Patents by Inventor David R. Hornbaker

David R. Hornbaker 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: 10675561
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a sulfur trap comprising an inlet, a first chamber, a divider, a second chamber, an outlet, and a float assembly. The float assembly may have many different configurations, but generally comprises a float and plug, is configured to float within liquid sulfur, and is operatively coupled to a seal seat in the divider for sealing and unsealing the first chamber from the second chamber. Generally, only liquid sulfur is allowed to pass from the first chamber into the second chamber. However, the sulfur trap may be configured to allow for pressure relief, such that during an overpressure event the plug and seal seat disengage and allow the liquid-gas mixture to flow into the second chamber to prevent damage within the system. In some embodiments a filter and/or the flow of liquid sulfur is directed to collect debris from the liquid sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: CONTROLS SOUTHEAST, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon W. Forbes, David R. Hornbaker, Thomas C. Willingham, George A. Hearn
  • Publication number: 20180290076
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a sulfur trap comprising an inlet, a first chamber, a divider, a second chamber, an outlet, and a float assembly. The float assembly may have many different configurations, but generally comprises a float and plug, is configured to float within liquid sulfur, and is operatively coupled to a seal seat in the divider for sealing and unsealing the first chamber from the second chamber. Generally, only liquid sulfur is allowed to pass from the first chamber into the second chamber. However, the sulfur trap may be configured to allow for pressure relief, such that during an overpressure event the plug and seal seat disengage and allow the liquid-gas mixture to flow into the second chamber to prevent damage within the system. In some embodiments a filter and/or the flow of liquid sulfur is directed to collect debris from the liquid sulfur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Brandon W. Forbes, David R. Hornbaker, Thomas C. Willingham, George A. Hearn
  • Patent number: 9993746
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a sulfur trap comprising an inlet, a first chamber, a divider, a second chamber, an outlet, and a float assembly. The float assembly may have many different configurations, but generally comprises a float and plug, is configured to float within liquid sulfur, and is operatively coupled to a seal seat in the divider for sealing and unsealing the first chamber from the second chamber. Generally, only liquid sulfur is allowed to pass from the first chamber into the second chamber. However, the sulfur trap may be configured to allow for pressure relief, such that during an overpressure event the plug and seal seat disengage and allow the liquid-gas mixture to flow into the second chamber to prevent damage within the system. In some embodiments a filter and/or the flow of liquid sulfur is directed to collect debris from the liquid sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CONTROLS SOUTHEAST, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon W. Forbes, David R. Hornbaker, Thomas C. Willingham, George A. Hearn
  • Publication number: 20170225102
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a sulfur trap comprising an inlet, a first chamber, a divider, a second chamber, an outlet, and a float assembly. The float assembly may have many different configurations, but generally comprises a float and plug, is configured to float within liquid sulfur, and is operatively coupled to a seal seat in the divider for sealing and unsealing the first chamber from the second chamber. Generally, only liquid sulfur is allowed to pass from the first chamber into the second chamber. However, the sulfur trap may be configured to allow for pressure relief, such that during an overpressure event the plug and seal seat disengage and allow the liquid-gas mixture to flow into the second chamber to prevent damage within the system. In some embodiments a filter and/or the flow of liquid sulfur is directed to collect debris from the liquid sulfur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Brandon W. Forbes, David R. Hornbaker, Thomas C. Willingham, George A. Hearn
  • Patent number: 9522346
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a sulfur trap comprising an inlet, a first chamber, a divider, a second chamber, an outlet, and a float assembly. The float assembly may have many different configurations, but generally comprises a float and plug, is configured to float within liquid sulfur, and is operatively coupled to a seal seat in the divider for sealing and unsealing the first chamber from the second chamber. Generally, only liquid sulfur is allowed to pass from the first chamber into the second chamber. However, the sulfur trap may be configured to allow for pressure relief, such that during an overpressure event the plug and seal seat disengage and allow the liquid-gas mixture to flow into the second chamber to prevent damage within the system. In some embodiments a filter and/or the flow of liquid sulfur is directed to collect debris from the liquid sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: CONTROLS SOUTHEAST, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon W. Forbes, David R. Hornbaker, Thomas C. Willingham, George A. Hearn
  • Publication number: 20130247763
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a sulfur trap comprising an inlet, a first chamber, a divider, a second chamber, an outlet, and a float assembly. The float assembly may have many different configurations, but generally comprises a float and plug, is configured to float within liquid sulfur, and is operatively coupled to a seal seat in the divider for sealing and unsealing the first chamber from the second chamber. Generally, only liquid sulfur is allowed to pass from the first chamber into the second chamber. However, the sulfur trap may be configured to allow for pressure relief, such that during an overpressure event the plug and seal seat disengage and allow the liquid-gas mixture to flow into the second chamber to prevent damage within the system. In some embodiments a filter and/or the flow of liquid sulfur is directed to collect debris from the liquid sulfur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Controls Southeast, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon W. Forbes, David R. Hornbaker, Thomas C. Willingham, George A. Hearn
  • Patent number: 4579462
    Abstract: Apparatus for determining the relative humidity of an atmosphere by measuring the dew point of the atmosphere. The dew point is measured by lowering the temperature of a condensing or sensing surface associated with a heat flow sensor. When condensation begins to occur this is detected by the heat flow sensor as a change in the rate of heat flow through the condensing surface. In one embodiment a pair of heat flow sensors are employed, one maintained at a slightly lower temperature than the other. The sensors are connected in series opposition so that output signals due to background or convective heat transfer are cancelled, any change in the combined output signal of the two sensors then indicating heat flow resulting from condensation. The temperature of the cooler face will be the dew point temperature. Two arrangements of sensors are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Trans-Met Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter Rall, David R. Hornbaker
  • Patent number: 4274475
    Abstract: A control apparatus for regulating a building perimeter temperature change system, which may be a heating system, a cooling system, or both. The control apparatus operates in conjunction with a central heating system which operates to adjust temperatures in the building. The building is characterized by net heat gains or losses at the building perimeter. These net heat gains and losses are made up by the building perimeter temperature change system under the regulation of the present control apparatus. The apparatus includes a heat flow sensor for mounting upon an exterior building element to generate a sensor signal proportional to the direction and magnitude of heat flow to or from the building element. A controller responsive to the sensor signal operates the temperature change system so that the rate of perimeter heating or cooling is directly proportional to the measured rate of heat loss or gain through the building element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Inventors: Dieter Rall, David R. Hornbaker, William W. Sawyer