Patents by Inventor Daniel A. C. Altenritter
Daniel A. C. Altenritter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11844463Abstract: A grilling device includes an auger feeder system, a heating element, a blower and a temperature control system. The temperature control system includes at least a first temperature sensor inside the firepot and a second temperature sensor inside a cooking chamber above the firepot. The heating element can also serve as the first temperature sensor. A method for controlling the temperature of the grill can include receiving temperature feedback information from one or more of the temperature sensors and adjusting power provided to the auger feeder system, heating element, and blower. The temperature control system produces cold smoke resulting from the combustion of lignin in solid wood fuel while minimizing temperatures inside the cooking chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills LLCInventors: Michael V. Colston, Daniel A. C. Altenritter, Daniel W. Sluder
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Publication number: 20230276989Abstract: A solid-fuel grilling device comprises a direct-current power source. A direct-current sensor is in communication with the direct-current power source. The direct-current sensor is configured to gather power characteristic data in relation to the direct-current power source. A solid-fuel grilling component is in communication with the direct-power source. The direct-power source provides power to the solid-fuel grilling component. A processor, in communication with the direct-current sensor, is configured to analyze the power characteristic data and determine operational health of solid-fuel grill components.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Michael V. Colston, Daniel W. Sluder, Daniel A.C. Altenritter
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Patent number: 11678767Abstract: A solid-fuel grilling device comprises a direct-current power source. A direct-current sensor is in communication with the direct-current power source. The direct-current sensor is configured to gather power characteristic data in relation to the direct-current power source. A solid-fuel grilling component is in communication with the direct-power source. The direct-power source provides power to the solid-fuel grilling component. A processor, in communication with the direct-current sensor, is configured to analyze the power characteristic data and determine operational health of solid-fuel grill components.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills LLCInventors: Michael V. Colston, Daniel W. Sluder, Daniel A. C. Altenritter
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Publication number: 20220296043Abstract: A self-cleaning solid fuel grilling device comprises a grilling cavity and a firepot disposed within the grilling cavity. In addition, the embodiment includes an evacuation cavity disposed beneath the firepot. The evacuation cavity is in communication with the grilling cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Inventors: Michael V. Colston, Daniel A.C. Altenritter, Daniel W. Sluder
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Patent number: 11350791Abstract: A self-cleaning solid fuel grilling device comprises a grilling cavity and a firepot disposed within the grilling cavity. In addition, the embodiment includes an evacuation cavity disposed beneath the firepot. The evacuation cavity is in communication with the grilling cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventors: Michael V. Colston, Daniel A. C. Altenritter, Daniel W. Sluder
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Publication number: 20220142406Abstract: A grilling device includes an auger feeder system, a heating element, a blower and a temperature control system. The temperature control system includes at least a first temperature sensor inside the firepot and a second temperature sensor inside a cooking chamber above the firepot. The heating element can also serve as the first temperature sensor. A method for controlling the temperature of the grill can include receiving temperature feedback information from one or more of the temperature sensors and adjusting power provided to the auger feeder system, heating element, and blower. The temperature control system produces cold smoke resulting from the combustion of lignin in solid wood fuel while minimizing temperatures inside the cooking chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Michael V. Colston, Daniel A.C. Altenritter, Daniel W. Sluder
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Publication number: 20220082262Abstract: A firepot for a grilling device comprises one or more walls at least partially forming an outer boundary of the firepot. The firepot is structurally configured to hold at least partially ignited solid fuel. The firepot also comprises a floor defining, at least in part, a lower end of the firepot. The floor comprises one or more holes extending through the floor. Additionally, a portion of the one or more walls form a solid fuel delivery opening that comprises a solid fuel portal through which solid fuel is deliverable to an interior of the firepot. A heating element mount is positioned to hold a heating element within the interior of the firepot.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Michael V. Colston, Daniel A.C. Altenritter, Daniel W. Sluder
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Patent number: 11259667Abstract: A grilling device includes an auger feeder system, a heating element, a blower and a temperature control system. The temperature control system includes at least a first temperature sensor inside the firepot and a second temperature sensor inside a cooking chamber above the firepot. The heating element can also serve as the first temperature sensor. A method for controlling the temperature of the grill can include receiving temperature feedback information from one or more of the temperature sensors and adjusting power provided to the auger feeder system, heating element, and blower. The temperature control system produces cold smoke resulting from the combustion of lignin in solid wood fuel while minimizing temperatures inside the cooking chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventors: Michael V. Colston, Daniel A. C. Altenritter, Daniel W. Sluder
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Patent number: 11181276Abstract: A firepot for a grilling device comprises one or more walls at least partially forming an outer boundary of the firepot. The firepot is structurally configured to hold at least partially ignited solid fuel. The firepot also comprises a floor defining, at least in part, a lower end of the firepot. The floor comprises one or more holes extending through the floor. Additionally, a portion of the one or more walls form a solid fuel delivery opening that comprises a solid fuel portal through which solid fuel is deliverable to an interior of the firepot. A heating element mount is positioned to hold a heating element within the interior of the firepot.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills LLCInventors: Michael V. Colston, Daniel A. C. Altenritter, Daniel W. Sluder
