William T Harrigill from Montgomery, AL, age 72

Us Patents

Fuel-Fired Water Heater With Flammable Vapor Sensor And Associated Induced Flow Tube
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US Patent:

6412447, Jul 2, 2002
Filed:

Apr 16, 2001
Appl. No.:

09/835753
Inventors:

Troy E. Trant - Montgomery AL
Gary A. Elder - Montgomery AL
William T. Harrigill - Montgomery AL
Bruce A. Hotton - Montgomery AL
Shannon H. McCall - Montgomery AL
Assignee:

The Water Heater Industry Joint Research and Development Consortium - Reston VA
International Classification:

F22B 504
US Classification:

122 1421, 122 142, 122 1431
Abstract:

Fuel fired power vented and natural draft type water heaters are provided with flammable vapor sensors operative to detect flammable vapors exteriorly adjacent the water heater and responsively preclude fuel flow to the burner portion of the water heater. In each water heater a flow tube is extended between the flammable vapor sensor and the draft structure of the water heater and forms a flow path isolated from the combustion chamber of the water heater. In the event that flammable vapors are present exteriorly adjacent the water heater, the forced or natural draft of the water heater creates a biased flow of flammable vapors which is sequentially drawn across the vapor sensor and through the isolated flow path to the draft structure of the water heater.

Power Vented, Fuel Fired Water Heater With Soft Ignition System
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US Patent:

6418882, Jul 16, 2002
Filed:

Apr 12, 2001
Appl. No.:

09/833894
Inventors:

Troy E. Trant - Montgomery AL
Michael L. Burney - Montgomery AL
William T. Harrigill - Montgomery AL
Gordon W. Stretch - Montgomery AL
Assignee:

The Water Heater Industry Joint Research and Development Consortium - Reston VA
International Classification:

F22B 504
US Classification:

122 141, 122 1421, 110162, 1263611
Abstract:

A power vented, gas fired water heater has a main gas burner disposed within a combustion chamber partially bounded by an arrestor plate having a spaced series of flame quenching combustion air inlet openings therein. To provide for a âsoftâ ignition of extraneous flammable vapors entering the combustion chamber and to limit the build-up of unignited flammable vapors within the combustion chamber during non-demand periods of the water heater, a non-flame type ignition device is disposed within the combustion chamber and operated at least intermittently during such non-demand periods.

Control Techniques For Shut-Off Sensors In Fuel-Fired Heating Appliances
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US Patent:

7242310, Jul 10, 2007
Filed:

Apr 28, 2005
Appl. No.:

11/117138
Inventors:

Bruce A. Hotton - Montgomery AL, US
Walter T. Castleberry - Pike Road AL, US
William T. Harrigill - Montgomery AL, US
Assignee:

Rheem Manufacturing Company - Atlanta GA
International Classification:

G08B 17/10
US Classification:

340632, 340501, 340577, 340581, 340584, 340588, 122 142, 122 1431
Abstract:

In a flammable vapor sensor-based shut-off system of a fuel-fired water heater the sensor resistance output signal degradation caused by aging of the sensor is automatically compensated for using an operational timer having an output signal indicative of the total life of the sensor subsequent to its installation on the water heater. In one embodiment of the system, a resistance adjustment signal having a magnitude related in a predetermined manner to the timer output signal is created and added to the sensor resistance output signal. In another embodiment, the timer output signal is used to appropriately adjust the minimum-maximum received sensor signal magnitude range, based on the installed age of the sensor, which will preclude combustion in the appliance. Additionally, in each embodiment thereof the system is provided with an improved initial minimum-maximum sensor signal magnitude range. Other types of shut-off gas sensors may be alternatively utilized.

Pumpless Combination Instantaneous/Storage Water Heater System
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US Patent:

7298968, Nov 20, 2007
Filed:

Jan 5, 2007
Appl. No.:

11/620311
Inventors:

Jozef Boros - Montgomery AL, US
William T. Harrigill - Montgomery AL, US
Subbu Thenappan - Hillsborough NJ, US
Assignee:

Rheem Manufacturing Company - Atlanta GA
International Classification:

F24H 1/10
H05B 3/78
US Classification:

392494, 392441, 392450
Abstract:

A representatively pumpless water heater system has an instantaneous water heater coupled in series with a storage water heater by piping circuitry incorporating a bypass valve and a mixing valve and useable to route pressurized incoming cold water sequentially through the instantaneous and storage type heaters. A control system (1) operates the bypass valve to cause a selectively variable portion of the incoming cold water to bypass the instantaneous heater and flow to the mixing valve, and (2) operates the mixing valve to blend the bypassed cold water with hot water exiting the storage heater to maintain a predetermined temperature of heated water exiting the system. Another system embodiment adds a directional bypass valve operable by the control system to selectively divert to the mixing valve a portion of the heated water exiting the instantaneous heater for delivery to the storage heater.

Water Heater Monitor/Diagnostic Display Apparatus
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US Patent:

7818095, Oct 19, 2010
Filed:

Jan 14, 2008
Appl. No.:

12/013773
Inventors:

Bruce A. Hotton - Montgomery AL, US
Troy E. Trant - Montgomery AL, US
Jozef Boros - Montgomery AL, US
William T. Harrigill - Montgomery AL, US
Walter T. Castleberry - Owens Cross Roads AL, US
Assignee:

Rheem Manufacturing Company - Atlanta GA
International Classification:

G05D 23/00
US Classification:

700300, 392478, 392463, 392494, 392441, 219490, 219492, 219494, 219496, 122 1422, 122 1421, 122 141, 236 20 R, 237 2 B, 237 8 R, 210175, 165200, 165253
Abstract:

A water heater is provided with monitor/diagnostic display apparatus that selectively provides a user with visual or other type of indicia of the remaining hot water availability of, the recovery time for, and the overall efficiency of the water heater. The apparatus includes a monitoring unit that may be mounted on the water heater, and a display unit that may be mounted either on the water heater or remotely therefrom.

Burner Flashback Detection And System Shutdown Apparatus
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US Patent:

7849821, Dec 14, 2010
Filed:

Apr 12, 2007
Appl. No.:

11/734648
Inventors:

Jacob A. Peart - Wetumpka AL, US
Gary A. Elder - Montgomery AL, US
William J. Hall - Prattville AL, US
William T. Harrigill - Montgomery AL, US
Assignee:

Rheem Manufacturing Company - Atlanta GA
International Classification:

F24H 1/20
US Classification:

122 183, 122 142, 122 1431, 122 141, 431 21, 431 22
Abstract:

A fuel-fired water heater is provided with a premixing type main burner and an associated pilot burner for igniting it. A specially designed protective system is operative to detect a flame flashback burning condition in the main burner and responsively shut down the water heater. In one embodiment thereof, the protective system uses main burner body heat to melt a portion of a fuel supply line connected to the pilot burner during a flame flashback condition in the main burner. Such melting responsively causes an associated fuel supply valve to close and terminate water heater operation. In a second protective system embodiment a normally closed pressure switch is opened, thereby shutting down the water heater, when the switch detects a pressure indicative of a flame flashback condition in the main burner.

Burner Flashback Detection And System Shutdown Apparatus
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US Patent:

20100192873, Aug 5, 2010
Filed:

Apr 12, 2010
Appl. No.:

12/758174
Inventors:

Jacob A. Peart - Wetumpka AL, US
Gary A. Elder - Montgomery AL, US
William J. Hall - Prattville AL, US
William T. Harrigill - Montgomery AL, US
Assignee:

RHEEM MANUFACTURING COMPANY - Atlanta GA
International Classification:

F24H 9/20
F24H 1/20
US Classification:

122 143, 431 22
Abstract:

A fuel-fired water heater is provided with a premixing type main burner and an associated pilot burner for igniting it. A specially designed protective system is operative to detect a flame flashback burning condition in the main burner and responsively shut down the water heater. In one embodiment thereof, the protective system uses main burner body heat to melt a portion of a fuel supply line connected to the pilot burner during a flame flashback condition in the main burner. Such melting responsively causes an associated fuel supply valve to close and terminate water heater operation. In a second protective system embodiment a normally closed pressure switch is opened, thereby shutting down the water heater, when the switch detects a pressure indicative of a flame flashback condition in the main burner.

Induced Draft, Fuel-Fired Furnace Apparatus Having An Improved, High Efficiency Heat Exchanger
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US Patent:

49745794, Dec 4, 1990
Filed:

Sep 28, 1989
Appl. No.:

7/415121
Inventors:

Timothy J. Shellenberger - Fort Smith AR
William T. Harrigill - Fort Smith AR
Assignee:

Rheem Manufacturing Company - New York NY
International Classification:

F24H 300
US Classification:

126110R
Abstract:

An induced draft, fuel-fired upflow furnace is provided with a compact, high efficiency heat exchanger having horizontally spaced apart inlet and outlet manifold structures which are innerconnected by a horizontally spaced series of vertically serpentined, relatively small diameter flow transfer tubes. Larger diameter inlet flow tubes are positioned beneath the balance of the heat exchanger, extend parallel to the transfer tubes, and have upturned discharge ends connected to the underside of the inlet manifold. The heat exchanger is configured so that its total vertically facing peripheral surface area is considerably larger than its total horizontally facing peripheral surface area, thereby significantly reducing undesirable outward heat loss through the vertically extending furnace housing side walls upon burner shut off and increasing the overall efficiency rating of the furnace. The small diameter, serpentined transfer tubes create a significant flow restriction within the heat exchanger to thereby increase heat transfer to the continuing supply air flow through the furnace after burner shut off. The reduced mass of the heat exchanger, compared to conventional clamshell heat exchangers, also desirably lessens its cold start up "dwell time" to inhibit internal heat exchanger corrosion.

Name / Title

Company / Classification

Phones & Addresses

William Harrigill
Vice President R D

Rheem Manufacturing Company
Mfg Household Appliances Mfg Metal Barrels/Pails · Mfg Heating & Air Conditioning Equipment · Mfg Household Appliances · Mfg Misc Products

101 Bell Rd, Montgomery, AL 36117
334 260-1500, 334 213-3800, 334 260-1521, 334 260-1453