Patents by Inventor James D. Kimble

James D. Kimble 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: 9645585
    Abstract: A variable flow rate gas control valve for use in consumer and commercial appliances is presented. The valve utilizes two or more solenoids to control the operating position of two different valve members whose orifices are sized in an exponential relationship with one another. By opening one or more of the valving members in various combinations, a variable flow rate of gaseous fuel may be controlled in integer multiple steps from full off to full on. The solenoid configurations may be in line, opposing, or symmetrical about an axis of the valve. The number of unique flow rates (F) is related to the number of solenoids (N) as F=2N. The relationship between the size (S) of the individual gas control orifices for each of the solenoids is related to N by the relationship S=2n?1 for each individual gas control orifice (n) numbered 1 to N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Tam Nguyen, James D. Kimble
  • Publication number: 20100176323
    Abstract: A variable flow rate gas control valve for use in consumer and commercial appliances is presented. The valve utilizes two or more solenoids to control the operating position of two different valve members whose orifices are sized in an exponential relationship with one another. By opening one or more of the valving members in various combinations, a variable flow rate of gaseous fuel may be controlled in integer multiple steps from full off to full on. The solenoid configurations may be in line, opposing, or symmetrical about an axis of the valve. The number of unique flow rates (F) is related to the number of solenoids (N) as F=2N. The relationship between the size (S) of the individual gas control orifices for each of the solenoids is related to N by the relationship S=2n?1 for each individual gas control orifice (n) numbered 1 to N.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Tam Nguyen, James D. Kimble
  • Patent number: 7182311
    Abstract: A flow through solenoid valve comprises a housing, a coil encircling the housing, and a hollow plunger slidably positioned in the housing. The housing has an inlet, a seat, and an outlet. The hollow plunger has a fixed segment and a poppet segment. The poppet segment includes a poppet conduit and is slideable within the housing. The spring encircles the poppet segment and biases the poppet segment toward the seat. The solenoid valve is energized to disengage the poppet segment from the seat. When the poppet and the seat are disengaged, a gas is permitted to flow through the hollow plunger. The solenoid valve is de-energized to engage the poppet segment and the seat. When the poppet and the seat are engaged, the gas is prevented from flowing out of the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: James D. Kimble
  • Patent number: 6082397
    Abstract: A gas distribution connector and a gas distribution manifold assembly are provided for gas burners for a gas stove. The gas distribution manifold assembly includes an elongated gas distribution manifold defining a gas distribution chamber. The gas distribution manifold includes a first aperture formed in a first wall and a second aperture formed in a second wall. At least one gas distribution connector is mounted on the gas manifold. The gas distribution connector includes a connector body defining a gas passageway including a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The connector body includes a downwardly depending connector body portion slidingly received through the first manifold aperture and extending within the manifold chamber, locating the gas outlet within the manifold chamber. The downwardly depending connector body portion includes mounting means for mounting engagement with a fastener received through the second manifold aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Harper-Wyman Company
    Inventors: David A. Casolari, Christos Vassiliou, Joseph L. Asta, James D. Kimble
  • Patent number: D677754
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Dennis W. Pierog, James D. Kimble
  • Patent number: D858712
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Tong Le, James D. Kimble