Patents by Inventor Wayne A. Koopman

Wayne A. Koopman 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: 9829897
    Abstract: A water heater includes a storage tank, a sensor configured to measure a temperature of water in the storage tank, a burner configured to heat the water in the storage tank, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the burner. The controller is configured to initiate a call for heat when the measured temperature reaches a trigger temperature, wherein the trigger temperature is a differential amount less than a set-point temperature, calculate a reduced activation time when the call for heat results in a predetermined number of calls for heat occurring within a predetermined time period, and control the burner based on the reduced activation time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Wayne A. Koopman
  • Patent number: 9488993
    Abstract: A controller for operating a water heater includes an input device configured to input a temperature setpoint for the water heater and a processor coupled to the input device. The input device is configured to input at least one restricted setpoint above a predetermined maximum temperature. The processor is configured to detect that an unlock sequence has been input using at least the input device, and in response to the detection of the unlock sequence, permit the water heater to operate at the restricted setpoint above the predetermined maximum temperature when the restricted setpoint is selected using the input device within a predetermined length of time after the detection of the unlock sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Wayne A. Koopman
  • Publication number: 20150220091
    Abstract: A water heater includes a storage tank, a sensor configured to measure a temperature of water in the storage tank, a burner configured to heat the water in the storage tank, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the burner. The controller is configured to initiate a call for heat when the measured temperature reaches a trigger temperature, wherein the trigger temperature is a differential amount less than a set-point temperature, calculate a reduced activation time when the call for heat results in a predetermined number of calls for heat occurring within a predetermined time period, and control the burner based on the reduced activation time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventor: Wayne A. Koopman
  • Publication number: 20150168961
    Abstract: A controller for operating a water heater includes an input device configured to input a temperature setpoint for the water heater and a processor coupled to the input device. The input device is configured to input at least one restricted setpoint above a predetermined maximum temperature. The processor is configured to detect that an unlock sequence has been input using at least the input device, and in response to the detection of the unlock sequence, permit the water heater to operate at the restricted setpoint above the predetermined maximum temperature when the restricted setpoint is selected using the input device within a predetermined length of time after the detection of the unlock sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Wayne A. Koopman
  • Patent number: 5988204
    Abstract: An adjustable fluid flow regulator that can be adjusted for operating at two different operating pressures includes a casing having a chamber therein, an inlet and an outlet communicating with the chamber, and a valve for controlling fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet. A flexible diaphragm in the casing is connected to the valve for operating the valve in response to pressure changes in the chamber. The fluid flow regulator further includes a spring, a removable hollow cap aligned with the spring, and a link adapted to fit in the cap. The link, when installed in the cap, engages the spring to cause the spring to apply a biasing force against the diaphragm that is higher than when the link is not in the cap. According to the method of this invention, the adjustable fluid flow regulator is adjusted for use at two different operating pressures by installing or removing the link from the hollow, removable cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Paul E. Reinhardt, Thomas P. Buescher, Timothy E. Reitz, Wayne A. Koopman