Patents by Inventor Denis G. Wolfe

Denis G. Wolfe 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: 5934788
    Abstract: A trim for a recessed lighting utilizing a carrier having a first member with a flange extending outwardly from the same. The member includes an opening to permit light to pass from a lamp. A yoke is also found in the trim of the present invention and includes first and second legs connected by a bridging member. The yoke includes a mechanism for rotating or folding the same toward and away from the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Prescolite-Moldcast Lighting Company
    Inventor: Denis G. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 5410462
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp fixture embodiment of the present invention comprises a frame module, a ballast module, a socket housing module and a reflector module that all interconnect via a standardized connection system. The ballast module is attached to a ballast plate and snaps onto a junction box wrapper that has a junction box baseplate. The frame module snaps onto the junction box wrapper together with the socket housing module. The reflector module also attaches directly to the frame module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: USI Lighting, Inc.
    Inventor: Denis G. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 5402039
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a ballast for a high intensity discharge lamp that includes a non-automatically resetting thermal protector thermally coupled to a coil wound on a core and insulation between the coil and the core. Only one cycle is allowed into what may be a range of temperatures capable of destroying the insulation within the ballast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: USI Lighting, Inc.
    Inventor: Denis G. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 4441317
    Abstract: A piston and cylinder type thermal device and method of making the same are provided, the device having a cylinder member carrying a piston stem that has an outer end that projects out of the opening of an end of the cylinder member to be extended and retracted relative thereto upon changes of sensed temperature of a charge of material disposed in the cylinder member that operatively acts on a resilient stem seat disposed in the cylinder member and having an opening at one end thereof that receives an inner end of the stem therein. The stem has a lubricant thereon to tend to prevent abrasion between the stem and the seat during the extended and retracted movement therebetween. A lubricant storage unit is carried by the device and has therein a porous member with the lubricant absorbed therein and being operatively associated with the stem for applying the lubricant to the stem external of the end of the cylinder member during movement of the stem relative to the stem seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Denis G. Wolfe, Naohisa Wada
  • Patent number: 4140475
    Abstract: An improved combustion detection apparatus is disclosed that can be employed in a fail-safe control circuit for a combustion apparatus to operate a shut-off valve in the fuel supply in response to the presence or absence of combustion. The improved combustion detector is an electrode assembly of a solid metal oxide member and electrodes in the form of electrical conducting coatings on opposite sides of the metal oxide member. The metal oxide has the characteristic of generating an electromotive force by transfer of oxygen ions therethrough. The combustion detector is placed in the vicinity of a flame from a pilot or main burner of the combustion apparatus. The oxygen gradient established by the burner flame and the resultant high temperature of the metal oxide member provides an instantaneous response to ignition or extinguishment of the burner flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1979
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Denis G. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 4114129
    Abstract: There is disclosed a thermally responsive actuator useful for solenoids of electromagnetic valves and the like that includes a thermally responsive assembly of first and second metallic members that function as a thermocouple to generate an electrical voltage and also as a bimetallic operator for a switch carried within a housing of the device and operative to make and break the thermocouple circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Bruce B. Parsons, Denis G. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 4106359
    Abstract: There is disclosed an antifriction assembly of relative moving machine elements such as shaft and thrust bearing or screw and nut assemblies having engagement surfaces formed of materials characterized by a coefficient of friction which is inversely dependent upon compressive loading. Typical of such materials are plastics such as fluorocarbons, polyamides and/or acetal resins. The antifriction assembly utilizes the aforementioned characteristics of these materials to achieve minimal force and wear and maximum life. The shaft and thrust bearing assembly comprises a shaft having a grooved land to receive a bearing plate which has a slotted aperture to capture the shaft. The shaft and bearing are formed of the aforementioned plastics. The screw and nut assembly comprises members that are also formed of the aforementioned plastics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Denis G. Wolfe, Richard J. Berryhill
  • Patent number: 4080153
    Abstract: There is disclosed a thermally responsive switch that is ideally suited for responding to the ignition and extinguishment of a flame. The switch is provided with two switch poles, one that is biased normally open and the other that is biased normally closed. The response of the switch to the presence of a flame is very sensitive and precise to open the normally closed contact within a few seconds after ignition of a flame and, shortly thereafter within another controlled time period, to close the normally open contact. Upon extinguishment of the flame, the switch reverses its movement, opening the normally open contact within a short time interval, and, thereafter, closing the normally closed contact. The switch mechanism employs a thermally responsive, tube-in-tube member with the inner tube connected to a push rod which resiliently carries a switch lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1978
