Patents by Inventor Kenneth E. Lutz, II

Kenneth E. Lutz, II 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: 11499746
    Abstract: A modular manifold for a tankless water heater includes a first cavity member having a first opening, a second opening, and a base wall; a second cavity member coupled to the first cavity member, the second cavity member having a first opening, a second opening, and a base wall; a first cover plate coupled to either the first cavity member or the second cavity member; and a second cover plate coupled to either the first cavity member or the second cavity member, wherein two openings in the first and second openings are covered by the first and second cover plates, respectively, and wherein the base walls of the first and second cavity members, the first and second cover plates, and the two openings in the first and second openings not covered by the first and second cover plates define a fluid flow path in the modular manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Bradford White Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Lutz, II, Larry Donald Hartman
  • Patent number: 11457513
    Abstract: A heating element including a preformed ceramic tubular body having a hollow cavity centrally located within, a heat-generating component disposed within the hollow cavity, and an air-displacement material disposed within the hollow cavity. The preformed ceramic tubular body is one of aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, and silicon nitride ceramic. The heat-generating component may be in electrical contact with the ceramic tubular body. The air-displacement material is magnesium oxide. Further, the heat-generating component and the air-displacement material are disposed within the hollow cavity of the preformed ceramic tubular body by way of at least one of a vibrating fill and a centrifuge for compaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Bradford White Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Lutz, II, Mark A. Figurski, Daniel James Thomas, Benjamin James Hull
  • Publication number: 20180302954
    Abstract: A heating element including a preformed ceramic tubular body having a hollow cavity centrally located within, a heat-generating component disposed within the hollow cavity, and an air-displacement material disposed within the hollow cavity. The preformed ceramic tubular body is one of aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, and silicon nitride ceramic. The heat-generating component may be in electrical contact with the ceramic tubular body. The air-displacement material is magnesium oxide. Further, the heat-generating component and the air-displacement material are disposed within the hollow cavity of the preformed ceramic tubular body by way of at least one of a vibrating fill and a centrifuge for compaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Lutz, II, Mark A. Figurski, Daniel James Thomas, Benjamin James Hull
  • Publication number: 20170159969
    Abstract: A modular manifold for a tankless water heater includes a first cavity member having a first opening, a second opening, and a base wall; a second cavity member coupled to the first cavity member, the second cavity member having a first opening, a second opening, and a base wall; a first cover plate coupled to either the first cavity member or the second cavity member; and a second cover plate coupled to either the first cavity member or the second cavity member, wherein two openings in the first and second openings are covered by the first and second cover plates, respectively, and wherein the base walls of the first and second cavity members, the first and second cover plates, and the two openings in the first and second openings not covered by the first and second cover plates define a fluid flow path in the modular manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Keltech, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Lutz, II, Larry Donald Hartman
  • Patent number: 9574792
    Abstract: A modular manifold for a tankless water heater includes a first cavity member and a second cavity member. The first cavity member includes a first opening, a second opening, and a first base wall. The second cavity member is coupled to the first cavity member and includes a first opening, a second opening, and a second base wall. Two of the openings are configured to receive a first conduit and a second conduit. The first and second base walls and the two openings that receive the first and second conduits define a fluid flow path through the modular manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Keltech, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Lutz, II, Larry Donald Hartman
  • Publication number: 20150345826
    Abstract: A modular manifold for a tankless water heater includes a first cavity member and a second cavity member. The first cavity member includes a first opening, a second opening, and a first base wall. The second cavity member is coupled to the first cavity member and includes a first opening, a second opening, and a second base wall. Two of the openings are configured to receive a first conduit and a second conduit. The first and second base walls and the two openings that receive the first and second conduits define a fluid flow path through the modular manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Lutz, II
  • Patent number: 7243381
    Abstract: An emergency water release device comprises heating elements adapted to heat water, a shower and an eyewash, a valve and a controller which sends a first signal to turn off at least one of the plurality of heating elements when a temperature of the water exceeds a predetermined limit, and when a flow rate of the water is reduced to a reduced flow rate, the valve opens so that water is dispersed away from both the shower and the eyewash in an amount equal to the difference between the flow rate and the reduced flow rate. The heating elements form a first set electrically connected in series which provides heat for water to be dispensed by the shower, a second set electrically connected in series which provides heat for water to be dispensed by the eyewash. The first and second set of heating elements can be connected in parallel. The controller may also be configured to send a signal to another valve to open so that unheated water is mixed with heated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Lutz, II
  • Patent number: 7007316
    Abstract: An emergency water release device comprises heating elements adapted to heat water, a shower and an eyewash, a valve and a controller which sends a first signal to turn off at least one of the plurality of heating elements when a temperature of the water exceeds a predetermined limit, and when a flow rate of the water is reduced to a reduced flow rate, the valve opens so that water is dispersed away from both the shower and the eyewash in an amount equal to the difference between the flow rate and the reduced flow rate. The heating elements form a first set electrically connected in series which provides heat for water to be dispensed by the shower, a second set electrically connected in series which provides heat for water to be dispensed by the eyewash. The first and second set of heating elements can be connected in parallel. The controller may also be configured to send a signal to another valve to open so that unheated water is mixed with heated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Keltech, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Lutz, II