Patents by Inventor Kent S. Maune

Kent S. Maune 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: 20240167709
    Abstract: A damper (e.g., a safety damper) includes a sensor configured to provide a damper blade position signal indicative of a position of one or more damper blades and a communication interface configured to provide a damper identification and a damper blade position information associated with the damper blade position signal at periodic intervals or in response to a change in position. The damper identification and damper position information can be provided to fire safety equipment, another damper, or a safety panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Kent S. Maune, Timothy A. Vogel
  • Patent number: 11754312
    Abstract: A damper of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a crank configured to rotate about an axis of a shaft relative to a support, a reset arm configured to rotate about the axis of the shaft relative to the support, a spring coupled to the crank and the reset arm, and a fuse link configured to be coupled to the reset arm and the support in a set configuration and to release the reset arm from the support in response to a temperature exceeding a threshold temperature. The crank and the reset arm are configured to rotate away from the support in a first circumferential direction toward a closed configuration in response to the fuse link releasing the reset arm from the support. A spring force of the spring is configured to increase to enable the reset arm to rotate in a second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction beyond the set configuration and into a reset configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: AIR DISTRIBUTION TECHNOLOGIES IP, LLC
    Inventors: Edward N. Koop, Vikas A. Patil, Jeffrey S. Beneke, Kent S. Maune, Michael A. Wingert
  • Patent number: 11555623
    Abstract: A firestat for providing an output for controlling an opening and closing of a fire/smoke damper. The firestat includes a fire/smoke damper test switch and an actuator configured to depress the fire/smoke damper test switch. The firestat is further configured to release the fire/smoke damper test switch in response to a depressing force applied to the actuator, wherein melting or other damage to the actuator causes a release of the test switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: AIR DISTRIBUTION TECHNOLOGIES IP, LLC
    Inventors: Edward N. Koop, Jeffrey Scott Beneke, Kent S. Maune, Vikas Ashok Patil, Raguraman Gnanavadivel
  • Publication number: 20220349615
    Abstract: A damper of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a crank configured to rotate about an axis of a shaft relative to a support, a reset arm configured to rotate about the axis of the shaft relative to the support, a spring coupled to the crank and the reset arm, and a fuse link configured to be coupled to the reset arm and the support in a set configuration and to release the reset arm from the support in response to a temperature exceeding a threshold temperature. The crank and the reset arm are configured to rotate away from the support in a first circumferential direction toward a closed configuration in response to the fuse link releasing the reset arm from the support. A spring force of the spring is configured to increase to enable the reset arm to rotate in a second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction beyond the set configuration and into a reset configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Edward N. Koop, Vikas A. Patil, Jeffrey S. Beneke, Kent S. Maune, Michael A. Wingert
  • Patent number: 11460217
    Abstract: A cam assembly for selectively contacting an end-of-stroke damper position switch. The cam assembly includes a first cam that is rotatable about a first axis, and a position lever that is connected to and rotates with the cam assembly. The position lever is configured to be connected to an opening and closing mechanism of the damper and the cam assembly is adjustable to contact a first end-of-stroke damper position switch at the end-of-stroke of the opening and closing mechanism of the damper regardless of the position of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: AIR DISTRIBUTION TECHNOLOGIES IP, LLC
    Inventors: Edward N. Koop, Jeffrey Scott Beneke, Kent S. Maune, Vikas Ashok Patil, Raguraman Gnanavadivel
  • Patent number: 11273335
    Abstract: A fire damper actuation system in an HVAC system includes a damper system and an actuator system. The damper system includes damper blades rotatable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, a crank arm assembly configured to drive the damper blades, a spring assembly configured to be held in a loaded condition when the damper blades are in the open configuration, a temperature-activated fusible link, and a fusible link arm coupling the temperature-activated fusible link to the crank arm assembly. The actuator system includes a motor and a drive device. The drive device is coupled to the crank arm assembly and the temperature-activated fusible link. Operation of the drive device by the motor between a first end stop location and a second end stop location simultaneously rotates the crank arm assembly and the temperature-activated fusible link to complete a test inspection procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Russell T. Jenks, Kyle M. Bero, Myles S. McCaleb, Nicholas P. Prato, Stephanie P. Lynn, Kent S. Maune
  • Patent number: 11264197
    Abstract: A resetting element for transmitting resetting force to a thermal switch. The resetting element includes a first end and an elastic element configured to transmit a force received at the first end to the reset switch of the thermal switch, wherein the elastic element is prevents damage to the thermal switch by decreasing the force transmitted to the reset switch from the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Air Distribution Technologies IP, LLC