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Denis G. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 4080149
    Abstract: There is disclosed a safety control for a pulse combustion system. In a pulse combustion process, a combustible fuel and air are introduced into a combustion chamber through check valves in pulses and ignite to generate an alternating sinusoidal pressure wave. The control system of the invention comprises rectifying the sinusoidal pressure wave to obtain therefrom a differential pressure signal and applying the pressure signal to a control circuit to position a valve in the combustible fuel supply. Any interruption in combustion within the chamber causes a cessation of the differential pressure signal and closes the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1978
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Denis G. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 4076975
    Abstract: An electrical furnace has a plurality of electrical heaters and a control unit carried by a frame. A rigid lead unit is carried by the frame and has rigid lead means directly and electrically interconnected to terminals of the heaters and terminals of the control unit, the rigid lead unit itself having terminals for electrically interconnecting the rigid lead means to power source leads whereby the power source leads are directly and electrically interconnected to the terminals of the heater and the control unit by the rigid lead means without the need for auxiliary wiring. The control unit includes an electrical sequencing switch construction having a plurality of electrical switches for sequentially operating the heaters, the switch construction having a temperature sensing unit operatively interconnected to the switches for moving and holding the same in open conditions thereof when the temperature sensing unit senses a high temperature condition of the heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1978
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Hugh J. Tyler, Denis G. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 4056348
    Abstract: The heat from an electric resistance igniter is used both (1) to start fuel flow to a burner after ignition temperature, and (2) to stop the fuel flow after a delay in the event of flame failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1977
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Denis G. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 4045155
    Abstract: A thermal responsive switch employs a gas expansion operating member movable by changes in pressure of a gas charge in a chamber containing a carbonaceous adsorbent material formed from a compound of carbon and non-carbon component by removing the non-carbon component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Denis G. Wolfe, Joseph S. Danon
  • Patent number: 4033029
    Abstract: A wedging member, such as a ball, is frictionally engaged with inclined supporting ends of a pair of contact elements at a calibration temperature. The wedging member retains the positioning of the supporting ends as the temperature is changed from the calibration temperature to a hardening temperature for a hardenable material, such as an inorganic-base chemical-setting cement, for rigidly securing the supporting ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Denis G. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 4027689
    Abstract: An explosion resistant gas valve in which a valve actuating mechanism in the form of a bimetallic strip is operated by an electric heat motor. An explosion containment structure is provided about the electric heat motor to isolate it from the path of gas flow. A plurality of pressure relief apertures extend through the sides of the containment structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Denis G. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 3969696
    Abstract: The end of an elongated resistance element, such as a molybdenum disilicide rod, is joined to a metal member which provides both electrical connection and mechanical support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1973
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1976
    Inventors: Denis G. Wolfe, Richard K. Mitts, Wilbur F. Jackson, deceased, by Linda A. Benton, trust administrator
  • Patent number: 3937439
    Abstract: A thermally operated valve utilizes a member which is moved in accordance with the pressure of a gas within a chamber containing an adsorbent carbon material formed from a compound of carbon and a non-carbon component wherein the non-carbon component has been removed leaving a porous structure with cavities of sufficient size to receive and adsorb the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1973
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1976
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Hugh J. Tyler, Denis G. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 3934417
    Abstract: A thermal responsive device employs gas, such as a noble gas, with an adsorbent carbon material which is a decomposed carbonaceous compound, such as decomposed polyvinylidene chloride or decomposed polyvinylidene fluoride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1973
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1976
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Denis G. Wolfe, Hugh J. Tyler, Wilbur F. Jackson, deceased, by Linda A. Benton, trust administrator
  • Patent number: D278997
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: Colortran, Inc.
    Inventors: Denis G. Wolfe, Thomas S. Young, Arnold S. Wasserman, Edward Lawing
  • Patent number: D279928
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Colortran, Inc.
    Inventors: Ira G. McNabb, Denis G. Wolfe, Robert G. Fischette