Patents by Inventor John T. Pierson

John T. Pierson 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: 11961383
    Abstract: An actuator in an HVAC system is provided. The actuator includes a motor and a drive device. The drive device is driven by the motor and coupled to an HVAC component for driving the HVAC component between multiple positions. The actuator further includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is coupled to the motor and configured to transmit control signals to operate the motor to drive the HVAC component between a first position and a second position, monitor temperature data received from one or more temperature sensors, determine that the temperature data does not meet an expected performance criterion and transmit an alarm signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: John T. Pierson, John K. Krenzer, Aaron D. Wagner
  • Patent number: 11692724
    Abstract: An actuator for controlling a flow regulation device. The actuator includes a drive device coupled to the flow regulation device and a motor coupled to the drive device and operable to move the drive device. The actuator further includes a processing circuit configured to receive a first measurement of a characteristic, control the actuator to reposition the flow regulation device in a first direction, receive a second measurement of the characteristic, determine an installation error associated with at least one of the actuator and the flow regulation device based on the first measurement and the second measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: John T. Pierson, Abu Bakr Khan, Kirk H. Drees, Brennan H. Fentzlaff, Jeffry M. Papendorf
  • Patent number: 11473799
    Abstract: A flow control device is configured to control fluid flow in an HVAC system. The flow control device includes a valve, an actuator configured to open and close the valve, and one or more sensors. The flow control device further includes a fault detection and correction agent configured to receive data from the one or more sensors, analyze the data according to a set of rules, and detect whether one or more faults have occurred. In response to detecting a fault, the fault detection and correction agent is configured to either operate the actuator to open or close the valve or initiate a corrective action to be taken by another device in the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
    Inventors: Sudhi R. Sinha, Donald R. Albinger, Youngchoon Park, Karl F. Reichenberger, John T. Pierson, Vineet Sinha
  • Publication number: 20210341165
    Abstract: An actuator for controlling a flow regulation device. The actuator includes a drive device coupled to the flow regulation device and a motor coupled to the drive device and operable to move the drive device. The actuator further includes a processing circuit configured to receive a first measurement of a characteristic, control the actuator to reposition the flow regulation device in a first direction, receive a second measurement of the characteristic, determine an installation error associated with at least one of the actuator and the flow regulation device based on the first measurement and the second measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: John T. Pierson, Abu Bakr Khan, Kirk H. Drees, Brennan H. Fentzlaff, Jeffry M. Papendorf
  • Publication number: 20210280041
    Abstract: An actuator in an HVAC system is provided. The actuator includes a motor and a drive device. The drive device is driven by the motor and coupled to an HVAC component for driving the HVAC component between multiple positions. The actuator further includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is coupled to the motor and configured to transmit control signals to operate the motor to drive the HVAC component between a first position and a second position, monitor temperature data received from one or more temperature sensors, determine that the temperature data does not meet an expected performance criterion and transmit an alarm signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: John T. Pierson, John K. Krenzer, Aaron D. Wagner
  • Patent number: 11092356
    Abstract: An actuator for a HVAC system includes a base having a motor and a drive device driven by the motor and configured to be coupled to a movable HVAC component for driving the movable HVAC component between multiple positions, and a removable cartridge removably attached to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Mark A. Thoni, Jeff Papendorf, John T. Pierson, Hyunchul Kim, Thomas Richardson, Scott J. Thorne
  • Patent number: 11024148
    Abstract: An actuator in an HVAC system is provided. The actuator includes a motor and a drive device. The drive device is driven by the motor and coupled to an HVAC component for driving the HVAC component between multiple positions. The actuator further includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is coupled to the motor and configured to transmit control signals to operate the motor to drive the HVAC component between a first position and a second position, monitor temperature data received from one or more temperature sensors, determine that the temperature data does not meet an expected performance criterion and transmit an alarm signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: John T. Pierson, John K. Krenzer, Aaron D. Wagner
  • Patent number: 10975851
    Abstract: An actuator system includes a shaft hub having a shaft and one or more rotation arms coupled to the shaft, one or more shape memory alloy springs coupled to the one or more rotation arms, and as a voltage source configured to apply a voltage to the one or more shape memory alloy springs. The voltage causes the one or more shape memory alloy springs to change in size or shape, thereby applying a force to the one or more rotation arms and causing the shaft hub to rotate. The actuator system also includes a processing circuit configured to receive an indication of a desired incremental rotation for the shaft hub and apply a voltage corresponding to the desired incremental rotation to the one or more shape memory alloy springs, causing the shaft and the shaft hub to rotate about a central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kirk P. Henderson, John T. Pierson, Julie Ahl, Kevin A. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20210025612
    Abstract: A flow control device is configured to control fluid flow in an HVAC system. The flow control device includes a valve, an actuator configured to open and close the valve, and one or more sensors. The flow control device further includes a fault detection and correction agent configured to receive data from the one or more sensors, analyze the data according to a set of rules, and detect whether one or more faults have occurred. In response to detecting a fault, the fault detection and correction agent is configured to either operate the actuator to open or close the valve or initiate a corrective action to be taken by another device in the HVAC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Sudhi R. Sinha, Donald R. Albinger, Youngchoon Park, Karl F. Reichenberger, John T. Pierson, Vineet Sinha
  • Publication number: 20200309102
    Abstract: An actuator system includes a shaft hub having a shaft and one or more rotation arms coupled to the shaft, one or more shape memory alloy springs coupled to the one or more rotation arms, and as a voltage source configured to apply a voltage to the one or more shape memory alloy springs. The voltage causes the one or more shape memory alloy springs to change in size or shape, thereby applying a force to the one or more rotation arms and causing the shaft hub to rotate. The actuator system also includes a processing circuit configured to receive an indication of a desired incremental rotation for the shaft hub and apply a voltage corresponding to the desired incremental rotation to the one or more shape memory alloy springs, causing the shaft and the shaft hub to rotate about a central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Kirk P. Henderson, John T. Pierson, Julie Ahl, Kevin A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 10739029
    Abstract: A flow control device is configured to control fluid flow in an HVAC system. The flow control device includes a valve, an actuator configured to open and close the valve, and one or more sensors. The flow control device further includes a fault detection and correction agent configured to receive data from the one or more sensors, analyze the data according to a set of rules, and detect whether one or more faults have occurred. In response to detecting a fault, the fault detection and correction agent is configured to either operate the actuator to open or close the valve or initiate a corrective action to be taken by another device in the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Sudhi R. Sinha, Donald R. Albinger, Youngchoon Park, Karl F. Reichenberger, John T. Pierson, Vineet Sinha
  • Publication number: 20180318617
    Abstract: A damper assembly includes one or more dampers configured to regulate air flow through the damper assembly and an actuator system configured to move the one or more dampers between an open position and a closed position. The actuator system includes a contraction component coupled to the one or more dampers and comprising a shape memory alloy material. The actuator system further includes a first connector attached to a first end of the contraction component and a second connector attached to a second end of the contraction component. The first connector and the second connector are electrically isolated from the one or more dampers. The contraction component is configured to contract in response to an electric current being applied to at least one of the first connector and the second connector, thereby moving the one or more dampers to the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kirk P. Henderson, John T. Pierson
  • Publication number: 20180322766
    Abstract: An actuator in an HVAC system is provided. The actuator includes a motor and a drive device. The drive device is driven by the motor and coupled to an HVAC component for driving the HVAC component between multiple positions. The actuator further includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is coupled to the motor and configured to transmit control signals to operate the motor to drive the HVAC component between a first position and a second position, monitor temperature data received from one or more temperature sensors, determine that the temperature data does not meet an expected performance criterion and transmit an alarm signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: John T. Pierson, John K. Krenzer, Aaron D. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20180313570
    Abstract: An actuator for a HVAC system includes a base having a motor and a drive device driven by the motor and configured to be coupled to a movable HVAC component for driving the movable HVAC component between multiple positions, and a removable cartridge removably attached to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Mark A. Thoni, Jeff Papendorf, John T. Pierson, Hyunchul Kim, Thomas Richardson, Scott J. Thorne
  • Publication number: 20180313561
    Abstract: A flow control device is configured to control fluid flow in an HVAC system. The flow control device includes a valve, an actuator configured to open and close the valve, and one or more sensors. The flow control device further includes a fault detection and correction agent configured to receive data from the one or more sensors, analyze the data according to a set of rules, and detect whether one or more faults have occurred. In response to detecting a fault, the fault detection and correction agent is configured to either operate the actuator to open or close the valve or initiate a corrective action to be taken by another device in the HVAC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Sudhi R. Sinha, Donald R. Albinger, Youngchoon Park, Karl F. Reichenberger, John T. Pierson, Vineet Sinha
  • Patent number: D763708
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kirk Henderson, Sudhi Sinha, John T. Pierson, Kyle David Paull
  • Patent number: D772085
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Peggy D. Howe, Thomas J. Menden, John T. Pierson, Michael J. Ajax, Jacob R. Sheahan, Christine R. Erickson
  • Patent number: D837158
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Thoni, Jeff Papendorf, John T. Pierson, Hyunchul Kim, Thomas Richardson, Scott J. Thorne
  • Patent number: D851146
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Thoni, Jeff Papendorf, John T. Pierson, Hyunchul Kim, Thomas Richardson, Scott J. Thorne
  • Patent number: D892184
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Thoni, Jeff Papendorf, John T. Pierson, Hyunchul Kim, Thomas Richardon, Scott J. Thorne