Patents by Inventor Merle D. Sears

Merle D. Sears 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: 20180340706
    Abstract: A fan coil unit is provided including a cabinet formed from a plurality of panels. A fan assembly is configured to circulate air through the cabinet. A heat exchanger assembly is positioned within the cabinet. The heat exchanger assembly includes at least one heat exchanger coil arranged in a heat transfer relationship with the air circulating through the cabinet. An inner surface of at least one of the plurality of panels is partially lined with an elastomeric foam insulation so that the air circulating through the cabinet does not contact the portion of the at least one panel lined with the elastomeric foam insulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: James Amick, Alice R. Walker, Kevin Mercer, Frank J. David, Merle D. Sears, Shafi N. Khan, Barry W. Lee, Christine Cantwell
  • Patent number: 10077917
    Abstract: A fan coil unit is provided including a cabinet formed from a plurality of panels. A fan assembly is configured to circulate air through the cabinet. A heat exchanger assembly is positioned within the cabinet. The heat exchanger assembly includes at least one heat exchanger coil arranged in a heat transfer relationship with the air circulating through the cabinet. An inner surface of at least one of the plurality of panels is partially lined with an elastomeric foam insulation so that the air circulating through the cabinet does not contact the portion of the at least one panel lined with the elastomeric foam insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Amick, Alice R. Walker, Kevin Mercer, Frank J. David, Merle D. Sears, Shafi N. Khan, Barry W. Lee, Christine Cantwell
  • Publication number: 20140332189
    Abstract: A fan coil unit is provided including a cabinet formed from a plurality of panels. A fan assembly is configured to circulate air through the cabinet. A heat exchanger assembly is positioned within the cabinet. The heat exchanger assembly includes at least one heat exchanger coil arranged in a heat transfer relationship with the air circulating through the cabinet. An inner surface of at least one of the plurality of panels is partially lined with an elastomeric foam insulation so that the air circulating through the cabinet does not contact the portion of the at least one panel lined with the elastomeric foam insulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: James Amick, Alice R. Walker, Kevin Mercer, Frank J. David, Merle D. Sears, Shafi N. Khan, Barry W. Lee, Christine Cantwell
  • Publication number: 20130252185
    Abstract: A burner assembly for use adjacent an igniter element in a gas appliance includes a top plate configured to form the geometric top half of at least one burner, and a bottom plate configured to form the geometric bottom half of at least one burner. The top plate and the bottom plate are joined together to form a burner and a burner carryover. An igniter air shield extends from either the top plate or the bottom plate such that the igniter air shield diverts secondary combustion air flowing around the burner and the adjacent igniter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Shaw, Merle D. Sears, James F. Bicknell
  • Patent number: 8454231
    Abstract: A mounting structure (34) for receiving a sensor (18) having a sensing portion (26) and a base portion (30) includes a substantially flat sheet of material (20) having a first surface (20a), a second surface (20b) opposite the first surface (20a), and an aperture (36). The aperture (36) is configured such that the sensing portion (26) of the sensor (18) is passable through the aperture (36), and the base portion (30) is not passable through the aperture (36), but instead rests on the first surface (20a). The mounting structure (34) also includes a pair of tabs (38) that extend in a downward direction away from the second surface (20b) of the sheet of material (20) and are configured to immobilize the sensor (18) within the aperture (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Merle D. Sears, William Bruce Sutherlin
  • Publication number: 20100269518
    Abstract: An outdoor unit for an air conditioner/heat pump is provided with a bracket which is attached to the tube sheet of the heat exchanger coil for routing the electrical leads from the electronic components within the unit to a control box located outside thereof. The bracket is mounted without fasteners and is preferably clipped onto a planar structure on the tube sheet by way of opposing tabs on the bracket. The bracket is preferably secured to the planar wall by way of dimples that engage with holes formed in the planar wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Larry Burns, Duane V. Douglas, Loren D. Hoffman, Merle D. Sears, William B. Sutherlin, Ronald A. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20100176912
    Abstract: A mounting structure (34) for receiving a sensor (18) having a sensing portion (26) and a base portion (30) includes a substantially flat sheet of material (20) having a first surface (20a), a second surface (20b) opposite the first surface (20a), and an aperture (36). The aperture (36) is configured such that the sensing portion (26) of the sensor (18) is passable through the aperture (36), and the base portion (30) is not passable through the aperture (36), but instead rests on the first surface (20a). The mounting structure (34) also includes a pair of tabs (38) that extend in a downward direction away from the second surface (20b) of the sheet of material (20) and are configured to immobilize the sensor (18) within the aperture (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Merle D. Sears, William Bruce Sutherlin
  • Publication number: 20040091312
    Abstract: Apparatus for mounting one or more component parts of a unit in assembly. The apparatus includes a mounting plate containing one or more extruded holes each having a raised lip surrounding the hole which protrudes upwardly from the top surface of the plate for receiving a threaded fastener that is used to secure a part to the bottom mounting surface of the plate. An endless depression surrounds each hole which also protrudes outwardly from the top surface of the plate. The size and shape of the depression is such that the plate area surrounding the fastener receiving hole is strong enough to resist high impact loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Hall Virgil, Merle D. Sears, Michael L. Brown
  • Patent number: 6021775
    Abstract: A compact gas combustion furnace includes a substantially rectangular casing having an interior defined by a plurality of compartments. A draft inducer is mounted above the heat exchanger compartment to allow a multipass heat exchanger to be used while allowing the furnace to be fitted within a mobile home closet. A transition box couples the horizontally disposed inlet of the inducer and the vertically disposed outlet side of the heat exchangers. In a preferable arrangement, the furnace includes a burner assembly utilizing a plurality of burners, each having an arcuate shape in relation to a corresponding plurality of heat exchangers, and thereby occupying a minimum of space without loss of efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Dempsey, Timothy J. Waterman, Merle D. Sears, Scott A. Beck, Larry D. Rieke
  • Patent number: 5647742
    Abstract: A multi-panel spacer/shipping bracket for supportively spacing at least one panel located within a compartment, the bracket comprising: a base member; an attachment member extending therefrom and attached to the compartment; and a retention member extending from the base member, and further comprising an insertion member having a slot therein for retaining a panel, the slot defining an approach opening sized to receive the panel thereinto, and a spring member, positioned relative to the slot so as to operate to urge the panel against an interior vertical wall of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Merle D. Sears, Howard E. Jameson
  • Patent number: 5623918
    Abstract: A high efficiency furnace having a heat exchanger and an inducer fan housing attached to the flue gases exit of the heat exchanger to draw flue gases out of the exchanger and force the gases out of the furnace under pressure through a venting system. A condensate return channel is provided for directing condensate developed in the vent system back into the inducer housing where it its removed from the furnace by a drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Swilik, Jr., Merle D. Sears, Randall E. Light