Patents by Inventor Dwight N. Johnson
Dwight N. Johnson 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: 20040109574Abstract: A pressure transducer which has a closed chamber which is full of oil or other non-compressible liquid. Pressure communicates with a diaphragm which defines one side of the closed chamber and the pressure communicates via the oil with a pressure sensor which is mounted within the oil spaced from the diaphragm. The liquid entered the closed chamber through a inlet hole with a selected volume driven into the closed chamber by a ball which is forcefully driven a selected distance into the inlet hole before stopping at the end of the inlet hole against a physical stop.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2003Publication date: June 10, 2004Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Patent number: 6684709Abstract: A pressure transducer which has a closed chamber which is full of oil or other non-compressible liquid. Pressure communicates with a diaphragm which defines one side of the closed chamber and the pressure communicates via the oil with a pressure sensor which is mounted within the oil spaced from the diaphragm. The liquid entered the closed chamber through a inlet hole with a selected volume driven into the closed chamber by a ball which is forcefully driven a selected distance into the inlet hole before stopping at the end of the inlet hole against a physical stop.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Patent number: 6560790Abstract: A high flow valve assembly and a low flow valve assembly are in parallel flow relation between an inlet and an outlet of a flush controller. The valve assemblies are opened by solenoid operated pilot valves under the control of a microprocessor based flush control system. A turbine directly measures flow through the low flow valve assembly by providing pulses to the microprocessor, and the control system counts pulses and computes flow through the high flow valve assembly to perform a flushing operation including an initial siphon trap flushing high flow portion and a subsequent trap reseal low flow portion. Corrections are made to the pulse count to correct for partial valve open conditions and other variables. An override switch provides a signal to the control system for a flush operation A user detection system includes a pair of emitters and a pair of detectors defining an array of intersecting detection points in a skewed plane in which the control system can locate the position of a user.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Geberit Technik AGInventors: David A. Saar, Dwight N. Johnson
-
Publication number: 20030079546Abstract: A pressure transducer which has a closed chamber which is full of oil or other non-compressible liquid. Pressure communicates with a diaphragm which defines one side of the closed chamber and the pressure communicates via the oil with a pressure sensor which is mounted within the oil spaced from the diaphragm. The liquid entered the closed chamber through a inlet hole with a selected volume driven into the closed chamber by a ball which is forcefully driven a selected distance into the inlet hole before stopping at the end of the inlet hole against a physical stop.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2001Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Patent number: 6499152Abstract: A high flow valve assembly and a low flow valve assembly are in parallel flow relation between an inlet and an outlet of a flush controller housing. The valve assemblies are opened by solenoid operated pilot valves under the control of a microprocessor based flush control system. A turbine directly measures flow through the low flow valve assembly and the control system computes flow through the high flow valve assembly to perform a flushing operation including an initial siphon trap flushing high flow portion and a subsequent trap reseal low flow portion. A push button is pressed to one of two override positions either to provide a signal to the control system for a normal flush operation or to open the high flow valve assembly independently of the control system for an emergency flush operation. A user detection system includes a pair of emitters and a pair of detectors defining an array of intersecting detection points in a skewed plane in which the control system can locate the position of a user.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Geberit Technik AGInventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Publication number: 20020162166Abstract: A high flow valve assembly and a low flow valve assembly are in parallel flow relation between an inlet and an outlet of a flush controller. The valve assemblies are opened by solenoid operated pilot valves under the control of a microprocessor based flush control system. A turbine directly measures flow through the low flow valve assembly by providing pulses to the microprocessor, and the control system counts pulses and computes flow through the high flow valve assembly to perform a flushing operation including an initial siphon trap flushing high flow portion and a subsequent trap reseal low flow portion. Corrections are made to the pulse count to correct for partial valve open conditions and other variables. An override switch provides a signal to the control system for a flush operation A user detection system includes a pair of emitters and a pair of detectors defining an array of intersecting detection points in a skewed plane in which the control system can locate the position of a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2001Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventors: David A. Saar, Dwight N. Johnson
-
