Patents by Inventor John C. Paine

John C. Paine 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: 10955169
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a modulated heating system including a plurality of modulating water heaters, which may be modulating boilers. A deadband control scheme provides for reduced cycling of the modulating heater when total system heat demand falls between the maximum output of one heater and the sum of the maximum output of that one point and the minimum firing point of the next subsequent heater. Condensation of flue gas products is prevented by monitoring flue exhaust temperature for each heater and controlling the modulation of each heater to maintain a minimum heater output sufficiently high to prevent condensation of flue gas products from that heater. Rapid reaction to changes in system heat demand is provided by sensing changes in flow rate in a primary loop of the system and anticipating resulting changes in temperature thus allowing for change in heater output prior to the time the change in flow rate has fully impacted system temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Lochinvar, LLC
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Publication number: 20190285316
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a modulated heating system including a plurality of modulating water heaters, which may be modulating boilers. A deadband control scheme provides for reduced cycling of the modulating heater when total system heat demand falls between the maximum output of one heater and the sum of the maximum output of that one point and the minimum firing point of the next subsequent heater. Condensation of flue gas products is prevented by monitoring flue exhaust temperature for each heater and controlling the modulation of each heater to maintain a minimum heater output sufficiently high to prevent condensation of flue gas products from that heater. Rapid reaction to changes in system heat demand is provided by sensing changes in flow rate in a primary loop of the system and anticipating resulting changes in temperature thus allowing for change in heater output prior to the time the change in flow rate has fully impacted system temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Patent number: 10247446
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a modulated heating system including a plurality of modulating water heaters, which may be modulating boilers. A deadband control scheme provides for reduced cycling of the modulating heater when total system heat demand falls between the maximum output of one heater and the sum of the maximum output of that one point and the minimum firing point of the next subsequent heater. Condensation of flue gas products is prevented by monitoring flue exhaust temperature for each heater and controlling the modulation of each heater to maintain a minimum heater output sufficiently high to prevent condensation of flue gas products from that heater. Rapid reaction to changes in system heat demand is provided by sensing changes in flow rate in a primary loop of the system and anticipating resulting changes in temperature thus allowing for change in heater output prior to the time the change in flow rate has fully impacted system temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Lochinvar, LLC
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Publication number: 20150330666
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a modulated heating system including a plurality of modulating water heaters, which may be modulating boilers. A deadband control scheme provides for reduced cycling of the modulating heater when total system heat demand falls between the maximum output of one heater and the sum of the maximum output of that one point and the minimum firing point of the next subsequent heater. Condensation of flue gas products is prevented by monitoring flue exhaust temperature for each heater and controlling the modulation of each heater to maintain a minimum heater output sufficiently high to prevent condensation of flue gas products from that heater. Rapid reaction to changes in system heat demand is provided by sensing changes in flow rate in a primary loop of the system and anticipating resulting changes in temperature thus allowing for change in heater output prior to the time the change in flow rate has fully impacted system temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Patent number: 9097431
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a modulated heating system including a plurality of modulating water heaters, which may be modulating boilers. A deadband control scheme provides for reduced cycling of the modulating heater when total system heat demand falls between the maximum output of one heater and the sum of the maximum output of that one point and the minimum firing point of the next subsequent heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Lochinvar, LLC
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Patent number: 8651064
    Abstract: A control system for managing and interfacing a plurality of water heaters, e.g. boilers. The control system includes a first boiler unit controlled by a first boiler control unit and a second boiler unit controlled by a second boiler control unit. The first boiler control unit is operable to coordinate the operation of the first and second boiler units in response to changes in output demand. The flues of the first and second boiler units are connected to a common flue. The control system further includes an interface and an interface control system. The interface control system communicates requests from the interface, to report and/or alter the operating parameters of the first and second boiler units, to the first and second boiler control units and communicates the request outcome(s) back to the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Lochinvar, LLC
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Patent number: 8371252
    Abstract: A control system for managing and interfacing a plurality of water heaters, e.g. boilers. The control system includes a first boiler unit controlled by a first boiler control unit and a second boiler unit controlled by a second boiler control unit. The first boiler control unit is operable to coordinate the operation of the first and second boiler units in response to changes in output demand. The flues of the first and second boiler units are connected to a common flue. The control system further includes an interface and an interface control system. The interface control system communicates requests from the interface, to report and/or alter the operating parameters of the first and second boiler units, to the first and second boiler control units and communicates the request outcome(s) back to the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Lochinvar, LLC
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Publication number: 20120204816
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a modulated heating system including a plurality of modulating water heaters, which may be modulating boilers. A deadband control scheme provides for reduced cycling of the modulating heater when total system heat demand falls between the maximum output of one heater and the sum of the maximum output of that one point and the minimum firing point of the next subsequent heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: LOCHINVAR, LLC
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Patent number: 8186313
    Abstract: A method of controlling a modulating water heater supplying water to a system includes sensing a parameter which changes corresponding to a change in system flow rate, the sensed parameter being a parameter other than system temperature, and then modulating output of the heater in response to a change in the sensed parameter. Early detection of system flow rate changes permits early modulation of water heater output before the changes in flow rate have had time to significantly impact the system temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Lochinvar, LLC
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Patent number: 8186312
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a modulated heating system including at least one modulating water heater and a controller. A deadband control scheme provides for reduced cycling of the modulating heater when total system heat demand falls between the maximum output of one heater and the sum of the maximum output of that one point and the minimum firing point of the next subsequent heater. Condensation of flue gas products is prevented by monitoring flue exhaust temperature for each heater and controlling the modulation of each heater to maintain a minimum heater output sufficiently high to prevent condensation of flue gas products from that heater. Rapid reaction to changes in system heat demand is provided by sensing changes in flow rate in a primary loop of the system and anticipating resulting changes in temperature thus allowing for change in heater output prior to the time the change in flow rate has fully impacted system temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Lochinvar, LLC
