Patents by Inventor John D. Lofy

John D. Lofy 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: 20220381262
    Abstract: A blower configured to be positioned in confined spaces and to provide ventilation of a fluid, such as temperature controlled air, is disclosed. In various embodiments, the blower is configured to have a reduced axial thickness, which can be desired in such confined spaces. In some embodiments, the blower has an integral filter, a wire channel for the routing of one or more wires, and/or an exposed backplate. In some embodiments, the blower has a snap-fit circuit board, containment system for mounting the motor, one or more vanes for directing fluid flow, shrouded impeller, and/or integrated connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: John D. Lofy, Ryan Walsh
  • Patent number: 11408438
    Abstract: A blower configured to be positioned in confined spaces and to provide ventilation of a fluid, such as temperature controlled air, is disclosed. In various embodiments, the blower is configured to have a reduced axial thickness, which can be desired in such confined spaces. In some embodiments, the blower has an integral filter, a wire channel for the routing of one or more wires, and/or an exposed backplate. In some embodiments, the blower has a snap-fit circuit board, containment system for mounting the motor, one or more vanes for directing fluid flow, shrouded impeller, and/or integrated connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John D. Lofy, Ryan Walsh
  • Patent number: 11240882
    Abstract: A climate controlled assembly includes a support member having a first surface configured to support an occupant, a channel within the support, the channel extending from the first surface through a portion of the support, a thermoelectric device positioned within the channel, a heat exchanger conductively coupled to a first side of the thermoelectric device, the heat exchanger positioned within the channel and a flexible conductive member conductively coupled to a second side of the thermoelectric device, a portion of the flexible conductive member extending along the first surface of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Masahiko Inaba, Keith Alan Lindeman, John D. Lofy
  • Patent number: 11240883
    Abstract: A climate controlled assembly includes a support member having a first surface configured to support an occupant, a channel within the support, the channel extending from the first surface through a portion of the support, a thermoelectric device positioned within the channel, a heat exchanger conductively coupled to a first side of the thermoelectric device, the heat exchanger positioned within the channel and a flexible conductive member conductively coupled to a second side of the thermoelectric device, a portion of the flexible conductive member extending along the first surface of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Masahiko Inaba, Keith Alan Lindeman, John D. Lofy
  • Patent number: 10647232
    Abstract: A climate controlled seat assembly includes a thermoelectric device having a main side and a waste side for generating a conditioned fluid stream and a waste fluid stream respectively, a fluid distribution system for distributing the conditioned fluid stream towards an occupant seated on the climate controlled seat assembly and for gathering and pulling fluid from around the occupant and directed this gathered fluid away from the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John D. Lofy, Masahiko Inaba
  • Publication number: 20190331130
    Abstract: A blower configured to be positioned in confined spaces and to provide ventilation of a fluid, such as temperature controlled air, is disclosed. In various embodiments, the blower is configured to have a reduced axial thickness, which can be desired in such confined spaces. In some embodiments, the blower has an integral filter, a wire channel for the routing of one or more wires, and/or an exposed backplate. In some embodiments, the blower has a snap-fit circuit board, containment system for mounting the motor, one or more vanes for directing fluid flow, shrouded impeller, and/or integrated connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: John D. Lofy, Ryan Walsh
  • Patent number: 10457173
    Abstract: A climate controlled seat assembly includes a thermoelectric device having a main side and a waste side for generating a conditioned fluid stream and a waste fluid stream respectively, a fluid distribution system for distributing the conditioned fluid stream towards an occupant seated on the climate controlled seat assembly and for gathering and pulling fluid from around the occupant and directed this gathered fluid away from the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John D. Lofy, Masahiko Inaba
  • Publication number: 20190239289
    Abstract: A climate controlled assembly includes a support member having a first surface configured to support an occupant, a channel within the support, the channel extending from the first surface through a portion of the support, a thermoelectric device positioned within the channel, a heat exchanger conductively coupled to a first side of the thermoelectric device, the heat exchanger positioned within the channel and a flexible conductive member conductively coupled to a second side of the thermoelectric device, a portion of the flexible conductive member extending along the first surface of the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Masahiko Inaba, Keith Alan Lindeman, John D. Lofy
  • Publication number: 20190230744
    Abstract: A climate controlled assembly includes a support member having a first surface configured to support an occupant, a channel within the support, the channel extending from the first surface through a portion of the support, a thermoelectric device positioned within the channel, a heat exchanger conductively coupled to a first side of the thermoelectric device, the heat exchanger positioned within the channel and a flexible conductive member conductively coupled to a second side of the thermoelectric device, a portion of the flexible conductive member extending along the first surface of the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Masahiko Inaba, Keith Alan Lindeman, John D. Lofy
  • Publication number: 20190202327
    Abstract: A climate controlled seat assembly includes a thermoelectric device having a main side and a waste side for generating a conditioned fluid stream and a waste fluid stream respectively, a fluid distribution system for distributing the conditioned fluid stream towards an occupant seated on the climate controlled seat assembly and for gathering and pulling fluid from around the occupant and directed this gathered fluid away from the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: John D. Lofy, Masahiko Inaba
  • Patent number: 10288084
    Abstract: A blower configured to be positioned in confined spaces and to provide ventilation of a fluid, such as temperature controlled air, is disclosed. In various embodiments, the blower is configured to have a reduced axial thickness, which can be desired in such confined spaces. In some embodiments, the blower has an integral filter, a wire channel for the routing of one or more wires, and/or an exposed backplate. In some embodiments, the blower has a snap-fit circuit board, containment system for mounting the motor, one or more vanes for directing fluid flow, shrouded impeller, and/or integrated connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John D. Lofy, Ryan Walsh
