Patents by Inventor Michael J. Luettgen

Michael J. Luettgen 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: 20220106782
    Abstract: A tankless toilet system includes a tankless toilet and a sensor. The tankless toilet is configured to receive water from a water source. The tankless toilet includes a bowl, a first supply conduit, a rim jet, a sump, a second supply conduit, and a sump. The first supply conduit is configured to receive the water from the water source. The rim jet is fluidly coupled to the first supply conduit and configured to provide the water to the bowl. The sump is configured to receive the water from the bowl. The second supply conduit is configured to receive the water from the water source separate from the first supply conduit. The sump jet is fluidly coupled to the second supply conduit and configured to provide the water to the sump. The sensor is coupled to the tankless toilet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventor: Michael J. Luettgen
  • Patent number: 11230832
    Abstract: A tankless toilet system includes a tankless toilet and a sensor. The tankless toilet is configured to receive water from a water source. The tankless toilet includes a bowl, a first supply conduit, a rim jet, a sump, a second supply conduit, and a sump. The first supply conduit is configured to receive the water from the water source. The rim jet is fluidly coupled to the first supply conduit and configured to provide the water to the bowl. The sump is configured to receive the water from the bowl. The second supply conduit is configured to receive the water from the water source separate from the first supply conduit. The sump jet is fluidly coupled to the second supply conduit and configured to provide the water to the sump. The sensor is coupled to the tankless toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Michael J. Luettgen
  • Publication number: 20210102364
    Abstract: A tankless toilet includes a bowl, a trapway, and a jet. The bowl includes a rim at an upper portion of the bowl and a sump at a lower portion of the bowl. The trapway extends from the sump to a drain. The jet includes a main channel configured to receive a supply of water from a supply conduit, and a plurality of distribution channels configured to introduce water received from the main channel to at least one of the sump and the trapway. The jet is configured to receive the supply of water from the supply conduit at a first flow rate and induce a flow from the supply of water into the trapway at a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate to prime a siphon within the trapway. The second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate prior to priming the siphon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Sudip Mukerji, Michael J. Luettgen, William Kalk, Randy Mesun, Jeff Laundre, Jeremy Rauwerdink, John Esche, Keith Muellenbach, Clayton Garrels
  • Patent number: 10927537
    Abstract: A tankless toilet includes a bowl, a trapway, and a jet. The bowl includes a rim at an upper portion of the bowl and a sump at a lower portion of the bowl. The trapway extends from the sump to a drain. The jet includes a main channel configured to receive a supply of water from a supply conduit, and a plurality of distribution channels configured to introduce water received from the main channel to at least one of the sump and the trapway. The jet is configured to receive the supply of water from the supply conduit at a first flow rate and induce a flow from the supply of water into the trapway at a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate to prime a siphon within the trapway. The second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate prior to priming the siphon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Sudip Mukerji, Michael J Luettgen, William Kalk, Randy Mesun, Jeremy Rauwerdink, Jeffrey T. Laundre, John Esche, Keith Muellenbach, Clayton Garrels
  • Publication number: 20200071920
    Abstract: A tankless toilet system includes a tankless toilet and a sensor. The tankless toilet is configured to receive water from a water source. The tankless toilet includes a bowl, a first supply conduit, a rim jet, a sump, a second supply conduit, and a sump. The first supply conduit is configured to receive the water from the water source. The rim jet is fluidly coupled to the first supply conduit and configured to provide the water to the bowl. The sump is configured to receive the water from the bowl. The second supply conduit is configured to receive the water from the water source separate from the first supply conduit. The sump jet is fluidly coupled to the second supply conduit and configured to provide the water to the sump. The sensor is coupled to the tankless toilet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: Michael J. LUETTGEN
  • Patent number: 10233627
    Abstract: A toilet includes a bowl and a vertically-elongated jet hole disposed within a portion of the bowl, near a top of the bowl between a rear of the bowl and a side of the bowl. The vertically-elongated jet hole is configured to direct flush water around an inner surface of the bowl to wash the inner surface of the bowl. The bowl does not include a rim that overhangs any portion of the bowl above the vertically-elongated jet hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Michael J. Luettgen, William C. Kuru, Sudip Mukerji, Douglas E. Bogard, Peter W. Swart, Clayton C. Garrels, John F. Emmerling, Kari L. Jaeckels, Michael D. Lindsay
