Patents by Inventor Paul Bryan Cadima

Paul Bryan Cadima 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: 11402101
    Abstract: A cooktop appliance, as provided herein, may include a top panel and a gas burner assembly positioned at the top panel. The gas burner assembly may include an annular burner body, a fuel manifold, and a thermal break. The annular burner body may be positioned at the top panel at a top surface thereof. The annular burner body may define a central combustion zone, a plurality of flame ports at the central combustion zone, and a fuel chamber upstream from the plurality of flame ports. The annular burner body may be open at the central combustion zone such that a circumferentially bounded portion of the top panel is vertically exposed. The fuel manifold may be selectively connected to the annular burner body upstream from the fuel chamber. The thermal break may be formed along the circumferentially bounded portion of the top panel below the plurality of flame ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Bryan Cadima, John Pottenger
  • Patent number: 11402104
    Abstract: An electric resistance heating coil assembly includes a spiral wound sheathed heating element having a first coil section and a second coil section. A bimetallic thermostat is connected in series between the first and second coil sections of the spiral wound sheathed heating element. The bimetallic thermostat is spring loaded such that a distal end of the bimetallic thermostat is urged away from a top surface of the spiral wound sheathed heating element. A heat transfer disk is positioned on the bimetallic thermostat at the distal end of the bimetallic thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Patent number: 11365888
    Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes a panel with a first burner disposed on the panel and a second burner spaced apart from the first burner on the panel. A frame of the cooktop appliance is removably mounted to the panel. The frame is configured to selectively support two or more grates or a griddle plate over the first burner and the second burner. The cooktop appliance may include a first pogo pin terminal block positioned on the panel adjacent to the first burner and a second pogo pin terminal block positioned on the panel adjacent to the second burner. The frame may include a first sleeve which encloses first connectors of the first pogo pin terminal block and a second sleeve which encloses second connectors of the second pogo pin terminal block on four sides. The griddle plate or the grates may include two or more embedded temperature sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Patent number: 11359819
    Abstract: A gas burner assembly includes a gas burner. A grate with a plurality of fingers is positioned above the gas burner. A sensor finger of the plurality of fingers defines an open downward facing slot at a bottom of the sensor finger. A temperature sensor is mounted to the sensor finger at a first end portion of the slot. A pogo pin terminal block is mounted to the grate at a second end portion of the slot. A wire extends between the temperature sensor and the pogo pin terminal block within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Haler US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Publication number: 20220170643
    Abstract: A cooktop appliance may include a housing, a heating element, a user input, a light display, and a controller. A method of operation may include may include determining a heating event at the heating element and illuminating a variable band along the light display in response determining the heating event. The variable band may include a continuous illuminated region having a predetermined color along the light display. The method may further include decreasing an annular length of the variable band progressively according to a predetermined countdown pattern in response to illuminating the variable band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Publication number: 20220163261
    Abstract: A method of operating an oven appliance including a first heat source, a second heat source, and a camera. The method including capturing a first image of a food item inside the oven, determining a characteristic of the food item, initiating a cooking cycle based on the characteristic, capturing a second image of the food item, comparing the characteristic from the first image to the second image, and directing the cooking cycle according to the change in the characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Publication number: 20220159790
    Abstract: A cooktop appliance or heating coil assembly may include a heating element, a shroud cover, a thermostat, and a spring bracket. The shroud cover may be disposed within the heating element. The shroud cover may include a top wall defining an upper surface and a lower surface. The thermostat may extend vertically between a distal end and an interior end below the distal end. The distal end may be disposed against the shroud cover at the lower surface. The thermostat may be connected in series between the first and second coil sections of the spiral wound sheathed heating element. The spring bracket may be disposed against the shroud cover at the lower surface and bias the shroud cover upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Publication number: 20220146092
    Abstract: A gas burner may include a burner body, a first gas orifice, a second gas orifice, a mixed outlet nozzle, an injet body, a gas supply line, a secondary gas line, and a flow sensor. The first gas orifice may be directed towards a plurality of naturally aspirated flame ports. The second gas orifice may be spaced apart from the first gas orifice. The mixed outlet nozzle may be downstream from the second gas orifice and directed towards a plurality of forced induction flame ports. The injet body may define an air passage and a mixing chamber downstream from the air passage. The gas supply line may be mounted on the injet body. The secondary gas line may extend in fluid parallel to the first gas orifice. The flow sensor may be positioned in fluid communication with the secondary gas line to detect a flow rate of gaseous fuel therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Patent number: 11326776
    Abstract: A gas burner may include a burner body, a first gas orifice, a second gas orifice, a mixed outlet nozzle, an injet body, a gas supply line, a secondary gas line, and a flow sensor. The first gas orifice may be directed towards a plurality of naturally aspirated flame ports. The second gas orifice may be spaced apart from the first gas orifice. The mixed outlet nozzle may be downstream from the second gas orifice and directed towards a plurality of forced induction flame ports. The injet body may define an air passage and a mixing chamber downstream from the air passage. The gas supply line may be mounted on the injet body. The secondary gas line may extend in fluid parallel to the first gas orifice. The flow sensor may be positioned in fluid communication with the secondary gas line to detect a flow rate of gaseous fuel therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Publication number: 20220049850
    Abstract: A cooktop appliance, as provided herein, may include a top panel and a gas burner assembly positioned at the top panel. The gas burner assembly may include an annular burner body, a fuel manifold, and a thermal break. The annular burner body may be positioned at the top panel at a top surface thereof. The annular burner body may define a central combustion zone, a plurality of flame ports at the central combustion zone, and a fuel chamber upstream from the plurality of flame ports. The annular burner body may be open at the central combustion zone such that a circumferentially bounded portion of the top panel is vertically exposed. The fuel manifold may be selectively connected to the annular burner body upstream from the fuel chamber. The thermal break may be formed along the circumferentially bounded portion of the top panel below the plurality of flame ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Bryan Cadima, John Pottenger
