Patents by Inventor Keith J. Reinhart

Keith J. Reinhart 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: 11927187
    Abstract: A compressor includes a shell, a bearing housing, an orbiting scroll, a non-orbiting scroll and a spacer. The bearing housing includes a central body and a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly from the central body. Each of the arms has a first aperture. The non-orbiting scroll is meshingly engaged with the orbiting scroll and includes a plurality of second apertures. Each second aperture receives a bushing defining a first longitudinal axis and a fastener defining a second longitudinal axis. The fastener extends through the bushing and into a corresponding one of the first apertures in the bearing housing. The spacer is disposed between the bushing and the fastener of each second aperture and is configured to engage one of the bushing and the fastener to restrict radial misalignment between the first longitudinal axis of the bushing and the second longitudinal axis of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Copeland LP
    Inventors: Harry B. Clendenin, Dennis D. Pax, Larry L Bingham, Keith J. Reinhart, Nicholas J. Altstadt
  • Publication number: 20220403844
    Abstract: A compressor includes a shell, a bearing housing, an orbiting scroll, a non-orbiting scroll and a spacer. The bearing housing includes a central body and a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly from the central body. Each of the arms has a first aperture. The non-orbiting scroll is meshingly engaged with the orbiting scroll and includes a plurality of second apertures. Each second aperture receives a bushing defining a first longitudinal axis and a fastener defining a second longitudinal axis. The fastener extends through the bushing and into a corresponding one of the first apertures in the bearing housing. The spacer is disposed between the bushing and the fastener of each second aperture and is configured to engage one of the bushing and the fastener to restrict radial misalignment between the first longitudinal axis of the bushing and the second longitudinal axis of the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry B. CLENDENIN, Dennis D. PAX, Larry L. BINGHAM, Keith J. REINHART, Nicholas J. ALTSTADT
  • Patent number: 11248605
    Abstract: A compressor includes a shell, a compression mechanism and a fitting. The shell includes an opening and defines a chamber. The compression mechanism is disposed within the chamber of the shell. The fitting is attached to the shell at the opening. Working fluid flowing through the fitting flows to the compression mechanism. The opening is partially defined by a first edge and a second edge. The first edge includes a first planar surface and the second edge includes a second planar surface that faces the first planar surface. A first portion of the fitting extends at least partially into the opening and a second portion of the fitting abuts against the first and second edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Reinhart, Larry L. Bingham
  • Publication number: 20220034316
    Abstract: A compressor includes a shell, a compression mechanism and a fitting. The shell includes an opening and defines a chamber. The compression mechanism is disposed within the chamber of the shell. The fitting is attached to the shell at the opening. Working fluid flowing through the fitting flows to the compression mechanism. The opening is partially defined by a first edge and a second edge. The first edge includes a first planar surface and the second edge includes a second planar surface that faces the first planar surface. A first portion of the fitting extends at least partially into the opening and a second portion of the fitting abuts against the first and second edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. REINHART, Larry L. BINGHAM
  • Patent number: 9581161
    Abstract: A scroll machine can include a shell, a first scroll member, a second scroll member and a valve assembly. The valve assembly can permit intermediate pressure in the shell to flow to an area of suction pressure in the shell. The valve assembly can include a first valve manifold that selectively couples to the shell. A second valve manifold can slidably and non-threadably locate against the first valve manifold. A retainer can couple to the first valve manifold to capture the second valve manifold against the first valve manifold. A valve can selectively connect an intermediate flow exiting the shell through the first and second valve manifolds to a suction flow entering the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry L. Bingham, Keith J. Reinhart
  • Publication number: 20140140876
    Abstract: A scroll machine according to the present disclosure can include a shell, a first scroll member, a second scroll member and a valve assembly. The valve assembly can permit intermediate pressure in the shell to flow to an area of suction pressure in the shell. The valve assembly can include a first valve manifold that selectively couples to the shell. A second valve manifold can slidably and non-threadably locate against the first valve manifold. A retainer can couple to the first valve manifold to capture the second valve manifold against the first valve manifold. A valve can selectively connect an intermediate flow exiting the shell through the first and second valve manifolds to a suction flow entering the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry L. Bingham, Keith J. Reinhart
  • Patent number: 8702406
    Abstract: A compressor assembly method may include locating a first scroll member on a bearing housing of a compressor having a second scroll member located axially between the first scroll member and the bearing housing. A first outer radial surface on the bearing housing and a second outer radial surface on the first scroll member with an alignment assembly may be engaged to concentrically align the bearing housing and the first scroll member. The first scroll member may be coupled relative to the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Reinhart, Gary J. Diller
  • Publication number: 20120255174
    Abstract: A compressor assembly method may include locating a first scroll member on a bearing housing of a compressor having a second scroll member located axially between the first scroll member and the bearing housing. A first outer radial surface on the bearing housing and a second outer radial surface on the first scroll member with an alignment assembly may be engaged to concentrically align the bearing housing and the first scroll member. The first scroll member may be coupled relative to the bearing housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: KEITH J. REINHART, GARY J. DILLER
  • Patent number: 7988433
