Patents Examined by Hung D Nguyen
  • Patent number: 12382991
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating system includes a plurality of cartridges and an aerosol-generating device. At least one cartridge of the plurality of cartridges includes a first aerosol-forming substrate, the plurality of cartridges are configured for selective connection to each other to form a cartridge assembly. The aerosol-generating device includes a storage including a second aerosol-forming substrate in the storage, an electric heater configured to heat a portion of the second aerosol-forming substrate from the storage section during use of the aerosol-generating system, and a power supply housing, the power supply housing including a power supply and a controller, the controller configured to control a supply of electrical power from the power supply to the electric heater, the aerosol-generating device being configured to receive the cartridge assembly at a downstream end of the aerosol-generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventor: Tony Reevell
  • Patent number: 12376702
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a system for conversion of a kamado cooker to a griddle comprises a support rack and a griddle component. The support rack is configured to seat within a lower bowl portion of the kamado cooker and define a plurality of vertical post structures. The griddle component defines a sloped cooking surface and comprises a rim aspect at least partially surrounding the sloped cooking surface and a drain slot. The griddle component is configured to be received by the plurality of vertical post structures of the support rack. When in use, grease on the sloped cooking surface is directed to the drain slot which discards the grease into combusting fuel (such as charcoal) beneath the griddle component, thereby mitigating or preventing grease fires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: Align Machine Works, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Pruitt, Kyle Aasness
  • Patent number: 12381460
    Abstract: A welding machine for welding free ends of bar conductors of a stator of an electrical machine, in particular an electric motor, includes a support structure for directly or indirectly fastening the stator. The support structure has a welding mask that can be opened and closed. The welding device is in particular a laser welding device. The welding device is arranged above the support structure. The support structure can be moved between a closed position and a loading position. A first side of the welding mask faces the welding device in the welding position and faces downward in the loading position. The welding machine allows free ends of bar conductors of a stator of an electrical machine to be welded while at the same time the stator is protected against contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: FELSOMAT GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Juergen Peschina
  • Patent number: 12371760
    Abstract: In an aspect, a method of manufacturing a high purity copper-based alloy comprises providing in a melting furnace a feedstock and melting the feedstock. The method additionally includes bubbling an inert gas into the molten copper-based alloy to form the high purity copper-based alloy. Aspects are also directed to an apparatus and a method of fabricating an apparatus for manufacturing the high purity copper-based alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Doggone Investment Co. LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Frederick Strelitz
  • Patent number: 12364363
    Abstract: Embodiments of an outdoor cooking station having a main body and a griddle with a hood pivotably coupled to the griddle are provided. For safety purposes, the griddle is removably secured to an upper portion of the main body with the legs of the griddle positioned within apertures defined in an upward facing surface of the upper portion of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2025
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: North Atlantic Imports, LLC
    Inventors: James C. Bush, III, Gary E. Graham, Steve L. Puertas, Michael R. Giebel
  • Patent number: 12364364
    Abstract: A solid pellet fueled apparatus having a duel auger system and multi/high speed auger motor is disclosed. The duel auger may include first and second auger blades mounted on a single auger shaft having blade pitches configured to convey solid fuel in opposite directions towards a central burn pot. Each auger blade may service a separate solid fuel compartment provided in a single hopper. The auger motor may have a high-speed setting that may be selected for solid fuel clean out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: WH PRODUCTS, LLC.
    Inventors: Paul J. Simon, Michael R. Giebel, Xianjia Fan
  • Patent number: 12357122
    Abstract: A portable rotisserie grill system that includes a roller assembly and a separate heat-resistant metal box. The heat-resistant metal box including ceramic insulation therein, a rotation motor to rotate rollers of the rotation assembly via a motor coupler, cooling fans, a digital temperature controller micro circuit board to control the cooling fans, a battery compartment to provide energy to the motor, the digital temperature controller micro circuit board and the cooling fans, and a Bluetooth chip to provide wireless control of each of the internal components within the heat-resistant metal box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Inventor: Matthew Vogel
  • Patent number: 12356534
    Abstract: A portable food preparation assembly for storing and subsequently cooking food items includes a lunchbox that has a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment is defined by a thermally insulating material to store food items and ice for cooling the food items. A microwave oven is integrated into the lunchbox for directing microwave energy into the second compartment to cook food items positioned in the second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Inventor: Gerry Black
  • Patent number: 12343823
    Abstract: A digitized variable-polarity welding power source based on SiC IGBT, comprising a main circuit and a control circuit. The main circuit comprises a three-phase rectifying filter circuit, a SiC IGBT primary inverter circuit, a high-frequency transformer, a SiC ultrahigh-frequency rectifying filter output circuit, a SiC IGBT secondary inverter circuit and a high-voltage arc stabilizing circuit which are sequentially connected. The control circuit comprises a controller and a power supply control module, and a digitizing tablet, a SiC primary inverter driving module and a SiC secondary inverter driving module which are in connection with the controller via signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: SOUTH CHINA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Zhenmin Wang, Junhao Wei, Jianwen Wu
  • Patent number: 12343826
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wire-feed device for conveying a wire and to a method for feeding wire using a wire-feed device, in particular for a thermal joining apparatus, having at least one a drive element which can be operated by a feed drive and can be placed against a wire guided through the wire-feed device, exerting a contact pressure, in order to transfer drive movement by friction. According to the invention, an actuator which is coupled to the at least one drive element and can be controlled by a controller using the values measured for the contact pressure, is provided for variably setting the contact pressure acting on the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Alexander Binzel Schweisstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sascha Rose, Udo-Ralf Kessler, Matthias Bender, Ralf Hellmig
  • Patent number: 12342961
    Abstract: A conveyor toaster includes a toaster cabinet, an opening extending through the toaster cabinet and configured to receive a food product, and a conveyor assembly positioned in the toaster housing and associated with the feed opening. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor belt configured to be operated by a drive motor to transport the food product past a heating element. The conveyor toaster further includes a an input sensor arranged proximate the opening and configured to detect the food product and a processor operably coupled to the input sensor and the conveyor assembly. The processor is configured to change between an operating condition with a first belt speed and an idle condition with a second belt speed based upon a signal from the input sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Lyons, Kyle Kestner, Greg Klostermann, Elizabeth Bertness, Michael Rainone, Caleb Nehls
  • Patent number: 12337528
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a part by selectively melting powder is provided. The method includes: depositing a first layer of a first powder having a first element as its main element; depositing, on the first layer, a second layer of a second powder having a second element as its main element, which second element is different from the first element; and moving a first energy beam over the second layer, the energy delivered by the first beam serving to initiate an exothermic reaction between the first element and the second element, the energy given off by the exothermic reaction acting to locally melt together the first and second layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Stephane Knittel, Pascal Fabrice Bilhe
  • Patent number: 12328805
    Abstract: A thermal energy storage system includes a firebrick checkerwork and an electrode. The firebrick checkerwork includes one or more conductive firebrick layers, each including a plurality of electrically conductive doped metal oxide firebricks with one or more airflow vents. The electrode includes one or more electrode firebrick layers, each layer including a plurality of electrode firebricks. The firebrick checkerwork is heated due to application of electrical power to the electrode. Air flowing through the firebrick checkerwork may then be heated for use in heat-related applications (e.g., an industrial application, commercial application, residential application, transportation application, etc.) some of which may relate to electricity production or in other applications which may relate to other purposes that require heat that are unrelated to electricity production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2025
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Charles Forsberg, Daniel C. Stack
  • Patent number: 12310532
    Abstract: An improved telescopic pizza oven designed to enhance convection cooking efficiency. The telescopic pizza oven comprises a bottom annular ring and a top annular ring that is telescopically mounted onto the bottom annular ring, allowing for adjustable height configurations. A rectangular grill is inserted within the top annular ring to support food placement. The top annular ring features a difference in wall heights, which promotes enhanced convection airflow within the oven, ensuring even heat distribution for optimal cooking performance. This structure provides improved versatility, efficiency, and convenience for users seeking enhanced cooking capabilities in a compact, adjustable pizza oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2025
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Inventor: Eduardo M Cantelar
  • Patent number: 12317398
    Abstract: An oven includes a housing that defines a cavity therein, a radio wave generator coupled to the housing and configured to generate a radio wave to be transmitted to the cavity, a control unit electrically connected to the radio wave generator and configured to determine radio wave information related to an intensity, a phase, and a frequency of the radio wave to be generated by the radio wave generator, and a plurality of antennas electrically connected to the radio wave generator and configured to allow the radio wave to be radiated into the cavity. The plurality of antennas are spaced apart from one another, and the control unit is configured to determine the radio wave information for each of the plurality of antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jongseong Ji, Sunghun Sim, Junghyeong Ha, Chaehyun Baek
  • Patent number: 12296650
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for electrically heating (1) a liquid, comprising a heating body (11), and a housing (3) defining, at least in part, a chamber (30) for circulating the liquid, the heating body (11) comprising at least one electric heating element (7, 9) extending in the chamber (30) and attached to an inner wall of the device defining, at least in part, the chamber (30) for circulating the liquid, so as to form a first mechanical connection. According to the invention, the electric heating device (1) comprises at least one mechanical connecting element (21) arranged in the chamber (30) and mechanically connecting the at least one electric heating element (7, 9) to an inner surface of the housing (3) extending opposite the heating body (11), so as to form a second mechanical connection separate from the first mechanical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventors: Arnaud Faivre, Laurent Decool, Yann Couapel, Serif Karaaslan, Vincent Lamande
  • Patent number: 12295524
    Abstract: Cooking apparatus configured as a grill-griddle having a body, a lid, a cooking grate, and a griddle are described. The grill-griddle may be arranged to have a combustion space within the body and an aperture in the cooking enclosure of the grill-griddle. The aperture may be on the side of the grill-griddle and allow one or more of the grill grate and the griddle to move in and out of the cooking enclosure. The grill-griddle configuration allows for the grill grate, the griddle, or both to move laterally through such transitions enabling enhanced control and flexibility in the cooking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Inventor: Robert Ledet
  • Patent number: 12290851
    Abstract: An electrically assisted forming process and device for a high-strength metal alloy thin-walled pipe includes a die sleeve, wiring terminals, a pulse power supply, a die seat, sealing baffle plates, a drawing die, and a cooling water circulation chamber. A process for forming a high-strength metal alloy thin-walled pipe includes first, graphite or fusible metal, i.e., an aluminum rod, is introduced into a high-strength metal alloy pipe to be drawn to fill the whole pipe; and then, pulse current is introduced into a plastic deformation area of the thin-walled pipe. A cooling device can be provided to achieve a good cooling effect. The thin-walled pipe with corresponding length is cut according to a production requirement after processing is completed, and annealing treatment is performed in a vacuum heat treatment furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignees: CENTRAL IRON AND STEEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, YANSHAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yong Li, Zhiqing Lyu, Bo Zhao, Chunxu Wang, Shun Han, Le Zhan, Jianxiong Liang, Zhenbao Liu, Changjun Wang
  • Patent number: 12290856
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for additively manufacturing, wherein an irradiation path of the impinging beam deviates during the feed from a, in particular straight, feed centre line M, wherein at least one line P parallel to M or corresponding to M is successively crossed by the irradiation path at three points P1, P2 and P3, so that applies: P2 lies further forward in the feed direction than P1 and P3 lies between P1 and P2, at a distance p1 from P1 and a distance p2 from P2, where: p2/p1?2.0, preferably p2/p1?3.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: AM Metals GmbH
    Inventor: Axel Helm
  • Patent number: 12285133
    Abstract: System involved with but not limited to an apparatus including an outdoor griddle station with a system capable of communicating grease and other food byproducts from the cooking surface to a receptacle. A downwardly sloping opening in the cooking surface of the griddle member is disposed in nesting relation to and fluid communication with a basin situated beneath the griddle member. The basin is attached to a duct, forming a fluid transfer assembly that may pass through the heat source housing of the griddle station. The fluid transfer assembly is disposed over a receptacle capable of holding fluids. The receptacle may be removably supported by a bracket seat attached to the base of the griddle station such that the receptacle may be capable of being removed and replaced. In addition, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Nexgrill Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilfrido Barajas, Jr., Sherman Lin, Andre DeBeer