Patents by Inventor Gary L. Sapp
Gary L. Sapp 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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Patent number: 8783048Abstract: A system and a method are provided for returning oil in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by determining when an ambient zone temperature is equal to or less than a temperature limit and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow of the HVAC system based on the length of time. Also, a system and a method are provided for monitoring the length of operation in a first and a second heating mode and for reversing a direction of refrigerant flow based on the length of time operation occurs in the first and second heating modes. A system and a method having a first compressor, a first heating mode, a second heating mode, a defrost mode, and a controller is disclosed. The controller selectively controls initiation of the defrost mode in response to an HVAC system operating in a heating mode of operation for a predetermined amount of time.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: John R. Edens, Alan D. Marble, Kevin B. Mercer, Gary L. Sapp, James Thomas Schaefer, Kristin L. Schaefer, Steven A. Tice
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Patent number: 8417386Abstract: A system and a method are provided for monitoring a condition and selectively executing a certification defrost algorithm for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in response to the status of the monitored condition. A system and a method are provided for selectively operating a certification defrost algorithm in parallel to a field defrost algorithm. A system and a method are also provided for causing a controller to execute a first algorithm and for causing the controller to selectively execute a second algorithm while also executing the first algorithm where each of the first algorithm and the second algorithm are configured to selectively cause the HVAC system to operate in a defrost mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2008Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Jonathan D. Douglas, Darryl E. Denton, Alan D. Marble, Kevin B. Mercer, Gary L. Sapp, Kristen L. Schaefer, Steven A. Tice
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Patent number: 8327658Abstract: A system and a method are provided for returning oil in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by determining when an ambient zone temperature is equal to or less than a temperature limit and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow of the HVAC system based on the length of time. Also, a system and a method are provided for monitoring the length of operation in a first and a second heating mode and for reversing a direction of refrigerant flow based on the length of time operation occurs in the first and second heating modes. A system and a method having a first compressor, a first heating mode, a second heating mode, a defrost mode, and a controller is disclosed. The controller selectively controls initiation of the defrost mode in response to an HVAC system operating in a heating mode of operation for a predetermined amount of time.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Trane International, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan D. Douglas, John R. Edens, Alan D. Marble, Kevin B. Mercer, Gary L. Sapp, James T. Schaefer, Jr., Kristen L. Schaefer, Steven A. Tice
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Patent number: 8151585Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring a system pressure to infer whether a high pressure cut out (HPCO) switch has opened disabling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) compressor. A system and method are also provided for determining whether to disable the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) compressor based on a status of a low pressure cut out (LPCO) switch, an ambient temperature, and system mode state. The systems and methods may be used interchangeably with the appropriate adjustments to decision limits, such as where the LPCO may be monitored to infer status and the HPCO status may be directly used with temperature and system mode state.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Jonathan D. Douglas, John R. Edens, Alan D Marble, Kevin B. Mercer, Gary L. Sapp, Brett R. Schneider, Steven A. Tice
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Patent number: 8116911Abstract: A system and a method are provided for powering up a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and operating a sump heater for a compressor for a first predetermined period of time in response to the HVAC system being powered up. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and a method for controlling the system are provided. The HVAC system includes a compressor, a sump heater associated with the compressor, and a controller configured to control the compressor and the sump heater so that the sump heater is not operated while the compressor is operated.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: John J. Bailey, Jose L. Balderrama, Jonathan D Douglas, John R. Edens, Alan D. Marble, Gary L. Sapp, Kristen L. Schaefer, Brett R. Schneider, Steven A. Tice
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Patent number: 8113789Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring a system pressure to infer whether a high pressure cut out (HPCO) switch has opened disabling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) compressor. A system and method are also provided for determining whether to disable the HVAC compressor based on a status of a low pressure cut out (LPCO) switch, an ambient temperature, and system mode state. The systems and methods may be used interchangeably with the appropriate adjustments to decision limits, such as where the LPCO may be monitored to infer status and the HPCO status may be directly used with temperature and system mode state.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Trane International Inc.Inventors: Jonathan D. Douglas, John R. Edens, Carl L. Garrett, Alan D. Marble, Kevin B. Mercer, Gary L. Sapp, Kristin L. Schaefer, Brett R. Schneider, Steven A. Tice
