Patents by Inventor David J. Emmons

David J. Emmons 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: 11112139
    Abstract: An HVAC controller may have an operational mode in which the HVAC controller provides operational instructions, and a commissioning mode in which a plurality of wireless devices can be enrolled. While in the commissioning mode, the HVAC controller is configured to accept a first input from a user via the user interface that designates a first zone of the plurality of zones and causes each of two or more first wireless devices that are subsequently placed in an enrollment mode by the user to be enrolled in the first zone, and to subsequently accept a second input from the user via the user interface that designates a second zone of the plurality of zones and causes each of two or more second wireless devices that are subsequently placed in an enrollment mode by the user to be enrolled in the second zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Gonia, David J. Emmons
  • Patent number: 11085656
    Abstract: An electrode humidifier device having a cartridge and a reconfigurable steam nozzle, connected to the cartridge that may be changeable between a direct and a remote mounting. Fill and drain valves on a manifold may be operated to add or drain water, respectively, in the cartridge. A sensor may indicate a water level in the cartridge. A controller may be connected to the sensor, and the fill and drain valves. A steam output capacity of the cartridge may be maintained at a predetermined magnitude by controlling the level of water with a controller. The cartridge may have one or more handles for easily inserting or removing the cartridge in a housing. The manifold may be installed in the drain pan for easier cartridge replacement. The humidifier device may be directly mounted on an air duct of a heating system or can be installed remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: David Medina, Michael S. Peterson, Cesar Alejandro Arzate, David J. Emmons, Steven Wolff
  • Patent number: 11074797
    Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring a status of a building comprising a first sensor configured to detect a first condition in the space and a second sensor configured to detect a second condition in the space is disclosed. The system may further comprise a memory for storing one or more rules each configured to identify one or more issues in the space based on the first and/or second conditions in the space and a communications module configured to communicate with a remote device over a network. A controller may be configured to apply the one or more rules to the first and second detected conditions in the space to identify the one or more issues and provide a notification to the remote device via the communications module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Heintzelman, Brian Beale, David J. Emmons, Joseph Bodkin, John Cronin
  • Publication number: 20210156587
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a control device configured to control the distribution of conditioned air, or liquid, to a space inside a building. In some examples, the control device may be a wall mounted switch, similar to a light switch, inside or near the space. Operating the switch may send signals to control the position of a vent, or a valve, to allow or prevent conditioned air, or liquid, from changing the environment of the space in the building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Paul Robare, Travis J. Read, David J. Emmons
  • Patent number: 10941957
    Abstract: An HVAC system may include a building controller and one or more sensors. The building controller may be configured to receive one or more temperature readings from the one or more sensors located in a building and determine an extremum temperature reading. The building controller may be configured to control one or more components of an HVAC system of a building to control the extremum temperature in accordance with a programmed temperature set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: John Amundson, David J. Emmons
  • Patent number: 10941876
    Abstract: A damper assembly is configured for deployment in an existing forced air duct that supplies conditioned air through a register boot to a vent cover secured relative to the register boot. The damper assembly includes a damper frame having an at least substantially obround shaped frame periphery and a damper blade having an at least substantially obround shaped blade periphery. A damper insert arm is biased into a deployment configuration in which the damper insert arm is at least substantially perpendicular to the damper frame and is movable into an operational configuration in which the damper insert arm is at least substantially parallel with the damper frame. A latch is configured to releasably engage the damper insert arm in order to hold the damper insert arm in the deployment configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Carlson, David J. Emmons, Steven Wolff, Eric Barton, Martin Zalesak
  • Patent number: 10941960
    Abstract: An HVAC actuator configured to actuate an HVAC component may include a rotatable output shaft having a range of rotation between a first end position and a second end position, a drive mechanism configured to selectively drive the output shaft, and a housing for housing the drive mechanism. The HVAC actuator may include a position indicator viewable from a front side of the housing that moves as the output shaft is rotated such that the position indicator indicates a current position of the output shaft. The position indicator may include an indicator wheel that is directly coupled to the output shaft of the HVAC actuator and may rotate with the output shaft. The indicator wheel may have one or more markings that move with the indicator wheel. The one or more markings may include a line extending in a radial direction from a rotation axis of the indicator wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Du, David J. Emmons, Steven L. Wolff, Stephane Joseph Pierre Beland, Kevin Graebel, Bin Wang, Jie Zhang
  • Publication number: 20200286350
    Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring a status of a building comprising a first sensor configured to detect a first condition in the space and a second sensor configured to detect a second condition in the space is disclosed. The system may further comprise a memory for storing one or more rules each configured to identify one or more issues in the space based on the first and/or second conditions in the space and a communications module configured to communicate with a remote device over a network. A controller may be configured to apply the one or more rules to the first and second detected conditions in the space to identify the one or more issues and provide a notification to the remote device via the communications module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Heintzelman, Brian Beale, David J. Emmons, Joseph Bodkin, John Cronin
  • Patent number: 10760816
    Abstract: An illustrative damper system includes a damper blade that is configured to be positioned within a duct, such as a bypass duct of an HVAC system. A shaft is in communication with the damper blade, and an actuator or force adjustment mechanism is in communication with the shaft. The actuator or force adjustment mechanism may include a housing and a spring therein, where the spring is in communication with the shaft. The shaft, the damper blade, and the spring may be configured such that the shaft may affect movement of the damper blade about a rotation axis offset from a diametrical axis of the damper blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Pavel Marak, Steven L. Wolff, David J. Emmons, Eric Barton
  • Publication number: 20200272115
    Abstract: A system and approach for remote reading, setting and control of devices such as thermostats. A phone, such as a smartphone, a gateway and a cloud may be incorporated relative to interaction with the device or devices. The gateway may have a hub that has bluetooth communication capabilities with the device. The hub may be connected to a router that in turn is connected to a cloud in a wireless or wired manner. The phone may communicate with the cloud to achieve interaction with the device. The hub may also handle WiFi communications. The gateway may instead be a phone that contains an app which lets operate as a gateway for communications with the cloud. There may be one or more devices that are a part of one or more home area networks that are connected to a gateway via bluetooth and WiFi, and in turn connected to the cloud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: David J. Emmons, Ajay Pai, Soumitri Kolavennu
  • Patent number: 10691083
    Abstract: A system and approach for remote reading, setting and control of devices such as thermostats. A phone, such as a smartphone, a gateway and a cloud may be incorporated relative to interaction with the device or devices. The gateway may have a hub that has bluetooth communication capabilities with the device. The hub may be connected to a router that in turn is connected to a cloud in a wireless or wired manner. The phone may communicate with the cloud to achieve interaction with the device. The hub may also handle WiFi communications. The gateway may instead be a phone that contains an app which lets operate as a gateway for communications with the cloud. There may be one or more devices that are a part of one or more home area networks that are connected to a gateway via bluetooth and WiFi, and in turn connected to the cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Emmons, Ajay Pai, Soumitri Kolavennu
  • Publication number: 20200173680
    Abstract: An HVAC controller may have an operational mode in which the HVAC controller provides operational instructions, and a commissioning mode in which a plurality of wireless devices can be enrolled. While in the commissioning mode, the HVAC controller is configured to accept a first input from a user via the user interface that designates a first zone of the plurality of zones and causes each of two or more first wireless devices that are subsequently placed in an enrollment mode by the user to be enrolled in the first zone, and to subsequently accept a second input from the user via the user interface that designates a second zone of the plurality of zones and causes each of two or more second wireless devices that are subsequently placed in an enrollment mode by the user to be enrolled in the second zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Patrick Gonia, David J. Emmons
  • Publication number: 20200149773
    Abstract: An HVAC system may include a building controller and one or more sensors. The building controller may be configured to receive one or more temperature readings from the one or more sensors located in a building and determine an extremum temperature reading. The building controller may be configured to control one or more components of an HVAC system of a building to control the extremum temperature in accordance with a programmed temperature set point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: John Amundson, David J. Emmons
  • Publication number: 20190376724
    Abstract: A damper assembly is configured for placement within a duct of an existing ductwork system, the duct supplies conditioned air through a register boot to a register vent within a room. The damper assembly includes a damper blade that is movable between a closed position and an open position. A damper motor is operably coupled to the damper blade and is configured to move the damper blade between the closed end position and the open end position. A microphone provides an output signal that is representative of sounds sensed by the microphone. A control module is operably coupled to the damper motor and the microphone and is configured to control operation of the damper motor based at least in part on the output signal provided by the microphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: David J. Emmons, Nathan Carlson, Steven Wolff
