Patents by Inventor Nicolas B. Paschke
Nicolas B. Paschke 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: 20240003562Abstract: An under-floor HVAC system for a building includes a pliable air duct lying upon a subfloor. A matrix of pedestals resting upon and extending upward from the subfloor supports a set of floor panels, which thus creates a plenum between the subfloor and the set of floor panels. The air duct extends through the plenum to convey conditioned air from a supply air duct to a series of registers in the floor panels. The registers disperse the conditioned air to a room or area just above the panels. To help keep the air duct from repeatedly extending, retracting, and otherwise sliding freely along the subfloor in response to changes in air duct pressure, the air duct is held taut by anchoring a distal downstream end of the duct to one or more of the floor-supporting pedestals. Various air duct configurations can be assembled from a predefined assortment of duct components.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Jeffrey Klopfenstein, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicolas B. Paschke
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Patent number: 11739958Abstract: An under-floor HVAC system for a building includes a pliable air duct lying upon a subfloor. A matrix of pedestals resting upon and extending upward from the subfloor supports a set of floor panels, which thus creates a plenum between the subfloor and the set of floor panels. The air duct extends through the plenum to convey conditioned air from a supply air duct to a series of registers in the floor panels. The registers disperse the conditioned air to a room or area just above the panels. To help keep the air duct from repeatedly extending, retracting, and otherwise sliding freely along the subfloor in response to changes in air duct pressure, the air duct is held taut by anchoring a distal downstream end of the duct to one or more of the floor-supporting pedestals. Various air duct configurations can be assembled from a predefined assortment of duct components.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2022Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Jeffrey Klopfenstein, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicolas B. Paschke
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Publication number: 20220146139Abstract: An under-floor HVAC system for a building includes a pliable air duct lying upon a subfloor. A matrix of pedestals resting upon and extending upward from the subfloor supports a set of floor panels, which thus creates a plenum between the subfloor and the set of floor panels. The air duct extends through the plenum to convey conditioned air from a supply air duct to a series of registers in the floor panels. The registers disperse the conditioned air to a room or area just above the panels. To help keep the air duct from repeatedly extending, retracting, and otherwise sliding freely along the subfloor in response to changes in air duct pressure, the air duct is held taut by anchoring a distal downstream end of the duct to one or more of the floor-supporting pedestals. Various air duct configurations can be assembled from a predefined assortment of duct components.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Jeffrey Klopfenstein, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicolas B. Paschke
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Patent number: 11293663Abstract: Fabric drop-down diffusers are disclosed. An example drop-down diffuser includes a first fabric sheet. The first fabric sheet is to extend away from a ceiling at a location adjacent a supply inlet. The supply inlet is to provide a flow of air toward the first fabric sheet. The example drop-down diffuser also includes a blanking sheet to restrict air flow through the first fabric sheet. The blanking sheet is to be disposed on an interior surface of the first fabric sheet. The blanking sheet has a lower permeability than the first fabric sheet.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Blaine Schmidt, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicolas B. Paschke, Thomas C. Smith
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Patent number: 11231189Abstract: An under-floor HVAC system for a building includes a pliable air duct lying upon a subfloor. A matrix of pedestals resting upon and extending upward from the subfloor supports a set of floor panels, which thus creates a plenum between the subfloor and the set of floor panels. The air duct extends through the plenum to convey conditioned air from a supply air duct to a series of registers in the floor panels. The registers disperse the conditioned air to a room or area just above the panels. To help keep the air duct from repeatedly extending, retracting, and otherwise sliding freely along the subfloor in response to changes in air duct pressure, the air duct is held taut by anchoring a distal downstream end of the duct to one or more of the floor-supporting pedestals. Various air duct configurations can be assembled from a predefined assortment of duct components.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Klopfenstein, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicolas B. Paschke
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Publication number: 20190249890Abstract: An under-floor HVAC system for a building includes a pliable air duct lying upon a subfloor. A matrix of pedestals resting upon and extending upward from the subfloor supports a set of floor panels, which thus creates a plenum between the subfloor and the set of floor panels. The air duct extends through the plenum to convey conditioned air from a supply air duct to a series of registers in the floor panels. The registers disperse the conditioned air to a room or area just above the panels. To help keep the air duct from repeatedly extending, retracting, and otherwise sliding freely along the subfloor in response to changes in air duct pressure, the air duct is held taut by anchoring a distal downstream end of the duct to one or more of the floor-supporting pedestals. Various air duct configurations can be assembled from a predefined assortment of duct components.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey Klopfenstein, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicolas B. Paschke
