Patents by Inventor Michael W. Schultz

Michael W. Schultz 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: 11941311
    Abstract: In one example, a system can receive an order from a client device. The system can also receive data about a set of print queues at a set of printers via a network. The system can then determine a set of queue times corresponding to the set of print queues. Each respective queue time can be determined based on a corresponding print queue. The system can generate an estimated wait time for the order based on the set of queue times. The system can then transmit the estimated wait time to the client device for display in a graphical user interface to a user associated with the order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Harsh Nigam, Michael J. Harlach, Zach A. Thieme, Shadi Hassani Goodarzi, Kelly L Broad, Ross W. Marshall, John J. Schultz, Matthew A. Scheid, Chadwick C. Meyer
  • Patent number: 11280557
    Abstract: A tank-type water heater includes a storage tank and a heating circuit outside of the tank. The heating circuit includes at least one heat engine and at least one pump for circulating water from the bottom of the tank through the heat engine and back to the top of the tank. A stratifier introduces the heated water from the heating circuit into the top of the tank in a diffuse manner to promote stratification of hot water in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yingwu Teng, Michael W. Schultz
  • Patent number: 10337747
    Abstract: A furnace controller for a modulating furnace that helps provide a balance between energy efficiency and occupant comfort across various burner firing rates and/or across various circulating blower speeds. In some cases, the furnace controller can be configured to permit a user to customize operation of the furnace in accordance with their particular needs and/or desires with respect to efficiency and comfort. A selection may be made between an energy efficiency setting and a user comfort setting. Then, a plenum parameter such as a discharge air temperature (DAT) or discharge air flow (DAF) may be regulated in accordance with the selected setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nordberg, Brent Chian, Douglas D. Bird, Michael W. Schultz, Peter M. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20190137189
    Abstract: A tank-type water heater includes a storage tank and a heating circuit outside of the tank. The heating circuit includes at least one heat engine and at least one pump for circulating water from the bottom of the tank through the heat engine and back to the top of the tank. A stratifier introduces the heated water from the heating circuit into the top of the tank in a diffuse manner to promote stratification of hot water in the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Yingwu TENG, Michael W. SCHULTZ
  • Publication number: 20160209054
    Abstract: A furnace controller for a modulating furnace that helps provide a balance between energy efficiency and occupant comfort across various burner firing rates and/or across various circulating blower speeds. In some cases, the furnace controller can be configured to permit a user to customize operation of the furnace in accordance with their particular needs and/or desires with respect to efficiency and comfort. A selection may be made between an energy efficiency setting and a user comfort setting. Then, a plenum parameter such as a discharge air temperature (DAT) or discharge air flow (DAF) may be regulated in accordance with the selected setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nordberg, Brent Chian, Douglas D. Bird, Michael W. Schultz, Peter M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9316413
    Abstract: A furnace controller for a modulating furnace that helps provide a balance between energy efficiency and occupant comfort across various burner firing rates and/or across various circulating blower speeds. In some cases, the furnace controller can be configured to permit a user to customize operation of the furnace in accordance with their particular needs and/or desires with respect to efficiency and comfort. A selection may be made between an energy efficiency setting and a user comfort setting. Then, a plenum parameter such as a discharge air temperature (DAT) or discharge air flow (DAF) may be regulated in accordance with the selected setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nordberg, Brent Chian, Douglas D. Bird, Michael W. Schultz, Peter M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9032950
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and controllers for controlling gas-fired appliances such as warm air furnaces are disclosed. An illustrative furnace system can include a burner unit in communication with a combustion air flow conduit and heat exchanger, a variable speed inducer fan or blower adapted to provide a flow of combustion air to the burner unit, a furnace controller and motor speed control unit adapted to regulate the speed of the inducer fan or blower, and a pneumatically modulated gas valve adapted to variably output gas pressure to the burner unit based at least in part on the combustion air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8919337
    Abstract: A system having a pre-mix burner manifold in a housing that may permit air to be drawn through slots in the housing to flow over an external surface of the manifold. The flow of air may maintain a temperature of the manifold lower than a temperature that the manifold might have without the flow. The manifold may be attached to a burner and heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Schultz, Douglas Perry, James E. Erickson
  • Patent number: 8764435
    Abstract: A modulating furnace having a variable rate burner and a controller is operated at a first burner firing rate for a first period of time, and a higher burner firing rate once the first period of time has expired. In some instances, the burner may be operated only while the controller is receiving a call for heat from a thermostat or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nordberg, Brent Chian, Michael W. Schultz, Douglas D. Bird
  • Patent number: 8635997
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling gas to gas-fired appliances are disclosed. An illustrative system can include a modulating gas valve adapted to supply gas to a burner unit, an inducer fan adapted to produce a combustion air flow at the burner unit, a pressure reducing element in fluid communication with the gas valve and adapted to output at least one pressure signal for sensing the combustion air flow outputted by the inducer fan, and a controller for controlling the speed of the inducer fan. The pressure reducing element can include a venturi tube, flow nozzle, or other suitable device capable of producing pneumatic signals that can be used by the gas valve to modulate the gas supplied to the burner unit. By pneumatically linking the gas valve to the actual combustion air flow, the gas valve can be operated over a wide range of firing rates by adjusting the speed of the inducer fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Schultz, Glenn R. Bergum
