Patents by Inventor Stephen W. Kinkel
Stephen W. Kinkel 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: 10054132Abstract: Disclosed is a flow-directing motor mount for a motor mounted within the flow stream of a moving air. A flow-directing motor mount is described. Embodiments of the flow-directing motor mount cause a change in the direction of flow of a air stream constrained by a air intake cone or baffle and flowing through a HVAC device, such as a fan of an air-handler assembly. The change in direction of flow creates an angular momentum in the air stream in the direction of rotation of a fan, increasing the overall operating efficiency of the HVAC device. By increasing the operating efficiency, the air resistance created by the flow-directing motor mount supports coupling a motor to the HVAC device is offset, enabling the HVAC device to operate at a higher efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2017Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: United Metal Products, Inc.Inventor: Stephen W. Kinkel
-
Publication number: 20170241441Abstract: Disclosed is a flow-directing motor mount for a motor mounted within the flow stream of a moving air. A flow-directing motor mount is described. Embodiments of the flow-directing motor mount cause a change in the direction of flow of a air stream constrained by a air intake cone or baffle and flowing through a HVAC device, such as a fan of an air-handler assembly. The change in direction of flow creates an angular momentum in the air stream in the direction of rotation of a fan, increasing the overall operating efficiency of the HVAC device. By increasing the operating efficiency, the air resistance created by the flow-directing motor mount supports coupling a motor to the HVAC device is offset, enabling the HVAC device to operate at a higher efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2017Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: UNITED METAL PRODUCTS, INC.Inventor: STEPHEN W. KINKEL
-
Patent number: 9448001Abstract: A cooling system includes a first indirect heat exchanger configured to receive return air from an interior space and output conditioned air back into the interior space. The cooling system further includes a second indirect heat exchanger configured to receive outside air. A fluid conduit directs a flow of cooling fluid from the first indirect heat exchanger, through the second indirect heat exchanger, and back to the first indirect heat exchanger. A pump circulates the cooling fluid between the first and second indirect heat exchangers at a fluid velocity that is relatively slow. Additionally, return air and outside air flows through corresponding indirect heat exchangers at air velocities that are also relatively slow. The relatively slow fluid velocity and air velocities enhance an efficiency of heat transfer between the cooling fluid and the return air and between the cooling fluid and outside air.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: UNITED METAL PRODUCTS, INC.Inventor: Stephen W. Kinkel
-
Publication number: 20150114027Abstract: A cooling system includes a first indirect heat exchanger configured to receive return air from an interior space and output conditioned air back into the interior space. The cooling system further includes a second indirect heat exchanger configured to receive outside air. A fluid conduit directs a flow of cooling fluid from the first indirect heat exchanger, through the second indirect heat exchanger, and back to the first indirect heat exchanger. A pump circulates the cooling fluid between the first and second indirect heat exchangers at a fluid flow rate that is relatively flow. Additionally, return air and outside air flows through corresponding indirect heat exchangers at air velocities that are also relatively slow. The relatively slow fluid flow rate and air velocities enhance an efficiency of heat transfer between the cooling fluid and the return air and between the cooling fluid and outside air.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: UNITED METAL PRODUCTS, INC.Inventor: Stephen W. Kinkel
-
Patent number: 8584739Abstract: An adiabatic cooling unit (20) comprising a fluid conduit (26), a cooling cell (28), and a building-cooling unit heat exchanger (30) is provided. A cooling fluid (24) flows from the building-cooling unit heat exchanger (30) to the cooling cell (28) and returns to the building-cooling unit heat exchanger (30) through the fluid conduit (26). The cooling cell (28) transfers latent heat from the cooling fluid (24) to the air (22) flowing through the adiabatic cooler unit (20). The building-cooling unit heat exchanger (30) is a heat exchanger permitting the transfer of heat from a fluid (34) flowing through a building (36) and the cooling fluid (24). Additional heat exchangers (46) may be used between the cooling cell (28) and the building-cooling unit heat exchanger (30) to further cool the cooling fluid (24) prior to the cooling fluid (24) reducing the temperature of the fluid (34) flowing through the building (36).Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2009Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: United Metal Products, Inc.Inventor: Stephen W. Kinkel
-
Publication number: 20110100602Abstract: An adiabatic cooling unit (20) comprising a fluid conduit (26), a cooling cell (28), and a building-cooling unit heat exchanger (30) is provided. A cooling fluid (24) flows from the building-cooling unit heat exchanger (30) to the cooling cell (28) and returns to the building-cooling unit heat exchanger (30) through the fluid conduit (26). The cooling cell (28) transfers latent heat from the cooling fluid (24) to the air (22) flowing through the adiabatic cooler unit (20). The building-cooling unit heat exchanger (30) is a heat exchanger permitting the transfer of heat from a fluid (34) flowing through a building (36) and the cooling fluid (24). Additional heat exchangers (46) may be used between the cooling cell (28) and the building-cooling unit heat exchanger (30) to further cool the cooling fluid (24) prior to the cooling fluid (24) reducing the temperature of the fluid (34) flowing through the building (36).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: UNITED METAL PRODUCTS, INC.Inventor: Stephen W. Kinkel
-
Patent number: 6367277Abstract: An evaporative cooling apparatus (20) includes a housing (22) and cooling media (48) contained in the housing (22). The cooling media (48) has an air inlet portion (46) and an air outlet portion (60). The air inlet portion (46) is positioned adjacent an air entry side (42) of the housing (22). A fresh water delivery system (54, 136) delivers fresh water (34) to a face (126) of the air inlet portion (46) of the cooling media (48). A recirculated water delivery system (56) delivers sump water (38) from a sump (40) to the air outlet portion (60). A fan section (26) is proximate an air exit side (44) of the housing (22). The fan section draws outside air (50) through the air entry side (42) of the housing (22) and into the cooling media (48) from the air inlet portion (46) through the air outlet portion (60) to produce cooled air (52).Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Inventor: Stephen W. Kinkel
-
Patent number: 6253559Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an enclosed space proximate a selected comfort range, and for conserving utilities, the apparatus comprising a housing in communicating relation with the enclosed space and the external environment and having an evaporative cooler for cooling the enclosed space and having a predetermined operating efficiency, and a spaced apart air conditioner for either selectively cooling or heating the enclosed space and having an operating efficiency different from the evaporative cooler, and a control mechanism for automatically and selectively switching back and forth from operation of the evaporative cooler to the air conditioner.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Inventors: Stephen W. Kinkel, Steven J. Goettl, Peter J. Kinkel
-
Patent number: 6223545Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an enclosed space proximate a selected comfort level, and for conserving utilities, the apparatus comprising a housing in communicating relation with the enclosed space and the external environment and having an evaporative cooler for cooling the enclosed space and having a predetermined operating efficiency, and a spaced apart air conditioner for either selectively cooling or heating the enclosed space, having a baffle that restricts airflow to the air conditioner and an operating efficiency different from the evaporative cooler, and a control mechanism for automatically and selectively switching back and forth from operation of the evaporative cooler to the air conditioner in response to ambient conditions of the external environment and the operating efficiencies of the evaporative cooler and the air conditioner.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Inventors: Stephen W. Kinkel, Steven J. Goettl, Peter J. Kinkel
-
Patent number: 6202429Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an enclosed space proximate a selected comfort level, and for conserving utilities, the apparatus comprising a housing in communicating relation with the enclosed space and the external environment and having an evaporative cooler for cooling the enclosed space and having a predetermined operating efficiency, and a spaced apart air conditioner for either selectively cooling or heating the enclosed space, having a baffle that restricts airflow to the air conditioner and an operating efficiency different from the evaporative cooler, and a control mechanism for automatically and selectively switching back and forth from operation of the evaporative cooler to the air conditioner in response to ambient conditions of the external environment and the operating efficiencies of the evaporative cooler and the air conditioner.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1998Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Phoenix Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: Stephen W. Kinkel, Steven J. Goettl, Peter J. Kinkel
-
Patent number: 5970723Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an enclosed space proximate a selected comfort range, and for conserving utilities, the apparatus comprising a housing in communicating relation with the enclosed space and the external environment and having an evaporative cooler for cooling the enclosed space and having a predetermined operating efficiency, and a spaced apart air conditioner for either selectively cooling or heating the enclosed space and having an operating efficiency different from the evaporative cooler, and a control mechanism for automatically and selectively switching back and forth from operation of the evaporative cooler to the air conditioner.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1997Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Inventors: Stephen W. Kinkel, Steven J. Goettl, Peter J. Kinkel
-
Patent number: 4828312Abstract: The storage apparatus is adapted for use with a truck bed, and includes a front panel and a top panel hinged together, with the bottom of the front panel hinged to the floor of the truck bed. The rear of the top panel latches with the rear tailgate of the truck, and rests upon tracks on the sidewalls of the truck bed. The top panel is dimensioned to fit snuggly within the tracks and preferably has adjustable brackets on the sides of the top plate panel to allow for fine adjustment of the fitting of the top panel with the tracks. Retaining brackets are also provided on the adjustable brackets of the top panel to fit around bolts securing the track to the sidewalls of the truck bed, to prevent the top panel from being lifted upwardly in either a closed or an intermediate open position. The front panel also has bent leg portions providing a recess into which the top panel may be folded, so that the top and front panels may be collapsed to lie flat upon the floor of the truck bed.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1987Date of Patent: May 9, 1989Assignee: Superior Industries International, Inc.Inventors: Stephen W. Kinkel, Peter J. Kinkel, III