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).
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Publication number: 20220106782Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventor: Michael J. Luettgen
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Patent number: 11230832Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 28, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventor: Michael J. Luettgen
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Publication number: 20210102364Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: Sudip Mukerji, Michael J. Luettgen, William Kalk, Randy Mesun, Jeff Laundre, Jeremy Rauwerdink, John Esche, Keith Muellenbach, Clayton Garrels
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Patent number: 10927537Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 24, 2017Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Sudip Mukerji, Michael J Luettgen, William Kalk, Randy Mesun, Jeremy Rauwerdink, Jeffrey T. Laundre, John Esche, Keith Muellenbach, Clayton Garrels
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Publication number: 20200071920Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventor: Michael J. LUETTGEN
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Patent number: 10233627Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 27, 2018Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20180334790Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 10060113Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20170247871Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Sudip Mukerji, Michael J. Luettgen, William Kalk, Randy Mesun, Jeff Laundre, Jeremy Rauwerdink, John Esche, Keith Muellenbach
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Publication number: 20150267389Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 7681517Abstract: A pointer for an instrument panel which is actively lighted and, more specifically, an actively lighted pointer including a flex circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2008Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Ritthaler, Michael J. Luettgen
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Publication number: 20090217865Abstract: A pointer for an instrument panel which is actively lighted and, more specifically, an actively lighted pointer including a flex circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Applicant: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Matthew Ritthaler, Michael J. Luettgen
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Patent number: 7530702Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 12, 2006Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Luettgen, Paul F. L. Weindorf, Brian C. Schweitzer
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Patent number: 7365300Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel K. Angell, Michael J. Luettgen, Matthew M. Mikolajczak
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Publication number: 20030079672Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2001Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Sergei Kalashnikov, Michael J. Luettgen, Charles F. Weber
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Patent number: 6520654Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 2000Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel K. Angell, Don A. Kees, Paul S. Ewers, Thomas L. Jones, Michael J. Luettgen
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Publication number: 20020085366Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventors: Daniel K. Angell, Don A. Kees, Paul S. Ewers, Thomas L. Jones, Michael J. Luettgen
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Patent number: 5264661Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 21, 1991Date of Patent: November 23, 1993Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Michael J. Luettgen
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Patent number: 4850227Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 1987Date of Patent: July 25, 1989Assignee: Delco Electronics CorporationInventors: Michael J. Luettgen, Dennis M. Koglin, Mark B. Kearney, John M. Hart, Jr., Ronald E. Brown
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Patent number: 4756193Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 11, 1987Date of Patent: July 12, 1988Assignee: Delco Electronics CorporationInventor: Michael J. Luettgen