Patents by Inventor Hans J. Paller

Hans J. Paller 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: 10376999
    Abstract: An alternative-fuel gas orifice, a gas furnace configured to employ the same and a method of designing a gas orifice. In one embodiment, the gas orifice includes: (1) a body having an aperture extending therethrough and including: (1a) a metering neck having a cross-sectional area such that a given flow rate of a gas is established when the gas is delivered to the gas orifice at a given alternative-fuel delivery pressure and (1b) a diffuser having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the metering neck and a length such that the gas achieves a substantially laminar flow before exiting the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Hans J. Paller, Glenn W. Kowald
  • Patent number: 10174969
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a controller for a multistage gas furnace, a multistage gas furnace and computer readable medium for performing a method to operate a furnace. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive a heating call and (2) a corrosion reducer configured to ignite the gas furnace at a high fire operation based on if an indoor circulating fan of the gas furnace is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn W. Kowald, Hans J. Paller
  • Patent number: 10150189
    Abstract: A condensation trap comprising an inlet chamber, a vent chamber and an outlet chamber. The inlet chamber is configured to receive condensate fluid through an external opening therein. The vent chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet chamber via a first passageway that includes an internal opening of the inlet chamber. The internal opening is located substantially at an opposite end of the vent chamber as the external opening. The outlet chamber is in fluid communication with the vent chamber via a second passageway that includes an internal opening in a sidewall of the vent chamber and an interior opening in an end of the outlet chamber. The outlet chamber is configured to transmit the condensate fluid through an exterior opening located at an opposite end of the outlet chamber. A vent volume portion is greater than a total volume of an internal space of the inlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Hans J. Paller, Glenn W. Kowald
  • Patent number: 9878404
    Abstract: A condensation management system, a furnace having the condensation management system and a cold end header box employable in the condensation management system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the condensation management system includes: (1) a first drain hose positioned to drain flue condensation from a flue pipe of the furnace, (2) a second drain hose positioned to drain the flue condensation from the flue pipe and (3) a condensation collector box configured to collect both the flue condensation and combustion condensation from a heat exchanger of the furnace, the condensation collector box including at least one drain for draining both the flue condensation and the combustion condensation therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff P. Gedcke, George L. Joyner, Jr., Glenn W. Kowald, Hans J. Paller
  • Patent number: 9815154
    Abstract: A header box, a furnace and a blocked condensation protection system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the header box includes: (1) a first channel having a first channel supply port positioned to be in fluid communication with an inlet of a combustion air blower and a first pressure port couplable to a first input of a pressure sensing device, the combustion air blower and the pressure sensing device associated with the cold end header box and (2) a second channel having a second channel supply port positioned to be in fluid communication with the inlet of the combustion air blower, a second pressure port couplable to a second input of the pressure sensing device and a pressure reference inlet, the second channel in fluid communication with the first channel and configured to have about a same pressure as the first channel when the pressure reference inlet is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn W. Kowald, Hans J. Paller
  • Publication number: 20170254563
    Abstract: A condensation trap comprising an inlet chamber, a vent chamber and an outlet chamber. The inlet chamber is configured to receive condensate fluid through an external opening therein. The vent chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet chamber via a first passageway that includes an internal opening of the inlet chamber. The internal opening is located substantially at an opposite end of the vent chamber as the external opening. The outlet chamber is in fluid communication with the vent chamber via a second passageway that includes an internal opening in a sidewall of the vent chamber and an interior opening in an end of the outlet chamber. The outlet chamber is configured to transmit the condensate fluid through an exterior opening located at an opposite end of the outlet chamber. A vent volume portion is greater than a total volume of an internal space of the inlet chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Hans J. Paller, Glenn W. Kowald
  • Publication number: 20170211847
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a controller for a multistage gas furnace, a multistage gas furnace and computer readable medium for performing a method to operate a furnace. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive a heating call and (2) a corrosion reducer configured to ignite the gas furnace at a high fire operation based on if an indoor circulating fan of the gas furnace is active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn W. Kowald, Hans J. Paller