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Publication number: 20190128557Abstract: Fabric drop-down diffusers are disclosed. An example drop-down diffuser includes a first fabric sheet. The first fabric sheet is to extend away from a ceiling at a location adjacent a supply inlet. The supply inlet is to provide a flow of air toward the first fabric sheet. The example drop-down diffuser also includes a blanking sheet to restrict air flow through the first fabric sheet. The blanking sheet is to be disposed on an interior surface of the first fabric sheet. The blanking sheet has a lower permeability than the first fabric sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Blaine Schmidt, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicolas B. Paschke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, Thomas C. Smith
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Patent number: 10274216Abstract: An under-floor HVAC system for a building includes a pliable air duct lying upon a subfloor. A matrix of pedestals resting upon and extending upward from the subfloor supports a set of floor panels, which thus creates a plenum between the subfloor and the set of floor panels. The air duct extends through the plenum to convey conditioned air from a supply air duct to a series of registers in the floor panels. The registers disperse the conditioned air to a room or area just above the panels. To help keep the air duct from repeatedly extending, retracting, and otherwise sliding freely along the subfloor in response to changes in air duct pressure, the air duct is held taut by anchoring a distal downstream end of the duct to one or more of the floor-supporting pedestals. Various air duct configurations can be assembled from a predefined assortment of duct components.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Jeffrey Klopfenstein, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicolas B. Paschke
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Patent number: 9562432Abstract: Example inflatable air barriers are disclosed herein. Some example barriers disclosed herein include one or more inflatable tubes for maintaining a sealed airlock leading to an underground shelter. Such shelters provide miners with temporary refuge in the event of a mining incident involving the release of contaminated air. Some example barriers disclosed herein include one or more of the following: an inflatable tube with an air permeable section, a resiliently compressible foam body or other resilient member for supporting a deflated tube, a magnet for providing a secure seal, an inflatable tube with interchangeable end caps, elastic bands for securing the position of an inflatable tube, or an inflatable tube with one or more windows.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, Nicolas B. Paschke, Terry L. Bauer
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Patent number: 9518756Abstract: An external suspension system for supporting an inflatable air duct includes a series of external hangers that help hold the duct open while the duct is deflated. In some embodiments, the suspension system supports the duct at a series of points that are broadly distributed in a staggered pattern across the duct, yet the entire duct can be suspended from a single overhead cable, even if the duct is a stepped tube with multiple diameters. The system includes novel ways of locking the hangers to the duct and to the overhead cable.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2006Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Robert Brown, Kevin J. Gebke, Frank Heim, Michael A. Jacobson, Nicolas B. Paschke, Cary Pinkalla
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Patent number: 9039503Abstract: An air duct assembly includes upper and lower pliable sheets that can be assembled in a sequence that makes the assembly easier to install and later easier to remove for periodic cleaning. To install the assembly, the upper sheet can be installed first by inserting the edges of the upper sheet within a pair of tracks and then fastening the upper sheet to a vertical supply air duct. An optional airflow modifier (e.g., filter, airflow turning vane, or noise attenuator) can be install where the supply air duct connects to the upper sheet. Once the upper sheet is suspended from the tracks and fastened to the main supply air duct, the lower sheet can be installed separately. Pliable end panels and pliable fasteners (e.g., zipper or VELCRO fastener) can make most of the air duct assembly machine washable. The upper and lower sheets can have different degrees of air permeability.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin J. Gebke, Frank Heim, Nicolas B. Paschke
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Publication number: 20140075849Abstract: Example inflatable air barriers are disclosed herein. Some example barriers disclosed herein include one or more inflatable tubes for maintaining a sealed airlock leading to an underground shelter. Such shelters provide miners with temporary refuge in the event of a mining incident involving the release of contaminated air. Some example barriers disclosed herein include one or more of the following: an inflatable tube with an air permeable section, a resiliently compressible foam body or other resilient member for supporting a deflated tube, a magnet for providing a secure seal, an inflatable tube with interchangeable end caps, elastic bands for securing the position of an inflatable tube, or an inflatable tube with one or more windows.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: Frank Heim, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufman, Nicolas B. Paschke, Terry L. Bauer
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Publication number: 20100048121Abstract: An under-floor HVAC system for a building includes a pliable air duct lying upon a subfloor. A matrix of pedestals resting upon and extending upward from the subfloor supports a set of floor panels, which thus creates a plenum between the subfloor and the set of floor panels. The air duct extends through the plenum to convey conditioned air from a supply air duct to a series of registers in the floor panels. The registers disperse the conditioned air to a room or area just above the panels. To help keep the air duct from repeatedly extending, retracting, and otherwise sliding freely along the subfloor in response to changes in air duct pressure, the air duct is held taut by anchoring a distal downstream end of the duct to one or more of the floor-supporting pedestals. Various air duct configurations can be assembled from a predefined assortment of duct components.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2008Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventors: Jeffrey Klopfenstein, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicolas B. Paschke
