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: 20220364747
    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 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 housing to transmit an ultraviolet light emission thereto. The sterilization light assembly may include a support board, an ultraviolet C (UVC) light source, and a lens casing. The UVC light source may be mounted to the support board and configured to emit radiation between 200 to 280 nanometers. The lens casing may be disposed over the support board and seal the UVC light source to prevent moisture from contacting the UVC light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky
  • Publication number: 20220349597
    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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky
  • Publication number: 20220349590
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger assembly, a compressor, a bulkhead, and a sterilization light assembly. 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. 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 bulkhead may be disposed between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger along a transverse direction to define the indoor portion and the outdoor portion. The bulkhead may further define a vent aperture therethrough. The sterilization light assembly may be disposed within the indoor portion downstream from the vent aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky
  • Patent number: 11480347
    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. The make-up air module extends between the outdoor portion of the housing and an outside of the housing. The make-up air module includes a plurality of make-up air fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20220333792
    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 an outdoor portion. The housing may define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air therefrom. The outdoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the outdoor portion and comprising an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the indoor portion and comprising 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 and directed forward at the indoor fan to transmit an ultraviolet light emission thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky, Venkateswarlu Vivaram
  • Publication number: 20220333802
    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 an outdoor portion. The housing may define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air therefrom. The outdoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the outdoor portion and comprising an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the indoor portion and comprising 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 and directed upstream at the indoor fan to transmit an ultraviolet light emission thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky, Venkateswarlu Vivaram
  • Publication number: 20220333801
    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 an outdoor portion. The housing may define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air therefrom. The outdoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the outdoor portion and comprising an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger assembly may be disposed in the indoor portion and comprising 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 and directed at the indoor heat exchanger to transmit an ultraviolet light emission thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Craig Benjamin Williams, Stephen Budelsky, Venkateswarlu Vivaram
  • Publication number: 20220333791
    Abstract: An air conditioning appliance or a make-up air (MUA) assembly may include an intake conduit and a secondary air duct. The intake conduit may be attachable to a housing of the air conditioning appliance. The intake conduit may define an intake passage upstream from the indoor inlet. The intake conduit may further define a secondary inlet upstream from the intake passage to permit air thereto. The secondary air duct may extend from the intake conduit outside of the housing upstream from the secondary inlet to direct air thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Ormsby Sakal, Joseph Robert Tobbe, Joshua Duane Longenecker, Charles D. Robinson, III, Cody Ewing, Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20220333790
    Abstract: A single-package air conditioner unit may include a housing, an outdoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger assembly, an indoor heat exchanger, a compressor, and an intake conduit. The housing may define an outdoor portion and an indoor portion. The compressor may be in fluid communication with an outdoor heat exchanger and an indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The intake conduit may extend from the housing. The intake conduit may define an intake passage upstream from the indoor heat exchanger assembly. The intake conduit may further define a primary inlet and a secondary inlet spaced apart from the primary inlet in fluid parallel thereto. The primary inlet and the secondary inlet may be defined upstream from the intake passage to separately permit air thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Eric Ormsby Sakal, Joshua Duane Longenecker, Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11408211
    Abstract: Two part sleeves that fasten about existing arms of U-shaped gate latches, and bonded or slide on sleeve and cover devices, and replacement gate latches and methods for preventing injury with oar, fork and U-shaped gate latches that are pivotally attached to fixed support post next to an opening in a fence. The sleeves and covers and replacement oar, fork and U-shaped gate latches have enlarged blunt tips that can include bulbous, dome and ball shapes that prevent injury from children or adults that come into contact with the gate latches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventor: Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20220221167
    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 an outdoor portion. The housing may further define an exhaust outlet downstream from the indoor portion to exhaust air therefrom. 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 and directed at the indoor fan to transmit an ultraviolet light emission thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Robin Blackwood, Timothy Scott Shaffer, John Huguenard, Stephen Budelsky
  • Patent number: 11326797
    Abstract: A gas sensing system for an air conditioner unit is provided. The air conditioner unit includes a bulkhead that divides a cabinet into an indoor portion and an outdoor portion, and a compressor circulates refrigerant through a sealed system. An electrically protected housing is positioned within the indoor portion and defines a sensor enclosure for receiving a gas sensor for measuring a gas concentration of leaked refrigerant within the sensor enclosure. The housing includes vent apertures to permit leaked refrigerant to enter the sensor enclosure while the vent apertures are covered by filters to prevent contaminants from entering the sensor enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20220105760
    Abstract: A trailer coupling mechanism includes a first end, a second end, a height adjustment assembly, a first swivel assembly, and a second swivel assembly. The first end is adapted to couple to one of a trailer and a vehicle. The second end is adapted to couple to the other of the trailer and the vehicle. The height adjustment assembly is coupled between the first and second ends and is operative to adjust the relative height between the first and second ends. The first swivel assembly is coupled between the height adjustment assembly and the first end and facilitates rotation of the first end with respect to the height adjustment assembly about a first axis. The second swivel assembly is coupled between the second end and the height adjustment assembly and facilitates rotation of the height adjustment assembly with respect to the second end about a second axis parallel to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventor: Ryan Eric Allen Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20220040610
    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: October 21, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Willie L. Stamey, JR., Dillan Scott Shaffer, Antonio Jose Gonzalez Arevalo
  • Publication number: 20210404671
    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. The make-up air module extends between the outdoor portion of the housing and an outside of the housing. The make-up air module includes a plurality of make-up air fans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11193684
    Abstract: Air conditioner units and methods for operating air conditioner units are provided. A method includes determining a benchmark control signal corresponding to a predetermined speed of a fan of the air conditioner unit. The method further includes activating a heating unit of the air conditioner unit. The heating unit includes a plurality of heater banks. The method also includes activating the fan while the heating unit is active and measuring a control signal to the fan after activating the fan. The method further includes comparing the measured control signal to the benchmark control signal, and disabling one of the plurality of heater banks when the measured control signal is less than the benchmark control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11175054
    Abstract: A packaged terminal air conditioner unit (PTAC) includes an auxiliary fan configured for urging a flow of make-up air from the outdoor portion into the indoor portion through a vent aperture defined by a bulkhead. A vent door is pivotally mounted over the vent aperture and a flow restrictor extends into the flow of make-up air, the flow restrictor being movable in correlation to a flow rate of the flow of make-up air to increase the flow restriction at higher flow rates of make-up air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11161068
    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: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL Filtration Technology US LLC
    Inventors: Willie L. Stamey, Jr., Dillan Scott Shaffer, Antonio Jose Gonzalez Arevalo
  • Publication number: 20210325085
    Abstract: A mixing valve for a water heater appliance includes a valve body that defines a mixing chamber, the mixing chamber being in fluid communication with a cold water inlet conduit and a hot water inlet conduit. A plunger valve is mounted within the valve body and is moveable along a translation axis to regulate a flow of water from the hot water inlet conduit and the cold water inlet conduit. A controller periodically initiates a cleaning cycle wherein the plunger valve is moved through a full range of motion (e.g., full hot to full cold). The cleaning cycle may only be performed if there is no water flowing through the mixing valve, e.g., as determined by temperature sensor measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Nelson, Gregory L. Hutchison, Shaun Michael Ward, Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20210318011
    Abstract: A gas sensing system for an air conditioner unit is provided. The air conditioner unit includes a bulkhead that divides a cabinet into an indoor portion and an outdoor portion, and a compressor circulates refrigerant through a sealed system. An electrically protected housing is positioned within the indoor portion and defines a sensor enclosure for receiving a gas sensor for measuring a gas concentration of leaked refrigerant within the sensor enclosure. The housing includes vent apertures to permit leaked refrigerant to enter the sensor enclosure while the vent apertures are covered by filters to prevent contaminants from entering the sensor enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer