor at a previously selected speed value when power supplied to the motor is interrupted during operation of the motor. A method for controlling the pumping system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher Yahnker, Daniel J. Hruby, Kevin Murphy, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Florin Lungeanu, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20150030463
    Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump, a variable speed motor, and an arrangement for controlling the variable speed motor. The pumping system further includes an auxiliary device operably connected to the arrangement for controlling, and an arrangement for providing two-way communication between the arrangement for controlling and the auxiliary device. The arrangement for controlling is capable of receiving a parameter from the auxiliary device through the arrangement for providing two-way communication. In one example, the arrangement for controlling is capable of independently controlling the variable speed motor without receipt of a parameter from the auxiliary device. In addition or alternatively, the arrangement for controlling is operable to selectively alter operation of the motor based upon the parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher R. Yahnker, Daniel J. Hruby, Kevin Murphy, Edward Brown, David MacCallum, Dennis Dunn, Kenneth Clack, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Alberto Morando
  • Publication number: 20140322030
    Abstract: A pumping system includes a pump for moving water. In one aspect, this is in connection with performance of an operation. The system includes a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump. A value indicative of flow rate of water is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow rate indicative value toward a constant. A value indicative of flow pressure is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow pressure indicative value toward a constant. A selection is made between flow rate control and flow pressure control. In another aspect, the pump is controlled to perform a first operation, and is operated to perform a second water operation. Control of operation of the pump to perform the first water operation is altered in response to operation of the pump to perform the second operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Everett Cox, Donald Steen, Kevin Murphy, Daniel J. Hruby, Peter Westermann Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Nils-Ole Harvest, Christopher Yahnker, Walter Woodcock, JR., Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Alberto Morando, Florin Lungeanu
  • Publication number: 20130251542
    Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump, an infinitely variable speed motor, and an arrangement for operating the motor. In one example, the pumping system includes a memory configured to store a plurality of retained speed values, an arrangement for providing a plurality of retained speed values to the memory, and an arrangement for reading a selected one of the plurality of retained speed values from the memory. In addition or alternatively, the pumping system includes a storage medium for digitally storing a plurality of pre-established motor speed values and an arrangement for receiving input from a user to select one of the pre-established motor speeds. In addition or alternatively, the pumping system further includes an arrangement for restarting operation of the motor at a previously selected speed value when power supplied to the motor is interrupted during operation of the motor. A method for controlling the pumping system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher Yahnker, Daniel J. Hruby, Kevin Murphy, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Florin Lungeanu, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8465262
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application controlled by a user. The pumping system includes a pump, a variable speed motor, a memory, and a controller. The pumping system includes a user interface with a first speed button, a second speed button, an increase button, and a decrease button. The buttons provide an actuate and release operation, a first touch and hold operation, and a second touch and hold operation. The controller operates the variable speed motor at a substantially constant speed based on a current speed value selected by the user using the buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher R. Yahnker, Daniel J. Hruby, Kevin Murphy, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Florin Lungeanu, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20130129536
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system and method including a flow locking feature. A pump controller includes a user interface configured to initially receive and set a plurality of programmed flow rate settings, a maximum locked flow rate, and a minimum locked flow rate. The pump controller is also configured to disable resetting of the maximum flow rate and the minimum flow rate once they are initially received and set and to allow resetting of the plurality of programmed flow rate settings throughout operation of the pumping system. The pump controller is further configured to operate a pump motor in order to maintain a first flow rate set by one of the plurality of programmed flow rate settings as long as the first flow rate is between the minimum locked flow rate and the maximum locked flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Ronald B. Robol, Daniel J. Hruby, Rodney McCall
  • Publication number: 20120145251
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system and a discharge vacuum relief valve for use in a hydraulic system including a safety vacuum release system pump to circulate water in a swimming pool and/or a spa. The hydraulic system includes one or more check valves located on a discharge side of the safety vacuum release system pump. The discharge vacuum relief valve is capable of venting a vacuum at the discharge side of the safety vacuum release system pump during a vacuum event at a suction side of the safety vacuum release system pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Ronald B. Robol, Daniel J. Hruby, Johnathan S. Colvin
  • Publication number: 20120100010
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application controlled by a user. The pumping system includes a pump, a variable speed motor, a memory, and a controller. The pumping system includes a user interface with a first speed button, a second speed button, an increase button, and a decrease button. The buttons provide an actuate and release operation, a first touch and hold operation, and a second touch and hold operation. The controller operates the variable speed motor at a substantially constant speed based on a current speed value selected by the user using the buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher R. Yahnker, Daniel J. Hruby, Kevin Murphy, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Florin Lungeanu, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20120063921
    Abstract: A pumping system includes a pump for moving water. In one aspect, this is in connection with performance of an operation. The system includes a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump. A value indicative of flow rate of water is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow rate indicative value toward a constant. A value indicative of flow pressure is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow pressure indicative value toward a constant. A selection is made between flow rate control and flow pressure control. In another aspect, the pump is controlled to perform a first operation, and is operated to perform a second water operation. Control of operation of the pump to perform the first water operation is altered in response to operation of the pump to perform the second operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Ronald B. Robol, Lafs Hoffmann Berthelsen, Nils-Ole Harvest, Everett Cox, Donald Steen, Kevin Murphy, Daniel J. Hruby, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer
  • Patent number: 8043070
    Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump, an infinitely variable speed motor, and an arrangement for operating the motor. In one example, the pumping system includes a memory configured to store a plurality of retained speed values, an arrangement for providing a plurality of retained speed values to the memory, and an arrangement for reading a selected one of the plurality of retained speed values from the memory. In addition or alternatively, the pumping system includes a storage medium for digitally storing a plurality of pre-established motor speed values and an arrangement for receiving input from a user to select one of the pre-established motor speeds. In addition or alternatively, the pumping system further includes an arrangement for restarting operation of the motor at a previously selected speed value when power supplied to the motor is interrupted during operation of the motor. A method for controlling the pumping system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Low Power Drives, a Division of Danfoss
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher R. Yahnker, Daniel J. Hruby, Kevin Murphy, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Florin Lungeanu, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8019479
    Abstract: A pumping system includes a pump for moving water. In one aspect, this is in connection with performance of an operation. The system includes a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump. A value indicative of flow rate of water is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow rate indicative value toward a constant. A value indicative of flow pressure is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow pressure indicative value toward a constant. A selection is made between flow rate control and flow pressure control. In another aspect, the pump is controlled to perform a first operation, and is operated to perform a second water operation. Control of operation of the pump to perform the first water operation is altered in response to operation of the pump to perform the second operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher R. Yahnker, Everett Cox, Donald Steen, Kevin Murphy, Walter J. Woodcock, Jr., Daniel J. Hruby, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Alberto Morando, Florin Lungeanu, Nils-Ole Harvest
  • Publication number: 20110091329
    Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump, a variable speed motor, and an arrangement for controlling the variable speed motor. The pumping system further includes an auxiliary device operably connected to the arrangement for controlling, and an arrangement for providing two-way communication between the arrangement for controlling and the auxiliary device. The arrangement for controlling is capable of receiving a parameter from the auxiliary device through the arrangement for providing two-way communication. In one example, the arrangement for controlling is capable of independently controlling the variable speed motor without receipt of a parameter from the auxiliary device. In addition or alternatively, the arrangement for controlling is operable to selectively alter operation of the motor based upon the parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher R. Yahnker, Daniel J. Hruby, Kevin Murphy, Edward Brown, David MacCallum, Dennis Dunn, Kenneth N. Clack, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Alberto Morando
  • Patent number: 7854597
    Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump, a variable speed motor, and an arrangement for controlling the variable speed motor. The pumping system further includes an auxiliary device operably connected to the arrangement for controlling, and an arrangement for providing two-way communication between the arrangement for controlling and the auxiliary device. The arrangement for controlling is capable of receiving a parameter from the auxiliary device through the arrangement for providing two-way communication. In one example, the arrangement for controlling is capable of independently controlling the variable speed motor without receipt of a parameter from the auxiliary device. In addition or alternatively, the arrangement for controlling is operable to selectively alter operation of the motor based upon the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Low Power Drives
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher R. Yahnker, Daniel J. Hruby, Kevin Murphy, Edward Brown, David MacCallum, Dennis Dunn, Kenneth N. Clack, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Alberto Morando