Patents by Inventor Marc Akkala

Marc Akkala 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: 20070261241
    Abstract: An original equipment manufacturer water heater including a water tank including an inlet and an outlet, means for heating water in the water tank, a base pan at least partially supporting the water tank such that water leaked from the water tank collects in the base pan, a valve closable to prevent water from entering the water tank through the inlet, and a sensor positioned in the base pan, the sensor configured to close the valve upon detecting water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: AOS Holding Company
    Inventors: Marc Akkala, William Hoover
  • Publication number: 20060237006
    Abstract: A water heater comprising a tank defining a water chamber, a water inlet and a water outlet communicating with the water chamber, and a combustion tube extending generally vertically through the water chamber and having an upper end. The water heater also comprises a coil surrounding the combustion tube and having inlet and outlet ends, a second tube communicating between the combustion tube and the inlet end of the coil, and an exhaust outlet communicating with the outlet end of the coil. The water heater further comprises a gas burner firing into the upper end of the combustion tube, and at least one expansion volume between the upper end of the combustion tube and the inlet end of the coil for attenuating noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Marc Akkala, Hyungsik Lee
  • Publication number: 20060150925
    Abstract: A water heater includes a sealed combustion chamber and one or more fans for raising pressure in the combustion chamber to increase efficiency of the water heater. The pressure permits a more restrictive baffle to be used in the flue compared to baffles used in atmospheric water heaters. The water heater may include a water temperature sensor that activates the fan without activating the burner if water temperature raises above a desired temperature. The water heater may also include pressure and vapor sensors to ensure the combustion chamber is properly sealed and there are no flammable vapors present prior to igniting the burner. The fans are relatively small and run off the same DC power that runs an electric gas valve. The fans may be, for example, 12 or 24 Volt fans with power inputs of about 10 Watts or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Applicant: AOS Holding Company
    Inventors: Marc Akkala, Ray Knoeppel
  • Publication number: 20050062350
    Abstract: A motor including a frame, a stator fixed relative to the frame, and a bearing assembly fixed relative to the frame may be provided. The bearing assembly may include ball bearings at least partially encompassed by a conductive grease. The conductive grease may include grease and particles including at least one of carbon, metal and a combination thereof. At least one particle may be coated with a conductive polymer. A rotor may be supported by the bearing assembly for rotation relative to the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Applicant: A.O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Ming Kuo, William Hoover, Marc Akkala, William Mehlhorn