  • Publication number: 20180334790
    Abstract: A toilet includes a bowl and a vertically-elongated jet hole disposed within a portion of the bowl, near a top of the bowl between a rear of the bowl and a side of the bowl. The vertically-elongated jet hole is configured to direct flush water around an inner surface of the bowl to wash the inner surface of the bowl. The bowl does not include a rim that overhangs any portion of the bowl above the vertically-elongated jet hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Luettgen, William C. Kuru, Sudip Mukerji, Douglas E. Bogard, Peter W. Swart, Clayton C. Garrels, John F. Emmerling, Kari L. Jaeckels, Michael D. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 10060113
    Abstract: A toilet includes a bowl having a vertically-elongated jet orifice near a top of the bowl that is designed to introduce flush water into the bowl from an interior water channel through a surface of an inner wall of the bowl, such that the flush water is directed around the inner wall of the bowl to wash the inner wall. The toilet also includes a shelf for directing the flush water. The toilet is a gravity-fed toilet that does not include an overhanging rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Michael J. Luettgen, Wiliam C. Kuru, Sudip Mukerji, Douglas E. Bogard, Peter W. Swart, Clayton C. Garrels, John F. Emmerling, Kari L. Jaeckels, Michael D. Lindsay
  • Publication number: 20170247871
    Abstract: A tankless toilet includes a bowl, a trapway, and a jet. The bowl includes a rim at an upper portion of the bowl and a sump at a lower portion of the bowl. The trapway extends from the sump to a drain. The jet includes a main channel configured to receive a supply of water from a supply conduit, and a plurality of distribution channels configured to introduce water received from the main channel to at least one of the sump and the trapway. The jet is configured to receive the supply of water from the supply conduit at a first flow rate and induce a flow from the supply of water into the trapway at a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate to prime a siphon within the trapway. The second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate prior to priming the siphon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Sudip Mukerji, Michael J. Luettgen, William Kalk, Randy Mesun, Jeff Laundre, Jeremy Rauwerdink, John Esche, Keith Muellenbach
  • Publication number: 20150267389
    Abstract: A toilet includes a bowl having a vertically-elongated jet orifice near a top of the bowl that is designed to introduce flush water into the bowl from an interior water channel through a surface of an inner wall of the bowl, such that the flush water is directed around the inner wall of the bowl to wash the inner wall. The toilet also includes a shelf for directing the flush water. The toilet is a gravity-fed toilet that does not include an overhanging rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Michael J. Luettgen, Wiliam C. Kuru, Sudip Mukerji, Douglas E. Bogard, Peter W. Swart, Clayton C. Garrels, John F. Emmerling, Kari L. Jaeckels, Michael D. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7681517
    Abstract: A pointer for an instrument panel which is actively lighted and, more specifically, an actively lighted pointer including a flex circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Ritthaler, Michael J. Luettgen
  • Publication number: 20090217865
    Abstract: A pointer for an instrument panel which is actively lighted and, more specifically, an actively lighted pointer including a flex circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Ritthaler, Michael J. Luettgen
  • Patent number: 7530702
    Abstract: A motor vehicle instrument cluster comprising an analog indicator assembly having a pointer rotatably coupled to an actuator for a movement by the actuator, and a display assembly including a display screen for displaying information to an occupant of the motor vehicle and a printed circuit board electrically connected to the indicator assembly and the display assembly. In addition, the printed circuit board is electrically connected to an electrical ground and a metal support frame is mounted to the printed circuit board and coupled thereby to the electrical ground. The metal frame includes a support tray spaced apart from the printed circuit board, defining a gap in between. Finally, the display assembly is mounted in thermal communication to the support tray and the frame and the printed circuit board cooperate to define a static discharge path between the display assembly and the electrical ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Luettgen, Paul F. L. Weindorf, Brian C. Schweitzer
  • Patent number: 7365300
