Patents by Inventor Scott Gilman Humphrey

Scott Gilman Humphrey 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: 11867429
    Abstract: Various implementations include a water heater system. The system includes a variable speed pump. The variable speed pump has having an inlet and an outlet. The system includes a heat exchanger, having an inlet and an outlet. The heat exchanger outlet is fluidically connected to the variable speed pump inlet. The system includes an output temperature sensor disposed downstream of the heat exchanger outlet. The system includes a controller configured to receive a first temperature reading from the output temperature sensor. The controller is configured to control operation of the variable speed pump to adjust an output flow rate in response to the first temperature reading. The controller is further configured to receive a second temperature reading from a recovery temperature sensor on a storage tank. The controller is configured to turn off the variable speed pump upon a determination that the second temperature reading has reached a maximum temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rinnai America Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Gilman Humphrey, Michael Scott Knoblett
  • Patent number: 11719444
    Abstract: A water heater system includes a controller configured to integrate control of both recovery and recirculation operations of a recovery pump and a recirculation pump. As such, a separate device, installation location, and power source (e.g., available outlet) is not needed with the controller. Because a single controller is configured to control both recovery and recirculation operations, additional control functions are available. The controller may be in communication with an internal controller of the water heater and configured to receive an error notification upon abnormal operation of the water heater. The controller can stop recovery and recirculation operations in response to an error notification, unlike with traditional water heating systems which may otherwise continue to function. The recovery and recirculation operations are based on a setpoint temperature of the water heater such that changes made to the setpoint temperature will automatically adjust in the recovery and recirculation operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: RINNAI AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Gilman Humphrey, Michael Scott Knoblett, Jason William Siler
  • Publication number: 20230175736
    Abstract: A hybrid water heater incudes a storage tank, a first temperature sensor, a tankless heater fluidly coupled to the storage tank, and a controller configured to determine a target output temperature range for the tankless heater based on a temperature setpoint, measure a temperature of hot water stored in an upper portion of the storage tank using the first temperature sensor, determine whether the measured temperature of the hot water is less than a first minimum temperature setpoint, generate an adjusted target output temperature range for the tankless heater based on a determination that the measured temperature is less than the first minimum temperature by increasing a value of both the lower threshold and the upper threshold, and control the tankless heater to produce the heated water according to the adjusted target output temperature range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Scott Knoblett, Scott Gilman Humphrey
  • Publication number: 20230151974
    Abstract: A hot water circulation system comprises a water heater having a cold-water inlet and a hot water outlet. A water pump circulates water through the water heater to produce hot water. The hot water is circulated to a thermal bypass valve, which is configured to close when hot water contacts a heat activated seal. A bypass circuit is coupled between the hot water outlet and the cold water inlet of the water heater. The bypass circuit prevents hot water from circulating from the hot water outlet to the cold-water inlet when the thermal bypass valve is open and promotes circulating hot water from the hot water outlet to the cold water inlet when the thermal bypass valve is closed. Upon a temperature sensor sensing hot water entering the cold-water inlet, the water heater turns of the water pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew Ryan Dettmering, Jason Siler, Scott Gilman Humphrey
  • Publication number: 20220373192
    Abstract: A water heater system includes a controller configured to integrate control of both recovery and recirculation operations of a recovery pump and a recirculation pump. As such, a separate device, installation location, and power source (e.g., available outlet) is not needed with the controller. Because a single controller is configured to control both recovery and recirculation operations, additional control functions are available. The controller may be in communication with an internal controller of the water heater and configured to receive an error notification upon abnormal operation of the water heater. The controller can stop recovery and recirculation operations in response to an error notification, unlike with traditional water heating systems which may otherwise continue to function. The recovery and recirculation operations are based on a setpoint temperature of the water heater such that changes made to the setpoint temperature will automatically adjust in the recovery and recirculation operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Gilman Humphrey, Michael Scott Knoblett, Jason William Siler
  • Patent number: 11486586