Publication number: 20020092090Abstract: A high flow valve assembly and a low flow valve assembly are in parallel flow relation between an inlet and an outlet of a flush controller housing. The valve assemblies are opened by solenoid operated pilot valves under the control of a microprocessor based flush control system. A turbine directly measures flow through the low flow valve assembly and the control system computes flow through the high flow valve assembly to perform a flushing operation including an initial siphon trap flushing high flow portion and a subsequent trap reseal low flow portion. A push button is pressed to one of two override positions either to provide a signal to the control system for a normal flush operation or to open the high flow valve assembly independently of the control system for an emergency flush operation. A user detection system includes a pair of emitters and a pair of detectors defining an array of intersecting detection points in a skewed plane in which the control system can locate the position of a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2001Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Patent number: 6389909Abstract: A system for monitoring the flow of water through a pipe. A metering device is located in a pipeline. A transmitting unit including a sensor is contained within a housing which has a frame projecting horizontally outwardly from the housing. A clip having an elongated band and a “U” shaped clasp at either end has an inner clasp portion and an outer catch portion to hold the meter against the housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2000Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Inventors: Dwight N. Johnson, Daivd A. Saar, Wade W. Smith, Christian Siebert
-
Patent number: 6253708Abstract: A poultry drinker system includes a number of drinker runs each including a selector valve, a drinker line control valve and a drinker line having a plurality of drinkers. The selector valve applies to the corresponding drinker line control valve either an intermediate control pressure or a relatively high inlet pressure. Control pressure is derived from inlet pressure by an adjustable pressure reducing controller. In the absence of control pressure, a low pressure is applied to the drinker line control valves. Each drinker line control valve includes a proportional relay valve that is closed when low pressure is applied to the drinker line control valve and is open when intermediate pressure is applied to the drinker line control valve. When open, the proportional relay valve supplies to the corresponding drinker line a low pressure outlet flow proportional to control pressure.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Patent number: 6240956Abstract: A poultry drinker system includes a number of drinker lines each supplied from a common high pressure water supply through a water pressure regulator. Each regulator includes a reference spring establishing a default minimum water pressure. A centralized remote control system provides regulated low pressure air to the water pressure regulators to augment the reference spring force and remotely adjust the water pressure in the drinker lines. The remote control system periodically applies higher pressure air to the water pressure regulators to increase water pressure and flow rates and sequentially flush the drinker lines. The remote control system includes a source of high pressure air, an air pressure regulator for supplying lower pressure air and a stack of 3-way valves for applying low or high pressure air to each water pressure regulator.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: CTB, Inc.Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Patent number: 6202682Abstract: A pressure regulator for supplying water to a poultry watering system or the like includes a control assembly for operating the pressure regulator in a normal or “on” mode, an off mode or a flush or bypass mode. A desired operating pressure is set by loading a diaphragm responsive to output pressure changes. Diaphragm movement is transferred by the control system to a valve member cooperating with an inlet orifice. The control system includes a spring captured in a preloaded state between first and second end members, one connected to the valve member and the other connected to the diaphragm. A knob is rotated from a normal “on” position to an off position and a collar pushes the end members together and pushes the valve member against the orifice. The knob is rotated to a flush or bypass position and the collar pulls the end members together and pulls the valve member away from the orifice. The inlet orifice and an inlet port are parts of a removeably mounted inlet member.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1999Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Patent number: 6155288Abstract: A fill valve has a main valve with a valving surface contacted by a valve disk. A series of offset radial paths separated by a toroidal path permit free radial flow at full open and quiet tortuous flow as the valve closes. Removal of a cap permits access to the main valve for cleaning. Indicia in the valve body provide easy height adjustments. A riser base is made up of easily molded locking parts and provides a variable height adjustment structure that is shielded from view. A flexible cup performs multiple functions including serving as a pilot valve, a vacuum breaker valve and a seal. A float for operating the pilot valve is pivotally mounted without extra parts or fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1999Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: American Standard Inc.Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Patent number: 6041809Abstract: A control valve assembly for flushing a sanitary fixture includes a burst valve for supplying flush water flow at the beginning of a flush cycle and an independently controlled bypass valve for providing trap reseal flow after the burst valve closes. The burst valve includes a timing sleeve cooperating with a lifting piston to define a timing chamber communicating with inlet pressure through an orifice. A piston collar cooperates with the lifting piston to define the bypass valve. A lifting chamber defined between the body and the lifting piston communicates with the outlet through a metering valve assembly. Actuation of the metering valve assembly empties the lifting chamber and lifts the timing sleeve, opening the burst valve. The burst valve is closed when the timing chamber fills at a rate controlled by the orifice. The bypass valve is maintained open by pressure differential across the bypass valve to supply trap reseal flow until the metering valve assembly recloses.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1997Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: American Standard Inc.Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Patent number: 5967167Abstract: A poultry drinker system includes a number of drinker lines each supplied from a common high pressure water supply through a water pressure regulator. Each regulator includes a reference spring establishing a default minimum water pressure. A centralized remote control system provides regulated low pressure air to the water pressure regulators to augment the reference spring force and remotely adjust the water pressure in the drinker lines. The remote control system periodically applies higher pressure air to the water pressure regulators to increase water pressure and flow rates and sequentially flush the drinker lines. The remote control system includes a source of high pressure air, an air pressure regulator for supplying lower pressure air and a stack of 3-way valves for applying low or high pressure air to each water pressure regulator.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: CTB, Inc.Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Patent number: 5964247Abstract: A fill valve has a main valve with a valving surface contacted by a valve disk. A series of offset radial paths separated by a toroidal path permit free radial flow at full open and quiet tortuous flow as the valve closes. Removal of a cap permits access to the main valve for cleaning. Indicia in the valve body provide easy height adjustments. A riser base is made up of easily molded locking parts and provides a variable height adjustment structure that is shielded from view. A flexible cup performs multiple functions including serving as a pilot valve, a vacuum breaker valve and a seal. A float for operating the pilot valve is pivotally mounted without extra parts or fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1997Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: American Standard Inc.Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Patent number: 5806556Abstract: A metering valve includes a main valve and a pilot valve for operating the main valve. A low operating force pawl and ratchet system rotates a cam to open the pilot valve to initiate a cycle of operation. When the main valve is opened, a turbine wheel in the flow path rotates to measure flow. Turbine rotation is transmitted to the cam through a reducing gear assembly and a lost motion connection in order to reclose the pilot and main valves after a predetermined volume of flow is measured.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1995Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: American Standard Inc.Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Patent number: 5803114Abstract: A flush toilet system includes a bowl that is drained in a flush operation through a flow path including a trap and a siphon. A bypass passage supplies a back jet of water in the reverse flow direction in the flow path. A back jet valve assembly opens to permit back jet flow during only the first part of the interval during which flush water is supplied to the system from a water supply. The kinetic energy of the back jet is converted to static pressure to block or impede flow of flush water through the flow path. Water level increases in the bowl, and when the back jet flow is discontinued a siphon flush operation proceeds. The back flush valve assembly also releases water after the flushing operation in order to reseal the trap.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1996Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: American Standard Inc.Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Patent number: 5771921Abstract: A pressure regulator for supplying water to an associated watering system for poultry or the like includes a top works structure and a bottom works structure which are formed of few parts, which are easy to manufacture and assemble together. The top works structure includes a cover seated within a cover and a reference spring assembly which includes a reference spring and a diaphragm membrane. The reference spring assembly can be adjusted to vary the outlet pressure of the regulator. The bottom works structure includes a body having an inlet through which water flows into the regulator from a supply and an outlet through which water flows out from the regulator to the associated watering system. A structure is provided for substantially isolating said diaphragm from water pressure in said regulator during flushing of the regulator and the associated watering system and during conditions of higher-demand for water.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1995Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: CTB, Inc.Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Patent number: D452898Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2001Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Geberit Technik AGInventor: Dwight N. Johnson
-
Patent number: D408501Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1998Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Assignee: American Standard Inc.Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson