Patents by Inventor Scott Shaffer

Scott Shaffer 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).

  • Publication number: 20250123017
    Abstract: A packaged terminal air conditioner unit includes discharge air temperature and humidity sensors in the discharge air stream. Input from the sensors is used to determine the dewpoint temperature of a mixture of outside air and recirculated room air prior to discharge to the conditioned space. The air conditioner unit modifies one or more of indoor fan speed, compressor speed, and an electronically controlled expansion device to adjust the discharge air dewpoint temperature to a predetermined target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Bryan Isaac D’Souza, Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20250067462
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a bulkhead that may define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The air conditioner unit may also include an indoor fan that may be positioned within the indoor portion for selectively urging a flow of air through an indoor heat exchanger. The air conditioner unit may further include one or more heater banks for selectively heating the flow of air. The air conditioner unit may also include a heater control assembly that may include a thermal cutoff switch mounted adjacent the one or more heater banks for cutting off power to the one or more heater banks when a predetermined temperature is reached. The heater control assembly may also include a first temperature sensor positioned upstream of the thermal cutoff switch. The heater control assembly may further include a second temperature sensor positioned downstream of the thermal cutoff switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20250067461
    Abstract: A method for operating an air conditioner unit includes a step of initiating a resistance heating cycle of the air conditioner unit. The method further includes a step of determining a plug personality of a plug of the air conditioner unit. The method also includes a step of determining a nominal voltage rating of the air conditioner unit. The method further includes a step of determining, based on the plug personality and the nominal voltage rating, a pulse width modulation rate percentage for a single bank resistance heater of the air conditioner unit. The method may also include a step of setting, within a memory of a heater controller, the determined pulse width modulation rate percentage for the single bank resistance heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Joshua Longenecker
  • Publication number: 20250052458
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit comprises a sealed cooling system including an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger. The sealed cooling system includes multiple refrigerant circuits. Each refrigerant circuit of the multiple refrigerant circuits includes an expansion device. A cross-over flow connection extends between and provides fluid communication between each of the multiple refrigerant circuits. The cross-over flow connection is adjacent the expansion device of each refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Joshua Longenecker
  • Patent number: 12222114
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger assembly, a compressor, a sterilization light assembly, and a flow sensor. The housing may define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The housing may further define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air therefrom. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the indoor portion to transmit an ultraviolet light emission thereto. The flow sensor may be disposed within the indoor portion upstream from the exhaust outlet. The flow sensor may be operably coupled to the sterilization light assembly and configured to activation of sterilization light assembly in response to detecting a predetermined airflow within the indoor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Soo Shin, Timothy Scott Shaffer, Jaebong Lee, Je Kwon Yoon
  • Publication number: 20250020347
    Abstract: An air conditioning appliance may include an air plenum, a recovery casing, a first recovery exhaust fan, a heat exchanger core, and a thermal cutoff. The recovery casing may be attached to the air plenum. The recovery casing may define an outdoor casing inlet downstream from the air plenum and an indoor casing outlet downstream from the outdoor casing inlet along an external recovery flow path. The recovery casing may further define an indoor casing inlet and an outdoor casing outlet along an internal recovery flow path. The first recovery exhaust fan may be mounted within the recovery casing along the external recovery flow path. The heat exchanger core may be disposed along the external recovery flow path and the internal recovery flow path. The thermal cutoff may be mounted within the recovery casing in operable communication with the first recovery exhaust fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Patent number: 12135146
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a compressor, a sterilization light assembly, and a controller. The housing may define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. The housing may further define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air therefrom. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the indoor portion. The controller may be in operable communication with the indoor fan and the sterilization light assembly. The controller may be configured to initiate a sterilizing operation. The sterilizing operation may include directing activation of the indoor fan to motivate air through the indoor portion, detecting activation of the indoor fan to motivate air through the indoor portion, and directing activation of the sterilization light assembly to transmit an ultraviolet light emission within the indoor portion based on detected activation of the indoor fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Benjamin Williams, Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Patent number: 12111077
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger assembly, a compressor, and a sterilization light assembly. The housing may define an indoor portion and outdoor portion. The housing may further define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air. The outdoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the outdoor portion and include an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the indoor portion and include an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The compressor may be in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the indoor portion below the indoor fan and directed forward to transmit an ultraviolet light emission within the indoor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky
  • Publication number: 20240271800
    Abstract: An air conditioner includes a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly including an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan, an indoor heat exchanger assembly including an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan, an intake conduit defining a make-up air (MUA) air flow path, a MUA fan provided in the MUA air flow path, and a heater bank. A method of operating an air conditioner includes determining that a heating function of the air conditioner is inactive; activating the MUA fan to supply MUA to the indoor heat exchanger while the heating function is inactive; determining a supplemental heating condition after activating the MUA fan; and activating the heater bank to heat the MUA within the MUA air flow path in response to determining the supplemental heating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Patent number: 12036494
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a body of filter media, a seal, and a compression ring. The body of filter media having a first end surface, a second end surface spaced apart from and opposing the first end surface, and an outer surface extending between the first end surface and the second end surface. The seal surrounds the first end surface. The compression ring is disposed about the second end surface. The compression ring includes a first channel configured to allow fluid communication between the second end surface and the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL Filtration Technology US LLC
