James M Kerner

US Patent:

7146191, Dec 5, 2006

Filed:

Aug 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/919811

Inventors:

James M. Kerner - Chico CA, US
Chad Parker - Chico CA, US

Assignee:

United States Thermoelectric Consortium - Chico CA

International Classification:

H04B 1/38

US Classification:

455558, 455557, 455411, 455410, 4554351, 4555501, 235488, 235487, 235492

Abstract:

A wireless communication method and apparatus are described for increasing security for communication devices utilizing identification chips for accessing wireless networks and the associated billing for services. One aspect of the invention is an enhanced phone chip and a communications device adapted to engage the enhanced phone chip, which then cannot be installed or removed from the wireless communications device by unauthorized users. In one embodiment a security key mates to the identification chip and is utilized for installing and removing the enhanced phone chip. The security key preferably has a display upon which information about the communication device is displayed prior to removing the security key after installing the enhanced phone chip. Other aspects of the invention include wireless base station communication devices which support wired (dedicated and non-dedicated), and more preferably wireless extensions, while providing sharing of wireless network resources and interconnectivity between base station and extensions.

US Patent:

7152520, Dec 26, 2006

Filed:

Sep 17, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/943789

Inventors:

James M. Kerner - Chico CA, US

Assignee:

United States Thermoelectric Consortium - Chico CA

International Classification:

A47J 19/02
A23N 1/00
B30B 9/02

US Classification:

99323, 99495, 426 80, 100135, 210248

Abstract:

A tea bag press and container assembly configured for receiving a tea bag during or after brewing, which conceals the wet tea bag, collects dripping liquid, and extracts tea liquid essence by efficiently compressing the wet tea bag vertically or sidewardly. In a vertical compression embodiment, a lid has an integral press element that compresses the tea bag against a tea bag support means in the bottom of the container upon applying pressure to the lid. In a sideward compression embodiment, a flexible container retains the tea bag during sideward compression, such as between the thumb and fingers, for releasing tea liquid from the bag. The tea bag press-container assembly is designed to reduce staining and mess on saucers, tables and fabric caused by a dripping tea bag and provides efficient extraction and pouring of tea liquid into an existing beverage, or the brewing of an additional beverage.

US Patent:

7578337, Aug 25, 2009

Filed:

Oct 27, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/262301

Inventors:

Michael Spokoiny - Chico CA, US
James M. Kerner - Chico CA, US
Craig J. Lux - Chico CA, US
James M. Maurus - Chico CA, US

Assignee:

United States Thermoelectric Consortium - Chico CA

International Classification:

F28F 7/00
F28F 13/12
H05K 7/20

US Classification:

165 804, 1651091

Abstract:

A heat dissipation device with a fluid cavity that utilizes a hybrid of star pins with concave surfaces and sharp edges, and truncated dimples, which creates turbulence and a vortex phenomenon perpendicular to fluid flow transmission, and increases the heat transfer coefficient without increasing restriction of fluid flow through the device. This process increases the heat transfer along local pins which are located around each truncated dimple. This effect allows the use of taller pins than previous devices thus increasing the surface of heat transfer and thus these pins have a more efficient heat transfer coefficient along the total length of the pin, not possible previously. Star pins with sharp edges prevent the distortion of the highly efficient vortex flow which increases fluid flow and simultaneously intensifies the desired phenomena of extraordinary turbulence.

US Patent:

7814965, Oct 19, 2010

Filed:

Nov 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/602684

Inventors:

Michael Spokoiny - Chico CA, US
James M. Kerner - Chico CA, US
Xinliang Qiu - Chico CA, US
Craig J. Lux - Chico CA, US
James W. Maurus - Sumner WA, US

Assignee:

United States Thermoelectric Consortium - Chico CA

International Classification:

F28F 7/00
H05K 7/20

US Classification:

165 803, 165 804, 16510433

Abstract:

Airflow-based heat dissipation is described. A heat sink includes a housing with a first chamber and a second chamber separated by an interface located below the first chamber. The first chamber has sidewalls with first side ports and an access opening. Pins extend from a top surface of the interface into the first chamber. The top surface of the interface has dimples located between the pins and first passageways which extend from the dimples of the top surface to a bottom surface of the interface. The second chamber has a network of tunnels with ends that extend to the sidewalls to provide second side ports. The first passageways extend to the network of tunnels.

