Patents by Inventor Lawrence J. Brazis

Lawrence J. Brazis 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: 9151516
    Abstract: A control module for a water heater includes a switching module that receives a voltage supply and outputs the voltage supply to the water heater. The water heater includes an electrical junction box that receives the voltage supply. A communication module communicates with at least one of an energy meter and an energy network external to the water heater and the control module, and receives information from the at least one of the energy meter and the energy network. The control module is mounted on the water heater and the voltage supply passes through or adjacent to the control module. The control module determines an operating characteristic of the water heater based on the voltage supply and selectively actuates the switching module to turn on and turn off the voltage supply to the water heater in response to the operating characteristic and the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Buescher, Thomas J. Fredricks, Rishi Siravuri, Richard Miu, Lawrence J. Brazis, Richard E. Welch
  • Patent number: 8983283
    Abstract: A control system for an electric water heater having an upper heating element and a lower heating element is disclosed. The control system includes a control module that controls operation of the electric water heater by selectively toggling the upper and lower heating elements between an ON state and an OFF state and a consumer interface module that allows a consumer to input a set point temperature and select an energy savings mode for the electric water heater. The control module regularly monitors hot water usage and adjusts the set point temperature by a predetermined setback amount until a capacity of the water heater matches consumer usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Richard Miu, Lawrence J. Brazis, Richard E. Welch
  • Patent number: 8258442
    Abstract: A control for an electric water heater detects a condition of a heating element when the heating element is not being energized. A switching module is operable to interrupt power to the heating element, which de-energizes the heating element. A detector module detects the condition of the heating element when the heating element is de-energized. The detector module senses current flowing through the heating element and generates a detection signal that is indicative of the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Lawrence J. Brazis
  • Publication number: 20100116817
    Abstract: A control for an electric water heater detects a condition of a heating element when the heating element is not being energized. A switching module is operable to interrupt power to the heating element, which de-energizes the heating element. A detector module detects the condition of the heating element when the heating element is de-energized. The detector module senses current flowing through the heating element and generates a detection signal that is indicative of the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Lawrence J. Brazis
  • Patent number: 7668445
    Abstract: A control for an electric water heater detects a condition of a heating element when the heating element is not being energized. A switching module is operable to interrupt power to the heating element, which de-energizes the heating element. A detector module detects the condition of the heating element when the heating element is de-energized. The detector module senses current flowing through the heating element and generates a detection signal that is indicative of the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Lawrence J. Brazis
  • Publication number: 20080080844
    Abstract: A control for an electric water heater detects a condition of a heating element when the heating element is not being energized. A switching module is operable to interrupt power to the heating element, which de-energizes the heating element. A detector module detects the condition of the heating element when the heating element is de-energized. The detector module senses current flowing through the heating element and generates a detection signal that is indicative of the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: William E. Miller, Lawrence J. Brazis
  • Patent number: D510709
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard E. Welch, Tung-Sheng Yang, Lawrence J. Brazis, Richard Miu