Patents by Inventor David L. Hall

David L. Hall 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).

  • Publication number: 20120180771
    Abstract: A paintball system may include a marker and delivery system configured to deliver paintballs to the marker. The delivery system may include a conduit and a gas supply. The gas supply may be configured to provide gas flow to the conduit, which may propel paintballs in the conduit to the marker. The gas supply may be configured to dynamically alter the gas flow to the conduit. The delivery system may include a first seal sized and configured to form a seal with at least one of the paintballs in the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: David L. Hall
  • Patent number: 8220286
    Abstract: The invention concerns a storage unit that is adapted to be located in a refrigeration appliance. The storage unit includes a holding compartment for holding articles the temperature of which is to be controlled. The holding compartment is adapted to be placed in air flow communication with a source of cold air whereby the cold air may be delivered to the holding compartment. An air-flow passageway for recirculating air discharged from the holding compartment back to the holding compartment is provided along with a mixing area where the cold air and the recirculated air may be mixed in selected quantities. A user interface providing for the selection of a temperature-control procedure from a group of available temperature-control procedures for application to the interior of the holding compartment is included. The storage unit can include a controller for controlling the implementation of the temperature-control procedure selected by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Cushman, David L. Hall, Edmund Scott Richardson
  • Patent number: 8186844
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes an appliance housing and a liner within the housing, defining an interior storage chamber at least partially enclosed by the liner, and providing a storage chamber rear wall, a first storage chamber sidewall, and a second storage chamber sidewall. The first storage chamber sidewall has a plurality of openings through the first storage chamber sidewall. The second storage chamber sidewall has another plurality of openings through the second storage chamber sidewall. A plurality of lighting devices illuminates the interior storage chamber. Each of the lighting devices is mounted within a respective one of the openings and emits light toward the storage chamber rear wall providing a showcase lighting effect. Each of the lighting devices includes a cover located in the interior storage chamber and a device housing located within the respective one of the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Hall
  • Patent number: 8141422
    Abstract: A duct detector housing includes a housing cover and a housing body having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The gas inlet is in fluid communication with a gas conveying duct. The housing body is adapted to have a detector therein and being complementary to the cover to form an interface therebetween. A binary mode securement mechanism for securing the cover to the housing body in either only an open or closed position is provided to overcome the uncertainty with conventional housings as to the integrity of the closure. A process for ensuring a cover is closed against a housing body of a duct detector housing includes placing the cover in complementary contact with a surface of the housing body and engaging the binary mode securement mechanism to provide only binary either positive or completely an open or closed position for the cover relative to the housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventors: David L. Hall, Peter Stouffer, James E. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 8100119
    Abstract: A paintball system may include a marker and delivery system configured to deliver paintballs to the marker. The delivery system may include a conduit and a gas supply. The gas supply may be configured to provide gas flow to the conduit, which may propel paintballs in the conduit to the marker. The gas supply may be configured to dynamically alter the gas flow to the conduit. The delivery system may include a first seal sized and configured to form a seal with at least one of the paintballs in the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: David L. Hall
  • Publication number: 20110265498
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes an apparatus for producing ice comprising a reservoir that contains water, at least one freezing member, a power source, and at least one fin located on the reservoir. The at least one freezing member is located at least partially in the reservoir. The at least one freezing member is configured for forming ice by freezing the water along the periphery of the at least one freezing member. The power source is configured to move the reservoir to create a movement of the water about the at least one freezing member. The at least one fin located on the reservoir is configured for enhancing the movement of the water about the at least one freezing member and for restricting a splashing of water from the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: David L. Hall
  • Patent number: 8015873
    Abstract: A duct detector housing includes a housing cover and a housing body defining a midline between the center of a detector and a printed circuit board within said body. Gas inlet and outlets are off axis of the midline to allow water that collects in conventional housing to drain from the housing. A maintenance mode button associated with a duct detector housing cover that is secured to a housing body of the housing provides a preselected time period during which removal of the cover is independent of a cover removal alarm. A printed circuit board within the housing has dedicated terminal blocks providing grouped connections with each of the groups segregated from another. An improved duct detector terminal has a hole in the terminal adapted to receive a test meter probe therethrough to provide an electrical contact between the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventors: David L. Hall, Peter Stouffer, James E. Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20110209483
    Abstract: Provided are a method and refrigeration appliance for making substantially-transparent ice. The refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment in which a refrigeration temperature that is greater than 32° F. and less than 55° F. is maintained, and a water tray disposed within the fresh food compartment and including a bottom surface and an upwardly extending wall forming a reservoir for holding a volume of water. A plurality of fingers are supported adjacent to the water tray to be at least partially submerged in water within the water tray, and an evaporator is in thermal communication with the fingers for chilling an exposed surface of the fingers to a finger temperature that is less than 32° F. Water is introduced into the water tray, and an extent to which the fingers are submerged in the water is repeatedly adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David L. Hall, James Scoville
  • Publication number: 20110076902
    Abstract: A duct detector housing includes a housing cover and a housing body defining a midline between the center of a detector and a printed circuit board within said body. Gas inlet and outlets are off axis of the midline to allow water that collects in conventional housing to drain from the housing. A maintenance mode button associated with a duct detector housing cover that is secured to a housing body of the housing provides a preselected time period during which removal of the cover is independent of a cover removal alarm. A printed circuit board within the housing has dedicated terminal blocks providing grouped connections with each of the groups segregated from another. An improved duct detector terminal has a hole in the terminal adapted to receive a test meter probe therethrough to provide an electrical contact between the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: David L. Hall, Peter Stouffer, James E. Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20110072882
    Abstract: A duct detector housing includes a housing cover and a housing body defining a midline between the center of a detector and a printed circuit board within said body. Gas inlet and outlets are off axis of the midline to allow water that collects in conventional housing to drain from the housing. A maintenance mode button associated with a duct detector housing cover that is secured to a housing body of the housing provides a preselected time period during which removal of the cover is independent of a cover removal alarm. A printed circuit board within the housing has dedicated terminal blocks providing grouped connections with each of the groups segregated from another. An improved duct detector terminal has a hole in the terminal adapted to receive a test meter probe therethrough to provide an electrical contact between the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: David L. Hall, Peter Stouffer, James E. Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20110036445
    Abstract: An air sampling tube is provided that provides superior air flow, strength, and manufacturability and couples to an air sampling sensor housing. The sidewall of the tubular section has an axially extending groove. To facilitate installation and inspection, an air sampling tube is provided with a starter cap. An end cap prevents air flow through the distal end of the tube. An air sampling tube is provided that assures proper axial positioning of tubular section apertures through resort to a coupler with a rotationally asymmetric joining element. A modular kit is provided that allows for custom installation without resort to cutting or forming operations in the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: David L. Hall, Peter Stouffer, James E. Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20100307267
    Abstract: A duct detector housing includes a housing cover and a housing body defining a midline between the center of a detector and a printed circuit board within said body. Gas inlet and outlets are off axis of the midline to allow water that collects in conventional housing to drain from the housing. A maintenance mode button associated with a duct detector housing cover that is secured to a housing body of the housing provides a preselected time period during which removal of the cover is independent of a cover removal alarm. A printed circuit board within the housing has dedicated terminal blocks providing grouped connections with each of the groups segregated from another. An improved duct detector terminal has a hole in the terminal adapted to receive a test meter probe therethrough to provide an electrical contact between the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: David L. Hall, Peter Stouffer, James E. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 7836718
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for defrosting an evaporator in a cooling system are provided. The cooling system includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a refrigerant that is circulated in sequence from the compressor to the condenser, to the evaporator and back to the compressor during routine operation of the cooling system. The method and apparatus comprise shutting off the flow of the refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporator through the condenser while continuing to operate the compressor so as to apply suction to the refrigerant in the evaporator and thereafter directing compressed refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporator while bypassing the condenser and continuing to shut off the flow of the refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporator through the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Hall
  • Publication number: 20100220460
    Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes an appliance housing and a liner within the housing, defining an interior storage chamber at least partially enclosed by the liner, and providing a storage chamber rear wall, a first storage chamber sidewall, and a second storage chamber sidewall. The first storage chamber sidewall has a plurality of openings through the first storage chamber sidewall. The second storage chamber sidewall has another plurality of openings through the second storage chamber sidewall. A plurality of lighting devices illuminates the interior storage chamber. Each of the lighting devices is mounted within a respective one of the openings and emits light toward the storage chamber rear wall providing a showcase lighting effect. Each of the lighting devices includes a cover located in the interior storage chamber and a device housing located within the respective one of the openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: David L. Hall
  • Publication number: 20100218519
    Abstract: A refrigeration system is provided with an ice maker chamber within a fresh food compartment. The refrigeration system includes a refrigeration path and an ice maker path. The ice maker path includes an electronic expansion valve for controlling the refrigerant entering an ice maker evaporator and an evaporator pressure regulator. Controlling the refrigeration system includes the steps of sensing a first refrigerant temperature at an exit of the ice maker evaporator and controlling a first control of the electronic expansion valve until the temperature reaches a temperature target. The method of controlling can further include comparing a slope of the temperature to at least one of a minimum, a target, or a maximum setting to adjust the control. Subsequently, a second control for the electronic expansion valve can be repeatedly adjusted by evaluating the first refrigerant temperature and the slope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Hall, James Scoville
  • Publication number: 20100218542
    Abstract: Provided is an ice maker that includes a mold including a plurality of cavities for receiving water to be frozen into ice pieces, a driver operatively connected to the mold for adjusting a position of the mold to a plurality of different locations during an ice making cycle, and a controller. A limit switch is located at a plurality of different positions along a range of travel of the mold to be actuated and transmit a signal indicative of the mold's arrival at the different locations. The mold can travel along path including first portion having a first axis of rotation and a substantially vertical portion, and can be driven by a motor with a drive shaft rotatable about a single axis of rotation. The motor can drive both the mold and a bail arm, and the mold can be leveled upon reaching a predetermined location. The ice maker can perform a Dry Cycle in response to detecting an anomaly during ice making.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas W. McCollough, Russell Watts, David L. Hall, Cornel Comsa, Dennis Schenk, Marcelo Candeo, Dennis Carl Hansen
  • Publication number: 20100218521
    Abstract: Provided is a dryer for minimizing moisture entrained within a refrigerant used to provide a cooling effect to a temperature-controlled environment, and a refrigeration appliance including such a dryer. The dryer includes a housing defining a drying chamber and a desiccant disposed within the drying chamber for removing at least a portion of the moisture from the refrigerant. A first outlet is formed in the housing adjacent a lower region of the drying chamber when the drying chamber is viewed in an operational orientation. A second outlet is also formed in the housing at an elevation vertically above the first outlet when the dryer is viewed in the operational orientation for discharging at least a portion of the refrigerant introduced into the drying chamber to be delivered to a second heat exchanger with a relatively-low internal pressure. The elevation of the second outlet relative to the first outlet promotes the discharge of the refrigerant through the first outlet instead of through the second outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Juan Antonio Contreras Lafaire, David L. Hall, Marcelo Candeo, Dennis Carl Hansen
  • Publication number: 20100218518
    Abstract: Provided is a method and system for forming ice pieces with an ice maker that includes a mold defining a plurality of cavities for receiving water to be frozen into ice pieces. A processor controls delivery of a refrigerant to freeze water received in the plurality of cavities into ice pieces. A freeze signal transmitted by a temperature sensor embedded within the mold is received by the processor, the freeze signal indicating that a temperature of a portion of the mold adjacent to the temperature sensor has reached a freeze temperature where the water in at least one of the cavities has achieved a frozen state to initiate harvesting of the frozen ice pieces. Defrosting a system evaporator can also be coordinated with operation of the ice maker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: David R. Ducharme, Russell Watts, David L. Hall, Cornel Comsa, Marcelo Candeo, Dennis Carl Hansen
  • Patent number: 7681406
    Abstract: An ice-making system is adapted to operate within a section of a refrigeration appliance where the ice-making system and the ice made in the ice-making system are exposed to a temperature greater than zero degrees Centigrade. When installed in the fresh food compartment of a refrigerator that also has a freezer section compartment, the refrigeration system furnishes a cooling effect to the freezer compartment sufficient to maintain the freezer compartment at a temperature of zero degrees or less and separately furnish to the ice-making unit a cooling effect sufficient to freeze water for making ice in the ice-making unit of the ice-making system. The ice-making system can include a reservoir that is operatively associated with the ice-making unit of the ice-making system for delivering water to the ice-making unit and for receiving water returned from the ice-making unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Cushman, David L. Hall, James Scoville, James R. Holland, Andrea Bertolaccini, Stefano Zuccolo, Enrico Favretti, Huang Hsin
  • Patent number: D645372
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Air Products and Controls Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Hall, Andrew D. Frost