Patents by Inventor Robert B. "Dutch" Uselton

Robert B. "Dutch" Uselton 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: 10240852
    Abstract: In various implementations, an ice sensor may include heater(s), ice accumulation surface(s), and/or temperature sensor(s). During operation, heat from a heater may be provided to an ice accumulation surface and a temperature sensor(s) may determine temperature(s) of the ice accumulation surface. A determination of whether ice is present on the ice sensor may be based at least partially on the determined temperature(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Dutch Uselton, Jonathan Douglas
  • Publication number: 20180259206
    Abstract: A system incudes an equipment interface module (EIM) and a control unit. The EIM includes a signal encoder that is operable to generate one or more encoded signals by encoding one or more instructions onto one or more electrical signals according to one or more received commands from a thermostat unit. The signal encoder is further operable to transmit the generated one or more encoded signals on one or more of a plurality of electrical wires. The control unit is coupled to the EIM via the plurality of electrical wires and includes a signal decoder. The signal decoder is operable to decode the one or more instructions from the one or more encoded signals on the one or more electrical wires. The control unit is operable to control one or more functions of a motor according to the decoded instructions from the signal decoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventor: Robert B. "Dutch" Uselton
  • Publication number: 20180051925
    Abstract: In various implementations, an ice sensor may include heater(s), ice accumulation surface(s), and/or temperature sensor(s). During operation, heat from a heater may be provided to an ice accumulation surface and a temperature sensor(s) may determine temperature(s) of the ice accumulation surface. A determination of whether ice is present on the ice sensor may be based at least partially on the determined temperature(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Dutch Uselton, Jonathan Douglas
  • Publication number: 20170204875
    Abstract: A fan system may generate an air flow during use. In various implementations, a fan system may include a fan and an orifice. The orifice may include a converging section, a diverging section, and a minimum radius section disposed between the converging section and the diverging section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Kapil Das Sahu, Robert B. "Dutch" Uselton
  • Publication number: 20170122624
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a refrigeration system comprises first and second evaporators, first and second compressors, and a gas cooler. The first and second evaporators receive liquid refrigerant from a flash tank and evaporate the refrigerant to cool a first case and a second case, respectively. The second case has a higher temperature set point than the first case. The first compressor compresses the refrigerant discharged from the first evaporator. The second compressor compresses the refrigerant discharged from the first compressor, flash gas from the flash tank, and the refrigerant discharged from the second evaporator. The gas cooler comprises an air-cooled stage that cools the refrigerant discharged from the second compressor and an evaporative stage that cools the refrigerant discharged from the air-cooled stage. The gas cooler further comprises an outlet that supplies the cooled refrigerant to the flash tank through an expansion valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Shitong Zha, Robert B. "Dutch" Uselton
  • Publication number: 20140314562
    Abstract: A fan system may generate an air flow during use. In various implementations, a fan system may include a fan and an orifice. The orifice may include a converging section, a diverging section, and a minimum radius section disposed between the converging section and the diverging section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: LENNOX INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Kapil Das Sahu, Robert B. Dutch Uselton
  • Publication number: 20140150478
    Abstract: In various implementations, an ice sensor may include heater(s), ice accumulation surface(s), and/or temperature sensor(s). During operation, heat from a heater may be provided to an ice accumulation surface and a temperature sensor(s) may determine temperature(s) of the ice accumulation surface. A determination of whether ice is present on the ice sensor may be based at least partially on the determined temperature(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Robert B. Dutch Uselton, Jonathan Douglas
  • Publication number: 20140116068
    Abstract: An auxiliary heat exchanger may reduce a temperature of a refrigerant allowed to pass through the auxiliary heat exchanger. The operation of the auxiliary heat exchanger may be controlled. In some implementations, the auxiliary heat exchangers may include fluid retention members, thermoelectric coolers, and/or other types of heat exchangers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventor: Robert B. "Dutch" Uselton