Patents by Inventor Kevin A. Weiss
Kevin A. Weiss 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).
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Publication number: 20190222265Abstract: A sensor in a building HVAC system includes a transducer configured to measure a variable in the building HVAC system and to generate a sensor reading indicating a value of the measured variable. The sensor includes a communications interface configured to provide the sensor reading to a control device in the building HVAC system and a near field communication (NFC) circuit separate from the communications interface. The NFC circuit is configured to facilitate bidirectional NFC data communications between the sensor and a mobile device. The sensor includes a processing circuit having a processor and memory. The processing circuit is configured to wirelessly transmit data stored in the memory of the sensor to the mobile device via the NFC circuit, wirelessly receive data from the mobile device via the NFC circuit, and store the data received from the mobile device in the memory of the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Daniel R. Rumler, Steven L. Whitsitt, Robert K. Alexander, Christopher Merkl, Gary A. Romanowich, Bernard Clement, Kevin A. Weiss
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Patent number: 10291292Abstract: A sensor in a building HVAC system includes a transducer configured to measure a variable in the building HVAC system and to generate a sensor reading indicating a value of the measured variable. The sensor includes a communications interface configured to provide the sensor reading to a control device in the building HVAC system and a near field communication (NFC) circuit separate from the communications interface. The NFC circuit is configured to facilitate bidirectional NFC data communications between the sensor and a mobile device. The sensor includes a processing circuit having a processor and memory. The processing circuit is configured to wirelessly transmit data stored in the memory of the sensor to the mobile device via the NFC circuit, wirelessly receive data from the mobile device via the NFC circuit, and store the data received from the mobile device in the memory of the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Daniel R. Rumler, Steven L. Whitsitt, Robert K. Alexander, Christopher Merkl, Gary A. Romanowich, Bernard Clement, Kevin A. Weiss
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Patent number: 10203671Abstract: An actuator in an HVAC system includes a housing, a motor, a hub configured to receive a shaft, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to operate the actuator in at least a first speed mode and a second speed mode that is faster than the first speed mode. The processing circuit is further configured to perform a calibration process for the actuator. The calibration process includes temporarily shifting the actuator from the first speed mode to the second speed mode and driving the shaft through a predetermined sequence of positions with the actuator in the second speed mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2015Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Gary A. Romanowich, Kevin A. Weiss, Jeff S. Flannery, Russell W. Diamond, Robert K. Alexander
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Publication number: 20180238577Abstract: An integrated device in an HVAC system is configured to modify an environmental condition of a building. The integrated device includes a valve configured to regulate a flow of a fluid through a conduit and an actuator. The actuator includes a motor and a drive device. The drive device is driven by the motor and coupled to the valve for driving the valve between multiple positions. The integrated device further includes a processing circuit coupled to the motor. The processing circuit is configured to detect device identifying information for the valve or the actuator and to detect the integrated device location within the building.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Kirk H. Drees, Herbert J. Doll, Gerald A. Duenkel, Marcello Passoni, Abu Bakr Khan, Kevin A. Weiss, Christopher Merkl, Gary A. Romanowich, Joe Mann, Hunter Hobgood, Dinesh Trikha, Rick A. Van Buren, Nicholas P. Prato
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Publication number: 20180239371Abstract: A building management system is configured to modify an environmental condition of a building. The building management system includes a valve assembly, an actuator device, and a network sensor device. The actuator device includes a motor, a drive device driven by the motor and coupled to the valve assembly, and a controller coupled to the motor. The controller includes a microprocessor and a control application configured to enable closed loop control of the valve assembly. The network sensor device is communicably coupled to the actuator device and configured to measure an environmental property. The control application is configured to perform the closed loop control of the valve assembly based on an input control signal from a mobile device and the measured environmental property from the network sensor device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Kirk H. Drees, Herbert J. Doll, Gerald A. Duenkel, Marcello Passoni, Russell T. Jenks, Duane S. Freimuth, Kyle M. Bero, Kevin A. Weiss, Abu Bakr Khan
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Publication number: 20180094735Abstract: A multipurpose valve tool is provided. The multipurpose valve tool includes multiple flow control discs, a retention ring, and a valve key. The flow control discs are configured to be installed within a valve body of a valve assembly to modulate a flow of fluid through an outlet port of the valve body. The retention ring is configured to retain the flow control discs on a component of the valve assembly when the flow control discs are not installed within the valve body. The valve key includes a first end configured to engage an installation feature in a retention fastener for one of the flow control discs. The flow control discs, the retention ring, and the valve key are detachably coupled to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Bernard P. Clement, Brian D. Klarkowski, Duane S. Freimuth, Kevin A. Weiss, Russell T. Jenks, Kyle M. Bero, Nicholas P. Prato, Gary A. Romanowich
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Publication number: 20180094737Abstract: A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve body having a valve chamber and multiple ports into the valve chamber. The multiple ports include a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port and the second port are aligned with a common axis and located on opposite sides of the valve chamber. The system further includes a valve member controllably movable relative to the valve body and configured to modulate fluid flow through the valve assembly and a valve stem coupled to the valve member. The valve stem extends from the valve body and includes a keying feature that ensures correct orientation of the valve member relative to an actuator. The actuator is configured to controllably move the valve member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Bernard P. Clement, Brian D. Klarkowski, Duane S. Freimuth, Kevin A. Weiss, Russell T. Jenks, Kyle M. Bero, Nicholas P. Prato, Gary A. Romanowich
