Patents Issued in June 27, 2017
  • Patent number: 9689536
    Abstract: An LED tube lamp is disclosed. An installation detection circuit is configured in the LED tube lamp configured to receive an external driving signal. The installation detection circuit is configured to detect during one or more pulse signals whether the LED tube lamp is properly installed on a lamp socket, based on detecting a signal generated from the external driving signal. The installation detection circuit includes a switch circuit coupled to the pulse generating circuit, wherein the one or more pulse signals control turning on and off of the switch circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Jiaxing Super Lighting Electric Appliance Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Aiming Xiong, Xintong Liu, Kanghong Zhang
  • Patent number: 9689537
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes: a substrate; a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in an annular line on a main surface of the substrate; a sealing member which is annularly formed along the line of the plurality of light-emitting elements and seals the plurality of light-emitting elements; and a power supply part disposed on the main surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the plurality of light-emitting elements. The power supply part is located in an inner region interior to the sealing member formed in an annular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuharu Ueno, Ryouji Yokotani
  • Patent number: 9689538
    Abstract: An electronic candle includes a housing, an LED light source, a battery, and one or more sensors to detect a blow of air or a tilt of the electronic candle. The electronic candle further includes a microprocessor that is coupled to the LED light source, to the blow sensor and to the tilt sensor. The microprocessor is programmed to control illumination produced by the LED light source, to receive signals indicative of the detection of a blow, and to detect a tilt of the electronic candle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN LIOWN ELECTRONICS COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Daniel Hau, Tim Cowley, Shane Vail
  • Patent number: 9689539
    Abstract: The invention discloses an LED fluorescent lamp, comprising a base plate, an end cap, an aluminum profile, a light diffusing plate, a light guide plate component, a lamp shade, a power unit and a lamp panel component as well as an LED lamp bead on the lamp panel component; first slots are arranged on two left side walls of the aluminum profile; the light guide plate can rotationally sleeved in the first slots; the top of the lamp shade is provided with a holding groove, at the bottom of which a hollowed-out part is hollowed out; the light diffusing plate is fixed in the holding groove and provided with many stripes on the surface; the stripes are crossed to form diamond-shaped stripes; and two sides of the lamp shade are arcs. The invention has the advantages of high thermal radiation effect, soft light and better light-emitting angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventors: Lap Wah Lin, Sek Lun Stephen Chan
  • Patent number: 9689540
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for retrofitting known solar simulator systems to allow the exit beam to be changed in size and location without changing the other fundamental functions of the main optical elements. The solar simulator system is provided with means for de-magnifying the exit beam to provide higher power densities at the illumination plane. By adding or replacing one final optical element, the system user can change the location of the illumination plane and the size of the illumination area. This change in size can increase or decrease the power density of the exit beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Douglas R. Jungwirth, Philip T. Chiu
  • Patent number: 9689541
    Abstract: A hanger bar assembly for a recessed luminaire is disclosed. The hanger bar assembly includes a first hanger bar member having a first attachment structure disposed on an end thereof, and a second hanger bar member having a second attachment structure disposed on an end thereof, the second hanger bar member being adjacent to the first hanger bar member. The first and the second attachment structures each include a first wall having a first fastener aperture and a second wall having a second fastener aperture, the first and second fastener apertures being formed about a common central longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Grzegorz Wronski
  • Patent number: 9689542
    Abstract: A system and method that helps evacuees exit a residential structure in the event of an emergency such as a fire, earthquake, security breach or the like, by providing emergency illumination around the periphery of an exit door and/or an alternative safe exit portal together with floor/ground level illumination along the path to the portal, and by providing an audible tone or voice recording to guide occupants to the exit portal. Various forms of linear illuminators parallel to and near the floor of an interior room or hallway provide the floor-level identification and illumination of the exit route to be used in the event of emergency, with some linear illuminators having directional aspects along hallways to lead evacuees toward an exit, and other illuminators outlining the perimeter of portals that are safe to exit through, the illuminators normally being hardly noticeable but having controllers and energizers to light up the planned exit route when emergency conditions are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventors: Jerry T Anderson, Sonja K Zozula
  • Patent number: 9689543
    Abstract: A novelty lamp, which includes a transparent or translucent container with a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the container is mounted in a base member. Two substances are received in the container, one of which is ferro fluid. The ferro fluid has a higher relative density at room temperature and is immiscible with the other substance. Upon application of heat, which is supplied by a light bulb mounted within the base member, globules of the substance with the initially higher relative density become less dense, rise in the other substance and flow around the container. As the globules rise toward the top surface of the container they cool, become denser and drop back down toward the bottom surface of the container. Because the ferro fluid is a magnetic liquid, magnets can manipulate it, while it changes density and flows in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Kyle Haines
  • Patent number: 9689544
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for lighting effects, including simulating a flame. A three dimensional carrier includes an array of a plurality of light sources distributed on it. A control circuit coordinates on/off of the light sources in a manner to simulate a jumping flame. In one embodiment, the three dimensional carrier and LEDs are encapsulated in an at least partially light transmissive cover. This light modular engine includes a control circuit and an interface to electrical power. The system can include the light engine in a light fixture such as an architectural fixture. The methodology can include a sequence of on/off and brightness variations for the array of light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MJ Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Green, Jr., Ninghua Wei
  • Patent number: 9689545
    Abstract: An optical element including a first head lens array having at least first and second head lenses joined together by a bar, and at least one second bead lens array having at least a third head lenses arranged between the first and second head lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Docter Optics SE
    Inventors: Wolfram Wintzer, Lars Arnold, Alois Willke, Sandro Plietzsch
  • Patent number: 9689546
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting unit can be configured to include a thin light guide. The vehicle lighting unit can include a solid light guide having a first surface including an internal reflection portion and a light exiting portion that are formed as a single continued surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a light incident surface through which light enters the light guide so that the light reaches and is internally reflected off the internal reflection portion of the first surface, then is internally reflected off the reflection portion of the second surface, and exits through the light exiting portion of the first surface. The reflection portion of the second surface can include a plurality of divided reflection regions, and the reflection regions can include at least one reflection region disposed at a reference position and at least one reflection region disposed at a position closer to the light exiting surface than the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC, Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ruben Mohedano, Pablo Benitez, Juan Carlos Minano, Masafumi Ohno
  • Patent number: 9689547
    Abstract: A projection lens is disposed so that light emitted from a light source passes the projection lens. A shade is disposed in rear of the projection lens so as to block a part of the light emitted from the light source. The projection lens includes a first region and a second region. The first region has a first light scattering property. The second region has a second light scattering property lower than the first light scattering property. The shade and the projection lens are disposed so that a part of light projecting an edge of the shade as a peripheral edge of a light distribution pattern passes through the first region and another part of the light projecting the edge of the shade passes through the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akinori Matsumoto, Shingo Kato
  • Patent number: 9689548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle, where the light device includes a light source having a plurality of semiconductor diodes, and a scanning device onto which light from the light source is incident and which generates a temporally varying deflection of the incident light from the light source during operation of the lighting device and thereby generates a predetermined light distribution at a distance from the lighting device. The scanning device has at least two separately controllable scanners, onto each of which a separate light beam generated from the light source is incident, the deflection of which beam is temporally varied by the respective scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Erdl, Abdelmalek Hanafi
  • Patent number: 9689549
    Abstract: A vehicle headlight device 100 includes a light source 11, a Dove prism 40, and a rotation mechanism 50. The light source 11 emits light. The Dove prism 40 changes a propagation direction of light received at an incidence surface 401 to bring the light to a reflecting surface 402, and changes a propagation direction of light reflected at the reflecting surface 402 to output the light from an exit surface 403. The rotation mechanism 50 rotatably supports the Dove prism 40 about a line which passes through the incidence surface 401 and the exit surface 403 as an axis of rotation R, and rotates the Dove prism 40 in a direction opposite to a bank direction of a vehicle body in accordance with a bank angle k of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashige Suwa, Ritsuya Oshima, Muneharu Kuwata, Atsushi Michimori, Kuniko Kojima
  • Patent number: 9689550
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp device includes a lighting device mounted in the compartment of a lamp seat and includes a circuit board on which lighting elements are mounted. A reflective seat is mounted in the compartment and includes a reflective board having a reflective face. A lens seat is mounted in the compartment, includes lens portions located in front of the lighting elements, and includes a hollow portion aligned with the reflective board. Each lens portion includes a light input portion, a light guiding portion, and a first light output face. A refractive portion extends from a front end of each light guiding portion. A front cover includes a light transmitting portion aligned with the first light output portions. The front cover further includes a half reflective portion aligned with the reflective face. The half reflective portion includes a partially transparent front surface and a partially reflective rear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MIN HSIANG CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shang-kuei Tai
  • Patent number: 9689551
    Abstract: A display device (A) for the display of image information, which consists of at least one or a plurality of picture elements and may be modified by means of a frame rate (R), having at least one light source (L) for the generation of a picture element of the image information, characterized in that there are provided picture element modification means (VM) having movement elements (BR, BV, LI, L), which are movably arranged with at least the frame rate (R) in the display device (A) and which are adapted to selectively deflect and/or cover the light emitted by the at least one light source (L) for the viewer (LA, RA) of the display device (A) in order to generate per light source (L) of the display device (A) at least twice the number of picture elements as extension picture elements (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) for the display of the image information, wherein the light emitted by the at least one light source (L) is modified with at least twice the frame rate (R) as light source frequency (fL).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TriLite Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Fidler, Joerg Reitterer, Alexander Swatek
  • Patent number: 9689552
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus including an LED light emitter having an axis. The apparatus comprising a first lens over the emitter a second lens spaced over the first lens. The first lens is configured to direct LED-emitted light primarily toward a preferential radial side with respect to the emitter axis. The first lens may be an asymmetric primary lens. The first lens may have a centerline which is offset from the emitter axis toward the preferential radial side. Alternatively or in addition, the first lens may have an outer surface configured to direct LED-emitted light primarily toward the preferential radial side. The second lens may be asymmetric and be configured to further direct the light primarily toward the preferential radial side. The secondary lens may include inner and outer surfaces each shaped to direct received light primarily toward the preferential side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, Bernd Keller, Ted Lowes, Peter S. Andrews, Christopher Strom
  • Patent number: 9689553
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a lens, the lens includes a bottom surface and a light emergent surface relative to the bottom surface, the bottom surface defines a recess configured to receive a light source. The lens further includes a light incident surface opposite to the recess, the light incident surface faces away from the light emergent surface. The light incident surface is formed by a number of ring-shaped curved surfaces connected to each other one by one. The disclosure also relates to a light emitting device using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Po-Chin Chiu
  • Patent number: 9689554
    Abstract: A lens for distributing light from a light emitter in a desired asymmetric illumination profile includes a lens body having an input side and an output side. The input side receives light from an emitter, and the output side includes primary refractive surface, total internal reflection surfaces, and a secondary refractive surface associated with the total internal refection surfaces. A primary emission axis associated with the emitter is defined through the lens body, and a transverse reference plane is positioned parallel to the primary emission axis. A desired illumination region is located on a first side of the reference plane, and a desired dark region is located on a second side of the reference plane. The primary refractive surface, the total internal reflection surfaces and the secondary refractive surface direct a substantial portion of the light from the emitter to the desired illumination region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Householder, Megan Tidd
  • Patent number: 9689555
    Abstract: A lighting device (1) comprising a housing (3) with a light emission window (5) and, opposite thereto, a reflector (7). A planar light transmissive carrier (9) arranged in between the light emission window and the reflector and comprising, at least on a side (11) facing towards the reflector, a grid (13) of a plurality of light sources (15,17). The plurality of light sources comprise a first group (19) of first light sources (15) and a second group (21) of second light sources (19). Each first light source has a respective first emission orientation (23) in a respective first direction (25) away from the reflector and each second light source has a respective second emission orientation (31) to issue light towards the reflector, which light, after reflection, is redirected into a respective first direction (25a). The lighting device is able to provide accent lighting and/or diffuse lighting issued by light sources arranged on one planar carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Petrus Wilhelmus Baaijens, Dragan Sekulovski
  • Patent number: 9689556
    Abstract: The present invention relates inter alia to an array comprising i times j array elements, wherein the array elements may comprise at least one quantum dot and/or at least one photoluminescent compound. Further the present invention relates to devices comprising these arrays. The arrays and devices can be used to generate white light with high color purity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Junyou Pan, Niels Schulte, Thomas Eberle
  • Patent number: 9689557
    Abstract: A light-emitting device having a cover (1), a heat sink (2) and a light-emitting assembly (3), wherein the heat sink (2) has at least one first locking part (a), the cover (1) has at least one second locking part (b) corresponding to the first locking part (a), the second locking part (b) engages with the first locking part (a) to form an enclosed cavity (5) for the light-emitting assembly (3), and the second locking part (b) has a pressing part (b1) pressing the light-emitting assembly (3) against the heat sink (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: OSRAM GmbH
    Inventors: Peng Chen, Hao Li, Tingming Liu, Shengmei Zheng
  • Patent number: 9689558
    Abstract: An attachment adapted to fix a semiconductor light source unit to a support member is provided. The attachment includes a frame having an opening periphery portion defining an opening to allow light emitted from the semiconductor light source unit to pass through the opening, and first and second conductive terminal pieces extending from the opening periphery portion. The first conductive terminal piece extends in one direction to contact a first power receiving portion of the semiconductor light source unit. The second conductive terminal piece extends in the same direction to contact a second power receiving portion of the semiconductor light source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 9689559
    Abstract: An LED light core structure, which has better mechanical strength and good heat dissipation effect and is able to 360-degree project light. The LED light core structure includes a substrate having at least two faces. The substrate is formed with at least one opening communicating the two faces. LEDs are disposed on at least one of the two faces of the substrate at the opening, whereby the light emitted from the LEDs disposed on one of the two faces of the substrate can be projected through the opening to the opposite face of the substrate. Accordingly, the substrate can be made of metal material, whereby the substrate is unlikely to crack so that the ratio of good products is increased and the substrate can provide excellent heat dissipation effect for the LEDs. The conventional wolfram filament electrodes can be directly replaced with the LED light core structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Edison Opto Corporation
    Inventors: Hao Yun Chang, Yao-Chuan Hung
  • Patent number: 9689560
    Abstract: A LED light bulb simultaneously using as nightlight contains: a LED element, at least one LED filament, a base, a driving circuit, and a light guiding element. The base includes a hollow cavity for accommodating the driving circuit and LED element which electrically connects with the driving circuit, the base also includes an electrical fitting electrically connected with the driving circuit and a bulb holder. The light guiding element is made of photoconductive material and coupled with the base, and the light guiding element includes a light entering end corresponding to a light emitting end of the LED light to guide lights from the LED element. The at least one LED filament is electrically connected with the driving circuit and surrounds around the light guiding element, and the at least one LED filament is supported by the light guiding element to emit the lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Chung Ping Lai
  • Patent number: 9689561
    Abstract: A lighting unit for a large electrical household appliance includes a base part configured to receive a luminous element and having positive engagement elements, and a top part configured for attachment to the base part through displacement of the top part longitudinally in a connection plane relative to the base part. The top part has in displacement direction a front region which is provided with two gripping hooks for engagement with the positive engagement elements of the base part, with the gripping hooks engaging below the positive engagement elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Heinrich, Matthias Wiedenmann
  • Patent number: 9689562
    Abstract: A lighting module includes a ribbon-like containment body with a web wall having a first and a second face opposite to each other and a pair of side walls extending sidewise of the first face of the web wall to define a channel-like shape of the containment body, a ribbon-like mounting board for mounting light radiation sources, the mounting board being arranged in the channel-like shape of the containment body with a mounting surface facing away from the first face of the web wall of the containment body, and a light radiation source mounted on the mounting surface of the board for projecting light radiation from the channel-like shape of the containment body. The lighting module includes a pair of hook-like profiles protruding from and along the second face of the web wall of the containment body to permit mounting of the lighting module by hooking to a mounting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: OSRAM GmbH
    Inventors: Luca Volpato, Simone Massaro, Simon Bobbo
  • Patent number: 9689563
    Abstract: A light-emitting display system has an alignment mechanism to align or angle light-emitting tiles of the display. A first tile connects to a second tile by joining a first clamp portion on the first tile with a second clamp portion on the second tile. In an implementation, the alignment mechanism includes a replaceable angle adjustment insert that is inserted into at least one of the clamp portions, such as the first clamp portion. When the first and second clamp portions are joined, a surface of the second clamp portion presses against the insert and a desired angle between the first and second tile is formed. The insert can have any angle so that any desired angle can be formed between the first and second tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Barco, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Robert Patterson, Grant Arthur John Elliott
  • Patent number: 9689564
    Abstract: A device comprising an arm, with a hollow portion, a hub having a stator portion, and an elongated portion disposed into the arm; a rotor with an elongated portion for housing part of a spring. Wherein the spring has a first end disposed in the arm and a second end disposed in the elongated portion of the rotor, and a moveable arm, with a substantially hollow portion operable to receive the elongated portion of the rotor. Certain embodiments may include more than one moveable arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Vode Lighting, LLC
    Inventors: Scott S Yu, Tom Warton
  • Patent number: 9689565
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for directional recessed luminaires includes a tilt adjustment screw 104 and rotation adjustment screw 124 supported in adjacent positions on a bearing ring 102, the screws being oriented vertically and conveniently accessible through an open center of the bearing ring. Follower 106 travels vertically on the tilt adjustment screw when rotated. Drive link 108 connected to both the follower and a four bar linkage (110), transfers force from the follower to the linkage when the tilt screw is rotated. The linkage pivots about anchor points 114,116 and is pivotally connected to lamp carrier frame 118 supporting light source 105. When the tilt adjustment screw is rotated, light source moves along a path (FIG. 6, 7) to aim the light beam. After aiming, the mechanism locks the light source into place. The mechanism is compact and the adjustment screws are easily accessible from beneath the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventor: Aaron P. Fryzek
  • Patent number: 9689566
    Abstract: A baby monitoring light system includes a light body having a bottom portion and a top portion, the light body having a height generally shorter than the light body width and length, the light body comprising a light source oriented upwardly from the top portion, the light body adapted to project a light beam upwardly onto a surface approximately 5 to 15 feet away. The system may include a blanket having a pocket, the light body positionable in the pocket, the pocket having a space through which the light source projects when the light body is in the pocket. The light body may include one or more releasable fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Blue Brain Waves LLC
    Inventors: Alissa Arndt, Michael Arndt
  • Patent number: 9689567
    Abstract: A surgical-instrument alignment station comprises a case having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The case comprised a top side and a bottom side joined along a hinge. A plurality of suction cups are fixed to the exterior surface of the bottom side of the case for allowing the case to be selectively attached to a surface. An alignment block is affixed to the exterior surface of the bottom side of the case. The alignment block comprises an elongated element that defines a plurality of slots for selectively holding a plurality of surgical-tool implements. The elongated element further comprises a clamping element configured to selectively engage surgical-tool implements. The station further comprises a first internal pocket in the top side of the case and a light source in the top side of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Gary Starnes
  • Patent number: 9689568
    Abstract: A solid particle distribution controller includes a plurality of division plates proximate a division between an upstream solid particle conveyance pipe and a plurality of downstream pipes. The solid particle distribution controller also includes a plurality of extension plates. Each of the extension plates is movably mounted proximate to a respective division plate for movement in an upstream and downstream direction with respect to the division plate. The plurality of extension plates are configured and adapted for motion in the upstream and downstream direction independent of one another to extend upstream of the division plates as needed to improve solid particle distribution among the downstream pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Babcock Power Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John Rath, Murat Yaldizli
  • Patent number: 9689569
    Abstract: A controller for use in a gas furnace system including a gas valve and an ignition device is provided. The controller includes a circuit board, a control circuit connected to the circuit board, and a plurality of harness connectors mounted to the circuit board. The control circuit is configured to control operation of the gas valve and the ignition device. Each harness connector is configured to mate with a wiring harness to electrically connect the control circuit to at least one component of the furnace system. Each harness connector includes a plurality of pin connectors defining a pin configuration of the corresponding harness connector, and each pin configuration is different than the other pin configurations. At least one pin connector from each harness connector is electrically connected in parallel with one of the pin connectors from each of the other harness connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: David L. Vie
  • Patent number: 9689570
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heater including a heating element of which a main component is V, Nb, Ta, Mo, or W, leads bonded to respective ends of the heating element, and an insulating base in which the heating element and the lead are embedded, in which the heating element and the insulating base are formed of a sintered body which is integrally sintered, the heating element includes a compound including at least one of V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, or Fe, which is an element different from the element used as the main component of the heating element, and the element is substantially not included around the heating element in the insulating base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Akio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9689571
    Abstract: A nozzle is provided including a fuel swirler having an outer wall, an interior wall, and a fuel flow path configured to receive a fuel flow. The fuel flow path extends from adjacent and inlet end of the nozzle to a discharge end of the nozzle and is arranged between the outer wall and the interior wall. The fuel flow path includes a first inlet portion and a volute. The first inlet portion is generally offset from a center of the fuel swirler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: DELAVAN INC.
    Inventors: Jason Ryon, Philip Buelow
  • Patent number: 9689572
    Abstract: The present application provides a variable volume combustor for use with a gas turbine engine. The variable volume combustor may include a liner, a number of micro-mixer fuel nozzles positioned within the liner, and a conical liner support supporting the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Johnson, Johnie Franklin McConnaughhay, Chrisophter Paul Keener, Heath Michael Ostebee
  • Patent number: 9689573
    Abstract: Combustion equipment for use in a gas turbine engine is provided. The combustion equipment includes an inner and outer case, wherein the outer case encloses the inner case creating a cavity located between the two cases. The combustion equipment also has a fuel delivery device for delivering fuel into a combustion region within the inner case, wherein the fuel delivery device passes through a hole in the outer case and a corresponding hole in the inner case. The combustion equipment also includes a seal assembly to prevent the leaking of pressurized gas into the cavity located between the outer and inner cases via the hole through which fuel delivery device passes. The seal assembly includes a flexible sleeve that extends around the fuel delivery device and interconnects the inner case with the outer case, permitting relative movement of the inner and outer cases when the combustion equipment is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Jason Robert Potts, Simon Mark Jolliff
  • Patent number: 9689574
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing modal coupling of combustion dynamics generally include multiple combustors, and each combustor includes multiple fuel nozzle groups for mixing fuel with a compressed working fluid prior to combustion. A fuel circuit is in fluid communication with each fuel nozzle, and orifice plates in the fuel circuit upstream from the fuel nozzles control the fuel split between the fuel nozzles in each combustor and/or between different combustors to produce a frequency difference between combustors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sarah Lori Crothers, Christian Xavier Stevenson, Alberto Jose Negroni
  • Patent number: 9689575
    Abstract: An indoor grill includes a system for retaining a desired amount of heat and smoke during cooking, while passing excess smoke through a filtering system. A water tray is disposed below the heating element, thereby resisting a tendency for dripping grease to create excessive smoke. A hood includes interior and exterior portions, with a space defined therebetween, and the space being accessible along the bottom edge of the hood. A filtration system is connected to the space between the interior and exterior housing portions. Smoke is drawn into the space between the inner and outer hood from the bottom edge, permitting some smoke to remain within the hood for flavoring. When the hood is opened, the hood's edge is raised, raising the entrance to the space between the inner and outer portions up towards the smoke that remained within the hood, and drawing that smoke into the filtration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: GRILL-TOP, INC.
    Inventor: John Donofrio
  • Patent number: 9689576
    Abstract: An oven appliance with one or more features for minimizing the time to preheat the cooking chamber and balancing the heat distribution within the cooking chamber of the oven appliance is provided. Features for minimizing the acoustic noise of the oven appliance are also provided. Further, a method for operating an oven appliance to minimize the preheat time and balance the heat distribution within the cooking chamber of the oven appliance while minimizing acoustic noise is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Scott Johnson, Stephen Christopher Boedicker
  • Patent number: 9689577
    Abstract: An outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a heat exchanger, at least one fan, a compressor, and a box-shaped casing that houses the foregoing elements and has an air inlet and an air outlet. The compressor is provided at a position outside an air passage in which air taken in from the air inlet flows through the heat exchanger and the fan toward the air outlet. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchanger segments. The heat exchanger segments are arranged zigzag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Yoshimura, Hiroaki Nakamune, Syoji Yamada, Kenichi Sakoda
  • Patent number: 9689578
    Abstract: A refrigerant distribution unit for an air conditioner, includes: a refrigerant pipe provided on an outdoor unit side; branch refrigerant pipes provided on an indoor unit side; a distribution portion which distributes a refrigerant from the refrigerant pipe to the branch refrigerant pipes; a main unit which stores the distribution portion and includes a first side face from which the refrigerant pipe is drawn out and a second side face from which the branch refrigerant pipes are drawn out; and an electric component box. Each of the branch refrigerant pipes includes a branch gas pipe and a branch liquid pipe which are drawn out from the second side face. The adjacent branch gas pipes are disposed parallel such that lengths of the branch gas pipes increase sequentially from one toward the other, and the adjacent branch liquid pipes are disposed parallel such that lengths of the branch liquid pipes similarly increase sequentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Fujitsu General Limited
    Inventors: Shun Matsuura, Haruki Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9689579