  • Patent number: 8591221
    Abstract: A forced air furnace may include a pneumatically modulated gas valve that is configured to provide gas to a burner. A pneumatic sampling device may be disposed proximate a combustion blower and may be configured to provide the pneumatically modulated gas valve with a first pneumatic signal and a second pneumatic signal that are representative of fluid flow through the pneumatic sampling device. The pneumatically modulated gas valve may regulate gas flow in accordance with the first and second pneumatic signals. In some cases, the pneumatic sampling device may include a restriction, a first pressure port disposed upstream of the restriction and a second pressure port disposed downstream of the restriction. The first and second pressure ports may provide the first and second pneumatic signals to the pneumatically modulated gas valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Michael W. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20130213379
    Abstract: A system having a pre-mix burner manifold in a housing that may permit air to be drawn through slots in the housing to flow over an external surface of the manifold. The flow of air may maintain a temperature of the manifold lower than a temperature that the manifold might have without the flow. The manifold may be attached to a burner and heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Michael W. Schultz, Douglas Perry, James E. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20120130542
    Abstract: A modulating furnace having a variable rate burner and a controller is operated at a first burner firing rate for a first period of time, and a higher burner firing rate once the first period of time has expired. In some instances, the burner may be operated only while the controller is receiving a call for heat from a thermostat or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nordberg, Brent Chian, Michael W. Schultz, Douglas D. Bird
  • Patent number: 8123518
    Abstract: A modulating furnace having a variable rate burner and a controller is operated at a first burner firing rate for a first period of time, and a higher burner firing rate once the first period of time has expired. In some instances, the burner may be operated only while the controller is receiving a call for heat from a thermostat or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nordberg, Brent Chiain, Michael W. Schultz, Douglas D. Bird
  • Publication number: 20110269082
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and controllers for controlling gas-fired appliances such as warm air furnaces are disclosed. An illustrative furnace system can include a burner unit in communication with a combustion air flow conduit and heat exchanger, a variable speed inducer fan or blower adapted to provide a flow of combustion air to the burner unit, a furnace controller and motor speed control unit adapted to regulate the speed of the inducer fan or blower, and a pneumatically modulated gas valve adapted to variably output gas pressure to the burner unit based at least in part on the combustion air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Michael W. Schultz
  • Patent number: 7981164
    Abstract: A knee prosthesis for providing a user with a natural walking gait and flexion resistance. The knee prosthesis includes a support assembly; a flexion resistance member being supported upon the support assembly; a pivot assembly being pivotally connected to the support assembly and being fastened to a user's leg socket; and a flexion resistance drive assembly interconnecting said pivot assembly and said flexion resistance member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Michael W. Schultz
  • Patent number: 7748375
    Abstract: A pneumatic signal conditioning device may have a first fluid path and a second fluid path. The first fluid path includes a first inlet and a first outlet, and is configured such that the first outlet provides a first conditioned signal representing a pressure at the first inlet. Similarly, the second fluid path is configured such that the second outlet provides a second conditioned signal representing a pressure at the second inlet. A pressure switch may be disposed in fluid communication with the first fluid path and the second fluid path such that the first fluid path and the second fluid path pass through the pressure switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20100009302
    Abstract: A modulating furnace having a variable rate burner and a controller is operated at a first burner firing rate for a first period of time, and a higher burner firing rate once the first period of time has expired. In some instances, the burner may be operated only while the controller is receiving a call for heat from a thermostat or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nordberg, Brent Chian, Michael W. Schultz, Douglas D. Bird
  • Patent number: 7644712
    Abstract: A pneumatic signal conditioning device may have a first fluid path and a second fluid path. The first fluid path includes a first inlet and a first outlet, and is configured such that the first outlet provides a first conditioned signal representing a pressure at the first inlet. Similarly, the second fluid path is configured such that the second outlet provides a second conditioned signal representing a pressure at the second inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20090308372
    Abstract: A furnace controller for a modulating furnace that helps provide a balance between energy efficiency and occupant comfort across various burner firing rates and/or across various circulating blower speeds. In some cases, the furnace controller can be configured to permit a user to customize operation of the furnace in accordance with their particular needs and/or desires with respect to efficiency and comfort. A selection may be made between an energy efficiency setting and a user comfort setting. Then, a plenum parameter such as a discharge air temperature (DAT) or discharge air flow (DAF) may be regulated in accordance with the selected setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nordberg, Brent Chian, Douglas D. Bird, Michael W. Schultz, Peter M. Anderson