Patents by Inventor Frederick Hazzard
Frederick Hazzard 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).
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Publication number: 20210048225Abstract: A water heater comprising a thermoelectric device to power components of the water heater, a valve configured to control gas flow, and a controller. The controller may be configured to periodically determine one or more electrical parameters for holding the valve in the open state. The controller may be configured to alter the one or more parameters with the valve in an open state until the valve deviates from the open state. The controller may cause a current to flow through the valve based on the determined one or more electrical parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, Adam Myre, Gregory Young
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Publication number: 20210048226Abstract: A water heater control system comprising an energy storage system electrically connected to a pilot valve operator and electrically isolated from a main valve operator. The energy storage system may be electrically connected to an ignition circuit. A thermoelectric device is in thermal communication with the pilot flame and electrically connected to a main valve operator. The water heater system may include a microcontroller configured to establish electrical communications between the device and the energy storage system, the pilot valve operator, and the main valve operator. The microcontroller may be configured to recognize a call for main burner operation, and may also be configured to check an available voltage of the energy storage system against a setpoint. The microcontroller may establish pilot flame operation with or without main burner operation, depending on whether a call for heat or recharging of the energy storage system is required.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, Gregory Young, Adam Myre, Peter M. Anderson, Rolf L. Strand, John D. Mitchell
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Patent number: 10851911Abstract: A gas valve having a gas valve body having a valve and a valve seat both housed by the gas valve body. The valve may further include an armature housed by the gas valve body, a pole situated outside of the gas valve body so as to not be exposed to gas in the gas valve body. The pole may be positioned to be in magnetic communication with at least part of the armature through the gas valve body. The valve may further include a coil situated outside the gas valve body. The coil may be wound about the pole such that activation of the coil produces a magnetic flux that is carried to an end of the pole, through the gas valve body, and to the armature, resulting in movement of the armature, and movement of the valve between the open position and the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, Gregory Young, Adam Myre, James Buezis, Cailen Giese
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Patent number: 10754331Abstract: A remote water heater monitoring system is configured to communicate with a plurality of client water heaters over a network. The system processes received data related to the operation of the plurality of client water heaters and identifies one or more baseline trends over time related to water heater performance and/or water heater reliability using the received data from one or more of the client water heaters and identifies one or more abnormalities in the operation of a particular one of the client water heaters based on the baseline trends. An alert is generated for one or more of the abnormalities in the operation of the particular one of the client water heaters and is associated with a corresponding client account.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Peter Anderson, Rolf L. Strand, Adam Myre, Timothy J. Smith, Frederick Hazzard, John D. Mitchell, Adam Foley, Tony Khosla, Gregory Young
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Patent number: 10738998Abstract: A heat sink assembly draws heat away from the cold junction of a thermopile element to increase the thermopile's power output. In one example, the heat sink assembly includes a first thermally conductive securing mechanism, a second thermally conductive securing mechanism, and a thermally conductive tube having a first end and a second end. The first end of the thermally conductive tube is secured between the first securing mechanism and the second securing mechanism. In some cases, the first end of the thermally conductive tube may include a flanged region adjacent the first end with at least part of the flange region secured between the first securing mechanism and the second securing mechanism. The flange may help with heat transfer to the thermally conductive tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: David Heil, Frederick Hazzard, Ravindra Khosla
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Patent number: 10731895Abstract: Apparatus and method for mounting a non-immersion type temperature sensor to a tank, such as a water heater tank, that is designed for an immersion-type temperature sensor. In one example, a mounting adaptor may include a proximal cavity extending from a proximal end toward a distal end and a distal cavity extending from the distal end toward the proximal end. A wall fluidly isolates the proximal cavity from the distal cavity. The mounting adaptor is mounting to the mounting spud of an immersion type water heater tank, such that the distal cavity of the mounting adaptor is filled with water from the water heater tank. A non-immersion type temperature sensor is positioned adjacent to or in the proximal cavity and in thermal communication with the water in the distal cavity.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Gregory Young, Frederick Hazzard, Adam Myre
