Patents by Inventor JOHN BROKER
JOHN BROKER 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: 10352588Abstract: A control system for controlling a gas powered appliance includes a hot surface igniter, an igniter relay, and an integrity detection circuit. The integrity detection circuit is configured to be coupled to a power source, the igniter relay, and the hot surface igniter to produce an output indicative of the integrity of the hot surface igniter and the igniter relay. The integrity detection circuit is configured to output a first voltage when the igniter relay is closed and output a second voltage different from the first voltage when the hot surface igniter is in a non-short circuit failure condition.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2016Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventor: John Broker
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Patent number: 10156863Abstract: A control system for controlling operation of an appliance includes a first signal source configured to produce an alternating current (AC) signal, a second signal source configured to produce a second signal, and a controller. The controller includes a processor, a memory device, a first input pin coupled to the first signal source to receive the AC signal, a second input pin coupled to the second signal source to receive the second signal, and an analog to digital (A/D) converter. The A/D converter is coupled to the first input pin and the memory device storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to sample the second signal at the second input pin only when the first signal has a value of about zero volts at the first input pin.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2016Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventor: John Broker
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Patent number: 9927783Abstract: A control system for controlling operation of an electric appliance is provided. The control system includes a correlator digital filter configured to receive input signals including at least one target signal associated with operation of the electric appliance and extract the target signal from the input signal. The control system also includes a controller operatively coupled with the correlator digital filter and the electric appliance, where the controller is configured to receive the extracted target signal from the correlator digital filter.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventor: John Broker
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Publication number: 20170351287Abstract: A control system for controlling operation of an appliance includes a first signal source configured to produce an alternating current (AC) signal, a second signal source configured to produce a second signal, and a controller. The controller includes a processor, a memory device, a first input pin coupled to the first signal source to receive the AC signal, a second input pin coupled to the second signal source to receive the second signal, and an analog to digital (A/D) converter. The A/D converter is coupled to the first input pin and the memory device storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to sample the second signal at the second input pin only when the first signal has a value of about zero volts at the first input pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2016Publication date: December 7, 2017Inventor: John Broker
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Publication number: 20170307256Abstract: A control system for controlling a gas powered appliance includes a hot surface igniter, an igniter relay, and an integrity detection circuit. The integrity detection circuit is configured to be coupled to a power source, the igniter relay, and the hot surface igniter to produce an output indicative of the integrity of the hot surface igniter and the igniter relay. The integrity detection circuit is configured to output a first voltage when the igniter relay is closed and output a second voltage different from the first voltage when the hot surface igniter is in a non-short circuit failure condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2016Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventor: John Broker
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Patent number: 9397489Abstract: A housing has a front panel, a rear panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, and side panels. Openings are formed in the front panel. A plurality of chambers are in the housing. Each chamber is in communication with an associated opening. Each of a plurality of divider plates has a support surface within an associated chamber. A spool is rotatably supported in each chamber. Each spool has an electrical outlet rotatable with the spool. A drive assembly includes a motor within each chamber. Each motor is coupled to an associated spool. In this manner the spool is rotated.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Inventor: Michael John Broker, III
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Publication number: 20160077502Abstract: A control system for controlling operation of an electric appliance is provided. The control system includes a correlator digital filter configured to receive input signals including at least one target signal associated with operation of the electric appliance and extract the target signal from the input signal. The control system also includes a controller operatively coupled with the correlator digital filter and the electric appliance, where the controller is configured to receive the extracted target signal from the correlator digital filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventor: John Broker
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Publication number: 20160007811Abstract: A housing has a front panel, a rear panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, and side panels. Openings are formed in the front panel. A plurality of chambers are in the housing. Each chamber is in communication with an associated opening. Each of a plurality of divider plates has a support surface within an associated chamber. A spool is rotatably supported in each chamber. Each spool has an electrical outlet rotatable with the spool. A drive assembly includes a motor within each chamber. Each motor is coupled to an associated spool. In this manner the spool is rotated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventor: MICHAEL JOHN BROKER, III
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Patent number: 9032991Abstract: A valve unit includes a valve member that moves relative to a valve seat in response to a magnetic field generated by a coil. An input signal to the coil controls the extent of movement of the valve member relative to the valve seat, to control a gas flow rate therethrough. The gas valve unit also includes a setting adjustment device that provides a setting adjustment input utilized for calibrating or adjusting at least one gas flow rate. A valve controller is configured to receive an activation signal and to responsively send an input signal to the coil to move the valve member and establish at least one desired gas flow rate corresponding to the activation signal, wherein the valve controller is configured to adjust the input signal to the coil based on the setting adjustment input, to thereby enable field adjustment of at least one gas flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: John Broker, Ryan Jensen, Mark H. Stark, Mike Santinanavat, Don Blessing, Shweta Annapurani Panimadai Ramaswamy
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Patent number: 8714460Abstract: A valve unit for adjusting gas flow to a two-stage combustion apparatus includes a valve member that is moved by a magnetic field generated by a coil to vary gas flow rate through the valve unit, and first and second connectors configured to receive a high-stage activation signal and a low-stage activation signal, respectively. The valve unit includes a valve controller that is configured to control the coil to establish a high-stage gas flow rate while the high-stage activation signal is present, and configured to control the coil to establish a low-stage gas flow rate while the low stage activation signal is present up to a predetermined low stage time limit. The valve controller is further configured to establish at least one gas flow rate between the low-stage and high-stage gas flow rates when the low stage activation signal is present beyond the predetermined low stage time limit.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Mike Santinanavat, Mark H. Stark, Shweta Annapurani Panimadai Ramaswamy, John Broker
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Publication number: 20120279584Abstract: A valve unit includes a valve member that moves relative to a valve seat in response to a magnetic field generated by a coil. An input signal to the coil controls the extent of movement of the valve member relative to the valve seat, to control a gas flow rate therethrough. The gas valve unit also includes a setting adjustment device that provides a setting adjustment input utilized for calibrating or adjusting at least one gas flow rate. A valve controller is configured to receive an activation signal and to responsively send an input signal to the coil to move the valve member and establish at least one desired gas flow rate corresponding to the activation signal, wherein the valve controller is configured to adjust the input signal to the coil based on the setting adjustment input, to thereby enable field adjustment of at least one gas flow rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: John Broker, Ryan Jensen, Mark H. Stark, Mike Santinanavat, Don Blessing, Shweta Annapurani Panimadai Ramaswamy
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Publication number: 20120279571Abstract: A valve unit for adjusting gas flow to a two-stage combustion apparatus includes a valve member that is moved by a magnetic field generated by a coil to vary gas flow rate through the valve unit, and first and second connectors configured to receive a high-stage activation signal and a low-stage activation signal, respectively. The valve unit includes a valve controller that is configured to control the coil to establish a high-stage gas flow rate while the high-stage activation signal is present, and configured to control the coil to establish a low-stage gas flow rate while the low stage activation signal is present up to a predetermined low stage time limit. The valve controller is further configured to establish at least one gas flow rate between the low-stage and high-stage gas flow rates when the low stage activation signal is present beyond the predetermined low stage time limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: MIKE SANTINANAVAT, MARK H. STARK, SHWETA ANNAPURANI PANIMADAI RAMASWAMY, JOHN BROKER