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Publication number: 20100125369Abstract: A system and a method are provided for monitoring a condition and selectively executing a certification defrost algorithm for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in response to the status of the monitored condition. A system and a method are provided for selectively operating a certification defrost algorithm in parallel to a field defrost algorithm. A system and a method are also provided for causing a controller to execute a first algorithm and for causing the controller to selectively execute a second algorithm while also executing the first algorithm where each of the first algorithm and the second algorithm are configured to selectively cause the HVAC system to operate in a defrost mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Jonathan D. DOUGLAS, Darryl E. DENTON, Alan D. MARBLE, Kevin B. MERCER, Gary L. SAPP, Kristen L. SCHAEFER, Steven A. TICE
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Publication number: 20100125368Abstract: A system and a method are provided for powering up a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and operating a sump heater for a compressor for a first predetermined period of time in response to the HVAC system being powered up. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and a method for controlling the system are provided. The HVAC system includes a compressor, a sump heater associated with the compressor, and a controller configured to control the compressor and the sump heater so that the sump heater is not operated while the compressor is operated.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Applicant: Trane International, Inc.Inventors: John J. BAILEY, Jose L. BALDERRAMA, Jonathan D. DOUGLAS, John R. EDENS, Alan D. MARBLE, Gary L. SAPP, Kristin L. SCHAEFER, Brett R. SCHNEIDER, Steven A. TICE
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Publication number: 20100123016Abstract: A system and a method are provided for returning oil in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by determining when an ambient zone temperature is equal to or less than a temperature limit and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow of the HVAC system based on the length of time. Also, a system and a method are provided for monitoring the length of operation in a first and a second heating mode and for reversing a direction of refrigerant flow based on the length of time operation occurs in the first and second heating modes. A system and a method having a first compressor, a first heating mode, a second heating mode, a defrost mode, and a controller is disclosed. The controller selectively controls initiation of the defrost mode in response to an HVAC system operating in a heating mode of operation for a predetermined amount of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Jonathan D. DOUGLAS, John R. EDENS, Alan D. MARBLE, Kevin B. MERCER, Gary L. SAPP, James T. SCHAEFER, JR., Kristin L. SCHAEFER, Steven A. TICE
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Publication number: 20100080712Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring a system pressure to infer whether a high pressure cut out (HPCO) switch has opened disabling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) compressor. A system and method are also provided for determining whether to disable the HVAC compressor based on a status of a low pressure cut out (LPCO) switch, an ambient temperature, and system mode state. The systems and methods may be used interchangeably with the appropriate adjustments to decision limits, such as where the LPCO may be monitored to infer status and the HPCO status may be directly used with temperature and system mode state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: Trane International, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan D. Douglas, John R. Edens, Carl L. Garrett, Alan D. Marble, Kevin B. Mercer, Gary L. Sapp, Kristin L. Schaefer, Brett R. Schneider, Steven A. Tice
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Publication number: 20100080713Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring a system pressure to infer whether a high pressure cut out (HPCO) switch has opened disabling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) compressor. A system and method are also provided for determining whether to disable the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) compressor based on a status of a low pressure cut out (LPCO) switch, an ambient temperature, and system mode state. The systems and methods may be used interchangeably with the appropriate adjustments to decision limits, such as where the LPCO may be monitored to infer status and the HPCO status may be directly used with temperature and system mode state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Jonathan D. Douglas, John R. Edens, Alan D. Marble, Kevin B. Mercer, Gary L. Sapp, Brett R. Schneider, Steven A. Tice
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Patent number: 5768091Abstract: A circuit breaker mounting bracket is comprised of a generally upright support member, a base member extending generally perpendicularly from a bottom of the support member, a flange depending from a distal end of the base member at an angle less than 90.degree., and a brace member depending obliquely from the back of the support member. The flange is adapted to be secured to a support surface, such as a deck within an air conditioning or furnace cabinet. The brace member and the flange cooperate to maintain the bracket in a rigid, upright position within the cabinet. The bracket includes a din rail comprising two generally L-shaped flanges integrally formed with the support member, whereby one or more circuit breakers are mountable in a fixed position relative to the bracket. A C-shaped channel is formed on the support member between the L-shaped flanges for receiving two retaining members, which inhibit lateral movement of the circuit breaker(s) mounted on the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1996Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Lennox Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: Hugh E. Vinson, Gary L. Sapp, Kevin A. Albers