US Patent:

8141620, Mar 27, 2012

Filed:

Feb 26, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/711440

Inventors:

Volodymyr Zrodnikov - Chico CA, US
James M. Kerner - Chico CA, US
Michael Spokoiny - Chico CA, US

Assignee:

United States Thermoelectric Consortium (USTC) - Chico CA

International Classification:

F28D 15/00
F16F 1/34
F28G 1/12

US Classification:

16510432, 165 71, 165 95, 1651341, 62303

Abstract:

Use of an inert gas in a fluid-operated heat exchange system. A cooling loop of a heat exchange system is purged with an inert gas to remove oxygen from the cooling loop. Coolant is added to the cooling loop of the heat exchange system. The coolant flows in the cooling loop of the heat exchange system to mix the inert gas with the coolant to provide a solution having a reduced concentration of oxygen.

US Patent:

7992625, Aug 9, 2011

Filed:

Aug 18, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/506726

Inventors:

Michael Spokoiny - Chico CA, US
James M. Kerner - Chico CA, US
Xinliang Qiu - Chico CA, US
James W. Maurus - Chico CA, US
Boris M. Spokoyny - Chico CA, US

Assignee:

United States Thermoelectric Consortium - Chico CA

International Classification:

F28F 7/00
H05K 7/20

US Classification:

165 804, 16510433

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for heat transfer are described. In particular, a heat transfer device includes a housing having input and output ports for ingress and egress of a medium. The housing defines an interior volume with a first portion having pins extending therein and a second portion defined in part by a network of micro-channels. An interface between the first portion and the second portion of the interior volume has orifices for providing passageways for flow of the medium therebetween. A first portion of the pins are spaced apart from the interface to promote generation of vortices of the medium in the first portion of the interior volume.

US Patent:

20130327185, Dec 12, 2013

Filed:

May 23, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/986677

Inventors:

James M. Kerner - Chico CA, US

Assignee:

US THERMOELECTRONICS CONSORTIUM - Chico CA

International Classification:

B29C 73/08

US Classification:

81 157

Abstract:

A tire repair kit is disclosed which includes a plurality of tubes containing repair plugs, a clearance tool for clearing debris in a tire, and stopper to prevent air loss during the repair. The kit also includes a handle for storing the tools and for attaching the tools to make the appropriate repairs to the tire.

US Patent:

47920599, Dec 20, 1988

Filed:

Feb 4, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/010772

Inventors:

James M. Kerner - Chico CA
Carl Palmer - La Habra CA
Kenneth A. Betts - Chico CA

Assignee:

United States Thermoelectric Corporation - Chico CA

International Classification:

B67D 300
B67D 558
B67D 562

US Classification:

222 67

Abstract:

Purified water is fed into an elevated sealed first tank by means of a float valve assembly. The first tank is vented by a bacteria microscreen which is located above the level of a three-way spigot manifold. A second insulated, sealed hot water tank and a third insulated, sealed cold water tank, both positioned below and fed by the first tank, are vented into the first tank. The second tank is heated by a controlled heat strip or thermoelectric module. The second tank is positioned above and feeds into the third tank, which is cooled by a thermoelectric module. Each of the three tanks is connected by a respective tube into a three-way spigot manifold. An ergonomically designed cabinet in which the three tanks are housed includes a three button spigot control assembly located in a recess approximately 36 inches above the floor. The spigot manifold is positioned in a front panel recess beneath the button recess adjacent to a paper cup dispenser. Airborne and human-carried bacteria and contaminants are prevented from entry into the sealed system.