Patents by Inventor Robert J. Alvarez
Robert J. Alvarez 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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Patent number: 6857578Abstract: A combination water heating and space heating apparatus includes a water heating unit and a space heating unit. The water heating unit has a water storage tank, a heating device for heating water stored in the tank, and a first temperature sensor for sensing water temperature. The space heating unit includes a heat exchanger for heating air supplied to an indoor space, a blower for blowing air over the heat exchanger, and a second temperature sensor for sensing air temperature in the space. Heated water is supplied from the tank to the heat exchanger by means of a circulation pump when the second temperature sensor indicates a demand for heat in the space. The apparatus is controlled to give priority to domestic hot water use (e.g., potable water) over space heating use.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Lennox Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Alvarez, Gregory W. Murtha, Islam O. Shahin
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Publication number: 20040227003Abstract: A combination water heating and space heating apparatus includes a water heating unit and a space heating unit. The water heating unit has a water storage tank, a heating device for heating water stored in the tank, and a first temperature sensor for sensing water temperature. The space heating unit includes a heat exchanger for heating air supplied to an indoor space, a blower for blowing air over the heat exchanger, and a second temperature sensor for sensing air temperature in the space. Heated water is supplied from the tank to the heat exchanger by means of a circulation pump when the second temperature sensor indicates a demand for heat in the space. The apparatus is controlled to give priority to domestic hot water use (e.g., potable water) over space heating use.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: Lennox Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Alvarez, Gregory W. Murtha, Islam O. Shahin
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Patent number: 5540263Abstract: The production of hot soup from soup concentrate involves the use of an apparatus that includes a housing having a refrigerated first section and a second section. A soup concentrate container is positioned within the refrigerated section for receiving soup concentrate and a discharge device is operatively associated with the soup concentrate container for discharging a predetermined amount of soup concentrate from the soup concentrate container. A nozzle which is adapted to be connected to a source of hot water is positioned in the second section of the housing for producing a stream of water. A movable tray is also positioned in the second section for receiving a cup or the like in which is to be mixed hot water and soup concentrate. A tray driving device is connected to the tray for moving the tray between various positions at which a cup is placed on the tray, soup concentrate is discharged into the cup and hot water is dispensed into the cup.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1995Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Assignees: H. J. Heinz Co., Welbilt CorporationInventors: David C. Hustvedt, James R. Cowles, James T. Peel, Robert J. Alvarez
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Patent number: 5479707Abstract: An ice maker module is built on an integrally formed plastic base. One or more ice making modules are stacked on top of an ice bin. Integrally formed within the plastic base is "wet" compartment within which are disposed multiple numbers of evaporators on which water is frozen into ice cubes. The plastic base also separates the wet compartment from a dry compartment in which is mounted refrigeration components and control circuitry. The evaporators are constructed of two plates of stainless steel. Icing sites are located on the flattened sides of a serpentine refrigeration channel formed between depressions in the stainless steel plates. A microcontroller operates the ice making process. Harvesting of the ice cubes is initiated after the ice maker has used an amount of water necessary to make the ice. An ultrasonic range finder monitors the amount of ice in the bin.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1994Date of Patent: January 2, 1996Assignee: Mile High Equipment CompanyInventors: Robert J. Alvarez, Scott E. Bredesen, James J. Wilson, Duane D. Flim, Todd E. Kniffen, Clinton O. Schahrer
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Patent number: 5291752Abstract: An ice maker module is built on an integrally formed plastic base. One or more ice making modules are stacked on top of an ice bin. Integrally formed within the plastic base is "wet" compartment within which are disposed multiple numbers of evaporators on which water is frozen into ice cubes. The plastic base also separates the wet compartment from a dry compartment in which is mounted refrigeration components and control circuitry. The evaporators are constructed of two plates of stainless steel. Icing sites are located on the flattened sides of a serpentine refrigeration channel formed between depressions in the stainless steel plates. A microcontroller operates the ice making process. Harvesting of the ice cubes is initiated after the ice maker has used an amount of water necessary to make the ice. An ultrasonic range finder monitors the amount of ice in the bin.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1992Date of Patent: March 8, 1994Inventors: Robert J. Alvarez, Scott E. Bredesen, James J. Wilson, Duane D. Flim, Todd E. Kniffen, Clinton O. Schahrer
