Patents by Inventor John J. Heller

John J. Heller 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: 10508831
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a climate control system that includes an igniter and a controller having an igniter relay. The controller senses a current level through the igniter and senses voltage between terminals of a second relay of the controller. In a given one of a plurality of operational phases of the system, the controller is configured to compare the sensed current level and sensed voltage to a current level and voltage associated with a specific condition of the igniter, igniter relay, or second relay in the given phase. Based on a result of the comparing, the controller is configured to distinguish between a failure of one of the relays and a failure of the igniter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: John F. Broker, John J. Heller
  • Patent number: 10249414
    Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, wiring harness assemblies for electrical equipment and related methods are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a wiring harness assembly for electrical equipment generally includes a first connector configured for connecting to a wiring harness, a second connector configured for mounting to a panel, and one or more conductors connecting the first connector with the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventors: Michael J. Moran, John J. Heller, David L. Vie
  • Patent number: 9960563
    Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, wiring harness assemblies for electrical equipment and related methods are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a wiring harness assembly for electrical equipment generally includes a first connector configured for connecting to a wiring harness, a second connector configured for mounting to a panel, and one or more conductors connecting the first connector with the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventors: Michael J. Moran, John J. Heller, David L. Vie
  • Patent number: 9851391
    Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, HVAC controls and corresponding error detection methods are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an HVAC control generally includes an analog input configured to receive an analog signal, and an error indicator. The control is configured to receive a neutral signal at the analog input, measure a voltage of the neutral signal with respect to earth ground, to operate the error indicator to provide a first indicator status indicative of a bad ground state if the voltage is between a first voltage threshold and a second voltage threshold, and to operate the error indicator to provide a second indicator status of a reverse polarity state if the voltage is above the second threshold. The HVAC control may include at least four different indicator statuses. The HVAC control may include a comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: John J. Heller, John F. Broker
  • Patent number: 9830887
    Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of controls for heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a control for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning system includes an alphanumeric display and one or more input device. A processor of the control is configured to receive a user input through the input device(s), and in response to the user input, reorient a display of a message relative to the alphanumeric display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: David L. Vie, Michael J. Moran, John J. Heller
  • Publication number: 20170115033
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a climate control system that includes an igniter and a controller having an igniter relay. The controller senses a current level through the igniter and senses voltage between terminals of a second relay of the controller. In a given one of a plurality of operational phases of the system, the controller is configured to compare the sensed current level and sensed voltage to a current level and voltage associated with a specific condition of the igniter, igniter relay, or second relay in the given phase. Based on a result of the comparing, the controller is configured to distinguish between a failure of one of the relays and a failure of the igniter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: John F. Broker, John J. Heller
  • Patent number: 9518763
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a climate control system that includes an igniter and a controller having an igniter relay. The controller senses a current level through the igniter and senses voltage between terminals of a second relay of the controller. In a given one of a plurality of operational phases of the system, the controller is configured to compare the sensed current level and sensed voltage to a current level and voltage associated with a specific condition of the igniter, igniter relay, or second relay in the given phase. Based on a result of the comparing, the controller is configured to distinguish between a failure of one of the relays and a failure of the igniter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: John F. Broker, John J. Heller
  • Publication number: 20160343353
    Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of controls for heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a control for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning system includes an alphanumeric display and one or more input device. A processor of the control is configured to receive a user input through the input device(s), and in response to the user input, reorient a display of a message relative to the alphanumeric display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: David L. Vie, Michael J. Moran, John J. Heller
  • Publication number: 20160306003
    Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, HVAC controls and corresponding error detection methods are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an HVAC control generally includes an analog input configured to receive an analog signal, and an error indicator. The control is configured to receive a neutral signal at the analog input, measure a voltage of the neutral signal with respect to earth ground, to operate the error indicator to provide a first indicator status indicative of a bad ground state if the voltage is between a first voltage threshold and a second voltage threshold, and to operate the error indicator to provide a second indicator status of a reverse polarity state if the voltage is above the second threshold. The HVAC control may include at least four different indicator statuses. The HVAC control may include a comparator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: John J. Heller, John F. Broker
  • Publication number: 20160301177
    Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, wiring harness assemblies for electrical equipment and related methods are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a wiring harness assembly for electrical equipment generally includes a first connector configured for connecting to a wiring harness, a second connector configured for mounting to a panel, and one or more conductors connecting the first connector with the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. Moran, John J. Heller, David L. Vie
  • Patent number: 9412328
    Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of controls for heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a control for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning system includes an alphanumeric display and one or more input device. A processor of the control is configured to receive a user input through the input device(s), and in response to the user input, reorient a display of a message relative to the alphanumeric display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: David L. Vie, Michael J. Moran, John J. Heller
  • Patent number: 9372219
    Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, HVAC controls and corresponding error detection methods are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an HVAC control generally includes a digital input configured to receive a digital signal, an analog input configured to receive an analog signal, and an error indicator. The control is configured to receive a neutral signal at the analog input, determine a voltage of the neutral signal with respect to earth ground, and operate the error indicator to indicate a normal state if the voltage is below a first threshold, a bad ground state if the voltage is between the first threshold and a second threshold, and a reverse polarity state if the voltage is above the second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: John J. Heller, John F. Broker
  • Publication number: 20150380860
    Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, wiring harness assemblies for electrical equipment and related methods are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a wiring harness assembly for electrical equipment generally includes a first connector configured for connecting to a wiring harness, a second connector configured for mounting to a panel, and one or more conductors connecting the first connector with the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Michael J. Moran, John J. Heller, David L. Vie
  • Publication number: 20150219699
    Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, HVAC controls and corresponding error detection methods are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an HVAC control generally includes a digital input configured to receive a digital signal, an analog input configured to receive an analog signal, and an error indicator. The control is configured to receive a neutral signal at the analog input, determine a voltage of the neutral signal with respect to earth ground, and operate the error indicator to indicate a normal state if the voltage is below a first threshold, a bad ground state if the voltage is between the first threshold and a second threshold, and a reverse polarity state if the voltage is above the second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: John J. Heller, John F. Broker
  • Publication number: 20150187050
    Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of controls for heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a control for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning system includes an alphanumeric display and one or more input device. A processor of the control is configured to receive a user input through the input device(s), and in response to the user input, reorient a display of a message relative to the alphanumeric display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: David L. Vie, Michael J. Moran, John J. Heller
  • Publication number: 20140134548
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a climate control system that includes an igniter and a controller having an igniter relay. The controller senses a current level through the igniter and senses voltage between terminals of a second relay of the controller. In a given one of a plurality of operational phases of the system, the controller is configured to compare the sensed current level and sensed voltage to a current level and voltage associated with a specific condition of the igniter, igniter relay, or second relay in the given phase. Based on a result of the comparing, the controller is configured to distinguish between a failure of one of the relays and a failure of the igniter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventors: John F. Broker, John J. Heller
  • Patent number: 7938336
    Abstract: An improved thermostat is provided that comprises a first wall disposed within the thermostat, which partitions off a portion of the interior space to form a compartment along a side wall of the thermostat that is separated from the rest of the thermostat's interior space. The thermostat includes a second wall that is adjacent to and spaced from the first wall, so as to define an insulating space between the compartment and the rest of the interior space. The thermostat further includes a first aperture that permits communication of airflow in a lower portion of the compartment, and a second aperture that permits communication of airflow at an upper portion of the compartment. A temperature sensing element is disposed within the compartment defined by the first wall. The temperature sensing device is thermally insulated from heat generated in the interior of the thermostat by the insulating space between the compartment and interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William D. Rhodes, Carl J. Mueller, John J. Heller
  • Publication number: 20090069946
    Abstract: An improved thermostat is provided that comprises a first wall disposed within the thermostat, which partitions off a portion of the interior space to form a compartment along a side wall of the thermostat that is separated from the rest of the thermostat's interior space. The thermostat includes a second wall that is adjacent to and spaced from the first wall, so as to define an insulating space between the compartment and the rest of the interior space. The thermostat further includes a first aperture that permits communication of airflow in a lower portion of the compartment, and a second aperture that permits communication of airflow at an upper portion of the compartment. A temperature sensing element is disposed within the compartment defined by the first wall. The temperature sensing device is thermally insulated from heat generated in the interior of the thermostat by the insulating space between the compartment and interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: William D. Rhodes, Carl J. Mueller, John J. Heller