  • Patent number: 10219323
    Abstract: A climate controlled assembly includes a support member having a first surface configured to support an occupant, a channel within the support, the channel extending from the first surface through a portion of the support, a thermoelectric device positioned within the channel, a heat exchanger conductively coupled to a first side of the thermoelectric device, the heat exchanger positioned within the channel and a flexible conductive member conductively coupled to a second side of the thermoelectric device, a portion of the flexible conductive member extending along the first surface of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: GENTHREM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Masahiko Inaba, Keith Alan Lindeman, John D. Lofy
  • Patent number: 10160356
    Abstract: A climate controlled seat assembly includes a thermoelectric device having a main side and a waste side for generating a conditioned fluid stream and a waste fluid stream respectively, a fluid distribution system for distributing the conditioned fluid stream towards an occupant seated on the climate controlled seat assembly and for gathering and pulling fluid from around the occupant and directed this gathered fluid away from the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John D. Lofy, Masahiko Inaba
  • Publication number: 20170267140
    Abstract: A climate controlled seat assembly includes a thermoelectric device having a main side and a waste side for generating a conditioned fluid stream and a waste fluid stream respectively, a fluid distribution system for distributing the conditioned fluid stream towards an occupant seated on the climate controlled seat assembly and for gathering and pulling fluid from around the occupant and directed this gathered fluid away from the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: John D. Lofy, Masahiko Inaba
  • Publication number: 20170181225
    Abstract: A climate controlled assembly includes a support member having a first surface configured to support an occupant, a channel within the support, the channel extending from the first surface through a portion of the support, a thermoelectric device positioned within the channel, a heat exchanger conductively coupled to a first side of the thermoelectric device, the heat exchanger positioned within the channel and a flexible conductive member conductively coupled to a second side of the thermoelectric device, a portion of the flexible conductive member extending along the first surface of the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Masahiko Inaba, Keith Alan Lindeman, John D. Lofy
  • Publication number: 20170164513
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a cooling system for an inductive charger includes a thermal conditioning assembly in fluid communication with an inductive charging assembly. The inductive charging assembly can include a dock and an inductive charging module. The dock can be configured to receive a portable electronic device, such as a cell phone, that is configured to accept inductive charging from the inductive charging module. The thermal conditioning assembly can include a fluid transfer device and a thermal conditioning module, such as a thermoelectric device. In various embodiments, heat (e.g., heat produced during inductive charging) can be transferred from the inductive charging assembly to the thermal conditioning module and/or to a fluid flow produced by the fluid transfer device, thereby cooling the inductive charging assembly and/or the portable electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: John D. Lofy, David Marquette
  • Patent number: 9651279
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments disclosed in the present application, a climate controlled seating assembly includes a thermal module. The thermal module comprises at least one inlet channel, at least one outlet channel and a thermoelectric device (e.g., Peltier circuit) positioned upstream of the outlet channel. In one embodiment, the seating assembly includes a sensor positioned within an interior of the thermal module and configured to detect the presence of a liquid, such as water, condensation or other fluids, on or near said sensor. In certain arrangements, the sensor is configured to detect the presence of a liquid by measuring an electrical resistance or capacitance across a portion of the sensor. A climate control system can include a separator gasket located within a housing of a fluid module and at least partially between the cold passage and the hot passage. In some embodiments, the separator gasket comprises one or more wicking materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
    Inventor: John D. Lofy
  • Publication number: 20160320104
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments disclosed in the present application, a climate controlled seating assembly includes a thermal module. The thermal module comprises at least one inlet channel, at least one outlet channel and a thermoelectric device (e.g., Peltier circuit) positioned upstream of the outlet channel. In one embodiment, the seating assembly includes a sensor positioned within an interior of the thermal module and configured to detect the presence of a liquid, such as water, condensation or other fluids, on or near said sensor. In certain arrangements, the sensor is configured to detect the presence of a liquid by measuring an electrical resistance or capacitance across a portion of the sensor. A climate control system can include a separator gasket located within a housing of a fluid module and at least partially between the cold passage and the hot passage. In some embodiments, the separator gasket comprises one or more wicking materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventor: John D. Lofy
  • Publication number: 20160137110
    Abstract: A climate controlled seat assembly includes a thermoelectric device having a main side and a waste side for generating a conditioned fluid stream and a waste fluid stream respectively, a fluid distribution system for distributing the conditioned fluid stream towards an occupant seated on the climate controlled seat assembly and for gathering and pulling fluid from around the occupant and directed this gathered fluid away from the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: John D. Lofy, Masahiko Inaba
  • Publication number: 20160053772
    Abstract: A blower configured to be positioned in confined spaces and to provide ventilation of a fluid, such as temperature controlled air, is disclosed. In various embodiments, the blower is configured to have a reduced axial thickness, which can be desired in such confined spaces. In some embodiments, the blower has an integral filter, a wire channel for the routing of one or more wires, and/or an exposed backplate. In some embodiments, the blower has a snap-fit circuit board, containment system for mounting the motor, one or more vanes for directing fluid flow, shrouded impeller, and/or integrated connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: John D. Lofy, Ryan Walsh