Patents by Inventor David William Billman
David William Billman 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).
-
Patent number: 11940159Abstract: A temperature probe for a cooktop appliance includes a probe body and a temperature sensor extending from the probe body. The temperature probe also includes a first arm and a second arm configured to mount on a cooking utensil. The temperature probe further comprises a controller configured to communicate with a controller of the cooktop appliance and to transmit a signal to the controller of the cooktop appliance corresponding to a size of the cooking utensil.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: David William Billman, John Pottenger, Michael Blum
-
Publication number: 20230152824Abstract: A method of operating a cooktop appliance in a precision mode includes determining a starting temperature and a set of parameters of a closed-loop algorithm for operation of a heating element corresponding to the starting temperature. The method also includes inputting a user-determined set temperature and a current temperature measurement into the closed-loop control algorithm and determining an output of the closed-loop control algorithm using the set of parameters corresponding to the starting temperature. Operation of the heating element is adjusted according to the output of the closed-loop control algorithm.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2021Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: David William Billman, Catherine Berghuis
-
Publication number: 20230152825Abstract: A method of operating a cooktop appliance includes receiving a first user-determined set temperature, determining a first set of parameters for a closed-loop control based on the first user-defined set temperature and operating a heating element of the cooktop appliance according to a first output of closed-loop control using the first set of parameters. The method also includes receiving a second user-determined set temperature after the first user-defined set temperature. The second user-defined set temperature differs from the first user-defined set temperature. The method further includes determining a second set of parameters of the closed-loop control based on the second user-determined set temperature, and operating the heating element according to a second output of the closed-loop control using the second set of parameters based on the second user-determined set temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2021Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: David William Billman, Catherine Berghuis
-
Patent number: 11448401Abstract: Cooking assemblies, such as cooktop appliances, including methods of operation thereof, are provided. A method of operating a cooktop appliance may include receiving a mode selection signal from a user interface of the cooktop appliance. The method may also include receiving a utensil signal from a cooking utensil positioned on a primary heating element and restricting heat generation at a secondary heating element or transmitting a notification signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Haler US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: David William Billman, John Mark Chilton
-
Patent number: 11415323Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes a gas burner for receiving a cooking utensil and a fuel regulating device for regulating a flow of fuel to the gas burner. A controller receives a command to start a closed loop cooking process and confirms the cooking utensil by obtaining a first utensil identifier from the user and a second utensil identifier from the cooking utensil. If the first utensil identifier and the second utensil identifier match, the cooking process may commence. By contrast, if the first utensil identifier and the second utensil identifier do not match, the controller may stop the cooking process and notify the user.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: David William Billman, Isabella Mari Cuasay
-
Publication number: 20220154939Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes a gas burner for receiving a cooking utensil and a fuel regulating device for regulating a flow of fuel to the gas burner. A controller receives a command to start a closed loop cooking process and confirms the cooking utensil by obtaining a first utensil identifier from the user and a second utensil identifier from the cooking utensil. If the first utensil identifier and the second utensil identifier match, the cooking process may commence. By contrast, if the first utensil identifier and the second utensil identifier do not match, the controller may stop the cooking process and notify the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2020Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: David William Billman, Isabella Mari Cuasay
-
Patent number: 11274826Abstract: A method of operating a multi-ring gas burner includes sending a spark to a first ring of the multi-ring burner. After sending the spark to the first ring, the method determines a flame status of the first ring and adjusts a position of an electronic gas valve connected to a second ring of the multi-ring gas burner based on the determined flame status of the first ring.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: David William Billman, Jennifer Nicole Lea
-
Patent number: 11262070Abstract: A method of operating a cooktop appliance includes inputting a temperature measurement and a set temperature into a closed-loop control algorithm. When the output of the closed-loop control algorithm is less than a power level threshold, a first control valve to a gas burner of the cooktop appliance is closed.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: David William Billman, Jennifer Nicole Lea, Michael Blum
-
Publication number: 20210285649Abstract: A temperature probe for a cooktop appliance includes a probe body and a temperature sensor extending from the probe body. The temperature probe also includes a first arm and a second arm configured to mount on a cooking utensil. The temperature probe further comprises a controller configured to communicate with a controller of the cooktop appliance and to transmit a signal to the controller of the cooktop appliance corresponding to a size of the cooking utensil.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2020Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: David William Billman, John Pottenger, Michael Blum
-
Publication number: 20210172602Abstract: A method of operating a cooktop appliance includes inputting a temperature measurement and a set temperature into a closed-loop control algorithm. When the output of the closed-loop control algorithm is less than a power level threshold, a first control valve to a gas burner of the cooktop appliance is closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: David William Billman, Jennifer Nicole Lea, Michael Blum
-
Patent number: 11015813Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes a user interface, a gas burner, and a temperature sensor. A manually adjustable primary control valve is coupled to the gas burner. A secondary control valve is connected in series between the manually adjustable primary control valve and the gas burner. A controller is in communication with the secondary control valve. The controller is configured to adjust the secondary control valve in response to a user-determined set temperature, a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor, and a determined position of the manually adjustable primary control valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: David William Billman, John Adam Yantis