    Abstract: A dehumidifier includes an improved structure of a water tank in order to enhance convenience in use of the water tank. The dehumidifier includes: a main body to form an external appearance of the dehumidifier, and including an air entrance and an air exit; a heat exchanger in which refrigerant to exchange heat with air coming through the air entrance circulates; and a water tank configured to store condensed water formed when the air come through the air entrance exchanges heat with the refrigerant, wherein the water tank includes: a storage space formed in the water tank to store the condensed water, and a handle coupled to the water tank at one side of the water tank, and inclined toward the other side of the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hee Soo Jung, Seong Ryeol Myeong, Je Woo Bang
  • Patent number: 9689580
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an inline air purification system is described herein. An example apparatus includes a housing, a high-velocity air flow guide, a filter assembly, and a fan. The high-velocity air flow guide includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to form a passage within the housing, and the second portion is configured to divert and accelerate air flow of the ambient air from the passage to a chamber of the housing. The filter assembly includes one or more filtering elements configured to receive the ambient air from the chamber. The fan is configured to draw the ambient air from the chamber through the filter assembly and to generate processed air from the ambient air. The housing is located in an HVAC duct, and occupies only part of the cross-sectional area of the duct. The remaining area of the duct accommodates bypass air flow to a primary fan in the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Airistar Technologies
    Inventors: Paul C. Burke, D. Scott Kalous, Charles Harris
  • Patent number: 9689581
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a ventilation apparatus including a housing assembly with at least one fluid inlet, and at least one fluid outlet, and an exhaust fan assembly coupled to the housing assembly within an inner region. The exhaust fan assembly can include a scroll positioned within and coupled to the main housing, and a blower wheel positioned within the scroll and mechanically coupled to the motor. The ventilation assembly can include a configurable mounting panel including a main panel and at least one tab, and at least one configurable flange coupled to the main panel and extending outwardly from the main panel. The configurable mounting panel can include at least one bending region with at least one aperture. The ventilation apparatus can also include a muffler including an aperture, an electrical box enclosure including a lid, and a duct connector assembly each coupled with the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Broan-NuTune LLC
    Inventors: Mirko Zakula, Robert G. Penlesky, Daniel L. Karst, Kenneth J. Jonas
  • Patent number: 9689582
    Abstract: An overvoltage recovery circuit (ORC), a controller for an HVAC system and an HVAC system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the ORC includes: (1) a first supply voltage terminal connected to a first voltage supply, (2) a second supply voltage terminal connected to a second voltage supply, (3) interruption circuitry including a switch and a trip terminal connected to the second supply voltage terminal and (4) detection circuitry connected to the first supply voltage terminal and the switch of the interruption circuitry, the detection circuitry configured to operate the switch in response to an overvoltage condition at the first supply voltage terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Jimmie Curry
  • Patent number: 9689583
    Abstract: A method for occupancy based energy optimization can include determining a size and speed of a number of objects within an area, determining a number of human occupants within the area based on the size and speed of the number of objects within the area, and altering a number of environmental settings for the area based on the determined number of human occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: SrinivasaRao Katuri, Steve Huseth, Amit Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 9689584
    Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of system controllers and methods for controlling a climate control system. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless-enabled climate system controller receives power from one or more power sources. A processor and memory of the controller are configured to monitor power budget availability from the power source(s) for performance of wireless communication by the climate control system controller. The processor and memory are further configured to determine power budget requirements for combinations of communication modes in which the controller is capable of performing wireless communication, and based on the monitoring and determining, configure the controller to perform wireless communication using a selected one of the communication mode combinations. A thermostat can optimize levels of operation and battery life, by determining an appropriate operating mode that could offer the most functionality while not exceeding the power budget available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Anil Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 9689585
    Abstract: A zoned HVAC system comprises an HVAC unit including a climate control system and an air mover. In addition, the system comprises a supply air duct in fluid communication with the outlet of the HVAC unit. Further, the system comprises a return air duct in fluid communication with the inlet of the HVAC unit. Still further, the system comprises a plurality of zones positioned between the supply air duct and the return air duct. Moreover, the system comprises a bypass duct extending between the supply air duct and the return air duct. The bypass duct includes an active bypass damper having an open position, a closed position, and a plurality of partially opened positions. The system also comprises a control device configured to control the position of the bypass duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Billy W. Norrell, Gregory S. Brown, John Tanner Taylor, Jonathan David Douglas