    Inventors: Edward N. Koop, Jeffrey Scott Beneke, Kent S. Maune, Raguraman Gnanavadivel, Vikas Ashok Patil
  • Publication number: 20210270481
    Abstract: A firestat for providing an output for controlling an opening and closing of a fire/smoke damper. The firestat includes a fire/smoke damper test switch and an actuator configured to depress the fire/smoke damper test switch. The firestat is further configured to release the fire/smoke damper test switch in response to a depressing force applied to the actuator, wherein melting or other damage to the actuator causes a release of the test switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Edward N. KOOP, Jeffrey Scott BENEKE, Kent S. MAUNE, Vikas Ashok PATIL, Raguraman GNANAVADIVEL
  • Publication number: 20210270492
    Abstract: A cam assembly for selectively contacting an end-of-stroke damper position switch. The cam assembly includes a first cam that is rotatable about a first axis, and a position lever that is connected to and rotates with the cam assembly. The position lever is configured to be connected to an opening and closing mechanism of the damper and the cam assembly is adjustable to contact a first end-of-stroke damper position switch at the end-of-stroke of the opening and closing mechanism of the damper regardless of the position of the lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Edward N. KOOP, Jeffrey Scott BENEKE, Kent S. MAUNE, Vikas Ashok PATIL, Raguraman GNANAVADIVEL
  • Publication number: 20210272764
    Abstract: A resetting element for transmitting resetting force to a thermal switch. The resetting element includes a first end and an elastic element configured to transmit a force received at the first end to the reset switch of the thermal switch, wherein the elastic element is prevents damage to the thermal switch by decreasing the force transmitted to the reset switch from the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Edward N. KOOP, Jeffrey Scott BENEKE, Kent S. MAUNE, Raguraman GNANAVADIVEL, Vikas Ashok PATIL
  • Patent number: 10697666
    Abstract: A single piece roll-formed frame comprising a first channel having a base section and one or more legs, each leg comprising an upper side extending from the base section at a first angle and a lower side extending from the upper side at a second angle, a second channel having a base section and one or more legs, each leg comprising an upper side extending from the base section at the first angle and a lower side extending from the upper side at the second angle and wherein the base section of the first channel and the base section of the second channel are formed from a single piece and intersect to form a third angle, and the upper side of each leg of the first channel overlaps the upper side of each leg of the second channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Air Distribution Technologies IP, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Beneke, Kent S. Maune
  • Publication number: 20180311519
    Abstract: A fire damper actuation system in an HVAC system includes a damper system and an actuator system. The damper system includes damper blades rotatable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, a crank arm assembly configured to drive the damper blades, a spring assembly configured to be held in a loaded condition when the damper blades are in the open configuration, a temperature-activated fusible link, and a fusible link arm coupling the temperature-activated fusible link to the crank arm assembly. The actuator system includes a motor and a drive device. The drive device is coupled to the crank arm assembly and the temperature-activated fusible link. Operation of the drive device by the motor between a first end stop location and a second end stop location simultaneously rotates the crank arm assembly and the temperature-activated fusible link to complete a test inspection procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Russell T. Jenks, Kyle M. Bero, Myles S. McCaleb, Nicholas P. Prato, Stephanie P. Lynn, Kent S. Maune
  • Publication number: 20180087802
    Abstract: A single piece roll-formed frame comprising a first channel having a base section and one or more legs, each leg comprising an upper side extending from the base section at a first angle and a lower side extending from the upper side at a second angle, a second channel having a base section and one or more legs, each leg comprising an upper side extending from the base section at the first angle and a lower side extending from the upper side at the second angle and wherein the base section of the first channel and the base section of the second channel are formed from a single piece and intersect to form a third angle, and the upper side of each leg of the first channel overlaps the upper side of each leg of the second channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Beneke, Kent S. Maune
  • Publication number: 20150118951
    Abstract: A single piece roll-formed frame comprising a first channel having a base section and one or more legs, each leg comprising an upper side extending from the base section at a first angle and a lower side extending from the upper side at a second angle, a second channel having a base section and one or more legs, each leg comprising an upper side extending from the base section at the first angle and a lower side extending from the upper side at the second angle and wherein the base section of the first channel and the base section of the second channel are formed from a single piece and intersect to form a third angle, and the upper side of each leg of the first channel overlaps the upper side of each leg of the second channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: RUSKIN COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Beneke, Kent S. Maune