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Publication number: 20180094736Abstract: A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve body having a valve chamber and a plurality of ports into the valve chamber. The plurality of ports include a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port and the second port are aligned with a common axis and located on opposite sides of the valve chamber. The system further includes a valve member located within the valve chamber. The valve member is a rotatable ball having a fluid passage that extends through the ball and includes an opening at the end of the ball. The fluid passage is substantially oval-shaped when viewed at the opening in a direction parallel to the fluid passage. The valve assembly further includes a valve stem that is coupled to a valve member and has a first end that extends from the valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Bernard P. Clement, Brian D. Klarkowski, Duane S. Freimuth, Kevin A. Weiss, Russell T. Jenks, Kyle M. Bero, Nicholas P. Prato, Gary A. Romanowich
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Publication number: 20180094733Abstract: A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve body having a valve chamber and a plurality of ports into the valve chamber. The plurality of ports include a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port and the second port are aligned with a common axis and located on opposite sides of the valve chamber. The system further includes a valve member located within the valve chamber. The valve member is a rotatable ball having a fluid passage that extends through the ball and includes an opening at the end of the ball. The fluid passage is substantially oval-shaped when viewed at the opening in a direction parallel to the fluid passage. The valve assembly further includes a valve stem that is coupled to a valve member and has a first end that extends from the valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Bernard P. Clement, Brian D. Klarkowski, Duane S. Freimuth, Kevin A. Weiss, Russell T. Jenks, Kyle M. Bero, Nicholas P. Prato, Gary A. Romanowich
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Publication number: 20170146256Abstract: An actuator in a HVAC system includes an inductive sensor, a conductive target, and a controller. The conductive target has multiple different portions that become aligned with the inductive sensor as a position of the actuator changes. Each of the multiple different portions have a different inductance. The controller receives a signal from the inductive sensor indicating an observed inductance of the portion of the conductive target aligned with the inductive sensor. The controller uses a stored relationship between the observed inductance and the position of the actuator to determine the position of the actuator based on the observed inductance. The controller operates the actuator to change the position of the actuator based on the determined position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Robert K. Alexander, Gary A. Romanowich, Russell T. Jenks, Cory C. Strebe, Kevin A. Weiss
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Publication number: 20160294446Abstract: A sensor in a building HVAC system includes a transducer configured to measure a variable in the building HVAC system and to generate a sensor reading indicating a value of the measured variable. The sensor includes a communications interface configured to provide the sensor reading to a control device in the building HVAC system and a near field communication (NFC) circuit separate from the communications interface. The NFC circuit is configured to facilitate bidirectional NFC data communications between the sensor and a mobile device. The sensor includes a processing circuit having a processor and memory. The processing circuit is configured to wirelessly transmit data stored in the memory of the sensor to the mobile device via the NFC circuit, wirelessly receive data from the mobile device via the NFC circuit, and store the data received from the mobile device in the memory of the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Daniel R. Rumler, Steven L. Whitsitt, Robert K. Alexander, Christopher Merkl, Gary A. Romanowich, Bernard Clement, Kevin A. Weiss
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Publication number: 20150260425Abstract: An actuator in an HVAC system includes a housing, a motor, a hub configured to receive a shaft, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to operate the actuator in at least a first speed mode and a second speed mode that is faster than the first speed mode. The processing circuit is further configured to perform a calibration process for the actuator. The calibration process includes temporarily shifting the actuator from the first speed mode to the second speed mode and driving the shaft through a predetermined sequence of positions with the actuator in the second speed mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Gary A. Romanowich, Kevin A. Weiss, Jeff S. Flannery, Russell W. Diamond, Robert K. Alexander
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Patent number: 9062893Abstract: An actuator for moving a component of an HVAC system includes a housing, a motor, and a hub configured to receive a shaft. The actuator also includes a processing circuit configured to temporarily shift the actuator from a first speed mode to a second speed mode that is different than the first speed mode upon receiving an input signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANYInventors: Gary A. Romanowich, Kevin A. Weiss, Jeff S. Flannery, Russell W. Diamond, Robert K. Alexander
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Publication number: 20120290136Abstract: An actuator for moving a component of an HVAC system includes a housing, a motor, and a hub configured to receive a shaft. The actuator also includes a processing circuit configured to temporarily shift the actuator from a first speed mode to a second speed mode that is different than the first speed mode upon receiving an input signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2011Publication date: November 15, 2012Inventors: Gary A. Romanowich, Kevin A. Weiss, Jeff S. Flannery, Russell W. Diamond, Robert K. Alexander
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Patent number: 6097123Abstract: An actuator for an HVAC system includes a motor coupled by an electrically operated clutch to a gear train which drives an output connector. A spring is connected to the transmission to drive the output connector to a normal position in the event of a power failure. A control apparatus is connected to the transmission and provides the combined functions of a magnetic eddy current brake and a motion sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1999Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Kevin A. Weiss, Jeffery S. Flannery, Dennis J. Ulicny
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Patent number: 5970997Abstract: An apparatus for effecting actuation of a positioning member and a method for commissioning the apparatus wherein the apparatus includes a controller coupled to a drive motor and adapted to receive an input signal and to apply positioning signals to the drive motor. The positioning signals selectively effect positioning of the positioning member and determine a first position and a second position of the positioning member. The method for commissioning the apparatus selectively includes performing an end stop determination sequence in response to an end stop determination signal, winding a bias member, and determining a range of rotation for the positioning member. The end stop determination sequence seeks to detect the presence of both a load and spring when rotating the positioning member and biasing member, respectively, in one of a first and second direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1997Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Johnson Service CompanyInventors: Hugh F. Hudson, Dennis J. Ulicny, David R. Fuhr, Kevin A. Weiss, David C. Ritmanich, Peter J. Klomberg