Patents by Inventor Jan A. Zuercher

Jan A. Zuercher 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: 7519505
    Abstract: A method for rating the efficiency of a compressed air system is provided comprising, (a) selecting a plurality of efficiency factors, (b) selecting a set of conditions for each efficiency factor, (c) assigning a numerical value to each condition, (d) determining a score for the efficiency factor by comparing the current condition with the preselected conditions and assigning the numerical value associated with the closest preselected condition, and (e) calculating a total efficiency score by adding the scores from the plurality of efficiency factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Coltec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Zuercher, Dean Smith
  • Publication number: 20050278144
    Abstract: A method for rating the efficiency of a compressed air system is provided comprising, (a) selecting a plurality of efficiency factors, (b) selecting a set of conditions for each efficiency factor, (c) assigning a numerical value to each condition, (d) determining a score for the efficiency factor by comparing the current condition with the preselected conditions and assigning the numerical value associated with the closest preselected condition, and (e) calculating a total efficiency score by adding the scores from the plurality of efficiency factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Jan Zuercher, Dean Smith
  • Patent number: 5694682
    Abstract: A lift valve communicating with a compression chamber of a variable capacity screw compressor is set forth including a valve housing, a piston reciprocally received within the valve housing, a shaft having a first end connected to the piston and a second end extending from the housing. The valve further includes a valve element connected to the second end of the shaft having a valve surface exposed to the compression chamber and a reciprocation mechanism for reciprocating the piston within the housing. The reciprocation mechanism includes a first pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent a side of the piston, and a second pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent and opposed side of the piston, wherein the valve surface is positively displaced toward and away from the compression chamber of the variable capacity screw compressor in response to the application of fluid pressure to at least one of the first and second pressure passages to vary the capacity of the screw compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jan A. Zuercher, John Q. Richardson, Arthur R. Legault
  • Patent number: 5556271
    Abstract: A lift valve communicating with a compression chamber of a variable capacity screw compressor is set forth including a valve housing, a piston reciprocally received within the valve housing, a shaft having a first end connected to the piston and a second end extending from the housing. The valve further includes a valve element connected to the second end of the shaft having a valve surface exposed to the compression chamber and a reciprocation mechanism for reciprocating the piston within the housing. The reciprocation mechanism includes a first pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent a side of the piston, and a second pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent and opposed side of the piston, wherein the valve surface is positively displaced toward and away from the compression chamber of the variable capacity screw compressor in response to the application of fluid pressure to at least one of the first and second pressure passages to vary the capacity of the screw compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jan A. Zuercher, John Q. Richardson, Arthur R. Legault
  • Patent number: RE36274
    Abstract: A lift valve communicating with a compression chamber of a .?.variable capacity.!. screw compressor is set forth including a valve housing, a piston reciprocally received within the valve housing, a shaft having a first end connected to the piston and a second end extending from the housing. The valve further includes a valve element connected to the second end of the shaft having a valve surface exposed to the compression chamber and a reciprocation mechanism for reciprocating the piston within the housing. The reciprocation mechanism includes a first pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent a side of the piston, and a second pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent and opposed side of the piston, wherein the valve surface is positively displaced toward and away from the compression chamber of the .?.variable capacity.!. screw compressor in response to the application of fluid pressure to at least one of the first and second pressure passages .?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc
    Inventors: Jan A. Zuercher, John Q. Richardson, Arthur R. Legault
  • Patent number: RE36281
    Abstract: A lift valve communicating with a compression chamber of a .?.variable capacity.!. screw compressor is set forth including a valve housing, a piston reciprocally received within the valve housing, a shaft having a first end connected to the piston and a second end extending from the housing. The valve further includes a valve element connected to the second end of the shaft having a valve surface exposed to the compression chamber and a reciprocation mechanism for reciprocating the piston within the housing. The reciprocation mechanism includes a first pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent a side of the piston, and a second pressure passage communicating with the housing adjacent and opposed side of the piston, wherein the valve surface is positively displaced toward and away from the compression chamber of the .?.variable capacity.!. screw compressor in response to the application of fluid pressure to at least one of the first and second pressure passages .?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jan A. Zuercher, John Q. Richardson, Arthur R. Legault