Larry Clinton Howington

US Patent:

7121104, Oct 17, 2006

Filed:

Sep 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/947959

Inventors:

Larry C. Howington - Chesterfield VA, US
Steven O. Stubblefield - Mechanicsville VA, US

Assignee:

Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

A47F 3/04

US Classification:

62256, 248242, 312116

Abstract:

An adjustable shelving system is disclosed for an open-front refrigerated display case having an air-curtain at least partially across a front of the display case and having a shelf configured to hold products to be displayed. A first bracket and a second bracket are coupled to an interior panel of the display case where each bracket includes a first travel stop and a spaced-apart second travel stop. The shelf has pin members that interface with the brackets and engage the travel stops. The pin members engage the first travel stop to retain the shelf in a first position and engage the second travel stop to retain the shelf in a second position having an angle of inclination relative to the first position. A distance from a front edge of the shelf and the air curtain is substantially constant between the first position and the second position.

US Patent:

7275376, Oct 2, 2007

Filed:

Apr 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/116559

Inventors:

Timothy Dean Swofford - Midlothian VA, US
Larry C. Howington - Chesterfield VA, US
Arnold M. Stephens - Powhatan VA, US
Robert D. Tanner - Chesterfield VA, US

Assignee:

Dover Systems, Inc. - Duluth GA

International Classification:

F25B 41/04

US Classification:

62 81, 62155, 62225, 62234

Abstract:

A defrost system for a temperature controlled storage unit includes an enclosure providing a space for storage of products. A refrigeration system has a supply line and a return line coupled to a cooling element to circulate a refrigerant through the cooling element to provide cooling to the space. A control module initiates a plurality of defrost modes on a predetermined frequency and for a predetermined duration by reducing a flow rate of the refrigerant through the cooling element so that a superheat temperature of the refrigerant in the cooling coil is increased to a predetermined range.

US Patent:

7806543, Oct 5, 2010

Filed:

Jan 2, 2008

Appl. No.:

11/968477

Inventors:

Timothy Dean Swofford - Midlothian VA, US
Larry C. Howington - Chesterfield VA, US

Assignee:

Hill Phoenix, Inc. - Conyers GA

International Classification:

F21V 33/00

US Classification:

362 92, 362125, 362604

Abstract:

A temperature controlled case is disclosed that includes a housing defining a display area and a first shelf provided within the display area. The temperature controlled case also includes a light system associated with the first shelf. The light system includes a substrate having a first portion and a second portion and a light source provided at the first portion of the substrate and configured to direct light through the substrate towards the second portion for illuminating an area below the first shelf. According to another embodiment, the substrate is a light sheet that cooperates with the light source to provide a distribution of light that varies between the first portion of the light sheet and the second portion of the sheet.

US Patent:

8631663, Jan 21, 2014

Filed:

Feb 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/702962

Inventors:

Lyman Wycoff - Chester VA, US
Larry Howington - Chesterfield VA, US

Assignee:

Hill Phoenix, Inc. - Conyers GA

International Classification:

F25B 49/00

US Classification:

62222

Abstract:

The present application relates to a power failure controller for an electronically controlled expansion valve in a refrigeration system. The valve is controlled by a valve controller configured to close the valve as a part of a power-up routine when the valve controller is first powered-up from a powered-down state. The power failure controller includes a circuit configured to allow the valve controller to enter the powered-down state when a power failure is detected and to subsequently provide power to the valve controller from a capacitor bank coupled to the circuit so that the valve controller conducts the power-up routine and closes or mostly closes the valve.

US Patent:

20070289323, Dec 20, 2007

Filed:

Jun 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/455968

Inventors:

Timothy Dean Swofford - Midlothian VA, US
Larry C. Howington - Chesterfield VA, US

International Classification:

A47F 3/04
F25D 21/00

US Classification:

62256, 62272

Abstract:

An open-front refrigerated case with reduced frost operation includes a housing having an open front and defining a product storage space therein. An air flow device is operatively coupled to an air flow path to direct a flow of air over a dehumidification coil for discharge as a dehumidified air curtain over the open front. The dehumidification coil operates substantially frost-free at a temperature of greater than 32 F. A contact cooling device and/or a gravity cooling device is disposed within the space and arranged to receive a coolant from a coolant system, where the dehumidified air curtain operates as a humidity tempering boundary to minimize the humidity within the storage space, so that the case operates in a substantially frost-free manner.

US Patent:

20100058789, Mar 11, 2010

Filed:

Jun 8, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/480510

Inventors:

Angel A. Barreto - Petersburg VA, US
Jules G. Choueifati - Chester VA, US
Larry C. Howington - Chesterfield VA, US

International Classification:

A47F 3/04

US Classification:

62251, 62256

Abstract:

A temperature-controlled case is provided including a base having a deck, a tower having a cavity, and an improved air distribution system. The air distribution system provides enhanced air flow throughout the case and a more balanced cooling profile to maintain products at a more uniform temperature. The air distribution system may include a duct and/or one or more air diverting devices, such as scoops, to permit a first portion of an air flow to be received into the tower and to direct second portion toward the deck. Sub-portions of the first portion may be directed at the rear portions and the front portions of one or more product supporting surfaces. The tower may include an exterior wall having openings through which air is directed by diffusers. The exterior wall may be faceted and the cavity may be segmented into channels corresponding to the facets.

US Patent:

20100212343, Aug 26, 2010

Filed:

Feb 25, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/713038

Inventors:

Timothy Dean Swofford - Midlothian VA, US
Larry C. Howington - Chesterfield VA, US

International Classification:

A47F 3/04

US Classification:

62248, 62255, 62251

Abstract:

A refrigerated case with reduced frost operation includes a housing having an open front and defining a product storage space therein. A contact cooling device or gravity cooling device is disposed within the space to receive chilled liquid coolant from a coolant system supply header and to return warmed liquid coolant to a coolant system return header. An air flow device in an air flow path directs a flow of air over a dehumidification coil that operates frost-free at a temperature of greater than 32 F. for discharge as a dehumidified air curtain over the open front. A precooling coil is provided in the air flow path upstream of the dehumidification coil, the precooling coil receives warmed liquid coolant from the coolant system return header to precool the flow of air, so that the dehumidified air curtain operates as a humidity tempering boundary to minimize the humidity within the storage space.

US Patent:

20100313588, Dec 16, 2010

Filed:

Jul 21, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/506984

Inventors:

Timothy Dean Swofford - Midlothian VA, US
Larry C. Howington - Chesterfield VA, US
Jules G. Choueifati - Chester VA, US

International Classification:

A47F 3/04

US Classification:

62251, 62256

Abstract:

A temperature-controlled case is provided including a rear wall spaced apart from an intermediate wall, forming a cavity therebetween. The intermediate wall includes a first set of openings disposed below a second set of openings. A deck may be disposed proximate to the first set and the shelves proximate to the second set of openings. Each shelf may include a shelf base and cover, the cover having openings through which air may be directed. An air distribution system having an air diverting device provides for improved air flow and cooling of products within the case. The air diverting device directs a first portion of an air flow toward the deck and permits a second portion to be directed toward the shelves. The air diverting device may direct the first portion of the air flow through the cavity and towards the deck, or away from the cavity and towards the deck.