    Abstract: A rear vision system having a divided lens configuration and sensor array. The sensor array has a first, second section and third sections. The lens configuration includes a first portion directing a first field of view onto the first section of the sensor array, and a second portion directing a second field of view onto the second section of the sensor array. The sensor array may be a complementary metal oxide semiconductor camera or a charge coupled device camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Angell, Michael J. Luettgen, Matthew M. Mikolajczak
  • Publication number: 20030079672
    Abstract: A high efficiency, high brightness instrument pointer illuminating apparatus includes a gage motor with a gage motor shaft extending therefrom, an instrument pointer mounted on the gage motor shaft and a plurality of light sources positioned radially around the gage motor shaft to supply light upward into the instrument pointer, wherein the instrument pointer includes a needle portion and a light reflecting portion that is flared outward from the needle portion and has a first reflective surface presenting an internally reflective surface adapted to reflect light received from the light sources outward into the needle portion at any angular position of the needle portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Sergei Kalashnikov, Michael J. Luettgen, Charles F. Weber
  • Patent number: 6520654
    Abstract: A thin panel lit cluster including a graphics appliqué with a first and second side and at least one opaque section and one translucent section. A light-carrying panel with a first and second side is positioned such that the first side is adjacent to the second side of the graphics appliqué. The light-carrying panel has at least one opening defined in it and at least one light source is positioned to align with the opening. Opposite the light source, the light-carrying panel has a first light-redirecting area nearest its first side. In another position on the light-carrying panel, there is a second light-redirecting area nearest the second side of the light-carrying panel and opposite a translucent section of the graphics appliqué.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Angell, Don A. Kees, Paul S. Ewers, Thomas L. Jones, Michael J. Luettgen
  • Publication number: 20020085366
    Abstract: A thin panel lit cluster including a graphics appliquéwith a first and second side and at least one opaque section and one translucent section. A light-carrying panel with a first and second side is positioned such that the first side is adjacent to the second side of the graphics appliqué. The light-carrying panel has at least one opening defined in it and at least one light source is positioned to align with the opening. Opposite the light source, the light-carrying panel has a first light-redirecting area nearest its first side. In another position on the light-carrying panel, there is a second light-redirecting area nearest the second side of the light-carrying panel and opposite a translucent section of the graphics appliqué.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel K. Angell, Don A. Kees, Paul S. Ewers, Thomas L. Jones, Michael J. Luettgen
  • Patent number: 5264661
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed automotive module is disclosed wherein a cover of the module is sealed to a housing of the module by vibration welding. A weld contact surface is defined between the cover and housing of the module when the cover and housing undergo relative reciprocating motion under the application of a force. A method for hermetically sealing a module is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Luettgen
  • Patent number: 4850227
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a three part package including a housing member defining two spaced-apart chambers, a bottom member providing the bottom wall of one of the chambers, and a top cover member hermetically sealing the two chambers from one another and including a port for admission of gases into one of the chambers. A pressure sensing element is disposed in the chamber having the port and mounted on the bottom member, and a signal processing element is mounted in the other chamber. Electrical connections between the two elements are by means of leads which extend into each chamber and pass through a wall separating the chambers. A low temperature differential between the two elements is provided by extending one of the leads from the other one chamber to a position directly underlying and in intimate contact with the bottom surface of the processing element in the other chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Luettgen, Dennis M. Koglin, Mark B. Kearney, John M. Hart, Jr., Ronald E. Brown
  • Patent number: 4756193
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a pressure sensitive element and associated integrated circuitry on a common silicon chip. Fusible links in a conditioning network of the integrated circuit are opened by electrical pulses applied to pinouts that are accessible for probing in a trough in the support housing that is exposed during the testing and adjusting phase, but is sealed off by the cover in the final assembly so that the pinouts are no longer accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Luettgen