Patents by Inventor Franklin K. Rolles

Franklin K. Rolles 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: 11466872
    Abstract: An HVAC system utilizes one or more modular heat pump units installed within an outer wall or corner of a building, and one or more active registers. A central hub, which can be integrated into a modular HVAC unit, receives input from thermostats and sensors in the building and adjusts operation of the modular HVAC units and active registers to distribute conditioned air throughout the building. The system provides convenience and comfort of a traditional split HVAC system with significantly reduced installation and maintenance costs. The modular HVAC unit includes an interchangeable cartridge that contains the active components of a heat pump. Cartridges of different capacities can be installed as required, and are easily swapped out for maintenance, servicing, and replacement. A user can control the system using traditional-style thermostats and with a smart phone, tablet or computer. A cloud server provides backup services and remote access to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Clark, Franklin K. Rolles, Qiao Tian, Jeffrey L. Stewart, Jin Min Sun
  • Patent number: 11188103
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for providing personalized comfort to occupants of a conditioned space. A precision air device having a standalone controllable fan with directional nozzles is provided. The precision air device includes environmental and occupancy sensors, and communicates with a user device and with other precision air devices in the space. Application software installed on an occupant's user device enables the occupant to specify whether it is too cold or too warm within his or her personal space, or microzone. The collective demand of all microzones within a VAV macrozone is determined by a precision air aggregator to adjust a controllable VAV damper for that macrozone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Ben Clark, Princeton Lobo, Scott A. Munns, William B. Rockwood, Franklin K. Rolles, Kaustubh Pradeep Phalak
  • Publication number: 20200241583
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for providing personalized comfort to occupants of a conditioned space. A precision air device having a standalone controllable fan with directional nozzles is provided. The precision air device includes environmental and occupancy sensors, and communicates with a user device and with other precision air devices in the space. Application software installed on an occupant's user device enables the occupant to specify whether it is too cold or too warm within his or her personal space, or microzone. The collective demand of all microzones within a VAV macrozone is determined by a precision air aggregator to adjust a controllable VAV damper for that macrozone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Ben Clark, Princeton Lobo, Scott A. Munns, William B. Rockwood, Franklin K. Rolles, Kaustubh Pradeep Phalak
  • Publication number: 20200182489
    Abstract: An HVAC system utilizes one or more modular heat pump units installed within an outer wall or corner of a building, and one or more active registers. A central hub, which can be integrated into a modular HVAC unit, receives input from thermostats and sensors in the building and adjusts operation of the modular HVAC units and active registers to distribute conditioned air throughout the building. The system provides convenience and comfort of a traditional split HVAC system with significantly reduced installation and maintenance costs. The modular HVAC unit includes an interchangeable cartridge that contains the active components of a heat pump. Cartridges of different capacities can be installed as required, and are easily swapped out for maintenance, servicing, and replacement. A user can control the system using traditional-style thermostats and with a smart phone, tablet or computer. A cloud server provides backup services and remote access to the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Clark, Franklin K. Rolles, Qiao Tian, Jeffrey L. Stewart, Jin Min Sun
  • Patent number: 10620645
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for providing personalized comfort to occupants of a conditioned space. A precision air device having a standalone controllable fan with directional nozzles is provided. The precision air device includes environmental and occupancy sensors, and communicates with a user device and with other precision air devices in the space. Application software installed on an occupant's user device enables the occupant to specify whether it is too cold or too warm within his or her personal space, or microzone. The collective demand of all microzones within a VAV macrozone is determined by a precision air aggregator to adjust a controllable VAV damper for that macrozone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Ben Clark, Princeton Lobo, Scott A. Munns, William B. Rockwood, Franklin K. Rolles, Kaustubh Phalak
  • Publication number: 20190107296
    Abstract: An HVAC system utilizes one or more modular heat pump units installed within an outer wall or corner of a building, and one or more active registers. A central hub, which can be integrated into a modular HVAC unit, receives input from thermostats and sensors in the building and adjusts operation of the modular HVAC units and active registers to distribute conditioned air throughout the building. The system provides convenience and comfort of a traditional split HVAC system with significantly reduced installation and maintenance costs. The modular HVAC unit includes an interchangeable cartridge that contains the active components of a heat pump. Cartridges of different capacities can be installed as required, and are easily swapped out for maintenance, servicing, and replacement. A user can control the system using traditional-style thermostats and with a smart phone, tablet or computer. A cloud server provides backup services and remote access to the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Clark, Franklin K. Rolles, Qiao Tian, Jeffrey L. Stewart, Jin Min Sun
  • Publication number: 20190041883
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for providing personalized comfort to occupants of a conditioned space. A precision air device having a standalone controllable fan with directional nozzles is provided. The precision air device includes environmental and occupancy sensors, and communicates with a user device and with other precision air devices in the space. Application software installed on an occupant's user device enables the occupant to specify whether it is too cold or too warm within his or her personal space, or microzone. The collective demand of all microzones within a VAV macrozone is determined by a precision air aggregator to adjust a controllable VAV damper for that macrozone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Ben Clark, Princeton Lobo, Scott A. Munns, William B. Rockwood, Franklin K. Rolles, Kaustubh Phalak
  • Publication number: 20170046766
    Abstract: A product selection tool is disclosed that utilizes input from consumers and third party data sources to dynamically enhance the selection of HVAC components. Specific and estimated data characterizing existing HVAC components is used to identify suitable replacement HVAC components based on type, size, energy efficiency, and other system requirements in view of regional climate data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Franklin K. Rolles
  • Publication number: 20160004798
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for predicting an energy savings resulting from the replacement of existing equipment with new equipment. In the example embodiments, the energy saving prediction is utilized to create a customized warranty for an individual customer of an HVAC system or subcomponent thereof. Historical energy usage, historical climate data, old and new equipment parameters, and customer use data is input to a predictive modeling algorithm, which determines an energy savings prediction. Alternative models may be employed and a weighting factor applied to each to arrive at an improved energy savings prediction. The energy savings prediction is utilized to warranty to the customer an estimated dollar savings that will result from the installation of the new equipment. The warranty provides that, in the event the predicted energy savings is not realized, the customer is entitled to receive a dollar amount representing the shortfall in warranted energy savings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Roy R. Crawford, Wayne N. Kraft, Mark E. Groskreutz, Franklin K. Rolles