    Inventors: Willie L Stamey, Jr., Dillan Scott Shaffer, Antonio Jose Gonzalez Arevalo
  • Patent number: 11982458
    Abstract: Air conditioner units and methods of operating the same are provided. A method of operating an air conditioner unit includes activating a makeup air system of the air conditioner unit. The makeup air system directs a flow of outside air from the makeup air system to an indoor portion of a housing of the air conditioner unit. The method also includes activating an indoor fan disposed in the indoor portion of the air conditioner unit at a fan speed at least equal to a minimum circulation threshold speed in response to the makeup air system being activated. Activating the indoor fan causes the flow of outside air from the makeup air system to be urged through the indoor portion of the housing. An air conditioner unit may include a controller, and the controller may be configured for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Duane Longenecker, Charles D. Robinson, III, Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20240102672
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit and a film heating assembly for use in the air conditioner unit, the air conditioner unit comprising a bulkhead defining an indoor portion and an outdoor portion and an indoor fan positioned within the indoor portion for selectively urging a flow of air through an indoor heat exchanger. The film heating assembly comprises a plurality of thick film heaters mounted to the bulkhead and an electrical relay system for selectively coupling the plurality of thick film heaters to an external power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Bryan Isaac D'Souza, Richard Dustin Henderson, Charles D. Robinson, III, Joshua Duane Longenecker, Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11920802
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit includes an indoor heat exchanger assembly positioned in an indoor portion of the air conditioner unit. The indoor heat exchanger assembly includes an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The air conditioner unit also includes a heating unit. The heating unit may be positioned in the indoor portion of the air conditioner unit downstream of the indoor fan and/or at the exhaust side of the indoor fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Robinson, III, Joshua Duane Longenecker, Richard Dustin Henderson, Bryan Isaac D'Souza, Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20240044526
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit includes an indoor heat exchanger assembly positioned in an indoor portion of the air conditioner unit. The indoor heat exchanger assembly includes an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The air conditioner unit also includes a heating unit. The heating unit may be positioned in the indoor portion of the air conditioner unit downstream of the indoor fan and/or at the exhaust side of the indoor fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Joshua Duane Longenecker, Bryan Isaac D'Souza, Richard Dustin Henderson, Charles D. Robinson, III, Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20240044524
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit includes an indoor heat exchanger assembly positioned in an indoor portion of the air conditioner unit. The indoor heat exchanger assembly includes an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. The air conditioner unit also includes a heating unit. The heating unit may be positioned in the indoor portion of the air conditioner unit downstream of the indoor fan and/or at the exhaust side of the indoor fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Charles D. Robinson, III, Joshua Duane Longenecker, Richard Dustin Henderson, Bryan Isaac D'Souza, Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20240003585
    Abstract: A method for operating an appliance is provided. The appliance includes a plurality of power actuatable devices and a controller in operable communication with the plurality of power actuatable devices. The controller is configured to receive a control command corresponding to providing power to a first power actuatable device and determine whether a second power actuatable device is in a power receiving state below a power threshold or above the power threshold. When the power receiving state of the second power actuatable device is above the power threshold, the controller is configured to monitor the power receiving state of the second power actuatable device until the power receiving state is below the power threshold. When the power receiving state of the second power actuatable device is below the power threshold, the controller is configured to provide power to the first power actuatable device based on the control command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Joshua Duane Longenecker, Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20230390683
    Abstract: A single-package air conditioner unit includes a housing defining an outdoor portion and an indoor portion, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly disposed in the outdoor portion and comprising an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan, an indoor heat exchanger assembly disposed in the indoor portion and comprising an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan, an intake conduit extending from the housing and defining a primary air flow path upstream from the indoor heat exchanger assembly and a make-up air (MUA) air flow path, the MUA air flow bath being non-sequential with the primary air flow path, and a filter tray received within the intake conduit along the MUA air flow path, the filter tray defining a filter reception zone within the intake conduit to receive a filter cartridge therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph Robert Tobbe, Charles D. Robinson, III, Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20230372846
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a body of filter media, a seal, and a compression ring. The body of filter media having a first end surface, a second end surface spaced apart from and opposing the first end surface, and an outer surface extending between the first end surface and the second end surface. The seal surrounds the first end surface. The compression ring is disposed about the second end surface. The compression ring includes a first channel configured to allow fluid communication between the second end surface and the outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: MANN+HUMMEL Filtration Technology US LLC
    Inventors: Willie L. Stamey, JR., Dillan Scott Shaffer, Antonio Jose Gonzalez Arevalo
  • Patent number: 11795940
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit includes a cabinet including a base pan that defines at least one alignment feature and a compressor mounted to the base pan using mechanical fasteners that pass through mounting feet and into mounting bosses defined on the base pan. A damper is positioned between the compressor and the base pan and includes a lower pad seated on the base pan, an upper pad extending from the lower pad along the vertical direction and contacting a bottom surface of the compressor, and at least one stopping feature defined on the lower pad or the upper pad, the at least one stopping feature engaging the at least one alignment feature to prevent rotation of the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Robinson, III, Joseph Robert Tobbe, Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11796192
    Abstract: A single-package air conditioning appliance includes a housing defining an outdoor portion and an indoor portion. An outdoor heat exchanger assembly is disposed in the outdoor portion. The outdoor heat exchanger assembly includes an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan. An indoor heat exchanger assembly is disposed in the indoor portion. The indoor heat exchanger assembly includes an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor fan. A compressor is in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The single-package air conditioner unit also includes a make-up air module mounted on an external surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Stephen D. Hatcher, Richard Michael Phillips