Patents by Inventor Joseph D. Gardner

Joseph D. Gardner 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: 20200116392
    Abstract: A water heater includes a leak detection system. The leak detection system includes a leak sensor assembly that is disposed in a bottom pan of the water heater. The leak sensor assembly includes a sensor housing that has a sensor channel that is formed therein such that the sensor channel is disposed at an elevation from a base of the bottom pan when the sensor housing is disposed on the base of the bottom pan. Further, the leak sensor assembly includes a leak sensor that is disposed in the sensor channel of the sensor housing. The leak sensor detects water that leaks from the water heater and accumulates in the bottom pan when a level of the water in the bottom pan rises to the elevation of the sensor channel and the leak sensor that is disposed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Joseph D. Gardner, Jozef Boros, Timothy D. Scott, William J. Hall, Raheel A. Chaudhry, Gregory M. Welk
  • Patent number: 10480824
    Abstract: A water heater includes a leak detection system. The leak detection system includes a leak sensor assembly that is disposed in a bottom pan of the water heater. The leak sensor assembly includes a sensor housing that has a sensor channel that is formed therein such that the sensor channel is disposed at an elevation from a base of the bottom pan when the sensor housing is disposed on the base of the bottom pan. Further, the leak sensor assembly includes a leak sensor that is disposed in the sensor channel of the sensor housing. The leak sensor detects water that leaks from the water heater and accumulates in the bottom pan when a level of the water in the bottom pan rises to the elevation of the sensor channel and the leak sensor that is disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joseph D. Gardner, Jozef Boros, Timothy D. Scott, William J. Hall, Raheel A. Chaudhry, Gregory M. Welk
  • Publication number: 20190195533
    Abstract: A water heater with a leak detection system includes a leak sensor assembly that is disposed in an insulation cavity between an inner storage tank and an outer protective jacket of the water heater. The leak sensor assembly is configured to detect water that leaks from the storage tank. Further, the water heater includes a barrier that is disposed in the insulation cavity and wrapped around the inner storage tank to channel the water that leaks from the storage tank towards the leak sensor assembly, and prevent the water that leaks from the storage tank from flowing through an insulation material that is disposed in the insulation cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph D. Gardner, Michael C. Mitchell, Timothy D. Scott, William Jason Hall
  • Publication number: 20190145661
    Abstract: A water heater includes a leak detection system. The leak detection system includes a leak sensor assembly that is disposed in a bottom pan of the water heater. The leak sensor assembly includes a sensor housing that has a sensor channel that is formed therein such that the sensor channel is disposed at an elevation from a base of the bottom pan when the sensor housing is disposed on the base of the bottom pan. Further, the leak sensor assembly includes a leak sensor that is disposed in the sensor channel of the sensor housing. The leak sensor detects water that leaks from the water heater and accumulates in the bottom pan when a level of the water in the bottom pan rises to the elevation of the sensor channel and the leak sensor that is disposed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph D. Gardner, Jozef Boros, Timothy D. Scott, William J. Hall, Raheel A. Chaudhry, Gregory M. Welk
  • Publication number: 20190145662
    Abstract: A water heater includes a leak detection system that is integrated with the water heater. The leak detection system includes a channel that extends circumferentially around the water heater. In one example, the channel is built into the water heater. In another example, the channel is formed by a sensor bracket that is coupled to the water heater. Further, the leak detection system includes a sensor assembly that is configured to detect water that leaks from the water heater. The sensor assembly includes a leak sensor and/or a wicking tube. The wicking tube is disposed around at least a portion of the leak sensor. Further, the wicking tube is disposed in the continuous channel and extends circumferentially along the water heater to create a circumferential area of leak detection around the water heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Joseph D. Gardner, Jozef Boros, Sina Jasteh, Hector J. Donastorg, Raheel A. Chaudhry