Patents by Inventor Larry L. Lutton

Larry L. Lutton 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: 7293718
    Abstract: A heating or cooling system, such as an HVAC system, of variable output has a number of control elements and may include a variable speed compressor, a variable speed combustion (induced or forced draft) blower motor; a variable speed circulator blower motor; a variable output gas valve or gas/air premix unit; and a controller specifically developed for variable output applications. The system may utilize a pressure sensor to determine the actual flow of combustion airflow in response to actual space conditions, vary the speed of the inducer blower, and subsequently vary the gas valve output to supply the correct amount of gas to the burner system. A temperature sensor may be located in the discharge air stream of the conditioned air to provide an input signal for the circulator blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Varidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Sigafus, Ralph H. Torborg, James W. Ratz, Larry L. Lutton
  • Patent number: 6866202
    Abstract: A heating or cooling system, such as an HVAC system, of variable output has a number of control elements and may include a variable speed compressor, a variable speed combustion (induced or forced draft) blower motor; a variable speed circulator blower motor; a variable output gas valve or gas/air premix unit; and a controller specifically developed for variable output applications. The system may utilize a pressure sensor to determine the actual flow of combustion airflow in response to actual space conditions, vary the speed of the inducer blower, and subsequently vary the gas valve output to supply the correct amount of gas to the burner system. A temperature sensor may be located in the discharge air stream of the conditioned air to provide an input signal for the circulator blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Varidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Sigafus, Ralph H. Torborg, James W. Ratz, Larry L. Lutton
  • Patent number: 6864659
    Abstract: An HVAC system has at least one variable speed controller for an AC induction motor, especially of the Permanent Split Capacitor (PSC) type. The variable speed controller provides switched power via a modulating triac to the main coils of the motor and constant power via an on/off triac to the auxiliary coils during operation. A large value capacitor is placed in line with the auxiliary coils to reduce power consumption and current draw over that of known systems. Power to the motor can be turned off to provide for motor speed sensing through monitoring the frequency of a generated voltage when the power is turned off. Frequency-based motor speed sensing is accomplished by shutting off all current to the motor and measuring zero crossings on the generated voltage of the decaying magnetic field. The controller can be easily retrofitted onto existing motors. An optional controller bypass is provided to run the motor at rated speed in case of controller failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Varidigm Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Ratz, Paul E. Sigafus, Larry L. Lutton, Nickolas G. Vrionis
  • Publication number: 20040251344
    Abstract: A pressure sensor system suitable for HVAC airflow control applications includes a simple probe tube as a part of a simple probe tube assembly of economical design located in a low turbulence, high velocity airflow area, such as the bell-mouthed flow ring surrounding a blower motor, and has low parasitic effect on the airflow. In certain aspects of the invention the simple probe tube assembly is connected to one side of an economical differential pressure sensor transducer which can be used to monitor airflow, either directly, or in conjunction with other data, in order to control the airflow of the HVAC application. The pressure sensor system is easily retrofitted to existing HVAC applications and does not cause significant airflow restriction as may result from pitot tube or orifice plate measuring devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Varidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Larry L. Lutton, Robert M. Bowman
  • Publication number: 20030059730
    Abstract: A heating or cooling system, such as an HVAC system, of variable output has a number of control elements and may include a variable speed compressor, a variable speed combustion (induced or forced draft) blower motor; a variable speed circulator blower motor; a variable output gas valve or gas/air premix unit; and a controller specifically developed for variable output applications. The system may utilize a pressure sensor to determine the actual flow of combustion airflow in response to actual space conditions, vary the speed of the inducer blower, and subsequently vary the gas valve output to supply the correct amount of gas to the burner system. A temperature sensor may be located in the discharge air stream of the conditioned air to provide an input signal for the circulator blower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Paul E. Sigafus, Ralph H. Torborg, James W. Ratz, Larry L. Lutton
  • Publication number: 20030030408
    Abstract: An HVAC system has at least one variable speed controller for an AC induction motor, especially of the Permanent Split Capacitor (PSC) type. The variable speed controller provides switched power via a modulating triac to the main coils of the motor and constant power via an on/off triac to the auxiliary coils during operation. A large value capacitor is placed in line with the auxiliary coils to reduce power consumption and current draw over that of known systems. Power to the motor can be turned off to provide for motor speed sensing through monitoring the frequency of a generated voltage when the power is turned off. Frequency-based motor speed sensing is accomplished by shutting off all current to the motor and measuring zero crossings on the generated voltage of the decaying magnetic field. The controller can be easily retrofitted onto existing motors. An optional controller bypass is provided to run the motor at rated speed in case of controller failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: James W. Ratz, Paul E. Sigafus, Larry L. Lutton, Nickolas G. Vrionis