Patents by Inventor James A. Erhardt

James A. Erhardt 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: 20240036226
    Abstract: Fluid detection systems and methods using the same are disclosed. In embodiments the fluid detection systems include a sensor module and an electronics module. The sensor module includes a sensor housing that includes a liquid flow path and a sensor element disposed around at least part of the liquid flow path. The sensor element can detect a capacitance of the liquid flow path and provide a sensor signal to a controller in the electronics module. The electronics module can determine a detected capacitance in the liquid flow path based at least in part on the sensor signal, and can determine whether a wet event has occurred based on a comparison of the detected capacitance to a threshold capacitance. Methods using the fluid detection systems and fluid supply systems including the fluid detection systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: WATTS REGULATOR CO.
    Inventors: STEVEN CASTRIGNO, JAMES ERHARDT, CHRISTOPHER KRAUSE
  • Publication number: 20230151975
    Abstract: An isolation valve assembly comprises a valve body defining a first fluid port and a second fluid port opposing the first fluid port and at least one drain port disposed between the first fluid port and the second fluid port, an isolation valve disposed within the valve body and a handle operatively coupled to the isolation valve. The handle is movable to cause corresponding movement of the isolation valve between a first normal position where the isolation valve fluidly couples the first fluid port and the second fluid port, and a second drain position where the isolation valve fluidly couples the first fluid port and the at least one drain port and isolates the second fluid port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: James Erhardt, Mahyar Esmaili
  • Patent number: 11603995
    Abstract: A tankless water heater (TWH) isolation valve includes a valve body having a plug valve port, a TWH port, a water distribution system port and a drain port. A plug valve includes at least one plug seal. The plug valve is controlled by a rotatable plug valve handle. The plug valve is disposed through the plug valve port and within the valve body. The rotatable plug valve handle includes a first plug valve handle position and a different rotated second plug valve handle position. In a normal operating mode in the first plug valve handle position, the TWH port is fluidly coupled to both of the drain port and the water system distribution port. In a drain mode, the TWH port is fluidly coupled to the drain port, and the water system distribution port is closed to the TWH port as blocked by the plug seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Watts Regulator Co.
    Inventors: James Erhardt, Mahyar Esmaili
  • Publication number: 20210381698
    Abstract: A tankless water heater (TWH) isolation valve includes a valve body having a plug valve port, a TWH port, a water distribution system port and a drain port. A plug valve includes at least one plug seal. The plug valve is controlled by a rotatable plug valve handle. The plug valve is disposed through the plug valve port and within the valve body. The rotatable plug valve handle includes a first plug valve handle position and a different rotated second plug valve handle position. In a normal operating mode in the first plug valve handle position, the TWH port is fluidly coupled to both of the drain port and the water system distribution port. In a drain mode, the TWH port is fluidly coupled to the drain port, and the water system distribution port is closed to the TWH port as blocked by the plug seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Watts Regulator Co.
    Inventors: James Erhardt, Mahyar Esmaili
  • Patent number: 8419842
    Abstract: An air eliminator including a housing having first and second portions, the housing defining: a chamber, an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber; an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber; and an axis extending from the first portion to the second portion, a float assembly connected to the first portion of the chamber for releasing air from the chamber, and degassing disks stacked within the chamber along an axis, wherein each disk includes a plurality of rings such that the degassing disks cause micro gas pockets in water passing through the chamber to combine into relatively large and buoyant air pockets that collect and pass along the axis to the float assembly for release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Watts Regulator Company
    Inventors: Steven Castrigno, James Erhardt, Paul J. Lake, Jeffrey A. Scilingo
  • Patent number: 8375991
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a body having a first end, a second end, a passageway extending between the first and the second ends, and four ports defined by the body and connected to the passageway. The assembly also has a first valve member received in the passageway at an intersection of the passageway and the first port, the valve member including a tee shaped passage such that in a first position the valve member opens the passageway and the first port, in a second position closes the passageway and connects the first end to the first port, in a third position closes the passageway and connects the first port to the second end, and in a fourth position opens the passageway and closes the first port. The assembly also includes a second valve member for opening and closing the third port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Watts Regulator Company
    Inventor: James Erhardt
  • Publication number: 20110107915
    Abstract: An air eliminator including a housing having first and second portions, the housing defining: a chamber, an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber; an outlet in fluid communication with the chamber; and an axis extending from the first portion to the second portion, a float assembly connected to the first portion of the chamber for releasing air from the chamber, and degassing disks stacked within the chamber along an axis, wherein each disk includes a plurality of rings such that the degassing disks cause micro gas pockets in water passing through the chamber to combine into relatively large and buoyant air pockets that collect and pass along the axis to the float assembly for release.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: WATTS REGULATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven Castrigno, James Erhardt, Paul J. Lake, Jeffrey A. Scilingo
  • Publication number: 20100193043
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a body having a first end, a second end, a passageway extending between the first and the second ends, and four ports defined by the body and connected to the passageway. The assembly also has a first valve member received in the passageway at an intersection of the passageway and the first port, the valve member including a tee shaped passage such that in a first position the valve member opens the passageway and the first port, in a second position closes the passageway and connects the first end to the first port, in a third position closes the passageway and connects the first port to the second end, and in a fourth position opens the passageway and closes the first port. The assembly also includes a second valve member for opening and closing the third port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: James Erhardt
  • Publication number: 20090097095
    Abstract: A microshutter array has a frame having a light transmissive portion. Linear microshutter elements extend across the light transmissive portion and in parallel to each other. Each microshutter element has a flat blade extended in a length direction and first and second torsion arms extending outwards from each side of the blade in the length direction, the blade extending across the light transmissive portion. There is at least one electrode associated with each linear microshutter element and extended in the length direction parallel to the microshutter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: John N. Border, Herbert James Erhardt, J. Kelly Lee, Marek W. Kowarz
  • Publication number: 20070189695
    Abstract: A telecommunications enclosure includes a housing for retaining telecommunication lines therein, the housing including at least one of a splice closure and a terminal closure. At least one of the terminal closure and the splice closure includes a loopback testing station having at least one coupling mounted therein. The coupling is adapted to receive a first terminated end of a first telecommunication line and adapted to receive a second terminated end of a second telecommunication line. The testing station permits loss testing of installed distribution lines at a terminal from a central network facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Bludau, James Erhardt, David Scarponi, George Lutgens
  • Patent number: 4863100
    Abstract: This invention relates to an electronic flow control circuit for use in the low voltage section of an existing control arrangement of a hydronic heating system that utilizes motorized zone valves, to provide a means for controlling fluid flow through the system in order to eliminate hydrostatic shock (water hammer) associated with fast closing motorized zone valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventors: James A. Erhardt, Bruce E. Richardson