  • Patent number: 9657964
    Abstract: A condensation trap comprising an inlet chamber, a vent chamber and an outlet chamber. The inlet chamber is configured to receive condensate fluid through an external opening therein. The vent chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet chamber via a first passageway that includes an internal opening of the inlet chamber. The internal opening is located substantially at an opposite end of the vent chamber as the external opening. The outlet chamber is in fluid communication with the vent chamber via a second passageway that includes an internal opening in a sidewall of the vent chamber and an interior opening in an end of the outlet chamber. The outlet chamber is configured to transmit the condensate fluid through an exterior opening located at an opposite end of the outlet chamber. A vent volume portion is greater than a total volume of an internal space of the inlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Hans J. Paller, Glenn W. Kowald
  • Patent number: 9618231
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a controller for a multistage gas furnace, a multistage gas furnace and computer readable medium for performing a method to operate a furnace. In one embodiment, the controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive a heating call and (2) a corrosion reducer configured to ignite the gas furnace at a high fire operation based on if an indoor circulating fan of the gas furnace is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn W. Kowald, Hans J. Paller
  • Publication number: 20170080532
    Abstract: An alternative-fuel gas orifice, a gas furnace configured to employ the same and a method of designing a gas orifice. In one embodiment, the gas orifice includes: (1) a body having an aperture extending therethrough and including: (1a) a metering neck having a cross-sectional area such that a given flow rate of a gas is established when the gas is delivered to the gas orifice at a given alternative-fuel delivery pressure and (1b) a diffuser having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the metering neck and a length such that the gas achieves a substantially laminar flow before exiting the diffuser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Hans J. Paller, Glenn W. Kowald
  • Patent number: 9561564
    Abstract: An HVAC burner box includes a burner bank, a manifold and an air director located within an enclosure. The burner bank is oriented such that an outlet end of the burner bank is directed toward a first end of the enclosure. The manifold is located within the enclosure and adjacent an inlet end of the burner bank. The air director has a diffuser that is coupled to a side of the enclosure. The diffuser includes a plurality of openings located therethrough. The diffuser is configured to direct a first portion of a received airstream through the opening and toward the burner bank. The diffuser is further configured to send a second portion of the received airstream toward the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn W. Kowald, Hans J. Paller
  • Patent number: 9541303
    Abstract: An alternative-fuel gas orifice, a gas furnace configured to employ the same and a method of designing a gas orifice. In one embodiment, the gas orifice includes: (1) a body having an aperture extending therethrough and including: (1a) a metering neck having a cross-sectional area such that a given flow rate of a gas is established when the gas is delivered to the gas orifice at a given alternative-fuel delivery pressure and (1b) a diffuser having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the metering neck and a length such that the gas achieves a substantially laminar flow before exiting the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Hans J. Paller, Glenn W. Kowald
  • Publication number: 20160305689
    Abstract: A header box, a furnace and a blocked condensation protection system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the header box includes: (1) a first channel having a first channel supply port positioned to be in fluid communication with an inlet of a combustion air blower and a first pressure port couplable to a first input of a pressure sensing device, the combustion air blower and the pressure sensing device associated with the cold end header box and (2) a second channel having a second channel supply port positioned to be in fluid communication with the inlet of the combustion air blower, a second pressure port couplable to a second input of the pressure sensing device and a pressure reference inlet, the second channel in fluid communication with the first channel and configured to have about a same pressure as the first channel when the pressure reference inlet is blocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn W. Kowald, Hans J. Paller
  • Patent number: 9429338
    Abstract: A header box, a furnace and a blocked condensation protection system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the header box includes: (1) a first channel having a first channel supply port positioned to be in fluid communication with an inlet of a combustion air blower and a first pressure port couplable to a first input of a pressure sensing device, the combustion air blower and the pressure sensing device associated with the cold end header box and (2) a second channel having a second channel supply port positioned to be in fluid communication with the inlet of the combustion air blower, a second pressure port couplable to a second input of the pressure sensing device and a pressure reference inlet, the second channel in fluid communication with the first channel and configured to have about a same pressure as the first channel when the pressure reference inlet is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn W. Kowald, Hans J. Paller
