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).

  • Publication number: 20230063574
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector housing having a fuel connector, and an outer housing surface extending around a longitudinal axis of the injector housing. The outer housing surface includes a cylindrical upper section, a cylindrical lower section, and a middle section. The fuel connector defines a connector axis oriented normal to a longitudinal axis of the injector housing and extending between a first connector end attached to the middle section, and a terminal connector end radially outward of the outer housing surface and having therein a fuel inlet. The fuel connector includes an outer connector surface having an unthreaded base section, and an externally threaded end section adjacent to the terminal connector end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Adam Bazyn, Kevin Weiss, Brenton William Bush
  • Publication number: 20230065121
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector housing having a fuel connector, and an outer housing surface extending around a longitudinal axis of the injector housing. The outer housing surface includes a cylindrical upper section, a cylindrical lower section, and a middle section. The fuel connector defines a connector axis oriented normal to a longitudinal axis of the injector housing and extending between a first connector end attached to the middle section, and a terminal connector end radially outward of the outer housing surface and having therein a fuel inlet. The fuel connector includes an outer connector surface having an unthreaded base section, and an externally threaded end section adjacent to the terminal connector end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Adam Bazyn, Kevin Weiss, Brenton William Bush
  • Patent number: 11566805
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Kirk H. Drees, Herbert J. Doll, Gerald A. Duenkel, Marcello Passoni, Abu Bakr Khan, Kevin A. Weiss, Christopher Merkl, Gary A. Romanowich, Joseph F. Mann, Hunter Hobgood, Dinesh Trikha, Rick A. Van Buren, Nicholas P. Prato
  • Publication number: 20220397070
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for controlling an internal combustion engine system including an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve and a variable-geometry turbocharger (VGT) having a compressor and a turbine includes receiving a plurality of requests for the internal combustion engine system. The method also includes predicting a plurality of expected states of the internal combustion engine system based on the plurality of requests and generating sets of candidate control points for actuating the EGR valve and the VGT based on the plurality of expected states. The method further includes selecting a set of candidate control points that avoids a surge condition of the compressor and based on the selected set of candidate control points, generating commands for actuating the EGR valve and the VGT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin WEISS, Adam Zuk, Ryan C. Eveler, Timothy A. Bazyn, Sylvain J. Charbonnel
  • Publication number: 20220275963
    Abstract: A flow control device for controlling flow in a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system is shown. The flow control device includes a valve body including an inlet path, an outlet path, a valve member, and a valve stem coupled to the valve member. The flow control device includes a first sensor configured to obtain pressure measurements within the valve body, a second sensor configured to obtain displacement measurements of the valve stem, and a controller including a processing circuit configured to determine a flowrate based at least on the pressure measurements from the first sensor and the displacement measurements from the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jason J. Raasch, Christopher Brophy, Kevin A. Weiss, Duane S. Freimuth
  • Publication number: 20220227514
    Abstract: A customizable case former and it system and method of use provide for a case former having a base, interchangeable case gages and forming heads. Contained within the interior of the base are slide blocks mounted on slide rails and assemblies in such a manner as to allow the slide blocks to be slidingly reconfigured to form a case forming cavity of varicose sizes and shapes. The size and shape of the case forming cavity is established and maintained by a template opening, defined by, and potentially unique to, each case gage. The size and shape of the forming head corresponds to the size and shape of the template opening. The slide blocks are secured to the case gage by removable locking pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: Delkor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Risnes, Aaron J. Donlon, Kevin Weiss
  • Patent number: 11391223
    Abstract: A controller may identify an indication to initiate an engine braking procedure associated with an engine of a machine. The controller may obtain, based on identifying the indication to initiate the engine braking procedure, information relating to a requested amount of engine braking power of the engine. The controller may cause one or more components of a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) of the engine to adjust, and a throttle valve of the engine to adjust, based on the information relating to the requested amount of engine braking power of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Wade James Robel, Spencer Landon Huhn, Kevin Weiss, John Robert McDonald, Jason Kenneth Bloms
  • Publication number: 20220155384
    Abstract: A method of determining a lifetime parameter of a capacitor in a failsafe device includes measuring an amount of energy required to return the failsafe device to a failsafe position, measuring an effective capacitance of the capacitor, and comparing the amount of energy to the effective capacitance to determine the lifetime parameter of the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Mattia Lovati, Christopher J. Merkl, George J. Dietz, Gary A. Romanowich, Kevin A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 11292629
    Abstract: A customizable case former and it system and method of use provide for a case former having a base, interchangeable case gages and forming heads. Contained within the interior of the base are slide blocks mounted on slide rails and assemblies in such a manner as to allow the slide blocks to be slidingly reconfigured to form a case forming cavity of varicose sizes and shapes. The size and shape of the case forming cavity is established and maintained by a template opening, defined by, and potentially unique to, each case gage. The size and shape of the forming head corresponds to the size and shape of the template opening. The slide blocks are secured to the case gage by removable locking pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Delkor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Risnes, Aaron J. Donlon, Kevin Weiss
  • Patent number: 11280424
    Abstract: An actuator includes a drive device, and energy storage element and an actuator controller. The energy storage element is charged during operation of the actuator using power from an external power source. The drive device drives a valve member to a failsafe setpoint using energy from the energy storage element in the event of a power loss during operation of the actuator. The actuator controller provides a drive signal to the drive device indicating the valve member orientation (i.e. the failsafe setpoint) to which the drive device is to drive the valve member. The failsafe setpoint is determined based on the last fluid source that was controlled by the actuator of the fluid system prior to the power outage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Kevin A. Weiss, Gary A. Romanowich, Stephanie P. Lynn, Russell T. Jenks
  • Publication number: 20220056854
    Abstract: A controller may identify an indication to initiate an engine braking procedure associated with an engine of a machine. The controller may obtain, based on identifying the indication to initiate the engine braking procedure, information relating to a requested amount of engine braking power of the engine. The controller may cause one or more components of a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) of the engine to adjust, and a throttle valve of the engine to adjust, based on the information relating to the requested amount of engine braking power of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Wade James ROBEL, Spencer Landon HUHN, Kevin WEISS, John Robert McDONALD, Jason Kenneth BLOMS
  • Publication number: 20210359721
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Daniel R. Rumler, Steven L. Whitsitt, Robert K. Alexander, Christopher Merkl, Gary A. Romanowich, Bernard Clement, Kevin A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 11168919
    Abstract: A removable circuit card assembly configured to be inserted into an HVAC device is provided. The removable circuit card assembly includes a printed wiring board, an enclosure cap coupled to the printed wiring board, and a dual in-line package (DIP) switch component coupled to the printed wiring board. The DIP switch component includes multiple DIP switches. Each of the DIP switches is configured to be actuated between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Russell T. Jenks, Cory C. Strebe, Kevin A. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20210332997
    Abstract: An actuator in a HVAC system includes a mechanical transducer, a processing circuit, a wireless transceiver, and a power circuit. The processing circuit includes a processor and memory and is configured to operate the mechanical transducer according to a control program stored in the memory. The wireless transceiver is configured to facilitate bidirectional wireless data communications between the processing circuit and an external device. The power circuit is configured to draw power from a wireless signal received via the wireless transceiver and power the processing circuit and the wireless transceiver using the drawn power. The processing circuit is configured to use the power drawn from the wireless signal to wirelessly transmit data stored in the memory of the actuator to the external device via the wireless transceiver, wirelessly receive data from the external device via the wireless transceiver, and store the data received from the external device in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Alexander, Christopher Merkl, Gary A. Romanowich, Bernard Clement, Kevin Weiss
  • Patent number: 11121741
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Daniel R. Rumler, Steven L. Whitsitt, Robert K. Alexander, Christopher Merkl, Gary A. Romanowich, Bernard Clement, Kevin A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 11042171
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 11029048
    Abstract: An actuator in a HVAC system includes a mechanical transducer, a processing circuit, a wireless transceiver, and a power circuit. The processing circuit includes a processor and memory and is configured to operate the mechanical transducer according to a control program stored in the memory. The wireless transceiver is configured to facilitate bidirectional wireless data communications between the processing circuit and an external device. The power circuit is configured to draw power from a wireless signal received via the wireless transceiver and power the processing circuit and the wireless transceiver using the drawn power. The processing circuit is configured to use the power drawn from the wireless signal to wirelessly transmit data stored in the memory of the actuator to the external device via the wireless transceiver, wirelessly receive data from the external device via the wireless transceiver, and store the data received from the external device in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Alexander, Christopher Merkl, Gary A. Romanowich, Bernard Clement, Kevin Weiss
  • Patent number: 11022332
    Abstract: An actuator in a HVAC system includes a mechanical transducer, a processing circuit, a wireless transceiver, and a power circuit. The processing circuit includes a processor and memory and is configured to operate the mechanical transducer according to a control program stored in the memory. The wireless transceiver is configured to facilitate bidirectional wireless data communications between the processing circuit and an external device. The power circuit is configured to draw power from a wireless signal received via the wireless transceiver and power the processing circuit and the wireless transceiver using the drawn power. The processing circuit is configured to use the power drawn from the wireless signal to wirelessly transmit data stored in the memory of the actuator to the external device via the wireless transceiver, wirelessly receive data from the external device via the wireless transceiver, and store the data received from the external device in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Alexander, Christopher Merkl, Gary A. Romanowich, Bernard Clement, Kevin Weiss
  • Patent number: 11018720
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Daniel R. Rumler, Steven L. Whitsitt, Robert K. Alexander, Christopher Merkl, Gary A. Romanowich, Bernard Clement, Kevin A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 11002368
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Bernard P. Clement, Brian D. Klarkowski, Duane S. Freimuth, Kevin A. Weiss, Russell T. Jenks, Kyle M. Bero, Nicholas P. Prato, Gary A. Romanowich