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Publication number: 20100004786
    Abstract: A method of controlling a modulating water heater supplying water to a system includes sensing a parameter which changes corresponding to a change in system flow rate, the sensed parameter being a parameter other than system temperature, and then modulating output of the heater in response to a change in the sensed parameter. Early detection of system flow rate changes permits early modulation of water heater output before the changes in flow rate have had time to significantly impact the system temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Lochinvar Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Patent number: 7506617
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a modulated heating system including a plurality of modulating water heaters, which may be modulating boilers. A deadband control scheme provides for reduced cycling of the modulating heater when total system heat demand falls between the maximum output of one heater and the sum of the maximum output of that one point and the minimum firing point of the next subsequent heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Lochinvar Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Publication number: 20090064944
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a modulated heating system including at least one modulating water heater and a controller. A deadband control scheme provides for reduced cycling of the modulating heater when total system heat demand falls between the maximum output of one heater and the sum of the maximum output of that one point and the minimum firing point of the next subsequent heater. Condensation of flue gas products is prevented by monitoring flue exhaust temperature for each heater and controlling the modulation of each heater to maintain a minimum heater output sufficiently high to prevent condensation of flue gas products from that heater. Rapid reaction to changes in system heat demand is provided by sensing changes in flow rate in a primary loop of the system and anticipating resulting changes in temperature thus allowing for change in heater output prior to the time the change in flow rate has fully impacted system temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: LOCHINVAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Publication number: 20080216771
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a modulated heating system including a plurality of modulating water heaters, which may be modulating boilers. A deadband control scheme provides for reduced cycling of the modulating heater when total system heat demand falls between the maximum output of one heater and the sum of the maximum output of that one point and the minimum firing point of the next subsequent heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: LOCHINVAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Patent number: 5049802
    Abstract: Automated charging systems for vehicles having rechargeable batteries are in common use today. Such systems typically have exposed contacts or the need for additional circuitry to move the contacts. The subject system includes circuitry which allows the charge receiving member to be only connected to the battery during charging. The charging system produces a charging signal in response to a low battery. A microprocessor receives the charging signal and responsively produces a "pulse" signal. A second transistor switch receives the "pulse" signal and responsively energizes a charging contactor coil. In response to the charging contactor coil being energized, contacts controllably block power from the battery to the motor and pass power from the receiving member to the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Caterpillar Industrial Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Mintus, John C. Paine
  • Patent number: 4617639
    Abstract: Electronic hourmeter devices having non-volatile memories are useful, for example, in industrial vehicles. Advantageously, such non-volatile memories should be free from a need for battery back-up systems and should minimize the number of changes of the internal memory registers. The subject electronic hourmeter apparatus includes both a dynamic memory device and a non-volatile memory device. Data is maintained in each of the memory devices and memory bit changes are minimized by utilizing a gray coded binary representation of a portion of the data and by systematically altering the addressed memory location of a portion of the data in response to one of the stored data values. Data storage occurs both periodically and in response to disconnection of the vehicle battery. Thus, the disclosed electronic hourmeter apparatus 10 advantageously maintains the integrity of the stored data, minimizes the number of bit changes that occur in the non-volatile memory device, and avoids the need for a battery back-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Caterpillar Industrial Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Patent number: 4613939
    Abstract: Electronic hourmeter devices having service reminders are useful, for example, in industrial vehicles. Advantageously, such service reminders should be field programmable for a variety of predetermined service intervals. The subject electronic service reminder is readily field programmable by authorized personnel and is protected from being programmed or reset by unauthorized personnel. A service status indicator is activated in response to the elapsed hourmeter time exceeding the programmed service interval time, and both the hourmeter elapsed time and the service reminder programmed time are resettable in response to a predetermined magnetic flux applied to respective Hall effect switches. Data is advantageously maintained in a non-volatile memory device without need for a battery back-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Caterpillar Industrial Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Patent number: 4609904
    Abstract: An apparatus for controllably actuating an electrical device in response to movement of a control member is useful, for example, in an industrial vehicle, including a chassis, a power supply electrically isolated from the chassis, and a steering assembly having a rotatably connected steering wheel. The subject apparatus includes a control member mounted on and rotatable with the steering wheel. An excitation circuit is provided for supplying a predetermined excitation signal to a receiving circuit which responsively produces a control signal. The control signal is modified in response to a predetermined movement of the control member. A control circuit actuates and deactuates the electrical device in response to receiving the control and modified control signals. Thus, the apparatus controllably actuates the electrical device while maintaining the control member electrically isolated from the power supply. The steering wheel is free to rotate without interconnecting wires or slip rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Caterpillar Industrial Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Paine
  • Patent number: 4285418
    Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US80/00017 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 7, 1980 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 7, 1980 PCT Filed Jan. 7, 1980.This invention relates to a control system (8) for moving a frictional coupling between an engaged (15) and disengaged (17) position. A power device (40) is provided for moving the frictional coupling (18) to the engaged position (15) in response to a control device (26) being at a first position (27) and the disengaged position (17) in response to the control device (26) being at the second position (29). A switch device (70) deactivates the power device (40) at the engaged (15) and disengaged (17) position of the coupling and a maintaining device (60) releasably maintains the coupling at the engaged (15) and disengaged (17) positions. Thus the brake is held in the engaged and disengaged positions in the absence of electrical power. The control system (8) is particularly useful on a lift truck (18) parking brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Assignee: Towmotor Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Paine