Patents by Inventor R. Dale Shropshire

R. Dale Shropshire 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: 7290502
    Abstract: A control for a water heater is provided that comprises a pressure switch for sensing a predetermined level of airflow sufficient for maintaining proper burner operation, and a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank. The control further comprises a processor for controlling the operation of the burner to maintain the water temperature above a predetermined value. When the processor receives a signal from the pressure switch indicating an insufficient level of airflow, the processor shuts down the burner and subsequently attempts to restart the burner. The processor will also lock-out further burner operation after a predetermined number of consecutive shut downs occurs before the water is heated to a desired temperature during a single call for heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Larry D. Kidd, R. Dale Shropshire, John S. Haefner, G. Scott Vogel
  • Patent number: 6295952
    Abstract: A water heater including a water tank, a combustion chamber beneath the tank, a gas burner in the combustion chamber, an air plenum upstream of the combustion chamber, a flame arrestor located such that air in the air plenum passes through the flame arrestor to reach the combustion chamber, and a flue extending upwardly from the combustion chamber and through the water tank. An inner plate defines the lower boundary of the combustion chamber, and supports the flame arrestor. The inner plate is rolled around the bottom edge of the skirt. A raised ring is formed in the inner plate, and the flame arrestor is seated against the raised ring. An o-ring seal is positioned in a peripheral groove of the flame arrestor to substantially gas-tightly seal the periphery of the flame arrestor with respect to the inner plate. An access door is stamped and fit over a access opening in the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: AOS Holding Company
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Reynolds, R. Dale Shropshire, Herbert Edward Smith, Nolan Cornett
  • Patent number: 6230665
    Abstract: A water heater including a water tank, a combustion chamber beneath the tank, a gas burner in the combustion chamber, an air plenum upstream of the combustion chamber, a flame arrestor located such that air in the air plenum passes through the flame arrestor to reach the combustion chamber, and a flue extending upwardly from the combustion chamber and through the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: AOS Holding Company
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Reynolds, R. Dale Shropshire
  • Patent number: 6216643
    Abstract: A water heater including a water tank, a combustion chamber beneath the tank, a gas burner in the combustion chamber, an air plenum upstream of the combustion chamber, a flame arrestor located such that air in the air plenum passes through the flame arrestor to reach the combustion chamber, and a flue extending upwardly from the combustion chamber and through the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: AOS Holding Company
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Reynolds, R. Dale Shropshire
  • Patent number: 6109216
    Abstract: A water heater including a water tank, a combustion chamber beneath the tank, a gas burner in the combustion chamber, an air plenum upstream of the combustion chamber, a flame arrestor located such that air in the air plenum passes through the flame arrestor to reach the combustion chamber, and a flue extending upwardly from the combustion chamber and through the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: AOS Holding Company
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Reynolds, R. Dale Shropshire