  • Publication number: 20220018545
    Abstract: A cooktop appliance or electric resistance heating coil assembly, as provided herein, may include a shroud cover, a thermostat, and a heat transfer disk. The shroud cover may define an axial hole. The thermostat may be positioned radially inward from the shroud cover. A continuous circumferential thermal break may be defined as a radial gap within the axial hole between the thermostat and the shroud cover. The heat transfer disk may be attached to the thermostat at the distal end of the thermostat and extend radially outward above the shroud cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Publication number: 20220018544
    Abstract: An electric resistance heating coil assembly, as provided herein, may include a spiral would sheathed heating element, a thermostat, and a shroud cover. The spiral wound sheathed heating element may have a first coil section and a second coil section. The thermostat may be connected in series between the first and second coil sections of the spiral wound sheathed heating element. The thermostat may include a base and a top cap. The base may extend axially between a first end and a second end. The top cap may be held on the base at the first end. The shroud cover may be mounted to the thermostat below the top cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Publication number: 20220010967
    Abstract: A cooktop appliance and heating element, as provided herein may define a heating zone having a thermostat positioned therein. The thermostat may include a base, a bimetallic disk, and a conductive spring. The base may extend axially between a first end and a second end. The bimetallic disk may be disposed within the base. The conductive spring may be disposed within the base in biased engagement with the bimetallic disk to motivate the bimetallic disk towards the first end within the base. The conductive spring may include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer may extend from a contact end proximal to the bimetallic disk to a joinder end connected to the first terminal. The second layer may extend from a biasing end proximal to the bimetallic disk to a secured end fixed within the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Bryan Cadima, Mark Heimerdinger
  • Publication number: 20220007889
    Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes a panel with a burner disposed on the panel. A griddle plate is configured to be removably positioned over the burner. A hermetically sealed temperature sensor is embedded in the griddle plate. The temperature sensor includes a base, a probe extending from the base, a contact pad in the base, and a hermetic seal formed in the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Publication number: 20210404885
    Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes a gas burner disposed on a panel of the cooktop appliance and a grate with a plurality of fingers positioned above the gas burner. The plurality of fingers includes a sensor finger. A temperature sensor is mounted to the sensor finger of the plurality of fingers of the grate. The temperature sensor includes a first temperature probe extending above a top surface of the sensor finger at a first end of the sensor finger and a second temperature probe positioned within the sensor finger between the top surface of the sensor finger and a bottom surface of the sensor finger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Publication number: 20210404666
    Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes a gas burner, a user input configured to define a power setting of the gas burner, and a grate. The grate includes a sensor finger with a temperature sensor mounted thereto. The temperature sensor includes a first temperature probe extending above a top surface of the sensor finger and a second temperature probe positioned within the sensor finger. The cooktop appliance also includes a controller in communication with the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is configured to transmit a first temperature measurement from the first temperature probe and a second temperature measurement from the second temperature probe to the controller. The controller is configured to determine a temperature of a cooking utensil positioned on the top surface of the sensor finger based on the power setting defined by the user input, the first temperature measurement, and the second temperature measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Patent number: 11085645
    Abstract: An eductor for a gas burner includes a mixing body that defines a mixing chamber. The mixing body also has a fuel line coupling. The mixing chamber is configured for receiving a flow of forced air and a flow of fuel. The fuel line coupling is configured for supporting a fuel line through which the flow of fuel enters the mixing body. A fuel metering orifice is mounted to the mixing body. The fuel metering orifice is spaced from the fuel line coupling on the mixing body. The fuel metering orifice is configured for directing the flow of fuel into the mixing chamber of the mixing body. The fuel metering orifice is separable from the mixing body when the fuel line is coupled to the mixing body at the fuel line coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Publication number: 20210239538
    Abstract: A gas burner assembly includes a gas burner. A grate with a plurality of fingers is positioned above the gas burner. The plurality of fingers includes a sensor finger. A temperature sensor is mounted to the sensor finger of the plurality of fingers of the grate at a first end portion of the sensor finger. The temperature sensor is thermally isolated from the grate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Publication number: 20210222886
    Abstract: A cooktop appliance or heating coil assembly, as provided herein, may include a spiral wound sheathed heating element, a thermostat, a heat transfer disk, and a threaded coupling. The thermostat may include a base and a top cap held on the base. The thermostat may be connected to a heating element. The thermostat may be spring loaded such that a distal end of the thermostat is urged away from a top surface of the heating element. The heat transfer disk may be positioned above the top cap. The threaded coupling may extend between the top cap and the heat transfer disk and may connect the top cap to the heat transfer disk. The threaded coupling may include a male stud and a female collar. The male stud may be selectively received within the female collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Patent number: 11041622
    Abstract: A gas cooktop includes one or more gas burners on a top panel. A high output gas burner is also positioned on the top panel. The high output gas burner is separate from each of the one or more gas burners. The high output gas burner has a maximum heat output greater than each of the one or more gas burners. An electronic control valve is coupled to a supply line of the high output gas burner. The electronic control valve is operable to adjust a flow rate of fuel through the supply line of the high output gas burner. A controller is in communication with the electronic control valve and the one or more control valves. The controller is configured for throttling the maximum heat output of the high output gas burner with the electronic control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima