Patents by Inventor William Clay Toombs

William Clay Toombs 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: 10655877
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a system comprises a controller and an HVAC system with components comprising an evaporator unit comprising an evaporator coil, an indoor fan, and a discharge air duct and a condenser unit comprising a compressor, a condenser coil, and an outdoor fan. The system is configured to determine that a first or a second level of evaporator coil freeze risk is present and to communicate an instruction to the HVAC system with a first or a second action to counteract the freeze risk. For example, in certain embodiments, the actions comprise changing the indoor fan speed, changing the compressor speed, and changing the outdoor fan speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Wenqian Liu, Zer Kai Yap, Marcus Troxell, William Clay Toombs
  • Publication number: 20190226706
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a system comprises a controller and an HVAC system with components comprising an evaporator unit comprising an evaporator coil, an indoor fan, and a discharge air duct and a condenser unit comprising a compressor, a condenser coil, and an outdoor fan. The system is configured to determine that a first or a second level of evaporator coil freeze risk is present and to communicate an instruction to the HVAC system with a first or a second action to counteract the freeze risk. For example, in certain embodiments, the actions comprise changing the indoor fan speed, changing the compressor speed, and changing the outdoor fan speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Wenqian Liu, Zer Kai Yap, Marcus Troxell, William Clay Toombs
  • Patent number: 10197304
    Abstract: An HVAC system, comprising a plurality of sensors, a tandem compressor comprising a first compressor and a second compressor, and a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors and the tandem compressor. The controller may determine a first interruption of power to the tandem compressor and identify a sensor corresponding to the first interruption of power. The controller is further operable to determine that the first interruption of power was caused at least in part by the refrigerant associated with the first compressor exceeding a tolerance condition. The controller may also reconfigure the tandem compressor, wherein on or off settings of the first compressor and the second compressor are determined based on a required load operation of the tandem compressor and the determination that the first interruption of power was caused at least in part by the refrigerant associated with the first compressor exceeding the tolerance condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Gene Havard, Jr., Rosa Maria Leal, Darko Hadzidedic, Jimmie Lee Curry, Anuradha Sundararajan, Der-Kai Hung, William Clay Toombs, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170102174
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for relieving high pressure within an HVAC system. A bypass line is provided that can direct refrigerant away from an expansion device within the HVAC system. The bypass line then returns the refrigerant to the HVAC system. Other locations of bypass lines can be used as well. A controller for the HVAC system can control access to the bypass line and measure pressure within the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Panteleimon Hatzikazakis, Der-Kai Hung, William Clay Toombs, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170102175
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for relieving high pressure within an HVAC system. A bypass line is provided that can direct refrigerant away from a condenser within the HVAC system. The bypass line can direct the refrigerant toward an inlet to the evaporator within the HVAC system. Other locations of bypass lines can be used as well. A controller for the HVAC system can control access to the bypass line and measure pressure within the system. An orifice can be provided within the bypass line to help relieve pressure within the HVAC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: LENNOX INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Panteleimon Hatzikazakis, Der-Kai Hung, William Clay Toombs, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150338133
    Abstract: An HVAC system, comprising a plurality of sensors, a tandem compressor comprising a first compressor and a second compressor, and a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors and the tandem compressor. The controller may determine a first interruption of power to the tandem compressor and identify a sensor corresponding to the first interruption of power. The controller is further operable to determine that the first interruption of power was caused at least in part by the refrigerant associated with the first compressor exceeding a tolerance condition. The controller may also reconfigure the tandem compressor, wherein on or off settings of the first compressor and the second compressor are determined based on a required load operation of the tandem compressor and the determination that the first interruption of power was caused at least in part by the refrigerant associated with the first compressor exceeding the tolerance condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Harold Gene Havard, JR., Rosa Maria Leal, Darko Hadzidedic, Jimmie Lee Curry, Anuradha Sundararajan, Der-Kai Hung, William Clay Toombs, JR.