    Abstract: A compressor may include a shell assembly defining suction and discharge pressure regions, first and second scroll members disposed within the shell assembly, and a capacity modulation assembly. The first scroll member may include a first end plate defining a discharge passage, a biasing passage, a modulation port, a first spiral wrap extending from a first side of the first end plate, and an annular hub extending from a second side of the first end plate. The second scroll member may include a second spiral wrap meshingly engaged with the first spiral wrap forming a suction pocket in communication with the suction pressure region, intermediate compression pockets, and a discharge pocket in communication with the discharge passage. A first intermediate compression pocket may be in communication with the biasing passage and a second intermediate compression pocket may be in communication with the modulation port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Masao Akei, Roy J. Doepker, Keith J. Reinhart
  • Patent number: 7934914
    Abstract: A balancing system for different compressors utilizes a counterweight having a common exterior configuration. The mass of the counterweight is optimized for each compressor by changing the size of a recess located in the counterweight. In one embodiment, the recess is an arcuately shaped recess; and in another embodiment, the recess is a plurality of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J Reinhart, James A Schaefer, Eric P Cavender
  • Publication number: 20100254841
    Abstract: A compressor may include a shell assembly defining suction and discharge pressure regions, first and second scroll members disposed within the shell assembly, and a capacity modulation assembly. The first scroll member may include a first end plate defining a discharge passage, a biasing passage, a modulation port, a first spiral wrap extending from a first side of the first end plate, and an annular hub extending from a second side of the first end plate. The second scroll member may include a second spiral wrap meshingly engaged with the first spiral wrap forming a suction pocket in communication with the suction pressure region, intermediate compression pockets, and a discharge pocket in communication with the discharge passage. A first intermediate compression pocket may be in communication with the biasing passage and a second intermediate compression pocket may be in communication with the modulation port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Masao Akei, Roy J. Doepker, Keith J. Reinhart
  • Patent number: 7717687
    Abstract: A scroll compressor may include a shell, a bearing housing, first and second scroll members, and a ring member. The bearing housing may be supported within the shell and may include at least three axially extending arms. The first scroll member may be supported on the bearing housing and may include a circumferential outer surface. The second scroll member may be supported on the bearing housing and may be meshingly engaged with the first scroll member. The second scroll member may be disposed between the first scroll member and the bearing housing. The ring member may include an open center portion surrounding the circumferential outer surface of the first scroll member therein. A portion of the ring member may be disposed between the arms of the bearing housing and the circumferential outer surface of the first scroll member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith J. Reinhart
  • Publication number: 20080232990
    Abstract: A scroll compressor may include a shell, a bearing housing, first and second scroll members, and a ring member. The bearing housing may be supported within the shell and may include at least three axially extending arms. The first scroll member may be supported on the bearing housing and may include a circumferential outer surface. The second scroll member may be supported on the bearing housing and may be meshingly engaged with the first scroll member. The second scroll member may be disposed between the first scroll member and the bearing housing. The ring member may include an open center portion surrounding the circumferential outer surface of the first scroll member therein. A portion of the ring member may be disposed between the arms of the bearing housing and the circumferential outer surface of the first scroll member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Keith J. Reinhart
  • Publication number: 20080219872
    Abstract: A balancing system for different compressors utilizes a counterweight having a common exterior configuration. The mass of the counterweight is optimized for each compressor by changing the size of a recess located in the counterweight. In one embodiment, the recess is an arcuately shaped recess; and in another embodiment, the recess is a plurality of holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Keith J. Reinhart, James Anthony Schaefer, Eric P. Cavender
  • Patent number: 7390179
    Abstract: A balancing system for different compressors utilizes a counterweight having a common exterior configuration. The mass of the counterweight is optimized for each compressor by changing the size of a recess located in the counterweight. In one embodiment, the recess is an arcuately shaped recess; and in another embodiment, the recess is a plurality of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J Reinhart, James A Schaefer, Eric P Cavender
  • Patent number: 6709247
    Abstract: A compressor is driven by a drive shaft rotatably supported by a main bearing housing and a lower bearing housing. The main bearing housing positions a main bearing at or near a nodal point of the drive shaft during vibration by the drive shaft. The main bearing housing is designed such that the main bearing pivots during the vibration of the drive shaft in order to maintain surface contact between the bearing and the drive shaft to eliminate edge loading of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Harry B. Clendenin, Keith J. Reinhart, Wei Hain Sun, Troy R. Brostrom, Macinissa Mezache, Tom R. Hodapp
  • Patent number: 6572352
    Abstract: A suction fitting for a scroll machine is disclosed. The suction fitting is formed by a powder metal suction plate and a cast suction tube. The suction fitting is configured so that the powder metal suction plate is not subject to pressure gradients caused by the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventor: Keith J. Reinhart
  • Publication number: 20030072662
    Abstract: A suction fitting for a scroll machine is disclosed. The suction fitting is formed by a powder metal suction plate and a cast suction tube. The suction fitting is configured so that the powder metal suction plate is not subject to pressure gradients caused by the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Keith J. Reinhart