Patents by Inventor Russell T. Jenks
Russell T. Jenks 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: 10571304Abstract: An actuator in a HVAC system includes an inductive sensor, a conductive target, and a controller. The conductive target has multiple different portions that become aligned with the inductive sensor as a position of the actuator changes. Each of the multiple different portions have a different inductance. The controller receives a signal from the inductive sensor indicating an observed inductance of the portion of the conductive target aligned with the inductive sensor. The controller uses a stored relationship between the observed inductance and the position of the actuator to determine the position of the actuator based on the observed inductance. The controller operates the actuator to change the position of the actuator based on the determined position.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Robert K. Alexander, Gary A. Romanowich, Russell T. Jenks, Cory C. Strebe, Kevin A. Weiss
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Publication number: 20190353260Abstract: An actuator controls the operation of a valve member to achieve desired flow or no-flow states through different inlet ports of the valve in response to different types of input signals from one or more input sources. In some embodiments, the actuator drives the valve member along a first portion of a travel path to regulate flow through a first inlet port using analog or binary input signal(s) from a first input source, and drives the valve member along a second portion of the travel path to regulate flow through a second inlet port using analog or binary input signal(s) from a second input source. In some embodiments the actuator drives the valve member along the entire travel path to regulate flow through each of the first inlet port and the second inlet port responsive to an analog input signal from a single input source.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Russell T. Jenks, Gary A. Romanowich, Stephanie P. Lynn, Ralph L. Arndt, JR., Matthew A. Ward
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Publication number: 20190353389Abstract: A removable circuit card assembly configured to be inserted into an HVAC device is provided. The removable circuit card assembly includes a printed wiring board, an enclosure cap coupled to the printed wiring board, and a dual in-line package (DIP) switch component coupled to the printed wiring board. The DIP switch component includes multiple DIP switches. Each of the DIP switches is configured to be actuated between a first position and a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2018Publication date: November 21, 2019Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Russell T. Jenks, Cory C. Strebe, Kevin A. Weiss
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Patent number: 10465803Abstract: A multipurpose valve tool is provided. The multipurpose valve tool includes multiple flow control discs, a retention ring, and a valve key. The flow control discs are configured to be installed within a valve body of a valve assembly to modulate a flow of fluid through an outlet port of the valve body. The retention ring is configured to retain the flow control discs on a component of the valve assembly when the flow control discs are not installed within the valve body. The valve key includes a first end configured to engage an installation feature in a retention fastener for one of the flow control discs. The flow control discs, the retention ring, and the valve key are detachably coupled to each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Bernard P. Clement, Brian D. Klarkowski, Duane S. Freimuth, Kevin A. Weiss, Russell T. Jenks, Kyle M. Bero, Nicholas P. Prato, Gary A. Romanowich
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Publication number: 20190277532Abstract: An actuator in a HVAC system includes a housing having an interior-facing surface and an exterior-facing surface. The actuator includes magnetic field sensor(s) located within the housing and arranged adjacent to the interior-facing surface. The actuator includes a user input device retaining magnet(s) that are movable into multiple different positions along the exterior-facing surface of the housing. An actuator controller includes a magnet locator that determines a location of the magnet(s) with respect to the magnetic field sensor(s) based on data generated by the magnetic field sensor(s). The actuator controller also includes a settings generator that generates settings for the actuator based on the location of the magnet(s) determined via the magnet locator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2018Publication date: September 12, 2019Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: Russell T. Jenks
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Patent number: 10389208Abstract: An actuator in a HVAC system includes a drive device and a motor coupled to the drive device. The drive device is configured to attach to a movable HVAC component and to drive the movable HVAC component between multiple positions. The motor includes a shell defining an outer perimeter of the motor, a rotor shaft contained within the shell and configured to rotate when an electric current is applied to the motor, a drive shaft extending through the shell and coupled to the drive device, and a one-way clutch contained within the shell and rotatably coupling the rotor shaft to the drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: Russell T. Jenks
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Patent number: 10385988Abstract: A remote mount kit for a damper in an HVAC system is provided. The remote mount kit includes a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a first mounting flange having a first mounting hole pattern and a second mounting flange having a second mounting hole pattern. The remote kit also includes a drive shaft having a first drive end and a second drive end. The first drive end and the second drive end are configured to couple to an actuator. The remote kit further includes a crank shaft and a connector configured to couple the crank shaft to the damper. A dimension between the holes of the first mounting hole pattern is smaller than a dimension between the holes of the second mounting hole pattern.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: Russell T. Jenks
