Patents by Inventor Donald Richard Dickerson

Donald Richard Dickerson 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: 8046855
    Abstract: A method and control system for automatically halting operation of a washing machine by stopping operation of the washing machine motor is provided. The washing machine that implements the method includes a motor controller having a primary microprocessor and a secondary microprocessor which serves as a backup redundancy processor in the event there is a malfunction with the primary microprocessor or the primary microprocessor fails to halt washing machine operation within a prescribed window of time. The primary microprocessor controls operation of all of the washing machine electrically controlled components. The secondary microprocessor is electrically connected to a lid switch and the washing machine motor and is configured to halt operation of the motor in response to the primary microprocessor failing to halt motor operation after the lid is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Finch, Donald Richard Dickerson, Jr., Robert Hollenbeck, Meher Kollipara
  • Publication number: 20090038347
    Abstract: A method and control system for automatically halting operation of a washing machine by stopping operation of the washing machine motor is provided. The washing machine that implements the method includes a motor controller having a primary microprocessor and a secondary microprocessor which serves as a backup redundancy processor in the event there is a malfunction with the primary microprocessor or the primary microprocessor fails to halt washing machine operation within a prescribed window of time. The primary microprocessor controls operation of all of the washing machine electrically controlled components. The secondary microprocessor is electrically connected to a lid switch and the washing machine motor and is configured to halt operation of the motor in response to the primary microprocessor failing to halt motor operation after the lid is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Michael F. Finch, Donald Richard Dickerson, JR., Robert Hollenbeck, Meher Kollipara
  • Patent number: 7164956
    Abstract: A remote operation management system for commercial appliances is provided. The system includes a user interface for authorizing use of an appliance and a dedicated appliance controller coupled to the user interface and the appliance for controlling operation of the appliance. An appliance communication controller is coupled to the user interface over an appliance communication connection, and an external host controller is coupled to the appliance communication controller over a host communication connection. The external host controller is configured to communicate a message for the appliance to the appliance communication controller. A remote management system is coupled to the external host controller and configured to control a function of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Hull Bicknell, Donald Richard Dickerson, Jr., Stephen James West
  • Publication number: 20040267383
    Abstract: A remote operation management system for commercial appliances is provided. The system includes a user interface for authorizing use of an appliance and a dedicated appliance controller coupled to the user interface and the appliance for controlling operation of the appliance. An appliance communication controller is coupled to the user interface over an appliance communication connection, and an external host controller is coupled to the appliance communication controller over a host communication connection. The external host controller is configured to communicate a message for the appliance to the appliance communication controller. A remote management system is coupled to the external host controller and configured to control a function of the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: William Hull Bicknell, Donald Richard Dickerson, Stephen James West
  • Patent number: 5706588
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a device and method for separating lint particles in a clothes dryer. In the present invention, the device and method use a cyclone to separate the lint particles. The cyclone includes a housing container having an inlet port and an outlet port. A screen is positioned about the inlet port. A tubing extends through the outlet port into the housing container. A drawing means draws moisture and lint laden air from the clothes dryer through the screen. A circulating means circulates the moisture and lint laden air in the housing container about the tubing. A removing means removes the moisture and lint laden air from the housing container and retains any lint particles within the housing container. The cyclone improves upon the efficiency of accumulating lint particles without compromising the passage of air flow in the exhaust duct and improves upon the passage of air flow without decreasing the amount of lint particles being trapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Edward Dausch, Seth Alexander Capello, Youssef El-Shoubary, Donald Richard Dickerson, Jr.