Patents by Inventor Lawrence E. Wetzel
Lawrence E. Wetzel 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: 20180283726Abstract: A phase change material (PCM) module heat exchanger assembly includes a multi-section PCM container rotatingly supported about a center long axis of the multi-section PCM container, or a multi-section PCM container where one or more sections are slidingly mounted to the multi-section PCM container. Each section of a plurality of rotatably or slidingly selected PCM sections is selectably insertable into an air flow. A method of placing one of a group of two or more PCM sections into a building's heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) ductwork and a method to harvest heating or cooling capacity for later use are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Michael Wetzel, Lawrence E. Wetzel
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Patent number: 7802443Abstract: A self-contained air conditioner unit incorporates an energy recovery ventilator portion that brings about several changes of room air per hour with outdoor fresh air. There is an outdoor air intake plenum which furnishes the fresh air and the condenser air for the condenser coil, and a return air plenum. Air from the room return air plenum is HEPA filtered and conducted to the evaporator coil and evaporator fan, and is supplied back into the conditioned space. The energy recovery ventilator has a counterflow heat exchanger core situated between the return air plenum and the fresh air intake plenum, as well as two ventilation fans, one (or both) of which may be of variable or multiple speed. By controlling the fan speeds, it is possible to produce a neutral pressure, a positive or overpressure, or a negative or underpressure in the conditioned space. The unit can be wheeled into place and installed easily by personnel without special training.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Air Innovations, Inc.Inventor: Lawrence E. Wetzel
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Publication number: 20080250800Abstract: A self-contained air conditioner unit incorporates an energy recovery ventilator portion that brings about several changes of room air per hour with outdoor fresh air. There is an outdoor air intake plenum which furnishes the fresh air and the condenser air for the condenser coil, and a return air plenum. Air from the room return air plenum is HEPA filtered and conducted to the evaporator coil and evaporator fan, and is supplied back into the conditioned space. The energy recovery ventilator has a counterflow heat exchanger core situated between the return air plenum and the fresh air intake plenum, as well as two ventilation fans, one (or both) of which may be of variable or multiple speed. By controlling the fan speeds, it is possible to produce a neutral pressure, a positive or overpressure, or a negative or underpressure in the conditioned space. The unit can be wheeled into place and installed easily by personnel without special training.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventor: Lawrence E. Wetzel
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Patent number: 7251953Abstract: An air conditioner and filtering unit produces a positive or negative pressure to create an isolation space. A common air intake plenum has first and second inlets for admitting return air from the space or outside air which may be from a building main A/C system supply. Sanitized, cleaned and conditioned air is returned to the conditioned space; and condenser air is exhausted outside the conditioned space. The air intake plenum may be common to both the condenser air flow and to the evaporator air flow. A HEPA filter cleans the air suppled to both the condenser and the evaporator. A slide damper or other arrangement selectively opens and closes air flow through the first and second air inlets into the common intake plenum. This permits creation of overpressure, underpressure, or an intermediate pressure in the conditioned space. All air supplied to the room and all air exhausted from the room is cleaned and sanitized. The unit is self-contained and portable.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Air Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Wetzel, Lawrence E. Wetzel
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Patent number: 6117202Abstract: A filter and frame arrangement, e.g., a HEPA type filter/blower unit, has an arrangement for sealing the filter in place to prevent contaminants from leaking around the filter. A secondary seal, e.g., in the form of a gasket, both holds the filter in place in the unit and also seals the space between the primary seal (e.g., gel seal) and the clean space. An extruded gasket seats into a peripheral recess in the frame. This can be removed when the filter needs to be changed out so the filter can be taken out from below and replaced. Then a replacement seal is installed after the new HEPA filter is in position. The gasket seal is as close as possible to the bottom of the frame, i.e., as close to the clean space, so that possible contaminants are prevented from falling into the space below. Instead of an elastomeric gasket, a spring metal gasket can be used, with caulking.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1999Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Floratech Industries, Inc.Inventor: Lawrence E. Wetzel
