Patents by Inventor Sean A. O'Brien

Sean A. O'Brien 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: 11525571
    Abstract: A direct contact steam injection heater that includes a stem plug that is rotatable over 360°. The stem plug is connected to an actuator that is operable to rotate the stem plug over 360° of rotation during both the heating function of the steam injection heater and during a clean-in-place process. The stem plug includes a regulating head having a pair of sealing inserts formed on each of a pair of sealing faces. The sealing inserts are biased outward into contact with an inner surface that includes the steam injection nozzles. As the regulating head rotates between a closed position and an open position, the nozzles are exposed to allow steam to flow into the product being heated. The regulating head further includes a pair of foils. During the clean-in-place operation, the foils create a turbulent flow of cleaning liquid within the steam chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Hydro-Thermal Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Zaiser, Sean A. O'Rear, Fredrick L. Kottke
  • Publication number: 20200348019
    Abstract: A direct contact steam injection heater that includes a stem plug that is rotatable over 360°. The stem plug is connected to an actuator that is operable to rotate the stem plug over 360° of rotation during both the heating function of the steam injection heater and during a clean-in-place process. The stem plug includes a regulating head having a pair of sealing inserts formed on each of a pair of sealing faces. The sealing inserts are biased outward into contact with an inner surface that includes the steam injection nozzles. As the regulating head rotates between a closed position and an open position, the nozzles are exposed to allow steam to flow into the product being heated. The regulating head further includes a pair of foils. During the clean-in-place operation, the foils create a turbulent flow of cleaning liquid within the steam chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Hydro-Thermal Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Zaiser, Sean A. O'Rear, Frederick L. Kottke
  • Patent number: 9918035
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, Brian L. Klosterman, Kenneth A. Milnes
  • Patent number: 9667903
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, Brian L. Klosterman, Kenneth A. Milnes
  • Patent number: 9578817
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler includes a main valve mounted in the lower end of an outer housing for controlling the flow of water through an inlet of the outer housing. A pilot valve is operatively coupled to the main valve for turning the main valve ON and OFF. A solenoid is operatively coupled to the pilot valve for opening and closing the pilot valve. A service valve is operatively coupled between the main valve and the pilot valve. The service valve is manually actuable from an AUTO state to allow normal operation of the sprinkler and to an OFF state to allow repair or replacement of the pilot valve or solenoid without having to manually shut OFF a supply valve that is coupled to the inlet of the outer housing through a supply pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Dunn, Santo Uccello, Sean A. O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20160106047
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler includes a main valve mounted in the lower end of an outer housing for controlling the flow of water through an inlet of the outer housing. A pilot valve is operatively coupled to the main valve for turning the main valve ON and OFF. A solenoid is operatively coupled to the pilot valve for opening and closing the pilot valve. A service valve is operatively coupled between the main valve and the pilot valve. The service valve is manually actuable from an AUTO state to allow normal operation of the sprinkler and to an OFF state to allow repair or replacement of the pilot valve or solenoid without having to manually shut OFF a supply valve that is coupled to the inlet of the outer housing through a supply pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Richard M. Dunn, Santo Uccello, Sean A. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 9169944
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler includes a main valve mounted in the lower end of an outer housing for controlling the flow of water through an inlet of the outer housing. A pilot valve is operatively coupled to the main valve for turning the main valve ON and OFF. A solenoid is operatively coupled to the pilot valve for opening and closing the pilot valve. A service valve is operatively coupled between the main valve and the pilot valve. The service valve is manually actuable from an AUTO state to allow normal operation of the sprinkler and to an OFF state to allow repair or replacement of the pilot valve or solenoid without having to manually shut OFF a supply valve that is coupled to the inlet of the outer housing through a supply pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Dunn, Santo Uccello, Sean A. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 9124932
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, James J. Leftwich, Susan Broughton
  • Patent number: 9113207
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, James J. Leftwich, Susan Broughton
  • Publication number: 20150201244
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, James J. Leftwich, Susan Broughton
  • Patent number: 8850477
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as television screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, James Jay Leftwich, Susan Broughton
  • Patent number: 8615782
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, James Jay Leftwich, Susan Broughton
  • Patent number: 8205232
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M Schein, Sean A O'Brien, Brian L Klosterman, Kenneth A Milnes
  • Publication number: 20120151544
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, James Jay Leftwich, Susan Broughton
  • Publication number: 20120079539
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, Brian L. Klosterman, Kenneth A. Milnes
  • Patent number: 8112776
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, Brian L. Klosterman, Kenneth A. Milnes
  • Publication number: 20110249951
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: STARSIGHT TELECAST INCOPORATED
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, Brian L. Klosterman, Kenneth A. Milnes
  • Publication number: 20110209170
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, James Jay Leftwich, Susan Broughton
  • Publication number: 20110185387
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Starsight Telecast, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, James Jay Leftwich, Susan Broughton
  • Publication number: 20110173660
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: STARSIGHT TELECAST, INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Schein, Sean A. O'Brien, Brian L. Klosterman, Kenneth A. Milnes