Patents by Inventor Julian N. Smith

Julian N. Smith 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: 8997268
    Abstract: A control system for a flush toilet includes a water delivery device for delivering a source of flush water to a bowl. The control system includes a controller and a user interface. The controller is operative to control the toilet through a flush sequence in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a predetermined amount of water to the bowl. In the second mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a user adjustable amount of water to the bowl. The user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting between the first mode and the second mode. Where the toilet is a macerator toilet, the controller monitors current draw unit when the current draw satisfies a predetermined current condition. The controller may operate in a normal mode and a lockout mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Miller, Ricky L. Danks, Julian N. Smith, Daniel Delaney, George Grech, Forrest D. Butterwick
  • Publication number: 20130232677
    Abstract: A control system for a flush toilet includes a water delivery device for delivering a source of flush water to a bowl. The control system includes a controller and a user interface. The controller is operative to control the toilet through a flush sequence in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a predetermined amount of water to the bowl. In the second mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a user adjustable amount of water to the bowl. The user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting between the first mode and the second mode. Where the toilet is a macerator toilet, the controller monitors current draw unit when the current draw satisfies a predetermined current condition. The controller may operate in a normal mode and a lockout mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: James K. Miller, Ricky L. Danks, Julian N. Smith, Daniel Delaney, George Grech, Forrest D. Butterwick
  • Publication number: 20120222206
    Abstract: A control system for a flush toilet includes a water delivery device for delivering a source of flush water to a bowl. The control system includes a controller and a user interface. The controller is operative to control the toilet through a flush sequence in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a predetermined amount of water to the bowl. In the second mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a user adjustable amount of water to the bowl. The user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting between the first mode and the second mode. Where the toilet is a macerator toilet, the controller monitors current draw unit when the current draw satisfies a predetermined current condition. The controller may operate in a normal mode and a lockout mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: THETFORD CORPORATION
    Inventors: James K. Miller, Ricky L. Danks, Julian N. Smith, Daniel Delaney, George Grech, Forrest D. Butterwick
  • Patent number: 8230531
    Abstract: A control system for a flush toilet includes a water delivery device for delivering a source of flush water to a bowl. The control system includes a controller and a user interface. The controller is operative to control the toilet through a flush sequence in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a predetermined amount of water to the bowl. In the second mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a user adjustable amount of water to the bowl. The user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting between the first mode and the second mode. Where the toilet is a macerator toilet, the controller monitors current draw unit when the current draw satisfies a predetermined current condition. The controller may operate in a normal mode and a lockout mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Miller, Ricky L. Danks, Julian N. Smith, Daniel Delaney, George Grech, Forrest D. Butterwick
  • Patent number: 5142294
    Abstract: A power antenna drive cable seal has a dynamic response to cable winding direction that allows the cable to slide through freely on the up stroke, when it is under compression, but which vigorously scrapes the cable on the down strike, when it is under tension. The seal is a resilient, bellows shaped unit with a flared throat that changes from a divergent, cable passing shape to a convergent, cable grabbing shape. the shape change is caused by the axial force of the cable changing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Julian N. Smith
  • Patent number: 4727290
    Abstract: An automatic vehicle headlamp dimming control is the type having an operator controlled first voltage divider across a power supply, a light sensitive resistance connected in electrical series with an electrically controlled variable resistance in a second voltage divider across the output of the first voltage divider, an energizing circuit adapted to energize the headlamp system from the power supply at high or low intensity in response to the output of the second voltage divider compared to a fixed reference voltage and first electric feedback means from the energizing circuit to the electrically controlled variable resistance for producing hysteresis feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Julian N. Smith, James M. Lawlis