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Publication number: 20180335227Abstract: A remote mount kit for a damper in an HVAC system is provided. The remote mount kit includes a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a first mounting flange having a first mounting hole pattern and a second mounting flange having a second mounting hole pattern. The remote kit also includes a drive shaft having a first drive end and a second drive end. The first drive end and the second drive end are configured to couple to an actuator. The remote kit further includes a crank shaft and a connector configured to couple the crank shaft to the damper. A dimension between the holes of the first mounting hole pattern is smaller than a dimension between the holes of the second mounting hole pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2017Publication date: November 22, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: Russell T. Jenks
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Publication number: 20180311519Abstract: A fire damper actuation system in an HVAC system includes a damper system and an actuator system. The damper system includes damper blades rotatable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, a crank arm assembly configured to drive the damper blades, a spring assembly configured to be held in a loaded condition when the damper blades are in the open configuration, a temperature-activated fusible link, and a fusible link arm coupling the temperature-activated fusible link to the crank arm assembly. The actuator system includes a motor and a drive device. The drive device is coupled to the crank arm assembly and the temperature-activated fusible link. Operation of the drive device by the motor between a first end stop location and a second end stop location simultaneously rotates the crank arm assembly and the temperature-activated fusible link to complete a test inspection procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Russell T. Jenks, Kyle M. Bero, Myles S. McCaleb, Nicholas P. Prato, Stephanie P. Lynn, Kent S. Maune
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Publication number: 20180239371Abstract: A building management system is configured to modify an environmental condition of a building. The building management system includes a valve assembly, an actuator device, and a network sensor device. The actuator device includes a motor, a drive device driven by the motor and coupled to the valve assembly, and a controller coupled to the motor. The controller includes a microprocessor and a control application configured to enable closed loop control of the valve assembly. The network sensor device is communicably coupled to the actuator device and configured to measure an environmental property. The control application is configured to perform the closed loop control of the valve assembly based on an input control signal from a mobile device and the measured environmental property from the network sensor device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Kirk H. Drees, Herbert J. Doll, Gerald A. Duenkel, Marcello Passoni, Russell T. Jenks, Duane S. Freimuth, Kyle M. Bero, Kevin A. Weiss, Abu Bakr Khan
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Publication number: 20180172216Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling flow with a rotatable valve are provided. A described system includes a valve body having a valve chamber and a plurality of ports into the valve chamber. The plurality of ports include a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port and the second port are aligned with a common axis and located on opposite sides of the valve chamber. The system further includes a valve member located within the valve chamber. The valve member is controllably rotatable to modulate fluid flow between the first port and the third port while maintaining the second port completely closed and to modulate fluid flow between the second port and the third port while maintaining the first port completely closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2018Publication date: June 21, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: Russell T. Jenks
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Publication number: 20180094733Abstract: A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve body having a valve chamber and a plurality of ports into the valve chamber. The plurality of ports include a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port and the second port are aligned with a common axis and located on opposite sides of the valve chamber. The system further includes a valve member located within the valve chamber. The valve member is a rotatable ball having a fluid passage that extends through the ball and includes an opening at the end of the ball. The fluid passage is substantially oval-shaped when viewed at the opening in a direction parallel to the fluid passage. The valve assembly further includes a valve stem that is coupled to a valve member and has a first end that extends from the valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Bernard P. Clement, Brian D. Klarkowski, Duane S. Freimuth, Kevin A. Weiss, Russell T. Jenks, Kyle M. Bero, Nicholas P. Prato, Gary A. Romanowich
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Publication number: 20180094735Abstract: A multipurpose valve tool is provided. The multipurpose valve tool includes multiple flow control discs, a retention ring, and a valve key. The flow control discs are configured to be installed within a valve body of a valve assembly to modulate a flow of fluid through an outlet port of the valve body. The retention ring is configured to retain the flow control discs on a component of the valve assembly when the flow control discs are not installed within the valve body. The valve key includes a first end configured to engage an installation feature in a retention fastener for one of the flow control discs. The flow control discs, the retention ring, and the valve key are detachably coupled to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Bernard P. Clement, Brian D. Klarkowski, Duane S. Freimuth, Kevin A. Weiss, Russell T. Jenks, Kyle M. Bero, Nicholas P. Prato, Gary A. Romanowich
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Publication number: 20180094737Abstract: A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve body having a valve chamber and multiple ports into the valve chamber. The multiple ports include a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port and the second port are aligned with a common axis and located on opposite sides of the valve chamber. The system further includes a valve member controllably movable relative to the valve body and configured to modulate fluid flow through the valve assembly and a valve stem coupled to the valve member. The valve stem extends from the valve body and includes a keying feature that ensures correct orientation of the valve member relative to an actuator. The actuator is configured to controllably move the valve member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Bernard P. Clement, Brian D. Klarkowski, Duane S. Freimuth, Kevin A. Weiss, Russell T. Jenks, Kyle M. Bero, Nicholas P. Prato, Gary A. Romanowich
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Publication number: 20180094736Abstract: A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve body having a valve chamber and a plurality of ports into the valve chamber. The plurality of ports include a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port and the second port are aligned with a common axis and located on opposite sides of the valve chamber. The system further includes a valve member located within the valve chamber. The valve member is a rotatable ball having a fluid passage that extends through the ball and includes an opening at the end of the ball. The fluid passage is substantially oval-shaped when viewed at the opening in a direction parallel to the fluid passage. The valve assembly further includes a valve stem that is coupled to a valve member and has a first end that extends from the valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Bernard P. Clement, Brian D. Klarkowski, Duane S. Freimuth, Kevin A. Weiss, Russell T. Jenks, Kyle M. Bero, Nicholas P. Prato, Gary A. Romanowich
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Publication number: 20170268729Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling flow with a 270 degree rotatable valve are provided. A described system includes a valve body having a valve chamber and a plurality of ports into the valve chamber. The plurality of ports include a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port and the second port are aligned with a common axis and located on opposite sides of the valve chamber. The system further includes a valve member located within the valve chamber. The valve member is controllably rotatable by approximately 270 degrees to modulate fluid flow between the first port and the third port while maintaining the second port completely closed and to modulate fluid flow between the second port and the third port while maintaining the first port completely closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: Russell T. Jenks
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Publication number: 20170264163Abstract: An actuator in a HVAC system includes a drive device and a motor coupled to the drive device. The drive device is configured to attach to a movable HVAC component and to drive the movable HVAC component between multiple positions. The motor includes a shell defining an outer perimeter of the motor, a rotor shaft contained within the shell and configured to rotate when an electric current is applied to the motor, a drive shaft extending through the shell and coupled to the drive device, and a one-way clutch contained within the shell and rotatably coupling the rotor shaft to the drive shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2016Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: Russell T. Jenks
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Patent number: 9677717Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling flow with a 270 degree rotatable valve are provided. A described system includes a valve body having a valve chamber and a plurality of ports into the valve chamber. The plurality of ports include a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port and the second port are aligned with a common axis and located on opposite sides of the valve chamber. The system further includes a valve member located within the valve chamber. The valve member is controllably rotatable by approximately 270 degrees to modulate fluid flow between the first port and the third port while maintaining the second port completely closed and to modulate fluid flow between the second port and the third port while maintaining the first port completely closed.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: Russell T. Jenks
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Publication number: 20170146256Abstract: An actuator in a HVAC system includes an inductive sensor, a conductive target, and a controller. The conductive target has multiple different portions that become aligned with the inductive sensor as a position of the actuator changes. Each of the multiple different portions have a different inductance. The controller receives a signal from the inductive sensor indicating an observed inductance of the portion of the conductive target aligned with the inductive sensor. The controller uses a stored relationship between the observed inductance and the position of the actuator to determine the position of the actuator based on the observed inductance. The controller operates the actuator to change the position of the actuator based on the determined position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Robert K. Alexander, Gary A. Romanowich, Russell T. Jenks, Cory C. Strebe, Kevin A. Weiss
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Publication number: 20160348822Abstract: A conduit adaptor for an HVAC component includes a body having a substantially cylindrical shape, a first end configured to fit at least partially within the HVAC component, and a second end configured to couple to a conduit. The body is rotatable relative to the HVAC component between an unlocked position and a locked position when the first end is inserted into the HVAC component. The body further includes a bore extending axially through the body from the first end to the second end, and a first tab and a second tab extending radially outward from the first end. The first tab and the second tab are configured to prevent the body from being removed from the HVAC component when the body is in the locked position. The first tab includes a retention feature configured to retain the body in the locked position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: Russell T. Jenks