Patents by Inventor Richard D. Rodrigo
Richard D. Rodrigo 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: 11310897Abstract: Various aspects of the disclosure provides for an ionized air blower that can be used to neutralize static charge on a target surface or provide a charge on the target surface. The ionized air blower may comprise a fan configured to generate airflow toward a target surface, an ionizer configured to produce positive ions and negative ions in the airflow, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to control one or both of a speed of the airflow from the blower and ionization of the airflow. The ionization is performed by a selected one of ion imbalanced mode or ion balanced mode of the blower.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: John A. Gorczyca, Steven J. Mandrachia, Manuel C. Blanco, Richard D. Rodrigo
-
Publication number: 20200113036Abstract: Various aspects of the disclosure provides for an ionized air blower that can be used to neutralize static charge on a target surface or provide a charge on the target surface. The ionized air blower may comprise a fan configured to generate airflow toward a target surface, an ionizer configured to produce positive ions and negative ions in the airflow, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to control one or both of a speed of the airflow from the blower and ionization of the airflow. The ionization is performed by a selected one of ion imbalanced mode or ion balanced mode of the blower.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: John A. Gorczyca, Steven J. Mandrachia, Manuel C. Blanco, Richard D. Rodrigo
-
Patent number: 8861166Abstract: An ionization system for a predefined area includes a plurality of emitter modules spaced around the area, a system controller for individually addressing and monitoring the emitter modules and communication lines for electrically connecting the plurality of emitter modules with the system controller. Each emitter module has an individual address and including at least one electrical ionizer.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventors: William S. Richie, Jr., Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
-
Publication number: 20120092804Abstract: An ionization system for a predefined area includes a plurality of emitter modules spaced around the area, a system controller for individually addressing and monitoring the emitter modules and communication lines for electrically connecting the plurality of emitter modules with the system controller. Each emitter module has an individual address and including at least one electrical ionizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: William S. Richie, JR., Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
-
Patent number: 7924544Abstract: An ionization system for a predefined area includes a plurality of emitter modules spaced around the area, a system controller for individually addressing and monitoring the emitter modules and communication lines for electrically connecting the plurality of emitter modules with the system controller. Each emitter module has an individual address and including at least one electrical ionizer.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: William S. Richie, Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
-
Patent number: 7828586Abstract: A connector system is provided for coupling an ionization emitter to an high voltage (HV) supply. The connector system includes one or more contacts for distributing voltage from the HV supply to the emitter. The connector system further includes a detection device that detects an element of an emitter that provides one or more properties of the emitter. The connector system further includes a detection logic device that sets one or more operating parameters of the HV supply according the one or more properties provided by the element of the emitter.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: John A. Gorczyca, Richard D. Rodrigo
-
Publication number: 20080309310Abstract: A connector system is provided for coupling an ionization emitter to an high voltage (HV) supply. The connector system includes one or more contacts for distributing voltage from the HV supply to the emitter. The connector system further includes a detection device that detects an element of an emitter that provides one or more properties of the emitter. The connector system further includes a detection logic device that sets one or more operating parameters of the HV supply according the one or more properties provided by the element of the emitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: John A. Gorczyca, Richard D. Rodrigo
-
Publication number: 20080273283Abstract: An ionization system for a predefined area includes a plurality of emitter modules spaced around the area, a system controller for individually addressing and monitoring the emitter modules and communication lines for electrically connecting the plurality of emitter modules with the system controller. Each emitter module has an individual address and including at least one electrical ionizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: William S. Richie, Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
-
Patent number: 7391599Abstract: An ionization system for a predefined area includes a plurality of emitter modules spaced around the area, a system controller for individually addressing and monitoring the emitter modules and communication lines for electrically connecting the plurality of emitter modules with the system controller. Each emitter module has an individual address and including at least one electrical ionizer.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: William S. Richie, Jr., Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
-
Patent number: 7161788Abstract: An ionization system for a predefined area includes a plurality of emitter modules spaced around the area, a system controller for individually addressing and monitoring the emitter modules and communication lines for electrically connecting the plurality of emitter modules with the system controller. Each emitter module has an individual address and including at least one electrical ionizer.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2003Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: William S. Richie, Jr., Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
-
Patent number: 7054130Abstract: An air ionizer blower includes a voltage source, an air inlet, an air outlet, an air mover, at least one electrode and a straightening vane. The air mover is configured to cause air to flow into the air inlet and out of the air outlet, thereby creating an air flow. The electrode is disposed in the flow path of the air and is electrically connected to the voltage source. The electrode is configured to generate either or both of positive and negative polarity ions. The straightening vane is disposed in the air flow and attenuates loss-causing air flow patterns by redirecting the loss-causing air flow toward a single output direction and redirects portions of the air flow having other trajectories toward the single output direction. The straightening vane has a plurality of uniformly distributed apertures, each having a depth that is a function of the open area of the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Illinois Tool Works IncInventors: John A. Gorczyca, Richard D. Rodrigo
-
Patent number: 6785114Abstract: An improved air ionizer apparatus includes an air inlet, a high voltage source, an electrode electrically connected to the high voltage source for generating ions and an air outlet. An air mover is provided for causing air to flow into the air ionizer through the air inlet and out of the air ionizer through the air outlet. A foraminous filter comprising an electrically conductive material is electrically coupled to at least one of a voltage source and ground. The filter is positioned over at least one of the air inlet, the air outlet and the electrode, such that air flowing into the air inlet, air flowing out of the air outlet or air flowing past the electrode flows through the filter. In a preferred embodiment, the filter comprises a metal grid or screen.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: John Gorczyca, Michael Jacobs, Nicholas Kowalski, Richard D. Rodrigo
-
Publication number: 20040150938Abstract: An ionization system for a predefined area includes a plurality of emitter modules spaced around the area, a system controller for individually addressing and monitoring the emitter modules and communication lines for electrically connecting the plurality of emitter modules with the system controller. Each emitter module has an individual address and including at least one electrical ionizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: William S. Richie, Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
-
Patent number: 6717414Abstract: A monitor apparatus and corresponding method of monitoring high voltage alternating current in the emitter and reference circuits of ionizers. The monitor is capacitively coupled to the emitter and reference circuits to detect faults without affecting the ionizer operation. Faults are displayed on a light emitting diode display. In an alternative embodiment, faults may be indicated by output signals. The output signals are used to automatically adjust the ionizer operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2001Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Rodrigo, William S. Richie, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6643113Abstract: A method of balancing positive and negative ion output in an electrical ionizer having positive and negative ion emitters and positive and negative high voltage power supplies associated with the respective positive and negative ion emitters includes automatically adjusting at least one of the positive and negative high voltage power supplies by ramping up or ramping down the at least one of the positive and negative power supplies at a predetermined rate. Another method of balancing positive and negative ion output in an electrical ionizer having positive and negative ion emitters and positive and negative high voltage power supplies associated with the respective positive and negative ion emitters includes automatically adjusting at least one of the positive and negative high voltage power supplies by ramping up the at least one of the positive and negative power supplies at a predetermined rate upon initiation of the operation of the electrical ionizer.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: William S. Richie, Jr., Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
-
Publication number: 20030067732Abstract: A method of balancing positive and negative ion output in an electrical ionizer having positive and negative ion emitters and positive and negative high voltage power supplies associated with the respective positive and negative ion emitters includes automatically adjusting at least one of the positive and negative high voltage power supplies by ramping up or ramping down the at least one of the positive and negative power supplies at a predetermined rate. Another method of balancing positive and negative ion output in an electrical ionizer having positive and negative ion emitters and positive and negative high voltage power supplies associated with the respective positive and negative ion emitters includes automatically adjusting at least one of the positive and negative high voltage power supplies by ramping up the at least one of the positive and negative power supplies at a predetermined rate upon initiation of the operation of the electrical ionizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: William S. Richie, Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
-
Patent number: 6507473Abstract: A room ionization system includes a plurality of emitter modules, each including an electrical ionizer. The emitter modules are spaced around the room and are connected in a daisy-chain manner to a system controller. Each emitter module has an individual address for allowing the system controller or a remote control transmitter to individually address and control each emitter module. Electrical lines containing both power and communication lines connect the plurality of emitter modules with the system controller. Each emitter module stores a balance reference value and an ion output current reference value for use by automatic balance control and automatic ion output current control circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: William S. Richie, Jr., Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
-
Publication number: 20020141131Abstract: An improved air ionizer apparatus includes an air inlet, a high voltage source, an electrode electrically connected to the high voltage source for generating ions and an air outlet. An air mover is provided for causing air to flow into the air ionizer through the air inlet and out of the air ionizer through the air outlet. A foraminous filter comprising an electrically conductive material is electrically coupled to at least one of a voltage source and ground. The filter is positioned over at least one of the air inlet, the air outlet and the electrode, such that air flowing into the air inlet, air flowing out of the air outlet or air flowing past the electrode flows through the filter. In a preferred embodiment, the filter comprises a metal grid or screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: John Gorczyca, Michael Jacobs, Nicholas Kowalski, Richard D. Rodrigo
-
Publication number: 20020051333Abstract: A room ionization system includes a plurality of emitter modules, each including an electrical ionizer. The emitter modules are spaced around the room and are connected in a daisy-chain manner to a system controller. Each emitter module has an individual address for allowing the system controller or a remote control transmitter to individually address and control each emitter module. Electrical lines containing both power and communication lines connect the plurality of emitter modules with the system controller. Each emitter module stores a balance reference value and an ion output current reference value for use by automatic balance control and automatic ion output current control circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2001Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventors: William S. Richie, Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
-
Patent number: 6252756Abstract: A room ionization system includes a plurality of emitter modules, each including an electrical ionizer. The emitter modules are spaced around the room and are connected in a daisy-chain manner to a system controller. Each emitter module has an individual address for allowing the system controller or a remote control transmitter to individually address and control each emitter module. Electrical lines containing both power and communication lines connect the plurality of emitter modules with the system controller. Each emitter module stores a balance reference value and an ion output current reference value for use by automatic balance control and automatic ion output current control circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: William S. Richie, Jr., Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall