Patents by Inventor Tom D. Tagliapietra

Tom D. Tagliapietra 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: 5212954
    Abstract: The present invention concerns improvements in electric defrost heaters used in frozen carbonated beverage machines. The frozen carbonated beverage machine includes freeze cylinders used to produce the frozen beverage. One or more tubes are secured in heat exchange relationship along the exterior of the freeze cylinder. Cartridge type heating elements are releasably insertable into the tubes to provide for defrosting of the beverage in the freeze cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Black, Joseph W. Kieffer, Darrell D. Brown, Tom D. Tagliapietra
  • Patent number: 5095710
    Abstract: The present invention concerns improvements in the electronic control of frozen carbonated beverage machines and improvements in electric defrost heaters used therein. A control scheme is shown that provides for accurately determining the viscosity of a semi-frozen beverage as a function of the torque of a drive motor used in the harvesting and mixing thereof. The torque is first calculated based upon the current and voltage to the motor and the phase difference there between. The torque is adjusted to compensate for motor efficiency after which the net torque value is converted to a viscosity scale. The viscosity scale has a zero value relating to the net torque experienced by the motor when the beverage is known to be completely liquid. Viscosity is maintained within a narrow range based upon pre-defined three level low, medium and high viscosity sets, and wherein compressor short-cycling is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Black, Joseph W. Kieffer, Darrell D. Brown, Tom D. Tagliapietra