  • Publication number: 20160074978
    Abstract: An HVAC burner box includes a burner bank, a manifold and an air director located within an enclosure. The burner bank is oriented such that an outlet end of the burner bank is directed toward a first end of the enclosure. The manifold is located within the enclosure and adjacent an inlet end of the burner bank. The air director has a diffuser that is coupled to a side of the enclosure. The diffuser includes a plurality of openings located therethrough. The diffuser is configured to direct a first portion of a received airstream through the opening and toward the burner bank. The diffuser is further configured to send a second portion of the received airstream toward the manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Glenn W. KOWALD, Hans J. PALLER
  • Publication number: 20160040921
    Abstract: A condensation trap comprising an inlet chamber, a vent chamber and an outlet chamber. The inlet chamber is configured to receive condensate fluid through an external opening therein. The vent chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet chamber via a first passageway that includes an internal opening of the inlet chamber. The internal opening is located substantially at an opposite end of the vent chamber as the external opening. The outlet chamber is in fluid communication with the vent chamber via a second passageway that includes an internal opening in a sidewall of the vent chamber and an interior opening in an end of the outlet chamber. The outlet chamber is configured to transmit the condensate fluid through an exterior opening located at an opposite end of the outlet chamber. A vent volume portion is greater than a total volume of an internal space of the inlet chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: LENNOX INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Hans J. Paller, Glenn W. Kowald
  • Patent number: 9212820
    Abstract: An HVAC burner box includes a burner bank, a manifold and an air director located within an enclosure. The burner bank is oriented such that an outlet end of the burner bank is directed toward a first end of the enclosure. The manifold is located within the enclosure and adjacent an inlet end of the burner bank. The air director has a diffuser that is coupled to a side of the enclosure. The diffuser includes a plurality of openings located therethrough. The diffuser is configured to direct a first portion of a received airstream through the opening and toward the burner bank. The diffuser is further configured to send a second portion of the received airstream toward the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn W. Kowald, Hans J. Paller
  • Patent number: 9170029
    Abstract: A condensation trap comprising an inlet chamber, a vent chamber and an outlet chamber. The inlet chamber is configured to receive condensate fluid through an external opening therein. The vent chamber is in fluid communication with the inlet chamber via a first passageway that includes an internal opening of the inlet chamber. The internal opening is located substantially at an opposite end of the vent chamber as the external opening. The outlet chamber is in fluid communication with the vent chamber via a second passageway that includes an internal opening in a sidewall of the vent chamber and an interior opening in an end of the outlet chamber. The outlet chamber is configured to transmit the condensate fluid through an exterior opening located at an opposite end of the outlet chamber. A vent volume portion is greater than a total volume of an internal space of the inlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Hans J. Paller, Glenn W. Kowald
  • Publication number: 20150020791
    Abstract: A furnace unit comprising a mounting panel, a burner assembly and a heat exchanger. The burner assembly is mounted to one side of said mounting panel, the burner assembly having at least one burner located therein. The heat exchanger is mounted to an opposite side of said mounting panel. The heat exchanger has at least one continuous combustion tube, wherein said combustion tube includes at least a first pass and a second pass. The first and second passes are interconnected by a curved pass of the combustion tube. One end of the combustion tube has a first opening that is coupled to the burner assembly. The combustion tube has at least three zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Floyd E. Cherington, Shailesh S. Manohar, Hans J. Paller, John W. Whitesitt
  • Patent number: 8875694
    Abstract: A furnace unit that comprises a burner assembly having at least one burner located therein and a heat exchanger having at least one continuous combustion tube. One end of the combustion tube has a first opening that is coupled to the burner assembly. The combustion tube has at least three zones. A first surface of the first zone has a first non-straight angle with a second surface of the second zone. The second surface has a second non-straight angle with a third surface of the third zone. The first zone is nearest of the three zones to the burner assembly and the second zone is in-between the first zone and the third zone. The first, second and third zones are within a flame length configured to be emitted from the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Lennox Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Floyd E. Cherington, Shailesh S. Manohar, Hans J. Paller, John W. Whitesitt