Patents by Inventor Nick W. Buettner

Nick W. Buettner 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: 5879559
    Abstract: A control unit for operating a valve system in a water conditioner system includes a drive motor having an output shaft coupled to the valve system, a valve position slide switch, an electronic regeneration controller, and a settable mechanical clock. The electronic controller can be programmed by the use of electrical jumpers/dip switches/control knobs. As the drive motor drives the output shaft coupled to the valve system, the drive motor also contemporaneously rotates a dual lead screw in the valve position slide switch. The dual lead screw drives an electrical contactor along a series of electrical contacts in a closed loop fashion. Each of the discrete electrical contacts corresponds to a position of the valve. The electronic controller controls the position of the valve in accordance with dwell times programmed into the electronic controller. If a demand regeneration scheme is desirable, a hardness setting rotary potentiometer can be used to provide analog electrical control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Erie Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Schreiner, Sheldon P. Carr, Nick W. Buettner
  • Patent number: 5256283
    Abstract: A water conditioner rotary valve for use in a water conditioning system includes a valve body constructed of an upper section, a lower section and a middle section, to facilitate ease in assembly of the body. The valve rotor member of the conditioner valve is driven by a Geneva drive system, to provide accurate positioning of the rotor member in its various positions. A valve seat member is located adjacent the rotor member, and provides a construction which improves the seal between the rotor member and the surface of the valve body adjacent thereto. The three-piece assembly of the valve body facilitates providing a valve capable of either upflow or downflow brining by replacing the lower valve section. A brine injector valve is mounted exteriorly of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Erie Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Nick W. Buettner
  • Patent number: 5203081
    Abstract: A water conditioner rotary valve for use in a water conditioning system includes a valve body constructed of an upper section, a lower section and a middle section, to facilitate ease in assembly of the body. The valve rotor member of the conditioner valve is driven by a Geneva drive system, to provide accurate positioning of the rotor member in its various positions. A valve seat member is located adjacent the rotor member, and provides a construction which improves the seal between the rotor member and the surface of the valve body adjacent thereto. The three-piece assembly of the valve body facilitates providing a valve capable of either upflow or downflow brining by replacing the lower valve section. A brine injector valve is mounted exteriorly of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Erie Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Theodore E. Dahlen, John M. Gagas, Nick W. Buettner
  • Patent number: 5174337
    Abstract: A water conditioner rotary valve for use in a water conditioning system includes a valve body constructed of an upper section, a lower section and a middle section, to facilitate ease in assembly of the body. The valve rotor member of the conditioner valve is driven by a Geneva drive system, to provide accurate positioning of the rotor member in its various positions. A valve seat member is located adjacent the rotor member, and provides a construction which improves the seal between the rotor member and the surface of the valve body adjacent thereto. The three-piece assembly of the valve body facilitates providing a valve capable of either upflow or downflow brining by replacing the lower valve section. A brine injector valve is mounted exteriorly of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Erie Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Theodore E. Dahlen, John M. Gagas, Nick W. Buettner