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).

  • Patent number: 10975851
    Abstract: An actuator system includes a shaft hub having a shaft and one or more rotation arms coupled to the shaft, one or more shape memory alloy springs coupled to the one or more rotation arms, and as a voltage source configured to apply a voltage to the one or more shape memory alloy springs. The voltage causes the one or more shape memory alloy springs to change in size or shape, thereby applying a force to the one or more rotation arms and causing the shaft hub to rotate. The actuator system also includes a processing circuit configured to receive an indication of a desired incremental rotation for the shaft hub and apply a voltage corresponding to the desired incremental rotation to the one or more shape memory alloy springs, causing the shaft and the shaft hub to rotate about a central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kirk P. Henderson, John T. Pierson, Julie Ahl, Kevin A. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20200378517
    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: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kevin Weiss, Gary A. Romanowich, Stephanie P. Lynn, Russell T. Jenks
  • Patent number: 10844966
    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: November 24, 2020
    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
  • Publication number: 20200331647
    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 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Delkor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Weiss, Aaron J. Donlon, Scott C. Risnes
  • Publication number: 20200309102
    Abstract: An actuator system includes a shaft hub having a shaft and one or more rotation arms coupled to the shaft, one or more shape memory alloy springs coupled to the one or more rotation arms, and as a voltage source configured to apply a voltage to the one or more shape memory alloy springs. The voltage causes the one or more shape memory alloy springs to change in size or shape, thereby applying a force to the one or more rotation arms and causing the shaft hub to rotate. The actuator system also includes a processing circuit configured to receive an indication of a desired incremental rotation for the shaft hub and apply a voltage corresponding to the desired incremental rotation to the one or more shape memory alloy springs, causing the shaft and the shaft hub to rotate about a central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Kirk P. Henderson, John T. Pierson, Julie Ahl, Kevin A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 10760513
    Abstract: A method of increasing parasitic load on an internal combustion engine includes injecting a fuel into a combustion chamber of an active cylinder of the internal combustion engine, combusting the injected fuel in the combustion chamber of the active cylinder, and determining that increasing a temperature of an exhaust aftertreatment device is required. The method includes increasing a parasitic load on the internal combustion engine by deactivating a cylinder, wherein no fuel is injected in the deactivated cylinder for a combustion cycle of the internal combustion engine, and further increasing the parasitic load by pulsing a spill valve member of a spill valve of a fuel injector in the deactivated cylinder between a fully closed position and an at least partially open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer Huhn, Wade J. Robel, Lifeng Wang, Dana Coldren, Kevin Weiss
  • Patent number: 10684029
    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: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Alexander, Christopher Merkl, Gary A. Romanowich, Bernard Clement, Kevin Weiss
  • Publication number: 20200136677
    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: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    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
  • Publication number: 20200088437
    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: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Alexander, Christopher Merkl, Gary A. Romanowich, Bernard Clement, Kevin Weiss
  • Publication number: 20200088436
    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: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Alexander, Christopher Merkl, Gary A. Romanowich, Bernard Clement, Kevin Weiss
  • Patent number: 10571304
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Alexander, Gary A. Romanowich, Russell T. Jenks, Cory C. Strebe, Kevin A. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20200010234
    Abstract: A package assembly suitable for use in storing and shipping a plurality of product containers includes a shipping configuration and a display configuration. In the shipping configuration the package assembly is constructed from a single blank of packaging material and formed into a case into which a plurality of product containers are inserted. In the display configuration a top portion of the case is removed from a bottom portion of the case along one or more tear lines on the blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Delkor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Gessler, JR., Kevin Weiss
  • Publication number: 20190353389
    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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Russell T. Jenks, Cory C. Strebe, Kevin A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 10465803
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    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
  • Patent number: 10421580
    Abstract: A package assembly suitable for use in storing and shipping a plurality of product containers includes a shipping configuration and a display configuration. In the shipping configuration the package assembly is constructed from a single blank of packaging material and formed into a case into which a plurality of product containers are inserted. In the display configuration a top portion of the case is removed from a bottom portion of the case along one or more tear lines on the blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Delkor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Gessler, Jr., Kevin Weiss
  • Publication number: 20190222265
    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: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    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
  • Publication number: 20190152643
    Abstract: A package assembly suitable for use in storing and shipping a plurality of product containers includes a shipping configuration and a display configuration. In the shipping configuration the package assembly is constructed from a single blank of packaging material and formed into a case into which a plurality of product containers are inserted. In the display configuration a top portion of the case is removed from a bottom portion of the case along one or more tear lines on the blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Delkor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Gessler, JR., Kevin Weiss
  • Patent number: 10291292
    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: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    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: 10203671
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Romanowich, Kevin A. Weiss, Jeff S. Flannery, Russell W. Diamond, Robert K. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20180239371
    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: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    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