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Patent number: 5182925Abstract: An ice maker module is built on an integrally formed plastic base. One or more ice making modules are stacked on top of an ice bin. Integrally formed within the plastic base is "wet" compartment within which are disposed multiple numbers of evaporators on which water is frozen into ice cubes. The plastic base also separates the wet compartment from a dry compartment in which is mounted refrigeration components and control circuitry. The evaporators are constructed of two plates of stainless steel. Icing sites are located on the flattened sides of a serpentine refrigeration channel formed between depressions in the stainless steel plates. A microcontroller operates the ice making process. Harvesting of the ice cubes is initiated after the ice maker has used an amount of water necessary to make the ice. An ultrasonic range finder monitors the amount of ice in the bin.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1991Date of Patent: February 2, 1993Assignee: Mile High Equipment CompanyInventors: Robert J. Alvarez, Scott E. Bredesen, James J. Wilson, Duane D. Flim, Todd E. Kniffen, Clinton O. Schahrer
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Patent number: 5165255Abstract: To insure a continuous supply of ice pieces to a drink dispensing machine having an upwardly open ice piece dispensing compartment, a storage bin is provided in vertical alignment with the ice piece compartment and an ice making machine is mounted on top of the storage bin. A discharge auger is mounted in a discharge opening in the bottom of the ice piece storage bin and is energized by switch means responsive to the level of ice pieces in the ice dispensing compartment.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1991Date of Patent: November 24, 1992Assignee: Mile High Equipment CompanyInventors: Robert J. Alvarez, Christopher P. Yoerg
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Patent number: 5065817Abstract: An auger type ice flaking machine has an evaporator section defined in part by a vertically oriented flaker barrel with closed upper and lower ends, and a knurled longitudinally intermediate exterior side surface positioned within an annular hollow jacket structure externally and coaxially mounted on the barrel and having an outlet opening positioned adjacent its upper end and communicating with the accumulator portion of an associated refrigeration circuit. Spirally wrapped tightly around the knurled surface is a coiled length of refrigerant tubing having an open lower end, and an upper end connected to the outlet of the expansion valve portion of the refrigeration circuit, adjacent coils of the tubing being longitudinally spaced apart. During operation of the machine, refrigerant is flowed downwardly through the tubing, into the jacket interior, and then upwardly through the jacket and outwardly through its outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1990Date of Patent: November 19, 1991Assignee: Mile High Equipment CompanyInventors: Robert J. Alvarez, Tom N. Martineau, Steven D. VanderBurgh
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Patent number: 4991407Abstract: An auger type ice flaking machine has an evaporator section defined in part by a vertically oriented flaker barrel with closed upper and lower ends, and a knurled longitudinally intermediate exterior side surface positioned within an annular hollow jacket structure externally and coaxially mounted on the barrel and having an outlet opening positioned adjacent its upper end and communicating with the accumulator portion of an associated refrigeration circuit. Spirally wrapped tightly around the knurled surface is a coiled length of refrigerant tubing having an open lower end, and an upper end connected to the outlet of the expansion valve portion of the refrigeration circuit, adjacent coils of the tubing being longitudinally spaced apart. During operation of the machine, refrigerant is flowed downwardly through the tubing, into the jacket interior, and then upwardly through the jacket and outwardly through its outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1989Date of Patent: February 12, 1991Assignee: Mile High Equipment CompanyInventors: Robert J. Alvarez, Tom N. Martineau, Steven D. VanderBurgh
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Patent number: 4396848Abstract: A method is disclosed of counteracting the tendency for oil to enter a compressor motor air gap. The method includes the provision of means that interrupt the normally smooth surface of a rotor to which oil would otherwise adhere. Either alternatively or additionally, a sweeping action is carried out for moving oil to stator slots adjacent to the motor air gap and thus out of the air gap. Departure from conventional rotor construction includes providing one or more grooves along the surface of the rotor. Grooves may be cut into rotor surfaces by a file or ball end mill. In other forms, grooves or dents may be coined or otherwise pressed into the rotor; or such grooves may be provided as a result of the configuration of the individual rotor laminations. The grooves may be disposed parallel to the rotor axis or disposed spiralled (clockwise and counterclockwise); and either one or a plurality of grooves may be provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1980Date of Patent: August 2, 1983Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Owen H. Scheldorf, Robert J. Alvarez
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Patent number: 4058989Abstract: A household refrigerator has a compartment divided into a freezer portion and a fresh food portion. Instead of a solid partition, a moving invisible layer of air isolates the two portions from each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1975Date of Patent: November 22, 1977Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Julius B. Horvay, Robert J. Alvarez