Patents by Inventor Michael J. Birnkrant

Michael J. Birnkrant 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: 11948439
    Abstract: A method of measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area includes receiving at a control system a signal including scattered light and time of flight information associated with a plurality of nodes of a detection system, parsing the time of flight information into zones of the detection system, identifying one or more features within the scattered light signal, and analyzing the one or more features within the scattered light signal to determine a presence of the one or more conditions within the predetermined area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jie Xi, Michael J. Birnkrant, Junyang Lin, Jun Hou, Peter R. Harris, Tianyuan Chen
  • Patent number: 11880013
    Abstract: An example screening system includes a plurality of detectors about a screening area. Each detector includes a sensor configured to detect information from one or more objects moving along a path from an entrance to an exit of the screening area. The plurality of detectors include a first detector configured to detect information from a first location of the path, and a second detector configured to detect information from a second location of the path. The second detector is configured to adapt its functionality based on a finding of the first detector for a given one of the one or more objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Birnkrant, Peter R. Harris
  • Patent number: 11860092
    Abstract: A covered chamberless particulate detector includes a chamberless detector configured to produce a signal when particulate sensing events occurs, one or more optical emitters configured to emit one or more emitting cones of light, one or more optical sensors defining one or more receiving cones and configured to detect occurrence of particulate sensing events, and a protective cover defining an inside region and an outside region. Each of the one or more emitting cones of light is configured to overlap with each of the one or more receiving cones, thereby creating one or more sensing volumes which may be in the inside region, the outside region, or both regions. The protective cover can be transparent, partially transparent, or opaque, and can include apertures. The optical emitters and detectors can use one or more wavelengths, allowing discrimination of various airborne particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Lincoln, Michael J. Birnkrant, Kenneth Bell, Peter R. Harris, Jennifer M. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20230408455
    Abstract: A photoacoustic detection system includes a detector that has a chamber, a pulsed light source, piezoelectric tuning forks, and a photosensor. The chamber has an inlet and an outlet for flow of an analyte. The pulsed light source is adjacent the chamber and is operable to emit a light beam along a path through the chamber. The tuning forks are arranged along the path, and each of the tuning forks is operable to emit first sensor signals. The photosensor is arranged along the path and is operable to emit second sensor signals. A controller is connected to receive the first and second sensor signals. The controller is configured to determine whether a target species is present in the analyte based on the first sensor signals and determine whether the target species is present in the analyte based on the second sensor signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: David L. Lincoln, Michael J. Birnkrant, Peter R. Harris, Marcin Piech, Arthur Blanc, Jose-Rodrigo Castillo-Garza
  • Patent number: 11830339
    Abstract: A detection system includes a host detection system that has at least one primary hazard detector and a controller connected for communication with the at least one primary hazard detector. At least one portable auxiliary hazard detector can be temporarily introduced in a vicinity of the host detection system and link with the controller of the host detection system to provide additional detection capability. The portable auxiliary hazard detector has at least one light source that can emit a light beam, and at least one photosensor that is operable to emit sensor signals responsive to interaction of the light beam with an analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: David L. Lincoln, Marcin Piech, Michael J. Birnkrant
  • Patent number: 11783688
    Abstract: An aspirating detector system includes a detector and a controller. The detector includes a chamber, a light source adjacent the chamber, and a sensor adjacent the chamber. The sensor is operable to emit sensor signals responsive to received light from interaction of a light beam from the light source with an analyte in the chamber. The controller is connected to receive the sensor signals. The controller is configured to determine whether a target substance is present in the analyte based on an intensity of the received light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Birnkrant, Hector Ortiz Valencia
  • Patent number: 11754533
    Abstract: A photoacoustic detection system (20) includes a detector (22) that has a chamber (24), a pulsed light source (26), piezoelectric tuning forks (28), and a photosensor (30). The chamber has an inlet and an outlet for flow of an analyte. The pulsed light source is adjacent the chamber and is operable to emit a light beam along a path through the chamber. The tuning forks are arranged along the path, and each of the tuning forks is operable to emit first sensor signals. The photosensor is arranged along the path and is operable to emit second sensor signals. A controller (38) is connected to receive the first and second sensor signals. The controller is configured to determine whether a target species is present in the analyte based on the first sensor signals and determine whether the target species is present in the analyte based on the second sensor signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: David L. Lincoln, Michael J. Birnkrant, Peter R. Harris, Marcin Piech, Arthur Blanc, Jose-Rodrigo Castillo-Garza
  • Patent number: 11741809
    Abstract: A system for measuring a status of a detection device having a component transformable between a plurality of configurations includes a fiber optic cable for transmitting light. The at least one fiber optic cable defines a node arranged in communication with the component. A control system is operably coupled to the fiber optic cable such that scattered light reflected from the component and returned to the node is transmitted to the control system. The control system analyzes the scattered light to determine the configuration of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Birnkrant, Hector Ortiz Valencia, Marcin Piech, Michael T. Gorski, Peter R. Harris
  • Publication number: 20230228440