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Publication number: 20090221226Abstract: An air duct assembly includes upper and lower pliable sheets that can be assembled in a sequence that makes the assembly easier to install and later easier to remove for periodic cleaning. To install the assembly, the upper sheet can be installed first by inserting the edges of the upper sheet within a pair of tracks and then fastening the upper sheet to a vertical supply air duct. An optional airflow modifier (e.g., filter, airflow turning vane, or noise attenuator) can be install where the supply air duct connects to the upper sheet. Once the upper sheet is suspended from the tracks and fastened to the main supply air duct, the lower sheet can be installed separately. Pliable end panels and pliable fasteners (e.g., zipper or VELCRO fastener) can make most of the air duct assembly machine washable. The upper and lower sheets can have different degrees of air permeability.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Inventors: Kevin J. Gebke, Frank Heim, Nicolas B. Paschke
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Publication number: 20080176506Abstract: An air diffuser includes a porous fabric panel having areas of different flow coefficients. The areas' positions and their relative flow coefficients provide a means for not only diffusing the air but also for strategically directing the airflow in a deliberate pattern that promotes intermixing of the air while avoiding adverse air currents. Consequently, the porous fabric itself provides air dispersion and airflow direction without the need for louvers or guide vanes. In some embodiments, the fabric's porosity is programmed by laser cutting small slits into the fabric.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Applicant: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin J. Gebke, Frank Heim, Nicholas L. Kaufmann, Nicolas B. Paschke, Cary Pinkalla
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Publication number: 20080113610Abstract: An external suspension system for supporting an inflatable air duct includes a series of external hangers that help hold the duct open while the duct is deflated. In some embodiments, the suspension system supports the duct at a series of points that are broadly distributed in a staggered pattern across the duct, yet the entire duct can be suspended from a single overhead cable, even if the duct is a stepped tube with multiple diameters. The system includes novel ways of locking the hangers to the duct and to the overhead cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2006Publication date: May 15, 2008Applicant: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Robert Brown, Kevin J. Gebke, Frank Heim, Mike Jacobson, Nicolas B. Paschke, Cary Pinkalla
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Patent number: 6953396Abstract: A fabric flow restriction and method for conveying a volume of air through a fabric duct prevents the violet popping that may occur with a fabric duct upon start-up. The fabric ducts are air permeable and/or include discharge openings that evenly disperse supply air from within the duct to a room being heated, cooled, ventilated, or otherwise conditioned by the air. The ducts are typically in a collapsed positioned prior to blower start-up. With the initial airflow, the ducts quickly fill with air and may make a popping sound at their distal ends as the airflow fills the entire fabric duct. The flow restrictions disclosed may be formed of a flexible fabric that has an airflow resistance that varies with radius across the flexible fabric. The flow restrictions may have a first region and a second region each with different resistances, for example. Varying the resistance across the fabric flow restriction reduces or eliminates the popping condition.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2003Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Rite-Hite Holding CorporationInventors: Nicolas B. Paschke, Kevin J. Gebke
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Publication number: 20030194965Abstract: A fabric flow restriction and method for conveying a volume of air through a fabric duct prevents the violet popping that may occur with a fabric duct upon start-up. The fabric ducts are air permeable and/or include discharge openings that evenly disperse supply air from within the duct to a room being heated, cooled, ventilated, or otherwise conditioned by the air. The ducts are typically in a collapsed positioned prior to blower start-up. With the initial airflow, the ducts quickly fill with air and may make a popping sound at their distal ends as the airflow fills the entire fabric duct. The flow restrictions disclosed may be formed of a flexible fabric that has an airflow resistance that varies with radius across the flexible fabric. The flow restrictions may have a first region and a second region each with different resistances, for example. Varying the resistance across the fabric flow restriction reduces or eliminates the popping condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: Nicolas B. Paschke, Kevin J. Gebke
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Patent number: 6558250Abstract: A fabric flow restriction and method for adjusting the flow resistance through a fabric duct enables balancing the airflow through a network of fabric ducts. The fabric ducts are air permeable and/or include discharge openings that evenly disperse supply air from within the duct to a room being heated, cooled, ventilated, or otherwise conditioned by the air. Disclosed embodiments include flow restrictions that are adjustable by tightening a drawstring that constricts an annular web disposed within the duct or constricts the fabric duct itself, selectively masking portions of a fabric mesh installed inside the duct, or by interchanging fabric meshes of various flow resistance. In any case, the flow restriction consists of flexible fabric that tends to conform to the changing shape of a fabric duct as the duct alternately inflates and deflates due to changes in air pressure within the duct.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2000Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Inventor: Nicolas B. Paschke
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Patent number: D932609Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin J. Gebke, Blaine Schmidt, Nicolas B. Paschke