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Patent number: 10975902Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for assembling a device while maintaining the aesthetic appearance and structural integrity of a visible surface of the device. In one or more implementations of the invention, a system includes a first assembly piece with an assembly region that comprises an opening defined by first and second connecting elements. The system further includes a second assembly piece and a fastening assembly, where a portion of the second assembly piece is shaped to fit within the assembly region opening and the fastening assembly spans the first and second connecting elements to secure the first assembly piece to the second assembly piece, and tightening of the fastening assembly causes the second connecting element to deform, pressing a surface of the second assembly piece against an adjacent surface of the first connecting element and retaining a substantially even visible surface of the device.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2017Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventors: Michael Virgil Colston, Daniel A. C. Altenritter
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Publication number: 20200040926Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for assembling a device while maintaining the aesthetic appearance and structural integrity of a visible surface of the device. In one or more implementations of the invention, a system includes a first assembly piece with an assembly region that comprises an opening defined by first and second connecting elements. The system further includes a second assembly piece and a fastening assembly, where a portion of the second assembly piece is shaped to fit within the assembly region opening and the fastening assembly spans the first and second connecting elements to secure the first assembly piece to the second assembly piece, and tightening of the fastening assembly causes the second connecting element to deform, pressing a surface of the second assembly piece against an adjacent surface of the first connecting element and retaining a substantially even visible surface of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2017Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Michael Virgil Colston, Daniel A.C. Altenritter
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Publication number: 20190293295Abstract: A firepot for a grilling device comprises one or more walls at least partially forming an outer boundary of the firepot. The firepot is structurally configured to hold at least partially ignited solid fuel. The firepot also comprises a floor defining, at least in part, a lower end of the firepot. The floor comprises one or more holes extending through the floor. Additionally, a portion of the one or more walls form a solid fuel delivery opening that comprises a solid fuel portal through which solid fuel is deliverable to an interior of the firepot. A heating element mount is positioned to hold a heating element within the interior of the firepot.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Michael V. Colston, Daniel A.C. Altenritter, Daniel W. Sluder
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Publication number: 20190290064Abstract: A grilling device includes an auger feeder system, a heating element, a blower and a temperature control system. The temperature control system includes at least a first temperature sensor inside the firepot and a second temperature sensor inside a cooking chamber above the firepot. The heating element can also serve as the first temperature sensor. A method for controlling the temperature of the grill can include receiving temperature feedback information from one or more of the temperature sensors and adjusting power provided to the auger feeder system, heating element, and blower. The temperature control system produces cold smoke resulting from the combustion of lignin in solid wood fuel while minimizing temperatures inside the cooking chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Michael V. Colston, Daniel A. C. Altenritter, Daniel W. Sluder
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Publication number: 20190290069Abstract: A self-cleaning solid fuel grilling device comprises a grilling cavity and a firepot disposed within the grilling cavity. In addition, the embodiment includes an evacuation cavity disposed beneath the firepot. The evacuation cavity is in communication with the grilling cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Michael V. Colston, Daniel A. C. Altenritter, Daniel W. Sluder
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Publication number: 20190282032Abstract: A solid-fuel grilling device comprises a direct-current power source. A direct-current sensor is in communication with the direct-current power source. The direct-current sensor is configured to gather power characteristic data in relation to the direct-current power source. A solid-fuel grilling component is in communication with the direct-power source. The direct-power source provides power to the solid-fuel grilling component. A processor, in communication with the direct-current sensor, is configured to analyze the power characteristic data and determine operational health of solid-fuel grill components.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Michael V. Colston, Daniel W. Sluder, Daniel A.C. Altenritter
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Patent number: 10213051Abstract: A grilling device includes an oven section having an outer wall with opposing side portions and an encircling body portion extending therebetween. The body portion has an access opening and the grilling device includes a lid that selectively covers the access opening by means of a handle attached thereto. The grilling device also includes opposing hinge elements connected to opposite sides of the lid and to the side portions of the outer wall, as opposed to the encircling body portion. In particular, the hinge elements are connected to respective rear areas of the side portions. Accordingly, the path of opening the lid has a different shape or curvature and thereby positions the handle substantially lower than if the hinge elements were connected to the body portion adjacent to the access opening. The opposing side portions have a substantially oval shape and the hinge elements have an elongated configuration.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventors: Michael Colston, Daniel A. C. Altenritter, Matthew G. Czach
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Patent number: D825990Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Traeger Pellet Grills, LLCInventors: Michael Colston, Daniel A. C. Altenritter, Matthew G. Czach