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Patent number: 10697846Abstract: A single capacitive sensor that may detect both water leaks and flammable vapors. The sensor may have two electrodes not touching each other but supported with an insulative material between the electrodes that allows fluids to enter between the electrodes. An electronic circuit connected to the capacitive sensor may determine the capacitance of the two electrodes. Fluids may enter between the electrodes and affect their capacitance. Permittivities of the fluids may be calculated from their effects on capacitance. Ranges of the permittivities may indicate the kind of substances and their intensity of presence. Water and flammable vapors are examples of such substances. The electronic circuit may be connected to a control module of a water heater, in that if the intensity or concentration of detected water or flammable vapors reaches a pre-set threshold, then the circuit may trigger an alarm and/or shut down the water heater.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, Gregory Young, Ravindra Khosla, Paul Knauf
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Patent number: 10692351Abstract: The disclosure reveals a system for detecting moisture or water in a particular location. The system may incorporate a moisture detector having a control module connected to an appliance, a moisture detection circuit connected to the control module, and a voltage source connected to the moisture detection circuit and to the control module. The voltage source and the moisture detection circuit may provide voltage levels to the control module when the moisture detection circuit detects dry or wet conditions, or conditions between those conditions. A voltage level to the control module may indicate whether the appliance, such as a water heater, a washing machine, or a dish washer, has a leak. If the leak is deemed by a voltage level from the circuit to be worthy of concern, then a display, an alarm, message, or other notice mechanism may indicate an issue or what action needs to be taken.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, Ravindra Khosla, David Heil
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Patent number: 10670302Abstract: A device for igniting a pilot light for a heating appliance or for re-igniting the pilot. The device may monitor a thermopile at the pilot to determine if the pilot is lit and, if not, attempt to relight it. If the device fails to relight the pilot, it may continue attempting to relight the pilot until the stored energy is nearly depleted. Before the stored energy is depleted, the device may send a message indicating a failure to relight. The last of stored energy may alert a homeowner with an alarm that the appliance control has shut down and the pilot could not be relit. If the amount of energy stored drops below a specified threshold and the device successfully lights the pilot, it may restore the control to normal operation, and replenish the stored energy. The device may do a standing pilot or an intermittent pilot.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2014Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, David Heil, Ravindra Khosla
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Publication number: 20200072378Abstract: A gas valve having a gas valve body having a valve and a valve seat both housed by the gas valve body. The valve may further include an armature housed by the gas valve body, a pole situated outside of the gas valve body so as to not be exposed to gas in the gas valve body. The pole may be positioned to be in magnetic communication with at least part of the armature through the gas valve body. The valve may further include a coil situated outside the gas valve body. The coil may be wound about the pole such that activation of the coil produces a magnetic flux that is carried to an end of the pole, through the gas valve body, and to the armature, resulting in movement of the armature, and movement of the valve between the open position and the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2018Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, Gregory Young, Adam Myre, James Buezis, Cailen Giese
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Publication number: 20200004231Abstract: A remote water heater monitoring system is configured to communicate with a plurality of client water heaters over a network. The system processes received data related to the operation of the plurality of client water heaters and identifies one or more baseline trends over time related to water heater performance and/or water heater reliability using the received data from one or more of the client water heaters and identifies one or more abnormalities in the operation of a particular one of the client water heaters based on the baseline trends. An alert is generated for one or more of the abnormalities in the operation of the particular one of the client water heaters and is associated with a corresponding client account.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2018Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Peter Anderson, Rolf L. Strand, Adam Myre, Timothy J. Smith, Frederick Hazzard, John D. Mitchell, Adam Foley, Tony Khosla, Gregory Young
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Publication number: 20190338987Abstract: A water heater may include a water tank, a burner, a pilot for igniting the burner, an ignitor for igniting the pilot, a thermoelectric device in thermal communication with a flame of the pilot, a controller for controlling an ignition sequence of the pilot using the ignitor, and a rechargeable power storage device for supplying power to the ignitor and the controller. The rechargeable power storage device may be rechargeable using the energy produced by the thermoelectric device. The controller is configured to selectively run only the pilot for at least part of a heating cycle to increase the recharge time of the rechargeable power storage device while still heating the water in the water heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2018Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Gregory Young, Frederick Hazzard, Adam Myre
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Publication number: 20190339152Abstract: A single capacitive sensor that may detect both water leaks and flammable vapors. The sensor may have two electrodes not touching each other but supported with an insulative material between the electrodes that allows fluids to enter between the electrodes. An electronic circuit connected to the capacitive sensor may determine the capacitance of the two electrodes. Fluids may enter between the electrodes and affect their capacitance. Permittivities of the fluids may be calculated from their effects on capacitance. Ranges of the permittivities may indicate the kind of substances and their intensity of presence. Water and flammable vapors are examples of such substances. The electronic circuit may be connected to a control module of a water heater, in that if the intensity or concentration of detected water or flammable vapors reaches a pre-set threshold, then the circuit may trigger an alarm and/or shut down the water heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2018Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, Gregory Young, Ravindra Khosla, Paul Knauf
