Patents by Inventor Eric K. Watson
Eric K. Watson 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: 10257047Abstract: A processor receives service availability data for at least one service, where the service availability data indicates an amount time the at least one service was available and an amount of time one or more resources utilized in the service was available. A processor receives service configuration data for the service, where the service configuration data indicates one or more resource requirements of the at least one service. A processor determines one or more resource unavailability scores for the one or more resources utilized in providing the service. A processor determines one or more resource replacement scores for the one or more resources utilized in the service. A processor determines availability risk scores for the at least one service based on the one or more resource unavailability scores and the one or more resource replacement scores. A processor generates an indication of at-risk services of the at least one service.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric M. Anderson, Robert A. Davis, Terry L. Keebaugh, Eric K. Watson
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Patent number: 10206551Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying relay contact position within an appliance. In one embodiment, an appliance includes a first motor, a second motor, and a relay. The relay can be configured to be adjusted between at least a first position associated with a first circuit of the first motor and a second position associated with a second circuit of the second motor. The appliance can also include one or more control device(s) configured to identify the position of the relay within the appliance. For instance, the control device(s) can provide a test signal to the relay and detect an output signal that is based at least in part on the input signal. The output signal can be associated with the second circuit. The control device(s) can determine whether the relay is in the first position or the second position based at least in part on the output signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Eric K. Watson, Lijie Hao
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Publication number: 20180026852Abstract: A processor receives service availability data for at least one service, where the service availability data indicates an amount time the at least one service was available and an amount of time one or more resources utilized in the service was available. A processor receives service configuration data for the service, where the service configuration data indicates one or more resource requirements of the at least one service. A processor determines one or more resource unavailability scores for the one or more resources utilized in providing the service. A processor determines one or more resource replacement scores for the one or more resources utilized in the service. A processor determines availability risk scores for the at least one service based on the one or more resource unavailability scores and the one or more resource replacement scores. A processor generates an indication of at-risk services of the at least one service.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Eric M. Anderson, Robert A. Davis, Terry L. Keebaugh, Eric K. Watson
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Publication number: 20170251899Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying relay contact position within an appliance. In one embodiment, an appliance includes a first motor, a second motor, and a relay. The relay can be configured to be adjusted between at least a first position associated with a first circuit of the first motor and a second position associated with a second circuit of the second motor. The appliance can also include one or more control device(s) configured to identify the position of the relay within the appliance. For instance, the control device(s) can provide a test signal to the relay and detect an output signal that is based at least in part on the input signal. The output signal can be associated with the second circuit. The control device(s) can determine whether the relay is in the first position or the second position based at least in part on the output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2016Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Eric K. Watson, Lijie Hao
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Patent number: 9470225Abstract: Compressors and methods for determining optimal parking positions for compressor pistons are provided. A method includes performing a current value evaluation for an initial time during operation of a motor of the compressor. Performing the current value evaluation includes measuring a motor current value at the time and comparing the motor current value to an existing optimal parking current value. Performing the current value evaluation further includes modifying the existing optimal parking current value to the motor current value when the motor current value exceeds or is equal to the existing optimal parking current value.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Eric K. Watson, Richard Dana Brooke, Timothy Neal Johnson, Meher Prasadu Kollipara
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Publication number: 20160108905Abstract: Compressors and methods for determining optimal parking positions for compressor pistons are provided. A method includes performing a current value evaluation for an initial time during operation of a motor of the compressor. Performing the current value evaluation includes measuring a motor current value at the time and comparing the motor current value to an existing optimal parking current value. Performing the current value evaluation further includes modifying the existing optimal parking current value to the motor current value when the motor current value exceeds or is equal to the existing optimal parking current value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2014Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: Eric K. Watson, Richard Dana Brooke, Timothy Neal Johnson, Meher Prasadu Kollipara
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Patent number: 9145976Abstract: A valve assembly for use with a washing appliance having a main controller includes a valve that is moveable between a first position that prevents water from flowing through a supply line and a second position that allows water to flow through the supply line. A control assembly separate from the main controller is configured to control the valve to move between the first position and the second position. The control assembly includes a flow sensor configured to output a signal representing an amount of water flowing through the supply line and a control unit configured to control the valve assembly based on the output signal of the flow sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ronald Scott Tarr, Eric K. Watson
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Patent number: 9029743Abstract: A heating apparatus for heating a subcompartment in a compartment of an appliance is disclosed. The heating apparatus includes an electromagnetic member disposed in the compartment, and a metal member thermally coupled to the subcompartment. The metal member is magnetically coupled to the electromagnetic member to generate an eddy current in the metal member in response to a magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic member for heating the subcompartment. A related heating method and a refrigerator incorporating such a heating apparatus are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric K. Watson, Timothy Allen Hamel, Denis Alagic
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Patent number: 8867906Abstract: A dry fire protection system for a water heater is provided. The water heater includes a body having an elongated hollow for holding water to be heated, an inlet opening and an outlet opening in communication with the hollow for flowing water therethrough. A heating element is coupled to the body for heating the water within the hollow. The dry fire protection system comprises a sensing element disposed in the hollow of the body for detecting the presence of water in the hollow. The sensing element is spaced from and operably connected to the heating element. The sensing element is configured to generate a voltage in response to a temperature of the sensing element. A controller is operably connected to the sensing element for monitoring the generated voltage across the sensing element. The controller is configured to prevent a supply of electrical power to the heating element as a function of the generated voltage.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric K. Watson, Jonathan D. Nelson, Denis Alagic, David Hicks, Neil Philip Smith, Frederick Pizzella
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Patent number: 8853991Abstract: A system and method of detecting phase angle in an inverter is provided. A shunt resistor is coupled to a controller which is part of an inverter circuit and a phase angle may be directly derived from the detected voltage across the shunt resistor. The detected shunt voltage may be used to adjust the power delivery from the inverter to the load.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mingwei Shan, William Hull Bicknell, Eric K. Watson, Richard D. Suel, II
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Patent number: 8845326Abstract: An gas burner assembly for a cooking appliance includes a main burner assembly, a simmer burner assembly positioned in a stacked relationship with and located below the main burner assembly, a venturi assembly for delivering a gas flow to the main burner assembly, a gas boost pump configured to control a pressurization of the gas flow, a gas valve assembly for controlling a rate of the gas flow, and an encoder coupled to the gas valve assembly, the encoder configured to track a position of the gas valve assembly and provide a signal to the gas boost pump for pressurization of the gas flow.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Eric K. Watson, Brian Michael Schork, Paul Bryan Cadima, Paul E. McCrorey
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Patent number: 8793021Abstract: An appliance for conditioning air of a room comprises one or more power consuming features/functions including a temperature controlling element for one of heating and cooling air. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of a utility state. The controller operates the appliance in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the appliance in the energy savings mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric K. Watson, John K. Besore, Brice Alan Bowley, Jeff Donald Drake, Michael F. Finch, John Joseph Roetker, Steven Keith Root, Gregory M. Thomas, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan
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Publication number: 20140131345Abstract: An oven appliance having a divider whereby the cooking chamber can be separated into multiple portions for cooking operations is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Eric K. Watson, Paul Bryan Cadima
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Patent number: 8627689Abstract: A clothes washer is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current state of an associated utility. The controller operates the clothes washer in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, and a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming functions to reduce power consumption of the clothes washer in the energy savings mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael F. Finch, John Besore, Jeff Donald Drake, Darin Franks, Chad Michael Helms, Jerrod Aaron Kappler, Steven Keith Root, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric K. Watson, Joshua S. Wiseman
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Patent number: 8624430Abstract: A standby power system for an appliance having a power input coupled to a main power source includes a power enabling device coupled between the main power source and power input of the appliance, a standby power state sensing device coupled to the power enabling device, and a power restore device coupled to the power enabling device.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2009Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric K. Watson, Steven Keith Root, Jeff Donald Drake, Ashley Wayne Burt, Jeffrey S. Weber, Donald Ganiere
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Patent number: 8626347Abstract: A household appliance system comprising an appliance control system having a common appliance interface provided on an appliance and a demand side management module connected to the common appliance interface. The module corresponds to one select utility of a plurality of utilities and is configured to communicate with the one select utility of the plurality of utilities. The appliance control system operates the appliance based on communications with the one select utility through the module.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric K. Watson, John K. Besore, Michael Thomas Beyerle, David C. Bingham, Darin Franks, Byron K. Guernsey, Darko Ilickovic, Mallika Ravindra Patel, Brian Michael Schork
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Patent number: 8617316Abstract: A dishwasher is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current cost of supplied energy. The controller operates the dishwasher in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode based on the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, and a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming functions to reduce power consumption of the dishwasher in the energy savings mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael F. Finch, John K. Besore, Jeff Donald Drake, Darin Franks, Erick Paul Graven, Om Hari, Steven Keith Root, Nagaraju Valluri, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Eric K. Watson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
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Patent number: 8599008Abstract: A method and system for monitoring an appliance is disclosed. The method includes establishing a wireless communication connection between a communication module in an appliance and a communication network, transmitting operational data in real-time from the appliance to an external monitoring system over the communication network, determining a status of a component of the appliance from the real-time operational data, and if a failure mode of the component is detected, initiating a service protocol corresponding to the component.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric K. Watson, Timothy A. Hamel, Richard DeVos, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Charles Dawes, Michael Kello, Rajendra Prasad Gottipati, Donald Ganiere, Steven Keith Root
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Patent number: 8548635Abstract: A system and method of managing energy use in a home, and more particularly to energy management of household consumer appliances, are provided. Existing appliances can be modified with add-on features or modules, and likewise new energy saving features and functions can be incorporated into new appliances. Communication among a home energy manager, an appliance, and a utility meter measures energy usage and/or a local generator controls operation of various appliances such as a refrigerator, washer, dryer, oven/range, microwave oven, dishwasher, HVAC system hot water heater, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric K. Watson, Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Anthony A. Cooper, Martin Christopher Severance, Chris George Bissig, Timothy Allen Hamel, Rita Barksdale, Telema Harry, Alex Fernando Lobos
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Patent number: 8499577Abstract: An ice making apparatus for a refrigerator is disclosed. The apparatus includes an ice making compartment; an icemaker disposed in the ice making compartment and including an ice mold body, the ice mold body defining therein a plurality of ice cavities for containing water therein for freezing into ice cubes, and a channel for transport of a working medium, the channel having an outlet; and a temperature sensor disposed in the ice making compartment and adjacent the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Eric K. Watson, Omar Haidar, Kenneth U. Nsofor, Matthew William Davis, Ronald Scott Tarr, Joseph Waugh