Patents by Inventor Theodore J. Houck, III

Theodore J. Houck, III 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: 10823444
    Abstract: A pressure control device for controlling a compressor includes a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure of a pressure line and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive the measured pressure of the pressure line from the pressure sensor and control the compressor based on a set-point and the measured pressure. The pressure control device includes a mechanical switch sensitive to the pressure of the pressure line and configured to move between an open position and a closed position responsive to the pressure of the pressure line. Movement of the mechanical switch into one of the open position or the closed position causes the compressor to turn off and overrides the control of the compressor by the processing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Hendrikus C. Van Eldik, Nathan B. Emlen, John P. Patterson, Philip L. Bushong, Troy L. Wert, Roy M. Rader, Theodore J. Houck, III
  • Publication number: 20180283724
    Abstract: A pressure control device for controlling a compressor includes a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure of a pressure line and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive the measured pressure of the pressure line from the pressure sensor and control the compressor based on a set-point and the measured pressure. The pressure control device includes a mechanical switch sensitive to the pressure of the pressure line and configured to move between an open position and a closed position responsive to the pressure of the pressure line. Movement of the mechanical switch into one of the open position or the closed position causes the compressor to turn off and overrides the control of the compressor by the processing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Hendrikus C. Van Eldik, Nathan B. Emlen, John P. Patterson, Philip L. Bushong, Troy L. Wert, Roy M. Rader, Theodore J. Houck, III
  • Patent number: 7214895
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a control assembly including a power source and a circuit disconnector located on a first side of a planar member forming an opening, the disconnector including a first mechanical linkage having open and closed positions, the apparatus for manipulating the mechanical linkage between the open and closed positions and visually indicating on a second side of the planar member at least a first state of the control assembly when the first state occurs, the apparatus including a handle assembly including a handle member moveable between at least first and second positions and positioned on the second side of the planar member adjacent the opening, an extension member rigidly connected to and extending from the handle member through the opening and forming a second mechanical linkage at a distal end that is linkable with the first mechanical linkage on the first side of the planar member, the extension member moving the first mechanical linkage between the closed and open positions when the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Houck, III, Jeffrey John Battani
  • Patent number: 7071427
    Abstract: A disconnect is coupled to a rotary shaft communicating with a door-mounted knob provides an operator on the shaft for engaging the door handle to detect closure of the door. The operator includes a pair of coupling mechanisms that control the transmission of torque between the operator and the shaft depending on whether the door is open or closed. Specifically, when the door is closed, torque applied to the operator in both directions is transmitted to the shaft. If the door is open, torque applied to the operator is only transmitted in one direction to disconnect power through the disconnect unless the user performs a predetermined sequence of events to rotatably couple the operator to the shaft with respect to rotation in the opposite direction that connects power through the disconnect. When the door is open the operator may be easily used to disconnect power but may be used to connect power only when the user manipulates the operator in a certain way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Houck, III, Jie Ning
  • Patent number: 7015403
    Abstract: A handle assembly for use with a planar member forming an opening and having first and second sides, the assembly including a handle member moveable between at least first and second positions and mounted on the second side of the planar member adjacent the opening, an extension member rigidly connected to and extending from the handle member through the opening, a cam at least linkable to at least one of the handle member and the extension member for movement therewith and at least a first contact including a activation member, the first contact closing when the activation member is activated, the cam, extension member and activation member positionable in a first relative juxtaposition with respect to each other such that when the handle member is in one of the first and second positions, the cam activates the activation member and, when the handle member is in the other of the first and second positions, the cam releases the activation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Houck, III, Jeffrey John Battani
  • Patent number: 6989499
    Abstract: The invention relates to a modular disconnect switch (10) for use in an electrical enclosure cabinet (26) having a plurality of different operating mechanisms that can be assembled with the switch. These include, but are not limited to: a dial-type ratcheting rotary switch with a door-sensitive actuating mechanism (40), a dual rotary switch (30) that meets certain standards and provides a butterfly handle inside the cabinet, a lock accessory (60) for enabling the lockout of the switch in the off position, a motion translator device (50) for interfacing to a side-mounted cabinet door handle, a network connectivity module (70), and a module for adding at least one switch pole to the basic disconnect switch (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergio Bortolloni, Giuseppe Zanaglio, Miriam Biagini, Massimo Baldo, Karen Hecht, Theodore J. Houck, III
  • Patent number: 6974922
    Abstract: A rotary switch assembly for mounting on a disconnect switch (10) in an electrical enclosure (26) includes a base (50) and a rotor (60) which is rotatably coupled to the base (50). The rotor (60) is first axially depressed and then rotated to switch the disconnect switch (10) to the “on” position. The base (50) has a stop member (53) for latching the rotor (60) in an “off” position before the rotor (60) is axially depressed. A lockout tab (43) is attached to the rotor (60) for locking the switch in the “off” position. A rotary handle (30, 90) is provided for mounting on the rotor (60), for operation in either rotational direction. The rotary handle (30) has two wings with formed grips (34, 35) for thumb and fingertips to securely grip and turn the handle (30) with the required torque for actuating and de-actuating the disconnect switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergio Bortolloni, Giuseppe Zanaglio, Miriam Biagini, Massimo Baldo, Karen Hecht, Theodore J. Houck, III
  • Patent number: 5374912
    Abstract: A floating magnet mounted in an electromagnetic switch assembly. The magnet has confronting faces contacted by confronting faces of a movable armature. The movable armature is caused to contact the floating magnet by a magnetic field created when electrical current is applied to a current carrying coil. The magnet has a mounting face opposite its confronting faces. A mounting stem is anchored in the mounting face and extends through an aperture in a mounting base. The stem laterally protrudes to prevent it from pulling through the aperture in the mounting base. The magnet rests on an energy absorbing medium, such as a spring or rubber. The energy absorbing medium is disposed between the mounting face of the magnet and the mounting base. The energy absorbing medium is resilient to provide magnet flotation. Magnet flotation allows the magnet to float to align its confronting faces with those of the armature when the armature is caused to contact the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Theodore J. Houck, III