Patents by Inventor David B. Ziegler

David B. Ziegler 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: 6508076
    Abstract: A removable modular duct system for conducting air in a temperature-controlled cargo container. Temperature-controlled air produced and propelled by a refrigeration unit, is conducted along the modular duct system by one or more duct sections and a transition section that conducts air from the refrigeration unit to the duct sections. The air may be discharged laterally via lateral discharge openings in the duct sections. An end section may be coupled to the duct sections to discharge air at the end of the duct system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Randal Gast, David B. Ziegler, Doug Lenz, Ming Zhang, Verlin Wirth
  • Patent number: 6470692
    Abstract: An air return bulkhead having a filter for filtering dust, dirt and debris out of an airflow prior to its entry into an evaporator or heat exchanger. The apparatus is particularly designed for use within a climate-controlled space such as a trailer or truck interior. Air pulled into the refrigeration system first enters the air return bulkhead where particles and debris are filtered. The air then travels through the refrigeration system and back into the climate-controlled space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Ziegler, Verlin Wirth, Phillip R. Boudewyns, Ta Yang
  • Patent number: 6364388
    Abstract: An air return bulkhead comprising a first bulkhead portion and a second bulkhead portion joined by a convoluted hinge member. The hinge permits the bulkhead portions to be moved relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Ziegler, Verlin Wirth, Jerry Kiesner
  • Patent number: 6296561
    Abstract: An air return bulkhead comprising a base; a return air duct extending outward from the base, the base and air duct defining a bulkhead return air chamber, the duct comprising a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, a fourth wall, and a fifth wall joining the other walls; at least one return air inlet notch formed in the air duct fourth and fifth walls; and means for producing turbulent return air flow through the return air chamber, said means located downstream from the at least one inlet notch. The bulkhead further includes air dam positioning means on the first and second walls. Individual air dam members are slid in the positioning means to be removably mounted along the bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Ziegler, Robert L. Sirotek, Jr., Pat Hotch, Gregg George, Kevin W. Kiefer, Randal Gast
  • Patent number: 5211900
    Abstract: A eutectic beam, and method of constructing same, which includes a plastic housing, a eutectic solution, and a generally U-shaped evaporator tube having first and second spaced leg portions, ends of which extend outside the housing. The leg portions of the evaporator tube are supported by spaced plastic support elements which include cylindrical portions which snugly but slidably encircle the leg portions, and which further include support legs which extend outwardly from the cylindrical portion and are bonded to the housing. In a method step, the plastic support elements are positioned within a rotational mold at the time the plastic housing is formed, with the plastic support elements locating and supporting the evaporator tube within the mold cavity, and with the outer ends of the support legs becoming embedded in walls of the housing during rotational molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: David B. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 4762244
    Abstract: A radiator overflow container for receiving liquid at pressures above atmospheric, including a plastic body portion and a cylindrical or tubular metallic orifice. The metallic orifice has first and second axial ends, and inner and outer surfaces which define an opening which extends between the first and second axial ends. The metallic orifice has the first axial end embedded in the plastic body portion with a plastic-to-metal interface which includes an annular plastic portion which extends into the opening to define an annular, plastic sealing surface. A radiator cap, engageable with the second axial end of the metallic orifice, includes a depending portion which extends into sealing engagement with the annular, plastic sealing surface, to place the plastic-to-metal interface outside the higher-than-atmospheric pressure operating enviroment of the radiator overflow container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: David B. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 4733798
    Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for controlling the concentration of wash water in a ware washing machine. A preferred ware washing machine (10) includes a reservoir (11) for holding wash water, a normally closed valve (17) for directing clean water to a dry detergent supply (13), an electrodeless conductivity cell (12) for monitoring the conductivity of the ware washing solution, and a controller for activating the normally closed valve (15) in response to the difference between the measured concentration and the actual concentration. A preferred concentration controller includes an adjustable amplifier (48) which provides an amplified concentration signal which is equal to a reference signal when the concentration of the solution is equal to the desired concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel F. Brady, Spencer B. Larson, David B. Ziegler, Charles B. Johnson
  • Patent number: D309346
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Peter B. Allard, Michael R. Weiss, David B. Ziegler
  • Patent number: D313569
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Peter B. Allard, Leland L. Howland, Jan H. Parker, David B. Ziegler
  • Patent number: D349102
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Ziegler, Steven C. Eberly, Darrel J. Hokanson, Peter B. Allard