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Patent number: 10431362Abstract: A gas valve actuator for a gas valve. The gas valve actuator includes a non-conductive support bobbin and an insulated copper wire wound about the support bobbin to form a coil. A magnetic flux concentration member extends through the non-conductive support bobbin. To actuate the gas valve actuator, a current is passed through the coil, which produces a magnetic field that actuates an armature to move a valve seal away from a valve seat of the gas valve. Because the gas valve actuator may be exposed to a gas stream, the coil may be coated with an anti-corrosion coating through a spray or brush process, a potting process, through a dipping process, or in any other suitable manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, Gregory Young, Adam Myre
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Patent number: 10428972Abstract: A gas valve assembly configured to operate without a pilot assembly is disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment, a servo valve actuates a diaphragm valve to selectively allow for fluid coupling of a gas inlet and gas outlet. The diaphragm valve may be a normally closed valve that opens in response to a pneumatic force resulting from the opening of the servo valve.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, David Heil, Ravindra Khosla
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Publication number: 20190203978Abstract: Apparatus and method for mounting a non-immersion type temperature sensor to a tank, such as a water heater tank, that is designed for an immersion-type temperature sensor. In one example, a mounting adaptor may include a proximal cavity extending from a proximal end toward a distal end and a distal cavity extending from the distal end toward the proximal end. A wall fluidly isolates the proximal cavity from the distal cavity. The mounting adaptor is mounting to the mounting spud of an immersion type water heater tank, such that the distal cavity of the mounting adaptor is filled with water from the water heater tank. A non-immersion type temperature sensor is positioned adjacent to or in the proximal cavity and in thermal communication with the water in the distal cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Gregory Young, Frederick Hazzard, Adam Myre
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Publication number: 20190203936Abstract: Methods and systems for programming and controlling a control system of a gas valve assembly. The methods and systems include programming a control system in an automated manner to establish an air-fuel ratio based at least in part on a burner firing rate. The established air-fuel ratio may be configured to facilitate meeting a combustion constituent set point of combustion constituents in the combustion exhaust. The methods and systems include controlling operation of a combustion appliance based on closed-loop control techniques and utilizing feedback from a sensor measuring combustion constituents in exhaust from a combustion chamber in the combustion appliance. The combustion constituents on which control of the combustion appliance may be determined include oxygen and/or carbon dioxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, Glenn Bergum, Bernard Graham
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Publication number: 20190093787Abstract: A gas valve assembly configured to operate without a pilot assembly is disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment, a servo valve actuates a diaphragm valve to selectively allow for fluid coupling of a gas inlet and gas outlet. The diaphragm valve may be a normally closed valve that opens in response to a pneumatic force resulting from the opening of the servo valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, David Heil, Ravindra Khosla
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Publication number: 20190086101Abstract: A system for heating water to improve safety and efficiency. The system may have normal operation measured in time. After a time of normal operation, a water temperature setpoint may be checked. If the setpoint is not at a certain level, normal operation may continue. If the setpoint is within the certain level, water temperature may be measured. If the water temperature is less than a desired level, one or more draws of water may be measured for a preset temperature drop. If the draws do not meet the temperature drop, a return to check the setpoint may be made. If the draws meet the temperature drop, the setpoint may be reduced and a time of normal operation may be measured to determine whether a burn cycle occurs within the time. If not, normal operation may continue; but if so, a return to check the setpoint may be made.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: David Heil, Ravindra Khosla, Frederick Hazzard
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Publication number: 20180342146Abstract: The disclosure reveals a system for detecting moisture or water in a particular location. The system may incorporate a moisture detector having a control module connected to an appliance, a moisture detection circuit connected to the control module, and a voltage source connected to the moisture detection circuit and to the control module. The voltage source and the moisture detection circuit may provide voltage levels to the control module when the moisture detection circuit detects dry or wet conditions, or conditions between those conditions. A voltage level to the control module may indicate whether the appliance, such as a water heater, a washing machine, or a dish washer, has a leak. If the leak is deemed by a voltage level from the circuit to be worthy of concern, then a display, an alarm, message, or other notice mechanism may indicate an issue or what action needs to be taken.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, Ravindra Khosla, David Heil