    Abstract: A method for monitoring and controlling an environment of an internal space including: providing conditioned air to the internal space using a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; detecting one or more environmental parameters within the internal space using at least one sensor; receiving a report request from an individual through a computer application of a computing device, the report request includes a focus area selection that selects one or more focus areas, wherein the one or more focus areas include at least one of an indoor air quality, a thermal comfort, or an airborne transmission; generating a performance report for the focus area based on at least the environmental parameters and specifications of the HVAC system, the performance report evaluating at least a performance of the HVAC system; and displaying the performance report on the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Birnkrant, Peter McKinney, Terence Vanecek, Simon Walls, Daniel Love, Sarath Chandra
  • Publication number: 20230228444
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying patterns of indoor air quality sensors. A method includes receiving sensor data from a sensor to determine indoor air quality, the sensor including indoor air quality (IAQ) sensors and identifying a pattern of the sensor data for a period of time. The method may also include comparing current sensor data to the identified pattern of the sensor data and transmitting a message to a user device based at least in part on the comparison to indicate the indoor air quality and the pattern of the sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Ziyou Xiong, Michael J. Birnkrant, Marcin Piech, Sotiri Tolis Hovardas, Peter McKinney, Emily Yang
  • Publication number: 20230213226
    Abstract: A self-cleaning assembly for cleaning at least one electrode of an electronic air cleaner includes a mounting bracket removably connectable to the electronic air cleaner and a connecting member having at least one arm. The connecting member is rotatable about an axis. At least one cleaning body is arranged at a portion of the at least one arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Birnkrant, Peter Johannes McKinney, Shuguang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20230173123
    Abstract: A cleaning device includes a body, an air flow path extending through the body, an air filtration system arranged within the air flow path, and a propulsion system to maneuver the body through an area to be cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Birnkrant, Alissa D. Doose, Chrystal Jolliffe
  • Publication number: 20230175729
    Abstract: A structure having an area to be conditioned includes an air conditioning system having a heat exchanger and a condensate drain pan positioned adjacent to the heat exchanger such that a condensate will gravitate from the heat exchanger to the condensate drain pan. A system is associated with the area to be conditioned. The system is arranged downstream from and in fluid communication with an outlet of the condensate drain pan. The condensate from the condensate drain pan is deliverable to the system automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Holly Dunn, Holly Rhodes, Francine Dash, Jeremy Riffle, Alissa D. Doose, Bridget Volz, Michael J. Birnkrant, Deanne Pruitt, Al Blanco
  • Publication number: 20230176020
    Abstract: An air pollution/allergen exposure measurement system is provided and includes at least one fixed air pollution/allergen measurement device(s), a wearable article to be worn by a user and comprising a wearable air pollution/allergen measurement device, a mobile device carried by the user for location monitoring of the user and a processing unit. The processing unit is coupled to the fixed air pollution/allergen measurement device(s), the wearable air pollution/allergen measurement device and the mobile device. The processing unit is configured to determine the fixed air pollution/allergen measurement device(s) the user has been within range of from the location monitoring, to determine a quality of air surrounding the user from readings of the wearable air pollution/allergen measurement device and the fixed air pollution/allergen measurement device(s) the user has been within range of and to make recommendations to the user for improving the quality of air surrounding the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Holly Dunn, Holly Rhodes, Francine Dash, Jeremy Riffle, Alissa D. Doose, Bridget Volz, Michael J. Birnkrant
  • Publication number: 20230173422
    Abstract: A stackable air treatment device is provided and includes a base, a cover, a plurality of air treatment modules modularly stackable between the base and the cover in groups of one or more to form a stack with the base and the cover and a blower configured to move air from an exterior of the stack into the stack and out through the cover. Each air treatment module in the stack is configured to purify, clean, and/or condition the air moved by the blower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Birnkrant, Peter J. McKinney, Bridget Volz, Holly Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20230175715
    Abstract: An environmental control device including: a base housing; a topper configured to be attachable and detachable from the base housing; one or more environmental systems; and one or more environmental sensors, wherein the topper is shaped as a figurine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Blake Smith, Kenny Abell, Chrystal Jolliffe, Alissa D. Doose, Michael J. Birnkrant, Bridget Volz
  • Publication number: 20230151981
    Abstract: An air cleaning system includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a filter positioned within the housing, downstream of the inlet. A fan assembly is located within the housing. The fan assembly is in airflow communication with the filter. A sensor is positioned within the housing. The sensor is configured to monitor at least one of a particle size, an accumulation of dust on a surface of the filter, and a pressure drop over the filter. A result of a comparison between a measured dust level at the filter and a dust threshold is communicated to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventor: Michael J. Birnkrant
  • Publication number: 20230149586
    Abstract: An air monitoring system includes a housing having a housing inlet and a housing outlet. An airflow is configured to pass through the housing inlet into the housing. A sensor is located within the housing. The sensor is configured to monitor at least one of a frequency of dispensation of an air cleaner from an air freshener and a level of a contaminant in the airflow. The air cleaning system is configured to transmit a sensor signal to at least one of the air freshener and a user device to at least one of: recommend a frequency for air freshening, and adjust a frequency of release of the air cleaner from the air freshener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Michael J. Birnkrant, Callum Bailey, Rajiv Ranjan, Peter McKinney
  • Publication number: 20230097844
    Abstract: A refrigerant detection assembly operable to detect refrigerant mixed with air includes a housing having an internal cavity fluidly connected with an ambient atmosphere surrounding the housing via at least one opening and a sensor subassembly mounted within the internal cavity. The sensor subassembly includes a sensor, a printed circuit board, a heat preservation housing mechanically and thermally coupled to the printed circuit board, and at least one shielding component mechanically coupled to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventor: Michael J. Birnkrant
  • Patent number: D990335
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Birnkrant