Patents by Inventor Donna Ellen Oakner

Donna Ellen Oakner 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: 7938288
    Abstract: An auxiliary drain pan for catching liquid that leaks or overflows from an appliance, system or machinery includes a central well and a pan plate surrounding the central well. The pan plate has a top surface that is sloped downwardly towards the central well such that, when the drain pan is operatively positioned on a generally horizontal plane, liquid on the top surface flows into the confined area of the well, thereby minimizing the weight of liquid collected in the drain pan. The well includes a drain line connection port and a removable wall segment for optional attachment of a water detection device. Parallel score lines in the pan plate, extending both longitudinally and transversely on all sides, define removable areas for adjustment of the overall size and shape of the drain pan, thereby allowing for customized sizing at the installation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: MSD Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart P. Oakner, Donna Ellen Oakner
  • Publication number: 20100018980
    Abstract: An auxiliary drain pan for catching liquid that leaks or overflows from an appliance, system or machinery includes a central well and a pan plate surrounding the central well. The pan plate has a top surface that is sloped downwardly towards the central well such that, when the drain pan is operatively positioned on a generally horizontal plane, liquid on the top surface flows into the confined area of the well, thereby minimizing the weight of liquid collected in the drain pan. The well includes a drain line connection port and a removable wall segment for optional attachment of a water detection device. Parallel score lines in the pan plate, extending both longitudinally and transversely on all sides, define removable areas for adjustment of the overall size and shape of the drain pan, thereby allowing for customized sizing at the installation site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Stuart P. Oakner, Donna Ellen Oakner
  • Patent number: 7199722
    Abstract: An alarm device that connects to a circuit using two wires and is actuated when a switch changes the status of the circuit from a normally closed circuit condition to open circuit condition. The alarm device includes a PC board with an electronic buzzer, an electronic signal transmitter and/or a visual indicator, such as a flashing LED, all of which may be enclosed within a case. The circuitry of the alarm device is non-polarized, thereby allowing the two wires to be connected to either terminal connection point in the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventors: Stuart P. Oakner, Mark T. Brannick, Donna Ellen Oakner Brannick
  • Publication number: 20020124582
    Abstract: A condensate overflow safety switch that can be used with an air handling system is disclosed. The air-cooling system includes a drain pan for collecting liquid condensed on the evaporator coils. The drain pan is fluidwise connected to the safety switch that is in turn electrically connected to a circuit of the air handling system. To reduce the probability of an overflow from the drain pan arising from an occlusion to water liquid draining from the drain pan, an annular float is mounted about a tube in which is sealed a reed switch electrically connected to a circuit of the air handling system or to an alarm circuit. The float containing an annular magnet ascends or descends based on the level of water liquid within the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Stuart Peter Oakner, Mark Thomas Brannick, Donna Ellen Oakner Brannick
  • Patent number: 6442955
    Abstract: A safety switch that can be used with an air handling system is disclosed. The air-cooling system includes a drain pan for collecting liquid condensed on the evaporator coils. The pan is fluidwise connected to a T- or L-shaped tubular structure, installable at any slope from horizontal to vertical, in which the switch is mounted and the switch is electrically connected to a circuit of the system, a power circuit or an alarm circuit. The switch has an annular float containing an annular magnet mounted about a tube in which is sealed a reed switch. The float ascends or descends based on the level of liquid within the tubular structure. Dependent upon a predetermined level of liquid within the tubular structure the float will move along the tube to open or close the reed switch to either disrupt operation of the air handling system or operate an alarm circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventors: Stuart Peter Oakner, Mark Thomas Brannick, Donna Ellen Oakner Brannick