  • Publication number: 20190376704
    Abstract: A control module configured to control operation of a damper assembly includes an air damper configured to be disposed within an air duct and movable between an open end position and a closed end position, the air duct providing conditioned air to a register boot proximate the air duct. The control module includes a control module housing that is securable to the register boot. A controller is disposed within the control module housing and is configured to generate damper position control signals, the controller providing the damper position control signals to the damper assembly via a control cable that operably couples the control module with the damper assembly. An antenna extends from the control module housing and is operably coupled to the controller, and is configured to extend through an opening formed within a wall of the register boot to be positioned exterior to the register boot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Patrick Gonia, David J. Emmons, Nathan Carlson
  • Publication number: 20190376614
    Abstract: A damper assembly is configured for deployment in an existing forced air duct that supplies conditioned air through a register boot to a vent cover secured relative to the register boot. The damper assembly includes a damper frame having an at least substantially obround shaped frame periphery and a damper blade having an at least substantially obround shaped blade periphery. A damper insert arm is biased into a deployment configuration in which the damper insert arm is at least substantially perpendicular to the damper frame and is movable into an operational configuration in which the damper insert arm is at least substantially parallel with the damper frame. A latch is configured to releasably engage the damper insert arm in order to hold the damper insert arm in the deployment configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Nathan Carlson, David J. Emmons, Steven Wolff, Eric Barton, Martin Zalesak
  • Publication number: 20190376705
    Abstract: A damper system is configured for installation in ductwork including a duct supplying conditioned air through a register boot to a register vent. A damper is movable between a closed position and an open position. A control module includes a control module housing, a controller, a power supply and a transceiver. The controller monitors a remaining energy level of the power supply and transmits a first low battery message via the transceiver when the remaining energy level drops to a first energy threshold. The controller instructs the damper assembly to move to a predetermined position and to transmit a second low battery message via the transceiver when the remaining energy level drops to a second energy threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Patrick Gonia, David J. Emmons, Nathan Carlson, Madhu T. Chandrashekar
  • Publication number: 20190376722
    Abstract: A damper assembly is configured for placement within a duct of a ductwork system that supplies conditioned air through a register boot to a register vent. The damper assembly includes a damper that is configured to articulate from a deployment configuration, which facilitates advancement of the damper through the register boot and into the duct, to an operational configuration, in which the damper is positioned within the duct and able to selectively control how much conditioned air being supplied through the duct is permitted to pass by the damper and exit the register vent. The damper assembly includes an elongated deployment member that extends from the damper and is configured to facilitate advancement of the damper through the register boot and into the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: David J. Emmons, Nathan Carlson, Steven Wolff
  • Publication number: 20190376720
    Abstract: A damper assembly is configured for deployment in a forced air duct that supplies conditioned air through a register boot to a register vent secured relative to the register boot. The damper assembly includes a damper unit and a deployment strap. The deployment strap includes a first end secured relative to the damper unit and an opposing second end and has a length that is sufficient to position the damper unit in the forced air duct when the second end of the deployment strap is secured relative to the register boot. When in a deployment configuration, the damper unit has a reduced profile to facilitate deliver of the damper unit through the register boot and into the forced air duct. When in an operational configuration, the damper unit is configured to operate a damper blade between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: David J. Emmons, Nathan Carlson, Steven Wolff
  • Publication number: 20190376718
    Abstract: A damper is configured for placement within a ductwork system that includes a duct supplying conditioned air through a register boot to a register vent within a room of a building. The damper includes a damper body and a damper blade pivotally secured relative to the damper body and a resilient seal extending radially outwardly from the damper blade, the damper blade being pivotally movable between a first position in which air flow is restricted and a second position in which air flow is less restricted. A drive motor is secured relative to the damper body and is configured to move the damper blade between the first position and the second position. A deployment strap extends downstream from the damper body and facilitates placement of the damper body in a duct from an installation location within or downstream of the register boot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: David J. Emmons, Nathan Carlson, Steven Wolff