David R Nowak

US Patent:

6429447, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

Jun 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/328715

Inventors:

David R. Nowak - Bloomingdale IL
Ryan Lindsay - Hampshire IL

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

G02B 514

US Classification:

250573, 250577, 250902, 73293, 340618, 356133

Abstract:

An optical device for measuring a level of a fluid in a container wherein a light conducting body having a top surface and a bottom surface is positioned within the container and into the fluid. A first end of the light conducting body and an oppositely disposed second end, preferably having stepped end surfaces, reflect and refract light in a predetermined manner based upon the fluid level in the container. A resulting brightness of the top surface is therefore inversely proportional to the level of the fluid. Such an optical device is particularly suited toward application to a vehicle fuel tank.

US Patent:

6431195, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Feb 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/791514

Inventors:

Eric G. Parker - Winnetka IL
Kenneth LeVey - West Chicago IL
David R. Nowak - Bloomingdale IL

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

F16K 2404

US Classification:

137 2, 137 43, 137202, 137587

Abstract:

A vent valve for a fuel tank having a sending unit positioned therethrough including a floating body floatable within the fuel tank and a valve positioned with respect to the floating body. A vent hose is positioned with respect to the valve, the vent hose extending between the floating body and the sending unit.

US Patent:

6817726, Nov 16, 2004

Filed:

Dec 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/315716

Inventors:

David R. Nowak - Chicago IL

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

F21V 800

US Classification:

362 31, 362309, 362517, 362800

Abstract:

A lighting system is provided to transmit light from a light source through a prism. The prism includes a light receiving edge surface, a curved edge surface and a light exiting edge surface. The light source is positioned to transmit a beam of light through the light receiving edge surface of the prism. The prism is configured such that the beam of light travels through the prism to strike the curved edge surface. The beam of light is then reflected off of the curved edge surface such that the beam of light changes direction and continues to travel through the prism until such time as it passes through the light exiting edge surface. The lighting system is adapted to provide a substantially uniform light distribution from the light exiting edge surface.

US Patent:

6910340, Jun 28, 2005

Filed:

Mar 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/401395

Inventors:

David R. Nowak - Chicago IL, US
Robert Dam - Aurora IL, US
Anthony Caringella - Norridge IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

F25B001/00

US Classification:

62115, 62187, 236 495, 454334

Abstract:

An airflow control device has a fixed damper element and a movable damper element. Shape memory wires are connected to the fixed damper element and the movable damper element. The shape memory wires are alternately electrified to cause the contraction thereof to move the movable damper element in opposite directions. A heater can be provided along with the damper elements to overcome frost buildup in cold environments, such as refrigeration systems.

US Patent:

7040110, May 9, 2006

Filed:

Jun 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/860421

Inventors:

David R. Nowak - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc - Glenview IL

International Classification:

F25D 23/00

US Classification:

62264, 62389, 2221466

Abstract:

A lighting system for dispensing units such as ice and water dispensers on refrigerators includes a paddle on a shaft for activating and deactivating the dispenser by force applied from a receptacle. The shaft is configured as a light tube. A light source is positioned above the shaft to supply light into the shaft and paddle in the non-deflected condition. A prism is provided to receive light from the light source when the paddle is depressed, and to redirect light from the light source towards a receptacle positioned for receiving ice or water dispensed by the dispenser.

US Patent:

7124627, Oct 24, 2006

Filed:

May 17, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/130676

Inventors:

Sean V. Ciesielka - Belvidere IL, US
James S. Zielinski - Schaumburg IL, US
David R. Nowak - Chicago IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc - Glenview IL

International Classification:

G01M 19/00

US Classification:

731182, 73119 R, 731181

Abstract:

An air filter restriction sensor assembly for use on an engine, such as a small gas engine provides a simple on/off system with remote indicating to notify the operator of the air restriction. More specifically, the air restriction in the air intake line of the engine creates a vacuum which pulls on a plunger mechanism until the mechanism contacts a switch, such as a membrane switch, and activates the switch. The switch can be electrically connected to an indicator device, such as a light-emitting diode, which is readily visible to the operator to notify the operator of the air restriction.

US Patent:

7147341, Dec 12, 2006

Filed:

Aug 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/197031

Inventors:

David R. Nowak - Chicago IL, US
Richard R. Herzog - Arlington Heights IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc - Glenview IL

International Classification:

F21V 33/00
F21V 21/00

US Classification:

362133, 362374, 362375, 362455

Abstract:

A light assembly for a refrigerator drawer includes a light source assembly, a reflector and a lens assembly keyed one to another for positioning, and secured to each other as a preassembled unit. The preassembled light assembly is snap fit into an opening in a panel of the drawer.

US Patent:

7404649, Jul 29, 2008

Filed:

Sep 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/524098

Inventors:

Anatoly Gosis - Palatine IL, US
David R. Nowak - Chicago IL, US
Robert Dam - Aurora IL, US
Abram Cervantes - Chicago IL, US
Chuck Esposito - Elk Grove Village IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

F21V 33/00

US Classification:

362101, 362 96, 362318

Abstract:

The invention relates to devices configured and adapted to give a fluid stream the appearance of being lighted. Different colors of light, such as those provided from LEDs, may be used to generate an aesthetically pleasing effect of flowing colored fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid illumination may be accomplished by a light source directed towards a fluid stream from an external angle, for example. Alternatively, the light source may be pointed in the direction of the fluid stream, lighting it substantially internally. In yet other embodiments, the fluid illumination may be enhanced with the employment of reflective surfaces that bounce light around and through the fluid stream. To increase the appearance of being lighted, the reflective fluid surface area may be increased by generating turbulent flow. In certain embodiments, turbulent flow is achieved with the use of a separator to separate a single fluid stream into a plurality of micro-streams.