Patents by Inventor Thomas R. MacFarlane

Thomas R. MacFarlane 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: 4933530
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding two tubes in a refrigeration sealed system by soldering. The apparatus includes a pair of jaws which are spring biased in the closed position and a pair of handles for opening the jaws against the spring bias force. The jaws include electrodes having arcuate recesses therein which are arranged in opposed facing aligned relationship so that a pair of tubes may be held between the electrodes. One of the pair of tubers to which the method is applied has a flared end with a larger diameter than the other tube. The ends of the tubes are first cleaned by mechanical means and flux is then applied to the end of the smaller tube. The end of the smaller tube is then slid into the flared end of the other tube in telescoping registry and the telescoped ends are clamped between the electrodes. A solder ring is then positioned around the smaller tube into abutting relationship with the flared end of the other tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Nelson, Thomas R. MacFarlane
  • Patent number: 4145769
    Abstract: An improved control for use in a hand washing and drying apparatus including a first manually operable control device for causing operation of a solenoid-operated valve causing delivery of hand washing water directly to a bowl of the device for a preselected period of time. A second manually operable control device is provided for causing operation of a forced air drying structure of the device to provide hand drying air to the bowl. The control is arranged to prevent concurrent operation of the solenoid and air moving device. The control is further arranged to prevent concurrent operation of the electric heater of the water supply and the blower motor. Still further, the control is arranged to prevent concurrent operation of the solenoid valve of the water supply and the blower motor. The control is arranged to limit usage of electrical power so that a single conventional branch circuit can provide sufficient power to operate the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. MacFarlane, Richard G. Sickert
  • Patent number: 4144596
    Abstract: An improved control for use in a hand washing and drying apparatus including a first manually operable control device for causing operation of a solenoid-operated valve causing delivery of hand washing water directly to a bowl of the device for a preselected period of time. A second manually operable control device is provided for causing operation of a forced air drying structure of the device to provide hand drying air to the bowl. The control is arranged to prevent concurrent operation of the solenoid and air moving device. The control is further arranged to prevent concurrent operation of the electric heater of the water supply and the blower motor. Still further, the control is arranged to prevent concurrent operation of the solenoid valve of the water supply and the blower motor. The control is arranged to limit usage of electrical power so that a single conventional branch circuit can provide sufficient power to operate the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. MacFarlane, Richard G. Sickert
  • Patent number: 4056188
    Abstract: A method of transferring an article carried by a first moving conveyor to a second moving conveyor and apparatus for effecting the same. The transfer is effected by lifting the article from the first conveyor, transporting it to adjacent the second conveyor, and permitting the second conveyor to receive the transported article for further conveying thereof by the second conveyor. The transferring apparatus may be provided at its distal end with a pickup device. To assure positive acquisition of the article by the transferring apparatus pickup device, the pickup device may be incrementally adjusted substantially perpendicular to and across the path of movement of the article at the pickup position, while at the same time moving along the path of movement of the article to be captured and picked up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1977
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. MacFarlane, Frank R. Skinner, II
  • Patent number: 4033448
    Abstract: A method of transferring an article carried by a first moving conveyor to a second moving conveyor and apparatus for effecting the same. The transfer is effected by a pickup device lifting the article from the first conveyor, transporting it to adjacent the second conveyor, and permitting the second conveyor to receive the transported article for further conveying thereof by the second conveyor. The article may be suspended from a hanger removably supported on a hook of the first conveyor. A sensor is provided for sensing proximity of the hanger to the pickup device for controlling initiation of the raising of the hanger from the hook to pick up the article and free it from the hook for delivery of the lifted article to the second conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. MacFarlane, Frank R. Skinner, II