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Patent number: 5987908Abstract: A ceiling or overhead air conditioner unit is configured to fit into a standard space, e.g., two-foot by four-foot, in a dropped ceiling. The unit can be a self-contained air conditioning unit with HEPA filter, or an air conditioner attachment adapted to fit onto a blower and filter assembly. The positions of the condenser air intake and outlet can be field-selected at either the end, the top, or the side, e.g., using a movable plate. The evaporator return inlet can similarly be field-selected at the top, side, or end. The return bypass inlet can be field-selected at the side or top. The room air intake can be connected by a duct either to outside air or to an intake air grille in the ceiling. The air conditioning attachment unit that fits an existing or available ceiling mounted filter and blower assembly has its condenser section on one side of the unit, and its evaporator section at the other side, guiding conditioned air into a centrally situated cool air plenum.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1999Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Floratech IndustriesInventor: Lawrence E. Wetzel
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Patent number: 5884500Abstract: A ceiling or overhead air conditioner unit is configured to fit into a standard space, e.g., two-foot by four-foot, in a dropped ceiling. The unit can be a self-contained air conditioning unit with HEPA filter, or an air conditioner attachment adapted to fit onto a blower and filter assembly. The positions of the condenser air intake and outlet can be field-selected at either the end, the top, or the side, e.g., using a movable plate. The evaporator return inlet can similarly be field-selected at the top, side, or end. The return bypass inlet can be field-selected at the side or top. The room air intake can be connected by a duct either to outside air or to an intake air grille in the ceiling. The air conditioning attachment unit that fits an existing or available ceiling mounted filter and blower assembly has its condenser section on one side of the unit, and its evaporator section at the other side, guiding conditioned air into a centrally situated cool air plenum.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1997Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: Floratech Industries, Inc.Inventor: Lawrence E. Wetzel
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Patent number: 5225167Abstract: A room air sterilizer mounts on the wall of the room and traps airborne particulate in a HEPA filter. An ultraviolet germicidal lamp destroys any biocontamination on the trapped particulates. The sterilizer has an elongated vertical housing with a return air grille near or at its lower end and a HEPA filter assembly disposed at an outflow port at its upper end. The HEPA filter is preferably a quarter cylinder and the sterilizer lamp is situated to expose the inner or intake side of the filter to the sterilizing ultraviolet radiation. A prefilter can be situated ahead of the blowers for the sterilizer, and can have an associated ultraviolet sterilizer lamp.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1991Date of Patent: July 6, 1993Assignee: Clestra Cleanroom Technology, Inc.Inventor: Lawrence E. Wetzel
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Patent number: 4765810Abstract: A selective fluid flow control device has a control element which is held in sealing relationship with a housing, with first and second seals being formed to confine the fluid flow through the control element. The first and second seals define a sealed chamber from which the fluid is excluded, and a gas conduit communicates between outside of the housing and the sealed chamber for applying a test pressure to the chamber to test the quality of these seals. In a preferred embodiment, the selective fluid control device is a filter arrangement for a clean room or the like, and the seals are formed against the filter gasket by a seating arrangement formed of an extruded rail that has a web and first and second ribs, the ribs being biased against the gasket.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1987Date of Patent: August 23, 1988Assignee: Clean Room TechnologyInventor: Lawrence E. Wetzel
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Patent number: 4667580Abstract: A pre-assembled, self-contained clean room module having everything necessary for maintaining the cleanliness, temperature, humidity and pressurization required for the work space within the room. Because the module is factory built rather than built on site, precise quality control can be achieved and each module can be thoroughly tested before shipment. The module is provided with its own sealed base unit which permits it to be moved or relocated without having to be disassembled, and also insures that the module will have a completely sealed sump area beneath its floor. The module is also provided with its own self-contained air conditioning unit which has two independent air systems or paths whereby only a portion of the recirculating air need be conditioned.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1986Date of Patent: May 26, 1987Inventor: Lawrence E. Wetzel
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Patent number: 4519301Abstract: This device is for balancing air flow and the dispersion of air around duct throats, and is particularly adapted for already manufactured filter modules and ceiling air conditioning diffusers, where concern for spreading fire through the openings is involved. Primarily, it consists of a core assembly for the filter module hood. The assembly includes a mounted bolt and a pair of perforate discs, which will serve as a flame barrier automatically, when fire is present, and the assembly further includes a low melting point solder for its automatic operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1984Date of Patent: May 28, 1985Inventor: Lawrence E. Wetzel