    Abstract: A hot water circulation system comprises a water heater having a cold-water inlet and a hot water outlet. A water pump circulates water through the water heater to produce hot water. The hot water is circulated to a thermal bypass valve, which is configured to close when hot water contacts a heat activated seal. A bypass circuit is coupled between the hot water outlet and the cold water inlet of the water heater. The bypass circuit prevents hot water from circulating from the hot water outlet to the cold-water inlet when the thermal bypass valve is open and promotes circulating hot water from the hot water outlet to the cold water inlet when the thermal bypass valve is closed. Upon a temperature sensor sensing hot water entering the cold-water inlet, the water heater turns of the water pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Rinnai America Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Ryan Dettmering, Jason Siler, Scott Gilman Humphrey
  • Patent number: 11384944
    Abstract: A water heater system includes a controller configured to integrate control of both recovery and recirculation operations of a recovery pump and a recirculation pump. As such, a separate device, installation location, and power source (e.g., available outlet) is not needed with the controller. Because a single controller is configured to control both recovery and recirculation operations, additional control functions are available. The controller may be in communication with an internal controller of the water heater and configured to receive an error notification upon abnormal operation of the water heater. The controller can stop recovery and recirculation operations in response to an error notification, unlike with traditional water heating systems which may otherwise continue to function. The recovery and recirculation operations are based on a setpoint temperature of the water heater such that changes made to the setpoint temperature will automatically adjust in the recovery and recirculation operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: RINNAI AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Gilman Humphrey, Michael Scott Knoblett, Jason William Siler
  • Publication number: 20220042686
    Abstract: A hot water circulation system comprises a water heater having a cold-water inlet and a hot water outlet. A water pump circulates water through the water heater to produce hot water. The hot water is circulated to a thermal bypass valve, which is configured to close when hot water contacts a heat activated seal. A bypass circuit is coupled between the hot water outlet and the cold water inlet of the water heater. The bypass circuit prevents hot water from circulating from the hot water outlet to the cold-water inlet when the thermal bypass valve is open and promotes circulating hot water from the hot water outlet to the cold water inlet when the thermal bypass valve is closed. Upon a temperature sensor sensing hot water entering the cold-water inlet, the water heater turns of the water pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew Ryan Dettmering, Jason Siler, Scott Gilman Humphrey
  • Patent number: 11226136
    Abstract: A hot water supply system decouples an intelligent hot water storage system from a water heating engine system. The water heating engine system includes a plurality of instantaneous water heaters that provide for redundant operation for improved reliability. The intelligent hot water storage system includes a storage tank that encloses a volume for storage of water. The intelligent hot water storage system includes a recirculation loop driven by an integrated pump and operated by an integrated controller. By positioning the tank recirculation outlet and inlet farther apart from each other, additional usable volume of hot water is provided by the intelligent hot water storage system. Isolation valves positioned on the input and output of a recirculation pump in the recirculation loop facilitate repair or replacement of the recirculation pump. The hot water system provides for increased capacity while providing redundant heating engines in a smaller floor space than conventional systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: RINNAI AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Scott Knoblett, Matthew Ryan Dettmering, Scott Gilman Humphrey
  • Publication number: 20210063024
    Abstract: Various implementations include a water heater system. The system includes a variable speed pump. The variable speed pump has having an inlet and an outlet. The system includes a heat exchanger, having an inlet and an outlet. The heat exchanger outlet is fluidically connected to the variable speed pump inlet. The system includes an output temperature sensor disposed downstream of the heat exchanger outlet. The system includes a controller configured to receive a first temperature reading from the output temperature sensor. The controller is configured to control operation of the variable speed pump to adjust an output flow rate in response to the first temperature reading. The controller is further configured to receive a second temperature reading from a recovery temperature sensor on a storage tank. The controller is configured to turn off the variable speed pump upon a determination that the second temperature reading has reached a maximum temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Scott Gilman Humphrey, Michael Scott Knoblett
  • Publication number: 20210055005
    Abstract: A water heater system includes a controller configured to integrate control of both recovery and recirculation operations of a recovery pump and a recirculation pump. As such, a separate device, installation location, and power source (e.g., available outlet) is not needed with the controller. Because a single controller is configured to control both recovery and recirculation operations, additional control functions are available. The controller may be in communication with an internal controller of the water heater and configured to receive an error notification upon abnormal operation of the water heater. The controller can stop recovery and recirculation operations in response to an error notification, unlike with traditional water heating systems which may otherwise continue to function. The recovery and recirculation operations are based on a setpoint temperature of the water heater such that changes made to the setpoint temperature will automatically adjust in the recovery and recirculation operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Scott Gilman Humphrey, Michael Scott Knoblett, Jason William Siler