-
Publication number: 20210102700Abstract: A method of operating a multi-ring gas burner includes sending a spark to a first ring of the multi-ring burner. After sending the spark to the first ring, the method determines a flame status of the first ring and adjusts a position of an electronic gas valve connected to a second ring of the multi-ring gas burner based on the determined flame status of the first ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2019Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: David William Billman, Jennifer Nicole Lea
-
Publication number: 20200408413Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes a user interface, a gas burner, and a temperature sensor. A manually adjustable primary control valve is coupled to the gas burner. A secondary control valve is connected in series between the manually adjustable primary control valve and the gas burner. A controller is in communication with the secondary control valve. The controller is configured to adjust the secondary control valve in response to a user-determined set temperature, a temperature measurement from the temperature sensor, and a determined position of the manually adjustable primary control valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2019Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: David William Billman, John Adam Yantis
-
Publication number: 20200224880Abstract: Cooking assemblies, such as cooktop appliances, including methods of operation thereof, are provided. A method of operating a cooktop appliance may include receiving a mode selection signal from a user interface of the cooktop appliance. The method may also include receiving a utensil signal from a cooking utensil positioned on a primary heating element and restricting heat generation at a secondary heating element or transmitting a notification signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2019Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: David William Billman, John Mark Chilton
-
Patent number: 10610057Abstract: A method and system are provided that include features for preventing damage to smart components embedded within or attached to a handle of a cookware placed on a heating element of a cooktop appliance. In one aspect, if the sensed temperature of the handle exceeds a first temperature threshold, an alert can be presented to a user indicating that the handle is located in a hot environment and thus requires relocating. In another aspect, if the sensed temperature of the handle exceeds a second temperature threshold, the power output of one or more heating elements generating thermal energy can be reduced to prevent damage to the smart components embedded within or attached to the handle of the cookware.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2019Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: David William Billman, Michael Blum
-
Patent number: 10502429Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes a control valve, a spark generator, and a spark switch. The control valve includes a rotatable member for controlling gas flow rates to a burner assembly of the cooktop appliance. The spark generator provides a spark to ignite gas in the burner assembly. The spark switch may be mounted to the control valve, and may include a rotor fixedly mounted to the rotatable member. The rotor may be rotatable between an initial position and a first position. In the initial position, the spark generator does not receive electrical power. In the first position, the spark generator does receive electrical power. The spark generator may be configured to introduce a time delay between receiving electrical power and providing the spark to ignite gas in the burner assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: David William Billman, John Thurl Pottenger
-
Patent number: 10415835Abstract: A gas range appliance includes a griddle positioned on a top panel. The griddle has a cooking plate positioned over a gas burner. A first flange extends from the cooking plate towards a rear portion of a cabinet such that the first flange extends over an exit of an exhaust duct. A second flange extends from the cooking plate towards the top panel. The second flange is positioned between the gas burner and the first flange below the cooking plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: David William Billman, Joshua Adam Mayne
-
Patent number: 10288301Abstract: A heating system for an air conditioner unit may generally include a heating coil and a thermostat supported above the heating coil by a support mount. The system may also include a thermostat hood configured to at least partially surround the thermostat. The thermostat hood may include a front wall spaced apart from the support mount and a top wall extending between the front wall and the support mount. The thermostat hood may further include first and second sidewalls extending between the front wall and the support mount. The front wall, the top wall, the sidewalls and the support mount may collectively define a hood chamber for receiving at least a portion of the thermostat. Moreover, at least a portion of the bottom side of the thermostat hood may define an air intake opening for receiving heated air rising upward from the heating coil.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2015Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Richard Dustin Henderson, David William Billman, Torrey Jacob Tarschis
-
Publication number: 20180245799Abstract: A gas range appliance includes a griddle positioned on a top panel. The griddle has a cooking plate positioned over a gas burner. A first flange extends from the cooking plate towards a rear portion of a cabinet such that the first flange extends over an exit of an exhaust duct. A second flange extends from the cooking plate towards the top panel. The second flange is positioned between the gas burner and the first flange below the cooking plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2017Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: David William Billman, Joshua Adam Mayne
-
Publication number: 20180080657Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes a control valve, a spark generator, and a spark switch. The control valve includes a rotatable member for controlling gas flow rates to a burner assembly of the cooktop appliance. The spark generator provides a spark to ignite gas in the burner assembly. The spark switch may be mounted to the control valve, and may include a rotor fixedly mounted to the rotatable member. The rotor may be rotatable between an initial position and a first position. In the initial position, the spark generator does not receive electrical power. In the first position, the spark generator does receive electrical power. The spark generator may be configured to introduce a time delay between receiving electrical power and providing the spark to ignite gas in the burner assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: David William Billman, John Thurl Pottenger