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: 11310897
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Gorczyca, Steven J. Mandrachia, Manuel C. Blanco, Richard D. Rodrigo
  • Publication number: 20200113036
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: John A. Gorczyca, Steven J. Mandrachia, Manuel C. Blanco, Richard D. Rodrigo
  • Patent number: 8861166
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Richie, Jr., Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
  • Publication number: 20120092804
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Richie, JR., Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
  • Patent number: 7924544
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Richie, Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
  • Patent number: 7828586
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Gorczyca, Richard D. Rodrigo
  • Publication number: 20080309310
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: John A. Gorczyca, Richard D. Rodrigo
  • Publication number: 20080273283
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: William S. Richie, Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
  • Patent number: 7391599
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Richie, Jr., Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
  • Patent number: 7161788
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Richie, Jr., Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
  • Patent number: 7054130
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventors: John A. Gorczyca, Richard D. Rodrigo
  • Patent number: 6785114
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John Gorczyca, Michael Jacobs, Nicholas Kowalski, Richard D. Rodrigo
  • Publication number: 20040150938
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Richie, Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
  • Patent number: 6717414
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Rodrigo, William S. Richie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6643113
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Richie, Jr., Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
  • Publication number: 20030067732
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Richie, Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
  • Patent number: 6507473
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Richie, Jr., Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
  • Publication number: 20020141131
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: John Gorczyca, Michael Jacobs, Nicholas Kowalski, Richard D. Rodrigo
  • Publication number: 20020051333
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: William S. Richie, Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall
  • Patent number: 6252756
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Richie, Jr., Richard D. Rodrigo, Philip R. Hall