  • Publication number: 20200393164
    Abstract: A hot water supply system decouples an intelligent hot water storage system from a water heating engine system. The water heating engine system includes a plurality of instantaneous water heaters that provide for redundant operation for improved reliability. The intelligent hot water storage system includes a storage tank that encloses a volume for storage of water. The intelligent hot water storage system includes a recirculation loop driven by an integrated pump and operated by an integrated controller. By positioning the tank recirculation outlet and inlet farther apart from each other, additional usable volume of hot water is provided by the intelligent hot water storage system. Isolation valves positioned on the input and output of a recirculation pump in the recirculation loop facilitate repair or replacement of the recirculation pump. The hot water system provides for increased capacity while providing redundant heating engines in a smaller floor space than conventional systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Scott Knoblett, Matthew Ryan Dettmering, Scott Gilman Humphrey
  • Patent number: 10760823
    Abstract: A hot water supply system decouples an intelligent hot water storage system from a water heating engine system. The water heating engine system includes a plurality of instantaneous water heaters that provide for redundant operation for improved reliability. The intelligent hot water storage system includes a storage tank that encloses a volume for storage of water. The intelligent hot water storage system includes a recirculation loop driven by an integrated pump and operated by an integrated controller. By positioning the tank recirculation outlet and inlet farther apart from each other, additional usable volume of hot water is provided by the intelligent hot water storage system. Isolation valves positioned on the input and output of a recirculation pump in the recirculation loop facilitate repair or replacement of the recirculation pump. The hot water system provides for increased capacity while providing redundant heating engines in a smaller floor space than conventional systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Rinnai America Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Scott Knoblett, Matthew Ryan Dettmering, Scott Gilman Humphrey
  • Publication number: 20200103144
    Abstract: A hot water supply system decouples an intelligent hot water storage system from a water heating engine system. The water heating engine system includes a plurality of instantaneous water heaters that provide for redundant operation for improved reliability. The intelligent hot water storage system includes a storage tank that encloses a volume for storage of water. The intelligent hot water storage system includes a recirculation loop driven by an integrated pump and operated by an integrated controller. By positioning the tank recirculation outlet and inlet farther apart from each other, additional usable volume of hot water is provided by the intelligent hot water storage system. Isolation valves positioned on the input and output of a recirculation pump in the recirculation loop facilitate repair or replacement of the recirculation pump. The hot water system provides for increased capacity while providing redundant heating engines in a smaller floor space than conventional systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Scott Knoblett, Matthew Ryan Dettmering, Scott Gilman Humphrey
  • Patent number: 9909780
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for tank recovery comprising a tankless having an outlet and a storage tank that is operatively connected to the tankless. A pump is operatively connected to the tankless and the pump is operatively connected to the storage tank. A first thermistor is in thermal communication with the outlet of the tankless. The first thermistor measures a first temperature of the outlet of the tankless when the pump is active. A second thermistor is in thermal communication with the storage tank. The second thermistor measures a second temperature of the storage tank. A controller has a stored default temperature for the tankless. The controller receives the measured second temperature from the second thermistor. The controller compares the stored default temperature for the tankless to the measured second temperature from the second thermistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: RINNAI AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Gilman Humphrey, Jason William Siler
  • Patent number: D799650
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Rinnai America Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Gilman Humphrey, Jose Luis Aponte Keillor
  • Patent number: D825724
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Rinnai America Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Gilman Humphrey, Jose Luis Aponte Keillor
  • Patent number: D849519
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Rinnai America Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Ryan Dettmering, Scott Gilman Humphrey
  • Patent number: D859617
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Rinnai America Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Gilman Humphrey, Jose Luis Aponte Keillor
  • Patent number: D980047
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rinnai America Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Ryan Dettmering, Scott Gilman Humphrey