Patents by Inventor John T. Knight

John T. Knight 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: 20240133596
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a first sensor disposed adjacent to an inlet of an evaporator configured to receive an airflow. The HVAC unit includes a second sensor disposed adjacent to an outlet of a reheat coil positioned downstream of the evaporator and configured to expel the airflow. The HVAC unit also includes a controller configured to regulate operation of a modulating reheat valve to adjust flow of a working fluid in thermal communication with the airflow to control a difference between a measurement of the first sensor and a measurement of the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: John T. Knight, Stephen B. Pickle, Norman J. Blanton, Kerry L. Shumway
  • Patent number: 11768020
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a first sensor disposed adjacent to an inlet of an evaporator configured to receive an airflow. The HVAC unit includes a second sensor disposed adjacent to an outlet of a reheat coil positioned downstream of the evaporator and configured to expel the airflow. The HVAC unit also includes a controller configured to regulate operation of a modulating reheat valve to adjust flow of a working fluid in thermal communication with the airflow to control a difference between a measurement of the first sensor and a measurement of the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: John T. Knight, Stephen B. Pickle, Norman J. Blanton, Kerry L Shumway
  • Publication number: 20230087675
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a first sensor disposed adjacent to an inlet of an evaporator configured to receive an airflow. The HVAC unit includes a second sensor disposed adjacent to an outlet of a reheat coil positioned downstream of the evaporator and configured to expel the airflow. The HVAC unit also includes a controller configured to regulate operation of a modulating reheat valve to adjust flow of a working fluid in thermal communication with the airflow to control a difference between a measurement of the first sensor and a measurement of the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: John T. Knight, Stephen B. Pickle, Norman J. Blanton, Kerry L. Shumway
  • Publication number: 20230003415
    Abstract: A system for modulating hot gas reheat operation of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system with multiple compressors, wherein the HVAC system is configured to regulate air provided to multiple zones. The system includes a controller configured to respond to a call for dehumidification in the absence of a call for cooling by sequentially energizing a first compressor of the multiple compressors in a reheat mode of the first compressor, energizing a second compressor of the multiple compressors in a cooling mode of the second compressor, energizing a third compressor of the multiple compressors in a reheat mode of the third compressor initially at full capacity, and energizing a fourth compressor of the multiple compressors in a cooling mode of the fourth compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen B. Pickle, John T. Knight
  • Patent number: 11473809
    Abstract: A system for modulating hot gas reheat operation of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system with multiple compressors, wherein the HVAC system is configured to regulate air provided to multiple zones. The system includes a controller configured to respond to a call for dehumidification in the absence of a call for cooling by sequentially energizing a first compressor of the multiple compressors in a reheat mode of the first compressor, energizing a second compressor of the multiple compressors in a cooling mode of the second compressor, energizing a third compressor of the multiple compressors in a reheat mode of the third compressor initially at full capacity, and energizing a fourth compressor of the multiple compressors in a cooling mode of the fourth compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDNGS LLP
    Inventors: Stephen B. Pickle, John T. Knight
  • Patent number: 11421923
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a first sensor disposed adjacent to an inlet of an evaporator configured to receive an airflow. The HVAC unit includes a second sensor disposed adjacent to an outlet of a reheat coil positioned downstream of the evaporator and configured to expel the airflow. The HVAC unit also includes a controller configured to regulate operation of a modulating reheat valve to adjust flow of a working fluid in thermal communication with the airflow to control a difference between a measurement of the first sensor and a measurement of the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: John T. Knight, Stephen B. Pickle, Norman J. Blanton, Kerry L. Shumway
  • Patent number: 11162704
    Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a compressor configured to circulate a fluid through the HVAC system, a first coil configured to establish a first heat exchange relationship between the fluid and a first airflow across the first coil, a second coil configured to establish a second heat exchange relationship between the fluid and a second airflow across the second coil, and a fan configured to direct the first airflow across the first coil, the second airflow across the second coil, or both, and where the first airflow across the first coil is directed to be isolated from the second airflow across the second coil, and the first airflow is blocked from flowing across the first coil when the first coil is inactive and the second airflow is blocked from flowing across the second coil when the second coil is inactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: John T. Knight, Stephen B. Pickle
  • Publication number: 20200370765
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit includes a first sensor disposed adjacent to an inlet of an evaporator configured to receive an airflow. The HVAC unit includes a second sensor disposed adjacent to an outlet of a reheat coil positioned downstream of the evaporator and configured to expel the airflow. The HVAC unit also includes a controller configured to regulate operation of a modulating reheat valve to adjust flow of a working fluid in thermal communication with the airflow to control a difference between a measurement of the first sensor and a measurement of the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: John T. Knight, Stephen B. Pickle, Norman J. Blanton, Kerry L. Shumway
  • Publication number: 20200271340
    Abstract: A system for modulating hot gas reheat operation of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system with multiple compressors, wherein the HVAC system is configured to regulate air provided to multiple zones. The system includes a controller configured to respond to a call for dehumidification in the absence of a call for cooling by sequentially energizing a first compressor of the multiple compressors in a reheat mode of the first compressor, energizing a second compressor of the multiple compressors in a cooling mode of the second compressor, energizing a third compressor of the multiple compressors in a reheat mode of the third compressor initially at full capacity, and energizing a fourth compressor of the multiple compressors in a cooling mode of the fourth compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen B. Pickle, John T. Knight
  • Patent number: 10584896
    Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) furnace includes a condensing furnace and a condensate removal system associated with the condensing furnace. The condensate removal system includes an electrolyzer having a container that may collect a condensate generated from an exhaust gas produced in the condensing furnace and an electrode disposed within the container and that may apply an electric current to the condensate to electrolyze the condensate and thereby generate condensate gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Stephen C. Wilson, John T. Knight
  • Publication number: 20190383513
    Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a compressor configured to circulate a fluid through the HVAC system, a first coil configured to establish a first heat exchange relationship between the fluid and a first airflow across the first coil, a second coil configured to establish a second heat exchange relationship between the fluid and a second airflow across the second coil, and a fan configured to direct the first airflow across the first coil, the second airflow across the second coil, or both, and where the first airflow across the first coil is directed to be isolated from the second airflow across the second coil, and the first airflow is blocked from flowing across the first coil when the first coil is inactive and the second airflow is blocked from flowing across the second coil when the second coil is inactive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: John T. Knight, Stephen B. Pickle
  • Patent number: 10401046
    Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a compressor configured to circulate a fluid through the HVAC system, a first coil configured to establish a first heat exchange relationship between the fluid and a first airflow across the first coil, a second coil configured to establish a second heat exchange relationship between the fluid and a second airflow across the second coil, and a fan configured to direct the first airflow across the first coil, the second airflow across the second coil, or both, and where the first airflow across the first coil is directed to be isolated from the second airflow across the second coil, and the first airflow is blocked from flowing across the first coil when the first coil is inactive and the second airflow is blocked from flowing across the second coil when the second coil is inactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: John T. Knight, Stephen B. Pickle
  • Publication number: 20190234421
    Abstract: A fan blade includes an edge formation disposed on an edge of the fan blade, where the edge formation comprises an incline surface relative to a main portion of the fan blade and a decline surface relative to the main portion of the fan blade, and wherein the incline surface and the decline surface are asymmetric to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen C. Wilson, John T. Knight
  • Publication number: 20180094827
    Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a compressor configured to circulate a fluid through the HVAC system, a first coil configured to establish a first heat exchange relationship between the fluid and a first airflow across the first coil, a second coil configured to establish a second heat exchange relationship between the fluid and a second airflow across the second coil, and a fan configured to direct the first airflow across the first coil, the second airflow across the second coil, or both, and where the first airflow across the first coil is directed to be isolated from the second airflow across the second coil, and the first airflow is blocked from flowing across the first coil when the first coil is inactive and the second airflow is blocked from flowing across the second coil when the second coil is inactive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: John T. Knight, Stephen B. Pickle
  • Publication number: 20180031275
    Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) furnace includes a condensing furnace and a condensate removal system associated with the condensing furnace. The condensate removal system includes an electrolyzer having a container that may collect a condensate generated from an exhaust gas produced in the condensing furnace and an electrode disposed within the container and that may apply an electric current to the condensate to electrolyze the condensate and thereby generate condensate gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen C. Wilson, John T. Knight
  • Patent number: 8561427
    Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and multi-slab heat exchangers are provided that include fluid connections for transmitting fluid between groups of tubes. The fluid connections may include generally tubular members fluidly connected to manifold sections. The fluid connections also may include partitioned manifolds containing tubes of different heights. Multichannel tubes are also provided that include a bent section configured to locate a flow path near a leading edge of a tube within one section and near a trailing edge of the tube within another section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: John T. Knight, William L. Kopko, Stephen B. Pickle, Jose Ruel Yalung de la Cruz, Tony Clive Coleman, Mahesh Valiya-Naduvath
  • Patent number: 8281615
    Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and heat exchangers are provided which include manifold configurations designed to promote mixing of vapor phase and liquid phase refrigerant. The manifolds contain flow mixers such as a helical tape, sectioned volumes, and partitions containing apertures. The flow mixers direct the flow of refrigerant within the manifold to promote a more homogenous distribution of fluid within the multichannel tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Tucker, Mahesh Valiya-Naduvath, John T. Knight, Judd M. Vance
  • Publication number: 20110192582
    Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and multi-slab heat exchangers are provided that include fluid connections for transmitting fluid between groups of tubes. The fluid connections may include generally tubular members fluidly connected to manifold sections. The fluid connections also may include partitioned manifolds containing tubes of different heights. Multichannel tubes are also provided that include a bent section configured to locate a flow path near a leading edge of a tube within one section and near a trailing edge of the tube within another section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: John T. Knight, William L. Kopko, Stephen B. Pickle, Jose Ruel Yalung de la Cruz, Tony Clive Coleman, Mahesh Valiya-Naduvath
  • Publication number: 20110132587
    Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and heat exchangers are provided which include manifold configurations designed to promote mixing of vapor phase and liquid phase refrigerant. The manifolds contain flow mixers such as a helical tape, sectioned volumes, and partitions containing apertures. The flow mixers direct the flow of refrigerant within the manifold to promote a more homogenous distribution of fluid within the multichannel tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Tucker, Mahesh Valiya-Naduvath, John T. Knight, Judd M. Vance
  • Patent number: 7942020
    Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and multi-slab heat exchangers are provided that include fluid connections for transmitting fluid between groups of tubes. The fluid connections may include generally tubular members fluidly connected to manifold sections. The fluid connections also may include partitioned manifolds containing tubes of different heights. Multichannel tubes are also provided that include a bent section configured to locate a flow path near a leading edge of a tube within one section and near a trailing edge of the tube within another section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: John T. Knight, William L. Kopko, Stephen B. Pickle, Jose Ruel Yalung de la Cruz, Tony Clive Coleman, Mahesh Valiya-Naduvath