Patents by Inventor James C. Johncock
James C. Johncock 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: 11353217Abstract: A method of operating an electric oven includes generating a door-closed signal if the oven door is in a closed position. The electric broiling element is activated to perform a closed-door broil operation in response to generation of the door-closed signal. The temperature within the cooking chamber of the electric oven is determined during the closed-door broil operation and the electric broiling element is deactivated if the temperature within the cooking chamber exceeds a shutoff temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Robert S. Donarski, John F. Hines, James C. Johncock
-
Patent number: 11102855Abstract: A method of popping popcorn in a microwave includes operating an energy source to provide energy to a cooking chamber and detecting, by a microphone sensor, sound waves in the cooking chamber and providing an output signal indicative of the detected sound waves to a control unit. The control unit can determine that the output signal is indicative of a popping sound generated by popcorn kernels popping and control the energy source to stop providing energy to the cooking chamber based on the detected popping sounds.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Rodger An, Anders B. Zeijlon, James C. Johncock, Lai Kwok Wah, Jack Xu, Winner Wang
-
Publication number: 20200284439Abstract: A method of operating an electric oven includes generating a door-closed signal if the oven door is in a closed position. The electric broiling element is activated to perform a closed-door broil operation in response to generation of the door-closed signal. The temperature within the cooking chamber of the electric oven is determined during the closed-door broil operation and the electric broiling element is deactivated if the temperature within the cooking chamber exceeds a shutoff temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Robert S. DONARSKI, John F. HINES, James C. JOHNCOCK
-
Patent number: 10697644Abstract: An electric oven broils foodstuffs with either its oven door opened or closed. The operating parameters of the oven's broiling elements are altered based on the position of the door.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Robert S. Donarski, John F. Hines, James C. Johncock
-
Publication number: 20200154535Abstract: A method of popping popcorn in a microwave includes operating an energy source to provide energy to a cooking chamber and detecting, by a microphone sensor, sound waves in the cooking chamber and providing an output signal indicative of the detected sound waves to a control unit. The control unit can determine that the output signal is indicative of a popping sound generated by popcorn kernels popping and control the energy source to stop providing energy to the cooking chamber based on the detected popping sounds.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2019Publication date: May 14, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Rodger An, Anders B. Zeijlon, James C. Johncock, Lai Kwok Wah, Jack Xu, Winner Wang
-
Patent number: 10560986Abstract: A method of popping popcorn in a microwave having a cooking chamber, an energy source which provides energy to the cooking chamber, a humidity sensor, and a microphone sensor, includes the steps of placing a plurality of popcorn kernels in the cooking chamber. The energy source is operated during a popcorn popping cycle. Popping sounds generated when the popcorn kernels are popped are detected, as is the humidity level in the cooking chamber. The energy source is directed to stop operating when the popping sound and the humidity level satisfy one or more end status indicators. The current disclosure also includes a microwave for carrying out the above described process.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2013Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Rodger An, Anders B. Zeijlon, James C. Johncock, Lai Kwok Wah, Jack Xu, Winner Wang
-
Patent number: 10307016Abstract: An oven for performing a rotisserie cooking operation includes an oven cavity having a door for selectively accessing the oven cavity, at least one heating element for heating the oven cavity and a rotisserie arm adapted to support a food product within the oven cavity. A motor is operatively coupled to the rotisserie arm for rotating the rotisserie arm and a food product. The oven also includes a control interface having a rotisserie cooking mode input and a control system for controlling the rotisserie motor and the heating element. In addition to other functions, the control system automatically causes the rotisserie motor to cycle on and off to allow for intermittent rotation of the food product supported on the rotisserie arm when the oven door is opened.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James C. Johncock, Foad M. Kesheh, Steven M. Swayne
-
Patent number: 10024545Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system for power management of a plurality of heating sources for an electric range. The system includes a cooktop element, an oven element, and a switch in electrical connection with the cooktop element. The switch is configured to supply a first voltage or a second voltage to the cooktop element from a voltage source. The system further includes a controller in communication with the oven element and configured to control the at least one switch. The controller is configured to control the switch in a first state and a second state. In the first state, the controller controls the switch to supply the first voltage to the cooktop element in response to an off-state of the oven element. In the second state, the controller controls the switch to supply the second voltage to the cooktop element in response to an on-state of the oven element.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James C. Johncock, Anthony M. Wickey, Nathan C. Wier
-
Publication number: 20180195735Abstract: An electric oven broils foodstuffs with either its oven door opened or closed. The operating parameters of the oven's broiling elements are altered based on the position of the door.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Robert S. DONARSKI, John F. HINES, James C. JOHNCOCK
-
Patent number: 9920934Abstract: A method of operating an electric oven includes generating a door-open signal if an oven door is in an open position. An electric broiling element is activated to perform an open-door broil operation in response to generation of the door-open signal. The temperature within a cooking chamber is determined during the open-door broil operation and the electric broiling element is deactivated if the temperature within the cooking chamber exceeds a first shutoff temperature. The method also includes generating a door-closed signal if the oven door is in a closed position. The electric broiling element is activated to perform a closed-door broil operation in response to generation of the door-closed signal. The temperature within the cooking chamber of the electric oven is determined during the closed-door broil operation and the electric broiling element is deactivated if the temperature within the cooking chamber exceeds a second shutoff temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Robert S. Donarski, John F. Hines, James C. Johncock
-
Publication number: 20160331175Abstract: An oven for performing a rotisserie cooking operation includes an oven cavity having a door for selectively accessing the oven cavity, at least one heating element for heating the oven cavity and a rotisserie arm adapted to support a food product within the oven cavity. A motor is operatively coupled to the rotisserie arm for rotating the rotisserie arm and a food product. The oven also includes a control interface having a rotisserie cooking mode input and a control system for controlling the rotisserie motor and the heating element. In addition to other functions, the control system automatically causes the rotisserie motor to cycle on and off to allow for intermittent rotation of the food product supported on the rotisserie arm when the oven door is opened.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James C. Johncock, Foad M. Kesheh, Steven M. Swayne
-
Patent number: 9402505Abstract: An oven for performing a rotisserie cooking operation includes an oven cavity having a door for selectively accessing the oven cavity, at least one heating element for heating the oven cavity and a rotisserie arm adapted to support a food product within the oven cavity. A motor is operatively coupled to the rotisserie arm for rotating the rotisserie arm and a food product. The oven also includes a control interface having a rotisserie cooking mode input and a control system for controlling the rotisserie motor and the heating element. In addition to other functions, the control system automatically causes the rotisserie motor to cycle on and off to allow for intermittent rotation of the food product supported on the rotisserie arm when the oven door is opened.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James C. Johncock, Foad M. Kesheh, Steven M. Swayne
-
Publication number: 20160205973Abstract: A method of popping popcorn in a microwave 10 having a cooking chamber 12, an energy source 14 which provides energy 42 to the cooking chamber 12, a humidity sensor 60, and a microphone sensor 16, includes the steps of placing a plurality of popcorn kernels 40 in the cooking chamber 12. The energy source 14 is operated during a popcorn popping cycle. Popping sounds generated when the popcorn kernels 40 are popped are detected, as is the humidity level in the cooking chamber 12. The energy source 14 is directed to stop operating when the popping sound and the humidity level satisfy one or more end status indicators. The current disclosure also includes a microwave 10 for carrying out the above described process.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2013Publication date: July 21, 2016Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Rodger An, Zeijlon B. Anders, James C. Johncock, Lai Wah Kwok, Jack Xu, Wang Winner
-
Publication number: 20150300651Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system for power management of a plurality of heating sources for an electric range. The system includes a cooktop element, an oven element, and a switch in electrical connection with the cooktop element. The switch is configured to supply a first voltage or a second voltage to the cooktop element from a voltage source. The system further includes a controller in communication with the oven element and configured to control the at least one switch. The controller is configured to control the switch in a first state and a second state. In the first state, the controller controls the switch to supply the first voltage to the cooktop element in response to an off-state of the oven element. In the second state, the controller controls the switch to supply the second voltage to the cooktop element in response to an on-state of the oven element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2014Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: JAMES C. JOHNCOCK, ANTHONY M. WICKEY, NATHAN C. WIER
-
Patent number: 8796590Abstract: An oven having one or more low-temperature self-cleaning modes has an interior cavity and at least two heating elements in the interior cavity. A sump is formed in the bottom wall of the cavity. The oven has an electronic control unit, which activates and deactivates the heating elements during operation of the low-temperature self-cleaning mode. The electronic control unit may disable an oven door lock during a low-temperature self-cleaning mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Mark A. Boyer, III, Sky W. Carman, James C. Johncock
-
Publication number: 20130146581Abstract: An electric oven is configured to broil foodstuffs with either its oven door opened or closed. The operating parameters of the oven's broiling elements are altered based on the position of the door.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Robert S. Donarski, John F. Hines, James C. Johncock
-
Patent number: 8415591Abstract: An oven having one or more low-temperature self-cleaning modes has an interior cavity and at least two heating elements in the interior cavity. A sump is formed in the bottom wall of the cavity. The oven has an electronic control unit, which activates and deactivates the heating elements during operation of the low-temperature self-cleaning mode. The electronic control unit may disable an oven door lock during a low-temperature self-cleaning mode.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Mark A. Boyer, Sky W. Carman, James C. Johncock
-
Publication number: 20110266271Abstract: An oven having one or more low-temperature self-cleaning modes has an interior cavity and at least two heating elements in the interior cavity. A sump is formed in the bottom wall of the cavity. The oven has an electronic control unit, which activates and deactivates the heating elements during operation of the low-temperature self-cleaning mode. The electronic control unit may disable an oven door lock during a low-temperature self-cleaning mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: MARK A. BOYER, SKY W. CARMAN, JAMES C. JOHNCOCK
-
Publication number: 20110142998Abstract: An oven for performing a rotisserie cooking operation includes an oven cavity having a door for selectively accessing the oven cavity, at least one heating element for heating the oven cavity and a rotisserie arm adapted to support a food product within the oven cavity. A motor is operatively coupled to the rotisserie arm for rotating the rotisserie arm and a food product. The oven also includes a control interface having a rotisserie cooking mode input and a control system for controlling the rotisserie motor and the heating element. In addition to other functions, the control system automatically causes the rotisserie motor to cycle on and off to allow for intermittent rotation of the food product supported on the rotisserie arm when the oven door is opened.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: JAMES C. JOHNCOCK, FOAD M. KESHEH, STEVEN M. SWAYNE
-
Patent number: 6694753Abstract: A device and method for automatically defrosting a refrigeration system only during times of non-peak energy demand. The device is a defrost delay module that plugs into the current defrost timer supplied with frost-free refrigerators. The defrost delay module includes a microprocessor that utilizes a clock to define peak power consumption periods. If the defrost cycle will occur during a peak power period, the delay module interrupts the normal operation and prevents defrosting of a refrigerator or freezer until the peak power periods has passed. The delay module is able to learn the operating characteristics of the defrost timer such that the delay module can be retrofit to existing appliances.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventors: Douglas C. Lanz, James C. Johncock