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: 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
  • Publication number: 20210268413
    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: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Willie L. Stamey, JR., Dillan Scott Shaffer, Antonio Jose Gonzalez Arevalo
  • Patent number: 11105375
    Abstract: A retention system for a bearing member includes a sleeve member and a retention member. The retention system includes an inner shoulder adapted to limit movement of the bearing member in at least one of a first axial direction and a second axial direction relative to the bore. The retention system includes an outer shoulder adapted to limit movement of at least one of the sleeve member and the retention member in at least one of the first axial direction and the second axial direction relative to the bore. The retention system includes a plurality of fasteners adapted to limit movement of each of the sleeve member and the retention member in at least one of the first axial direction and the second axial direction relative to the bore. Each of the sleeve member and the retention member is adapted to limit contact of the bearing member with the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Thomas Unger, Suresh Sappa, Scott Shaffer, Steven J. Fujan, Jacob P. Fawer
  • Patent number: 11105518
    Abstract: A packaged terminal air conditioner unit includes a bulkhead and a sealed system mounted at least partially within a wall sleeve. The wall sleeve is positioned in an opening on the side of a building and defines an intake aperture and an exhaust aperture that fluidly couple the outdoor portion to the room. An intake fan assembly is mounted to the wall sleeve over the intake aperture for selectively urging a flow of make-up air into the room and an exhaust fan assembly if mounted to the wall sleeve over the exhaust aperture for selectively urging a flow of exhaust air out of the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20210215203
    Abstract: A retention system for a bearing member includes a sleeve member and a retention member. The retention system includes an inner shoulder adapted to limit movement of the bearing member in at least one of a first axial direction and a second axial direction relative to the bore. The retention system includes an outer shoulder adapted to limit movement of at least one of the sleeve member and the retention member in at least one of the first axial direction and the second axial direction relative to the bore. The retention system includes a plurality of fasteners adapted to limit movement of each of the sleeve member and the retention member in at least one of the first axial direction and the second axial direction relative to the bore. Each of the sleeve member and the retention member is adapted to limit contact of the bearing member with the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Thomas Unger, Suresh Sappa, Scott Shaffer, Steven J. Fujan, Jacob P. Fawer
  • Publication number: 20210080126
    Abstract: A packaged terminal air conditioner unit (PTAC) includes a bulkhead that defines an indoor portion and an outdoor portion. An outdoor fan is positioned within the outdoor portion and a controller is communicatively coupled with the outdoor fan for receiving a command to generate white noise and operating the outdoor fan to create the white noise at a desired decibel level to block out ambient sounds. A user may regulate the outdoor fan speed when the PTAC is not heating or cooling by setting a desired decibel level, e.g., using a control panel of the PTAC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20210071881
    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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Stephen D. Hatcher, Richard Michael Phillips
  • Patent number: 10935283
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit includes a compressor, an exterior coil, a main interior coil, a main expansion device, a reheat interior coil and a reheat expansion device. The reheat interior coil is positioned adjacent the main interior coil. The main expansion device is connected in series between the exterior coil and the main interior coil, and the reheat expansion device is connected in series between the main expansion device and the reheat interior coil. A reheat valve is operable to selectively adjust a flow direction through the reheat interior coil. The reheat valve is a four-way valve, and one port of the four-way valve is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Dustin Henderson, Bryan Isaac D'Souza, Robert William Jewell, Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20210006634
    Abstract: A method and system for providing private web browsing includes a client module for transmitting a request to begin a browsing session to a server and displaying video data for the browsing session from the server. The system also includes a database that stores a browser build in a first directory including at least one executable browser file. The system also includes a server module configured for creating a temporary executable directory and copying the executable browser file to the temporary executable directory, executing the executable browser file in the temporary executable directory, starting the browsing session, wherein all browsing session files are stored in the temporary executable directory, generating video data from the browsing session and transmitting it to the client module, and, after ending the browsing session, deleting all files in the temporary executable directory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventor: Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20200393143
    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: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20200393142
    Abstract: A packaged terminal air conditioner unit includes a bulkhead and a sealed system mounted at least partially within a wall sleeve. The wall sleeve is positioned in an opening on the side of a building and defines an intake aperture and an exhaust aperture that fluidly couple the outdoor portion to the room. An intake fan assembly is mounted to the wall sleeve over the intake aperture for selectively urging a flow of make-up air into the room and an exhaust fan assembly if mounted to the wall sleeve over the exhaust aperture for selectively urging a flow of exhaust air out of the room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20200386458
    Abstract: An air conditioner unit includes a sealed system having an outdoor heat exchanger, a reheat heat exchanger, and an indoor heat exchanger in serial flow communication with each other. A first expansion device is positioned between the outdoor heat exchanger and the reheat heat exchanger and a second expansion device is positioned between the reheat heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. A bypass loop routes the flow of refrigerant around the second expansion device when the flow of refrigerant is passing from the indoor heat exchanger to the reheat heat exchanger (i.e., in a heat pump mode), but directs that flow of refrigerant through the second expansion device when the flow of refrigerant is passing from the reheat heat exchanger to the indoor heat exchanger (i.e., in an air conditioning mode).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Patent number: 10830481
    Abstract: Air conditioner units and methods for operating air conditioner units are provided. A method includes determining a steady state speed of a blower fan of the air conditioner unit. The method further includes receiving a call for heating and activating the blower fan in response to the call for heating. The method further includes measuring a speed of the blower fan after activating the blower fan and comparing the measured speed of the blower fan to the steady state speed of the blower fan. When the measured speed of the blower fan is greater than the steady state speed of the blower fan, the method includes disabling one of a plurality of heater banks of a heating unit of the air conditioner unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Haie US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer